THE STANDING MARTINGALE. 75 



mount importance in breaking, which is the subject, 

 at present, before us. 



The statement may be advanced, that men with 

 really fine hands will gain nothing from the employ- 

 ment of the standing martingale. I entirely dissent 

 from this ; for it is impossible for any man, however 

 delicate his touch may be, or strong his arms, to 

 prevent, as this martingale will do, the animal from 

 getting his head up, and thereby successfully re- 

 sisting control, for the time being. I may mention 

 that many of our finest Irish riders are its devoted 

 admirers. 



When a horse pulls hard, he will, almost invari- 

 ably, try to advance his chin further than the 

 standing martingale — at a proper length, let it be 

 understood — will allow him to do. Hence, this 

 amount of restraint will always be a direct saving to 

 the arms ; while it will be taken off the mouth, and 

 the controlling indication afforded, the moment the 

 animal brings his head back into its natural position. 

 I need hardly explain, that the horse being unable 



