244 RACING SADDLERY. 



A double bridle is less objectionable for steeplechase 

 riding than for the flat, on account of the greater 

 necessity there is for obtaining command over the 

 horse, and for " collecting " him, in the former, than 

 in the latter business. When it has to be used in a 

 race, the rider, having previously ascertained the exact 

 length of curbchain which suits his mount, should, 

 before going to the starting post, see that the proper 

 number of links, no more and no less, are taken up. 



Horses which carry the head too low may be ridden 

 in a gag snafile (see page 241), or the cheekpieces of the 

 headstall of the snaffle may be taken up a little (see 

 page 235). One should be very careful not to adopt any 

 method of arranging the bridle gear which might, in the 

 slightest, check the horse's speed. 



It is the present custom to use only one rein with 

 the snaffle, even when a martingale is on (see page 81). 



Martingales. — A running martingale will generally 

 be required, for apart from its use in keeping a star- 

 gazer's head down — in which case it will have to be 

 somewhat shortened — it is, even when lengthened out, 

 a most powerful aid in steadying a horse in his gallop, 

 in turning him, and in enabling the jockey to catch a 

 firm "hold of his head." It is specially useful with 



