SADDLING. 85 



saddle-bar, a contrivance which instantly releases the foot 

 in case of a rider being either thrown or dragged. I can 

 confidently recommend it. 



A very simple way, which some like, is to have the 

 stirrup stitched to a single leather, which is then passed 

 through a ring, and drawn downwards to within an inch 

 or two of the end of the flap. It is next passed round the 

 horse's belly, and buckled to a single tongue on the other 

 side. This keeps the flaps of the saddle close, and the 

 rider is enabled by it to shorten or lengthen her stirrup 

 from the off side — an advantage not to be overlooked. 



Girths are of various kinds. Some are in favour of the 

 elastic webbing ; others like the Fitzwilliam, which is a 

 very excellent kind, and thoroughly to be depended on for 

 general work. For myself, I strongly advocate the plaited 

 girths, made of either hide, horsehair, or cord. Being 

 open-work they admit plenty of air, and are calculated to 

 prevent chafing. 



I do not, as a rule, care for saddle-cloths, but no doubt 

 they preserve the inside of a saddle very much. If used at 

 all they ought to be very thin. To save a sore back, a 

 sheepskin is best. A leather saddle-cloth will keep pliant 

 if in constant use, but if laid by for a while it should be 

 moistened with a little oil. Cod-liver will be found the 

 most efficient for the purpose. 



I am not in favour of a7iy of the so-called safety stirrups. 

 NichoU's patent is the best of them ; but I cannot help 

 regarding them all as danger-traps, having twice nearly lost 

 my life through using them. I therefore strongly recom- 



