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THE STRUCTURE OF THE HORSE 



the ' bearing-rein ,' which, however, not being elastic, 

 never allows the head, even momentarily, to be altered 

 in position; which is generally fixed so tightly as to 

 interfere greatly with the natural graceful curve of the 

 neck, one of the horse's chief beauties ; and which, being 

 attached at one end through the tender corners of the 

 mouth, must, if short enough to effect the object for 

 which it is used, be a continual source of pain or irrita- 

 tion to the animal. 



Of the numerous petty cruelties practised by man 

 upon the domestic animals in obedience to the dictates 

 of fashion or custom, or out of mere thoughtlessness, the 

 use of the bearing-rein as a regular part of the harness 

 of a carriage- or cart-horse is one of the least excusable. 

 We may, notwithstanding all the protests of the sensible, 

 continue, from the same motives, to deform and injure 

 our own feet by pointed shoes, and our own waists by 

 tight lacing, but we ought to extend more consideration 

 to the comfort and welfare of the helpless animals which, 

 for our own advantage, we have taken under our care. 1 



1 See Bits and Bearing -reins, with Observations on Horses and 

 Harness, by E. F. Flower, London, 7th edit, 1885. 



