THE BARB AND THE BRIDLE. 29 



looked to by Paterfamilias when purchasing the saddle, and by the 

 master after it is bought. I can well remember when the third 

 crutch was unknown ; and in these days, when its efficiency has 

 been so abundantly proved, it really seems marvellous how ladies 

 years ago could not only ride well mthout it, but even acquit them- 

 selves creditably in the hunting field. The secret of the matter, 

 however, lies in this : First, although there was no third support for 

 the rider, the off-side and near-side pommels were much closer 

 together than those now made ; the off-side one was well padded, 

 and in most cases where ladies rode hunting it was usual to have an 

 extra pad, which fitted on to the off-side crutch, and again narrowed 

 the interval, according to the size of the lady, until her leg fitted 

 tightly between the two crutches, thus giving her a very firm hold 

 with the right knee. Nevertheless, it is evident that only the truest 

 balance would enable the fair equestrians of those days to maintain 

 their seats. 



When a young lady is first put on horseback, I believe in anything 

 that can give her confidence, and for this purpose the third crutch is 

 admirable, because she finds a firm purchase between the crutch and 

 the stirrup. As this hold, however, is apt to degenerate into a com- 

 plete reliance on the third pommel, it is necessary in. a more advanced 

 stage of the lessons in equitation to use a saddle without any such 

 support for the pupil. The third crutch, when forming part of a 

 side-saddle, should never he removed^ as is too frequently done by 

 grooms for the purpose of cleaning the saddle. The crutch itself is 

 so constructed as to screw into a socket in the tree. By constantly 

 screwing and unscrewing it, the thread of the screw wears out ; in 

 fact, this will occur much sooner than would be supposed. The 

 consequence is that, let the lady or her assistant turn the third 

 crutch to what angle they may in order to suit the length and 

 formation of the lady's leg, the crutch will not remain in its proper 

 position, but is continually shifting, turning, and wobbling, to the 

 great discomfort of the rider ; nay, I have seen more than one case 

 where the crutch has turned edgeways to the rider's leg, and caused 

 severe pain and bruising of the delicate limb. Let it be a strict 

 injunction then, to your groom, " Never unscrew the third crutch ;" 



