OR, The Turn Out. 



63 



DRIVING. 



*« 'Tis the pace that kills.*' 



HE term " Driving " seems, as a rule, to 

 be misunderstood by the amateur whip, 

 and by many whose daily business it is 

 to sit behind a steed. We often hear it 

 said that " a good horse requires no 

 driving," and so it is. The holder of the 

 ribbons should take his position, with a 

 view to steer or guide the horse, and not 

 for the express purpose of " driving " 

 it, which term may be, and is, often 

 misconstrued into frequent floggings, 

 constant shoutings, pulling or jerking at 



the reins, and other demonstrations, which frequently call 



to mind the poetical lines — 



" To see ourselves as others see us." 



Before taking charge of your " Turn Out," the first 

 business is, — to learn how to pick up the reins ; mount the 

 vehicle ; and keep your own side, for, as before quoted — 



" The rule of the road is a paradox quite, 

 As the drivers jog it along ; 

 If you keep to the left you are sure to go right, 

 But if you keep to the right you go wrong."* 



The reins should be taken in hand before the vehicle is 

 mounted, therefore the responsibilities commence at that 

 moment. If there are an}^ other occupants, the driver takes 

 his place last, (unless an attendant is at the horse's head), 

 and that without the least hurry or excitement, by stepping 

 lightly and firmly to his seat, the reins being already in 

 hand the proper length, and the ^chip in the socket. The 

 horse should be allowed to start itself by a gentle movement 

 of the reins between the fingers, without the slightest flourish 

 or noise on the part of the driver, he at the same moment 

 moving his weight a little to the front. The horse may be 

 quietly spoken to, or made to respond to his name being 

 mentioned by starting immediately and freely. 



* Where repetition of the same lines or suggestions occur, the Author wishes 

 it to be distinctly understood that it is done for a deliberate purpose, viz. :— that 

 of ''driving" TH3 ARGUMENTS homc; where the reader may miss the first, the 

 aecond may catch him. 



