HORSEMANSHIP. 25 



for the best of bridles would be almost useless 

 in the hands of a bad horseman. 



Of the Saddle^ and its different parts. 



A horseman ought to pay great attention to 

 the conformation and the choice of his saddle, 

 as it may not only wound his horse in a dan- 

 gerous manner, but even cause himself great 

 fatigue, and sharp sufferings. A saddle to be 

 good, whatever may be its form, should fit the 

 shape of the horse, so as not to cause rubbing, 

 be a little stuffed but very even, in order that it 

 may bear every where equally, and not cause 

 any bruises. It is also necessary, in order 

 that it may be agreeable to the rider, and that 

 he may sit at ease, that the seat be very 

 smooth and equal ; a little hard, not higher 

 on the front than the back, and let it have but 

 little thickness between the thighs and the 

 body of the horse. 



The parts of which a saddle is composed 

 are : a saddle-bow, side-bars, sides of the 

 pummel, the pummel, the withers, the seat, 

 the pannels, the quarters, and girth-leathers. 

 The accessory parts are the crupper, the 

 3 



