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, w^hether 

 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 



