enormous-sized book had anything beyond the merest outline of the contents been given. Yet thousands of sportsmen and sportswomen are fond of books on horses, which are not technical nor dull, but do not realise that there is such a thing as equine literature in an elevated form. They know, of course, that Greeks and Romans in the dim past made references to chargers and beasts of burden, and they usually hate endeavouring to translate them.

Many lovers of books readily admit that the late Whyte Melville wrote standard works on modern hunting fiction. They willingly grant that The Field, Sportsman, Sporting Life, The Sporting Times, The Badminton Magazine, Baily's Magazine, The Country Gentleman, County Gentleman, The Illustrated Sporting and Dramatic, and other newspapers and periodicals which are devoted to race-meetings and sport generally, are equine literature or journalism; but they little think, when they have named the above, that they have hardly touched upon a gigantic subject.

By kind permission of the editor of Baily's Magazine, articles from the author's pen which have appeared from time to time in that wellknown sporting journal have again been offered to the public in book form in this work. Also the author must acknowledge similar kindness shown him by the editors of The Badminton Magazine, The Sporting Life, The Globe, and The Live Stock Journal.

The difficulties over the illustrations have been

overcome by many of the best-known firms supplying blocks-a great number being specially made. For these the author is indebted to Messrs. Champion & Wilton, Peat, Parker, Swaine & Adeney, of London, and Messrs. Harries & Sons of Shrewsbury.

PART I

CHAPTER I

EARLY WORKS ON HORSES AND EQUITATION

WHOEVER takes the trouble to read the introduction to this book will notice how much has been written about horses; yet they may not grasp that hitherto nobody has attempted to concentrate in one volume the experiences of the authors whom Huth indexed. The following pages of "Horses and Horsemen" are an attempt in this direction; and most gratefully do I acknowledge assistance given by all branches of sporting circles. The Duke of Portland, the Duke of Westminster, Mr. Porter, the recently retired trainer, Mr. H. Moore, the well-known racing vet, Mr. Sapwell, Mr. E. E. Higginson, who breed winners, besides many, many others, too numerous to mention, have all been kindness personified, and given me valuable material combined with their practical experience.

It might, perhaps, from a book-selling point of view be wiser for me to begin with a chapter on the routine of stable-management. I prefer to lead up to this subject, and select as No. 1, Horsey literature from classical times up to date. Should anybody disapprove of this method and wish to read about up-to-date hints, there is

7

nothing to prevent that person from turning to the index and reading the chapters which touch on them.

Supposing no allusions were made to writers who lived before Christ, the assumption would naturally be that the author did not consider they were entitled to any notice. Yet, just in the same way as Napoleon I. declared that some of the greatest generals were undoubtedly those who commanded armies in very ancient times, so I declare that absolutely the cleverest writers on horses, so far as I am aware, were those who wrote for pleasure-and not for profit -from 380 years B.C. up to a few centuries after Christ.

I have laid particular stress upon the way in which you can find out all about these Greek and Roman equine authors, i.e. from Huth's Index, entitled "Works on Horses and Equitation," and without lingering on the borderland of a second introduction, I will proceed to trace from the earliest MS. on horses, up to the researches of professors at the Royal Veterinary College, Camden Town, and other knowledge gleaned from owners, trainers, horsemen, dealers, grooms, and personal experience.

Before we name with reverence the oldest writer on horses, let me suggest that the reader should take an early opportunity of visiting Tattersall's or Aldridge's repositories, and after watching the number of horses offered for sale -noting the faces of bidders - let him subsequently turn into the British Museum and

study there some early treatises on equine literature. They will astonish him, I'll guarantee!!!

There is a peculiar charm about the sporting writings of ancient Greek authors. The most apt expressions are almost invariably chosen ; moreover, there is a dignity in the style, a marvellous insight into the habits of horses. As you eagerly read you are compelled to admit that this writer-though he lived so long ago was unmistakably a gentleman who understood his subject. "I'll guarantee he could ride," you say to yourself. Of course he could! Had he not ridden for his life many a time? As quite a youngster he had been in action; not riding on the modern kind of saddle, but on "Ephippia" -described further on under the heading of "Saddles."

The Greek author in his day had ridden in sunshine and bad weather. Had climbed mountains on horseback, slept near his horse in an enemy's country, had forded rivers. And was, in fact, as much at home on his favourite charger as the average modern man feels when sitting in an easy-chair. No wonder, therefore, he could write clearly and brightly on a subject he loved, and was so thoroughly familiar with. Moreover, he did not write for a living. He jotted down his thoughts out of sheer pleasure, producing a treatise which was appreciated by his contemporaries and subsequently by posterity. Thank goodness, therefore, that many of these treatises are preserved, though many have perished; equally as good, doubtless, as those which have been preserved.