CHAP. 1. The Originall Cause of Arts in generall.

WHen I consider, (with my selfe) of the ex­cellent knowlege and obedience, that God vouchsafed to bestow on Man at his Cre­ation: I cannot but admire at the good­nesse^a Gen. 2. 7. 19. of God, that he should so much dig­nifie him (aboue all other his Creatures.) For he did not only make his Soule (like to himselfe) immortall; but also gaue him such Knowledge, that he^b Gen 3. 6. could call all other Creatures by their right Names, (althoughTheo. 39. ^d before he neuer had seene them;) and also gaue him such Soue­raignty^c We are depri­ued of our pri­mary know­ledge and obe­dience, and cannot bee re­s [...]ored againe but by vigour of Art. & rule ouer them, that they were all obedient vnto him.

But Man (being ingratefull) was not contented with that estate, thought not that glory sufficient, except hee were as God, knowing good and euill: For the desire of which know­ledge, he reapt to himselfe and all his posterity vtter ignorance; and likewise all other Creatures which before were louing and obedient to Man, became both so fearefull that nothing doth [Page 2] now more deterre and feare them then the face of Man, which before was most delightfull to them; and also so disobedient, that looke what obedience was giuen them before by nature to obey whatsoeuer man would command without any la­bour or paine, now is turned to Rebellion: insomuch that all our liues practise and experience, is nothing else but a desire (so neere as we can) of a restitution of our Primary Creation. Therefore now we are depriued of all Knowledge, but what is gained by Art, and maintained by vigour, and practise; and yet that knowledge, (euen in the best) is but as a shaddow^d 1. Cor. 13. 12. or glasse, wherein we may see our own imperfections, in regard of that knowledge which God infused in Man at his Creation.

But now in regard that Reason was not vtterly taken from Man: hee consulting with himselfe, what ignorance hee was indued withall, through the inordinate desire of knowledge; by our first Parents, hath endeauoured himselfe (so farre as is in his power) to gaine that againe by Art which was lost at first by iust desert: For as Aristotle saith; Omne ens appetit suam ^• The cause of the first inuen­tion of Art. Theo. 33. (^h) perfectionem. The scope and drift of Art is to desire; his per­fection. Yet heereby is the mercifulnesse of God further showne, in that he did not then vtterly take away all the facul­ties of the minde, as Reason, Knowledge, Will and Affection, but left them still in vs although (much obscured) that we mightg Wee are not vtterly depriued of naturall fa­culties. ponder, know, wish, and affect that which might (in some sort) helpe to a reducement of our former estate: But these hath hee left in vs, that wee might bee inexcusable of ignorance; for though true knowledge was taken away, yet there was left meanes of restoring: for whereas Man had this punishment in­flicted vpon him, for the breach of the Commandement, that in the sweat of his browes hee should eat his bread: It is^• Gen. 3. ver. 19. not to be vnderstood of the toyle of the body only, but of the labour of the minde. Therefore there are many deceiued which employ all their wits and indeauours to gather riches for them­selues only, whereas indeed they should vse them to the setting^k Worldly men abuse their time in desi­ring Wealth m [...]e then Knowledge. forth of Gods Glory: But such is the miserable estate of those that are so blinded with the World, that they doe not regard now how wisely they liue but how wealthily; thinking that if they get Wealth enough, then they haue wit enough.

And so Camelion-like they Metamorphose themselues from reasonable to vnreasonable Creatures, resembling Swine which goe vnder Trees to gather the fruits that are fallen, but neuer looke vp to the tops from whence they are fallen: and as Swine^l Desire of pelfe blindeth the minde. goe all the day rooting in the earth; euen so these men giue themselues wholly to gaine the earth: For, for it they rise vp early and watch late, for it they carke and care, for it they chide & braule, for it they quarrel and fight, for it they hazard life and limbe; and at length, when they thinke that they haue gotten the earth, then the earth hath gotten them, and so are deuoured of the earth, when they thinke themselues full Maisters of it. But doth not these proceed from ignorance? for if they would^m Ignorance nourisheth vice. addresse their mindes to gather knowledge, as they doe both body and minde to gather pelfe; then they should see their wretched blindnes and the inconueniences which doe ensue thereby.

For first, it doth banish them out of all other Countries; for they are so tyed to the loue of it, that they cannot liue in any place from their God, (as they make them) for where their treasure is there is their heart. Secondly, it maketh them vnfitⁿ Math. 1. 31. for Death; For what man is so madde, that if he be to trauell a great iourney, will load himselfe with such a waighty burthen as hee cannot well beare? Euen so Riches doe so clogge and tye men to the World, (through the loue of them) that like Lots wife, they looke backe, grieuing their hearts to forsake^o Gen. 19. 26. them. And lastly, which is the worst of all, they make a partition wall betwixt Gods presence and them: For as Christ saith, It is as easie for a Camell to goe through the eye of a needle, as for the Mat. 29. ver. 24. Rich to enter into the Kingdome of Heauen. Now therefore what shall it profit a man to gaine the whole World, and loose hisMark 8. ver. 36. owne Soule?

Yet if all these Obiections will not deterre and change the minds of men from such an extraordinary delight of the world: the very heathen men (which knew not God (aright,) in regardp Heathen men a witnes against Worldlings. they did not seeke him by Faith, but by the instinct of Nature,) will rise vp in iudgement against them. For although they were but guided (onely) by the light of Nature, they thought cun­ning farre better then coyne; wit of greater value then wealth [Page 4] and learning of more esteeme then lucre. For Bias (when heeBias. saw an house on fire, and euery one applying themselues to carry such things as were therein, forth; to saue them from burning) ranne out and said; Omnia mea m [...]cum porto, hee tooke all his wealth away with himselfe: taking as great delight in his light burden, as they did sorrow through their heauy losse.

And Aristipp [...]s trauailing to Rhodes by Sea, was cast a-landAristip. by ship wracke, and when hee spyed (drawne on the sands) Ma­thematicall and Geometricall figures, hee comforted his coun­try men, and told them all was well: for he had espyed the steps and signes of men; and so neuer left till hee found those men, which entertained both him and his fellowes very kindly there; and when they were to trauaile home-ward, furnished them with all things necessary. And at their departing they asked Aristippus what he would to his Country-men: Nothing (saith hee) but that they apply themselues to purchase such riches, as will not perish by any accident except death.

Therefore because wee are all (but especially these) so blin­ded and benumbed with such a filthy Lethargie, he that would be cured of this deadly disease of Ignorance, let him (in some sort) imitate the Serpent: for wee should be wise as Serpents,q Mat. 10. 61. though hee was the first cause of this Lethargie. Now Writers^• A Simile of the Serpent. hold that the Serpent hath a hard Scale growing ouer his bo­dy when hee is young; which Scale, by reason that it doth not grow with his body, doth so nip and pinch him, that hee is driuen (for the sauing of his life) to seeke some narrow hole, where he doth thrust in his head, and then with all his strength hee forceth his body after; and by that meanes doth free him­selfe from that Scale, whereby his body is set at liberty. Euen so, when a man feeleth himselfe so masked with the vayle of Ignorance, that hee cannot adde wisedome to his yeares; let him first seeke a little hole of knowledge, and there put in his head, which [...]s Reason; and then labor painfully with the body,^• Reason the root of Know­ledge. which is the other Faculties, till hee hath vnmasked that vayle; and then shall hee see that which was hid before, and finde that by knowing (as Socrates saith) hee should learne that he know­eth nothing: for plura latent quam patent.

Now seeing Nature is so imperfect through corruption, and [Page 5] that there is no way to perfect it but by Art; for as Plutarch saith, Educatio est altera natura; Education is another Nature. I am of the minde with Fryer Bacon, for hee maintaineth, thatNature is heere to be taken as it is the qualitie being corrup­ted, otherwise as it is Essentia, nihil a [...]di potest nec demi. Nature now is but a hand-maid to Art, although it is generally holden to the contrary; and for proofe thereof hee bringeth many instances, among which this is one, besides many other which hee alledgeth, which were too long to recite; That with an Engine made by Art, one man may draw vp such a huge w [...]ight, that twenty men cannot moue by naturall strength: And likewise in Spectacles and Perspectiue-Glasses, the one toTheo. 38. (^h) helpe weake sights which are decayed, and the other to make things seeme little neere hand, and great farre off.

And to make it more plaine, on a time one (who was holden to be of iudgement in P [...]ysognomie) looking Socrates in the face, held him to be very intemperate both for wine and wo­men, and also a very doult and blocke-head: which when So­crates Friends told him what such a one reported of him, hee answered that hee had spoke the truth; for (saith hee) I should haue beene such a one indeed, if I had not giuen my selfe to Phi­losophy, thereby to be gouerned. And further it is holden that Sapiens domin [...]bitur Astris, a wise man may ouer-come him­selfe:^t Art actiue and Nature the pas­siue. And so Art may be holden the Actiue, and Nature the Passiue.

And therefore if wee will suffer our Reason to be led by the procli [...]itie of our inordinate will, and so to follow our corrupt ignorance, and will not take paines to free our selues from that poyson and Lethargy, but still to yeeld to our naturall incli­nation more then to eleuate our mindes to heauen which is su­pernaturall, wee shall vtterly depriue our selues of that fauoura­ble goodnes which God left in vs at the transgression, retaining still our faculties to helpe towards our reasonable restitution by Art; and so wee shal become contraria, whereas if we endeuour our selues to get knowledge, wee are then but imparia, by rea­son wee are in some sort lightened with the truth. And there­fore to giue our mindes alwayes to delue in the earth, accor­ding to our naturall disposition, wee seeke our owne confusion, by continuing in ignorance; but to seeke knowledge and wise­dome which is contrary to it, wee desire a restitution of our [Page 6] primary estate: for looke what difference is betwixt heauen and earth, light and darknesse, the like is betwixt him that seeketh to reforme himselfe by Art, and him that is led by his naturall inclination.

CHAP. 2. The Commendation of the Art of Horsemanship.

OF all the Creatures that God made at the^a The excellent qualities of a Horse. Creation there is none (except man) more excellent, or so much to be respected as a Horse: For in disposition and qualitie hee is but little inferiour to Man (excepting their difference:) in strength hee may be com­pared to the huge Elephant, for boldnes to the Lyon, for swi [...]tnesse to the Roe or Hinde, in smelling hee resembles the Hou [...]d, for toughnesse hee excelleth the slow toyling Oxe, for loue hee checkes the Spaniell, and for vnder­standing hee may oppose himselfe against the Serpent; but for beauty hee is a blacke Swanne amongst all that Species: and further for the vse of man, not onely for pleasure, but also for ne­cessity and prosit, there is none to be compared to him. For, he^• He is both de­lightfull & pro­fitable [...]or man. is as delightfull a Creature to be hold as any, and then, if a man will trauaile vpon pleasure abroad, how can hee bee more de­lightfully and easily carryed then vpon a faire, comely, and well going Horse? And also for necessitie, if a man be vpon earnest affayre [...] or hazard of life, for to trauaile a great iourney in a little time, what Creature is so fit to performe it as a Horse, both for toughnesse and speede? And further, for Oeconomicall affayres, what Creature is so fit both for Plow and portage as a Horse? And lastly, for profit (I pray you) what greater proft can come to a man then a race of good Mares, and a right Stallion doth bring.

Now seeing this subiect is beautified with such excellent seuerall qualities, so that hee doth paralell all these species in their cheefe predominations, and yet all these seueralls inclu­ded [Page 7] in that species, nay oftentimes in one indiuiduum: This Art then of Horsemanship must needs be of the greater esteeme, by^c The excel­lency of the Art of Horse­manship. how much the more it is frequented about so famous a subiect, and likewise both the Procurers and also the Professors of this Art, ought to bee had in greater estimation, then now they are, for now both Horses and Horseman are so much dei [...]cted, by the conceited knower, through the abuse of that Art that^d The abuse thereof. a man can neither commend the one nor delight the other: But yet for the Professors I would say somewhat more in their behalfe, were it not for puffing vp the hearts of such as by intru­sion haue thrust themselues into that ranck, and so do vsurp that dignity which doth nothing appertaine vnto them; whereby both the Art is abused, and the subiect misvsed. For Ignoratis principiis, nemo potest artem percipere. Those which are ignorant of the beginning, shall neuer truely conceiue the Art. Yet this is the least that can be said, for the true Practitioners, there is both generosus aequus, & generosa qualitas, and they haue beene^e Horsemanship a generous quality. accounted, egregia & immediate regni membra: For although God gaue vnto Horses such excellent qualities at their Crea­tion, now are they changed in their vse and are become disobe­dient to man, and therefore must bee subjected by Art, otherwise all their vses will be to no vse.

Wherfore that we may the better know how to bring them to true commande by Art, it shall not be amisse to define what Art is, that the grownd thereof may the better bee conceiued, lest building vpon a false base, it faile before it be halfe effected. Now Mr. Morgan saith, that Art is no other thing then a ha­bite^f Mr. Morgans definition of Art. working by true Reason, consisting of many things gathe­red by experience, onely profitable for the vse of man. Where­fore if it bee a habite gotten by Experience, then is it not got­ten altogether by authority, (for that is one vaile that doth shaddow ignorance) neither is it gained in short time, as some hold, thinking that if hee can sit a rough Horse, then hee is Horseman good enough, but it is gotten by experience procee­ding^g How Know­ledge is gotten. from Reason: Now a man must haue a great time of practise to sift the truth from error, and so to iudge thereof by Reason, before he find it truth by experience, and then a longer time to ground it in himselfe before he hath the habit thereof, [Page 8] for, H [...]bitus (as schooles defi [...]e it) est constans et absoluta ali­qua ^h Dialect. de qualitate. in reperfect [...] ▪ non natura data, sed agendi consuetudine et ex­ercitatione long a comparata, Habit is a certaine and absolute per­fection in some one thing, not giuen by nature, but gotten by long custome and exercise of working.

Theref [...]re (as I said before) there must be a habit, both of the mind to vnderstand and to deliberate thereof by reason, and also of [...]e body (which is an apt and sleight faculty of the same) and these (as it is said are not giuen by nature, sed studio et in­ [...] comparata: Wherfore, i [...] I shal not be though touer much [...] like▪ I will giue one knocke at the doore of their vn­der [...]nding which are luld in the Cradle of ignorance, because I would haue them awake out of the dreame of their conce [...]pted knowledge▪ hoping that none will kick at it except he be prickt: for seeing there is no knowledge in any Art, except there be a true habit both of the mind and body, there are many deceiued (in their owne Iudgement) which assume to themselues this Ar [...] of Horseman [...]hip,) that hath neither the Theoricke Part ofNo [...] themselues to know the secrets of this Art, nor of the Horie to know his inward disposition by his exterior gesture: nor yet the Practique Part, to haue true facility of hand and body toTheo. 13. (^a) helpe with the agility of their body the vnaptnesse of the Hor­ses body. Through which absurdity, let them but rightly con­sider how many Horses they haue spoyled against one that they haue made, and then the [...] shall iudge the better of their opini­onated knowledge, (except they will be wilfully ignorant) and so yeeld to the old say [...]ng, Scientia sc [...]olorum, est iust a ignoran­tia, ^• Conceited knowledg [...] is foolishnesse. The knowledge of the conceited knower is meere foo­lishnes.

But it hath beene an opinion of old that the nature of some Horses be such, that they will neuer come to good riding, andTheo. 9. ^l) therefore past Mans knowledge to alter Nature, to the which agreeth the saying of Mr. Morgan, that exare [...]am nullum funi­ [...]ulum ^• An a [...]t Si­mile. nectes, neque expumice oleum aut aquam vlla Arte expri­mes, one cannot make a [...]ope of Sand, nor presse oyle or water forth of a flint? Yet if they will rightly distinguish of nature, they shall soone perceiue their naturall ignorance, in not right­ly vnderstanding the true cause; for mens Philosophiaenon acqui­escit, [Page 9] nisi in causa rerum, The true louer of knowledge is not satisfied, but in the causes of things.

Now if you vnderstand Nature as it is substantia aut essentia, I grant it cannot be altred nor changed; for as it is so non susci­pit magis a [...]t min [...]s, substantiae nihil est contrarium, non potest au­geri, nec minui: For there can nothing be added to the [...]ssence that it should be the greater essence, neither can there bee any taken from it that it should be the lesser essence, for though a Foal▪ [...]row first to be a Colt, and then a Horse, and so changeTheo 13. (g) in quanti [...]y, yet substantia aut natura perman [...]t, the nature is vn­changed:^l No one horse is a more ho [...]se then another▪ Theo. 18▪ (^•) But if nature be vnderstood as it is qualitas et d [...]spositio then it may be changed, for intenditur et re [...]titur, et habet con­trarium by Art, for the accidents are the cheefe matter for Art to work on: but those men do much deceiue themselues; for by seeking to excuse their ignorance, they lay it open the more, at­tributing that to the substance which is proper to the accidents: Indeed I know all Horses are not alike capable, for there is both a naturall pronenesse, and likewise a naturall imbecillity, for some will aske both deeper iudgement, greater paines and lon­ger^m This diffe­rence doth not p [...]o [...]e an im­possibility. time, then others; but yet because they are more dull & hard to learne, that therefore (vpon necessity) they will neuer bee re­formed, is no good conclusion.

And for Mr. Morgans Simile, in my iudgement it doth diff [...]r in the materiall and finall cause, for there is no liquid substance in flint whereby it should yeeld moisture by pressing, nor any such toughnes in sand, that it should endure stretching, and like as nature hath denyed them either the one or the other in mat­ter, so in the finall cause also the ends of the flint was rather to be hard and firme then soft and fluxable; and of Sand to fill empty places by its stability, then to make a strong Cable by the brittlenes. But a horse whatsoeuer a man can teach him by Art, the same he will doe by nature; for there is no foale (if itⁿ The naturall pronenesse of a Horse. be well kept, but will both leap, aduance, stop, close, turne lof­tily, fetch such yarks behind, that it is very delightfull to be­hold, and also strike an amble, in going to his gallop, or any such1. Pr. 13. (^h) other thing which a man would teach him, onely heere is the difference, by nature he doth it at his owne will but by art at the will of his Rider.

Wherefore it may appeare by all these proofes that the cause of error in Horse-manship doth not proceed from the nature of the Horse, as many haue holden it, but through the ignorance2 Pr [...]l. 13. ^• [...] Th [...]o. 33. ^•. of man, not knowing how to reclaime his rebellious disposi­tion which is in the accidents; for Aristotle saith, Natura nihil habet vit [...], nature hath nothing of Vice. Now if it hath no er­ror▪ there needeth no Art; for Art was inuented for to cor­rect vice, and so to bring his disobedience vnto obedience. [...]thick. li. 2. And againe, the same Author saith, that nullum accidens in cor­pore est pars naturalis corporis: No accidents of the body is any part of the naturall body; therefore a man may change the accidents as the quality and disposition, for a Horse may bee [...] brought from disobedience to obey the will of his Rider, (by his motions) from doggednesse to louingnes, from sadnesse or dulnesse to freenesse, &c. And yet for all these; Natura tamen constat.

I stand the longer about this poynt, to illustrate it so much the more, because there are so many errors crept in through the seuerall opinions of men, for there are some which thinke thatM^r. Asor­ga [...]. this Art doth chi [...]fly consist in breeding; for they say, if a Horse be not truely bred he will neuer bee brought to good riding: I grant (it is true) t [...]at breeding is a great helpe and case to the Art; but if teaching did not helpe to a greater perfection then breeding, what vse sh [...]uld all those Horses bee, for that are not so rightly bred as they doe desire, and in regard that all men [...] (that carry such generous mindes, as to loue Horses) cannot at­taine to b [...]eed so perfectly because the Clime wherein they dwell is not of such pure Ayre nor can get such Horses to breed vpon as is desired? should they bee discouraged from persisting in so worthy an Art, with out hope of obtaining the period of their desires? No surely, for if this knowledge consisted in breeding onely, then [...]he Art of teaching were to no vse; andTheo. 39. ^d 1. Chap. 2. Theo. 1. li. 1. Chap. 1. [...]rac. 13 ^c also those Horses no [...] so artificially bred, would serue to no pur­pose except the C [...]rt: But Art is inuented to reforme Nature (as I haue shewed) which is put a Hand-maid to Art, for I haue seene diuers Horses, neither so beautifull to the eye, nor so aptly bred (as is curiously desired;) and some also that haue beene bought out of the Cart, and trained vp by the true Art of [Page 11] Horse-manship, which haue made Iades of them that haue beene both very beautifull, and also as well bred as could bee wished.

Wherefore seeing meane Horses may bee made good by Art, and good Horses proue Iades for want of true knowledge^c Vnlikly Hor­ses often proue the best. Theo. 28. ^f. and 37. ^k. in this Art, (although breeding be very necessary) let them de­sire to search more diligently into the secrets of it, and where there doth come an error, let them consider the cause, for vbi cognoscitur vnde morbus sit natus, ibi facilius potest inuenire reme­dium. When the cause of the error is knowne, the remedy may be found the more easily.

CHAP. 3. A Corolary of the Art of Pacing.

I May be thought very prolixe and tedious in my discourse before I come to the subiect of this Art, but excuse me if it bee so; for as Mr. Hall saith, he that vseth circumlocu­tion, argueth either a weake memory, or else wanteth apt words to expresse his meaning: Euen so I, neither hauing the one nor the other, must needs vse much repetition, more especially in re­gard the way is not so easily found, it beeing a path that hath not beene trodden before. For this Art of Horsemanship hath beene so much abused (being practised vpon false grownds, at­tributing all errors to the nature of the Horse, but neuer to their^a The cause of the abuse of this Art. owne ignorance) that it would desire a whole Booke to re­forme the opinions and errors of men, before one come to de­clare the manner of teaching it to the Horse, because one must learne a thing well themselues before they can teach it to ano­ther: For I hold there is no fault that the Horse doth commit, but it is chiefely from the abuse of the teachers, in not rightly iudgeing the cause, and so not cunningly knowing how to re­moue the effect; for Sublata causa tollitur effectus, take away^b Dialect. d [...] euen. the cause and the effect will dye: And yet there is no man that [Page 12] if he make but one perfect good Horse, he for his glory will at­tribute the cause thereof to himselfe, but if hee faile in many other, then (to excuse himselfe in that cause) he attributeth it to the nature of the Horse; but if the Horse could speake as Ba­laams Asse did, he would tell him, (and so excuse himselfe) that [...] Nu [...]. 22. 28. the chiefe cause were in the man, in not rightly vnderstanding the Art, for hee, (being but a sensitiue Creature, obeying by feeling) hee did but as he was forced, and so this famous Crea­ture is made most infamous, and like No-body is faine to beare other mens faults.

But for this Art of pacing, it is so much abused, that when I doe but think to speak thereof, I am as one in a Laborinth, not knowing which dore to open first, for as it is a thing necessary, so it is as common and so commonly abused, that it is almost [...] The necessi­ [...] maketh [...]t [...]. now generally holden to be the onely ouerthrow and spoyle of good Horses; for whereas before they were put to pacing, they had both a good trot a [...]d Gallop, after they were or should haue beene paced they were depriued of all, and also had got­ten a perfect knowledge in stumbling. But I would haue them know that these absurdities do nothing at all proceed from the Art, but from the abuse in teaching; for it is holden so easie a thing to make a Horse pace, that almost euery one will assume it, and so like blind Byards [...]un headlong into the gulfe of con­fusion, because they know not how to keepe any order or deco­rum in their teaching; for if they by any extremity can make a Horse p [...]ce, they hold their knowledge equall with the best: But let them assuredly know, that whatsoeuer is forced by ex­tremity [...] Extrem [...]y [...] no Art. 1. Pra. 17. ^c. is no part of Art; for after the disposition of the Horse is changed, that is, his disobedience brought to obedience, then Art doth work by gentle and easy, but yet quick motions, ser by that meanes the vnderstanding of the Horse is more confirmed then by any extremities, which in regard they are violent, and omne violens nunquam est perpetuum, whatsoeuer is violen [...], is neuer permanent▪ and therefore that Horse which is brought to his pace by extremity cannot hold it, because his motion is not giuen him by reason (which is gentle) but by will (which is cruell,) for when they see that they faile in their ex­pectation, [...] Will [...] extremity. and that they cannot make a Horse pace in so short a [Page 13] time as they doe desire, then presently they fall to any extremi­ties because they will haue him doe it: and thus the poore Horse is thrust into such torments, that where his appetite and his action should agree in one, they are now contrary; for as his Rider doth force the motion of his body (which is action) to pace, the motion of his appetite, (which is lust) being alto­gether remote from it, there doe continually be-thoughts arise^g The cau [...]e of by thoughts. how he should ease himselfe from such torments: For hee nei­ther hauing leasure to vnderstand what he should learne, nor finding ease in his teaching, thereby to take delight, they agree as well together as fire and water, and his pace as durable as flaxe on fire.

Yet I would not haue them heere to vnderstand me so, that a Horse may be brought to his pace with lenity onely, for so in shunning one extreame they fall into the other; and quicquid ^h Art depen­eth vpon one true propor­tion. moderamine caret, id in pessimam degenerat speciem▪ what passeth the limits of the meane doth fall into the confines of the ex­treame: For there must bee both helpes and corrections vsed till he be brought to obedience, but they must bee tempered with such discretion, according to the disposition of the Horse, that through too much rigor hee bee made neither restiffe nor madde, nor through too much lenity he be made carelesse and sadde; but so indifferently mixed, sometimes with cherish­ments, and sometimes with chastisements, that the Horse may perfectly vnderstand his well doing by the one, and his offending by the other, The maner how shall heereafter bee showne.

Againe, there are others which hold that a Horse may bee brought to a good pace in ten or fourteene dayes at the fur­thest, as well as in all his life time: But by that assertion they shew both their knowledge in the Art, and their iudgement in^• Art abused by shortnesse of time. a well going Horse; for if they did truely know the one, and vnderstand the other, they would alienate their simple igno­rance by their rash iudgement. For first, there must be a time to reforme the will of the Horse, and after that to giue him a stay­ed body, and an euen carriage of the same, and then a true handling of his legges, and also a comely and easie reyne, withNote. a reforming of other vices which may ensue during the time of [Page 14] teaching; and when they haue considered of all these, I hope they will change their mindes, and allow as great fauour to this part of Horsemanship as any other, in regard there must be a time to teach, then another time to vnderstand what is taught, and also a third, to gaine a habite to his vnderstanding. For he is accompted a good Horse-man in other parts thereof if he can but mouth a Horse, make him take his way willingly, trot handsomely, and turne readily in a yeare, (although to his trot hee hath a naturall inclination:) and yet they doe expect that a Horse should be brought to his pace, with the reformingk The incon­uenience of hast. of all things aforesaid, in such a short time albeit hee thereto hath no inclination. But the effect of this hast is showne by the euent; for what doth follow but an vtter dislike of the art, and a generall inueying against the professors, not regarding1. Pra. 17. ^a. the inconuenience of hast; for in the true order of Art that is the best hast which worketh the best euent.

Now there are others, which allow the Art but disallow the meanes of working by the hand, some allowing trammels,l Ignorance the cause of these. Prac. 1. lib. 30. 31. & 32 Chap. Theo. 36. ^a. 1. Pr. 31. ^a. others shooes of aduantage with long plates before, some hea­uy shooes, some waights vnder the fetterlocks, and wispes, and others sand-bagges behind on the fillits of the Horse: all which inuentions doe rather shew the delight that men take in nouel­ties, then the desire they haue to the truth; for the best of all these is but as a shaddow to a substance, in respect of true Art by the hand: But if they had spent as much time in reforming their owne ignorance, as they did in inuenting these indirect meanes, they would confesse that there were no such want in the Art (as to vse any vsurping meanes) but rather in their idle mindes in not taking paines to finde out the true causes. For I see no reason but this part of Horsemanship may bee as well taught (by true helps and corrections) as any other part if they will but afford the like time.

Also there are others which like the hand, but dislike (as they may very well) the abuse of it; for they haue seene so ma­nym. Pract. 1. li. 32. Chap. Horses so lacerated and torne in the mouth, through the dis­order of the hand and rough snaffles; and also carry their heads so disorderly, continually looking to the Heauens as though they were either deuout, or else Astrologers, or Astronomers, [Page 15] obseruing the starres that they waxe weary of it and so pre­ferre such inuented meanes as aforesaid, before the true Art, thinking there were no other way to bring a Horse to his true pace (by the hand) but by such extremities. But these pro­fessors are the worst of all the rest, and their wayes to bee eschewed as a path that leadeth to the vtter ruine both of the subiect and disgrace of the Art, for through their distastfull hand, they vtterly destroy where they should build, and make his mouth so insensible, that where the Horse should be com­mandedn The discōmo­dities that in­sue by the abu­ses of the hand. thereby, the more hee feeleth the hand the more hee rests vpon it, and is the cause of so many run-awayes; and fur­ther tireth a man more to hold him to his pace then the hardest trotter, and causeth a Horse not to stumble only, but also break­eth the largenesse of his stroake for his pace, in regard he is so terrified in the mouth, that he dare not set his forefeet forth, which makes him fret and chafe and shake his hinder parts very vnseemely, and to conclude quid non? Wherefore I could wish that all such professors were weeded out of the Vineyard of Horsemanship, as not worthy of growing there, because they bring such fruit as doth more distast the sences, then giue any odoriferous smell to the vnderstanding of this Art. By this time I hope their mindes are somwhat altered, which hold this Art so easie that any one may vndertake it without any great doubt of performance; which if they are not, I would know whato Errors the cause of varie­ties Theo. 36. should moue so many seuerall opinions and variable inuentions for the performing thereof, if there were not some intricate­nesse therein? And what should bee the reason that so few Horses amongst many goe well, but onely the Art being so obseure that they cannot see the way how to effect it? For though mens opinions are variable, yet there is but one truth, and although there be many great diuersities in Horses going,Theo. 4. Ch. yet there is but one kind of well going Horses.

And yet although they will grant some difficulty in it, yet (by the abbreuiation of time) they will hold it more easie then other trades Mechanicall, for hee is accompted an expert and cunning Workeman that can learne his occupation in seauen orp Men iudge according to their know­ledge. eight yeares; and yet they thinke that this Art of pacing may be learned in seauen or eight Monthes. But the reason heere­of [Page 16] is, this Art hath a cloake to couer their ignorance (which is the nature of the Horse) but the other hath none. For in other Trades they are very desirous to obtaine both the intellectiue part by learning, and also the practicke by exercise, and so to get a habit of cunning, that when they come to work vpon the subiect, they may make it formall, the facilitie of the hand be­ingq Where there is no excuse there men take paines to pre­serue their own credit. directed onely by the Iudgement of the eye, and then be­ing proportionably made, the worke doth continue as it see­meth to be; and after they haue the knowledge thereof they can make a hundred as good. But if it bee not so fitly wrought nor so curiously set forth, then the fault is not attributed to the matter, because it would worke no better, but to the man be­cause he did worke no better; and therefore in regard they would not be accompted Coblers nor Botchers, they take great paines to keepe their reputation, because they haue none other excuse.

But in this Art it is otherwise, for whereas those worke vpon bodies inanimata, hauing neither life nor sence, so that whatso­euerr The cause of intricatnesse in this Art. their hands doe, it is so; the Horseman worketh vpon bo­dies animata, which haue both life and sence, and though he worke neuer so exquisitely, yet if the intellectiue part of the Horse be not agreeing to the minde of the man, it is a shadow of the thing but not the thing it selfe, howsoeuer it doth show to the eye, for when the Horse commeth to be made vse of, then he sheweth the truth and (as a dog to his vomit) so goeth he to his former disorderly will: for as Aristotle saith, quales sunt actus, tales habitus fiunt, as is the teaching so is the learningEthick. 2. li. 2. Chap. perfected. But for their excuse, then they affirme (vno voce) that it is the nature of the Horse, and so they attribute that to the efficient cause which is in the materiall, and by that meanes neuer take any paines to find out their ignorance, whereby that if by chance they make one good Horse, they for the most part misse in ten.

CHAP. 4. The Description of a true and well going Horse.

HAuing heeretofore showne (in some sort) the difficulty of this Art of pacing, and also layd open the errors of them which iudge the performance thereof to be so easie, now I thinke it will not be amisse to discribe and set forth what a true and well pacing horse is: not onely because I would avoide the scandall of them which should thinke I vndertooke that which I knew not, and speake that which I doe not vnder­stand: but also to shunne confusion (in my proiect,) because it is the subuersion of all things. For order being the onelya Confusion subuerteth all things, but or­der establisheth thing whereby nothing is made something; so (contrari­ly) confusion doth make something nothing. For the world (before the creation) was a Chaos, that is, a confu­sed thing without order, but God by order brought it to pro­portionTheo. 38. [...] and forme, and by that meanes came to be something, and so receiued a name according to the excellent forme and order thereof (which is Mundus.) Wherefore I doe desire so much as in mee lyeth, to lay the foundation of this Art in the best order that I can, that it may receiue the perfecter forme, and be the longer without confusion.

Now therefore because confusion is such a pestiferous diseaseApplication. that it impoysoneth the whole subject which it doth possesse, I would desire all young fauorites of this art, (or which meanethb A man must first learne be­fore he can teach. to be laborers in the Ʋineyard of Horsemanship) to beware of that infection, and for order sake first to learne a thing them­selues, before they doe teach it to any other: for as Aristotle saith, prius sunt Artes, postea operationes, knowledge goeth be­foreEthic. 2. li. 4. chap. and practice followeth after. Wherefore it is fit that a man should first know what a true going horse is, before hee vndertake by practice to make one, for how should a man worke truely not knowing what hee worketh, or giue iudge­ment of that thing wherein he hath no good knowledge: now as I said before, there can be but one manner of an absolute and true going horse, and yet there are many horses that may [Page 18] be said to goe well, but that is in respect of another that goeth^• There is but one truth, and is not found by comparing one error with ano­ther, but by it selfe, [...]eason gi­uing euidence. A simile. worse, and yet if that horse be compared with his better, then he is said not to goe so well: but this is no true ground of know­ledge, for as it is a principle in the grantable requests of Geo­metry that there is no proportion betwixt a crooked line and a straight; for compare a parrallel line to a Cilander there is no affinity betwixt them, but ioyne two parrallel lines together, they make a true consonant, euen so compare the better going horse with the worse, then hee is said to goe well, but if to the best, then hee goeth not well except hee parrallel him. Where­fore if a man will haue a true instance to know a well going horse by, I must referre him to the creation, (in regard all mens workes are fraught with errors) for then, God made all things very good and perfect, and let him there imagine (so well as he can) how he was before mans fall, and at that marke let him aime (so neere as is possible) and then the nearer his horse doth goe to that perfection, the better hee goeth and nearer the truth. For the cause of inuention of Arts, is to no other end,Theo. 1. ^e but onely a desire of some (though not a perfect) restitution to the primary creation; therefore the absolute truth cannot be had from the knowledge of man, in regard it is so ouershadow­ed with ignorance, (as I haue said before) for that which is reue­ledTheo. 1. ^b (euen to the wisest) is nothing to that which is concealed.

But yet I will (so well as I can) define what a true going Horse is, that you may the better conceiue when you haue^• The definiti­on of a t [...]ue and perfect going Horse. gotten the period of your desire. Therefore a true and well going Horse is, a certaine free and easie obedience in his go­ing, not onely of the will or appetite, but also of the body, with a durable and comely carriage of the same, and neate handling of the other members.

By which definition it doth appeare that a true pacer doth not consist in the exterior parts, only (as some hold) but in the1 Pract. 27. ^{d •} The [...] of a Horse is acci­dentall and no [...] [...]bstantiall. Theo. 37. ^•. interior also; for (as the schooles hold) a Horse being a sensi­tiue creature onely, his soule is no substance but composed of the temperature of the body, which is the naturall vigour or quality thereof, and hath no being w [...]hout the body, vpon which it wholy dependeth. Now [...] b [...]cause the soule of a Horse is an accident insepe [...]able, and that it cannot be from [Page 19] the body without the abolishment of the whole creature, theyWoolter. de im­mortalitate ani­mae. must both worke together and rest together: now I say there must be a certaine and free obedience of the will or affection (which is a quality of the soule) because aequus mentem non ha­bet, in regard he is but a sensitiue creature) ioyned with the like obedience of the body. I adde further it must be certaine, be­cause if his obedience should be variable, then it is no true obe­dience,Logicke de qua­li [...]a. for truth is not subiect to mutabilitie, for whatsoeuer is truth is constant: but here must be excepted patibilis qualitas, which proceed from the corruption of nature, as lamenesse, sick­nesse, death, &c. for, verba in definitionibus posita, non actum sed potentiam significant, in the definition of things it is not to be vnderstood of the Act but of the power and inclination thereof. Againe, it must be certaine and sure in regard of his rider, that whensoeuer he shall desire to make the Horse shew himselfe for^g How it must be free & cer­taine. any grace, he must be so obedient that he will show his indea­uour (to the vtmost of his power) both to content the eyes of the behoulders, and the seat of his rider.

Further, hee must be free, so that what hee doth hee doth it willingly (both in will and body) without forcing or vrging, but vpon the least and couert motions that can bee, hee obey with what nimblenesse and alacritie may bee wished: like­wise hee must be free from by-thoughts, for when his rider would haue him doe one thing then he must not thinke to doe another, but his will must alwaies attend on the motions of his rider, (which is all the guide the horse hath to the vnderstan­ding of his minde) to know what he would haue him to obey:^h A Horse knoweth his riders minde by nothing but by his motions. now mad freenesse, which is an extreame, is here exempted, be­cause he must haue true obedience, which is the meane.

Againe, it must be easie, for if a Horse goe neuer so willingly yet if by any meanes hee shake a man in his going (so that hee doth but trouble the minde neuer so little) then it is not true obedience, therefore if a Horse doth not carry an easie bo­dyⁱ He must be easie going. for himselfe hee cannot carry a man easily: neither if a Horse bee giuen to stumble, doth hee carry a man hand­somely^k He must goe comely. nor easily, now in all these he must behaue himselfe comely, therefore if he shake with his hinder parts it is no com­ [...]ndable going, neither if he roule in his pace, that is▪ if his [Page 20] body be not set vpright for an apt motion of going, but that he moue first on one side & then on the other. Now whereas many hold that a horse which paceth cannot moue except he moue first on one side and then on the other, they are much deceiued in a true going Horse, for if it were so then the comelines of go­ing should be in the extreames, because the sides of the Horse is the extreamitie of the subiect, in regard the motion on the one^l The true mo­tion is not in [...] extreame [...]. side is one extreame, & the motion on the other side the other; therefore vpon necessity the meane true motion must be in the middle of the horse, and the brest of the horse must deuide the ayre so smoothly (if he goe truely) as the brest of a ship doth the waues, and then the motion of his body being giuen in the right place (as before is said) he doth carry a man so easily as if^• The incon­ [...]nce of im­ [...] moti­ons. Theo. 26. ^c he were in a Caruell, and vpon necessity in like manner he must lift his leges so truely that he shalbe nothing apt to stumble but goe very comely; but contrarily if hee moue first behind then he beareth vpon the hand and listeth vp his hinder parts, sha­king therewith very vnseemely, and much stradleth, and com­meth on faster with his hinder parts then hee setteth forwardⁿ The cause of stumbling. with his fore parts, so that he cannot haue time to raise his fore­feete orderly, but through the low motion of them he is subject to stumbling, and likewise if he moue faster before then behind he doth fret and chase, and is so tender mouthed that he will not indure to feele the snaffle, all which is no part of a well going Horse.

Further he must handle his legges neatly, lifting all his feet of an equall height, keeping a true distance of time in the mo­tion^o The apt mo­tion of his legs. of his legges, with an equall largenesse of his stroke car­rying an apt proportion according to the slownes or swiftnes of his pace, for if hee bee commanded to goe fast, that then hee doth not lash forth himselfe into a large stroke, and so set harder then he did vpon his soft pace, but that hee keepe a true decorum in his going; for if hee set harder in his fast pace, or seeme to goe more slowly on his soft pace, then hee is faulty, and therefore no perfect going Horse, likewise his legges must carry such an equi-distance in widenesse that they may de­scribe two parallel lines in their motions, otherwise he doth not [Page 21] goe comely. To all which hee must be durable, for if he should faile in any of all these, that he should not continue them, then^p He must also be durable. he were defectiue, and so no perfect true going Horse. And last­ly, he must haue a perfect placing of his eye head and reyne with his nose inward, resting his iawes vpon the thropell, shewing his crest in his greatest grace, his mouth truely relished with the snaffle, neither too much dulled, so that hee would disquiet^q His head and mouth must be firme. the man to hold him in, nor yet so tender that vpon the feeling thereof he should either moue a stay or checke his head, and so remoue it from his true place, but onely to giue him the1. Prac. 24 ^•. meane betwixt them both: All which particulars if they bee wrought in one subiect so perfectly, as they may bee imagined, then a man may assure himselfe bee hath attained to the know­ledge of this Art, otherwise hee is in error, and therefore nee­deth further knowledge heerein.

Whereby the conceited knower, which thought hee was so skillfull in this Art, doth see that there is more difficulty in itThe. 3. Ch. p then hee did imagine; for whereas before hee might thinke that the stroke onely was the full knowledge of the Art, as one word was the signification thereof: now hee may plainely see and easily perceiue that it is but the least part: For I grant, that if a man doe desire nothing but the pace onely, and also worke it vpon that stroake which hee is most apt vnto by his inclinati­on, without any further respect, then hee may pace a Horse in­deed without any great labour of the body, or much know­ledge in the Art.

But when one shall first giue him that stroke which hee is most inclined vnto, and after change it to another, (for I neuer yet could finde that Horse which tooke so perfect a stroke at the first that it should not need to bee altered) and after to a^r The. 3. Ch. third; nay it may bee altered seauen or eight times, before hee can bring him to such a faire and commendable pace as he de­sireth; and also bee driuen to reforme both the carriage of his body and the handling of his legges, and further to giue his head the true place, and then to settle his mouth truely vpon the bit or snaffle, hee shall find such intricatenesse in effecting all these, that hee will both confesse his owne weakenesse in the iudgement of time, and also his ignorance in the [Page 22] knowledge in the Art: and so, whereas before hee thought hee had knowne all, now hee shall confesse that hee know­eth nothing.

CHAP. 5. The co [...]necting of this Art to man.

NOw that I haue layd forth the platforme of this work of pacing, by setting out the manner of a well and true go­ing Horse, and haue also drest the grownd a little, (by paring and weeding it) in setting forth the errors and abuses there­of. I wil likewise proportionate it and make it fit to receiue such stemmes and impes as shall be thought most fit for the nature of the grownd, that they may bring forth such grapes that shall make the wine more comfortable, to strengthen and delight the hearts and mindes of men, that they may bee the more incouraged to affect and persist in this so famous and excel­lent Art.

For as in a Vineyard there must be the grownd first laid out, and after, it should bee weeded, dressed and brought to forme, and all stemmes of Vines set, and frames made to sup­port and beare the Vines vp as they grow in height, and like­wise as they grow they must bee pruned least they grow wild: Furthermore they must bee set in such a place that the Sun may giue heat vnto them, whereby they may be both the sweeter and sooner ripe; moreouer the frames would bee made high that the Vines may grow the higher and so receiue the greater heat of the Sunne: and lastly, they must be inuironed and fenced about to preserue the impes, that nothing come to croppe and about spoyle them till they come to perfection. Euen so in this ArtAn Allegory. there must be first the ground laid out (that is the Art) then it must be weeded and drest from the errors of ignorance, and after that be made formall, by a good decorum and order; also there must be stemmes set, that is young learners and diligent practisers thereof; againe there must be a frame made to sup­port the Vines, which is practise and experience; likewise they [Page 23] must bee pruned, that is, when they erre to examine the cause, and take it away that the effect may dye; furthermore they must bee set so that the Sunne may nourish them, that is, they must direct all their worke in such sort that they may be ripened with the heat of the truth, and so they shall the more easily ob­taine their desire, and then the higher that they grow by the frames aforesaid, the more shall bee their knowledge in the truth. Now lastly they must be enuironed and fenced about to preserue the fruites, that is, they in all their practises and endea­uours must worke by the rule of reason, which will make such a firme and sure fence, that the wild beasts of the Forrest shall not breake downe their hedges nor spoyle their grapes, that is their wills and affections shall not so ouercome them, that theyTheo. 29. ^c. Theo. 19. & 20. Chap. shall passe the bonds of reason, and fall into either of the ex­treames of violence or lenity, and so confuse their labours and discourage their practise; for though this Vineyard of pacing hath heeretofore beene dressed and planted, yet it is so trodden downe and spoyled with the inuentions and deuises of men as their fantasies hath directed them, but not fenced as reason hath guided, nor dressed as knowledge hath counselled, that the weeedes are growne higher then the true plants, and doe so smother and choake them that they can neither prosper nor become so fruitfull as they would neither for themselues nor others.

But this proceedeth from our naturall corruption; for as Esop ^b The cause of this abortion. 1. Pra. 27. ^•. being asked the cause that weeds do grow and prosper without setting and dressing better then other herbes and flowers did with both; answered, because that the earth was but the step­mother to these, and to the weedes a naturall mother: Euen so, that as it was a curse giuen of God to the earth (for mans diso­bedience) that it should nourish thornes and [...]stles naturally (without any Art) where before it should haue brought forthDeut. 11. 15. grasse for cattell, and herbes for the seruice of men by the same instinct: it is become quite contrary, for now no Art, no hearbs, but no dressing, all weeds. In like maner the knowledge of manApplication. doth hold the same proportion with the earth, for there was likewise a curse laid vpon man for his disobedience, that his reason should feed and nourish ignorance as a naturall mother, [Page 24] without any Art; where before it should (by the like meanes)The. 1. Ch. ^m haue fed and cherished knowledge: for obscurata est ratio natu­ralis, per inobedientiam primi parentis, our naturall reason is ob­scured^d Reason nou­risheth igno­rance, except it be inlightened by Art. with ignorance by the disobedience of our first Parents, And therefore now it is also become contrary; for no Art no knowledge, but no knowledge all ignorance, wherefore in re­gard ignorance is nourished with so much ease, and knowledge gotten by such paines it must necessarily follow, that those pro­fessors which are but as weedes, grow both greater and more then those which are nourished by knowledge, (being fed by^• Similis simi­lem sibi gaudet. their naturall mother ignorance) and so choake and keepe downe the true practitioners, which are both few and weake (in regard of the other) because they are nourished by their step-mother knowledge, for knowledge hath no greater ene­my then ignorance being contraries, and two contraries cannot be in one subiect: now therefore seeing ignorance is so natu­rally fed and nourished in the subiect of this world, knowledge must needs pine and wither.

Therefore Aristippus (perceiuing how the world was benumd^d The answere of Aristippus to Dionisius. with this impoysoned disease) being asked of Dionisius what was the cause that the Philosophers did fret and weare the Thresholds of rich mens houses, and not contrariwise: He an­swered, because the Philosophers did know and feele what they wanted, and the Rich doe not. Demonstrating that there could not be a want of worldly necessaries but it should be felt, being^• The pouerty of the mind far more miserable then that of the body. for manintenance of life, and therefore they went to those places for releife, but if the other did rightly conceiue that the pouerty of the minde was so much the more miserable, then of the body, by how much it is the more excellent part of man, they would in like manner frequent the houses of know­ledge, and esteeme all worldly wealth but drosse to the wealth of the minde and soule, for it is the onely way to the truth, and then the nearer the truth the nearer the primary creation.

And therefore he which wil be grafted into the Vineyard of this Art, must endeauour himselfe to take paines for knowledge^• The way to knowledge is painfull. therein: For hee which will be cunning must bee painefull. For as M^r. Morgan saith. Ars infaecunda est sine vsu et usus time­rarius sine arte, and so by vse and practice hee shall get some [Page 25] knowledge of truth. But here, my meaning must not be so vn­derstood, that I speake of the knowledge of truth in genus, (which is the absolute truth, for no man is able to attaine to that perfection) or of species subalterna, but onely species infi­nit, which if a man hath any lesse, (howsoeuer hee doth con­ceipt himselfe) hee hath not the truth but the shadow thereof.

CHAP. 6. Of the Office and duty of the Horseman.

MAny may thinke that I exaggerate and insist too much vpon the difficulty of this art, because it is accounted a thing that is both common and apparant already, especially by them which sectaririuulos, et non petere fontes, which iudge that the little riuers are as deepe as the great Fountaines: and there­fore are contented onely with washing their feete, though all the other parts of the body be foule. But when I did considerTheo. 3. (^l) with my selfe, what abuse was sprung vp into this Art by such shallow censurers, and what number they were multiplied vnto. I thought (if I had the wisdome and learning of the Sages) to write a whole booke of their abuses would be little enough, to reproue their opinionated knowledge, and to let them vn­derstand how farre they are from the truth thereof, and also to shew them the cause that doth hinder them, for seeking any further; before I come to teach the manner of working, be­cause the spring of the Theorick part must first be clensed, before it doth runne into the riuer of▪ he Practicke, for infecting it with the dregges therof. For when a Chirurgion doth vndertake the cure of an old Vlcer, it is fitting that he should first know those humors which doe feed the sore, and then know the cause, and from whence they proceed that they may be clensed, and kept backe, for poysoning the sore, before he can come to cure the same, all which to doe is more hard then the cure it selfe. Euen^a Error hardly purged from Art. Theo. 22. ^d so it is more hard to know the cause of error and from whence it doth spring, and so to purge error from Art, then to teach the ground of the true Art.

But there are many which are so deadly wounded (with an [Page 26] obstinate will) that it is impossible that euer they should be^b Obstinacy is a ba [...] to know­ledge. cured: For as I my selfe haue heard some say that they haue so much knowledge, (therein) as they would desire no more, for it hath serued their turne all their liues, (they being gray head­ed, yea and men in great places) and they would not learne more of any man: which when I heard, I was desirous to make triall of their knowledge, and so to ride some of those horses which they accounted to be well going, but in tryall I found them so farre from the truth, that I could not but laugh at their knowledge, although I lamented their ignorance. And then^c Mo [...]: & Deui: medita. I thought vpon the saying of Maister Hall, how that it was fit­ter for young men to learne then to teach, and for old men to teach then to learne, and yet fitter for old men to learne then to be ignorant; but there is no man that can learne so much that he shall need to learne no more, and I hope I shall not liue so long that I shalbe too old to learne. Where I leaue them wallowing in their owne conceit, and betake mee to them which feele their sore and find their ignorance, and desire to be cured of those griefes, and also to them which would be grafted into this Vineyard that they may become diligent la­bourers therein.

Wherefore whosoeuer coueteth to be vnited to this Art, the first thing he must learne to know must be, what his duty and^d Two things to be required in the profes­sors of this Art, that is, his duty and his office. office is herein, that he may the better iudge of himselfe how to grow to his full perfection, and bring forth fruite both de­lightfull and profitable. Therefore his duty is chiefely to learne how to gouerne himselfe, and his office is to learne how to gouerne his horse: now the gouernement of a man consisteth both of the minde and body: and for the minde he must first subdue his will, secondly his passions, thirdly he must not be sei [...]ce nor angry, fourthly he must be louing and gentle, fiftly he^e The gouern­ment of the mind. must enter into the disposition of the horse, and lastly hee must frame his will to worke according to the inclination and qua­lity of the horse: and secondly for the gouernment of his body, first he must be of an apt and able body, secondly, he must haue^f Gouernement of the body. a true and com [...]ly carriage thereof, the better to grace his works, thirdly, he must haue the true vse both of hand and foot that hee may the more cunningly help and serue his horse in all [Page 27] his actions, fourthly, he must know how to help, fiftly, where to helpe, and lastly, when to help.

These particulers being well and truely learned (as hereaf­ter shalbe discribed) and then well vsed, will be sufficient to^g Knowledge is to no vse without true application. giue a young Scholler a sure ground of this art, for the first, till he come to further knowledge, and then as he increaseth there­in, hee may looke more narrowly into himselfe, and hee shall finde more obseruations then here is exprest which I haue omit­ted, not onely for auoyding tediousnes, but also because I wou [...]d not make him an idle trewant not to search for more then is here set forth, for there is yet an Aliquot part as the Mathemati­tians terme it behind, and lastly, for bringing confusion and dis­couragement to the young learner, troubling his mind with so many obseruations and seuerall concauities▪ for hee shall finde these enough for to learne, if they bee well obserued; but these are as it were accidents inseperable, wich cannot bee sepera­ted from this Art, if he desire to become a good Horseman, for these are not proper to this Art onely, which is but a part of^h These obser­uations are the ground of the whole Art. Horsemanship, (although I haue continually called it by the whole, but that is Synecdoche) but also to all other parts else whatsoeuer, and likewise many other things which I haue set downe (and shall heereafter) though that they bee alluded to this part onely.

Now for his Office that hee must gouerne his Horse, it dothⁱ How to go­uerne his horse. likewise consist both of the interior and exterior parts; but for the interior, first hee must know how to gouerne his Horse, hee being an vnreasonable Creature; secondly hee must re­forme his will, for hee may be said to haue spent, (although im­properly, that is, secundum appetitum,) thirdly hee must subdue his passions, as fiercenesse and dulnesse, &c. Now for the ex [...]e­rior, hee must bring his body to obedience, that is, first his bo­dyEthick. 3. 2. Chap. must willingly yeeld to the motions of the mans body, be­cause hee is but a sensitiue Crea [...]ure; secondly hee must yeeld to the motions of the hand for the guiding of his head; thirdly to the legges, that vpon the motion thereof hee bee willing to goe or turne with the couertest motions that can bee vsed; and lastly hee must obserue that his Horse and hee both must make but one body and will, and then they shall make such a delight­full [Page 28] consonant, both to himselfe for feeling, and to others forTheo. 38. p. 13. ^d. ^l The Man and Horse must make but one body in action. seeing, that it will not only bring great content to himselfe, but also will so admire the beholders, that they will (like a longing wife) thirst till they be in like maner graffed into this Vineyard, to bring forth such grapes as doe giue such a relish as will so much delight the sences.

CHAP. 7. How a Horseman should gouerne himselfe and his Horse.

NOw that I haue set downe the duty and Office of the Horseman in generall, I will also illustrate it a little more in the particulers, because I would haue him (which doth desire to bee esteemed a Horse-man, so farre forth as he can compre­hend) to merit the same name by his desert. For as Socrates, ^a Desert is true glory. (being asked by what meanes a man might attaine to an honest fame and name) answered if hee earnestly endeauour himselfe to be such a one indeed as hee desireth to be accompted: euen so hee which doth desire to be imped in this stock, must frame himselfe to bee such an impe as shall bee held worthy thereof. For as all are not good Chirurgions which are sent for to cure some wounds, and so haue the common voyce of men; but he that can truely iudge of the cause that increaseth the sore, and can make his salue to worke accordingly: in like manner they are not Horsemen which are set on practise, and haue the ap­plause^b No credit in the vulgar ap­plause. of the common people, but hee which knoweth how to gouerne and teach his Horse aright, and so to bring him to true obedience.

Now it may be I shall seeme very distastfull to most humors, which would bee glad to know how to make a reformation in^c Our natures desire to re­straine others, but to giue our selues liberty. others, but cannot indure to subiect themselues; like those pa­tients which would gladly bee cured of an old vlcer, but would not abide the operation of a corasiue: where I leaue them only with this (in regard I doe not loue to lay a cushion vnder their elbow to haue them sleepe still in ignorance) let them not thinke euer to learne to gouerne a Horse well and truely, that [Page 29] cannot tell how to gouerne themselues. Wherefore in regard GOD made man the last of all his Creatures, to intimateTheo 1. ^a vnto him, that there should not bee any thing wanting for his vse, but that he should come into the world, as to a house full furnished with all things: and further indued him with reason aboue them all, that hee might know thereby the better how to keepe them in loue and obedience: let not man soTheo. 1. g farre degenerate from his first estate, as to be seruile and subiect^d Without knowledge man is most miserable. to them which should yeeld obedience to him; for though we haue lost that soueraignty and dominion which wee were in­dued withall at the first, yet hauing meanes left vs by Art, let vs seeke to reforme our rebellious will and affections, that we may cloath our selues more decently with fig-leaues of knowledge, without which man is onely most miserable; for though God gaue him possession of all his dignity at the first minute he came into the world, yet through the relapse hee was depriued of all: for now what thing commeth into the world so naked as man? and those things which should haue beene for his preseruati­on doe often times worke his destruction, as wee see many men killed or lamed with Horses, and also deuoured by other rauenous beasts.

And besides this outward miserablenesse, there is with vs such a little world of rebellion amongst the faculties of the soule, and also amongst the other sences, that all the Art that man can vse is not able to suppresse and keepe them downe, thereby to hould them in subiection: for our reason (by which we should haue guided, and gouerned all other creatures) is so obscured (with ignorance,) that wee could not know how to gouerne our selues, if we should follow our inelination and cor­ruption.

Now therefore hee that will haue a command of himselfe,^e How a man should com­mand himselfe. must seeke to reforme the disposition of his corrupt minde, by deliberating and consulting, whether that bee well or euill which he hath in action, and so make election according to theAristo: eth. 3. li. 3. goodnes or badnesse of the Art: for election must not be made without consultation, and consultation must not be made from affection, but (sana mente) from a perfect and sound minde. Therefore he that will gouerne himselfe, must haue a perfect [Page 30] mind, and must consult of all his actions, (by reason) how they are done, if well, then to make his election thereof, if euill, thenTheo. 3. ^b to consider the cause and take that away, and then from whence it doth proceed and stop that flux; so shall he know the better how to gouerne his Horse: For the errors in Horse­manship, doe not alwaies proceede from the Horse, neither from^• The cause of [...] 16. ^c. Theo. 16 ^a. 1. Pra. 24. ⁿ. 27. ^d. ^g An apt s [...]mile. that place (in the Horse) where it is first decerned, (as it is for the most part holden) but the cause of most errors, (howsoeuer they are iudged in the Horse,) doe chiefely first proceede from the man, though vnknowne vnto him when it was committed: an [...] although at the first it might seeme a very small escape, (yet being vnreformed) by much vse and practise, it will grow very grosse and palpable.

For instance, as by multiplication in Arithmeticke, a figure being mistaken, though it be in the first place, which is the least in valew, yet by often multiplying, it wil be a great error in the product, and also though the error be first perceiued in the pro­duct, yet the cause doth not proceed from thence; nor altoge­ther from the figures of the multiplier, but chiefely in him that multiplied it. Wherefore seeing that when there is an error in worke committed, the fault is not alway attributed to the thing, in which it is first found, but where it is first acted, I would desire all those which loue this Art, not to thinke to excuse their errors by the nature of the horse, for so might a man that hath^• To excuse a mans igno­ [...]ance by the nature of the horse is no true excuse. a bad visage, excuse it when he looketh in a glasse, and say it is the falsenesse of the glasse: But I hould this paradox, that it is the ignorance of the man, to thinke that a Horse being irratio­nall, should learne more, then a man that is rationall can teach him; and so impute a greater fault to the materiall cause, then to the efficient, therefore those who are desirous to keepe this Vineyard from spoyling, must be carefull to keepe the fences strong, and raile them about with reason, and then they shall more easily bring their Horse to the gouernment which they desire.

CHAP. 8. How the Horseman may subdue his will.

HAuing before showne how a man may gouerne both him­selfe and his Horse, I will now also (so briefely as I can) declare how hee may subdue his will: but this is so difficult a thing to effect, because it is so inherent to man that in the sub­duing thereof, is as great a conquest as to ouercome a strong^a It is a hard thing to bring our will to sub­iection. hold. For men are so farre led captiue vnder the seruitude there­of, that it hath almost vsurped the place of reason, and most men follow it euen as their onely guide; insomuch as if a question be asked them, their will is the chiefe reason in their answere, whereby it is fistulated so deepe in most men, that if I should vn­dertake to make an incision to the bottome, both my memory to so short and my knowledge so weake, that (I feare) my strength would faile mee before I could launch it to the halfe, therefore I will but onely scarifie it that the corruption may the sooner breake through.

The Cinicke Diogenes perceiuing how seruile they^b The answere of Diogenes to Alexander the Great. were, which did onely giue themselues as seruants to obey it, answered Alexander the Great his messenger, (when hee sent to him to know the cause, wherefore hee would not come to doe homage to him, as well as all other) why (saith he) thy maister serueth my man, for what I thinke good, that my will doth o­bey, but what his will commandeth, that he indeuoreth to per­forme with all diligence: declaring thereby, that hee which hath brought himselfe to that gouernment, that hee can com­mand his will is greater then any Monarch of the world, that is subiect vnto it. Therefore of all other enemies this is the mostTheo. 37. ^m daungerous, and a Horseman ought to haue the chiefest regard to keepe it from rebelling least it should breake into this Vine­yard, for if it once get in (as a Maister) it will be a very hard con­quest to expell it out againe, till it hath trodden downe the^c Will is so ra­nenous that it spoyl [...]th the whole planting. whole planting. For the refelling of which enemy, he that will suppresse it, must keepe a strong fence of reason continually le­uelled [Page 32] against it, the better to defend the force thereof: and therefore he that desireth to take away the sting of the vene­mous^d How to sub­due it. infection, least it should pollute the whole Vine, must imitate the naturall loue of Parents towards an vnnaturall child, which through their tender affection towards him; haue yeelded (so long) to his content, that hee hath wrought their discontent through his disobedience; insomuch that they are driuen to put him to seruice, whereby he may the better be brought (againe) to his dutyfull obedience.

Euen so, when a man hath yeelded to his will so long, that it^• Reason is the best controuler of a mans will. is become his Maister, the next way to bring it againe into subiection, is to put it to serue vnder reason, that whensoeuer it shall wish him to act any thing, hee doe not presently obey, till hee hath conferred with reason, whether it be expedient or no, and if it be fitting, then whether it be time or not, and yet if it be time, then after what manner it should be effected, but if none of these, or (at least) if not some one of them, then what damage will ensue if he follow the aforesaid will; and if (by expostula­ting thus with himselfe,) he finde it will yeeld any good, then to persist, but if reason perswade otherwise, extinguish that motion, and (againe) consult with himselfe what is the best, and of that let him make his election, and eschew the other as per­nitious: and by imitating such obseruations he shall find the strength of his will much abated and subdued by the lore of reason, and so fortified by the vse thereof, that he shalbe able to subdue him in his greatest extremities, and in time get such a habite of conquest, that a man shalbe no more his will, but himselfe, and it will (afterward) more easely be ruled as a ser­uant then afore obeyed as a Maister.

CHAP. 9. How a man may ouercome his Passions.

I Haue hitherto spoken of those vices and errors which onely^a Dialect: de qualt. proceed from Man being reasonable, for tres sunt in quibus bestijs praestamus, scilicet ratione, voluntate & intelligentia, but as [Page 33] for passions they are incident as wel to horse as man; for a horse taking a delight to be at his owne liberty, when hee feeleth^b A Horse is disobedient & desireth liberty. himselfe restrained from the same, so that hee most now bee at command, then doth hee seeke remedy by resisting, because hee desireth liberty rather then to bee tyed, and disobedience rather then obedience, for the one of them is agreeing to their disposition, but the other of them grieuous being troubled in reforming, in which regard therefore a horse may in some sortThe. 6. ^k be said to haue sponte, as I said, although improperly, for it is s [...]cundum appetons et fugiens.

Now there are foure passions which are called perturbations that are common both to man and Horse, which cause trouble^c Perturbatio est subita animi vel corporis com­motio. Dial. de qualit. to the mind and body of man, and likewise to the disposition and body of the Horse; from these foure perturbations all the other doe proceed which are Lust or Desire, Ioy, Sicknesse and [...]eare; yet I meane to speake but onely of the two first, be­ [...]ause they are the only passions from which doe come Anger and Loue, these being the two duties a Horseman should ob­serue to moderate both in himselfe and his Horse. And al­though Sicknesse and Feare be likewise requisite for a Horseman to know in this, yet I intend not to speake of them in this place because sicknesse is proper for the Farriers knowledge, and as for feare, the chiefe cause thereof in a Horse is his disobedi­ [...]nce, which is the chiefe matter this tractate seeketh to re­forme:^d No man that is possest with feare is euer like to proue a Horse-man. Theo. 22. ^b. Preface 2. ^c. but as for feare in the Man, it is such an obstacle to this Art, that whosoeuer is possest therewith, is as farre from obtai­ning the true knowledge thereof, as a Coward is to gaine so much prowesse as to bee a Generall in the field. Wherefore I [...]old it vaine to minister Phisick to such an impossible cure, for [...] Mr. Walker saith, desperato agro omnia concedit medicus: the Phisition ceaseth his care to those sicke persons who are past cure.

Now therefore the chiefe cause of these passions aforesaid, is when a man doth desire to bee a practitioner in this Art, if he^e The cause of inciting these Passions. finde it more intricate then he iudged it to be, so that he cannot worke as he would vpon the subiect, then straight hee falleth into the passion of anger, and by that meanes bringeth in the perturbation of the body, whereby hee falleth into extremi­ties, [Page 34] and beginneth to fret and chafe, thinking to gaine that by violence that he could not worke by lenity, and so thinketh (as the common saying is) by one poyson to expell another, but by this meanes hee doth rather make a confusion, then bring any order to his proceedings: so that his desire is cleane frustrateThe. 3. ^g. and cannot work any content whereby he should take any ioy or delight in his labours.

Againe, there are others which desire the like practise, and seeing the other aforesaid so rackd on the tenters of his passion,1. Prac. 15 ^r. ^• In shunning of Silla they fall into Charib [...]lis. Theo. 2. ^c. take such great dislike in their proceedings that they not onely see the great trouble it bringeth to the man, but also what tor­ment it causeth to the Horse, therefore they condemne the blindnesse of his affection, because hee cannot finde any faul [...] with himselfe till he be growne into such extreame perturbati­ons, and therefore fearing least they should fall into the like error, they in shunning o [...] it fall into as euill, and because they will not fall into the extreame of violence, they slippe as farre into the whirle-poole of too much lenity, as if one should for­beare^g The true vse is onely auaila­ble. to drinke at all because some haue surfetted with drink­ing thinking betwixt these extreames there is not a meane to bee found: and so follow the nature of the Horse as it is called, altogether by faire meanes, thinking that to be the onely way, and seeke so long to please their Horse, that at length hee is become their Maister, and careth not for the displeasing of^h This error is too common. them. For they thinke if he be made gentle enough, then he is good enough, obseruing that saying, Nobiles & generosi aequi facile freno reguntur, Noble and generous Horses are easily gouerned with the bridle. As if Horses were reasonable Crea­tures, and would bee commanded by perswasions; but whoso­euer doth thinke to worke his desire by this meanes, shall asNote this Si­mile. soone obtaine his expectation, as they who thinke to cure a mad man by letting him haue his liberty and will. Indeed I grant they may make some Horses to carry a shew of obedi­ence whilst he is pleased; (for it is a common saying, the Diuell is good when he is pleased) letting them goe as them lusteth, but when a Man shall come to worke vpon that Horse, to make him ride at command, then he will be so rebellious (by reason of his former habit) that he will aske more paine and iudge­ment [Page 35] to bring him to subjection, then three Colts that were neuer handled.

But this is the cause that maketh so many horses haue such bad^• Too much le­nity the cause of many errors. paces and carry such disgracefull reynes, and also such dead mouths, and so many sad horses, which through this abuse, are counted very Iades, & then they to excuse their ignorance obiect al these faults aforesaid to the nature of the horse, affirming thatThe. 2. ⁱ. & 7. ^f. he will neither goe better reyned, obey the hand, not goe more freely whilst he is a Horse (but for this imputation I hope I haue spoken sufficiently already) but these men in like maner come short of the period of their desire, for whilst they are working but for the shadow, like Esops Dog, they let slip the substance:Note. for when they should come to make vse of their practise they are as much troubled with perturbations as the former, for their Horse is become so stubborne that hee will goe but when he lusteth, and as he lusteth, so that they in like maner can nei­ther haue ioy nor delight in their performance.

Wherefore seeing these passions also (like rauenous beasts) doe desire to spoyle the young impes, and in stead thereof nou­rishTheo. 5. ^•. weedes, there must in like maner be a strong fence kept, by reason to refell and driue them backe: for when as a Man by any accident shall be driuen into Passion by these extreames,^k How a man may refell his passions. let him for that time cease from his practise, and set vp his Horse, assuring himselfe to be in an error, and then let him ex­amine how he came into these extremities, and after delibera­tion had, he shall finde if he bee not partiall in his owne affecti­ons, that hee himselfe was the onely cause, and also that it did proceed from ignorance, he vndertaking to effect that, for the which hee had no true ground of knowledge, and so by this meanes, whereas before they both of them thought the cause of either of those extremities did proceed from the nature of the horse, they shall see most clearely that it was their owne blindnesse, and that they were guided by such enemies as did rather desire to destroy then to plant. For as a house that is ve­ry cleane swept and washed, so as it may be thought that there is not any dust therein: yet when the Sunne shineth bright andAn apt Simile. the beames thereof doe reflect into it they shall see it all full of moates: euen so, though they thought their knowledge right [Page 36] good, for the effecting of their desire, yet when the light of rea­son doth enlighten their mindes, they shall then perceiue ma­ny errors which before could not be seene. Wherefore if a man cannot bridle his affections nor ouercome his passions, let him send them also to the schoole of reason, and there they wil be soTheo. 8. ^e. curbed and shall receiue such a repulse, that they will vtterly be discouraged, and not once dare to incounter against so strong a Fort; for thereby their forces will be brought so weake, that a man may the more easily keep them in subjection.

CHAP. 10. That a Horseman should not be feirce or angry.

BEcause that I haue (in the last chapter) spoken briefely, of the roote from whence these branches doe spring, and also showne the inconueniences (in part) which proceed from them; therefore (for the auoyding of prolixity and reiteration,) I will but onely declare (so summarely as I can) how to reduce this extreame to the meane, that those errors which doe attend vp­on these vices of feircenesse and anger may, with more facility be auoyded, and the truth the better aduanced: but whereasTheo. 9. ^g. I say a Horseman should not be angry, I would not haue it vn­derstood so, that he should not be angry at all, for that is meere sheepish, and so hee should fall into the other excesse, for huma­num est irasci, he is not a man that cannot be angry: and for a man to be a little prouoked, doth stirre him vp to performe his authority with greater courage, but yet I would not haue him to abuse this liberty, for as soft fire maketh sweet malt, so a ha­styA Simile. fire doth not onely firefange (as it is termed) but also taketh away the true rellish of the same: euen so, moderate anger cau­seth obedience, but feircenesse repugneth the same, for (as theProu. 27. 4. wiseman saith) Anger is cruell and wrath is raging, but a furi­ous man aboundeth in transgressions.

Therefore although anger is linked so strongly to the nature^a Anger is a naturall viper nourished within vs. of man, that he can, no easelier refraine from that passion, then to refraine either from meate or drinke (being set before him) [Page 37] and he hauing an eager appetite to the same, yet let him inde­uour to suppresse it with reason, least it proue to feircenesse, and wax so hot that it will consume the whole substance of his la­bour. For (hee saith againe) hee that is slow to wrath is better Pro. 16. 32. then the mighty man: and he that ruleth his owne minde, is better then he that winneth a City. For he whose discretion deferreth anger, is of great wisdome, but he that is apt to feircenesse pro­uoketh violence, and whatsoeuer is brought to a horse by vio­lence is not gained by Art, inregard (as Arist. saith) it is the ex­terior action only, (but Art consisteth both in the interior acti­on, and exterior) for whatsoeuer is exterior only is but a shadow,Theo. 3. ^• or an accident, and therfore no substance, and so hath no permi­nancy, because it is don vnwillingly. For whatsoeuer is the cause of a cause, the same is the cause of the thing caused: but violence being the cause of the exterior action in the horse, so long as thatEthick. 3. 2. Ethick. 22. ^• violence lasteth, so long the horse worketh, (although inuite) but when that cause ceaseth then the action of the Horse decayeth.

Now therefore hee which desireth to proue a flowrishing Impe in this Vineyard, must temporize his anger, and let it ex­tend no further then the limits of reason: and proportionate it^b How to tem­per auger. Theo. 31. ^• so, that it may rather tend to the reducement of obedience in the horse, then to the satisfying of his owne will. But for the better knowledge, how a man should gouerne his anger, hee must obserue both the time when to be angry, and also the dis­position of the Horse how to be angry, and so proportionate his correction as the occasion of the offence is offered. But of this I will speake more, when I come to shew the disposition of the^c One cannot passe from one extreame to another but by the meane. Horse. Now in regard a man cannot passe by one extreame vn­to another but by the meane, which is the truth, and that these extreames hath wrought much absurdities amongst many, (re­puted) Horsemen: let a man so examine himselfe, that he may truely know the cause, from whence this excesse of anger doth proceed, and then he shall find the originall to come from his owne will and ignorance, because the Horse is subiect to obe­dience,Theo. 9. ^• (by Art) and he himselfe ignorant how to worke the perfection thereof. And the Heathen men could say. He that to wrath and anger is thrall; ouer his will hath no power at all, and he that is gouerned by his will, (as before I haue showne) [Page 38] more then by his wit, he shall neuer come to reape the fruit of knowledge in this Art: for hee runneth into vtter ignorance,^d Ignorance & blindnesse are led by authority and traditions. and ignorance is the Mother of fooles, and therefore not right­ly knowing how to vnuayle this blindenesse, they depend vpon traditions, and support themselues by the authority of others, (and so cloake their owne simplenesse) as though all things re­ceiued from old custome were true: And so when they fayle of their expectation, then they follow the torterous inuentions of hard snaffles, extreame commanding bits, and tormenting caue­zans,1. Pr. 6. ^a. Note this pro­gression. 1. Pr. 19. ^• all which are as consonant to the true Art, as poyson is to the body; but (likewise) I will speake of these in the Practicke part hereof.

CHAP. 11. A Horseman should be louing and gentle.

AMongst all other of the passions this is the chiefest to be respected, for the confirming of whatsoeuer hath beene before taught: and therefore I haue placed it the last, in regard^a Gentlenesse & loue are the onely bonds that tye delight betwixt man and horse. it is the last thing that a man must vse for the grounding of o­bedience in the horse: for all the other affections are inci­ted by the action of the horse, and then this ceaseth, but when they cease, then this of loue worketh, and so (as an euidence to a Iury) a Horse doth know by this how hee hath pleased his rider, therefore it is the onely vniting of de­light betwixt the Man and the Horse. For as one saith, concer­dia par [...]a crescunt sed discordia maxima delebuntur, small or few things by concord and loue doe encrease to abundance, but by discord and strife, great things are brought to vtter confusion:^b A Horseman must know, when and how to be louing to his horse. in like manner this Art by feircenesse and anger is sackt and spoyled, but by loue and gentlenesse it is reedified and repay­red. Therefore whosoeuer is desirous to be combined within the limits of this Vineyard, must endeauour himselfe to learne to know, when, and how to be louing and kind to his Horse:Theo. 10. ^• for as it is the nature of fire to seperate and dissolue that, which before was a substance, euen so the heat of [...]eircenesse and [Page 39] anger, doth seperate and dispeirse that which before was vnited by Art, and as lyme and morter doe bind stones, in such wise that they make a strong building: euen so loue by cherishingA Simile. doth congeale and vnite together whatsoeuer hath beene be­fore taught: But I would not heere bee so vnderstood that the effect of this Art doth chiefely consist heereof, for so a man may digresse from the meane, & passe into the other extreame, which is too much lenity (as I haue said before) and therefore it must be vsed but as a preseruatiue to keepe that which hath beene taught before.

For as Parents though they haue a naturall loue and affecti­on towards their children, yet it must haue a restraint; for it should be no further then it may be without the offence of true religion, otherwise they make an Idoll of them, and so through1. Sam. 2. 23. 24. and the 3. 11. extraordinary affection they bring them to inordinate subuersi­on: euen so, though loue towards a Horse is a thing that doth fortifie greatly the memory of him, and causeth great delight,Theo. 17. ^c. yet there must be a limitation of time to know when to loue, o­therwise they in like maner make an Idoll of their Horse, and so are driuen to serue him before he yeeld to them. Therefore it is1. Prac. 13. ^•. ^c How a man may know when to loue. fitting that a man should also learne to know, when to show loue and when not; for the effecting of which, hee must be a Commander of himselfe, and his greatest anger must bee so qualified, that vpon the least yeelding of the Horse, he may be ready to entertaine his obedience, that the Horse may the bet­ter know the cause of his anger towards him: and also he must obserue the instant time, for if he shall seeme to cherish him ne­uer so little before he obey, the Horse hauing no other means toNote. vnderstand the will of his Rider then the sense of feeling doth tender him, then he thinketh that that is the perfection of his ri­ders will, and so by custome it will grow to such a habit, that it will be very hard to make him proceed any further in his appre­hension, thinking that to be the summe of his obedience. But againe, if he omit the first motion of subiection (which his^d The cause of all restiffe qua­lities doe first arise from the man. Theo. 33. ^•. Horse doth yeeld vnto) and therefore is not contented there­with, thinking to make him doe more before he leaue him, then the Horse not rightly vnderstanding the cause of this extremi­ty, is caused to passe the meane, and to fall into the other ex­treame [Page 40] which is fury, and so falleth into some restiffe quality, as running away, going backe, standing still, lying downe, yer­king and plunging, and such like: all which, though they be first showne by the Horse, yet the cause doth proceed from the man, by bringing by-thoughts into the Horse, with too much seuerity and ouer-slipping of time.

But yet (as I haue often said) they haue a cloake to couer this ignorance in themselues, which is, that the Horse is of such a stubborne and dogged nature, that hee would doe thus if a mans life should lye on it: Neuerthelesse, if they could rightly conceiue how and when to loue and cherrish, they should vn­doubtedly perceiue that these former errors did proceede more from themselues▪ then the disposition of the Horse.

Now I might insist a little heerein, vpon those Horsemen (as they are called) which trayne vp Horses from their first hal­tring, with lenitie onely neuer respecting, that obedience, which should bee first gayned; but in regard I haue touch­ed it some-what before in the ninth Chapter, and shall haue occasion to speake more of it heereafter, I will but onely shew in this place, the inconueniences thereof in generall, which I haue proued by experience to my great cost: For this Paradoxe I now hold, that the best Horse which can bee bred^• Note, for it is worth obserna­tion. 1. Pra. 23. ^f. and of the mildest diposition, shall neuer come to the height of his glory with lenity only: except there bee a true obedience gotten before: for although hee may thereby bee made very gentle, and also to goe forward willingly (in regard he goeth as himselfe lusteth) yet when he shall come to shew him-selfe against a Horse, that is, at true command, hee shall reape such great disgrace, that he shalbe accounted a very Iade, whereas if Art had beene ioyned to the disposition of him, he would haue made a Iade of two such like as the other: and the^• A stuborne child will doe well so long as he is pleased, or that he feeleth it not nip. cause is, that he hath beene trayned vp so idly, that when hee feeleth it nip, he yeeldeth and giueth it ouer in the plaine field, not being brought to obededience, by a true command: and then to excuse themselues they affirme it is the nature of the horse, and his weakenes▪ so, that he is able to doe no more: but it is rather that he will doe no more, for plura patent quam latent, there is more ability hidden, then he will show in performing.

Therefore he which doth desire to ground all his documents firmely, by this passion of loue and gentlenesse, let him notTheo. 8. ^a shew it according to the affection he carrieth to his horse, but let it be rul'd by reason, so, that hee may be sure his Horse doth deserue it before he shall receiue it: and euer as he doth rebell, let him perceiue his owne fault, by the countenance of his rider▪ (to the which a horse will haue a great respect, if the man can temporize it rightly,) and so he shalbe sure to effect his owne desire, and reape such ioy to himselfe as his heart would wish.

CHAP. 12. That a Horseman should haue at apt and able body.

NOw that I haue set downe how a man should performe the Theoricke knowledge of the mind, I should (in the next place) set forth the Theoricke of the disposition of the horse, but in regard a man doth consist both of mind and body, and that there cannot be a seperation of the subiect, without the detriment of the substance: therefore I will omit to speake of the Horse, till I haue (in like manner) declared, how a man should behaue himselfe, in his exterior parts, that they may be ioyned to the interior, and so may make one perfect and com­pleat body, (as well in posse as esse,) because I will not make a confusion in my proceedings.

Therefore the Horseman must (first) know himselfe to haue an apt and able body, and also how to gouerne the same order­ly1. Pra. 24 ^g. ^a A horse is gouerned by the motions of the man. ^b A little error in the man causeth a grea­ter in the horse. A simile. and commendably, for the least disorder in the gesture of the man, causeth a greater in the horse, not onely in his tea­ching, (the horse being gouerned chiefely by the motions ther­of) but also in the grace of his show, for the least error that a man doth commit in the gouernment of himselfe, is encreased in the horse, in a double proportion.

For as in the science of Mecometrie in taking the distance of any thing, a small error at the eye, although it be not any notable thing, yet (there being one) at the obiect of the sight, it is much decernable; Euen so, though a fault may seeme very small in the man, yet it being extended to the horse, it is more palpable, and so causeth the greater absurdity.

Wherefore a man must learne, first, to gouerne his owne bo­dy, before he can teach the horse any true cariage of his: forEthic. 2. 4. (as Aristotle saith) in arte scientia sufficit ad producendum opus, the knowledge in Art is (onely to bring mens labours to perfecti­on: now therefore the man must haue both an apt and able bo­dy, for it must be apt to learne, before he can be able to teach; [...] Why he must haue an apt bo­dy. in that he must first haue a facility himselfe, before he bring any good facility to the Horse: For if hee cannot tell how to scate himselfe truely, and vse his body apt for motions couertly, and likewise gouerne his hand mildly, and carry his legges fit for corrections seemely, he shall neuer teach his horse orderly, but he shalbe driuen into some extreame contrarily: then as I haue said that is no part of true Art; and therefore they are notTheo. 3. ^e. meet for this profession, which will sit like logges on their horses backes, and haue no agility to helpe them, more then they (by inclination) are prone vnto, which is another cause al­so, of so much reproch to the horse.

Againe, he must haue an able body to helpe his Horse as oc­casion^d Why the man must haue an able body. is offered; now this ablenesse must as well proceed from the mind as from the action of the body, for hee must not haue onely knowledge how to helpe, but when to helpe, for if hee cannot distinguish of the instant time nunc, he shall fayle in his desire. For as a Wrastler must take the very time of aduantage against his Aduersary, or else hee looseth his opportunity, andA Simile. so the glory of his prise is either cleane frustrate, or else he must vse more strength, if he gaine the conquest: euen so a man must know by the seat and facility of his body, when to take the opportunity of the Horse to gaine the aduantage thereof, or else he must vse more violence for the atchieuing thereof, if he determine to obtaine his desire, and also his body must be for­tified with courage: for if he haue not spirit to worke his horse [...] Hee must be of cou [...]age. to obedience, but when hee findeth him any thing dog­ged, dareth not displease him for feare of being ouercome by him, then hee shall bee dismissed of the fruition of the heat of the Sunne, which is the truth whereby hee might grow to some perfection of ripenesse in this Vineyard, and also by that meanes his Horse is made more rebellious, in regard hee findeth himselfe the most maister. And further, he must haue [Page 43] a strong constitution that hee may be the better able to worke^• He must be of a good strong constitution. his Horse according to his vnderstanding: For if he be weake in body, so that hee cannot indure the paines which this Art doth desire, let him neuer looke for any true performance there­of; for labor est materia virtutis & gloria, hunc qui eijcit, & il­las reijcit. Labour is both the matter and glory of vertue, and therefore he which despiseth the one, must needs faile of the other. Wherefore when a man feeleth that hee hath some rea­sonable proportion of this exterior part, let him with boldnesse worke his desire to the restitution of knowledge, his procee­dings being leuelled by the line of reason, and hee shall no doubt bring forth fruit worthy of tasting.

CHAP. 13. That a Horseman should haue a true seat, and comely carriage of his Body.

IN regard the Horses grace in all his actions doth chiefely proceed from the Man, the Horse being a creature onely go­uerned by the sense of feeling, as a blind man is guided by lea­ding, and that he must direct the Horse by the motions of his body as a Pilot doth direct a Ship by the stearing of the helme, therefore it is fitting that a man should haue knowledge how to rule his owne body, that hee may the better know how to command the body of the Horse; for the effecting whereof, a^a The Theorick part must bee learned before the Practick can be gained. Theo. 4. ^b. man must first vnderstand the Theoricke thereof, before he can tell rightly how to performe the Practicke part: For else he should resemble some trades-man (as Carpenter or such like) which doth vsurp the trade of a Taylor, or any other who hath both sheares and cloth before him, but yet cannot tell how to dispose of them aright for the making of a garment. Therefore for the illustrating of which, I will so briefly as I can set downe how a man should seate and carry himselfe vpon his Horse; be­cause I will not treat of it in the Practicke part: For there I doe not intend to speak any thing as concerning, how it should be done, but what is to be done, because I would not confuse the [Page 44] vnderstanding of the reader. For it may be he doth thinke there isPreface. Theo. 3. ^p & 4. ⁱ too much spoke already, for such a small knowledge as this Art doth desire.

But yet if he rightly conceiue, how long this part of Horseman­ship hath beene vsed, and (in all generations) how many haue spent all their life times to gaine haires, and yet it is left doubt­full,^b Vncertainty proueth the in­ [...]catenesse of [...] A [...]t. some holding one opinion, some another, and yet all dis­senting from the truth: and also that the knowledge hereof is not rightly gained in the whole time of a mans life, there is so many errors crept in both by traditions and authority: (The reason being, that ignorance is propogated, but knowledge is not) I cannot thinke, but then he will imagine that I rather spoke a great deale too little, (for the purging of these errors from the Art) then any deale enough, (for the planting of the truth,) because it is more hard to purge error from Art, then to teach the ground of the true Art. Now therefore I doe desire,Theo. 6. ^b that they would (with patience) endure the time spending in the reading hereof, though it be both craggy and rough, be­cause the path hath neuer beene (before) troden, and especial­ly in regard I haue taken more paines to obserue, and collectNote. such obseruations as will take away the cause of this ruine, then they shall take paines in reading and perusing these col­lections: for it is more paines for a Gardiner to proportionate his garden, and to set it with variety of flowers, then it is to them which come into it, to gather a nosegay.

