o 



28 The Book of the Horse. 



and releases the foot instantaneously in case of a fall. Thirdly, the invention of Mr. Lennan, 

 of Dublin, which effects the same object in a different way (see illustrations on p. 327). 



Mr. Lennan's patent is most patronised in Ireland, Liverpool, Manchester, and Cheshire ; 

 Mr. Latchford's in London and the hunting shires. It has been objected to the latter that the 

 second stirrup works loose after a time, and is apt to be lost in the hunting-field. This might 

 be obviated by connecting it with the fixed stirrup by a cord strong enough to hold the inner 

 stirrup, but not strong enough to resist the rider's weight. An eminent saddler has approved 

 of this suggestion. No lady should venture into the hunting-field without a Latchford or 

 Lennan stirrup. 



Every side-saddle should be provided with leather pannels like that recommended by 

 Mr. Froude Bellew, used with such perfect success by one of the most brilliant horsewomen 

 hunting in the West of England. She also uses the raw-hide girths. I hear that girths 

 made of plaited horsehair are still more useful for side saddles. 



The girths of a side-saddle and the girthing are most important points ; because with 

 a side-seat everything depends on the saddle not shifting or turning under any circumstances. 

 If there is any difficulty in fixing a side-saddle — which is sometimes the case when it is 

 necessary to use felt or saddle-cloths to make one fit a horse for which it was not made — the 

 safer plan is to make all tight with a jockey's surcingle. 



A man who is a fair horseman, on a well-shaped horse, may ride miles with slack girths ; 

 but a woman's saddle in such circumstances is almost sure to turn round. It is easy to assume 

 that a lady's horse will have a perfect shape for carrying a saddle, and that the side-saddle is 

 manufactured by one of those who make side-saddles a speciality ; but, as a matter of fact, a 

 great many ladies who ride in this country, in India, and in the Colonies, have to put up with 

 such horses as they can get, and in such cases fashion must be sacrificed to safety. 



Cruppers are completely out of fashion and out of use, except for the horses of cavalry 

 and policemen. It is assumed that every horse that requires a crupper to keep his saddle in 

 its place will be forthwith transferred to harness. A crupper is ugly, and often makes a horse 

 kick. At the same time, when a horse which is required to carry a lady long journeys in the 

 country, or India, or the Colonies, is suitable in every respect, except the form of his saddle- 

 back and ribs under his shoulders, it may be wiser to have a crupper fitted to the side-saddle 

 than to get rid of an animal whose paces and temper are unexceptionable. 



For the same reason, the breast-plate, which is universally employed in the hunting- 

 field, will be found a proper addition to the side-saddle of a lightly-ribbed horse in a hilly 

 country. 



Some young ladies, and many children, under medical advice, ride on the off or right- 

 hand side. Some hard-riding hunting ladies habitually use two saddles on alternate days, one 

 for the right and one for the left side, on the ground that it saves their hunter's legs, and 

 makes them more certainly straight at their fences. The idea seems theoretically correct, but 

 the examples, probably from the expense, are rare. 



Her Royal Highness the Princess of Wales rides habitually on the off side, on a saddle 

 without any ornament (p. 325) made by Messrs. Wilkinson and Kidd. Messrs. Langdon, of Duke 

 Street, Manchester Square, have made side-saddles a speciality ; and Messrs. Bligh, of Park, 

 have a great reputation. Excellent .side-saddles arc made by Mr. Lennan, of Dublin, and no 

 doubt by many provincial makers in hunting counties. 



Little girls may take their first lessons on a pad like that shown at page 266, provided with 

 shifting pommels adapted for cither side. 



