220 THE WEIGHT. 



tear and may be kept bright with less chance of soiling the 

 leather than if made of steel and burnished. Metal loops 

 are attached to the saddle in front of the skirt or sides of 

 the seat for the purpose of holding the guide-straps of the 

 martingale, a horn, flask or sandwich case. 



FIG. 86. 



THE WEIGHT. 



The weight of an ordinary saddle varies between twelve 

 and sixteen pounds. A light hunting or polo saddle weighs 

 about ten pounds. (See Fig. 86.) In reference to determin- 

 ing what the weight of a saddle should be by the weight of 

 the rider, Captain Hayes in " Riding," p. 233, says : 



"The commonly accepted rule that the weight of a saddle should be pro- 

 portionate to that of the rider is not quite correct ; for a short, heavy man 

 might ride, with full comfort to the horse, in a lighter saddle than a lighter, 

 though taller man could do. The weight of an ordinary saddle depends 

 on ( i ) the length of tree suitable to the rider's length of thigh ; ( 2 ) the 

 shape of the rider's stern ; for if this is broad, extra weight in the tree will 



