262 HOW TO RIDE A HORSE. 



The Hunting Saddle is the one which is now almost 

 universally nsed for gentlemen's riding. It is smooth, hard, 

 and close fitting, being usually covered with the best tanned 

 hog-skin. This saddle, as used for hunting, is from sixteen 

 to twenty inches long, according to the size of the rider, 

 from pommel to cantle, slightly depressed in the centre, 

 and having its flaps inclined forward, their anterior edge 

 being furnished with a padding, which, by preventing the 

 leg from slipping forward, gives security in the descent 

 from a leap, or when the horse kicks badly. 



For road riding the saddle may, without disadvantage, 

 be half an inch shorter than would be necessary for h ant- 

 ing ; and, as it is ssldom necessary for the pleasure rider to 

 assume so bracing a position as is, at times, required in 

 the hunting-field, the flaps may be somewhat more per- 

 pendicular. Beneath, the saddle should be well cham- 

 bered, — that is, it should be wide over the withers, and free 

 from stufi&ng at this point, and there should be a space of 

 at least two inches betrween the pads of either side to leave 

 a free space over the horse's spine, from one end of the 

 saddle to the other. The pads should be only sufficiently 

 stuffed to protect the horse's back from injury, as too 

 much stuffing, by increasing the distance between the rider 

 and his horse, .gives an insecurity to his position. On 

 either side of the saddle, just in front of the stirrup bars, 

 there should be a ring about three-fourths of an inch in 

 diameter, to which to attach the breast-plate, if it should 

 at any time be necessary to use one. 



The beauty and durability of the saddle depend upon 

 the quality of the leather of which it is made. The best 

 quality is hard and firm, and the bristle-holes are large 

 and clearl}^ defined. Hog-skin varies in quality so greatly 

 that its price ranges from ten to one hundred dollars per 

 dozen. 



