SADDLE HORSES 159 



of positive brutality, for It Is almost sure to result In a 

 sore back. Nothing could be more unsportsmanlike. 

 In reading of famous running races, especially of those 

 three and four mile races which created so much excite- 

 ment in former days, one often comes across the state- 

 ment that such and such a horse was beaten because the 

 rider tired — not the horse but the rider; and a tired or 

 careless rider handicaps a horse on a long journey as 

 much as in a race. 



When the saddle horse comes in, pains should be 

 taken to avoid a sore back. The best method is to 

 remove the saddle, and at once wipe off the sweat 

 under saddle and girth with a wet sponge, using cold 

 water. Then rub the back lightly with a towel, so as to 

 dry the hair in part, and after that, put on the horse's 

 blanket. Much rubbing should be avoided, for It tends 

 to make the skin sore; and, moreover, you do not 

 want to leave the back uncovered very long. 



If the weather is so warm that the horse does not 

 require a blanket, place on his back, where the saddle 

 comes, a light woolen cloth or a towel fastened loosely 

 with a surcingle, or, if you have nothing else, use the 

 saddle cloth, or the saddle itself. 



The object of this whole treatment is, first to re- 

 move the salt sweat, secondly to close the pores of the 

 skin, and thirdly to dry the hair.^ 



If the horse has naturally a tender skin. It can be 



^ The horses used by the mounted police in Boston are very free from 

 sores, and their treatment is to remove the saddle at once, wipe off the 

 back with a mixture of water, witch-hazel, and salt — and do nothing 

 more. 



