The art of riding conteining diuerse necessarie instructions, demonstrations, helps, and corrections apperteining to horssemanship, not herettofore expressed by anie other author: written at large in the Italian toong, by Maister Claudio Corte, a man most excellent in this art. Here brieflie reduced into certeine English discourses to the benefit of gentlemen and others desirous of such knowledge. — Cavallarizzo. English

The art of riding conteining diuerse necessarie instructions, demonstrations, helps, and corrections apperteining to horssemanship, not herettofore expressed by anie other author: written at large in the Italian toong, by Maister Claudio Corte, a man most excellent in this art. Here brieflie reduced into certeine English discourses to the benefit of gentlemen and others desirous of such knowledge. — Cavallarizzo. English

Table of contents

Title page

To the right worshipfull Maister Henrie Mackwilliam, one of hir Maiesties Gentlemen Pensioners.

To the right worshipfull, my verie louing companions and fellowes in Armes, hir Maiesties Gentlemen Pensioners.

To the Reader.

CHAP. 1.

CHAP. 2.

CHAP. 3.

CHAP. 4.

CHAP. 5.

CHAP. 6.

CHAP. 7.

CHAP. 8.

CHAP. 9.

CHAP. 10.

CHAP. 11.

CHAP. 12.

CHAP. 13.

CHAP. 14.

CHAP. 15.

CHAP. 16.

CHAP. 17.

CHAP. 18.

CHAP. 19.

CHAP. 20.

CHAP. 21.

CHAP. 22.

CHAP. 23.

CHAP. 24.

CHAP. 24.

CHAP. 25.

CHAP. 26.

CHAP. 27.

CHAP. 28.

CHAP. 29.

CHAP. 30.

CHAP. 31.

CHAP. 32.

CHAP. 33.

CHAP. 34.

CHAP. 35.

CHAP. 36.

§

§

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[Page] THE Art of Riding, conteining diuerse necessarie instructions, demonstrations, helps, and corrections apperteining to horssemanship, not heretofore expressed by anie other Author:

Written at large in the Italian toong, by Maister Claudio Corte, a man most excellent in this Art.

Here brieflie reduced into certeine English discourses to the benefit of Gentlemen and others desirous of such knowledge.

Imprinted at London by H. Denham. 1584.

To the right worshipfull Maister Henrie Mackwilliam, one of hir Maiesties Gentlemen Pensioners.

[Page]

[Page]

SIr, I had rather you misliked my labour, than mistrusted my good will. And therefore being often pressed with your desires, I haue heere brieflie collected the rules of horssemanship, according to Claudio Corte in his second booke.

I haue not Englished the author at large, nor medled with his manifold digressions; neither haue I spoken of all things conteined in the said second booke: but onelie those that concerne the making of horsses for seruice. I haue also left that part vntouched, [Page] which intreateth of bitting the horsses, bicause the same hath beene long since verie substantiallie handled by Maister Blundeuile.

And surelie, albeit in this hir Maiesties most prosperous and peaceable reigne, the Gentlemen of this land haue studied to make horsses more for pleasure than seruice: yet who so shall truelie consider to what end horssemanship tendeth, must needs knowe, that the principall vse of horsses is, to trauell by the waie, & serue in the war: whatsoeuer your horsse learneth more, is rather for pompe or pleasure, than honor or vse. Yet doo I thinke it allowable and therewith commendable, that some horsses (cheeflie of Princes & great personages hauing store) should be instructed in those singularities, and exquisite motions for pleasure, as well to delight the lookers on, and make proofe of [Page] the riders excellencie; as also thereby to shew the capacitie of the beasts.

By these few words you can conceiue the substance of my labour, which I haue taken in hand rather to content you, than acquit my selfe with commendation. For although some men suppose it an easie thing, to reduce the conceipt of anie author into an other language; yet am I assured it behooueth him not onelie to haue an exact vnderstanding in that toong, wherein the author writeth, but also apt words, and fit phrases in his owne, to expresse the same. Which is also the more hard, if the matter be demonstratiue and artificiall (as this is) conteining diuers particular termes in our English not to be expressed.

It seemeth therfore, that whosoeuer shall, either by waie of translation or abbreuiation, set downe the conceipt of this author, it [Page] behooueth him to be fullie informed of his meaning, and well exercised in the Art of Riding: in both which I must confesse either absolute ignorance, or simple knowledge. In respect whereof, I praie you represse this booke when you haue perused it, or else preserue it at your owne perill. From the Court at Greenewich, this 18. of Maie. 1584.

Your poore freend and fellow in armes, T. Bedingfield.

To the right worshipfull, my verie louing companions and fellowes in Armes, hir Maiesties Gentlemen Pensioners.

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MAnie bookes haue beene excellently well written by Italians concerning horsmanship, a fit studie for Gentlemen to bestow some time and trauell in. Which hath mooued me (diuers times) to wish, that some one able to performe it, would take in hand to translate into English some part of those workes, for common benefit, thereby to encourage our Gentlemen to practise horsemanship, not onelie for the seruice of their countrie (if need so require) but also for their owne exercise, as an ornament of greatest commendation in men of their profession. Among others, whome I somtime mooued to vndertake this labour, I entreated of late my verie friend M. Thomas Bedingfield, our fellow and companion in Armes, to affoord his paines in the reducing of these few precepts, gathered out of a larger volume written by Claudio Corte, into our English toong. Who hauing with all courtesie satisfied therin my request, and finding the [Page] worke verie well worthie the printing, I could not in anie wise consent it should be suppressed, but haue presumed (as you see) by my friends leaue, to cause it to be published, & to make a briefe dedication therof vnto you aboue others, as Gentlemen best able to iudge of it: as also for the benefit of those which haue any gentlemanlie disposition to attaine to perfection in horssemanship. And for M. Bedingfield, I need vse no further speach, nor make any particular mention of those commendable partes which we all know to abound in him, but onelie wish him that imploiment I thinke he is worthie of. For the matter now in hand, I referre you to the worke it selfe; which (I hope) you will thinke well worth your labour in the perusing of it, and rest of my opinion, that hereafter in short time by experience we shall find verie manie of our countriemen much profited thereby. From the Court at Richmund this first of June. 1584.

Your affectionat freend and companion in Armes H. Mackwilliam.

To the Reader.

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SIth contrarie to my desire and expectation this tretise of horsemanship is happened into the Printers hand, I haue thought good to remember the readers, that albeit Xenophon, Grison, Claudio, and others (men most excellent) haue prescribed sundrie rules and meanes how to handle horsses, & ride them with good grace and seemelines; yet if the same be not confirmed by vse and practise, it prooueth vnprofitable & to none auaile at all. I wish therfore that all Gentlemen & others desirous of that knowlege, should not onelie read, but also exercise the rules in this booke prescribed. For as in all [Page] other sciences demonstratiue, so heerein vse and experience surmounteth all conceipt & contemplation, which is apparentlie perceiued in those that haue therevnto applied themselues.

And surelie I suppose (be it spoken without offense of time past) that this art hath neuer beene (I meane within this realme) of that perfection it now is; neither were the horssemen of former ages, equall or comparable to some now liuing, sith they wanting both demonstrations, and skilfull instructors, could not by possible meanes atteine therevnto. For, before M. Blundeuile, I find not anie that haue written in our toong: neither were the teachers of that time of much knowledge. Where now, cheefly within hir Maiesties most prosperous reigne, (incouraged by the valorous disposition of so excellent a Prince) diuers haue aduentured to write, & many vertuous Gentlemen [Page] with singular commendation, atteine to great knowledge.

Ouerlong it were to reaccount the names of all Noblemen and Gentlemen, that in this age haue aspired to singular skill in horsmanship, which I impute cheeflie to the imitation of great personages. I wish therfore that they, and al other Gentlemen should (both for priuat exercise & publike respect) applie themselues to the studie and practise of this art, following the example of that honorable person the Earle of Leicester, who among manie other vertuous qualities both of mind & body, hath indeuored to atteine so great excellencie in this art, as for his iudgment, cunning and cōlines in riding, he meriteth the prise of perfection. Which appeereth not onlie in his owne person, but also in his choise of the esquires & riders of hir Highnes stable, all men of great knowledge: and some of them of such excellencie as may not be matched. I could also recite [Page] the names of diuers other Gentlmen very skilfull & commendable, which the rather to auoid enuie I omit. Yet may I not forget the praise due to those that be teachers of this art in the citie of London; for by their industrie and vertue, the number of seruiceable horsses & horssemen is dailie increased: & should be more, if other skilfull men would applie themselues to teaching in that maner.

Thus much I haue thought good to saie, as well to excuse my selfe (hauing written this worke onlie to satisfie my priuate friends request) as to admonish the Readers therof, in any wise to accompanie their studie and reading with dailie vse and experience, wherof assuredlie great knowledge and excellencie will ensue.

T. B.

CHAP. 1.

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In what sort to handle a colt being made fit to be ridden.

FIrst you shall vnderstand, that so soone as your horsse hath ben haltered, and is made gentle, you may mount on his backe, & following an other horsse (if neede be) trot him in some waie, or other ground, sometimes straight foorth, and sometimes ouerthwart, without order or respect, which you shall vse by the space of ten daies; euer remembring that in the end you bring him into some furrow or place where he is forced to set his bodie straight, and there faire and easilie make him to retire. But all this while the rider shall sit in the pad, with his legges stretched out, not bending them towards the horsses bodie, or touching his bellie; but as though he stood on the ground, yet keeping his thighes and knees iust to the sadle, and holding the raines of the [Page] Cauezzan at such a length, as the horsse may conuenientlie go forwards. This order must be obserued and continued till the horsse be well setled, and will suffer his rider to mount and dismount at his pleasure: which he will quicklie, being gently vsed and faire handled. It seemeth also in mine opinion a thing most commodious and commendable, that the horsse being a colt should bee taught after the Persian manner to The Persian manner of teaching a horsse obedience. kneele downe to his rider, to the end he may with the more ease go to and from his backe.

When the horsse is become somwhat settled, and beareth his sadle well, M. Claudio willeth he should be pased foorth the length of three yards, or there abouts, and there staie to cherish him a little with your right hand, yet not any whit at all slacke the reine of his headstraine. From thence you shall go streight foorth into some field or large waie, & for a few daies not doo other than in this sort: Trot him right out, and sometimes make him retire faire and easilie, to the end his head may become staid, and his necke strengthned. Being thus settled, and standing a while still, you shall offer to pase or trot round about faire and softlie, euer remembring that these turnes at the beginning ought to be exceeding large, and at leasure; least the horsses necke be made [Page] weake, or pulled on one side: which error is often committed by ignorant riders and handlers of horsses at their first backing.

Hauing thus done diuerse times and diuerse daies, you may put your colt to trot the wheeles or rings, marked out by some other perfect horsse. And I would wish, that at the beginning a colt should follow an other horsse, for that he will take his waie the more willinglie: and the rider shalbe lesse occasioned to writh his necke in turning. First he shall make three turnes on the right hand, and then three on the left hand, in the vpper ring; and then returne to the other ring beelow, and make therein three turnes; which turnes your horsse shall continue so long, as by the riders discretion shalbe thought good: not forgetting that in the beginning the horsse must be mildlie and gentlie vsed, chieflie in trotting these rings.

Note that commonlie all horsses doo turne Why horsses do commōlie turne more willinglie on the left than on the right hand. more willinglie on the left than on the right hand; either bicause that nature dooth so lead them, or that the motion from the right to the left hand is most agreeable with the disposition of all creatures; or that we commonlie hold the reines in our left hand, or that the horssekeeper leading him doth most commonlie hold him on [Page] [...] [Page] [...] [Page] his right hand and turneth to the left, and likewise in dressing him in the stable, most vsuallie turneth him on that hand. Sith then eueric horsse hath this propertie by nature, by ordinarie motion, and the hand of man; it is necessarie that euer (or for the most part) he should begin & end his turnes on the right hand. And for as much as euerie motion is more violent towards the end than in the beginning or middest thereof; it seemeth that the horsse will end his turnes ouer speedilie on that hand, whervnto he is by nature most inclined, vnlesse he be discreetlie restreined by the riders hand.

I would likewise aduise you, that when so euer anie horsse, either at his first riding, or after, shall What is to be doone, if a horsse leane more on the one side than on the other, &c. leane more on the one side than on the other, or that he holdeth his necke on the one side (for some horsses be foled contrarie to that we haue spoken, with there nose or necke turned rather to the right side than the left) that then you shall vse to turne him from that he is naturallie inclined, and so both in the beginning and ending make his turnes. As for example: if he leaneth or turneth his head towards the left hand, then shall you in turning or managing begin and end on the right hand; and contrariwise, if he leaneth to the right hand, then to begin and end on the [Page] left hand. Now hauing finished the number of turnes in the large rings, you shall with some speed & more franklie trot your horsse straight foorth the length of a iust manage, stopping him betwixt the two small rings; where pausing a while, & cherishing him with your hand, returne him in that ring which is on the right hand, and then pase him two or three turnes, changing your hands as you did in the large rings: sauing that in the end you ought to be in the same place where you stopped, and began to enter the turne.

You must also remember, that as well in the large as the narrow rings, your horsse in the end ought euer to go and turne with more franknes and speed. Then hauing staied a while, to cherish him; you shall cut the narow ring in the midst, and from thence trot your horsse to the ordinarie place of dismounting: yet before you alight, faile not to make much of him, and once or twise aduaunce your selfe in the saddle, to the end your horsse may stand firme, which doone you may gentlie alight, but not presentlie suffer the horsse to depart from the place. Thus it appeareth, that the conditions and nurture which you teach your horsse at the beginning, ought to be good and profitable. I desire therefore, that [Page] aboue all things horsses should at the first bee taught gentlie, and with great patience.

CHAP. 2.

Of the largenes of the rings and their vses.

THe rings to serue all sorts of horsses (as M. Claudio saith) ought to be foure elnes at the least in their diametre: and if they be somewhat larger, a colt at his first riding will like them so much the better. Now to make some demonstration of the forme of the said rings, behold this figure which is the ring:

[figure]

and the line that diuideth it in the midest is the largenesse or widenesse thereof. But you must note, that the widenesse of the small rings ought not to be much more than one elne. And to the end you may the better conceiue how the rings [Page] should be made, where to enter, where to come out, and how to exercise your horsse in them, behold the demonstration or figure set downe in the end of this chapter.

