SADDLES AND SORE BACKS. I97 



the lining being of serge or linen. The girths are two in number, and Girths, 

 in order to keep the saddle in its place going up or down hill, a breast- 

 piece, quarter-piece and crupper are used. 



The weight of all this is considerable ; in fact, the unloaded equipment Weight, 

 is a load in itself, the pack saddle being about one-quarter of the total 

 load. How far this is absolutely essential is a debatable point. In 

 countries where pack transport is a general feature, light pack saddles 

 are not unknown. But it must be remembered that the military load is 

 somethmg very different from that of merchandise ; it is either a 

 concentrated weight such as a pair of ammunition boxes or a machine 

 gun, or it is a bulky load like entrenching tools, tents, men's 

 kits, &c., and such loads require a strong saddle. 



Transport animals for pack purposes are usually mules and ponies, Mules and 

 and the selection of either of these is a matter of considerable moment, ponies for 

 In the question of fitting and subsequent safety, the mule with a ^^ , 

 straight back, low withers, and upright shoulders is an ideal formation compared 

 for a pack saddle, and the make or shape of a number of mules' backs 

 are not liable to great variation. With ponies this is otherwise, and 

 their variations in formation are nearly as considerable as in the 

 horse. 



The general principles of fitting a pack saddle differ very slightly Principles 

 from that of the horse ; the spine must be entirely free from pressure, of fitting 

 the saddle must bear on the top of the ribs, the side bars should not rest P^^|^. 

 either on the loins or the blade-bones, though for obvious reasons more ^^ 

 of this is permissible in the mule than in the horse and pony. The load 

 should be kept as steady as possible, for which reason two girths at a little 

 distance apart keep the saddle firmly in its place. 



The thick wither of the mule is frequently a difficulty, the arch of the 

 saddle in many cases not being sufficiently wide to admit the pannels 

 without the withers getting squeezed. In fitting pack saddles this is one 

 of the essential features to attend to, and the one which most frequently is 

 found defective. 



Of equal importance with a good wide front arch is a pair of well- 

 stuffed pannels. The amount of stuffing depends on the amount of 

 muscle on the back, but assuming the back is well and liberally clothed 

 with flesh the pannels still need well stuffing, as their function is not 

 only to prevent the back from getting bruised but to endeavour to convert 

 a dead weight into an elastic one. 



It is unnecessary and undesirable, if the animal is short in the back, 

 to stuff the pannels for the full length ; in this way shoulder-blade and 

 hip injuries may be avoided, the latter being particularly common. 



