The Roadster 167 



out), and that the instant the heat was over, his 

 attendant immediately let him free, to be again con- 

 fined only when about to contest the succeeding 

 heat, at an interval of twenty minutes. We are 

 also ignorant of the fact that in all his slow, or 

 jogging work, his head is left entirely free — and 

 this exercise corresponds to the drives we give him 

 on the road. No wonder the poor sufferer, in his 

 discomfort and agony, pulls, drives on one rein, and 

 does any or all of the curious and annoying things 

 common to horses thus hampered. No road-horse 

 needs the overdraw check, and it is an infernal ma- 

 chine of the most scientific make : well enough in its 

 ])lace, and for the special purpose for which it was 

 made, but utterly out of reason, or need, in the pri- 

 vate stable. The high side-checks, with the loops 

 sewn upon the crown-piece of the bridle (and not af- 

 fixed to the throat-latch), are more natural, comfort- 

 able, graceful, and equally efifective; and they should 

 always be worn fairly loose in ordinary driving — 

 it is but the work of a moment to take them up a 

 few holes if about to indulge in fast brushing. More 



