CH. XII COUPLING 265 



forward. The coupling-rein of the former will be, 

 therefore, slack, and the horse being less restrained, 

 will go away from the pole until his inside rein be- 

 comes tight. To counteract this, it will be neces- 

 sary to shorten, or take up his coupling, remember- 

 ing always that his coupling is that which goes from 

 his bit to the draught-rein of the other horse. 



It may also happen that one horse is more eager 

 or free, than the other, and will be too far ahead ; in 

 which case the taking up of his coupling will bring 

 him back, — that is, it will draw more tightly on his 

 bit and restrain him. 



In both cases, however, the shortening of the 

 coupling-rein will bring the horses' heads nearer 

 together ; and, if their distance apart was originally 

 correct and is to be maintained, whatever is taken 

 up in one coupling must be let out in the other. 



This is shown in the diagram (Fig. 128), where the 

 relative distances are exaggerated to show the action 

 more clearly. 



N N' 

 Fig. 128. 



When the horses are working exactly alike, the 

 reins are arranged as shown by the black lines ; A 