But to persist, that a man may the better know how to seate and carry his body aright, he must obserue that his seate must be iust in the mid-part of the horse, (betwixt the sterne of his^• How to place the body. tayle, and his eares (he standing at his greatest pride) because that he may the more easely command both the fore parts, and the hinder, as occasion is offered. For in regard that his Horse and he should both make but one body in their motions (andTheo. 38. ^l many of their motions are tending circularly) he must ima­gine that they (likewise) should both of them haue but one^d A true p [...]o­po [...]ion. center, and his head to be the zenith thereof, and as a line drawn from one part of the circumference, (passing by the cen­ter) to the other part (which is the diamiter) doth deuide the circle into two equall parts, and likewise that there cannot be a [Page 45] circle drawne, except one foot of the compasse doth continually remayne in the center, euen so, if a line be drawne from the ver­ticall point of the man to the Nadir of the horse, and passe by the center of them, it doth deuide them into two equall parts,^e No true mo­tion except it be in one and the selfe same center. in like manner and likewise they cannot make any true motion except the man be in the center, or midest in regard he is the chiefe gouernour of the motions, for if there be any excentrici­ty betwixt them, (so that their motions doe not begin and end together) there cannot be any good consonant in their pro­ceedings; And likewise his actions will be nothing seemely nor commendable, for though his Horse rise very high before and behind, yet the mans body should moue very little (but onelyA simile. to obserue time as couertly as he can) euen as the pin [...]cular part of a paire of scalles doth moue very little, although both ends of the beame discribe a great arch.

Also hee must carry his body vpright, neither yeelding too^f The man ought to cary an vpright bo­dy. farre backe (as if hee were pulling at a great tree, nor too for­ward as if he were a sleep, for those two motions serue to other ends (as hereafter shalbe showne) neither to sit on one side, like a crab, or to hang his body ouer as if he were drunken, as I haue seen some horsemen doe, (which haue carried good fame) for when they would haue their horses go sidewise, they would hang their bodies so farre ouer the contrary side, as if they were to haue fallen forth of the saddle, so that a man might easely perceiue, what lesson they were teaching as farre as they could be seene, which is a very grosse error in a Horseman. Nei­ther^g How hee should carry his legs. ought he to carry his legs so close to his horses sides, that hee cannot giue any motion therewith, except hee first thrust them forth, for so, by continuall custome of his legs touching his side, he will be so carelesse that he will become very sadde, and haue no quicke motions except the spurre be alwaies in his side, or (at least) he shall be driuen to strike so hard with the calues of his legs, that the beholders may perceiue him a good distance off, which thing also is an absurdity. Neither must he carry his legs (out) staring like stilts, (without ioynts, as Saint George painted on horse-backe,) before his horses fore shoulder, or, (at the least) against his midde shoulder, for so hee cannot help, nor correct him, but the bringing in of his legs, wilbe very [Page 46] apparant to the beholders, and also if his horse should be any thing stirring, he cannot be able to keepe his seate truely, which wil be held very rediculous in a horseman.

Therefore for the auoyding of all these extreames he must^h How the man should seat himselfe. seeke the meane, which is, he must sit with an vpright body, his nose being opposite to the pole betwixt the horses eares, and in looking downe, it may be a perpendicular to the mid seame of the saddle, with his shoulders straight, not lurking downe as if he were to carry a lackanapes, (which grosse error I haue seene many reputed horsemen commit,) and his armes kept close to his sides, (from the shoulder to his elbow) both to strength­en his body, to keepe it more firme and also to keepe his handsⁱ How to carry his arm [...]s. so stayed, that they flye not vp and downe, as birds winges doe that beat the ayre, which if they should doe, it is not onely an euill show (in the man) but also his hands, being alwaies chock­ing vpon the snaffle (through the instablenesse of them) will so dull the horses mouth, that he shall neuer haue a commen­dable feeling thereof.

Likewise his legges must be pendant of an equall distance from the horses sides, his feete so leuell in the stirrops, as they^k How to carry his legs in the stirrops. are when he walketh on the ground, neither must his stirrop lethers be so long, that his chiefest labour shalbe to keepe his feet in them, (for so a man shall loose his true seat by stretching his legges, as if they were on the tenters,) nor so short that he shalbe raysed from his true seate (the pitch of his knees being dislocated from the points of the saddle) nor ought one stirrop to be longer then the other (in my iudgement) although many worthy men haue set that order downe. My reason is, in regard the man must haue a true and vpright seate, and nature hath^l Why one stir­rop should not be longer then another. made his legges (which are the supporters thereof, one not longer then another, but of an equall length; therefore I can­not see how the body should be kept direct, the legges one of them hanging sider then another.

For as it is a conclusion in Geometry, put euen things to vne­uen, and that which remaineth will be vneuen; euen so put the equality of the legges, to the vnequality of the stirrops, (the^• The grant­able request. one being longer then the other) then the seat must needs be vnequall, therefore they ought to be of equall length to the [Page 47] proportion of his legges, in such sort as the feete may onely haue a sure stay vpon them, that the body may bee kept the more firme and so the more able to serue the Horse.

Further, he must carry his feet in such proportion to the Hor­ses sides, as they may make two parrallel lines with them: nei­ther^m How to carry his feet. carrying his toes so farr [...] forth that hee can hardly keepe his spurres out of his Horse sides, nor so farre in, that (whenso­euer he shall need to vse the spurre) he shall be faine to turne his legges about as if one would wrest a scrue, but cary them in such sort, as when he is truely placed in his saddle, (as before I haue showne) hee then looking downe first on one side, then on the other without bending his necke, hee may see both his toes in like equality.

All which obseruations being truely kept in the Horses stan­ding, and also held in his mouing, then he may be assured, that hee doth grace his Horse by his gesture, so much as is possible, and therefore needeth not be daunted for the taunts of any Zoylous beholders, and further hee shall haue much condigne prayse for the same. And then if he (in like maner) be carefull to be gouerned, (in all his other proceeding) by his chiefe Captaine Reason, he shall flourish in this Vineyard with glory, and his branches shall so spread ouer the frame, that for his performance hee shall merit great fame.

CHAP. 14. The Horseman must haue true vse both of hand and Foot.

NOw that I haue set forth how a man should seat himselfe truely for the best grace both of himselfe and his Horse, it resteth likewise to show how he should vse himselfe in his acti­ons, least that he should worke per deceptionem visus, and so doe but onely make a shew of knowledge, as a shadow without a substance, like those who are desirous to bee esteemed iudici­ous in the Mathematickes carry an instrument about with them, but cannot tell the vse thereof. But there are ouer-many [Page 48] already of that ranke, which are the cause that Horse-men who^a The cause of the contempt of this Art. are of performance, in some equality, are in so much contempt, by their abuse who make but only a show of the Art, but when they come to the touchstone they proue meere counterfait, by which meanes are increased the number of Iades, the cause proceeding from ignorance; for they doe not know the true vse neither of hand nor foot, either to amend the Horses reyne or quicken his mouth if it be dead (as they terme it) nor to place their Horses body truely, neither can tell how to make him turne and goe back, but onely by haling and pulling the Horses mouth, all which are as possible to be done without the true vse of the hand and foot, as for a Scholler to learne to read without spelling, or for one to suruey without knowledge either of the scale or Station. Therefore let them thinke that they are as farre from the truth heerein as they are from percei­uing their owne ignorance: But because it is so difficult a thing to cure this venomous disease, I will leaue them, and returne to those which feele their own ignorance and desire some instruc­tion to remedy the same.

Therefore it is requisite that a man should learne the vse both of hand and foot that he may the better know how to help and serue his Horse as occasion shall be offered; for the better vn­derstanding^b A man must learne the true vse both of hand and foot. 1. Pr. 18. ^c whereof, he must obserue that the vse of the hand is not to cut and teare the Horses mouth vp to the mid-cheeke, as many heauy hands doe, by chocking, gagging and sawing too and fro with their handes, no nor yet to breake the skinne thereof by any of the aforeaid meanes, when he will not obey, nor bring in his reyne, for so his mouth shall be more dead; nei­ther yet to hold so hard vpon the hand as to make their armes and shoulders ake, when they [...] doe either feare stumbling or running away, for that is a meanes rather to encrease those faults then to reforme them, because they giue to the Horse no stay to support his body, more then nature hath ordained. For^• Feare is the cause of error. Theo. 9. ^d. whereas nature hath giuen him onely foure legges, to support and carry his body, they (through the abuse thereof) haue ad­ded a fift, for whereas the vse of the bridle is onely to guide the Horse, it is now changed in the vse, & is made a stay for the Horse to rest vpon; and so by the abuse thereof it tendeth [Page 51] more to rebellion then obedience, by reason the Horse when^d The abuse of the bridle. he foeleth such a stay, he relyeth the most vpon it, and then if their hands chance to slack neuer so little through wearinesse, when he feeleth his stay fayle him, wherein he did trust, then he presently stumbleth if he bee thereto inclined, hee trusting soTheo. 4. ^•. much to the hand that hee regardeth not the lifting vp of his fore-legges; but if to the other, then so soone as hee feeleth a­ny liberty, he falleth presently to runne away, because his lust orTheo. 3. ^e. desire is not reclaimed by art but by violence, for (as I haue said) vse a Horse to extremities, and he will not doe any thing but1. Prac. 14. ⁱ. by extremities. And therefore Horseman-ship may be resembled to Warre; for it is sooner gained by pollicy and reason, then by^e Horseman­ship compared to Warre. strength and will. For let a man hold in a Horse, (which is sub­iect to runne away) neuer so hard, yet when hee is neuer so little disquieted, it is not the strength of the man that can com­mand him, for his mouth is so horned with continuall vse, that it is become sencelesse, and then hee may as well hold a Bull by the head, as hold his Horse by strength.

Now therefore the true vse of the hand is onely to guide the^f The true vse of the hand. Theo. 36. ^b. & 27. ^c. Horse by sweet and gentle motions, neither carrying it so hard that it shall make his mouth more dull, nor so slack, that he shall loose the true and stayed carriage thereof: but only to hold his reynes, of such an equall length to his seat, that he may keep his armes close to his sides, to stay his hands the more firmely, for disturbing the Horse in his mouth, that whensoeuer his Horse shall assay to thrust his head or nose forth, the stay of his hands will not giue him liberty, and also when hee commeth in with his head, that then his hands doe not follow, but onely keepe their true place, and so by vse when the Horse shall feele more ease with the bringing in of his head, then with casting it vp he will delight the greatest ease, if he may be suffered thereto.

Now for the better working thereof the vse of the foot is ve­ry^g The vse of the foot. pertinent, because it hath a relation to the hand: for they must both bee combined together for to gaine the true com­mand of the horses mouth: For if he work vpon the mouth only with the hand, he shall neuer obtaine his desire: and againe, if he vse the foot, and the horse will not obey the hand, vpon the least discontent he will run away, or else shew some other Iadish [Page 52] tricke. Therfore a Horseman ought (chiefly to haue true know­ledge in the vse of them for they are the onely keyes which doe open to the secrets of this Art: in regard they are relatiues that cannot be seperated, because a man shall neuer find the true vse of the hand without the foot, nor of the foot without the hand, for their true vses are the one to helpe the other. For instance, if¹ How to pre­serue the strength of a Horses necke. a man would haue his horse to make a turne on the right hand, if he vse the hand only, then he shal displace his horses head, and bend his neck like a Seale, and so cause him to be weak necked, (which thing he should be very careful to eschew) by forcing al­together vpon the reynes. Therefore for the preuenting thereof, he must hold both his reynes firme, and with the moouing of his hand very little to the right side of his maine, he must lay the left reyne close to his necke, and follow after with his body, laying the calfe of his left legge close to his Horses left side, and that will make him fold his left legge ouer his right, and with a little vse cause him to turne very gracefully and willing­ly, so soone as he shall but feele the motion of his legge.

And againe, if he would haue him to turne on the left hand, then he must vse the like helps, with the right legge, not suffe­ring his bridle hand to passe the left side of his maine, and so the like vse of helps, for all other reformations, which heere I will o­mit because I intend to speak of them in the Practick part, being² Of helping a Horse with the body. appertinent vnto it. Only I giue instance heerof, to shew how ne­cessary, and what relation, the vse of the foote hath to the hand. Againe, there are some which vse to helpe their horse with their body, bending it that way, and holding their con­trary legge forth, which they would haue their horse to turne: But mee thinketh it is nothing so effectuall nor commendable because the legge is as well to correct as to helpe and when it is holden from his horse side (if he proue slow vpon the motion) hee cannot correct him, so instantly, as hee may with his legge being close therevnto, nor so couertly as the Art doth desire; and likewise a man cannot make the least motion with the body, but it will be very decerneable to the spectators; which opertnesse is nothing commendable in a Horseman. Therefore let all those who are desirous to bee labourers in this Vineyard, couet to help their horse, so couertly as they can, and then they [Page 53] shall both gaine to themselues exceeding glory, & delight, and to their horse great admiration & fame; for seeing that the hand and the foot are the chiefe tooles (by which the frame of this Vinieyard is made) if a man can learne to vse them exquisitely, then he shall be sure his branches will flourish and so spread the better, wherby his fruit shall be more delightfull and pleasant.

CHAP. 15. That a Horseman should know how to helpe his Horse.

BEcause (as I haue said) a horse is altogether gouerned by feeling, therfore a man must be careful to carry his body so, that hee doth not vse any idle motions, but (onely) such as may tend either to the helping or correcting of his horse, in regard the effect of a thing is (alwaies) taken from the cause, for if a man^• Idle motions procure idle effects. vse the gesture of his body idly (without need) it must needs pro­duce idle effects. Therfore a man ought first to learn how to help his horse, before the horse can learne to vnderstand his mind by his motions, for if a horse cannot rightly conceiue the minde ofTheo. 4. ^h. his rider by his motions, hee vsing ambiguity, or aequiuocation, (which is one motion for diuers things) then doth he straight fall into some disaster by thoughts; and so doth bring a rebelli­on, instead of an vnition. For if one man cannot know the in­tention of anothers mind, except that hee speake significantlyNote. vnto him, that he may conceiue his will: neither can a horse now hope to dispose himselfe, to satisfie his riders desire, ex­cept he know the right vse of his helps.

For as in the confusion of tongues, when the tower of BabellA simile, by the confusion of Babell. was built,) when one called for one thing, there was another brought, by which the building was dispoliated, euen so if the man doth vse no decorum in helpes, it must needs make a con­fusion in his workes, for when he would haue his horse to doe one thing then begineth hee to doe another, because he doth not rightly vnderstand his minde by his motions, for although the truth of a mans heart, is not altogether knowne by his speech (for he (in pollicy) will oftentimes speake on thing and thinke another, either for feare or affection) yet there is no such deceipt in the horse, for he doth show truely the effects [Page 54] of euery mans knowledge, (he not respecting one man more then another, but as the knowledge is in the man for comman­ding, euen so is his horses obedience in performing.^b A horse doth not respect any man, for credit Preface.

Now therefore that a man may the more truely know how he should helpe his horse, he must obserue foure chiefe helpes in working the horse to his perfection, the first is the body of the man to cause the motion in the horse, the second is his^c How to help the horse with his body. legges to helpe the motion, the third is his hand both to guide the motion and cherish, and the last is his tongue, to helpe to quicken the motion and to cherish. Now because the motion of the man is the cause of the motion of the horse, he must ob­serue that it may cheifly be in those parts of his body, that the horse may haue the best feeling thereof, and yet that it may be the least apparant to the eye, which are those parts that are next to the horse, and that is from the middle to the knees, in regard those are the aptest parts, for the ministring feeling to the horse, and therefore if he would haue his horse turne on the rightNote this ab­surdity. hand, let him thrust his left knee close to his saddle point, but if on the left hand, then his right knee, and if to goe forward then to yeeld his thighes a little forward, but not to raise him­selfe vpon his stirrops, (as many reputed horsemen doe) so that a man may see clearely betwixt his seate and the saddle, for so he doth stretch his stirrops so straight, that it doth rather cause stay (in the horse) then helpe forward, because it is a helpe to cause a horse stop: and againe, if he would haue him stop, then let him seate himselfe more firme, in the hinder part of his seate, and thrust his feet more straight in his stirrops, then vsually^d The true vse of the stirrop leathers. 1. Pra. 29. ^a he doth, whereby his stirrop leathers may be the more stiffe, and that will make his horse keep a firme body. But if he would serue his horse for any other motion, as to helpe his horse in his trot, pace or any other assault, for delight, then let him clap both his knees close to the points of the saddle, and onely keepe time with his seate, to moue the better spirit to the horse: and not to sit as some doe, (which are not esteemed the worst horse­men)Theo. 13. ^•. without any motion, (like logges) on their horse backes, with their legges stretched out in their stirrops, (as if they were on the racke) but as their horse causeth them, (they forcing him by extremities,) hauing no agility to helpe him; therefore [Page 55] (as I haue said) it is meete that the man should haue an apt bo­dy to help his horse.

Againe, he must helpe his horse with his legges, for they are (in like manner) meanes for motion forward, by ierting them quickly forward in the stirrops, without staying them at that^e He must help with the leg. stresse, and likewise for turning of either hand (as I haue showne in the last Chapter;) but these helpes in regard they are so ap­parant, are not to be vsed continually, but onely at the first be­ginning, and euer as the horse doth grow in perfectnesse, so to mitigate them till they be reduced to the true helpes of the seat (as afore said.)

Now the man must also helpe his horse with his hand (car­rying it, (as before I haue showne,) in his turning, laying the^g The applica­tion of the hand contrary reyne close to his necke, for weakning of it, and for dislocating his head: also it doth helpe in his stop with holding his hands a little more firme: and for the better preseruing of his mouth, when he would haue him to stop, let him iert his body backe and his feete forward, and with a little vse, that will make him stop the more willingly, if he hold a while so, till hee feele his horse to yeeld: but these helpes, (in like manner) are but for the first, which afterward must be left, by degrees, as the horse waxeth cunning. And the hand is also to cherish either with the great end of the switch, with clawing the horse betwixt the eares, holding the rest of his body firme without motion, or with clapping or clawing the Horse on the necke or shoulder which will (much) fortifie his well doing.

And lastly, the tongue is to quicken the motions with chea­ring him vp, with the helpe thereof, as hey, hey, or howe, howe,^h The helpe of the tongue. or such like; and likewise with vsing some inarticulate voyce, as by closing his lippes, and opening them sodainely, which may sound, as paw, or else by laying the tongue flat to the roofe of the mouth, letting it depart from thence, at the (instant) opening of the neither chappe, or by some such like meanes, which may stirre vp the horses alacrety. And also the tongue is to cherish whilst the hand doth clappe or rubbe, in saying, So my roague, there my boy, holow my wench, or such like.

Now the reason of that is, because the mind of the man is as [Page 56] it were the primum mobile, and the action of the mans bodyⁱ The motions of the man is an index to the horse. doth show (as an index to the Horse) the intention of his will: and the horse (being brought to true obedience) doth yeeld the agitation of his powers, to the commaund of the actions of the mans body, (they being perceiued by the tactible sence of the horse) and so the man, and the horse, may be said (as they ought) to be one subiect, through the mutuall concord that is betwixt them. Therefore the man ought to be very carefull, to leuell all his motions by reason, least the wild beasts (aforesaid) should breake into the Vineyard, for want of knowledge, how to vse these helpes, for if they bring disorder with them, then the worke a contrariety, and two contraries can neuer be (at one and the selfe same time) in one subiect, for if the horse can­not perceiue the mans mind by his helps, then doth hee fall to^k Disorder bringeth a con­trariety. Theo. 3. ^• rebell, and when he would haue him to stand, his desire is to go, and when to goe he coueteth to runne, and thereby commeth such a confusion, that the fence is layde open for the deuou­ring beastes, to breake downe the Vines, and then it will be hard to expell them till they haue made hauocke of the whole worke.

CHAP. 16. How the Man should know where to help his horse.

IT is needfull, (also) that the man should haue knowledge in this predicament, (vbi) because that when the horse doth commit a fault, the man may the better know how to help it, if he can tell where to helpe him; But for the truer knowledge thereof he must first know the chiefe meanes, by which he shall perceiue from whence the fault doth proceed, least (in not knowing the right cause thereof) he should resemble some Far­rier as I haue both seene and knowne) which hath applyed cu [...]es to a horse for the staggers, thinking his paine to be in the head, when the (poore) Horse hath beene so foundred that he could^a A lamentable ignorance. not stand, and also like others, who haue roweled the shoulder, and the cause of his halting hath beene vpon a cloyde in the [Page 57] foote. But for the preuenting of such grosse absurdities, hee must obserue, that the fault is not alwaies to be reformed in thatTheo. 7. ^• place where it is seene, for an error (as it is said) is not an error simply of it selfe, but it is the cause also of other errors. There­fore hee which will helpe his Horse aright, must resemble the cunning Chirurgion, when he doth desire to heale an old run­ningA Simile. Vlcer, doth not presently apply to heale the sore at first, till hee hath considered from whence that flux doth proceed, which doth feed it, and so stop it, and then the soare is soone healed afterward: euen so, when a horse doth commit a fault, and that hee doth stand need of helpe, he must not thinke to helpe him there where it is seene, but he must expostulate, whatTheo. 3. ^b the cause is of that cause, and by the staying of that flux, the other effect will be soone reformed.

Now the seat of the man is a more sure meanes, to giue notice of the cause (if it be right or true) then the Vrine of a man, to shew the disease of him, for by the seate (if it be perfect,) hee may distinguish of euery fault, from whence it doth proceed, (if he obserue the true cariage of the Horses body) for if his hand be holden in the true place it will tell him the least disorder of^b A true seate iudgeth of the cause of errors. the head, the action of his body, will feele the willingnesse of the horses motion, his legges will shew the obedience of the Horse in yeelding to his helps, and by his seat he may iudge of the true cariage of his body.

Now when the man doth feele a non-obedience in any of these, he must not thinke to reforme it in the same place, where he doth feele the defect, but he must consult with himselfe from whence the cause thereof doth come▪ and take that away, and then the effect of the other will decay. For instance if the horse leane so hard vpon the hand, so that he cannot easely be gouer­ned,Theo. 10. ^b but either with paine or else with loosing some grace of his seate; then if he thinke to reforme that fault with the bri­dle,Note. (onely) he shall vtterly fayle of his expectation, for so he shall make his mouth the more hard and insensible, for the1. Pra. 23. ^d. ^c Of a dead mouthd horse. 1. Pr. 24. P. cause doth proceede from the idle cariage of his body, and the slow comming after of his hinder parts, therefore he must be reformed by giuing his body a quicker motion, and by trussing his hinder parts more round.

Againe, if the horse be any thing free and stirring, so that he will not endure to rest vpon the bridle, he must not seeke a^d Of a tickle­mouthed Horse reformation therefore by forcing him vpon the hand, for that will make him trusse vp his body the more, and make him more bedlam-like: because the cause doth proceed from the eager­nesse of his inward agitation, and so desireth to goe according to his appetite, but being terrified with the bridle, he dareth not to stretch his feete forth, and so dare not rest vpon the hand, wherby he might range his body to his proportionate length: and therefore the man must helpe him by his patience, and giue him leaue to goe mildly, till he hath gotten a habit of stretch­ing forth his legges, and then as he is bold to rake at length he will relye the more vpon the hand.

And further, by the action of the body, may bee perceiued^• The obedi­ence of the Horse is known by the action of his body. Theo. 39. ^•. the obedience of the motion of the Horse, for if his body will not yeeld to the helpes of the man, then hee must not thinke to helpe that by forcing of the exterior parts, for the cause doth proceed from the interior, because hee is not brought to per­fect obedience. And therefore he must helpe that in comman­ding his disposition, for as the action of the man doth worke according to the agitation of his mind, so the motion of the Horse doth worke according to the willingnes of the agitati­on of his powers, and therefore the cause of the disobedi­ence of the body, must be helped by reforming the disobedi­ence of his appetite.

And likewise by the helpes of his legges hee may iudge the tractablenes of the horse, for if he will not turne on either handNote. at the motion of them, then the cause doth proceed from the hastinesse of the man, in that hee put him to that lesson, before he was ready for it: because the horses body is gouerned by the hand, and therefore if he will not obey without force, hee must helpe that in quickening of his mouth, (as before I haue showne) for if he be truly mouthed, he will obey the least motion that he can vse.

And in like maner, by his seat, he may perceiue the true car­riage^f The true car­riage of the Horses body is knowne by the Mans seat. of the horses body, for if it be perfectly stayed, then hee shall find great ease in the horses motion: but if he be lash bodi­ed, then he will shake him and keepe false time there with: and [Page 59] therefore if he lift his fore feet ouer high, and worke too much with his shoulders, it is because his hinder parts doe not come after fast enough to set his foreparts foreward, and so hee must helpe that by helping on his hinder parts with his body: But if he lift and shake behind, then the cause is that hee doth desire to goe faster on with them then the foreparts will make way, therefore he must help that by raysing vp of his parts before,g If an error be in the fore parts the cause ther­of comes from the hinder, and contrarily. to make them set foreward, that the hinder parts may haue li­berty to follow after: and the cause of this operation in the con­trary is, that if the Horse be lighter before then behinde, then the working vpon his hinder parts doth keep downe the fore: because that whereas (before) the hinder parts were made the more heauy, (in regard he did repose the most strength in them, to striue with his fore parts) now the other shall beare a pro­portionate waight, whereby they shall be made the heauier and the other more light; and so for the hinder parts if they be the more light, (as most Horses are through the abuse of the hand) the like reason for the foreparts. And in like manner the cause of all other errors may be iudged of by the like obseruations, which for to speake of would be infinite; and therefore these shall onely suffice to giue a ground for the rest, with taking paines to consult from whence the cause of other errors doe arise; and also they may be better perceiued by practise then by reading.

CHAP. 17. How the Man should know when to helpe his Horse.

AMongst all the worldly gifts that are bestowed on man there is none more precious then Time, for it is both the Procreatrix, and deuourer of all sublunary things, in regard that as in time they flourish, so in time they fade againe; and as those that are vegetatiue in time doe grow, so contrarily, in time they are cut downe; and againe, as there are but foure ir­reuocable things, as Tempus, Iuuentus, Ʋerbum dictum, et Ʋirgi­nitas, [Page 60] so this of time is the chiefe of all the rest, because they are^a Time the worker of all things. all comprehended in it, for without it there is not any thing can haue perfection.

Now therefore in regard it is such a necessary thing, that all other things are concluded, by it: it is requisite that a Horse­man should haue knowledge how to vse it, and also how to distingush of this predicament (quando,) least (in not knowing when to helpe) hee should sooner spoyle then^b There are three chiefe parts of time. repayre. Wherefore that hee may the better answere to this interrogation (when) let him obserue the three (chiefe) parts of time, which is, the preter, the present, and the future; now the preter time being lost wilbe a good caueat for him to beware of the present, that in making true vse of it, it may bring profit to the future. Now for the better Iudgement how to vse^c The distincti­on of time is the ground of horsemanship. the present time, he must abreuiate it till hee come to the pun­ctum temporis, (which is nunc) because the horse is (onely) sen­sitiue, and hath his chiefe apprehension by feeling, and there­fore if he doth not helpe in the very instant, he cannot conceiue the mind of the man by his helpes, the which that the horse may the better apprehend, the man must be carefull to obserue as well the first motion, of the inward disposition, as of the out­ward action, for the horse doth not commit any outward action,^d Caracters to know the horses disposition. Theo. 34. ^b. but it doth first proceed from the inward desire, which the man may very well perceiue, by some of these characters; as either by standing, or by the casting of his eye backe, so that the white thereof may be seene in the fore parts, or by the laying of his eares (either one or both) in his necke, or by the holding of his wind, or else by the trussing vp of his body, any of (all) which so soone as he shall perceiue, let him help him instantly, vpon the first show of any of the (foresaid) notes, least (if it come to the action of the body) it will not be reformed without cor­rections.

Therefore he must obserue, that if he be desirous to haue him stoppe, if in his stopping, hee desireth to stand so firme with his body that it is not apt to moue againe at^a Obseruations for his stop. the first motion; then hee must helpe him at the very in­stant, with the ierting of his feete forward (sodainely) vp­on the stirrops, for that will helpe to set vp his body, more [Page 61] roundly together, whereby he shall be more ready to obey the next motion. And if he looke (either) doggedly with his eyes, or else lay his eares in his necke, it argueth an intention of some rebellion in his desire: and therefore he must refell such pertur­bations, by the sound of his voyce. And againe, if hee feele his wind to stoppe, or that he trusse vp his body, (more then ordi­narily he should) then it is a signe of further disobedience; and therefore vpon the first feeling of which, the man must thrust him forward, (in his seate) to help his horse in his motion, that it may be the more quicke, and so cause him to bestow that strength of wind and body, in the quicknesse of his motion, which he would haue kept (otherwise) for the working of his desire. But if these helpes will not be sufficient for the preuen­tion of such qualities, as are intended, (by the show of the said characters) and that (either through the sullennesse of the^f When help [...] faile correction must preuaile. horse, or the negligence of the man) they must needs become to the action of the body: then they must be reformed by the helpes of correction, in the which he must be very carefull to proportionate it according to the quality of the offence, and the disposition of the horse; which I meane not (here) to speake of till I come to intreate of their vse.

And lastly, time is a great fortifier of the horses memory, not onely by the continuing of his labour, and abreuiating it, but^g He ought to distinguish time by rest and la­bour. also by the continuing and abreuating of rest, for if the man cannot distinguish betwixt, labour and exercise, to change the one into the other as occasion shall bee offered; there will bee great errors committed through his ignorance; for if he be any thing prone to obey the helpes, then he must exercise him by a little at once, and often, till hee hath gotten some habit by practise, but if he be of any rebellious disposition, then he must put both himselfe and his Horse to greater labour, till hee hath gained some obedience in yeelding to his helpes, and euer as he findeth willingnesse, so let him abreuiate his labour, till it come vnto a gentle exercise to delight the horse in his well do­ing. And heere (in my iudgement) they are much deceiued,Theo. 9. ^•. which fall into the extreame of lenity, as hath been said, that will not put a Horse to any thing more at the first then he will willingly doe of himselfe, whereby he doth get such a habit of [Page 62] selfe-will, (as it may be termed) that when he shall be wrought vpon to be brought to obedience, then doth he proue so stub­borne,^h The cause of mary I [...]d [...]s. 1 Pr. 18. ^a that it will triple the paines, to reforme his desire, more then it would haue done at the first; nay, it maketh many horses to be accompted Iades, in regard they cannot tell how to ma­n [...]ge them, to gaine that after which they let slip at the first. And the cause heereof is, that they worke by the figure Hyste­ron 1. Pr. 19. ^d. Proteron, in setting the Cart before the Horse, which will excuse lapsis linguae, but will confuse opus formae, for they do che­rish before there be obedience, whereas there should first be o­bedience, and after they should cherish.

And also they must be carefull to respect the time of rest; for^• Of the time of rest. till he conceiue the minde of the man by his motions, hee must not rest long, and his exercise must be little and often, for if he rest long before he hath some ground, hee will forget betwixt times, and so be alwayes in learning, and by that meanes often­times cause restiuenesse: for as long rest doth increase strength and courage in a Horse, and also doth ground that the better which he hath learned, whereby hee doth it with greater de­light; euen so, long rest before hee be fit for it, doth bring strength and co [...]rage to the contrary effect. Wherefore these distinctions (of time) being truely obserued, he shall easily finde how profitable this particle thereof (when) is for the perfection of his labours.

CHAP. 18. How the Man should know the disposition of the Horse.

HAuing heeretofore set forth the Theoricke Part of the Man, how he should learne his owne duty; now I thinke it al­so^a He is a com­ple [...]t Horse­man that can t [...]ll how to win the desire o [...] the Hor [...]e to his will. Theo. 33. ^c so necessary to speake somwhat of the disposition and quality of the Horse, that the man may the better iudge how to vse him in his kinde, that so hee may bee brought to the right know­ledge of his minde, and by that meanes he shall be accompted a perfect and compleate Horseman, in knowing how to vnite and conioyne the appetite or desire of the Horse to his will, that [Page 63] thereby they two may be made one subiect both in agitation and action. For the concord betwixt the Man and the Horse, hath some affinity to the contract betwixt a Man and his Wife;An Allegory. for the Woman before she betake her to a Husband is her own maister, and doth whatsoeuer pleaseth her selfe, but when shee is married, then shee should depend vpon the gouernment of her Husband, and they both should will and doe one thing (if they would increase prosperously:) But if there be a repugnan­cy betwixt them, so that one doth scatter as the other doth ga­ther, the one willing one thing, and the other doing another; then in stead of setting vp they pull downe, and where they should cherish amity, they foster enmity.

Euen so, a Colt before he come to be handled, it is its owneTheo. 7. ^c. maister, going at liberty and doing what it lusteth, being with­out subiection: But when it commeth to be backed, then it must bee subiect to the yoake of obedience, and yeeld to the com­mand of the Man, and so bend all its actions to the will of him, that there may be a simpathy and concord betwixt them: but if there be, in like maner an opposition the one against the other, and that the Horse will not obey to that which the Man doth desire to haue him doe, (by his motions they being quicke and gentle) so that when he would haue him stop or retire, he will goTheo. 20. ^{c b} No good progression without obedi­ence. forward, or to goe foot-pace, hee will either trot or gallop, &c. Then let the Man force what he will by extremities, (if he can­not tell how to bring him to obedience) they will agree as a Dogge and a Beare, alwayes wrangling or fighting, for where­as there should bee an orderly progression by obedience, there will be a confused subuersion by resistance.

Therefore for the better establishing of this combination betwixt them, it is requisite that the man should enter into the disposition of the horse, that he may the better proportionateTheo. 2. ^l. & ^u. his helpes and corrections, according to the inclination of him. Now by the disposition I vnderstand that which many hereto­fore improperly haue termed nature, the mistaking of which word hath much defaced this Art among the common sort, as I haue already shewed:) For it is holden, (as it is most true) that no man can change the nature of the horse: but this is to bee vnderstood, of the nature or essence that the Colt recei­ueth [Page 64] at its first forming, for then presently it doth receiue its properties, which indeed cannot be changed. As for instance, it then receiueth that naturall difference from Man, which is to be an irrationall and sensatiue Creature, (although it may bee^• Naturall pro­perties cannot be changed. said to be a liuing Creature) and therfore cannot by any meanes be made rarionall; and likewise its voyce to be non significatina, and so cannot be altered; and againe, nature hath giuen it to goe vpon the earth, and therefore Art cannot make him flye in the ayre, and many such like which onely are immutable from nature: but those accidents which come to the essence or nature of the indiuidium, which recepit magis a [...]t minus, et augeri aut minui potest, either in quantitie or quality, by Art may be re­formed, and may both be encreased and diminished, as stout­nesse^d Accidentall qualities may be altered. and weaknesse of courage, swiftnesse o [...] slownesse, dull­nesse or freenesse, and such like, in regard the cause of such di­uersities (for they are not contraries) proceed from patibili [...] qualitas, for the body is moued according to the appetite or^• A Horses bo­dy is moued according to his appetite. Theo. 33. ^d lust of the horse; or else what should be the reason that the more vnlikely horse for shape should beat and make a [...]ade of that horse which is more likely to the eye, if the defect of shape were not helped by Art.

Wherefore seeing this old cloake which hath so long couered the ignorance of men, (I meane the nature of the horse) hath goten such a rent that it will not keep off any more raine; let them shake it off, and cloath themselues with that which will hold out water. For let the man enter into the disposition of the horse, and gouerne himselfe, so that he may vse him ac­cordingly, he shall finde that many things which before were held impossible will be effected with much facility.

But because no certaine thing can limit an vncertaine, there­fore it is very hard to set downe a certaine grownd, how to know the true disposition of euery indiuidium, for there is no­thingTheo. 28. ^a. 1. Prac. 25 ^c. Theo. 36. ^h. ^• There are as many seuerall dispositions as there are Hor­ses. more generall in the workes of nature then diuersity, be­cause there are no two thinges that are absolute, like or dislike one another; for as it i [...], quot homines tot sensus, so many men so many mindes, euen so it is, quot aequi tot sunt disposiciones, that there are as many dispositions as there are horses. Therefore I will not speak thereof any more but only of the two extreames, [Page 65] which is dulnesse and freenesse, because that all the other are participating of either of them more or lesse, but the difference must be iudged according as the man shall find the inclination of the Horse by working, for by practise it may bee better per­ceiued then by prescribing.

But yet there are foure cheife obseruations, whereby the man may haue the better ground, how to iudge of his dispositi­on of: which the first is his will, (as it is termed, for he hath sponte although improperly, because it is per appetitum, but not consul­tationem) the second, his wind, the third, the aptnes of the cari­age^g How to know the horses dis­position by 4. charaters. Theo. 6. ^• of his body, and the last is, easie command of his mouth: all which (if they be rightly obserued) will giue a sufficient instance of the horses inclination. Wherefore for the better conceiuing of them, I will speake more thereof in their proper places, because I will not confuse the vnderstanding of the de­sirous practitioner, (by degression) least he should be discoura­ged (thereby) and so, trodden downe that he should not delight to grow in this Vineyard, whereby he might yeeld fruite both pleasant and profitable.

CHAP. 19. Of the Dulnesse in the horse.

BEcause those horses which are said to be sadde or dull, doe desire the greatest iudgement and depth of this Art, there­fore it is needfull for the man to know the cause of the same,1. Pra. 24. ^k. that he may the easilier conceiue how to reforme them: for the cause doth not proceed from the imbecillity of nature (as it is imagined) but from the dogednesse, and stubornenesse of his appetite or desire, and therefore they will aske both the grea­ter1. Pr. 15. ^b. ^a The appetite of the horse is the cause of any disobedience. paines, and the longer time for their reforming, then those which are more apt and tractable, for the proofe whereof I, for my part haue not had any colte (these many yeares, how­seeuer his shape hath beene, if I haue had the first backing of him, that hath proued dull; by the which I haue obserued, that the cause thereof is more from the ignorance of the man (in re­gard [Page 66] he could not tell how to vse him according to his dispositi­on)Theo. 24. ^e then through any defect in the nature of the horse, for if nature should be condemned for all those horses which proue sad in their trayning, then it might be said that it framed more to be without vse, then for vse, (because there are more sadde and vnwilling horses (by many) then there are free and gentle,) which thing (for to hold) is very absurd, because Natura nihil Theo. 2. ^o agit frustra, Nature neuer made any thing in vaine.

Now for the better illustrating hereof I will vse this simile, suppose two men, (of what stature soeuer, whether equall or vnequall) if one of them be willing and the other vnwilling,Note a good [...]rule. he that is the more willing will tyre two (such as the other) of the aduerse part, and yet the cause is not through the inbecili­ty of nature, (for it may be that the vnwillinger is of a farre more able body then the other) but it is rather through the idlenesse and slothfulnesse of the mind, in that hee hath more delight in taking ease then desire of paines. Euen so, the cause of those horses which are accounted sad, doth not proceed from the weakenesse of nature, (for many of them are of a stron­ger body, then the other,) but from the stubbornenesse of his desire or lust, (in that he taketh more delight to follow his appe­tite, then obedient actions,) so, that he will doe no more then he is forced vnto, and that (also) which he doth, will be very vnhandsome, and vnseemelily done. And further they obiect, that those horses which are of a thicke forehand, short necked, dead mouthed, and vnnimble bodied, will very hardly, (or ne­uer) be brought to any good riding: and verifie it also by myA retortion of the simile. simile, for those men (many of them) which are of such an idle disposition, had rather starue or bee hanged, (as dayly experience doth show) then to take any diligent or painefull labour.

To which I answer, I confesse they will be the harder to be brought to good riding, in regard they must both haue grea­ter paines, and longer time bestowed vpon them, and also they must haue the greater iudgement, (both in helpes and corre­ctions) for their perfection: but yet to say that they will neuer be subdued, it doth argue more their idle minds, then any im­possibility in the horse. For instance, if a man haue two peeces [Page 67] of wood to worke vpon, the one smooth & easie the other knot­ty & hard: it is no consequence to say, that the knotty peece willA Simil [...]. neuer be brought to any good perfection, because it requires more paines then the other, for it may be made formall, (as well)^b Ignorance holdeth an im­posibility. but it must be both with greater paines, and more care; so for one of those (afore said) horses, it is no consequence to say, they will neuer be brought to any good perfection because they will neither so soone, or easily, be brought to good riding, as the other which are of a more mild inclination, and perfecter^• Idlenesse the nurse of igno­rance. making: for so they condemne themselues both of slothful­nesse and ignorance in the Art. For (it may be said) the Horse will neuer be brought to true riding, because the man will not take the paines to bring him thereto: for if he doth not take the greater delight in his profession, so, that his desire may be more then ordinary, the paines will so discomfort him, that he will thrust himselfe into the former ranke, and had rather be starued in the frost of ignorance, then hee will take the paines to thaw himselfe with such a laborious reformation.

And likewise they show their ignorance, in that they can­not^d That is no Art that is knowne to all men. tell how to reforme such horses, more then euery ordinary professor: for euery one (almost) can tell how to ride those horses which will come to riding of themselues, and therefore he that would be held worthy to be grafted in this Vineyard, must be industrious and painefull, to consider the cause, where­fore the Art was inuented, and so, to weed out such weeds as might smother, and choake him, before he can grow to such perfection as to bring forth any fruit.

And whereas they may obiect that those horses which haueObiection. such grosse characters (as is afore said) are like to those men that are of such idle disposition, (as hath beene showne) and so they may be killed, rather then be brought to any good or commen­dable riding. I answere, they doe not regard the difference be­twixt them. For those men (being reasonable creatures) (al­though in that respect, they are worse then the vnreasonable) they make their election by consultation, whereby they chuse that which is most pleasing to their mind, but because they know it is not lawfull nor commendable, they to cloake their corrupt nature, doe oftentimes dissemble with the world, and [Page 68] so (Hypocritically) are brought to take a little paines for osten­tation, being eye and time seruers: but when they come to the triall indeed, then they show the corruption of their minds, for they will rather fall to vnlawfull actions, (they being more pleasing to their sensuall appetite) then, to be subiect to liue by reasonable and lawfull meanes.

But the horse (in regard hee is an vnreasonable creature) doth not make his election by consultation, but per appetitum or fugiens, for when he doth any thing, (that is contrary to his in­clination) he doth per fugiens, rather yeelding to obedience, then to hazard the destruction of nature, (he hauing a naturall instinct of shunning (if the man haue knowledge how to appre­hend his first yeelding;) and then afterward he maketh his e­lection, per appetitum, he obeying with delight, and then if hee be once brought to obedience, (the man hauing knowledge^• A horse is no time-seruer. how to keepe it by proportionating of his helpes and correcti­ons, according to the quicknesse or slownesse of his capacity) he may be sure (that in time) he will come to a true manner ofTheo. 2. ^• riding: for they are no eye pleasers, nor time seruers, but time workers, where their disobedient doggednesse, is brought to o­bedient willingnesse. For there are none of all these which are accounted so dull in their handling, but when they were Foales, they would leape, skippe, and play as nimbly, and show as great delight and courage, as any of the other sort: and therefore they may rightly be compared to some youths, which are both quicke and delightfull, and also will show as great spirit (in play) as may be, but when they come to labour, they go [...] about their businesse so idly, as if they had neither life nor lust, which their idlenesse doth not proceed from any imbecil­lity of body but vnwillingnesse of the mind. Euen so, the dul­nesse of these Horses doth not come from nature, but the dis­position, and therefore Art was inuented to helpe nature, to a restitution of the primary creation.

CHAP. 20. Of the free Horse.

NOw those Horses which are in opposition to the former, are said to be free, and so because they are more willing to^a The iudge­ment of men i [...] that if a horse goe freely, hee goeth well. goe forward then the other, are held that they may be brought to commendable riding of themselues, without any great pains taking or iudgement in the Art: thinking that if they goe freely enough, then they ride well enough. But therein they are also deceiued, for the Art doth not only consist of the for­ward going, but also in the manner of going; and therefore there is as great diligence to be vsed in this Art for them, as for the other (although in an other difference:) For there must be great care taken of the man, least that hee, through either too much hast or choller, doth not passe the limits of the mediocri­ty; because if hee cannot tell how to mitigate the fiercenesse of the horse by his milde gouernement: hee shall adde more fuell to the fire, and so cause all to be sodainly (in respect) consu­med, for by that meanes the Horse will resemble the Prodigall vnthrift, that doth spend more in a yeare (through following his licentious appetite) then would serue him spending all his life time, (being disposed of by reason:) Euen so, the horse, (if^b A free horse may bee said to be prodigall. he be suffered to goe after his desire and lust) will spend more of his strength and courage at the beginning, then hee would doe in performing great time of toyle (if the man haue discre­tion to gouerne him) and so by their franticknesse they are soone tired and oftentimes lamed, because they haue no reason to consider what is good for themselues. And therefore the man must thinke that it belongeth to his care and duty to hus­band1. Pr. 27. ^{a c} Obedience is the true refor­mation. his freenesse so, that (by his obedience) he may be brought to spend no more then is requisite, for because the guide and gouernment of the horse dependeth vpon him, he must seek to mitigate his fierce heat by temperate moisture, and not suffer him to goe after his owne lust and desire, but according to the mans minde (it being rul'd by discretion and reason: For the [Page 70] want of true knowledge hereof is the cause of so many bedlam and run-away Horses as there are.

And heere the man must likewise be carefull, least in desire of keeping them from Prodigality, that hee suffer them not to fall into the other extreame of miserablenesse; for so in shunningTheo. 9. ^f. of Silla they fall into Charibdis: For if one for feare least hee should adde too much fewell to the fire, put either very little or none at all thereto, then the fire doth either burne dimly, or else goeth out. Euen so (if he doe not proportionate his helpes and corrections, (according to the disposition of the horse) in not giuing correction enough, hee will loose a great glory in his actions, or else in not giuing him any, in letting him doe what hee lust, hee will become so stubborne and idle, that his courage will bee (as it were) vtterly extinct, and hee will bee as ill as the former, doing that hee doeth without any grace.

Therefore howsoeuer the man may conceit himselfe to haue^• No true knowledge ex­cept it can worke vpon ei­ther of the ex­treames. knowledge in this Art, yet let him assure himselfe, that except hee can tell how to bring both these extreames (of the sad and free horse) into the meane, he is farre from the true knowledge therein, and is not worthy to bee grafted in this Vineyard, be­cause his fruit will be tart and distastfull, rather then any thing sweet and pleasant. But because, the effecting of these kindes, doth consist chiefly of those foure obseruations, which I haue set downe in the end of my 18. Chapter: I will omit to speake of them heere, till I come to speake thereof in their conuenient place, where I will but only touch them, (it being enough for the first impression) and so resemble the Physitian, which doth prescribe a potion for his patient, but doth not show the seue­rall operations of euery particular: For (as Mr. Hall saith,) SkillMr. Halls Me­ditations. too much showne looseth it grace, as fresh colours change by much opening, and are foyled by too much handling. But if I shall perceiue that this my poore Widowes mite shall be taken thankfully then it will encourage me for further paines (if God permit) to set forth many things more plainely, which heerel speake of, but supersicially, and darkely, because I would not haue the conceited knower to glory too much in his iudge­ment, [Page 71] till hee hath taken paines to gaine his knowledge by practise and experience.

CHAP. 21. Of Corrections.

IN the next place by order I should speake of those chiefe Characters by the which the man may iudge of the disposi­tion of the horse; but because they doe depend much vpon helpes and corrections, I thinke it not amisse first to set downe the vse of them, that hee may the better know how to apply^a Theoricke gi­ueth euidence, but Practicke iudgement, and so no man can giue iudgement without eui­dence. them, according to their seuerall ends. And moreouer because I will not speake any thing of them in the Practicke Part of this Worke (for making confusion by digression) I will only infuse them into this boxe, that he may carry them in the Theoricke of his minde, till hee come to apply them for their necessary vses: and therefore, except the man doe rightly vnderstand this The­orick Part, it will be very hard for him to performe the Practick.

Now the vse of corrections are onely to bring the horse to perfect obedience; for when hee will not yeeld to the helpes aforesaid, then the man must command him by corrections: But^b The vse of Corrections. heerein he must haue a great respect that he doe not follow his owne will too much in correcting, lest in stead of the desire of obedience, he beget rebellion; but that he haue a care to pro­portionate them according to the stubbornnesse or gentlenesse of the Horse.

Wherfore that the Man may record (in his memory) the seue­rall kindes of corrections, and carry them in the treasury of his minde, whereby he may dispose of them for his better vse^c Corrections are of 6. kinds. and profit; he must obserue that there bee sixe sortes of them; that is to say, the Voyce, the Stirrop, the Calfe of the Leg, the Switch the Spur & the Bridle. All which he must haue a diligent care to know how to vse euery one of thē in their seuerall kinds, if he desire to get any true knowledge in this Art: for if he for want of knowledge in them, doe vse any of them improperly, that is, when an error is committed, (not rightly perceiuing [Page 72] from whence it doth proceed) in stead of the milder correction, he vse the sharper and so of the contrary. Then he doth resem­ble^d Not the cor­ [...] but the [...]e that work­eth effect. the vnskilfull Chirurgion, which hath applyed corrasiue me­dicines to a greene wound, or that hath suffered it so long (through negligence) that it hath come to bee the gangrean, and so become mortall. Whereby he shall loose a great deale of time, (both which he hath spent before, and also that hee shall spend after) for the reforming of those errors, which will The [...]. 6. ^a. ensue thereby, for (as it is said) it is more hard to purge error from Art, then it is to teach the ground of the true Art.

CHAP. 22. The manner of correcting by the voyce.

AS the voyce is a kinde of helpe to comfort and che­rish the Horse, so is it also a manner of correction, because it doth bring amazement to him, by the sodaine and sharpe sound thereof, not that he doth so much respect what the Man doth speake, but the manner of speaking, for if he vse reuiling termes in a mild speach, the horse doth hold them words of che­rishment, in regard hee hath not anima intellectiua, nor likewiseTheo. 9. ^a. can he conceiue of glosing words if they bee deliuered in the contrary: And therefore the man must haue a greater care how he doth speake, then what hee speaketh; but yet for the pro­pernesse of the speech, it is fitting hee should vse reuiling1. Pract. 14. ^f words in a sharpe manner, and gentle speech in a milde sort.

But because it is the gentlest kinde of correction, therefore I speake of it first, in regard it ought to be the first in vse, and when that kind will not preuaile, then the other is to be vsed, (according to the discretion of the man. (But for his better vnderstanding, he must obserue that it is the most preuayling^• How the cor­rection of the [...] is to bee [...]. at the first handling of the colt (although it is much vsed a­mongst many, all the time of their teaching, with saying, Turne here, backe I say, stand, and such like; with such an exalting sound, that I haue hard them a furlong off, which vse (me thin­keth [Page 73] is more proper to Carters then to Horsemen, because they haue the motions of the body to command the Horse withall. but the other haue not, and therefore, it is not so commendable (for them) to vse it (so generally) after the Horse is made domesticall and gentle, and that hee hath the vse of hand and foote. And yet I doe not deny but (whilst the colt is in com­manding) it is very necessary, for the fortifying of the Horses capacity, for by it he may the more easie and soone conceiue the will of the man, because euery beginning (in any thing) is hard at the first, therefore the more helpes and correcti­ons,^b Euery be­ginning is hard (if they be appendixes one to another) the sooner may the Horse know what to doe, (if they be vsed in due season.

And therefore when the Colt is first haltred, if he be feare­full and skittish, (when the man doth desire to come to him by the gentlest meanes he can,) then if he vse the correction of theTheo 9. ^d voyce (by speaking sharply and sodainely vnto him.) (With say­ing, Will you Roague, Ah thou Traytour, So thou Villaine, or such like,) it will helpe to bring him into the more subiection, so that he doe not perceiue the man to be timerous. And it hath the same operation in the stable, for when hee doth any thing about him, (there) if he see that gentle meanes make him any thing stubborne, then let him vse the correction of the voyce, and laying his hand vpon the head-straine of the halter, twitch it sharpely to his head (vpon the very instant) and it will much1. Pra. 14 ^f preuaile (for subiection) and also at his first backing, if he per­ceiue (by any of those Characters which I haue set downe in my seauenteenth Chapter,) that he hath any dogged inclination,( [...]) Theo. 17. ^d. then those words of correction will be a great meanes to refell such perturbations. And further, when he goeth forward, if he would haue him stand, if he vse the word, Stand, it will be a great helpe to the Horses capacity, (till he hath gotten the true vse of the bridle,) and also, when he w [...]ld haue him to goe backe, if he vse the word, Backe I say, and likewise in turning, if he say, Turne, all which are as guides to direct the Horse^c Too much of any thing cau­seth loathing. to the knowledge of the mans minde, which, when hee hath gained, then let them bee left, (by little and little:) for if they be too commonly frequent, they will make the Horse very carelesse, (through too much custome) for words to [Page 74] the Horse, are like the report of a peece, which doth terrifie atA Si [...]le. first, but yet through vse, (when he doth feele no other griefe but the sight of the fire, and the sound of the report) he will be nothing fearefull. Therefore if they should be vsed when they haue lost their operation, it would (not onely) be held a redicu­lous thing to the hearers, but also it would worke no effect in the Horse, and so the man might be resembled to the vnskil­fullA true applica­tion. Apothecary, which doth gather leaues in Autumne, to make drugs of, when the sappe and moysture (wherein consisteth the vertue of them) is dried vp, because he hath seene (the buddes) gathered in the spring.

CHAP. 23. The correction of the stirrop.

THe correction (of the stirrop) is also very auayleable, for a yong colt, for it is the gentlest correction that can be vsed, for the reforming of any disorder of the fore parts, that is, either the head, the shoulders, or the carrying of the snaffle on the one side of his mouth, and such like. Therefore if the horse carry his1. Pr. 25. ^l. head on the left (or nar) side, then the man must correct him with the stirrop on the contrary side, by striking him sodainly on the^• The vse of the stirrop. farre shoulder: which sodaine motion, will bring an amazement to the Horse, and so cause him to looke to that side, that hee is disquieted on: And likewise, if he carry his head on the right (or farre) side the like correction must be vsed, with the stirrop on the left shoulder, which will bring the like effect. As also, in his turning, on the right hand, if he doe not carry his body vpright, but thrust out his left shoulder, then if he strike thereon with the left stirrop [...] will make him take vp his fore parts more nimbly, and cause him to turne both roundly and gracefully: And so the like order must be obserued, if he thrust his right shoulder forth, when hee would haue him turne on the left hand.

And likewise if he carry not the snaffle truely (in his mouth) but couet to draw it to the right side thereof, then the man must [Page 75] pul the left reyne gently, with the same hand, to bring the snaffle into its due place, which (when the horse doth feele) if he follow^b The applica­tion. with his head, and so looke to the left side? then he must like­wise strike him on the right shoulder, to bring his head againe into the its right place, but he must obserue, that in the veryNote. instant striking him (with the stirrop) he keepe his left hand firme vpon the reyne, to keepe the snaffle from yeelding, and shake his right hand to cause the Horse open his mouth that the snaffle may come to its due place, when he doth looke (againe) to the right side; and in like manner the stirrop doth produce the like effect, if he carry his head to the right side, when hee doth pull his right reyne to bring the snaffle from the left side, (if the man shake the left reyne to make the Horse open his mouth, that it may glide vpon the snaffle,) when he shall looke the contrary way.

Now againe, the stirrop doth helpe to correct the Horse in^e How to apply the stirrop when the horse standeth. his standing, for when the man would haue him to stop, if hee stop so stuntly, and stand so firmely, as if he were not to moue any more, then he must correct him by ierting his feet forward in the stirrops, adding thereto the (correcting) sound of the voyce,Theo. 17. ^d. and it will make him trusse vp his body more roundly, whereby he shalbe more apt to presse forward vpon the least motion. Also, if when he standeth, he carry not a stayed body, but that he coueteth to goe backe, or triste with his body or feete, then let him stretch the stirrops straight, in the leathers (by thrusting his feete forth hard) and it will helpe to knit his body, so, that he will stand farre more firmely. But these vses (of the stirrop) doe rather belong to the helps then corrections, because they bring no great command, except there be other corrections li­mited with them.

CHAP. 24. The correction of the calfe of the legge.

THe calfe of the legge is in much vse, for to helpe the vn­derstanding of the horse, for by it he is kept in continuall [Page 76] motion. Wherefore, the man must haue care to obserue true time (with them) till he hath gotten a habit thereof, for look:^a There ought tobe a true time of motion with the legs. what distance of time he would haue the horse to keepe there­in, the same must he keepe in the motion of them, and by that meanes, there will be the better concord betwixt them. For as in Musicke, if there be not true time kept, accordingly both with voyce and hand, so that they both begin full and end close, it will bring a great discord to the care: euen so, (in this) if there be not the like time obserued, that is, if there be not aA simile. true proportion, betwixt the motion of the mans legges, and the Horse, so that they both begin and end at one iustant, there will come a great discord to the seate. But for the better effe­cting hereof, (if he would haue his horse to yeeld to the cor­rectionNote. of his legges,) he must haue a care that he vse no idle motions, that the Horse (when he feeleth correction by them) may the better know his minde, and so obey.

Now that he may the sooner worke his desire, he must learne(I) ^b What effect the [...]al [...]e of the leg wo [...]eth. the effects, the calfe of the legge doth worke. For first, it doth quicken the horse (in his going) for if at any time, he proue idle, and hath no desire to goe forward, then, in the yeelding of his body forward, the horse will not answere, let him giue him the euen stroke of both his legges, and that will quicken him vp: and so much the more if he vse the helpe of the voyce withall. And secondly, they helpe to quicken the mouth: for if the(2) Horse will not yeeld to the hand, (when he feeleth the reynes more firme then ordinary,) if he then giue him the euen stroke of the legges, it will make him gather his body more roundly, so, that he will depend more vpon his legges then the hand, whereby he may the more easily be commanded. And thirdly,(3) they correct in turning on either hand, for if (in turning) hee will not follow readily with his body, then to giue him a single stroke with the contrary legge (as aforesaid) it will worke great effect. But in all these the man must haue a respect to his seate, for it must be as an index to the horse, whereby he may knowTheo. 14. i. the cause of his corrections; for when he doth desire to haue^• As the moti­ons for going so the seate for the manner of g [...]ing. his horse moue more quick, then his seat must be the more loose and instable: but if when he doth remoue his seate, the Horse will not answere, [...]he sodaine stroke of the legges will make [Page 77] him more carefull, against the next time; and when to moue slowlier, then to keepe a firmer seate, and cease from the moti­on of his legges, and by that meanes the Horse shall the more easily conceiue his intention. And further, it doth stirre vp his desire, for when hee would haue him to stand, if then hee stand doggedly or carelesly, the correction of them will quicken his spirit: or likewise if he will not goe backe (willingly) but hang vpon the hand, when he doth feele it more firme then vsually, the euen stroke of both the legges, (if it be a Horse of any cou­rage) will make him thrust vp his body more close, so, that he will be (farre) more apt to obey the hand. Which things be­ing truely obserued (of the man) will be sufficient for an intro­duction to this part of Horsemanship; and therefore for the vse of the legge, for other lessons (in the Art) I will omit till more conueniency.

CHAP. 25. The correction of the Switch.

THe correction of the Switch, is sharper then either of the former, and therefore it ought to be vsed with more discre­tion, least through the abuse thereof, the horse become either mad or sad. Now for the better vnderstanding how to apply it^a The Switch must bee vsed according to the Horses dis­position. to the right vse, there must be had a chiefe respect to the horses disposition; for if he be of a stubborne and dogged disposition, then the much vse thereof will make him so carelesse that hee will not regard it, it being so milde; and he so stubborne. And againe, if it bee vsed much and sharpely to a Horse that is of a greater spirit and free, it will so terrifie him, that hee will burst forth into some Iadish extremity: Therefore it must be vsed vp­pon necessity, that is, when as either of the former will not pre­uaile, then it must bee vsed to keepe obedience; for instance, when he will make no account of the Voyce, nor the Calfe of the Legge, then adioyne thereto the correction of the Switch, but let him obserue that when he striketh let it bee very sharpe­ly, that thereby hee may bee caused to yeeld more willingly to the former corrections.

And likewise for the Stirrop, when the Horse will not looke(x) to that side hee is troubled on, let him (in like maner) vse the Switch vpon the same shoulder, and that will cause him to stand in greater feare of the Stirrop the next time. And the like order must be vsed (with the Switch) for the Calfe of the Legge, if at any time hee seeme carelesse of them, but then it should bee done at the instant time of neglect.

Now the correction of the Swicth is yet more proper to^b The vse of the Switch for pacing. that part of Horsemanship which toucheth pacing, because it ought to bee the chiefest sharpe correction, which should bee vsed in giuing the horse his stroke (for his pace,) And therefore it should be carried in such wise, as it might bee both the fittest and readiest for correction, when occasion is offered. But the^c How to cary the Switch in giuing a Horse his pace. aptest way to carry it, is in the right hand, with the point there­of downewards, close by the horses right shoulder: that when hee will not answer any of the aforesaid corrections, then hee may be ready (instantly) to correct him therewith on the same shoulder, to quicken him vp the more, that thereby hee may be the willinger to obey the next time: and further, it will make him take vp his foreparts more comely, and so hee will set them forward more willingly. But because this Art of pacing, (be­ing simply respected, without the reforming of other vices)^d Being the ob­iect of this Tractate. is but one lesson: therfore one manner of correction is sufficient for the teaching thereof, (which is the Switch vpon the farre shoulder,) for when hee will not yeeld to any of the former, then that must bee a releefe for the rest:) Because, if the man should vse many seuerall corrections, (whilst he is teaching his pace) the variety of them would bring such amazement to the horses capacity, that it will be harder for him to know the mea­ning of them then to learne his pace; and so, (not vnderstan­ding the cause thereof) he will be brought into perturbations, and so fall to some restiffe quality, which will aske as much time to reforme as the teaching of his pace. Wherefore the Man must haue great care to confine himselfe within the limits of reason in his corrections: lest the rauenous Beasts breake into the Vineyard, and so spoyle the whole worke of his planting.

CHAP. 26. Of correcting with the Spurre.

THe Spurre is the sharpest correction of all, and therefore it should bee vsed with the greatest discretion that can bee; for there doe come more errors through the abuse thereof then^a The abuse of the Spurre is dangerous. of all the rest, (except the bridle:) And therefore it is not to bee vsed but when any of the other will not preuaile. But I would not haue any to vnderstand me so, that I vtterly disallow thereof, for then I should take away the chiefest Instrument which doth period and shut vp the perfection of the horse. For I hold that there is not any horse, (of what disposition soeuer) that can be brought to the height of his grace, except he bee truely commanded therewith; because no man can worke so couertly as he ought without it, in regard it doth exclude all apparant helps and corrections. And therefore when the horse is come to such perfection that you may vse the spurre, then (both for your owne grace and your horses) you must vse as co­uert motions in your corrections as can bee. But the chiefest^b The true vse of the Spurre is very necessary. thing you must know heerein is to iudge when you shall vse it, least through the ignorance thereof you metamorphose it, and so vse that for a helpe which doth tend onely to correct, as I haue seene many doe, and I my selfe done both to my great toyle and vexation, and also to the tormenting and terrifying of the Horse.

Now because it is the chiefe conclusion of the Worke, and it is like fire and water, for as they are good seruan [...]s, but dange­rous maisters, so it is necessary (being vsed by command of rea­son,)A Simile. but if it bee a maister for to teach, then it doth burne or drowne all; you must obserue that the correction thereof is not to bee vsed at the beginning, for if you correct with the Spurre before the horse know the vse thereof, it will thrust both your selfe and the horse into extremities: for the horseTheo. 4. ⁿ. feeling such sharpe torments at the first, is either discouraged, and so doth proue so sad, that he will not doe any thing longer [Page 80] then the Spurre is in his sides, or else so franticke that hee will thrust vpon his hand, or trusse vp his body and goe loosely and very vnseemely by shaking of his hinder parts: For the preuen­ting(c) Theo. 4. ^m. of which you must know when to vse this correction and how to vse it.

Now, it should bee vsed when the Horse is brought to true^d When and how to vse the spurre. command of the hand, and that he is acquainted with the vse of all your other corrections: for in regard it is the nature of eue­ry thing to flye from that which it is most afraid of, if he be cor­rected with the Spurre, (so that hee feare it more then he doth the bridle) he (by flying from it) will beare vpon the hand, and so will become dead mouthed (which is the Nurse of infinite errors) although before he was very commandable.

And againe, you ought to know the vse of all the other corre­ctions, as I haue said, that they may be a perfect ground for him,A good resem­blance. whereby he may the sooner conceiue the cause of the correcti­on of it: for he that doth put his Horse to the correction there­of, at the first, doth resemble them that put a scholler to the Latine tongue without the knowledge of his rules. Which both may be done, but yet not according to Art.

But for the better clearing hereof, you must know that all the corrections are, as appendixes one to another: and therefore in the manner of correcting, you must goe gradatim, that is, if^• All corecti­ons depend one vpon another. the horse will not obey the voyce, then you must vse the calfe of the leg: and if he will not yeeld to that, then vse the switch; but if not to it, then lastly the Spurre; for it must bee the last re­fuge (when not any of the former will preuaile) but the seldo­mer that it is vsed the better, so that when you vse it you strike soundly, and thereby you shall the sooner make the Horse to yeeld to the other: for easie strokes, and often, will make him sad and carelesse thereof, and then there is no other remedy for that, but the extremity of the spurre. Wherefore you must be carefull to vse the spurre accordingly (as hath bin declared) ha­uing also a regard to the disposition of the Horse, and then you shall bring him to such true command, that he will performe, what you wish, with great ease and delight: for when he doth feele (but) the couertest helpes (you can vse) he will obey with what willingnesse you would wish, or desire.

CHAP. 27. The correction of the Bridle.

OF all these (afore said) corrections, there are none which bring such disaster and grosse errors (through the abuse [...]f them) as this of the bridle, for they bring forth errors, but in [...]ome particulers, (through their abuse) but the abuse of it doth^a The abuse of correcting with the bridle. [...]ause a confusion, (almost) in generall: for it doth daunt and [...]iscourage the horses lust and desire, he being terrified there­ [...]y with correction, so that he can take no delight in his tea­ [...]hing; againe, it doth displace the head, that he cannot carryTheo. 30. ^f [...]uch grace in his going as he should: besides, it doth lacerate [...]d teare his mouth, (whereby it is made insensible) so, that he [...]il not (without great paines) be made commandable: and then [...]hat doth follow, but a disorder in his motion, as a loose ca­ [...]age of his body, the mishandling of his legges, either by stum­ [...]ing,Theo. 4. going broad before or behind, or beating hye with his [...]re-feete, and all because he dare not to take such a large stroke with them) as he ought: and further, it doth make him either [...]our too much in the shoulders, or else shake with his hinder [...]rts, and so causeth him to goe both vnseemely and vneasely,^b An euill qua­lity is soone gotten, but not so soone refor­med. [...]r the preuention of all which, you must haue a great care to [...]rne the true vse of the bridle, least (through the ignorance [...]ereof) you cause more weedes to grow vp (in the Vineyard) one day, then you can weed out (againe) in a moneth.

And therefore know the vse of the bridle doth tend (chiefe­ [...])^c The true vse of the bridle. Theo. 14. ^f. 1. Prac. 18 ^e. to guide the Horse, according to your will and desire, as a­re I haue showne in the fourteenth Chapter. And although [...]ny doe often vse it for correction, yet I, for my part, thinke at is rather an abuse then any good vse: except, onely when [...]u giue him the spurre, if hee shall chance to thrust himselfe [...]ward ouer hastily, and so make a disorderly motion, by bea­ [...]gTheo. 30. ^f. too much vpon the hand, then if you giue him only a good [...]ecke or two, sodainely, with the bridle, it will not be much [...]isse, that he may the better conceiue, he was not corrected [Page 82] onely for his slownesse in going, but also for his manner of go­ing. And yet this must be done very seldome, and with good discretion, least it bring a distemper to his mouth, for (as it is said,) omne nimium vertitur in vitium, euery excesse is an abuse, and hony being tasted with the fingers end, is very sweet andA simile. pleasant, but being taken by handfulls, it doth glut and cloye the stomake: euen so, the bridle if it be vsed for correction, a little, in that poynt, it doth bring a sweet and quicke command to the hand, but if much vsed, it doth so dull and cloy the mouth that he will not regard it. Wherfore if the horse be so stubborne that he will not obey with some few corrections thereof, then^d Corrections are to be vsed very seldome with the bridle. if you thinke to make him yeeld, (to your hand) by the terror thereof, if you gaine that, you shall loose many other beauties, and therefore in my iudgment, they are much deceiued, which haue spent a great time to inuent hard bittes, and snaffles; for to cause command, when as the gentlest and softest doth worke best effect, (as I will show when I come to speake thereof in the Practicke part.) But to returne, if the horse, as I say, will not wil­lingly obey your hand, when he doth feele that correction, the [...] cease from that, and examine your selfe more strictly in yo [...] proceedings, and you shall finde that you were deceiued in you iudgement, thinking the Horse was more fit to haue the spurr [...] giuen him then indeed he was: and so you shall finde by some other error (in the cariage of his body) that he was not truelyTheo. 16. ^g. mouthed before: for a fault doth not consist (alwaies) in the part where it is perceiued, (as I haue said before;) because on [...] error is not an error simply of it selfe, but it is the cause of othe [...] errors.

And therefore if the Horse will not stop, nor goe backe wil­lingly, nor turne on either hand, as you would desire, if you thief to make him doe any of all these by the correction of the bridle (because you feele the resistance there,) you shall as soone pre­uaile of this desire, as a Chirurgion shall, in curing an old vlc [...] by healing vp the vpper part; for thereby you shall both spoy [...] your Horses reyne, dull his mouth, and also weaken his necke therefore for the reforming of these errors, you must haue respect to the carriage of his body, and the manner of his sta [...] ­ding, with the free passage of his winde, and the willingnes [...] [Page 83] of his going, all which if they be truely gained, the command of the mouth will be gotten very easily, without much need of correction by the bridle.

CHAP. 28. Of Correcting vpon seuerall grounds.

BEcause many doe vse the seuerall kinds of earth, as a cor­rection, for the conformity of a horse his disobedience; therefore it shall not be amisse, for to speake somewhat of them (heere in this place) to ioyne them to the vse of all the other corrections, that the learner may (in like manner) know how to vse them for gayning of obedience, and when to refuse them, that the Horse may take the more delight in his well do­ [...]ng. For many Horses courage and strength hath beene much^a The abuse of deepe earths. [...]bated and spoyled, through the abuse thereof, and also their [...]imbs much weakned. Wherefore it is very requisite that you should haue great iudgement to distinguish thereof, and also [...]o enter into the Horses disposition, least that by correction, you bring subuersion, and so, where you should bring an obedi­ence,Theo. 29. ^• you produce a further resistance.

And Further, because all grounds are not alike in all places, for some are Champion grounds (as they are termed) hauing [...]illes and dayles, and some of those also plowed grounds: and other are more plaine and leuell, some of them being also plow­ [...]d, and for the most part, more deepe and tough then the former, therefore you must haue a great care to know how, and^b You must know how and when to vse deepe earths. when to vse them, according to the disposition of the horse: But because I haue spoken thereof in the eighteenth Chapter, I doe not minde to spend any thime, in repetition here, and be­cause also I purpose to speake more of the dispositions in the Practicke part of this booke; Wherefore I will but onely apply [...]he two chiefe extreames of Horses, to the two chiefe extreames of grounds. Now for the grounds, I call that one extreame^• What the ex­treames of grounds are. which causeth the greatest toyle, and that the other extreame which bringeth the least labour. But for the better vse thereof you must first know what errors the changing of grounds doe reforme, least you cause a confusion thereof by the abuse (as [Page 84] too many haue done;) And secondly, what Horses are most needfull to be taught, vpon what grounds. Now for the first if^d What grounds re­forme what errors. you finde that your Horse is lash bodied, so, that you cannot cause him to carry it firme; then take him gently vpon the deepe earths, not vsing any violence vnto him (in any case) but(1) onely let him take his owne leasure, for thereby the carriage of his body will be so confirmed, that you may with farre more ease keepe it in obedience: or if he be cold and tickle mouthed, so that he will not rest vpon the snaffle, (as he ought) the deepe(2) earths will cause him to rest more staydly there vpon, being v­sed in the aforesaid manner. And againe, if he carry a low fore­foote, so that he is much subiect to stumble, if you vse to ride(3) him vpon some ass [...]nt (so that it be not too steepe) or vpon plow­ed1. Pra. 28. ^d. grounds, it will helpe the same mightily: but in this there must be vsed more quicke motions, then in the former, and also(x) there must be great care that he be not ouer long kept thereon, least he be made weary, for then his courage will be much a­bated, and his stumbling the more encreased through the toyle­somnesse thereof, in regard hee must not be suffered to goe continually after his owne will. Likewise if he goe broad ei­ther before or behind, deepe grounds will reforme that, (if he(4) be not forced too much vpon the hand: And lastly, if he be so hard borne that vpon the least discontent he will runne away,(5) then when you feele him begin to thrust vpon the hand, put him presently vpon those earths, and in three or foure times (so correcting) it will make him more obedient: But herein also there must be great care had, to apprehend the first show of o­bedience; or else this causeth many absurdities, as either brea­king^• The danger o [...] deepe [...]. the wind, hearing him within if he be foule, and so endan­ger life, or else the vtter de [...]ecting and casting downe his cou­rage, (through the sore labour thereof,) and also the Horse may get a straine by running feircely therevpon, especially if there­to be any violence vsed.

Now secondly, the deepe earths are ap [...]est to reforme those Horses, which are of a feirce and hot disposition, because they are most subiect to all those vices afore said, except that of stum­bling. But contrariwise, if a horse of a sad and dull disposition should be vsed vpon the said earths, vnlesse it be vpon great [Page 85] [...]ecessity, for the reforming of some of those afore said vices, which may chance to him through the ignorance of the rider. [...]hey would greatly encrease his slownesse and dulnesse, both [...]y reason of his dogged and sullen nature, and also through the [...]reat toyle he should sustaine, (hee being desirous to free him­ [...]elfe from such violence;) And therefore the leuell and ligh­ [...]st earths are best for his vse, both to bring delight in his teach­ [...]g, and also to encrease his mettal & courage, til he hath gotten further habit of well doing. But I would not haue you heere vnderstand me so, that I speake of these grounds as a finall [...]use of the perfection, but onely as a correction to bee vsed [...]hen the man (for want of further knowledge) cannot tell how reduce obedience any other wayes.

But heere it may be obiected, that herein I doe much deceiueObiection. [...]y selfe; for it is generally holden, and likewise experience [...]th approue it, that slow horses are best vpon deepe eatths, and [...]t Horses vpon light? To which I answer, it is true (in someAnswer. [...]rt) if they onely respect the time of their comming to per­ [...]ction; but I speake heere onely of learning, which is the part a Scholler and not of a Professor. And yet I hold this Para­ [...]xe that a hot running Horse, (if the man be of gouernement, [...]d vnderstand himselfe) may be brought (in his training) to true and more willing riding vpon deepe earths then a sad [...]rse, and my reason is, that the non-performance thereof dothTheo 2. ^•. [...]t proceed from the imbecility of nature (as some doe falsly [...]ject) but for want of proportionable gouernment, for (as [...]ristotle saith, natura nihil habet vitij) there is no defect in na­ [...]e. wherefore if nature bee perfect, it must needes necessarily low that the difference of these two kinde of horses, must beNote this. the accidents: and then it must be seperable, or inseperable; [...]t it is not inseperable, for then those horses which are holden be best for deepe earths, should be the furthest from true ri­ [...]g, (by all the Characters of a perfect horse:) and also those (f) [...] which are the strongest composed, should bee the dura­ [...]st, and so euery strong Cart-lade and Coach-Horse shouldTheo. 2. ^s. & 37. ^k. the best for those grounds, which how true that is, let any [...]n of sence iudge: and I haue seene many horses whose line­ [...]ents hath not beene so strongly composed as the aduerse [Page 86] horses, and yet they haue made Iades in triall of the other:^g Wherein the chiefe diffe­rence of Horses consist. 1. Pr. 4. ^b. ^h The cause of those differen­ces. Wherefore this difference must needs bee in the accidents se­perable, and chiefly in the interior part, because it doth gouerne and command the exterior (as heretofore I haue showne:) Bu [...] yet the cause of this contrariety doth chiefly proceed from the corruption of mans nature, hee being more prone to follow his will, to persecute and torment (when he is angry) then to arme himselfe with patience, by the which those sadde horses are brought to ride more toughly, they being forced by anger ( [...] being more coherent to our nature) not willing to do any thing but by violence, in regard that what they doe, it is inuite: and the other which are more hot and fierce, are brought to a ra [...] furious prodigality (spending all their substance at once) for they being thrust into extremities, doe spend all their strength1. Pr. 5. ^m. ^• From contra­ry causes pro­ceed contrary effects. at the first, and when their fury is ouer they are become Iades (being so soone weakened through the abuse of the man,) [...] being more easie for him to follow his will in fiercenesse, the [...] to restraine his affections to mildnesse, which must not bee, [...] they think to work the contrary effect, for, Ex contrarijs caus [...] contrarij effectus producuntur, contrary causes doe produce con­trary effects.

But to returne from whence I did digresse, let a man (fro [...] these two extreames) reduce the proportion of his labour an [...] ease, as he in his iudgement shall find the proportion of the ho [...] ­ses quality inclining to either of them, and he shall find grea [...] ease and helps by this kind of correction, for the effecting [...] his desire: But this branch of the Vine must be well fenced a­bout with reason, otherwise this rauenous beast (Will) wil [...] breake in and spoyle all.

CHAP. 29. That the Man must learne to know how to correct.

NOw that I haue set downe the vses of the corrections [...] their particulars, it remaineth that I should also shew ho [...] where, and when to vse them, least through the abuse thereo [...] [Page 87] [...]ou passe the meane, and so fall into either of the extreames: But because (as I haue said) no particular or certaine thing can^a No certaine thing can limit an vncertaine. 1. Prac. 25. ^c [...]imit a generall or vncertaine, in regard there are so many seue­ [...]all dispositions as there are Horses: Therfore I will (as it were) [...]estringere, and onely shew how you may the best apprehend [...]he same, for the enlarging of your iudgement, because youEthic. 2. 4. [...]re the efficient cause in their vses; for as Aristotle saith, Nullae [...]perationes precedunt Artibus. No action doth goe before [...]nowledge▪

Now for the first, how you should correct? I answer: it must^b How cor­rection is to be vsed. Theo. 28. ^a. 1. Pra. 25. ^•. [...]e both with discretion and reason, for you must haue such dis­ [...]retion as to proportionate your correction according to the quality of the horse (as I haue often showne.) And therefore [...]ou must imitate the Magistrates, who hauing the sword of [...]ustice in their hands, doe not punish all offenders alike, but as [...]he quality of the crime doth desire, or the stubbornnesse of [...]he party doth rebell.

For they in their iustice doe make a way to mercy, and so pu­ [...]ish(c) as there may be a reformation of the person, for when the [...]ffence is small or the first, then they reproue him secretly, or [...]nflict some small punishment vpon him, but if yet the party [...]oth rebell, then to admonish him in the face of two or threeMath. 18. 16. 17. witnesses, or increase his punishment, then if none of these produce amendement, then reueale him to the Church, or else commit him to the last extremity of the Executioner. Euen so, [...]ou must correct your horse at the first in such sort as you would onely desire a restitution to obedience, with the least correcti­ons, as the Voyce, the Calfe of the Legge, &c. But if yet hee^c Correction must be accor­ding to the stubbornenesse of the horse. Theo. 5. ^•. [...]e so dogged that those will not serue, then you may vse the Switch, (it being a sharper correction:) but if still hee conti­nue rebellious, then to vse the last and cruellest correction, (which is the Spurre.) And in all these you must haue a respect to reason, that it may be your guide, (especially in this last cor­rection;) for if it doth not gouerne your will, but your will rule it, then you shall vtterly make hauocke of all the Vine, in regard that rauenous Beasts doe breake downe the fence, whereby it is laid open to all the other outragious passions: and therfore you must expostulate with your selfe, that [Page 88] your corrections should tend no further, but onely to the re­forming of errors, and not to satisfie your corrupt and inordi­nateNote. will.

But heere it may be objected that I prescribe a harder taskeObiection. then either my selfe or others is able to imitate. To the which I answer: it is true, that it is very hard for a man to bridle his willAnswer. so farre that it shall neuer exeed the limits of reason, because it hath ruled so long (as maister) that it will bee very hardly brought to subiection: But of that I haue spoken sufficiently in the S. Chapter, and therefore I speake he [...]re but onely that which both my selfe and others should doe, and not that which both others and my selfe doe; for, for my selfe, I am sure no man (whosoeuer) could follow his will with a higher hand then I haue done, (to the great toyle and vexation both of bo­dy and minde) but I haue found so small releefe thereby that it wearied me, whereby I was glad to seeke meanes to suppresse my will: And now thus much dare I say for my selfe (if I can speak it without vaingl [...]ry) that I giue correction neither with Legge, Switch, nor Spurre, hardly once in a yeare, but I can (if I were therein examined) giue a [...] n [...] reason th [...]reof.

Wherefore, if you desi [...] to b [...] ac [...]ounted a worthy [...]nd fa­mous [...] All [...] m [...]st bee [...]ed by reason. labourer in this Vi [...]cyard you must vpon necessity direct the obiects of all your corrections by the rule of Reason, and so mixe them with lenity, that you may ayme mo [...]e a [...] t [...]e refor­ming of errors, then the satisfying of your will temp [...]ing your anger so, that in your [...]reatest choller you may command your selfe, to apprehend the first motion of obedience in the Horse:Theo. 21. ^d because it is not the much correction but the manner of cor­recting that worketh the effect.

CHAP. 30. The Man must know where to correct.

IT is sitting likewise you should know where to correct, that the Horse may the better conceiue, the cause of your cor­rection; for if you should correct improperly, it would bring a [Page 89] confusion to your labour. But heerein I will not spend any time to reiterate the meanes how you should know where to correct; not onely because I see this Booke will extend to a greater volume then my intended minde (at the first) was: but also in regard I haue spoken thereof at large in the 16. Chapter. Wherefore for your satisfaction therein I will referre you to that place, yet I will demonstrate a little how you may connect and ioyne the vse of your corrections to your helpes, that when the one will not preuayle, then the other may aslaile.

Wherefore when you are come to such knowledge that you^a The first thing is to know where the cause of any error is. can tell where the cause of any error is, (that is committed) and tha [...] it is gone so farre (either through your negligence, or the horse his stubbornnes) that he will not be commanded by your helps, then looke in the same places that there is set down to re­forme any error by the helpes, euen there must you vse your cor­rections:Theo. 29. ^c. but yet with great caution, that it be done according to the quality of the Horse, or the proportion of the crime. For instance, if the horse be so slow that he will not obey the moti­on of your body, to goe forward willingly, then strike him so­dainely, with the iust stroke of the calues of your legges: but if that will not preuaile, then you may correct him with the Switch, vpon the right shoulder, which (as I haue showne in^b This is to be obserued in giuing him his pace. the three and twenty Chapter:) will cause him to bring on that side the more willingly; but if at any time he seeme care­lesse of that kinde of correction, then vse the euen stroke of your spurres, towards his short ribbes, to quicken him, and after vse the correction of your Switch againe, for that kinde of corre­ction is sufficient for the teaching of this one lesson, it being so fit to cause him to take vp his farre fore legge comely: for you^c The far fore leg is called the leading leg. must obserue, that it is the leading legge, and therefore if he set not that forth handsomely and orderly, he shall neither haue faire stroke nor comely cariage.

And here likewise you may obserue what combination there is, betwixt Art and Nature; for like as nature hath giuen to a man (for the most part) to be more apt and nimble on the right side, (both with foote and hand,) so hath it giuen to a Horse also the like aptnesse on the left. Wherfore when you are seated on your horses backe, then are you ready with your ap­test [Page 90] side, to helpe to correct your Horse on that side which is^• The apt com­bination of Art and Nature. most vnapt. But now if any other error chance to happen to the Horse, during the time of your riding: as carrying his head on the one side, or leaning ouer-hard vpon the hand, or goe vn­handsomely, either before or be hind, (as in the aforesaid place I haue showne,) and the like for any other error: then if your helpes will not reforme those faults, as it is doubtfull, you may adioyne thereto your corrections, vsing them in the same place, as for example, if he will not carry his head but on the one side, then giue him a sodaine ierte with your Switch on the con­trary^• Of correcting for disorder of the head. shoulder, and that wil cause him to looke on that side, he is corrected: but if he be so sad and dogged that he doth not re­gard that kinde of correction, then you may vse the spurre vpon the same shoulder, and the terror thereof will cause him to yeeld his body: and make him looke on the other side, (but this must be vsed very sparingly.) And likewise if he thrust so hard vpon the hand, that whensoeuer he is corrected you cannot well command him, but he will presse faster forward then he^• Correction for thrusting hard vpon the hand. 1. Prac. 24 ^e. Theo. 17. ^c. should, then correct him once or twice sodainly in his mouth, with the trench, but if that will not preuaile, then giue a stroke or two soundly (with your spurres, iustly together) towards the flancke, and that will set vp his hinder parts so roundly, that he will the more easily be commanded with the hand.

Now herein they are much deceiued, which vse the bridle only for correction in giuing a horse his pace, alwaies chocking him therewith: by which meanes when his mouth is dulled, or made insensitiue, they cut and teare it most shamefully, andTheo. 17. ^a yet for all that they shall neuer cause him to go with such grace, as he ought, (there being so many absurdities attending there vpon) as I haue declared in the twenty seauen Chapter.

In like manner, if he goe loosely either before or behind, (the cause being found) as formerly I haue set forth,) you may vse your helpes, but if he will not obey them, then vse your corre­ctions in such sort as I haue said, or as your iudgement shall serue, in the disposition of the Horse.

Further, seeing as I haue said the seuerall grounds are a kinde of correction: it is behouefull for you to know where, and in what manner to vse them? for the answer thereof you must so [Page 91] dispose of the place of teaching, that it may be as neare such [...] In what man­ner to vse earths for cor­rection. earths, (as is possible) that may produce obedience, for where the Horse doth offend, euen there must he be ready to be thrust vpon those grounds, whereby he may the better conceiue the cause of his labour thereon: and therefore you must obserue not to goe from those grounds, for excercise, till your horse be familiar with all your helpes and corrections. From which ifNote. you should depart before the Horse haue some perfect know­ledge of your will, by the aforesaid meanes, then when hee doth commit an error, it will be rather encreased then refor­med, because the meanes of his teaching is taken away, so that he doth neither know the cause of the one nor feele the toyle of the other. And againe, if you should correct him, and the ground be nothing fitting thereto, as vpon pauements or such like dangerous grounds, then he may soone get a straine by a slip, whereby your glory may be much impared.

CHAP. 31. That the Man must know when to correct.

THe last thing that you are to obserue, (for the vse of your corrections) is to distinguish of time, when to correct; because the neglect of that is the abuse of all the other, in re­gardTheo. 17. ^a. all things are perfected in, and by time, as I haue discribedEccle. 3. 2. in the seuenteenth Chapter. For, as the wise man saith. There is a time to sowe, and a time to reape, a time to plant, and a time to plucke vp that which is planted. &c. euen so, there is a timeA simile. to correct, and a time to leaue correcting, a time to labour, and a time to rest: all which must very respectiuely be obserued by you, if you thinke to bring forth any pleasant fruit of the Vine in time.