Sure I am, that some riders accustomed vnto two rings will accompt this figure of three large and three small, to be a thing most strange: and where they commonlie doo vse foure turnes on euerie hand, I would haue onelie three, or rather but two. Notwithstanding, if they please to cōsider mine intent, they shall find I haue framed this forme of turnes, to eschew wearisomnesse both in the rider and in the horsse, who (cheefelie if he be yoong) will lightlie forget what he ought to doo. Wherefore in my iudgement, these rings (though more in number) will not so much busie the memorie neither of the horsse nor the rider. Besides that, you may perceiue how in these three large rings you may conuenientlie handle two horsses at one time: which within two rings cannot be so conuenientlie doone. I shall not need to set downe anie entrie or going out of these rings or turnes; for wheresoeuer you enter, you ought also to passe out: and in mine opinion euerie horsse in the beginning, and after, dooth prooue better, being vsed to few turnes than manie on one hand. I haue set out the three [Page] small turnes, to be vsed with the same order: which you may exercise or not, as by your discretion shall be thought meete.

Touching the profit which proceedeth of The profit of trotting the rings. trotting the rings, I saie that it bringeth the horsse to be well breathed, it maketh his shoulders and legges nimble, it setleth his head and necke, it maketh him to beare light on the hand, it giueth him heart and courage, it maketh him willing to turne on either hand indifferentlie, it correcteth all euill conditions, and the horsse becommeth more apt and disposed to the short turnes, and euerie other kind of manage.

The vse of the ring is necessarie for skirmish, The manifold vse of the rings. for battell, and for combate, either offending or defending. It is also a comelie sight in the rider, and standeth him in steed for the exercise of the turneie, and all other feats of armes. Moreouer, it is a thing that naturallie horsses doo loue: which is prooued, in that the yoong foles, so soone as they are borne, doo presentlie runne about, plaieng as it were in circular wise. I doo therefore conclude, that the ring turnes are things of much importance.

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The forme of the foresaid rings.

CHAP. 3.

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How to teach your horsse in the figure like vnto a snaile, which Maister Claudio calleth Caragolo or Lumaca.

AFter you haue vsed your A description of this Caragolo or Lumaca see pag. 12. colt vnto the rings aforesaid, till he trotteth perfectlie well; then shall you put him vpon a cannon made fit for his mouth and stature: which doone, hauing ridden him twentie daies therewith, you must faire and easilie trot him in a large ring, and by little and little bring him into a straight compasse, first pasing, and after trotting him. Then when you haue brought him as it were within the compasse of an elne, you shall change hand, by litle & litle, inlarging the ring till you come vnto the same widenesse wherein you began: and there vpon the same hand you shall put him straight into the other Caragolo; wherein being, you must vse the same order which you did in the former; restraining or drawing in the horsse as afore. This doone, turning towards the right hand, you shall gather into the streightnes of the other Caragolo: which order you ought to obserue, [Page] so long as by your discretion shall be thought fit. Then shall you (hauing first giuen your horsse breath in the middest of the Caragolo) put him foorth and stop him.

Then pawsing a while in that small ring, you shall giue the horsse two or three turnes, leaning on that hand which you thinke fittest. From thence you shall passe foorth, passing in the manage path, vntill you come into the other small ring, when making proffer to stop, you shall put him foorth two pases, & so first in the one and after in the other interteine him, turning him in the one end & then in the other of the manage, wherein as you pased him, so may you trot him eight or ten times. But in trotting, I wish that so soone as you be come to the ring, you should end with a stop, and then suddenlie thrusting the horsse forward halfe the waie, make an end vpō that hand which seemeth most necessarie, there stopping him for good, and presentlie dismount. This manner of lesson M. Claudio calleth Caragolo or Lumaca, because it resembleth the forme of either. But for the better conceiuing thereof, behold the figure it selfe.

[Page]

[figure]

[Page] The profit that commeth by this kind of manage is great, and much greater than that proceedeth through vse of the rings aforesaid: for it worketh all those effects which they doo, and with more facilitie reduceth the horsse to good order in turning and managing. Besides that, the same is a motion sightlie and pleasing: for it cannot be denied that to turne in the beginning large, and so by little and little restraining the horsse, first pasing, next trotting, and lastlie galoping easilie or frankelie, is a motion verie sightlie and contentfull to the lookers on. Also such an artificiall kind of manage sheweth great aptnes, nimblenes, courage, strength & obedience in the horsse, likewise much skill and order in the rider. I may saie more ouer in cōmendation of this manage, that by vse thereof onelie, a horsse may be made readie and perfect, which by vse of the two or the three rings may also be, but with much difficultie. Who so shall also consider well therof, may perceiue, that by meane of this Caragolo, a horsse is taught to turne vpon the ground, which the Italian termeth Raddoppiare terra terra. I doo therefore perswade euerie horseman to excercise his horsse more in this than anie other kind of manage, as well for the reasons aforesaid, as the rather thereby to giue [Page] him breath, make him obedient, and for manie other respects too long to be here expressed.

CHAP. 4.

How to teach your horsse the manage resembled vnto the letter S: and the commoditie thereof.

ANother kind of manage A description of this double S see pag. 16. there is, which may be likened vnto an S: made in this manner. First you shall pase and after trot your horsse as it were in the forme of a ring; but before you come to close it, you must turne on the contrarie hand, and pressing forward take a larger compasse; from whence you shall come backe through the middest of the marke readie made, and from thence inlarging returne vpon the same hand you began, till you arriue at the place where you entred: which in the end will prooue the iust proportion of the letter S doubled: which figure ought to be made somewhat long, cheeflie to teach a yoong horsse or ignorant colt.

And to the end you may the better conceiue what hath beene said, you must imagine two [Page] wheeles or rings to be put together, and that the said rings were not fullie round, but somewhat longlike vnto an eg, where passing from the one to the other you make one onelie turne vpon one hand. Now when you haue ridden your horsse so long as is conuenient in this manage, you must euer end vpon the same hand you first began. Then going foorth by the same waie, you shall keepe straight, & stop your horsse without the figure, the length of a short manage. But if you please to end within the S it selfe, it will not be amisse, but rather more cunning and sightlie to behold.

The waie so to doo, is to cut the S in the middest, and at the end of the turne make a straight ring, and from thence passe right foorth to stop at the end of the S, cutting the figure in the middest, which dooing two or three times in the selfe same path, at the last you must make half a turne and then departout. The forme of this figure may not be longer than a iust manage, nor longer than foure elns. Also the small rings in the end of the manage, within the S, or without the S, should not be in widenesse much more than one elne.

The commodities proceeding of this manage The commodities of the foresaid manage of S S. are diuerse, and so apparant as need not be [Page]

[figure]

discoursed. Onlie I saie that it may be made at firste large, then straiter and straiter, accordinge vnto the order of the Caragolo: wherby the horsse shalbe informd how to com into his manage with the halfe or hole turne, without rest or with coruettes, or in turnes with iumps, that wil haue the grace & fashiō of such a manage.

CHAP. 5.

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How to manage your horsse in and out, which Maister Claudio calleth Serpeggiare, with the profit thereof.

THe commoditie that cō meth A description of this manage, see pag. 19. of this manage is not a little: bicause in vse therof the horsse becommeth well breathed, nimble, and readie on either hand. It causeth him also to knowe the bridle, the hand, and the heele. Moreouer it is necessarilie vsed in all skirmishes, to auoid the danger of the harquebusse, and other small shot. Also euerie horsse delighteth in that kind of manage, & the more, if he be fierce and couragious. The proofe thereof is found true, in that all horsses of great courage doo of themselues naturallie trot, turning their bodies vnder the man to and fro: as I said before they delighted in turning. The Italians doo terme this manage Serpeggiare, bicause the horsse therin dooth vse a motion like vnto the snake sliding in & out, as in the figure hereafter is expressed.

I knowe well that this kind of manage, without anie demonstration or figure, is easilie conceiued: [Page] yet I thinke it not amisse to entreat therof, to informe the ignorant that be desirous to knowe, and the rather, for that I find the same much discontinued, and as it were banished the schooles: where now adaies nothing is almost vsed but sundrie sorts of superfluous dansing and pransing, which M. Claudio calleth Coruette & pesate vaue.

The maner of this manage is first to bend your horsse towards the right hand, and wheeling to The manner of the Serpeggiare. and fro forward as it were the length of a short carriera, shut vp a ring on the left hand. Then returning after the same maner, close the other end on the right hand. Which you may continue so long as by your discretion shall be thought good. And when you determine to leaue, being at the one end, you must put forth the horsse straight the length of six elnes, there stopping him in such order & fashion as best becommeth him; where hauing paused a while, you shall make him retire presentlie: then staieng againe, cast him first on the one hand, then on the other, large or straight, fast or slow, as you shall thinke fittest for the force and skill of the horsse. You may also (if you thinke so good) teach your horsse in doing this manage to false & mocke in turning, which the Italians call Volte ingannate [Page] and Rubbate.

¶ A description of the manage in & out, called the Serpeggiare; for the furder meaning whereof looke before in the xvij. page.

It will also make him more redie and liuelie on ech hand, when hee shall manage without rest.

CHAP. 6.

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What lessons are to be taught the horsse after the turnes before said.

WHen you haue brought your horsse to be well staied, & that he vnderstandeth both the large and narrow rings, bearing himselfe comelie vpon the cannon; you shall trotte him streight foorth the length of a short carriera: and at the end thereof faire and easilie stop him, so as he may stand and staie himselfe firmelie. For by so dooing (cheeflie if you hold the reines euen) he shalbe forced to beare his necke and head staied: which I would wish you to doo, till such time you find he is become firme and iust in his stopping. But if you see that he stoppeth not streight and iust as he ought to doo, then without turning of anie hand, put him againe streight foorth the length of halfe a manage, and there againe stop him with helpe of your bodie, and drawing one of the reines of the Cauezzane more than the other, put him backe: which order well obserued shall bring the horsse to stop streight & iust, either at the second or third time [Page] of stopping. And remember, that as in the other, so in this lesson you must vse much patience; sith euerie horsse is more easilie woon by faire handling than by force.

After you haue thus awhile enformed your horsse to stop, and beare his bodie streight and iust; you may returne to the exercise of his former lessons, & in them continue so long as your selfe shall thinke good: euer remembring you leaue him in good breath & courage, for by that meanes he shall not become abiect of mind, but be sound of bodie and liuelie of spirit. Neuerthelesse, if the horsse committeth anie disorder, you shall before you dismount, sollicite and practise him, till you find him to amend and doo that well which you would haue him. As for example, if he stop not iust, and firmelie, holding his head in the due place, you may not cease to stop him so oft till you see he dooth euerie thing as you desire. In like manner he must be handled committing anie other error, for till you haue brought him to amendment, he may not in anie wise be suffered to depart.

CHAP. 7.

[Page]

By what meanes to teach a colt to vnderstand the helps of the rod, the heele, and the voice.

WHen you haue brought your colt to trot well straight foorth, stop firmelie, and make his large turnes iustlie: I would haue you remember that as yet you shall not stop him vpon the decline of anie hill or steepe place. From this time foorth you may vse a rod; and when so euer he committeth anie fault, presentlie correct him therewith, & accompanie your correction with your voice. As for example: if he goeth not well forward, you may with a certeine cherk of your lips prouoke him forward, adding therto a stripe or two with your rod vpon his bellie, iust betwixt the sursingle and your heele: whereby he shall at one instant, or at sundrie times, tast of three corrections.

So soone as the horsse trotteth well, stoppeth and can make his large rings iustlie, you may put him vpon the cannon, which would be somwhat worne before, suffering the curbe to be verie [Page] loose, and the reines verie slacke. But after from time to time you may gather them vp by little and little, drawing them to the iust length, making the curbe and cannon to stand in the true place.

And to the end the horsse may become the more assured and accustomed to the bridle, you must (while he is warme and doing his ordinarie lessons) faire and easilie by degrees drawe the reines to the true length, and then with discretion straine them more or lesse, till the reines be brought to the iust length, and the curbe vnto the true place.

If the horsse shall not go in the rings as he ought, but leaneth more on the one hand than on the other, or goeth out of the path; then must The vse of the rod, the heele, and the voice. you helpe him both with the rod, your heele, and voice altogether: which must be doone in this case, according to the rings and the qualitie of the fault committed. As for example: if you would incourage the horsse to go with more speed, saie, Via, via, beating him on the contrarie shoulder with the rod: and if you would yet encrease his speed, then say, Via, via, via, & in the same instant strike him on the contrarie shoulder, and likewise with the contrarie heele.

Moreouer, it seemeth in mine opinion verie [Page] conuenient, when you trot the ring vpon the right hand, that then notwithstanding you keepe the reines iust, yet you should raise the right hand some what aboue the left, and also a little aloofe from it; to the end you may carrie the rod with the point thereof towards the left shoulder. Besides that, whensoeuer a greater helpe is required, you must raise your right hand much higher, beating the horsse as it were with the whole rod vpon the same shoulder. Then changing hands, with the selfe same order you shall turne the rod towards the right shoulder, from time to time touching the horsse vpon the same shoulder, and (deseruing it) to vse greater correction.

True it is, that these corrections ought to be The vse of the forsaid corrections. vsed, rather to enforme the colt how to vnderstand the first lessons, than for the correction it selfe. For afterwards you shall dailie increase your corrections, and become more sharpe and terrible in voice, and otherwise, as the colt giueth occasion.

CHAP. 8.

[Page]

How to teach your horsse to retire or go backe, and the commoditie thereof.

BIcause I am hereafter to speake of retiring, it seemeth fit to enforme you what profit it carrieth, and how to make your horsse doo it. When you haue gone forward so farre as we haue before assigned, you must assaie faire & softlie to draw in the reines of the Cauezzan, which must be done with both hands euen together, holding them lowe towards the horsses shoulders, drawing him backe two pases. But if the horsse resisteth, then doo not in anie wise inforce him, but cause some footeman that hath knowledge, to come neere, first to cherrish the horsse, and then faire and easilie to laie hand vpon the reine of the Cauezzan, gentlie putting him backe: which your selfe must also doo at the same instant. But that not sufficing, let the said footeman with a rod lightlie strike him on the knees and forelegs, not rating him, but speaking gentlie, and then he will perhaps with lesse a doo than we haue spoken retire willinglie.

[Page] But though it fortune that all these meanes will not preuaile, yet vexe not the horsse in anie wise, either with pulling or beating; but after you haue trotted him a good space about, and stopped him, doo thus. First offer him to go backe; which if he refuse to doo, cause him to trotstrait foorth in some euen ground; & hauing stopped, suddenlie offer him to retire: and I am sure he will either the first, second, or third time doo it, though not the same daie, yet the next daie after.

