i 3 4 DRIVING. 



Beginners must learn patience, particularly with young 

 horses. No animal is so easily alarmed and so easily spoilt as 

 a young horse, if the man who first drives him is hasty. Horses 

 have to gain confidence in the men who are about them, and 

 they have also to learn that moving objects are generally harm- 

 less ; a piece of paper flying about on the road or some similar 

 trifle will sometimes create a scare with young horses. 



Never strike a horse for shying, but if possible let him look 

 well at the thing that has alarmed him. The horse that is hit for 

 shying will in all probability get into the habit of making a 

 bolt away from the whip, and it may get a man into great diffi- 

 culties if a horse shies at the top of a hill and then makes a 

 bolt expecting the whip. Before attempting to drive four 

 horses learn how to catch the thong and use a four-horse whip, 

 otherwise you will be bothered by the whip when you ought to 

 be thinking of your reins. Under a good instructor the be- 

 ginner may speedily acquire a knowledge of the use of the whip. 

 Some learn this quicker than others, but those who do not learn 

 quickly must persevere ; for it is impossible to become a good 

 coachman until the whip has ceased to be an embarrassment. 



Never feel the horses' mouths when passengers are getting 

 in or out of a coach, for horses are almost certain to move when 

 their mouths are felt. Vast numbers of hats are spoilt every 

 year by the horses moving when people are getting into a cab or 

 carriage, and it is nine times out of ten the fault of the driver. 



When you intend to start, pull the reins well into your hcnd 

 and speak to the horses so as to make them all start together. 



Drive as much as possible with one hand, having the right 

 hand always ready ; nothing looks so bad as keeping the whip 

 hand continually on the reins. 



Never touch a horse with the whip when the whip hand is 

 on the reins, as it looks very unworkmanlike. 



Do not stand, but always sit, on your box-seat, and keep 

 your feet close together. The coachman who sits well on his 

 box is much stronger than the coachman who is in a half-stand- 

 ing position. 



