glorye and he that refuseth Labour refuseth the reward This moued that worthy King Agesilaus vpon his death-bed to commaund that no Image or picture of his resemblance should bee made for if I haue said hee any famous thing nobly done it will beare witnesse enough for mee Talis post exilium fama est qualis ante exilium vita Such as the life is such is the Fame in death Viuiâ— post funera Virtus when a man is Dust his Vertue dieth not And therefore I conclude Qâ—iâ—uâ—it Molam fugit Fariuam He that burneth the Mill hath Ashes for his meale Now although in my Dedicatory Epistle I haue set open the Prison Doores of my desires I confesse beyond the degrees of mediocrity and offred them as an incense vpon that fire wherein my hart was sacrificed yet so farre did the Sparkes of vnslaine Dutye preuaile in mee that I haue reserued a poore remnant to liue in the protection of your fauours The which Sublime feriam Gertiâ—e sydera with my selfe I consecrate to your seruice wherein if such happinesse I may finde I shall acknowledge my contentment higher then the highest Rewarde that outward things can bring vnto mee Adde manum et cum Minerua manummoue By him that wisheth all the degrees of Nature Arte and Practise to attend your desires to the highest N. M. ¶ The Authour in commendation of the worthy and renowned Rider ROBERT ALEXANDER Knight deceassed GReat Alexander deerely lou'd his Horse The Horse lou'd him and suffered none to ride Vppon his backe by flattery or by force But his dread Lord that halfe the world did guide This knight did beare that Alexanders name Who brought the proudest Coursers to his becke And with his hand spurre voice and wand did tame The stately Steedes that neuer brookt the checke He father was to Alexanders three Which are for riding held in high respect As they are highly praisd admir'd was hee That taught them first those Coursers to correct Not onely he in England was esteemd But eeke in forraine Countries for his Art And yet to me that honourd him it seem'd His fames report was lesse then his desart This knight the mirrour of all knights for riding Had many men of worth and great renowne That were his schollers by whose happy guiding They in this art did put all others downe Ye gentlemen ye knights and stately Peares That by his life reap'd profit and delight Come ioyne with me in shedding solemne teares And mourning for the death of this braue knight As Art vnited with Experience long Taught him those lofty Steedes in awe to hold So nature fram'd his bodyfaire and strong And heauen gaue him a sptrit stout and bold To him was I beholding for his loue My labors still were welcome to his sight This stirreth vp my heart and doth it moue In what I may his friendship to requite In Fames sweet breath he liues yet wants he breath And thus he liues and yet is lise is donne He rode apace yet is out-rid by death And still he rides and yet his race is runne He rides indeede but how on Angels wings And is new knighted by the King of Kings FJNIS An abstract of the principall matters that are handled in this Booke THe cause vvherefore the Arte of Horsmanship was deuâ—sed who are he to learne the same And vvho are fiâ— to teach the same in perfection 2. Thâ—t there must be a true knovvledge of the nature of the subiect vvherevpon arte â—â—actise doth vvorke 3. That the nature of all Creatures desireth restitution to their former naturall perfection and an innated hatred to the contrary 4. That the desire of knovvledge of horsmanship the knowledge itselfe iâ— naturally grafted in man 5. That perfect horsmen and perfect horses are of such excellenâ—y that a great honour and strength of the state of a kingdome dependeth vpon them 6. That the auncient vvriters and practâ—tioners of â—orsemanshippe doe set forth the goodnes of horses to proceed from the goodnes of the Countrey the Arâ—e the vviters the ground the Complexction the Colour the markes and the shape 7. The demonstration of their errors there in and the confutation therof dravvne from nature reason and experience 8 That the naturall goodnes of all horses is only taken at the tyme that they are framed in the wombe and not othervvise and therefore perpetuall and not changeable 9. That the artificiall goodnes of horses is only accidentall gayned by Arte and preâ—â—rued in vigor by vse and practise 10 That the naturall qualities of horses in their first and primary Creatioâ— vvere in all perfection and vvhat tâ—ose qualityes vvere the cause why the same became vnperefct 11. That those naturall and primary qualityes are not vtterly depriued notvvithstanding mans transgression but only obserued and therefore by mans diligence may be restored to the ful sufficiency of mans vse 12. That the naturall goodnâ—s and quallityes of euery horse how young or old so euer he be may be knowâ—e and is herein perfectly let foorth how to be knowne without proofe or practise onely vppon the view 13. The true description of such Horses and Mares as are to breede perfect Colts nearest to the first creation 14. The age that such Horses and Mares are by nature fit to beget bring forth colts in perfection 15 The meanes hovv to prepare and keepe them before they come to the action of begetting so as their Colâ—s may be in perfection of naturall goodnes and that vvithout such obseruation they bring forth Iades 16 The time when how and where they are to do the action 17 The manner hovv to keepe the mare after conception and hovv to preserue the Colt in the wombe in perfection of natural goodnes vntil it be soâ—led 18 The maner how to vse them when they are foaled and still to continue and preserue them in naturall goodnes 19 The maner how to teach a Colt to amble vvithout handling 20 The description of a perfect stable 21 The maner of perfect shooing 22 The maner of taming Colts 23 The art of stiding 24 The true and perfect diet of Horses for preseruation of health and continuance 25 The definition of sicknes the cause of all sicknes and death and the causes of long life 26 The meanes hovv to keepe them from inward diseases and outvvard Sorances 27 The manner of curing of all diseases the signes to know them and the causes thereof From the iudiciall reading and consideration of the whole discourse of this worke there appeareth the knowledge of these causes viz 1. Wherefore one Horse is better then another in his action 2 Wherefore two Colts begotten and brought forth by one Horse and one mare the one is better then the other 3 Wherefore all Horses in their young middle declining and decrepite age do differ in qualitie of action 4 Wherefore some Horses are of vnperfect shape and some of perfect shape 5 Wherefore some Horses are
