The Horse's Friend: The Only Practical Method of Educating the Horse and Eradicating Vicious Habits; Followed by a Variety of Valuable Recipes, Instructions in Farriery, Horse-shoeing, the Latest Rules of Trotting, and the Record of Fast Horses Up to 1876

"The Horse's Friend" by O. S. Pratt is a comprehensive guide focusing on horse education and training methodologies, written in the late 19th century. The book aims to provide practical methods for not only educating horses but also eradicating their vicious habits. Pratt’s approach advocates humane training techniques and offers a rich assortment of recipes, farriery instructions, horseshoeing guidelines, and regulations regarding trotting, making it an invaluable resource for both trainers and horse owners. At the start of the text, Pratt introduces his background, narrating his childhood experiences that fueled his passion for education, both of himself and the horses he would later train. He recounts the challenges faced while pursuing knowledge, revealing his determination to succeed against the odds. The opening also hints at his deepening attachment to horses after formal training experiences, which eventually inspired him to create his own, unique system of education that he eagerly shares with the public. Throughout this introductory portion, the author sets the stage for his journey as a horse educator, hinting at future successes, testimonials, and the widespread impact his methods hope to achieve.