48 Horse and Hound. 



one accused me of it I should have indignantly 

 denied it. It had evidently become a fixed habit, 

 as I found it quite difficult to break myself of it. 



As to saddles, — this largely depends upon the 

 conformation of the man. Saddles that are thin 

 and flat and fit close to the horse are the best for 

 the average man, and should cover as much of 

 the horse as possible without being too large for 

 the rider. I have probably tried every kind of 

 saddle in use, and personally prefer the Whit- 

 man field officer's military saddle with slightly 

 elevated pommel and extension cantle. 



All hunting saddles should have the safety 

 stirrup leather bars; these should be kept well 

 oiled and frequently opened. I have lost both 

 stirrup and leather upon several occasions in run- 

 ning through thick, tangled woods, but have been 

 more than repaid for their loss by being released 

 at critical times. 



In addition to the safety bars, I also use a 

 safety stirrup, this being an extra precaution sel- 

 dom taken, but I believe in the old adage of an 

 ''ounce of prevention being worth a pound of 

 cure." 



Martingales should never be used unless a 

 horse absolutely demands them, and but few do. 

 The stiff martingale should never be used. 



Too much care and attention can not be de- 

 voted to properly bitting a hunter. Powerful, 



