PREFACE 



The International Horse Shows held in London have 

 proved that the combination of English and Continen- 

 tal methods of horse training gives excellent results, 

 and so these essays may be of interest as they are the 

 outcome of comprehensive investigations undertaken 

 with the object of finding out to what extent the higher 

 training of the riding schools in London and Paris, 

 based on the teaching of the best authorities, is of 

 practical use in open-air horsemanship, and in helping 

 to make a horse into a good hack and hunter. I have 

 collected the opinions of many horsemen whose methods 

 have proved to be sound and practical ; in many cases 

 the same effect can be produced in various ways, and 

 a rider will naturally select the means which best suits 

 his own physique and temperament, if he can ride for 

 his own pleasure; if not, he will have to adapt himself 

 as nearly as possible to the method which best pro- 

 duces uniformity. In no case do I emphasise the 

 word ' should.' I am giving the opinion of the majority 

 supported by personal experience, and my only hope 

 is that riders will think out their own problems, and 

 by developing patience, tact, judgment, and common- 

 sense, gain the great pleasure and benefit which good 

 horsemanship can yield. 



J. SWIRE. 

 HiLLiNGDON House, 

 Harlow, Essex, 



