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THE PERFECT HORSEMANMARKHAM'S Fifty Years Practice. Shewing how a man may come to be a General Horſeman, By the knowledge of theſe Seven Offices; VIZ. The BREEDER, FEEDER, AMBLER, RIDER, KEEPER, BUYER, FARRIER. And now Publiſhed by Lancelot Thetford, Practitioner in the ſame Art for the ſpace of Forty Years.
The Second Edition.
LONDON. Printed for Humphrey Moſeley, at the Prince's Arms in St. Pauls Church-yard. 1656.
WEre not this the Of spring of a long Conception, and (after above fifty years Experience) fitted for the birth, I would not now produce it into the World, ſince ſo many of the ſame kind have already crept in before it, that this can ſcarce expect the leaſt portion of your Acceptation: Yet when I tell you, that (notMr MARKHAMS ProCabinet Councels) you ſhall here find many moſt Rare Secrets of his, and yet not ſo much his own, as his moſt inPubliſher her
to whom as a Legacy, he bequeathed them, and by whom ſince, for his priapproved ſucceſs, they have been praHORSEMANSHIP, either for the Theorick or Practick, but is here exactly diſcovered: For Breeding, here is the manner how, the ſeaſon when, the place where, together with the Colours, Marks and Shapes, as well of Stallions as Mares. The Feeder, Rider, Keeper, Ambler and Buyer, have here their moſt particular Inſtructions; but above all, the Farrier (be he never ſo skilful) may hereby perfect his knowledg, and inrich himſelf. But whoever thou bee'ſt that buyeſt it, whether for thy pleaſure or profit, if thou art pleaſed, I have my ends.
The Grounds to breed on would be ſpati
Let the Situation be aſcending, the Air pure, the Laire dry, and the Foot-tread firm, no matter how rough or incertain
As much Ground as will keep a Milch-Cow, will keep a Milch-Mare, and a great dealleſs when ſhe is barren or unwrought.
Again, as Change of Paſture makes fat Calves, ſo Alteration of Grounds raiſes gal
Thus far for thoſe which have ability. But for them which muſt breed for neceſſity, let his Yard, Back-ſide, or Stable ſerve to foal in, the white Corn-fields to ſummer in, and the Cratch or Stand-heck to winter at.
Next the Change of Grounds, I place the Choice of Stallions and Mares, which is a Theme I have ſo oft written of, that I muſt needs refer the Curious to thoſe larger Vo
For any ſingular election of Mares, the Breeder need not be too curious; only ob
Now for thoſe Breeders which look not ſo much into the breed and generation of the Horſe, as into his actions and good dayes works; accounting because he hath won ſuch a wager, or beaten ſuch a horſe, therefore he muſt neceſſarily be an excellent Stallion: let them know they are deceived; for this is no good conſequence; no more then if a
A Horse may beget good Colts from four years old to fourteen; after, he declineth: and a Mare may bring forth from three years old to thirteen, and then ſhe decayeth: yet are neither utterly loſt, but both may be made to ſerve for the ſame uſe a much longer ſea
Moderate labour is good for Breed of Mares, when they go over; for it maketh them apt to take the horſe, and ſoon to con
The abſolute beſt time to put the horſe and Mares together, is the beginning of March, provided there be ſtrength and luſt in both. For, the earlier the Foal falleth, finding no want or ſcarceneſs, the better Horſe is ever produced: And ſo conſequently from the beginning of May; the Foals that fall after ſuch a time cannot chuſe but have imperfect
There be ſome Horſemen which hold that the Lammas Foal proves ever an excellent Horſe; and I diſſent not from it, where there is plenty and fulneſs of keeping; for he knows the worſt of Winter before Summer appear, and ſo may be good and hard; but if he chance to be pinched with either, the ſmalnes of his ſtatute will leſſen his goodneſs, and his weakneſs make uſeleſs his hardneſs.
The Lammas Foals are commonly known by many obſcure feathers out of their own ſights, as under their eyes, upon their necks, creſts, and under their chaps. To conclude, it is not good to put the Horſe to the Mares
To know when your Mares are ready (if it be in a wild Stud) obſerve their chaſing and galloping up and down morning & evening, and their inconſtancie of abiding in any one place, eſpecially throwing their noſes to the North and South, the lifting up of their tails, riding one anothers backs, wooding one an
When your Mares are ready, the queſtion is how they ſhall be put together, whether abroad at random for ſundry weeks, or at home in private for a night or two?
If abroad, let your fence be good, your food ſweet, and your ſhelter ſufficient. If in the houſe, then in ſome empty Barn or ſpa
Now there is a third manner of covering, and I preferr it for the beſt, becauſe it keeps the Stallion longer in ability, and ſerves the Mare with a great deal more certainty: And that is, firſt to be ſure to have them both at one dyet, as the Mare at graſs and the horſe at ſoil; then finding the Mare (by tryal) ready, put them together into ſome cloſe
If you cover abroad (as I ſpake before, at random) an Horſe may well ſerve twelve Mares, if you expect no other ſervice of him. If you cover in the houſe, where he hath ex
After your Mares are covered, keep them as much as you can from diſturbance, eſpeci
If any of your Mares be hard of foaling, or in danger in foaling, then either hold her noſtrils ſo that ſhe cannot draw wind: or if that prevail not, then take the quantity of a Walnut or better of Madder, and diſſolve it in a pint of old Ale, and being warm give it
Now if after her foaling ſhe do not cleanſ
By no means let the Mare eat her cleans
Let Foals run with their Dams (if you have go
The firſt winter, ſpare neither Hay nor Corn, that is, Oats in the chaff or in the ſheaf; the cha
The ſame ſhape which a Foal carries at a full month old, he will carry at ſix years old, if he be not abuſed in after-keeping; and as the good ſhape, ſo the defects alſo.
A large ſhin-bone that is long from the knee to the paſtern in a Foal, ſhews a tall Horſe. Look what ſpace there is in a Foal new foaled, between his knee and withers, double that will be his height when he is a compleat Horſe.
Foals that are of ſtirring ſpirits, free from affrights, wanton of diſpoſition, active in leaping, running and chaſing, ever leading the way and ſtriving for maſtery, theſe al
There is a Rule, and it is a good one, that an Horſes ability, and continuance in goodBarbary; and it is indeed the only character by which to know him from all other horſes.
Wean your ordinary Foals from their Dams at the end of ſeven months at the ut
As you ſeparate Foals from the Dams, ſo you muſt divide the Mare-Colts: for it is certain, that amongſt theſe high-bred ſpirits
If you intend to geld any of your ColtsAries or Virgo; the time of the year in generall is the Spring or Fall
Touching the taming of Colts, or making them domeſtick or familiar, you ſhall begin even from the firſt weaning, and ſo winter after winter (in the houſe) uſe them to fa
The beſt time to break Colts to the ſaddle, according to the antient opinion and general cuſtom of men, (and which brings them ſoon
All the actions about a Colt in his nonage, or an Horſe to break at elder age, muſt b
Touching the coiling of the Stud, or make
When you find any of your Mares grow into barrenneſs, unnaturalneſs, or diſeaſe, a
IT is not intended that in theſe few Ob
He that looks for ſuch largeneſs of diſ
To begin then with the firſt taming or making gentle of a Colt (as I ſhewed you in the Obſervations for Breeding) you muſt begin the firſt winter after his foaling, and ſo continue every winter till he come to the
Neither doth this taming of a Colt conſiſt in the houſe only, but in the field alſo, where with a Cavezan or Chain, and a long Rei
When your Horſe is thus made gentle you may then offer him the Saddle: but with that deliberate carefulneſs, that he may not take affright or diſlike thereat; ſuffering him to ſmell at it, to be rubbed with it, and as it were to feel it and not to feel it; then in the end to fix it on, and girt it faſt; and at what part and motion ſoever he ſeems moſt coy, with that make him moſt familiar.
