THE MARTINGAL. H 



horse's nose ; if looser, it gives him every facility for doing 

 the very thing it is intended to prevent. 



The nose -band also answers another purpose, for when it 

 is necessary to use a martingal, it is fastened to the 

 nose-band. 



The Martingal. 



The martingal is intended to control a horse that has the 

 habit of tossing up his head, which renders him not only 

 unpleasant, but unsafe to ride. The way in which it should 

 be fitted is, first to bring the horse's head to the position in 

 which you wish him to carry it, and there to secure the 

 martingal, taking care not to confine him too much, but just 

 sufficiently to prevent him being mischievous. 



I must here remark, that the martingal is an unnecessary 

 appendage to one who is really a horseman; but there are 

 many who call themselves so, who have little claim to the 

 title, I mean such as fancy the horse is to carry them, and 

 also keep them on his back ; who hold themselves on as 

 much by their hands as by their legs ; and seem to imagine 

 that a horse's mouth has no feeling. Such persons, however, 

 should understand, that it is as sensitive and delicate as their 

 own, and ought to be handled as lightly as possible. With 

 proper treatment, the horse will carry his head as nature 

 intended; but if he has a good and light mouth, and 

 will not allow them the privilege of holding themselves 

 on by the bridle, they lay the blame upon the horse, 

 little thinking that he is all the , time rebuking them 

 for their awkwardness. Only let the rider's hand be light 

 and kind, and the horse will carry his head as he ought, 

 without the use of such restraints. 



In many cases the martingal is unsafe, particularly if 

 badly fitted, as I have seen some, at least a foot too long, 



