CHAPTER X. Tandem Driving.

TANDEM DRIVING.

Of course horses that have never been driven in single harness cannot be safe in a tandem. [Sidenote: Almost any horse will go in tandem.] But almost every horse that will go in single harness, and some that will not, will make perfectly safe leaders with very little teaching. It must be thoroughly understood that there is an immense difference between the terms a perfectly safe leader and a perfect leader. A horse may be a perfectly quiet animal, which will not kick, nor do anything that will get one into difficulties or danger, but yet be a terrible slug. This would altogether prevent one driving him rapidly through traffic; therefore, though a perfectly safe animal, he is not a perfect [Sidenote: Frequent use of right hand necessary.] leader. As mentioned above, it is necessary to use the right hand very frequently when driving a tandem, in order to immediately check every tendency the leader may have to [Sidenote: Follow leader if he turns suddenly.] cross the road or to turn round a corner. But if by any chance the leader has got well on the turn before you are able to check him, do not then try and do so, but apply the principle of “Follow my leader” at once. Follow after him, and when the horses are straight turn round and come back again. Do just the same if you are standing still, and the leader suddenly comes right round. Whilst turning the wheeler, back him if possible, so as to give the leader plenty of room. By this means you will never get the leader tied in an inextricable knot.

If it is not possible to follow the leader round, hit him on the side of the head with the whip, which will probably induce him to get back into his place.

The two off-side reins should in all cases, except for a sharp back turn to the right, be treated as one rein, and always kept under the little and third fingers of the right hand. [Sidenote: Three-rein principle.] This, which may be termed the three-rein principle, will be found to simplify matters very considerably, owing to there being practically only three reins to think about instead of four.

It is generally advisable, whenever possible, to advance a few paces before turning round in a road from the halt. The best methods of avoiding any jerking when going round corners with free-going horses are as follows:—

If the wheeler is still turning too fast, drop the left hand towards the right, which will slack the near-wheel rein and so keep him off to the right, or away from the corner. Should the leader not turn quickly enough, seize the loop which is held by the forefinger of the right hand with the left thumb, retaining it there in the same manner as previously described for “pointing” a rein. Another loop can then be taken up as before, which will bring the leader round as fast as is desired.

The above methods are especially recommended, as they entirely do away with the necessity of taking the right hand out of the reins for looping purposes, the great danger of which is that it is almost impossible to get the right hand back between them quickly enough to prevent the wheeler cutting the corner, if he is at all inclined to do so, or to check the leader if he is coming round too rapidly. The horses turn so quickly, that the wheeler can see the leader coming round almost before the lead rein can be seized with the left thumb, and tandem reins being very close together, it is difficult for the right hand to catch the wheeler’s rein in time to check him. The fact is that several things have to be done simultaneously, or nearly so, to obtain perfection, and the manipulation of the reins is then, as I have often heard it expressed, somewhat like playing the harp. Of course with very sluggish horses the reins can be looped in the same manner as when driving four horses, but as a rule less rein must be taken up, or the leader will come round and look you in the face. Therefore you must always be ready to pull the opposite rein, and so check the horse from going too far round.

This position of the left hand is of great importance, as by turning the back down or up respectively a great deal can be done in the way of directing the leader to the right or left without any assistance from the right hand. [Sidenote: Thumb and forefinger always ready to take up loop.] The thumb should be nearly parallel to the front, and like the first finger should be ready at any time to take up and hold a loop of either lead rein; therefore these fingers should never be busy gripping the reins. [Sidenote: Third and fourth fingers must grip reins tightly.] The whole four reins should be held firmly in position by the grip of the third and little finger, slightly assisted by the middle finger.

To get horses, which have never been in [Sidenote: Tendency to form a pair.] tandem before, exactly to follow one behind the other, requires considerable skill and patience, as it will be found that their common tendency is to get one alongside the other, the wheeler as a rule being anxious to run up alongside the leader. This tendency to form a pair must be checked at once, but without any jerking or hurried pulling at the reins.

With raw and nervous horses a good start is everything. Watch the leader carefully, and when you see him starting get the wheeler off at once by using the whip if he is not moving off at the same time. When pulling up, I think it is always a good plan to say “Whoa.” They very soon learn to obey the voice, and it often comes in handy.

On the other hand, it is very unsafe to bring your right hand on to the reins unless the lash has been brought well into the cart, as it may easily be caught up round the axle or get under the wheel; and, as a rule, if the wheel goes over it, it will break off at that spot next time you use it.

It is often very convenient to have the whip ready to hit the leader at a particular place or corner which he is likely to want to go round. To do this unwind the lash, and keep the point of the stick out to the right front. The lash can then fly loose and do no harm, unless the wind is blowing across from right to left.

From this chapter it will be seen, that although the general principles of driving a tandem are the same as those of driving four horses, yet there are many minor points of difference, which the man, who wishes to drive both with equal skill, must carefully study and practise.

One very notable difference, which may be pointed out again, is the greater lightness and quickness of handling necessary to guide a tandem with ease and safety through difficult places.

Tandem is therefore admirably adapted for ladies who are fond of driving, as it affords all the interest of a team, without placing any undue strain on their strength or powers of endurance, while it enables them to exercise those qualities of quickness and lightness of hands, in which as a rule they surpass men.

The whole art of driving is composed of innumerable small, though most important details, but probably no other class of driving requires so much attention to be paid to these minutiæ as Tandem.

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