I20 RIDING, DRIVING AND KINDRED SPORTS 



neatly and effectively * is a matter of practice. 

 The best and indeed the only way with 

 which I am acquainted is to sit beside a 

 good coachman and watch the action of his 

 wrist as he lets out his thong and catches 

 it again, bringing it round the crop with a 

 couple of neat turns. As soon as you think 

 you know how it should be done, the rest is 

 simple — not easy — for that is quite another 

 matter. Practice is what is needed. Perched 

 on a driving seat you must throw out and 

 catch the whip until you can do it with 

 neatness, lightness, and precision. It is very 

 seldom necessary in driving tandem to hit 

 either of ) our horses hard, it is often necessary 

 to hit them quickly. A light touch in time will 

 often prevent a nervous leader from coming 

 round. Then wheelers otow cunnino- and 

 scamp the corners, necessitating often a 

 sharp stroke with 'the double thong to keep 

 them away at a turn. And here I may say 

 that it is well always to give yourself plenty 

 of room at a corner, especially if you are unable 

 to see round it. 



One of the great secrets of tandem driving 

 is a light hand, another is to keep your hands 

 still. I have found in practice that many 

 animals which pull hard in the saddle or in 

 the wheel, will not pull an ounce as leaders 



