FOUR-IN-HAND DRIVING 



all the way, In practice you will find that it pays 

 to nurse them along now and then, especially in 

 warm weather, and do not be too persistent with 

 thong and voice with an animal that hangs out 

 distress signals. Nor is there need to trot eter- 

 nally, or to change only by galloping. Walking 

 a team gives lots of good practice, and is much 

 harder to perform properly than any novice would 

 believe. Galloping a team is great fun for you, 

 but is not a feat for a light or weak man to at- 

 tempt. Horses at speed must " take hold " a 

 little to steady themselves, and only weight and 

 strength can long stand the strain. The chief 

 precaution necessary is to keep the wheel-horses 

 galloping in stride ; or, if one strides the shorter, 

 make him by a touch of the thong frequently 

 change his stride and " get in '* with the other 

 horse for a stride or two to steady the coach, or 

 you will get it swinging and may turn it over. Be 

 sure horses are not too fresh when you attempt this 

 feat, or they may get away with you, and a runa- 

 way four makes nasty handling, as personal ex- 

 perience with several has proved. 



The best way to bit a puller is to let somebody 

 else bit him, and own him. Still he may be cir- 

 cumvented in various ways. The all-round nose- 



223 



