CHAPTER VI 



THE AMERICAN SADDLER 



Adapted largely from the best modern authorities on "The 

 American Saddler," for use *in the class-room. 



THE first use made of the horse by man was for 

 riding bareback. Later he was furnished with the 

 saddle. This noble animal was first used in war long 

 before he became employed in peaceful industry. Even 

 after he was used in harness, his first connection with 

 it was in drawing chariots of war. These ancient 

 war-horses were a great factor in molding history. 

 The decline of Rome was partly due to the horseman- 

 ship of the Huns, who originated in the country 

 north of the Chinese wall, and whose barbaric hordes 

 poured over the Empire. The Arabs were warlike and 

 conquering because of their horses; where would the 

 Boers have been if it were not for their active saddle 

 ponies? 



Such has been the association between horse and 

 man for so long a time that it is no wonder he should 

 have inherited a love for the animal. 



In the northern United States, the winters are too 

 cold for horseback riding and in summer the roads 

 are better cared for than in the South; hence road 

 horses became more common than saddlers and the road 

 wagon more in evidence than the saddle. The running 



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