I5 o SADDLERY. 



we may place the saddle further back (say, 3 inches), so as to 

 save the fore legs from undue strain. I have often found 

 that this precaution acts well with animals which are heavy 

 in front, and with those which are somewhat infirm on 

 their fore legs. All horsemen know that a hunter requires 

 to be light in front, especially when landing over fences. 

 Although it is impossible to determine with mathematical 

 accuracy the best position for the saddle to occupy, whether 

 with a view of saving the fore legs from injury or for 

 obtaining a high rate of speed, a knowledge of the principles 

 to be observed cannot fail to be useful as a guide to practice. 

 Instead of adopting for all horses a uniform position for 

 the saddle, it is well to try how each animal goes with the 

 saddle in different positions, always remembering to keep 

 it clear of the play of the shoulders, and then to adopt the 

 one which suits the horse best. A man of experience will 

 readily tell when the position of the saddle which is between 

 his legs is in harmony with the movements of the animal he 

 is riding. 



SADDLING A HORSE. 



The saddle should be placed on the withers and drawn 

 back (so as not to rumple the hair which is under it) into a 

 position clear of the shoulder-blades, and as much further 

 back (see preceding section) as may be deemed advisable 

 With the object of giving a horse the appearance of having 

 lengthy shoulders, dealers sometimes put the saddle too far 

 back for the comfort of the animal. 



If a saddle-cloth be used, the groom, before girthing up, 

 should bring the front part of the cloth well up into the arch 

 of the gullet with his fore finger or thumb, so as to prevent it 

 from becoming pressed down on the withers by the saddle. 



With two girths, the front one is taken up first, and then 

 the hind one. We should avoid tight girthing, and should 



