THE HORSE, HOW TO BREAK AND TRAIN. 127 



by the tact of the plowman in holding his team up in plowing through 

 hard or tough places, by knowing that the harness fits perfectly, and by 

 always having his plow clean and in a condition to scour. 



In laying out land the team should be rather wider apart than when 

 plowing furrow after furrow, or so the plowman may see the line stakes 

 between the horses. In laying out lands always have the reins of such 

 length that they may be carried over the left hand plow handle. Thus 

 by taking the right hand rein a little beyond the center the hand may 

 easily grasp the handle. A pull directly back will carry the horses ge& 

 and carrying the hand forward will tighten the near rein and carry the 

 horses haw^ while a steady bearing will keep the team in a direct line 

 ahead. 



The only position for the reins if carried otherwise than on the handle 

 is to carry them just above the hips, and of such a length that when the 

 team is going at ease they will be loose, and yet may be easily tightened 

 by the plowman walking a little farther in the rear than usual. With a 

 hard-mouthed team "feeling their oats" this will do. By the means we 

 have indicated, if the lines are nicely adjusted, the team may be made to 

 pulJ on the plow, and once used to this way of driving we have never 

 known of its being abandoned, except for a time as a change. The 

 practice of carrying a rein in each hand adopted by some good plowmen 

 is not to be commended, except with a kind team. In this case to carry 

 them over the left handle is easier, whether the team be wild or gentle. 

 In any case the reins should never be carried over the neck It is 

 awkward, and the team is never under control. Carried over one shouU 

 der and under one arm is an improvement upon this awkward plan, 



XVI. Training to the Wagon. 



But little need be said on this score if attention has been paid to >fhav 

 has been said previously. Upon good roads and with an ordinary load 

 the team should be kept up to their maximum gait in walking. When 

 the road is good in some places and bad in others, as country roads 

 usually are, the load must be such as the team can move by hard pulling 

 in the worst places. After a heavy pull always give the team a breathing 

 spell, and in the middle of a pull if the team can start the load once 

 stopped- This any honest team will do unless the bottom is miry, that 

 is, unless from standing the team and wheels sink deeper and deeper. 

 In this case, the only way is to keep going until firm ground is reached. 

 The average driver is sure to hurry his team in the mud. They should 

 be taught to pull steadily and slowly, and when started again, after rest* 



