CHAP. I.
The Introduction.
A Horse is a Creature so excellent in his nature, and so generally useful, that all ranks and degrees of Men, either for pleasure or profit, are glad to make use of his [ 10] Service. If you have seen a General at the head of his Army, and take notice of his Horse under him, I need not tell you what an Air of Maje∣sty and Greatness that Noble Creature has; and if you have been in a Battle, to give you an ac∣count of his Vigour, Activity, and Courage is as needless: But if you are a stranger to these sort of things, and seek not a Horse for any such Imployment, go to the Huntsman, the Traveller, and the Husbandman, they will all tell you [ 20] what pleasant Companions and necessary Ser∣vants Horses are. It would be endless to give a particular Account of their admirable nature and great usefulness; but if you consider what long Journeys are performed on Horsback, and in Coach; what heavy Loads and Burthens are drawn and carried from place to place in City, Camp, and Country; what delight and pleasure is taken in Hunting, Hawking, Racing, &c. to the increasing of Health and Vigour: In a word, if [ 30] you consider that to the most glorious Triumphs and solemn Pomps, in business of all sorts, and in our pleasantest and most manly Recreations, a Horse is some way or other assisting; you can∣not but conclude, That of all those Creatures that are made for the profit and delight of Man∣kind, a Horse is the most excellent, and conse∣quently, That Horsmanship is a very great Accom∣plishment in a Person of Quality, or Gentle∣man. [ 40]
The Design therefore of this Discourse is to lay down the Principles of Horsmanship in a short and clear method; I think it may be called The Knowledge of Horses, and the Art of Riding well. I shall speak only of such things as are most use∣ful and necessary to be known by the Gentry; as the several kinds of Horses, the Rules for Breed∣ing and Keeping them, what uses several sorts of Horses are fittest for, and the like; avoiding the impertinent humour of too many Authors, who endeavour nothing more than to make a show of their own Knowledge, and nothing less than the benefit and advantage of those for whom they write. If I should treat at large, some parts of this Discourse would require Volumes; and there∣fore when I speak in general, and give only the Grounds of things, I hope it will not offend the Reader. It may be of use to him who is a good Proficient, and not an improper Grammar for one that is beginning to learn; and I doubt not of its Approbation by the Judicious and experienced Horsman.