a proclamation, for bringing in horses out of some vvestern shires. edinburgh, the 25. of march, 1667. scotland. privy council 1667 approx. 4 kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from 1 1-bit group-iv tiff page image. text creation partnership, ann arbor, mi ; oxford (uk) : 2009-03 (eebo-tcp phase 1). b05643 wing s1842a estc r183502 52612326 ocm 52612326 179630 this keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the early english books online text creation partnership. this phase i text is available for reuse, according to the terms of creative commons 0 1.0 universal . the text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. early english books online. (eebo-tcp ; phase 1, no. b05643) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set 179630) images scanned from microfilm: (early english books, 1641-1700 ; 2794:24) a proclamation, for bringing in horses out of some vvestern shires. edinburgh, the 25. of march, 1667. scotland. privy council scotland. sovereign (1649-1685 : charles ii) 1 sheet ([1] p.) printed by evan tyler, printer to the kings most excellent majesty, edinburgh : anno dom. 1667. caption title. royal arms at head of text; initial letter. printed in black letter. intentional blank spaces in text. reproduction of the original in the national library of scotland. created by converting tcp files to tei p5 using tcp2tei.xsl, tei @ oxford. re-processed by university of nebraska-lincoln and northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors. eebo-tcp is a partnership between the universities of michigan and oxford and the publisher proquest to create accurately transcribed and encoded texts based on the image sets published by proquest via their early english books online (eebo) database (http://eebo.chadwyck.com). the general aim of eebo-tcp is to encode one copy (usually the first edition) of every monographic english-language title published between 1473 and 1700 available in eebo. eebo-tcp aimed to produce large quantities of textual data within the usual project restraints of time and funding, and therefore chose to create diplomatic transcriptions (as opposed to critical editions) with light-touch, mainly structural encoding based on the text encoding initiative (http://www.tei-c.org). the eebo-tcp project was divided into two phases. the 25,363 texts created during phase 1 of the project have been released into the public domain as of 1 january 2015. anyone can now take and use these texts for their own purposes, but we respectfully request that due credit and attribution is given to their original source. users should be aware of the process of creating the tcp texts, and therefore of any assumptions that can be made about the data. text selection was based on the new cambridge bibliography of english literature (ncbel). if an author (or for an anonymous work, the title) appears in ncbel, then their works are eligible for inclusion. selection was intended to range over a wide variety of subject areas, to reflect the true nature of the print record of the period. in general, first editions of a works in english were prioritized, although there are a number of works in other languages, notably latin and welsh, included and sometimes a second or later edition of a work was chosen if there was a compelling reason to do so. image sets were sent to external keying companies for transcription and basic encoding. quality assurance was then carried out by editorial teams in oxford and michigan. 5% (or 5 pages, whichever is the greater) of each text was proofread for accuracy and those which did not meet qa standards were returned to the keyers to be redone. after proofreading, the encoding was enhanced and/or corrected and characters marked as illegible were corrected where possible up to a limit of 100 instances per text. any remaining illegibles were encoded as <gap>s. understanding these processes should make clear that, while the overall quality of tcp data is very good, some errors will remain and some readable characters will be marked as illegible. users should bear in mind that in all likelihood such instances will never have been looked at by a tcp editor. the texts were encoded and linked to page images in accordance with level 4 of the tei in libraries guidelines. copies of the texts have been issued variously as sgml (tcp schema; ascii text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable xml (tcp schema; characters represented either as utf-8 unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless xml (tei p5, characters represented either as utf-8 unicode or tei g elements). keying and markup guidelines are available at the text creation partnership web site . eng treason -scotland -early works to 1800. loyalty oaths -scotland -early works to 1800. horses -scotland -early works to 1800. broadsides -scotland -17th century. 2008-01 tcp assigned for keying and markup 2008-01 spi global keyed and coded from proquest page images 2008-03 elspeth healey sampled and proofread 2008-03 elspeth healey text and markup reviewed and edited 2008-09 pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion honi soit qvi mal y pens a proclamation , for bringing in horses out of some vvestern shires . edinburgh , the 25. of march , 1667. charles , by the grace of god , king of great britain , france and ireland , defender of the faith. to our lovits , _____ messengers , our sheriffs in that part , conjunctly and severally , specially constitute , greeting : forasmuch as it is more then high time , to prevent the rising of disaffected persons , who , during the continuance of the war with our forraign enemies , are ready to break out in open rebellion , and rise in arms against us , and our authority , by disabling them from putting themselves in a military posture , and in a condition to make any sudden marches , or attempts upon our well affected subjects , or any part of our standing forces , or to joyn with these , who are of there own pernitiousand disloyal principles , who live at a distance from them . therefore , we with advice of the lords of our privy council , command and charge all persons within the shires of lanerk , air , renfrew , wigton , and stewartry of kirkcudbright , of whatsoever quality , who have refused to accept of any publick trust , or have deserted the same , being in place : as also , all those who withdraw from publick ordinances , and do not keep their own paroch churches , or do not submit to the present government of church and state. as likewise all those who being warned to rise , and joyn with our forces , for suppressing the late rebellion , did not give obedience , unlesse the saids persons will take the oath of allegiance , and subscribe the declaration appointed by the late act of parliament . that after the fifteenth day of may next , they , by themselves , nor no persons to their use and behove , do not keep any serviceable horses , above the rate of one hundred merks scots , under any pretext whatsoever : with certification , if the failzie , that upon information of any person well affected , the sheriff , or any two of the justices of peace within the shire , shall cause value such horses , and finding them above the rate foresaid , shall cause deliver them to the informer , and that without any payment , or satisfaction to be made therefore . and requires all sheriffs and justices of peace , within their respective bounds , to issue orders , for conveening the contraveeners of this act before them , and causing apprize any such horses , by indifferent persons , that it may be known , if they be above the rate foresaid . and , in case that the persons who compear , shall offer to purge themselves of any suspition of disaffection to our government , upon the accounts foresaids ; that they administer to them the oath of allegiance , and offer the declaration to be subscribed by them , which being taken , and subscribed by them as said is , then we enjoyn them , to dismisse the saids persons , with their horses , to be kept by them , without any farther trouble or molestation : otherwise , that they proceed as said is . and ordains the sheriffs of the said shires , to cause intimat these presents by publick proclamation , at the mercat crosses of the head burghs of the saids respective shires and stewartry : and cause read the same at all the paroch churches of the saids bounds , upon a sunday before noon , after divine service , with all diligence . and that these presents be printed , that none pretend ignorance . edinburgh , printed by evan tyler , printer to the kings most excellent majesty , anno dom. 1667. proposals humbly offer'd to the consideration of the honourable house of commons, for laying a poll-tax on all horses, mares, geldings, &c. for one year and a poundage-tax on all horses, mares, geldings, &c. that shall be bought or sold in england. also an annual imposition or duty on all weights and measures whatsoever; as likewise on all shopkeepers and tradesmen. smith, john, writer on taxation. 1670 approx. 21 kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from 8 1-bit group-iv tiff page images. text creation partnership, ann arbor, mi ; oxford (uk) : 2009-10 (eebo-tcp phase 1). a93378 wing s4128a estc r231575 99896842 99896842 137079 this keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the early english books online text creation partnership. this phase i text is available for reuse, according to the terms of creative commons 0 1.0 universal . the text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. early english books online. (eebo-tcp ; phase 1, no. a93378) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set 137079) images scanned from microfilm: (early english books, 1641-1700 ; 2448:23) proposals humbly offer'd to the consideration of the honourable house of commons, for laying a poll-tax on all horses, mares, geldings, &c. for one year and a poundage-tax on all horses, mares, geldings, &c. that shall be bought or sold in england. also an annual imposition or duty on all weights and measures whatsoever; as likewise on all shopkeepers and tradesmen. smith, john, writer on taxation. [2], 12 p. s.n., [london : 1670?] signed on p. 12: john smith. reproduction of original in the folger shakespeare library. created by converting tcp files to tei p5 using tcp2tei.xsl, tei @ oxford. re-processed by university of nebraska-lincoln and northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors. eebo-tcp is a partnership between the universities of michigan and oxford and the publisher proquest to create accurately transcribed and encoded texts based on the image sets published by proquest via their early english books online (eebo) database (http://eebo.chadwyck.com). the general aim of eebo-tcp is to encode one copy (usually the first edition) of every monographic english-language title published between 1473 and 1700 available in eebo. eebo-tcp aimed to produce large quantities of textual data within the usual project restraints of time and funding, and therefore chose to create diplomatic transcriptions (as opposed to critical editions) with light-touch, mainly structural encoding based on the text encoding initiative (http://www.tei-c.org). the eebo-tcp project was divided into two phases. the 25,363 texts created during phase 1 of the project have been released into the public domain as of 1 january 2015. anyone can now take and use these texts for their own purposes, but we respectfully request that due credit and attribution is given to their original source. users should be aware of the process of creating the tcp texts, and therefore of any assumptions that can be made about the data. text selection was based on the new cambridge bibliography of english literature (ncbel). if an author (or for an anonymous work, the title) appears in ncbel, then their works are eligible for inclusion. selection was intended to range over a wide variety of subject areas, to reflect the true nature of the print record of the period. in general, first editions of a works in english were prioritized, although there are a number of works in other languages, notably latin and welsh, included and sometimes a second or later edition of a work was chosen if there was a compelling reason to do so. image sets were sent to external keying companies for transcription and basic encoding. quality assurance was then carried out by editorial teams in oxford and michigan. 5% (or 5 pages, whichever is the greater) of each text was proofread for accuracy and those which did not meet qa standards were returned to the keyers to be redone. after proofreading, the encoding was enhanced and/or corrected and characters marked as illegible were corrected where possible up to a limit of 100 instances per text. any remaining illegibles were encoded as <gap>s. understanding these processes should make clear that, while the overall quality of tcp data is very good, some errors will remain and some readable characters will be marked as illegible. users should bear in mind that in all likelihood such instances will never have been looked at by a tcp editor. the texts were encoded and linked to page images in accordance with level 4 of the tei in libraries guidelines. copies of the texts have been issued variously as sgml (tcp schema; ascii text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable xml (tcp schema; characters represented either as utf-8 unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless xml (tei p5, characters represented either as utf-8 unicode or tei g elements). keying and markup guidelines are available at the text creation partnership web site . eng horses -taxation -england -early works to 1800. poll tax -england -early works to 1800. taxation -early works to 1800. tax collection -early works to 1800. 2007-05 tcp assigned for keying and markup 2007-05 aptara keyed and coded from proquest page images 2008-12 mona logarbo sampled and proofread 2008-12 mona logarbo text and markup reviewed and edited 2009-02 pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion proposals humbly offer'd to the consideration of the honourable house of commons , for laying a poll-tax on all horses , mares , geldings , &c. for one year ; and a poundage-tax on all horses , mares , geldings , &c. that shall be bought or sold in england . also an annual imposition or duty on all weights and measvres whatsoever ; as likewise on all shopkeepers and tradesmen . proposals humbly offerded to the consideration of the honourable house of commons for laying a poll-tax on all horses , mares , geldings , &c. for one year ; and a poundage-tax on all horses , mares , geldings , &c. that shall be bought or sold in england : also an annual imposition or duty on all weights and measures whatsoever ; as likewise on all shopkeepers and tradesmen . i. that there may be a tax or duty , by way of poll , laid on all horses , mares , geldings , &c. that are upwards of five years old ; and valued to be worth five pounds . ii. that all noblemen , gentlemen and others , who keep horses , &c. either for the coach , saddle , waggon , cart , dray , plow , or any other use whatsoever , shall be obliged to cause the same to be given an account of , to the proper persons appointed for that purpose , upon the penalty of forfeiting to his majesty , with encouragement to the informer . iii. that all noblemen , gentlemen and others , may , for each pare of coach-horses &c. they have , pay as a tax to his majesty , the sum of eight shillings , ( provided such nobleman , gentleman , or other person , does not keep above eight coach horses , &c. ) which said sum may be collected and paid at two several payments , ( or otherwise ) viz. iv. that all noblemen , gentlemen and others , who keep horses , &c. for the saddle , may , for each horse , &c. he or they so keep , pay as a tax to his majesty , the sum of four shillings , which said sum shall be collected and paid as aforesaid , provided each horse , &c. is valued to be worth five pounds . v. that all horses , &c. employed in waggons , all pack horses , &c , all stage or hackney coach horses , &c. plow , cart , dray horses , &c. and all oxen employed at plow , cart , &c. ( where horses are commonly made use of ) shall pay to his majesty , for each horse , &c. ( or oxen ) so employed , or any other way made use of , the sum of four shillings per horse , &c. ( or oxen ) to be paid as aforesaid , provided the said horses , &c. are valued to be worth five pounds each . vi. that no nobleman , gentleman or others , shall be obliged to pay for any young horse , &c. he or they bred out of their own stock , provided the same has not been made use of , or kept in the stable three months , except the same be above five years old . vii . that no nobleman , gentleman , or other person whatsoever , shall be obliged to pay for more than eight horses , &c. how many soever they , or either of them have ; which said horses , &c. shall be assessed as aforesaid . object . the noblemen and gentlemen may alledge , this poll tax will be paid mostly by them and the country people , by reason , most of the indifferent people , ( and some great traders ) as well as the more ordinary sort of traders of london and other cities , have not such occasion for horses , and therefore consequently will be excluded the said tax . answ . there are many traders in london , as well as other cities in england , who keep horses , &c. and will come into the said tax ; but if they were all excluded this , there are other ways enough to tax the traders of london , &c. ( tbere being no tax to be laid but what the trading people must be a considerable part of it ) when the country gentlemen and farmers may be excluded wholly : and this will plainly appear by the following part on weights and measures , &c. ( which will over-ballance the inequallity of the foregoing proposals ) that being wholly on the trading people , and proposed to be continued annually , which in proportion to the abilities of the gentlemen , &c. and the trading people of england , will be heavier on the latter , than it will be on the former . viii . it is further proposed to this honourable house . that there may be a poundage tax laid on all horses , &c , that shall be bough or sold in the kingdom of england , &c. from and after the day of viz. ix . that all and every horse or horses , &c. which shall be bought or sold in any market or fair in england , &c. shall be registred by the town clerk , or some other person appointed for that purpose , with the names and places of abode of the buyer and seller : the buyer paying six pence per pound for each horse , &c. he shall so buy ; and he that neglects so to do shall forfeit to his majesty , with encouragement to the informer . x. that all , or any person or persons , who shall buy any horse or horses , &c. of a private person , or not in any fair or market , shall be obliged to pay the poundage , and cause the same to be registred in seven days after ; and declare ( upon oath , if required ) the full price the said horse or horses , &c. cost ; and upon default to forfeit to his majesty , with encouragement to the informer . xi . that any horse , &c. which shall be transported out of england , and not the dominions thereunto belonging , ( except for his majesty's service ) shall pay to his majesty the sum of and upon default hereof to forfeit to his majesty , with encouragement to the informer . there can be no greater objections made against this than the foregoing proposals , especially , since it is not every man's occasion to buy a horse , &c. tho' he keeps some ; and the poundage not being above two and an half per cent. which is but little , may be easily paid ; and besides , i believe any man who is about to buy a horse , &c. that does not think it worth five shillings more to him than what he is to give for it , will hardly venture to buy it . xii . it is further proposed to this honourable house , that there may be an imposition or duty laid on all sorts of weights whatsoever , wherewith any kind of thing ( be it what it will ) is bought onsold by : and also , that there be an imposition or duty laid on all sorts and sizes of measures whatsoever , either liquid or otherwise , or in which liquors are usually kept , or bought and sold by . xiii . that all weights and measures , as hereafter mentioned , or comprehended , be obliged to have a seal , without which they shall not be lawful ; and all persons whatsoever , shall be obliged to give an account of all and every the several and particular weights ( from a grain and upwards , as far as weights are made use of , either by retail or wholesale ) wherewith they buy or sell by : and also , an account of all and every the several and particular measures , of what sorts , or by what names the same may be known or distinguished by ( whether wine , or winchester measures , &c. from an half quartern and upwards , as far as the same are made use of , either by retail or whole-sale ) to proper persons appointed for that purpose , at which time they shall pay their money , and have all such weights and measures sealed , which shall be booked down in every particular by the said officer or officers aforementioned , in order to have the same registred in the proper office for that purpose . xiv . that all persons whatsoever , who shall neglect to give an account particularly , of all weights and measures as above-mentioned , &c. or shall make use of any weights or measures that have not a distinct seal ( according as the same shall be appointed ) in compliance with the intention of these proposals , shall forfeit all and every such weights and measures he or they so presume to make use of ; and likewise to his majesty , with encouragement to the informer . xv. that all weights made use of by goldsmiths , or any other persons who make use of the same sort of weights , shall pay to his majesty , for all and every weight under an ounce , the sum of one penny each ; and for all and every weight heavier than an ounce , the sum of two pence . xvi . that all other weights not being the same with goldsmiths weights , with which any person or persons doth buy or sell by , shall pay to his majesty the sum of one penny , for all and every weight not exceeding ten pounds ; and for all weights upwards of ten pounds the sum of two pence . xvii . that all weights , as above mentioned , which remain in possession of the maker , shall be sealed before they are sold , ( which may be done at the office ) each weight paying according to the imposition or duty above-mentioned . xviii . that no retail trader whatsoever , shall be liable to pay more than eight shillings per annum , how many weights soever he or they have . xix . that no retail trader whatsoever , who makes use of any weights to buy or sell by , shall pay less than four shillings per annum . xx. that all sorts of measures , either liquid or otherwise , shall pay according to their proportion , the following imposition or duty to his majesty , in the same manner and form as is to be observed in the foregoing imposition or duty on weights . xxi . that all sorts of measures , either liquid or otherwise ; and likewise , either wine or winchester measures , &c. not exceeding the gallon , shall pay to his majesty , for each measure , the sum of one penny . xxii . that all measures , either liquid or otherwise ; and likewise , either wine or winchester measures , &c. with which any thing whatsoever is bought or sold by , ( according as the same are made use of ) whether they are of earth , wood , or metal , &c. and by what name soever the same are called , as peck , bushel , runlet , kilderkin , firkin , barrel , hogshead , butt , pipe , &c. or what use soever the same are put to , as beer , ale , mum , syder , brandy , strong waters , or any sort of wine , or other liquors whatsoever , shall pay to his majesty ( each particular here mentioned , or to be understood ) the sum of three pence . xxiii . that all casks not being sizeable , ( and which are made use of in a wholesale trade ) as casks for tobacco , sugar , currants , foreign tallow , sope , sope-ashes , &c. or any other foreign or domestick goods , which are sold by wholesale and cask'd up , shall be obliged to pay the sum of three pence per cask , for all casks so made use of , upon the penalty of forfeiting to his majesty , with encouragement to the informer . xxiv . that no person or persons whatsoever shall be exempted this tax , except such as receive alms of the parish , or those who cry any thing about the streets , who shall have a certificate from the church wardens of the parish they live in , in order to have their weights and measures sealed without paying the tax . xxv . that all large casks which pay the tax , and by which the wholesale trader dealeth , shall be paid by the person or persons who have them in possession . xxvi . that all persons who make use of any measures for length , as yards , ells , &c. ( and by which they buy or sell ) shall be obliged to make use of no other measures than such as hath paid the tax and been sealed ; and upon default , to forfeit to his majesty , with encouragement to the informer . xxvii . that all measures for length , as yards , ells , &c. shall pay to his majesty ( for each measure mentioned , or to be understood ) the sum of three pence . xxviii . that no retail traders whatsoever , shall be liable to pay more than eight shillings per annum how many measures soever he or they have . xxix . that no retail trader whatsoever , who maketh use of measures to buy or sell by , shall pay less than four shillings per annum . xxx . that all wholesale traders , who make use of more weights and measures than will amount to eight shillings per annum ( according to the foregoing assessment ) shall pay for the same proportionably to the number he or they have , except such weights and measures amount to above sixteen shillings . xxxi . that no traders whatsoever shall pay more than sixteen shillings per annum , altho they have ever so many weights and measures , except such traders shall have occasion for new measures , casks or weights ; and in such case , all new measures , casks or weights , shall pay the full duty or imposition , according to these proposals . xxxii . that there may be a certain limitation of time for all persons to give an account of their weights and measures ; and that after such time , all weights and measures whatsoever , which are bought new , shall pay the full duty ( over and above what any person or persons may have paid for the annual imposition ) according to the size of such weights and measures ; and whoever neglects to give an account in time , as aforesaid , ( or makes use of any weights or measures unsealed , after the expiration of the said time ) shall forfeit to his majesty , with encouragement to the informer . xxxii . that all tradesmen , who are shopkeepers , or others , who buy and sell either by wholesale or retail ; or keep warehouses , and have no occasion to make use of either weights or measures , shall pay to his majesty the sum of four shillings per annum , so long as the imposition on weights and measures may be thought fit to be continu'd . xxxiii . that all weights and measures whatsoever ( which are not here mention'd ) provided the same are in any manner made use of in buying and selling ( of what sort soever they be ) shall be included in this proposal ; and whoever endeavours to conceal or defraud his majesty of all or any part of the imposition or duty on weights and measures , or any other part of the foregoing proposals , shall forfeit to his majesty , with encouragement to the informer . xxxiv . that all housekeepers shall be oblig'd to give an account what their lodgers are ( if they have any ) in order that they may pay according to their several assessments ; and he that neglects so to do , shall forfeit to his majesty , with encouragement to the informer . reasons humbly offer'd for the imposition or duty , &c. to be accepted by this honourable house . 1st , the wholesale trader cannot think himself much prejudic'd by this tax , by reason of his great dealings and the small imposition or duty propos'd ; which , in proportion , is so inconsiderable , that it will not be worth any particular person 's notice : for there is not one wholesale trader in ten , that will pay above eight shillings per annum ( and no one to pay above sixteen ) which , according to their abilities , is very reasonable . 2dly , the retailers , who generally return less money than the wholesale men , are more moderately assessed , by reason there are hardly any who make use of measures exceeding the gallon , or weights exceeding the ten pounder ; whereby their part will be so small , that no particular person will feel it . yet measures , as likewise weights , being so generally made use of , will bring a large sum of money into the treasury . so that the generality of retailers , who make use of weights or measures , will not pay ( by moderate computation ) above four shillings per annum , according to the quantity of weights and measures they have occasion to make use of . 3dly , the several proposals aformention'd cannot raise any sort of goods or commodity whatsoever in the least , by reason no particular trade is taxed ; ( but that the same is laid on all sorts whatsoever ) and the imposition or duty is so small , that there can be no pretence for it . 4thly , the imposition upon shopkeepers , &c. who do not make use of weights and measures , is likewise so small , that the shopkeepers aforesaid , &c. certainly cannot find fault with it , since they pay as little as any other tradesmen whatsoever ; and are commonly as well able to pay as much . 5thly , the several particulars mention'd in these proposals ( if thought fit to be accepted by this honourable house ) may all of them be collected by the same officers all over england . for , 6thly , the poll-tax on horses , &c. ( as propos'd ) may be collected by officers appointed in every particular parish throughout the kingdom . 7thly , the same officers may readily dispatch and seal all weights and measures , and take a particular and exact account thereof , and for whom ; which said account shall be sent up ( or a copy ) to some proper person or persons appointed for that purpose , to whom they shall send the money by them received likewise , which may be forthwith register'd at an office , &c. 8thly , these officers to be housekeepers , or otherwise residents in the parish where they gather and collect the several taxes as above propos'd ; or the same officers may collect for several parishes , as is requisite or necessary . 9thly , the same persons being residents may attend all fairs and markets , who may likewise register and give an account of all horses , &c. bought and sold , as the same shall occur . 10thly , 't is humbly suppos'd the foregoing proposals will ( if worthy acceptance ) bring into his majesty's treasury the first year , by computation , at least two hundred and fifty thousand pounds ; and two hundred thousand pounds per annum so long as the same may be continu'd . there can be no great certainty how much more money this tax will raise ( but the number of tradesmen who will be oblig'd to pay to it , are so great , that it may be suppos'd , a far larger sum will be brought into his majesty's exchequer ) by reason the majority of the people of england will pay something . but how many there are to pay , or how much each person will be assessed , must , at present , remain uncertain , by reason there have not been precedents in this nature to give a true information . so that after your honours have , in your great wisdom , maturely considered the foregoing proposals in their several and particular circumstances , i hope , your honours will pass a favourable construction on the endeavours of your proposer , ( who entirely aims at the service of his majesty and his kingdom , by offering that , which your honours , in your great wisdom , i hope , will judge serviceable to the nation at this juncture ; and not burthensome to the subjects thereunto belonging ) and according to the merits of his service , he humbly begs you will grant him the encouragement he may deserve , &c. john smith . the honest and plaine dealing fa[r]rier or, a present remedy for curing diseases and hurts in horses gathered and written as well for the good [o]f any that will practise it, as for my self, there being nothing contained therein but what is of my owne experience and practise. by thomas grymes. grymes, thomas. 1636 approx. 27 kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from 23 1-bit group-iv tiff page images. text creation partnership, ann arbor, mi ; oxford (uk) : 2009-03 (eebo-tcp phase 1). a02275 stc 12406 estc s119059 99854266 99854266 19676 this keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the early english books online text creation partnership. this phase i text is available for reuse, according to the terms of creative commons 0 1.0 universal . the text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. early english books online. (eebo-tcp ; phase 1, no. a02275) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set 19676) images scanned from microfilm: (early english books, 1475-1640 ; 1102:10) the honest and plaine dealing fa[r]rier or, a present remedy for curing diseases and hurts in horses gathered and written as well for the good [o]f any that will practise it, as for my self, there being nothing contained therein but what is of my owne experience and practise. by thomas grymes. grymes, thomas. [40] p. printed by wil: iones for andrew kembe, dwelling by st: margarets hill in long southwarke, london : 1636. running title reads: a very good remedy for diseases in horses. signatures: a-b c⁴. the first "r" is "farrier" has dropped out on title page; leaves very tightly bound. reproduction of the original in the british library. created by converting tcp files to tei p5 using tcp2tei.xsl, tei @ oxford. re-processed by university of nebraska-lincoln and northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors. eebo-tcp is a partnership between the universities of michigan and oxford and the publisher proquest to create accurately transcribed and encoded texts based on the image sets published by proquest via their early english books online (eebo) database (http://eebo.chadwyck.com). the general aim of eebo-tcp is to encode one 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markup 2008-05 spi global keyed and coded from proquest page images 2008-06 john pas sampled and proofread 2008-06 john pas text and markup reviewed and edited 2008-09 pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion the honest and plaine dealing farier or a present remedy for curing diseases and hurts in horses . gathered and written as well for the good ●f any that will practise it , as for my self , there being nothing contained therein but what is of my owne experience and practise . by thomas grymes . london , printed by wil● loutes for andrew k●●●be dwelling by st : margarets hill in long southw●cks ▪ 1636. a good and necessary booke for curing diseases , and hurtes in horses : gathered and written for the good of any that will practise , there being nothing contained therein , but what is of my owne experience and practice , and whereof i have had good proffe . and first for diseases in the head of a horse . headache , which sometime commeth of collerick humours bred in the braine , or of some extreme heate , or by some stroke , or such like , the signe of all such infirmities . the horse will bee heavie , hang downe his head , and his eyes will be swolne dim and waterish . remedies for the same . squise the iuyce of ground-ivie into his nose thriles it is good , or burn the blades of garlick and frankensence in a chafindish , and hold the horse nose over it that the smoke may goe into the same , this will purge his head marveilously , and doe this so often as yee shall thinke needfull , or let him blood in the pallate of his mouth if the signe be not there , or neesing powder and pepper brayed together and blowne into his nose with a quill is also very good . for watering of a horses eyes , which may come to a young horse by eating over-dry and hard meats . the remedies . let him blood on his temple vaine , or on the vaine under his eye , or on the necke which aswageth the humours of the whole body , and if it have continued long , then wash it with the iuyce of planteine , but if it come of a stroke , then make a cake or a ball of pimpernell and swines dung , dry it in an oven ●ill it will bee powder , and put of that powder in the horse eye , for ●he hawe , or as it is commonly ●alled the hoakes , i need not write , very man almost can cure the same . for a peable in a horse eye . take tuty a pothecary hath it bray it and blow it into he ●horse eye , this t●ty 〈…〉 stone and if you cannot have it , then take white copperous and use it in the same manner . for the lampas . sometimes i use to draw out the lampas with a crochet or crooked iron made red hot that it doth not bleed after , and then with a lance● lets it bleed , and to heale the sore againe take a little honie , a little peper , temper them with a quantitie of vinegar , boyle them together a little space on the fire , and therewith annoint the sore three or four dayes together , or to let him blood with a fleame or a knifes point on both sides of his mouth , but beware lest yee cut the veine which comes right downe the pallate of his mouth , for so hee may bleed to death , and if ye feare he shall bleed too much , give him a little malte to eate very small ground . there is a malady in a horse mouth that will hinder him to eate his meate . there bee little small or round swellings in the mouth and lips of a horse , which will make him let his meate fall out of his mouth as though hee had the lampas , clip them away with a paire of cissers , and rub the places with a little salt . a malady in a horse belly much like the botts , i call it tronches , ye may know the evill by these tokens , he will ye downe often , and offer to welter or tumble , hee will offer to gnaw and bite at his sides ; he will strike ahis belly with his hinder feete , and his sides will flacke and beate sore , and in a short time it will pierce thorow his maw , then hee shall bee in great danger to die , but to helpe him at the first . take out the guts of a young pullet , make your horse head bee holden up and put them into his throte while they bee warme , and make him swallow them downe ; doe thus three mornings together , and let him neither eate nor drinke after for the space of foure or five houres . or take a peck of rie , steepe it in water a day and a night , then take it forth and lay it on a dry earthen floore as much as yee can from the winde , and let it come or burgion there as malt , then dry it in an oven or on a kilne , and when it is dry give thereof to your horse two handfulls for his first meale in a morning and thus doe five or sixe mornings one after another . helpes for the sinewes if they bee either pricked or cut asunder . if a sinew be pricked , take these hot things , meat , oyle , swines grace , honie , of each alike , putting thereto powder of vares , make a plaister of all together , and lay it to the sinew , dresse it so every day till it be whole , and if the flesh be piersed or cut , th●● boyle beane meale and barly me●●e in wine , with a quantity of honie , till it be plaister thick and lay that on the sore . another yet for the same , which takes away all aking of sinewes brused or pricked . take crops of walwort mallow leaves , of each two handfull , of lily roots a handfull , stampe them well altogether , and boyle them on the fire in a quantity of hony till they bee thick like a plaister , and lay to the sore twice on the day reasonable hot . but if a sinew be cut overtwart , so as it is not likely to grow together againe , then take groundwormes , the greater the better , stamp them with a little hony , then warme it a little in a pan , and with a cloth bind it to the cutting every day , or every second day once , till it be whole , and let not the sinews that are pricked or cut , be wet with any thing but the medicines , if yee can avoid it . of the enchafing of a horse neck , or other place of him , which may come by heat of blood after great travell , which by rubbing against a wall , or a tree will cause scabs rise in his neck , among the haire , sometime on the saddle place , to helpe this . take unquenched lime a quantity , such like of beanes ashes , or of beane straw , then take old pisse , set it on the fire till it boyle , and skime it cleane , and while it is hot , put into it your lime and ashes , mingle them well together , let them stand so , till the next day , then take the cleare into another vessell , and every day once , wash the malady with a quantity thereof made hot . when an horse halteth to know whether the harme be in the shoulder , knee , or in his foot , and to helpe him . if the harme bee in his foot , hee will forbeare to tread straight , but even upon the point of his foot , and he will beare it farre from him , and make semblance as though hee would fall often , he will make like signes , and if the grievance be either in his knee or shoulder , then ' its doubtfull to be incurable , unlesse it come by a stroke or a fall , yee may use softning oyntments , but they will doe no great good . some will feare them where they thinke the disease to be , which is contrary to nature , for that the disease commeth of drinesse : but if it happen in the shoulder by reason of some stroke or fall , or bruising otherwise : then make a bathe for it on this manner following : take of ribwort , some call it ribgrasse , 5. or 6. handfull , of bay-leaves , peny-riall , hysope , crowfoot , oke-leaves , and red fenel , of every one a handful , boile all these hearbs in faire water a good space , and twice in a day wash the malady with a pint of this water made hot for the space of five or six dayes together , and afterward anoint and rub well into it this subsequent unction , which is made in manner as here is set downe , ten handfull of the leaves of pelitory , bay-leaves , and oke-leaves , of either five handfull , of sage-leaves foure handfull , stamp all these hearbs very small , boile them then a good space , and with a soft fire , in a gallon of butter , and a quart of neat-oyle : then straine all thorow a canvas bag or cloth , and keepe it then as ye can conveniently , either in a box , or whatsoever , and if ye have of this oyntment in store , yee need never to use oyle de bay , nerve-oyle , nor any other that can bee named . and if a horse foot bee hurt with a stub , or pricked with a naile in shooing , then search it well with thy instrument for that purpose , then put a little tallow , or rather turpentine in the hole , cover it with his owne dung , and set on a shoo , but so as ye may take it off againe at your pleasure , to dresse the foot as need shall require . and if a horse halt through tendernesse of his hoofe , or breaking away thereof , thus hee may be holpen , and his hoofe made to grow againe . take 2. ounces of roson , as much of sheepes tallow , halfe an ounce of frankensence , and halfe an ounce of virgin wax , halfe an ounce of swines greace , or more or lesse of every one as yee shall thinke good , melt them altogether and keepe it for thine use , and when thou shalt use any thereof heat it , or turpentine and swines greace boild together is very good for this purpose , the salve must bee rubbed on his foot under and above , especially at the top of his hoofe under the haire these are excellent remedies for this matter . for windgales . every man knowes of what fashion they bee , and they are commonly on good horses leggs , rather than on bad ones , and worse to sight then otherwise : but to cure them yee shall take a quantitie of vinegar , a pottle , or as you please , if so much , then must ye have thereto two pound of armement , halfe a pound of galles , and halfe a pound of moleine leaves , stampe them , or bray them small , and temper them altogether with the vineger , put all in an earthen pot , stop it well and close , and with the same liquor wash the windgales every day five or six times , for the space of three or foure daies together ; that done , lap his legge above and beneath the gales , then chafe or rub them with your hand , which will make them rise full , that yee may see them the better , then strike your fleame into them as deep as ye dare for piercing the sinewes , thrust the matter well out of them with your finger , and have ready a hot iron blunt at the point , and therwith seare the holes which yee make , and every day after wash them with the liquor aforesaid , and it will soon be whole . for the stranglion : take the barke of an elme tree which growes upon some water banke , if you can get such , take away the outside thereof as tanners clense their barke , chop it into smal pieces , put it then into an earthen pot with well-water , let it stand so 2. or 3. daies , in which time much of the water will be sunke into the barke , fill up the pot then again with water , there will be two parts of barke , and the third part water , or rather 3. parts barke and the fourth water : boile these well together the space of halfe an houre , which done set it from the fire and let it coole , then straine it thorow a cloth and looke how much liquor remaines , put thereto so much of swines greace , heat them then a little on the fire that they may be well blended , and every day powre a gille of this same into his nose-thriles till a gallon of liquor be spent , when yee doe it cause your horse head to bee holden up , or take 8. or 10 handfuls of walwort , stamp it very smal , then menge it with butter cleane clarified , you must have a pottle of butter , put all in a vessell or pot , and let it stand so the space of 6 or 7. dayes , then set it on a softe fier and boile it , putting therein a pint or a quart of wine , and let it boyle the space of a quarter of an hower , then streeme it through a canvas bagg or cloath , and every day put some of this licour into his nose-thriles till all be spent . or make 10. or 12. balles of may butter and radish rootes well stamped together , and make him swallow 2 or three of those balles every day , and if ye wet them a little in honie they shall be the better , cause his head to be holden or tied up , that they may goe downe his throate . costifenes how it may be engendred and to helpe its . it may come with eating overmuch drie meates , or for want of water in convenient times , or of cold taken after travell . the horse that is so will forbeare his meate , he will thrust out his head and hang it far from him , and his bellie will be stiffe and hard . to helpe him hereof , take the rootes of walwort or rather the out side or rinds of the rootes , and of the rinds of the midle pith of elder , of each of these a handfull , boile them in three pints of water till one pint be wasted , then strein it thorow a cloath , make his head be bound or holden up , and power the liquor into him milke warme , then cover him very warme with cloathes , and within an hower or two , he will donge and so after that , more and more . or stampe onions and butter together , and make pellits thereof , so long as a mans finger , put three or foure of them in at the horse fundament , then walke him or ride him forth the space of an houre or two after , & this wil helpe him without faile . if a horse may not pisse well . take the roote of gladine that beares the yeolow flower , of walwort crops , of egremony , of chervel of each a handful , boile thē in water , streine it thorow a cloath , give him a quart therof at once milke warme ride him in the fields a good trot the space of halfe an houre , set him up in the stable , cover him warme , & a while after he will stale , cause him to be rubbed well under the bellie with a wispe , especially about the share , & within a day after let him blood on the great vaine of his thigh . for to helpe the ring-bone . take eysel , armement , & a quantitie of verdgrece boile them in a little swines greece , rub this well , and often , in the disease . or take an ounce of vertigrece and an ounce of frankensence a quantitie of bores grece , make a plaister , and lay it on the ring-bone , but if you launce the skinne a little it is better , not deepe for feare of hurting sinewes . for the malanders . rub them with honie , take a shive of cheese tost it well at the fier , and bind it to the soare as hot as ye thinke he is able to endure it , or rub them with a wispe , or a hard cloath till the blood come , annoint them then with a little fat bacon , then lay on powder of brimstone , and hold a hot iron to it so neare as conveniently you can to make it cleave on , that done , have a plaister readie to tie about the sore compounded of a quantitie of garlike , henes donge , the gall of a swine if ye can get it , and musterd , and new this plaster as ye see it to be needfull . for craches , or as some call them scratches . clip away the haire as neare as ye can , then stampe hens donge and goose donge together , with a quantitie of may butter make it hot , and so lap it on the sore , or mingle lime , honie , and salt together & lay them hot on the disease . for the paines , and how to cure them . take a sponefull or two of honie a quantitie of soote of a chimnie , a handfull of nettles , in winter the rootes , stampe them altogether , make plaisters thereof and lay them hot on the sore do so every day , or binde unto it copost of a man , immediately as he hath left it at the stoole or take a sponefull of utrament powdered 2 yolkes of eges , 2 whole leekes or more or lesse of these as neede requireth , stampe thē altogether with a quantitie of swins grese & honie , & lay them to the malady , & when ye se it begin to heale anoint it with sheepes tallow . for a disease called chawdpisse which is hot pisse a burning or scalding heat of his water which when he staleth will be red , almost like blood . to helpe him , make him drinke every day for the space of 4 or 6 dayes , a gallon of whey in a darke place and if he be loath to take it , let him be kept from other water or liquor till he be very desirous of drinke . or take 6 handfulls of pentafilon , some cal it five leased grasse wash it cleane , stamp it small , put it in a pot with a pottle of well water cover it close and let it stand so a day and a night , the next day set it on the fier make it boyle till the one halfe or more be wasted then streine it thorow a cloath , and either let him drinke this liquor , or power it into him with a horne three or foure mornings , and it will helpe him . how to heale a curbe first clip the heare cleane away , then garse the place with a rasour or sharpe knife , but not too deepe for feare of cutting the sinewes , and cut it even downe the leg then stroke the blood out with your hand or with a small rod , that don , rub it every day with a little sope & salt or annoint it with honie wormewood and swines grece mingled , and do this twise on a day . for the glanders . take 3 or 4 penny worth of oyle debaie , asmuch of popilion , three halfe pennie worth of oyle olive or , more or lesse of all these as neede is , boile them altogether a while on the fier and therewith annoint the soare . or take leckes and sheepe snet boile them together and make meanes to binde them to the soare with a cloth . for a tanite . shave the haire away with a raisour till blood spring out , take then a cocke or other pullet cleave him right by the backe not cleane thorough into two peeces , and while he is warme , binde him to the horse leg guts and all , let him remaine so two dayes and two nights , and when ye take him away , wash the place with warme water , and when the leg is drye , then lay on it a plaister made of bacō & wheate flower and let that lye on two dayes , or winde his leg with asmal corde and it will make the veine rise full under his fetlocke . let him blood there , strike not your sleame too deepe for hurting the sinewes , and when it hath bled well binde unto it the white of an egg . for the botts . take asmuch blacke sope as a walnut or as a good crabe a sponefull of the powder of sencreke , a sponefull of the blacke ermnies a quantiti of brimstone , and a little salt , mingle all these in ale and give him to drinke , and thereupon ride him forth a quarter of an hower , and let him not drinke after till night , or nor till next morning if ye give him this medicine late on the day . for a horse that is broken winded . let him blood in the nose with an awle if the signe be not ther , then take a penny worth of long peper , asmuch of graines of mace as much of round peper asmuch , mingle all these in a pint of red wine and so much of old ale give him this to drinke foure mornings , let him have nooe other drinke till mid day then give him a gallon of water lewe warme , and a handfull or two of ground malte pu● therein , wrap his legs those dayes up to his bodie , and cover him warme , and maost his hay with water for these foure dayes . if a horse be gawled or hurt on his backe with a saddle . wash the soare well with old pisse , then strow upon on it brayed rosen , and when you see it begin to heale , make a plaister with honie , flower and an egge , & lay that upon it , or the powder of honie and lime burned together , will cure that or any other sore . a good remedy for the scab . wash the horse with old pisse or lie , then take a quantitie of quicke-silver , brimstone , spanish , soape , vertigrece , and swines grece , boyle altogether , and rub them all over his bodie , rub hard and chafe the salve into his skin , if a horse be hurt or brused so as he pisseth blood . seeth barlie in the iuse of comfrey , give him the barlie to eate , and the iuse to drinke . for a horse that is surbayte . take virgin wax , rosen , pich , and sheepes tallow , boyle them and make plasters , and them about the foote or feete that are surbaite . to take dead flesh out of a wound or any sore . put compost or excrementes of a man into an earthen pot , dry it in a hot oven till it will powder , lay thereof in the sore , then mingle an eg with salt , and lay that on the sore with a cloath or flax , and wash it every day with pisse , or boile vertegreece and sheepes tallow together , it will doe the same , or honie and lime burnt together , the powder thereof is good , for it will both eat away the dead flesh , and heale the sore , but at every dressing , you must wash the wound with pisse . for a splint . take a great onion , make it hollow , put into it a quantitie of lime vertigreece , and lavander seedes , then rost it till it be soft , launce the splint , lay the same to it warme , and and it will cure it . if a horse yard or cods be hurt with a stroake , so that they swell . take two or three handfulls of smallage , or more if you list , stampe it in a morter or other things , wring out the iuice into some vessell , get as much red wine lies if it be possible , else of other wine , mingle them well together , and there withall wash his yard & cods three or foure times a day it is excellent for that purpose . here is an end of cures , and medicines , i could and might have set downe many more medicines , but these already set downe have i found best in use , and they will not faile . and here followes partie observations : first to make a horse quicke on the spurre that is dull . pearce his skin a little on either side , and with an auntler raise the skin from the flesh , and put in either hole a little burnt salt , which will make the places rankle , keepe him so three or foure dayes that he be not riden , then set a man or lad on him that may spur him right in those places which are sore , and when he comes in , wash the places with pisse , salt , and nettle roots boyled together , then annoint the places with a little honie it will heale them , and make the horse grow , and after this , he will answer the spur better for ever . to make a white place in a horse head , or any where . take a tile-stone burne it , and bray it to powder , then take lilie rootes , daysie rootes , and the rootes of white bryer , of every one alike much dry them , and make them into powder , then shave the place you would have white till the blood be redie to follow , then rub it soare with all the powders blended together , get two or three mold warpes boile them a great space in water , and put into it when it hath boiled a good while , a quantitie of honie and a quantitie of honie sokle flowers if ye can get them , wash it thus 3 or 4. dayes , keepe the wind from it asmuch as you can , and it will grow white , and so continue for ever . to cause a horse that he shall not ney . where or whensoever you would keepe your horse from neying tye but a little wollen lyst about the middest of his tongue . for the yeolowes . first let him blood on the necke then take one halfe penny worth of long peper , asmuch of bayes , asmuch anneseedes , of fenecreke , of graines of lichorish , of every one , one halfe penny worth , of safron a penny worth , and if you take a quantitie of goose donge and streine it , and put the iuice thereof in your medicine it will be the better , and two spoonefulls of the rootes of elen a campana dried and made into powder , or you may take more or lesse of all these things , as the disease shall seeme to be increased , ( or increasing ) this midicine should have beene written in the former part of the booke , but that i had forgotten it . here is also an excellent salve to cure any wound in a horse or in a man , as iverily suppose . et sic fit . take of sheeps tallow two pound of rosin three pound , of that rosin which is like frankinsence halfe a pound , of bees wax halfe a pound , of turpentine a quarter of a pound , melt all these together , and when they are melten put therein an ounce of vertigrece smal powdered , but if ye put in your turpentine while it is hot , new taken from th● fier , it is not amisse , stir or mingl● them all well with a sticke , the power all into a basin or panne w● or rensed with water , and when 〈◊〉 is cold you may take it out in a tak● or make it into what fashion y●● will , it is an excellent salve , for 〈◊〉 both draweth , clenseth , and healeth any wound in a horse , so would 〈…〉 doe in a man as i verily suppose . finis . imprimatur sa : baker . brovvne his fiftie yeares practice. or an exact discourse concerning snafflle-riding [sic], for trotting and ambling of all manner of horses whatsoeuer, from one degree to another, till they be perfit both for the trot and amble a subiect, neuer as yet pubished [sic] by any heretofore. by william brovvne gent. browne, william, gent, fl. 1624. 1624 approx. 85 kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from 37 1-bit group-iv tiff page images. text creation partnership, ann arbor, mi ; oxford (uk) : 2003-11 (eebo-tcp phase 1). a17041 stc 3913 estc s104834 99840565 99840565 5081 this keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the early english books online text creation partnership. this phase i text is available for reuse, according to the terms of creative commons 0 1.0 universal . the text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. early english books online. (eebo-tcp ; phase 1, no. a17041) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set 5081) images scanned from microfilm: (early english books, 1475-1640 ; 1129:16) brovvne his fiftie yeares practice. or an exact discourse concerning snafflle-riding [sic], for trotting and ambling of all manner of horses whatsoeuer, from one degree to another, till they be perfit both for the trot and amble a subiect, neuer as yet pubished [sic] by any heretofore. by william brovvne gent. browne, william, gent, fl. 1624. [4], 24, 29-67, [1] p., folded plate : ill. (woodcuts) printed by nicholas okes, and are to be sold by iohn piper, [london] : 1624. running title reads: brownes 50 yeares practise. the "plate" is a woodcut. reproduction of the original in the british library. created by converting tcp files to tei p5 using tcp2tei.xsl, tei @ oxford. re-processed by university of nebraska-lincoln and northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors. eebo-tcp is a partnership between the universities of michigan and oxford and the publisher proquest to create accurately transcribed and encoded texts based on the image sets published by proquest via their early english books online (eebo) database (http://eebo.chadwyck.com). the general aim of eebo-tcp is to encode one copy (usually the first edition) of every monographic english-language title published between 1473 and 1700 available 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overall quality of tcp data is very good, some errors will remain and some readable characters will be marked as illegible. users should bear in mind that in all likelihood such instances will never have been looked at by a tcp editor. the texts were encoded and linked to page images in accordance with level 4 of the tei in libraries guidelines. copies of the texts have been issued variously as sgml (tcp schema; ascii text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable xml (tcp schema; characters represented either as utf-8 unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless xml (tei p5, characters represented either as utf-8 unicode or tei g elements). keying and markup guidelines are available at the text creation partnership web site . eng horses -training -early works to 1800. horses -paces, gaits, etc. -early works to 1800. 2003-05 tcp assigned for keying and markup 2003-06 spi global keyed and coded from proquest page images 2003-08 jonathan blaney sampled and proofread 2003-08 jonathan blaney text and markup reviewed and edited 2003-10 pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion browne his fiftie yeares practice . or an exact discourse concerning snafflle-riding , for trotting and ambling of all manner of horses whatsoeuer , from one degree to another , till they be perfit both for the trot and amble . a subiect , neuer as yet pubished by any heretofore . by william brovvne gent. printed by niccholas okes , and 〈…〉 to the right honorable , and most noble , thomas lord windesor , of bradenham , his lordships humble seruant william browne wisheth all increase of vertve and honor . my honoured lord : with much industry , and many yeeres experience i haue gathered a few collections , which i humbly beseech your lordship to accept vnder your protection , they are notes that will teach a young rider , the certaine and infallible way how to ride and mannage any colt , from the first haltering , till he be a perfect riden horse of the snaffle : i acknowledge a great vnfitnesse in my selfe , to set forth a booke in print , being an old northerne man , wanting fit language , and method for these times , and in nothing more vnexperienced then in the way of writing : yet because i know that my owne long practise in this businesse , hath taught me many wayes to bring a colt to this perfection , which hath not yet beene divulged abroad , by such as haue written in the same kinde : i thought it better to send this poore booke forth , cloathed with my owne simple language , before death shut vp the euening of my dayes , then to wrong my selfe or this arte so much , as to conceale any thing that may doe other young men good in it . and because i know that reading without practise doth but a very little helpe such , who are of the meaner apprehensions . i haue laboured with my best endeauour to furnish my booke with pictures of examples , both of the chiefe way how to worke the horses , and the best instruments to worke withall : i am encouraged to present my booke , and seruice to your lorship , because i perceiue that amongst other your recreations , you are most addicted to haue good horses for your pleasure , and excellent galloping horses for your exercise . moreouer , your lordship hath seene some proofe of my practise , and i am so much bound vnto your lorship , for many your noble courtesies and fauours towards me , that i would willingly pay a better thankfulnesse then this to your honour , if it rested in my abillity : i onely entreate your lorship to suffer this to rest vnder your patronage ; and i will spend the remainder of my poore life , in studdying how to be your lorships humblest to command in all seruice , william brovvne . brownes fifty yeares practise . chapter i. a true and vnfallable way how to ride and mannage any colt , from the haltering of him , from one degree to another ; till he be a perfect ridden horse of the snaffle , of what nature or disposition soeuer he is of . yov must haue first in a readinesse a strong rope about foure fatham in length , made with a running noose at the one end : then cause the colte to be driuen into some large house , where he may haue some sufficient roome to turne himselfe at his pleasure , and to make him the more gentle to deale withall : let him haue the company of some old horse haltered , which you must keepe euer betwixt you and him , to shadow you , in such sort as they vse to stalke at foule ; vntill such time as with a long pole for the purpose , then open the noose wider and lap one side thereof about the pole , then with ease you may put the same ouer his head , then presently put a good strong halter , that well be sure to hold him ; and let there be tyed to it a chasing rope of foure fatham long , with a turnell in the one end , tie the harter end to the turnell , then let there be strength enough to hold him , then put him forth of the house gently , and bring him into the stable , and there tye him fast to the manger , then within one houre or two , you may take him forth into some faire place , and be sure you haue strength enough to hold him , that he may know that hee is mastered : then let one hauing a long repell in his hand , trot him about you faire and gently , both wayes , which being done , let him stand still to take his winde , and goe faire and gently to him , and cherrish him with faire words during that time , stroaking your pole ouer him in many places of his body , and if he refuse at the first , doe not leaue him till he will suffer you to touch him therewith . then leade him into the stable againe , and tie him fast as you did before , then you must get a sticke of a yard and a halfe long , and slit him in the one end , some quarter of a yard long , then take as much straw as the slit will hold , and wrap it about fast , and tye it fast with a packe-threed to keepe it in , with the which you must stroake him gently , first vpon the necke and brest , and then to his body , and so to his legges , and so by degrees ouer all the parts of him , till he will suffer you gently to touch him in any part of his body and legges : then you may with the sticke in one hand , and a good long wispe in the other , first touch him with the sticke , and then after with the wispe in the other hand ; and so you may make him let you touch him with the wispe , by often touching him about the head , that he will suffer you to touch him in any place about his head , both about his cares , and his mouth , that when you come to bridle him , he will suffer you gently to put the mouthing-brake into his mouth . then go and finde out some euen and firme ground , as neere the stable as you can , then get a pile or stoupe stake , and driue it fast into the ground , and that it may be one yard and a halfe aboue the ground : let the ground where you meane to practise him be euen and firme , that hee may take fast foote-hold , then tye your chasing rope to the haiter , i meane to the turnel , and bring him forth , and make a good large noose in the end of the chasing rope : then bring him to the stoupe , and put the noose ouer the stoupe , then let some one take the rope in the middest to hold it vp from his feete , and another with a good long pole in his hand to put him about the ring , and when you beginne to put him about , let it be on the left hand , for that will make him leade with his right legge , which he must doe both in his pace , trot , and gallop , you must put him at the first very gently about , till he know something what to doe , then you may trot him , but in any case doe not change him on the right hand , till you see that he doth set his right leg before , and when you perceiue he doth it in his trot , then you may venter to change him : but where you put him once about on the right hand , put him three times on the left , for if you doe not make him leade with his right legge before at the beginning , it will be a great hinderance to you , when you come to gallop him . now when you haue practised a little , that hee doth know what hee doth , then take him into the stable againe , and if he worke to your hand towardly , make much of him , and giue him some reward that hee will eate , either hay or oates , that hee may vnderstand that hee doth that you would haue him . then lead him into the stable againe , and be exercising him as you did before , till you haue made him so gentle that he will suffer you to touch him in any place , with the wispe in your hand : that being done , then beginne with his feete in this manner , take any fursingle that is strong ; and put the end through the buckle , to make a little noose to put his neere fore-legge in , then get vp his foote as gentle as you can , and when you haue it vp , presently slip the noose ouer his foot , and let it rest betwixt his hoofe and his fet-locke . then with a good strength pull his foote vp , and hold it a pretty while , then let it downe againe , and make much of him , then take it vp againe , and euer giue him this word , lift , and so exercise him till hee will lift when you bid him . then take a good stiffe sticke in your hand , and euer when you bid him lift , pull vp the sursingle , and strike him beneath the knee with your sticke . and with a little exercise when you knocke him on the legge , hee will take vp his legge , and then you may bring him to your hand , that when you offer him your hand , hee will presently take vp his foote if you bid him lift ; and so you must practise him in all his legges , that when you bring him in from riding , you may easily picke the grauell out of his feete , and will be the gentlier to shooe : now when you haue brought all these things to good perfection , then i would haue you to take a good stirrop leather , and make it full of holes , to take vp and let out at your pleasure , then take vp his neere fore-foote , and buckle it vp so fast , as he cannot let it downe , then take a sticke and stirre him vp and downe , that he may feele that he doth lacke the vse of one of his legges . then haue a saddle in a readinesse , and let one be at his head , then come and offer him the saddle gently , and rubbe it vp and downe his sides , and let him see it , then set it on his backe , and gird the girthes slacke at the first , least he take a distaste at them ; then take away the knee band , and let him settle himselfe , and stirre him vp and downe , that he may feele the saddle on his backe : this being done , then make the mouthing brake fit , which must be done in this manner . the benefit of this fashion brake , is to this effect , being made all of one peece , the roules being loose about it doth make your colte worke with a merry mouth , and will not gall his lippes as the snafflle will do that is of two peeces . louing sonne , i would haue you be very circumspect in this point , for it is one of the chiefest grounds belonging to a snaffle man , for if you cānot obtaine to that knowledge to make your colts mouth firme and true in all points , it will be a great hinderance to your practise , for it is a secret , that i haue been this 50 yeares plodding about , and now ( i thanke god ) i haue attained to it . chap. 2. loving sonne , i will beginne to let you know how many wayes i haue practised this secret of mouthing a colte . first in my beginning , i was taught to gird a strong sursingle about his flanke behind , then put the bridle raynes into the sursingle so strait as in your discretion shall fit : then let him striue mightely , and lye downe for anger . this way will bring in his head , but sinke it downe cleane betwixt his legges , and make him mouth false . to let you vnderstand what is a true mouth , and what is a false mouth . a true mouth is this , your colt must let his vpper chap fall euen with his nether chap , and let his tongue rest vnder his snaffle , and worke with his mouth pleasantly , and yeelde to your hand willingly , that is a true mouth . and the false mouth is , that he doth wry his vpper chap cleane awry from his nether chap , and get his tongue aboue the snaffle , this is a false mouth , and what horse soeuer is thus ●outhed ● will assure you , he will neuer beare light of your hand , but will tyre your armes . now the second way i did vse to gird a sursingle before , and put two wisps vnder ●he sursingle , and so rayne him vp , and turne him loose into ●●me court , and so let him striue with himselfe ; that was better then the other : but neither of them good , for that way did make a false mouth also , and set the rayne too low . but louing so●ne , i haue two wayes i would haue you practise , if you will follow my directions : the first is this , to put your mouthing-brake vpon your colts head , and at the first tye it easely to the racke , so that he may ease to put downe his head , and let him stand so a pretty while , then loose it and put the reynes ouer his head , and take one of your armes , and lay it ouer the colts necke , and the other hand to be on the neere side , then take the one reyne in the right hand , and the other in your left hand , and let your right hand not stirre a whit , but let the other hand worke his mouth , with your left hand with easie and gentle motions , and by a little and a little , you shall so winne his mouth , that he will yeeld to your hand willingly , and euer when hee doth yeelde to your hand , then slacke your hand , and so hee will perceiue your intention presently , and worke to your content : you must euer marke as hee doth yeeld to your hands to worke his head vp still , and in no case let it sincke , and euer bee looking to his mouth , that he mouth true . i would haue you practise this way of mouthing your colt , for many a fine mouthed horse i haue made in this manner , but i would haue you vtterly renounce all manner of wayes to set your colt vpon any manner of rest , for i haue had to much triall of that , to my great griefe . chap. 3. bvt louing sonne , i will let you see another fashion of mouthing your colt that d●th passe them all , that is in this manner following ; first , put your mouthing brake on his head , then marke this picture : then let him stay there , and as often as you worke him vp , ease him , and let his head downe , and so in short time he wil clyme so easily to your hand as you would desire , and cary exceeding light of the hand : and that is a principall to make his tongue rest vnder the snaffle , for that he can in no case get it vp aboue the snaffle . then when he is well setled , and doth go gently , then take your knee-band , and put it on his neere fore-legge , and let one leade him fast by the head , and let another put him forward , and goe round about the ring of three leggs , that he may be perfect in going . the next day when you backe him , i would haue you keepe him forth a good space , and exercise him well of the left hand , and be sure he le●●e with the right legge before . chap. 4. louing sonne , the cause why i would haue you to practise your colt on the firme hard ground , is , for that i would haue you vtterly renounce all deepe grounds , for i haue had too much triall of it to my great griefe , and ●●scredit : the discommodity that doth come thereof is this , if you bring your colt in any deepe ground to chase him about you , if he be a high metled colt , and being fat at the heart , and full of his body , questionlesse he will go very fiercely about you , and so in a short time , he will be of a great heat before you haue brought him so weary that you may take his backe . the inconuenience is this . first , you put him in great danger of breaking his winde . secondly , the danger of the great heate is , hee after two or three of these heates , will presently fall into one disease or other , which will ●ither prooue to be mortall , or to get some tent in his body , that will proue to an extreame cold , that will prooue either to the glaunders , or else the cough of the lunges , which either of them in short time will end their liues . now to come to the chasing about the stoope againe , when you take him forth the next day , i would haue you make all things fit that you shall occupy about him . first , make a good strong plat of the longest haire of his tayle , then take a small peece of leather or corde , and tye it fast to the plat , then put it betweene his hinder leggs , and bring it off the out side of his body ; and tye it fast to his mayne , and so let it rest both day and night , this will keep him that he cannot stirre his tayle : this i would haue you doe at the beginning , then the next put your knee-band about his legge , then put the mu●roule on , and the chayne in his mouth : then put on his bridle , then the saddle , then get helpe enough , one good strong man to be at his head : when you do take his backe , and another to put him forward , when you are on . then tye your chasing rope to the halter , and bring him foorth to the place where you meane to take his backe , then put him about the ring faire and easily at the first , till he be setled , then you may put him on faster vppon his swift trot , and often giue him his winde , and goe to his head and make much of him . then take your knee-band , and put it on , then let one take him by the head and lead him ; and the other put him once round about the ring , then stay him and cherrish him , then come to him , and offer your foote to the stirrop , and if he will suffer you to put your foot into the stirrop , the make much of him , and if hee refuse to suffer you , then leade him faster about the ring then you did before , vntill he be willing to suffer you to put your foote into the stirrop : which if he do , as there is no doubt but he will , then let it rest in a pritty while ; and take it foorth againe , and make very much of him , then take the knee-band of his legge , and lead him round about the ring , and cherrish him , that he may haue vnderstanding , that he doth please you , then put on his knee-band againe , and leade him about the ring , then put your foote into the stirrop and rise vp and leane ouer the saddle , and put your arme ouer where your legge should be , and leane ouer a pritty while , and if he suffer you to do all this cherrish him , then light and take off the knee-band , and lead him about the ring againe , to giue him ease , and then put on the knee-band againe , and lead him about the ring , then come to him as you did before , and put your foote into the stirrop , and bid him at his head hold fast , then rayse your selfe vp , as you did before , and leane ouer him a pritty while , then venture on gods name to put ouer your leg , and bid him hold very fast at his head : you must sit very gently and stir not , but sit still a pretty while , then light and cherish him : then take off the knee-band , and lead him about the ring loose : then put on the knee-band againe : then put your foot gently , and get vp very leasurely , and sit a pretty while : then let him that hath a rod in his hand put him on gently , and if he goe gently but twenty paces , then light for good and all , and make very much of him , and take off the knee-band , and haue a few oates in a scuttle , and let him eare of them to giue him comfort against the next time : this being done , lead him home to the stable , and let him rest two or three houres : but i● any case giue him no maunger meat : but in the racke for one weeke or more , but what you giue him out of your hand , for that will keepe him in obedience . then take him out againe to the practising place , and your company with you : then begin to put him about as you did before at the first very gently , till he hath got the reake of his wind , then you may put him forth into a swift trot , and then put him into an easie hand gallop , that he may learne to deale his feet : and euer haue a care that he lead with his right leg , and also haue a care often to giue him his winde : this being done , then let one goe to his head , and put on his knee band , and lead him about the ring , then you may come to him as before , and offer to take his back gently , and get vp leasurely , and sit still a pretty while and settle your selfe , then let him with the long rod in his hand put him on , and let him goe round about the ring , and if he goe gently , then make much of him : then take off the knee-band , and let him haue his legs , and goe once or twice about the ring , and if he doe it gently , then make very much of him , and lead him into the stable . in any case giue him but a very little at once if he worke towardly , for that will encourage him much . i would not haue him in any case to know what did belong to a plunge , or any kinde of iades tricke , but to haue a care to haue him as cleane ridden as possible may be , and if he chance to take any toy , to reclaim him before you leaue him at that present , otherwise you spoyle all , and hee will be worse the next time , where it is easily done at the first . now when you haue set him vp , let him rest as long as he did before , then take him out againe , and put him about the ring , as you did before : then gallop him softly twice or thrice about the ring , that will make him deale his legs finely : then let one goe to his head , and go you to him : then put on his knee-band , then faite and quietly get on : then as soone as you are setled , take off the knee-band , then put him forward and goe gently about the ring , which if he doe quietly , make much of him , and goe on still two or three times about the ring , then let him stand still , and light off him , and doe not forget to cherish him : then let him lead him quietly about the ring loose to giue hime ease : then let him stand , and come to him , and get gently on him againe , without the knee-band on : and if he stand gently , let the man lead him on as before , and so lead him two or three times about the ring , then if hee doe that quietly make much of him , and then slacke your hand from his head , and goe a yard or more from him , but not too far for feare he take any toy , that you may be ready to clap to his head againe , for i would not in any case he should haue any tast of plunging : then if hee doe goe on gently once or twice about the ring , you may venture to goe further off him to the midst of the rope . all this while i would haue you let him goe of himselfe , without any medling with his head at all , but drawing his head to and fro with the musroule : then when he will go gently in this manner , you may light from his backe , then take him into the stable as before . i would haue you to exercise him thus three or foure times on a day by a little at once , and that will bring him to obedience and quietnesse the soonest of any way that euer i tried , then take him forth againe and bring him to the ring , and then put him about as before , some three or foure times , halfe trotting halfe galloping , then come to him and offer to get on , and if hee will stand gently , then goe on as before : and if he offer to stir , then clap the knee-band on , and then he cannot resist , for that is a sure way at all times to make him gentle to get on ; now being mounted , goe gently about , let your footman guide him by the head once about till he bee setled , then he may goe from his head to the middest of the rope , and you may put him foreward your selfe , and settle him gently , and take both the musroule reynes , and the bridle reynes in both your hands , but beare him all of the musroule , and the helpe of the chaine in his mouth : and beare him very lightly of the mouth till he be something setled , that he will goe foreward gently and quietly , and euer be working vp his head , and neuer care for his nose bearing out , but still cary your hand aloft , to get his head so high as you had it when you did mouth him in the stable , now when you haue wrought him in the ring so long as you thinke fitting , then you may light and make much of him : but by the way be sure euer to giue him ouer in his willingnesse , and that you leaue him not in any disorder ; so shall you find him the next time very willing and obedient to you : then lead him into the stable againe , and set him vp well . if he bee any thing hot , then you may loose the formost girth , and bring it about his breast , and fill it round with good dry wispes , then when you take him forth the next time , you must haue some old sober horse in a readinesse , that when you haue brought him forth to the ring and setled him well , then let the old horse bee brought forth , then you may let the foot man take his backe , and lead him from the stoops , and tye a rope of two yards long to the halter , then let the footman of the old horse goe before you , and lead your colt , and let him follow the old horse . this way will boulden your colt , and make him goe willingly without any stopping . i would haue you goe into some large field of some twenty or thirty acres in compasse , and euer as you goe be working vp his head , and goe round about the field gently , and euer as you goe put him foreward with your sticke , and make him goe against the other horse : let him of the other horse haue a good long rod in his hand , then when you haue gone once about the field , then you may vntye the rope from the halter , and let him haue the rope in his hand , then let your colt goe against the old horse , and goe a pretty way off , then let him goe before the old horse , and let the other follow , and if he stay at any time , the other man may helpe to put hin on . and as soone as he doth go gently on , then light off him and cherish him , & lead him home to the stable , and set him vp well . now when you haue him to lead the other horse , then twice a day is enough to exercise him . when you haue brought him to that perfection as he will go willingly of himselfe , th●n you may venture to lead the way before the other horse : but be sure you doe not take your colt forth at any time , but let one be with you for the space of a weeke , till he be well weaned , and will goe willingly of himselfe ; and then when you haue brought him to that perfection , you may begin to frame his mouth , and i would haue you very circumspect to attain to that secret , it being one of the chiefest grounds that belongs to a perfect snaffle-man . chap. 5. louing sonne , be carefull to vnderstand my rules , and i will ( by gods helpe ) deliuer you truly all my experience that i haue attained this 50 yeares practice . to come to the matter : first , i would haue you walke him faire and easily , and euer be working vp his head gently , carying your bridle reynes , and the reynes of your musroule , two in one hand , & two in the other : for a day or two cary him most of the nose , the chaine in his mouth , let him feele the sn●sfle with the reynes thereof , let him feele both as you finde his mouth frame to your hand : within ten or twelue score stay him , and forget not to raise your hand , it will make him climbe to your hand lightly . also i would haue you carry in either hand a good smart rod , with the great end in your hand , and the small end along by his sides as you carry your sword , that if hee beare out his end of eyther side , you may be ready to set him vp straight , and in any case doe not worke him too long , but when you doe finde that hee doth worke to your content giue him ouer with his willingnesse , and cleane without any disorder . then when you take him forth the next morning , let your man with the old horse be ready , and if he doe offer to stirre when you doe get vp , then put one the knee-band , and that will make him stand gently , then when you are mounted take the reynes in your hand , and goe gently forward and worke him as you did before , and carry him more on the mouth , till you haue brought him that he will obey to your hand gently , and carry light on the hand , and sometimes carry him on the snaffle reynes , and that will make him carry light both of the mouth and the nose , and when you haue brought his head into that place , where you meane to place his reyne then you may put to your martingale ; and i would haue you make your martingale with a buckle , and not with buttons , and broad betwixt the vpper side of the breast and the foremost girth , then draw the martingale not too straite at the first , till he be a little setled therewith . then you may draw it so straight , as his head shall stand euen as his head stood against a wall. then proceede forward , and walke him on as you did before , still obseruing the rules i did tell you before and euer haue a speciall care that you doe not carry a pressing hand of him , for that will dull and harden his mouth , and vtterly marre all you go about : but be euer working easily and gently , first with one raine , and then with the other , and you shall see that within a short time he will worke so firmely , and pleasantly , that it will encourage you to worke of his mouth , and euer haue a care that hee mouth true . and now that you haue set him on the martingale , i would haue you to let your musroule raines alone , and not meddle with them , but cary him all of the mouth , and worke him well of the snaffle reynes , for i haue tried many a yeare , that the false reine maketh a false mouthed horse , and now when you haue begunne to worke him of the mouth altogether , then let your hand worke his mouth , and the martingale and musroule worke his nose : so you shall finde in a short time that they will agree both together , and then you shall see his necke rise and beginne to shewe a comely reyne : for it is one of the chiefest secrets belonging to a perfect snaffle man. i would haue the ring very large , for that you may bring your horse about , euen so that your horse may come about with his head , necke , and body iust and euen , for in no case his head may not come one way , and his body another way , for that is naught . now when you are working him in both these rings , you may first pace him , then trot him , first of one hand and then of the other , so long as you shall finde his mettle hold , and that hee will goe freely and metledly vnder you . but be sure you giue him ouer in his willingnesse , and cleane without any way of disorder . and louing sonne , i will tell you one principall rule more ( that is at the first ) when you beginne with him vnderstand his nature , whether he be of a high spirit , and full of mettle , or he be dull , and of a dogged condition , for according to his nature you must worke him , for if you worke both conditions of one fashion , you will marre more then you will make , the high metled colt , must be wrought gently with easie helpes , and little correction , for if you deale roughly with him , you will driue him out of all ; but for the dull metled colt , you must needs be sharpe with him , and often quicken him vp , or else he will do nothing . now to proceede , i would haue you exercise your horse in this large figure of eight , till hee will treade it , and trot it willingly , and euer when you meane to stop him vpon the hand , let it be in the midst thereof , betweene the rings , and in your exercise you may put him sometimes into his swift trot ; and prancke him vp and make him goe franckly vnder you , still hauing a speciall care hee cary light of the hand ; and when you put him into his swift trot , if at any time he beare hard of the hand , then stay him and retire him two or three stepps , and that will make him presently to yeeld willingly to your hand , and be sure you faile not , as often as you feele him presse hard of your hand , that you stay him and retire him till he yeelde to your hand , and within a short time you shall finde him , that assoone as you offer to stay your hand , he will presently yeeld and goe gently and lightly of your hand , and so i would haue you bring him to that perfectnesse of your hand , that he will cary his head so stedfastly , and his reynes so round , and stately , that he will not disorded it at any time ; and i would haue you haue a care of carrying your hand , that is to cary it a lost aboue your saddle pomell , and in no case stirre it vp and downe , but cary it still and firme . chap. 6. also louing sonne , there is another principall rule , that i do meane to set you downe , and i would haue you be very carefull to get the vnderstanding thereof ; and that is this , to know how and when to helpe your horse , and how and when to correct your horse , and how and when to cherrish your horse , which things must be done all either in due time , or else they will preuaile nothing , for if you helpe him not in the very instant when hee should haue it , it is to no purpose , nor giue correction at the vnfit time , it preuailes nothing at all , and if you cherrish when there is no cause , it is to no purpose neither . therefore you must worke diligently to get the knowledge thereof , for when you are in practising your horse , and doth perceiue that he doth stand in neede of helpe , then let him haue it euen in due time , and that will preuaile ; which helpe may bee giuen him three wayes ; with your rod , with your heele , and with your mouth : with giuing a small ierke , with doubling your tongue in the roofe of your mouth , and you may correct him in all these three manner of wayes . that is with your rod in his flanke , with the sharpe stroake of your spurre , or giuing him some fearefull word with your mouth : but you can cherrish him but two wayes , that is , with clapping him on the necke with your hand , and giuing him faire words that will please him ; and thus in your practise you must obserue all these helpes , and doe them in due time , for in time being done , doth set all right , and out of time will set all wrong . therefore i would haue you euer when you are in practising of your horse , and working him in his lessons , to remember in time , and out of time , and there will be do doubt , but all your businesse will come to good effect , if you doe alwayes remember and carry it in your minde , that in time setteth all right and forward , and out of time doth set more wrong in a day , then you shall set right in a weeke . but now to come to your practise againe , i would haue you practise your horse still in the figure of eight , till you haue him so perfect in both the rings , as is sitting . both vpon his soft trot , and his swift trot , alwaies carrying light of your hand , with his head in the right place , and his reyne lofty and staitly , then you may begin to set him of a proud trot , and to goe statelie , which in my opinion is the onelie shewe that any snaffle horse can be for vpon , both for the shewe of the rider , and the horse for to goe of a statelie trot a long a streete , and to take vp his forefeete comely , and round ; and now and then to beat three or foure low curvets , will grace his trot much , so as hee be made so perfect , as hee will make his changes willingly and perfectly , without working on , for it is an vnseemely sight for the rider to worke vpon his horse in the streets . and now louing sonne , i will heere with gods helpe , set you downe a perfect and vnfalliable way how to teach him without heating , or chasing him : first i would haue you put on his musroule and martingale , and then his bridle , then put a sursingle about him , then put your martingale to the sursingle , as you did when you rode him . then you may carry him something harder of your hand , and put him into an euen trot , and you shall see him presently begin to goe proudlie before you , then as soone as you see him settle himselfe neuer so little to set his feete to your liking , then staie him presentlie , and make much of him , giue him some reward , and giue him ouer for that time , and feede him well with oates , and let him rest one houre at the least , and then take him out againe , and exercise him as you did before , and you shall see presently , if you sharpe him vp , and shake your rod , that hee will fall into a proud trot presently , and euer bee sure that assoone as you see him set but fiue or sixe strokes true , then presently staie him , and make much of him : now you shall see presently at his first setting , whether he will haue a loftie trot , or a low trot , and if he begin with a loftie trot , as no doubt if he be a metled horse he will , then you neede not vse anie other helps to him but the reines and rod. but if he be of a slow mettle , and set his feet thicke and short , and low withall , then you must vse these helpes as you see here proportioned , and then you must put them on , and buckle them on euery foot vnder his foot locke , and you must buckle them straite as you can , that they doe not goe round about his legs , then you may bring him to the practising place againe , and you shall see him take vp his feet finely to your liking : and thus you may practice him still vntill he be so well acquainted with them , that he will take vp his feet so lofty and comely as shall be to your liking : and when you haue him so perfect going on the one hand , then you may change him on the other hand , and that will set his body euen that way he came . now , when you haue him perfect on either hand , and doth set his trot comely and stately , and that you haue his mouth at command , then you may venture to set a saddle on him , and the next time you take him forth , let one that hath some vnderstanding take the reynes of you , and the rod in his hand , and let him see how you did cary the reynes in your hand , and if he can make him set as you did , then you may take his backe , and take the bridle reines in your hand , but let him scarcely feele your hand ; but let the other man carie him vpon his long reynes , as you did before : then if he doe performe his trot as he did before , then you may cary him all of the reynes : and if hee doe performe his trot of your reynes , yet let the other man follow you still , that if he breake with your hand at any time , he may helpe you ; and so you may exercise him till hee be so perfect as you shall thinke fitting , and you may cut his trot shorter and shorter , till you haue brought him that he will stand vpon his trot , and trot both foreward and backward . you may not let the footman goe from you , but still carie your long reines after you , till you haue him so perfect as you desire . then before you leaue your foot-man , i would haue you let him stand still , and bid the foot man shake his rod and set him foreward , then lay your rod on his left shoulder , and close your legges close to his shoulders , and carie your hand something hard of his mouth , and say to him , vp , vp , and let the footman helps you with his reines , and it is verie like hee will raise himselfe and aduance cleare vp before , which if he doe , then make much of him , and goe foreward still vpon a foot pace : but if he will not raise himself with the helps you giue him , then deale not roughly with him , but goe on forward a little , then stay him againe , and offer to him as you did before , and if he refuse the second time , then offer it to him the third time , which if he refuse , then trouble him no more that waie , but walke him once about the court and set him vp , and get a good stout rod of a yeard in length , or there about , and get a peece of a naile and knocke into the one ●nd thereof , then goe to a grindle stone , and grinde it iust of that fashion that the prickle of a goad is , then take your horse forth again , then let him goe once about the court , without anie man on his backe , and trot him proudly , then get on his backe , and let the foot-man come behinde with the long reines , and goe once about againe , then let the foot-man set him vp to you , and giue him the same helps as before , and if hee refuse to aduance and rise before , then let the foot-man come vp to him and stand by his shoulder , and pricke him in the middest of his brisket , and say , vp , vp , and pricke him hard and you shall see that he will raise himselfe presently without faile , which being done make much of him , and goe on vpon a foot pace still about the court , then when you come to the place where you did offer him his lesson , let the foot-man come and pricke him as before , and he will aduance presently , and euer when he doth prick him on the breast you must help him with the rod , and close your feet fast to the hindmost part of his shoulder , and bid him , vp , vp , and so practice him till hee be perfect , and euer as you walke him round about , let the foot-man come and giue him the prickle and he will rise presently ; and so so exercise him till he will rise of himselfe willingly , which when he will doe , with the helpe of your rod and foot , then be assured that you haue wonne him , and that with good and discreet riding , he will proceed and goe forward to your liking , and euer haue a care that you doe not dull him , but still giue him ouer in his willingnesse , and a little at once and often . now , the next morning take his backe at the first , and put him to his trot , and when he hath gone once about the court , then make him aduance with giuing him the helps i tould you of before , and then when you haue brought him to that perfectnesse that he will aduance easily , at euerie time you offer it him , giue him the helpe of your rod and heele , and when hee is so perfect as you thinke fitting , then you may teach him to make his changes , that is , when he is in his proud trot , you may make him to beat three or foure aduances , which will be very gracefull in his going , and you may teach any horse that shall be proud trotting for a coach for the streets in this manner : for i assure you , doe but worke directly after these rules , and you shall hit all , and misse none . and thus , louing sonne , did i practice at the beginning , till i came to that skill , that now i will vndertake , with gods helpe , to make any horse to set a proud trot , onely with the hand , heele , and mouth , without any engine . and now , louing sonne , that i haue brought you thus far vpon your walke and trot , i will begin , with gods helpe , to teach you to make your horse to gallop truly and right , from one degree to another . first , i would haue you the next morning , to bring him to the double ring againe , and let it bee rather larger then before , and then put him about it a foot pace , to settle him a little , then put him forth into a swift trot , euer hauing a speciall care that hee cary his reyne as he did before , then hauing trotted him twice or thrice about the ring , stay him , and retire him a little , then put him to his swift trot againe , and put him vp to his gallop as softly as you can possibly make him strike his gallop , and let him goe but once about one ring , ere you put him to his trot againe , and so let him trot about the other ring , and so i would haue you exercise him trotting about the one ring , and galloping about the other ring , till you haue brought him , that as soone as hee hath trotted about the one ring , at the entring into the other , he will fall into an easie gallop of himselfe : and so i would haue you exercise him in trotting the one ring , and galloping the other , till he be so perfect , that as soone as you but bend your body forward , and giue him the flat of your heele , hee will presently fall into an easie gallop : and euer when you feele him presse forward of your hand , and would goe faster then you would haue him , then stay him a little and let him trot againe , and that will bring him to gallop at a certaine . i would haue you euer cary a faster hand of him in his trot , then in his gallop : for that wil make him cary light of your hand , which is one of the chiefest things belonging to his gallop . for that horse that doth tide chasing and pressing vpon the hand , doth weary the armes and tire himselfe . but louing sonne , giue me that horse , that will ride of an easie gallop from the hand , and so to the middle of his spende ▪ and so to the very height of his speede : alwayes carying light of your hande , and euer yeeld willingly to your hand whensoeuer you see occasion to take him vp to giue him a sobe , for that horse i hold to bee perfectly and truly mouthed , and rightly mannaged from the begining . all this is easily to bee done if he be rightly mouthed at the begining : but if you doe thrust him forth at the first , to gallop him furiously to the very height of his speed , and so continue him but one weeke you will vtterly spoil him for euer for being at command : therefore good louing son marke this course well , and cary it in your memory , and beleeue mee it will doe you much good in your practice . and so i will come to the point where i left , that is , as often as he doth presse hard of your hand in his gallop from the hand , that so often you stay him gently , and put him to his trot againe , and that in short time , that hee will seldome or neuer presse hard of your hand , but will euer cary an easie mouth and light vpon your hand , and when he is brought to his perfection , then i woud haue you to practice him to gallop from the hand as easily & softly as you can possible make him strike his gallop , going round both the rings , alwaies carying a gentle hand of him , for that will make him settle his fore feet , and make him slip them foreward both comely and easily , and bring his hinder legs close and round after him , for as the colt that must be made for the bit and great saddle , must be made to gallop high and lofty , so must the hunting horse be brought to a slow and easie swimming gallop , as arte can afford , for commonly that horse that is short knit , and high filleted , doth prooue the best hunter , for the strength of the backe doth carie it away at length : and so the horse that is long and loosly knit , will commonly gallop with his fore feet slubbering and stamping , and bring his hinder legs high and vnseemly after him , and will neuer prooue good galloper . and now to come to the matter againe , i would haue you exercise your horse still as you did before , in the large rings , till you haue brought him so perfect , that he will fall into his gallop at the first setting forth , and go so comely and easily as shall be to your liking , then you may take him into some plaine ground , of some ten or twelue acres , and there begin at a side to gallop him round about , as large as you can ; and when you haue setled him into his truestroake , then you may thrust him vp into the middle of his speede , and so continue him a pretty while , and that will make him gather himselfe vp roundly , and gather spirit into him , then checke him vp againe , and bring him into his easie and soft gallop , and so make an end at this time . prouided alwayes , that you leaue him with an easie mouth and light reine , now when you take him forth the next morning , then bring him into the same ground you had him before , then put him into his swift trot a little , to settle his mouth to your hand , then put him into his easie gallop , and fetch a large compasse , and make as large a double ring as you can , see that you bring him about of either hand , for the larger he doth gallop , the better may you set his legs and giue him his true stroake ; and if at any time he do fall out of his stroake , then presently put him into his trot , but halfe a dozen trots , and then put him into his gallop againe , and hee will presently fall into his true stroake againe ; and euer haue a speciall care that you keepe him large enough , for when hee doth grow perfect in his gallop , hee will desire to come in too fast ; and if you gallop him any long time , be sure to giue him winde in due time , and giue him an easie hancke : when you thinke he hath done well , then light of him , and make much of him , and walke him vp and downe a little , then take his backe againe , and put him to his gallop . and when he is setled in his right stroake , then looke downe , and see whether his right legge lead or no , and if hee leade on the left legge , and not on the right ; then the next morning take with you one of the slips you had to make him trot , and when you begin to gallop him , begin on the right hand , and first put the slip one his left set-locke , and take it in your left hand ; and if in his gallop hee lead with his left legge , then you may marke when hee doth set his left legge before , then you may euen in that very time when hee doth set his legge forth , giue him a little twich with your hand , and helpe him with your rod of the right shoulder , and presently hee will set the right legge before , and so you may continue that helpe till he will lead with his right leg before , both of the right hand ; and of the left , and so when you haue brought him to his perfect stroake of his gallop , from the hand to the middle of his speede , and that hee will performe it readily , and willingly , then you may put him to gallop roundly of either hand , in and out as you please , as shall come into your minde when you are galloping . and when you haue brought him to his voluntary gallop , and that he willingly giue you leaue to hancke and loose at your pleasure , then you may bein good hope that you haue won his mouth for euer , and then you may take him the next morning into some vnplow'd fallow field , that is redge and furrow , and there begin to gallop him , and doe not goe euen ouer them at the beginning , for that will breake his stroake mightily , but sloope him ouer side-way , till he haue gotten his true stroake , and that hee will strike his furrow euen and iust , and that hee will set his forefoote ●ust in the furrow , for that you must bring him 〈◊〉 if euer you bring him to goe ouer a field with a 〈…〉 . for if hee set ouer the furrow 〈…〉 his backe , and be a great deale 〈…〉 to him then to set his fore-foote euen 〈…〉 ●ow . and when you haue galloped him ouer so slooping , a quarter of a mile , then you may turne him backe againe , and sloope him as much of the other hand , and when hee will strike his furrow euen of either hand , then you may put him ouer the lands , euen forward ; and when you haue made him perfect in all these wayes , then i thinke you haue finisht his gallop for the field all manner of wayes . but louing sonne , there is another round galloping lesson that i haue practised much with three horses all at once , which i will by gods leaue teach you the manner thereof ; and about some thirty yeeres agone , i and two of my eldest sonnes , of three fine yong horses , did gallop it on malton hill , and it was highly commended , for it was neuer done in that place before . now good louing sonne , i pray you if you please to practise it , that you will giue it the name of brownes round , for that i thinke i was the first that euer did practise it of the snaffle . chap. 7. now louing sonne , that i haue here set downe all the skill and knowledge that i haue gotten in fifty yeares practise , from the first haltering a colt , from on degree to another , till he be brought to gallop this round heretofore set downe . now i will by gods helpe set you downe another , as true and vnfallible away to pace and amble any horse sufficiently , and well , of what nature and disposition soeuer he be of , and if you will diligently and carefully obserue these rules heretofore set downe by me , you shal by gods helpe , hit all and misse none . first , louing sonne i will begin to let you vnderstand of all the wayes that i haue practised from the first beginning till this day . first , i did practise to lead him downe the hill , and checke him vnder the chin , that will make him set to an amble presently , but it will make him totter with his end , and stampe with his fore-feete , and will make him set hard . and i haue vsed another way with long shooes with pikes before of three inches long , that way will make him catch vp his hinder legges vnseemely as though he had the wild mares hinch . i haue vsed another way that is to wispe them of their hinder feete , aboue the fet-locke , that way will make him straddle and go wide behind . i haue vsed another way , that is to worke him in some deepe ploughed ground , that way wil giue him sore heates , and toyle him and take of his mettle mightily . but , louing sonne , i haue set downe two waies that i haue practised this thirty yeares , and i will neuer vse other whilest i liue , neither to my selfe , nor to any that i shall teach , and these be the two waies . first , i would haue you take his backe and try him how he is enclined , and goe to some rysing ground and there thrust him vp to the height betwixt his trot and his gallop , and you shall presently see him fall into a shuffle , betwixt an amble and a gallop , and if he will doe so , then i would haue you vse no other way with him but the hand and the heele , if you haue any vnderstanding to know how to helpe him with the hand and heele , you may giue him his pace so without any other helpe . but if in trying him so , he will not make any offer or shew of a pace , then giue him ouer and toyle him no more , but goe to him in this manner : chap. 8. then , louing sonne , you may be in good hope that you may prooue a sufficient ambler : when you haue brought you● horse to that perfection , then i would haue you shift your traues from beneath the knee , and beneath the hough , and put them aboue the knee and aboue the hough , then goe to some vp-rise ( as we tearme it in yorke-shire ) or some climing ground that doth rise reasonable high , there put him vp very softly , and vse your hand to guid his legs as you did before of the euen ground , and when he is a little acquainted with the ground , you may put him faster to it , and euer haue a care to keepe him long and true in his place , for they be two principall rules ; and euer when he doth well , then faile not to make much of him , and giue him some reward , and you shall see that within two or three daies hee will worke so finely and comely vp the hill , that it will doe you good to ride him : but alwaies haue a care to leaue him when he hath done well , and in his willingnesse : and so when you haue practised him in that manner with the traues , and that you finde him to goe perfectly and well , then take off one of them , and let him goe with the other on , and when you haue him perfect , you may take off the other : and when you haue taken off the other , i would haue you make in a readinesse one paire of hough-bands , made as this figure doth shew you , and buckle them hard aboue the hough behinde , then take his backe and put him vp the road faire and softly , and if your hand and heele will serue you to keepe him in his true stroake , then you may proceed with him and worke him on : but if your hand will not serue to keepe him where he was , then i would haue you presently to clap on the single traue againe , and so practice him till he be so perfect as he will go willingly and true . and if he doth set ouer further of that side that the traue is on , then he doth of the other , then shift the traue on the other side , and that will helpe him of that fault : and when you haue brought him that he will goe perfectly and well , then take it off again ; but before you take the traue off , you must put him vp to the height of his pace , and make him strike it out , a●● euer as you see him to grow vpon your hand , and come on faster , when you come to the end of your road , light off his backe and lead him down and make much of him , and when you haue him so perfect that hee will strike out to the height of his pace , then venture to take it off , and say him loose with his hough-bands on . in any case remember to giue him but short roads , if hee worke to your hand well when you begin to try him loose , put him to it very softly , and so proceed faster as hee doth grow in perfectnesse . and when you haue him that your hand and his legs doe agree altogether , then there is no doubt of your proceeding ; and then you may ease his hough-bands a little till he will goe without them ▪ and when you assay him without them , put him vp the road very softly , as you did with his engins on . now louing son , to let you vnderstand the benefit of the hough-bands , is this ; they doe make him bring in his hinder legs close and low after him , and will make him goe comely in his pace , and also set forward his hinder legs : and now when you haue him working vp the road loose , and that he will set true and right , then put him on faster as you see him grow in perfectnesse : but you must not thrust him vp the road euerie time to the height of his pace , but pace him softly three or foure times , and the fift time thrust him vp to the verie height ; for if you should put him vp euerie time to the height of his pace it would dull him and make him wearie . and you must not in any case , shift his road , vntill he be so perfect , that when you offer to put him vp to the height of his pace , he will flie vp with it so lightly and comely as you desire . and louing sonne , i would haue you to be very carefull and circumspect in this point , for it is one of the chiefest principalls which belongeth to the pace : for there is small art in bringing any horse to the middest of his pace , but there is great art and skill to bring a horse to his full pace , and that he wil goe with it in any company : for , louing sonne , i my selfe was but halfe a pacer for the space of twenyeares , and had as many horses as i could turne me to , with the helpe of two of my sonnes , and was well paid for them : and i haue met them within a month after , and haue seene them goe of such a hiffe haffe , as hath beene neither amble nor trot , which hath grieued me much ● and i could neuer mend it vntill i got the skill to worke them vp the hill : for , louing sonne , i will assure you , it is not to be done any way so well as that way : nor to bring him to his changes , that is , from the height of his pace to his gallop , and from his gallop to his pace againe , and to shift from the one to the other truely at your pleasure ; for i would not giue a pinne for that pace that will not keepe company with any horse that he shall meet with , and to make his change at your pleasure , that is , to goe in his amble , in his gallop , and in his trot at your pleasure : when you will haue him shift from one to another , then is hee fit for any company : for the horse that is perfect in all these three paces , the rider may say , now i will ride of an ambling horse one mile , and of a trotting horse another mile , and of a galloping horse the third mile . and now louing sonne , when your horse will make his change from one to another in his first roade , then you may take him into another road that is something lower rising then the first , and when you haue him perfect in that , then you may take him from that to another roade , that is something lower then the second , and when hee is perfect in that , then you may bring him to the euen ground , and so perfect him in that , and then you haue brought him to goe on all grounds : but you may not in any case shift him from the first road , to the euen ground at the first , for then you marre all , but you must bring him downe by degrees to the euen ground , and that you haue him perfect on the euen ground , you may take him to the highway , and ride him the first day one mile , and home againe , and the next two miles ; and so as you see him grow in perfectnesse , so you may take him further and further , till you haue him so perfect that he will goe a dayes iourney . and when you doe begin to trauell him out a dayes iourney , you must light downe often , and ease him so that hee will tall to his pace againe very willingly , but if you keepe him alwayes at his pace , you will so tyre him in it , that hee will haue no desire to keep it , and you must as you are trauelling , euer when you come to some faire grauell ground for the purpose , something rising , and of a good length , you may put him vp to the height of his pace , and so make him change truely to his gallop , and so keepe him in his gallop some twelue score , or there abouts , and then you must helpe him with your hands , and bring him backe to his amble againe , and so you may exercise him as you trauell on the high way , to make him perfect of those two things , and for his trot you need not trouble your selfe , for he will goe to that of himselfe , but you must not in any case put him out of his trot , into his gallop , but you must bring him out of his trot , into his pace againe , then you may put him into his gallop , and so change him from his pace to his gallop at your pleasure ; and when you haue brought him that hee will performe all these changes at your pleasure , then i thinke you haue made him fit for the hye way , and now that you haue brought your horse from one degree to another till hee be perfect on the hye way . i will make hold to call you backe againe to your first lesson where you began : and good louing son marke this poynt well , that is , to haue a speciall care of your horse at the first putting on of your single traue that it be of a due length , neither too long nor too short , let it not be aboue a yard at the most , and be very carefull in leading of him with his head vp , and as softly as possibly you may make him goe : for all the skill that belong to the traue , is to giue him a long stroake , and to vnderstand how to giue him his helpes in due time : i would haue you practice this way till you be very perfect herein , and obserue the rules heretofore set downe carefully , and when you are perfect in this way , and that you finde you grow perfect to lead his legges right , and true , then i would haue you begin to practise to worke him vp the hill , with the traues aboue the knee , and aboue the hough ; and practising so in short time your hand and heele will serue you to worke any horse with the traue on in that place , and when you finde your hand serue you so well , then you may venter to practise him loose vp the hill with the hough bands of his hinder legs , and so to come to worke him loose without any engine , for now i thanke god my hand doth serue me so well , that i do not traue one amongst seuen . but louing sonne , there is two lessons more , that i will teach you , which be the cunningest lessons belong to an ambler ; and the first is to be done in this manner hereafter mentioned . chap. 9. first louing sonne , i would haue you bring your horse into some large ring , of foure or fiue score paces about , and put him into as fine and comely an amble , as you possible can make him goe in , then let him goe two or three times about the ring , then put him vp to his fine hand gallop , out of his pace , and let him goe other three times about , then take him vp from his gallop , and put him to his proud and stately trot , that you made him before going loose before you , as your picture doth shew you , & that ( as i tearme it ) is the going of three changes , and all in one round compasse ; and i thinke , if you haue brought him to ride all those three changes in that round compasse , as often as you please to put him to it , you haue done as much to him of the snaffle as arte can affoord . chap. 10. louing sonne , the other lesson is this , hauing brought your horse to this perfectnesse , and that hee is truely paced rightly coloured , and finely made , and stately , and that hee be for an honorable mans saddle , and that you must set him on a pad , and a bit , you must begin with him in this manner : first , when you haue him at the length of his pace , that must be that hee set his hinder foote ouer his fore-foote three quarters of a yard at the least , then you must begin to set him proud of your hand ; and euer set him forward with your rod , heele , and mouth , and you shall see him presently begin to cut his pace , and to goe proudly : you must make your roade but short that you doe ride him in , that you may giue him rest at euery roades end ; and you must haue a speciall care , that as you cut his pace short , that you make him set true , or else you marre all : for you must bring him from three quarters of a yard ouer , so farre short till hee come to set but one foote iust ouer another , and must set his pace as true as hee did , when he set ouer the furthest , and when you haue cut his pace so short , you must let him rest there , for it is not possible to cut it any shorter , and make him set true withall . now when you haue brought him to his shortnesse of his pace , i would haue you you perfect him in that stately going till he will willingly , when you haue him at the length of his pace , if you but take vp your reynes , and thrust him forward with your heele , and mouth , that hee will goe as proudly and as stately as you will desire to haue him ; and now when you haue brought him to this perfectnesse , and that hee must be set vpon a bit to beare a foot cloth in the streetes , it is fit you doe bit him , for that you know how to keepe him in his true stroake with your hand , and you must bit him in this manner ; if hee be a short fore-handed horse , the cheeke of his bit must be the longer , and if hee be long fore-handed , it must be the shorter , and when you doe put the bit into his mouth , first you must take as small a hunting snaffle as you can get , and put into his mouth first , and then you may put one the bit , and let the curbe be at the full length at the first , and beare him at the first all of the snaffle , that you may helpe him when neede is : and so you may by a little at once let him feele the curbe , and so you may exercise him till hee be perfect , and when he doth ●●now the curbe , you may take it vp shorter , as you see cause . and so louing sonne , when you haue brought him that hee will goe of his proud and stately amble , and shift to his proud and stately trot , and shift from one to another at your pleasure , then i thinke you haue performed as much as is possible to bee done . now louing sonne , i will teach you to make your horse beat a curuet in the stable : you must begin in this manner : you must first turne him backward in his stall , and set him vpon two false reynes , the●●●● a paire of pastornes on his fore-feete , then take your prickle you had before , and prick him on the breast , and he will presently rise vp before , as you taught him in his proud trot , then you must put on a paire of traues , as you see here , aboue the knee , and aboue the hough , then turne him forward againe , then let one be at his shoulder , and giue him the pricke , and stand you behind him with another long pricke , and pricke him on the side of his buttocke , and hee will present rise behind , and so you may take both the pricke in your hands , and first thrust it to his shoulders , and then to his buttockes , and he will presently rise before , and behinde , and beat it euen . the traues will make him keepe his hinder legs close , and not yerke out this lesson is good to exercise him in the stable when you bring him in from riding , and after his water . there is another lesson i will teach you , that is as needfull , that is to make your horse kneele downe when you would haue him . you must begin in this manner , you must turne him backe in the stall , and strow litter enough vnder him , then put a long slip to his foot-locke on his farre-foote , then put an other on his neere foote , then take the slip on the far side , and bring it ouer his wythers , then with your right hand draw his legge vp a good way from the ground , then hold it fast , then draw the other leg vp withall your strength , and bid him couch , and he will presently kneel downe on both his knees , then when he is downe , make him kneele a good pretty while , then let him rise againe , and make much of him , then you may exercise him so still , till hee be so perfect that hee will kneele downe when you strike him one the knees with your rod , and bid him couch : this lesson is good for a high way horse , when the rider is weary , to light . now there is another lesson to teach your horse , that is this , to make him follow you any manner of way you goe ; you must teach it him in this manner . first , you must keep him very sharpe for one day , and a night , and giue him nothing but straw in his racke , then come to him the next morning , and tye a long slip to his coller , then take a good quantity of oates in your prouand-dish , and goe to him and let him feele them , and then goe a good pretty way from him , and shake the oates in the dish , and bid him , come , come , and if he will not come , then goe neere him , and draw a little from him , and hee will come presently ; and so you must practise him , till when you loose him from the manger , and shake your oates , he will come to you . then you may goe out off the doore , and let him follow you loose in some court , where he cannot get out , and so you may make him follow you any way wheresoeuer you goe , and then you may put a peece of bread in your boote , or shooe , and the taste of it will make him loue you exceedingly , and blowing into his nostrills will helpe much . chap. 11. and now , loving sonne , for farriership i haue no skill , neither will i set downe any thing , but what i haue tried by my owne experience , and sore paines taken this fifty yeares . but i will set downe three serets , that is very fitting for either rider or groome to know , and these be they . to make a starre in any darke coloured horses forehead , or sneepe in his nose , or in any part of his face and body . the second is , to make roules to get a cold from any horse that is new taken . the the third is , to kill any scratches , or sore heeles whatsoeuer . for the first , you must make a bodkin in this manner heretofore set downe , and two prickes in the same manner , and where you would haue the starre , there you must thrust in your bodkin , and bring it forth againe some quarter of an inch aboue where you put it in , then you must take your bodkin forth , and put in one of your prickes ; then you must make another hole crosse ouer the other pricke , then take foure yeards of fine two-peny-bredth inkle , and wrap it about in this manner , as you see this sample , and when you haue wrapped the one halfe , then crosse it as you see this figure , some twice or thrice about all the foure ends , and then goe on still and wrap as you did before , and tye it fast at one end , and let it be on foure and twenty houres , and then vnwrap the inkle and take out the prickes , and close the skin with the ball of your hand , and annoint it with hot butter once when you take them out , and again within two or three daies after : and so doe no more to it , for the skin will come on it , and it will bee a very faire white . you must make your medicine for the cold in this manner : for the killing of the scratches , you must take foure penny-worth of white copperis , one handfull of bay-salt , and boyle them in small beare wort , till it be something thicke , then put it in a pot , and clip the hayre bare , that the water may goe in , and when you dresse him , rub it in well that it may goe to the bottome , and dresse him morning and euenining , and keepe his legges dry , and it will presently kill the disease . i haue one secret more , which shewes how you may haue a horse-coult , or a mare-coult at your pleasure . when you would haue a horse-colt of your mare , obserue this rule : there are twelue signes , six male , and six female ; and if you would haue a horse colt , you must put your mare to the horse in one of the male signes and it will bee a horse coult. so likewise for a mare coult , you must obserue it by the osix signes which are contrary . chap. 12. so now ( louing sonne ) i haue troubled you with a great deale of reading , for a small deale of matter , but i must desire you to beare with an old memory , for the old saying is , as age comes on , so memory decayes . i will now onely set you downe a briefe of all the principall rules , in order , as i haue obserued them in this booke . the first is , to make a true and perfect mouth . the second is , to make a proud , stately , and comely reyne . the third is , to make a proud and stately trot , which must be done with round balls of wood , six or seauen inches in compasse , and made fast vnder his fetlocke , as is shewed in his place . the fourth is , to make a full sufficient high-way pace . the fift is , to make a proud stately short pace for a street . the sixt is , to make a fine comely and easie gallop , either for hunting , or for the high-way , and that he will make all his three changes in a large ringe , that is vpon his pace , trot , and gallop , and that he will performe all these changes in those rings heretofore set downe , and that he will doe them all without any disorder . then louing son , if you will practice to get all these grounds here by me set downe , you shall be accounted as sufficient a snaffle-man as most is in england . vale. markhams faithfull farrier wherein the depth of his skill is layd open in all those principall and approued secrets of horsemanship, which the author neuer published, but hath kept in his brest, and hath beene the glory of his practise. markham, gervase, 1568?-1637. 1630 approx. 97 kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from 63 1-bit group-iv tiff page images. text creation partnership, ann arbor, mi ; oxford (uk) : 2005-12 (eebo-tcp phase 1). a06940 stc 17367 estc s1627 20240895 ocm 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(eebo-tcp ; phase 1, no. a06940) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set 23895) images scanned from microfilm: (early english books, 1475-1640 ; 1710:10) markhams faithfull farrier wherein the depth of his skill is layd open in all those principall and approued secrets of horsemanship, which the author neuer published, but hath kept in his brest, and hath beene the glory of his practise. markham, gervase, 1568?-1637. [14], 110 p. by t.c. for michael sparke, dwelling in greene arbor, and are to be sold by rich. royston, at his shop in i[...] lane, printed at london : 1630. t.p. contains woodcut illustration. signatures: a⁸(-a1) b-g⁸ h⁷. pages 19 and 37 misnumbered as 16 and 73 respectively. imperfect: tightly bound with loss of print. reproduction of original in the henry e. huntington library and art gallery. created by converting tcp files to tei p5 using tcp2tei.xsl, tei @ oxford. re-processed by university of nebraska-lincoln and northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors. eebo-tcp is a partnership between the universities of michigan and oxford and the publisher proquest to create accurately transcribed and encoded texts based on the image sets published by proquest via their early english books online (eebo) database 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illegible were corrected where possible up to a limit of 100 instances per text. any remaining illegibles were encoded as <gap>s. understanding these processes should make clear that, while the overall quality of tcp data is very good, some errors will remain and some readable characters will be marked as illegible. users should bear in mind that in all likelihood such instances will never have been looked at by a tcp editor. the texts were encoded and linked to page images in accordance with level 4 of the tei in libraries guidelines. copies of the texts have been issued variously as sgml (tcp schema; ascii text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable xml (tcp schema; characters represented either as utf-8 unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless xml (tei p5, characters represented either as utf-8 unicode or tei g elements). keying and markup guidelines are available at the text creation partnership web site . eng horses -diseases. horsemanship -early works to 1800. 2005-06 tcp assigned for keying and markup 2005-06 aptara keyed and coded from proquest page images 2005-07 jonathan blaney sampled and proofread 2005-07 jonathan blaney text and markup reviewed and edited 2005-10 pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion markhams faithfvll farrier . wherein the depth of his skill is layd open in all those principall and approued secrets of horsemanship , which the author neuer published , but hath kept in his brest , and hath beene the glory of his practise . printed at london , by t. c. for michael sparke , dwelling in greene arbor , and are to be sold by rich : royston , at his shop in iuie lane : 16●0 . to the reader or buyer of this booke . it is a true saying , tempus omnia terminat . so i , gentle reader , hauing gained experience all my life to these present dayes wherein i am ready to creepe into the earth , willing now at the important request of my best friends , haue yeelded myselfe to lay the glorie of my skill in horsemanship open to the world : and hauing kept secret in the cabinet of my brest , these secrets , by which i haue gained from many a noble person many a fayre pound , i now bestow it vpon thee for the value of foure pence . it may bee some will account mee a foole in print for disclosing my secrets , but i euer regarded the life of a worthy horse , before the word of a foole. for bee thou noble , or what else , this here i doe is for thy good. if you take pleasure either in an horse to hunt , or for the warre , or for the race , or for to draw , or a hackney , come hither , buy , see , and welcome . take my opinion , and thou shalt finde in this my honest faithfull farryer , a shoppe of skill for thee to view : let this bee thy doctor , and thy druggist : let this be thy instructer and director . i hope that no good minded farryer will be greeued with me because i giue insight to the master of the horse : for if thy house were on fire , why shouldest thou run to fetch thy neighbours water to quench it , when thine owne is neerer at hand ? so if the horses owner know by this booke how to saue the life of his horse , why should he either ride or run to the farryer ? but it may bee euerie owner of an horse will not buy a booke . it matters not if but euery farryer haue one , and but that one in a towne , i doubt not , but with making vse of that one , many a man shall saue the life of his beast . come therefore and reade these secrets , which cost me paines , studie , practise , and labour ; all which hath cost mee trouble for thy ease . this shall bee thy pleasure which hath beene my toyle . it shall bee thy profit which hath beene my trouble : and this shall bee thy faithfull farryer and inctructer . for what creature canst thou name more necessarie than the horse , and what more helpefull at a time of need ? for were wee without horse , in what a strait should wee bee in , hee being our best seruant both in warre and peace , and of that inestimable value , that hee makes a man proud of his seruice . now if an horse be such a profitable seruant for man , let vs then respect the meanes that god hath giuen vs for his cure : for here is a schoole of skill for thy knowledge . first , how to make choyse of a good horse : secondly , what countrey horse is the most fit for thy vse : either for seruice in martiall or warlike imployment , or for swiftnesse , or for long trauell , or for draught , or for coach , or for cart , or for packe , or any other burthen . this shalt thou find here , in as ample manner , as if thou wert an old master in smithfield . and this shall bee my glorie euen as long as i liue , that i haue liued to leaue this my last and best worke to the world , and to them which will not liue to see it buried in obliuion . but mee thinkes i here some momus say , that the old captaine was vnaduised to put this in print , which hee euer kept as a rare secret , and it is true , veritas odium parit . but i reply , tempus omnia terminat . and though i had promised to my selfe , neuer to haue published this worke , yet being so continually importuned to print it , i was forced to yeeld , though i had promised the contrarie . and let this excuse mee to those noble persons whose bountie i haue felt , that for them i was the willinger to publish it in print while i liued , fearing that after my death , my then fatherlesse child might get a new name . but now i leaue this , being begot in my old age , to all noble , & worthy gentlemen , and when they looke not after him to the faithfull farryer to be cherished and to be knowne by the name of captaine gervas markhams last and best labours . the contents of this booke . obseruations in the electing of horses . and what countrey horse is for what vse . folio 1 the occasions of inward sicknesses , and accidents , which happen vpon those occasions . 4 the signes of inward sicknesses . 7 the curing of any heart sicknesse , or head sicknesse , or any ordinarie inward sicknesse . 21 to cure any violent sicknesse , if the horse be at the very poynt and doore of death . 41 the preuenting of all inward sicknesses . 50 two sorts of bals to cure any violent cold , or glaunders , to preuent heart sicknesse , to purge away all molten grease , to recouer a lost stomacke , and to keepe the heart from fainting with exercise , and to make a leane horse fat suddenly . 55 another way how to fatten an horse suddainly . 60 how to keepe an horse , or iade from tyring . 62 another receipt against tyring , or for any sore or dangerous cold. 64 another receipt for any extraordinary cold , dry cough , or pursicknesse in an horse , which the weake farriers call , broken-winded . 66 an excellent scowring after any sore heate , or for any fat horse after his exercise . 74 for any dangerous bots , mawwormes , or poysoned red wormes . 78 for gourded , or foule sweld legges , or other parts , by reason of melting the grease , or other accident . 80 to hoale or dry vp any old vlcer , or cankerous sore . 84 to cure the running frush , or any impostumation in the soale of the foot , to dry vp scratches , paines , and the like cankerous sores . 86 for any sore eye of horse , or beast . 88 for a backe-sinew strayne , or any other strayne . 90 for any old strayne , or lamenesse in loynts , synewes , &c. 91 for any griefe , payne , numbnesse , weaknesse , or swelling in loynts , and commeth of a cold cause . 92 for any desperate and incurable straine in the shoulder , or other hidden parts , for any fistula , polle-euill , or other impostumation or swelling . 93 for foundering , frettizing , or any imperfection in the feet , or hoofes of an horse . 96 for hurts vpon the crownets of the hoofes , as ouerreach , stub , or pricqe , &c. 99 how to helpe surbating , or sorenesse in the feet . 101 for any bony excression arysing vpon any member of an horse ; as splint , spanen , curbe , ringbone , &c. 102 obseruations in giuing of fire , or vsing of corosines , which heale all sorts of farcies , cankers , fislulas , leprosies , maungees , scabs , &c. 103 how to defend a horse from flyes . 104 how to make a white starre , or white spot in an horses face , or in any other part . 105 how to keepe your weollen horse-clothes , brest clothes , rubbers , and the like from moathes . 