When he will endure the Saddle, then trot him abroad with it, and make him (as before) trot his Rings on both hands about you, clap the Saddle as it ſtands on his back
When he will trot with the Saddle obedi
Then take a broad peece of Leather, and put it about the Horſes neck, and make the two ends faſt by platting or otherwiſe at the Withers and mid-part before his Weiſand
The Horſe thus accoutred, trot him abroad as before ſhewed, and chaſe him about you on both hands. And if you find either the Reins of the Trench or Martingal to grow ſlack, then ſtraiten them; for where there i
When you have exerciſed your horſe thus divers mornings, noons or evenings, and find him both tractable, ready and obedient, you may then take him into ſome new ploughed ground (the lighter, the better) and hav
When this is effected, you may lay by the long Rein, and the Band about the neck, and only uſe the Trenches, the Cavezan, and the Martingal; and inſtead of leading in hand, let a Groom on another Horſe lead the way before you into the field: where you ſhall not ſtrive to teach him any other leſſon, then to go ſtrait forthright forward, and to ſtand ſtill when you pleaſe: which will be effected in a few mornings, by trotting him forward a mile or two after another horſe, and ſo bring him home ſometimes after the horſe, ſome
When this work is finiſhed, you may then proceed to teach your horſe thoſe leſſon
Before you teach your Horſe any leſſon, you muſt know there are ſeven helps to ad
The Voice is an help, when it is ſweet and accompanied with cheriſhings and it is a cor
The Rod is an help in the ſhaking, and a correction in the ſtriking.
The Bit is an help in its ſweetneſs, the Snaffle in its ſmoothneſs; and they are cor
The Calves of the legs are helps when you lay them gently to the horſes ſides; and cor
The Stirrop and Stirrop leathers are helps when you thruſt them forward in a quick motion, and ſtir up in the horſe ſpirit and agility. But when you ſtrike it againſt the hinder part of the ſhoulder, it is a correction and awakens memory.
The Spur is an help when it is gently deli
Laſtly, the Ground is an help, when it is plain and ſmooth, and not painfull to tread on; and it is a correction, when it is rough, deep, and uneven, for the amendment of any vice conceived.
When your horſe will receive you to and, from his back g
Now here is to be cleered a Parodox held by many of our Horſmen, which is, that the exerciſe of Rings is not good for Running horſes, becauſe it raiſes up his fore-feet, and makes him gallop painfully, and ſo an hin
When you come to the place of ſtop, or would ſtop; by a ſudden drawing in of our Bridle-hand ſomwhat hard and ſharp, make him ſtop cloſe, firm and ſtrait in an eaven line: and if he erre in any thing, put him to it a
Now if you do accompany this Stop with an Advancement a little from the ground, it will be more gallant, and may be done by laying the Calves of your legs to his ſides, and ſhaking your rod over him as he ſtops. If it chance at firſt he underſtand you not, yet by continuance and labouring him there
After ſtopping and advancing, make him retire, as before ſhewed. And this motion of Retiring you muſt both cheriſh and in
When your horſe is come to perfection in theſe leſſons, and hath his head firmly ſetled, his rein conſtant, and his mouth ſweetned, you may then (if you intend him for the wars) take away his Trench and Martingal, and only uſe the Cavezan of four or three pieces, that is, a Joint or no Joint in the midſt, and to that Joint a ſtrong Ring, and a Joint of each ſide with Rings before the Joints, to which you ſhall put ſeveral Reins to uſe ei
When he is thus ſetled upon his Bit, then you ſhall teach him to turn roundly and rea
The one is, when the Horſe keepeth his hinder parts inward and cloſe to the poſt or center, and ſo cometh about and makes his circumference with his fore-parts, following an enemy that a little avoids him.
And the other is, when he keeps his fact fixt on the poſt or center, and comes about and makes his circumference with his hinder parts, oppoſing face to face with his enemy.
For the firſt of theſe ſtrait Turns, it is thus to be taught.
When you have made your horſe th
Now for the other ſtrait flying Turn, which is to keep his face fixt
In this leſſon exerciſe him as in the former Then (after a perfectneſs) mount his back, and labour him as before ſhewed. Then laſt
There be many horſes ſo evil beholden to Nature for giving them ſhort untoward Necks, and worſe, ſet on Heads; and ſo little beholden to Art to endeavor to amend them, that many good horſes are left cureleſs of theſe two groſs unſufferable faules; which are either a deformed carriage of the head like a Pig on a broach
To help any, or both of theſe: If it be a young horſe, at the firſt riding, then to his Trench; if of old ſtanding, then to his Snaffle, (for I ſpeak not of the Bit.) Put a pair of Reins, half as long again as any ordi
There is another foul error in many horſes which theſe Reins alſo cure, as this. When your horſe is either ſo wythie cragg'd (as the Northern man calls it) or ſo looſe and unſteady-necked, that which way ſoever you draw your hand, his head and neck will fol
Take a ſtrong Whale bone, that is at one end of one ſide round, of the other flat, and of a pretty thickneſs; then ruſh grown and ſmall to the other end. All round to the flat end glue a peece of Cord, about an inch
Then take a ſtrong Ribbon, and faſten it with a loop to the Spurneck on the near ſide, and draw it under the horſes belly upon the far ſide: Then faſten another to the Spur on the far ſide
Now when ſhe will ſpur on the left ſide (which we call the near ſide) let her draw
I Will not diſpute the ſeverall opinions of men in this Kingdom touching the keep
There be divers, nay ſome which I know carry the Goddeſſes on their backs, that af
Yet as Heretiques cite Scriptures, ſo theſe find Reaſons to defend want of knowledge.
As, the danger of too early exerciſe; the offence of greaſe ſuddenly broken; the moving of evill humors too haiſtily, which leads to mortal ſickneſs.
And the moderation or helping of all theſe by a ſlow proceeding, or bringing of the horſe into order by degrees and time, o
Theſe Reaſons I know have the ſhew of a good Ground; for too early exerciſe is dan
To break greaſe too ſuddenly is an offence unſufferable, for it puts both limbs and life in hazard, but not if purged away by whol
The haſty ſtirring up of humours in a body where they ſuperabound, and are generally diſperſed, and not ſetled, cannot chuſe but breed ſickneſs; but not where diſcretion and
And for t
But you will demand of me what limitati
But reply they, No ſcouring is to be al
I call it dilatory and doubtfull, becauſe no man (in this lingring courſe) can certainly tel which way the gre
All this Envy cannot chuſe but confeſs; only they have one broken crutch to ſupport them, which is, They know no Scouring, therefore they will allow of no Scouring.
Againſt Barbariſm I will not diſpute, only I appeal to Art or Diſcretion, whether Pur
The natural food of Man is bread only, all other things (according to the Philoſo
Nay, allow them a little ſhadow of truth, That things moſt natural, are moſt beneficial: then it muſt follow, that Graſs, or Hay (which is but withered Graſs) is moſt natural, and ſo moſt beneficial. Now Graſs is phyſical, for in it is contained all manner of Simples of all manner of mixtures, as hot, cold, moiſt, dry; of all qualities, all quantities. So that what
But will they bind themſelves to keep the Running-horſe only with Graſs or Hay? They know then the end of their labour will be loſs. Nay, they will allow Corn, nay di
Nay, theſe Contemners of Scourings will allow an Egg, nay an Egg mixt with other ingredients: And for Butter and Garlick, they will uſe it, though it be never ſo fulſom. The reaſon is, becauſe their knowledge can ariſe to no higher a ſtair in phyſick; and authoriſed Ignorance will ever wage battel with the beſt Underſtanding: like fooliſh Gallants on St. Georges day, who neither
Martin Marprelate, that not having Learning worthy of a Deacon, found no fe
There are another ſort of Feeders, which in a contrary extream run beyond theſe into miſchiefs; and thoſe are they which over
From this too little, and too much, I would have our Feeder to gather a mean; that is, Firſt to look that his Simples be wholſom: then to the occaſion, that he is ſure there is foulneſs: and laſtly to the eſtate of body, that he may rather augment then decreaſe vigor. So ſhall his work be proſperous, and his actions without controllment.
To conclude, Two months I allow for preparation, and according to that time have laid my Directions. Mine humble ſuit is, out of a ſincere opinion to Truth and Juſtice, ſo to allow or diſallow, to refrain or imitate.
This office of the Feeder, albeit in general it belong to all Horſmen, yet it particular it is moſt appropriate to the Feeder of the Running-horſe; becauſe other general horſes have a general way of feeding, theſe an arti
Therefore when an Horſe is matcht, or to be matcht for a Running courſe, you art principally to regard the eſtate of body it which the horſe is at the time of his match
The firſt is, if he be very fat, foul, and ei
The ſecond, if he be extream lean and poor, either through over-riding, diſorder, or other infirmity.
