FIRST-HAND BITS OF STABLE LORE 



the thong that will make it twist and bind better ; 

 a few knobs on the stick will make it "catch and 

 keep " well. Practise from a horseless coach un- 

 til you can hit an imaginary leader (off side or 

 near), and always under the bars or on the shoul- 

 der in front of the pad, nine times out of ten, and 

 always " bring the thong home " with a twist of 

 the wrist that will land the end across your chest, 

 whence it can be picked off by the fingers, and the 

 thong replaced on the stick ; or you may, when 

 expert, " draw " the end direct to your fingers. 

 When you hit any horse, hit him " for keeps," 

 and, if necessary, several times ; if emergency 

 arises, and you have, some day, barely time to 

 touch him, he will not have forgotten what fol- 

 lowed on other occasions, and may prevent acci- 

 dent by quick response. Under trees, or in 

 traffic it is sometimes handy to put on a "reverse 

 thong," and that is done by simply chopping into 

 the loop as it hangs, throwing the stick to the 

 loop. This method is not considered "good 

 form," but as results and appearance are the same 

 there is no reason for condemnation. 



The brake is regarded by some drivers — we 

 can hardly call them coachmen, for no man can be 

 who jeopardizes the safety of others — as a con- 



220 