109 the faithfull farier , or a catalogue of all those principall and approued secrets in horsmanship , which the author neuer published , but hath kept secret in his owne brest , and which haue beene the glory of all his practise . obseruations in the electing of horses , and what countrie horse is for what vse . the first and principall thing which giueth the noblest character to a good horseman , is the well electing of horses for that vse and purpose for which you intend to imploy them : and in this choise there is no better or readier a way then the knowledge of races and straynes from whence horses descend ; for it is certaine , that the clymate , heat , and cold , are three excellent elements , in an horses composition . touching the election of horses by their shapes and proportions , by their colours and complextion , and by their markes and other outward semblances ; i haue written sufficiently in my former books , and intend to reiterate nothing : for nothing shall fall from my pen in this treatise , but the very secrets of mine hart , things certaine and approued , things secret and vnpublished . to come then to the election of horses , according to their races , breedes , and clymates : ●f you will elect an horse for seruice , or a martiall or warlike imployment , then these are best , the neapolitan . the sardinian , &c. the almaine . the french. or any of these bastardized in themselues , or with a faire well shaped and well mettalled english mare . if you will elect for swiftnesse and seruice , then , the arabian . the barbarie . the spanish . the grecian . or any of these bastardized in themselues , or with our best english mares . if you will chuse for long trauell and seruice , then , the english . the hungarian . the sweathland . the poland . the irish . if you will chuse for draught and for seruice , then ; the flanders . the freisland . or any of the netherlands , either bastardized in themselues , or with our english races , and these are excellent for coatch , for cart ; for packe , or any burthen . the occasions of inward sicknesses , and accidents , which happen vpon those occasions . sicknesses are of diuers kindes , and proceede from diuers causes , haue their diuers signes , and their diuers remedies , as i haue shewed in my bookes : but to come neerest to the marke of curing , let me perswade you to call to account these few obseruations . first , to remember that all sickenesses in horses come either , by heares , in ouer violent exercise ; and then is the grease melted , the heart ouer strained , the vitall blood expelled outward , and the large pores and oryfices of the heart , so stopped , that the spirits cannot returne back to their proper places , but confound and mortifie . or else by colds , in indiscreet keeping either before or after exercise , and then is the head perplexed , the eyes pained , the rootes of the tongue swelled , the lungs tickled and offended with rheumaticke moysture , occasioning coughing , and the nostrils still pouring out filthy and corrupt matter . or else by surfeit of food , in either eating too much , or too little of that which is good ; or in giuing any thing at all of that which is vnwholesome . the first kils the stomacke , macke , oppresseth the heart , and sends vp those euill fumes into the head , by which is ingendred the staggers , frenzie , and other mortall diseases . the second putrefies the blood , and turnes all nourishment into corrup●ion , from whence proceedes the yellowes , and other such like pestilent diseases , which suffocating the heart , spreads it selfe vniuersally ouer the whole body , and confounds euery faculty and member . or lastly , by accidents , as when a horse receiueth some grleuous and deepe wound , either in his body , or else in some other vitall and dangerous part , by which , nature is so offended , that instantly a generall sickenesse seazeth vpon the horse , and ( if not preuented ) death suddenly followeth ; and these sicknesses , are called accidentall-feauers ; for if you obserue it , you shall finde the horse sometimes trembling , sometimes sweating , sometimes cold , and sometimes burning . thus you see there are foure occasions of sickenesses in horses , as heates , colds , surfeits , and accident . the signes of inward sicknesses . now to know the signes of these sicknesses ; if it proceed from the first occasion , which is heates ; then the signes are these . first , heauinesse of countenance , swelling of the limbes , scowring or loosenesse of body in the beginning of the sicknesse , and drinesse or costiuenesse , in the latter end ; short breath and hot , and a loathing or forsaking of his meate . it it proceed from the second occasion , which is colds : then the signes are , heauinesse of countenance , and either dull or else closed up eyes , hard boyle or big pustules , betweene the choppes and the roots of the tongue , and sometimes an hard swelling vp from the chops to the roots of the eares : a rotten and moyst cough , the horse euer chawing some loose , filthy , flegmatique matter in his mouth after his coughing : which in one respect is no euill signe , because it sheweth a rotten cold that is newly gotten , and soone to be clensed : whereas to cough cleare and hollow , and not to chaw after it , shewes a drie cold that is of long continuance , sore festred , and hard to be recouered : lastly , his body will fall away , and when hee drinketh , the water will issue forth at his nostrilles ; and his eyes will bee euer mattery and running , and his haire rough and staring . if it proceed from the third occasion , which is surfeit of meats and drinkes , either naturall or vnnaturall , then the sign●s are these ; first , heauinesse of head and countenance , in such a violent manner , that the horse can hardly lift his head from the maunger ; a dull and dead eye , a staggering and re●ling pace , and ( if the disease bee farre growne ) a franticke and mad behauiour , as biting the racke and maunger , and at such as shall come about him , sometimes biting at himselfe , and beating his head against the wals , boards , or ground , and other franticke passions : but if the disease bee lesse contagious in the braine , but more inwardly setled at the heart , then the signes are , yellowes in the whites of the eyes , and in the inside of both the vpper and nether lippes ; and ( if the disease be farre gone ) then a yellowes ouer all the skin , a continuall faint sweat , and a desire rather to lye downe , then to stand , besides a generall loathing and forsaking of his meat , which is the common signe of all sicknesses . lastly , if it proceed from the forth occasion , which is accident , then the signes are a perplexed and troubled body , sometimes sweating at the rootes of the eares , in the flanke , and behinde the foureshoulders against the heart , sometimes trembling ouer all the body , and somtimes glowing and burning in the vital parts , and on the temples of the head , against the heart , on the inside of the fore-legs next of all to the body , and on the inside of the hinder thighes close to the body ; also his mouth will be hot and dry , and his tongue subiect to furring and to a white scalded complection ; lastly a generall loathing of his meate , but a great thirstinesse & desire of cold drinke , and when he can drinke no more , yet a desire still to hold his mouth in the water . thus you haue the foure occasions of sicknesses , and the signes by which to know those occasions . now for as much as sicknesses come many times suddenly and vnlookt for , and that not any man ( how skilful so euer ) but may sometimes bee ouertaken with the sudden sickenesse of his horse : and though hee can after vpon consideration , giue an account for such sicknesse when it is apparant , yet till nature haue thrust it forth , the disease was obscure to his knowledge ; therefore i will here shew those generall and most vsuall signes which doe attend and waite vpon euery sicknesse , by which you may bee enabled to know the approach or beginning of sicknesse before it take fast hold on the vitall parts , and so vse preuention ; or if it haue taken some small hold , then how to fortifie nature against it , and so to kill the contagion , ere it come to any great height of danger ; or being at the highest , how to qualifie the extremitie , and to bring euery vitall part and spirit to its first moderate state and temper . now that you may effect this the better , it is requisite that you acquaint your knowledge well with the complections , qualities , customes , and conditions of horses ; for whensoeuer you shall finde any alteration in any of these , bee sure there will follow alteration of health , as thus . first , in the complections of horses , which i draw from their colours and countenances : if your horse be a faire bright daplegray or a fleabitten , a white , a white-gray or the like ; if any of these colours , being naturally cleare and bright , shall grow duskish or cloudy , or the white hayres shall turne sandy and reddish , it is a signe of some vnnat urall distemperature in the horse , and that hee is euill affected , and either entreth into a consumption , or into some other inward disease of body . if the horse bee of a pure blacke colour , a bright bay , a browne bay , or a red sorrell without flexen maine , or flexen taile , a cleare chessenut or a mouse-dun ; if thse haires shall grow discoloured and contrary to their proper natures , that is to say , of a weaker and worse complection ; as if the black turne dunnish or yellow , the bright bay , cloudy , pale , & sandy ; the browne bay like the mouse-dunne ; the redsorrell , corrall or like the yellowdunne ; the chessenut , hoarie and grey ; and the mouse-dunne , of a more blacke and pale blue then is naturall , all these are signes of inward sickenesses . and as of these colours , so of any other colour whatsoeuer , if they shall alter from their proper and true natures , to a worse and more vncomely complection , that is to say , to a complection that is vnuaturall and vnproper for an horse , they are most pregnant signes of some inward sicknesse , which either lingereth vpon the horse , or else is sodainly in breaking forth ; and therefore by all meanes remember , that the alteration of colours bee vnnaturall . for you must vnderstand , that if the daple-grey , in processe of time , do turne to white ; the darke iron-grey , to a bright grey ; the blacke , to an iron grey , and such like ; that then this is a naturall , and no vnnaturall alteration , and so no signe of sicknesse ; and therefore not to bee deceiued , or to stand doubtfull at all , acquaint your selfe well with the true colour and complection of your horse , which you shall best discerne when hee is in the pride and height of lust , when hee is wanton , full of flesh and smooth , sleeke , and shining : and when you shal see this complection alter , in part , or all ; then euer expect some sicknesse , as you thus acquaint your selfe with the complection of your horse , which i include in his colour ; so you must also haue a settled knowledge in his countenance and gestures ; and to that end you shall be carefull to marke and note his countenance and behauiour in all his actions and motions , as well within doores as without , as well in his play , ●s in his rest , at his times of feeding , & at his times of exercise ; you shall note the cheerefulnesse of his eye , the cariage of his head and necke ; which be his angry characters , and which bee his pleasant , when he biteth for wantonnesse or for offence ; and these you shall best finde out , in his feeding , in his exercise and playing , and in his dressing ; and if at any time you finde any of these characters of fayle on the sudden , and that ●is gesture is more lumpish heauy ; then call your selfe to account what you haue done , eyther in exercise , feeding , ayring , or ordering : for there is no doubt but there is distemperature , and sicknesse is approaching , if it be not preuented . as you thus acquaint your selfe with the complection and countenance of your horse ; so you must also not be ignorant , but obserue diuerse other outward and inward quallities , for they are the greatest lights that can bee , both to health and sicknesse ; and to this end you shall especially marke his filling & his emptying , that is , his manner of feeding , and the manner of discharging his body . in his feeding , whether he eateth with a good appetite , or a weake stomacke ; the first is healthfull , the latter vnwholesome . if he eate with a good appetite , he will neigh and call for his meate before it come , when either he seeth his keeper , or a preparation for feeding , as sifting of his oates , chipping of his bread , and the like ; hee will receiue it cheerefully , and greedyly , shaking his head , and shewing other signes of alacritie and reioycing , which quallities after he hath vsed , if on the suddaine he refraine and so receiue his meate dully and vnpleasantly , it is a great signe of sicknesse . as his feeding , so you shall marke his quallities in emptying , as the time , the place , the substance : the time , as whether he emptieth in the night-time better then in the day ; the place , as whether he emptieth better in the house or abroad , whether in the hand or when you are mounted , whether before you begin exercise , or else after some gentle motion or stirrings , whether at the stable doore or at some vsu●all places by the way , or in th● ground where you giue him hi● exercise ; lastly , for the substance whether it be much or little , if i● be much , you must forbeare exercise and make him emptie the oftner ; if it be little , then you may fall to labour at pleasure , then whether it be good or bad , and tha● commonly falleth out according to the food he eateth ; if it be cleere , firme , and pale , with white graines , and in complection like sweet sope , then it is wholsome ; if it be blacke it shewes heat in the body , if greasie then it shewes foulnesse , if red and hard , it shewes costiuenesse , if pale and loose , then inward coldnesse . and as thus you obserue his ordure , so you must also obserue his vrine : of both which i haue written sufficiently in my former bookes . as these quallities of feeding and emptying , so you shall note his quallities in rest and watching , that is , in his lying down and standing vp , what howres and time hee obserueth for either , and how long he perseuereth in them , and if at any time you find any suddaine or grosse alteration , then be assured of some sicknesse approaching . and thus of any other particular quallitie in your horse ( which you shall obserue in his health ) for it is impossible to nominate all , if you find them suddainly to surprise , it is doubtlesse that there is some sicknesse following . as you thus obserue the complection & quallities of the horse , so you must obserue his naturall customes and conditions , and how in his liuelihood and best health he standeth affected , for to name them i cannot , because they proceed most from hidden inclinations , or else accidentall apprehensions , which by continuance of time grow to naturall habits . and any of these when they shall surcease or faile , are true progoastications of distemperature and sicknesse . many other signes of sicknesse there are , as the not casting of the coate in due time , hyde-bound , continuall dislike and leannesse , where there is good feeding , beside many other : but they are so vulgar and commonly knowne , that i need not rehearse them ; and these signes already written , are sufficient for knowledge . the curing of any heart sicknesse , or head sicknesse , or any ordinarie inward sicknesse . i will now descend to the cure of these inward sicknesses ; and although euery seuerall sicknesse haue a seuerall cure , as i haue shewed at large in my bookes , yet i will draw all here , into one hidden , but certaine and most infallible approued method , which i haue neuer found prosperous and fortunate . whensoeuer , either by the signes before rehearsed , or other accident or knowledge you shall find your horse grieuously payned with inward sicknesse , the first thing you doe you shall open his neck-veine and receiue some of the first blood into a pewter porrenger , which if you set it in cold water it will presently discouer the foulnesse and putrefaction ; so then you shall let the horse bleed well till the blood change , neither must you be nice or tender in this action , because you must vnderstand , that all inward sicknesses in horses , draw their effects from the putrefaction of the blood only : and this is the reason . it is certaine that the horse ( of all other creatures ) hath no gall or naturall vessell into which to receiue the skummy and putrefied matter which ariseth fom the corrupt and collericke blood , but it is either auoyded in excrements , humours , or moderate exercise and sweates , or else by immoderate exercise and violent labour . by too much repletion and fulnesse , by vnwholsome food and euill dyet , or by some other naturall defect , this chollericke corruption increasing and ouerflowing , it presently and in an instant ouer-spreads the whole body , hauing its course through euerie veine , and so discoloureth the skin , and makes all the outward partes yellow , especially the eyes , and inside of the lips ; also mixing with the better blood , and confounding the strength and vertue thereof , it brings a generall faintnesse ouer all the body , and in the end suffocating the heart , of force there must follow sodaine and certaine mortallitie , and hence proceedeth those sodaine deathes of horses for which our weake farriers can giue but an idle and foolish account . but to returne to my purpose , after you haue taken away good store of blood , and ( as you imagine ) all , or at least most part of that which is corrupt , you shall then set him vp in the stable , tying his head to the emptic racke gently and at lyberty , neither so high that he shall be compelled to rest his head vpon the bridle , nor yet so low that hee may thrust his head into the maunger , and thus ye shall let him and at least two howres . now if the sicknesse be not very contagious , and dangerous , you shall not administer any potion vnto him that day , because the veine being opened , and all the humors , powers and faculties of the body disturbed , it will bee a double vexation to the spirits to haue the working of the potion also ; therefore in this case , the sicknesse not being violent , you may forbeare further administration , and onely after the horse hath fasted , as before said , you shall giue him such food as he will eate , whether it bee hay , bread or corne , and alwayes prouided , that it be strong sauorie , sweet , dry , and cleane drest : as for the quantitie , it matters not , for a small pittance will maintaine life ; and humor is now to the horse as food , besides , emptines is no great displeasure . at high noone you shall giue him a sweete mash of malt and water made in this manner . take halfe a pecke of good malt well ground , and put it into a payle by it selfe , then take a gallon of faire , cleere water , and set it on the fire , then when it is come to the heighth that it is ready to boyle , put as much of it to the malt as will moyst and couer the malt all ouer , and stirre them exceedingly well together , crushing the malt with a flat rudder as much as you can , euer and anon tasting it with your finger , till it bee as sweet as any honey , and then couer it ouer with cloathes as close as you can , and so let it stand and stoone for two or three howres at the least ; then the howre being come in which the horse is to receiue it , vncouer the mash , and stirre it well about , but finding it too hot , then put to it some cleere cold water that may temper and allay it , but in any wife not so much as may take away any part of the sweetnesse , and in this tempering , with your hand crush and squeeze the malt as much as you can , then ( the mash being luke warme ) giue it the horse to drink , and if he will eat of the malt , let him take thereof at his pleasure . this is the best manner of making an ordinarie mash , or horse-caudle , for of that nature and quallitie it is , and to that purpose that a caudle is administred to a man , is this giuen to a horse , for you must vnderstand , that in these contagious diseases nothing is more pes●ilent than cold water , and especially when exercise cannot be vsed . the ruder farriers and horse-groomes doe make the mash another way , putting the malt to the water at the first , and so boyling them both together , but this is vnwholsome and naught , and that euerie good house-wife can witnesse , for this long boyling ouer-scaldes the malt , takes away the strength and sweetnesse , and giues an harsh and vnsauorie taste , which is offensiue to the horses nature . if your horse be coy and refuse to take the mash , as many are , partly for want of vse and custome , and partly through weaknesse of stomacke , then you shall straine the water from the malt exceeding hard , and so giue it him with an horne to drinke , then take the graines which you haue so strained and put them in the manger before the horse , on which whether he feed or no it matters not , for if he but smell and snuffell his nose vpon them , it is sufficient , and the fume thereof is wonderous wholsome for his head . after you haue thus giuen him his mash , you shall see that he be very warmely cloathed , as namely , a good woollen body-cloath to come round about his heart , a large cloath or two to come ouer it , and to be well wispt round about , with soft , thicke , and large wispes ; for the little , hard , and neat wispes , though they are comly to the eye , yet are they vnwholsome for the body , for their hardnesse and smalnesse makes an impression into the horses sides , and causeth him forbeare to lye downe when nature and rest requireth it . the horse being thus warmely cloathed as aforesaid , and with a very warme brest-cloath before his breast , for that is an especiall part to keepe warme , you shall then cause one or two to rub all his foure legs from his knees & cambrels downward with very hard wispes , and to rub them so hard as may be , and whilst his limbes are thus in rubbing , you shall take a course rubber or two made of new harden or hempen cloth , and warming one after another ouer a pan of coales , with them rub the horse exceeding much in the nape of the necke , or the polle iust betweene his eares , and on the temples of the head ; for there is nothing more wholesome than these frictions and chafings , for they dissolue humours , reuiue all naturall heat , bring a cheerfull nimblenesse into the ●limbes , and purge the head of all grosse , cold , and tough matter , cleansing and purifying the brayne , by which the members and other faculties are fortified , and the whole body reduced backe to its first strength and abillitie . as soone as you haue ended this action of rubbing , you may then let the horse take his rest for two or three howres , and onely leaue a locke or two of sweete hay in his racke , and no more , for the least quantitie of any things too much soone cloyeth a sicke horse . in the euening you shall come to the horse againe , and hauing rubbed all his limbes and head , as was before shewed , you shall then perfume his head in this manner . take of the best and purest oli●anum an ounce , then as much storax , and as much beniamin , and bruise all them together , i doe not meane bruise them to small powder , but onely breake them into small lumpes , and mixe them well together , so that taking them vp betweene your fingers , you may not take vp one ingredient alone , but some of all . then take a chafing-dish , and if it be possible , a chafing-dish after the manner of the perfuming chafingdish , which is wide below where the fire is , and narrow at the top where the smoake auoydeth , and in this chafingdish put well kindled wood cole , or small charcoale ; then take some of the aforesad perfume , and lay it vpon the coales , but in any wise so as it may not flame but smoake , then hold the chafingdish vnder the horses nose , and let the smoake goe vp into his nostrils , and thus perfume him well for the space of a quarter of an howre , or halfe an howre at the most . now it may be the horse may seeme coy to receiue this at the first , because it is strange vnto him , but doe you continue the action , and cherish him , for be you well assured , after he hath once receiued the smell into the head , hee will be as greedy to haue it , as you are willing to giue it , for there is nothing that delighteth an horse more , or more reioyceth his spirits , than sweet sauors , and odoriferous smells , of which this perfume is one of the cheefest . the effect which this perfume worketh , is , that it purgeth the brayne of all filthy and corrupt matter , and ( as you shall find by experience in the working ) it dissolues tough matter into water , and brings it away in such abundance , that it is sometimes ready to extinguish the fire as it falleth . it is the greatest comforter of the braine that can be , and from thence sendeth such cheerefullnesse to the heart , that it reioyceth the whole body . there are diuers other perfumes which weake farriers vse in this case , as namely , wet hay , or rotten litter , and putting a burning coale therein , giue the smoake to the horse : but this is a stinking sauor and no perfume , and although it make the horse snoare and neese , and so you may imagin it auoydeth fowle matter , yet it is nothing so , but it offendeth both his brayne and stomacke , and by the noysomenesse of the smell dulleth and weakeneth the spirits , and rather ingendereth infection , than any way abateth infirmitie ; for from rottennesse there can but rottennesse proceed . next there is the perfume of brimstone , either simple of it selfe and put vpon the fire ; or else compound with another body , as butter , oyle , or the like , and so thrust vp into the horses nostrils . this i must needes confesse is a sharpe perfume , and euacuateth much foule matter , and dissolueth the thickest matter into thin water : but yet you must know , that there is in this sulphure , or brimstone a certaine earthy and poysonous quallity , which not onely doth offend the vitall parts , but is also most malignant and iniurious both to the eyes of man and beast , so that like margery goodcowe , if it haue one vertue , yet two vices attend it . then there are the perfumes of the stalkes of onions , garlicke , leekes , mustard-seed , and the like , or the perfume of the fruits themselues either burnt or boyld ; bu● these are also great enemies to the eyes of an horse , so that i can by no meanes allow them , especially fo● this reason , becase that generally all these inward sicknesses in horse● doe most of all afflict the head an● eyes , to which these things are enemies . also there is the perfume o● wheat , peniroyall , & sage , boyld til● the wheat burst , and so put it into a● bagge fastened about the horse● nose . this i must confesse is the best of many , yet it is much to● weake for a strong infirmitie , and the penir●yall hath a bitternesse that is offensiue . as these , so i could nominate diuerse others , but none so excellent as the first of all prescribed , and therefore to it i referre you . after your horse hath been wel● perfumed , as beforesaid , you shall let him rest for a quarter of an howre , and then giue him such food as he wil eat , either bread or oates , of which how little soeuer he eateth it skils not , for it is to be intended that his stomacke is now at the weakest . after he is fed you shall tosse vp his litter , for you must know that he must stand vpon litter night and day , and then ( if need be ) giue him more litter , and but a locke or handfull of hay , that you may be sure to haue him very fasting the next morning , and so let him rest all the night without disturbance . the next morning early , you shall take halfe an ounce of the powder of diapente , as the greekes call it , because of the number fiue , which diapente is thus made & compounded . take of round aristoloch , of gentian , of the best mirrhe , of b●y-berries , and of the purest shauings of iuory , of each one ounce , beat all but the myrrhe together in a morter in a fine pouder , and ●earse it through a fine searse , then likewise beate the myrr●e by it selfe , and fearce it also , and then mixe all well together in a morter , and so keepe the pouder in a closse gally-pot . when you haue taken halfe an ounce of this powder , you shall put it into a pint of the best muskadine that you can get , and brew them very well together in two pots , tossing it well too and fro , because otherwise the myrrhe will clotter and lumpe together : when it is well brewed ( after you haue made cleane your stable , and righted your horses cloathes ) you shall with an& horne giue him this potion to drinke . then if he haue any small strength , you shall mount his backe , and walke vp and downe in some warme or sunnie place for an hower , or thereabout ; then set him vp in the stable warme and well littered , and tying him to the racke in his bridle , let him so stand and fast for another houre , or more , then offer him a little sweete hay , or any other meat that he will eat , and so let him stand till betwixt twelue and one of the clocke in the afternoone , at which time you shall first rub his head and legges well , as was formerly declared for the day before . then you shall perfume him , as was beforesaid , and both those workes finished , you shall giue him a sweet mash , as was also shewed before , and so let him rest till the euening , at which time you shall offer him either oates or bread , but in little quantitie , as handfull by handfull and be sure it be sweet & cleane drest , sifted and dusted , and so let him rest till eight of the clocke at night , at which time you shal againe perfume him . then put sweet hay in his racke , tosse vp his litter , and right his cloathes , but in any wise bare not his body : then hauing made the stable cleane , you may leaue him to his rest for that night . the next day being the third day ▪ you shall doe all things as you did the second day , already rehearsed . as first , you shall giue him his potion of diapente and sweete wine , then ayre him , at noone his mash , at euening and night his perfume , with all other obseruations that were before declared . the next day , which is the fourth day , there is no doubt ( with the helpe of god ) but you shall finde alteration and health approaching , which you shall know by his stomacke , by his more cheerefull countenance , and by other outward gestures , and finding that health is comming , you may then forbeare to giue him any more potions , and onely attend him with good food , good dressing , and moderate exercise , neither shall you giue him any more mashes , for although they be wholsome in the extreamitie of sicknesse , yet being any thing too much vsed , they take away the horses stomacke , and brings him to a loathing of other meat , and therefore in steade thereof , you shall in the morning after your horse is well rubd and drest , take a pottle of faire water , and heat it scalding hot , then put it into a gallon , or two of cleere cold water , that it may take away the extreame coldnesse thereof , and then being scarcely lukewarme , giue it the horse to drinke : you may , if you please , throw an handfull of bran , or an handfull of wheat-meale into the water , for it is good , and not hurtfull . as soone as the horse hath drunke , take his backe , and ride him forth gently for an howre , or two . at noone perfume him , at euening water him as you did in the morning , and ride him in like manner . feed him at vsuall howres as i● time of health , and thus doe for three or foure dayes more , then finding his strength increasing , you may be degrees abate his cloathes , you may water him abroad at some cleare riuer , or spring , gallop him after his watering , and draw euerie thing to the same custome as you did in best health . thus you see the manner how to cure an horse that is sicke , but not violently sicke , and as it were at the very poynt and doore of death , which cure is this which followeth . to cure any violent sicknesse , if the horse be at the very p●ynt and doore of death . if you shall haue an horse in this extreamitie , and desperate case then the first thing you doe , you shall open his necke veine , and let him bleed very well : then two howres after his bleeding , take two ounces of the powder of di●pente , before rehearsed , and beat it in a morter with as much clarified , pure life hony , as will bring it to a substantiall treackle , for this is an excellent treackle , and of the italians called horse . methridate , and is the same which our physitians call th●●iaca diatessaron . when this confection is made , you shall take a full halfe ounce thereof , or more , and dissolue it in a pint and an halfe of muskadine , and so giue it the horse to drinke with an horne : then if he haue so much abilitie of body , walke him vp and downe for halfe an howre , or an howre , either in some sunny place , or some close barne , or emptie house , then set him vp , and let him fast full another howre . at noone giue him , if you can get it , a gallon , or neere there about of the first running of the strongest ale , before it be put to barme , and when it is cleere , strong , and carryeth a royall on the top : but where this is not to be had , then giue him a sweet mash , perfume him , r●b him , cloathe him , dyet , and order him in all respects as was shewed you in the former cure , and thus you shall doe for three dayes together without all fayle , and then no doubt but you shall see health approaching . at the end of three dayes you shall forbeare all sorts of mashes of both kindes , and follow all the prescriptions before declared . now if during the cure , either through the violence of the medicine , or the foulnesse of the horses body , you shall finde any hard pustules or swellings to ryse vp betweene the horses chaps , and at the root of the tongue , then you shall first clip away the hayre as close as may be ; then you shall take a waxe candle , and therewith burne the swelling , till you may scarifie the skinne , then take a peece of leather , somewhat larger then the swelling , and hauing prickt it all ouer with the point of your knife , spread thereupon in some thicke manner your blacke shoomakers-waxe , that is well seasoned and new ; then warming it ouer a few coles , lay it vpon the swelling and remoue it not , till it either fall off by it selfe , or els the sore breake , then renew the plaster , and with it onely heale vp the sore . this plaster for the cheapnesse , and meannesse will hardly win credite with those which are curious : but i dare assure you ( that are a louer of truth ) that there is not a more exellent or soueraigne plaster which belongs to an horse , for it ripeneth and breaketh any impostumation whatsoeuer , it asswageth any hard swelling or tumor , whether in ioynts , or other fleshy parts , and it healeth what it breaketh or ripeneth , and with its heat it dissolues all manner of humours that are knit together , and occasion paine or swelling . there is another accident which attendeth the sicknesse of horses , and that is costiuenesse , or belly-binding , which maketh an horse that he cannot dung , or auoyd his ordure . this accident when at any time it hapneth , it shall be good for you first to rake him , that is , you shall annoynt your hand all ouer with sweet butter , or clarified hogges grease : some vse oyle of bays , but it is too sharpe , and too hot , and many times ( if the action be vsed too roughly , or vnaduisedly ) it breedeth exulceration and sorenesse in the tuell , and inward parts . therefore , as before i said , take either butter , or hogs grease , and your hand being all besmeared therewith , thrust it vp into his tuell till you feele his ordure , and then drawing out as much thereof ( if it be blacke and hard ) as conueniently you can , without doing iniury to the horse , or striuing with your hand to goe too farre : and if you finde it to be very sore baked within , then after you haue raked & got what you can , you shall take a great candle or percher of three or foure in the pound at the most , and cutting off an inch or two of the vpper or smaller end , with your hand annoint as before , thrusting the great end forward , put it vp into his tuell so farre as you can get it , then suddenly drawing out your hand , and leauing the candle behind you , clap downe his tayle close to his tuell , and drawing it vp betweene his legges , hold it with both your hands hard and constantly for the space of an houre , or more , in which time the candle will dissolue in the horse● body , and so separate and breake his ordure , that vpon the letting loose of your hands , he will presently dung . this you may doe in euery case of extremity , but not otherwise : and beleeue it , you will finde this the most excellentest suppositorie of all other , and that there is no● glyster which can worke with greater efficacie , or more wholesomnesse . there is another accident which attendeth the sicknesse of horses , and that is quite contrarie to this before rehearsed , and is called lax , atiuenesse or loosenesse of body , which is expressed by a vehement and violent scowring : this , if at any time it shall happen , you shall at first note the violence therof , and the continuance thereof . the violence is knowne by the thinnesse , the sharpnesse , and the oft and speedy auoyding of the excr●ments . the continuance is knowne by the vnchangeablenesse of the infirmitie , and by the processe and long continuance of time , contrarie to all naturall and wholsome custome , for you are to obserue that an horse may haue a scowring for a day , or two , or a little more , and this is not vnwholsome , but natural and good , and if after it stay of it selfe , then it worketh no euill effect , but if it continue longer , and bring the horse into any extraordinarie weakenesse of body , then you shal● seeke to stop it in this manner . take a quart of new milke , and putting thereunto a good spoonfull or two of fine beane flower , and as much bolearmoniacke finely beate● to powder , boyle all together til● the milke thicken , and then being made lukewarme , giue it the horse with an horne , and doing thus 〈◊〉 morning or two ; no doubt but it will binde the horse ; which if it do● not , then you shall take a quart o● red-wine , and put thereunto 〈◊〉 handfull of the hearbe called shepheards purse , and halfe so much of tanners barke , and boyl● all very well together till the hearb and the barke be soft , then strain●● it , and put thereunto two spoonfull of the powder of cinamon , and being made lukewarme , giue it the horse to drinke with an horne , and this doe one morning , or two , or three if need require . for mine own part , i neuer found but it wrought good effect , and so i hope all men shall find that approue it . now whereas in all my cures heretofore in this booke for sicknesses of what extremitie soeuer , i make you onely rely vpon diapente , or horse methridate , which is a kind of diatessaron . and for as much as at any times , & in many places , these thinges cannot be had , then in such extremitie , and the horse being at the poynt of death , in stead of the powder of meth●date aforesaid , you shall take halfe a pint of dragon water , and dissolue into it , a good spoonfull or more of the best treakle vpon a soft fire of embers , then being lukewarme , giue it the horse to drinke with an horne , aad thus doe for a morning , two , or three , till you see alteration and health approaching . this expelleth all infection and euill from the heart , comforts the spirits , and restores nature to its first best strength . and thus you haue the vttermost secrets of my heart concerning the curing and discerning of all manner of inward sicknesses in horses , how desperate , mortall , or contagious soeuer . the preuenting of all inward sicknesses . the preuenting of inward sicknesses , consisteth in two speciall obseruations and considerations . the first , is to preuent it before 〈◊〉 come , so that it may not offend at● all . the second , is to take it at the rst appearance , and so preuent it that it arise not to any great danger or hazard . to preuent sickness that it offend not your horse at all , it is an excellent course when you put your horse to grasse , euer three or four● dayes before you turne him out , to take blood from his necke veine ; then the next day after to giue him a pint and an halfe of muskadine , and halfe an ounce of the powder , of diapente , or three quarters of an ounce of the horse mithridate , or treakle , before rehearsed ; and then by degree● to abate his cloathes , if he haue been vsed to any , and to make his body familiar with cold . also you shall obserue when you let your horse blood , to proportion the quantitie which you take from him , according to the goodnesse or badnesse of the blood when you behold it , for the losse of good blood is vnholsome , and doth hurt , and to preserue ill blood , is both dangerous and noysom . also if you obserue , when you take blood from your horse , to rcceiue it into a vessell , and by stirring it about continually as the horse bleedeth , to keepe it from clotting , then hauing bled , to take the blood , aud to besmeere it all ouer the horses backe and body , you shall find it wonderfull wholsome , for it comforteth the body , cleareth the skin , and breedeth a reioycing in all the horses vitall parts . now if you haue no determination to put your horse to grasse , and yet you wold preuent inward sicknesse , then you shall obserue , once in two or three moneths , when you haue the best leasure to rest your horse after it , not to fayle to giue your horse muskadine & diapente , or muskadine & horse methridate , as was before shewed , and not to let blood at all , for this verie potion is the greatest purger and purifier of the blood that can be , and auoideth all that yellow cholericke matter , and other euill and vndigested humors whrch corrupt the blood . now you are to obserue here , that although i only prescribe muskadine wherein you shall dissolue your powder , or methridate , yet know that when you cannot get muskadine , or other sweet wine , that then you may take strong ale , or beere , but in greater quantitie , for as you take but a pint & an halfe of wine , you shall take of beere or ale a full ale quart ; as for the pouder or methridate you shal keep the first quantitie already prescribed , and if you warme your beere or ale a little on the fire , it will not be amisse , but better , yet that i referre to your owne discretion . now to take sicknesse at the first approach , and to preuent it , that it arise not to any great danger , you shall by all meanes obserue to looke well into the occasions of sicknesses which are already shewed , and into the signes of those occasions , and if you finde your selfe guilty of any of those occasions , or that the horse discouereth any of the former signs , then presently let the horse blood , and three seuerall mornings after giue him the drinke or potion before prescribed , and vndoubtedly it will preuent all the force of sicknes , and restore the horse to his former strength , and good estate of body . and thus much of all inward sicknesses , and their preuen●●on . two sorts of bals to ●●re any violent cold , or glaunders , to preuent heart-sicknesse , to purge away all molten grease , to recouer a lost stomacke , and to keepe the heart from fainting with exercise , and to make a leane horse fat suddenly . take of aniseeds , of cominseeds , of fenegreekeseedes , of canthamus seeds , of the powder of elicampane roots , of each 2. ounces , beate them , and ●earse them to a very fine powder , then adde to them one ounce of the flower of b●imstone , then take an ounce of the best iuice of licoras , and dissolue it in halfe a pint of white wine , which done , take an ounce of the oyle of aniseeds , and as much of the surrup of coltsfoot , then of sallet oile and of fine life hony , of each halfe a pint , then mixe all this with the former powders , and with as much fine wheat flower as will binde & knit them altogether , then worke them into a stiffe paste , and make thereof bals somewhat bigger then french walnuts , and so keepe them in a close gally por , for they will last all the yeere : & when you haue occasion to vse them , take one , and anoynt it al ouer with sweet butter , and so giue the horse euerie morning one in the manner of a pil , and ryde him a little after it , if you please , otherwise you may chuse ; then feed and water him , abroad or at home , according to your vsuall custome , and thus doe ( if it bee to preuent sickn●sse ) for three or foure mornings together , but if it bee to take away infirmity , then vse it at least a weeke , or more ; if it be to take away molten grease , or foulnesse , then instantly after his heate , and in his heat onely ; but if it bee to fatten a horse , then vse it at least a fortnight or more . now if you find any difficulty in the giuing of it as pils , you may then at your pleasure dissolue one of these bals , either into sweete wine , beere , or ale , and so giue it the horse to drinke with an horne . but if it be to fatten , and to take away infirmity , as the running glanders , or such like ; then besides these bals , you shall make you these second bals. take of wheat flowre six pound or more , as shall suffice to make stiffe the paste , then take of aniseeds , of cominseeds , of canthumus , of fenegreeke , of ordinary brimstone , of each two ounces , of salet oyle a pint , of honey a pound and a halfe , of white wine a pottel ; beat the hard simples to a fine powder , and ●earse them , then with the rest make them into a stiffe past . then of this paste take a ball as bigge as a mans fist and dissolue it in two or three gallons of cleere cold running water , by washing and lauing the paste therein , and so giue it the horse to drinke at his ordinary watring times , or at any other time when he is disposed to drinke , for he cannot drinke too much of this water , then ride and warme him a little after it . then when the water is spent , doe not cast away the bottome , but filling the vessell vp againe with new fresh water , dissolue another ball therein , and thus do foureteene dayes together at the least , and you shall see wonderfull effects arise thereof . this water scowreth , cleanseth , and feedeth in admirable manner . and the other lesser bals , first spoken of , purge the stomacke and intrayles of all foulnesse , auoydeth molten grease , and fortifieth nature so powerfully , that it leaues no euill in the body . and this small ball ( if it were for my life ) would i giue to an horse immediately vpon his drawing forth , if hee went either to run , to hunt , or vse any violent or extreme labour . annther way how to fatten a horse suddainly . there is another way to fatten an horse suddainly , but not better then that before shewed , yet this i haue found both good and certaine , and therefore i refere it to your owne discretion . take of elicampane , of comimseeds , of turmericke , of aniseeds , of each two ounces , of groundsell an handfull , boyle all these verie well with three heads of garleeke cleansed and stamped , in a gallon of strong ale , then strayne it well , and giue the horse a quart to drinke lukewarme in the morning fasting , then ride him till he be warme , then ●et him vp warme , and thus doe for foure or fiue mornings , and then turne the horse to grasse ( if the time of the yeere be sutable therefore ) and he will feed wonderfully and suddainly . but if the time of the yeere serue not for grasse , then you shall keepe him in the house , and ouer and besides the drinke before shewed , you shall take the fine powder of elicampane , & the fine powder of cominseeds , of each a like quantitie , mixe them well together , then euerie time you giue your horse prouender , which would be at least thrice a day , as morning , noone , and night : take halfe an ounce of this powder , and sprinkle it by little and little into his prouender , for feare of offence , till all be eaten vp . and thus doe for fourteene dayes together at the least , and you shall see the horse prosper in wonderfull and strange manner . how to keepe a horse , or iade from tyring . if you ride on a tyring iade , o● feare the perplexed crueltie of ● tyred iadc , then be sure to carrie about you the fine searse powder of elicampane , and when others bayt● their horses ▪ or that you come to the place of bayte for your horse● the first thing you doe , set vp you● horse warme , and doe not walke him . after he hath been well rubbed , take a quart of strong ale , and put thereto halfe an ounce of th● powder of elicampane , and brew i● altogether , then giue it the horse with an horne , which done , tye hi● head to the racke , for you need no● care for prouendar till night , a● which time prouendar him well and in the morning giue him oate● or bread , or both , in plentifull manner , and being ready to backe him , giue him the former quantitie of ale , and the powder aforesaid , and doubtlesse you shall find him to trauell with great courage and spirit . also if you take a bunch of penniroyall , and tye it to the mouth of your bit , or snaffell , you shall find it verie comfortable , & it will cause your horse to trauell lustily . now if your horse , notwithstanding all this , do happen to tire , then you shall take off the saddle , and with the hearbe called arsesmart , rub his back all ouer verie hard ; thē laying arsesmart also vnder the saddle , so ride him , and if there be any life in him , it wil make him go . for this is a notable torment , and the smart is almost vnsufferable , and therefore i would haue you vse it with great discretion , and but seldome , or when extremity requireth it . another receit against tyring , or for anysore or dangerous cold. take of the best indian necotian ( which we call tobacco ) and be sure it be not sophisticated , or by any other accidentall meanes adulterated . dry this in the sunne in a gl●sse close lut●d , then pound it verie small , and mixe it with an equall quantitie of the powder of cockel-shels , then with the oyle of dill , and the oyle of cloues , make the powder into a paste , or solid body ; then make prettie round bals thereof , as bigge as walnuts , and dry them in the shadow , in the canicular dayes , otherwise called the dogge dayes , then keepe them close in a sweet gally pot , and giue them as pils in the time of necessitie , that is to say , a ball at a time whensoeuer your horse shall faynt in trauell , or if your horse haue taken any sore cold , or surfeit , then giue him the ball in the morning fasting , and let him haue a little exercise after it , then cloathe warme , rub well , & be sure not to lay any cold water to the horses heart , without moderate exercise after it , for of all dangers that is the greatest . another receipt for any extraordinary cold , dry cough , or pursicknesse in an horse , which the weake farriers call , broken winded . because the former receipt i● curious in the making , and asketh the obseruation of times , an● seasons , neither can be effected a● all times and howres , therefore●● will set you downe here , the secret of my knowlege , and those ready●● easie , and approued receipts , whic● i neuer found to fayl● , but to work● that goodnesse which i haue eue● desired . therefore whensoeuer you find your horse taken with any extream● old cold , dry cough , or pursickne● ( which ignorance farriers call bro●ken winded ) you shall take three● quarters of an ounce of the conserue of elicampane , and dissolue it in a pint and a halfe of the best sac̄k and so giue it to the horse with an horne , in the morning fasting , and ryde him alittle after it . and this you shall doe diuers mornings together , till you see the infirmitie decrease , and wast away . now because there is some curiositie in the making of this cōserue of elicampane , and that diuers men doe compound according to their diuerse opinions , i will here shew you the seuerall compositions , their seuerall vses , and their seuerall vertues , together with mine owne opinion of the goodnes , as i haue found it in my practise , & so to leaue it to your owne iudgement . the conserue of elicampane , is of two kindes , the one is simple , the other is compound . the simple conserue is made in this manner : take of the purest rootes of elicampane , that are preserued in swee● surrup , and beat those roots an● the surrup together in a morter till you haue brought it to an entit● thin substance , then with the fine● refined sugar that can be got , thicken it vp , and bring it to the perfect body of a conserue , then put it in 〈◊〉 gally pot , and keepe it close , an● vse it in time of necessitie , as wa● before shewed . this simple conscrue is of excellent vse , and taketh away any ordinary cold , or stopping ; it comforteth the lungs , inlargeth th● wind , purgeth the head of all fil●thy matter , and dissolueth man● other obstructions ; yet is not th● the best conserue , neither worket● the best effect , if the infirmitie b● old and dangerous , or if there b● any attainture in the lungs or l●uer , therefore in that case you sha● flye to the compound conseru● which is made in this maner . take the best candied roots of elicampane that can be gotten , and beat them in a morter with the sirrup of coltsfoot till it be brought to a very thin substance , then with the finest refined suger thicken it , as before shewed , till it be brought to the true body of a conserue ; then keepe it close in a gally pot , and vse it with sacke , as was before declared . this is the true conserue , and hath the greatest vertue ; for i haue knowne it in the continuance of a small time , and by the daily vse thereof , to take away diuers dry ( and supposed incurable ) coughes , it hath taken away the heauing of the body , and so inlarged the wind that albeit the motion was before swift , like the broken winded , yet it hath come to a moderare and ●low temper , and the dry cough which did accompanie it , hath been quite put awae . now whereas i prescribe vnto you the taking of the candie● roots of elicampane , i thinke it no● amisse because the apothicarie is not euer at your elbow , to shew yo● how you shall candye them you● selfe : as thus , take of the finest refined sugar , or the best white sugar candy , an● dissolue it in rose water , then boil● it to an heighth , and when the sirrup is cold , put in your roots , being cleare and well clensed , and let them rest in the sirrup a pretti● space , then take them out , and boil● the sirrup ouer againe , and as before put in your roots , then boyle the sirrup ouer againe the third time to an hardnesse , putting i● more sugar , but no rose water then put in all your roots , the sirrup being cold , and so let the● stand till they candy . and in this wise you may candy all manner o● roots , flowers , or any thing else . now if you find any difficultie either in the making , or the procuring of these midicines before shewed , or that the infirmitie not being great , or dangerous , you thinke a medicine of lesse force , and easier to compasse , will accomplish it : then you shall take of the sirrup of coltsfoot an ounce , of the fine powder of elicampane , of aniseeds , and of licoras , of each halfe an ounce , of browne sugar candy an ounce , deuided into two parts , then with as much sweet butter as will suffice , worke all the former powders , and one part , or halfe of the sugar candy , and all the sirrup , into a stiffe paste , then diuide it into two or three bals , and role them into a round forme , or the fashion of an egge , and after role them all ouer in the other halfe , or part of the sugar candy , and then giue this whole quantitie at one time to the horse in the manner of a pill , and giue them in the morning fasting , then ride the horse halfe an houre after the giuing , and let him fast two howres at the least after he commeth in , and let him be warme cloathed , and stopt , and his limbes , and body well rubbed , especially his head : let him by no meanes drinke any cold water , but so , as he may haue exercise after it , and let his exercise be moderate and not violent : let his hay be a little sprinkled with water , & his oates with beere or ale ; as for bread , it is of it selfe moyst enough ; and let all his meat generally be well dusted , sifted , or chipped , for nothing is more offenciue then foulenesse , and drynesse , nor more comfortable then cleannesse , prouided that your corne be not greene and vnsweet in the mow or reeke , your bread new , nor your hay vnsweete or rotten . thus you shall doe , not for one morning , or two , but for diuerse , till you find amendment ; neither shall you spare any trauell or occasion ; but haue medicine about you , vse it in your iournying , for this doth not take away anything to weaken nature , but addes to the force thereof , and makes the body a great deale more able . an excellent scowring after any sore heate , or for any horse after his exercise . take a quart of good sacke , and set it on the fire in a bason , or open skillet , and when it is warme , take an ounce of the clearest rosen and bruise it exceeding small , then by degrees little after a little put it into the sacke , and stirre it fast about for feare of clotting , and when the sacke and it is incorporated , then take it from the fire , and put thereto halfe a pint of the best sallet oyle , and in the cooling stirr them all well together , then lastly take an ounce of the browne sugar candy beaten to powder , and put it in also , and being lukewarme giue it to the horse in the height of his heat , as soone as you come home from exercise , then rub hard , cloath warme , and let him fast at least two howres after , but yet depart not your selfe , or some deputie for you out of the stable , but stay and keepe the horse stirring , and waking , partly by extraordinarie noyse and clamour , and partly by action about him , or making him moue vp and downe as he standeth , for there is nothing more hurtfull to the horse , or the working of the medicine , then sleepe , stilnesse and rest ; and nothing better or more auailable to the working of the medicine then action or motion : for they make the spirits worke , and stirre vp those humours which should be remoued , when rest keepes the spirits dull , and the humours so inclosed and reserued , that nature hath nothing to worke vpon . whensoeuer you giue any scowring , be sure that day to giue no cold water after it , for it is binding , and knitteth , and detayneth that foulnes which the scowring should take away . thus you see how to giue a scowring in the proper and due time : but if now either through errour , ignorance or imagination that your horse is so cleane that he needeth no scowring ( as i know many of opinion , that scowrings are idle vnnecessarie things , and not to be vsed at all ) yet your horse , hauing his grease molten , and no course taken for the auoyding therof , you find he droopeth , and languisheth , as of force the ●horse must doe , and experience daily shewes it vs. for the opinion that scowrings are vnprofitable , is friuolous and idle . in this case , vpon the first apprehension of the euill , you shall giue the horse a sweet mash in the euening , which is in the same nature , and of the same quallitie that a preparatiue is before a purgation : then the next morning very early mount his back , and ●n some conuenient peece of ground giue your horse a gentle heat : i doe not meane that you shal run him furiously , or violently , but to gallop him gently ; neither to heat him through the extremitie of sudden and sharpe labour , but to warme him kindly through the continuance of moderate exercise . nor would i haue you , to melt his grease anew , but only to loosen and stirre vp that which was before molten your exercise being finished , doe not alight from his back suddenly , but rub him as you sit on his backe and so bring him home ; then presently hauing the scowring ready , as soone as you are alighted , giue it him lukewarme , then rub him dry , cloathe and stop him very warme , and then in all other things do● as hath beene before declared . for any dangerous bots , maw wormes , or poysoned red wormes . take as much precipitate ( which is mercury calsoynd ) as will gently lye vpon a siluer twopence and lay it in a peece of sweete butter almost as big as an hens egge , in the manner of a pill , and then in the morning fasting , the horse hauing stood all night on the mussell , or at the emptie rack , if it be possible , or otherwise ( if the extremity of the disease compell you ) at any other time , draw forth the horses tongue , and make him swallow downe the pill , then chafe him a little vp and downe , and after set him vp warme , making him fast , full two howres after , and it will kill all manner of wormes whatsoeuer : yet in the administration hereof , you must be wondrous circumspect and carefull , for in the precipitate there is a strong poysonous quality , so that by no meanes there must be taken more then is prescribed , except with good caution . againe , if you mixe the precipitate with a little sweet butter , as much as an hazell nut , before you lap it vp in the great lumpe of butter , it well not be worse but better , and it will allay much of the euill qualitie . but this i leaue to your owne discretion , assuring you that there is not any thing comparable to this , for this infirmitie . for gourded , or foule sweld legges , or other parts , by reason of melting the grease , or other accident . first with a fleame pricke the parts that are swelled , then take a pint of wine lees , an ounce of cominseeds , & an handfull of wheat flower , and boyle them together till they be thicke , then apply this pultus very hot to the sweld part , renewing it but once in foure and twentie howres , and if this in two or three dayes drawes it to an head , then launce it , and heale it either with a plaster of shoomakers wax , or else with the yealke of an egge , wheat flowre and honey beat●n together to a salue . but if it doe not draw to any head , and yet the swelling continue , then take of pitch a quarter of a pounds , and much virgin wax , of rozen halfe a pound , of the iuice of isop halfe an ounce , of galbanum halfe an ounce , of myrrh secondary halfe a pound , of bdelium arabicum halfe an ounce , of deeres suet halfe a pound , of populeon halfe an ounce , of the drops of storax halfe an ounce : boyle all these together in an earthen pot , and after it is cold , take of bitumen halfe a pound , of armoniacke an ounce and a halfe , and of costus as much ; beate these into fine powder , and then incorporate them with the other , and boyle them all ouer againe very well , which done , poure the whole mixture into cold water , and then rolle it into seuen bigge rolles plaister-wise , after spread this plaister vpon a peece of leather , and fould it about the sweld member , or lay it vpon the sweld part , & if any thing , then this will asswage it , and giue much strength to the sinewes . you shall by no meanes remoue this plaister , so long as it will sticke on . this plaster i must confesse , is costly and curious to make , but it is wonderfull soueraine , and of singular vse . for the horse that is continually kept with it ; i meane that hath it applyed to his limbes euer when he commeth from trauell , he shall neuer be troubled with sweld legges , nor yet euer put out wind● gals . now if you will neither goe to this cost , nor endure this trouble , yet would haue youre horse cured of this infirmitie , then assuredly● know not any thing better or more approued , then continually both before and after trauell , and in the house , nany times in the day to laue and wash your horses limbes , or other sweld parts , with the coldest and clearest fountain water that you can get , and sometimes let the horse stand in some cold cleare riuer for the space of a quarter of an howre or more , vp to the knees , and cambrels , but no further . this medicine , how poore soener it looke , is of infinite vertue , and though i write of cold water , yet is the operation hot and fierie ; only this you must take to your remembrance , that this applycation appertaines not to impostumations , but to straines , and swellings , which are without much anguish . to heale or dry vp any old vlcer , or cankerous sore . take masticke , frankensence , clo●es , greene copperas , and brimstone , of each a like quantitie , of myrrhe double so much as of any one of the other . beate all to a fine powder , then burne it on a chafingdish and coales , but let it not flame . then as the smoake ary seth take a good handfull of fine lint , or towe , and hold it ouer the smoake so that it may receiue all the perfume thereof into it . then when i● is thorowly well perfumed , put the lint into a very close boxe , and s● keepe it . then when you haue occasion to vse it , first wash the sore with vrine , then dry it , and lastly lay o● some of this lint , or towe ; and thus doe twice a day , and it is a speedy cure. as this is soueraine for an horse , so it is as soueraine for any man also . to cure the running frush , or any impostumation in the soale of the foot , to dry vp scratches , paines , and the like cankerous sores . take old vrine , and boyle it with good stoore of allome , and keepe it in a close vessell by it selfe ; then take a good handfull or two of greene nettles , strong and keene , and spread them on some plate , or other vessell , and dry them either before the fire , or in an ouen ( after the houshold bread is drawn ) then crush and bruse them into a very fine powder , then looke what quantity of powder there is , and take the like quantity of pepper beaten to as fine a powder , & mixe both very well together , then keepe this powder in a close bladder . now when you haue occasion to vse it , first wash the sore place with the vrine and allome , made verie warme , and the sores thoroughly scowred ; after dry them with a fine lawne , or linnen ragge , and lastly strow or pounce of the powder , so as it may couer all the sore : and thus doe euer after trauell , or once a day in the time of rest . for any sore eye of horse , or beast . take the sh●ls of seuen or eight egges , and cleanse away the inner slyme from them so cleane as may be ; then lay those shels betweene two cleane tyles , and so lay them in hot glowing embers , and couer thē all ouer , & on enery side and so let them lye a good space , till the shels be all dryed , then take them vp , and beat the shels to a verie fine searst powder ; then with a goose quill blow this powder into the ▪ horses eye that is offended with pinne , webbe , filme , or any thicknesse , or fulnesse , and it is a certaine cure : and thus doe morning , noone , and night . but if it be for any watery or inflamed eye , for any bruse , stripe , or descending humor , then take a spoonfull and an halfe of the fine searst powder of white sugar candy , and being mixt together with as much may ▪ butter ( if you can get it , or for want thereof , the best sweet butter ) work both these powders into a gentle salue , and therewith annoint the horses eye morning , noone , and night , for it cleanseth , purgeth , comforteth , and cooleth . for a backe-sinew straine , or any other straine . take an ounce of turpentine , and two or three spoonfuls of aquauitae , and beate them together in a bladder , or other vessell , till they come to a perfect salue ; then annoint the straine very wel therewith , and heat it in , either with an hot bricke , or else a barre of iron : and thus doing three or foure times , it will take away the strayne . for any old strayne , or lamenesse in ioynts , synewes , &c. take boares grease , bolearmoniacke , blacke sope , and nerue oyle , of each a like quantity , boyle them well together , and then apply it hot to the griefe , rubbing and chasing it in exceedingly , and also heating it in very well , either with an hot brickbat , or hot fire shouell , or an hot barre of iron ; and thus doe once a day vntill the paine doe depart away . for any griefe , payne , nambnesse , weaknesse , or swelling in ioynts , that commeth of a cold cause . take aquauitae , and heat it on the fire , and therewith bathe the grieued part or member verie well , and holding an hot barre of iron before it , make the medicine to sinke in ; then take a linnen cloth and wet it well in the same aquauitae ; lastly take pepper beaten and searst to a fine dust , and there with couer the wet cloath all ouer verie thicke , and so fold it about the grieued part ; then take a dry rouller and roule it about the wet , and so let the horse rest : and thus doe once a day at the last , till you finde amendment . for any desperate and incureable straine in the shoulder , or other hidden parts , for any fistula , pole-euill or other impostumation or swelling . take a large earthen vessell of a gallon , two , or three , & almost fill it with the hearbe arsesmart , and brookelime , equall in quantity and equally mixt ; then put to them as much of the oldest and strongest vrine that can be got , as will couer the hearbes all ouer , and fill the vessell full , then couer the pot close with a stone , board , or such like thing , and so let it stand , for this can neuer be too old . now when you haue occasion to vse it for any griefe afore-said , you shall take an earthen pipkin , and put there into both of the vrine and the hearbes so much as shall be conuenient for the greefe , and you shall boyle it well vpon the fire . then if it be for a shoulder straine , you shall take an old boot , and cut off the foot , so that you may draw it ouer the horses foot , and aboute his knee , almost to the elbow of his shoulder , keeping the neather part of the boote as close and strayte about his legge as may be , but the vpper part ( which couereth all the shoulders ) must be wide and spacious : into this boote thrust all your mixture as hot as the horse can suffer it , and lay it fast and close about the shoulders , especially before and behinde ; then drawing vp the vpper part of the boot , so fasten it to the mayne of the horse , that it may by no meanes slip down , but keepe constant and firme . and thus you must doe once or twice a day till the greefe depart . as for the effect thereof , you shall find it , for this is the violentest of all midcines , so that if there be any foule matter that must come forth , this will in an instant bring it to an head , ripen , breake , and heale it : if there be no such thing , then in as short a time , it will driue away the offending humors , take away the swelling , and giue present ease . yet would i haue you to vse this but in extremitie , because for the time , the torment is almost insuffe . rable , and indeed , for nothing but an horse to endure . now if it be for a fistula , or any such like impostumation , or swelling , then you may spare the boote , and only lay on the medicine in the maner of a pultus , and it will be altogether sufficient . for foundering , frettizing , or any imperfection in the feet , or hoofes of an horse . first pare thinne , open the heeles wide , and shoo large , strong and hollow ; then take a good quantitie of cowes dung , halfe so much grease , or kiching-fee , a like quantitie of tarre , and a like quantitie of soot ; boyle all these verie well together , and then boyling-hot as may be , see you stop your horses feet therewith dayly , and it will not only take away all anguish , but also strengthen the hoofes , aud make them to endure any labour . but when you iourney or trauell the horse ( as exercise auayleth much for this cure ) then put in the aforesaid stopping cold , the first night after his labour , & adde vnto it the white of an egge or two , for that will take away the heat and beating of the former dayes labour , and will keepe the f●ush strong and dry . but in time of rest , let it be boyling hot as aforesaid . now if the hoofe be naturally brickle or by accident broken , or by the former infirmitie dryed vp and straytned ; then to inlarge it , to make it tough , and to make it to grow swiftly , take of pigges grease or of hogges grease , of turpentine and of mastick , of each a like quantitie , and halfe so much lard as of all the rest ; melt all but the turpentine on the fire , and being melted take it from the fire , and then put in the turpentine , stirring it about , incorporate all very well together , then put it into a gally-pot , and when it is cold , be sure you couer it close . with th● salue , twice or thrice a day annoynt the crownets of the horses hoofes , close by the hayre at the setting on of the hoofe , and it will make it shoot fast , and grow tough and large . for hurts vpon the crownets of the hoofes , as ouerreach , stub , or prickes , &c. first take of sope and salt , of each a like quantitie , and mixe them together like a paste ; then hauing cut out the ouerreach , or hurt , and layd it playne , first wash it with vrine and salt , or beere and salt , and with a cloath dry it ; then bind on the mixt sope and salt , not renewing it in 24 houres , and thus doe ( if the wound be great ) for three or foure dayes together : then hauing drawne out all the venome as this salue will quickly doe ) then take a spoonfull or two of traine-oyle , and as much ceruse ( which we call white lead ) and mixe it together to a thicke salue , then spred that vpon the sore morning and euening till it be whole , which will be effected suddenly ; for nothing doth dry vp sooner , nor is more kindly and naturall for the breeding of a new hoofe then this , as you shall find by experience . ho to helpe surbating , or ●●renesse in the feet . when you finde your horse to be surbated , presently clap into each of his fore-feet two new layd egges , and crush them therein , th●n vpon the top of them lay good store of cow-dung , thus stop him , and in foure howres he will recouer . for any bony excression arysing vpon any member of an horse ; as splint , spauen , curbe , ringbone , &c. take the root of elicampane well cleansed , and lap it in a paper , and rost it as you would rost a warden in hot embers , then as hot as the horse can suffer it ( for you must not scald ) after you haue rubd and chaft the excression , clap this thereunto and bind it on hard , and in once or twice dressing it wil consume the excression . also if morning and euening you rub the excression with the oyle of origanum , it will consume away the hardnesse . obseruations in giuing of fire , or vsing of corosiues , which heale all sorts of farcies , cankers , fistulays , leprosies , maungees , scabs , &c. there are two wayes to giue fire ; the one actuall , and the other potentiall : the first is done by instrument or hot iron , the other by medicine , either corosiue , putrefactiue , or causticke . the actuall fire , stoppeth corruption of members , and stan●heth blood , prouided the sinews , cords and ligaments be not toucht . the best instruments to cauterize or seare with , are of gold or siluer ; the second best are of copper , and the worst , but most vsuall are of iron . the potentiall fires are medecins corosiue , putr●factiue , or caustick . corosiues are simple or compound ; the simple corosiues are roch-allome , burnt or vnburnt , red coral , mercury sublimed , &c. the compound are vnguentum apostolorum , vnguentum aegyptiacum , and vnguentum coraceum , with others . medecines putrefactiue are your arsenicke , resalgar , chrysocollo , and aconitum . medecines which are causticke are strong lye , lime , vitriol , aq●a fortis , and the like . corosiues ore weaker then putrefactiues , and putrefactiues are weaker then causticks . corosiues worke in the soft flesh , puttefactiues in the hard , and causticks breake the sound skin . thus you see the vse of these things , you may apply them at your pleasure , for these cure all sorts of farcies , cankers , fistulaes , leprosies , maungees , scabbes , and suc● like poysonous infections . how to defend a hor●●e from flyes . this is a noysome offence in the summer time , therefore when you find the trouble thereof , take arsesmart and streep it in running water , & make it exceeding strong of the hearbe , and therewith sprinkell and wash the horse all ouer , and no fly will touch him a second time . the iuy , or rue , or hearbe of grace will doe the like . how to make a white starre , or white spot in an horses face , or in any other part . take two or three apples , the sowrest you can get , and rost them at a quicke fire , then being in the heighth of their heat , take one of them in a cloath , or other defence , and hauing cut off the skin , clap the hot apple to the horses forehead , and hold it hard thereto till the heat be asswaged ; then try if the hayre will come off , which if it will not , then take another hot apple , and doe as before : then when the hayre is come off as broad as you would haue it , take another hot apple , and clap it to the scalded skin , holding it hard to , till all the skin blister , and come off as well as the hayre , then anoynt the sore place twice or thrice a day with honey , and the next hayre which commeth will be white . how to keepe your woollen horse-cloathes , brest ▪ cloathes , rubbers , and the like from moath●● . when you turne your horse or horses to grasse , take al your woollen cloathes of what kind soeuer , and first wash them cleane , and dry them ; then hang them in the sunne , dust them , and brush them ; then lay them on some fleakes or other open things , a pretie distance from the ground , and spread all open ; then take the hoofs of horse or cattle , and chopping them in peeces , burne them vnder the woollen things , so as the smoke may come to them in euerie part , then being thorowly smoked , fold them vp handsomly , and betweene euerie fold strow the powder of wallnut-tree l●aues well dryed , and so lay them vp in a chest , and you shall neuer care for the offence of moathes , which is veri● vnholsome for the horse , and breeds in him a dislike . others vse to rub their cloathes on the wrong sides all ouer with the tops and tender parts of wormewood , and it hath the like effect . thus you may also preserue any arras , tapistree , or other hangings , and any linnen or woollen garments whatsoeuer . finis . markhams methode or epitome wherein is shewed his aprooued remedies for all diseases whatsoeuer incident to horses, oxen, kine, bulls, calues, sheep, lambs, goats, swine, dogs of all kind, conies, all sorts of poultrye, all water-foule, as geese, ducks, swans, and the like) pigeons, all singing birds, hawks of all kind; and other creatures seruice-able for the vse of man: deuided into twelue generall points or heads. by gervase markham. gentleman. cheape and good husbandry for the well-ordering of all beasts, and fowles, and for the generall cure of their diseases. abridgments markham, gervase, 1568?-1637. 1616 approx. 101 kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from 47 1-bit group-iv tiff page images. text creation partnership, ann arbor, mi ; oxford (uk) : 2006-02 (eebo-tcp phase 1). a06957 stc 17381 estc s100657 99836488 99836488 765 this keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the early english books online text creation partnership. this phase i text is available for reuse, according to the terms of creative commons 0 1.0 universal . the text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. early english books online. (eebo-tcp ; phase 1, no. a06957) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set 765) images scanned from microfilm: (early english books, 1475-1640 ; 1318:06) markhams methode or epitome wherein is shewed his aprooued remedies for all diseases whatsoeuer incident to horses, oxen, kine, bulls, calues, sheep, lambs, goats, swine, dogs of all kind, conies, all sorts of poultrye, all water-foule, as geese, ducks, swans, and the like) pigeons, all singing birds, hawks of all kind; and other creatures seruice-able for the vse of man: deuided into twelue generall points or heads. by gervase markham. gentleman. cheape and good husbandry for the well-ordering of all beasts, and fowles, and for the generall cure of their diseases. abridgments markham, gervase, 1568?-1637. [14], 75, [3] p. by g[eorge] e[ld] for thomas langley, and are to be sold at his shop over against the [..], printed at london : [1616?] printer's name from stc. an abridgment of stc 17336: cheape and good husbandry for the well-ordering of all beasts, and fowles, and for the generall cure of their diseases, published in 1614. title page cropped at foot with partial loss of imprint; some print show-through. reproduction of original in the bodleian library. created by converting tcp files to tei p5 using tcp2tei.xsl, tei @ oxford. re-processed by university of nebraska-lincoln and northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors. eebo-tcp is a partnership between the universities of michigan and oxford and the publisher proquest to create accurately transcribed and encoded texts based on the image sets published by proquest 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eng veterinary medicine -early works to 1800. horses -diseases -early works to 1800. 2005-06 tcp assigned for keying and markup 2005-08 spi global keyed and coded from proquest page images 2005-10 elspeth healey sampled and proofread 2005-10 elspeth healey text and markup reviewed and edited 2006-01 pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion markhams method or epjtome : wherein is shewed his aprooued remedies for all diseases whatsoeuer incident to horses , oxen , kine , bulls , calues , sheep , lambs , goats , swine , dogs of all kind , conies , all sorts of poultrye , all water-soule , as geese , ducks , swans , and the like , ) pigeons , all singing birds , hawks of all kind ; and other creatures seruiceable for the vse of man : deuided into twelue generall points or heads . by gervase markham . gentleman . printed at london by g. e. for thomas langley , and are to be sold at his shop ouer against the 〈…〉 to the rigt worshipfvll and his most deare respected friend maister iohn massy of codington in cheshire . good sir , hee that much doth , may much miscarry , because danger euer is the companion with labour : and in these dayes mens braines are so sickly and subiect to take surfaits , especially where either the feast is ( in their owne conceits ) too full , or the dishes not drest answerable to their stomacks , that , to bee a cook to please all mens varieties , were to ascribe a cunning hardly bestowed vppon angels ; from which consideration i haue beene many times induced to haue obscured this small and inrespeccted epitome , as willing to hold from mistaking mindes ( which poyson with false construction ) a benefit so good and certaine , as i know they will be fruitfull in diuulging my dispraise , and finding knots in smooth rushes , adding to my title , vaine prate and ostentation ; but by many of my better friendes , and some whose approued wisedomes are worthy , and some whose knowne loues doe and euer shall gouerne mee , i am inforced to disesteeme the vaine battery of the enuious , and boldly publish this treatise , which i doubt not but will bee a generall good to all the whole kingdome , for whose seruice i was onely created . as for your worthy selfe who was the first that euer beheld it , and to whose handes it flew before it had taken any perfit or true forme , as knowing how able you were both to iudge of the defects , and to crowne the perfections , not a gentleman in this kingdome of your ranke going one steppe before you , either in loue or knowledge of horsemanship : to whom i say but you should i send this my last infant ; to bee nourished and defended , since it pleased you to accept it with much loue , when it was vnlikely of life any where but in your bosome . then worthy sir , let mee beseech you to take it to protection , and whilst nothing but enuy assaults it , bee you its constant guardian ; but when eyther a stronger or better skill proues ie vaine , then leaue it againe to my selfe , and wee will both dye inrespected ; till when , ( which will not bee whilst any thing is ) at least not whilst men ride on horsebacke , i will euer rest a faithfull and true cabanet , full of your goodnes . gervase markham . to the old and new readers . this is an age , ( gentle reader ) of much inquisition & examination of mens printed workes : neither is it in my conceit either vnreasonable or vnnecessary that men should giue account for their labours , especially where they make the world beleeue they doe the world a particular profit , for otherwise the world might come to bee cosened : therefore for my selfe , thus me thinkes i heare the world say : sir why loade you thus both mens mindes and the booke-sellers stalles with such change and variety of bookes , all vppon one subiect , as if men were tyed to your readings ? mee thinks the little pamphlet you first publisht , might haue giuen satisfaction ; to this i answer : that pamphlet was the milke of my first experience , drawne , not to nourish the world , but to giue a little satisfaction to a noble kinsman i had , from whom a very corrupt copy was stolne , and in printing without my knowledge ; so that to shield both mine owne shame and the bookes , i was compeld to put it forth in that manner as it went , & then , many iudicious gentlemen in the same art found faint in the breefnes therof , saying , that the scanting of my rules took away much satisfaction from the yong scholler , an that there was a lamenesse therein , because i had not handled the whole members of the art , but heere a finger and there a toe , as i was led by mine owne fancy . hence it came i writ the great boohe cauelorice , and in it omitted nothing in my knowledge appertinent to horsemanship : but by reason of a too greedy and hasty booke-seller , and the distributing of the worke into the handes of many printers , it was not onely exceeding falsly printed , but also most part of the booke of cures left out , which was such a maime to the booke , that i was many yeares stird vp by my friends to repaire that error ; which i did by writing that booke intituled the master-peece , wherein i haue set downe euery disease & euery medicine , so full & so exactly that there is not a farrier in this kingdome , which knowes a medicine for any disease , which is true & good indeed , but i wil find the substance thereof in that booke yet this book did not satisfie my friends , for they said though it was a worke right good and necessary , yet the greatnesse of the booke and the great price thereof , depriued poore men of the benefit ; and that the multiplicity of the medicines , and the cost of the ingredients , were such as poore men stood amazed at , and found that their beasts perisht before they could compasse that should cure them : from hence onely i haue with much labour and experience found out the contents of this booke , where with twelue medicines , not oftwele pence cost , and to bee got commonly euery where , i will cure all the diseases that are in horses , whatsoeuer , and they almost 300. this booke i hope the price will not hinder , for it is determined onely for the good of the needfull , to whose vse if it proue as fortunate as it is faithfully and iustly set downe , they will haue cause to praise god and loue me . gervase markham . a briefe preface of the nature of the horse . a horse , of all the vnreasonable creatures vpon the earth , is of the greatest vnderstanding , hauing in them ( as the schole men affirme ) a certaine naturall instinct , not onely of the knowledge of their riders , and keepers , but also of their owne generation and descent , knowing their sires , and dams , in such wise that they will refuse ( as pliny saith ) to couple , or ingender with them : they are also of all creatures , the aptest to learne any motion , and the readiest to obey their teachers , hauing a greater loue to exercise then any other beast . they are of infinite great courage and valour , taking an exceding delight in the warres , and ( as some schole-men affirme ) haue a certaine foreknowledge of battell , and will prepare themselues man-like for the same . they wil mourne for the losse , or deathes of their maisters , and are so apt to endure labor , that it is written of the horses of the sama●rans , that they would gallop a hundred and fifty miles end-wayes , without rest or stay : they ate naturally of long life , and by choice keeping , haue bene brought to summe vp fifty yeares ; but for thirty yeares it is much ordinary . the mares are lesse liued , as till twenty , or fiue and twenty at the most . they are of all beasts the most beautifull of shape , they are fit for the saddle at foure yeares of age , for the warres at six , for the race at eight , and for hunting , or for extreame matches , at ten or eleuen : the females beare their foales full eleuen months , and foale in the twelfth : the best time for their ingendring is in march at the increase of the moone , or in the middle part thereof , and the mare foaleth her foale standing : they are supposed to be so louing and kinde to their generation , that if a foale loose the damme , yet the other mares which are milche , will of their owne accord lend their teates , and feede or nurse vp the orphan foale . horses are subiect to more diseases then any other beast , for they haue full as many as belongeth vnto a man ; and yet notwithstanding , all those diseases may be cured by twelue medicines onely , as you shall finde by reading of the sequell which followeth . how to cure all the infirmities in horses , either inward , or outward , with twelue medicines onely , and all not worth twelue-pence . the first poynt . all these infirmities are cured by the first medicine following . all feuers in generall . the pestilence . a horse taken . the falling euill . the palsey , or shaking euill . the night mare . hyde-bound , all consumptions . the brest griefe . the anticor . all tyrednesse : the loathing of meat . casting out of drinke . all surfeits . the hungry euill , sicke liuer . sicke gall . sicke spleene . sicke kidneys . the yellowes . the dropsie . costiuenes in the body . the botts . all wormes . pissing bloud . the mattering yard . shedding of the seed . falling of the yard . eating of hens dung . the falling of the crest . the first medicine . if the horse haue bene brought weake by sicknesse , and that you finde it proceedeth from some inward infection , or corruption of bloud , you shall giue him in the morning fasting two spoonefull of the powder of diapente , well brewed and tost to and fro in a pinte of sweete wine , as muskadine , or malmsey , and then ride or walke him vp and downe in the sunne an hower after : then set him vp very warme in the stable , and let him fast an hower , and then giue him such prouender as he will eate , and his hay sprinkled with a little water : but if his sicknes proceed from any colde cause , as from ouer-riding , and too sodaine cooling , or from washing when he was hot ▪ or such like , then you shall giue the same quantity of diapente in sacke , or other hot wine , in the same manner , as aforesaid : but if his sicknes be lesse contagious , or that wine is not ready to be had , then you shall giue the same quantity of the aforesaid powder , either in a quart of strong ale , or a quart of stronge beere , obseruing all the instructions formerly declared . now for this powder which is called diapente , or ( of some ) horse methridate , because it is a generall antidote or preseruatiue against al poysonous infection , you shall make it in this manner . take of aristolochia rotunda , of gentiana , of mirrhe , of bachilauri , and of ebori , of each a like quantity , beat them all togither in a morter to a very fine powder , and then searse it till not any grossnes be left , and then keepe it either in a close pot , or in a bladder , and vse it as before saide when you shall haue occasion , and obserue to doe it diuers mornings togither , if the sicknes be violent . now for as much as this powder may many times be wanting , or at least hard to come by on the sodaine , therefore in case of such extreamity you shall take a good handfull of cellodine , rootes and leaues and all , and hauing pickt and clensed them , you shall take of wormewood , and of rue , of each halfe an handfull , boyle these in a pottle of stronge ale or beere , till a full halfe be consumed , then straine it , and presse the hearbes excedingly , and then dissolue into the drinke almost halfe a pound of sweete butter , and an ounce and a halfe of the best treakle : and being no more but luke warme , giue it the horse to drinke in the morning fasting , and ride or walke him an hower after it , then set him vp warme , and let him fast an other hower , then giue him meate as aforesaid : and doe thus diuers mornings according to the greatnes of his sicknes . now in this cure , you must by no meanes forget to let the horse bloud in the neck-veine , an hower or two before you giue him the first drinke , and let him bleede till you see the corrupt bloud change & begin to looke pure , to know which , you shall saue the first bloud , and the last bloud , in two saucers , and as they coole , they will easily shewe you the difference . now if your horse happen to fall sodenly sicke vnder you , as you trauell , when there is no towne nor helpe neere you , then you shall presently light from his backe , and with a sharp poynted knife , or bodkin , or for want of both , with a stronge poynt tagge , you shall pricke him in the roofe of the mouth amongst the barres , somewhat neere to his vppermost teeth , and make him bleed well , walking him foreward , and suffering him to champe and eate his owne bloud which is very wholesome , and almost a present cure : now if the bloud stanch of it selfe ( as commonly it will ) then you shall presently pisse in his mouth , and so ryde him with all gentlenesse and ease home-ward , and being set vp warme , wash his mouth and nostrills with vineger , and the next morning let him bloud in the necke-veine , and giue him either of the drenches before prescribed , and no doubt but you may hold on your iourney without danger . now if in the pricking of the horse in the mouth , you either strike your knife too deepe , or else cut the veine in sunder , whereby you cannot stanch the bloud ( as it many times hapneth ) in this case you shall put some big roūd peece of wood into the horses mouth ( to keepe him from byting ) and then take a little of the fine downe of a hares skinne , or a conies skinne , or ( for want of them ) the fine linte of any wollen cloth , and hold it hard to the wound and it will stanch it , neither will it be lickt away with the horses tongue . all these infirmities are cured by the second medicine following . all head-ach . all frenzie . the lethargie . the staggers . the posse . all coldes . all coughes , or wet or dry . all shortnes of breath . broken winde . rotten lungs . the glangers . mourning of the chyne . laxe , or loosenes . the bloudy fluxe . the second medicine . for any of these diseases of the head , or lunges , or other parts by them offended , you shall in any wise first let the horse bloud in the necke-veine , and let him bleed exceeding well , that is to say , till you see the bloud change , and that corruption come to purenesse , then stanch the veine , and take of assaefetida as much as a hassell nut , and dissolue it in a saucer full of strong wine vineger , and then take fine flaxe hurds and dip them therein , and then stop the same hard into the horses eares , and with a needle and a thred stich the tippes of the horses eares together , to keepe the medicine in from shaking forth ▪ then take of the white cankerous mosse , which growes vpon an old oake pale , or other oake wood , a good handfull or more , and boyle it in a pottle of new milke till one halfe be consumed then strayne it , and presse the mosse excedingly , and being luke warme giue it the horse to drinke fasting in the morning , and ride or walke him an hower after it gently , then set him vp warme , and hauing stood an hower , then offer him such meat as he will most willingly eate , and in any wise sprinckle his hay with water , and thus doe diuers mornings together , according to the greatnes of his sicknes : but if you shall perceiue that he casteth foule and filthy matter at his nostrils , then you shall euery morning as soone as you haue giuen the drench , take of auripigmentum two drammes of tussilaginis made into powder as much , then with turpentine worke them to a stiffe past , and make little round cakes thereof , the compasse of a groat , but much thicker , and dry them a little ; then take a chafing dish and coales , and laying one or two of these cakes thereon , couer them with a tunnell , such as you tunne wine or beere into bottles with , that the smoake may ascend through the same : then hauing made the horses head fast , put the smoak to his nostrils , and perfume him well with the same , and though at the first he be somwhat coy to take the smoake , yet hauing once felt the smell thereof , he will take such delight therein , that he will of his owne accord thrust his nose to the same : assone as you haue perfumed your horse , you shall ride him forth till he begin to sweat , and then bring him home and set him vp warme , and hauing so stood an hower or more , then giue him meate as before sayd , but by no meanes let him drinke any cold water , either in his sicknes or out of his sicknes , but when you may ride him after it , which if either weaknes , leasure , time or place doe hinder you to doe , then you shall heate a pottle of water on the fire scalding hot , & put it into a gallō or two of cold water , so that it may onely take the coldnesse away ▪ and then cast a handfull or two of ground malt or wheat branne into the same and so giue it the horse to drinke . all these infirmities are cured by the third medicine following . impostumes in the eares . the vines . vlcers in the nose . all wens whatsoeuer . the colt euill . sweld stones . incording or bursting . the third medicine . for any of these outward infirmities or swellings , you shall take a penniworth of pepper beaten to fine pouder , a spoonefull of swines grease , the iuyce of a handfull of rue , two spoonfull of strong wine vinegar , and mixe them well altogether : then if the swelling be about the horses head , face , or throat , you shall take flaxe hurds and steepe them therein , and stop it hard into the horses eares and stich the tippes together with a needle and a thread , as in the second medicine , renewing it once in two dayes till the swelling goe away . but if it be in any other part of the body , then with this oyntment you shall anoynt the greeued place twice a day , till the infirmity consume away . now for the swelling about the cods or priuy members , it shall be good before you anoynt them with this oyntment , to bath them well with cold water , as either by trotting the horse into some deepe ponde , or els by taking a paile of cold water , and dipping a cloth into the same , to bath , clap , and wash the cods therewith , then drying them with another cleane cloth , lay on the oyntment , which is a present cure . all these infirmities are cured by the fourth medicine following . the pole euill . swelling after blood-letting . the withers hurt . all galld backs . all stittfasts . the nauell-gall . the strangle . the botch in the groyne . all fistulas . biting with venomous beasts or wormes . the fourth medicine . for any of these filthy imposthumations , galls or swellings , you shall take the earth lome of a mudde wall which hath no lime in it , but onely earth , straw , or litter , and you shall boyle it in strong wine vinegar till it become very thicke like a pultus , then being very hot apply it to the sore , renewing it once in twelue or foure and twenty houres , and it will not only ripen it and breake it , but also draw it , search it , and heale it most perfectly : as experience wil manifest it . all these infirmities are cured by the fift medicine following . mangines in the maine . mangines in the tayle . the mallander . the sellander . the paines . the scratches . all kyb'd heeles . the leprosie . the farcye . the generall scab . all lice or nittes or other vermine . the fift medicine . first in any wise you shall let the horse blood in the necke-veine , and you shall suffer him to bleed very well ( because corruption of blood is the onely breeder of these infirmities ) then hauing with knife , launcet , curry combe , hayre-cloth , or such like , opened the knots or pustules , and rubd away al skurfe or filthinesse , laying the sores open and raw and as it were ready to bleede , then you shall take of yellow a snicke beaten to fine powder , and clarified hogges grease , of each a little quantity , and beat them well together till they come to a perfect oyntment , then hauing tyed the horses head vp fast to the rack , in such wise that hee can neither licke nor bite himselfe , with this oyntment anoynt all the sores & other offended places very well ouer , holding some hot barre of iron or fire-shouell heated against the same , that the oyntment may the better and speedilier enter into the same : and being thus anoynted , let him stand the space of two or three houres at the least tyed as beforesaid : which done , take of the strongest vrine you can get , and with the same wash away all the oyntment wheresoeuer it was layd , and then vntye the horse and put him to his meate : and thus doe once a day , till the sores drye vp and beginne to shill away . all these infirmities are cured by the sixt medicine following . all woundes in generall . all synewes cut . all woundes with shot . burning with lime . mad dogge biting . foundering . frettizing . surbaiting . all loose hoofes , casting of the hoofe . hoofe-bound . the sixt medicine . take of turpentine , waxe , and hogges grease , of each a like quantity , first melt the yellow waxe and hogges grease vppon a soft fire , then take it off and dissolue the turpentine into it , and stirre it very well together , then put it into a gally pot and let it coole : & with this salue , tent , or plaister any wound or sore , & it wil heale it : also with the same anoint the cronets of your horses hoofes , and putting wheat branne vnto it , being boyling hot , stop vp your horses feet therewith , in case either of founder , frettize , surbat , or such like infirmity . all these infirmities are cured by the seauenth medicine following . all old vlcers . the shackle gall . the canker , the anbury . all bruises broken . all ouer-reaches . the crowne scab , the crownet hurt . grauelling . prick in the soale . a retrait . cloying . the rotten frush . all these infirmities are cured by the way onley contained in the seauenth medicine following . the bloudy rifts . the bladders . the lampas . all mouth cankers . all heat in the mouth . the tongue hurt . the paps . the tooth-ake , shedding of hayre . the felter worme . the seauenth medicine . take of new milke three quarts , a good handfull of plantaine , let it boyle till a full pint be consumed , then take three ounces of allome , and one ounce & an halfe of white sugar candy , both beeing made into a very fine pouder , and three spoonefull of strong wine vineger , and put them into the milke , then let it boyle a little till it haue a hard curde , then straine it and saue the whay , wherwith you shall first bath the sore , the whay being made warme : then with a cleane cloth dry the sore , and then apply to it this salue : take of turpentine , yellow-waxe and hogs-grease of each an ounce , and of verdigrease ground to fine pouder an ounce and a halfe , mixe all these very wel together on a soft fire , & then put it into a gally pot and let it coole : but in case where the bruise is not broken , yet likely to breake , there you shall only apply the fourth medicine onely , mentioned before . all these infirmities are cured by the eighth medicine following . all conuulsions of sinewes . all crampes whatsoeuer . the necke-cricke . shoulder splat . all sweld legges . ouer-reach in the backe sinew . all windgalls . wrench in the nether ioynt . all bruises vnbroke . all straines whatsoeuer . the eight medicine . take strong wine vineger & patch grease of each a like quantity and boye it on the fire then with wheate branne make it into a hot pultus and being so warme as the horse may well indure it , apply it twice a day to the grieued place , but in case the sorance bee where you cannot bind any pultus vnto it , then you shall onely take patch grease and being mol●en very hot with the same , bath the horse twise or thrice a day and giue him very moderate excercise before and after his dressing , and it will not onely take away all paine and anguish but also remooue all swellings , gourdings , or any other eyesore whatsoeuer . all these infirmities are cured by the ninth medicine following . all light galls . to skinne sores . to dry vp humors . the ninth medicine . first bath the sore place with hot moulten butter , then strow vppon it the pouder of rossen , lastly take a spoonefull or two of very thicke creame , and with the soote of a chimney bring it to a very thicke past , then spread it also vpon the sore and it will heale drye and skinne it in a short space . all these infirmities are cured by the tenth medicine following . all watry eyes . all blood-shotten eies all dimnesse of sight . the pin and web in the eye . all pearls or spots . all lunaticke eyes . all vlcers in the eyes . all cankers in the eyes . all fistulas in the eies . the hawe in the eye . the tenth medicine . take true ground-iuy , which of some is called alehoofe , and beat it well in a morter , and if it be very drye drop a little white rose-water into it , or a little of the water of the hearbe eyebright , then straine it well into a cleane glasse , and with that iuyce wash , anoynt , or tent the sores in the eyes at least three or foure times a day : as for the hawes or hogs in a horses eyes , euery common smith knowes in what sort to cut them away , and that easily . all these infirmities are cured by the eleuenth medicine following . all splents . all spauens . all curbs . all ringbones . all quitterbones . all bony excrescions . the eleuenth medicine . take white arsnicke ground to pouder and make a little slit vppon the head of the excrescion the length of a barley corne , and downe to the bone , then rayse vp the skinne with a fine cornet , and put in as much of the arsnicke as wil lye vppon a three halfepence , and then bind vpon the sore a little dry flaxe hurds , which done tye vp the horses head to the racke , so as he may not bite the sore place , and let him so stand the space of two or three houres , for in that time the anguish will bee gone and the medicine will haue done working , then put the horse to his meat either in the house or abroad , and the excrescion will rotte & fall away of it selfe , which seene you may heale vp the sore , either with the sixt or the ninth medicine specified before . all these infirmities are cured by the twelfth medicine following . all broken bones , all bones out of ioynt . swaying of the backe ▪ weakenesse in the backe . horse-hipped . horse-stifled . the twelfth medicine . the bones being placed in their true and proper places , according to the forme of the member , you shall first bath the grieued place with warme patch greasse , then clap about it a bynding plaster of pitch , rosen , masticke , and sallet oyle , well mixt togither and molten on the fire , then fould the limbe about with sine flaxe hurds , and then splent it with broade , flat , strong and soft splents , and remoue not the dressing for the space of fifteene dayes , except you finde the roulers to slacken which is a very good signe and then you may strayten them againe , or if you finde the member increase in swelling , and that the roulers grow as it were straiter and strayter then you may giue the members ease , for it is a signe it was rould too straight before , and thus you shal dresse it but twice in thirty dayes , or there abouts , in which time the bones will be knit , but if through the breatch or dislocation , you finde any grose substance to appeare about the grieued place , then you shall twice or thrice a day bath it with hot patch greasse , & that wil take away the eie sore in a short space . the emperour of all medicines concerning horses , the second poynt . take of wheat meale six pounds , or as much as wil bring all the other simples following to a stiffe paste : of annis-seeds two ounces , of commig-seedes six drams , of carthamus one dram and a halfe , of fenugreeke seed one ounce and two drammes , of brimston one ounce and a halfe , of sallet oyle , one pint and two ounces , of hony one pound & a halfe , of white wine foure pints , and all this must be made into a very stiffe past , the hard simples being pounded and fearst to a fine powder and so mixt with the wet simples , after this past is thus made , it must be kept in a very cleane cloth , and when you haue occasion to vse it , you shall take there of as much as will make a round ball as big a mans fist , and this ball you shall by continuall washing or lauingng dissolue in a gallon or two of faire running water , and so giue it the horse to drinke , either after his heates , or after any violent labour or exercise , or when he is sicke poore , leane , or inwardly diseased , and full of foule surfaits , and then you shall suffer him to drinke thereof as much and as oft as he pleaseth . now it may be at the first , that partly through the colour thereof , & partly through the smell , the horse will be coy to tast it , but care not you therefore , but be sure to keepe him from all water else but it onely , and that he may the readier take it , you shall doe well at first to offer him this water in the darke , that the colour may not offend him , of which when he hath but once tasted , he will then forsake all water whatsoeuer to drinke of this water onely , as i haue often knowne by experience . now touching the vertues which appertaine to this medicine , they are these : first if your horse be neuer so poore , leane , surfaited and diseased , if you giue your horse of this water with the ball dissolued in it as aforesaid , it will in fourteene dayes not onely clense and scowre him from all infirmitie , but also feede him and make him sat with good and sound flesh , so as he shall be fit either for the market , or for present trauell : secondly , if your horse be inwardly foule and fatt , and haue either by orderly or disorderly riding had his grease molten within him , then this medicine vsed as aforesaid , is a most excellent and soueraine purge or scowring , and maketh the horse not onely auoid all such filthy and ill matter as lies molten in his body , and would breed most dangerous and mortall sicknesses , but also it comforteth and strengthneth the inward parts , and breedes great courage and spirit in the horse , whence it comes to passe that it is of especiall and great vse for hunting horses , & rūning horses , to be giuen after their heates , because it doth clense the body , preuents all inward sicknesses , keepes a horse coole and soluble in his body , and adds more courage & mettle then any other foode whatsoeuer : lastly the vse of this medicine one fortnight is as good as a quarter of a yeares grasse at any time of the yeare , and worketh as many and more good effects , especially in this , that this medicine is to be had at al times , and grasse is to be had but onely in the summer season : and whereas at grasse ( if it be ranke and sweet ) a horse is in danger of many sicknesses , as the yellowes , staggers , and many other which proceed from the corruption of the bloud , or the heat of the season , by the vse of this medicine all those infirmities are taken away , and the horse recouereth flesh , strength , and liuelihood of spirit , without any danger , as proofe shall testifie , much better then my writing . the third poynt . how to cure all the diseases in cattell , as oxe , cowe , bull , or calfe , with seauen medicines onely . the caracter , or nature of the oxe , bull , cowe , or calfe . the oxe , bull , cowe , or calfe , for indeed they are but one & the selfe same in generation , are beasts naturally of a slow and heauy disposition , yet fit for the draught , being temperately handled , and especially the oxen or bulls , the cowes may be and are somtimes imployed in the same worke , but yet they are more fit for the paile , or for yeelding of milke , which they yeeld in greater aboundance then any other beasts whatsoeuer , their flesh is the best and most wholsomest for the sustenance of man , and therefore when they are past labour , or other commodity , they may be fedde and sould to the shambles : the fat of these beasts is soft , and apt vpon any violent exercise to melt whence it proceeds that in their labour they may not be driuen aboue an ordinary foote-pace : their skinnes are of very great price , being a leather of that firme , fast and hard composition , that with ordinary liquering or working in oyle , it withstandeth all wet and weather , and out weareth all other leather whatsoeuer . of these kinde of cattell with vs in this iland of great brittaine are foure sorts : the first , and best , are those which are bred in the west parts , as in somersetshire , gloster-shire , dorset-shire , and the countries adioyning , these are for the most part of a bloud red colour , with great , large , and long bodies , tall of stature , and slenderly cast downewards , their hornes are little and crooked , and the milke which the cowes giue is the most best and wholsomest of all other . the second sort are bred in the countries of darby-shire , chesse-shire , lancha-shire , yorke-shire , and the countries adioyning : these are for the most part of a coole blacke colour , with large bodyes and short legges , stately large and white hornes , and the cowe most fruitfull of all other for breed . the third sort are bred in lincolneshire and the countries adioyning and are of a pied colour , very tall , and large of body , onely slender and long legged . the fourth sort are bred in the extreamest part of the north as in northumberland and beyond the tweede , they are the least of all the other with short low bodies and very little hornes , yet is their flesh most excellent and the sweetest beefe of allother , whence our ancient heardsmen conclude , that the west country beast is best for the paile , the yorkshire best for the hide & tallow , the lincolnshire for trauell , and the northumberland for the shambles : they haue all as many diseases as the horse , yet all may be cured by seauen medicines onely . all these infirmities are cured in cattell by the first medicine following . all feuers . the pestilence . the gargill . the mourraine . all misliking . all leannes . all fluxes . the pissing of blood . hide-bound . the drie skinne . the lunge-growne . swallowing of all poison whatsoeuer . all wormes . vomiting of blood . milting . to prouoke vrine . the ouerflow of the gall . a cow wethered . all faintnes . how to breed milke . the pantas . the losse of the cud . the rot . the first medicine . first assoone as you perceiue your beast to droop , you shall in any wise let him bloud in the necke veine , and let him bleede well ( that is to say ) till you see alteration in the blood ; then take of plantaine , of rewe , of wormwood , of housleike , of woodrosse , of sheppards purse , of smallage , and of galworte ▪ of each of these ( or of so many as you can conueniently get ) halfe a handful , beat them wel in a morter and then mixe therewith a pinte of vrine & a handfull of henns dunge strayned all together exceeding much , then put this iuyce so strayned to a full ale-quarte of stronge beere or strong ale , & so set it on the fire and boyle it till a full halfe bee consumed , then take it from the fire , & dissolue into it halfe an ounce of the best treacle and a spoonfull of the iuyce of garlicke , then take of myrhe , of iuory , of bay-berries , of cinamon , and of annis seedes beaten to fine pouder two good spoonefull , and brew it very well with the ale , then being sufficiently wel cool'd giue it the beast to drinke with a horne , early in the morning fasting , and chase the beast vp and downe , halfe an houre after , then put him where hee may come to no meate for an houre and an halfe after , and thus do two or three mornings together according to the greatnes of his sicknes : but if you find his dewe-lap begin to swell , then you shall with a sharp knife slit it , and opening of the skinne you shall thrust into it halfe a handfull of speare-grasse and salt chopt together , and then stitch it vp againe and anoint it with butter and tarre mixt together , and so put the beast to a fresh pasture , but by no meanes let the grasse be too ranck , for that is most dangerous . all these infirmities are cured by the second medicine following . the belly ake . all colds in generall . dropping nostrils . all costiuenes . all coughes or hausts . all shortnesse of breath . a generall purge for cattell . the second medicine . first , you shall in any wise let the beast bloud , as in the former medicine , then take a quart of stronge ale and boyle it on the fier and scume it well , then take it of and disolue into it a spounfull of tarre and a spounfull of the iuice of garlike , which done take of sugarcandy of fenugreeke , and of brimstone , all being beaten to a fine pouder , the quantity of three sponfull , brew them well together with the ale till it be sufficiently well cold , then put to it a quarter of a pint of sallet-oyle and so giue it the beast to drinke fasting , and chase him and vse him as was before prescrybed in the former medicine . all these infirmities are cured by the third medecine following . the sturdy , the neck gald , the neck bruysd , the neck sweld , the closh , all swellings in generall in any part . all impostumes , all byles , all botches , the dew-boulne , catell goared all wounds what-soeuer . the third medecine . first in case of the sturdy you shall open the skull vpon the forehead and take out the blader , then heale the sore with the salue following , but in case of deweboulne where the bleane riseth on the tongue or in the mouth , there you shal first break the bleane , and thrust out the filth then rub the sore with salte and earth , and after apply the salue following , which is this . take the greene leaues of aristolochia of fresh grease , of tallow , of the ashes of an old burnt shoe , of terpentine , of tarre , and of lyllie roots of each a like quantity , beate them all in a morter till they come to a perfit salue which if it proue too lenwicke or moyst then you shall take as much yellow waxe as will stiffen it , and with this salue anoynt the sore places , and it is a present remedie . al these infirmities are cured by the fourth medicine following . the barbs , the bleane , the canker in the mouth , loose teeth , the tonge venomed the falling of the palate . the fourth medicine . first thtust your hand into the beasts mouth , and if there be any blisters risen or the pallat falne , rub the one away and put vp the other , then take of woodbine leaues , of sage , of plantain and of salt , of each halfe an handfull , boyle them well in a quart of running water , a pint of vinegar , & halfe a pint of hony , then with the water wash the sore places very well and it is a present remedy , all these infirmities are cured by the fift medicine following . all sore eies , the haw in the eie , the pinne in the eie , the web in the eye , the fift medicine . first you shall let the horse blood in the temple veines , and cut out the hawes if they offend him , which euery ordinary smith can doe , then take an egge and open it in the crowne , and put out halfe the white , then fill it vp againe with salt , and then roste it in the hot embers so long and so hard that you may beat it to a fine powder , which done , dissolue some of that powder in a spoonefull of the water of eiebright , and a spoonefull of the iuyce of house-leeke , & with the same wash the beasts eye twice or thrice a day , & it is a present remedie . all these infirmities are cured by the sixt medicine following . the worme in the tayle . the generall scabbe . the party colour scab . the itch or scurse . the byting of a mad dogge . the byting with venemous beasts all lyce or tickes . all prickes with thornes , or stubbes . to be shrewe-runne . the sixt medicine . you shall first make a strong lye with old vrine , and the ashes of ash-wood , then take a pynte of this lye and adde to it of tarre , o● blacke sope , of coperas , of boares grease , of brimston , of peper , of staues-aker , and of plantaine of each a like quantity , as much as will bring the lye to a thicke and stiiffe salue , then with the same annoynt all the sore places : but in case the beast be shrew runne onely and haue no other infirmity , then you shall take a bramble which groweth at both ends , and with the same beate all ouer the body of the beast , and if you can conueniently , you shall also drawe his whole body vnder a bramble which groweth at both ends as aforesayd . all these infirmities are cured by the seuenth medicine following . all staines whatsoeuer all sorenes in the sinewes . all stifnes in the neck . the goute . all broken bones . al grieues in the houes the foule . the seauenth medicine . take mallowes , chikweede , and galling-gall , and boyle them in vrine , butter , burgundy , pitch , tallow , and linseed oyle till they be so soft that you may beat them to a salue , which done , apply that salue to the grieued place very hot , either as an oyntment , or as a pultus , and it is a present remedy , as hath bene often proued . the fourth poynt . how to cure all the diseases in sheep with six medicines onely . the caracter or nature of the sheepe . sheepe are naturally of a hot disposition , weake & tender , yet so free from gredines that they will liue of lesse foode then any other beast of their bignes : they are of a most singular profit and esteeme , as hauing in them not about them any thing which is not of some good vse , the worst of which are their houes , and yet the very treading of them vpon the ground are a good manuring and inriching of the same : as for their fleeces , their flesh and other intralls , who knowes not the excellent goodnes thereof ? the rams and ewes are fit for generation from two yeares of age till they be ten , and after that they are onely for the shambles : the ewes carrie their lambes in their bodyes a hundred and fifty dayes and no longer , according to common computation . sheepe in our iland of great brittaine ( which is not inferior to any kingdome in the world for the excellencie of good sheepe ) are of sundry natures , according to the alteration of the climats , for where the ground is most firtile , there the sheep are large of body , and deepe woold , yet is the staple but of an indifferent finenes , rather inclining to some coursenes , then yeelding the best thrid others are bred of a more barraine and wilde earth , yet if the leare be colde then is the staple most course , and the wooll both short and harie , and the least that are bred on the most barraine earth , though the sheepe be the least of body , and the least of burthen , yet if the leare be warme and well coloured , the wooll is of all the finest , and the staple of a fine and silke-like handling . to conclude , it is better and more naturall for a sheepe to be bred abroade in the fields amongst the flocke then domesticke at home in the house , for so shall both his flesh and fleece be better both for the tast , and for all other seruice . all these infirmities in sheepe are cured by the first medicine following . all feuers . the red water . the lunge-sick . all coughes , all colds . all diseases of the gall . the iaundisse . all sicknes comming of choller . all tough fleagme . the poxe . the wood euill . the crampe . all licking of poyson to cause easie deliuerance . to increase milke . all wormes inward . the losse of the cud . the staggers . the generall rot . water in the belly . the first medicine . take of wormewood flowers , of rue , of coltsfoote , of lunge-wort , of plantaine , of lettice , of rosemary , of cinquefoyle , of horsemint , of dyll , of sage , of tanscy , and of holy thistle , or of so many of those as you can conueniently get , of each a like quantity and beat them very well in a morter , then straine forth the iuyce thereof , and to a pint of a very sweet honnied water made with the best honny and running water , adde fiue or sixe spoonefull of this iuyce , then set it on the fire and boyle it with two spoonfull of the pouder of anny seeds , licoras , long pepper , and bay-berries made of equall quantities , then being taken from the fire put in as much sweet butter as a walnut , and two spoonfull of that salt which is called adcoces , which is salt gathered ( and made by the violence of the sunnes heat ) vppon the salt marshes after the tide is gone away , or for want of it ( because it is scarse ) you may take as much of the best spanish salt , and all being well stirred together , so soone as it is luke warme giue it the sheepe to drinke with a horne , and morning and euening rubbe his mouth very well with the salt aforesaid , and it is a certaine cure , and hath beene often proued . all these infirmities are cured by the second medicine following . the scabbe or itch. all maggots whatsoeuer . the worme in the clawe . all wild fier . the sturdy . the turning euill . the more founde . sheepe taggd . sheepe belted . the second medicine . first you shall let the sheepe bloud in the eye-veines , then take tarre and fresh grease of each a like quantity , and mixing them wel together with a little brimstone and the iuyce of cheruile , bring it to a salue , and with the same ( after you haue bared , clensed , and made all the sore places raw ) anoint all the grieued place , or in case of the sturdy after you haue opened the skull and taken out the bladder , plaster the sore therewith , and it is a certaine cure . all these infirmities are cured by the third medicine following . all paine in the ioynts . all bones out of ioynt . all broken bones . the fourth medicine . first after you haue placed the member right ( which you may doe by the example of the sound member ) then you shall bath the grieued place wel with butter and beere , then make a scarcloth of patchgrease and yellow waxe , and warming it very hot lap it about the member , and if need require then splent it , and in case the member be broken renew it not til fifteene dayes be past , otherwise renew it once in three dayes . all these infirmities are cured by the fourth medicine following . all greiues in the eyes . all dimnesse of sight . the fourth medicine . you shal first let the sheepe bloud in the eye-veines , then take of the iuyce of cellodine , that is to say , of the leaues in summer and of the roots in winter , and with the same wash the sheeps eyes , and it will helpe them . all these infirmities are cured by the fift medicine following . all greiues in the mouth . all loosenesse of teeth . the fift medicine . first you shal let the sheepe bloud in the gummes , then you shall take of earth , of sage and of salt , of each a like quantity , and beat them well together , and with the same rub the mouth of the sheep very well , but especially where it is greeued ▪ and it helpeth . all these infirmities are cured by the sixt medicine following . all sicknesse in lambes . lambes that are yeaned sicke . the sixth medicine . first you shal take vp the lambe and breath into the mouth thereof , then suckell or feede it with mares milke and a little water mixt together and made luke warme , and in any case during the sicknes keepe it very warme for that is the greatest nourishment that can bee giuen vnto them , and best agreeth with them . the fift poynt . how to cure all the diseases in goates with two medicines onely . the carracter or nature of goates . goates are naturally of a wanton , light , & ayry disposition , giuen to much wildnes whence it comes that they are in many countries preserued , as wee preserue our deere wild , and for the chase , and surely they will make excellent sport in their hunting : they doe bring forth their young kids in more abundance then sheepe doe lambes , for they doe seldome bring forth vnder two , very often three , and sometimes foure , they carry their kids in their bodyes fiue monthes as sheepe doe , and seldome growe barraine but through extreame fatnes , they begin very early to goe to the bucke as in the first yeare , whence it comes that they continue not long in bearing as not aboue three or foure yeares at the most : their greatest and best foode is the brouzing vppon young trees and therefore they should so go to the buck , that they might bring forth their yong ones in the month of march or aprill , when euery tree begins to bud : they are naturally euer good phisitions for themselues ▪ and when they find any imperfection wil seeke out cures for the same , as by letting themselues blood vppon briers , thornes , bulrushes and such like , they are much subiect to aborsement or casting of their yong ones , especially in extreame cold seasons , whence it comes that they should haue euer a shed prouided for thē in the winter season : the hayre of the goates in some countryes is yearely shorne off , and a course stuffe made thereof ▪ wherewith they cloth the meaner sort of people : they do naturally see as well by day as by night , and their ages are best knowne by the knots and round risings about the nether part of their hornes . to conclude , their teeth are very dangerous for the spoyling of young trees , especially the oliue tree , which if they but chance to lick on the tree , neuer beareth any fruite after it . all these infirmities in goates are cured by the first medicine . the pestilence , the dropsie , hardnes to kidd , the staggers . the first medicine . first you shall let the goate bloud vnder the eies , and in the tayle , then you shall take of celladine leaues , of rushes , of reedes greene and of wormewood of each a like quantity , beate them in a morter and straine out the iuyce : then take foure or fiue spoonfull of that iuyce and mixe it with a pince of veruine and water , then put in a spoonfull of salte , & halfe a spoonfull of cloues beaten to fine pouder , & being luke warme giue it the goate to drinke fasting , and let it fast two houres after it . all these infirmities are cured by the seond medicine . all stoppings in the teats , the tuell stopt , the tetter , the dry scabbe , the itch , all maggots . all flye-blowings . the second medicine . first you shall take and clense away all the filth and scurffe which any way stoppeth or offendeth the grieued place , then take of honey , of capons-grease , of blacke sope , of tarre , of brimston , and of the soote of a chimney , of each a spoonefull , and of goates milke fiue spoonefull , mixe them all very well together till it come to a perfect oyntment , then it with annoynt the sore place very well , morning and euening ; and if the stoping haue bene very longe , or that the goate be much inwardly dryed , then you shall take two inches of a smale candles end and thrust it vp into the coates tuell , in the manner of a suppository , and it will not onely clense the bagge and giue the goate greate ease in his body , but also keepe the place from stopping euer after . the sixt poynt . how to cure all the diseases in swine with three medicines onely . the caracter or nature of the swine . swine are naturally of a sluttish , sloathfull , and deuouring disposition , giuen onely to gredynesse and spoyle , whence commeth the saying of the husbandman , that the swine is neuer good till he be in the dish : they are of most creatures the most apoundant in their breede , for they bring forth their litters three times in the yeare , and will bring forth ten twelue , fifteene , and twenty somtimes in a litter , yet they wil neuer bring vp more pigges then she hath teates to giue suck with : such pigges as are piggd the begining or the last of december haue teeth immediatly , the other haue not . swine , of all other beasts , doe sonest shewe their sicknes , for if you pull but a bristle from their backes and finde it bloudy at the neather end , or if he carry his neck on the one side , you may be well assured of present sicknes : swine are to be vsed three seuerall wayes in the house , that is , for brawne , for bacon , and for porke : for brawne , the bore is onely in vse , and he is to be franke fed , and not stye fed for the franke hardneth the flesh best : the hogge is best for porke , most tender and sweetest , and fittest for present seruice : and the spayd guylt , or spayd or guelt sowe is best for bakon : feedeth soundest , taketh fat soonest , and hangeth by the walles vncorrupt longest ▪ as there be household and tame swine , so there be also wilde and sauadge swine , and they are somwhat lesse then the tame swine , yet by much more fierse and cruell , they differ little or nothing in nature , onely they are by their wildnes and much ranging , a great deale lesse apt to take infirmity or be sicke : to conclude , they are a good and wholsome meate , hauing nothing in them or about them vselesse , as is found by daily experience . all these infirmities in swine are cured by the first medicine following . all feuers . all hid sicknesses . the mourraine . the pestilence . the catharre . the gall . the meazle . the poxe . the laxe . all vomiting . the sleeping euill . all paine in the myte . the first medicine . first you shall let the swine blood in the tayle , and vnder the eares , then binde vp the sores with the greene barkes of oziers , which done , you shall take of barley meale two or three handfull , of red oaker and hens dunge of each a handfull , of the iuice of liuer wort , gall wort , and wormewood halfe a pynte , of treakle an ounce , mixe all these well with a pottle of honey and vrine blended together , then put it into a gallon or two of sweete warme wash or swillings ▪ and so giue it the swine to drinke , and annoynt all the sore places of his body with brimston & bores grease mixed together , and during the time of his sicknes let his foode be onely dry beanes spelted on a mill . all these infirmities are cured by the second medicine following . all impostumes . all leanenes or mislike all scurfe or mangines . swine that are luggd all maggots in the eares . the second medicine . first you shall let the swine bloud in the tayle as aforesayde , then if the imposthume be rype , launce it , and thrust out the filth , then heale the sore with tarre and butter mixt togither , but if the impostume be hard then onely rub it with wheat meale and salt till it dissolue , but if the infection be vniuersall then annoynt the swine all ouer with boares grease , brimston , vineger , blacke soape and hony mixt togither , each of like quantity , and hauing formerly rubd all the scurfe and filth away with a wooll card . all these infirmities are cured by the third medicine following . all vnnaturalnes in sowes deuouring their births . the third medicine . if your sowe be giuen to much vnnaturalnes , and that she will deuoure her pigges so soone as she hath pigged them , you shall watch her piging and take them away as they fall , then take the wreckling or worst pigge , and annoynt & bath it all ouer with the iuyce of the hearb stonecroppe , and then giue it the sowe to deuoure , which so sone as she hath done , it will immediately make her so exceding sick and cause her to vomite so excedingly , that she will neuer after doe the same againe . the seauenth poynt . how to cure all the diseases in dogges , with three medicines onely . the caracter , or nature of the dogge . there be of doggs diuers kindes , though all concurre & come to one nature in the matter of diseases and infirmity , for there is first the grey-hound which exceedeth in swiftnes , and is preserued for the chase , as ether to course the wilde deere , the hare , the bore , the wolfe , or other vermine , he is a beast of infinite valoure and spirit , yet tender and apt by his fiersenes to much casualty , and his onely vertue consisteth in the swiftnes of his foote . then there is the hound which is of a more duller temper , whose onely glory is in his smell , hunting and finding out by his scent the tractes and footestepes of all sorts of wilde beasts : in which he showeth so much cunning , that not any winding , turning , or art full double can preuent his search , hee is both valiant and industrious , and so vnappaled with labour , that only by the continuance of his toyle hee maketh himselfe maister of what prey soeuer he hunteth . next vnto them is the spaniell , which also is singular for his smell vppon birdes , and the hound vppon beasts : whence it comes that neither partrige , phesant , raile , quaile , pecock nor any other bird can escape their search , they are of all other dogges the most louingest , humblest , and most familiar with the man : then there is the water spaniell , whose scent is also his only glory , yet that scent is taken aloft from the ayre vppon the water , whereby it comes to passe that no water foule is safe from his search , he is also of a most exceeding strong constitution , being so very able to indure the cold , that no sharpnesse of winter nor frost troubleth him , but the water is as familiar with him as the ayre : then there is the mastiue , whose vertue is onely in his courage , strength , sharpnes of tooth , and aptnes to encounter with any fierce wilde beast , as lyons , beares , bulls , wolues , tigers , and such like , against which they are so apt , wiling , and so cunning in their fight , that they sildom or neuer part but victors . to conclude , for your tumbler or lurcher , whose delight is onely in killing the cony , for the lice●cea which onely enuieth the foxe , and for your generall mongrils whose vses are either for chasing away vermine or defence of the husbandmans yard , they were , and are in their speciall natures and qualities with the other forenamed dogges , and touching their diseases , they are cured by one and the selfe same medicines . all these infirmities in dogges are cured by the first medicine following . all wormes inwardly . all coldes or stoppings . the stone . costiuenes or belly-bound . the first medicine . make a strong decoction of worme-wood and of southern-wood , then take a pint of the decoction and dissolue into it as much aloes as halfe a hazell nut , and a good spoonfull of the pouder of iuory and brimstone mixt together , then being luke warme giue it the dogge to drinke , and administer at his tuell two inches of a candles end in maner of a suppository . all these infirmities are cured by the second medicine following . all lice or fleas . all wormes outwardly . all serpent-bitings . all mad dogge bitings . all galls or tetters . all itch or scab or mangie . all hurts by wild beasts . all gallings of feet . all frettizing in the feet . the canker . the second medicine . make a strong decoction of rewe , sage , mints , and a handfull or two of salt , then with the decoction wash ouer all the dogges body , then take treakle , hogges-grease , yellow waxe turpentine and coperas of each a like quantity melt and mingle them together and with that oyntment anoynt all the sore places , especially those which hee cannot come to licke , or else scratcheth most , and it will speedily cure him . all these infirmities are cured by the third medicine following . all tirednes . all wounds whatsoeuer . all bruises . all paine in the eares . the third medicine . frst if the wound be great and gaping or in any fleshy part , you shall stitch it vp with a needle and a little red silke , then take the yelke of an egge , and as much soot of a chimney , and twice so much of the iuyce of greene tobacco , and the iuyce of mellilot , with as much fresh butter as will bring all these to a salue , being molten and mingled well together on a soft fire , then with this salue either tent or plaister the greeued place , and it is a present remedy for all the former greeuances , as hath beene often by me and others experienced . the eighth poynt . how to cure all the diseases in conies or hares , with one medicine onely . the character of hares or conies . hares or conies are small beasts of a much more melancholy disposition then other beasts , whence commeth the hardnes of their liuing , for as it is written they will feed fat with the white rinde of the frost , or the snow either : certaine it is that in the frost and sharpest time of winter they feed best , because then the frost biting the foggy grasse maketh it most sweet , vppon which they delight most to feede : they are aboundant in their increase bringing forth their broods once euery month , and of those broodes not vnder three or foure at the least : neither doth she so soone disburden one broode but she presently runneth to the bucke and ingendreth for another : the male of these kindes are very vnnaturall , for if they can find where the yong ones are kindled , they presently deuoure them : whence it comes to passe that the female at her time compleat withdraweth her selfe and hideth her yong , daubing and damming vp the hole till they bee able to runne and shife for themselues , and then she openeth the hole by little and little , giuing them liberty to take the ayre and vse their owne exercise : as for the profit of them , besides their flesh , which is an excellent food , their skins are of great price , be a most excellent furre , and little inferiour for warmth , sweetnes , and goodnes , to any other : againe , the wool or haire of them is very good to make felts of , and indeed is so soft and fine that it is but a little inferior to the beauer : with which wool if it be mixed it maketh a most perfect and good felt . to conclude , they are beasts of much hardnes , and therefore no long life , and they take delight in hard and sandy grounds which are drye , for they haue no greater enemy then the wet , whence it proceedeth that their greatest infirmity is rottennes : yet such hares or connies as doe liue and delight in the clay earthes are euer the greatest , fattest , stoutest , and best either for the dish , or any sport whatsoeuer . all conies or hares are subiect but to two infirmities onely , which are cured by this one medicine following . the rotte , madnes . the medicine . for these infirmities aboue named , you shall onely take the finest , sweetest , and dryest hay you can get , and mixe it very well with the herbe hare-thistle , and therewith feede your conies and hares especially in the winter season , and it will not only preuent the infirmities , but also recouer and cure the sicknesses , when at any time they are infected . the ninth poynt . how to cure all the diseases in poultrye , as cockes , hens , capons , chikens , turkies , peacockes , pheasants , partrige , quales , rayles , doues of all kinde , and such like with foure medicines onely . the carracter or natures of all sorts of poultrye . the cocke , from whence the henne , capon & chicken proceedeth , & so all one , being the centinell & watch of the house , is a lusty , proude , valiant , and couragious birde , taking both delight in himselfe and in other mens praises of him . it is writ of them that they are astronomers , and know the course of the starres ; certaine it is that they keepe a true distance in their times , and crowe more after proportion then order , they are great commanders and rulers of their owne kinde , and so iealous of their wiues , that they will die ere any strange cocke inioy the least showe of their presence . of all beasts whatsoeuer , none but he reioyceth after the act of generation : the hens are no lesse valiant then the cocks if they be true bred , and will with their opposites fight to the last drop : they are exceding louing and naturall to their young , and will not onely fight in their defence , but also starue themselues to giue the chickens sustenance . your turkey is not vnlike vnto these birds , for the cocke is proude ▪ valiant , and apt to fight , onely the hens are much lesse naturall , though somewhat more doting , for from her too much loue she will drawe her chickens abroad , and by her wandring will loose them , neuer respecting her number , but so long as she hath one to follow her , so long she respecteth not what hapneth to the rest . of this nature also is the peacocke , who for beauty , pride , and vnderstanding excedeth all other birds , yet onely are carelesse of their young . the peacocke is a birde of long life , ordinarily liuing to the yeares of fiue & twenty or vpwards , he is a dish much vsed at banquets , for showe , more then for rast , for his flesh is not held exceeding wholesome : for it is certaine that if he be neuer so well and dry rosted ouer night , yet he will be bloud-rawe the next day following . now contrary to the peacocke ; the pheasant , partridge , quaile and raile , are excellent birds for the table , and more dainty and wholsome then any other : they are also excellent flights , and make rare sport before the hauke , they flye not high but nere to the ground , and though not very nimble of winge , yet swift after they are on winge : they loue not to flye long by reason of their much earnestnesse , but must haue many rests , but being so slaine with the hauke , they are the best , tenderest , and most pleasing foode : they bring forth their broods in great aboundance , and hauing once disclosed them , the young ones are able to defend themselues by flight , euen when the shel is on their crownes : so strong & wilie they are by nature as house doues are , of an innocent nature , and very chast , and neither male nor female change their make , but keepe together one true to the other , liuing as coupled by the bond of marriage , keeping their owne hen continually neuer visiting the holes of others , vnlesse they be single by the death of their make : the females are humble to their males : the male and female are both carefull of their young ones , nay , you shall haue the cocke oft times chastice the hen if she keepe not the nest well , and yet kinde they be to them when they are about to build , lay , and set , as may be seene by their readines to them in that case : when the hen cometh off the nest , the cocke goeth on presently . the cocke will goe abroad and first feede himselfe well , and gorge himselfe , & when he commeth home will disgorge himselfe againe , feeding his hen or his young ones . stock-doues liue ordinarily ( as pliny affirmeth ) thirty yeares . the turtle doues of all the rest are the louingst to their make : for you shall see them alwaies flye together , vnlesse the one of them be kild , then the other will not liue long after but pine away . all these infirmities in poultrye are cured by the first medicine following . the fluxe of the belly . drowsines of the braine . the first medicine . you shall take pease-branne and scald it , either with water or sweet whay , and giue it the poultrye to eate , and it will stop any scowring in these house-foule whatsoeuer , as hath bene often experienced . all these infirmities are cured by the second medicine following . the stopping of the belly . all molten grease . to auoid bruis'd bloud . the second medicine . take either bread made of wheat , or wheat corne , but bread is the better , and put it into a small trough , then put to the same a good quantity of mans vrine newly made & warme , and let the poultrye eate the bread or corne out of the vrine , and it will scowre them . all these infirmities are cured by the third medicine following . the pip . the roope . all lice . the stinging by wormes or venemous thinges . the third medicine . first you shall pull away the scale from the pip , and the black scurfe from the roope , and lay the sore raw and bare , then take of salt , rue , pepper , and sweet butter , of each a like quantity , and beat them togither in a morter till it come to a salue , then with the same annoynt the sores and it helpeth . all these infirmities are cured by the fourth medicine following . all sore eyes all dimnes of sight . the fourth medicine . take a leafe or two of ground iuy , or as some call it alehoofe , and chawe it well in your mouth , then sucking the iuyce thereof hard , spit it into the eyes of your poultrye , and thus doe twice or thrice a day , and it is a most certaine cure , and often proued . the tenth point . how to cure all the diseases in water-foule , as geese , duckes , swanns , taylls , widgeons , sheldraks , plouers , herns , puets , bytters , gulls , and such like , with one medicine onely . the character and natures of wilde foule . wilde foule though they differ much in name and proportions , yet in their generall natures there is small variety : they all loue to liue together in flockes and heards , and in like manner they flye together , yet not in route but like souldiers either in single or double files , and for the most part they flye triangle wise , one as it were leading the way , and the rest in two wide branches following , by which meanes they gather more winde vnder them , and are more able to mount their flights higher , which is that in which they most ioy : some write they flye so close one after another that the hindmost resteth his head on him that flyeth before him : how euer it is most certaine that they fly in a most decent and comely order : they doe for the most part keepe euer one nest , and in nourishing their young are most carefull and diligent , hyding them in holes , and in sedge bushes , and neuer discouering them till they be able by strength of winge to saue themselues in flying . they are of all creatures most vigilant and watchfull , sildome sleeping but when they are guarded by some of their owne company . they bring forth their broods commonly once a yeare , yet sometimes twice : yet those foule are rather domesticall then wilde , for such fruitfulnes euer springeth from some extraordinary keeping . all water foule for the most part are subiect but to one infirmity onely , which is cured by this one medicine following . the gargill . the medicine . take a cloue of garlicke cleane pilld , and bruise it a little , and then roule it vp in sweet butter in the fashion of a capons cram , and so giue it to your foule , and thus giue about three cloues of garlicke at one time , and no more , and it is a present cure for this disease , or for any other inward sicknesse which shall offend your water-foule at any time whatsoeuer . the eleuenth poynt . how to cure all the diseases in singing birdes ▪ as the nightingale , lynnet , solitary sparrow , goldfinch , bull-finch , myskin , spynke , canary-byrde , cordiall , larke , callander , black-birde , robin , throstell , and such like with three medicines onely . the character , and nature of all manner of singing birdes . all singing birdes generally doe once a yeare change their colours in feathers , and altet their voyce in singing , and that in such sort that of a sodaine a man would say they were other birdes , which is a thing which hapneth not vnto the greater foules except it be onely the crane , for they will at some times of the yeare grow blacker then at other some , especially in their old age : so likewise the black-bird will grow reddish , and in summer he singeth cleare and tunable , and in winter hee stutreth and stammereth , but in december commonly hee is cleane mute and dumbe altogether : also after the black-bird is a yeare old , and especially the males , their billes turne white like iuory , so likewise the throstles or mauisses all summer are painted about the necks with sundry colours , but in the winter they are all of one colour . the nightingale also singeth almost fifteene dayes together in the height of the spring , and will learne easily to whistle : and so generally all other singing birds sing more at one time of the yeare then at another , except it bee such birdes as are altogether domesticall and tame , vsed onely to heare musicke , the voyces of men , and continuall clamors , candle light and torch light , such i say will not onely sing all the yeare long , but also all day and night without ceasing , as may bee dayly discernd in many noblemen and gentlemens houses . these singing birdes seldome sing the first yeare , onely in the winter time they wil a little record , and then when the spring approacheth they will breake forth with their voices , and sound their notes full and perfect , and of all these singing birdes , the linnet , robin , bulfinch , stare , is most docible and aptest both to tune , and to learne all seuerall tunes : they take delight in their cages and seruitude , onely they are apt to feed sodenly , and with their too much fatnes often corrupt and dye sodenly , therefore it is not good at any time to let them bee without chalke , sugar or chickweed , which is a great preseruatiue and present helpe against the disease of fatnes , and you must shift them in a fresh cage euery month , and take their dung from them euery morning , and then blow their meat , and when you shift their cages , put the two dores together and blow on them , and they will shift themselues , for to handle them is dangerous , and when they moult or cast their feathers , sprowt a little wine on them , and it will the sooner make them moult their old coat : and for those birdes that you would teach and bring vp to whistle , you must hang their cages in such a place where they shal not heare the chirping of sparrowes for naturally they will rather take the wild note , as i haue knowne by experience , & haue heard birdes , some crow like a cocke , and counterfeit notes of birdes of other kinds contrary to their owne kind : the stare of all other brides is very apt , ready , and tractable to be taught to whistle , and speake any thing without cutting or clipping the tongue , as i haue heard many speake as plaine as any parrat , but you must keepe them couered all ouer sauing a place where they may see their meat and water , and as you would teach a parrat , so teach them : and for the dieting of birdes , the stare feedeth cheefely on raw beefe and bread soaked in water , both mixt together and small minced : the blackbird and thrush feedeth on raw beefe being whole , and stickt on a stick in their cage : the bullfinch and linnet feede on rapeseedes , but you must take heed of mustardseed , for they are like to the rape seedes , and will make them pine away : the canary bird doth feed on canary seedes and rapeseedes mixt together : the robin and nightingale feede on oatmeale , or raw meat : but if you get them now and then some of the wormes , that doe breed among the flower at the bakers , it will much auaile them . all these infirmities in singing birdes are cured by the first medicine following . all melancholly . leannes or mislike , strangling of the brest . moutting . all lite . the roupe . the pthisicke . the apoplexie . to bring the voyce againe . the pippe . all costiuenes . the priuie sicknes . the first medicine . take sugar , saffron and figges , of each a like quantity , and either chaw them or beat them in a morter , till they come to a past , and then giue it the bird to eat during the time of her sicknesse , and into her water put mellon seedes bruised and chopt very small , prouided euer that you forget not in case of the pippe , or roope , first to pluck off the scale or scab , and then to giue the medicines after . all these infirmities are cured by the second medicine following . all fores or wounds . all impostumes , all gouts . the second medicine . take of butter and of h●●s grease , of each a like quantity , and melte them and mixe them well together vppon a soft and gentle fire , then with a feather dipt into it when it is reasonably warme anoint all the sore places , and if the wound be very great or deepe , then with a fine needle or a little red silke stitch it vp , and then anoint it , and thus doe twice a day at the least and it will helpe them . all these infirmities are cured by the third medicine following . all blindnesse . all sore eyes . all dimnesse of sight . the third medicine . take halfe a spoonfull of cleare running water , and a full spoonefull of the iuyce of beets and mixe them very well together , then with a feather either anoint the birdes eyes , or taking a little of it into your mouth , spirt it into the birdes eyes , and thus do twice or thrice a day at least , and it will helpe them presently . the twelfth and last poynt . how to cure all the diseases in haukes of what nature or quality soeuer they be , with sixe medicines onely . the character or nature of all sorts of haukes . there be in falconry , sixteene kindes of haukes or birds that liue vpon prey , and though euery one haue in them a speciall note or character of much valour , yet some are much more valiant then other some , as the eagle , the vulture , the gerfaulcon , faulcon , and such like , are more valiant then the gossehauke , lanner , kilt , ringtaile , and such like . the valiant hauke euer trusseth her prey in the ayre , the lesse valiant taketh her prey neere vnto the ground , and most commonly vpon the ground . the valiant haukes alwaies builde vpon the hie rockes , and on the steepe cliffes , against which the rage of the sea and water continually beateth . and the lesse valiant haukes build in tall timber trees where they haue some shelter and refuge : as for those which build in some walls , or vpon the ruins of ould houses , as the kestrills and such like , they are most base and cowardly , and neither fit for vse nor imployment . the long wingd haukes are fittest for the riuer , and kill both the herne and other smaller foule , as is the mallard and tayle ▪ and the short wingd haukes will kill the hare also . the merlin and hobby take most delight in killing the larke : the sparrow-hauke sn killing the black-bird , and the musket in killing the sparrowe onely , many other flights there be , as at the pye , iay and such like , but they are to be measured according to the mettle of the hauke , for they are flights of danger and force , ond therefore it behoues the hauke to haue much cunning and much exercise before she be brought to such flights , least that her mettle and rashnes become her owne ruine , as many faulkoners finde in daily experience . all these infirmities in haukes are cured by the first medicine following . all inward and priuy sicknesses of body . the pantas . casting of the gorge . all sorts of wormes . purging of glut . costiuenes in the body . to cause disgestion . the first medicine . take as much agaricke as a pease and wrap it either in a warme pidgions heart , or chickens heart , or any other warme & bloudy flesh , and giue it the hauke to eate fasting in the morning , and it is a most ready and certaine cure . all these infirmities are cured by the second medicine following . all priuy grieues in the head . all rhumes . the rye . all apoplexies . the second medicine . take as much mustardseed bruisd as will lye vpon a three halfe-pence , and lap it as aforesaid , either in a warme pidgions heart , chickens heart , or other warme flesh , and then dip it in the iuyce of rosemary and sage well mixt together , and so giue it the hauke to eate fasting in the morning , and it will not onely purge and clense her , but also comfort and strengthen the brayne excedingly , as by proofe you shall finde . all these infirmities are cured by the third medicine following . all diseases in the eies . all dimnes of sight . all bloud-shotten eies the pynne and web . the third medicine . take of the iuyce of ground iuy or ale-hoofe halfe a spoonefull , and put it to as much fine searst ginger as will lye on a three halfe-pence , and being well mixt togerher with a small soft feather annoynt the haukes eye therewith , morning , noone , and night , and it is a most certaine cure , and often approued . all these infirmities are cured by the fourth medicine following . all diseases in the mouth the frounce . all cankers . the fourth medicine . take roch alume and beate it to as fine a powder as you can possible get it , then take a spoonefull or two of the strongest and best wine vineger , and mixe your allome with the same till it be as thicke as puddle , then take a fine rag of cambricke or lawne , and dip it therein , and with the same rub the sores well till they be ready to bleede , both morning , noone , and night , and it will cure it in a short space . all these infirmities are cured by the fift medicine following . all imposthumes . all wounds whatsoeuer . all bruises whatsoeuer all excrescions . the formicas . to stanch blood . the fift medicine . first where there is any excrescion of horny or bony substance , you shall cut it away , and lay the sore open and bare , and then apply the salue which followeth , but in case of wounds , if the wound be great or deepe , you shall first stitch it vp with a fine needle and a litle red silke , then take twenty raisons of the sunne , and hauing pickt out the stones , boyle them in halfe a pinte of wine till it be thicke like pap , then beat it well together , and being very warme apply it to the sore places , renewing it once in foure and twenty howers till all the soares be healed : but if the fluxe of bloud be great , then you shall take merchants waxe and drop it vpon the veine which bleedeth , & it will presently stanch it . all these infirmities are cured by the sixt medicine following . the pinne in the foote the broken pounce . bones broken . bones out of ioynt . the sixt medicine . first you shall place the member right if there be either breath or dislocation , then take of galbanum , of white pich , and of turpentine of each a like quantity , and melt them together on a soft fire , then plaister-wise spread it vpon a linnen cloth and so fould it about the sore , then splent it if neede require , otherwise onely roule it vp with a fine linnen ragge , and the remedy will soone be effected , as hath bene often by me and others seene , and proued by experience . the nature of red and fallow deere . though the deere by a secret instinct of nature and the prouidence of god are their owne phisitian & not needing the helpe of man , yet because they are so seruiceable for the vse of man. i thought it not much impertinent from my discourse to shew their character or nature . the hart of all other beasts loueth to heare musicke , and meruaileth at all thinges that he seeth , and taketh great pleasure to behold them , as hath beene often seene by their gazing at the bowe and arrowes of the hunter , or at a carter and the like , they are at mighty enmity with serpents and renew their strength by eating of them , they haue also a strange property , that if they goe to feed in yong springs or coppes they go full against the wind , and so can tell whether there be any person there or not : and if any man chance to spit or pisse vppon any spring or branch in the coppes , they will find it out presently and vtterly abandon the place : being hunted and ready to bee taken by the houndes , they will for their last refuge fly to houses and places of resort , rather yeelding to man then to the dogges : and as plinie saith they can indure to swimme thirty miles endwayes : and when they are to passe any great riuer to goe to rut in some i le or forest , they assemble themselues together in great heards , and knowing the strongest and best swimmer they make him goe formost , and then hee which commeth second stayeth vp his head vppon the back of the first , and all the rest in like manner euen vnto the last : the formost being weary the second taketh his place , and he cometh backward : they go to rut about the middest of september , and beare their young ones 8. monthes : somtimes they bring two calues at once : their little ones they practise and exercise to vse their legges from the very beginning , leading them vp to high rocks , teaching them to leape , run , & fly away acquainting them with their dens and secret places of harbor : the males are horned , and they aboue all other liuing creatures cast them euery yeare once at a certaine time of the spring , and to that purpose a little before their mewing they seeke out the most secret corners and most out of the way to hide themselues : when they are pollards they keepe close hidden as if they were disarmed : and all this they doe as if they enuied that men should haue good of any thing they had . their age may bee knowne by their heads , ( for euery yeare they haue one more branch then they had the last yeare before ) vntil they come to sixe , after which time : they come new euer alike , so that their age cannot be discerned any more by their head , but their marke is taken by their mouth and teeth : for as they grow in age they haue few or no teeth at all : yet the branches grow out of the root , wheras all the while they were yonger they vsed to haue them breake forth and standing out at the very forehead . at the first when they breake out againe , they be like to the glanduells or kernells of drye skin , that new put forth , then grow they with tender stalkes to certaine round and long knots couered all ouer with a certaine plume downe like veluet , so long as they be destitute of their hornes & perceiue their heads naked , they go forth to releefe by night , and as they grow bigger and bigger they harden them in the hot sunne , eftsoones making proofe of them against trees : and when they perceiue they be tough and strong enough , then they go abroad boldly . the harts and hindes may liue an hundred yeares and vpward . thus gentle reader i haue breefely ended my short epitome , crauing nothing but this at thy handes , that when thou hast made triall of these my approued remedies and findest the profit to redound to thy selfe ( as many heeretofore haue done ) praise god , and thinke well of me thy friend . finis . a briefe table shewing the contents of the twelue poynts handled in this booke . the first point sheweth the character or nature of the horse ; and how the horse , being subiect almost to 300 diseases , yet all may be cured by twelue medicines , and commonly to be gotten . fol. 3 &c. the second point containeth the rarest medicine that euer was found out for horses . from fol. 21 to 24 the third poynt sheweth the nature of the oxe , bull , and calfe , and how to cure all the diseases incident to them with seauen medicines as , from fol. 24 to 33 the fourth poynt sheweth the nature of sheepe , and how to cure all the diseases in them with sixe medicines , from fol. 33 to 39 the fift point sheweth the nature of goats , and how to cure all the diseases in them with two medicines ▪ as from fol. 39 to 42 the sixt point sheweth the nature of swine and how to cure all diseases in them with three medicines , from fol. 42 to 46 the seauenth poynt sheweth the nature of all kind of dogges , and how to cure all the diseases in them with three medicines onely , from fol. 46 to 51 the eighth point sheweth the nature of hares and conies , and how to cure all the diseases in them with one onely medicine , from fol. 51 to 54 the ninth point sheweth the nature of all sorts of poultrye as , cockes , hennes , capons , chickens , turkies , peacocks , pheasants , partriges , quailes , cranes , house-doues , stocke-doues , turtle-doues , and the like , and how to cure all the diseases in them wtth foure medicines , from fol. 54 to 59 the tenth point sheweth the nature of al waterfoule , as swannes , geese , duckes tayles , widgions , sheldrakes , plouers , herns , puets , bitters , gulles , and such like , and how to cure the diseases in them with one medicine onely , from fol. 59 to 61 the eleuenth poynt sheweth the nature of all singing and whistling birdes , as nightingale , robbin , bullfinch , linnet , solitary , sparrow , goldfinch , miskin , spinke , canary bird , calander , blackbird , throstle , cordiall larke and such like and how to cure all the diseases in them with three medicines as from fol. 61 to 67. the twelfth and last poynt sheweth the character and nature of all sorts of haukes , and how to cure all the diseases in them with sixe medicines , as from fol. 67. to 73. and concludeth with the nature of red and fallow deare . fjnis . notes, typically marginal, from the original text notes for div a06957-e5920 the grey-hound . the hound the spaniell . tumblers & mongrils notes for div a06957-e6590 the cocke and his kinde the turkey the peacocke the pheasant the partrige , quaile and raile . notes for div a06957-e7260 the black-bird . the throstle or mauis . the nightingale . the linnet the robin redbrest . the bull-finch . the stare . dieting of birdes . the complete jockey, or, the most exact rules and methods to be observed for the training up of race-horses shewing how to prepare them for any heats or courses, with the manner of their keepings, instructions for their dressing and looking to their scourings, diets, matches, and racings, with every particular to be observed therein ... : to which is added, the most experienced way for buying horses, and instructions to avoid being cheated upon the like occasion, with a relation of the cheats and tricks the jockies and horse-coursers put on the unexpert buyers ... 1695 approx. 114 kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from 28 1-bit group-iv tiff page images. text creation partnership, ann arbor, mi ; oxford (uk) : 2005-12 (eebo-tcp phase 1). a69785 wing c5642 estc r217396 12403723 ocm 12403723 33499 this keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the early english books online text creation partnership. this phase i text is available for reuse, according to the terms of creative commons 0 1.0 universal . the text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. early english books online. (eebo-tcp ; phase 1, no. a69785) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set 33499) images scanned from microfilm: (early english books, 1641-1700 ; 274:9) the complete jockey, or, the most exact rules and methods to be observed for the training up of race-horses shewing how to prepare them for any heats or courses, with the manner of their keepings, instructions for their dressing and looking to their scourings, diets, matches, and racings, with every particular to be observed therein ... : to which is added, the most experienced way for buying horses, and instructions to avoid being cheated upon the like occasion, with a relation of the cheats and tricks the jockies and horse-coursers put on the unexpert buyers ... markham, gervase, 1568?-1637. 49, [3] p. [s.n.], london : 1695. attributed to gervase markham; this piece is found attached to the later editions of markham's maister-peece. cf. bm; nuc pre-1956. advertisement: p. 49. reproduction of original in huntington library. includes index. created by converting tcp files to tei p5 using tcp2tei.xsl, tei @ oxford. re-processed by university of nebraska-lincoln and northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors. eebo-tcp is a partnership between the universities of michigan and oxford and the publisher proquest to create accurately transcribed and encoded texts based on the image sets published by proquest via their early english books online (eebo) database (http://eebo.chadwyck.com). the general aim of eebo-tcp is to encode one copy (usually the first edition) of every monographic english-language title published between 1473 and 1700 available in eebo. eebo-tcp aimed to produce large quantities of textual data within the usual project restraints of time and funding, and therefore chose to create diplomatic transcriptions (as opposed to critical editions) with light-touch, mainly structural encoding based on the text encoding initiative (http://www.tei-c.org). the eebo-tcp project was divided into two phases. the 25,363 texts created during phase 1 of the project have been released into the public domain as of 1 january 2015. anyone can now take and use these texts for their own purposes, but we respectfully request that due credit and attribution is given to their original source. users should be aware of the process of creating the tcp texts, and therefore of any assumptions that can be made about the data. text selection was based on the new cambridge bibliography of english literature (ncbel). if an author (or for an anonymous work, the title) appears in ncbel, then their works are eligible for inclusion. selection was intended to range over a wide variety of subject areas, to reflect the true nature of the print record of the period. in general, first editions of a works in english were prioritized, although there are a number of works in other languages, notably latin and welsh, included and sometimes a second or later edition of a work was chosen if there was a compelling reason to do so. image sets were sent to external keying companies for transcription and basic encoding. quality assurance was then carried out by editorial teams in oxford and michigan. 5% (or 5 pages, whichever is the greater) of each text was proofread for accuracy and those which did not meet qa standards were returned to the keyers to be redone. after proofreading, the encoding was enhanced and/or corrected and characters marked as illegible were corrected where possible up to a limit of 100 instances per text. any remaining illegibles were encoded as <gap>s. understanding these processes should make clear that, while the overall quality of tcp data is very good, some errors will remain and some readable characters will be marked as illegible. users should bear in mind that in all likelihood such instances will never have been looked at by a tcp editor. the texts were encoded and linked to page images in accordance with level 4 of the tei in libraries guidelines. copies of the texts have been issued variously as sgml (tcp schema; ascii text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable xml (tcp schema; characters represented either as utf-8 unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless xml (tei p5, characters represented either as utf-8 unicode or tei g elements). keying and markup guidelines are available at the text creation partnership web site . eng race horses -early works to 1800. race horses -training. horses -diseases -treatment. 2005-06 tcp assigned for keying and markup 2005-07 aptara keyed and coded from proquest page images 2005-08 andrew kuster sampled and proofread 2005-08 andrew kuster text and markup reviewed and edited 2005-10 pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion the complete jockey ; or the most exact rules and methods to be observed for the training up of race-horses . shewing , how to prepare them for any heats or courses , with the manner of their keepings , instructions for their dressing and looking to their scourings , diets , matches , and racings , with every particular to be observed therein ; the like not published to the world before . to which is added , the most experienced way for buying horses ; and instructions to avoid being cheated upon the like occasion ; with a relation of the cheats and tricks the jockies and horse-coursers put on the unexpert buyers . written for the pleasure and profit of all gentlemen and others , who take delight in any thing of this nature . london , printed in the year , 1695. of race-horses . chap. i. the best method , and speediest way for ordering of race-horses , to fit them for any match in what estate soever they be . at such time as a horse is matched , ( or designed to be matched ) for a race , or course , let him , to whom the horse belongs , or whosoever shall have the ordering of that affair , be very circumspect in observing the condition or ability of body in which the horse is at the time of such his being matched , which chiefly ought to be taken notice of in three several rules or methods , the which i here shall undertake to lay down for the better satisfaction of those whom it hereafter may concern . 1. the first of which is , if your horse be foggy , gross , or over-fat when he has been lately taken from grass , or soil . 2. the second likewise to be observed is , if he be more than ordinary lean , either by reason of two hard riding , or any disease has pulled him down by hindring his feeding . 