Proper Adjustment of Bearing Reins
Bearing reins should be just tight enough to keep the horse’s head up in its natural position. When so adjusted they prevent a horse from putting his
head down and getting the bit in his teeth; they prevent him from putting his tongue over the bit and do a great deal toward preventing him from kicking.
Bearing reins are particularly necessary in pair driving, for however well matched two horses may be in general appearance, they seldom carry their heads naturally at just the same height. In that case the horse who naturally carries his head high should have his bearing rein quite loose and the other quite tight, so that their heads may be at the same height. Nothing looks worse than to see two horses in a pair carrying their heads one low and one high. Most of the best authorities on driving also say, and I have no doubt that it is true, that bearing reins keep a tired horse up and make his going easy; they also keep him from nodding.
Of course, many thoughtless grooms draw the bearing reins altogether too tight, so as to force the horse’s head up and make him almost ewe-necked. This naturally frets a horse, especially when he is standing still. The bearing reins should be fastened to a bridoon and not to the bit, as, if fastened to the bit, they raise it too high and are apt to spoil the “feel” of the horse’s mouth.
For runabouts, at all times, bearing reins should be dispensed with, and they may be dispensed with
for informal country driving in any kind of carriage, especially with a single horse. When bearing reins are used they should generally be loosened if the horses are to stand for any length of time.
The overhead check-rein should never be used, except with roadsters or trotting horses.