HINTS ON HANDLING THE " RIBBONS." 235 



difficult. A few general remarks maj, however, 

 not be out of place. 



The position of the hand and arm has much 

 to do with appearance, and a vast deal more 

 with the art of driving. The left hand should 

 be carried nearly parallel with the elbow, cover- 

 ing about one third of the body : in that posi- 

 tion it is ready for the immediate aid of the 

 right whenever the two are required, which in 

 bearing to the right or left of the road, or in turn- 

 ing, is generally the case, as likewise in shorten- 

 ing the hold of the reins. 



The right hand should at all times be kept 

 as free as possible, so as to be able to make 

 a judicious use of the whip when required. 

 A good mouth is essential to comfort and 

 safety ; it enables a horse to be guided simply 

 by a turn of the wrist. Many a good mouth, 

 however, has been spoilt by the heavy, dead 

 pull of an inexperienced driver. The greatest 

 care, then, should be taken not to irritate or 

 suddenly check the animal, but by a certain 

 yielding of the hands (the reins being divided 

 in each), enable him to drop his head and 

 play with the bit. 



The experienced driver may easily be recog- 

 nised from the novice the moment he approaches 



