PREFACE 



The demand for another edition of this Avork has afforded the 

 opportunity for a careful revision. This, however, has taken the 

 shape of addition rather than alteration, save in a few instances 

 where the discoveries of the last decade have added materially to 

 our scientific knowledge. 



The art of equitation and the general management of horses " in 

 the stable and the field " have not undergone any great change since 

 the talented author gave to the world the present treatise, one of 

 the best and most complete, suitable for the private owner. His 

 admirable style has suffered as little as possible at my hands, the 

 original text being retained, save where alteration was clearly desirable. 



The most generous assistance has been accorded by many well- 

 known authorities, a list of whom will be found elsewhere. 



The chapter dealing with Arab horses is contributed by Wilfrid 

 Scawen Blunt, Esq., and the Hon. Miss Dillon, and extends to several 

 pages. The importance of Eastern blood having been so much in- 

 sisted on by the author, it seemed consistent with the original 

 character of the work to incorporate the experience of two such 

 acknowledged authorities on Arab horses, bred in this country for 

 several generations. 



The description of the Clydesdale is from the pen of Lord Arthur 

 Cecil ; and, with Sir Walter Gilbey's kind permission, I have drawn 

 largely on his War Horse or Shire Horse for an account of that 

 useful animal. Captain Smyth, V.C., of the Queen's Bays, contributed 

 the portrait of a Dervish charger, and Slatin Pasha, of the Intel- 

 ligence Department, the matter referring to horses of the Sudan 

 generally. 



