l6 HAND-BOOK FOR HORSEWOMEN, ' 



anced seat is once acquired, there is nothing like 

 pig-skin. 



The third pommel, or leaping-horn, is an impor- 

 tant and now almost invariable addition to a lady's 

 saddle, and should be so placed that it does not 

 press, nor even touch, the left leg, while it is not 

 needed, and yet so that its aid may be obtained at 

 any time by slightly drawing up the left leg. It 

 should stand out enough from the saddle to cover 

 the top of the thigh, and be slightly curved but 

 not too much. I have seen this pommel made so 

 long and so sharply curved that the left leg was fairly 

 inclosed, and this may be dangerous. As it is mov- 

 able, a pupil need not be allowed to become depend- 

 ent on it ; nor should it be too tightly screwed into 

 place, as, during a long ride or lesson, it is some- 

 times a relief for a lady to be able to turn it slightly. 

 The slipper stirrup is often used for children and 

 beginners, and has the advantage of being warm in 

 winter, but the disadvantage that a habit of pushing 

 the foot too far home is easily acquired, and not so 

 easily got rid of when the Victoria, or, better still, a 

 plain, open stirrup, is used later. 



The material and workmanship of a saddle 

 should be of the best quality, and the less stitching 

 and ornamentation the better. Style on horseback 

 depends on simplicity. 



Girths seem to hold better if crossed — that is to 

 say, if the girth which is buckled to the forward 

 strap on the right side of the saddle is fastened to 



