HIDING AND TRAINING SADDLE-HORSES. 



CHAPTER I. 



HOW TO USE A HORSE. 



It is a matter of congratulation that the Americans are 

 each year taking more kindly to horseback riding, with a 

 growing desire, in all parts of the country, for a practical 

 knowledge of the foundation of horsemanship. This is 

 largely owing, doubtless, to the pleasure and benefit de- 

 rived from the exercise, as well as to the fact that now 

 considerable attention is being paid to breeding good 

 saddle-horses, while the improvements in American sad- 

 dlery have been so great, much of the discomfort and 

 danger of hcrsebaek riding has been overcome. At the 

 present time, there is an active demand for fine, hand- 

 some, mettlesome, and gentle saddle-horses. Horseback 

 ridmg is now considered by all classes as a graceful ac- 

 complishment, and since people of wealth and culture 

 have set the fashion, all the world follows it, as a matter 

 of course. Fox-hunting, polo, and other horseback 

 amusements are on the increase, necessitating a know- 

 ledge of horsemanship on the part of those who partici- 

 pate. Every American city now has its beautiful parks, 

 (9) 