But note, that if the horsse, which hath worne a The vse of correction when necessarie. cannon and a sadle, doo hap to haue so great obstinacie or disobedience, as he refuseth to go backe, you may not then vse so manie faire meanes or respects, but shall emploie the corrections due vnto that disobedience: as beating on the legs, quiching with the Cauezzan, sometimes with the one, sometimes with the other hand, and sometimes with both together: and also giue him a chocke or two with the bridle, saieng; Retire, retire: or, Backe, backe.

And if it so be, that all these corrections will not force him to retire, then must ye dismount, & take one reine of the Cauezzan in your hand, causing an other footeman to laie hold on the other, and betwixt you force the horsse gentlie to [Page] go backe, and in the same instant strike him vpon the knees, accompanieng those stripes with your voice.

Moreouer, if all that you can doo will not bring him to retire, yet staie firmelie in the same place, and assaie once more patientlie to put the same correction in vre, offring the horsse to go backe: and if he so doo, put him forward againe to the same place, and then mount on his backe, and you shall find him presentlie content to retire: which dooing, you must make much of him, both by your voice and hand, and once more put him backe. Marie if he refuse, then presentlie alight, and doo as you were woont, correct him on foot, till he becommeth obedient: for ye shall be sure within two or three mornings, he will doo as you will haue him, or perhaps within an houre. You must in no wise vse these extreame corrections, as chocks with the bit and Cauezzan, to anie colt that weareth no bit, seeing they are fit for horsses of more continuance, & vsed to the bridle: but I thinke for horsses that beare the bit, and become disordered, correction would be performed with terror.

Touching the commodities that proceed of The commodities of retiring, &c. retiring, or putting the horsse backe, they be more than euerie man conceiueth. For retiring [Page] maketh the horsse light vpon his stop, and nimble in bestowing his legs in all his dooings. Beside that, if he happen into such a place as he can neither go forward nor turne, it standeth him in great steed to retire directlie. It helpeth him also in the motion of his shoulders and legs, to make him slide on his heeles and stop well. And aboue the rest, it is of most necessitie to make him firme and staied vpon the bridle, & also go light vpon the hand. All which things, with diuerse others, how necessarie they are, I leaue to the consideration of euerie discreet horsseman.

CHAP. 9.

How the colt after he hath beene ridden two moneths ought to be gallopped.

IT seemeth that to make your horsse trot well, and setled of head, M. Claudio thinketh two moneths a time sufficient. Notwithstanding, hee would haue him continued in his ordinarie lessons, thereby to increase his breath by little and little; also to vse him to stop & retire, not forcing much, though all this while he be not stopped vpon anie hanging ground, [Page] bicause it maketh a colt fearefull in stopping, & also streineth his sinewes, ioints and loines. But when he knoweth perfectlie how to stop and go backe, you must euer after euery stopping make him retire two or three pases, foorthwith putting him as much forward, and then for a while stand firme.

And for as much as I suppose, that in these two moneths, your horsse will go well & staied vpon the canon, I would wish you to bring him into some place of good ground for a carriera, hauing on the one side some wall, pale, or banke. It were also verie conuenient, that at the end of the carriera, the ground were somewhat declining: wherein hauing trotted your horsse two or three times after his ordinarie lessons, you shall stop, retire, and cherish him, which done, you shall returne backe, pasing him somwhat liuelie, aduancing your bodie, and suddenlie put him foorth vpon his trot, and franklie fall into a gallop, till you come at the end of the carriera.

Then hauing there stopped and made him go backe, as he was woont, you shall returne vpon a short & liuelie trot. And being come to the end of the stop, againe in the same order and turning backe you shall put the horsse foorth in his gallop, and towards the end of the carriera increase [Page] his gallop with some franknes: which I wish you should continue to doo two or three mornings, euerie daie increasing the number of your galloping courses.

And bicause it may be that the horsse before he hath passed halfe the carriera, will of him selfe force to make more speed than is fit, not staieng till you put him forth, you shall hold him in with a staid hand, till such time as your selfe thinketh good, & then suddenlie thrust him forward to gallop, holding both the reines and Cauezzan firme and well, euen towards the end, forcing him to go with more speed and liuelinesse, & then at the due place to stop. Which you may doo, in thrusting the horsse by little and little forward, keeping your bodie somewhat backward, and holding your legs straight stretched out, drawing the reines and Cauezzan faire and easilie, till the horsse stoppeth iust.

Then hauing stopped and doone all those things before said, you shall returne to the other end of the carriera, obseruing the like order: where hauing staied a while, & turned & settled both your person and horsse, you shall put him foorth with more speed than in the former gallop, & being halfe waie, fall into his full carriera, and therein continue to the end, helping him rather [Page] with your voice than otherwise. Then the next morning if you please (obseruing the same order) force him to runne out the whole length of the carriera.

Thus much I haue thought good to saie, not bicause I would haue you vse to run your colt, nor that I like you should so doo; but to find the will and disposition of the horsse, not onelie in his trot, but also in his gallop, carriera, and stop: for to run swift and sure, and stop firme, is an excellent Signes of a good horsse signe of a good horsse.

CHAP. 10.

How to ride a horsse with the sadle, and what obseruations are therein to be vsed.

AFter you haue thus handeled your colt two moneths, and ridden him in the pad; you may put on a sadle, which you shall first in the stable doo faire & gentlie, letting the stirrups hang close to his bodie. Then you shall suffer the sadle in this sort setled to stand vpon the horsse backe the space of one whole houre, with the reines turned vp vpon his necke, and the curbe hanging by loose. The head of the horsse [Page] must be turned downewards from the manger, and his head tied on either side with the cords of his Cauezzan. But before you thus doo, remember to annoint the mouth of the bit with vineger and honie in the winter, and in summer with wine and salt.

The next daie you shall tie vp the curbe as it ought to be worne; and therein you must take great heed: for commonlie the horssekeepers and footemen are vtterlie ignorant how to place the curbe, bicause for the most part they make it straiter than it ought to be: whereby the horsse being much pinched, dooth grow angrie, putting downe his head, and making manie vnseemelie motions.

I would therefore aduise you, to let your curbe, when it is loose, hang on the right side: and when you will make it fast, then without writhing it at all, to put it vpon the hooke on the left side, in the first or second chaine, as you shall thinke most expedient. Marrie here I must warne you, A caueat touching the curbing of a colt, &c. that in curbing a colt or yoong horsse that knoweth not the bit well, or anie other horsse that is cholericke or tender of berd, you shall in no wise make the curbe straight, but rather ouer loose, euer fastening it on the left side.

Surelie some men (being much deceiued in the [Page] conceipt) would haue the curbe to be shut on the right side, supposing thereby to remooue that fault, which the Italians doo call La credenza: which is a certeine obstinacie of not turning willinglie on either hand: which fault may be sometimes remooued by meane of the curbe, but not in that sort of transposing it. I doo therfore iudge that custome verie vnfit in sundrie respects, and cheeflie in that you should be forced to make fast the curbe with your left hand, or verie incommodiouslie with the right hand.

Now your horsse being made readie and in good order, as he should be with his curbe, you shall ride him to the accustomed place of teaching: where after you haue made much of him, you shall excercise him in his ordinarie lessons, wherewith you must interteine him for fifteene daies together, but in no wise put him to runne anie carriera.

But for so much as to ride in the sadle is a thing Of sitting in the sadle and pad. more commendable and comelie than in the pad, also of much more iudgement and skill; I will put you in mind to sit in the saddle with better grace and regard, and also with better disposition of bodie than you were woont to sit in the pad; yet euer eschuing all curiositie and affectation. Which you may doo, if before you depart [Page] from the place of mounting, you settle your selfe iust in the middest of the sadle, letting your legs fall in their due order, neither putting them too much forward, nor too much backward, nor too neere, nor too farre from the horsse bellie, staieng your feete vpon the stirrops, as they ought to be, turning your toes somewhat towards the horsses shoulder, and setling your selfe vpon the stirrops, yet not so hard as though your feete were growne out of them.

Touching the length of the stirrops, they The length of the stirrops. ought to be neither ouer-long, nor ouer-short for your legs; but conuenientlie fit and of euen length: but hereof we will speake more at large in another place.

The surest hold and staie you must haue on The surest hold on horsebacke. horsebacke shall consist not in the stirrops, but in your knees & thighs, which ought to be euer as it were made fast or nailed in the sadle: but from the knees downeward let your legs be loose and at free libertie, to mooue as occasion shall require. But to returne to that I said first, let not your legs be ouer-much cast forward, or backward, neither ouer neere to the horsse bellie, nor holding your foote in the stirrop so far towards the horsse necke as you possiblie can, nor put your feet so little as onelie to set your toes within [Page] the stirrop, for the one is like vnto a foole, the other seemeth to proceed of affectation, as though a man would counterfet S. George: but you shall doo best to obserue the meane, sith in all actions the vertue resteth in the middest, and extremities are euer imperfect.

The rest of your person must be kept streight at libertie, and disposed so, that your necke wrieth not either forward or backward, or more on the one than on the other side. Yet is it not amisse, but sufferable, to looke downe to see your horsse how he standeth, or whether he bringeth orderlie the one leg ouer the other, and other helps necessarie, whereof we will intreat hereafter: yet will I allow those motions the lesse, if they be vsed in the presence of manie strange riders and lookers on; bicause you may both stop and manage your horsse otherwise without declining, writhing, or other vnseemelie gesture of bodie, so long as you keepe measure with your hand and heele.

You must also vse your hand and arme with a certeine iust and comelie motion, and cheeflie your right arme ought to be a little bowing: though some riders doo make therewith sundrie gestures & crosses not vnlike vnto coniurors in the circles; yea some doo beare both the arme [Page] and all the rest of the bodie with such curiositie and affectation, as in deed they seeme to be men made rather of wood than otherwise. You may not be one of that number, but in all things shew dexteritie without affecting, likewise measure, with order, and seemelie boldnesse.

Thus your horsse being brought to beare the sadle comelie, and you to sit well on his backe, you may exercise him dailie in his woonted lessons; wherin you shall practise him fifteene times more without running him at all: in which lessons I wish, that so oft as you trot the large rings, you should at the last put him to gallop somewhat furiouslie, to the end that in stopping he may gather his bodie, and stop as it were on his buttocks. I would you should also accustome your horsse to make more speedie turnes than he was woont in the straight rings.

In all these 15. lessons you may not run your horsse more than once or twise in one morning, and that must be in the accustomed place of carriera: vnlesse that returning home you hap to find some good ground, which hath in the end some prettie fall, where you may doo well to gallop him frankelie, & stop him faire and easilie at the decline of the place, so as he may beare his head firmelie, & stop vpon his heeles. Yet neuer [Page] forget to bring home your horsse in good breath and without sweating.

CHAP. 11.

How to exercise your horsse, the next fifteene daies.

WHen you see that your horsse is brought to gallop wel in the end of his ring turnes, and that of himselfe he goeth swiftlie and as he ought in the straight turnes, and that he will run and stop perfectlie, which he may well doo in these two moneths and a halfe wherin he hath beene taught; I would then you should trot him lesse than ye were woont, and put him to gallop dailie more and more, as well in the rings as straight forth. Also in gallopping I wish ye shuld make much of him, and indeuor your selfe to bring him to gallop short, round, & liuelie, helping him with a voice fit for that purpose.

Then would I haue you also to make him gallop in the straight rings, yet in no wise to hasten him with rating or beating, but with a soft voice meete for that turne incourage him: but if he grow slacke in his gallop, then must you sollicite [Page] him presentlie with the due corrections: or if he become hote, and make ouer-much hast, then gentlie crosse your rod ouer his necke, and restreine the reines and Cauezzan a little: also if you thinke so good, giue him a pretie twich or two with the Cauezzan, which must be doone with no furie, but with moderation & patience.

In these lessons you shall exercise your horsse fifteene times, which maketh vp three moneths complet. But you must in no wise force him to do any thing more, though I know well he might be drawne in much straiter, and shalbe after: for I desire he should doo all things iustlie and assuredlie, which he will vndoubtedlie doo, so soone as he can perfectlie performe all these things before recited.

CHAP. 12.

Certeine particular things to be obserued by the rider, and vsed the first moneth he rideth the horsse with the sadle.

WHen the Rider perceiueth that his colt beginneth to doo his lessons indifferentlie well, and that he vnderstandeth the helps before said; then being on horssebacke, hauing [Page] paused & setled himselfe, he shall put the horsse three pases forward; and staieng there, make him retire a little: which done, being againe put forward, he shall giue him two or three turnes on either hand.

From thence you may go on to the place of riding, where your horsse hauing finished all his lessons, & stopped: you must offer him to turne, and therewith leane forward with your bodie, to see whether he bringeth ouer his contrarie leg as he ought to doo: for both in pasing, trotting, & galloping, the outward leg in the turne should as it were couer the other which is next that side whereon the horsse turneth, which the Italians doo call Incaualare. Also in turning, you must take heed that the horsse doo beare his bodie euen, and make his turne iust in one tracke: which he will doo, if the rider sitteth staiedlie and aptlie, and handleth the horsse heedefullie, alwaies helping him when neede requireth: of which helps we will hereafter speake at large.

Thus, when you haue ridden your horsse, & staied him againe, making him retire, & then go forward three pases as he was woont; you must once more looke downe on either side, to see How your horsse must stand, &c. whether he standeth iust vpon his legs, and beareth his head well. And if you find he stand not [Page] iust, but putteth one leg before the other, resting his bodie more on one side, than on the other, you shall faire and softlie with your rod beat him on that leg that standeth out of order, to the end he may remooue it into the right How the horsse shuld stand at his stop, &c. place: for in deed the horsse ought to stand iust vpon all foure legs, so soone as he is stopped and staied. This correction you may also vse in the stable, when so euer you see the horsse putteth one leg more forward than the other, or standeth more firmelie vpon one than the other: which seldome chaunceth, if he be pastorned as he should be.

You may not thinke, that to looke downewards, to behold the iustnesse of your horsses legs and bodie, dooth serue to small purpose: for it also is a meane to let you vnderstand, if your horsse in dooing his lessons hath hurt his legs, his feete, or his mouth. Besides that, you may the more easilie & perfectlie know the motions The motions of the horsses bodie & mind appeare by his eies. of his bodie and mind, which doo cheeflie appeare by his eies. For if you see his eies looke fierie, that is a signe that choler aboundeth in him: if discoloured, then is he discouraged, and faint of courage: if they be wet with teares, then he complaineth of wearines, or some other such cause. So that knowing his greefe, you may [Page] easilie prouide the cure thereof, as by your discretion shalbe thoughtfit.

