Uv 



to roudw it useful for riding purposes or a gun cradle fitted on it, 

 available also for mortars and carriages — undoubtedly this saddle 

 is a great improvement on all others and we see that the New 

 Code allows use of an " iron saddle " in lieu of the neem 

 guddi. Gilchrist suggested as an improvement on the Hoonsoor 

 method of equipment that the gunny used be tanned with the 

 bark of Cassia Auriculata and that for the rope, which although 

 sheathed with leather frequently causes galls, be substituted a 

 wide (12-1'1 inches) belly-band of gunny stitched to the numdah 

 on the off-side but laced on the near. Also a breeching connec- 

 ted in front with the lower angle of the numdah behind, from 

 which also a band should run to the lowest part of the girth 

 which it would prevent puckering forwards. Also a breast band 

 kept in position each side by a rope from the withers. The load 

 to be attached by ropes passing through eyelet holes in the lower 

 edge of the numnah. 



In all cases the pad must be of full size and well stuffed, and its 

 stufiBng regularly renewed and constantly seen to for it is very 

 liable to get rotten^ 'sspecially in wet weather (when the skin 

 is peculiarly liable to chafe), and so to prove a fertile source of 

 galls. The pad must be fastened on firmly and in the proper 

 way. It must, like the inside of a horse's saddle, be kept 

 soft, clean, and dry — if left on when thoroughly saturated 

 with perspiration (and without provision for a free current of air 

 along the back) it softens and relaxes the skin, " draws" it as the 

 process is popularly termed, and so renders it liable to gall. Hur- 

 , ried, careless packing must be avoided by order, system, and 

 strict supervision, in so far as circumstances will allow. The load 

 must be well and evenly divided over the back (avoiding all pres- 

 sure on the spine) and so arranged that it may not, by its centre 

 of gravity being too high, upset the animal, or by swaying too 

 freely produce galls. Finally it must be firmly and tightly fixed 

 so that it may not loosen and shift, and all parts liable to gall 

 may before work be freely dressed with ghee. All parts of the 

 equipment must be kept in good order the ropes especially 

 being kept soft and pliable. The ropes and other fastenings must 

 be tightened after the animal has gone a short distance on the 

 road for they invariably loosen somewhat with work. And ad- 

 vantage must be taken of the halt to see whether the animal is 



