SADDLING. 431 



It is advisable when girthing up a racing saddle, to have the 

 girth one hole looser than it would be were there no surcingle, 

 and to have the surcingle one hole tighter than the girth. This 

 is done to prevent both " going " in the event of the animal 

 unduly expanding his chest, an accident that not unfrequently 

 happens. 



Leathers for steeplechasing should be twisted, just before 

 the race, in the manner shown in Fig. 152. 



As it sometimes happens that amateurs who are not par- 

 ticularly good horsemen attempt to ride over a country, I trust 

 I may be pardoned by critical readers, if I remark that the 

 best way to make a saddle less slippery than it would naturally 

 be to an indifferent rider, is, before mounting, to rub over the 

 seat and flaps a little finely powdered resin. This is infinitely 

 more efficacious than wetting them, or the insides of the 

 breeches, with water. I would not advise any such practice 

 to be adopted for ordinary riding ; but in a chase, especially 

 when " the money is on," a man's first object should be to 

 " remain " in his saddle. 



New girths should not be put on for a race, as they will 

 stretch considerably, and may allow the saddle to shift its 

 position, or even to turn round. A silk girth should never 

 be used, as it will be almost certain to hurt the horse. It is 

 far better, instead of using a silk one, to put up a little extra 

 weight in the form of a comfortable web girth, which should 

 be comparatively broad. 



A weight cloth should be placed well forward, with the 

 leads equally divided on both sides. If there be an odd 

 piece, it may be put in one of the pockets of the off side, if 

 the race be on a right-handed course, and vice versa. To 

 prevent the horse's sides from being hurt, no leads should be 

 put into the pockets over which the girth passes. 



