THE IJFE OF A SPORTSMAN 



Hargrave. — 'Do you think it is injurious to ;i luniter to drive 

 him occasionally in light harness ? ' 



Jack Wehher. — ' By no means, proxided his legs and feet are 

 good ; much better do tliat tlian send him to grass, to become 

 full of bad flesh; 



Somerby. — ' I am no coachman, ])ut I often go from Melton to 

 London on the box of the mail, and one thing puzzles me. I 

 often see the traces of a wheel-horse appear slack, and still the 

 coachman is satisfied with the working of the liorse. How 

 is that, Mr. Webber ? ' 



Jack Webber. — ' I will explain it in two words. If a trace be 

 twisted, it will never appear to be "taut," as the sailors say; 

 but a coachman knows when a horse is at work, by a certain 

 tension of his frame.' 



Hargrave. — ' Will you tell me the best way to put horses into 

 harness the first time 



Jack Webber. — ' You mean double harness.' 



Hargrave. — ' I do.' 



Jack Webber. — ' Then I will give you the directions which 

 were given to me by one of the best judges of everything that 

 belongs to an amateur coach-box, at this time in Eno-land. It 

 is best to put a young horse in, the first time, with only one 

 other, which should be steady, good collared, and quick. A 

 great deal of room should be given him in his head, and he 

 should be driven at the cheek of an easy bit, with his pole- 

 piece rather slack. He should be started very quietly, making 

 the old horse take collar first ; and the first start should be in 

 a wide space of ground, so that he may be allowed to go an}?- 

 way he pleases, without being checked. If he is alarmed, and 

 inclined to bounce or bolt, he should not be lield liard, and on 

 no account stopped ; for, if he is, he may not like to start 

 again — particularly if high-mettled. The old horse will hold 

 him, so as to prevent his running far. If a young horse is 

 shy of his collar — as most are — he should not be ])ressed at 

 first, as he may take a dislike to it, and become a jibber. If 

 not forced, they will generally take to it of their own accord. 

 When a young coach-horse is stopped, it should be done very 

 gradually — allowing at least ten yards to do it in ; for if it is 

 attempted to stop him short, he will resist, and tlien he is 

 draivlng by his head. For the same reason, coacli-horses 

 should not be held too hard when descending lulls, which is a 



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