The Western Saddle

Be it known that he who has ridden ! only on an English pigskin will find that there are things he has no edge of when he first throws a leg i over the stock saadle of the West; and when he has seen a broncho buster ride a buoking mustang on its native heath he must admit that, although the cowboy may be neither neat nor well mannered, he can yet give points on rough riding to those who follow the fox-hounds. As the cowboy's mode of riding la distinctive, so is his horse furniture, and it Is admirably adapted to his particular needs. The stock saddlc, for instance, is as different from the English hunting or park saddle as a park drag ia from a trotting sulky, yet eaeh is perfectly suited to the purposes for whieh it was designed. The stock saddle is of Spariish-American birth, and must be heavily built (sometimes forty pounds in weight) in order to have the requlsite strength, for the high hom or pommel is necessary to the cowboy in all the uses of the larlat or "rope," as it is now almost universally ealled, and thus it is required to stand the most sudden and severe strains. The rope is a very essential article of the cow punchar's equipment. It is ordinarily about forty feet long, and can be thrown with accuracy perhaps thirty feet by the average puncher, although some use it effectlvely at a distrnce of ten or fifteen feet farther if its length is proportionately greater. In catching steek or in hauiing anything, be it a mired wagon, a bogged steer, or wood for the campfire, the rope is glven a doublé turn around the horn, and the saddle must be strong indeed to endure such work. Moreover, it must be tightly girthed over the heavy saddle blankets, and tuis calis for the cumbersome cinch rigging, which in most parts of the west is