234 BRIDLES AND SADDLES. 



The martingale should be attached to the surcingle, if 

 one be used, or to the front (under) girth. 



The following practical ride for the adjustment of the 

 standing martingale may be found useful. Fix it at 

 such a length that a running martingale, were it also on, 

 would be drawn up to its fullest extent when the rider 

 holds the reins just clear of the top of the withers. Tne 

 running martingale might be put on, in order to deter- 

 mine the proper length of the standing martingale, 

 and taken off when that is done. The legitimate action 

 of the horse's head would then be no more interfered 

 with, than it would be were the rider to keep it in 

 proper position by means of a running martingale. We 

 know from experience that it is never desirable, except 

 when trying to prevent a horse from kicking, and when 

 easing the strain on our own arms, to hold our hands 

 higher than just clear of the withers. Hence I submit 

 that a standing martingale, used at the length I have 

 described, cannot interfere with any of the useful move- 

 ments of the horse, whether he is walking, trotting, 

 galloping or jumping. 



To prevent a horse from boring to one side, if he has 

 that habit, we may pass a strap through the ring of the 

 snaffle, on the other side, and through the loop formed 



