68 SIDE-SADDLES. 



are used. The balance strap should be tightened to 

 a fair extent, though not quite so much as the girths, 

 because the portion of the ribs over which it passes, 

 expands and contracts far more than that encompassed 

 by the girths. 



If a saddle-cloth be used, the groom, before girthing 

 up, should bring the front part of the cloth well up 

 into the pommel with his forefinger or thumb, so as 

 to prevent it from becoming pressed down on the 

 withers by the saddle. 



PREVENTION OF SORE BACKS. 



The chief causes of sore backs brought on by side- 

 saddles are :- 



1. Badly fitting saddles. The fitting of saddles has 

 already been discussed in this chapter. 



2. Neglect in girthing up sufficiently tight. As 

 the tightness of the girths diminishes according to 

 the duration and severity of the work, the girths 

 should be taken up after the lady has ridden for some 

 time. For ordinary hacking, tightening the girths after, 

 say, five minutes' riding will generally be sufficient ; 

 but this operation should be repeated, for instance 

 at the meet, when out hunting. Knowledge of the 

 necessity of having the girths tight enough, to 

 prevent the saddle wobbling, will enable the rider to 

 take the necessary precautions against putting her 

 animal on the sick list from this cause. 



3. Undue weight on the near side, which is generally 