For as the grape should grow so that it may be nourished with the heat of the Sunne, that thereby it may be ripened in time, least the frost doth wither its substance, and so be without any good relish or pleasant taste. Euen so, if you doe not per­sistAn application. with all your corrections, in such sort as they may be main­tayned [Page 92] by the heate of truth, whereby you may worke your per­fection in time, there will be so many errors congeald, with the [...]ost of ignorance, that your glory will fade, and so become distastefull, and very vnsauory. But because I haue spoken so largely hereof in the Chapter afore said, I will but onely reduce the corrections to the helpes, (by an orderly progression.) that [...]. you may more aptly iudge when to vse them: through which neglect is come great confusion in this Art, in regard they doe not rightly conceiue the vse and benefit of time. For seeing, there must be an orderly proceeding in all things, if they thinke to worke commendably: so it must be also in this Art, for Horses being sensitiue creatures, must be directed by motions and helpes first: and then if they will not obey, to adioyne thereto corrections; But herein many doe commit grosse errors: for so soone as they be seated in the saddle, they straight put their^• The abuse of [...]. spurres to the Horse, whereby he is made so Franticke that hee doth rush forward very disorderly; which is one cause of so many headstrong and runne away horses, and also of many o­ther vices which would be too long to particularize.

But to amplifie this point a little, and giue instance how you should know, when to begin and end your corrections: you must first obserue the disposition of the Horse, and according to(1) Theo. 19. ^f that, you must first vse your helpes, and after them your corre­ctions, for those must goe before, and these must follow after, but not contrarily, as many improperly haue vsed: and then, if he be quicke and capable, to vse the lesse time in correcting, but if lie be dull and sad, to spend the more time in reforming: and so likewise of all other Horses, to proportionate the time in correcting, as you in your iudgement shall finde your Horses disposition to be neare or farre off either of these extreames.

And secondly, you must haue that vnderstanding to know(2) when the Horse doth begin the first motion of disobedience, ei­ther in his interior or exterior parts, (as in the place aforesaid ITh [...] instant time is [...]. haue showne) and then at that instant you must begin your corrections, and he will more easily be reformed, and so abbre­uiateTheo. 35. much time: For as water making a breach through a banke, if it be taken at first, the breach is soone repayred; but if it be protracted and let go further, it will either cause a greatA Simile. [Page 93] inundation, or else aske greater labour, and more time to stop the fl [...]xe thereof. Euen so, if you apprehend the first show of rebellion, and so instantly to apply helpes and c [...]rrections, it will be soone supprest: But if you ouerslip that (as a thing of small moment) it will encrease (as the disposition of the horse is) and so cause either a great confusion, or else there must bee longer time spent, and greater pa [...]nes taken, for the subduing thereof.

And lastly, you must know the end of your corrections, which(3) ought to tend chiefly to a desire of restitution, and therefore^d The con [...]inu­ance of cor­rection. must not correct him so long as you shall be angry, but onely so long as the horse doth rebell: For if you correct when you are angry more for to please and satisfie your selfe (for reuenge) then any desire of reforming the Subiect; then when the horse doth yeeld or (at the least) make but a show thereof, if hee can not finde any ease, but still a persecution is inflicted vpon him;Theo. 10. ^b. ^• Application for anger. then is hee made to become sencelesse (in regard hee doth not know the cause of his tortures) and so (bedlam like) doth run from one error to a worse, whereby hee is made almost in­curable.

Wherefore, to conclude this point, seeing time is such an ex­cellent Nurse, that in it all things are nourished and brought to perfection, (if it be rightly vsed;) and contrariwise such a vi­per that it doth eat and deuoure all (if it bee abused;) and also such a pleasant and odoriferous herbe, that it will keep its smellTheo. 17. ^•, all the yeare: you must be carefull to carry it about you to re­fresh your selfe (with the sent thereof) in all your proceedings, and it will be such a restoratiue that no infection of the conta­gious Lethargie of ignorance shall much possesse you.

CHAP. 32. Of the foure chiefe obseruations for the disposition of the Horse.

THus, hauing gone through all the helpes and corrections, with the vses of them; it remaineth now to speak somewhat [Page 94] of those foure Characters which I set downe in the 18. Chapter,Theo. 18. ^g. by the which a man may haue a reasonable knowledge of the horses disposition, which is so necessary that whosoeuer is ig­norant thereof, shall bring forth more weedes then fruit in the Vineyard of this Art.

Now the first of these is the consent of his appetite or desire,^a Of the Cha­racters to know the Horses dis­position. secondly, the free passage of his winde; thirdly, the orderly and easie command of his mouth and head, and lastly, the apt and comely carriage of his body. And although there may and haue beene other obseruations set downe for a man to worke vpon for iudgement in the Horse, yet because I doe not intend to set downe any thing, but that which I haue found by expe­rience,Theo. 34. ^a. I omit to speake of them, in regard I finde that all other are springing from these, as the branches thereof, (as heereafter shall be showne,) and also the first is the cause of the second,^b The first is the chiefe cause of all the other. Theo. 35. ^a. and both the first and the second the cause of the third and the fourth, which are the euent of the two first; for all other kinde of restiffenesse, which may proceed from the exterior actions of the body, as standing still, running away, lying downe, go­ing back, yerking and plunging, &c. And therefore they grope in the darke, that did seeke and inuent so many kindes of cor­rections, (to reforme such variable restiffenesse) and so little time to consult with themselues what the cause thereof was, or whether it did chiefly proceed from the man or the Horse. But because Mr. Markham hath so sufficiently laid open those in­uentions (with their inconueniences) in his second Worke ofCauallarice. Horsemanship, therefore I will not spend any time therein; but onely referre them (that are desirous to know those inuented tortures) to those places, wishing them seriously to consider (by the seueralty of inuentions) what euent of truth they doe pro­duce:^c The euent sheweth the cause. in regard the euent of the effect (in any thing) doth de­monstrate the true Iudgement of the cause: And therefore when they see that they found so small effect was wrought vp­on the first inuention, they needed not haue sought for a se­cond, if they had considered rightly whether the cause issued from the horse in part or in whole, but they being partiall in^d Partiall iudgement is the cause or error. iudging themselues, (as the natures of most men are) sought wholly for reformation in the horse, (by further violence) as if [Page 95] Art did depend vpon extremities) and so inuented sharper tor­tures, further to persecute so famous a subiect, euer ayming at the finall cause, but not at the efficient. As (when a Stadium or Image is made) if there be any error, the fault should be attri­buted to the matter, but not to the workeman.

But heerein they resemble the whore of Babilon, which hold^e A fit applica­tion. all her counsells and decrees to bee perfect, and without error; and therefore those which are repugnant thereto, are accoun­ted prepostrous Heretickes, and therefore vse violence rather then truth, in inflicting seuere torments, (one exceeding ano­ther in extremities) and euer fayled of their expectation in re­gard they followed their damnable blindnesse. In like manner, they thinking their corrupt wills were faultlesse and free from^f The cause of so many tor­tures inuented. error, when they found such contrariety to intercept them, thought it to bee solely in the dogged nature of the horse, and therefore they inuented such violent torments one exceeding another, (to worke their desire) and yet could neuer finde any to worke true effect, because they followed their blind igno­rance: For when one had inuented one kinde of torment, (for they cannot rightly be termed corrections) then another see­ing so small reformation thereby (not thinking that sharpe e­nough) inuented a second more sharpe; and likewise the third, inuented a correction exceeding the second, &c. but yet neuer could finde that kind of correction which would show the true euent, because those did proceed rather from their blinded will then any lightened truth: for the euent doth alwaies show the^g An euil Crow bringeth forth an euill egge. effect of the cause: For an euill Crow, doth bring forth an euill egge; and false grounds of truth produce false conclusions. Wherefore if you be desirous to worke commendably, and to free your Horse from such despicable afflictions; you must dili­gently obserue these Characters aforesaid, and when any error doth arise, examine and reforme your selfe as well as your horse, and you shall finde him far more capable to yeeld to obedience (in any other lesson) withuot much resistance, and thereby you shall keepe him free from all restiffenesse, and finde many things easie to be done which before were held impossible.

CHAP. 33. Of the appetite or desire of the Horse.

BVt now of all the obseruations, whereby you may iudge of the Horses disposition, this of his desire, is the chiefe pro­iect for you to worke vpon: because all the other are gouer­ned by it. For as the Sunne receiueth his light immediatelyA Simile. from GOD, and thereby doeth inlighten, both the Moone, Starres, and the Ayre: euen so, the Horse receiueth the first command of his desire from Man, and so giueth motion to his Winde, action to his Body, and gouernment by the Head. AndAnother Simile. as the Schooles hold, memory was first created of GOD, imme­diately, and from that commeth reason, and from thence pro­ceedeth Will? By the which Will we may inferre, we desire any thing good or bad: as it is effected; for if good, then it doth ascend, and is gouerned by reason, and strenthened by memory, (being the roote of knowledge:) but if euill, then it doth descend, and giueth place to his passions, and so is be­come rebellious, it being the fruit of ignorance; euen so, the Horse receiueth his obedience from man, from which procee­deth his wil or desire to doe what the man requireth, which if it be according to Art, then hee doth effect whatsoeuer is conso­nant to reason; but if to violence, then he worketh by the fruits of extremities.

Wherefore seeing all things, except man, worke by the in­stinct^• The know­ledge of man is supernaturall. 1. 'Pr. 31. ^{n b} Reasonable creatures must gouerne vnrea­sonable. of Nature, and hee onely hath a supernaturall will, more diuin [...]ly illuminated; it is required that you should so com­mand your selfe, by these supernaturall faculties, that you may be able to gouerne those naturall qualities, which both your selfe and the Horse is prone vnto; For you being rationall should gouerne the naturall disposition of the Horse (being onely sensitiue) and the agitation of his powers. Which thing cannot be done, except you conioyne so aptly, that you mayTheo. 1. ^g. be said both to be but one subiect: which must not be vnder­stood substantially, but intellectiuely, for although it cannot be [Page 97] said that a Horse hath any intellectiue part, properly in respect of himselfe, in regard he hath no memory to helpe vnderstan­ding, but whatsoeuer hee is capable of, is as it were a remini­scere, moued by his sences, and so prouoketh the appetite, but yet he may be said to haue it by accident, and therefore impro­perly,The. 2. ^o. being brought vnto him by Art, and maintained by vigour: for as Aristotle saith, accidens in corpore nullum, pars est corporis naturalis, that is, no accident happening to the body is any part of the naturall body.

Now therefore, when you shall thinke to bring your Horse, and your selfe to seeme but one body, you must be carefull to(c) Theo. 18. ^a. conforme the desire of the Horse to your desire, being allowed by reason, and then the action of the body will be brought to yeeld very pleasingly and delightfully. Now for the effecting whereof, you must direct your whole proceedings, by the dis­position of the Horse, as I haue said, and chiefely by his appe­tite,(d) Theo. 18. ^c. because it is the ground of all the rest, and therefore if it be willing to obey by gentle and easie motions, then he may be said to be of a free and willing disposition, but if he be more stubborne and disobedient, so that he will not yeeld, but by greater extremities, then he may be said to be of a dogged and^e True refor­mation begin­neth first at a mans selfe. Theo. 29. ^d sad disposition. But in reducing any extreame, that may be found in a horse, to the meane, there ought to be a double ca­ueat, which is, that you seeke to subdue your owne passions, by reason, as well as by your will, you desiring the obedience of the horses passions, for they are as forward to rebell as these: and therefore if you cannot confine them within the limits of reason, it being in your owne subiect, you shall neuer command your Horses by the same obiect, being in a diuers species.

And further, seeing all Sublunary things are apprehendedA simile. by man, first, by his sensitiue parts, and so are conueyed to the common place, where there is election of them by consultati­on,^• All sublunary things are first apprehended by the sense. and after committed to Memory, and there reserued, as in a treasury till Reason command Will to dispose of them, as oc­casion shalbe offered, either for pleasure or profit: in like man­ner, the inclination of the Horse is first demonstrated to theTheo. 32. ^c. & 35. ^b. senses, (by the aforesaid Characters,) and after disperced in­to the other faculties, whereby there is a knowledge thereof [Page 98] grounded vpon iudgement; and likewise the Horse doth by his senses conceiue, whether his actions are a greeing to the mans(g) Theo. 29. ^d & 5. ^a minde, by his motions and corrections; and so bringeth forth, either ioy or feare, as they are repugnant or agreeing to his will▪ And therefore, you must be very carefull to obserue an orderly proceeding in all your actions, that the Horse may more easily conceiue your will thereby, and also to proportionate your cor­rections according to the quality of his rebellion: for in the which if you exceed, instead of building by order, you shall de­stroy by confusion, because you moue the passions to an excesse, and thereby produce vnapt motions, both of his interior andTheo. 11. ^{d h} Violence causeth restiffe­nesse. exterior parts, whereby is increased all kind of restiffenesse, through the abuse of the Art, in regard it tendeth onely to re­duce obedience, and not to stirre vp violence.

For seeing all things are changed in their nature, from thatTheo. 1. ^f they were at the first creation? therefore was Art inuented, to bring (in some sort) a restitution thereof, as I haue said in the First Chapter: for though many things are now become no­cent and hurtfull to man, which at the first was procint and ser­uiceable to him, yet by Art the worst may be brought to serue for vse and releife againe: for though there be many differencesNote. (h) 1. Pra. 4. ^g of vegitatiue, and reptall things, and many of them if they be simply taken, not being delayd by Art, doe poyson and vtterly depriue man of life: yet the cunning Phisitian by extracting them proportionably, and so infuse with them other simples of contrary operation, can reduce them to soueraigne and preser­uatiue potions. Euen so in horses, though there be many diffe­rences of the indiuiduums, and also many of them being vsedApplication. simply, according to their naturall inclination, (not being de­layd or reformed by Art, doe become very rebellious and trou­blesome to man; yet the expert Horseman, by infusing in them proportionably such things as work contrary effect, can reforme their rebellion and so bring them to an obedient and seruicea­ble command.

Wherefore seeing, the reducing of all things to vse, doth de­pend^• Art cannot stand without proportion. Theo. 38. ^a. vpon Art, and Art worketh by proportion, where the forme of the subiect is brought forth; neuer thinke to reforme any Horse (much lesse euery Horse) except you by your [Page 99] knowledge bee able to proportionate all your proceedings ac­ding as you shall finde your Horses appetite or desire, for else you shall be sure to come short of your expectation, and whilst you looke for fame, you shall receiue great shame: and so be cast out of this vineyard, as a weed not worthy of a roome to grow there: because it is the ground of all other obseruations, they all (whatsoeuer) growing out of it, as their Mother or Nurse.

CHAP. 34. Of the free passage of the Winde.

THe second Charact which you must obserue, is the free passage of the Winde, which (as I haue said) doth spring from the former, for if at any time, his desire be to resist, he will^a Stopping the winde giueth force to resist. stop his Winde, whereby he may haue the greater force withall his other powers to withstand obedience. For as a man, when he is forced to goe any way; that is not pleasing vnto him, whilst he is so puld or thrust, will stop his winde, to encrease his strength, that he may be the more able to withstand them: but if he be willing to goe, then he giueth it the freer passage, to adde alacrity to his body, that thereby he may show the wil­lingnesse of his minde. Euen so, a horse if he be forced to doe that which is displeasing to his appetite, he will withhold hisTheo. 32. ^b. Winde to giue a further strength to his body for rebellion: but if his desire be to yeeld such obedience as you would haue him, then doth he ioyne the free passage of his Wind thereto, where­by he may show his willingnesse to obey you. And so the first is the cause of this cause, and this is the cause of the effect of the other.

Now for the further knowledge how these two Characters are to be obserued, because they consist of the interior parts;^b How to know the Horses in­clination. obserue the saying of the wiseman; The heart of man doth change his face, whether it be in good or euill, by which may be gathered that the inward disposition may be knowne by the outward gesture. For if his desire be not willing nor his Winde obedient, [Page 100] he will either leare with his eyes in casting them backe, or elsTheo. 17. ^d. & 23. ^c. cast one or both of his eares in his necke, or if he stand, he will so frame his body in his standing, that it shall be nothing apt for the next motion: and further, when he is caused to goe for­ward, if hee be of a chollericke disposition, hee will striue with his body, and so goe frettingly and chafingly: And contrarily,Theo. 19. & 20. if he be of a sad disposition, he will goe altogether vnwillingly, his desire being nothing prone to stir vp his powers to quicke­nesse; and so through ignorance heerein, doth come all kind of^c The chiefe cause of all restiffe qua­lities, as they proceed from the horse. 1. Prac. 19. ^• restiffenesse, for it is not the cause onely of all sorts spoken of in the 30. Chapter: but also of euery hard and vneasie going horse, of stumbling, of going broad, of a heauy sad horse, of tiring, and consequently of any vices which are incident to Horses.

For, if his winde worke freely, and keepe true time with the action of the body, then doth he goe willingly, ride tough­ly, and goe handsomely, because both his interior and exterior parts ioyne together, his wind passing truely with euery stroak of his body: But if (on the contrary) hee stop his winde, so that it breaketh time with his body, then he goeth vnwilling­ly, tiringly and vnseemely, either before, or behind, or both; his body being violently moued contrary to his winde, and so bringeth a confusion to the Art, (being vsed violently) whereby it cannot bee durable, and his motion being contrary causeth a^d Two contra­ries cannot be in one subiect. subuertion of the subiect, because two contraries can neuer be in one subiect, as I haue often sayd.

And againe, because the Arts in all naturall conclusions do de­pend eyther vpon winde, water or waights, therefore this ArtA Simile. doth chiefly depend vpon the apt and easy passage of the horses winde; for as in a payre of bellowes, if the throat of the pipe be not made proportionable to expell so much winde as the clock doth draw in, they will goe very hard and vneasie for to blow: Euen so if the Horse doth not expell proportionably so much winde as is drawne in, he will goe very vneasily (for the rider,) alwayes keeping in some part, for to help resistance. Yet heer [...] in I would not be so vnderstood, that I hold any such de­fect in the naturall composition of the horse; for (as it is said)Theo. 2. ^•. & 19. ^•. there is no defect in nature, for though there may be such a fault [Page 101] committed in the making of bellowes, yet the cause doth not^e How this re­straint of wind is not in being cock-thropeld, as it is holden. consist in the conclusion, but in the workeman, for otherwise they could not be amended. In like manner, when a horse is said to want winde for the performance of that which is desired; the fault is not in natures workes, but in the ignorance of the Art, because the man cannot tell how to proportionate the go­uernment of his winde to the action of his body, whereby hee may worke with ease, and so become more durable.

And heerein is a grosse error committed of many, who hold that some horses haue not (naturally) their thropell and nostrill wide enough for the issue of their winde, and therefore to ex­cuseAn application. their ignorance, they haue inuented the slitting of their nose to giue it the freer passage: Still condemning natures workes, but neuer their owne simplenesse. And so, those sort of horses are said to be the worst which are called cock-thropeld, as if that did proceed from nature; but heerein they deceiue themselues, for those (for the most part) are free horses, with large vpright neckes, and tender mouthe, and the man for^f The cause of a Cock-thropell. 1. Pra. 24 ^h. want of true iudgement, (in their disposition) doth cause this disorder in them, for he not regarding their naturall inclination to beare high, doth force them still higher (with his hand,) by which meanes they are caused to gagge their heads so hie, that they bend their neckes back, whereby their thropell doth bend like a bow, and in yeelding so far back doth weaken their crest, towards the withers, and so make them winny-cragged; which grosse absurdity is the cause of spoyling so many horses, for they thinke by one and the selfe-same meanes to worke all sorts of horses, (for because Art doth consist in working some horses heads vp, therefore they vse it generally towards all) But if they would rightly examine their owne iudgement, and so worke orderly and coolely as they ought (for his disposition) that is, where they worke other horses heads vp, this should be wrought downe, and when others doe desire quickening, this should bee vsed coolely, then they should finde that his nostrill and thropell were wide enough, both to receiue and ex­pell winde for any reasonable labour.^g Winde is fur­ther abused through igno­rance.

Yet heerein is another abuse, for these horses also being hot and free, they continually adde fuell to the fire till all be consu­med: [Page 102] neuer regarding their manner of going, but thinke that if^g Winde is is further abu­sed through ig­norance. they go fast enough they go well enough, nor giuing them lea­sure to learne the true vse of their winde; and so hee is put to his trot before he can tell how to set one foot orderly before another for a foot pace; and also to gallop, ere he know how to behaue himselfe as he ought in his trot, and so consequently thrust into the extremity both of speed and wind, although he^h A confusion by teaching. cannot frame his body to one stroke of a true gallop: Through which disorder, he is continually held to extremities, by the which he hath not time to learne the facility of the Art; for asA simile. Scholler in Musicke, if he be put to run diuision, before he ei­ther haue true fingring or can keepe time, equally with both his hands, shall neuer be accompted a good Musitian, although he be naturally addicted thereto: Euen so, if a horse bee put to his height before hee haue the true vse of his winde (iustly,) with his body, hee shall neuer performe that which is desired, al­though he hath natures helpes.

Because his desire, and lust is so much abated (by such con­trarieties fighting in him) he finding no delight, but extreame^• Contraries confuse the Subiect. toyle, not knowing how to ease himselfe, and so falleth into franticke passions, setting all his powers to worke at once till he be no more able to worke. For if he know not how to let goe, and receiue in his winde easily, to coole the agitation of his vi­tall powers, his heart will bee so ouercome with heate that hee will soone faint, because the drawing in of fresh ayre, doth coole the heart and giue agility and strength to the other parts: for no horse is able to do more then his winde can main­taine. Wherefore neuer thinke you can ride a Horse to his true disposition (in the Art) except you can tell how to reduce the motion of his winde, to agree with his appe­tite or desire.

CHAP. 35. Of the carriage of the Body.

THus hauing set forth the two inward Characters which is most needfull to bee obserued, for the reducing of this worke to perfection, it now resteth to speake of the two out­ward1. Prac. 15 ^e. ^a The outward carriage is as an Index to giue iudge­ment. 1. Pr. 26. ^a. Theo. 32. ^b. signes, (which are the apt carriage of the Body, and the true command of the mouth) for they are as an index to a Dial, whereby the man may haue the surer iudgement of the other inward disposition. For (as it hath been often said) whatsoeuer is the cause of a cause, the same is the cause of the thing caused, now the first is the cause of the second, and the second is the cause of the two last; wherefore the first is the cause of the two last, which are caused; (they being the euent of the former:) Be­cause as the desire is affected, so the body doth obey.

By the which the man may obserue that as the exterior parts of the horse, doe demonstrate the disposition of the interior;(b) Theo. 33. ^f. & 32. ^c they being apprehended by the mans outward senses, and so conueyed into the inward apprehensiue senses, whereby the faculties do iudge whether the inward motion be through de­light or feare: Euen so, the outward motions of the man doe giue notice vnto the horse of the intention of his minde, they in like manner being first perceiued by his outward senses, and^c How the mans will is conueyed into the horses in­ward senses. after conueyed into his inward apprehensiue senses, by the which he doth know whether he doth obey or rebell: And so the Horse being but sensitiue by nature, may (by Art) bee said (in some sort) to be reasonable, for there being such a true com­bination betwixt the man and him, that all their doings will shew both delightfull and commendable.

Now for the better obseruation, to know how the appetite is affected, (by the carriage of the body,) there must bee a regard(x) Note. 1. Pr. 30. ^•. giuen vn to all the parts thereof; for if it be quicke and nimble and moue easily and willingly, and carry himselfe comely, then you may assure your selfe, that the Horses desire is answerable thereto: But contrarily, if any of these be wanting (although [Page 104] not all: as if he goe vnhandsomely, or rowle in his going, or set hard, or striue and labour too much with his fore parts, andThe applica­tion. shake and wallow with his hinde parts; then you may be as­sured that those doe proceed from the maleuolence of his de­sire: or likewise, in the handling of his feete, if hee goe either^d The combi­ning of the in­ward and out­ward motions together. Theo. 59. ^d broad before or behinde, or beat himselfe with lifting his fore­feete too hye, or if he be subiect to stumble through low going, or any such, then you may resolue that there is a contrariety be­twixt the inward and the outward motions, either that the ap­petite doth couet to goe faster then the slight of body can maintaine: or else the body being vnapt to goe, is violently forced on, faster then the desire is willing to goe.

Now therefore, when any of these adiacents doe intercept your expectation, you may conclude that the cause thereof doth come cheifly, from your weake iudgement, in regard you went more eagerly then orderly about your worke, neither knowing how to ioyne the whole subiect, to agree in a true motion, nor(e) Theo. 15. ^k. letting the horse haue liberty to ease himselfe, through which extremities he was driuen to such disorderly actions, you neuer ayming at the reducement of his appetite, which is the cheifest thing to be regarded: For till it be reformed, all the paines that you shall take, to reforme the outward cariage of the body is altogether without profit: for as Aristotle saith, si sit impeditus Ethick. 3. li. cha. 1. appetitus facit per vim, if the desire be vnwilling, whatsoeuer is done, is by violence; which is one cheife beast of the rauenous rancke, which doth breake into this Vineyard; whereby it is brought to such ruine that it doth bring forth almost nothing but weedes.

Further, you may obserue the disposition of the Horse, by^• For as the Horses moti­ons are as an index to the Man where by he may iudge of his inclinati­on so is the mans motions to the Horse whereby hee may know how to obey. the concord of the motion of his wind and his body: for if that be hindred, then both his going and standing will be re­sisting, because they are non sponte, and then he doth not any thing but violently, in regard it is onely in the exterior parts. For as Arist: saith, Ʋiolentum est id, cuius principium est foris, in quod nihil patiens et a gens confert: violence is that, whose beginning proceedeth from the outward parts, the which worketh no­thing with patience and willingnesse. And againe hee saith, Quod principium quod mouet non sit internum et rei quod mouetur [Page 105] violenter, sed externa: that beginning that doth moue violently, is not moued from the interior but the exterior parts. By the which their ignorance (in this Art) is layd open, who altoge­ther(g) Meaning of pacing. regard the outward action of the Horse, by forcing him to set so far ouer his hinder feete, and doe neuer respect the moti­of his body to agree aptly with his appetite & his winde: which is the cause of so many bad going Horses and of their falling so soone from their pace, all their actions being inuite, and so nei­ther delightfull nor durable: they not knowing how to obey the will of the Man, nor to frame their inward and outward motions together.

For as there can be no temporary motion (that hath time for his limits) can make his true reuolution, except there bee a iust^g All motions must begin and end in a true proportion of time. Theo. 38. ^•. Theo. 31. ^•. proportion betwixt the teeth of the wheeles, and the teeth of the nuts: And also the center of the axeltrees to be equidistant one from another according to the proportion of both their semidiamiters, and likewise the waights proportionable to the manner of mouing. Euen so, there cannot be any apt motion (in the Horse) except all his parts haue a proportionall mouing one to another, and his desire which doth yeeld the motion be brought to the same limit of time, and likewise your selfe which as the waights doth cause the motion, must be proporti­onate accordingly to finish all those motions in one period.

CHAP. 36. Of the true order of the head, and easie command of the mouth.

THe fourth and last obseruation to know the horses disposi­tion, is the true order and easie command of the head and mouth; and this also (as the other) doth depend outwardly, being the euent of the former; for if there bee any resisting in any of the other, it will bee apparant in this. For if either theTheo. 32. ^• & 35. ^a appetite bee euill affected or the winde distasted, or the body any way resisting, the head and mouth will neuer bee easily commanded; and therefore they are farre deceiued, which [Page 106] (when they could not bring a gentle obedience to the hand)^a The inuenti­on of hard bits and snaffle condemned. Theo. 2. ^l. 1. Pr. 22. ^d. haue inuented hard chaines, and tormenting cauezans, and so many varieties of sharp and vneasie bittes and trenches to force obedience, euer imagining the cause thereof to proceed from the deadnesse and hardnesse of the mouth, whereas it did arise from the other partes of the body, and brake out there as the issue thereof.

But thereby they expresse their ignorance, in seeking to re­duce Art by violence: For, (as Aristotle saith) Si impedita sit Ethic. 3. li. 1. chap. cognitio, facit per ignorantiam, If knowledge of the cause bee hindred, whatsoeuer is wrought, is done by ignorance; for, for want of knowledge in the cause, they haue wrought vp­on the euent: and so, when they felt a disobedience in the mouth, haue sought for reformation there, as if that had beene the cause of the error, because it is there perceiued: But al­though(b) Theo. 14. ^f. & 27. ^c. all errors doe extend to the mouth, yet they are not to be corrected in the mouth; because the vse of the mouth, (as I haue said in the 27. Chapter) is onely to gouerne the other parts according to the discretion of the man, as the Pilot doth rule the Ship by the sterne.^c How a Horse may be said to be a Ship.

For, the Horse may bee said to bee the Ship, his appetite the waues, his wind the gale that doth force it forward, his head the helme by which it is guided, and the man the Pilot to di­rect the voyage; and if the Pilot want knowledge to steare theThe Applicati­on. the Helme truely, the ship is in danger of Ship-wrack; euen so, if the Man haue not iudgement to gouerne his Horse true­ly by the head, all his labours are in danger of confusion.

Now therefore, as I haue placed it as the last Character (in or­der) by the which the disposition of the horse may be knowne, so is it the last obseruation that you shall haue for your refuge: For if there be a defect in any of the other, it may be perceiued in this, when it is obscured in them. For, if either of the inte­rior^d A true hand giueth certaine euidence. notes be maleuolent, then he doth show it in the exterior parts: as if he be vnwilling to goe, then doth hee rest too much vpon the hand; or if hee desire to goe faster (then hee should) hee will beare too much therevpon: or if hee will not turne readily, nor goe backe willingly, &c. then all these will bee felt by the hand. Or if he be loose-bodied and trifle in his go­ing, [Page 107] hee shall feele the loosenes thereof by the hand, in regard hee is so tickle mouthed that he will not rest vpon the snaffle, (as hee should) to stretch his body forth to make a true and apt way.

Wherefore, when you shall finde any of these to intercept your expectation, doe but examine these foure seuerall obserua­tions, and you shall finde the cause to proceed from some one of them, and especially from the two former: it happening from the rebellion of the horses disposition, or else from your selfe, through ignorance of the Art, by the which abuse it isTheo 2. ^l. ingrafted in the Horse, and so is become habituall. Which cause when you haue found (if you be desirous to bee a flourishing impe, and bring forth fruit in this Vineyard) you must take paines to purge and clense it from such weeds, as may spring vp therein, and hinder the Vine from growing, because they will so ouershadow it that the truth cannot giue any nourishing heat, to ripen the fruit, whereby it may be either delightfull or profitable.

Now for the preuention heereof, worke after the receipt which is heere set downe; for I dare boldly affirme, (hauing proued it by experience) there is not any weed of error, that shall spring vp in this Vineyard (whether it be naturall or con­tingent)^e A true Appli­cation workes the best effect. but here are remedies set downe to kill the vigor there­of: if you haue but knowledge how, where, and when to vse them. And although it may seeme to the most sort of people, that this is a raw and vndigested erudition, in regard that all vices are not so precisely set downe (with their remedies) as they would desire; let them know that one reason is to quell the^f This Art is most abused by calumniators. Theo. 28. ^m. selfe conceipted knowledge of those which disgrace this Art through the volubility of their tongues, and will speake more in an houre, then they can performe in all their life time; and therefore if, I should, or rather could haue made it so easie, that they might easily haue vnderstood the applications, onely by reading, then the practitioners should liue continually in dis­grace, and bee subiect to the scandall of euery insinuating tongue, (as they are too much already) for they hauing a par­tiall knowledge, thinke that to parallel the best, in regard they can talke a little of horses, but cannot giue any reason of the [Page 108] cause, and yet make an approbation of their iudgement, for [...] there are some Colts that will venture to swim in waters wher­inA fit simile. they cannot liue, in like manner they will censure of things they cannot enter into: Wherefore if I should haue set forth all vices and their remedies, in an easie apprehension, they would haue vsurped too much knowledge therein, & so would condemne others for practise, when themselues can neither tell what a wel-going horse is, nor where to help the reformation of any error; & so they resemble the Germane clowne who (as one^• A Germane Clowne. saith) vndertooke to be ready in the ten Commandements, and being asked (by a Minister) which was the first? he said, Thou shalt not eat. But I could wish that these should be sent againe vnto the Schoole to learne to spell, before they presume to read and vnderstand booke-cases (in Law,) before they be admit­ted for Iudges; in regard it is more easie to finde a fault, then it is to amend it: For as Thales when he was asked what wasThales. the hardest thing, he answered, for a man to know and reforme himselfe: and what was the easiest, he said, for a Man to admo­nish and reproue others.

And another reason. is, that it is a ground too hard for him,(h) Theo. 18. ^• (that hath a deeper apprehension then my selfe) to plow vp through the diuersities of horses dispositions, for no man can set downe a certaine remedy, for to cure an vncertaine disease, and therefore the application thereof must proceed from the iudiciall obseruance of the man according to the truth of theApplication. Art. For the Apothecary must not condemne the gardener, when he hath furnished his garden with medicinall herbes, in regard he did not set them in order, as they should be vsed, see­ing he tooke the paine to abbreu [...]ate his labour, to reduce them in such a small continent, wherein he might gather them at his owne discretion.

Wherfore, to leaue the opinionated vulgars to wallow in the filth of their ignorance; let him (which his desirous to in­crease his knowledge in this Art) but carefully infuse that which is deliuered, into his memory, and hee shall not faile of his expectation, for there shall not any storme arise, but he shall find a bush to shroud himselfe vnder, nor any mutiny be stirred vp, but he shall haue his forces ready to ouercome them; for a [Page 109] mans knowledge is extended no further then his owne recor­dation. For as Socrates saith, that knowledge should be writ­tenSocrates. in mens hearts, and not in sheetes of paper.

CHAP. 37. How to know the disposition of the Horse by his shape.

THere is yet another▪ note to be obserued, for the know­ledge of the Horses disposition: but it is more generall then the former, and apprehended onely by the outward sense of seeing. And that is his proportion or shape; for as they are not all of one quality, so they are not all of one shape, the causes^a How to know the horses dis­position by his shape. Theo. 4. ^f. of both which diuersities, doe arise from the temperature of the seed of which they are framed, because (as it is holden) the soule of a Horse (he being but a creature sensitiue) doth arise from the temperature of the body, vpon which it subsisteth, and so receiues its nature and quality from the same: and therefore^b The quality of the horse is receued partly from the tem­perature of the seed. 1. Pra. 7. ^• as the composition of the body is grose or pure: so is the soule more subiect to densitie or tenuitie, and his passions more sadde or merry, whereby all his doings in respect of his naturall qua­lities, are more or lesse capable of obedience.

Now the diuersities of these quallities, as I haue said, doe proceed from the differences and food of the indiuidium, at their naturall generation, the foode being conuayed into the retentiue part, and when it is digested the nutrition thereof is concocted into bloud, which doth disperse it selfe through the veynes, into all the parts of the body, and so the purest thereof is distilled into the gignatrix, and so conuerted into seed, from the which euery species doth receiue his disposition, according to the quallity of the seed of the indiuidium, whereof it is for­med, and afterward it is increased or diminished in strength,^c The worke of nature. by the goodnesse or badnesse of the food, vpon which the Mare doth feede. For as one saith, nature is not the thing it selfe, but the proper and peculier strength of the thing, natu­rally giuen to the creature in the time of its framing, and not at the procreation, where it receiueth that quality both of being and working.

Now because there are so many varieties in the whole species, Theo. 18. ^f therefore there must needs be so many differences of dispositi­ons, because there is nothing more generall in nature, then di­uersity, wherefore I will omit to speake of any more in this place, but onely of those two chiefe heads, which are in grea­test opposition, (least I should enter into a Labyrinth, and so confound my selfe, in trauailing such a intricate and vnknowne path: for it is too deepe a riuerite for my short wit to plumb; But by these the ingenious may ground a reasonable iudgement of any Horse as he shall perceiue them to incline to either pro­portion.

And for the first, those horses which haue a handsome body,^d A horse of this shap is of the best temper as, his ribbes to beare out in robundity like a barrell, his short ribbes being close shut vp to his huckle bone, within the compasse of foure fingers, with a proportionable long buttocke, although he be a little high rumpt, if he be well let downe in the gasking, it is tollerable, so as if a plumb should be let downe from the outside of his huckle bone, it would fall perpendicular­ly,1. Pra. 1. 3 ^f. vpon the out side of the brawne of his thigh: and as for his fillet, if he haue these two properties, aforesaid, it must necessa­rily follow to be good, to the which if he haue a broad brest, then he must vpon necessity be well let downe in the chest: for it is a grantable request in Geometry, if equall things be put to equall, that which remaineth will be equall.

And againe, if he haue a large vpright necke, and well compas­sed in the setting on of his head, for the aptnes of his reyne, with^• The third of the grantable requests. a high thinne Crest, a wide law, broad Fore-head, a full Eye, a pricke Eare, although it be somewhat great, a large Mouth, a wide Nostrell, and as for his Limmes, although many desire them thicke and strong, yet for my owne part, if they be some­what slender, I hold him not the worse for it doth argue a grea­ter likelyhood of speed and nimblenesse: For as for strength; I thinke there is none so simple as to thinke that nature should worke so imperfectly, as that it made not the legges sufficientA thing that is more curiously obserued then by necessity forced. to maintaine and support the actions of the body, especially, in that, all men know that know any thing, that strength doth not consist in the legges but in the backe. And as for toughnesse, that proceedeth from the interior parts, as either [Page 111] through the stoutnesse of courage, or true passage of the winde, by the aptnes of motion, or sound labour, yet if they will obiect^g Obiection for strai [...]es. for danger of strayning, I say it is not vpon necessity that slender limd horses are altogether subiect to it, and strong limd horses free; nay, for I haue seene a stong limd horse get a straine, when as a slenderer hath gone free, and yet both of them at one and selfe-same kind of labour, which when I saw, I did conceipt the cause was through the grossenes, and vnnimblenes of the Horse.

But to regresse, when the man shall see a Horse haue all these properties, or at least most of them, for it is hard to find all^h Ignornnce is the cause of many iades. properties in one particular, then he may presume that that Horse is of a free and gentle disposition, and so the more apt to be brought to obedience. And although it may be said, that many such like horses haue beene approued iades; I answere, the cause thereof doth not arise from the horse but accidental­ly from the abuse of the Art, through ignorance of the Man:1. Pr. 13. ^q. they hauing higher spirits then his apprehension could reach to command.

And for the other sort of Horses, whose shape is in another kinde, being aduersa, for if it were contraria, then it should be a¹ These Horses are of a more improper tem­per. Monster, cleane degenerating from nature, if they be flat Ribd, weake Fillited, being very Spatious betwixt the short Ribs and the Huckle bone, pinne Rumpt, thin in the Gasking place, narrow Brested, shallow Chested, short Necked, thicke Crested, cubbe Headded, it being stuntly set on, bangle Eard, narrow Iawed, pincke Eyed, thin Faced, little Nostrelles, and a narrow Mouth; or if his body and all his other parts be thicke and strongly set together, then the man may Imagine, that he is of a sad and dogged disposition. Now although it is holden of most that these Horses thus shaped, will neuer be brought to any good seruiceable vse, for as it is said, distortum vultum se­quitur distortio morum. Whereby many of curious spirits that take great delight, both in these excellent subiects, and also in this famous Art, are mightily discouraged, through the generall iudgement of the one, and the abuse of the other; that if they get not such a shaped horse, all their labour and charge will be(k) Theo. 2. ^r & ^s & 28. ^f. lost. Wherefore for the better incouragement, if they seriously obserue in euery triall, how many of such excellent proportio­nated [Page 112] Horses haue come to the worse, they may easily alternate their minde, and thinke that what defects may interpose nature in her worke, by any accident (except it be depriuation) Art may helpe to make restitution, which is the cause that the more vnlikely Horse, doth oftentimes worse the more likely. But it may be obiected that herein I make a contradiction, in theObiection. proiect of this Chapter: for how can a man know the good­nesse of the Horse by his shape, seeing those which are esteemed of the best, oftentimes proue the more Iades? To the which I answere, it is true, if nature were as perfect now, as at the first,Answer. then those Horses would be brought to perfecter obedience of themselues without any art, but els if man had knowledge how to reduce them according to Art: but since then all they as well as others, are become disobedient and rebellious, so that theyTheo [...]. ^c. (l) 1. Pr. 4. ^•. will neuer come to the height of their glory without true knowledge in the Art: for want of which, they suffer greatin­iury and disgrace, for I confesse that if Art were ioyned to na­ture, they would far exceed the other, for I hold it better that [...] A horse must haue some thing ase, as wel as in se. a Horse hath something ase, as well as in se, for they would not onely please the eye for beauty more then the other, but al­so giue better content to the minde, when their goodnesse should be put to the touch-stone.

Now the cause that those horses which are defectiue, are brought to better perfection then the other is this, that they are more consonant to the nature of man then the other, for man which should repaire this decay, is likewise obscured in(m) Theo. 8. ^c. knowledge; so, that when any contrariety doth happen contra­ry to his expectation, he following his will, falleth into extreame passions, whereby those horses which seeme to be more dogged­ly disposed by their shape, are sometimes made more durable and pleasing then the other, by violent correction; but yetⁿ Whatsoeuer is by chance is no Art, and so one is no proofe. herein they are not reformed by Art, but by chance, for if it happen that one proue to be good, they fayle of their expecta­tion in a dosen: wherfore the approbation of some few of these, may not applaud their knowledge in the Art, that they haue more knowledge then they which fayleth in those sort, whichAristotle. are said to be of the best shape, for it doth rather intimate their greater ignorance, for as it is holden, euery thing is destroyed by1. Pra. 7. ^h [Page 113] his contrary, and maintained by his like; euen so, although the better sort of Horses are disgraced by the contrariety of the Man, yet his knowledge in this Art may parallel or exceed the other, though hee by chance may bring that Horse (being of such a disposition as is fitting for his cholerick nature) to a bet­ter effect, because violence not Art doth gaine the one, (it being agreeing to mans nature,) and patience with Art doth worke the other it being more repugnant thereto: For as one of them^o Art tende [...] ^•. to the meane. doth exeed in one extreame, so doth the other sort in the other, and it is the end of Art to bring both these excesses to a meane.

But if they obiect, seeing those horses which are of grosser composition, be more coherent to mans nature, why are theyObiection. not preferred before the other: the answer is twofold, the first is, Man hauing an intellectiue knowledge by the instinct of na­ture,Answer. (although much obscured) knoweth that all things were made perfect at the first, and so th [...]se horses which areGen. 1. 31. (p) 1. Pra. 3. ^e. 1. Pr. 5. ^f. ^p All men are giuen to please the eye. (2) of the beautifullest shape, reason doth tell them that they are the nearest to the Creation, and so chuseth them, as they being most likely to proue the best and delightfullest to the eye, most men desiring to please that sense in all things) and so doe pre­ferre them before the other, they being more delightfull to the eye, and more probable to yeeld content, although very few know how to bring them to their perfection.

The second reason is, that the nature of men is to desire to seeme wise, and therefore will seeme to finde fault where they cannot amend, and to shew their iudgement in chusing, and not their knowledge in vsing, to blind their owne ignorance,^q Ignorant men condemne na­ture for to ex­cuse thēselues. for though they obserue a difference, yet they know not the reason thereof: And so generally condemne nature for making more horses without vse then with vse, and likewise disgraceth the Art for want of know, edge in her vse, and so hold that those horses which are of this distorted composition, are not confi­ned within the compasse of Arts limitation, because the conca­uity thereof doth ouerthrow the conuexity of their super­ficiall braine. But to resolue the cause of this difference of their compositions, is (as I haue said) from the temperature of the seed of which these sorts were generated, for the food vpon which the indiuidium did feed being grosse, made the [Page 114] seed so subtill, that it could not concurre so proportionably in­to euery part, as the other which was more pure, did in giuing shape and nutriment to the other sort, and yet nature heerein is not imperfect, but that she worketh not immediately, as at^r Nature is not imperfect but by accidents. 1. Pr. 13. ⁿ. the first, for then the food was naturally good, and needed no Art for nourishment, but now she worketh mediately from se­condary causes, and therefore if there bee not a reducement by Art, nature will be defectiue in many things through the repug­nancy of accidents; but not so abortiue as Art cannot helpe to1. Pr. 13. ^d. ^• The earth [...] 1. Pr. 4. ^•. reformation: For though the earth at the first brought forth such fruites as would giue perfect nourishment (of it selfe) yet now (through the curse) it waxeth old and barren, so that there must be Art for repay [...]ing, by sowing and planting, where­by it may bring forth better fruites for nutriment both to manThe Applicati­on. and beast, then it of its owne nature would yeeld; and there­fore those horses which are begotten with such seed as is in­creased of that food the earth doth bring forth of it selfe, can^t Which Art is to gaine a resti­tution of obe­dience. Theo. 20. ^• Obiection. Answer. ^u Breeding doth not take away the knowledge of riding. neuer bee of such excellent shape, nor haue that courage (of themselues) as those which are repayred by Art.

Yet if any will further obiect, that if the goodnesse of a horse doth consist so much in breeding, then if they bee well bred they need lesse knowledge in the Art: To which I answere, it is true, if they would worke obediently of themselues, for though a man hath two pieces of wood to worke on, if the one bee knotty and the other smooth, if he choose the smooth for ease, yet he must vse Art to bring it to proportion; and so no horse whatsoeuer but hee must haue Art to gaine obedience; And therefore against such curious inquisitors, I conclude with the saying of Diogenes, who being demanded, why the charity of^x Diogenes an­swer. people extended towards the lame and blind, and not to Philo­sophers, because (saith hee) their doubt is as strong, that they themselues may one day bee lame and blind, as their hope is weake that they shall euer proue Philosophers. So their doubt is strong to make obiections (that they may the more cloake their owne ignorance) by finding fault, because their hope is weake that they shall euer attaine such knowledge to bee good Horsemen.

CHAP. 38. The necessity of Proportion.

BEcause I haue spoken so much of Proportion in this Theo­ricke Part of Horsemanship, I will now shew the necessity thereof, lest it may be thought a friuolous speech in this Art,Theo 4.▪ ^{• a} No Art can stand without Proportion. Theo 33. ⁱ because it neuer hath heretofore beene handled by any that hath as yet treated of this subiect: But whether it be friuolous or no, let any (except he be wilfully blind) iudge, in regard that not onely this, but also all other Arts and Sciences cannot stand without it. For at the first Creation, nothing was made some­thing by proportion, for thereby it receiued a forme or simile. And the whole Fabrike of the world was composed altogether by iust proportion, and euery one of the celestiall orbes, the con­caue of the vppermost including the con [...]exe of the innermost: by such iust proportion, that▪ the cunning Astronomer can easily measure the true distance of euery Spheare, by their Semidia­miters. And further, how could the Astronomers and Astrolo­gers know the Apogeon and Perogeon of the Sunne and Moone, and so the difference of their slow and swift motions: with^b Astronomers and Astrolo­gers worke by Proportion. their reuolutions, periods, coniunctions, oppositions, and the seuerall aspects of the Starres and Planets with their stations, retrogradations, exaltations, detriments, combustions, &c. And the time of the Ecclipse both of the Sunne and the moone, by their reuolution concurring iustly in the two opposite Secti­ons of Ca [...]da and Caput Draconis, and the difference of the Moones latitude, with her Epicicle, and many other obseruati­ons, were it not they obserued a proportion in their reuolutions, and so made instruments and tables in iust proportion to the same. And further, to find the variable motions of the Moone, with her full, change and quarters, and also the flowing and re­flowing of the Seas, if they did not find a proportionall course of them, according to the Moones motion, (obserued by the like Tables) in regard it is said to bee the Waters Pa­ramore.

And againe, for Horologie if the Gnomen be not made in true [...] Of Horologie. proportion to the eleuation of the Pole, and the distance of houre lines drawne according to the obliquity of the Horizon, and the Meridian, so drawne, that it may cut the Equinoctiall at right angles perpendicularly, and then to take the substile, ac­cording to the inclination, declination, or reclination of the murall; the Diall will be very ridiculous and idle. And further for a Clock, if the plumbe of the minutes be not of such an e­quall(c) Theo. 35. ^g proportion, that it doth ballance the reuolution of the houre wheele, with the terme of time, and the teeth of the nuts to bee in true proportion to the teeth of the wheeles, and the center of the Axletrees to be equally distant, to the Semidiami­ters, the clock will neither goe truely or run stedily.

Now although heere is sufficient demonstration, for the ne­cessary vse of Proportion, yet I will a little further illustrate the excellency thereof, it being, that no Art nor Science can worke without it; all which for to rehearse would be too tedious, & myTheo. 4. ^a. & 33. ^•. memory too short, but I will briefly touch some particulars, and by the like all the rest may be imagined. Now all Proportions of Arts and Sciences (as Doctor Dee affirmeth) doe arise fromThe Preface in Euclid. Arithmeticke and Geometry, as being inseperable twinnes, and the head from whence all other doe flow; and therefore^d The Root from whence all Arts doe spring. no man can shew the reason of any error, (in what Art soeuer) except he haue vnderstanding in their principles. For though a man may learne a trade by a liuely teacher yet if he be ignorant in them, his knowledge is but blind, in regard he goeth by di­rections: And so, hee differeth (as Marcus Aurelius saith) [...]. Prac. 5. ^a. [...] Tradition is a Bestuall knowledge. very little from a beast, for that which they doe, they doe as they were taught, and cannot yeelde a reason for the same.

But for to show more plainely, how all other Arts doe arise from these two; it is either simple or mixt, that is, either by Arithmeticall or Geometricall proportion simply, or else by them both coniunct: for if it be vpon Arithmeticke simple,Doct. Dee Euclid. then it dealeth with numbers only: so far as an vnite is indeui­sible. And if with Geometry simple, then it dealeth with Mag­nitudesf The lincking of Arts toge­ther. onely: so far as a point is indiuisible. But if with Arithmeticke mixt with Geometry, then it demonstrateth some [Page 117] Arithmeticall conclusion. But if with Geometry mixt, then it demonstrateth some Geometricall purpose.

And so their vses are either in things supernaturall and de­uine,g And of their vses. by application ascending: or in things Mathematicall without further application: or else in things naturall, both substantiall, and accidentall, visible, and inuisible, by applica­tion descending. For no man can number any thing without a proportionall progression. And how can a man find out either Radicall, Cubicke, Cossicke, Surde, or any other simple or mixt numbers, without proportion: Or learne the knowledge of Mechometry, whereby lengths and distances are measured, if not by proportion of his seuerall stations, and obseruations of degrees set in his instrument by the like proportion? and like­wise the knowledge in Embadometry, and Stereometry, which measureth all plaine Surfaces, and Solides, could not be attai­ned, were it not for proportion. And further the Art perspe­ctiue, which sheweth the Opticke properties of Radiations, and Reflectes: and Musick, which teacheth by sense to iudge of(h) Theo. 1. ^s. sounds both high and low: and Chosmography, which de­scribeth the whole world both heauenly and elementall: and the art Staticke, which sheweth the nature of waightes and their properties; and Anthropography, which sheweth the per­fect shape, and true proportion of the admirable shape of man, which though he grow in height, yet if he be extended, as in­cluded in a circle, whose center is his nauell, and his knees and eyes the first and third part of his height, and all his other mem­bers made so proportionall one to another, that he is called Microchosmus for the excellency of his shape: and the Art Trochicall which demonstrateth the properties of all circular motions; and all other Arts whatsoeuer, none could be wrought truely if it were not for proportion.

Nay, the Husbandman cannot doe any thing without the [...] The husband­man cannot worke without proportion. ayde of proportion: for if in his plowing he doth not obserue to draw his furrow by a straight line, that it may be a true pa­rallel to the next adiacent, his land will lye neither roundly nor commendably. And likewise in his sowing, if he spread not his seed equally, it will come vp very vnseemely and disorderly: and for his carting, if he direct not the spurnes of his wheeles, [Page 118] to be in a straight line with the extreames of his eye, he shall be in danger of miscarying: and further, his hedging must be wrought orderly, and for ditching it must bee wrought slope-wise in such sorte, that the bottome may bee paral­lel to the top (it being wrought by a straight line, or else it will be discommendable: and likewise his Reeking, must be made by the same proportion of his Ditching, and made apt to auoyde raine, or else it will be both vnhandsome and receiue losse by wet, none of all which can be done without proporti­on. Now if none of these nor any other whatsoeuer, (which were too tedious to rehearse) can be wrought without proporti­on; it were more then madnesse in any man, to thinke that this Art of Horsemanship should be gained without knowledge of the same: in regard it is included within the vse of things na­turall,^k In what part of proportion horsemanship is inclined. both substantiall and accidentall, &c. For if it be rightly obserued, there is no Art except the Mathematickes, that is so intricate for proportion as it: neither doe they desire much more curious obseruations for proportion then it; because the man must haue an imaginary proportion as well as a sensitiue.(l) Theo. 13. ^d.

For it is not sufficient to proportionate his outward motions, to the outward Iesture of the Horse, but he must also proporti­nate the command of his will and affections, according to his Horses inward disposition: or else the fence of this Vineyard will be so weake, that the wild beasts will breake in and de­stroy all the planting.

But because the knowledge of proportion is so appertinent and necessary for this Art: it may be expected of some that I should set downe a rule how a man may finde it, whereby hee might the more easily effect his desire. Which thing though it be very hard to doe, through the multiplicity of dispositions, yet I would indeuour my best to satisfie the desirous minde,(m) Theo. 37. ^f. were it not that detracting tongues would abuse that liberty, in vsurping that knowledge to themselues by prating, though they be as far off the knowledge in acting as they are off crow­ning. For they through there ouer lofty and selfe conceipt would then blow forth such contumelious, and reprochful spee­ches against the best practitioners (as ouer many doe) in con­demning their workes, hauing but an erronious knowledge, [Page 119] being fortified onely with breathings, to impaire their fame and discredit their estimation, although they (for the true acting)ⁿ I cannot in­uay against this carping Momus too often. are not worthy to lead their Horse to the blocke. But if they would desire the true knowledge so much as they doe the maintenance of their owne opinions, they would be ashamed to blow the coales of others disgrace (finding so much ignorance in themselues) and see their owne blindnesse, in considering that their detracting tongues doe proceed from their malicious minde. not being capable of the like performance: for whereAugust: ^o Difficile est in prosperis inuidia carere, sola mise­rere caret. there is no light, there is no shaddow: and where there is no knowledge there is no enuy. But as Rats and Mice eate and gnaw vpon other mens meate, so doe detracting tongues other mens labours.

But yet to conclude, I will not leaue this point altogether naked, but giue it one couering to hide its shame, and so leaue it to the charitable minde of others, to relieue it further from the cold: and that is the rule of proportion, which for its excel­lency is called the golden rule, for if conceipted knowledge, and ignorance beget error: what will reason and discretion yeeld? and so let it be multiplied by practice, and deuided by experience, and they shall find, that it will yeeld the trueth.

CHAP. 39. The Conclusion.

BEcause I haue bin more tedious in handling this Theoricke part of pacing, then my intended purpose was (at the first) through so many oppositions, which did intercept mee in my proceedings; whereby it may be held of some, that many things^a Ignorance cannot indure labour. are here spoken of, which are nothing appertinent to this Art: and therefore need not to be so curiously obserued of any, nor is it needfull for any man to trouble his memory with searching into such a bundle of trifles, in regard they are more superfluous then necessary, for the effecting of the same?

Therefore to satisfie them in this point, they deceiue them­selues (in their opinions) in this Art: for if they rightly consider [Page 120] that the cause of a true going Horse doth chiefly consist in the man, they shall finde that herein is not any superfluitie forTheo. 4. ^h the attayning to the knowledge thereof, but rather a de­fect of many things, which (some) I haue omitted of purpose, for diuers causes before rehearsed and others, which my memo­ry was barren of, when I should haue handled them in their pro­per place, and so left them out, as things comming out of due time. And therefore to make a compendium of the chiefe heads thereof in this conclusion, that the reader may the more easily locke them in the closet of his memory, which so many particu­lers would obstupidate. The man must first obserue, that the(1) ^b Vpon what this Knowledge doth chiefly consist. Theo. 4. ^r. knowledge of this Art doth not onely consist of the subiect of the Horse (as many doe hold, excusing their ignorance with the nature of the Horse) but in the enlightning of his owne knowledge, (to gaine obedience.)

Because at the beginning, GOD thought no creature was^c God gaue knowledge to Man, and [...]ut sense to beasts. worthy to participate of reason but man, and therefore hee let all other creatures but see their being, and to man he gaue to know his being, and suffered▪ beasts to see the things them­selues, and to man to know the causes of them. But the wan­dring ambitious spirit of man not content with this free gift of his maker, sought to know more, and thereby came to know▪ ^d Theo. 1. ^• & 2. lesse. And therefore to reduce some restitution to the former estate, Art was inuented to illustrate the dark corners of his vn­derstanding, whereby hee might better see and know how to bring these irrational creatures to obedience, that so they might be made the more seruiceable for him as at the first they were.

And secondly, for the Horse, you must consider that the cause(2) of all errors and restisenesse is his disobedience and rebellion, he doing but his kind being onely sensitiue. And therefore itTheo. 34. ^c. i [...] your dutie to gaine obedience, not after your will and passion, inuenting as many seuerall tortures as you finde errors; but inDisobedience the cause of rest [...]enesse. discretion and wisdome to iudge of the cause, and so to reforme the effect. And thirdly, in regard that it is onely appertinent to man, to iudge by reason, and thereby to gouerne his Horse; you must be carefull to know how to ioyne your selfe and the(3) Theo. 16. Horse together, so that you may be said to be both but one sub­iect, and that must not be in the exterior parts onely, as to [Page 121] frame the actions of the Horses body to the motions of your^d The Man and the Horse must bee both but one subiect. Theo. 35. ^d. & 4. ^h. & 35. ^f. owne: but also in the interior, that is, the desire of the Horse must be obedient to your owne mind, which must be conuayed into the Horse onely by your motions: for when your motions are agreeing to your minde, & the desire of the Horse yeelding to those motions, and the actions of his body consonant to his desire, then both you and the Horse may be said to be one sub­iect, the one being as ready to obey as the other to command.

Fourthly, you must haue care that the Horse carry a constant(4) and firme body, that is a true and comely reyne, and his hinder parts so firmely knit to his fore-parts, that they mayTheo. 4. ^m. & 26. ^c follow stedfastly without any improper and loose carriage, his hinderlegges euer keeping the same proportion in following after, as his fore-legges doe in their distance of setting fore­ward.

Lastly, because you are the onely agent for the effecting of(5) this Worke, and that the Horse is reduced to obedience, as you haue knowledge to vnderstand your selfe: Therefore it is re­quisite^e The Horse is brought to o­bedience as the man hath knowledge to effect. you should enter into the consideration of your owne knowledge (in this Art) which you may the better doe if you compare the truth of your workes with the errors, because that one contrary doth make the other more apparant: Now the meanes by which you may doe this, is by the cause, quality, effect and the end. The cause of true obedience is your selfe,1. The cause. Theo. 1. ^s. & 8. ^•. you working by reason, and subduing your will and affections by discretion; and the cause of disobedience is your selfe also, you working by ignorance, and so doe follow your will more then reason, yeelding to the directions of your affections. Now the true qualitie is obedience of the horse, hee obeying with2. The quality. all his powers to your will and command: But the contrary qua­litie is his rebellion, hauing a greater desire to go after his owne lust, then to yeeld obedience to you. The effect of true obedi­ence is the seruiceable vse of the horse, after he is made subiect3. The effect. to your minde, to obey any motion either for pleasure or pro­fit: but the effect of false obedience is his resistance (by dog­gednesse) encreased by ignorance, and so to rebell against your will. And lastly, the end of true knowledge is to bring him to4. The [...]nd. such obedience (in all things) that hee will giue full content [Page 122] and delight to you, that you may receiue merit and condigne praise for your iudgement and performance: But the end of erronious knowledge is to reape discontent, you being made seruile to yeeld to your horses lust, who will ride but at his owne pleasure, whereby you shall receiue great disgrace through your ignorance.

All which, (if they be rightly obserued in their particulars) will giue you sufficient vnderstanding, what knowledge you haue in this Art, that thereby, when any opposition doth arise (betwixt your horse and you) ye may examine your selfe in all or some of these, and so haue a redresse by your owne reforma­tion. And then you shall keepe the sence of this Ʋineyard so strong, that it will keep out all the wilde rauenous Beasts, and thereby keepe it so cleane from weeds and spoy­ling, that the Ʋines will spread and grow so high, as you will bring forth such fruitfull Grapes, as their relish will bee both exceeding pleasant and comfortable.

CHAP. 1. How long Horses haue beene in vse.

IT hath beene a question amongst some, (but whether necessary or no I cannot say, let the truth demonstrate it) how long it is since Horses first came to be in vse: But sith it is a thing of so small moment, or rather a questi­on, in my conceit very friuolous, I will not stand long therevpon. First, because it is ma­nifest they had their beginning from the beginning, (in as much as they are Creatures:) for at the beginning God made the Hea­uens^a Gen. 1. 1. and the earth and all things therein, if he made all things therein, then he made horses also, and so receiued their vse,Theo. 1. ^•. for he made them and all other Creatures onely for the vse and seruice of man, except they will say that nature made any thing superfluous, which were very absurd to conceit. Nay it is a [Page 2] great probability that hee made them more especially for the present vse, as very necessary for Man, in as much as he createdTheo. 2. ^•. them such famous Creatures, not onely in strength but also in beauty, and courage aboue all other sensitiue Creatures.

And Secondly, if I should bestow much time to approue that which none or (at the most) few doe deny, I might be held very idle, to spend either paper or time to confute that which so few oppugne against, except it bee such curious inquisitors as desire to shew their fantastick braine more in inquiring how long they haue beene in vse, then they desire to get knowledge how to vse them.

And lastly, because no man heretofore (that I euer reade) speaking either of this subiect, or treating of any other matter) hath certainely set downe in what manner they had their vse, and so continued from the beginning. Therefore in regard I will not errare a via, and so confound my selfe in such a labo­rinth, I minde not to insist further here vpon; but referre it to them which are of greater reading of Histories, (especially be­cause I intend not to set downe any thing for certaine) but that which I know may be supported by truth. And yet if theyWhich is the sacred word. will not be heerewith contented, but will further obiect, that though they were created at the beginning, they haue not been so long in vse, because there hath not beene any mention of their vse till this later Age of some few hundred yeares. I an­swer, that is no proofe that they were not in vse before; for ma­ny things haue beene in long vse which haue not had long nar­ration: For I neuer read where there is any mention made of warre (in any place) vntill the time of Abraham, (a little be­fore the promise was made vnto him▪) when Chedor Laomer, and three other Kings did warre against the Kings of Sodome and Gomorha, wherein Lot, Abrams brothers Sonne was ta­ken Prisoner, which when Abram heard he mustred vp an hostGene. 14. (9) (12) (14) (19) in his owne Houshould, and redeemed him; for which Mel­chisede [...]h met and blessed him: And yet no doubt but there was warre vsed long before, although not before then spo­ken of.

So in like manner horses, though there be not any thing re­corded of them (so ancient) yet it is to bee supposed they haue [Page 3] beene longer in vse then written testimony doth approue (by the great numbers of them that are euery where related:) for it is manifest that Pharoh pursued the Israelites with great storeExod. 14. 23. of Horses and Horsemen; And in the time of Ioshua, when theIosh. 9. 4. Kings of the promised land, came to warre against the Israelites, it is said that they came with Horses and Chariots exceeding many. From whence there is great probability (by the multi­tude of them) that they were long in vse before that time, al­though there is no great specialty made of them. And againe, in Salomons time it is said that hee had forty thousand stalles of1. King. 4. 26. Horses for his Chariots, and twelue thousand Horsemen, by which great numbers also, it is to be presupposed that long be­fore then both Horses & Horsemen were in vse; otherwise there could not haue beene found so many expert Horsemen to haue serued such a King, (who had knowledge in all things aboueFrom the 30. to the latter end of the Ch▪ all men) if long time before then had not gained experience for the knowledge of so noble an Art.

Wherefore to desist from spending any more time (for the proofe of so plaine a case) I could wish that there were greater Fauorites of this Art, and more true Searchers into the true knowledge thereof, for seeing both Horses and HorsemenApplication. are of such antiquity, it doth serue to reproue our Age, (which hath had the benefit of all preter Ages since then) that there is so many now liuing, (although they would bee accounted Horse men,) that are so ignorant in this Art, that they neither know what is the office and duty of a Horseman, nor can tell what a well-going Horse is, nor the true cause from whence a­ny contrariety doth arise in his Horse: For if they did, they would oftentimes bee ashamed to speake (if they did know themselues) when they thinke they speake wisely: And so condemne themselues for thinking this Art so easie to be lear­ned since it is of so great antiquity, and yet is fraughted with so many errors, whereby such a noble subiect is so much dis­graced, and such a famous Art so mightily defaced.

CHAP. 3. How to choose your Stallions and Mares.

IT hath beene an order obserued of the most that haue heere­tofore written of this subiect, to set forth the order of breed­ding, before they treat of the Art of riding, which order I ve­ry^• A Horse is the matter, and Man is the in­strument. well allow, because there must bee first matter to worke on before any thing can be effected. But because there hath been such excellent obseruations set forth, both for Stallions and Mares, by so many antient and famous Writers, whose opmi­nions, are held very Authenticall; therefore I will not spend much time heerein and especially in regard I intend not to set forth any thing to a publike view, but what experience hath made probable; wishing them that are desirous of deeper knowledge therein, to repaire to Mr. Markhams workes, whose opinion doth parallel the best that hath formerly writ­ten both for breeding and trayning them vp from their foal­ing till they come to the vse of the saddle.

Yet because I will not leau [...] this point altogether naked and vntoucht, (in regard this booke may come into their hands who haue not his) I will briefly set downe my opinion, as an apren [...]h [...]sis of their Iudgements; crauing leaue to set forth my obseruations and experience as well as they their collecti­ons,^• Not any Art hath its per­fection. sith no man as yet could write of any Art so perfectly, which hath not had some digressions.

Wherefore whosoeuer would haue a Stallion to breed by, (in hope to reape the fruit of his desires▪ for any part of this no­ble Art of Horsemanship) I hold that the Barbarian and the Turky [...]ra [...]lions are the best of all other for generall vses, be­cause^• The Barbari­an [...]nd Turkey Hor [...]e is the best for breed. I haue found in these two kindes such perfect Horses, both for seruice, swiftnesse and proud going, as well for plea­sing pace as gallant trot, (with shape and coulour) that they haue combust all other horses of what race soeuer, which haue appeared in the presence of their radicall splendor, although it is holden that the Spanish Iennet, the Irish hobby, and Arabian [Page 5] Couser is held both by Maister Blundeuill, and Maister Mark­ham, to be the cheife for pacing: And the next vnto them is the^d A Bastard Stallion is very good. bastard Stallion, begotten by one of them, on our English Mares, which doth exceed either of them in toughnesse, by reason of the apt composition of the purity of their substance, in respect of their hot clime, and the humidity of our more tem­perate zone. Which my assertion the Lord of Northumberland, (for a pure Turke) can approue the one: and that Noble and famous Knight Sir Anthony Mildmay both for pure and Bastard Barbaries, can witnesse the other, for strength, courage, beauty, and touchnesse: out of which race I had rather haue a Horse for the effecting of any part of Horsemanship, either vpon pawne of my life or reputation, then of any other in this Kingdome, hauing had such full experience of them.

Now when you haue gotten a Stallion of some of these races, and would haue Mares also to cohere with them for to bring the perfectest Colts, let them be of our [...]nglish breed, because they will adde a more firme knitting of all the parts of the colts, but yet there ought to be a care that their shape should be as neare to the true shape as is possible, because it is both the most beautifull, and also the nearest by all probability, to the prima­ry(e) Theo. 33. ^p. creation, to the restitution whereof all Arts were inuented. Which should be of stature some-what large but not very high, a small Head, full Eye, wide Nostrell, a prick Eare though some­what Long, a firme and thinne Crest, with a long and straight Necke, being well compast in the cragge at the setting on of(f) Theo. 37. ^d. the Head, a broad Brest, deepe Chested, a round Backe, being Barrell-Ribde, and the short ribs shut vp somewhat close to the Hucklebone, the Buttocke somewhat long so it be proportio­nable, a flat Legge, and straight Foote, and a hollow Hoofe, to which proportion, both for Sallions and Mares, when you haue obtained, you may resolue your selfe that you haue the perfection of nature, and then if in proofe you faile of your ex­pectation, there is no fault in nature, but in the abuse.

CHAP. 4. Of the courage of the Stallions and Mares.

BVt as for the courage of the Stallion, if I shall any deale dis­sent in my iudgement from the opinion of others, doe not vtterly condemne mee, but weigh the differences, and then I hope my opinion will be held the more tollerable with some; for where as it is holden that those horses which wil be conteyned either within payle, rayle, or quickset, especially if he haue any prospect, are not sit for Stallions, because they are not held to be of any great courage, or gentle and good disposition, but are reputed to bee of a fearefull, and heauy weake nature: which position I cannot hold good, although set downe by one whom I much reu [...]rence. First, in regard of the great danger(1) ^• What danger such Horses are in. they are in for sticking or laming through their vnrulinesse. And secondly, it is not altogether a necessity of nature, for it doth not frame euery indiuiduum, either in the extreame of freenesse,(2) An instance. or dulnesse, but some are composed in the meane difference, or temperance, as for example, in colours, it is not vpon necessity that there must be either white or blacke, sith there may be ei­ther blew or greene or such like.

And lastly, it is not consonant to reason, for it doth teach that(3) ^b The meane is the best. Theo. 28. g. ^c The best bred horses are soo­nest spoyled for want of know­ledge. Theo. 37. ^l the meane in all things is the best: therefore those Stallions which are of such a feirce spirit, and hot disposition are worse to breed vpon then a more temperate nature, because those Colts that are so bred are more of them spoyled, (for want of know­ledge in the Art) then those which are held more dull, they re­quiring greater iudgement to bring them to a gentle cōmand of riding, which thing grosse ignorance doth make too apparent, for where one of those Horses is brought to his perfection there is twenty that are either spoyled, or at the least a great deale of their beauty and valour darkned. And againe, if they be of such a dogged and cruell disposition that they will bite or strike,^• A Stallion of a dogged dispo­sition is not the best to breed on being of such a high spirit, they are not to be so much commen­ded for Stallions, although in courage they be exalted in the [Page 7] Suparlatiue degree, because of the great danger that may hap­pen to a man by a horse of such an euill disposition, in regard a mans life is to be held farre more pretious then the delight of many horses. And therefore I commend the Barbary, and the Turke aboue all other; because they are for the most part of a milde and gentle disposition, and of a meane temperature, be­ing refined by a porportionate heate of the Sunne to their^f A Horse is na­turally hot. nature, which maketh them of a good courage, and apt to be brought to any reasonable obedience, if the man hath know­ledge in this Art, to ioyne it to nature.

But if it be so, that you cannot get a Stallion of such a tem­perate disposition, as you desire, as for the most part it happe­neth, for want of true obseruation in former races: then for the better knowledge how you may bring your race of Colts to a meane courage which is the best: you must obserue, that if your^g How to haue your Colts of a meane tempe­rature. Stallion be of a high spirit, & fierce, then to chuse your Mares, so neare as you can, of the shape aforesaid, but yet of a more milde and soft disposition, but if hee bee more sober and not so full of spirit as you desire, then haue a greater care that your Mares may be of a more free and quicke disposition:(g) A simile. Theo. 33. ^h. for as poyson of it selfe if it be not delayd will cause a confusion of the substance, but if infused with other simples of contrary quality, it is made restoratiue: Euen so, if both the indiuiduums be hot and fiery, the Species must needes according to reason be more fierce, for if two fires be added together, they will^h The Signes & Planets haue o­peration in all sublunary bo­dies. 1. Pr. 5. ^•. cause the greater heat: But if the one be of one excesse, and the other of another, then it is likely the Species will participate the nearer to the meane: whereby you shall receiue your hope­full expectation, if it be not intercepted by the seuerall Aspects of the Signes and Planets, which haue a continuall operation in all sublunary bodies at the time of their begetting by the1. Cor. 3. 9. prouidence of God, & is the secondary cause of the seuerall di­uersities of euery indiuiduum, and therefore, Though Paul plant and Apollo water, yet it is God that must giue the increase. (h) 1. Pra. 13. ^• Theo. 37. ^• For although breeding by Art may helpe something towards the primary creation, yet it can neuer make it perfect, both for want of strength of the earth (it waxing old) and also through notious Aspects of the superior Orbes appoynted of God to [Page 8] worke Fatall ends to all liuing creatures, for a punishment of mans disobedience.

CHAP. 5. Of the colour of the Stallions and Mares.

NOw because there is and hath beene so much diuersity of opinions touching the colours and markes of Horses, some commending one colour and some another, as characters whereby the goodnesse of a Horse may be knowne: some affir­ming that the cause thereof proceeds from the complexions, other some from the Elements, and so are wedded to a traditi­onall opinion, still desiring to retaine the first liquor their know­ledge^a Tradition is an enemy to knowledge. Theo. 38. ^e was seasoned withall, esteeming those Horses which are either Browne, Daple-Bayes, Daple-grayes, White-lyards or Iet-blackes, hauing their whites, are holden the best Horses, and so haue a strong implication of the goodnesse of the Horse by his colour.

And againe, others seeing the former so drowned in the Whirle-poole of this erronious conceipt, fearing least they should be ouerthrowne with the same waues, haue split them­selues vpon the rocke, holding that the colour and markes of a Horse are of no greater note to iudge of his goodnesse, then toM. Morgan. iudge the goodnesse of a man by the wearing a Fether in his Hat, and so would make naturall colours of no greater emi­nency then those that may be taken and left ad placitum, at a Mans owne pleasure.

Wherefore for the vnfoulding of these ambiguities, and di­uers opinions, giue me leaue (gentle Reader) to set downe my opinion, which I haue collected by experience, for the enlight­ning^b The Horses colour is to be respected as in­different. of the mindes of them which desire the knowledge of the truth. For although the horses colour doth not absolutely giue testimony vnto vs of his goodnesse, yet I say that it doth inti­mate vnto vs his disposition (in some part) as well as his shape doth: For nature hauing no defect, (God being the Author thereof by his prouidence,) it doth frame euery part of theMetap. [Page 9] same matter, whereof the whole is formed: and therefore the Colt being formed of the copulatiue seed of its Sire and Dam, receiueth the same quality (so farre as reason can teach,) of the foode that they did eate which did produce the seed, wherefore^e How the haire doth demon­strate the horses quality. the hayre being an excrement, doth receiue colour of that qua­lity also, participating of the same subiect, and doth demon­strate partly the disposition of the Horse, as the leaues of a tree doth the nature of it, they being also its excrements.

For vpon this I dare pawne my credit, if you haue a Colt, ei­ther Bay, Blacke, Darke or Iron-gray, Glead-hued-gray, or Sorrell, if they haue no whites (especially in their forehead) one may boldly say that Horse to be of a dogged and sullen dispo­sition, and the rather if he haue a small pincke eye, and a narrow face, with his nose bending like a haukes bill. But yet I will^d There are horses good of all colours. not say that all those Horses which are of the best reputed co­lours, doe proue the best, because I haue seene to the contrary, for some Horses which haue beene of such colours as haue been accoumpted the worst, as bright Sorrell, and Mouse-blacke, with Bald faces, and all the legges White aboue the knee, that haue made Iades of the other. But I iugde the cause hereof doth rather arise from the ignorance of the Rider, then from any imbecility of nature, for nature is no counterfeiter, to gild a leaden cup with gold or to make a thing to shew to the eye any other then it is indeed.

And therefore as I would not wish that men should be too^e The iudge­ment by co­lour is not vt­terly to be re­iected. confident in colours, so I would not they should esteeme them so lightly, as that they should hold them of no greater validity then a fether in a mans hat, for that is a thing inherent to na­ture for them to haue hayre growing, because it is all the Gar­ments that Nature hath giuen them to keepe them warme: and if it be taken away it will grow againe, but a Fether may be put to, or taken from a mans Hat, at his pleasure.

And as it seemeth to keepe them warme, it doth set forth the beauty of the horse, and doth (in some sort) demonstrate his disposition, for as the Schooles hold, Omnis rei pars, eandem na­turam cum toto participat: Euery part of the thing doth partici­pate of the same nature with the whole: But howsoeuer the colour may be changed either by the Sunne or the Ayre, that [Page 10] is but an exterior accident, but the markes which they haue at their first foaling, is to bee of more accompt then a feather in a^• For a Feather may bee taken away or put to at pleasure. mans hat, both for the speciall obseruation of Natures works, and also for the more beautifying of so famous a Creature: For although it cannot simply and absolutely demonstrate (as the root of the horses quality) because it hath a more obscure be­ginning from the first qualities, yet as the Metaphisicks defineMetaph. de co­l [...]ribus. it, Color est splendor corporis, lumine illustrati, colour is a splen­dor or light of the body to garnish or beautifie it.

And heere in is the fauour and mercy of God showne to man, that he doth not onely giue vs things for necessity, but euen for delight also; for hee sendeth things as well to please the sense as for vse.

Therefore, seeing Man is so much subiect to serue his eye, the dapple gray, the white Liard, hauing a black Mussell, black(f) Theo. 37. ^p eye-lids, and the inside of his eares blacke, the dapple bay, the Iet blacke, and a perfect Chestnut, hauing his mane and taile flaxen, if they haue their whites in their foreheads, white snips and white feet answerable, with a true proportion, they giue as great content to the beholders as can bee wished; for such^• A beautifull Horse is as de­lightfull as any vnreasonable Creature. a horse which hath one of these colours and an equall shape, is as delightfull an obiect (for an irrationall Creature) as Man can behold, and as perfect as Nature can worke; and consequent­ly, if such a horse proue bad, I dare say the cause doth not pro­ceed from him but from the man.

Furthermore, whether the causes of such variety of colours in horses doe proceed first from the elements, and so from the complections, I make a doubt: Although it is holden that eue­ry horse doth receiue his complection according to the nature of that Element which is most predominate in him, and also his colour according to his complection; vpon which I will not insist but sleight it ouer with a swift foot.

First, because it is a rocke too hard for me to penetrate, there being such diuersities of opinions, that the discussing thereof, would rather require a whole volume, then a part of a Chapter. Secondly, because the approbation thereof doth not appertaine to this Treatise, therefore I referre it to those Arts to which it doth appertaine. And lastly, seeing there are said to bee but [Page 11] foure Elements, and so successiuely foure complections, (from^h The reason why it is doubtfull whe­ther the cause of colours pro­ceed from the Elements. Theo. 18. ^•. which all colours and dispositions are said to proceed) yet there are so many seuerall diuersities of these, that if all the Artists in the world should proportionate the least excessiue quality in e­uery particuler element (gradatim) one in another; yet they could not prescribe so many dispositions as there are Horses, in proportion, as one to a thousand, because there is no two but there is a dissimilitude betwixt them.

But because I would not seeme to make my doubt vpon a preiudicated opinion without reason, I will only touch the two excesse colours, which doe not consist of any other, and the Me­taphisicks¹ White and blacke are said to bee the essence of the other colours. opinion for the cause of them: Now they doe define white thus; Albedo est color simplex in corpore teniore, multa lu­minositate constans: Whitenesse is a simple colour consisting in a thinner body with much light. But whitenesse is also found in a body of more density, as in Marble, and therefore that can­not be a true definition. And againe, they define blacke thus; Nigredo autem est color in corpore crassiore, exiguae luminositatis particeps: But blacknes is a colour participating in a more thick body of a smaller light.

Now there being wordes of the comparatiue degree vsed in both, the definitions cannot stand with the Logical proposition of the essence, for it is the nature of the essence not to admit more or lesse, but heere it is said more of the light to bee in^k A simple co­lour cannot be without an Essence. whitenes, as though that light should participate with the genus more then other colours: and likewise lesse of the light to bee in blacknes, which if it bee, the light is more proper to the co­lour, then the quality the which the genus doth constitute to the colours. For the genus is communicated equally to all the species, otherwise blackenes were a lesse colour then whitenes; (huc vsque Doct. Bright.)

And againe, this haue I found by experience, that although blacke and white be opposite in sight, yet those horses which are so coloured are not so in quality; for I haue seene two hor­ses, the one white and the other black, and yet they haue ioy­ned^l Two Horses of contrary co­lours may bee of equall good­nesse. so like in goodnesse, as it was hard to iudge which were the better, which could not bee if the cause did proceed from the contrariety of the Elements, for, then they would worke a [Page 12] contrary effect. And where it is aforesaid showne that blackeTheo. 28. l. ^m Contrary causes produce contrary ef­fects. is of a more thick substance, if one should goe to the difference of Climes, and so to the complection of men in those Climes, I cannot see how it should be of any such density: for the Ethi­opians are all black, and yet they are ayrier then wee that are more white, by reason of the adustion of their bodies, the moisture thereof being exhald by the heat of the reuerberati­on of the Sunnebeames. And Staeflerus doth affirme that theStaeflerus. Moores liuing in the torrid Zone about the equinoctiall, are more agility but of lesse permanancy, then wee, and their wiues doe bring forth more speedily, and with more facili­ty then our Women d [...]e, and all is through the rarity of their bodyes.

Wherefore to conclude this poynt, not insisting any further heerein, hauing prosecuted it further then I did intend: I can­not hold but that the colours of Horses are of greater esteeme then a feather in a mans hat, neyther that the cause of their diuersity doth proceed either from the Elements or com­plections, but (as I haue said) partly from the nature of the seed of generation, but especially from the continuall mutability of the Signes and Planets, euery one of them hauing such differing1. Pr. 8. ^d. motions (by force of the prim [...]m mobile) that not any two times they equally agree in all aspects and places, but they vary^• The chiefe cause of diffe­rence is from the continuall mutability of the Heauens reuolution. 1. Pr. 4. ^h. either in their houses, triplicities, termes, faces, exaltations, retrogradations by combustion, or aspect of one beneuolent Planet with a maleuolent, meeting in some disaster house: or by a maleuolent aspect of two beneuolent Planets, and many such like, (too tedious to rehearse) any of which doth hinder Natures workes, they being the chiefe Gouernours of all sublunary bodies; and therefore although Man may en­deuour by Art of breeding to helpe some reasonable resti­tution, yet the effect must bee referred to Gods secret will, because no Man can tell the time when any Mare shall con­ceiue.

CHAP. 6. At what yeares Horses and Mares are aptest for generation.

THere is nothing that doth more captiuate or make men^a Custome the Nurse of opini­onated errors. Theo. 10. ^•. seruile to the yoke of ignorance, then Custome, the Nurse and damme of all opinionated errors: For Time, which is both the increaser and diminisher of all things (humane,) hath made our vnderstanding so blinde and impotent in this part al­so, through the deceiueable opinions, and erronious practise of former times (whereby they are swallowed so deep and diued so farre in the maine Sea of traditions,) that our old iron Age is not sufficient to plunge them out of that gulfe of ignorance, to keepe them from drowning therein; for the most going like blind men, neuer going any way but as they are led, suffer them­selues to be led by that deceiueable conceit, till they bee swal­lowed vp so deepe in the riuer of differences, that they are ne­uer able to find the truth by any rule of reason: And so they re­semble sheepe which desire to feed vpon the greene downes till they get the rot.

For although they are desirous to haue comely Stallions and^b Many desire old Horses to breed vpon. Mares to breed vpon, yet they deceiue themselues in their age, for the maintenance of that courage and comlines that should be in the species; in that they doe not rightly consider Natures workes nor the cause thereof: For it is so commonly frequen­ted, (euen as a custome) that the Horse which they desire to breed by, must bee an old horse, so that when hee is past any other vse, (by reason of weakenesse and decrepit old age) then hee is good enough to breed vpon; as though weake andNote. feeble age, (which hath not lust and strength to preserue it▪ selfe) had sufficient nature to beget another more strong and lusty.

But for the reforming of which traditionall error, to the good of the future age of my Country, whose happinesse I and eue­ry one is bound to preserue: I haue endeauoured my selfe (so [Page 14] much as in me lieth to purge the truth from the dregges of this imperfection.

Wherefore they are desirous to ioyne the Art of breeding with Nature, in such sort as they would receiue the Period of their wishes, in the superlatiue degree; I hold Mr. Morgan his opinion, that whosoeuer will lay a sure foundation to build high vpon this subiect, he must look back to the first Creation if hee desire a restitution to that perfection: For when God had created all things▪ and gaue them that blessing to increase and^c God gaue the power of be­getting to all Creatures in their best per­fection. multiply, it was in their greatest and highest degree of their perfection and strength, and not in their imperfection; for els Nature might seeme to be vnperfect, in not producing such naturall effects, as might preserue that necessary good for the ends they were ordayned.

But because heat and moysture are the onely instrumentall meanes, whereby all the faculties of any genus are maintained in their greatest strength, there must bee an equall commixture in the same: Therefore neither a Colt that is not come to his perfection of strength, nor an old horse that is declining and past the same, are fittest to breed vpon, nor likewise Mares when they are in either of the said excesses. For a Colt that is^d A young Colt is not fit to be­get and why. but in his increasing and growing facultie, being but the ve­getatiue part, his seed is not apt for generation, hee being not come to his materiall perfection and strength; for by reason of the excessiue moysture that is in him for want of yeares his seed cannot be of a perfect temperature for generation, because all perfect seede for procreation must bee hot and dry, and plenty thereof full concocted, to temper the coldnesse, and moysture of the seed of the Mare.

And likewise, if the Mare be young also, her seede will be the more cold and moyst, especially it not being full concocted by the strength of Nature, by reason her seed in the hyest perfecti­on is cold and moyst, and so it must necessarily follow, that those Colts so begotten must for the most part proue Fillies, or if they be Colt Foales, yet they will be much fleshy ioynted, great limmed, thicke Boned, Heauy, and Dull, according to the na­turall operation of cold and moysture, whose propertie is to conioyne and knit into a Massie lumpe without proportion.

And againe, if a Colt should be begotten of an old Horse^e An old Horse is not good to breed on and why. and an old Mare, in regard they want the power and efficacy of their naturall heate vigor and spirit, hee will be ouer cold and dry. through the predominancy of coldnesse and drynesse, that doth raigne in them; and then that Colt that is so begotten will be as the common prouerbe is, soone ripe, soone rotten, of little Strength, short liued, of small spirit and courage, and of a badde shape, for that it wanteth that heate and perfect moy­sture (I meane an oylye substance,) which are the cheife pre­seruers of life and good spirit. And so the like (by proportion) may be applied to an old Horse and a young Mare, and also to a young Horse and an old Mare, by reason that the like causes doe alwaies produce the like effects.

