Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1889-07-22
Advantages OF the Check Rein.


just at present there is much discussion il
the agricultural and daily press about the
checkrein, its advantages and abuses, in
which the Journal has taken little part
The article which appeared in our column,
last week has received some criticism from
a correspondent Who points out that our
language which wholly condemns the use OF
the check as part of the harness which
should be entirely abolished, and go tout
of use entirely" is far too condemnatory.
Well, it may be that the statements are
somewhat too forcible. We may have
taken a too strong position in condemning a
thing utterly, when it is its abuse to which
we objected The check-rein when not a
cruelty, may be an advantage in giving the
horse graceful carriage of neck and head,
keeping the head in position when it might
otherwise get in the habit of being awk
wardly handled, and assisting the
driver in easy management of the
horse. Where moderate cheek
is used the attention which the driver must
give his horse as when walking going up
hill or standing by the roadside, is greatly
lessened. The moderate check in such
cases takes the work of keeping the horses
head in position off from the hands and mind
of the driver. One can hardly ride for
pleasure if he has to pay constant attention
to his horse, hence the necessity of the
check, when it docs not become too much Of .
chcck. Its abuse is what We complain of.
A writer in the Boston Evening Transcript
gives some of his experiences in the use of
the check and its advantages. ard although
his remarks do not have quite the local ap
plcatton in this State that they would have
in Boston or other large cities, We copy a
portion of his article as showing a par, Of the
other side of the question
1T is very easy for you who ride 20 town
daily in the steam cars, to crlticise the en-
gineer who drives the engine, but your crti-
cism is worthless unless you have ever filled
his place SO would like to ask the writers
of these articles on the check rein question
If they were ever in a carriage when the horse
ran away. If you have ever sat, as have
done, behind spirited pair of horses who
were driven without check
rtins because they arched their necks so
proudly and looked so handsome. aad who.
frightened by steam engine rushing to the
FIRE. took the bits in their teeth and rushed
81 ably away, in spite of the drivers efforts
10 control them, until the carriage WI. upset.
a little girl made a cripple for life while the
rest of as barely escaped with our lives you
may be in position to criticise.
These horses were not vicious. had been
owned and driven for many years nv one
person. but they were trusted too much and
not properly controlled by the harness
hence the accident
Horses are like engines useful servants
if properly controlled. but dangerous to life
if not. Ii spirited horse sees an object in
the street or a newspaper blowing about in
the wind. and feels inclined 10 jump about.
regardless of the fact that he has the pre-
cious lives of your wife and children in the
carriage behind him, if he has no check
rein, and can get his head do sn and take the
Bit in his teeth, the chances are ten 10 one he
VIII start to run, often from mere
playfulness. but which is lust as
bad ~ if from fright Once started.
and not checked. he loses his head
and your lives may be sacrificed to false
sentiment. do not believe in checking
horses so as to cause them pain; but when a
horse is hsrnessed for service, in the name
of common sence, let i; be done so he car he
driven safely. The protest made is generally
against horses used for pleasure driving
Probably these same horses may have stood
idle in the stables for a week at a time. and
the few hours drive in harness hurts them
not bit.
Now. have owned ard driven horses ali
my life, and believe that if any or all of
the writers of these article about the use of
the check-rein on horses would take a ride
behind my pair, who are gentle. Young, hut
very powerful. and drive them by the
electric cars or even sheet of paper blow
ing on the road. and feel them take hold,
they would be thankful for that extra
check-rein on the harness that enables
one to control ssem with safety and pleasure.
One who loves horses does not want to drive
those with no more spirit than COW. and
half the pleasure in driving comes from feel
ing spirited horse under control. obedieu'
tn your guidance, and to feel that you art
his master and friend.
| think these few lines will find an echo il
the hearts of all lovers of fine horses every
where, who, while wishing to see them al
kindly treated, believe that, when hsrnessed
they should always wear eheck-reins, 80 tina
they may be driven in safety,