Horses: The Celebrated Study Of Mankind's Closest Ally By The Distinguished Frontier Philosopher

by Roger Pocock, Bjarke Rink (Introduction)

Roger Pocock’s life reads like a fairytale full of adventure. A childhood cut short to go to sea, then service with the Canadian North West Mounted Police in 1885, followed by stints as a war correspondent, Yukon gold miner, South African army scout, and “missionary to hostile tribes.” In between he formed the Legion of Frontiersmen, organized the original World Flight by airplane and was the first person in history to ride the length of the infamous Outlaw Trail. When he was wasn’t seeking excitement, Pocock could be found writing. Though most of the prolific author’s work predictably revolved around the exciting episodes of his own life, or the other men of action he knew, Pocock’s most famous foray into academic study was his rightfully famous book, “Horses.” In today’s equine-friendly world it is difficult to imagine how revolutionary Pocock’s observations about horses were at the time. A lifelong student of equine behaviour, Pocock set out to document the wisdom of his age into a book unique for its time. His concerns for attempting to preserve equestrian knowledge were based on cruel reality. More than 300,000 horses had been destroyed during the recent Boer War. To make matters worse, “Horses” was penned by Pocock while he was serving with the British army, stationed behind the trenches during the First World War. With bombs bursting overhead, Pocock poured onto these pages the things his equine friends had taught him.  “If one thinks of a horse as a little child, one cannot go far wrong.”  “When my horse forgets his manners, I examine my conduct to find where I am to blame.” “The human mind may be likened unto a stable with horses all in a row. That strong team Tradition and Custom are overworked. Bias and Prejudice have plenty to do. Passion and Vice get an occasional airing, and Vanity has daily exercise. But Reason is kept in his stall. He is not popular with the other horses. Let us try him.” Though Pocock enjoyed a reputation for dangerous living, his observations on horses were praised by the leading thinkers of his day. Professor Cossar Ewart, whose study on the origin of horses drew positive praise from Charles Darwin, wrote the Preface to Pocock’s book. Here then is a true “lost masterpiece” of equestrian study, penned by one of the most unique men ever to mount a horse or lift a pen.

128 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2004

About the author

(1865-1941) British soldier, writer, adventurer, member of the North West Mounted Police, founder of the Legion of the Frontiersmen. After serving on the training ship Wellesley, Pocock went to western Canada to serve with the Royal North-West Mounted Police. Reporting to Winnipeg in 1884, Pocock fought in the second Riel Rebellion and suffered such severe frost bite that he was discharged with a pension and position in the Civil Service. The quiet life did not suit him and within a year he was ready to resume his life of adventure. He decided to explore the region of the Rockies, planning a trip that would take him along the Rockies from Canada to Mexico. He travelled by train to British Columbia where he disembarked at Kamloops, where he outfitted himself for his travels. From Kamloops began his 3,600 mile, 200 day journey during which he made his way as journalist, missionary, trader, scout and prospector. An account of this journey including his extensive travels in western Canada can be found in his book, The Frontiersmen. In addition to this title, several of his works both non-fiction and fiction deal with Canada, particularly the west. Pocock's works are listed in Watters. (source)