228 BRIDLES AND SADDLES. 



not liable to be pulled through. If the centre bar be 

 absent, the point of the tongue of the buckle, on account 

 of its being raised, will stick into the flap of the saddle 

 and will score, and thus wear out the girth tug or strap 

 when the horse is being ungirthed. If my description 

 be not plain enough, an inspection of the ordinary girth 

 buckle will explain to the reader the reason why the 

 centre bar is used with it. 



Saddle Cloths. — The legitimate use of a saddle cloth 

 is to save the pannel of the saddle from becoming soiled 

 by sweat. It should be thin in order to avoid giving 

 any " play " to the saddle. A thick one, when used 

 to prevent a sore back, is but a clumsy makeshift. 

 Its use should be restricted to cases in which it is 

 impossible to get the saddle properly stuffed. Saddle 

 cloths made of one thickness of leather, answer their 

 purpose admirably. If constantly worn, they will keep 

 soft and pliable, by reason of their absorbing the oil which 

 is excreted by the skin on which they rest. It is a good 

 plan, before using a new leather saddle cloth, to rub into 

 it a little cod-liver oil, which will keep it soft for a long 

 time. 



