STIRRUP IRONS. 



141 



can obtain of the comparative safety of large irons, is afforded 

 by the fact that it is an extremely rare occurrence for a 

 cavalry soldier to get dragged, although military saddles 

 are unprovided with spring bars. Their irons, are, however, 

 very large. It seems impossible that a sufficiently big iron 

 could retain the foot, unless its upper part catches high up 

 on the instep. To prevent this occurring, the heels of all 

 properly constructed riding boots are made long, so as to 

 prevent the irons working too far back on the foot. Most of 



Fig. 148. Weston's Patent Safety-'Bar and Buckle. 



us have doubtless found when riding with ordinary short- 

 heeled boots, and with our feet well home, that the irons 

 sometimes catch on the insteps in this manner. A boot with 

 smooth uppers, like those of the hunting and Wellington 

 type, and thin soles, are naturally least liable to get caught. 



" Hunting stirrups vary considerably in size and weight, 

 roughly speaking as follows : 4^ in. X 4^ in., 20 to 24 ozs. 

 per pair; 4^3 in. x 4^6 in., 22 to 26 ozs. per pair; 4^ in. 

 X 4% in., 24 to 28 ozs. per pair; 4^ in. x 4^ in., 26 to 