Thus after you haue made two or three strait turnes on either hand pasing your horsse, or otherwise as he can best doo, with that iustnes that is required; you shall euer depart from thence to the place of riding, trotting him liuelie and roundlie, keeping your bridle euen, & the reines of the Cauezzan more strait on the one than on the otherside, as you find the horsse inclined: in that sort trotting him cheerefullie along the waie, you shall somtimes with a soft voice incourage him, and sometimes with the point of your rod touch him on the crooper of his buttocke, and somtimes lightlie strike him ouerthwart the necke vpon his shoulder, to the end he should raise him selfe, and take his pase with spirit and courage: which done, you may fall into your ordinarie lessons, first on the trot, and after on the gallop.

CHAP. 13.

How the rider ought from hence-forth to exercise his horsse in the Caragolo.

IF you see that your horsse doth gallop well, I wish (not hauing vsed him therevnto before) that you should in [Page] anie wise, for twentie daies togither, vse him vnto the Caragolo: for it will greatlie helpe a horsse to make the turnes vpon the ground, and likewise bring him vnto the manage without rest. During the time you practise your horsse in this lesson, you shall vtterlie leaue the rings; sauing that you must still trot and gallop sometimes straight forth, and then stop as you were woont.

When so euer you trot the Caragolo, you must Aduertisements touching the trotting of the Caragolo. at the first go faire and softlie; and after towards the straight turnes, and also in the inlarging, trot with more furie: which you shall doo the space of fiue or six mornings, and all the rest of twentie daies. In the end of the swift trot, you must put the horsse to gallop, at the least once on either hand: yet so, as you make an end on that hand, which your horsse is least willing vnto.

And now once more, that you must alwaies end amids the Caragolo in the narrow; and after stop straight in the ring which you see in the figure. Then hauing stopped in the order before said, you shall there turne in that sort we haue heretofore prescribed, euer taking heed, that in turning, the contrarie leg of the horsse doo come ouer the other: as for example. If you turne on the right hand, see that his left leg may go before and couer the right leg: and turning on the [Page] left hand, the right leg of the horsse must doo the like.

Hauing thus doone, and seeing your horsse head in the end of his turns towards the straight rings of the Caragolo, pausing a while, you must pase, or els trot (as your selfe thinketh best) into the said ring, where stopping the horsse strait, you shall make an halfe turne, and put him foorth to the other ring, so long exercising him, as to your discretion shall be thought sufficient.

CHAP. 14.

How and when to teach your horsse to turne vpon the ground, Terra terra.

WHen your horsse can stop well, gallop the straight rings, the S, and the Caragolo; I would haue him brought either into new rings, or into a Caragolo of much more straightnes than the other wherevnto he was before vsed, and there in the end drawe him as strait as possiblie you can: first pasing him, then trotting, and in the end gallopping, vsing all necessarie helpes, and cheeflie that of the bridle hand, which must euer lead the reines with due measure and discretion.

[Page] But if you will exercise your horsse in the small rings, you may for certeine mornings onlie trot him, and then afterwards increasing the speed of that trot, fall into a gallop: so long continuing both on the one & the other hand, till the horsse dooth that you desire. Then finding he is brought to such passe, you must for fifteene daies continuallie gallop him onelie in the same rings, straiter and straiter, helping him with the due helps, whereof we shall hereafter intreat at large. Thus much your horsse will easilie be brought vnto, and performe with a good grace, if you obserue time, changing hands as you ought, and at euerie change thrust him foorth one pase.

And note, that within the circuit of the selfe same rings you shall both stop, staie, and make the horsse retire, if in the end of his turnes he hath forced too much forward out of the place of turning: but if he hath swarued out of anie hand, or gone backward in turning, then must ye presentlie put him forward, or at least so soone as you haue stopped.

But now I must warne you, that in no wise you A caueat to auoid toiling of your horsse, and the reason whie. should toile your horsse long in this kind of lesson; bicause it is laboursome and painfull: yet haue I seene manie riders (forgetting themselues) [Page] that ceased not to ride their horsses so long in one selfe place, till they were all in sweat and fome, scant able to fetch their breaths, or stand vpright: whereof dooth proceed so manie diseases of the sinewes, the legs, the loines, the head, and other members. I doo the rather forewarne you, wishing you should teach your horsse to turne, some while in one, and some other while in an other place, which he will performe without labour or anie danger at all, & become so perfect as you would haue him: besides that, your selfe shall be reputed among other gentlemen, of iudgement and discretion.

So long as you please to practise your horsse to these turnes, you may not trouble him with anie other lesson, saue onelie in the S: which must be made more strait and short than it was woont, and therein you may not doo much.

Touching the commoditie of turning vpon The commoditie & vse of turning vpon the ground. the ground, it serueth to manie good ends, as well in skirmish as battell, in combate and triumph; besides that, it is a thing of much commendation and pleasing the beholders: for after the horsse can thus turne on the ground, he may doo it for more pleasure aloft, or aboue the ground as we call it, with, or without iumps and yerks as your selfe best liketh.

CHAP. 15.

[Page]

Of that motion which the Italians call Coruette or Pesate, whereof in our language there is not (for ought I know) anie proper terme yet deuised.

MAister Claudio is of opinion, that this motion is of lesse necessitie than anie other, and that no horsse should be learned to make the Coruette when he is ouer yoong, nor till such time as he be perfect in all the lessons aforesaid: sith it behooueth that the horsse should be firme of head, strong necked, raised in his pase, and iust in all his dooings, which he will be by obseruing the orders before expressed, and vsing the helps which shall hereafter be set downe: for thereby he is brought to so great perfection, as in such a short space may be atteined; that is, to trot nimblie and lightlie, to gallop roundlie and willinglie, to stop before hand firmelie and iustlie, and make his turnes swiftlie, comelie, and assuredlie: all which are things so necessarie as more they may not.

Wherefore your horsse being reduced to that [Page] forwardnes, as to performe the lessons beforesaid; I would, that after he hath beene a while exercised in turning and stopping, dooing them according to your desire firmelie and iustlie, that then you should put him to make the Pesate and Coruette, which you may doo in this maner.

You must go into some strait waie that hath The maner how to put your horsse to the Coruette or Pesate. a wall or banke on either side, and the ground somewhat declining. Then comming from the higher end downewards, you must put your horsse forward, pasing two or three elns: where making proffer to staie, you must with your voice incourage him to aduance before, accompanieng him with the due helps thereto belonging, holding your bodie a little backeward, and the reines both of the bit and Cauezzan somewhat straiter; yet so iust, that if the horsse would force forward to shun the aduancing, or for that he vnderstand not what he should doo, yet he could not.

You may also put your hands a little forward, and so raise the horsse before, which will be a meane that he may with more ease lift vp the fore part of his bodie; yet must this helpe be vsed with great discretion. And thus you must doo at the end of euerie three elns, till he dooth aduance before, or at the least seemeth desirous so [Page] to doo.

But if he happen to aduance ouer hie, and force Faults in your horsse deseruing correction. forward more than he ought (cheefelie if he sprall with his legs) then must you foorth with correct him with your rod, by beating him vpon the knees. Or if he commit anie other disorder, as casting downe his head, or leape ouerthwart, yet force not thereof at all: but after you haue corrected him for the same, returne to make him aduance, and you shall be sure he will in one morning, or percase in lesse than the third part of one houre fall from one aduancing to make manie Pesate: which dooing you must presentlie make much of him.

Other meanes there are to bring your horsse to make the Pesate, as in the strait path of a ring, or in a plaine waie; yet still obseruing the same order: also in some right vp furrowe halfe an elne wide.

For certeine daies you may exercise your horsse in the Pesate, without forgetting his other ordinarie lessons. But so soone as he is perfect in them, both vpon the pase and trot, to the end he should not become ouer-busie in that motion, as manie yoong horsses are, you must vse him commonlie to be brought into some long carriera; where pasing him two third parts thereof, put [Page] him to trot the rest swiftlie, till comming neere the end, you may a little drawe the raines, and putting thereto your voice, strike him gentlie vpon one of his shoulders, so causing him to Coruette, and therein (if need require) helpe him otherwise.

I would not (vnlesse great necessitie so requireth) The vse of the spurs. that in these Coruette you should vse the helpe of your spurres. Neuertheles, if the horsse be naturallie heauie, hard of head and cold, then is it meete you should strike him towards the flanke, with the iust stroke of the spurres, thereby to raise him, and remooue his heauines, stubbornes, and dulnes. But at what times the spur is to be vsed I haue not yet spoken, but reserue to intreat thereof hereafter.

Now, sith that manie yoong horsses doo easilie learne the Coruette; and hauing learned them, vse them willinglie; imagining that so soone as they haue made a few Coruette, they are not to doo anie thing else, or being corrected with the spur continue still to make more Coruette, euen against the riders will, and when they ought not, and in places vnfit, dooing them manie times higher than they should: therefore vse your spurres verie seldome, and likewise spare to emploie the calues of your legs. For it is an euill [Page] sight, that for this purpose you should set them so busilie a worke, cheeflie in coruetting & stopping, at which times you should shew rather to sit firmelie and liuelie, which were to more purpose both to become the horsse and your owne person. For in all places, with the onelie helpes of your rod, your voice, and a little raising your bridle hand, the horsse will aduance thicke, and doo what you would haue him.

And albeit the helps of the voice and spurre ought to be vsed at the beginning, when the horsse learneth; yet M. Claudio thinketh both the one and the other may afterwards be discontinued. For (besides the reasons alledged) it is no seemelie thing in the presence of lookers on, to vse so manie artificiall motions and affectations as diuers dailie doo.

It shall therefore suffice, that when your horsse can make his Coruette well, you vse onelie a little helpe of the bridle hand, accompanieng the same by holding your right hand somwhat high; putting thereto such a soft, sharpe, and speedie voice, as that motion requireth.

But if the horsse would staie to make his Coruette, where you would not haue him, the remedie is to put him forward with the due correction of the voice, the rod, and the spurre: besides [Page] that, it is necessarie to put downe your hand angerlie vpon the horsse necke, and so trot him the whole length of a carriera, in the end stopping him with two or three Coruette: and then before you make much of him, returne him to trot in the same waie, and there againe put him to make a few Coruette iustlie: by which few I meane the number ought not exceed three, because more were vaine and superfluous. Which order you shall euer obserue in stopping, and all manages which require to be doone with Coruette: which if your horsse will doo with his forelegs comelie, yet not ouer hie from the ground, so as the one doo not tarrie for the other, you shall leaue, and make much of him.

Likewise, if in his former lessons he gallop and stop well, with the helps thereto belonging; and increasing the gallop cheefelie in the end, that is to saie, the third part of the gallop ought to be as it were running: and at the stop you shall faire and easilie interteine him, leaning your bodie somewhat backward, and holding your legs in their place stretched out and firme, helping the horsse with your voice and rod, by striking him faire and softlie vpon that shoulder: for by so dooing he will bow his howghes, and stop vpon the heeles, as he ought to doo.

[Page] But if he commeth to his stop, with his legs cast right foorth & vnwillinglie, his correction ought be the more; and cheeflie vpon the shoulders: yet not so great, as to make the horsse angrie, but let him know that you correct him onelie bicause he should doo what you would haue him.

Maister Claudio saith, that sithence the Coruette are as it were the children of the Pesate; so soon as the one is learned, the other will foorthwith follow. And betwixt them there is no other difference, How the Coruette and the Pesate doo differ. than that the Pesate must be performed with more speed in good time and often, handling the matter so, as the horsse may alwaies at the first go faster forward in his coruetting.

In this motion you may vse the calues of your legs, and likewise the euen stroke of your spurs, yet lightlie, and sometimes one spur and sometimes the other, as ye shall see occasion: which order you may obserue in the Pesate, vsing all other helps likewise in that case required.

The motion of coruetting cannot be comelie, vnlesse the Coruette be doone short, lowe and thicke. And it shall suffice thee to make ten or twelue at one time: for I allow not of those that inforce the horsse to go from the one to the other end of the streate, vpon the Coruette, forgetting that too much of one thing is displeasing. [Page] Besides that, much coruetting brooseth both the horsse and rider.

Maister Claudio therefore affirmeth plainelie, that he misliketh manie Coruette both forward and backward, and most of all if they be made sidewaies: neither dooth he allow them forward in manage-wise, vnlesse it be with determination to make a turne in that order, for so they are commendable. Yet (saith he) let no man maruell, that the turnes vpon the Coruette are doone with more difficultie, and are more pleasing to the beholders, than to turne without pausing and swiftlie; for therein he should be deceiued. For euerie horsse may be taught to turne vpon the Coruette, and may doo it easilie, by reason he may therein take breath and time: but to the other turne he shall neuer atteine, vnlesse he be of more force and spirit, seeing he is constrained to hold his breath longer, and vse more strength of his backe, with the stiffnes of his necke, & firmenes of the mouth. Of one thing you may be assured, that when your horsse can trot well forwards, he is easilie learned to doo it euerie other waie.

Now it remaineth to enforme you whie those Whervpon the Coruette hath his name. motions be called of the Italians, Coruette and Pesate: & how to name them in English I know [Page] not, where with I will declare the commoditie and discommoditie they carrie with them.

Coruetta is that motion, which the crowe maketh, when without flieng she leapeth and iumpeth vpon the ground: for Coruo in the Italian toong signifieth a crowe, and a leape in that sort is called Coruetta. Pesate I suppose were so called of the verbe Pesare, which in our language is to waie or balance. And the Italians hauing tried the wait of anie thing, doo commonlie saie Ecosa pesata: so likewise metaphoricallie and by waie of resemblance, they called those liftings vp and lettings downe of the horsse feete in iust time and order, Pesate. This motion was in ancient time among the Italians termed Orsata, bicause the beare vseth such a heauing vp and downe with his bodie.

The commoditie proceeding of these Coruette The commoditie & discommoditie comming by the Coruette. and Pesate, is, that therby we may conceiue of what obedience, lightnes, & valure the horsse is: for in deed they doo greatlie procure the horsse to become nimble and light. But the discommodities proceeding of the Coruette are diuerse, and often found in the warre, in combate, in turnements, & other exercises on horsebacke. They are also hurtfull to the horsses bodie, being vsed ouer-much; bicause it weakeneth the [Page] sinews, and hurteth the loines, forceing their humors to fall into the legs and hooues. Also it maketh the hoofe to breake into quarternes, speciallie if the horsse be put to make his Coruette vpon stonie places, or often in anie other place.

