RIDING AND DRIVING 255 



plish. When it has been accomplished the driver 

 does as much work as the horse. To smack a 

 horse with the reins instead of using the whip 

 may be well enough for old Dobbin on the farm, 

 but it is a silly habit which hurts the horse, with- 

 out being effective for the purpose intended, 

 while it proves the driver to have no knowledge 

 of the business. Jerking on the reins, or rather 

 giving a pull and then letting them loose to make 

 a horse quicken his gait is unworthy even of a 

 peddler or a city huckster. 



Keep your eye on your horse. That is the most 

 important thing in driving. The driver is in com- 

 mand, and it is the horse's part to obey. This may 

 seem an unnecessary thing when jogging along 

 on a long clear road. But we should not jog along. 

 A brisk pace is the proper pace to drive at, and if 

 the road be very long a rest can be taken and no 

 time b lost, while if the journey be only seven or 

 eight miles the brisk pace reduces the time, and 

 the horse is sooner in the stable and at rest. Pok- 

 ing along at a jog will in time ruin any horse. It 

 will spoil his style, detract from his speed, and 

 take away his spirit. When a horse is taken along 



