The most usual places to find excessive pressure are at the top edge of the side bar behind the rear arch, and if there is a deeper impression on the blanket in these situations than any other portion of the bar, we may accordingly say with certainty that the pressure is not evenly distributed and that the parts of the back corresponding with the more marked impressions are receiving an undue amount of the weight. This with a horse in condition, or with a good blanket and numnah, may not necessarily mean a sore back; it is certainly means a sore back should the horse lose condition or the blanket or panel be thin and the tree be thus brought nearer to the bony framework.

To remedy irregularity of fit
This irregularity in the fit of the side bars may be remedied by the introduction of pieces of numnah to fill up the space between the side bars and blanket. With very little practice these pieces of felt may be cut to the required shape and thickness; some edges will need to be almost as thin as a knife blade, and other parts will require adding to.

Once the pieces of felt have been cut they must be secured in position. In peace this can be at once done with glue, but in the field they may have to be tied on, or tacks put through them, or, what is best, bound in position by means of a piece of thin leather (basil) which envelops the side bar at the required part and can be tacked to his edge or laced with string across the top. These strips of felt are capable of effecting the most radical alterations in the fit of a side bar; the method has the value of simplicity and requires no trained workmen to carry out; finally it can be carried out in a very few minutes.

Regular inspection of saddles
It must never be forgotten that no matter what care we take in the fitting and alteration of saddles, such fitting is only applicable to the condition the horse is in at the time. On active service the saddles require looking to everyday. They should be inspected just as regularly as the feet are. Every weak point in the fit of a saddle in a squadron should be known and the remedy already arranged for should trouble arise. In no other way is it possible to bring horses through severe work with whole backs.