DRIVERS' RULES 



2 

 a load. 



1. Start at a walk, and let your horse work very easily for the first half hour. 



A heavy draft horse should never be driven faster than a walk, with or without 



3. Look to your harness. Avoid these faults especially : — 



Bridle too long or too short. 



Blinders pressing on the eye or flapping. (An open bridle is best for most 



horses.) 

 Throat-latch too tight. 



Collar too tight or too loose, or dirty on the inside. 

 Shaft-girth too loose. 

 Traces too long. 



Breeching too low down or too loose. 

 Inside reins too long, in the case of pairs. 



4. Do not let your horse drive himself; but handle the reins gently. Never jerk 

 the reins ; — to do that is the sure mark of a bad driver. 



5. Try to deliver your load with as little backing as possible. Backing a heavy 

 load is apt to strain the hind legs. 



6. Take the horse out of the shafts as much as possible ; and if you drive a pair or 

 four, unfasten the outside traces while the horses are standing ; they will rest better that way. 



7. Teach your horses to go into the collar gradually. When a load is to be started, 

 speak to the horses and take a firm hold of the reins so that they will arch their necks, keep 

 their legs under them, and step on their toes. A loose rein means sprawling and slipping, 

 often with one horse ahead of the other. 



8. Water your horse as often as possible. Water in moderate quantities will not 

 hurt him, so long as he keeps moving. 



9. Blanket your horse carefully when he stands, especially if he is at all hot. 

 Repeated slight chills stiffen and age a horse before his time. 



10. Bring your horse in cool and breathing easily. If he comes in hot, he will 

 sweat in the stable; and, also, the sudden stoppage of hard work is bad for his feet. 



11. In hot weather or in drawing heavy loads, watch your horse's breathing. If he 

 breathes hard, or short and quick, it is time to stop. 



12. Remember that the horse is the most nervous of all animals, and that little things 

 annoy and irritate him. Remember that he will be contented or miserable accordingly as 

 you treat him. 



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