THE HORSE AND HIS RIDER. 



CHAPTER I. 



DOMESTICATION OF THE HORSE HORSE FURNITURE VARIOUS 



BREEDS BLOOD" HORSES PONIES. 



HE reduction of the horse to the 

 domestic state, as Buffon justly ob- 

 serves, is f the greatest acquisition 

 from the animal world ever made by 

 the art and industry of man. Every 

 one knows and admires the graceful 

 symmetry, the speed, vigour, docility, and endurance 

 of that noble creature ; but few, perhaps, have re- 

 flected on the important part he has played in the 

 history of our race ; few are aware how much we 

 owe it to him, that we at this day are not as rude 

 and wretched as our barbarian forefathers, but live 

 surrounded by those countless blessings which are 