Wherefore the Middle age of them both, I meane from sixe^f Horses and Mares of the middle age are best to breed vpon. yeares till twelue, or if it be foureteene it is not much amisse in such Horses as are of a more hot spirity disposition; is the best to breed vpon, they being of equall temperatures. For the Horse being of middle age, and in his best lust: hath his seede hot and dry; and the Mare being in like manner, hath her seede cold and moyst hauing plenty on both parts, and that in the greatest perfection of heate and naturall strength of body, doe make a temperature of such a high degree of perfection, that the Colt will be full of vitall spirit, of high courage and pride, thinne and dry bones, great sinnewes and arteries, and of such a most beautifull and perfect shape, (through the naturall qua­lity of heate, which doth refine the whole body from drosse in such manner, as if Art and Nature did striue for supremacy in their workes.

But to make this more plaine by a simily; As the light of a^g A simile of a Lampe. 1. Pra. 8. ^b. candle is maintayned by heate and moysture, if there be a true proportion betwixt the substance of the weike, and the quan­tity of tallow or oylie substance, the splendor or light is the more perfect and durable; but if either of them be more predo­minate or tending to either excesse of too much or too little, that is, if the weike bee so bigge as there is not moysture e­nough to qualifie the heate thereof, the light will be very vio­lent for the time, but it will be soone spent: or likewise if the oyle or Moysture be more then the strength of the fire can dry, [Page 16] through the smalnesse of the weike, then is the light so very small and imbecile, that it giueth a very weake light and is alwaies in going out.

Euen so, a Colt if the seede whereof hee is framed be of a perfect temperature, both in heate and moysture, his actions will^h Application to the seede. be of great splendor, delight and very permanent, but if either of the two qualities be predominate, then will he either be too prodigall and free, and so soone decay himselfe, or else so slow and weake that it will much darken his glory.

But yet that the cause of these two qualities doth proceed1. Pr. 8. ^c & ^d. ^• The Sunne is the cause of all vitall heat, and the Moone the cause of the moysture. from the elements, I dare not say: for the cause of the heate doth proceed from the Sunne, it causing a heate in all Subluna­ry bodies, which is the vitall part: and the moystnesse from the Moone by reason of her humidity, and so it is the vigetatiue part: for although we liue in the ayre yet we are composed of the elements, for as a child is nourished in the wombe, but yet not made of the wombe, so are we nourished by the ayre but not made of it.

CHAP. 7. How the Stallion and Mare should be kept with foode for the increase of good seede.

THe next thing that is to be obserued for helping to reduce breeding to his highest perfection, so far as the knowledge of Man can comprehend, is, to haue a care that the Horse and Mare doe feed vpon such foode as will ingender the perfectest seed. For as the vigetatiue part of the indiuiduum is preserued by the foode it doth receiue, so is the sensitiue part made more pure, or grosse according as the norishment thereof hath his naturall operation: and therefore such as the naturall quality of^a Such as the quality of food is such, as the seed that is in­creased thereby Theo. 37. ^b meate is in operation: such will be the naturall quality of the powers of seed for generation: for perfect and good meate doth produce perfect and good bloud, and it bringeth forth perfect and good seed: for after the meat is concocted euery part there­of is dispersed into the seuerall parts of the body, to maintaine [Page 17] the whole: But the cheifest part is conuerted into blood, and being infused into the vitall parts, it doth reside into the liuer, as the store house thereof, from whence there is conueyed by two veines into the two coddes they being the vessels of seed, a certaine white thicke substance, there residing with a quan­tity of the purest bloud, which by the operation of the stones is made a perfect seed, fit for procreation. And so that part of seede which is hotte and dry (as the Phisitians hold) goeth to the right codde, which doth beget the male: and that which is cold and moyst to the left which doth beget the fe­male. And the like is to bee obserued in the Female, but more cold and moyst, by reason of that humidity that doth reside in them, to nourish the vigetatiue part of the Colt in the wombe.

Wherefore seeing that the cause of good and bad, hot andThe profe of the former as­sertion. cold seede, doth first proceed from the meate that the Horse and the Mare doe eate; and that the seed hath the same quality of heate and cold, as the foode hath whereby they are nouri­shed; and that the Colt doth partake of the same temperature the seede is on; therefore it is behouefull that there should be a greater care had then hath beene heretofore of the food on which they shall feede, that it may be of such quality as will produce a Colt of the best perfection.

But herein also hath our Stepdam ignorance luld many a long time, in the cradell of accustomed error, whereby they are fallen into such a dead sleepe of conceit, that it is as hard for a Man to awake them, as to rayse Lazarus out of his Graue being foure daies stinking. For it is a thing generally holden (but yetNote a meere delusion. as euill as generall;) that whensoeuer they would haue their Horse to serue their Mares, it is meete that the Horse should be put either to Soyle, or to Grasse as the Mare is, or else it is not possible that the Ma [...]e should hold. Which opinion is also as false as it is common▪ for I my selfe haue had, and also haue knowne others to haue had, Mares couered with Horses that haue beene in strict diet for a match▪ and yet haue holden and brought forth Foales of sufficient perfection, but yet I hold that the goodnesse of the Colt was much abated by reason of the contrary quality of the seede of the Mare, which did extenu­ate [Page 18] the strength of the operation of the Horses seede, she being at grasse.

Now if there be such an imbecillity in natures workes that she cannot show her force, being letted but in part, what defect will there be in that Colt which is formed of that seed, which^b Grasse is no good food for increasing good seede. 1. Pr. 9. ^a. is concocted (from them both) of raw and cold food, such as grasse is: there is no man if he haue any vnderstanding, but he will confesse that Colt must needs be of that raw, cold, and moyst quality, according to the naturall quality of the foode, whereby they will be of a grosse and fleshy disposition, and of a dull and heauy spirit.

Therefore for the preuenting of these and many more incon­ueniences (too long to rehearse) and that they desire to bring their race to the best perfection: let them obserue to feede both their Horse and Mare, with such foode as shall be both hot and dry, according to the true nature of a Horse, because (as hath beene said) the Colt doth participate of the same quality and temperature of the food: and because if they both feed of one and the self-same meat, there will increase an vniforme seed without contrariety. For the effecting whereof I would wish them that carry such a noble and generous mind, as to reedifie the decayed building of this famous subiect; and to exalt him^c Good natu­rall feeding and moderate ex­ercise purifieth the blood and so the seede. againe to the Superlatiue degree, to keepe their Horse and Mare in as strict diet as is vsed for a match, letting them haue moderate excercise, which will further digestion, and exhale moysture from the seede, and also cause a pure and delicate braine, and make them both full of lust and courage, and like­wise such good feeding doth refine the vegetatiue part in per­fecting the blood, and composeth a most dainty and good seed, whereby the Colt will be most beautifull and excellent, and of a high and full spirit. And therefore let their meat be old sweet hay, well clensed from dust, and their prouender old cleane^d What meat they should eate to cause good blood. and sweet oates, well mingled with old beanes, giuing them such reasonable store as they shall not be forced (through hun­ger) to feede too much vpon hay, and if their prouender bee often washed with strong Ale it will giue the beter courage.

And let their bread be made of foure peckes of wheate, and as many beanes well ground, refining them through a meale [Page 19] sieue and very light with barme, for the lighter it is the sooner it2. Pr. 22. ^x will bee digested, and so turne better blood: or if that bee held too costly, then to sixe pecks of beans, put but two pecks of^• Wheat is a comforter of the heart. wheat, & it wil not be much amisse, but yet the more wheat the better, because it is hot and dry, and so a great comforter of the heart and vitall parts: But whereas Mr. Morgan doth wish that the bread should be baked (with the bran) as it commeth from the Mill▪ I am of a contrary minde, because branne is void of good nourishment, and doth scald the stomacke (it being extreame hot and dry) and so doth inflame the blood, which^f Branne doth inflame. will be an vtter enemy to the designes of this proiect; for the inflamation of the blood doth corrupt the seed.

Furthermore, for their let it be a faire running spring, or else a cleare standing ponde water (where the other is not to bee had,) but let them fetch it euening and morning a^g Of their wa­ter and their v­sing therein. 2. Prac. 10. ^• mile or two, for their exercise, obseruing to warme them a lit­tle after their water, not suffering them to drinke their fill at the first, but after they haue taken their first draught, gallop them a little to warme it, and then let them drinke againe, and after that gallop them as you did before, neuer letting them depart till they will drinke no more, and so by this order you shall free the stomack from such raw crudities, as the coldnesse of the wa­ter would incite, (if they did drinke their fill at the first) and further, in letting them haue their fill it will keepe their bodies from drying too fast, because Nature it selfe is the best director for the expelling of her enemies, especially in these creatures, where she can command the apetite.

But whereas Mr. Morgan doth wish to put wine into their2. Pra. 22. ^h Wine is no naturall drinke for a Horse. water, to qualifie the heate thereof, I hold it not proper feeding for a horse in regard they naturally desire to drinke water, and when a horse is in perfect state of body, as it is to bee supposed these must be, nature doth awayes desire that which will pre­serue1. Pra. 12. ^•. Theo. 37. ⁿ. 1. Pra. 8. g. it, & to flye from that which wil hurt it, in that euery thing is maintained by the like, and destroyed by the contrary; and so their owne naturall heat for warming their water is better then that which proceedeth from any other.

Now when you haue brought them home, either from their water, or any other excercise, (as occasion shall be offered) let [Page 20] them be had presently into the stable, (it being made cleane¹ How to vse them after they come from their water. and sweet) and rub them cleane and dry, letting them be round stopt with great waddes of straw, and good store of litter vn­der them to keepe them warme, that they coole no faster then nature is able to expell such grosse humors, as otherwise would(n) congeale by cooling faster then the bloud can haue its naturall course to nourish all the parts of the body, which is the cause of2. Pr. 10. ^•. all sicknesse and diseases. Which done, let them stand vpon the snaffle an houre or more, (till they bee through coold,) with­out any meat except a little hay in the rack to chaw vpon; for1. Pra. 9. ^{a k} Cooling too fast or eating too hot, will corrupt the bloud. if you should giue them meat before they bee through cold, it will concoct sooner then nature doth desire by reason of the exterior heat which was prouoked by labour, and so will in­flame the naturall heat, which is the cause of imperfect di­gestion.

Then when they are cold, let their bridles be drawne, and their bodies and legges well chafed and rubd, letting them haue such a quantity of bread or other prouender, as (in yourTheo. 18. ^f. discretion) you finde their apetite to serue; but seeing no cer­taine thing can limit an vncertaine, therefore no man can de­scribe such a certaine quantity of meat as shall satisfie the appetite of euery horse. And heerein I differ againe from Mr. Morgan who doth wish that there should bee a spare diet both in meat and water, for the perfecting of digestion, and refi­ning the seed. And my reason is, they being only sensitiue, their appetite is serued according to the plenosity of the receptacle parts: For when they haue receiued, or eaten so much as na­ture cay digest into good nutriment; then if a man would knockA reason. ^l A horse will eat no more af­ter nature bee satisfied. 1. Pr. 10. ^a. them in the head he can neither cause them to eat one bit or drinke one sup more. And heerein they are farre more tempe­rate then Man, for they feeding their appetite sensitiuely (they being sensitiue Creatures) cannot consult with themselues, to draw on their appetite by expostulating of the goodnes or rare­nesse of the meat: But they onely feed their stomacke for the present, and doe eat so much as is sufficient, neuer regarding what they shall eat the next, neither for the goodnesse not quantity.

Now therefore in regard Nature is the best director, what [Page 21] quantity will best satisfie their appetite, I thinke it best to let them be their owne caruers; for if they bee restrayned and haue not enough, then it will bee a meanes indeed for them to cloy their stomacks with feeding, (if at any time they may haue it) according to the old Prouerbe, two hungry meales will make^m Nature ab­horreth empti­nesse. the third a glutton: Or else if they be continually kept with a spare diet, then nature not beeing sufficiently satisfied, there will be neither such store of good blood, nor such aboundance of seed as otherwise there would, and then if there be a defect in the materiall substance, the formall cannot be perfect. And againe, if there be want of food the stomack will be empty, and then (seeing nature abhorreth emptinesse) what should supply1. Pr. 12. ^a that want but moyst ayre, (whose nature is to penetrate into all places of vacuity, by reason of its tenuity) which will much hinder concoction (through the moistnesse thereof) for that na­ture cannot turne that food which was receiued into such perfect bloud as otherwise it would, if there were the whole heat and strength of nature.

And as for surfets and diseases, they doe not come (to these1. Pr. 14. ^b. ⁿ Surfets doe not altoge­ther proceed from full fee­ding. 1. Pr. 15. ^k. (i) Spare dyet is Phisicall. 1. Pr. 12. ^b. Creatures) by fulnesse of feeding, but by the abuse in eyther of the excesses, of too much or two little exercise, from whence commeth inflamation of the blood, or else by a negligent care after labour, which causeth an obstruction of blood, by too fast cooling. For the which causes spare dyet is to be vsed to re­fell such corrupt and grosse humors as doth destroy nature, (it being medicinall) and therefore it cannot bee good for a perfect strong body, for to it medicines doth weaken na­ture.

But to conclude, hauing kept them in such sort as I haue said, for some twelue or fourteene daies (for by that time their bloud and seed will bee sufficiently purged from grosse humors,) you may then put them together for generation, referring the end of your proceeding to Gods good blessing. But this I would haue you to obserue, that you doe not labour either of them for three dayes (at the least) before you put them together, more then the fetching of their water, least it cause too hastyNote. digestion, by causing a greater heat, then nature would effect for concoction, for when the state of the body is perfect, then [Page 22] the naturall heat doth worke the best temperature both so blood and seed, during which time let them be fed very well' for thereby they will be very lusty, and haue great plenty of seed, so that they will performe the action with such lust and courage, that the Colt will be of such perfection, as you shall thinke your charges and paines sufficiently satisfied.

CHAP. 8. When to put your Horse and Mare together for generation.

AFter that you haue brought your Horse and Mare to such perfect state of body, that their seede is in perfect tempe­rature, then you may put them together to copulate: but like­wise the time of the yeare is to be respected, for the effecting of perfect generation. Of the which proiect sith so many in for­mer ages haue set forth their imitated opinions, which haue carried the most away with a successiue authority, I craue par­don, least my differing iudgement shall be read with scurrillity, for my bould attempt, in regard I set downe nothing as carried away with authority, but onely that which reason and experi­ence hath made probable.

Now the antients haue holden it as a maxime, that there is no time of the yeare fit for to haue their Mares couered in, but^a The antients opinion of the Vernall moneths. onely the Vernall Moneths, as March, Aprill, and May, be­cause as they say, in those Moneths the bloud which is the Prin­cipall humour doth then raigne: and so fittest for generation through that abundance of blood, which causeth them to haue the greatest desire for copulation, for authority of which their assertion, they bring instance from the earth, which at that time onely doth bring forth its blossomes and fruits: And a­gaine, they bring forth the antients of former times, and many other instances, which I omit to rehearse, because to answere to them all would be tedious to the reader, and so discourage the young practitioners with too many ambiguities, and confuse their memory with too many degressions, and therefore so briefly as I can I will touch these as the chiefe heads.

And first, whereas they say that those three Moneths are the aptest to beget, because of the abundance of bloud that^b Why these three moneths are not the best doth then predominate: I conclude my answere with Maister Morgan, that where there is any predominate excesse there is not a perfect and sound body, and therefore not fit for genera­tion, for any intemperate excesse is the cause of sicknesse, and so not to be admitted in those indiuiduums which should beget and bring forth, for if the blood doth exceed in heat, as it must needs if it abound, then it will soone consume and dry vp the radicall moysture, and so destroy himselfe, as my former in­stance of a Lampe or Candle doth approue, and therefore(b) 1 Pra. 6. ^g perfect generation is not to be referred so much vnto any parti­culer time, as to the perfect temperature of the body, wherby is made pure seede.

And secondly, whereas they bring a strong implication there­of from the Earth, because it doth bring forth its blossomes, andThis implicati­on cannot stand good. fruits at that time of the yeare onely; it doth not follow, that Mares therefore should be couered at that time onely, and not else; for by that application, that time is best to couer Mares, inThe reason. which they may quicken at the spring, & bring forth at Michael­mas, as the earth doth her fruits, for though fruit doth then form yet is it not then at perfection, till it hath the benefit of the Summer to be ripened with the heate of the Sunne. And fur­ther, if there were an apt resemblance to the Earth, then those Mares which were about the Equinoctiall should bring forth twice in one yeare, as the Earth doth yeeld her fruits, they ha­uingThe second reason. two springs, and two Summers, (the Sunne making his course twise ouer their heads in one yeare) which to grant were very grosse, seeing a Mare goeth twelue Moneths, after she con­ceiue before she bring forth. And againe, although the Earth retaine her Vigetatiue vertue, which is the sappe yet by reasonThe third reason. of the Winters cold, it is so imprisoned within her, that it cannot come forth till it receiue a nourishing heate from the Sunne:1 Pra. 6. ⁱ. ^c A proofe that all vigetatiue things haue their nourish­ment from the Sunne. which in Winter it cannot, not that it is further distant from vs at that time, then it is in Summer (as many suppose) because in a circle euery part of the circumference is equally distant from from the Center, but in regard the Sunne is not hot of it selfe, but by coaction (as the Philosophers hold) and so when the [Page 24] Sunne is in our winter solstice, hee sending his beames Diami­terly, that is, by a straight line they glance into the ayre with­out any strong reflection, and so doth yeeld small comfortable heate; but as it riseth higher so his beames descend more per­pendicular, which more and more doth reuerberate vpon the Earth, whereby the superficies is comforted, and so the inward naturall heate of the Earth doth ioyne with that heate; which is the cause that the Earth doth bud forth her blossomes, and fruites at that time more then another. But a Mare though she doth not receiue the like comfortable heate in Winter as in Summer, no more then the Earth, yet by reason of that naturall heat, which remaineth in her, shee doth nourish, and bring forth (in Winter, as well as in Summer) according to the deter­minate time of her conceiuing. Wherefore seeing God hath giuen them such naturall faculties, as to beget and bring forth^a There was no time limited for procreation at the begin­ning. at all times of the yeare: I thinke it meere simplenesse, being carried away with the ayrye force of Antiquity, to prescribe that to a particuler, where there is a generall power, for when God said increase and multiply, he gaue no limitation of time, for else nature could not exceed those limits.

And againe, they haue set downe times in those Moneths, as the full of the Moone, to be the best for action, because thatOf the time of the Moone. then the Mare hath great store of menstruall blood for composi­tion of the Colt, and then is the greatest store of blood in them both; But here Maister Morgan may seeme to make a contra­diction with himselfe, for when they are come to a perfect ha­bit of body, then nature cannot be defectiue in any part, and therefore to encrease any moyst or Flegmaticke substance, will cause a ruine of the indiuiduum, in abating the vigor of heat which should keepe all the members from grosse composition. For I grant that all Sublunary bodies are gouerned by the(d) 1 Pra. 6. i. Moone, but yet I doe not hold that at such times they are the best for perfect generation, because they doe then abound with Cold and Moystnesse, according to the quality of the Moone, by which they are gouerned. But admit it should be best, as it is doudtfull, yet the operation might be hindered by1. Pr. 5. ⁿ. reason of some other disaster Aspect of other Planets, more Maleuolent, and Predominating in a Malignant House, which [Page 25] might hinder her naturall effects, and therefore no certainty of the best effect at th [...]se times.

And further they abreuiate the parts of the moneth to a cer­taine time of the day, as morning and euening, which opini­on I hold indifferent, and therefore will not insist vpon it, andOf the time of the day. yet there is no proofe that then is the best, because there may be also euill Aspects at such times, which may hinder the ex­pectation of man, which God may the sooner send, to con­found such curious obseruators. But I am of Maister Marke­hams opinion that the euening is the better of twaine, because they are comforted all the day with the heate of the Sunne, which increaseth courage, but it is abated in the morning, by the moystnesse and coolenesse of the night.

And whereas Maister Morgan doth wish that there should a^• A curious & friuolous obser­uation. respect be had of the Winde, I doe vary therein; for (saith he) the North and West windes doe cause heate and so maketh the seed thinne: and the South wind is grosse and moyst. But to answere to this position in particuler, would spend too much time for so small a moment: And therefore breifly thus, if menThe reason. should haue such a curious respect to haue the windes in the morning, (for that is the time which he doth appoynt) to be in such a quarter, the Moone then being in the Change or Full, before they can haue their Mares couered at such precise times, it may be they shall spend the whole yeare and scarsly get one serued, so vnconstant is both time and wind.

And whereas hee holdeth that the winde doth cause cold or heate, I hardly beleeue that, because the Ayre and Wind is^e The Sunne doth alter the disposition of wether rather then the winde subiect to be changed from cold to heate onely by the Sunne, as may be easily perceiued by the heate in Summer and the cold in Winter.

Neither doe I allow these obseruations in times for the be­getting of a Colt Foale, because the perfectnesse of the seed is the surest probability, except it be hindered by force of the con­stellations: For if it bee concocted by a true proportionable heate, the food being good from whence it sprung; it will be the more pure and strong, and so most likely proue a Colt Fo [...]le.

But I would not haue my meaning so mistaken, that I vtterly [Page 26] take away obseruation of all times, but only that strong impli­cation that the most haue to those three months onely, and so make three parts of the yeare vnprofitable. For seeing both God and Nature, hath not giuen them any limited time for ge­neration; therefore it were monster-like to obserue more theNote this. traditions of men, then nature, and so confine to a part, hauing liberty in the whole.

But whereas I may seeme to admit of the whole yeare, for ge­neration, yet I meane not in generall places, but onely there [...] The Garden of [...]den about the Equinocti­all. where they haue the Sunne continually to nourish and comfort them with his heat, and that is in the hot Zone about the equi­noctiall, where it is supposed the Garden of Eden was, where God gaue this generall power of increasing and multiplying: But in our temperate clime, (where the cold hath as great force in Winter, as heat hath in Summer) if there should not be some time obserued, it would produce much defects in Nature, by reason of too much cold that is in deepe of Winter.

Wherefore to inlarge the obseruation of time, this I haue found by experience, and also reason doth induce mee thereto, [...] What months are good for procreacion. that all the months from Aprill to October, are good for procre­ation; for I haue seene those Colts, which haue beene soaled at Mid-sommer or Lammas, haue (for the most part) proued the best horses: And the reason is, that euery thing being maintai­ned by the like, and destroyed by the contrary, therefore that time is best for generation that hath the best simpathy to their [...]. Pra. 7. ^h. quality; for a horse is naturally hot and dry, therefore those months being of the same quality by the force of the Sunne, are the best for their procreation: But if any make a doubt whe­ther the Horse is hot and dry, let them obserue a horse that isTh [...]. 2. ^o. & 33. ^b. ^• VVhether a horse be hot and dry. of a perfect temperature, (for that is the grownd of nature) be­cause euery excesse causeth a deformity, which is no part of the naturall body, and from whence hee hath his pure shape, his stout and valiant courage, and his agility in quick and swife run­ning, if it be not by heat, whose office is to purge the pure sub­stance from drosse.

And likewise for that matter they are composed of, it is hot and dry, (excepting naturall moysture) as it may appeare by the(h) 1. Pra. 5. ^e. parts: For euery part doth participate of the same matter with [Page 27] the whole; but the flesh is hot and dry, as may bee perceiued by the lightnesse and spunginesse thereof: And also by his fastThe Reason. feeding and sudden loosing thereof, and therefore the whole must be composed of the same. For if hee were cold and moist, then his flesh would consolidate, and bee more firme and hard, and so would aske longer time in getting; according the nature of an Oxe, &c. And further it may be seene by his dung (it being the excrement of the food concocted) for it is so purged with heat, as there is no solid substance left, but onely a light dusty^• A horse is pro­ued to be hot by his dung. spunge, after the moisture is exhaled by the Sunne. Where con­trarily, the dung of a beast (though it be dryed by the Sunne) hath a substance crusty and hard: By all which, and more (if it were needfull to rehearse) it may euidently appeare that a horse is hot and dry, and therefore the Summer is the nearest to his nature.

And further, if a Mare be couered at Lammas or thereabout,Of Lammas Foales. then is the beginning of the yeare a great releefe for the nou­rishment of the Colt in her wombe, with the chiefe food that the Mare doth eat all the sorepart of Summer, and after when it is foaled the Mare will haue great plenty of good milke, it be­ing refined by the heat of the Sunne, and then at Martinmas time, (when the grasse is cold, and small store thereof) it will haue such store of Milke, that it will haue the lesse desire to feed vpon such raw and cold food; and so consequently all the Win­ter, if the Mare be kept with such meat as she should to increase the same, whereas they which are foaled in March or Aprill, theOf a March or Aprill Foale. Foale hath first cold and bad nourishment in the wombe, and after when it is foaled the milke wil be nothing so comfortable by reason of her food in the winter when it shall stand the most need, and the greatest store in Summer when it shall stand the lesse need; whereby it shall bee forced (in Winter) to feed on such food as (then) it can get for want of milke to suffice nature.

And againe, those Colts which are foaled after MartinmasOf Martinmas Foales. (though their milke be good) yet by the extremity of cold in the long nights, their limbes (being weake and grisles) will be congealed too grossly, and their courage much abated: So that they will hardly be brought to such strength and courage [Page 28] afterward, as otherwise nature would effect, they being stockt at the first; for there is no greater enemy to a horse then cold:^• Cold nights are hurtfull for a Horse. Otherwise what is the cause that they prosper not in Winter as well as in Summer, if they bee not housed; and also that late ayring takes so much of them.

But as for the time of the Moone, and day when they should bee couered, I stand not so much vpon such precisenesse, refer­ring that to God, which is the disposer of times, (and of all other things:) But yet because he hath giuen the fruition of food as a secondary meanes to maintaine the species, there ought a care to bee had for the preseruation thereof, whereby it may in­crease the best nourishment, (by such good digestion, as hu­mane reason can inuent) before they come to performe the action: But I am not minding to spend any more time vpon those points, (I hauing partly touched them before) least that I should offend the gentle Reader with too tedious assertions; for although I haue beene prolixe heerein, yet I am more con­cise then I would, hauing much to doe to end so briefly, this being so large a field to walke in for the confuting of antient traditions.

CHAP. 9. How and where to put your Horse and Mare together for generation.

THe last thing that is to bee obserued, (for the perfecting of this generation) is to know where and how they should performe the action; but because there are so many diuersities of opinions in this, (as well as in the former) there may bee a doubt of a certainty thereof. For some doe wish that the Horse and Mare should go abroad together in some inclosd grounds; (and likewise if there be more Mares to bee serued) to let him go [...] at liberty amongst them all. And againe, others would haue them to be put together (at their owne liberty) in some spacious house or barne, and there to be serued as chance shall [Page 29] alot: And further, others hold that to haue the Mare couered in hand is the best.

Now to show all the inconueniences that may arise through these diuersities, would be too tedious to make accompt of eue­ry particuler; therefore I will briefly touch them, and onely set downe that which is the most approued: knowing that all Iudgements will not subscribe to my senses, although▪ I haue beene very carefull to select the most probable, (by reason and experience) not often dissenting from all; but alwayes from the vnlikeliest: But howsoeuer some censures be, I hope the wise will bee fauourable, for mine is in loue and duty.

Now, if to haue the horse and Mare, (or Mares) to runne to­gether1. Pr. 7. ^b. ^a The inconue­nience of let­ting the hors [...] run at grasse a­mongst your Mares. 1. Pr. 4. ^a. at grasse, I hold (of all others) it is the worst; because their food (then) is the worst, and so cannot produce a perfect temperature of bloud and seed. And againe, if the horse be at liberty he may come to some mishap, either by his owne vnruli­nesse, o [...] by some stroake of the Mares: And further, their seeds cannot be perfect (although they had the best food)▪ because the Horse will cause both himselfe and the Mares to bee of an excessiue heat, (by fretting and chafing) so that their courage(a) 1. Pra. 7. ^k. and strength will be much weakened, and their seed much dis­solued by the violence of heat. Moreouer, (as Mr. Markham saith) the horse being at liberty and of courage, will so spendThe cause of Filly Foales. himselfe at the first (by disorder) that the Mares pride will bee too strong for his (in conception) and the Foales (for the most part) will proue Fillies. And lastly, running amongst the Mares, some will be ready and some vnready and then he will serue the readiest first, (he being in courage) and then those which shall be ready after shall be in danger of not holding, or else bring forth weake and vncomely foales.

Neither doe I greatly allow to haue them goe at liberty in a house; for so he is also in danger of receiuing some stroke by the Mare; and further, he may couer the Mare (at the first) be­fore^b The discom­moditie of co­uering the Mares at liber­ty in the house. she be ready, and then the next couering will not bee so good, because his seed will not be so strong, whereby the Colt (if she hold) will not bee of such comely shape, and very like to proue a Filly: And likewise, hee will spend himselfe too fast, (being in lust and courage) through his disorder, and [Page 30] cause her to loose her seed, which otherwise she might haue kept.

Wherefore for the avoyding of all these discommodities, the^c The surest way is to haue him couer her in your hand. best and surest way in my iudgement, is to haue the Mare coue­red in hand, for thereby both the Horse and Mare may be go­uerned by Mans reason, for they being led by their appetite do naturally desire to be get and bring forth; not obseruing any or­der in begetting nor the difference in Colts that are brought forth, but according to the old prouerbe, they thinke with the Crow, that their owne Bird is the fairest. But being ruled by Man they shall not spend their seed, by any disorder, for they may both of them be brought to the height of lust before theyHow to make your Mare rea­dy for the horse come together. For when as you haue refined their seed to a perfect temperature, by the order set downe in the sixt Chapter; then for the better stirring vp the lust of the Mare, let a little stoned Nagge wooe her two or three daies if need be, till that you see her haue a desire to take the Horse, then take him away, hauing a care that hee neuer couer her. Then feed them both well, some fiue or sixe houres before night, that they come to­gether: and that the food may haue time to concoct, and nou­rish all the parts of the body: whereby they will haue the grea­ter store of seede.

Then haue the Mare into some close place, and let the said Nagge wooe her againe, in the sight of the Horse, which will greatly prouoke both their lusts. Then let the Mare stand so, that if it bee possible the horse may haue the heigher ground, that he may couer her the more closly: and assoone as he commethHow to vse her at her first co­uering. off, let one cast a pealefull of cold water at her shape, which will be a meanes to cause her trusse vp her body, and so receiue the seed more willingly, and let one presently leape vpon her back, and put her to a good round Trot for a quarter of an houre, for that will be a meanes that she shall not haue time to cast her seed: but in any case let him neither heat, nor straine her.

Which done, haue them both into the stable, and let them stand an houre or two without meate, and after feed them well that night: and the next morning either giue each of them a warme Mash, or else let them be ridden to the water, and vsing them as formerly hath beene showne, let them drinke [Page 31] their fill to coole the heate of their body, and feede them wellHe second co­uering. the next day till noone, that the meate may be well digested before night: and bring them together the second time, doing in all things as at the first, except the stone nagge, for after, he is needlesse (for then Nature will prouoke,) and also he will be dangerous in causing her cast her seed, which she formerly re­ceiued: and likewise if you thinke good, vse her so the third night, and then no more, for by that time, there is oddes but she shall be serued: for this is the surest and best way that euer I could finde by reason or practise.

But whereas some hold that once is sufficient, for her to bee couered, because the Colt is begotten at once, and also the first seed is the strongest, and therefore oftner is superfluous, and weakeneth the seede. To which I grant it is so, that once were enough, if men knew when that once were, but it is doubtfull whether the Matrix wil be so open at the first, as to receiue such a quantity of seed from the horse as shall equally temper the Mares, which if it be not, then the second or third time is more certaine, and therefore this order will make it the more sure.

And there will not be any great doubt of weakening the seed, they hauing such intermission of time, to recouer their former lust, if they be well fed in the intrim, which will preserue their seed hot and strong.

CHAP. 10. How to know whether the Mare hath conceiued or no.

AFter that your Mare hath beene thus couered, it is obser­ued,Obserue her. that if she be fully serued, shee will fall freely to her meate, not offering to cast or pisse, nor bend her eares, nor eies, after the Neyghing of other Horses; but the surest obseruation,How to iudge whether shee hath conceiued or no. (for her conception) is to try her with a Horse about some foureteene dayes after, for if she haue conceiued, she will refuse to haue further copulation; for by that time their seed will be so mixt and vnited, that it will curdle and become thicke like creame, which is the conception whereby one body is formed: [Page 32] and then shee will desire the Horse no more. For shee being(a) 1. Pr. 7. ^•. onely a sensitiue creature, when nature is serued, her desire is taken away: shee nothing regarding pleasure, but onely the end for which she was created, which was to increase and multiply.

As for her fast feeding, and the smooth lying of her hayr [...], which some hold to be markes of her conception, there is no certaine knowledge, for they may come from other causes, as from good keeping, or the difference of dispositions, some be­ing more apt to feed, then others, or by good dressing and clo­thing, some hauing naturally smother skinnes then others, &c.

And againe, there are some which will vndertake to know whether a Mare be with Foale or no, by the skinne at the hind part of her maine next the Withers, for they say if one take it betwixt the finger and the thumbe, it will be loose and thicke, (if she be with Foale;) wherein can be no certainty nor reason to approue, it. For the loosenesse of the skinne (there) may be caused for want of flesh, and the skinne of all that haue much hayre vpon their maines are thicke there, because of such store of moysture, which causeth the maine to grow so long: and therefore cannot be any testimony of her conceiuing.

CHAP. 11. How to vse her after her conception till she Foale.

VVHen your Mare is couered, and you perceiue she hath conceiued, there ought still a care to be had to pre­serue the seed in purity from grosse humors, lest it should be im­payred of the perfect temperature, before the Colt be formed; and after [...]o nourish and maintaine it with good and sound^a There ought to be a care still had that the Mare be kept with good food for the nourish­ing of the foale in her wombe. food whilest it is growing in the wombe: because it is releiued with such sustenance as the Mare doth eate; and therefore if the Mare feede vpon raw and cold meate, it will loose that per­fect shape and strong courage. Wherefore to preserue the Colt in its true temperature let her seed on sweet hay and good pro­uender, for the space of a moneth, (for by that time the seed [Page 33] will be concocted into a fleshy lumpe, and the body fashioned in grosse, and then if necessity force, and the time of yeareLet her exercise be moderate. serue, let her be turned to grasse: but let it be vpon dry ground where the grasse is not ranke, but such as she may fill her belly once a day: also there would be shelter where she doth runne, to keepe her both from the violence of [...]ormes, and heat of the Sunne: and for her watring she would haue a fresh riuer if con­ueniently, or else cleare standing water.

And for her labour, let it be no more but onely to fetch her water, for the first moneth: and after let it neuer be violent, but moderate whether it be trauayling, carting, or plowing, least there be a dissolution of the substance, by too great heate. And likewise she must be kept from great burthens, least she be ouer­strayned.

And further, (as Maister Markham saith) there must be a care that she come not in the company of stone Iades, least they straine her by forcing to couer her, which if they should, would endanger the casting of her Foale. Now when she is towards her Foaling, let her be put into some such couenient close as is well fenced, least she miscarry in her Foaling: for it is holdenWhat place is best for her to Foale in. that they desire to Foale neare the water, and that they Foale standing, with which opinions I will not contest; For as yet I neuer could see any Mare in Foaling, although I haue beene very vigilent therein, but yet I haue knowne a great company of Mares (by times) Foale in wet fenney grounds, and very few that haue lost their burdens by drowning.

Now after she hath Foaled, let her be keept a weeke or tenneHow to vse her after she hath Foaled. daies, with exceeding good meate, which will be a meanes to recouer her strength the sooner, and also increase her Milke: and the first drinke shee hath after her Foaling, let it be a warme Mash, for it is very comfortable and agreeing to her Nature, for if she drinke cold water it will make an obstruction of the flux of Flegmaticke blood too suddenly, which must needs in gender euill humours in the Mare. And likewise as soone as she hath Foaled let her Vdder be well drawne, for it will bring away that cloddy milke which hath beene long in her Vdder, and dissolue the hard knots the sooner, where the Milke wil be bet­ter for the Foale, and of greater store.

Now when shee hath gotten strength, and the Foale doth also begin to be strong, if shee haue exercise either at the plow, or Cart, or ridden, it will bee the better, for labour is very ne­cessaryWhy moderate exercise is good to purge grosse humors, which abound by too much rest: But then it must be moderate, lest by ouer-heating, the milke be inflamed, and so surfet the Foale. But if you meane to trauaile her, let not her Foale follow, for trauaile will much wea­ken it, and also it will suck before the milke bee cold: There­foreHow to bestow the Foale while she is laboured. let it be shut vp in some house, and giue it some good food to eat, which will both comfort it, and make it domesticall: And when the Mare commeth home, let her bee well cooled, and cast some cold water vpon her Vdder, to wash the dust or durt away and coole it, and draw her vdder before the Foale sucke.

And if it bee in Summer, let her runne at grasse in the vn­euenest grounds you haue; for (as Mr. Markham saith) it will make the Foale very nimble, and haue sure footmanship, in sco­ping and leaping vpon such vneuen grounds; but I would haue you to house both your mare and Foale in Winter, if you haue but two or three; (for although I haue spoken singularly, yet it doth extend to plurality) but if more, then let them run abroad in such grownds as Mr. Markham hath described, ha­uing store of bushes and trees for shelter or else a houell, open2. Pr. 21. ^{• b} A horse doth naturally desire to be refreshed with the heat of the Sunne. to the East and west, that the Colts may be comforted with the heat of the Sunne morning and euening, which they naturally doe desire; and a partition ouerthwart in the midst, to defend them from the winter windes and stormes. Moreouer, there would be ouerlayers, vpon which may be laid hay and pease & oates in the straw, for Winters prouision, and if the houell bee couered ouer to keepe the fodder dry it will bee the better.

But heere me thinkes I see the apparition of Midas, whose whole felicity is to conuert all things into gold, for hauing an inferior affection to horses, could very well find in their hearts to haue good horses, were it not for cost, but yet could bee^c The miserable estate of many in this Age. Preface. 2. content to reape the profit of anothers charges; and these ex­claime with open mouth, against charges of keeping all Winter in the house, or with such charges abroad, wherein they shew [Page 35] wretched care in gerting, and their miserable mind in keeping; for who can reape the haruest, that doth not hazard his feed in the spring, which they thinke a small losse, to the increase a fruitfull yeare doth bring: and so, if they did rightly weigh the necessary charges of grasse and hay, which they should be re­lieued^d That is no charges that bringeth triple profit. all Winter with, and the danger of staruing and drow­ning, and compare all these with the certainty from these dan­gers, and to the purenesse and value of a Colt so fed, (for one of them will be worth foure of ordinary breeding) they shall find that keeping after this manner, or in the house will bee the cheaper, for in breeding of many Foales, there must bee many Mares and so many mouthes, as Foales and Mares and so conse­quently great charges and small profit in comparison of the o­ther, for foure Mares in this sort wil yeeld more gaine then a do­sen contrarily.

Wherefore, whosoeuer is desirous to haue their profits to soare as high as their desires, they must keepe well in Winter; for if they haue nothing to seed on but grasse and hay, the Mare will haue small nourishment to encrease her Milke, whereby the strength and courage of the Colt will bee much abated through the grossenesse of the milke, and extremity of cold, which is an enemy to the stronge [...] horse, but much more to a young Foale, whose composition hath neither strength nor substance.

But whereas Mr. Markham doth wish to prouide for them light corne, and wild oates, I consent not thereto because they must haue of the best releefe if they think to hold nature to the best perfection, seeing it is in the declining age of the World: For thereby their bloods will bee kept more pure, and so the1. Pra. 12. ^c. Colt more strong at three yeares of age then another at fiue; and also they will be the more able to indure the cold, especi­ally hauing such a houell, to keepe themselues from wet and cold Rimes.

CHAP. 12. When and how to waine your Colts.

THe last thing that is to bee obserued, before you come to reap the fruits of your labour and charges, is to know when and how to waine your Colts and keep them till they be fit for the saddle: But because I shall digresse heerein also from the Antients, if I should enter into the answer of all seuerall opini­ons, I should bee too tedious, therefore I will bee as briefe and plaine as I can. For, whereas Mr. Markham would haue the Foales runne with their dammes to suck a whole yeare, I holdOf sucking all the yeare. it good (with this prouiso) that they may be housed in Winter and that the Mare goe Foalelesse that yeare: Otherwise it will weaken the Mare too much, in feeding that which is in her wombe, and also that which sucketh, and it will likewise hinder them both, for neither of them can haue such naturall and kind nourishment as perfection would wish; for it is a maxime, that if the eye be set vpon two things indifferently, it can behold neither of them perfectly: [...]en so, the mare hauing a naturall [...] Duplicibus de­sid [...]rij [...], remo incidere potest. 1. Pra. 7. ^m. instinct to nourish both indifferently, she cannot produce nou­rishment for either of them effectually; because nature desi­ring an impletion, the emptiest places will be first fild with the substance of food when it is concocted, and so the best part will bee inuerted to milke, which will bee a defect to that in the wombe; whereby there will bee a debility in its composition: And also the milke that the other is fed with all, will be corrupt and vnnaturall, and the strength of nourishment taken away, by natures operation to releeue the other.

Wherefore, if you mind to haue your Foale sucke all the yeare, let her not take the horse that yeare, for one Colt well bred will bee worth foure that is contrary, and so euery other yeare is sufficient for a Mare to haue a Foale, if you desire the true perfection herein.

But if you minde to take it off before Winter, or that youWhen to waine your Foales. perceiue your Mare to be with Foale againe, then take off that [Page 37] Foale which sucketh betwixt Michaelmas and Martinmas, be­fore the weather bee too cold, and the strength of the grasse faile.

And whereas there is an obiection to the contrary, alledgingObiection. that if they be taken off so soone, it will bee a great weakening and plucking back of their strength and growth, and will cause surfets (by grosse humors) through the raw digestion of grasse and hay which they shall be forced to feed vpon to suffice na­ture. I answere, it is true, if they runne abroad all Winter, fromAnswer. their dammes: for it is such a mortall enemy to the designes of this subiect, that I would not wish any man to follow it. But if you weine them then and take them into the house, and giue them good food, it will nourish and strengthen them more, by many degrees, then if they should runne with the Mares. Thus hauing spoken of the times when to weine your Foales, it resteth to show how to doe it, which I would wish after this manner.

First, if your Mare proue Foalesse (that yeare) then you may let it sucke all Winter, and take it off about mid-Aprill, or be­ginningHow to Weine your Foales. of May, and shut it vp in some close house where it shall not heare the Neighing of the Damme, and keepe it there with good oates, and broken beanes mixt together: and let it haue fresh and sweet haye, and cleane water euery euening and morning, for the space of a Fortnight, for by that time it will throughly haue forgotten the Mare, and then put it to grasse▪ for by that time also the grasse will haue good substance, which before mid-May is but froth and sap.

But if your Mare proue with Foale, then take it off at the be­ginning of Winter, before any great store of cold come, and the strength of grasse gone, vsing them in all things as is aforesaid: onely adding this, because the Foale is somewhat young, I will wish you to giue it new Milke from the [...]ow, for a weeke till it hath forgotten the dam, and that it fall to eate on such meate as is formerly said. And after abate your milke by little and little, mixing it with fayre water, till you haue taken it cleane away: For by this meanes, you shall keepe it continually in firme strength and courage. And likewise there would [...] racke set [...] in the house, to put in Haye, and Oates in the Straw; and a [Page 38] Cribe to put Prouender in, letting the Foale haue good store thereof all winter.

But whereas it is a generall opinion, as a thing of necessity to giue the Foales, the second day after their wainening, the slips of Sauen, or the pouder of Brimstone, or the rootes of Enula­campana beaten to pouder, in their Prouender, and many other such like, I differ therein, except it be vpon necessity that they paine themselues of the Wormes: because these are Phisicall, needlesse for a sound body, for if there be no excesse for them^• Phisicke we [...]kneth na­ture if it be needlesse. 1. Pra. 7. ^•. to worke vpon, then it will make nature the subiect, which will be a weaking thereof. For if it weaken a strong body which hath materiall substance, then much more a weake body, which is but gristles and froth, and so of a weake digestion. And fur­ther, if it be giuen them in prouender, it will make them loath it: and then if nature be not satisfied with the best food, it will feed more vpon the worst, which will not be so nourishing, or else the stomacke will abound with raw and cold humors, for want of repletion.

Hauing thus wintered them; you may put them to grasse at such time as is said before, for then the weather will be warme, and the grasse of full strength, and let them runne till Barthol­mew-tyde that the grasse beginne to decaye, and after let them be serued in the houell with such prouision as I haue showne, till after Michaelmes, and then house them againe, (if you haue not many) as you did in the Winter before, and so euery Winter till they be fit for the Saddle; for this profit will insue (if there were [...]. Pra. 11. ^c. no more) by this order, they will gaine such strength and cou­rage, that they will be more ready for the Saddle at three yeares of age, then others of contrary breeding will be at fiue.

And whereas Maister Morgan doth wish that their stable^• Paued Plaun­chers are not good. should be paued with stone, to the end to make them the more apt to endure the cold, and make their Hooses tough and dura­ble; I am not of his minde, for there is no greater enemy to ei­ther young or old Horse then cold, and therefore the contrary must needs be the more agreeing to his nature, and likewise they will not take their rest so naturally of the hard stones as o­therwise they would doe, hauing continually litter to lye vpon, for I would not haue young Colts to bee stinted to stand all [Page 39] the day, for that will cause great weakenesse in them, whereas lying at their pleasure vpon warme litter it wil batten them very kindly, and also the warmth, will purge and expell grosse humors out of their limbs, and so make them very cleane and nimble.

And whereas hee doth say, it will make the Hoofes toughA thing contra­ry to reason. and durable, he deceiueth himselfe, except hee will hold that the more a thing is worne, it will be the more durable, for with continuall standing and mouing vpon the stones it will both weare and breake their Hoofes, so that they will rather be brit­tle then tough: and againe, what need a perfect Hoofe any re­payring, if his assertion were admitted, for it is naturally tough and durable of it selfe; But if not perfect, then the continuall vse of the stones will make it worse, for if it be flat, then it willHowsoeuer it is taken it cannot be good. be in danger of Hoofe-binding, in regard the coffin will be so dry, that it cannot spreed so fast as the flesh doth grow, by rea­son of the moystnesse of the Frush, and if it be brittle, the stones will cause it to breake the more. Therefore for the remedying of all these dangers, I thinke it best that they haue continually store of litter to stand and lye vpon at their pleasures, for no(c) 1. Pra. 7. ^• Man can limit a better order then nature it selfe would worke, euer keeping their house sweet and cleane, with dressing twise a weeke at the least, which will delight the senses, and fortifie the growing faculties.

But if you haue more Foales, and that you thinke it a greatHow to vse them in run­ning abroad all VVinter. trouble to haue them all in the house, then you may let them runne abroad all Winter in those grounds, where you haue your shelter made, wherein must be a racke to put their haye and vnthrasht corne in, and a cribbe vnder it to perserue that which falleth downe: but let it be of such a reasonable height, that it may cause them to bend their cragges to reach to the bottome, for that will rayse their creasts, and cause them to haue a good fore-hand.

But whereas some wish to put chaffe and light corne into the cribbe, for them to feede on, I cannot allow thereof, because such food is no good nourishing for them, for it will lie in their mawes so heauy, that the vigor of their heat cannot digest it, by reason it is so much allied with moysture, whereby (as the Me­taphisickes hold,) is caused a suppuration aboue nature, so that [Page 40] it being ouercome; grosse humors will abound through the weaknesse of concoction, and so cause a putrifaction of health. And further, it will so stuffe and choake them, that it will cause them to drinke more then nature doth desire, whereby their moystnesse is the more increased.

Wherefore to conclude, whosoeuer is desirous to repayre the chiefe decayed places of this famous subiect, and bring it so neare to the primary restitution (as can be inuented by humane knowledge) hee must not respect a little charges for the time present, considering that it will yeeld a greater profit afterward; For three or foure Horses thus prefectly bred, will giue such content (if they be well ridden) that the triple value of their charge cannot buy them; and further they will be sooner ready for the Saddle, (by much) then others bred after the ancient order.

CHAP. 13. A Corollary to the Art of breeding.

THus hauing set forth so briefly and plainly as I can, the true Art of breeding: which consisteth first, in the right choise of your Stallions and Mares; and secondly, in reducing their seed to the best perfection for generation: and thirdly, the or­derliest proceeding (in the action) for the holding in copulati­on: and lastly, the safest meanes to keepe them in their perfecti­on, till they be Fo [...]led, and whilst they come to the Saddle. I will now likewise illustrate some darke corners, of some opini­ons which may breed an ambiguity for the necessity of the Art of riding; least the foote say to the head, I haue no need of thee, Whereby the minds of many might be vtterly discouraged for taking paines in this Vineyard, by thinking if there be not right^• The Art of [...]i­ding helpeth whe [...] breeding [...]yleth. breeding, it is vaine to persist in riding, holding it impossible for euer to obtaine their period of desire by riding, if there be a defect in breeding. Now because euery man that hath a desire to haue a good Horse▪ it may be, is not able to breed so strictly, nor to buy one that is so bred: in regard their meanes are not [Page 41] answerable to their minds, although some haue greater meanes the [...] minds: therefore for their better satisfaction herein, I will set forth how-farre the benefit of breeding doth extend, and how Art is the perfection thereof: for I doe not commend bree­ding as onely necessary, nor yet make so small account of it asTheo. 1. ^{s b} Breeding is but as a hand­maid to riding. Chap. o. needlesse, for although it cannot bring a Horse to his true per­fection (for vse) yet it serueth as a hand-maide to further Art For▪ must needs confesse, that those Horses which are of such excellent shape and good courage, will aske a great deale of lesse time and labour in riding then others, not so perfect, and likewise it nature be truely purged by Art from rebellion, theyA Simile. will excell the other; but if contrary, then none more Iades, for as fire and water are two cheife seruants, but cruell Maisters, so are th [...] excellent in subiection, but very shrewd in rebellion.1. Pr. 3. ^a. Chap. p. ^c Breeding hel­peth the com­position, which riding cannot. Theo. 18. ^d. Theo. 2. ^•.

And againe, thus farre I commend breeding, in regard it is before riding, and so may helpe the composition and shape of the Horse, which riding cannot doe, it giuing the materiall forme, and all its naturall faculties, as at the first creation, but yet in as much as it is not now immediately from God, (but from secondary causes) there is a corruption of qualities, as ac­cidents thereto, which must onely depend vpon the true Art of riding for reformation, in regard the end of all Arts doe one­ly tend to the repayring of the decayed vniuerse.

But to answere to some generall positions that Maister Mor­gan doth alledge, to proue that this Art doth chiefly depend of breeding; I will touch them briefly, and leaue the rest to the censure of the wise, that are experienced herein; For although he hath written very well of naturall Philosophy, yet hath stray­ed so farre therein, that he hath found no way to Art, whereby he doth confound it, and so sheweth his experience of practise in the same, as appeareth by his definition; For he sayth, Art is but onely a quickner vp of nature, which if it were so, bring a Horse to quicknesse, and then hee hath the perfection of Art: But his proposition may easily be proued no true definition,^d Art depen­deth in gayning obedience. for if they be quick and haue no obedience to orderly motions, that quicknesse bringeth a wearinesse, which will more trouble a man, to restraine, then to bring a dull Horse to goe freely, as euery bed-lam Horse doth approue: and therefore quicknesse [Page 42] must be ioyned with orderly motions, which onely dependethTheo. 18. ^b. & 20.▪ ^• vpon the Art of riding.

And againe, he saith, such as is the quality of his works, such is his nature, hee being such in the quality of his nature as hee is tryed to bee. But a good horse may bee made a Iade by euill vsing, and yet not naturally so; but because I haue spoken suffi­cientlyTheo. 17. ^h. & 37. ^h. Theo. 37. ^q. thereof in the Theoricke Part, I wil not repeat them here againe: And further, he saith, except they haue perfect breeding that all artificiall riding and practise, can neuer make them ab­solute and perfect horses, inferring that it is not possible to clense a riuer that is corrupt, except they goe to the head from whence that corruption commeth, but heere hee doth insist too much vpon impossibilities; for as not by riding, so also not by breeding, can they bee made absolutely perfect; [...] it is as possible for him to make that restitution, as for to thinke to^• Both Man & Horse are cor­rupted in pro­pagation. merit his owne saluation by his works, for the losse of both pro­ceeded at one time, and through one cause; for although they haue the faculty of propagation still inherent, yet it is corrup­ted for a punishment of mans disloyalty, which corruption is maintained by continuall succession in the species, and so, the longer from Creation the neerer to corruption and the worse.

And therefore let him and all Philosophers vpon the earth, reduce causes to their best perfection they can, and it will beeTheo. 10. ^•. ^• Natu [...]all cor­ruption cannot be purged. as possible for them to purge the head of this riuer from cor­ruption, as to measure the windes or to exhale all the water out of the Sea: For the best and beautifullest horse that is can come no neerer to the primary Creation, then the comparatiue de­gree; for they were created immediately from God, but these mediately from secondary causes, and those causes much cor­rupted by the first transgression, and encreased by the corrupti­onTheo. 37. ^s. 1 Pra. 4. ^h of the Elements wherein they liue, and still more and more weakened, by reason that the times waxe old, wherby the world hath lost its youth.

And againe, he alleadgeth another horned Paradoxe, that it is not possible to make that perfect by Art, which Nature hath made vnperfect, and so doth insist that Art cannot bring an Ape to beget an Ape with a long taile; or that a Man cannot make [Page 43] a crooked tree grow straight; for if it be bended so soone as it is set at liberty, it will returne to his owne naturall growth: and many such like, too tedious to rehearse except they had better Application.

But the first may very well bee retorted vpon his owne neck,^• Breeding can not reforme disobedience. for it is as easie (by Art) to cause one Ape to bring forth another with a long tayle, as it is for him to purge horses from disobe­dience, only by breeding; for the one is as naturall (now) as the other: And as for the other, all that hath experience therein can testifie, that if a crooked tree be cut downe it may bee brought into a straight forme; either by cutting away the excesse of wood in full places, and so bring it to a straight line with the hollow, or else it may be made straight by heating and setring it in a brake, till it bee cold, and then it will so continue. In likeTheo. 9. ^b. (f) Theo. 5. ^•. & 8. ^•. & 29. ^•. manner to vse a horse in his naturall growth, (that is, according to his disobedience) hee will neuer hold longer then extremi­ties force; but after hee is cut downe (that is, made for vse) he may be brought to true obedience, by vsing him according to reason and Art; and then, when his rebellious disposition is reformed, he will so continue as far as shall giue reasonable con­tent for the vse and seruice of man.

And againe, it may bee answered by himselfe, if hee wouldThe particular Nature. distinguish here, what nature is that he meaneth; for in another place, hee doth deuide it into a particular and vniuersall: The particular nature he saith is that which in euery single body mi­nistrethThe Vniuersal Nature. essence to the whole compound; and withall is mo­ther to such actions and motions, as is agreeing to the subiect. The Vniuersall is the Author and maintainer of all actions and bodies, to the which the seuerall single boches are in subiection, by their obedience yeelding a kind of superiority to that vniuer­sall Nature.

To the which I grant, if there be a true Application; for the particular Nature giueth to euery single substance its essence, and so of all the parts compounded both in matter and forme,^g Art cannot mend the mat­ter and forme, for if it bee im­perfect it is pri­uation. whereby it is demonstrated to be that species. As for instance, a Horse is said to bee this horse or that horse, according as his forme and shape doth distinguish, which shape no Art can mend if it be not perfect. And likewise it may bee said to bee [Page 44] the Mother of all such actions and motions as are agreeing to that subiect; for it giueth the temperature of the body com­pounded with all his faculties, both naturall, vegetatiue and sen­sitiue:Theo. 2. ^l. by which, (as it is prima substantia) one cannot be said to be a more horse then another, because it hath distributed to all alike: & where there is a defect of these no Art can restore them.

But although shee is the Mother of all those naturall acti­ons, &c: yet the reducement of them to mans vse (by reason of their disobedience) must depend vpon Art, in the which there is no alteration of Nature (as a defect;) but onely to change^• But onely to change disobe­dience into o­bedience. Theo. 2. ⁿ. them from that irregular time and order (which the horse vseth of his owne naturall inclination) to that regular time and or­der which the man doth desire. For (as I haue said) Art doth but teach a horse that which Nature hath giuen him a procliuity vn­to; and so the difference is, that Art doth bring these actions and motions to a mans pleasure, where before they were vsed at his owne.

And as for the vniuersall Nature, it is the Author▪ and main­tainer of all the actions and bodies of euery particular species, (as hee saith) whereby they are in subiection to the superiority of the vniuersall Nature. For, as at the beginning God cre­atedGene. 1 [...]4. & 25. 20. 28. all species (as man, beasts, hearbs, trees, &c.) of the earth and gaue to euery one of them faculties according to their kind, so hauing giuen to this lowest Orbe euery species of his workes, he gaue them liberty to increase and multiply, by the vertue of which benediction, euery one brought forth their kind not onely in body but in all other qualities, agreeing to e­uery nature▪ so that euery single body doth participate (by pro­pagation) of that same nature (being the same image of thatDoct. Bright de traduc. vniuersall nature) from which hee is traduced. But yet not of the like perfection, for their qualities are changed from obe­dience to disobedience, and yet the vniuersall nature is perfect;Secundū no [...] (h) Theo. 2. ^o. for although euery indiuiduum hath not that perfection, yet it may be found in that species; albeit that neuer a singular horse (neither in England, Spaine, Barbary, not any other place of the world, hath the same compleat, yet it may be found part in this horse, and part in that, whereby the generall is preserued by the whole seed.

Now the cause of these diuersities of particular natures from^• The cause of corruption. the vniuersall▪ is not in Nature her selfe (for that is perfect) but through corruption; after the first transgression their whole na­ture (both body and faculties) lost that perfection: whereby all their species issuing from their seed is also corrupted. But yet it must not be thought, that these single bodies are of another nature, and so as many natures as there are horses, for that were absurd, and to hold another Creation; for if it were any^k Marke this so there i [...] no change of na­ture but a re­ducement. other, then it might haue another beginning, and so receiue another forme: But the forme and shape of all horses what­soeuer were created by God at the first, and so by generation is deriued into all the species; whereby it is plaine, that the vni­uersall nature is perfect, (as it is the Creature of God) but yet the qualities of them was corrupted, and so did increase cor­ruption successi [...]ely in all ages: which cannot be purged with­out Art, no more then gold without fire; For as gold cannotA simile. bee purged from the drosse, without the Art of fire, so a Horse cannot bee purged from his grosse qualities, but by Art of riding.

And whereas hee further insisteth heerein, that indiuidua ^l As a generall cannot bee ap­plied to a parti­cular, so nei­ther contra, but one p [...]rticular may apply to another. sunt remota ab Arte, that indiuiduums are exempted from Art; tha [...] is, in regard Art cannot make an vniuersall receipt for a par­ticular cure. For whatsoeuer is spoken vniuersally, is not spoken to any particularly; but yet to make particular application, a particular man being a particular agent, may bring his horse to a particular perfection, vsing Art according to those meanes which he findeth hath the best operation in his disposition; and so▪ though indiuiduums are remote from generall Art, yet it is helped by particular Science.

And further, hee proueth his assertion, that euery nature by working doth declare of what quality it is, by the Sunne which giueth light to the world, because it is his nature, and so hee doth it not with euill will or by motion of others, but easily and voluntary, whereby it is perpetuall: But neither can there bee a fit Application in this simile, by reason that it is not sublunary,^m The Sunne is not corrup­ted and so not changeable. and so is not subiect to transmutation and corruption as they be for hee doth retaine that glory and light which hee had at the first, and likewise is as durable and as free in his motions, in as [Page 46] much as he is not weakened with any other accident, but hath his whole force of nature still residing: whereas the sublunary1. Pra. 4. ^•. bodies are continually subiect to corruption (as hath beene of­ten said) insomuch, that that which is now said to bee naturall, was not so from the beginning, but it came accidentally, after­ward, so that as concerning the actions of a horse, (being rebel­lious to man) was not naturall but accidentall; and therefore his working cannot shew his true quality, by reason both of his disobedience and mans ignorance.

And therefore, seeing their corruption of disobedience is not(n) Theo. 37. ^r. Theo. 1. g. & 33. ^a. naturall but accidentall, their qualities may bee reformed by Art, God [...]auing left that knowledge in man, as a helpe to re­duce things towards their primary estate. But to persist to any more of his assertions, or [...]o insist any further vpon this, I shall be held ouer-tedious, and therefore, I will restraine my pen for insulting any further, although I had thought to haue lopt ma­ny more of his branches.

Wherefore seeing (by these which hath beene said) that the Art of riding hath a farre greater extent then the Art of bree­ding, to make a horse more seruiceable for the vse and delight of men, I would wish all fauourites of this Art, not to bee dis­couraged to enter into the secrets thereof, sith that if they bee not able to breed according to the truth thereof, nor yet can­not get a horse of such perfect shape as is prescribed; yet if hee haue the true vnderstanding in this Art, hee may make a horse(o) of as good performance as the other, if they haue not the like managing; but if they haue, then I must needs confesse there is both greater hope, and also they will aske much lesse time and labour (for the rider) then others not so perfectly bred, andChap. ^b. shaped.

Yet this doe I hold, and will answer it with the hazard of my life (hauing had sufficient experience thereof) that many hor­ses that want diuers of Mr. Morgans curious obseruations, may be brought to a superlatiue check with the best that they shall(p) encounter withall by his order of teaching. For though true breeding helpe the perfection of shape, and causeth a nimbleChap. ^c. body, and a quick and stout courage, yet if all these haue not true Art, to cause obedience, they will bee as gold mixt with [Page 47] drosse, And albe it cannot helpe the shape (if it bee defe­ctiue) yet it will reforme his disposition.

For this I doe further [...]uerre, that if a horse bee defectiue inM. Morgan. Theo. 37. q q Disobedience increased through igno­rance. Theo. 37. ^h any of those sixe qualities, which he setteth forth as true marks of a good horse, they may bee repayred by the Art of Horse­manship; for though many horses bee either fearfull, dogged, stumbling, hard going, subiect to tire, and sad or dull, by any inclination of their disposition, they may bee further increased by disobedience, and the ignorance of the man, in not know­ing how to subdue his rebellion, and likewise the cause of bold­nesse,1. Pra. 15. ^•. toughnesse, sure going, easie going, durablenesse and free going, (which are his sixe marks) doe not altogether proceed from breeding (as he holdeth) sith they are increased or dimi­nished^r The Art of ri­ding tenderh onely to obe­dience. according to that knowledge which the rider hath in this Art. For there was neuer any horse (from the beginning) that had perfection of all these by breeding, except they had obedience (by Art) for their vse.

Nay, Art is of such operation, that if hee hath an inclination to any of these contraries, by his disposition, it will purge him thereof, (which I haue proued by experience.) For if a horse(s) Theo. 11. ^d. & 33. ^e. & 29 ^d. bee fearfull or dogged, he may bee made bold and louing, by true subiection and kind vsing, euer obseruing his interior dis­position by his outward action; and acquainting him by de­grees, with such things as hee is most fearefull of: And like­wise if he be vnnimble footed, and subiect to stumble, or hard going, the cause thereof is in his exterior parts, through im­proper motions, and so may bee reformed by giuing the body a more apt and quicke motion. And further, if he be subiect to tire, or bee sad or heauy, the cause thereof proceedeth bothTheo. 4. ^m. & 26. ^c. & 19. ^a. from the interior and exterior parts, being alwayes iarring in their motions, which causeth a faintnesse and wearinesse in the horse, he neuer finding ease: and so it is to bee reformed, by stirring vp quicker motions of his desire, and th [...]n [...]o ioyne the motions of his body thereto; whereby he will goe with such sleight and ease, that hee will take great delight therein, and so by vse hee will haue such an habit, that hee will so con­tinue.

But because I haue spoken more largely of these things in [Page 48] the former part of this booke, I doe heerein but touch them, till I come to show in their proper place how to effect them. Onely (as I say) this I set downe to encourage the fauourites of this Art to take paines for the knowledge thereof: because that if ability to breed be wanting, it may helpe to supply that want, for all men cannot goe to Arabia nor Barbary for their stalli­ons. And likewise if they haue a horse, that is not so perfectly bred, nor of such comely shape, as is required; yet hauing true knowledge how to manage them according to Art, hee may equall the other in all his actions.

CHAP. 14. Of the first haltring a young Colt.

VVHen as you haue thus brought vp your Colts, till they haue attained to the age of three yeares old and vp­ward, you may then put them to the saddle, for by that time they will be of sufficient growth and strength both of body and courage to vndergoe the burthen of a man, especially if they haue beene well kept till then: but whereas Mr. Morgan doth wish that they should not be backed till they come to fiue [...] At what Age to backe your Colt. yeares of age, I hold it not so good: First, because they [...]ill be the more easily brought to subiection when their desire is ben­ded before it be too stiffe; and also it will make their bodies to bee more agile and nimble with moderate practise; and so, by such time as they come to the age of fiue yeares, they will bee ready to performe any reasonable action, as I haue had full tryall.

Wherefore if they should runne till they bee fiue yeares old, there would be a great losse of time, for then they will bee sixe yeares old before they bee fit for any performance: And also they will aske a greater time and labour to bring them to sub­iection, which is one cause of so many dogged and restiffe^• One maine cause of lades. lades, in regard they (running so long before they be handled) are so rebellious, that they exeed the knowledge of mo [...]ri­ders [Page 49] to reforme them. But here it may bee obiected, that toObiection. 1. Pra. 7. ⁿ. & 15 ^h. Answer. back them so young, will both abate their courage, and also in­danger their limbes by straining, and cause them to put forth splints, spauins curbes, wind-galles, and such like. To which I answer, that such accidents do not necessarily happen through the rarenesse of time, but by the ignorance of the rider, and by grosse humors abounding in the Colt, and negligent care after their labour.

For if the Colt be vsed after such gentle and quiet order as he(x) 1. Pr. 27. ^b. ought to be, he will be found so tractable that he will more ea­sily be commanded, whereby it will rather preserue him from such dangers, then cause them, whereas if he runne till he be so old, he will oftentimes be so stubborne, that he will be in grea­ter hazard thereof.

Therefore (as Mr. Markham saith) when your Colt is come^c How to halter your colt at the first. to the age of three yeares old and a halfe, (or thereabouts) if he hath run abroad all his life) let him bee driuen with some o­ther quiet horses into a house, that shall bee free from posts, (for feare of hurting himselfe against them through his vnruli­nesse;) and there (by the gentlest meanes that may be) halter him; the manner how, must bee referred to the discretion of your selfe, because there can no certaine order bee prescribed: But yet if hee bee holden vp among other horses that are more gentle, you may with the more safety goe amongst them, to assay if you can put the halter on his head; which if hee will not indure, but flye back, (as doubtlesse he will) then let those men which are standing behind, threaten him with their voyce and strike him vp againe with their Poles, and when he is gone vp, let them continually cherish or rub him vpon the buttocks (with their Poles;) for that will so cause him to regard them, that you may the more easily cast the halter ouer his head: Or else, if you cannot come to his head, to put the halter on with your hands, you may fold the halter on the end of a long Pole, and (obseruing the mouing of his head) slip it on e [...]e he bee aware, if he be holden vp so that he cannot flye backe.

But for the haltring them by strong hand as is the custome of^d Of haltring your Colt by force. those horse-coursers, which vse to sell young Colts, I vtterly disallow; for such violence will cause the Colt to striue the [Page 50] more, especially if he be of any quicke spirit, and so endanger himselfe the more by ouerheating, for it is their nature, that if they feele themselues holden by force, they will neuer leaue re­sisting, till they haue neither strength nor winde, in so much as I haue seene many fall downe and beate themselues vpon the ground, they haue beene made so mad by such violence.

Now when you haue thus haltered your Colt and put the headstall close to his eares rootes, for feare of brusing him vpon the pole place: get him by the gentlest meanes you can, forth of the House, which assoone as he is forth, it is most like he will desire to runne away and plunge, he neuer hauing beene in hand before, which if he doe, suffer him to runne to the length^e How to vse him in the halter. of the chase halter, and there giue him such a sodaine twitch backe, that it will plucke him vpon his buttockes: and so vse him as often as you see him offer the like, neuer leauing him till you finde him yeeld to that correction: which so soone as you shall perceiue, then let him stand, and two or three hauing the chase halter by the end, for feare of breaking away, goe your(x) 1 Pra. 15. ^d selfe towards his head by the gentlest meanes you can, and of­fer to reach forth your hand to cherish him about the necke or24. ^m. Theo. 22. ^c. shoulder; which if he suffer, then cherish him both with your tongue and hand. But if he will not endure you to come neare(f) 1. Pr. 16. ^e. 17. ^d. him, then chase him round about againe, neuer resting till hee will suffer you to scratch his necke, shoulder, head, betwixt his eares, vnder his fore bowels, belly, buttockes, flanke, or any o­ther place, all which he will let you doe in a very short space, if he be rightly vsed.

When you haue made him so familiar, on the narside as is said,1. Pr. 16. ^l. ^g Note the cause of many restife qualities. then goe to the farre side, and vse him in all points as be­fore, till hee will turne also readily on that hand, and suffer you to rub him in all places, as on the narside; for till he be fa­miliar with you no both sides, he will not be sure for one man to deale withall.

Hauing thus brought him to such obedience with the halter, that he will yeeld thereto if he feele but the strayning thereof;^h How to learne him to lead. 1 Pra. 18. ^b. you may then goe about to learne him to leade, which you shall doe after this manner. First, you shall lap vp the straine of your halter very handsomely, and take it into your left hand: [Page 51] then hold your right hand very gently vpon the straine hard by the head-stall; and hauing a switch in your left hand you shallNote. carry your left arme close by your side, and the point of your switch shall be turned backe, as a sword is carried in his han­gers, both for the aptnesse to touch the Colt behind, as occasi­on shall be offred, and also to preuent the cause of affright to the Colt, vpon the motion thereof, which if it should happen would be held a grosse absurdity in the man. When you are thus prepared, then you shall assay to pull him on gently with your right hand, to try if he will moue forward, at which if hee^• Violence is an vtter enemy to Art. desire to hang backe, then in any case slacke your hand againe, not once offering to pull him on by violence, for that will cause him to resist the more, and ouerthrow all that you had wroughtTheo. 33. ^h. 3 ^e. before, for vse him to gentle motions at the first, and he wil obey by them, but if hee be vsed by violence, hee will doe nothing without it, which is repugnant to Art, and a discredit to the man. Therefore you must arme your selfe with patience for a time, and place your selfe, with your right shoulder against his left, for there is the safest place from danger, for then if hee ei­therNote. rise before, or plunge forward, hee cannot endanger you with his forefeet; and likewise if he should strike behind, hee cannot reach you with his hindfeete.

Hauing thus placed your body, if you offer to moue him for­ward as before, and he will not obey, then you shall touch him behind, very gently with your switch, onely with turning your hand in the wrest, without any other motion of your body, which might cause an afright in him; at the which if hee doe but offer to moue forward though neuer so little, then cherish him, and assay the second, or third time, by the which I am sure he will moue, except it be a very stubborne lade, which if he be, then let one stand behind him with a pole, and touch him gent­ly on the buttucks▪ till he presse forward, which so soone as he doth, though neu [...]r so vntowardly, yet make very much of him: and thus vse him till he will goe with your owne motions, and so lead him vp and downe gently, till he be as cunning on the one hand as on the other: for by this kinde of vsing you shall make him acquainted with you on both sides, and during such a time in leading, it will coole him so moderately, as his former [Page 52] sweating will be nothing hurtfull vnto him; but herein you must haue a speciall care that you doe nothing vnto him rashlyNote. or suddenly, for dread of bringing a fearefull skittishnesse to him, and cause him yerke or plunge whereby he will be more dangerous in backing, and besides it will require a great time to reforme.

Now when you haue brought your Colt to such obedience; that he will lead gently on both hands, if he be cold then you may haue him into the Stable, and there pul off the chase halter,How to vse him in the Stable. by the gentlest meanes you can, for feare of galling his head, and put on a flat leather coller, or a broad girth-webbe-halter, then giue him some haye to coole his mouth and refresh him, and being thus in the house let his keeper be euer doing some­thing about him, euer vsing him the most to that which hee is most dainty, alwaies cherishing him both with voyce and hand when he doth well, and correcting him with the same, and som­times with a sticke, when he doth show any stubborne or dog­ged trickes; & by this meanes you may in short time make him so domesticall and gentle, that he will suffer you to rub him all ouer his body, his head, vnder his belly, his lesk, legs, and suf­fer you to sheare both head and eares, and to take vp all his feet to be shod, all which I know of my owne experience, may bee done in a weeke of time, although the Colt be in the highest de­gree of vntowardnesse; if the keeper be any thing industrious & painfull: for by this order I backt a Colt of Sir Anthony Mild­maies the fourth day, which was fiue weekes before, and would not suffer any to clap their hand on the saddle. And likewise I backt a Mare at my L: Bishoppes of Peterborough and the third day caused her endure shearing about the head, musle, and eares, although she was tenne yeares old and would neuer before be brought to subiection.

CHAP. 15. Of the excellent vse of the Chase halter.

BEcause the Chase-halter is of such an excellent vse, and hath heretofore beene of so small esteeme, that not any but M^r. Markeham, that I haue read, hath intreated any thing thereof: although many haue written copiously of this Art. Therefore that it may be had in more esteeme then heretofore it hath beene, and as indeed it doth deserue: I cannot passe it so sleight­ly ouer, but speak some what more in the commendations there­of, least that some (like Esops Cocke) should refuse such a Iewell and passe it ouer without esteeme, in regard they doe not know the profit thereof.

But because the vses thereof are manifold, I will but onely^a The first vse of the Chase­halter. touch some of them, and leaue the rest to the discretion of the ingenious and diligent practisers, for further obseruations. And therefore, first it is the onely meanes to bring a young Colts ap­petite,Theo. 1. ^b. or desire to obedience, which is the foundation of this(2) 1. Pra. 14. ^c. Art. Secondly, if he be of neuer so thicke, and strong fore­hand, it will make him very commandable of his head, if it be vsed as is sayd before. Thirdly, it will make him haue such a(3) straight carriage of body that he will be apt to yeeld to the mo­tions of the man: if in his chasing about hee be not suffred to hange outward with his body to rest his head vpon the halter, as many sullen Iades will doe: but alwaies as he doth desire to doe so, then presently giue him a sudden twitch, which will cause him to rest firmely vpon his legges, whereby that when he commeth to be backt he will be more apt to take his way, wil­linger. Fourthly, it will make him nimble footed, for by the apt(4) cariage of his body he will vpon necessity handle his feete so orderly, that hee will be free from stumbling, and many other Vices. Fiftly, it will quicken vp his spirits so, that though hee(5) be of a very sad disposition, hee will goe the more freely and willingly, which also I haue had sufficient experience of: For I(b) haue not had a Colt at the least this dosen yeare, how sad soeuer he was iudged by his shape and disposition, that proued sad inTheo. 19. ^• riding, and one chiefe cause of that preuention was by this [Page 54] meanes. Sixtly, if he be a mad fiery Colt he may farre more easi­ly(6) Theo. 20. ^•. be brought to command by this meanes, rather then by any(7) Theo. 34. ^a. other when he commeth to be backt. Seuenthly, it will cause him to rake his winde, to moue with his body more easily; and so finde the better [...]light in his mouing, if he be not so furiously(e) 1. Pr. 14. ^e 18. g. dealt withall, but that he may ease himselfe when he doth first yeeld, for the effect of rebellion is the stopping of the winde, and the effect of obedience is the free raking thereof. And last­ly,(8) the true vse of the Chase halter, is as an index to the Horse, whereby he may the sooner come to vnderstand the mind of his rider: for if he be brought to such true subiection, by it, that he will stand when he doth feele the strayning thereof neuer so little, and that hee is brought to lead, and turne on both hands [...]. Pr. 16. ^a. ^b The applica­tion of the chase halter to the head straine by it; he will be more easily taught to take his way, if to his trench, there be added a head straine, with plated cordes to go ouer his nose, like a musrole, when he shall come to be ridden, whereby he may be gouerned, till he find the vse of the trench: by which his mouth will be kept from galling, and he preser­ued from restiffe qualities; and so saue labour and charge ei­ther to get tormenting chaines, and Cauizans, or hard trenches and bits to bring him to obedience.

But what neede I to spend any longer time to set forth the(c) excellency hereof, seeing that this if there were no more, were sufficient to cause it to be of more regard, then as yet it hath1. Pr. 13. ^q beene: that is, it will giue a Horse such a true ground, that all those sixe qualities which Maister Morgan doth speake of that should be in a good Horse, may be the farre more easily increa­sed and maintained in him. But yet I would not haue the rea­der to vnderstand me so, that this halter hath power to workeNote the sequel all these things to their perfection; but onely as I say, it doth but lay the foundation of the worke, which must be built vp afterward by the rule or line of reason, and likewise this may be abused, for it is but an instrument, and therefore man must make^d All instru­ [...]ents may be abused. the application: which must depend vpon true iudgement, to apprehend the first motion of yeelding.

And likewise he must not thinke that he vnderstandeth it, when as he hath read it, for the true application is to learne to [...]. Pr. 14. x. 24. ^•. iudge of the inward disposition of the Horse, by his outward [Page 55] actions, these pointing as truely to them, as the index of a(e) Theo. 35. ^a Clocke to the houre, which must be gained by obseruation in practise, for the eye may be deceiued, but the hand vpon the straine of the halter will not.

And whereas this manner of vsing a young Colt at the first, may be held too violent, for heating him too much, before hisObiection. flesh be fully hardned, because it is holden the glut of the bo­dy will fall into the legges, and so is the cause of many diseases thereof; I answere, the violence will not be so great as is ima­gined,Answer. if as I haue said, you can conceiue of the first motion of obedience: for by the instinct of nature euery thing doth de­sire to flee from that which may hurt it; and therefore they will yeeld before they wrong themselues, if then they may be suf­fred: and the cause of such violence commeth rather through indiscretion, then by this order.

And for their sweating (if it fall out so) it doth not necessari­ly^f Euery sweate doth not surfeit. follow that euery sweat doth surfet, for then those Horses, which haue their heates giuen them in such sort, that they are all on a foame, would be in the same predicament, which thing experience will deny. And I see no reason wherefore the sweating of a young Colt, should more ingender such surrances in him, then in any other, if he be moderatly cooled, for age doth free neither Man nor Horse from diseases. And where it may be said, that they are the more foggy, and so sooner caused to sweate, so likewise they are more pursye, and so for want of winde, they will sooner obey: for the raking of the winde is the onely marke to ayme at, for the knowledge of gayning obe­dience.

And againe, sweat doth not so much hurt, if it proceed notTheo. 34. ^b. from the vitall parts, but from the animall: for this sweate is nothing but the dissolution of humors in the body, and so is dri­uen into the outward parts through the pores, by the violenceg The cause of sweating. of heate caused by labour, and so that which is without the skin doth dry and bark outwardly, but that which is within the skinne (disolued) by moderate exercise will disperse it selfe into all the naturall parts againe, without preiudice of the subiect. And therefore the cause of surfets, is the obstruction of bloud through the negligence of the man, either in suffering the horse [Page 56] to coole faster then the blood can haue its naturall concourse to the proper vse, or else in washing him before he be cold, [...] The cause of surfets. 1. Pra. 7. ⁿ. & 14. ^b. whereby the veines are sodainely coold, and the blood stopt, and so grosse humors doe abound, which causeth swelling of the legges, paines, scratches, and such like, therefore I would wish all that doe tender the soundnesse of their horses limmes, to eschew washing after labour, as an vtter enemy thereto, howsoeuer it is generally vsed, for sauing labour in dressing.

But if your Colt be of such a stubborne, & dogged disposition, that he will not yeeld to obedience, till he be so laboured, that he is all of a sweate, then let him be kept in exercise by tea­ching(i) Theo. 9. ^•. to lead, as afore I haue showne, till he be cold, and his sweating will hurt him no more then those Horses which are of greater age. And herein many doe deceiue themselues, through curiosity, for whereas they thinke to free their Colt from such dangers, by not heating him so much at the first, they are faine to thrust him afterward into greater extremities, whereby he is caused to sweat ofter by many degrees, and worse then hee should doe, before he can be brought to obedience, or else hee will proue but a Iade, and then why may not any one of those heates increase diseases as well as at the first.

CHAP. 16. Of the first Brideling and Sadling a young Colt.

VVHen you haue brought your Colt to such obedience, that hee will lead gently on both hands, and that hee1. Pr. 13. ^b. will suffer you to rubbe him all ouer, and take vp his feete gent­ly to be shod then you may vse him to the bridle and saddle,1 Pra. 14. ^b. ^a How to ac­quaint the Colt with the bridle and saddle. after this order.

First, you shall put a head-straine on his head, as I haue sayd before, which shall be made of three cords platted toge­ther, for that is more easie and gentle for the gawling▪ of his nose, then if they were layd one ouer another, so close as if they were but one rope, to the which you shall put a head­stall of Leather, like to a bridles headstall, with raines answera­ble [Page 57] thereto, which shall be buckled to the two rings with buckles set to either end of the reyne, for the same purpose, like^b How to make the headstraine. the manner of a musrole; but I would not haue the reines to be put crosse vnder the chaps, as they vse to doe it, but to be put to the ringes, (single) on the same side that doth belong to the reynes, because that if they should be put crosse, they would pull it so straite to his nose, that when a man doth slacke his hand, the Colt cannot finde any ease because the cords will be so weake, that they cannot open the reynes againe. Therefore you shall haue a thonge of leather to goe vnder his chaps (in the stead of them) to buckle so straite as you shall thinke meete, both to keepe the cordes in their due place, and also to put a martingale thereto, if you minde to vse one.

Then you shall take a bridle, with a trench so smooth as is possible, of the bignesse of a Canon of the smallest size, and an­noynt it with hony and salt, to rellish his mouth, which will make him haue the more delight to worke therevpon. Then you shall take the reynes thereof, and throwne them ouer the bought of your left arme, (for being vnder your feet when you should goe to the Colt) and laying the trench in the palme of^c How to bridle him. your left hand betwixt your finger and your thombe, you shall take the toppe of the bridle headstall in your right hand, and hanging it vpon your thumbe, you shall goe to the Colt very gently, and beginne at his shoulder to cherrish him both with kinde words, and your right hand, by scratching him therevpon: and so goe forward to his neeke, and ascend by degrees vp to his eares, and there cherrish him very well, then descending downe toward his nose, you shall hold him gently with your right hand vpon his nose, about the place where the cord of the head-straine doth lye. Then you shall put your left hand (in which the trench is) softly to his musle, and open his mouth^d You must doe all things very gently at his first backing. by thrusting your thumbe into it about the bridle tush, for feare of biting vp to the Pallat of his mouth, and when it is opened, as without doubt it will be by this meanes, you shall put the trench therein, then pull vp your right hand very gently to keepe the trench in his mouth, and put the headstall first ouer the farre eare, and pulling your hand towards you, put it ouer the narre eare, and so buckle the chawle band vnder his chaps, [Page 58] then you shall take the reynes thereof, and put them ouer his head, letting them hang loose vpon his Crest.

Note, that if in offering to bridle him, he will not suffer youNote. to put the bridle ouer his eares gently, that then in any case you striue not to do it by violence; for although many horses haue1. Pra. 14. ⁱ. that vice, yet the cause thereof doth not proceed from them,( [...]) Theo. 7. ^f. 1. Pr. 25. ^m. but from the abuse of the man; and therefore you must thinke that error doth issue from your selfe, in not making him so fa­miliar as you should: For this I am assured, that this method will traine vp a Colt to keepe him free from any euill tricks (if it bee truely vnderstood.) But in case you ouer-slip your selfe, or that you haue a Colt which hath the like quality, then you shall for­beare to bridle him presently, till you haue brought him to suf­fer you to handle him about the eares, which may bee done inTheo. 29. ^•. & 22. ^•. the Stable, by offering to scratch him gently about them; which if he will not endure, then (with a sticke) correct him twice or thrice together, vsing a reuiling voyce withall, but in any case correct him not too much, for bringing a distraction to him.

And therefore, if you see that hee hath gotten such an euill quality thereof, that you cannot well reforme him in the stable, then you shall haue him abroad, and vse him as I haue showne, by chasing about, till he will suffer you to come to his head and1 Pra. 14. ^f. ^• The applica­tion. handle his cares, which order will cause him soone to yeeld, for the chasing him about will make him let his winde haue free passage, which is the cause both of this and all other re­stiffe qualities, he keeping his winde to giue strength to his bo­dy that he may be the more able to resist.

When you haue bridled him, looke that his head-stall be of a iust length for his head, so that it hang neither so side, that he^k The true place for the trench in his mouth. may take it in his teeth, nor so short to gagge him, whereby he cannot take delight nor feele ease; but let it hang in his mouth a little aboue his bridle t [...]she, for that is its true place. Then take a great saddle, (commonly called a buffe saddle) be­ing couered either with buffe or Calfe-skinne, and let it bee made of such a forme as Mr. Markham hath delineated in his Cauallarice, with good stirrops and strong lethers thereto, with strong tabbes, fast sowne vnto the Siuilles, they being nayled [Page 59] to the tree for the same purpose; and three Girths made double of strong Girth-web, lest the Colt should breake them by the force of his winde, which would be a grosse error and hard to reforme.

Now your Saddle being thus prepared, you shall trusse vpThe Manner of sadling a young Colt. the stirrops, as high as the skirts of the saddle, and throw the Girths vpon the seat, lest the hanging of them downe may cause an affright in the Colt, and then you shall present it vnto him after this manner. First (as Mr. Markham doth wish) you shall bring it to his head, and suffer him to smell therevpon, after you shall rubbe it against his shoulder, and so along his side (euer cherishing him) to his buttocks, then you shall bring it back againe to his shoulder, and set it easily vpon his backe, which if hee suffer (as no doubt but hee will, being vsed in all things as is said) make much of him againe; then take it off and set it on againe: And let one (being on the contrary side) pull downe the formost Girth very gently and reach it vnto you,Of Crosse­girding. Note. which you shall Gird to the hindermost tabbe very slacke, (at the first) lest the Colt feele it nippe him, and so in stirring the o­ther Girths may offend him, (being loose) and endanger the casting of the saddle, (by plunging) which would bee held a great indiscretion of you.

