saddles and sore backs. 165 



The Saddle. 



It is intended here to consider the saddle as a whole and not refer to 

 any particular type, excepting where such reference is necessary. It is 

 thought that in this way the subject can best be considered, as no matter 

 how saddles may differ in detail, there is a certain unity of type existing, 



The arches. — The framework of a saddle consists of two arches, one in The 

 front and one behind the rider, each arch resting upon and secured to two arches, 

 bars placed parallel to each other, through the medium of which the rider's 

 weight is distributed on the back. This description holds good whether ^ 



we are speaking of the racing saddle of the twentieth century or the 

 saddle hanging over the tomb of Henry V. in Westminster Abbey. 



Two arches are used so as to ensure the spine is not pressed upon, 

 and two bars are used by which the arches are kept in their place. Here 

 we have the conception of a saddletree, the principles of which have 

 never undergone a change ; finality was at once reached so far as the 

 general idea of protection of the horse's back was concerned. 



The more weight which is carried on the saddle, the stronger it has to 

 be, and a stronger saddle is a heavier saddle. The question is often 

 asked, Why is not a military saddle like a plain saddle and as light as 

 one ? The answer is that such a pattern could not carry the impedi- 

 menta, nor could a lightly constructed saddle possibly stand the strain to 

 which a military saddle is exposed. It is obvious that the more weight 

 it has to carry and support, the stronger it must be, and that the first step 

 towards a light saddle is a light load. 



The arches of a saddle are made of wood or metal, or a combination Materials 

 of these. Metal is used in all military saddles constructed within the last of arches, 

 twenty-five years ; prior to that two pieces of beech were given 

 appropriate curves and secured together with an arch of steel known as a 

 gullet plate. 



Wooden arches strengthened by metal are used in all plain saddles and Wooden 

 many others which for necessity might have to be impressed into arches, 

 military service in time of war — for example, the so-called Colonial saddle. 



The front arch forms the pommel, the rear arch the cantle ; Front 

 both pommel and cantle may -be high or low ; they are made high, arch, 

 especially the cantle, when bulky material has to be carried on the saddle. 



The strain on a front is greater than that on a rear arch, for the reason strain on 

 that, owing to the shape of the horse's body, the saddle is really resting on arches, 

 a wedge (see fig. 27), and this with the weight of the rider is constantly 

 exercising an outward strain on the arch. This strain is greatly increased 

 where the fit is defective and excessive weight carried. 



