BOOTS. 117 



even when warm stockings are worn. Saddlers have 

 invented safety bars and stirrups, habit makers have 

 provided safety skirts, but bootmakers have not yet 

 thought out a hunting boot which would release the 

 foot in the event of a safety bar failing to act, or of 

 a safety or other stirrup being crushed in a fall. A 

 thin pliable sole and plenty of room over the instep 

 to allow of the left foot being easily pulled through 

 the boot, would greatly minimise the danger in ques- 

 tion. We seldom hear of a jockey being dragged, 

 although flat races are ridden in saddles that have 

 no releasing bars, and even steeplechases are often 

 ridden in these saddles, when a rider has a diffi- 

 culty in getting down to the weight ; but all jockeys 

 wear boots which have thin, and, consequently, very 

 pliable soles. Fashion dictates that ladies' top-boots 

 should be as high as those worn by men, which is 

 very absurd ; because they are not seen, and the hard, 

 unyielding leather of a high top-boot pressing either 

 on the breeches buttons, or on the under part of the 

 right leg is apt to cause great pain and discomfort. 

 Then, again, when a Champion and Wilton saddle 

 with safety bar flap is used, the top of the left boot 

 is liable to catch in the flap when its wearer is rising at 

 the trot and is thus apt to release the stirrup leather. 

 Fig. 64 shows the top of the boot in position to raise 

 the safety bar flap in the manner mentioned. I have 

 obviated these inconveniences and have ridden in 

 comfort by wearing boots made two inches shorter 

 than the regulation height, and by wearing breeches 



