A
NEW SYSTEM
OF
HORSEMANSHIP:

From the French of
Monsieur Bourgelat.

BY
RICHARD BERENGER, Esq;

LONDON:

Printed by Henry Woodfall,

For Paul Vaillant in the Strand, facing Southampton-Street.

M.DCC.LIV.

THE TRANSLATOR's PREFACE.

It is not my Design, in the Task I undertake of giving someAccount of this Work, as well as of the Art which is the Subject ofit, to trace its Origin back into past Times, or to wander in searchof it in the Darkness and Confusion of remote Antiquity. Let itsuffice to say, that though its Beginning, as well as that of otherArts, was imperfect, yet its Use, and the Entertainment it affords,have been known and tasted in all Ages. But however distinguish'd itmay be by the Notice of the Great, who have at all Times deign'd toprofess and practise it; it is yet less entitled to our Regard forthese Distinctions, than for the real Advantages we derive from it.Riding consists of two Parts, the useful and the ornamental. Thatthe latter of these may be dispensed with, is most readily granted;but that it behoves every one who puts himself upon a Horse to havesome Knowledge of the first, is most evident.—For who would trust tothe Mercy of an Animal that may prove wild and ungovernable, who knowshimself to be incapable of controuling him, and of acting for his ownSafety? 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 carriedupon the Back of a Horse, and think they ride. The Utility ofthis Art consists then in knowing how to guide and direct your Horseas you please, and in reducing him to Obedience, so as to make himexecute readily what you require of him. Thus far it is to be wish'devery Person who is conversant with Horses, would endeavour to attain.The ornamental Part, I have already said, is not so requisiteto be known: It can only be called an Accomplishment, and placedamong the superfluous but refin'd Pleasures of Life. In what Esteemand Honour however it has constantly been held, abundantly appearsfrom the Schools and Academies every where erected for teaching itsElements, as well as from the Number of Books, ancient and modern,given to the World by eminent and accomplished Persons who havestudied and practis'd it. Among these our illustrious Countryman,William Cavendish, Duke of Newcastle, has the highest Claim toour Praise and Acknowledgments. It would be needless to describe hisExcellencies; his Character, as a Horseman, is universally known, anduniversally admir'd. The Truth and Soundness of his Principles, andthe Extensiveness of his Knowledge, have o