i62 HANDS, VOICE, WHIP AND SPUR. 



and collecting a horse, It would be highly dangerous 

 to touch it when the animal is jumping. The majority 

 of riding men regard the standing martingale as dan- 

 gerous — and rightly, for only men with good hands can 

 safely use it. If any sudden snatch or jerk were made 

 at the curb, and the horse in throwing up his head 

 found himself caught by the standing martingale, a 

 very serious accident might happen. The standing- 

 martingale in no way impedes a horse's jumping, for 

 horses do not jump with their heads in the air, unless 

 they fear the curb. Fig. 48 shows its maximum 

 length. It may be said that ladies ought not to ride 

 horses which carry their heads too high, but many 

 of us have to make the best of what we can get in 

 the matter of horseflesh, and employ the surest 

 methods at our command for keeping such animals 

 under perfect control. The standing martingale is 

 dangerous in hunting only when going through gates, 

 as it is liable to catch in a gate post and cause trouble. 

 The faster a horse goes at any particular pace in 

 a natural and unconstrained manner, the more will he 

 try to extend his head and neck, so as to bring the 

 centre of gravity of his body forward, and also to aid 

 the muscles of the neck in drawing the fore limbs to 

 the front. The pulling In of the head and neck by the 

 reins will, therefore, be a direct indication to the animal 

 to slacken his speed. If he be well broken he will not 

 only go slower, but will also signify the fact of his 

 obedience by yielding to the bit by the play of the 

 joints of his head and neck. When he keeps these 



