The best method I ever found, to keep a horse’s back from getting sore,
on a long journey, is: in the first place, to procure a saddle, with a
saddle-tree sufficiently open as not to come in contact with the spine.
If it be a Spanish saddle, or one of the common saddles used in herding
cattle in this country, add to it a couple of cushions filled with wool
well picked and clean, considerably thicker at the upper part, where
they come nighest to the spine, and thinner as they descend upon the
ribs of the horse. Fine wool is far preferable to hair, or any other
substance I ever made use of. Put under the saddle a small
saddle-blanket, which should likewise be of wool. When you stop, even
for a few minutes, unloose or slacken the girt, and
[Illustration: THE HORSE ABOUT TO FALL.]
if you stop half an hour, take off your saddle: especially if the
weather be warm. When you stop at night, curry your horse well, and
bathe his back in cold water, if the weather be warm. Give him as much
corn and fodder as he will eat, but always give him the fodder an hour,
or at least half an hour before you give him the corn. Arise early in
the morning, and go yourself, or send a servant of confidence, to see
that your horse eats as much as he will before you start on your
journey; for good feeding is likewise a pretty good remedy to prevent a
horse’s back from getting sore, because a horse in good order is less
liable to be hurt than a lean one. Should your horse get foundered on
the road, ride him or make him walk for at least two hours: after which
bleed him copiously in the mouth, and continue your journey the next
day, without fear of his failing; for though he should still limp a
little, he will be well by night. I had forgot to observe, that before
you bleed him, you must rub all his legs well, and bathe them in cold
water. In rubbing them, it must always be done by beginning at the upper
part and rubbing downwards.