The methods adopted in dealing with No. 2 are also suitable for No. 3. Loss of back muscle is replaced by panels of numnah, strips of numnah, extra folds in the blanket under the side bar, but not under the arch, straw panels, or even straw placed in the folds of the blanket.

Anything which will raise the saddle to its proper height above the spine, make a soft bed for it to rest on, and so take the place of the natural muscle bed which has wasted away, will prevent further injury to the withers.

In effecting these alterations they must be seen and inspected. No opinion can be given without seeing the man in the saddle; he should be made to place both hands on the front arch, and bring his entire weight to bear on it before he can be perfectly assured that no further injury is possible.

It must not be supposed that every injury on the top or sides of the wither is necessarily due to the cause we have named, but they represent probably 98%; the remainder is made up of such causes as the seat sinking and touching the spines of the back, or even resting on them through an insufficient amount of material being beneath the side bar; the loose end of a strap getting under the arch, a badly fitting horse rug, and similar rare conditions.