i6o HORSEMANSHIP. 



its shape and prevents or cures soreness of the dock caused 

 by chafing. Colt breakers should take a note of this. 



Though not at present touching on hunting or steeple- 

 chasing, I may mention that there are certain " herring- 

 gutted" horses, i.e. horses light in the back ribs, that cannot 

 be ridden up an acclivity without what is termed " running 

 through their girths." The deep brisket and tapering cone- 

 shaped middlepiece cause the saddle to slip back. To keep 

 it, as much as possible, in its proper place, the breast-plate 

 is used, and is, more frequently than not, buckled on so tight 

 as to cramp the horse's action. Horses of this " tucked up " 

 conformation should not be too tightly girthed. The saddle 

 must be allowed sufficient play to regain its proper position. 

 The object of the breast-plate is to keep the saddle from 

 slipping too far back along the waspish carcase, and as the 

 strain on it, and consequent pressure on the horse's shoulders, 

 is frequently very great, even to breaking, it should be stuffed 

 and stitched. 



The ills that horse-flesh is heir to are legion, but of the 

 whole too extensive range none is so thoroughly annoying 

 as a sore back ; the mischief is invariably traced to badly 

 fitting trees. Although a very large percentage of properly 

 constructed saddles will fit well bred horses in good con- 

 dition, in order to effectually prevent sore backs, the horses 

 liable to this equine complaint should be measured, and the 

 woodwork of the tree modelled to the back. If this be 

 done, a numnah, placed under the saddle, and the girths 

 kept fairly tight, then a sore back becomes an impossibility. 

 The " humanity " sponge-lined numnah, invented by Messrs. 

 Champion and Wilton, are strongly to be recommended. 

 Careful fitting and adjustment of the saddle undoubtedly 

 reduces friction, and, in the majority of cases, does away 

 with its baneful effects ; but with some high-bred horses 



