INTRODUCTION. 11 



States and Territories ; and, as every animal in use re- 

 quires a bit, we may allow that 12,000,000 of animals are 

 employed, and that this number of bits is in actual daily 

 use, while the surplus in every stable would cover the whole 

 number of horses in the country, and if the average price 

 be allowed of fifty (50) cents, we have a trade value 

 in bridle bits alone amounting, at a low estimate, to 

 $6,542,000 against 6994,949,376 worth of horse and mule 

 flesh subservient to the bridle bit, in 1883. 



To show how little the saddle and harness were used in 

 ISTew York City some thirty years ago compared with the 

 present time, there were only two harness stores in the 

 city where a first-class outfit for a gentleman's stable es- 

 tablishment could be procured. These were Wood Gib- 

 son, corner of Broadway and Fulton street, and Trainer's, 

 corner of Broadway and White street. 



•The opening of the Central Park gave a stimulus to 

 both riding and driving ; but w^hile the latter has made 

 gigantic strides, the former advanced slowly u^d to within 

 a year or two. When it will end is uncertain, for in the 

 United States the custom is to run a thing '^into the 

 ground," and when it becomes vulgar from common use, 

 it becomes unfashionable and is then dropped altogether. 

 Then great sacrifices are made in the sale of the material. 



The only branch of equestrian amusements that we 

 may really expect to see last, is one in which money is to 

 be made. We hope, however, that the fashion for riding 

 will last until stockmen begin to feel a regular demand 

 for saddle horses, and that they will breed up to the style 

 required. At present it is ridiculous to compare the an- 

 imals, for 'both saddle and harness, with the advertise- 

 ments vaunting their '^superior qualities '^ when they 

 are offered for sale. Now, however, that hunting, 

 racing, steeple-chasing and other sports and amateur ac- 

 complishments in the saddle have become so general as a 

 means of enjoyment, and a taste for everything equine is 



