154 HOW TO JUDGE A HORSE. 



corner of the stall. Then they take up the first girth, 

 strapping it to suffocation, then up the second 

 girth in the same way. Others, again, instead of 

 pulling the girths upward, pull them against the 

 horse, throwing the animal entirely off his feet. 

 Many a horse has been spoiled for lifetime by such 

 practices, being taught to kick, or bite, or swell 

 themselves up so as to protect themselves against 

 over-girthing, the stupid groom, standing by, 

 wondering at the viciousness of that beast. 



The proper way, is to put the saddle down easily 

 upon the back, take up one girth after the other, 

 fastening them loosely, and then tighten them grad- 

 ually, hole by hole, until they are just snug enough 

 to hold the saddle in its proper place. After that, 

 put on the bridle, turn the horse around, back him 

 into his stall, and tie him loosely on both sides, 

 until he is wanted. In this way the horse suffers no 

 pain, and his temper is not disturbed. Finishing 

 of the girthing is done before the rider mounts. 

 Horses should not be saddled before one hour and 

 a-half after feeding, as they need that time for di- 

 gestion ; but, in case they have to turn out sooner, 

 the girths should not be drawn very tight, as the re- 

 sult might be, especially with high-tempered horses, 

 a rush of blood to the brain, under circumstances, 

 endangering the life of the rider. 



