MART1NGALS. 19 



Martingals, though frequently used, are 

 very seldom necessary for gentlemen's bridles : 

 because, if a horse is educated — " broke in" — 

 and his tt mouth made properly/' as it is called, 

 he will be obedient to the bridle, and his head 

 remain in the proper position ; but if from 

 imperfectness of sight, a horse carries his 

 head high and awkwardly, to accommodate his 

 vision ; or, if from an irritable disposition, he 

 waves his head, and disregards the bridle, a 

 martingal will certainly operate as a check, 

 in aid of the bridle, and may therefore be used ; 

 but even in such cases the reins in the sensitive 

 and acute hand of an experienced rider will, 

 in general, be quite sufficient. Many vicious 

 horses may be found among a regiment of 

 cavalry, yet rarely, if ever, any martingals. 

 But awkward and timid riders, without science, 

 or seats, are the persons who generally shackle 

 the willing and sprightly horse with a mar- 

 tingal, to enable themselves " to hold on," by 

 hanging on the bridle. Therefore, from what- 

 ever cause a martingal is used, it should have 

 a separate headstall and noseband (quite in- 



