BRIDLIXG. 81 



The buckle end is fastened to the ring of the 

 breastplate, and one pair of reins is passed through 

 the rings. The object of the martingale also, is to 

 keep a horse from throwing up his head, but it 

 gives more play than a cavesson, and enables the 

 rider to regulate the pressure. 



The martingale is generally placed on the snaffle 

 rein, but this I consider a mistake ; and here I am 

 upheld by the opinion of two people who ought to 

 know. Both ' Mmrod,' and Dick Christian, who 

 was a noted roughrider in Leicestershire for many 

 years, advocate the system of having the martingale 

 on the curb. 



When you are riding with a double bridle you 

 ought principally to use the snaffle, and having the 

 martingale on the curb rein leaves the snaffle rein 

 free ; and the curb not being so much required, the 

 martingale is not felt unless the horse puts his head 

 up, which is the time when it ought to be felt. 



Many people dislike martingales very much, but 

 there is no great objection to them, and it may be 

 laid down as a maxim that when you have a martin- 

 gale on you are master of your horse, but when you 

 have not one he is master of you. 



For this reason you should always ride a young 

 horse in one, and also a strange horse ; and you may 

 lay down as a good rule that you ought always to 

 ride a horse with a martingale, till you know he will go 

 properly without one, 



G 



