40 Accoutrements for the Horse. 



being to prevent the seat from shifting forward, 

 on even ground, or small declivities, which it un- 

 avoidably will in riding down steep hills ; and 

 when the seat is thus thrown forward, the knee 

 loses its grasp, which is the lady's principal secu- 

 rity. The head of the modern saddle, which is 

 the part that receives the knee, is made high (from 

 six to eight inches,) which secures the knee from 

 being displaced by any little unexpected rough- 

 ness, that sometimes unavoidably happens. The 

 head is also placed more upright, or over to the 

 off side, which assists the lady in keeping her 

 centre in the saddle, and not hanging to the near 

 side. Beside this, the modern saddle has a flap 

 on the near side before, which preserves the habit 

 from the sweat of the horse, and the leg from the 

 front of the saddle. The inside of this flap is 

 sometimes lined with flannel for the accommoda- 

 tion of the horse ; and the outside with hog-skin, 

 stuffed for the accommodation of the rider. The 

 head, and every part of the lady's saddle, should 

 be stuffed, to render it as comfortable as pos- 

 sible. 