And the third, if he be in good and well
If he be in the firſt eſtate of body, you ſhall take longer time for his feed, as two
If he be in the ſecond eſtate of body (which is poor) then you ſhall alſo take a longer time as you may, yet you need not ſo much as in the former; both becauſe Graſs cannot much hurt, and exerciſe may go hand in hand with feeding.
This horſe would have moderate and cheer
If he be in the third eſtate of body, which is a mean betwixt the other extreams, then a moneth or ſix weeks, or a fortnight or leſs, may be time ſufficient to diet him for his Match
Now as you regard theſe general eſtates of bodies, ſo you muſt have an eye to certain particular eſtates of bodies: As if an horſe be
Again, if your horſe be in extreme pover
Thus you ſee how to look into the eſtate
If you match an Horſe that is fat and foul, either by running at graſs, or ſtanding at ſoil, or by any other means of reſt, or too high feeding; you ſhall (after his body is emptied, and the graſs avoided, which will be three or four days) for the firſt fortnight at the leaſt, riſe early in the morning before day, or at the ſpring of day according to the time of the year; and having put on his Bridle waſht in beer, and tyed him up to the rack, take away his dmng and other foulneſs of the ſtable; then dreſs him well, as in the Office of the Keeper,
When that work is finiſhed, take a fair large Body-cloth of thick Houſwifes Kerſie (if it be in winter) or of Cotton or other light Stuffe (if it be in ſummer) and fold it round about the horſes body, then clap on the
Then put before his breaſt a Breaſt-cloath ſutable to the Body-cloth, and let it cover both his ſhoulders; Then take a little Beer
When you are mounted, rack the horſe foot-pace (for you muſt neither amble no
When you have uſed him a little calmly, then put him into a gentle Gallop, and exer
When he hath drank ſufficient, then bring him home gently, without a wet hair or any ſweat about him.
When you come to the ſtable-door before which your Groom ſhall ever throw all his fo
This done, bring him into his ſtall, and tie him up to the Rack, then with wiſps rub his
When theſe are girt about him, ſtop hi
After he is cloathed, pick his feet and ſtop them up with cow-dung; and then throw int
When he hath ſtood on his bridle an ho
As for the black Oats, though they are to
This quart of Oats you ſhall ree and dreſs wondrous clean in a Sive that is much leſs then a Riddle, and though bigger then a Reeing-ſive, ſuch an one as will let a light Oat go through, but keep a full one from ſcattering, and ſo give them to the horſe; and if he eat them with a good ſtomack, you may give him another, and ſo let him reſt till it be eleven a clock:
Then come to the Stable, and having rub
And here you are to underſtand, that the darker you keep your horſe in your abſence,
At one a clock come to him, and dreſs him another quart of oats, and give them as before, after you have rubbed his head and nape of the neck: then putting away his dung, and making the ſtable clean, give him a knob of Hay, and ſo leave him till eve
At evening come to the Stable, and having made all things clean, bridle as in the morn
Then cloath, ſaddle, bring him forth, urge him to empty, mount, rack him abroad, but not to the hills, if you can finde any other plain ground, as meadow, paſture, or the like, eſpecially if it lye along by a River, but in this caſe you can be no chuſer, but muſt take the moſt convenient, making a vertue of neceſſity. Here air him in all points in the evening, as you did in the morning, Gallop
When you have watred, and ſpent the evening in airing till within night, (for no
At nine a clock come to him, and firſt rub down his legs with wiſps, or with a clean cloth, or with your bare hands (which is beſt of all) then with a clean cloth rub his face, head, chaps, nape of the neck and foreparts, then turn up his cloathes and rub over all his hinder parts; then put down his clothes, and ſift him a quart of Oats and give them him; then put into his Rack a little bundle of hay, toſs up his litter and make his bed ſoft, and ſo leave him till the next morning.
The next morning (as the morning be
But here give me leave to digreſs a little for ſatisfaction ſake, and to anſwer objecti
But if I be underſtood rightly, I ſet not this down as an infallible Rule, but a Preſi
So now again to the giving of Heats.
Now touching Heats, you are to take to your ſelf theſe four Conſiderations.
Now to come to the ſecond fortnight feeding: touching your firſt approaching to the Stable, and all other by reſpects, a
Take three pecks of clean Beans, and one peck of Wheat, mix them together and grind them, then boult it through a reaſonable fine Raunge, and knead it up with great
At three daies old, or thereabout, you may give this bread, but hardly ſooner: for no
But to return to my purpoſe, when you
About eleven a clock come to him, and by ceremonies give him the ſame quantity of bread and oats, and ſo leave him till after
At one a clock in the afternoon (if you in
But if you intend the next day to give him an heat (to which I now bend mine aym) you ſhall then only give him a quart of oats clear ſifted, but no hay, and ſo let him reſt till evening.
At four a clock before you put on his bridle, give him a quart of clean ſifted oats, and when they are eaten; bridle him up, dreſs, cloath, ſaddle, air, water, exerciſe, bring home and order, as before ſhewed, onely give no hay at all.
After he hath ſtood an hour on his bridle, give him a quart of oats, and when they are caten, put on his head a ſweet muzzel, and ſo let him reſt till nine a clock at night
Theſe Muzzels are ſomtimes made of lea
The beſt Summer Muzzell, (and indeed the beſt generally at all times, is the Ner
The beſt Winter-muzzell (and indeed
At nine a clock at night come to the Sta
The next day early in the morning, come to the horſe (if he be ſtanding, but if he be laid
When you are come within a mile o
Alſo during the time you thus courſe him, you ſhall note upon what ground he runneth beſt, and whether up the hill or down the hill; whether on the ſmooth or on the rough, on the wet or on the dry, or on the levill or the earth ſomewhat riſing; and according as you find his nature, ſo main
When you are come to the Stable dore,
Take a pint of the Syrope of Roſes, or a pint of ſtrong honyed water and diſſolve into it of Caſſia, Agarick and Myrrhe, of each half an ounce, and ſymbolize and jumble them together in a Vyall glaſs.
Then being muld, and made warm at the fire, and the horſe newly come from his heat (as before ſhewed) give him this ſcouring, for it is a ſtrong one, and avoydeth all manner of molten greaſe and foulneſs.
As ſoon as you have given him this ſcour
The horſe muſt faſt full two hours afte
After he hath faſtned on the bridle two hours, then you ſhall take a handfull of wheat ears, being your Polland wheat, that is without Awnes, and coming to the Horſe, firſt handle the roots of his ears, then put your hands under his cloathes againſt his heart upon his flanks, and on the neather part of his thighs; and if you find any new ſweat ariſe, or any coldneſs of ſweat, or if you ſee his body beat, or his breath move faſt then forbear to give him any thing, for it ſhews there is much ſoulneſs ſtirred up, on which the medicine working with a conque
After he hath eaten the wheat ears, give him a little knob of hay clean duſted, and draw his bridle rubbing his head well.
An hour after his hay, ſiſt him a quart of oats, and to them put two or three handfull of ſpelted beans, which you ſhall cauſe to be reed and dreſt ſo clean as is poſſible from all manner of hulls, duſt and filth whatſoever, ſo as there may be nothing but the clean Beans: to theſe oats and beans you ſhall break two or three ſhives of bread clean chipt, and give all to the horſe, and ſo leave him for two or three hours.
At evening (before you dreſs him) give him the like quantity of oates, beans, and bread, and when he hath eaten them, bridle him, dreſs and cloathe him; for you ſhall neither ſaddle or air him forth, becauſe this evening after his heat, the horſe being foul, and the ſcouring yet working in his body, he may not receive any cold water at all.
After he is dreſt, and hath ſtood two hours on his bridle, then take three pints of
After he hath eaten his waſht meat, and reſted upon it a little ſpace, you ſhall at his feeding times, (which hath been ſpoken of before) with oats and ſpelt Beans, or Oats and bread, or all together, or each ſeverall and ſimple of it ſelf, according to the appe
The next day very early, firſt feed, then dreſs, cloath, ſaddle, air, water, and bring home as at other times; onely have a more carefull eye to his emptying, and ſee how his greaſe and foulneſs waſteth.
At his feeding times, feed as was laſt ſhew
Thus you ſhall ſpend the ſecond fortnight, in which your horſe having received 4 heats, horſman like given him, and four ſcourings, there is no doubt but his body will be drawn inwardly clean; you ſhall then the third fort
This third fortnight you ſhall make his bread finer then it was formerly, as thus.
