CORRESPONDENCE. 215 



weigh a habit. A lady seated upon a properly- 

 made saddle, if she has been well taught, will 

 never have her weight '* all on one side." 

 The reason why horses go short with the 

 near hind leg is because ladies ride from the 

 stirrup, leaning their full weight upon it, and 

 galling the animal's back. The stirrup is 

 meant to assist, not to support, the rider. 

 Old-fashioned side-saddles are all too heavy ; 

 but a well-constructed modern saddle can 

 scarcely be improved upon. It is a mistake 

 to ride in too light a saddle, as it brings the 

 weight of the body too near the horse's back. 

 That used by the Empress of Austria weighed 

 12 lbs., which is about a correct standard. 



Ladybird. — Nobody who has any regard for 

 life and limb now rides through Dublin. 

 All wise persons gave it up when pavement 

 and tram-Knes made the city what it is. 

 Consequently the park is deserted, and only a 

 sohtary horseman is seen in Stephen's Green. 



Inquirer. — The shoe should be made to fit 

 the foot. It is most cruel, and is a fruitful 

 source of lameness, to pare the foot away to 

 make it fit a ready-made shoe. If you cannot 



