122 SADDLERY. 



a straight head, may make the former slightly more dangerous 

 to ride in than the latter. It appears to me that the straight 

 head affords the better fit of the two. The saddle shown in 

 Fig. 127, has what is called by saddlers, a half cut-back 

 head ; and that in Fig. 118, a quarter cut-back head. 



WEBS OF A SADDLE. 

 The webs of a saddle consist of strong hempen bands which 



Fig. 129. Under surface of Tree, with Webs. 



are about three inches broad, and are carefully stretched under 

 severe tension before they are put on, so that they may not 

 afterwards " give." In the tree shown in Figs. 128 and 129, 

 two webs extend from head to cantle, to both of which parts 

 they are securely nailed. In Fig. 128, we see that two cross 

 webs are placed near the twist of the tree, and that a piece of 

 canvas fills up the open space between the bellies of the tree. 

 The object of the webs is to afford the rider a comfortable 



