I. 



HISTORY. 



The history of equitation reaches back to remotest an- 

 tiquity. Tiie horse has always been used in combat, and 

 here we find the origin or, more properly speaking, the 

 cause of the equestrian art. If man had utilized the horse 

 merely to cover long distances or to bear burdens, suffi- 

 cient training for the purpose would have been an easy 

 matter. But when he decided to fight from the horse's 

 back he was obliged to develop a complete and logical 

 system of steps in training and handling. 



Antiquity. — ^We will not concern ourselves with the 

 manner in which the Greeks, Gaals, and Romans rode. 

 Covering this long period, only the works of Xenophon 

 need be cited; they are especially worthy of mention 

 because they include all the fundamental principles of 

 equitation, and even in our day may be consulted to 

 advantage. It should also be stated that prior to the 

 fifth century a covering stretched over the horse's 

 back was the only form of saddle. The Orientals made 

 slaves bend their backs to serve as mounting blocks, 

 and the Romans made use of stones called "stades," 

 which were set along the roads for the same purpose. It 

 was not until the end of the fifth century that the saddle- 

 tree was invented, and later stirrups were added. This 

 invention materially modified methods of equitation 

 and permitted the rider to remain longer in the saddle 

 without becoming fatigued. 



Middle ages. — During the long period that constitutes 

 the middle ages, two customs contributed largely to prog- 



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