138 STABLE ECONOMY. 



Alone, it is not a good binding for biting horses, for it gives 

 the man no control over the head : it ruffles the mane ; but 

 where straps are used, this is of no consequence. When on, 

 it should be so tight that it can not pass over the ears, yet 

 loose enoush to admit a man's hand under it. 



The Rein by which the horse is bound to the stall has sev- 

 eral names. In different places it is termed a collar-rein, a 

 collar shank or shaft, and a binding ; most usually, shaft and 

 shank are confined to the halter. For ponies it is sometimes 

 made of leather, which is too weak for strong horses : in gen- 

 eral it is rope, but a chain is in common use. In a perma- 

 nent establishment chains are cheaper than ropes, and more 

 secure, since some horses break or bite the ropes to get free ; 

 but they are weighty and noisy. 



Sometimes two are employed to each horse, but in general 

 one is sufficient for working horses : when two are necessary, 

 the rings through which they pass are usually fixed on the 

 manger breast, and distant, one from another, about three feet 

 six inches. Some horses require a double rein, but not all ; 

 when one will serve, it may be attached to the middle of the 

 stall on the manger breast ; or, if the manger be in one cor- 

 ner, the rein ring may be in the other corner, or directly in 

 front, on the head wall ; it should be three feet three or six 

 inches from the ground. The ring through which the rein 

 runs is attached by an iron staple driven into the wood ; it 

 answers the purpose very well in ordinary cases. In the sale 

 stable of Mr. Laing, Edinburgh, a kind of pulley is used ; 

 the rope runs easier, and requires less weight to sink it. 

 (See Fig. 6, page 41.) 



The Sinker \or Weight^.— T\\g weight attached to the col- 

 lar or halter rein, is usually a ball of wood loaded with lead. 

 Where chains are used, the sinker is sometimes a lump of 

 lead or a cast-iron bullet, weighing about four pounds, and at- 

 tached immovably, so that neither the chain nor its appenda- 

 ges can be taken away. In posting and coaching-stables this 

 is a necessary precaution against loss and theft. Tying the 

 rein to the ring, or loading it with a straw wisp, are both im- 

 proper, and among restless horses, dangerous. 



ACCIDENTS CONNECTED WITH RESTRAINT. 



Some of these accidents arise from peculiar habits of the 

 horse, others from carelessness or ignorance on the part of 

 his groom. 



