SADDLES AND SORE BACKS. 167 



The rear arch is made of metal in all modern military saddles ; in Rear arch, 

 plain saddles and those of the Colonial pattern it is of wood strengthened 

 with steel. 



The tendency for a front arch is to spread, but with a rear arch the Front arch 

 tendency is to sink under the weight of the rider, and in consequence spreads, 

 most military rear arches are supported by backstays to prevent this ''^^^ ^'"^^ 

 occurring. Like the front arch, it must be high enough to clear the 

 spine, but the question of width is by no means so important as in the 

 front arch, while the strength of material is equally important. 



The side bars. — The side bars are that portion of the saddle which rests The 

 on the back, and to which the ftont and rear arches are secured. side bars. 



Side bars are generally made of wood, and are given a twist in the 

 making which enables them to be adjusted to the curves of the back. 



Side bars may be made of metal, but these are not in common use ; Materials 

 wood, be it either for a military or plain saddle, is the substance generally for side 

 employed. If figs. 27 and 28, which show the shape of the vertical t>ars. 

 section of the body beneath the front and rear arches, be looked at, it will 

 be obvious that the shape of bar suitable for one is unsuitable for the other, 

 and speaking broadly we may say that while the side bar in front tends to 

 be upright, behind it tends to be flat. This difference in shape is 

 accomplished by giving the bar a twist in the process of manufacture. 



We have dwelt on the fact that all horses do not have the same shape 

 ot back, yet most side bars are so alike that one cannot be distinguished 

 from another. 



This fact has caused attempts to be made to manufacture self-adjusting Self- 

 side bars, so as to enable them to take the curve of different shapes of adjusting 

 back, and follow the alterations in shape which result from loss of flesh. ^^^^ h?ix^. 



Such mechanical contrivances are not required in civil life for reasons 

 which we cannot enter into here, but for military saddles would be of the 

 highest value ; and their general adoption is only a matter of time. 



The function of a side bar is to afford a firm support for the arches of Use of 

 the saddle and to distribute the weight over the back. ^'^^ ^^'■• 



Bearing in mind the weight-bearing region, viz., from the play of the 

 shoulder to the last rib, it is clear that over this surface the side bars 

 should rest evenly, squarely, and without undue pressure at anyone point. 



Such is the theory ; the practice, however, is very different, arising from 

 difficulties which are not always capable of control, especially the 

 exigencies of military life. 



Let us, however, assume a theoretically possible case, viz., the side 

 bars of a saddle moulded and fitted to a horse's back in such a way that 

 they bear evenly over the whole surface. This will take some patience 