3. thirdly , if he be in good plight , and has had good keeping , dealt well by , and moderately rid or exercised . now in the first of these you cannot take less than two months , or ten weeks , to bring your horse into a fit condition for a match , which must be done by moderately dieting him and often exercising him , which wasts the superfluous grease , and makes him long-winded , both which will make him more fit and apt to win the wager laid upon his head. as for the second , if your horse be exceeding poor , then about six weeks space must be allowed , with good feeding and moderate exercise . now for the third and last of the fore-mentioned conditions , which is a medium betwixt both ; lesser time will serve to fit him for the match you do design to have him run . about a month or five weeks will be sufficient , if you observe the dieting of him , which must be indifferently well . but seeing i have given you an account of the particular estates or conditions of horses ; so now i must give you some cautions therein to be observed : first then , note if your horse be fat and unwieldy , you must have a regard to his exercise , for if he be over-free , and is willing to put out his strength and abilities to the utmost , so that his flesh quickly fall away , you must restrain him , and not put him to too hard exercise , for he cannot bear it like those , who are hardy by nature , and grow fat with any diet , or any reasonable exercise . yet farther , if your horse be in a poor condition by any hard or ill usage or disorder of body , yet notwithstanding any thing in the like nature , grows quickly into good liking , and so continues for a considerable time ; you need not , neither shall you be so tender of him as in the case of that just before mentioned , nor at all restrain him from his exercise , for if you do , he will soon grow unfit for your purpose . thus far have i thought fit to instruct such as are unskilful , or have not the most expedient method , for preparing horses for races . and now i think it most convenient to give my reader a full satisfaction and ample instruction as to the dieting and using of horses , and lay open the secrets most necessary to be observed by all according to truth and the most innate sincerity . and first of the fat horse , because in him are comprehended the other two , by reason he may be made lean , or between both , as the master of him thinks most convenient , &c. chap. ii. the way and manner of dieting or feeding a horse to fit him for a race , being fat or gross , immediately after his being taken from pasture or soil , as to the first two weeks . now if you lay a wager , or match a fat or unwieldy horse , which has been made so , either by being kept at grass in long idleness ; or standing at his stall , and there over-lavishly fed ; to bring him to a fit condition to perform your expectation , for the first fort-night you must be up as soon as day appears , if not before , to attend him , and having put on his bridle , which you must be sure always to let hang upon the rack close by him , dipped either in beer or ale , which will not only put him in mind of his being rid , but also make him the more familiar with it , and love it the better when on . this being done , cleanse the stable of the filth , and then fall to dressing of him , which according to the best method , is as follows . first , curry him well in every part , but begin with the head , then his neck , back , and hinder-parts , after that his shoulders and fore-legs as low as the knees , that done , use your dusting cloth , or something in the like nature , and with it dust him over in every part , then rub him well with your hard brush , beginning first at the head , and omitting no place whatsoever there , as the temples , nose , ears , under-jaws , and fore-head , then proceed to the others parts as before , not forgetting his shanks , nor setting on of his hoofs , going backwards by degrees till the whole body be well rubbed , after that take your wet hand and stroke him over gradularly , not leaving him rough nor wet in any part . then with your wet hands or a soft cloth rub gently his yard , testicles , sheath , ears , between his thighs , and all other private places whatsoever : after which , with a hair-cloth or any other hard cloth , if that be wanting , rub him over again , being sure to observe the rubbing of his face well , as his cheeks , between his jaws , and on his fore-head , the rising of his neck , and fetlocks , and other places as you shall see occasion . which being well done , take a clean woollen cloth something fine , and cleanse him with the same , beginning at the head , and so proceeding as you were taught before , leaving no part unrubbed ; lastly , with a curry-comb well wetted , comb out the main and tail very decently ; thus much for rubbing and cleansing ; which is as necessary in the ordering of race-horses , as their meat . the next thing to be observed is , to cover his body with a large cloth for that purpose , either of thick kersy or thin stuff according to the season of the year , or as heat or cold shall best agree with the nature of the horse , upon which put his saddle , girting the foremost girth very hard , but the other slack ; then under it thrust two wisps of clean straw , which may stretch it to an equal straightness with the first , then putting a thick breast-cloth on you may mount , but if you please you may first spurt some beer or ale into his mouth , which will make him champ and feel his bit the sooner , and be sure that you stable be made clean before you bring your horse in again , the dung and foul litter being laid at the door , and it well stored with fresh ; for if the horse stand not upon good store of litter , and have it likewise to lie cry in , he will not thrive well nor seem half so pleasant as he will with it ; for which purpose of all the straw , wheat-straw is the best , and must be used on this occasion unless it cannot be got , and then the next to it is oat-straw , for both rye and barley-straws do much annoy your horse , by reason the one doth cause him to be much troubled with the heart-burn , and the other to loosen him , and make him scour extremely . being thus upon his back , you must ride him easily for the space of half an hour , for if you gallop or strain him presently you do him much injury , by reason that it stretches his sinews too much on the sudden , which is apt to ingender cold humours in the joints and nerves , so that the horse will be stiff after it , if not carefully , if not quickly remedied by bathing his legs with oil of swallows or earth-worms ; but after by gentle riding they are made pliable , you may gallop him easily , but let it be by any means upon plain and firm ground , or if you live near any steep hills , whose ascent is smooth and firm , let it be up them , then walk him down in your hand , a foot pace , or a small amble , that so he may cool by degrees ; the best time to begin to exercise is before the sun rise , or as soon as it is risen at the farthest , then after his breathing , when he begins to be cool , lead him to some pleasant spring or river , and there let him drink his fill . then gallop him again , but not too hard , when you have done so , for about the space of a quarter of an hour , bring him again to the brook or river , and let him drink if he so pleases , but if not , then give him a gentle course or two to raise thirst in him , the which no doubt will do it , for take this as a general rule , that before and after water , you be sure to breath him gently . after he hath drank three times , and been breathed the like number , you may bring him home , and coming to the stable-door , where the dung and the foul litter is laid , let him stand upon it ; after you are alighted from his back for some time , and by softly tapping or hitting his hinder legs with your switch or whip , make him stretch them as far as he can backwards , and by pleasant whistling provoke him to urine , which if he refuse to do once or twice , yet at last he will do it freely ; and thereby you will preserve your stable from filth and noisomness , which otherways would much offend the horse . he being come into the stable , rub his fore-legs with wisps of clean straw , putting all your strength thereto , but first , be sure to tie his head up close to the rack in his bridle , then his breast , or fore-cloth being taken off , rub his head , breast , and neck . after that , unloose his body-cloth , and rub him well in every part , but especially in the saddle-place , his saddle being hung up in his sight ; and after he hath been well rubbed with dry cloths , cover him up again with a linen coverer , and upon that put his woollen cloth , or more if the weather be cold , if warm , they will be sufficient , but be sure to observe they are dry when you put them on . after you have girted them close upon him , stop in little wisps of light straw quite round him , between the cloths and the girts , let them by no means be knotty or hard , lest they hinder him of his sleep , and make him lie uneasie by hurting his sides ; when he is thus cloathed , cleanse his feet , by pulling out the gravel or earth that they may have got into them , and with warm cow-dung stop the same up close ; after that is done , put about half a small armful of hay , that is very sweet and good , into his rack , bound up as hard as possibly you can bind it , but first let it be cleared from dust or seeds as well as may be , and take not off his bridle till he has eat it or most of it , for it being bound up hard will make him pull it with more than ordinary eagerness , and then consequently he must eat it with a good stomach , but let him not stand above one hour and a half in his bridle , but having taken it off rub well his face , the ridge of his neck , and each part of his head with a rough cloth made of flax or hemp , but the latter is the best , because if it be new , the smell of it is very wholesome , and being apt to make him sneeze , will thereby cleanse his head of gross and crude humours lodged therein . this being done , cleanse the manger of all the scattered hay , or other things offensive that may be in it , then take about two double handfuls of the best old oats that are free from chaff or seeds , be sure they be the largest and fullest you can get , for the goodness of oats is known by their weight , such as many do call polonian oats , or some more vulgarly cut oats , for these of necessity are wholesomest and best ; for if you give your horse those that are musty or wet , they will cause several little risings in the horses body , or more properly termed swellings , and such as be not old breed little worms in the belly and cause pain ; it is very hurtful for to give your horse any oats that are not throughly dressed , for they will not only cheat him in his feeding , but make him slight them ; nor are black ones to be allowed of , unless in time of necessity , and then they are not wholesom . therefore be sure when you give him his portion of oats , which must not exceed a quart at a time , you must sift them so , that all the light oats and husks may fall away , and whatsoever else you imagine offensive , as dust or seeds , straw or other grain , after which put them into the manger ; and observe whether he eat them heartily or not , if he do , you may supply him with the like quantity again , ordering them as the former , so depart and leave him to himself till about ten or eleven of the clock , at which time you coming again to him rub his head , face , and neck , with the hempen cloth before recited , then give him another like quantity of oats or somewhat more , order them also in the like manner before you give them to him , after which leave him for the space of two hours , and let him remain during that time in as much darkness as your stable is capable of , and not only then , but always in your absence ; for the more obscure and dark he is kept , the better will he eat his meat , and the better will he take his rest ; for note , a horse will seldom lie down in a stable that is very light , unless he be much wearied either with standing or travel ; to cause the more darkness many are used to line their stables , or at least the stall where the horse designed for race stands , with sacking or canvas ; not only to make it dark , but to keep him the warmer , by sheltring him from wind and dust . after the end of the said two hours which is about one of the clock ; you must visit him again , and give him another the like quantity of oats ordered as the former , and rub his head , neck , and face , as before ; which done , give him a small bundle of hay hard twisted together , and let him alone to eat that by himself , and so let him continue till four of the clock if the days be long , but if short , not past three . then according to the time come to him again , and the stable being well cleansed , wet the bit of his bridle in beer , and so fasten the reins of it to the rack as soon as you have put it on , which being done , take off his cloths and dress him according to what you were taught in the morning ; he being well dressed , bring him forth and put his saddle upon his cloths as formerly , and endeavour to make him piss upon his dung and old litter cast without the stable , then as soon as you please you may mount him , and ride him as in the morning , only let this difference be generally observed , that you ride him not up any hills that are steep in the evening , but upon the plainest and firmest ground you can find ; or if you will for change , sometimes in smooth , green meadows that are dry , or by running waters if they lie convenient , or that there be any near you ; and let him take all the air he can , and often suffer him to gaze upon the stream , but suffer him not to stand still , but keep him in a continual motion either galloping or short pacing which many give the term of racking ; if he at any time as you lead him in or out of his stable , offer to smell to any horse-dung though not his own , hinder him not , for that will cause him to evacuate and fit him the better for his meat . when he is well watred and well aired at the cool of the day ( or if it be within night it matters not ) bring him home ( for note , there is nothing better to rid him of gross and foul hmours than to be abroad with him early and late ) and when he is come to the stable , observe that nothing , according to former ordering of him be omitted , but all done with care and diligence , the which i hope by this time you have so well taken notice of that i need not to repeat it over again ; let his diet be likewise the same , and let him stand at it by himself two hours or more , according to the season of the year , in his cloths ; in winter you may let him stand till nine before he has his bait for all night , in summer later if you please ; then coming to visit him you must give him near three pints of oats sifted , dress him in every part , give him a small bundle of hay in his rack , and after having raised his litter leave him till the enssuing morning . when betimes you must abroad with him again and use him as you have been taught , so that in the space of two weeks you may bring him to such a pass , as he will be fit to ride or take any moderate heat , but beware how you strain him too much , for it will do him a great injury ; thus having after the exactest manner instructed you as to the first fortnights keeping , i shall next proceed to give you rules and methods for giving him courses , or as some term them heats , &c. chap. iii. orders most carefully to be observed in the coursing or heating your horse . to begin with which , i must inform you that you must not give above two courses in a week , for if you do you will spend him too much , although he be never so lustly , and thereby weaken him and make him unfit for your race . the next thing to be observed is , that one of the times must be upon the day you design he shall run the match ; the two days must be as equally distant from each other as you can divide the week , therefore you ought to make your match accordingly ; mondays and fridays , or tuesdays and saturdays are the fittest if you can so model the affair , for those days have the most distance between them ; if your match be designed on the monday let that and friday be his heating days . but if on tuesday or wednesday , then saturday must be the other that must serve to both , because it is unseemly to do it on the sunday , and so you may observe of whatsoever day it shall fall out to be , that you keep as near as you can an equal distance of time between his courses or heats . but again , you must be sure to observe in what weather you ride him at such times , for if it be wet , that is , if it either rain , snow , or hail , you must not give him any heat till such time it be fair , unless necessity urge it , as when it rains most part of the week or so ; and then you must chuse the time when it holds up best , and let him be covered very warm , not only his body , but his head , neck , ears , breast and shoulders ; for his head you must provide a covering made with little bags to put his ears in , and be sure you keep him abroad as little time as possible , for the damp raw air will at such times indanger much his health . but to the last particular that is to be taken notice of in this chapter ; be sure if the weather be fair and serene , get him dressed and abroad with him as soon as day-light appears , but not before , by reason it is very incommodious in this case both to the horse and man , and thus much concerning his courses or heats , which is the most necessary thing to be observed in preparing him for your match ; now to the second order of his keeping and feeding . chap. iv. the manner of his second fortnights feeding , and the care to be observed therein . in this as in the former , you must be circumspect to observe the cleaning of his stall , giving fresh litter , and keep it lighted up that his bed may be always soft , and the old with his dung and stale cast out at the stable-door , then when you come to him in the morning give him a quart or somewhat more of well dressed oats , dressed as you were taught before , e'er you put on his bridle , which being eaten , dress him in every part with such cloths , brushes , and combs , as you formerly have done , which being perfected according to the best of your skill , sursingle on his cloths , and then set his saddle upon his back and ride him abroad , galloping and racking him moderately , and between each time of so doing water him , and let his bringing home and stabling be in each particular observed as in the foregoing fortnight , the which you have been so amply taught that i think there is no need of repeating it over again , only this take notice of , which is not yet laid down ; when you have brought him into his stall before you pull off his bridle take a wisp of the best hay you can get , and holding it hard in your hand after it is well dusted , let him eat it thence , and give him all the occasion you can to pull hard at it , and if he devour it with a good appetite supply him with more , and do so three times at least if he will eat it , for by so doing you will bring him to be familiar with you and win much upon his good nature ; when he refuses to eat or that you think he has eaten enough , take off his bridle after he has stood in it about an hour , then rub him all over and dress him as formerly , which ended , give his bait of oats in quantity and manner as has been often declared , but by no means forget to sift them . then having his diet-bread by you pretty stale , which must be about three days old at least , it being then the wholesomest and most commodious for him to eat , and after having eaten it to digest ; the manner of making it according to the most skilful prescribers is as you shall be shewed in the following chapter . chap. v. the first diet to be given in the ordering your race-horse , and the way to make it . first , to make this diet-bread you must take half a bushel of the best horse-beans , well sifted from any seeds or husks , or three pecks , if your horse be a great feeder ; to the latter you must put one peck of the best wheat you can get , to the former quantity proportionably ; you may grind them , divided if you please , and so mingle them afterwards , but in my opinion they will be best ground together , after which dress the meal as fine as you can , so that there be few or no husks or bran left in it ; then take the best ale-yest you can get , by no means let it be sour or dirty , about three quarts will do , and put to that as much water as will just make the meal up into dough , which must be kneaded with all your strength in a trow , or some such like thing for that purpose . if you are not strong enough to knead it with your hands you may tread it with your feet , being sure to leave no knobs in it , when it is throughly kneaded , cover it from the dust and let it remain the space of an hour , then knead it again , and after you have so done make your loaves up about the bigness of six-penny-loaves or bigger if you please , and after you have baked them exceeding well in an oven , take them out , set them trans-verse to cool , that is , with their bottoms upwards . when you have kept them three days , which you must do e'er you give any of them to your horse for fear of making of him sick , which if they do , he will refuse to eat it for the future . the next thing to be observed is , that if the bread be moist or clammy , so that it stick to his mouth and he cannot freely swallow it , or do seem not to like it , you must cut it into thin slices and dry it in the sun , or if the sun shine not , in some stove or by the fire , but not too hard , then take it and mix it with his portion of oats by smalling it amongst them , so that then he will eat it freely , and it will do him no harm , but be sure to pare away the crust , but note that you must never give it him alone , but always being crumbled and mixed with his oats , the quantity of bread you so mix must not exceed three or four slices at a time . you having given him one bait , in the morning , about eleven or twelve a-clock visit him again , and after well dressing him give him his bait or portion of diet , as before , both of bread and oats . about two of the clock or somewhat later if you design not to course him the following day , and so take the distance of time as has been formerly observed in all his diets , only let his motions be curiously observed and each action taken notice of , for by that you may know in what liking or estate of body he is , and how he thrives upon his diet . again observe , that if you design to heat him the day following you must not from the time just before mentioned give him any bread with his oats , but let him eat them by themselves , and when he has eat them put him on his bridle and dress him well in each part , the manner of which i hope we need not now declare ; then his cloth being put on in decent manner , clap on his saddle and ride him abroad in the air , gallop and rack him gently and let him take his watrings as before , them bringing him home let him stale and dung at the door if you can get him to do it ; and being brought into the stable , after rubbing down give him his portion of oats , but no hay , for that is not convenient before a heat . now i have given you a most exact account concerning the ordering and dieting your horse , the next thing necessary is , to inform you what muzzles are most convenient for race-horses , and what is the occasion of their being put on , and the danger that there is in some of them . first then , muzzles were made to prevent horses from biting and tearing their racks , mangers , and stalls , to keep them from eating loume or mud-walls , their own litter or the like , which is very dangerous and hurtful to them , for it is not requisite they should eat any thing without your knowledge , or what you give them . but as for these muzzles there are many kinds , some close , some broad , others with little round holes in them , these are commonly made of leather which often proves very annoiable to your horse . first then , any leather that is alumed is very hurtful to the head by reason of its sharp scent and saltness , the next is that which is greased or dressed with course oil , the smell of which often makes your horses head-ake , and causes him to leave his meat , be sick and hard bound , so that he cannot dung kindly . now there are another kind of muzzles that are very requisite which are much in use , which are made of pack-thread or whipcord . these are most convenient in the summer-time and will not offend the horse , if you wash them once in two or three days or have fresh ones to put on . another sort there are which are commonly used in winter , which are made of strong canvas fit for the head of your horse , so far as need requires , and bound with strong filleting , on one side a loop being made , and on the other a string to fasten it round his poll , and under his chaps ; some for warmth use to put double canvas , but take notice there must be a breathing place with net-work just against his mouth and nostrils to let the air in and out , or else if it be hard tied on it will go near to stifle him . thus much as touching muzzles , now i will return again to the ordering your horse , and give you a farther account of several other particulars in the management of him , beyond what has already been discoursed upon . if in the ensuing morning , you coming to visit your horse find him laid , raise him not , but let him rest , but if he be upon his legs take a quart of oats and wash them well in beer or ale , then dry them indifferently well and give him them to eat ; and when he has so eaten them , put on his bridle and rub him down exceeding well , after that put on all his cloths and then for saddling of him ; after which , hold up his head as high as you can reach , and into his mouth break a new-laid egg and oblige him to swallow it , after which spurt some beer into his mouth and carry him abroad to air , observing at the door as formerly . being mounted , ride him gently , and by degrees increase his pace till it come to a gallop , and if he be so enclined let him smell to any horse's dung he meets with upon the road. now i shall give you another instruction worth observing ; that is , the day you are designed to run the race when you come within a mile or less of the starting goal or post for that purpose assigned ; take off his cloths , which being done clap your saddle upon his back , sending some person with his cloths to the end of the race intended , and ride him on gently till you come to the weighing or starting post ; shew him the post and make him as far as he is capable , sensible of what he is designed for to be done withal . the signal for the start being given put him on at near three quarters speed , or if his strength will allow it , more , but be sure you put him not to more than he is able to perform , hold the reins pretty streight in your hand , but by no means check him in his course , but let him run on chearfully , and give him all the encouragement you can , and so let him run the whole race through . if you , during the course find his strength to fail him , or that he begin to yield , give him what ease you can , and do not force him to too great a swiftness , but use him so that he may be at all times well pleased with his courses and free to run , and so in a short time you bring him to perfection , but if he be any way discouraged at first , he will never perform according to your expectation . now the next thing material to be observed is upon what ground you run , and then consider which ground your horse takes most delight to run upon , for this may turn to your great advantage , the which you may best take notice of in his heats or in his first race , whether it be smooth , rough , dry , wet , or a little rising that he most eagerly covets , and for the future chuse it if possible in all your races . when the race is ended , wherein if he have been exceeding hard put to it , by no means let him stand still but gallop him moderately about some green field , the better to let him take breath by degrees and cool accordingly , the which when you find he has pretty well done , have him into some dry gravel-pit or other deep place out of the wind , or if there be none convenient , then to the thickest bushes or trees you can meet with , and there having his cloths ready , with a large blunt knife or some old piece of iron or wood flat like a ruler , yet having a blunt edge , scrape the sweat off from his body , laying the strength of both your hands to the same till none appear in any part , and between whiles give your horse a turn or two , and then scrape him again till he has done sweating , at which time pull off his saddle and scrape the place on which it was ; likewise then with dry cloths , rub him in all parts , not omitting any place , exceeding well , put on his cloths and girt his saddle on upon them , immediately after which you must gallop him gently for a considerable space , then rub him slightly not taking off his cloths , especially from his head and neck ; then you may alight and walk him in your hand about the heath or field , but be sure you suffer him not to graze if he should offer it , and when you perceive him cool and dry , ride him home gently ; you may gallop him softly if you please ; when you come home to the stable-door endeavour to make him piss and dung , but beware you put him not into the stable till he be quite dry and very cool , where being entred fasten his bridle to the rack , and have this following dose in readiness , which you must give him in a drenching horn , or some such like thing , which will cleanse his body and much help nature to recover strength , if he be any ways weakned by his running . chap. vi. the dose or scouring is made thus . first , get a pint of the best canary , and add to it one ounce , three drams of clarified rosin beat into powder , and stir it about in the wine , then add more , half a pint of olive oil the best that can be got , ( for if it any ways stink it will make your horse sick and cause him to cast it up again ) and mix it well with the former , then take an ounce and three quarters , or if you will , two ounces of sugar-candy , beat it small and put it to the rest , all which being well mixed together place them in an earthen vessel upon a gentle fire till they boil , then take it off and let it stand till it be blood-warm , and so give it your horse ; if he refuse to take it you must force him to it by pouring it down his throat , and holding up his head till he have quite swallowed it down . the virtue of it is to take away by scouring and sometimes by gentle sweat all foul and gross humors , that too much heat or over-streining had caused to gather in the stomach and bowels , it dissolves crewdy grease that having been melted is again settled in hard knobs , and brings it away in what part soever ; in fine , there is not a wholsomer drink can be given to any horse , especially after running . chap. vii . the way and method of looking to , and keeping your horse after he has taken this potion . when the horse has taken it , then immediately rub his legs and pull off his saddle and all other his cloths , leaving him nothing on , then curry him well , and after brush him , and with a dusting cloth dust him , and again with a new hempen cloth or cloth of hair , rub his body in every part , but in so doing your greatest pains must be about his head , neck ; and breast ; this being perfected put on his cloths and keep him as warm as possible , and put several handfuls of straw under his girts , and then let him remain without either meat or drink for the space of two hours , during which time you must watch him , and seldom let him stand still for fear of getting cold , during the time the potion is in working ; nay , seep or standing still ( which he will chuse if he be left alone to himself ) are alike dangerous , by reason that the blood and vital spirits have not their operation so well as in times of motion , nor the heat of the body power to force up the humors that lie as it were absconded in the several parts . when he has stood in his bridle , and fasted so long as is before-mentioned , or if you think convenient somewhat longer ; then take ears of wheat about one hundred , and offer them to him to eat , but let them not be bearded in any-wise , but e'er you suffer him to take them , feel him all over in what condition or estate of body he is , and if you find him sweat on a sudden or any cold clamm over-spread his limbs , which many call a cold sweat , or if you observe him to pant , tremble , or fetch his breath short , with-hold your hand and give not any thing ; for if you do , it will much indanger him , these being the symptoms that the potions has not done working , but that it is striving with the vicious humors and soul indigestures of the body , therefore put on his slip and taking off his bridle stop all the lights of the stable , the better to keep it dark , and secure your horse from too much air , and let him take his ease in your abseuce for the space of two hours or more , by which time the potion will have done working and his sickness will pass away . then coming to him again , if you find him well you may give him the ears of wheat by four or five at a time till the whole parcel is wasted , after that if he will eat any more you may suffer him to have the like quantity again , and after them a small bundle of hay bound up very hard and thrown into his rack , but during the time of his eating it , be sure to rub him over as you have been taught ; but more especially his head . within the hour following give him his quantity of oats as before , mingling with them a pint of husked beans , as clean from husks and dust as can be , then take tree slices of bread and ( the crust being cut away ) crumble them among the oats and beans , and so give them to him , and after he has eaten them let him stand about two hours and a half , or three if you please . then coming to him give him some bait again of each the same parcel as before , then dress him down well and put on his cloth , but put not on his saddle , nor back him , neither let him have any water that night , but keep him within doors , for if you do otherwise you will endanger your horse . chap. viii . the manner of making these balls and their virtue , with an account of what diseases they are most powerful to cure . take the powder of elicampane-roots , cummin-seeds and fenugreek-seeds , of each two ounces beaten and sifted as fine as you can possible , to which put two ounces of sugar-candy , brown if you please , beat that likewise ; fine flower of brimstone the like quantity , one ounce of the juice of liquorice , then wetting them with half a pint of white-wine , set them over the fire , after which take one ounce of the chymical oil of aniseeds , and three ounces of the syrup of colts-foot , add to these of olive-oil , honey , and syrup or melted sugar , all of them being the best you can get , one pint and a half , that is , of each half a pint , proportionable , then mingle all these ingredients together , and thicken them into paste with fine wheat-flower , and so make them up into balls for your use ; you must not make them above the bigness before-mentioned , or if you please you may make them up as you use them ; put them or the paste up into a gally-pot and stop it close , and it will keep a long time . for the use of them take these instructions , for their virtues are very great . first then , if you use them for any sickness or dulness in your horse , anoint or rub them over with sweet oil or butter , and so give them to him each morning as you were taught before , and after give him a gentle breathing and let him drink , but if the weather be foul , take him not out . but if for cold , or any infirmity in his stomach , you may give them to him till you perceive it is wasted and gone . the virtues of them are for several other things , as glanders , heaviness to purge away any molten grease , to recover a lost stomach , faintings , and heart-qualms , and to make any tolerable horse fat to admiration , but to your race-horses you must give for strengthning and cherishing the spirits . but now to the fourth and last fortnight for preparing your horse , which must begin with his last diet . chap. ix . the manner of making his last diet. in this you must use three pecks of wheat , and but one of beans , and let them be ground together upon the black stones as small as possible they can be , then dress it through an exceeding fine dressing-cloth ; for note , that every bread must be finer than the former : then put to it the fore-mentioned quantity of ale-yest , but be sure it be not sowre , nor the grounds . then knead it together , and make it up into loaves as formerly ; but to this , above what has been spoken of , you must add the whites of two or three and twenty eggs , and instead of water put milk , so much as will make it up . they being baked , let them stand their usual time , and then cut the crust away , or as some call it , chip them , after which , dry a quart of oats well , and after that sift them , so that there be no defect left in them , to which , put your beans in like manner ordered , and at the usual times , give them all three , mingled together to him . as for his heating and coursing-days , the first week they must be punctually observed , but the second you must abate him one , that is , heat him but once , and that must be mondays hear . after he has stood one hour more in his bridle , you may take three pints of oats , and steep them in beer or ale for a short time , and then give them to him , and they will much cherish him , and allay his thirst . this being done , about an hours space after , you shall give him the former quantity of beans , oats , and bread in the same order , and manner , or if you think it more convenient , you may give them several , and not mingle them ; let him by no means want for feeding at night , for when you make him his last , give him not only his bait , but leave him a bundle of hay in his rack bound up very hard . next morning , as soon as day appears , you must give him his first diet , then rub him well in every part ; after which , put on his cloths and air him , that is , ride him abroad , and use him as formerly , permitting him to drink freely ; both gallop and rack him , but do not ride him hard . when you return , dress him , and feed him with oats , beans , and bread , as heretofore , and some hay , but not so much as you were used to give him . as for your heating days , they must likewise be observed in all points as formerly , nor upon any occasion neglected , unlese upon such as has been declared , nor must you encrease them , nor strain your horse more than you were wont ; four heats or courses will be sufficient for the first fortnight , and four purges or scouring for the whole time of his being made fit for racing , all which must be observed with diligence and caution , according to the forementioned methods and instructions ; but now to the third , &c. chap. x. the third fortnights dieting and ordering your horse . now for the manner of making his bread , it must be as followeth , finer than formerly was wont , must it be made ; therefore take but two pecks of beans , and with fine wheat make it up a bushel , let them be ground together as formerly , and dressed exceeding fine , so that there be hardly a husk or a bran to be seen ; then with a like quantity of yest as before , mingle the meal and add water to it , so much as is just sufficient to make it stick close together ; when it is well kneaded and worked up , you must bake it as you have been taught . after which , it having stood about three days or somewhat more , pare away the crust and give it your horse , ( that is ) three slices crumbled amongst a quart of fine dressed oats and a quart of split beans ; your observance shall be in these as in the former two weeks , his dressings , airings , times of feeding , and likewise his heating days must be particularly observed . and take notice of this , that you must not , after he has been heated , give him any of the scowring , but that being laid aside , give him in the room of it balls about the bigness of a pullets egg , which are great cordials , and restoratives , and you must give him one at a time ; thus sitting in the saddle or otherwise if you please , hold up his head as high as is convenient , and put one of them into his mouth and oblige him to swallow it , but before you give it him , you must rub him down , or according to your match ; for you must not heat him for four or five days before you intend to run your race , but you may air him very well , and give him gentle breathings , that he may in no wise lose his wind , but give him none of the forementioned scouring drink . one thing more i have considered to quicken his spirits and make him lively , which is to burn storax , olibanum , frankincense and benjamin mixed together , which drive away all ill scents and airs , and there is nothing more wholesom for the brain . as likewise , when you give your horse his oats , beans and bread , wash the two former in neither ale nor beer , but take a pint of muscadine , and about the whites of ten eggs , and steep them therein , but you need not do this above four times in a week ; at other times , give them to him dry as formerly . beware likewise how to give him any hay , unless immediately after his heats , and then holding a small wisp in your hand , let him pull it thence by degrees , but if his belly be apt to shrink up , you may give him more to keep it streight . again , all the last week , if your horse be given to eat his litter you must keep him muzzled as you have been formerly taught , but if he be not subject to the same , nor to eat any other foul thing , three days before you run him will be a sufficient space to keep him muzzled . the day-morning before you intend to run him , you must air him gently , and when you have brought him home , dress him and rub him as formerly , and be sure to diet him exceeding well , omitting no point , neither before nor after his being carried abroad , only towards might you may stint him of the third part of his usual bait , but let his last diet be full proportion , as likewise his dressing ; another thing is also to be observed , which is , that you must not keep him out late , but let him be in his stable at sun-set or before , and likewise the day before the match , you shall shooe him , poll him , and all things else that you shall think convenient for fitting him out in the best wise , but beware that it be not unskilfully performed , for then you may much injure your horse , or give him some cause to be offended at your curiosity , or as many call it adornment . it is reported by some who have had long experience in this way and manner of ordering of horses , that several are so skilful as to understand the meaning of such ornaments , and what they are to be put to , the next day , which makes them conceive such pride that they will not eat any meat till the time they have run the race , unless it be forced upon them . it is true , all authors that treat of naturalities do affirm that horses are most knowing and subtil creatures , and that they are endued with many noble qualities and generous perfections . now for brading their tails and manes , and tying ribbons on their fore-head , or at their ears , i hold altogether unnecessary , for so doing does not only offend him , but many times hinders him in the performance of his race , by reason that they make him cast his head often to look at them , and if he has not been used to them , many times make him start out of his way , and so lose his ground ; therefore in my opinion , only to comb out his mane and tail ( and if they be too cumbersome you may clip them a little ) is the best method in that case . be sure there be nothing left undone that you intend to do to him , till the morning he is to run , for if there be , it may chance to vex him , and thereupon some horses will grow sullen and will not run freely . the morning you are to run , make him a visit before it is well light , and after you have pulled off his muzzle and rubbed his head in every part thereof , offer him a quart of oats steeped in a pint of muskadine or tent , but before you put them in bruise them a little , if he chance to refuse it , put him some oats in the whites of eggs only ; or to be better sure of his eating , some of the best and finest bread , and some whole wheat , well sisted and dressed , mingle with his oats , in which you must use no beans ; but be sure you give him but a little of any of these diets , for if you fill him he will be unfit for the race and may fail your expectation , which otherwise he no doubt would have answered in each particular , to your great satisfaction . if he empty not his body freely , take him abroad and air him a little , and see if you can possibly get him to dung and urine , the which if he do ( the which no doubt by this time you will have taught him to do ) bring him into the stable again , and put his muzzle on ; but on the contrary , if he will empty without any farther trouble in the stable , 't is needless to lead him out , and far better to let him remain till the time you are designed to run , or about half an hour before , according as the distance is from the place he is kept at to the starting place . just as you are going to lead him , dip the bit of his bridle in muskadine or alicant , and then drawing off his muzzle , draw on his bridle , but if you see him inclinable to empty , let him do it before , and to incite him to do it the more speedily , give him about a pint of washed oats , bread and wheat as before you did ; then spread soft wax , such as shoo-makers use , under your girts and saddle , which done girt it gently on his back , so that he scarcely feel it is on ; then spread a large white linen cloth over his saddle , and over it all his other cloths , which likewise being slightly girt , stick wisps under his girts or sursingles , but let them be very soft ; then cover him with some piece of rich tapestry or cloth of state to make him shew gallant , after which pour down his throat with a drenching horn , one pint of muscadine , alicant , or for want of either , canary . then lead him forth with courage , and suffer him to move gently , and if he offer to smell to any dung , either old or new , suffer him by any means to do it , or if he offer not , endeavour to make him , for it will cause him to evacuate , which will much lighten him and help him in the race ; nay use double diligence herein , by leading him to such places as you think will soonest provoke him to it , as heaps of rushes , brakes , or heath , little bushes , high tufted grass , or the like ; but if there happen to be no such in your way , then you may spread , and light up some straw under his feet , making it rustle ; then whistle , and touch him gently with your switch or whip to make him stretch , the which no doubt will effect your desire . again , if he foam at mouth by champing hard upon his bit or otherwise , you must take care to have a fine linen cloth ready to wipe it off , and a vessel of fair cool water , to cleanse and wash his mouth still as you observe the froth or foam to rise . then having walked him gently to the place designed for starting , you must take off all to his saddle , and having rubbed him down with care in every part ( which must be done with hard wisps ) search and cleanse his feet , and spurt some water in his mouth ; after which , your self or whom you assign to ride him , may take his back , and observing the fair start , put him swiftly on , and run the match . — no doubt with good success , for this manner of ordering will seldom fail your expectations , if your horse in himself be but sound and of good mettl'd limbs and strength to bear him out . now i shall give the curious to understand as necessary a point belonging to horses as has ever been discoursed of in any tract whatsoever , the which will be very useful for all those whose employ it is to trade in horses , and be as the sailers card , to direct them in that affair , and keep them from being over-seen , or cheated in any market or fair whatsoever ; with each particular observation , rule and method to be taken notice of in the limbs , body , and head , as eyes , mouth , nose , ears , and the true manner to know a good horse from a bad . but to begin , first , there are these things to be observed , if you will chuse a horse that shall be for your turn , and please you in every part , and in all his actions , travels , or other labours , as hunting , racing , war , drawing of coach , chariot , or any rural service whatsoever , but take notice that no one horse can be capable of all these . therefore you must chuse your horse according to what you design him for , and so manage him accordingly . but to imperfection in general , the which i will undertake to demonstrate in the sound horse , who is no ways defective , because in him may lively appear all the maladies and mischances that may or can befal any horse whatsoever . first then , be advised , that whenever you design to buy a horse , take especial notice of all his parts , and the full proportion of his body according to his natural shape , or if you can observe any imperfection in his limbs that may arise by accident , whereby they are lessened or made bigger , take special care to find out the cause of it if possible , by which you may know what you buy , and whether to like or dislike him . in which , your observances in election must be drawn from two heads , the first of which is general , the latter peculiar or proper . for the first of which , it is to be understood upon what occasion you buy your horse , or for what use he is designed , what colour is best , or best pleases you ; next his stature , breed and likeliness , these are general , because every man in this will please himself according to his fancy , nor ever can we imagine all men to be of a mind in this , therefore it is best to let them chuse according to their own pleasure , nor much matters it . the next , which is a peculiar or a particular query , is to know what country-breed he is of , whether english or foreign , to know which you must enquire of those who have had the breeding of him , or if that cannot be known , by reason of his being so often bought and sold , take these particular observations ; if he be spanish breed , his limbs are small and streight , dry and spare , like a hart's ; if barbary , a fine little head and a well-set breast and shoulder ; if of naples , he is hawks-nosed and clear-eyed , his eyes seeming to sparkle ; if dutch or flemmish , his legs will be generally rough and large-hoofed ; as for french and english , they are almost alike , only the english are stronger set and more hardy for any exercise whatsoever . now to his colour , for the colour of a horse is much to be observed , by reason one colour is far better than another , though there be good horses of all colours ; the best colours , as the most experienced do affirm , are the roan , the white , the lyard , the bay , the sorrel , the dapple gray , the flea-bitten , the black ; iron-grey , and white , but above all , the bay is chosen and accounted the best , both by the french and the english , especially if they have a star in their fore-heads , and their feet spotted with white spots , the lyard for courage is esteemed , which is a mingled roan , the mouse , dun and grizled , were formerly in great esteem , as also the dapple-grey , and such as come nearest them , the iron-grey , the white sorrel and brown-bay . plato commendeth much the white , whom virgil does not esteem ; others commend the black , especially if he have a white star in his fore-head , or be streaked with white down his face , the black if he be not mingled with silver-hair , nor have any white about him , is naught for service , the flea-bitten horse is always singular good for travel and other labours , and will hold out the best of any ; the yellowish or glew'd unless he be spotted or straked with white is naught , yet if he be well marked he often proves indifferent well ; and if he have a black list down his back from the nape of his neck to his tail , he is excellent good for a stallion if his propertion be according ; the red bay , and the blue gray are much subject to melancholy . the flea-bitten and the black with white are sanguine , the roan , the sorrel , and the black without white subject to choler . but as to their paces , which are these , trot , rack , amble , or gallop , the which you must chuse , according as you design to put him to , either for racing , hunting , travelling , or fight ; if it be for moderate travelling , an easie trot is best , the which you may know if he be prone to by observing his legs . thus when his near fore-leg and his off hinder-leg , move together , or his near hinder-leg and his off fore-leg ; and farther observe , that if when he moves , he be quick to raise his legs from the ground , and do it short and with an even distance , making but little treads , he will likewise pace very well ; for if he lift up his feet blunderingly or carelesly , it denotes he is given to stumbling and will be oft troubled with lameness ; if he strike his legs across , or take no wideness in his steps , it denotes he is subject to trip , enterfere or fall ; if he take not his step even , it shews an unwillingness to travel and a weakness in his limbs ; if he tread large steps , he is subject to over-reach and strain himself if he be put to the speed. again , if you chuse a horse for ease and pleasant journeys , you must chuse an ambler , which you may know thus , if he move both his legs on the same side together , fore-leg and hinder-leg , and that he must do , large , nimble , and easie ; for if he tread short and shuffling he is no good ambler , yet if he be very nimble at his first beginning to pace , it denotes he cannot long hold it . now for hunting either of buck , stag , or hare , for speed on the road , or to ride post , if you chuse a horse , then you must take one who has naturally or has been taught the racking pace , which is neither trot nor amble , but between both , and is the easiest of all , though it gain not so much ground , the which you may observe by the same method as you did ambling . the next i have to treat of is gallopping , which is natural to all the former paces , but the amble ; for an ambling horse will immediately be brought to gallop , by reason it consists almost of the same nature with it , only a slower and not so much straining ; for it being a swift pace , by long use has so inured the horse to it that he cannot without some time and instruction frame his legs to it , but will fall into a pace ; if he be overmuch spurred , beaten or forced , that can properly be called no pace , but a confusion of all together , but perfects all things , so in time you may bring him to gallop as you please if no imperfection in his limbs restrain him . now i shall lay down such observations as you may infallibly know a good gallopper by . first , if he raise his feet swift and clearly from the ground but not too high , and that he neither rowl nor boggle in his way , nor striketh his belly with his feet . if he take large reaches with his fore-legs , and his hinder follow quickly , in which you must likewise observe that he do not cut under the knee , or on the shank , which is called by some the gallopping , but by others the swift-cut , or that he throws not his legs cross or twist them as it were , nor that he set one foot upon , or clap it against the other , but that he keep him steady and even in all his course , and still with his fore-foot head the way . the horse who has these properties always gallops most neatly , and a man may trust to him in any time of danger , that is , if he be beset with thieves , or pursued by an enemy , in time of war , if he be but able of body , and well kept . if your horse raise all his feet together , and gallop as it were on a heap , or round , then he is not swift , but will tread sure and hold out well , by reason of his strength and limbs , and is fit for war or carry double . again , observe if a horse , gallops but softly and treads firm , not being subject to fall nor stumble , yet his legs seem tender , and he lifts them up as it were in fear , and throws them in and out as if he was hurt or pained , then he is not for gallopping uses , nor ever will he , by reason he has some obscure disease or stiff lameness in his joints that is hard to remove . now as to his height or stature , the which must be observed according to the use you put him to , or as your self shall think fit , a well-made horse with strong joints , but not much flesh upon his legs , you must chuse , about sixteen hands high ; if you take one for carrying double or any other great weights ; as likewise for drawing either in cart , waggon or coach , and if for recreation only , the finest and neatest limbed and shaped you can light of , and not exceeding fourteen hands in stature , or if you please less , according to the proportion of your own body . thus far having given you , as i well hope , a satisfactory instruction , i shall now proceed to inform you of the deformities and imperfections , secret distempers and infirmities that lie hidden many times from the eyes of the buyer , the which are not a few , so that it would be almost impossible to discover them all , so that every one might understand them ; therefore i shall endeavour to give you as plain and full an account as is necessary , or that can be understood according to the best opinions of the skilful . to begin then , when any one offers you a horse to sell , after you have seen him tried , as to the former experience , and understand his age , and breed , then cause his saddle and all other his cloths , nay his very bridle , if so be you can get him to stand still without it , to be took off , and then place your self just before him , and look wishfully upon him , and take especial notice of his countenance at all times , whether he look pleasant and lively , well and stedfast , without change or alteration ; the which if he do , it is a sign that he is of a good spirit , and in good health , as to bodily sickness or inbred diseases ; the next thing to be observed is his ears , for if they be thick , stiff and taper from the roots to the tips , as also long or of a convenient size well fastned and strong at the roots , it is a great sign of mettle , perfection and completeness , for such ears are an ornament to any horse . but if they be contrary , as thick at the ends , lolling , and often moving , it denotes him dull , sloathful , heavy , and stubborn , and of a very ill temper . now if his face be clean and his forehead rising , the similitude of a feather in his forehead , upon his cheeks or any part of his face , but it is the greater sign if it be above his eyes , or if he have a white spot , star , or streak of a pretty large size , drawn even , or a snip of white upon his nose , it is a sign he is good and beautiful . but on the contrary , if his face seem swelled , bloated or puffy , fat , dull , cloudy , or lowring , his forehead flat and square , which the vulgar term mare-faced , the rach if any he has in his front , standing very low , or in the middle of his face , his star or streak uneven or crinkled , his nose ball'd or raw , and the hair in many places off from his face , are very bad marks and signatures of great deformity . again , if his eyes be shining , full and round , stand eagle-like , out from his head , and little or none of their whites to be seen , if they be full and sparkling , it denoteth him chearful , swift-sighted and comely , full of spirit and of good nature , yet fierce and fiery . but if his eyes look askew , seem dull , and withered , little and slow in motion , they denote much imperfection , and are unhandsome to behold ; if they are the colour of foxes or ferrets eyes , he will be quickly moon-eyed or wall-eyed , and , if not timely prevented , blind ; if he chance to have a thick , dull philm over it , and in it white specks , it not only shews a timorousness in your horse , but subjection to causeless starting , and also in danger of having a pin and web or white skin over his sight ; if they run either water or matter , or seem bloody or raw , they proceed from an old surfeit or an over-heating , which was done by immoderate riding : corruption ingendring in the head by exceeding draughts or the like , as dead eyes that are low sunk do ; that , if he lives long he will be blind , and that he was gotten by a very aged stallion and is of no good breed ; if the whites be as much seen as the black it signifies great weakness , unnatural and sullen in himself . again , if you observe by feeling or otherwise , his chaps or jaw-bones lean , spare , and large spaces between them , his wind-pipe head great and wide , not surrounded or incumbred with nerval small ropes or the like ; and that his neck seems to shoot through the jaw , or be placed in the nether part of it within the same ; it is a token of large and strong wind , and that your horse will hold out a race very well if all his limbs be proportionable , and that he is of a good heart , and has a head not subject to diseases : but on the contrary , if his jaws be fat , gross and full of kernels or knobs , and that there is but a little space between the bones , it denotes short wind , foulness of stomach and belly , and subject to glaunders , broken-winded , or strangury , and many times apt to be troubled with grievous colds . now if his jaws be close and firmly fixed as it were to touch each other , so that they cause the flesh to rise about them as if swelled , it denoteth short-wind , gross and vicious humours setling there , and especially if it rise more in one place than in another , and the form of the risings be long , for then some inward infection is gathered , which if not taken in time will turn to an impostume or worse . if he have wide nostrills , and they open and shut and seem in a continual motion , so that the insides or redness upon every little straining or snorting appear , yet the compass of his nose but small , his mouth not wide but deep , with small dry lips , meeting without the least hanging over , do likewise promise the horse good . and well-winded , courageous and hardy . but if contrary , quite otherwise ; as short-winded , tender and weak , a shallow-mouthed horse will never bear his bridle well , but if it be not buckled fast , the bit will be apt to fall out of his mouth , or he will be much apt to slaver . again , if his upper lip be uneven , and will not meet with his under , but either shut over or flap , it is a certain sign that he has a lingering disease or is exceeding slow , as also if he have a rheum or dropping at the nose , if that be clear it will if not timely stopped ( the which it is hard to do ) turn to the glaunders ; if one nostril runs it is worse than if they did both . — now as to his teeth , be sure to observe that when you buy a horse , to look in his mouth , and take a diligent care to see if he have lost none of his teeth , or if he have , what they are , whether grinders , fore-teeth or tushes ; for thereby you may give a shrewd guess at his age , although the mark be out of his mouth ; but to avoid being cheated buy not a horse that has lost any , for if he have lost some the rest will quickly follow . the next thing to be considered is his brest , for if that be broad , strong-set , rising or full-fleshed , and adorned with marks or feathers ; then you may confide in his strength , and he will not deceive your expectations ; but if he be the contrary , it denotes weakness of body and unfitness for labour , and that he is given to that ill quality in horses , viz. to stumbling , as likewise to cutting and tripping ; as also if his breast seem to sink or give inwards , it shews him of no courage or metal . the next thing to be considered is his legs ; that is , his fore-legs only , of the hinder hereafter i shall treat ; first observe the joint next to his shoulder , which is properly called his bow or elbow , and from thence his thigh as low as his knee , and observe they be well sinew'd and covered with brawny flesh , no ways giving out nor tumid , and that he stand firm without bending or moving his joints , which if he do , it is a sign of strength , as likewise they are all marks of the same . the next is to observe if he carry an even or equal pace with his legs , but especially with his knees , and that they be neat , well knit , and not too fleshy , of a just proportion ; for take notice if they differ in magnitude he has had his knee broke , or else some distemper harbours there , as the gout , &c. if you find any cuts or scars with hair growing in them , he is apt to fall , which will be hard to cure or rid him of . then leaving his knees , observe his shanks as low as his fetlock , and if they be well sinew'd , finely made and shaped proportionable to his thighs , and that they neither bend in nor out , and that there be no ridge nor seam descending from the knee-joints on the inside , there is he good and sound in those parts ; but on the contrary , if there be scars , scabs , or knobs on the inside , it is by reason of his high striking , called by most the swift-cut ; but if above his fetlock or hoof , it is interfering or short-cutting , but in this be sure to take good observation , for if under the skin , all over there appear little knobs or scabs , it is caused by some ill usage or nasty keeping , or else symptoms of the maunge , that will in a short time break forth to the full if not prevented . farther , if his legs be full-fleshed , fat , or dropsical , he will in no wise be fit for servile labour ; if on the inward bend of his knee there be long scars , seams or scabs , the which have not been occasioned by the swift-cut , they will prove very dangerous for it denotes a mallander that in a short time will turn to a canker or ulcer . now let us descend to his pasterns , the first of which must be sure to be cleaner and strongly knit with sinews or ligaments , the second streight , stiff and smoothly fixed , not more inclinable to bend one way than another , but not over-long ; for it shews a weak horse : or if the former be gouty or swelled , it denotes strains and over-reaching sinews . the next thing to be considered is the hoof , the which is as great a piece of curiosity to be observed , as any that belong to the chusing a good horse , for if that fail , all the other properties avail not . first then , a good hoof should be smooth of colour ; black and inclining to long , something hollow and full , sounding ; for , take notice that a white hoof is not so good by reason of its tenderness ; so that it is apt either to let the shooe draw , or it self to batter or spread , by being in too much wet or hard riding . the next is a withered hoof that seems to scall , or have welts or seams upon it ; which denotes the horse to be aged or much worn by hard travel or over-heats ; another sort of hoofs there are which are called short hoofs , and are so brittle , that they will not bear any shooe above a day at the most , if rid or laboured ; if his hoof be exceeding round , it is bad for deep and dirty ways , by reason the horse cannot tread sure ; a flat hoof that is light and full of pores or holes is a sign of his being foundred ; if you perceive by striking the hoof a hollow noise , or that it be hollow within , it signifies some internal defect , and old fester not cured , that has wasted the pith , and therefore is not good . the next thing observable is the coronet or socket of the hoof , the which being well fleshed , smooth , without chops or scars , and well decked with hair , is a sign of its being in good plight and sound ; but if the contrary , he is often troubled with ring-worms , a crown-scab , or the like dangerous misfortune . having taken particular notice of the former properties of goodness or defect , remove your self to the right side , and then take especial notice how his head is fixed to his neck ; see first that it be small at the setting on , and so by degrees descend taper to his shoulders , not thick , but rather broad ; and observe that his head stand not too high nor too low , with a high , yet thin crest , his mane declinable , long , soft , and a little curling , which are signs of comeliness ; as on the contrary , a thick joult-head , and thick neck , short and brawny , shews much dulness and deformity . if there be any swelling in , or under the nape of the neck , it will certainly turn to the poll-evil or some fistula , which is altogether as bad if not taken in time . again , to have a thick neck , and lank or fallen near the withers , to have a gross and flat , or sunk crest , are signs of great defect in strength ; excessive store of hair upon the mane , especially if it be streight and hard , signifies dulness and want of courage ; a thin mane , that is not made so by any accident or distemper , shews the horse to be of a fiery nature ; if it fall away , it shews either itch , worms , or mange to lodge there . the next thing worthy to be observed , is his back or chine , which must be broad , streight , and smooth , well measured and even , to which his ribs must be well grafted , firm , and round , his fillets or haunches streight , stout and strong , nor must there be above three inches breadth between his farthest rib and huckle bone , that is the nearest to the same , as the short ribs , which are all signs of a perfect and well shaped horse . the next thing is , to take a special observation of the shape of his body , if it be plump , smooth , and contained within the compass of his ribs , and not hanging over or paunching out ; his stones or genitals must likewise be contained close in their purses or cods , as it were girt to his yard , the which shews the horse to be of good mettle , well made and free from diseases in those parts ; but if the contrary , it shews him defective and uncomely . first then , if he have a narrow back , he will be prone to saddle-galls , hurts and bruises in riding ; to have a sway-back is a token of great weakness in the chine , or if his ribs be very fat and streight , they in travel will hinder him from fetching his full wind , and so consequently make him tire ; if now his hinder ligaments or fillets be slack , hang flabbing and unseemly , they will be a great hinderance to him if he travel in steep way , and he can by no means hold any pace up a hill if it be very steep , and but very untoward in carrying any burthen . again , if his belly be gant , and seems to be close within his ribs , or near to his back , if his stones hang down and swag about in the cods , they are great signs of imperfection and uneasiness in the horse , caused by some distemper , and likewise he will be apt to founder . the next things to be taken notice of are his buttocks , they must be smooth , round , and even , not standing too high nor too low , but as near as can be level with his body ; but many choose a long buttock'd horse for riding double or the like , which if they do , they must observe that they rise behind and wear the dock spread to the setting on thereof , which makes a horse shew well , and are signs of strength . now for the narrow buttock or ridged rump , they are both weak and uncomely , and will not conveniently bear any thing behind . from which i shall descend to his thighs or hips , first observe if they be well brawned , sinewed , and that they from the first setting on to the bow-joint are made taper , lessening by degrees , and be well fleshed , all which if they be not , shews weakness and unaptness for service ; after which take special notice of the hock or middle joint , and with your hand feel if it be well knit , full of gristles , sinews , and ligaments , that it be not fleshy nor swelled , and that it have large veins , be pliant and apt to bend at each motion of the horse , something bowing it must be and firm . all these are good signs ; but if there be cuts , scars , or festers in the inside of the joint or else-where , it is dangerous and not easie to be cured . if there happen any swelling or heat over the joints in general , then it is no other but a blow ; but observe if such swelling be only in one place , and that on the inside in the hollow of the joint , and the veins strut , feel hot , and beat much , or throb , and that the swelling be soft , it is a blood spavin ; but if brawny and hard , a bone-spavin ; but if it chance to be just upon the hock or outbow , behind or a little under it , then it is or shortly will be a curb , &c. now for his hinder-legs , you must observe whether they be fine , neat , and clean , full of strong sinews , and not very fat , which shews him sound in those parts ; but on the contrary , if his legs be very fat , fleshy , large , it signifies him bad for service ; if they be tumid or swelling , it denotes the setlings of molten grease there ; if any scabs happen to be something above the pasterns , they denote the scratches or chops ; cuts or scars beneath them denote pains or aches , all which are dangerous and require great skill and diligence to cure them . now for the tail , it cannot stand amiss nor out of place upon fair buttocks ; but upon an ill pair if it be never so well placed , it will not seem handsom ; the posture it ought to stand in , is even with the parting of the buttocks , that is broad , high , smooth and somewhat bending inward , fleshy and of a good length , bristly and curled , the length being not only a beauty , but very necessary for him to defend himself with against wasps , hornets , and flies , though many desire to have him cut-tailed . but in general , the whole body must be framed according to the most expert horsemens opinions , thus to have the head and legs of a stag , the ears and tail of a fox , the neck of a swan , the breast of a lyon , the buttocks of a woman , and the feet of an ass . the perfect good horse thus virgil in his georgicks describes , the which to insert may not be amiss . with head advanced high at first the kingly colt doth pace , his tender limbs aloft he lifts , as well becomes his race . and foremost still he goes , and through the stream he makes his way , and ventures first the bridge , no sudden sound doth him affray . high crested is his neck , and eke his neck is framed small , his belly gaunt , his back is broad , and breasted big withal . the bay is always counted good , so likewise is the grey , the white and yellow worst of all : besides if far away there haps a noise , he stamps and quiet cannot rest , but praunces here and there , as if some spirit him possest . his ears be set upright , and from his nose the fiery flame , doth seem to come , while as he snuffs and snorteth at the same ▪ thick is his mane , and on his right side down doth hanging fall , and double chin'd , upon his loins a gutter runs withal . he scraping stands , and making of deep holes he paws the ground , whilst that aloud his horned hoof all hollow seems to sound . thus have you all the particular and general descriptions both of a good and bad horse , and may therefore know what to choose and what to forbear , and note that amongst all the creatures irrational , there is not one more generous nor more serviceable to man than is the horse ; for as we read of bucephalas , the horse of alexander the great , that although he was wounded in the battle against the persians , so that his life was much despaired of , yet would not he suffer his master to mount any other horse till he had brought him safe out of the battle . the like has been reported of others , whose loves have been so great to their masters , that when they have been enclosed with enemies , the horses have fought in their defence couragiously ; and eumenius relateth that a certain traveller being set upon by four thieves was killed , which his horse perceiving , fell upon them with such fury , that in revenge of his masters death , he killed two of them , and made the other two get up into a tree to save themselves , where he watched them till such time as several passengers came by and understood what had passed , the thieves being constrained to confess what they had done . and indeed it behoves all that frequently travel the roads to have a good horse , that they may save them in necessity , either by courage or swiftness in flight . chap. xi . how to cure the autocoe , a violent pain so called . this happens most commonly , when horses are first put into fresh pasture , by their too eagerness in feeding , which causes ill digesture , and leaves vicious humours in the stomach , or if he be at stable or dry meat , the like may happen by his rank feedings ; this disease often takes the horse very violently , makes his legs fail him and to hang down his head , shaking all over as if an ague possessed him ; the speediest way to remedy it , is to let him blood , and two mornings successively to give him about an ounce of diapente brewed in a quart of strong ale ; it being a soveraign medicine or drink to expel the vapours , pains , and infections that do oppress the heart ; if he be not cured in twice giving , you may give him thrice , the which will infallibly remove and take away the distemper . chap. xii . how to cure a horse that has been burnt by any mare , &c. whether he be so or no , you may discern by his yard , for if that be foul , corrupt , and swelleth , so that he cannot stale without much pain , they are infallible symptoms that he has been burnt . to cure which , take a pint of french-wine , boil it with a quarter of a pound of roch-alum beaten into fine powder ; after which , take it luke-warm , and with a sirringe or squirt , squirt it into his yard , and so do till his yard leave mattering , and it will perfectly cure him . chap. xiii . rules to be observed in the sweating of horses . first , let the keeper take great care , when he airs his horse , that it be done by degrees , and not all on a sudden , and then let him observe in that as well as in all his other actions , what temper of body he is of , that is , whether with little or much motion he used to sweat ; for many horses will sweat though they stand still in their stalls , which commonly denotes the horse faint , ill-dieted , and as bad looked after , then must you exercise him to work out the sweat , and bring down his foul feeding ; but if he be not apt to sweat , unless upon strong heats and large breathings , then observe if his sweat be white or frothy , then take notice that your horse is foul within and must be exercised yet more ; but if it be like water yet thick and black , then you need not fear any danger . chap. xiv . how to prevent a horse from stumbling , &c. take your horse so used to stumble , and with his halter fasten him close to a post , then with your launcet or a sharp penknife slit the skin from his nose to the upper lip , that is , down-right just between his nostrils about two inches , which when you have done , part it as wide as you can , and under it you will find a red film or second skin , that likewise cut and part , beneath which you may discern a flat , smooth , white sinew , the which take up with your cornets horn point , and twist it round about , after a little space twist it again quite round , so another time , then have regard to his legs , and you shall see him draw by degrees his hinder legs almost to his fore-legs , the which as soon as he has done , with your launcet divide the sinew at the part which grows to the lip , the which as soon as you have effected , untwist it and it will shrink up into the head , and then his legs will withdraw back again ; for note that his sinew is the cause of this stumbling , and that it goes quite through his body , and spreads it self into his two hinder legs ; after which you must close up the slit and put into it fresh butter , and a little salt beat fine , then take a cerecloth made of burgundian pitch , or stock-pitch , and lay upon it , and afterwards you may trust your horse for stumbling ; this is a rare secret known but by few , but worthy to be observed in any the like occasions . chap. xv. how to take the best advantage of ground in any race . 't is to be observed , that when you know the ground you are to run , you must acquaint your horse with it , and give him his heats there always , making him take the worst part of it , that so upon any straight he may not boggle , but that if he in the race get the best part he may run the more chearfully , yet let it not be in such rough ground where he may be apt to slip , or get any sprains in his joints , for if he does it will disable him for the future and make him timorous ; but at any time when you heat your horse thereon , let him run out the full course , and never beyond the weighing post ; or if you do not ride him out-right , ride him half way and back again , but never let him exceed the bounds he is to run , that is , not beyond the mark or post , but you may run him quite through , and then back again if he be of ability to bear it , so that in a little time he will be so well acquainted with the ground , that when he comes to the race it will be easie for him to perform ; one thing more is to be observed , that is , what ground the horse most delights to run upon , that you must choose as near as opportunity will give you leave , but you must not always heat him upon the same ground , sometimes in spacious fields , green meadows and rivers sides , as has been before-mentioned . chap. xvi . how to know by the hair of your horses neck in what estate he is . first observe the horses hair in every part ; but the main regard is to be had to that of his neck ; for if it be sleek , close , bright , and shining , it denotes that he is in good order ; but if the contrary , as rough , shagged , and standing upright , and as it were changed colour ; take it for a rule that he is not well , but that some inward grief has seized him , as chilness of heart , want of warmth in the external parts , or some ague hovering about him , but not yet perfect ; to prevent which , and to restore him you must rub him and keep him very warm , with double cloths , and give him in a quart of warm ale , one of the before-mentioned cordial balls , the which will expel the cold humours , and make him lively and chearful again , the which you shall know by the sudden falling off his hair , the which before stood staring . chap. xvii . how to make the brittlest hoof imaginable become soft , and bear well any shooe without the least injury to the horse . take about eight pound of fresh hogs grease , and about half a bushel of damask roses well picked and clean from seeds ; melt the hogs grease in a kettle , and when it boils put in the roses , and dip them all over till they swell ; then take them off , and putting them into a close earthen vessel with the grease and all , let them stand and cool ; or if you have an oven , when you have drawn , let it stand in it and cool by degrees , after which , when your horse has newly dunged , put about three pound of the same into them , let it stand for the space of three weeks , then melt it again , and strain out the liquid part , and cover it up close in the earthen vessel by it self , throwing the other away . the manner to use it is as followeth , the one spoonful of tar , and a handful of horse-dung , heat them together in a pint of olive oil , then taking off his shooes , wrap up his feet with stiff leather so that you may pour the liquor in , and it will not run out , which being in , let it continue there about a week , and then the old being wasted supply its place with fresh , the which after thrice doing you may put on his shooes again , then stop his feet well with the tar , horse-dung and oil , putting over it tow , or flax , and in a short time his hoofs will be soft and tough , so that you may use them without fear , and they will bear any shooe exceeding well , and so for a long time , if not as long as the horse liveth . chap. xviii . an account of the things to be observed for the preservation of a horses health , and to make him live long . the first of which is mature and good digestion of whatsoever he eateth or drinketh , so that it turn to pure blood and nourishment . 2. the second to be considered , is spare and moderate feeding in which he must neither eat too fast , nor too much . 3. the third must be taken from moderate labour and seasonable exercise . 4. the fourth is to observe fit times and seasons for sleeping and waking , both which must be moderately taken . 5. the fifth , he must not be too much acquainted with mares , nor ride them often , for nothing sooner shortens life in any creature . 6. the sixth , not to be over-heat , nor his spirits to be wasted by long and tedious journeys . 7. the seventh is , continually to be in smooth , serene and wholesom air , and not to feed in foggy fens , marshes , or damp meadows . 8. the eighth , observe that you neither exercise , nor any ways make him labour hard when he is newly taken from grass . 9. the ninth , to keep him from greedily eating young grass , either clover or other , but especially from surfeiting on the blades of corn. 10. the tenth , you must observe that he drink not when he has been hard ridden or laboured , so that he is very hot . 11. the eleventh thing to be taken notice of is , that you must neither wash nor walk him when you are come to your journeys end , ride him about a moderate pace till he begins to cool , and then bring him into the stable , rub him well down and clap on his cloths , and wisp him round , being well stored with litter . 12. the twelfth and last is to give him meat in due time , observe his scourings , diets , and other physical medicines as occasion shall require , the which in this book you will find good store , with large directions how to use them . chap. xix . st. anthony's most admirable remedy for any sprain , swelling , or stretching of sinews or nerves . a better not to be found . of bruised cummin seeds take three ounces , and boil them in a pint of oil of camomil , then add to them half a pound of yellow bees-wax , and let them boil to the thickness of a cerecloth , then spread it on sheeps-leather very hot , and apply it to the place so grieved , and in twice doing it will perfect the cure if it be not too far gone , if it be , you must apply it till it is well . chap. xx. the speediest and safest way to cure the swift cut , or the knee-cut . take one pint of white wine , then add to it two ounces of virgin-honey , brew them together , and boil them till the honey is melted amongst the wine , and then add more of turpentine the like quantity , then let them boil to the thickness of a salve , and as hot as the horse can endure it , wash the cuts with it once or twice a day , and it will quickly heal them , but be sure you wash the dirt out of them if there be any in , wash it with hot water before you apply the ointment . chap. xxi . a speedy remedy for horse or a cow that have any way licked up red poison , worms , spiders , or any other venemous insect , or that is ready to burst by eating of too much clover , turnips or young eared barley , and drinking after it . this is to be known by their speedy swelling and slavering at the mouth , and working at the fundament , the which when you perceive that they are ready to burst ( which is a common thing about harvest time ) be sure to have recess to this medicine , take four ounces of spanish sope , or if that be not to be gotten , our english cake-sope , and scrape it into a mortar , then put to it two ounces of dialphera , then beat them small as you can together , and make it into balls as big as pigeons eggs , and take one of them and dissolve it in hot beer , and if it will not quickly dissolve , crumble it in , then with a drenching horn or any such necessary implement , pour it down the throat of the beast so swelled , be it either a horse , ox , or cow , and it will immediately abate the swelling by urine and scouring , which it will force in abundance . chap. xxii . an approved remedy for the mad staggers or lunacy . the symptoms whereby you shall know whether your horse be troubled with this disease , are his dulness and heaviness , foaming at mouth , dimness of sight , often staring , and having a blue skin over his sight ; restless and often reeling and the like , the which , or any of them being observed , you must instantly take care to have your horse let blood in the neck , in the great blood-veins on the left side , or if you think convenient on both sides , and in the third bar of the palate of his mouth , and prick him in the nose , just upon the gristles above the nostrils , which bleeding will instantly abate the grievous pain of his head , then take a handful of rue or herb of grace , three or four cloves of garlick , an ounce of fine salt , aqua vitae two spoonfuls , of white-wine vinegar one ; after they are bruised together , strain them and pour the liquid substance equally divided into his ears , then with black wool stop them close , so that no air can get in , or tie them that he may not shake out the wool , then fume his nostrils through the little end of a funnel , with the peelings of garlick and mastick well dried and beaten , and rowled up in little balls or sprink led upon a chafing dish of charcoals , and so do three times a day at least , and it will expel the infectious vapours that disturbed the brain , then give him a dram of single poppy-seeds beaten into powder , the which you must blow up his nostrils , and about two ounces of poppy-water to drink , which will cast him into a sound sleep , after , let his diet be mashed oats and ground , and give him cold water to drink , and after twenty four hours you may unbind or unsere his ears and take out the wool , and in a short time he will chear up and look lively again : probatum est . chap. xxiii . how to stop the glaunders for a day or two , whilst you have sold or swapped away your horse , who is troubled with the same . first , of verjuice take four ounces , three spoonfuls of olive oil , two of aqua vitae , and put half into one nostril , and the rest into the other with a siringe when it is luke-warm , then ride your horse full speed for half a mile or more , only when you observe him begin to cough , ride gently , and put him into a warm stable , cover him with cloths , and give him a mash , but if he be ill disposed upon the turning of the glaunders , give him new milk as warm as possible , and they will infallibly stop . chap. xxiv . how to order your stallion as to his diet when he is to cover your mare . at any time when you design him to cover your mare , you must about a week before take him out of the stable , and let him run in the freshest and tenderest grass you have , the which will not only encrease , but make his seed of the aptest and quickest temper for to generate a lively colt , and he will be the willinger to cover the mare by reason of his airy temperament of body , when feeding on hay or other dry meat , would render him dull and short-winded , as likewise his being acquainted with the mare will be a great incitement to him . chap. xxv . for the molting of grease after a race or other excessive riding . the means to know the certainty of his grease being molten , is to observe as soon as he is in the stable , whether his breast ▪ beats or pants more than usual after any journey or race , as likewise his sides under his gi●●s , and his flank heaving quick and fa●●ing softly ; all which if you perceive , then is his grease melted , and will turn to crudy humours if not brought away in time ; the speediest way for which , is to take one pint of spanish wine , and an ounce of diascordium brewed in the same , and give it to him presently to drink , and so continue doing four or five mornings after , before he has eaten either hay or provender , then you must diet him with mashes of oats and barly boiled , and a considerable quantity of ground malt , and let him drink water indifferent warm ; but if he refuse his meat you must give him half a pint of white-wine , into which you must put two ounces of honey , and let them boil till the honey is melted , and let him take it pretty warm , the which will cause him to void much urine , and by that means give him ease . upon his taking of this you must ride him a mile or more , but it must not be above a hand gallop , then returning home you must rub him down and keep him as warm as possible ; when in this manner you have spent three days , give him another the like quantity of honey and white-wine , then take especial notice of his dung ; if it be small , and he seem to dung with pain , then he is bound in his belly , and the grease is not removed , to effect which , you must give him three pints or two quarts of beer the stalest you can get , and a slice of houshold-bread , both being boiled and mingled together , to which you must add four ounces of honey , and the like quantity of fresh butter , then in the morning before he hath eaten any thing , give it him luke-warm , then ride him about a mile , then give him the same again at night , and ride him as before ; but you must observe to give it him but every other day , the which will loosen his belly , and by degrees waste the grease ; about four hours after he hath taken his dose , boil him three quarts of oats and give them to him , and mingling that water the oats were boiled in with some other to cool it , let him drink of it ; you may with his oats boil fenugreek seeds about three quarters of a pound , and let him eat them mingled ; but if he refuse to eat them , you may mingle them with a little fine bran ; then last of all give him an ounce of aloes boiled , till they are dissolved in a quart of ale , or a pint of white-wine , and so it will purge away the ill humors , and in three weeks or less restore him to his former health and soundness of body . chap. xxvi . how to make a horse vomit , and by so doing , to void the foulness of his stomach , or any infection he hath taken in . take polypodium roots the greater , pare them and wash them very clean , and then steep them in oil of spike , and fasten them to the bit of his bridle , after which put it on and ride him abroad with the same in his mouth , for the space of half an hour , or somewhat more , but it must be softly , not above a trot at the most , and then if any ill humour or flegmatick substance lodge in his stomach , this will draw it up by causing him to vomit extremely , as likewise to cough and sneeze , the which will much cleanse his head from rheums that lodge there , and expel the vapours that offend the brain , so that though it make him sick for the present , yet when that is over , he will find himself more brisk and lively than before , having voided all the filth and slime that are the originals of all diseases that happen at any time to any horse ; after you have taken off the bridle and removed the roots , give him a pint of the best french wine mingled with three ounces of honey , let it be indifferent warm , and then keep him as much from cold as is possible , two hours after you may give him a warm mash of oats and barley . chap. xxvii . the discovery of several tricks and cheats used by jockeys . 1. first then , to make a dull jade both kick , wince and fling , without either whip or spur , they use this device ; in the fore part of a saddle made for that purpose , they have an iron plate , through which is drilled three holes , through which with a spring come three sharp wyers , the which as long as the rider sits upright do not prick the horse , but when he leans forward and presses the bow of the saddle ▪ they torment him so that he capers and dances though never so dull , which the ignorant buyer often supposes to proceed from the height of his mettle , which the jockey spares not to avouch with oaths . 2. the second is , if any gentleman have set up a horse in a stable at livery , the jockey either by bribing the hostler , or privately by taking an opportunity in his absence , will with a hair take up the vein on the inside of the horses leg , or by cramping him in the fet-lock with a small wyer ( neither of which can be observed without a curious search ) either of which , will cause the horse after a quarter of an hours riding to halt downright lame , then is the owner sent for , whose coming the jockey having notice of , pretends some business in the stable , and whilst the gentleman is admiring the sudden mischance befallen his horse , he puts in his verdict , saying , it was a great deal of pity that so good a beast should be disabled , and by degrees insinuates into the gentlemans acquaintance , desiring him to send for a farrier , who comes and searches his foot , but finds no cause of lameness there , whereupon the gentleman dispairing of his recovery is often pressed by the jockey to sell him at half the worth , or swap him for some dull jade , that he or some of his comrades have near at hand , who having got the gentlemans horse , by uncramping or letting loose the vein render him as at first . 3. the third cheat they put upon travellers is this , coming into a country inn , their first walk is into the stable , where taking a view of the horses , they single out the best for their purpose , demanding of the hostler , who that fine horse belongs to , who ignorant of any design freely tells them ; then they place their horses next him , and seem only to feed , or rub them down , and order the hostler to fetch a peck of oats , the which whilst he is gone to do , they thrust a stone about the bigness of a tennis-ball into his fundament , one of which they have always ready , it not having been in a quarter of an hour before the horse begins to sweat mightily , and fall a trembling and staring as if his eyes were ready to start out of his head , so that a white foam soon after covers many places about him , which the hostler observing , runs to the gentleman that owns him , and tells him his horse is a dying , at which starting up , he runs to the stable and finds him in a bad plight , not knowing what to think , or if he do , conjectures he is poisoned , and in a confused hurry enquires for a farrier or horse doctor , when as mr. jockey steps in , and asketh what is the matter , as if he poor lifeless fellow knew nothing of it , but quickly understanding the business , begins both to pity the horse and gentleman , the former for his miserable condition , and the latter for the danger he ●●in of losing his horse , when thus he applies himself : sir , i am sorry to see your horse in so bad a plight , then puts in to buy him at a venture , live or die , the which if he cannot do handsomely , he undertakes to cure him , telling the gentleman that though it is not his usual custom to meddle with , yet he will undertake for 〈◊〉 shillings to warrant his life : the gentleman consents rather than to lose a horse worth twenty pounds ; then for a shew he gives him a drench , and then takes opportunity to withdraw the stone , and within half an hours space the horse will be perfectly well , and so they fob the ignorant . finis . advertisement . these are to give the reader notice , that we thought not fit to put the several cures mentioned in this addition into the title page , by reason the whole book contains the best for practice in the world ; as also these may be accounted most infallible . the index , or , table of the complete jockey . shewing the directions to find any paragraph contained therein . chap. i. page 3. the best method , and speediest way for ordering race-horses , to fit them for any match in what estate soever . the way and manner of dieting or feeding a horse for a race being fat or gross immediately after his being taken from pasture or soil as to the first two weeks . c. 2. p ● . orders most carefully to be observed in the coursing or heating your horse . c. 3. p. 10. the manner of his second fortnights feeding , and the care to be observed therein . c. 4. p. 11. the first diet to be given in ordering your race-horse and the way to make it . c. 5. p. 12. the dose or scouring . c. 6. p. 17. the way and method of looking to , and keeping your horse after he has taken the scouring . c. 7. ibid. the manner of making cordial balls and their virtue , with an account of what diseases they are most powerful to cure . c. 8. p. 19. the manner of making his last diet. c. 9. p. 20. the third fortnights dieting and ordering your horse . c. 10. p. 21. in buying a horse , what horse to chuse , and how to avoid being cheated , pag. the 25. break the second , for here note the printer forgot to put in the contents of the following instructions . sect. 2. p. 25. how to cure the autocoe , a violent pain so called . c. 11. p. 37. how to cure a horse that has been burnt by a mare . c. 12. ib. rules to be observed in sweating of horses . c. 13. p. 38. how to prevent a horse from stumbling . c. 14. ibid. how to take the best advantage of ground in any race . c. 15. p. 39. how to know by the hair of your horses neck in what estate he is . c. 16. p. 40. how to make the brittlest hoof imaginable become soft and bear well any shooe without the least injury to the horse . c. 17. ibid. an account of things to be observed for the preservation of a horses health , and to make him live long . c. 18. p. 41. st. anthony's most admirable remedy for auy sprain , swelling , or stretching of sinews or nerves . a better not to be 〈…〉 the speediest and safest way to cure the swift-cut or knee-cut . c. 20. p. 43. a speedy remedy for a horse or cow , that have any ways licked up red poison , worms , spiders , or any other venomous insect , or that is ready to burst by eating of two much clover , turnips , or eared barley and drinking soon after it . c. 21. ibid. an approved remedy for the mad staggers or lunacy . c. 22. p. 44. how to stop the glaunders for a day or two , whilst you have sold or swapped away your horse that is troubled with the same . c. 23. p. 45. how to order your stallion as to his diet , when he is to cover your mare . c. 24. ibid. for the melting of grease after a race or other excessive ridings . c. 25. p. 46. how to make a horse vomit , and by so doing , to avoid the foulness of his stomach or any infection he hath taken in . c. 26. p. 47. the discovery of several tricks and cheats used by the jockeys . c. 26. p. 48. finis the country-man's guide or plain directions for ordering. curing. breeding choice, use, and feeding. of horses, cows, sheep, hoggs, &c. adorn'd with sculptuers, shewing the proper places in the bodies of the said several beasts, where the said distempers do usually happen. published for the publick good, by w.w. winstanley, william, 1628?-1698. 1679 approx. 151 kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from 85 1-bit group-iv tiff page images. text creation partnership, ann arbor, mi ; oxford (uk) : 2006-06 (eebo-tcp phase 1). a71265 wing w3057b estc r222313 99833496 99833496 37973 this keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the early english books online text creation partnership. this phase i text is available for reuse, according to the terms of creative commons 0 1.0 universal . the text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. early english books online. (eebo-tcp ; phase 1, no. a71265) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set 37973) images scanned from microfilm: (early english books, 1641-1700 ; 2203:13) the country-man's guide or plain directions for ordering. curing. breeding choice, use, and feeding. of horses, cows, sheep, hoggs, &c. adorn'd with sculptuers, shewing the proper places in the bodies of the said several beasts, where the said distempers do usually happen. published for the publick good, by w.w. winstanley, william, 1628?-1698. [7], p. 1, 142, [6] p., [4] leaves of plates printed for s. lee, stationer, over against the post-office in lombard-street, london : 1679. w.w. = william winstanley. the words "ordering. ... breeding" are gathered by a right brace on the title page; the words "choice, ... feeding." are gathered by a left brace. with an index and errata at end of text. reproduction of the original in the british library. created by converting tcp files to tei p5 using tcp2tei.xsl, tei @ oxford. re-processed by university of nebraska-lincoln and northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors. eebo-tcp is a partnership between the universities of michigan and oxford and the publisher proquest to create accurately transcribed and encoded texts based on the image sets published by proquest via their early english books online (eebo) database (http://eebo.chadwyck.com). the general aim of eebo-tcp is to encode one copy (usually the first edition) of every monographic english-language title published between 1473 and 1700 available in eebo. eebo-tcp aimed to produce large quantities of textual data within the usual project restraints of time and funding, and therefore chose to create diplomatic transcriptions (as opposed to critical editions) with light-touch, mainly structural encoding based on the text encoding initiative (http://www.tei-c.org). the eebo-tcp project was divided into two phases. the 25,363 texts created during phase 1 of the project have been released into the public domain as of 1 january 2015. anyone can now take and use these texts for their own purposes, but we respectfully request that due credit and attribution is given to their original source. users should be aware of the process of creating the tcp texts, and therefore of any assumptions that can be made about the data. text selection was based on the new cambridge bibliography of english literature (ncbel). if an author (or for an anonymous work, the title) appears in ncbel, then their works are eligible for inclusion. selection was intended to range over a wide variety of subject areas, to reflect the true nature of the print record of the period. in general, first editions of a works in english were prioritized, although there are a number of works in other languages, notably latin and welsh, included and sometimes a second or later edition of a work was chosen if there was a compelling reason to do so. image sets were sent to external keying companies for transcription and basic encoding. quality assurance was then carried out by editorial teams in oxford and michigan. 5% (or 5 pages, whichever is the greater) of each text was proofread for accuracy and those which did not meet qa standards were returned to the keyers to be redone. after proofreading, the encoding was enhanced and/or corrected and characters marked as illegible were corrected where possible up to a limit of 100 instances per text. any remaining illegibles were encoded as <gap>s. understanding these processes should make clear that, while the overall quality of tcp data is very good, some errors will remain and some readable characters will be marked as illegible. users should bear in mind that in all likelihood such instances will never have been looked at by a tcp editor. the texts were encoded and linked to page images in accordance with level 4 of the tei in libraries guidelines. copies of the texts have been issued variously as sgml (tcp schema; ascii text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable xml (tcp schema; characters represented either as utf-8 unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless xml (tei p5, characters represented either as utf-8 unicode or tei g elements). keying and markup guidelines are available at the text creation partnership web site . eng domestick animals -early works to 1800. horses -early works to 1800. swine -early works to 1800. sheep -early works to 1800. cows -early works to 1800. 2005-08 tcp assigned for keying and markup 2006-02 spi global keyed and coded from proquest page images 2006-03 andrew kuster sampled and proofread 2006-03 andrew kuster text and markup reviewed and edited 2006-04 pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion the country-man's guide : or plain directions for ordering , curing , breeding ▪ choice , use , and feeding , of horses , cows , sheep , hoggs , &c. adorn'd with sculptures , shewing the proper places in the bodies of the said several , beasts , where the said distempers do usually happen . published for the publick good , by w.w. london , printed for s. lee , stationer , over against the post-office in lombard-street . 1679. the preface to the reader . having been importuned by divers of my country-friends to publish the ensuing rules and directions , for the better ordering and curing of most sorts of cattle of their distempers and maladies , that so the whole kingdom might receive a general benefit thereby ; i have at length taken upon me so to do , though not with a little regret , as being very sensible how ill entertainment this small manual may receive from the hands of some particular persons , who ( i doubt not ) will not spare spending their censorious judgments concerning it , to the depression of it , as much as in them lyes . but in regard it is not likely any may do so , without being obliged thereto by their own private interest and advantage , and never any thing comprehending the whole of this having been before published at so small a price . i shall not therefore wholly wave this my good design to my country , seeing there is no other reason for it , than that this little book may be prejudicial to the monopoly that some horse-doctors have contracted to themselves , but proceed as chearfully as i can therein , for the best advantage to my country-men . the book consists of divers choice observations and experiences of divers skilful english men . the whole is made very easie to the apprehension of the reader by the table preceding the book , wherein every disease is figured , and answers the figures in the cuts placed against the table . and is further illustrated and found out by the alphabetical table at the end of this book . that this small endeavour therefore may answer the design it was intended for , is the only desire of the readers hearty well-wisher w.w. the country mans directory shewing the severall places in the body of a horse where the seaverall diseases vsuall happ●… a table of several diseases incident to horses ; with a relation to the printed cut or portraiture of a horse in the first page of this book . 1 the head-ach , staggers , or madness . 2 mad , or raging love 3 coldness , or chilness in the head. 4 rhume , catarh , glanders , or running of the nose . 5 pin in the eye . 6 web in the eye . 7 watring of the eyes . 8 pain in the eye . 9 sore or wounded eyes . 10 eye-scars . 11 worms in the nose . 12 tooth-ach . 13 canker in the mouth or tongue 14 want of palat. 15 fever or plague . 16 squinacy , or swelling in the throat . 17 waxing-kernel , struma , choaking , or the strangles . 18 distemper of the neck . 19 galled neck . 20 crick in the neck . 21 distempers of the lungs . 22 short-windedness , or pursiveness . 23 cough . 24 ulcers , or aposthumes of the breast . 25 faintness . 26 over-heated . 27 ague . 28 venemous creatures swallowed . 29 stomach or appetite lost . 30 henn-dung swallowed . 31 cholick , or griping in the gutts . 32 belly-ach . 33 obstruction in the arse-gutt . 34 falling of the fundament . 35 worms . 36 flux , or looseness of the belly . 37 bloody-flux . 38 the yellow-jaundise . 39 stopping of urine . 40 difficulty in making water . 41 strangury . 42 wolf , or over-growing of the flesh . 43 rupture prevented . 44 rupture cured . 45 biting of the spider-mouse ▪ 46 swelling of the codds . 47 warts . 48 chaps in the feet . 49 old wounds , or swelling in the back . 50 bruised-back . 51 galled-back . 52 biting of flyes . 53 to drive away the flyes . 54 stiffness in the joynts . 55 broken-loyns . 56 swelling of the flanks . 57 scabby or mangy . 58 wrecking of the sinews . 59 swelling of the knees . 60 knees cleft and broken . 61 over-growing of the knee-pan . 62 farcions , farcy or leprosy of the legs or elsewhere . 63 chops between the joynts and legs . 64 string-hall . 65 mallender . 66 spavin . 67 biting of a mad-dog . 68 biting of water-snakes . 69 ring-bone . 70 fistula . 71 over-growing of the hoof. 72 figg . 73 foundred . 74 prickt with a nail . 75 limping oe halting . 76 the shee-wolf , or boyls and knobs on the foot. 77 scratches . 78 over-reaching . introduction : or , general instructions for the breeding , ordering , or managing of horses , &c. i shall begin with the horse in the first place , as being a creature useful for peasants , serviceable for princes , noblemen , prelates ; and in general , to all states and conditions of men : in a word , as being such a beast , as hath not its like , considering its beauty , courage , use , convenience and advantage . the patient carter that loves his beasts , seldom or never strikes them ; but uses them so to the sound of his whip , that they are ruled by his voice and call ; nor doth he force them to draw or labour beyond their ability . in the morning he currieth them cheerfully ; and , in the summer , sometimes in the afternoon . he watereth them not , but in due time , after they have rested . in the summer , he often washes their feet with cold water , and sometimes with wine , or the lees of wine , to strengthen them ; and also with piss , when they are weary and tired with labour ; and at night , carefully stops their feet with dung : and in case they be over-heated , or have no stomach to eat , then he washes their mouth with vinegar and salt ▪ and gives them neither hay nor fodder , oats nor straw , but what is pure and clean : nor doth he permit them to be unshod or unnailed . he taketh care also that the harness , saddles , collers , bridles , or any other necessary implement be not broken , torn or spoiled . he ought also to be skilful in sewing with wax-thread , and to stuff the pannels and saddles with flocks . in short , he ought to understand the art of the harness-maker , sadler , and of the farrier ; and in order thereunto he must alwaies have about him his knapsack or budget ( and the waggoner ought to have some convenient place or box in his cart or waggon , wherein he may put his instruments and iron-work , to make the horses necessaries for their shooing . he must also carefully observe what is wanting , or what is out of order ; as , if any any of his horses limpeth , he must observe which foot is affected , and where the pain lyes ; and sometimes he stops the foot pained , with dung . he must also well observe when the beasts get new hoofs , and in the lent let the horn grow out . and if they have a hot mouth , insomuch that they cough , then he must cover them . and if they have got the rheum , or catharrine labouring ( occasioned by rain and bad weather ) then he causes them to eat fenigreek , or annise mixt with their food : and when they begin to grow old , and to change apparently , he will consider the love which the horses bear one to another , and accordingly he will place them in the stable , which every morning in the summer ought to be made clean ; so that no dung remain therein , and every evening fresh straw put in . he must also take care , if his horses grow thin , or lean , to make them fat again , with beans boiled in water , and oats mingled with them , or beans boyled with barley , panick , and mixed with bean-flower , or meal , and a little salt. he ought also to sleep in the stable , in order to prevent the danger of their sickness , breaking loose , biting or kicking one another . he must be very careful of putting his light in the stable , that no ill accident of fire or damage may happen thereby . he ought also to be careful in keeping and putting all his materials in a readiness till the next morning , that when he goes to plough , and puts out his horses , nothing may be wanting . if he hath any mares , he must place them by themselves , or put them in another plough or cart. in case any of his horses fall sick , or be any waies hurt or wounded , then he must separate him from the other horses , and let him stand by himself . in case a horse hath any disease , the best diligence ought to be used , and that with speed , according to the degrees of the distemper ; and if he will not endure to be rid , or will not pass in or through any way or passage , then you must hang a little stone in his ear ; but if that will not help , then blind fold him , or put fire under his tail , or something that may prick him : and if he will not endure that , then you must hang on his head a stone with a hole in it , when you have mounted him ; and when he begins to stand up an end , strike him with a little rod or whip upon the fore-leggs ; and in case he lyes down ▪ then hinder him with blows and threatnings : and if he be head-strong , make a small piece of line fast to his stones , which must be so long as to come between the fore-leggs , in the hand of the rider , to be held by him , to pull and jerk , when the horse is not willing to go forwards ; for by these means he may be broke off his head-strong tricks , and be made constantly to keep his way . if it be a gelding , then strike him upon the buttocks with a long stick , which is drawn out of the fire , and burnt on the end : or strike him with a rod or swtich between the ears . in case the horse be difficult to shooe , and hard and troublesome to keep in the stable , then put in one , or in both his ears a round stone , and shut the ears with both hands , and by this means he will become as tame as a lamb. it is also the duty of the carter too , carefully to rule his stone-horses and mares , that no mischance may befal them . and , though it is frequent to drive horses at some particular times into green meadows , and pure marsh-ground , yet the marsh-ground makes their hoofs and sight to grow tender , and causes them to get water in their feet . therefore i should think it would be better to let them feed upon the mountains , which are continually moist , and not alwaies dry ; and such as are not woody places , and are clear from stumps of trees . upon which ground there grows rather fine and sweet , than long , course , and hard grass . but , although the mare be not so stout and merry as the stone-horse , nevertheless , she doth exceed him in running , and holds it longer , and is not so chargeable to keep as the stone-horse . for she doth not eat any good hay , being for the most part contented with the meadows , that are good enough for her all the year long . 't is true , that in the winter , when the snow lyes upon the ground , and when much rain falls , you are obliged to put her into the stable ; and give her good hay ; and you must observe in summer-time , to keep her well provided with good grass , and clear waters , but never upon mountains , which are too rough and sharp for her ; first , because she hath but bad feeding there . secondly , because those that are big with foal , ought not to climb up the mountains , by reason they cannot go up without great labour , nor come down again without danger of aborting or mischieving themselves . you ought not to permit the mare to be covered by the stone-horse , but every second year , if you would keep a good generation ; and this not at any other time but about the middle of march , that the mare may in the same season of the year in which she was covered , feed her colt with fine and young grass after may. for at the end of eleven or twelve months the colt is brought forth . besides , then their milk encreases the faster , which occasions the bringing of the better colts , and such as prove according to your desire . when the stone-horse stays so long before he covers the mare , he is much stronger , and full of mature , and not thin running seed . besides , he then covers the mare with greater desire , and so engenders greater , stouter , and stronger colts . to know when a mare desires to be covered . you must know , that the mare is hot , and desires to be covered when she hath not any whitish slime upon her nature , and when her nature is more swollen , than it uses to be , and then she is more hot than ordinary , and eats not so much as before . and then you may set the stone-horse by her twice a day , to wit , in the evening , and in the morning before you water her ; and this no longer then 10 days , which being past , in case she desires the stone-horse no more , as being full , then set her alone , and lead the stone-horse away , that he may not hinder her from conceiving her by his hot and fiery humours . age of a stone-horse that covers a mare , and of a mare when she ought to be covered . the stone-horse which is to cover the mare , ought to be above three years old , and is fit for it till his twentieth year . though , the mare may be covered when she is two years old , and she may in her third year bring up her colt , and feed it well . but after she is ten years old , she is not so serviceable in that kind ; for , such horses as are broughr sorth by a cold mare , are not couragious , but dull and heavy . the stone-horse ought to be well fed towards the time that he is to cover the mare , against which time you must make him fat with barley , fitches and pease , that he may the better satisfie the mare . for the more merry and stronger he is in covering the mare , the stronger colts he will engender . if he is not stout nor merry , then rub the nature of the mare with a new and clean sponge , and rub the mouth of the stone-horse therewith . in case the mare will not suffer the stone-horse , then bruise a sea-onion , and rub her nature therewith , and that will heat her . colts of such colour as you fancy . if you will have the colt of such colour as you fancy , place before the eye of the mare , or throw over the mare a coverture of such colour as you desire , when she is covered by the horse . the quality of a mare to be covered . the mare , which you desire may have a good generation of colts , must not be under two years old nor above ten or twelve years , considering that being of a colder temper than the horse , she is also weaker ; she ought also to be handsome of body and pleasant to behold . the rump and the back broad , well fed , and such an one as hath not laboured long . mares that are full , not to be put to labour . when she is big she must be fed , and not put to labour , nor be left in the cold , but in the stable while it rains , to the end , she may go her full time without danger . how to order a mare that hath cast . in case the mare casts her colt before the time , then you must pound oak-fern , and give it her to drink ( mingled with lukewarm water ) through a horn ; but if she hath cast well , you may touch the colt with your hand gently , but a small pressure or blow will hurt & bruise it . as soon as she hath foaled in the stable , you must comfort her with a potion of lukewarm water mixt with salt and flower , giving it to her in the evening and morning ( at least ) for the space of three daies . next , you must give her good hay and grain sufficient and keep her clean with strowing , that she may afterwards rest at leisure . for this entertainment affords flesh to the colts and makes them strong . marks of a good colt. a good colt , horse , or stone-horse , is known by big bones , a good shape , a little head , and so dry or lean , that he hath scarce any thing but skin and bones ; that hath little sharp and streight ears ; great , swelling , black , and clean eyes ; very large nostrils ; thin and lean cheeks ; the mouth split alike on both sides ; the neck somewhat long and arch-like ; thin about the head , a short , broad back ; the main curled , thick and long , hanging down on the right side , a broad breast , standing out before , and full of muscles , great shoulders , round in the sides , double back , close tite belly ; the stones eaven and small , broad and sunk , or depressed members , a long tail , with thick and curled hair ; bigg-boned leggs , which are also dry , lean , and not loaden with flesh , but long and streight ; round and little knees , not turn'd inwards ; rough and round buttocks , big and long thighs , full of brawns and muscles , black hoof , hollow , round , and somewhat rais'd towards the knuckles , and of a small crown . in a word , such an one as is joyful , quick , pleasant , and neither vicious nor sick , ( for such are obedient and proper for labour ) such as is not stubborn , affrighted , greedy , nor lazy in eating , that does not dung much , nor lye down in the water . moreover , that your horse be of a bay-colour , dark-red , dapple-gray , or pale-colour , ( which is the best token of a strong or stout horse . ) and finally , to speak of the virtue and handsomeness of a horse , he ought to have the eyes , ligaments and limbs of an oxe , the strength and feet of a mule ▪ the hoofs and thighs of an ass , the throat and neck of a wolf , the ears and tail of a fox , the breast and main of a woman , the courage of a lion , the sight and agility of a serpent , the pace of a cat , the swiftness of a hare ▪ the s●…p or tread high , the trotting from the gallop easie and pleasant ; light 〈◊〉 running , quick and nimble in leaping , and docible at the hand . the age of a horse . the country-man ought also to have skill in knowing the age of the horse ▪ that he may let him work according to his strength : the age of the horse is discerned by his feet and hoofs , but most especially by his teeth . the teeth of the horse . the horse hath commonly eight and twenty teeth , although aristotle speaks of thirty : he begins to get teeth the first three months , and at the end of the year he has above and below on each side six teeth . after thirty months two alter above , and two below ; and within three years and an half he gets on each side four teeth more . when he is four years old the dogg teeth fall out , and in their places come other teeth . before the sixth year , the great cheek-teeth or eye-teeth fall out ; and within the sixth year others grow in their room . the same sixth year he hath all his teeth , which are altogether made hollow ; but after that time you cannot easily discern how old the horse is : in or about the twelfth year you may perceive a strange vnusuall blackness in the teeth , and observe , that the older an horse is , the longer his teeth grow , except sometimes when by overhard scrawnching or biting they shorten more and more . in the tenth year the temples of the head , begin to sink and grow hollow ; sometimes rhe eye-brows also grow gray , and then the horse shews in his fore-head a sad and sorrowfull countenance , hangs down his head , is heavy ; has pale eyes , and gray haire in many other places ; and this happens ordinarily to those of a bay colour , and chesnut brown , and such as come neerest to black . the speckled becomes white , the white turnes to dapple-gray , and sometimes a brownish colour . he has also many wrincles on the upper lipp , according to the number of which vsually the years of the horses age are counted . the curing of diseases in horses . further , it concerns the country man to be carefull of the health of his horses , which may live at least till twenty years of age and do good service all the while . if he findes them in good health , though lean , he is to give them kiln dried wheat , or twice as much bruised or pounded barley . he ought to rub them well over every day , in regard it does them much more good to be often rubbed and handled then to eat much . lean-horse . besides , a lean horse may be made fat with little kidney-beans boiled , mingled with oats ; but if the horse be so weak that he cannot swallow it down , then you must strengthen and comfort him with a good deal of the yolk of eggs , and sugar , which he must swallow downe . besides which , luke-warm water mingled with salt and flower of barley being given to the horse in the morning and at night , is an excellent thing to make him very fatt . likewise it is very good to give the horse fower times a day a little panick or rice , mingled with bean-flower and salt ▪ that he may not vomit up again which he takes . the country-man's guide . i. head-ach , staggers , and madness the great head-ach , and madness of a horse , is cured by continual rubing of ladies-mark & semel ( a kind of bread so called ) lettuce-blades cut small , and fresh straw mingled with it . you must also let him bleed out of the vein of the brains , or the temples , or of both , and put him in a dark and low stable . the signs of his having a pain in the head , you may observe by the water which drops from him , by the slack hanging of his ears ; and that his neck and head is heavy , and hanging downwards . ii. mad , or raging love. it falls out sometimes , that the mares are vexed with a kind of madness , viz. when they see their shape in beholding themselves in the water and grow so amorous thereof , that they forget to eat and to drink , and dry up with inward heat . the marks of this madness , are , that they run along the roads , as if they were pricked with spurs , often looking about , as if they did desire and seek something . they recover of this sickness , being led again to the water ; for when they behold therein , how ill-favoured they be , they forget the first shape which they did behold in the water . iii. coldness , or chilness in the head. a horse which has got a cold , or chilness , is cured by drinking the warm blood of a pigg , boyl'd with wine or mastick , and wine-root boiled with honey , or common oil , with pepper . he gets this distemper when he is put in a cold place , being hot and sweating ; insomuch that the sinews shrink , and the skin groweth hard ; therefore you are to place such a horse in a very hot place , well covered with a warm coverture , which reacheth to the ground ; and you are to lay under his belly seven or eight great hot stones , and to quench them oftentimes with warm water ; and this heat will cause him to sweat , and cure the distemper or glanders , &c. iv. rheume , catharre , glanders , or running of the nose . against the rheume or catharre , &c. take operment and brimstone beaten together , throw them upon burning coals , and let the smoak enter into the nostrils of the horse , to the end that the stiff humours which are in the brains , may dissolve and distill down . v. pin in the eye . the pin in the eye you must lift up with an ivory-needle , and then cut it clear off with a pair of small cissars : or take powder of a green agedeste , or rats-bane , and lay it upon the eye , that it may eat the nail . vi. webb in the eye . against the webb in the eye , or running eyes , the best remedy is an eye-water made of the juice of bittony , pounded in a wooden mortar , or the juice of housleek , or the blade of the herb celendine , pounded in a mortar , and laid thereupon with cold water , or rather with wine , after you have let the horse blood in the vein of the eye affected . these means you must continue to use many daies in the morning , and at night . you may also blow into the eye , through a quill , the powder of the grate of the fish called sepia , or whole seed of the herb rocket ; or lay thereupon the ear of a little lamb , until it hath by its vertue taken away the flesh , and cleansed it ; or the powder of the yolk of an egg , and salt burnt together , and put into the eye : or the powder of sal-armoniack , myrrh , saffron , and scraping of the grates of sepia . vi. watring of the eyes . watering eyes are cured by a medicine made of frankincense , myrrh , starch , and white-honey : or with a head lace made of frankincense and mastick , bruised small , and rubb'd with the white of an egg , and laid upon the forehead ; which being left thereupon a considerable time , the eyes will weep no more . then you must take off the band or head-lace , with warm water and oil beaten together . viii . pain in the eye . all pains of the eys are healed , if you chafe or anoint them with the juice of lambs-tongue and honey mixt together . ix . sore or wounded eyes . sore or wounded eyes are healed , by laying upon them a poultess of the crum of bread , moistened in fresh water , or roasted , or of boyled bread soaked in white-wine . but in case this will not help , then you must open the head or chief vein . x. eye-scarrs , or wounds . the scarrs or wounds of the eyes are healed with fasting-spittle and salt , if often anointed therewith : or by bruised grates of sepia , and melted salt : or by bruised seed of wild parsnips , being spread over the eyes in a linnen cloth. xi . flying worm . against the flying-worm , or worms in the nose ; you are to open the vein in the temples of the head ; make a deep hole under the throat with an hot iron ; put a tent therein , and lay flax therupon , which is made wet in the white of eggs , and let him thus stand resting in the stable for three daies . xii . tooth-ach the colt hath many times pains in his teeth and gums , when he begins first to get teeth , and then you must soak in strong vinegar , the best chalk that you can get , and rub the cheeks therewith outwardly ; and especially in that place where he feels the pain . xiii . canker ; or little bubbles or swellings of the tongue . the canker in the mouth , or under the tongue , which hinders the horse from eating , because the tongue is swollen , may be cured by causing him to eat pease and beans , or the husks or shells of the same ; for by the eating of them the botch or swelling goes away . but in case this distemper cometh again , then it must be drawn out of the hollowness of the palat , and then be cut off dextrously with a pair of cissars near to the palat. xiv . falling , or want of the palat. against the falling of the palat of the mouth ; take the flesh away with a thin little iron so far , that the humours may run out by degrees : next rub and cleanse the palat with syrop of roses mixt with the juice of lemon , and toasted cheese . xv. fever . the horse gets a fever generally when he is suddenly watered after he hath wrought very hard , which is almost like to the swelling in the neck , or the king's-evil : for the same happens as well to beasts as to men , by the great coldness of the water , when the throat is enflamed or heated , whereby the horse loses his stomach and rest , and his ears become cold . then you may immediately find remedy against this in this manner : lay the ear between the neck and the chine of the horse , and cut open the hardness , which is like a white sinew , the length-waies with a lancet ; take this white flesh off , and put therein a linnen cloth , which is made wet in the white of eggs , and cover the horse immediately with a horse-cloth , leading him backward and forward , till his ears grow warm again ; and give him a potion made of water , salt and flower : after he hath eaten some good hay , let him rest three daies , to foment the place , with things belonging thereto , for to stir the humours ; and afterwards lay thereupon a poultess of these things following . bird lime three ounces , barley-flower a convenient quantity ; being boiled together so long in red wine , to the grosness or consistency of a poultess : and when the matter or filth is gathered together , and is ready to break out , then you must prick it ; and when the matter is run out , put into the hollowness the lint or scrapings of linnen , made wet in water , oil and salt. this sickness must be cured immediately ; for if it continue long , then there is not any hope of recovery . xvi . squinacy , or swelling in the throat . the swelling in the throat , or squinacy , otherwise pain in the throat , and swelling of the tongue , requires first , letting of blood on the vein under the tongue , or of the palat ; and next , a fomenting of the whole mouth and tongue , with warm water ; next , an anointment of the gall of a bull , or of salt , and wine-stone , pounded in wine-vinegar . the potion you must make in manner following . take anniseeds , one ounce . old oil , two pound . red-wine , half a pint . fat figgs , of each nine . let it be all together soaked well , and make a decoction thereof , into which you must put rubbed saltpetre , and salt a convenient quantity ; strain it , and make it a potion . which you are to pour into the throat of the horse twice a day , to wit , in the morning , and at night about a pint . next , you must give him to eat , green barley , or barley-flower , with which you must mingle salt-petre ; if you let the horse bleed , it must be done in the palat of the mouth . xvii . waxen kernels , struma , choaking or strangling . the waxen kernel , struma , or choaking , which is engendred under the throat of the horse , and falls down from a cold brain , you are to prick him under the throat ; next to cover his head with a linnen cloth , and to rub often with sweet-butter the whole throat , especially the place where the swellings lye . xviii . distemper of the neck . against the distemper of the neck , pierce the flesh in five places on both sides of the throat with an hot iron , as sharp as an awl ; put into each hole an hoggs-bristle , and let the same stick therein for a whole fortnight . xix . galled neck . when the neck or the back is galled , by the pressing of the saddle , then you ought to lay upon the wound the leaves of black ( brionia . ) xx. crick in the neck . against the crick in the neck , wash the place with luke-warm wine , next lay some tow of flax dipt in the white of an egg. xxi . distemper of the lungs . against the distemper of the lungs , take a snake , cut off the head and taile , the rest cut into small pieces , and roast it on a spit ; gather together the fat or grease , that drops from the same , and use it against the distemper . xxii . pursiness , or short windness . the pursie , or short-winded horse , ro wit , which cannot well take his breath ; and though he is spurred and struck , he will not go on , but coughs very much , drawing his breath painfully : nay , in eating also he doth not cease from coughing . this distemper is very hard to be cured . it is true , as long as the distemper is new , and occasioned by dust of a dust-raising wind , or by eating any uncleanness in his forrage , there is some remedy against this distemper , to wit , the letting of blood on the shoulders , and by chafing or anointing the horse on the breast , and the back with the warm blood of the beast , mingled with wine and oil of elephant ; when you have continued that five daies together , then the five following daies , you must let him fetch through the nostrils , lye mingled with oil : next , give him to drink this potion , which is made out of the following kinds . take roast mustard-seed . living brimstone . paradise-corn ; of each a like convenient quantity , being pounded small , and boiled together in metheglin to a decoction . or make a thick composition thereof , and of that you must cause him every day to take as much as the bigness of a walnut , with thick red-wine , which is very good and excellent ; or make a potion of the following things . take galingal . ginger . clove , or july-flowers . cummin . fennil . eggs. saffron , a little mingled with wine ; of all take a convenient quantity for a potion . and pour it into the mouth of the horse , holding his head up high , that he may swallow it down the more easily , without permitting him to let his head fall down , at least for the space of a good half hour , to the end , that the potion may run through all his guts ; next give him green grass ; or reed , or willow leaves to eat to qualify the heat of the potion , but the horse must in the mean time eat nothing half a day before , or afterwards . next , lead the horse gently backwards and forwards with the halter : or mount upon him , and ride him gently , to the end , that he may not vomit up the potion . this is a means to heal a horse that is pursy and short-winded , if the distemper is not too old ; but if it be an old evil , then you may help it with brand-marks , and by cutting up the nostrills , for the heat of the fire , will hinder this shortness of breath , and cause the breath the better to enter in and to issue through the nostrills ; give him also often times grapes to eat , and sweet wine to drink . moreover , there is another excellent remedy , ( to wit ) a potion made of agaricus and fenugreek soaked in red wine : or the blood of a little dog , which is not above ten dayes old , the same being given the horse to drink : or the root of wild cucumbers , and gall nuts , pounded with honey-water , and making a potion thereof . xxiii . cough . the cough is occasioned by many reasons ; sometimes it proceeds from the lungs , and other parts of the body therabouts ; and sometimes out of other inward , and most low members , which have the operations ; there is not any thing better against this distemper , then the snipping or cutting of the nostrills of the beast . and in case , that he doeth not mend , then you ought to pour into his throat a good draught of this following potion . take fenigreek and flax-seed , of each a measure , gum-dragon , frankincense , myrrha , sugar . the bran of small pease , or fitches , of each an ounce , being all together bruised small and sifted . lay it a soaking a whole night in warm water . and the next day you must give the horse to drink thereof , according as has been said ; this you must continue , adding thereunto oil of roses , until he is well recovered ; some lay five whole eggs a mollifying for a whole night in strong vineger , and the next morning , when they observe that the shell is become soft , they cause the horse to swallow it down . farther , you ought never to bleed the beast in any place whatsoever ; but you must at the same time continue to give him gum dragon with sweet oil. xxiv . vlcers , or aposthumes of the breast . the ulcers or aposthumes of the breast cause horses to die immediately ; therefore as soon as the waxing kernell of the breast swells up , you must draw out the swelling without ceasing : but in case a vein breaketh thereby , then you are to tie both ends together with a silk thred , for the greater the swelling grows the more matter or filth it will gather together , and hasten his death . xxv . faintness . against the faintness and pain of the heart , it is good to keep the horse very warm and to give him this potion . take herb mercury a pound . gum-dragon 4 ounces . myrrh 2 ounces . bruised melilot 1 ounce . saffron half an ounce . fine frankincense a convenient quantity , all together pounded and mixt to a powder . which you are to keep for use , and at each time take oil of roses , two cruises ; water , half a pint ; of the aforesaid powder two good spoonfulls ; honey , two spoonfulls for a potion . this potion must be used for some dayes , untill the horse beginneth to mend . xxvi . over heated . you must give to the horse , that is heated , in the winter , ( through an horn ) the following potion . take red-wine , half a pint . oil , three ounces . but in the summer , take red wine , half a pint . oil , two ounces , for a potion . xxvii . the ague . you may know ( amongst other tokens ) that a horse hath the ague , when he can not make water , his ears cold hanging and stinking : the ague of an horse is cured by letting him bleed on the vein , which is found in the calf or thick part of the leg , 4 fingers or thereabouts under the buttocks , or else you may let him blood on the vein of the neck , and if you observe , that a potion is necessary , then you must squeeze juice out of an handfull of purslain , and mix it with gum-dragon , fine frankincense , and some few damask-roses , which give him to drink with a little metheglin , or honey-water . xxviii . venemous creatures swallowed down . in case the horse in eating hay or grass , hath swallowed down any venemous beast , as a spider , a certain kind of lizard , earth spider , snale , or dirt-grubber , ( buprestis ) then you must make him run , until he sweats , next you must bleed him on the palat , and let him swallow down the blood ; you must give him to eat boiled beans . xxix . lost appetite or stomach . if he hath lost his stomach , wash his mouth with vinegar and salt , and give him no forrage , nor oats , hay , chaff , or straw , but what is good . xxx . hen-dung swallowed . if the horse hath accidently swallowed down the dung of an hen , which brings gripings of the guts , then you are to use this following medicine . take dried ladys-mark , 2 ounces . honey and wine , a convenient quantity for a potion . give him this to drink , and then lead him backwards and forwards untill his belly beginneth to make a noise and rumble , and then he is clear from his malady . xxxi . cholick , or griping in the guts . against the cholick or griping in the guts . take black pepper , two ounces . the juice and the root of jews-ear . parsley . fenicle . marjoram , of each an ounce . sage , half an ounce . live-honey , about 2 quarts . boil it , scum it well , and make it of the bigness of an haslenut , to little cakes ▪ which you must give the horse to drink with good wine about half a pint . and on that day , when he hath the cholick , then take fennil-seed three or four spoonsfull , and with a convenient quantity of wine , you shall presently give it to the horse to drink , and then cover him and make him sweat well . xxxii . pain in the belly . against the griping , or pain in the belly ; you shall take tame , or wild rhue-seed , pound it very small , and with warm wine make a potion thereof ; you may also put therein cumin and fennil-seed , of each alike quantity ; next keep the horse warm , and well covered , in a close place ; but before you give him this potion , you must mount upon him , and ride him ( to and fro ) rather along high places , than upon eaven ground : and when he is in the stable again , then cover him with a good woollen cloth ; & if he grows cold again , then you must anoint his fundament with oil , until it is heated , and breaks wind . farther , it would do well also , to put a rod which is thick enough , and half a foot long into his fundament , well anointed with common oil , and made fast to the trunk of the fundament that it cannot go out , and then mount upon the horse , and ride him to and fro . you must also give him to eat that which is of a warm nature , and let him drink water , boiled with cumin and fennil-seed , of each a like quantity , adding thereunto wheaten-meal a sufficient quantity , and in a close place keep him warm and well covered . xxxiii . obstruction or oppilation . the obstruction or oppilation is cured by potions and clysters : the potion must be thus : give him daily powder of wild rhue , with the seed , soaked in good red wine . or take anise-seed , and the juice of poppeys , and flower-de-luce root , a convenient quantity : this all together being well pounded and beaten small , you must add some sugar-candy . red-wine , half an ounce . oil of olives , of each three ounces for a potion . this you must give him at three times , for three daies one after another . or a glister made after this manner . take marsh-mallows . and cashe , 2 ounces . juice of flower-de-luce a convenient quantity adding thereunto oil of bay-berries . wine and rhue , of each 3 ounces . pigeon-dung . salt-petre , of each an ounce for a clyster . after the clyster is applied , you must lead the beast gently to and fro . some horse-coursers have found this following receipt to be good in this distemper . take honey , nine spoonfulls . pepper-corns , nine . hares-dung , a sufficient quantity , adding thereunto a decoctum of fitches ; or red-colworts , as much as is requisite for a portion . xxxiv . falling of the fundament . if the fundament be faln , take fine bruised salt , spread it upon the hinder-gut , and put it between the rupture ; next take a piece of bacon , and put it therein , in the form of a stick , pell , and lay thereupon mask , or mallows , until it is healed . xxxv . worms . against the worms , give the horse to drink water , in which rye has been boiled ; or with some brimstone amongst bread ; or burnt ashes of the wood of olive-tree : or take powder of dry wormwood ; with the seed , raw lupinum of each an equal quantity ; being all together mingled in white wine for a potion . for to give it to the horse at three several times . after these three daies , you must make a clister of these following things . take of wormwood and rhue a convenient quantity . adding thereunto two ox-galls , straining them . alloes , one ounce ; for a clister . xxxvi . flux , or looseness of the belly . against the flux , or looseness of the belly , there a is very good certain potion made of powder of gall-nuts , with white wine and starch mingled together : or , in case that the looseness is occasioned by cold , then give the horse to eat sops soaked in red-wine , and rose-water . farther , anoint his loins and belly with claret-wine , oil , and a little salt mixt . xxxvii . bloody-flux . against the bloody-flux , which is occasioned by the forrage , let the horse bleed on the vein of the shoulder ; next , make a decoction of wheat , with unsalted grease , and powder of dry granado's skales ; strain it , and make a potion thereof , and give the horse thereof to drink every morning , and let him not work all the time . likewise , you must make a plaister to lay upon the back , & on the loins , of a thousand-knot , ( an herb so called ) bolus , and the blood of the sick beast , with strong vinegar , or course claret mixt therewith . xxxviii . jaundise . in the jaundise , this following potion is a special remedy . take tares ; and the seed of ladies-mark , one pound . let it boil together with hops and good honey , a sufficient quantity well stirred and mingled together for a potion . give him of this to drink for eight daies together , every day half a pint . xxxix . stoppage of vrine . in case the horse cannot make water , which appears by the swelling of the bladder , and round about the yard , then you must give him to drink a pottage made of these following ingredients . take one pint of white-wine . the white of ten eggs mixt with pushed garlick a convenient quantity . or the juice of red cabbage , or coleworts , mingled with white-wine . in the mean time you are to withhold from him all oats and barley , and to feed him with hay only , and such herbs as are convenient , according to the season of the year , if you can get them . farther , it will be good to put into the sheat , through which the piss passeth , a remedy or physick made of honey that is boiled with sugar , or a living fly , louse , or wood-louse ; or a little piece of frankincense , and to lay upon the 〈…〉 and reins , oil mingled with wine ; or to annoint the yard with pounded wormwood boiled in vinegar ; and also to pour a pail of cold water upon his stones . these means are good , when the piss has burnt the aforesaid parts . xl. difficulty in making water . against difficulty in making of water , it is an approved remedy , to take five or nine spanish-flyes , that are whole , wraping them up in a linnen cloth , which you must bind fast on the thighs of the horse , and happen what will , you must let it lye thereupon a long while , for that promotes the urin ; but you must have a care that you do not give it to the horse to drink , when it is beaten to powder , nor in clysters . it is good also to rub his stones with a decoction of an herb called cresses , or nose-smart , pellitory of the wall , and garlick . xli . strangury . against the strangury , or difficulty in making water , look before sect. 39. of the inability of making water . xlii . wolf , or over growing of the flesh . against the she-wolf , the growing and over-growing of the flesh , which grows under the belly of the horse , you are to cut the place , and to prick it with a lancet , and next to anoint it in the morning , and at night , with an ointment of white mallows ( dialthea . ) xliii . rupture prevented . against bursteness or rupture , farriers say that there is not any better remedy ▪ than this following . take ashes of vine-branches or olives , seven ounces . oil of olives . honey . the juice of plantain , of each three ounces . fresh butter . rhue , of each one ounce . onion bruised or pounded with white wine , or decoction of cicero , a convenient quantity mingled . which will serve to give the horse at three divers times , on three several daies together . xliv . rupture cured . if the horse is burst or broken by being over-laden , and too much burdened , then lay upon his loins a plaister which is made of these following ingredients . take pitch . powder of bolus . sanguis draconis . mastick , fine frankincense , of each an ounce for a plaister . you must lay the plaister hot upon the sore part , and let it lie thereupon , until it falleth it self , when you touch it , for then the horse is well again . xlv . biting of the spider-mouse . the spider-mouse ( mus francus ) oftentimes by his biting kills an horse . it is a creature as big in body as a mouse , of colour like a little weasel , of a long back , and of a short tail , it takes especially hold of the stones , and makes four small wounds ; thus to cure the venemous biting , you must immediately pour into the nostrils of the horse , bruised or pounded laurell or bay-leaf , with water , and lay upon the biting or wounded place pounded cumin and garlick , but if it swelleth , then you must foment the piace with pickle or with a decoction of myrrh , and spread thereupon powder of burnt barley , or shells of pomgranat . look also in the 23 chapter of the ox or cow. xlvi . swoln codds . against the swelling of the cods , make a poltis of strong white wine vinegar and salt , anoint there-with the stones twice a day . xlvii . warts in the feet . against the hard knobs or warts on the feet by much going , lay thereupon green cabbage or coleworts , with old grease or suet of hoggs , and mount on the horse , ride him gently , and the physick will penetrate and heal the part affected . lxviii . chaps in the feet . the chaps in the feet are cured , by burning the same , with a round hot iron at the ends : for this burning hinders the chap from growing bigger . next you must anoint them with bacon , washed in divers waters ▪ or with oil of bay-berries mixt with vinegar , mastick , frankincense , and the yoalk of an egg. xlix . of old swellings . against hard and old swellings , make an ointment of these things following . take rosin , and wax , of each a pound . ammoniack , and black pitch , of each half a pound . galbanum , two ounces of common oil , a sufficient quantity , which being mingled altogether , make it to a searcloth , and lay it on the part grieved . l. bruised back . when the horse is hurt on the back by the saddle , or otherwise , open it first , and lay thereupon for three daies together tow or flax dipped in the white of eggs ; but if the pace is swoln and hardned , then you may cure it with colewort , pellitory , wormwood , bear-foot , or southernwood bruised and boiled together with fresh or unsalted grease , and laid upon the wounded place . li. galled-back . against a galled back . take two onions , boil them in water for a decoction . this you are to put as hot as the horse can suffer it , upon the sore part , and all the swelling will go away in one night . or otherwise : take beaten salt , mingled with vinegar and yoalks of eggs , and therewith anoint it : or wash the place with white wine vinegar , and lay thereupon fine lime mingled with honey , continuing these remedies so long till the flesh is grown again ; and the bones are covered therewith again ; & that the hair may grow again , bruise burnt shells of hasle-nuts , and mingle them with oil , and anoint the place therewith . lii . biting of flyes . to preserve horses ( in hot weather ) from the biting of the flyes , you must rub their hair with the juice of courd-blisters . liii . to drive away the flyes . you may also drive away the flyes from the ulceration , if you lay thereupon pitch and oil , or grease mingled and melted together , and spread thereupon pease-flower . liv. stiffness in the joints . when a horse hath either strained or stiffened his joynts , he may be cured with the same remedy , which is mentioned before in the healing or curing of faintness . sect. 25. lv. broken loins . against broken loins , and straining of the same ; see what hath been said in reference to the cure of the bloody flux . sect. 37. lvi swelling of the flank . when the horse is sick , his rump and whole body being swoln , by eating of bad oats or hay , you must make him this potion . take the innermost stomach-skins of three chickens , let them be well dried in an oven ; break them to pieces , and add thereto fine powder of frankincense , one ounce ; pepper , half an ounce ; honey , four spoonfuls , with half a pint of luke-warm wine mingled for a potion . let the horse drink this to mollifie his belly , give him through a pipe that is somewhat thick and long , a clyster of the decoction of the herb mercury , pellitory , and other mollifying herbs adding thereunto honey , oil sage , and salt. this done , anoint the belly with oil , let the horse be rubbed behind by two men with a round staf or cudgell , then mount upon him , and let him trot gently a long while , not only until he be rid of his clyster , but also of his dung , and then he will soon recover again and be freed from his pain . lvii . scabby , or mangy . against the scab , you must let him bleed out of the limbs that are convenient for that , and near the place , where the evil lyes . it will be necessary to purge the horse with powder of will cucumber-roots , mixt with salt-petre and given the horse with wine through a horn : this physick being oftentimes taken , purges away the bad humours ; for an outward physick or remedy , take sulphur vivum , or living brimstone , tar and jews-gum ( asphaltum ) break and mingle these matters in fresh-boiled butter : with this ointment you must oftentimes let him be anointed all over the body , in the greatest heat of the sun , except you will rather use this following medicine . take rosin-pitch . bird lime ; or cum , of each four ounces . strong vinegar , about a pint , mingle it well together , to an ointment ; with mans urine and luke-warm water . adding thereunto fresh or unsalted grease ; and old oil , of each three ounces ; make it to an ointment or a searcloth . lviii . sinew-struck . sinew-struck , is when the knees or joints be wrenched , or out of joint by running in a desert place ; and that the horse hath set his foot wrong upon the ground ; and this is cured with an ointment , made of these following ingredients . take hoggs-grease or suet , 4 ounces . fenigreek . flax-seed , of each one ounce . boil this together , until it is much lessened , and grown thick for an ointment . if you should think it to be better first to wash the horse all over or to foment him with piss and lukewarm water , and then chafe him with a chafing ointment : the juice of coliander-seed , adding thereto vinegar and tar and wax is an excellent remedy against this evil . and forget not that you chafe and smear him alwayes against the lying of the hair . besides , there is another special remedy against this , to wit , first to curry the scabby place til it bleeds , and next to wash it with a lye of the following ingredients . take ashes of ashen-tree , 3 ounces , beans 2 ounces lime 1 ounce , not boiled but soaked to a lye , wash the place therewith . after the washing , you must chafe the place with an ointment , made of allom , coalts-foot , hellebore , quick-silver , brim-stone and hogs-grease , or suet. lix . swoln knees . against swollen knees . take burnt copper , half a pound . bolus ( synople ) a conv . quantity ▪ salt , a little , melted in a pint of strong vinegar . lx. cleft and wounded knees . when the knees are cleft & wounded . take common oil. flax-seed . burnt rye-straw ( of each a sufficient quantity ) mingle it together to an ointment ; and to anoint the wound therewith in the morning , and at night , till it is healed . lxi . overgrowing of the knee pan . against the over-grown bone , or the over-growing of the knee-pan , you must first cut off the hair ; and lay thereupon bruised and boyled roots of white mallows , next put a plaister thereupon made of mallow-roots , mustard-seed and oxe-dung being altogether boyled in vinegar . lxii . farcions , or leprosie of the leggs . for to cure the leprosy of the leggs , you must first cut off the hair , and then for four daies continually , in the morning , and at night chafe the place with juniper-oil ; in the mean time , the horse must not be rid to the water , before the hair is is grown again , besides it may be cured by a long and oblique burning of an hot iron . another way to heal this evill , is to take roots of white thistle cut in small slices and being given to the horse , to eat amongst his oats he will without doubt be well and recover again within a fortnight or three weeks at least . this means is very easy , and so much the more because the horse eats it heartily . lxiii . chaps between the joints & leggs . against the chaps , which appear between the joynts of the leggs and the claws of the feet ; you must cut off the hair , and wash the place with wine , next chafe it with an ointment made of soot of a chimney , and spanish green , bruized and boyled together , at last adding thereto lime , as much as is requisite , but if the chaps be too deep , then burn them . lxiv . string-halt . the string-halt is thus healed ▪ cut the skin ; after the length of the hair , and according to the bigness of the wound , lay a little cloth thereupon dipped in wine , and spread thereupon powder of spanish-green , until they be lxv . mallender . the mallender must after the hair is cut off , be washed with a decoction of mallows , sheep-grease , and brimstone , and then the relick or remainder to be laid thereupon : when it is taken off again , you must make an ointment of , of this following . take gum-arabick . turpentine . new wax , of each a like quantity , mingled together a convenient quantity to an ointment . lxvi . spavin . against the spavins appearing within the knee-ham , you must let the great vein of the thigh swell up , and to tap blood out of the same , burn it in the length and breadth , and heal , in such manner as hereafter will be said concerning the overgrowing of the hoof of an horse . lxvii . biting of a mad dog. against the biting of a mad dog , this is an excellent remedy , at least before the 9 days , take henbane-seed burnt and mingled with old hogs-grease , and laid upon the biting , or the same being bruised mixt with old wine and and given the horse to drink . like-wise eglantine or sweet briar root pounded small , and spread over the wound , or given to drink with good old wine . likewise elder-berry or seed or juice of elder-leaves , or of ash-tree . lxviii . biting of a water-snake . against the biting of water-snakes , take a living cock split asunder in the midst of the belly , and lay it warm upon the wound , and then immediately you must give the horse a potion of strong wine yellow lilly powder and salt : or roots , leaves and fruits of wild vine burnt to ashes , and apply it with good white wine , or take immediately a kind of wild bugloss which is called echium , squeeze a pint of juice thereout . after it is aspersed with white wine or carduus benedictus water , in case you see that the leaves give not juice enough , then pour what you have into the mouth of the horse , next take the pressings out of which the juice is prest , and put it and bind it upon and about the biting . lxix . ringbone . if your horse have the ringbone wash it with strong vinegar , then spread thereupon very fine powder of opement arsenicum , and unquenched lime , being burnt together in a pot to ashes . lxx . fistula . against a fistula , make use of the last medicine , burn it , and put therein a remedy of unslack'd lime , until the crust falls out . lxxi . overgrowing of the hoofs . against the overgrowing of the hoofs burn it and cut it length-ways and side-ways , and put therupon a poultess pap of fresh cow-dung , fried over the fire with oil ; lay this once thereupon and order then the horse in like manner , as hath been before directed for the healing of overgrowing bones , sect. 61. lxxii . figg . against the fig ▪ you must cut the horn of the foot , so far , till there be convenient room , between the hoof and the fig , then lay thereupon a sponge , tie it fast , untill the form of the remainder of the fig , be eaten away . lxxiii . founders . against the founders , or overgrowing of the hoof , called by french javard . take old onions . cabbage or coleworts blister . garlick and pepper , of each a convenient quantity for a plaister or poultess , and lay it thereupon . lxxiv . pricking with a nail . when the horse is prickt with a nail , then you must draw out the nail , and cleanse and wash the ulcer or wound , and drop thereinto melted brimstone , or fill it with an ointment made of the following ingredients . take honey . oil. grease . turpentine . wax , and ( salt of each a sufficient quantity , being melted all together to an ointment . and when it is very hot , dip some cotton therein : or lay upon the wounded place within in the nail of the foot , leaves of wool-blade rubbed or beaten between two stones . but if the pricking of the nail is one or two days old , then you must hold the foot of the horse in salted warm water , & bind upon the foot a plaister made of bread or crumbs of bread , hogs-grease , and salt water , or small buised salt and strong vinegar ; or powder of gall , mastick , or myrtle , next put the horse shooe on again , and fill the whole hole of the , foot with hoggs grease ( letting it drop therein and thereupon ) and let it be shut up as is necessary ; and let the horse be shod again , likewise fill the place of the nail with pitch , and chafe it oftentimes with hogs-grease as before . now to keep the hoof in its strength lay upon it a plaister of boiled mallows , bruised and mingled with honey and crums of bread , put in the hole of the foot the herb salendine , and shepherds-purse , and thereupon bind the dung of the same horse . lxxv . limping or halting . in case the horse limps or halteth , because the sinews are shrunk . take rhue . bird-lime , of each a pound . copperas . white-lead of each half a pound make thereof an ointment . lxxvi . the wolf , or boils and knobs of the foot. against the shee-wolf , or boils or knobs on the foot ; you must open them when you see they are full of matter , and then lay upon the sore or ulcer a plaister of goose-dung , wine , white-wine vinegar and salt ; having great care that there do not remain any bad matter in the bottom . lxxvii . scabbiness , scurviness , or kibe-heels . against the scabbiness or scurviness , which is called scratches on the heel ; take off the skin , and chafe the place with an ointment of the following ingredients . take vinegar . rhenish turpentine . new wax . rhue of each . boil it together to an ointment . lxxviii . over-stepping . in case the horse steping over with his hinder feet , hurts his forefeet , then you must cut off the hair of the wounded place , rub it with salt , and bind thereupon a plate of lead ; afterwards take it off , and wash the place with wine . the country mans directory shewing the severall places in the body of an ox or cow where the severall diseases vsually happen a table of several diseases incident to the oxe or cow , with relation to the printed cut or portraiture of an oxe in the 65 page of this book . 