234 STIRRUP IRONS. 



under the leaping head, as it assuredly will do if it is too high up. So if you 

 are tall and long legged have it lower down than it generally is. But no 

 matter what your height is, have it only just sufficiently bent to allow you to 

 fit easily under it. If too high it will bruise you horribly ; and on the other 

 hand, if it is too big it will interfere with the sit of your habit. Have the 

 horn at the top cut just the right height, and no more. Unnecessary height 

 is useless and only makes an unsightly hump. 



" The best way to attach your stirrup is to have a strap on the off side of 

 your saddle just behind the second D. To this strap fasten your stirrup- 

 ieather, which should come round over the girths and be buckled into it. 

 This plan has a great advantage over the old one. With it you cannot drag 

 your saddle crooked ; no matter how heavily you lean on the stirrup you 

 merely tighten the saddle, and at the same time keep it straight. For by 

 this contrivance the weight and pull come evenly, instead of all on one side, 

 for which boon, if he could speak, your horse would doubtless express the 

 deepest gratitude. Every saddle should have four D's, two in front for the 

 breast-plate and two on the off side just behind the flap, for the little flask 

 and sandwich case ; without which it is never wise to start for a long day. 



" While doeskin seats are still to be seen, happily such sights are becom- 

 ing daily more uncommon. Never have a pocket for a handkerchief in the 

 off side of your saddle ; it spoils the look of it completely, and to say the 

 least, a little fluttering colored rag is no set off to a saddle, but on the con- 

 trary is most unsightly, and when it is absent the slit alone is more than suf- 

 ficient to mar the perfect plainness it should be our object to aim at. I ad- 

 mit that this small pocket is a convenient place to carry a handkerchief in, 

 but for all that you must find another, even at the expense of a little com- 

 fort. Never mind ' il faut souffrir pour etre belle' All these little details 

 may appear trifling, but inattention to them considerably alters the effect of 

 the whole." 



STIRRUP IRONS. 



For men's saddles they should be of the best forged steel, 

 and large enough to enable the rider, in case of accident, to 

 readily release his foot. There is great danger in using a 

 stirrup in which the foot is likely to get jammed if " thrust 

 home," i. e., pushed through the stirrup as far as the instep 