Then when you haue fastened it to the hinder tabbe, (as I haue said) let him reach downe (likewise) the hindermost Girth, and giue it you, which (in like manner) must bee gert to the first tabbe, and after that the middle Girth, which you shall trusse to the middle tabbe. And when they are all thus fastened to the tabbes, you may trusse them straighter (by degrees) till you feele the saddle sit firme on his backe. Now this manner of girding is called crosse-girding, which is the best way to fasten the saddle on the Colt; for it will both keepe it in its due place very fast, and also it will keepe the Girths about his Chest, so that they cannot flye backe, whereby the Colt shall not haue such force to breake them, by thrusting out his body with his winde.

When you haue thus sadled your Colt, you shall take strong(x) The manner of his Crooper. Crooper (made of a long peece of lether) and first buckle one end thereof vnto the hinder part of the saddle, then you shall [Page 60] put it vnder his tayle, and fasten the other end (in like manner) thereto; at such a due length, as will neither suffer the saddle to slippe into his necke, nor pinch the Colt behind to keepe it backe. Then you shall take the reynes of the bridle, and make them of an equall length, (for pulling his head of one side) and pulling them gently towards the saddle pommell, till you feele (by your hand) the Colt may haue some feeling of the trench, at which length you shall reyne him to the pommell, for so you shall not bruise his mouth, (of which you must haue a great care) and also it will make him rest a little vpon it, to make him the better acquainted therewith.

Hauing (thus done, you shall take a long corde, and put one end through the ring of the head straine, (which is on the neare side) and let it goe vnder his chappes, to the ring an the farre side, fastening it thereto, which will serue in stead of a halter to [...] Pra. 15. ^b lead him by: So you shall take the Colt forth, to lead him a­broad to make him acquainted with the bridle & sadle, and theHow to ac­quaint your Colt with the saddle abroad. girding of his body; but euer as you lead him abroad you shall make very much of him, and goe to the saddle and clap vpon it with your hand, which if he suffer gently, cherish him exceding­ly to fortifie him in his well doing: But if he be any thing fear­full or skittish, you shall in no wise vse any sudden or rash cor­rection, (for that will make him the worse) but chase him three or foure times about on either hand, and giuing him reuiling1. Pr. 14. ^•. termes; which correction will bee sufficient to reforme any fault till he come to be backt.

When you haue thus chased him about, and that you see his winde doth rake, let him stand, and clap vpon the saddle againe,^l Many makes no accompt of making him gentle on the far side, which is the cause of many Iadifh trickes. neuer leauing to clap and shake the sadde on both sides, till you perceiue he is carelesse of you, and that he will suffer it without dread; which (I am sure) hee will endure instantly, if hee bee rightly vsed; then haue him home (to the stable) and rub him well all ouer, and giue him meat.

Thus by hauing him abroad, and vsing him after this order three or foure times, you shall make him so familiar with you,1. Pra. 14. ^g. 17. ^b. that h [...] will suffer you to come to the saddle (very boldly) on either side, though hee be a very vntoward Colt. When he is made thus tame, you shall let downe the Stirrops and lead him [Page 61] abroad letting them hang downe, to make him acquainted with the beating of them against his sides and shoulders (as he is led and trotted) for that will make him the better indure your feet in getting first vp, and also the hanging downe of your legges, when you are seated in the saddle at the first backing.

CHAP. 17. How to prepare a young Colt to let you take his backe without violence.

HAuing brought your Colt to this passe, that he will suffer you in all thinges, (as is said) then you may boldly aduen­ture to persist in preparing him to let you take his backe in the gentlest manner, which you shall doe thus. When you haue sadled and bridled him, you shall goe to him very gently, (be­ing in the stable) without any stick in your hand, for dismaying him, and put your foot into the stirrop, which if he indure, in­treat him kindely, then assay the second and third time before you raise your selfe therein, for nothing causeth confusion in a^a Hast often­times makes wast. Theo. 3. ^•. Horse, more then to teach a new thing before he apprehend the old, for (in Horsemanship) hast (for the most part) maketh waste.

Now when he wil suffer you to put your foot in the stirrop, you shall straine it a little more with the waight of your foot, and lift your selfe vp and downe halfe a dozen times, at which, if you perceiue he maketh small regard, you shall cherish him, afterHow to raise your selfe in the saddle. you shall lift your selfe halfe way vp, and look ouer the saddle to the far side, at which, if he neither shrinke nor stirre, then alight gently and comfort him againe, and let him rest a while, for that will ground him in his wel doing. After that, you shall go to him againe, and being halfe way vp (as afore) with your body to­wards the farre side, incourage him both with words and your hand, by cherishing him on the farre shoulder: Then goe to his other side, and doe in all things as on the narre, for that will make him so bold that when you come to backe him, hee [Page 62] will not take distast at any part of you; the neglect whereof hath(b) 1. Pr. 16. ^l. brought many ladish trickes to the Colt; and so to cloake their ignorance hath holden the cause to be the doggednesse of the Colt, and that hee would not haue taken his way no better, whosoeuer had handled him.

But because I would not haue men languish any longer, of such a braine-sicke disease; let them know assuredly, that if they vse a Colt (of what disposition soeuer) according to the true vnderstanding of this Method, they may take his backe, and make him goe forward willingly, without any yerking, plunging, lying downe, or any other ladish qualitie. And there­fore, by his first backing, you may iudge whether you haue v­sed him as you ought; for this I haue had experience of, that a man may backe a young Colt, if hee bee rightly vsed, to make him take his way gently (without tricks) as well as to teach him any other lesson; for it is also but a lesson.

And this may reproue them that will aduenture to backe a Colt so soone as he is haltred, and so make great bragges of their knowlege, which is as commendable, as those husband­menA confused course. which will laye grasse together in Winter stacke, so soone as it is cut downe before it hath time to wither: for as this will cause mow-burning and moulding, so the other will en­danger the melting of his grease, (if hee bee of spirit and fatte) and also cause many restiffe qualities, which will aske farre more time to reforme, then would be required to keepe them from them at the first. And further it is opposite to the Art (how­soeuer they may esteeme of themselues) for that dealeth alto­gether vpon extremities (without order) but this in the meane(c) Theo. 3. ^e. with order: Therefore hee is not a Horseman that can sit a rough Horse, but hee that can gouerne him according to the Art.

But to returne from whence I did digresse, when your Colt will suffer you to get halfe way vp, then you may vse him in allHow to carry your Switch at the first. 1. Pr. 22. ^g. things (as afore) with a Switch in your hand, obseruing to car­ry it in your right hand with the point vpward, running vp close by your shoulder, for feare the motion and sight thereof should bring a distraction to the Colt. To which, when he is acquain­ted, then (being in the stable) you may get into the saddle, [Page 63] and sit still therein without motion for a time, to make him ac­quainted with the sight of your body, vpon his backe, for so you shall the lesse dismay your Colt with the apparition of your body, because it will not be so perspicuous, in regard the house is not of such illustration as the open ayre. Then alight from his backe and cherish him, letting him rest, and so giue him meate.

When you haue brought your Colte that hee will suffer you to take his backe in the stable, then haue him abroadHow to vse him when you first take his back a­broad. againe, and leading him abroad, so as hee shall not bee neere any other Horses (for disturbing him,) you shall first let him pause a little, after (taking your Switch in your hand as before) you shall goe to him, and offer to put your foot in the stirrop, which if he suffer, cherish him; and so doe in all things as you did in the stable, onely obserue not to get into the saddle, till you haue on [...] to hold him, and lead him forward at the first, least hee shew some Iadish trickes, you hauing no meanes to let him know your mind. Now when hee will suffer you to do thus on the narre-side, acquaint him with the like on the far-side, the omission wherof hath caused many absurdities; for many if they once bring their Colt to familiarity on the one side, they neuer regard the other: like to the vnskilfull Cooke who thinketh that his meate is roasted as soone as the out side is scortched. And so they aduenture to backe him; whereby the Colt is so much disastered, by such strange apparitions on the o­ther side, and vpon his backe, as he was neuer acquainted with­all before; that he presently falleth to yerking, and plunging, as euill as if he had neuer beene handled, whereby some get such iadish trickes, as they can neuer be reformed; but by great iudgement.

Now for the preuention of which restife qualities, I neede not(d) 1. Pr. 14. ^g. Chap. ^b. spend any time therefore, for if you note this decorum, you may backe any Colt, without resistance. And therefore if there be a fault it is in your selfe. But if your Colt be of such a dogged disposition, and you haue erred in your iudgement, so that he wil not suffer you to take his back gently, you shall vse no other correction then reuiling termes; and thereto if it be in the house you shall giue him a stroke or two with a small sticke, and not [Page 64] with a switch, for causing him to be swing tayled. But if it be abroad that he will not suffer you to take the Saddle, then chase him about as before, for that is all the manner of corrections [...]. Pr. 14. ^f. 16. ^•. you neede vse till he be backt. And by this meanes you may ground any Colt, whether it be for the Buffe-saddle, Pacing, Trotting, or Coursing.

CHAP. 18. How to Backe your Colt at the first.

I May seeme to many to set fourth more strict obseruations then needeth, in making him apt for the Saddle, and backing: because it may be said, there hath beene many good Colts backt heretofore without halfe such curiosity. But if they would rightly vnderstand the proiect hereof: that it doth tend to the true taming of any Colte, of what disposition soeuer, they shall finde, (by proofe) that here is nothing superfluous, for the bringing of such to subiection, as are of high spirit, and of a fearefull, and dogged disposition. And although those Colts which are of such soft mettell, that they will be made domesti­call, with much lesse labour and curiosity: yet if they rightly(a) consider how many of those Colts proue iades, when they comeTheo. 17. ^h. 37. ^h. to the touchstone, in regard they are not rightly handled before they come to bee backt; and likewise, acknowledge the cause (as certain it is) to proceed through the negligence of the man; I put no question, but they would not thinke that any needlesse labour or time spent, which doth bring such good and profita­ble effects.

But because no potion can be discribed, or confected, to cure this deadly disease, of wilfull negligence and ignorance, I will let them continue still in this obstinate infection: and seeke to preserue the yong imps (of this Vineyard) from such contagious and infectious diseases. And therefore when you haue prepa­red your Colt so, that he will suffer you to doe in all things as I haue said: then you shall cause him to be Bridled and Sadled as afore, and looke that you haue a speciall care, to put the head­straine, [Page 65] in the due place of his nose; for if it be ouer high it will stand in small stead to gouerne him, except you vse much vio­lence, and by that meanes you shall chafe and gaule his nose very shamefully.

And againe, if you put it too low, you may bruse the tenderNote the true place of the head straine. grisle thereof; and further, by pulling it straight, you shall pinch his Nostrells, whereby his winde will be stopped from its na­turall passage: either of which will be accounted a grosse absurdity in the horseman. Therefore let it be placed below the nether-most part of the strength of his nose, iust at the be­ginning of his nostrell.

Furthermore, you shall haue a long girth made of double girtweb well sowed together, made of purpose like a sursingle, hauing at either end a strong ring: and to one of these rings you shall make fast a long peece of strong hunger-leather whereby you may trusse it round about the Colt, to make the Saddle more firme: Now this, of many is called a hold-fast. Then put it ouer the saddle, and bring it vnder his belly, and putA Girth or sur­single called a holdfast. the other end of the sayd leather first through the nethermost ring and after through the vppermost, & puting it through thus three or foure times, you shall pull it very close to his body, and so make the end fast. Now the profit hereof is, it will keepe theThe vse thereof Saddle very firme, and sure, and helpe to keepe both the tabbes and girths from breaking, in that it will so gird in his body, that he dare not thrust forth his winde (neuer after,) to breake them as is the tricke of many sullen iades. Or for want thereof you may take a strong trace, but it is not so good, because it will pinch and nip his body too sore, (except there be a great care had in the trussing of it.)

When you haue made your Colt thus ready, let his keeper goe to him gently, and lappe vp the straine of the long rope, that is fastned to the head straine handsomely, and take it in his left hand, then take him close by the head with his right hand, and lead him forth gently into the fields, to some new plowed grounds, where after he hath paused a while, you shall(b) 1. Pr. 14. ^b. goe your selfe vnto him, and looke that your Saddle stand right, the crooper sure, and all the girths of an equall straitnesse, and in their right place. Thus when you see that all things are sure, [Page 66] you shall obserue how he is disposed, which you shall perceiueTheo. 17. ^d. 23. ^c. 34 ^b. by his gesture, but because I haue spoken largely thereof in the seauenteenth Chapter of the Theoricke part, I will not trouble you with repetition here againe, but referre you thither: And if you perceiue (by any of those Characters) that he is euill dis­posed, then let him be chased about (againe) to remoue those by-thoughts, which is a present remedy; but yet know that [...]. Pra. 14. ^f. 16. ^d. the chiefe cause thereof is in your selfe for want of true pro­ceeding.

Then you shall put your foot into the Stirrop, and heaue your selfe foure or fiue times from the ground, which if hee suffer, (as no doubt but hee will, being rightly trained before) you shall1 Pra. 17. ^d. alight and cherish him, and let his keeper lead him twenty or thirty yards, which will comfort him much: then goe to him againe, and get halfe way into the saddle, then alight and che­rish him, and let him be led forward againe, and the next time get into the saddle (gently) and seat your selfe in such sort, as I haue showne at large in the 13. Chapter of this first part;Theo. 13. which is briefly with your body vpright, your nose, iust against the middle distance betwixt his eares, your feet hanging^c How to seate your selfe in the saddle. euen downe, as if you stood on the ground, and the reynes of your head straine shall bee made of such a iust length that (keeping your true seate, in euery respect, and your armes close by your side, holding your hands ouer his mid-crest) hee may haue but a feeeling of your hand with his head. Being thus mounted, you shall take the reynes of the bridle^d How to hold your bridle reynes. and lap them one ouer another to the iust length of the other reyne, and so hold them a handfull distance one from another, holding your sticke in your right hand close by your shoulder for amazing the Colt. Then your selfe sitting without mo­tion, let his keeper offer to lead him forward some three or foure score yardes, which if he goe gently as very like he will, then let him offer to stop him, and at that very instant you may straine your hand a little harder, which will be a meanes to giue him some vse thereof.

Then let him cherish him, but sit your selfe still in your seate, and let him lead him forward, and Trot in his hand as farre a­gaine, there let him stop him, and your selfe doing as before, [Page 67] and after hee hath cherished him, let him take away the rope from his head strain, and after he hath led him forward, let him leaue him onely to your selfe, you suffering him to go forward,(2) A Colt must be suffered to goe which may he will at the first. which way he will, whether it be ouerthwart the field, end­wise or howsoeuer, for if you should disturbe him before he can tell how to take his way, it will both weaken his necke, gaule and spoyle his mouth, or bring some other restiffe quality to him, which would aske a great time to reforme. And obserue nothing at his first backing, but onely to carry an vpright firme hand (ouer the midst of his Crest) for so you shall keepe hisNote. head so steddy▪ that he cannot haue liberty to throw downe his head, (as is the desire of many young Colts) but you must so temper the carriage of your hand, that it must not bee so hard as to cause him to stay, nor so slack as he may get the aduantage(e) Theo. 14. ^b. 27. ^c. to run away, which is most incident to Colts of the best mettall: And therefore you shall carry your hand so that you may haue but a feeling of your Colt, and he likewise but a fee­ling of you.

Wherefore if you see that hee is disposed to runne away in any case doe not thinke to stoppe him by force: for that will so^f The cause of disorder of the head. spoyle his mouth, that hee will proue headstrong, and get euill qualities (as writhing of his chappes, hanging out his tongue, and such like:) but let him goe as he will, you doing nothing,1. Pr. 14. ^e. but desire to keepe him from dangers, till you feele him begin15. ^g. to slake, which I am sure he will doe presently, except you adde^g You must be carefull to ob­serue his first motion of yeel­ding. fewell to his fire, and therefore you must be carefull to appre­hend the first motion of yeelding, and then straine your hand a little to stay him, and so make a large turne for weakning of his necke, helping him to turne (by laying your contrary legge to his side) on that hand you minde to turne him, and so Trot him home (by the gentlest meanes you can) then let his keeper come gently vnto him, and hold him by the head, till you be a­lighted from his backe, and so haue him into the stable, rub­bing him well, and then let him stand.

Note, that if at his first backing, (whilst he is in his keepers hand to leade forward,) hee be desirous to goe faster then youNote. would haue him; that then in no wise hee hold him by force, but letting the rope goe to full length suffer him to runne halfe [Page 68] a dosen times about him on either hand (with you on his back) and that will be a sufficient correction, for that at the first, ex­cept you disquiet him through you disorder, for if he should thinke to hold him by strong hand, it would spoyle all you had1 Pra. 14. i. done before, in causing him to striue the more; extremities be­ing repugnant to Art.

CHAP. 19. Of backing a young Colt after other Horses.

ALthough diuers antient Horse-men haue counselled, that a young Colt at his first handling, should be taught by fol­lowing other Horses; and also Maister Morgan doth aduise that he should both be taught to lead, and to be backt after the same manner; yet experience hath brought me to a con­trary minde; the reasons why, are: First, I must needs confesse(1) For a young Colt to follow other Horses at his first back­ing is nought and why. it is a very good way if this Art of Horsemanship did tend to no other end at his first backing, but to make him gentle to carry a burden or sackes to the Market, for then they would soone be brought to carry a packe, and follow other horses without much to doe, very willingly; But it hath a further extent, for it aymeth to bring a Horse to true obedience, and to giue him a comely, and gracefull Reyne, a commendable Pace, and a hand­some^a The end of this Art. Theo. 9. ^h. 11. ^d. carriage of himselfe in euery one of his parts: which can neuer be effected, by this order in making him louing and gen­tle onely, sith there is still an inherency of rebellion by nature, that is still vnreformed.

Wherefore, no maruayle though he condemne all those Hor­ses as without vse, if they be not of such perfect breeding and shape as he desireth: seeing that neither they nor these can beTheo. 19. ^b. brought to the height of their disposition, by such indirect grounds of Art which he doth set downe. Secondly, there will(2) be in that proceeding a great losse of time, for whereas he doth will that a Colt should be exercised in leading after another^b A losse of time. Horse, nine or tenne daies, before he doe any other matter to him: and after to carry some heauy burden vpon his Saddle [Page 69] some seuerall dayes after; during all which times he (by this do­cument) should not weare any thing in his mouth, but onely a halter on his head; and then after he is backt, still to follow ano­ther horse two or three dayes more; in which time any industri­ous Horseman may teach a Colt both to take his way willingly, and giue him a good ground of helps and corrections, both by hand and foot, which hee will then be altogether barren of, in that it is so long ere hee haue a trench in his mouth with­out the true vse whereof, whatsoeuer a man doth, is most absurd.

Thirdly, this is a cure that doth heale an old festred sore(3) outwardly, but neuer searcheth to the bottome, for if hee bee a Colt of any sad disposition, it will make him so extreame stub­borne, that hee will goe but as himselfe lusteth, without any grace at all: And againe, if he bee of a free disposition, it will make him so wilfull, that when hee should bee commanded toTheo. 19. & Chap. 20. doe any thing which he disliketh, will (as a soare festred break­eth out anew) fall to rebellion, he neuer hauing the vse of mo­tions taught him.

And lastly, he (by following another Horse so long) will get(4) such a habit thereof, that when hee shall chance to meete with one by the way, he will bee very hardly intreated to passe by him, especially if he be any thing disquieted before: in that custome hath made him more frequent to follow them, thenTheo. 14. [...] to be gouerned by the man. For, although by this order hee may bee brought to gentlenes, and so bee caused to goe for­ward(c) Theo. 34. ^•. (according to his owne liking) yet when the man shall thinke to work him for further perfection, he will vse resistance because he was neuer brought to obedience before; by the meanes of which ignorance hee is brought to restiffe qualities, being trained according to his owne wil, and not to the know­ledgeTheo. 20. ^•. 18. ^a. of Art, (as I haue said in the 20. Chapter of the Theorick.) because this tendeth to obedience towards the man, whereby^d A difference betwixt the Horse yeelding to the Man, and the Man yeel­ding to the Horse. they two may be ioyned in one.

And although there may bee said that there is an obedience in this, yet the difference is, that in this coniunction the Man doth yeeld to the appetite of the Colt; but in the other to seeke a reducement of it to obey the will of the man, (being [Page 70] led by reason; for the want of which consideration, is the cheife cause of all manner of restiffenes, and of a dead and hard mouth, so that the Colt will runne away vpon euery discontent. And fur­ther,Theo. 17. ^h. as the gauling of the mouth is not cōmendable nor agree­ing1 Pra. 6. ^a. to Art, (in that it is therby hardened and made horny) by ri­gor and violence; so to vse a Colt, after these directions, will neuer bring him to true subiection of the hand; for that his mouth was neuer quickened with a true relish, by helps and motions; for although it is not hard and horny by bruising, yet it will be so soft and dead, that if hee be displeased, hee will no more respect the trench (it being so smooth as it should be) then he had a fuzze or spunge in his mouth, which is the cause that so many varieties of hard bittes and snaffles were inuented. Wherefore no way that I euer found either by practise or rea­ding,(e) to preuent all these inconueniences is so certaine as toTheo. 10. ^d. back a young Colt, after the former order; for so the Colt is continually gouerned after the mans directions.

CHAP. 20. Of the commendations of the Head-straine, with the vses.

BEfore I trace any further in this Tract of taming a young Colte, I will speake a little more of the commendations and vse of the Head-straine, because it is the onely instrument that can be vsed for staying, placing, and making firme the horses head, and also to learne him the vse of the trench, with the least offence. But heere I may seeme to dissent from all the for­mer Authors, in that I allow no sharper instruments for taming and subduing any Colt, then the smooth trench; and the Head­straine, sith there hath beene and is still (in all ages) seuerall in­uentions, some of greater torture then other (to be applyed ac­cording to the nature of the Horse) as musrolles, chaynes, and cauezans, and likewise great varieties of bits & snaffles, of seue­rall hardnes and sharpnes; yet sith I haue found by experience & reason, that that Head-straine onely with the trench, will bring­any [Page 71] Colt to subiection: I omit the other as superfluous, and speake onely of those which worke neerest the truth, crauing leaue to set forth my experience, as well as they doe their col­lections.

But whereas some who haue deserued condigne praise, (inObiection. taking paines to set forth their workes for the good of their Country) hold that the Head-straine hath beene a sufficient correction (in times past) to bring a Colt to obedience, whilst they were of a more pure maturity, but since (being composed of a more grosse substance,) a man cannot subdue their rebel­lionAnswer. with such soft and mild corrections: I answer, if the cause of rebellion did consist in the outward parts, it were true, butTheo. 3. ^•. (as I haue often said) it is in the inward parts, and therefore to35. ^•. vse cruelty (in such sort) as to cause a reformation altogetherEt multis locis. by the outward parts, is as if a Phisitian should launce the outward parts of the body, to cure the inward fluxe of a Consumption. And therefore these varieties of cruelties, doeTheo. 10. ^d. rather argue the miserable condition of our age, which doth more affect imitation, then an vrgent necessity.

For if any man (comming from a strange Countrey) vse any new fashioned inuention, (though neuer so cruell) then are w [...] ready to imitate him in the like, thinking that nouelties doe produce perfect on: Whereby, (like sheepe) we are led to the slaughter of ignorance, in that wee will neuer take paines toTheo. 19. ^•. consult with reason what digression such Crueltie doth make from the truth. For, when Signior Prospero, first came into England, he flourished in fame for a time, (through that affecti­onated blindnes we are vailed withall, in exalting strangers for their strange fashions) and so, though hee vsed such tormen­ting Cauezans, as were more fit for a massacring butcher then a Horseman, yet for all that well was he that could goe neerest him in such Turkish tortures: And besides those, hee wouldTheo. 16. ^a. haue a thicke truncheon to beat those Cauezans into his nose, the further to torment him, as if Art had consisted in cruell tor­turing poore horses.

And yet for all this, our eager desire did so hunt after nouel­ties,^a Imitation leades vs into wilfull igno­rance. that we neuer regarded whither we went in following the chase, till time (the searcher of truth) gaue euidence of his [Page 72] knowledge, and then a definitiue sentence was giuen against him (as a iust desert) that he was not worthy to bee marched in the reare ward of the meanest professors.

Neither do I much allow Mr. Blundeuills opinion, (although famous with the most) who being led too much by authority,^b Varieties of bittes or snaf­fles distemper the hand. in following other Authors, hath spent a great time in setting forth such diuersities of bittes to distort the silly Horses, that the varieties of them were able to confuse both man and horse; for no man can haue such a temperate hand, as to carry it (as hee should) vpon seuerall bittes, nor no horse can conceiue how to carry and behaue himselfe (as hee ought) finding such alteration in his mouth: But if he had taken as great paines to make tryall of such varieties by experience, as he did to col­lect and set them forth, and also to search the causes of rebel­lion; he would haue turned his pen from the horse to the man, (for reformation) in as much as hee hauing reason should worke by such order, as is best agreeing to the same.

But heere I may bee held very peremptorious, to speake a­gainstObiection. the ancients heerein, as though they had not taken as great paines to scarch the truth, and likewise could not haue seene, if they had brought such absurdities, as well as my selfe: I answer, there is nothing that increaseth ignorance more then partiality, and negligence; for when as a man hath set forth someAnswer. things that are probable, then if he commit many grosse errors^• A partiall iudge neuer a true Iudge, es­pecially being led by Autho­rity. after, yet hauing a fame there is a partiall censure of him, that all his rules are absolute▪ and so those errors are reformed if they once say it is his opinion: Whereby, being negligent, they will not take paines to examine the truth thereof, but tread still the tract of the ancients, (it being more easie to go to the mine where there is a pit digged already, then to worke anew out of the earth: Which Lethargy, I my selfe was also benummed a^d For wee ha­uing the bene­fit of their times and our owne, it were a shame if we did not purge this Art from some of her errors. great while withall, for louing imitation I practis'd as well vp­on those cruelties as vpon the milder, but yet I could neuer find so good effect in them as in the Head-straine and trench, which made me thinke that men were but men, and that error hath intruded it selfe in all ages; and therefore resolued to fol­low them no further then they followed the truth.

But in regard that my selfe onely is of this opinion, my words [Page 73] cannot bee so well credited, that they should bee beleeued; therefore for the further proofe of these my assertions, I will frame one Sillogisme, as well as I can, (in regard I am no Logi­tian,) thus.

Nothing that doth tend to violence, doth worke accordingCelarent. to the true Art of Horsemanship.

But all hard Cauezans, Bittes, and snaffles doe tend to vi­olence:

Ergo, no hard Cauezans, Biittes and Snaffles doe tend to the true Art of Horsemanship.

The Maior is proued by Aristotle▪ where he saith, that what­soeuerEthick. 3. li. Chap. 1. is done by violence, is no Art in that it is done vnwil­lingly, whose beginning is in the outward parts contrary to nature (and Art doth tend to helpe nature) so that what­soeuer is so done, bringeth no delight, and therefore not durable.

And likewise the Minor is proued by the same place, for those instruments are the executioners of a Tyrant, which forceth by feare of a greater euill; so that if they will not presently obey (according to his will) they shall bee lacerated and tortur'd, whereby they are forced to yeeld sodainely with the outward1. Pra. 14. ⁱ. parts, although the inward parts bee still rebelling. By whichTheo. 3. ^•. proofes it is plaine, that violence is no true Art, so that the con­clusion must necessarily follow.

But whereas it may be obiected that heerein I deny my selfe,Obiection. for I spake of vsing violence in the first haltring of a Colt, in that he should be forced till he sweat so much; I answer, theyAnswer. which vnderstand mee so, deceiue themselues; for whereas I speake of chasing a Colt till hee sweat, is no violence (for ma­ny will chase themselues in playing till they sweat, which is not violent but voluntary) for hee hath liberty to ease himselfe as soone as he yeeldeth; but that which is brought by violence, is forced with griefe, because he can find no ease. Wherfore to in­fer by induction, seeing those Instruments do work by violence, and violence is such an enemy to this Art, and Art is wrought by the softest and gentlest means to gaine obedience; therfore I commend this head-straine and trench aboue all the other, in that they are sufficient to command either young Colt, or any [Page 74] other Horse whatsoeuer, if they bee rightly vsed, which I proue thus.

Whatsoeuer things will reforme any one euill quality in allDarij. Horses, will reforme all euill qualities in any one Horse.

But this Head-straine and trench (in their right vses) will reforme any one euill quality in all horses.

Ergo, this Head-straine and trench (in their right vses) will re­forme all euill qualities in any one Horse.

The Maior is proued by the Metaph: for nature hath giuenMeta. vnto all horses one and the selfe same materiall substance and nature, so as there is no new thing in any indiuiduum, that there should need any new inuentions for seuerall qualities, in as much as euery single body doth participate of the vniuersall na­ture,1. Pr. 13. ^h. and so all restiffe qualities proceed from one roote, and one cause, which is disobedience, and therefore no seuerall na­tures, although they vary in disposition, which is increased by rebellion, through abuse by mans ignorance, in not knowing, how to apply his Corrections accordingly: For, to reforme any one euill qualitie in all horses, doth require as many seuerall applications, as to reforme all in any one; for if there were a Horse that might bee said had any naturall euill quality more then any other horse, then he might bee said to be a more horse then another, which is grosse to conceipt.

The Minor is proued, in as much as this Art doth tend to re­duce all to a meane, therfore whatsoeuer is differing therefrom, doth decline to either of the extreames, and so repugnant to Art: And therefore, seeing in all the actions of a Horse, there is2. Pr. 36. ^a. but two chiefe things to be respected, as obedience or disobedi­ence, and so in his mouings, they are either orderly or disorder­ly, fast or slow, dead-mouthed or tickle mouthed, &c. Euen so in like manner, these two, (I meane the Head-straine and trench, being also two) will reforme any restiffe or euill quality in what horse soeuer if they be truly applyed; for though there be as many seuerall dispositions as there are horses, yet all re­stiffe qualities that concurre (as I say) proceed all from oneTheo. 32. ^a cause, and so may bee reformed by these instrument (if they bee rightly vsed;) for as one horse is a particulars horse, and yet may haue many restiffe qualities, by disorder and abuse, so these [Page 75] haue manifold operations, and yet the same: and therfore, if any2 Pra. 37. haue them and cannot find such effect by them, as to reforme any quality in all horses that shall come vnto him, he must con­demne himselfe, either for negligence or ignorance, for not ei­ther applying, or not knowing how to apply the ingredients thereto belonging, the trench seruing to quicken the mouth when it is dead, and the Head-straine to stay his head, that so hee may rest vpon the trench, if hee bee tickle-mouthed; for when the head and mouth is perfect, there can bee no restiffe quality working: and so the conclusion also must needs stand good.

Wherefore seeing these two, with their vses are sufficient to bring a horse to an obedient and true riding; let all those that mind to plant in this Vineyard, make much of these Labourers which will keepe the weedes from growing therein: And suf­ferTheo. 5. no other idle and vaine loyterers to dwell, lest they nourish such weeds as the other hath pluckt vp.

CHAP. 21. How to make your Colt take his way, without re­sistance.

VVHen you haue sadled your horse the second time, and made him ready, let his keeper lead him forth into1. Pr. 18. ^•. the field, and there vse him in all things as at the first day, (espe­cially if you find him to be any thing stirring) suffering him to goe which way he lusteth, obseruing nothing but onely to car­ry a firme hand, and after you haue trotted him halfe a mile or there about, (so that he will suffer you to make a gentle motion of your body) you shall straine your hand a little, to make him^a Your moti­ons must direct him to know your mind. haue more feeling thereof, and (with the helpe of your legge) assay to guide him in the right way, to which (if you feele any towardnesse) cherish him with your voyce, and make a large turne, and trot him home to the stable; letting his keeper holdTheo. 14. ^•. him till you light; then after he is cold giue him some meat to comfort and cherish him.

Note that if at your first offer to guide him, he refuse, that thenNote. you doe not (in any case) force him, for making him thrust out his contrary shoulder, and weaken his necke (for preserua­tion whereof you must haue a great care) for many inconueni­ences will insue thereby, besides it will aske a great time to^b You must ob­serue that hee carry a firme body in all his proceedings. Theo. 15. ^c. cause him haue a true cariage of his body being once dislocated. Therefore let him goe on, still as himselfe lusteth halfe as farre againe, and euer as hee is going forward assay the like, and so the thirde or fourth time, by which time I am sure hee will yeeld (though he be very stubborne, if to the vse of your hand you vse the help of the legge, by laying the calfe close to that side of your Colte, which is contrary to that hand you minde to turne on) and so haue him home as before. Likewise haue him into the field, in the afternoone your selfe, for thenTheo. 15. ^d. you may be bould to get vpon his Backe (if before you haue not vsed any sharpe correction to terrifie him) and being sea­ted gently, putting him forward by easing your hand, to giue him liberty to goe, and helping him with the motion of your body forward, and euer as he goeth seeke to gouerne with your helpes, by degrees, as you shall find his towardnesse, but if hee be slow of apprehension, so as he will not conceiue your minde so soone as you would, be not dismayd, but labour him still as is said, and arme your selfe with patience, for if then you fall to correcting, you vtterly spoyle all, for order doth not allow cor­rection^• Art doth not commend cor­rection for ig­norance but for negligence. for ignorance, when he knoweth not what to doe, nor wherefore he is corrected, but for negligence, when hee hath learned a thing, and doth forget it againe, or else through selfe­will doe it but when him lusteth.

Thus you may vse him for two or three daies, by which time hee will suffer you to take his backe gently, to goe forward willingly, and to be guided easily. Note that if in this time he chance to show any iadish tricks, as Plunging, Reareing, Run­ning-backe, and such like, that then you must examine yourNote. owne proceedings, for the cause is in your selfe: for if you vn­derstand this Methode, and worke accordingly I am sure there wil insue no disorder, for the head-straine is so pleasing and gen­tle, that the Colt will presse forward very willingly vpon it, and will easily be gouerned thereby, in that it is the same with the [Page 77] chase-halter, wherewith at the first he was commanded, and therefore you must obserue to guide him chiefly by it, till hee hath further vse of the trench.

CHAP. 22. How to make your Colt rest vpon the trench.

VVHen you haue brought your Colt to take his way willingly forward, and that he will be guided by your hand which way you will, then you may be bould, to seeke to bring his mouth to the vse of the trench, that so you may come to learne him to stop. But thought I cannot make this so plaine as I would, in that there is such ambiguity in the hand, which must be gouerned according to the shape, and disposition of the Horse; yet I will demonstrate it so plainely as I can in treating cheifly of those Horses vpon whom the depth of Art doth de­pend,^a VVhat sort of Horses the depth of Art doth depend vpon. which are such as are of a thicke, and short necke, dead mouthed, and of a heauy and sadde disposition.

Now because the true mouthing of a Horse, to cause him to stop close, and to place his head orderly, are the grounds of this Art; you must haue a great regard that you fayle not in any of1. Pra. 22. ^a. 25. ^a. them, for if you doe you shall fayle of your desire: for the neg­lect whereof and of their true vse, is the generall cause of all e­uill quallities, which may insue in riding. And therefore if these^b Markes to know when the Colt is brought to true obedi­ence. be once truely gained, then is your Colt brought to true obedi­ence, but not before: and then he may be put to other lessons, which depend vpon further command, and moreouer by their vses, you may haue knowledge whether he is perfect in them or no; for it is not his doing but his manner of doing, that you^c The cause of rebellion is in the selfe. must regard.

And so the application of the triall of your owne iudgementTheo. 21. ^d. is in the proceedings of your own workes, for if in teaching any other lesson, he proue rebellious, then you erred in your iudge­ment in these for howsoeuer you may thinke that he is perfect in them, yet I dare assure you he is not so according to Art till he be obedient to your helpes and corrections, and know the [Page 78] vse both of hand and foot. To which command of the head he must vpon necessity bee brought vnto before hee can bee com­mandedTheo. 36. ^a. 32. ^b. 35. ^d. in the other parts of his body; for a Horse cannot bee mouthed well except hee carry his head orderly, and stoppe closely, neither can hee be caused to carry his head orderly, except hee haue a sweet mouth, and his hinder parts so roundly trust, to stoppe truely, neither can hee be brought to stoppe truely, except hee be well mouthed, and his head firmely pla­ced, howsoeuer the ignorant in the true knowledge of this Art, may thinke the contrary.

And yet further you must obserue, (if truely you thinke to worke) that these must not consist in the outward parts, but al­so his desire must be agreeing, to doe them willingly or else they(d) Theo. 36. ^a. 2. will not continue: and this is the point that many hath fayled in, which hath beene the cause of so many torturing inuentions, as afore said, for when they haue brought their Colt to doe these well, as they thinke, then when he beginneth to be wea­ry, or else any thing disturbed, hee will either beare hard vpon the hand, or seeke to free himselfe, by desiring to runne away, and so they presently sought sharper instruments for his head, thinking the other to be too gentle, iudging the cause to bee in too much lenity of the hand, whereas it was in his disobedi­ence, for that his desire was not agreeing to those outward motions.

And likewise it is the cause of rebellion in those Horses which are ridden for the Buffe saddle, for many if they be rid­den longer then ordinary, or by long marching forward if they begin to be weary, they will rely too much vpon the hand,(e) whereby their mouth will become dead, and therefore they in­uentedTheo. 10. ^a. strange causes from the cause, for it was that their hin­der parts were not firmly knit, but come slowly after, and so theyTheo. 35. ^d. presse vpon the hand; In like manner it is with hunting and(f) running Horses, for when they are holden hard to the height ofThe like cause is in hunting and running Horses. their speed, many of them will play the Iade because the hinder parts are not trust together roundlie but launcheth themselues, to such length that they are not able to bring them after.

Wherefore to keepe your Colt free from such disorders whereby you shall not neede to seeke any other sinister meanes, [Page 79] you shall obserue thus. When your Colt is made so gentle, that he will suffer you to take his backe abroad in the field, then you shall vse him to come to the blocke, by letting his keeper leade him to it, and there cause him to stand, by the gentlest(g) meanes you can, then you shall come to him gently, with your1. Pra. 17. ^c. switch in your right hand holding it vp close by your shoulder (as afore,) and going to his head make much of him, and so goe vpon the blocke very softly, for too much stirring may af­fright him, when hee seeth you stand so high aboue him, then cherish him, and when you haue clapt your hand twice or thrice vpon the Saddle to imbolden him, get into it, and let his keeper put your foote into the stirrops, and lead him gently from the blocke and so let him goe.

Now when you haue trotted him forward some twelue, or twenty score, you shall make your bridle reynes of a iustNote. length with the reynes of the head-straine, for till hee can tell how to take his way forward, they should bee long­er then these, that hee may presse the more willingly vpon the headstraine, and so the more willingly take his way, and after you haue trotted him about a quarter of a mile further, you shall beginne to worke vpon his head, by holding your hands some­what more firme, at which if he seeme to checke, ease them a­gaine, but keepe him still vpon his Trot, some seauen or eight score, and then offer the like againe, neuer leauing, as you see occasion, till you feele him rest a little vpon the trench,(h) then cherrish him with gentle wordes, but keepe him stillThis seemeth a slight error but it proueth great in working. in motion, for if you suffer him to stand at his owne will, be­fore hee know how to presse forward vpon the trench, it will breed in him a restifnesse of standing still, which will aske a great time to reforme; therefore (as I say) keepe him still in action, and haue him home.

Then haue him forth againe in the after-noone, in like manner, still working vp his head, by holding your hands ouer1. Pr. 18. ^d. his midde crest, (for so you shall haue the greater power to worke his head to the full height that nature will suffer: letting them come and goe with sweet motions. Note that if in theNote. working vp of his head he begin to rest vpon your hands, that then you seeke no violence, but yeelding them a little, thrust [Page 80] him into a Swift Trot, by iertting your feete forth sud­denly,^• How to make a Colt goe light vpon the hand. vpon your stirrop leathers, for that will make him follow more roundly with his hinder parts, and as they follow roundly after, so you shall feele him obey to your hands, for the closer they are shut, the more the fore parts are raysed, after this man­ner you shall vse him for two or three daies, and by that time you shall feele his mouth very tractable, if you spoyle it not by striuing too much therewith.

Note further also, that if in thrusting him forward, hee willNote. not come on roundly with his hinder parts by reason of his dog­gednesse, that then at the very instant, when you offer to thrust him forward with your body, you giue him a good ierke with your switch, and in three or foure times, it will cause him to ga­ther them vp, which when you perceiue, make much of him, and haue him home, obseruing this for a generall rule, to leaue himA generall rule. in lust and courage, for that will increase his quicknesse, and nimblenesse.

CHAP. 23. How to learne him to stop.

YOur Horse being brought to this passe, that he will rest vp­on the trench, with his mouth then you may learne him to stoppe, but not before: for if you should put him to that be­foreA Simile. he knoweth how to rest his head therevpon, is as a man that coueteth to iudge by his feeling with his gloues on his hands. For if you force him to stoppe vpon the hand before his mouth be quickned, you shall vtterly spoyle it, and loose the1. Pr. 33. ^b. grace of his head, besides many other restife qualities, that will^a T [...]e fruits of disorders. iusue, onely through disorder, not making an orderly procee­ding, (by time) to know when or how to make your progressi­on.Theo. 3. ^l. 1. Pra. 17. ^a. But whereas I speake here, (till the Colt will rest vpon the trench) I would not haue you to vnderstand me so, that I meane he should be are hard vpon the hand, (for that is the ouerthrow of this Art) in that no Horse whatsoeuer that beareth hard vp­on the hand, can ride truely, howsoeuer hee may be iudged, (by [Page 81] many men:) but I meane onely so, that you may haue but a fee­ling of his mouth, with your hand▪ and likewise he but a sensibleTheo. 14. ^b. feeling of your hand, whereby he may know your minde, by27. ^c. your motions.

Wherefore when you feele, that his mouth is brought to this temper, you shall Trot him abroad, (as afore) not offering to doe any thing to him, till his mouth be warmed, for if you^b The cause of a tickle mouth, stand still, goe backe, lash bo­died, treading­short, &c. offer to stoppe him (at the first) vpon a cold mouth, it will be a meanes to make him so tickle-mouthd, that he will not rest vp­on the hand. Whereby when hee is any thing discontent, hee will be subiect to stand still, or runbacke, and it will be also the cause of making him lash bodied in his carriage, and of shortTheo. 16. ^d. treading, and triffling with his feete, so that in going forward he will▪ make no way. But when you feele that his mouth is stayed, then you may offer to stoppe him, by pulling your hands gently towards you and yeelding your body backe, vsing words of help, as stop here, or stand, or such like, at the which if he will(c) not yeeld, then thrust him forward into a full Trot, againe, andTheo. 17. ^•. 22. ^•. euer in foure, fiue, or sixe score, attempt the like, and assoone as he doth yeeld let him stand, and alight from his backe, and che­rish him, for that will fortifie his apprehension, then after you haue led him a little while, mount your selfe vpon his backe a­gaine, and euer in his going forward offer him the like, as you shall see the ground best fitting, obseruing to cherish him in his well doing, and correcting him, when he doth offend, by thrust­ing him forward, to a greater speed in his motion, which will be a sufficient correction, and the best that can be vsed for that fault. And thus you shall vse him for eight or ten daies toge­ther, by which time he will be so perfect, that he will stoppe so soone as he shall but feele you moue.

Note, that if in his stopping he stoppe idly, or throw downeNote. his head betwixt his legges, (as is the manner of sadde and sul­len Colts) that then at the very instant, when you stoppe him you bend your body more suddenly back, so that your head fall^d Of a dead mouthd▪ Horse. halfe way to his buttockes and giue him a sharpe and sudden twitch, with your hand in his mouth: the profit whereof it this,1. Pr. 24. ^o. that the falling backe of your body, at the very time, with the sharpe correction of your hand, will bring his mouth to such a [Page 82] quicke feeling, that he will in short time be brought to stoppe, onely with yeelding of your body backe, without strayning of your hand at all.

Note also, that then you must keepe a firme and constant bo­dy,Note. with a true seate, holding all your ioynts so straight as if they were all in one peece, so that when your body bendeth backe,Theo. 17. your feete may goe forward, and discribe the like part of an15. ^d. arch or circle, (below) as your head doth (aboue) your seate being the center. For the lash carriage of your body, will cause the like in the Colts.

Now the vse hereof is, that the falling of your body backe, will raise the Colts fore-parts, and your feet mouing forward will cause his hinder parts to follow so close, that hee will the sooner be brought to stop vpon his buttocks.

Note further, that if the Colt be of any quicke, and free spirit,Note. that when you offer to stoppe him at the first, you vse no violent or suddaine motions with your body, for that will so disturbeTheo. 12. ^• him that it will make him halfe franticke, and fretting, as I haue26. ^e. said in the 20▪ Chapter of this first part, but when you stop him vse such gentle and easie motions, as will be scarce discer­nable^e A small moti­on for a free will serue for the first. to the eye, for that wil be a sufficient proportion of help for him, in that the cause of a dead mouth proceedeth from the doggednesse and vnapt carriage of the Colt, which such Colts for the most part are free from.

Note againe, that if your Colt be of such a stubborne, andNote. vnwilling disposition that he will not goe forward as you would haue him, to carrie a straight, and vpright bodie, that then atTheo. 25. ^a. the verie instant, when you giue him the switch you accompa­pany it with the euen stroke of the calues of your legges, which will be a meane to cause him to gather vp his hinder parts more roundly, and also it will be a preparatiue to bring him to theTheo. 26. ^e. vse of the spurre, the which when you are driuen to vse, let it31. ^a. be ioyned with other corrections, in such sort, as I haue said asore.

Note yet, that if you see your Colt to be of such an vnto­wardNote. stubbornenesse, (that for all this) hee will not obye to your hand, then you shall haue him into the field, and there la­bour(f) 1. Pr. 28. ^d. him for two or three houres together, till by this your [Page 83] labour and toyle, you cause him to obey, which so soone as hee doth, alight from his backe, and cherish him; for this will make him yeeld if he be neuer so stubborne, for the cause of all re­sistance is the vnwillingnes of his desire, and it is fortified by the keeping of his winde, which this labour will force to let passe, and assoone as it raketh freely, the body will yeeld in­stantly.

But heerein you must bee very cautious to giue him ease at his first yeelding, least in seeking obedience you find rebellion;Note. and so dant the Courage and spirit of your Colt, and thereby stirre vp perturbations in that he obeyeth and cannot find ease. And this is a weed that doth flourish mightily in this Vineyard, which hath smothered a great part of the planting, for that men measure time more by their will then reason, and seeke for more at one time then the Colt hath ability to performe, or capacity to apprehend (at sixe:) But of this I haue spoken more largely in the eight, ninth, and tenth Chapters of the Theoricke Part.

But to couclude, note that if in his stopping hee stand so stifly with his feet vpon the ground, that he is not apt for a new mo­tion, see then you iert your feet so daintily forward, in your stir­rops, and yeeld your body foreward, in the small of your back or wast, vsing the clacking of you tongue, or such like sounds of encouragement, which will stirre him vp, and cause him to stand so aptly, that he will be ready to moue, whensoeuer you would haue him.

CHAP. 24. How to bring his head to its true place.

AS there is an orderly proceeding in all Arts and Sciences, so likewise in this; for when your Colt is brought to goe orderly forward, and to stoppe iustly, then you must also goe about to place his head; which if you should desire before it1. Pra. 25. ^a. be brought to its full height, and hee haue the true feeling of the trench, hee would loose his grace in the carriage, and it [Page 84] would dead his mouth by much tempering with it, whereby he will fall into many absurdities.

And therefore, the want of due consideration of this predi­cament quando, (as a shower of raine) hath sprung vp so many weeds in this Ʋineyard, that they ouer-grow and choake theTheo. 17. ^a. true stemmes. But to leaue these and come to the subiect, how to worke the Colts head to its true place; In which you ought^a This Tractate is a true ground of all the parts of Horseman­ship. to consider, whether hee is trained for seruice, or for pacing, trotting, hunting or coursing, for although this Booke doth treat most of pacing; yet all this which I haue as yet spoken of, is a true generall ground for all the parts of Horseman­shippe.Theo. 37. ^•.

And likewise you must consider whether he be of a large vp­rightIbid. ^•. neck, wide iawed, and so of a free spirit: or that he be of [...] thicke fore▪ hand, short neck't, and so heauy and sad, and after as you see his shape, and finde his disposition, so you shall workeTheo. 3. ⁱ for the command of his head: But because this doth belong to32. 33. 34. the Theorie of a mans knowledge, and that I haue spoken35. 37. thereof more largely, in the Theoricke Part, I will not make any repetition heere againe, but referre you to those places, where you may know how to finde a horses disposition, (by those foure Characters there set forth, and how to vse him ac­cordingly.

Wherefore if you intend to traine your Horse to the buffe Saddle (for seruice) you shall take a Martingale to place his^• How to mouth a Horse for the Buffe saddle. head, which hee shall we are till hee come to bee bitted; be­cause those Horses, must haue a precise stayednesse, in the carriage of their heads: Which Martingale, let it bee made of a long peice of leather, such a one as I wisht your Crooper to1. Pr. 16. ^x. bee of, and to one end thereof you shall sow a buckle, then put it first vnder his Girths, and so let it bee brought betwixt his fore▪ legges, and put it vnder his chappes, betwixt them and the leather of the Head-straine; then buckle the ends together, but yet so slack that it pull not downe his head, till hee be acquain­ted therewith.^c The chiefe grace of a horse is his raine.

Now because there is nothing that graceth a horse so much, in all his actions, as a comely and stayed reyne, it behoueth youTheo. 4. ^q. 14. ^b. to be very carefull to place his head in the best and easiest man­ner [Page 85] that may be, that hee may take delight therein, otherwise hee will hold it no longer then extremity doth compell him.Theo. 37. ^e. Wherefore if he haue a large vpright necke, when you would worke his head downe, you shall not hold your hand ouer the midst of his crest (as you did during the time of working it vp)^d How to hold your hand to bring down an vpright neck. but you shall hold them lower betwixt his mane and the saddle pommell; for so you shall haue the more power to keepe his head round; and you shall carry your hands somwhat more firme then you did before, letting him goe very gently for­ward at the first, raking but a foot pace, that hee may haue the more time to worke vpon the trench, which will bee a meanes to cause him bend in the cragge, to chaw vpon the same, which when hee doth, you shall let him stand, and cherish him,Note. then let one (being a foot) straiten the Martingale a little to restraine the liberty of his head, but not so much as it may any way seeme to force it downe, (for that will make him striue the more to haue his head at liberty) but onely to stay his head for going too high with his nose, whensoeuer he shal chance to throw it vp, and thus you shall bring in his musle by degrees, till you haue brought it to its due place.

But if hee be any thing stubborne, or so short neckt that heeTheo. 37. ^•. ^e How to place the head of a Horse that hath a short neck. will not bring in his head by this gentle meanes, then you must not seeke to make him yeeld by force of hand, or strength of Martingale, (for so you shall make your selfe a great deale more labour) but you shall put him into a good trot, and so keepe hisTheo. 36. ^d. body in quicke motion, which will cause him to bring in his36. ^c. head very soone, for that will make him vse his hinder parts16. ^•. more nimbly, which before hee kept to giue his body the more strength to resist the hand, and thus you shall vse him, cherishing him when he yeeldeth, and correcting him (after that manner) when hee offendeth, till you haue brought his head as you would wish, and there keepe it firme, by bringing the Martin­gale to that iust length, as it shall neither pull his head downe lower through its straightnesse, nor giue his head liberty to goe higher, by too much slacknesse, and so you shall keepe his head continually in the right place very easily, if you keep your hand firme vpon the Head-straine, and preserue his mouth in quick­nesse, by sweet and gentle motions of your hand.

Note that the true vse of the Martingale, is not to bringNote. in the Colts head by the violence of it; but it must bee wrought downe by giuing him an vpright carriage of his body, and true relish of the mouth (by the hand) and then it is onely to keepe it firme there without alteration: And therefore they are much deceiued, who (when they haue a Horse that is subiect to throw vp his head or hold it out) thinke to reforme them by the Martingale onely, for if his mouth bee not refined, it hath small effect of it selfe no longer then it is in vse, for when it is taken away and his head set at liberty, hee will bee as euill (if not worse) then he was afore.

Note also, that when you begin to bring in his head, that youNote. pull it not lower then it was, but keepe his necke at the full height, for otherwise you will lose a great beauty of his reyne, hiding the grace of his crest, and cause him to hold his head low▪ like a fearefull beare-whelpe; and therefore, haue a care that when he doth bring in his musle, that his head doth rest^f The motions of a man pro­uoketh the Horse. vpon his throple, and therfore, if he fall too low with his necke, that then presently you remoue your hands vpwards towards his mid crest againe, and quicken him with your tongue and the mouing your selfe in your seat, yeelding your body forward, and that will cause him to looke vp with his head; which so soone as he doth, cherish him, and carry your hands downe a­gaine; for if you should hold your hands continually aloft, hee could neuer carry a round reyne, or if you should hold them continually low, you should pull downe his head, and therefore (as I say) you must remoue them vpward or downeward as you(g) see your Colts disorder, till it bee firmely stayed, and then youTheo. 11. ^a. must also keep a stayed hand, for any disorder in you will cause a greater in him.

But if you purpose to make your Colt either trotter, pacer, hunter or courser, then you shall place his head with the head­straine^• How to place the head [...]f a tro [...]ter or hun­ter. and trench onely: but before you begin to doe it you must (as I say) iudge of what disposition your Colt is, by his shape and mettle; for if hee haue a long and vpright necke, and his head well set on, hauing a wide iaw to receiue hisTheo. 37. ^e. throppell, then those horses (for the most part) are free and [Page 87] nimble bodied, and in these you may saue a great labour in theTheo. 34. ^f. working vp their heads, for they are subiect to rise too fast of themselues, and then if you should worke them vp too, they would bee weake neck'd, cocke-throppeld, withye-cragged, from which would insue many other inconueniences; but be­cause I haue spoken (in the foure Chapters hereof before coted) I omit them heere referring you thither.

And therefore as soone as your Colt will take his way order­ly, you shall vse all your best indeauours to keepe his head^• How to place the head of an vpright neckt horse, by the hand only. downe, by holding your hand firme vpon the head▪ straine, and let your hands worke vpon the trench to sweeten his mouth, by mouing your fingers vp and downe as if you were playing of an Instreument, and so you may place his head without much adoe.

But this you must obserue, that as his head is thus easily placed, (if he be vsed as he should be) so he is soone distempered, be­ing of such a free spirit if he be vsed contrary, and therefore you must bee very cautious to bee patient, for if you disturbe him once, so that hee get a tricke to rise with his head, it will aske more Art to bring it downe, then to worke the o­ther vp. And therefore you must carry a very milde, and gentle hand▪ vpon the trench, and pretty firme hand vpon the head­straine.

But if your Colt bee of a thicke and strong forehand, short^k How for a short neck'd horse. neckt, and narrow iawed, then hee is of a more heauy and sad spirit, and will not so easily be caused to come in with his musle, in regard hee will desire to hold out his head like a Swine, and1. Pra. 21. ^•. therefore to bring him to an vniforme reyne, will require greatTheo. 19. ^•. labour, deepe iudgement, and long time; but yet if hee haue his mouth quickened, and his body truely placed, the head is halfe commanded.

Therefore you shall begin to bring in his head (at the first)Chap. ^d. as I set forth afore vpon his foote pace, and so vse him in all things as there (except the Martingale) in stead whereof youTheo. 15. ^d. must vse the headstraine in keeping your hands well stayed vp­on^l The head­straine is the grownd of thi [...] work [...]. it, for that will make him follow steadily with his whole be­dy, and then his head vpon necessitie must also be stayed, for there is no Horse which carrieth a firme body, can haue a loose [Page 88] head, nor any that carrieth a staid head can haue a lash body, but they must both be stayed or both lash.

But if hee be so stiffe necked, that hee will not bring in his head, by these gentle corrections, then Trot him euen forward two or three miles, and euer in sixe, eight or ten score, offer the the like, but if hee will not yeeld that day, haue him forth the second, third or fourth daie, increasing his labour as you feele him rebellious, till you feele him bring in his nose which so(m) soone as you feele, alight from his backe and make much of1. Pr. 14. x. him, and after you haue walked him a little, get vpon his backe againe, exercising him in the like homeward, and by thus vsing15. ^e. him a weeke or eight daies you shall cause him to carry his head with such ease, that hee will take great delight therein, if you carrie an equall hand vpon the bridle and headstraine, as neces­sity, and time requireth.

Note that in the bringing in of his head, if (when you holdNote. it downe more hard then ordinary,) hee striue to haue it vp, and so gape with his mouth, or thrust out his tongue, or vse any(n) such vnseemely gestures, that then you examine your selfe howTheo. 7, ^f. you haue proceeded, for your owne error is the cause thereof,16. ^a. in that you haue not giuen him the true carriage of his bodie; and therefore you must keepe your hand still at the fame stay,(o) and put him to a more quicke motion of his bodie, till he by theTheo. 16. ^c. yeelding in of his head bring his vpper chap downe to his low­er,1. Pra. 23. d. and so shut his mouth, which so soone as he doth, presentlie ease your hand, to let him feele ease in his obeying.Chap. ^m.

Note, that if he will not keepe his head steddie, but throw it vp as he goeth, which is a grosse error, (although many take^p If the time be spent in one motion it is lost in the other. great delight therein) that then you vse no other correction, then this last, for it will cause him to minde his way, and haue no time to vse idle motions with his body, whereby hee shall not haue time to cast vp his head, for there is neuer a time that he casteth vp his head, but there is a losse of time in the mouing of his legges.

Note also, that if in vsing this correction so often, he come to presse too sore vpon the hand, thinking to goe onward vpon e­uery discontent, and so come to be in the same predicament of a free Horse, and vse any disorder, in being too busie in his going, [Page 89] that then you put him into a ring turne, and stirre vp your^q The ring is a good correcti­on to cause o­bedience. selfe, to make him turne first on one hand, and then on the o­ther, by forcing him with a good strength, holding the reines of your bridle and head-straine during that time very hard, and laying the reines that are on the contrarie hand, to thatTheo. 15. i. you turne on very close to his necke to keepe it straight from bending; whereby he shall be driuen to moue his fore parts al­together, and forward him in his turning, by following him with your body, laying also the contrarie legge to that hand on which you turne, close to his side, and keepe thus in action till you feele him to obey your hand to goe quietly, then let him goe forward againe at his owne ease. And these two kindes ofTheo. 12. ^•. corrections will bee sufficient to reforme any fault in a young14. ^b. Colt, if you haue agility of body, and true knowledge of hand and foote, how to vse them aright, for this order will reforme him if he be too eager in going, and the other will quicken him if he be sadde and dull, But for the true application of them inTheo. 17. ^•. time and order, according to the disposition of the Horse, must bee referred to your iudgement, to proportionate them as you finde your Colt, tractable or rebellious, otherwise you shall bee driuen to vse greater violence, and then you degresse from this Art.

CHAP. 25. How to teach your Colt to turne.

THe next lesson that you shall learne your Colt, is, to teach him turne on both hands, willingly without any violence:(a) which will neuer be effected except hee haue a true carriage of1. Pr. 24. a. his Body, his Head truely placed, and his mouth well relished; For this lesson will trie how you haue proceeded in the former,^a Circular mo­tion it differing from the horses appetite. (if you desire to haue him doe it in euery respect as hee should) in that it is a motion differing from his desire, and therefore if he bee not at true command, hee will neuer make a strait turne gracefully. And therefore those (who accoumpt themselues Horse-men) are herein to be reproued, which will goe about to make their Colt take his way, place his head, stoppe, turne, [Page 90] retire, and all in one weeke; Whereby (through their insatia­ble ignorance) they get the reward of Esops dogge, for theyTheo. 16. ^e. bring him to that passe (by disorder) that all their desire is re­turned without any profit, in that they can neuer bring him to doe any one of them, according to the ground of Art.

Wherefore, (to leaue these) when you haue brought your Colt to such command as is said, (which a painefull, & obserua­ti [...]e Horse-man may doe in a moneth, although he be very vn­toward,) you shall obserue first that (in this as also in any o­ther lessons) you keepe his body, head, and mouth in the best order, for they are the ground of all other lessons, and thereforeNote. if you omit any of these, you shall feele the trouble afterward,Theo. 35. ^g. for thereby he will haue the more libertie to rebell; which be­ing36. d. obserued, you shall Trot him to some grauell, or plowed earth, that you may the better see his steps, and hee be in the lesse danger of slipping, and there put him forward gently in his foote pace, and draw forth a large ring, in bredth some ten^b How to make your Colt turn. or twelue yards, on your right hand, and so walke round about it till (by his tracke) you haue made it descernable: then holding your [...]and firme vpon the reines of the headstraine and trench (to keepe his head firme and his body straight) you shall lay the right reine of the head-straine, close to his necke, andTheo. 15. i. laying the calfe of your right legge close to his side, you shall moue your body a little towards the left hand, and pulling your left reine some-what more straite, you shall cause him to turne on your left hand, and there describe another ring in quantitie like the other, pacing in it as in the other: then make your change to the other againe on the right hand, laying the left reine close to his necke, and your left legge to his side, and turne him by pulling the right reine a little, (but not so much as to cause him to moue his head) and goe to the right ring againe, and so you shall exercise him in these turnings, till hee will turne assoone as he shall feele you but beginne to moue ei­ther hand or legge, which will be done in two or three daies.

And then you shall put him to a gentle Trot, first on one hand and then on the other (vsing still your helpes) and as he increa­seth in knowledge, so you may increase his speed in his Trot, and inlarge his time of exercise. For in this lesson they will be [Page 91] desirous to ease them-selues (if they may be suffred) or if theyTheo. 17. i. haue a stinted time they will looke for it, it being so painefull to them till their bodie be vsed to it.

Wherefore, although the antients of this Art, haue prescri­bed a certaine number of turnes on either hand, and a certaine number of times, yet I doe not greatly approue thereof, because(c) there is such diuersities of Horses, in aptnesse, strength, andTheo. 18. ^f. courage, that there can be no limitation set forth for such vn­certaines,28. a. for if it make one Horse it will marre tenne, becauseTheo. 29. ^b. that motions, helpes, corrections, labour, and time, must be ap­plied24. ^k. as you see your Colt of aptnesse, and abilitie. And there­fore13. ^c. your owne discretion must be the disposer hereof: for if1. Pra. 23. ^f. you should stint your Colt to a certaine number of times (at theTheo. 29. c. first) he by custome would bring it to restifenesse, for when his17. c. labour and time shall bee increased, hee will fall to rebellion,& i. through idlenesse, according to that old saying of Horace. Horace.

And therefore in this lesson vse no certaintie, but some­times vse fewer, and some-times more, euer obseruing to to haue him doe it without staying, and with grace, and leauing him before his strength be much abated; that he be not daun­ted by too much, nor waxe stubborne, with being too remisse, which must be distinguished by reason, and not will: for when reason doth faile, the appetite doth preuaile, but of this I haue spoken more largely, in the Theoricke, from Chap. 7. to 11.

When your Colt will Trot his rings on both hands willingly^d Of the single ring. and readelie, then to bring him to a better command, you shall vse him but to one ring, in which after you haue Trotted him some certaine times on your right hand, you shall make him change to your left hand (in the same ring) by holding your right reines close to his necke to keepe his head straight, andTheo. 14. i. his necke from bending, and keeping your hand more firme then ordinarie, to restraine the libertie of his body that he may gather in more round, and holding the calfe of your left legge more close to his side, you shall make a strait turne on your right hand, and changing vpon your left hand in like manner, you shall discribe halfe a circle from that circumference to the [Page 92] middest, & then changing, from that center or middest, on your right hand againe you shall make another halfe circle, by chan­ging^• How to make your change in the ring. vpon your left hand to the other side of the great circle, and then Trot him about vpon the left hand, as long as you thinke good, and then change vpon the left hand within the circle, obseruing the like helpes answereable to the left hand as is set downe for the right, and so vse him in those changes till he be so perfect, that assoone as hee shall but feele you straine your hand and vse any helpe, hee will presently turne with all his fore-parts firmely; for that turne is as strait as any Horse, (but those for seruice) shall haue occasion to vse. When your^• How to learn your Horse to gallop the ring. Colt is likewise perfect in his changes, that he will Trot them orderly and truely, then you shall put him to gallop the ring, by letting him gallop gently without violence either of switch or spurre, first letting him strike two or three strokes, and then Trot, and then a little more, and Trot againe, and so increase by de­grees, till he will gallop the whole ring about with lightnesse and nimblenesse. But let him not gallop the changes till his body be firmely knit, by galloping the ring.

Now for your helps and corrections herein, Note, that if heeNote. proue slothfull, that then you reuiue his spirits with your voice, in saying, Howe, hey, or such like: and with all moue in your seatTheo. 15. ^h. more quicke, and iert out your feet sodainlie in your stirrops,23. c. shaking you rodde ouer his head; but if that will not preuaile,Theo. 25. a. then giue him a sound lash or two vnder the bellie, neare the flanke, for that will make him gather in his hinder parts round­ly,^h The hinder­parts are the first that slack in any mo­tion. which is the first part of the body that slaketh in any moti­on. But whereas some willeth to correct him with the bridle, to quicken him, I am contrary, for that wil bring many errors, as I haue showne in the fifteenth Chapter of the Theoricke, Note, that when you enter the ring you beginne on that hand, hee is the most vnwilling to turne on, and likewise to end on the same,1. Pr. 29. c. for by that meanes you shall make him as ready on the one hand as on the other, and therefore it is holden a rule in Horse­manship to begin and end both on one hand.

Note that if in Trotting or Galloping the ring he carry notNote. his body vpright, but thrust out his shoulder, or throw his hin­der parts out of the ring, that then you giue him a stroke with [Page 93] your Stirrop, vpon the same shoulder, and if that preuaile not,Theo. 23. ^•. then to strike him therevpon with your rodde, or if it bee be­hind,25. ^•. then to correct him first with the single stroke of your legge on the same side he doth offend, which if he neglect, vse the rodde, but if hee be carelesse still, then vse the spurre, or if hee vse any miscarriage of his head, that hee will not carry itTheo. 23. ^b. straight, then you▪ shal also vse the stirrop on the contrary shoul­der, and that will make him looke the contrary way. Now whereas some againe doe wish to correct the colt with the bri­dle, when [...]e writheth or gapeth with his chappes, they are de­ceiued,Chap. ^h. for that cause is in his hinder parts, and therefore re­forme them and those faults will be amended.

Note that when you put your Colt to gallop your changes inNote. the ring, (if he bee for seruice) that then you hold the reynes of your trench more firme to straiten his liberty, and pulling the calues of your legges close to his sides, iert them sodainly^k The motion of your time must direct the time of his mo­tion. forward, neuer ceasing so to doe, till you come to the large ring; for the firme holding of his head, and the bringing in your legges will raise his fore parts, and the thrusting them forth a­gaine will bring after his hinder parts, and giue him such a stay­ed body, that he will turne so loftily and with such a grace, that he will greatly delight all the beholders, (if you obserue true time with your owne body:) And also it wil make him so agile, as he shall farre more easily bee brought to bound, or any other salt for seruice.

But if hee bee either for hunting or running, then you shall^l A firme seat causeth a firme and low moti­on in the horse. keepe your legges stayed, and helpe him in his turning one­ly with your hand and body, for the smoother and lower hee galloppeth, in his turne it is the more easie, and looseth the lesse time.

Many other obseruations for errors might bee set forth, for the better confirming this point; but because both these and(m) many other which I haue set downe (when they chance) doeTheo. 7. ^f. come through the indiscretion of the man, rather then the1. Pr. 16. ^e. horse, I haue passed them ouer concisely▪ because I haue writ­ten largely of the helps and corrections▪ with the [...]r vses and a­buses, in many places of the Theorick from the fourteenth to the twenty sixt Chapters therein. Onely these haue I set downe [Page 94] for a reliefe, if you transgresse the limits of a mediocrity, whichⁿ Whatsoeuer passeth the meane is an error. is the cause of all errors.

And further, I omit them in that they are more appertinent to the Buffe saddle (in seruice) then to the designes of this worke; but the vse of the ring (thus farre) is very profitable for the snaffle horse, for it will make him haue such a constantNote. and firme body, that hee will not lash it out to any disorder, whereby he will gallop truely, roundly, and smoothly, so that deepe and sk [...]lping earths will be both alike to him.

And further, it will make him so well acquainted with his helps and corrections, that he will not mispend his strength af­ter^o What profit the vse of the ring turne brin­geth to a snaf­fle horse. his owne lust, but will bee gouerned by them, and likewise be at such command, that hee will answer them so long as hee is able to ride. Againe, it is very auayleable if hee shall bee put to the wild goose chase, or runne any race to and again [...] ▪ for if (in that) you get but once the leading, it is not possible the o­ther should euer get it from you, for hee will haue such a per­fect mouth, that he will stop suddenly at either hedge or ditch, and turne presently another way, or he will be so ready to giue by-slippes with such ease, that hee will beat the other euen in his windings. And likwise in running a race back and againe, he will bee so ready to turne at the post to his best aduantage, that hee will ouer-slippe no ground, so that heerein you shall gain more ground of your aduersary, (if his be a roauing horse) then he shall euer be able to redeeme till the wager be lost how purely soeuer he may be fed.

CHAP. 26. Of causing your Colt to retire backe.

VVHen your Colt will stoppe, and turne on both hands orderly and willingly, then you shall cause him also to retire backe easily, but because it is so coherent to the Les­sons afore set downe, that if hee bee brought to true command(a) both of head and body in them, he must needs be willing to goTheo. 36. ^d. back; therefore I thinke it needlesse to spend any time in de­monstrating35. ^b. [Page 95] how to effect it, since it is wrought in the former; because it is gained, if (when you teach your horse to stoppe) you cause him to stand with such an vpright body, as he should, then he will bee ready to goe backe (at your pleasure) so soone as you shall but straiten your hand: Yet in regard many haueTheo. 36. ^f. set forth such irregular meanes being violent, to cause him to goe backe (if he be stubborne) I will onely show wherein they erre, and so passe from this lesson.

Now the meanes that they wish should bee vsed to cause^b A violent forcing a horse to retire. him goe backe, is; that if hee will not retire with your hand, that then you should with your rodde strike him sharpely vpon his brest, or fore legges, (vsing rating termes) to force him thereto by terror. But if that will not serue, then to haue a foot­man, to put him backe with his hand, or with a cudgell to strike him on the legges or nose, and so by greater terror to force him yeeld back; which violent termes, I wish to bee neglected, for (as I haue said) it differeth from the Art, (being forced) and1 Pra. 14. i. againe, they apply to an improper place, being deceiued in theTheo. 33. ^c. cause, (as well in this as in other errors, iudging the cause to be where they feele the effect,) and so if hee resist vpon the handTheo. 35. ^a. (by the like) they inuented sharpe bittes and other torture [...]; (as if there were the cause where it is perceiued) but of this I haue16. g. said more in the 16. Chapter of this first part.

Therefore know that when your Colt will not goe backe willingly, the cause is in setting his body so, that his hinde^c How to make your Horse re­tire vpon an ea­sie hand. legges doe keepe backe his fore-parts from yeelding: And therefore if he will not retire by the strayning of your hand, you shall set it vp by mouing your body in your seat, and thrust­ing your feet forward (sodainly) in your stirrops; but if that preuaile not, giue him an euen stroke with both your spurres, which in twice or thrice vsing, will so quicken him, that vpon the motion of your legges▪ hee will moue his legges, vpon which motion draw in your hands, and hee will retire at your owne pleasure.

But I haue set downe this obseruation heere, (as a remem­brance) whereby you may know how to helpe your selfe (if you haue erred in your former proceedings;) for if you did obserue1. Pr. 33. ^c. to vse him as I haue set downe for the teaching him to stoppe; [Page 96] you shall not need to seeke any other reliefe for the effecting of this lesson; in regard that if he bee truely mouthed, and his bo­dy aptly placed, (as is there showne) hee will vpon necessity goe back at your owne pleasure: But if in his going, he goe dis­orderly with his hinder partes, (in throwing our either of his hinde legges, or carrying his body on either side;) then you shall giue him a stroake with your rodde, or (if that will not serue) vse your single Spurre on that side (vpon his buttocke or flanke) that he doth offend, and that will reforme him.

CHAP. 27. The vse of obedience.

IN all your proceedings from the beginning to the end, your(a) chiefest obiect must bee, first to gaine, and then to keepe o­bedience; for so all your intendments will succeed delectably: But if otherwise, then whatsoeuer you desire to effect wil be al­together vpon extremities, for seeing (as I haue said in the firstTheo. 1. ^b. Chap. of this tractate) that there is an vniuersall disobedience to18. ^b. man (as a punishment inflicted for his transgression) in all Crea­tures, therefore there is no horse, howsoeuer hee is domesticall, & so said, to be obedient, so long as he goeth according to his owne lust, but when you shall bring him to goe after your desireTheo. 9. ^b. and to set forth that for his further grace orderly, which you still& ^h. 11. ^d. feele to be detained, (hauing further ability, for Art doth tend to the highest perfection) then will hee presently put forth the vigor of this inherent contagion, and so shew his naturall incli­nation: For as a showre of raine doth cause weeds to put forth(a) (amongst better herbes that are sowne) being before naturallyA Simile. preserued in the earth, (through the transgression of man:) soTheo. 5. ^b. when you desire to worke your Colt to his full and true grace in his actions, hee will show forth that rebellion (withall) whichTheo. 26. ^c. was naturally remaining in him (through the same cause:) which vpon necessity must bee brought to obedience, if you thinke to bring him to his best performance.

And therefore as weedes are easiliest pluckt vp before theyA Simile. [Page 97] haue taken too deepe rooting, so your Colt will the easiest and soonest be brought to obedience at his first handling, (before it(b) 1 Pra. 14. ^x. hath taken root by custome) for that he cannot tell how to vse himselfe either in halter or bridle, to resist with much violence.

But because it may bee thought a thing doubtfull, whether there is such an vniuersall disobedience in all horses or no, so that I may seeme to insist too much thereon, I will make a more plaine implication thereof by the vniuersall inherency of vice^c A proofe of an vniuersall disobedience in horses. in man: if I shall not be held too prophane in mixing spirituall things with naturall.

Which, (howsoeuer others may iudge it) yet in my opinion it is not so, sith one cause is the effect of both their corruptions, and so much the rather, in that Christ himselfe hath vsed the like (though in another sence) for the better capacity of man, in many places of Scripture: as where he saith, Can a man gather grapes of thornes or figges of thistles? And againe, The tree is Math. 7. 10. 33. knowne by the fruit: And Dauid saith, Bee not like to the Horse and Mule which haue no vnderstanding. And many other placesPsal. 32. 9. hauing the like speeches, all alluding to the life and dispositi­on of the old man.

For as man did staine himselfe and all his posterity, (by his transgression) with vice, and so became enemies to God; soAn Allegory. likewise horse and al other Creatures, were polluted by the sameCol. 1. 20. Theo. 1. ^b. transgression, and became disobedient to man (as a punishment due to him;) and as man cannot restore himselfe to his first estate (of himselfe) but by faith in Christ, being humbled by repentance; so a horse will not conforme himselfe to his prima­ryEphe. 2. 8. estate, without he be subdued by man, and brought to obe­dienceTheo. 2. ^r. by Art: And as this humiliation must not be in part, but1. King. 21. 27. Luk. 1. 75. in the whole man both inward and outward; so this obedience must not bee in part, but in the whole Horse both inward andTheo. 35. ^d. 33. ^d. outward. For as outward humiliation (if the heart agree not) is but hipocrisie and no true humiliation; euen so the outwardMath. 23. 25. obedience of the horse (if the appetite bee not answerable) is but counterfeit and no true obedience.

And as the outward gesture of the body should shew theTheo. 35. ^f. true humiliation of the heart; so the outward action of the2. Sam. 12. 16. horse should shew the true obedience of his appetite. And [Page 98] lastly, as humility being thus wrought in the Man (in sincerity)Theo. 33. ^h. doth bring forth the fruit with patience; so obedience beingLuke. 8. 15. thus wrought in the horse (by Art) wil command all his actionsTheo. 6. ^•. with willingnesse.

By which it may euidently appeare that the whole scope and drift of this Art, is cheifly to reduce obedience, and to maintaine the vse thereof in all the practise of it: and that the man mustTheo. 5. ^a. worke it by reason, and not by violence if hee desire a primary restitution. But me thinketh some present this obiection, thatObiection. as all men cannot be brought to true conuersion by humiliation, for Pharao, and Ahab humbled themselues, but yet not conuer­ted; so all horses cannot be brought to their right vse by obe­dience, for some are so sadde and dull, that no obedience will make them any better then iades.

To which I answere, that in both these there is a double re­spect to be had of man, that is (in the first) the Godly and theAnswer. reprobate; Now the Godly hath the election of grace by Christ, (1) Rom. 11. 5. whereby all they are brought to true humiliation, and so through faith, recouer their former state, hee being trueth it selfe that doth worke it: But the reprobate being giuen ouer to themselues, and not guided by the spirit, are not conuerted by their humiliation, because it is but outwardly and so Hipo­criticall, which for auoyding of imminent dangers they made a show of that they did not intend. And for the second there is(2) Theo. 1. ^g. 5. ^x. a two-fould respect to be had likewise in man, for all mens fa­culties being obscured, none hath the truth absolutely, but yet some are illuminated more therwith and some lesse: and so they which haue it in greater measure, may bring any horse to such obedience as shall giue sufficient content for any reasonable per­formance for such vse as they were ordained, though not in the highest degree.

But those which haue the lesse, can hardly bring the best(d) Theo. 19. ^d. Horses to that period, and so there is much of their glory ob­scured, and as for the other they make them iades, or else bringViolence cau­eth feare, but [...]ot obedience. them to a seruile obedience by violence, whereby they are forced to doe that which they doe with outward action; and thereby they may be said to counterfeit, not being taught by Art, and so may be applied to the obiection, in as much as a [Page 99] Horse goeth well or euill, according as he that taught him hadTheo. 7. ^f. knowledge, and so if he go not well the cause is that his know­ledgeTheo. 4. ^f. 19. ^•. that rid him was vayled with ignorance, in that there is not two sorts of ends of a Horse; for that his soule and body is composed of one matter and substance, and therefore may be brought to true vse for man, vnto whom they were made to be subiect, but man consisting of soule and body distinct, hath two seuerall ends hauing two gouernors to lead him, to wit, the Flesh and the Spirit, and so his end tendeth according to either of which hee giueth himselfe as seruant to obey. Where­fore if you desire to make true vse of this obedience, you must learne to know how to bring him to it, according to Art, aswell as to desire to haue him performe it, which you shall the better doe if you well obserue the Theoricke part, for it is as a garden furnished sufficiently with hearbes to cure any disease that shall infect this subiect if with discretion you can rightly tell, how, where, and when, to apply them.

CHAP. 28. How to bring your Horse to a perfect and true Trot.

AFter you haue brought your Colt to such obedience, that1. Pra. 23. he know your helpes and corrections, then if you delight in a Trotter, and haue a Horse which hath a bad and slouinglyA generall rule. Trot, you shall seeke to amend it, after the same manner that is set forth for the gayning of his mouth, and bringing him to his stop. But first, you must obserue this as a generall rule, both in(1) this lesson and in bringing him to his pace: that your selfe car­ry a firme body and a true seate, least, thereby you cause a con­fusion in your Colts apprehension by vsing improper motions in the gesture of your owne body, in regard the Horse must be commanded by the motions of it, the vse whereof I haue spo­ken more at large in the twelfth Chapter of the Theoricke.

Secondly, you must obserue that hee also carry a firme and(2) stayd body in his going, and likewise carry his head truely, with an easie command, to be ruled thereby willingly, for so he will haue the greater grace in his going: but I haue spoken of this [Page 100] (also) at large in the three and twenty, and foure and twenty Chapters of the same. Thirdly, you must haue a regard in his(3) going, that he take vp his feet, and set them downe orderly to­gether, that is, that his narre fore-foot, and his farre hinderTheo. 35. ^g. foot ioyne so in one that they may begin and end together, and so likewise his far fore foot and his narre-hinder foot: Fourth­ly,(4) Theo. 37. ^l. you must obserue that in the taking vp of his feete, hee lift both his hinder and his fore-feet of an equall height: and that his forefeet lift not too high for beating, nor so low as to make him either subiect to stumble, or to seeme to be idle in his go­ing, which will be a great disgrace in all his actions.

Lastly, before you beginne to amend his Trot, you must ob­serue(5) Theo. 8. ^•. whether the cause thereof proceed from his eager desire19. ^a. of going, and so by his freenesse hee is (as the common saying is) more hasty then wise; or that it come from a sadde and slow20. ^a. desire of going, whereby through his heauy motion hee cause great paine, but small pleasure: which seueralls being obserued, you shall with more ease effect your desire.

But to proceed, being seated vpon your Colt, you shall put him to an ordinary Trot, vpon a gentle hand: and if hee be a Colt of a fiery and hot disposition so that hee will not goe wth a stayd body, nor take time to moue his feete orderly, then yourTheo. 9. ^e. selfe must needs be patient, and keepe your seate without mo­tion, letting him rest the more vpon the headstraine, and walke him gently abroad till hee (of himselfe) can tell how to moue forward orderly vpon the hand, (which hee will doe in two or three daies at the furthest) and then worke him to his perfecti­on after the order hereafter, (making a difference betwixt a free, and a dull Horse.)

But if hee be of a more heauy and sad disposition, then you shall vse quicke motions with your seat, and make lesse vse of the head-straine, for it will make him rely too much vpon the hand, in comming on slowly with his hinder parts: but carry a1. Pr. 24. ^f. pretty stayd hand vpon the trench (except sometimes you vse it to in courage him when you feele him goe pleasingly vpon the trench) and put him foreward to a quicke and speedy Tro [...], for that will make him tread shorter with his fore-feet and ga­ther his hinder feet in more nimbly.

But if you see that this will not preuayle, then yeeld yourTheo. 16. ^•. body somewhat forward, and put him into a round Trot a mile or two, (as you did for to make him stop:) and euer as you thinke1. Pr. 23. ^•. good, straine your hand, some-what quicke (but not too hardTheo. 15. ^d. for displacing his head, keeping your body vpright,) at which if he desire to stand, iert your feete forward in your stirrops, (with­out inter [...]ission,) and reuiue him with the sound of your voyce, and the shaking of your rod; which at the first will bring anTheo. 31. ^d. amazement to him, but take no notice of that, but put him forward againe, vsing the like as you shall see good, (but yet not too often together for dauleing him;) and thus you shall so­licite him, neuer leauing till you feele him begin to take vp his body, and treade shorter, which so soone as hee doth, imme­diately let him stand, and cherish him, that hee may the better conceiue wherefore hee was troubled: then put him gently forward home, obseruing to keepe a true time (with mouing1 Pra. 25. ^•. your body vpward in your seate) with his mouing, and as hee^a The motions of the man and the Horse must begin and end both in one pro­portion. waxeth cunning, so you may quicken your owne motions, which will stirre vp his: for if you should moue quicker then hee hath skill to handle his feete, it will bring a disorder in his going, by chafeing and trifling, and so shall not take any delight therein (not finding ease;) or if they be too idle or too slow, then they will bring him also to such a slow and idle carriage, that it will be a great labour to remoue his body from the same: especially if you labour him too long at a time. Wherefore inTheo. 17. ^g. this, you must obserue to haue him often forth, and exercise him a little at once, till he can tell how to take vp his feete nimbly: for his exercise must be short, because hee should doe that hee doth with alacrity and spirit. And thus you shall vse him for the space of three weekes or a moneth, in which time you shall bring him to such nimblenesse, that hee will Trot as short and cleanely, as your heart would wish.

But for obseruations herein there need not any, except it be in your selfe, for if your Colt commit any error, the cause procee­deth1. Pra. 25. ^k. from you: either in that you cannot serue him in your seat,Theo. 36. ^d. or that you faile in the true command of his mouth: or else in29. ^b. your corrections, in proportionating them in either excesse, or31. ^c. else in giuing them before or after time; or in letting him rest17. ^•. [Page 102] too long, or follow him too fast; or lastly, in leauing too soone, or taking too much on him at one time, all which you must be able to distinguish, if you thinke to worke euery Horse to his height: and therfore if you transgresse in any of these, you passe the limits of this Art, and so if you make any Horse it is by chance, and not vpon any true ground.

And yet note, (for your further helpe if you haue erred) that after your-Colt know the meaning of your helpes and correcti­ons,A generall rule. when you beginne to giue him any new lesson, you doe not desist till you perceiue some inclination to yeeld thereto, which so soone as hee doth (although it be neuer so vnhandsomely) make much of him and set him yp for that time, which will much enlighten his senses.Note.

Note that if hee goe any thing frettingly, so that hee will not keepe true time with his feet, or shake behind through the loose cariage of his body, that then you haue brought him to the same predicament of a free Horse; by vsing your selfe too rigorously towards him: and therefore you must let him haue time to stay his body againe (by your pa­tience) and let him rest the more vpon the head-straine, for(b) that will make him bould to set his feet forward orderly and1. Pr. 32. ^c. carry his body steddily.Note.

And note, that if in this lesson he proue sadde and idle, that in the instant time of the helpe of your bodie, you giue him a good lash or two vpon the narre shoulder suddenlie, which will reuiue the slow mouing of his body: but if this will not preuaile, then^a How to make him b [...]ing his hinder parts round. giue him the euen stroke of both your spurres, holding your hand more firme vpon the trench, and that will cause him to bring his feete together roundly, whereby he shall be the more apt to stirre quicklier, and more nimbly: but you must haue a care not to vse your spurre, but when any other correction will not preuayle, least it force him too much vpon the hand; by ter­rifying^b How to re­forme the heigh lifting of his fore feete. him too much, and so runne away, or else cause him to strike, or goe backe, or show any such iadish tricks. Note, that if hee lift his forefeete too high, then you must reforme that by making his hinder parts to follow more quicke, and roundly, whereby hee shall not haue time, to lift his fore-legges so hie: a [...]d likewise let him rest well vpon the head-straine, for that is [Page 103] the best way that euer I tryed, to cause any Horse to keepe his fore legges downe.

Note, that if in his going, he lift low either with his fore or hin­der parts, or with both, that then you must thrust him the more^c How to re­forme his low going. vpon the trench, and vse very quicke motions with yuor body, and correct him according to the measure of his disposition, lest he fall to rebell, and that will make him lift his legges more gracefully, if you temper your hand, that hee may finde ease, when he lifteth to goe forward.

