KACING SADDLES. 109 



or 3 Ib, saddle, all complete with irons, webs, girth, and 

 surcingle, ought not to be less than 15 inches in length ; 

 while a 6 Ib. or 7 Ib. training or steeple chase one ought 

 to be more than an inch longer. 



For cross country riding, the saddle should fit as close 

 as possible to the horse, without actually pressing on the 

 vertebrae of the back, while all unnecessary stuffing and 

 numdahs should be dispensed with, so as to avoid giving 

 " play" to the saddle. 



For a race, the position of the saddle should be such, 

 that it should just escape interfering with the play of 

 the animal's shoulder blade, and no more. But for a 

 training gallop, it should be put further back, so as to 

 lessen the strain on the fore legs, unless, indeed, the 

 horse has a weak spot behind. 



Saddles, used for training purposes, generally weigh 

 about 7 Ibs, each, all complete. 



With a racing saddle, the surcingle alone should pass 

 through the loop of the running martingale, while its 

 buckle should come beneath the stomach of the horse, 

 and should not press against his side, in which position 

 it would hurt him at each inspiration. 



A pad, about a foot broad and eight inches long, with 

 about three inches down the centre unstuifed, will be 

 useful, with a light racing saddle, to prevent the gullet 

 plate from pressing on the withers. 



Leaded saddles are very useful when dead weight has 

 to be put up ; or for trials, when the trainer does not 

 want his jockeys to know more than he can help. 



Lead Cloths. The trainer should have weight cloths 

 capable of containing different amounts, with their own 



