518 SADDLERY AND HARNESS. 



tainly have a lighter and a more graceful appearance ; but Messrs. Gib- 

 son do not recommend such a form of bridle to those ladies who delight 

 in mounting and in subduing high-spirited animals. 



Martingales are generally complained of as troublesome appendages 

 when added to the trappings of either the saddle or of the gig horse. 

 These articles, however, can be so manufactured as to lend a dignity to 

 the quadrupeds which run before carriages ; though, where a martingale 

 is used, the bearing-rein becomes unnecessary, since both restraints aim 

 at the same object. Perhaps of the two, the martingale is the better, 

 because, while obliging the head to be held in the proper position, it 

 enables the coachman, by slackening the reins, to rest the muscles of the 

 neck when the vehicle pauses. The martingale certainly requires the 

 better driver, and imposes the greater exertion upon him who drives, 

 the latter circumstance being likely to interfere with the digestive 

 serenity of most servants. 



There is, however, one species of martingale, without which few ladies' 

 saddles appear to be fully equipped. Some 

 animals necessitate no restraint to improve 

 the carriage of the head, but these, neverthe- 

 less, acquire a habit of throwing the muzzle 

 suddenly up and of jerking the foam from 

 the lips into the face of the rider. This pro- 

 pensity communicates no pleasure to the 

 person who occupies the seat. It generally 

 causes the equestrian to lower the head 

 whenever the quadruped evinces a disposi- 

 A PEENOH MAETiNOALE. tlou to cxalt Its countcnauce ; such being the 



precise moment when the human vision is of 

 double value ; for th€ eye of the horse, being direct heavenward, can then 

 take no cognizance of earthly objects; hence the great need for the 

 guidance of the rider. 



To correct this, the French martingale, which consists of a single 

 strap, is attached to the nose band. The band passes over the nasal 

 bones, and under the forward part of the lower jaw. To the lowest part 

 of this band the French martingale is fixed. The operation is obvious. 

 The horse, by raismg the head, causes the martingale to act on the bridle : 

 the nostrils are compressed ; the breathing is interfered with ; and, as 

 the quadruped resents the slightest hinderance to its respiration, the 

 fruitless effort to indulge an obnoxious habit is relinquished, so that the 

 annoyance of the tightened nose band may be avoided. French martin- 

 gales, which were once largely in use, are now never employed with a 



