|Take a pull before going down hill.| Always take a pull at the horses to steady them just before you arrive at the crest of a hill, and begin to descend the other side slowly. The pace can always be increased, but it is most difficult to check it if you find that you have too much way on.
In crossing over a bridge, like the ordinary canal bridge, where the rise and fall of the road are very sharp, be careful the leaders are out of draught, otherwise the jerk on the pole might cause it to snap.
|The break.| As regards the break, the driver should put it on and take it off himself, as no one else can tell the exact moment when it is required or when it can be dispensed with; but with the beginner, who probably has quite as much as he can do to manage the reins, it is advisable to have assistance. It should be put on, as a rule, before the coach is actually on the incline, and, if another hill has to be ascended immediately, it should be taken off before actually arriving at the bottom, in order to take advantage of the way on the coach to assist in mounting the opposite ascent.
|Coming off racecourse.| When coming off a racecourse with a heavy load never pull up if it can possibly be avoided, but keep moving at any price, however slowly, the wheels will then never have time to sink deeply into the ground. When this happens with a team that is inclined to jib, it is long odds against getting started again without a considerable loss of time.
|On slippery stones or asphalt.| When coming on to slippery stones or asphalt the horses will require holding rather more firmly than before, and it is advisable to slow down a little when approaching a corner, otherwise the wheelers are liable to slip up in turning it.
|Wheeler slipping going down hill.| If, while going down a hill, and especially when near the bottom, you find a wheeler slipping on to his hocks, do not try to pull him up, but drop your hand and allow the team to go a trifle faster.
|Place right hand on reins passing startling objects.| It is a good plan for the novice to accustom himself to place his right hand on the reins when passing anything on the road, or any object by the side of it, which might startle the horses, so as to be ready to check them at once should they show any tendency to shy in either direction.
Naturally the beginner will find that it takes some little time for his right hand to get into the habit of instinctively seizing the proper reins when a sudden emergency arises, and accidents occur so very quickly that I think these precautions may save him from many a mishap. Experientia docet.
