DRIVING A SIN< 171 



vehicle, and transfer the reins to the left hand, one of them (the near 

 rein) passing over the upper linger, the other between it and the next : 

 then close the thumb upon them, and they will be firmly grasped in the 

 hand. Whilst turning, or when driving a high-courag-d horse, and in cri- 

 tical situations generally, the right hand must be at all times called to the 

 Stance of the left; thus the reins being grasped as before stated, you 

 - the second and third fingers between them, and loosening your hold 

 on the off rein a little, let the right hand have complete control of IN 

 guidance, still, however, firmly holding both reins in your left. This 

 position gives you great power over your horse. 



STARTING. Holding your reins as described, start your horse either by 

 ;r voice or by the reins gently feeling his mouth, but neither pulling at 

 it, nor jerking the reins. Many high-couraged horses have been made 

 jibbers by the stupidity of a driver. If a young horse's mouth is hurt, by 

 the driver checking him eveiy time he starts, he will be sure to incur some 

 vice ; the habit of rearing or of jibbing will most probably be the result. 

 The learned may say, " Suppose, however, he refuse to start, what then is 

 to be done ? " We reply, have patience, let the groom lead him off', caress 

 him, speak quietly and encourage him to proceed, and if he presses on one 

 as if he wanted to go round, turn him round, if there be room, and as 

 soon as he has his head the right way, give him his liberty, and, by the 

 voice or the whip, urge him to proceed. Much must here be left to the 

 judgment ; a touch with the whip in such circumstances would make some 

 horses jili, while it would immediately start others ; some it would be ad- 

 vi-able to urge only with the voice, and to have a person to push the 

 on, so that the collar should scarcely touch the shoulder in starting. Sup- 

 ]>"Mng there is not room for the horse to turn, and he persists in his attempt 

 to do so, we have always found it best in such a case to de>ire tin- groom 

 to let his head alone, and to go to the side towards which the horse is in- 

 clined to turn, and then jMi^h against the extreme end of the shaft : if he 

 this, speaking iju'n-tly to him all the time, forty-nine lior-- 



fifty, that are not irreclaimable jibbers, will after a short struggle, proceed 



SOOner you get rid of a conlirmed jibber the Letter ; DO Duality such 

 ;i brut*- can | would repay you for the trouble the vice occasion-: 



'i is. belles, a]\vay> a dangerous one. 

 'I'm: K".\I>. Having >tarted your hor.s.-. keep your eyes open, looking 



before you, not merely lor tin- purpose of avoiding other oarria 



but looking up the road, and on each side of it, so as to notice if there he 

 impediment, to your ho) any loose stones which he might 



1 upon, an 1 tin r iby ! thrown down ; any sudden rising or fallings in 