1. diseases in the horn , or wearied horns . 2. scaled horns . 3. split horns . 4. broken horns . 5. hairs standing upright . 6. lice or tickets . 7. scab , itch , or mange . 8. eating sore in the neck . 9. aposthumes . 10. boils or mattering vlcers . 11. hide-bound on the legs . 12. hide-bound on the ribs . 13. bewitched . 14. head-ach , or pain in the head. 15. humour or rheum . 16. swollen eyes . 17. weeping eyes . 18. running eyes . 19. sharp tears . 20. mattering eyes . 21. dark eyes . 22. nail of the eyes . 23. spots or webs in the eyes . 24. white on the eye . 25. wart upon the eye-lids . 26. falling of the pallate , or swollen pallate . 27. cleft or split tongue . 28. knobs under the tongue . 29. carnils under the tongue . 30. swelling in the throat . 31. to prevent imposthumes in the neck . 32. the neck bruised . 33. the neck deprived of skin . 34. the neck deprived of hair. 35. hardened neck . 36. swollen neck . 37. shoulder out of joynt . 38. crumpled or shrunken shoulder . 39. disease in the lungs . 40. the same . 41. cough . 42. difficult taking of breath . 43. slow or lasie . 44. weariness . 45. ague . 46. beating of the heart . 47. stomach lost . 48. horse-leech swallowed down . 49. swallowing of grubs . 50. dublone . 51. pain of the belly . 52. griping in the guts ( cholick . ) 53. obstruction , or opilation . 54. loosness and bloody flux . 55. spoiled arse-guts . 56. pain of the loins . 57. pain of the reins , inflamation . 58. inflamation of muscles . 59. pissing of blood. 60. vnableness of making water . 61. stone of the bladder . 62. stone of the yard . 63. hardned yard . 64. swollen cods . 65. limping or lame . 66. leg out of joynt , or wrinched . 67. broken leg. 68. biting of serpents . 69. stinging of the hornet . 70. kibe on the heel . 71. swollen foot. 72. crumped foot. 73. foot out of joynt , or wrinch●… foot. 74. wounded foot. 75. wounded claw . 76. broken claw . 77. loose claw . 78. claw fallen off . of the cow and calf . touching the cow and calf , it is to be noted in the first place , that the cow ought not to be suffered to come to the bull before she is in her third year , and not longer : for if you let her be covered before , she will not be able to grow to her full strength and bigness , but will bring forth small and weak calves . likewise , if you let her be covered after twelve years , the calf will not be so strong nor so well made . the most proper times for the cow to be covered in , are may and hay time , when the herb is in its best force and vigour . for at this time generally she desires the bull most ; which you may observe , when the claws of her feet are swollen , and also by her continual lowing . if the cow is covered about this time , she will cast her c●… about ten moneths afterwards ; abo●… which time the new grass will coming forth , which will renew h●… milk ; and tend to the better nourishing of the calf . that the cow ma●… the better conceive , you must lea●… her lean to the bull , though on th●… contrary , the bull ought at the sam●… time to be fat and well knuckled , o●… full of joynts . the bull also ought t●… be rather long than tall , of red hair●… broad shoulders , thick bones , small body ( yet round ) broad breast , short head , broad forehead , black eyes short horns , long and rough tail in case the cow will not admit the bull , or that the bull desires her not ▪ you may create them an appetite , by holding before their nostrils burnt harts-tail , or by using another mixture , which we shall take notice of in chap. 28. concerning the horse . during the time that the cow is full , you must keep her from leaping over ditches , and from running through hedges or bushes of thorns or bryers : besides , you must keep her a while in the cow-house before she casts , with good fodder , without milking her at any time ; for the milk which she then gives is not good , but becomes as hard as a stone . you must take special care to give her very clear water , which she loves as much as a horse loves muddy thick water ( for you must observe by the way , that ●…tis a token of a good horse when he stirs the water with his fore-foot ) before he drinks . of the calf . now concerning the young calf ; you must leave it by the cow after she has cast with a good strewing of fresh straw , renewing it often for five or six days together , at which time you may remove the calf to another place , and carry it to the cow from time to time to suck . but if you find that the calf will not suck ; but bubbles with the teat , not being able to draw milk , you must look under the tongue , and if you find there a whitish fleshly substance growing over the tongue , much like to the pip , you must cut it off without wounding the tongue , with small well cutting cissers , and wash the place with water and salt , and well bruised garlick broken , which always prevents the death of the calf , without which remedy the calf often dies of this distemper . you ought also to be very careful in driving away the lice which trouble the calf and hinder his growth , as doth the scabs , which is occasioned thereby , which may be easily discerned when the skin wrinkles . these two distempers are cured by annointing the calf with butter , and will wholly be prevented , if you rub the calf twice a day with a handful of straw , and do not suffer his piss to lie under him . and you must be sure to keep him with fresh strewing , keeping his dung from him . when to geld a calf . the calf must be gelt in the morning before he goes into the field , and before he is two years old , and not later ; for this is the best time for his growing large . when the calf is gelt , you must give him hay chopt or cut small , mingled with bread , until he gets his former appetite . you ought not to geld him in the extremity of hot or cold weather , or in the decrease of the moon . marks of a good cow. as for the cow , she ought to be of a middle size , viz. long of bigness , broad rump , black hair , or speckled , or with white and black spots ; the winde-pipe great and hanging down , of a great belly , broad forehead , black and great eyes , the horns not short nor thin , but even and black , rough ears , hollow cheek-bone , great mouth , open and dropping nostrils , hanging down lips , long thick neck , broad shoulders , with a long tail to her heels ; small short , and even claws on the feet : broad breast , great and long teats . concerning the oxe . the oxe is inclined to as many distempers as the horse ; and to preserve him from the most common distempers , the ancients did purge him at the end of each season of the year , for three days together ; some with lupin and berries of cyprus pounded together , and soaked one night under the blew heaven , in spring-water : others with drugs , according to the custom and diversity of the countries . you may understand that he is sick when he eats nothing , although he hath much fine fodder lying before him . there is nothing better thus to cleanse the most inward parts and to purge him , than to let him often eat the remainder of olives , out of which the oyl has been prest . all kind of sicknesses . assoon then as you see the oxe to be sick , of what sickness soever it be , then you must give him the following purge made of sea-onion , rhamnus and common salt boiled in water , and make it luke-warm with the same water . but you must neither give him to eat nor to drink , before this purge hath done its oporation . but to preserve him the whole year along from sickness , you must give him in the beginning of the spring , of the summer , harvest , and the winter , a potion made of leaves of capers and cypess soaked in water , and let it stand one night a soaking in a pot , and continue this for three mornings . all sorts of pain . against all outward pain , wheresoever it be in the body , which disables the beast from going or acting with ease , you must foment the place , and lay thereupon a poltis of cammomlie , flax-seed , and the hetb melilot . 1. wearied horns . if the horns of the oxe are wearied by drawing , then to comfort them , is by force to make the horn fast in its place , and next annoint it , as also the uppermost parts of the head , for five or six days together , with an ointment of bruised cumin , turpentine , honey , and bolus armenius , being all together mingled and boiled . next you must wash the horn with a decoctum of wine , wherein a good deal of sage and lavender has been boiled . 2. scaled horns or , 3. split horns . in case the horn is scaled , then you must foment it first with vinegar , salt , and oyl , mixt together ; and next lay thereupon old melted hogs grease or suet , and new pitch , or annoit him with this on the wounded place for five or six days , and then the horn will grow soft , and the clefts will go away . 4. broken horn. in case his horn is broken , then take turpentine 6 ounces , gum arabick one ounce ; boil this to an ointment , and rub with this the horn round about for ten or twelve days together , which time being expired , bruise common bolus , mingled with the white of eggs , and spread it upon the tow or flax , and lay it upon the wounded place , and let it lie thereupon for three days together : thus when the tow begins to dry , then take it off , and spread in the place bruised sage , and the horn will be healed . 5. hair standing upright . when the hair of the oxe or cow stands upright over the whole body , and he is not so merry as he uses to be , but of a sad look , his neck hanging downwards , his mouth foamy , having a heavy gate , the back-bone and also the whole back stiff , eating without stomach , and chewing but little . this sickness may be cured in the beginning , but being inveterate , it can in no wise , or at least very seldom be helped . for which cure take sea-onion , or wild-onion , and cut small roots of mellons bruised , of each three ounces , course salt three handfuls , let it be soaked in a pot of strong wine , or in vinegar , to a potion . of this you may give the oxe or cow every day half a pint . 6. lice or ticks . against lice or ticks , you must use a decoctum of wild olives and salt , and take away the little blisters which he has under his tongue . 7. the scab , itch or mange . the scab , itch , or mange , is cured with common oyl , and oyl of olives mingled together , or take oxe-gall , the powder of living brimstone , myrrhe , oyl , and vinegar , with some plum-allum , being rub'd small and mingled together . or chafe him with his piss , with old salt-butter , with turpentine , or with white rozen melted in white wine . 8. eating sore in the neck . against an eating sore ; or ( scab ) rub him with bruised garlick , with powder of brimstone and vinegar , with broken gall-nuts , or with white andoren , mixt with soot . 9. aposthumes or sores . in case he hath aposthumes or sores , then you must annoint them with brused mallow in white wine ; also upon the sore parts , unless there be great reason to the contrary : it is likewise very good to lay small bruised powder of gall-nuts ; likewise the juice of andoren is very good in this case , being mixt with the soot of an oven . 10. boils or mattering vlcers . boils or ulcers are made ripe with leaven , lilly-root , with sea-onion and vinegar , letting him blood and cleansing him with his warm piss , putting therein wicks dipt in tar ; all which spread upon a linnen cloth which has lain in the grease of goats or of oxen , and lay it to the part affected . 11. hide-bound on the legs . if the skin sticks to the bones , then you must foment it , either with wine alone , or such as is mixt with oyl . 12. hide-bound on the ribs . in case he is too lean , that the skin seems to cleave to the ribs , then foment his hide , against the grain of the hair , with wine and oyl in a warm place , or in the sun ; next annoint him with the dregs of wine and hogs suet , being mixt together into an ointment . 13. bewitched . the oxe and cow is often bewitched , as well as the horse , the signs of this are , that he is melancholly , grows dry and lean ; therefore you shall give him in through the nostrils jews gum brimstone , juniper-berries , being all together soaked and broken in warm water . 14. head-ach . against head-ach , bruise garlick in wine , and let him draw that up through the nostrils , next foment the whole head with a decoctum of laurel , lavender , mariblam , or margelins nuts , and rue blisters sodden in wine . 15. humour or rheum . when he contracts any humour or rheum , because of superfluity of flegm or snot , which is apparent when his eyes run , and that he has no stomach , and lets his ears hang down , then wash his mouth with rhue bruised in white wine , or rub his mouth with garlick and small beaten salt , and wash it next with wine : some cleanse these flegms with bruised laurel-leaves , and the rinds of granat-apples ; others put into his nostrils myrrhe and wine . 16. swollen eyes . against swollen eyes , put upon them a plaister of wheaten-meal , mixt with honey , or honey-water . but if they are swollen with humour or rheume ; then let him blood under the tongue , and pour into him well cleansed juice of ladies mark , sage and savin , or against bad swollen eyes , make an eye-water of bruised wheat mingled with honey-water . 17. weeping eyes . against weeping eyes and moistness , that drops upon his cheeks , take pap of wheaten-meal , and make thereof a plaister for to lay upon the eyes . against this distemper also wild parsnips being bruised with stalk and root together , and mixt with honey for to annoint the eyes therewith , is very effectual . 18. running eyes . against running eyes , blow into them fine bruised copperas , or vitriol and thutia . 19. sharp tears . against sharp tears ( epiphorae ) of the eyes , that is , that the oxe hath but his half sight ; whether it be in one or in both eyes , you must let him blood under the eyes , and the sight will be bettered ; but you must continually drop honey into his eyes , until he is perfectly cured . 20. mattering eyes . against eyes that matter like a wound , which happeneth by continual humour , which fall down from the brains , take saffron and fine frankincense , of each two ounces , myrrhe one ounce , break it in rain water , and mingle it to an eye-water . 21. dark and cloudy eyes . in case he hath a dark and cloudy eye , then blow into it fine powder of cinnamon , sugar-candy , and of dried bones . 22. shales or nail of the eyes . against the shales or nail of the eyes , you must make him an eye-water of stone-salt ( sal armoniack ) soaked in honey ; or annoint also the eyes with a mixture of oyl of olives and pitch , being well incorporated , to prevent the danger of flies which are apt to come about the honey . 23. spots or webs in the eyes . against spots or webs in the eyes , which is nothing but a superfluity , which through great cold or long continuance , grows upon the eyes , in which there is a humour , which is called waterish ; upon which swimmeth one , which is somewhat glassie . to cure this distemper , take ardtvel and pound it long in a woodden mortar , and annoint the eyes with the juice which comes out from it . but if you cannot get that , then take the leaves and berries of straw-berries , and make thereof juice as before : continue with one of these remedies in the morning and at the evening for many days together , then the spots shall decrease and go away . and observe that you do instead of water take wine thereto , it would be better and more convenient . 24. white on the eyes . against the white on the eyes , put a plaister thereupon of chrystal salt ( sal gemmae ) and mastick pounded small , and mixt on the eyes together with honey , continuing the same often times . 25. warts upon the eye-lids . in case he hath warts upon the eye-lids , then foment the place with the gall of any beast whatsoever , or ( which is better ) cut the warts off with a pair of cissers , or take them off with a thread tied on stiff ; next annoint the place with alloes , vinegar , and gall , boiled together . 26. swollen pallate , or falling of the pallate . if the pallate is swollen , then you must open it immediately with a lancet , or red-hot iron , to the end that the corrupted blood may run out ; next give him some herbs , and often hay to eat : but if it is so swollen , that he loses his stomach and his taste , and is often sick , then you must open the vein of the pallate , and not give him any thing to eat but garlick which is peelled , bruised , and soaked with leaves or other green , until he recovereth . 27. split tongue . if the tongue is split beneath , then annoint the cleft twice a day with an ointment of alloes , rock-allum , and honey of roses , being mixt together . next wash it with wine , wherein sage and other drying herbs are boiled . 28. knobs under the tongue . if the oxe has a little knob which is fleshy under the tongue , then you must cut it off , and next rub the place with salt and garlick pounded together , then wash his mouth with wine , and with little tongs take gently away the small worms which begin to come under the tongue . 29. carnils under the tongue . in case he has carnils under his tongue , and is much swollen , then open it with a fiery-hot iron , or sharp lancet , next rub it with salt and oyl , until the bad humour is run out , at last give him to eat some young herbs . 30. swollen almonds . against the swelling of the throat , which is occasioned by a cold brain , cover the head with some coverture , and rub oftentimes the whole throat with fresh butter . 31. to prevent imposthumes in the neck . if the neck is swollen , and you are affraid of a swelling with matter and filth , then open it with a red hot iron , and put into the hole the root of hogs-bread , of nettles , renewing oftentimes the same ; it is very necessary in this case , that you give him to drink a good cruce full of a decoctum of italian ...... and let him bleed . 32. bruised neck . if the neck is hurt , swollen , and hanging down , then let him blood at one of his ears ; but if it is in the midst of both ears , lay upon the swelling a plaister of melted oxe marrow , and cocks-grease , of each half an ounce in oyland tar , or melted pitch , and rub the swollen parts with the sword of bacon , whereon there is not any fat , and is of a barrow hog , being warmed a little , continuing it five or six mornings together . 33. neck deprived of skin . if his neck be deprived of skin , put upon it a plaister of oxe-marrow , taken out of the thigh-bones , rue and the grease of a buck , and hogs-suet , of each an ounce , being melted and mixt together . 34. neck deprived of hair. if his neck is deprived of hair , and bare , then annoint the place with this following ointment , take honey six ounces , mastick four ounces , boil them together to an ointment . 35. hardened neck . if his neck is hardened , let him stand some days without labouring , in the mean time you must annoint the hard place with an ointment of butter , oyl , bacon , and new wax , of each an ounce , being melted and mixt together . 36. swollen neck . if his neck be swollen , then make him an ointment of alaud-roots , that are pounded and boiled in raw honey bucks or sheep-rue , hogs-suet , new wax ; annoint the neck with this three times a day ; in the morning , at noon ▪ and at night . 37. shoulders out of joynt . if the shoulders be disjoynted , or out of joynt , then put the bones again in their place , and bind them fast with tablets of light wood. 38. crumpled shoulders . if his shoulder is crumpled , then you must blood him on the hinder foot , on the far side , but if they are both shrunk in , then you must blood him on both legs . 39. distemper in the lungs . the distemper in the lungs is such a mortal distemper , as well to the oxen as to the kine , that there is not any remedy against it , but that you wash the manger , out of which they have eaten , with hot water and well-scenting herbs , before you tie the others thereunto , which in the mean time must be kept in an other stable . they get this sickness by eating bad herbs and corrupted hay ; and through great superfluity of blood ; but for the most part by horse-piss , especicially when you keep the cow-house clowsie . therefore you should neither let horses nor mares come into the cow-house ; but asses may , and do much good ; for the breath of the asses keeps them from distempers in the lungs . 40. lung-sickness . against the lung-sickness give him the juice of liquorish with sweet wine , or put into his ears the root of hazle-tree . 41. cough . against the cough , let him drink a decoctum of hysop , and eat liquoris●… roots , being bruised with clean wheat some make them drink seven days together a decoctum of .... the cough of the oxen must as diligently be cured , as the cough of the horses ; and you must not let the same last long , or grow too cold ; the best way is , to seek remedy against in the beginning : therefore you mu●… powre into his mouth , through a hor●… or otherwise , an half measure of barle●… flower , and an whole egg without shill , being boiled in a can of wine or take poppies bruised in warm water with dried bean-meal , that is broke●… to shales , or very small pieces ; an●… meal of pease , being all well mingle together ; and give them that to eat early in the morning . old cough . against an old cough , the following remedy is very good , take dry of fresh hysop , two hands full , boyl them in common water ( as much as is necessary ) strain it ▪ and add to it two thirds of starch ; mingle it together and give it to the beast . you may also mix with it hysop water , a decoctum of hysop and mint . against the same distemper is good also the juice of liquorish , being well squeezed out , and given the beast with oyl of olives . nay , the cough will never be grown so old but it may be cured and driven away with the roots of liquorish well cleansed and washt , given in a decoctum with wheaten-meal . the same vertue have also the small pease , or little fitches , being given him to eat or being set before him with honey-water , when he coughs most . 42. difficulty of fetching breath . against difficulty of fetching breath , put through his ear , or the great skin of his throat , the herb called black hellebore or lions paw . 43. heavy and lazy . if he is lazy , then give him every month bruised fitches , soaked in the water which he drinks . 44. weariness . to preserve him from growing weary too soon , you must rub his horns with turpentine and oyl mingled together : but have a care that you do not rub him with this on the mouth or nostrils , for those parts will be offended therewith . 45. ague . against the ague , which the beast gets in hot weather , which appears by melancholly , swollen eyes , and extraordinary heat , and is perceived by the touching of the hide ; you must open the vein of the fore-head or of the ears , and give him cool nourishment , as lettice , and other such herbs , and give him cool water to drink . against another kind of ague ( which you may know by his great disquiet or want of rest ) trembling over the whole body ; through the great heat in the midst of his fore-head , and about the root of his horns , and by his ears also , by his hot mouth , and his excessive sweat , by his little eating and licking , and drawing of a dry tongue ; by the heaviness or melancholly of the head , cunning and half-shut eyes , his mouth very moist and full of slabber , long fetching of breath , nevertheless with great pain , and often turning . ) on the first day that you are aware of the sickness , let him fast the whole day ; the next day you shall let him bleed a little under his tail : five days afterwards you must nourish him with a decoctum made of burs , oyl , and pickle . you must proffer him 〈◊〉 ways before all other , green or moist food , viz. small tops of lettice and other young sprouts , which you know will please the beast . vvash him also three times a day in the mouth with a sponge , that is made wet in vinegar ; next you shall give him three times very cold water to drink , and let him not seed in the pasture till the ague hath left him . 46. beating of the heart . in case he is troubled with beating of the heart , and a desire to vomit , then rub him in the mouth with garlick , or bruised leeks , and let him also swallow them down , either alone or with a pint of wine ; especially against the griping in the guts ( chollick ) and rumbling of the belly ( according as we shall shew in its due place ) sect. 52. in case he has lost his stomach , you must give him raw eggs , beaten with honey and salt , mingled with his fodder , or give him in his drink andoren bruised small with oyl and wine , or bruise the leaves of parsley ..... sage , and rue ; and give him this to drink with white wine . 47. stomach lost . for to excite him to a stomach , when he has lost his taste , by great weariness and heat , rub his tongue and the pallate of his mouth with vinegar and salt. 48. horse-leech , swallowed down . in case he has swallowed down an horse-leech in drinking , which hangs yet in his throat , then let him lie down , and pour into his mouth warm oyl ; but if it is sunk down in his stomach , then give him some vinegar through a horn. 49. venemous grubs swallowed . if the oxen , kine or horses , feeding in the pasture , have swallowed down little grubs , which lie under the herbs , and are called by the latins buprestis , of which they sometimes swell up , burst and die , then the oxe-keeper must let them presently drink cows-milk , or a decoctum of dry figs , or of dates boiled in wine ; and give them sharp and strong clisters . 50. swelling and puffing up . the oxen swell and blow up when they have eaten too much grass , especially when the dew lies thereupon ; then you must take a horn which is bored through both sides , annoint it with common oyl , and put it three or four fingers deep into his fundament , and next lead him backwards and forwards , until he farteth , leaving the horn in his fundament ; and rub his belly with a flat piece of wood. 51. pain of the belly . against pain of the belly , give them tracle or mithridate , to be drunk in wine , and the next day after let him blood under the tongue and nostrils , or give him a decoctum of camomil and rue pounded small , letting them stand and rest , at least for the space of seven or eight days ; or take turpentine four ounces , mingled with a little salt , which is an excellent remedy in this sickness , letting the beast swallow it down in the form of a bolus , pills or potions . 52. cholick . against the griping or stinging of the guts ( collick ) and rumbling of the belly , which is known when he sighs and stretcheth his neck , legs , or belly , or that he lieth down and rises often again , and cannot stay in one place ; this evil is occasioned by weariness , more in the lent than in any other season : in this sickness you must let him walk , being covered with a wollen cloth , and rub him in the mouth with garlick or bruised onion , and let him swallow down the same either with a pint of wine , or alone ; some add thereunto oyl of mace , and give him allum and red cabidge , being soaked in wine with mirrh , and take away the flesh round about the claws of the feet ▪ and prick him in the tail , that he bleedeth . 53. opilation or obstruction . in case he is opilated or obstructed , then to open him the belly and the hinder parts , which are obstructed , you must give him to drink in the morning two ounces of powdered alloes with luke-warm water ; or take — hiera two ounces , alloes one ounce mingled : or else you may , as a very excellent remedy , give the sick beast many times the remainder of olives , out of which the oyl is press'd . 54. looseness of bloody-flux . against the looseness which he gets by the eating of some herbs , or other like things , which are hard to digest ; you must keep him at first two or three days from grass ; and in the mean time lay before him the blisters of wild-olive-trees , horse-tail , way-hroad , or plantain , and sometimes the berries of night-shade ; in the mean time you must not give him much to drink , and for the most part no drink at all ; keeping him some days from eating any other thing , but the leaves of young orega and pursly , and let him not drink more than three bowls of water a day , wherein young sprouts of laurel leaves have been soaked . but if a greater looseness seizes upon him , even to the bloody-flux , then keep him four or five days without meat and drink ; and give him raison-kernels soaked in red wine , or gall-nuts and mirtle-berries , soaked with old cheese in thick wine . but the most excellent remedy is to burn him in the midst of his fore-head . 55. spoil'd arse-gut . if the arse gut be spoiled , take three ounces of turpentine , and let it be put into his fundament by a little boy , who has a thin and long arm ; and let him be well cleansed within . this you must continue five or six days ; hogs-suet is also good instead of turpentine , for to annoint or to smear him therewith . 56. paia of the loins . against the pain of the loins , which many times troubles the oxen , make this following pap : take flower of — cole-worts-seed , of each three handfuls ; bruise it together , and mingle it with cold water to a pap , and then put it upon the place where the pain is : you may also take cypress blisters without stalks , three handfuls ; and proceed therewith as before , adding thereto in the bruising of it , strong vinegar ; or if there is any hardness by , take rosin , or that which is harder , grecian pitch ( colophoniae three ounces ; let it melt by the heat of the fire , and when it is well hot , then add thereto barley of meal a convenient quantity ; let it boil together to a poltis , and lay it well warm upon the rump , unto the reins or the ( loins . ) 57. pains of the reins inflamation . you may perceive that the oxe has pain in his reins , when in kacking or doing his easement from behind , he cannot set his feet on those parts according to his will , but stumbleth aside ; when he does not lift up his tail but lets it hang , when his piss stinks much , and all the course is stopt and interrupted behind . if he has an inflamation and pisses as red as blood , when it continues and increases , then there is little remedy to be had against it ; yet if it is but coloured a little reddish , then there is some hope of recovery ; in this sickness you shall let him blood out of the hinder veins , or mother-vein , which you find a long the side about the reins . for his dirnking give him the juice of garlick with luke-warm water , or else with his own piss . 58. inflamation of the brawns or muscle . against the inflamation of the brawns , as well inwardly as outwardly , which proceed from the rump and loins , by falling upon hard and stony places , and getting bruises : let the oxe which is fallen , not go far from his place , as soon as he is come into the stable ; and wash the parts affected with cold water , next use an ointment and sear-cloths , made of oyl and wax , which must not be too hot . the tokens of this distemper are , that the loins ( the reins ) grow hard outwardly ; the stones lessen and go in so that you can but see them very little , that he cannot well move his thigh , and that he can hardly rise when he lieth . 59. pissing of blood. the oxe pisseth blood when he is over-heated or too cold , or because he has eaten bad herbs during the summer , especially when the dew cleaves yet thereon : the cure against this is , that you give him neither wanor any other liquor , but that you give him a potion made of these following ingredients : take sea-oinion , hemp seed , of each three ounces bruised together , and add thereto treacle one ounce , being all together boiled in two pints of white wine ; at last adding thereunto saffron two ounces to a potion , and this pour into the mouth of the oxe ; or give him against pissing of blood the juice of lambs tongue with good oyl , next take the powder of wild-gourds ( coloquints ) and wine-stone , mingled in red wine , and the white of eggs , pouring the same into him through an horn. and if you do not stop the pissing of blood , then he will die thereof within four and twenty hours . 60. vnableness of pissing . in case he can hardly piss , then you shall let him blood on the vein of the bladder , and next give him a draught of honey , oyl , and white wine , being boiled together ; and this you must continue three mornings one after another . 61. stone of the bladder . if he has the stone of the bladder , take sea-fenicle two ounces , cloves a quarter of an ounce , pepper one ounce and a half , being altogether bruised and mingled with lukewarm water to a potion . but if the stone , when this is continued some days , doth not fall out , then it must be cut out . 62. stone in the yard . in case he has the stone in the yard , then throw the oxe down immediately , hold the yard with tongs a little higher than where the stone lies , open the yard on the side and take out the stone ; next heal the wound again with turpentine , washt four times in horse-tail-water . 63. hardened yard . if the yard be hardened , then smear it twice a day with an ointment of bruised white mallow-roots and fresh butter . 64. swollen cods . if his cods are swollen , by what cause soever it be , then annoint them in the morning and at night with unsalted hogs-suet , or foment them with strong vinegar , in which fine chalk and oxen-dung have been soaked ▪ they hold it for a natural remedy , that the gall of a dog healeth the swollen cods of an oxe , being often annointed therewith . 65. limping or halting . if he limps and halts , because of cold , which he has suffered on the feet , then wash them with his piss , which is made warm ; but if it proceed from the superfluity of blood , which in the bending of the joynts is sunk upon the feet , then you must divide ( or resolve it ) by rubbing or chafing , and by drawing blood by cupping ; but if upon this it will not go away , you must cleave the claw of the foot at the end unto the flesh : and thus let it run out : and bind the joynts round about with a leather-purse , that no matter may come thereunto until it is cured . in case he limps by having strained a vein , then you must annoint his foot with oyl and salt ; if it be occasioned by a swelling of the knee , then foment it with warm vinegar , or with a decoctum of barley and flux-seed : but howsoever it happens , you must burn it , and lay thereupon fresh butter , wash'd in water and vinegar ; and at last make an ointment of salt-butter and goats suet or grease . if it comes by a splinter , or by a knock against a piece of wood or stone , then bathe the place with warm piss , and lay thereupon oyl , old grease ▪ and tar melted together . nothing preserves him better from limping , than to wash his feet with cold water , when they are disjoyonted , and then to rub them with old grease . 66. leg-out of joynt . if his leg is out of joynt or wrinched , put it in again , and when you have smeared it with hogs-grease , bind it fast with straw . 67. broken legs . for to put it in again ( if broken ) you must draw with cords the uttermost parts of the same on both sides perpendicularly , that so the disjoynted leg may be again put together and joyned as before ; this being done ; you must untie the cords , and bind round about it tow of flax , that is made wet in a mixt on of the white of eggs , bolus armenius , and sanguis draconis ; next bind it so fast , that it may be joyned together again : above the binding you must lay tow of flax made wet in wine , for to strengthen and corroborate the sinews ; at last , that the uppermost and undermost parts of the broken leg may not be hardened , or get any ill fashion or form , as well by the binding up of the wound , as by the chop or cleft of the leg ; you must annoint both parts with the following ointment , viz. butter , oyl , turpentine , of each one ounce mingled to an ointment . 68. biting of serpents . in case he has been bit by an earth-spider , serpent or by a mad dog , then smear the wound with scorpion-oyl , or sope , which has lain in vinegar , and wash him with a decoctum of great burs , or with old pickle . 70. stinging of horse-flies or hornets . against the stinging of horse-flies and wasps , rub him with lead-ointment or salve ( cerays ) being soaked in water , and moisten the place where he feeds , to drive away the horse-flies , with a decoctum of wormwood , chare him with the same decoctum ; but if he is stung , then cleanse the place with his own spit . 70. kibe on the heel . if he gets a kibe on the heel by great cold , and by having wrou●… in such places as are full of snow or frozen , and sometimes after the thawing also , and because that the joynts of the foot have not been well wash'd over-night with piss and bound up with dung , then the heel gets an ulcer , and seems as it would go off , and leave its place ; and then there follows an inflamation , which after the ulcer very much troubles the oxe in going forth : now you must chop small that part with little lancets , and kindle a small fire of fewel upon the chopt part , and put thereupon a soft rose-salve , or a defensive of water vinegar , being bound up and tied about with straw . when the crust ( or the bad flesh ) is fallen out , then you must stew the place warm with vinegar and piss , and lay thereupon a pap or plaister of melilot , or cold hogs-suet . 71. swollen foot. if his foot is swollen , then make a pap of elder blisters and hogs grease mixt together and boiled . 72. crumpled or stiffned foot. if his foot is crumpled or stiffned , then take the roots of white poppeys & mallows ( together one pound ) boil them in water , as much as is enough , pound them and strain them through a sive ; add to this hogs-grease half a pound and strong wine three bowls . let it boil again , until the grease is melted , adding thereto flax-seed four ounces well broken and pounded , and let it boyl at last , until the wine is sodden away to a pap , and put the one half part of this pap upon the foot , and let it lie thereupon for three days , and then the remainder also three days together . 73. wrinched foot. if he has wrinched the foot , then boil honey and hogs-grease in white wine ; lay this plaister upon the foot , and let it lie thereupon for three days . 74. wounded foot. in case he has wounded his foot by a thorn , glass , or nail , or any such other sharp thing , then cut the claw off from the foot , as near the wound as it is possible ; let drop therein very hot turpentine and oyl , and then plaister the whole foot with honey and fresh grease melted together . 75. claw of the foot wounded . if the claw of the foot is wounded by a stone or iron , then cut it to the deepest part of the wound with the cissers of a farrier , and let drop therein very hot a salve of old hogs-grease and bucks-rue , being melted together , and put thereinto tents of tow of flax. 76. claw of the foot scaled or broke . if the claw of his foot is scaled or broken , then take honey , turpentine . new wax , of each one ounce to a salve , and put that round about the claw for fifteen days together , which time being expired , add to the former salve these following ingredients . take alloe , hepaticum , honey of roses , buck allum , of each half an ounce to an oinment , and cover with this the whole foot , after that you have fomented it with wine , with which honey has been mingled . 77. loose claw . if the claw of his foot becomes loose , then you must at first cure it with the aforesaid salve against scaled claws , sect. 76. until it groweth something fast ; next you must stew the whole foot five or six days , every day three times with the following ingredients : take honey , unquenched lime , of each seven ounces , vinegar or wine a convenient quantity . 78. foot-claw fallen off . if his foot-claw is fallen of , then make a salve of this following : take honey , turpentine , new wax , of each one ounce , and annoint therewith the nail of the foot fifteen days , next wash it with luke-warm wine , which has been boiled with honey , and put a plaister thereupon made of these following things : take alloes , allum bruised , honey of roses , of each half an ounce , to a plaister . there is also one distemper more , which is incident to oxen , &c. not taken notice of in the table or cut , or portraicture of a cow ; which is called , the hip-gout , take cow-dung , laid under ashes in cabbidge or vine-leaves , and made hot , and it will drive away the pain of the hip-gout , being laid upon it in the form of a plaister . if this be roasted in vinegar , it brings the bad sores about the chin and throat to distillation ; and being fryed with cammomile flowers , melilots , and black briers in a pan , it drives away the swelling of the privities . the country mans guide shewing the severall places in the body of a sheepe where diseases vsually happen the table . 1. head-ach . 2. giddiness . 3. loss of cud. 4. diseases in the eyes . 5. ague in lambs . 6. ague in sheep . 7. rheum and catarrhe . 8. diseases of the teeth . 9. aposthumes or vlcers . 10. boils . 11. boils or scabs under the chin of lambs . 12. pursiness or short-winded . 13. rot or plague . 14. st. anthony's fire . 15. scab or itch. 16. diseases in the lungs . 17. cough . 18. swallowing of a venemous creature . 19. swelling of the belly . 20. lame in the clawes . 21. maggots , lice , or ticks . 22. broken or bruised joynts . introduction . i shall not particularize the many advantages which arise trom sheep , as the wooll , flesh , pelt , dung , and many others ; therefore in the first place , the country-man ought to get a good breeder , and to buy sheep for his store , that may be in all particulars answerable to his business , which i need not here relate . marks of a good yew . the best yews have generally a great body , a long neck , long wooll , oright and shining like silk , having a great belly , and covered with wooll ▪ and having great paps , great eyes with long legs , and a long tail. marks of a good ram. the best sort of rams are high and long of body , great belly , well covered with wooll , long and thick tail , the fore-head broad and thick with hair , the eyes black , covered round about with much wooll , great cods , broad loins , great ears , covered with wooll ; the whole fleece of one colour , well horned ; the tongue and the pallate all white ; for if the tongue or undermost part of the tongue should be black or speckled , notwithstanding his body is all white , yet the colour of the lambs which he produces will be speckled , gray , or black , and therefore less esteemed for profit : it is better that the ram hath horns than not , for the ram that hath no horns , is as a man disarmed , and is not so valiant to fight , nor so hot after the yew . when a yew ought to be covered . the yew ought to be covered when she is two years old , and she will bring forth good lambs until she is seven ; but a yew that is covered before she is two years old bringeth forth weak fruit ; but if it happen that a yew is with lamb before she be two years , then you ought to sell the lamb ; and the most convenient time to dispose of it is in the month of october , that the yew ( which bears five months ) may bring forth her lamb in the spring or lent , at which time she will find grass sufficient to nouris her lambs . salt water to drink . farther , you must give the yews some few days before they be covered by the ram , salt water to drink , and they will the better keep their seed , and the ram shall grow the more fiery and vehement . the way to have such lambs as you please ▪ if you would have your yews bring forth ram-lambs , then you must put the ram to the yew in dry weather , and observe to drive the yew towards the blowing of the north wind , that when they are feeding toward the north , they may take ram ; but if you will have yew-lambs , then you must let them feed towards the south wind , and let them be covered . to know what coloured lambs a yew will bring forth . when the yew is big , in case her tongue is black , it s a sign that she will bring forth a black lamb ; and if her tongue be white , she will bring forth a white lamb ; but if the tongue be speckled , then she will bring forth a speckled lamb. of sickness in sheep . the sheep are inclined to many distempers , as scabs or scurveyness , cough , and the red water , which proceed from an exceeding pain in the head , and also the plague : the three last distempers are incurable ; insomuch , as if any sheep be sick with either of the said three distempers , 〈◊〉 occasions infections in the rest , thereof many of them die ; all such scknesses are occasioned by eating of bad herbs , or by drinking of bad water or standing puddles or pools in the fields ; or because the places which they feed on , are wet and moist by frequent showers and bad weather ; by which means they undoubtedly fall sick in six weeks time . here follows an account of all the distempers incident to sheep . 1. the head-ach . if your sheep are troubled with the head-ach and staggers , which is occasioned by surfeits , the best remedy is , to take asafettida , and dissolve it in a spoonful of white wine , or bruise the juice out of sage and give it to the sheep . 2. giddiness . giddiness in the head befalls sheep most commonly in the dog-days , insomuch , as it makes them turn about and leap ; and in case you touch their fore-head or feet , you will find that they burn exceedingly . against this sickness you must let them blood in the middle of the nose with a piece of horn made sharp for that purpose , thrust up as high as you can possible ; which will cause the sheep presently to fall into a sound , and immediately they will come again to themselves . this being applied , they will either be immediately well of this distemper , or die very speedily ; yet more do recover than die . some shepherds have tried the letting of blood in the temples of the head , losing their blood by little and little , which hath proved very successful afterward , giving them a spoonful of brandy mixt with mithridate . 3. loss of cud. take leaven and salt , and mix them with clay , and the piss of a lusty young man , and let him swallow it , and that will recover him . 4. diseases in the eyes . make an eye-water of eve eye-bright and horse-leech , and wash their eyes therewith , or beat wormwood with the milk of a yew , and mix it with rose-water . 5. ague in lambs . if a young lamb have an ague , or other sickness , then you must give it to drink the milk of its dam , mingled with as much water . 6. ague in sheep . when sheep have an ague , you must blood them on the heels , between the two claws of the feet , or on the ear , and keep them a good while from water : the best remedy for to cure them of the ague , is to boil in spring water and wine , the stomach of a ram , and give the distempered sheep the broth to drink . 7. rheum or catarrhe . the sheep gets humours and rheums in the dog days , by the great heat of the sun ; for prevention of which , the shepherd in such hot seasons ought to drive his flock in the fore-noon towards the west , and in the afternoon towards the east ; for it is a great matter that the heads of the sheep , as they 'r feeding , be turned against the sun ; which in the beginning of the dog-days is often times the cause of this distemper ▪ 8. diseases in the teeth . for diseases in the teeth , let the sheep blood in the gum , or vein of the upper lip , and rub his teeth with old leaven and sage . 9. aposthumes or vlcers . in case the sheep hath any mattering aposthume or ulcer , then you must prick it with a lance , and put into the wound salt burnt in a fire-shovel , rubbed small and mingled with melted pitch . 10. boils . you may cure boils with allum , sulphur , vinegar , and brimstone , mixt together ; or with burnt gall-nuts , being mixt with wine and laid upon the sore . 11. boils or scabs under the skin of lambs . the lamb many times gets scabs under the chin , by eating of herbs when the dew lies upon them ; the remedy against which is to take hysop and salt , of each an ounce , well bruised together , and with this you must annoint the pallate of the mouth and tongue ; then wash the boil with vinegar , and afterwards chafe it with tar and grease . 12. pursiness or short-winded . the rheum or catarrhe of the sheep , as well as of the horse , sticks so fast to the lungs that it cannot be removed with bleeding , nor with a potion ; and if this sickness continue , the best remedy is , that the sheep be kept without food for a day or two ; likewise it is convenient that whatever hay or fodder hath been eaten among , the sheep , while one that hath been sick hath been amongst them , the oughts thereof be taken clean away ; for such sheep get the same sickness , by eating after them that are sick . some say that for this sickness it is good to hang about the neck of the sheep a living toad , put in a little bag of linnen ; and to let it hang nine days : others say that it is good to bruise lock and noble sage together , and make a potion thereof with very strong vinegar : others pour in their mouths a spoonful of brandy with mithridate ; but there is but little help for this distemper , for they often die after several medicines have been given to them ; because the lungs are quite dried up with a continual coughing : there is no better remedy against this distemper than for to throw them upon their backs in a stinking unclean gutter . 13. rot or plague . against the plague there is no other remedy for beast than for man ; but for to keep them from this distemper , the best way is , often to give them melilot , scitisers , wild polly , or wild balsom . but to prevent the rot in those sheep that are not tainted by that infection , you must give them salt mingled with brimstone in a fire-shovel , which will purge them and preserve them from this contagion . 14. st. anthony 's fire . the fire of st. anthony , is by the shepherd called wild-fire , very difficult to cure , and there is no other remedy to use in this distemper than to bathe the sheep with she-goats-milk ; but my advice is to separate the first sheep that hath this distemper from the flock , that the rest be not infected . 15. scab or itch. against scabbiness or scurveyness in sheep , you must make a salve of these following ingredients : take brimstone , cyprus roots , of each three ounces , which you must incorporate with camphire and white rosin , wax a convenient quantity ; after that you have annointed the scabby or scurvey sheep , three nights one after another , then wash it with lie , sea-water , or pickel , and the sheep will be well . 16. diseases in the lungs . if your sheep be distempered in the lungs , you must give him colts-foot , sage , and pursland , mixed with metheglin , or a spoonful or two of mithridate in white wine , or a head of garlick mixt with vinegar . 17. cough . against the cough , you must give the sheep to drink in the morning out of a little horn , oyl of sweet almonds , mixt with white vvine , being made luke-warm ; also let the sheep eat the herb colts-foot , if the cough come in the spring ; but if it be in any other season , then you may give him some bruised fenugrick , with some cummin-seed . 18. swallowing of a venemous creature . in case the sheep swallow down an horse-leech , or any other venemous creature , you must pour into his throat strong vinegar warm'd , or oyl . 19. swelling of the belly . there is an herb which is called a thousand buttons , and the herb centory is very unwholesome for sheep , whereof if they eat , the whole belly swells up , voiding a thick and stinking humour ; then the best remedy is to let them blood presently under the tail , near the buttock , or on the vein of the uppermost lip. 20. lame in the claws . in case the sheep becomes lame , because its claws are grown weak , by having stood too long in his own dung , and that it can't go , then you must cut off the end of the nail affected , or claw of the foot affected , and lay thereupon unslacked lime with a cloth , leaving it but one day thereupon , and the next day lay spanish green thereupon ; laying it on by turns , until the claw be healed . 21. maggots , lice , or ticks . the same remedy is good also for a sheep that hath maggots , lice , or ticks , as for a sheep that hath the scab or itch , as you will find in the 15th receipt for sheep . 22. broken or bruised joynts . for broken or bruised joynts , give the sheep a drink made of bettony , mugwort , and multowes , of each a spoonful of the juice , and annoint the wound with black sope , or mix bird-lime with tallow , and lay a hot plaister on the wound . the country-mans guid , containing the direction for the breed , ordering , and curing of all distempers in swine . 1. head-ach or sleepy-evil . 2. the pox in swine . 3. eating of yarro . 4. diseases in the eyes . 5. ague or feaver . 6. measles prevented . 7. rheum or catarrhe . 8. to prevent vomiting . 9. measles cured . 10. plague , or diseases in the milt . 11. swelling in the neck or throat . 12. aposthumes or swellings in the throat . 13. imposthumes in the body . 14. diseases in the gall. 15. to kill lice or ticks . 16. thirst prevented . 17. to prevent greediness . 18. for a great cough or cold. 19. belly-ach . 20. lameness in the foot. 21. flux in swine . 22. broken legs or joynts . ●…e country mans guide shewing the severall places in the body of a hog where diseases vsually happen introduction . having before treated of the more tamer sort of cattle , i shall now likewise treat of swine , as being the most unruly , and the most hurtful in his kind , of any common beast ; but nevertheless very much desired , because it yieldeth sweet flesh , whilst they are young , and for his bacon , when salted ; as being the most serviceable : and not to omit the advantage of the hide , bristles , and grease . therefore it is requisite in all those places where there is a great number of swine kept , that there is a man allowed for no other imployment then to keep the swine , and carefully to preserve them from danger that may befall them ; or that they may not injure the corn-fields , in which they are kept , and to take care of the weaned piggs . the husbandman must take care for such food that is convenient for swine , as acrons , nuts , haws , and all such as the swine usually eat . 't is good that you provide entertainment against the hogs come out of the field , at the usual time ; for by so doing you shall make them return to their owner without running astray : which certainly you may do by a due providing of meat for them at a set time . marks of a good bore . the bore is esteemed the best that is short and broad , his mouth drawing upwards and long , having a broad and thick breast , broad shoulders , short and great thighs , white of colour , and in a word the broadest and most four square , and of a full body , having thick bristles on his back , is the best bore . marks of a good sow . the best sows are such as are longest of body , with a hanging belly of broad buttocks and long ribs , of a little head and short legs , white hair. the time of a sow being covered . let not the sow be covered before she is above one year old , and the bore that covereth her must be three or four years old ; but after the fifth year you must geld him for to feed him for brawn or bacon . the best time to cover a sow is , from the increase until the full moon ; after the full moon it is not good . the best time in the year is to let the sow take the bore at candlemass , that the piggs may be strong in the harvest time : the winter piggs are more hard to bring up , and not so natural as the others that are pigg'd in summer . a sow may rear eighteen piggs if she hath so many paps . the best time to geld pigs , and to splay the sow . the best time to geld , is when they are a year old , and not older ; when the moon is in the decrease , in the beginning of spring , or in the fall of the leaf , when its moderate weather ▪ in case you cut them when they are little , i confess that the bacon will be the sweeter , but they will not make so large swine ; therefore you may use your discretion to cut them from four to six month 's , or to a year . to make a hog fat. the hogs that you intend to fatten for bacon , ought always to be set up in a particular stye , and the darker the stye is , the better , provided there be but so much light as to see to give them meat ; there needs not so much care of them as other swine ; but that their stye be made clean , and that they have food at all times lying before them in their troughs : they are not to be brought from one place to another , though they have no motion , and not able to move themselves . their is divers manner of food , according to the custom of the countrey , yet the best and most substantial feeding is of dry pease and beans , though its common in many inclosed countreys to feed a swine exceeding full with whay , and many practise that way , only giving them a bushel of pease or beans to har●…en the fat. in some countreys they ●…eed after other manner , which for brevi●…y sake i shall omit ; knowing that the ingenious country-man knoweth what way is best for is ends in that matter . sickness in swine . 1. they are also subject to many distempers , and you may know that the hog is sick , when he lets hang his ears , and that he is duller and heavier than he is wont to be , having little or no stomack to his meat ; but the certain way , if none of these symptoms appear , is to draw out of his back a handfull of bristles against the growth of the hair , and in case that the root of the bristles be white and clean , then the hog is sound and in good health : but if that they are bloody , or spotted , then he his sick . 1. head-ach , or sleepy-evil . for the head-ach or sleepy-evil , you shall let the swine blood under the tongue , and give him lettice leaves to eat , or give them water wherein stone cropel is steeped . 2. the pox in swine . the pox is cured by giving him mithridate in metheglin , or by drinking the warm blood of a lamb ; or give him common oyl with pepper . 3. eating of yarro . in case the swine hath eaten mad chervile , millfoile , or yarro , called in latin , cheliophilon ; then give him to drink a good quantity of water wherein wild cowcombers are boyled , leting it stand before you give it him till 't is but luke-warm ; and that will vomit him . 4. diseases in the eyes . are cured with the juice of bittany , or horse leeke , or the blades of sallendine beaten in a morter , and laid upon the eyes , mixt with wine or the powder of sepia blown into the eyes , or dry the yolk of an egg to powder , and blow it into the eyes . 5. ague or feaver . against the ague , let the hog blood in the tail. 6. measles prevented . the hog is especially subject to measles , it proceeds from gluttony and over-eating ; now there is three especial signs of measles , viz. if you be-behold under his tongue small black blisters , or that he cannot stand on his hinder legs , or that his bristles be bloody , as aforesaid ; this distemper is prevented by carefulness in the feeding , and that they go into the field , in the open air. 7. rheum or catarrhe . rheum or catarrhe are cured by bons brimstone in a fire-shovel , and letting the smoke up the nose , or rub the swines mouth with garlick bruised with salt or bruised laurel leaves . 8. to prevent vomiting . you shall let him stand fasting , set up in some obscure place one day and night , that he may consume the superfluous moisture , and recover again to his former appetite : some have prescribed medicines , but the most experienc'd thing this way is the best . 9. measles cured . let the hogs that are measled , oftentimes wallow in a bath , in sea-water ; and for lack of sea-water let the owner make a bath of water well boiled and salted ; and put it into a convenient place where the hog may wallow therein ; and mingle with his meat bruised garlick , and give him the rhine of grapes or goosberries , or give him roles of leaven with his meat . 10. plague or disease in the milt . swine are much inclined to the plague and swelling of the milt , which very often seizeth such unclean bodies , because they eat foul and unclean meats . the best cure for this malady , is to give them honey combs , and whatever proceeds from bees . 11. swelling of the neck . against rheum or swellings in the neck , the best remedy is to let the swine blood under the tongue . 12. aposthume or swelling in the throat . against aposthumes or swelling of the throat , mix the fine flower of wheat with salt , and rub the sore therewith . 13. imposthumes in the body . see the 12 chap. of the swine . 14. diseases of the gall. the over-flowing of the gall , in many times a disease that befalls swine : the best remedy is to give them saffron mixt with metheglin , or honey and white wine ; let the swine drink half a pint . 15. to kill lice or ticks . take linseed oyl and salt , mix them together , and rub the swine all over therewith , and it will free him from vermin . 16. to prevent thirst . swine are subject to a thirst whereof some have died , which most frequently happen in the dog-days : the best that you can do for them , is to drive them to some sweet river , where they may lie down and bathe themselves . 17. a great cough or cold. the cough in swine is cured by giving them colts-foot and lingwort boiled in metheglin , or take half a pound of honey , and a quarter of a pound of liquorish , boil them in a gallon of water till half be consumed , and let the swine drink it luke-warm , or give the swine gum dragon and sweet oyl . 18. belly-ach . the belly-ach is cured by giving the swine black pepper boiled in me●…heglin , or take three spoonfuls of fennile-seed mixt with white wine , and give it the sick swine , letting him swill . 19. lameness . if the swine be lame , so that it be ulcerated , then drop into wine turpentine and oyl very hot , or take honey and fresh grease , and spread them on a plaister of leather , and lay it on the wound . 21. flux . for the flux or looseness in swine , give them to drink vinegar and milk mixed together , and give them to eat gall nuts pounded and mixed with starch and wine vinegar . 22. broken legs or joynts . to cure broken legs or joynts , annoint the place with sheep-suet , and bind up the broken legs or joynts with straw ; or annoint it with the following ointment , sweet butter , oyl , turpentine , of each an ounce , mix them to an ointment . an alphabetical table of the diseases in horses , and their cure. a ague of a horse 15 head-ach 17 aposthumes 33 tooth-ach . 23 ague 35 b belly-ach 38 bloody flux 43 biting of the spider mouse . 47 bruised back 49 back galled . 50 biting of flies 51 broken loins 51 biting of a mad dog 58 biting of a water-snake 59 c. colts of what colour you will 9 coldness or chilness 18 catarrhe 19 canker 23 cough 32 chollick 37 chaps in the feet 49 chaps between the joynts and legs 56 d difference in breeding mares and stone-horses 6 difficulty in making water e pain in the eyes 21 web in the eyes 20 watering eyes 21 pin in the eyes 20 wounded eyes 22 eye scars 22 f feaver 24 faintness 34 fundament fallen 41 flux 42 flies droven away 51 fashions 46 fistula's 60 fidge 60 hound-red 61 g glanders 19 griping of the guts 37 h over-heated 35 hen dung swallowed 37 i jaundice 43 k knees swollen 55 knees wounded 55 knees over-grown 55 kibe heels 63 l lean horse made fat disease in the lungs 28 looseness 42 leprosie 56 lame 63 m to manage a horse 4 head-strong 4 when a mare hath a desire to go to horse 8 marks of a good colt 11 madness 11 mad love 18 mangy 52 mallender 57 n distemper in the neck 27 galled neck 28 crick in the neck 28 o ordering of horses 1 over-heated 1 ordering a mare that hath a fole 11 obstructions 39 opilations 39 old swellings 49 over-growing of the hooff 60 over-stepping 64 p want of pallat 24 pricked in shooing 61 r rheum 19 running of the nose 19 rupture prevented 46 rupture cured 47 ring bone 59 s staggers 17 swelling of the throat 26 squincy 26 struma 27 strangling 27 stomach lost 36 stoppage of vrine 44 strangury 45 swelling of the cods 48 swelling of the flanks 41 scabby 52 sinew-struck 53 string-halt 57 spavin 58 sirachis t the time that a mare may be covered 7 , 8 , 10 v vlcer 33 a venemous creature swallowed 36 u a flying worm 22 waxen kernils 27 wind short 29 worms 41 woolfe 46 warts on the feet 48 woolfe or boil on the foot 63 y the yalloes 43 reader , i have only given you an alphabetical table of the diseases in that part which treats of horses , and the other part which treats of cows , sheep , and hogs , hath a compleat table fore-going the particular medicines . errata . page 16 line 10. r. much feeding , p. 31 l. 10 r. aristolochia ; p. 92 l. 4 r. barefoot ; p. 101 l. 15 r. popes , &c. notes, typically marginal, from the original text notes for div a71265-e1120 general ordering of horses . over-heated the carter ought to be skilled in making saddles , &c. the stable to be kept clean . how to manage a horse . head-strong . gelding . difference in the manner of breeding mares and stone-horses notes for div a71265-e8310 the cow when to be covered . the gelding of a calf . marks of a cow. of the oxe . the hunter a discourse of horsemanship directing the right way to breed, keep, and train a horse, for ordinary hunting and plates. langbaine, gerard, 1656-1692. 1685 approx. 208 kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from 51 1-bit group-iv tiff page images. text creation partnership, ann arbor, mi ; oxford (uk) : 2003-01 (eebo-tcp phase 1). a49535 wing l374 estc r1219 12496934 ocm 12496934 62532 this keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the early english books online text creation partnership. this phase i text is available for reuse, according to the terms of creative commons 0 1.0 universal . the text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. early english books online. (eebo-tcp ; phase 1, no. a49535) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set 62532) images scanned from microfilm: (early english books, 1641-1700 ; 638:11) the hunter a discourse of horsemanship directing the right way to breed, keep, and train a horse, for ordinary hunting and plates. langbaine, gerard, 1656-1692. [2], 98 p. printed by l. lichfield ..., for nicholas cox, oxford [oxfordshire] : 1685. errata: p. 98. reproduction of original in bodleian library. created by converting tcp files to tei p5 using tcp2tei.xsl, tei @ oxford. re-processed by university of nebraska-lincoln and northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors. eebo-tcp is a partnership between the universities of michigan and oxford and the publisher proquest to create accurately transcribed and encoded texts based on the image sets published by proquest via their early english books online (eebo) database (http://eebo.chadwyck.com). the general aim of eebo-tcp is to encode one copy (usually the first edition) of every monographic english-language title published between 1473 and 1700 available in eebo. eebo-tcp aimed to produce large quantities of textual data within the usual project restraints of time and funding, and therefore chose to create diplomatic transcriptions (as opposed to critical editions) with light-touch, mainly structural encoding based on the text encoding initiative (http://www.tei-c.org). the eebo-tcp project was divided into two phases. the 25,363 texts created during phase 1 of the project have been released into the public domain as of 1 january 2015. anyone can now take and use these texts for their own purposes, but we respectfully request that due credit and attribution is given to their original source. users should be aware of the process of creating the tcp texts, and therefore of any assumptions that can be made about the data. text selection was based on the new cambridge bibliography of english literature (ncbel). if an author (or for an anonymous work, the title) appears in ncbel, then their works are eligible for inclusion. selection was intended to range over a wide variety of subject areas, to reflect the true nature of the print record of the period. in general, first editions of a works in english were prioritized, although there are a number of works in other languages, notably latin and welsh, included and sometimes a second or later edition of a work was chosen if there was a compelling reason to do so. image sets were sent to external keying companies for transcription and basic encoding. quality assurance was then carried out by editorial teams in oxford and michigan. 5% (or 5 pages, whichever is the greater) of each text was proofread for accuracy and those which did not meet qa standards were returned to the keyers to be redone. after proofreading, the encoding was enhanced and/or corrected and characters marked as illegible were corrected where possible up to a limit of 100 instances per text. any remaining illegibles were encoded as <gap>s. understanding these processes should make clear that, while the overall quality of tcp data is very good, some errors will remain and some readable characters will be marked as illegible. users should bear in mind that in all likelihood such instances will never have been looked at by a tcp editor. the texts were encoded and linked to page images in accordance with level 4 of the tei in libraries guidelines. copies of the texts have been issued variously as sgml (tcp schema; ascii text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable xml (tcp schema; characters represented either as utf-8 unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless xml (tei p5, characters represented either as utf-8 unicode or tei g elements). keying and markup guidelines are available at the text creation partnership web site . eng horses -breeding. horsemanship. 2002-01 tcp assigned for keying and markup 2002-02 spi global keyed and coded from proquest page images 2002-03 tcp staff (michigan) sampled and proofread 2002-03 olivia bottum text and markup reviewed and edited 2002-04 pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion the hunter . a discovrse of horsemanship : directing the right way to breed , keep , and train a horse , for ordinary hunting and plates . oxford , printed by l. lichfield , printer to the university , for nicholas cox. 1685. the hunter . chap. i. of hunting-horses in general , their excellency , and the necessity and benefit of the art of keeping . i shall omit to speak in praise of hunting in general , since i would avoid ( as much as might be ) repetitions , and that it is already done at the begining of the foregoing book , with more address than i am master of . but since that author hath spoken nothing of the hunting-horse , which is a principal instrument of that excellent recreation , i desire leave to speak a word in his behalf . in behalf , i say , of this noble creature , to whom all that are followers of hunting are oblig'd : since it is by his strength and vigour that we grati●ie at ease our eyes and ears with all the pleasures that hunting affords ; and without whose assistance , a great part of us could enjoy it a little more than in imagination . but t is not to us only , that are huntsmen , but to all m●nkind , that the hunter is ( or may be ) serviceable . has our prince , or country occasion for our service in the field : on what horse can we venture our lives more sec●rely , than on the hunter ? his readiness to obey the hand and heel , equals him to the mannag'd horse . his being us'd to gallop on all sorts of grounds , as well steep places as deep earths , has so steel'd his courage , that he declines no military service you can put him on . are there ambuscado's to be laid , discoveries to be made , speedy and long marches to be perform'd ; or any other service , wherein strength of body , purity of wind , or swiftness , are requir'd● the general may in any of these cases rely on the hunter , with as much con●idence , as on the horse that is dress'd in the mannage . in times of peace he is equally useful , not only for pleasure , but also for necessity , and profit . how diverting to the eyes , is a beautiful horse after a pack of dogs ? and with how much ease to our bodies , and delight to our minds , are we carried vp to them ; with so much vigour and pride to be discern'd in his countenance , as if he emulated the hounds in their speed , and was desirous to excell them , in his obedience to their common lord. how necessary is the hunter beyond all other horses , if his masters urgent affairs ( where either life or fortune are in hazard , ) exact the performance of a long iourney in a short time. if his master , in hopes of advantage , has match'd him against any other horse ; how ready and willing is he , to perform the vtmost that nature is capable of , or his master can reasonably expect from him● and having art joyn'd to his natural abilities , will not only excell all other horses , but accomplish things beyond his masters hopes , or expectations ; for without its assistance in dieting and exercise , no horse can follow the hounds , or indeed undergo any other extreme labour , without hazarding the melting his grease , the breaking of his wind , or foundring him either in feet , or body : all which are consequences of immoderate labour , and ignorance in this art. that i may therefore give you some light into its mysteries , i shall first direct you how to breed such horses that may be for training ; or else instruct you , how otherwise to procure them . secondly , how to know by shapes , marks , and other tokens , what horse may be most convenient for your purpose . thirdly , how to diet him so , that he may perform all things within his power , without danger . lastly , what manner of exercise is most conducive to this design : and on these heads i intend to inlarge in my following discourse . but before i enter upon my subject propos'd , i think it necessary to answer four objections , that may be made against this art of dieting and training horses , that i may remove all prejudice from the minds of those , who think they may have reason to oppose it ; and that i may vindicate ( with truth ) this art , and clear it from all aspersions . the first objection i shall mention , is made by de grey in his epistle to the reader , ( edit . 4 th . ) where under the vmbrage of his love to horses and in pity of the hardships they undergo in hunting , he extreamly inveighs against it , as the sourse of all their miseries . but that i may not be tax'd of prevarication by my reader , and for his satisfaction i shall set down his words , which are these . if the nobility and gentry of this our isle of great britain , did truly know how honourable , and how commendable horsemanship were , and how much they are esteem●d and admir'd , who are the true professors thereof , they would labour more than they now do , to breed and to have good horses ; but it much troubleth me to see , how little esteem gentlemen have thereof . some horses they have , though not for mannage , yet for hunting : but what manner of hunting ? fox-hunting forsooth , or harriers , which ●e as fleet as petty grey-hounds , wherewith they do so much over-strain the strength of these poor horses , ( forcing them over deep fallows , tough clays , and wet and rough sands , ) that albeit those horses be strong and able , yet are they so toil'd out therewith , as that when they come home at night they would pity the heart of him that loveth an horse to see them so bemired , blooded , spurred , lamentably spent , and tyred out ; whereas if such horses had been ridden to the great-saddle and cannon , they would infinitely have delighted all men that should have beheld them . to this i answer , that for my own part i am not very fond of fox hunting ; but i can see no reason why persons of honour should not gratifie their fancies with this recreation , since from the beginning horses were made for the service of man ; and doubtless for their recreation , as well as more necessary uses . and i am very confident , that if horses be train'd , dieted , and ridden according to art , there will be left no ground for this objection . for by good feeding faintness would be prevented ; and by airing , and due exercise , the horses wind would be so improv'd , that no moderate labour would hurt him ; nay , though a horse by immoderate riding , were reduc'd to such tragical exigencies , as de grey mentions , yet by the assistance of art nature may be in twenty ●our hou●●s space so reliev'd , that all those dangerous symptoms shall be remov'd , and all the natural faculties act as ●ormerly . now as to the last part of his argument , i appeal to all the greatest masters of academi●s here , or in foreign parts ; whether in the mannage , the spurs are not as much us'd , ( not to say more , ) as in hunting ; and the duke of newcastle in his methode nouvelle in 8 0. p. 85. says , il n'y a point d' exercise si violent pour l●s chevaux que celuy de manege ; that is , there is no exercise so violent for horses as the mannage ; so that you see hunting is not the only violent exercise : and salomon de la brove goes further in his cavalarise fran●oise , telling us , that mannag'd horses should sometimes be us'd to the chase , since hunting assists his wind , and brings him to a civil acquaintance with other horses : inferring from hence , that hunting procures to an horse two benefits , viz. speed and strength , and reforms in him two vices , salvageness and restiveness . secondly , there are others , that though they may approve of keeping their horses clean , yet are not reconcil'd to hunting ; but being either admirers of coursing , or else keeping horses only for the benefit of their health , and the taking the air ; will not be perswaded , but that they can bring their horses to the same perfection without hunting , as with it . to answer the first of these , i mean coursers ; i affirm , 't is impossible to attain the end of this art by that means : for being oblig'd in search of their game to toil their horses all day , over deep fallows , in a foot-pace only , they are likelier to bring their horses to weariness than perfection . and the same answer may serve the others likewise : for riding a horse up and down the field after nothing , brings a weariness and dislike to an horse in his exercise , through his ignorance of the time , when his labour shall cease ; whether , or to what end he is so labour'd . whereas on the contrary , an horse naturally takes delight in following the dogs , and seems pleas'd with their musick , as is evident by his pricking up his ears , gazing on them , and pressing to gallop towards them , when ever he hears them in full cry , ( though at a distance . ) nay further , i have been master of a stonehorse , that so entirely lov'd the hounds , that when at any time ( through eagerness of sport , and desire to save the hare from being eaten ) i have rid in amongst the dogs , he would so carefully avoid treading on them , that he has more than once hazarded my limbs ( by making a false step ) to save theirs . from hence i infer , that doubtless horses extreamly delight in hunting , and consequently , that it is a fit exercise for them . thirdly , others object , that what soever pleasure there may be in hunting , they had rather deny themselves that satisfaction than hazard the laming their horses , which , ( as they are told ) few , or no hunters escape . that hunters are sometimes lame , i do not deny : but cannot allow , that it proceeds alwaies from this exercise . for 't is the indiscretion of the riders , in overstraining their horses at leaps ; and by that meanes , sometimes clapping them on the back-sinews , catching in their shoos , and such like , and not the sport , that is the cause of lameness . but on the contrary , i will undertake to shew any man twenty other horses lame ( which never knew what belong'd to hunting ) for one hunter . there are several other reasons be●ides hunting to be given for lameness ; as for instance . much travel though but moderate , if care be wanting ) will produce wind-galls , and splints , which are the fore-runners of lameness . want of exercise will straiten the hoofs , and dry up the sinews ; and too much negligence in travail occa●ions surbating , foundring , and gravailing . horses on the road oftentimes stumble , and now and then fall , and so become lame . na● , a slip , or an over-reach are as incident to the pad , as to the hunter . and to conclude , the horse that is dress●d , is more liable to a strain in the back , and ●illets , than the hunter ; by meanes of his short●t●rns : so that you may perceive that lameness is epidemical , and therefore no more to be objected against hunting-horses , than the rest of that species . fourthly , some again are enemies to this art of dyeting horses in particular : affirming , that such exact diet makes them tender , sickly , and takes them off their stomach : and that the charges are not only great , but likewise unnecessary . to the first part of this obiection , i answer , that an horse is so far from being made tender , or losing his appetite , by such extream and several feedings , if he have proportionate exercise , that it rather inures him to hardship . for much labour ( if not too violent ) either in man or beast , instead of weakning the stomack , and causing sickness , does rather advance the appetite and preserve his health ; and it may be observed , that it doth oftner heighten than decay the stomack . in like manner moderate airings purify his wind , and both together render him healthy , and fit for service . as to the several sorts of food , we shall prove in the sequel , that every part of it is both nourishing , and natural to all horses constitutions ; so that consequently , t is not only allowable , but necessary : and to prove this , needs no more ; than to ride an ordinary horse drawn clean , a days hunting or three hea●s , and a course , against the best of those horses , which are kept by such persons who think that half a peck a day , and fetching his water at the next spring is horsemanship sufficient ; and they will find by keeping and exercise , the ordinary horse will become long winded , and stick at mark ● when the other that is foul-fed , and fat , will soon give out , for want of wind ; ●r otherwise if he be hardy will dy under the spur ; whereas if the untrained horse had been rightly ordered he would have worsted twenty such horses . now to the charges of keeping , fifty shillings a y●ar disburs'd for bread , besides hay , straw , corn and physick , ( which all horses of value must be allowed ) is all that will be requisite , to keep an horse in as good state for ordinary hunting , as any horse whatsoever . lastly by being skilful in the art of keeping , this advantage will insue ; that no dist●mper relating either to the head or body can conceal themselves from his keepers knowledge , whose skill will inform him , how to put a stop to them , before they have made any considerable advances to the horses prejudice . and he that grudges so small an expence on so noble and useful a creature as an horse is , deserves never to come on the back of one . chap. ii. of breeding , the choice of a stallion , and mares , with some general remarks on marks and colours . since creation and generation preceeded the art of riding , and that the first thing which is of course to be treated of , is the choice of an horse ●it for this exercise of hunting . i shall speak somthing cursorily of the art of breeding , before i treat of the hunter ready for service . to them therefore that have grounds convenient for breed , i shall direct this part of my discourse : and lay them down some few rules that may be serviceable to them , though i shall be as brief as possible , and refer them to markham , de grey , morgan , almond , and farring compleated , ( which is collected from the forementioned authors markham and de grey ) all which have treated of the art of breeding more at large . first therefore i wonld advise you to buy either an arabian horse ( if you can procure him , ) a spaniard , a turk , or a barb , for your stallion , that is well shap'd , of a good colour to beautify your race , and well mark'd , to agree with most mens opinions ; though otherwise they are not so significative as mr. blundevile , and his italian author frederigo grissone , would have us believe . to begin with the arabian ; merchants , and other gentlemen that have travell'd those parts , report , that the right arabians are valu'd at an incredible , as well as an intolerable rate ; being priz'd at five hundred , others say at one , two , and three thousand pounds an horse ; that the arabs are as careful of keeping the genealogies of their horses , as princes in keeping their pedigrees ; that they keep them with medals ; and that each son's portion is usually two suits of arms , two cymeters , and one of these horses . the arabs boast , that they will ride fourscore miles a day , without drawing bitt : which has been perform'd by several of our english horses . but much more was atchiev'd by an high●way-man's horse ; who having taken a b●oty , on the same day rode him from london to york , being one hundred and fifty miles . notwithstanding their great value , and the difficulty in bringing them from scanderoon to england by sea ; yet by the care , and at the charge of some breeders in the north , the arabian horse is no st●anger to those parts ; where persons who have the curiosity , may ( as i presume ) at this day see some of the race , if not a true arabian stallion . the spanish horse ( according to the duke of newcastle ) is the noblest horse in the world , and the most beautiful thát can be ; no horse is so curiously shap'd all over from h ●ad to croup , and he ●s absolutely the best stallion in the world , whether you design your breed for the mannage , the war , the pad , hunting , or for running horses . but as he is excellent , so he wants not for price , three or four hundred pistol● being a common rate for a spanish horse . several have been sold for seven hundred , eight hundred , and a thousand pistols a piece ; and one particular horse , called el bravo , that was sent to the arch-duke leopold , was held worth as much as a mannour of a thousand crowns a year . the best spanish horses are bred in andalouzia , and particularly at cordova , where the king has many studds of mares , and so have several of the spanish nobility and gentry . now besides the great price at first , the charges of the journey from spain to england will be very considerable : for first , he must travel from andalouzia to bilbo , or st sebastien , the neerest ports to england , and is at least four hundred miles : and in that hot country you cannot with safety travel your horse above twenty miles a day , then there is the expence of your groom and farrier , besides the casualty of lameness , sickness , and death : so that though he do prove an extraordinary good horse , by that time he arrives at your own home he will likewise be an extraordinary dear one . the turk is little inferior to the spanish horse in beauty , but somewhat odd-shap'd , his head being somewhat like that of a camel : he hath excellent eyes , a thin neck excellently risen , and somewhat large of body : his croup is like that of a mule ; his legs not so underlimb'd as those of the barb , but very sinewy , good pasterns , and good hoofs : they never amble , but trot very well : and are accounted at this present better stallions for gallopers than barbs , as ●when i com● to speak of them ) i shall shew . some merchants affirm , that there cannot be a more noble and divertive sight to a lover of horses , than to walk into the pastures near constantinople , about soyling-time , where he may see many hundred gallant horses tethred , and every hor●e has his attendant or keeper , with his little tent ( plac'd near him ) to lie in , that he may look to him , and take care to shift him to fresh grass , as occasion requires . the price of a turk is commonly one hundred or one hundred and fifty pounds a horse , and when bought t is difficult to get a pass ; the grand segnior being so very strict , that he seldom ( but upon extraordinary occasions ) permits any of his horses to be exported his dominions . but if ( when obtain'd ) you travel by land , without a turk or two for your convoy , you will be sure to have them seiz'd on by the way . then , as in the former , so here , you will find the same difficulties of a long journey , ( for you must come through germany , which is a long way , ) and the same charges attending it , i mean your groom and farrier ● who must be careful that they entrust no persons whatsoever with the care of him , but themselves , especially in shooing of him : for t is the common practice beyond sea , ( as well as here ) where they discover a fine horse , to hire a farrier to prick him , that they may buy him for a stallion . but some people chuse to buy horses at smyrna in anatolia , and from thence , as likewise from constantinople , transport them to england by sea ; which , if the wind serve right , arrive in england in a month , though generally the merchants make their voyages little less than a quarter of a year . the barb is little inferior to any of the former in beauty , only he is accounted by our modern breeders too slender and lady-like to breed on : and therefore in the north , at th●s instant , they prefer the spanish horse and turk before him . he is so lazy and negligent in his walk , that he will stumble on carpet-ground . his trot is like that of a cow , his gallop low , and with much ease to himself . but he is for the most part sinewy , and nervous , excellently winded , and good for a course , i● he be not over-weighted . the mountain-barbs are accounted the best , because they are the strongest and largest . they belong to the allarbes , who value them as much themselves , as they are priz'd by any other nations , and therefore they will not part with them to any persons except to the prince of the band to which they belong ; who can at any time , at his pleasure , command them for his own use . but for the other more ordinary sort , they are to be met with pretty common , in the hands of several of our nobility and gentry ; or if you send into languedoc and provence in france , they may be there bought for forty or fifty pistols a horse . or if you will send into barbary , you may have one for thirty pounds , or thereabouts● but here too the charges and journey will be great ; for though from tunis to marselles in france be no great voyage , yet from marselles to callais by land measures the length of all france , and from thence they are shipt for england . the next thing of course to be treated of , is the choice of your mares , and the fittest mare to breed out of , according to the duke of newcastle's opinion , is one that has been bred of an english mare , and a stallion of either of these races ; but if such a mare be not to be got , then make choice of a right bred english mare by sire and dam , that is well fore-handed , well underlaid , and strong put together in general ; and in particular , see that she have a lean head , wide nostrils , open chaul , a big weasand , and the windpipe straight and loose , and chuse her about five or six year old , and be sure that the stallion be not too old . now for the food of the stallion , i would have you keep him as high as possible for four or five months before the time of covering , with old clean oats , and split beans , well hull'd ● to which you may add , if you please , bread , ( such as in this book shall be hereafter directed ) and now and then , for variety , you may give him an handful of clean wheat , or oats washt in strong ale ; but as for bay-salt , and anniseeds , which mr. morgan , in his perfection of horsemanship , advises should be scatter'd amongst his provender , i hold them superfluous whilst the horse is in health , but be sure let him have plenty of good old sweet hay , well cleansed from dust , and good wheat-straw to ●se on ; and let him be watred twice every day at some fair running spring , or else a clear standing pond-water ( where the other is not to be had ) near some meadow or level piece of ground , where you may gallop him after he hath drunk . when you have brought him to the water , do not suffer him to drink his fill at the first , but after he has taken his ●irst draught , gallop and scope him up and down a little to warm it , and then bring him to the water ag●in , and let him drink what he please , and after that gallop him as you did before , never leaving the water till you find he will drink no more . by this means you will prevent raw crudities , which the coldness of the water would produce to the detrimen● of the stomach , if you had permitted him to drink his fill at first ; whereas you allowing him his fill● ( though by degrees ) at last , you keep his body from drying too fast . and this i take to be much better for your horses than ( according to the forecited morgan ) to incourage his water with whitewine , to qualifie the cold quality thereof : for nature it self is the best directress for the expulsion of her enemies , especially in brutes , where usually she can command the appetite : and therefore i esteem his own natural heat , for warming his water , to be better than that which proceeds from any other . now as to morgan's direction of sweating him every day early in the morning , which he says will not only perfect disgestion , and exhaust the moisture from his seed , but also strengthen and cleanse his blood and body from all raw and imperfect humors ; i am of opinion t will both dry up the radical moisture too fast , and likewise instead of heightning his pride and lust , ( which he alledges , weaken him too much . other rules might be given as to the ordering of them after water , and the hours of feeding , with the quantity &c. but these will be fitter to be handled in another place , and therefore no more of them here . now when your stallion is in lust , and the time for covering is come , which is best to be in may , that the foles may fall in april following , otherwise they will have little or no grass , if they should be put together ( according to markham's opinion ) in the middle of march , tho he holds that one fole falling in march is worth two falling in may , because ( saith he ) he possesseth , as it were , two winters in a year , and is thereby so hardened , that nothing can almost after impair him . the time i say being come to put your stallion and mares together , pull off his hinder shoes , and lead him to the place where the stud of mares are , which you intend for covering , which place ought to be close , well fenc'd , and in it a little ●●utt for a man to lie in , and a larger shed with a manger to feed your stallion with bread and corn , during his abode with the mares , and to shelter him in the heat of the day and in rainy weather , and this close ought to be of sufficient largeness to keep your mares well for two months . before you pull off his bridle , let him cover a mare or two in hand , then turn him loose amongst them , and put all your mares to him , as well those which are with foale , as those which are not , for there is no danger in it ; and by that means they will all be serv'd in their height of lust , and according to the intention of nature . when your stallion has cover'd them once , he tries them all over again , and those which will admit him he serves ; and when his business is finish'd , he beats the pale , and attempts to be at liberty ; which when your man finds , ( who is night and day to observe them , and to take care that no other mares are put to your horse , and to give you an account , which take the horse , and which not , &c. ) let him be taken up , and let him be well kept as before ; only you may at the first give him a good mash or two , to help to restore nature , for you will find him nothing but skin and bones , and his ma●e and tail will rot off . be sure give him never above ten or twelve mares in a season , at most ; otherwise you will scarce recover him against the next years covering-time . when your stallion is past this use , then buy ano●ther ; but be sure never make use of a horse of your own breed , for by so doing the best kind would in time degenerate : but you cannot do better ( the duke of newcastle says ) than to let your own mares be cover'd by their sire , for ( according to his own words and opinion ) there is no incest in horses : and by this means they are nearer one degree to the purity and h ead of the fountain , from which they are deriv'd , since a fine horse got them , and the same fine horse covers them again . now though the duke of newcastle affirms this to be the true way for covering mares , alledging that nature is wiser than art in the act of generation , and that by this way , of a dozen mares he dare affirm that two shall not fail : yet it may not correspond with the interest of some private gentlemen who turn breeders for profit as well as pleasure ; for a good stallion bearing such an extraordinary rate , and they having but one , have reason to be cautions , to avoid as much as can be all hazardous experiments ; which ( with submission to the duke's judgment ) this in some cases may prove . for first , there have been horses of great spirit , that have kill'd themselves through excess of lust , being left to range at their liberty ; and those that have been confin'd to an enclosure , & a select number of mares , have yet in one weeks space so weaken'd nature , that not above half the mares have held . secondly , some mares are of so hot a constitution of nature , and their lust so violent , that if they are permitted to run long with the horse , after they have conceived , will ( if they be high in flesh and lusty ) desire the horse again , which generally hazards the loss of the embrio they go with . to prevent therefore these inconveniences , i shall lay you down an other method ( as briefly as may be , ) which is called covering in hand , as the former is generally term'd out of hand , and the way is this : viz. when you have brought both your horse and mare to as proper condition for breed by art and good feeding , then set some ordinary ston'd-nag by her for a day or two to wooe her , and by that means she will be so prone to lust , that she will readily receive your stallion ; which you should present to her either early in a morning , or late in an evening , for a day or two together , and let him cover her in hand once , or twice if you please , at each time , observing always to give the horse the advantage of ground , and that you have some one ready with a pucket of cold water to throw on the mare 's shape , immediately on the dismounting of the horse , which will make her retain the seed received the better , especially if you get on her back , and trot her about a quarter of an hours space , but in any case have a ●are of heating , or straining her : and it will not be amiss , if after every such act you let them fast two ho●rs , and then give each of them a warm mash ; and t is odds but this way your mares may be as well serv'd as the other , and yet your stallion will last you much longer . i shall say no more as to the keeping the mares during the time of their being with foale , nor of their foaling ; only this , that if you take care to house them all the winter , and to keep them well , their colts will prove the better . when they are foaled , let them run with their dams till martin-mass , then wean them , and keep them in a convenient house , with a low rack and manger on purpose ; litter them well , and feed them with good hay , and oats and wheat-bran mix'd , which will make them drink , and belly well . the first year you may put them all together , but afterwards they must be separated , the stone-colts from the fillies ; and if you have choice of houses , you may put yearings together , two years old together , and so three years old together , for their better satisfaction and agreement ; as little children best agree together . in a warm fair day you may grant them liberty to run and scope in some enclosed court or back-●ide , but be sure to take care to put them up again carefully , that they be not hurt . when summer is come , and there is plenty of grass , put them out in some dry ground , that hath convenient watring , and so let them run till mar●inmass again : then house them as before , and order them in all points as older horses , till they are full five years old , then take them up for good and all , and let your groom back them if he have skill , or else some skilful rider . you may if you please just break your fillies at two years and half old , and let them be cover'd at three ; and by that means they will be so tame and gentle , as not to injure themselves or their foals . but in case of sickness , or any accidental calamity , as lameness , &c. you must then commit them to the farrier's care. the reason why i propose the housing of them every winter , with dry feeding and lodging , is , that they may be the liker their sire in beauty and shape . for the primary cause of the fineness of shape and beauty in horses is heat , and dry feeding . and this is prov'd from the several races we have already mentioned , viz. the spanish horse , barb , and turkish horse , all which countreys are under an hot climate , and by consequence afford little grass : therefore in our more moderate and cold countries we are to assist nature by art , and to supply the want of heat by warm housing , and dry feeding . this is easily made evident by example . for take two colts begot by the same sire , on mares of equal beauty , and house the one every winter , and feed him as directed , and expose the other , till they are four years old , and fit to be back'd ; and you shall find the former like his sire in all respects , and the other fitter for the cart than hunting , as being a dull , heavy , flabby , scarce animated ●lod ; and all this proceeds from the humidity of the air and earth . from hence you may infer , that t is not only generation , but , as i may term it , education , that makes a compleat horse ; and such yours will be , if you order them according to the former directions ; for yon may with ease break the colt that is by such good management made gentle , and half-back'd to your hand . but i have dwelt longer on this subject than i intended , my business being chiefly to inform the groom ( not the master ) what belong'd to his office ; and therefore i will wander no further from my purpose , but leave it to the rider to follow his own method in rendring colts fit for his masters service : whilst i give some few directions to those gentlemen who will not bestow either trouble or charges on breeding ● or have the will but not the convenience to do it , how to elect an horse fit for this exercise . the way for a gentleman to furnish himself with an horse , that may be worth training for hunting , is e●ther to enquire out some noted breeder ( of which there are many in the north , ) or else to go to some famous fair , as malton and rippon fairs in yorkshire , the former held on the 23. day of september yearly , and the latter on may day : or to richmonds in the same shire , ( which , as i am inform'd , does now of late years exceed both the fore-mention'd , being scituate in the middle of the most celebrated part of the breeding country ; ) its fairs are held in easter week , and at rood tyde . northampton has several fairs in the year likewise , as on the 23. day of april , the 8 th . of september , 17 th . of november , with several others . there are several other fairs , as lenton-fair in notinghamshire , pank ridg-fair in staffordshire , &c. which for brevities sake i omit . at any of these places he may make choice of a horse , which as near as can be ought to have these following shapes : viz. his head ought to be lean , large , and long ; his chaul thin , and open ; his ears small , and pricked , or if they be somewhat long , provided they stand upright like those of a fox , it is usually a sign of mettle and toughness his forehead long and broad , not flat , and as we term it mare-fac'd , but rising in the midst like that of a hare , the feather being plac'd above the top of his eye , the contrary being thought by some to betoken blindness . his eyes full , large , and bright ; his nostrils wide , and red within , for an open nostril betokens a good win● ; his mouth large , deep in the ●●kes , and hairy ; his thropple , weasand , or windpipe , big , loose , and streight when he is rein'd in by the bridle ; for if , when he bridles , it bends in like a bow ( which is called cock-throppled ● it very much hinders the free passage of his wind. his head must be so set on to his neck , that there must be a space felt between his neck and his ●haul ; for to be bull-neck'd is uncomely to sight , and prejudicial to the horses wind , as aforesaid . his crest should be firm , thin , and well risen ; his neck long , and straight , yet not loose , and pliant , which the northern-men term withy-cragg'd ; his breast strong , and broad ; his chest deep , his chine short , his body large , and close shut up to the ●●cklebone ; his ribbs round like a barrel , his belly being hid within them . his fillets large , his buttocks rather oval than broad being well let down to the gascoins . his cambrels upright , and not bending , which is called by some sickle-hough'd , though some hold it a sign of toughness and speed. his legs clean , flat , and streight . his ioynts short , well knit , and upright , especially betwixt the past-●orns and the hoof , having but little hair on his fetlocks . his hoofs black , strong , and hollow , and rather long and narrow , than big and flat . and lastly , his main and tail should be long , and thin rather than thick , which is counted by some a mark of dulness . as to his colour and marks , i rather incline to believe them grateful to the eye , than any infallible indexes of goodness ; for as the goodness or badness of a man does not consist in his complexion , but in his inward vertues , so neither do colour or marks certainly demonstrate the goodness or badness of an horse , because his qualifications proceed from his inward disposition . but yet i wholly dissent from the opinion of mr. morgan , p. 31 ; who holds , that colour and marks are no more assurance of a good horse ; than the having a feather in a mans hat does prove him a good man or a bad ; inferring that inherent colours are of no greater eminency or value , than those external ones are which may be taken or laid aside at a man 's own will and pleasure . now i say , that altho marks and colour do not absolutely give testimony unto us of a horses goodness , yet they as well as his shape do intimate to us in some part his disposition and qualities . for nature , not being defective , frames every part of the same matter whereof the whole is formed , and therefore the foe●●● being formed of the copulative seed of its sire and dam , does from them derive as well the accidental as the more essential qualities of its temperament and composition . and for this reason hair it self may often times receive the variation of its colour from the different temperature of the subject out of which it is produced . and to confirm this , i dare pass my word , that wherever you shall meet with an horse that hath no white about him , especially in his fore-head , though he be otherwise of the best reputed colours , as bay , black , sorrel &c. that horse i dare affirm to be of a dogged and sullen disposition ; especially if he have a small pink eye , and a narrow face , with a nose bending like a hawks bill . but yet i am not positive , that horses even of the most celebrated colours , and marks answerable , do always prove the best ; because i have seen those horses worsted by others , whose marks and colour have been esteemed the worst ; as bright sorrel , and mouse-black with bald faces , and all the leggs white above the ●nee . but i rather attribute the ●ause thereof ●o the ignorance of the rider , that had the training of those best marked horses , than to any defec● in nature ; for nature is no counterfeit , as ar● often is , to make a thing shew to the eye , contrary to what it is in reality . and therefor● as i would not have men put too great confidence in marks and colours ; so i would not have them esteemed of so lightly , as the former comparison of mr. morgans would make them ; for it is a constant and inseparable quality for horses to produce hair , which is given them by nature as a tegument and defence against the cold : and if it be shaved off , gall'd , or any waies else removed or taken away , yet it will grow again● but a feather may be put to , or taken from a mans hat at his pleasure . therefore since colour seemeth to set forth the beauty of an horse , you may for ornament sake and to please your eye , make choice of an horse that is either a brown-bay , dapple-bay , black , sad-chessnut with flaxen main and tail , so that they have either a white star , blaze , or snip , with a white foot ; dapple-grey , or white lyard with black muzzle , eye , and ear. any of these are reputed by most men to give a grace to shape ; tho in themselves they are no perfect signs of goodness . but for his internal endowments , they are more material , and therefore take care that he by nature be of a gentle disposition , to his keeper tractable and docile free from those ill qualities o● biting , striking , restiffness , lying down in the water , starting , running away with his rider , plunging , leaping , &c. not but that most , if not all these ill habits may be rectified by art ; for experience has shewn us , that horses which h●●e ●ot been of such a perfect natural composition , as might be desired , have yet been tempered by art , and have not only been reclaimed from their vicious habits , but have been likewise brought to great performance in heats , as well as hunting , as i could instance in several if it were necessary . and therefore since art was invented to perfect nature ; if ( notwithstanding your care ) you have met with a horse subject to any of these ill qualities aforesaid , you must search into the causes of it , which art will help you to discover and remove : and then the cause being taken away , the effect will cease . so that probably , contrary to most peoples opinions a vicious horse , by good management and government may be brought to excell an horse that has a better reputation and fame in the judgment of the generality of hors●men . chap. iii. of the age a hunter should be of before he be put to hunting ; of the stable , and groom , and of the horse's first taking up from grass , in order to his further dieting . having gotten a horse answerable either to the former descriptions , or your own satisfaction at least , i am to suppose that by a skilful rider he is already grounded in the fundamentals of this art ● by being taught such obedience , as that he will readily answer to the horseman's helps and corrections both of the bridle , the hand , the voice , the calf of the leg , and the spur ; that he can tell how to take his way forward , and hath gained a true temper of mouth , and a right placing of his head , and that he hath learn'd to stop and turn readily ; for without these things are perfectly taught , and as it were laid for a foundation , he can never proceed effectually . i had thoughts of enlarging upon this particular subject , but i find my discourse is like to swell beyond its bounds , so that i am forced to omit it , and therefore i shall refer you to the directions and prudence of your rider , and only tell you that t is convenient , your horse should be five years old , and well way'd before you begin to hunt him . for though it be a general custom amongst noted horsemen to train their horses up to hunting at four years old , and some sooner , yet at that age his joynts not being full k●it , nor he come to his best strength and courage , he is disabled from performing any matter of speed and toughness : and indeed being put to sore labour and toil ●o young , he runs a very great hazard of strains , and the putting out of splents , spavins , curbs and windgalls , besides the daunting of his spirit , and abating his natural courage , insomuch that he will become melancholly , stiff , and rheumatick , and have all the distempers of old age , when it might be expected he should be in his prime . your horse then being full five , you may if you please put him to grass from the middle of may till bartholmew-tide , or at least from the middle of summer till that time ; for then the season being so violently hot , it will not be convenient to work him : where whilst he is sporting himself at liberty in his past●re , we will if you please take care to provide a good stable for his reception at his taking up , and a good groom to look after him ; both which are more essentially necessary to the hunter than to other horses , which require not that exact care in keeping . first then as to the stable , i could wish every gentleman would be careful to scituate it in a good air , and upon hard dry and firm ground , that in the winter the horse may go and come clean in and out : and if possible let it be seated on an ascent , that the urine , foul water , or any wet , may be convey'd away by trenches , or sinks cut out for that purpose . be sure to suffer no hen-houses , hog-styes , or houses of easment , or any other filthy smells to be near it ; for hen-dung , or feathers swallow'd , oftentimes prove mortal , and the ill air of a jakes as often is the cause of blindness : likewise the very smell of swine will frequently breed the far●y , and no animal whatsoever more delights in cleanliness , or is more offended at unwholesome savours than the horse . let ●our stable be built of brick , rather than stone , since the latter is subject to sweating in wet weather : which dampness and moisture is the original of rheums , and catarrhs . let your wall be of a good convenient thickness , as about eighteen or twenty inches thick , both for safety and warmth in winter , and to keep the sun from annoying him in summer , which would hinder concoction . you may ( if you please ) make windows both on the east and north sides , that you may have the benefit of the air during summer , from the north , and of the morning sun during winter from the east . and i would advise you to glaze your windows , and make them with sashes , to let in air at pleasure , and to keep out poultry , for the reasons afore recited ; and likewise to make close wooden shutters , that during the middle time of the day the stable may be dark , which will cause him to take his rest as well in the day as the night . let your floor , ( i mean that part on which he is alwaies to stand , or lye down on , be made of oaken planks , and not pitch'd , for t is easier and warmer for the horse to ly on boards than stones . be sure to lay them level ; for if they are laid higher before than behind ( as they generally are in inns and horse-coursers stables , that their horses may appear to more advantage in stature , ) his hinder-leggs will swell , and he can never lye at ease , because his hinder parts will be still slipping down . lay your planks cross-way , & not at length ; and underneath them sink a good trench , which receiving the vrine thro holes bor'd on purpose in the planks , may convey it into some common receptacle . let the ground behind him be raised even with the planks , that he may continually stand on a l●vell . let the floor behind him be pitcht with small pebble : and be sure let that part of your stable where the rack stands be well wainscoted . i would have two rings placed at each side of his stall , for his halter to run through ; which must have a light wooden logger at the bottom of it , to pois● it perpendicularly ; but not so heavy as to tire the horse , or to hinder him from eating . instead of a fix'd manger , i would have you have a locker , or drawer , made in the wainscote partition , for him to eat his corn out of , which you may take in and out to cleanse at pleasure . and whereas some may object the narrowness of the room , you may remedy that at your pleasure , by allowing it to be the larger : tho considering the small quantity of provender , you are to put in at a time , ( as you see hereafter ) you need not make it very large . i would not advise you to make any rack , but instead thereof ( according to the italian fashion ) to give your horse his hay on the ground , upon the litter ; or else you may ( if you please ) nail some boards in the form of a trough , in which you may put his hay , and the boards will prevent him from trampling and spoiling it . some possibly may object , that this way of feeding him , may spoil his crest , and that the blowing upon his hay will soon make it nauseous to his palate . for the spoiling his crest , it rather strengthens it , and makes it firm , whereas , on the contrary , to lift up his head high to the rack will make him withy-cragged : but the way forementioned , he will ●eed as he lyes , which will be for his ease and satisfaction . as to the quantity of his hay , you are to give it him in such small proportions , ( tho the oft●ner ) that it may be eaten before his preath can in the least have tainted it . but the chief● reason why i advise you to this way is this , because the receiving his hay down upon the ground , will help to cleanse his head from any rheum or dose , which he may have gotten by negligence and over-exercise , and induce him by sn●●zing to throw out all manner of watry humors that may annoy his head. if your stable will allow , you may build several partitions of boards , and at the head towards the manger let them be advanc'd to that height that one horse may not molest or smell to another ; and so divide the whole into as many equal stands or staulls as it will admit of ; allowing to each , room enough to turn about in , and lie down at pleasure . you may make one of your staulls close , which may serve for your groom to lie in , in case of a match , sickness , &c. and where he may burn candle without the horse's discerning of it . behind the horses i would have a range of presses made with peggs in them to hang up saddles , bridles , housing-cloaths , &c. as likewise shelves to place your curry-combs , brushes , dusting-cloaths , oyntments , waters , or any other necessaries upon . now that you may not cumber your stable with oat-binns , i think it necessary to tell you , that the best way is to make use of the invention of mr. farmer of tusmore in oxford-shire . which is done ( according as it is described by the ingenuous dr. plot , in his natural history of oxford-shire ) by letting the oats down from a loft above , out of a vessel like the hopper of a mill , whence they fall into a square pipe let into the wall , of about four inches diagonal , which comes down into a cupboard also set into the wall , but with its end so near the bottom that there shall never be above a gallon , or other desireable quantity in the cupboard at a time , which being taken away and given to the horses , another gallon presently succ●eds ; so that in the lower part of the stable , where the horses stand , there is not one inch of room taken up for the whole provision of oats : which contrivance hath also this further convenience , that by this motion the oats are kept constantly sweet , ( the taking away one gallon moving the whole mass above , ) which laid up any otherwise in great quantities , grow frequently musty . now i would have you have two made , the one for the oats , the other for your split beans , and both let into your range of presses ; the partitions may easily be made over head , to separate your oats from your beans . or if you like not this way , you may convert it into an hay-loft , or chambers for your grooms , which you fancy ; but whatever you make choice of , let the floor overhead be seil'd , that no dust from above fall upon your horses . but if you have the convenience of a rick-yard , so that you keep your hay abroad , it is the opinion of some knowing horsemen , that to tuck it out of the rick by little and little , as you have occasion to use it , makes it spend much better than it would otherwise do out of the hay-tallet . as to the rest of its perquisites , a dung●yard , a pump , or a conduit , are necessary ; and if yo● can have that convenience , some pond or running river near hand . but be sure , never let the front of your stable be without litter , that by frequent practice your horse may learn to empty his bladder when he is come from airing , which will be both healthful for your horse , and profitable for your land having thus laid down a modell for a stable , my next business is to tell the groom his duty ; i mean not those which generally appertain to all servants , such as are obedience , fidelity , patience , diligence &c. but those more ●ssentially belonging to this office. first then he must love his horse in the next degree to his master , and to endeavour by fair usage to acquire a reciprocal love from him again , and an exact obedience , which if he know how to pay it to his master , he will the better be able to teach it his horse ; and both the one and the other are to be obtain'd by fair means , rather than by passion and outrage . for those who are so irrational themselves , as not to be able to command their own passions , are not fit to undertake the reclaiming of an horse , ( who by nature is an irrational creature ) from his . he must then put in practice that patience , which i would have him master of , at all times , and by that and fair means he shall attain his end : for nothing is more tractable than an horse , if you make use of kindness to win him . next , neatness is requisite in a groom , to keep his stable clean swept and in order ; his saddles , housing-cloaths , stirr●ps , leathers , and girths , cleane , and above all his horse clean dress'd and rubb'd . diligence in the last place is requisite both in a daily practice of his duty , and in observing any the smallest alteration whether casual or accidental , either in his countenance , as symptoms of sickness , or in his limbs and gate , as lameness , or in his appetite , as forsaking his meat , and immediately upon any such discovery to seek out for remedy . this is the substance of the groom's duty in general , and which i shall treat of more at large as occasion shall offer it self . in the mean time since bartholomew-tide is now come , and the pride and strength of the grass nipp'd by the severe frosts , and cold dews which accompany this season , so that the nourishment thereof turneth into raw crudities , and the coldness of the night ( which is an enemy to the horse ) abates as much flesh and lust as he getteth in the day , we will now take him up from grass whilst his coat lies smooth and sleek . having brought him home , let your groom so that night set him up in some secure and spacious house , where he may evacuate his body , and so be brought to warmer keeping by degrees ; the next day stable him . but , tho it be held as a general rule amongst the generality of grooms , not to cloath or dress their horses , till two or three days after their stabling , i can find no reason but custom to perswade one to it ; but it being little conducive either to the advantage or prejudice of the horse , i shall leave it to their own fancies : but as to the giving of wheat-straw , to take up his belly , ( a custom us'd by grooms generally at the horse's first housing , ) i am utterly averse from it . for the nature of a horse being hot and dry , if he should feed on straw , which is so likewise , it would straighten his guts , and cause an inflammation of the liver , and by that means distemper the blood ; and besides it would make his body so costive , that it would cause a retention of nature , and make him dung with great pain and difficulty ; whereas full feeding would expell the excrements , according to the true intention and inclination of nature . therefore let moderate airing , warm cloathing , good old hay , and old corn , s●pply the place of wheat-straw . to begin then methodically , that your groom may not be to see● in any part of his duty , i sh●ll acquaint him , that his first business is , a●●er he hath brought his horse into the stable , in the morning to water him , and then to rub over his body with a hard wisp a little moisten'd , and then with a woollen cloath ; then to cleanse his sheath with his w●t hand from all the dust it had contracted during his running , and to wash his yard either with white-wine , or water . then he may trim him according to the manner that othor horses are trimm'd , except the ins●de of his ears , which ( though some still continue that fashion ) ought not to be meddled with , for fear of making him catch cold . when this is done , let him have him to the farrier , and there get a sett of shoos answerable to the shape of his foot , and not to pare his foot that it may fit his shoo , as too many farriers do , not only in brabant and flanders , but here likewise . be sure let his feet be well open'd betwixt the quarters and the thrush , to prevent hoof-binding ; and let them be open'd straight , and not side-ways , for by that means in two or three shooings , his heels ( which are the strength of his feet ) will be cut quite away . pare his foot as hollow as you can , and then the shoo will not press upon it . the shoo must come near to the heel , yet not be set so close as to bruise it ; nor yet so open as to catch in his shoos , if at any time he happen to over-reach , and so hazard the pulling them off , the breaking of his hoof , or the bruising of his heel . the webbs of the shoos must be neither too broad , nor too narrow , but of a middle size , about the breadth of an inch , with slop'd spunges , and even with his foot ; for though it would be for the advantage of the travelling horse's heel , to have the shoo sit a little wider than the hoof , on both sides , that the shoo might bear his weight , and not his foot touch the ground ; yet the hunter being often forc'd to gallop on rotten spungy earth , to have them larger would hazard laming , and pulling off his shoos , as hath been shown before . there is an old proverb , before behind , and behind before ; that is , in the fore-●eet the veins lie behind , and in the hinder-seet they lie before . therefore let the farrier take care that he prick him not , but leave a space at the heel of the fore-feet , and a space between the nails at the toe . when your shoo is set on according to this direction , you will find a great deal of his hoof left to be cut off at his toe . when that is cut off● and his feet smooth'd with a file , you will find him to stand so firm , and his feet will be so strong , that he will tread as boldly on stones as on carpet-ground . by that time he is shod , i presume 't will be time to water him , therefore rake him to the river , and let him , a●ter he has drank , stand some time in the water , which will close up the holès ( according to the opinion of some horsemen ) which the driving of the nails made . then have him gently home● and having ty'd him up to the rack , rub him all over body and legs with dry straw ; then stop his feet with cow-dung , sift him a quarter of a peck of clean old oats , and give them to him ; then litter him , and leave him a sufficient quantity of old hay to serve him all night , and so leave him till the next morning . chap. iv. how to order the hunter for the first fortnight . i presume by this your horse will have evacuated all his grass , and his shoes will be so well setled to his feet , that he may be fit to be rid abroad to air without danger of surbating . therefore 't is now necessary that i begin in a more particular manner to direct our unexperienc'd groom how he ought to proceed to order his horse according to art. first then you are to visit your horse early in the morning , to wit , by five a clock if in summer , or six , if in winter , and having put up his litter under his stall , and made clean your stable , you shall then feel his ribs , his chaule and his flank , for those are the cheif signes by which you must learn to judge of the good , or evil state of your horses body , as i shall now shew you . lay your hands on the lower part of his short-ribs , near the flank , and if you feel his fat to be exceeding soft and tender , and to yield as it were under your hand , than you may be confident it is unsound , and that the least violent labour , or travail will dissolve it : which being dissolv'd , e're it be hardned by good dyet , if it be not then remov'd by scouring , the fat or grease b●longing to the outward parts of the body will fall down into his heels , and so cause gowtiness and swelling . i need not trouble you with the outward signs of this distemper , they are evident to the eye : but tho every groom can inform you when a horse is said to have the grease fallen into his heels , yet may be he cannot instruct you in the cause why travail disperseth it for a time , and when the horse is cold it returns with more violence than before . the reason therefore is this : the grease which by indiscreet exercise , and negligence in keeping is melted and fallen into his legs , standing still in the stable cools and congeals , and so unites it self with other ill humours , which flow to the affected part , so that they stop the natural circulation of the blood , and cause inflamations , and swellings as aforesaid● but travail producing warmth in his limbs thaws as it were the congeal'd humours , and disperses them throughout the body in general ; till rest gives them opportunity to unite and settle again . now tho most grooms are of opinion that this distemper is not to be prevented by care or caution , that when it has once seaz'd a horse it remains incureable ; yet they are mistaken in both , for by art it may be prevented , and by art cured : altho the cure is so difficult to be wrought , that a groom cannot be too careful to prevent it . as for the ●nward grease which is in his stomack , bag , and guts , if when once melted it be not remov'd by art , medicine and good keeping , it putrifies , and breeds those mortal diseases , which inevitably destroy the horse , tho it be half a year , or three quarters of a year after . and this is generally the source of most feavers , surfeits , consumptions , &c. and such other distempers which carry off infinite numbers of horses , for want of the farriers knowledge in the first causes of the distemper : which to prevent you shall follow the ensuing directions . after by ●eeling on his ribs you have found his fat soft and unsound , you shall feele his chaule , and if you find any fleshy substance , or great round kirnells or knots , you may be assured● that , as his outward fat is unsouud , so inwardly he is full of glut , and pursive , by means of gross and tough humours cleaving to the hollow places of the lungs stopping so his windpipe that his wind cannot find free passage , nor his body be capable of much labour . therefore the chief end and intention of art is by good sound food to enseame and harden his fat , and by moderate exercise , warm cloathing , and gentle phisick to cleanse away his inward glut , that his wind , and other parts being freed from all grossness , his courage and activity in any labour or service may appear to be more than redoubled . the same observations you must make from his flank , which you will find alwaies to correspond , with the ribs and chaule , for till he is drawn clean it will feel thick to your gripe , but when he is enseam'd , you will perceive nothing but two thin skins ; and by these three observations of the ribs , flank , and chaps , you may , at any time pass an indifferent judgment of your horses being in a good condition or a bad . when you have made these remarks ● you shall sift your horse a handful or two ( and no more ) of good old sound oates , and give them to him , to preserve his stomack from cold humours that might oppress it by drinking fasting , and likewise to make him drink the better . when he hath eaten them , pull off his coller , and rub his head , face , ears , and nape of the neck with a clean rubbing cloth made of ●emp , for 't is soveraign for the head , and dissolveth all gross and ●ilthy humours . then take a small snaffle , and wash it in fair water , and put it on his head , drawing the reins through the headstall , to prevent his slipping it over his head , and so tye him up to the rack , and dress him thus ; first in your right-hand take a curry-comb suitable to your horses skin , ( as if your horses coat be short and smooth , then must the curry-comb be blunt , but if long and rough , then m●st the teeth be long and and sharp , standing with your face opposite to the horses , hold the left cheek of the headstall in your left-hand , and curry him with a good hard hand from the root of his ears , all a long his neck to his shoulders : then go over all his body with a more moderate hand , then curry his buttocks down to the hinder cambrell with an hard hand again : then change your hand , and laying your right arm over his back , joyn your right side to his left , and so curry him gently from the top of his withers , to the lower part of his shoulder , ever now and then fetching your stroke over the left side of his breast , and so curry him down to knee , but no further : then curry him all under his belly , near his fore-bowels , and in a word all over very well , his legs under the knees and cambrels only excepted . and as you dress'd the left side , so must you the right likewise . now by the way take notice , whether your horse keeps a riggling up and down , biting the rackslaves , and now and then offering to snap at you , or lifting up his leg to strike at you , when you are currying him : if he do 't is an apparent sign of his displeasure by reason of the sharpness of the comb , and therefore you must file the teeth thereof more blunt : but if you perceive that he plays these , or such like tricks through wantonness and the pleasure he takes in the friction , then you shall ever now and then correct him with your whip gently for his waggishness . this currying is only to raise the dust , and therefore after you have thus curried him , you must take either a horse-tail ● nail'd to an handle ) or a clean dusting-cloath of cotten , and with it strike off the loose dust rais'd by your curry-comb . then dress him all over with the french-brush , both head , body , and legs to the very fet-locks , observing always to cleanse the brush from the filth it gathers from the bottom of the hair , by rubbing it on the curry-comb . then dust him the second time . then with your hand wet in water rub his body all over , and as near as you can leave no loose hairs behind you ; and with your wet hands pick and cleanse his eys , ears , nostrils , sheath , cods , and tuel , and so rub him till he be as dry as at first . then take an hair-patch , and rub his body all over , but especially his fore-bowels under his belly , his flank , and between his hinder thighs . lastly , wipe him over with a fine white linnen rubber . when you have thus drest him , take a large saddle-cloath ( made on purpose , ) that may reach down to the spurring-place , and lap it about his body ; t●en clap on his saddle , and throw a cloth over him for fear of catching cold . then take two ropes of straw twisted extream hard together● and with them rub and chase his legs from the knees and cambre●s downwards to the ground , picking his ●●tl●ck-joynts with your hands from dust , filth , and scabs . then take another hair-patch kept on purpose for his legs , ( for you must have two ) and with it rub and dress his legs also . now by the way let me give you this necessary , caution , be sure whilst you are dressing your horse let him not stand naked , his body being expos'd to the penetration of the air , whilst you are telling a banbury-story to some comrades , that accidentally come into the stable , as i have seen some grooms , that would stand lolling over their horses , when they were uncloath'd ; and trifle away their time by listning to some idle discourse ; but when you have stripp'd him fall to your business roundly , without any intermission till you have sadled him , and thrown his cloth over him . and the reason why i advise you to throw a cloth over him , whilst you are dressing his legs is this ; that although t is a general rule amongst grooms , that an horse cannot take cold whilst he is dressing , yet is that saying to be understood only of his body , not of his legs ; for the rubbing of his legs will not prevent catching cold in his body . when this is done , you shall with an iron picker pick his feet clean , ( that the stopping of his feet may not be a means of his taking up stones in them , ) comb down his main and tail with a wet main-comb , then spirt some beer into his mouth , and so draw him out of the stable . being mounted , rak● or walk him to some running river , or fresh clear spring , distant a mile or two from your stable , ( which will refine his mouth which he may have lost , during his summers running , and will likewise settle his body upon his rake , ) and there let him drink about half his draught at first , to prevent raw crudities arising in his stomach . after he hath drunk bring him calmly out of the water , and so ride him gently for a while ; for nothing is more unbeseeming a horseman , than to thrust his horse into a swift gall●p , as soon as he comes out of the water , for these three causes . first , it is not only hazards the breaking of his wind , but also assuredly endanges the incording , or bursting of him . secondly , it begets in him an ill habit of running away , as soon as he hath done drinking . lastly , the foresight he hath of such violent exercise , makes him oftentimes refuse to quench his thirst : and therefore ( as i said ) first walk him a little way , and then put him into a gentle gallop for 5 or 6 score , then give him wind : and after he hath been rak'd a pretty space , then shew him the water again , and let him drink what he pleases , and then gallop him again ; and thus do till he will drink no more , but be sure to observe always that you gallop him not so much as either to chafe , or sweat him . now by the way observe , that in his galloping after water , ( after the first weeks enseaming , ) if sometimes you give him a watering course sharply , of twelve or twenty score , ( as you find your horse , ) it will quicken his spirits , and cause him to gallop more pleasantly , and teach him to mannage his limbs more nimbly , and to stretch forth his body largely . when your horse hath done drinking , then rake him to the top of the next hill , ( if there be any near your watring-place , for there in the morning the air is purest , or else to some such place , as he may gain best advantage both of sun and air , and there air him a foot-pace an hour , or so long as you ( in your discretion ) shall think sufficient for the state of his body , and then ride him home . during the time of your horses airing , you will easily perceive several marks of your horses satisfaction , and the pleasure which he takes in this exercise . for he will gape , yawn , and as it were shrug his body . if he offer to stand still , to dung , or stale , which his airing will provoke , be sure give him leave , as likewise to stare about , neigh , or listen after any noise . now airing brings several advantages to the horse . first , it purifies the blood , ( if the air be clean and pure , ) it purges the body from many gross and suffocating humors , and so hardens and enseams the horses fat , that it is not near so liable to be dissolv'd by ordinary exercise . secondly , it teaches him how to let his wind rake equally and keep time with the other actions or motions of his body . thirdly , it sharpens the appetite , and provokes the stomach , ( which is of great advantage both to hunters and gallopers , who are apt to loose their stomach through excess or want of exercise ) : for the sharpness of the air will drive the horses natural heat from the exterior to the interior parts , which heat by furthering concoction creates an appetite . lastly , it increases lust and courage in him , provided he not too early air'd . but whereas mr. markam , in his way to get wealth , 4 0. pag. 44. directs , if your horse be very fat to air him before sun-rise , and after sun-set ; and that the author of the gentleman's iockey , 8 0. pag. 14. says , that nothing is more wholsome than early and late airings ; i think the contrary may be made out from experience . for in this art , all things that any ways hinder the strength and vigor of nature , are to be avoided ; now , that extreamity of cold , and being out early and late do so , is evidently seen by horses that run abroad all winter , which however hardily bred , and kept with the best care and fodder , yet cannot by any means be advanc'd to so good case in winter as an indifferent pasture will raise them to in summer . and this holding true of the nocturnal colds , must needs be verified in some proportionate measure of the morning and evening dews , and that piercing cold which is observ'd to be more intense at the opening and close of the day , than any part of the night . besides that , the d●ws and moist rimes do as much injury to a horse , as the sharpest colds or frosts : since ( as i have found by experience ) a horse any ways inclinable to catarrhs , rheums or any other cold distempers , is apt to have the humors augmented , and the disease most senbsily increasd by these early and late airings . but if he be not had forth to aire till the sun be risen , ( as you must cast to have him dress'd , and ready to lead forth against that time ) his spirits will be chear'd and comforted by that universal comforter of all living creatures ; and indeed all horses naturally desire to enjoy the sun's warmth , as you may observe by those horses which lie out all night , who as soon as the sun is risen , will repair to those places where they may have the most benefit of his beams , and by them be in part reliev'd from the coldness of the foregoing night . and besides the benefit of the sun , the air will be so mild and temperate , as it will rather invigorate than prey upon his spirits , and more increase his strength than impair it neither , tho we disallow of early and late airings , need we be at a loss to bring down our horses fat , and from being pursive , and too high in flesh , to reduce him to cleanness , and a more moderate state of body : for if you do but observe this one rule of keeping a fat horse so much longer out at a time both morning and evening , you will undoubtedly obtain your end by such long airing , joyn'd with true sound heats , which you may expect indeed , but will never find from those that are shorter , how early and late soever : for this method ioyn'd with good feeding is the best prescription can be given in this case , and t is from the length of your airings only , that you must hope to bring your horse to a perfect wind , and true courage . and therefore a horse that is 〈◊〉 in flesh , is a sitter subject to work on , than one that is low , because he is better able to endure labour , whereas the other must of necessity be so favoured in training , to improve his strength and flesh , that he is in danger ( without he be under the care of a very skilful keeper ) of proving thick winded for want of true exercise in training . when you are returned from airing , and are dismounted , lead your horse on the straw , which ( as i told you before ) should always lye before the stable door ; and there by whistling and stirring up the litter under his belly will provoke him to stale , which a little practice will bring him to , and is advantagious for the horses health , and the keeping of your stable clean ; then lead him into his staul ( which ought likewise to be well littered ) and having ty'd up his head to the empty rack , take off his saddle , rubb his body and leggs all over with the french-brush , then with the hair-patch , and last of all with the woollen cloath . then you shall cloath him with a linnen cloath next to his body , and over that a canvas cloath , and both made so fit as to cover his breast and to come pretty low down to his legs , which is the turkish way of cloathing , who are the most curious people ( saies the duke of newcastle ) in keeping their horses , and esteem them the most of any nation . over the forementioned put a body-cloath of six , or eight straps , which is better than a sircingl● and pad stuft with wisps , because this keeps his belly in shape , and is not so subject to hurt him . now these cloathes will be sufficient for him at his first stabling , because being inur'd to the cool air he will not be so apt to take cold , the weather likewise at that season being indifferently warm● but when sharp weather approaches , and that you find his hair rise about his outward parts that are uncloathed , as neck , gascoins , &c. then add another cloath , which ought to be of woolen , and for any horse bred under this climate , and kept only for ordinary hunting , this is cloathing sufficient . now the design of cloathings is only by their help joyn'd to the warmth of the stable , and the litter ( which must alwaies lye under the horse ) to keep his body in such a moderate natural heat , as shall be sufficient to assist nature , that skilful physitian in expelling her enemies , by dissolving those raw and gross humours which are subject to annoy the horse , and which would very much prejudice him if they were not removed ; which warm cloathing does in a great measure by dispersing them into the outward parts , and expelling them by sweating as he sleeps and lyes down , which will be a meanes to purge his body , and keep it clean from glut , and redundant humours . but yet ( as in all things the golden mean is best ) there is a meane to be observ'd too here : for as too few cloathes will not assist nature sufficiently in the expulsion of her enemies , so too many will force her too much , and cause weakness in your horse by too violent sweatings . therefore you must have a care of following the example of some ignorant grooms , who because they have acquired a false reputation by livi●g in some noblemans or gentlemans service , that are noted sportsmen , think they are able to give laws to all their fraternity , and therefore without any reason heap multiplicity of cloaths on the horse as if they meant to bury him in woolen . you must know , that both the temperature of the weather and the state of his body are to be observed ; and that all horses are not to be cloathed alike . your fine-skined horses , as the barb , turk , spanish horse &c. require more● clothes then our english common horses , that are bred in a colder climate , and have naturally thicker skin 's , and a longer coat . but that you may not erre i have told you already how you are to cloath your horse , a●d therefore shall only add this one general rule , that a rough coat shews want of cloaths , and a smooth coat cloathing sufficient : ever observing , that by his countenance , his dung , and other outward characters ( which i shall by and by give you more at large ) you perceive your horse to to be in health , and yet notwithstanding your horses coat still stares , you must add more cloathes till it lye ; as on the other hand if it will lye withe the assist●of a single linnen cloath it is su●●icient . but if when he has been in keeping some time , you perceive him apt to sweat in the night , 't is a sign that he is over-fed , and wants exercise : but if he sweat at his first coming from grass , you must know that there is cause rather to encrease , than diminish the cloathes i have alloted at his first housing ; for it proceeds from the foul humours which oppress nature , and when by exercise they are evacuated , nature will cease working , and he will con●tinue in a temperate state of body all the year after . when he is cloath'd up , pick his feet cleane with an iron picker , and wash his hoofs clean with a spung dipt in fair wate● , and then dry them with straw or a linnen cloath , and if there be occasion and that you find your horses legs durty , you may bathe them likewise , only you must be sure to rub them dry before you go out of your stable , then leave him on his snaffle for an hour , or more , which will assist his appetite . when an hour is expired . you shall come to him again , and having tuck'd an hardful of hay , and dusted it , you shall let your horse tease it out of your hand till he hath eaten it ; then pull off his bridle , and having rub'd his head and neck clean , with the hempen-cloth , as before , pull his eares , and stop his nostrils to make him snore , which will help to bring away the moist humours which oppress his brain , and then put on his coller , and give him a quarter of oats clean drest , in a sive , having first made his locker , or manger clean with a wispe of straw , and a c●oth . whilst he is eating his corn ● you shall sweep out your stable , and see that all things are neat about him , and turning up his cloaths , you shall rub his f●llets , buttocks , and gascoins over with the hairpatch , and after that with a woolen-cloth ; then spread a clean flannel fillet-cloth over his fillets and buttocks ( which will make his coat lye smooth ) and turn down his housing-cloaths upon it . then anoint his hoofs round from the cronet to the toe with this ointment , viz. take four ounces of venice turpentine , three ounces of bees wax , two ounces of the best rosin , one pound of dogs-grease , half a pint of train oyle , melt all these ingredients ( except the turpentine ) together , being melted remove them from the fire , and then put in the turpentine , and keep it stirring , till all be well incorporated , then put it in a gally pot , and when it is cold cover it close from dust , and reser●e it for use . after this pick his feet with an iron picker , and stop them with cow-dung ; and by this time your horse ( if he be not a very slow feeder ) will have eaten his oates , which if you find he does with a good stomack , sift him another quart , and throw them to feed him by little and little , whilst he eats with an appetite ; but if he fumbles with his corn , then give him no more at that time . and this i think a better direction than to prescribe a set quantity of provender , as all authors i have yet met with have done . for without doubt no certain quantity of meat can be allotted for all sorts of horses , any more than for all sorts of men ; and therefore proportion the quantity to the horses appetite : but be sure at all times give him his full feeding , for that will keep his body in better state and temper , and increase his strength and vigor . whereas on the contrary , to keep your horse always sharp-set , is the ready way to procure a surfeit , if at any time he can come at his fill of provender ; according to the common proverb , two hungry meales make the third a glutton . but tho you perceive he gather flesh too fast upon such home-feeding ; yet be sure not to stint him for it , but only increase his labour , and that will assist both his strength and wind. when these things are done , you shall dust a pretty quantity of hay , and throw it down to him on his litter , after you have taken it up under him ; and then shutting up the windows and stable door , leave him till one a clock in the afternoon ; at which time you shall come to him , and having rubb'd over his head , neck , fillets , buttocks , and legs , as before , with the hair-patch and woollen-cloath , you shall feed him as before . and then leave him till the time of his evening watring , ( which should be about three of the clock in winter , and four in summer ; ) and then having put back his foul litter , and swept away that and his dung , you shall dress and saddle him as before , and mounting him you shall rake him to the water , and after drinking and galloping you shall air him along by the river side , till you think it time to go home ; then order him in all points , as to rubbing , feeding , stopping his feet , &c. as you did in the morning ; and having fed him at six a clock , be sure feed him again about nine ; and having litter'd him well , and thrown him hay enough to serve him for all night , you shall leave him till the next morning . and as you have spent this day , so you must order him in all respects for a fortnight together , and by that time his flesh will be so harden'd , and his wind so improv'd ; his mouth will be so quicken'd , and his gallop brought to so good a stroke , that he will be fit to be put to moderate hunting . now during this fortnights keeping you are to make several observations , as to the nature and disposition of your horse , the temper of his body , the course of his digestion , &c. and order him accordingly . as first , if he be of a churlish disposition , you must reclaim him by severity ; if of a loving temper , you must win him by kindness . secondly , you must observe whether he be a foul feeder , or of a nice stomach ; if he be quick at his meat , and retain a good stomach , then four times of full feeding , in a day and a nights space , is sufficient ; but if he be a slender feeder , and slow at his meat , then you must give but a little at once , and often , as about every two hours , for fresh meat will draw on his appetite ; and you must always leave a little meat in his locker for him to eat at his own leisure betwixt the times of his feeding ; and when at any time you find any left , you shall swe●p it away , and give him fresh , and expose that to the sun and air , which will prevent mustiness and reduce it to its ●irst sweetness , before it was blown upon . now as to the manner of feeding , you may sharpen his stomach by change of meat , as giving one meal clean oats , another oats and split-beans , and ( when you have brought him to eat bread ) you may give him another meal of bread , always observing to give him oftenest that which he likes best ; or if you please you may give him both corn and bread at the same time , provided you give him that last which he eats best , and which has the best digestion . t is observ'd of some horses , that they are of so hot a constitution , that without they may drink at every bit they cannot eat , and those horses usually carry no belly ; in this case therefore you must let a pale of water stand continually before them , or at least offer them water at noon , besides what they fetch abroad at their ordinary times . next you are to observe the nature of his digestion , that is , whether he retains his food long , which is the sign of a bad digestion ; or whether nature does expel the dung more frequently ; which if he do , and that his dung be loose and bright ● t is a sign of a good habit of body ; but if he dung hard , and seldom , then on the contrary t is a sign of a dry body ; and therefore to remedy this , you shall once in a day give him a handful or two of oats , well wash'd in good strong ale , for this will loosen his body , and keep it moist , and you will sind it also good for his wind , notwithstand the opinion of some to the contrary . chap v. of the second fortnights diet , and of his first hunting , and what chases are most proper to train him . by that time you have spent this fortnight , according to the foregoing rules , your horse will be in a pretty good state of body ; for the gross humors will be dry'd in his body , and his flesh will begin to be harden'd , which you will perceive ( as i told you at first ) by his chaul , his short ribs , and his flank ; for the kernels under his chaps will not feel so gross as at first they did , his flesh on his short ribs will not feel so soft and loose , nor the thin part of his flank so thick as at his first housing ; so that now you may without hazard adventure to hunt him moderately . but before i proceed , i think it necessary to clear one point , which i have heard much discuss'd amongst horsemen , which is , what sort of chase is most proper for the training of a young horse ? some being of one opinion , some of another . for some would have a horse , which is design●d either for a buck-hunter or fox-hunter , us'd from the beginning to the chase which they are design'd for . others think those chases too violent for a young horse , and therefore chuse to train him after harriers ; and of this opinion i must own my self to be , since experience has fully shewn me the advantages of the one , and the inconveniences of the other . now to prove this assertion , let us take a slight view of the several cbases which are commonly used by our nobility and gentry , where the horse is made a companion and member of the sport , and they are these ; the stag , buck , hind , fox , otter , and hare . as for the three first here mention'd , as there is not much difference in the hunting of them , so the inconveniences from each chase are in a manner the same also . for which soever you hunt , t is either in covert , or at force . now if deer be hunted in a park , they usually chuse the most woody parts of it , as a refuge from the pursuits of their enemies , which is both unpleasant to the rider , and troublesome to the horse , to follow the dogs thro the thick bushes ; and besides , usually the ground in parks is full of mole banks , trenches , &c. which is dangerous for a young horse to gallop on , till he has attain'd to some perfection in his stroke . but if they be turn'd out of the park , and be hunted at force , you will find , that as soon as you have unharbour'd or rous'd them , they will immediately make out end ways before the hounds five or six , nay sometimes ten miles , they following in full cry so swiftly , that a horse must be compell'd to run up and down hill without any intermission ; leaping hedg , ditch , and dale , nay often crossing rivers , to the great danger of the rider , as well as of the horse . so that in my opinion t is altogether improper to put a young horse to such violent labour at the first , till by practice and degrees he hath been made acquainted with hard service . now besides