MARTIN, or MARTERN
,—is an animal inhabiting woods and bushy coverts, rather inferior in size to a domestic cat, but longer in the neck and body, having a head and tail corresponding in make and shape with the FOX, but not so sharp-pointed in the ears. They are nearly as expert in climbing trees, and leaping from one to another, as a squirrel; they breed in the hollows of trees, and produce four, five, and even six, young at a time. They live upon poultry, game, and birds: most probably the casual food of the FOX is taken by the MARTIN also. As, by their great agility in climbing, they become a most destructive enemy to PHEASANTS, so by their SCENT they are frequently the subject of much mortifying disappointment to a field of expectant sportsmen. When found amidst the bushes, the general burst of the finding hounds is as great as when a FOX is unkenneled, and so continues, till, being closely pressed, some friendly tree (probably clothed with ivy) suddenly terminates the deceptive chase.
MARTINGAL
.—The article so named is of two kinds; one of which is termed a HEADSTALL martingal; the other, simply, a martingal: each consists of a long strip of leather, about an inch and a half wide, passing between the fore-legs, with a loop or wide noose at its extremity, through which the hinder girth is to pass, and by which it is secured at that end: at the front of the breast it divides into two equal branches; and having SWIVEL RINGS at the extremity of each, they are slipt on upon the bridoon (or snaffle) rein, and are used to keep down the head of a hard-mouthed or high-staring horse, that he may see the ground upon which he is to move with less danger to the neck of the RIDER. The headstall martingal is of similar construction, except its having a headstall the same as a bridle, to which the divided branches before described are united at the cheek on each side; but this is a hazardous practice, and should only be used with COLTS in breaking; for if a horse once stumbles in action, he is so confined, that his sudden exertion to raise his head, and to recover himself, being counteracted, he almost inevitably comes to the ground.
MASH
—is a name given to a kind of universal PANACEA for horses during a course of PHYSIC, or labouring under COUGH, COLD, or DISEASE. Mashes are differently made, according to the necessity which occasions their being brought into use: some are made with BRAN and HONEY; others with equal parts of OATS and BRAN, with or without honey; but the most fragrant, useful, attracting, and invigorating, is made from GROUND MALT, with such proportion of BRAN as will disunite the glutinous adhesive property of the MALT, and reduce its sweetness enough to prevent a satiety by its clamminess in mastication. Malt mashes (and the liquid pressed from them) horses will generally take in different dangerous disorders, as FEVERS, INFLAMMATION OF THE LUNGS, STRANGLES, &c. when they will take (spontaneously) no other kind of FOOD or NUTRIMENT. Mashes should be always made of ingredients perfectly SWEET, without the least taint of mustiness, and in pails or vessels free from every possibility of grease; they should also be prepared with water boiling hot, which being once stirred together, may then be covered down till of a proper warmth to be placed in the manger; which should never be of greater heat than new milk from the cow, unless in cases where a FUMIGATION may be required to relax and take off a stricture from the glandular parts, and promote a discharge from the nostrils.
MASTER of the HORSE
—is an office of high honor and great trust, seldom conferred upon any but some distinguished individual of the peerage, in possession of his Majesty's confidence, and honored with his personal approbation. The department of the MASTER of the HORSE is of very considerable magnitude, possessing a greater extent of patronage than almost any other appointment in the GIFT of the Crown. The Master of the Horse is the supreme superintendant of every thing appertaining to the establishment of the King's stables and their contents. It is within his official department to take cognizance of every part of the royal retinue in which HORSES, CARRIAGES, and their requisite attendants, are concerned; as well as personally to attend upon his Majesty whenever they are employed; but more particularly upon all public occasions, and in all PROCESSIONS of STATE. He also appears in personal attendance upon his Majesty in the chase; unless upon some occasions, by the King's permission, or particular desire, that official service is dispensed with. Subordinate to the Master of the Horse in the stable establishment, are the equerries, pages of honor, clerk of the stables, yeomen riders, mews-keepers, coachmen, footmen, grooms, postillions, and helpers, exclusive of saddlers, coach, harness, and bit-makers. The establishment of the ROYAL HUNT is also officially announced in the department of the Master of the Horse; although the patronage and appointments remain of course with the Master of the Stag Hounds.
MASTER of the STAG HOUNDS
. See King's Hounds.