MODERN RIDING. 9 



If, on the contrary, the points are so narrow 

 that the saddle cannot come to its bearings 

 till the girths or the weight of the rider bring 

 it down, the pressure at these points may oc- 

 casion heat and inflammation ; and the same 

 is true as to the hind part of the saddle. 



If, again, the saddle come down on its bear- 

 ings, and the points are short, and stand so 

 wide as not to touch, and the pommel so high 

 as not to injure the withers (being the plan 

 on which saddles are made to suit any horse), 

 still a saddle with such contracted bearings 

 cannot be said to fit, and when long journeys 

 are taken in hot weather, inflammation will 

 be produced. 



If a saddle do not fit, the pannel cannot be 

 stuffed so as to insure its not injuring the 

 horse ; and where it does fit, superfluous 

 stuffing should be avoided, as causing the 

 saddle to shift its place, &c. 



II. With regard to the rider, it must be 

 observed, that a saddle may form a most 



