82 RIDING FOR LADIES. 



workmanship — and if he knows his art he will require no 

 further directions. It is almost superfluous to repeat that 

 a well-made side-saddle should be level-seated, and should 

 have no perceptible dip, or sinking, from front to cantle. 

 It ought to be amply long for the rider, and the points of 

 the tree should fit close to the horse's sides behind the 

 shoulder-blades. I object to stitching, on either near or 

 off side, as being unworkmanlike ; but an unpractised rider 

 may have the seat of her saddle covered with buckskin, 

 which will afford her a more secure grip than she can 

 obtain from the ordinary slippery leather. The gullet- 

 plate should either be dispensed with altogether (as men- 

 tioned in a former chapter), or be sufficiently arched to 

 prevent its pressing on the horse's withers. I prefer the 

 former plan, and have found it answer admirably. The up- 

 pommel should be barely high enough to afford a secure 

 catch for the right leg. When higher than this it sticks 

 up like a horn beneath the habit, and is extremely dis- 

 figuring. 



The leaping-head should be movable. I do not mean 

 that it should merely turn round and round, or bend down- 

 wards with a hinge, but it ought to be capable of being 

 placed higher or lower, according as the rider may desire. 

 This can be accomplished by having two, or even three, 

 holes made for it within varied distances of one another : 

 a plan which will be found of especial benefit in cases 

 where a saddle is purchased with a view to more than one 

 lady making use of it — and a tired rider will frequently 

 find it a great boon. Of course, in such case, the leaping- 



