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DRIVING AS I FOUND IT. 



cessary before starting off to see that the horses are 

 well up in their traces, and that each rein is in its 

 proper place, neither tight nor slack. Many vexatious 

 delays are caused through starting off with one rein 

 loose foi' as the horses get into their collars and feel a 

 check on ^vljich ever side of the bit the rein is tightest, 

 naturally turn, and with an amateur coachman, who is 



8:enerallY a little nervous at the commencement, mij^ht get 

 him into difQculties. Alter a little practice with the reins 

 the best and most coachmanlike way is to take the two 

 wheel reins in the middle finger, get the required length, 

 just enough to feel the horse's mouth lightly, keeping the 

 lead reins between tlie tA^^o bottom fingers of the right 

 hand, thus (fig. • 10). Having the length of rein, 

 so that they are perfectly even on each side, and 



