The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1891-05-16
HOW TO DRIVE A HORSE.
Advice for Amateurs and Others.


handled the sensational tretter Guy (who
was so ugly that the best drivers, like
Splan, gave him up as incorrigible) 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 consequence
is that although they may have the best
intentions, they i'll use their horse so grossly
that he becomes prematurely 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
1t 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 stom-
ach. If you must give your horse 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 stiffen him and 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 2:194 with
out track work of any account.
There are many other good gentlemen
drivers, among whom | might mention
Ally Bonner and Mr. Work.
: When you drive a 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 a horse You must adapt your hand
to your horses mouth, snd you can't do
this with your back as stiff as ramrod.
Don't hurt the horses mouth. Try
and imagine that your arms are elastic and
let them give and take, as it were, withthe
reins, so that 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 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.
| think that the majority Of gentlemen
drivers mean well by their horses. At the
same time they unwittingly neglect them
Take their feet, for example (the most
important point in the driving horse }
Gentlemen drivers generally leave their
horses feet to their groom or blacksmith,
and never give it the slightest personal
attention.
If you get a nice set of shoes, that Just
suit your horse, have them duplicated so
that the 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 handled with refer
ence to the growth of it and according to
his size and weight | think the convex
shoes are the best to use for gentlemen 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 good deal on the road and not
injure them; but you must give them somo
of your personal attention. Now, as to
handling your reins, said Mr.. Saunders,
of course that depends altogether on the
kind of horse you are driving, and 1t is
unnecessary for me to say anything about
the matter when you use both hands, as
most road drivers nowadays have hand
holds on their reins 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.
have found the best method is to cross
your reins through the palm of your hand,
letting the rein which comes between 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. Remember, however, to always
have your right hand free in case of acci-
dent.
Be sure to get your horse bitted prop.
erly. You must get bit that Your horse
likes. Some horses will almost pull yoal
| arms out with a severe bit, but will give
no trouble at all if you put a leather OF
rubber bit in their mouths. Again, you
may have your horse checked too high
I consider this hard and cruel on the horse
that may have been on the road all the
afternoon, and it is sure to irritate him 50
that in many cases he will commence TO act
/ badly, Lengthen your check to reason
able 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 shy
: : ing, etc. A whip is like very poisonous
; drug, that must be used seldom and IN
small quantities If | said that under Mt
circumstances should you whip horse,
think | would not be far wrong, for it only
? adds fuel to the fire. If horse should
shy when driving, try and make hiu
acquainted, in the most peaceable way
you can; with the object he is afraid Of
You must teach your horse TO have conf,
denee in you, and when he once has this
; he will learn to rely on you. If you have
been kind to little colt and something
frightens it, it will run at once toward you
The horse can be taught reliance in man
just as implicitly and more intelligently.
Some horses know more than the meT
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