You ſhall take two pecks of clean Beans
With this bread, having the cruſt cut clean away, and being old, as before ſhewed, with ſpelt Beans and clean ſifted Oats, feed your horſe this fortnight as you did the former, obſerve his dreſſings, airings, feedings, heat
Firſt, you ſhall not give your Heats ſo violently as before, but with a little more pleaſure; as thus,
If the firſt heat have violence, the ſecond ſhall have eaſe, and indeed none to overſtrain him, or to make his body ſore.
Next, you ſhall not after his heats, give him any more of the former ſcouring; but
The true manner of making thoſe Cordial Balls which cure any violent cold or glanders, which, &c
The fourth and laſt fortnight you ſhall make your bread much finer then either of the former.
Take three pecks of fine Wheat, and one peck of Beans, grind them on the black ſtones, and boult them through the fineſt boulter you can get: then knead it up with ſweet Ale, Barm and new ſtrong Ale, and the Barm beaten together, and the whites of twenty or thirty eggs; but in any wiſe no water at all, but in ſtead thereof ſome ſmall quantity of new milk, then work it up, bake it, and order it as the former.
With this bread, having the cruſt cut clean away, and with Oats well
You ſhall keep your heating days the firſt week or fortnight, as you did the former fortnight, but the laſt week you ſhall forbear one heat, and not give any five days before the match day, onely you ſhall give him ſtrong and long airings.
You ſhall not need this fortnight, to give him any ſcouring at all.
If this fortnight morning and evening you burn the beſt Frankinſence in your ſtable, you ſhall find it exceeding wholſom for the Horſe, and he will take wonderfull delight therein.
In this fortnight, when you give the Horſe any waſht meat, waſh it in the whites of eggs, or Muskadine, for that is more wholſom and leſs purſie.
This fortnight give the horſe no hay, but what he taketh out of your hand after his heats, and that in little quantity, and clear duſted.
The laſt week of this fortnight, if the horſe be a foule feeder, you muſt uſe the Muzzell continually; but if he be a clean Feeder, then three days before the match is ſuffi
Late at night feed as you did in the eve
This day you ſhall coule your horſe, ſhoo him, and do all extraordinary things of or
For mine own part, touching the nice and ſtrait plaiting up of horſes tails in the manner of Sakers, or Docks, with tape or ribban, which is now in generall uſe, howſoever the ornament may appear great to the eye, yet I do not much affect it; becauſe I know, if an ignorant hand have the workmanſhip thereof he may many ways give offence to the Horſe, and in avoiding cumberſomneſs, breed a great deale more comber: therefore I wiſh every one, rather to paſs by curioſity (which they call neceſſary ornament) then by theſe falſe Graces to do injury to the Horſe. Now for the neceſſary and indifferent things which are to be done. I had rather have them finiſhed the day before, then on the morning of the courſe, becauſe I would have the horſe that morning to find neither trouble nor vexation.
The next morning (which is the match day) come to the Horſe very early, take off his Muzzell, rub his head well, right his cloathes, and give them eaſe by unwiſping, and uſing the plain Circingle; then give him a pretty quaintity of oats waſhed in Muska
But if he be a good and free emptier, then ſtir him not, but let him lie quiet.
When you have warning to make ready, come to the Horſe, and having waſht his ſnaffle with Muskadine, take off the Muzzle and bridle him up; but before you bridle, if you think him too empty, give him three or four mouthsfull of the waſhed meat laſt ſpoken of, then bridle up and dreſs him; after pitch the Saddle and Girths with Cord
In all your leadings upon the courſe, uſe
Alſo in your leading, if any white or thick foam or froth riſe about the horſes mouth, with a clean handkerchiefe wipe it away, and carrying a bottle of clean water about you, waſh his mouth now and then there
When you come to the place of ſtart, be
There is no unreaſonable creature of plea
The firſt obſervation therefore that I would arm our Feeder withall, is the true di
Let him then obſerve if there be any meat or drink, or other nouriſhment which he knoweth to be good for the horſe, yet he re
Our Feeder muſt obſerve if his horſe be ſubject to lameneſs or ſtifneſs, to ſurbait or tenderneſs of feet, then to give him his heats upon ſmooth Carpet earth, and to forbear ſtrong ground, hard high-ways, croſs ruts and
Our Feeder muſt obſerve, that the ſtrong
For the ſhape of body, There be ſome horſes that are round, plump, and cloſe knit together, ſo that they will appear fat and wel ſhaped, when they are lean and in poverty. Others are raw-boned, ſlender, and looſe knit together, and will appear lean and defor
The outward help is the outward handling and feeling of the horſes body generally ove
If his fleſh generally handle ſoft and looſ
The inward help is onely ſharp exerciſ
Our Feeder muſt obſerve his horſes ſtones for if they hang down ſide, or low from h
Our Feeder muſt obſerve ever the nig
Our Feeder ſhall obſerve, that albeit I give no direction for watering the horſe after the heats, yet he may in any of the later fort
Our Feeder ſhall obſerve. That if the ground whereon he is to run his match, be dangerous, and apt for miſchievous accidents, as ſtrains, over-reaches, ſinew bruiſes, and the like, that then he is not bound to give all his heats thereon; but having made the Horſe acquainted, with the nature thereof, then either to take part of the Courſe, as a mile, two or three, according to the goodneſs of the ground, and ſo to run his horſe forth and again (which we call turning heats) provided always that he end his heat at the weighing-poſt, and that he make not his courſe leſs but rather more in quantity then
Our feeder ſhall take eſpeciall regard in al his airings, heatings, and all manner of exer
If upon good occaſion, as ſtrong heats, great labour and the like, he ſweat, yet his ſweat is white froth and like ſope-ſuds, then is the horſe inwardly ſoul, and wanteth alſo exerciſe But if the ſweat be black, and as it were only water thrown upon him, without any frothi
Our Feeder ſhall obſerve his horſes Hair
Many other Obſervations there be, but theſe are moſt materiall, and I hope ſufficient for any reaſonable underſtanding
I Would have our Keeper of theſe orde
After he hath eaten them, let him dres him, that is to ſay, he ſhall firſt curry him all over with the Iron comb, from the head to the tail, from the top of the ſhoulder to the knee, and from the top of his buttock to the hinder cambrell; then duſt him all over with a clean duſting cloath, or with an horſe
Then ſaddle him and ride him out to wa
After he hath ſtood an hour, give him the former quantity of provender, and the ſame in kind.
After he hath eaten his provender, give him into his rack a pretty bundle of hay, and ſo let him reſt till noon.
At noon give him the former quantity of provender, and the ſame in kind, and ſo let him reſt till evening, onely renewing his hay if there be occaſion.
At evening dreſs him as in the morning, then ride him forth to water, and do as you did in the morning.
When you come home and have cloathed him up, let him ſtand on his bridle as before, then give him the former quantity of pro
Thus you ſhall do concerning his ordinary keeping at home where the Horſe hath reſt and that you may diſpoſe of hours as you pleaſe
Nor would I have you to diſtract your mind with any doubt or amazement, becauſe I preſcribe you five ſeverall times of feeding in one day, as if it ſhould either over-charge you, or over-feed your horſe: queſtionleſs there is no ſuch matter when you look into the true proportion: for it cannot be denied that whoſoever is worthy of a good horſe,
Wincheſter meaſure.
Now to give it at twice it fills the ſtomack more, makes the digeſtion worſ
But if you intend to give an heat, as to hunt, gallop, travell, or the like, (which I would wiſh you to do once, twice, or thrice a week according to the ability of your horſe) then obſerve all your former obſerva
In the morning before his heat very early and before his dreſſing, give him three or four handfull of clean ſifted oats, waſht ei
After his heat
At night warm him a little water and give it him luke-warm, with a little fine pounded Oatmeal thrown upon it, then an hour after give him his provender, and a pretty bundle of hay, and ſo let him reſt till the next mor
The next morning do all things as in his ordinary keeping.
If he be a choice horſe let him ſtand on lit
If you intend to travell or journey in
If your horſe ſweat by exerciſe, take off the ſweat (before you rub him) with the Glaſſing-knife, which is either a piece of a broken ſword-blade, or a piece of a broken Syth, for this will make a clean, a ſmooth, and a ſhining coat.
