282 HORSEMANSHIP. 



self rode, and that was William Barrow, afterwards 

 more than twenty years huntsman to the late Mr. 

 Corbet of Sundorjip Castle, Shropshire, who so long 

 hunted Warwickshire, and who was remarkable 

 for his fine bridle-hand. Notwithstandino: this, it 

 may fairly be maintained, that, from the fact of 

 the comparatively small number of good horsemen 

 who have obtained instruction from the schools, 

 there is more of nature than of art in the acquisi- 

 tion of skill and talent on the saddle. 



Saddles and bridles form no unimportant feature 

 in the equestrian art, as well as in the establish- 

 ment of a sportsman. Nothing sets off the appear- 

 ance of a horse and his rider more than a good 

 saddle and bridle, nor does any thing contribute 

 more to the comfort and safety of the latter than a 

 well-made roomy saddle, with spring bars for the 

 stirrup-leathers ; stirrups rather heavy than other- 

 wise, and sufficiently large for the feet. Some per- 

 sons, not contented with the spring bars, require 

 spring stirrups as well; but, in our opinion, no 

 man can hang in a common stirrup, provided he 

 do not wear thick boots nor use small stirrup-irons. 

 Of the various sorts of bridles, the snaffle is most 

 in use on the turf, and the curb for military horses, 

 hunters, roadsters, and coach-horses. Not one 

 hunter in twenty has a mouth good enough for a 

 snaffle only ; although there are a few horses in 

 every hunt that will not face the curb. Some, 

 however, go very well on the snaffle up to a certain 

 period of a run, when all at once they require the 



