ACCESSORIES 43 



horse has to be tied up to be cast, for it does not 

 chafe the skin like a hempen one. 



Q. What are the chief requisites in a saddle ? 



A. That it should be roomy enough to be 

 comfortable to sit in, and to distribute the rider's 

 weight equally on the horse's back. Too small 

 a saddle is both uncomfortable, and even danger- 

 ous, for many a rider has suffered permanent ill- 

 health from coming down on the pommel or cantle 

 of the saddle, which has, indeed, been on occasion 

 actually fatal. A saddle ought not only to be 

 well stuffed, but constant care is required to 

 prevent the stuffing working into hard lumps, 

 which are sure causes of sore backs ; it needs 

 careful drying after use, and beating with a light 

 cane to keep it right. 



The tree must be very carefully fitted, especi- 

 ally when a horse does not possess naturally " a 

 saddle back," but is either low, or rounded, in 

 the withers, or, perhaps, has a hollow back. 

 Some horses that are otherwise well shaped have 

 such high thin withers that the tree of the 

 pommel is very liable to press upon them there ; 

 and whenever a sore place occurs either on 

 the withers, or on the spine under the cantle, 

 it is always particularly difficult to cure. From 

 there being no flesh over the bone in either place 

 a bruise is a serious matter. It is always 

 advisable when first mounting to try if at least 

 the forefinger can easily pass under the pommel 

 in front, and the cantle behind, and if it cannot 

 do so there is not sufficient room. The remedy 

 for the moment is to obtain a thick felt numnah, 

 or a piece of old rug to place under the saddle. 

 A linen rubber will do, if very carefully folded 



