ON DRIVING. 3! 



business. Keep your hands down, as a rule, start him at 

 a walk, in a short time a slow jog; now feel his mouth 

 more sensibly. You want to turn out to the right or left, 

 and of course you pull that rein as much as is necessary, 

 not releasing control of the opposite one, a slight bearing 

 on that keeps him balanced in hand and prevents too quick 

 a turn ; or a vehicle comes up suddenly, causing a turn out 

 on the opposite side from that you are bearing, that pre- 

 pares him for a quick turn the other way; and now, if 

 necessary to do it, mt>re quickly to avoid a collision, a 

 sharp little cut on the opposite side, and you are clear 

 for the present; immediately then straighten the bit in 

 his mouth and jog on, with a light, regular bearing all 

 over the bit neither one side or the other ; by preserv- 

 ing the delicacy of his mouth you secure to yourself greater 

 safety, therefore handle it as delicately as you would a lady's 

 hand. When familiar with the use of reins and your horse's 

 mouth, you can hold them as you please, whip in one, 

 reins in the other, or a rein in each hand, with whip at 

 same time in one hand with the rein. Again, you must 

 learn to give yourself ample room for turning round in, by 

 measuring the space with your eye ; that only requires a little 

 care and experience. We are now off the stones and will 

 have a quiet drive ; no trotting fast yet, even if we have a 

 trotter and are challenged : time enough for that when you 

 have a few months' experience. We jog quietly for four or 

 five miles, now a little faster, and if a shady spot walk a 

 little, then jog on again until we stop to water. First let the 

 hostler wash out mouth and nostrils, and tell him not to let 

 him swallow until you are ready to start. When ready, let 

 him have a few mouthfuls, and drive home, feeling a little 

 more security and letting your horse increase his gait a 

 little. Same rules as driving out generally. Now safe at 

 the stable, horse to be attended to as before mentioned. 



