236 PRECAUTIONS. 



very little with the reins of the wheelers, as they can hardly 



help following the leaders, but when it is necessary to stop, the 



wheelers' reins must be tightened first. The leaders must be 



stopped slowly, and allowed to keep well away from their swingle 



trees. With a good break, which you should always have, your 



leaders may keep well out to their collars, even when stopping or 



going down hill, but down steep hills yo ur wheelers should be 



held back in case of any accident to break. You need not be 



afraid to use the break sufficiently, going down hill, as it is rather 



a relief to a horse's legs to be allowed to pull a little down a steep 



hill, and it makes everything safer to keep the break well on. 



ijio slowly down the first part of a hill, and gently up the last 



part. 



" Gently u]d. and steady down, 

 Push away on level ground." 



5G3. — In turniog round corners your leaders must go far 

 enough round, but should not pull at all, unless you are going 

 slowly up a steep hill. Their traces should be slackened, and the 

 coach turned with the wheelers. The pole is strong for a straight 

 pull, but is weak for a side pull, and it is in every way unsafe 

 €ver to let your leaders pull across the pole. 



564. — Reserve your leaders as much as you can, as it is quite 

 essential that they should be fresh and free to the end of the 

 stage. Almost any horse that can go, and will not fall down, 

 may be used as a wheeler in a four horse team. He cannot run 

 away, he cannot shy far, and you can reach him easily either 

 with whip or reins. It is not so with a leader. He must be a 

 horse that can be trusted. He must be free enough to 

 require little or no whip, bold enough to pass any object 

 he meets, yet have eyes to see and avoid any real danger. 

 Quiet enough to let anything touch him without kicking, sensible 

 enough to pick his own way, or to keep any way that may be 

 Bhown him. His action should be showy, and must be safe, as he 

 cannot fall without bringing himself and the whole team to 

 grief. 



565. — When six horses are regularly required they are best 

 ■driven three abreast, in which case the driving will not differ 



