40 BRIDLING. 



On the road a horse may put his foot upon a stone 

 in a jog-trot, or come upon some irregularity ; and unless 

 the rider has something more than a snaffle in his hand, 

 he is exceedingly likely to suffer for it. Many a horse 

 that is like a foot-ball in the field, full of life and elas- 

 ticity, and never making a mistake, will on the road 

 require constant watching to prevent his tumbling on 

 his nose.'^' 



At the same time, a horse should by no means be 

 encouraged to lean on the bit or on the rider's support, 

 which most of them will be found quite ready to do ; a 

 disposition in that direction must be checked by mildly 

 feeling his mouth (with the bit), pressing your legs 

 against his sides, and enlivening him gently with the 

 whip or spur. 



The Martingal. — The standing or head martingal is 

 a handsome equipment — safe and serviceable with a 

 beast that is incorrigible about getting his head up, but 

 should be used in the street or on the road only. 



The Ring-Martinyal is intended solely for the field 

 with a horse whose head cannot be kept down ; but it 

 requires to be used with nice judgment, and handling 

 of the second or separate rein, which should pass through 

 it, especially when the animal is in or near the act of 

 taking his fences, when, with some horses, comparative 

 freedom may be allowed to the head, which should, 

 however, be brought down to its proper place directly 

 he is safely landed on his legs again by the use of this 



* The famous Irish jumper "Distiller" was notorious among 

 many other good fencers as a bungler on the road, though he 

 would jump a six-foot-six stone wall with ease, sporting two large 

 broken knees in consequence of his performance in that line ; and 

 in fencinof he was also first-rate. 



