DRIVING (from drier, AS. drifan, Ice). u/rifa, (both. dr. ()111:. (ler. I reihen). The art of driving one or more horses, with the great est security and comfort to all concerned, is as important to the horse as to the driver; and yet, notwithstanding the experience of centuries, it still remains au art unknown to the y ast majority of men and women milli are in the regu lar habit of driving, 'whether for business or pleasure. The essence of good thriving is to secure the maximum of results in security and pleasure, or work, with the minimum of effort irr strain to either horse or driver. Pleasure is confined to a single horse, or a pair in double harness side by side. or a pair tandem fashion. \Indent conditions of road and street traffic ennl pel the adoption of definite rules for each of these and demand that the thoroughly equipped driver be at all times ready and able to adjust himself to eiretunstanees as they vary from moment to moment. Above all, a connection or hood of -.pu p:ally should he estattlsiied between the driver's hands and the horse's mouth, so that prompt indi cation may be made of any intention to change the direction. In driving a single torso, the driving, or left arm should be held easily and sufficiently forward for the right arm to be aide to come to its assistance, with sufficient space between the rein hand and the body to insure the possibility of drawing the reins in without sway ing the body backward. eflie third or fourth tin• ger should press on the reins, preventing them from slipping. NVIlell the right hand is needed to aid the left. the second, third, and fourth fingers of that hand are placed between the reins. :111,1 the first and second placed on the right rein, grasping it, hut keeping each rein of equal length. To turn to the right. bend the wrist over in such a manner as to bring the thumb undermost toward the left hip; and for a turn to the left, lining the little finger undermost and incline it toward the right hip. The driving (left) hand must be held straight in the centre of the body, with the knuckles of the hand to the front, and the forearm exactly square to the upper arm, the elbow and back of the fingers (when shut the reins) lightly touching the (driver's) coat.
:Nlaneerisins or affectation of any sort are regard ed as extremely bad form, and severely con demned. The whip is held in the right hand. grasped in such a manner as will give it the best balanee, either for carrying or for service.
a well-made properly balanced whip this would be about fifteen or sixteen inelies from the butt. The whip must never be used unnecessarily. any more than the bit is to he pulled or jerked by the reins. If bearing reins are used, care must be taken that they are never so short as to fret the horse. A slight drawing of the reins-11.11 Ili lilt them sufficiently taut gentl• to 'feel' the torso's moutli—indicates to the properly trained horse the signal to move tiff. tlililnq I irt) hor.v abreast is effected in the same manner. there hie ing but two reins in the driver's hands. \\lien two horses are driven tumbril fashion, the one before the other, four reins vont,- into use, and notch of the practice of four-in-hand 41rivilny ap. lilies.
For or dririon, the reins should be of a width and (hiekne- hated by the length of the driver's fingers. Be fore mounting take in the left hand the that draws th•ough the centre of the tenet of the left-hand wheeler's 11:1(1 (this is the near-side leader's rein), and draw it until it hears on the hit. Next pull the right leader's rein through in the same manner, and pass them to the right hand. Then pull first the left and then the right wheeler's reins through the finger-spaces of the left hand. Dating assembled all the reins in the left hand, pass them between the corresponding lingers of the right hand, leaving the left hand free to grasp the rail and mount to the driving seat. In mounting, the left foot is placed 011 the wheel-box. the right on the splinter-bar. followed by the left foot on the step and the right foot on the footboard of the box. whereupon the driver speedily seats himself. Once seated, the feet are brought close together: the left hand so placed that it will be on a level with the lowest vest button. the forearm as nearly as possible horizon tal, and similarly, the hand in the centre of the body, which it touches with the back of the lin gers. the knuckles being straight to the front.