HARNESSING THE HORSE 399 



this can be accomplished only by the use of an open 

 bridle. After training, however, there is no important 

 objection to the use of blinds, although even then they 

 add weight, are warm in summer and very annoying to 

 the horse. When blinds are used they should be of the 

 same height on the horse's head and firmly attached to 

 the bridle so they cannot swing back and forth. 



The check rein. — The efficiency of the horse depends 

 much upon the manner in which the head is held. If the 

 horse is given the freedom of his head he is likely to be- 

 come careless in his habits and shambling in his gait. 

 On the other hand, if the head is checked too high the 

 animal's usefulness is lessened thereby, as he cannot apply 

 himself. There are two common methods of checking 

 the horse's head : First, by the means of the side rein, 

 and; second, by the overdraw check rein. The former is 

 used largely on work horses and the latter on driving 

 horses. While the side rein is not so effective in hold- 

 ing the head up, it is more comfortable and enables the 

 horse to perform his work more effectively. He is not 

 so likely to stumble, and will pull a much heavier load. 

 This is because he has more liberty with his head, thereby 

 enabling him to see the ground immediately in front, and 

 to lower the head, thus throwing more power into the 

 collar. 



While the overdraw check rein holds the head higher, 

 yet there are many objections to its use. This rein was 

 devised for trotting horses, to be used for short periods 

 of time only, and where the surface was as smooth as the 

 floor. At present, however, it is used almost exclusively 

 on driving horses, on all kinds of roads, and for indefinite 

 periods of time. When so used there are many strong 

 objections to the overdraw check, chief of which are that 

 it holds the head in such a position that the animal is 

 unable to see the ground immediately in front of him, 

 and he has not the freedom to apply himself so as to 

 pull effectively, particularly in ascending a grade. He is 



