EEPOET OF CAPT. GEOKGE B. M°CLELLAN. 



229 



HOESE EQUIPMENTS. 



The Hungari<an saddle is used in most regiments. 



The annexed figure represents a side view of that saddle. 



It is of hard wood, entirely uncovered, and consists of the bars (c), the front fork (a), the rear 

 fork (b), and the saddle seat or straining strap (d). The ends of the forks (e, e) are let into 

 mortices in the bars, and secured by raw hide thongs passing through mortises (p, p). 



The saddle seat, or straining leather, is a stout strap of leather, from IH to 13^ inches long, 

 A\ inches broad at the hind fork, 3| to 4 in the middle, 2\ to 3 at the front fork. 



It is secured to the front fork by 4 flat-headed nails, a strip of leather being first laid over 

 the end of the strap, as seen aty. 



As the greatest strain comes upon its junction with the hind fork, it is secured to it difi"erently. 

 At each angle of the strap a stout thong is left when cutting it out ; this thong is passed around 

 the neck of the fork, and secured by a nail in rear ; 5 flat-headed nails are then driven through 

 the strap into the fork ; under the head of each nail a round piece of leather is placed to prevent 

 the strap from being cut or worn ; /' shows this arrangement. 



The strap is attached to the bars by raw hide thongs drawn tight, as shown in the figure. 

 The Forks are strengthened by light iron plates nailed to the front of the front fork and the 

 rear of the hind fork. 



The girth is attached to. the bars by thongs passing through the holes {g). The stirrup 

 leathers pass through the mortises (7i.) and in the notch (m), a groove being cut in the under 

 surface of the bar to receive the leather. The holes (i) are for the purpose of attaching the 

 straps which secure the holsters ; those at h for attaching the crupper. Near the upper end of 

 each fork is a mortise ; that in the front fork to receive the cloak strap, that in the rear fork to 

 receive the valise strap. 



On the front end of the right bar is the name of the horse ; on the left bar is the number of the 

 horse, (e. g., 14,) and the government brand. 



The girth is of leather, 3^ inches broad, and fastens by a large buckle on the left side. 



Crupper and breast strap present nothing unusual. 



The blanket generally used is a common white one, folded thrice lengthwise, and 4 times in 

 the other direction. 



A thick felt saddle cloth, of one thickness, is used in the riding schools, and is spoken of in 

 the highest terms. 



