io 4 BITS AND B R IDLE GEAR. 



A running martingale is useful for preventing the reins from 

 getting over the horse's head, in the event of a fall, or when 

 the animal throws his head about. 



3. The " Irish martingale " is formed by passing the reins 

 through a single ring or through two rings connected together 

 by a strap (Fig. 1 1 1). This not very efficient substitute for a 

 running martingale may be useful for keeping the reins down, 

 in the case of a fall, or with a horse which has the habit of 

 throwing his head about. It has the great disadvantage of 

 hindering the rider in turning his horse ; because the direction 

 of the pull of the inner rein will not be in a straight line, 

 unless the outer rein is let go altogether, which would be a 

 proceeding entirely opposed to good horsemanship. This 

 martingale is very rarely used, no doubt on account of its 

 faulty action. 



We may improvise a running martingale by means of a 

 branched standing martingale and two rings of suitable size 

 (Fig. 112). 



BRIDLING A HORSE. 



A groom in putting on a bridle, usually takes the cheek- 

 pieces of the bridle in the left hand ; places the reins over 

 the neck ; passes the right hand under the animal's jaw and 

 over its nose, so as to obtain control ; and transfers the cheek- 

 pieces of the bridle from the left into the right hand (Fig. 113). 

 The left hand puts the bit into the mouth, catches the crown- 

 piece of the bridle, and draws it over the ears. The right 

 hand quits the nose, and helps to buckle the throat-latch. 

 This method is well suited for short men or lads ; but I think 

 the best way for comparatively tall persons is to take the 

 crown-piece of the bridle in the left hand, while the right 

 holds the reins at their centre in the palm of the hand. The 

 reins are passed over the head and placed on the neck. The 

 right hand, which may be steadied by its holding the fore- 



