72 



THE OVERDRAW CHECK. 



found very valuable, because so simple and easily made. 

 If you have a good piece of cord, such as I use, or any 

 small but strong cord, you can make a rig in a few min- 

 utes, that enables you to drive a pretty bad horse with 

 entire ease. First, take a cord eighteen to twenty feet in 

 length. Put the centre on top of the head under the 

 bridle, about ten or twelve inches from this centre ; 

 double and knot about two inches from this centre, and 

 we have now two check or gag runners which will come 

 up near the ears. Resting the centre of the cord on top 

 of the head, pass each end down and through the mouth, 

 then up and through the loops before named, then back 



A cheap, simple means of driving a runaway kicker. 



through the turrets to the wagon, same as reins. The 

 higher the loops for gag-runners, the more purchase up 

 and back. Any way you get great power upon the 

 mouth and head ; or, you can, instead of crossing the 

 cords through the mouth, run them through the rings of 

 the bit, and bring back up and through the loop on same 

 side. 



This gives all the power and control of the best flat reins, 

 without the expense. You can use a bit if you wish, bypass- 

 ing cord through the ring on each side and back again to 

 the gag-runner. Let the bridle be made to fit the head 

 closely. Between the ears, a little inside of each, have a 

 little loop, sewed on large enough to pass through two 



