Lloyd, G., and R. Symes (riding masters)

The Improved Art of Riding, Exemplified in the Following Rules [etc.]

London: J. Bailey, n.d. [1810 per WorldCat, 1815 per British Library]. First edition. Original soft cover. 28p + 6 ills. on folding frontispiece, which have been attributed to George Cruikshank. Front cover reads: "The Art of Horsemanship. Price 6d. [followed by] A List of Books, &c, Sold at J. Bailey's Printing Office," all within a rope design border. Good (corner chipped off front cover; back cover missing). Item #32863

This little manual offers advice with a keen eye to its audience, presumably spirited young gentlemen who wished to use their horses for the "road, field, travel, or chase." "Don't gallop before you can stop" is one theme, and an almost comical passage describes how to make your horse capriole on a hillside, to the "infinite pleasure [of] the admiring spectator." The title page continues, "To mount a horse with ease and dexterity, and to sit him with grace and dignity; to manage the bridle, whether snaffle or curb; the use of the whip and spur, service of the leg in the manage of a horse; to cure a horse of his starting or stumbling; to manage a restive or vicious horse, and the best methods of breaking a colt. The rules observed and taught in a menage [sic], or riding house. The whole treated in a plain and perspicuous manner." (Wells 4667) Can be sent outside the US for less than the default shipping rate.

Price: $350.00