INTRODUCTION. 



It is necessary for any man wishing to handle horses success- 

 fully to be self-possessed, determined, and to give some attention 

 to the horse's natural habits and disposition. I do not think it 

 is claiming too much for my system to say, by its use, any horse 

 . may be broke (regardless of his being previously spoiled,) so as 

 to make him perfectly docile and even safe for a family horse. 



In dealing with my plan, you are not wasting your time with a 

 • mysterious trick, with which so many are humbugged by unprin- 

 cipled men who have nothing good at heart for either horse or 

 man, but merely want ill-gained dollars. In my book you will 

 find the principles of a universally applicable s^'stem for the 

 better training of horses for man's use, producing such matchless 

 docility as has not before ])een found. The three fundamental 

 principles are : First, control— teaching submission and docility. 

 This being the first lesson for the horse, is of the greatest impor- 

 tance, and is the same to his after education that the alphabet is 

 to the bo^^'s, and should be learned perfectly for ease and success 

 in after lessons. Secondly, let kindness run through all your 

 actions toward the horse. Thirdly, appeal properl}^ to the horse's 

 understanding, prudently associating mastery with kindness ; 

 rebuke wrong and reward right. 



Although the horse possesses some faculties superior to man, 

 yet he is deficient in reasoning power; he is naturally of a kind 

 disposition, as evidenced by his attachment to his kind kt eper. 

 He has no thought of disobedience, except by the pernicious im- 



