40 THE HORSE. 



as we now see them. The old fashioned crupper 

 and saddle cloth also shared the same fate, nor is the 

 martingale so often seen as formerly. It may be 

 however proper to remark, that a nag which does not 

 carry a saddle well, from being ill-formed and low 

 forward, is not very safe to ride without a crupper, 

 particularly with a heavy weight over a hilly road, 

 and the rider will make his election between safety 



J 



and fashion. The girths are buckled one over the 

 other, appearing single. In London, within these 

 few years, we have seen a very awkward, unsightly 

 appendage to the saddle, in the form of a huge jack- 

 boot, a la fran^aise, its awkward appearance, we must 

 suppose, being atoned for by ease and cleanliness. 

 About the year 1780, an ornamental white sash or 

 girth was introduced, probably by Sir John Lade, at 

 that period of high ton in this line : fastened within 

 the pommel of the saddle, and between the forearms 

 to the girths, it encompassed the nag's shoulders, set- 

 ting off their slant or backward declension. 



Of bridles, the ancient snaffle and common double 

 reined curb yet hold their sway. As to variety of bits, 

 in other and more appropriate terms, instruments of 

 torture, invention has never been at rest and never more 

 uselessly employed, since the days of old Blundeville, 

 who exhibits in his book such numerous engravings 

 of them. Previously to the use on the horse of these 

 rare curiosities, the inventors of them ought to be 

 compelled to wear them experimentally themselves, 

 for a season. It is curious, that in old times, the 

 term snaffle, or single rein and bit, now our mildest, 

 was applied to the severest bridle. Indeed our snaffles 

 mav be rendered severe enough by the bit being made 



