INTRODUCTION. 



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will in six months become a better horse- 

 man than the lad who has been riding six 

 years according to his own ideas. It is not 

 given to all men to excel in riding ; courage, 

 activity, a perfect temper, and aptitude for 

 the exercise are requisite for the acquire- 

 ment of the highest skill. But a knowl- 

 edge of a proper method will give to 

 every one comparative immunity from the 

 dangers that attend horsemanship. A 

 schooled horse, confiding in his master 

 and obedient to the spur, is not apt to try 

 his powers in rebellion ; and when in hand 

 and properly gathered he will recover 

 from a mistake that might otherwise prove 

 disastrous. 



It is not necessary that every man 

 should learn or that every horse should be 

 taught all the movements of the mandge. 



