1 68 



ANIMAL MANAGEMENT. 



The 



" burr." 



Pressure 

 of the 

 " burr." 



Parallel 

 between 



to accomplish, but it can be done by taking a mould of the back and 

 working from it. 



A saddle so fitted distributes the pressure evenly all over the surface 

 of the side bars, but only so long as the back remains in the same 

 condition as it was at the time of moulding. Should muscle waste occur 

 the bars no longer fit ; should the muscles of the back become larger and 

 fuller, the same result follows ; unless, therefore, the same condition is 

 maintained, the care and time occupied in moulding the bars to the curves 

 of the back is thrown away. 



In practice we have to be satisfied with something which falls far 

 short of the ideal, but is the nearest approach which is practicable. 



This is just as marked in fitting a plain saddle, where, in fact, little or 

 no attention is paid to the curves of the side bar, the fit of the saddle and 

 distribution of weight being assured through the medium of a pannel 

 stuffed with horse hair and flock. 



If the side bars for military saddles were no longer than those used 

 in plain saddles, their management would be greatly simplified, but it is 

 considered necessary that they should project beyond the front arch and 

 behind the rear arch, in order to assist in carrying the man's impedimenta. 

 That part of the side bar projecting beyond the front arch is termed the 

 " burr," and little reflection will show what a serious obstacle it may 

 prove to the fitting of a saddle, and to the locomotion of the horse. 



Taking the latter as being the most serious objection, it is evident 

 from our account of the movements of the blade-bone, that a " burr " to 

 the side bars is calculated, unless great care in fitting be adopted, to 

 press upon the shoulder-blade and prevent the free extension of the limbs. 

 If a horse cannot get his forelegs carried to the front w^ith freedom, he 

 becomes tired earlier than he should. His shoulder-blades are encased 

 in a veritable strait-jacket, if a pair of side bars are pressed into them 

 by a tight girth and the weight of the rider. 



It can be no matter for wonder that under these conditions he may 

 even fall when tired, and under any circumstances may constantly 

 stumble and trip. 



No weight should be imposed on the blade bones ; free and un- 

 controlled backward and forward movement is essential. The movement 

 of the human ankle is a very fair comparison to the movements of the 

 horse's blade-bones, and we can have no difficulty in realizing what the 

 result of interfering with the free play of the ankle would be if we caused 

 a wooden splint to project over it. 



Indeed, in more than one case, the human foot and its management 

 forms a very close parallel to the horse's back and saddle. There are 



