72 THE AMERICAN HORSEWOMAN. 



back and this strap not be tight enough to hold 

 down the collar piece, the latter will be pulled 

 up by the upper straps so as to press against the 

 windpipe of the horse and choke him. Should 

 the horse have low withers and a round, barrel- 

 like body, false pannels or padded pieces may 

 be used ; but an animal of this shape is not suit- 

 able for a lady, for it will be almost impossible 

 to keep the saddle from turning, no matter how 

 carefully it may be girthed. 



A sufficiently spacious seat or platform to the 

 saddle is much more comfortable for both horse 

 and rider than a narrow one. It gives the rider 

 a firmer seat, and does not bring so much strain 

 upon the girths. This platform should also be 

 made as nearly level as possible, and be covered 

 with quilted buckskin. Leather, now so often 

 used for this purpose, becomes after a time so 

 slippery that it is difficult to retain one's seat, 

 and the pommels when covered with it are apt 

 to chafe the limbs severely. 



To secure a thoroughly comfortable saddle it 

 is necessary that not only the horse, but also 

 the rider, should be measured for it ; for a sad- 

 dle suitable for a slender person could hardly 

 be used with any comfort by a stout one, and it 

 is almost as bad to have a saddle too large as 

 too small. Care must be taken to have suffi- 



