THE SADDLE. 263 



The cost of sucTi a saddle as is above described, when 

 made in the best manner, is from thirty to forty -five dol- 

 lars; good looking saddles may be bought for a very 

 much less price^ but the best ones are the cheapest, when 

 we consider their durability, and the comfort Avhich they 

 ensure to the horse and rider. 



The Somerset Saddle is so calL^d, because it was in- 

 vented for one of the Somerset famil y who had Ic^t a leg 

 below the knee. " It is padded before the I'nec and be- 

 hind the thigh, to fit the seat of the purchaser, and if pro- 

 vided with a stuffed seat of brown buck-skin, will give the 

 quartogenarian pupil the comfort and confidence of an arm 

 chair. They are, it may be encouraging to mention, fash- 

 ionable among the more aristocratic middle aged. The 

 front roll of stuffing is much used among those who ride 

 and break their own colts, as it affords a fulcrum against :i 

 puller, and a protection against a kicker. Australians usi 

 a rolled blanket, strapped over the pommel of the saddle, 

 for the same purpose. To bad horsemen who are too con- 

 ceited to use a Somerset, I say, in the words of the old 

 proverb, ' Pride must have a fall.' "* 



The Girths, of which there should always be two, 

 should be of the best qualitj" of webbing, of good width, 

 and they should be supplied with very strong, long- 

 tongued buckles. 



The Stirrup-leathers should be attached by bara 

 closed at the rear by a clasp, (see fig. 25) acting with a spring 

 in the manner of an ordinary knife blade. This renders 

 the foot- hold always secure, so long as it is desirable that it 

 should be so ; and, if the rider fall with his foot fastened in 

 the stirrup, the clip yields and allows the strap to draw out 

 towards the rear. The best stirrup straps are usually made 

 with the rough side of the leather outward, as being more 



*" The Art of Taming Horsea" 



