263 



a cobby appearance that is most obnoxious to the eye 

 of an experienced huntsman. No horse can jump 

 with freedom in a tight martingale. He is bound 

 together, and cannot extend himself sufficiently to 

 accomplish the task required of him, and very fre- 

 quently he receives a check which brings him back 

 over, or something worse, if that can be ; therefore 

 the use of a martingale in the hunting-field must be 

 strongly condemned, unless it is worn upon a *' ewe- 

 necked star-gazer," which class of horse should never 

 really be seen with hounds. In cases where the 

 martingale is worn loosely, either on the snaffle or 



the curb rein, it can neither do 

 much good nor much harm, ex- 

 cept to detract from the appear- 

 FiG. 34. ance of horses by over-harness- 



Fbench Martingale. • a t^ i ^- i 



mg. A rrench martmgale, or 

 "Bar -ring," is often useful in preventing a horse 

 throwing the reins over his ears. Some horses 

 acquire this habit and will often displace the reins if 

 not held in position by a French-martingale (Fig. 34). 



NEEDFUL EQUIPMENT. 



The rider should always carry a good hunting 

 crop, if for no other reason than the opening and clos- 

 ing of gates. He can open or close an awkward gate 

 with great facility, simply by drawing or pushing it 

 with the hook of the crop as required. The crop 

 should be strong, and should have a brass stud in the 

 centre of the head, which will prevent it slipping off 