But because this is a very difficult point to obserue for him that is but a Scholler himselfe, in regard it dependeth vpon the^d The sense of hand and seat, is the marrow of this Art. exquisitest touch both of hand and seate, (which is the marrow and pith of this subiect or Art.) Wherefore because it is so in­tricate, that very many, spending their time to gray hayres, can­not finde this proportion, and yet reputed good horsemen, it shall not bee amisse (till you haue greater iudgement) to take the benefit of some new plowed earth, (which shall bee neere^• Of deepe earths. to some hard way or greene meare,) to [...]ase you in your work­ing vp of his legges: Vpon the which earth you shall first, (forTheo. 28. ^•. twise or thrice) walke him vp and downe with a gentle hand foot-pace, that hee may know how to vse his legge vpon that earth, without offence; then (before you alight) haue him vpon the said firme ground or meare, and there put him to his trotte; then after hee hath trotted a little forward, straighten your hand a little more, and by the mouing of your body for­ward in your seat, and ierting your feet forth in your stirrops suddenly cause him to stand more roundly to the hand, which will make him lift vp his fore-feet: then alight from his back, and walke him a space in your hand to giue him breath, then get vpon his backe againe, and vse him as before, and thus, what by the clogging of his legs, by the deep earth, and the vn­certaineThe benefit thereof. footing thereof, hee will bee so nimble footed when he commeth to the firme earth, that he will lift his feet volunta­rily of himselfe, if you but helpe him neuer so little vpon the hand.

But if hee bee so sad, that when you change from the deepe to the firme grownd, hee will not goe vpon the hand willingly, giue him a good stroake or two with both your spurres, as [Page 104] soone as you change vpon the firme earth and force him to stir vpon the hand, a little as he standeth, and so alight, without trotting any further, till you feele him desire of himselfe to go forward.

When you haue exercised him thus vpon his foot-pace, that hee can tell how to demeane his feet from stumbling, then you shall still keepe a firme hand vpon the head-straine, and trot him with a good spirit therevpon, and euer in twenty or thirty yards straiten the reynes of your trench, to shorten his liber­ty, which (what with his fast going, and the deepenes of the plowed ground) will make him lift all his feet very orderly: after you haue trotted him after this manner a little while (for it must not bee long for wearying him, through the toyle there­of) haue him vpon the hard ground, (as before, ere you light) vpon which worke him with your hand and seat, till you feele him lift his feet very loftily and orderly, which hee will soone doe, for the changing of him from deepe and vneuen earth, to firme and smooth, will bring him to bee very lofty and quicke in his going, if you bee not too greedy to cause him to doe too much at a time, and if you obserue to end vpon the firme grownd, before you alight, except he begin to be too busie with(f) 1. Pr. 32. ^a. his feet, and then you shall vse him continually vpon the plow­ed ground, till they be brought to a true time.

And thus vse him for ten dayes or a fortnight before you de­part from that earth, for the place being a fortifier, and the earth a correcter, if you depart and leaue these instructers, be­fore hee bee so perfect that you can command him your selfe^e When to de­part from deep earths. whensoeuer hee shall offend, and you be not neere such a place to haue reliefe, then you must bee forced to tamper with himTheo. 19. ^a. you selfe; and then if you bee not perfect in your iudgement, to know where and how to helpe, you shall ouerthrow whatso­euer before you set vp; which neglect doth much disgrace the man, and confound the Horses sense.

Note further, that in all this lesson you obserue to keepe hisNote. head steady, and to keep his body in a straight line, for if there be a disorder in either of them, it will much darken his grace and glory; and therefore if hee carry his head on either side, correct him on the contrary shoulder, as thus: If hee carry it [Page 105] towards the left hand, correct him on the right shoulder, either with stirrop or switch, and that will make him looke to that sideTheo. 23. ^b. on which hee is troubled, if you giue your hand liberty for his mouth to glide vpon the trench.

But if that will not serue, turne your heele to his shoulder, and tickle him therevpon with your spurre, and that will cause him to yeeld in his shoulder, and turne his head presently, which so soone as hee doth, let him stand and cherish him, but (in any case) doe not strike him hard therewith, least the pricking swell and so impostumate in the flesh, (for that the shoul­der is full of carnosity) and the blood fester, and so fistulate therein.

CHAP. 29. How to make your Colt trot side-wayes.

VVHen you haue brought your Colt to trotte truely, and comely, and to carry his head and body firme and stayed; then (if you please) for his further grace, and to shew your iudgement in the Art, you may make him trot side-wayes, which you shall doe, by keeping your hands firme vpon the reynes of your trench, and laying the contrary reyne close to his necke, and your legge close to the contrary side, to that hand you would haue him to goe on, holding your rodde also on the contrary shoulder: And so, by vsing the same motion with1. Pra. 18. ^e. your body, as you doe when you would haue him to beat his trot standing, in his very motion you shall make him goe side­wayes by the aforesaid helps.▪

For instance, when as you haue trotted him forwad a little, and then stayed him, you shall straighten your hand to keepe him from pressing forward, and moue your selfe vp and downe in your seat, to keep his bodie still in action. In which motion (if^a How to make your horse trot side-wayes. you would haue him goe on your right hand) you shall lay the left reyns close to his neck, & thrust your left knee close to that poynt, fitting most vpon your left buttocke, and putting your legge backe, lay it close towards his flancke, and by laying [Page 106] your sticke close to his left shoulder, you shall cause him to goe toward your right hand, which so soone as he doth, let him stand and cherish him, then make him goe towards your left hand, vsing the like on the contrary side, as the laying your right reyne to his necke, your right knee close to that poynt of the saddle, sitting most vpon your right buttocke, with the same legge close to his flancke, and your sticke vpon his right shoulder, cause him to goe on your left hand, and thus by kee­ping your body mouing, vse him till hee bee so perfect that hee will goe on either side, so soone as hee shall but feele the mo­tion of the reyne to either side of his necke, or your knee to the saddle, without any other apparant motion.

For, whereas I haue set forth to vse such manifest motions at the first, that any body may perceiue them, it is because your Colt may the easilier distinguish of them, whereby he may the more easily conceiue of your minde, which after hee doth, you shall obserue this as a generall rule (as well in all other les­sonsA generall rule. as in this,) that as he hath knowledge of your will, and in­creaseth in cunning, you shall mitigate your motions (by littleTheo. 22. ^c. and little) till they be so couert that a perspicuous eye cannot15. ^e. (g) perceiue them.

When you haue brought him to such perfection that he will trot as it were standing, then you shall make him also trot side­wayes, after you haue trotted him some distance forward, by giuing him the contrary motion aforesaid, without intermissi­on on that hand you would haue him to goe on, for so hee will keepe the same time and grace in going, that hee kept in trot­ting forward.

Note, that if in this lesson hee doth at any time presse hardNote. vpon the hand, and so desire to goe forward, that then you giue him a sodaine iert or two with the trench (in his mouthTheo. 27. ^c. and thrust your legges forward withall, to keep his hinder parts15. ^d. in; and it will be a present remedy for that. But whereas ma­ny teach that when a horse, either vpon his teaching to stoppe, aduance, turne, or goe side-wayes, if he presse forward vpon the hand, that they should cause him to retire backe as farre as heeAn old custome but a grosse er­ror. pressed forward, thereby to make him vnderstand his owne fault the better; I wish a neglect thereof, and my reason is, that [Page 107] it will make his body so apt to goe backe, that it will bee farre(2) vnfit to moue forward as hee should, those two motions being contrary.

And further, it being vsed as a correction, he is forced back vpon a discontent, and by that meanes it will make him subiectTheo. 9. i. [...]o goe backe vpon occasion of euery the like, and so bring a^b They cloake this error with the nature of the horse. [...]estiffe quality (as experience hath taught me) for it will make him so ready to flye backe with his hinder parts, (which should [...]ee continually kept vp, to make him stand to his mouth) whereby he will be so tickle mouthed, that he will hardly bee brought to rest vpon the trench as stayedly as hee should, or when you would haue him.

Note, that whereas I wish you to correct him in the mouth,Note. you doe it very seldome, and when as no other meanes willTheo. 14. ^a. preuaile, for feare of dawling or bruising his mouth, or displa­cing of his head, for if you preserue his mouth as you ought, there will bee small need of vsing that correction.

Note, that in his going sidewayes you keepe a straight and vpright seat, and likewise that your Colt carry his body firme,Theo. 13. ^c. 18. ^a. and his head in its right place, so that all his body moue to­gether in a straight line, your selfe mouing so firmely with him, as if you both were but one entire subiect; for so hee will foulde one foote ouer the other more comely and easily.

And note, that if in his going aside hee strike eyther fore­leggeNote. or hinde-legge one against another, or tread one foote vpon another, then vse no correction for that, but vse patienceTheo. 9. ^•. toward him, for the paine in striking one foote against another, will be correction enough, and cause him to reforme himselfe, if you giue him but time and liberty.

Note, that if he goe faster aside afore then hee doth behind, or likewise contrarily, as if hee be slower afore; then giue him a good iert with you sticke on that buttocke hee proueth slow; or else a good stroke on that flancke with your single spurre; and likewise if it bee afore, then correct him on that shoulder that erreth, either with your stirrop or your sticke, and force him sodainely with your hands vpon the reynes to causeTheo. 12. ^•. him moue all his fore-parts together, for that will make him take them vp more quick.

Note, that if he goe readilier on the one hand then on the o­ther, that you beginne, and end on that hand he is the most vn­ready,1. Pr. 25. ^h. for that double exercise will make him more nimble and(c) cunning; For you must obserue it as a poynt of Horsemanship, to end on the same hand that you beginne on, in this lesson, as well as in teaching him to make his ring turnes. And lastly, note, that whereas I wish you to hold the reines of your bridle more hard, when you would haue him to goe on either hand, that limitation must depend vpon your discretion, for when hee is any thing towards, you must giue him liberty, to take delightTheo. 12. ^d. therein, so far as he loose no part of grace in the carriage of his head and body: for then his cheifest helpes must be onely by your owne seate, other-wise you shall dead and harden his mouth. All which things if they be truely obserued, you shall make your Horse goe with such a beautifull and gallant gesture, and obey by such secret motions, that it will rauish the behol­ders, and he will performe it with such willingnesse, that they will thinke he doth it of his owne courage and pride.

CHAP. 30. Of Ambling or Pacing.

HAuing spoke sufficiently (in the Theoricke,) of the abuses, that are growne in this Art of Pacing, whereby it hath beene till this day practised, and yet not certaine trueth found how to bring a Horse to his perfection: I will also here set forthTheo. 13. ^b. that which I haue found by experience, by treading the path of the Antients, and the opinion of our times, and how this age hath beene intangled in the snares of such variable inuentions▪ whereby the more they haue striuen to goe forward, the more they were inthralled therein: and then likewise lay downe that order, which I haue also proued by practise, to bring any Horse to a true pace according to the truth of this Art: for some haue(a) wished to bring a Horse to his pace by the helpes of Tramels, some with heauy shoes, some with rowles of leade like pasternesTheo. 3. ^l. vnder the setlockes behind: some likewise with wispes behinde, others with shoes of aduantage, hauing broad plates of iron set [Page 109] to the toes of the hinder shooes, three or foure inches long, o­thers by hanging waights of sand or such like vpon the fillets behind, but yet amongst all these they could not finde that way to gaine their content. And it is no maruaile, for a man must needs reape such fruit, of the same nature as the seed is heTheo. 28. ^g. doth sow, for false grounds must needes produce false conclu­sions, yet for all this many are so ouerruled with a selfe conceipt, and (to preserue their reputation by words) will not let to say, that they will make any Horse to pace well in a short time, when as in proofe of deed, they can neuer make any one HorseTheo. 14, ^a. pace truely in all their life time, by any of all these indirect meanes. For it it more hard to effect it in working, then to make brags thereof in talking.

Wherefore to show how farre they haue erred from the right path, that doth leade to this Vineyard, I will show how far the^a Of the abuse of Tramels. goodnesse of euery one of them doth extend, and what incon­ueniences they produce. And first for the Tramells; although Maister Markeham affirmeth that they are onely the best way to bring a horse to his pace, for as there is but one truth (al­though many inuentions) so hee affirmeth them to be it: yet ITheo. 10. ^d. digresse from him in this point, albeit in many other I cheiflie applaud him, hauing found by practise, most of his grounds are very probable, but yet not being desirous to be led by autho­rity (too much) I haue found that the true vse of the hand, is to be preferred farre before the true vse of them, in that a man may bring a Horse to a more stately pace by it then by them, for if they be neuer so truely vsed, yet they cannot make per­fection without the hand, which the hand (in its true vse) will doe without them. And yet thus farre I graunt they may doe well: that if a Horse be of a temperate disposition hee may be brought to an indifferent pace by them, (if they be set at the^b What Horses are the best to Tramell. iust length of the stroke of his body, and put rightly on his legs;) but yet there will be a great defect, in the carriage of his par­ticular parts, if they be not reformed by the hand, and also if they be any way abused they worke many absurdities, euen in the best Horses, as here-after I will show in that he must goe as he is tyed vpon necessity.

But if he be a free Horse that is to be put into them, (except [Page 110] there be a great care had at the first) he will spoyle himselfe by^c The inconue­nience they bring to a free horse. striuing, and so get some lamenesse by chafing and brusing his legges, which will cause them to swell or breed the scratches, or such like: or if not so, they will cause him to tread short, in that his desire is to goe, (through his freenesse) that when hee feeleth himselfe restrained that hee cannot tread so large as hee would, he will get an vse of trifling; and also they will make him subiect to stumble, his fore-legges being kept backe that they cannot goe orderly with his body; or if none these, (as it is ve­ry hard to keepe him from some of them) yet they will pull on his hinder legges so fast, that hee will goe broade, and very ill fauouredly, which vpon necessity must needs loose the rellish of of his mouth, and the placing of his head: or else he will shake with the hinder parts, or beat too much with his fore-parts, ha­uing too much liberty: or else keepe false time with his hinder parts and so seeme to halt of his hinder legge: any of all which if hee once get (as it is not almost possible to keepe him free from them all) they can neuer be reformed by any meanes ex­cept the hand.

And againe, if he be a sad Horse, in regard he hath not a free motion of his body, they will bring on his hinder legges so fast^d What incon­uenience to a sad Horse. (through the slow mouing of his body) that hee will be subiect to roule in his going, and so set hard, yea, I haue seene many of them, haue such vnapt carriage that they haue wallowed like a Beare: and further, in regard that hee cannot be quickned vp with his hinder parts, no faster then the Tramelles will suffer him, he will loose the sence of his mouth, and haue no agility of body, so that in his going he will neither show grace nor spirit,Theo. 35. ^g. 1. Pr. 31. ^b. ^• A slow moti­on the cause of a dead mouth. the slow motion being the chiefe cause of a dead mouth, be­cause the truth of Art, is to bring all the parts of the body to one and the selfe-same proportion of quicknesse; besides they will bring him to many of the other vices afore-named in a free Horse.

All which inconueniences I haue obserued (both from my owne experience, and also by othermens workes) haue in­sued by this order, which I could neuer reforme by any means but the hand, and in reforming whereof I haue spent as much time, to gaine that which was lost by them, as I haue spent in [Page 111] bringing another to his true pace by the hand, without any o­ther helpes.

But admit it were so, that they would produce none of these disorders, (as it is not possible to the contrary) yet let the best^f The vse of tra­mels is violence and therefore no Art. Practitioners vse them in the best manner that can be, it is no Art (as I haue said) but violence, for they force the Horse to goe as he is tyed if he goe at all, for they worke vpon the exte­riorTheo. 3. ^e. parts continually, and so he is compeld to yeeld in them, al­though his lust and desire be still repugnant: by which meanes33. ^h. that which is the effect is made the cause. Whereby when heibid. ^a. is taken out of them, he falleth cleane from his pace, after hee feele himselfe at liberty, that he can resist: especially if you goe about to bring him to further command to purge him from any error he hath gotten by them. For in regard his body is not made subiect by his will, but his will by his body, when that violence is taken away, that his body may follow his will, the Horse will goe after his naturall inclination, hee not knowingTheo. 33. ^g. how to helpe himselfe, not feeling those meanes by which hee was taught: neither can the man command him, in that his bo­dy1 Pra. 28. ^e. had not liberty afore to fall off, whereby he might be taught the true vse of the hand.

Wherefore, seeing all these inconueniences, may, and doe arise from the Tramels, and many other which I omit for breui­ty sake, and after cannot be reformed but onely by the hand: and further, hee that worketh the best by them, can neuer con­clude without the hand, therefore not onely these, but all the o­ther inuersions are not worthy to bee accepted as labourers in this Vineyarde, in respect of the true vse of the hand, in so much that they cannot stand without it, but it will both begin, worke,These cannot conclude with­out the hand. and effect without them: for by it the interior parts are first brought to obedience, and so the outward parts agree in their action, accordingly; whereby the pace is made, both easie and delightfull to the Horse, and also durable and pleasant to the man.

CHAP. 31. Of the abuse of heauy shoes, pasternes of lead, wispes, and shoes of aduantage.

OThers not finding any good effect by the Tramels, haue vsed heauy shooes behind, to keepe the hinder parts of the Horse downe, to cause his hinder feete strike further forward within his fore parts. Which although I doe not allow them excellent, yet they are more tollerable for a learner to vse, (till hee come to haue his helpes and corrections perfect) then the former, in^a Heauy shoes to be preferred before tram­mells. that they are not so much differing from the Art, as the other, for by that meanes the Horse is still gouerned by the hand and the apt motions of the body, whereby hee may after be kept in command. But yet though they doe good in some Horses,1. Pr. 28. d. it doth not follow they doe so in all: for if hee be of free and quicke disposition, they will make him to goe stuntly, and harsh with his body, and so set hard, by reason his desire is to goe forward, and then the waight of those shooes doe so hinder or load his heeles, that hee is forced to vse more strength to goe with his hinder parts, and thrust on his fore-parts by reaching so farre forward, whereby the body is caused to rocke and set^b The abuse of them for a Free Horse. hard, by reason of that conflict betwixt his fore and hinder parts, whereas there should be a concorde in all motions, o­therwise there is a repugnancy to Art, when one part is stirred by a greater violence then another.

And likewise, if he be a sad horse, his hinder parts of them­seluesTheo. 35. ^g. are slow, and therefore those shooes will doe much hurt1. Pr. 30. [...]. to him, for they will make (as the Prouerbe is) him haue such leaden heeles, that they will very hardly bee caused to follow roundly after, whereby will follow many of the former incon­ueniences.

And therefore, whosoeuer is desirous to practise by them, for a helpe, till hee haue knowledge to keepe his horses body in^• Their abuse in dull horses. command, (by his seat and hand) hee must bee carefull not to haue them stand on one day longer then is needfull, for else [Page 113] they will so ground the horse in such a slow motion and long stroke, that he will go very hard, vnwillingly and disgracefully,Theo. 4. ^e. which will aske▪ long time and deepe iudgement to amend, if hee bee desirous to haue him goe as well and easie as hee should.

And as for the pasternes of lead, and wreathes of hay, (or such like) they are both of one operation; but yet the pasternes areThe abuse by pasternes of lead or wi [...]pes. the worst of two, they will so bruise and chafe him about the fetlocks; neuerthelesse I cannot commend either of them, for working any good effect, (for a pace) in that they are worse then heauie shooes, to encrease any of the former errors, and besides they will cause him to goe filthily and broad, stradling behinde, in that he will bee desirous to moue first there where hee feeleth himselfe most troubled, neither can hee bend in his fetlock ioynts (as hee should) so that hee cannot vse them nimbly to stand to his mouth, but will rest much vpon the hand.

And for the shooes of aduantage, they are worse then any ofOf shooes of aduantage. the former, for they doe not onely bring forth all the aforesaid errors, but also are in danger of laming him before, by beating him of the back sinewes on the fore-legges, (with the plates) as hee bringeth his hinder legges after, or either stifle him or wrest him in the fetlocke-ioynt behind, they forcing him to lift his legges so vnnaturally, being so combersome that hee can­not helpe himselfe, if at any time hee tread awry, or vpon any vncertaine grounds: And further, I haue seene them cause a horse to creepe so low with his hinder parts, as it hath beene an vtter disgrace for him so long as hee was a horse, for that (by these) howsoeuer hee went, he felt no comfort, but they were alwayes as a clogge to annoy him.

But the cause of all these inuentions procedeth for want ofThe cause of all these erronious inuentions. knowledge in the true motion of a well going horse; for first, his inward parts (as I haue showne) must bee obedient to the man, and then if his body be once set vpright (as it should be) to moue properly, then all his members will moue answerably; for a true pace doth not depend vpon the bringing after his hinde legges, (as these inuentions doe tend, and as most sup­pose) but in setting his body so that all the parts moue orderly [Page 114] together, and so begin and end in one and the selfe same time;Theo. 3. ^c. by which, if the fore-parts goe forward orderly and easily, and& 4. ^a. take a large stroke, then the hinder parts (beginning and en­ding with them) must needs doe the like; (but of this I haue said more in the Theorie, the fourth Chapter.) Now therefore seeing there must be no vnequall motion in any part, there must be no vnequall hinderance to cause it, for Art doth worke onely to preserue nature, (in its best) but nature vseth an equall order in all things, and therefore where there is a let of motion by any1. Pr. 30. ^•. of these indirect meanes, so that the horse cannot vse all his31. ^b. parts as nature hath framed, those which are at liberty and can yeeld, will sooner bee brought to obserue that slow timeNote. with the members letted, then they can be brought to obserue that orderly time with those which are at liberty: for when as one member is troubled, all the body doth participate with the same, and therefore much lesse can they bee brought to the other when they are more troubled.

CHAP. 32. Of the abuse of waights and deepe earths.

BEsides these inuentions before rehearsed, there are others which haue vsed to bring horses to their pace, by waights of sand or some such like ponderous thing, laying it behind their saddle, vpon his fillets, to keep downe his hinder parts: Where­in I can but wonder to see the blindnesse of such as cannot see their owne ignorance, but will enterprise that wherein theyTheo. 20. ^d. haue such slender knowledge to effect the meanes according to Art. For this is so preposterous, and differeth so farre from the truth thereof, that they who haue no better knowledge to bring a horse to his pace (but by this) are more fit to ride vpon Asses that are to no other vse but to beare waights, then to haue that dignity, either to lead a Horse-mans Horse to the blocke, or euer to come a Horse-backe; whereby they shouldA deserued esteeme. haue the benefit of such worthy Creatures, that doth seeke to violate them by such meanes as is the hazard of their vtter [Page 115] ruine, for there can no good come therevpon, but euill al­together.

For if hee bee a stirring horse, what with those waights be­hind,The abuse by bringing a horse to his pace by Wa [...]ghts. and his owne waight, which is too heauy of it selfe, being so blockish, and the striuing with him for his pace, vpon any slippe hee will indanger the swaying or breaking his backe, or else stifling; and generally (if not these) whether he be a free or sad horse, or what disposition soeuer, it will vtterly deiect his courage, and giue him such a filthy carriage that hee will bee apt neither for good reyne nor any other gesture, to grace him­selfe, by reason that those waights load him so behind continu­ally, that he cannot vse his body as hee should, besides many other grosse errors it doth breed, which I omit because it is so absolute euill, that it is not worthy of bestowing time to parti­cularize them: for the vsing of waights is a discredit to the man by ignorance, a disgrace to this Art by abusance▪ and a wron­ging of the horse by violence. For if that Art is most agreeingTheo. 4. ^d. 32. ^c. to nature, that doth worke the best perfection, and doth preserue the integrum or whole horse, (both inward and out­ward) in the best lust and grace; then that is most disagreeing to them both, that doth ouerthrow, the whole integrall in all the parts.

But as for deep earths, although some (also) hold them to be(c) The vse of deepe earths. a spoyling of a young Colt, in that it toyleth him too sore, and therby weakneth his limbs, & so causeth him to put forth splints, spauens, and such like; and also abateth his courage and so make him subiect to tire, &c. Yet I say that these extremities are the abuse of them, for their vse is not so euill as is imagi­ned; for they are better to bring him to obedience, then any1 Pr. 30. ^f. of the former, because they force the body onely: and the wind is kept fresh to work according to the appetite, when the body is set free from those bonds wherein it was tyed, and which didTheo. 34. ^a. so trouble him, that he could take no delight▪ whereby his ap­petite commanding his winde, and his winde his body, so soone as he feeleth himselfe at liberty, his body will follow the incli­nation of his desire.

For as the whole man is composed of soule and body, and all his voluntary actions are according to the heart, whether good [Page 116] or euill; whereby, what wickednesse soeuer the body doth,Theo. 30. ^c. it doth first proceed from the heart: Euen so, the whole horse consisteth of his sensitiue soule and body, and all his voluntaryA Simile. actions proceed from his appetite or desire, and thereby, what restiffe quality soeuer any horse showeth, it first commeth fromTheo. 35. ^a. them, and therefore whatsoeuer the body doth, except the the whole Horse agree in one, it is but counterfeite or a shadow.

But the deepe earths (if they worke much mischiefe) it is inTheo. 28. ^d. 1. Pra. 28. d. their abuse, for they are good in diuers respects, for (by them) the whole horse may bee brought to agree in one; for if he be so stubborne that hee will not yeeld his winde to moue with(a) 1. Pra. 23. ^f. his body, the present putting him vpon them will cause him to slake his winde, and then the present liberty againe of the28. ^f. hand, and changing him from them, will make him feele such ease in his going, that hee will worke more easily and de­lightfully.

And further, besides the ioyning of the inward and outward^b For what er­rors deepe earths are good. parts in action, they are good to reforme many disorders in the carriage of his body, and the staying of his head, and handling of his legges, if they bee vsed no further then the correctiue part, otherwise they may bee abused, as drinke is good in its vse, but if it be abused it causeth drunkennesse.

For, if your Horse bee so tickle mouthed, that you cannot make him stand to your hand (by any meanes) vpon the euen ground, and so become lash-bodied, that he either beat him­selfe afore or shake his buttocks, the deepe earths will establish them both, by vsing him thereon, till hee finde that sleight to let his winde go with the time of his bodyes motion: or if hee strike short in his pace, and chafe himselfe, they will bring him to step more largely, and ride coolely, if hee be vsed vpon themTheo. 28. d. as afore; or if he lift his fore-feet too hye, (by his eager desire) or carry them so low, that hee is subiect to stumble (by his slow and vnwilling desire) the deepe earths will reforme both these, although they seeme contraries, but yet they are not so, for they are in diuersity, and so the diuers vse of the hand, (ac­cording to the willingnesse or vnwillingnesse of the windes passage) will amend them: for if hee lift too hie, then vse the(c) 1 Pra. 28. ^b. [Page 117] Head-straine more, but if too low, then the trench, (as I haue showne afore) for a trotter.

Thus the deepe earths, although they are hurtfull by too much toyling, you see are manifold in their vse, and are better to helpe him that hath not facility in his hand and seate, then heauy shoes, because they may be taken or left at pleasure; for they bring the inward parts to subiection, and help to bring a Horse to a very gracefull pace, if the hand be truely tempered, and the body haue apt motiues answerable, as hereafter I will show. And thus much in briefe, for the generall vse of them, but for further particular application I omit, because the bene­fit may be better vnderstood by practice then demonstration,Theo. 28, ^e. (and in that I haue spoken thereof afore,) which must be ap­plied according to the disposition of the Horse, by the discreti­on of the man, for you must consider that they being still one and the same, they worke but one and the same thing of them­selues, but the variety must proceed from application.

CHAP. 33. Of the abuse of the hand.

ANd in like manner, as the grounds are good in their vse and bad in abuse, euen so also is the hand, whereby it isTheo. 28. ^•. held very comtemptible, (with the most) and so is made a stale to bring in other sinister helpes, which they invented, be­cause they could neuer finde the vse thereof, and so it is almostTheo. 3 ^•. held to be without vse: like Esops Cocke which preferred a Barly-corne, before a pretious Stone, preferring his appetite be­fore^a It neede no moralizing, the application is plaine. the esteeme of such a rich Iewell. But as the sweetest Rose is soonest subiect to Canker, and the Moth doth soonest breed within the finest Cloth, euen so abuse is soonest wrought by this, for that it is nearest the truth, which ignorance doth most pol­lute: and through that abuse doth spiring a world of mischiefes,Theo. 3. ⁿ. as displacing his head, deading and gauling of the mouth, loose body, treading short, and trifling, and many other. But againe in its right vse, if all the other inuentions should ioyne in [Page 118] one they were not able to abide the censure, when they shall be tried by the effect in making a true going Horse. For althoughTheo. 4. there may be many inuentions, and diuerse sorts of Horses go­ing, yet there is but one truth, and one kind of well going; and that I dare affirme (hauing found it by practise) is onely the hand, for by it a Horse may be refined to goe so easily, and com­ly, that the finest Lady, may make his backe her Cradle, to Lull her tender selfe a sleepe.

Now whereas the hand may be abused diuers and sundry waies yet it is chiefly from these foure causes. First, in that hee^b Foure things were in the hand are chiefly abused. is put to his Pace before hee know how to goe forward by the motions of the body, or to stoppe by the helpe of the hand: and this is a generall euill, almost in all sorts of Horses, in that they1. Pr. 23. ^a. are suffered to goe after their owne will, but not according to(1) order: for I my selfe hauing many horses comming to my hands, cannot finde one amongst a hundred (of what age soeuer) that is taught to stoppe and goe orderly forward as he should, for as spelling is the true ground of reading, so are these two (stopping and going orderly) the true ground of all riding. Secondly, it(2) is abused in the true placing of the Horses body, for when hee is put to his pace before hee can tell how to carry it aptly for the same, hee cannot be brought to it, but by great violence: for they fall straight to such improper motions that all the ex­tremitiesTheo. 14. ^e. they can vse are not able to make him yeeld his body, for that one man is not able (by strength) to deale with a Horse, which abuse is the cause of all other inuentions, besides the tor­turingTheo. 3. of his mouth, with hayling and gagging it, and yet if hee be caused to Pace by this it is so vgely, that it much darkenethTheo. 4. the Art, and disgraceth the Horse: for as a Child that learneth to write, can neuer write well, (though neuer so fast) exceptA Simile. he can tell how to hold his pen, breake his letters, and Ioyne distinctly; so a Horse can neuer Pace well except his body be truely placed to goe orderly, and vse his legges truely.

Thirdly, it is abused, by shortnesse of time, for when they see(3) that hee will not come to his Pace so speedely as they expect, then passion doth stirre vp their will, and so force him toTheo. 3. ^p. that in three daies which would aske three weekes, nay in someTheo. 8 9. 10 Horses very neare three months, whereby the Horse is driuen [Page 119] into such amazement, by torturing of the mouth, and massaca­ring him with corrections, that it increaseth by-thoughts in hisTheo. 11. ^d. minde, and so seeketh to ease and free him-selfe by some restife qualitie, not hauing time either to conceiue what hee should doe, or to haue liberty to goe as he should, but such teachers are more fit for bedlam to bee gouerned themselues, then to haue the tuition and gouernment of others.

And lastly, the abuse hereof is, in not proportionating of helpes and corrections, according to the disposition of the(4) Horse, for if through anger he exceed in correcting more then the quallity of the offence, then the Horse will become sense­lesseTheo. 38. ^•. in the mouth (the corrections being sharper then the trench) and so fall to runne away or show other iadish tricke, and this point is the hardest, (but yet the very sinewes) of all the parts of Horsemanshippe: for if a man can truely iudge ofNote here the onely glory of a Horseman. the disposition of the Horse, whether he be gentle or dogged, sadde or free, and so from those two extreames, to know how much he doth participate of either of thē (for euery horse doth vary one from another more or lesse therein) and after their in­clinationsTheo. 29. ^a. vse the like proportion in his helpes and corrections, without doubt hee may bee bould to effect any lesson by the hand, better then by any other meanes whatsoeuer: and soTheo. 10. ^•. consequently, bring a Horse to a far more excellent Pace.

And therefore the want of knowledge of this true ground, hath made such an inundation of errors, that the most haue drowned themselues, in the waues of imitation, whereby they haue made Shipwracke of the poore Horse to the great disgrace of the Art: for by these meanes, ariseth such a mutiny within themselues, that the strong hold of truth it beat downe, where­by vsurped inuentions doe raigne as tirants: and so they change Art, in making the subiect an adiunct, in that they hold it can­not worke of it selfe, except it be supported with some other lesse needfull coniunct.

CHAP. 34. Obseruations for the bringing your Colt to his Pace by the Hand.

THus hauing gone through the laboriousest part of this Art, which is to detect, and lay open the errors which are crept into it, through the abuse, and ignorance of men: and in pro­ducingRead the Theo: Part. the causes thereof; I will now likewise set forth how you may bring your Horse to a faire, and commendable Pace (by the hand) and keepe him free from any disaster, or euill quality.

But because your selfe must be the chiefe efficient herein, I will first prescribe what you must obserue, whereby you may the more truely and easiy effect what you desire.

And therefore first, obserue to carry your body very steddily(1) Theo. 12. and firme, from your middle vpward, with your elbowes close to your sides, both to helpe to keepe your owne body steddy, & your hands firme, for checking his mouth too much, for dead­ing it, holding them a full handfull distance, and also it will help mightily in the knitting your Horses body. Secondly, you(2) must obserue to helpe him in his stroke, by keeping the same time of mouing in your seate, as you would haue your Horse to keepe in his going: but this must be limited according to yourTheo. 13. discretion, for words cannot expresse it: neither must it be ac­cording to the Horses desire altogether, for then it will causeTheo. 19. & 20. some to be too slow, whereby they will goe hard, and in other some too quicke, whereby they will make many feete but yet make no way.

Now because there is a two-fould motion in the seat vsed,Of motion in the seate being of two sorts. the one direct forward, and the other indirect, as mouing first from one buttocke, and then to the other, and so in like manner the whole body, correcting the Horse first on one side in theThe direct motion. mouth, and then on the other; I will show which of them I haue found best by my experience, and how they may be both applied. And first, of the direct motion, I hold it is the best for [Page 121] most Horses, but especiallie for those which are more sadde and dull: for the euen mouing forward of your body, and the ier­ting forward of your feet in the stirrops, will cause all the parts of his body, to goe so euen, and iustlie together, that hee shall feele farre the more sleight and easie in his going, (if he be not daunted too much with the hand.) But the indirect motion, IThe indirect motion. cannot approue so well; except it be at the first entring of horses to their stroke, which are so forward in going that they will not take time to moue their bodies orderly, and that are such strict Trotters that they haue no inclination to moue their fallTheo. 4. ^•. side aptly for a Pace, and then for such if you vse the mouing first of one buttocke, and then of the other, (to cause them moue their sides by the like time) it will make them sooner finde the sleight of that manner in going, but then you must be care­full to vse your hands still to helpe him forward in the euen mo­tion, for that will make him carrie his fore-parts more comely; which so soone as you feele him to set close, then you must leaueNote. that motion, and vse the former, to make him strike forward or­derly with his whole bodie: for if you should vse that as a con­tinuall motion, and vse all your bodie in like manner, and your hands, to correct him in the mouth first on one side and thenTheo. 36, ^•. 27. ^a. on the other, it will spoile his mouth, displace his head, and cause him to carrie it very vncertainlie, first on one side, then on the other, (as he feeleth the motion of the hand,) or cause him to carrie it continually on one side, or (at the least) out of its due palce: and further, it will make him stay one side (of his bo­dy)Theo. 4. ^•. whilst hee bringeth on the other: whereby hee will be subiect to roule, and set hard, and so much the rather if hee be any thing sadde.

Thirdly, you must obserue to keepe your horse in continuall(3) motion without intermission (in all his parts) (except it be when you let him stand for breath to cherish him) and that itTheo. ibid. moue directly in the middest, for both his sides must be alwaies going; but this must be conceiued, intellectiuely, and iudgedTheo. 16. ^b. by the quicknesse of your seat.

Fourthly, you must obserue continually, that the farre side is(4) Theo. 30. ^c. the slower (in euery horse) and the more hard to bee brought to command to keepe time willingly; and therefore, you must [Page 122] obserue with great care, that the farre foote which is called theTheo. 30. ^•. The leading foote. leading foote, strike sleightly forward and largely, and then the other legges will be more easily brought to the like.

Fiftly, you must obserue to keepe true time with your helpes(5) and corrections, and also to vse them at the very instant; for as soone as euer you feele him begin the least disorder that can be, then you must begin to helpe, and likewise when you onceTheo. 17. ^•. perceiue he maketh small accompt of your helps, then you shall instantly vse corrections, and likewise you must instantly cease at his first yeelding, that hee may the better conceiue the causeTheo. 31. ^•. thereof.

Sixtly and lastly, you must obserue not to hold him aboue a(6) day at the most, to one certaine pace, till hee can tell how to go fast or softly as your selfe will, least his body be seated to a lowNote. manner of going, (he being suffered to take ease therein) for then you will hardly get him to a higher rate, (except it bee with some other inconuenience) when you would; and also you must haue a care that you take not too much on him at oneTheo. 17. ^h. & i. time, till hee can tell how to goe with ease and delight, least thereby you make him weary, and so cause a disorder in his carriage, and abate his courage, and be a meanes to stirre vp by­thoughts, and so [...]adish trickes; neither must you leaue him too soone, but let him adde somewhat euery time (for so you [...]. Pr. 27. ^a. shall keepe him flexible) otherwise he will loose his obedience and waxe stubborne, whereby you shall not command himChap. 1. when you would. All which things if you obserue carefully, and worke truly, you shall bring your horse to goe delightfully, and comely.

CHAP. 35. How to bring your Colt to his pace, by the hand onely.

VVHen you haue brought your Colt to perfect command of his body, and mouth, then you may bee bold to offer him his pace, without any danger of aduerse accidents,(a) if you obserue those cautions in the last Chapter, which you may effect after this manner.

First, let the place where you meane to giue him his pace, be along by a wall, pale, or hedge side, and let not your roade be^a The distance of the place of exercise. aboue fiue or sixe score in length; for that distance is sufficient for any horse to goe, without a turne or sobbe, till hee can tell how to demeane himselfe therein, and further by his often tur­ning at euery end it will make him keepe his body round, and also learne him to let his winde goe by the motion of the same: Whereas, if he should haue his pace giuen him by going conti­nually euen forward a mile or two, (as most vse) it will make him more slow with his hinder parts, and set his winde (so dog­gedly) that you cannot command his mouth, but with great force, and so spoyle it with striuing too much therewith.

Now, when you are seated in your saddle, you shall put him forward gently vpon his foot-pace, and euer in his going cause^b Of the ser­uing your horse with your body. him to mend his foot-pace, by mouing your selfe forward and backeward in your saddle, and with the same time keep your legges in motion, (by ierting your feet forward in your stirrops) letting your hands go and come, with gentle motions, (obser­uing the like time:) But if when you thrust him on faster, he will not couch his hinde-legges as he should, but desire to trot, then giue him a sharpe touch in the mouth with your trench, which at the first it may bee will but amaze him, or cause a stay, but bee you carelesse, and suffer him not to stand, butPr. 22. ^g. keepe him still in going by the motions of your body, and let him rest most vpon the head-straine, (for that must be cheefelyNote. vsed, till his body bee stayed vpon his pace, to preserue hisTheo. 12. ^•. mouth from deading:) likewise you must obserue that your body must be the onely agent to helpe him in his stroake, till he can tell how to lift his full side truely.

And thus you shall exercise him for halfe a quarter of anEthic. li. 2. houre, (or indeed as you finde your horse) at which if you findeCap. 2. Quia singularia non cadunt sub aliqua arte, aut certa regula. A generall rule. no alteration, be not dismayed, but vse patience, (for euery be­ginning is hard) and alight from his back lest you disturbe him too much, before hee can tell what to doe, and lead him home▪ for you must hold this for a generall rule, in what horse soeuer, that after you begin to worke for his pace, not to ride him, but lead him home, till you haue brought him to some command, or else in going home so often (as you must) before hee can tell [Page 124] how to vse himselfe therein, hee will desire to goe so faste to­wards the stable, that you shall not bee able to keepe his body in command, and so spoyle his mouth.

Then let him rest, an houre and a halfe, or two houres, and haue him forth againe, working him still with your body and hands as afore, neuer letting your elbowes stir from your sides,Theo. 12. ^d. no [...] chocke him in the mouth, except he desire to go faster then he should, and then it must be very sparingly.

Likewise, you must mitigate your hands vpon the head­staine reynes, lest hee presse too hard therevpon (and therebyNote. come to haue a low fore-foote;) but let them come and goe with slacke reynes, except he be tickle mouthed, and then let him rest the more vpon it to stay his head: And thus, you shall vse him in exercise sixe or seauen times a day, and within two dayes you shall feele him begin to set close, (though hee be ve­ryTheo. 14. ^f. vntoward) hauing the true grounds of hand and foote afore­said: For I haue had hardly one horse in a yeare, (though hee were void of any good gouernment) but I could make him strike, within that time; to which, so soone as you feele any inclination, alight from his backe and haue him home, for that will make him goe the more cheerefully the next time.

Note, that when hee beginneth to set close, you make not aboue two or three turnes at a time, least you take too much ofNote. him, before hee finde ease in his going, and thereby hee get a haunt to fall from his pace, (through dislike) whereby you shallTheo. 9. ^•. bee driuen to striue too much with him, neither shall you suffer him to leaue his pace voluntary (for his ease) howsoeuer it hath beene vsed heeretofore, in that it should bee kept constant to make his body firmer; for if he bee suffered to trot for ease itThat is bad ease which bringeth greater paines. will increase the greater paines; and thereby get such an vse thereof, that you shall haue more to doe to make him hold his pace when he should, then to bring another horse thereto.

Note, that if hee proue sad vpon your motions, that you quicken him vp with your voyce, or if that preuaile not, then correct him with the rodde vpon the farre buttocke or shoul­der,Theo. 25. ^•. for there, and those are all the kindes of corrections [Page 125] you shall vse, till hee can tell how to behaue himselfe vpon his pace.

Note, that if in your fauouring him at the first (for his wellThis is worthy of noting. doing) hee proue negligent and idle, and so fall from his pace, that then you doe not hold him to it by force, but thrusting him vp to goe faster, by quickening of your motions, for that will make him hold it more willingly, in that it will confirme the carriage of his body if you presse him not too farre at once,For Art of it selfe dependeth vpon volunta­ry actions. till hee be cunning in the handling of his legges, and will yeeld to your seruing him with your seat, but euer as hee increa­seth in cunning, so you may increase his labour, leaning him alwayes in his wel-doing.

Note, that when hee is come to such perfection that you may trauell him forwards, that then you begin to leaue your ap­parantTheo. 15. ⁱ. motions, and carry your selfe more firme in your seat, and vse onely a couert motion of your legges, and a sweet relish of your hand, sometimes vpon the head-straine, and sometimes vpon the trench, (to bring him to the vse thereof, as your dis­cretion shall direct you,) which will be done in three weeks at the most if the error be not in your selfe.

When hee is brought to such cunning that he will obey yourTheo. 32. & 33. motions, and if he doth not carry himselfe as hee should, nor keepe his pace willingly, then the cause thereof is, in that his winde doth not agree with his body in equall motions; for re­formation whereof, if the Switch preuaile not, then you may giue him two or three sound strokes with both yourBeing applyed to the quality of the offence. spu [...]res, seruing him still with your helpes, letting him haue li­berty of his head to goe forward so soone as you feele him con­sent thereto, which in twice or thrice vsing, will make him frame himselfe orderly vpon the least motion you can vse.

Note, that if hee keep not the like time of motion▪ with both his sides, but that he make a false time with his farre side, (forNote a generall rule. that as the side that euery horse will desire to mistime) and ther­by get a halting stroke (which of many is called the hitch­cocke, being indeed the fault of the man) that then you holde your hands a little harder, and thrust him forward more vio­lentlyOf a false stroke or hitch­cocke. with your legges, which will cause him moue his sides equally; to which, if hee will not yeeld his hinder legge, but [Page 126] keepe it still backe to resist, then let him feele your spurres sharp­ly, and hold hard vpon your head-straine, for that will make him stretch his far fore-foot, and then his far hinde foot must needs follow keeping time in its motion: but if this preuaile not at twice or thrise offring, doe not persecute him too much there­with,Violence of the hand is to be a­voyded. for so you shall be driuen to vse violence with your hand, which your cheifest care must be to auoyde; but you shall put him forth to his full pace, (almost to his gallop,) euer working1. Pra. 24. ^e. your hands to, and fro, to keepe his body within the limits of your motions: for if the former corrections will not preuayle (through his stubbornnesse) to cause his farre side to come to the like time of the largenesse of the stroke with the nar-side:^k Idlenesse is the cause of all errors. yet this will so quicken him vp, that hee shall haue no leasure to keepe false and idle time, for it will force his winde, whereby either his farre side will be brought to keepe time with the narre, or else of the contrary: either of which so soone as hee doth; suffer him to goe more easily, to conceiue your mind, and then by seruing him with your seate, you may bring them in the true distance of time:

Note, that this false stroke is a mischeife the hardest to re­forme (of any error that shall oppose) and therefore in all yourThe false stroke hardest to be re­formed. proceedings, from the beginning to the end; you must obserue that he take vp his far-fore-leg▪ (which is the leading leg) andTheo. 30. c. set it forward with the like time▪ & distance, to his neare-leg, for that will make him haue the fairer forefoote: which you must helpe onely with quicke motions, and a gentle touch vpon the trench, letting him play easily forward vpon the head-straine.

Note, that if hee desire to goe faster, then you would haueTheo. 27. c. him, so soone as you feele him presse forward let him goe, for the space of foure or fiue score, and then stoppe him, and with­all hold your feete out straight in your stirrops, to keepe his hin­derTheo. 23. c. parts round, and so hold him, seruing him with the motion of your body till you feele him come in, to your hand, and then let him go forward gently, which in few times▪ [...]sing will bring him to find the sleight how to let his wind and body goe to­gether.

Note, that the Spurre is the cheifest correction to concludeTheo. 11. ^•. 26. ^b. and shut vp all other corrections, and that no Horse can▪ be [Page 127] brought to his high perfection, and grace, (without the true vse thereof:) for as too little will neuer bring him to such ex­cellency as Art can effect (for although hee may be said to goe well, yet there is an aliqu [...]t part reciding which would giue him a further grace) in like manner if you torture him too muchTheo. 20. ^d. therewith, it will bring him to such distemperature, that hee will refringe the limits of your command, and so breake out into grosse absurdities: wherefore you must vse a proportiona­ble meane therein, according to his inclination.

When your Colt is thus freed from all abuses, and that heeTheo. 4. will take his Pace fast or softly, (in good order) without rock­ing or shaking: then to bring him to know how to behaue him­selfe, as occasion shall be offred, you shall vse him vpon deepe, and vneuen grounds, letting him haue time to reforme himselfe, and force him not on too fast, nor toyle him too long thereon, but let him goe at his pleasure, your selfe doing nothing to him, but keepe him in his true time, by help of your motions, some­times changing him from deepe to light earths, and againe, from light to deepe, which will bring him, (in the whole Colt) to such agilitie, courage, and nimblenesse, as hee will seeme to flye vpon the earth through his alacrity: and thus by vsing him (after this manner) in sixe or eight weekes you shall bring your Colt to such an excellent and comely Pace, as if Art and Na­ture had conioyned to extirpe, and deuoure the errors of old Adams transgression.

CHAP. 36. How to bring an imperfect mouthed Horse to his Pace.

BEcause it is holden an impossible thing to reduce a horse to his Pace, which is spoyled afore by disorder, or those either which are come to many yeares before they be brought to it,The man is the onely obstacle herein. therefore it may be, there will be expected great secrets to be reuealed for the performance thereof. But the causes being considered in the one, and an orderly proceeding obserued in1. Pra. 13. ^•. [Page 128] the other, there is no such ambiguity therein, but if the truth be rightly vnderstood, as I haue said, the cheife cause of these, and of all other Vices doe consist in the want of true knowledge how to bring his desire, or affection to obedience, and his out­ward gesture, to agree therwith; for the want of which concord, hee doth first resist with his winde, and that giueth strength toTheo. 34. ^a. his outward parts, whereby he maketh improper motions of the body, which bringeth a dead and rebellious mouth.

Wherefore whensoeuer your haue a Horse that hath a bro­ken Pace, assure your selfe that if you obserue these causes, you^a Of a broken paced Horse shall bring him to his perfect Pace, by reforming of them to an vnity, without any other sinister or indirect meanes: which to performe you shall vse but onely the head-straine, (as afore) in1. Pr. 30. 31. 32. 33. stead of any of them for the vse of it with the trench, will worke a better effect then them all: for a Horses mouings, are, either orderly, or disorderly, fast or slow, dead mouthed, or tickle mou­thed,Pr. 20. c. & so these two, (to wit, the headstrain, & trench) will bring any of thefe extreames to the mean, (in their right application.)

For looke what is said for the ordering of a young Colt, vse but the same order to him for the reformation of his disorderlyPr. 22. 23. 24. 25. 26. motions, and then when hee is brought to true obedience (in that sort) you may command him, with the helpes of you body, to giue him his Pace truely and largely as you shall wish. OnelyPr. 35. ^a. this obserue, that whereas I wish to bring a young Colt to a perfect vnderstanding of all your helpes and corrections, be­fore you goe about his Pace, that in this you may abbreuiate a great time that would be spent therein, in that hee hath beene vsed afore to Trauayle, whereby hee can tell how to take his way, (though not as he should.) For if you should goe about to refine his mouth, and to confirme his body neuer so precisely before; yet when you shall goe about to hold him to that Pace, wherein he had his former qualities, that motion would put him in mind againe of such errors as he had gotten a habit of aforeCustome bring­eth a habit as well in euill as good. in that manner of going; and will be hard to reforme (in a strict carriage,) without increasing of them or worse; (as I haue found by experience, to no small trouble and toyle:) in that hee can tell how to frame his body to resist.

Wherefore for the surest and speediest expedition, you shall [Page 129] worke to reforme those faults, vpon that broken Pace he hath,The cause of a horse not pa­cing truely, is in the abuse of his head and body, and not in his legges. and as he is purged of them so hee will better and better mend his Pace, for those disorders are the cause that hee cannot tell how to handle his feet as he should for his Pace. In which looke what order I set forth for the bringing of a slouingly Colt to a strict and true Trot, in like manner vse him for reformation of his Pace, keeping his body in continuall action, to cause himPra. 27. ^c. that he shall not haue time to hold his winde, to worke his fro­wardCap. 1 For to force him vpon the hand will make him striue the more. will: but if he will not fall to your hand gently, thrust him forward to a good round Pace, almost to his galloppe, (without much regard of the truenesse of his stroke,) foure or fiue times vp and downe your roade, and that will make him fall to your hand, which so soone as you feele, let him ease himselfe, and then you shall feele his hinder parts yeeld to the motions of your owne body.

And likewise if hee be an old Horse, and yet hath neitherOf an old horse good carriage, nor any steppe to his Pace, you shall vse him in all respects as the former: but onely, in that he cannot tell how to behaue him-selfe any thing for his Pace, you must helpe him into his stroke by the gentlest meanes you can, by the helpes and motions of your seate, (as in the young Colt) and if he be1. Pra. 35. ^b. ibid. ^k. a heauy headed Horse, so that you cannot command his head, to cause him bring in his hinder parts, thrust him vp as afore, to quicken his motions, vpon which if he desire to goe faster then he should, correct him with the trench twice or thrice toge­ther, and then giue your hand liberty: for as in the former, so you must obserue in this, not to worke for his grace in carriage, tillThat cannot be taken away which one ne­uer had. he can tell how to goe vpon his Pace, for you cannot spoile his reine because he neuer had it; But if he be a free and hot horse, so that hee will not rest vpon the hand, then you shall fauour the trench, and let him rest more vpon the head-straine, for that will make him presse more orderlie vpon the hand for­ward.

Now for obseruations herein, you must note all what hathPr. 25. beene said afore, but these further, that of what age soeuer your Horse is, you must imagine him to be as a Colt, that can­not tell how to take his way, in regard he is put to that Pace heNote. was neuer vsed to before, and therefore you must let him goe [Page 130] after what manner he will, till hee can strike truely, and then re­forme him to his perfection, as in the other.

Note, that you must consider whether the cause of your hor­sesNote. broken pace came from too much lenity or cruelty, for itOf a broken pace. proceedeth from either of these two extreames, which may beThe cause of a bad pace, is the abuse of the man by one of these ex­treames, as Theo. 10. 11. perceiued either by his negligent care, or by his busie and eager desire in going, and then you shall reforme them by the con­trary meanes, vsing the gesture of your body to the intention of your mind, that the horse may the better distinguish thereof: For set apart the vnderstanding of the minde, and no man hath fruit or profit of that thing hee perceiueth not, so set apart the sensitiue apprehension of the horse, how he should obey by mo­tions,Sonus enim cor­di [...], intellectus est. and hee will shew small fruit of all your labours.

Now these cautions being truly weighd, are sufficient for in­struction to the ingenious, if he can apply them to the former. But yet to him that is but a Scholler himselfe, and is not so ex­pert, as to haue such facility of hand and foote as hee should, the seuerall grounds are very profitable to helpe him in the bringing his horse to obedience, if hee vse either deepe or as­cendingOf deep earths. earths (vp a hill) especially for high spirited horses, but they are very hurtfull for heauy and dull horses, the causesTheo. 28. ^b. being showne afore; where I haue spoken sufficiently how&. ^c. 32. ^c. they should bee applyed for the reformation of seuerall errors, which must bee tempered by the mans discretion, and so they will take away the cause of all other needlesse inuentions; for (as I haue said) all errors are acted by the body, and the body is gouerned by the winde, and it is ruled by the affection orIgnorance the cause of all the other inuen­tions. desire, and this by the motions of the man, and he is (or should bee) directed by reason, the which being director of all his proceedings, to apply his helps and proportionate all his cor­rections, according to the necessity of the crime, the mannerKnowledge best gotten by practise Theo. 5. Chap. how must bee gained by practise, more then by reading, hee shall much fructifie in this Ʋineyard, for that there will no weedes grow therein to choake the Vine: but it will flourish being nourished with the heat of truth.

But if there be a preiudicated opinion, and so giue Will the reynes, then the whole fence will bee broken downe, and all this planting layd wast; for that no admonitions, can [Page 131] preuaile with a stiffe-necked opinion, because that if men will frame distinctions at their pleasures, there is no truth set forth but it may be ouerthrowne and defaced.

CHAP. 37. How to reforme a naturall hard-going horse.

THere are many which are swallowed vp in this gulfe, in that they haue not directed their course by the true poynts of this carde (what are the causes of things) but haue sailed af­theTheo. 7. ^•. Chap. compasse of windy and ayery opinions, whereby their braines are made the more shallow and barren, for that theyTheo. 3. ^a. are not watered with the dew of consultation. For (as Schooles hold) the very marrow of knowledge, doth proceed from the cause to the effect; and again, from the euent, to get the know­ledge of the cause. For the cause of these hard and vneasie go­ing horses, is not in the nature of the horse, but in the igno­rance of the man: But this I hope is layd so naked already, that all the World may see its shame.

Wherefore, this error is not so much in the horse, (as someMorg. 52. Chap. Theo. 4. ^h. affirme) but in the man, because hee knoweth not how to re­duce himselfe and his horse to an vnity; but hee vseth such im­proper motions and helps, as the horse hath no certaine know­ledge what to doe.

For instance, in warre let a drum (which is vsed to signifieA Simile. vnto Soldiers when and how to prepare themselues to battell) giue an vncertaine sound, there is no preparation made, in that they know not the meaning thereof: Euen so, if the man doth not vse his helps and corrections so as the horse can conceiue his minde, there is no obedience, (but a continuall resistance)Note. in that hee feeleth them, but wanteth true distinction to giueQuid opus est iubell are et non intellegere iu­bellationem. notice what hee would haue done. But this is the fruits of yeel­ding to authority, desiring to eloke themselues with costly and gorgeous ignorance rather then to cloath themselues with plaine and homely trueth.

But as Austin saith, Quid prodest clauis aurea, si aperire quid [Page 132] volumus, non potest? aut quid obest lignea, si haec potest? &c. WhatPreface. auaileth a golden key if it cannot open what we would haue o­pened? or what hurteth a woodden key, if it bee able to open? seeing our desire is (or should bee) to haue that thing opened which is shut; but our desire thus haunting after ambition, rea­pethOur desire haunteth am­bition. Sodomes Ap­ples. no better fruit then Sodomes-Apples, that are delightfull to the eye, but touch them, and presently they go to ashes; wher­by they ayme at Narcissus shadow, till they be drowned in their owne conceipted labour.

But because I would not haue them still to grope in the dark at noone day, let them assuredly know that the cause of any na­turallThe cause of a hard going horse. hard-going horse is, for that he was not brought to true obedience at the first, but (going after his owne will, hath got­tenTheo. 1. Chap. a habit of improper motions, both in his interior and exte­rior parts: And so, cannot tell how to behaue himselfe toPra. 26. ^b. goe better, because hee was neuer taught after the groundsChap. of Art.

Wherefore, whosoeuer is desirous to reforme any of theseTheo. 4. ^e. to an easier and better pace, let him neuer thinke to effect it,Theo. 31. except hee reforme all those foure chiefe heads which I haue32. 33. 34. Chap. set forth in the Theoricke; for if any one of them be vnreformed, that will ouerthrow all the rest, the vse whereof I haue shownePr. 20. 21. 22. 23. Chap. in the handling of a young Colt; because that hee must begin to reforme where the first error was begun; for first, his desire must be stirred vp to goe more freely, and his winde caused to passe more willingly, and so his body must bee placed to goe answerably, his mouth quickened, and his head placed truely: and then you may be sure to bring him to a delightfull pace ve­ry easily.

Now, although this may seeme but a hard and harsh docu­ment, for the reforming of such an intricate taske, I stand the lesse therevpon, because I haue touched euery branch suffici­ently afore for the effecting thereof, and therefore I need not spend any time of repetition againe, sith heere is no more to beNo errors can come but from those causes. said then the afore related causes, being also the cause of this naturall hard goer which being truely considered, will reforme him better then the extremities of any hard or tormenting snaffle or bitte. Onely this obserue, that when you put him toNote. [Page 133] his full pace if hee desire to take such a large stroke that heeNote. roule and set hard, that then you restraine your hand and fit loose in your seat, for what with his owne vneasie going, and your selfe shaking on his backe, will make him seeke meanes to set more easily, for there is neuer a step that hee setteth, which^• His own paine will make him seeke for ease, if you regard his first yeeld­ing. is vneasie for you, but it grieueth him as much, or more then your selfe, his vneasie going being increased with your owne waight, and so his owne torment will cause him to seeke ease, when his body is so placed that hee can tell how to finde it, and that you giue him liberty to goe softly, when you feele him begin to yeeld, and withall if you keepe your seate more firme, for that will helpe to keepe his body stayed till (by custome) he get a habit of himselfe.

And further, note that he in his going moue his body equallyTheo. 35. ^•. in euery part thereof, so as the fore-part seeme not to moue be­fore his hinder, nor it afore the former, & likewise to haue them more quick and free without intermission, (except it bee when you let him stand to breath,) and then be sure to haue his desire to be ready to goe at your first motion, which you may perceiue by his winde.

CHAP. 38. Of Restiffenesse.

REstiffenesse is also another weede that is sprung vp in this Ʋineyard, which doth mightily hinder the Vines fromTheo. 8. ^a. flourishing, being nourished by will, and so spred into the more branches; for there hath beene such small care to plucke it vpPra. 20. ^b. by the rootes, that it hath beene nourished by inuention of so many seuerall sharpe Cauezans and Bittes, to make them yeeld by violence, when they found, (according to their vsing) leni­ty would not preuaile: And likewise there hath beene as manyThe further a man goeth in a false path, the further from his iournies end. seuerall inuentions, to reforme these, as they found restiffe qua­lities; and yet not being grounded vpon truth, they haue still failed of their purpose; whereby these are increased in number and cruelty, as there are horses to inflict, or matter to inuent; [Page 134] still feeling themselues as farre from working reformation, by such cruelties, as to bring a Lion to subiection by force.

But because Maister Markham hath touched them sufficient­ly in his Cauallarice, I will referre those which are desirous to be further resolued therein to that place, for sith their incon­ueniences are there so indifferently portratured, I think it need­lesse to spend any time in the displaying of them here, they (be­ing so farre degressing from the true Art:) for by their sharpe and durable tortures, they make the Horse as it were mad and senselesse, because he cannot feele ease when he yeeldeth.

But here I will leaue these and goe to the causes of restife­nesse,The cause of restifenesse. wherein I shall vary from the opinion of Maister Mark­ham, for he houldeth that they are both naturall, and acciden­tall in the Horse, but I say they are onely accidentall to the Horse by the mans abuse of the Art: for I neuer saw any Colt or Foale, which had any naturall restifenesse of him­selfe, (except it be nourished by abuse:) for by his naturall in­clination he will neither goe backe▪ stand still▪ lye downe, strike, rise a fore, plunge, or any such like, excepr he be made sullen, or dogged by restrayning him of his liberty. And further (ha­uingTheo. 18. ^b. experience my refuge) I dare maintaine; that any Colt may be kept free from any restifnesse at the first, nay further,Theo. 35. ^d. that they may be kept free from the Vice of Stumbling, enter­feiring, going broad either before or behind, for the cause ofThe cause not naturall of stumbling. these is not naturall, (as some imagine) but accidentall, com­ming from the abuse of the hand, and the vnapt motion of the body, for there are none subiect to these till they be handled: and I (also) haue amended many Horses of those faults, being put into my hands, only for that end.

And therefore, whatsoeuer restiffe quality may spring vp inRestifenesse is sowen by neg­lect and con­ceipt. this Vineyard, is sowne there by the hands, either of mans igno­rance, or negligence, in either not obseruing, or else not know­ing how to order his proceedings in such sort, as the Horse might conceiue, how to obey his mind, but because I would notRestifenesse in standing still or going backe. haue you ignorant altogether herein, I will show briefely how these causes come from the man, and where to reforme them. Now the chiefe cause of standing still or going backe, is that he is corrected too much with the hand, or bridle, that he dare [Page 135] not presse forward, and thereby when hee feeleth that hee cannot free himselfe, from the correction of the body, he stand­eth still, to get breath to resist, and so hauing ease becommeth1. Pra. 23. ^b. restife, or else he goeth backe, thinking to free him-selfe there­byHow to reforme them. sith he cannot haue libertie to goe forward.

But you may reforme these faults, by letting a Foot-man▪ leadPr. 21. ^a. him gently forward, (as you did a Colt at his first backing,) till he be set on going, and let him goe which way hee will, letting him rest most vpon the head-straine, onely vsing (at the very in­stant) the helpe of your bodies motion, to let him know the vseTheo. 29. ^d. thereof. Which when hee conceiueth, you may then adioyneThe cause of ly­ing downe. your corrections, to make him goe forward at your pleasure. Now the cause of those Horses which are subiect to lye downe; is by the extremities of correction also, whereby he is made soTheo. 29. ^d. stubborne hee will lye downe vpon the least discontent, for that at the first his correction not being proportionated according to his disposition in striuing to resist, he by some accident chan­cethThe reforma­tion. to fall, whereby he dismounteth the man, and so getteth a habit thereof: And for reformation hereof you shall (as afore)Theo. 15. ^•. let a Foote-man be by, that assoone as euer you doe but begin to feele him nestle with his feet, that then he may be ready, toContinual mo­tion the preuen­ting of by­thoughts. take him by the head presently, and pull him on hastily giuing him reuiling termes, and your selfe doing nothing, but helpe him by thrusting him forward with you motions, and so vse him till you feele a willingnes to yeeld to them, and then to preuent him the better, you shall haue a care, to keepe his legs alwaies in motion, (when he standeth) till you can command him your self.The cause of striking.

Now if hee hath gotten that iadish tricke of striking, the cause thereof may be as well from too little correction as too much, whereby he is not brought to true obedience, or that itNot the corre­ction it selfe, but the manner thereof preuai­leth. is increased by too much, and so will answere one blow for ano­ther. And for this the chase-halter is very good, for if he be cha­sed about in it, letting one follow him with a long pole; & euer as he shall resist double his stroks, & what with the correction, andThe reforma­tion. the labour in running about, hee will presently be reformed.

And likewise, if hee be subiect to rise before, or plunge, theThe cause of rearing and plunging. cause of these also is in the abuse of the hand, as well as in cor­rection, for when they feele correction so sharpe, and cannot [Page 136] free them-selues by any meanes, they presently fall to these dis­orders (by the helpe of a heauy hand) thinking thereby to easeTo reclaime rearing. themselues. Wherefore if hee be apt to Reare, you may assay to keepe him downe by the head-straine (for that will make his fore parts more heauy,) and so hee will be the more willing to presse forward: or if that preuaile not, euer as hee riseth beate him downe with your sticke betwixt his eares, or by striking him vpon the knees, and that will cause him to keepe them downe: or else when you beginne to feele him rise, keepe your hands firme vpon the head-straine, and with your whole body turne him about, thrusting him forward with your legges, for this will reclaime him if the other fayle; if you be also carefull to keepe his body mouing, that hee hath not time to stand, till you feele his desire somewhat abated. And for plundging, letTo reforme plunging. him haue his head that hee hath no stay to rest vpon you hand, and keepe him also in motion, for then he cannot haue time, nor leasure, to frame his body thereto: for the letting him stay vp­on your hand giueth strength to his fore-parts, whereby his bo­dy hath the more help to rayse his hinder parts.

And further, the cause of running away, and skittishnesse, is for want of true obedience of the hand, and winde, and there­foreThe cause of running away & skittishnesse. when hee is either displeased, or seeth any thing that is strange, he is ready to runne away or fly on the one side, in that hee goeth not freely but vnwillingly, for his winde is kept to resist vpon the least occasion, and then not hauing a perfect mouth, hee will runne away or skew more through stubborn­nesse,How to re­claime skittish­nesse. then timerity. And therefore to reclaime skewing, or starting, is to stirre him to a more quick going, and correct him on that side hee flyeth on without partiality, and cause him to goe to that, which he fleeth from, and then cherish him when he approcheth thereto, which will fortifie his bouldnesse.

And for a runaway, though there hath beene many waiesHow to re­forme a run-a­way. approued, yet the best (that I euer could finde) and the least danger, is, to let one haue him in the Chase-halter, and your selfe being on his backe thrust him into his galloppe, and when he desireth to breake off, let him giue him a sound twitch with the halter, and your selfe at the instant cause him to stoppe (as a­forePr. 18. ^d. is showne) at which if he will not yeeld vse him so the se­cond, [Page 137] or third time, or till you feele him let his wind passe, and then let him stand, and cherish him, and thus you shall vse him,Note. till you feele him yeeld to your hand, which he will doe in short time, for this quality is most incident to hot fiery Horses, which are neuer taught the true vse of the hand at first, because mostA lame know­ledge. think that when a Horse goeth forward freely they are perfect, although otherwise they be most lame.

And further, the cause of stumbling, is in the vnapt handlingThe cause of stumbling. of his body in going, so that he hath not time to handle his feet, in such order as he should, in regard his hinder parts follow fa­ster then his foreparts can make way, (with true order,) and thenThe habit of stumbling got­ten. he stumbleth, which commeth to a habit, by the abuse of the hand: for if (when you feele him apt to stumble) you for feare hold in his head, (thinking thereby to preuent it) then youNote. shall increase it: because you giue him a helpe to support his body more then nature hath ordayned, whereby he will rely theNature the best supporter. more vpon the hand, and when you slacke it neuer so little, that stay vpon which he trusteth fayleth him, and then he stumblethStumbling is not reformed by spurring. the more, Now this is not to be reformed by spurring (as most thinke) for if hee shall be but twise or thrise corrected there­with, so soone as he shall but trippe neuer so little he will runne head-long forward, and thereby stumble more dangerously; ButHow to reforme stumbling. it must be reformed by changing the carriage of his▪ body, and letting him haue his head, for he is as fearefull of falling as yourNo horse wil­ling to fall. selfe, is to haue him: and when his body is set for a true motion, and his lust stirred vp more quicke, hee will take vp his legges more loftily, and set them forward orderly, if you temper yourTheo. 15. 16. 17. hand, and helps accordingly.

And for enterfeiring, the cause thereof is not altogether inThe cause of enterfeiring. nature (as is thought) but through the restraint of the hand that hee cannot haue liberty to moue his legges directly for­ward, by two straight lines (as he should) but crosseth his feet,The reforma­tion. whereby one striketh against another. And therefore you may reforme this, (except nature be imperfect in shape) by giuing him his motion in the true place of his body, and letting him goe direct, vpon a pleasing hand, for then he will handle themTheo. 4. ^l. so that they shall not strike one against another: for he may goe narrow & yet not enterfeire, if his body be firmely knit, as well [Page 138] as our selues doe, and yet strike not one ancle against another.

And lastly, if a Horse goe broad either before or behind, theThe cause of broad going. cause is still in the abuse of the hand, and miscariage of his body, because that if it be afore, the foreparts are holden backe by the slownesse of the hinder, so that they both agree not truely in moueing, and that his mouth was so terrified at the first, that he durst not dare to vse his fore-feete rightly, but stradleth withHow to re­forme stradling before. them; and this may be reformed also by the pleasant touch of the hand, letting him rest vpon the head-straine, to cause him stretch his legges forward, if you be not too hasty with him till hee haue knowledge how to reach them out most largely, hel­ping him with the motions of your body to his true time. AndTheo. 12. ^a. likewise if he goe broad behind; then the hind feet were for­ced on faster then he could tell how to frame his foreparts to goThe cause of going broad be­hind. so fast; for want of which aptnesse, hee was driuen on by force, and so caused that disorder. Which must be remedied by the meanes afore said, and by letting him haue time whereby hee may come to moue all his parts alike, and then as hee growethThe remedy. cunning so to quicken vp his motions: And this obserue for a certainty, that whether this fault be behind, or before, or both,Note. that the further he striketh, and setteth forward with his legges, they must vpon necessity goe the narower: For instance, sup­poseA Simile. [geometrical diagram] Euclide. 1. li. a quadrant as (a) and let it resemble the wide going Horse, and the foure angles his foure feete: then suppose another a longer square as (b) and let it be of the same quantity, and stand for the euen going Horse: now you see that (b) although it be of the same quantity to (a) yet it is narrower being further ex­tended: So likewise a Horse the further he stretcheth his feete forward in going, the narrower they must needs goe, and yet their distance at the setting on of his body is still of the same quantity.

Now for the further helpe to reforme these, and so the most of the former, deepe earths is much auayleable, for a young pra­ctitioner,Theo. 28. ^d. vsing still the former helpes: and also to bring yourPra. 32. ^b. Horse backe to his▪ Chase-halter, (as if he were a young Colt,)Pra. 13. will help much to gaine obedience, wherby you shall saue great labour▪ in toyling both your selfe and him: for there can neuer be sure building vpon false foundations, and I see no reason, that [Page 139] it should be any disgrace to the Art or professor, to bring a falseIn teaching, a Horse hath the like relation to the man, as the Scholler hath to his Maister. grounded Horse backe to proceed orderly, then it is for a Schoole-maister, to bring a Scholler (that hath beene rudely taught) backe, to learne him sillable truly, seeing there is the like relation to them both.

And whereas it may be obiected, that it is doubtfull whether these two, (that is, the trench and musrole) will reforme all re­stifeObiection. Horses, seeing there are so many differences of Horses, and varieties of restifnesse: I answere, that that point is cleared afore,Answer. for restisnesse of what kind soeuer it is, doth not proceed from the Horse, but as a materiall cause, and not as the efficient; and1. Pra. 20. ^•. so the man being the efficient, these errors are increased by him,Man the cause of any restife­nesse in a horse by abuse. and there are as many meanes to reforme (by them) in their true vse as there are meanes to increase them by the abuse, and therefore if they be applied according to the quality of re­stiuenesse, and of the Horse in whom it is residing, there needeFor the end of Art is to pre­serue the meane be no more doubt of their reclayming, then of heat and moy­sture to preserue the vitall powers, for as by these two, life is preserued, so by those two obedience is maintayned, one maintayning orderly motion, and the other cor­recting disorderly, if hepes and corrections be aptly adioyned.

CHAP. 1. How to chuse a Hunting Horse.

THis Part of Horsemanship is so noble and generous, that it deserueth to haue many lines written for the commendations there­of, (to show forth its excellency;) beforeThe [...]. 1. ^• I come to handle it in perticular, not onely to show the goodnesse of God towards Man, in creating such creatures to his vse,The naturall instinct of de­sire and flyeing▪ as well onely for pleasure as for profit, with the which he might recreate himselfe; but also to show the lawfullnesse thereof (approuing it by his ordinance,) for that hee hath giuen such naturall guifts, vnto such creatures, as the Horse, Hound, Hare, and other such like Beasts, that they should so naturally accurre one to another, and all for his solace, as first, for the Hare to haue such inated feare of those which would deuour her, that she (being so small) is not able to resist, whereby shee is dri­uen to seeke her safety, onely by flying, for the which cause na­ture hath made her most swift for such a small creature: and [Page 2] also to the hound such an eager desire to pursue, and such a ten­der nose to guide him by the sense of smelling, that hee canOf the Hound. trace all her vnknowne turnings, and doubles to continue this delightfull Chase. And further, he hath giuen the Horse such naturall affection & loue to the Hounds, that he doth seemThe vnity be­twixt the Horse and Hound. to swallow the earth for the desire of their noyse, nay hee is so chary of his feet (if he be thrust amongst them through his ti­ders ignorance,) that hee will make a false steppe rather then treade of any one of them: and also hee is of such puissant strength, courage, and swiftnesse, that he will carry his MaisterOf the Horse. through t [...]e deepe and toyle some earths, and broken swaches, for contentment in his solace.

And moreouer this Art deserueth to be freed from such false defamations, as those Cormerous penny-Fathers of Midas sectAuaritious minds are re­pugnant to li­berall and ge­nerous spirits. doth impute, which through their filthy auaritious minde, they would conuert all their time and actions into gould, esteeming it as the onely God, whom they adore, whereby they are led captiue (as slaues) in that vnsatiable seruitude: as if that were the onely end and delight, for the which all creatures were or­dayned: And for to excuse this their niggardly rapine, they ac­count this delightfull recreation but prodigality, by increasing such extraordinary charges, and that it is the onely spoyling and laming of many good Horses. But because Maister Mark­ham, hath defended these vniust Taxations, and spoken so suffi­cientlyIn his first Trea­tise and Caual­larice. therin, that for its excellency I cannot tell how to frame my Pen to portrat, or set it forth in such liuely and glorious colours, therefore I refer those (which delight in this noble ex­ercise, to his workes, for he hath written so copiously in the lust defence thereof that if I should speake any thing it were but a reiterating of that which he hath said.

And yet the excellency thereof doth so stirre vp my affection, that I cannot chuse but speake a little therein. For the pleasure thereof (in my affection) is so great, that it exceedeth all otherThe pleasure of Hunting. so much, that if it brought no other profit, then the delight to follow a packe of good dogges (hauing a good Horse) that were enough to counter-vaile the surcharge, (for a generous minde,) for I esteeme it aboue all other earthly pleasures what­soeuer. But it addeth also a further profit, for the exercise [Page 3] maintaineth health, and causeth an agile and apt body, and in­creaseth knowledge how to helpe and correct his Horse, as oc­casionThe profit of Hunting. shall be offred; whereby if hee should goe vpon any Martiall seruice, he will be ready to performe any desperate ex­ployt with great scelerity and quicknesse. Besides, the vse of riding vp and downe steep places and deepe earths, will so for­tifie and imboulden his courage, that he will very valiantly dis­patch,A Hunting Horse seruice­able for warre. any occuret, or discouery, in seruice. And so (for that vse also) one hunting Horse may be made more seruiceable for warre, then foure other (through his toughnesse and speed) if the man haue likewise skill to keepe his body cleane by good feeding, and true dyet.

But leauing to speake any more hereof, because my ArtlesseThe shap of a Hunting Horse. Pen would but ouer vayle its worthinesse. I will deliuer how you shall chuse your Horse for that vse, and which by all proba­bility are most like to yeeld the best content, (both to the eye, and in the field) if Art be thereto assisting. First, therefore letTheo. 37. ^d. him be of a meane stature, that is, some sixteene hand of height, (or thereabout:) his head also of a meane bignesse, his chaule1. Pra. 3. ^f. (if it may be) let it be thin and wide, and his care not too little, & if he be somewhat bangled, or wide eared so they be sharp, it is a signe of toughnesse, his forehead broad, hauing a bunch standing out (in the middest) like a Hare, his eye full and large, his nostrell wide, with a deepe mouth, all his head leane, a long and straight necke a firme and thinne crest well reared, a wide throple, a broad brest, deepe chested, his body large, his ribbes round, and close shut vp to his huckle bone, a good fillet, long buttocke but not very broad, being well let downe in the gas­coyne, and many that are a little sickle hought are very tough and swift, his limmes would be cleane, flat, and straight, but not very bigge, his ioynts short, especially betwixt the pasterne and hoofe, hauing little haire on his fetlocks, a straight foot and a blacke hollow hoofe, not ouer bigge, and if it be some­what long, it argueth speed: which Horse, when you haue got­ten, assure your selfe, that for the outward shape, you haue as good as nature can promise.

And for the shape of a running horse, there is not so much diffe­rence betwixt the shape of him & the hunter, as there is in their [Page 4] ends of trayning, for the hunting Horse must endure long andNote the ends and shape. laboursome toyle, with heates and colds, but the running Horse must dispatch his businesse in a moment of time (in res­pect of the other) shewing swiftnesse and speed. Wherefore you shall so neare as you can, haue him in all proportion as in the former; onely there may be a dispensation, with these fewThe shape of a running horse. things, as if he haue a longer chine, so that his side be longer streaked, he will take the larger stroke, especially vpon light earths, and if his limmes be more sleuder and his ioynts more loose, if that they be not so short in the pasterne, he may be ve­ry excellent, and swift for a course.

And as for their colours, although there be most men that ob­serueOf their colours them as a signe of goodnesse, yet (as I haue said) I differ in that, and esteeme of them no further then as indifferent, and to1. Pra. 5. ^b. beautifie the other parts, to giue content and delight to the eie; And those are either the browne Bay, Dapple Bay, Blacke, a Sad Chesnut with Flaxen Maine and Tayle, so that they haue white Star, Snip, or white rach, with a white foot; Dapple gray,Cap. ^f. or white Lyard with blacke Musle, Eye, and Eare: any of which colours will giue a great grace to the former shape, although they be no perfect fignes of their goodnesse: for as the good­nesseA Simile. or badnesse of a man doth not consist in his complexion, but in his inward vertues, neither doe these demonstrate theThe inward parts the cause of good or bad. goodnesse or badnesse of the Horse, for that proceedeth from his disposition. And for his inward parts if he be not of such a perfect composition as is desired, yet if he be reformed accord­ing to Art, may proue exceeding good, for if you should so curi­ously desire to haue a Horse so compleate in shape, colour, andHard to finde a compleate Horse. quality, by a naturall composition, as some doe prescribe, you should spend the most of your life before you should achiue your expectation, for there are many horses which are defectiue of such a perfect shape, in many parts, and also in colour; and yet1. Pr. 8. ^•. by Art haue beene brought to great performance, And there­fore seeing Art was inuented to perfect nature, indeuour your selfe to search into the bowles of it, and you shall finde, that the vnlikeliest Horse will oftentimes worse the more likely.

CHAP. 2. The Authors Apology.

THe whole Pilgrimage of former ages, and also of our times,Theo. 1. The miserable estate of man. hath beene, and is hurried on the sands of error, igno­rance being the coatch, tradition, custome, obstinacy, and selfe­conceit the wheeles, contention, and emulation the Horses, and negligence the Coatch-man which doth carry vs into the gulfe of confusion, wherein we are so congealed with the Ice of o­pinion, that no reflect of the beames of truth hath power toObsequium ami­cos: veritas odi­um parit. thawe it: through which partiall conceipt, there was rieuer any as yet, that taught the truth, could receiue loue or credit, if they did not alledge proofes from the Antients and Elders, for their better approbation: but were esteemed Hereticall, and sowers of Sects, and dissentions, thinking all truth to be inclu­ded, in the apprehention of former-times. And to reward theirThe preface to the Second Booke. paines, and good will in setting forth the truth, they persecute them with malice, and enuy, as false seducers, in teaching new doctrine contrary to their Antient imitation.

Wherefore, seeing he that walketh amongst or vpon Pikes, had need to foot charily, and he that goeth an vnbeat path inAlthough here sie is not a pro­per terme yet: by application. the desarts and craggy waies amongst Wilde-Beasts, had need to haue a faithful and sure guide; and that in setting forth a nea­rer way to finde the truth is held new doctrine, and so Heresie, I may be held as bould as blind Byard, to cast my selfe amongst all these dangers, in maintayning such strange Paradoxes, and impossibilities, as they are holden. But yet all this doth no­thingMath. 10. Epist: to the 2. Booke. deterre me, but rather incourage me, for the seruant not being greater then his Master, I doe not looke for any other fa­uour then my betters; and therefore to maintaine the truth, I will arme my selfe, (with patience) against the malignant cen­sures of such as are wedded to their owne conceipts, and con­demne me to be a seducer into errors, and a sower of such Here­sies in this Vineyard, as heretofore hath neuer beene holden.

But to such (if there be any, as I feare too many) I answere [Page 6] that I would not haue them deceiue themselues, in holding those Paradoxes, which are true assertions; for this I dare affirmeLegere enim et non intelligere negligere est. CATO. against any gain-sayer whatsoeuer, that this Treatise will teach the true manner of bringing any horse to good obedience, (in what is reason) if it bee read aduisedly, and haue a tollerable and true construction, for I haue collected it by the authority of the best instructers, hauing time the maintainer, practise the worker, experience the controuler, reason the directer, and truth the supporter.

And further, I would haue none to be so cholericke as to ac­compt me brainlesse (by mistaking my mind through their op­brious opinions) that I should so vnaduisedly shake the foundation of this Art, by making distinctions, according toThe truth de­faced by abuse. my fantasie. For I hold that the former grounds are very true, being held in generall, but they are false in their vses and appli­cationTheo. 6. ^b. particular, in that their motions, helps and corrections7. c. are not directed by order but by will; and that they are not8. ^a. proportionated according to the disposition of the horse, and in15. ^a. quality and quantity to the time, place and crime, and also in6. ^b. not rightly vnderstanding where to seek for reformation, whenEt multis a­lijs. Cap. there is any resistance, but haue continually wrought vpon the shadow, neglecting the substance, ayming alwayes to reforme the outward parts, neuer respecting the chiefe, which is the in­ward: for the appetite or desire, is as a primum mobile, to com­mand all the other parts in their motions, through which ne­glectTheo. 3. ^p. (when they haue fayled) was brought in that false imputa­tion7. ^h. that the nature of the horse was the chiefe obstacle, to o­uershadow their owne errors.

Therefore he that is strayed aside, and doth desire to bee set in the right path, let him but seriously obserue and diligently practise, what is heere set downe without preiudicacy, and heeArs longa, breuis vita. shall finde, that these are no Paradoxes, but certaine truthes, but hee must take paines to apply one place to another, for it is a great paines for a short time, which being once gained, the pleasure will abate the paine, according to the saying of the Poet.

If that in Knowledge thou tak'st any paines.

The paine departeth but Knowledge remaines. Musanius.

And further, whereas they thinke that I haue sayled too far already, beyond my compasse, in setting forth that doctrine,1. Pr. 28. 35. & 36. Chap. to bring any horse to a true pace, or trotte; And that I shall now split my selfe vpon the rockes, by teaching to make the hunter and courser to runne truly vpon the spurre, and also vponThat is held impossible with many that is hid from their apprehension. each kinde of earths of what disposition soeuer, they are, for as much as it is holden impossible to those which are swallowed vp with the waues of tradition; yet I know it to bee iustifiable if they bee taught after this method, but then they must not thinke to effect it by their pure and good feeding onely, as ma­ny hold, and glory in their knowledge; but first to bring the whole horse to an vniforme motion, in all the parts, to answer1. Pr. 27. Chap. to his helps and corrections obediently; for otherwise (as the Prouerbe is) hee shall be better fed then taught; and so, (as a wanton child) will bee stubborne, and ride but when his lust, and after that, to increase his goodnesse and toughnesse, by fee­ding, as this method following shall instruct.

CHAP. 3. The order of a good Stable.

THe Stables for all sorts of horses ought to bee made for­mall and conuenient, and kept neat and sweet, for that there is no Creature (sensitiue) doth take more pleasure in clen­linesseNo irrationall Creature de­lighteth more to bee kept cleane then a horse. then they; but the cause that I haue omitted to speake thereof, in this last booke, was because there is no man which taketh delight in a horse, but he will also desire to haue his sta­ble in some sort correspondent; and further, there need not such exact obseruations for the scituation and making of a sta­ble for those horses which are for ordinary vse, as there doth for those, wherein the greatest excellency of the horse and deepest iudgement of the man is to be showne. For if those HorsesThe ends to the which horses are trained to be regarded. which are for seruiceable and trauailing vse, should bee daintily kept at home, it will make them so tender, that whensoeuer they shall come to lye in other places, (as occasion shall bee offered) if they haue not the like warmth, and order, it will make them the more subiect to take cold.

But because, there is an vrgent necessity, to haue the stableNeglect heere­in ouerthrow­eth the whole designes. handsome, warme and neat, for hunting and running horses, for that there ought to be a continuall care had, to maintaine them in perfect state of body, and in the best strength, winde, and courage: I will briefly describe and set forth the mannerThe scituation of the Stable. of erecting a perfect and plaine Stable, without any curious additions.

And therefore, first for the scituation thereof, it would beeAll euill smels surfeits. vpon drye and firme ground, so that he may come and go cleane to it in foule and winter weather, neither would there bee any filthy smel, priuy, hogsstye, hen-house, or such like, neere to it, to giue any filthy stench or vnwholsome sauour; also there wouldThe walls thick. be a channell (made currant) to euacuate the noysomenesse of of his owne pisse.

Likewise, the walles would bee made very thicke, with bricke, or else some other stone, not only to make it strong for being broken downe by knaues, but also to keepe both the ex­cesses of weather from him; I meane, that neither the cold windy stormes in winter doe inuade him, nor the heat ofThe Stable close and darke. the reflection of the Sun in Summer annoy him, and so hinder digestion.

Moreouer, it would be made close and darke, that when hee commeth from his labour (and hath fild his belly) he may take his rest as well on the day as the night; and therefore it would bee remote a good distance from the noyse of other horses, which would disquiet him.

Furthermore, it would haue a window towards the West (if it bee possible) to set open to giue light, whilst he is in dressing,Of Planking it. 1. Pra. 12. ^c. and to let in Ayre at your pleasure, and specially to set open to coole and sweeten the stable, whilst he is forth in ayreing: And for the planchers, although some haue wished to haue the stan­dings paued, I cannot approue therof, some reasons afore I haue showne, and more I could show if it were needfull; but I hold it the best to haue them laid with good Oaken planckes (two or three inches thicke) with holes bored through them in di­uers places, to cause the wash draine through them into the channell, which will keep the litter more sweet and dry, where­by it wil be the more wholsome for his body, and also they will [Page 9] be more warme and easie to lye vpon, if at any time he chance to spurne his litter from vnder him, by tumbling or waltring him, as many not of the worst horses oftentimes doe.

