THE-:- HORSE 



while the right hand takes up the slack of the 

 cheekstraps, and at the same time pulls the 

 headpiece over the ears of the horse. The left 

 hand may then release the bit, and pull the 

 browband to its proper position directly in 

 front and below the ears of the now nearly 

 bridled horse. 



To complete the operation, reach under the 

 neck with the left hand and take the buckle of 

 the neckstrap, which should be hanging on 

 the right side of the horse's head ; pull it under 

 the animal's neck and, with the right hand, 

 pull the near side of the neckstrap through 

 the buckle and its proper keeper. 



Saddling. Place the saddle blanket well 

 forward on the animal's withers, and then pull 

 it a few inches back. This insures the hair lying 

 smooth underneath and helps to prevent sore 

 backs. Take the pommel of the saddle with 

 the right hand, holding the left stirrup and 

 the cinchstrap in the left hand, and swing the 

 saddle upward toward the withers of the 

 horse with sufficient force to make the right 

 stirrup and the complete cinch swing clear 

 over the horse's back. Then, releasing the 

 saddle with the left hand, put this hand under 

 the saddle blanket immediately above the 

 horse's withers, and pull the blanket upward 

 toward the fork, so that the part of the saddle 

 blanket immediately under the fork will not 

 touch the horse. 



14 



