314 The Book of the Horse. 



" that when you have a martingale on you are master of your horse, but when you have 

 not (if he chooses) he is master of you," " and for this reason I should always ride a young 

 horse or a strange horse with a martingale until I know that he will go without one." 



A REARING BIT. 



The cavesson standing martingale must be very carefully fitted; if too loose it is useless; 

 if too tight it will needlessly impede the action, and even throw a good horse down. 



Where a horse, especially a lady's, is inclined to bounce about and even rear when fresh, 

 instead of the nose-band the cavesson rein may be attached to a round ring bit, to which, 

 substituting it for curb or snaffle, reins may be attached. In this way using the rearing bit as 

 a curb bit I rode with safety and pleasure a thoroughbred mare that had previously given me 

 more than once a black eye and a swelled nose by suddenly throwing up her neck and head 

 while standing still, without any provocation. 



The martingale in ordinary use for hunting and road riding has two reins with rings at 

 each end, which are attached when used either to the snaffle or curb reins. This martingale 

 must not be used without the precaution of either having the rings so small that they can by no 

 possibility pass over the reins of the bit (and in this case the riding reins must be sewed, not 

 buckled on), or stops must be used, leather being the best, of a pattern familiar to all saddlers. 



Let me repeat that it is of the utmost importance that every man or woman, boy or girl, 

 beginning to ride, should learn, down to the minutest detail, how a horse is to be properly saddled 

 and bridled. 



