BREAS T-PLA TE. 1 47 



the forelegs and is fastened to the girth — or rather, 

 I should say, is fastened by the girth — which is 

 run through a loop at the end of the strap, which 

 loop is formed by the end being doubled back on 

 the strap with a buckle, which is made to run 

 according as it is required to lengthen or shorten 

 the breast-plate. The shoulder-pieces and this 

 main-piece are united by means of a ring, to which 

 they are sewn. 



The part which rests on the withers is made 

 wider than the side-pieces, and is about a foot in 

 length. This also is connected with the side-pieces 

 bv means of a ring 1 at either end, and thus these 

 two rings lie on either side of the withers. Two 

 small straps, one on each side, are also sewn on to 

 these rings, and are buckled on to D's which are 

 fixed on the saddle for the purpose. By this 

 means the saddle is kept steadily forward on the 

 horse's back, and cannot (unless the breast-plate 

 breaks) slip back. 



It is, however, very necessary that a breast-plate 

 should be properly put on. The breast-ring should 

 be two inches above the horse's breast-bone. In 

 this position it will be neither too high nor too low. 

 The side-pieces should be loose enough to allow 

 of the breadth of a hand between them and the 

 shoulder of the horse. The main-piece should be 



10 — 2 



