Vlll TABLE OF CONTENTS. 



PAET L 



SEATS AND SADDLES. 



CHAPTER I. 



THE FRAMEWORK OF THE HORSE CONSIDERED FROM A 

 MECHANICAL POINT OF VIEW. 



The four legs are the supports of the spinal column which 

 bears the burden directly There is one portion of the 

 spinal column round which all the others move : this is the 

 centre of motion of the horse The head and neck project 

 beyond the basis on which the animal stands ; the position 

 of the centre of gravity modified by this The horse's fore 

 legs are, more particularly, bearers, the hind ones pro- 

 pellers The action of the horse will depend on the relative 

 positions of these two centres, which will be shown by the 

 hoof- tracks, and is also easily recognisable by the ear 

 The relative positions of the two centres of gravity and 

 motion may be adjusted as the nature of the service de- 

 manded requires, by simply altering the position of the 

 head and neck ; and this is equally true whether the horse 

 be in motion or at rest, . . . . 19-44 



CHAPTER II, 



THE SADDLE, AND ITS INFLUENCE ON THE SEAT. 



The saddle should be adjusted to whatever seat may be adopted 

 for a particular purpose, and not vice versd the seat to the 

 saddle Its size should be proportioned to the weight it 

 will have to support : its shape should be adapted, on the 

 one hand, to the horse's back ; on the other, to the rider's 

 seat and legs The weight should be so placed as to press 

 equally over the whole under surface of the saddle ; there 

 must be no lever action : all of which is best attained by 

 making the seat central, placing the girths also in the 

 centre of the saddle, and, finally, the stirrups as near this 



