136 Our Noblest Friend, The Horse 



priate for a woman's use, and if she attempts to ride 

 upon it, her sense of insecurity, which is actual as 

 well as imaginary, will cause the novice to abandon 

 the innovation before reasonable trial has proved its 

 many and manifest advantages. To go rather in- 

 timately into particulars, the thigh is too round to 

 grasp at the knee the plain saddle-tree, as usually 

 made. Man has a hollow or curve on the inside 

 of the leg, and a prominent and bony knee ; woman 

 is the antithesis of this in shape, and her saddle 

 must be arranged to meet her requirements. This 

 is best done, first, by arranging a large pad, or 

 " roll," on the saddle flap at the knee ; second, by 

 placing another roll on the flap under the thigh, 

 about half-way to the knee; third, by covering the 

 whole with buckskin as being less slippery and sure 

 to furnish a better seat. 



Even if they are to take to the side-saddle in 

 later life, girls and all children should be taught to 

 ride astride. No other means will ensure them 

 such a firm seat, square shoulders, hollow waist, 

 confidence, and good hands, and balance. They 



