165 



if he were going down a Iiill, and presses with 

 all his weight on the horse's forehand. Sad- 

 dles too high before and behind have a bad 

 effect, as the hips and thighs of the rider are 

 buried between the fore and hind parts of 

 them. Hungarian saddles are thus made, and 

 are dangerous to the rider, should he be tlirown 

 on either extremity, which is so sharp that it 

 must produce, in such case, the most serious 

 consequences. 



The stirrup-leathers ought to be strong, to 

 prevent their stretching or breaking, which is 

 frequently the case v/hen they are too slight. 

 The stirrup-irons should not be unnecessarily 

 heavy, as they only add to the weight on the 

 horse's back, which should be studiously 

 avoided, though the feet retain their place 

 better in heavy than in light ones. The patent 

 irons are too heavy; the same purpose will be 

 answered by having a spring under the flap or 

 skirt of the saddle, in the iron to which the 

 stirrup-leather is fastened. 



When saddle-cloths are used, they ought to 

 be very small, extending only an inch and an 

 half beyond the saddle all round, and made of 

 cloth manufactured for the purpose. They are 



