150 HOW TO JUDGE A HOBSK. 



caught when lost, aud is not so apt to slip back as 

 the former. 



The safety stirrup seems to be the best, for being 

 heavy .and opening on one side, it maj' become a 

 life preserver in case of an accident. 



In ladies' stimqjs there are also different kinds — 

 the sli2^2^r, which is perfectly safe, thoiigli easily 

 lost, and a clumsy affair; the Victoria, about the 

 worst and most daugeroiis stirrup in existence, as, 

 through its being padded all around, it becomes 

 too narrow, even for the smallest foot. If button 

 boots are worn, the buttons are caught by the 

 padding, and, in case of a fall, the rider may not 

 be able to disengage her foot qnicklj' enough. There 

 are several kinds of safety stirrups, of whicli the 

 " Reliance " seems to be the best, as it is really re- 

 liable. It is a double stirrup, a small one inside a 

 larger one. The foot is placed in the inner stirrup, 

 and in case of a fall, this inner stirrup turns around 

 thereby opening the foot-blade and the foot drops 

 out. 



Ill saddliuij a ho7-se, the first question arising is, 

 where is the proper place for the saddle '? The con- 

 struction of the horse's shoulder is our only and 

 unalterable guide, and we cannot, with impunity, go 

 back on that, as the result would be, sooner or later, 

 weak-kneed horses, or broken collar-bones. 



