RIDING AND DRIVING 85 



horses were in full gallop, their hoofs ringing out 

 on the road with the regularity of clockwork. 



These are, however, generalities which will not 

 help the beginner, and I do not imagine any one 

 would attempt the difficulties of guiding a team 

 until he had learned to drive one horse. 



Before a man thinks of getting on the box and 

 holding the reins, he ought first of all to know how 

 to harness a horse. This, I am sorry to say, is 

 often thought to be unnecessary, and there are 

 many men who know how to drive, but who have 

 not the slightest idea of harnessing the animal, or, 

 when harnessed, joining him to the vehicle. 



Men are perhaps a little ashamed of exhibiting 

 their ignorance of these details, but, having every- 

 thing to learn, a boy need have no scruples in 

 asking for technical knowledge from those who are 

 familiar with the subject in their everyday life. As 

 I have said, in riding let him first of all learn all the 

 usual methods that are employed, and then when 

 he reaches riper years he can alter or adapt them 

 in the way he thinks best. 



Having mastered the difficulty of putting on a 

 riding-bridle, you should find it easy to put on the 

 same article used for driving, but remember that 

 the collar comes first. This, I think, is generally 

 the stumbling-block of those who have not pre- 

 viously attempted to harness a horse. The animal's 

 head always appears to be so much bigger than the 

 space through which it has to pass. 



You will, of course, not attempt to harness a 



