152 HOW TO JUDGE A HORSE. 



action of the horse. Of course, a horse with a 

 naturally straight shoulder, is per se, not fit for sad- 

 dle use, and no amount of proper saddling can 

 prevent, sooner or latter, a salto mortale, horse, rider, 

 and all. 



It is really amazing how little most of those in 

 charge of saddle horses understand these facts, of 

 which we can daily convince ourselves. * 



The girths should be placed directly under the 

 middle of the saddle so as to make the whole un- 

 der surface bear equally all over the back. There 

 are generally three girth straps, two under the mid- 

 dle of the saddle, and one, more in front as a re- 

 serve strap. If the girths are fastened to the two 

 front straps, the pommel of the saddle will be 

 pressed down upon the shoulders, interfering with 

 their free action, very likely, galling the withers, and 

 the cantle of the saddle will be in the air. The rider 

 will slip forward, or, if he sits back by force, the 

 girths must either break or take the wind out of the 

 horse. The girths come too near the fore legs, if 

 fastened in this manner, and the respiration of the 

 horse is seriously interfered with. Whereas, if the 

 girths are fastened to the two backstraps, under the 

 middle of the saddle, the horse will suffer no incon- 

 yenience. That is easily explained by comparison. Let 

 ft person fasten a strap very tight around his chest, 



