320 FIRST HOTJKS WITH THE SADDLE. 



taken to shorten up the stirrups on to the flaps of 

 the saddle, as a groom does when leading his master's 

 hunter to the place of meeting, to pfevent their 

 striking his side. Should the colt show any fear of 

 the saddle, or flinch from its touch, let him see and 

 examine it first before you attempt to place it on 

 his back, and when he will bear its pressure with- 

 out fear or trembling, lift it on and off" his back 

 several times before you let down the girths, which 

 should be shortened in the same manner as the 

 stirrups, taking care not to let go your hold on the 

 saddle with one hand until its position is secured 

 on the colt's back by drawing and buckling the 

 girths with the other ; for should the colt by 

 chance throw the saddle he will be very shy of its 

 approach for a long time afterwards ; and having 

 seen this occur from the carelessness of grooms, I 

 suggest the precaution of keeping a firm hold of 

 it with one hand until it is secured by the girth, 

 in drawing which great caution must be observed 

 that they are not too suddenly tightened. 



I once saw a colt-breaker kicked, saddle and 

 self, out of the stall, by placing a saddle with old 

 girths on a colt, and drawing them too tightly at 

 first. The horse sprang up from the ground, im- 

 mediately began plunging and kicking violently, 

 burst the girths, and throwing off" the saddle, 