All these lessons before recited, the horsse may be taught to doo, within foure moneths next after he is first ridden: during which time he shall be ridden with the Cauezzan and Canon; but euer after to be handled otherwise.

By that which hath hitherto beene said, it seemeth that M. Claudio supposeth foure moneths sufficient to make an horsse seruiceable and perfect vpon the ground: which is manie times and in manie apt and docible horsses prooued true; cheeflie in Italie, where they are commonlie of great spirit and aptnesse to be taught: but in horsses of these countries doo assuredlie require more time, in respect of their constitution; yet the diligence and discretion of riders doo manie waies supplie sundrie defects of nature.

CHAP. 16.

[Page]

How to make vp an horsse vpon the ground, and of the manage without time.

IT is the opinion of Maister Claudio, that within the space of foure moneths a horse may become perfect in all the lessons aforesaid, vnlesse by some accident he be hindered. For the horsse may be within this time brought to such staiednes and obedience, that the Cauezzan may be taken off, and in steed thereof you shall vse a false reine. During all this time, I would not haue you in anie wise to put your horsse to manage with halfe or whole time, no nor with the swift turne: neither would I haue him put to turne hie, with or without yarking. Moreouer, you may not in anie wise meddle to make him doo the Capreola, to leape, or gallop galliard; no although the horsse doo shew great spirit, or desire to doo those things, for it is vtterlie vaine to teach them, till such time as he be firme and perfect in all things vpon the ground. Besides that, bicause the horsse dooth want his full strength, you may worke an effect contrarie [Page] to your desire.

But being reduced to this ripenes in fowre moneths, I would not haue you (as diuers men doo) neuer leaue off the Cauezzan, continuing there with, moneths, yeares, and whole ages of men, before they make vp the horsse: but finding him firme and perfect in the dooings abouesaid, you shall presentlie take awaie the chaine, and in all his lessons exercise him with the false reines, at the least one whole moneth. Then if you see that he goeth well, you may put him altogether to manage without rest: where vnto ye may easilie induce him to doo it both iustlie and swiftlie, by obseruing that hath beene often said; which is, if by little and little you drawe in the horsse, and make him go with more speed: wherin, to exercise him often vnto the S, being made somewhat short and strait, dooth helpe much in this respect; as I haue at large before discoursed.

The manage without rest, called of the Italians Maneggio di contra tempo, requireth great Maneggio di contra tempo, & Maneggio di mezzo e di tutto tempo. firmenesse both of hand and bodie, and perhaps more time and measure is therein to be vsed, than in anie of the other manages with halfe or whole rest, which they call Maneggio di mezzo e di tutto tempo. All which manages are verie [Page] discreetlie englished by Maister Blundeuile; a manage with halfe rest, whole rest, and without rest.

It seemeth more ouer, that M. Claudio thinketh the manage without rest is both most commendable, and most difficult; cheefelie when the turnes are made not vpon the soft gallop, but swiftlie and furiouslie. Also when the horsse is in stopping, if you suddenlie at the middest of the turne put him foorth with a good grace, closing the next turne swiftlie, and close as it should be; and if from thence the horsse doo depart suddenlie, making hast to the other end of the manage, there dooing the like, and so continue without staie or disorder.

You must neuer forget that this manage must be taught the horsse in the order before said, which is; first pasing, next trotting, and lastlie gallopping, by little and little drawing him to that swiftnes and frankenes that is required, according to the force of the horsse; remembring in the end to stop him comelie, with two or three Pesate made well, and with breath enough. And surelie, if you continue thus to doo, you shall make your horsse so perfect, that if you please to put him to doo more, he will learne it easilie. You must also, during this moneth, vse your [Page] horsse much to the turnes Terra terra, which I would haue him learne, before he be brought to manage, to the end that both in them and all other dooings, he may come more readilie and iustlie to his halfe turnes.

But if it fortune that your horsse dooth not euerie thing firmelie and iustlie as you desire, yet ought you not be discouraged; but presentlie in the same place where he committeth the fault, correct him by all meanes due to that fault: neither shall you cease so to doo, till such time as he amendeth. And trulie, either the first, second, or third morning he will be brought to doo according to your owne fansie, so that you giue him not ouer at the first. This we haue said shall suffice, to enforme you how to make your horsse perfect in all his dooings vpon the ground.

CHAP. 17.

How to helpe the horsse with your voice.

THe helps required in horsmanship Helpes in horssemanship reduced to nine in number. are diuers, and may be reduced to nine: as the voice, the rod, the bridle, the calues of your legs, the stirrops, the spurres, the [Page] bodie, the ground, and the water.

As touching the voice, you must vnderstand Of varieng the voice in diuerse respects. it maie varie, lowder or softer, as the dooings of the horsse and his disposition altereth. So that, if you should alwaies vse one voice, your horsse could neuer conceiue your meaning, and consequentlie your helpes become vaine. It shall therefore behooue you to vse one voice to a coult at his first handling, an other when he beginneth to go well, another when he stoppeth, another when he gallopeth at leisure, an other in his gallop galliard, an other in his turnes vpon the ground, an other when he turneth hie with yarkes or without, an other in his carriera and leaping.

Likewise, whensoeuer you teach him his ordinarie pase or order of going, a particular voice ought to be then vsed. You must also be prepared to haue a voice for your horsse, when he is ouer light behind, stubborne or disobedient; and one other, if he doo obedientlie, willinglie, and couragiouslie. All which M. Claudio dooth labour to expresse in his language; yet for that they be in all toongs rather significant sounds than words of expresse meaning, I commit them to the riders discretion: it shall suffice that the horsse thereby may conceiue your meaning, [Page] and be forced to obeie in that you would haue him to doo.

Yet now, that this helpe of the voice may not A caueat touching the voice, when you ride before a prince, a noble personage, &c. be vsed mnch, if you ride in presence of the Prince, or other great persons; chieflie when the horsse is redie: for at such times and in such places it were vnseemelie to open your mouth, and vtter voices of diuers sounds and meaning. In sted of those voices, you shall imploie certeine secreat helps and motions artificiall. But the most comelie grace on horssebacke (if you ride in so great presence) is not to helpe the horsse at all, otherwise than to accompanie him with your hand and bodie, wherby you shall couertlie declare much cunning, without apparant helpes or inforcement.

CHAP. 18.

How to helpe your horsse with the rod.

THe helpe of the rod is vsed by one of these meanes, by whisking, by striking with the whole rod, with the point therof onlie, with the middest, and also with the end vnder the hand, or with shewing the rod. Touching the [Page] whiske, it ought not be vsed, till such time as the horsse knoweth well all other helpes of the rod, and can manage perfectlie on either hand. The rider may vse this kind of helpe in steed of the voice, & it stirreth vp the spirit of euerie horsse, but chieflie of those which are of courage and great life.

Striking with the whole rod is required, when you would haue your horsse go forward liuelie, either in his trot, his gallop, his carriera, his halfe or whole turns, either vpō the ground or aboue, with yarkes or without: for then you shall strike him vpon one of his shoulders, his flanks & buttocks, his legs or thighes. This stroke of the rod shall helpe much, being giuen in due time; and the more, if the same be accompanied with the other helps, and chieflie that of the voice.

You may also first vse this helpe in pasing your horsse, sometimes striking him on the shoulder, to the end he should the more raise himselfe. And you must strike him, first on the one, and then the other shoulder, whereby he will gather his legs the better, go with more life, and beare his head the higher. The like order you must obserue in his trot and ordinarie gallop. But in his carriera you shall beate him either vpon his shoulders, or vpon his flanks, verie sharplie: you [Page] may also sometimes vse the whiske.

In offring him to make Coruette, you may likewise helpe the horsse with the rod, striking him vpon one of his shoulders at euerie turne and euerie Coruette, yet onelie when need so requireth. It seemeth not good, that the horsse should be continuallie striken vpon, when you offer him the Coruette: for it may be he will writh his mouth & necke the rather towards the left side; you shall therefore strike him on that side your owne discretion dooth thinke good. If you will raise your horsse to leape at his stop; then, so soone as you haue striken him on the shoulder, incontinent turne your hand, & strike him also vpon the flanke. The like you may at occasions doo in the gallop galliard, or turning aboue the ground. But if your horsse be light enough before at his stop and leape, then without either beating vpon the shoulders or flanks, you may make him to yarke, by letting the point of your rod to touch the horsse behind in the middest of his buttocks.

An other waie to helpe your horsse by the rod, is, when you would haue him staie in one place; for then you shall laie it ouerthwart his necke, and then he will, as he standeth, lift first one, then the other leg, with a certeine grace and comelie [Page] countenance. And maruell not though this one maner of holding the rod doth worke two contrarie Two contrarie effects in holding the rod, &c. effects, for in the one you doo sollicit the horsse to go by beating, still beating, in crossing his necke: but in the other you doo onelie laie the rod crosse, but not moue it otherwise.

Touching the great end of the rod vnder your hand, you may therewith make much of your horsse, if you scratch him therwith faire and easilie vpon the necke, in signe he dooth well. Moreouer, the shew of the rod is in the turns an helpe vnto the horsse, and a grace vnto the man. For in turning the horsse on the left hand, you must put the point of the rod within one handfull of his eie, or els let it fall downewards somewhat towards his right shoulder; yet neuer suffring your hand to remoue far from the true place therof. And if you will manage your horsse on the right hand, you shall put your rod downe towards the left shoulder, yet neuer remoouing one hand far from the other. For in deed, ouer much mouing of the right hand, and lifting vp the rod, sauoureth too much of affectation, yet at this daie it is of diuerse men much vsed.

CHAP. 19.

[Page]

Of the helpe of the bridle hand.

THe horsse is helped by the bridle hand, when in his dooings he putteth downe his nose more than becommeth him; or else if he hangeth too hard on the hand, or trotteth heauilie: for in all those cases you must giue him certeine chockes with the bit, more or lesse, as occasion doth require. The like may be doone, when at the stop or end of anie lesson, you find the horsse beare his head lower than he ought. But if he leaneth therewith, more on the one than the other hand, then must you with the two last fingers of the right hand (holding the contrarie reine) giue him a chocke or two, or more, as you doo find the horsse deserueth to be corrected.

You may also helpe your horsse with your bridle hand, in the midst of his manage, and likewise his turnes, by giuing soft or hard chocks, as occasion shall require. This correction will also serue to make your horsse retire, and hold him direct and light vpon the hand. Neither will it [Page] be amisse, but rather a good helpe, if in leapes of all sortes, & likewise turnes, opening your hand to raise the horsse, you put the same forward towards the bending place of his necke, so as your thumbs be neerest therevnto, & consequentlie the little finger furthest off, & neerest vnto your sadle: yet may not your hand be from your sadle farther off, at anie time, than two fingers; vnlesse it be at some extraordinarie times and occasions. For then it is not amisse, to raise your hand much higher, & farther from your bodie, as it were putting it as far as the middest of the horsses necke. And in this maner by little and little vnfolding your hand from turne to turne, & from leape to leape, you shall helpe the horsse more or lesse, as need requireth. But such helps must be performed in verie due time and measure. Therefore in vsing them you shalbe heedfull and diligent. This is (I thinke) the true counselling of M. Claudio touching the helpe of the hand, whereof M. Astley hath largelie discoursed M. Astley in his discourse of horssemanship. 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, chapters. more at large, and verie skilfullie set downe not onlie the helps of the hand according to this author, but also vnto the opinions of Xenophon and Gryson added his owne knowledge and experience. For which respect I haue indeuoured my selfe to saie the lesse.

CHAP. 20.

[Page]

Of the calues of the legs, the stirrops, and the helpe by water.

THe helpe of the calues is onelie to be vsed vnto horsses of great life, spirit, & courage, in all sortes of turning, by putting the calfe of your leg to the contrarie side of the horsse. As if you will haue him to leane or yeeld towards the left hand, then must you laie your leg close to the rightside of the horsse; and likewise, if he should go on the right hand, then put your leg to the left side. But M. Claudio holdeth this kind of helpe to be of no great importance, neither doth he make much accompt of the stirrop: yet being at sometimes vsed it is to good purpose. That helpe serueth to touch the horsse vnder the shoulder, to the end he should hold his neck and nose as you would haue him.

The water is exceeding good, to bring your Of helping your horsse by water. horsse to gather his legs, & become light if you vse to trot him therin. The water fit for this purpose should be so deepe, as the horsse may feele it to touch his bellie, the bottome where of must [Page] be sound earth, or rather perfect good grauell.

CHAP. 21.

Helpes of the ground.

AN apt place for riding, and a ground fit for that purpose, are things verie profitable & necessarie to make your horsse go well and speedilie. A plowed land, a ground rising, & a ground declining, are places fit to giue the horsse breath and lightnesse. The ground declining is also exceeding apt to bring your horsse to stop well, make his Coruette, and doo all things required in the managcs both with and without time. The ground like vnto the backe of a knife, serueth well for the manage turnes aboue the ground. The plaine ground hauing on either end prettie small hils, helpeth the horsse to make the halfe turne, and also to yarke therewithall. The ground that is round and high in the midst, is fit to bring your horsse to lightnes, and make him go well on that hand whereofhe is hard. It will also bring him to go more iust in the rings, lift his legs, and put one leg ouer the other. The ground like vnto a boat, [Page] not being aboue three or foure spannes wide, serueth well to make a horsse to turne, to cast his legs, and put one ouer the other in good order. The ground adioining to some wall or pale, is good to make the horsse go iust and strait. The same is also fit to amend him, if in his manage turnes he disordereth his hinder parts. The ground most fit for the carriera would be plaine without stones or other staies, not soft, nor ouer hard: and if at either end it be declining, it will be by so much the better.

CHAP. 22.

The helpe of the mans bodie.

BIcause this helpe shall hereafter be spoken of among the corrections, I saie onelie that the bodie helpeth much, and thereby the rider is esteemed of the looker on, to be a man skilfull and cunning in that profession, if he Notes of a good rider. vse that helpe in good order and times conuenient. For whosoeuer seeth a rider leaning somewhatforward, when his horsse trotteth or gallopeth, will (being of anie knowledge) foorthwith conceiue he so dooth, the more aptlie to helpe [Page] the horsse to be firme of head, and not raise himselfe higher than he should, but beare his bodie euen, by reason he feeleth his burden counterpeised.

