88 HOESES AND EIDIXG. 



There are two flaps visible on eacli side of a 

 saddle — one a small one, near the top, called a skirt, 

 and which is meant to cover the bars on which the 

 stirrup leathers are hung ; and the larger and lower 

 flap, to cover the straps to which the girths are 

 buckled. Under the small skirt flaps are two nearly 

 horizontal steel bars, with one end turning up or 

 lying down by means of a hinge. These are called 

 spring bars, and the stirrup leathers are slid on to 

 them, and then the hinged part of the bar is turned 

 up or left down as the rider wishes. When turned 

 up the bars are said to be shut, and when laid down 

 they are said to be open. These bars call for no 

 particular remark, except that it is much safer 

 always to ride with the bars down or open, as there 

 is then a much greater probability of the leathers 

 coming out in the event of a rider getting a fall and 

 his feet being entangled in the stirrups or leathers. 

 As the whole object and intention of having these 

 bars is to ensure the rider not being dragged by the 

 stirrups in the case of a fall, they are best used in 

 such a manner as will most nearly ensure that object 

 being attained, and this is best done by riding with 

 them always open. 



Under the larger flaps are the straps to which the 

 girths are fastened. These are generally three in 

 number, and for at least fifty per cent, of the horses 

 ridden they are in the wrong place. When a horse 

 is saddled, whether it is girthed tightly or loosely. 



