Vlll PREFACE. 



improved method of riding. It is possible that the 

 German has gained his knowledge of the science from 

 the French ; but before we learned it from the former, we 

 were almost ignorant of the true principles of perfect 

 horsemanship. Hard riding, bold riding, and rough 

 riding, were the common systems of equitation that 

 prevailed ; but the real science was scarcely known 

 in England. 



The chief reason why the old system still so generally 

 prevails is, the great cost of time and money attendant 

 upon a continued series of lessons at the schools ; and 

 the cause of our having so many badly trained and ill- 

 conditioned horses, is the lack of knowledge of the 

 science of horsemanship and horsebreaking among the 

 generality of horsebreakers themselves. There is 

 scarcely a groom in the land who does not consider 

 himself a most excellent horseman, and competent to be 

 a perfect horsebreaker. If he has served an apprentice- 

 ship in connection with a racing stud, his education is 

 deemed complete ; the diploma cannot be controverted, 

 and he becomes the oracle of the surrounding country. 



It is very probable, that if licences to break in horses 

 and teach riding were granted, as a bonus, to steady 

 dragoons upon their discharge from the army, they would 



