312 HOW TO DRIVE A HORSE. 



health, and so groomed that their systems are in the best 

 condition for appropriating the nutriment of their food, he 

 should keep the following rules always in view : 



First. — The load should be just what the horse or the 

 team can move steadily along, being neither so light that 

 they are occupying their time in going over the road with 

 less than they can draw, nor so heavy that they must over- 

 tax their strength to draw it, or stop to take breath and 

 to recover from the effects of too hard a strain ; in short, 

 they should do all that they can do comfortably, never 

 much less, and never any more. 



Second. — Horses will work better if they are kept well 

 up to the bit, not sufficiently to pull on it, but just enough 

 to feel its effect and to receive its support in case of a false 

 step, than when allowed to become negligent and careless 

 in their gait. 



Third. — Wlien^ there are two or more horses in a team, 

 they should be so harnessed as to draw exactly alike. 

 This requires them to be of uniform dispositions, and in 

 equally good training; an}^ deviation from this will cause 

 one horse to do more, and another less, than his share of 

 the work. 



Fourth. — Working horses should never be whipped 

 while drawing, except it is absolutely necessary ; and then 

 they should not simply be tapped, but smartly punished 

 in a manner that will cause them to understand and to 

 recollect that their driver really means that they shall 

 work, and work properly. 



Fifth. — If necessary to stop to rest before going up a 

 hill, let the halt bo at a little distance from the foot of the 

 hill, that they may not get in the habit of stopping just at 

 the foot of every hill which they encounter. When they 

 are fully rested and prepared to go on, let them move 

 vigorously, but do not allow them to rush at the hill ; they 