are ioynt pattentees with practise without which it is impossible to attaine to perfection in either so must hee also abandon the studye and practise of apish toies and violent helpes I knowe Non omnis fert omnia tellus Euerie ground is not fitte for euerie seede nor euerie man for euerie action nor euerie Horse for the saddle sand dooth not makegood cables neither hempe good morter Let me without offence putyou in minde of that famous and worthy ryder M. Fredericke Grison and others whose workes of ryding if without affection they be read and digested there will apeare therein a perfect picture of ignorance in the true knowledge of naturall causes or at least the reiecting of the force thereof which no doubt caused him and them to publish so many needeles forced fond and friuolous helpes for the perfection of riding and to set foorth in number Fifty seuerall formes and fashions of bits thereby to perswade that art can perfect the imperfections of Nature wherein there is not any truth more manifest then his and their imperfection in true iudgement And yet who seeth not that the Byas of mens consent hath drawne the same to be applauded and practised of all horsemen in all nations and beleeued as an Oracle from a deuine power I do entertaine reuerently esteeme the most of his grounds and rules of riding and account not any to haue written better but to set foorth so many infinite helpes and corrections onely proper and peculier for Iades whome all art knowledge and wisedome of man shall neuer perfect with continuance cannot but manifest a weake iudgement and palpable ignorance of nature and therefore all must acknowledge that euery man by nature is the obiect of change A tree the fruite whereof is neuer ripe but in the latter seasoÌ„ his nature cannot easily be discerned whiles it is greene you must see the bud the blossome and the fruite before you can iudge Ildi doda la sera it is the euening must comend the day saith the Italian and so must you clense and grinde the corne before you can eatit then no doubt shal our virtue grounded vpon rules of reason pursue effect that which our fate hath promised Inueniet viam aut faciet she will either finde a way or make one for God dooth nothing that concerneth vs without vs were it not then a Star of merrit for euery man to giue his thoughts a stronger wing to flie with petition to our most sacred Soueraigne for the placing and planting within euery shire and county of his kingdomes a sufficient vnderstanding ryder But alas who seeth not that the best enterprise is blasted in the blossome by a sinister and scandalous perswasion and yet I am assured Faciliuâ—est errare naturam quam dissimilem sui princeps possit rempublicam formare And therefore I do wish the sentence of Brutus deeply planted in the hearts of al Brittanes Vicit amor patria â—uida est peri culo â—â—rtus laudisque immensa cupido that one and all did thirst in husbanding the honour of their country and their owne vertue and withall ad their industry to the inuocation of diuine assistance so as great Brittaine may so flourish in Horsemanship as they may say to all Horsemen of other nations as Plato said to Dionisius Quid enim communicabit Olla adcacatum wherein can their earthen pipkin benefit our brasen pot Quem sua culpa premet deceptus omittetueri CHAP. 56. Short infallible rules to be obserued and practised by euerie Horseman 1. DOe not gallop your horse before he can stop well 2 Doe not runne him before hee can stop in his gallop 3 Doe not swiftly gallop him before he can stop aduance and turne readily 4. Doe not make him a runner before he bee sixe or seauen yeres olde 5. In all his dooinges from the beginning to the end keepe his reine true and his head steady for it is the foundation of all 6. In the morning earely when hee is emptie and before he eate any thing teach and exercise him euerie morning once vntil hee bee perfect and after twice in a weeke is sufficient 7. In all his teaching and exercise doe it moderately and temperately and leaue him alwaies after the well dooing of his lessons both in breath and with a good mouth 8. After he is perfect in his lessons exercise him not alwaies in one place neither keepe your selfe to a iust and certain instance of time viz. neither more nor lesse neither longer or shorter 9. In managing your horse doe not gallopp him swiftlye at the first but with a soft pace and seldome with a gallop 10 In correcting your horse for an error correct him euen in the instance of the time that he erreth and not otherwise and when he doth wel be sure to make much of him 11 In the time when your Horse is fit to run that is when he is of full strength and in perfect breath and emptie obserue in him fiue things viz. that he This must be after when he is perfect in all his lessons and in greatest perfection of strength for before that time it doth 1. Distemper hand and mouth 2. Diminisheth streÌ„gth 3. Maketh him ouer-reach 4. Faint-hearted yeelding 5. Performeth all things disgracefully 1 Gather roundly 2. Go smoothly 3. Beare his head steadily 4. Runne swiftly and 5. Stop lightly 12. In all his teaching and exercise 1. Begin softly 2. Goe forward more speedily 