MODERN HORSEMANSHIP. 



CHAPTER II.— THE SADDLE. 



THE BRIDLE— TO MOUNT— THE SEAT— HANDS 

 AND HEELS. 



A SADDLE of the English pattern, that will bring 

 the rider as close as possible to the back of the 

 horse, is the best for general purposes. The 

 'grip' should be narrow enough to permit the 

 rider's thighs to take contact with the saddle 

 while the body of the horse is grasped by his 

 knees. The ' dip,' or lowest part of the seat, 

 should be very slight, so that the pommel and 

 cantel may be low, and this ' dip ' must be 

 arranged by the saddler to suit the conforma- 

 tion of the rider. If the 'dip' be too far 

 forward, or too far to the rear, the rider will 

 not be able to maintain an upright position 

 without fatioruinof exertions. For men of ordi- 

 nary size, and below that standard, the steeple- 

 chase tree will be found suitable, as the trees 

 of hunting and hackney saddles are almost in- 

 variably too broad. The tree should be fitted 

 to the horse before being covered, and the pannel 



