THE SADDLE ROOM 177 



ones ? Comfort in riding depends greatly on 

 the thighs finding their proper place in the saddle. 

 So be measured for your saddle. The lady sits 

 her whole length on the side saddle so measure- 

 ment from the knee to the hip is essential. 



A lady's saddle should not be too long for her. 

 Not only does it add to the weight, but unless it 

 is used on a long-backed horse it comes too far 

 back on the quarters and so causes friction and — 

 sore back. The side saddle should be just long 

 enough to be comfortable. 



The side saddle is perfectly safe, and there 

 can be no question of hanging in the stirrup 

 with a safety bar, and of these I like Wilton's. 

 So long as the rider is on the saddle her left leg 

 keeps down the flap that locks the bar, but as 

 soon as she leaves the saddle her weight in the 

 stirrup raises the lever and unlocks and releases 

 the stirrup leather. 



Much of what has been said about saddlery 

 applies equally to harness. Harness should 

 never be heavily ornamented. The less decora- 

 tion the better. I remember a well-known 

 master of hounds remarking on a pair of stylish 

 harness horses literally covered with silver mount- 

 ings and with the crest on every available place : 

 '' Very, very pretty, but oh how vulgar ! " ^ So 

 it is good taste to be sparing of decorations on 

 harness as well as to put no more harness on the 



^ Curiously this wholesale loading of harness with ornament is a 

 survival of the amulets used as a protection against the Evil Eye. 

 The Neapolitan cabmen use them largely or did till very lately. 