In journeying ride moderately the firſt hour or two, but after according to your oc
Water before you come to your Inne, if you can poſſibly; but if you cannot, then give warm water in the Inne, after the Horſe hath fed, and is fully cooled within, and out
Trotters oyl is an excellent oyntment, be
Neither waſh your horſe nor walk your horſe; for the firſt indangereth foundring in the body or feet, and breedeth all ſurfaits;
THere is not any motion in an horſe more deſired, more uſefull, nor indeed more hard to be attained unto by a right way, then the motion of Ambling; and yet (iſ we will beleeve the proteſtations of the Profeſſors) not any thing in all the Art of Horſmanſhip more eaſie, or more ſeverall ways to be effe
But they which know truths, know the er
But leaving mens errors, becauſe they are paſt my reformation, I will onely touch at ſome principall obſervations which in mine opinion I hold to be the eaſieſt
There is one commends the new plowed lands, and affirms, that by toyling the horſe thereon in his foot pace, there is no way ſo excellent for the making of him to amble; but he forgets what weakneſs, nay what lameneſs, ſuch diſorderly toyle brings to a young horſe nay to any horſe; becauſe the work cannot be done without wearineſs, and no wearineſs is wholſome
Another will teach his horſe to amble from the Gallop, by ſudden ſtopping, a more sudden chocking him in the cheeks of the mouth, thruſting the horſe into ſuch an am
But this man forgets not alone the error before ſpoken, (which is too great toyle) but alſo ſpoyls a good mouth (if the horſe had one) loſes a good Rain (if there were any) and by over-reaching and clapping one foot againſt another, indangers upon every ſtep an
Another ſays there is nothing of ſuch uſe for ambling, as weights, and thereupon one
Another foulds great weights of lead a
Another loads his horſe upon the fillets with earth, lead, or ſome other maſſie ſub
Another ſtruggles to make his horſe amble in his hand before he mount his back, by the help of ſome wall, ſmooth pale or rail, and by chocking the horſe in the mouth with the bridle-hand, and correcting him with his rod on the hinder houghs, and under the belly when he treadeth falſe, and never re
Another finds out a new ſtratagem, and in deſpite of all oppoſition in the Horſe, will make him amble perfectly, and thereupon he makes him a pair of hinder ſhooes with long ſpurns or plates before the toes, and of ſuch length, that if the horſe offer to trot, the hin
But he forgets that the ſhooes are made of Iron, and the Horſes Leggs of Fleſh and blood, neither doth he remember with what violence the hinder foot follows the fore-foot, nor that every ſtroke it gives, can light upon any place, but the back ſi
Another (out of quaintneſs more then ſtrong reaſon) ſtrives to make his horſe amble by taking of fine ſoft liſts, and fould
But (under the correction of the profeſSpaniſh practice) I muſt aſſure them, that if they gain their purpoſe, they muſt offend the members. If they hurt not the limbs, they loſe their labour; but however this is moſt aſſured, that the amble thus gained, muſt be diſgracefull, crambling and cringing in the hinder parts, without comlineſs, ſpeed, or clear deliverance.
Another (and he calls himſelf the Maſter Ambler of all Amblers) affirms there is no true way of making an horſe to amble but by the hand only, and I am of his opinion, could the ſecret be found out, or could a man make a horſe do all that he imagined, and as he imagined; but horſes are rebellious, and men are furious, and the leaſt of either of theſe ſpoyls the whole work; and it is im
There is another, (I will not call him the
Firſt, he loſeth himſelf in the want of knowledge, for the length of the Tramell, and either he makes it too long, (which gives no ſtroke) or too ſhort (which gives a falſe ſtroke) the firſt makes an horſe hackell and ſhuffle his feet confuſedly, the latter makes him roule and twitch up his hinder feet ſo ſuddenly, that by cuſtome it brings him to a ſtring-halt, from which he will hardly be re
Another loſes himſelf and his labour by miſplacing the Trammell, and out of a nice
Another makes his Tramell of ſuch courſe or hard ſtuff, or elſe girts it ſo ſtrait, or leaves it fretting up and down ſo looſe, that he galls his horſes leggs, and leaves neither hair nor skin upon them, at the beſt it leaves ſuch a foul print and mark upon the leggs, that eve
As theſe, ſo I muſt conclude with the laſt error of the Tramell, which is, mens opini
The errors I have already confuted; it now remaines (after all theſe faults finding) that I ſhew the trueſt, the eaſieſt, and that way which is moſt uncontrollable for the making of an horſe to amble, with all the gracefulneſs and perfection that can be required.
When you are about undoubtedly to make an horſe amble truely, and without control
But before I come to the uſe and vertue
Therefore ſome make theſe tramels all of Leather, and that will either reach or break, the firſt marrs the work by uncertainty, the other loſeth the labor.
Another makes it of Canvaſs, and that galls.
A third makes it of ſtrong Liſts, and that hath all the faults of both the former; for the ſoftneſs will not let it lye cloſe, and the gen
And as theſe, ſo there are a world of other uſ
Firſt, for the ſide-Ropes, They muſt be made of the beſt, fineſt, and ſtrongeſt pack
For the Hoſe which muſt be placed in the ſmall of the fore-leg, and the ſmall of the hinder l
The back-band being of no other uſe but to bear up the ſide-ropes, would (if you Tra
Thus you ſee what the true Tramell is, and how to be made: touching the uſe, it thus fol
When you have brought your horſe into an even ſmooth path, without rub
But as ſoon as he comes to any perfectneſs
When the horſe will thus amble in your hand perfectly, being trameled on one ſide, you ſhall then change them to the other ſide, and make him amble in your hand as you did before. And thus you ſhall do, changing from one ſide to another, till with this halfe tramell he will run and amble in your hand without ſnappering or ſtumbling, both readily
Now when he is perfect in your hand up
When you have attained your wiſh in the perfection of his ſtroke, the nimbleneſſe of
Now if in this Journeying, either through wearineſs, ignorance, or peeviſh
This exerciſe you ſhall follow day by day, and every day increaſing it more and more
But if any alteration do happen, (as many phantaſtick horſes are ſubject unto) if it be in the motion of his pace
Now if the error proceed from any other occaſion, look ſeriouſly into the cauſe there
Many things elſe might be ſpoken on this ſubject, but it would but load paper, and wea
THere is nothing more difficult in all the Art of Horſmanſhip, then to ſet down conſtant and uncontrollable Reſolutions by which to bind every mans mind to an unity of conſent in the buying of an Horſe: for What is one mans meat, is another mans poyſon; what one
Firſt therefore you are to obſerve, that i
Every one having their ſeverall Characters, and their ſeverall faces both of beauty and uncomlineſs.
But becauſe there is but one truth, and one perfection, I will under the deſcription of the perfect and untainted horſe, ſhew all the imperfections and attaind
Let me then adviſe you that intend to buy an horſe, to acquaint your ſelf with all the true ſhapes and excellencies which belong to an horſe whether it be in h
To begin therefore with the firſt principle of Election, you ſhall underſtand they are divided into two eſpeciall heads, the one Ge
The Generall Rule of election is, firſt the end for which you buy, then his Breed or Generation; his Colour, his Pace, and his Stature. Theſe are ſaid to be generall, becauſe they have a generall dependance upon every mans ſeveral opinions: as the firſt, which is the end for which you buy, it is a thing ſhut up only in your own boſome.
