xiv PREFACE TO FIRST EDITION. 



breaking, I also learned, about the same time, how to halter a loose 

 horse without running any danger of being kicked, or bitten. 



Having thus acquired a fair amount of information, on what has 

 always been to me a favourite subject, I naturally wished to put it into 

 practice. 



As I knew, judging from my former ignorance, how much men m 

 India stood in need of instruction in horse-breaking, I determined to 

 return to that country with the object of teaching this art ; so as 

 to acquire the experience I needed, and to " pay my expenses " at 

 the same time. I am glad to say that I was successful in both 

 respects. During a two years' tour, I held classes in all the principal 

 stations of the Empire — from Trichinopoly to Peshawur, and from 

 Ouetta to Mandalay — and, having met a very large number of vicious 

 animals and fine horsemen, I obtained experience, and greatly added 

 to my stock of knowledge, which I shall now try to utilise for the 

 benefit of my readers. As I proceeded through India, I felt the neces- 

 sity of rejecting some methods I had formerly prized, altering others, 

 and adopting new ones ; so that the course of instruction which I was 

 able to give to my more recent classes, was far more extensive, and of 

 better proved utility, than what I had to offer at the beginning of my 

 travels. The great want which I had at first felt, was a method by 

 which a person could secure and handle, with perfect safety, any horse, 

 no matter how vicious he might be. However, after many kicks, a 

 few bites, and several lucky escapes, I was able to perfect the required 

 method, which is so simple, that the only wonder is that I did not 

 think of it before. I may explain that the Australian horses met with 

 in India, where they form a considerable proportion of the animals 

 used for riding and driving, are far more dangerous and difficult to 

 handle and control, than British stock. Had I remained in England 

 all my life, I should not have acquired a quarter of the experience of 

 vicious horses 1 was afforded, during the time I lately spent in India. 



