3 2 



ON DRIVING. 



2d. Amateur. The amateur driver probably knows as 

 much as the writer, and what I shall write will be more 

 for the horse's benefit than his. First, the start out should 

 be always with the same quietness, and I hold it necessary 

 that the whip should be always in hand going through the 

 streets, even in the best drivers; not as a punisher exactly, 

 unless necessary, but generally as an admonisher, to cause 

 him to do what you want decidedly and quickly, as it is 

 oftentimes very necessary in a turn out. The rein of 

 course tells him in what direction you want him to go, 

 but does not let him know how quickly you want it done, 

 the whip does that ; if there is no haste required you 

 want no whip, the tap must be regulated by the temper 

 of your horse. Now you are off the stones and jogging 

 along quietly behind a trotter, the speed you drive at 

 must be regulated by the distance you want to go : if five 

 or seven miles out and the same in, you can now and then 

 let him go a quarter at half speed, then slack up and jog 

 awhile, or even walk, off again at a fair rate; but I 

 would not allow him to extend himself more than once in 

 your drive out, and that for not more than a quarter of a 

 mile. Take him to your baiting-place cool, fresh, and 

 full of go ; but if the day is warm and he is heated despite 

 your endeavors to prevent it, after washing out mouth, 

 nostrils, and over eyes, then have him washed with cool 

 water all under and around the root of his tail : it has a 

 wonderfully cooling and refreshing effect. A few mouth- 

 fuls of water before starting, and you are ready for the 

 road ; raise his mouth a little by shaking his bit in it, and 

 you are off at a jog. Now a challenger comes along, you 

 give his bit a few little turns, speaking to him at the same 

 time, and settle him to his trot gradually, not too quickly, 

 for fear of his getting excited and breaking before he has 

 properly settled, and in a very few minutes he understands 



