'HANDS' AND OTHER MATTERS 123 



horses will go better in a light double bridle, like a 

 Ward-Union, for example. I consider that this is 

 the best all-round bit, and is quite as suitable for 

 the lightest-mouthed horses as for horses not so 

 delicately fashioned. 



Standing Martingales 



For some reason people are averse to hunting, 

 and still less steeplechasing, in standing martin- 

 gales. It is supposed, I believe, to interfere with 

 the horse in the event of a fall. But I think 

 this idea must have been started before the days 

 of photography, because, when horses fall, they 

 do not throw their heads out, but tuck them in. 

 And I have never met an instance where a standing 

 martingale, adjusted to the right length, has or 

 could in any way affect a horse either when he 

 jumped, when he landed, or when rising from a 

 fall. 



Personally, I consider they are the only martin- 

 gales that should ever be used, and that they 

 should be always worn. Firstly, because they 

 have the advantage of leaving the reins free. An 

 ordinary martingale, whether it be fixed on the 

 snaffle or bit reins, interferes very considerably 

 with the play on the horse's mouth, and prevents 

 all delicacy. It is like trying to play the piano 

 with a duster over the keys. Also the running 

 martingale does not stop a horse throwing his head 

 up as high as he chooses, so that it does not prevent 

 the rider getting an occasional bang on the nose. 



