56 



ANIMAL MANAGEMENT. 



Saddle 

 rests on 

 the ribs. 



When a saddle is placed on the back, it rests on the ribs ; it is on the 

 ribs, and not on the spine, that the weight is actually carried. This 

 fundamental fact must early be committed to memory, it is the basis of 

 all saddle fitting. The rear ribs carry the weight on their upper surface, 

 and may be seen indicated by the dotted line of fig. 28. The front ribs 



Fig. 



29. 



Fig. 



30- 



Bones of 

 the loin. 



being stouter, and fixed into the breastbone, can carry weight not only on 

 their upper surface, but also on their side (fig. 27) ; if it were not for their 

 being fixed into the breastbone, a girth could not be used. 



Turning now to the loins, we find this part is composed of five b^ies, 

 which in several respects resemble the links of the backbone, but they 

 are larger, and have growing out from them at right angles a thin 



