FIRST-HAND BITS OF STABLE LORE 



them ; take each one back separately until you 

 just feel your horses' mouths ; with your right 

 grasp the two off-reins, and carry your off-wheel 

 coupling-buckle up to the nigh coupling-buckle, 

 letting the off-reins slip through your left hand 

 for that purpose. Mount your box and all reins 

 will be even, and all horses " in hand." Sit down 

 deep and square on the cushion, and put your feet 

 fairly forward in an easy position, not cramped 

 back against the riser. Give your team " the 

 office " to move, and if you suspect either wheel- 

 horse of being ungenerous, swing the wheelers a 

 step, so that the free horse feels his collar first. 

 Many a rogue which has made up his mind to 

 either balk, plunge away, or throw himself, is so 

 disconcerted by this move that he is underway 

 and in his collar before he has time to realize 

 what he is doing. Leaders of course never start 

 a coach, unless the load is so heavy that all four 

 must act. If your road is long, and the team 

 getting tired, watch your chances to pick the best 

 places, and if a horse drops out of his collar for a 

 few strides, let him have his " easy " and get a 

 long breath or two ; ease them all round if you 

 can manage it. Although, theoretically every 

 horse should be in his place and " up and doing " 



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