Put the forefinger of your right hand through the leading reins, and the
third finger between the wheel reins, feel your wheel horses' mouths
lightly, take your near side reins a little shorter than your off, so
that in case your horses attempt to start before you are properly
seated, you have the reins all of the same length, and, being properly
separated, you can put them into your left hand as quickly as possible,
and at once have your horses under control; this will, if attended to,
always prevent accidents. Some gentlemen get on the box and have the
reins handed to them by a groom, who does not know how to separate them;
this is not only an unbusiness-like, but a dangerous practice.