222 BRIDLES AND SADDLES, 



work backwards and forwards, and that the gullet plate 

 may not hurt the withers. 



Many people prefer a saddle with the pommel cut 

 back to one with it cut straight down. The idea of the 

 former looking better than the latter, is a matter of taste. 

 It probably gives the horse the appearance of having 

 more sloping shoul'ders than he would have, were the other 

 form used. It may, however, be objected to on account 

 of its requiring a slightly stronger, and consequently a 

 heavier tree than one with a straight-cut pommel, 

 which, as far as my experience goes, affords the better 

 fit of the two. 



The points of the tree should slope a little to the 

 front. They will then fit the horse better than if they 

 came straight down, provided that the animal has not a 

 very upright shoulder ; and will not be liable to wear 

 through the flaps, as they often do, when of the other 

 shape, by reason of the rider's legs pressing the flaps 

 continually against the points of the tree. 



The flaps of a saddle should, as a rule, be cut well 

 " forward " (see Fig. 30), so as to allow the thigh to be 

 kept at a good slope. The flaps may have knee pads, 

 or be plain, as the rider chooses. The former shape cer- 

 tainly gives a better " grip " to an indifferent rider with 



