Astley's system of equestrian education, exhibiting the beauties and defects of the horse. With serious and important advice, on its general excellence, preserving it in health, grooming, &c / with plates.

Astley, Philip, 1742-1814.

Date:: 1801

Credit: Astley's system of equestrian education, exhibiting the beauties and defects of the horse. With serious and important advice, on its general excellence, preserving it in health, grooming, &c / with plates. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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$whether for battle^ the Manege^* drawing, or the road, &c. has too much and too long neglected this most essential point. The utility of being more circumspect in the choice of able, informed, and experienced persons, is apparent, from the grea number of Horses that are spoiled by the indiscre- tion of their owners, and the inability of their trainers and keepers. If the natural motion, attitude and demeanout of the human species are to be improved by the arts of dancing and military tuition, surely the natural motions of the Horse may be so improved^ as to render his pace in pure cadence,*!* thereby easy ' * Manege. Place where saddle Horses are exercised, and where they are dressed in the various airs, also every thing apper- taining to the Horse in the art of war. In a figurative sense—’ Certain fine manners, with grace, address^ and elegance, joined td a perfect knowledge of the use, perfections, and imperfections, (discipline and combats) of the Horse, and the purity of its action, &-C. and it would be of some benefit to the rising generation, if also were added—a knowledge of Equestrian Exercise, so far as appertains to public amusement; of its utility the Author is most seriously convinced. ^ f Cadence means the agreeable equality of the walk, the trot, the gallop, as also the various artificial paces of the Horse. I conceive, the rider may be said to be in cadence, when his seat on horseb^k is strictly agreeable to the eye 5 every corresponding act\oii$