A New System of Horsemanship

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Bourgelat Claude. A New System of Horsemanship

THE TRANSLATOR's PREFACE

CHAP. I. Of the Horseman's Seat

CHAP. II. Of the Hand, and its Effects

CHAP. III. Of Disobedience in Horses, and the Means to correct it

CHAP. IV. Of the Trot

CHAP. V. Of the Stop

CHAP. VI. Of teaching a Horse to go backward

CHAP. VII. Of the uniting or putting a Horse together

CHAP. VIII. Of the Pillars

CHAP. IX. Of Aids and Corrections

CHAP. X. Of the Passage

CHAP. XI. Of working with the Head and Croupe to the Wall

CHAP. XII. Of Changes of the Hand, large and narrow, and of Voltes and Demi-voltes

CHAP. XIII. Of the Aids of the Body

CHAP. XIV. Of the Gallop

CHAP. XV. Of Passades

CHAP. XVI. Of Pesades

CHAP. XVII. Of the Mezair

CHAP. XVIII. Of Curvets

CHAP. XIX. Of Croupades and Balotades

CHAP. XX. Of Caprioles

CHAP. XXI. Of the Step and Leap

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It is not my Design, in the Task I undertake of giving some Account of this Work, as well as of the Art which is the Subject of it, to trace its Origin back into past Times, or to wander in search of it in the Darkness and Confusion of remote Antiquity. Let it suffice to say, that though its Beginning, as well as that of other Arts, was imperfect, yet its Use, and the Entertainment it affords, have been known and tasted in all Ages. But however distinguish'd it may be by the Notice of the Great, who have at all Times deign'd to profess and practise it; it is yet less entitled to our Regard for these Distinctions, than for the real Advantages we derive from it. Riding consists of two Parts, the useful and the ornamental. That the latter of these may be dispensed with, is most readily granted; but that it behoves every one who puts himself upon a Horse to have some Knowledge of the first, is most evident. – For who would trust to the Mercy of an Animal that may prove wild and ungovernable, who knows himself to be incapable of controuling him, and of acting for his own Safety? Who would venture alone into a Vessel, that can neither row, nor manage a Sail, but must trust entirely to the Winds and Tide? Yet is this the Case with the Generality of Mankind, who are carried upon the Back of a Horse, and think they ride. The Utility of this Art consists then in knowing how to guide and direct your Horse as you please, and in reducing him to Obedience, so as to make him execute readily what you require of him. Thus far it is to be wish'd every Person who is conversant with Horses, would endeavour to attain. The ornamental Part, I have already said, is not so requisite to be known: It can only be called an Accomplishment, and placed among the superfluous but refin'd Pleasures of Life. In what Esteem and Honour however it has constantly been held, abundantly appears from the Schools and Academies every where erected for teaching its Elements, as well as from the Number of Books, ancient and modern, given to the World by eminent and accomplished Persons who have studied and practis'd it. Among these our illustrious Countryman, William Cavendish, Duke of Newcastle, has the highest Claim to our Praise and Acknowledgments. It would be needless to describe his Excellencies; his Character, as a Horseman, is universally known, and universally admir'd. The Truth and Soundness of his Principles, and the Extensiveness of his Knowledge, have opened to us an easier, a shorter, and more certain Way to Perfection in the Art, than was known before. His Precepts have accordingly been adopted by all succeeding Professors, and his Writings consider'd as the Oracle of Horsemanship, notwithstanding a Want of Method and Exactness, which has been objected to them. To remedy these Imperfections, is the Design of the present Undertaking, and the Labours of a judicious and experienced Foreigner, must consummate in the Knowledge of the Art he professes. He has presented us with a new System of Horsemanship, extracted from the Rules of that great Master. The Method and Conciseness with which he has digested the Whole, have made the Copy much less than the Original, but it is a small well-polished Gem. To speak truth, he has made the Subject so much his own by the Refinement of his Remarks, the Justness of his Reasoning, and the Light he has diffused through it, that it must have the Merit of an Original; at least the Reader will be divided to whom he shall render most Thanks, whether to him who has given the Food, or to him who has prepar'd and set it before us with so much Elegance and Order. This at least is our Author's Praise. – The Translator has endeavoured to do him as much Justice, in the following Sheets, as he has done his great Original; sensible of the Danger of so difficult an Enterprize, but prompted to it in hopes of making his Merit more known. He translated the Work, that the Treasures it contains may be gathered by those who are so unfortunate as to want this Assistance to obtain them. He has been as faithful to his Author, as the Languages will allow, judging that to be the surest way of doing him Justice. In some Places however he has used (as all Translators must) a discretionary Power. Every Art has technical terms, or Words of its own; these he has preserved in the Translation, the English affording none adequate to them. He has given no Notes or Comments, imagining the Original can, and hoping the Translation will, want none. Of this however his Readers will be the best Judges; he will say no more of himself, but that he has endeavoured to make the Work as perfect as he could; and for this Reason will be very ready to own any Faults that may be pointed out; for, though desirous of Approbation, he is not vain enough to think, there may not be room for Censure.

The Italians, the Spaniards, the French, and, in a word, every Country, where Riding is in repute, adopt each a Posture which is peculiar to themselves; the Foundation of their general Notions, is, if I may so say, the same, but yet each Country has prescribed Rules for the Placing of the Man in the Saddle.

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The Horseman should present or advance his Breast; by this his whole Figure opens and displays itself: He should have a small Hollow in his Loins, and should push his Waist forward to the Pommel of the Saddle, because this Position corresponds and unites him to all the Motions of the Horse. Now, only throwing the Shoulders back produces all these Effects, and gives them exactly in the Degree that is requisite; whereas, if we were to look for the particular Position of each Part separately, and by itself, without examining the Connection that there is between the Motions of one Part with those of another, there would be such a Bending in the Loins, that the Horseman would be, if I may so say, hollow-back'd; and as from that he would force his Breast forward, and his Waist towards the Pommel of the Saddle, he would be flung back, and must sit upon the Rump of the Horse.

The Arms should be bent at the Elbows, and the Elbows should rest equally upon the Hips; if the Arms were strait, the Consequence would be, that the Hands would be infinitely too low, or at much too great a Distance from the Body; and if the Elbows were not kept steady, they would of consequence give an Uncertainty and Fickleness to the Hand, sufficient to ruin it for ever.

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