THE LIFE OF A SPORTSMAN 281 



which were given to me by one of the best judges of every- 

 thing that belongs to the amateur coach-box, at this time 

 in England. It is best to put a young- horse in, the first 

 time, with only one other, which should be steady, good- 

 collared, and quick. A great deal of room should be given 

 him in his head, and he should be driven at the cheek of 

 an easy bit, with his pole-piece rather slack. He should be 

 started very quietly, making the old horse take collar 

 first ; and the first start should be in a wide space of 

 ground, so that he may be allowed to go any way he 

 pleases, without being checked. If he is alarmed, and 

 inclined to bounce or bolt, he should not be held hard, 

 and on no account stopped ; for, if he is, he may not like 

 to start again particularly if high-mettled. The old 

 horse will hold him, so as to prevent his running far. If 

 a young horse is shy of his collar as most are he should 

 not be pressed at first, as he may take a dislike to it, and 

 become a jibber. If not forced, they will generally take 

 to it of their own accord. When a young coach-horse is 

 stopped, it should be done very gradually allowing at 

 least ten yards to do it in ; for if it is attempted to stop 

 him short, he will resist, and then he is drawing by his 

 head. For the same reason, coach-horses should not be 

 held too hard when descending hills, which is a fault many 

 coachmen have. They forget the great additional weight 

 they are throwing upon them, as they are then drawing 

 by their heads. When a young horse is first put to a 

 coach, he should be very carefully turned to the pole, so 

 as to prevent its touching his hind quarter, which might 

 cause him to kick. When he has been driven long enough 

 to make him steady, he should be taken up in his bearing- 

 rein, and put down lower on his bit, and driven in a wide 

 circle, or figure of eight keeping the inner horse well up 

 to his collar and bit. In his breaking he should be fre- 

 quently stopped, and not held after he is pulled up, as, if 

 he is high-mettled, it will make him restless, and, if dull, 

 he will not require it. Great care should be taken, at 

 starting, to make the old horse begin first, if the young 

 one be inclined to be hot, as it will prevent him from 

 plunging. If he is dull, and not ready to start when the 

 word of command is given, he should feel the whip till he 

 answers it. If inclined to kick, he should be taken up 

 very short in his pole-piece, and his bearing- rein tightened; 

 a stroke of the whip over the ears is also useful a kind 



