324 



The Book of the Horse. 



which comes completely apart when the foot hangs, no accident can possibly occur. The 

 jointed stirrup was in use by men some fifty years ago, and was discarded on account of its 

 clumsy appearance ; but, being scarcely visible under the habit, no such objection applies to 

 its adoption by ladies."— Ed. Field. 



THE SIDE-SADDLE. 



Whatever economy may be needed in other directions of the amazones equipment the 

 side-saddle must be the best of its kind ; it may be perfectly plain — without a stitch of 



STUFFED BUCKSKIN SEAT. 



ornament, but it must be of the best materials and workmanship and from a saddler who 

 has studied the needs of the sex ; above all, it must fit the horsewoman, otherwise she can 

 never ride in comfort or secgrity. 



The legs of a moderately good horseman are as good as an additional pair of girths, 

 astride on a man's saddle, but the security of a side-saddle must depend on fit and the girths 

 alone, which will often have to resist very unequal strains, especially from a bad horsewoman. 



Again, a man, by lengthening or shortening his stirrup-leathers, can accommodate himself 

 to any average saddle ; but a woman, if the saddle is too short, rides in constant misery, and, 

 if the two pommels on which she depends for her grip do not suit the length and size of 

 her limbs, she rides in constant danger. 



Formerly women rode entirely by balance, deriving slight support from two pommels, 

 one on each side, between which the right thigh was packed. Somewhere about 1830 the 



