46 SADDLING. 



side with a spring are, no doubt, the safest for gentle- 

 men in case of any accident. 



With regard to Stirrup- Leathers, saddlers generally 

 turn the right or dressed side out for appearance ; but 

 as the dressing causes a tightness on that side of the 

 leather, the undressed side, which admits of more ex- 

 pansion, should be outside — because, after a little wear, 

 the leather is susceptible of cracks, and the already ex- 

 tended side will crack the soonest. The leather will 

 break in the most insidious place, either in the D 

 under the stirrup-iron, where no one but the servant 

 who cleans it can see it ; or else, perhaps, where the 

 buckle wears it under the flap of the saddle. Stirrup- 

 leathers broken in this manner have caused many 

 accidents. 



Invariably adjust your stirrup-leathers before mount- 

 ing. 



To measure the length of the stirrup-leathers of a 

 new saddle, place the fingers of the right hand against 

 the bar to which the leathers are attached, and, meas- 

 uring from the bottom bar of the stirrup up to the 

 armpit, make the length of the leathers and stirrups 

 equal to the length of your arm, from the tips of the 

 fingers to the armpit. Before entering the field, in 

 hunting or crossing country, draw up the leathers two 

 or three holes shorter on each side; and when starting 

 on a long journey it is as well to do the same, to ease 

 both yourself and your bearer. 



Clumped-soled Boots occasion accidents. If, in case 

 of yourself or your horse falling, the foot catch in 

 the stirrup, a boot with such a sole may prevent its 

 release. 



The Crupper, though now obsolete for saddles, ex- 



