SADDLES AND SORE BACKS. 177 



In rule ist the word " pressed " is placed in italics ; there are many 

 who know the withers must not be pinched, but there are many who do 

 not realise that something far short of pinching is sufficient to set up 

 disease if long continued. 



In fitting a saddle, that size which is nearest to the horse's require- Method 

 ments is selected. There are several sizes to choose from, and in making of fitting, 

 the choice the bare tree is tried on the back. J^"*- °" ^"^ 



Having been placed on the back, the front arch resting in the pit ot '^^^ '^^^' 

 the shoulder, the following points are looked to : 



The arch and seat should, if possible, be clear of the spine. This is not 

 always possible with horses possessing high withers, but it is desirable 

 in order to ascertain the fit of the side bars. 



The front arch must be wide enough to admit the hand on either side 

 of the wither. 



The side bars must bear evenly on the back, or as nearly so as can be 

 obtained. The points of the tree must be wide enough apart to clear the 

 ribs. 



The side bars must not be too long. At this stage it is no use looking to 

 blade-bone and loin pressure ; these can only hope to be avoided when 

 the blanket and numnah are placed under the saddle. All we can do at 

 this stage is to make sure the edge of the side bar is not pressing into 

 the withers or ribs, and that the arches are wide enough. 



A numnah is now placed on the back, and the tree on the numnah, 

 but without a blanket. This manoeuvre considerably raises the saddletree. 

 The amount by which it is raised gives an index to the required thickness 

 of the blanket. 



It cannot be too often insisted on that a numnah or a blanket reduces 

 the width of a front arch, and narrows the saddle across the top of the 

 side bars. 



The blanket is now folded, placed on the numnah and the tree on the Add 

 blanket. The blanket and numnah are pressed up well into the front numnah 

 arch, and before girthing up it should be noticed whether the " burrs " are ^5!||^j,^j 

 off the shoulders and the fans off the loins ; if they are not the thick- 

 ness of the blanket beneath the side bars must be increased by turning it 

 up on either side. The girths are now pulled up and a man placed in Girth up. 

 the saddle. 



The fit of a saddle can never be determined without seeing a man in 

 it ; parts may appear out of harm's way when no weight is in the saddle, 

 which are brought dangerously close under the pressure of a man's weight. 



The first thing to ascertain is the freedom from wither pressure ; the Test for 

 hand must readily find admission beneath the numnah over the top and wither 

 (B 10948) M pressure. 



