THE 



PREFACE 



S the general Ufe and Service of 

 Horfes has render'd them more 

 worth the Notice and Regard of 

 Mankind, than any otlier of the 

 Brute Creatures ; fo there has m 

 moft Ages of the World, been a 

 more than ordinary Care taken, 

 not only to model and fit them for their refpec- 

 tive Services, but alfo of their Breed and Prefer- 

 vation : And we find Horfes were of fo great Ac- 

 count with the Ancients, that even Arijlotle, Xeno- 

 pbon^ P//«y,and others of greateft Genius among them, 

 have beftow'd fome of their Labours that Way , being 

 fenfible how much a good and ferviceable Breed of 

 Horfes conduc'd to the Benefit of the Community, 

 both in Peace and War : Neither have the Moderns 

 been lefs induflrious in all thefe Matters, but have 

 made many excellent Improvements in HorfemanJJjip : 

 For about the Time that Painting, Sculpture, and 

 other Arts were reviv'd in Italy^ the Art of Riding, 

 and of perfeding Horfes for the Wars, and in all 

 ufeiul and genteel Exercifes, was then alfo cultivated, 

 and afterwards improv'd by Frenchmen^ who went to 

 Rome and Naples on Purpofe to be inftru6led therein. 

 Tho' the Perfediion to which that Arc is now arri- 

 ved, is by all theabltft Mafters throughout Europe^ 

 jullly afcribed to the noble Duke of iV<f'£$,>a//'?/<?, who 

 A 2 was 



