CHAPTER II. 



THE SADDLE, AND ITS INFLUENCE ON THE SEAT. 



IF it were merely a question of riding bare-backed, 

 we might at once go on to apply the principles of 

 equilibrium of the horse in motion, as developed in the 

 foregoing chapter, to the various kinds of seats. It 

 would be only reasonable, one should suppose, to ac- 

 commodate our saddles to our seats, just as we do every 

 other instrument to the purposes for which it is intended ; 

 but this is precisely what is very seldom done, and in 

 the great majority of instances the rider sits his horse 

 just in the fashion his saddle allows, or perhaps com- 

 pels, him to do. Three-fourths of the time and trouble 

 that are devoted in military riding-schools in endeavor- 

 ing to get the men to sit in a uniform manner might be 

 spared, and the desired result much more certainlv 

 attained, by properly adjusting the saddle to the horse 

 and man, instead of forcing the latter into a contest 

 with a mechanical difficulty that requires a constant 

 exertion of muscular power ; and this latter, being 

 limited in extent and duration, is sure to succumb in 

 the contest, leaving the horse's back to bear the punish- 

 ment. It is, therefore, a matter of some importance to 

 understand clearl}' the meclianical principles applicable 

 to this piece of horse furniture, as it will enable every 

 rider to ascertain exactly what he wants, and how to 



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