M. Horace (Matthew Horace) Hayes

Matthew Horace Hayes (1842–1904), often published as M. Horace Hayes, was a British veterinary surgeon and prolific writer on horses and horsemanship. Reliable catalog records connect him with a substantial body of equestrian and veterinary writing, including well-known practical works for horse owners and riders.

His books focused on the everyday realities of horse care, stable management, riding, and training. Titles associated with him show a strong interest not only in veterinary matters but also in the wider culture of horses, including work connected with India and Russia, suggesting the broad range of his experience and curiosity.

Hayes is remembered less as a literary stylist than as a clear, useful guide for people who lived and worked with horses. That practical voice is a big part of why his books continued to circulate long after his lifetime and still attract readers interested in classic equestrian knowledge.