SADDLES AND SADDLING. 143 



of re-stuffing can make an elastic saddle out of it. 

 One may say : " We cannot afford to keep two or 

 three saddles for each liorse. It is the business 

 of the groom to see to it that it fits. He knows 

 all about it." Well, he may or he may not. 



Now, let us investigate the second kind of saddle 

 with " the elastic leather tree."' This kind of saddle 

 fits any horse's back, and is made so solid as to last 

 three generations, and thousands of horsemen 

 testify to-day to their unsurpassed qualities. This 

 kind of saddle answers its purpose in every way. 

 The yielding and elastic leather tree accommodates 

 itself at all times to the shape of the horse's back. 

 It fits by its elasticity and is not liable to produce 

 sores. The rider in the saddle, the whole under 

 surface bears equally upon the back, and, therefore, 

 for long rides, or, for those riding in English 

 style, these saddles do not have their equal — 

 not only saving the horse's back from harm, but 

 also, giving comfort to the rider, as they afford 

 a softer feeling for the seat than the wooden tree 

 ever can. As to the upper surface of both kinds of 

 saddles, it is plain that we ride more comfortably on 

 an elastic than on an un-elastic surface, the more so, 

 as the seat of the leather-tree saddle is lightly 

 stuffed, breaking the rebound considerably in favor 

 of the rider. 



