TABLE OF CONTENTS. 



INTRODUCTORY CHAPTER. 



Various styles of riding a consequence of various kinds of induce- 

 ments to ride Natural riders and instructed riders There 

 is great waste of horse-flesh and premature destruction of the 

 animal's legs where bad methods are followed, or where no 

 method at all exists English civilian riders use up an enormous 

 quantity of horse-flesh Some foreign cavalry services do the 

 same The causes are generally false distribution of the weight 

 to be carried The horse's skeleton is the framework of the 

 machine we employ as a bearer In order to adjust the burden 

 to this, some knowledge of the machine is required, as also of 

 the saddle by means of which that burden is placed and re- 

 tained on the horse's back The seat is the way in which the 

 rider adjusts his own weight through, the intermedium of the 

 saddle to the horse Varieties of seats to suit various purposes 

 The bit is the instrument by which the rider's will is trans- 

 mitted to the horse ; it is a lever which, if accurately adapted, 

 will be of great assistance and value to the rider ; if unfitted in 

 shape, size, &c., it is not only useless, but often dangerous 

 Restiveness in horses most usually the consequence of inju- 

 dicious treatment of some kind or other To prevent or cure 

 restiveness requires a knowledge of the methods employed for 

 breaking-in or handling horses, consequently also of the method 

 in which the weight of the rider should be brought to bear, 

 and also how such horses should be bitted . PAGES 1-16 



