72 ILLUSTRATED HORSE-BREAKING. 



centre of gravity, falls beyond the fore-feet. We 

 find, therefore, by- observing the comparative tight- 

 ness, before and after jumping, of the standing mar- 

 tingale, that the horse's tendency, when fencing, is 

 to bring his head back, on advancing the fore-limbs. 

 If he adopts, with the martingale on, the other and 

 unsafe course, the pain caused by the consequent 

 severe pressure of the mouth-piece on the bars, will 

 soon teach him to save his mouth by holding his 

 head in a proper position. Besides the increased 

 control obtained by the mouth-piece always remain- 

 ing on the bars, the presence of the standing 

 martingale, by stopping him from poking out his 

 nose, will tend to prevent him going " uncol- 

 lectedly " behind, and, even on this account alone, 

 will be specially useful for the hunter, chaser, and 

 polo pony. Whatever be the horse's work, whether 

 on the flat, across country, or in harness, he should 

 be ridden or driven in a standing martingale, if he 

 has the habit of trying to get the mouth-piece off 

 the bars of the mouth, or has any tendency to go 



