CHAPTER XII. Breaking to Harness.

BREAKING TO HARNESS.

In India I found that with Australian horses, even those trained to military draught, it was absolutely necessary to accustom them to blinkers before attempting to drive them. They should be made to stand in their stables, fed and taken out to water, and exercised with blinkers on, previously to their being driven for the first time, otherwise they will almost invariably jib.

Keep him circling with the outer rein round his quarters above his hocks. This will teach him to go collectedly, and enable the driver to keep his quarters well in towards the centre, preventing him from passing off sideways like a crab. It is impossible to attain this object with a single rein, which also would have the effect of teaching him to go on his shoulders.

Another point about having the rein against the horse’s quarters is that it teaches him not to kick at the trace or breeching.

When the horse has learnt to answer the rein at once, and turn equally well to both sides, he should be taught to rein back.

When this has been successfully accomplished, bring him out with his harness on and long traces like lead tandem traces.

This is not at all a bad way of breaking a horse, as he cannot do much harm by kicking or plunging, and the block being very light does not teach him to jib.

Never forget to have a bearing-rein on, also kneecaps and bandages.

Always have a rope halter on a young horse under the bridle the first few times that he is put to. If he is likely to be very violent, two halters may be put on, and you can then have a man leading him on each side.

In this case put a good strong kicking-strap on, but be careful not to buckle it down too tight, or it will catch his quarters if he should canter, and perhaps induce him to kick.

The bearing-rein must be loose, but tight enough to prevent him from getting his head close in to his chest. A loose martingale may also be added if the horse has a tendency to put his head up; fasten this to the nose-band.

A rope crupper may also be tried with good effect. This is formed by taking an inch rope about sixteen feet long and doubling it. The loop is tied by a thumb-over-hand knot, forming a crupper about two feet long. Pass the loop under the tail and bring the ends forward, one on each side; then put a man to pull on each of these ends, and the horse will most probably move forward at once.

This system is a very useful one for getting refractory horses into a stable or loose box. In Ireland it is a common practice to rub some gravel in a jibber’s mouth, and this appears to be effective at times.

When a horse is inclined to kick on first being put in harness, he can often be prevented, if not cured, by holding, or even tying up a leg, as in the case of a jibber.

Horses that have once been frightened in this way seldom forget it, and are apt to plunge forward directly they think they are clear of the traces, which is a constant source of accidents, as the horse may only get half out of the shafts, and then he will probably bolt. For this reason the kicking-strap must always be unbuckled before the traces are unhooked.

In conclusion, I would remind the reader that “Prevention is better than cure,” and in breaking a horse to harness every precaution should be taken from the very beginning of his education, for when a young horse has once been hurt or frightened, it is a very difficult thing to persuade him that the same thing may not occur again, and many a naturally quiet and generous horse is ruined for harness work, or rendered nervous for life, simply owing to carelessness or to want of ordinary precautions during his first two or three lessons.

The beginner who has mastered the foregoing pages will, I trust, find that he is thoroughly grounded in the theory and principles of driving, and his interest will, I hope, be roused to such an extent as to induce him so to turn theory into practice, that with time and perseverance he will develop into a neat and skilful whip.

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CHISWICK PRESS:—CHARLES WHITTINGHAM AND CO. TOOKS COURT, CHANCERY LANE, LONDON.

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HINTS ON DRIVING.

PRESS OPINIONS ON THE FIRST EDITION.

From The Times.

“Another book which will appeal to all who are interested in horses is the capital little volume called ‘Hints on Driving,’ by Capt. Morley Knight, R.A. Captain Knight has nothing to do with history or anecdote; his work is entirely practical. Doubtless there are other books on the subject, but none within our knowledge is more clear or complete in the instructions given for driving in single or double harness, and, above all, for the more difficult mysteries of four-in-hand or tandem driving. The utility of the volume is much increased by the accurate vignette illustrations of hands holding reins, etc., made by G. H. A. White, Royal Artillery.”

“Captain Knight is the author of a thoroughly practical book entitled ‘Hints on Driving,’ which he dedicates to Major-General Albert Williams.”—Morning Post.

“There are perhaps few greater masters of the detail of the art than the author.”—The Sportsman.

“One conspicuous and excellent feature is that it takes nothing for granted, etc. Altogether this little volume is a capital manual of its kind.”—Glasgow Herald.

“It is simple, practical, and instructive. So far as the delicate art of handling the ribbons can be taught by a book, this book succeeds to the best effect in teaching it.”—Scotsman.

“Any who are deficient or novices in the art of driving—and it is an art—will do well to inwardly digest the contents of a capital volume by Captain Knight, R. A., whose practical advice, down to the veriest minutiæ, will work wonders in a short space.”—Sporting Life.

“Captain Knight has done as much as anyone could do to place before his readers the more or less accepted canons of driving. The book costs but little money, and anyone who wants to drive properly would do well to invest his 3s. 6d., and commit to memory some of the principal rules.”—The Field.

“A very businesslike and pleasant little book it is. Captain M. Knight’s little book will be found far more serviceable than the big work on Driving in the ‘Badminton Library.’ The book is provided with copious illustrations and diagrams.”—National Observer.

“The advice and details afforded by Captain Knight are about as succinct, clear, and reliable as those which any pupil can desire to acquire.”—The Road.

“We have come to the conclusion that the author has accomplished his design with no little success, and that anyone who desires to drive properly would be well advised to study Capt. Knight’s pages attentively before spending much money in driving lessons.”—Baily’s Magazine.

“Much which it is very necessary for the learner to know may be acquired from a writer who is sufficient master of his pen and of his subject to make his meaning clear. Such an one is Captain C. Morley Knight, R.A., whose ‘Hints on Driving,’ published by Bell and Sons, will supply a long-felt want.”—Referee.

“The neophyte in handling the ribbons has found an excellent friend in Captain C. M. Knight, R.A., whose ‘Hints on Driving’ are exactly what the beginner needs. Capt. Knight is a master in the art, and whatever he says is the fruit of practical experience.”—Army and Navy Gazette.

“Quite fulfils its author’s object,—namely, to explain to beginners the rudimentary principles and niceties of driving.”—United Service Gazette.

“A most useful, practical, and handy little work on all that appertains to driving in single and double harness—including four-in-hand and tandem driving.”—Broad Arrow.

“We have not for some time come across such a thoroughly practical and sound handbook as this.”—Admiralty and Horse Guards Gazette.

“This little octavo volume should have an immense sale in India, where every household keeps its trap. Herein is given information and instruction on every conceivable point connected with the mysterious craft of Whip and Reins.”—The Pioneer (Allahabad).

“It is pleasant to meet with a little volume like Captain Knight’s ‘Hints on Driving,’ so erudite and yet so simple.”—Times of India.

LONDON: GEORGE BELL AND SONS.

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● Transcriber’s Notes: ○ Missing or obscured punctuation was corrected. ○ Unbalanced quotation marks were left as the author intended. ○ Typographical errors were silently corrected. ○ Inconsistent spelling and hyphenation were made consistent only when a predominant form was found in this book. ○ Text that was in italics is enclosed in underscores (italics).