508 



SADDLERY AND HARNESS. 



reins are supported in their proper position by passing through a ring or 

 ferret, which is generally fixed upon the hames. Should the horse, thus 

 caparisoned, accidentally fall, the loop, being immovable, is either bent 

 out of all shape, or, more probably, it is broken short off by the weight 

 of the prostrate animal. It may be replied, that horse collars are not, 

 when manufactured, made to be violently driven against stones. The 

 writer does not contradict the assertion ; but when a hinge will not in- 

 terfere with the aspect, and, by yielding to pressure, will guard agains-t 

 a possible mischance, the little extra labor which the addition would 

 require assuredly could not be better expended. 



The principal portions of the harness having been considered, some 

 thought must now be bestowed upon the chief essentials of saddlery. 

 A good saddle, intended to please the majority of horsemen, should be 

 seventeen and a half or eighteen inches long, the length being regulated 

 by the shape of the animal. It is, of course, equally easy to manufac- 

 ture a saddle of any given proportions ; but one of a sound working and 

 a thoroughly useful sort should not be much shorter, and should weigh 

 from ten to twelve pounds. Such things have been produced of seven 

 pounds weight. Were it desirable, the saddle could be made much 

 lighter even than the last figure represents ; the article at present under 

 consideration is supposed to be of a lasting description, and not of the 

 fanciful kind. When gentlemen lay down rules which the manufacturer 

 is to observe, they should remember that the tradesman, who merely 

 carries out his employer's ideas, and is not permitted to obey his own 

 convictions, is no longer responsible for results. 



A broad seat is generally preferred. This should not be so wide as 



