2 54 The Book of the Horse. 



sword or spear in his hand ready for attack or defence. Before the introduction of firearms 

 cavalry engagements were, soon after they commenced, resolved into a series of single combats ; 

 and it was essential that the legs of the soldier's horse should move at his will, like the legs of 

 a boxer or a swordsman ; speed was a secondary consideration, as compared with docility 

 and agility in turning on the pivot of the hind-legs. 



Orientals perform feats of horsemanship of a most astonishing character to those who are 

 only acquainted with the English style, and excite the admiration of such judges as Mr. Palgrave 

 and the cavalry officer quoted in Chapter I. ; at the same time the art of riding across 

 country and taking leaps at a gallop was, and still is, unknown to many nations of warlike 

 horsemen, the Circassiaas, for instance. 



MARQUIS OF LONDONDERRY (HAUTE fiCOLE, 1S35). 



In England the art of horsemanship has passed through successive modifications, influenced 

 by the habits of the time. The knights, clothed in heavy armour, and packed into saddles 

 which supported them before and behind, were compelled to ride entirely by balance, with 

 stirrups stretched to the full length of their straight legs, as may be seen in mediaeval statues 

 of St. George ; grip they could have none ; once toppled on cither side, the weight of their 

 armour brought them to the ground — generally helpless. 



On the experience of the knights of armour the "High School of Horsemanship" was 

 founded, and carried to fantastic perfection in England and on the Continent during the period 

 when the armour had been reduced to the weight of a breast-plate and back-plate. What this 

 high school seat was like, and how far removed from the best modern style, may be seen at 

 a glance in the illustration taken from the Duke of Newcastle's great book. The 

 long-limbed cavalier seated on his fork may make an imposing appearance, but can only go 

 through his performances on a perfectly-trained, coarsely-bred charger. But alongside the 

 Duke of Newcastle's school of horsemanship there grew up — amongst the yeomanry and gentry 

 of England, engaged in hunting hare and buck — another and more natural st}lc, to wln'ch 