Likewise when the horsse commeth to stop, the rider shall greatlie helpe him, by casting his bodie backewards, which will cause him to stop lowe behind, euen as it were vpon his buttocks. Also if the rider dooth leane towards the one side, it is to be thought that he would haue the horsse to yeeld that waie. If the rider in passing his horsse strait, sitteth short on the one side, and leaneth hard vpon the other stirrop, it is to be thought that he so dooth purposelie to bring the horsse to hold his necke and head that waie. Whensoeuer in turning the rider yeeldeth his bodie more on the one than the other side, it is to be thought, that the same will helpe him to go more easilie and speedilie by that hand.

CHAP. 23.

Of the helpe and correction of the spurs, and how and when they must be vsed.

MAister Claudio affirmeth, that the spurre ought not be vsed to anie horsse, vntill such time as he is become firme and [Page] well staied of head. For if you doo otherwise, it will be a meane to make him more vnstaied, and consequentlie the longer before you can settle him.

And it is apparant, that when so euer a colt vnsetled of head dooth feele the spur, he will offer to resist and disorder his head much more than anie other horsse settled and perfect in his lessons. Yet his meaning is not you should defer At what time a colt is to be spurred. to spur him till he be fiue or sixe yeares of age, but so soone as you find him brought to be staid and setled (which I hope may be doone in foure moneths) then you may boldlie giue the spur vnto your horsse: which you shall not first doo in anie street or waie, but in some deepe plowed ground, or sandie place, after he hath doone his ordinarie lessons. First you must make him feele the one and after the other spur, faire and gentlie, as he paseth or trotteth the large rings, forthwith ceasing so to doo, and cherish him, laieng your hand vpon his necke, and vttering some courteous voice. In this sort you may pricke him sometimes on the one and sometimes one the other side, after he hath beene warned well in his lessons. And hereof you may be assured.

CHAP. 24.

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How to helpe your horsse in the rings, and at his stop.

I Haue here to fore discoursed of helping your horse, yet did I not particularlie informe you at what times and what places the same helpes ought be vsed: which is doone to the end I might proceed in order, & you the better reteine them in memorie. But now hauing accomplished what order and helps are required, here will I let you know how and when they shalbe vsed.

And first you must remember, that when so How and when the foresaid helpes are to be vsed. euer either in the large or strait rings, in the Caragolo, in the figure of S, or in the manage in and out, which (as is before said) the Italians call Serpeggiare, your horsse dooth put out his but tocke; then must you forth with correct him on that side with your rod, with your heele, and with your spur (if you weare any) which you must continue till the horsse amendeth his fault. The like you must doo, if turning of anie hand, or in going forward, he casteth his hinder part out of order. [Page] You may also in that case vse this subtiltie; first to make proffer to go on one hand, & then suddenlie put the horsse to turne on the other. You may likewise for this fault correct him well, if you pase or trot him neere vnto a wall, & when he turneth putting out his hind part, he must of force hurt himselfe, vnlesse he holdeth his bodie strait, which he will not doo often, but for feare therof leaue his fault, which he shall doo the better if you ad there vnto the other helpes.

In gallopping the rings you may helpe the horsse with your bodie, by carrieng your legs put forward more than ordinarie. And there is nothing that maketh a man to sit so comelie on horssebacke as the gallop: for in gallopping he may take time to settle his feete in the stirrops, to hold his legs in their due place with his thighs and knees closelie, and his whole bodie strait and disposed, with either hand bestowed in their places. Therefore M. Claudio (perhaps contrarie to many other good riders) thinketh best that the stirrops should be euen of one length, which The stirrops should be of euen length. will be a meane that the rider shall sit with the better grace, and more conuenientlie helpe his horsse; much maruelling why the right stirrop should be shorter than the other.

In gallopping you must somewhat yeeld your [Page] person towards that side you would haue the horsse turne, yet not mooue your legs but when need requireth. As for example. If you gallop turning on the right hand, you must staie your selfe somewhat more on the right than the left stirrop. The like order shall you obserue on the contrarie hand, holding your bodie a little forward toward that side. Also in turning you must put your contrarie shoulder somewhat more forward, resting your bodie on that stirrop more than the other: for by that meanes you shall swaie your horsse towards that side, and be the more readie to helpe him. But in his trot or gallop strait foorth, you shall not so doo, but sit equallie in the middest, without leaning: vnlesse the better to helpe your horsse you beare your bodie somewhat forwards.

It is also at sometime permitted, you should leane your bodie to the contrarie side, from that the horsse is inclined, thereto to enforce him to leane the same waie your selfe leaneth. Also if vpon that occasion you vse the helpe of the stirrop, striking his shoulder therewith on the contrarie side, and likewise giue him a twich or two with the false raine on the same side, it will be a good meane to draw him that waie.

But in stopping you must cast your bodie a [Page] little backwards, suffring the horsse to slide forward as it were alone, drawing the reines faire & easilie, till such time he be come vnto that place you would; then hauing staied his furie, you may stop him firme, and staie him there. This I would haue obserued, with those horsses that vnderstand how to be handled vpon the ground. But if in stopping the horse leaneth more on the one than the other hand, then must you, leaning backe, giue your selfe most towards that side, whereto he leaneth not, helping him all other waies: and so gallop him & stop him strait forth, till you find his fault amended. But note, that gallop shall not exceed the length of an ordinarie manage. At the end wherof hauing stopped, if the horsse stoppeth not strait as he ought, put him forward againe, and at his stop correct Corrections diuerse waies for not stopping, &c. him on that side he yeeldeth not, with your stirrop, the calfe of your leg, your spur, & your person, till he be content to yeeld and stop as you would haue him.

CHAP. 24.

[Page]

How the stirrops ought to be of euen length.

WHo so euer rideth with one stirrop longer than the other, dooth seeme therein to proceed contrarie to nature, hauing made man two legs of one iust length. Therfore if you make one stirrop shorter than the other, it is not possible you can sit so comelie or iustlie on horsbacke, as if they were of equall length: or how can you vse your spurs commodiouslie or euenlie? For in striking the horsse with the spurs, you shall of force spur him higher on the one than the otherside, so long as the one stirrop be longer than the other: which thing how vnseemelie it is, I refer to your iudgement.

Besides that, how can you with your bodie so conuenientlie helpe your horsse in his dooings? Sith you doo not sit with your bodie iust in the saddle, or rest your selfe equallie vpon the stirrops, iustlie counterpeised? which is the thing that makes you seeme faire & firme in the sadle, by not leaning more on the one than the other [Page] hand, and such a seate will best become you in all sorts of turnes, either on the ground, aboue with yarkes, and euerie other motion.

And albeit it is the opinion of some, that to The opinion of some, that the right stirrop should be shorter than the left, &c. breake lances it behooueth a man at armes to haue his right stirrop shorter than the other by two fingers, yet doo I not conceiue the reason thereof; sith both in running at the ring, or course of the field, an horsseman ought to sit euen, without leaning more on the one than the other side, or turning anie of his shoulders: for thereby he shall shew the more cunning, and gaine aduantage in the length of the lance, which is some helpe at the incounter.

Moreouer, although it seemeth that leaning more on the one than the other stirrop, and that thrusting forward of the one shoulder, dooth make the man stronger, both to meet the aduersarie, & receiue his reinconter; yet is it certeine, that thereby he is the more apt to commit the errors beforesaid, by sitting loose in and vneuen in his stirrops.

Furthermore, sith euerie man standeth most stronglie vpon the ground, when he resteth vpon both his feete: so doo I thinke that an horsseman, staieng his bodie vpon both stirrops equallie, shall be better prepared both to assaile, [Page] and receiue the incounter of his aduersarie, than if he should doo otherwise.

For these reasons Maister Claudio resolueth, that the stirrops should be of equall length, whereby the rider may (as he thinketh) sit more comelie and assuredlie. Neuerthelesse, it is (as beforesaid) permitted, that the rider should at occasions, to helpe the horsse in his lessons, rest more on the one than the other stirrop, but not otherwise. It is not also to be disallowed, though The left stirrop to be longer than the right. to fight in combate or turnie, the left stirrop be made longer somewhat than the other: bicause the rider is to emploie his right arme, and turne on the right side, in respect whereof the left stirrop would be the longer.

CHAP. 25.

In what sort to helpe your horsse in euerie manage.

WHensoeuer you will manage your horsse without rest, you must trot or gallop, till you come to the place of turning; where making as it were a seeming to stop, you must raise him, and therewith suddenlie put him forward [Page] one pase, leaning your bodie, and casting your bridle hand a little forward: then by moouing your leg, you shall warne him to returne an other pase, and in the turning easilie you shall put him forward at the halfe turne Terra terra, helping him with your voice, your heele, & spurre. And if you will haue him to turne on the right hand, helpe him on the left side; and on the left side, with the right spurre: & remember to helpe him much or little, as you see occasion require.

Remember also, if at the halfe of his turne he commeth about hard, as it were hanging on the contrarie hand from that he turneth, that then you must forbeare to strike him with the contrarie spurre, that is to saie without the turne, and strike him with your spurre within, on that hand you doo turne. The like order you shall obserue both in gallopping and the franke manage. But if you find your horsse commeth ouer fast about to his halfe turne, not setting himselfe iust in the same path from whence he came, for (to make the turne iust he must bring his head where his hinder feet were) then so soone as you haue giuen him the spur on the outside, you must presentlie answere the same with an other on the inside: both which must be neere vnto the girths, vnlesse you find occasion to giue them neerer [Page] vnto the flanks; which is, when the horsse dooth turne with his buttocks more on the one than the other side. But if he turne ouermuch, bending on his legs behind, & ouer low with his buttocks; then must you foorthwith thrust him forwards, striking him neere vnto his girthes with both spurs together; accompanieng that helpe with the rod vpon the horsses flanke, and likewise your voice, if need dooth so require.

The stroke of the rod dooth also helpe much in turning, if the same be giuen when need requires vpon the contrarie shoulder of the horse: but if no such neede be, it shall suffice if you put your rod ouer the horsse, so as the same may hang on the left shoulder, to make him turne towards the right hand, and likewise on the right side, when you would haue him turne on the left hand.

But you shall helpe him much more, and with better grace, if when the horsse slideth vpon his heeles, you sit somewhat with your bodie leaning backward; and suddenlie putting him forward, turne the point of your contrarie shoulder towards that hand you would haue the horsse to turne. As if you would haue him come on the right hand, then must you put forward your left shoulder; or if you would haue him turne on the [Page] left hand, then put your right shoulder somewhat forward.

In turning, you must also remember that your bridle hand may not be farre remoued from the bending of the horsses necke, euer holding it right against the middest of the pommell.

If you ride a horsse that is alreadie made, and perfect; then, to make him turne on the left hand you must turne your bridle hand, yet not mouing it from the place; so as your thumbe be downewards, and your little finger (which is betwixt the reines) be vppermost: and turning on the right hand, you shall turne your fist contrariwise; so as all the other fingers be vpward, but the thumbe not so high as the ring and little fingers. This motion of the hand is not easilie expressed; and therefore M. Claudio remitteth it to the discretion of the rider, so that he keepe his hand firme in the due place prescribed.

But if your horsse be not brought vnto perfection, but weareth his Cauezzan or false reine, then these points of cunning are not required; bicause you are to emploie all necessarie helps, to the end the horsse may hold his head strait, & go iust with his necke, chieflie when he turneth: euer helping, as need requireth. As if you turne on the left hand, then faire and easilie you shall [Page] (according to necessitie) drawe the right false reine: or if you turne on the right hand, then must the left false reine be holden and drawne strait, and the other as you thinke good.

These halfe turnes in the manages without rest, I wish to be iust, and with good grace; for so being, M. Claudio saith they are the most seemelie and necessarie motions the horsse can make. And if the horsse can doo these turnes exactlie well, you may easilie make him also to doo them (as it were) mocking (which for want of english words to expresse the same) I will vse the Italian, calling them Volte ingannate & rubate. The waie Volte ingannate & rubate. to manage your horsse with these Volte ingannate is, that when he commeth vnto the place of turne, readie to stop, you must proffer him to turne on the one hand, and suddenlie turne him on the other.

If you like to vse the same order in turning your horsse, you may doo it in this maner. When you haue set your horsses head strait in the same path and place where he stood with his heeles, without putting him any whit forward; you must force him to make a whole turne round in the same order you obserued in the halfe turnes: so as at euerie end of the manage you shall make one whole turne & a halfe vpon one hand. And [Page] remember that the horsse doo not passe forward to the other end of the manage, till you haue ended the turnes, but tarie till you will haue him so to doo. You may also (if so you thinke good) hauing giuen your horsse an halfe turne on the right hand, presentlie returne him with the like time on the left hand, to make an whole turne, in the order before prescribed. But remember that in these dooings you may not labour your horsse much, vnlesse he be of great force; and more than ordinarie strength. The like order you shall obserue in helping in managing your horsse with rest; sauing that you must then turne him at the first or third aduancing. This manage may be made with halfe turnes, & whole turnes mocked: but they must be aboue the ground & aloft. For I haue often told you, that I like not the whole turnes that be made ouer high, the horsse resting onelie vpon his two hinder feete. And if in ending the halfe turne or the whole turne with the halfe, you put your horsse to one or two Pesate, or as manie Aggroppiati rileuati, before you come to the other end of the manage, the same will be pleasing to the beholders; you shalbe also thought to shew much skill, and the horsse more obedience. Note that in this manage with rest aboue the ground, and high, [Page] you must at euerie turne (for the most part) help the horsse with the euen stroke of the spurs: yet not hard, vnlesse need so requireth.

CHAP. 26.

How to helpe your horsse in his Coruette, Pesate, and Raddoppiare.

ALbeit we haue heretofore spoken of turning, and likewise of the Pesate and Coruette, yet did I not particularlie enforme you of the helpes to them belonging. I saie therfore, that neither in the Coruette nor the Pesate you must in anie wise mooue your legs, to helpe the horsse so busilie, as thereby to seeme rather a weauer than a rider: for you may helpe him sufficientlie otherwise. But you shall hold them strait and forward, and your bodie right vp in the sadle; and not leaning forward, as some curious riders doo, raising their buttocks behind, and lifting them vp and downe more than the horsse either in his Pesate or his Coruerte dooth.