3. Performe the last couragiously 13 Lastlye exercise and performe all your actions with an vpright body your stirrops short and keepe your legs and your seate gracefully and comely and do all without feare or perturbation of minde Imperia dura tolle quid vitus erit CHAP. 57. The causes of sicknesse and death in the true knowledge whereof consisteth their preseruation WHen I had learned the double consideration of nature Frst in the incorrupt state and puritie of creation Secondlye in the degenerated condition of corruption I could not finde the least iarre and disagreement in the primarie nature of Horses though compounded of the contrarie natures of the foure elements but as an vndefiled nature tempered by proportion without the least discord but after mans pride had broached the deuils suggestion by the taste of the forbidden fruite then appeared the Rebellion of the elements in all creatures since which time there is not found a difference of any other cause of their diseases But to leaue the testimonies of long experience let vs proceede to shew the truth heere of more particular to know that the first cause of naturall diseases and death of all horses is contrarietie of the elements in the compound for all corruption presupposing alteration which is onely betwixt and by meanes of contrarie qualities contrarietie of the inherent qualities beeing the onelye cause of alteration is also cause of the compound corruption for our experience telleth vs that those things wherein are
left disagreement are of longest continuance so the inherence of contrariety one speciall cause of the horses dissolution the reason is for that their bodies consisting of the euer-â—arring elements Fire Ayre Water and earth haue alwaies an vnresistable home-bred cause of dissolution For by consent of Philosophers and reason it selfe setteth downe as an vndeniable truth that safetie from diseases Wherein health of horses consisteth the life of horses the chief maintenance therof consisteth principally if not wholy in the due and iust proportionall temperature of the foure first qualities heate colde drynesse moisture and til their disproportion there is no danger of sicknesse or anye growing death What is sickenes for sicknesse cannot bee defined other then the disproportion of those foure qualities whereby the part whereunto the same is incident is disabled to performe his naturall function so as the disproportion of the foure first qualities their swaruing from their iust temperature is the cause of the horses dissolution wherby in euerie horse we see a declining from his ingrafted Nature The cause of their dissolution which increaseth according as his age altereth and therefore his dissolution cannot bee auoided but Nature like a kinde mother is neuer wanting to the necessities of her ofspring and therefore hath bestowed on the horse a facultie to restore that disabled part of sickenesse through the assimulation of nourishment applyed thereunto least there should follow a suddaine destruction against which I doubt may bee propounded viz. If there may bee restitution of the part disabled whence commeth death the end of Nature To which I answere that the impurity of that supply for the restoring of that outward part by degrees tainteth that perfection of the restitution and by a continuall mixture at length corrupteth it for as in the mingling of water with wine the greater the infusion of water is the more is the infeebling of the wines force till at length it be cleane opressed and extinguished so is it in the case of restitution of health wherein though at first the naturall meanes retaine their puritie and naturall qualitie yet at length by the continuall mixture there followeth a totall and perfect corruption of the integritie for if by the restoratiue facultie there could be a perfecte supply of that which was lost the Horse might for any impediment in nature bee preserued in perpetuall health for as the mediocrity and puritie of oyle dooth preserue the light of the Lampe so too much thereof or a little water being contrary in qualitie dooth quench the same euen so if the faculty that doth restore the disabled parte of the Horse be either too much or any way impure it dooth little auaile to perfect restitution to the disabled part and although the same be pure yet shall it taint the perfection of restitution and in the end by a continuall languishing be cleane consumed by a home-bred enemie where by little and little it spoyleth him of perfection of restitution Against which it may be also replied that not-withstanding the imperfection of restitution yet there maie be an endurance and perpetuall preseruation of the species or kinde of horse because they haue a facultie of procreation to propagate their kinde that though euerie horse of necessitie must dye yet may he leaue another of his owne kinde of as great perfection behinde him wherby there might be a continnall and euerlasting succession To this I answere that if a corruption be graunted in the particuler it followeth a rule in reason to graunt it in the species for the species being a thing existent onely in imagination not hauing any euill being but as it is conceiued of in the particulers the like must be concluded of in the general but to shew it by a demonstratiue proceeding let vs obserue the like course of the decay in the species as there is in the indiuidium for as the facultie of restitution is to the particular so is generation to the species in case of preseruatioÌ„ for as the restitution of the part disabled the supply is not so pure as that which was lost Note The reason why Horses are not of so long continuance as in former time the particulers decaying by little little are at last coÌ„sumed euen so by procreatioÌ„ the maintenaÌ„ce of the species and the puritie of the part disabled being by degrees and by time diminished at length there followeth euen of necessitie an absolute