MARTINGALE. 13 



but also for outdoor work, without using a curb-chain, which 

 may remain hooked up on one of the curb-hooks, so that it 

 ma)^ be instantly used in case of need. As a rule, it 

 should not be employed unless the rider finds that he needs 

 its help. When he uses it, he should never put more tension 

 on it than is actualh' required ; the proper maximum being 

 when the curb-chain is tightened up, so that it makes an 

 angle of 45^ with the lower jaw. 



As the tension of the curb-chain should be proportionate 

 of the sensitiveness of the bars, so should the pressure caused 

 by the pull of the reins be proportionate to the resistance. 

 If this resistance is slight, the effort to overcome it should be 

 light, and the point of its application should be high up on 

 the jaw. If the resistance is great, the effort should be 

 energetic, and it should be applied low down. Therefore, 

 without greatly altering the middle position which the 

 mouth-piece should occupy between the tushes and the 

 corners of the lips, we may raise or lower the mouth-piece so 

 that the horse may yield his jaw by, respectively, a light 

 feeling of the reins, or by a strong pull on them. In other 

 words, the softer the mouth is, the higher should be the 

 mouth-piece ; and the harder, the lower should it be placed. 

 In no case, however, should it press on, or even touch, the 

 corners of the lips or the tushes. 



We learn from the foregoing remarks that the proper 

 tension of the curb-chain and the right position of the mouth- 

 piece in the mouth of a young horse can be found only from 

 experience, which should be gained from very slight effects 

 that can be gradually increased in severity as the case 

 may demand. 



MARTINGALE. 



The martingale prevents a horse from star-gazing and 

 throwing up his head, and helps the rider to guide him. If a 



