SIDE-SADDLES EOR CHILDREN. 59 



Wilton have devised a numdah lined with spongio- 

 piline and covered with linen, to be used with a saddle, 

 the underneath part of the tree of which is covered 

 with leather. The chief advantage of this numdah is 

 that a saddle v/hich is provided with two or more of 

 them, can always present a dry bearing surface to the 

 horse's back. A stout numdah of this kind can be 

 used with a high withered animal, and a thin one with 

 a horse which has thick withers. Its inventors claim 

 that it distributes the weight better and keeps the 

 saddle steadier than a panel. 



SIDE-SADDLES FOR CHILDREN. 



As children are unable to take the necessary pre- 

 cautions against accident, no considerations of fashion 

 or smartness should outweigh those of safety for the 

 little ones. Even the old handle at the off side of 

 the saddle (p. 30) might be a valuable help to a very 

 young beginner. The seat of the saddle and the bear- 

 ing surfaces of the upper crutch and leaping head had 

 best be of rough leather, and particular attention 

 should be paid to the construction of the upper crutch 

 and leaping head, so that a maximum of grip may be 

 obtained, which is a point that is deplorably neglected 

 by many of the makers of side-saddles for children. 

 Children can ride in any comfortable saddle, supposing 

 that it is not too small. I have taught very small 

 girls to ride in my saddle and jump without reins on 

 a horse 15-3 high. A lady who attended one of these 

 lessons, which were held in Ward's riding-school in 