corruption by reason that the particulars whose function the generation is being by continuance of outward nourishment corrupted the seede the matter and meanes of propagation cannot but be tainted with like corruption and this is a chiefe reason why Horses are not so health-full but of lesse continuance then they were in the first creation like as the diuision of any thing finite that by often detraction though but of little quantitie the whole becommeth at length vncapable of diuision so by continual wasting of the kinde there followeth at length euen of necessitie a totall and inuincible extinguishing from whence I conclude that it is vnpossible for horses to be of such perfection of excellencie as in their primarie creation or to last and continue without diseases and death hauing inwardly in their nature sufficient and vnpreuentable causes of dissolution Hauing thus euidenced the truth of these two positions of diseases and death and that there is a time of endurance vnto euerie particular horse and vnto the whole kinde and learning by experience the naturall and true mother of knowledge that among the particulars there are differences in nature of diseases and death both in length and shortnesse of time in continuance it remaineth that I set down the causes of this naturall difference which cannot be done other then by propounding the receiued causes of the length and shortnesse thereof according as they are more or lesse in the Horse and so iudge of the effects CHAP. 58. The causes of long life IT is euident that all Horses that were neerest vnto the beginning were clearer lesse tainted with corruption therefore in this last age of the world they are in a more extreame degree of corruption by reason of that frequent alteratioÌ„ in the elements when euery mutation addeth something to the begun impuritie Now touching the causes of long life I wil briefly discotomise them because they are either Inward or Outward The inward causes are either naturally engrafted or obtained by Arte. Industrie and Wisdome Now that which is naturall is of necessity in the good temperature proportionate mixture of the foure first qualities in the body For heate that is vnproportionate to the quantitie of moisture rather hastneth death by the too speedy consumption of his moiste foode then any way prolongeth life So also too great cold that ouerswayeth the quantitie and vertue of naturall heate shortneth life and so likewise it may be said of the excesse of the other two contrarie
qualities moisture and drought for too much moisture oppresseth the naturall heate as wee see greene wood quench an vnequall quantitie of fire so that the good and iust proportion of temperate mixture are true causes of long life for all mixture of superstuities is against these three 1. Nature 2. Enemie to good digestion 3. And found Nutrition The first cause Temperature is a firme and standing habit of the body Now if it be demaunded what this iust proportion is and when they are truelye tempered so as may be best auaileable for long life the answere is that heate and moisture are then well proportioned when neither the moisture with his too greate quantitie deuoureth the heate nor the ouermuch heat too suddenly consumeth and eateth vp the moisture yet must the heate haue a kinde of dominion ouer the moisture else it cannot bee able to nourish the body For in nutrition the thing nourished by reason of the instrument ordained for that purpose must actually work vpon that wherby it is nourished because that euerie agent must be proportioned vnto the patient in the equalitie of excesse therefore must the heate being the vegetatiue soules actiue instrument of Nutrition haue dominion ouer the moisture the subiect matter of that facultie The second cause The second cause of long life is the moderation of their naturall appetite of eating being auaileable either in excesse to kill or in moderation to saue by which moderation the horse shal daily repaire the decay of his humidity by supply of moderate nourishment and neuer ouerwhelme his heat with aboundance of moisture neither mingle his radicall moisture with too much superfluous impurities for the extreames are dangerous both excesse defect to much eating hindering good digestion and ingendering crudities to little eating giuing occasion of the heats too suddaine preuailing ouer the moisture both which are friends to sicknes and death The third cause The third cause of long life is moderate labour a thing very auaileable to digestion dispersing the nourishment into the parts of the bodie and as a bellowes to kindle and reuiue their natural heat for ouerâ—â—â—h rest by excesse of humors cooleth the bodie And as the elementish fires which wee vse vnlesse it be sometime blowne and fed as it were with aire which in naturall qualitie is moist is extinguished so their naturall heat without moderate labour and excercise is after a sort cast a sleepe or rather benummed whence proceedeth that other daughter of dulnes collection of excrementall superfluities their heat not being able to digest their receiued nourishment and thence commeth their many corruptions and sincke of vnnatural humors as we see standing water soonest putrifie and gather filth And therefore beware to trauell Horses before they haue thoroughly digested their meat for thereby they clog their stomackes and make them vnfit after concoction and withall fill their bodies with ouer rawe humors which by excercise are dispersed thorough the veines into all the partes of the bodie And therefore neither too much labour neither to vehement nor yet continual for these by consuming of the spirits are like hurtfull neither too little for continued rest and idlenes engender putrifaction The fourth cause of long life The fourth cause of long life is moderate vse of sleepe and waking for they are the maintenance of life in their mediocritie and both hurtful if beyond measure for the