3U 



ANNALS OF THE ROAD. 



that is by what is called the chop. This is done by 

 throwing out the right arm rather forward, and with it, of 

 course, the thong, and then bringing it back sharply, with 

 the wrist inclined downwards. The thong falls severely 

 on the horse's thigh, and comes up to the hand again the 

 same as in the draw. This is a very useful blow in a 

 narrow, confined place, or when it is necessary to lose no 

 time before a leader is hit, and, when neatly done, has a 

 very workmanlike appearance. I should here observe 

 that this blow generally falls above the bar, particularly 

 if a horse is not at work at the time. 



I have said that leaders should always be hit under 

 their bar. This cannot always be done; for if a horse 

 hangs back from his collar, his bar is so low that it may 

 be difficult to get under it. In this case, however, the 

 blow is made to tell smartly, as it is in the coachman's 

 power to throw his whip into the flank, which no doubt 

 is a very sensitive part. When a leader is well up to his 

 collar, he always can, and always should, be hit under 

 his bar. Should the point of the thong catch, or, as we 

 say on the road, ' get hanged,' in the bars or the pole- 

 pieces — neither of which will it do when properly drawn 

 after the last stroke, as the inclination of the hand in the 

 act of drawing it enables it to clear them — no violence 

 should be used to loose it, or a broken crop will be the con- 

 sequence. On the contrary, the arm should be thrown 

 forward, and the thong lightly moved, when in a minute 

 or two it will shake out. Should it be fast between the 

 eye of the main bar and the pole-hook, the leaders 

 should be eased a little, and it will get released. Some- 



