90 THE SADDLE AND SIDE-SADDLE. [CHAP. 



is fixed to the off side of the side-saddle, is supposed 

 to prevent the saddle from turning round. This is a 

 mechanical error. But the great objection to this sort of 

 stirrup-leather is, that it cannot with safety be used with 

 the spring-bar ; for when off the bar it remains attached 

 to the saddle, and acts as a scourge to the horse. I once 

 Stirrup- saw a frightful instance of this. The lady's stirrup -iron 



iron. 



should be in all respects the same as a man's, and, to 

 make assurance doubly sure, it should open at the side 

 with a spring. This might be useful in case of a fall on 

 the off side, when the action of the spring-bar of the 

 saddle might be impeded. But if the stirrup is large and 

 heavy, it is next to impossible that the foot should be 

 caught by it. It is the common error to suppose that 

 persons are dragged owing to the stirrup being too large 

 and the foot passing through it, but the reason is its 

 being too small and light, it then sticks to the foot and 

 clasps it by the pressure of the upper part of the stirrup 

 above the foot, and the lower part on the sole of the foot. 

 Girthing. A side -saddle should be girthed very tightty, since a 