immoderat watching wasteth the spirits and consumeth the vitall iuice causes leannes hindereth the operation of the sence and dryeth the marrowe the braine and the moderate sleepe hindereth health dulleth the naturall heate and consumeth the moisture and sleepe is but a vapour ascending from the stomacke to the braine which benummeth the braine for a time and keepeth the bodie sencelesse and the sooner and more prouoked by full feeding The fift cause The fift cause of long life is to keep a Horse from excessiue spending himselfe vppon Mares for it is deaths best harbinger for it wasteth the spirits weakeneth the stomacke and dryeth vp the braine and marrowe and therefore the reason why a Mule being a mixt creature begotten betwixt a Horse and an Asse is longer liued then either of them is for that his iusting in that kinde is but once onely in the whole course of his life The sixt cause of long life The sixt cause is moderate riding in loÌ„g iournies for by the immoderat emission of heat into the outward parts of the body it kindleth the fire of cholor which being vehement is an horror vnto nature and inflameth the blood so as if the Horse at that instance be not very empty and cleane in the body the blood and humors being mingled together are through the violence thereof dispersed into all the parts of the bodie and then a suden colde taken vppon it which seldome escapeth the same dooth presently putrifie the blood and congealeth it to the inâ—uitable danger of the Horse The seuenth cause The seauenth cause is wholesomnesse of ayre and soile cleane keeping the stable sweete cleane olde and dry meat when he is in the stable dressing him in some shed out of the stable that the filth of his bodie do not come neere his manger neither stinking litter lying vnder the manger continually fuming vp to his head neither euill sauour neere to the stable The eight cause is The eight cause not to trauell or labour a Horse that is taken from grasse vntill he be purged and clensed from his superfluous humors which he hath gathered at grasse in the time of his rest and full feeding the which being many by his trauell and heat will by the veynes be dispersed into all the parts of the bodie which afterwards cannot be taken away without great perrill and when hee is made cleane he will draw his breath long and be cleane and empty betwixt his Iawes without any impostumation The ninth cause knob or kirnell The ninth cause is to keepe the Horse whiles hee feedeth in the stable from all rawe and greene meat the mother of many vnnatural humors and the nurse of many inward diseases proceeding from the aboundance thereof and the corruption of blood The tenth cause is The tenth cause to keeep the Horse from eating and drinking whiles he is hotte for that weakeneth the hearte and spirits hindereth appetite and maketh digestion vnperfect and often times present death The cleuenth cause is neither to wash nor walke him after trauell and labour The eleuenth cause but to set him in the stable warme clothed and painefully rubbed and dryed and if necessitie inforce to wash his legs with beere and butter or dish water or beefe broth made warme and clense cleere and rub them thoroughly both cleane and dry and litter him with plenty of sweete strawe and if he haue not drunke in the time of his trauell then when he is colde and has well eaten giue him warme water to
when I apprehended with Galen that euery science is a conuenient firme notice that neuer departeth from reason knowing the end where vnto I was borne and to whose benifit I should liue notwithstanding all stimulatorie causes of progression I assembled my conceits to peîrce through the hardnes of the enterprise rather estemed to walk alòe to steepe downefalles and with Quintus Fabius to hazard my credit yea with worthy Horatius Cocles my life for the honour of my soueraigne and benefit of my country then to be like the beasts who neuer forsooke the beaten path and high market way with a guide before them so as posteritie shall still liue without adding increase to former knowledge and therefore as to the load-star of my desire and prefixed period for producing fourth of that truth which this Art hath bin long in trauell of for Nihil magnum subito noscitur I haue adventured to draw the thred of this subiect to my determinate conclusion not by a dim light soone quenched but by a Sinopsis or perfect viewe of the whole body of breeding to shew the reason and cause of the errors in breeding the true meanes of restitution thereof to perfection An action most befitting man The vse of reason who by nature is reasonable to teach according to his owne nature the same being as Seneca affirmeth an imitation of nature so as reason hauing his true vse it shall not onelye beholde and contemplate the truth but also represse and bridle all affections that swell and rise against it as a vertuous Mistresse admonishing and thereby become the most excellent nursse to suckle vp true knowledge practise to the full proportion of man his hopeful desire but least any shold tell me that my passion in the earnest loue of this subiect should make me forget my passages I proceede to set downe the only essentiall and true obseruations of a perfect breede wherein I pray you obserue a principle most fit truly to know whece proceedeth the most excellent colts that are begotten 1. First prouide Horses and Mares of the most perfect and beautifull shape euen such and no other then I formerly described 2. Secondly truly vnderstand at what age such horses and mares are fittest to beget and bring foorth perfect Colts 3. Thirdly how to prepare and keepe those horses and Mares before they come to the Action 4. Fourthly when how and where they are to doe the action in perfection 5. Fiftly how to keep them in perfection after their conception vnto the time of foaling 6. Sixtly and lastly how to vse them when they are foaled and how to preserue