EQUITATION 279 



rein CM unless it be let out on its draught rein to the same 

 extent that BN has been shortened. 



The more- nervous horse is often put on the off side so as to 

 bring the other horse between him and objects to be passed in the 

 road, it being the. American rule of the road to keep to the right. 

 It also brings him closer to the hands of the driver, who sits on 

 the right side. The largest horse is customarily put on the oif 

 side for the reason that in turning tO' the right on roads the sur- 

 faces of which are crowded, as is usually the case, the off horse 

 is called upon to pull more in returning the load t-O' the centre of 

 the road. 



Blinds or Winkers. — Many horses are rendered much more 

 serviceable by having their field of vision restricted tO' the direc- 

 tion in "which they are supposed to go. Both nervous horses, 

 which \vill jump at any sudden movement of those behind them, 

 and lazy horses, which are disposed to loaf, usually drive much 

 more steadily and promptly with winkers. Careful adjustment 

 of the winker, both as to height and as to length of the winker 

 stay, should be made so as to prevent the horse's looking over it, 

 but. allowing full vision forward. A sudden change from a blind 

 to an open, bridle or the reverse may be most disconcerting to the 

 horse. Appointments require winkers on heavy harness; with 

 light harness they are optional. 



Martingale. — There are two varieties, standing and ring. 

 A standing martingale is a strap passing from the belly band, 

 between the forelegs, to either the bit or nose band, and has the 

 effect of preventing the elevation of the head beyond a certain 

 level. It is most generally employed on trotters tliat are difli- 

 cult to catch in breaks, saddle horses that rear, and polo ponies 

 that endanger their riders by throwing their heads up in response 

 to the severe curb, when pulled up sharply. 



The ring martingale is not attached to the horse's head, but 

 terminates in two rings through which the reins pass. Its action 

 is generally the same as the standing martingale but in less de- 

 gree. Its adjustment should always permit of the reins being 

 almost at the level of the bit and turret rings, thus holding but 

 not pulling the horse's head down. It is used on both light bar- 



