514 



SADDLERY AND HARNESS. 



offers a point for pressure to the left knee, or of bearing for the stirrup 

 leg. It is of every service, enabling the lady to retain a firm seal. 

 During the perils of leaping it prevents the lighter weight of the female 

 body being, by the violence of the motion, so shaken as to lose all hold 

 upon the upper crutches. Thus, in some degree, it compensates for the 

 advantage that gentlemen enjoy in the grip which their position enables 

 them to take of the saddle. 



THE ladies' patent STIRRUP. EXHIBITED AT BEST AND IN ACTION. 



The slipper was the favorite stirrup in use with the side-saddle a few 

 years ago. Its adoption then was all but universal, and so at the pres- 

 ent time is its rejection. The Yictoria stirrup, or an iron of the shape 

 which is adopted by Her Majesty, now engrosses public patronage ; it 

 being generally employed, with the addition of the previously noticed 

 spring bar. 



The patent stirrup for ladies is not liable to those objections which 

 were urged against the spring stirrup, when employed for the saddles of 

 gentlemen. The habit protects the machinery, which is not therefore 

 exposed to the intrusion of mud. Its action is almost certain; but, 

 should it not answer the occasion, the next invention, when employed 

 with the foregoing provision, would probably set the malice of "luck" 

 at defiance. 



The following should also be appended to every lady's saddle. Male 

 equestrians may esteem the spring bar to afford the gentle sex sufficient 

 protection. However, where there is a possibility of question, no ex- 

 pense ought to prevent the more fearful rider from being guarded by the 

 latest additions, which may promise even the remotest chance of security. 

 The common spring bar rarely fails to act ; but, on particular occasions, 

 it has retained the stirrup leather. The patented improvement shown 

 on the next page appears to provide against such an accident, and when 



