74 THE AMERICAN HORSEWOMAN. 



The saddle recommended by the author, one 

 ^vhich she has used for several years, and still 

 continues to use, is represented in Fig. 7. The 

 third pommel of this saddle is of medium size, 

 and instead of being close to the second one is 

 placed a short distance below it, thus enabling 

 the rider to use a longer stirrup than she other- 

 wise could ; for if the two pommels be very 

 close together, the rider will be obliged to use 

 a very short stirrup in order to make this third 

 pommel of any use. The disadvantage of a 

 short stirrup is that, in a long ride, it is apt to 

 occasion cramp in the left leg. It also inter- 

 feres with an easy and steady position in the 

 saddle. But with a stirrup of the right length, 

 and the arrangement of the pommels such as we 

 have described, a steadiness is given to the left 

 leg that can never be obtained with the old- 

 fashioned two-pommeled saddle. 



The third pommel must be screwed securely 

 into the saddle-tree, and once fixed in its proper 

 place, should not again be moved, as if fre- 

 quently turned it will soon get loose, and the 

 rider will not be able to rely upon its assistance 

 to retain her balance. It should Ije screwed 

 into place inversely, that is, instead of being 

 turned to the right it must be turned to the left, 

 so that the pressure of the knee may make it 



