Before starting, four horses should stand clear, or at their proper
length from each other. They should have some notice--a click, or a
whistle given them to move. If the whip is used, the wheelers should be
touched, as generally the ablest horses.
It is with coach-horses as with mankind--that where the physical
strength is in the governed, they must be humoured a little. When
starting, the coachman must not pull at their heads, but feel their
mouths lightly, or they may bolt, throw themselves down, or break
through their harness. If they are old, and the stage commences with a
descent, they should be allowed to go a couple of hundred yards before
they are put to their usual pace. A young horse should be started very
quietly, making the old horse take collar first. This is especially
necessary if the young one is inclined to be hot, as it will prevent
his plunging.
A young horse should first be started in a wide space, so that he may
get off without a check. If he be alarmed, and inclined to bounce, he
should not be held hard, and still less stopped; for, if so, he may not
like, particularly if high mettled, to start again. The old horse will
prevent his running far. If a young horse be shy of his collar, he
should not at first be pressed to it; as he may thereby take a dislike
to it, and become a jibber.
A young horse, when first put to a coach, should be turned to the pole
very carefully, to prevent its touching his hind quarter, which might
make him kick. When he has been driven long enough to be steady, he
should be taken up in his bearing-rein, put down lower on his bit, and
driven in a wide circle, or figure eight--keeping the inner horse well
up to his collar and bit. In breaking, he should be frequently stopped,
but not held after being pulled up, as, if high mettled, it will make
him restless, and if dull, he does not require it. If, on the contrary,
a young horse is heavy, and not ready to start when the command is
given, he should be whipped till he answer it.