Vlll TABLE OF CONTENTS. 



PART I. 



SEATS AND SADDLES. 



CHAPTER I. 



THE FRAMEWORK OF THE HORSE CONSIDERED FROM A MECHANICAL 

 POINT OF VIEW. 



The four legs are the supports of the spinal column which bears 

 the burden directly There is one portion of the spinal column 

 round which all the others move : this is the centre of motion 

 of the horse The head and neck project beyond the basis on 

 which the animal stands ; the position of the centre of gravity 

 modified by this The horse's fore legs are, more particularly, 

 bearers, the hind ones propellers The action of the horse will 

 depend on the relative positions of these two centres, which 

 will be shown by the hoof-tracks, and is also easily recognisable 

 by the ear The relative positions of the two centres of gravity 

 and motion may be adjusted as the nature of the service de- 

 manded requires, by simply altering the position of the head 

 and neck ; and this is equally true whether the horse be in 

 motion or at rest . 19-44 



CHAPTER II. 



THE SADDLE, AND ITS INFLUENCE ON THE SEAT. 



The saddle should be adjusted to whatever seat may be adopted 

 for a particular purpose, and not vice versa the seat to the 

 saddle Its size should be proportioned to the weight it will 

 have to support ; its shape should be adapted, on the one hand, 

 to the horse's back ; on the other, to the rider's seat and legs 

 The weight should be so placed as to press equally over the 

 whole under surface of the saddle ; there must be no lever- 

 action; all of which is best attained by making the seat central, 

 placing the girths also in the centre of the saddle, and, finally, 



