CHAPTER SIXTH.

HORSE EQUIPMENTS FOR THE CAVALRY SERVICE.

Head-Gear
    BRIDLE
    WATERING BRIDLE
    HALTER

Saddle
    SADDLE-TREE-WOOD
    SADDLE-SKIRTS
    STIRRUPS
    GIRTH
    COAT-STRAPS
    CARBINE-THIMBLE
    SURCINGLE
    CRUPPER

Saddle-Bags
Saddle-Blanket
Spurs
Horse-Brush
Currycomb
Picket-Pin
Lariat
Link
Nose-Bag
Inspection of Harness and Horse Equipments
Cavalry Equipment Measurements

Inspection of Harness and Horse Equipments.
The inspection is made before the parts are assembled. For the convenience of the inspector, the different parts are arranged in separate piles.
MATERIALS.--The quality of the materials is first examined.
The leather should be firm, elastic and pliable, and should be smooth and shaved to a firm surface on the flesh-side. If it feel hard and horny to the hand, or, being bent, it cracks in the grain, or, when cut, it exhibits a hard and shining texture, it is an indication that the leather has not been tanned sufficiently, and it should be rejected. Leather which has been tanned with hemlock should not be received. The traces, the breast-strap and pole-strap, and straps generally, should be made of the strongest leather, and the saddle-skirts of the thickest leather.
The malleable iron parts should be tested by taking some pieces and bending them back and forth to see that they have the requisite toughness.
WORKMANSHIP.....The saddle-trees should be inspected before they are covered, that it may be seen that the proper kind and quality of wood has been used, that the framing of the parts is well done and secured, that the surface is smooth, the angles rounded, and that the irons are properly fastened.
No old or brash wood should be used.
Examine the edges of the different parts of leather, that they are well
blacked and rubbed smooth; that the seams are at the proper distances from the edges, according to the width of the parts; that the splices and laps are of the proper length; that the stitching is neatly done with a uniform length of stitch; that the thread is well waxed, and the ends, whenever they occur, secured with a double knot.
Examine the collars, that they are stuffed compactly. Especial care is to be taken to see that no lumps or irregularities occur on the belly, or part which comes against the shoulders of the horse.
See that the billets pass freely through the loops, that the holes are punched at the proper distance from each other in the central line of the billet, and that they just admit the tongue of the buckle with ease and no more.
Observe the rollers of such buckles as have them, that they work freely, and are sufficiently stiff not to be flattened.
See that the seams of the raw hide covering the tree are well made and will not chafe the horse or rider; that the skirts are thinned down where they are fastened to the trees, the screw-heads are well sunk, and there is as little unevenness at this place as possible; that the stirrups are well riveted at top, and the wood is not split by the rivet.
Examine the bits, that they are made of the proper materials; that the mouth-pieces are forged solid; that they and the cross-bars are firmly fitted to the cheek-pieces; that the curb-rings work freely and are properly shouldered to keep them in place; that the watering-bits are free from cracks or flaws at the joint of the mouth-piece.
See that the blueing is, in all cases, of a uniform dark-blue color, free from any yellow tinge.
The general characteristics of all the work should be neatness and strength.
All the parts are finally measured and verified, to see that they conform in shape and dimensions to the established patterns.