558 NOTES ON TANDEM AND FOUR-IN-HAND DRIVING. 



rein of either wheeler or leader who is inclined to carry his 

 head higher than his mate, should be underneath. These 

 are most important points, for unless a team works together, 

 driving becomes a pain — torture in fact — instead of being 

 a pleasure. 



Frequently it occurs that one leader or wheeler (some- 

 times one of each) is less free than the other. Then the 

 couplings should be let out accordingly, until the driver 

 sees for himself that they are all working evenly, or, if 

 necessary, let out the slack horse (or horses) four holes, and 

 take the free one back a hole. The traces, also, can be 

 lengthened or shortened according to necessity, to make 

 all work evenly. These changes should be made as often 

 as seems necessary for a few days, and then if the team does 

 not work together, the owner may feel reasonably sure that 

 his horses will never make a level going lot. 



Similar mouths and dispositions are great factors in the 

 make-up of a comfortable four to drive. The same average 

 speed is also essential. One slow horse, especially a leader, 

 spoils the whole outfit. 



Another point in connection with a " green " lot is to 

 "lap" (cross) the leaders' traces, fastening the trace to the 

 same lead bar as if not crossed. This helps considerably 

 to keep them together, as, for instance, if one leader shies, 

 the other will help to keep him in his place, for as already 

 stated, two horses seldom shy at the same object at the 

 same time. 



When starting a four, after getting the reins in proper 

 position as to length and couplings, so that the horses' 

 mouths can be felt, call out " Pull up " (not " Get up "), drop 

 your hand sufficiently to give them their heads, allowing 



