4: L 



TO ATTACH THE HORSE TO THE 

 VEHICLE. 



"Slow and sure." 



In attaching a horse or putting it between the 

 shafts, the most deliberate way is the quickest and safest; 

 bustling or hurrying and running round its head 

 backwards and forwards is a very dangerous practice, par- 

 ticularly with a spirited animal. A few days ago a friend 

 of the writer's (after many remonstrations and cautions for 

 the rushing manner in which he always put the horse in) met 

 with a very serious accident, nearly costing him the life 

 of his steed ; to use his own words " He had just fixed 

 the near side trace and breech-band strap, and was 

 hastening round the back of the dog-cart to attach the off 

 side, when the horse sheered away, and at the same time 

 catching the wheel of the vehicle against a large stone 

 fixed in the gateway, causing it to plunge, and 

 the owner to shout and pull at the reins ; ultimately, 

 during the brief excitement, the horse got its rump under 

 the shafts and commenced kicking, soon cleared itself 

 of the lot, and bolting away, fell down in turning the 

 corner, thus preventing further mischief." 



It is very important that the shafts should always 

 be elevated and drawn to the horse, and never left 

 upon the ground for backing the horse into them. 



It is a common practice to throw the cushions, 

 rugs, mats, and whip into the vehicle from a distance, and 

 many serious accidents have arisen therefrom. 



