SOMETHING MORE ON DRIVING 235 



takes place when he has been going 

 forward, there should be no weight on 

 his mouth while he seems in danger of 

 falling backward, but a cut of the whip 

 administered as he comes down may 

 prevent his trying it again. It is im- 

 portant to feel his mouth at this junc- 

 ture, as the whip will make him plunge 

 forward, and the hold on his mouth 

 must be firm enough to keep the traces 

 loose as he lands ; otherwise there would 

 be a sudden strain on them, and conse- 

 quently an unpleasant jerk, which might 

 bring the carriage on to his hocks, as he 

 stopped to gather himself for another 

 effort, and, even if it did not make 

 him kick or run, he would probably be 

 bruised. 



A determined kicker needs to have 

 his head kept up, and for this purpose 

 a bearing-rein will be found of great ser- 

 vice. He should be driven with a kick- 



