CH. XI COLLAR 207 



The plain bearing-rein, B, is buckled to a light 

 snaffle-bit, which is not attached to the bridle, and, 

 passing through the ring which is attached to the 

 crown-piece by the strap already described, it loops 

 the centre-hook of the pad. For the purpose of 

 adjusting its length, it has the arrangement of rings 

 and buckles shown in the figure. Form A is much 

 more heavy and clumsy than form B, and it is 

 difficult to see any advantage in it. The double 

 purchase of the pulley enables a stableman to pull 

 the rein up very tight, and to make it cruel. (See 

 Article on Bearing-Reins, Chapter XII.) 



The bearing-rein is sometimes, in America, called 

 the ' check-rein.' 



Collar. — Inasmuch as the collar is that part of 

 the harness by which the horse does his work, it 

 is of the utmost importance that it should be of 

 the proper shape and should fit well, and to get a 

 collar which will not rub the horse, usually ex- 

 ercises all the care and ingenuity of the harness- 

 maker and the coachman. If possible, every horse 

 should have his own collar ; with the horses of a 

 public-coach it is indispensable, for which reason 

 every horse should have a number, which is usually 

 branded on the hoof, and his collar should have a 

 corresponding number, in brass figures, on the little 

 cape which is usually on the top of a public-coach 

 collar, where they can be seen by the coachman 

 from the box. 



