RIDING ON OFF SIDE. 7 



to save the back and legs of a lady's horse. In 

 cantering or galloping, the animal puts more weight 

 on the leading fore leg, which is consequently more 

 liable to suffer from the injurious effects of work than 

 the non-leading leg ; and, as we all know, to canter 

 or gallop comfortably, a lady's horse has to lead with 

 his off fore when the leaping-head is on the near side ; 

 and vice vej'sd. Also, the vulnerable side of the 

 back and withers of an animal which carries a side- 

 saddle, is the one which is opposite to that on 

 which the leaping-head is fixed. I am afraid that 

 these practical considerations would not outweigh the 

 dictates of fashion and the expense of having two 

 saddles for one horse. The Young Lady s Equestrian 

 Manual, which was published in 1838, tells us that in 

 the early part of the last century, a plan which was 

 similar to the one in question was adopted of having 

 movable crutches, 'Mn order to afford a lady, by 

 merely changing their relative positions, the means 

 of riding, as she might please, on either side of her 

 horse," and that this change of crutches w^as found 

 advantageous. I do not think that a side-saddle built 

 on this principle would look neat enough for modern 

 requirements. 



