A History of the Mahrattas v1.c14.38

v1.c14.38

³ With respect to the horse’s appointments; the bridle consists of a single head-stall of cotton-rope, or leather, with a small but very severe flexible bit. There is a second head-stall over that of the bridle, to which is fixed a thong, or cotton band, tightly fastened to the girths, and this forms a strong standing martingale. The Mahratta saddle is composed of two pieces, or sides, of very thick felt, strongly sewed and tied together with thongs or cotton rope, leaving a small space between the sides, so as to prevent pressure on the horse’s backbone; attached to this is a crupper, made of cotton rope, frequently covered with a piece of coloured silk or broad cloth. When the saddle is put on, the horseman lays over it his blanket, sometimes a carpet, and any spare clothes he may have. Two cotton bags, or pouches, tied together by a string and thrown over the front part of the saddle, carry either provision or plunder: when all these are adjusted, the