the swiftness and violence of this chase , and the danger of cracking his wind , and bursting his belly ; besides the straining of his limbs by such desperate riding , and the creating in a young horse a loathsomness to his labour , by undergoing such violent and unusual service ; the seasons for these chases begining about midsummer , and ending about holy-rood-tide , which is that part of the year in which the sun's heat is excessive , and so scorches the earth , that a violent chase would hazard the melting his grease , and the weight of the rider , by reason of the hardness of the ground , would occasion foundring , splents , and windgalls , insomuch that in short time the horse would prove altogether vseless . but here i cannot but desire to be rightly understood , since tho i object against these chases as impro●per for young horses , yet i do not mean that horses should be excluded this recreation ; but i would have those which are imploy'd herein , to be horses of stay'd years , and by long practice and experience have been rightly train'd to hunting . young horses ( as the duke of new-castle says ) being as subject to diseases as young children , and therefore he advises any man that would buy a horse for use in his ordinary occasions , as for iourneys , hawking or hunting , n●ver to buy a ho●se untill the mark be out of his mouth , and if he be sound of wind , limb , and sight , he will last you eight or nine years with good keeping● and never ●ail you ; and therefore ( pursues he ) i am always ready to buy for such purposes an old nag , of some huntsman , or falconer , that is ●ound , and that is the useful nag , for he gallop● on all grounds , leaps over hedges and ditches ; and this will not fail you in your journey , nor any where , and is the only nag of use for pleasure or jou●ney thus far the duke . and if it may be perm●tted ●o add to his advice , i would have them strait-bod●ed clean-timbred nags , such as may be light , nimble , and of middle stature , for those horses are not near so sub●ect ●o lamness as those of bulk and strength , the causes whereof have been already declar'd . the next chase propos'd was that of the fox , which although it be a recreation much in use , and highly applauded by the generality of the nobility and gentry ; yet with submission to their judgment i never could find that pleasure in it which has been represented to me by some of its admirers : and i am sure it is inconvenient for the training of a young horse , since it is swift without respite , aud of long continuance , both which , as i have already shew'd , are distastful to him ; but the greatest inconvenience that happens to a horse in this chase is this ; that when a fox is unkennel'd , he seldom or never betakes himself to a champion countrey , but remains in the strongest coverts , and in the thickest woods ; so that a horse can but seldom enjoy the pleasure of accompanying the hounds , without hazarding being stubb'd● , or other as dangerous accidents . the fittest horses for this chase are horses of great strength and ability , since this chase begins at christmas , which is the worst time of riding , and ends at our lady-day , when the ground is best for it . the next chase to be spoken of is the otters , which although it may seem delightful to some , yet i cannot by any means think it convenient for a horse : for he that will truly pursue this amphibious sport , must often swim his horse to the equal hazard both of the rider and the horse . but to conclude with the last , and the best of chases , and that is the hare . it is in my opinion the most pleasant and delightful chase of any whatsoever , and the most beneficial for training a young horse . it is swift , and of some indurance , like that of the fox , but far more pleasant to the horse , because hares commonly run the champion country ; and the scent not being so hot as the foxes , the dogs are oftner at default , and by that means the horse has many sobbs , whereby he recovers wind , and regains new strength . this chase begins at michaelmass , and lasts till the end of february ● now the best dogs , to bring your horse to perfection of wind and speed , are your fleet northern hounds ; for they , by means of their hard-running , will draw him up to that extraordinary speed , that he will not have time to loiter , and by continual practice will be so inur'd and habituated to the violence of their speed , that in a short time he will be able to ride on all sorts of ground , and be at such command upon the hand , that he will strike at what rate you please , and three-quarters speed will be less troublesome to him than a canterbury-gallop . i have often thought this one of the reasons why your northern breeders for the generality excel those of the south ; since certainly the speed of their hounds contributes much to the excellence of their horses , and makes them endure a four mile course without sobbs , which some horsemen call whole-running : but of this more in another place . the time being now come that he may be hunted , you shall order him on his days of rest in all points , as to his dr●ssing , hours of feeding , watring , &c. as in the first fortnight afore directed ; only since his labour is now to be increas'd , you must endeavour to increase his strength and courage likewise ; and this will be effected by adding to his oats a third part of clean old beans spelted on a mill , and as an overplus to allow him bread made after this manner . take four pecks of clean old beans , and two pecks of wheat , and grind them together , and sift the meal thro a meal-sieve of an indifferent fineness , and knead it with warm water and good store of barm , and let it lie an hour or more to swell , for by that means the bread will be the lighter , and have the easier and quicker digestion ; after which being with a brake or any other way exceedingly well-kneaded , make it up into great houshold peck-loaves , which will be a means to avoid crust , and prevent its drying too soon ; bake them thoroughly , and let them stand a good while in the oven to soke , then draw them , and turning the bottoms upwards let them stand to cool . when your bread is a day old you may venture to feed your horse with it , having first chipt away the crust ; and sometimes giving him bread , sometimes oats , and now and then oats and spelted beans , according as you find his stomach ; you need not fear but such feeding will bring him into as good condition as you need desire for ordinary hunting . when your bread is prepar'd , and you first fortnight expir'd , you must then pitch upon a day for his first going abroad after the dogs , and the day before you hunt you must always order him after this manner . in the morning proceed in your usual method as before , only observe that day to give him no beans , because they are hard of digestion , but give most of bread if you can draw him on to eat it , because it is more nourishing than oats ; and after your evening watering , which ought to be somewhat earlier than at other times , give him onely a little hay out of your hand , and no more till the next day that he returns from hunting : and to prevent his eating his litter , or any thing else but what you give him , you shall instead of a muzzle put on a cavezone joyn'd to a headstall of a bridle , being lin'd with double leather for fear of hurting him , and tying it so straight as to hinder his eating ; and this will prevent sickness in your horse , which is incident to some horses when their muzzle is set on , notwithstanding the invention of the lattice-window , now adays so much in use ; but this way your horses nostrils are fully at liberty , and he will never prove sick . but as to his corn , give him his meals , both after his watering , and at nine a clock , at which time be sure to litter him very well , that he may the better take his rest , and leave him for that night . the next morning come to him very early , as about four a clock , and having dress'd a quarter of a peck of oats very clean , put them into his locker , and pour into it a quart of good strong ale , and after having mix'd the oats and ale very well give him them to eat , whilst you put back his dung and foul litter , and make clean his stable , but if he will not eat wash'd oats then give him dry ; but be sure put no beans to them . when he has done eating , bridle him , and tie him up to the ring , and dress him . when he is dress'd saddle him ; then throw his cloth over him , and let him stand till the hounds are ready to go forth . but be sure not to draw your saddle girths straight till you are ready to mount , lest by that means he become sick . but generally old horses are so crafty , that when an ignorant groom goes to girt them up hard , they will streth out their bodies to such a bigness by holding their wind , ( on purpose to gain ease after they are girt ) that t will appear difficult to girt them ; but afterwards they let go their wind , and their bodies fa●l again . when the hounds are unkennell'd , ( which should not be till sun-rising ) go into the field along with them , and rake your horse up and down gently till a hare be started ; always observing to let him smell to other horses dung , ( if he be desirous of it ) which will provoke him to empty himself , and let him stand still when he does so : and if you meet with any dead fog , rushes , or such like , ride him upon them , and by whistling provoke him to empty his bladder . when the hare is started , you are not to follow the hounds as the other hunters do , but to con●ider , that this being the first time of your horses hunting , he is not so well vers'd in the different sorts of grounds as to know how to gallop smoothly , and with ease on them ; and therefore you are not to put him as yet to above half his speed , that he may learn to carry a staid body , and to mannage his legs both upon fallows , and greenswarth . neither are you to gallop him often , nor any long time together , for fear of discouraging him , and breeding in him a dis●ike to this exercise ; but observing to cross the fields still to your best advantage , you shall make in to the hounds at every default , and still keep your horse ( as much as these rules will allow you ) within the cry of the dogs , that he may be us'd to their cry ; and you will find , that in a very short time he will take such delight and pleasure in their musick , that he will be desirous to follow them more eagerly . now if at any time the chase be lead over any carpet ground , or sandy high-way , on which your horse may lay out his body smoothly , you may there gallop him for a quarter or half a mile , to teach him to lay out his body , and to gather up his legs , to enlarge and shorten his stroke , ● according to the different earths he gallops on , as if on green-swarth , meadow , moore● heath , &c. then to ●●oop , and run more on the shoulders ; if amongst mole-hills , or over high ridges and furrows , then to gallop more roundly , and in less compass , or according to the vulgar phrase two up and two down , that thereby he may strike his furrow clear , and avoid setting his fore-feet in the bottom of it , and by that means fall over ; but by this way of galloping , tho he should happen to set his feet in a furrow , yet carrying his body so round and resting on the hand in his gallop , would prevent his falling ; and to this perfection nothing but use , and such moderate exercise can bring him . according to these rules you may spend your time in hunting , till about three a clock in the afternoon , at which time you shall have him home in a foot pace as you came out in the morning , and besure that he be cool before you bring him out of the field ; and as you are going home● consider with your self , whether or no he hath sweat a little , ( for you must not sweat him much the first time ; ) but if not , then gallop him gently on some skelping earth , till he sweat at the roots of his ears , a little on his neck , and in his flanck , but it must be done of his own voluntary motion , without the compulsion of whip and spur : and then when he is cool as aforesaid , have him home and stable him , and besure avoid walking him in hand to cool him , for fear he cool too fast , or washing him , for fear of causing an obstruction of the natural course of the humours , ( which are thought by some horse-men to abound most in winter ) and by that means cause an inflamation in his legs , which is the parent of the scratches . when you set him up in his staul ( which must be well litter'd against his coming home ) tye up his head to the ring with the bridle , and then rub him well with dry straw all over both head , neck , fore-bowels , belly , flank , buttocks and legs ; and afterwards rub his body over with a dry cloth till there be not a wet hair left about him , then take off his saddle and rub the place where the saddle stood dry likewise , and so cloath him with his ordinary cloaths with all speed , for fear least he take cold ; and if you think him too hot throw a spare cloath over him , to prevent his cooling too fast , which you may abate when you please , and so let him stand on his snaffle two hours or more , stirring him with your whip now and then in his staul , to to keep his legs and ioynts from growing stiff . when that time is expired , and you think it may be throughout cold , then come to him , and having drawn his bridle rubbed his head , and pick'd his feet from durt and gravel which he may have gather'd abroad , put on his coller , and ●ift him a quart , or three pints of oates , and mix with them a handful of clean dusted hempseed , and give them to him ; but give him not above the quantity prescribed , for fear of taking away his stomack , which will be very much weakned through the hea● of his body , and want of water . then remove the spare-cloth ( if you have not done it before , ) for fear of keeping him hot too long , and when he has eaten his corn , throw a pretty quantity of hay clean dusted , on his litter , and let him rest two or three hours , or there abouts . whilest you are absent from him , you shall prepare him a good mash , made of half a peck of mault well ground , and water that is boiling hot , observing to put no more water than your mault will sweeten , and your horse will drink , and then stir them together with a rudd●r , or stick and then cover it over with cloths , till the water has extracted the strength of the malt , which will be evident to your taste and touch , for t will be almost as sweet as honey , and feel ropy like birdlime ; then when it is cold , that you can scarce perceive it to smoak ● offer it to your horse , but not before , lest the steam ascend into his nostrils , and thereby offend him with its scent ; and when he has drunk the water , let him if he please eat the malt also . but if he refuse to drink , yet you must give him no other water that night , but by placing it in one corner at the head of his stall , in such manner that he may not throw it down , ( which you may effect by nailing a spar across before the bucket ) let it stand by him all night , that he may drink at his pleasure . now you will find this mash , or ( as some call it ) horse-caudle , very beneficial to your horse on several accounts ; for it will comfort his stomach , and keep his body in a due temperate heat after his days hunting ; it will cleanse and bring away all manner of grease and gross humours , which have been dissolved by this days labour , and the fume of the malt-grains , after he has drunk the water , will disperse watry humours , which might otherwise annoy his head , and is allow'd by all horsemen to be very advantageous on that account . when he has eaten his mash , then strip him of his clothes , and run him over with your curry-comb , french brush , hair patch , and wollen cloath , and clothe him up again , and then cleanse his legs as well as his body of all dirt and filth which may annoy them , as you have been directed in dressing ; th●n remove him into another stall ( that you may not wet his litter ) and bathe his legs all over from the knees with warm beef-broth , or , which is better , with a quart of warm vrine , in which four ounces of salt-peter hath been dissolv'd ; then rub his legs dry as when you came in from water , set him into his stall , and give him a good home-feeding of oats , or bread , ( which he likes best ) or both , and having shook good store of litter under him , that he may rest the better , and thrown him hay enough for all night on it , shut up your stable close , and leave him to his rest till morning . the next morning come to him betwixt six and seven a clock , for that is time enough , because the mornings rest is as pleasant a●d refreshing to the horse as it is to a man , for then the meat being concocted the sleep is more sweet , and the brain is at that time more thin and pure . if he be laid disturb him not , but stay till he rises of his own accord , ( aud to know this you ought to have a private peep-hole ) but if he be risen , then go to him , and the first thing you must do is to put back his dung from his litter , and to observe what colour it is of : observe whether it be greasie , and shining outwardly , and break it with your feet , that you may see whether it be so inwardly ; for if it be greasie and foul either within or without , ( which you may know by its outward shining , and by spots like soap , which will appear within ) or if it appear of a dark brown colour , and harder than it was , it is a sign that your former days hunting was beneficial to him , b● dissolving part of the inward glu● which was within him ; and therefore the next time you hunt you must increase his labour but a little . but if you perceive no such symptoms , but that his dung appears bright , and rather soft than hard , without grease , and in a word that it holds the same pale yellow colour it did before you hunted him , then t is a sign that days hunting made no dissolution , but that his body remains in the same state still , and therefore the next days hunting you may almost double his labour . when you have made these remarks from his dung , you shall then proceed to order him as in his days of rest ; that is to say , you shall give him a handful or two of oats before water ; then dress , water , air , feed , &c. as in the first fortnight . now as to his feeding you must remember the way i have already shew'd , of changing his food ; as giving him one while bread , another oats , a third time oats and beans , which you find he likes best ; observing always , that variety will sharpen his appetite . but bread being his chief food , as being more nourishing and strong than the others , you must feed him often'st with it . and as in the first fortnight i directed you to observe his digestion , whether it were quick or slow , so likewise must you do now that he begins to eat bread. if you ●ind him quick , and that he retains his bread but a little while , then ( as i have already directed ) you shall only slightly chip your bread ; but if he be slow , and retains it long , cut away all the crust , and give it to some other horse , and feed your hunter only with the crum ; for that being light of digestion soon converts to chyle and excrements , but the crust being slow of digestion requires by reason of its hardness longer time before it be concocted . the next day after he has rested , you shall hunt him again as you did the first day , observing from the remarks you have made , to hunt him more or less , according as you find the temper and constitution of your horse ; and when you are return'd home , observe to put in practice the same rules which you have just now read ; and thus hunt your horse three times a week for a fortnight together , observing to give him his full feeding , and no other scowrings but mashes , and hempseed , which is equal in its vertue to the former , and only carries off superfluous humours in the dung. and here before i conclude this chapter , i cannot but take notice of the abuse of scowrings , and my own ignorance , being led away by the perswasions and my mistaken opinion of other mens skill , who because they could talk of giving a scowring , ( tho experience has since taught me , that they never knew the operation of them , nay nor the disposition of the horses which they kept ) i thought most eminent and skilful horse-doctors . but indeed i found to my cost , that my ignorance led me into the same mistake with those men , that take physick by way of prevention , and by that means render their bodies more lyable to diseases , their pores being so much opened by physick . in like manner i found that tho i bought horses of sound and strong constitutions , yet by following the false rules and practices of others i quickly brought them to weak habits of body ; and by continually using them to unnecessary physick , to be tender , and apt to take cold and surfeits on every small occasion : which taught me to know , that as kitchen physick is best for a man , ( unless he languish under some more than ordinary distemper ) so natural and true sound feeding is best for a horse , it strengthning his constitution , and keeping his body in good temper ; for a horse that is full-fed with good natural diet is not subject to costiveness ; and from hence i infer , that a horse which is sound , and in health , and of a strong constitution , needs little physick more than good wholsom meat , and his fill of it , provided you order him as he ought to be when he is come from hunting . but as horses no more than men are free from distempers , but by reason of abuses and unkind masters are rather more liable to them , ( it being become a proverb , as many diseases as a horse ) ; so when at any time they happen recourse must be had to physick ● and as it is good in its true use , so i shall in the subsequent part of my discourse set down when , and what manner of scourings are useful , and how they are to be applied with skill , and safety ; of which in its proper place . chap. vi. of the horses third fortnights keeping , and first thorough-sweating . by this time your horse will be drawn so clean , his flesh will be so inseam'd , and his wind so improv'd , that he will be able to ride a chase of three or four miles without much blowing , or sweating ; and you will ●ind by his ●haul and flank , as well as his ribs , that he is in an indifferent good state of body , and therefore this next fortnight you must increase his labour , by which means you will come to a true knowledge of what he is able to do ; and whether or no he will ever be sit for plates , or a match . when your horse is set over night , and fed early in the morning , ( as in the last fortnights preparation for hunting was directed ) then go into the field with him , and when your horse is empty , as he will ●e by that time you have started your game , you shall follow the dogs at a good round rate , as at half-speed , and so continue till you have kill'd or lost your first hare . this will so rack your horses wind , and by this time he will have so emptied himself , that he will be sit to be rid the next chase briskly ; which as soon as begun you shall follow the dogs at three quarters speed , as near to them as is consistent with the discretion of a good horseman , and a true huntsman ; but be sure as yet not to strain him . during this daies riding you shall observe your horse's sweat , under his saddle , and forebowels , if it appear white like froth , or soap-sudds , 't is a sign of inward glut and foulness , and that your daies sport was fully sufficient , and therefore you shall have him home , and order him as before you are directed . but if your sport has been so i●different , as not to sweat your horse thoroughly , then you shall make a train-sent of four miles long , or thereabout , and laying on your fleetest dogs , ride it briskly , and then having first cool'd him in the field , ride him home and use him as aforesaid . now that i may not leave you in ignorance what a train-scent is , i shall acquaint you that it has its name , as i suppose , from the manner of it , viz. the trailing or dragging of a dead cat , or fox , ( and in case of necessity a red-herring ) three or four miles , ( according to the will of the rider , or the directions given him ) and then laying the dogs on the scent . but this caveat let me give all huntsmen , to to keep about two or three couple of the fleetest hounds you can possibly procure for this purpose only . for although i have seen skillful sportsmen use their harriers ● in this case , for their diversion yet i would perswade them not to use them to it often ; for it will teach them to lie off the line , and ●ling so wide , that they will never be worth any thing . when you unbridle your horse , give him instead of hempseed and oates , a handsome quantity of rye bread , ( to which end i would advise you to bake a peck loaf for this purpose ) which being cold and moist will assist in cooling his body after his labour , and prevent co●tiveness , to which you will find him addicted , then give him hay , and afterwards a mash , and then order him in all points as formerly . the next morning if you perceive by his dung that his body is distempred , and he is hard and bound , then take some crumms of your rye-bread and work it with as much sweet fresh butter as will make it into paste , and then making it into balls about the bigness of a large wallnut , give him 5 or 6 of them in the morning fasting ; and then setting on your saddle upon his cloth , mount him● and gallop him gently in some adjoyning grass-plat , or close till he begin to sweat under his eares , then lead him into the stable , and let him be well rub'd , and throwing a spare cloth over him , and good store of fresh litter under him , let him stand two hours on the bridle , then give him a quantity of rye-bread , then throw him some hay to chew upon , and after that get him another warm mash , and then feed him with bread and corn as much as he will , and be sure to allow him what hay he will eat . the next day water him abroad , and order him as in his daies of rest . the day following hunt him again● but by no meanes so severely as you did the time before till the afternoon , but then ride him after the dogs briskly , and if that does not make him sweat throghly make another train-scent , and follow the dogs three quarters speed , that he may sweat heartily . when you have a little cooled him , have him home , and upon his first entrance into the stable give him two or three balls as big as wallnuts , of this most excellent scowring ; viz. take butter four ounces , lenitive electuary two ounces , gromell broom and parsly seeds , of each one ounce , aniseeds , liquorish and cream of tartar , of each half an ounce , iallap an ounce make the seeds into powder , and stir them into a paste , with the electuary and the butter ; knead it well , and keep it close in a pot for use . as soon as you have given your horse these balls rub him dry , then dress him and cloath him up warm and let him stand two or three hours on the snaffle , then give him two or three handfulls of rye-bread , and order him as you did before as to hay provinder , mash &c. and so leave him till the morning . then come to him and first observe his dung whether it keep the true colour , or whether it appear dark , or black , or red and high coloured ; next whether it be loose and thin , or hard and dry . if it be of the right colour i mean pale yellow t is a sign of health , strength and cleanness ; if it be dark , or black , then t is a sign there is grease and other ill humours stirred up which are not yet evacuated : if it be red and high coloured , then t is a token that his blood is feaverish and distempered through inward heat : if it be loose and thin , t is a sign of weakness , but if hard and dry , it shews the horse to be hot inwardly , or else that he is a foul feeder : but if his dung carry a medium betwixt hard and soft , and smell strong , t is a sign of health and vigour . when these observations have been taken notice of concerning his dung , then you shall feed , dr●ss , water , &c. as in his former days of rest ; observing always to give variety , and his belly full of corn and bread. the next have him abroad in the field again , but by no means put him to any labour , further than to rake him from hill to hill after the dogs , to keep him within ●ound of their cry ; for the design of this day 's exerci●e is only to keep him in breath , and get him an appetite . observe as you ride , that you let him stand still to dung ; and look back on it that you may draw inferences from the faces . when the day is well nigh spent bring him home without the least sweat , and o●der him as at other times , only observe to give no scourings , nor rye-bread . you may if you please wa●●r your horse this day , both at your going into the field and at your coming home , observing to gallo● after it , to warm the water in his belly . the next is a day of rest. in the same manner in every respect as you have spent this week you must spend the next likewise , without alteration in any point ; and by that time assure your self that your horse will be drawn clean enough fo● any ordinary hunting ; so that afterward observing to hunt your horse moderately twice or thrice a week , according to your own pleasure , and the consti●ution of your ho●ses body , you need not question but to have him in as good state and strength as you would de●●●e , without danger of his wind , eye-sight , f●e● , or b●dy . now wh●● you have thus according to art drawn your ho●●e clean , you will perceive those signs which i told you of , verified ; for his flesh on his short ribs and buttocks will be as hard as a board , his flank will be thin , and nothing to be felt but a double skin , and chaps so clean from fat , glut or kernels , that you may hide your fists in them ; and above all his exercise will give plain demonstration of the truth of this art , for he will run three or four miles three quarters speed without sweating , or scarce blowing , i say when this is perfected , you must avoid all scourings after hunting , ( because nature has nothing to work on ) but rye-bread and a mash , except your horse be now and then troubled with some little poze in the head ; and then you shall bruise a little mustard seed in a fine linnen rag , and steep it in a quart of strong ale for three or four hours , and then untying the rag mix the mustard-seed and the ale with a quarter of a pe●k of oats , and give it your horse . lastly , when your horse is drawn clean , you must beware that he grows not foul again thro want of either airing , or hunting , or any other negligence , lest by that means you procure to your self and your horse double pains and labour , and no thanks from your master . chap. vii . of making a hunting-match , its advantages and disadvantages . since many persons of honour delight in good horses , both for hunters as well as gallopers , it may not be improper to speak a word in this place concerning the advantages or disadvantages which happen in making of hunting-matches ; since he that proceeds cautiously and upon true grounds in matching his horse is already in a great measure sure of gaining the prize , at least if the proverb be true , that a match well made is half won . the first thing to be consider'd by him that designs to match his horse , for his own advantage and his horses credit , is this ; that he do not flatter himself in the opinion of his horse , by fancying that he is swifter than the wind , when he is but a slow galloper ; and that he is whole-running , ( that is , will run four miles without a sobb at the height of his speed ) when he is not able to run a mile . and the ground of this error i suppose arises from a gentleman 's being mistaken in the speed of his hounds , who for want of tryal against other dogs that have been really fleet , has suppos'd his own to be swift , when in reality they were but of middle speed ; and because his horse ( when trained ) was able to follow them all day , and at any hour to command them upon deep as well as light earths , has therefore falsly concluded him to be swift as the best ; but upon tryal against a horse that has been rightly train'd after hounds that were truly fleet , has to his cost bought his experience , and been convinc'd of his error . therefore i would perswade all lovers of hunters to get two or three couple of try'd hounds , and once or twice a week to follow after them a train-scent ; and when he is able to top them on all sorts of earth , and to endure heats and colds stoutly , then he may the better re●ie on his speed and toughness . that horse which is able to ride a hare-chase of five or six miles briskly , and with good courage , till his body be as it were bath'd in sweat ; and then upon the death of the hare , in a nipping frosty morning can endure to stand still , till the sweat be frozen on his back , so that the cold may pierce him as well as the heat ; and then even in that extremity of cold to ride another chase , as briskly and with as much courage , as he did in the former : that horse which can thus endure heats and colds oftenest is of most value amongst sports-men . and indeed t is not every horse that is able to endure such extraordinary toyl ; and i my self have seen very brave horses to the eye , that have rid the first chase to admiration , that when the cold had struck to them , and they began to grow stiff , have flagg'd the second , a●d given quite out the third heat . therefore to make a judgment of the goodness of your own horse , observe him after the death of the first hare , if the chase has been any thing brisk : if when he is cold , he shrinks up his body , and draws his legs up together , t is an infallible token of want of courage ; and the same you may collect from the slackning of his girths after the first chase , and from the setting of his teeth , and the dulness of his countenance ; all which are true marks of faintness , and tyring ● and therefore there is no reliance on such a horse , in case of a wager . but if on the contrary , you are master of a horse ( not only in your own judgment , but in the opinion of knowing horsemen ) that is approv'd for speed , and toughness , and you are desirous to match him , or otherwise to run for a plate ; i will to the best of my power tell you the advantages that are to be gain'd in matching . but before i enter upon the subject propos'd , i think it convenient to tell you the way our ancestors had of making their matches , and our modern way of deciding wagers . first then the old way of tryal was by running so many train-scents after hounds , as was agreed on between the ●arties concern'd and a bell-court , this being found not so uncertain and more durable than hare-hunting , and the advantage consisted in having the trains led on earth most suitable to the nature of the horses . now others chose to hunt the hare till such an hour prefix●d , and then to run the wild-goose-chase , which , because it is not known to all huntsmen , i shall explain the use and manner of it . the wildgoose chase received its name from the manner of the flight which is made by wildgeese , which is generally one after another : so the two horses after the running of twelvescore yards , had liberty , which horse soever could get the leading , to ride what ground he pleas'd ; the hindmost horse being bound to follow him , within a certain distance agreed on by articles , or else to be whipt up by the triers or iudges which rode by , and which ever horse could distance the other won the match . but this chase was found by experience so inhu●ane , aud so destructive to good horses , especially when two good horses were match'd ; for neither being able ●o distance the other , till ready both to sink under their riders through weakness , oftentimes the match was fain to be drawn , and left undecided , tho both the horses were quite spoyl'd . this brought them to run trainscents , which afterwards was chang'd to three heats , and a straight course ; and that the lovers of hunting-horses might be encourag'd to keep good ones , plates have been erected in many places of this land , purposely for hunters , and some their articles exclude all others , ( namely gallopers ) from running . but whether you design to match your horse against any one horse in particular , or to put him in for a plate , where he must run against all that come in general ; yet t is necessary that you know the nature and disposition of your horse , before you venture any wager on his head ; that is to say , whether he ●e hot and fiery , or cool and temperate in riding ; whether he be very swift , but not hard at bottom , or slow , but yet sure , and one that will stick at mark ; on what sort of earths he most delights to gallop on , whether to climb or run down hills● or else to skelp on a flat ; whether to run on de●p , or light grounds ; whether on rack-ways , or carpet-ground ; whether amongst mole-hills , or on meadow ground ; whether he be well-winded , or thick winded , so that tho he will answer a spur , and mend upon lapping , yet he must have ease by sobs . all these things must be known , to the end that you may draw those advantages from them which may be offer'd in matching ; as this for example . if your horse be hot and fiery , t is odds but he is fleet withall ( for generally those horses are so ) and and delights to run upon light and hard flats ; and must be held hard by the rider that he may have time to recover wind by sobb● ; or else his fury will choak him . but whereas it is the general opinion that nothing that is violent can be lasting ; and therefore that it is impossible that such hot mettled horses can be tough and hard at bottom , this i conceive may be but a popular errour ; for i have sometimes seen by art those two qualities reconciled , at least so far , as to make the most fiery horse managable , and to endure both whip and spur ; and then tho he should not prove at bottom so truly tough as the craving drudge , yet by his riders management his speed shall answer it in all points and serve in its stead ; but to return to my subject .. the best way to match such a horse is to agree to run train-scents and the fewer the better for you , before you come to the course : also in these train-scents the shorter you make your distance the better : and above all things be sure agree to have the leading of the first trayn , and then making choice of such grounds as your horse may best shew his speed , and the fleetest doggs you can procure , give your hounds as much law before you , as your tryers will allow , and then making a loose try to win the match with a wind ; but if you faile in this attempt then beare your horse , and save him for the course at last . but if your horse be slow , yet well winded , and a true spurr'd nagg ; then the more trainscents you run before you come to run the straight course the better . observing here too , to gain the leading of the first train , which in this case you must lead it upon such deep earths that it may not end near any light ground . for this is the rule received among horsemen that the next train is to begin where the last ends , and the last train is to be ended at the starting post o● the course . therefore observe to end your last on deep earths as well as the first . in the next place have a care of making a match of a suddain , and in drink , for fear least you repent when you are sober . neither make a match against a horse , which you do not know , without first consulting some skilfull or trusty friend , on whose iudgment and honesty you can safely rely , and who is able to give a good account of your adversaries horse's speed and his manner of riding ; and if you find him any ways correspondent to your own in speed or goodness be not too peremptory to venture , but upon some reasonable probabilities of winning : for t is neither braggs nor fancy that will make your horse run one jot the better , or your adversarys the worse : and remember this , that there is no horse so good , but there may be another as good ; and then if you proceed on good grounds , and true iudgment , you may be the bolder to go on , and stand to your match , notwithstanding the opinion of other men may be against you . one material advise i had like to have forgot and that is this ; be sure at no time give advantage of weight , for you will find the inconvenience of it at the latter end of the day : for tho a horse feel it not when he is fresh , yet it will sink him very much when he grows weak : a horse-length lost by odds of weight in the first train , may prove a distance in the streight course at last ; for the weight is the same every heat tho his strength be not . but if on the other side you gain any advantage of weight , article that the horseman shall ride so much weight as you are agreed on , besides the saddle , for by this means the rider ( if he be not weight of him self ) must carry the dead weight somewhere about him , which will be troublesome to the rider as well as the horse ; and the more to the latter , since t is more remote from his back then if it were in the saddle , and by consequence will more disorder his stroke if the rider incline to either side then if it were nearer the center ; as you may see by a pair of scales , where if the pin be not placed exactly in the midst of the beam , the longest part ( as being most distant from the center ) will be the heaviest . now as to the time that you take for dyeting , that must be according to the nature of your horse , and the present state of body he is in ; for tho he may be clean enough for ordinary hunting , yet he may be far distant from that perfect state of body , that is required in a match , and to keep him in such strict dyet all the season , ( except on such extraordinary occasions ) would be an unnecessary expence . as to your horses disposition for running , you must know it by use and observation , for in this point horses very much differ , for some run best when they are high in case , others when they are in middle condition of flesh , and some again when they appear to the eye poor , and low in flesh ; there fore according to your horses nature , and the time required to bring him into his best state , you must order your day for the tryal of your match to be . but if you design to put him in for some hunting plate ; there neither the choice of your ground , the weight , nor the horses you are to run against are at your disposal , but you must take them as you find them ; only the time for b●inging your horse into a good condition is at your own discretion , since you may begin as soon or as late as you please to keep him in strict dyet , the time for all plates being usually sixt , and annually the same . chap. ix . of the ordering the hunter , for a match or a plate . when you have either matcht your horse , or entertained thoughts of putting him in for a plate , you must consider that you ought to reserve a month at the least , to draw his body perfectly clean , and to resine his wind to that degree of perfection which art is capable of attaining to . first then you must take an exact view of the state of his body ; both outwardly and inwardly ● as whether he be low or high in flesh , or whether he be dull and heavy when abroad , and this occasioned through too much hard riding , or through some grease that by hunting has been dissolved , but for want of a scowring has not been removed . if he appear sluggish and melancholy from either of these causes , than give him half an ounce of diapente in a pint of good old malligo sack , which will both cleanse his body , and revive his spirits : and then for the first week you shall feed him continually with bread , oats and split beans , giving him sometimes the one and sometimes the other , according as h● likes , always leaving some in his locker to eat at his own leisure when you are absent ; and when you return at your hours of feeding to take away what is left , and to give him fresh till you have made him wanton and playfull . to which end you shall observe that though you ride him every day morning and evening on airing , and every other day on hunting , yet you are not to sweat him , or put him to any violent labour , the design this week being to keep him in wind and breath , and to prevent pursiveness . but you are to observe that both your oats , beans and bread are to be now ordered after another manner then you did before , for first you must dry your oats well in the sun , then put them into a clean , bag and beat them soundly with a flail or cudgel , till ●ou think th●y are hulled ; then take them out of the bagg and winnow them clean both from hulls and dust and so give them to your horse as you have occasion . your beans in like mann●r must be separated from the hulls which are apt to breed glut , and must either be thrown away or given amongst chaf to some more ordinary horse . and for your bread whereas before you only chipt it , now you must cut the crust clean away , and dispose of it as you please ; for t is hard of digestion , and will be apt to heat and dry his body . and now that you are to put him into stricter keeping , you are to make a finer sort of bread then before , as thus ; take two pecks of beans , and two of wheat , and grind them together , but not too fine , to prevent too much bran being in the bread ; and dress one peck of the meal through a ●ine range , and knead it up with new ale-barm , and the whites of a dozen new layd eggs , and so bake it in a loaf by it self , and the rest dress through a boulter , and knead it only with ale and barm ; and use it in all other points as the former : now the peck-loaf is to be given your horse when you set him , and the other at ordinary times . this bread assists nature much in increasing the strength , courage and wind of your horse , provided you add thereto ( as i have always told you ) true labour , as any bread whatsoever ; nay even as either of m. de-greys sorts of bread , which he mentions in his compleat horseman 4 0 p. 232. ed. 4 0 especially his last , which he says is better bread , and a greater cooler ; and which he prescribes to make thus , take wheat meal one peck , rye-meal , beans and oat-meal , all ground very small , of each half a peck , aniseeds , and licorish , of each one ounce , white sugar-candy four ounces all in fine powder , the yolks and whites of twenty eggs well beaten , and so much vvhite-wine as will knead it into a paste , make this into great loaves , bake them well , and after they be two or three days old , let him eat of this bread , but chip away the out side . now the reason why i have cited this is , because i have heard several ( who would be thought knowing horsemen ) applaud this very bread beyond any other to be met with in any book , tho for my part i can find nothing excellent in the whole composition . for first oat-meal tho it be strong , yet it is a dry grain , hard of digestion , and a great dryer up of the blood. the wheat is of a drying quality likewise , tho it be light ; for the aniseed and licorish , they are not only physical but hot also ; so that the body becomes over heated , and thereby costive . and yet these people will not be perswaded , but these drugs will make him long-winded ; possibly they might assist him in neighing , as some men say it doth songsters in vocal musick , wherein there is no exercise of the body used ; but where bodily strength is required , i am apt to believe it more prejudicial than pro●itable . but here some will object that there is rye and beanes both which are moist●ing ; especially the rye wh●ch is both cold and moyst , and is the very reason de grey himself gives why he put rye into his latter bread , because ( says he ) rye is a loosner and a cooler , and therefore it will make the horse more soluble . i have already said , that if his body have feeding proportionate to his labour , the horse will continue in a right state ●f health . yet since he is hot by nature , and labour might increase his natural heat , and render him costive , therefore i have all along prescrib'd him rye-bread alone as physical . but here let the horse be in what condition soever , whether bound in his body or laxative , yet rye being a part of your bread , ●our horse must continually feed thereon , which has this undeniable disadvantage , that if he be loose in his body , this bread ( to use de grey's own words ) will make him more soluble . and now whilst i am discoursing of horsebread , i cannot be condemn another curiosity in some feeders , who think , by dressing their meal to the utmost degree of fineness they do wonders , and that such pure food must of necessity bring him to the greatest perfection imaginable both of body and wind. but in this point i think they are deceiv'd , for the meal being dress'd so very fine , nothing remains but the quintessence of it ; which tho it be lightned by barm and whites of eggs , yet when it is above a day old t will begin to harden , ( as may be observ'd by manchet ) and especially if oatmeal be in it , by reason of its drying quality , whereby it will not be so easie of digestion , as it would be otherwise if it had no bran in it ; and by consequence will be more apt to oppress his stomach , if he be heated , before it be throughly digested , and so breed raw crudities , and an in●lammation of the blood , and by that means hazard a sur●eit , than which nothing can be of worse consequence to a horse that is match'd . and therefore t is that i advise , that your horse-bread should only be made of wheat and beans , and that it should not be dress'd too fine , nor too course , but so , as that there may be neither so much bran left as to annoy the blood , nor so little as to make your bread too close and solid ; but you may leave some on purpose to scowr the maw , and further your horses digestion . and thus much by way of digression . having spoken to the first condition of horses which we propos'd , viz. melancholly , and low in flesh , we are now to speak of those which are brisk and lively ; which if your horse be so , that when you lead him out of the stable he will leap and play about you , then you must not only avoid giving him the scowring last mention'd of sack and diapente , but any other whatsoever : for there being no foul humours , or any super●luous matter left in his body for the physick to work on , it will prey upon the strength of his body , and by that means weaken it , which it must be your utmost endeavour to preserve by full feeding and sound labour , which will necessarily produce a perfect wind , which is the support of strength , for when his wind once fails , his strength avails nothing . as to the manner of it , if your horse be ingag'd in a hunting-match , you shall sweat him twice this week , but not by hunting him after the hare , as formerly , but by train-scents , since the former on this occasion may prove deceitful ; for tho the hounds be very swift , yet the scent being cold the dogs will often be at fault , and by that means the horse will have many sobs , so that when he comes to run train-scents in earnest your horse will look for ease , his wind being not so perfect as in art it ought to be . therefore lead your train-scents with a dead cat over such grounds as you are likely to run on and best agrees with yous horses humour , and be sure make choice of the fleetest hounds you can get , and then your horse will be kept up to the hight of his speed . as to the number of train-scents that you are to ride at a time , ●hat you must order according to your match , or ( which is better ) according to your horse's strength , and ability for performing his heats . for if you labour him beyond his strength , t will take him off his speed , weaken his limbs , and daunt his spirit . if you give him too little exercise , it will give opportunity for pursiveness and ill humours , as glut , &c. to increase in him , and gain in him a habit of laziness , that when he comes to be put to labour above his usual rate , he will grow restiff , and settle like a iade , either of which will redound to your discredit , and therefore it must be from your own knowledge in the state of his body , and not from any general directions in writing , that you must steer your course only this direction may be given you , that if you are to run eight train-scents and the straight course , more or less , you are to put him to such severe labour not above twice in your whole months keeping ; and and if it be in the first fortnight , t will be the better , for then he will have a compleat fortnight to recover his strength again ; and for his labour in his last fortnight , let it be proportionate to his strength and wind , as sometimes half his task , and then three parts of it . only observe , that the last tryal you make in the first fortnight be a train-scent more than your match , for by that means you will find what he is able to do . and for the proportion of his exercise , twice a week ( as i have already said ) is sufficient to keep him in breath , and yet will not diminish or injure his vigour . but if your hunting-match be to run sewer train-scents , then you may put him to his whole task the oftner , according as you find him in condition ; only observe that you are not to strain him for ten daies at least before he ride his match , that he may be led into the field in perfect strength and vigour . if you intend him for a plate , let him take his heats according to this direction , only let it be on the place , that he may be acquainted with the ground ; and as for the hounds you may omit them , as not being ty'd to their speed , but that of your adversaries horse's . but as to your number of heats , let them be according to what the articles exact ; only observe that as to the sharpness of them , they must be regulated according to the temper of his strength , and the purity of his wind. and when you heat him provide some horses upon the course to run at him , which will quicken his spirits , and encourage him , when he finds he can command them at his pleasure . and here too the same rule must be observed , not to give your horse a bloody heat for ten daies or a fortnight before the plate be to be run for : and let his last be●t which you give him before the day of tryal be in all his cloathes , and just skelp it over ; which will make him run the next time much more vigorously , when he shall be stript naked , and feel the cold air pierce him . but now that i am speaking of sweating , it may be expected that i should lay down some rules how to order a horse that is in keeping for a match in frosty weather , or in case he be an old strain'd horse , so that you dare not heat him in hard weather , for fear of lameing him a fresh . in these cases some horsemen have practic'd sweating their horse in the house , by laying on him multiplicity of cloathes , being first made hot at the fire ; which is the most unnatural way of sweating a horse that can be , since 't is provok'd by heat arising from the outward parts , and is too violent , the extreamity of the heat joyn'd to the weight of the cloathes , not only weakning , but almost smothering him . the next way in use , is to give him his heat a●road , as i just now mention'd in his cloathes , but this too is not so natural and kindly , as without his cloathes , since here too the heat is augmented from without , and consequently abates his strength the more , and yet doth not altogether so well improve his wind. therefore if either you have a horse that has been strain'd , or otherwise the weather be unseasonable , find out some dead iog , or sandy way , though of but half a miles length , and there breath your horse till he sweat as you would have him . i remember to have heard of a gentleman having match'd his horse for a very considerable summ ; and the weather proving hard , took this course to keep his horse in breath ; he caused straw , and foul litter to be spread all along round an adjoyning close , and every morning his servnats shook it up and turn'd it , to keep it hollow and soft , and then the horse was had forth to gallop on it after his water , and by this meanes kept his horse in tollerable wind. now during this month both on his resting-daies , and after his sweats on heating-daies , you are to observe the same rules which you were taught in the first week of your third fortnights keeping ; only you are to omit all scourings , but rye-bre●d and mashes ; since your horse being in so perfect a state of body has no need of any . only if you think there may be any occasion , and that your horse prove thirsty , about eight or nine a clock at night you may give him this ●ulip to cool him and quench his thirst. take barly-water two quarts : of syrrup of violets 3 ounces , of syrrup of lemmons 2 ounces , mix them together , and give them to your horse to drink ; if he refuse , fasten it from falling as you did the mash , and so let it stand by him all night . during the last fortnight , you must not only dry your oats , and hull them by beating , but likewise take half a strike of oats and wash them in the whites of a dozen or twenty eggs , and stirring them therein let them soke all night ; then the next morning take them and spread them abroad in the sun , till they be as dry as at first , and so give them to your horse , and when they are spent prepare more in the same manner . this food is light of digestion , and very sovereign for his wind. ●is beans must be order'd as before , only give them not so frequently , if he will eat his oats without them ; and for his bread this fortnight let it be three parts wheat to one of beans , and let it be ordered as before directed . and likewise if you find him inclin'd to costiveness forget not to relieve nature by giving him oats wash'd in two or three whites of eggs and ale beat together ; for that , as i have told you already , will cool his body , and keep it moist . during the last week omit giving him a mash , only give the barly-water as before ; but as to hay let him have as much as he will eat ( which will not be much , if he have his fill of better food ) till a day before he is to ride his match , but then you must hold your hand , that he may have time to diges● that which he has eaten , and then and not before you may muzzle him with your cavezone ; and be sure that day , and so till the morning he is led out , to feed him as much as possible , for such a days labour will require something to maintain strength . therefore in the morning , an hour before you are to lead out , give him a tost or two of white-bread steept in sack ● which will revive his spirits , and so lead him into the field . but if you are to run for a plate , which usually is not till three a clock in the after-noon , then by all means have him out early in the morning to air , that he may empty his body , and when h● is come in from airing feed him with tosts in sack ; for you must consider , that as too much fulness will endanger his wind , so too long fasting will cause faintness . when he has ●aten what you think fit to give him , put on his cavezone , and then having chaf'd his legs soundly with piece-grease and brandy warm'd together , or train-oyl , ( which ought likewise to be us'd daily at noon for a week ● before the match , or longer if you see cause , ) shake up his litter , and shutting up your stable close , and preventing any noise to be made near him , leave him to his rest till the hour come that he is to go into the field . as to platting his main and tail , shooing him with plates , pit●hing his saddle and girths , and the like preparations , they are things which every groom can instruct you in , and therefore i shall not trouble you with rules concerning them , but in lieu thereof shall add some farther directions how to judge of the state of your horses body , and if you find any thing amiss therein how to redress it . chap ix . of the means to judge of your horses state of body , and of curing all casualties that may happen a●ter matching . there are several observations to be made by you during your dieting your horse , which if you miscarry in , may be the loss of your match , or your share in the plate . therefore , that you may know how to proceed regularly in this ar● , i shall endeavour to summe them up . first then you are to observe his chaule , his ribs , and his flank , according to the rules formerly laid down ; for if he be clean within , he will also be clean there ; but yet he may feel clean there , when he is not clean within ; and therefore those grooms are very conceited , who upon their first view of a horse and handling of his flank , pronounce him to be in a true state of body ; for gentle airing , warm cloathing , scanty feeding , may disperse the gross fat and glut , and drive it from the outward parts , so that he may appear clean , when in reality he is not so : and therefore you are only a competent iudg , who know how he was cleansed . therefore you are to observe , first , whether in all points you have proceeded according to art in his training ; as whether he performs his heats with vigor aud true courage , whether he have been all along home-fed , whether you have not suffer'd pursi●eness to increase by too little labour , or abated his flesh and strength by too much . these things are the very grounds of keeping , and therefore ought to be scan'd and consider'd with judgment . next you are to observe his manner of feeding , as whether he holds his appetite or no ; and observe what sort of food he likes best , and of that give him oftenest ; and in case his stomach abate , keep him out longer morning and night , at his airings . in like manner you must observe his dung , which tho it be as fallacious oftentimes as a sick-man's water , it being liable to alteration on the change of dyet , or being influenc'd by the air , yet being clean and in health it will usually be a pale yellow colour , and be voided in round pellets ; but if it be loose , and soft , it is an infallible sign of weakness , and therefore must by good feeding be remedied as soon as possible . but if it be hard and dry , so that he cannot dung but with difficulty and straining , then you must endeavour to relieve nature , but not with scowrings , which would weaken too much , but rather chuse to give him this glister , which will both cool and refresh him . take a quart of whey , of syrrup of violets , and pulpe of cassia , of each four ounces and of manna half an ounce ; this will purge him gently , and is most excellent to cool his bowels . the next thing to be considered is lamness , which if it proceed from old strains you must make use of this oyntment , which i have several times experimented with good success . take a fresh butter , oyle of bayes , dialthea , and turpentine of each two ounces , mix and boyle them together on a soft fire , and when they are well incorporated , as hot as the horse can suffer it , annoint the horse twice a day , and give him exercise , by airing him abroad morning and evening a foot pace , and you will find it a certain remedy for any strain in the shoulder● clap on the back sinews , or any gri●f what soever , that proceeds from strains . but if you only fear lameness from old strains , then you must be careful that your exercise be moderate , and alwaies when you come in from water and his legs are rub'd dry , annoint them with such supple oyntments , as are accounted good for the limbs , as linseed , train , sheepsfoot , neatsfoot , nerve-oyle and the like ; all which may be used on his daies of rest , but on his heating daies vrine and salt-peter . some horsemen make use of brandie and sallet oyl mix'd , and bathe his legs , and afterwards heat it in with a hot iron , and commend it as the best thing for the limbs of an old s●if● horse . but if your horse through negligence , or any casualtie happen to have the grease fall into his heels , you must endeavour ro remove it by a good sound heat , and a scowring after it , and apply to his legs this poultiss . take of honey a pound , of turpentine , common gum , meal of linseed , and the meal of fenugreek , of each 4 ounces , and the powder of bay●berries well sea●ch'd 3 ounces , mix and boyle all these well together ; then take it off , and put to it a pint of white-wine , then boyle it again , till it be very thick : and with this , as hot as the horse can suffer it , lap his legs about plaister-wise , and renew it only once in three daies , and it will certainly bring his legs within compass● if your horses feet be bad , either surbated ● or foundred , then instead of cow-dung , you may stop them with blew-clay and vinegar temperd together , and on his heating-daies at night stop them with grey-sope , and keep it in with a peice of an old shoo-sole . if your horse be troubled with any dose in his head give him mustard-seed amongst his provender , but if it be a worse cold , which you will perceive by his ratling , then give him this lambitive , or electuary . take of honey and treacle , each half a pound , having mixt these together , add to them powder of cumminseed , liquorish , bay-berries , anniseeds , each an ounce , mix all these together , and put them to the honey and treakle , which will make it of a thick consistance . if your horse hath a cold , instead of his oates before water , give him the quantity of a walnut of this lambitive on the top of a stick or in a spoon , and let him lick it off ; and the same do after airing , when first you come in , and you will find the advantage of it . these at present are all the inconveniencies that i can call to mind , which are lyable to hunters , or gallopers in their keeping ; and tho through inadvertency , or want of memory i should have omitted any , yet from these grounds , you may form your remedies for any common accident or distemper ; and now that we draw near to the match-day , and the end of our discourse , we will only discuss some few rules relating to the tryal of the hunting match . i mean rules to be observed in riding , and so conclude . chap. x. of riding a hunting-match , or heats for a plate , and the advantages belonging to each . i have endeavoured to shew the necessity and the manner of training and dieting horses , but this alone is not sufficient to the winning of either match or plate without a knowing and an honest rider , and a skilful iudge or tryer be joyn'd thereto ; but since no man is sitter to ride the horse than he that has the training of him , i shall lay down some general rules how to ride to the best advantage either a hunting-match , or three heats and a course for a plate . the first requisite in a rider , next to faithfulness in his trust , is to have a good close seat , his knees being held firm to his saddle-skirts , his toes turn●d inward and his spurs outward from the horses sides , his left hand governing his horses mouth , and his right commanding his wh●p ; observing during all the tryal throughout to sit firm in his saddle , without waving , or standing up in his stirrops , which very much incommodes the horse , notwithstanding the conceited opinion of some iockeys that it is a becoming seat. when you spur your horse , strike him not hard with the calves of your legs , as if you would beat the wind out of his body , bust just turn your toes outwards , and bring the spurs quick to his sides ; and such a sharp stroke will be more serviceable to the quickning of your horse , and sooner draw blood . be sure not to spur yonr horse but when there is occasion , and avoid spurring him under the fore-bowels , between his shoulders , and his girths near the heart ( which is the tend'rest place ) till the last extremity . when you whip your horse let it be over the shoulder on the near side , except upon hard running , and when you are at all ; then be sure with a strong jerk to strike your horse in the flank , for there the skin is tender'st , and most sensible of the lash ● observe when you whip or spur your horse , and that you are certain he is at the top of his speed , if then he clap his ears in his pole , or whisk his tail , be sure that you bear him hard , and give him as much comfort as ever you can , by sawing his snaffle to and fro in his mouth , and by that means forcing him to open his mouth , which will comfort him , and give him wind . if there be any high wind stirring when you ride , observe if it be in your face to let your adversary lead , and to hold hard behind him till you see your opportunity of giving a loose ; yet you must observe to ride so close to him , that his horse may break the wind from yours , and that you by stooping low in your seat may shelter your self under him , which will assist the strength of your horse . but if the wind be in your back , ride exactly behind him , that your horse may alone enjoy the benefit of the wind , by being as it were blown forward , and by breaking it from him as much as you can possible . next observe what ground your horse delights to run best on , bearing your horse ( as much as your adversary will give you leave ) on level carpet-ground , because your horse naturally will be desirous to spend himself more freely thereon . but on deep earths &c. give him more liberty , because he will naturally favour himself thereupon . be sure , if you are to run up hill , to favour your horse and bear him , for fear of running him out of wind ; but down hill , ( if your horses feet and shoulders will endure it , and you dare venture your own neck ) always give him a loose . only take this for a general rule , that if you find your horse to have the heels of the other , that then you be careful to preserve his speed till the last train-scent , if you are not to run a straight course , but i● so , then till the course , & so to husband it then too , that you may be able to make a push for it at the last post. next you are to observe the nature of your opposites horse , and if he be fiery , then to run just behind , or just cheek by joul , and with your whip make as much noise as you can , that you may force him on faster then his rider would have him , and by that means spend him the sooner . or else keep just before him upon such a slow gallop , that he may either over reach or by treading on your horses heels ( if he will not take the leading ) endanger falling over . observe on what ground the contrary horse runs worst and on that earth be sure to give a loose that your adversaries being forced to follow you , may hazzard stumbling , or clapping on the back sinnws . observe likewise in your riding the several helps and corrections of the hand the whip and the spur , and when and how oft●n he makes use of th●m ; and when you perceive that his horse begins to be blown by any of the former sy●ptoms , as whisking his tail , clapping down his ears , holding out his nose like a pig &c. you may then take it for granted that he is at the top of what he can do ; therefore in this case observe how your own rides , and if he run cheerfully and strongly without spurring , then be sure keep your adversary to the same speed without giving him ease and by that means you will quickly bring him to give out , or else distance him . observe at the end of every train-sent what condition the other horse is in ; and how he holds out in his labour ; which you may be able to give a judgment of by his looks , the working of his flank , and the slackness of his girths . for if h● look dull t is a sign his spirits fail him ; if his flanks beat much , t is a token that his wind begins to fail him , and then of necess●ity his strength must too . if his wind fail him , then his body will grow thin and appear tuckt up , which will make his girths appear slack to the eye . and therefore take this for a rule that there is no greater sign of weakness then this which i have last mentioned ; so that if your adversaries horse want girting after the first scent , provided he were close-girt at his first starting , you need not much dispair of winning your wager . when each train-scent is ended ( and so likewise after every heat for a plate ) you must have dry straw , and dry cloaths both linnen and woollen which have been steep'd in vrine and salt-peter a day , or two , and then dryed in the sun ; and likewise one , or two of each which have been so steeped , must be brought wet into the field ; and after the train is ended you must have two or three hel●ers , and after your groom has with a knife of heat ( as the d. of new-castle calls it ) which is an old piece of a sword blade , scrapt off all the sweat from your horses neck , body &c. you must see that they first with straw , and then with their dry cloaths rub him dry all over , whilst others are employed about his leggs ; and as soon as they are rub'd dry then chafe them with your wet cloaths , and never give over till you are called by the iudges to start again . this will keep his joynts plyant and nimble , and prevent any inflammation which might arise from any old strai● . the next thing to be considered is the iudges , or tryers office , which is to see that all things are ordered according to the articles , which to that end ought to be publickly read before the horses start. next that each tryer on whose side the train is to be led , according to the articles give directions ●or its leading according to the advise of the rider , or his knowledge of the nature and dispos●●ion of that horse on whose side he is chose . next that each tryer be so advantageously m●●●●ed , as to ride up behind the horses , ( but not upon them ) all day ; and to observe that the contrary horse ride his true-ground , and observe the articles in every particular , or else not to permit him to pr●ceed . next that after each train-scent be ended , each tryer look to that horse against whom he is chosen , and observe that he be in ways reliev'd but with rubbing , except liberty on both sides be given to the contrary . next , as soon as the time which is allow'd for rubbing be expired , which is generally half an hour , they shall comm●nd them to mo●●● , an● if either rider refuse , it may be lawful for the other to 〈◊〉 without him , and having ●ea● him the distance agreed on , the wager is to be adjudg'd on his side . next , the tryers shall keep off all other horses from crossing the riders , or leading them ; only they themselves may be allow'd to instr●●t the riders by word of mouth how to ride , whether slow , or fast , according to the advantages he perceives may be gain'd by his directions . lastly , if there be any weight agreed on , they shall see that both horses bring their true weight to the starting place , and carry it to the end of the train , on penalty of losing the wager . the same rules are to be observ'd ( especially this last ) by those gentlemen which are chosen to be iudges , at a race for a plate ; onely they usually stay in the stand , that they may the better see which horse wins the ●eat . now for running for a plate , there are not so many observations to be made , nor more directions requir'd than what have been already mention'd ; onely this , that if you know your horse to be tough at bottom ● and that he will stick at mark , to ride him each heat according to the best of his performance , and avoid as much as possible either riding at any particular horse , or staying for any , but to ride each heat thro●●●out with the best speed you can . but if you have a very ●●ery horse to manage , or one that is hard-mouth'd , and difficult to be held , then start behind the rest of the horses with all the coolness and gentleness imaginable● and when you find your horse to begin to ride at some command , then p●t up to the other horses , and if you ●ind they ride 〈◊〉 their ease , and are hard held , then endeavour to draw them on faster ; but if you find their wind begin to rake hot , and that they want a sob , ●f your own horse ●e in wind , and you have a loose in your hand , keep them up to their speed , till you come within three quarters of a mile of the end of the heat ; and then give a loose , and push for it , and leave ●o fortune and your horses goodness the event of your success . many more rules there are which may not occur at present to my memory , and others which i purposely omit ; but those may serve the honest iockey , and for the others which relate to foul-play , as crossing , ●●nging ●n the posts , leaning on the other horseman , yoking ● &c. i desire not to instruct any one in them , and could wish that they might never be made use of , but be ●holly relinquish'd by all honest horsemen . lastly , when either your hunting-match , or your tryal for the 〈◊〉 is ended , as soon as you have rubb'd your horse dry , yo● shall 〈◊〉 him ●p , and ride him home , where the first thing you give him shall be this drink to comfort him . take a pint and a half of sweet milk , and put three yolks of eggs beaten into it ; then make it luke-warm , and put in three penny-worth of saffron , and three spoonfuls of sallet-oyl , and give it him in a horn. when this is done dress him slightly over with your curry comb , brush , and woollen cloth ; and then bath the place where the saddle stood with warm sack to prevent warbles , and wash the spurring-places with piss and salt , and then afterwards annoint them with turpentin● and powder of iet mix'd together ; and be sure let the sta●le i 〈◊〉 very well litter'd ; and then cloath him up with all speed , and so let him stand two hours . then feed him with rye-bread , after that with a very good mash : then give him his belly full of hay , and what corn or bread he will eat . then but he his legs well with vrine and s●lt-pe●er , leave him corn in his locker , and so let him rest till the next morning ; at which time order him as before directed in his days of rest. thus i have imparted to the ●ublick what my own experience has taught me , relating to this part of horsemanship . i desire no person to rely on it further then they shall find it advantageous upon pra●tice and tryal . if others more skilful would be as free to communicate their observations on this subject , this profitable part of knowledge might then perhaps be improv'd to perfection . the giving a specimen 〈◊〉 all that is here design'd . if the reader finds any errors , he is desir'd either to pardon or 〈◊〉 them . to those that either know no better , or want other● helps , this possibly may prove no 〈◊〉 piece of service . errata . pag. 15. l. 19. for rot read moot . p. 22. l. 22. for lyare r. lya●●● p. ●● . l. 3. 〈◊〉 dose ●● pose . 〈…〉 p. 47. ● . 1. for to 〈…〉 &c. in 〈…〉 , r. him● and s● 〈◊〉 him by 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 p. 51. l. 2● . for da●●● . palc. p. ●● . l. ● . for so 〈…〉 . finis . the perfect horseman, or, the experienced secrets of mr. markham's fifty years practice shewing how a man may come to be a general horseman, by the knowledge of these seven offices, viz. the breeder, feeder, ambler, rider, keeper, buyer, farrier / and now published by lancelot thetford, practitioner in the same art for the space of forty years. markham, gervase, 1568?-1637. this text is an enriched version of the tcp digital transcription a51971 of text r20972 in the english short title catalog (wing m671). textual changes and metadata enrichments aim at making the text more computationally tractable, easier to read, and suitable for network-based collaborative curation by amateur and professional end users from many walks of life. the text has been tokenized and linguistically annotated with morphadorner. the annotation includes standard spellings that support the display of a text in a standardized format that preserves archaic forms ('loveth', 'seekest'). textual changes aim at restoring the text the author or stationer meant to publish. this text has not been fully proofread approx. 220 kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from 96 1-bit group-iv tiff page images. earlyprint project evanston,il, notre dame, in, st. louis, mo 2017 a51971 wing m671 estc r20972 12226102 ocm 12226102 56504 this keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the early english books online text creation partnership. this phase i text is available for reuse, according to the terms of creative commons 0 1.0 universal . the text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. early english books online. (eebo-tcp ; phase 1, no. a51971) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set 56504) images scanned from microfilm: (early english books, 1641-1700 ; 607:9) the perfect horseman, or, the experienced secrets of mr. markham's fifty years practice shewing how a man may come to be a general horseman, by the knowledge of these seven offices, viz. the breeder, feeder, ambler, rider, keeper, buyer, farrier / and now published by lancelot thetford, practitioner in the same art for the space of forty years. markham, gervase, 1568?-1637. thetford, lancelot. this text is an enriched version of the tcp digital transcription a51971 of text r20972 in the english short title catalog (wing m671). textual changes and metadata enrichments aim at making the text more computationally tractable, easier to read, and suitable for network-based collaborative curation by amateur and professional end users from many walks of life. the text has been tokenized and linguistically annotated with morphadorner. the annotation includes standard spellings that support the display of a text in a standardized format that preserves archaic forms ('loveth', 'seekest'). textual changes aim at restoring the text the author or stationer meant to publish. this text has not been fully proofread [15], 175 p., 1 leaf of plates. printed for humphrey moseley ..., london : 1656. added t.p. engraved. reproduction of original in huntington library. eng horses. horses -diseases. horsemanship. a51971 r20972 (wing m671). civilwar no the perfect horseman: or the experienced secrets of mr. markham's fifty years practice. shewing how a man may come to be a general horseman, markham, gervase 1656 41492 371 0 0 0 0 0 89 d the rate of 89 defects per 10,000 words puts this text in the d category of texts with between 35 and 100 defects per 10,000 words. 2005-06 tcp assigned for keying and markup 2005-06 apex covantage keyed and coded from proquest page images 2005-07 emma (leeson) huber sampled and proofread 2005-07 emma (leeson) huber text and markup reviewed and edited 2005-10 pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion the perfect horseman or the experienc'd secrets of mr. markhams 50. years practice the perfect horseman ▪ or the experienced secrets of mr. markham's fifty years practice . shewing how a man may come to be a general horseman , by the knowledge of these seven offices ; viz. the breeder , feeder , ambler , rider , keeper , buyer , farrier . and now published by lancelot thetford , practitioner in the same art for the space of forty years . the second edition . london . printed for humphrey moseley , at the prince's arms in st. pauls church-yard . 1656. to the reader . were not this the of spring of a long conception , and ( after above fifty years experience ) fitted for the birth , i would not now produce it into the world , since so many of the same kind have already crept in before it , that this can scarce expect the least portion of your acceptation : yet when i tell you , that ( notwithstanding all mr markhams promises in his former bookes to lay open his cabinet councels ) you shall here find many most rare secrets of his , and yet not so much his own , as his most intimate friends , the publisher her●of , to whom as a legacy , he bequeathed them , and by whom since , for his private use and experience , and with most approved success , they have been practised for above forty years : for there is no part of horsemanship , either for the theorick or practick , but is here exactly discovered : for breeding , here is the manner how , the season when , the place where , together with the colours , marks and shapes , as well of stallions as mares . the feeder , rider , keeper , ambler and buyer , have here their most particular instructions ; but above all , the farrier ( be he never so skilful ) may hereby perfect his knowledg , and inrich himself . but whoever thou bee'st that buyest it , whether for thy pleasure or profit , if thou art pleased , i have my ends . farewel . a table of the things handled in the office of the breeder . observations in the breeding of horses . page 1 choice of grounds , 2 change of grounds , 3 choice of stallions and mares , ibid : the age of stallions , &c. 5 when to put horse and mares together , 6 when mares are fit for horse , 7 how to put them together , ibid. how many mares for one horse , 8 ordering after covering , 9 to help mares in foaling , ibid. how long foals to run , &c. 10 to know true shape , height and spirit , 11 to know goodness , &c. 12 of weaning , ibid. separating , 13 guelding , ibid. taming , 14 breaking , ibid. colting . 15 a table of the rider . observations in riding , page 17 times to handle colts , ibid. when to sadle , 19 mounting , ibid. backing ; 21 helps at the first backing , 22 what lessons for what horse , 23 helps and corrections , 24 rod , ibid. bit , ibid. calves of the legs , 25 stirrop , ibid. spur , ibid. ground , 26 large rings , ibid. stopping , 28 advancing , ibid , retiring , 29 biting , ibid : strait turns and turnings , 30 the first strait turn , 30 another strait turn , 33 to help an ill rain , or a run-away jade , &c. 34 the help , ibid. another help for inconstant carriage , 35 how any lady may spur her horse as well as any man , yet unperceived , 36 a table of the feeder . an introduction to the work , touching the limitation of time for preparing the running horse , page 39 the first ordering of the running horse according to the several estates of bodies , 46 the first fortnights feeding , 49 four considerations in heats , 57 the second fortnights feeding , 58 the first bread , 59 the first scouring , 65 ordering after the scouring , ibid. the third fortnights feeding , 69 the second breed , ibid the fourth fortnights feeding , 70 the last breed . ibid. certain observations and advantages , &c. 35 observe meat and drink , 76 for lameness , 77 from the estate of the body , ibid. from the prime parts , 78 for limbes , 79 for water , ibid : for ground to run on , 80 from sweat , 81 from the hayre , ibid. a table of the keeper . to keep an horse for pleasure , hunting or travelling , &c. 83 dressing and watering , ibid. ordinary keeping , 85 keeping in travel or sport , 86 of heats , 87 ordering after labour , 88 some especial precepts , ibid. of washing and walkings , 89 a table of the ambler . observations in ambling , 91 mens opinions and errors , ibid. ambling by the ploughed field , 92 by gallop , 93 weights , ibid. not ridden , 94 by shooes , 95 by lists , ibid. by the hund , 96 by tramell , 97 errors in the tramel , 98 the best way , 1●0 the form of the tramel , ibid. the true use of the true tramel , 103 when to alter the tramel , 104 when to mount , &c. 105 when to journey , &c. 106 a table of the buyer . of all the perfections and imperfections in an horse , 109 observations in buying , ib. the end , 110 election divided , 111 the first rule , ibid breed , ibid colour , 112 paces , ibid stature , 115 second rule , ibid how to view , 116 ears , face , ibid eyes cheeks , 117. 118. nostrils , teeth , 119 brest , forethighs , knees 120 legs , pasterns , 121 hoofs , 122 crest , main , 123 back , ribs , &c. ibid , buttocks , 124 hind-thighs , 125 hind-legs , ibid tail , 126 to know age , ibid a table of the farrier . signs of sickness , page 132 of dung , ibid of urin ; 134 of sickness , 135 of diahexaple , 137 the vertues , ibid a drink to open , 136 cordiall balls ; ibid for bottes , 141 another , ibid a purgation , 142 laxativeness , ibid the stone , 143 staling blood , ibd cold and coughs , 144 another , ibid. another , ibid. another , ibid. another , 146 a cordial powder , ibid. for colds and canker in the nose , 147 for glanders , ibid another , 148 another , ib. a scouring , 149 outward sorrances . signs , 150 for the eyes , 153 another , ib. another , ib. another , 154 the mastar medicine for all strains , 155 another , ibid. another , 156 another , 157 another , 158 another , ib. marks , 159 sinews extended , ibid. another , 160 a charge , ibid. for a●hes , 161 gourded leggs , ib. another , 163 another , ib. for scratches , 164 another , ibid. another , ibid. for splent , spaven , 165 another , 166 wyngals , ibid. pains , mules , 167 swiftcut , ibid. maunge , 168 another , ibid. canker and leprosie , 169 affistula , &c ▪ ibid. a fare , ibid. another , 170 for a founder , &c. ibid. for hoofs , 171 another , 172 for surbait , ibid. quitterbone , ib. another , 170 for a prick , ib. for chaffing , 174 a general salv● , ibid. sadle-bruises , 172 another , 173 to make hair to grow in bald places , 174 to stanch blood , ib. for enterfering , 175 to tame an unruly horse , ib. finis . the perfect horse-man . the office of the breeder . observations in breeding of horses . men may imagine i harp upon one string , or tread the old paths in which i walked in my first years . but let them not deceive themselves : the meanders and windings in which i now labour , are of a new discovery ; and howsoever i may now and then come under the same height , yet shall he that follows me find it so removed , that it shall bring him ● much neerer way to his journies end . for i● these short essays i have striven only to amend mend errors overslipt before , and to acquaint my friends with all those uncontrollable experiments which i have found out since in forty years and more : and believe it , he is an ill proficient that in such a time cannot find ( in the art he professeth ) something worthy his friends acceptation . therfore thus to my breeder . chóice of grounds . the grounds to breed on would be spatious , and not strait , for horses joy not in cages . there accommodate according to your stock ; and though the more the merrier , yet the fewer the better fare . they would not be extreme fertile , nor extreme barren ; the golden mean is the best temper : yet to incline a little to hardness , is better then much rankness ; the one breeds health , the other disease . let the situation be ascending , the air pure , the laire dry , and the foot-tread firm , no matter how rough or incertain ▪ as much ground as will keep a milch-cow , will keep a milch-mare , and a great dealless when she is barren or unwrought . change of grounds . again , as change of pasture makes fat calves , so alteration of grounds raises gallant colts . therefore strive to have one ground to foal in , another to summer in , and a third to winter in . the first to be without danger , the second not without shelter , and the third defended from storms and tempests by trees , hovel , shed , barn or backstable , wherein may be stored winter-provision . thus far for those which have ability . but for them which must breed for necessity , let his yard , back-side , or stable serve to foal in , the white corn-fields to summer in , and the cratch or stand-heck to winter at . choice of stallions and mares next the change of grounds , i place the choice of stallions and mares , which is a theme i have so oft written of , that i must needs refer the curious to those larger volumes , and only in this place say , that for as much as all men covet to be governed by their own passions , therefore i leave them to their own choice , and the end for which they breed ; yet advising them , that of those races of which they make election , they choose the best and a blest , the highest spirited , the fairest coloured , and the finest shaped ; whether it be neapolitan , turk , spaniard , barbary , english , dutch , polander , french or german . and because it is impossible to finde out absolute perfection , i would have our breeder to inform himself well of all the natural defects that can be found in the stallion , and to amend them in the mare that shall be joined with him ; and what is amiss in the mare , to see it repaired in the horse . for any singular election of mares , the breeder need not be too curious ; only observe , that if you can get true breed , you then pass by the bastard ; if you may have the the gentleman , never make use of the clown . but when you are tyed by necessity or compulsion , then see the mare have a good forehand , a large womb , sound limbs , fair colour , and good metal . for the rest , let nature alone , she is a brave mistress . now for those breeders which look not so much into the breed and generation of the horse , as into his actions and good dayes works ; accounting because he hath won such a wager , or beaten such a horse , therefore he must necessarily be an excellent stallion : let them know they are deceived ; for this is no good consequence ; no more then if a robustrous strong skillfull clown should give a weak unskilfull gentlemen a fall , therefore all the clown-breed should be excellent wrastlers . this can hold for no maxim ; for i am perswaded , that let a gentleman have either skill to encounter strength , or strength to encounter skill , there is no clown that can foil him . in like manner a clown-horse by training , feeding , and riding , may beat a true bred horse ; but when they encounter upon equal terms , truth will shew herself for a mistress . therefore in this case of breeding , get as neer as you can true breed , and it will seldom or never bring forth repentance . the age of stallions and mares : a horse may beget good colts from four years old to fourteen ; after , he declineth : and a mare may bring forth from three years old to thirteen , and then she decayeth : yet are neither utterly lost , but both may be made to serve for the same use a much longer season . moderate labour is good for breed of mares , when they go over ; for it maketh them apt to take the horse , and soon to conceive . when to put horse and mare together . the absolute best time to put the horse and mares together , is the beginning of march , provided there be strength and lust in both . for , the earlier the foal falleth , finding no want or scarceness , the better horse is ever produced : and so consequently from the beginning of may ; the foals that fall after such a time cannot chuse but have imperfection in some condition . for they have two great enemies to encounter withal ( not before known ) which daily fall upon them , that is , hunger and cold , with which the early foal hath been before familiar . there be some horsemen which hold that the lammas foal proves ever an excellent horse ; and i dissent not from it , where there is plenty and fulness of keeping ; for he knows the worst of winter before summer appear , and so may be good and hard ; but if he chance to be pinched with either , the smalnes of his statute will lessen his goodness , and his weakness make useless his hardness . the lammas foals are commonly known by many obscure feathers out of their own sights , as under their eyes , upon their necks , crests , and under their chaps . to conclude , it is not good to put the horse to the mares at all , till you find some ready , ( speaking of a general putting together ) for so the horse loseth his strength unfruitfully , and she gets nothing but chasing and mischiefs . when mares are fit for the horse . to know when your mares are ready ( if it be in a wild stud ) observe their chasing and galloping up and down morning & evening , and their inconstancie of abiding in any one place , especially throwing their noses to the north and south , the lifting up of their tails , riding one anothers backs , wooding one another , oft pissing , or opening of their shares and closing them again , all are signs of lust : if you will make a more particular trial , then prove them with some stoned tit or jade . how to put them together . when your mares are ready , the question is how they shall be put together , whether abroad at random for sundry weeks , or at home in private for a night or two ? if abroad , let your fence be good , your food sweet , and your shelter sufficient . if in the house , then in some empty barn or spacious place , which may be free from danger of posts or other occasion of rushes : and let them remain from sunset till sunrise , and two nights are sufficient . now there is a third manner of covering , and i preferr it for the best , because it keeps the stallion longer in ability , and serves the mare with a great deal more certainty : and that is , first to be sure to have them both at one dyet , as the mare at grass and the horse at soil ; then finding the mare ( by tryal ) ready , put them together into some closewalled paddock , where there is store of sweet grass and sweet water , just upon the going down of the sun , and as neer as you can observe , either three days after the change , or three days before the full of the moon , and let them remain close together two whole nights and one day , and take the horse from her at sunrise . how many mares for one horse . if you cover abroad ( as i spake before , at random ) an horse may well serve twelve mares , if you expect no other service of him . if you cover in the house , where he hath extraordinary keeping and little chasing , he will satisfie fifteen : but if you cover in the paddock , then i have known an high spirited horse for own year serve to keep you mares ●n an indifferent estate of body ; for too much fatness hinders conception , and too much leanness abates lust . ordering after covering . after your mares are covered , keep them as much as you can from disturbance , especially for a moneth after covering , and a moneth before quickning : yet if necessity compell , you may give them moderate exercise either in journeying or otherwise : yet remember , if you keep the mare in the house at had meat , she will spring early and much , and sudden cold after is dangerous for imborsement . also remember that a mare at her first quickning is like a fruit-tree , whose blossoms at the first appearance are tender and easily destroyed with every shake of wind , or nip of frost ; but after they are knit and fixt , they are hardly beaten down with cudgels . to help mares in foaling . if any of your mares be hard of foaling , or in danger in foaling , then either hold her nostrils so that she cannot draw wind : or if that prevail not , then take the quantity of a walnut or better of madder , and dissolve it in a pint of old ale , and being warm give it the mare . if both fail , then take the help of some understanding midwife . now if after her foaling she do not cleans● or avoid her secundine , then boil two or three handfull of fennel in running water , and take half a pint thereof , and as much malmsie , with a fourth part of sallet-oil , and mixing them together give it the mare luke-warm into her nostrils , then hold them close a little space after it : otherwise for want of this give her green forrage , that is , either green wheat or rye , ( but rye is best ) and they are as effectual . by no means let the mare eat her cleansing ( which many will cove● ) for it is unwho●som , and an hinderance to her milk . how long foals to run with their dams . let foals run with their dams ( if you have go●d accommodation for them ) a full year at the least ; or if they be choice and principal bred foals , then two years , if possibly you can : for the going over the mare will be no loss , in comparison of the excellenc●● to which the foal will attain by such suff●●●nce but if you want good accommodation ▪ th●n wean at seven moneths , but be sure ●● keep them lustily ; for what they lose in the first year , they will hardly gain in three following . and at the weaning give them saven and butt●r for divers mornings , or the worm or gargel will hazard to destroy them : besides ▪ have an eye to the strangle , for it is apt to assay them , and not taken in time will prove mortal . the first winter , spare neither hay nor corn , that is , oats in the chaff or in the sheaf ; the cha●fing of wheat , barley , or rye , and indeed any offal that comes from any grain whatsoever . to know a true shape , spirit , and height . the same shape which a foal carries at a full month old , he will carry at six years old , if he be not abused in after-keeping ; and as the good shape , so the defects also . a large shin-bone that is long from the knee to the pastern in a foal , shews a tall horse . look what space there is in a foal new foaled , between his knee and withers , double that will be his height when he is a compleat horse . foals that are of stirring spirits , free from affrights , wanton of disposition , active in leaping , running and chasing , ever leading the way and striving for mastery , these always prove excellent metal'd horse● , the contrary jades . to know goodness . there is a rule , and it is a good one , that an horses ability , and continuance in goodness is known by his hoofs : for if they be strong , smooth , hard , deep , tough , uprightstanding , and hollow , that horse cannot be evil . for they are the foundation of his building , and lend fortitude to all the rest . if they be otherwise , he cannot be good or lasting : whence it comes to pass , that no horse naturally hath so good hoofs as the barbary ; and it is indeed the only character by which to know him from all other horses . weaning of foals . wean your ordinary foals from their dams at the end of seven months at the utmost ; the better , at a year , two , or more . and observing so to divide them , that neither the foals nor the dams may be within the hearing of one anothers call . for which cause it is thought fit to house the foals for two or three nights , ( on the mornings whereof you shall give the saven and butter before spoken of ) that they may forget the dams ; and send the mares to their pasture . also observe to keep them as high as is possible the second year ; but the third and fourth year you may put them to harder grasing . separating of colts : as you separate foals from the dams , so you must divide the mare-colts : for it is certain , that amongst these high-bred spirits ▪ and with this lofty and full feeding , the hors-colts will cove● to cover the mare-colts at a year , as i have seen by experience , and it is the destruction of both . again , if you have such store of grounds , you may separate one years breed from another . this is the safest course , because of continual familiarity for change of quality . gelding of colts . if you intend to geld any of your colts ▪ the only best time , and which maketh the finest geldings , is at nine days old , or as soon as you perceive the stones to fall ; for then is the least danger , and it maketh f●●est crests . the time of the moon to geld in , is in the wane , the sign in aries or virgo ; the time of the year in generall is the spring or fall ▪ and although the earlier you geld , the better and safer , yet notwithstanding you may safely geld at any time or any age , even from foal old age ; and although the elder , the greater swelling , yet more exercise and more chasing will asswage it . taming of colts . touching the taming of colts , or making them domestick or familiar , you shall begin even from the first weaning , and so winter after winter ( in the house ) use them to familiar actions , as rubbing , clawing , haltering , leading to water , taking up of his feet , knocking his hoofs , and the like . to break colts . the best time to break colts to the saddle , according to the antient opinion and general custom of men , ( and which brings them soonest to the use and service of the owner , and therein supposed to be most profitable ) is at three years old , and the advantage or four at the utmost . but say i , he that will stay and see his horse fully five , shall be sure to have an horse of longer continuance , less subject to disease and infirmity , and one that ( but by death ) will hardly come to the knowledge of tyring . all the actions about a colt in his nonage , or an horse to break at elder age , must b● done first with warning , next constantly and valiantly , not fearfully or doubtfully : the first begetteth obedience , the other rebellion . coiling of the stud. touching the coiling of the stud , or makeing of special elections , i need not spend much ink , because the owner best knowes which are best bred , and his eyes can tell him where is the best shape and soundness . i only advise him by no means to make too early coiling : for some borses will shew their best shape at two and three years old , and lose it at four , others not till five , nay six , but then keep it ever : some will do their best dayes work at six and seven years old , others not till eight or nine . but be the time when it will , let him preserve for his own use the best , the most comely , and most sound . those which are defective , i mean such as bring incurable deformities , gross sorrances , as spavens , ringbones , imperfect eyes , or the like , or that shew palpable barstardie , send them away to the market . when you find any of your mares grow into barrenness , unnaturalness , or disease , away with them , and change them . for all , though i could prescribe you remedies , yet they are not worthy your use , nor will i ●ue your loss : therefore let such mares go , for their profit is past , and they are useless . thus much touching breeding : the office of the rider . observations in riding . it is not intended that in these few observations or short touches i should discover the whole art of riding ; it neither fits the brevity of the work , norsuits with my first promise in the title . he that looks for such largeness of discourse , i refer him to my greater volumes ; in this onely to be found things new , things certain , set down in way of principles or infallible rules , to conduct a man the easiest way to some perfection . times to handle colts . to begin then with the first taming or making gentle of a colt ( as i shewed you in the observations for breeding ) you must begin the first winter after his foaling , and so continue every winter till he come to the sa●dle , which time i have also set down in the same place ; and then there is no fear of evil qualities . but if a colt of contrary education come to your hands and must be handled , ●hen apply him with all gentleness , and do nothing about him suddenly , roughly , o● fearfully ; yet with that awe of your voice , your rod , and other terror , make him know you are his master when he rebelleth . and when you begin to do nay thing about him ( of what nature soever ) never leave it ; only take leisure , and rather win it by gentleness ▪ then cruelty , forget not to give the hor●● reward , when he gives content ; and by no mean● punish , till you are sure he knows his error ; for before you give him understanding , it is im●ossible he should obey . neither doth this taming of a colt consist in the house only , but in the field also , where with a cavezan or chain , and a long rei● with an iron turnel under his chaps , you shall make him trot large rings about you readily on both hands , and change at your pleasure as you shall turn him . and then to your cherishings , corrections , and all manner of handlings which before you had used i● the house . when to saddle . when your horse is thus made gentle you may then offer him the saddle : but with that deliberate carefulness , that he may not take affright or dislike thereat ; suffering him to smell at it , to be rubbed with it , and as it were to feel it and not to feel it ; then in the end to fix it on , and girt it fast ; and at what part and motion soever he seems most coy , with that make him most familiar . when he will endure the saddle , then trot him abroad with it , and make him ( as before ) trot his rings on both hands about you , clap the saddle as it stands on his back ▪ shake it , hang and sway upon it , dangle the stirrops by his sides , rub them on his sides , and make much of him , and familiar with all things about him , as the straining of the crooper , fastning and loosning the gyrths , and taking up or letting out of the stirrops . of mo●thing when he will trot with the saddle obediently , then you shall wash a trench of a ful mouth , and somwhat worn , and put it into his mouth , and throw the reins over the fore part of the saddle ▪ bolsters and all , and make them of the length , that the horse may have a full feeling of the trench , and a sense to play on the same : then put on a martingal , and fix it from the gyrths to the chaulband of the cavezan ; but at that length , that the horse may not find fault , unless he disorderly throw up his head . then take a broad peece of leather , and put it about the horses neck , and make the two ends fast by platting or otherwise at the withers and mid-part before his weisand ▪ about two handfull below his throple : be twixt his neck and the leather let the martingal pass ; so that when at any time he shal offer to duck or throw down his head , the cavesan being placed upon the tender griss● of his nose , may correct and punish him . by which means he shall not only lose that fo●● quality of winning the head and thrusting i● between his legs , but also gain the way o● raising up his neck , bringing down his head ▪ and fashioning himself to an absolute rein . the horse thus accoutred , trot him abroad as before shewed , and chase him about you on both hands . and if you find either the reins of the trench or martingal to grow slack , then straiten them ; for where there i● no feeling there is no vertue . of backing . when you have exercised your horse thus divers mornings , noons or evenings , and find him both tractable , ready and obedient , you may then take him into some new ploughed ground ( the lighter , the better ) and hav●g chased him a little on both hands , and seeing all your tackle firm , strong and good , and every thing in his true and due place , you may then ( having one to stay his head , and govern the chasing rein ) take his back ; yet not suddenly , but by degrees , and with divers heavings and half-raisings . which if he endure patiently , then you may take the reins of the trench into your hands and settle your self . but if he shrink or dislike , then forbear to mount , and chase him about him again ; then offer to mount ; and thus do till he receive you willingly . then when you are setled , have received your stirrups , and cherisht him , putting your toes forward , let him that stays his head lead him forward half a dozen paces , then both cherish him , then lead him forward a dozen paces , then rest and cherish , and shake and move your self in the saddle : then let him that stays his head , remove his hand a little from the cavezan ; and as you thrust forward your toes , so let him also move him forward with his rein , till you have made the horse apprehend your own motions of body and foot ( which must go equally together , and with spirit also ) so that he will go forward without the other assistance , and stay upon the restraint of your own hand , and not the stay of the cavezan : then you shall cherish him , and give him grass or bread to eat , alight from his back , then mount and unmount twice or thrice together ever mixing them with cherishings . thus exercise him till you have made him perfect in going forward , and standing still , at your pleasure . helps at first backing . when this is effected , you may lay by the long rein , and the band about the neck , and only use the trenches , the cavezan , and the martingal ; and instead of leading in hand , let a groom on another horse lead the way before you into the field : where you shall not strive to teach him any other lesson , then to go strait forthright forward , and to stand still when you please : which will be effected in a few mornings , by trotting him forward a mile or two after another horse , and so bring him home sometimes after the horse , sometimes equally with , and sometimes before , so that he may fix upon no certainty but your own pleasure . and in all this labour you must have a special regard to the wellcarriage of his head and neck ; and as the martingal slacketh , so to straiten it . what lessons for what horse . when this work is finished , you may then proceed to teach your horse those lesson● which are fit for his practice and the purpose for which you intend him . as if it be for hunting , running , travel , hackney , or the like , then the chiefest things you are to apply your self unto , are to preserve a good mouth , to trot freely and comely , to amble surely and easily , to gallop strongly and swiftly , to obey the hand in stopping gently and retiring willingly , and to turn on either hand readily and nimbly . to all which i will give you lights in their severall places . but if you intend him for the great saddle , or the use of the wars , then although the lessons be the same , yet they are to be taught and done in a more punctual manner , and ask more nice and artificial demonstrations . so that if an horse can be brought to the best , the easier must needs follow with little industry . and it is a rule in horsmanship , that no lesson which belongs to the wars can be hurtfull or do injury to any horse whatsoever that is kept for any other purpose . whence it cometh , that every horse for the wars may be train'd for a runner or hunter at pleasure ; but every runner or hunter will not serve the wars : and every horsman that can make an horse for the wars , may be a jocky when he pleases ; but no jocky ( that i know ) can make an horse for the wars . therefore i will run a middle way , and suit my lessons for both purposes . helps and corrections . before you teach your horse any lesson , you must know there are seven helps to advantage him in his lessons , to punish him for faults gotten in his lessons ; and they be the voice , the rod , the bit or snafflle , the calves of the legs , the stirrop , the spur , and the ground . voice . the voice is an help , when it is sweet and accompanied with cherishings and it is a correction , when it is rough or terrible , and accompanied with strokes or threatnings : rod . the rod is an help in the shaking , and a correction in the striking . bit or snaffle . the bit is an help in its sweetness , the snaffle in its smoothness ; and they are corrections , the one in its hardness , the other in its roughness , and both in flatness and squareness . calves of the legs . the calves of the legs are helps when you lay them gently to the horses sides ; and corrections when you strike them hard , because they give warning that the spur follows . the stirrop and stirrop leathers are helps when you thrust them forward in a quick motion , and stir up in the horse spirit and agility . but when you strike it against the hinder part of the shoulder , it is a correction and awakens memory . spur. the spur is an help when it is gently delivered in any motion that asks quickness and agility , whether on the ground or above the ground ; and a correction , when is stricken hard into the sides , upon any sloth or other fault committed . the ground . lastly , the ground is an help , when it is plain and smooth , and not painfull to tread on ; and it is a correction , when it is rough , deep , and uneven , for the amendment of any vice conceived . of large rings . when your horse will receive you to and , from his back g●ntly , trot forward willingly , and stand still obediently : then , intending him f●● the wars , or any other purpose , ( for these lessons serve all occasions ) you shall in some gravel●y or sandy place where his footsteps m●y ●e discerned , labor him within the large ring , that is at least fifty paces in compass ; and having trod it about three or four times on the right hand , rest and cherish , then taking compass , change your hand and do as much on the left hand , then rest and cherish ; then change the hand again , and do as much on the right hand , ever observing upon every stop to make him retire and go back a step or two . ▪ thus labour the horse till you have him so perfect , that he will trot his ring on which hand you please ; changing within the ring in the manner of a roman s. with such willingness , nimbleness , and constant rein , that you can desire no better obedience . then you may teach him to gallop them as he did trot them , and that also with true footing , lofty carriage , and brave rein : ever observing when he gallops to the right hand , to lead with his left fore-foot ; and when he gallops to the left hand , to lead with his right fore-feet . now here is to be cleered a parodox held by many of our horsmen , which is , that the exercise of rings is not good for running horses , because it raises up his fore-feet , and makes him gallop painfully , and so an hindrance unto speed . but if they consider that this habit ( if it be taken ) is soon broken either by the horsmans hand or discretion , who hath power to make him move as he pleaseth or if they will truly look into the benefit of the ring it self , they shall fine it is the only means to bring an horse to the true use of his feet , and the nimble carriage of them in all advantages . for every runner of horses will allow , that for an horse ( in his course ) to lead with his right foot , is most proper ; and when at any time he breakes or alter● it , it must be disadvantage , because ( not well acquainted to lead with the other ) he cannot handle it so nimbly . now at his first backing , by the use of his ring and change of hands , he will become so expert and coming with both , that howsoever mischance shall alter his stroke , yet shall his speed and nimbleness keep one and the same goodness . of stopping . when you come to the place of stop , or would stop ; by a sudden drawing in of our bridle-hand somwhat hard and sharp , make him stop close , firm and strait in an eaven line : and if he erre in any thing , put him to it again , and leave not till you have made him understand his error , and amend it . advancing . now if you do accompany this stop with an advancement a little from the ground , it will be more gallant , and may be done by laying the calves of your legs to his sides , and shaking your rod over him as he stops . if it chance at first he understand you not , yet by continuance and labouring him therein he will soon attain unto it , especially if you forget not to cherish him when he gives the least shew to apprehend you . retiring . after stopping and advancing , make him retire , as before shewed . and this motion of retiring you must both cherish and increase , making it so familiar with him , that no lesson may be more perfect : neither must he retire in a confused or disorderly manner , but with a brave rein , a constant head , and a direct line : neither must he draw or sweep his legs one after another , but take them clean , nimbly , and lostily , as when he troted forward . of bitting . when your horse is come to perfection in these lessons , and hath his head firmly setled , his rein constant , and his mouth sweetned , you may then ( if you intend him for the wars ) take away his trench and martingal , and only use the cavezan of four or three pieces , that is , a joint or no joint in the midst , and to that joint a strong ring , and a joint of each side with rings before the joints , to which you shall put several reins to use either at the post or otherwise into his mouth you shall put a smooth sweet canon-bit with a french cheek suitable to the proportion of the horses neck ; knowing that the long cheek raises up the head , and the short pulls it down . and with these you shall exercise the horse in all the lessons before taught , till he be perfect in them without either disorder or amazement . of strait turns and turnings . when he is thus setled upon his bit , then you shall teach him to turn roundly and readily in the straiter rings : and of these there are divers kinds , and divers methods and manners how to teach them . all which i will omit , and only fix upon two manner of strait turns , as the persection from whence all turnings are derived . the one is , when the horse keepeth his hinder parts inward and close to the post or center , and so cometh about and makes his circumference with his fore-parts , following an enemy that a little avoids him . and the other is , when he keeps his fact fixt on the post or center , and comes about and makes his circumference with his hinder parts , opposing face to face with his enemy . the first strait turn . for the first of these strait turns , it is thus to be taught . you shall to the ring in the mid-part of the cavezan fix a long rein of two fathom or more , and to the other rings two other shorter reins : then having sadled the horse and put on his bit , bring him to the post , and put the reins of the bit over the forepart of the saddle , bolsters and all , and fix them at a constant straitness on the top of the pomel , so that the horse may have a feeling both of the bit and curb . then , if you will have him turn to the right hand , take the short rein on the left side of the cavezan , and bringing it under the fore-bolster of the saddle up to the pomel , and there fix it at such a straitness that the horse may rather look from , then to the post on the right side : then let some groom or skilfull attendant hold the right side rein of the cavezan at the post , governing the fore parts of his body to come about at large : then your self taking the long rein into your hand , and keeping his hinder parts inward , with your rod on his outward shoulder , and sometimes on his outward thigh , make him move about the post , keeping his hinder parts as a cen●e● , and making his fore-parts move in a larger circumference . thus you shall exercise him a pretty space on one hand till he grow to some perfectness and understanding of your will . then changing the reins of the cavezan , make him do the like to the other hand . and thus apply hi● divers mornings , mingling cherishing with his exercise , according to his deservings , ti● you have brought him to that readiness , the he will upon the moving of your rod couc● his hinder parts in towards the post , and lapping the outward fore leg over the inward trot about the post swiftly , distinctly , and i● as strait compass as you can desire , or is convenient for the motion of the horse . and from trotting you may bring him to flying or wheeling about with that swiftness , the both the fore legs rising and moving together , the hinder parts may follow in one an● the same instant . when you have made your horse the perfect in your hand , you shall then mou● his back ; and making some other skilfu● groom or attendant govern the long rei● and another the short , by the motion of yo● hand upon the bit and left rein of the cavezan , keeping the horses head from the po● and by the help of the calve of your le● laid to his side , and your rod turned to h● outward thigh to keep his hinder parts into the post labour and exercise him till you have brought him to that perfection which your self desire . then take away the long rein● and only exercise him with the help of the short rein of the cavezan , and no other . after take both the reins of the cavezan into your hands , and exercise him from the post ; making him as ready in any place where you please to ride him , as he was at the post . the other strait turn . now for the other strait flying turn , which is to keep his face fixt ▪ on the post as on his enemy , and to move about only with his hinder parts , you shall take the same helps of the long rein and the short reins of the cavezan , and govern them as before shewed ▪ only you shall not give the short rein to the postward so much liberty as before , but keep his head closer to the post , and following his hinder parts with the long rein , by the help of your rod make him bring his hinder parts round about the post : and observe that as before he did lap one foreleg over another , so now he must lap the hinder legs one over another . in this lesson exercise him as in the former then ( after a perfectness ) mount his back , and labour him as before shewed . then lastly , leaving the post and all other helps , only apply him in such open and free places as you shall think convenient : for upon the finishing of this work , your horse is made compleat , and can perform all things that can be required either for service in the wars , for the high-way , or any other galloping pleasure : which is the end of mine aim , and the utmost journy i will take in these observations . only for a conclusion i will bequeath you one or two pretty secrets . how to help an ill rein , and cure a runaway jade . there be many horses so evil beholden to nature for giving them short untoward necks , and worse , set on heads ; and so little beholden to art to endeavor to amend them , that many good horses are left cureless of these two gross unsufferable faules ; which are either a deformed carriage of the head like a pig on a broach ▪ or else a furious runing away , got by a spoil'd mouth , or an evil habit . the help . to help any , or both of these : if it be a young horse , at the first riding , then to his trench ; if of old standing , then to his snaffle , ( for i speak not of the bit. ) put a pair of reins , half as long again as any ordinary reins , and loops to fasten and unfasten at the eye of the snaffle , as other reins have ▪ now when you see that the horse will not yield to your hand , but the more you draw , the more he thrusts out his nose , or the more violently he runs away ; then undo the buttons of the reins from the eys of the snaffle , and drawing them through the eys , bring them to the buckles of the foremost girth , and there button them fast : then riding the horse in that manner , labour him with the gentle motions of your hand , coming and going by degrees ; and some times accompanied with your spur , to gather up his body , and to feel your command , and assuredly in a small expence of time he will yield and bring his head where you would place it . and for running away , if you draw one rein , you turn him about in despight of all fury ; and if you draw both , you break his chaps , or bring them to his bosom : in the end finding himself not able to resist , he will be willing to obey . another help for inconstant carriage . there is another foul error in many horses which these reins also cure , as this . when your horse is either so wythie cragg'd ( as the northern man calls it ) or so loose and unsteady-necked , that which way soever you draw your hand , his head and neck will follow it , sometimes beating against your knees , sometimes dashing against your bosom , nay sometimes knocking you in the face ; and indeed generally so loose and incertain , that a man cannot say at any time he hath certain or steady hold of him . a vice wonderfull incident to running-horses , especially the hot furious ones . in this case you shall take these long reins ; and as before you drew them to the buckles of the gyrths , so now marting●lwise draw them from the eyes of the snaffle , betwixt his fore-legs to the gyrths , and there fasten them . thus ride him with a constant hand , firm and somwhat hard ; correcting him both with the spurs and rod , and sometimes with sharp twitches in his mouth when he errs ; and with a few weeks labor , his head will come to a constant carriage , provided that you labor him as well upon his gallop as his trot , and leave him not till you find him fully reclaimed . how any lady or gentlewoman shall spur her horse as well as any man , yet unperceived take a strong whale bone , that is at one end of one side round , of the other flat , and of a pretty thickness ; then rush grown and small to the other end . all round to the flat end glue a peece of cord , about an inch and an half longer , being to the upper end of the bone as thin as may be , but from the end made wedg-like ▪ thicker and thicker , to half an inch thickness or more , as you shall find occasion , being a thing only to bear the bone from the horses sides . then you shall cause to be made of iron a neck of a spur , an handfull or more long , having at the one end set a sharp rowel as big as a great french rowel , but not set as a mans rowel , but cross-wise , the pricks looking to the horses sides ; the other end of this neck shall bee rough , and with a shoomakers thread made fast to the small round end of the whalebone . then make fast the great end of the whale-bone with leather , glue and nails to the forepart of the sidesaddle-tree , and look that the spur stand opposite to the spurring-place of the horses sides . now as you do this side , so do the other side also . then take a strong ribbon , and fasten it with a loop to the spurneck on the near side , and draw it under the horses belly upon the far side : then fasten another to the spur on the far side ▪ and fasten both ends at an eaven length under the pomel of the saddle , yet so as she may command it with her bridle rein . now when she will spur on the left side ( which we call the near side ) let her draw the ribbon on the far side ( which is the right side ) and when she will spur on the right side , let her draw her ribbon on the near side ; when she will spur both sides at once , let her draw both the ribbons equally : thus much for the office of the rider . the office of the feeder . an introduction to the work , touching the limitation of time for preparing the running-horse . i will not dispute the severall opinions of men in this kingdom touching the keeping of the running horse , because i know many are idle and frivolous , some incertain , and a few in the right way . only in this work i would cleer one paradox , which is strongly maintained and infinitely pursued by many of our best professors ; and that is the limitation or length of time for the preparing or making ready of an horse for a match or great wager . there be divers , nay some which i know carry the goddesses on their backs , that affirm an horse which is exceeding fat , foul ▪ newly taken from grass , soil , or lofty , liberal and unbounded feeding , cannot be brought to the performance of his best labour under six moneths , five is too little , and four an act of impossibility . by which they rob their noble master of half a years pleasure , thrust upon him a tyring charge ▪ to make the sport loathsom , and get nothing but a cloak for ignorance , and a few false got crowns that melt as they are possessed . yet as heretiques cite scriptures , so these find reasons to defend want of knowledge . as , the danger of too early exercise ; the offence of grease suddenly broken ; the moving of evill humors too haistily , which leads to mortal sickness . and the moderation or helping of all these by a slow proceeding , or bringing of the horse into order by degrees and time , o● ( as i may say ) by an ignorant sufferance . these reasons i know have the shew of a good ground ; for too early exercise is dangerous , but not if free from violence . to break grease too suddenly is an offence unsufferable , for it puts both limbs and life in hazard , but not if purged away by wholsome scourings . the hasty stirring up of humours in a body where they superabound , and are generally dispersed , and not setled , cannot chuse but breed sickness ; but not where discretion and judgment evacuateth them in wholsom sweats and moderate airings . and for t●e moderation of all these , by the tediousness of time , as two months for the first ; two moneths for the second , and as much for the last : it is like the curing of the gangrene in an old man ; better to dye then be dismembred , better lose the prize then bear the charge : for i dare appeal to any noble judgment , whose purse hath experience in these actions , if six moneths preparation and the dependances belonging to it and his person do not devour up an hundred pounds wager . but you will demand of me what limitation of time i will allow for this purpose of preparation ? and i answer , that two moneths is sufficient at any time of the year whatsoever , for an old horse , or an horse formerly trained , for i speak not of colts ; and he that cannot do it in two moneths , shall never do it in sifteen . but reply they , no scouring is to be allowed , for they are physical ; they force nature , and so hurt nature ; they make sickness , and so impair health : and that indeed nothing is comparable to the length of time , because nature worketh every thing her self ; and though she be longer , yet she hath less danger . i confess that sybbesauce scourings which are stuft with poisonous ingredients , cannot chuse but bring forth infirmity ; but wholesom scourings , that are composed of beneficiall and nourishing simples , neither occasion sickness nor any manner of infirmity , but bring away grease and all foulness in that kindly and abundant sort , that one week shall effect more then two moneths of dilatory and doubtfull for bearance . i call it dilatory and doubtfull , because no man ( in this lingring course ) can certainly tel which way the gre●se and other foulnesses will avoid , as whether into his ordure ( which is the safest ) into sweat ( which is hazardou● ) into his limbs ( which is mischievous ) or remain and putrifie in his body ( which is mortally dangerous ? ) since the issue of any o● all these fall out according to the strength and estate of the horses body , and the diligence of the feeder : and if either the one fail in power ; or the other in care , farewell horse for that year . all this envy cannot chuse but confess ; only they have one broken crutch to support them , which is , they know no scouring , therefore they will allow of no scouring . against barbarism i will not dispute , only i appeal to art or discretion , whether purgation or sufferance ; when nature is offended , be the better doers . but they reply , by a figure called absurdity , that whatsoever is given to any horse more then his natural food , and which he will naturally and of his own accord with all willingness receive , is both unproper and unwholsom ; and therefore he ought not to be forced with any thing against his appetite . this i have heard them say , and to this i thus answer . the natural food of man is bread only , all other things ( according to the philosopher ) are superfluous , and so to be avoided . at this argument both humanity and divinity laughs : for , other helps , as physick , divers meats , and divers means ordained for both even by the power of the almighty himself , tells the contemners hereof how grossly they erre in this foolish opinion . nay , allow them a little shadow of truth , that things most natural , are most beneficial : then it must follow , that grass , or hay ( which is but withered grass ) is most natural , and so most beneficial . now grass is physical , for in it is contained all manner of simples of all manner of mixtures , as hot , cold , moist , dry ; of all qualities , all quantities . so that whatsoever i give ( which is good ) is but that which he hath formerly gathered out of his own nature , only with this difference ; that what he gathereth is in a confused manner , clapping contraries together so abundantly , that we are not able to judge where the predominant quality lyeth ; and that which we compound is so governed by art and reason , that we know how it should work , and we expect the event , if it be not crost by some greater disaster . but will they bind themselves to keep the running-horse only with grass or hay ? they know then the end of their labour will be loss . nay , they will allow corn , nay divers corns ; some nourishing and loosing , as oats and rye ; some astringent and binding , as beans ; and some fatting and breeding both blood and spirit , as wheat : nay , they will allow bread , nay bread of divers compositions , and divers mixtures , some before heat , and some after , some quick of discresion and some slow . and if this be not as physical as any scouring a good horsman gives , ● report me to him that shall read the bills . nay , these contemners of scourings will allow an egg , nay an egg mixt with other ingredients : and for butter and garlick , they will use it , though it be never so fulsom . the reason is , because their knowledge can arise to no higher a stair in physick ; and authorised ignorance will ever wage battel with the best understanding : like foolish gallants on st. georges day , who neither having ability to buy , nor credit to borrow a gold-chain , scorn at them that wear them ; or martin marprelate , that not having learning worthy of a deacon , found no felicity but in railing at divine fathers . there are another sort of feeders , which in a contrary extream run beyond these into mischiefs ; and those are they which overscour their horses , and are never at peace but when they are giving potions ( which they call scourings ) somtimes without cause , always without order , bringing upon an horse such intolerable weakness , that he is not able to perform any violent labour . from this too little , and too much , i would have our feeder to gather a mean ; that is , first to look that his simples be wholsom : then to the occasion , that he is sure there is foulness : and lastly to the estate of body , that he may rather augment then decrease vigor . so shall his work be prosperous , and his actions without controllment . to conclude , two months i allow for preparation , and according to that time have laid my directions . mine humble suit is , out of a sincere opinion to truth and justice , so to allow or disallow , to refrain or imitate . the first ordering of the running-horse , according to the several estates of their bodies . this office of the feeder , albeit in general it belong to all horsmen , yet it particular it is most appropriate to the feeder of the running-horse ; because other general horses have a general way of feeding , these an artificial and prescript form , full of curiosity and circumspection ; from which whosoever errs , he shall sooner bring his horse to destruction then perfection . therefore when an horse is matcht , or to be matcht for a running course , you art principally to regard the estate of body it which the horse is at the time of his matching . and this estate of body i divide into three several kinds . the first is , if he be very fat , foul , and either taken from grass or soil . the second , if he be extream lean and poor , either through over-riding , disorder , or other infirmity . and the third , if he be in good and well-liking estate , having had good usage and moderate exercise . if he be in the first estate of body , you shall take longer time for his feed , as two moneths at the least : for he will ask much labour in airing , great carefulness in heating , art and discretion in scouring , and rather a strict then liberall hand in feeding . if he be in the second estate of body ( which is poor ) then you shall also take a longer time as you may , yet you need not so much as in the former ; both because grass cannot much hurt , and exercise may go hand in hand with feeding . this horse would have moderate and cheerfull airing , as not before or after sun , rather ●o increase appetite then harden flesh ; gentle heats , more to preserve wind then melt glut ; and a bountifull hand ( but far from cloying ) in feeding . if he be in the third estate of body , which is a mean betwixt the other extreams , then a moneth or six weeks , or a fortnight or less , may be time sufficient to diet him for his match ▪ now as this estate participates with both the former , so it wou'd borrow from them a share in all their orderings , that is , to be neither too early , nor too late in airings ; ●aborious , but not painfull in heatings , nourishing in scouring , and constant in a moderate way of feeding . now as you regard these general estates of bodies , so you must have an eye to certain particular estates of bodies : as if an horse be fa● and foul , yet of a free and spending nature , apt quickly to consume and lose his flesh , this horse must not have so strict a● hand , neither can he endure so violent exercise as he that is of an hard and kettty disposition , and will feed and be fat upon all mea●● and all exercises . again , if your horse be in extreme poverty through disorder or misusage , yet is by nature very hard and apt both soon to recover his flesh , and long to hold it ; then over thi● horse you shall by no means ●old so l●bera● an hand , nor forbear that exercise which otherwise you would do to the horse which i● of a tender nature , a weak stomack , and a fre● spirit provided always you have reg●rd to his limbs and the imperfection of lameness . thus you see how to look into the estate● of horses bodies , and what time to take fo● your matchings , i will now descend to thei● several orderings and dyeting . and because in the fat horse is contained both the lea● horse , and horse in reasonable estate o● bo●y . i will in him shew all the secrets a●● observations which are to be imployed in the feeding of all three , without any omission o● reservation whatsoever : for truth , sir , ● have vowed unto you , and truth i will prese●● you . the first fortnights feeding of an horse for match that is fat , foul , and ▪ either newly taken from grass or soil . if you match an horse that is fat and foul , either by running at grass , or standing at soil , or by any other means of rest , or too high feeding ; you shall ( after his body is emptied , and the grass avoided , which will be three or four days ) for the first fortnight at the least , rise early in the morning before day , or at the spring of day according to the time of the year ; and having put on his bridle washt in beer , and tyed him up to the rack , take away his dmng and other foulness of the stable ; then dress him well , as in the office of the keeper , when that work is finished , take a fair large body-cloth of thick houswifes kersie ( if it be in winter ) or of cotton or other light stuffe ( if it be in summer ) and fold it round about the horses body , then clap on the ●addle and girt the foremost girth pretty strait , but the other somwhat slack , and wisp it on each side his heart , that both the girths may be of equal straitness . then put before his breast a breast-cloath sutable to the body-cloth , and let it cover both his shoulders ; then take a little beer into your mouth , and spirt it into the horses mouth , and so draw him out of the stable , and take his back , leaving a groom behind you to trim up your stable , to carry out dung and to toss up the litter : for you are to understand that the horse must stand upon good store of fresh dry litter continually both night and day , and it should be ever wheat-straw ( if possible ) or oat-straw ( if forced by necessity ) as for barley ▪ straw and rye-straw , they are unwholsom and dangerous ; the one doth heart-burn , the other causeth scouring ▪ when you are mounted , rack the horse foot-pace ( for you must neither amble no● trot , for they hurt speed ) at least a mile or two , or more upon smooth and sound ground ▪ and ( as neer as you can ) to the steepest hill● you can find ; there gallop him gently up those hills , ond rack or walk him softly down ▪ that he may cool as much one way as he warmeth another . and when you have th●● exercised him a pretty space , and seeing the sun beginning to rise , or else risen , rack down either to some fresh river , or clear pond that is fed by a sweet spring , and there let him drink at his pleasure : after he hath drunk : bring him calmly out of the water , and so ride him a little space with all gentleness , and not according to the use of ignoran● grooms , rush him instantly into a gallop , for that brings with it two mischiefs , either it teaches the horse to run away with you as soon as he is watered , or else refuse to drink , fearing the violence of his exercise which follows upon it . when you have used him a little calmly , then put him into a gentle gallop , and exercise him moderately , as you did before ; then walk him a little space , after offer him more water : if he drink , then gallop him again ( after calm usage ; ) if he refuse , then gallop him to occasion thirst . and thus always give him exercise both before and after water . when he hath drank sufficient , then bring him home gently , without a wet hair or any sweat about him . when you come to the stable-door before which your groom shall ever throw all his fo●l litter continually ; there alight , and by whistling and stretching the horse upon the straw , and raising up the straw under him , see if you can make him piss , which if at first he do not , yet with a little custom he will soon be brought unto it , and it is an wholsom action both for the horses health , and the sweet keeping of the stable . this done , bring him into his stall , and tie him up to the rack , then with wisps rub his ●egs well , then unloose his breast-cloth ▪ and rub his head , neck and breast with a dry clot● then take off the saddle and hang it by , the● his body-cloth , and rub over all his body and limbs , especially his back where the saddl● stood . then cloath him up , first with a linne● sheet , then over it a good strong housing cloth , and above it his woollen body-cloth which in the winter it is not amiss to hav● lin'd with some thin cotton or plad , or othe● woollen stuffe , but in the summer the kersi● it self is sufficient . when these are girt about him , stop hi● circingle round with reasonable big soft wisp● and thick , for with them he will lie at be● ease , because the small hard wisps are eve● hurtfull . after he is cloathed , pick his feet and stop them up with cow-dung ; and then throw int● his rack a little bundle of hay , so much as a● halfpeny bottel in a dear inne , well chosen ▪ dusted , and hard bound together . and the he shall tear out , as he standeth on the bridl● ▪ when he hath stood on his bridle an ho● and better , you shall then come to him , an● first draw his bridle , rub his head , face an● nape of the neck with a clean rubber made ●● new rough hempen cloth , for this is excelle●● for the head , and dissolveth all gross a●● filthy humours : then with a clean clot● make the manger as clean as may be ; and i● he have scattered any hay , take it up and throw it back into the rack . then you shall take a quart of sweet , dry , old and clean drest oats , of which the heaviest are the best , as those which we call poland-oats or cut-oats : for those which are unsweet , breed infirmity ; those which are moist , cause swelling in the body , those which are new , breed worms ; and they which are half drest , deceive the stomack and bring the horse to ruine . as for the black oats , though they are tolerable in the time of necessity , yet they make foul dung , and hinder a mans knowledg in the state of the horses body . this quart of oats you shall ree and dress wondrous clean in a sive that is much less then a riddle , and though bigger then a reeing-sive , such an one as will let a light oat go through , but keep a full one from scattering , and so give them to the horse ; and if he eat them with a good stomack , you may give him another , and so let him rest till it be eleven a clock : then come to the stable , and having rubbed his head , neck and face , dress him another quart of oats ( as before ) and give it the horse ; then closing up the windows and lights leave him till one a clock . and here you are to understand , that the darker you keep your horse in your absence , the better it is , and it will occasion him to lye down and take his rest , when otherwise he would not ; and therefore we commonly use to arm the stables wherein these horses stand round about a lost , and over the rack with canvas , both for darkness , warmth , and that no filth may come near the horse . at one a clock come to him , and dress him another quart of oats , and give them as before , after you have rubbed his head and nape of the neck : then putting away his dung , and making the stable clean , give him a knob of hay , and so leave him till evening . at evening come to the stable , and having made all things clean , bridle as in the morning take off his cloaths , and dresse him a● before . then cloath , saddle , bring him forth , urge him to empty , mount , rack him abroad , but not to the hills , if you can finde any other plain ground , as meadow , pasture , or the like , especially if it lye along by a river , but in this case you can be no chuser , but must take the most convenient , making a vertue of necessity . here air him in all points in the evening , as you did in the morning , galloping both before and after water : then rack him up and down , and in your racking observe even from the stable-dore , in all your passages , especially when you would have him to empty , to let him smel upon every old and new dung you meet withall , for this will clear his body and repair his stomack . when you have watred , and spent the evening in airing till within night , ( for nothing is more wholsom , or sooner consumeth foulness , then early and late airings : ) you shall then rack him home to the stable-door ; there alight and do as you did in the morning , both within doors and without , and so leave him on his bridle for an hour and more . then come again , and as you did in the forenoon , so do now ; rub well , draw his bridle , cleanse the manger , put up his scattered hay , sift him a quart of oats , and so let him rest til nine a clock at night . at nine a clock come to him , and first rub down his legs with wisps , or with a clean cloth , or with your bare hands ( which is best of all ) then with a clean cloth rub his face , head , chaps , nape of the neck and foreparts , then turn up his cloathes and rub over all his hinder parts ; then put down his clothes , and sift him a quart of oats and give them him ; then put into his rack a little bundle of hay , toss up his litter and make his bed soft , and so leave him till the next morning . the next morning ( as the morning before ( come to the horse early , and do every thing without the omission of any one particle , as hath been formerly declared ; and thus you shall keep your horse constantly for the first fornight , in which by this double daily exercise you shall so harden his flesh and consume his foulness , that the next fortnight ( if you be a temperate man ) you may adventure to give him some heats , but here give me leave to digress a little for satisfaction sake , and to answer objections that may be urged touching the quantity of provender which i prescribe , being but a quart at a meal , seeing there be many horses that will eat a much larger proportion , and to scant them to this little were to starve , o● at the best to breed weakness . but if i be understood rightly , i set not this down as an infallible rule , but a president that may be imitated , yet altered at pleasure : for i have left you this caveat , that if your horse eat this with a good stomack , you may give him another , leaving the proportion to the feeders discretion ; because it is impossible in writing , to make one measure for all stomacks . and for min● own part , i chose the quart as the most indifferent proportion ; for albeit many horses will eat more , yet i have known some that would hardly eat this : and believe it , what horse soever shall but eat this , and in this manner , he shall neither starve , lose strength , nor be much hungry . so now again to the giving of heats . four considerations in giving of heats . now touching heats , you are to take to your self these four considerations . 1. that two heats in the week is a sufficient proportion for any horse of what condition or state of body soever . 2. that one heat should ever be given on that day in the week , on which he is to run his match ; as thus : your match-day is a monday , your heating-days are then mondays and fridays ; and the monday to be ever the sharper heat , both because it is the day of his match ▪ and there is three days rest betwixt it and the other heat . if the day ●e tuesday , then the heating days are tuesdays and saturdays ; if wednesday , then wednesdays and saturdays , by reason of the lords day ; if on thursdays , then thursdays and mondays , and so of the rest . 2. you shall give no heat ( except in case of extremity ) in rain or foul weather , but rather to defer hours and change times : for it is unwholsom and dangerous . and therefore in case of showers and incertain weather you shall have for the horse a lined hood , with lined ears , and the nape of the nec● lined to keep out rain ; for nothing ● more dangerous then cold wet falling into the ears , and upon the nape of the neck and fillets . 