Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1855-10-25
horse by folds of felt, which are eumbersome,

which case felt is substituted, or else the
horseman must ride with long boots or leather
overalls on account of the sweat from the
horse. This saddle, it will be seen at once.
though aimi ny to accomplish the desired OBJ
jects, is susceptible of most obvious improve
ments. which. 1t is claimed, have been made in
Campbelps snddle. While the alterations of
Can't. Nolan show the great attention he has
Maid to the subject, it is evident that he has
not been so successful in removing the defects
heretofore existing as could be desired. Now
the object of "Campbell's American Army Sad
die" is to remedy these defects. To accom-.
plish this, the principle assumed is to make
the saddle easy to both horse and rider, with
out the Intervention of cumbersome pads or
blankets, nothing more being required for this
saddle than one thickness under it Of moss,
hair, or wool tissue, to absorb the sweat, and
keep the flesh from being heated.
The first and fundamental improvements,
therefore, have been accomplished in the frame
work or saddle-tree, which has been so
shaped as to ft the back of the horse in all its
points; it being evident that the same weight
pressing equally on all portions of surface.
will in that ratio relieve the bearing of every
part. The same construction will give to the
rider an easier seat, by distributing the bear
ings of his weight equally over the surface of
the sitting. To secure this result, the tree is
Of different construction from those hereto
fore in use. The bars, as to size, shape
weight, and adaptation, are formed so as to
embody the above principle. The pommel
and cantle are likewise formed with view to
make the saddle lower, and to perfect the seat
of the rider. These are then connected with
the bars, not to make a solid framework or
foundation as heretofore, but by steel-SpringS,
so attached as to give the bars an easy motion
upwards, in accommodating the saddle to any
condition, shape, or size of tho horse, and at the
same time to preserve all the necessary firm
ness and consistency of the saddle.
Improvements have also been made in the
girfhing. Saddles, heretofore, have been
formed so that in securing them to the horse,
the girths have passed directly around the re-
gion of the heart, or Immediately over it, thus
obstructing the circulation of the blood, and
the free motion and breathing of the horse,
and rendering him incapable of fOrding or
swimming streams should occasion require it.
The g,rths of CampbelPs saddle proceed from
the pommel and cantle, and are so arranged
as 10 bind around the belly and not over the
heart
The holsters have been also arranged so as
70 a do INTO those no
fore in use. The lid or cover is piece of firm
leather, moulded to the requisite shape, and
fastened at its lower extremity to the outside
Of the holster, a convenient distance down, by
a pivot, on which it is made to turn. By
single motion of the hand it is thrown from, or
returned to its position, and when shut it gives
equal protection TO the arms from the weather
with those heretofore in use, while 1hen open
it leaves the mouth Of the holster clear and
unobstructed. Having no hindrance from
buckles, the weapons may be drawn or re-
turned in an instant.
The holsters so framed are attached to tae
saddle in the following manner: The flap, of
required size and shape, is extended beyond
the pommel, in front or over the horses neck
and withers. On the top or centre Of this flap
is q metallic pin, and on either side farther
down are metallic loops. The holsters are
provided on the neither side with thin metal
lie catches, which enter these loops while the
pin secures their connection at the top. The
lower extremities Of the holsters are then Sc
cured in place by a strap fastening them to the
&c th4
prevents the holsters from chaing the shout
ders Of the horse, and throws them entirely
out of the way of the rider, and may be re-
garded as permanent fixture.
The vaiiSs has likewise been greatly i'm
proved. The flap is extended in the same
manner from the cantle behind, and provided
with similar fastenings. The valise instead of
presenting Ole straight cylindrical form, and
resting only on the backbone Of the horse, as
heretofore, is broken in the middle, and pre-
receptacles, one on either side. The corners
of these mouths are secured by a single strap
buckling to each, whereas heretofore several |
buckles have been necessary, so requiring
longer time for adjustment. This valise can
also be readily used for all purposes by the
rider while seated on the horse. Another ad- |
vantage is, that the valise is kept from cha |
6ng the horses back by the flaps upderne ath |
to which it is fastened, and by throwing the |
weight Of the valise and its contents on either
side, and so relieving the pressure from tho
backbone. Still another advantage is, that
the extremities of the valise are made to fall
30 as not to impede the rdefin mounting and
dismounting, and are so secured as to be kept
from the riders seat by the edges of the cantle
The advantage of the construction of the
tree, giving ease and elasticity to the seat Of
the rider, and operating as a continual spring
Of adjustment, with every motion of horse and
rider, can be easily appreciated.
The weight Of the saddle, with all the ac-
coutremsnts attached, is from three to five