THE SADDLE AND BRIDLE. 83 



of rounded straps, but always of flat ones, and 

 should be of the best and strongest leather, es- 

 pecially the reins. These should be carefully 

 examined from time to time, in order to be sure 

 that there are no imperfections in them. Any 

 roughness or hardness is an indication of defec- 

 tiveness, and may be detected by dexterously 

 passing the fingers to and fro over the flat sur- 

 faces, which should be smooth, soft, and flexible. 

 There can hardly be too much care taken about 

 this matter, for the snapping of a rein always 

 alarms a horse ; and, feeling himself free from 

 all control, he will be almost certain to run 

 away, while the rider, if she has no other reins, 

 will be powerless to protect herself, or to check 

 him in his purpose. 



Martingales are rarely used by riders, as 

 they are troublesome, and can very well be dis- 

 pensed with, unless the horse has the disagree- 

 able trick of raising his head suddenly, from 

 time to time, when a martingale will become 

 necessary in order to correct this fault. The 

 French martingale is the best. This consists of 

 a single strap, fastened either to the under part 

 of a nose-band at its centre under the jaw, or 

 by branches to each side of the snaffle-bit at the 

 corners of the horse's mouth and then carried 

 between the fore-legs and fastened to the girth, 



