|Leaders flying apart.| When leaders are inclined to fly away from each other, or one of them hangs outwards, the inside traces should be lapped round each other and hooked into their own bars. This will help to keep the horses together. It is not a good plan, though it is sometimes done, to fasten the leaders’ bars together by a chain as, if a horse kicks, and gets his legs fixed up between the main bar and the others, it becomes a very difficult matter to extricate him.
|Spare gear should be carried.| The following spare articles should always be carried on a coach:—
Two swingle-trees—one large and one small.
Two traces—one lead and one wheel.
A jointed whip fixed up on a board. A leather bag containing a hand punch with assorted bits, and a McMahon spanner.
|Brushing boots.| Brushing boots. Those made of fairly thick blanket will be found the most useful. They must be long enough to go right over the fetlock and overlap, and should be fastened round the middle with tape and be deep enough for the upper part to be folded down over the knot.
Collar-pads—several leather ones are required.
Sheepskin—a good-sized piece.
Needle and waxed thread.
A few spare straps and buckles.