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Lecture III. 



THE SADDLE. 



The saddle is intended to give comfort and security to the rider. 

 In weight and construction it must be adapted to the purpose which it 

 is to serve. 



With the exception of a variety of systems, adopted by different 

 countries for the army, the English saddle is used universally, both for 

 men and ■women. 



The tree or frame consists of wood or leather and steel, and is more 

 or less elastic. The best and most serviceable covering is pig skin. 



The padding is made of wool or hair and should fit the horses back 

 as accurately as a plaster cast. 



White or yellow -webbing and plaiting of cord or leather, furnish 

 the best material for girths. 



The size of the saddle should be in proportion to the weight of the 

 rider, and horses with sensitive backs should carry longer saddles, 

 than would otherwise be necessary. 



There are two ways o"f diminishing the weight of the saddle, with, 

 out reducing the dimensions of its inner surface. One method consists 

 of extending the tree or other parts over the points, which are exposed 

 to pressure, and as this pressure is exercised chiefly in perpendicular 

 direction, it is superfluous to extend it too far downward over the ribs 

 The second mode is to build the tree of the lightest possible material' 

 without lessening its durability and its elasticity. 



A good saddle is not padded any more, than the protection of the 

 back against galling requires. The padding should be sewed and not 

 tacked to the tree. A recent English invention, which substitutes com- 

 pressed rubber for the ordinary padding, the so called " Panel Numnah' 

 claims to bring the rider closer to the horses back, to be more durable 

 and to remain always dry and cool, as it does not absorb perspiration. 



The riders weight should be placed precisely in the middle of the 

 saddle, as this is the only part, from which the equal distribution of the 

 •weight, can be effected over the remaining suf ace ; if the rider sits too 

 far back, he will press the cantle into the horses back, while the forward 

 parts will shift to the front, as far as the withers will permit, and ex- 

 pose the latter to injury by galling. 



In front, the saddle should be wide enough, not to interfere with 

 the points of the shoulder. 



The girths and stirrup straps should be attached from the middle 

 of the tree, so as not to disturb the equilibrium of the riders seat and 

 the horses motion. 



The average weight of an ordinary mans saddle is about ten pounds^ 

 if lighter the reduction in weight is obtained at the expense of durabili. 

 ty, and a light saddle rarely fits as perfectly as a heavier one. 



The construction of the seat and saddle flaps, depends on the use, 

 for which it is intended, and also on the weight of the rider and the 

 length of his limbs. 



