STABLES AND STABLE MANAGEMENT 107 



ladies' saddles are far more expensive, some London 

 firms charging from £13, 13s. to £14, 14s. But in 

 either case, if economy be an object, it is better to buy 

 a second-hand saddle made by a good firm, than a new 

 saddle made by an unknown one. 



Now, it is obvious that the nearer a man is to his 

 horse, the firmer will be his seat in the saddle. The 

 connection between man and horse should be as close 

 as possible, so long as there is sufficient stuffing 

 between the inside of the tree and the back of the 

 horse. For every imaginable reason there should be 

 as little on a horse in the shape either of saddle 

 or bridle as is compatible with the comfort of the 

 rider. Of course, a big, stout man, with round thighs, 

 requires a larger and a more deeply-cut saddle than a 

 thin man. If it be possible, it is best for a man to be 

 measured for his saddle. 



We shall not enter into a discussion regarding the 

 relative merits of " knee-rolls," and " plain fiaps." We 

 prefer the latter, for they look smarter, and are to us 

 more comfortable than the knee - rolls ; but if a man 

 has been accustomed to ride with knee-rolls he will 

 miss their support at first over a drop-fence. How- 

 ever, he must use his own judgment as to whether or 

 not he sacrifices comfort to appearance. In the case 

 of a man with round thighs, who is naturally obliged 

 to ride with short stirrups, perhaps knee-rolls are a 

 necessity. But then no man cares to confess that he 

 has round thighs. 



In regard to girths, it is only sufficient to say that 

 there should be a finger's breadth between the girth 

 and the horse. If the rider dismounts at the meet — 



