FOUR IN HAND. 153 



scarcely one thing in which people's opinions vary so 

 much, it will be generally found that moderation in re- 

 spect to spirit is much the best, a runaway and a dull 

 jade bemg equally uncomfortable. One that will do 

 his work freely and at the same time manifest no 

 eagerness to go on when there is no occasion, is much the 

 best horse for coaching, and should, if possible, always be 

 made choice of. The horses should be purchased at least 

 six weeks before being required, as being young and not 

 used to quick work, they require a good deal of making 

 up. Merely putting them in a stable with perhaps in- 

 competent men to feed, and driving at irregular and un- 

 frequent intervals will not assist in getting horses in 

 the condition necessary to fit them for the work re- 

 quired. There is a difference in the preparation of the 

 race horse and the trotter for their especial work; so 

 there is also for the hunter and the harness horse. The 

 latter, if young and poor in flesh, must in the first place 

 be made up by judicious feeding, good grooming and 

 slow work until they get substance on them. Their 

 work can then be increased a little every day, both in 

 distance and pace. 



I remember once seeing a coach start from the Bruns- 

 wick Hotel on its first trip. The horses had been driven 

 for several weeks by amateur coaclim.en, bad ones at 

 that, and by their appearance the fee<iing and groom- 