Besides (as Mr. Markham saith) they would bee laid leuell,The Planchers would be leuel. not higher before then behind, that he may stand of an equall height with all his feete, for if he rest too much vpon his hinder legges it will cause them to swell, neither can he lye at ease, be­cause his hinder parts will bee slipping downe: And likewise the ground behind would be leuell with the Planckes, that if at any time hee chance to goe back, he may stand still of an equall height with all his body: And let the cribbe be set of a reaso­nableThe height of the Cribbe. height, that the bottome be not so high as the poynts of his shoulder, that if at any time he be stirred in the stable, he bee not in danger of laming by rushing against it, and it would bee deepe, because that then hee cannot so easily set his feete therein, if hee chance to rise afore; and further, that hee may feed, with holding of his head at a reasonable height, for that will helpe to strengthen his crest, and it would be made strong and the boards closely ioyned in the bottome that there bee no lime nor morter therein, to close vp the crannies, for that is very hurtfull and suffocating for the horse.

And let the Rack in like manner, be of an indifferent height,The height of the Racke. neither too high, for causing him bend too much in the hinder part of his necke, to feed at it, and so cause him to bee withy­cragged; nor yet so low as to cause him bend his necke on the one side, and so spoyle and weaken his crest. Likewise, it would not bee set sloping, but stand vpright with the wall, for that is the best, both to keepe his necke firme, and also to keep his head, and mane cleane from dust, and seedes of the hay, and let the holes for the staues bee pitched some foure inches di­stance,The distance of the Racke­staues. that when the staues are set in, they may be three inches distant one from another, which is a reasonable scantling, for they will not bee so strait but that hee may fill his belly with ease; nor yet so wide, as to pull the hay out too fast, and so make spoyle thereof: And also the walles on both sides, andLet the walles bee boarded. afore his head would bee boarded from the cribbe to the racke, to keepe him from gnawing vpon lime, earth, or any such filthy thing (which many Horses will desire,) for [Page 10] that will lye heauy in his maw, and be very vnwholesome.

Moreouer, there would be a loft made ouer him, to lay theThe loft would not be ioyned for shrinking. haye and straw therein, and the boards would not beioyned, but rapited one ouer another that no dust nor filth fall vpon the Horse (if they chance to shrinke,) whilst his haye is in dusting and shaking aboue. And let the partition be large, that he may haue liberty to tumble at his pleasure, and let there be a conue­nient roome in the stable that his keeper may lye by him; forThe keeper should lie neare his Horse. thereby he shall be ready at hand, if any occasion shall happen, especially if it be towards a match; and he may also haue the better iudgement of his horses disposition by the manner of his feeding. And lastly, there would be a presse made, to keep the bridles, saddles, and other necessaries safe, cleane, handsome, and ready, when soeuer they shall be vsed.

Thus haue I set forth the fashion and order of a conuenient and necessary stable, discribing it in a playne forme without any curiosity: to which whosoeuer is addicted, and disliketh thisNothing accep­table except it be costly. for the plainnesse: there are Italionate fashions set forth to sa­tisfie their selfe-liking humors, but yet this is sufficient to giue content to stayed minds if it be kept sweet and cleane.

CHAP. 4. Of the Trayning a young Colt vp to Hunting and Coursing.

IT hath been, and is still an vsuall opinion of those who haue a young Colt, and would haue him trayned vp either to hunt­ingThe abuse by custome. or coursing, that so soone as he is made gentle to backe, for to trayne him thereto altogether by lenity and gentlenesse,Theo. 9. ^h. suffering him to goe (in his rake, and gallop) as he shall thinke good of himselfe, neuer vsing him to farther command then he will willingly performe: least he should be too much forced at the first, whereby his courage, and strength might be abated,The euent try­eth the truth. and lamenesse by straynings might be caused, before his ioynts be fully knit; as if he had still continued in the first state of his originall nature, to performe and shew forth all his naturall [Page 11] powers freely and of his owne accord. But what euent com­meth thereby, the number of good Horses (in performance,) in comparison to the quantity, or multitude of iades will testifie: and the sequell of the causes will make manifest.

For the efficient cause of making a good, or bad horse, is notTheo. 19. ^•. so much in his nature, (as it is imagined) but in the Man (al­though his procliuity, be a great helpe:) (for he is the mate­riallHorse, the Ma­teriall cause. cause:) and your helps, corrections and motions are the in­strumentall, and the apt and willing performance of his actions, is the formall cause, showing the euent of the true or false grounds of Art: for as the ends of all Arts and Sciences doe tend to the most excellent effect and best vse, so the causes here­of doe worke to the chiefe and higest end, that is, to bring a Horse to the best obedience, and most delight for man, which can neuer be effected in a young Colt, if he be continually tray­ned vp, to doe no more then he of his owne inclination will maintaine: for first, there is such an inherent rebellious nature(1) remayning in him, if at any time he be put to more then plea­sethTheo. 9. ^a. 1. Pr. 27. ^c. Theo. 9. ^h. The sequell. himselfe (before he be brought to true command,) that he will play the iade, in as much as his doggednesse is rather in­creased, then subdued; for although he may be imagined very gentle, and to runne very swiftly, when he is by himselfe, or runneth with another that he can command within him-selfe,A Horses good­nesse is tried in being ouer held with speed. yet when he shall come to be matched with one that can com­mand him, hee will then fall off▪ when hee feeleth it nip, be­cause he was neuer at any true subiection.

Secondly, there followeth a stockish or soft deading in the(2) mouth: for it not being refined by Art, (if he be a free andTheo. 11. ^•. hot Horse,) he will not be commanded by the hand, and so20. ^b. through his eagernesse, he will runne himselfe off his legges orA free horse choketh him­selfe by disorder else choake himselfe, in his winde, by being holden so hard vpon the hand, especially if he be put vpon deepe earths, for that his desire is to runne continually after his owne lust, neuer yeelding to the orderly command of the hand, thereby to sobA thicke fore­handed horse made dead mouthed by lenity. and ease himselfe. And againe, if he be a thicke fore-handed Horse, he will be so heauy headed, that a man can haue no further power to make him yeeld his head, then to hold a Bull by the Hornes, whereby he might raise his foreparts handsome­ly [Page 14] to cause him to goe freely and easily in his riding: for want [...] whereof he can neuer be brought to any great speed.

And further, sith they are neuer taught the true vse of the spurre, when the free horse hath done what he will of himselfe, if he then be put to the spurre, he will settle to iust nothing: and if he be a sad Horse, one may aswell strike his spurres into a post (for motion) as into his sides, (when he is any thing strai­ned) and so is he vtterly defamed as vnworthy for any further vse then the packe or plow.

Thirdly, when they are thus trayned, their body is neuer knit firme and round, whereby they can haue no sleight in the ca­riage thereof, for if he be a long sided horse, he may take a large stroke at the first, (so long as he hath strength) but when that fayleth, he cannot be able to bring his hinder parts after round­ly, through which hee gathereth so slowly and runneth with such paine, that a round running Horse, though he take a shor­ter stroake, (if hee runne nimbly,) will beate him out of the field.

As for example, if two Horses be to runne a course of 4. miles, and one of them striketh 23. feet, and the other but 20. feete, yet in regard he that striketh but 20. feete taketh 6. stroakes a­gainst the other 5. stroake, hee striking 6. times against the o­ther 5. will strike 120. feete, against the other 115. Now there being 1760. yards in a mile, there must needs be 7040. yards in 4. miles, and so 21120. feete, in which distance running, he loo­sing, 5. feet in 120. will loose, 880. feete in 4. miles, which you shall proue by multiplying 21120. which is the number third by 5. the second number, & the product will be 105600. which de­uided by 120. being the first number, will be 880. feet, as you may see in the margent: which their speeds are in proportion; as, 24. to 23. for as 5. is the difference betwixt 120. and 115. if 5. be deuided by 120. the quotient will be, 24. and likewise de­uided 5. by 115. it will be 23. Euen so, deuide 880. which is the difference of the excesses in 4. miles, by 21120. the complet number, and it will be 24. but deuide it by 20240. which is the lesse excesse, and it will be also 23.

All which grosse errors, are crept into this Art, vnder the vayle of following the Horse after his owne nature, and many other which I could alledge if it were needfull, but for to clime [Page 13] all the branches that spring from this truncke, would spend too great a time and therefore I passe them ouer, sith these I hopeTheo. 5. Chap. Theo. 6. are sufficient to giue tast of the bitternesse and tartnesse these weeds haue brought to this Vine, (being nourished by custome) and to giue a Caueat to such as desire to flourish in this plantation, for letting them get too great a head. But as for those that are growne and festred so fast with them, that they are smothered in them, if I should vnfold euery twist, to set them at liberty, yet they would not hold vp their heads to take fresh ayre. And therefore if these will not perswade them, neither will they bee perswaded, if one should spend his life to reforme them.

Wherefore who so is desirous to auoid these absurdities, and get to themselues, and their horses condigne prayse, let them neuer goe about to traine their Colt for hunting or coursing tillTheo. 15. 16. 17. 29. 30. & 31. Chap. hee bee brought to such obedience as hee will answer to their helps and corrections; and that hee can tell how to take his way forward, and haue gained his mouth, and placed his head, taught to stoppe and turne, else if he thinke to erect his worke,1. Pr. 22. 23. 24. 25. & 26. Chap. before he hath laid these as a firme foundation, it shall neuer be finished effectually, (the manner how, hath formerly beene taught) for the proceeding disorderly, and selfe knowledge is the cause of making so many Iades when they come to bee tryed.

CHAP. 5. How to bring a Colt to a true Rake.

LIkewise there hath beene a neglect in this poynt, (to wit) of Raking, for that these horses haue not beene rightly taught to goe orderly forward vpon their foot-pace, but are suffered to go according to their owne lust therein; esteemingWant of consi­deration makes waighty things of small esteem. it a thing of such small moment (as it should seeme) that the profit is not worthy of the time to stand vpon it.

But yet, if it be rightly considered, they shall find that there is as great knowledge to bring a horse to a perfect foot-pace, [Page 14] as in another lesson: Because that except a horse can demeane himselfe well in this (as hee ought) he shall neither gallop true­ly, nor maintaine his speed durably, (howsoeuer the contrary may bee imagined;) for that it is the ground of all other partes of Horsmanshippe, (not onely in this but also inThe necessity of a true rake. any other) as the Gamuth is, for him that learneth to sing.

For there must bee as great care obserued to haue him keep his desire in continuall motion, and to carry a firme stayed body,Theo. 33. 34. & 35. Chap. and to haue the motion of his wind to concur with the motions of it, as in any other action or performance whatsoeuer. Only in this there must not be such a precise respect had for the true pla­cingTheo. 36. & 1. Pra. 25. Chap. and carying of his head, as in the former, but only to keep it from both the excesses of throwing it vp or ducking it downe, for those horses that vse them, doe neglect that time in the motion of their bodies, whilst they trifle with their heads, yet he must haue liberty to go vpon an easie hand, other­wiseThe feet are neglected whilst the head toyeth. the body will neuer be brought to its true length, for the best aduantage, neither in his gallop nor height of speed, espe­cially if hee bee a high spirited horse, and haue his head re­straind, hee will hardly be brought to rake coolely, wherebyA restraint of the hand spoyl­eth a free horse. hee will fret and chafe himselfe, and also displace his body, by striuing for liberty, that so hee will not moue his legges order­ly as he should.

For working the perfection whereof, it is meet you should know when your horse hath a true rake, and how to bring himNo man can ef­fect truely that is ignorant of the end. to it, lest you wander out of the way (by ignorance) not know­ing when you come to the period thereof, and so rest before you come to your iournies end.

Wherfore know that a horse neuer raketh truely, except hee goe forward willingly and coolely vpon a loose hand, (as if heThe true order of raking. were at his owne liberty, not hauing any body on his backe,) and that hee keepe the same time with his head (in his going forward) as hee doth with the motion of his legges, as if hee numbred all the steppes hee maketh. Likewise there must bee a true distance of time in the motion of his legges; one fol­lowingAll the parts of the whole horse must agree in one time. another so orderly, as if foure Belles were rung in a true [...]ound, his winde still answering the same motion: And also [Page 15] his hinder legges must follow after easily and pleasingly, so that the steppe of his hinde foote may reach ouer the steppe of his fore-foote, (at the least) the breadth of it; for if he either step short, or but euen with the same, then it is a signe that he is not1. Pra. 1. 27. Chap. brought to such command of all the parts of his body as hee should; and then the inconuenience thereof will bee found, when hee shall be put to sore riding, being haled to the heightTheo. 7. & 16. ^a. of his speed, not hauing time to sobbe; for one error is not sim­ply of it selfe, but it bringeth forth more.

And how this is to be effected, because I haue handled theHow to bring him to it. order afore (although not verbatim, yet it is to bee referred to this by application) I will but quote the places, and referre the working thereof to your owne discretion. For if he hath beeneTheo. 33. 34. 35. & 36. Chap. ridden and ordered (from the beginning) as I haue showne, he will haue such an apt carriage, that hee will bee the sooner brought to his perfect trotte. Onely note to serue him withPra. 1. 22. your motions in due time, quickening and slowing them as you23. 24. 25. 26. & 35. Chap. feele his desire to be slow or quicke in going; not vsing any vi­olent correction for distempring his mouth, and dislocating his body.Theo. 6. & 9. Chap.

But if your horse bee stirring and free, and therefore will not bee gouerned to keepe his head low that so hee might rake with a large steppe with his fore-feet, as hee should, then let him rest the most vpon the head-straine, and vse him gently, for that will make him come downe vpon the hand, and lift hisPra. 1. 36. ^f. 22. & Theo. 11. Chap. fore-feet orderly, and likewise if hee will not keepe time with both his hinde legges, or that he will not stretch forth his fore­feet largely, stay your hand still more vpon the head-straine, and keep your seat exceeding firme in your saddle thrusting out your legges stiffe in your stirrops, and you shall feele by your seat an orderly reformation; for your firme seat will keepe his body steddy, and the head-straine wil make him presse forward and so helpe on his leading legge.

CHAP. 6. Of Galloping.

VVHen you haue brought your Colt to such perfection in all things as aforesaid, and that hee will rake orderly, then you may goe about to bring him to a true and stayed car­riageSome things must bee omit­ted for order sake. in his gallop: For although I haue not heretofore spoken of bringing him to his rake and gallop before now, yet you must thinke that vpon necessity you cannot bring him to a true com­mand in the other, but he must sometimes doe them both in his former teaching (though ilfauoredly) or else hee will get such an habituall custome of seating his body, that it would bee a world of toyle to bring him to doe them truely: for the chan­gingVariety doth sharpen the ap­petite. him somtimes from one pace to another, is as a preparatiue to make him capable of any: and it will stirre vp his spirits, to make him do that (which he is cunningest in) with better cou­rage and grace. Yet howsoeuer he may be put to any otherNote. pace in the interim, yet there must not bee had a curious respect of his demeanour, in them all, but onely in that hee is in lear­ning,A Horse should not bee trou­bled with more lessons then one at one time. otherwise it wil bring a confusion to his apprehension, and a loathing to his appetite, if hee should bee continually held to such a strictt carriage in them all, for that hee should neuer find ease at any time in going, whereby hee would neuer doe any thing but vpon extremities: if hee should be tyed to doe that thing exactly, which he knoweth not how to performe (in any sort) indifferently.

Wherfore (as I say) when you haue brought the whole horsePr. 1. 33. Chap▪ Theo. 4. 13. 16. [...]o such a constant concord in all his former lessons, that hee will doe them according to Art: then you may likewise teach him to carry his body truely in his Gallop▪ by the like obseruations: whereby hee may haue such a perfect habit, that hee launch not out his body further at one time then another, and that he can command all his integrals with ease, that all his actions may be performed sleightly and durably. Which you shall the soo­nerSleight causeth du [...]ablenesse. doe, if you know what a true Gallop is, and wherein also [Page 17] the chiefest aduantage both for ease and continuance consisteth. For want of which knowledge, many haue simply gone aboutTradition is meere blind­nesse. that which they knew not what to effect; for in that they haue seene some desire to bring their horse to a soft hand gallop▪ (not expecting any more) they presently haue vndertaken to effect the like, thinking that if they can bring him to gallop softly, orBlind opinions. goe two vp and two downe, that he is brought to the highest degree that can possibly be performed by Art.

Which conceipt, if it were true, then euery Butchers NaggeAbsurdities confuted. that will gallop betwixt London and Rumford, would parallel the best for speed, which thing experience doth confute; for although they may bee tough (by labour) yet there is none of them that hath any indifferent speed to a meane Courser: For that manner of gallop will cause him haue such a tickle mouth vpon the hand, that when you come to worke vpon him to help him in his running, hee cannot tell how to frame his body to rest vpon the hand orderly▪ but will launch forth past his com­passe, and so spend himselfe by violence, that it will bee hard for you to keep a true seate in his running. And if it bee in hun­ting,Theo 4. Chap. he cannot make speed, especially vpon deep earths to con­tinue, for that there is (as it were) a stoppe of his hinder parts,Time a true iudge. whilst hee raise his fore, and likewise of his fore-parts whilst he raise his hinde; in which motion there is a great losse of time (which is the true moderator in all doubts.) For as a Ship whichA Simile. is forced to rise and fall (with the violence of the billowes) can­not make so great a course in so short a time, as when she saileth vpon the still seas; so that horse cannot goe so speedily nor easily, that waueth vp and downe in his gallop, as hee that go­eth vpon a smooth motion.

But the best gallop for ease, truth and speed, is to haue hisWhat a true Gallop is. body firmely knit, and all the parts to moue ioyntly together forward in his motion, to goe smoothly, resting pleasingly vp­on the hand, and though that the fore and hinder parts rise and fall a little, when hee gallopeth softly, yet they must be so knitAn imaginary line passing through his bo­dy and chine is the meane mo­tions. that the faster hee goeth the lesse they rise and fall, and when hee is at his full speed, to haue his body (in the meane motion) to describe a parallel line with the ground, not letting any two of his feet to rise or fall together, but as his body is alwayes mo­uing [Page 18] forward, so his legges must be alwaies one setting afore another, whereby his body will glide forward with great faci­lity, both for himselfe and his Rider: and he will rest so plea­singlyNote. vpon the hand, that his head will be a meanes and helpe to keepe your body firme: and likewise your hand a meanes to keepe his body steddy, and to helpe it (by your body) if at any time hee shall desire to ouerlash himselfe, (through eagernesse)Theo. 18. ^a. whereby you shall both agree together as if you were but one subiect.

And for the aduantage of his speed, it is not in the fast vsingAduantage of his motion for speed. of his legges, (although it may seeme so to the eye,) but in the true rellish of his mouth, and the apt carriage of his body, for if they two be truely commanded, then his legges vpon necessity must needs performe their office, for his hinder parts will ga­ther so roundly within his fore parts, that they wil stretch them­selues so farre forward as Art and Nature can extend. The ef­fectingThe comming on with the hin­der parts cau­seth on the fore parts. whereof I haue quoted in the last Chapter, and may also be reduced to this, by fit application, they being the true grounds of the whole Art: onely in generall obserue, to keepe a true seat, to helpe the Horses hinder parts, (if at any time they shall slake,) and apply your helps, and corrections, according toTheo. 12. ^x. the instant occasion.13,

CHAP. 7. What Pace is best for these sort of Horses.

IN my iudgment there hath beene also another great neglectAn abuse through cu­stome. in this Art, in that there hath beene no greater care had to giue a Colt that Pace at the first which might bring him to his highest perfection, both for speed and toughnesse, but suffer him to goe after his owne irrationall appetite so long, that he will not be brought to any such carriage of his integralls, as might bring him to such excellency as those ends would wish. [...]. Pra. 4. In which my assertion, although I may seeme to discent from others, and so some may belch the malice of their preiudicate opinions against me, for following my owne fantasie and reiect­ing [Page 19] the generall iudgement of so many antient and wise practi­tionersTrueth is found by experience not by autho­rity. in this Art; yet I dare be bould to set it forth hauing the truth to backe me as a sure fortresse: and experience to direct me as a most liuely and perfect teacher.

But to the point, there are some which erre herein; for that they make no account of any Pace; but so soone as their Colt is once backt, he is straight put to his rake, and from thence to2. Pr. 4. his gallop, without respect of any other conditions: as if there were immediate notices, or vnderstanding of things naturally ingraffed in a Horse to know the mind of his Rider, without knowledge of some mediate or second meanes.

And againe, there are others that are stayned with the sameWhether a na­turall Trotter or Pacer be best for speed. pollution, although not so grosly, which thinke that a Horse hauing a naturall good Trot, or Pace, is the most speedy and tough; to both which obiections, because I haue touched them in the two last Chapters, (and in other places) I will not stand to make any large discourse, but onely to let the gentle Reader see light to finde the truth, like a candle in a lanterne. For thisTheo. 2. & 3. I hold, that no horse of himselfe wil performe whatsoeuer to the highest of his nature: except Art be thereto adioyned: which I proue thus.

No Horse that hath not an apt motion and carriage in theCelarent. whole integrum (by Art) can of his owne inclination haue the best speed and toughnesse: But naturall going Horses cannot haue any apt motion, and carriage (without Art) in the whole integrum.

Therefore no naturall going Horse, of his owne inclination (without Art) can haue the best speed and durablenesse.

The Maior is proued by the whole tractat of this Booke, forThe Maior proued. that all Horses hauing an inherent rebellious disposition in them successiuely by generation, (by reason of the transgression)Theo. 1. 2. 3. 5. they will not frame themselues of their owne accord freely, and obediently, to doe that which remaineth in them, but1. Pr. 23. 24 25. 26. 27. 28. 37. they will still retaine something for their ease, except they be reduced to obedience, by Art, without which the whole subiect2. li. 1. et alijs locit. cannot be brought to such a concord in carriage, and motions, as shall yeeld the best aduantage both for speed and toughnes.The Minor proued. And the Minor is proued by the vncertaine carriage of those [Page 20] Horses bodies, which goe after their naturall inclination, for a Horse hauing no intelligence but sensitiuely, if he be sufferedA Horse hath no intellectiue mind. to goe after his voluntary motions, he not hauing any inorga­nical actions, intellectiue of the mind, to giue him notices of any thing, without some organicall instrument, will not performe what his ability is able, as man will doe, because of his ingen­dred and bred notices, which are the organs of Arts, and there­fore whosoeuer thinketh to bring his Horse to perfection, byAn apt Simily. trayning him after his owne will, is like to haue as good successe, as he which thinketh to direct a shippe to any port, by stearing the helme without knowledge or help of the compasse or card.

For the apprehensiue faculties are the difference of manThe difference betwixt man & beasts. from brute beasts, he hauing notice of many things in his orga­nicall, or spirituall actions, which are ingendred and bred in the heart, he apprehendeth vnderstanding, knoweth and iudgeth of things as well vniuersall, as singular: by reflexion, that is, byTheo. 4. ibid. 4. considering, and examining things done or deuised. Whereas brute Beasts (in which species are Horses) doe onely apprehend, by the sensitiue intelligence, of singular and simple obiects. Wherefore seeing man hath primary knowledge in the minde immediatly being inorganicall, therefore he must (by his ex­perienceMans know­ledge is confir­med by experi­ence in exter­nall things. gotten by externall things, perceiued by the exterior senses) bring the Horse to such obedience in apprehending the desire of his minde, that he will voluntarily yeeld thereto: for the body of the man working according to the desire of his minde, it must conuay that intention to the Horse by his helpsThe conclusi­on perfect with­out proofe. and corrections, which are as organes to confirme the sensitiue intelligence of the Horse, that thereby he may know what to doe, he not doing any thing aptly but by immediate or seconda­ry causes. Which propositions being cleare the conclusion stan­deth good.

By all which it is apparent, that not any Horse what Pace so­euerSab: Foxde Arist. et Plato. consen­tion. li. 5. 2. he hath, whether he be a naturall Trotter or Ambler, can goe truely indeed, except he be reduced from his naturall diso­bedience, (by Art) howsoeuer he may be iudged to goe well, but this fallacy in iudgment proceedeth, in that the soule iudg­eth not of externall things but by the interior, or exterior sen­ses, and so if these haue knowledge to giue sentence of things [Page 21] aright, then the soule pronounceth senceerly; but if they erre, then the soule giueth sentence according to their information:Intellectiue and sensitiue senses obserued, by the distemperature of the braine. not that the mind doth erre of it selfe or primarily, but by ac­cidence, being obscured by the thicke mist of ignorance, by corruption. Which Sabious Foxe, maketh manifest by an ex­ample of Aiax: whose interior senses (being moued by the braine) erred, and were not able to discerne betwixt externall obiects through the braines distemperature: and therefore hee ranne vpon herds of sheepe, which hee thought to be Ʋlisses Souldiers, and killed a Ramme supposing that hee had shine Ʋlisses. And yet notwithstanding all this, his soule iudgeth vp­rightly, that manifest iniuries is to be reuenged, but his interior senses erred, and were deceiued, by meanes of obiects of the exterior senses, in that they attracted vnto the mind coloura­ble similitudes, and images. And the like instance may be giuen by the blind man in the Gospell, that Christ restored to sight, For at the first he saw men walking like trees, which error was notMark. 8. 24. in his mind, for if it had not been hindred by the exterior senses, it would haue censured truely, but the cause was that the optickThe minde doth iudge ac­cording as the sensitiue part apprehendeth. nerue was not yet perfect, (which is the origanicall instrument, whereby the exterior obiect is conueyed to the interior senses) and thereby his mind erred in iudgement, he giuing sentence, according to that euidence the interior senses did receiue.

And in like manner, those Horses that are said to goe well ofA thing often­times is not so indeed as it seemeth. their owne naturall voluntarinesse, the mind iudgeth it so, not because it is so, but in that the interior senses are obscured with ignorance, whereby there is an impediment or let, that theTheo 4. 1. Pra. 27. minde cannot iudge rightly of the Horses going, as it would, if better notices were giuen by the intelligence sensitiue to see, and apprehend when a Horse runs well indeed; for this I knowNo Horse hath true riding ex­cept the answere the spurre. by experience, that I had rather bring a Colt that cannot tell how to goe at all, to goe well, then one of those which are accounted to goe well, for as much as they haue but a volun­tary command, and therefore they haue neither apt carriage, nor any true obedience, so that they haue neither numblenes for speed▪ nor sensitiue obedience, to increase toughnesse, whereby in that, they cannot tell how to demeane themselues for swift­nesse, nor in this, they will runne no longer then they shall feele [Page 22] ease for if they be ouertopt with speed they will sattle suddenly, because they were not brought to true obedience by Art, and therefore I conclude, that a true artificiall Pace is the best forObiection. either hunter or courser both for sleight, toughnesse and speed.

But whereas it may be obiected, that the Pace is not so apperti­nent to these Horses, (especially for coursers) for that many running Horses are voyde of any good Pace (either for Trot orAnswer. Amble,) and yet so speedy that they can hardly be bettered. I answere, it is true in some sort, that is, being compared withTheo. 4. ^e. those Horses, which are trayned (as they are) vpon false grounds, being iudged by the deception of sensitiue apprehension, and(n) Incontrarijs, con­traria magis e­lucescunt. not by the inorganicall operation of the minde, (and so it is hol­den that one Horse cannot haue both speed and toughnesse) but if they would yeeld to reason, that they haue a relation one to another, and so seeke a reducement by Art, they should finde the contrary: for that one Horse so trayned, will make2. Pra. 2. iades of three of the other: and yet no fault in the Horse, (be­ing sensitiue) but in the man (being intellectiue:) for if those Horses which haue that procliuity to swiftnes (naturally) should be maintayned by art, they would farre exceed the other both in speed and toughnesse.

Wherefore seeing the glory of many famous Horses is much darkned, by the deceiueable obiects of the senses, because theTheo. 1. soule or mind cannot giue iudgement of the truth, through false euidence: I will giue that partition wall one rent, where­by the interior faculties may the more clearely see how to di­stinguish the truth from error. For sith no Horse of himselfe will either goe truely, nor come to the height of his speed and goodnesse without Art; therefore those Horses which are brought to a true Pace by art, will haue the best speed and du­rablenesse,Barbara, which I proue thus:

All those Horses which haue the truest and aptest cariage in the whole subiect, and haue a naturall procliuity, are most swift and durable.

But all true artificiall Paced Horses haue the truest and ap­test carriage in the whole subiect:The Maior proued.

Ergo, all true artificiall paced Horses hauing a naturall procli­uity are the most swift and durable.

The Maior is proued, for that through the fall there is such an inherent rebellion in them, that they will not performe thatTheo. 2. 3 4. 18. 30. which is required, except there be obedience gained in the whole Horse, (by Art) so that he hath his proper and true mo­tions;1 Pra. 25. 26 27. 28. 29. 30. 36. 37. 2. Pr. 5. & 6. (p) and that he will obey the minde of the man: for so they will both agree in one, as if they were one whole and entire body: because the reason of the man can so proportionate the strength and courage of the Horse, that he will be as a steward ouer his sensuall desire, and neither suffer him to launch his bo­dy out of compasse, nor spend himselfe, (through his eager de­sire) more then shall be requisite for the time, so that he will haue both strength and lust to vse when it shall be most need­full.Liberty bring­eth idlenesse. But contrarily, if he be suffred to goe after his owne will, then he will be voyde of command, through which, when any idlenesse possesseth him, he will make no good course that day.Many paies too deare for this garment. if a mans whole estate (as oftentimes it is) should be hazarded vpon it. But when it falleth out otherwise, to free themselues from this grosse imputation, they haue also another cloake to couer their shame; and that is, a Horse will make a betterAgaine they couer their ig­norance with a worse, alledging the horse was sicke, for sooth. daies worke at one time, then at another. But I dare say, that if a Horse be brought to true obedience, and that he is (as he should be for a match) in perfect state of body: (otherwise he is more fit to ride vpon an Asse, then a Horse, that will attempt to bring a Horse into the field, to vndoe many a man, through his will) he will at any time, shew forth his willingnesse to the vtmost of his power. But I had almost forgot my selfe, by lay­ing open the inordinate affection of such as will hazard the vndoing of themselues, their wife, and children: rather then they will haue their Horse strayned, or caused to doe more then his owne will is consenting vnto.

And yet further if he be suffered after his owne will or desire,The Horse ri­deth the man and not man the Horse. then he will haue the predommancy ouer the man, and carry him as himselfe lusteth, for which if he be crossed, he will ei­ther doe iust nothing, or else runne away, and so resemble the prodigall vnthrift, that being led by his sensuall appetite, spen­dethA simile. Theo. 20. more in a day then by reason would require a yeare, and lauisheth so much when he is young, that he hath nothing to maintaine him in his age.The Minor proued.

And the Minor is proued, in that Art bringeth command by [Page 24] obedience and so the whole Horse, both in his interior and exterior parts, is in subiection to the man, or otherwise hee could neuer bee brought to such a true pace as Art requireth; that is, to haue all his body moue at one and the selfe same time,All the body should agree in one. and which motion also to agree with the antecedent and con­sequent, to giue the best aduantage both for speed and tough­nesse, for as one cannot passe from one extreame to another, but by the meane, so no horse can goe from his pace to his ga [...]lop, as he should, but by a meane. Now that meane should also agree with the same motion to both the extreames: As it is in Geometry, that from two points there may be a straight lineThe first of the grantable re­quests. drawne, to signifie vnto vs that there must be a motion from one limit to the other, and that motion must bee equall to the two excesses, and agree to the same; for as that line is the di­gressiue motion from one poynt to the other, and agreeing to the same, so a true artificiall pace is the meane motion from one of the said excesses to the other, in that it hathPra. 2. li. 5. Chap. the best concord and agreement to them: For as a true take requireth an apt and true motion for the nimblenesse of the legges, and constant carriage of the body, to conti­tinuePra. idem 3 Chap. without flexiblenesse, and the gallop also to haue the like motion to moue sorward orderly: [...]uen so that pace, which is betwixt them, must haue the like concord to them, whichPr. 1. li. 36. Chap. Theo. 4. Chap. cannot bee in any pace so aptly, as in a true artificiall pace, be­cause the true rake is an introduction to a true pace, and this al­so agreeing to the motions of a true gallop; for what horse so­euer will maintaine a true motion vpon his pace, and goe fast or softly thereon at command, hee will also doe the like vpon hisThe Conclu­sion. Gallop, both swift and slow.

Thus the maior and minor standing perfect, the Conclusion must necessarily follow, for because if there bee a true respect had of both those paces, there must needs be a third, although heretofore nothing at all regarded, for a true rake, cannot goeThe Proporti­on betwixt a rake and a gal­lop. so fast indeed (howsoeuer they may speake in wordes) as to extend to a gallop; nor a true gallop cannot goe so softly, as it shall not need the helpe of a third; for if the rake extend after three miles an houre, the hinder parts, will be lash, and if the gallop bee slower then after foure miles an houre, it will [Page 25] bring no apt carriage for speed, in that the fore-parts will be raysed too high, which motion is contrary to Art.Obiection.

And whereas it may bee obiected, that the bringing a horse to his pace, doth vtterly spoyle all his other paces, and abatethAnswer. Theo. 3. Cap. his speed: I answer, the cause of that abuse is not in the Art, but in the abuse of vsurped Professors; for there is no such re­pugnancy in it, that it should decay nature, but repaire it: for it (in the true vse) bettereth all, for he will goe so smoothly with his fore-parts, and follow so roundly after, with his hinder parts, that he will glide forward with such facility and aduan­tage,Th [...] motions of the man moti­ons of the man moneth the ap­petite, and it the body. as his height and length can maintaine, in that his appe­tite or desire still worketh forward, which vrgeth on the body, and the leading legge maketh way so orderly, that hee will shoot forward fast or softly, as the motions of the man doth direct him.

But if hee bee brought to this pace by distemperature of the hand, then hee will runne hye both with his head and fore­parts,The abuse of the hand cau­seth high run­ning. and so indeed although hee may bee speedy for a time, yet hee cannot bee durable, nor gallop with ease vpon deepe earths, and so spoyle his speed, because he cannot see his way, to vse his feet rightly, and through his eager desire in going,Theo. 20. Pr. 2. li. 6. Chap. hee will presse so hard vpon the hand, that hee spendeth his strength and wind as well by striuing therevpon, as hee doth with the violence of his running, wherby his speed and tough­nesse is so soone abated, not finding any ease, and by thatThe cause of bending the Thropell is not iin nature, but in the man. meanes hee striueth with his fore-parts, and beateth himselfe with lifting his fore-legges so high, that hee looseth time in his gallop, and is forced to bend his necke so farre backe, that he choaketh himselfe with his owne winde, in that his throp [...]ePr. 1. li. 25. & 34. Chap. doth bend compasse like a bow, and then to excuse this absur­dity also, the fault is in the defect of nature, and say that hee is Cock-threpeld, & therfore cannot haue wind to performe that which is desired, as if Nature did not vse an orderly number in her composition, especially in euery perfect subiect.A pace is neces­sary for the hunter.

Now a true pace is not onely a meanes to increase speed, and toughnesse for the Courser, but also it is very necessary for the Hunter; because thereby he will got at ease [...]nto the field, both for himselfe, and his maister: And when hee hath done his [Page 26] dayes worke, and is wearied with toyle, hee will come home­ward so easily vpon his pace, that hee will coole himselfe very temperately, before hee come home, and also his master and hee will bee much refreshed by the same, that they will nei­ther of them be so stiffe, when they are cold, as they would bee if they should coole sodainely, by comming foot-pace, or elseA naturall Courser may bee made very seruiceable both for hun­ting and run­ning. take their rest sodainly after heat.

And therefore a naturall pacer is not altogether to bee re­iected, neither for a Hunter nor Courser, if he be truly brought to obedience, and haue an apt carriage (in his motions,) both of head and body: For I haue brought a naturall pacer, which hath beene a deepe and hard rouler, so that hee could not tell how to gallop, or goe any pace, after the rate of twelue miles an houre, and also so extreame sadde that one might as well haue stricken his spurres into a post as into his sides for any mo­tion;Pr. 1. li. 36. Chap. and I haue reduced him to such an obedient quicknesse, that hee would answere the Spurre as freely at the latter end of the day, as could bee wished: And also to such speed, that no ordinary horse could bid him ride; onely by reforming his na­turall going to that carriage and motion, as if he had beene an artificiall pacer.

CHAP. 8. Of what Age a Colt should bee, before hee bee put to sore labour.

THere is yet another vaile, which custome hath spred be­fore the exterior senses; so as the soule is hindred from iudging the truth, including vncertainties within the limits ofNo true iudge­ment vpon false euidence. a certaine time. For it is generally holden that there is not any horse that should be put to any sore labour, or be straind to the height of his speed, before hee be sixe or seauen yeares of age, which is a tradition holden from the opinion of the Ancients, following the naturall ability of the horse so farre, that theyOne error bringeth forth another. strayed beyond the bounds of their knowledge in this Art, and then to excuse themselues, affirme that no horse can bee [Page 27] able to performe any matter of speed, or toughnesse, till hee come to those yeares.

Which opinion is not much vnlike the iudgement of manyAn apt Simile. Farriers, that when they vndertake to cure a straine, administer such things as they conceipt▪ and then (finding small effect) counselleth that he should runne a certaine time; during which running, time cureth that which their knowledge could not performe: Euen so, when they haue found that they could not effect their desire (by their grounds of Art) before such a time, they suggested this supposition; whilst (in the interim)Theo. 17. Chap. time worketh more vpon the horse then their Art.

And further they suggest (to preserue their reputation) that if hee should be put to sore labour and toyle before he come to those yeares, it would bee a meanes to hazard strainings, and the putting out of splints, spauens, cu [...]bes and such like; for that his ioynts are not firmely knit, nor hee come to his best strength and courage.

To which opinions, I aske whether they haue not seeneA horned que­stion. some one horse of younger yeares, beat the aforesaid horses which haue beene dandled withall till that age: Which if they haue, why might not they also haue performed the like if they had beene trained by the true Art? But if they haue not, then they are to bee condemned of a preiudicated opinion, to holdA younger horse beat the elder. that which they haue no reason nor experience for; for I know there is not any that hath made experiment heerein, but they haue seene the contrary, or else their obseruations haue beene very weake.

But I heare some obiect, that all horses are not of like consti­tution,Obiection. and some haue abler bodies then others, and so come sooner to the maturity of their goodnesse; but yet no conse­quence that others should doe the like. I answer, first this ma­kethAnswer. a contradiction with the former allegation, for they hold it as a generall custome, and then if there be any that is of such procliuity, they are exempted from that generality, and then those horses if there be an intermission in their proceedings, that they bee not followed according to their inclination, it will cause a losse of time, if they should bee neglected till the ac­customed time, whereby their towardnesse will bee hindred [Page 28] through a soueraigne liberty, they not being suffered to goe for­ward,There is no stay in the agi­tation of the in­terior powers. but are still kept in a stay, get such an idle habit, that they decline from their towardnesse, to a wilfull stubbornnesse, through this restraint, in that they are thought too young, for seeing they are letted in going forward, they must needs goe backe; for it is a Maxime, that not to goe forward, is to decline;(d) The senses iudge accor­ding to the kind of action. so that they will hardly be brought after to their best perfection: in as much as their apprehension, is intelligence sensitiue, they feeling ease so long together, thinke that to be the perfection of their labour: and when they shall be put to more then they were vsed vnto, they will presently giue it ouer in the plaineIdle trayning causeth fal [...]e hearted horses. field, not being vsed to sore labour before, which is the cause of so many trayterous and false hearted Horses.

And further, it is a great darkning of their glory, for if they which are so prone by nature were well followed by true Art, without question, they would sooner come to commendable performance, then they which haue not such naturall toward­nesse,An Allegory. and then when Art and Nature had displayed the glory of their lights; the splendor thereof would be so glorious, that all other, would be combust that came within the reflect of their beames; and in that respect would farre exceed the other both for time and goodnesse.

But contrariwise, if those which haue not such gifts of nature be not protracted, but reduced, (without intermission) by Art;Theo. 2. they may come to better these, which are neclcted at the first, (for it is often seene the most vnlikely Horse, to beate the more likely) but if not; yet they may be brought, to that height (in as short time) as the ability of their bodies can maintaine, ha­uing a willingnesse to doe that they are able, both for speed and toughnesse.

And againe, I would know, whether there hath not beeneWhether sore labour be the onely cause of those infirmities many Horses, which were neuer strayned young, (by sore ri­ding) which haue beene subiect to splints, spauens, curbes, and such like, which if they haue, then that is not the cause of such infirmities, (as there are many:) but the cause of them na­turally is through the impurity of the seed, whereof they were generated, and therefore being so subiect to them, their griefe will increase (by labour) of what age soeuer. And likewise [Page 29] the same demand may bee, whether that straynings, are onelyWhether yong horses are onely subiect to straines. proper to young Horses or no; which if not denayed (as expe­rience maketh plaine) then the cause thereof is not onely in sore labour; but rather, through the improper cariage of their bo­dy, and the vnapt gouernment of the head, so that they cannotTheo. 35. 36. handle their legges nimbly.

Wherefore, these opinions are but inordinate affections,Note. that many carry to their horses, in suffering them so long at the first, (both in their first backing, and afterward in their tray­ning)The Earle of Northumber­lands Horse­man. that some haue lost their liues, (which I speake to my hearts griefe, being them whom I heartily affected,) rather then they would seek to displease their colt to gaine obedience; And others haue hazarded their whole estate (to the great losse both of them-selues, and their friends) rather then theyNo good con­clusion can fol­low vpon false grounds. would put their Horse to any thing more then hee would doe of him-selfe: following vncertaine grounds of time, and the Horses nature, so long, that they haue had issue of their certaine estate, being conuicted by a certaine euidence, which certaine time, and truth did giue sentence. In the which ranke,Faelix quem fa­ciunt aliena p [...] ­ricula cautum. I my selfe haue formerly marched, till experience did sound a retreate, being maymed with the shot of foolish had-I-wist, which I will set downe (as a caueate) for future impes that shall flourish in this Vineyard, least they fall in the like relapse, and likewise buy their experience too deare. Which though it be rude, I hope it will not be distastfull to such as are willing to beYoung riding not the cause of slownesse or lamenesse. instructed, in that they make profit, by mine, & many moe losses.

For (in running a Bell match) I was neuer more shamefully beat, (in my life) both for speede and toughnesse then I was with a foure yeares old nagge, (which, was hunted very sore all that Winter: (and yet was sound in euery part, of the wholeOne of maister Launcelot Carle­tons race. Horse;) which was the first instance I had to awake me from the slumber of this Sirennicall opinion. And afterward it was my happe to runne a match against a fiue yeare old nagge, (of a midle sise,) being almost but now backt, which had such an exceeding naturall speed, that (if Art had beene ioyned an­swerably to his inclination,) he could hardly haue beene paral­leld betwixt the North and South, of which Horse I did after­ward note his proceedings, (being much conuersant with the [Page 30] Gentleman that did owe him:) and so I found by the euent, that his naturall procliuity was much hindered by his trayning. For there were three other young Colts trayned vp with him, which at the first not any of them was able to command him to ride (he being so very swift:) by the which they were conti­nuallyTrue trayning causeth good wind. held to the height of their winde and speed, whilest hee ranne (euery breathing course) within himselfe: by reason of of which sore labour, (although they were but Colts,) they be came so well winded, that in one Winter they all would beate him, in that he ranne alwaies within himselfe, so that hee lost the aduantage of his body, whereby his speed was abated, and he became so thicke winded, that when he felt it once nip, he would giue it ouer, and when he was put to the spurre, the more he was spurred, the more he setled: and yet at the first he would haue answered the spurre very obediently: through which li­berty, he became so idle, that he would not stretch forth his bo­dy, but lost three or foure foot at euery stroke.Feeding doth not make a good Horse ex­cept Art be as­sisting.

Which when I saw, I was desirous to examine the cause, (for my further experience) but when I had approued, I found it to be in the manner of his trayning, for (as the prouerbe is) he was better fed then taught, (although the Gentleman was reputed an excellent horseman) for he had neither carriage of body, nor rellish of mouth, fit for a horse that is for that vse or end. Which when I had reformed, (in short time) I brought him to ouer­runneThere is no er­ror that hath not some vaile to couer its shame. all the aforesaid horses; and afterward wanne a Bell course, against sixe Horses, contrary to the expectation of all the field: which thought it brough an admiration, yet it was coloured with that old saying, a dogge hath a day, and that was his day to runne so well. But it is strange that a Horse should haue but one good day in all his life: for he neuer made the like course after, but the reasons thereof I will omit, least I should dull the eares of the Reader, with such a rude & prolixe discourse. Which circumstance (louing reader) I haue set downe (as I say) for thy better instruction, least thou shouldest rely too much vpon former traditions (as I haue done) and so be in­thralled,Note. and intangled in that net. And therefore, to keepe thy selfe free from that snare, hold no mans opinion authenticall, further then reason, and experience shall induce thee.

Wherefore seeing (as I haue showne) that young Colts haue beat old horses, and such Colts as haue had a better inclination,Delaies are dangerous. haue beene made worse, and those which haue had a worse inclination haue beene made better, and that the with­holding of them from their true exercise, (till such a cer­taine time) bringeth a habit of idlenesse, and encreaseth rebel­lion, in not being kept in subiection, but (as a wanton child)Sensitiue crea­tures regard their owne ease more then glory. will doe but what them lust, so that they will neuer show forth their greatest grace and glory; let none, that will not respect the pleasing of their Horse more then their owne profit, or the truth, regard so much the time, as their Horses inclination, fol­lowing his towardnesse, by Art, and practice, and thereby he shall bring his Horse to his highest perfection.

CHAP. 9. The first ordering of a Hunting Horse.

IF you take delight in this noble sport of hunting, either for the helth of your body, (by riding, and ayring,) or for the delight to see the Hounds Hunt, or else for the trayning of your horse,1 Pra. 22. 23 24. 25. 26. 2. li. 5. & 6. to finde the excellency of his goodnesse, and indurance; for the better obtayning of your desire, I would wish that he should first bee brought to such perfection (in all the former les­sons) by Art, as hath beene dilated: and then to adde thereto the order of diet by feeding, that thereby hee may come to the best worth that is within him. Therefore when you haue way­ed1. Pr. 27. your Colt so, that he knoweth how to behaue himselfe as he should in true obedience, which you may doe in a quarter of a yeares practice, after he be first backed. Then you may (for his better encrease of courage, and strength) if it please you, put him to grasse, and so let him runne all summer, from midde May till Bartholomew-tide, or at the least, from the middest of Summer till that time, for then the weather is too hot, to giue him such exercise as he should, which if it be otherwise (beingNote. rightly considered) it doth more hurt then good, and so better to be idle then ill imploied, although some loue to be practising, allbeit be without knowledge or reason: but the fruits they [Page 32] reape thereby is answerable, being as good neuer a whit as ne­uer a deale the better, nay oftentimes the worse, in regard of the errors that come through neglect.

Wherfore your Colt hauing runne all Summer till Bartholo­mew-tide, at which time (as it is generally holden) let him beeThe time to take your horse into the house. taken into the house, because the weather (in the day) waxeth somewhat coole, that hee may bee exercised, (though hee bee fatte) without danger; and the grownd (likewise) beginneth to bee cold and soft, (except great drought) so that hee will not he at nor beat his legges; And also the grasse at that time looseth his nourishing sappe and moysture, so that the nou­rishment thereof concocteth to raw crudities, whereby the flesh they get afterward is not naturall nor sound, by rea­sonLong and cold nights are not naturall for a horse. that the nights then begin to be long and cold, which is an enemy to the horse, and abateth as much lust in the night, as he getteth in the day.

But whereas it hath beene holden, that a horse should not be cloathed nor dressed for two or three dayes, at his first housing,When to cloth him at his first housing. I see no reason (but custome) to induce one thereto: Where­fore because it is a thing of small moment, and turneth to no great profit or losse, I will sleight it ouer, and leaue it to mens phantasies as indifferent.The nature of wheat straw.

And for his food, whereas it hath beene vsed, to giue wheat straw (at his first housing) to take vp his belly, I am contrary1. Pra. 7. thereto, for it being hot and dry according to the nature of the horse, will dry vp his body too much, and inflame the liuer with heat, which will cause a distemperature in the blood: and also make his body costiue, both by the drynesse thereof, and also in that the dung will bee retained so long in his body, that it will heat of it selfe, for want of such full feeding as would expell the excrements, according to the inclinations of his nature.

Wherefore, if you desire to keepe your horse in perfect state ofNaturall feed­ing doth best satisfie the ap­petite. body, feed him with such food as is best agreeing to his nature, good, old and sweet hay, yet if it be somewhat rough, it is not much materiall, (especially for a full feeding horse) for hee will eat of that more sparingly, if he haue any reasonable proportion of prouender. But if you see hee feed too fast vpon hay, if you mixe or blend it with a third part of wheat-straw, it will not be [Page 33] much amisse; and let moderate exercise (morning, and euening) doe the rest that wheat-straw should haue done.

Thus being taken into the house, you shall rub him all ouerHow to order your Horse at his first taking into the house. his body with a hard wispe, and sheare his iawes, head, and eares, and cut away the superfluous haires from his musle and eyes; then take out his yard and wash it, clensing all the durt and filth from his sheath, that is gathered by his Summers run­ning. Then let his feet bee well opened betwixt the quarters,Of Shooing. and the frush, (for hoofe-binding) and let him bee shod hand­somely, the shoos being made according to the forme of his hoofe. All which diuersities, because Mr. Blundeuille and Mr. Markham haue intreated of sufficiently, I will not stand vpon them heere, but referre those which are desirous to be further sa­tisfied therein, to their workes: Onely during the time of their training, let the webbes of them bee neither too broad nor too narrow, but of a meane scantling, about the breadth of a full inch, being strong, with sloped spunges, neither set so close as to bruise his heels, nor so open as he may clap one foot vpon ano­ther if he chance to ouer-reach, and so either pull off his shooe, and breake his hoofe, or else hazard a straine, (hauing one foot fastened vpon another) or ouer throw both man and horse.

Then you shall cloath him with a single cloth, made of sack­cloth,The manner of clothing. and let the sursingle bee stopt round with wads of straw, both for ease and warmth; for that single cloth will be suffi­cient for him, at his first comming from grasse, because hee is as yet vsed to coole ayre, whereby hee will not be in much danger of taking-cold, and the weather also at that time is somewhat warme: but after, you shall adde more cloaths to him, as you find the disposition of the ayre and the temperature of his body.

But heerein is to be condemned a rancke of ignorant horse­men,Ignorance bringeth no o­ther fruit then abuses. who if they once get the name of keeping a hunting horse, will oppose their iudgment against the best, & will lay on many cloathes without discretion or reason, thinking that their place should giue an approbation for what they doe, although they are so blinded with ignorance, that they cannot see their owne errors and hurt they bring. For if a horse hane many clothsThe abuse of many cloaths. clapt on him without need, they will keepe him so hot that he will sweet too violently, and so make him faint, and take away [Page 34] his stomacke, and also he will be the more apt to take cold vp­on the least occasion that shall be offered.

Therefore (as Mr Markham saith) if you see that his coat,How to know when to in­crease clothes vpon your horse. be slight and smooth, then you shall cloath him with a single cloth, and as the weather waxeth colder, that his haire begin to stare, about his necke, flancke, or buttocks, then you shall adde another made of woollen cloth, which is an ordinary pro­portion for a hunting horse; for if hee haue any glutte within him those two clothes, with the warmth of the stable, will bee sufficient to helpe nature to expell her enemies: shee being the best Phisitian.

CHAP. 10. Of dressing and inseaming your Horse.

AFter you haue clensed your horse from such grosse excre­ments, as he hath gotten by running, then you shall dresseOf Currying. him after thim manner. First, you shall wash the snaffle of your bridle in faire water, and put it on his head, and put the reynes through the caule-band, (for sl [...]pping it ouer his head,) and so tye him vp to the racke: then take a curry-combe▪ and curry him all ouer his body (to raise the dust,) beginning first at his necke, holding the left cheeke of the head-stall in your left hand, and curry him from the setting on of his head all a­long his necke to his shoulder, and so goe all ouer his body to the buttocks, downe to his cambrell hough; then change your hand, and curry him before on his brest, and laying your right arme ouer his backe, ioyne your right side to his left, and curry him all vnder his belly, neere his fore-bowells, and so all ouer very well, from the knees and Cambrell-houghs vp­ward: after that, goe to the farre side, and doe in like manner. Then take a dead horse taile, or a dusting-cloth of cotten, andOf dusting and the brush. strike that dust away which the curry-combe hath raised. Then take a round brush made of bristles, and dresse him all ouer both head, body and legges, to the very fetlocks, al­wayes [Page 35] clensing the brush from that dust which it gathereth by rubbing it vpon the curry-combe.

After that, take a hayrecloth and rubbe him againe all ouer,Of the hayre­cloth. very hard, both to take away the loose hayres, and to helpe to lay his coat; then wash your hands in faire water, and rub him all ouer with wet hands, as well head as body, for that willOf wet hands and a cleane cloth. clense away all those hayres and dust the haire-cloth left. Lastly, take a cleane cloth, and rubbe him all ouer till hee bee very dry, for that will make his coat smooth and cleane.

When you haue thus drest him take a woollen cloth, and lappe it about his body on both sides, past his mid-ribbe, thenOf saddling. saddle him, and throw the other ouer him for feare of getting cold. Then take another hayre-cloth (for you should haue two, one for his body and another for his legges) and rubbe all hisOf dressing the legges. legges exceeding well from the knees, and Cambrell-houghs downeward, to his very hoofe, picking and dressing them very carefully about the fetlocks, from grauell and dust, which will lye in the bending of his ioynts.

Note, that whilst you are dressing your horse, that you doeNote. not trifle the time idly, either by slow working or prating, as many vse to doe, letting their horse stand naked and leane vpon him, to hold chat with whomsoeuer commeth into the stable, through which negligence, a horse oftentimes getteth cold, especially after he hath beene cloathed and kept warme, for then the ayre is as penetrable to him as to vs, if wee should be naked, which is the cause I wish that his cloth should bee cast ouer him whilst his legges are in pricking and dressing; for although it is holden that a horse will not take cold whilst he is in dressing, yet he may take cold of his body if hee stand naked whilst his legges are in pricking and dressing, for that the rubbing of his legges will not free his body from that danger.

When you haue thus drest him, you shall take a mane Combe, and wet the spunge in cleane water, and combe downe his mane and taile, to make the hayre lye close and handsome: which done, take his back, and rake him a mile or two to fetch his water, (for that will helpe to refine his mouth, which hee hath lost during the time of Summers running, and also stay [Page 36] his body vpon his rake,) and let him drinke as much as he will at once, then gallop and scope him vp and downe to warme the2. Pr. 4. water in his body, and so bring him to the water againe, and let him drinke what he will, then gallop him againe, and thus^x Of watering your horse. doe till he will drinke no more: then [...]ake him home and set him in the stable vpon good store of litter, and tub him well all1. Pra. 7. g ouer with cleane straw, then picke his feete with a croked iron picker made for that purpose, and cloath him, and stuffe him(x) round with sost waddes of straw as before, and after he hath stood a while vpon the bridle, draw it, and giue him such aOf feeding. quantity of oats (cleane dressed in a sieur from dust and filth,) as your discretion shall direct, according to his eating, or allow­anceNo certaine quantity of meate can be described for all sorts of horses. proportionate: after, you shall dust, and shake a pretty quan­tity of haye and put it into his racke, fast bound in a bottle, to make him labour more vpon it, and that hee pull it not downe too fast to make waste. Then shake his litter vnder him, and shut the window, and dore, and so let him stand, till one or two of the clocke in the afternoone, at which time you shall come to him againe, and shake his dunge from his litter, and rub his body and legges with a hayre cloth, and giue him another ser­uing of Oates, and so let him stand till the time of his euening watering, then you shall shake vp his litter, and make cleane his standing, and dresse him in all points, as in the morning, and water him, and giue him meate (as afore.) And thus you shall vse him morning, and euening for the space of three weeks or a moneth, for by that time hee will be so inseamed, that his flesh will be hard and firme, and his mouth quickned, and his body brought to its former carriage.

Now for obseruations herein, Note, that during this time ofGenerall ob­seruations. his inseaming, if twice a weeke you trauaile your horse foure or fiue miles (or as you finde your Horse) it will be a helpe to bring his body in state the sooner: for it will cause his winde to rake the better, and the glut and grosse humors, the quicker to di­solue (by that moderate exercise,) for though that thereby he may be brought to sweat a little, yet it will bring no damage to him if hee carefully bee vsed at his comming into the stable.

But whereas it may be obiected that if a Horse be caused toObiection. sweate before his flesh be hardned, that it falleth downe into [Page 37] his legges, and so causeth the Scratches, and Swellings. I an­swere,Answer. that is not a generall cause, and so no necessary conse­quence, for it is not vpon necessity that euery Horse that so sweateth is subiect to such like, nor euery Horse that doth not so sweate is free from the same: for I haue seene, (by experience)1. Pra. 14. to the contrary in them both, which is that a leane Horse, through disorder subiect thereto, and contrarily fat Horses by good order preserued therefro: for I my selfe hauing a Horse. of great esteeme in my charge (for trayning) was free from any such surrances for the space of halfe a yeare, although hee had had diuers sweating heates, till after he was in good state of body, and his flesh very firme and hard, I but Hunting him one day, in that it was the afternoone before we found any sport, II set downe my owne folly for a caucat to o­thers. hunted betwixt some two or three houres, not following the chase sore, but crost oftentimes for his better ease, and night drawing on, I left the company, & raked him gently home: and being neare home before he was any thing cold, I rid him into a riuer very neare to the belly, and there vnaduisedly washt him, and within two or three daies after he became to haue swelld legges, and so the Scratches, very dangerously, (although I galloped and warmed him after his washing.) Whereby I ga­thered that it was not so much his heating that caused them, (for that he had oftentimes had greater heates then he had at that time,) but the negligent care of riding him into cold wa­ter whilst his legs were hot, because they sweld so high as they were washed but no higher.

Wherefore it is good for euery one that haue a care to keep their Horses from any such dis [...]ases, to auoyd washing (especi­allySweating of it selfe is indiffe­rent. in Winter whilst cold humors abound) least they cause an obstruction of the naturall course, for then the heate and cold will striue together, and prouoke an inflamation in the legs: and then grosse humors breake forth and choppe the skinne, for sweating, simply of it selfe, causeth no more hurt to a Horse then it doth to a man, if he be vsed as he should.

Note also, that during the time he is inseaming, and that he is put to no further exercise then the fetching of his Water: that in his rake to and fro, and in his gallope after his Water; you haue a care that he carry himselfe in euery particular, as he2. Pr. 5. 6. [Page 38] should; till hee hath gotten such a habit that he make it as itThere must be care to main­taine obedience as well as to gaine it. were his naturall carriage: otherwise though he be brought to neuer such true riding before if he be not stil maintained by the same, but suffered to take liberty at his pleasure, he will carry a lash body, when he should hold it most firme, and so all the for­mer paines, and care will be lost: for Art doth not onely consist in bringing to obedience, but also in keeping the same.

Note further, that in his galloping after water, if sometimes you giue him a watering course sharpely of twelue or twentyVariety bring­eth delight. score, (as you finde your Horse) it will quicken vp his spirits, and cause him gallope more pleasantly, and learne him to ga­ther his legges nimbly, and to stretch forth his body largely.

And note, that euery night, (except it be any day that hee hath had sore labour) you stop his feet with cow dung, after youHow to keepe his hooses tough. haue picked them, for that will keepe them coole, and make his Hooses tougher: and also that you annoint the tops and vpper parts of them either with Hogges grease alone, or else with Hogges-grease, soote, and tarre, mixt together, for that will cause them spread, and keepe them from brittlenesse, and make them blacke.

CHAP. 11. Of the exercise in Hunting.

THere are so many things that offer themselues to be spoken of in this Tractate, that if I should enter into all the particu­lars to shew the errors, and causes, that are sprung vp therein, it would require a very large discourse. Therefore I will contract them into as compendious, and breife heads as I can, and (for breuity sake,) speake of the chiefe points, leauing the rest to the consideration of the discreet practitioner. Wherefore,True labour causeth ability both of wind and body. when you haue thus brought your Horse to that state of body that his flesh is become firme and hard, (although he be not cleane, for heats by labour must effect that:) which you shall per­ceiue by the thicknesse of his flesh vpon his short ribbes to­wards the shutting vp of his hucklebone; by the grossenesse, and [Page 39] thickenesse of his flanke, and by the fatnesse, and fulnesse of his chaule; then you may haue him into the field to learne him how to carry himselfe vpon seuerall grounds: and to vse him to the cry of the dogges, to increase his delight: which you shall doe after this manner.

After you haue serued your Horse for night, you shall come toIf he be not layd. him early in the next morning, as about fiue of the clocke, and first sift him the quantity of halfe a pecke of oates, (for they will be well digested by such time as he be drest, and in the time of ranging to finde sport:) which he shall eate, whilst your are making cleane your stable: then you shall bridle him, and tye him to the bare racke, and dresse him: and after he is drest, sad­dle him, then throw his housing cloth ouer him, and so let him2. Pr. 5. stand till the Hounds be ready to goe forth. At which time you shall take his backe, rake him gently into the field vntill such time as some game presents it selfe vnto you.

But because it is the first day of his hunting: so that he can­not tell how to behaue himselfe vpon vneauen grounds; youHast maketh wast. shall not put him at any time to aboue halfe his speed, that hee may haue the better time to learne how to carry a stayd bo­dy, and handle his legges both vpon deepe and light earths. Neither shall you toyle him too long, for wearying him till heeLong royle is to be eschewed at the first till the body be firme. be acquainted with that exercise: for daunting of his spirit and causing him to be lash bodied: but to thwart, and crosse from place, to place, to make in with the dogges, to vse him to their cry, because a Horse doth take great delight and plea­sure therein, and it will also stirre vp his desire to follow them the more willingly.

Thus you shall spend the time in Hunting for two or threeHow to vse your Horse after Hunting. howers (or as in your discretion you feele your Horse, or the sport afford,) then you shall haue him home, and set him into the stable, hauing care that there be good store of fresh litter vnder him to stand vpon, and tye him (in his bridle) vp to the racke, hauing a little fresh haye in it for him to chaw vpon in his snafle to coole his mouth, and to sharpen his appetire: then rubbe him exceedingly with dry straw both head, necke, vnder the forebowels, belly, flanke, and his legges, withall the other parts of his body: then take off his Saddle and rub his backe very [Page 40] well, and so cloath him vp with all speed for taking cold, and2. Pra. 9. wadde him round with loose wispes of straw, and if he be very hot throw another cloth ouer him loose to keepe him that hee1. Pr. 6. coole not too fast, and so let him stand an houre, (or till you feele him somewhat cold,) often stirring him to and fro (in his stall) gently with a sticke, for that will keep his legges and his ioynts more nimble. Then draw his bridle, and giue him such a quan­tityNote. of prouender as you shall thinke good, but not so much as to take away his stomacke, which will be some-what weake through the heate of his body, and want of water: and putting haye in his racke, and taking away the loose cloth for keeping him hot too long, let him rest for two or three houres, or there1. Pr. 6. abouts: during which time you shall make a mash ready, of halfe a pecke of mault, and put no more water to it, then it will sweeten, and you thinke your Horse will drinke, and let it stand couered till the water hath gotten the strength of the malt,Of making a Mash. which you shall perceiue, by your tast, for it will be very sweet, and also by your feeling, for it will be clammy like hony, and rope like bird-lime, which you shall giue him to drink when it is so cold that you can hardly see it smoke, least the smoake should strike vp into his nose, and so cause him to take a dislike, and letThough the smell be strange to him at the first, yet the tast will prouoke him. him haue no other water that night: and therefore if he will not drinke it at the first, let it stand by him all night, and set it so that he spill it not neither with his feet nor head.

Now this mash is very profitable, for it is comfortable for his stomacke, and it will keepe his body in a temperate heat, after his labour, and also it will clense, and bring away such grease,The benefit of a Mash. and grosse humors as are disolued by that daies exercise. After that, you shall giue him as much prouender, as you thinke he will eate, and rubbe him all ouer to clense the sweat away that is dryed, and barked outwardly, and rub his legges very well,1. Pra. 14. then put fresh haye in his racke, and shake good store of litter vnder him, that he may rest the better and shut your stable close, and let him rest that night.

The next morning come to him, about sixe of the clocke, for that is early enough, (because the mornings rest is as delight­full and comfortable aswell for a Horse as a man: for then the braine is more thin and pure, the meat being concocted where­by [Page 41] the sleepe is more sweet;) but open the dore very softly forThe cause of quiet sleepe. Met ap. disquieting him, if hee bee layd, which if hee bee, let him lye till hee rise of himselfe.Somnus est sen­tientis facultatis requies.

Then goe to him, and the first thing you doe, looke to his dung what colour it is of; for if it bee greasie and foule, then it is a signe that the former dayes exercise did him good in dis­soluingObseruations from the dung. some of that foule glut that was in him; but if you per­ceiue no alteration of colour, nor that it is greasie, then it is a signe that, that day made no dissolution, and therfore you may take the more of him the next.

Then looke in his manger, and see whether hee hath eatenObserue how he feedeth. vp all his prouender; which if hee haue not, sweepe it cleane a­way and bridle him vp, but if hee haue, giue him a little seruing more, to eate whilst you make cleane his stable: After, bridle2. Pr. 10. Chap. him and tye him to the Racke, and dresse him, and haue him forth to the water as aforesaid, for this should bee a day of rest: And thus you shall vse him to the field thrise a weeke, till you haue brought his body to such cleannesse, that you may iudge both of his speed and toughnesse.

Now for obseruations, you shall note, that you vse him inGenerall obser­uations. the dayes of his rest (which must be euery other day at the least) in all poynts as you did during the time of his inseaming. But whereas it hath beene vsuall to giue a Scouring the day of hisOf Scowrings. rest, I cannot greatly commend that custome, except it bee vp­on necessity, (that nature is opprest or hindred by sicknesse;) for nature hath strength enough of her selfe to expell her ene­mies, so long as the body is perfect and sound; and therefore scourings to such horses will doe more hurt then good, for they are Phisicall, and so weaken the body, and are as needlesse to a horse that is sound as to a man.

Note, that when you come from hunting, you wash not your2. Pra. 10. Chap. horse that night, but rubbe him exceeding well, and the next morning after he is drest, or after he is come in from his water, take a peale of water, and wash all the grauell and filth from vn­der his fetlocks very cleane, for that will coole his legges and preserue them from foule surrances.Theo. 8. 33. Chap.

Note, that if you haue good store of game, that you bee carefull not to take too much of your horse, to feed your owneEt alijs lo [...]is. [Page 42] delight, till hee bee come to haue a stayed and firme body, so causing him to ouer-reach and daunt his spirit; nor giue him li­berty to goe as him lusteth, but bee ready vpon any disorder to helpe him with your motions, or to correct him if need re­quire.2. Pra. 6. Chap.

And for that cause I do not greatly approue that one should goe into the field without spurres, for if a horse commit a fault either through neglect or▪ doggednesse, if hee bee suffered at that time, the next time hee will bee the worse; and I hold heeA Horseman is maimed if hee be vnfurnished. is not meet to bee an Horseman that cannot weare them, except hee abuse them, for hee is like a mad man, that must haue his knife taken from him, else hee will doe mischiefe with it.

And note, that if your horse bee so hot and free, that hee will not easily be commanded, but will put himselfe more fiercely forward vpon deepe earths then he should, and so snapper and falter with his legges or his body, or beare so high that hee choake himselfe with his winde, or such like, that then you vse2. Pr. 6. Chap. to hunt him with the head-straine, for it will amend such faults through the gentlenesse thereof, whereby hee will vse his fore­parts more orderly, and rest so stayedly vpon his head, that you thereby may helpe to gouerne his legges; so that you may cause him to strike a furrow or gallop vpon any earths, as your selfe would wish.

CHAP. 12. Of the manner of food and time of feeding.

SOme may thinke because I haue spoken of no other food for the hunting horse (in these last Chapters) but oates and hay, that I allow no other feeding for them, but to cleare that sup­position, the cause that I haue omitted to speake of the diuersi­ties of foodes till now, was to auoyd digression, for confusing of order, and obstupidating the memory of young impes, thatTheo. 4. Chap. desire to grow in this Ʋineyard. And therefore, I did deferre the touching of them there, being minded to speake of them [Page 43] more conueniently, which being knowne, may bee vsed, as necessity requireth. And againe, it may bee thought, that2. Pr. 3. Chap. this food which I shall prescribe, is not sufficient to bring a horse to his strength and purity of winde; because it is not soNothing of esteeme except it be curious. costly and curious, as formerly hath beene set forth; for many thinke that nothing can bee good except it bee costly: but howsoeuer it may be iudged, yet I am sure (hauing had experi­ence thereof) that this food will be sufficient for the feeding and dieting of any hunting horse, for giuing him strength and sound nutriment for the maintenance of his great toyle, and the nearest to the helpe of nature; and so the rest to bee super­fluous, being inuented by some preiudicated fantasies, that would be held singular, through too precise curiosity, or elseGenerous minds wronged by Parasites. soysted in by some Belialls, that would bring in great billes of charges, and reserue the surplus, for themselues to spend vpon their lasciuity.

But howsoeuer such inuentions first sprung, whosoeuer shall vse them, by true examination shall find them enemies both to Art and Nature, as heereafter shall appeare. Wherefore if you will maintaine your horse in his best strength and lust, after he is [...]nseamed, you shall to his oats put a third part of beanes be­ing spelt vpon a Mill, because hee will eat them better then ifOf Beanes and Oates. they were whole; for then they will sooner weary his chappes, and the strength of the beanes will bee more in his tast, for that they are so great they cannot bee so well mixed amongst the oates, but some horses will couet to weed the oates from them.

But if to auoyd this, any thinke that Pease are better to mixeOf Pease. with Oates, in regard they are smaller, and so need no spelting; I answer, that as they are the smaller, so they haue the more store of huskes, and the meale is not of such strength, and nu­triment as that is of Beanes, and so more faint and pursiue. And as for Fetches and Tares, which many vse to sow onely for horseOf Fetches and Tares. Prouender, they are altogether the worst; for they are no per­fect graine, but a kind of weed that is increased by reason that the land hath no better lust nor strength to yeeld better fruit, and therefore that must needs be a weake effect that pro­ceedeth from so weake a cause.

Wherefore (as I say) you shall at his first taking vp, for the space of a fortnight (or thereabouts) giue him onely OatesNote. and hay, till the grosse humors be something dryed in his body, and that his flesh begin to harden, for if you should feed him with such strong food, before hee were in some case to abide exercise, then it would increase those grosse humors, which are reciding in him, rather then conuert into good blood; for that (by reason of corruption) they doe naturally abound, and will bee chiefly fed (as the earth doth naturally feed weeds beforeTheo. 5. ^b. good corne) if by art and dyet they be not first represt: and so will inflame the body, and cause diuers diseases.

Therefore (as I say) when you perceiue that he beginneth to2. Pr. 11. haue good flesh, to preserue it the better, you shall adde to his Oates Beanes; for they will increase strength and lust, and soBeing well dry­ed. keepe him till you intend to hunt him; and for the better in­creasing of his courage and winde, you shall make him bread after this manner.

You shall take foure pecks of Beanes [...], and two pecks of wheat, and grinde them together, and sift the mealeOf Bread for hunting. through a temmes, of an indifferent finenesse, and kneade it with warme water, and good store of barme, and let it lye an(x) 1 Pra. 7. ^•. houre or more to swell, for so it will bee the lighter, and haue the quicker digestion, then work it exceeding wel with a brake, or tread it well with your feet, (being cleane washed) and bake it in great houshold loaues (as a pecke in a loafe) for so it will haue the lesse crust, and not dry so soone; with which bread you shall feed your horse after it is a day old, (being well chipt) sometimes giuing him Bread, sometimes Oates, as you see his stomacke best liketh; for this feeding increaseth good blood, and giueth strength and lust sufficient for any ordi­nary hunting.

But if you thinke to hunt him vpon a match, then let the one(g) Of Bread for a match. halfe of the corne bee Wheat, and the other halfe Beanes, and let it not be ground too fine, for so there will bee the lesse bran in the bread, and dresse the meale through a boulter, and knead it with new Ale and Barme beat together (but let there bee good store of barme) and vse it in all other things, as the former. Now this bread is more healthfull, and yeeldeth as [Page 45] much strength, courage and winde, as any other whatsoeuer,That is the best that agreeth the best with nature. if there be true labour adioyned, although many vse drugges and diuers other graines to increase winde.

But whereas many vse to put a proportion of Rye into the2. Pr. 13. ^d. (e) Of Rye. Bread, I hold it not so good, for the former is sufficient for strengrh and nutriment, and if the horse haue such plenty of that as nature doth desire, his body will continue in perfect state without it; yet because a horse is hot of himselfe, and his heat may bee aggrauated by his labour, so that hee may come to1. Pr. 7. Chap. be bound in his body: Therefore seeing Rye is cold and moyst; I wish that you should grind the quantity of a pecke by it selfe, and so bake it in a great loafe, and vse it as Phisicke, giuing him a quantity thereof, when you first draw his bridle, to coole his body after his heats, or otherwise, as you perceiue his body(f) Phisicall things are to bee vsed sparingly. costiue: Whereas if it should bee ground among the other graines, then in what state soeuer your horse were, hee must feed thereon, and so if he were loose in his body the Rye would increase it.

Now for the quantity that you should giue your Horse at oneOf the quanti­ty of food. time, there cannot be any certaine limitation thereof, but it must bee proportionated according to his appetite; onely be sure to giue him his full feeding, for that will keepe his body in better temper, and in greater strength and lust: And then, if vpon such store of meat you perceiue he feed too fast, do not therfore scant him, but giue him the greater labour, for that will helpe both his strength and winde.

And for the manner of feeding, let him eat one meale ofOf the manner of feeding. Beanes and Oates, and another of bread, for so his stomacke will continue the better, for variety will sharpen it; whereas if hee should feed long vpon one kind, it would cause a loathing, and let him eat the oftnest of that hee best liketh; or if you please, you may giue him both at one meale, (especially if hee bee of a dainty feeding) alwayes giuing him that the last which hee eateth the best, and hath the best digestion, otherwise2. Pra. 6. Chap. hee will not feed so well, and his stomacke would bee more opprest.

And againe, if he be a small feeder, giue him a little at once &Of a dainty feeding horse. often, for fresh meat will draw on his appetite, but giue him so, [Page 46] that hee may haue a little left in the manger, to eat at his owne leasure betwixt the times of his feeding.

Now for the times of feeding; foure times of full feeding, inThe time of feeding. twenty foure houres is sufficient, that is, after his morning wa­tering, then at one or two of the clocke in the after noone, or as the dayes are in length, to giue time for digestion, before he2. Pr. 6. Chap. be watred at night, else if hee bee full fed, and put to exer­cise before, it is very dangerous; likewise after his euening wa­tring, and about nine of the clocke at night. And as for that you giue him in the morning, when you come first into the sta­ble,2. Pra. 11. Chap. it must bee but a little to preserue his stomacke from cold humors that might oppresse it by drinking fasting, and also to make him drinke the better.

CHAP. 13. Of Scowrings, and their vses.

SCowrings are also another thing wherein this Art is abused, and the horses glory much darkened; for thereby his body is made an Apothecaries Shop to receiue such vnnaturall drugs as doth weaken it, and deject his courage, which Art doth chiefly tend to maintaine.

And also, it is a further abuse, by those which assume to ap­ply(a) The cause of the abuse of Scowrings. scowrings to a horse, that neither know his disposition nor the operation of them, no nor yet the cause and time wherefore and when they should be ministred: And yet they thinke that if they can but talke of giuing a scowring, they should bee esteemed with the best, and so indeed many are, but their2. Pra. 9. esteeme is farre aboue their deserts; for through such igno­rance they make horses that are sound and of an able body (byThe euent of the abuse. nature) to bee weake tender, and apt to take surfets vpon the least occasion, (as heereafter shall be showne,) for they conceit their knowledge so much, as they thinke to make him sounder(b) Thinking is no knowledge. 2. Pr. 11. then nature can worke, but by such vncertaine grounds they hinder the strength of it. Like those men, that if they doe but feare a sicknesse, presently betake them to Phisicke, (though [Page 47] Nature had strength enough to preuent it) whereby they areNote. made the sooner sicke, and makes their bodies more subiect to diseases, their pores being opened by it.

But I would not be so vnderstood, that though I speake of the abuses of Phisick, I vtterly disallow therof, for it is a most excel­lent, & iudicious Art, that iudgeth of the nature & operation of simples which receiue their vertues from the heauenly powers: & so are to be esteemed as Gods instruments, whom he hath or­dayned for the preseruation of bodily health; and the wiseman sayth, Honor the Phisitian with that honor that is due vnto him be­cause Eccle. 28. 1. 3. 4. 7. of necessity: for the Lord hath created him. And the knowledge of the Phisitian lifteth vp his head, and in the sight of great men he (c) Scowrings are good in their true vse. shall be in admiration, for the Lord hath created Medicines of the ea [...]th, and he that is wise will not abhor them. For with such doth he heale men, and [...]aketh away their paines.

Neither that I disallow of scowrings for Horses, for they areOf the abuse of diet. also needfull, and necessary: but I speake against the abuse of them, being vsed without necessity, and practised by those that haue no knowledge, but vse their fancy without feare or wit.Scowrings needfull through scante­nesse of meate. But through their ignorance they are caused to be more ne­cessary the horses body being distempered by them: and a­gaine, they are caused to be more needfull, through the scan­ting him of his food, in that they will not giue him enough to1. Pra. 6. satisfie nature: and so the retentiue part not hauing sufficient substance (after the mea [...]e is concocted, the expulsiue part doth(d) deny its office, (to expell the excrements) whereby it is re­tainedThey are vrged also through hot spices. so long within the body, that it doth heate and dry, and so the body is made costiue. Or else there is the greater neces­sity of them by ouerheating the body in giuing him Anise-seeds. liquoras, and such like, to cause him haue (as they say,) long1. Pra. 12. ^•. 6. wind, that so also the body is bound, and becommeth euil affect­ed, being food contrary to a Horses nature.The effect of abuse of diet.

And then forsooth, to excuse their ignorance, affirme the cause thereof, to be the hot disposition of the Horse and therefore must haue a scowring the more to afflict and punishThe reasons. him: so that this order of dieting, (if it be rightly considered,) is not preseruatiue, but rather destructiue.

For first, it hindereth nature, (by restraining him of his food,)(1) [Page 48] that it cannot receiue that strength and nourishment it should.

Secondly, it is hindered in that he cannot haue that rest and(2) full feeding the day after his labour, (which is a meanes to help his strength and lust:) but he is distempered by scowrings, and disquieted of his rest, which is worse vnto him then his former daies labour.

Thirdly, it weakneth the Horse, for there is no scowring, but(3) If it worke vpon the body. it is Phisicall, and should bee ioyned with rest, but here is a double persecution, one day to labour, and another to take scowrings.

Fourthly, it openeth the pores, and his interior organs, that he(4) is more apt the next day to take cold, going abroad before he get strength, and his body be perfect.

And lastly, it is opposite to Art, for if the Horse be sound, (as(5) this must be supposed) it weakneth nature, by violence, not gi­uing her liberty and time to free her selfe, but will force a disso­lution before there be any, and so hindereth nature, which Art tendeth to maintaine, for so long as a Horse is strong and lusty,Theo. 1. nature hath ability of it selfe to expell her enemies after they be once dissolued.

Wherefore to leaue these, and such like grosse errors to those which doe affect them: I would counsell those that wil be coun­selled, to vse such diet as shall keepe their Horses in the best state and health, for by that meanes Nature will haue the grea­ter power ouer her enemies; which is such feeding as I haue formerly set forth; For as Kitching Phisicke is best for a manIn the last Chapter. (except he be dangerously sick) so is this natural diet for a horse. and vse no restraint, but let him be his owne caruer, for he will1. Pr. 2. ^l eate no more then will suffice nature: and it wil keep his body in good temper, for I haue seldome seene, that those horses which are full fed with such meate to be subiect to costiuenesse, and therfore I conclude, that those horses which are sound & strong, need little other scowrings then good meate and their fill of it, if they be also ordered as they should when they come into the stable.

But because no man can treade a path so sure but his foote mayHe that is much in action shall sometimes mis­carry. sometimes slip, because danger is a companion of labours, and likewise no horse though he be neuer so sound, but is naturally [Page 49] subiect to sicknesse and diseases, and likewise disaster accidents may happen though the man bee neuer so circumspect, for as oftentimes a man taketh a sickenesse or a cold, which himselfe cannot tell how, nor when; euen so may a horse, and yet the man not know till he perceiue it by some euent, because the know­ledgeNone but God knoweth things truely before they happen. of man is comprehended in things after they chance; and that the sight of his eyes is no substance of light, whereby it might penetrate into other substances: but onely a procliuity to receiue light (from another) by accident, and so can see no further then the accidents of any thing.

Therefore because I will not passe from one extreame and goe to another, but touch the meane, I will not sleight them o­uerThe meane be­twixt the ex­treames is the best. as needlesse, seeing they are good in their true vse, but will set downe such scowrings, as I haue found good, (by reason and experience:) and referre them that loues the multiplicity of them to Maister Markhams workes, where they may satisfie their desires with variety.

Wherefore if at any time, (through a soaring conceipt,) youWhich neglect is not greatly to be excused. shall giue your Horse such a strong and sore heate that you finde it hath distempered his body, and it becommeth hard and bound, so that nature must haue reliefe or else it will turne to a greater euill: you shall take Rye meale, or the crummes of theA scowring made of Rye and Butter. 2. Pra. 12. ^f. Rye-bread (afore expressed, in the last Chapter,) but the Rie crummes I rather preferre, and worke it with as much fresh and sweet Butter, as will make it like paste, and make balls of it to the quantity of a Walnut, and giue foure or fiue of them, in the morning fasting, and then (hauing his clothes trust, fast about him, and wadded round with wispes) get vpon his backe, and gallop him gently, in some greeue close or yard, till he beginne to sweat vnder his eares, then haue him into the Stable, and rub him well, and couer him warme, letting him stand vpon the bridle an houre or more. After, giue him a quantity of your Rye bread, and let him stand some two houres, letting him haue a little hay in his Racke to chaw vpon as his stomacke shall serue, then giue him a warme mash to drinke: after, feed him with pro­uender,2. Pra. 10. or bread as much as he will, and so let him rest, giuing him sufficient store of haye in his racke.

Now this scrowring is so gentle that it doth nothing abate [Page 50] the strength of the Horse, and it hath that vertue and operation,The vertue and profit of this scowring. as it will coole his body, and will scoure and purge him of all such glut, and bad humors, as are disolued in him. But if hee haue taken a cold, through which, or any other cause he begin to be sicke, and forsake his meate, then you shall take halfe an ounce of Diapente, and brew it with a pint of the best Maligo­sacke,A scowring of Diapente and Sacke. and giue it him in the morning, and vse him in his exercise as afore, onely in stead of your Rye bread you shall giue him o­ther bread, or beanes and [...]ates, or cleane oates, which he hath most desire to; this scowring I haue found the best, (though there be many other,) for it will comfort his stomacke and shar­pen his appetite, and will purge him from what grease or hu­morsThe excellency of this scowring soeuer though it hath beene long in his body, for I apply­ed it to a Horse that hath beene so farre spent, as hee was al­most without hope of recouery, hauing forsaken all meate, and could scarcely stand, and yet in short time after he had it, re­couered his strength and appetite: and it is so soueraigne and comfortable, that you may vse it (if necessity require) two or three mornings together. But because this Diapente is rare, and not ordinary to be had in euery Apothecaries shoppe: I will set downe (in another place) the making thereof, that you may be sure to haue that which is good, to vse at your owne pleasure.

There is also another scowring which is highly commendedA scowring for him to be put to his water when he drin­keth. by Maister Markeham, which although I haue had no experi­ence of, yet I will set it downe that others may vse it as they shall find the operation thereof. Take of Anise-seeds three oun­ces, of Cummin-seed sixe drammes, of Carthamus a dramme and a halfe, of Fenegreeke seed one [...]unce two drammes, of Brimstone one ounce and a halfe, beate all these to a fine pow­der, and searse them, then take of Sallet oyle a pint and two ounces, of Hunny a pound and a halfe, and White wine foure pints; make all into a strong stiffe past, with as much wheat meale as shall suffice, and worke it well: keep this paste in a lin­nen cloath, (for it will last long,) and at night after you come from Hunting, and your Horse is thirsty, take a Ball thereof (as bigge as a mans fift) and dissolue it into a gallond or two of cold water, which will turne the colour like Milke, and offer it [Page 51] to your Horse in the darke, least the colour displease him, which if he refuse, care not but let him fast, till hee take it, which hee will doe in twice or thrice offering, and after hee hath once ta­ken it, hee will drinke it before any other water. Thus farre Maister Markeham. Which drinke (as he saith,) your Horse can neuer take too much nor too oft of it, if he haue exercise, other­wise it feedes too fast, and that it is a present remedy from all in­ward infirmities whatsoeuer, and therefore wisheth no Horse­man to be without it, for it will last three or foure months.

CHAP. 14. Of Making a Match for Hunting.

BEcause there are many that take great delight in this noble sport of Hunting, and for the loue and delight they take in their horses, are desirous to defend their speed and valour with the price of their purses, in making of matches for their glory; I will as plainely as I can, set downe the true grounds of making a match, that they may haue the better assurance of their iudge­ment.No truth can be gathered by vncertain ties. For there are and hath beene so many deceiued herein, for that they haue no certainty to worke vpon, but relye vpon flying reports, and conceited fantasies, that this generous exer­cise is much darkened, and is accounted, but chance or fortune, being as it were led in darkenesse by other mens ignorance, whereby they haue receiued such damage and losse, that they condemne all those that delight therein, as prodigall and vaine, to hazard so much vpon such vnstable delights,

But to purge this Art from the dregges of such false impu­tations,All Arts of themselues are true. know that the cause of such vncertaine grounds doth not proceed from the Art, (for all Arts simply of themselues are grounded on the truth,) but from the pretended knower,The 3. Epist. [...] the Reader. which will be a follower of his owne will, without reason or premeditation, and flatter his owne fantasie in thinking his Horse doth flye if he runne but vpon any reasonable speed: and that he is whole running when hee will not runne a quarter of a mile, (at the height of his speed) without a sob.

