CORRESPONDENCE. 267 



your valuable paper ? It is from a correspon- 

 dent speaking of the ill effects produced by 

 the use of side-saddles. 



In the first place your correspondent should 

 remember that the back of the horse, as well 

 as the shoulder, is soft and tender when not 

 in condition, that is, in constant work, and 

 not fit for either riding or driving long 

 distances at once, without damage. Get the 

 back carefully and well seasoned, or accustomed 

 to the side-saddle, during the time the horse 

 is getting into condition for the hunting-field, 

 and use a leather saddle-cloth under the 

 saddle ; let it be long enough, and not the 

 shape of the saddle, and have all properly put 

 on the horse, and you will not come to grief 

 with six or seven hours' work, or before the 

 lady is tired ; that is, provided the lady will 

 sit well down and steady in her saddle, and 

 keep her horse as much from trotting as 

 possible. Her horse must learn to canter 

 slowly both to cover and home, it will be 

 much better for the horse and much easier for 

 the lady when she is accustomed to it ; she 

 will not be troubled any more with horses witk 