4 lastly , observe to give the heats ( the weather being seasonable ) as early in the morning as you can , that is , by the spring of day ; but by no means in the dark ; for ● is to the horse both unwholsom and unpleasant ; to the man a great testimony o● folly , and to both an act of danger and precipitation . the second fortnights feeding . now to come to the second fortnight feeding : touching your first approaching to the stable , and all other by respects , a● cleansing , and the like , you shall do all things as in the first fortnight , onely before yo● put on his bridle , give him a quart of oats , which as soon as he hath eaten , bridle him up , and dress him , as before shewed ; then cloath , saddle , air , water , exercise , and bring him home as before shewed ; onely you shall not put hay into his rack to tear out , but let him eat it out of your hands , handfull after handfull , and so leave him on his bridle for an hour more ; then come to him , and after rubbing , and other ceremonies , sist him a quart of oats and set them by : then take a loaf of bread , that is three days old , or thereabout , and made in this manner . the first bread : take three pecks of clean beans , and one peck of wheat , mix them together and grind them , then boult it through a reasonable fine raunge , and knead it up with great ●●ore of barm and lightning , but with as little water as may be , labour it in the trough painfully , knead it , break it , and after cover it warm , and let it lye and swell ; then knead it over again , and mould it up into big loaves , like twelvepeny houshold loaves , and so bake it well , and let it soak soundly ; after they are drawn turn the bottoms upward , and let them cool . at three daies old , or thereabout , you may give this bread , but hardly sooner : for nothing is worse then new bread ; yet if necessity compell you that you must sooner give it , or that the bread be clammy or dank , so as the horse taketh distast thereat , then cut the loaf into thin shivers , and lay it abroad in the sive to dry ; then crumbling it smal with his oats , you may give it safely . but to return to my purpose , when you have taken a loaf of this bread , chip it very well , then cut it into thin slyves , and put three or four thereof ( small broken ) into his oats you had before sifted , and so give them to him ▪ about eleven a clock come to him , and by ceremonies give him the same quantity of bread and oats , and so leave him till afternoon . at one a clock in the afternoon ( if you intend not to give him a heat the next day ) feed him with bread and oats as you did in the fore-noon , and so consequently every meal following for that day , observing every action and motion as before shewed . but if you intend the next day to give him an heat ( to which i now bend mine aym ) you shall then only give him a quart of oats clear sifted , but no hay , and so let him rest till evening . at four a clock before you put on his bridle , give him a quart of clean sifted oats , and when they are eaten ; bridle him up , dress , cloath , saddle , air , water , exercise , bring home and order , as before shewed , onely give no hay at all . after he hath stood an hour on his bridle , give him a quart of oats , and when they are caten , put on his head a sweet muzzel , and so let him rest till nine a clock at night ▪ now as touching the use of this muzzell , and which is the best , you shall understand , that as they are most usefull being good and rightly made , so they are dangerous and hurtfull , being abused and falsly made . the true use of them is to keep the horse from eating up his litter , from gnawing upon boards and mud-walls , and indeed to keep him from eating any thing but what he receiveth from your own hands . these muzzels are somtimes made of leather , and stampt full of holes , or else close , but they are unsavoury and unwholsom : for if it be allomed leather , the allom is offensive ; if it be tann'd or liquored leather , the tanners ouze and grease are fully as unpleasant . besides , they are too close , and too hot , and both make an horse sick , and cause him to retain his dung longer in his body , then otherwise he would do . the best summer muzzell , ( and indeed the best generally at all times , is the nermuzzell , made of strong pack-threed , and knit exceeding thick and close in the bottom , and so inlarged wider and wider upward , to the middle of the horses head ; then bound about the top with tape , and on the nearside a loop , and on the farre-side a long string to fasten it to the horses head . the best winter-muzzell ( and indeed tolerable at any time ) is that which is made of double canvas , with a round bottom and a square lattice window of small tape before both his nostrils , down to the very bottom of the muzzell , and upward more then a handfull : this must also have a loop and a string to fasten it about the horses head . at nine a clock at night come to the stable , and after by ceremonies done , give him a quart of oats clean sifted , and when they are eaten , put on his muzzell , toss up his litter ▪ and so leave him . the next day early in the morning , come to the horse ( if he be standing , but if he be laid ▪ do not disturb him ) and whilst he is lying take a quart of oats clean sifted and rubbed between your hands , and wash them i● strong ale , and give them to the horse ; when they are eaten bridle him up , and dress him then saddle as before shewed ; being ready to depart , give him a new laid egg or two then wash his mouth after it with a little beer or ale , and so lead away : at the doo● urge him to empty , then mount and ra●● him gently to the course , ever and anon making him smell another horses dung . when you are come within a mile o● thereabout of the starting-post , alight and take off his body-cloath , and breast-cloath and girt on the saddle again : then sending away your groom both with those cloaths , and other dry cloaths to rub with , let him stay at the la●t end of the course till you come : then your self rack your horse gently up to the ●tarting post , and beyond , making him smell to that post , as you should also do to the first post , ( which we call the weighing post ) that he may take notice of the beginning and ending of the course . there start your horse roundly and sharply , at neer a three quarters speed , and according to his strength of body , ability of wind , and cheerfulness of spirit , run him the whole course through : but by no means do any thing in extremity , or above his wind ; but when you find him a little yeild , then give him a little ease , so that all he doth may be done with pleasure and not with anguish ; for this manner of training will make him take delight in his labour , and so increase it ; the contrary will breed discomfort , and make exercise irksome . also during the time you thus course him , you shall note upon what ground he runneth best , and whether up the hill or down the hill ; whether on the smooth or on the rough , on the wet or on the dry , or on the levill or the earth somewhat rising ; and according as you find his nature , so maintain him for your own advantage . when you have finished the heats , and a little slightly gallopt him up and down to rate his wind and cheer his spirits , you shall then ( the groom being ready ) ride into some warm place , as under the covert of some hedge , wall , bushes or trees , into some hollow dry ditch , pit , or other defence from the air , and there light , and first with a glassing-knife or ( as some call it ) a scraping knife , made either of some broken sword blade , some old broken sythe , or for war ▪ of them , of a thin piece of old , hard o●ke● wood , and fashioned like a long broad knife , with a sharp edge , and using this with both your hands , scrape off all the sweat from your horse in every part ( buttocks excepted ) till you find there will no more arise ; eve● and anon moving him up and down : the● with dry cloathes rub him all over painfully ( buttocks excepted ) then take of the saddle , and having glassed his back and rub'd it neer dry , put on his body-cloth and breast-cloath , and set on the saddle again , and girt it , then mount and gallop him gently forth again a little pace , eve● and anon rubbing his head , neck , and body as you sit , then walk him about the field to cool him ; and when you find he driet● apace , then rack him homeward , sometime racking and sometimes galloping ; but by no means bring him to the stable , till you find him throughly dry . when you are come to the stable dore , ●intice him to empty , then set him up and tie him to the rack , and ( as having prepared it before ) give him this scouring , made in this manner . the first scouring : take a pint of the syrope of roses , or a pint of strong honyed water and dissolve into it of cassia , agarick and myrrhe , of each half an ounce , and symbolize and jumble them together in a vyall glass . then being muld , and made warm at the fire , and the horse newly come from his heat ( as before shewed ) give him this scouring , for it is a strong one , and avoydeth all manner of molten grease and foulness . ordering of the horse after his scouring . as soon as you have given him this scouring , presently let your groom fal to rubbing his legs , and do your self take off his saddle and cloathes ; and finding his body dry , run slightly over it with your curry comb , after with the french brush , and lastly , rub him all over with dry cloathes , especially his head , nape of the neck , and about his heart ; then cloath him up warm as at other times , and wisp him round with great warm wisps , and if you throw over him a loose blanket , it will not be amiss in these extraordinary times , especially if the season be cold . the horse must fast full two hours afte● the receit of the scouring ; but yet depart no● out of the stable , but keep the horse waking ▪ for rest hinder ; the medicine , and mot o● makes it work . after he hath fastned on the bridle two hours , then you shall take a handfull of wheat ears , being your polland wheat , that is without awnes , and coming to the horse , first handle the roots of his ears , then put your hands under his cloathes against his heart upon his flanks , and on the neather part of his thighs ; and if you find any new sweat arise , or any coldness of sweat , or if you see his body beat , or his breath move fast then forbear to give him any thing , for it shews there is much soulness stirred up , on which the medicine working with a conquering quality , the horse is brought to a little sickness ; therefore in this case you shall onely take off his bridle , put on his coller , toss up his litter , and absent your self ( having made the stable dark and still ) for other two hours , which is the utmost end of that sickness . but if you find no such offence , then give him the ears of wheat , by three or four together , and if he eat this handfull give him another . after he hath eaten the wheat ears , give him a little knob of hay clean dusted , and draw his bridle rubbing his head well . an hour after his hay , sist him a quart of oats , and to them put two or three handfull of spelted beans , which you shall cause to be reed and drest so clean as is possible from all manner of hulls , dust and filth whatsoever , so as there may be nothing but the clean beans : to these oats and beans you shall break two or three shives of bread clean chipt , and give all to the horse , and so leave him for two or three hours . at evening ( before you dress him ) give him the like quantity of oates , beans , and bread , and when he hath eaten them , bridle him , dress and cloathe him ; for you shall neither saddle or air him forth , because this evening after his heat , the horse being foul , and the scouring yet working in his body , he may not receive any cold water at all . after he is drest , and hath stood two hours on his bridle , then take three pints of clean sifted oats , and wash them in strong ale , and give them to the horse ; for this will inwardly cool him as if he had drunk water . after he hath eaten his washt meat , and rested upon it a little space , you shall at his feeding times , ( which hath been spoken of before ) with oats and spelt beans , or oats and bread , or all together , or each severall and simple of it self , according to the appetite and liking of the horse , feed him that night in plentifull manner , and leave a knob of hay in his rack when ye go to bed . the next day very early , first feed , then dress , cloath , saddle , air , water , and bring home as at other times ; onely have a more carefull eye to his emptying , and see how his grease and foulness wasteth . at his feeding times , feed as was last shewed you , onely but little hay , and keep your heating days , and the preparation the day before , as was before shewed without omission or addition . thus you shall spend the second fortnight , in which your horse having received 4 heats , horsman like given him , and four scourings , there is no doubt but his body will be drawn inwardly clean ; you shall then the third fortnight order him according to the rules following . the third fortnights feeding . this third fortnight you shall make his bread finer then it was formerly , as thus . the second bread . you shall take two pecks of clean beans ▪ and two pecks of fine wheat , grind them on the black stones , searce them through a fine raunge , and knead it up with barm , and great store of lightning , working it in all points , and baking it in the same sort as was shewed you in the former bread . with this bread , having the crust cut clean away , and being old , as before shewed , with spelt beans and clean sifted oats , feed your horse this fortnight as you did the former , observe his dressings , airings , feedings , heatings , and preparation , as in the former fortnight ; onely with these differences . first , you shall not give your heats so violently as before , but with a little more pleasure ; as thus , if the first heat have violence , the second shall have ease , and indeed none to overstrain him , or to make his body sore . next , you shall not after his heats , give him any more of the former scouring ; but instead thereof instantly upon the end of the heat after the horse is a little cooled and cloathed up ; and in the same place where you rub him , give him a ball as big as an hens egg of that confection which is mentioned in the office of the farrier , and goeth by this title , the true manner of making those cordial balls which cure any violent cold or glanders , which , &c ▪ the fourth and last fortnights feeding . the fourth and last fortnight you shall make your bread much finer then either of the former . the last and best bread . take three pecks of fine wheat , and one peck of beans , grind them on the black stones , and boult them through the finest boulter you can get : then knead it up with sweet ale , barm and new strong ale , and the barm beaten together , and the whites of twenty or thirty eggs ; but in any wise no water at all , but in stead thereof some small quantity of new milk , then work it up , bake it , and order it as the former . with this bread , having the crust cut clean away , and with oats well ●unned , beaten , and rubbed between your hands , then new winnowed , sifted and drest , with the purest spelt beans , and some fine chiltern wheat , with any simple or any compound : feed your horse at his feeding times , as in the fortnight last mentioned . you shall keep your heating days the first week or fortnight , as you did the former fortnight , but the last week you shall forbear one heat , and not give any five days before the match day , onely you shall give him strong and long airings . you shall not need this fortnight , to give him any scouring at all . if this fortnight morning and evening you burn the best frankinsence in your stable , you shall find it exceeding wholsom for the horse , and he will take wonderfull delight therein . in this fortnight , when you give the horse any washt meat , wash it in the whites of eggs , or muskadine , for that is more wholsom and less pursie . this fortnight give the horse no hay , but what he taketh out of your hand after his heats , and that in little quantity , and clear dusted . the last week of this fortnight , if the horse be a foule feeder , you must use the muzzell continually ; but if he be a clean feeder , then three days before the match is sufficient . the morning the day before your match , feed well both before and after airing , and water as at other times ; before noon , and after noon scant his portion of meat a little ; before and after evening airing , feed as at noon , and water as at other times , but be sure to come home before sun-set . late at night feed as you did in the evening . now i do not set you down what meat to feed withall , because you must be ruled according to the horses stomack , and what best he liketh , of that give him a pretty pittance , whether simple or compounded ; onely as neer as you can , forbear bread and beans . this day you shall coule your horse , shoo him , and do all extraordinary things of ornament about him , provided there be nothing to give offence or hinder him in feeding , resting , emptying , or any other naturall or beneficiall action ; for i have heard some horsmen say ; that when they had shod their horses with light shooes , and none other actions of ornament about them the night before the course ; that their horses have taken such speciall notice thereof , that they have refused both to eat , lie down , or empty : but you must understand that those horses must be old , and long experienced in this exercise , or otherwise find distast at these actions ; as uneasiness in shooes , heat and closness in the muzzell , disorderly platting or folding tails , and the like , or they cannot reach these subtile apprehensions : for mine own part , touching the nice and strait plaiting up of horses tails in the manner of sakers , or docks , with tape or ribban , which is now in generall use , howsoever the ornament may appear great to the eye , yet i do not much affect it ; because i know , if an ignorant hand have the workmanship thereof he may many ways give offence to the horse , and in avoiding cumbersomness , breed a great deale more comber : therefore i wish every one , rather to pass by curiosity ( which they call necessary ornament ) then by these false graces to do injury to the horse . now for the necessary and indifferent things which are to be done . i had rather have them finished the day before , then on the morning of the course , because i would have the horse that morning to find neither trouble nor vexation . the next morning ( which is the match day ) come to the horse very early , take off his muzzell , rub his head well , right his cloathes , and give them ease by unwisping , and using the plain circingle ; then give him a pretty quaintity of oats washed in muskadine , or the whites of eggs ; or if he refuse them , try him with fine drest oats mixt with wheat , or oats simple : when he hath eaten them , if he be an evil or slow emptier , walk him abroad , & in the places where he used to empty , there intice him to empty , which as soon as he hath done , bring him home , and let him rest till you have warning to make ready . but if he be a good and free emptier , then stir him not , but let him lie quiet . when you have warning to make ready , come to the horse , and having washt his snaffle with muskadine , take off the muzzle and bridle him up ; but before you bridle , if you think him too empty , give him three or four mouthsfull of the washed meat last spoken of , then bridle up and dress him ; after pitch the saddle and girths with cordwainers wax , set it on and girt it gently , so as he may have a feeling , but no straitness : then lay a clean sheet over the saddle , over it his ordinary cloathes , then his body-cloth and breast-cloath , and wisp him round with soft wisps ; then if you have a counterpane , or cloath of state for bravery sake , let it be fastned above all . being now ready to draw out , give him half a pint of muskadine , and so lead away . in all your leadings upon the course , use gentle and calm motions , suffering the horse ●o smell on every dung . and in especiall pla●es of advantage , as where you find rushes , ●ong grass lying , heath , or the like , walk him ●n , and intice him to piss . but if you find no such help , then in especial places on the course and chiefly towards the later end , ( and having ●sed the same means before ) break some of the wisps under him , and intice him to piss . also in your leading , if any white or thick foam or froth rise about the horses mouth , with a clean handkerchiefe wipe it away , and carrying a bottle of clean water about you , wash his mouth now and then therewith . when you come to the place of start , before you uncloath , rub or chase his leggs with hard wisps ; then pick his feet , uncloath , wash his mouth with water , mount his rider , start fair , and leave the rest to gods good will and pleasure . certain necessary observations and advantages for every feeder to observe in sundry accidents . there is no unreasonable creature of pleasure subject to so many disastrous chances of fortune , as the horse , and especially the running horse , both by reason of the multiplicity of diseases belonging unto them , as also the violence of their exercise , and the nice tenderness of their keeping : and therefore it behoveth every feeder to be armed with such observations as may discern mischiefs , and those helps which may amend them when they happen . of meat and drink the first observation therefore that i would arm our feeder withall , is the true distribution of meat and drink . let him then observe if there be any meat or drink , or other nourishment which he knoweth to be good for the horse , yet he refuseth to eat it : in this case he shall not violently thrust it upon him , or by force cram him therewith , but by gentle degrees and cunning inticements , and by process of time , win him thereunto , tempting him when he is most hungry or most dry ; and if he get but a bit at a time , it will soon increase to a greater quantity , and ever let him have less then he desireth ; and that he may the sooner be brought unto it , mix the meat he loveth best with that he loveth worst , till both be made alike familiar , and so shall the horse be stranger to nothing that is good or wholsome . observation for lameness . our feeder must observe if his horse be subject to lameness or stifness , to surbait or tenderness of feet , then to give him his heats upon smooth carpet earth , and to forbear strong ground , hard high-ways , cross ruts and ●urrows till extremity compell him . observation from the estate of the body . our feeder must observe , that the strongest estate of body ( which i account the highest and fullest of flesh , so it be good , hard , and without inward foulness ) to be the best and ablest for the performance of these wagers ; yet he must herein take two considerations : the one the shape of the horses body , the other his inclination and manner of feeding . for the shape of body , there be some horses that are round , plump , and close knit together , so that they will appear fat and wel shaped , when they are lean and in poverty . others are raw-boned , slender , and loose knit together , and will appear lean and deformed when they are fat , foul , and full of gross humors . so likewise for their inclinations , som● horses as the first ) will feed outwardly , and carry a thick rib , when they are inwardly clean as may be . there be others ( as the later ) that will appear lean to the eye , and she● nothing but skin and bone , when they are inwardly onely greasie . in this case the feede● hath two helps to advantage his knowledge the one outward , the other inward . the outward help is the outward handling and feeling of the horses body generally ove● all his ribs , but particularly upon his sho●● and hindmost ribs . if his flesh generally handle soft and loos● , and the fingers sink into it as into down ▪ then is the horse foul without all question but if generally it be hard and firm , only upon the hind most rib is softness , then he h●t● grease and foul matter within him , whic● must be avoided , how lean or poor soever h● appear in outward speculation . the inward help is onely sharp exercis● and strong scourings : the first will dissol●● the foulness , the later will bring it away . observation from the privy parts . our feeder must observe his horses stones for if they hang down side , or low from h● body , then is the horse out of lust and hear● and is either sick of grease , or other foul humors ; but if they he close couched up , and hid in a small room , then is he healthfull and in good plight . observation for the limbs . our feeder must observe ever the nig●t before he runs any match , or sore heat , to bath his horse leggs well from the knees and cambrels downwards , either with clarified doggs grease ( which is the best ) or trotters oyl ( which is the next ) or else the best ho●s grease , which is sufficient , and to work i● in with the labour of his hands , and not with fire : for what he gets not in the first night , will be got in the next morning ; and what is not got in the next morning , will bee got in when he comes to uncloath at the end of the course : so that you shall need to use the oyntment but once ; but the friscase or rubbing as oft as you find opportunity . observation for water . our feeder shall observe , that albeit i give no direction for watering the horse after the heats , yet he may in any of the later fortnights ( finding his horse clean and his grease consumed ) somwhat late at night , as about six a clock give him water in reasonable quantity being made luke warm , and fasting an hour after it . also if through the unseasonableness of the weather , you cannot water abroad , then you shall at your watering hours water in the house with warm water as aforesaid . nor need you in this case heat all your water , but making a little very hot , put it into a greater , and so make all luke-warm . if you throw an handfull of wheat-meal , bran , or oat-meal finely powdred ( but oat-meal is the best ) into the water , it is very wholsome . observation for the ground to run on . our feeder shall observe . that if the ground whereon he is to run his match , be dangerous , and apt for mischievous accidents , as strains , over-reaches , sinew bruises , and the like , that then he is not bound to give all his heats thereon ; but having made the horse acquainted , with the nature thereof , then either to take part of the course , as a mile , two or three , according to the goodness of the ground , and so to run his horse forth and again ( which we call turning heats ) provided always that he end his heat at the weighing-post , and that he make not his course less but rather more in quantity then that he must run . but if for some especiall causes he like no part of the course ; then he may many times ( but not ever ) give his heat upon any other good ground , about any spatious and large field , where the horse may lay down his body , and run at pleasure . observation from sweat . our feeder shall take especiall regard in al his airings , heatings , and all manner of exercises whatsoever to the sweating of his horse , and the occasions of his sweating ; as if an horse sweat upon little or no occasion ; as walking a foot pace , standing stil in the stable , and the like , it is then apparent that the horse i● faint , foul fed , and wanteth exercise . if upon good occasion , as strong heats , great labour and the like , he sweat , yet his sweat is white froth and like sope-suds , then is the horse inwardly soul , and wanteth also exercise but if the sweat be black , and as it were only water thrown upon him , without any frothiness , then is the horse clean fed , in good lust and good case , and you may adventure riding without danger . observation from the hair . our feeder shall observe his horses hair in generall , but especially his neck , and those parts which are uncovered , and if they lie slick , smooth and close , and hold the beauty of their naturall colour , then is the horse in good case ; but if they be rough , or staring , or if they be discoloured , then is the horse inwardly cold at the heart , and wanteth both cloathes and warm keeping . many other observations there be , but these are most materiall , and i hope sufficient for any reasonable understanding ▪ the office of the keeper . how to keep any horse for pleasure , hunting or travel , &c. i would have our keeper of these ordered horses , to rise early in the morning of day , or before ( according to the season of the year ) and to sift the horse the quantity of three pints of good , old and dry oats , and put to them an hand full or two of spelt beans , hulls and all , and so give them to the horse . of dressing and watering . after he hath eaten them , let him dres him , that is to say , he shall first curry him all over with the iron comb , from the head to the tail , from the top of the shoulder to the knee , and from the top of his buttock to the hinder cambrell ; then dust him all over with a clean dusting cloath , or with an horse tail made fast to an handle : then curry him all over with the french brush , beginning with his forehead , temples and cheeks , so down his neck , shoulders and fore leggs , even to the setting on of his hooves , so alongst his sides and under his belly ; and lastly , all about his buttocks and hinder leggs , even to the ground ; then you shall go over again with your duster , then over all parts with your wet hands , and not leave ( as neer as you can one loose hair about him , nor one wet hair ; for what your hands did wet , your hands must rub dry again : you shall also with your wet hands cleanse his sheath , his yard , his cods and his tuell , and indeed not leave any secret place uncleansed , as ears , nostrils , fore-bowels , and between his hinder thighs , then you shall take an hair-cloath and with it rub him all over , but especially his head , face , eyes , cheeks , between his chaps , on the top of his fore-head , in the nape of the neck , down his leggs , feetlocks and about his pasterns . lastly , you shall take a clean woolen cloath , and with it rub him all over , beginning with his head and face , and so passing through all parts of his body and limbs before spoken of . then take a wet mane-cloath , and comb down his mane and tail . then saddle him and ride him out to water , warm him both before and after water very moderately , and so bring him home dry without sweat ; then cloath him up , after you have rubbed his head , body and leggs , and let him stand on his bridle more then an hour . ordinary-keeping after he hath stood an hour , give him the former quantity of provender , and the same in kind . after he hath eaten his provender , give him into his rack a pretty bundle of hay , and so let him rest till noon . at noon give him the former quantity of provender , and the same in kind , and so let him rest till evening , onely renewing his hay if there be occasion . at evening dress him as in the morning , then ride him forth to water , and do as you did in the morning . when you come home and have cloathed him up , let him stand on his bridle as before , then give him the former quantity of provender , so let him rest till nine a clock at night ; at which time give him the former quantity of provender , and a pretty bundle of hay , and so let him rest till the next morning . also observing ordinary keeping ever after your dressing , and at such times as you find best convenience , to bathe all his fore-leggs from the knees and cambrels downward with cold water , for it is wholsome , and both comforteth the sinews , and prevents scabbs and swellings . keeping in travell and sport . thus you shall do concerning his ordinary keeping at home where the horse hath rest and that you may dispose of hours as you please ▪ but if you be either in travel , in sport , or other occasion , so that you cannot observe these particular times , then you must divide the main and whole quantity of mea● into fewer parts and greater quantities , and so give them at the best convenience , ever observing to give the least quantity before travel as a third part before mounture , and the two other when you come to rest . nor would i have you to distract your mind with any doubt or amazement , because i prescribe you five severall times of feeding in one day , as if it should either over-charge you , or over-feed your horse : questionless there is no such matter when you look into the true proportion : for it cannot be denied that whosoever is worthy of a good horse , or good means to keep a good horse , cannot allow him less then one peck a day ; nay , the carrier . carter , poulter and packhorse , will allow half a peck at waterings , and this allowance which i set down comes to no more : for fifteen pints of oats , and one pint of spelt beans upheaped , makes two gallons , and that is one peck winchester measure . now to give it at twice it fills the stomack more , makes the digestion wors● , and the appetite weak : whereas to give less , but more oft , the stomack is ever craving , the digestion always ready , and the appetite never wanting , so that health ( without disorder ) can never be a stranger , therefore once again thus for ordinary keeping . of giving heats , hunting and travell . but if you intend to give an heat , as to hunt , gallop , travell , or the like , ( which i would wish you to do once , twice , or thrice a week according to the ability of your horse ) then observe all your former observations , onely the night before give him little or no hay at all : in the morning before his heat very early and before his dressing , give him three or four handfull of clean sifted oats , washt either in strong beer or ale . then dress him , saddle him , and give him his hear , he having first emptied himself well . ordering after labour : after his heat ▪ , or end of labour , rub him carefully , and bring him ▪ dry into the stable ; then after he is cloathed up , let him stand on his bridle at least two hours , then give him a little bundle of hay to teare out upon his bridle , and an hour after feed him as hath been before shewed , onely with his first oats give him an handfull or better of hemp-seed well dusted and mixt . at night warm him a little water and give it him luke-warm , with a little fine pounded oatmeal thrown upon it , then an hour after give him his provender , and a pretty bundle of hay , and so let him rest till the next morning . the next morning do all things as in his ordinary keeping . some especiall precepts . if he be a choice horse let him stand on litter both night and day , yet change oft and keep the planchers clean . if he be otherwise , then use your own discretion . if you intend to travell or journey in the morning , then give no hay , or but little the night before ; if you journey in the afternoon , then give no hay , or but little in the morning . if your horse sweat by exercise , take off the sweat ( before you rub him ) with the glassing-knife , which is either a piece of a broken sword-blade , or a piece of a broken syth , for this will make a clean , a smooth , and a shining coat . in journeying ride moderately the first hour or two , but after according to your occassions : water before you come to your inne , if you can possibly ; but if you cannot , then give warm water in the inne , after the horse hath fed , and is fully cooled within , and outwardly dried . trotters oyl is an excellent oyntment , being applied very warm , and well chafed into your horses limbs and sinews , to nimble and help stifness and lameness . and dogs grease is better , therefore never want one of them in your stable . of washing and walking . neither wash your horse nor walk your horse ; for the first indangereth foundring in the body or feet , and breedeth all surfaits ; the latter is the ground of all strong colds , which turn to glanders and rottenness ; but if necessity compell you to either , as foul waies ; or long stays , then rather wash your horses leggs with pailes of water at the stable door , then to indanger him in either pond or river . and for walking , rather sit on his back to keep his spirits stirring , then to lead him in his hand , and with dull spirits to receive all manner of mischiefs . this i think sufficient for the office of the keeper . the office of the ambler . observations in ambling . there is not any motion in an horse more desired , more usefull , nor indeed more hard to be attained unto by a right way , then the motion of ambling ; and yet ( is we will beleeve the protestations of the professors ) not any thing in all the art of horsmanship more easie , or more severall ways to be effected , every man conceiving to himself a severall method , and all those methods held as infallible maxims that can never fail in the accomplishment of the work . mens opinions and errors . but they which know truths , know the errors in these opinions , for albeit every man that hath hardly a smell of horsmanship , can discourse of a way how to make an horse amble , yet when they come to the performance of the motion , their failings are so great , and their errors so gross , that for mine own part , i never yet saw an exact ambler . i confess some one man may make some one horse amble well and perfectly ; nay , more then one , peradventure many , and thereby assume to himself a name of perfection , yet such a man have i seen erre grosly , and spoyl more then his labour was able to recompence . but leaving mens errors , because they are past my reformation , i will onely touch at some principall observations which in mine opinion i hold to be the easiest ▪ the certainest and readiest for the effecting of this work ; and withall glance at those absurdities which i have seen followed , though to little purpose , and less benefit . ambling by the plowed field . there is one commends the new plowed lands , and affirms , that by toyling the horse thereon in his foot pace , there is no way so excellent for the making of him to amble ; but he forgets what weakness , nay what lameness , such disorderly toyle brings to a young horse nay to any horse ; because the work cannot be done without weariness , and no weariness is wholsome ▪ ambling by the gallop ▪ another will teach his horse to amble from the gallop , by sudden stopping , a more sudden chocking him in the cheeks of the mouth , thrusting the horse into such an am●●edness betwixt his gallop and his trot , that losing both he cannot chuse but find out ambling . but this man forgets not alone the error before spoken , ( which is too great toyle ) but also spoyls a good mouth ( if the horse had one ) loses a good rain ( if there were any ) and by over-reaching and clapping one foot against another , indangers upon every step an ●oof-breach , or sinew-strain ambling by weights . another says there is nothing of such use for ambling , as weights , and thereupon one ●oads his horse with unmercifull shooes of in●ollerable weight , and forgets how they make him enterfere , strike short with his hind-feet , and though his motion be true , yet is so slow that it is not worth his labour . another foulds great weights of lead about his feetlock pasterns , and forgets that they have all the mischiefs of the former , besides the indangering of incurable strains , the crushing of the crownet , and the breeding of ring-bones , crown-scabs and quitter bones . another loads his horse upon the fillets with earth , lead , or some other massie substance , and forgets the swaying of the back , the over-straining of the fillets , and a generall disabling of all the hinder parts . ambling in hand , or not ridden ▪ another struggles to make his horse amble in his hand before he mount his back , by the help of some wall , smooth pale or rail , and by chocking the horse in the mouth with the bridle-hand , and correcting him with his rod on the hinder houghs , and under the belly when he treadeth false , and never remembers into what desperate frantickness it drives an horse before he can make him understand his meaning , as plunging , rearing , sprauling out his leggs , and using a world of other antick postures , which once setled , are hardly ever after reclaimed : besides , when he hath spent all his labour , and done his utmost , as soon as he mounts his horses back , the horse is as far to seek of his pace as if he had never known such a motion . ambling by the help of shooes . another finds out a new stratagem , and in despite of all opposition in the horse , will make him amble perfectly , and thereupon he makes him a pair of hinder shooes with long spurns or plates before the toes , and of such length , that if the horse offer to trot , the hinder foot beats the forefoot before it . but he forgets that the shooes are made of iron , and the horses leggs of flesh and blood , neither doth he remember with what violence the hinder foot follows the fore-foot , nor that every stroke it gives , can light upon any place , but the back sinews , then which there is no part more tender , nor any wound that brings such incurable lameness . ambling by the help of fine lists . another ( out of quaintness more then strong reason ) strives to make his horse amble by taking of fine soft lists , and foulding them strait about the cambrell in that place where you garter an horse for a stiflestrain , and then turn him to grass for a fortnight or more , in which time ( saith he ) he will fall to a perfect amble , ( for it is true he cannot trot but with pain ) then taking away the lists , the work is finished . but ( under the correction of the professors of this foreign trick , for it is a spanish practice ) i must assure them , that if they gain their purpose , they must offend the members . if they hurt not the limbs , they lose their labour ; but however this is most assured , that the amble thus gained , must be disgracefull , crambling and cringing in the hinder parts , without comliness , speed , or clear deliverance . ambling by the hand only . another ( and he calls himself the master ambler of all amblers ) affirms there is no true way of making an horse to amble but by the hand only , and i am of his opinion , could the secret be found out , or could a man make a horse do all that he imagined , and as he imagined ; but horses are rebellious , and men are furious , and the least of either of these spoyls the whole work ; and it is impossible for any man to fadge an horse to a new motion utterly unknown , against which he will not resist with his uttermost powers . besides , to do this action with the hand onely , it must onely be done from the horses mouth , and that mouth must of necessity be altered from his first manner of riding ; for to use all one hand must preserve all one motion , and then where is ambling which was not known at the first backing ? again , we strive at the first backing of an horse , to bring his mouth to all sweetness , his rein to all stateliness , and the generall carriage of his body to all comeliness . now in this course of ambling by the hand onely , the mouth must be changed from the chaps to the ●eeks of the mouth , which is from sweetness to harshness , his rein must be brought from constancy to inconstancy : for the eyes that did look upward , the nose and muzzell which was couched inward , must be turned outward , and the generall comliness of the bodies carriage must be brought to disorder and false treading , or else he shall never accomplish the true art of ambling by the hand onely . ambling by the tramell . there is another , ( i will not call him the ●ast , because his error may be as great as any ) and he will make his horse amble by the help of the tramell only , which i confess is neerest the best and most assured way , yet he hath many errors , as followeth . errors in the tramell . first , he loseth himself in the want of knowledge , for the length of the tramell , and either he makes it too long , ( which gives no stroke ) or too short ( which gives a false stroke ) the first makes an horse hackell and shuffle his feet confusedly , the latter makes him roule and twitch up his hinder feet so suddenly , that by custome it brings him to a string-halt , from which he will hardly be recovered ever after . another loses himself and his labour by misplacing the trammell , and out of a niceness to seem more expert then he is , or out of fearfulness to prevent falling ( to which the tramell is subject ) places them above the knee , and above the hinder hough . but the rule is neither good nor handsome ; for if the tramell be too long or loose , that it gives no offence to the sinews , and other ligaments about which they must necessarily be bound , when they are raised so high , then they can give no true stroke , neither can the fore-leg compell the hinder to follow it . and if they be so short or strait , that the fore-leg cannot step forward , but the hinder must go equall with it , then will it so press the main sinew of the hinder leg , and the veins and fleshy part of the fore-thighs , that the horse will not be able to go without halting before , and cringing and crambling his hinder parts so ill-favouredly , that it will be irksome to behold it : besides , it will occasion swellings , and draw down tumors , which will be more noysom then the pace will be beneficiall . another makes his tramell of such course or hard stuff , or else girts it so strait , or leaves it fretting up and down so loose , that he galls his horses leggs , and leaves neither hair nor skin upon them , at the best it leaves such a foul print and mark upon the leggs , that every one will accuse both the horse and his teacher of disgrace and indiscretion . as these , so i must conclude with the last error of the tramell , which is , mens opinions , and though it be the most insufficient , yet it hath the greatest power to oversway truth , and that is , the tramell is utterly unnecessary , and unprofitable , and the defender worthy of no imployment , alledging the land onely to be excellent . the errors i have already confuted ; it now remaines ( after all these faults finding ) that i shew the truest , the easiest , and that way which is most uncontrollable for the making of an horse to amble , with all the gracefulness and perfection that can be required . the best way to amble an horse . when you are about undoubtedly to make an horse amble truely , and without controlment : first , try with your hand by a gentle or deliberate racking and thrusting of the horse forward , by helping him in the weeks of his mouth with your snaffell , ( which must be smooth , big and full ) and correcting him first on one side , then on another with the calves of your leggs , and somtimes with the spurre ; if you can make him of himselfe strike into an amble ; but by no means disorder or displace either his mouth , head , or neck ; if you find you can make him strike into an amble , though shuffling disorderly , there will be much labor saved : for that proclivity or aptness to amble , will make him with more easiness and less danger , endure the use of the tramell , and make him find the motion without stumbling or amazement : but if you find he will by no means either apprehend the motions or intentions , then struggle not with him , but fall to the use of the tramell in this manne● following . the form of the tramell . but before i come to the use and vertue thereof , i will shew you the form and substance whereof it ought to be made ; because nothing hath ever done this instrument more injury , then false substances and false shapes . therefore some make these tramels all of leather , and that will either reach or break , the first marrs the work by uncertainty , the other loseth the labor . another makes it of canvass , and that galls . a third makes it of strong lists , and that hath all the faults of both the former ; for the softness will not let it lye close , and the gentleness makes it stretch out of all compass or break upon every stumble . and as these , so there are a world of other us●●ess tramels ; for you must understand that touching the true tramel , the side-ropes must be firm , without yeelding an hair : the hose must be soft , lye close and not move from his first place , and the backband must be flat , no matter how light , and so defended from the fillets that it may not gall . and this tramell must be thus made , and of these substances . first , for the side-ropes , they must be made of the best , finest , and strongest packthread , such as your turky-thred , and twined by the roper into a delicate strong cord , yet at the utmost , not above the bigness of a smal jackline , with a nooze at each end , so strong as is possible to be made ; neither must these side-ropes be twined too hard , but gentle , and with a yeelding condition , for that will bring on the motion more easie , and keep the tramell from breaking , now these siderop●s must be just 36 inches in length , and so equall one with another , that no difference may be espied . for the hose which must be placed in the small of the fore-leg , and the small of the hinder l●g above the feetlock , they must be made of fine girth web , which is soft and pliant , and lined with double cotton : over the girth web must be fastned strong tabbs of white neats leather well tallowed , ●●d suited to an even length , and stamped with holes of equall distance , which shall passe through the noozes of the side-ropes and be made longer or shorter at pleasure , with very strong buckles . these hose ; the g●rth would be 4 inches in length , and the tabbs ten . the back-band being of no other use but to bear up the side-ropes , would ( if you tramell all the forelegs ) be made of fine girth-web , and lined with cotton ; but if you tramell but one side , then any ordinary tape will serve , being sure that it carry the side-ropes in an even line without either rising or falling ; for if it rise , it shortens the side-rope , if it fall it indangers tangling . thus you see what the true tramell is , and how to be made : touching the use , it thus followeth . the true use of the true tramell . when you have brought your horse into an even smooth path , without rub● or roughnesse , you shall there hose the neer fore-leg , and the reer hinder leg ; then put to them the side rope , and see that he stand at that just proportion which nature her self hath formed him , without either straining or inlarging his members , and in that even and just length stay the side-rope by a small tape fastned up to the saddle . then with your hand on the bridle , straining his head , put him gently forward , and if need be , have the help of a by-stander to put him forward also , and so force him to amble up and down the road with all the gentleness you can , suffering him to take his own leasure , that thereby he may come to an understanding of his restraint , and your will for the performance of the motion , and though he snappe● or stumble , or peradventure fall now and then , yet it matters not , do you only stay his head , give him leave to rise , and with all gentleness put him forward again , till finding his own fault , and understanding the motion ▪ he become perfect , and amble in your hand to your contentment . and that this may be done with more ease and less amazement to the horse , it is not amiss ( at his first trameling ) that you give your side-ropes more length then ordinary , both that the twitches may be less sudden , and the motion coming more gently , the horse may sooner apprehend it . but as soon as he comes to any perfectness ▪ then instantly put the side-ropes to their true length . for an inch too long , is a foo●●oo slow in the pace ; and an inch to short causeth ralling , a twitching up of the leggs , and indeed a kind of plain halting . when to alter the tramell . when the horse will thus amble in your hand perfectly , being trameled on one side , you shall then change them to the other side , and make him amble in your hand as you did before . and thus you shall do , changing from one side to another , till with this halfe tramell he will run and amble in your hand without snappering or stumbling , both readily and swiftly . when this is attained unto , which cannot be above two or three hours labour ( if there be any tractableness ) you ●ay then put on the whole tramell , and the broad flat back-band , trameling both sides equally , and so run him in your hand ( at the utmost length of the bridle ) up and down the road divers times , then pause , cherish , and to it a gain ; and thus apply him till you have brought him to that perfection , that he will amble , swiftly , truly and readily , when , where and how you please : then put him upon uneven and uncertain ways , as up-hill and down-hill , where there are clots and roughness , and where there is hollowness and false treading . when to mount his back . now when he is perfect in your hand upon all these , you may then adventure to mount his back , which ( if you please ) you may first do by a boy , or groom , making the horse amble under him , whilst you stay his head to prevent danger , or to see how hee striketh . then after mount your self , and with all gentleness and le●●ty increasing his pace more and more , till you come to the height of perfection . and thus as you did before in your hand , so do now on his back , first with the whole tramell , then with the halfe , and changing the tramell oft , first from one side , then to another , then altering grounds till you find that exquisiteness which you desire . and this must be done by daily exercise and labour , as twice , thrice , sometimes ▪ oftner in the day . when to journey . when you have attained your wish in the perfection of his stroke , the nimblenesse of ●●s limbs , and the good carriage of his head and body , you may then take away the tramell altogether , and exercise him without it . but this exercise i would have upon the high-way , and not ( horse-courser like ) in a private smooth road , for that affords but a co●sening pace , which is left upon every small wearinesse ; therefore take the high-way forward for three , four , or five miles in a morning more or lesse , as you find the horses aptness and ability . now if in this journeying , either through weariness , ignorance , or peevishness , you find in him a willingnesse to forsake his pace , then ( ever carrying in your pocket the halfe tramell ) alight and put them on , and so exercise him in them , and now and then giving him ease , bring him home in his true pace . this exercise you shall follow day by day , and every day increasing it more and more ▪ till you have brought him from one mile to many : which done , you may then give him ease , as letting him rest a day or two , or more , and then apply him again ; and if you find in him neither error nor alteration then you may resolve your work is finished : for in all mine experience , i never found this way to fail . but if any alteration do happen , ( as many phantastick horses are subject unto ) if it be in the motion of his pace ▪ then with your hand reform it . but if that fail , then the use of the halfe tramell will never fail you . now if the error proceed from any other occasion , look seriously into the cause thereof , and taking that away , the effect will soon cease , for you are to understand , that in this manner of teaching an horse to amble , you are forbidden no help or benefit whatsoever which belongs unto horsmanship , as chain , cavezin , musroule , headstrain , martingale , bit , or any other necessary instrument , because this motion is not drawn from the mouth , but from the limbs . many things else might be spoken on this subject , but it would but load paper , and weary memory , and i aim only at short essays , and true new experiments , therefore this already writ i hold sufficient . the office of the buyer : wherein is shewed all the perfections and imperfections that are or can be in a horse . observations and advertisements for any man when he goeth about to buy an horse . there is nothing more difficult in all the art of horsmanship , then to set down constant and uncontrollable resolutions by which to bind every mans mind to an unity of consent in the buying of an horse : for ●ccording to the old adage , what is one mans meat , is another mans poyson ; what one ●ffects another dislikes . but to proceed according to the rule of reason , the precepts of the ancients , and the modern practice of our present conceived opinions , i will , as briefly as i can ( and the rather because it is a labour i never undertook in this wise before ) shew you those observations and advertisements which may fortifie you in any hard election . the end for which to buy : first therefore you are to observe , that i● you will elect an horse for your hearts contentment , you must consider the end and purpose for which you buy him , as whether for the warres , running , hunting , travelling , draught or burthen . every one having their severall characters , and their severall faces both of beauty and uncomliness . but because there is but one truth , and one perfection , i will under the description of the perfect and untainted horse , shew all the imperfections and attaind●res which either nature or mischance can put upon the hors● of greatest deformity . let me then advise you that intend to buy an horse , to acquaint your self with all the true shapes and excellencies which belong to an horse whether it be in h●s naturall and true proportion , or in any accidental or outward increase or decrease of any limb o● member , and from their contraries to gather all things whatsoever that may give dislike or offence . election how divided . to begin therefore with the first principle of election , you shall understand they are divided into two especiall heads , the one generall the other particular . the generall rule . the generall rule of election is , first the end for which you buy , then his breed or generation ; his colour , his pace , and his stature . these are said to be generall , because they have a generall dependance upon every mans several opinions : as the first , which is the end for which you buy , it is a thing shut up only in your own bosome . of breed . the other , which is breed , you must either take it from faithful report , your own knowledge , or from some known and certain characters by which one strain or one country is distinguished from another ; as the neapolitan is known by his hauk-nose , the spaniard by his small limbs , the barbary by his fine head , and deep hoof , the dutch by his rough legges , the english , by his generall strong knitting together , and so forth of divers others . of colour . as for his colour , although there is no colour utterly exempt from goodness , for i have seen good of all , yet there are some better reputed then others , as the daple , gray for beauty , the brown-bay for service , the black with silver hairs for courage , and the lyard or true mixt roan for continuance . as for the ●orrell , the black without white , and the unchangeable iron-gray , are reputed cholerick , the bright bay , the flea-bitten , and the black with white marks , ate sanguinists ; the black , white , the yellow , dun , and kiteglewed , and the pye ▪ balld , are flegmatick ; and the chesnut , the mouse-dun , the red bay , and the blew-gray , are melancholy . pace , as trotting . now for his pace , which is either trot , amble , rack or gallop , you must refer it to the end also for which you buy ; as if it be for the warrs , running , hunting , or your own pleasure , then the trot i● most tollerable , and this motion you shall know by a cross moving of the horses limbs , as when the far fore-leg and the near hinder-leg ; or the near fore-leg and the far hinder-leg move and go forward in one instant . and in this motion , the nearer the horse taketh his limbs from the ground , the opener , the evener , and the shorter is his pace : for to take up his feet slovenly , shewes stumbling and lamenesse : to tread narrow or cross , shews enterfeiring or failling ; to step uneven , shews toyl and weariness ; and to tread long , shews over-reaching . ambling . now if you elect for ease , great persons feats , or long travell , then ambling is required . and this motion is contrary to trotting : for now both the feet on one side must move equally together , that is , the far fore-legs and the far hinder-legs , and the near fore-leg and the near hinder-leg and this motion must go just , large , smoth , and nimble ▪ for to treade false , takes away all ●ase ; to tread short , rids no ground ; to tread rough , shewes , rolling ; and to tread un-nimbly , shewes a false pace that never continueth , as also lameness . racking if yo elect for buck-hunting ; galloping on the high-way , post , hackney , or the like , then a racking pace is required : and this motion is the same that ambling i● , onely it is in a swifter time and a shorter tread ; and though it rid not so much ground , yet it is a little more easie ▪ galloping ▪ now to all these paces must be joyned a good gallop , which naturally every trotting and racking horse hath ; the ambler is a little unapt thereunto , because the motions are both one , so that being put to a greater swiftness of pace then formerly he hath been acquainted withall , he handles his leggs confusedly and out of order , but being trained gently , and made to understand the motion he will as well undertake it as any trotting horse whatsoever , now in a good gallop you are to observe these vertues . first , that the horse which taketh his feet nimbly from the ground , but doth not raise them high , that neither roleth nor beateth himselfe , that fl●etcheth out his fore legs , follows nimbly with his hinder ▪ and neither cutteth under his knee ( which is called the swift cut ) nor crosseth , nor clap● one foot on another , and ever leadeth with his far fore foot , and not with the near this hors● is said ever to gallop most comely and most true , and it is the fittest for speed , o● any swift imployment . if he gallop round , and raise his fore-feet , he is then said to gallop strongly , but not swiftly , and is fittest for the great saddle , the wars and strong encounters . if he gallop slow , yet sure , he will serve for the high way : but i● he labour his feet confusedly , and gallop painfully , then is he good for no galloping service : beside , it shews some hidden lameness . stature : lastly , touching his stature , it must be referred to the end for which you buy , ever observing that the biggest and strongest are fittest for strong occasions and great burthens , strong draughts , and double carriage ; the middle size for pleasure and generall imployments ; and the least for ease , streetwalks , and summer hackney . the particular rule . now touching the particular rule of election , it is contained in the discovery of naturall deformities , accidentall outward sorrances , or inward hidden mischiefs which are so many and so infinite that it is a world of work to explain them yet ; for satisfaction sake i will in as methodicall manner as i can , shew what you are to observe in this accession . how to stand to view . when a horse is brought unto you to buy ( being satisfied for his breed , his pace , colour and stature , then see him stand naked before you , and placing your self before his face , take a strict view of his countenance , and the cheerfulness threof : for it is an excellent glass wherein to behold his goodness and best perections . — as thus — his eares . if his ears be small , thin , sharp , short , pricked and moving ; or if they be long , yet well set on , and wel carried , it is a mark of beauty , goodness , and metall : but if they be thick , laved or lolling , wide set , and unmoving , then are they signes of dulness , doggedness : and evil nature . his face . if his face be lean : his forehead swelling outward : the mark or feather in his face set high , as above his eys , or at the top of his eyes ; if he have white starre : or white ratch of an indifferent size , and even placed , or a white snip on his nose , or lip ; all are marks of beauty and goodness . but if his face be fat , cloudy or skouling , his forehead flat as a trencher , ( which we call mare-faced , ) or the mark in his forehead stand low , as under his eyes : if his star or ratch stand awry , or in an evill posture , or in stead of a snip , his nose be raw and unhairy , or his face generally bald ; all are signes of deformity . his eyes . if his eyes be round , big , black , shining , starting or staring from his head , if the black of the eye fill the pit or outward circumference , so that in the moving , none ( or very little ) of the white appeareth , all are signs of beauty , goodness , and metall : but if his eyes be uneven , and of a wrinkled proportion , if they be little ( which we call pig-eyed ) both are uncomely signes of weakness : if they be red and fiery , take heed of moon-eys , which is next door to blindness . if white and walled , it shews a weak sight , and unnecessary starting or finding of boggards : if with white specks , take heed of the pearl , pin and web : if they water or shew bloody , it shews bruises ; and if they matter , they shew old over-riding , festred rhumes ▪ or violent strains if they look dead or dull , or are hollow , or much sunk , take heed of blindness at the best ; the best is of an old decrepid generation : if the black fill not the pit , but the white is always appearing , or if in moving the white and black be seen in equall quantity , it is a signe of weakness , and a dogged disposition . his cheeks and chaps . if handling his cheeks or chaps , you find the bones lean and thin , the space wide between them , the thropple or wind-pipe big as you can gripe , and the void place without knots or kirnels ; and generally the jawes so great , that the neck seemeth to couch within them , they are all excellent signes of great wind , courage , and soundness of head and body . but if the chaps be fat and thick , the space between them closed up with gross substance , and the throple little , all are signs of short wind and much inward foulness : if the void place be full of knots and kirnels , take heed of the strangle or glanders , at the best , the horse is not without a foul cold . if his jaws be so strait , that his neck swelleth above them , if it be no more but naturall , it is onely an uncomely sign of short wind and pursickness , or grosness ; but if the swelling be long , and elose by his chaps , like a whetstone , then take heed of the vives , or some other unnaturall impostume . his nostrils and muzzell . if his nostrils be open , dry , wide and large , so as upon any straining , the inward redness is discovered , and if his muzzell be small , his mouth deep , and his lips equally meeting ; then all are good signes of wind , health and courage . but if his nostrils be strait , his wind is little ; if is muzzell be gross , his spirit ●is dull ; if his mouth be shallow , he will never carry a bit well ; and if his upper lip will not reach his nether , old age or infirmity hath marked him for carrion . if his nose be moist and dropping , if it be clear water , it is a cold ; if foul matter , then beware of glanders : if both nostrills run , it is hurtfull ; but if one , then , most dangerous . teeth . touching his teeth and their vertues , they are set down in a particular chapter ; onely remember , you never buy an horse that wanteth any , for as good lose all as one . his breast . from his head look down to his breast , and see that it be broad , out-swelling , and adorned with many features : for that shews strength and indurance . the little breast is uncomely , and shewes weakness , the narrow breast is apt to stumble , fall , and enterfeire before : the breast that is hidden inward , and wanteth the beauty and division of many feathers , shewes a weak armed heart , and a breast that is unwilling and unfit for any violent toyl or strong labour . his fore-thighes . next , look down from his elbow to his knee , and see that those fore-thighs be rush-grown , well horned within , sinewed , fleshy and out-swelling , for they are good signes of strength , the contrary shews weakness , and are unnaturall . his knees then look on his knees that they carry proportion , be lean , sinewy , & close knit , for they are good and comely ; but if one be bigger or rounder then another , the horse hath received mischief : if they be gross , the horse is gouty : if they have scarres , or hair broken , it is a true mark of a stumbling jade and a perpetuall faller . his legs . from his knees look down to his leggs , to his pasterns , and if you find them clean , ●●an , flat , and sinewy , and the inward bought of his knee without seames , or hair-broken , then he shewes good shape and soundness : but if on the in-side the leg you find hard ●nots , they are splinters ; if on the out-side they are serews or excressions ; if under his knees be scabs on the in-side , it is the swift-cut , and he will ill endure galloping ; if above his pasternes on the in-side you find scabs , it shews interfeiring : but if the scabs be generally over his leggs , it is either extreame foul keeping , or else a spice of the maunge ; if his flesh be fat , round and fleshy , he will never indure labour : and if on the inward bought of his knees you find seams , scabs , or hair-broken , it shews a maleander , which is a cankerous ulcer . his pasterns . look then on his pastern-joynt and his pastern ; the first must be clear and well kni● together , the other must be short , strong and upright standing : for if the first be bigor sweld , take heed of sinew-strains and gourdings ; if the other be long , weak or bending , the limbs will be hardly able to carry the body without tiring his hooves . for the hooves in generall , they should be black , smooth , tough , rather a little long then round , deep , hollow and full sounding : for white hooves are tender , and carry ● shooe ill ; a rough , grosse seamed hoof , shewes an age or over-heating . a brittle hoof will carry no shooe at all ; an extraordinary round hoof is ill for foul ways and deep hunting . a flat hoof that is pumissed , shews soundering ; and a hoof that is empty , and hollow-sounding , shews a decayed inward part by reason of some wound or d●y founder . as for the crown of the hoof , if the hair lye smooth and close , and the flesh flat and even , then all is perfect ; but if the haire be staring , the skin scabbed , and the flesh rising , then look for a ring-bone , or a crown scab , or a quitterbone . the setting on of his head , his crest and mane . after this , stand by his side , and first look ●o the setting on of his head , and see that i● stand neither too high nor too low , but in ● direct line , and that his neck be small at the setting on of the head , and long , growing deeper to the shoulders , with an high ●●rong and thin mane , long , soft and somewhat curling ; for these are beautifulll characters : whereas to have the head ill set on , is the greatest deformity , to have any bigness or swelling in the nape of the neck , shews the poul-evill , or beginning of a fistula ; to have a short thick neck like a bull , to have it falling at the withers , to have a low , weak , a thick , or falling crest , shews want both of strength and metall : to have much hair on the mane , sheweth intolerable dulness ; to have it too thin , shews fury ; and to have none , or shed , shews the worm in the mane , the itch , or else plain manginess . his back , ribs , fillets ; belly , and stones . look on the chine of his back , that it be broad , even and straight , his ribs well com●assed and bending outward , his fillets upright , strong and short , & not above an handfull between his last rib and his hucklebone , let his belly be well let down , yet hidden within his ribs , and let his stones be close trust up to his body : for all these are marks of health and good perfection , whereas to have his chine narrow , he will never carry a saddle without wounding : and to have it bending , or saddle-backed , shews weakness . to have his ribs flat , there is no liberty for wind . to have his fillets hanging , long or weak , he will never climb an hill , nor carry a burden . and to have his belly clung up or gaunt , or his stones hanging down , loose , or a side , they are both signs of sickness , tenderness , foundring in the body , and unaptness for labor : his buttocks . then look upon his buttocks , and see that they be round , plump , full , and in an even levell with his body ▪ or of long , that it be well raised behind , and spread forth at the setting on of the tail , for these are comely and beautifull . the narrow pin-buttock , the hog or swine rump , and the falling and down-let buttock are full of deformity , and shew both an injury in nature , and that they are neither fit or becomming , for pad , foot●loth , or pyllion . his hinder-thighs . then look to his hinder-thighs , or ga●ains , if they be well let down even to the middle-joynt , thick , brawny , full , and swelling : for that is a great argument of strength and goodness , whereas the ●ank , slender thighs ●hew disability and weakness . his cambrels . then look upon the middle joynt behind , and if it be nothing but skin and bone , veins and sinews , and rather a little bending then to ●ait , then it is perfect as it should be . but if ●● have chaps or sores on the inward bought ●● bending , then that is a selander . if the ●●ynt be sweld generally all over , then he hath got a blow or bruise : if the swelling be particular , as in the pot , or hollow part , or ●n the inside , and the vein full and proud : ●● the swelling be sofe , it is a blood-spaven : ●● hard , a bone-spaven , but if the swelling be ●●st behind , before the knuckle , then it is a ●urb . hinder-leggs . then look to his hinder-legs , if they be lea● clean , flat and sinowy , then all is well ; but i● they be fat , they will not indure labour . if they be sweld , the grease is molten into them . if he be scabbed above the pasterns , he hath the scratches : if he have chaps under his pasterns , he hath rains , and none of these but are noysome . his tayle ▪ lastly , for the setting on of his tayl , where there is a good buttock , the tail can never stand ill ▪ and where there is an evill buttock there the tail can never stand well : for i● ought to stand broad , high , flat and couche● a little inward . thus i have shewed you the true shapes and true deformities , you may in your choice please your own fancies . an uncontrollable way to know the age of an horse . there are seven outward characters by which to know the age of every horse , a namely , his teeth , his hooves his tail his eyes , his skin , his hair , and the bars in his mouth . his teeth . if you will know his age by his teeth , you must understand , that an horse hath in his head just forty teeth , that is to say , six great wong teeth above , and six below on one side , and as many on the other , which maketh twenty four , and are called his grinders : then six above and six below in the fore-part of his mouth , which are called gatherers , and make 36. then four tushes , one above , and one below on one side , and are called the bit teeth , which maketh just fourty . now the first year he hath his foals teeth , which are onely grinders and gatherers , but no tushes , and they be small , white and bright to look on . the secound year he changeth the four formost teeth in his head , that is , two above and two below in the midst of the rows of the gatherers , and they are browner and bigger then the other . the third year he changeth his teeth next unto them , and leaveth no apparent foals teeth before , but two above , and two below of each side , which are also bright and small . the fourth year he changeth the teeth next unto them , and leaveth no more foale● teeth but one of each side , both above and below . the fifth year his formost teeth will be all changed ; but then he hath his tushes on each side compleat , and the last foals teeth which he cast , those which come up in their place , will be hollow , and have a little black speck in the midst , which is called the mark in the horses mouth , and continueth till he be past eight years old the sixth year he putteth up his new tushes , near about which you shall see growing a little of new and young flesh , at the bottome of the tush : besides , the tush will be white , small , short and sharp . the seventh year all his teeth will have their perfect growth ; and the mark in the horses mouth ( before spoken of ) will be plainly seen . the eighth year all his teeth will be full , smooth and plain , the black speck or mark being no more but discerned , and his tushes will be more yellow then ordinary . the ninth year his formost teeth will be longer , broader , yellower and fouler then at younger years , the mark gone , and his tushes will be bluntish . the tenth year in the inside of his upper ●ushes will be no holes at all to be felt with ●our finger● end , which tel that age you shall ●●●r feel : besides the temples of his head will begin to be crooked and hollow . the eleventh year his teeth will be exceeding long , very yellow , black and foul , onely he may then cut even , and his teeth will stand directaly opposite one to another . the twelfth year his teeth will be long , yellow , black and foul ; but then his upper teeth will hang over his nether . the thirteenth year his tushes will be worn somwhat close to his chaps ( if he be a much ridden horse ) otherwise they will be black , foul and long , like the tushes of a boar. his hooves . if a horses hooves be rugged , and as it were seamed one seam over another , and many seames ; if they be dry , full and crusty , o● crumbling , it is a sign of very old age : and on the contrary part , a smouth , moist , hollow , and wel sounding hoof is a signe of young years . his tail . if you take an horse with your finger and your thumb by the stern of the tail , close at the setting on by the buttock , feeling there hard , if you feel of each side the tail a joyn stick out more then any other by the big?nesse of an hazell nut , then you may prsume the horse is under ten years old : but i● his joynts be all plain , and no such thing t● be felt , then he ●s above ten , and may b● thirteen . his eyes . if an horses eyes be round , full , staring , o● starting from his head , if the pits over them be filled , smooth & even with his temples , & no wrinckles either about his brow , or under his eyes , then he is young ; if otherwise yo● see the contrary characters , it is a sign o● old age , his skin . if you take an horses skin in any part o● his body , betwixt your finger and you● thumb , and pull it from his flesh , then letting it go again , if it suddenly returne to the plac● from whence it came , and be smooth and plain without wrinkle , then he is young , and full of strength : but if it stand and not return instantly to its former place , then he i● very old and wasted . his hayr ▪ if an horse that is of any dark colour , shall grow grissell onely about his eyebrows , or underneath his mane ; or any horse of a whitish colour shall grow meannelled with either black or red meannels universally over his body , then both are signes of old age . his barrs . lastly , if the barrs in his mouth be great , deep , and handle rough and hard , then is the horse old : but if they be soft , shallow , and handle gently and tenderly , then is the horse young , and in good ability of body . and thus much be spoken touching the office of the buyer . the office of the farrier . the signes of all sicknesses , and how to discern them . if you find in your horse heaviness of countenance , extream loosness , or extream costiveness , shortness of breath , ●othing of meat , dull and imperfect eys , rotten or dry cough , staring hair , or hair unnaturally discoloured , a staggering pace , frantick behaviour , yellowness of the eyes or skin , faint or cold sweat , extraordinary lying down , or beating or looking back at his body alteration of qualities or gestures , not casting of the coat , leanness , hide-bound and the like . all these are apparant signs of distemperature and sickness . signes from the dung . it is necessary to observe the horses dung , for it is the best tel-troth of his inward parts ; yet you must not judge it by a generall opinion , but by a private discourse with your self how he hath been ●ed , because food is the onely thing that breeds alterations , — as thus — if he feed altogether upon grass , his dung hath one complexion , as green ; if upon hay , then another , as a little more dark . if upon little provender , then inclining to yelow . but to avoid both curiosity and doubt , observe well the complexion of his dung , when he is in the best health , and the best feeding ; and as you find it alter , so judge either of his health or sickness , as thus — — if his dung be clear , crisp , and of a pale yellowish complexion , hanging together without separation , more then as the weight breakes it in falling , being neither so thin nor so thick , but it wil a little ●●a● on the ground . and indeed both in savour and substance , resembling a sound mans ordure , then is the horse clean , well fed , and without imperfection : if it be well coloured , yet fall from him in round knots , or pellets , so it be but the first or second dung , the rest good , as aforesaid , it matters not : for it only shews he did eat hay lately , and that will ever come away first . but if all his dung be alike , then it is a sign of foul feeding , and he hath either too much hay , or eates too much litter , and too little corn . if his dung be in round pellets , and blackish , or brows , it shews inward heat in the body . if it be greasie , it shews foulness , and that grease is molten , but cannot come away . if he void grease in gross substance with his dung , if the grease ●e white and clear , then it comes away kindly , and there is no danger : but if it be yellow or putrified , then the grease hath lain long in his body , and sickness will follow if not prevented . if his dung be red and hard , then the horse hath had too strong heats , and costiveness will follow : if it be pale and loose , it shews inward coldness of body , or too much moist and corrupt feeding : signes from the urine . though the urine be not altogether so materiall as the dung , yet it hath some true faces , as thus — that urine which is of a pale yellowish colour , rather thick then thin , of a strong smell and a piercing condition , is an health , full , sound and good urine : but if it be of an high , red complexion , either like blood , or inclining to blood , then hath the horse had either too sore heats , been over-ridden , or ridden to early after winter grass . if the urine be of an high complexion , clear and transparent , like old march beer , then he is inflamed in his body , and hath taken some surfit . if the urine carry a white cream on the top , it shews a weak back , or consumption of seed . a green urine shews consumption of the body . a urine with bloody streaks shews an ulcer in the kidnies : and a black , thick , cloudy urine shews death and mortality . of sickness in generall . whensoever , upon any occasion , you shall find the horse droop in countenance , to forsake his meat , or to shew any other apparent sign of sickness ; if they be not great , you may forbear to let blood , because where the blood is spent , the spirits are spent also , and they are not easily recovered . but if the signes be great and dangerous , then by all means let blood instantly , and for three mornings together ( the horse being fastning ) give him half an ounce of the powder ( called by me ) diahexaple , and by the italians , regin● medicina , the queen of medicines , brewed either in a pint of muskadine or malmsey , or a pint of the syrop of sugar , being two degrees above the ordinary molosses , or for want thereof molosses wil serve the turn ; and where all are wanting , you may take a pint either of dragon water , or a quart of the sweetest and strongest ale-wort , or in extre mity take a quart of strong ale or beer , but then warm it a little before the fire . this must be given with an horn , and if the horse have ability of body , ride him in some warm place after it , and let him fast near two hours after the riding . at noon give him a sweet mash , cloath very warm , and let him touch no cold water . now touching the exact and true making of this rare powder , which i call diahexaple , because no man ( that i know ) apothecary or other , doth at this day make it truely , partly because it is an experiment but lately come to my knowledge by conference with learned physicians , and partly because our medicine makers are in horse physick less curious then they should be ; through which errors there is produced to the world an abundance of false mixtures , which both deceiveth the honest hors-master , kills the harmless horse , and disgraceth the well-meaning farrier , to repair all which , i will here set down the true manner of making this admirable powder , together with the vertues and operations thereof . the true manner of making the true diahexaple , take the roots of round aristologia , wash them , scrape them , and purifie them as clear as may be , then take juniper berries unexcorticated , and bay-berries excorticated ; take the purest and best drops as myrrh , and the finest shavings of ivory , of each an equall quantity ; beat all but the myrrh together , and search them fine : lastly , beat the myrrh and search it also ; then mix and incorporate all together , press it hard into a gally-pot , and keep it , and use it as you have occasion . the vertues of true diahexaple . this powder , or indeed methridate , called diahexaple , or the queen of medicines , is most excellent & soveraign against all manner of poyson , either inward or outward , it cureth the biting of venemous beasts , and helpeth short wind and pursickness . dodoneus . it mundifieth , cleanseth , suppleth , and maketh thin all gross humours , it healeth all diseases of the liver and stomack , helps digestion , and being given in a pint of sack , it cureth all colds : it is good against consumptions , breaks flegm , helps staggers , and all diseases of the head . gerrard . it recovers tyring and weariness , and takes away cramps and convulcions , dries up the skurvy , breaks the stone , opens all inward obstructions , and helps the yellows , the gargil and the dropsie . diascorides . it cures all diseases of the lungs , as glanders and rottenness , gives ease to all gripings and windiness of the belly , provoketh urine , takes away infection , and kils worms . gale . ● . a drink to open an horses body , and cleanse it . take a quart of new milk , sallet-oyl , hony , each half a pint , an ounce of london treacle , and the yolks of six , eggs beat all together : and then put to it licoras , sugar-candy , anise-seeds ( all in powder ) of each an ounce , and infuse all together , so give it the horse , ride him after it , set up warm , and let him fast above an an hour . the true manner of making those cordial bal● , which cure any violent cold or glanders which prevent heart-sickness . which purge away all molten grease , which recover a lost stomack , which keep the heart from fainting with exercise , and make a lean horse fat suddenly . take aniseeds , cominseeds , fenegreekseeds , carthumus seeds : elicampane roots and colts foot , each two ounces beaten , and searced to a fine dust , two ounces of the flower of brimston : then take an ounce of the juice of licoras , and dissolve it on the fire in half a pint of white wine ; which done , take an ounce of chymicall oyl of aniseeds , then of sallet oyl , hony , and the syrop of sugar , or for want of it molosses , of each half a pint , then mix all this with the former powders , and with as much fine wheat flower as will bind and knit them all together , work them into stiff paste , and make thereof balls somwhat bigger then french walnuts ●ull and all , and so keep them in a close gallipot , ( for they will last all the year : ) yet i do not mean that you shall keep them in the pot in balls : for so because they cannot lye close , the air may get in and do hurt ; as also the strength of the oyls will sweat outward and weaken the substance , therefore knead the whole lump of paste into the gallipot , and make the balls as you have occasion to use them . now for the use of these balls , because they are cordiall , and have divers excellent vertues , you shall understand , that if you use them to prevent sickness , then you shall take a ball , and aniont it all over with sweet butter , and give it the horse in the morning ▪ in the manner of a pill , then ride him a little after it ( if you please , otherwise you may chuse ) and feed and water him abroad or at home according to your usual custome . and thus do 3 or 4 mornings together . if you use them to cure either cold or glanders , then use them in the same manner for a week together . if you use them to fatten an horse , then give them for a fortnight together . but if you use them in the nature of a scouring to take away molten grease & foulness , then instantly after his heat , and in his heat . again , if you find your horse at any time hath taken a little cold , as you shall perceive by his inward ratling , if then you take one of these balls , and dissolve it in a pint of sack , and so give it the horse , it is a present remedy . also to dissolve the ball in his ordinary water , being made luke warm , it worketh the life effect , and fatneth exceedingly : to give one of these balls before travell , it prevents tyring ; to give it in the height of travel , it refresheth the weariness : and to give it after travel , it saves an horse from all surfeit and inward sickness . for the bots or any worms . take a quart of new milk , and as much hony ●● will make it extraordinary sweet , then ●eing luke-warm , give it the horse early , he ●aving fasted all the night before , then bridle ●im up , and let him stand tied to the empty ●ack for two hours : then take halfe a pint ●●white wine , and dissolve into it a good ●poonfull or more of black soap , and being ●●ll mixt together , give it him to drink , ●en ride and chafe him a little , and let him ●●t another hour , and the worms will a●oid . another for worms more ready , more easie . take the soft down-hairs that grow in the ●rs of an horse , and which you clip away ●hen you coule him , and the little short tuft ●hich grows on the top of the fore-head , ●derneath his fore-top : and having a pretty ●antity , mix them with a pottle of oats , and ●●●e them to the horse , and it helpeth . a purgation when an horse is sick of grease , or costiveness . take a pint of old white wine , and o● the fire dissolve into it a lump as much a● an henns egge of castle-sope , and sti● them together , then take it off , and put in to it two good spoonfulls of hempseed beaten , an ounce of sugar-candy in powder and brew all together , then having wa●med the horse , to stirre up his grease another foul humors , give him this to drink and walk him up and down a little after ● to make the potion work ; then set u● warm , and after a little stirring him in h● stall , if he grow sickish , give him liberty t● lye down ; then after two hours fasting giv● him a sweet mash , then feed as at othe● times . for laxativeness , or extream loosness . take a quart of red wine , and on the fire put into it an ounce and an halfe ● bolarmonie in powder , and two ounces a● an half of the conserve of sloes , mix th●● together , after take it from the fire , a● put to it a spoonfull or two of the powd● of cynamon , brew all together , and give it the horse : but let him fast two hours after it , and let him eat no washed meat : hay is wholsome , so is bread and oats , if they be well mixt with beans or wheat , but not otherwise . for the stone , or pain of urine by winde causing sickness make a strong decoction , ( that is to say ) boyle your first quantity of water to an halfe part three times over , of keen onions clean peeled , and parsley , then take a quart thereof , and put to it a good spoonefull of london treacle , and as much of the powder of egge-shels , and give it the horse . and thus do divers mornings , if the infirmity be great , otherwise , when you see the horse offended . for an horse that staleth blood . take knot-grasse , shephards purse , blood-wort of the hedge , polypodium of the wall , comphrey , garden blood-wort , of each an handfull , shread them fine , and put them into a quart of beer , ale or milk , and put to them a little salt , a little soot and leaven ▪ mix all to gether , and give it the horse to drink . for a growing cold . take the juyce of licoras , london treacle , aniseeds , turmereack , fenegreek and long pepper , of each an ounce , the hard simples in powder : then of suger-candy two ounces , and with as much english hony as will suffice , incorporate all together , and make thereof balls as bigge as a good pullets egge , and give the horse two or three in the morning fasting after he hath taken the balls , give him two new laid eggs , then rid ehim , and at noon give him a mash , keep warm , and do this twice or thrice . for a more violent cold causing rotting in the head . take the bigge elecampane root , slice it , and boyl it in water from a pottle to a quart , then strain it , and to that water put a pint of urine , and a pint of muskadine , of aniseeds , licoras , cominseeds , long pepper ( in pouder ) of each an ounce , twenty raisins of the sun stoned and brused , and of sugercandy two ounces ▪ let all these symmer on the fire , and not boyl , till they be incorporate , then take i● off , and to one halfe therof ( which is a suffiacient drench ) put a quarter of a pound of sweet butter , and four spoonfuls of sallet-oyle ; then being luke-warm , give the horse a third part of the drench , and after it a new laid egge : then another third part , and after it another egge : then lastly , all the rest of the drink . then ride him pretty roundly after it for near an houre , and let him fast another houre ; keep warme , and feed as at other timer . at noon give him a mash , and the next day give him the other half . for a desperate dry cough . take a pint of burnt sack , sallet oyle and red wine vinegar , of both a quarter of a pint , of fenegrick , turmerick , ●ong peper , and licoras , of each a spoonfull in powder , and give it the horse half at the one nostril ; and half at another , and doe this twice ▪ week , and ride him after it , and let him fast two houres , and keep his head and breast warm . for the ordinary water you may give him for a fortnight , let it have good store of sliced english licoras steept into it . for a cold long setled . take three heads of garlick , and rost them in the embers , then mix them with three spoonfulls of tarre , as much powder sugar , and halfe a pound of hogges grease , then with aniseeds , licoras , elicampane , fenegreek , and cominseeds , make it into paste , and give as much at once as a ducks egge ▪ for a dry cough , or wasted lungs . take elicampace , the flower of brimstone , licoras , fenell seed , linseed of each an ounce , searc't , syrop of elicampane an ounce , and of clarified hony a pound , work the powders and these together , and to a pint of sweet wine put two ounces of these , and give it the horse morning and evening , ride him after it , and let him fast an hour after riding , give no cold water but with exercise . a cordiall powder for any ordinary cold , and to prepare a horse before travell , to refresh him in travell , and to preserve him from mischief after travel . take of english licoras , elicampane roots , of each an ounce , of sugercandy an ounce and a halfe ; beat them to fine powder and searce them . keep the powder in a box , and when you have occasion to use it , if it be for a cold , then give half an ounce in a pint of sack : if it be in travell , then give it in sweet wine , or strong ale ; but if in ale , then take a quart ; and give it both before travell and in your inne , or at home immediately after travell . to break a festred cold to dry up glanders , and to heal the ulcer , or canker in the nose . take a pint of verdjuice , and put to it so much strong mustard made with wine vinegar , as will make it strong and keen thereof ; then take an ounce of roche allom in powder , and when you give this to the horse , as you fil the horn , so with a knife or spoon put some of the allom into the horn , and so give it the horse part at both nostrils , but especialy that nostrill which runneth most ; then ride him a little after it ▪ and set up warm , and give no cold water without exercise . thus do divers mornings . for the glanders . take cominseeds , grains and fenegreek in powder , of each halfe an ounce ; of diahexaple a quarter of an ounce , beat this in a mortar with a quarter of a pint of verdjuice , three spoonfuls of sallet oyl , and two spoon●tl of aquavitae : then put al together to a quart of old ale , with a good slice of sweet butter , and set it on the fire till it be ready to boyl ; then being luke warm , give it the horse , part at the mouth , and part at both nostrils : then ride him pretty roundly for an hour , and set up warm ; let him fast an hour , and if you perceive sickness to grow , give him a pint of new milk . to stay the glanders for a time , being incurable . take the green bark of elder , and beat it in a mortar , and strain it till you have a pint thereof , then put that juice to a pint of old ale , and warm it on the fire with a good lump of sweet butter , and a nounce of sugarcandy , and so give the horse , ride him after it , let him fast an hour , and keep warm . do thus divers mornings . for decayed or stopped lungs , which we call broken wind . take halfe a pint of coltsfoot water , or the syrop of coltsfoot ; but in the syrop it will best dissolve , and put into it a dram of balsamum sulphuris , and give it the horse in the morning fasting , then ride him a little after it , be sure to keep warm , and give no cold water without exercise . do thus every other morning , giving it one morning at the mouth , and another at the nostrils till you find amendment . a scouring when others will not work . take of sweet butter a quarter of a pound , half so much castle sope , and halfe an ounce of aloes , beat them together : then add of hempseed two spoonfulls , of rosin half a spoonfull , of sugarcandy an ounce , all bruised ●ine , work it into a paste , and give it the horse in balls immediatly after his heat , or when you have warmed him , and stirred up the grease and foulness within him . outward sorrances . the signes of outward sorrances . outward sorrances are discerned when any member or part in an horse is disfigured or evill affected by the loss of true shape , disability in motion , the increase or decrease of number and quantity , the disproportion of place , or the separating of things knit and united . and these accidents have divers names , as imposthumes , ulcers or wounds when they are in fleshy parts ; excretions or fractures on and in the bones ; ruptures in the veins ; convulsions in the sinews , and excoriations upon the skin . the first is known by outward swellings , rotten or bloody sores ; the next by utter disability in the member , or else plain halting . the next by wens and knots both soft and hard ; the next by gordgings and haltings , and the last by scurf and leprosie : now forasmuch as the greatest part of sotrances , and especially those which are most hid and obscure , are found our by halting , i will shew you the severall manner of haltings , and what they signifie . if the horse halt before , and lift not up his leg , but in a manner traileth it after the other , it sheweth a new hurt on the top of the shoulder . if he cast his leg outward , or go bakerlike , and not bend the knee , it is either an old hurt on the top of the shoulder , or if new , then it is a shoulder-plat , or rending betwixt the shoulder and the body : if in turning short he favour his foot , if griping his withers he complain , if he halt more when he is ridden then led , the offence is on the top of the shoulder : if standing in the stable , thrust forth his foot and favour it : then search his foot , and if in that be found no prick , no dry founder , no surbat , then it is in the mid part of the shoulder , or the coffin joynt . if halting he bow down his head to the ground , and step short and thick , then it is in the forepart of the shoulder , at the breast . if in handling his elbow hard , he twitch up his foot suddenly from the ground , the offence is there . if on his shank bones ( in their severall places be splents , excressions , windgalls or maleanders , and they sore , they will occasion halting , as any other outward sorrance upon any other member . heat on the crownet shews pain in the coffin joynt . in halting before , to trip on the toe , shews pain in the heel ; to favour the toe , shews payn in the toe ; to halt more on uneven ground then one the even , shews pain in the feet , and in going from you and comming to you , may be discerned , whether the outward or inward quarter : but to clear all doubts , the pincers will shew any pain in the foot whatsoever . if your horse halt behind , and in halting go sidelong , and not in an even line , the grief is in the hip , and yet but new , or in the fillets , and may be new or old . if it be old in the hip , the hip will fall , and then no cure if in halting he tread onely on his hinder toe , and no offence in the foot ▪ then the pain is in the stiffell . if in halting he bend not his hough or ham , and no outward sorrance , yet the pain is there . if he halt through any offence in his leg from the ham to the pastern , outward sorrance or swelling will shew it ; and so likewise for the other parts below it . for soar eyes , dim eyes , and moon eyes take lapis calaminaris halfe an ounce , and heat it red hot , and quenchin it a quarter of a pint of plantane water , or white wine : do this eight or nine times , then beat it to powder and put it to the water ; then add half a dram of aloes , and a scruple of camphire in powder , and let them dissolve ; drop this into the eye . another for eyes of like nature . take a pint of snow water , and dissolve into it three or four drams of white vitrioll , and with it wash the horses eyes three or four times a day , and it helpeth . for a white film or skin over the eye . take the root of the black sallow , and burn it to ashes : then put to it a like quantity of sugar and grated ginger finely searc'd , blow this into the eye morning and evening . for any sorenses in the eyes , as pearl , pin or web , or bruise . take a new laid egge , and rost it very hard , then cleave it in sunder longwise , and take out the yelk , then fill the empty holes with white vitriole finely beaten , and close the egge again ; then rost it the second time , till the vitriole be molten . lastly , beat the egge shell and all in a mortar , and strain it , and with that moisture dress the eye . if in stead of the vitriole you fill the holes with myrrh finely searc'd , and hang the egge up that it may drop , and with that moisture dress the eye : it is every way as good , onely it is a little stronger . for foul eyes , sore eyes or sight almost lost . there be some that for this great offence in the eye put in two fine small rowels long-wise in the temples of the head , just behind the eyes : but for mine own part , i not much fancy it , because i fear it breeds more evil humor then it brings away , besides soreness and disgrace ; therefore in this cure my practise is thus — take tacchamahaca , mastick , rosin and pitch , of each like quantity , and being molten with flax of the colour of the horse , lay it as a defensive on each side his temples , as big as a twenty shillings piece : then underneath his eyes upon the cheek bone ( with a round iron ▪ ) burn three or four holes , and anoint them with sweet butter ; then take a handfull of seladine , and wash it clean in white wine , but let it touch no water , then bruise it , and strain it , and to the quantity of juyce , put the third part of womans milk , and a pretty quantity of white sugarcandy , searc'd thorow a piece of lawn , and with a feather , quill , or otherwise , drop it into the sore ey morning and evening . thus do for the worst of sore eys : but if the offence be not extream , then you may forbear both the defensitive , the burning and the rowels , and onely use the medicine . the master medicine for a back sinew-strain , or any strain , shrinking , or numbness of sinews . take a fat sucking mastive whelp , fley it and howell it , then stop the body as full as it can hold with gray snails and black snails , then rost it at a reasonable fire ; when it begins to warm , bast it with six ounces of the oyl of spike made yellow with saffron , and six ounces of the oyle of wax : then save the droppings , and what moysture soever falls from it whilst any drop will fall , and keep it in a gallipot . with this anoint the strain , and work it invery hot , holding a bar of iron before it ; and thus do both morning and evening till a mendment : another in nature of a charge , for a back sinnew-strain . take five quarts of ale , and a quarter of a peck of glovers specks and boyl them till it come to a quart : then apply it hot to the grief and remove it not for five or six days . for a strain in any yart , new or old . take of sheeps suet a pound , of sheeps dung two handfull , chopt hay an handfull , wheat bran a pint , sweet sope a quarter of a pound ; boyl all these in a quart of strong beer , and a quart of the grounds of strong ale , till it come to a thick pultiss , then take it from the fire and col it with halfe a pint of wine vinegar , and a quarter of a pint of aquavitae , then apply this very hot to the grief , and give him moderate exercise . for a strain or sinew-bruise . take comin-seeds and bruise it gross , then boyl it with the oyle of camomile , and put to it so much yellow wax'as will bring it to cerrot , and spread it on either cloth or leather , and hot apply it to the grief . for old strains , or cold cramps . take aquavitae , oyl de bay , oyl of swallow● , bolearmonie , boars grease , black sope , of each half a pound , boyl them till the aquavitae be incorporate ; then take of camomile , rue , red sage , and misseldine , of each an handful , dry them and bring them to powder , then mix it with the oyntment , and bring all to a gentle salve : with this anoynt the grief , and hold an hot barre of iron before it , chafing it in well ; and thus do once a day , and in nine days the cure hath been effected . a sudden cure for a knock or brnise on the sinews : take a live cat , wild or tame , and cut off her head and tail , then cleave her down the chine , and clap her hot b●wels and all to the bruise , and remove it not for two days . for a strain newly done to help it in 24 hours . take the grounds of ale or beer , a quart , as much parsley chopt gross , as you can gripe , boyl them till the herb be soft , then put to it a quarter of a pound of sweet butter , and when it is molten , take it from the fire , and put into it a pint of wine vinegar , and if it be too thin , thicken it with wheat bran , then lay it upon hurds , and poultess-wise , as hot as the horse can suffer it , and remove it once in twelve hours , and give the horse moderate exercise . markhams own balme which hath never failed him for any strain in the shoulder or other parts , hid or apparent , or for any wind-gall or , swelling , take ten ounces of peice-grease , and melt it on the fire , then take it off and put into it four ounces of the oyle of spike , one ounce of the oyle of origanum , an ounce and a halfe of the oyle of exceter , and three ounces of the oyle of st. johns wort ; stirre them well together , then put it up into a gallipot with this oyntment ( or indeed pretious balm ) hot , anoint the grieved part and rub and chafe it in very much , holding an hot bar of iron before it : and thus anoint it once in two days , but rub and chafe it in twice or rhrice a day , and give the horse moderate exercise . for sinews that are extended , overstrained , and so weakned , that the member is useless . take of cantharides , euforbium and mercury , of each like quantity , and of oyle de bay double as much as of all the rest ; bring the hard simples to powder , and beat all to a salve , apply this to the griefe ( being desperate ) and though it make a sore , it will give strength and straightness to the sinews . for the sore you may cure it either with populeon , fresh butter , or deers grease warm . another of the same nature but , more gentle . take turpentine two ounces , verdigrease three ounces , hoggs grease six ounces , boyl them till the verdigrease be desolved , then take rosin , bees wax , of each two ounces , mix all together , then apply it to the place grieved , hot . a charge for a new strain or grief , proceeding from heat . take the whites of six eggs , and beat them with a pint of vinegar , the oyle of roses and myrtles , of each an ounce , bolearmony four ounces , as much sanguis dracones , and with as much bean flower or wheat flower , but bean is the best , as will thicken it , bring it to a salve , and spreading it one hurds , lap it about the grieved part , and renew it not till it be dry . for aches , cramps , and hid paines . take deers suet , or for want of it , sweet butter half a pound , of aquavitae a gill , of saffron half a dram , pepper beaten and searc'd three drams , garlick bruised three heads ; mix all together , and let them stew on the fire , and not boyl till it come to a salve . with this very warme chafe the grief , then anoint a brown paper therewith , and very hot apply to the place also , and roll it up . do this morning and evening for swelled or garded leggs , whether by grease or other accident . if your horses leggs be swelled , onely because the grease is fallen into them & there is no other outward ulcer , neither will the bathing with cold fountain water and other ordinary helps asswage them : then take a pottle of wine lees , or else the grownds of strong ale or beer , and boile it with a pound of hogs grease ; then with as much wheat bran as will thicken it , make thereof a pultiss : then having made the horse an hose of wollen cloath , fill it with this pultiss as hot as the horse can suffer it , then close up the hose and let it abide two days ; the third day open the hose at the top , but stir not the pultiss , onely take molten hoggs grease very hot , and put it to the pultiss whilst it will receive any , for that wil renew the strength thereof : then close the hose , and let him stand either two days or three . then you may open the legg and rub it down , and if you find strong occasion , you may apply another ; if not , the cure is wrought . now , if besides the swelling , your horse have ulcers , chaps and soars , then apply the pultiss as before shewed : and after a weeks application take a quart of old urine , and put to it half an handful of salt , as much allume , and half an ounce of white copperas , boyl them together , and with it wash the sore once or twice a day : then after a little drying anoint them with the oyntment called aegiptiacum , and is made of vinegar eight ounces , of hony twelv ounces , of verdigreas two ounces , of allum an ounce and an halfe , and boyled to the height , till it come to a red salve , and it will both kill the malignant humors , and heal and dry up the soars . for sweld leggs , whether by grease , goutiness , wind , or travell . first , bathe them well with the pickle , or brine which comes from olives being made hot : then take a pint of train oyl , as much nerve oyl , and as much oyl de bay , a quarter of a pound of allum , half a pint of sallet oyl , half a pound of hogs grease ; put all these to a pottle of old urine , and with an handfull or two of mallows , oatmeal bruised , and bran , boyl them to a pultiss , and very hot apply it to the grief : do thus once in two days . for gardings in joynts . make a very strong brine of water and salt , and to a pottie thereof put two or three handfull of rew , and boyl it till the herb be soft : then with this water very hot bathe the grieved part . then take a flat bagg , fild with salt , and heated hot at the fire , and lap it about the grief also . and thus do once or twice a day . for scratches at the first appearance . take hogs grease and black sope of each eight ounces , brimstone , lime , gunpowder , each three ounces , and soot as much as will suffice to bring the rest to a salve ; boyl the hogs grease and ●●pe together ; and bring the other to a fine powder , and mix all together and make a black oyntment : with this anoint the soars once a day , after they are cleansed and made raw . for scratches of long continuance . take hony , verdigrease , brimstone bruised small , green copperas , and bay salt , of each like quantity , boyl these with a double quantity of hogs grease , and put to it a big root of elicampan bruised in red wine vinegar , apply this to the sores very hot , after you have cut a way the hair , and made the sores raw , as also suppled them by bathing them with new milk from the cow . for scratches held incurable . first let him blood in the shackle veins , the spur veins , and the ●ore toe veins , onely letting it be three days between the bleeding of the one toe and the other : then with an hair-cloth rub the sores til they be raw and bleed ; then take a quart of old urine , and a quart of strong brine , and put to them halfe a pound of allum , and boyl it to a quart . with this hot , wash the sores wel , then take the sperm of froggs ( in march ) and put it into an earthen pot , and in a week it will look like oyl : then take both the oyl and the round things which you shal see in the sperm and spreading it on a cloath , bind it to the soars , and do this divers times . for any splent , spaven , curb , ringbone or excression . first clip away the hair as far as the excression goeth , and a little more , then take a piece of allumd leather made as big as the place you have bared , and fitted to the ●ame proportion : then take a little shooe-makers wax , and spread it round about the very edge or verge of the same , leaving all the inward part empty and not touched with the wax : then take the herb speargrass , or spearwort , which hath the vertue to raise blisters , and bruising it , lay some thereof upon the leather in the empty place , and bind it fast thereon , suffering it so to lye 〈◊〉 if it be in the spring ) or summer time , when the herb hath its full strength ) near half a day ; but if it be in winter , then it is not a miss ( to renew the strength of the herb ) if you add to it a drop or two of the oyl of origanum , and let it lie half a day fully , and be sure to tie up the horses head , for fear of biting it away . when you take away the herb , rub the place well and anoynt it with train-oyl warm , or else lay on a diminium plaister . another for a foul splint . take nerve oyl one ounce , cantharides the weight of sixpence , and as much of the oyle of vipers , boyl them lightly ; then with this anoint the splint cross the hair , and heat it in with a hot iron , then tie up the horses head to the rack for 24 hours : then squeeze out the corruption , and do this twice o● thrice . for a splint , and to dry up windgalls . first , heat the sorrance with an hot pressing iron , then vent it in severall places with your fleam ; then take a spoonfull of salt , half a spoonfull of nerve oyl , a peny weight of verdigrease , and the white of an egg : beat all to a salve : and dipping flax hurds therein : apply it to the grief . for pains , m●les and rats-tails . first take away all the scabs and make the sore raw , then with strong mustard made with wine vinegar , anoint them all over , and do this every night . the next morning take half a pound of green copperas , and boyl it in a pottle of running water with an handfull of sage , and so much hyssop , a quarter of a pound of allume , and as much strong mustard , and with this bath the sore twice or thrice a day . for malander or selander . take the oyl of bay an ounce , half so much sugar , and a good quantity of the oyl o● froth which cometh from green broom stalks being laid in the fire , mix it wel , and with this anoynt the soars , and it kills and dryes them up . for the swift-cut and to heal all wounds . take a pint of white wine and put to it two or three spoonfulls of honey , and stirr them and boyl them to a salve , then take it from the fire , and put to it halfe so much turpentine as there was honey , and stirre all together . with this salve somwhat hot , anoint the soars twice or thrice a day , and it is a most speedy healer . for any maunge or scab in a clean fed horse first let blood , then take a quart of old urine or vinegar , and break into it a quarter of a pound of good tobacco , then set it on a fire of embers and not boyl , and so let it stew all night : with this water wash the infected places , whether it be in the mane or otherwise , and it helpeth . for any maungie or universall leprosie in a foul surfeited horse . first , let blood in the neck-vein , and take , a way good store , then curry off all the scurf , and take verdjuce and vinegar a pint , cow-piss a pint , train oyle a pint , old urine a pint , & put to them an handful of wild tansie , an handful of bay salt , a quarter of a pound of brimstone , as much alome , two ounces of verdigrease and four ounces of bolarmonie , boyl all well together . with this ( very hot ) wash the horse well , and if you put to it the quantity of a pint of blood you take away , it is not amiss : do this twice or thrice . for a canker , foul ulcer , leprosie , and to make hair grow . take a quart of tar , and on the fire put to it half a pound of bores grease , an ounce of copperat , a quarter of a pound of saltpeter , two ounces of wax , a quart of honey , a quarter of a pound of rozme , two ounces of verdigrease , a quart of lynseed oyl , and seeth them till half be consumed ; then strain it , & keep it in a close pot . then , when you will use it , take of it warm , and apply it to the soar , it doth both heal , draw , and make hair grow . for a fistula , or pol-evill . take euforbium with mastick , mix them together , then seeth them well with french sope , and make a tent , and put it into the fistula , and it will consume the evill moisture . for a foul farcy . take tar and fresh hogs grease , of each half a pound , hemlock an handfull , arsesmart three handfull , and as many nettles , boyl these in a pottle of old urine , and apply it very hot to the swelling , but touch it not with your hand , for it is too sharp . lastly , take a pint of white wine vinegar , a quarter of an ounce of verdigrease , and a little bundle of hyssop , beat them in a mortar , and boyl it to an half pint : then with balls of flax put it luke-warm into both his ears , and stich the tips together , then tye his head up to the rack for two hours : do thus twice . for a most desperate farcy . take the herb called clay-clayes , which is a weed growing by the water side , having a great broad round leaf , and is green on the upper side and white on the neather ; & rew of each a like quantity , beat them and strain them : then to a pint of that juice , put of housleek a handful , half a pint of aquavitae , and two good spoonfull of pepper beaten and fearc'd . of this liquor take a pint and give it the horse to drink , then with round balls of flax dipt in the same , stop up both his ears , then with the strained bruisings of all the herbs , rub the soars , and stop the holes if there be any hollowness : do thus twice at the least . for any founder or frettize wet or dry . first , pare thin , open the heels wide , and take good store of blood from the toes or shackle veins ( which some hold good ) then rack on a shoo somwhat hollow , broad at the heels , and the inside of the web , from the first nail to the heel turned inward , towards the frog , yet not touch any part thereof , or the hoof : so that the horse may tread on the out verge of the shooe , and not on the inward , then take burgundy pitch , and rolling it in a little fine cotton-wooll or bombast , with an hot iron melt it into the foot betwixt the shoo and the toe , till the orifice where the blood was taken be filled up ; then take a pound of hogs grease , and melt it , and mix it with wheat bran , till it be as thick as a pultiss : then boyling hot stop up the horses feet therewith , then cover it with a piece of an old shoo , and splent it up , and so let him stand for three or four daies : then if occasion serve you may renew it , or otherwise the cure is wrought . to make hooves to grow quickly , and to be tough and strong . take allum , the juice of garlick , of each seven ounces , rew three handfull , old hogs grease two pound , of asses dung , or for want of it , cow dung an handfull , mix them and boyl them together . with this both stop the horses feet , and anoint the crownets of the hooves , the medicine being hot . for brittle hooves . take turpentine , sheeps sue ? , unwrought wax and hogs grease of each half a pound , pitch , rozin , half a pound , sallet oyl half a pint , and of dogs grease a pound ; boyl all together , and keep it in a gallipot : with this oyntment anoint the hooves outwardly , and if you please tie some of the ointment with a cloth to the crownets , then stop them within with cow dung , and dogs grease mixt together . for surbat or soarness in the feet , whether by travell , too near paring , or other accident . take a lump of course sugar , and with an hot iron melt it between the shooe and the foot , and when it is hardned , take nettles and bay salt , and stamp them , stop up the frog of the foot also . for a quitterbone . first , tent it a day or two with hogs grease and verdigrease ground together : then take scalding hot hogs grease and poure it into the hole , and lay a plaster of pitch and tar mixt over it for 24 hours ; then if the bone rise not , do the same again and it will rise . for saddle-bruises , hard swellings , and impostumations . first , ripen it with wet hay , or rotten litter ; then when it is soft , open it and let out the corruption , then fill the hollowness with the powder of rozin , and lay a plaster of shoomakers wax over it : and thus do once a day till it be whole . if it be slow in skinning or drying up , throw on the powder of unslackt lime , and bolarmony mixt together . but if any proud flesh arise , take it down either with burnt allam or verdigrease in powder . another for a soar back . take the juice of seladine and life hony , of each two spoonfull , beat them with the yelk of an egg , and with as much allum and wheat flower as will serve to bring it to a salve , dress the soar with this once a day ; it draweth and healeth . for a prick with a pitchfork on the crownet or other part . take a pottle of urine , two handfull of mallows , and half a pound of boars grease , boyl them together , and being reasonable hot , bathe the leggs therewith ; then apply the mallows to the wound : but if the swelling ascend upward and be great , then rope the legg up , and moist the ropes with his urine . this is good for any swelling , whether of grease or otherwise . for any chafing or galling . make the sore dry , and then rub it with a raw egg shell and all . a generall salve for any sore , swelling , prick , cloying , or tread . take turpentine , black sope , hogs grease , green treat and pitch like quaintity , mix and boyl them together , and apply it warm either plasterwise or tentwise . to make hair grow in bald places . take sope a quarter of a pound , as much bears grease , and a quarter of a pint of aquavitae : boyl these together and apply it to the bald places ; in a fortnight it will bring hair . to stanch blood . take wild tansie , and bruise it in your hand , and apply it . also primrose leaves used in the like manner have the same effect . otherwise take a piece of an old felt hat , and burn it to powder , and apply it to the wound , or put it up , or snuff it up into the nose if it bleed . for enterfering . take a sharp and knotted cord , and draw it from his dock , betweene his leggs to the girths , and so ride him , or else rub starch between his thighs . this i allow rather for an horsecoursers help , them a present cure . to tame an unruly horse that he may be drencht or drest of anygrief . put into one of his ears a little round sharp flint stone , and gripe it hard therein ; if you do so to both , he will be more quiet . finis . a new method, and extraordinary invention, to dress horses, and work them according to nature as also, to perfect nature by the subtility of art, which was never found out, but by ... william cavendishe ... newcastle, william cavendish, duke of, 1592-1676. 1667 approx. 464 kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from 216 1-bit group-iv tiff page images. text creation partnership, ann arbor, mi ; oxford (uk) : 2007-01 (eebo-tcp phase 1). a53074 wing n887 estc r18531 12040142 ocm 12040142 52970 this keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the early english books online text creation partnership. this phase i text is available for reuse, according to the terms of creative commons 0 1.0 universal . the text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. early english books online. (eebo-tcp ; phase 1, no. a53074) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set 52970) images scanned from microfilm: (early english books, 1641-1700 ; 572:8) a new method, and extraordinary invention, to dress horses, and work them according to nature as also, to perfect nature by the subtility of art, which was never found out, but by ... william cavendishe ... newcastle, william cavendish, duke of, 1592-1676. [12], 342, 40, 343-352, [4] p. printed by tho. milbourn, london : 1667. reproduction of original in huntington library. created by converting tcp files to tei p5 using tcp2tei.xsl, tei @ oxford. re-processed by university of nebraska-lincoln and northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors. eebo-tcp is a partnership between the universities of michigan and oxford and the publisher proquest to create accurately transcribed and encoded texts based on the image sets published by proquest via their early english books online (eebo) database (http://eebo.chadwyck.com). the general aim of eebo-tcp is to encode one copy (usually the first edition) of every monographic english-language title published between 1473 and 1700 available in eebo. eebo-tcp aimed to produce large quantities of textual data within the usual project restraints of time and funding, and therefore chose to create diplomatic transcriptions (as opposed to critical editions) with light-touch, mainly structural encoding based on the text encoding initiative (http://www.tei-c.org). the eebo-tcp project was divided into two phases. the 25,363 texts created during phase 1 of the project have been released into the public domain as of 1 january 2015. anyone can now take and use these texts for their own purposes, but we respectfully request that due credit and attribution is given to their original source. users should be aware of the process of creating the tcp texts, and therefore of any assumptions that can be made about the data. text selection was based on the new cambridge bibliography of english literature (ncbel). if an author (or for an anonymous work, the title) appears in ncbel, then their works are eligible for inclusion. selection was intended to range over a wide variety of subject areas, to reflect the true nature of the print record of the period. in general, first editions of a works in english were prioritized, although there are a number of works in other languages, notably latin and welsh, included and sometimes a second or later edition of a work was chosen if there was a compelling reason to do so. image sets were sent to external keying companies for transcription and basic encoding. quality assurance was then carried out by editorial teams in oxford and michigan. 5% (or 5 pages, whichever is the greater) of each text was proofread for accuracy and those which did not meet qa standards were returned to the keyers to be redone. after proofreading, the encoding was enhanced and/or corrected and characters marked as illegible were corrected where possible up to a limit of 100 instances per text. any remaining illegibles were encoded as <gap>s. understanding these processes should make clear that, while the overall quality of tcp data is very good, some errors will remain and some readable characters will be marked as illegible. users should bear in mind that in all likelihood such instances will never have been looked at by a tcp editor. the texts were encoded and linked to page images in accordance with level 4 of the tei in libraries guidelines. copies of the texts have been issued variously as sgml (tcp schema; ascii text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable xml (tcp schema; characters represented either as utf-8 unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless xml (tei p5, characters represented either as utf-8 unicode or tei g elements). keying and markup guidelines are available at the text creation partnership web site . eng horses -grooming. horsemanship -early works to 1800. 2005-12 tcp assigned for keying and markup 2006-03 spi global keyed and coded from proquest page images 2006-06 derek lee sampled and proofread 2006-06 derek lee text and markup reviewed and edited 2006-09 pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion a new method , and extraordinary invention , to dress horses , and work them according to natvre : as also , to perfect nature by the subtilty of art ; which was never found out , but by the thrice noble , high , and puissant prince william cavendishe , duke , marquess , and earl of newcastle ; earl of ogle ; viscount mansfield ; and baron of bolsover , of ogle , of bertram , bothal , and hepple : gentleman of his majesties bed-chamber ; one of his majesties most honourable privy-councel ; knight of the most noble order of the garter ; his majesties lieutenant of the county and town of nottingham ; and justice in ayre trent-north : who had the honour to be governour to our most glorious king , and gracious soveraign , in his youth , when he was prince of wales ; and soon after was made captain general of all the provinces beyond the river of trent , and other parts of the kingdom of england ; with power , by a special commission , to make knights . london , printed by tho. milbourn , in the year 1667. to his most sacred majesty charles the second , by the grace of god , king of great britain , france , and ireland , defender of the faith , &c. may it please your majesty , my first book of horse-manship , printed in french , had the honour of your patronage ; and i presume again , to dedicate this second , in english , to your majesty ; who being not only the greatest monarch in christendome , but a king that loves justice and truth , can best judge of books , which contain , i dare say , the perfect and only truth of horse-manship . my duty , and particular affection to your person , are sufficient motives to me , to consecrate , not books only , but my self , and mine , and all that belongs to us , to your majesties service : but besides that , your favours to me are so many , and so great ; that what i am , and have , ought justly to be sacrificed to your will and pleasure , as yours ; wherein i joy more , than if it was mine . your wisdom , sir , valour , and conduct , makes all your neighbours confess , that your majesty is the most glorious king that ever reign'd ; and that god will prosper you , in all your great actions , and give your majesty an happy and long reign , to the joy and comfort of all your loyal subjects , is both heartily wish'd , and fervently pray'd for , by your majesties most obedient creature , william newcastle . to the readers . having past the greatest part of my long exile at antwerp , one of the finest cities in the world , whose inhabitants are deservedly famous , for their extraordinary civilities to strangers , of which i must acknowledge to have receiv'd a great many from them : i did , during that time , publish , in french , a book of horse-manship ; and having again , since my return to my native country , had much leisure , in my solitary country life , to recollect my thoughts , and try new experiments about that art ; i now , for the more particular satisfaction of my country-men , print this second book , in english ; which being neither a translation of the first , nor an absolutely necessary addition to it , may be of use by it self , without the other , as the other hath been hitherto , and is still , without this ; but both together will questionless do best . i cannot mention antwerp , upon the score of my book , but i must also take notice of the honour i have receiv'd there , from many noble great persons , who did me the favour to see my mannage ; and of the things they was pleased to say , upon occasion of what they saw there ; which will be in lieu of encomiums , in the behalf of horses , and of horse-manship , very proper in this place . when i had the honour to wait on don john of austria , at antwerp , brought to him by my lord of bristol , his highness was pleas'd to use me extreme civilly ; and to ask both then , and at several other times , for my book of horse-manship , before it was printed ; and to receive it with great satisfaction , when i presented his highness with one : but he did not see my horses , which , in above 20. coaches , all the spaniards of his court , went to my mannage to see ; with many noble-men of flanders , as the duke of ascot , and others , before whom i rid my self , three horses , and my esquier , five . being return'd to don john , he ask'd them , whether my horses was as rare , as their reputation was great : to which they answer'd , that my horses was such , that they wanted nothing of reasonable creatures , but speaking . and the marquess of seralvo , master of the horse to his highness , and governour of the castle of antwerp , told his highness , that he had ask'd me , what horses i lik'd best : and that i had answer'd , there were good and bad of all nations ; but that the barbes were the gentlemen of horse-kind , and spanish-horses the princes . which answer did infinitely please the spaniards : and it is very true , that horses are so as i said . the marquess of carasena was so civilly earnest to see me ride , that he was pleas'd to say , it would be a great satisfaction to him , to see me on horse-back , though the horse should but walk . and seeing that no excuses would serve , ( though i did use many ) i was contented to satisfie his so obliging a curiosity ; and told him , i would obey his commands , though i thought i should hardly be able to sit in the saddle . two dayes after he came to my mannage , and i rid first a spanish-horse , called le superbe , of a light-bay , a beautiful horse ; and though hard to be rid , yet when he was hitt right , he was the readiest horse in the world : he went in corvets forward , backward , sidewayes , on both hands ; made the cross perfectly upon his voltoes ; and did change upon his voltoes so just , without breaking time , that no musitian could keep time better ; and went terra a terra perfectly . the second horse i rid , was another spanish horse , call'd le genty ; and was rightly named so , for he was the finest shap'd horse that ever i saw , and the neatest ; a brown-bay , with a white-star in his forehead ; no horse ever went terra a terra like him , so just , and so easie ; and for the piroyte in his length , so just , and so swift , that the standers by could hardly see the rider's face when he went ; and truly , when he had done , i was so dizzey , that i could hardly sit in the saddle : he went also so exactly in corvets forwards , as no horse can goe better , and yet he had no great strength ; whence it appears , that a horse of agility , lightness , spirit , well-temper'd , and of a good disposition , is much better than a horse that hath only strength ; and that a most mighty and great dutch-brewer's horse , wanting spirit and agility , can never goe well in the mannage . the third and last horse i rid then , was a barbe , that went a metz-ayre , very high , both forward , and upon his voltoes , and terra a terra . and when i had done riding , the marquess of carasena seem'd to be very well satisfied ; and some spaniards that were with him , cross'd themselves , and cried , miraculo . many french gentlemen , and persons of the greatest quality of that nation , did me the favour to see my horses ; and the prince of conde himself , with several noble-men , and officers , was pleased to take the pains to goe twice to my mannage : and though the french think , that all the horse-manship in the world is in france ; yet one of them , and he a very great man in his country , was heard say , directing his speech to me : par dieu ( monsieur ) il est bien hardi qui monte devant vous : and another said , at another time : il n'y a plus de segnieur comme vous en angleterre . among many great persons , of which the vast country of germany affords abundance , who , for the most part , delight to travel ; the landgrave of hesse , did not only do me the honour to visit me , and see my horses ; but , being return'd to his country , was pleased to shew , by a very kind letter , that he had not forgotten me , nor the love he had observed i have for horses ; being pleased to promise , he would send me two of his own breed ; but soon after , he was kill'd in the warrs the king of swede made with the king of poland . as poor as i was in those dayes , i made shift to buy , at several times , four barbes , five spanish-horses , and many dutch-horses ; all the most excellent horses that could be ; and among them a grey leaping-horse , the most beautiful that ever i saw ; and who went exceeding high and just in leaps , without any help at all ; as also upon the ground ; and terra a terra , beyond all other horses ; and he did look as if he had been above the rate of horse-kind . the duke of guise hearing of him , two gentlemen , a french-rider , and an englishman , wrote to me , that if i would part with him , the duke of guise would give me 600. pistolls for him ; but he was dead three dayes before i receiv'd their letter ; and had he liv'd , i would not have taken any money for him ; for he was above price : and besides , i was then too great a beggar , to think to be made rich by the sale of a horse : i have bestow'd many thousands of pounds in horses , and have given many ; but never was a good horse-courser ; selling being none of my professions . the king himself , who is an excellent judge , both of men , and business ; of things of use , and of recreation ; of necessity , and of ornament ; did like that horse very well : and having had the honour , when i was his governour , to be the first that sate him on horse-back , and did instruct him in the art of horse-manship ; it is a great satisfaction to me , to make mention here of the joy i had then , to see , that his majesty made my horses goe better , than any italian , or french-riders ( who had often rid them ) could do ; and to hear him say , that there are very few that know horses ; which was knowingly said , and wisely judg'd of his majesty : it being very certain , that all men undertake to ride them , but very few know them , or can tell what they are good for . it would fill a volume , to repeat all the commendations that were given to horses , and to horse-manship , by several worthy gentlemen , of all nations , high and low-dutch , italians , english , french , spaniards , polacks , and swedes , in my own private riding-house , at antwerp ; which , though very large , was often so full , that my esquier , capt. mazin , had hardly room to ride ; but these few already spoken of , will serve very well instead of all : and after i have given an account , that i have divided this whole book in four parts , and every part in many sections , and paragraphs , wherein i never intended to observe any exact method ; i beseech my readers , to take in good part , that i have however set down , as clearly as i could , without the help of any other logick , but what nature hath taught me , all the observations about horses , and horse-manship ; which i have made , by a long , and chargeable , though i must needs say , very pleasant , and satisfactory , experience : and so farewell . the new method , and extraordinary invention to dress horses . the first part . of the several authors that have written of horse-manship , both italians , french and english . this noble art was first begun and invented in italy , and all the french and other nations went thither to learn ; the seate of horse-manship being at naples : the first that ever writ of it was frederick grison a neapolitan ; and truly he writ like a horse-man , and a great master in the art for those times : henry the eighth sent for two italians that were his schollars , to come to him into england ; and of one of them came all our alexanders ; and their schollars fill'd the kingdom with horse-men . sir philip sidney brought an italian rider , one signior romano , to teach his nephew william lord herbert , afterwards earl of pembrook ; and the same sir philip sidney brought also over an other italian rider , call'd signior prospero : the old earle of leicester , sent for an excellent rider out of italy , call'd signior claudio curtio , who writ a book of horse-manship , and is quoted by several italian writers ; but i think , that very much of his book is stolen out of grison . laurentius cussius is another author , none of the best , with horrible bitts . then there is cesar fieske , who hath writ a book much out of grison too , where he meddles with musick . there is another book of horse-manship , call'd gloria del cavallo , with long discourses , and much out of grison . there is another italian book of horse-manship , call'd cavallo frenato de pietro antonio , a neapolitan ; much stolen out of grison : but his book consists most of bitts , to little purpose ; though they seem to be great curiosities . but the most famous man that ever was in italy , was at naples , a neapolitan , call'd signior pignatel ; but he never writ : monsieur la broue rid under him five years : monsieur de pluvinel nine years : and monsieur st. anthoine many years . the liberty , which is the best for bitts , at this day , we call a la pignatel . these three aforementioned french-men that rid under signior pignatel , fill'd france with french horse-men ; which before were fill'd with italians . monsieur la broue , i believe , was the first that ever writ of horse-manship , in the french language : and the first french-man that ever writ in that art ; his book is very tedious , many words for little matter ; and his first book is absolutely all stolen out of grison ; and his second book from pignatell's lessons ; but la broue , to seem wiser than he was , and to make up a book , divides a circle into so many parts , to bring a horse to a whole circle , that it confounds a horse more , and is harder for him , than to work him upon a whole circle at first : and for broue's third book of bitts , there is no great matter in it . as for pluvinel , no doubt but he was a good horse-man ; but his invention of the three pillars , of which his book pretends to be an absolute method , is no more than an absolute routine ; and hath spoyl'd more horses , than ever any thing did ; for horses are not made to the hand and the heel at all with them ; nor will they go from the usual place where they are ridden , nor well there neither . but my book is stolen out of no book , nor any mans practice but my own , and is as true as it is new ; and if any man do not like it , it is a great signe he understands it not : for there is no way for dressing horses like it ; if it be not good , i am sure it is the best that hath been vvrit yet ; what will be vvrit hereafter i know not . i must tell you that the italian writers are tedious , and write more of marks , colours , temperatures , elements , moon , stars , winds , and bleedings , than of the art of rideing ; only to make up a book , though they wanted horse-manship . there was one signior hannibal a neapolitan that came into england and serv'd the lord walden . monsieur st. anthoine a french-man , was a very good horse-man , and sent over by henry the fourth of france , to teach prince henry ; monsieur la coste was his page , and ridd excellently well , especially leaping horses . monsieur boycler ridd under him too , and was an excellent horse-man ; monsieur founteney , which was either his nephew , or his natural son ; for he gave him all when he dyed , was also a very good horse-man , but none of these ever writ any thing of horse-manship . and the best horse-man , that ever i knew , is one of my own breeding , and rides by my method , which is captain mazine , now a query to the king . that it is a very impertinent error , and of great prejudice , to think the mannagevseless . many say , that all things in the mannage is nothing but tricks , and dancing , and gamballs , and of no use : but by their leave , whosoever sayes so , is very much deceived ; for a horse that is well settled upon the hand , and firm and obedient to the hand and heels , gallops the field , and changes as often , and just as you will , either without the circle , or within the circle , serpiger , terra a terra , the piroite , or what you will ; and all is this upon the ground , and every thing and particle of it useful ; and so useful , that a good horse-man , upon such a horse , would have too much advantage , in conscience , of him that talks against it , either in a single combat , or in the vvarrs ; for a ready-horse will run , stop , turn , go back ; and if he rise , he knows how to come down again , and is so well on the hand , as you cannot pull him over with both your hands ; and so obedient , that i will run him on fire , water , or sword , and he shall obey me : and all this cannot be done but by the art of rideing , and that in the mannage . but , what makes these men speak against it ? the first reason , is , because they are ignorant , and so speak , as the wisest men in the world must do , when they will speak of any thing they know not , and think that talk will carry it : but the main reason is this ; they find they cannot ride well ; nay , indeed not at all , a horse of mannage , and they would be the finest men in the world , for all things , though they will take pains for nothing ; and because , forsooth , they cannot ride by inspiration , without taking pains , therefore it is worth nothing , and of no use : but if every thing was naught that they cannot do , there would be very few things good in the world. the next thing , is , that they think it a disgrace for a gentleman to do any thing well . what! be a rider . why not ? many kings and princes think themselves graced with being good horse-men . our gracious and most excellent king , is not only the handsomest , and most comely horse-man in the world , but as knowing and understanding in the art as any man ; and no man makes a horse go better than i have seen some go under his majesty the first time that ever he came upon their backs , which is the height and quintescence of the art ; and yet i dare say the king takes it for no disgrace to be so excellent a horse-man : the duke of york is also a very good horse-man , and both take it for an honour , and no disgrace ; and think it a most useful and noble quality for princes . the duke of mommorancy , conestable of france , and the first gentleman of christendom , was the best horse-man in the world , and to this day the best branches for bitts was of his invention , called a la conestable ; and so he devised the best spurrs ; and never any esquier ridd like him , being certainly the best horse-man in the world , which he thought a grace to him : the prince of conde , his grand-childe by the princess his mother , is an excellent horse-man , and thinks it no disgrace to him . most of the princes in france highly esteem it , and are good horse-men : nay , their king , at this present time , highly esteems it , and is a good horse-man ; nor is any gentleman in france esteem'd that is not a good horse-man . the great king of spain deceased , did not only love it , and understand it , but was absolutely the best horse-man in all spain . i may therefore desire these men to be more merciful , and to think it no disgrace , to them , to be horse-men ; but still the old business will stick with them , which is , they cannot do it , and therefore it is naught : a very good and sensless reason ! he that will take pains for nothing , shall never do any thing vvell ; for arts , sciences , and good qualities , come not by instinct , but are got by great labour , study , and practice ; wherefore these men will none ( i thank you ) till they be as easily learnt , as the seven deadly sins , railing , and wearing fine cloaths and feathers . but let us see now , how these men are on horse-back , and what their horses do under them . this cavalier seats as far back in the sadle as he can , his leggs stretcht as far forward before the shoulders of the horse , with his toes out , that he may spur him in the shoulders ; and stoops in the back , which they call a comely seat ; not knowing how to hold the bridle in his hand , nor ghess at any helps at all ; and appears on horse-back as if he were three quarters foxt , so ridiculous is that seat : and having sent to a sadler , or a bitt-maker , to bitt his horse , all is well . being mounted thus , as i tell you , you shall see his ready horse of vse , and his horse-manship : when he would turn him on the right hand , the horse doth turn on the left ; and when he would turn him on the left hand , the horse doth turn on the right : when he would stop him , the horse runs away : when he would put him forward , the horse runs backward : when he would put him back , the horse rises , and comes over with him , and there the good horse-man lies , and must send for a surgion , or a bone-setter , if he be not kill'd : nay , his horse shall neither come neer drum , trumpet , or colours , pistol , or sword ; but he fetches forty figaries to endanger him and his horse : and this is the excellent horse-man , and the ready horse of vse . how is it possible to be otherwise , when the horse knows not how to obey either hand or hee ll , and the horse-man is as ignorant as he ? whence it followes , that there is nothing to make a sure horse , but the mannage . i would have every horse ( that wears a bitt ) gelding , or nagg , wrought in the mannage , to be firm on the hand , both for readiness , and safety , were it for a b : b : judge , or lady : for without setling of the hand , they are very unuseful , and dangerous . i wonder how men are so presumptious , to think they can ride as horse-men , because they can ride forward from barnet to london , which every body can do ; and i have seen vvomen to ride astride as well as they : they do not think of any art , or trade , as they do of horse-manship , where they are all masters : which doth not prove so , when they ride . i think i have proved sufficiently their errour , and ignorance ; and as fully proved , that there is no vseful horse but those that are made in the mannage . the next thing , is , to tell you , that corvets , and other ayres , settles a horse very well upon the hand ; makes him leight before , and puts him upon the hanches , which are all useful for a souldiers horse ; and makes him stop upon the hanches , which is very useful for a man in armes ; for , did the horse stop upon the shoulders , he would give his rider ( being armed ) such a shock as would make his bones ake , was he never so sound : nay , to make a horse go in leaps , firms him on the hand , which is good for a souldiers horse . but , sayes a gallant , when i should have use of him in the field , then he will be playing tricks : that gallant is deceived ; for , the helps to make horses go in ayres , and to make them go upon the ground , are several ; and good horse-men have much ado to make them go in ayres , with their best helps ; so that , if you let them alone , they will not trouble you ; besides , two or three dayes march will make them , that they will not go in ayres , if you would have them ; and they are much the readier to go on the ground : whereby you see , that there is no horse whatsoever can be a good and useful horse , in any kind , with a bitt , but what is wrought in the mannage . and therefore i advise you , for your safety , and use , to ride all horses in the mannage , and you will find it very true , that there can be no horse else safe and useful ; nor can any horse go well in a snaffle , except he be formerly ridd with a bitt . as for pleasure and state , what prince or monarch looks more princely , or more enthroned , than upon a beautiful horse , with rich foot-clothes , or rich sadles , and waving plumes , making his entry through great cities , to amaze the people with pleasure and delight ? or , what more glorious or manly , than , at great marriages of princes , to run at the ring , or tilt , or course at the field ? what can be more comely or pleasing , than to see horses go in all their several ayres ? and to see so excellent a creature , with so much spirit , and strength , to be so obedient to his rider , as if having no will but his , they had but one body , and one mind , like a centaur ? but above all , what sets off a king more , than to be on a beautiful horse at the head of his army ? thus it is proved , that there is nothing of more use than a horse of mannage ; nor any thing of more state , manliness , or pleasure , than rideing ; and as it is the noblest , so it is the healthfullest exercise in the world. in hunting , hawking , bowling , shooting , cocking , cardes and dice , and many such things , there is no use at all , but meerly pleasure : but in a horse of mannage , both use and pleasure . it is true , that if there was nothing commendable but what is useful , strictly examined ; we must have nothing but hollow trees for our houses , figg-leaf-breeches for our clothes , acorns for our meat , and water for our drink ; for certainly , most things else are but superfluities and curiosities . i find fault with no mans delights , and do only vindicate ( with truth ) my own , since i have been so prest to it with odde discourses ; but i leave every one to his own vvayes , and his own delights , desiring they will do the like by me , which i shall take for a great favour : but if it chances they will not be so gracious , and just to me , it will grieve me so extreamly , that , in my conscience , i shall sleep never the vvorse . that a good horse-man may be thrown-down off his horse , without disparagement to horse-man-ship , contrary to the vulgar errour . most people are very much deceiv'd , when , if a horse throws down his rider , they not only laugh at him , but think to have reason so to do ; saying of the best horse-man in the vvorld , to whom such a mischance should happen , that he is a fine horse-man indeed ! for they can swear , that they knew a horse threw him . but they must learn , that a good horse-man may be thrown down sooner than ill ones ; because good horse-men little think of sitting , and so may be surprised , their thoughts being all how to make their horses go well , and never doubt throwing ; whereas an ill horse-man thinks of nothing but sitting , for fear he should be thrown , and never thinks how to make his horse go well ; for he knows not how to do it : but holds by the main , and the pomel , and his head at the horses head , ready to beat out his teeth , and his leggs holding by the flank ; and is so deformed on horse back , as if he were a strange african monster ; and the horse so disordered , that to see him sit in that manner , is the most nauseous sight that can be , and the most displeasing to the beholders ; and were much better for the spectators to see him fall , and for his reputation , so he received no hurt by the fall. thus you see , that any groom , or tinker , may sit , and yet be no horse-man , which is a greater business than only sitting ; for a jackanapes in paris garden , when he is baited with musled mastiffs , the gentleman sits very sure , but not very comely , and in my conscience is no excellent horse-man ▪ sitting is but one thing in horse-manship , and there are thousands of things in the art. so if a good horse-man be thrown by chance , hath he lost all his horse-manship , because he was once thrown ? and is an ignorant fellow inspired presently with horse-manship , because he can ill-favouredly cling to the horse , and hold on ? no , sitting fast is the meanest thing in horse-manship , which comprehends many more of greater consequence . but yet i must tell you , i never knew in my life , a good horse-man thrown , but i have known many presumptuous ignorant fellows get falls ; but , as , if a good horse-man by chance be thrown , he doth not lose all his horse-manship with that fall , if he be not kill'd ; so an ignorant man , if he sits , is not presently infused with horse-manship : for it is a mistake as ridiculous as it is common , to take sitting fast on horse-back for the whole art of horse-manship . old grison , and his translator mr. blundevile , anatomized old grison , and many italian authors , would have a bardel , which is a straw saddle , set first on a colts back , and nothing but a rope cavazon on his nose ; which is to no purpose in the world , but loss of time : then they will trot him two or three years up hills , and down hills , to stop him ; which is to less purpose , and more loss of time. they would have a circle ; or ring , as they call them , of an acre of ground in plow'd land , to make a horse go a hundred turns in it , which is worse than to ride a journey of thirty miles ; and i wonder what horses they had in those dayes ; for i am sure , those we have now , are not able to do it . they teach to ride one horse two or three hours at a time , when one may well ride half a dozen at least in an hour , and give them sufficiently enough . for their single turns , and double turns , call'd radopiare , they are ridiculous , and so is the repolone , which is to gallop him half a mile , and then turn him ill-favouredly and false : and their several mannages of metzo tempo , tutto tempo , and contratempo , are no better . for a resty horse they raise a whole town with staves to beat him , with many curious inventions , with squirts , fire , whelps , hedg-hoggs , nailes , and i know not what. and the same they do before a horse that runs away , as well as to the resty horse behind . then for spurring , the bunching stroke , and the clinching stroke ; and if he will not endure the spurs , boots stufft with straw , and spurs at them , to hang at his sides , ( which is not worth a straw ) ; and the chambetta , which signifies nothing . for a horse that is afraid , and starts , they appoint whirlegiggs of several colours , which will make him ten times worse . and to lay stones in his way , and a hollow ditch to ride him in , are lamentable businesses in horse-manship : and they have as many foolish wayes for the credensa , which shall never cure him of that vice. they bid us take heed , by any means , not to make the horse too weak-neckt ; which is a prime note ! but mr. blundevile did not know , that all horses are a stiff-necked generation . mr. pagano would never use his horse to any thing but a walk , or a trot at the most ; wherewith ( i am sure ) he shall never dress a horse perfectly ; and yet ( sayes mr. blundevile ) it was a wonder to all beholders , to see , that in eight dayes , he would make him run a carreer perfectly , which i will undertake to have done the first morning that ever he ran. speaking of his capriole , he mistakes the ayre , as well as the making of the horse . for corvets , mr. blundevil did not understand it ( nor his master grison belike ) when he sayes , the spaniards take delight to make their horses go in corvets , which never spaniard yet could do ; but he takes trampling , and prauncing , for corvets , wherein he is much deceiv'd ; for corvets is the hardest ayre in the world , which no horse can go , unless he be perfectly within the hand , and the heels , and upon the hanches ; which is not trampling . to ride short , he calls after the turkish fashion , wherein he is deceived ; for it is a la genette , which is the spanish fashion too ; and to ride short in corvets is his mistake , for i would ride longer in corvets than any other ayre . he is also mistaken , when he sayes , he would not have above two horses in her majesties stable to go in corvets ; for it is of no use ( saith he ) and such delighting toyes of prauncing up and down they will do , when they should go upon the ground : for first , there is nothing makes a horse better upon the hand , than corvets , and that 's useful ; then , there is nothing puts a horse so much upon the hanches , and firms him there , as corvets , and that is usefull too ; and mr. blundevil is mightily deceived , to think , that he will go in corvets , when he should go upon the ground ; for the helps are several : and let a horse be never so apt , or perfect in corvets , and made upon the ground too , ( which is the first thing must be done ) i dare say he shall never offer at corvets with me , but go just upon the ground as i would have him ; because the helps are several . he sayes , that in five or six months he can make a horse to gallop the field , ( a necessary thing for a souldiers horse ) ; which is no more , as he understands it , than in an acre of ground to gallop and change , still upon a gallop ; and that i will undertake to make a cart-horse do in three dayes . besides , they dig out rings , and entrench themselves ( which is a horrible folly ) ; but i desire no more for stopping than a plain place , without hills , or any such toyes ; and will dress any horse perfectly there , by the new method of my french book : which i refer you to . for mr. blundevils bitts , the are very ridiculous ; the eyes are naught , the cheeks as ill , and the mouths worst of all ; with catts feet , up-sets , portes , and broken portes ; catts feet , and up-sets , with a revet nayl ; and his compleat bitts , are compleatly abominable , with their water-chain and trench , the mouth of the bitt too being as bigg as my wrist , and the branches as long as my arm ; and the curb as bigg as a chain for a horse nose , with stories flying trench , which is a snaffle tyed to the bitt , and such other tormenting ignorant follies : the leggs of it are 〈…〉 be so loose , as if they were broken , in the knees , and are to help up and down , as if they were wind-mill-sayls . he would have us to strike a horse with a cudgel , or a rod , between the ears , and upon the head ; which is abominable , though he thinks it a rare secret. and thus much of mr. blundevils riding , which is grison translated into english . mr. blundevils breeding , to turn the stallion loose to the mares , is indifferent well , but not right ; and to put him to them again at holland-tide , stark naught . to cover in hand is unnatural , and you shall not have half of them ( so covered ) prove with fole . to have a horse-fole , or mare-fole , by tying his right , or left stone ; to observe the moon , and the wind , to sail to procreation , or get a fole by the almanack , is very ridiculous , and to put painted clothes before the mares , to make the foles of what colour you would have them , is no less ridiculous . that , if the horse , as soon as he hath covered , come down on the right side , it is a horse colt ; and if of the left side , it is a filley : and if , so many dayes after the mare is mounted , her coat look sleek , and shines , then she hath conceaved ; if it do not shine , she hath not conceaved , are all tales to tell to children , rather than to men of reason and discretion ; all mountebank-ship and fooleries : and to make the horse lusty , and the mares , there is little or nothing in it . mr. blundevil reasons thus : that for as much , as all mares do fole standing . wherein certainly he took his note out of some learned author , as aristotle , or the like ; for i will assure you , that never any mare in the world did fole standing : if she did , the fole would break his neck ; for , he comes into the world with his head first , and his two feet on both sides of his head. no! the mare is in too great pain to fole standing , and therefore she lies down , and foles so . mr. blundevil sayes , there is a thing growes in the foles fore-head like a figg , which the mare commonly bites off , which is called hippomenes ; and if it be taken , it doth miraculous things in love-matters , which he was loath to write of . truly he was over-careful , with all his old writers ; and , in my conscience , if it could be got , it would do miraculous things , not only in love , but in every thing else . but the truth of this business , is , that never any such thing did grow upon any foles fore-head ; and therefore could never be bitt off by the mare . no doubt but that mistake is caused by the secondine , or clean , or bagg , in which the fole lies , whereof all the strings meets at the end , which looks like a little knot , and that hangs loose upon the foles head ; but when the fole is foled , that , and the bagg , goes together ; for it is all one thing . mr. blundevil bids us take heed , that the mare do not eat that bagg , or secondine , because the country wives kye do so . but i have enquired of the country-men , and they say , not one cow in a hundred does do it : and for mares , i will assure you , they never do it : and if you ask , what they do with it ? i say , they let it lie there , and trouble themselves no more with it . mr. blundevil condemns those that take the foles , to be taken off at martlemas ; because , according to his old learned authors , he would have them suck two years at least : that is , he would have them heavy , flaby jades , besides the loss of the fruitfulness of his mares ; wherein his old authors are very much deceived . then he sayes , that the foles leggs are as long when they are foled , as ever afterward ; wherein he is very much deceived : does he think , that the body only grows , and the leggs not at all ? a very ridiculous opinion ! for , look at the foles leggs , and the mares , and you shall find the mares leggs are longer a great deal . can any man think , that a gray-hounds-whelp , as soon as he is whelpt , hath his leggs as long as when he is a dogg ? it is ridiculous . to know , which fole will have the best spirit , by running fore-most , and leaping of hedges and rayls ; is quite contrary to the experience i had once of a colt , that nothing would keep in , leaping over all things he came near ; and when he came to be ridd , the dullest jade that could be . to know by their feet , and much of white , that they are not long-lived , is as false a rule , as any he hath set down . his reckoning horses teeth , is beyond the number of what ever any horse had ; and that every horse hath two tushes below , and two above , is , i assure you , true. some horses ( say they ) have no tushes at all , and they commonly ill-natured , being something of the mare ; but as there is not one in a hundred but have tushes , so there is not one mare in a hundred that have any ; and those that have , are ill-natured , participating too much of the horse ; and both are a kind of hermaphroditical compositions . thus you see , how learned people ( with their old authors ) are deceived . to know the disposition of horses , by the elements , and their marks . mr. blundevil sayes , the sorrel is of the element of fire , and therefore is full of mettle , hot , and fiery ; but i assure you , i have known more sorrel horses dull jades than of any other colour . that white horses are flegmatick , and so participate of the element of water , and therefore are dull and heavy jades : but i assure you again , i have known white horses to be fuller of spirit , and livelier , than of any other colour ; and so his elements are wrong in every thing : your best way is , to try your horse ; which philosophy will hold to know him best . mr. blundevil speaks also of the marks of horses , that there are four good , and seven bad ; such a foot of the far side , and such a foot of the neer side , and which fore-foot , and which hinder-foot ; and not too much white in his face , nor his leggs to be very high white ; and feathers , and i know not what a kind of conjuration : all false and ridiculous lies . when once i hear a man talk of marks and elements , i have done with him , and know no other philosophy but trying ; for , there are good and bad of all colours , and of all marks ; but there are more badd horses than good of any colour or mark , as there are of any thing else , even of men in all things : therefore marks and colours are foolish and false toyes , only to abuse simple people withal . of the perfect shape of a horse . mr. blundevil speaks so of the perfect shape of a horse , that such a horse as he describes , was never of gods , and natures making , but of his own , or of some foolish authors he hath read ; for he takes several parts of several horses , and puts them together , which is a horse of their own making ; for there was never such a horse foled . every country hath a several shape of horses ; as the turk , the neapolitan , the spanish horse , the barb , and the duch horse ; all very fine in their kindes . in a word , i will shew you the ridiculousness of setting down the perfect shape of a horse . for example , who can set down the perfect shape of a dogg ? a mastiff is not a grey-hound ; nor a gray-hound , a lancashire-hound ; nor a lancashire-hound a little beagle ; and yet all very fine doggs in their kinds : and so of horses : which shows the impossibility to set down the perfect shape of a horse . mr. blundevil sayes , a spanish horse is