CH. XII COUPLING 263 



In the coaching prints of the first part of this 

 century the bearing-rein is always shown, but it is 

 not found in those previous to 1800. 



In conclusion, it may be said, that all coachmen 

 should have their attention called to the abuses of 

 the bearing-rein and to the serious pain and dis- 

 comfort resulting to a horse from having it too 

 tight, although it must be noted, that these abuses 

 are confined almost entirely to pairs and single 

 horses, a subject with which we are not at present 

 dealing. 



If bearing-reins are not used, the coachman must 

 always keep his eye on his wheelers when they are 

 standing still, or one of them may drop his head 

 and, getting his bit caught on the pole-head, pull 

 off his bridle. For this reason the bearino-rein is 

 not out of place on a pair used for shopping or 

 visiting, but it should be loose. 



In this connection, Mr Flower's admirable pam- 

 phlets on Bits and Bearing Reins may be recom- 

 mended to the attention of all horsemen. 



COUPLING 



In all harness, the outside rein, usually called the 

 draught-rein, runs from the hand to the outer side 

 of each horse's bit. In some rude farm harness the 

 inner sides of the bits are attached to each other 

 by a short rein, which couples the horses together, 

 so that when one horse is pulled to one side he 

 leads the other with him. This is obviously a crude 



