BACK, in the manège, and among farriers. A horse's back should be straight, not hollow, which is called saddle-backed: horses of this kind are generally light, and carry their heads high, but want in strength and service. A horse with a weak back is apt to
VOL. III. Part I.
stumble. In the French riding-schools, to mount a horse à dos, is to mount him bare-backed, without a saddle.