SADDLES AND BRIDLES 227 



ever, that one would advise using for hunting, inas- 

 much as, should a horse put his foot in a hole, or 

 make a bad mistake, he might not have sufficient free- 

 dom of head in order to save himself from a fall. 



In a running, or ring martingale, the two end straps 

 are furnished with rings, through which the reins pass. 

 The chief use of the running martingale is to keep the 

 horse's neck straight, to retain the reins in their proper 

 place, and to assist the rider in having more control 

 over the animal. When properly adjusted and of 

 sufficient length,* it is the safest form of martingale 

 to use jumping or hunting. Although not as restric- 

 tive, or as instructive, as the Cheshire standing mar- 

 tingale, nevertheless, it enables the rider to hold the 

 horse with more ease than were no martingale used at 

 all, and also prevents the animal from throwing his 

 head up and striking the rider's face. 



When a running martingale is used with a double 

 bridle, it should be put on the bit reins, and not, as one 

 so frequently sees over here, on the bridoon. A run- 

 ning martingale on the bridoon deprives the rider of 

 having one quite free and simple rein; moreover if, as 

 is usually the case, the bit reins are held on the inside, 

 then having the martingale on the bridoon reins will 

 result in these being pulled across the bit reins, giving 

 an awkward feeling to both reins and an untidy ap- 

 pearance. Furthermore, it must not be forgotten, 

 that the action of the bit is to bring the horse's head 

 down, and that of the bridoon to bring it up ; inasmuch 

 as the action of the martingale is also to keep a horse's 

 head down, it certainly seems illogical to put it on the 

 bridoon rein. 



* A safe length for any kind of martingale used on a jumper is that 

 which allows it to reach the horse's jowl, when his head is held high up. 



