160 THROUGH STABLE AND SADDLE-ROOM. 



but if it should be it is there. This, perhaps, 

 savours somewhat of the ' White Knight and his 

 Mousetrap' in 'Alice in Wonderland '; but a broken 

 trace may prove very awkward, and a trace may 

 be broken or have to be cut should an accident 

 happen. 



A kicking-strap denotes its use by its very name, 

 and is merely a strong broad strap, which, passing- 

 through the crupper, as does the breeching, is, like 

 it, buckled to the shafts to stops placed there for 

 the purpose. Where a horse is at all inclined to 

 kick it should always be worn, as the breeching is 

 not sufficient for the purpose. 



Reins should be flat, and never round. Whether 

 they are of brown or half brown and half black 

 leather is immaterial, provided they are good. The 

 all-brown perhaps look the better of the two ; but 

 in anv case constant care is essential, in order that 

 the ends which buckle on to the bit, the ' billets,' as 

 they are called, are kept in proper repair, as the 

 stitching of the billets is very apt to wear out — the 

 saliva from the horse's mouth constantly wetting it ; 

 and it is generally at these points, or where the 

 leather is worn thin by frequent rubbing against 

 the terrets and collar-rings, that a rein breaks. 



Of late years there has been a great deal said and 

 written on the subject of bearing-reins, and their 