continue them in their perfection Now if any man demaund of me why I doe not shew what groūds are meetest for breed how such groūds are to be seuered to what end euerie diuision should serue I answere it were Sisiphi saxum voluera great labour without profit for can any man thinke that euery man that wold or doth breed horses may goe to Corinth or can haue such groundes as may be discribed are not most grounds of seueral natures qualities are there not infinite numbers of Colts most excellently bred by such as haue no inclosed groundes and doth not euerie mans experience being his principall leader confirme the sufficiencye of multitude and number that are so bred so that if one of an hundred that are bred were good few could iustly complaine I haue therefore heerein indeuoured to enforme the reader with true knowledge how to haue an excellent breede so neere as mans wisdome may attaine the truth wherof being laid down will sufficiently direct euerie man how far the true vse of all grounds doe CHAP. 28. Of the creation and generation of Horses 1. IT is twofolde Supernaturall and to be considered after a two-folde manner 1. The first and primarie once immediately by God in his supernatural Creation 2. Naturall The second and ordinarie in his naturall generation 1. Conception The ordinarie and naturall generation is made by the elementarie force and forming vertue which is in the seede when it is in the wombe in such order that the 13 first daies the seed of the horse and mare doe mingle vnite and curdle together like Creame are made one body which is the conception 2. Tormelesse blood The next xiii daies this seede is concocted thickned and changed into a masse of flesh and indigested formeles blood which is the proper matter of his bodie 3. Fashioned body The third xiii daies following of this masse or lumpe is made and fashioned the body in grosse 4. Perfect body The fourth xiii daies the whole body is ended and perfected and no more vnperfect in shape and at the fourth month the Colt hath motion and sence and tripling this terme which is at the twelue months he commeth foorth into the light CHAP. 29. Of the Elements whereof the Horse and euerie other creature is compounded EVerie Colt and likewise euerie creature and things inanimate are in their creation compounded of the Elements which is as much to say of a pure and simple thing which the outward sence cannot discerne and yet the common beginning of all Creatures namely of Fyer Ayer Water and Earth I mean not such as we dayly see with our eyes for they are bodies compounded which our sences doe perfectly know but these Elements I speak of are aboue which our outward sences are not able to discerne First of the Fyer Fyer which is the highest lightest Element placed next the Moone and of nature hot dry but most of heate 1. His vertues properties by reason of his heate are to mooue to generation The vertues 2. Secondly to seuer the bones in the Colt from the flesh the flesh from the sinewes the heart from the liuer c. as the wood that is burned hath vapor smoak flame and ashes which the heat seuereth so in burning of seuerall mettalls the heate seuereth the one from the other and yet gathereth the like together 3. Thirdly to ripen 4. Fourthly to disgest thinges rawe and vndigested 5. Fiftly to mingle dry with moist 6. Sixtly to open the Pores of the Colt that the ayer being somewhat grosser may enter into the body 7. Seauenthly to breake the colde of the water and earth so as it may not distemper the bodie The second element is the Ayre Aeyr and placed next the fire and is light and hot but chiefly moist 1. First by reason of his moisture I meane not a waterish moisture but a comforting nourishing moisture as oyle is to the lampe The vertues to make the matter apt to receiue shape 2. Secondly to make the mixt bodies of blood fleame choler and melancholly not onely subtile and penetrable but also light to the intent they may be neither too grosse nor too heauy 3. Thirdly to slake the burning of the heart and of the other members as
the equalitie of excesse therefore the heat being the sole actiue of nutrition must haue dominion ouer the moisture the subiect matter of that facultie how then can M. Lopez limit the dominion of blood onely to three moneths 7. Seauenthly it is a generall approoued truth that eury Horse other creature is framd in the womb of the foure humors and that he that hath the one hath the other but not of equall proportion for euery Horse most vsually hath more of the one humor then of the other for it doth not keepe vniformitie but very few sithence their first primary creation from God by whome they were created in true proportion of temperate mixture but sithence the defiled condition of mans nature they haue bene and so wil remain iarring and out of order from the hower of their creation vnto their death but euery slight change of the foure qualities proportion changeth not his temperature who for the short indurance of the distemperatures the bodie returneth to his former constitution but the variation of their originall constitution is the true proper cause of the diuersitie and difference of the worke which proceedeth from that inward ingendred cause of destruction the disagreement of the elements and thereupon I conclude that the goodnes or badnes for begetting of Horses cannot truly be appropriate to any season month or time of the yeare CHAP. 43. How to know vppon view if a Horse be compounded of a true temperature of the elements and when otherwise and thereupon haue a true iudgement of his naturall qualities THe true and iust proportion of the temperature of the elements in the humors when the colt is compounded in the wombe frameth him in a most perfect shape and excellent for action and long life and in reason vnpossible that a Horse of true and perfect shape can be naturally bad but contrarywise most excellent in action for there neuer was or euer