The other, which is Breed, you muſt either take it from faithful report, your own knowNeapolitan is known by his Hauk-noſe, the Spaniard by his ſmall Limbs, the Barbary by his fine head, and deep hoof, The Dutch by his rough legges, the Engliſh, by his Gene
As for his colour, although there is no colour utterly exempt from goodneſs, for I have ſeen good of all, yet there are ſome better reputed then others, as the daple, gray for beauty, the brown-bay for ſervice, the black with ſilver hairs for courage, and the Lyard or true mixt Roan for continuance. As for the
Now for his pace, which is either Trot, Amble, Rack or Gallop, you muſt refer it to the end alſo for which you buy; as if it be for the warrs, running, hunting, or your own pleaſure, then the trot i
Now if you elect for eaſe, great perſons feats, or long travell, then Ambling is re
If yo elect for Buck-hunting; galloping on the high-way, poſt, hackney, or the like,
Now to all theſe paces muſt be joyned a good gallop, which naturally every trotting and racking horſe hath; the ambler is a little unapt thereunto, becauſe the motions are both one, ſo that being put to a greater ſwiftneſs of pace then formerly he hath been acquainted withall, he handles his leggs con
Now in a good gallop you are to obſerve theſe vertues. Firſt, that the horſe which taketh his feet nimbly from the ground, but doth not raiſe them high, that neither rol
Laſtly, touching his Stature, it muſt be referred to the end for which you buy, ever obſerving that the biggeſt and ſtrongeſt are fitteſt for ſtrong occaſions and great bur
Now touching the particular Rule of election, it is contained in the diſcovery of naturall deformities, accidentall outward ſor
When a Horſe is brought unto you to buy (being ſatisfied for his breed, his pace, colour and ſtature, then ſee him ſtand naked before you, and placing your ſelf before his face, take a ſtrict view of his countenance, and the cheerfulneſs threof: for it is an excellent glaſs wherein to behold his goodneſs and beſt per
If his ears be ſmall, thin, ſharp, ſhort, pricked and moving; or if they be long, yet well ſet on, and wel carried, it is a mark of beauty, goodneſs, and metall: but if they be thick, laved or lolling, wide ſet, and unmoving, then are they ſignes of dulneſs, doggedneſs: and evil nature.
If his Face be lean: his forehead ſwelling outward: the mark or feather in his face ſet high, as above his eys, or at the top of his eyes; if he have white ſtarre: or white ratch
If his eyes be round, big, black, ſhining, ſtarting or ſtaring from his head, if the black of the eye fill the pit or outward circumfe
If handling his Cheeks or Chaps, you find the bones lean and thin, the ſpace wide be
If his noſtrils be open, dry, wide and large, ſo as upon any ſtraining, the inward redneſs is diſcovered, and if his muzzell be ſmall, his mouth deep, and his lips equally meeting; then all are good ſignes of wind, health and courage. But if his noſtrils be ſtrait, his wind is little; if is muzzell be groſs, his ſpirit
Touching his Teeth and their vertues, they are ſet down in a particular chapter; onely remember, you never buy an horſe that wanteth any, for as good loſe all as one.
From his Head look down to his Breaſt, and ſee that it be broad, out-ſwelling, and a
Next, look down from his elbow to his knee, and ſee that thoſe fore-thighs be ruſh
Then look on his knees that they carry pro
From his knees look down to his leggs, to his paſterns, and if you find them clean,
Look then on his paſtern-joynt and his paſtern; the firſt muſt be clear and well kni
For the Hooves in generall, they ſhould be black, ſmooth, tough, rather a little long then round, deep, hollow and full ſounding: for white Hooves are tender, and carry
After this, ſtand by his ſide, and firſt look
Look on the chine of his back, that it be broad, even and ſtraight, his ribs well com
To have his Ribs flat, there is no Liberty for wind.
To have his Fillets hanging, long or weak, he will never climb an hill, nor carry a burden.
And to have his belly clung up or gaunt, or his ſtones hanging down, looſe, or a ſide, they are both ſigns of ſickneſs, tenderneſs, foundring in the body, and unaptneſs for labor:
Then look upon his Buttocks, and ſee that they be round, plump, full, and in an even levell with his body
Then look to his hinder-thighs, or Ga
Then look upon the middle joynt behind, and if it be nothing but skin and bone, veins and ſinews, and rather a little bending then to
Then look to his hinder-legs, if they be lea
Laſtly, for the ſetting on of his Tayl, where there is a good Buttock, the tail can never ſtand ill
Thus I have ſhewed you the true ſhapes and true deformities, you may in your choice pleaſe your own fancies.
There are ſeven outward Characters by which to know the age of every Horſe, a namely, his Teeth, his Hooves his Tail
If you will know his Age by his Teeth, you muſt underſtand, that an Horſe hath in his head juſt forty teeth, that is to ſay, ſix great Wong teeth above, and ſix below on one ſide, and as many on the other, which maketh twenty four, and are called his Grinders: Then ſix above and ſix below in the fore-part of his mouth, which are cal
Now the firſt year he hath his Foals teeth, which are onely Grinders and Gathe
The ſecound year he changeth the four formoſt teeth in his head, that is, two above and two below in the midſt of the rows of the Gatherers, and they are browner and bigger then the other.
The third year he changeth his teeth next unto them, and leaveth no apparent Foals teeth before, but two above, and two below of each ſide, which are alſo bright and ſmall.
The fifth year his formoſt teeth will be all changed; but then he hath his tuſhes on each ſide compleat, and the laſt Foals teeth which he caſt, thoſe which come up in their place, will be hollow, and have a little black ſpeck in the midſt, which is called the mark in the horſes mouth, and continueth till he be paſt eight years old
The ſixth year he putteth up his new tuſhes, near about which you ſhall ſee grow
The ſeventh year all his teeth will have their perfect growth; and the mark in the horſes mouth (before ſpoken of) will be plainly ſeen.
The eighth year all his teeth will be full, ſmooth and plain, the black ſpeck or mark being no more but diſcerned, and his tuſhes will be more yellow then ordinary.
The ninth year his formoſt teeth will be longer, broader, yellower and fouler then at younger years, the mark gone, and his tuſhes will be bluntiſh.
The tenth year in the inſide of his upper
The eleventh year his teeth will be excee
The twelfth year his teeth will be long, yellow, black and foul; but then his upper teeth will hang over his nether.
The thirteenth year his tuſhes will be worn ſomwhat cloſe to his chaps (if he be a much ridden horſe) otherwiſe they will be black, foul and long, like the tuſhes of a Boar.
If a horſes hooves be rugged, and as it were ſeamed one ſeam over another, and ma
If you take an horſe with your finger and your thumb by the ſtern of the tail, cloſe at the ſetting on by the buttock, feeling there
If an horſes eyes be round, full, ſtaring, o
If you take an horſes skin in any part o
If an Horſe that is of any dark colour, ſhall grow griſſell onely about his Eyebrows, or underneath his Mane; or any horſe of a whitiſh colour ſhall grow meannelled with either black or red meannels univerſally over his body, then both are ſignes of old age.
Laſtly, if the Barrs in his mouth be great, deep, and handle rough and hard, then is the horſe old: but if they be ſoft, ſhallow, and handle gently and tenderly, then is the horſe young, and in good ability of body.
IF you find in your horſe heavineſs of countenance, extream looſneſs, or ex
It is neceſſary to obſerve the horſes dung,
If he feed altogether upon graſs, his dung hath one complexion, as green; if upon hay, then another, as a little more dark. If upon little provender, then inclining to yelow. But to avoid both curioſity and doubt, obſerve well the complexion of his dung, when he is in the beſt health, and the beſt feeding; and as you find it alter, ſo judge either of his health or ſickneſs, as thus——
If his dung be clear, criſp, and of a pale yellowiſh complexion, hanging together without ſeparation, more then as the weight breakes it in falling, being neither ſo thin nor ſo thick, but it wil a little
If it be well coloured, yet fall from him in round knots, or pellets, ſo it be but the firſt or ſecond dung, the reſt good, as aforeſaid, it matters not: for it only ſhews he did eat hay lately, and that will ever come away firſt. But if all his dung be alike, then it is a
If his dung be in round pellets, and black
If it be greaſie, it ſhews foulneſs, and that greaſe is molten, but cannot come away. If he void greaſe in groſs ſubſtance with his dung, if the greaſe
If his dung be red and hard, then the horſe hath had too ſtrong heats, and coſtiveneſs will follow: if it be pale and looſe, it ſhews inward coldneſs of body, or too much moiſt and corrupt feeding:
THough the Urine be not altogether ſo materiall as the dung, yet it hath ſome true faces, as thus—
That Urine which is of a pale yellowiſh colour, rather thick then thin, of a ſtrong ſmell and a piercing condition, is an health, full, ſound and good urine: but if it be of an high, red complexion, either like blood, or
If the Urine be of an high complexion, clear and tranſparent, like old March Beer, then he is inflamed in his body, and hath ta
If the urine carry a white cream on the top, it ſhews a weak back, or conſumption of ſeed.
A green urine ſhews conſumption of the body.
