DRIVING, RIDING, HUNTING, RACE-RIDING 389 



arguing on entirely wrong premises. In the Colonies, where 

 long tails are the rule, the trick of getting reins under the 

 tail is seldom heard of ! 



Horses liable to kick in harness should be driven with a 

 kicking-strap, and in double harness may have long straps 

 from the pad to the splinter bar connected by two cross- 

 pieces of leather, which will effectually prevent the animal 

 from doing. any harm. The colonial plan is to tie the long 

 tail to the bar, which makes it an absolute impossibility for 

 the animal to kick. 



The colonists have another ingenious method for dealing 

 with a jibber. The long tail is again called into requisition 

 and tied securely to the splinter-bar, and then the vehicle is 

 v/heeled backwards until resistance is offered by the tail. 

 On feeling the weight the animal plunges forward, and if it 

 stops the same plan is again resorted to, and it is thus 

 forced to drag the load some distance before the tail is 

 released, when the culprit is usually ready to draw in the 

 usual way. 



If horses are required to canter or gallop in harness it is 

 necessary that their strides should be of equal length, for if 

 otherwise the carriage will sway so much there is great 

 danger of its being overturned. 



A little hint, which does not seem to occur to every one, 

 is to draw up a carriage, when required to wait, so that the 

 horses' heads are away from home, and then even fidgety 

 horses may be induced to stand for a while. It is rather 

 curious to note how often a coachman does just the reverse ! 

 He then blames the horses, which may be young or fresh, 

 for not standing quietly when they know in which direction 

 their stable hes, and are really displaying more sense than 

 their driver ! 



Riding and Hunting. 



The generation which was familiar with the top-booted 

 squire, and the jolly old farmer riding to market, possibly 

 with his wife behind him on a pillion, has almost passed 

 away. The ranks of those who remember the stage-coach 

 as the ordinary means of travel, and the gay-coated 



