234 PRECEPT AND PEACTICE. 



MARTINGALS. 



These I consider as one of the most useful ap- 

 pendages we can use as regards the horse's carrying 

 himself handsomely and pleasantly to the rider, 

 when not disposed to do so. They are useful in 

 two ways. With the good rider they bring and 

 keep the horse's head in a proper place ; and with 

 a bad one, they prevent the badness of his hands 

 pulling the head into an improper one. Of course, 

 in the case of a good rider and a horse with a good 

 mouth both together, the martingal is uncalled for. 



The generality of persons form most erroneous 

 ideas as respects the effects of martingals : many 



