HO IV TO MOUNT. 15 



between it and the horse. The same must be done in the 

 case of the outer girth. . 



In a modified degree the side-saddle is displaced by 

 the common mode of girthing. The surcingle should lie 

 neatly over the girths, and have an equal bearing with 

 them. When the " Fitzwilliam girth " is used — and its 

 general use is to be advocated, not only on account of its 

 safety and the firmness of the broad web, but for its freedom 

 from rubbins: the skin behind the elbow — the leather sur- 

 cingle of the saddle will take the place of the usual leather 

 outside strap supplied with this girth. 



For inspection the horse should be brought up to the lady, 

 off side on. She should note that the throat-lash falls easily, 

 but not dangling, on the commencement of the curve of the 

 cheek-bone, and that it is not buckled tight round the 

 throttle, like a hangman's " hempen-tow." The bridoon 

 should hang easily in the mouth, clear of the corners or 

 angles, and not wrinkling them ; the curb an inch or so 

 above the tusk, or, in the case of a mare, where that tooth 

 might be supposed to be placed. She will see that the. curb- 

 chain is not too tight, that the lip-strap is carried through 

 the small ring on the chain, also that the chain lies smooth 

 and even. In fixing the curb, if the chain be turned to the 

 right, the links will unfold themselves. It is taken for 

 granted that by frequent personal visits to the stable, or by 

 trusty deputy, she is satisfied that the horse's back and 

 withers are not galled or wrung. A groom withholding 

 information on this point should, after one warning, get his 

 conge. That the bits and stirrup be burnished as bright as 

 a Life Guardsman's cuirasse, the saddle and bridle perfectly 

 clean, and the horse thoroughly well groomed, goes without 

 saying. All the appointments being found in a condition 

 .fit for Queen's escort duty, we now proceed to put the lady 



