158 THROUGH STABLE AND SADDLE-ROOM. 



driving saddle, should be round, and of no other 

 shape. They are at times made square (if rings 

 can be said to be square), but these are dangerous, 

 and do not look well or workmanlike. These terrets, 

 or, as the uninitiated frequently call them, turrets, 

 are for the purpose of preventing the reins from 

 falling on to the horse's sides, and catching in any 

 part of the harness, etc. There is generally, in the 

 centre of the saddle, an upright terret, to which 

 the bearing-rein, when such is worn, is fixed. The 

 upright pattern is better than a hook, as is some- 

 times used, the latter being very awkward and 

 likely to damage the groom, as I have known to 

 be the case, when the latter is fastening- the bearing- 

 rein, as if by chance a horse suddenly moves his 

 head down at the time, the groom's finger or thumb' 

 (being between the hook and the rein) may possibly 

 be driven on to the hook. 



The back-band is made to run through the 

 saddle, between its upper and lower leathers, i.e., 

 underneath its skirts. At either end of this back- 

 band are the * tugs,' as they are called, and these 

 serve to support the shafts. The stops on the 

 shafts also bear against these, and prevent the 

 carriage running forward on to the horse. From 

 the tugs is continued a broad, strong leather strap, 

 called the belly-band, and this is used for the 