Maister Claudio therefore dooth counsell you, that without anie imitation of these men, you shall in coruetting sit firme in your sadle; with [Page] your legs in their due place, holding a constant hand vpon your bridle. Neuerthelesse, if your horsse doo beare hard, and not make his Coruette lightlie, then may you helpe him with the euen stroke of your spurs; or first with the one, and after with the other, and (if need so requireth) with your bridle hand, turning your fist in such wise, as heretofore I told you; that is, at euerie Coruette, your ring finger, which is vnder, may turne vpward, and your thumbe at the same instant may fall somewhat downeward, towards the bending of your horsse necke.

It will be also a good grace, if in coruetting you hold the end of the reines in your right hand, holding it vp from the other hand two spans: but you may not, during that time, vse your rod, but in steed thereof betwixt your two hands open the reines, and at euerie Coruette shut them suddenlie, making thereby a certeine sharpe sound, which will somewhat awake, stirre and put forward the horsse. You may also vse the voice fit for this purpose as is before said.

Likewise at occasions you shall imploie your rod, striking the horsse sometimes on the one and sometimes on the other shoulder, lightlie or sharpelie, as by your discreation shall be thought meetest. You may in like maner with the [Page] midle part of your rod strike the horsse vpon the bending of his necke, or with the point therof vpon the middest of his buttocks, letting the rod fall backwards ouer your shoulder. It will moreouer be good to vse the whiske of your rod, sometimes before, sometimes behind: for that shall helpe much to hasten the horsse to aduance, and beare his bodie with a seemlie grace, and beate the time fast.

Now you must vnderstand the reason, whie M. Claudio misliketh so much the motion of the The motion of the legs and person misliked, and why? legs and person: bicause (saith he) it is a thing discommendable in the presence of manie lookers on (cheeflie if they be of knowledge) to vse so much art, or bring into their presence a horsse that cannot without helpe, and as it were alone make the Coruette and also the Pesate.

I wish also, that when your horsse turneth, you should sit strait and firme with your bodie, holding your legs in their place, helping the horsse in due time; somewhiles with the euen stroake of your spurs, sometimes on the one side, & sometimes on the other. It may also happen, that the helpe of your legs alone will suffice, and that your spur shall be needlesse; for that your horsse is of too great life and spirit. Therefore that helpe ioined with your bridle hand, your voice [Page] and your rod shall worke the effect of your desire, and make him turne as you would haue him.

If you will turne your horsse vpon the ground Terra terra, we haue heretofore told you how to doo it: if halfe aboue the ground (which the Italians call Amezzo aere) the same helpes shall serue, yet somwhat increased. But if his turnes be loftie Di tempo in tempo, then in turning you must helpe him with a great voice and stronger helps: which the horsse will performe at euerie turne, whensoeuer it please you, if among other helps with the point of the rod you beate him betwixt his buttocks, adding therevnto your voice.

But note this one thing, that in what sort soeuer you turne your horsse, you must not in any wise transgresse or go out of the place. As for example. If you turne Terra terra, the hinder Orders to be obserued in the turnes Terra terra, and A mezzo aere. legs of your horsse may not remooue, but the forelegs onelie go about: the like order you must obserue in his turnes A mezzo aere.

In the turne wherein the horsse mooueth as well his hind as his foreparts (which the Italians call Raddoppiare a groppette) he must of force first mooue his forelegs, and next his hinder legs: yet ought neither the forelegs presse so far forward, nor the hinder legs so much backward, as to exceed the bounds of the beaten circle, which [Page] must not be in widenes more than the horsses length. Yet though the horsse dooth not preciselie keepe the compasse, it shall be no great fault: for it were a thing almost impossible, to measure the motions of an horsse by the geometricall compasse, or the watch of a clocke.

Now to the end you may better conceiue what is said, behold this figure, and imagine that the hinder feet of

[figure]

the horse doo stand in the centre, which is the middest of the circle, and the forefeet in the circumference. Then, when so euer you put the horsse to turne, you must make him to mooue his feet from the place where he standeth, vnto the next line of the crosse, and so from thence to the other without losse of time: so in foure remooues of the horsse feet, he shall euer make one round turne complete; first on the one and then on the other hand. But if it happen, that either you or the horsse doo not keepe the iust remooues of his feet, it shall not be anie great fault, so long as [Page] you obserue time, and close the turne comelie.

To turne loftilie, with or without yarks, you shall obserue the same order: but therein you must be warie and well aduised to keepe your bodie, and chieflie your backe well knit, to the end that when the horsse riseth or setteth, you yeeld not more on the one than the other side. And aboue all things, you must keepe your legs firmelie stretched out, not touching the horsse with your spurre, but with great measure.

The waie to doo so, is to raise your horsse first with his hind parts, as it were a iumpe or two, & then at the second or third iumpe to drawe him to turne aloft, & euerie fourth turne helpe him with the euen stroke of your spurres, with your rod on the contrarie shoulder, & suddenlie with the point of the rod vpon his crooper; adding therevnto the helpe of the bridle hand and bodie, if need requireth. The like you may doo on the other hand, neuer forgetting that in the end of euerie turne (of what sort so euer) you must vse greater speed.

It is also a great helpe to make your horsse to turne high and aboue the ground, if you vse him to turne in some ground that hath the sides somewhat higher than the middest: for therein you turne the horsse, for not hurting his legs [Page] vpon the hill, he will lift his feete with a good grace, casting out his legs as he should doo, and let them fall againe in the iust time and place: & therewith also at the halfe turne yarke out behind, as you would wish, according vnto the helps you put vnto him. The same hils will also serue well to teach your horsse to put one leg ouer the other, which the Italians doo call La ciambetta. But note, that this place ought not to be betweene the hils more than three or foure spannes at the most.

Thus much concerning the Coruette, Pesate, and turnes, both vpon and aboue ground. All which things (the turnes Terraterra excepted) may seeme superfluous in a horsse for seruice: yet sith you may haplie desire to know M. Claudio his opinion in them, I haue thought good to make this short discourse. There with adding the difference betwixt the Coruette and the Pesate, as thus. The Coruette are those motions, which How and wherein the Coruette and Pesate doo differ. the horsse maketh like vnto the iumps of a crow forward: and the Pesate are the same, not so much remoouing forward, but stirring the horsse feet both before & behind, in the same place, like vnto a paire of balance.

CHAP. 27.

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What is to be obserued in the Carriera, and euerie other manage.

FOR so much as your horsse ought to runne surelie, swiftlie, and nimblie increasing his speed, you shall sometimes vse him to passe a carriera, which ought to be rather ouer long than ouer short, chieflie if in the end therof you will raise the horsse to leape with yarkes: which must be doone vpon no hard or stonie ground, but without impediment or perill: and aboue all, looke the place be plaine, rather ascending than descending, yet if at the end it be a little declining, your horsse may stop so much the better.

Note that all horsses generallie doo run more surelie and better vpward than downeward. When so euer you will run your horsse, remember to go vnto the end of the carriera, where settle your selfe a while; yet so, as the horsse may notstand starke still with his feet, but sometimes moouing the one, and sometimes the other: for that is a comelie sight, and sheweth the horsse to [Page] be couragious and fierce, chieflie if he doo it naturallie, beating the ground often with his feet.

Thus being settled, you may put foorth the horsse swiftlie, and speedilie; yet looke that he run not scoping, but rather low with his bellie neere the ground. But before you put the horsse forward, warne him a little by some sort of making of him, gathering vp the reines in your righthand, bearing the same some what high, to the end of the carrierra. You must also carrie your bodie strait and firme, with your face vpward, and your legs comelie: not striking the horsse, either with spur or rod, more than twise, if you find occasion so to doo.

In the end of the carriera, you shall by little & little gather the horsse, so as he may slide vp his heeles vnto the stop: which will be a meane he will ariue with his head the more firme, and fit to make the Pesate or leapes as you desire. If in gathering vp the horsse, not hauing carried your right hand in the course as before, then must you take hold of them with the same hand, holding the left hand firme, yeelding your bodie backwards, which will be a grace and a signe of skill. Note also, that when so euer you passe a carriera, or otherwise manage your horse, that in the end you turne your face towards those lookers [Page] on, which be of most honor and reputation.

CHAP. 28.

In what sort you should vse and exercise horsses of seruice for the warre.

IF so be you desire to haue your horsse made fit for the war, you must be sure to keepe him well breathed, and run him often times vp and downe among hils & vneuen grounds. You shall like wise put him to leape ditches and Meanes to make horsses venterous and hardie. hedges: but remember, that at the first, those leapes be not great, but as you find the horsse able and disposed, so you may put him vnto larger and hier leaping. You must also manie times bring him vnto the turnie and fight with swords, against another man armed. Which you may first doo disarmed, with your sword drawne, trotting or gallopping to and fro against another man, hauing like wise his sword in hand: so as first vsed to this fained fight and noise of armes, he may be bold to doo the like in earnest. Also to in courage your horsse, let the horsse of him that commeth against you, retire and seeme affraid, as though he would flee for feare.

[Page] You must labour also to make your horsse to loue the lance & sword, by shewing them to him when you ride: and in steed of a rod, laie them ouerthwart the horsse necke, and betwixt his eares. It will not be amisse if in like sort you draw your sword vpon the horsse, when he commeth out of the stable, and suddenlie (as it were for feare) retire from him. And if then the horsse doo take courage, and come towards you, put vp your sword, and giue him some thing to eat, making much of him: so shall you find he will become couragious and careles of weapons. The sword prepared for this purpose would be without point or edge, yet bright and glittering.

The strokes which offend horsses most, are those that be giuen vpon their faces. Therefore, to the end your horsse may beare them without harme or impatience, you shall do well to arme him with a shaffron; and in the stable vse him vnto the sounds of trumpets, drums, and ratling of armor: which being first doone, the rest will feare him the lesse.

Aboue all things you must accustome an horsse of seruice to hunting, where manie other horsses are assembled, and where is great noise and shooting; as hornes, drums, and harque busses. Also accustome him to fiers, waters, swimming, [Page] and to behold men both armed and disarmed, aliue and dead, and passe among them. You may also ride him among coches, carts and other carriages, and all things vsed in the warre. It is also to good purpose, if you put your horsse sometimes to indure hunger and thirst, cold and heate, and suffer him to stand the whole daie with some burthen on his backe.

Moreouer, it were good to ride sometimes in the night, to accustome an horsse vnto the noise of armes and warlike instruments, which shall make him the more couragious, bold, and assured. Faile not likewise to let him eate all sorts of meat, to drinke wine, and be bridled and sadled willinglie, and to let you mount & dismount at your pleasure. But aboue the rest, make him to loue your person, and (as it were) be in loue with you.

A horsse for the warre, ought to be a swift Properties required in a horsse for seruice in warre. and sure runner, a good eater, light vpon the hand, strong, nimble, and valiant, without fault or imperfection.

CHAP. 29.

[Page]

How to correct a restie horsse that rereth and yarketh behind.

ARestie horsse is he that refuseth or resisteth to obeie Corrections for horsses. his rider, either in not going forward, or turning on which hand you would haue him. The beginning of this stubborne condition is easilie perceiued. For whensoeuer you find your horsse to go, as it were in two minds, seeming he doubteth whether he should go or not: then shall you foorthwith vse some sharpe correction of voice, and (if he be restie) accompanie the same with some sure stroakes of the rod, vpon his shoulders and loines. But beware in anie wise to strike the Not to strike the horsse on the head. horsse vpon the head, and cheeflie betwixt his eares, for so he may be easilie slaine. To strike him on the head, may also bring other inconueniences, as hurt of the eies, and make an horsse so striken, for euer after to be fearfull of the sword, and cowardlie.

Besides the correction of the voice, the rod, and spur, you may cause two footmen (that haue [Page] some skill) to stand with goads in their hands, & when the horsse refuseth to go forward, then to rate him terriblie, and pricke him behind, till he doo go as you would haue him, & then cease. But during all this time, the rider shall sit quietlie, and saie nothing, and so soone as the horsse goeth forward, or amendeth his fault, make much of him.

An other waie to correct your horsse for this Sharpe corrections for a restie horsse. fault, is, that when he goeth arsward, and refuseth to doo as you would, then to pull him still backe, till he be wearie, and then let a footeman come behind with a long pike, hauing a wispe burning at the end thereof, and therewith pricke your horsse till he go forward; which doing, you must make greatlie of him. But vnlesse the horsse be more than ordinarilie restie, I would not wish you to touch him with fire, or tie chords to his stones, or cats to his taile, as some men doo; bicause so cruell corrections doo deforme the horsses skin, and make him desperate: besides that, such helps are ouer base, and vnfit to be vsed by gentlemen.

Remember also, that if an horsse hauing this fault dooth weare an hard bit, you must take it awaie, and in steede thereof put on a canon or scatch. You must likewise foresee, whether your [Page] horsse hath this fault through want of sight: for if his eies be not good, then will he be fearefull to go forward in respect thereof: in which case you may not proceed with such rigour, but rather by all faire meanes, and much making of, giue him courage to looke well vpon the thing he feareth. M. Claudio therefore dooth counsell riders to walke their horsses abroad, as well in the night as the daie, and bring them in streets and other places, where is much noise, and other things to be feared, as smiths shops, pewterers, brasiers, and such like places.

If your horsse reareth, you must foorthwith Corrections if the horsse rereth, &c. looke what is the occasion therof, to the end you may prouide a remedie. As if you beare too hard an hand, you must hold it more temperatlie. But if the fault be in the horsse, then beat him surelie ouerthwart his shoulders: which correction is also necessarie, when the horsse dooth make his Coruette more high than you would haue him, or in dooing them cast his legs strait foorth. It is also necessarie, that at such time as the horsse dooth go about to reare, you beare a light hand vpon the bridle, and haue the curbe more slacke than ordinarie.

But if your horsse be ouer light, and apt to yarke behind, then shall you correct him well: if [Page] at euerie yarke you giue him a chocke with the bridle; accompaning the same with a stripe of the rod, ouerth wart his bodie and shoulders. Note also, that the crooper of such horsses should be verie slacke, and likewise the quiseill.

If the horsse dooth yarke when he is spurred, then must you continue to spur him the more, till he leaueth that fault: yet so, as the same be doone in due time, first with the one, and next with the other spur, mixing thereto a chocke of the bit, with the corrections of the rod & voice. Till such time as the horsse be brought to leaue this falt, it were also good to haue a strong bit, & sometimes put him forward a great waie in a swift gallop, and therewith tire him.

CHAP. 30.

How to correct an horsse that wrieth his mouth, or that is not willing to turne on either hand indifferentlie.

