The proverb is also used in the phrase to change horses in mid-stream.
I am reminded‥of a story of an old Dutch farmer, who remarked to a companion once that ‘it was best not to swap horses when crossing streams’.
[1864 A. Lincoln Collected Works (1953) VII. 384]
‘If ours is the true religion why do you not become a Catholic?’‥‘Reverend father, we have a proverb in England never to swap horses while crossing a stream’.
[1929 R. Graves Good-bye to All That xxiii.]
Don't change horses in mid-stream. ‥If we think it necessary to make changes, we must choose the right moment to make them.
[1967 Ridout & Witting English Proverbs Explained 41]
Changing horses, love? I should look before you leap.
[1979 D. May Revenger's Comedy ix.]
Related to: decision and indecision
Bibliography of major proverb collections and works cited from modern editions is available here.
