Women in the Field, 87 



It is a mooted question whether the seat 

 should be buck or pig skin ; the former undoubt- 

 edly gives greater resistance from friction. It is 

 largely a matter of choice. 



The stirrup should be a high-grade steel safety 

 stirrup, opening only when pressure is brought to 

 bear upon if from below. The plain and slipper 

 stirrups are an abomination and should never be 

 used under any circumstances. 



I do not approve of a spur for side-saddle 

 riding, and it is extremely questionable whether 

 a woman should use one, even when riding 

 astride. If it is absolutely necessary for a cer- 

 tain horse, the spur should have the safety rowel. 



There are certain minutiae in regard to dress 

 that no man can know of, or describe as well as 

 a woman herself ; but few women, however, until 

 they have hunted several seasons, can bring them- 

 selves to the point of sacrificing looks to comfort, 

 safety, and durability. The habit should be sim- 

 ple, well made, and well fitted, of the very best 

 material, and always made with safety skirts. 

 The latter are more or less awkward when one is 

 dismounted, but this is more than offset by the 

 feeling of security and safety it gives the wearer 

 in the saddle. 



For winter hunting, the whipcords and dark 

 rough materials are the best, though the khaki, or 

 heavy duck habits, with heavier underclothing, 



