310 HOW TO DEIVE A HORSE. 



towards liis partner, and throwing out his quarters so as to 

 hold back the coach, twists his head another way, looking 

 over one shoulder, and with the other shouldering the pole 

 or his partner. When you have one of this sort you can 

 do nothing with him by pulling up, but must whip his mate 

 up to him, and if that does not answer, cross the road 

 quickly with the leaders, to prevent running off to the 

 side to which he is pushing. 



If your horses are nervous and fidgety, they will not 

 bear being confined too tightly at first starting, but must 

 be humored and allowed some length of chain, particularly 

 if the road be rough and full of ruts. When there are' no 

 breechings the horse requires to be nearer to the pole, or in 

 holding back his collar will get too far forward, unless 

 restrained by a false martingale. Some coachmen object 

 to breechings as being troublesome to horses in hot weather, 

 but they are almost indispensable in hilly countries, as 

 they enable the horse to hold back with less strain on his 

 back and legs, and add greatly to the security of both team 

 and vehicle. 



The draft of the leaders will be greatly equalized by 

 crossing the inside traces, fastening that of the near horse 

 to the whiffle-tree of the off side, and that of the off horse 

 to the near whiffle-tree. 



The great art in driving four-in-hand is to favor the 

 j)eculiarities of the different horses of the team. It is not 

 often that all four will draw equall}^ at all times, nor is it 

 desirable that they should do so. By allowing first one 

 and then another to slacken his pull, the team will be able 

 to do more in a day than if all were always pulling. Some 

 horses will naturally draw at their best on starting off, anl 

 will work with less energy after a few miles, while others 

 will hang back at first, and come in to their \vork as they 

 get warmed up. By consulting their inclinations, the 



