author

active 1866-1874 Robert Henderson

Best known for a lively Victorian riding manual for women, this little-known writer paired practical horsemanship with advice shaped by the health, style, and social expectations of the 19th century.

1 Audiobook

The Barb and the Bridle A Handbook of Equitation for Ladies, and Manual of Instruction in the Science of Riding, from the Preparatory Suppling Exercises

The Barb and the Bridle A Handbook of Equitation for Ladies, and Manual of Instruction in the Science of Riding, from the Preparatory Suppling Exercises

by active 1866-1874 Robert Henderson

About the author

Robert Henderson is listed in library records as a writer active between 1866 and 1874. The main work clearly linked to him is The Barb and the Bridle: A Handbook of Equitation for Ladies, and Manual of Instruction in the Science of Riding, a late-19th-century guide to horseback riding aimed at women.

The book blends step-by-step instruction with a broader argument that riding builds strength, grace, and confidence. It starts with preparatory exercises and then moves into technique, showing a practical, encouraging approach for readers who may have had little previous experience.

Very little biographical information appears to survive beyond his active dates and this attributed work. Even so, The Barb and the Bridle gives a useful glimpse into Victorian ideas about sport, health, and women's education, and it remains the reason Henderson is remembered today.