A Urine with bloody ſtreaks ſhews an ul
Whenſoever, upon any occaſion, you ſhall find the horſe droop in countenance, to forDiahexaple, and by the Italians, Regin
medicina, the Queen of medicines, brew
This muſt be given with an horn, and if the Horſe have ability of body, ride him in ſome warm place after it, and let him faſt near two hours after the riding.
At noon give him a ſweet maſh, cloath very warm, and let him touch no cold water.
Now touching the exact and true making of this rare powder, which I call Diahexaple, becauſe no man (that I know) Apothe
Take the roots of round Ariſtologia, waſh them, ſcrape them, and purifie them as clear as may be, then take Juniper Berries unex
This powder, or indeed Methridate, called Diahexaple, or the Queen of Medicines, is moſt excellent & ſoveraign againſt all manner of poyſon, either inward or outward, it cureth the biting of venemous beaſts, and helpeth ſhort wind and purſickneſs. Dodoneus.
It mundifieth, cleanſeth, ſuppleth, and maketh thin all groſs humours, it healeth all diſeaſes of the Liver and Stomack, helps
Gerrard.
It recovers tyring and wearineſs, and takes away cramps and convulcions, dries up the Skurvy, breaks the ſtone, opens all inward obſtructions, and helps the yellows, the gargil and the dropſie. Diaſcorides.
It cures all diſeaſes of the lungs, as glanGale.
Take a quart of new milk, Sallet-oyl, ho
Take Aniſeeds, Cominſeeds, Fenegreek
Now for the uſe of theſe Balls, becauſe
If you uſe them to cure either cold or glan
To give one of theſe Balls before travell, it prevents tyring; to give it in the height of travel, it refreſheth the wearineſs: and to give it after travel, it ſaves an horſe from all ſur
Take a quart of new milk, and as much hony
Take the ſoft Down-hairs that grow in the
Take a pint of old white Wine, and o
Take a quart of red Wine, and on th
Make a ſtrong decoction, (that is to ſay) boyle your firſt quantity of water to an halfe part three times over, of keen onions clean peeled, and parſley, then take a quart there
And thus do divers mornings, if the infir
Take knot-graſſe, Shephards purſe, Blood
Take the juyce of Licoras, London Trea
After he hath taken the Balls, give him two new laid eggs, then rid ehim, and at noon give him a Maſh, keep warm, and do this twice or thrice.
Take the bigge Elecampane root, ſlice it, and boyl it in water from a pottle to a quart, then ſtrain it, and to that water put a pint of Urine, and a pint of Muska
Take a pint of burnt Sack, Sallet oyle and red wine vinegar, of both a quarter of a pint, of Fenegrick, Turmerick,
For the ordinary water you may give him for a fortnight, let it have good ſtore of ſli
Take three heads of Garlick, and roſt them in the embers, then mix them with three ſpoonfulls of Tarre, as much powder
Take Elicampace, the flower of Brim
Take of Engliſh Licoras, Elicampane roots, of each an ounce, of Sugercandy an ounce and a halfe; beat them to fine pow
Keep the powder in a box, and when you have occaſion to uſe it, if it be for a cold, then give half an ounce in a pint of Sack: if
Take a pint of verdjuice, and put to it ſo much ſtrong muſtard made with wine Vine
Take Cominſeeds, Grains and Fenegreek in powder, of each halfe an ounce; of Dia
Take the green bark of Elder, and beat it in a mortar, and ſtrain it till you have a pint thereof, then put that juice to a pint of old Ale, and warm it on the fire with a good lump of ſweet butter, and a nounce of ſugarcandy, and ſo give the horſe, ride him after it, let him faſt an hour, and keep warm. Do thus divers mornings.
Take halfe a pint of Coltsfoot water, or the ſyrop of Coltsfoot; but in the ſyrop it will beſt diſſolve, and put into it a dram of Balſamum Sulphuris, and give it the Horſe in the morning faſting, then ride him a
Take of ſweet Butter a quarter of a pound, half ſo much Caſtle Sope, and halfe an ounce of Aloes, beat them together: then add of Hempſeed two ſpoonfulls, of roſin half a ſpoonfull, of ſugarcandy an ounce, all bruiſed
OUtward Sorrances are diſcerned when any member or part in an horſe is diſ
The firſt is known by outward ſwellings, rotten or bloody ſores; the next by utter diſ
Now foraſmuch as the greateſt part of
If the horſe halt before, and lift not up his leg, but in a manner traileth it after the o
If he caſt his leg outward, or go Baker
If halting he bow down his head to the ground, and ſtep ſhort and thick, then it is in the forepart of the ſhoulder, at the breaſt. If in handling his elbow hard, he twitch up his foot ſuddenly from the ground, the of
If on his ſhank bones (in their ſeverall places be ſplents, excreſſions, windgalls or
Heat on the Crownet ſhews pain in the Coffin joynt.
In halting before, to trip on the Toe, ſhews pain in the heel; to favour the Toe, ſhews payn in the Toe; to halt more on un
If your horſe halt behind, and in halting go ſidelong, and not in an even line, the grief is in the hip, and yet but new, or in the Fillets, and may be new or old. If it be old in the hip, the hip will fall, and then no cure
If in halting he tread onely on his hinder Toe, and no offence in the foot
If he halt through any offence in his leg from the ham to the paſtern, outward Sor
Take Lapis Calaminaris halfe an ounce, and heat it red hot, and quenchin it a quar
Take a pint of ſnow water, and diſſolve into it three or four drams of white Vitrioll, and with it waſh the horſes eyes three or four times a day, and it helpeth.
Take the root of the black Sallow, and burn it to aſhes: then put to it a like quan
Take a new laid egge, and roſt it very hard, then cleave it in ſunder longwiſe, and take out the yelk, then fill the empty holes with white vitriole finely beaten, and cloſe the egge again; then roſt it the ſecond time, till the vitriole be molten. Laſtly, beat the egge ſhell and all in a mortar, and ſtrain it, and with that moiſture dreſs the eye.
If in ſtead of the vitriole you fill the holes with Myrrh finely ſearc'd, and hang the egge up that it may drop, and with that moiſture dreſs the eye: it is every way as good, onely it is a little ſtronger.
There be ſome that for this great offence in the eye put in two fine ſmall rowels long
Take Tacchamahaca, Maſtick, Roſin and
Thus do for the worſt of ſore eys: but if the offence be not extream, then you may for
Take a fat ſucking Maſtive whelp, fley it and howell it, then ſtop the body as full as it can hold with gray ſnails and black ſnails, then roſt it at a reaſonable fire; when it be
With this anoint the ſtrain, and work it in
Take five quarts of Ale, and a quarter of a peck of Glovers ſpecks and boyl them till it come to a quart: then apply it hot to the grief and remove it not for five or ſix days.
Take of ſheeps ſuet a pound, of ſheeps dung two handfull, chopt hay an handfull, Wheat bran a pint, ſweet Sope a quarter of a pound; boyl all theſe in a quart of ſtrong Beer, and a quart of the grounds of ſtrong Ale, till it come to a thick pultiſs, then take it from the fire and col it with halfe a pint of wine vine
Take Comin-ſeeds and bruiſe it groſs, then boyl it with the oyle of Camomile, and put to it ſo much yellow Wax'as will bring it to Cerrot, and ſpread it on either Cloth or Lea
Take Aquavitae, Oyl de Bay, Oyl of Swal
With this anoynt the grief, and hold an hot barre of Iron before it, chafing it in well; and thus do once a day, and in nine days the cure hath been effected.
Take a live cat, wild or tame, and cut off her head and tail, then cleave her down the chine, and clap her hot b
Take the grounds of Ale or Beer, a quart, as much parſley chopt groſs, as you can gripe, boyl them till the herb be ſoft, then put to it a quarter of a pound of ſweet butter, and when it is molten, take it from the fire, and put into it a pint of Wine vinegar, and if it be too thin, thicken it with Wheat bran, then lay it upon hurds, and poulteſs-wiſe, as hot as the horſe can ſuffer it, and remove it once in twelve hours, and give the horſe moderate exerciſe.
Take ten ounces of Peice-greaſe, and melt it on the fire, then take it off and put into it four ounces of the oyle of Spike, one ounce of the oyle of Origanum, an ounce and a halfe of the oyle of Exceter, and three ounces of the oyle of St. Johns wort; ſtirre them well together, then put it up into a Gallipot
With this Oyntment (or indeed pretious Balm) hot, anoint the grieved part and rub and chafe it in very much, holding an hot Bar of Iron before it: and thus anoint it once in two days, but rub and chafe it in twice or rhrice a day, and give the horſe moderate exerciſe.
