SADDLE GALLS. 



105 



The girtJi I have found least liable to gall a horse, is one of broad 

 webbing attached to two buckles on each side, with or w-itliout 

 tlie narrow girtli characteristic of the Fitzwilliani pattern. Tliere 

 are elastic girths made on the Fitzwilliani pattern, which are excel- 

 lent tor side-saddles, and are much used by hunting women. A 

 broad leather girth kept soft by tlie frequent apiiilication of grease 

 or oil, often serves to prevent girth galls. If the skin is vei-y 

 tender, a piece of lambskin may with advantage lie sewn round 

 the girth, with the wool towards the sensitive part. 



TREATMENT. — The appropriate treatment of these injuries can 

 be considered under the follow"ing headings: — 



Fig. 41. — l\aising saddle cIdI!) off the withers before i^irthing up. 



1. Bruises which may develop into abscesses, and are at first 

 neither inflamed bursie nor serous cysts. These injuries generally 

 appear on the withers ; the backbone just behind the eantle ; the 

 off side of the back underneath the eantle (with side-saddles), and 

 at the " girth place." If such a huit has been inflicted, it will 

 in almost all cases be made evident, on removing the saddle, by 

 the swollen condition of the seat of injury. In this case, the 

 swelling is due to passive congestion (p. 14) brought on by pressure, 

 and consequently may be appropriately treated by hand-rubbing 

 (p. 675). If the skin is not broken, do this by pouring into the 

 hollow of the hand spirits of wine, methylated spirits, whisky, or 



