ON CLOTHING, ETC. 177 



hard-pulling horse) should have to depend more on 

 his stirrups than is his usual custom, 



A four-pound saddle is to be preferred to either of 

 the above when it can be used, as it can be made 

 stronger and larger, and gives more room to the rider. 

 The flaps of this saddle may have a little stuffing in 

 them before the knee. 



A seven-pound saddle is also used for horses to run 

 in, and if well made, it is as convenient to ride in as 

 a stone saddle. Saddles of this weight are also the 

 proper ones for boys to ride in when exercising. The 

 stone saddle is the common sized saddle, and is also 

 occasionally used for horses to run in. 



Racing men endeavour, and I think very properly, 

 to keep the secrets of their stables as much to them- 

 selves as they possibly can, as weight impedes the 

 action of a race-horse in running. 



One way to enable them to do this in the trjdng of 

 their horses, is by the manner in which they have 

 their saddles made, for the weight of saddles is com- 

 monly judged of by their size. 



The saddles kept in a racing establishment are made 

 to vary in weight from those in common use. In 

 making saddles to run and try in, the trees of them are 

 occasionally leaded by the tree maker or saddler, agree- 

 ably to the directions either may receive from his em- 

 ployer ; and a four- pound saddle in this way is made 

 to weigh seven pounds. A seven-pound saddle is 

 made to weigh a stone, and a stone saddle is made to 

 weigh twenty-one pounds, or sometimes two stone. If 



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