24 THE BARB AND THE BRIDLE. 



very low-cut pommel on the off side is best, because it not only 

 admits of the rider getting her hands lower (for which occasion 

 may frequently occur), but on the off side it gives the lady and the 

 horse a far better appearance, the high off side pommel spoiling the 

 graceful contour of figure in both. Worked or plain off-side flaps 

 are matters of taste, and have nothing to do with utility. The 

 stirrup should be a Victoria, well padded. The leather should be 

 fitted on the near side, in a similar manner to a . man's stirrup 

 leather, and be quite independent of the quarter strap. The reason 

 for this" is obvious. If you fit a lady's stirrup leather ever so care- 

 fully after she is up, you cannot tell how much the horse "will 

 give up " in his girth after an hour's riding, or even less ; and the 

 leather which takes up on the off side may give to the extent 

 of three or four holes, thereby greatly incommoding the rider, 

 especially if she is in the hunting field and has to jump her horse, 

 as it is ten to one, although she has the power of pulling up the 

 leather herself, if, in the excitement of the chase, either she or 

 anybody else will notice the rendering of the leather, and a drop 

 leap may bring the rider to grief, whereas the near side arrangement 

 is a fixtiu-e, and always reliable. For really comfortable riding, I 

 believe also that it is quite as necessary that a saddle should be 

 made in such proportion as to Jit the lady, as that it should fit the 

 horse. Even a thoroughly accomplished horsewoman cannot ride 

 easily in a saddle that is too short from pommel to cantle, or too 

 narrow in the seat. In either case, both discomfort and ungainly 

 appearance are the result ; while to a lady ot slight petite figure, 

 a saddle too long from front to rear is equally misightly, though 

 possibly not quite so uncomfortable to the rider. Broad girths of 

 the best materials are indispensable. There should be three of 

 them. The quarter strap or girth should lead from the near side 

 fork of the tree to a buckle piece attached to a ring on the off-side 

 quarter, the ring giving the quarter strap a better bearing. A 

 crupper should never be used ; a horse that requires one is not fit 

 for a lady. Saddle cloths are unnecessary to a carefully-panneUed 

 saddle, and hide the symmetry of the horse. Breastplates or neck 

 straps may be used for limiting, or the fitting of martingales- 



