Under the term sore backs is included all injuries inflicted on horses by the saddle, whether such injury affects the back proper or the withers; we must, however, for the purpose of description, draw a clear line between these, as the causes operating in producing injuries to the withers are not causes which injure the back, and vice versa.

A sore back has a definite cause
The first thing to learn is that the position of a sore back is not an accidental occurrence, but is the outcome of a definite cause. If we appreciate the value of this axiom, and know the causes operating in producing the various injuries, we are able to recognise almost by glancing at a sore back the actual cause operating in its production

The knowledge that in nearly every case or injury, the cause can be clearly determined, is valuable information, for if we remove the cause, the effect ceases. If we know the cause of a sore back and can remove it, that sore back will not recur. Every sore, every injury, every abrasion on a horses back is due to a certain definite cause, which if removed produces no further effect. Let this be taught to non-commissioned officers and men, and encourage all- ranks to bring at once to notice every rub, no matter how slight.

Bad saddling
The term bad saddling is also used far too loosely, and it is well that some definition of it should be given, always bearing in mind that there is a marked distinction between bad saddling and defective fitting; the soldier is responsible for the former, the officer for the latter.

Here is an example which may help to define responsibility. A horse meets with an injury to the withers, due to the arch of the saddle resting on the spine; this is defective fitting, for which the officer is responsible. A horse meets with an injury to the withers, due to the numnah resting on the spine, and not being pressed up into the front arch and fixed there by the strap. Such an injury is bad saddling, for which the rider is responsible.