130 HOESE-BREAKIXG. 



greatly diminished ; it is only fashion^ that 

 bugbear of society, that causes blinkers to be 

 an inseparable part of harness. I am sure a 

 horse looks better without them if people would 

 only accustom themselves to the sight. Why 

 hide a horse's eyes, the most expressive feature 

 in his head? What would a lady be if her 

 eyes were put out or hidden from view, and 

 unable to use them as some know only too 

 well how to do. 



In concluding this chapter let me remind 

 my readers that bearing-reins are both useless 

 and cruel, the former because the horse cannot 

 pull to the full extent of his power when his 

 head is stuck up in the air, and that all attempts 

 to alter the natiu'al conformation of his head 

 and neck are futile ; the latter because the 

 head and neck being kept in an unnatural and 

 constrained position causes the animal excessive 

 pain. 



