84 
SADDLERY. 
This Fig. shows the strap with the buckle in the top hole. And this 
would, naturally, be the hole most likely to suit a round-barrelled 
horse, as by drawing the strap up any shorter this would only further 
tend to make the saddle shift forward . On the other hand, with a 
a herring-gutted” horse, it might prove necessary to have the buckle 
in the lowest hole, to prevent the saddle shifting back. This is the 
object of these holes, so far as I understand it. 
(Y.) Regarding splitting the girths into laces, vide last paragraph, 
page 572, “ List of Changes in War Material, 6799;” if they are so 
split, it must be remembered that the unsplit six inches [see page 56, 
“ List of Changes in War Material, 6261 ”) should come, when the 
horse is girthed up, over the spot which answers to the breast-bone of 
a fowl. It will not do to drag it up on either side; for, if such be 
permitted, the advantage sought for by splitting into laces will be 
frustrated. A girth once split into laces, and should it prove too long 
for any horse, must be shortened at both ends ; it will not do to take all 
the extra length off one end alone. 
(YI.) There are two points which will require a certain amount of 
ingenuity to overcome. 
Page 61, “ List of Changes in War Material, 6261,” shows the 
stirrup-iron with the buckle close to it. The spare end of the leather 
is apt to come out. How can this be avoided ? The only remedy 
that suggests itself to me is to have as little spare end as possible : 
the longer the spare end, the more liable is it to work out. 
Page 573, “ List of Changes in War Material, 6799,” shows the 
“sweat-flap.” It is liable to work either backwards or forwards. 
How is this to be remedied ? It has been suggested that a keeper on 
the “ sweat-flap,” through which one, or both, of the girth straps 
could pass, would keep it in its place. 
Woolwich, 
20th October, 1892. 
