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is derived from the definition of "bearing" which means "the manner in which one bears or conducts one's self; mien; behavior; carriage." The reference suggested that high head carriage was a sign of nobility or pride. However, 19th century critics of the bearing rein applied a pejorative meaning to
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An overcheck has a practical purpose; if a horse lowers its head too far when in harness, particularly if moving quickly, it can catch the bridle or reins on the shafts of the carriage or wagon, risking an accident. Properly adjusted and when used for a limited period of time, an overcheck does not
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In the 18th and 19th centuries, overchecks and bearing reins were commonly used on stylish carriage horses to keep their heads up, at times to an extreme degree, depending on the fashion of the time. Today it is used primarily for
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when being ridden by very young riders in order to prevent the pony from putting its head down and grazing while being ridden, an act of disobedience that a small child often lacks the physical strength to prevent.
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significantly impede the motion of the horse or cause discomfort. If too tight, however, an overcheck rein can be uncomfortable because it puts strain on the neck muscles and ligaments. On a hard-working
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The modern overcheck is often a necessary piece of safety equipment for certain types of harness and is an aid to the driver in keeping a horse's head properly positioned.
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horses, because it can lead to the horse traveling with a hollow frame, the opposite of the rounded frame encouraged in dressage. A device that looks similar, the
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that assists the horse in learning the proper high head position for competition that also emphasizes high knee action. While not normally used by a rider in the
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Historically, improper use and overuse created chronic problems with the spine and back that in some cases made certain horses useless as
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Related types of checkrein often used in conjunction with an overcheck are
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Head shot of an overcheck on a harness racing horse, with separate bit
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the word, meaning "patient endurance; suffering without complaint".
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An overcheck or bearing rein can be attached to the same bit as the
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This article is about the part of a harness. For other uses, see
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or exhibition use, particularly in the schooling and showing of
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that runs from a point on the horse's back, over the head, to a
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passes beside the ears through loops at the top of the
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188:deal primarily with America and do not represent a
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392:The overcheck is generally not used to train
186:The examples and perspective in this article
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64:Learn how and when to remove these messages
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360:The overcheck is also used today in some
242:Learn how and when to remove this message
224:Learn how and when to remove this message
161:Learn how and when to remove this message
531:Edmonton Bulletin, March 12, 1907, p. 11
27:Item of harness over the head of a horse
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368:. In particular, it is used on certain
364:activities, and for certain types of
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546:George Routledge & Sons, Limited
99:adding citations to reliable sources
1120:Tack accessories and training tools
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1480:Category:Horse tack and equipment
45:This article has multiple issues.
1308:Historic or ceremonial equipment
321:, or to a second, separate bit.
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874:Component parts and accessories
86:needs additional citations for
53:or discuss these issues on the
542:The Encyclopædia of the Stable
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1473:Glossary of equestrian terms
1182:Draw reins and running reins
642:, components and accessories
571:The Encyclopaedia of Driving
421:horses and certain types of
404:is a related training tool.
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627:Horse equipment and tack
569:Walrond, Sallie (1979).
671:Australian stock saddle
352:An overcheck used on a
1003:Bearing rein/overcheck
573:. Country Life Books.
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891:Mechanical hackamore
372:horses while on the
310:, or to the harness
206:create a new article
198:improve this article
95:improve this article
1065:Horse-drawn vehicle
540:Shaw, Vero (1909).
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366:horse training
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522:March 1, 1906
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112: –
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106:Find sources:
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84:This article
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51:
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443:bearing rein
442:
440:
435:Black Beauty
433:
427:
419:fine harness
411:
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301:
292:
280:
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273:bearing rein
272:
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253:
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214:October 2023
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151:October 2023
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138:
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117:
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93:Please help
88:verification
85:
61:
54:
48:
47:Please help
44:
18:Bearing rein
1407:Occupations
1348:Hipposandal
1271:Picket line
1162:Bitting rig
1088:Sled/sleigh
1025:Horse brass
1018:Shadow roll
1013:Lines/reins
906:Mecate rein
820:Snaffle bit
707:Breastplate
686:Pack saddle
494:Bitting rig
378:bitting rig
370:saddle seat
343:draft horse
258:riding aids
110:"Overcheck"
1496:Categories
1259:Restraints
1172:Side reins
1130:Martingale
936:Tongue-tie
911:Curb chain
840:Pelham bit
774:Headstalls
763:hackamores
681:Sidesaddle
580:0600331822
505:References
456:side reins
415:horse show
374:longe line
293:side check
121:newspapers
50:improve it
1384:Hoof boot
1379:Horseshoe
1343:Caparison
1286:Rein hook
1218:equipment
1157:Surcingle
1045:Surcingle
993:Breeching
968:carriages
931:Lip strap
926:Bit guard
865:Bit shank
845:Spade bit
791:Hackamore
727:Saddlebag
562:23297448M
519:The Times
460:surcingle
441:The term
304:surcingle
281:checkrein
277:overcheck
202:talk page
56:talk page
1427:Strapper
1389:Caulkins
1367:Farriery
1338:Shabrack
1333:Frentera
1245:Fly mask
1073:Carriage
860:Bit ring
850:Ring bit
815:Curb bit
717:Tapadero
589:4175648M
499:Longeing
478:See also
425:horses.
423:carriage
394:dressage
196:You may
1422:Hostler
1318:Barding
1177:Chambon
1035:Crupper
941:Sallong
825:Gag bit
759:bridles
732:Pannier
712:Stirrup
653:Saddles
640:Saddles
554:3806740
408:History
398:chambon
135:scholar
1276:Twitch
1266:Hobble
1225:Halter
1216:Stable
1050:Terret
998:Bridle
916:Fiador
781:Bridle
587:
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560:
552:
464:saddle
386:ponies
382:saddle
356:horse.
312:saddle
137:
130:
123:
116:
108:
1507:Reins
1417:Groom
1187:Gogue
1145:Quirt
1098:Wagon
1093:Sulky
1083:Coach
1055:Trace
901:Romal
896:Reins
886:Bosal
702:Girth
468:longe
402:Gogue
319:reins
306:of a
279:or a
204:, or
142:JSTOR
128:books
1230:Lead
1152:Spur
1140:Crop
1135:Whip
1078:Cart
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