SADDLING THE HORSE 



spiration of the horse; second, it 

 absorbs perspiration under the 

 saddle, thus aiding in keeping the 

 pads of the saddle soft and flex- 

 ible; and third, it greatly protects 

 the horse from injury that would 

 come with the use of the saddle 

 next to the horse's back. Some 

 saddles, how^ever, are so excel- 

 lently made that a saddle cloth is 

 unnecessary. 



To put on a saddle, stand at 

 the side of the horse and place 

 the saddle squarely over the 

 horse's back just behind the top 

 of the shoulders. The region on 

 the top of the shoulders in the 

 horse is known as the withers. 

 You may find it less difficult if 

 the stirrups are crossed over the 

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