SADDLERY AND SORE BACKS. 
511 
that if the saddle-tree in construction is set at five inches across the top front of 
the side-bar, the side-bar is set at five inches apart at a point 14 inches from the 
front, and, if the front is six inches, the hind part is six inches; this affects the angle 
at which the side-bars lie. You must fit the back as well as the shoulders of 
the animal, to cause the saddle to ride well; and, if the two cannot be accurately 
fitted, a compromise is better than a special close fit at one point. Raise the 
arch, if it is necessary, by the numnah pannel. 
In reference to the weight of the service saddle, this pattern 1890 steel-arch 
saddle-tree is as light as anything that can be made. Look at it. I have not 
heard anyone who has examined it carefully say that it could be made lighter. It 
stands under test a dead pressure of 7 cwt. on the crown of the arch—8 cwt. 
more than the unstrengthened angle-iron arch—and 1 cwt. more than the wood-arch 
saddle. Perhaps you may say, as others have said, that the bars may be broader ; 
but do not forget that the blanket round it increases its bearing area, and so does 
the numnah pannel. To make it broader would be to increase its weight. Some 
have urged that we wanted a longer seat, a broader bar, a stronger saddle; but 
it must be a lighter saddle. If anyone can come forward and produce sucli an 
impossible article, the way is open. Some say that the 17i-inch seat which we 
have on the angle-iron-arch saddle is too short, that it should be 18 inches ; 
others says it is too long, it should be 16|- inches. It is impossible to reconcile 
the conflicting opinions on so important a question. If you make the seat over 
17i inches, there is a difficulty with the kit to be carried behind, and, if you 
make the seat shorter, it is uncomfortable to a man over 11 st. in weight. 
We have obtained the strongest and lightest tree than can be made for the 
service; but the arches are of steel, which will bend and get out of shape under 
certain conditions. One point I would allude to. When embarking the rule is 
to put the saddle in the corn sack with other kit, total weight about 6 st. The 
sack, with its contents, is placed with dozens of others and hoisted on board, 
and in some instances piled on each other 12 or 13 sacks deep, making up a 
weight of about 9 cwt., which, in many instances, would be pressing on the sides 
of the arches. Under such circumstances one must not be surprised to find, on 
disembarkation, that several have been pressed out of shape. The wood-arch 
saddle will stand more of such knocking about than steel or iron-arch saddles. 
For artillery drivers no saddle could be more serviceable than that known as 
the Royal Artillery N.P. wood-arch, drivers. It is particularly suited for use 
with a blanket. 
Many fads have been practised to prevent the rear points chafing :—Hinged 
rear points ; specially curved side-bars ; peculiarly stuffed pannels. Too often 
the particularly altered saddle is found on the wrong horse. The folding of the 
blanket will ease the rear point bearings ; the numnah pannel with short pieces 
inserted will give a curved side-bar bearing, and allow alterations in a more easy 
and ready way than by making a special saddle. 
The saddles of one regiment that I saw showed many special fads. I was 
informed that many of the horses had sore backs. The same regiment got a 
complete lot of new saddles (not steel arch) without a peculiarly altered saddle 
among them. I saw a report from that regiment which showed that they had 
marched some 200 miles without a sore back. Fads can be overdone, and often¬ 
times are mischievous. 
I think I have said enough, gentlemen ; but, in conclusion, I would add that 
in inspecting a number of mounted men it is surprising how many will be found 
with one stirrup longer than the other, or sitting unevenly in the saddle. Timely 
correction and careful watching, to prevent a continuance of such habits, will 
amply repay the trouble, and save many future chafes, girth galls, and sore backs. 
Veterinary Lieut.-Colonel W. B. Walters— Gentlemen, as my lecture has 
already occupied so much of your time my reply must necessarily be very brief. 
