SADDLERY AND HARNESS. 



513 



near side, and the fixedness of the position must incapacitate the lady 

 for freedom of action, therefore any movement of the saddle is likely to 

 be attended by serious consequences. 



A lady's stirrup with the knee crutch and the victoria stirrup. 



For the foregoing reasons, the maker should bestow the greatest atten- 

 tion upon the shape of the saddle-tree ; no artifice should be neglected 

 that is calculated to render the side-saddle more fixed upon the horse's 

 back. The seat should be longer as well as broader than is usual in 

 those articles which are manufactured to sell quickly and to look pret- 

 tily. It should be covered with soft, unpolished leather, and be quilted, 

 so that its partial roughness and trivial inequalities may present a more 

 secure and an easier seat for the fair equestrian. 



Every aid would, however, be useless, were it not for the crutches. 

 The female rider must cast her bearing upon the near crutch; hence 

 horses, when forced to work under an ill-made side-saddle, often sufi'er 

 terribly, and exhibit as the consequence severe examples of fistulous 

 withers. Experience has proved that the ofi' crutch is of small service, 

 save as it may confirm the confidence of the lady; although, by render- 

 ing the leg more stationary, it is in reality calculated to increase her 

 danger. Its utility lies in calming the timidity of the horsewoman ; for 

 the instant a horse gets into motion, the bearing is entirely toward the 

 near side ; therefore most modern saddlers, although they dare not re- 

 move the useless crutch, have its height materially diminished. 



The third or knee crutch is a comparatively recent improvement. It 



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