Anderson, Edward L. (Edward Lowell)

About the author

Edward Lowell Anderson (1842–1916) was an American equestrian specialist, journalist, and self-proclaimed authority on horsemanship whose writings influenced late 19th-century and early 20th-century notions of proper riding and driving techniques. Born in an era where the horse was still central to transportation, labor, and leisure, Anderson dedicated much of his adult life to refining and promoting principles of humane handling and effective communication between rider and mount. His published manual Riding and Driving encapsulates these convictions, blending technical instructions with advice on the ethical treatment of horses.

In Riding and Driving, Anderson outlines fundamentals such as posture, rein handling, and the importance of balanced seat contact, all of which he deemed essential for safety and horse well-being. Influenced by European classical riding schools—especially those in France—he sought to adapt these principles to American contexts, where open landscapes, practical farm work, and a more freewheeling attitude toward equestrian sports were prevalent. He criticized overly forceful methods, instead advocating gentler tactics: slow acclimation, consistent signals, and patient repetition. This stance presaged later movements in natural horsemanship that similarly highlighted building trust and respect rather than relying on fear-based discipline.

Anderson’s guidelines on driving—a skill crucial for controlling carriages and lightweight buggies in both urban and rural settings—emphasize the synergy between harness design, horse training, and driver competence. He covers the significance of proper bit selection to prevent mouth injury, detailed hitching procedures, and situational awareness to avoid accidents in crowded streets. While outlining protocols for show driving and ceremonial occasions, he also recognized that everyday tasks—like delivering goods or traveling to social events—required adaptability and readiness to handle unpredictable road conditions, from skittish horses to poor weather or mechanical breakdowns.

Moreover, Riding and Driving sprinkles in commentary on horse breeding standards, stable management, and grooming—indicating that Anderson viewed horsemanship as a holistic enterprise. He even advises readers on choosing suitable mounts for different purposes, reflecting the era’s practical blending of equestrian leisure with necessity. Although automobile technology would soon eclipse horses for most transport needs, Anderson’s work contributed to a long lineage of equestrian instruction emphasizing respect, technique, and the nearly intangible connection a skilled rider or driver can forge with a horse. For modern equine enthusiasts, his manual remains an interesting historical artifact, resonant with timeless riding and driving philosophies as well as a nostalgia for when horse power—literal and figurative—was indispensable to daily American life.