SADDLERY AND HARNESS. 509 



to disable the grip of the rider ; but it ought to be of no greater dimen- 

 sions than will allow a firm hold to be taken by the fleshy part of the 

 thigh. Every saddle has two girths, but all girths have not three straps- 

 These should always be present; because if one strap should break, 

 another is ready to supply its place. It vexes most keen sportsmen, 

 near the termination of a hard run, to lose a good place because, strained 

 by the accelerated action of the horse's lungs, a girth strap shall, when 

 excitement is at its height, give way. 



To avoid so irritating an accident, the hunting or the Melton girth is 

 now commonly employed. This consists of a broad webbing, which is 

 tightened by two straps, one at either margin. Over the main girth 

 there runs a narrower length of the same material, which is kept m its 

 situation by passing through two loops upon the principal binder. The 

 narrower webbing is fastened by means of the third or central strap. 

 Thus, should one of the fastenings of the chief girth yield, or even should 

 both be forced from their holds, the saddle will not necessarily be dis- 

 placed, as there is always a supernumerary guard in attendance ready 

 to ofl&ciate as the representative of its incapacitated principals. 



CHUPPER, MELTON GIRTH, AND MABTINOALE. 



Cruppers are generally discarded. These appendages have occasioned 

 terrible sores, and are of no actual utility to the retention of the saddle ; 

 for the withers should prevent that convenience from moving too for- 

 ward. A martingale is occasionally used ; but if the animal be rightly 

 formed for its purposes, and has been carefully broken in, the head should 

 be carried properly without necessitating compulsion. The mouth is 

 soon injured and loses its sensitiveness when a tight rein is constantly 



