64 SIDE-SADDLES. 



unconsciously carried a far greater height than they 

 imagined, for we all know that a big jumper makes a 

 fine leap, even over small fences. In teaching children 

 to ride we should always provide them with saddles 

 in which they can obtain the grip that we ourselves 

 require, and should see that the length of the stirrup- 

 leather is correct. We should remember that the 

 young horsewoman, however tiny she may be, requires 

 to be provided with the best and safest appliances in 

 the matter of stirrup, safety bar, and safety skirt, that 

 we can give her ; and I may say that if I had a 

 daughter I would never allow her to ride unless her 

 saddle was provided with Champion and Wilton's 

 safety bar, which I use, and unless she wore my 

 skirt or the safe little coat shown in Fig. ^J. If 

 reliance has to be placed on a safety stirrup in the 

 absence of Champion and Wilton's safety bar, only 

 the capped stirrup-iron (Fig. i8) or the slipper stirrup 

 (Fig. 19) should be employed. I have no faith in 

 one-sided safety stirrups for young girls, for we cannot 

 put old heads on young shoulders in the matter of careful 

 attention about placing the foot in the safety stirrup 

 from the proper side. A groom may put the stirrup 

 correctly on the foot of his young mistress before 

 starting out with her for a quiet ride, but these men 

 naturally know nothing about the correct length of the 

 stirrup leather, and during the ride the stirrup may 

 come out of the foot and be caught haphazard by the 

 rider, with the result that, should she become unseated 

 and thrown from her saddle by her horse suddenly 



