352 THE HORSE 



the height of two feet, he was able to pull 1,980 pounds. 

 When attached at a height of three feet, he was able 

 to pull 1,732 pounds. 



When horses are attached to light vehicles where 

 light draft, rapid movement, safety and beauty are 

 desired, the point of attachment to the vehicle should 

 be high. Horses used for light work are often "frisky," 

 and they may get over the traces if they are hitched 

 low. 



When driving a single horse to a light sleigh, he 

 should be placed immediately in front of it, if he is to 

 be driven only in the city. In the country, the horse 

 is attached in front of the right-hand runner, that he 

 may travel in the right-hand beaten track. In the 

 United States, the law directs that, when teams meet, 

 they shall turn to the right; in most European coun- 

 tries, teams meeting turn to the left, which is far safer 

 and more convenient. The awkward American custom 

 is due without doubt to the almost universal use of 

 oxen in the pioneer days. Since oxen are driven by 

 walking on the left side of them, it is most convenient 

 to turn to the right. The driver of horses sits on the 

 right; logically, he should turn to the left. 



We now come to another method of attaching 

 horses to two -wheeled vehicles, which first became 

 common in London and later, happily, was introduced 

 into some of our American cities. The hansom -cub is a 

 light two -wheeled covered carriage with the driver's 

 seat elevated behind, the reins being passed over the 

 top. It is so balanced on the axle that, when loaded 

 with one or two passengers and driver, the tendency 



