Military Equitation: Or, a method of breaking horses, and teaching soldiers to ride. Designed for the use of the army. The third edition with plates. Revised and corrected, with additions.

HERBERT, Henry 10th Earl of Pembroke. The most complete edition of this practical British manual based on ten years' army experience, containing the additional chapter on the trot, and a total of 17 plates (the 1st edition contained 2 plates only).

Published by Salisbury: E. Easton & London; J. Dodsley & J. Wilkie, 1778., 1778

About this Item

The most complete edition of this innovative manual by a British cavalry officer who was a follower of the French school, and a personal friend of Bourgelat. Based on ten years' army experience, Herbert (1734-94) wrote this handbook aiming to improve current standards of horsemanship by developing a totally practical method of gradual and patient training. It contains a few general rules absolutely necessary for cavalry discipline. His precepts for shoeing are especially praised by Mennessier, who discusses them in detail. Horses are taught to jump and swim, and to obey oral commands in case reins are not available. The book had immediate success, and Herbert's ideas were adopted by the British cavalry. Third edition, with the text revised by the author, containing the additional chapter on the trot. This edition is especially attractive for being illustrated with a total of 17 plates (the first edition (1761) contained 2 plates only, the second edition (1762) had 3 plates). The text was translated into French by Bergeret de Frouville, and the chapter on the trot was plagiarized in the English translation of Bourgelat's Le Nouveau Newcastle. Blank top corners of first leaves with light traces of waterstaining, a few traces of usage, otherwise a good copy with early ownership signature of Thomas D. Broad, 2 Henrietta Street, Bath, who has added a neat manuscript index of the plates on the otherwise blank page facing first page of text. Lewine 406; Mennessier de la Lance I,111; Wells 5695.

Seller Inventory # 5339

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Military Equitation: Or, a method of breaking horses, and teaching soldiers to ride. Designed for the use of the army. The third edition with plates. Revised and corrected, with additions.
• Publisher: Salisbury: E. Easton & London; J. Dodsley & J. Wilkie, 1778.
• Publication Date: 1778
• Binding: Hardcover
• Condition: Good
• Dust Jacket Condition: No Jacket