PREFACE. 



It is not my intention in these few pages to try and 

 convince the pubHc that merely by reading some books 

 on horsemanship, they can become expert horsemen or 

 horsewomen ; far from it, but what I do say, is this, that 

 if any one cares to read this Httle vokime, and will remem- 

 ber the advice given in it, I feel sure that it will greatly 

 aid them in the knowledge of riding. 



I have given instructions for many years in Europe 

 and America. As a child, I had more opportunity to in- 

 dulge my taste, or, I may say, passion, for horses and 

 horseback riding, than a great many others had. My 

 father owned from sixty-five to ninety horses all the time, 

 some of which were celebrated race horses, and one 

 which he owned was fortunate enough to win the Grand 

 National Race, which takes a horse out of the common 

 to do. As we lived within a short distance of one of the 

 best packs of hounds in England, my father always kept 

 a standing number of hunters, so that his friends could 

 follow the chase. A few of the best race horses my father 

 owned, I will name here : Little Tom, Silvertail, Joe Mug- 

 gins, Fireaway, Cherry Key, Mushroom, Slyboots, Ochil- 

 tree, Exeter, Highflyer, Merry Maid, Pipestalks, Banner 



