Horses and Horsemastership. n/ 



tightened gradually, and not with violence. It is re- 

 commended that the girths of all except young and 

 growing horses should be fitted so as to be worn in the 

 second or third hole from the free end of the girth strap. 



4. Tlie surcingle should lie flat over, and not tighter 

 than the girth. 



5. The breastplate should be so fitted that the upper 

 edges of the rosette or leather is the breadth of three 

 fingers above the sharp breast-bone. It should admit 

 the breadth of the hand between it and the flat of the 

 shoulder, and also between the martingale (when used) 

 and the horse's chest. 



6. Rifle Bucket. — The attachment straps are looped 

 round the rear iron stay on the off side; both are then 

 buckled to the bucket, and adjusted at such a length 

 that the muzzle of the rifle is rather lower than the 

 man's shoulder. The stay strap is passed through the 

 surcingle at right angles to the bucket. 



7. The blanket can be folded in several ways. With 

 a horse of normal shape and condition the following 

 method is recommended : — The blanket is folded length- 

 ways in three equal folds, one end is then turned over 

 24 inches, the other is turned into the pocket formed by 

 the folds ; the blanket thus folded is placed on the horse's 

 back with the thick part near the withers. Size when 

 folded, 2 feet by 1 foot 8 inches ; when unfolded, 5 feet 