Wherefore to worke the more surely, before you attempt toObseruations in matching. make any match, obserue first that you traine your horse after such hounds as are very swift and speedy, and then if you can(1) Traine after swift hounds. at any time command them vpon deep or light earths, then you shall the lesse doubt of his speed and toughnesse.(2) Theo. 20. 33. 34

Secondly, haue a care that hee carry a firme body, and that hee handle his legges aptly, vpon seuerall earths, and that hee bee at such command of his mouth, that hee will ride at what1. Pra. 21. & 2. Pr. 6. rate your discretion shall direct.

Thirdly, that hee be whole running, so that hee will runne a(3) Of whole run­ning. traine-sent or a feure miles course, without slacking his speed to sobbe, which he will doe if he be so truly trayned as he should, for then the motion of his wind will agree so reciprocally withTh [...]o. 31. & 32. the motion of his body, that hee will runne so slightly that his winde will answer to euery stroke hee striketh with his legges without iarre, though he be at his full speed; whereas if heeThe cause of false running. 2. Pr. 8. ^d. bee vsed to slacke his speed, whilst hee lets his winde rake, he will looke for it, and then if hee bee ouertopt with speed and cannot haue that liberty, hee will settle suddainly like a Iade.

But whereas it is holden that one horse cannot both beeObiection. swift and tough, and therefore not possible by Art to reduce a2. Pr. 7. ⁿ. horse to both those qualities? I answer, that opinion is creptAnswer. in for want of knowledge in the Art, for it being inuented to support and maintaine nature, if a horse haue any naturall incli­nation to speed, it doth not onely helpe to increase but also to husband it so, as hee will spend no more of it then shall be ne­cessary,2. Pr. 7. ^p. and then hee will stil reserue some till the time that heeTheo. 20. & 34. Chap. should most vse it; which thing I dare confidently affirme, this Tractate rightly vnderstood will effect.

Now of matches in hunting, they are either traine-sents andOf hunting matches. the Wild-goose-chase, or else traine-sents and a Bell-course either single or double, that is, once ouer, or to and againe, and therefore the number of traine-sents, and the exercise after, is to bee made as the swiftnesse or toughnesse of the horse is ap­proued.

But because the Wild-goose-chase is such an vnmercifullOf the Wilde­goose-chase. and vnreasonable toyle, (as the name it selfe doth import, with­out [Page 53] any mediocrity or order, I will passe ouer it as an exercise not worthy of the time, because it is the hazard of the spoyleThe vnreasona­blenesse of it. and ruine of such excellent creatures; for if two good horses be met, the match cannot be tryed, till one of them bee halfe spoyled (if not both) nay oftentimes they are both brought so weake that they are neither of them able to goe, and then when they are so Turkishly tormented, the match is faine to bee drawne, and so depart as wise as the terme of their ex­ercise.

Through which vnmercifull delight they abuse the liberty ofThe vnmerci­fulnesse of it. their Soueraignty, and turne it to rigor, (as a tirannous King) contrary to the commandement of God, for we should be mer­cifullLuk. 6. 36. as our father is mercifull, which is not onely extended in his promise, but also in his prouidence, which preserueth as well the vnreasonable as the reasonable Creatures; and therefore they should be vsed to the ends for which they were ordained,Ecclus. 7. 2 [...]. (for the vse, seruice, and delight of Man,) and to haue a care o­uer them, if they be for our profit: And I pray you what care or pitty is there shown towards them, when they are so cruelly per­secuted, and wilfully spoyled by such extreame labour.

Therefore seeing it is oftentimes the subuersion of such ex­cellentTheo. 2. Creatures, hee is not worthy to haue a good horse that maketh no more accompt of him, but to racke his goodnesse vpon such vnreasonable and vnmercifull tenters; (although there may bee showne much Horsemanship) seeing there may be tryall enough had both of the goodnesse of the horse; and skill of the man in traine-sents.

But if you haue a horse that is sutable to the former obserua­tions,Occultae musices, nullum esse re­spectum. and that you desire to haue his glory showne, because se­cret vertues are to no vse, if they bee not reuealed: then you may aduenture to make a match of so many traine-sents, and such a bell-course (afterward) as you shall finde to bee the best aduantage for your horse; which should not be made perem­torilyOf traine-sent matches. (vpon a will) but vpon some reasonable probabilities of the aduerse horse, because neither words nor santasies wil cause a horse to runne any deale the better, and there is no horse soIt is simplenesse to say I had not thought this. good, but there may be another as good; and then if you haue a good ground, you may bee the bolder to stand to it: [Page 54] for, (as the common saying is) a match well made is halfe wonne.

And therefore bee cautions, that you make no match vpon a sudden, nor in drinking, except you know the Horse very well, and then to make your match to runne such a number of traine­scents, and such a course as shall be the best for your selfe, andThe disaduan­ [...]ge of weights let not your aduersary make your play, especially if he challenge you, and likewise bee carefull that you giue no aduantage in weights, for that wil settle a horse very much when his strength faileth him, in that hee must carry it so long; for if it hinder him but a horse length, in the first traine-sent, whilst hee is strong and fresh, it will increase in the next the more, as his strength waxeth the lesse, and so at the last will beat him downe extreamely, it continuing certaine, and his strength abating, which it will viperously consume; except he bee of such speed,But it will ex­ceed Geome­tricall propor­tion that is al­waies doubling. that he is able to command the dogges, and the other horse at his pleasure: But there can be no proportion of distance giuen for that aduantage, because of the vncertainty of the hor­ses ability.

But if it bee so that you giue aduantage of waights, looke you let him not haue that liberty, to carry it in his saddle, butThe disaduan­tage of carying waight in the saddle. that the man carry the dead w [...]ight, otherwise you will iniury your selfe; for if it bee in the saddle it lyeth close and firme vp­on his backe, and the man hath more liberty of ease to helpe his horse when hee feeleth him somewhat weake; but if it be vpon the man, then hee caryeth the like burthen to your selfe, and it will as well burthen him as the horse, and will more trouble the horse then if it were in the saddle, by reason it is fur­ther distant from his backe, which will haue the greater force to displace the horses body, and so to hinder his stroake, when both the man and the horse beginneth to be weary, euen as aIf a pin bee not set in the midst of the beame, the longest end of the scale hath the grea­ter force. waight that is further remote from the center of the beame, hath its greater force to counterpoyse.

But if it chance that you are challenged with a horse you doe not know, and that you neuer saw him ride in the field, where­by you can haue no iudgement of the difference betwixt your horse and him, then I would wish you to take a deliberationOf the equality of horses. (before you giue an answer) till you haue enquired of some [Page 55] trusty friend that you know hath iudgement and can giue some certaine report of his speed and manner of riding, which if it be any thing answerable to your horse, bee not too confident to hazard too much mony, till you haue a better tryall, and in ri­ding you may dispose whether you may haue a better match afterward.

But if hee be of a different disposition, then to runne so ma­ny traine-sents, and such a course as you iudge to bee best forTo make a match accor­ding to your owne hors [...] riding. your selfe, and forest for him; as thus: If your horse be a sound feeding horse, and will indure heates and coldes, then it is ve­ry likely he is of strength, toughnesse and well winded, (if hee haue true training accordingly;) And therefore if you make your match to runne sixe or eight traine-scents, and the courseTheo. 32. & 2. Pra. 8. to and againe, it will be the better for you, and to lead the first traine-sent, and lead it so vpon deepe earths that it may end in such a place, that when your aduersary shall lead, it shall not beOf matching a tough horse. nigh any light earths, and likewise your last traine, that if it be possible hee may bee driuen to lead his last traine vpon deepe earths, to the first staffe of your course, (because if you lead the first, then vpon necessity he must lead the last, and it must end at the starting place of the course, and let the liberty of your law be as little as you can.

But if you find him not so tough, yet very speedy, then theOf matching a swift horse. fewer traine-sents the better, and to run the course but single, (which would be vpon askelping earth) and vse the best means you can (contrarily) to haue the greatest benefit vpon light grounds in your traine-sents, letting the liberty of your law to be as large as you can possibly, (as three horse lengths) that you may husband your speed and preserue it till you runne the Course.

All which being obserued, if then you loose, blame no body but your selfe, either in that your iudgement faild in his dispo­sition, or that you were deceiued in not training him according to the truth of Art: Of which if you be sure, then bee not dan­red afore the match day, howsoeuer other opinions (thoughFancy is a cor­rupt Iudge. neuer so many) may oppose: For the bias of many mens fancies doth so draw them, that they will speake after affection, and as they would haue it, and so many are (Syren-like) drawne [Page 56] from the truth in giuing more credit to others words, then to their owne iudgement, although they haue sure grounds there­of,The preface to he first Booke. as if horses would runne any deale the better either for great bragges, or wagers: or that they would temporise and so respect one man more then another: or that such men should speak by a Diuine Oracle, and could not chuse to be otherwise, though they neuer see the Horse gallop.

But if your Horse be a weake feeder, and so tender that heeOf a weake and tender horse. will not indure heates, and colds, and yet runne exceeding spee­dily, then you shall vtterly forsake Traine-sents, and runne a three or foure mile course, as shall be showne hereafter.

CHAP. 15. How to order your Horse for a Hunting Match.

VVHen you haue had such triall of your Horse that you dare aduenture to make a match of him, and that he is matcht for so many trayn-sents, and such a course as you finde him best disposed for, then you shall (according to the limitted time, which would be a moneth at least,) endeauour to bring him to such a perfect strength, and purity of Winde, as Art willExtraordinary toyle must haue extraordinary meanes. assist. For though hee may bee in good case for ordinary Hun­ting, yet he may be defectiue (in them both) for such extraor­dinary toyle as hee must vndergoe at such a time: and for to keepe him so strictly (except it be vpon such vrgent cause)Delight with frugality is commendable. were but needelesse, and would increase to great charge.

Therefore if you know that you haue Hunted him very sore afore time, so that you thinke there is matter of dissolution in his body that is not expeld, or that you perceiue by his coun­tenance and gesture that he is not so pleasant and delightfull as he was wont to be; you shall first giue him the scowring of Sack,2. Pra. 13. and Diapente, which will clense his body and reuiue his spirits. But if you perceiue him to be of a chearefull countenance, and that he will scope and play in your hand, (he being of that spirit) then giue him no scowrings, for they will worke vpon the strength of his body, not hauing any other matter to purge, and [Page] so weaken it, which must bee your cheife care to preserue by2 Pra. 11. Winde the sup­porter of strength. good feeding and true labour, for that will cause good Winde, which is the assister of strength, for if hee be neuer so strong, when it fayleth his strength decayeth.

Therefore finding your Horse to be healthfull and lusty (toThe first fort­nights order. keepe him so) you shall (for the first fornight,) feed him with the second bread afore mentioned; and feed him strong­ly therewith, and for change of meate giue him Beanes and2. Pr. 12. [...]. Oates once a day, or oftner, if he eate not his bread well▪ and let him haue haye in his racke (wel dusted & shaken) to chaw on at his pleasure, for he will not eate much of it, if he be not scanted of better food: now when hee will ride well vpon this feeding, you may be sure he will ride better vpon purer, if it be not much differing, for the more his Wind is freed, with more ease will he maintaine his taske.

And for his manner of labour, I hold it not the bestHis manner of labour. to hunt him after the Hare (as some vse) although the Hounds be very swift, for that is deceiptfull, in regard the dogs will be much at Default through the coldnesse of the sent, whereby theA firme founda­tion is certaine. Horse shall haue many sobbes, so that when hee shall come to runne a trayne-sent without any intermission, his winde will not be so durable.

But let a Cat be led in a string vpon such grounds as is agree­ing to your Match, for that sent will be so strong that hee must runne it wholy as if he were vpon the match, following as fleet hounds as you can get. But as for the number of traine-sents you should vse in trayning, that must be directed by your owneWhat number of Traine-sents are to be vsed in Trayning. discretion, that is, as your match is, or as you finde your Horses disposition in strength and feeding. For if you toyle him too much it will weaken his limmes, and daunt his courage: or giue him too little, it wil make him feed foule and so pursiue, and then being forced to Ride longer then he hath beene vsed, will cause restifenes, thinking to giue ouer before he hath halfe done: either of which would be accounted a grosse absurdity in you.

And therefore if hee be to runne sixe or eight Trayne-sents, and the course too and fro, let him not be put to such sore labour aboue twice in that month, and let them both be in the first fortnight, that he may haue the last fortnight of time to recouer [Page 58] his strength, and let all the rest be sometimes halfe his taske, and sometimes three quarters, as you shall finde your Horse in strength and winde, but vse no certainty for bringing him to that custome. And let the last daies worke of the first fortnight be a Trayne-sent more then your match, that thereby you mayHow often he is to be exercised. try his toughnesse, and so repose the more vpon his truth. And likewise twise a weeke is sufficient labour to keep him in breath, for so his strength will not abate but increase.

But if your match be to runne fewer Traine-sents, then you may oftner runne the whole number according to your owne discretion: prouided alwaies you strayne him not (at the least) for tenne daies before your match, least hee shall not haue time2. Pra. 12. to recouer his strength. And giue him after euery breathing course a quantity of Rye bread to coole his body, and to keep it in temper.

And for his daies rest, vse him in all things as is said afore: one­lyPra. ibid. 10. 11. if he be somewhat longer abroad, euening and morning to ayre, it will sharpen his appetite, by reason his vitall heate will be the more retayned in his body to cause concoction: but let1. Pra. 6. him not goe forth too early, nor stay forth too late, but so as he may haue benefit of the Sunne morning and euening, to refreshOf the last fort­night. and comfort him. And for the last fortnight, let him be vsed, (for his daies both of labour and rest,) as in the former, sauing that his exercise must be more moderate: and therefore to in­crease both his spirit and winde, let him haue of the best bread, and feed him there with exceedingly euen as much as hee will eate, for if hee be in any good case afore, this will make his winde more pure and quicken his courage; and for change of meate giue him of the best white or cut oates, for they haue the most substance to giue strength: for the skegge oate is so lightThe difference in oates. that they yeeld no such strength, and are so full of hulles and chaffe that they oppidate or hinder his winde. And let them be dryed in the Sunne, and beat in a cleane bagge, and then win­no [...]ed, and picked from all dust, and filth: and for variety, if you wash them sometimes in strong Ale they will be very comforta­ble,Ale is comfor­table. for though it is holden that it causeth pursiuenesse, yet such a quantity doth no hurt but good, for it will reuiue his spirits, and cause him to sleepe the better.

Thus you shall feed him to as great lust as you can, letting him haue haye in his racke, till a day before his Match, and then giue him no more, that he may haue time to digest it, that so it may be auoyded with the excrements, except it be a little in your hand to scowre his teeth, after you haue fed him with bread, with which you shall feed him very well the day before he runne, and giue him a reasonable supper, that he goe not too empty into the field, for such a daies worke will aske substance to maintaine strength. Likewise, giue him a quantity of bread in a little ale before he goe into the field, for that will make him chearefull: and so let him be led into the field, referring the suc­cesse to Gods good blessing.

CHAP. 16. Obseruations in running.

VVHen as you are come into the place where you are to1 His hoofes would be pickt. beginne your Traine-sents, you shall first picke his feete that there be no grauell nor stones to annoy him, betwixt his hoofes and the shoes, and scrape all the dirt or clay round2 His legges chafed. about the vpper part of his hoofes off, and wipe them cleane: then chafe his legges very well, and for his saddle and bridle they would be made fit before hee come to the field: being a3 The saddle & furniture an­swerable. light saddle well sinewed, & stand sure on his back without hur­ting, with a couple of wollen girths, because they will not be so subiect to chafe, as if they were of girth-webbe, and they will giue more liberty to his body for his wind to passe more easily: the stirrops and lethers strong and sure, but yet so light as is pos­sible, being let forth to the iust length of your seat, that you may behaue your selfe more artificially▪ for the ease both of your selfe and your Horse. For if they be too short, you can neuerTheo. 13. hold a firme seat, your kees being kept from their true place, so that if you leape, you wil either be in hazard of dismounting, or else sit so loose that the vncertainty of your body will be moreTheo. 14. trouble and hinderance to him then his leape, if you serued him accordingly.

And surther, you cannot haue liberty to spurre when, and as occasion shall be offered: And againe, if they be too long, you cannot haue any stay of them to helpe your horse when he be­ginnethTheo. 24. to be weake, and likewise, it will be hard for you toTheo. 15. 17. keepe your stirrops, which to loose is disgracefull.

Likewise, that the reines and head-stall of the bridle be made sure to the snaffle, that there be no miscariage through neglect: and that the snaffle hang in the true place of his mouth: then he1. Pra. 15. being vncloathed mount vpon him, and seat your selfe truely in your seat, and take your reines to such a proportionate length, as you may command your Horse without mouing your seat; holding your switch downe by your right fide, with the poynt backe-ward like a sword, and with your elbowes close to your1. Pr. 17. sides, yeeld your body somewhat forward, houlding your feet straight in your stirrops, and so beginne your businesse cheare­fully.

Note, that when you switch or spurre your Horse, you haue aTheo. 6. care to keepe your seate firme, for a little disorder in your selfe, will cause a greater in the Horse, especially when his strength is weakened: and therefore when you switch, doe not fetch your hand so farre as to remoue your elbow (much) from your side, but lifting your hand vp towards your eare, bring it suddenlyHow to switch. downe and strike him with a short iert, for that will be sh [...]rper, then if it were further fetched, and strike him in the flancke, for there the skinne is tenderst and thinnest. Neither when you spurre, doe not fetch your legges farre to strike him on the side,How to spurre. like a mallet, for then the calues of your legges will so beat him on the sides, that they will force his winde, as if they would driue it out of his body: And beside, you shall in so doing loose your seate. But when you spurre, you shall fetch your legge noTheo. 6. further then your ordinary seating, and bring your spurres quick to his sides, with the strength of your legges from the knees downeward, for I am sure it will be so sharpe as to draw blood; and then also you will spurre so couertly as your aduersary will hardly perceiue: and spurre him not vnder the fore ribs neare his heart, till you be driuen to the last refuge.

Note, that if there be any forceable wind, that ye be mind­full to ride for the best aduantage of your Horse, that is, if the [Page 61] winde be on your face when your aduersary leadeth, then toAduantage ta­ken by the winde blowing. ride so close to him, that his Horses bodie may breake the force of it from yours, and yeeld your selfe so low that his body also may shelter your body, which will greatly helpe the strength of your horse.

And likewise, if it bee on your backe, ride so behind him, that your Horse may haue the force of the winde, to set him forward, and breake it from him that he may haue the lesse be­nefit thereof. And Note, that if you perceiue to haue the speedA small thing will goe farre with good vsing of him, that you be carefull to preserue it till you come to the course, and there to husband it also, till such time as you shall dispose of it for the best profit: for prodigall running whilst a Horse is fresh, is the losse of many a wager, and disgrace to the Horse, though the fault be in the man.

Note, that at the end of euery Trayne-sent you haue straw and dry cloathes to rub and chafe your horse withall, to make him as dry as the time will permit before you beginne the next sent, & that you haue two or three cloathes steept in neats-footOf ordring him at the end of e­uery Traine­sent. or sheeps-foot oyle, or such like, to chafe his legs withall, to keep them pliable, & nimble: or if he hath had a strain that you doubt an inflamation, then dip some linnen clothes in cold water and bathe his legges therewith, and that will asswage the heateThe Triars what to obserue for that present. Note, that your Tryer may be alwaies prouided of such a Horses, as shall be able to come vp to your aduersary, to switch him vp if at any time be ride not faire, and without the compasse of law: and that he be alwaies with the aduerse Horse to see that they giue him no comfortable thing in his mouth, by conueying it in pretence of rubbing him about the head or musle, or by changing his snaffle, that may be annoyn­ted with some nourishment; nor that he haue no releife, either by holding straw or clothes ouer him to keepe him from the wet, if it chance to raine, but onely to vse such things by rub­bing and dressing as the law and match doth allow. And like­wiseNote. to obserue what state the aduersaries horse is in, and how he indureth his labour, which may be perceiued, either by his countenance, or by the working of his flanck, or by the slacking of his girths: for if his winde faile, then his strength abateth, and his body will waxe thinne, so that hee will not fill his girths as2. Pr. 11. 16. [Page 62] afore, and therfore if they gird him aboue once after he is come into the field, or that once at the first sent, it is a good signe for you, if hee bee close girt when hee beginneth the first traine­sent.

And thus much briefly for this noble sport of hunting, where­in a great deale more might be spoken, bnt it would bee too tedious for a young fauourite, to shake euery branch, till heeVariety hurteth them more ti [...]l it be grounded. haue gathered the fruit of the chiefe armes; and therefore if any be of such a dainty stomack that cannot feed on this messe because there is no more variety of dishes, or that the Cooke hath not set it forth with such sweet sauce as their queasie sto­macksA conceited sicknesse is incurable. can digest, let them repaire to Mr. Markhams Caualla­rice, where they may bee fully satisfied, except their stomacks bee so sickly that no dainties can content them: but then looke to themselues, that they surfet not through their cu­riosity.

CHAP. 17. How to make a horse lye downe at your pleasure.

SIth there are so many diuersities of horses dispositions as there are particular horses, receiuing their predominant quality, according to the beneuolent or maleuolent aspect and1. Pra. 5. ⁿ. The cause of horses different qualities: and that one horse is better then another. quality of the Planet that is exalted at the time of their concep­tion; whereby some are so bold and louing, that they will lye and take their rest freely and voluntarily of themselues, and so are more seruiceable with lesse Art; and others so strange and timerous, that they will not lye downe but when the necessity of nature compelleth them, whereby their backe and limbes are much weakened, so that they are not able to maintaine that labour and toyle (without great helpe of Art) that is expected; for it is vpon necessity that that horse which must indure greatThe necessity of lying and rest. toyle abroad, must rest freely at home, because it is a great comforter and nourisher of his powers: Therefore I will teach you an easie and infallible way how to bring any horse to such command as he will lye downe at your pleasure.

Which thing although it hath heretofore beene set forth by diuers that haue written of that subject, yet I haue approued ofPractise brin­geth true eui­dence. them by practice, that their order is very doubtfull, to bring almost any, much lesse euery horse to that subjection, without some inconuenience and danger.

For, whereas some haue vsed for the effecting hereof, to take him by the head as hee standeth in the stable, and strike him with a sticke vpon his fore-legges, and so to vse the helpe of his voyce, (as downe sirra, downe, and such like) and neuer to leaue striking till he begin to bend in the knees, and so to vse him till through feare of the blowes hee kneele downe, yet this isThe danger that ariseth heereby. both dangerous and doubtfull, for if hee be a churlish and stub­borne horse he will indure many stroakes, before hee yeeld, and striue to free himselfe from such correction by disorderly re­sistance, in regard he knoweth not wherefore he is so corrected, notwithstanding all this, it is doubtfull whether hee will obey till hee be so sore beat vpon the legges, that his sinewes will be so sore bruised, as hee will be in danger of laming, by swelling or putting forth of splints. But if hee should, yet it would bring this inconuenience, that hee would be dangerous to ride into water, for if any thing should but trouble his legges (by chance) hee would be ready to lye downe in the water, through feare of his former correction.

And againe, others haue counselled to set him vpon goodHow to cause him lie by cast­ing. store of straw, and so tye his forelegges together, and fasten a­nother band to them, and cast it about his fetlocke, on his farre hinde-legge, and so cast him as they vse to cast Colts when they are gelt. Which although it goeth somewhat nearer the truth then the former, yet it is not tollerable, for it bringeth this inconuenience, that it will gaule a horse very sore behinde vn­der the fetlocks, by being so often cast, as hee must beforeThe inconue­nience of it. he be brought to it, and if he be stubborne after he hath beene so vsed twice or thrice, that so soone as he perceiueth what you goe about, hee will set his legs so ashore, that one man shall not be able to deale with him, and then the more violently that he is forced, the more he will seeke to resist so long as is possible.

Wherefore to preuent all these absurdities, you shall (if his standing be large) throw good store of straw vnder him, (as [Page 64] afore) then take a soft girth and tye the one end of it about hisHow to make a horse lye down willingly of himselfe with­out any danger. farre fore-legge, vnder his fetlocke, then with the other end tye vp his foot to the sursingle vnder his body, hauing a care that it be well wadded with straw vpon his backe for pinching it, then take another girth, and cast it twice about the narre fore-legge, vnder the fetlocke, for slipping vp, and holding both the buckles in your hand, set your right shoulder to his left, and vsing the helpe of your voyce, (as afore also) pull his foot from the ground, which being done, hee must of necessity fall vpon his knees, and being downe cherish him, and vnloose the girth vnder his belly, (which must bee tyed vpon a draw­knot,Note well, for here is all the doubt. for the purpose) and let him rise with all his legges at li­berty; for if he should be suffered to rise afore it bee vnloosed, he would feele a restraint, and so cause him striue the more, and therefore if he chance to rise before it be vnloosed, cause him to goe downe againe, and make what hast you can to vn­loose him.

Then cherish him, and leaue him for an houre or two, after come to him againe, and vse him in the like manner, and so foure or fiue times a day, and by the second day at night he will kneele downe so soone as he shall but feele his legge tyed vp, though he be a very stubborne horse. Which when hee will doe yet let him not rest too long, for then he will think he hathIn euery lesson there ought to be a daily addi­tion till he hath learned it. done what he should doe, but after he will kneele downe wil­lingly, and haue no desire to bring in his hinder-parts to lye downe, suffer him not to rise so soone as hee would, but keepe him downe (by holding the girth still in your hand) vpon his knees halfe a quarter of an houre (if need so require, but I ne­uer had such need) and vse the helpe of your voyce withall in saying downe, downe, and in two or three times so doing hee will couch his hinder parts, and lye downe of himselfe, which when hee is downe cherish him exceedingly, and vnloose his girth, and let him lye so long as he will.

And when you haue vsed him thus a day or two, then you need tye vp his legge no more, for so soone as hee shall but feele you take vp his narre legge, and heare your voyce, hee will bend himselfe to lye downe. Then to make him doe it more artificially, you shall take a sticke and beat it vpon the [Page 65] straw, and withall vse your voyce, and hold the girth in yourThe voice must giue him notice of your minde, otherwise hee will do it when his foote shall be taken vp to be shod. hand, and so cause him to lye downe, and within tenne daies or a fortninght at the most (though he be neuer so vntoward) you shall bring him to lye downe so soone as hee shall but see you clap with your sticke vpon the straw.

But if his standing be so straite, that you haue not liberty, but as you desire to haue him lye he resteth against the wall, or par­titions, then you shall haue him into some empty house or barne where hee may haue store of straw vnder him, and vse him as is said before.

Now the vse hereof is great both for pleasure and profit, for itThe vse thereof is delightfull to the beholders, to see such strong and lusty creatures made so submissiue by Art, and it doth set forth the loue and mercy of God towards man, that although these crea­tures haue lost that voluntary obedience, which they shouldTheo. 1. 2. haue yeelded to him if hee had stood in his first state, yet hee hath left such knowledge remaining in man as to repaire that decay (in some sort) to the primary creation, by Art, so farre as is necessary for the vse of him, that he might with the Prophet Dauid ponder and say with himselfe, What is Man that thou art Psal. 8. 4. so mindfull of him: and the Sonne of Man that thou so regardest him? And yet not to be proud thereof, but with true humility to giue him thankes for his Fatherly prouidence, in that he hath not ta­ken away that soueraigne rule, whereby these and all other creatures might haue beene without vse (as we haue deserued,) but to acknowledge it to proceed from his loue, sith wee haue not any thing which we haue not receiued, for in him wee liue, moue, and haue our being.

And againe, it is very profitable for all sorts of Horses, whe­therWhat profit it bringeth in seruice. they be for seruice, hunting, running, or trauailing. For if he be for seruice, if he will lye downe at command, it is a great ease for a man when he is loaden with his armour in getting vp into the saddle; and the Horse also will take his ease more freely, (when he resteth.)

And for either hunter, or courser, it is very pertinent, for then assoone as he hath filled his belly, (at his times of feeding) andWhat to the Hunter and Courser. his bed soft shaken, you may command him to lye downe, which will be a great preseruer of his backe, and strength, and keep his [Page 66] legs nimble and warme, what with the heate of his body, and the litter. And when he findeth ease thereby, he will take such delight, that when he is weary with lying of one side, hee will rise and lay him downe on the other, which will make him more able to endure his labour abroad.

And for the trauayling horse it will make him so domesticall, that all strange places will be alike to him, for wheresoeuer heeWhat profit to the trauayling horse. commeth, hee will couet to lye downe so soone as hee hath but slaked his hunger, (if he may haue but litter, and roome) which will refresh him as much as his meat.

CHAP. 18. How to exercise and traine a Running Horse.

THe difference betwixt the exercise of a Running Horse, and a Hunter, is not great, but onely in continuance of labour, for this dependeth vpon long and weary toyle; and that vpon a quicke and speedy dispatch.2. Pra. 1.

Wherefore if you perceiue (either by his making or tryall) that hee will not indure any long time in sore labour, and yet finde him to be of great speed, then you must let his exercise be after such sort, as shall increase both his speed and winde, whichIdem. would be after this manner.

First, during the time of his trayning, let his feeding, dressing,(1) 2. Pra. 9. 10. 11. 12. watering, cloathing, and his exercise on his resting daies be in all respects, and in all things, as is set downe for your hunting horse; And for his daies of labour (in stead of trayning after the dogs)The daies of la­bour for his heates. you shall giue him his heates vpon some plaine medow or heath ground, that is firme and hard, for so you shall bring him to that height of speed that Art and Nature can effect: by reason he will stretch his body to the vtmost length (without feare or dread of stumbling or ouer reaching) when he feeleth such smooth and hard running, and he will gather his legges so roundly, that hee2. Pra. 4. Sure footing bringeth sleight. will runne with so great aduantage as is possible: without any such toyle of body, or fainting of courage, as would insue if hee were trayned and exercised vpon deepe earths, or broken [Page 67] swarthes, before he haue a steddy cariage of body, or true know ledge how to handle his feet.

Secondly, there would be such intermission betwixt the(2) Twice a weeke is sufficient for to bre [...]th. daies of his breathing courses, as he may haue time to recouer his strength and lust, which would not be aboue twice in a weeke; for if he should be exercised oftner, the often frequency, would make it more loathsome to his affections, and abate his lust, and so take away delight: besides, it would abate his2. Pr. 15. strength, and weaken his lims, for want of knowledge, all which ought to be carefully preserued: which will be the better done, by seldome exercise, (though it be sometimes the longer and sorer) if he haue time to recouer his strength (againe) before2. Pra. 14. Vse maketh per­fectnesse. his next breathing course: for it will lesse grieue him, and cause a better winde, then if he should be oftner exercised, and easily; in as much as often exercise causeth weakenesse, and gentle heates are deceiptfull, except you will indent with your aduer­sary,A most redicu­lous exception. that he shall [...]unne no faster then your Horse will goe wil­lingly, which were most absurd.

Thirdly, haue a care to the ability of your Horse, and to his(3) knowledge or nimblenesse, and as these increase so increase his labour, for if you exceed in them, it will cause weakenesse and so lameing, by backe-sinew-beating, or ouer-reaching. Which care being had, then trayne him vp continually with other2. Pra. 8. 11. Horses, (if it be possible) that haue the speed of him, whereby he will be vsed to such true labour, that a sore course will notObiection. trouble him when he shall be hardly matchep. But whereas it(d) is obiected, that sore and long labour will pull a Horse from his speed, and decay his strength, being strained before he be2. Pr. 4. at his full perfection, to which sith I haue spoken sufficiently a­fore,Answer. I meane not to presse much in the solution thereof, but onely to set forth their vncertaine iudgement in a Horses speed,What a swift running horse is. for howsoeuer a horse runneth off the score, he cannot be said to be a swift running Horse, except he continue it to the last, in re­gard he is said to runne the best that commeth first to the race head: and it is not possible that a Horse which is vsed by a vio­lent forcing to set all his powers to worke at the first, should be able to continue, but is like light thorns on fire that is but a flash, and so consumeth himselfe by his feirce and disorderly running, [Page 68] wherby that is but a shadow of speed, which vanisheth as sooneTheo. 4. 20. as that light abateth, hee being vsed to runne after such an in­direct meanes: whereas if that Horse be reduced to a betterA whole run­ning horse is the best speed. gouernment, or an other Horse that hath any naturall speed, will not so soone decrease, but wil maintaine his whole running without looking for ease by sobbes, and so in the end proue the2. Pr. 19. ⁿ. greater speed, (though he be not so arrant swift at the first) asTheo. 32. 33. shall hereafter be proued) in regard his wind doth rake so aptly with the body, and gather such a stout courage, that he will not2. Pr. 5. 6. daunt for his sore labour, but (like a hardy Souldier) ride in blood to get the conquest and glory of the day.

Now after he can tell how to frame himselfe, to launch for­ward orderly vpon skelping earth, if sometimes you haue him into the field to hunt him after the hounds, it will be very profi­table,To hunt a run­ning horse som­times is profita­ble. to learne him to ride vpon broken swarth & deepe earths, and to preserue the senseablenesse of his mouth, in that hee must ride at the command of the man as occasion shall bee offered by the dogges: yet be carefull that you hunt him not o [...]er long, but so soone as you haue ridden three or foure good sents, (that he hath sweat) haue him home, and order him as2. Pra. 11. before. Note, that if you haue not Horses of such speed to traine him, as can command him to ride; that then you doe not there­fore fauour him in staying for the other, for that will increase idlenesse and thicke winde, in letting him runne after such an easie rate within himselfe, but keepe him at his full rate, and euer (now and then) let another runne at him to hold him to his speed (so farre as he can) and then after him another, for that will cause him to runne with the better courage, and in­creaseA generall an­swere. his desire to runne still at the other Horse, when he seeth he can command them. And take this for a generall answere, for any doubtfull assertion that I shall maintaine in this whole Tractate, which through the strangnesse may seeme paradoxesTheo. 19. 20. vnto any, that howsoeuer they doe not rightly vnderstand mee, though in some places my speeches might tend to either excesses, yet I presuppose the effect thereof to the meane, because violence is the subuersion of Art, for as too much lenity bringeth rebellion, so too much cruelty, faintnesse and dulnesse.

CHAP. 19. Of Matching a Running Horse and clearing the doubts.

THus hauing trayned your Horse, and approued him to haue such excellency, as you dare attempt to match him to run for a wager: you must be carefull least you giue your aduersary2. Pra. 14. any aduantage against you, vnlesse you will obstinately loose your money, and disgrace your Horse.

And therefore, (for making the better and surer match) ob­serue what cautions are set forth in the making of a Hunting match, and obserue the same here, for I haue there set downe the chiefe things to be obserued for such Horses as are to try their goodnesse by long and sore toyle, and apply them to theMore aduan­tage to be ac­cepted against coursers then hunters. best aduantage your iudgement can minister: but because there are diuers aduantages that there I omitted, for that they are not so appertinent to those Horses, as to these that are to dispatch vpon a sudden encounter, I will here touch them as summarily as I can, whereby you shall the better vnderstand your selfe [...]ow to cleare such poynts, as would giue aduantage against you, and how the doubt of them extend.

Therefore, first obserue to runne such a course as is most a­greeing to you Horses disposition; for if he be hot and very spee­dy,The horses dis­position must be thus ground­ed in all matchs. then the lightest, leauellest and hardest earths are the best: but if not so purely composed, so that he is more slow and cra­uing; then make your match to runne such a course, wherein are deepe letches, and broken swarthes, that his truth and tough­nesse may recouer what speede looseth.

But here it is obiected, that an euen-leuell course is not soObiection. good for a hot Horse, because that he will spend himselfe outra­giously, and so runne himselfe out of winde.

I answere, that it is doubtfull to aduenture much vpon a horseAnswer. that is of such a bedlam disposition as will not be gouerned but after his owne appetite, for then whether it be leuell or descent, he will runne so long as he is able, and then if hee be held any [Page 70] thing hard to it, hee will yeeld vpon what ground soeuer, but if hee runne within himselfe, so as hee is able to command the o­therThis is a great helpe. at any time, then it may be thought that the descent of a hill will giue him the more breath, but (as I say) if the other hold him to such a rate that hee shall not bee suffered to slake his speed, then he shall finde small reliefe thereby; for as it is a helpe to him, so it is to the other, and then if he haue not time to ease himselfe when he climbeth vp the hill, his former ease will yeeld him no reliefe at all, if the aduerse horse bee true: And therefore that is but a thought indeed hauing no good ground,Meere supposi­tions are meere simplenesse. for the true tryall of this is, when there are some equality of speeds to be compared: For although one may cast a boule fur­ther downe a hill, then he can on a leuell ground, yet hee shallA Simile. loose a greater aduantage when he commeth to cast it as farre vp the hill, for then he must vse his strength the oftner to cast it home, and yet the man hath more aduantage in casting the boule vp the hill, then the horse hath in running, for the moti­on doth consist in the bowle, though the force come from the man, but both the horses motion and his strength proceedeth from himselfe.

Wherefore he that desireth to runne such a horse vpon vp­withs and in-withs, for the better aduantage, seeketh helps by greater paine; by which it is plaine, that what horse will spendNote. himselfe disorderly vpon leuell and easie grounds, wil doe more vpon vnleuell and strong earths, howsoeuer it may be alleadged to the contrary.

And therefore if at any time you bee to runne against suchA bedlam horse hath small help by descending grounds. a horse, (knowing your owne to bee true, and of good speed) doe not repine to runne such a course with him, for if that bee all his refuge and hope, his stay is no stronger then a reed that will breake with the winde, and his hope but Bastard-like, that will neuer recouer inheritance, by reason there is no descent, but there is a climbing either before or after; where he will so choake himselfe with his violent and disgouerned running, that it will spend him twice as much as the descent shall helpe him.

And now for waights, though a small difference bringeth a2 Pra. 14. The aduantage of waights. matter of moment in a hunting horse that must indure long [Page 71] time and toyle (according to the old Prouerbe, a lambe2. Pr. 1. 18. will weigh an old sheepe in a long carriage) yet it bringeth not such disaduantage in a running horse, that must dispatch his labour in a trice (in respect of the other) if the diffe­rence bee not too great, or the aduantage giuen the stron­ger and swifter horse, (through simplenesse of iudgement:)Halfe a stone is no great matter for foure miles if hee bee a strong horse. For if the stronger horse carry halfe a stone, or more then the other, that is not so very great aduantage (for a foure miles race) as it is thought to be; for it may be he is more able to car­ry that, then the other is to carry his weight, especially if hee haue any thing the better of speed, without either of which orWilfull folly is not to bee pit­tied. both, whosoeuer will wilfully hazard himselfe against the Pikes of his aduersary, (by giuing aduantage in weight) he doth not deserue to be pittied, or to haue a remedy giuen him for to cure his wound.

Yet because there is no man but shall sometimes bee ouer­reached in making a match, I will show you how the disaduan­tage in waights may be mitigated, (so farre as reason and ex­perience hath led me) whereby there will bee proued no such great difference.

But first vnderstand me, that I would not haue you too for­ward in giuing aduantage thereof, vnlesse you know assuredly, that you haue a greater difference in the goodnes of your horse;The best reme­dy to recouer the disaduan­tage of waight. yet if by any vrging occasions you are brought into this relapse, the next way you haue, is to feed strongly, and breath so sound­ly as is possible for the impairing of his strength, and withall to traine a stone, or a stone and a halfe heauier then you are tyed to runne in your match, and likewise let your horse haue heauy (but yet handsome) hunting shooes all the time you traine: For the feeding home maintaineth strength, and soundNote the effect. exercise causeth good winde and toughnesse, and the continu­all carrying of such an extroradinary waight, will so vse him to ride with that burthen, that when hee shall come to ride his match, and is disburthened of that extraordinary waight, it will make him so light and giue him such ease, that the waight will worke small aduantage (for the other) in regard hee will haue runne his course before his strength be so farre spent, as that waight shall haue power to worke any hinderance.

There is also another aduantage which would not bee past [Page 72] ouer without some tast, whereby you may the better iudgeAduantage by distance of way. also how it is aduantage or disaduantage, seeing it is not so in­deed as it showeth in words: And that is to haue aduantage giuen you by a certaine distance of way, either at the begin­ning, or at the ending, or both. And therefore if your Aduer­sary knoweth his horse to bee better then yours, and hee (toOf starting be­fore. worke you in by cunning) offer to giue you tweluescore, or a quarter of a mile aduantage, and so you to start so farre be­fore, you may bee deceiued therein, if your aduersary runne with discretion: For it must bee first presupposed that your ad­uersary hath the greater speed, otherwise hee were simple toA mans conceit is a weake Iudge. giue any aduantage, and then when you start you haue no di­rections to runne by, but onely your meere conceipt; which being doubtfull, you may either (through feare) spend your horse too fast at the first, not knowing how you hold your di­stance; or else suffer so long (lest you should spend too fast) that he shall come vp to you, and then your aduantage is lost. Wher­as he hath alwayes before his eyes the distance of way that is betwixt you and him, and so feeling the running of his horse, he may proportionate his rate so as hee seeth the part of the giuen distance gained answerable to the part of the race that is runne, and so hee may runne within himselfe as occasion shall afford.

There is also another aduantage giuen, which is to start bothTo haue the ad­uantage at the last is the best. together, and to haue such a distance giuen you, as hee is to ouer-runne you, so many score as you shall agree vpon, at the last, which is the better and surer, for so you haue not onely the aduantage of so much liberty, but also the like aduantage to proportionate the part of distance lost, to the quantity of the race spent in running, (as hee had afore of you,) that you need spend no more then shall bee needfull; whereas hee running doubtfull (as you afore) must runne away so fast at the first, lest he should not gaine that ground hee should, that his horse (ex­cept he be very tough) cannot maintaine it, and then you shall beat him in his owne play.

There is yet another aduantage, and that is to haue aduan­tageAduantage vp­on aduantage. of such a distance of ground, both at the beginning, and at the ending, which may well bee called aduantage vpon ad­uantage, for so the hindermost horse must be kept at his full [Page 73] speed to recouer the giuen ground at the first, and then to gaine so much ground againe at the last, which is double aduantage, besides the disaduantage in iudgement of running (as before;) and therefore bee carefull how you giue that aduantage, ex­cept you know your horses speed and toughnesse, is in propor­tion to the other, as sixe to fiue.

Yet there is another aduantage to bee giuen, which being rightly considered is rather a disaduantage, and therefore mayDisaduantage vpon aduan­tage. well be called a disaduantage vpon aduantage, and that is to giue you so much ground at the start as shall bee agreed vpon, and you to keepe the like distance still at the later end, in which through the vncertaine grounds, the man hath to proportio­nate his speed, it includeth all the other inconueniences, being directed by nothing but a slippery imagination, and so the bet­ter horse may be shamefully beat.

And thus I haue briefly set forth the seuerall aduantages with their differences; but before I conclude, I will now proue my former assertion, that a horse which runneth hot at hand, but2. Pr. 18. ^d. (m) will not hold it, cannot be truely said to be of such speed as ano­ther horse that is not altogether so speedy at the first, but yet du­rable.Euclid. 4. Booke.

For instance, take a number as 20. and deuide it first into two equall parts as 10, and 10. and let that bee supposed the [...] tough or whole running course; then take the same number againe and diuide it into two vnequall parts, as 15. and 5. and let that be imagined the hot running horse: Now multiply 10. by 10. and the product will bee 100. then multiply 15. by 5. and that product will arise but to 75. and yet you see that 15. and 5. added together maketh 20. as well as 10. and 10. ma­keth 20. although the product of that is not so great as the pro­duct of this by 25. And the reason is, that the difference of the excesse from 10. which is the meane, (being 5.) is not multiply­ed equally in it selfe: for 5. being the multiplyer, multiply 10. by 5. and it yeeldeth 50. and multiply 5. by 5. because it is the excesse, and it produceth 25. which being added to 50. maketh 75. as afore; but multiply 5. againe by it selfe, and it bringeth 25. more, which being added to 75. maketh 100 answerable to the product of 10. and 10. so that you see, though 15 is [Page 74] more then 10. and hath the vantage at the first, yet 5. is lesse then the other 10. by the square of 5. which is the ex­cesse, and so looseth that aduantage by the quantity of the square of the excesse, as is demonstrated.

Euen so, the whole running horse (though not altogether soNote the Ap­plication. speedy at the first) holdeth his speed from the first to the last, whereby there is no losse, but produceth the best aduantage, as it doth being multiplyed in it selfe, but the vnequall or false running horse, although he haue the aduantage at the first, as 15. hath of 10. to the outward sense, and so may hold it halfe the course, nay it may be ¾ as to 75. yet by reason that his run­ning tended not to the meane, but to the excesse, hee will loose that aduantage at the latter end, in as much as hee hath a lesse proportion of strength and winde to maintaine him at the last, and so the further he runneth, the more hee setleth, as the last fiue doth of the last 10. whereby it is playne that long and true training doth not pull a horse from his speed, but rather increaseth it although he runne not so violently fast at the first,1. Pra. 18. ^d. as hee did, seeing true and whole running horses are to bee ac­compted the swiftest horses, and doe worse the other which rested to be proued.

CHAP. 20. How to cloath a running Horse.

AFter you haue brought your horse to such perfection that he is fit either for a bell-course, or that you haue made a match vpon him; you shall first see that your stable bee2. Pra. 3. darke and close for warmth, and that hee may take his rest as well in the day as the night, and look also that both the man­ger, racke, walles and all other places be kept cleane from cob­webbes and filth, and let him haue continually good store of litter about him, for that will make him haue the greater desire to lye when hee feeleth ease therein, which will much increase his strength and courage; and it will make him pisse2. Pra. 17. more willingly, when nature shall desire, which many horses [Page 75] will hold (to their hurt) if when they pisse, they feele it sprin­kle vpon their legges: And further, to keepe the moistnesse and rawnesse of the earth, from ascending, which might engender colde.

And for his cloathes, whereas before (during the time of2. Pra. 9. his training) he had no more then an ordinary hunting horse, yet now when he is kept for a match, he shall haue more store,The profit of many cloaths. not onely to keepe his body in such a moderate naturall heat, as shall be able to dissolue any raw or grosse humors, (if they shall abound) which would bring some impediment to the horse, if they should be suffered, for thereby the heat shall still be able to disperse them into the outward parts, and so expell them away by sweatings as he sleepeth, which will be a great meanes to purge his body, and to keepe it pure and cleane; but also they will make him very agile and nimble: for hee being vsed to be pestred with so many cloathes, when (as Mr. Mark­ham saith) hee commeth to bee stript naked for to runne his breathing course, he will feele himselfe so light and pleasant, and feele the coole ayre so peirce him, that hee will desire to runne with what speed and courage his ability is able to per­forme.

But yet there would be a meane prescribed in this limitation, for as too few cannot purge well, so too many will force nature1. Pra. 9. too much, and cause weakenes and faintnes in all his powers. Wherefore for an ordinary quantity of cloathes; First, take aHow to cloath a running horse narrow peece of Cotten and cast it round about his body, to lappe about his heart, hauing a brest-plate about the bredth of halfe a yard, to tye before his brest; and next that take a cleane linnen sheete and couer all his body therewith, for that will be pleasing and cleane for his body, and keepe him from what an­noyance might offend him by sweating, either by his foulenes, or extraordinary warme keeping; for the heat of his body will dry it as soone as nature ceaseth working, and the humors eua­cuated: and next aboue it lay a woollen blanket, or a cloth made of thicke cloth, and next that a housing cloth made of canuas, and aboue all another made of strong sackcloth; and let all these bee made so large as they may, to tye close vpon his brest, to keepe his hart warme, for there hee is in the most danger of [Page 76] getting cold; then gird them round about with a sursingle, and2. Pra. 9. wadde him round as you did the hunting horse, and let him haue no more, for these cloathes are an indifferent propor­tion for a temperate season, and may bee increased or dimi­nished by your discretion, as the weather shall change hot or colde.

Now for his dressing, let it bee still after the manner of theThe order in dressing a run­ning horse. 2. Pr. 9. 18. hunting Horse, onely whereas you vse to dresse him twice a day, if you dresse this but once it is no great matter; for if he should be so often stript naked from his clothes, he would be in the more danger of getting colde, by reason he would be so often laid open to the peircing ayre: which thing to preuent also you shall not take his cloathes fully off when you dresse him, but vnloose them first before and fold them downe to his buttocks, (but so as those sides that must bee next his skin, be kept warme,) and dresse his fore-parts, with what speed you can, then fasten them before againe, and fould vp the hinder parts in like manner vp to his shoulders, and dresse him behind; then cloath him vp close, and wadde him about with soft wispes, then rubbe and dresse his head and chafe his legges ve­ry well, and when you haue done, take out his Yard, and picke it from filth and wash it in colde water, and annoint it with Hogs-grease.

And bee sure that you keepe your Stable very close whilst you are in dressing him, for a little Ayre will bee very peir­cing to him when hee is naked: And therefore dresse him likewise about the middest of the day, when the Sunne is at his greatest heate, to qualifie the coldenesse of the Ayre, except it bee your breathing dayes, and then dresse him not till hee goe forth to ayre at night; for you must bee carefull you vncloth him not before hee be colde.

CHAP. 21. Of Ayring.

THus hauing set downe the generall obseruations of his cloathing and ordering in the house (after he is matcht) it resteth to shew you how to order him in his ayring, watering, feeding, &c. And first for his exercise in ayring, you must re­gardThe end and profit of ayring. to what end it tendeth, and what profit it yeeldeth. Now it tendeth to helpe nature to expell her enemies, if at any time the body bee euill affected or the winde stopped, by too much feeding and rest.

And therefore it bringeth this profit, that the ayring euery morning and euening: First, it purifieth the blood and purgeth(1) (2) it from grosse humors, (if the ayre be cleane and pure▪) Second­ly, it helpeth his winde (by exercise) and learneth him to con­ioyne the motions thereof, to agree reciprocally with the acti­ons or motions of his body, by such a common, frequent, and mediocrite practise. Thirdly, it increaseth lust and courage (if he(3) be not too early ayred. And lastly, it sharpeneth and prouoketh(4) the appetite and stomacke (if at any time he forsake his meat, which running horses are much subject vnto, by the excesse of either too much or too little exercise) for that the coldnesse of the ayre will driue his naturall heat from the exterior parts to the interior, to further concoction, that thereby his meat will be sooner digested.

For the reaping of which profits (to help your horse so farreNo good effect without right Application. as this effect hath power) you shall obserue to apply it accor­ding to your horses constitution both in time and manner. But for the time, whereas Mr. Markham doth counsell to ayre him early or late, as the state of his body standeth, as if hee bee fat or high of flesh, then to ayre him before breake of day and after twilight; but if leane or low of flesh, after Sunne rise and before Sunne set: But if neither too fatte nor too leane, then to ayre him in the twilight, from which I am some­thing dissenting, (though his Workes I doe as much ap­plaud [Page 78] as any that heretofore hath written; And my reason is.

That, (in Art) whatsoeuer may any way hinder the strength and lust of nature is to be auoyded:

But night ayrings doe hinder the strength and lust of nature:In Darij.

Ergo, night ayrings (in Art) are to be auoyded.

The Maior is plaine, for that the vse of Art is to no other end, then to helpe towards a restitution of that estate wherewithThe Maior pro­ued. things were indued at the primary beginning.

The Minor is proued in diners places of this Tractate, in thatTh [...]o 1. The Minor pro­ued. th [...] ayre, in the night is contrary to a Horses disposition, for he is hot and dry, and the ayre then being cold penetrateth very1. Pra. 7. sore, (by reason of repugnancy,) and thereby abateth the lust of a h [...]rse (as we may see by those Horses which run abroad all Wi [...]t [...]r) and it is then very moyst withall, in respect the shadow2. Pra. 9. of the earth doth hinder the reflect of the Sunne, that it cannot exhale the moysture that falleth, (as may be seene by the dew, and cold [...]ime that falleth in the night) through which though it is thought to purifie the bloud yet in reason it is otherwise, for it increaseth cold humors the more, which do abate the strengthThe conclusion true. of the horse, by obstructing and corrupting the bloud: and so the conclusion is grantable.

Wherefore come to your horse some halfe houre before Sun rising, (whether he be fat or leane, or of what state soeuer) forThe time of comming to your horse in the morning. then by such time as you haue rubd his head and body, and chafed his legges, the Sunne will be risen, that so you may haue him forth to ayre: for the Sunne being a comforter of all liuing creatures, will comfort and cheare his spirits, he hauing a naturall desire to be refreshed thereby, as is euident by such(e) 1. Pr. 11. ^b. Horses as are abroad all the night, who when the Sunne riseth will couet to such places, as they may stand vnder shelter, and haue the benefit of the Sunne, to be comforted by the heateNote. thereof, after the coldnesse of the night.

Therefore (as I say) haue him out at that time, for then the ayre wil be so temperate, as it will help digestion and, nothing at all impaire nature: & though your horse be fat, yet doe not think to abate his flesh the faster, by hauing him earely forth, for soOf a fat horse how to vse him. you shall diminish his flesh and strength, and yet his ability for [Page 79] labour will be little helped: but you shall still obserue the same times for his ayrings, and keep him out so much the longer, and2. Pr. 8. 10. let sound heats doe that by true labour and long ayrings, which earely and late ayrings should doe: for it is that which causeth perfect winde and valerous courage; and therefore that Horse which is somewhat high of flesh, is better to worke on, then heA fat Horse hath more sub­stance to worke on then a leane. that is low, because he hath more strength and substance to en­dure labour: whereas the other must be so fostred, and fauoured (in his training,) to get strength and flesh, that he oftentimes proueth pursiue and thick winded, when he commeth to be try­ed, (for want of true exercise, and labour.)

And likewise for the manner of ayring, whereas he wisheth that you should lead your horse in your hand and so to walke aOf the manner of Training. foot by him whilst you are abroade, I also differ therein, (except he be a Horse that is very cleane, and hath beene so long trained as hee hath gotten a perfect habit of a true rake, or that hee hath any old straine, and must be fauoured for feare of re­newing it, which if he haue none of these, as soone as you come2 Pra. 20. into the stable in the morning, (if he be risen) and haue rubd him, (as is said, for once dressing in a day will be sufficient for a running Horse, if he be well rubd and chafed at other times, as hee should) you shall take his bridle and wash the snaffle in Beere or Ale, and bridle him vp; then you shall see that all his cloaths be handsome and fast about him, then set your Sad­dle vpon his backe, aboue his cloathes, and gird them close vn­der his belly with the girths, and wad him round about the heart with handsome waddes of straw; then take a new layd egge and breake it in his mouth, and cause him swallow it downe, and so get vpon his backe, and ride him vpon a gentle rake, vp and downe such places as hee may gaine the best ad­uantageAiring on horse backe is better then in hand. both of Sunne and ayre, and where you may haue con­uenient watering thereabouts, and a hill (if it bee possible) to gallop vp after his water, for this manner of ayring a Horse­backe is farre better then a foot, both for his mouth, winde and exercise of his body.

When you haue had him forth so long as you (in your discreti­on) thinke sufficient for the state of your body, you shall haue2. Pra. 15. him home, and vse him as is set downe for your hunting Horse. [Page 80] Note that whilst he is abroad to ayre that he rake orderly both2. Pra. 5. with his winde and body, till he be cunning therein: and when he desireth to stand, that his wind settle to rest gently as his bo­dy doth, otherwise it will bring a contrariety, and cause a hin­derance in the passage thereof, when hee shall come to be sore strained.

Note, that you faile not to exercise him thus euery day both morning and euening, but vpon the day you intend to giue him his breathing course, which then you shall giue him instead of his morning ayring, and then at night vse him as afore. Note, that if you see the weather disposed to a thicke fogge, raine or snow, that then you forbeare to ayre him, for then it is better he should stand in the stable, then to goe abroad, because the moistnesse thereof will pearce through his pores, and so redound to some offensiue grieuances.

CHAP. 22. Of his Watering.

COncerning the watering of a running horse there is a diffe­rence betwixt some mens opinions and mine, but because I haue spoken thereof heretofore, I will but touch their opinions briefly, and referre the taking or leauing of them, as (in their iudgement) they shall finde reason to perswade. Now where­as it hath beene a custome to water a running Horse in the house, and to haue him drinke but once a day, and likewise to put Liquoras, or such like, into the water to helpe his winde, all these I doe except against, and why?

For (first) watering in the house is very hurtfull, for if he be anyOf leting a Horse drinke in the house. thing subiect to take cold, it will be nourished by drinking cold water, (if he be not heated after:) because that waterish hu­mors are enemies to a horse, and will increase vnnaturall super­fluities:Note this Simile. for as standing water doth putrifie & gather filth, so will a horse gather much corruption, and excrementall humors by drinking cold water, if the coldnesse be not mitigated by ex­ercise, to disperse the naturall heate into all the parts of the [Page 81] body. And further, if hee should drinke at any time (in the house) after labour, before his radicall moisture hath quench­edThe danger of letting a horse drinke and not heated after. that excesse of heate gotten by labour, the receiuing of cold water suddenly into his body, (and not hauing any exercise to heate the same) will so ouersway the quantity of naturall heat, that it will benumbe his body and make him shake, and so ha­zard either the mortall disease of foundring in the body, or else hinder concoction, with ouer raw humors, so that he cannot haue good digestion, for want of which, vnwholsome crudities will ingender.1. Pra. 6. 2. Pra. 10.

And therefore water your Horse as little as you can in the house, but let him fetch it abroad, that you may heate it in his body by galloping, and so preserue him from such dangers as may insue thereby.

Secondly, if he drink but once a day, his body will be broughtWhether a run­ning horse should drinke oftner then once a day. very dry and costiue, in that it cannot haue sufficient moisture, to quench that excesse of naturall heate, which will abound, if he be restrained from drinking when the necessity of nature requi­reth, and so that heate will get such prodominancy of the natu­rall moysture, that he will dry too fast the moysture, not hauing a proportionated quantity to keepe his body in a meane temperA Simily. for the nourishment of nature, and so cause an inflamation and distemperature of the whole body, for as too much oyle quencheth the light of the lampe, so if it haue too little, it will consume more speedily.A running horse would be watered as of­ten as he is ayred.

Therefore to keep your Horse in perfect state, I wish all those that will be counselled, to water him euery euening & morning whilst he is abroad to ayre, and let him drinke what hee lusteth, so it be warmed in his body as before, for he will not drinke so much as shall harme him, for that his food must be so perfect and clean from grossenes & dust, that it will not much prouoke thirst.

Thirdly, to put Anise-seeds Liquoras or any other such Apo­the1. Pr. 7. ^h. caries drugges in his water, to make him long winded, it is vnnaturall, vnwholesome, and yet worketh no sound effect, butLiquoras wa­ter is vnnaturall for a horse. 1. Pra. 6. onely a conceipted illusion: For as I haue said, Nature approueth best of that which is the most pleasing to her selfe, and to assi­mulate such nourishment as will maintaine the vitall powers in the best estate, to giue her strength to withstand her enemies: [Page 82] and therefore such kinde of drugs are not consonant nor agree­ingGod prouided grasse for cattel and greene herbs for the seruice of men. to her being Phisicall, and not to be vsed but vpon vrgent necessity, for when the body is well affected and hath a good appetite, if a Horse be driuen to drinke liquoras-water it will weaken nature because his stomack will not digest it so well, nor desire to drinke so much of it as of ordinary water: and so it isLiquoras wa­ter is vnwhol­some. vnwholsome, in as much as it is no natural releife, being differing from his appetite, and so changeth his constitution by exalting of ouermuch heate, not taking sufficient to delay it, and by that meanes also his body will be made dry, and so much the ra­ther because such spices are hot. And whereas it is supposed to increase wind, I grant it doth so in a sinister sort, being diffe­ringLiquora wa­ter is both a si­nister helpe of the winde. from this end wherefore it is ministred, for if hee were to vse any exercise without any strong coaction of the body, as to neigh, play, or such like, then it might produce some likeli­hood, as it doth in a man that may vse it to help his wind, in sing­ing or sounding a wind Instrument, without further action of the body, but for strength of bodily exercise, it is more hurtfull thenA true Simily. profitable. Let a man that is dieted with such drugges to helpe winde (and will not likewise vse his body to true and sound la­bour) be to runne against one that hath ordinary good feeding, and hath vsed his body accordingly; he shall find that he whichMore haue lost then wonne by this diet▪ hath exercise and strong feeding, wil worse the other, though he be neuer so curiously dieted, by such kind of meates and drinks: although they be both at first of an equal speed, nay there is ods that hee will beate him, because his is naturall feeding, and this vnnaturall. Euen so, by application it may be said of horses.

Wherefore I wish to auoyd such kind of drinkes, if you de­sire to bring your horse to his best strength and wind, and let good and sound feeding, and true labour doe that which liquo­ras water should doe, because it will endure the touchstone, when the other will proue counterfeit, for I haue seen more that haue beene so dieted loose, then euer I saw to win.

There is also curious diuersities, what kind of water is best for a running Horse, but because it is not much materiall (forWhat water is best for him. there is not such difference in effect as in words) I will not presse thereon, for so the water be not stinking nor muddy, but either a cleane standing water, or a running spring, it is sufficient. And [Page 83] let him haue his fill both euening and morning, before you come in with him, for it will doe him no harme, (so as he drinke not at any time whilst he is hot,) in regard a Horse that is in strict diet, will be subiect to an excesse of heate, and drinking suffici­ently will be a meanes to coole and abate the same.

CHAP. 23. Of the food of a Running Horse.

THere are many that make a kinde of superstition in feeding a running Horse, (aboue a hunter:) which is rather to make it seeme more curious then necessary, for thereby they allude so much to feeding, that they take away the Art of ri­ding:2. Pr. 12. holding it to be the onely meanes to bring him to his highest perfection both of strength, courage, winde, and speed. But whereas they thinke to make the Art more intricate, and themselues more famous, they abuse it, showes their owneError nourish­eth many in­conueniences. ignorance, disgraces the Horse, and worketh the vndoing of many good minds that delight therein, and haue no know­ledge, but onely relye vpon such preiudicated braines: There­fore for confirming the knowledge of the weak iudicialls here­in, let them know that ther is no such curiosity in this, more then in the other (as it is holden) for they both stand vpon maintai­ning his strength, winde, and speed, (which consisteth vpon true naturall feeding) onely the difference is in continuance of2. Pr. 1. 18. time: that for long toyle, and this to dispatch suddenly; and so to haue his speed supported in the highest degree, during so short a time, which cannot be done by a Phisicall diet to decay nature, but by such feeding as will increase it.

And therefore to abandon curiosity, you shall vse him, (for the first fortnight after he is matched,) in all respects, as you did the hunting horse, (for his kinds of meate, quantity, manner2. Pra. 12. Idem. 11. Idem. 21. and time of his feeding.) Onely whereas I wished to giue him a quantity of prouender in the morning before his water, you shall giue this nothing, except it be a new layd egge or two, downe his throat, before he goe forth to be ayred: at the end [Page 84] of which fortnight if you perceiue that hee hath gotten an able and strong body, and that the beanes cause pursiuenesse, so that he sweateth too much in his breathing courses, you shall for the last fortnight take the beanes cleane away, (except he be a dainty feeder, which then you shall vse sometimes, still to stirre2. Pr. 12. vp his appetite,) and feed him with the best bread prescribed for the hunter, very soundly; for it is very strong and of good digestion, and helpeth the winde. But whereas before, you nee­ded but to chip the bread, you shall this fortnight cut the crusts cleane away, and giue them to some other horse, (for they are hard of digestion, and will heate and dry his body too much.

And for change of meate, instead of beanes and oates, you shall giue him cleane oates, but let them be of the best, andOates well du­sted and washt with whites of egges are excel­lent feeding. well dried first in the Sunne, and put into a cleane cloath or bag, and batte them throughly with a cudgell, then fanne or win­now the hulles and dust away that is raysed by beating, after take the whites of so many new layd egges, as you shall thinke good, for the quantity of Oates (as if two pecks, then halfe a score or a dozen) and wash the oates therein, and dry them in the Sunne againe and giue them your horse, as you shall see best, for this is both a light feeding, and most soueraigne for hisOf moist washt meats. winde. And giue him also oates washt in two or three whites of egges (at a time) and Ale beat together, for that wil coole his2. Pra. 15. body, and keepe it moyst, and is also good for the wind, though some hold it a pursiue feeding.

With these meates you shall feede him the last fortnight some­times with one, and sometimes with another (but let bread be2. Pra. 12. his cheife feeding,) giuing him euery meale so much as he will, but onely the night before you intend to giue him his brea­thing course, (in the morning,) when you shall feede him more sparingly, that his stomacke may be empty, lest if you giue himNote. his heate before his meate be concocted, the excesse of heate cause too sudden digestion, and so oppresse the stomacke with raw crudities, and cause sickenesse or loathing the meat: either of which is sufficient for the losse of a match.

And for that fortnight also, you shall (the day before his brea­thingWhen to mu­sle your horse. day) put a musle of Canuas vpon his mouth, hauing two holes before his nostrells, to receiue winde, and let it not be too [Page 85] straite, but that he may haue liberty to open his mouth freely, and let it haue two strings to reach to the top of his head, and tye behind his eares, to keepe him for rubbing it off. But if hee be a sore and grosse feeder, (that he will eare his litter, or gnaw the racke, or walles,) let him weare it the whole fortnight ex­ceptWhen to mus­sle a ketty fee­der. it be the night after his breathing course, which then (how­soeuer he is) let him feed at his owne pleasure both of haye, and bread that night, for the haye will doe him no harme, so it be sweet and cleane dusted, for it will be cleane digested out of his body before the next breathing day: through which liberty he will so fill his belly, and take his rest so kindly (not hauing any thing to disquiet him) that he will be so fresh and lusty the next day, as if he had done nothing the day before: but after you shal let him haue no more hay, but onely a little which he shall pull2. Pr. 15. out of your hand, to clense his teeth after his feeding. And thus you shall continue in all things, till the match day without al­tring or changing any thing, lest likewise you alter and change his body by vnacquainted and strange foode: for you shall finde (by his heates) that hee will make a true course vpon this feeding.

But for putting oatemeale, butter, or Anise-seeds in the bread. I hold they may be better spared, then vsed, for any good or profit they yeeld; for though oatemeale be strong, yet it is soOatemeale is a solid substance and a drier. solide, that it is not so quick of digestion, nor so sprity, as wheate, and it is also a great drier vp of bloud, so that the bread will be too much costiue, hauing a double proportion of dry food to that of moyst, (for there will be both it and wheate drying, and but onely beanes, moystni [...]g:) and likewise there will be a double proportion of a densit or solide quality to one of As­per or light, (for both it and beanes are heauy, and onely wheatPhisi: de mate­rialis. light:) through which it will be so ponderous, that it will lyeVnumquodque enim natura, et suasponte, in suo simile gaudet. in his stomacke and not digest so soone as it would doe, if wheat had the predominant quality, (as it should indeed) because it giueth more quicknesse and spirit, agreeing the nearest to the horses disposition.

And for butter, I see no reason why there should be any putButter will make bread heauy. in, for though it may be held soluble, yet it is an vnnaturall [...]s­soluter: and besides, it will make the bread heauy and sad, and [Page 86] so hinder digestion (as afore) as the experience of such cakes and crusts, which haue it put into them doe approue. And for1. Pr. 6. 2. Pr. 13. 22. Anise-seeds, I haue spoken sufficiently already, working more damage by ouer heating the body, and drying it, then they doe good in helping the winde.

And likewise there is a pretended curiosity, in dressing the meale so often till it be refined to the purest substance, thinking by such pure foode to bring him to his superlatiue excellency, but in this they passe the limits of reason, in following a conceip­ted curiosity, rather them conducted by a carefull aduise, to con­sider what hinderance it might bring: For herein they strayWhat damage meale too fine dressed bring­eth. (also) out of the true path, for when the meale is so very fine dressed, there remaineth nothing but the chiefe and pure sub­stance, which though it may be made very light by putting good store of barme in it, yet when it is once aboue a day old, it will dry and harden extremely, (as may be seene by manchet or fine white bread,) for that the greatest part thereof must be2. Pra. 12. wheate; and if oatemeale be in it, it will dry and cake the more, by reason of its density, and aridity, whereby it will be compact so close, for want of asperity, that the heate by reason of its le­nity,Metaph. de Male cannot exhaust the humidity, from the inner part till the vt­most be first concocted, and therby wil not be expelled so soone, not being fully digested, and then if he haue any heates by ex­ercise, (as oftentimes it commeth to passe,) before it be excre­mentall, it will oppresse his stomacke, and through violent con­coction, breed raw crudities, and so instead of purifying the blood, corrupt and inflame it, and thereby distemper his body,A surfeit by bread is dange­rous. and bring a surfeit, and then (as in a man, so in a Horse) a surfeit taken by bread is most dangerous: and further, it will cloy his stomacke, and take away his appetite. And it will be so much the worse to digest, because the quality of wheate and oatemeale is siccans or drying, so that it will be of such durity & hardnesse, (being dry for want of humidity to mollifie it) that it will not so easily be expoliated: And therefore no maruayle, though running horses are so much subiect to such aridity and drinesse in their bodies, when they are fed with such hot and drying food, and also restrained from water when nature desi­reth1. Pra. 6. 2. Pra. 22. for to quench thirst prouoked by heate.

Wherefore (as I say) let your bread be but onely beanes and wheate, not being ground nor drest too fine nor course, butNote. so as it shal neither haue so much bran as to putrifie the blood, not so little as to make it too solide, but that it may haue such asperity and subtiley, as the heate may distill into all the parts to giue it quicker digestion.

But because heat is the Vigetatiue organ for nutrition, there­foreWheate doth help to quicken the vitall powers. 2. Pra. 12. it must haue a predomination ouer the moisture, or else they will not fructifie nor grow to pure perfection (as may be seene by the difference betwixt winter and Summer,) therefore in regard wheate is hot, and so a helpe to quicken and stirre vp the vitall spirits and courage, (being the purest and cleanest food,) let the greater part be wheate: and for that bran which is in the bread (so it be not much) will doe more good in scow­ring the maw, and furthering digestion, then harme, by cor­rupting the bloud, and stirring vp inflamation.

CHAP. 24. How to vse a Horse after hee is matched, in his breathing courses.

I Hauing heretofore spoken of the time and manner how to traine a running Horse in his breathing courses, to bring him to his state of body and trueth of winde, therefore I will but bre [...]fly touch some things that may giue further light for the perfecting of the same.

Wherefore let the times and manner of his breathings be still vsed as you did in trayning, before he was matched, yet not vpon the same grounds, but let him be had to some place where2. Pra. 18. he may stand neare to the latter end of that race he is to runne his mateh vpon; that so you may exercise him sometimes there­on, both to bring him acquainted there-with, and also that hee may know his standing, to stirre vp his desire, in running to­wardsToo much fre­quency of any thing will cause rebellion. his Stable. And yet I would not haue him breathed con­tinually vpon the course, for that will cause a bedlam kinde of running: but sometimes vpon some spatious and pleasing grounds, not onely to keepe him in subiection to your motions, [Page 88] but also to giue him as long and sore a course, as you shall thinke needfull to keepe him in perfect strength and purity of winde;Note. for if hee be put to no further labour then the length of the race, (during that month) that small exercise will increase pursiuenesse, except hee bee scanted of his meate, which by2. Pra. 21. any meanes I would not wish. And when you breathe him, if it bee possible, haue some horses vpon the course, to set vpon him, to quicken and reuiue his courage, but let him not haue a sound bloudy course indeede, not of a fortnight or2. Pra. 15. tenne dayes at the lest before the match day; and giue him his last heat (before the match) in his cloathes, and runne it meere­lyThe last course in his cloathes and why? ouer, for that clogging and vnweildy running in his clothes, will bee so troublesome to him, that when hee shall come to be stript naked to run for the match, hee wil feele himselfe so light and nimble, that hee will seeme to flye, and so much the more being held to that, which hee was able to performe in his bur­thensome cloathes.

And likewise, let your horse be led sometimes ouer the race,How to lead him to the race. when you breath him, to make him the better acquainted there­with (against the match day:) And lead him very easily and gently, letting him stand dung, either by whistling or letting him smell vpon other dung, for if it bee mares dung, it will make him pisse (if he be stoned;) and if horse-dung, it it will cause him dung: But if he hath not staled of all the way as he is ledde, when you come to the place of start, vnloose hisHow to vse him at the starting place. wispes and straw them vpon the ground, vnder his belly, and pisse your selfe thereon, which will prouoke him to pisse the sooner: which when hee hath done, vntie his cloathes afore,2. Pr. 16. and thrust them behind the saddle, and mount your selfe there­in, seating your selfe as I haue showne before; then let one strip the cloaths from his buttocks and carry them to the race head, that they may bee ready to cast ouer him when hee hath done his course, and your selfe start him forward gently, till you feele his winde rakte, and after runne couragiously.

And when you are come to the end of his course, hanke him vp gently, bring him backe againe to the staffe, and after youHow to vse him after his course. haue let him pause there a little, (to let him know the end of [Page 89] his labour,) gallop him back againe to meet his cloaths (if they bee not come) and throw them presently vpon him, and gird them fast with the sur-single, and so tide him home after you2. Pr. 11. haue somewhat cooled him, to the stable, where hee shall bee presently set vp, letting him bee rubd, chafed, and vsed in all things as is said, onely let him haue no hay in his racke, nor giue him any thing to eate till he be cold, that his bridle be drawn & you haue giuen him a quantity of Rye bread to coole his body, which shall be giuen him in stead of wheat eares, because they will dry his body too much, it being afore heated with the2. Pr. 11. 12. & 23. violence of his labour; and you may (if you please, or need re­quire) giue him a mash euery weeke once, till the last fortnight, after his breathing course; and after feed him (as is preseribed) according to your owne discretion.

CHAP. 25. How to iudge of the state of a Horses body.

BEcause no man can tell how to worke truely, vpon any subject, except hee haue a iudiciall and good ground; and that no horseman can tell how to bring his horse to his best actions, and keepe him in health, except he haue iudgement in the state of his body, thereby to square all his proceedingsTheo. 30. Therefore I will giue you some light how to haue the surer iudgement thereof, to peirce the thicke mist that might seeme to infect it by the contrary surmising breathings of such as are swallowed in the gulfe of conceipt, being driuen therein by the waues of their ouerflowing opinions. For there are many of this rancke, so soone as they come into the stable, and doe but feele vpon the outward parts, (as the ribbe, flancke and [...]aw,Rash iudge­ment reproued. will in a rash iudgement giue verdict vpon the state of a horses body, and so assume to themselues more firme knowledge, therevpon, then hee that hath both the feeding and training him.

But how deceiptfull the euidence is that is giuen by the meere tactiue senses, is briefly touched already, for the ta [...]a­ble2. Pr. 7. [Page 90] sense can giue no further euidence, then onely of the out­ward superficies; for no quality of the senses can goe but to the surface of any thing, and therefore cannot show the dispositi­on of his inward state.

Wherefore: when you your selfe haue the whole managing ofTheo. 7. the horse, and know that you doe nothing without reasonable consultation, assure your selfe that your Iudgement will weighHow to know his state of bo­dy. 2. Pra. 18. & 24. against a thousand other: Which that you may haue the better ground, examine your selfe whether you haue proceeded true­ly in his training, and so, whether you finde him to haue strength and lust to performe his breathing courses, and whe­ther you haue fed him full and home as you should; likewise whether you haue not abated his strength by too great toyle,2. Pr. 12. 15. 23. & 24. or increased pursiuenesse by too little; which things are the true grounds (being examined by reason) and yet they are hid from many that may come into the stable, (as strangers) you on­ly hauing euidence by action.

But yet vnderstand mee so, as not vtterly to condemne the former Characters, for they are true sometimes, though not al­wayes,One thing doth not proue ano­ther recipro­cally, except they bee con­tradictories. and so no sure proofe of his estate but a signe thereof, for hee may feele cleane in those places, and yet not cleane otherwise within; but if hee be cleane within, then it doth ne­cessarily follow hee will bee cleane there, for the grosse fat and glut may be dissolued from the outward parts, by gentle brea­things and warme cloathing, or by a spare and scant feeding, which are deceitfull; but then when he shall come to be tryed indeed, hee will bee so pursiue and thicke winded, that he can­not maintaine and hold his speed, for want of true labour; and so the manner of clensing is knowne to your selfe but hid from them: and so they may be deceiued, for though he feele cleane, yet they cannot tell how he was clensed.

And in like manner the dung, being simply respected, mayThe dung is a meritrix, as the vrine of a man is. be said to be a Meritrix, for the knowledge of the state of his body, as well as the water of a man, to know his state of body by, for it will alter according to his diet, and as hee fee­deth much or little, or by the alteration of the ayre, and yet continue in good state of body; for I haue seene it alter vpon the alteration of weather, which being temperate, hee being [Page 91] in good state, hath also dunged very good, but the ayre chan­ging from that disposition, his dung hath also changed to beeIt is the nature of heat to shrink from cold, and so contra, whe­ther of them is predominant. drye and hard, and yet no change of meate, nor exercise in the interim, nor change of countenance, to show any male-affect in the body, which made me iudge the cause to be in the cold­nesse of the ayre, that did imprison his naturall heat within him, and so dryed and made his body costiue. And further, I haue seene a horse, that when he was led for his course which hath dunged so hard, that all the field hath past a definitiue iudge­ment against him, and yet he hath returned conquerer, though he was thought ouer-hard matched, and a man may be bound in his body, but feele no impediment thereby. Wherefore if your horse chance to be bound, if you know it is not vpon any doubtfull cause, and that he hath not beene long so, or that hisOf two euills the least is to be chosen. countenance is not cast downe, or his belly not shrunke vp in the wast, yet hee may make a good course, for of the two it is better he should be hard then soft, and therefore as it is, so it is doubtfull to be iudged of.

But if his body be laxatiue and his dung soft, then it is an in­fallibleSoft dung ar­gueth weake­nesse. signe of weaknesse, because nature is hindred by pur­ging, (howsoeuer others hold,) and therefore whether the cause thereof bee knowne or vnknowne to you; it will soone weaken, and therefore preuent it (so soone as is possible) as an enemy to nature. And also if it bee greasie and slimy after his heat, it is a signe of foulenes; and here it bringeth into my mind to answer a doubt, which I heard opposed betwixt two, andObiection. the question was, because that a horses dung is greasie after his heat, whether there were any fat growing on the inside where the excrements are or no? To which I answer briefly, no; forAnswer. if it were so, the expulsiue part could not haue force to expell the excrements, because they would be hindred from passage, by the roughnesse of the knots, and thereby retained so long therein, as it would burne and scald the body: and when the horse were fatte hee could not auoyd his excrements at all, by reason it would grow so much as it would stop the passage, and so cause an vtter subuersion.Obiection.

And againe, it was objected if it were so, how commeth that glut into the inner part which auoydes amongst the excre­ments?Answer. [Page 92] I answere, that as nature hath giuen an attractiue faculty to disperse the nutriment of the food, from the reten­tiue part, into euery part of the body, to nourish and maintaine the same, passing through the arteries, veynes and pores, euen so likewise hath it giuen an expulsiue faculty, to expell from e­uery part any excrement, that might offend or hurt it (by th [...] same meanes) and so that fat when it is dissolued, is but an ex­crement which nature expelleth by those organes in that place, to bee expelled with the other excrements, lest it should de­stroyGrease remai­ning about the heart after it is dissolued, is mortall. the whole subject; and therefore if any remaine dissolued more then nature can expell, it cloyeth the heart and stomacke, and so becommeth mortall, except it be remedied by a new dis­solution, and purged by scowrings, which then is needfull for the helping of nature being oppressed.

But for the colour of dung, after the horse be once cleane, it isThe colour of his dung is de­ceitfull. also deceiptfull, for it may be blacke or tawny, by too long kee­ping in the body, (the horse not hauing alwayes a like appetite) and yet not much hurtfull to him; and againe, (before hee bee cleane) hee may haue his dung of a perfect colour, not being exercised truely to heat it, and also by scowrings or such kind of feeding as many vse, which then is like but a counterfeit peice gilt ouer: but if you haue all these Characters in the best, and your owne practise telleth you they are true, then you may affirme, his body is of as perfect state as Art and Nature can performe.

CHAP. 26. Of the necessity and vse of Sweating.

THere is no meanes so auaileable and necessary to purge a horse, from such grosse humors as are ingendred by fee­ding,What Sweating is. as sweating is; for it is nothing but a superfluous moist excrement left in the flesh and other parts, (after concoction) and is the faculty of action, for heat being stirred vp by the per­cution of motion, doth expell it (after it is dissolued) from theMeta; de continentibꝰ. heart and inward parts.

Wherefore it being an excrement of grosse humors, that ari­seth [Page 93] of nutrition, there is no Horse but must be purged from the same, if there be any regard of health, or abillity of body for la­bour: in regard, that what feeding soeuer a horse hath (thoughThe groser the food is themore it will cause the horse to sweat. neuer so pure, much more being grosse) but after concoction there will recide a quantity of this excrement (according to the quality of the food, and the horse) which must be dissolued by heat, and expulsed from the inward parts, and so distild through the pores of the skinne, to euacuate it by sweating, or else it will corrupt the blood, and breake out into ma [...]gy-scabbs, and suchThe purity of the hart causeth agility. like, because nature desireth to keep the heart free (so long as she is able) from such infection, that it might dwell in a pure and cleane pallace, it being the Prince of the vitall powers.

And further, if they be not expulsed by heate of exercise, they will cause a sad melancholy to rule in him, that he will be so vn­listfull and pursiue, that a small labour wil so heate him within, as it will ouercome and faint the heart, and so cause yeelding, his body being made so grose by them, as it hath no such tenuity either to euacuate them or that the ayre (by his rarity) cannot penetrate sufficiently to delay that excesse of heate, as may be seene by those horses that haue run at grasse without exercise.

Wherefore seeing sweates bring such benefit and profit, letSweats are pro­fitable in their true vse. them be vsed so as they may produce the best effect, for the bet­ter knowledge hereof, they are giuen to a Horse, three manner of waies.

The first and best is to giue him his sweat abroad with­out(1) The best way to giue a sweat. his cloaths, as your breathing courses; for it is giuen by action both of winde and body, and is most naturall, because the heate proceedeth first from the vitall parts within, and so doth driue those humors, which are dissolued, to the outward parts which is distilled through the pores of the skinne, and so aba­teth that superfluity.

The secondly way is to giue him his heate also abroad, but(2) The second way to cause a sweat then it must be in his cloathes, which is not so kindly and natu­rall, for where the other had the heate beginning first from within, this is more violent, because the thickenesse of his cloaths adioyned to his exercise forceth the heate more out­wardly, and so abateth his strength the more, and yet doth not bring him to such purity of winde as the former, because it hath [Page 94] not the like exercise, nor the humors is not so naturally expeld from the vitall parts.

Now the last is the worst of all, which is to giue him a sweat(3) The third and worst way to cause a sweat. in the house, by heating cloaths and loading him therewith till he be forced to sweat without any motion, Now (as I say) this is the most vnnaturall and worst, being altogether violent, for it is prouoked onely from the outward parts, (hauing its begin­ning there) by the heate of fire, and of the cloaths that are hea­ted therewith, which casteth the Horse into such extremity ofSweating in the house as ill as a stoue. heate, that it (as it were) smothereth his vitall spirits, and weak­neth him as if it were a stoue: whereby it doth farre more hurt, then any way good.

Wherefore, if through the vnseasonablenesse of the weather you cannot giue your horse such a heat neare vnto your race, as you would, rather then you vse either of these violent sweats, go halfe a dozen miles to seeke a place where you may breathe him, which though it be but halfe a mile, yet it may be inlarged by often doubling, which will worke farre better effect then ei­therA slender natu­rall heat is bet­ter then swea­ting by cloaths. of the other, for you dwell in a very vnfit place if there be not such a plot in that distance, either of dead fog or sandy way to yeeld you that releife.

But if your horse be an old strained horse, yet recouered again, but so as you dare not heate him when the weather is hard (by frosts) for renewing it, whereby you are in danger of loosing the wager, then you may make a vertue of necessity (although I would not wish any man to be too confident in lame Horses,) and giue him his heate abroad in his cloaths first, by galloping him till he be in a full sweate, which when he is, haue him pre­sently home, and straw good store of litter vnder him, and laye more cloaths vpon him, then stuffe him round with great wisps round about his heart & before his brest, & so keep him stirring to and fro for halfe an houre, hauing a cloath to wipe the sweat from his face and neck, as it ariseth: and when he hath sweat suf­ficiently, abate his cloaths by little and little, till he come to his ordinary cloathing, then rub him and vse him as after his brea­thing courses, and let the first drinke he drinketh be a warme to mash, for that will cause the grosse humors that are dissolued purge away with his dung, & it will also comfort him after that [Page 95] peircing sweat, but in any case I would not wish you should giue him this kinde of sweate after the last fortnight, for it will wea­ken him so much, as that will be time little enough to recouer himselfe; But for the last manner of sweating I will spend no time about it, because I would not wish any to vse it, for that horse which is so lame that he will not indure to gallop in his cloaths till hee sweat, is not fit for any man to hazard money on, except hee haue so much hee careth not what becommeth of it.

CHAP. 27. The applying of Scowrings to a running Horse.

IN regard I haue spoken sufficiently of the abuses and inconue­inences of needles Scowrings, (where I intreated of the hun­ting Horse) & likewise haue set downe those which I haue found2. Pr. 13. (by experience) to be most auayleable to clense him from such glut or grease that might be caused by grosse feeding or ex­cesse of labour, I will not here recapitulate them againe, but onely show how those may be applyed (in like manner) to the Courser.

Wherefore vnderstand, that (in this (aswell as in the other) if you giue him his naturall feeding, with true riding, and also2. Pr. 22. 15. 18. 23. 13. haue care to vse him orderly after his heates, and to keepe his body from distemperature by drugges or spices, then hee will be the lesse needfull of Scowrings.

But yet if you perceiue by any of the afore said characters, that his body is foule, costiue, or euill affected, and that you con­ceiueIdem. 15. Nature is not able (of herselfe) to ouer-come the same, but that they still continue and increase: then for the preuen­ting of a further mischiefe, you may giue him such a Scowring as the necessity of the cause requireth. Therefore, if it be onelyThe applicati­on of scowrings. the binding in the body: then you may giue him that Scowring of Rye crummes and butter: and likewise if you perceiue that the cause ariseth from some glut that was dissolued, but not ex­pelled,2. Pra. 18. Idem. 25. then you shall giue him another heate to dissolue it [Page 96] anew, and giue him an ounce of Diapente brewd in a quart of Ale, warme: but if it be a cold, then giue him two mornings to­gether halfe an ounce of Diapente, brewed in a pint of Mallago-Sacke, each morning warme, or if he be low of flesh, and a small feeder, you may (if you please) giue him a ball, (the quantity of your fist) of that past there prescribed: dissoluing it in­to2. Pra. 18. his water. Any of which you shall apply to your Horse the next morning after his breathing course fasting, and after vse him in all respects as is there set downe. But giue it him so as he may haue two whole daies to feed and rest, to recouer his strength before the next breathing day.