STIRRUP LEATHERS. 141 



The gauge depicted in Fig. 139, which works on the same 

 principle as that shown in Fig. 138, is suitable for taking 

 the longitudinal contour of the back, and also the transverse 

 section of the back, where the cantle comes. 



Fig. 140. Mr. T. U. Clarke's Gauge for the Withers. 



STIRRUP LEATHERS 



For hunting and ordinary use should be made of parti- 

 cularly strong, pliable and well-dressed leather. Web leathers 

 made preferably of pipe (circular) webbing are often used in 

 racing and 'chasing for the purpose of lightness ; but they 

 have the great disadvantage of twisting round when the 

 horse is in movement and the foot is out of the iron, and 

 thus rendering it difficult to pick up the stirrup. It is 

 evident that web leathers would look extremely out of place 

 in the hunting field. With light stirrup leathers, the part 



