204 HOW WOMEN SHOULD RIDE 



him rear or back, as there is no way to 

 release the pressure thus brought on his 

 mouth. The length should be carefully 

 regulated, so that it will keep the horse's 

 head at the desired height. This admits 

 of considerable play to the horse, but 

 within control of the rider, while with a 

 standing martingale no liberty is attain- 

 able. Once mounted, the rider cannot 

 influence its bearing; and should the 

 horse trip, he cannot fling up his head, 

 as he must to regain his balance. 



For ordinary riding a breast-plate is 

 not always used, but in hunting it is 



almost indispensable, and is 

 Breast-plate 



always a safeguard against a 



woman's saddle slipping back. It is put 

 on over the horse's head with the reins, 

 and one strap passes between his fore- 

 legs, through the loop of which one 

 of the girths passes. Two other ends 

 buckle, one on each side of the saddle, 



