130 Training the Trotter, Coacher and Roadster 



Attention has already been directed to the neces- 

 sity of preserving the sensitiveness of the colt's 

 mouth, when educating him, by the use of a bit 

 covered with leather (p. 57) and of the desirabihty 

 of educating the draft horse to a light rein (p. 93). 

 Such training is commonly known as ^^mouthing, " 

 and is of much importance. The manner in which 

 the lines are held in driving is commonly known 

 as ''hands," and designated ''good hands" or "bad 

 hands" as the case may be. 



Good hands signifies the delicacy of touch that 

 never pulls at a horse's mouth more than is neces- 

 sary, and never, on any account, when it is not 

 necessary. To acquire this, calls for natural adap- 

 tation and skill. A light but firm, an elastic but 

 steady hold on the line is what is desired. Good 

 hands are rather indefinable, and methods of acquir- 

 ing them cannot be imparted by written or spoken 

 words. The importance of good hands and the 

 necessity of preserving the natural sensitiveness of 

 the horse's mouth become apparent when we con- 

 sider that our every wish or command is communi- 

 cated to the horse along the lines to a bit in his 

 mouth, and especially when we take into account 

 the fact that man's strength is insignificant when 

 compared to that of a horse. 



On the other hand, bad hands signify all other 

 methods of holding the lines. As a rule, we drive with 

 too tight a hne. Pulling hands make lugging horses. 



