Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1890-07-12
HOW TO DRIVE A HORSE.
.4DTICE FOE 4MITEURS WITH THE
RIBBONS.

was so ugly that the best drivers, like
Splan, gave him up as incorriglble) and
who holds the best record for four-in-
hand and tandem driving and is ranked
among the most accomplished reinsmen
in the land, has the following hints to
give to amateur drivers:
There are some men who should never
be allowed to own horse, for they have
no sense. A great many rich men go
and buy horses and don't know the first
thing about them. and the natural con-
sequence is that although they may have
the best intentions, they ill use their
horse so grossly that he becomes prema-
turely broken down. They may drive
him to excess and, not knowing how to
take care of him afterward, leave it to
ignorant or lazy grooms, who don't care
what becomes of the animal.
at is great mistake for gentlemen to
drive out to the track, speed their horses,
and let them stand under the shed after
perhaps giving them a drink of cold
water.
"Never put cold water into a hot
stomach If you must give your horse
a drink while he is warm, let him have
some water that has been standing in the
sun and that is tepid, but if you give it
to him cold out of the pumps you sttfen
him ard make him sore all over. Above
all, don't work your horse to excess. If
you find he is doing well. leave well
enough alone and don't go trotting him
off his legs.
by handling a horse in this way saw
the gentleman | have mentioned develop
and drive the mare Jessie in 2:l9t with
out track work of any account.
"There are many other good gentle
men drivers, among whom might mem
ton Ally Bonner and Mr.. Work.
when you drive horse you mustn't
think that you can sit bolt upright in
your road wagon and do him Justice
Some mems backs are bent the wrong
way to drive horse. You must adapt
your hand to your horses mouth, and
YOU can't do this with your back as stiff
as a ramrOd.
Don't hurt the horses mouth. Try
and imagine that your arms are elastic
and let them give and take, as it were,
with the reins SO t,lat you do not irritate
the horse by the constant strain of hard
pulling against him.
"If he should happen to break with
you, don't saw at his mouth; just take
him back gently, and if he does not catch
himself, which he generally will in Il few
jumps, just nip him to one side or the
other, depending on which side he
catches for, as you know, all horses do
not catch on the same side.
81 think that the majority of gentle
men drivers mean well by their horses
At the same time they unwittinGly neg
lect them. Take their feet, for example
the most important point in the driving
horsel. Gentlemen drivers generally
leave their horses feet to their groom or
blacksmith and never give it the slight
est personal attention.
"lf you get a nice set of shoes, that
Just suit your horse, have them dupli-
Gated SO that next time you want him
shod You know he will have Just what
suits him. Above all, don't let any
blacksmith pare your horses feet down
too much. A horses foot should be
han lied with reference to the growth of
it and according to his size and weight.
| think the convex shoes are the best to
use for gentIemen's road driving, for
they will not pick up stones or throw
much dirt. If you only handle your
horses carefully you can drive them a
good deal on the road and not injure
them: but you must give them some of
your personal attention. Now, as to
handling your reins, said Mr.. Saund-
ers, "of course that depends altogether
on the kind of horse you are driving,
and it is unnecessary for me to say any
thing about the matter when you use
both hands, as most road drivers nova
days have hand-holds on their rcins and
it is only simple question of slipping
your hands into them.
"But when one speaks of driving with
one hand it alters the question materially
and requires some thought.
"A great many people drive with the
reins passed through their fingers. 1t
seems to be the most natural way for one
to take hold of his reins. | can not say,
however, that | think it is the best, for
the simple reason that it gives one little
or no leverage by which to control or
guide your horse.
q have found the best method is to
cross your rcins through the palm of your
hand, letting the rein which comes be-
tween your first finger and thumb pass
over the thumb. In this way by simply
turning your wrist you can guide and
control your horse very easily. Remem-
Der, however, to always have your right
hand free in case of accident.
BE sure to get your horse bittcd prop
.erly. You must get a bit that your horse
likes. Some horses will almost pull your
arms out with severe bit, but will give
no trouble at all if you put a leather or
rubber bit in their mouths. Again, you
may have your horse checked too high.
| consider this hard and cruel on the
horse that may have been on the road all
the afternoon, and it is sure to irrtate
him so that in many cases he will COM
mence to act badly. Lengthcn your
check to a reasonable extent and you
will find, in nine cases out of ten, it will
benefit both the horse and yourself.
"As to the use of the whip, | have
noticed many amateur drivers who whip
their horses for every little mistake, such
as shying, etc. A whip is like very
poisonous drug, that must FUSED seldom
and in small quantities. If | said that
under no circumstances should you whip
horse, think would not be far wrong,
for it only adds fuel to the fire. If a
horse should shy when driving, try and
make him acquainted, in the most peace