426 RACING SADDLERY. 



Horses which carry the head too low can, as already 

 advised, be ridden in a gag snaffle, or the cheekpieces of 

 the head-stall of the snaffle may be taken up a little. One 

 should be very careful not to adopt any method of arranging 

 the bridle gear which might, in the slightest, check the 

 horse's speed. 



It is the fashion at the present time to use only one rein 

 with the snaffle, even when a martingale is on (page 377). 



MARTINGALES. 



A running martingale will generally be required ; for it is 

 a powerful aid in steadying a horse in his gallop, in turning 

 him, and in enabling the jockey to catch a firm " hold of his 

 head." It is especially useful with young horses that are 

 apt to " yaw " about, and with steeplechasers. 



Although the standing martingale has been used with 

 signally good effect for cross-country work, it is rarely 

 employed in flat-racing. I have, however, seen many cases 

 of races thrown away by jockeys not being able to hold 

 their horses at false starts, when a standing martingale, 

 properly adjusted, would have given them the power to 

 control their mounts, and win comfortably. I have frequently 

 used, both in training and in flat-racing, the standing martin- 

 gale with horses I have owned or have had charge of. After 

 the flag has dropped, except in long races, the pace will 

 generally be sufficient to hold a horse without the aid of any 

 special appliance. 



SADDLES. 



The first point to be considered about racing saddles is that 

 they should be long and roomy, as well as light. A two and 

 a half pounds or three pounds saddle, all complete with irons, 

 webs, girth and surcingle, ought not to be less than fifteen 



