New Method of Horsemanship Including the Breaking and Training of Horses, with Instructions for Obtaining a Good Seat.

The work opens with a clear analogy: a horse, however naturally gifted, must be given a structured warm‑up before its strength can be coordinated, just as a musician must first train his fingers. From this premise the author builds a systematic approach that treats riding as a partnership of forces, emphasizing balance, timing and the subtle communication between rider and mount. The tone is practical and instructional, avoiding lofty theory in favor of step‑by‑step guidance.

Reader is then led through a series of experimental trials conducted with the French cavalry in the early 1840s. In just fifteen lessons, horses deemed difficult or untrained performed maneuvers that usually required months of work, impressing the Minister of War and prompting official interest in the method. Detailed accounts of these exercises illustrate how the principles translate into real‑world results for both cavalry and civilian riders.

The remainder of the book breaks the system into clear chapters—covering the rider’s seat, the horse’s natural forces, the use of reins and legs, and the division of work between horse and human. A concise question‑and‑answer section and numerous illustrations make the material approachable for newcomers while still offering fresh insight for seasoned equestrians seeking a more harmonious ride.