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 PUBLISHERS' PREFACE. The basis of the present work is the valuable matter written by Mr. Herbert shortly before his death, comprised within the first thirteen chapters. An extension of the work was undertaken by the author, and the outline of the remaining chapters was being filled out by him, when that strange and fatal mood overshadowed his life, and terminated his earthly labors. In committing the unfinished task to other hands, we have been particularly fortunate in procuring, for each department, competent and experienced aid; and if the style of a favorite author is not to be recognized by our readers in all parts of the work, they may derive some compensation from the fact, that by combining the experience of a number of contributors we present a completness and variety not to be expected in the production of any one mind.

These are intended to include every subject of interest to those who, for pleasure or business, own or use a horse. From their comprehensiveness they are necessarily brief and condensed. More elaborate works on each speciality have previously been in the hands of the public, and this volume is not adapted, nor intended, to supplant them; but by presenting in one volume a compend of our valuable standard works, with the latest discoveries and improvements, it is believed we have answered a demand till now unsupplied. [5]