*I63 



back, with a swell in the centre, and i'ajHnr^ 

 away again gradually toward the lower cd'^c. 

 The front of the pannels near the shoulders 

 should be thicker than the hinder parts, as it 

 prevents the weight from falling forward upon 

 the points ^of the "horse's shoulders, which 

 would greatly cramp his motions by preventing 

 the depression and rising again of the point 

 of the blade bone, wliich falls and rises every 

 step the animal takes. Some horses are so 

 strong and accive as not to regard pressure 

 on those parss-, but notwithstanding this, their 

 ease should be consulted as m.uch as possible* 

 Weak horses, and those that go close on the 

 ground, are much relieved by throwing the 

 weight off their shoulders, and giving them 

 free play. The tree of a saddle should be 

 very light, but sufficiently strong to support 

 the v/eight which it is intended to carry. Ca- 

 valry saddles ought to be considerably stronger 

 in the tree than those for pleasure, as the mili- 

 tary accoutrements of a dragoon add consider- 

 ably to his weight ; and having rougher service 

 to perform, they require a proportionate de- 

 gree of strength. 



In the upper part the pommel ought not to 



