250 RACING SADDLERY. 



Adjustment of the Racing Gear. — The manner of 

 putting on the bridle has been described on page 229. 



The maj'tingaie, for ordinary racing purposes, should 

 be of such a length that, when drawn straight up, the 

 rings will reach to about the top of the withers. For 

 steeplechasing, however high the horse may hold his 

 head, it should never be so short as to make the pull 

 of the reins to come below the withers. 



The saddle should be placed just clear of the animal's 

 shoulderblades and no more. For a training gallop 

 it may be placed a little farther back, so as to lessen the 

 strain on the fore legs, unless, indeed, the horse has a 

 weak spot behind. The surcingle alone should pass 

 through the loop of the running martingale, while its 

 buckle should come low down, so as not to press against 

 the horse's side and hurt him. A pad, about a foot 

 broad, and eight inches long, with about four inches 

 down the centre unstuffed, will be useful with a light 

 racing saddle, to prevent the gullet plate from pressing 

 on the withers. If there be danger of this happening, 

 and a pad be not at hand, one may be easily made for 

 the occasion, by taking a flannel bandage, folding it in 

 two, and then rolling it up loosely from both ends, till 

 the two rolls are within five or six inches of each 



