EXTRA WEIGHT SOMETIMES A COMFORT. 141 



We often see jockeys on a four-pound saddle, and 

 their horse with loaded saddle-cloths: why is this ? 

 it arises merely from its being more handy to carry 

 them about with them than three or four saddles. 

 Now there is nothing particularly soft or pleasant to 

 a horse's back in a saddle-cloth lined with lead. If 

 we want to make up weight, surely the more sensible 

 thing is to begin with a good comfortable ten, twelve, 

 or fourteen pound saddle. They may say that for 

 the short time they are on the horse it does not 

 signify. It does not to them, but depend upon it it 

 does to the horse. How commonly do we see a 

 pocket handkerchief put over the withers to protect 

 them ! Do they suppose this enough to make a horse 

 go comfortably with only a few folds of silk between 

 his bone and the iron plate of the saddle, or that a 

 horse will not shrink from exerting himself when 

 every stride hurts and bruises him ? If he has not 

 the best of tempers, this is enough to put him in the 

 worst. If he has, why should we annoy him for no 

 earthly use ? I like to see every thing neat and well- 

 appointed about a race-horse, and every horse : I like 

 to see a jockey well-appointed in himself; but, by 

 George, before my horse's back should be hurt, he 

 should be ridden on a down pillow, and Mr. Jock 

 might ride in a nightcap if he pleased to make the 

 thing in character not a bit more ridiculous, and 

 in some ways preferable, to riding in cocked or wide-a- 

 wake hats. The idea of a heavy man making himself as 

 light as he can by means of his saddle is preposterous. 

 If his horse is fit to carry 16st., he can carry 16st. 

 41b., and there can be no doubt the four pounds of 

 additional weight is fourteen of comfort both to horse 

 and rider. Light men may say they do not want such 



