MOUNTED INSTRUCTION 165 



Whips, Spurs: Do not allow whips or spurs to be used on new 

 horses. Ignorant application of either will ruin more good horses than 

 any other cause. If punishment is necessary, give it or supervise it 

 yourself. About 99 per cent of all horses will do their best for you if 

 properly handled. 



Drivers: On a long, hard pull, if you are careful not to make your 

 horses walk fast, they will not be winded or exhausted when they reach 

 the top. Let them have their heads, as they know, better than you do, 

 the most comfortable position for them. Never allow a team horse's 

 head to be held to the side as so many drivers do hold them through 

 careless handling of the reins. 



On Turns: Emphasize in sharp and difficult turns on level ground 

 that the wheel driver controls carriage and that lead and swing give 

 him slack traces, but keep moving to get out of Wheelers way. 

 Wheeler can also get control of carriage by moving his horses forward 

 to slacken the traces in front of him. Wheeler controls pole by urging 

 near horse ahead if he wishes the pole to go to right, off horse if 

 to left. This is the easiest way to control pole because of the chains 

 attached to the doubletrees and to the carriage. If carriage is caught 

 on an object, move pole toward object and back the carriage, then 

 without moving carriage, bring pole over to opposite side far enough 

 to clear, then move carnage out. This will clear easily any object 

 you may get caught on. Learn to guide the near horse. Off horse 

 will follow; neck rein near horse in all cases. Use coupling rein to 

 lead off horse forward and to left. 



On Hills drivers all lean well forward in saddles, apply legs in the 

 rear of girth. If the horse is a sluggish one take feet out of stirrups and 

 apply legs in rear of cincha on horse's sides. Speak sharply to off 

 horse. Drivers must work and see that both horses are in collar at all 

 times. Be sure to give botb horses their heads — this applies espe- 

 cially to off horses. Never pull on reins of off horse. Let his reins 

 go entirely if necessary. Any pull in any direction on reins of off horse 

 gives a direct pull to the rear on his mouth. If horses are pulling well 

 and fully doing their share, do not try to urge them to extra efforts by 

 continually applying the aids. 



Going Down Hills driver leans back, grips horse with his legs, 

 pulls straight to rear on reins, never allowing horse's head to be pulled 

 to one side or other. Have short reins so as to be able to control horse. 

 Wheel driver controls carriage. Lead and swing move out steadily 

 but with slack traces. When carriage starts, lead and swing drivers 

 look back to see that their traces are slack allowing wheel driver to get 

 control of carriage. Brakes will be applied in going down hills, but 

 not so hard as to lock the wheels. Watch particularly position of 

 driver's legs. Watch for heels sticking in horse's sides. See that they 

 keep heels well down, and out of horse's sides. 



Drills: Instructors will watch particularly that distances are main- 

 tained at all times. No closing up or lengthening out of column. Cau- 

 tion all drivers to keep head and eyes up at all times and look ahead and 



