18 APRIL 1952, Page 18

Bearing Reins

SIR.—Janus -asks Why do the horses in the royal carriages wear bearing-reins ? " One might as well ask why do we humans wear top-hats, morning-coats and stiff collars at ceremonies and on formal occasions ? Surely the answer is tradition, custom and smartness.

May I suggest that a bearing-rein on a horse in the hands of a first- class whip causes very little more suffering than does a stiff collar to