230 A HUNTING CATECHISM 



hold, as any breaker of experience will surely 

 endorse. They also occasion less fatigue to the 

 rider, as it is not necessary to be constantly 

 tightening the muscles of the thighs to keep the 

 balance. Saddles must have plenty of room 

 between the pommel and the cantle, to allow 

 for the rider's frame with something to spare, 

 for it is a painful thing to alight on the cantle 

 after a jump ; and still more so, and withal 

 dangerous, to come down on the pommel. A 

 point also that should be attended to is that the 

 saddle be made wide enough, for a narrow saddle 

 is uncomfortable for the rider, and does not 

 sufficiently distribute the weight on the horse's 

 back, putting it too much in one place. The 

 flap should be carried well back towards the 

 cantle, for if the angle it makes at its junction 

 with the seat comes just under the rider's thigh 

 it will continually ruck up the breeches into 

 a crease, which soon begins to get quite painful. 

 The flaps also should not be too short, or the 

 edge will continually catch the top of the rider's 

 boot, which is very uncomfortable. 



Ladies' saddles require as careful choosing as 

 a man's saddle, for the length of seat must suit 

 the rider ; and also the position of the crutches 

 must vary in the same ratio. It is only a 

 personal trial that is really of avail when select- 

 ing a saddle. 



Stirrups should give a good broad hold for the 

 feet ; and then if the heels of the boots are 

 brought well forward, ending in a line with 

 the front of the leg, the top of the stirrup will 

 always be kept clear of the tendon at the bend 

 of the foot and leg, just above the upper spur- 

 strap, which is otherwise apt to get very sore. 