shal be a perfect shaped Horse without a true proportion of the temperature of the elements and it apeareth that if the humors at the time of framing the colt in the wombe hath not any iarring or discord of temperature then do the same frame a most absolute perfect shape the truth thereof appeareth in those horses the were immediatly created by god being cōpoūded of the elements as al other creatures were of the most only absolute perfect shape because at that time man had not transgressed and vntil then there was not any iarre or discorde in the elements as all diuine and humane witnesses confesse soas it appeareth without gainesaying that the true and equall proportion of the temperature of the elements in the seede and the humors whereof the colte is cōpounded bringeth forth without some contrary accidentall meanes which is not naturall the most absolute perfect shaped Horse and of the most excellent and temperate action and what a perfect shape is I haue heerin largely set forth so as it onely remaineth to shew how you shall infallibly iudge vppon the view of any Horse whether hee was composed of an equall temperature wherby as also I haue formerly mentioned will appeare his perfection or imperfection of action which canot be truly vnderstood without the true cause therof be vnderstood for Mens Philosophi non acquescit nisi in causa rerum the vnderstanding man euermore laboureth vntill he finde out the true cause of the action he vndergoeth Aristotle the Prince of Philosophers in the first of his Metaphisickes saith that Omne ens naturaliter appetit suam perfectionem All men desire naturally to know the cause is for that all things that haue beeing do naturally desire their owne perfection and asmuch as in them is to be restored to their first perfection to conserue themselues in the excellencye thereof which cannot be attained without the true knowledge of the nature of the thing desired to beknowne how much the more honorable or beneficiall the same is to the King or common weale by so much ought the same to be in the highest superlatiue esteeme the true knowledge thereof first and aboue others to be preferred Now forasmuch as the true knowledge of this subiect euen from the time of mans transgression hath in all succeeding ages bene laboured to a restitution of his primarie perfection and yet not any thing extant to establish mans iudgement heerein let me now in so waightie a matter entreat your fauourable eares and I doubt not to giue good contentment to the iudicious and vnderstanding Reader It cannot be denyed but that the Horse and euerie other creature is compounded of the foure Elements viz. Fire Aire Water and Earth and that the iust and true proportion of the temperature of those Elements was in all those creatures which were first and originally created by God in all perfection without any manner of predominate qualitie or iarring and that the harmony thereof was the true cause of their perfectiō but at the instant of time when man trāsgressed those elements in all creatures did iarre and rebel each against the other for predominate qualitie so will continue vnto the end and consummation of all creatures the which as I haue said are now become hom-bred enemies to all creatures and the onelye cause of sicknesse and death of all creatures yet the Sympathie of nature in all creatures is such as it laboureth and so continueth to bee restored to the first and true temperature and to suppresse the iarring not onelye for their preseruation but also for restitution to their primarie creation from whence there cannot bee any truth more apparant then the nearer the Colt doth attaine the true and iust proportion of the temperature of the elements in the creation the nearer it attaineth to the primarie perfection from whence also it followeth to knowe how to chuse and to gouerne the horse and Mare that shall beget and bring foorth that their seede and substance of humors wherof euerie Colt is compounded may at the time of their action be of a true and iust proportion of temperature and that the Colt begotten may whiles it remaineth in the wombe by the nutriment it taketh be preserved in the same temperature and after the foaling so continually maintained as the true ground of all knowledge in this subiect Wherefore omitting any farther discourse I will proceed to set forth how all men vpon the onely viewe of anye horse be he olde or yong may know whether hee bee compounded of true temperature of the elements viz. Euerie perfect shaped horse hath a broad forehead and great eye to expresse his naturall boldnesse and loue vnto man leane head thinne slender leane Iawes to expresse his refyned mettell courage and quicke spirit long high reared necke to expresse the perfection of his reyne and perfect sight of the way to keepe him sure footed high reared withers to set foorth the easie going by keeping the bodye of his Rider very vpright broade
the gold the siluer from the impuritie of the Alleye or Ore the masâ—e and vnpurified substance of fleshe from the bones the grossenes of the bones into the purity of bones and it openeth and disperseth the massie and vnproportionate substance into a pure and fine substance of flesh and the reason why the blood of the Mare is more waterishe raw grosser and vnperfecter then the blood of the Horse is for that she wanteth that sufficiencie of heate which the Horse hath to refine and perfect the same and the fountaine of blood both in Horse and Mare would be plentifull and pure because their seede is first taken from the same as I haue formerly shewed and the fountaine of blood is the liuer from which the veines doe disperse and conuey the same to the whole bodie and the liuer is called Epar from the worde Pyr which signifieth fire now if the liuer should be colde or a fountaine of vnperfect blood then no doubt but the colte wil be vnpersect and the reason is apparant for that the element of fire