Breaking and Training the Stock Horse

Boise: Charles O. Williamson, 1948. First edition. 8vo, 25x17cm, [iii], vii, 62, [3]pp. Vignette illustrations throughout by James Wallace, signed in full on the title page by Williamson. Spiral bound, illustrated brown paper card covers. Very good with wear to upper corner of front cover and some soiling. Top two paper rings on spine split. Foxing to inside of covers, final leaf loose and laid in else clean and complete internally.

First edition, self published, of this bible on the stock horse by the veterinarian trainer and instructor, Charles Owen Williamson (1894-1977). The text was picked up and published by Caxton two years later. Following his degree in veterinary medicine, Williamson worked in Montana wrangling wild horses and as a guide for Yellowstone National Park. Following the publication of his work he became a go-to source for the Western horseman. From the front flap of the Caxton edition: "Dr. Williamson... has had a wealth of experience in handling 'wild' horses, range-bred broncs, and yet understands the benefits of elementary, secondary and superior dressage, and can put them effectively to work. No theorist, he has spent a lifetime practicing what he teaches."

According to Worldcat, the sixth edition of this work was in print as recently as 1992. This first edition, preceding the Caxton publication, is shown as held by just South Dakota State University, Kansas State University, and the Library of Congress.