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RULE VIII. 



THE USE OF THE WHIP. 



I will now come to the whip, the use of which, most young beginners 

 want to acquire in the first instance. Let me advise them to practice the art 

 of " catching it " in their sitting or bed-room, for if they try to learn it 

 when they are driving, they annoy their horses. A gentleman, whom I 

 was teaching, said it was so simple, he would not go to bed till he could 

 catch it properly. I saw him a fortnight afterwards, but he had not even 

 then succeeded ; he told me he had not been to bed ; but I will not vouch 

 for the accuracy of this part of the anecdote. The art, like many others, 

 is very easy when you know how to do it. The turn of the wrist, with 

 a slight jerk of the elbow, is the proper way to accomplish it. 



The less the whip is used while driving, the better, for it will only 

 get you into trouble if used improperly. If a horse shies, never flog 

 him for it ; timidity is generally the cause of shying, unless his eyes are 

 defective. Of course whipping can do no good in that case ; speak kindly 

 to him, that is the best way, if he be young; as he becomes better 

 acquainted with objects and gains confidence, he will most likely give 

 up the trick. I will make a few more observations on the whip. If you 

 can use it well, use it seldom, and before you strike a horse, always take 

 hold of his head ; if you do this, you will find the slightest touch will have 

 the desired effect. It is a pretty art, to be able with certainty, to touch a 

 leader under the bar, without making a noise with the lash or letting any 

 of the other horses know anything about it. The near leader is the most 

 difficult one to reach, as you must completely turn your wrist over. Very 

 few can do it well ; in fact, many of the old professionals could never do 

 it neatly. 