Take of Cantharides, Euforbium and Mer
Take Turpentine two ounces, Verdigreaſe three ounces, Hoggs greaſe ſix ounces, boyl them till the Verdigreaſe be deſolved, then take Roſin, Bees wax, of each two ounces, mix all together, then apply it to the place grieved, hot.
Take the whites of ſix Eggs, and beat them with a pint of vinegar, the oyle of Ro
Take Deers Suet, or for want of it, ſweet Butter half a pound, of Aquavitae a Gill, of Saffron half a dram, Pepper beaten and ſearc'd three drams, Garlick bruiſed three heads; mix all together, and let them ſtew on the fire, and not boyl till it come to a ſalve.
With this very warme chafe the grief, then anoint a brown paper therewith, and very hot apply to the place alſo, and roll it up. Do this morning and evening
If your horſes leggs be ſwelled, onely be
Now, if beſides the ſwelling, your horſe have ulcers, chaps and ſoars, then apply the pultiſs as before ſhewed: and after a weeks application take a quart of old urine, and put to it half an handful of ſalt, as much Allume, and half an ounce of white Copperas, boyl them together, and with it waſh the ſore once or twice a day: Then after a little drying anAegiptiacum, and is made of vinegar eight ounces, of hony twelv ounces, of verdigreas two ounces, of Allum an ounce and an halfe, and boyled to the height, till it come to a red ſalve, and it will both kill the malignant humors, and heal and dry up the ſoars.
Firſt, bathe them well with the Pickle, or Brine which comes from Olives being made hot: then take a pint of Train oyl, as much nerve oyl, and as much oyl de Bay, a quarter of a pound of Allum, half a pint of Sallet oyl, half a pound of Hogs greaſe; put all theſe to a pottle of old urine, and with an handfull or two of Mallows, Oatmeal bruiſed, and Bran, boyl them to a pultiſs, and very hot apply it to the grief: Do thus once in two days.
Make a very ſtrong Brine of Water and Salt, and to a pottie thereof put two or three handfull of Rew, and boyl it till the herb be ſoft: then with this water very hot bathe the grieved part.
Then take a flat bagg, fild with Salt, and heated hot at the fire, and lap it about the grief alſo. And thus do once or twice a day.
Take Hogs greaſe and black ſope of each eight ounces, Brimſtone, Lime, Gunpowder, each three ounces, and ſoot as much as will ſuffice to bring the reſt to a ſalve; boyl the Hogs greaſe and
Take hony, Verdigreaſe, Brimſtone bruiſed ſmall, green Copperas, and Bay ſalt, of each like quantity, boyl theſe with a double quan
Firſt let him blood in the ſhackle veins, the ſpur veins, and the
With this hot, waſh the ſores wel, then take the ſperm of Froggs (in March) and put it in
Firſt clip away the hair as far as the ex
When you take away the herb, rub the place well and anoynt it with Train-oyl warm, or elſe lay on a Diminium plaiſter.
Take Nerve oyl one ounce, Cantharides the weight of ſixpence, and as much of the oyle of Vipers, boyl them lightly; then with this anoint the Splint croſs the hair, and heat it in with a hot Iron, then tie up the horſes head to the Rack for 24 hours: then ſqueeze out the corruption, and do this twice o
Firſt, heat the Sorrance with an hot preſ
Firſt take away all the ſcabs and make the ſore raw, then with ſtrong muſtard made with wine vinegar, anoint them all over, and do this every night. The next morning take half a pound of green Copperas, and boyl it in a pottle of running water with an handfull of ſage, and ſo much hyſſop, a quarter of a pound of Allume, and as much ſtrong mu
Take the oyl of bay an ounce, half ſo much ſugar, and a good quantity of the oyl o
Take a pint of white Wine and put to it two or three ſpoonfulls of honey, and ſtirr them and boyl them to a ſalve, then take it from the fire, and put to it halfe ſo much Turpentine as there was honey, and ſtirre all together.
Firſt let blood, then take a quart of old U
Firſt, let blood in the neck-vein, and take, a way good ſtore, then curry off all the ſcurf, and take verdjuce and vinegar a pint, cow-piſs a pint, train oyle a pint, old urine a pint, & put to them an handful of wild Tanſie, an hand
With this (very hot) waſh the horſe well, and if you put to it the quantity of a pint of blood you take away, it is not amiſs: do this twice or thrice.
Take a quart of Tar, and on the fire put to it half a pound of Bores greaſe, an ounce of Copperat, a quarter of a pound of Saltpeter, two ounces of wax, a quart of honey, a quar
Take Euforbium with Maſtick, mix them together, then ſeeth them well with French Sope, and make a tent, and put it into the Fi
Take Tar and freſh Hogs greaſe, of each half a pound, Hemlock an handfull, Arſe
Laſtly, take a pint of white wine vinegar, a quarter of an ounce of verdigreaſe, and a little bundle of Hyſſop, beat them in a mor
Take the herb called Clay-clayes, which is a weed growing by the water ſide, having a great broad round leaf, and is green on the upper ſide and white on the neather; & Rew of each a like quantity, beat them and ſtrain them: then to a pint of that juice, put of Houſleek a handful, half a pint of Aquavitae, and two good ſpoonfull of pepper beaten and fearc'd.
Of this liquor take a pint and give it the horſe to drink, then with round balls of flax dipt in the ſame, ſtop up both his ears, then with the ſtrained bruiſings of all the herbs, rub the ſoars, and ſtop the holes if there be any hollowneſs: do thus twice at the leaſt.
Firſt, pare thin, open the heels wide, and take good ſtore of blood from the Toes or ſhackle veins (which ſome hold good) then rack on a ſhoo ſomwhat hollow, broad at
Take Allum, the juice of Garlick, of each ſeven ounces, Rew three handfull, old hogs greaſe two pound, of Aſſes dung, or for want of it, Cow dung an handfull, mix them and boyl them together.
With this both ſtop the horſes feet, and anoint the crownets of the hooves, the me
Take Turpentine, Sheeps ſue?, unwrought Wax and Hogs greaſe of each half a pound, Pitch, Rozin, half a pound, Sallet oyl half a pint, and of Dogs greaſe a pound; boyl all together, and keep it in a Gallipot: with this oyntment anoint the Hooves outwardly, and if you pleaſe tie ſome of the ointment with a cloth to the crownets, then ſtop them within with Cow dung, and Dogs greaſe mixt toge
Take a lump of courſe ſugar, and with an hot Iron melt it between the ſhooe and the Foot, and when it is hardned, take Nettles and bay ſalt, and ſtamp them, ſtop up the Frog of the foot alſo.
Firſt, tent it a day or two with hogs greaſe and Verdigreaſe ground together: then take ſcalding hot Hogs greaſe and poure it into the hole, and lay a plaſter of pitch and Tar mixt over it for 24 hours; then if the Bone riſe not, do the ſame again and it will riſe.
Firſt, ripen it with wet hay, or rotten lit
Take the juice of Seladine and life Hony, of each two ſpoonfull, beat them with the yelk of an egg, and with as much Allum and wheat flower as will ſerve to bring it to a ſalve, dreſs the ſoar with this once a day; it draweth and healeth.
Take a pottle of Urine, two handfull of Mallows, and half a pound of Boars greaſe, boyl them together, and being reaſonable hot, bathe the leggs therewith; then apply the Mallows to the wound: but if the ſwel
Make the ſore dry, and then rub it with a raw egg ſhell and all.
Take Turpentine, black ſope, hogs greaſe, green Treat and pitch like quaintity, mix and boyl them together, and apply it warm either plaſterwiſe or tentwiſe.
Take ſope a quarter of a pound, as much Bears greaſe, and a quarter of a pint of Aqua
Take wild Tanſie, and bruiſe it in your hand, and apply it. Alſo primroſe leaves uſed in the like manner have the ſame effect. Otherwiſe take a piece of an old Felt hat,
Take a ſharp and knotted Cord, and draw it from his dock, betweene his leggs to the Girths, and ſo ride him, or elſe rub ſtarch be
Put into one of his ears a little round ſharp flint ſtone, and gripe it hard therein; if you do ſo to both, he will be more quiet.