176 ON CLOTHING, ETC. 



would most likely pull him out of his stride. The 

 disadvantage that would arise from this, will be de- 

 scribed by and bj^e. The different bridles and martin- 

 gals which best answer the purpose for different horses 

 to run in, are ascertained from the observations the 

 groom makes in the working of his horses, together 

 with the account the boys gives of the manner in 

 which each horse may go in his exercise. 



As the weights vary for different horses to run under, 

 so must racing-saddles vary in their sizes and weights 

 for horses to run in, to enable the different jockeys to 

 get themselves down to the weights for which they are 

 engaged to ride, without debilitating themselves too 

 much by wasting. 



Racing-saddles are therefore made to weigh from 

 two pounds to two stone ; but these weights may be 

 said to be the two extremes, as they are more fre- 

 quently from three pounds to twenty-one. A two- 

 pound saddle is seldom used unless when a horse is 

 engaged to run under a very light weight. All saddles 

 should be made of the very best materials; but this 

 being a very light saddle, it is necessary that every 

 part of it should be strictly attended to. 



A three-pound saddle is in more frequent use than 

 the two-pound saddle, and if well made, it is sufficiently 

 strong for a jockey of from nine stone to nine stone 

 seven to ride in ; unless, from frequent use, it is al- 

 lowed to get out of repair, in which case, a stirrup 

 leather, or stirrup, or even the tree of the saddle, may 

 break, if the jockey from necessity (as when riding a 



