84 Stable Vices. 



Harness for Saddle Horses. 



These consist of saddles, bridles, breast-plates, and 

 martingales. 



Saddles may be had of almost any size and weight. They 

 may be made with either plain or padded flaps, according 

 to the seat and fancy of the rider. Some prefer the former, 

 and others the latter. For the generality of riders there 

 cannot be a doubt that the padded flaps are by far the 

 better, as they keep the knee more steadily in the proper 



place, prevent the leg flying backwards and forwards if the 

 horse jumps or plunges ; while in hunting they are of a 

 very material assistance in taking a drop jump, and also in 

 steadying and recovering a horse when blundering or fall- 

 ing at a fence. The plain flaps have perhaps a smarter 

 appearance, and a clever horseman may be able to ride 

 as well on them as on the padded flaps, but that is almost 

 all that can be said for them. 



The saddle should be of sufficient length and breadth 

 that the weight of the rider may be pretty equally dis- 

 tributed over it, or the back of the horse will suffer, and 



