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This book is included in the Self Reliance Ranching section.

Introductory
THE pastime of driving is unique in that it appeals, as does no other pleasure, to all ages, sexes, classes and 
conditions; to the strong and the decrepit; to the bold and the timid. From earliest times the possession of a vehicle
has always been regarded as an emblem of success in life; a visible token to all and sundry that the owner or his
forebears had succeeded in accumulating at least a moiety of worldly goods sufficient to enable him to indulge in
some of the luxuries attendant upon such enviable condition. From our first appearance in this vale of tears, our 
peregrinations have been conducted upon wheels; and, even as they furnish us our first outing, so do they provide
us with our last.

What more natural, then, than that wheeled carriages, from the perambulator period upward, should exert a 
fascination over even the most prosaic, and afford an object of interest to those of every age, from the baby with 
his tin wagon to the ancient in his wheeled chair. That the fancy is dormant in many natures and not dominant in 
many others is true, but the slumbering spark awaits only the kindling of environment to burst into a sturdy and 
unquenchable flame; diverted, possibly, temporarily to the bicycle and the automobile, but tiring of them in the one 
case through the irksomeness of the attendant labour, in the other through the inherent objection which any 
refined nature feels to stench, dirt, turmoil and danger, individual and abstract.

Like all other pursuits, driving may be treated as an art or as a mere means to a desired end. Unlike most others, 
however, there exists an imperative demand for its capable performance, not alone that safety may be secured to 
the charioteer and his accompanying family or friends, but that the peripatetic world at large may not, by any 
vagaries of the inexpert, be placed in jeopardy as to life or limb. If a man (or woman) owes it to himself and his
horses to drive thoroughly well, doubly is he under obligation to the public that it shall be endangered by no act of 
his; and the individual who, understanding but the merest rudiments of his undertaking, wanders about our 
highways and byways a nuisance to all who venture abroad, is as dangerous a menace to travellers as can well be
imagined; the more so because, let the very worst happen, upon his thoughtless head never falls a tithe of the 
blame accruing from his criminal ignorance. Beware the average "Sunday-and-holiday" jehu as you would an 
avalanche; watch warily his startings, stoppings, turnings and general vague meanderings; and thank your lucky 
stars if you always escape scatheless from the results of his inexcusable inexpertness.

Merely upon the broad ground that anything worth doing at all should be done to the best advantage, the art of 
driving deserves much more consideration than we are accustomed to award to it. The most ordinary instincts of 
humanity should impel us to wish to know that our horses are comfortably caparisoned and properly driven; nor 
are the humblest details beneath our notice. If genius is the "capacity for taking infinite pains," capability is the 
faculty for admitting the importance of usually unconsidered trifles, and there are more of these apparently 
unimportant matters (which are really vital) connected with the management of horses than with any other subject 
that one can suggest. The obvious is by no means the necessarily material in equestrianism, and it is to bring to 
notice many of these facts that this book is attempted.

The thick-skinned and heavy-headed donkey and the phlegmatic pony of childhood's days have not a little to
answer for in connection with indifferent equestrian performance, in that they submitted to mauling at our infantile
hands which, unless circumstances allowed our intimate subsequent association with horses, proved but a 
hindrance to furthering expertness; and not a few can attribute their indifference to equine society to the little 
wretches which, in their childhood's days, they were permitted to haul and thrash about. A certain amount of spirit 
and ability to resent abuse is an essential to every child's pet, from the kitten up, and not too soon can the infant 
learn that he cannot with impunity tempt vigorous reprisals; nor should he ever be allowed to "pick-up" haphazard
the art of driving, but be as thoroughly tutored in it as in any other accomplishment.

Merely as a means to the end of promoting self dependence, intrepidity, quick decision, coolness, patience and a 
few other virtues, the art of driving should form part of the education of every child; lacking the opportunity at that 
age, it is worthy the diligent essaying of every adult. Intimate association with horses never did any one harm, and 
there is something lacking in the make-up of any man who does not love them and exult in controlling them. Driving
may safely be classed among the amusements suitable for the gentler sex, and woman's naturally sympathetic 
nature and light touch render her especially adept—given proper instruction and supervision—and make her a 
welcome recruit to the ranks of this most unselfish pastime.

The following chapters attempt to cover the matter at issue in an untechnical and intelligible manner, and are 
written especially for the novice, and as the result of over thirty years' active association with every sort of horse for
every possible purpose. Nothing arbitrary is intended, and nothing more than advice attempted. The chapter upon
the debatable ground of appointments is intended as a guide, and is in no way as authoritative; nor does the writer
for an instant mean to do more than call attention to details usually (and broadly) accepted as correct. If the best
interests of the horse and his master are advanced by but an infinitesimal degree through this agency, such 
reward will fully compensate for the labour.

Table of Contents.

Chapter I. INTRODUCTION 
Chapter II. Stage Coaching in Early Times
Chapter III. American Vehicles and Evolution
Chapter IV. Stage Driving in the West
Chapter V. Road Coaching
Chapter VI. Driving for Novices
Chapter VII. Driving One Horse
Chapter VIII. Driving a Pair
Chapter IX. Tandem Driving
Chapter X. Four-In-Hand Driving
Chapter XI. Manners and Methods of Holding Reins; Handling the Whip
Chapter XII. Driving for Ladies
Chapter XIII. Bits and Bitting
Chapter XIV. Appointments
Chapter XV. Eccentricities in Appointments
Chapter XVI. Servants, Their duties, Liveries; Stud Groom, Coachman, Grooms, etc.
Chapter XVII. Equipment, Maintenance, Management and Construction of a Private Stable
Chapter XVIII. Feeding, Grooming, Shoeing, etc.
Chapter XIX. Stabling and Stalls
Chapter XX. Carriages and Their Care
Chapter XXI. The Harness and Its Care
Chapter XXII. Show-Ring Horses 
Chapter XXIII. American Road-Coaching
Chapter XXIV. The Heavy-Harness Horse
Chapter XXV. Type for Purpose
Chapter XXVI. Breeding the Carriage Horse
Chapter XXVII. Driving-Tours 
Chapter XXVIII. Road-Driving and Appointment
Chapter XXIX. Matinee Racing and Road-Driving
Chapter XXX. Balancing and Shoeing the Roadster
Chapter XXXI. Road-Riders of Earlier Times
Chapter XXXII. Sleighing and Sleigh Horses

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