THE OVERDRAW CHECK. 71 



tighter, and consequently pull the head up in proportion, 

 thereby preventing the horse from doing any mischief. 

 As there is manifested less disposition to kick, give more 

 freedom to the head. When the animal proves safe, 

 change, and use the common check-rein, at first rather 

 short. A nicely rounded strap may be used, instead of 

 the cord. It requires very careful and thorough treat- 

 ment to reform a slow, reckless kicker, especially if the 

 nervous system is much weakened in this direction. Or, 

 use the check-purchase upon the reins direct, by either 

 letting the cords extend to the wagon, instead of being 



Simple Overdraw Check, to prevent turning round, or to kick if touched 

 with reins. 



passed over the hips and tied to the shafts ; or attach this 

 check by buckles to each of the reins, forward of the sad- 

 dle. By this arrangement, when you pull heavily, you 

 pull on this check in the same proportion that you do 

 upon the jaw. The consequence is, a powerful lever pur- 

 chase on the head, up and back. You can regulate your 

 control by buckling this overdraw part longer or shorter 

 to the reins; or you can have your overdraw ordinarily 

 long, and have two strong pieces of elastic connecting the 

 reins with the bit, so that when you pull hard the elastics 

 would give enough to bring full purchase on the overdraw. 

 The following very simple form of overdraw will be 