SOme horsse will drawe vp or wryth the one lip more than the other, the cause thereof may be, either that the bit dooth hurt him, or resteth not in the true place; or else may [Page] proceed of some euill custome. Touching hurting the horsse mouth, or euill placing the bit, the remedie is easie. But if the fault proceedeth of euill custome, you must then correct the horsse, sometime with your heele, sometime with your stirrop, sometime with the rod, sometime with the spur, and sometime with drawing in the contrarie side of the bit: which corrections you must vse more or lesse, according to the obstinacie of the horsse: and till such time as you see him to leaue the fault; which dooing, you must cease from correction, and make much of him. Also to carrie the musroll strait, will helpe well in this case.

If your horsse refuse to turne of anie hand The fault in an horse called in Italian La credenza. (which fault the Italians doo call La credenza) or beareth his necke more on the one side than the other: then would I wish you to put a string vnto the cheefe eie of the bit, and tie the other end thereof to the girth, at such length as your discretion shall thinke good: which doone, you must continuallie sollicit him to turne on that hand you haue tied the string, helping him with your heele, your rod, and spur on the same side. But the best correction for this fault is, first to alight, and tie the horsse head fast to his girths, on that side he refuseth to turne or go, so leauing [Page] him to stand one whole houre: and after with your voice and rod force him to turne on that hand. Other corrections there are which for shortnes I omit; and the rather, bicause some horsses subiect to this fault are therein naturallie so obstinate, as they are vnworthie of the riders labour.

CHAP. 31.

How to correct an angrie horsse, and tender of mouth, that dooth wryth his head from one side to the other.

I Haue here to fore told you, that an horsse being naturallie angrie, must be much made of; but that not sufficing, assure your selfe it proceedeth of euill nature: and therefore faile not to affoord him stripes enough, rating Sharp correction for an angrie horsse. him with a terrible voice, and correcting him by all other meanes due to that errour; vnlesse his anger proceedeth of the tendernesse of mouth, for then you shall entreat him with more patience. And if you find that the horsse mouth is tender vpon the barres, or in the curbing place, then must you vse a gentle bit, and a curbe accordinglie.

[Page] And note, that sometimes an horsse putteth downe his head, for that some tooth is more long or more sharpe than it should be, pricking the gums, or the inside of the lip: which may also be a cause that manie times he eateth not well, and consequentlie becometh leane: which must be amended, by filing that tooth, or otherwise as the ferrer can deuise. If an horsse hauing a gentle mouth doo wryth his head, he may happilie amend that fault, if you put in his mouth a soft bit: but if his mouth be hard, then must you What is iustlie the hardnes of the mouth, read M. Astley his booke of riding: cap. 1. pag. 8. vse an hard bit, correcting him with the spurres, the stirrops, & twitches of the bit, sometimes on the one and sometimes on the other side, euer accompanieng the said corrections with a voice fit for that purpose, holding your hand firme & temperatlie; and if need be, draw the reine of the Cauezzan to the vttermost straitnesse. The like you must doo, when so euer either in pasing, or trotting, he dooth beare his head ouer low, or putteth it downe suddenlie.

And if he letteth his head fall more on the one than the other side, then must you vse the chock of the bridle, & twitch of the Cauezzan with one onelie reine, and on the contrarie side, togither with the other corrections. But if the horsse putteth [Page] downe his head euenlie on either side, then must the correction be giuen with both reines equallie, with both heeles, and the euen stroke of the spurs; or at the least, so soone as you haue striken him on the one side, you must doo the like on the other.

CHAP. 32.

Of horsses that run awaie, and are hot mouthed by meanes of euill riding.

SVch horsses as haue beene euill ridden, and put to run much in their youth, will commonlie runne awaie with their riders. Which was the respect I haue heretofore told you, that verie sildome you should runne your horsses, if before they were not made firme of head and mouth, and therewithall fullie growne. You must also refraine to Notes of angrie horsses. run your horsse, the rather if you know him to be naturallie full of life, and euill mouthed: for so are all cholerike and angrie horsses, as sorell, adust, and roane, and euerie other horsse that hath his snowt reddish, or their whole heads so coloured, if that colour proceedeth not of age. You must likewise refraine to run all slacke and [Page] heauie horsses, and those that haue weake backs, weake legs, and euill feet.

But if the horsse be well made, and coloured as he should be, and therfore runneth awaie onlie bicause he hath beene euill ridden: then must you by little and little (and not all at once) reduce him to order, not by meane of sharpe bits, but by vsing manie daies to pase and trot him forward, and stop him often vpon the decline of an hill, putting him still backe, without making him after to go forward, but then stand still. During these lessons, your horse must weare the cannon and Cauezzan, adding therevnto (if need be) a martegall of leather, or iron in steed of the Cauezzan.

If your horsse at any time dooth well in these lessons, you must in any wise make much of him, and at the stop suffer him to slide a little at the stop, as well in his trot as his gallop, vnlesse he be a great horsse, & bendeth his houghes with difficultie: for such horsses ought to be stopped short, and you must cast your bodie backward more suddenlie than is required in riding other horsses.

To reduce an horsse from running awaie, it To keepe a horsse from running awaie. will helpe much to stop him before a wall. It were also good to bring him into some deepe [Page] ditch that were in length almost as long as a carriera, and at either end place a footeman, holding a cudgill in his hand: who finding when the horsse refuseth to stop, shall presentlie rate him (and if need be) beate him vpon the shoulders. It were not amisse also, for reforming of this fault, to set some kind of thing to stop at the end of the ditch, so as the horsse should of force staie there: but if he be so diuelish, as he doubteth not to run against that prouision, then let him be incountered with a paire of harquebusses, or some burning wispes. All these extremities may be vsed, but M. Claudio thinketh that horsses so desperatelie disposed, are vnwoorthie the stable of Princes or Gentlemen.

CHAP. 33.

How to correct a dull and cowardlie horsse, that runneth not willinglie.

A Cowardlie horsse must be corrected courteously, least wanting courage, he may be made restie. And you must neuer forget to cherish and make much of him when so euer he dooth well. But if the horsse be both dull and [Page] churlish, then must you vse great & sharpe corrections, yet at occasions make much of him.

If your horsse will not runne out his carriera, A deceit of the rider to make his horsse run, &c. being ordinarilie corrected: then shall you deceiue him in this sort. First you must trot & gallop him to & fro at large, a good while, without obseruing anie order at all, & then put him strait forth, where you meane to stop him: and being there, by little & little make the gallop, so speedie, as in the end you force him to run: but at the first, when you vse this subtiltie, you may not make the horsse to passe in full carriera more than the length of a manage. Afterwards vsing the like craft, you may increase the course, till it be a full carriera.

But if all this suffice not to raise the horsse to run couragiouslie as he should doo; find meanes to run him often in companie of other horses, & cause an other horsseman to follow him, rating & striking him with a cudgell vpon the crooper, and the rider likewise beate him, and helpe him with his voice. It is also good, if after you haue gallopped the large rings, you put your horsse forward with furie, till you come vnto the place of stopping: bicause he being desirous to leaue his labouring in the rings will make hast to the stopping place.

CHAP. 34.

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How to correct an horsse that lifteth not his legs, and how to make him put one leg ouer the other.

IF your horsse either in his Pesate or other doings lifteth not his legs as he should doo, then must you with your rod beat him on the knees, chieflie if he lift them ouer high, or put them strait foorth. But in the halfe or whole narow turnes, you must strike him onlie on the knee, on that side you do turne, & also helpe him with your stirrop on the same side. It will helpe much also to ride him in some ground like vnto a boat, euer turning the horsse against the hill, and helping him as before said.

If you will haue him put one leg ouer the other (which will greatlie helpe a horsse, and is a comelie sight) then trot him about verie strait, first on the one then on the other hand, without suffering him to take breath; yet helping him as before said, and leaning downe, to see how he mooueth his shoulders: but finding that the leg on that side the horsse turneth not to go vnder the other, then must you beate him most therevpon with your stirrop & rod. You may obserue [Page] the like order in pasing your horsse. And the ditch made like vnto a boate will helpe much to bring the horsse to cast one leg before the other: which motion the Italians doo call La zampetta, or gambetta.

CHAP. 35.

How to teach your horsse the Gambetta, and what that is.

THe Zampetta, or (as M. Claudio calleth it) Lagambetta, is when the horsse dooth put forward one leg before the other, either in his manage vpon halfe turnes, the Coruette, or at the stop standing firme: which leg would be somewhat lifted vp from the ground, whensoeuer the rider dooth so require.

A horsse being perfect in this lifting and putting forward of his leg, dooth become himselfe the better, not onelie in his turnes vpon the ground, and the other somewhat aboue ground (which the Italians doo call Volte raddoppiate a mezzo aere) but also in the manage turnes, and when he is cast about swiftlie, narrowe, and as it were without rest or time.

[Page] You may teach your horsse the Gambetta in an hollow ground, made like vnto a boate or muskell shell, hauing little hils on either side: so that the plaine ground betwixt the hils be not larger than three or foure spans: you must thervnto put the helps beforesaid.

But you may teach him better in the stable, Where and how to teach your horsse the Gambetta. by striking him with a rod vpon the inside of that leg, which you would haue him lift or put forward, adding there vnto your voice, as; Vp, vp: which you must continue, till the horsse lifteth his leg. But so soone as he so dooth, remooue your rod, and giue him some bread or grasse, in signe he dooth content you.

This order you must dailie obserue, till you see the horsse willing to lift and put the one leg forward, whensoeuer you mooue him thereto with your voice onlie: which he will doo, so soone as you come towards him. The like you must after cause him to doo with the other leg.

When you will haue your horsse hold vp his leg, not letting it fall till you will haue him, then hold your rod still at his leg, so long as you would haue him to doo it. But if he set it downe before you would, then with the same voice and rod faile not to correct him, without remoouing the rod, till he hath stood as long as you [Page] desire, and in such sort as you would haue him: for after that correction he will, at your onelie voice, lift and put forward first one then the other leg, as you would your selfe wish, and so hold them aboue the ground a good while. You may likewise in riding your horsse, helpe him to doo the Gambetta, if you strike him on the leg with your toe or stirrop.

CHAP. 36.

How to teach your horsse to kneele downe, and that he shall suffer his Maister onelie to ride him.

FOr so much as Maister Claudio hath in the beginning of this booke commended an horsse that will kneele downe, when so euer his rider would haue him, either when he mounteth or dismounteth: I thinke good to informe you what meane he would haue you vse to bring the horsse thereto.

First you must doo vnto the horsse in the stable, as you did in teaching him the Gambetta; sauing that you shall now strike him on the out side of his knee, putting therevnto a contrarie voice. For as you said before; Vp, vp: so shall you now saie; Downe, downe.

[Page] But if being vpon the horsse backe, you will haue him kneele on both knees; then must you strike him with your rod on the right knee, and in the same instant strike him with your foote vpon the left leg, adding therevnto the voice you vsed to make him kneele. When you haue brought the horsse with these corrections to vnderstand how to kneele downe, first with the one then with the other leg, and then with both at once: to cause him stand so still, so long as you would haue him, you must hold downewards your rod towards his knees, saieng; Stand firme, or, Stand still. When you will haue him arise vp, lift vp your rod from his legs, beating him lightlie vpon the bent of his necke, and you shall saie thrise; Vp, vp, vp. Also if you haue before taught him to leape and yarke, then may you suddenlie, at his rising, put him therevnto, by vsing the voice and helpe required in leaping & yarking.

If you will make your horsse so coie, as not to Bucephalus the horsse of Alexander Magnus had this propertie. suffer anie other than your selfe to ride him; then let euerie other man that rideth him, rate him, beate him, and intreate him the worst he can deuise: besides that, let them labour him extreamlie, and when they dismount, beate him & threaten him the most that can be deuised. In the meane space, you must make your selfe well acquainted [Page] with the horsse in the stable, and then so soone as others (hauing rigorouslie vsed him) doo dismount, you must come vnto him with a cheerefull countenance, giuing him pleasant things to eate, and put them aside that haue offended him.

You shall likewise please him much, to cherish him with your hands, when you weare sweete gloues, wiping his face, and chieflie his nosthrils with perfumes & sweet handkerchiefs: for neatnesse & sweetnes be two things wherein a horsse Two things wherein a horsse delighteth. dooth singularlie take pleasure. Hauing thus doone, you shall mount vpon his backe, first staieng a while; then making much of him, both before & behind: put him forward pasing, & then alight, not suffering any man but your selfe to lead him into the stable, & giue him some pleasant thing to eate when he is dressed.

But note, that whatsoeuer hath beene said of kneeling downe, and not suffring others than the maister of the horsse to ride him, must be vsed onelie vpon horsses of great spirit, vnderstanding, and aptnesse therevnto.

FINIS.

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Information about this book

Title statement

The art of riding conteining diuerse necessarie instructions, demonstrations, helps, and corrections apperteining to horssemanship, not herettofore expressed by anie other author: written at large in the Italian toong, by Maister Claudio Corte, a man most excellent in this art. Here brieflie reduced into certeine English discourses to the benefit of gentlemen and others desirous of such knowledge.Cavallarizzo. English

Corte, Claudio.

Edition statement

1584

Publication

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Text Creation Partnership,

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Ann Arbor, MI ; Oxford (UK) :

Date

2008-09 (EEBO-TCP Phase 1).

ID [DLPS]

A19369

ID [STC]

STC 5797

ID [STC]

ESTC S100322

ID [EEBO-CITATION]

99836166

ID [PROQUEST]

99836166

ID [VID]

421

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(EEBO-TCP ; phase 1, no. A19369)

Transcribed from: (Early English Books Online ; image set 421)

Images scanned from microfilm: (Early English books, 1475-1640 ; 209:04)

Source

— The art of riding conteining diuerse necessarie instructions, demonstrations, helps, and corrections apperteining to horssemanship, not herettofore expressed by anie other author: written at large in the Italian toong, by Maister Claudio Corte, a man most excellent in this art. Here brieflie reduced into certeine English discourses to the benefit of gentlemen and others desirous of such knowledge., Cavallarizzo. English, Corte, Claudio., Bedingfield, Thomas, d. 1613..

Extent

[12], 112, p. : ill.

By H. Denham,. Imprinted at London :: 1584.. (Translation of: Il cavallarizzo.) (Translator's dedication signed: T. Bedingfield.) (Running title reads: The art of riding, according to Claudio Corte.) (Reproduction of the original in the Henry E. Huntington Library and Art Gallery.)

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