WEBS OF A SADDLE. 123 



seat with a nice spring in it, and to keep that portion of 

 the horse's back which lies between the bars, free from 

 pressure. If the webs are not sufficiently strained, they 

 will, instead of carrying the rider's weight, allow his thighs 

 to disagreeably bear on the bars. If, on the other hand, 

 the webs are too tightly strained, the tree may become bent, 

 with the result that it will present a convex, instead of a 

 more or less level surface to the back. When a saddle is 

 thus " cast " to use the trade expression the bearing 

 surface which it offers to the animal's back, will become 

 proportionately diminished in extent, and consequently it 

 will be more or less liable to give a horse a sore back ; 

 although it may afford the rider a very comfortable seat. 

 In this respect, the convenience of a horse is, as a rule, of 

 much more importance to the animal's proprietor, than his 

 own sitting at ease ; because its neglect may put the animal 

 out of work for a long time. We may see that for comfort 

 in a saddle, it is necessary for the cantle to be of a certain 

 height above the centre of the back, so that the webs may 

 give the seat sufficient flexibility, without their being 

 strained too tightly. 



" BELLIES " ON THE SEAT OF A SADDLE. 



In order to afford the rider a fairly level surface for his 

 "seat," " bellies" (Fig. 128) are placed on the sides of the 

 upper surface of the tree. They project about }& inch 

 beyond the tree, and consequently add about ^ inch to 

 the width of the seat. They are built up with hair or wool, 

 and are covered with either leather or serge ; the latter for 

 choice. Care should be taken that they do not come too 

 far forward (as on the off-side of Fig. 128); because their 

 position in this case would prevent the rider's thighs getting 

 properly down into the saddle. The correct position is 

 shown on the near-side of that illustration. 



