502 
SADDLERY AND SORE BACKS. 
Referring again to the new regulation blanket you will observe 
(exhibiting the same) that although its size admits of extra folding, to 
a certain extent it is altogether unsuitable for use as a covering for the 
horse. It is evidently not intended for that purpose, but merely meant 
to keep the saddle from injuring the horse's back. I should like to 
see the size and substance of the blanket increased so that it could 
be used for both purposes, and am convinced that its enhanced useful¬ 
ness would more than compensate for the slightly additional weight 
imposed. 
Moreover, the numnah could be dispensed with, which, in my opinion, 
would be an advantage, and providing the felt side-bar pannels were 
always used, and the blanket properly folded, it could not work from 
under the saddle. Without the felt pannels it may have a tendency to 
slip, but the union of the two woollen materials prevents this. 
The Mounted Infantry at Aldershot, under the command of Colonel 
(then Major) Hutton were, in 1887, provided with stout blankets, car¬ 
ried under the saddle, and the system answered admirably. Whether 
or not it has been continued up to the present day I do not know, but 
during the period the corps was under my observation I never heard 
of any trouble connected with the blanket, nor of a case of sore back 
having occurred, although the horses were, perhaps, worked harder 
than those of any other corps in camp. 
I have here a sketch of the Mounted Infantry equipment, as devised 
by Colonel Hutton, which I will pass round for your inspection, as I 
shall have occasion to refer to it again presently. 
The weight and description of the accoutrements are points which I 
approach with a certain degree of diffidence, because I am aware that 
the subject of saddle equipment has been thoroughly and exhaustively 
considered from time to time by experienced officers, and has lately 
been settled on the lines laid down by the Saddlery Committee. I 
venture to submit, however, that the weight imposed upon the troop 
horse, in marching order, by the miscellaneous articles comprising the 
soldier's kit is a powerful factor in the production of sore backs, and 
that if all superfluous weight could be otherwise carried—say, in light 
troop carts—the number of non-effective horses on service would be 
considerably reduced. I referred to this subject in the lecture which 
I gave at the Royal United Service Institution, in February, 1890, 
and during the discussion the system was objected to by a distinguished 
cavalry officer for the reason that when cavalry are detached and have 
to go over country in which there are no roads the carts could not keep 
up with the horses, and that the kit would not be available under all 
circumstances. I venture to submit, however, that a body of cavalry 
temporarily detached from the main force for any special purpose 
would probably go as light as possible, and the heavier portions of the 
kit would not be required, but I venture to submit that properly con¬ 
structed troop carts ought to be able to keep up with cavalry or guns 
under ordinary circumstances, and if by this means the horses could 
be relieved of a considerable portion of the weight at present carried 
by the mounted trooper it would be an immense advantage to the 
animals, and would, I believe, tend materially to the increase of effi- 
