CORRESPONDENCE. 209 



•support, as many are found to do. For a 

 young girl I should like to know what is the 

 objection to a pad, or pilch as they are called, 

 made for use on either side. These, having 

 no tree, are nearly level, but there is perhaps 

 a chance of its ti"'rning round if the rider does 

 not sit straight ; for a grown girl, the properly 

 made saddle is better every way. In common 

 with your correspondent **H. de V. E.," I 

 fail quite to understand how a side-saddle is 

 to be made *^ as straight as a board." A 

 saddle is made on a foundation, or tree, of 

 wood and iron, which should be shaped for the 

 back intended to bear it, and must be raised 

 slightly in front for the wither and behind to 

 clear the backbone ; but it is right that the 

 seat should be as level as possible. This is 

 probably the lady's meaning. It is very 

 essential that the saddle should fit the horse 

 correctly and be of suitable size and shape for 

 the rider ; the former consideration is too 

 often overlooked and thus entails discomfort 

 to both. There are saddles, and saddles, as 

 ladies often find to their cost. A very large 

 proportion in use here, and more abroad, are 



14 



