CH. XII BEARING-REIN 259 



vertical and the horizontal directions, the conditions 

 will be as nearly as possible similar to those of a 

 saddle-horse, and, with a good hand, something of 

 the same effects ought to be obtained. 



As is described in Chapter XV., Article on 

 ' Bitting- ' the best results with a harness-horse are 

 obtained when the horse has been already carefully 

 handled on foot, and the flexions, at least partially 

 executed, so that the action of the two bits in 

 driving will resemble that of the riding bridle. If 

 adjusted and used in this way, the bearing-rein may 

 be considered unobjectionable, and even useful, for 

 parade purposes and in the show ring ; under other 

 circumstances, and in any but the very best hands, 

 it is better dispensed with. 



On the road, and especially in going up-hill, 

 horses work much better with their heads free ; at 

 any moderate pace and with a heavy load a horse 

 throws his weight forward into the collar and puts 

 down his head, a fact recognised in some countries 

 in the practice of tying down a horse's head, from 

 the notion that it adds to his power for draught. 

 On a level, hard road with a light load, a horse does 

 not require to have his body thrown forward, and 

 can assume the gathered position, with head up and 

 in, and with hind legs under him, a position with 

 which the bearing-rein does not interfere. 



It is hardly necessary to add, that a very tight 

 bearing-rein which keeps the head constrained, and 

 elevated above a natural position, is to be strongly 