pinn-buttockt , narrow and slender behind : i believe he would have a spanish horse to have a dutch horses buttock ; which would indeed be very correspondent to the rest of his shape : some spanish horses have oval buttocks , which is the finest buttocks of all . he sayes they have ill feet : it is true , some have , and so have horses of all countries ; dutch the worst , and some of the english very bad : he sayes also , spanish horses are weak ; but there are more weak dutch horses than spanish . i have had many spanish horses with good buttocks , good feet , and strong ; and if some should be weak , yet their spirits make them go much better , than any other horses that are stronger . he sayes , they are gentle in their youth , and grow vitious in their age : but i assure you , there is no such thing ; for they are as gentle in their age , as they are in their youth , and very loving horses : so mr. blundevil is very much abused by his old authors whom he reverences so much . he sayes , the gennet hath a comely going , like the turkish , which is neither amble , nor trot. i would know of mr. blundevil , what strange kind of going that is , which is neither of those two : but i will assure him , that there is no horse , that hath four legs , can go , but it must be the action either of an amble , or of a trot ; for galloping , and running , is another thing , and so are all ayres in the mannage . mr. blundevil appears by this , to be a better schollar , than a horse-man : and was indeed a fine gentleman , well travelled , an excellent schollar , a good translator , and puts things into an excellent method , but tyed himself too much to old authors , who knew as little as he in horse-manship ; and so authority abused him , having no knowledge himself in the art , and totally wanting experience in it . his treaty for dyeting of horses , is as learned as any physitian can write ; but yet is nothing as it ought to be ; for he wanted experience . his cures of diseases are most admirable ; and indeed , he is the father of all that business , and the rarest that hath writ upon that subject . markham is but , blundevil with other names , and will not acknowledge it : he hath many new medicines , but they are worth nothing ; as his oyle of oats . nor was he a horse-man at all , but only took notes of medicines , and set them down methodically . after him comes de la gray , which is but , blundevil , with some new medicins that are but indifferent : and for his breeding of horses , it is the most ridiculous thing that ever was known writ . the best medicins of mr. blundevils , are those of martine , who was prime marshal to queen elizabeth ; and , as i take it , an alman , and an excellent farrier : yet , even he , was extreamly mistaken about the glaunders , and mourning of the chine , as by my woful experience in horses i know , and will better inform you , when i set out my book of marshalry , and shooing . mr. blundevil sayes , that barley makes a horse piss red , like bloud ; but he did not understand it perfectly . it is true ; in italy , spain , and barbary , they feed their horses all with barley ; which is , because they have no oats : for , certainly excellent oats is the best feeding for a horse in the world. but you must know , that of barley there are two kinds ; the common barley , that they make beer of , which makes a horse piss a little red ; and of that barley they never give to their horses in spain , but of the other barley , which is called by the name of bigg , and that never makes them piss red , and is the best feeding for horses , where there wants oats : rye scoure's too much , and wheat is too fatning , and good bread too pursey , and foggy . in spain they give barley-straw , ( as my lord cottington told me ; ) but first ; they tread it with oxen , and then it is as soft as silk . and thus for our english authors , of whom i have told you the truth . the opinion of a great master . a great master , held the most excellent horse-man beyond the sea , being bred four or five years under the best horse-man there , and had practiced this art from his child-hood , did me the honour , to come to antwerp of a visit to me from bruxels , and brought with him four or five horses : i treated him the best i could , and shewed him my horses , both led out , and rid. he had a young man with him ( his nephew ) who had ridd under him for the space of seven years : and though he had seen rid , before him , the day afore , three of the readiest horses that ever i had ; yet when he ridd them , he could not encounter them , or make them go at all ; and truly , to my thinking , ( i might say to my knowledge ) he had neither hand , heel , nor seat , as he should have had ; and so it was impossible to make them go right . his master told me , he had found a new method for dressing of horses : which was ; first , never to trot a horse , ( that was his maxim : ) next , never to use the cavezon , nor pull the horses head into the turn . this is , what he would not have done : and , what he would have done , is ; to put the horse to the single pillar , with a long rope , and there pinch him with the spurs , which , sayes he , puts him upon the hand : then to whip him about with the shambriere , to make him go half terra a terra , and half in corvets , and then to make him go in corvets ; which settles him on the hand : and this is the new way of dressing ; indeed , of not dressing horses . to take in pieces , and anatomize this new way : and first , of what he will not have done ; which is , never to trot a horse , and stop him ; which is certainly the foundation of all things in the mannage , either to settle him on the hand , or to put him on the hanches . next , never to use the cavezon , without which no horse can be drest , for many reasons . then , never to pull the horses head into the turn : by which means the horses leggs , and body , shall never go right , or supple either to hand or heel . now , of what he will have done to work his horse : first , to put him to the single pillar , with a long rope , and there pinch him with spurs ; which will do bravely with a colt , that never knew the spurs ; he will surely throw him rather than be put upon the hand : nay , a horse that knows the spurrs , will never be put upon the hand with that invention . then to vvhip him about with the shambriere , to make him go half terra a terra , and half corvets ; which is impossible , for they are two several actions with his leggs : besides , this excellent lesson is in pluvinels book ; which he never used , but to a horse that was almost drest ; and it is naught , then : put him in corvets , to settle him on the hand , sayes he , which is in la broues book , only for a horse that is near drest , and not for a colt : besides , some horses will never go corvets , do what you can : so this method may spoyl horses , but shall never dress them , i assure you ; and you may take my word for it . he will ( by his new method ) never trot , gallop , or walk a horse ; but no horse in the world can be made without these three , nor without a cavezon , stopping , and having his head pull'd into the turn . a strange conceit of a great master . there was a great master , that would ride his horses twice a day ; saying , that if he could dress a horse in six months , once a day riding of them , he was sure he could dress a horse in three months , riding them twice a day ; wherein he is much deceived : for a horse being flesh and blood , cannot indure perpetual travel with little rest ; and no exercise is more violent for a horse than in the mannage . nay , of necessity , riding so much one morning , he will not recover it of a day or two : and if a horse oppose the man , which all horses will do at first , and are vitious , one must correct him soundly ; and , how will you ride him in the afternoon again ? dull him you may , and take off his spirit , make him hate the mannage , and make him like a vaulting horse , rather than like a live horse . nor can you ever give him his meat , vvater , or rest , in order ; the want of which must make him sick , and subject to many diseases ; and shortly after , death will follow : and there is your twice a day riding him , which makes him fit for the hunts-man to dress him for his doggs . some say again , that they will ride no horse twice a day , but horses that are very vitious , and of great strength : i have seen many horses that are vitious , but few of such great strength . for , if the horse be very vitious , you must correct him soundly , and ride him so long until he obey you , in some small measure ; and then i am sure you have ridd him so violently , and so long , as he will hardly be to be ridd the next morning ; and less , to be ridd any more that day : and if the horse be so docil as to obey you in every thing , certainly the best way is to take but a little of him that morning , to encourage him to do so again ; and the more to encourage him , not to ride him until the next morning again : so he will be pleasant , lively , and in lust , and take pleasure in you , and the mannage ; and learn more thus in a months riding him but once a day than he shall in three months , riding him twice a day . have not all schollars play-dayes ? and certain hours of rest in their daies of study ? all trades-men , holy-dayes to rejoyce themselves in ? states-men , divertisments from business ? and good preachers preach not every sunday ? have not lawyers also their terms , and vacations ; and even carriers horses rest christmas , and other holy-dayes ; and so cart-horses , brewers horses , coach-horses , hackney-horses , running-horses ? and shall only horses of mannage be galley-slaves ? there is no reason for that . no , not doggs can hunt every day , or gray-hounds course every day , or spaniels range every day ; or hawks fly every day ; there are hundred examples of it , but these are sufficient to let you see the great folly , and ignorance , of those that will ride their horses of mannage twice a day . just like the polander , being sick , whose physitian gave him nine pills to be taken , three every night , for three nights together ; who very wisely considered , that if three pills every night , for three nights together , would recover him ; that then , taking all the pills one night , would make him well presently . and so did , and had almost purged himself out of this world. so any horse-man that will venture to make a horse as well in three months , with two lessons a day , as another in six months with one lesson a day , may be sure to kill his horse , sooner than teach him , and to shew himself ridiculous in his undertaking . how i found out my method in the mannage ; and that it is the only way to dress horses . there is but one truth in any thing ; and that my method is true , cannot be better demonstrated , than by experience , which will clearly show , that mine never misses its end , as all others do ; and so proves mine true , and theirs false . for , to say that some of them come near the truth , is neither commendation , nor excuse : a falshood within an inch of the truth , being as bad , as if it were an hundred miles off . i have practised , and studyed horse-manship ever since i was ten years old ; have rid with the best masters of all nations , heard them discourse at large , and tryed their several wayes : have read all their italian , french , and english books , and some latine ones ; and in a word , all that hath been writ upon that subject , good and bad ; and have bestowed many thousands of pounds in horses , have spoiled many , and have been very long learning of this art of horse-manship . but all that while i thought still , all was labour in vain ; and that there was something , not found out , which they and their books mist : whereupon i began to consider so seriously , and study so earnestly , all the particulars that concern the mannage ; that at last i found this method , which is as true , as it is new , and is the quintescence of horse-manship : for which i have left all others , as i had great reason so to do , making with it all manner of horses whatsoever , of all nations , and of all dispositions ; strong , weak ; full of fire , dull and lazy ; even mares , geldings , and bidets ; and all that ever comes to my hands . i follow not the horses disposition , as most do ; but i make the horse follow my wayes , and obey me : i seldom beat them , or punish them with either rod , or spur , but when i meet with a great resistance , and that rarely : and yet i must tell you , that i use force , which they obey willingly , for the most part ; and , however , all yeeld , and render themselves at last , with much satisfaction to me ; which i wish others may find in following their wayes . but sayes one , doth your lordship think , that both your books would make me a horse-man ? i answer ; that they are written as plainly , and as clearly as possibly can be : there is in my french book , circles , and the prints of horses shooes , to shew how his leggs should go ; there is also exact figures of all postures , and of all actions , both of man and horse , and more cannot be . but whether my books will make you a horse man or no , though they do as much as books can do , i cannot tell ; for you must have it all in your head ; and it may be you will not vnderstand it . but put the case you do , yet wanting the practice , you cannot ride well ; and yet no fault at all in my books , but in you. there are some nations that think they can see nothing , but they can do it ; which must be by inspiration , by which i never saw any ride , though many pretend to preach by it . it is a long study , and diligent practice ; a long habit and custom , which doth all things in the world , and nothing done without it : for there is cunning in daubing . do you think , that an ignorant school-boy can be as learned as a doctor ? or , let a skilful musitian write the rarest book in the world , for composing , or singing ; can you imagine , that as soon as you have read his book , you can do what he teacheth ? no truly ; and yet not the book 's fault , but yours , in being so partial to your self , as to think you can do any thing at the first sight , without practice or study ; which would be a miracle i never saw , or any body shall ever see . in the same manner , if a lutenist should write a rare book , can you expect , that as soon as you have read it , you can play on the lute ; because , it may be , you can jangle the strings ? but you say , you can ride : truly , just as you jangle the lute-strings , and no otherwise . you have learnt in italy and france ; that 's something indeed : so many crowns a month , and the horse did not throw you , and that is all . mr. spenser , the best schollar in all the academy where he learned , and a fine gentleman , who had been two years there ; when he came to ride one of my horses , he could not make him go : his brother-in-law being present , said to me ; my lord , you must excuse him , he hath not ridd a great while . but mr. spenser said ( with a great oath ) brother , you are deceived ; for i know now , i could never ride . god knows how many young gallants comn newly out of academies ; english , french , irish , and dutch gentlemen , that were famed for good horse-men , and truly no piece of a horse-man , and ridd the wofullest that could be ; and so did before me some masters of academies : and once two french-men riding ( god knows very meanly ) were strangely laught at , and that very worthily , by two other french riders that stood by . but sayes one , i can ride a ready horse ; wherein he is deceived ; for a ready horse is the hardest of all to ride , because the least motion is an absolute command unto him , and an ignorant gives him such counter-times , as he puts him quite out . mr. germain , a fine gentleman , and the best scholler du plessis had in all his academy , knew well the difficulty of riding a ready horse : for , to perswade him to ride one of mine , which he would not do ; i told him , if you will but sit still , i warrant you the horse will go well with you . but a man ( said he , with a great oath ) cannot sit still . which was said knowingly , and like a horse-man ; for , to sit still , belongs only to a great master . another , because he hath ridd a hundred miles in a day , ( which a post-boy can do ) thinks himself a horse-man ; or , because he can run a match with his groom , or leap a ditch , or a hedg , in hunting , and hold by the main , he thinks he is a horse-man ; but his hunts-boy doth as much . and my lord mayor when he goes to weigh butter , sits a legg of either side the horse very gravely ; an excellent horse-man ! and i have seen many wenches ride astride , and gallop , and run their horses , that could , i think , hardly ride a horse well in the mannage . are they not , in all trades , bound apprentices seven and nine years ; and many bunglers of them too ? and , in higher professions , twenty and thirty years is not too much , before they are great masters in any one of them : and though horse-manship be the hardest of all , yet many a gentleman will ride the first day as well as the greatest master ; but he is deceived , as well as those that think to buy , with their money , any quality : for if good qualities could be purchased with money , every rich citizen would be a fine gentleman . of which opinion that french cavalier was not , who told me , commending my method ; par dieu , il est bien hardi qui monte devant vous , that is , he is very bold , that dares ride before you . and to the same purpose , signor del campo , an italian rider at bruxels , after he had seen my horses , said ; il faut tirer la planche , that is , the bridge must be drawn up ; for no horse-man , so good as you , can come after . there is no horse-man but shall make my horses go , for his use , either in a single combat , or in the wars , better than he shall any bodies horses else ; and that 's sufficient : for , to make them go in perfection in all ayres as i can , were too much , and too great a miracle : but let my method be what it will , since every man doth what he can ; if any pleases himself with his own opinions , though he dislikes my way never so much , and should censure a thing he understands not ; and say , that the mannage is a foolish thing : it shall not displease me at all . observations of horses . of the spanish horse . you must know , that of all horses in the world , of what nation , soever they be , spanish horses are the wisest ; far the wisest , and strangely wise , beyond any mans imagination ; but i must tell you , they are not the easlier drest for that : because they observe too much with their eyes , and their memories are too good , and so conclude with their judgments too soon , without the man , reckoning without their host ; whereas they should follow , and obey , his hand and heel ; and that not by roat neither , but by art , which is an habit got by many lessons methodically taught . if he be well chosen , i assure you , he is the noblest horse in the world : first , there is no horse so curiously shaped , all over from head to croup : he is the most beautiful that can be ; for he is not so thin , and lady-like , as the barb ; nor so gross as the neapolitan ; but between both. he is of great spirit , and of great courage , and docil : hath the proudest walk , the proudest trot , and best action in his trot ; the loftiest gallop , the swiftest careers ; and is the lovingest and gentlest horse , and fittest for a king in a day of triumph to shew himself to his people , or in the head of an army , of any horse in the world. therefore no horse so fit to breed on , as a spanish horse ; either for the mannage , the war , ambling for the pad ; hunting , or for running-horses : conquerour was of a spanish horse , shotten-herring was of a spanish horse , butler was of a spanish horse , and peacock was of a spanish mare : and these beatt all the horses in their time , so much , as no horse ever ran near them . i say , he is absolutely the best stallion in the world , for all those several things i have formerly named , if you do wisely appropriate such mares to him , as shall be fit for such uses as you would have your breed ; and so he is fit for all breeds , but to breed cart-horses . the king of spain hath many races , but his best is at cordoua in andalozia , where he hath above three hundred mares and colts , as my lord cottington told me ; and , besides those of his majesty , there are other most excellent races , not only of noblemen , but also of private gentlemen . for the prices , the earl of claringdon , now lord chancellor of england , told me , that when he was embassador in spain , sir benjamin wright , a merchant there that loves horses , sold a couple of little spanish horses for a great price : and he sayes , ( and many others confirm it for a great truth ) that three hundred , and four hundred pistols for a horse , is a common price and rate , at madrid ; and the marquess of seralvo told me , that a spanish horse , called il bravo , sent to the arch-duke leopold , his master , was held worth as much as a manner of a thousand crowns a year , and that he hath known horses at seven hundred , eight hundred , and a thousand pistols . a gentleman told me , that he knew a cavalier in spain , who offered another three hundred pistols , but to let him ride his horse one afternoon ; and the owner had reason to refuse it : for it was to go to the juego de toros , where he might have been killed : many of the finest horses in the world being killed at that sport , which is the greatst pity that can be . you see that a spanish horse is dear ware ; and then reckon his journey from andalozia to bilbo , or st. sebastien , which is the next port for england , and is four hundred miles at least ; and a horse cannot travel above ten miles a day with your groom , and your farrier at least , besides the casualty of lameness , sickness , and death ; so that if he come safe to you , yet he will be a very dear horse , i assure you : and these are great truths of the spanish horse . of the barb . the barb is next to the spanish horse for wisdom , but not neer so wise , and that makes him much easier to be drest : besides , he is of a gentle nature , docil , nervous , and leight . he is as fine a horse as can be , but somewhat slender , and a little lady-like ; and is so lazy and negligent in his walk , as he will stumble in a bowling-green ; he trots like a cow , and gallops low , and no action in any of those actions : but commonly he is sinewy , and nervous , and hath a clean strength , is excellently winded , and good at length , to endure great travel ; and very apt to learn , and easie to be drest , being ( for the most part ) of a good disposition , excellent apprehension , judgment , and memory ; and when he is searcht , and wakened , no horse in the world goes better in the mannage , in all ayres whatsoever , and rarely upon the ground in all kinds . the mountain-barbs , they say , are the best ; i believe they are the largest , but , for my part , i rather desire a midling horse , or a less horse , which are cheap enough in barbery , as i have been informed , both by many gentlemen , and many merchants ; for they say , that in barbery you may buy a very fine barb for twenty , twenty five , or thirty pounds at the most ; but then your journey is somewhat great ; not by sea ; for , from tunis , to marselles in france , is no great voyage ; but from marselles to calais by land , you go all the length of france , and at calais they are shipt for england . you must have an excellent esquier , a farrier , and one groom , and hire other grooms as you go ; but take heed , that those mean rogues run not away with some of your horses ; and because there is no trusting of them , your english farrier , and your english groom , must alwayes lie in the stable , and none of those fellows ; but the gentleman of your horse , which ought to be a good horse-man , must order that carefully . if you would go another way to work , and a shorter voyage , then send into languedoc , and provence , where many gentlemen buy barbs of two , three , and four years old at marselles , and keep them two or three years , and then sell them ; which barbs you may buy for forty or fifty pistols a piece , and as fine horses as can be : but he whom you send , must be very skilful to chuse well , and to take heed that they be right barbs ; for i have heard , that many in those countries , about marselles , when many barbs come out of barbery , thrust in colts of their own breed amongst them for barbs , and so sell them . when i was at paris , there came twenty five barbs ( as they said ) nothing but skin and bones , and they were sold for twenty five pistols a horse : my lord viscount mountague bought nine , as i remember ; for i was with him , and helpt to chuse some for him , and one of them did win many matches : but truly , if i had had a million , i would not have bought one of them , for they were very ordinary horses ; nor do i think they were right barbs , neither by their shape , nor price , but bred in some islands there-abouts ; for , if a man be at great charges , i would either have an extraordinary horse , or none . i had lately a letter from a horse-man at paris , a french-man , that gives me intelligence of horses , that a merchant at paris had two barbs , the finest that ever he saw , six years old a piece , but not drest at all , and held them at two hundred pistols a piece : by which , you may see , that right barbs , and fine ones , are very dear , as all good things are . the barb is not so fit a horse for a stallion for the mannage , as for running-horses ; for he gets long and loose horses , therefore do not breed of him for the mannage , except he be a short horse from the head to the croup , strong ramase , and racoursy , and of a superfluity of spirit , which few barbs have ; and therefore breed of a spanish horse , with choise english mares ; and if you have a delicate well-chosen dutch mare or two , that makes an excellent composition for the mannage . i am of opinion , and believe , that there never came out of barbery , the best horses that country affords ; not but that they may be had : but the case is this ; those that bring barbs out of barbery , are either french horse-coursers that trade in barbery , or merchants . to begin with the horse-coursers , they alwayes buy those horses that are cheapest for their advantage : for if they bought of great prices , it would not quit cost , and so they buy the worst , and meanest , of barbs : and as for the merchants , they want skill ; besides , they will buy the cheapest too , for their advantage , because they know not well , how to put off horses of price ; and so they buy but the worst and meanest of barbs ; which makes me believe absolutely , that the best barbs do not come over : for , did not i see dayly at antwerp the horse-coursers of brabant and flanders , that go into england every year to buy horses , that they bring over the meanest and worst horses and geldings that are in the kingdom , and meerly to buy at easie rates , that they may put them off with advantage ? for , if they should buy in england horses of one hundred , one hundred and fifty , and two hundred pounds a horse , which price hath been given both at malten and pankrich fayres , those great prices would not go off there , where money is so scarce ; and so they would be undone ; and therefore they buy of small prices . of the english horse . the english horse is less wise than the barb , fearful and skittish , for the most part ; and dogged and rebellious to the mannage , and not commonly so apt to learn : but those they call english horses , are so compounded of horses of all countries , that they always participate something of their sires ; and so , that may somewhat alter the case . certainly english horses are the best horses in the whole world for all uses whatsoever , from the cart to the mannage ; and some are as beautiful horses as can be any where , for they are bred out of all the horses of all nations : but if you would buy for the mannage at fayrs , you must go to rowel fayr , harborow fayr , and melton fayr , to northampton and leicester-shire ; but northampton , they say , is the best . you must buy such horses as they sell , for the cart and coach , which are the best for the mannage : do not think to buy delicate shapt horses , like the spanish horse , barb , or turk ; but they are handsomer horses than commonly dutch horses are ; chuse a short trust horse , with good feet and leggs , full of spirit and action , and lively ; and if he leap of himself , so much the better . if your horse-man hath skill to buy you such , they cannot do amiss for the mannage , and will prove most admirable horses , both in all ayres , and upon the ground , but i would not breed of them by no means . at molten fayr , for the most part , they are young stone-horses , and some geldings , but fitter for the padd , and hunting , than for the mannage ; rippon fayr is but the remnant of molten fayr , and commonly but geldings and naggs ; those fayrs are in york-shire ; lenton fayr is in nottingham-shire , and is a great fayr of all sorts of horses , but especially geldings and naggs , fitter for the padd , and galloping , than for the mannage ; you may also find some stone-horses there . in stafford-shire there is a great fayr at pankridge ; but it is , for the most part , of colts , and young-horses , though sometimes ( by chance ) there are also others . the other fayrs in the northern parts , which are many , are not worth naming . i am very ignorant of the west-country , where my lord pauletts ancestors had a good breed of horses ; and by chance , now and then my lord of pembroke did breed , but i never heard of any rare horses of his race . in worcester-shire , and in the vale of esam , there is good strong cart-horses ; in cornwall there is good naggs , and in wales excellent good ones ; but in scotland the gallawayes are the best naggs of them all . there were , afore the warrs , many good races in england , but they are all now ru 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , and the many new breeders of horses comn up presently after the warrs , are ( i doubt ) none of the best ; for , i believe , their stallions were not very pure , because the men that did govern in those dayes , were not so curious as the great lords , and great gentry were heretofore , neither would they be at the cost ; and besides , they have not knowledge of horses as in other countries : for , though every man pretends to it , yet , i assure you , there are very few that know horses , as i have heard the king say : since whose restauration , the probability of getting good breeds again , is very great . for english mares , there are none like them in the world to breed on ; but then you must chuse them fit for such horses as you would breed ; as for example , if you would breed for the mannage , the mares must have fine fore-hands , but not too long necks ; fine heads , and well hung on ; and their necks rightly turn'd ; broad brests , good eyes ; and great bodies , that the foles may have the more room to lay their 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 : they must have good hooffs , short and bending pastorns , and are to be short from the head to the croup , and stuffy . this shape fits the mannage best ; and if your mares be thus chosen , it makes no matter what colour they are of , nor what marks they have , nor what tayles and manes , so they be full of strength , and of a superfluity of spirit , and not above six or seven years old. but i must tell you , that if you had two or three fine dutch mares , shaped as i formerly told you , it makes a fine composition with a spanish horse , for the mannage ; and a spanish horse with such english mares as i have told you now , are not only for the mannage , but in a manner for all uses . if you would have mares to breed running-horses of , then they must be shaped thus ; as leight as possible , large and long , but well shaped ; a short back , but long sides , and a little long-legged ; their breast as narrow as may be , for so they will gallop the leighter and nimbler , and run the faster ; for the leighter and thinner you breed for gallopping is the better . your stallion , by any means , must be a barb , and somewhat of the shape that i have described the mares to be of : for a barb that is a jade , will get a better runing-horse , than the best running-horse in england : as sir john fennick told me , who had more experience of running-horses than any man in england ; for he had more rare running-horses than all england besides ; and the most part of all the famous running-horses in england that ran one against another , were of his race and breed . some commend the turk very much for a stallion to breed running-horses ; but they are so scarce , and rare , that i can give no judgment of them : and therefore i advise you to the barb , which , i believe , is much the better horse to breed running horses . of the frison . the frison is less wise than the english , but no horse goes better in the mannage , either upon the ground , terra a terra , or in all ayres ; and no horse is of more use , either for a single combat on horse back , or in the warrs for the shock . he is hardy , can live of any thing , and will endure either heats or colds ; and on no horse whatsoever doth a man appear more a sword-man , than on this horse , being so quiet , so bold , and so assured . he is also manly , and fit for every thing but running away ; though he will run fast for a while , yet , i doubt , not long ; because his wind is not like that of barbs : yet a heavy man well-armed upon a barb , and the same weight upon a dutch-horse , the horse's strength is so much above the barb's , as , compared thus , i believe the dutch horse may run as fast , and as long as the barb ; for the barb's wind serveth to no purpose , when his strength is not able to carry his weight : and thus the barb will want his little light jockey on him , with a couple of trenchers for a saddle , and lute-strings in his mouth for a bitt . of the danemark and holland horse . the denmark-horse is an excellent horse , in the same kind , and commonly apter to learn , and leighter : there are more leaping-horses of those countries and kinds , than of any horses in the world. but now , to make more profit , they geld all in holland , for coaches , and to keep the trade , sending five thousand every year into france , and diverse other places , that you can hardly get a stone-horse worth any thing ; their colts at two years old springs their mares , and then they geld them ; so , avarice spoyls their breed . a town will joyn , and give above two hundred pounds for a stallion ; but then he covers all the mares that belong to that town , like a town-bull . of the almain , or german horse . those that write , that they are like flanders horses , are much deceived ; they mean the common country cart-horse : but let me inform them ; there are few princes in germany , but have excellent races , and breeds of horses ; and their stallions are alwayes either coursers of naples , spanish horses , turks in abundance , and barbs ; and breeding of these stallions , their mares come to be very fine , like their sires , and very pure breeds . i had one , no neapolitan in the world like him , for shape , stature , colour , strength , agility , and good nature ; he would make thirty two capriols , the highest that ever i saw , and the justest , without any help in the world ; and then upon the ground , to gallop and change , and go terra a terra , it was another action than ever any other horse did , being in some manner above the rate of horse-kind : this was a german horse , but his sire was a courser of naples . i had once two horses of the count of oldenburg's most excellent breed , as fine horses as ever i saw , and one was the hopefullest that could be seen . that prince was pleased to present those horses to me , and said , if i liked them not , he would send me others ; which was like a prince , and most generous . the prince of west-friesland did also send me a very fine horse . of the covrser of naples . i have not seen many of them ; but , la broue , in his book , sayes , that the race was mightily decayed ; and that was almost a hundred years ago : and pluvinel , in his book , sayes also , that we have not now such neapolitans as we have had ; for all the races are bastarded , and spoyled . the arch-duke leopold , when he governed the countries of flanders , brabant , &c. sent into italy for eight or ten coursers whilst i was at antwerp , which cost him above three hundred pounds a horse , journey and all . they were great vast horses , with huge heads , and thick necks ; heavy , with no spirit in the world , nor any strength ; dull heavy jades , fitter for a brewers-cart than the saddle : and the marquess de carasene , a spaniard , that governs all those countries , a little man , but both witty , and wise ; an excellent souldier , both for conduct and courage , and a good horse-man ( which few spaniards are ) and my very noble friend , told me , that the last warrs in naples hath ruined the king of spain's race of horses in that kingdom ; but that they began now to repair it , and that he hoped within fourteen years it may be established as formerly it hath been . thus you see things do not stand at a stay : for what hath been formerly , is not so now ; as in the neapolitan , and in all the rest of the races of italy , which are decayed . the duke of florence hath the best race at this time in those parts . of the tvrkish horse . i have seen very few of them ; but , two merchants brought three turkish horses to antwerp , very fine horses , but oddly shaped ; their heads were very fine , but like a camels head : they had excellent eyes , and thin necks , excellently risen ; somewhat great bodies ; the croup like a mules ; leggs not great , but marvellous sinewy ; good pastorns , and good hooffs ; and their backs risen somewhat like a camel. i had a groom , a heavy english clown , whom i set upon them , and they made no more of him , than if he had been as leight as a feather . they appeared not so fit for the mannage , as for to run a course , which , i believe , they would have scoured ; they trotted very well , and no ambling at all . the horses about constantinople , mr. blundevil sayes , are very ill-favoured-jades ; but he was mightily deceived with his old authors : for , i have spoken with many gentlemen that have been there , as likewise with diverse merchants that came from thence ; who all agree , that there are there , the most beautifull-horses in the world ; saying , that in soyl-time , there are many hundred teddered , and so shift places when they have eaten that bare : every horse hath a man to look to him , and every man a little tent to lie in ; and they say , that it is one of the most glorious sights to see those horses that can be ; and the most beautiful horses in the world. and certainly they are brave horses ! the price of one of these horses , is about a hundred , or a hundred and fifty pounds a horse ; and there is great difficulty to get a pass ; for the grand signor is very strict , in not suffering any of his horses to go out of his territories . when that difficulty is over ; there is another ; which is , if you have not a turk or two , for your convoy , they will be taken from you by the way : there is also the difficulty of a long journey , and the danger of sickness , or laming ; for , you must come thorow germany , which is a long way ; and you must have very careful men to conduct them , a good groom , an expert farrier ; and by no means , to suffer any to shoo them but him ; for when they perceive there is a fine horse , they will hire a farrier to prick him , or spoyl him , that they may have him : which is practiced dayly . of the arabian horse . he is nurst with camels-milk ; there are the strangest reports in the world of those horses ; for i have been told by many gentlemen of credit , and by many-many merchants , that the price of right arabians is , one thousand , two thousand , and three thousand pounds a horse , ( an intollerable , and an incredible price ) and that the arabs are as careful , and diligent , in keeping the genealogies of their horses , as any princes can be in keeping any of their own pedigrees . they keep the genealogies of their horses with medalls ; and when any of their sons come to be men , then their fathers give them two sutes of armes with two cymeters , and one of these horses , and prayes to god to bless them ; that is every ones portion , and his horse lyes alwayes in the next room to him , ( i believe , not above staires ) . they talk , they will ride fourscore miles in a day , and never draw the bridle : when i was young , i could have bought a nagg for ten pound , that would have done as much very easily . i never saw any but one of these horses , which mr. john markham , a merchant , brought over , and said , he was a right arabian : he was a bay , but a little horse , and no rarity for shape ; for i have seen many english horses farr finer . mr. markham sold him to king james for five hundred pounds ; and being trained up for a course , when he came to run , every horse beat him . of the hvngarian horse . they are not worth speaking of ; but if you will believe those of that nation , they will magnifie them extreamly ; and so will all nations whatsoever mightily commend their own horses : but i have seen hungarian horses , and they are not worth commendations , i assure you. of the polander horse . when the king of poland sent an extraordinary embassadour , with many of his nobility and gentry of poland , to conduct the princess mary , eldest daughter to the duke of nevers , from paris , to poland to be his queen , i was then at paris , and saw his entry ; which was one of the most glorious , and manly sights that ever i saw , after the polack way , with very rich clothes , polack capps , and great feathers ; and all the masters of academies were commanded to wait on the embassadour , with all their schollars , and horses , in their rich clothes and saddles , all a la mode , their manes full of ribbons . i protest , in comparison of the polacks , they lookt like hobby-horses ; not but that their horses were better ; the difference was meerly in the manly habit of the polanders , who were also very rich. but their horses i do not like at all ; for they are , for their shape , just as the common and ordinary horses and geldings in england ; and the bitts they use , are just like our snaffles , and have only rings for the bridle to be fastned to , as ours are , wanting those little crosses that ours have : but if you will believe the polanders , they will tell you , that their horses are the bravest horses in the world , which i have not faith to believe : for , when we say , ( and it hath been an old saying ) that the poland horse is the best horse in the world ; we mean the men to fight on horse-back , and not the horses . of the swedish horse . i had the honour to wait on the queen of sweden when she was at antwerp , and she used me very graciously , and civilly ; and an extraordinary lady , i assure you , she is in all things : but for the swedish horses she had for the saddle , there was no great matter in them ; she had eight coach-horses , large and noble-shap't , of the count of oldenburg's breed , which were beyond any coursers that ever yet i saw : their colours isabels , with long white manes , tails and toppings ; and these she sent into spain , for a present to the catholick king : and it was a kingly present , fit for such a queen to present , and for so great a king to receive . of what stature a horse is best , either for the war , or for a single-combat , or for any thing else . there are great disputes amongst cavaliers about this business : i will not trouble you much about their arguments , but only deliver unto you my opinion . those that are for high and large horses , say , they are strong for the shock : but they must know , that all large horses are not strong ; nay , for the most part they are not only the weakest horses , but commonly of no spirit or action . put the case , a great horse were strong , yet he is so tall , and his strength diffused , and indeed so out of his strength , that a midling horse ( entre deux selles ) or rather a less horse , being under him , and in his strength , would certainly overthrow him : so that a midling horse , or a less , is best for the war , or a single-combat , without all doubt . midling-horses , and less horses have , for the most part , both strength , spirit , and agility , and not one in an hundred but proves well ; when of large horses not one in a thousand does : nay , the midling , or less horse , is best for all things ; for the padd , buck-hunting , hawking-naggs , or geldings ; for hunting-horses , horses for winter-gallopping on the high-way many miles ; for the coach , for the cart , for any thing . and if they should fall , a little horse would do the rider less hurt than a greater horse , to lie upon him . geldings , and gelt-naggs , are fitter for great journeys , or hunting , or hawking in summer , than ston'd horses ; for their heat , with the heat of the weather , soon heats their feet , and founders them ; whereas geldings are colder , and so travel better , and not tire so soon in the heat of summer . that there are few good horses . now i must tell you , that there are good and badd horses of all countries in the world ; but there are more badd than good , as there are of men : and though there be millions of painters , yet there was but one vandike in many ages , or , i believe , shall be : the like in musick , in horse-manship , in weapons , and in horses ; for a rare horse in any kind , is a difficult business to find , i assure you : it is a hard thing to find fit horses for the mannage , either upon the ground , or in ayres . it is true , art doth much , but nature is the ground for art to work on ; for , without it , art can do but little. i dare undertake to make a cow go just in the mannage , but when i have done that , it is but a cow : and so a jade that is drest , he is but a jade when you have done all you can. i assure you , it is a very hard thing to find a good padd-nagg , or a good padd-gelding , to amble finely upon the hanches , and from his amble to his gallop , or from his amble to his trot , and firm on the hand : upon the bitt i have seen very few worth any thing , and as few good buck-hunters , or hawking-naggs , or winter hunting-geldings , or horses to gallop or run surely upon all grounds , plowed lands , moors , parks , forrests , and every where , with a snaffle , and a scotch saddle , the rains slack in his neck , which makes him very much the safer for his rider , because he gallops upon the hanches . let me tell you , that running-horses are the most easily found , and of the least use ; commonly they run upon heaths , ( a green carpet ) and must there run all-upon the shoulders , which in troublesome grounds is ready to break ones neck , and of no use ; though i love the sport of a running-horse very well , and think i am as good a jockey as any , and have ridden many hundred matches , and seen the best jockeys , and studied it more than , i think , they have done. you see how difficult a thing it is to have a good horse in any kind , for any thing : therefore i conclude , that a knowing horse-man is not so happy for horses , as a citizen of london , that knows nothing , more than to buy a horse in smithfield , for eight pound ten shillings , or there-abouts , to carry him to nottingham , or to salisbury ; and let him have never so many faults , his ignorance finds none : wherein he is very happy . more observations concerning horses . the turks are the most curious in keeping their horses of any nation ; and value them , and esteem them most : they have all the wayes of dressing them , and keeping them clean , that can be imagined . they cloath them first with a fine linnen cloth and hood next their skin ; then with a hair-cloth and hood , lined with felt , over their linnen cloth and hood : and all these are made so fit , as to cover their breasts , and to come pretty low down to their leggs . there cannot be a better way than this for their cloathing . the spaniards are also very curious about their horses in all things ; and their grooms so diligent , as they never stay long out of the stable , but are alwayes doing something about them ; and especially are curious about their manes , toppings , and tayles , making them clean divers ways ; washing them , and pleating them . they esteem highly their horses , and no nation loves them better . the master is continually in the stable , to see the grooms do their duty ; but , for all that , the spaniards and the turks are none of the best horse-men ; they ride short , have strange spurrs , and saddles , especially bitts , which are most abominable . the italians are very careful and neat about their horses ; but they have of late lost their latine in riding , or else they never had it ; and our ignorance made us think they did rarely . some of the french are curious in keeping and dressing their horses ; but , for the most part , not : they highly esteem horses , and will give great prices for them . but french grooms never rub a horses leggs well . the almains , or high-germans , love horses well : some say , they are very curious , but me-thinks not . they commend their grooms extreamly , but i think they do not deserve it . certainly the best grooms are english grooms ; but no grooms are good , except the master looks strictly after them ; for , the masters eye makes the horse well drest , as according to the proverb , the master's eye makes the horse fat. denmark , swede , poland , transylvania , hungary , and all those countries , are much like the almains , for little curiosities , in keeping and dressing their horses ; and all their riding alike : no man in germany will ride without a cavazone , though he knows not the use of it at all , nor what to do with it . in flanders , brabant , and those parts ; as also in holland , and those parts , they are much like the germans . the emperour of muscovy , i have heard , hath a stable of horses , and a french rider : he hath some horses come out of tartaria , and turkey , but none good in his own country . a rider is of no great use there , except he could dress , and make a ready bear ; of which there is plenty , and they have noble races of those beasts . in the mogul's country there is nothing to dress , except you would dress elephants ; and the best horses they have , come out of persia . sir walter rawley told me , that in the west-indies there were the finest shap't horses , and the finest colours in the world , beyond all spanish horses and barbs that ever he saw ; and they knew there so little the use of horses , that they killed them for their skins . in denmark there are excellent good horses ; and in norway little strong horses , but not so purely shap't . i saw six norway horses in a coach , very little horses , isabells , with white manes , and white tayls ; some of their heads are a little too bigg ; but very fine little horses , and strong . for iseland horses , they are all curlled like their doggs , and so curled , that no curry-comb can dress them , nor any thing else : and they are but dull jades . what stallion is best for the mannage , the ordering of him before he mounts the mares , what kind of mares , when , and how , they should be put together for generation . the best stallion in our iland , is , a well-shapt spanish horse , with a superfluity of spirit , and strength , docil , and of an excellent disposition , and good nature , which is the chief thing in a stallion ; for if he be of an ill disposition , vitious , or melancholly , all his off-springs will participate of it , and will never be drest , or made perfect horses as they should be. he ought to be of a good colour , to give the race a good dye ; and well-markt , to agree with most mens opinions : though marks and colours be nothing at all to know the goodness of a horse , nor shape neither ; but , the abundance of spirits , and a strong chine , be the most considerable : yet , by any means , i would have him perfectly shap't , for the beautifying of your race ; for a handsome horse may be as good as an ill-favoured horse ; and an ill-favoured horse as good , as a handsome horse . i would have you feed him four or five months before he covers , with good oats , pease , and hull'd beans , ( and bread if you think good ) with sweet hay , and good wheat-straw , and some barley now and then for variety ; and ride him out to be watered every day twice , and keep him out some little time , only to walk him ; but not too long , for that will weaken him too much . why not breed of a neapolitan ? they are too gross horses ; and we breed too bigg horses in england , by reason of the moysture both of ayre and ground . why not breed of a barb ? they are too slender , and too lady-like , for the mannage , though themselves the best in the world for it ; but their off-spring , are commonly loose and weak horses , fitter for running-horses , than the mannage ; so the spanish horse is in the middle , ( where vertue lyes ) neither too gross , nor too slender , and the finest shap't horse in the world : and therefore , have no other stallion . the fittest mares for the mannage , must be short from the head to the croup ; curious forehands , but not too long ; fine heads , and well hung on ; good bodies , short rather than long ; short and good leggs ; short pastorns , and bending ; good feet , short backs , full of spirits , and strength ; and good natures . no where better mares than in england , if they be well chosen . yet , i must tell you , i could wish you to have a couple of fine shap't little dutch mares , which is a fine composition , with a spanish horse , for the mannage . for their colours ; let them be such as most men like ; though i value not that at all . their age ; five , six , or seven years old ; and the stallion not to be too old , except necessity otherwise force you . the time of the year ; in may , about the middle of that month , that the foles may fall in april , because else they will have no grass . put the stallion to the mares , thus : take off his hinder shooes , and bring him near where the mares are , and there let him cover a mare in hand twice , which will make him wise ; and instantly pull off his bridle , and put him to the mares : which mares must all be put in a convenient closse , that may feed them well for six weeks at least . put those mares that have newly foled , and those that are with fole , and those that are barren , all to him ; for there is no danger in it . this way is so natural , as they are all served in their height of pride ; for , the horse never mounts them untill they woo him to it extreamly . when he hath covered them all , then he tryes them all over again , and those that will take the horse , he covers them ; and those that will not , he lets them alone : and when he knows he hath finished his work , he beats the pale to be gone , which is time for him ; then you must take him up , and you shall find him lean enough , nothing but skin and bones , and his mane and tayl will moot off : if you give him too many mares , then he will serve you the less time ; be so lean and weak , that you will very hardly recover him against the next year , or covering-time . therefore ten or twelve mares is enough . i had forgot to tell you , that you must have a little house with a manger , to feed him with corn , and bread , during the covering-time , to defend him from the heat of the sun , and rain , which would much infeeble him : and you must have a man always to attend him and the mares ; and for that purpose he must have a little hutt built , to be there day and night ; not only to tell you how they are served , but that no other horse comes to the mares , or other mares put to the horse ; and for many other accidents wherewith he is to acquaint you . and when you have taken up the stallion , then remove the mares into a good and fresh pasture . this is the true way for covering the mares ; for , nature is wiser than art in the act of generation ; and by this way , i dare say , there shall not , of a dozen mares , two fail . i must tell you , that you must never have a stallion of your own breed , because they are too far removed from the purity , and head , of the fountain , which is a pure spanish horse : besides , should the stallions be of your own breed , in three or four generations they would come to be cart-horses ; so gross , and ill-favoured would they be : or at least , just such horses as are bred in that country , so soon will they degenerate : therefore , have still a fresh spanish horse for the stallion . but you cannot breed better , than to breed of your own mares that you have bred ; and let their fathers cover them ; for there is no incests in horses : and thus they are nearer , by a degree , to the purity , since a fine horse got them , and the same fine horse covers them again . if any man will dispute against this truth , ( if he be not obstinate in his errours ) let him read my first book of horse-manship in french , where i treat of breeding ; and there are reasons that may convert him , if he considers my great experience . for the housing , feeding , and ordering of colts . you must wean the foles , and take them from their damms , when cold weather comes in , which is about martlemas ; and have a convenient house to put them in , with a low rack and manger fit for them : for the first year , put the horse-colts , and fillies , all together ; and have alwayes good and fresh litter for them , good sweet hay , and wheat-bran , and good oats ; the wheat-bran makes them drink well , and gives them good bodies . in a fair day , let them now and then go out in some inclosed yard , to play , and rejoyce themselves ; and then put them up again carefully , that they be not hurt . the next summer , when grass is plentiful , put them out in some dry ground , where the grass is short , and sweet ; for if a colt fills his belly , once in twenty four hours , it is sufficient ; and good water they must have . the colts must be by themselves , and the fillies by themselves , separated . the next winter , at martlemas , then take up again the colts , bring them into the stable , and use them , in all kinds , like the older horses ; doing the same thing every summer , and every winter , untill the colts be three years old , and vantage ; and then take them up for altogether , and back them . yearings must be abroad together ; so two-years-old together , and three-years old together ; for thus they will agree best : as we see that little young boyes , and greater old boyes , never agree , or play well together . the fillies you may better put together ; yearings , and two-years-old , and three . but i would wish you to take up the filleys at two years old , and vantage ; then back them , and make them gentle , and then cover them at three years old : for , being thus gentle , they will never spoyl themselves , nor their foles ; and if they , or their foles , be sick , or hurt , you may easily take them up for the farrier to use his skill to recover them . but , why this housing every winter ? you must know , there is nothing indures cold worse than horse-kind . for example ; is there any thing in the world looks so like a bear , and so ill-favouredly , as a colt in winter upon a common , and stands as if he had neither life , nor spirit ? and certainly , warmth , and dry feeding , is the quintessence , and greatest secret in the world for breeding . to prove it ; the spanish horse , that is so fine , is bred in spain , a hot country , and hath dry feeding ; for there is not much grass in many places . barbery is very hot , and little grass . turkey is very hot , and dry grounds . naples is very hot , mountainous , and dry ; and in all those countries , the horses are purely shap't , with heat , and dry feeding : therefore you must help it , as well as you can , in cold countries ; which is done with housing , and dry feeding . to prove it , take the finest shap't spanish horse you can , and let him cover two mares , of equal beauty ; and if they have two horse-colts , let one run abroad , until he be three years and a half old , and let the other be housed every winter ; and fed , as i have told you . that colt that hath gone abroad three years and a half , shall have a great fleshy-head , and thick and full neckt ; fleshy shoulders ; flabby and gowty legs ; weak pastorns , and ill hooffs ; and shall be a dull , weak , fleshy jade , by reason of the humidity of our country , both above and underneath : when the colt that is housed every winter , that is kept warm , and lies dry , and is dry fed , shall have as fine a forehand , as sinewy-leggs , as good hooffs , spirit and strength , and in all things will be as purely shap't , as any spanish horse can be . so you see , that to have the finest stallion , and the beautifullest mares , is nothing , if you do not order them as i have told you . ( see dutch horses , how gross they are , being bred in cold countries . ) this is a great secret for breeding , beleeve me , that have tryed all manner of ways ; and according to my great experience , there is nothing but this. for the backing of a colt . if you have used the method of housing your colts every winter ; and , after the first winter , used them in the stable , as you do any other horse ; and that they will lead , and be as quiet as any horse : you need not fear their plunging , and leaping , nor a hundred extravagancies more ; neither need you tyer him in a bogg , or a deep plow'd-field , to take off his spirit , to break his heart , or at least , his wind , before you dare get upon him . for , being ordered as i have formerly told you , you may safely back him , and find him as quiet as a lamb , and never drive him into faint-sweats , which will bring many diseases upon him . you need not then a cavezone of cord , which mr. blundevil calls a head-strain ; nor a padd of straw ; but such a saddle as you ordinarily ride horses of mannage in , with stirrups ; and on his nose , an ordinary cavezone , as you ride other horses with ; but it must be well lined with double leather , as the rest are : and if you will , you may put a watering-bitt in his mouth , without rains on , only the headstal , and this but for a few dayes ; and then to put such a bitt as i would always ride him withal , of which we shall speak hereafter , and so give him the lessons , which you shall have perfectly sett down in the second book . but if you light on an older colt , and unruly , then put him to the single pillar , and trot him , and gallop him on both hands , until he be very quiet , and will peaceably suffer you to take his back ; which he will not fail to do within four or five dayes at the most , if you use this method : and i do not know , that the single pillar , the old way , is good for any thing , but this . at first you must ride your colt without spurrs . and thus much for backing of colts . of the spanish mvles . i have seen the finest shap't of them in the world ; the finest shap't heads , and the best set on ; the finest turned necks , and the thinnest , and well risen ; excellent backs , good bodies ; their leggs clean , and sinewy ; admirable hooffs ; their croups a little slender : and in a word , no horse in the world finer shap't , and only their ears are a little long , which , methinks , is a grace to them . they are of all colours , as bayes , dapple-grayes , and so forth . extreamly strong , as strong as two horses ; very large , some as large as any horse whatsoever , and of great prices ; as three , and four hundred pistols a mule. the king of spain hath beautifull , and large ones in his coach ; they use them very much for the saddle ; for they amble most curiously , and easily ; they seldom stumble , but when they do , they never fall further than their knees . they are very safe and sure to ride on ; there be some very little ones , and fine ones , like gallowayes ; and those commonly great generals , and commanders , ride on in the trenches , and about fortifi'd castles , to view them : the grosser sort they use for sumpters , waggons , and carriers for many things . they also ride post on them ; and don john de borge , who was governour at antwerp , told me , that they would amble as fast as any horse could gallop . they live long , and sound , thirty years at least : there are males and females of them , and very hot they are in the act of generation , but never produce any thing , with any thing ; either to get , or bring forth . they say , one is never assured of them from biting or striking though the groom hath kept them twenty years ; but i perceive no such thing in them : and i have seen a mule go in capriols , excellently well . they say , they have ill mouths ; but that 's because they spoyl them with horrible bitts : for they use both other bitts , and other saddles and furniture to them , than to horses ; wherein they are very much mistaken . to those that are for the saddle , i would use the very same bitts and saddles , as for horses , and no otherwise . 't is true , that for sumpters , there be proper things that they use for them only , and not for horses , which is very comely . and in spain , they use in their coaches , ropes for the mules ( and the horses also ) to draw the coaches withall . they are excellent to ride on in stoney-wayes , none like them ; they are so sure of foot. the stallions that get these mules , are asses , upon very fine spanish mares . sir benjamin wright , being a merchant at madrid , writ to me once , that a stallion asse would cost , at the least , two hundred and fifty pistols ; but others tell me of greater prices that they are at : and great reason , since mules are of so great use to them in spain . my lord cottington told me , that the asses in spain , are greater and larger beasts , than ever he saw of horses in all his life , and almost of any other beast ; and are so furious , and full of spirit , that there is men , that live only by the ordering of them , and no other men can do it , but those men which make a trade of it ; for others would be kill'd by them . and these men hood the asses when they cover any mares , that they may not see them ; for otherwise they would pull the mares in pieces , and kill them . when they bray , it is a most lowd and horrid noise , beyond any lyon in the world . now you see , there is great reason , why they should be of great prices ; but one that thinks they should be just such little dull asses as are in england , of twenty or thirty shillings a piece , would laugh to hear this tale told ; because they think there is nothing more in the world than they have seen : as in such a case , sir walter rawley said well , that there are stranger things in the world , than between stains and london . the asses in france , are just like the asses in england ; little , lazy , dull , and woful things , and of as small price ; only in those parts of france that are next spain , there the asses are large , but nothing in comparison of those in spain . the shee-asses in spain , are very fair , and large ; for else , how can you imagine such huge , large , and great puissant beasts should be produc'd ? that trying is the only way to know horses . i told you , that marks , colours , and elements , are nothing at all to know a horse by ; for they are but philosophical mountebanks that talk of such toyes . nay , shape is nothing to know the goodness of a horse ; and therefore the best philosophy is to try him : and you may be deceived then , if he be a young horse ; for colts alter extreamly , both in spirit and strength . what judgment can one give of a little boy , what kind of man he will prove ? no more can one give a judgement of a colt , what kind of horse he will prove . but still ride him , and try him ; and that is the best philosophy to know him by . some say , if a horse have a great head , a thick neck , and fleshy shoulders , that he is hard on the hand : you must know , that if he have any imperfection in his leggs or feet , but especiall before , the horse must be hard on the hand ; for he leans on the hand , to ease the grief of his leggs , as a gowty-man doth use his staff. and let him be finely shap't , or ill shap't , if he have any imperfection in his leggs , he must be hard on the hand ; and then the farrier must cure him , and not the horse-man ; for the art of riding will not make a lame horse sound . our great masters , and best authours , say , that when a horse is sound , if he have a great head , thick neck , and fleshy shoulders ; that then , of necessity , this horse must be hard on hand ; and give many rare lessons , as they think , to make him leight on the hand : and they also say , that a horse that hath a fine thin forehand , must be leight on the hand , wherein they are infinitely deceived ; for i have known more thick heads , necks , and shoulders , leight on the hand , than i have known fine shap't , and slender forehands . but it is neither the one , nor the other , that makes it , but meerly the strength of his chine . for , if a horse , that hath a great head , thick neck , and fleshy shoulders , hath a good chine , he will be leight on the hand ; and if he have a weak chine , he will be hard on the hand . and so a fine forehand , if he have a weak chine , he is hard on the hand ; and if he have a strong chine , he is leight on the hand : so it is , not having a gross , or a fine forehand , that makes him hard or leight , on the hand ; but all consists in the strength of his chine . the reason of that , is , because if he hath a strong back , he can suffer without grief or pain , to be put upon the hanches : and no horse is upon the hanches , but he is leight on the hand ; and if his chine be weak , the putting him upon the hanches , doth so pinch him , as he presses upon his foreparts to save the pain on his back ; and sometimes will run away , rather than to suffer it ; and will leap , rather than to be pincht of his weak back : and yet i must tell you , the strongest horses are not fittest , or properest , for the mannage , nor for a souldiers horse ; for you must gallop him an hour before you can take him off his fury ; and such counter-times of leaps , do in-commode the rider , to no purpose : and when you would make him go , he shall not go so well , as a horse of half his strength : and though he leaps in such a manner , that will disorder an armed-man ; yet the best horse-man in the world shall not make him a leaping-horse : therefore the best for the mannage , and the war , is a horse that hath so much strength as to indure a stopp , and no more , to make him easie for an armed-man . and certainly a weak horse with spirit , docil , and of a good disposition , is much better , and will go beyond a huge flanders horse , of a dutch brewer , that hath no spirit : and i must tell you , that the greatest and largest horses are not commonly the strongest , but for the most part the contrary ; for that which makes them draw , is their waight , and not their strength , nor their spirit ; for they have none . i dare say , i can take a little english cart-horse , that shall draw twice as much as their great flanders horses : commonly those they use in flanders are geldings . how to know the age of a horse . m r. blundevil sayes , some seek to know a horses age in this sort : they pull his skin with their hand from his flesh , holding it so a pretty while together , and then let it go again , marking whether the skin returneth immediately to his place , or not , without leaving any signe or wrinckle where it was toucht : and then they judge the horse to be young. but if the skin will not fall down quickly again of its own accord , they take him to be old , and to lack that natural heat , and warm blood , which should nourish his outward parts . these are the very words of mr. blundevil . let us see the probability of it , and the certainty of the rule , in a horse whose mark is out of his mouth ; for many horses that are many years older , if they be healthful , and sound , and in good case , wanton , and full of blood , their skin will return to the same place again presently , when a younger horse by many years , that is sickly , lean , and faint , his skin will not return so soon ; and then your old observation deceives you , and is a great folly. and when he will know a horses age by his tayl , he begins at the wrong end ; which is most ridiculous . mr. blundevil sayes also , that when a horse waxeth old , his temples will wax hollow , and the hair of his browes hore and white , &c. this is , for the most part , somewhat probable . but yet i have known a young fellow of seventeen all gray ; why may it not be so in horses ? nay , i have known some so . but though i grant , that gray hairs shewes age , for the most part ; yet , i believe , you do not know how old a horse is for all that observation , but only in general , that he is old. so that there is no sure way to know his age , but by his teeth ; and that is a certain rule , but lasts no longer than seven years old. captain mazine sayes , that a horses years may be known until he is fourteen , by his vpper teeth ; but , because it doth not hold in all horses , i forbear to write it . there is some difference between horses and mares , to know their age. for any man that would have a horse of use in his ordinary occasions ; as for journeys , hawking , or hunting ; i would never buy a horse until the mark be out of his mouth ; and if he be sound of wind , limb , and sight , he will last you eight or nine years with good keeping , and never fail you ; when a young horse will have many diseases , as children have , and you must leave him with your host at harborow , or northampton , or some inne , and hire another horse for your occasion , and have your host's bill , and the farriers , which will come to more than your horse is worth ; and there 's your young horse ; but your old horse shall never fail you . i am alwayes ready to buy for such purposes , an old nagg of some hunts-man , or falconer , that is sound , and that 's the useful nagg ; for he gallops on all grounds , leaps over ditches , and hedges ; and this will not fail you in your journey , nor any where ; and is the only nagg of vse , for pleasure , or journey , but not for a souldiers horse , nor the mannage : for every horse must be appropriated in his kind , and put to what he is fittest . what equipage is proper for the horse , and most commodious for the horse-man afore the horse is movnted . for the saddle , bitt , cavezone , stirrups , and spurrs , in my first book of horse-manship you shall see the figures of all these , most lively represented . for the girthes , i must advise you to have one girth as broad as two , only at each end separated , as if they were two , though it is but one girth ; and an italian surcingle over them ; which is so excellent a thing , that if the girths , or straps , should break , yet the surcingle will not fail to hold. you must fit your horse with a bitt proper for him ; that is , a cannon , or a scatch , a la pignatel , and branches a la conestable ; and the same bitt i will alwayes ride my horse with i give him at first ; for they are ridiculous with their pistol cannons , and not to fit a horse for two years , and then to bitt him up . but i will alwayes bitt and fit my horse at the first , with what he should alwayes wear , or such another when that 's broke , or is worn in pieces . your horse should be girt as hard as you can ; for the italian sayes , he that girds well , rides well . but a groom may gird well , and yet not ride well . but they mean , no man can ride well , that doth not gird well : for , how can he ride well when the saddle turns round ? horses of mannage force the girths much with violent ayres , which an ambling horse doth not . but i must tell you , that you should never gird your horse up hard and straight , but just before you ride him ; for , being hard girt in the stable long before you ride him , i have known them grow very sick. why do they not so when they are ridd , say you ? i le tell you why ; because the violence of the exercise makes them put out their bodies , and so stretches the girthes , and makes them easier . but i will tell you a great truth in horses that are used to be girt hard : when the groom comes to gird them up , the horses will so stretch their bodies and bellies out , with holding their breath , that the grooms have much ado to gird them : and this is craftily done of them , that they may have ease after they are girded , and then they let their bodies fall again . and yet , sayes the learned , like to the horse that hath no vnderstanding . another thing i am to advertise you of ; and that is , to make the nose-band as straight as possible you can ; because it hinders him , as they say , to make sheeres with his mouth , or to gape to disorder the working of the bitt , or to bite at the rodd when you help him , or to bite at your feet . but the nose-band , being very straight , makes the bitt lie in his due place , and works orderly , as it ought , both upon the barrs , and the curb , and firms and settles his head : and i assure you , there is nothing better than this , for many things ; and therefore i would have also the cavezone as straight as you could , for many reasons ; and remember that your cavezone be never sharp ; but always lined with double leather at the least , for fear of hurting him : though the old saying , is , a bloody nose makes a good mouth ; i would neither hurt his mouth , nor his nose , nor any thing else about him , if i could help it ; and then i am sure he will have a better mouth , when his nose is not hurt . sakers , dockes , or trouse ques , ( which is all one ) is a great grace for a leaping-horse ; for it makes him appear plumper , and more together , racoursi , and makes him appear to go higher too ; therefore i would use sakers for all kinds of leaping-horses , whether for croupadoes , balotadoes , or caprioles ; but then the horses tayles must be tied short up , upon the saker . for horses that go the mannage de soldat , terra a terra , in corvets , or demy-ayres , there is nothing handsomer , than to see a horse with a good tayl down , without any thing ; no quinsel , or any thing , but naturally ; and to see him lay his tayl on the ground , is graceful , and shewes that he goes upon the hanches ; which is the perfection of the mannage . to beautifie their manes before great princes , or persons of quality , there is nothing more graceful , than to tye their manes with several coloured ribbons , or all of one colour , in many several wayes ; either pleating their manes , or letting them be loose . i never saw any horse go so well with rich saddles , as with plain leather saddles , and black bridles : the leather saddles should be plain white spanish leather , stitcht with silk ; with silver nayles , and a good black leather slap-cover over it , and the bridle soft black leather , and small ; by no means too great : two girthes in one , to part at both ends , like two girths ; and a good italian surcingle , which is worth both the girthes for sure holding . you must be very careful , to see that nothing that is about the horse should hurt him ; as his saddle , bitt , cavezone , or any thing else : for , i assure you , as long as any thing hurts him , he will never go well . no horse goes well in a wind , it doth so whisk about him , and in his ears , and makes such a noise , as it diverts him from the mannage ; and so doth any new help , or any new thing that they are not accustomed to : horses are very sensible , and tickle ; and no strangers must come near them . there is one thing that is the most uncomly , and the disgracefullest thing a horse can do ; and that is , to whisk his tayl in all the actions that he makes . the common remedy they use , is , to tie his tayl with a quinsel ; which doth remedy that vice , as long as it holds : but the best thing in the world , is , to cut cross the great nerve that is under his tayl , and then he shall never whisk or shake it again ; and it will do him no hurt in the world , more than when it is cut. there is no remedy like unto this . a very true paradox . i will never put my horses of mannage to soyl after they are five years old . i had a barb that had a cold , and i was perswaded to put him to soyl ; but when i took him from it , he was broken-winded . though i never put them , but six or seven dayes , to soyl , yet i ever found them the worst for it , both for colds , and their flesh being flabby . doth not every body say , when you take a horse from grass , that you take him up with a grass-cold ? and it is very true. then these horses of mannage , which are extreamly heated , and often must , of necessity , melt their grease . if you give them grass to cool them , and purge them ( as they say ) to bring it away , it being hardned like tallow , grass is too gentle to do it effectually : but i confess it dissolves some small part of it , which it doth not bring away ; and that which is dissolved , runs into their veins , and arteries , and makes them remain sick horses , so that they will never thrive . therefore , at the time of soyl , let them blood once or twice , and give them pills of alloes sicatrina two ounces , lapped up in fresh butter ; and after that , give them cooling julips twice or thrice a week , for a fortnight , or three weeks together ; and let them rest , or but walk gently out , and no grass at all : during the great heats , ride moderately , by no means violently . horses of great exercise must have dry feeding ; for moist feeding spoyls them , and fills them full of diseases and corruption ; therefore never give them grass , and but very little hay . the method thus : before their water , give them but a handful of hay , only to make them drink ; and after their water , another handful of hay , to be a barricado between their water , and their oats , that they should not shoot their oats too soon ; and then give them their oats ; and all the rest of the day , and night , nothing but wheat straw . as the italian sayes , a horse that is fed with hay , is a horse for a cart , he is so foggy and pursey ; but they say , cavallo de palla , cavallo de batalla ; and thus his flesh will be as hard as a board , in great lust , wind , and strength , and as nervous as possible can be , and in great health . excellent clean oats is the best feeding in the world ; somtimes you may give a few pease , or hul'd beans , which is very good ; but never any bread , for that makes them pursey , as we know very well by running-horses . i never give above two bushels of oats a week to every horse , and it is enough ; for they look extraordinary well with it . a horse must ever be empty before you ride him , and stand some three or four hours , both morning , and afternoon , upon the watering-bitt , to turn him from the manger , to get him a better appetite ; which is excellent good. wheat is strengthning , but it makes a horse fatt at the heart , and out of wind ; barley they give in italy and spain , but it is not our common barley ; but that which we call bigg : which is not an ill feeding , but not comparable to good oats : but in italy and spain , they give barley , because they have no oats : pease-straw will make a horse piss red like blood. if you follow this method , you will ever have your horse well , and sound . i must tell you , it is not much meat , but the ordering of the diet , that makes horses in health : nay , to some great and ready feeders ( as they call it ) you must give but a little wheat-straw ; for else they will be as pursey and fatt , as stall-fed oxen : nay , some again will eat their litter , which is very foul feeding . and then the jockeys use to put their horses upon the muzzle , which i like not by any means ; for many horses grow very sick upon it , because it doth almost smoother them ; therefore , in that case , i put on a cavezone , and tie it so straight , as he cannot eat , and then he hath his nostrils clear for breath , and is never sick. be sure , that you never dress your horse until he be cold ; for until then , he will not dress ; though i have seen many foolish grooms offer at it , to dispatch their work : nor turn them to the manger to their meat , after their exercise , until they be cold ; for , though you give them no water , or but to wash their mouths , yet eating , whilest they are hott , makes ill digestion . there is nothing conduces more to the health of horses , than to keep them three or four hours before they be rid , on the watering-bitt ; and after they are ridd , so long again on the watering-bitt , until they be cool ; and in the afternoon turn'd again on the watering-bitt three or four hours . for worms , it is good to give them brimstone in their oats , and to put bay-salt by them , which they will lick apace ; and fenugreek , and sometimes a spoonful of sweet-sallet-oyl mingled with their oats . but the most soveraign thing that ever i knew , is honey mingled with their oats . horses of great exercise , that have often great heats , as horses of mannage have , must be lett blood often , and have dry feeding ; for , moist feeding , and exercise , breeds great corruption : cooling-julips , and cooling-glisters , ( which i will set down hereafter ) are very needful to preserve their health . to make a horse have a fine coat . there are but these four things , viz. feeding well , cloathing warmly , many sweats , and dressing well . for dressing , there are these things ; the curry-comb , which only fetches out dust ; the dusting-cloath , that takes away the loose dust ; the brush , that takes the dust from the bottom of the hair ; the hard wisp , a little moistned , that takes out more dust yet from him ; and the felt a little moistned , that takes out more dust from him afterwards ; but the wett hand , which should be last , takes not only more dust , but a great deal of loose hair , which is much better than any of the former : after this , a linnen cloath to wipe them over , and then a wollen cloath , and so cloath him up. but , the best of all is the knife heat , which is the scraper ; for , when he is hot , scraping of him gets all the sweat , and moysture , out of him , so that he is dry presently after , and all that wett would turn to dust , so there is so much labour saved : besides , it gets abundance of hair from him , which the rest doth not ; so that it is the most excellent thing i know , both to cool a horse , and to make him have a good coat . you must wash his hooffs first clean , and then dry them ; and when they are dry , then anoint them ; and when his feet are pick'd , then stopp them with cow-dung . in summer he must be leightly cloathed in the heats , and his leggs and feet all wash't , and his codds , and his sheath , made clean ; for there will be a great deal of dirt in those places else ; and his yard made clean , and either washed with water or white-wine ; his temples , eyes , nostrils , and mouth , bathed with cold water in a spunge , which will much refresh him : nay , to be washed all over , and scrap't , is excellent , both for his coat and health ; and sometimes to be wash't with sope : his mane to be wash't and kept clean ; and sometimes to be wash't with sope will make it grow ; and if the hair should fall , then wash it in lee , but not too strong , for that would fetch it off : dress his mane clean every day , and pleat it up again , which will make it grow very much : you must wash his tayl very clean , up to the very dock , dock and all ; and often wett his dock with a spunge , not only to make his hair lie close , but to make it grow ; and also it doth refresh him very much , and keeps him cold handsomely . but if your horse hath a white tayl , wash it never so clean , yet he will dye it in his dung and vrine , that it will be yellow , and therefore you must wash it very clean with water and sope ; and when it is dry , put it in a bagg , and tie it up , and that will keep it clean , and white . clip his ears ; and no more of his mane , than for the head-stall to lie there ; and cut his tayl a little above his fetlock , and cut it every month to make it grow . you may dress him in as many various sorts with ribbons , as there are colours , which beautifies him much . he must be well littered with fresh rye-straw every night , and to have pasterns on his fore-feet keeps him from much hurt ; but one pasterne on his hinder foot , tyed to the pillar behind him , with a leather rein at such a length as he may lie down , doth avoid more mischief than you can imagine : the woollen cloath must alwayes be laid upon his buttock under his housing cloath ; you must alwayes have your horses to have hoods , and both they , and their housing-cloathes lined with cotten , or baies , to keep them warm . have good collers , surcingles , and padds , and a little rein to tie them up to the wall or rack ; and good wattering-bitts , which , as i told you afore , are very vseful . and be careful , after a great heat , that you give him no water till night , except only to wash his mouth : for it is very dangerous , and may spoyl him utterly ; for , a horse will be cool without , when he is not within : and the worst is but to forbear his meat a little , or to have a small body , which is much better than to have no horse . of shooing . the old saying , is , before behind , behind before . that is ; before , the veins lie behind : for , you see of his fore-feet , there is a great space on both sides , where there is no nayls at the heel : and behind , before ; for you see in his hinder-feet , there is a great space between the nayls at the toe ; because the veines lie before , at the toe ; and the veins lie behind , at the heel : and this is done for fear of pricking him . so that the saying , before behind , behind before , is very true. you must fitt the shoo to the foot , and not the foot to the shoo , as they do in flanders , and brabant ; and open his heels as much as you can , straight , and not side-wayes ; for that will cutt away all his heels in two or three shooings ; and the strength of the heels , is the strength of the foot. you must cutt the thrush handsomly too , and pare his foot as hollow as you can , the shoo may not press at all upon his foot : the shoo must come neer to the heel , and sit a little from it , and a little wider than the hooff on both sides , to enlarge the heel ; and that the shoo may bear his weight , more than his foot. the webb must be indifferent broad ; not too thinn , least it should beat into his foot ; nor so thick , either to tyre him , or with the weight to pull out the nayls . when the shoo is set on , there will be much hooff to be cutt off at the toe ; for , it must be very thick at the toe , if you do not pare him but as i have told you ; and when you have cutt it off , then smooth it with a file , or rape , and thus your horse will stand so firm , as if he had a little polonia-heel ; and his foot so strong , as not only to go boldly upon stones , but to break them , and never to hurt his feet , or feel them : for , you will easily imagine , a man can go much better upon stones with three-soal'd-shoos , than with pumps . paring a horses foot so thin as they use , is pumps , and makes him go upon his heels , as pumps doth a man ; and my way , as i have told you , is , three-soal'd-shoos , and a little polonia-heel . the nayls should be cast in a mould , with round and flatt heads , for fear of crossing one legg of another to hurt him . this for the fore-feet . the hinder-feet are to be shod just in the same manner as the fore-feet was , both for opening the heels , cutting the thrush , and cutting off at the toe , to leave it thick ; only the hinder shooes must be made answerable to the form of his hinder-feet : the webb somewhat broad , but the nayls of his hinder-feet should be ordinary nayls , and the heads a little bigger and sharper , for stopping , to take hold of the earth , lest he might , with sliding , incord himself ; the nayls ought to be so , because a horse of mannage goes on the hanches , which is most of his hinder-feet ; and wears his hinder shooes twice as fast as his fore shooes : and this is the right way of shooing a horse of mannage . a travelling horse must be shod after the same manner , but a little straighter ; for otherwise , in ill wayes , he will pull off his shooes ; the webb must be a little narrower . a hunting-horse must also be shod after the same way , but much narrower than the travelling-horse , eeven with his foot , and the webb much narrower , or else he will indanger to lame himself , upon ill grounds , and to indanger you with falling ; besides pulling off his shooes . a running-horse's shooes are so narrow at the webb , and so thin , as they are called plates , rather than shooes ; it is not only for leightness , but that the fresh nayls , being newly shod , may take better hold of the earth , to prevent slipping : for , could the nayls be put in without shooes , as eeven , and regularly , it would do as well ; but that cannot be , and therefore you must have plates for that end , which is the only end of plates . what is to be done , when the hair from the mane and tayl falls away . search both mane and tayl well with your finger , and anoynt the place with this vnguent . take quick-silver , and tryed hoggs grease ; the quick-silver being first mortified with fasting-spittle : incorporate them very well together , till the hoggs grease be of a perfect ash colour , and anoynt the sorrance therewith , every day ; holding a hott barr of iron neer , to cause the oyntment to sink in , and in three or four dayes thus carefully dressing him , he will be well . this is a very good receipt , and i have often used it : but i would advise you , first to lett him blood , a good quantity , both in the neck and tayl. to cause the hair to grow again . take the dung of a goat , newly made ; ordinary honey , allom , and the blood of a hogg ; the allom being first made into fine powder . boyl all these together , and rubb , and anoynt the places therewith every day , and it will cause the hair to come again apace . this is special good. i use to preserve my horses manes , making them very clean from all filth and dust with the brush ; then wash them with a little sope : and having wash'd out the sope , pleat them up in great pleats , and undo them every day , pleat them again ; and this will make them grow wonderfully : for , their manes being loose , they are apt to break , especially when they are ridd , by reason of the bridle , cavezone reins , and hand , that rubbs against them : therefore , but upon high dayes , let their manes be alwayes pleated . their tayls should be always kept clean , and wash't with sope sometimes , but wash't clean every day ; and when they are dry , comb'd out carefully , for fear of breaking the hair : let his dock be wetted with a spunge often in a day , which will both make it grow , and make the hair to lie eeven ; and his tayl cutt every month , which will both make it grow , and grow thick . to observe the time of the moon , is but an old foppery ; but to lett him blood in the tayl , is very good. now you must understand , that what you take many times for dust in his mane , are little worms , which eat the roots of the hair away : this is easily known from dust ; because , if the hair falls , you may be very sure they are wormes . the cure is thus : make a prety strong lie , and wash his mane with it once a day , and he will be cured ; but you must take heed , that the lie be not too strong ; for , if it be , that alone will burn all the hair of his mane off : so the cure will be worse than the disease . rare receipts , jvlips , glisters , and potions , for cooling a horse over-heated by violent exercise : promised before . for a horse that hath a cold , take half a pound of honey , half a pound of treakle , mix these together : then take an ounce of cumminseed , beaten into powder ; an ounce of liquorish pouder , an ounce of bay-berries beaten into pouder , and an ounce of anniseeds in pouder : then mix all these powders together , and put so much of them as shall make it thick as a hasty-pudding . after the horse is ridden , give it him with a stick to lick off ; and if he have a cold , give him of it , both before , and after , he is ridden ; for , no better medicine there is not . when a horse is over-ridden , to comfort him . take a pinte of sweet milk , and put three yolks of eggs beaten into it ; then make it luke-warm , and then put in three penny-worth of saffron , and one penny-worth of sallet-oyle , which is two or three spoonfulls , and give it the horse , in a horn : you may give him near a quart of milk. this is an excellent drink . honey is the most excellent thing in the world , both for the lungs , a cold , and to open all obstructions , putting one good spoonful into his oats , and so to continue this medicine for a pretty time . i have known it recover a very pursey horse . horses of great exercise , or that are over-heated , and have great fire in their bodies , must be lett blood often ; nay , twice or thrice within a few dayes , one after another ; and still lett blood , untill you see good blood comes : to lett such a horse blood in the mouth , and then rubb his mouth with salt , and let him eat his blood , is an excellent thing : but you must purge him well , that his grease may come away ; for , horses of great exercise would else be alwayes foundered in the body , and then they will never thrive until that melted grease be brought away . the best purge , is two ounces of aloes sicatrina , lapt up in butter , and made into two pills , and so give it your horse after he hath rested awhile ; then give him this following and refreshing drink , which is the best julip in the world : take mel rosatum , or honey of roses . conserves of damask-roses . conserve of burrage . sirrup of violets . of each four ounces . burrage water . endive water . suckory water . bugloss water . plantine water . of each half a dutch pint , which is near as much as an english quart. then you are to use both these conserves and waters , thus : put all the conserves into a morter , and beat them , or pownd them together , and then mix them by little and little , with the waters , till they be well mixt together ; and then give them all together in a horn , to the horse , without straining : do not give it cold by any means . hott sirrup of lemmons added to it , is very good : give it twice or thrice a week for a fortnight at least , and let the horse rest afterwards . feed your horse all the time of this great heat within him , with wheat-brann amongst his oats , and wash them in a little beer , if he likes it . this brann is the best thing in the world to get-out his belly , and to moisten him , because it dries up all superfluous humours which heat him : in his water , when you water him , put also wheat — brann into it , and let him eat of that brann also . this is most excellent ; and will not only cool him , and moisten him , but also loosen his skin , if he be apt to be hide — bound , which all heat doth . lettises are very good to cool him ; suckory roots , or endive roots , are all one . to boyl suckory roots in his water is very good ; and purslane , to give it him now and then to eat , is also very good : to sprinkle his hay with water , and to give him radishes to make him piss , will cool him . and let him have no violent exercise , until he be recovered , but gentle-walking . this is the most excellent thing in the world ; beyond all the printed books of receipts . to cool and refresh a horse . give him carrots with his oats , or upon his watering — bitt ; apples is excellent , and so muskmellons , or the skins of them : to wash his oats in small beer , is also very excellent . a receipt of the cooling-julip , or diet-drink , that doctor davison doth give in feavers take barley water two pints : of sirrup of violets two ounces : of sirrup of lemmons one ounce : mix them together , and use this water to quench their thirst . a julip for feavers to bind the body , if it be loose . take one ounce of ivory , and one ounce of harts — horn ; raspe them , and put them in three paris — pintes of water , and let them boyl together , until the half be consumed ; then strain it through a cloth : and put to this liquor , four ounces of the best juce of barberies , and one ounce and a half of sirrup of pomgranets . this is to be used to cool . these are excellent for feavers in horses as well as men : only you must give a third , or a fourth part more to horses , since they have stronger bodies ; else the disease is all one , and the remedy is all one : and this method will cure both man and horse ; and all other wayes are pernicious to them both , which is either physick that purges , or hott-cordials ; only when he is cured , then a purge , as i said before , to take away the dreggs that remain ; and no more . a cooling-potion which is most excellent . take a quart of whey , and four or five ounces of sirrup of violets , and four or five ounces of cassia , and a little manna ; and this will both cool , and purge gently , and is a most excellent remedy for horses of great exercise . to take the very same at the other end , will do much good to cool the bowels ; and is a very rare , and soveraign cooling glister . all these cooling things are most excellent for horses of great exercise , which are over-heated , and surfeited with riding , so you give them first the purge of aloes , to bring away their grease . here ends the first part. the second part . of riding , and dressing horses upon the grovnd . there is no man can make or dress a horse perfectly , that doth not exactly understand all the natural paces , and actions of a horses leggs , in every one of them ; and all the actions of his leggs , made by art. it is a general rule , that art must never be against nature ; but must follow nature , and set her in order . of the natvral paces . first . of a horse upon his walk . the action of his leggs in that motion , is , two leggs in the ayre , and two leggs upon the ground , at the same time moved cross , fore-legg and hinder-legg cross , which is the true motion of a slow trott . secondly . in a trott . the action of his leggs , is , two leggs in the ayre , and two leggs upon the ground , at the same time moved cross ; fore and hinder legg cross ; which is the motion of legg a swifter walk : for , in a walk , and a trott , the motion of the horse's legges are all one , which his leggs makes cross , two in the ayre cross , and two upon the ground cross , at the same time ; fore legg and hinder-legg cross ; and every remove changes his leggs cross ; as those that were in the ayre cross , are now set down ; and those that were upon the ground cross , are now pull'd up in the ayre cross . and this is the just motion of a horse's legges in a trott . thirdly . for an amble , he removes both his leggs of a side : as for example ; take the farr-side , he removes his fore-legg , and his hinder-legg , of the same side at one time , whilst the other two leggs of the near-side stand still ; and when those leggs are upon the ground which he first removed , at the same time they are upon the ground the other side ; which is , the near-side removes fore-legg and hinder-legg on that side , and the other leggs of the farr-side stand still . thus an amble removes both his leggs of a side , and every remove changes sides ; two of a side in the ayre , and two upon the ground at the same time . and this is a perfect amble . fourthly . a gallop is another motion : for , in a gallop he may lead with which fore-legg you please ; but then the hinder-legg of the same side must follow it , i mean when he gallops straight forwards ; and then this is a perfect gallop . but to understand what is meant by his fore-legg leading , and his hinder-legg on the same side following ; that fore-legg is thus . as for example : if the farr-fore-legg lead , by that fore-legg leading , is meant , that fore-legg must be before the other fore-legg alwayes , and the hinder-legg to follow it on the same side ; which hinder-legg must alwayes be before the other hinder-legg : and this is a true gallop . but now to shew you , that the motion of a gallop is thus : the horse liffts both his fore-leggs up at a time , in that action that i told you , which is one legg before the other ; and as his fore-leggs are falling , i say before they touch the ground , his hinder-leggs in that posture i formerly told you , follow his fore-leggs , being once all in the ayre at one time ; for as his fore-leggs are falling , his hinder-leggs moves at the same time , and then he is all in the ayre : for , how is it possible else , that as a horse is running , he should spring forward twice his length , were not the motion of a gallop a leap froward ? and this description is most true both in the motion and posture of a horses leggs ; when he gallops : in a soft and slow gallop it is hardly perceived , though it be true ; but in running , where the motion is more violent , it is easily perceived : for there it is plain ; you shall see all his four feet in the ayre at one time , ( running being but a swift gallop ; ) for the motion and posture of his leggs are all one . but you must remember , that galloping upon circles , the horse always ought to lead with his two leggs , within the turn ; fore-legg , and hinder-legg within the turn . and this is a true gallop . fifthly . when a horse runns , the motion he makes , and the action of his leggs , are all one with a gallop ; only a swifter motion , which you may call a swift gallop ; and a gallop a slow running : and this is the truth of the motion of running . now i must tell you of that which every body speaks of , and no body tells what it is : for , they say , a horse may gallop with the wrong legg before , which is impossible . for , if the hinder-legg of the same side followes , it is a right gallop ; so that rather it is the wrong legg behind . but that which they call the wrong legg before , is thus a true gallop , if that legg which leads before , is follow'd by the hinder-legg of the same side ; and as the horse falls with his two fore-leggs , his hinder-leggs follow them , before his fore-leggs touch the ground ; so that at that very time all the horses four leggs are in the ayre , and it is a leap forward . that which they call the wrong legg before , is this , when the horse is upon the motion , in the swiftness of a gallop , he changes his leggs cross ; which is the action of a trott , two leggs in the ayre , and two upon the ground ; and that is so contrary to a gallop , and is such a cross motion , as makes the horse ready to fall : and this is one way of that which they call , the wrong legg before . another way is this , that when the horse is upon the action of a gallop ; as i told you before , in the swiftness of a gallop , where he should keep alwayes two leggs of a side forward , he changes sides every time , fore-legg and hinder-legg of a side ; and changing sides every time , that is the action of an amble , which is two leggs of a side in the ayre , and two leggs of the other side upon the ground at the same time , and changing sides every time. this action of an amble , upon the swiftness of a gallop , differs so much from the action of a gallop , as it makes the horse ready to fall : and these two , the action of a trott , and the action of an amble , upon the swiftness of a gallop , is that which their ignorance calls , the wrong legg before . it is true , that though a horse do gallop right , which is his hinder-legg to follow his fore-legg on the same side ; yet if he be not accustomed to that side , he will gallop neither so nimbly , nor so fast , as with that side he is accustomed to lead withal : for , it is just as a left-handed , or a right-handed man ; custom having a very great power over man and beast : else , when the horse gallops forward , never so little a gallop , his hinder-leggs go beyond the print of his fore-leggs , and that legg that he leads withal . for example ; if the inward fore-legg lead , the inward hinder-leg follows ; so those are prest , and his outward leggs at liberty : so that in the action he makes , his outward fore-legg is set to the ground first , and is at liberty ; that 's one time : and then his inward fore-legg , which is prest , and leads , makes a second time ; that 's two : and then his outward hinder-legg , which is at liberty , is set down ; that 's three times : and then his inward hinder-legg , which is prest , and leads , is set down ; and that makes a fourth time . so that a gallop forward is 1 , 2 , 3 , and 4. which is the just action and time of a gallop forward , and is a leap forward . now upon circles , his croup out upon a gallop , he must alwayes lead with his inward leggs to the turn , and strikes over but sometimes ; not so much , but that the action of the gallop is all one ; which is 1 , 2 , 3 , and 4. and a leap forward . of a trot . a trott is the foundation of a gallop : the reason is , a trott being cross , and a gallop both leggs of a side ; when you trott him fast , beyond the power of a trott , it forces him when his inward fore-legg is up , to set down his outward hinder-legg so suddenly , as to make his inward hinder-legg to follow his inward fore-legg , which is a true gallop . and thus a trott is the foundation of a gallop . a gallop is the foundation of terra a terra , for the actions of the horses leggs are all one ; leading with the fore-legg within the turn ; and following that legg with his hinder-legg within the turn ; only you stay him a little more on the hand in terra a terra , that he may go in time. an amble , being a shuffling action , i would have banish't the mannage ; for the horse removes both his leggs of a side , and changes sides every remove ; which is so contrary to the mannage , as can be : but if you make him to gallop ; whereas upon a trott , you trott him fast to take his gallop , you must upon the amble stay him upon the hand to take his gallop . a true description of all the natural & artificial motions a horse can make. first , for terra a terra , the horse alwayes leads with the leggs within the turn , like a gallop ; his two fore-leggs up , and as they are falling , his two hinder-leggs follow ; and at that time , all his four leggs are in the ayre ; so that it is a leap forward ; the same upon demy-vaults ; for it is all but the action of terra a terra . now when the horses croup is in , whether upon a little gallop , or terra a terra , here his hinder-leggs are alwayes short of his fore-legs , because his croup is in ; but if it be le petit gallop , his action is still 1 , 2 , 3 , & 4. because it is a gallop . but in terra a terra , the action is but two , a 1 & 2 pa : ta : like a corvet , but only prest forward : a corvet is a leap upward , and higher ; and terra a terra a leap forward , and lower ; and his inward leggs that lead more before his outward leggs , being another action than a corvet . secondly , corvets , a demy-ayre , a groupado , a balatado , or a capriol , are all but a leap upward ; for all his four leggs are in the ayre , as his fore-parts are falling . and there are no more artificial motions than these two ; terra a terra , and these ayres last-mentioned . the ordering of the cavezone my way , and the operation and use of it . take one of the reins , which must be long , and a little ring at one end , and put the other end into that ring , and so put it about the pommel , and then put the rest down by the fore-bolster of the saddle under your thigh ; and the rest of the rein put through the ring on the same side of the cavezone , and so bring it back again , either to be in your hand , or tie it to the pommel straight ; and do the same with the other rein in all things , as i told you with this. the cavezone is to stay , to raise , and to make the horse leight ; to teach him to turn , to stop , to firm his neck , to assure and adjust his head , and his croup , without offending his mouth , or the place of the curb ; and also to supple and help his shoulders , and his leggs and feet before . therefore i would use it to all horses whatsoever ; for they will go much better with the bitt alone , having their mouth preserved , and made so sensible , as they will be attentive to all the motions of the hand : so that there is nothing for the exercise of the mannage like it , with a canon a la pignatel , the branches a la conestable , and the cavezone together : but then the cavezone must be my way , as i told you ; and that doth so supple them , and is so right , as it makes all horses whatsoever , if you work them upon their trott , gallop , stopping , and going back , with passeger , and raising them as you ought , and according to the rules of art : for this makes them subject to the sense of feeling , which is the sence we ought to work on ; to feel the hand , and to feel the heels , which is all ; and not to the sense of the sight , which is the routin of the pillars , or the sense of noise , which is the routin of hearing , but only the sense of feeling , and only of those two places , which is the mouth and the sides . seeing is all the art when they teach horses tricks , and gambals , like bankes's horse ; and though the ignorant admire them , yet those persons shall never teach a horse to go well in the mannage . there are many things in the sense of feeling , which are to be done with so great art , witt , and judgement , and require so great experience of the several dispositions of horses , that it is not every mans case to be an horse-man , as it is to make a dogg or a horse dance : but i am contented to let the ignorant talk , and think what they will , for i am not concerned with their folly. the cavezon's inward rein tyed short to the pommel my way , is excellent to give a horse an apuy , and settle him upon the hand , and make him firm , and his head steady : so it is excellent for a horse that is too hard on the hand ; for the cavezon's rein being always within the turn tyed very straight to the pommel , keeps him from resting too much on the bitt , which makes him leight , and firm on the hand . the inward cavezone's rein tied short to the pommel , is excellent also to supple a horse's shoulders , which is the best thing that can be ; for it gives apuy where there is none , and where there is too much apuy , it takes it away , and supples his shoulders extreamly , which is an excellent thing ; it also makes a horse gallop very right , with his leggs , as also his leggs very right for terra a terra ; for it lengthens his leggs within the turn , and shortens his leggs without the turn , which is right as it should be . so it is good for working his shoulders in all kindes , and his croup last , legg and rein of a side , as also to work legg and rein contrary , in all kinds of several lessons . and this is the rarety of tying the inward cavezone's rein short to the pommel . the cavezone ( my way ) works powerfully upon the nose , and so hath the greater pull to give the horse the greater ply and bent , being the part the farthest off from your hand . and this ply , or bent , is from his nose to his withers , which is to bend his neck , and works too on the shoulders , this is to bent into the turn ; it pulls his head down too , and makes him look into the turn ; his head being pulled down when he is prest , puts him more upon the hanches . this is done with the inward rein of the cavezone pulled hard , and straight , and so tied to the pommel , which keeps it at a stay , and is stronger than ones hand , and hath the same operation as i told you before ; but when it is tied to the pommel , it still keeps the right bent of the horse , and then i work upon the bitt , either with the reins separated with both my hands , or else in my left hand only when he is thus bent : when i would passeger him , his croup in , large or narrow , then i help with the outward rein of the bridle ; because it is upon the action of a trott , and that is cross ; and therefore must have his leggs free without the turn , to lap over his inward leggs ; and when he is thus tied with the inward cavezones rein , if i would have him to go le petit gallop , his croup in , or terra a terra , then i help with the inward rein of the bridle , my hand on the outside of his neck , and my knuckles towards his neck , to put him on the outside of the turn : but le petit gallop sometimes on the inside , because it is a gallop , as the outward rein puts him on the inside of the turn ; all this is with his croup in. if to trott or gallop d'une piste , large or narrow circles , the inward cavezone's rein still tyed to the pommel , then i help with the inward rein , and inward legg , or outward rein to narrow him before : if the piroite , with the outward rein ; if demy-voltoes upon passadoes , the outward rein ; for all leaps , the outward rein ; for corvets and demy-ayres , the outward rein ; for corvets backward , the outward rein ; for corvets forward , the outward rein ; for terra a terra , in his length , the inward rein : and so passadoes , the inward rein. so , stopping , and going back , the inward rein. all these with the inward rein of the cavezone tyed straight to the pommel , which is the best thing in the world , and then help with the several reins of the bridle , as occasion offers you , and as i have told you for all these several things . so that the inward cavezon's rein tyed to the pommel , or else in your hand , is , for all things whatsoever ; croup , in or out ; trott , gallop , passager ; all ayres , stopping , going back , passadoes ; or any thing in the world that is in the mannage : for without it no horse can be perfectly drest , in any kind , to have the ply of his neck , and to supple his shoulders , to look into the turn , to have his leggs go right , as they ought to do in all actions ; his body rightly bent , to be part of the circle he goes in , and bent that way . so it is all in all for every thing , every ayre , and every action the horse can make . the cavezone being upon the nose , preserves the horse's mouth , and barrs , and place of the curb ; and it is so effectual , as it will dress a horse without the bitt , which the bitt shall never do without the cavezone ; for the barrs and the curb are too tender : besides , the reins of the bitt can never give him the ply , nor bend him enough , nor supple his shoulders , because it is so near you , and works upon the barrs and the curb ; which cannot bend him possibly so , as that upon his nose , because the branches of the bitt are so slow , and the barrs and the curb so low , that there is not room enough to pull as with a cavezone , that is so much higher ; and hath so much room to pull , and pulls and plyes him , all from his nose to his shoulders , when the other can do little more than pull his musle , and his head , and goes no further : the cavezone's rein within is for every thing , the bitt otherwise . to supple his shoulders , you must help with the outward rein , and to stay his outward shoulder with the inward rein ; which hath not near the force the cavezone's rein hath for every thing : therefore use it in all things , and with all horses , colts , half-drest horses , ready horses , young , middle-age , old , and every horse , and all horses ; for there is no dressing horses without it , and with it you will dress all horses whatsoever , and of what disposition soever ; weak , middle-strength , or strong , and reduce all vices with it ; and when you use the bitt , they will go much the better , for having been wrought continually with the cavezone . observations about the cavezone , about the ply , or bending the horse's shoulders into the turn ; and in what place the cheeks of the bitt then are , or where they rest . when the inward rein of the cavezone is tyed hard to the pommel , and you pull the inward rein of the bridle , his neck bends so much into the turn , whether upon large circles , his croup out , or his croup in , as then the cheek of the bitt , that is next the turn , is beyond the inside of his neck or shoulder , and the outward cheek , removed according to the distance of the cheeks , which is much more than the midst of his neck : and this ply supples his neck and shoulders extreamly , makes him look into the turn ; head , body , leggs , and all going most justly , as they ought to do , whether his croup in , or out . and this is the quintessence of the mannage ; and without this no horse can be drest perfectly , or can go justly in any kind , either upon the ground , or in ayres ; nor possibly do any thing right upon the circles , or voltoes without it . i told you this was , with the cavezone , the inward rein tyed so short to the pommel , as pulls in his head and neck so much , that it makes the inward cheek of the bitt very much within his neck , on the inside of the turn ; because the cavezone works on his nose , and not on his barrs , or curb , at all ; and that 's the reason the inward cheek of the bitt comes so much beyond his neck on the inside of the turn . of the operation of the cavezone . the cavezone is another business than the bitt ; for the bitt works upon the barrs , and the curb , and hath two cheeks whereunto unto the reins are fastned on both sides the horses neck ; and the bitt is in his mouth , and the curb is under his chin ; and these low , especially the branches : but the cavezone is upon his nose , which is much higher , and works only there , without mouth or curb . well then , the cavezone being tyed according to my fashion , though it be to the girths , if you pull it cross his neck , with an oblique line , your hand on the outside of the turn , your knuckles towards his neck , it pulls his head up a little , and works the same effect , for the bending his neck , as the bitt doth , but much more ; because you have a greater pull , the cavezone being upon his nose ; and , being further off you than the bitt , he is bent the more ; because you have more power to pull . consider , that when the inward rein of the cavezone is tyed to the pommel , it is the same oblique line that the other was , when you had it in your hand , only a little shorter , and hath the same operation in every thing , and pulls up his head a little ; but now , if you have it in your hand , and hold it on the inside of the turn , and pull it hard , and low , then you pull down the horses head , and he brings in his outward shoulder , which is good in large circles , either upon trotting , or galloping , or upon passager , for the reasons i told you before ; so that the cavezone , and the bitt , differ so much in their operative working , that when you pull the cavezone a little high , it puts up the horses head ; and when you pull the bitt high , and hard , it pulls down his head ; and when you hold the cavezone low , and on the inside of the turn , and pull it hard , it pulls down the horses head ; and if you hold your hand low with the bridle , it gives his head liberty , for the reasons aforesaid . now you see , that the cavezone , and the bitt , differ in their working very much ; so great is the difference betwixt the nose and the mouth . it is true , that the inward cavezone's rein tyed to the pommel , is so rare a thing , and so effectual , as you may almost work as you list , with the bridle ; the cavezone still doing the business ; and when one comes to work with the bridle alone , one may easily be deceived ; except he hath all those considerations , the excellency of the cavezone , thus tied , may deceive him , when he comes to work with the bitt alone . there are three several helps with the inward cavezone's rein in your hand : the first help , is , to pull in his outward shoulder ; the second help , with it , is , to pull in his inward shoulder ; and the third help , with it , is , to stay his shoulders . curious and true observations about the working of the bitt alone , which being not truly considered , no man can work with the bitt as he ought to do . but to work only with the reins of the bridle , which work upon the bitt , is another business ; for now i consider what the bitt is , which is another engine , that works upon the horses barrs , and the curb ; and the two branches are like leavers to work on those two places : as the reins pull the cheeks , either the inward cheek , or the outward cheek ; the barrs , and the place of the curb , is much lower than his nose , on which the cavezone works ; and the rings where the reins of the bridle are fastned , at the ends of the cheeks , are much lower than the barrs , or the curb ; but as the cheeks are pull'd by the reins of the bridle , so doth the bitt work upon the barrs , or the curb , accordingly . as for example ; on the right hand , the reins separated in both your hands , if you pull the inward rein from his neck on the inside , then you pull the inward cheek into the turn , and then the mouth of the bitt goes out , and presses the horse on his barrs , without the turn ; and makes the horse look out of the turn , and presses the curb on the outside , and must of necessity do so ; for when the cheeks are pulled in , the mouth of the bitt must go out : for of what side soever the cheeks are pulled , the mouth of the bitt goes still contrary to the cheeks , and must do so in all reason ; the bitt being an instrument that is made so to do , and it cannot be otherwise . the same operation it hath for the left hand : if you pull the inward rein from his neck , the mouth goes still contrary to the cheek ; the cheek goes inward , and the mouth goes outward , and the horses leggs are prest on the inside of the turn ; therefore in terra a terra , the reins separated in both my hands , i pull the inward rein beyond his neck , my knuckles towards his neck , which pulls the inward cheek to me , and then the mouth goes contrary ; that is , the cheek is put from the turn , and the mouth bends into the turn , and the horse looks into the turn as he should do , and the horses leggs prest on the outside of the turn , on the left hand : the inward rein pull'd thus , hath the same operation ; your hand being on the outside of his neck , and your knuckles towards his neck , pulls the inward cheek from the turn , and the mouth of the bitt goes into the turn , alwayes contrary , and cannot be otherwise ; it presses the horse on the inside of the barrs , and on the inside of the curb , and so looks into the turn ; and his leggs are prest on the outside of the turn , which is proper for terra a terra . and thus working with the bitt , produces many excellent things , for terra a terra , as i have particularly set down afore . of the working with the outward rein of the bridle . now let us consider the working with the outward rein of the bridle , what operation that hath on the barrs , curb , and cheeks ; which cheeks governs barrs and curb : as for example ; going on the right hand , i turn my hand on the inside of his neck , this pulls the outward rein ; pulling the outward rein , pulls the outward cheek to me ; then of necessity it must put the mouth of the bitt from me , and presses the horse on the outside of the barrs , which is on the outside of the turn , and so presses him on the out-side of the curb , and so the horse must look on the outside of the turn ; and all this is , because the cheeks are pull'd to you on the outside ; therefore the mouth of the bitt must go from you ; still contrary , and never fails , nor cannot : for , it is impossible it should work otherwise ; but it is true , that it supples , and brings in his shoulders . the reason is this , the horses leggs are prest on the inside of the turn , and then he must needs bring in his shoulders , though he is prest to look out of the turn . the same thing is for the left hand , and the same reasons for every thing , working with the outward rein of the bridle . thus the bitt and reins are truly anatomized , which never was before : the outward rein doth well for the piroite , and so for demy-voltoes upon passadoes . of the the working the bitt when the horse goes straight forward . when the horse goes straight forward , either trotting , galloping , or upon corvets , if you hold your hand low , it presses more upon the barrs , than the curb , because the cheeks of the bitt are not pull'd so much to you , or to the neck of the horse ; and therefore the curb is not straightned so much , and so the horse is at more liberty , and his head a little higher : but when you hold your bridle-hand a little higher , and pull it up to you , then the curb works more , and pulls down the horses head ; the reason is plain ; for when you pull the cheeks hard , and up , then you pull the mouth of the bitt down ; and so the horses head , because it works hard on the curb : for it is most true , that when the cheeks of the bitt are pull'd up , the mouth goes down , and straightens the curb , the hand being high ; and when the cheeks are not pull'd hard , then the curb is slackt , and the horses head at more liberty ; for the pressure of the barrs and curb , depends upon the cheeks ; for when the cheeks goe up , the mouth of the bitt goes down ; and when the cheeks of the bitt goe down , the mouth of the bitt goes up. this is the operation , and the effects , of the bitt . of another operation of the bitt . i must tell you , that the cheeks lie slope to you , and the reins more slope , before they come to your hand ; so the bitt cannot press very much on the horse , being so farr from the perpendicular-line : and as the cheeks are pull'd up , the mouth goes down ; and as the cheeks goe down , the mouth goes up ; alwayes contrary . the perpendicular-line , is , when you thrust your hand forward just perpendicular , to the end of the cheeks , and so pull it up hard , and it works extreamly upon the curb , which is to pull his head down . this i never use ; but thought fit to tell you what it is , and the effects of it . of the operation of the two reins separated in both hands . i told you , the inward rein prest the horse on the outside of the turn , and made him look into the turn . and i told you , the outward rein prest the horse on the inside of the turn , and made him look out of the turn ; and for passager , he must be prest on the inside , and therefore to be help't with the outward rein : but to make him look into the turn , i help with the inward rein too ; so i help with both reins in passager ; the inward rein to make him look into the turn , and the outward rein to bring in his outward shoulder , and to press him on the inside , for many reasons that i have already exprest . to work with the bridle in the left hand only . your little finger separating the reins , the left rein lies under the little finger , and the right rein lies above the little finger ; so that for the left hand , the hand on the contrary side of his neck , the knuckles towards his neck , you pull the little finger to you , and that straightens the left rein : and for the right rein , because that lies above the little finger , your hand on the outside , your knuckles towards his neck : here you must bend your hand inward , and then your little finger slacker ; and this works the right rein , as the left rein the little finger straightned , and the ring-finger slack't ; and because the horses body should not rise too high , keep the bridle-hand low , and that will put him upon the hanches : and this is the truth and quintessence of the bridle-hand , for the inward rein of either side . of the operation of the outward rein of the bridle . for the right hand , you must turn up your little finger ; and as you put it up , put it a little on the inside of the turn ; but you must bring in your outward shoulder at the same time : and for the left hand , turn up your little finger , and your thumb down . as you did before ; and at the same time put it on the inside of the turn , and bring in your outward shoulder moderately . the reins being both in your left hand , how to work them both at one time for passager . for the right hand , put your hand on the outside : and for the left hand , put your hand without his neck on the inside of the turn , and that pulls and works , the outward rein. so now you see , on both hands , how you can perfectly work both reins at one time , which is the quintessence of passager ; the reasons i have told you afore . of the vse of the two reins of the bridle . you must help with the outward rein of the bridle in the piroite , because his fore-parts are straightned , and his hinder-parts at liberty ; so you must help with the outward rein of the bridle for demy-voltoes , and in passadoes by a wall ; because his fore-parts are straightned , and his hinder-parts at liberty , being but half a piroite ; so you must help with the outward rein of the bridle , in corvets backward upon a straight line , his fore-parts being straightned ; and his hinder-parts at liberty , because they lead : so you must help with the outward rein of the bridle , in all leaps , croupadoes , balotadoes , and capriols ; either forward , or upon voltoes ; because his fore-parts are straightned , and his croup at liberty , or else he could not leap. for terra a terra , you must help with the inward rein of the bridle ; because then his hinder-parts are straightned , and his fore-parts inlarged ; so with the inward rein for demy-voltoes , because his hinder-parts are straightned , and his fore-parts inlarged : but in corvets upon voltoes , the outward rein , because his hinder-parts are subjected , and his fore-parts inlarged , and so forward ; in corvets with the outward rein , because there his hinder-parts are subjected , and his fore-parts are inlarged , and at liberty to go forward , because they lead . observations how to hold the reins of the bridle . whensoever you hold your hand even with the pommel , it slackens the curb ; if in the middle of the pommel , it is slacken'd more ; if upon his neck , it is slackned most , because it is farthest from the perpendicular line ; and the higher you hold your bridle-hand above the pommel , the curb is straightned the more ; because you can pull harder , and go neerer , by that means , to the perpendicular line . the hand should never be above two or three fingers above the pommel , a little forwarder , and easie , but firm ; for there is nothing makes a horse go more of the hanches , than a light hand , and firm ; for when he hath nothing to rest on before , he will rest behind ; for , he will rest on something ; and when he rests behind , that 's upon the hanches : a leight hand is the greatest secret we have ; but there is no horse can be firm of the hand , except he suffers the curb , and obey it . here ends the quintessence of working with the cavezone , and the bridle . my opinion for spurrs . the spurrs ought rather to be long-neckt , than short neckt ; because with long-neckt spurrs , the rider makes less motion , either in correcting , or helping his horse , which a good horse-man should alwayes do ; for he that is the quietest on horse-back , is the greatest master ; for ill horse-men cannot sit still on horse-back . the fashion of the spurrs should be a la conestable , the wansnot too long , and compas'd , and black sanguine ; the buckles and rowels of silver , not burnisht ; because they do not rust as iron , and therefore ranckles not a horses sides so much . the rowels should contain six points , for that hits a horse best ; five points are too few : and the rowells should be as sharp as possible can be ; for it is much better to let him bleed freely , than with dull spurrs to raise knobs and bunches on his side , which might give him the farsey ; but bleeding can do him no hurt , when dull spurrs may : besides , there is nothing doth a horse so much good , as to make him smart , when you correct him : there is , therefore , nothing like sharp spurrs , being used discreetly , to make all horses whatsoever know them , fear them , and obey them ; for until they suffer , with obedience , the spurrs , they are but half horses , and never drest . the shambriere is too dull a thing ; and so are all whips , hand-whips , and all ; whips of wyre fetch blood , but not in the right place , as spurrs do . a bulls-pisle is good for a colt , before you wear spurrs , but afterward it is too dull ; a smart rod is much better than any of them ; but the spurrs beyond all . of the several corrections , and helps with the spurrs . first , the correction of the spurrs being a punishment comes after a fault is committed , either to put in his buttock or croup , when he puts it out ; or else to put it out , when he puts it too much in , when he should be entier ; this is to be done with one spur , and sometimes with both spurrs : he is to be corrected with both spurrs when he is resty , and will not go forward ; or to settle him on the hand , when he joggles his head , then both the spurrs will do him good ; or when he is apprehensive , and ombrageux , the spurrs may do him good ; or that he offers to bite or strike , then the spurrs will divert him ; or that he rises too high , or boltes , then give him the spurrs ; when he is falling half-way down , then the spurrs will cure him ; but if you give him the spurrs , just when he is rising , then it may bring him over , if he will not advance , which is to rise before ; then a good stroke with both the spurrs , will make him rise ; if he be a dull jade , then smartly to give him the spurrs is good ; or that he is lazy , or slack of his mannage , then to give him the spurrs quickens him . and so the spurrs are for many things as a correction , and therefore you must give them as strongly , and sharply , still as you can , with all your strength ; and have very sharp spurrs too , that he may feel them to the purpose , so that blood may follow ; for otherwise it is not a correction : you must strike the horse always some three or four fingers behind the girthes , and sometimes towards the flancks , if it he be to put in his croup : and , believe it , there is nothing like the spurrs ; for , what makes him sensible to the heel , but the spurrs ? therefore use them , and use them until he obey you ; for no horse can be a ready-horse , until he obeys the heel . but , remember you do not dull him with the spurrs ; for then he will not care for them no more than a stone , or a block ; therefore you must give them sharply , when you give them ; but give them but seldom , and upon just occasion . when he maliciously rebell 's against what you would have him do , leave not spurring of him , and soundly , until he obey you : and when he obeys you in the least kind , leight off , and send him to the stable , and the next morning try him again ; and if he obey in the least kind , cherish him , and make much of him ; and forgive him many faults the next morning , that he may see you have mercy as well as justice , and that you can reward , as well as punish . and now you see , corrections are better than helps , and of what great efficacy the spurrs timely and discreetly given , are for the dressing of horses ; for there is but the hand and the heels , and so the spurrs are half the business in dressing horses ; only the hand hath the preheminence : though there be two spurrs , and but one bridle , because the horse hath but one mouth , and two sides ; yet , if the horse be not settled upon the hand , you cannot make him subject to the heels . but the correction of the spurrs is so necessary , and effectual , as no horse can be made a ready-horse without them ; and therefore esteem them highly , next setling a horse upon the hand ; which must be first . all helps are to prevent faults , and to go before faults ; as corrections come after faults , to punish for offending . the spurrs are to be used as a help thus ; when the horse goes terra a terra , your outward legg close to him when he slacks , turn your heel to him to pinch him with the spurrs ; which you may easily do , even to blood , and no body perceive it ; for that ought to be done neatly , and delicately , because the spurrs are a neat , and most excellent help , and the quintessence of all helps in the mannage ; and if the horse suffer and obey this , whilst you stay him on the hand , you may say , he is an excellent horse . this quickens him , and puts him forward ; but yet let me tell you , though this is an excellent help for terra a terra , yet it is not so good a help for terra a terra , as it is for all ayres ; either to pinch him with both the spurrs , or but with one : and the reason , is , because it makes him croup more , and puts him together on his hinder-parts , than puts him forward ; and therefore more proper for all manner of ayres , than for terra a terra , though very good for both . and thus much for that excellent help with the spurrs , call'd pinching . there is another help with the spurrs , which i call a help , because it is not so violent as a correction , and is not so pressing as pinching ; but between spurring and pinching ; and that is thus : when the horse gallops his croup in , or terra a terra , if he obeys not the legg enough , being close to him , or very near it , then make the motion with your legg , as if you did spurr him , and hit him with your spurr , with as gentle a touch as can be ; and no more than to let him feel it a little ; and this is the gentlest of all things , with the spurrs , which makes him obey the spurrs , and puts him forward , and is excellent for terra a terra , or le petit gallop his croup in , and much better than pinching ; for it puts him forward , and makes him obey the spurrs at the same time ; but it is not good for ayres ; for there he should leap upwards , and go forward , but very little ; and therefore pinching is best for ayres , because it raises his croup , and therefore goes not forward ; and that little touch with the spur , like spurring , is good for terra a terra , and le petit gallop his croup in , because it puts him forward , and makes him obey the spur. if your horse understands this correction , and the two several helps with the spurrs , being made sensible to him , you may be well assured he will need none of them after a while , but be so sensible , as he will go freely , and obey you willingly , only with the calf of your legg ; for the help of the thighes is a ridiculous conceit : for indeed , there is no helps but the spurrs , and the calf of the leggs , that the horse can possibly feel . of the secret helps of the calf of the legg and spvrrs . when you are stiff in the hamms , which is putting down your heel , then the calf of the legg comes to the horse , but the heel is removed from him . when you bend in the hamms , which is to put down your toes , then the calf of the legg is removed from him , but the heel comes to him . these are as great truths , as they are secrets . there is nothing in the world makes horses resty and vitious many several wayes like the spurrs , given out of time ; and nothing in the world dresses horses perfectly , like the spurrs given in time . now you have the perfection of the hand and the heels , which is the only thing to dress horses perfectly withal , and nothing else . of the rod. the rod we use seldome for a correction , but for helps , and that many times more for grace , than use ; for one rod will serve us half a year : 't is the hand and the heels that dresses horses , and nothing else . the helps with the rod , are not so good for souldiers horses , for they should go only with the hand and the heel ; for the sword must be in your right hand , and not the rod : but you may use it , to shew it still on the contrary side on which he goes , or hold it up with a grace at every change. for terra a terra with the rod. on the right hand , hold up your rod high , with a grace , and give him somtimes a blow on the shoulders , if there be need ; and sometimes a blow over the shoulders upon the croup , if he requires it . for terra a terra on the left hand , hold the rod up high , or put it to his flanck , with a grace , and hold it there during his voltoes , or give him a blow with it on the flank , or on the shoulder , if he requires it . use the same helps with the rod , upon demy-voltoes , or passadoes : for the piroite , hold it on the contrary side still . for corvets with the rod. on the right hand in voltoes , hold the rod somewhat short , and help him cross the neck , with a grace , sometimes touching him , and sometimes not ; and a good blow now and then , if he requires it : on the left hand in corvets , help him on the right shoulder , with a grace , and a just time . another help with the rod in corvets , is , to hold the rod a little long , and to whisk , and shake it forwards and backwards , with your arm up , but not straight , rather bowing a little in the elbow : when you go forward , the horse's right side to the wall ; there is no help with the rod more graceful , than to strike the wall perpetually with the rod. to help with the rod in all manner of leaps . to whisk the rod forward , and backward , is a graceful help , but it forces a horse a little too forward , until he be used to it . to help the horse with the rod , not over your shoulder , but over the bent of your arm , your arm from your body , and a little bowed , so that the point of the rod falls in the middle of his croup , is a graceful help , but somewhat difficult to do . but the best and surest help , though not so graceful , is , to turn the rod in your hand , the point toward the horses croup , and help him so every time , and in time , one stroke only ; but if he raises not his croup enough , then help him de tout temps , which is with two or three strokes together , in time : and this is the surest help . if your horse be very leight behind , which few are , then help him only before with the rod , and in time. if you would make your horse only croup with his hinder-parts , and not strike out , then help him on the middle of his croup ; if you would have him strike out , then help him with your rod , on the setting on of his dock : and if you would have him put both his hinder-leggs under his belly , then strike him with the rod a little above the gambrels . so these three several helps with the rod , makes your horse to croop , to strike out , and to put his hinder-leggs under his belly . but there is no help with the rod , like helping him with two rods ; one to raise him before , and the other rod to help him under his belly ; which puts him so much upon the hanches , as nothing is like it , or near it , upon corvets , when he is tyed short , my new way , at the single pillar . of the voice . the voice is used three manner of ways ; either as a correction , by threatning ; or as a help , to incourage the horse ; or as a courtship to him , by flattering of him ; which all three , we seldom or never use : for it is not the sense of hearing , or sight ; but the sense of touch , and only the hand , and the heels , that dresses horses perfectly . of the tongue . the help of the tongue is an excellent help to incourage , and put a horse together , either in terra a terra ; but especially in all ayres , nothing better . how horses are to be rewarded & punished : and that fear doth much ; love , little. it is impossible to dress any horse , but first he must know , and acknowledge me to be his master , by obeying me : that is , he must fear me , and out of that fear , love me , and so obey me . for it is fear makes every body obey , both man and beast ; and therefore see that he fears you , and then it is for his own sake he obayes you ; because else he would be punished : and love is not so sure a hold , for there i depend upon his will ; but when he fears me , he depends upon mine ; and that 's a ready-horse : but if i depend upon his will , that 's a ready-man . therefore love doth no good , but fear doth all : and so let them fear you , which is the ground of dressing all horses whatsoever . and this is the counsel of a friend . pluvinel , and most of the great masters in horse-manship , praise alwayes gentleness , and flatteries , and making much of horses , either by clapping , stroking them , or speaking flatteringly unto them , or giving them some reward to eat : and pluvinel sayes , one ought to be a prodigal in caressing , and making much of them , and a niggard in corrections , and careful not to offend them ; and that there is no other way to dress horses but this . but some horse-men never make much of them , or very rarely ; neither abroad , before they get up , when they ride them , nor when they light , nor in the stable ; and yet these horses go well . they do not threaten them with the voyce , or ever speak to them , and no doubt but they do it on purpose to keep them in subjection , and fear of them : for familiarity breeds contempt ; and curtesie doth no good , but makes them presume ; and makes them diligent still to obey . neither do they use the rod at all ; no more do i ; for one rod will serve me almost a year ; nor use the voyce , but a good hand , and good heels , which only dresses horses ; and seldom lets a fault escape without punishment . when they have corrected them one morning , it may be they will spur them the next morning ; but otherwise never correct them without a fault ; and if they make none , they are not punisht ; and there 's their reward . certainly this may be good for dressing of horses . for my part , when they do well , i cherish and reward them ; and when they do ill , i punish them ; for , hope of reward , and fear of punishment , governs this whole world ; not only men , but horses : and thus they will chuse the reward , and shun the punishment . they are punisht with nothing but the spurrs ; for all whipps , even of wyre , chambrieres , or bulls-pisles , are toyes . the rod is more for grace than use ; but reward , or no reward , is nothing at all in comparison of the art of riding : for , let an ignorant fellow ( which most are for any thing i can perceive ) flatter his horse , and not punish him ; or punish him , and not flatter him ; or punish and flatter him ; yet i will not flatter the rider , but will tell you , he shall spoil your horse , let him do what he will ; because he wants art. opposition in horses against the rider , a signe of strength and spirit . be not discouraged if your horse do oppose you , for it shews strength , spirit , and stomack ; and a horse having all those , cannot chuse but be made a ready-horse , if he be under the discipline of an understanding hand , and knowing heels . when a horse doth not rebel , it shews weakness , and faintness of spirit , and no courage ; and where nature is so much wanting , it is hard for art to supply it : but truly i never knew any horse in my life , but before he was perfectly drest , would rebel , and extreamly too , and a great while before he would go freely ; but a little still , against his will , until he be perfectly drest . certainly there is no horse but will strive at the first in the dressing , to have his own will , rather than to obey your will ; nor doth any horse love subjection , nor any other creature , until there is no remedy , and then they obey ; and the custom of obedience makes them ready-horses : they will strive all the wayes possibly they can , to be free , and not subjected ; but when they see it will not be , then they yield , and not before . so they deserve no thanks for their obedience . no man in the world , no , not the wisest , if he were put in the form of a horse , with his supreme understanding , could possibly find out more subtle wayes to oppose a man , than a horse will ; nay , nor near so many , i dare say : whence i conclude , that the horse must know you are his master ; that is , he must fear you , and then he will love you for his own sake : fear is the sure hold ; for fear doth all things in this world : love , little ; and therefore let your horse fear you . what makes a horse go by rote , or routine . that which makes a horse go by rote , or routine , is absolutely his eyes ; and therefore i would advise you , to have as few marks as you can in the mannage : that is , no pillars but in the out-side , and there but one for my way upon ayres , and that will not fix his sight ; so that then he will attend the hand and the heel : nor too near the walls , for then his eyes will attend them ; nor to make him go in one place alwayes ; for there his eyes will make him go by rote again : but several places will make him attend the hand and the heel . and this way , and no other , will cure him of going by rote . that a horse of three years old is too young for the mannage . a young horse of three years old , is but a gristle , and easily spoyl'd ; and besides , his understanding is not comn to him ; so that wanting understanding , and being so weak , you must have patience to stay three years more at the least , until he hath both : stops , and going back , will strain his back , and spoil him : so that i would rather have a horse of six , seven , or eight years old , so he be sound and not vitious , than a horse of three years old ; for i can force him , and make him a ready-horse in three months . but some will say boyes learn best , and so coltes : i answer , no ; for if men could be beaten to it , as boyes are , they would learn much better , and sooner : but i can force my horses of those years ; and having both understanding , and strength , they will and must of necessity learn much sooner and better . how a man should sit perfectly on horse-back . before he mounts his horse , he must see every thing in order about the horse ; which is done in an instant , without peering and prying about every thing ; as they say , pour faire l'entendu . when he is in the saddle , ( for i suppose most men know how to get up ) he must sit down in the saddle upon his twist , and not on his buttocks ; though most think nature made those to sit on , but not on horse-back . being plac'd upon his twist , in the middle of the saddle , advancing towards the pommel of the saddle , as much as he can ; leaving a handful of space between his hinder-parts and the cantle , or l'arson of the saddle , his leggs being straight down , as if he were on foot , his knees and thighes turned inwards to the saddle ; holding both of them fast , as if they were glewed to the saddle , ( for a horse-man hath nothing but those two with the counterpoize of his body to keep him on horse-back ) his feet planted firmly upon the stirrups ; his heels a little lower than his toes , that the end of his toes may pass the stirrups half an inch , or a little more , and stiff in the hamms , or jarrets , his leggs not too far from the horse's sides , nor too near , that is , not to touch them ; which is of great use for helps , that i will shew you hereafter . the reins of the bridle are to be in the left-hand , his little finger separating the reins , and grasping the rest in his hand , with his thumb upon the reins , his arm bent close to his body , but not constrain'd ; his bridle-hand some three fingers above the pommel , and some two fingers before the pommel , that the pommel may not hinder the reins in their working , and just over the neck of the horse . in the right-hand , he must have a whistling rod , not too long , like an angle-rod ; nor too short , like a poinson ; but , if either , let it be for there are many graceful helps with a short rod , that a long rod will not admit of : you must hold it a little off , from that end beyond your hand ; not only to make much of your horse with it , but to hold it the faster . the right hand , where the rod is , ought to be a little before your bridle-hand , and the right arm a little looser , than your left arm ; but not too far from your body , the point of the rod bending a little inwards , your brest out . you must look a little gay , and pleasantly , but not laughing ; and look directly between the horses ears , when he goes forwards : i do not mean , you should be stiff , like a stake , or like a statue on horse-back , but much otherwise ; that is , free , and with all the liberty in the world , as the french-man sayes , in dancing , a la negligence ; and so i would have a man on horse-back , en cavalier , and not formal ; for that shewes a scholler , more than a master ; and i never saw any formality , but me-thought it lookt something of the simple and foolish . the seat is so much , ( as you shall see hereafter ) as it is the only thing that makes a horse go perfectly ; and the very manner of sitting is beyond all other helps : therefore despise it not , for i dare boldly say , he that is not bel homme de cheval , shall never be bon homme de cheval . for , the reins both of the bridle and the cavezone , i have shewed you that which was never yet known before : and so this is enough for the seat of the cavalier . the secret helps of the horse-mans body . you must sit straight upon the twist , and always keep your self so , what action soever the horse makes ; and to that end , you should always go to that which comes to you , which is a contrary action . as for example ; the horse rises before , then you must put your body a little forward to him ; for , did you go along with the horse , you must put it backward . if the horse strikes behind , or raises his croup , you must put your body backwards , which is contrary to the horses motion ; for , did you follow the horse , you must put your body forward , and be thrown : but the best , is , to sit straight , and the action of the horse will keep you on your twist . you must understand , that the body on horse — back , is divided into three parts , two moveable , and one immoveable : the moveable is the body to the waste ; the immoveable , from the waste to the knees ; and the other moveable from the knees to the foot. the bodies — helps are to be gentle helps for all horses ; for , to sit strong on horse-back , astonishes the weak horse , makes the strong go counter-times , and forces him too much ; makes a furious horse madd ; makes a resty horse more resty ; and a horse hard on the hand , to run away , and displeases all sorts of horses . you are not neither , to sit weak on horse-back , but to sit easie ; gentle helps being best : for they fit all horses , and please all horses . the new and true method of working at first , either colts , young horses , or old ignorant horses , upon large circles d'une piste . now that you are on horse-back , know how to sit , and know all your helpes ; i will shew you how to dress your horse perfectly : which is in the manner following . the cavezone , being my way , the reins in your hand , the inward cavezone's rein pull'd hard , and low , on the inside of the turn ; legg and rein of a side that is within the turn ; which brings in the horses outward shoulder , the bridle-hand low , and a little on the out-side , or in-side , as you see occasion : this gives the horse a good apuy , working more on the barrs than on the curb , though it works on both . the horses croup being out , and pulling in his outward shoulder , presses the horse on the inside , and fits him to gallop large , d'une piste ; as also for a trot , to supple his shoulders , being prest . the inside puts him upon the shoulders , which gives him an apuy , and supples his shoulders extreamly , which is the first thing you must work on ; for , without suppling a horses shoulders extreamly , he can never do any thing ; for that is the first and principal business , and nothing doth it like the cavezone ( my way . ) give him no other lesson than this , until he be very supple on the shoulders upon his trot ; for that is the foundation of all things in the mannage , to supple him , and make him leight ; and never gallop him until he be so leight , as he offers to gallop of himself ; and this trotting , and galloping large , as they call it , d'une piste , though his croup be out , and the horse lean's so much on the inside , as you would think he would fall , he goes the surer for it . stop him but seldom ; and when you do , stay him rather by little , and little , than with a sudden stop ; for that weakens a young horses reins , and back very much ; and when he is on the hand , then put your body back to put him upon the hanches , and give him harder stops ; but then your outward legg is to put in his outward legg , or else he cannot stop upon the hanches , your outward hanch being out . of large circles upon a trot . when you work your horse upon large circles d'une piste , upon a trott , with the cavezone ( my way ) in your hand , legg and reyn on the inside , either upon large or narrow circles , d'une piste , upon his trott , where his leggs in that action are cross , you must know how they ought to go ; which is thus : his hinder-legg on the inside of the turn , and his fore-legg on the out-side of the turn , are lifted up together at a time ; and his hinder-legg on the inside of the turn , when it is set down , is set a little beyond his outward hinder-legg , and a little forwarder ; and his fore-legg without the turn , is set down at the same time , a little forwarder than his inward fore-legg , and both circularly ; and when he changes his leggs cross , then his outward hinder-legg is set before his inward hinder-legg , and his inward fore-legg before his outward fore-legg , and beyond it , and both circularly . his inward hinder-legg being set down thus , must of necessity bend , and supple his shoulders , and the cavezone's inward reyn being wrought , as i told you before , the inward legg must of necessity put out his croup , and supple his shoulders ; and thus he is bent and suppled extreamly , and can never be entier ; and his leggs always go right and truly , which is the most excellent lesson that can be . of galloping upon circles d'une piste . to work your horse d'une piste , upon large , or narrow circles , the cavezone's reyn in your hand , legg and reyn on the inside , and the outward reyn of the bridle , if need be , to supple his shoulders , pulling the inward reyn hard to bring in his outward shoulder , upon a gallop ; i will tell you how his leggs go , for a gallop is another action than a trott ; for a trott is cross , and a gallop is both of a side , always leading with his leggs within the turn , and makes four distinct times , with his four leggs , as i have shewed you before . well then , his fore-legg within the turn leads circularly , and is set down before , and beyond his outward fore-legg , and his hinder-legg within the turn follows ; but is set down a little before his outward hinder-legg , and a little 〈…〉 beyond it , which supples his shoulders ; and 〈…〉 hinder parts being put out thus , makes him gallop right , and nothing like it . this is a most excellent lesson , and 〈…〉 foundation of all things in the mannage : to trott and gallop thus , his fore-parts come 〈…〉 the center , and his hinder-parts flies it , being prest more upon the shoulders than the croup : but when he is thus prest , and supple in the shoulders , the croup is easily wrought afterwards . i must tell you , in these lessons the horse is prest , and leans extreamly on the inside of the turn , which is rare : to supple his shoulders , to walk him thus too , and stop him with your outward legg , is very good . another excellent lesson to supple a horses shovlders . go as if the horse's head was to the pillar , ( though you have none ) and on the left hand , and pull the inward cavezone's reyn hard to you ; and though he goes on the left hand , his shoulders are suppled for the right . then go on the right hand , and pull the inward cavezone's reyn hard to you ; though the horse goes on the right hand , yet his shoulders are suppled for the left. this is an admirable lesson to supple a horses shoulders ; and thus he shall never be entier . another lesson for suppling a horses shoulders upon large circles . upon large circles , his croup out ; to all the helps , both with the cavezone , bridle , reyns , leggs , and body , as i told you before ; only this is to be added , for a while , till the horse is accustomed to it . i would have you trott him without stopping of him upon his trott ; but from his trott to gallop him , le petit gallop gently ; and from his gallop to his trott again ; and though of the same hand still , yet change him from trott to gallop , and from gallop to trott , until you think it sufficient , and then stop him , either upon a trott , or gallop , which you please : this is a most excellent lesson ; not only to supple his shoulders , but to make him attend , and obey the will of his rider ; having no continued rule to fix his mind on , to go by rote , either in trotting , or galloping , but still to obey the man , as he helps or commands him to either ; and not knowing when it is , he must absolutely obey both the hand and the heel ; and so stopping sometimes upon a trott , and sometimes upon a gallop ; not knowing when he should be stopt , nor where he should be stopt , makes him still to obey the man 's both hand and heel ; and therefore a better lesson cannot be in the world ; and therefore use it : for , all our end , is , to make a horse obey the hand and the heels ; and this lesson doth it , as much as any lesson can do . if the horse retain his forces , then gallop him fast , and quick ; and then softly again , and then fast again , as occasion serves : and this softly , and quick , upon his gallop , ( not knowing when he must do either ) makes him obey both his riders hand , and heels ; which is the end of our work , and the quintessence of the mannage . when you have suppled the horse sufficiently on the shoulders , and find him hard on the hand , in not being upon the hanches ; then trot him large d'une piste , and stop him often , and good hard stops with your outward legg ; and pull him down , your body back , and when he least thinks of it ; but if he would stop of himself , put him forward without stopping of him , and stop him when he thinks not of it , and do the same upon a gallop : stop him often , and hard , and put him back sometimes , and you will find him very much upon the hanches . this is an excellent lesson , both to settle him on the hand , and to put him upon the hanches : but when you have done that , you must not continue this lesson long , for it pinches a horse very much on the back ; besides , it makes him fearful to go forward , and so may make him resty , and many inconveniencies may come of it ; therefore your own judgment must work according to occasion , when you do stop him ( as i formerly have told you : ) you must stop him upon a walk too , as well as upon a trott , or a gallop . all these lessons are only to supple a horses shoulders ; and see that you use no other lessons than these , until the horse be extreamly supple of his shoulders , and be firm on the hand : these are rare lessons , to settle a horse upon the hand , to supple his shoulders , to make him look into the turn , to trott and gallop right , ( as he should do ) both leggs , head , neck , body , and all : and , besides these , if you work , as i have told you , the horse shall never be entier ; which the italians call the credenza , which is the worst vice a horse can have , and the most dangerous . and these lessons , with the cavezone ( my way ) hath these rare operations . you must alwayes use these lessons , until the horse be extreamly supple of his shoulders , being the principal thing in dressing horses , and the first of our work : horses doth nothing but by custom , and habit , with often repetions to fortify their memories ; and by good lessons , and methodical ; and so do all men in all things that they do , good or bad : therefore give these good lessons , and repeat them often to your horse , and you will find by them benefit , and contentment : and remember , that i work upon the understanding of a horse , more than the labour of his body ; for i assure you , he hath imagination , memory , and judgement ; let the learned say what they please : i work upon those three faculties ; and that is the cause my horses go so well . here is now the end of all my lessons , in working a horse to supple his shoulders ; which if you can do , according to those lessons , then i will assure you , you have done the better half of the work , in dressing , and making up a perfect horse . the next lessons are the other half , and the easier ; which is , to make him sensible to the heels ; and those shall follow , after some certain maxims , which i will insert here , and pray you to mark , and remember them . the most certain means to unite a horses forces ; to assure , and settle his head , and his hanches ; to make him leight on the hand ; and to make him capable of all justness and firmness in all sorts of ayres , and mannages ; depends absolutely on the perfection on the stop ( as i have told you ; ) but first he must be loosen'd and suppl'd upon the trott . going back is a remedy , to put him upon the hanches ; to accommodate , and adjust his hinder-feet ; and settle him on the hand ; and to make him leight before ; to stop leightly , and in just proportion . you must never gallop your horse , until he be so leight upon his trott , as he begins to gallop of himself : for the exercise of the trott , is the first , and most necessary foundation to make him leight ; and is the ground of every lesson , which can make the horse adroit , and obedient ; and on which must be the foundation of all sorts of mannages . the property of the gallop , is , to give him a good apuy , and to settle his head ; and if he have too much fougue , or fire , le petit gallop will appease him , and give him patience ; and if he playes too much on the back , it will take it off : but all upon large circles : it tempers his spirits , makes him well-winded , and takes away his too-violent apprehensions , and diverts him from evil designes of jades tricks ; of restiness , and double-heart , and supples all his members . excellent notes to make an end of the working of the horses shovlders . having shewed you , how you should work , and supple the horses shoulders , with the cavezone's reyn in your hand , and not tied to pommel , which is the better half of our work ; i will shew you the other half ; which is , to make him obey the heels , and work both shoulders and croup together ; the cavezone's reyn still in your hand , and not tied to the pommel . to work the horses croup and shoulders together , is , with the inward reyn , and outward legg ; the inward reyn of the cavezone in your hand , and pull'd on the inside of the turn , to bring in his outward shoulder , and to press the horse on the inside of the turn , that his leggs without the turn may be free , and at liberty , to lapp over his inward leggs ; which we call passager , or en-cavalier , his croup in. this passager , though it is the action of a trott with his leggs , yet it is less violent than a trott , and more than a walk ; which is the best action to teach a horse any thing of a short trott , and together . the first lesson therefore that you must give him , upon this action , is , his head to the wall , pulling the inward cavezone's reyn hard to you , on the inside , and helping at the same time , with your outward legg , the horse to go byas , his shoulders before his croup ; which makes him narrow behind , and so upon the hanches ; because he is upon the action of a trott , his leggs being cross . if he do not obey the heel , give him the spurr gently on that side ; when the horse goes thus , he is then prest on the inside of the turn ; if this be on the right hand , then it is but changing your bridle-hand into your right hand , and the left cavezone's reyn in your left hand , and pull it hard , on the inside , to you , and your outward legg ; and make him do as much on the left hand , legg and reyn contrary ; and if he do not obey the heel , give him the spurr with your outward legg . continue this lesson until you find him obedient to your heels : you may make him go byas in an open field , the same way , with the same helps . of the voltoes in passager . when he obeys perfectly the heel , upon this lesson of byas in passager , then put him upon his voltoes , or circles , upon passager , pulling the inward cavezone's reyn on the inside of his neck , hard to you , to bring in his outward shoulder ; and your contrary legg , legg and reyn contrary , bending his neck extreamly ; and if he do not obey the heel , give him the spurr with your outward legg , and then do as much on the other hand ; and when you find him very obedient , upon passager , a little large , his croup in , which puts him upon the hanches ; because his croup is in , and because it is upon the action of a trott , and the less circle , he is alwayes the most prest , and therefore upon the hanches . i say , when he is perfectly obedient to your hand and heels , upon his voltoes somewhat large , then make him go upon his passager , in little more than his length ; and if he be obedient to your hand and heel there , on both hands , he is advanced very far towards a ready-horse : for , if a horse obey my hand and heel upon passager , which is a gentle motion , and therefore proper to learn a horse , because it makes him patient , and fortifies his memory the better . i say , if he be obedient to me upon this action , which is the quintessence of dressing horses , then i can make him do any thing , that his forces will permit him . when the horse is perfect in the aforesaid lessons , then put him upon his voltoes , his croup in ; upon le petit gallop , thus : pull the inward cavezone's reyn hard to you on the inside of his neck , and your outward legg to help him , poysing more on the outward stirrup , than on the inward ; and bend his neck extreamly , that he may be prest on the out-side of the turn , which is proper for le petit gallop his croup in ; and help him with your tongue , and he will go presently very perfectly ; and giving him good stops , he is advanced very far towards a ready-horse . there is no difference here between le petit gallop , and terra a terra . when your horse obeys all these lessons perfectly ; which is , to obey your hand , and the heels , teach him to advance ; which is , to rise before ; without which no horse can be a ready-horse : you may do it when you stop him , or upon large circles , staying him upon the hand , helping him with your tongue , and your leggs , and rodd , if there be cause ; and put him forward still after it , and raise him again . but if he rises of himself , put him forward , and let him not rise , but when you would have him ; and he will very soon obey you . when he rises perfectly ( when you would have him ) upon large circles , then put his croup in upon his voltoes , and raise him so ; and then feel him upon the hand , and stay him a little when he is up ; and this will both put him upon the hand , and upon the hanches . why i would not have you raise him before now , was , because it would disorder his mouth , and put him off of the hand , and make him resty ; for many horses rises restily , because they would not go forward , nor turn ; for , until they obey the hand , and fly the heel , there is no raising of them . i would have you always begin upon large circles his croup out , and then put in his croup afterward ; and so end. when the horse is perfect in all these former lessons , then i would have you tie the inward cavezone's reyn hard to the pommel , and work him upon all former lessons so , with the inward reyn , and inward legg ; and the outward reyn , if need be , his croup out . upon large circles , his croup in , the inward cavezone's reyn tied to the pommel , and help'd with the inward reyn of the bridle , to press him on the outside of the turn , for passager : but when you raise him in passadoes , then the inward reyn ; when the inward cavezone's reyn is tied to the pommel , then you work most on the bitt ; for you have nothing else in your hand . to help , with the bridle alone , upon large circles , his croup out , inward reyn , and inward legg ; or outward reyn and inward legg , if his shoulders come not in enough ; but upon passager , with the bridle alone , the inward reyn , and outward legg , for the reasons i have told you . it is an excellent lesson to gallop a horse forth right , and to stop him , and to raise him only with the bitt , and then to turn him , helping with the outward reyn , which will prepare him for passadoes ; of which we will talk hereafter . there is an excellent lesson , the inward cavazone's reyn tied to the pommel , which is this : to gallop d'une piste a narrow circle , and so four of them , and still put him forward to take the other circle ; and afterward to do the same upon every circle , his croup in , le petit gallop , or terra a terra ; and put him forward to take the next circle , and so as often as you think good to repeat all the four : and this makes him attend the hand and the heel , and most obedient to both . the inward reyn puts the horse on the outside , indeed all his body , and leans on his outward hinder-legg , and weighs his fore-parts up ; and therefore on the hanches . the outward reyn puts the horse on the inside , and weighs him down ; and therefore on the shoulders . you must have a method to be often repeated in all these good and excellent lessons ; lesson after lesson , or else you will never dress any horse perfectly for terra a terra . needful observations . naturally whensoever a horse's shoulders come in , his croup goes out ; and when his croup is put in too much , his shoulders go out . as for example ; upon large circles his shoulders come in , his croup goes out ; and when his head is as to the pillar , ( legg and reyn of a side ) his shoulders come in , and his croup goes out : nay , in the right terra a terra , his shoulders going before , his croup shuns the center , which is a little out , though you think his croup is in. but you will say , how is it then in passager when his croup is in ? i say , that is another action than a gallop , or terra a terra ; because then he is upon the action of a trott , which is cross , and may better admit to be prest within the turn , and his leggs at liberty without the turn ; but yet ( if his shoulders go before his croup , and is byas as he ought to be , in respect of his shoulders ) his croup is a little out . but now for le petit gallop , or terra a terra ; if his croup be in , and you pull in his outward shoulder , at the same time , it is a great force , and unnatural , so as the horse goes cross with his leggs , and can go no otherwise , and is prest on the inside . it is true , it puts the horse upon the hand , and so of necessity upon the shoulders , and gives him an apuy , which all the former lessons do ; so that his croup in needs it not , and besides , it is false . for terra a terra , he should be prest on the outside , to have his leggs at liberty within to lead ; and that they call le petit gallop , if his croup be in , which is indeed le petit terra a terra : for being prest on the inside , his croup in , it is hard to go , because he is bound up ; and it is unnatural , both to bring in his outward shoulder , and to put in his croup at the same time . to press him on the inside , and to go on the inside , his croup in , is a great pressure , and false ; for indeed , he is prest for the other side , and would look out of the turn , did not the inward cavezone's reyn keep in his head ; howsoever he is on the shoulders , and his leggs go cross ; that is , his inward fore-legg leads , and his outward hinder-legg follows , and continues so , and is false , and his croup bunches out : if his croup goes before his shoulders , his leggs are wide behind , and off of the hanches , and therefore upon the shoulders , and false , and goes cross with his leggs . that is , his inward fore-legg leads , and his outward hinder-legg follows , and continues so . for the piroite , his croup goes a little out , though almost in a place ; and therefore he ought to be prest within the turn ; but he goes upon the shoulders . so upon demi-voltoes upon passadoes , which is but half a terra a terra , he ought to be prest without the turn , because it is terra a terra ; but his croup is in a little , and is upon the hanches . to work a horse upon passager , either with his head to the wall , or upon circles ; either with the cavezone in your hand , or the cavezone tied to the pommel ; or the bridle-reyns separated in both your hands , or the bridle only in your left hand . upon passager , the cavezone in your hand ; pull the inward reyn of the cavezone hard within the turn , to pull the horses outward shoulder in , and to press him on the inside , that his outward leggs may be at liberty , to lap over his inward leggs ; and help him with your outward legg , ( legg and reyn contrary ) and let the horse go byas . upon passager , the cavezone's reyns in your hand another way , and that 's this : pull the inward cavezone's reyn cross his neck , not too high , your knuckles towards his neck , and help him , with the outward legg , and reyn contrary ; and bend your body to be concave within the turn , which will press him without the turn , and give his leggs liberty within the turn , to lap over his inward leggs , but not so much , and let the horse go byas . by the way , this oblike line , with the inward cavezone's reyn , if you press the horse on the outside , will make him go rarely upon terra a terra . upon passager , the inward cavezone's reyn tied to the pommel , ( having nothing in your hand but the bridle to work withal ) you may safely work with the outward reyn of the bridle , because the horse cannot look on the outside , and that because the inward cavezone's reyn being tied to the pommel pulls in his head so much , and the outward reyn will press him on the inside , which is proper for passager , as i have told you : if you press the horse on the outside , though the reyn be tied to the pommel , he will go terra a terra rarely , if he goes byas . upon passager , the bridle reyns separated in both your hands , you must help with the inward reyn , to make him look into the turn ; and help also with the outward reyn , to bring in his outward shoulder , to press him within the turn , for the reasons i have told you : but if you press the horse on the outside with the inward reyn , he will go rarely terra a terra . here you have all the ways of working a horse upon passager , and i insist the more upon it , because it is the quintessence of working horses in the mannage , and the elixer in horse-man-ship ; for if a horse obeys me perfectly in passager , being obedient to my hand and heels , i will make him go terra a terra , or in any ayre whatsoever most perfectly , or any thing that his forces will permit him to do ; and therefore esteem passager above all things in the world for the mannage , and for raising the horse in passadoes , his croup in , or d'une piste , or byas , or his head to the wall ; and for pulling him back , and raising of him . for these rare things will not fail to make a ready-horse , if they be applyed rightly . a general rule . whatsoever leads , fore-parts , or hinder-parts ; that which still leads , tends to the center , and the other parts of the horse flie the center : for it is a general rule , and true ; that whatsoever is the greater circle , before or behind , that which is the greatest circle , is most wrought ; for it goes most ground , and is at liberty , whether it tends to the center , or from it ; and the less circle , most subjected , and prest : for , his head to the pillar ( the pillar on the outside of his head ) his fore-parts lead , and therefore tend to the center , and his hinder-parts flie the center ; yet his hinder-parts are most wrought , because it is the greater circle , and therefore his fore-parts more subjected , and upon them , which is upon the shoulders ; so the horse's croup to the pillar , the pillar on the inside of his croup , his croup in , his fore-parts lead , and therefore tend to the center , and his croup flies the center ; but his fore-parts are more wrought , because it is the larger circle ; and his hinder-parts more subjected and prest , because it is the narrower circle ; and so upon the hanches ; so in his length the same ; and upon passager , he laps his leggs over but every second time , because they are cross , and upon the action of a trott . more observations . if a horse goes forward too much , pull him back ; if he goes back , put him forward ; if if he goes side-ways on the right-hand , put him side-ways on the left-hand ; if he goes side-ways on the left-hand , put him side-ways on the right-hand . if he puts out his croup , put it in ; if he puts in his croup , put it out . if he goes on the shoulders , stop him , and pull him back ; if he goes on the hanches , continue him so ; if he rises when you would not have him , keep him down . all this upon a walk ; for thus he must attend both your hand and your heel , and follow your will , and so of necessity must obey you , because thus he is put from his will , to yours . and this must make him a perfect horse ; it is a most excellent lesson . never put a horse upon any ayre , nor press him much , until you find him very sensible , and obedient , both to your hand , and to your heel ; and extreamly supple : but young horses must never be much prest , nor stopt too hard ; for if you do , you will give them such a crick , and taint in their back , as they will never recover it . the horse's head to the pillar , ( or an imaginary center ) the pillar without his head ; and the horse's croup to the pillar , the pillar on the inside of his croup . and thus the horse shall never be entier . i never work a horse's head to the pillar , ( legg and reyn contrary ; ) because his inward hinder-legg goes so much before his shoulder , which is false ; but legg and reyn on a side , as i shewed you before . to work a horse upon quarters , is to no purpose ; for , it confounds a horse more , than a whole circle ; but upon demy-voltoes , or half turns , is very good somtimes . to put a horse byas on one hand , and then put him forward ; and then put him byas on the other hand , and then put him forward ; and so from hand to hand ; and forward , makes him attend , and obey both the hand , and the heel , and is an excellent lesson : but , as you put him byas , his fore-parts must alwayes go before his hinder-parts . there is no lesson comparable to passager , his croup in , to make him obey the hand , and the heel ; and to raise him in passadoes , and passager him again , still raising and passager ; and if you find he is not upon the hanches , then walk , or trott him upon large circles , and stop him hard , and raise him . all these lessons are upon a walk , and passager ; therefore you may see what a rare thing walking , and passager is , to make , and dress all horses perfectly . nay , when a horse is a perfect drest horse , you must not make him go above once a week at the most , but work him every day upon his trott , gallop , passager , raising of him , and tuning of him thus , and with the cavezone , he will go rarely , when you would make him go upon any ayre , or terra a terra . i say , a horse is thus to be tuned ; for , a horse having four leggs , is like a fiddle of four strings ; and if a fiddle be not tuned , the musitian can never play salengers round upon it : so , if a horse's leggs be not rightly tuned , he will never dance his round right . again , if you alwayes play upon a fiddle , though well-tuned at the first , it will soon be out of tune by continual playing on it ; so a ready-horse , if you make him go perpetually , he will be soon out of tune ; and therefore you must tune him still , as i have told you . the just & exact way for terra a terra . to go upon a square for terra a terra , is good , but not the best way ; for , it constrains a horse too much ; so that he cannot go with that freedom that he should ; and is in great danger , that his inward hinder-legg will go before his shoulder , and then it would be very false : therefore the true , easie , and best way is this that follows . you must sit straight in the saddle , the poise on the outward stirrup , but not to lean down upon it too much ; but only the outward legg is to be a little longer than the inward legg ; and the inward legg to be a little before it , but very little ; and sit you must all upon the twist , and stirrups , and as forward to the pommel as you can ; the outward legg close to the horse , and the knee turned inwards ; and stiff in the ham , to bring the calf of the legg to the horse . then for the bridle-hand ; on the right-hand put your hand on the outside of his neck , or turn the knuckles towards his neck , pulling your little finger up straight without turning your hand , which pulls the inward reyn lying above your little finger , your arm a little from your body oblike , your left shoulder coming a little in , and your neck behind , removed a little on the left side , and your buttons a little on the right side : this makes the horse necessarily to go byas . but now i must tell you where you must look , or turn your head ; which must be on the inside of the turn , to the inside of the horses head , which keeps your hand steady ; for did you look to your inward shoulder , it would remove your bridle-hand too much within the turn ; and did you look just between the horses ears , your outward shoulder would not come in enough ; and neither it , nor you , nor the horse would be oblike ; your hand must go circularly with the horse , and steadily ; and but to feel him . thus the horse being byas , the inward reyn pull'd thus , inlarges the horse before , in pulling his inward fore-legg , from the outward fore-legg ; which puts his inward hinder-legg to his outward hinder-legg , which narrows him behind , makes him bow in the gambrels , especially on his outward hinder-legg , which he rests on , and thrusts his inward hinder-legg under his belly ; which ( with all these things ) makes him very much upon the hanches ; the horse is prest on the outside , and therefore of necessity must look within the turn , and his fore-parts being inlarged , must imbrace the turn the better ; his hinder-leggs being within the lines of his fore-leggs , he must needs be upon the hanches ; and his inward fore-legg being pull'd from his outward fore-legg , ( being circular ) his inward fore-legg of necessity must be longer than his outward fore-legg to lead , which is right , and so makes the largest circle ; and his outward fore-legg the second circle ; and his inward hinder-legg the third circle ; because it is thrust so much before his outward hinder-legg , and under his belley ; and his outward hinder-legg makes the fourth and least circle , because he rests so much upon it , and bows in the gambrels . thus the horse makes four perfect circles , about the pillar , or center , as i have told you , and given you the reasons of it . thus doth the horses fore-parts go always before his hinder-parts ; that is , half his shoulders within the turn , before his half croup within the turn ; which is his fore-legg within the turn , before his hinder-legg within the turn : and thus the horse can never go false , but most exactly true , with head , neck , body , leggs , and all . for the left-hand , every thing must be as for the right , and the same way , changing hand , body , and legg ; only for the bridle-hand , it is necessary , that when you go on the left-hand , you should put your hand on the contrary side of his neck ; your arm close to your body , and the knuckles of your bridle-hand turned towards his neck , which pulls the inward reyn for the left-hand ; because that reyn lies under your little finger ; and this makes you oblike , and the horse oblike : and every thing for the left hand works as truly , in all those several things , as i told you for the right-hand . and thus the horse is within your hand , and your heel ; and so you drive him , and make him go as you list ; slower , or faster ; higher , or lower : but remember , that your hand be not too high , but that the horse may go low , and prest ; for if your hand be low , the horse goes low ; and if your hand be high , the horse goes high : for the horse always goes according to the heighth of the hand ; and terra a terra should always be low , and prest . now i must tell you , that the inward reyn presses the horse on the outside , weighs him up , and puts him upon the hanches , especially on his outward hinder-legg , so that all his body leans on the outside , and he cannot bring in his outward shoulder ; for it is bound up , and his leggs within the turn to lead : you may know by his neck , whether he leans on the outside or no ; for if he does , his neck will lean all on the outside , and your body must be concave on the outside , and convex within ; for being concave on the outside , makes the horse so , and puts in his hanch , ( being prest on the outside ) and hath three leggs in the ayre , his two fore-leggs , and his inward hinder-legg , with a leap forward low , and prest . and this is most exactly the truth for terra a terra , and all the delicate and subtil helps that can be for it in the world. of changing upon terra a terra . your body is to be oblike , your knuckles towards his neck , and on the outside of his neck , on which hand soever you go ; and as he is going terra a terra on the right hand , let his shoulders come in a little before you change him , and then help him with your right legg , and hold him up with your hand , and on the outside of his neck , which is now changed to the left side . why his shoulders are to come in , a little before you change him , is , to fix his croup that it should not go out ; and so the hand on the contrary side of the turn , for the same reason ; and put him always a little forward upon every change. now you are on the left-hand , before you change him , let his shoulders come in a little to fix his croup , and then help him with the left-legg , and put him forward a little , and then hold him up with your hand , and on the outside of his neck , on the left side . i begin with my legg to change him , for the same reasons i told you : but you must remember , to be stiff in the hams , and your heels down , to bring the calf of the leggs to him ; and the same for demy-voltoes . and this is exactly the truth for changing upon terra a terra . of changing upon demy-voltoes , terra a terra . upon demy-voltoes , your hand on the outside , your outward legg close to him , you sit oblike , the knuckles of your bridle-hand towards his neck ; and when he makes his demi-voltoe , let him go a little more than half a turn , to fix his croup before you change him ; and when you do change him , help him with the inward legg first , and then hold him up with your hand , and a little on the outside of his neck : this from the wall is best , but by a wall it cannot be ; for you cannot go through the wall , and therefore by a wall it can be but a just half turn , or demy-voltoe , which you may either help with the inward , or outward reyn at your own pleasure , so you keep his croup to the wall , that he may keep the line , and not falsify the demy-voltoe . this may be done with either reyn , so it be done with art , and skill , like a great master ; for otherwise nothing is right in the mannage . of galloping , and changing en soldat . with the outward reyn , and the outward legg , put him alwayes forward ; if his croup goes out too much , then your bridle on the outside of the turn , or of his neck , to help with the inward reyn , to keep in his croup , otherwise not , but help with the outward reyn , and outward legg . thus much for changing upon circles d'une piste , which must alwayes be either half a turn , or a quarter of a turn , terra a terra . to prepare a horse for passadoes . first walk him fore-right , either by a wall , hedge , or otherwise , and at the end stop him , and raise him two or three passadoes , and then turn him gently , helping with the outward reyn , and outward legg , and see that he doth not falsify his demy-voltoe , upon passager , either in his shoulders , or his croup ; but both to be just , when he is turned . do as much on the other hand , and then trott him upon the straight line ; stop him , advance him , and turn him as you did before ; and when he is perfect in this , then gallop him le petit gallop , upon the straight line ; stop him , advance him : but now let him go a demy-voltoe upon his ayre , and when he is perfect in this , then let him make a passado , upon le petit gallop , without stopping , or advancing , which he will do perfectly ; but you must put his head a little from the wall , that his croup may be to the wall , to keep the line , that he may not falsify his demy-voltoe ; and before he turns , to make two or three falcadoes , to firm his hanches the better , to turn with the better grace : if you would run him a toute bride , keep his head a little from the wall , to keep his croup to it , slacking the reyns a little , and pressing him with your leggs , and to make two or three little falcadoes before you turn him , and then close him with your outward reyn , and outward legg , for the demy-voltoe ; and so on the other hand the same for the passadoe , some five times the horses length . and thus the horse will go perfectly in passadoes , which is the touch-stone of a ready-horse , obeying hand and heel in every thing . if your horse go in corvets , or a demy-ayre , then make his demy-voltoes upon his passadoes , upon his ayre , which is very graceful . the french calls this passadoe , releve ; which methinks , is not a proper term for it : a demy-voltoe must be helpt in all kinds like terra a terra , for 't is but a half a turn terra a terra ; that is , the inward reyn , and outward legg , and your body , and every thing like terra a terra . of the piroyte . the action of the horse's leggs in the piroyte , is very strange ; your hand on the outside of his neck to look into the turn , and working violently with the outward reyn of the bridle , straightens his fore-parts , and puts his hinder-parts at more liberty , helping with no legg ; so the action of his leggs are thus : on the right-hand , when he lifts up both his fore-leggs at the same time , he lifts up his hinder-legg without the turn ; so he hath three leggs up at a time , and rests only on the inward hinder-legg ; and when those three leggs come to the ground , his outward shoulder coming in so fast , his inward hinder legg removes at the same time almost in a place , to keep the circle ; and i say , that at the same time those three leggs are set down , his inward hinder-legg removes , to go along with the circle ; but in a manner in a place : so that indeed the inward hinder-legg is the center , though it removes in the place round ; and when the horse is so dizzey as he can go no longer , ( for fear of falling ) then he sets his inward hinder-legg forward , to stop himself . these are exactly the helps , and the motions of the horses leggs in the piroyte , or else he could not go so swiftly as he ought : he is upon the shoulders , because he is prest on the inside ; so is a passadoe , being but half a piroyte , because both of them is helpt with the outward reyn. one of the greatest secrets in the mannage that ever i found out . the inward hinder-legg to the turn always put out a little , is in all things the quintessence of the mannage , whether his croup out , or in ; the knuckles of the bridle-hand towards his neck , his croup in , doth well in terra a terra ; and always your horse to go byas , upon his voltoes , or his head to the wall , doth it best ; for his shoulders going before , his hinder-parts put out his inward hinder-legg , which is the greatest business in the mannage ; for so his hinder-leggs are near together , and so upon the hanches . the inward reyn of the bridle doth it , pull'd , as i have told you , and so doth the inward reyn of the cavezone ; for it puts out his inward hinder-legg , narrows him behind , and inlarges him before ; because it pulls his inward fore-legg from his outward fore-legg , and therefore inlarges him before ; and at the same time , it puts his inward hinder-legg out , to his outward hinder-legg ; and therefore narrows him behind , and so must of necessity be upon the hanches . and thus his inward fore-legg must always be before his inward hinder-legg , so that half his shoulders goes always before half his croup , by which means he can never go false ; and his fore parts always imbracing the turn the better , and the outward hinder-legg being kept in a little , with your outward legg , makes his two hinder-leggs within the lines of his fore-leggs , which makes him upon the hanches , and his fore-parts to lead , as horses always should do : for , they do not work with their arses first , but with their heads , and fore-parts . remember , that no horse can be upon the hanches , but those that bend in the gambrels , and bow there ; and the more their hinder-leggs go under their belley , the more they bow in the gambrels . remember also as a certain truth , that no horse can be upon the hanches , except his croup , or buttock , be thrust out backwards : as for example ; when you give a horse a good stop , his hinder-leggs go under his belly , and his croup , or buttocks , are thrust out ; he bows in the gambrels , and so is upon the hanches : when he goes le petit gallop , his croup in , his hinder-leggs are thrust under his belly , then his croup goes out ; he bows in the gambrels , and is upon the hanches : so in terra a terra , his hinder-leggs are thrust under his belly , and his croup goes out ; he bows in the gambrels , and is upon the hanches . when you pull a horse back , one of his hinder-leggs goes always under his belly ; he puts out his croup , bends in the gambrels , and is upon the hanches : so in passadoes his croup is thrust out , he bows in the gambrels , and is upon the hanches ; but if he be raised too high , it puts him off of the hanches , for then he is stiff in the gambrels , because his croup goes in ; which puts him upon the hand , but off of the hanches : therefore you must never raise him too high in passadoes ; if his croup must go out , be bow'd in the gambrels , and so be upon the hanches . my way , at the single pillar in corvets , puts out his croup , makes him bow in the gambrels , and so to be upon the hanches , because he cannot rise high , and therefore puts out his croup , and is upon the hanches ; so all that puts a horse upon the hanches , is before , either with the cavezone's reyn , or bitt , and nothing behind . the inward hinder-legg , and inward cavezone's reyn , is the quintessence of the mannage , with thrusting his croup out , which makes him bow in the gambrels , and so be upon the hanches ; which is the end of all our work and business in the mannage . i do not mean his croup to be put out in a circle , or put out upon a straight line ; but be thrust out backwards , and then he is upon the hanches , because he bows in in the gambrels . i must remember you again , that to put him on the hanches , is all before ; so that when his head is pull'd down , and in , then he is upon the hanches ; for his croup goes out , and he bow in the gambrels , and therefore is upon the hanches : that is , the horse must be a little higher behind than before ; for then his croup goes out , and he bows in the gambrels , and therefore is upon the hanches . as for example ; a horse goes down a hill , then his croup is higher than his fore-parts , and his croup goes out , and then he bows in the gambrels , and is extreamly upon the hanches . so if he be turned in the stable , his croup is higher than his fore-parts , and puts his croup out , bends in the gambrels , and therefore is very much upon the hanches . so in plain ground , where there is no hills , you must supply it , with pulling his head down , and in , as much as you can , to make him higher behind , than before , which puts out his croup , makes him bow in the gambrels , and puts him upon the hanches ; as stopping of him , pulling back , passager , le petit gallop , and terra a terra : all these pulls him down , and puts out his croup , which puts him upon the hanches . if the inward cavezone's reyn be tied to the pommel , or pull'd hard in your hand , it puts him upon the hanches , because it puts his inward hinder-legg out to his outward hinder-legg , that it shall not come in too much , nor at all ; and that puts him upon the hanches ; so in passadoes , or corvets , the inward cavezone's reyn tied to the pommel , puts the inward legg out , which puts him upon the hanches , because it thrusts his croup out : but when you have nothing but the bridle , what then ? then the inward reyn of the bridle doth the same in all things ; but passager his croup in , is with the outward reyn , because it is the action of a trott , which is cross , and so it will suffer it , because his leggs are byas ; so it is right for passager , to be prest within the turn , and at liberty without the turn , or else his outward leggs could not lap over his inward leggs : but if you have nothing but the bridle , he will look out of the turn , if you do not help with both reyns ; but whensoever you raise him in passadoes , his croup in , or out , you must help with the inward reyn , to put out his inward hinder-legg , which makes him bow in the gambrels , because his hinder-leggs are made like our arms , and therefore must bow in the gambrels , if it be thrust out . but i must tell you for a great truth , that whensoever , upon large circles d'une piste , the horse's inward hinder-legg is put out , and bows , it puts him not upon the hanches , but very much upon the shoulders ; for the more his buttock doth go out , the more still he is upon the shoulders ; for that lesson is not to put him upon the hanches , but to supple his shoulders ; for if you would put him upon the hanches , you must put in his croup ; for the larger circle is wrought most , because it goes the most ground ; yet his hinder-parts are the most prest , because in the narrower circle , and therefore upon the hanches . some are of opinion , that the more you put in his croup , the more he is on the hanches ; which i do not think , because his inward hinder-legg goes before half his shoulder , and so he is wide behind , and off of the hanches , and goes backward : but if his croup be in , and you put out his inward hinder-legg , then he bows in the gambrels , his hinder-leggs narrow behind , and so upon the hanches ; and the more upon the hanches , if the horse goes byas , because by that means the horses hinder-leggs are nearer together , and so narrower , and therefore upon the hanches ; and this is most true : for if the horses hinder-legg ( within the turn ) goes before his inward fore-legg , he doth not only go backward , but his hinder-leggs are stiff in the gambrels , and therefore not upon the hanches ; but when you put out his inward hinder-legg , then he bows in the gambrels , and therefore upon the hanches , because his hinder-leggs are made like our armes ; only he hath a joynt more , which is the stifling-joynt . you see plainly , now , what an excellent , and most rare thing it is , to keep a horses inward hinder-legg out in all manner of things that are in the mannage ; and in whatsoever you work him , it is the absolute quintessence of the mannage ; and without it is nothing right , but most false , because of abundance of irreparable errors ; whereas with it all things are right , and most true. this hath been studied to the purpose , and no horse but is perfectly made with it , and all is to put his inward hinder-legg out in all things ; and being put out thus , he must bow in the gambrels , because his hinder-leggs are made like our armes . and this is that which none either knows , or have thought of ; and therefore mark it , remember it , and practice it if you can ; and if you cannot , do not find fault with a thing , because you cannot do it : for , certainly no man is born to all professions , by inspiration , but with great study , diligence , care , patience , and long practice : no man being born with so supream a witt above others , as to do ( assoon as he sees it ) any thing that hath been so many years another mans study . to put a horse upon the hanches : on which i insist the more , because it is the end of all our work and labour in the mannage ; for , without it , no horse can possibly go well . a horse can never go well upon the hanches , but his fore-parts must be wrought ; for , in that manner , when you stop him , you pull his fore-parts , and that puts him upon the hanches , because you pull his fore-parts down , and in : when you pull him back , you put him upon the hanches , because you pull his fore-parts down , and in ; when you make him go terra a terra ; when you work the inward reyn , on which hand soever he goes , so you press him on the outside , and put in his outward hanch , then you put him upon the hanches , because you pull him down on the outside , with the inward reyn of the bridle , on either hand . so ( my way ) with the cavezone tied to the pommel , or tied to the girthes , if he be prest on the outside , and his outward hanch put in , puts him upon the hanches , because the cavezone pulls down his head , and in. and believe me , the cavezone thus , puts him more on the hanches , than any thing ; but if you press him on the inside of the turn , ( though you do pull down his head ) he is off of the hanches , because his outward hanch goes out , and therefore puts him on the shoulders . you see then , that whatsoever pulls a horse head down , and in , puts him upon the hanches ; or that naturally he puts his head down . as for example ; a horse that goes in caputiato ; which is , to arm himself against the bitt , is easily put upon the hanches ; and being upon the hanches , he is leight of the hand . to strike a horse on the knees with your rodd , when he rises before , pulls him down , and in , and therefore puts him upon the hanches . there is no horse that holds up his head , but he is off of the hanches ; nor any horse that rises high before , but is off of the hanches ; nor any horse in terra a terra , when his head is pull'd down , and in , but goes on the hanches , if he be rid as he ought to be . the reason is this ; no horse can go on the hanches , that doth not bow in the gambrels , or hinder-houghs : whensoever a horse rises high before , he is stiff in the gambrels of necessity , and therefore off of the hanches ; nor doth a horse hold up his head very high , but it stiffens his gambrels , and therefore off of the hanches ; nor can any horse go low before , but of necessity he must bend in the gambrels , either going down a hill , or turn'd in the stable , which makes his hinder-parts higher than his fore-parts ; but he must bend in the gambrels , and therefore must be upon the hanches , and so his croup in : but if his croup be out , he is upon the shoulders , though his head be down . so many a horse ( as also hunting and travelling geldings ) go horribly upon the shoulders , though their heads be down ; but indeed they are all upon the shoulders except in the mannage . for example ; a horses fore-legs are made like our legs , the knees outword ; but a horses hinder-leggs are made like our arms , just contrary : so that whensoever a horse is raised high before , it stiffens him in the gambrels ; and when he holds up his head , it stiffens him in the gambrels . so on the contrary , whensoever his head is pull'd down , of necessity he must bend in the gambrels ; for he cannot do otherwise , if he be prest , otherwise not . i labour this point the more , because you shall clearly see what puts him on the hanches , and what puts him off of the hanches ; that so you may shun the one , and take the other , which is , to put him on the hanches , because that is the end of all our labour , and the quintessence of our art ; for , without a horse be upon the hanches , he can never be a ready-horse , or leight on the hand ; but there is no rule without an exception , and that is , you may pull down a horses head , and yet not upon the hanches ; which is , when you work his shoulders d'une piste , legg and reyn on the inside , though his head be pull'd down , he cannot be on the hanches , because you put it out , and press him on the inside : no more when his croup is in , if he be prest on the inside , his croup goes out a little , and therefore cannot be upon the hanches , though his head be pull'd down , because you put his hanch out : this is good to give him an apuy upon the barrs , and supple his shoulders ; but it cannot put him on that which you put away , that were too great a miracle , indeed an impossibility . pulling down his head , and in , puts him upon the hanches , at a stop ; and pulling down his head , and in , when you make him go back , puts him upon the hanches ; and when you pull down his head and in , and raise him , it puts him upon the hanches ; and when you press him on the outside of the turn in terra a terra , it puts him upon the hanches ; when you pull down his head and in , either with the cavezone , or the bridle ; and so pulling down his head , and in , pressing him on the outside of the turn , puts him upon the hanches in terra a terra , or upon his walk in passager : and this ( i am sure ) is sufficient to put a horse upon the hanches , which is the elixir of the mannage , and is done when his head is down , and in , and prest ; that is , when you pull down his head , that you press him with the heels , or leggs , otherwise not ; for , if a horse holds down his head to drink , he is not on the hanches , for then he bows rather before , than behind , and is on the shoulders ; therefore he must be prest ; so if he holds up his head , it works nothing on the hanches , but the contrary . a short trott puts a horse upon the hanches , so a short trot d'une piste , legg and reyn on a side , puts a horse upon the hanches , because his inward hinder-legg is put out ; his head to the wall puts him upon the hanches ; and nothing puts him more on the hanches than a leight hand ; for when he hath nothing to rest on before , then he will rest behind , which is upon the hanches . there are many reasons why we work a horse so much , to put him upon the hanches , which i have shewed you before ; but there is one reason more , and that is this : a horse's croup , or hanches , bears nothing but his tayl , which is very leight ; but his shoulders hath his neck and head to bear , which is more ; and therefore we put him upon the hanches , to poyse him , and to relieve his shoulders , and to make him leight on the hand . thus much for dressing all manner of horses upon the ground , to make them obey perfectly both hand and heel , and to put them upon the hanches , which is the master-piece of our art. here ends the second part. the third part , for dressing and making of horses in all several ayres , my new way . you must in all ayres follow the strength , spirit , and disposition of the horse , and do nothing against nature ; for art is but to set nature in order , and nothing else : but to make a horse gallop and change , and to go terra a terra , is for the most part forced ; and in passadoes the like : for , if a horse be impatient , he will hardly go well in passadoes . no other ayres are to be forced , but every horse is to chuse his own ayre , unto which nature hath most fitted him , which you may easily see , when he is tied short to the single pillar my way . for corvets , a horse ought to have a great deal of patience : and the ayre of corvets gives a horse patience with discreet riding , ( as they say ) but i have seldom seen that discreet riding ; i doubt there is a mistake in it , which is this : first the horse hath patience , and then that horse goes in corvets ; but seldom impatient horses are made patient by corvets : so seeing most horses that go well in corvets , to have patience , they think corvets gives them patience , when it is patience that gives them corvets . but there is no rule without an exception , yet i doubt i am in the right ; for , though some young horse may ( by chance ) go in corvets , yet i assure you , for the most part , horses must have a great deal of time , with the custom of often repetitions ; to be in some years , and to have gray-hairs in their beard , before they will be settled , and firm'd , to go certainly in corvets , both forwards , and upon their voltoes ; therefore it is an errour in those that think they can force corvets , if the horse's inclination be not to go in that ayre ; for i have known many horses , that all the force in the world would never make go in corvets ; their disposition being against it : corvets is an ayre , built only of art ; for if the horse be not perfectly in the hand and the heels , and upon the hanches , he will never go in corvets : yet i must tell you , this new way of mine will make horses go in corvets , which by no other way would have been brought to it , and it seldom or never fails me . for leaping horses , there are four several ayres , which are croupadoes , balotadoes , capriols , and a pace and a leap ; the heighth of these may be all alike , but not the manner ; though the horse that goes the longest time , must needs go the highest . croupadoes is a leap , where the horse pulls up his hinder-leggs , as if he drew , or pull'd them up into his body . balotadoes is a leap where the horse offers to strike out with his hinder-leggs , but doth not ; and makes only an offer , or half strokes ; shewing only the shooes of his hinder-leggs , but doth not strike , only makes an offer , and no more . capriols is a leap , that when the horse is at the full heighth of his leap , he yerks , or strikes out his hinder-leggs , as neer , and as eeven together , and as far out as ever he can stretch them ; which the french call , nouer l'esquillette , which is , to tie the point . a pace and a leap , is , as it were three ayres ; the pace terra a terra , the raising of him a corvet , and then a leap : these ayres can never be forc't to go well in them , in spight of their poynsons , but what nature ordains them ; for , they are called , well-disposed horses . what belongs to leaping horses ( according to the old opinion ) are these things : a horse of huge and vast strength , an excellent mouth , perfect good feet ; in which last they have not said amiss , for good feet are very requisite , else the horse dares never leight on them , for fear of hurting them ( no more than a man that hath the gout , dares leap ) and so will never rise . i could wish a good mouth , ( which is a good apuy ) neither too hard , nor too soft , but to suffer a good apuy upon the barrs , and so to suffer the curb , which is to be understood a good mouth : yet i must tell you , the rarest leaping horse that ever i saw , or rid , went not at all upon the curb , but only upon the barrs of his mouth , which i do not commend ; but it is better to have him leap so , being so rare a horse , than to be so over-curious as not to have him leap at all , because he went not upon the curb . that they must be very strong horses to be leaping horses , is a very great errour ; for , it is not the strongest horses that is fittest for the delight of the mannage , and especially not for leaping horses ; for i have seen many strong horses , that must be galloped very long before you could abate the strength of their chines ; and all that while they would do nothing but yerk , and fetch disordered counter-times of false leaps , and the best horse-men in the world could never make them leaping horses : so it is not strong , but well-disposed horses ; for the best leaping horses that ever i knew , were the weakest horses i have seen . take one of the guard , the strongest fellow that is , and i will bring a little fellow that shall out-leap him many a foot ; yet that strong fellow would crush that little fellow to death in his armes : so 't is not strength , but disposition fits horses for leaping . but some will say , that a little man's strength is above his weight , and the great man's weight is above his strength ; but that is not so ; for the great man's strength shall be more above his weight , than the little man's strength above his , and yet the little man shall out-leap him . nay , two little men of equal strength , the one shall leap excellently , and the other not ; and more , a weaker little man shall out-leap the stronger , and sometimes a weak slender slim fellow will out-leap a knit strong fellow ; so that it is nothing but disposition , which nature gives , and not art : sometimes a strong great fellow will out-leap a little man , but that is seldom , because their spirits are more dilated , assunder , and diffused , than in little men : the like i will assure you in horses , as i have told you of men ; there may be a strong horse disposed for leaping , and that no doubt is an excellent horse ; but for the most part they are but weak horses , that are disposed for leaping ; sometimes a horse finds himself so pincht with corvets upon the hanches , being weak , that he finds ease in leaping . thus you see , that leaping horses are disposed by nature , and not art , being full of spirit , and leight ; so that horse-men hath nothing to do in making leaping horses , but only to give them the time , which is all the art ought to be used to a leaping horse ; and he that thinks to shew more art in a leaping horse , will but shew his ignorance and folly. a pace and a leap is an ayre , in which horses commonly go when they have not a good apuy ; for the pace puts him upon the hand , and gives him a rise to leap like one that runs before he leaps , and so may leap higher than he that goes every time a leap. thus i have shewed you these ayres , corvets , croupadoes , balotadoes , capriols , and a pace , and a leap , which nature must do more than art : two paces , and three paces , and a leap , are not comely , and are indeed rather a gallop galliard , than can be called an ayre . my new way at the single pillar , which is most effectual and operative for the dressing of all horses in all ayres whatsoever . first bring the horse sadled , and bridled , and put him under the button , and then let a groom take the inward cavezone's reyn for the right-hand , and lap it about the single pillar , and make it very short , ( but where he holds it higher than where 't is tied to the ring of the cavezone ) and let another groom hold the long reyn of the cavezone on the other side , in his hand , with a poinson in the other hand , to prick him if he should put out his croup too much ; and one behind him with a rod , to keep him from going backwards ; and then let the cavalarizzo raise him de firme a firme , which is in a place : a little at first must satisfie you , for , rome was not built in a day . thus tying him short , he cannot rise high , and therefore to find his ease , he goes upon the hanches ; for he is forced to it : after he is used so a little , two rodds is the best help , one upon the shoulder , and the other under his belley , which puts him upon the hanches . tie him so still with the same reyn , and when he is perfect de firme a firme , then make him go upon his voltoes with two rods in your hands , helping before with one rod , and the other under his belley ; and be you on the outside of the horse , and he will go upon his voltoes perfectly . tie him so still with the same reyn , and help him with both your rods as before , and be on the outside of him , and then go forwards , and face the horse , and he will go in corvets upon his voltoes backwards perfectly ; which i never saw but this way . tie him with the same reyn still , and you may make him go side-ways in corvets . now tie the left reyn ( as you did the right ) short , which doth the business ; and do in all things as i told you for the right-hand ; and thus the horse goes perfectly on both hands , in corvets in a place , upon his turns , backward upon his voltoes , and side-ways , without any body on him , which was never known or seen before . when the horse goes perfectly thus , then get upon him , the reyn still tied very short , and make him go as you did before in every thing , and you may make him go in all other ayres the same way . how to dress a horse perfectly in corvets without pillar , which is the surest way . when you work a horse upon corvets , before you do that , you must make a horse to rise perfectly in passadoes , which is high before , and to stay upon the hand , using the cavezone still ; and this forward , and not upon circles at the first by any means : then to make him go in corvets , tie the cavezone's reyn from the wall , to keep that hinder-legg to his other hinder-legg that is next the wall , and begin with two or three corvets , and then walk him again , and then corvet him again ; and if you feel him on the hand , and he goes forwards with it , he will quickly be drest ; and if he goes forwards too much , let him make his corvets in a place , and pull him back , and then make him go in corvets . when your left shoulder is to the wall , you must tie the right cavezone's reyn to the pommel , which doth not only keep back his hinder-legg on the same side the cavezone's right reyn is tied , but it also supples his shoulders extreamly , and prepares him ; nothing like it to go upon voltoes on the right hand . when your right shoulder is to the wall , then you must tie the left cavezone's reyn to the pommel , for the same reasons , and work him in corvets , as i told you before ; and this will prepare him , and make him go upon his voltoes on the left-hand ; and no lesson better at the first . there is another rare lesson for corvets , which is this ; tie the right cavezone's reyn to the pommel , and let him go on the left-hand , legg and reyn on a side , as if his head was to the pillar ; and raise him so in corvets , two or three times , his croup out ; and then walk him , and then corvet him in the same manner : this keeps out his inward hinder-legg , and so supples him to the hand and heel , that there is nothing like it ; but though he goes on the left-hand , he is suppled for the right-hand . the left-hand is the same ; you must tie the left cavezone's reyn to the pommel , and go on the right-hand , his croup out , and help legg and reyn on a side , and so do in all things else , as you did before ; and thus he shall never be entier , but most supple both to hand and heel . to put him upon corvets on his voltoes , the inward cavezone's reyn must still be tied to the pommel , and his croup must not be in too much ; but rather d'une piste , for teaching of him , and to keep out the inward hinder-legg is the business : help a little with the outward reyn of the bridle , and make him go three or four corvets , and then walk him , and then corvet him again ; and so diminish your walk , and augment your corvets , until he makes a perfect turn in corvets ; and when he is perfect , then let the horse go upon his voltoes byas in corvets , and that 's the perfection in voltoes : you must always ( in corvets ) help with the outward reyn , not only to keep him up , but to give him the ply , and to make him go byas , and not help with your leggs at all . if you find he hastens too much , then raise him high in passadoes , and keep him upon the hand , and help him with the rod upon the shoulders and leggs , to make him bend them ; which is the only grace in all ayres whatsoever : this , and thus working of him upon his voltoes , either d ▪ une piste , or his croup in upon passadoes , will make him go rarely in corvets . to make a horse go side-ways in corvets , help only with the bridle , and put his head to the wall ; and on the right-hand , help with the outward reyn , and let the horse go byas ; that is , his shoulders before his croup ; and let him go three or four corvets byas , and then walk him byas ; and then corvet him byas again , and so walk him , and corvet him ; and by little and little diminish his walking , and augment his corvets , until he goes all in corvets , which he will soon do , and very perfectly . for the left-hand , using the outward reyn , and the horse being byas , do in every thing , as i told you before for the right-hand ; and the horse will very soon go byas , and very perfectly . to make the horse go in corvets backward , pull the horse back , and then make him go three or four corvets in a place , and then pull him back again , and then corvet him in a place again ; and thus pulling him back , and corvetting him in a place , diminishing the pulling back , and augmenting the corvets , he will at last go backward in corvets as perfectly as can be . to go forwards in corvets , you must always help with the reyn to the wall ; to inlarge him before , and to narrow him behind ; because he leads with his fore-parts , and his hinder-parts follow to keep the ground that his fore parts hath got ; his fore-parts being at liberty , and his hinder-parts prest . to go backwards in corvets , you must always help with the reyn to the wall ; to narrow him before , and inlarge him behind , to be there at liberty , because he leads with his hinder-parts , and his fore-parts follow , to keep the ground that his hinder-parts hath got ; his hinder-parts being at liberty , and his fore-parts prest , your hand is to be low , that the horse may not go too high , and your body a little forward , to give his hinder-parts liberty to lead , and not help with the leggs at all , but with the hand every time to pull him back , as he falls to the ground . for side-wayes in corvets , you must help with the outward reyn and outward legg ; that is , you must pull that reyn on which hand soever he goes , and your contrary legg ; and that 's right for side-ways . knowing how to help him forwards , backwards , and of each side , in corvets , put those together , and then you may make him do the cross when you please , without any difficulty . for the saraban in corvets , it must be with the outward reyn , which is to be pull'd first on one side , and then on the other side , in every corvet , from side to side , helping only with your hand ; your outward shoulder following it , and not helping with your leggs at all . all ayres must be quick from the ground , and are to stay upon the hand ; that is , to soutenir , or hold him there , but it must be gently ; a leight , and a firm hand , helping every time . if a horse beats upon the hand , it is , because he doth not obey the curb ; and in that case , you must raise him very high in passadoes , and hold him there , which puts him upon the curb ; and if this will not do , then gallop him upon a straight line by a wall , or otherwise ; and from his gallop stay him upon the hand , and let him go in corvets ; or let him gallop forward le petit gallop , and stop him , and then raise him three or four passadoes very high , and hold him on the hand when he is up , and this will cure him ; if not , then trot him , and stop him good hard stops ; and pull him back : and upon the same circles d'une piste , gallop him , and stop him , and pull him back , and this will settle him on the hand , i warrant you ; your stirrups being of an equal length , except one of your leggs was shorter than the other , and rather a hole shorter than too long ; but still that you may sit straight ; not so short as the italians , or the spaniards , but that you may sit upon your twist , and straight upon your stirrups . the true way for corvets . the seat is to be just as in terra a terra , but not so stiff , nor so oblique ; the bridle-hand eeven with his neck , the knuckles towards his neck on which hand soever he goes ; but the hand still eeven with his neck , two or three fingers above the pommel , and a little forward , and no help but soutenir , and in good time , according to the horses time ; for every horse takes his own time . quick it must be from the ground , and to stay in the ayre upon the hand , your body alwayes going to that which comes to you ; that is , to bend a little to him as he rises ; but so insensibly , that the beholders cannot perceive it . you are to sit as forward to the pommel as you can , being straight , and your thighes and knees as close as if they were glued to the saddle , but your toes down , that you may be weak in the hams ; that is , to have your nerves weak from the knees down-wards , and strong from the knees upwards , and not touch your horse with the leggs , nor help with your leggs at all ; but to leave his croup free to follow his fore-parts that leads . for when the horse is between the pillars , or at the single pillar my way , and no body on him , yet he goes as just as can be , and yet there is no leggs that helps him , therefore you must not help with your leggs at all ; for , if you help with your outward legg , he thinks he must go terra a terra ; and if he doth go in corvets , he goes all awry , and leans on the outside ; and if you help with the inward legg , then he puts out his croup , and leans all on the inside ; and if you help with both your leggs , it presses him too much , and makes him go too quick a time ; therefore the right way is not to help with your leggs at all . this is for a horse that goes perfectly ; but if a horse puts in his croup too much , you must put it out with your inward legg ; and if he puts out his croup too much , then you must put it in with your outward legg : but remember alwayes , that your horse goes byas upon his circles , his fore parts always to lead , which is oblique : and this is the exact way for corvets . of corvets upon voltoes , and to change upon them . sit straight , a little oblique ; help not with the leggs at all , until you change ; the toes down to unbrace your nerves , and your hand eeven with his crest , or neck , and only soutenir , and not help every time , but ( in musical time ) according to the time of the horse , for every horse takes his own time ; though all ayres should be quick from the ground , and to stay upon the hand , and help with the rod in a just time , either cross his neck , or on the inside , which you please , as you find occasion : and as the horse is thus going upon his voltoes in corvets on the right-hand , when you would change him , put your right-legg gently to him , and then hold him up with your hand a little , on the inside of his neck , the knuckles alwayes towards his neck , on which hand soever you go ; and as soon as he hath changed , then take your right-legg from him , as before , and help not with the leggs at all , only the poise is to be a little on the outside . now you are on the left-hand , when you would change again , put your left-legg gently to him , and your hand to hold him up a very little on the inside of the turn , and then take away your left-legg as before , and help not with the leggs at all . the reason why ( upon his changes ) i begin with the legg , and not the hand , is this : if i began with the hand , he would stop ; and if i did turn my hand , his croup would go out , and be lost , and therefore i begin with the legg ; but instantly i hold him up with my hand , when they are so near together , that none can perceive it : if his shoulders do not come in enough , you must turn your hand , to help with the outward reyn. and this must be done so neatly , and gently , and with so much art as possibly can be , which is the quintessence of changing upon voltoes in corvets : for demy-voltoes in corvets , the same way , and the same helps ; and so for a demy-ayre , the same helps . a horse that retains his forces , and is pareseus , and towards resty , corvets is an ayre that will not agree well with him ; and horses of great fire , and fougue , that are impatient , are very improper for all ayres , as corvets , demy-ayres , and leaps ; but they are more proper to go upon the ground ; for , as to furious horses , and impatient , all ayres augment their collers , and deprives them of memory and obedience . i would have the first lesson in corvets to be made leasurely , and high before , which is passadoes ; for that ( long time before he brings his fore-leggs to the ground ) doth give him means to assure his hanches , and to firm his head , and to bend his fore-leggs , and to divert him from apprehensions , and unquietness , and to hinder him from trampling , which is trepigner . here i will shew you , how to dress leaping horses . walk a horse forward , and then make him make one leap , and presently raise him high ; a passadoe , or two ; and stay him , and keep him upon the hand , and then augment your leaps , and diminish your passadoes , and so by little and little he will leap perfectly ; and after he is perfect upon a right line forward , then you must put him upon voltoes , or circles , and continue the same method ; but the circles must be a little large at first . you must remember , when you raise him to leap , that you help him with your rod behind , either one stroke , or more , as you please , so it be in time ; and that is , when the horse is raised , then help him , but alwayes high passadoes after he hath leapt . remember to sit straight , your stirrups a little shorter , a hole , or so ; for too short would throw you out of the saddle , and to long would disorder your seat , and make you lose your stirrups ; your toes down , to slack your nerves from the knees downward , or else the horse would bolt forward too much ; for a leaping horse should never go forward above a foot and a half at the most ; and when you raise him , instantly put your brest out , which makes your shoulders go a little back ( though insensibly ) to the beholders ; for , did you not so when the horse rises , it would be too late when he yerks behind , or raises his croup . now i must tell you , that your knees and thighes must be as close as if they were glu'd to the saddle ; and for your bridle-hand , you must alwayes help with it the outward reyn , to bring in his outward shoulder , to narrow him before , and inlarge him behind , to press him on the inside of the turn , and to be at liberty without the turn , that his croup may go a little out , and be free ; for else , how should he leap , if his croup were subjected , or bound up ? therefore the outward reyn is to be used for all leaps whatsoever , either forward , or upon circles . here i will tell you a secret for the hand , concerning leaping horses ; and that is this : the bridle being a little longer than ordinary , raise him well , and every time put your hand a little forward , to soutenir , and stay him there upon the hand , as if he hung in the ayre ; and in every leap help him so , and take a just time , like a ball at the bound . all leaps are made upon the hand , and nothing else ; therefore see that the horse be well setled upon the hand , before ever you make him leap ; for nothing disorders a horse's mouth more than leaps : for , a pace and a leap , it must be done the same way . thus ends the method for teaching leaping horses . a true observation in riding . there is no man , that hath not a musical head , that can be a good horse-man , because all horses ought to go in a just and musical time , though the time varies in every horse , some slower , and some quicker ; and besides , as no man plays on the lute , but the same strings that he stops with his left-hand , he always strikes with his right-hand , or else it would be ill musick : so in riding , whatsoever you touch , or help with your left-hand , you must strike with your heel , or calf of your legg , or else it will be ill musick on horse-back : and therefore a good horse-man should never fail to have hand and heel to go together , no more than the musitian his two hands together . here ends the third part. the fourth part , which contains all the faults & errors the horse can commit ; with the vices , and horse's sins in the mannage , and the ways how to rectifie him , and the medicines how to cure him . no horse makes a fault , but it is either in his shoulders , or his croup ; either before , or behind : that is , he doth either disobey the hand or the heel . if you work horses , as i have told you , in the first lessons , he can never be entier , which is , not to turn ; for , entier is to put in his croup , and put out his shoulders ; and those lessons puts out his croup , and in his shoulders , which is contrary to entier : so that suppling a horses shoulders thus , a horse can never be entier ; for indeed , it is the stifness of his shoulders , more than his croup ; and working as i have told you , he shall never be entier : but , if he be very obstinate , pull the inward cavezone's reyn hard to you , and spur him on the inside , and that will cure him . if the horse doth not obey the heel , but puts out his croup , then his head to the wall ( legg and reyn contrary ) will cure him ; if not , then upon his circles put his head from the turn , and help him with your outward legg , and spur him , ( if there be cause ) then bring in your inward shoulder , which puts in his croup ; but his leggs go false : if this will not do , then pull the outward cavezone's reyn to the turn , which infallibly will put in his croup , but falser than the other ; because now he is pull'd to look out of the turn , and his croup before his shoulders , and his leggs very false ; but what is good for the stomack , is ill for the liver , and one must not rectifie to many things at once ; but when you have cured the vice , fall to the true way of riding again . when a horse goes false upon his terra a terra , in bringing in his shoulders too much , and taking too much ground with his fore-parts , there is no way to remedy it , like tying the inward cavezone's reyn as straight as possibly you can to the pommel ; for then he hath not so much room to bring in his shoulders , though it appears otherwise ; but thus he takes shorter steps , and less ground ; and then he is cured . to work only with the bridle , a horse that hath the vice of bringing in his outward shoulder too much . this vice is disobeying both the hand and the heel ; but more the hand : for , no horse can bring in his shoulders too much , but he must put out his croup ; and no horse that bringeth in his shoulders too much , but he comes into the turn , and keeps not his ground ; and if he rise too high , he hath more liberty to bring in his outward shoulder : then the business to recover him of that vice is , to keep him low , and to make him go forward truly , both with his leggs and body , you sitting in the right posture as you should , and with true and right helps for terra a terra , as i have shewed you before . then to cure him is thus ; sit oblike as i have shewed you , pulling the inward reyn , your hand on the outside of his neck , your knuckles towards his neck ; and to keep him down , that he shall not rise too high , your bridle-hand as low as his neck , and that will keep him down ; and there is half his vice cured , that he cannot come in so much . and now to keep him from coming in at all ; because his coming in is by reason of his not going forward : therefore to make him go forward , you must help with both your leggs ; and as the outward legg keeps in his croup , so the inward legg puts him forward ; so the hand low keeps him down , and both leggs puts him forward , and then he is cured with right helps , and goes truly . this i have tried , and find it to be most true ; where all the other helps may do , but they are false , both for the man's sitting , and the horse's going ; therefore i set down none but this , because you should not use them : doing voltoes may be good sometimes , for this vice may fix his croup . observations . many horses , though they can do nothing but trott , yet when they are prest in the mannage , they will make a shuffling amble ; nay , they will perfectly amble , which is the worst action for the mannage that possible can be ; and therefore to hinder them of that action , there is nothing better , than to pull in their heads into the turn as much as possible you can , and to put them upon as narrow circles as you can ; and this will hinder them from ambling : and to give them the spurrs soundly , when they amble , will also put them from ambling : many strong horses will amble when they are prest in the mannage , but commonly horses amble out of weakness , either by nature , or that they are almost tyred : as soon as foles are foled , we see that they all amble at first , because they are so weak ; and after they come to a little strength , then they trott . there are many horses , that whensoever they are prest , they will put up their heads ; it may be to shun the pressure of being put upon the hanches ; for , holding up their heads puts them off of the hanches . to remedy this , tie the cavezone , my way , to the pommel ; for , that pulls down his head , and therefore must put him on the hanches : but the horse , to hinder that , will strive still not to be upon the hanches , by putting out his croup ; then you must spurr him on that side until he obeys you : it may be he casts up his head , because he doth not obey the curb ; then you must trott him , and stopp him ; and gallop him , and stopp him , and pull him back ; and this upon the shoulders , and then he is cured . whensoever a horse goes too much on the back , and fetches disordered leaps , there is no way better to hinder him , than to hold him well and fast on the hand ; for , a slack hand gives him liberty to leap , when a stiffer hand hinders him from leaping . when a horse uses to go low in corvets , and that by much rest , and many holly-daies , or but little riding , the horse goes too much on the back ; there is nothing takes him off more , than to put in his croup , and his outward hanch , for that subjects his hinder-parts so much , as he is hindred , and tied up from crouping , or going upon the back : but before you come to that , it were very good to trott and gallop him so long upon large circles , d'une piste , until you find that you have totally abated his chine , and taken him off of his back , and then put in his outward hanch , to subject his croup again , that he may go on the hanches , and not to go on the back . for there is nothing in the world puts a horse more upon the hanches , than the cavezone my way , tied to the pommel , and to press him on the outside of the turn , that he may lean on the outside ; that is , to lean on his outward legg , that is , on his outward hinder-legg , which is done by the inward reyn cross his neck , or tied to the pommel , to put him on the outside . if a horse will not trott right , but wrangle in his going , between a false trott , and a false gallop ; then tie the inward reyn of the cavezone very straight to the pommel , and put out his croup very much upon large circles ; and if he still doth gumble , and falsify his leggs , give him the spurr , within the turn ; or both spurrs soundly , and good stops ; and this infallibly will make him trot right , and go just upon his trott , or gallop , as he should do . of a resty horse . a resty horse is he that will not go forward ; the way then is , to pull him backwards , and then he will go forwards : it seldom fails ; but if it do fail , then use your spurs to the purpose ; and though he rebels a great while , the spurs will perswade him at last , being the best argument you can use to him , if they be given sharply , ( soundly , and in time ) and are continued until he doth yeeld , which certainly he will do at last ; for this remedy never fails ; all other remedies are foolish ; you were as good apply rose water and sugar-candy to him : therefore the spurs does the business . for all our old writers were mightily deceived in it . for a horse that is retenu , paresus , or contre-coeur , which is all but a spice of restiness , be sure to use the spurs . for a horse that falls down upon the ground , or in the water ; bites , or strikes ; nothing better than the spurs . but i must tell you , for vitious horses , that indangers the company by biteing , and striking , there is no better way than to geld them ; for that will cure them , or nothing . but i assure you , that vitious horses are very hardly recovered , or never ; so dangerous a thing it is to have such a jade , and the worst , if he be spoil'd by an ignorant rider : and more horses are spoil'd by ill riding , and are made vitious , than by nature . of a run-away horse . for a run-away horse , you must have a gentle bitt , the curb slack , a gentle cavezone , that nothing may hurt his mouth , or his nose ; for , certainly sharp cavezones , and cruel bitts , hard curb'd , made horses run away heretofore , making them desperate . you must also have a gentle hand , offend him no way ; and walk him first without stopping , but staying of him by little and little ; and then trott him ; and from his trott , to his walk ; and so by little and little stay him : and always make much of him when he obeys you . and from his trott , you must gently gallop him ; and from his gallop , to a trot ; and from his trot , to his walk ; and from his walk , by little and little , stay him , and always with a gentle hand . this is to prevent him from running away . but put the case he doth run away , what is to be done then ? it is certain , that the more you pull the cavezone , he will run the faster to oppose you ; and the more you pull the bridle , and straighten the curb , hurting him , the more you pull , the more he will pull , and run the faster ; for pulling doth no more good , than if you pull'd a wall : then if you have field-room , when he begins to run , give him the spurrs continually , sharply , and soundly , and slack the bridle , and spurr him until he begins to slack of himself , and to be contented to stay ; and as often as he begins to run , use the same way , and at last i dare undertake he will be cured : for this is the best way in the world for a run-away horse . but if you have not room , and are circumscrib'd in a narrow place , then let him run circularly , until he is weary , with a slack hand : but if you have not room , the best is , to put him to the single pillar , with a good strong rope ; both which will hold him , and there he can run but circularly , and round ; and give him the spurrs soundly , until he be weary , and contented to stay ; and this at last , no doubt , will cure him . of a horse that retains his forces . when a horse retains his forces , you must gallop him fast , and so terra a terra , to put him from thinking ; for it is his resty thinking , that makes that vice : and let me tell you , that ill riders , and bunglers , at the first , makes ( for the most part ) all these faults , and vitious horses , by ill riding , correcting them out of time , or else in letting them have their wills too much . let me tell you for a great truth , that the worst natured jade in the world by nature , is much easier drest , and reduc'd to obedience , than a horse that hath been spoil'd , and made resty by ill riding ; so much worse is an ill custom continued , than an ill disposition by nature : for , a customary drunkard is hardly reclaimed , which is not by nature ; and if men be so , horses may well be so too . to assure horses for the warrs . as when a horse is skittish , and apprehensive of noise , there are many inventions , and none of the best . to stop the horse's ears with wool , that he should not hear ; that is , to make him deaf , and to change the vice for the disease of deafness ; but the vice remains still . what if the wool should fall out ? then you would find he was not cured . but you may also be deceived , for it may be it is another sense ; that 's sight : and being afraid of fire , when the guns are fired , would you put spectacles on him to make him both deaf and blind ? they are great follies . therefore you must use him by little and little , to shott , both to the noise and sight of the fire ; to drums , trumpets , and colours ; and the custom of them will make him indure it , and go constantly upon any of them ; sword , or any thing ; for custom doth all things with men , and so with horses . you should teach him to leap hedge , ditch , and rail ; for all these are the useful things for a souldiers horse ; as also to swim well is very necessary . of vitious horses . when a horse bites at his shoulders , and at his bitt , and at his riders leggs , and rises , and turns round , ready to come over : the best remedy that i know , is , to ride him without a cavezone , to offend him as little as may be ; and to tie the nose-band as straight as you can ; as also to have another nose-band below , where the bitt is tied ; and to tie that as straight as possibly can be ; so straight , as he cannot open his mouth : and when the horse finds that he cannot bite , he will leave those jadish tricks in a little time . and because the spurrs , given him out of time , appear to be the cause of his vitiousness , and restiness , therefore do not give him the spurrs of a great while , but only trot him upon large circles , and walk him quietly , and peaceably ; and when you have gained him to this point , upon a peaceable and little gallop , you may then touch him with the spurrs , but very gently , only to make him feel them , and no more ; and this way will cure him , or else nothing . the old way for trench and martingal . this way is to no purpose at all to dress a horse , since the end of riding is , to go with the bitt ; for , with the trench and martingal , you must use both hands , and you have not a third hand for the sword ; but with the bitt , your left-hand governs the horse , and your right-hand is free for the sword : but i will let you see , that to use the trench and martingal , is just so much time lost , as you ride horses with it , and no preparation at all for the bitt : for first , the trench hath no curb , therefore they will not understand the curb by it , because it hath none . then secondly , there is no trench in the world , or snaffle , that ever wrought upon the bars of a horse , but upon his lips , and the weeks of his mouth . so , what preparation is there in the trench for the bitt , when the trench can neither make him understand the curb , nor the bars ? and the bitt works only upon those two places , curb , and bars ; and without those two , no horse can be a ready-horse . nay , pull down the horses head as much as you can with the martingal , or the trench , it shall never work upon his bars ; the snaffle is the same ; for the trench is but a great snaffle : then for the martingal , use it never so long , the horse shall not be setled one jot the better when you take it off . so now you may see how unuseful a folly the trench and martingal is , for the dressing of horses ; meerly so much time lost to no purpose , and labour in vain , and disordering the poor horse ; so that i wonder at the horse-men , that had no more wit than to use it . it is the bitt , with the cavezone , and the true art of riding , that makes , and dresses horses perfectly , and not the trench and martingal ; no , nor the martingal with the bitt , if it be tied to the arches of the bitt , for then the curb never works ; no , nor the new-fashioned martingal , that is tied to the cavezone , for it hinders the operation of the bitt . of the false reyns . to work horses with false reyns , is very false working ; for , being tied to the arches of the bitt , and pulling it , that slacks the curb ; and so no horse shall be firm , and setled with it ; for , that horse that doth not suffer the curb , shall never be a ready-horse ; so it makes the bitt like a snaffle . there is no way but the cavezone , and the bitt , to settle and dress horses withal perfectly ; and when a horse is perfectly setled upon the hand , ( then being put upon the hanches ) he will go so perfectly , and easily , as you shall hardly feel him upon the hand , the bridle will be so slack , and he will go so just . if you work , as this book instructs you , you shall never have any horse vitious in any kind , if no body else have rid him ; and after he is drest to that perfection , he will hardly make you a fault , if you work as you should do . of the follies of some people , thinking they can make leaping-horses . there are many presumptuous fellows , as ignorant as they are presumptuous , that laughing , say , they will make any horse a leaping-horse . why ? because they will make him leap over a stick , like a jack-anapes , or a dogg ; or make a horse leap over a barrel , a rail , hedge , or ditch . if that were all , we should have many leaping-horses ; for , i know hardly any horse but will do it , without any great art : god help their ignorance , poor fools ! for , a horse to leap so , is not the same leaping , as a horse leaps in the mannage . first , for their horses that leaps over hedge and ditch , and of their fashion ; they lay the reyns in his neck , and puts him forward , which is a leap of their fashion , but not a leap in the mannage : and where they give him the reyns to leap , we hold him , and help him up with the hand to leap ; and so with our heels , if it need , at the same time : and thus the horse obeys both the hand and the heels , at the same time ; hath an excellent mouth , and a good apuy , both upon the bars , and the curb . a gentle-mans hunts-boy , though he can leap his masters gelding over a hedge , will not make him leap upon the bars and the curb with his snaffle ; since his snaffle hath no curb , and his snaffle never works upon the bars , but upon the weeks , and lips of his horses mouth : besides , our horses will leap so in a place , and not at leap-frogg , as their horses , or at barley-break , to leap two or three yards forward without feeling of his mouth . thus doth ignorance talk of things they do not know : nay , some horse men hath been so foolish , as to think they could make a leaping-horse , with laying fur-bushes for him to leap over , which is the same as a hedge ; so foolish they have been : and now you see the truth of this , truly anatomized to you . of a horse that goes incaputiato , which is , when he armes himself against the bitt . our learned authors are mightily mistaken about this vice , as they call it , saying , a horse is at no command , and hard on the hand , because the branches rests upon his neck , or shoulders , and you cannot pull , or help him with your hand at all ; wherein they are horribly deceived : for , i have had horses that have armed themselves against the bitt , as much as any horse could do , and yet were as sensible to the hand , and as leight on the hand , as any horse in the world ; so they are mightily mistaken : for , if the horse goes perfectly upon the hanches , he must be leight on the hand , let him arm , or his head be never so low ; and therefore they are deceived that thinks otherwise . this should have been put in the second part. for terra a terra , you must help with the inward reyn ; press him on the outside , and your outward shoulder a little down ; and then his outward shoulder cannot come in , as it doth with the other way before-mentioned : and thus the horse is prest all on the outside of his outward hinder-legg , and so upon the hanches ; which in the other is upon the shoulders , and the horse being prest on the outside , his leggs are at liberty , to lead on the inside , and so he goes eeven , and not cross ; which is the exact and right terra a terra . an epitomy of horse-manship . in all ayres you must help with the outward reyn. first for corvets ; you must help with the outward reyn , and if the horse be not on the hanches enough , you must soutenir more , not give him a time , but hold him up more upon the hands : and if his croup go out , you must put your outward legg a little to him ; and if he put his croup in too much , you must put your inward legg a little to him , and turn your hand a little more , just over his neck , and only turn it up , but not within his neck . you must help with the outward reyn to bring in his outward shoulder ; for if that did not come in , he could not turn upon voltoes ; and so his croup is a little at liberty , which makes him go the easier , freer , and at more liberty to go straight forward . to go byas , on either hand , you must still help with the outward reyn , and soutenir ; that is , hold him up , without giving him a time : for , the horse gives himself a time better than you can , and you must help with the outward legg ; that is , legg and reyn of a side , but both on the outside still . to make him go back in corvets , use the outward reyn ; but here you must give him a time with your hand every cadance that he makes , and your hand closer to your body ; not to pull him back , but to give him a time ; and as he falls , that time is to be a little back , but not above a straw breadth : let your body be a little forward , your leggs a little back , and sit not too strong . of demy — ayres . you must use the very same helps , as in corvets , in every thing : for , when his croup is within the voltoe , if you help , as i have told you , ( so you put him forward ) he will go easily , and just , as a horse should always go forward , in every thing , but when you will pull him back . of leaps . use the outward reyn still , but you must soutenir more ; that is , to hold him up harder , and not to give him a time , but still to hold him up , for the horse gives himself the best time ; and do not help with your leggs , but only hands and rod ; and the rod under hand , and help him in time , and as much upon the dock as you can , to make him strike out . upon voltoes use the outward reyn ; but here his croup must be a little out , to give him liberty , for else he could not go , if his hanches were subjected ; and he must go larger upon his voltoes , as if he went forward with all the liberty that may be ; for this is a forcible ayre . of passadoes . still use the outward reyn , to bring in his outward shoulder ; and so in demy-voltoes . so in the piroyte , with the outward reyn ; but not to turn the hand on the inside of his neck , and keep him low. to gallop and change , with the outward reyn still . of terra a terra . here you are to use the inward reyn , for now you must keep the outward shoulder back , and give his inward shoulder liberty , that he may look into the turn , rest upon his outward leggs , and his inward leggs at liberty , which you may know by his neck leaning on the outside . you must know , that the outward reyn brings in his outward shoulder , presses him on the inside , and gives his outward leggs liberty , and so his croup goes a little out . use the outward reyn in passager ; for , if his outward shoulder comes not in , how shall he lap one legg over another , which they call incavelar in italian , and passager in french ? now , whatsoever makes his croup go out upon a trot , or gallop large , it works his shoulders ; so his croup going out ( legg and reyn on a side ) works his shoulders , because his inward legg goes out as upon large circles , his inward legg being wrought : this working his shoulders is an excellent thing for a young horse , or an ignorant horse at first ; for without his shoulders be supple , he shall never go : besides , it keeps him from being entier , or have the credenza , which is , resty in turning , and is the worst vice a horse can have . to work his crovp . legg and reyn contrary , his head to the wall , works his croup , so the inward reyn be pulled . cross his neck , legg and reyn contrary , his croup in , works his croup , so the inward reyn be pull'd cross his neck ; his croup in , the inward reyn pull'd hard on the outside , so that his neck may lean on the outside , works his croup . in his length the same , and raise him in passadoes his croup in , works his croup ; and all this puts him upon the hanches to boot , which is all our business . now , as you are working his croup , you must give him the spur now and then , to make him flie ; for he never obeys it , until he flies it ; it is not a correction with the spurr , but a little touch ; which may be given him upon large circles too ; that is , he must flie it , and yet be upon the hanches : this touch gently with the spurr , may be upon any thing ; to thrust him like a carreer , to stop him , and thrust him away presently again , makes him obey the heel perfectly ; stoping , and going back , and raiseing of him , puts him upon the hanches . you must understand , that a horse having two hinder-leggs , when his inward hinder-legg is put out , by the outward reyn , then his outward shoulder is wrought , and his croup out , and not upon the hanches ; is prest within , and at liberty without . but when his outward legg is prest by the inward reyn , and your outward legg ; then his croup is wrought , and he is upon the hanches ; so the outward reyn works the shoulders , and the inward reyn ( with the outward legg ) works the croup , and puts him upon the hanches ; and the more , if you raise him in passadoes . to work his fore-parts , and his hinder-parts ; to press him on his leggs , without the turn , and at liberty within the turn ; to press him on his leggs within the turn , and at liberty without the turn ; to obey the hand and heel , and to be upon the hanches , is all that can be done : and this that i have written doth it perfectly . until he be supple on the shoulders , and stop perfectly upon his trott , and is perfectly setled upon the hand , he shall never be a ready-horse : the way to supple his shoulders best , is the cavezone my way ; and to pull the inward reyn to your knee , which brings in his outward shoulder ; galloping puts him upon the apuy ; but never gallop him until he stop perfectly upon his trott , and that he is so leight as he offers to gallop of himself . the stop upon a trott , must be hard , and on a sudden ; the stop upon a gallop , with two or three little falcadoes ; and never stop and raise him together , but stop first , and raise him afterwards . to work his croup , you must use the cavezone's reyn cross his neck ; which puts him so on the outside , that you may feel his outward hanch to go in , and his neck to lean on the outside . so that pulling the cavezone to your knee , brings in his outward shoulder , and supples his shoulders ; presses him on the inside , and puts him at liberty on the outside . so pulling the inward cavezone's reyn cross his neck , works his croup ; that is , his outward hanch being put in , ( legg and reyn contrary ) he leans all on the outside , and makes him obey the heel ; presses him on the outside , and gives him liberty within the turn : never stop him , but put your outward legg to him ; or else he cannot be upon the hanches . an effectual discourse of horse-manship . certainly the foundation of all ayres in the mannage , and the ground of every thing , is , trotting , and stopping , with looking into the turn ; a gentle stop , not too hard , which puts a horse upon the hanches , and settles him upon the hand ; because it pulls him down before ; but too hard a stop pulls him up before ; and therefore puts him off of the hanches . to make him look into the turn , the cavezone , my way , and pulling the inward reyn to your knee , low , or beyond it , brings in his outward shoulder , and bends him into the turn very much ; supples his shoulders , presses him within the turn , and leaves his leggs at liberty without the turn ; and pulling him down before , makes him stop well : but see still , that his outward shoulder comes in , and then he shall never be entier ; which is the greatest vice a horse can have . to tie the inward cavezone's reyn to the pommel , puts a horse on the outside , and presses him there , except your inward legg puts out his croup ; therefore i would have you tie the inward cavezone's reyn to the girths below , which presses him within , and gives liberty to his leggs without the turn , and brings in his outward shoulder : and thus tied to the girths , is more powerful , than if you held it in your hand ; for , many horses may force your hand , which they cannot do , when it is tied to the girths ; and pulling him down thus , makes him stop well . going back sometimes , is an excellent thing to put him on the hanches , to put him on the hand , and to make him leight on the hand , and to make him advance . for passager , there is nothing better , than tying the inward cavezone's reyn to the girths ; for it brings in his outward shoulder , to lap one legg over another , and supples his shoulders . passadoes is a rare thing to put a horse upon the hand , and prepare him for all ayres ; it puts him on the hanches too ; and especially is excellent for leaping horses ; and all this with the inward cavezone's reyn tied to the girthes ; upon a trott , or le petit gallop , it is an excellent thing to give him a little touch with the spur , to make him flie it , and obey it ; but then it must not be abandoned upon the shoulders , but upon the hanches , when he feels the spur. the cavezone is the rarest thing in the world for dressing of horses ; not only to preserve their mouth , but to give them the ply , which is to bend them into the turn , to make them look into the turn , to work their outward shoulder , to bring it into the turn : and thus to supple their shoulders , either upon a trott , or gallop d'une piste ; or passager the croup in , or legg and reyn on a side ; and all this to supple the shoulders , which is a prinpal thing . the cavezone again , ( legg and reyn contrary ) works a horse's croup ; his croup out , as if it were to the pillar , or his croup in for passager , or to the wall ; for legg and reyn contrary , works his croup ; for it puts him on the hanches , because it presses him on his outward leggs , and makes him subject to the heel ; for he cannot get from it , so legg and reyn contrary works his croup , as the former wrought his shoulders ; prest him within , and gave him liberty without : so this legg and reyn contrary presses him without , and gives him liberty within . but when you work legg and reyn contrary , i would wish you to have the cavezone's reyn in your hand ; for so you will help him the better . thus you see how powerful the cavezone is to work shoulders , or croup , or any thing for the perfect dressing of horses ; so that i will undertake to dress a horse better , and more perfectly , with a cavezone without a bitt , than with a bitt without a cavezone ; therefore use the cavezone ; but then it must be my way , or else it is of little effect . since trotting , and stopping upon the trott , is the foundation of all ayres in the mannage , therefore highly esteem of it , and practice it most ; that is , never do any thing with your horse , until he stop perfectly upon his trott ; for , if you do , you will perfectly spoyl him for ever . whether upon a large circle d'une piste his croup out , upon a trott , or his croup in , or straight by a wall : when you stop , be sure you put your body back , and pull in your bridle-hand , but not too suddenly at first ; and be sure you pull the inward reyn hard , to put him on the outside , to rest on his outward hinder-legg , which puts him upon the hanches ; so that you may be sure , at the same time , to help him with your outward legg , which certainly will put him effectually upon the hanches , which is our main business , and work : and therefore do this perfectly , and it will pull down his head. another lesson to put him upon the hanches , which is very effectual . to put a horse upon the hanches , tie the inward cavezone's reyn to the girthes , and then walk him d'une piste , or a short trott , your inward legg to him , and be sure he neither puts his croup out , nor in ; for if he doth either , this lesson is of no force ; but if he doth not , there is nothing puts him more on the hanches . it is very material , for the dressing of horses in the mannage , to know the several operations of the inward cavezone's reyn ( my way ) tied to the girthes , or tied to the pommel . when the inward cavezone's reyn is tied to the girthes , it works his outward shoulder , presses his leggs within the turn , and leaves his leggs at liberty without the turn . it is excellent to trott him large or narrow d'une piste , or gallop him large on narrow d'une piste , for this supples his shoulders , his croup a little out , which brings in his outward shoulder more . it is good also , legg and reyn on a side , his croup out , to supple his shoulders . it is excellent in passager , his croup a little in , to lap one legg over another , because his outward shoulder comes in ; but if you press his croup too much in , it is impossible he should go ; because the reyn , being tied to the girthes , works his outward shoulder ; and putting his buttock in too much , puts his outward shoulder back ; and two contraries is impossible to be wrought at once . it is excellent for le petit gallop , his croup a little in , and proper for it , because it works his shoulders . the inward reyn tied to the girthes , is proper and excellent for corvets , because it brings in the outward shoulder , and so consequently gives a little liberty to the croup . in all these lessons , if his shoulders come not in enough , you must turn your bridle-hand a little , which works the outward reyn , and so consequently the outward shoulder . this working of the shoulders , makes all horses easie ; and thus wrought , they shall never be entier . this tying the inward cavezone's reyn to the girthes , is an oblike line within the turn , and therefore works his outward shoulder . the inward cavezone's reyn , tied to the pommel , is an oblike line cross his neck , and this line puts back his outward shoulder , and puts forward his inward shoulder ; presses him on the outside , and gives his leggs liberty within the turn , and is most proper for terra a terra , which never any found out but my self ; but it is naught for corvets , because it subjects his croup too much ; but this works his croup mightily , either legg or reyn contrary , his croup out ; or passager , his croup in ; either in his length , or a little larger ; and so to raise him in passadoes ; and makes him infinitely subject to the heel . but this oblike line cross his neck to the pommel , is not so powerful , as when i have it in my hand , and pull it to my outward shoulder , because the line is then longer , then when it is tied to the pommel . when his head is to the wall , ( if you would work his shoulders ) then pull the inward cavezone's reyn to your knee ; if you would work his croup , then pull the inward cavezone's reyn to your outward shoulder . there is no doubt , but that , though the inward cavezone's reyn be tied to the pommel , to trott him upon large circles , or to gallop him large , it works his shoulders ; but the reason of that is , because his croup is out , and then of necessity his outward shoulder must come in. if you can work , according to these precepts , and apply these excellent lessons to the horse , and see perfectly where the fault lies , either in his shoulders , or his croup , you will infallibly make all horses that ever comes into your hands ; which i wish you may do , and not find fault with it , because you cannot do it . for corvets forward , you must help with the outward reyn ; your hand not on the inside of his neck ; but just upon his neck ; your little finger turn'd up , which pulls the outward reyn ; and the hand a little forward , which works upon the curb , and to soutenir , which is to hold him up : thus the curb pinches him a little ; and to give himself ease of the curb , he is forced to go upon the hanches , and that is as i would have him . which way soever the branches of the bitt goes , the mouth goes alwayes contrary ; you pull the bridle , and that pulls the branches up ; then the mouth goes down , which puts him upon the hanches ; for no horse can be upon the hanches when his head is up . this is the truth in corvets ; and in all ayres whatsoever , you must still help with the outward reyn , and never give a time with your hand , but only soutenir , which is , to hold him up ; for the horse will give himself a better time than you can : but going backward , you must help him every time , and with the outward reyn , your body a little forward , and your leggs a little back ; and sit easie upon him , and not too hard . upon voltoes in corvets , use the outward reyn , and in every thing as i told you before ; only let the horse go forward , as if he did not turn , which ought to be upon all circles whatsoever , except the piroyte ; and commonly you are not to help with your leggs at all ; but if you do , it must be the outward legg a little to him . this is the perfection of all ayres whatsoever . the quintessence of horse — manship . if your horse will not bend his shoulders , which is the principal thing , then tie the cavezone ( my way ) to the girthe , the inward reyn as strait as you can ; but then you must work upon nothing but large or narrow circles , his croup out , either upon a trott , or a gallop ; or legg and reyn on a side , his croup out : and this infallibly will supple his shoulders , and he shall never be resty , nor entier . but should you put in his croup when he is tied so hard , it is so much against nature , and such a forced thing , as it is impossible for him to go ; and so , to get what ease he can , where you think to work his outward shoulder in , you put it back , and work his inward shoulder ; for the poor horse hath no other way to ease himself . and thus horse-men are deceived ; work against nature , and spoil the horse . but if you would work his shoulders , and put in his croup , then you must take the inward cavezone's reyn in your hand , and pull it to your knee , and help with the outward legg ; this is not so great a force as the other , and therefore brings in his outward shoulder with ease , and gives a little ease to his croup , being not so much in ; and therefore is proper for le petit gallop , his croup in , and for passager his croup in ; most proper for a gallop , but not at all for terra a terra ; for there is none for terra a terra but my way , which i wonder how i found out , it is so rare and true : for there the outward shoulder is kept back , and the inward shoulder forward , and the cavezone's reyn to your knee ; the outward shoulder comes in , and the inward shoulder is kept back . this is the true difference betwixt le petit gallop , and terra a terra , upon circles . this you should get by heart , for it is the rarest thing in the world , because it is a subtile truth . to know the degrees of tying the inward cavezone's reyn , either to the girthes or the pommel of the sadle , which is the life or soul of the mannage , never found out but by my self . i begin with tying the inward cavezone's reyn to the girthes , which works his outward shoulder , presses him within the turn , and leaves his outward leggs at liberty ; is fit for gallopping large , or narrow , d'une piste ; as also for passager , either large , or in his length ; and for the piroyte . no horse can go , or be made a ready-horse , until his shoulders be extreamly supple ; and therefore this is the best lesson in the world to supple his shoulders : but you must take heed of putting his croup in too much , for it is impossible to put in his croup , and put out his croup all at one time ; for the cavezone's reyn tyed to the girthes , puts out his croup , and at the same time you will put in his croup with your heel , which cannot be : and when the horse finds your ignorance , working impossibilities , then he grows impatient and resty , as he hath great reason to be so . therefore you must not tye the cavezone too strait ; for if you do , the horse cannot go forward , but turns round , and so grows resty again , as he must needs do , which is your fault , not his . you should tye the cavezone no straiter than to make him look into the turn , and no more ; that is , so strait , that he cannot look out of the turn : and thus he may go forward , and be pleased ; which is natural , and no impossibility . the inward cavezone's reyn tyed to the pommel is another business ; for , this presses the horse on the outside of the turn , and leaves his leggs within the turn at liberty ; keeps back his outward shoulder , and works his croup , and his outward hanch , and makes him subject to the heel , because he cannot get from it ; so he obeys it , and flies it . this is proper for terra a terra , and demi-voltoes upon the ground ; but the inward cavezone's reyn must not be tyed too strait ; for if it be , then the horse cannot go forward , no more than the other way , and will grow resty : so the inward cavezone's reyn must be pull'd no harder , than just to make him look into the turn , and no more . to pull the inward cavezone's reyn to your knee , or beyond it , works the horse's outward shoulder , presses him on the inside , and leaves his leggs at liberty without the turn , supples his shoulders , and gives a little liberty to his croup ; and the inward cavezone's reyn tyed to the girthes hath the same opperation . you are to know , that the invention of the pillars is a meer routine ; that is , by rote ; because it works by the eyes , and not by feeling the hand , and the heels , and being obedient to them : so that this method of the pillars , hath spoiled more horses than any thing in the world , working upon the eyes , by looking at the pillars ; and never any man wrought horses well at the pillar , but pluvinel , that devised them . my way is a method of the cavezone , and there he goes not by rote ; his eyes doe nothing here , nor the voyce ; but the horses meerly obey the hand and the heel , which makes them all perfect , of what nature or condition soever they be , and never fails me . of the bridle and bitt without the cavezone . you must know , that the bitt is a strange engine ; for , wheresoever you pull the cheek , the mouth always goes contrary : when you turn up your little finger , it pulls the outward reyn , which works his shoulder on the outside , and gives liberty to his croup on the left-hand : your little finger a little more turn'd up , and a little on the left side , works his outward shoulder , and gives his croup a little liberty , which is fit for corvets , trotting , and gallopping d'une piste ; so in pasadoes , excellent for passager , so for the piroyte . here the horse is prest within the turn , and at liberty without the turn . for corvets upon voltoes , if his croup be at the center , put your outward legge a little to him , and turn your hand a little , and soutenir , and he will go perfectly upon his turns if he goes forward , which is the main business , and the reason of that is , because he goes a little byas ; this is all with the reynes , in your left-hand . and this makes him also go perfectly , le petit gallop . for terra a terra , it is another thing , the reynes being in your left-hand ; here you must pull the inward reyn , to presse him on the out-side , and leave his legges at liberty , within the turn ; and you must turn your fist inward , and turn it to your left-shoulder , close to it , which pulls the inward reyn , and your outward legge close to him ; thus he is prest on the out-side , and his leggs at liberty within the turn ; but for terra a terra on the left-hand , your bridle still in the left-hand , you must turn your little finger up , and pull it close to your right-shoulder , helping with the outward legge . if the reynes be separated in both your hands , then you must pull the inward reyn , and your right-hand close to your left-shoulder , turning up your little finger , and your legge gently on the out-side . but for the left-hand , the reyns separated in both your hands , you must pull the inward reyn close to your right-shoulder , holding up your left-finger gently , helping with the outward legg : and so you see there is a great deal of difference betwixt the reynes separated in both your hands , and when you have the bridle only in your left-hand , ( for the help is with your hands : ) this is perfectly for terra a terra , and demi-voltoes . i have told you a bitt is a strange engine ; for , wheresoever you pull the cheeks , the mouth goes contrary ; if you work the outward reyn , you pull the outward cheek to you , and the mouth goes contrary , but in corvets , and then it works in the middle of the curb : for terra a terra , when you pull the cheeks to you , then his mouth goes contrary , and looks into the turn as he should do , and then the curb works on the other side , contrary to the cheek , of what hand so ever you go : if you pull the cheeks strait , the mouth goes down ; but when you put your hand , as far forward as you can , to the perpendicular line , then that works hardest on the curb . if you pull the inward reyn to your knee , or from your body , tribacato , that it layes the cheek even to the eye of the bitt , then it works not at all upon the curb , so great a difference there is betwixt the cavezone and the bit ; for terra a terra , when you pull the inward reyn to your outward shoulder , then the reyn is a great deal within the pommel , which hand soever you go on ; but whensoever you help with the outward reyn , then your hand must be three fingers above the pommel , and as many fingers before it : this is certainly the truth of the bitt and bridle . when i work the outward reyn of the bridle , i finde his croup is lost , although i help with the outward legge , because it is legg and reyn both of a side ; but legg and reyn contrary works his croup , and keeps back his outward shoulder . the cavezone being upon his nose , is contrary to the bitt ; for if you pull up the cavezone's reyn , you pull up his head ; and if you pull it down , you pull down his head. as for the false reyns , it is a very false thing ; for the reyns being tyed to the arches of the bitt , when you pull the reyns it slacks the curb , and never works on it , like a snaffle ; nay , it is so much worse than a snaffle , for a snaffle will go to the weeks of his mouth , or lipps ; and though the curb be slack , yet it will not suffer it to go so high , and therefore gawles all his barrs . and this is the truth of the false reyns . of the perfection of dressing horses in the mannage , brought into so narrow a compass , that if it be learned by heart , and punctually practised , it is impossible to fail dressing any horse whatsoever . suppling and working a horses shoulders being the principal thing of all , i therefore begin with it . to supple a horses shoulders upon a trott , or le petit gallop . the inward cavezon's reyn tyed to the girthes , or in your hand , pull'd to your knee , supples his outward shoulder , on the right hand at liberty without the turn ; and prest within the turn , his outward shoulder comes in , and his inward shoulder is kept back : but how doth this supple his inward shoulder for terra a terra ; for there the inward shoulder is put forward , and his outward shoulder kept back ? i will tell you perfectly how it is : on the right-hand his outward shoulder is brought in , and suppled , and his inward shoulder kept back . now , what was on the right-hand suppled , ( which was his outward shoulder , and outward legg for terra a terra ) on the left-hand is the same legg , and the inward reyn there , and outward legg puts back his outward shoulder , and brings in his inward shoulder and legg . so it is the same legg still , that was on the right-hand his outward legg , and is now his inward legg on the left-hand in terra a terra ; and that 's the truth of it , for thus he is suppled . it is the very same of the other hand , and no difference at all . this i onely write to let you see how working his shoulders prepares him for terra a terra , but we do not yet declare what works his outward shoulder . you must know , that upon a trott , or a gallop , upon large or narrow circles dune piste , his croup must be a little out , to work his shoulders more , and the outward reyn of the bridle also to work it yet more ; with a short trott , and a short gallop , that he may not be too much upon the shoulders ; the cavezones reyn tyed thus , he never can go terra a terra , because his outward shoulder is wrought . trotting and stopping is the foundation of all things in the mannage , for it firmes the horse upon the hand , and puts him upon the hanches : for stopping , you must pull him down ; that is , pull your hand close to your body , your body back , and your inward legg to him , to put his inward legg to his outward . going back is an excellent thing , both to firm him on the hand , and make him light of the hand ; as also to put him upon the hanches , and to make him the apter to advance before . the petit gallop pacifies furious horses , and gives them an apuy ; stopping upon a gallop must be at two or three falcadoes by a wall strait forward , your right-shoulder or left-shoulder to the wall , either forward or backward : there it is with the inward reyn , and inward legg ; or not to help with your leggs , but as you see occasion . another excellent lesson to make horses supple on the shoulders . there is nothing like legg and the inward cavezones reyn on a side , as if his head were to the pillar , his croup out ; for , though he goes on the left-hand , he is supple on the right-hand : this lesson makes him that he can never be entier , which is the worst vice a horse can have . entier is to be resty in turning , which is very dangerous for the man by coming over ; for to oppose turning , he puts in his croup with all the force he can , and so puts out his shoulder craftily and maliciously , to hinder from turning . so this excellent lesson is as if his head were to the pillar , legg and reyn on a side , he puts out his croup , where before he put it in , and that hinders him from being entier ; and when he puts out his shoulder , this brings it in , which hinders him more from being entier ; so that it cures him perfectly of that vice : and going on the left-hand , legg and reyn on a side , it supples him more on the right-hand : so going on the right-hand , legg and reyn on a side , supples his shoulders for the left-hand ; and a better lesson there is not . for all ayres whatsoever thus upon voltoes . for all ayres , it is with the outward reyn of the bridle , that his outward shoulder may come a little in , that he may turn , which gives a little liberty to his croup , and so turn the easier ; and if the inward cavezones reyn be tyed to the girthes , it will bring in his outward shoulder the better ; and your outward shoulder being a little in , and higher than your inward shoulder , will bring in his outward shoulder the better ; your hand must be in this manner , on the right-hand your bridle-hand just over his neck , turning up your little finger , which pulls the outward reyn , as it should do , and soutenir , which is to hold him up ; for that puts him on the hanches : the reason is , that it presses him on the curb ; and he , to give himself ease on the curb , goes on the hanches , and then the curb is a little slack . you must not put your hand within his neck , and bend him , for that puts him upon the shoulders , and you must alwayes keep your horse upon the hanches . now for the left-hand , you must do thus , the bridle-hand a little within the neck , and hold up your little-finger , and soutenir , and it will work the same effect as on the right-hand : with your legg help not at all , and he will go perfectly well . if he puts out his croup , put your outward legg to him ; if he puts in his croup too much , put your inward legg to him , and still soutenir , to keep him on the hanches ; and remember , there is nothing makes horses go well but the seat ; for he that hath not a good seat , cannot have a good hand : and there is nothing dresses horses but the hand and the heels ; and remember , the only thing in ayres upon voltoes , is to make your horse go forward still , as if he did not turn ; for so he goes easily and just ; for if you turn your hand too much , his croup would go out . and for all ayres , your bridle-hand must be a little before the pommel ; and for the piroyte , you must help with the outward reyn , your outward shoulder being a little higher than your inward shoulder , and a little in towards his left-ear on the right-hand , and towards his right-ear on the left-hand ; for the outward reyn brings in his outward shoulder , and so consequently puts out his croup : for , you must understand , that in trotting , one legg is before another ; so in galloping , one legg is before another ; in terra a terra , one legg is before another ; in the piroyte , one legg is before another ; but in corvets , or any other ayre , it is not so , but much contrary , as thus : in corvets his leggs are even , and not one before another ; and though his hinder-leggs seem wider than his fore-leggs ; yet his hinder-leggs are within the lynes of his shoulders , which makes him go upon the hanches . when a horse is perfectly obedient to the hand , and the heels ; then put , in corvets , your inward legg a little to him , and help with the outward reyn of the bridle , and soutenir a little , and help gently with the inward legg ; that is , put the calf of the legg to him , and he will go perfectly upon his ayre , in voltoes : for groupadoes you must give his croup a little more liberty , and not constrain it so much as in corvets ; and in capriols not constrain'd at all , but rather even , or a little out ; for a horse in capriols , if his croup be subjected , it is impossible he should go ; therefore in capriols you must give his croup all the liberty that can be ; and when you help with the rod , it must be when he is falling , and not when he is rising , for else his croup cannot rise . for passeger , or incavelar , which is to lap one legg over another not every time , but every second time . in this passeger , the action is not so much as a trott , but more than a walk ; an action the fittest in the world to make a horse understand the hand and the heeles ; because it is gentle , and puts him into no fury : and if he obeyes my hand and heeles upon passeger , i can make him do any thing that his forces will give him leave to do . here the inward cavezon's reyn must be tyed to the girthes , or pulled to your knee ; for that works his outward shoulder , which is most proper for passeger , to make him lapp his outward leggs over his inward leggs ; and to make him do it the better , you must help with the outward reyn of the bridle : and thus ends this excellent lesson . for pesates . the inward cavezones reyn tyed to the girthes , or pull'd to your knee , you must help with the outward reyn of the bridle ; in passeger , raise him as high as you can , and hold him there gently , and without fougue , and walk him away again , and raise him again , and do this all along the volto , and this is a right pesate . this puts him upon the hand , and prepares him for all ayres whatsoever ; for without this , no horse can go in any ayre . therefore this must be your first lesson , before you ever offer to put him upon any ayre : there is nothing more graceful in all ayres , then for a horse to bend his fore-leggs up to his body ; but there is more in it than that , for , what horse soever that goes in ayres , if his fore-leggs be stiff before , or that he pawes with his fore-leggs , necessarily he is on the shoulders , for that puts him upon the shoulders ; and if he bend his leggs up to his body , it puts him upon the hanches ; for it puts him backward , as being stiff before puts him forward , and so upon the shoulders . your horse must alwayes go forward except you pull him back . you must remember , that the inward cavezones reyn tyed to the girthes , or pull'd to your knee , works his outward shoulder ; with the outward reyn of the bridle ; and all this is for le petit gallop , and not for terra a terra : and to facilitate le petit gallop the better , put your outward shoulder higher than your inward shoulder , which infallibly works his outward shoulder , as the outward shoulder down infallibly subjects and works his croup . your leggs must be as neer to the horse as you can without touching him , that your helps may be the more secret : spurring is a correction , but pinching is an excellent help , and it must be done thus : first put your legg as close to him as you can , and then turn your heel to him & pinch him delicately ; if his shoulders come not in enough , the inward reyn being tyed to the girth , then bend his neck with the outward reyn of the bridle , as much as possibly you can , as if you would brake his neck , and that shall supple his shoulders sufficiently . here ends these most excellent lessons for suppling of a horses shoulders , which is the principal businesse . of the perfection , and exact way of making horses to obey the heeles . it is the inward reyn absolutely that makes him obey the heel , and nothing else ; for it puts him on the out-side , which puts in his outward hanch , so that he cannot get from the heel , and therefore must necessarily obey it . the inward reyn being to your outward shoulder , or the inward reyn of the cavezone to your outward shoulder , and giving the horse a little touch with the spur now and then , doth admit of a corvet when you go , the inward reyn to your outward shoulder , the horses head to the wall , because it is side-wayes , and not upon a circle ; for the inward reyn ( as if his head were to the pillar in corvets , and his croup out ) subjects his croup : the inward reyn in corvets strait by a wall , whether your right-shoulder , or left-shoulder be to the wall , subjects still his croup . nay , it is also the inward reyn , when he goes in corvets backwards , whether your right-shoulder , or left-shoulder , be to the wall. and if you go in corvets strait by a wall , it is still the inward reyn ; but if you make a demy-volto in corvets , then it is the outward reyn , for else he cannot turn in corvets ; and you may easily change from the inward reyn to the outward reyn , and not brake his time at all : but by no means his croup in in his ayre upon circles , because it keeps out his outward shoulder , keeping his outward shoulder back , and then he cannot go in his ayre upon circles , because he cannot turn ; for it is the outward reyn in all ayres , that brings in his outward shoulder , that he may turn , and his croup a little at liberty , that he may turn the easier . but the inward reyn for passeger , his croup out , makes him obey the heeles ; so the inward reyn for passeger , his croup in , makes him obey the heel , but not upon circles , there it is the outward , for else he could not turn ; but in pesates he may do it , but not upon his ayre , and in pesates easily ; for there he rises but once or twice , and goes in passeger again : this is the exact way to make a horse obey the heel perfectly . of terra a terra . in terra a terra you must use the inward reyn , and the outward legg ; the inward reyn pull'd to your outward shoulder , presses him on the out-side on his outward hanch , makes him lean on the out-side , and look into the turn ; presses him on the out-side , and at liberty within the turn ; his fore-legg within the turn leading , and his hinder-legg on the same side following , and his outward legg short . thus his inward shoulder is put forward , and his outward shoulder kept back with your hand : you must soutenir as you do in ayres : but this is with the inward reyn , and your bridle-hand within the pommel , looking into the turn , poising upon your outward stirrup a little , your outward shoulder down , and in , which subjects his croup : thus you cannot put in his croup too much ; for leaning on the outside , his croup can never go before his shoulder ; and thus he is forced to terra a terra in spight of his teeth , and to go a time pa ta , pa ta , which is but two times ; and this was never found out but by my self . but i must remember you of one thing ; which is , that if you tie the inward cavezone's reyn to the pommel , it works his croup , and puts him on the outward hanch , and makes him obey the heel , but is not so powerful as the inward reyn to your outward shoulder , because the line to the pommel is the shorter , and therefore not so powerful ; but if he presses too much , so that you cannot hold him , then tye it to the pommel , and that will hold him sufficiently . of pasadoes by a wall. the exact way of pasadoes by a wall , is with the inward reyn both strait forward , and upon his demy-voltoes , for that subjects his croup , and makes him go just , and look into the turn , whether upon le petit gallop , or a toute bride , it is all one , being a demy-voltoes , and is but half my terra a terra , and therefore must have my helps , which is the inward reyn , and the outward legg . and all the other ways are false and senceless . remember , every horse must take his own ayre , and you are not to give him his time , but to follow his , and so he will go exactly ; for if you offer to give him your time , he will never go ; for nature hath given him one time , and you will give him another , which shall spoyl him for ever . to give you more light to vnderstand the difference betwixt the working of the outward reyn , and the inward reyn in corvets . wheresoever the horses croup is out , or strait by a wall , either sideways in corvets , or forward in corvets , or backward in corvets , or his head to the pillar in corvets , it is all with the inward reyn , to subject his croup , to put the inward shoulder forward , and to keep the outward shoulder back , which ncessarily subjects his croup , and the same when his croup is out , or strait by a wall. but now in corvets , when his croup is in upon voltoes , or demy-voltoes upon circles , there you must help with the outward reyn of the bridle , and inward legg , for else he could not turn ; besides , here his outward shoulder must be brought in , and his inward shoulder kept back , that he may turn the easier being narrowed before , and enlarged behind , as the other was prest behind , and enlarged before ; and with the outward reyn , his croup hath a little liberty : and here 's the true difference betwixt the outward reyn , and the inward reyn , in their several workings . but when you help with the outward reyn , you must help with the inward legg gently . for terra a terra ( my way ) upon voltoes . here i subject his croup , and enlarge his fore-parts ; put forward his inward shoulder , and his outward shoulder is kept back ; this is done with the inward reyn , and the outward legg , the same helps serve for pesadoes ; for a demy-voltoe is but half a terra a terra my way ; and therefore the same helps ; i said upon circles the outward reyn , but that was in corvets , and that is clear another action , than terra a terra : so i would have you understand precisely what they are ; for it is the outward reyn and inward legg , which is the perfection of corvets upon voltoes ; and if you change , put him forward one corvet , and then help with the outward reyn and inward legg , which is the perfection of corvets upon voltoes . i must remember you , that when a horse goes in corvets his head to the wall , it is with the inward reyn and your outward legg , but the horses fore-parts must go a little before his croup , for so he is more on the hanches ; for if his croup went before his hanches , it is false . so if he go , as if his head were to the pillar , it is with the inward reyn and outward legg , his fore-parts being a little before his croup . but strait by a wall whether forward or backward , it is with the inward reyn and inward legg : all this is in corvets . but upon voltoes in corvets it is with the outward reyn , and inward legg ; and to go forward still as if he did not turn . of a rare way to dresse a horse perfectly . it is to make him narrow behind , which is to put his inward hinder-legg to his outward hinder — legg : as for example , you pull the inward cavazon reyn to your knee , or tye it to the girths ; this works his outward shoulder , and puts his inward hinder-legg to his outward hinder-legg , if you help him with your inward legg , and the outward reyn of the bridle ; and thus he is narrowed behind . this is upon large or narrow circles dune piste upon a trott ; and upon large or narrow circles dune piste upon a gallop , which makes him narrow behind , with the same helps formerly spoken of . in that excellent lesson of legg and reyn on a side , as if his head was to the pillar , his inward hinder-legg is put to his outward hinder-legg , to narrow him behind . in paseger ( which is to lapp his outward leggs over his inward leggs ) the inward cavezon's reyn tyed to the girthes , or pull'd to your knee , doth not only work his outward shoulder , but puts back his inward hinder-legg to his outward hinder-legg , to narrow him behind ; and to narrow him more , you must help with the outward reyn of the bridle , and help with your outward legg gently . in the petit gallop upon circles the inward cavezone reyn tyed to the girthes , puts his inward hinder-legg to his outward hinder-legg , and the more , if you turn your hand to help with the outward reyn of the bridle ; the petit gallop is one , two , three , and four , which is a right gallop . in corvets upon turns , the inward cavezon's reyn tyed to the girthes ; or the outward reyn of the bridle , with the inward legg , puts his inward hinder-legg to his outward hinder-legg , narrows him behind , and puts him on the hanches : so all this is the inward legg put to his outward hinder-legg , which is the effectual business . in stopping , the inward cavazon's reyn tyed to the girthes , or pull'd to your knee , with your inward legg , narrows him behind , makes him bow in the gambrel , and puts him upon the hanches , with pulling your hand in . as for the inward reyn , and outward legg , it subjects his croup , and puts his inward hinder-legg to his outward hinder-legg , and narrows him behind : so side-wayes to the wall , the inward reyn and outward legg narrows him behind : putting his inward hinder-legg legg to his outward hinder-legg narrows him behind , and puts him on his hanches ; so his head to the pillar , the inward reyn and outward legg puts his inward hinder-legg to his outward hinder-legg , narrows him behind , and puts him on the hanches ; and so forward by a wall of either side doth the same , and so backwards ; but here it is with the inward reyn and inward legg , both on a side , to put his inward hinder-legg to his outward hinder-legg , whch is the all in all for dressing of horses . of a most effectual way to dress horses , and so true and certain , that whosoever shall read it , mark it , and understand it , and carefully practice it , will infallibly dress all manner of horses to a great perfection . to supple a horses shoulders . i have given you many lessons for it , but i will let you see it clearer than ever ; you must pull the inward cavezon's reyn low , and from your body , to bring in the horses outward shoulder , which is the business , and makes him bend like a hoope , and then you are right ; upon passager his croup must not be above a quarter in , at the most , for if it be , it pulls back his outward shoulder , which is false ; and he will look out of the turn , pull the reyn what you will , so pernitious is putting a horses croup in , when you would work a horses outward shoulder ; but the other way makes him supple , and easie , to do any thing you would have him , with great facility , and never to be entier , but to goe always byas . for terra à terra relevé , the time , one , two , pa , ta , is done with the inward reyn pull'd to your outward shoulder , and with your outward leg ; so here you cannot put in his croup too much ; and thus he is straitned behind , and enlarg'd before , and indeed goes upon a square , his inward shoulder being put forward , and his outward shoulder kept back . terra a terra determiné , is another business ; for this is , as if a horse did run a careere upon a circle , where he cannot run in his length , and therefore his voltoe or circle must be larger , because it is but a gallop ; running being but the action of a gallop : here you must help with the outward reyn , and outward leg , to narrow him before , and enlarge him behind , and to go byas , and this is determiné , bias in corvets , as if he did not turn , and so in le petit gallop upon circles ; the outward reyn is used for both , and so in passager , the outward reyn and leg being bias. it is a great truth in horsemanship , that both in terra a terra , demy-voltoes , and passadoes , as also in passager , whensoever a horse is straitned before , he is enlarged behind ; and whensoever he is straitned behind , he is enlarged before . the exact way to make a horse go perfectly , is a square , and not a circle , which subjects his croup extreamly . in corvets upon a circle , it is impossible to help with the inward reyn , because the horse cannot turn ; but the inward reyn upon a square , is excellent , with the outward leg , so he goes a little forward , every time a little : so excellent is the square . for terra a terra , there is nothing like a square , with the inward reyn and outward leg ; so upon demy-voltoes , in passadoes the same , in passager the same still , upon a square ; his head to the pillar it must be a square : the square is the quintissence of the mannage , and all this subjects his hinder parts . the inward reyn pull'd to your outward shoulder , with the contrary leg , subjects his croup upon a square , and makes him obey the heele perfectly , because he cannot get from it . but when you begin to dress a horse in corvets , pesates is the ground of all ayrs ; a pesate is to rayse him high , and hold him there . but when you put him in corvetts , it is with the outward reyn , and inward leg , to be d'une piste ; and to let him go three or four corvets in a place , and walk him away again , and corvet him again as before ; and , in a little time he will make a turn perfectly in corvets . but when he is perfect , then you must help with the outward reyn , and outward leg , and soutenir , and put him forward always a little , as if he did not turn , and then he will go perfectly in corvets . for the bridle-hand ; which deserves to be well observed , being the sole of the manage , and the most effectual thing that can possibly be . in corvets on the right-hand , the knuckles of the bridle-hand must be from his neck , and on the inside of his neck , and soutenir . on the left-hand , in corvets , your bridle must be on the inside of the neck , your knuckles from his neck , and soutenir ; for this pulls the outward reyn. for terra a terra , the inward reyn pull'd to your outward shoulder , your knuckles are to be towards his neck , and soutenir for the right-hand , and your outward leg. for the left , the inward reyn pull'd to your outward shoulder , your knuckles are to be towards his neck , and soutenir ; and this pulls the inward reyn , your outward leg being to him . you see , that in corvets , you work the outward reyn , and in terra a terra , you work the inward reyn , which is not to be done any other way than as i have set down . but in croupadoes , balotadoes , and capriols , there it is with the outward reyn , to give his croup liberty , or else he could not leap , and , if there be cause , help him with the inward leg a little , to give his croup more liberty . of bitts , & of the use of them . the writers of books , and the horse-men now living , that think themselves wise , and great masters , by the diversity of bitts , shew themselves full of ignorance , and simple people , to imagine , that a peice of iron in a horse's mouth can bring him knowledge ; no more than a book in a boyes hand can , at first , make him read ; or , a pair of spurrs , planted on ignorant heels , can make one ride well . there is however , a propriety to fit every horse , according to the turn of his neck ; shorter or longer , wider or narrower ; the mouth , the liberty , wider or narrower ; the eye longer or shorter ; the eye straight , or more bending ; the branches stronger , or weaker ; the curb equal ; the hooks according to the just measure of the bitt ; the curb three good round esses , with one ring , where 't is fastened ; and two rings , or malions , where 't is curbed , handsomely furnish'd with bosses , not too bigg ; richer , or poorer , according as you please : not two rowes of little chains , tied to the bitt , within his mouth , only one at the most . and this rule must ever be observ'd , to have as little iron in your horse's mouth as possible you can : if his tongue be too bigg , the liberty must be the wider ; if his tongue be too little , the liberty the less ; but you must take heed , that the apuy , or resting place of the bitt , be never made upon the liberty , for it will gaul him ; but the apuy must be made in the true place , where it ought to be , which is about ones little fingers breadth beyond the liberty , on both sides of the bitt ; and the bitt to be ones fingers breadth above his tushes : the branches are strong , when the reyns are slackt ; those branches that comes back to his neck most , are weak ; those that go forward from his neck , are strong ; and good reason , for you have the greater pull . you must measure with a little string , or a piece of a riding-rod , from the eye of the bitt , strait down ; and if the cheeks be within that line , they are weak ; and the more they are within that line , they are still the weaker : if the cheeks be without that line , they are strong ; and the more they are without that line , they are the stronger . you must consider another thing , which is , that the cheeks are like a lever , the longer it is , it hath the more force , and the shorter it is , the less force ; for a boy , with a long lever , will lift up more than the strongest man , with a short lever : and so in a bitt , the longer the cheeks are , they have the more force , and the shorter they are , the less force : for that which is the furthest from the center , hath the most force for lifting or pulling ; and that which is nearest the center , the least force : so very short cheeks , make them as strong as you will , cannot have that force that longer cheeks have . if a horse hold up his head , and out , then they have shorter branches , and stronger , to pull him down , and in ; wherein they are half right : so if a horse holds his head too low , and brings it in too round , so that he armes himself against the bitt , which is , to rest the branches upon his breast , so that you have no pull , or command of him at all ; because this vice is contrary to holding up his head , and out ; for which vice they had shorter cheeks , and stronger , to bring it in : so arming against the bitt , being the contrary vice , they think they must have the bitt made contrary ; they must have a long one to put it up ; and since a strong branch pull'd him down , they must have a weak branch to put up his head ; wherein they are mightily deceived : for when a horse armes himself against the bitt , certainly long branches will sooner come to his breast , than short ones ; and it is as certain , that a weak branch will come sooner to his breast , than a strong branch ; therefore they are so much deceived . as for a horse that armes himself against the bitt , you must have a short branch that will not touch his breast , and a strong branch to keep it yet further from his breast : the hooks of the curb ought to be made a little longer , and so just as not to hurt , or to offend the sides of his cheeks ; and if the curb do not lye in his right place , two little iron rings fastened close to the top of the hooks , to keep them steady , and fast , is the best remedy ; all other devices in bitts or curbs , are idle and ignorant things . the bitts that follow are the best . 1. a plain canon , with branches a la connestable . 2. a plain scatch , with branches a la connestable . 3. a canon a la pignatell ; which is a gentle falling and moving up and down , and so low as not to hurt the roof of the horse's mouth ; which is the best , certainly , for all horses that have tongues , which i am sure they would not have prest ; therefore i recommend that liberty above all things in bitts , and the branches a la connestable . to discharge a horses lips , i would have olives with the liberty a la pignatell ; those olives coming short a little of the bitt , with some little rings , gives liberty for his lips , and discharges them ; and the branches , a la connestable . but indeed , i would have but two sorts of bitts , which is , 1. the canon a la pignatell . 2. and the olives a la pignatell , to discharge his lips , if need be ; but the branches alwayes a la connestable . thus you have the truth of bitts brought into a narrow compass ; there is little in them to bring a horse to understanding , on which we must work , and that is , his reason , by the favour of the logitians distinction of reasonable and irreasonable creatures ; for were they as good horse-men as schollers , they would have made another distinction . well then , it is not a piece of iron can make a horse knowing ; if it were , a bitt-maker would be the best horse-man . no! it is the art of appropriated lessons ; fitting every horse according to his nature , disposition , and strength ; punishing , and , with good lessons , rectifying his vices ; rewarding him , and preserving him in his horse-vertues ; and not trusting to an ignorant peice of iron call'd a bitt : for , i will make a perfect horse with a cavezone with a bitt , better than any man shall with his bitt without a cavezone ; so highly is the cavezone , rightly used , to be esteemed ; for i had a barbe at antwerp , that went perfectly with the cavezone without a bitt , which was true art , and not the ignorance and folly of bitts . the famous pignatell at naples , never used but simple bitts ; which made the ignorant wonder how he could dress horses so perfectly , with no more sorts of bitts : but he told them , it was their ignorance made them wonder at his art. and so that great master , in this art , monsieur de pluvinel , did the same : for , he had always a plain cavezone , and not too sharp ; and to make it gentler , did always line it with double leather at the least ; for a horse , to wry his head , or suck up his bitt , or put his tongue over the bitt , it never happens in my mannage , or method ; because the liberty a la pignatel hinders his tongue for going over the bitt ; and working with the cavezone , with truly slacking the bitt , those things never happens , or do ever horses put out their tongues . of the imperfections of a horse's movth . all our writers in horse-manship , the great masters , in that profession , ( as well old as modern ) are mightily troubled and concerned , about the vices and imperfections of a horse's mouth . as for example ; the first , when a horse pulls , and sucks up his tongue : the second , when he puts his tongue over the bitt : the third , when he doubles it about the bitt : and the fourth , when he hangs his tongue out of his mouth , either forward , or of one side of his mouth : for all , and every one of these vices , our great doctors in horse-manship , hath taken a great deal of pains , with many curious devices , and many inventions , with bitts , to cure them ; and take great pains , and much labour about it ; so much , as their several writings , about these particular vices of the mouth , would make a great volume ; when the truth is , most of their bitts , to remedy these imperfections , are much greater vices than those they would remedy ; and their physick the greatest disease , and brings more inconveniencies with it , than the vices they go about to cure. the truth is , in short , i wish a horse had none of those faults ; but put the case he hath , as putting out his tongue , or putting his tongue over the bitt , or sucking or drawing of his tongue up , or doubling of it : all these i wish were not ; but if they be , the horse is not prejudiced at all by them , for he will have as good an apuy with them , as without them ; and will be as firm and steady of his head , and as sensible of the barrs , and the curb , as if those vices were not ; for the bitt rests , and works still , upon his barrs ; and the curb works in his due place , where it ought , in spight of his tongue , let it be where it will , or not be ; for when a horse's tongue is cut off , doth that hinder the bitt , for working on the barrs , or the curb , for working in his due place ? not at all : nay , i have known a horse's tongue quite pull'd out by the roots , and yet he went as well as ever he did in his life ; so that is nothing ; for the bitt still works upon the barrs , and the curb , where it ought : and a horse with a tongue , and put it where he will ; or a horse without a tongue , is no hinderance to a horse that hath a good apuy , or is well setled on the hand ; no hinderance in the world : so that now you see , what vain curiosities , to no purpose , our great masters hath troubled themselves about , and pusled many of their readers , and tormented the poor horses to boot , to no end in the world . finis . excellent names for horses of mannage . italian and spanish . bella donna bell in campo desperato argentino dorato gatto gatino rondinello felice lampo soura speransa capitano lupo mahaumilia mala testa melancholia genette corsiero neapolitano rubicano signiore delitia nobilisimo dolce bona natura bellissimo bonissimo mille fiore almenara nuntio dracone arogatillo diamante arrogante il bravo cavallo imperiale emperatore grandissimo illustrissimo french . favory mignion balott galliard bonit perle roussin sans pareil la perfection le delicat isabelle d' espagne monsieur le hober le petit barbe le grand barbe le turc le petit boutton le superbe le bouffon la mervelle le miracle le courtau le fripon le larron le mechant l' emerillon l' admirable le diligent le parangon le loyall le sensible l' enrage le fougeux le malitieux l' endormy le countre coeur l' amour la maitresse le roy le prince le duc l' empereur le collonel le general le cardinal le pape la tempeste le compagnion le comarade l' amie l' ennemy le philosophe la vielle le diable le president le juge le capritieux le quereleux le piqueur l' yurogne le fantasque le tenez-ferme le jeteur le rude le vilain le coquin le poultron le poure le courageux le desprise le hardi galliardon la mouche le troumpeur la rencontre le mouton le janti le lion le renard l' elefant le pegase le volant via lactea le determine la grenouille le gallant le cavalier mon roy le soldat le conquereur le conselier le terrible la batalle la beaute l' estoile l' enioue mars jupiter for dutch horses . le pisante le swiss myn heare frison younker vrselino