112 HORSE MANAGEMENT IN INDIA. 



stirrup iron to remain at right angles to the sides of the 

 horse, in case the rider's foot comes out, so that he may 

 readily pick it up again. With irons thus arranged, the 

 chance of the foot getting caught, in the event of a fall, 

 is greatly lessened. Mr. John Wheal, the well known 

 Indian trainer, was the first to show it to me. He learned 

 it from the celebrated George Stevens. It is as follows: 

 Twist the stirrup leather in the direction the hands of 

 a clock proceed, if on the off side, till it is pretty well 

 shortened; then pull it hard down by means of the iron, 

 and let it go. On becoming untwisted, the leather will 

 be found to have received a twist which will keep the 

 iron at right angles to the horse's side. 



Girths. Girths, that have never been previously 

 used, should not be put on for a race, as they will 

 stretch considerably, and by doing so, may allow the 

 saddle to shift its position, or even to turn round. 



