THE 



PREFACE. 



S the general Ufe and Service of 

 Horles has rendered them more 

 worth the Notice and Regard of 

 Mankind, than any other of the 

 Brute Creatures , fo there has in 

 moft Ages of the World, been a 

 more than ordinary Care taken, 

 not only to model and fie them for their refpec- 

 tive Services, but alfo of their Breed and Prefer- 

 vation : And we find Horfes were of fo great Ac- 

 count with the Ancients, that even Arillotle^ Xeno- 

 fhon^ Plifiy,3.nd others of greateft Genius among them, 

 havebeftow'd fome of their Labours that Way, being 

 fenfible how much a good and ferviceable Breed of 

 Horfes conduced to the Benefit of the Community, 

 both in Peace and War : Neither have the Moderns 

 been lefs induftrious in all thefe Matters, but have 

 made many excellent Improvements in Horfeman/hip : 

 For about the Time that Painting, Sculpture, and 

 other Arts were reviv'd in Italy^ the Art of Riding, 

 and of perfecting Horfes for the Wars, and in all 

 ufefui and genteel Exercifes, was then alfo cultivated, 

 and afterwards improv'd by Frenchmen^ who went to 

 Ro7ne and Naples on Purpofe to be inflrudted therein. 

 Tho' the Perfedion to which that Art is now arri- 

 ved, is by all the ableil Mailers throughout Europe^ 

 juftly afcribed to the noble Duke oi Newcaftle^ who 

 A 2 was 



