HIGH CHECKING. 



253 



The same evening I saw a gentle' family horse driven by two 

 girls. The horse, one of the kindest of animals, was checked as high 

 as he could be made to carry his head ; and while driving on a walk 

 it was really painful to notice the strained manner in which the poor 

 creature stepped, taking up his feet and putting them down almost 

 like a blind horse, because the nose being pulled up so high, the 

 blinders prevented his seeing the ground before him, at the same 

 time working the mouth and throwing the head right and left in the 



Fig. 306.— Showing the Discomfort and Torture of High Checking. 



effort to free himself from the severe restraint. For a good illustra- 

 tion of these positions, see Figs. 296 to 301. 



This is only a 'fair illustration'of how many favorite driving and 

 family horses, including even some work horses, are unintentionally 

 checked. Up, and compelled to remain so for hours at a time, no mat- 

 ter how worked. 



But while the check is less objectionable for light driving, it is 

 not only abuse but real cVuelty to use restraint; uponthe^head of the 

 draft horse in this way, as it to a great extent disables the horse 

 from drawing heavy loads. This need not be demonstrated ; any 



