FOUR-IN-HAND DRIVING. 809 



wheel-horses, should not be too closely confined. It looks 

 well to see them with their heads close together, running 

 boldly up to their bits ; but if you confine them too 

 tightly, they cannot apply all their power to the collar. 



Wheel-horses should, in this respect, have more liberty 

 than their leaders, not only on account of the pole, but to 

 enable them to " quarter their ground" and bring them- 

 selves into a proper situation to hold back in going down 

 hill, which they cannot do if their heads are confined. 

 When the leaders' heads are well together, they are much, 

 easier driven ; the least motion of the wrist will affect their 

 mouths, and of course they are much safer on their feet ; 

 for, on the least false step they make, the support of the 

 coupling-rein is immediately felt ; without this, they would 

 be down before they could receive assistance from the 

 coachman's hand. 



Of the two reins used for coupling, one must be upper- 

 most at the crossing ; that one should be buckled to the 

 horse that carries his head highest, otherwise he will be 

 constantly annoying his partner's mouth. 



All attempts at directions for curbing coach -horses ciust 

 be vain, and can only be regulated by their mouth, temper 

 and disposition. 



Horses with hard dead mouths require the greatest skill 

 and management to draw tolerably, and should not be 

 curbed up tightly, as that will tend to increase the diffi- 

 culty. To ride or drive horses with pleasure and advan- 

 tage, you must have a light finger and play with their 

 mouths with skill and humor. Some horses have a trick 

 of getting the check of their bit into their mouths ; this 

 is very dangerous, and should be prevented by a washer 

 or round piece of leather. 



The most dangerous horse in a team is a stiff-necked 

 one, which, in going down hill, instead of inclining his head 



