CH. XI REINS 2 25 



They should be somewhat thick, the four together 

 measuring 3/^ of an inch, and should be made of firm 

 leather. The outer, or draught-rein, runs straight 

 through from the hand to the bit ; the inner, or 

 coupling-rein, terminates in a buckle which runs on 

 the draught-rein, the latter having a number of holes 

 to take the tongue of this buckle. The reins buckle 

 to the bit by billets and buckles. Usually these 

 billets have three holes in them so that their places 

 in the bit can be chanced ; but it is better to have 

 only one hole, and to make all changes in the length 

 of the coupling-reins by the buckle which runs on 

 the draught-rein. This is important for public-coach 

 harness, because a horse-keeper by buckling in the 

 wrong hole of the billet will change the length of the 

 couplings. An objection to a billet long enough 

 to have three holes is, that the branch of the bit 

 may get caught in the loop when the rein is in the 

 middle bar. The billets ought to be frequently 

 examined, and when one is found to be worn, all 

 should be replaced, since the breaking of a rein- 

 billet is sure to cause an accident. 



The lengths of the reins are as follows : The 

 lead draught-rein should be 282 inches (23 ft. 6 in.) 

 in length from the double of the bit-billet to the 

 end : that is, from the bit to the end. At a dis- 

 tance of 81 inches (6 ft. 9 in.) from the bit is the 

 middle hole of fifteen which are punched, one inch 

 apart, to take the coupling-rein buckle. The hand 

 of the coachman will be 242 inches (20 ft. 2 in.) 



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