in the blood dooth purifie all the substance whereof the Colte is framed in the wombe and the vitall spirit of the sensible soule of the Horse and Mare if the elements in them be not in perfection of temperature can not endure Againe the element of the ayre being a light and pure element hotte and moyste dooth most naturallye feede preserue maintaine and cherish the Element of fire euen as pure oyle dooth the light of the lampe and maketh the mixte bodies of fleame choler and melancholy light to the inteÌ„t they may be neither too grosse nor too heauy Againe the element of water being heauy colde and moiste according to his nature doth greatly enlarge both bones flesh and sinewes and according to the nature of moisture doth temper the feruent heate of fire and keepe that together which the heate would disperse Againe the element of the earth being cold and dry but principally dry doth harden the bodie to retaine his shape which the aire water would make fluxible the which elements in the foure humors of blood fleame choler and melancholly whereof euery colte is framed there ought to be a iust proportion of temperature otherwise it is vnpossible to haue a beautifull and perfect shape or excellent qualitie or action from whence there followeth the truth of my assertions That if the aliment or foode although the Horse and Mare be of perfect shape whereof the Horse and Mare doe feede be not in naturall qualitie such as the humors that proceede from the same may be fit for the true proportion of temperature in the seede and euery way ordered as I haue prescribed when the colte is to be begotten and after there is not neither can be assurance of perfect races and consequently of perfect Horses whatsoeuer M. Pero Lopez or any other shall affirme to the contrary notwithstanding his lunary or lunaticke obseruations CHAP. 44. The answere to the examples NOw to answere the examples the first whereof is that all liuing creatures in those three moneths of March April May do beget and bring forth I answere briefely that if the example be vnderstood it doth not condemne my proposition for if it were granted that all liuing creatures do in those 3. moneths only beget bring forth which were moste vntrue to grant-the word all cannot haue an absolute reference to the whole species and kinde of all creatures without exception so as no creature hath doth or shall beget or bring foorth but onely in those 3. moneths but it is true that there are some of all creatures that do then commonly beget and bring forth and some there be of all creatures that neither then nor in any time of their liues beget and bring foorth thorough the imperfection of some naturall cause neither is it an infallible propositioÌ„ to say that because they do beget bring foorth in those three moneths therefore all other moneths of the yeare are vnmeete and exempted to beget and bring foorth for if you consider the originall cause from God when he saide increase and multiply the same was not particularly limited to any day moneth or yeare for the examples are manifest that there are some of al creatures which doe beget and bring forth in all moneths of the yeare and the reason wherfore in these three monethes these actions are most vsuall is for that the sun hauing long absented himselfe so as the cold and stormy winter weather hath greatly weakened and impaired the naturall strength and state of the bodie especially of the sauadge and wilde which want fulnes of foode to increase and mainetaine the same and for that cause doe abstaine from generation vntil the sun giue more heat to comfort their bodies with increase of foode the which is to be seene in the seuerall kinde of all creatures as in conies pigeons and other domesticall creatures which doe beget and bring foorth in all times of the yeare and to say that those three months are onely fit because blood is then predominate is also against the opinion of the learned who affirme the blood to increase from the eight of Februarie vnto the seauenth of May and that red choler increaseth from the seauenth of May vnto the seauenth of August and that blacke choler which is melancholly beginneth to increase from the seauenth of August vnto the seauenth of Nouember and that fleame beginneth to increase from the seauenth of Nouember vnto the seauenth of February and yet not any of them can be saide to haue dominion onely in those times for that were to allow the discordand predominate qualitie of the elements which is the onely cause of sickenesse and the continuance thereof death CHAP. 45. The answere to the second example from the earth THe apparancy of that reasoÌ„ is also taken from the force of the naturall heate of the sunne wherewith all trees grasse plants the vegetatiue soule or the naturall life and vertue thereof hauing ben imprisoned in the colde time of winter in the rootes lying in the bowels of the earth to shroude and preserue themselues from destruction the sunne drawing neere vnto them the same being the preseruation of their liues do then begin to shew their life in the greatest glory but the same is not to be attributed to the saide moneths if the sunne did not at that time extend his naturall heat more and otherwise in the other Monethes as the diuersitie of colde and hot countries do manifest and therefore I will proceed to the reasons of the practise of these moneths The reason of the common practise of all nations is for that a mare goeth with foale twelue moneths and ten daies or there abouts and therefore the moste breeders would not haue the mare go to horse before those moneths of March Aprill or May because her foaling time should be neere the spring of grasse the which opinion and practise I thinke fit likewise
drinke vvith a little Malte Meale or Bran. The twelfth last cause of long life is The twelfth cause to put often times into his prouender the powder of Anniseeds Licorish Fenegricke Turmericke Bay-berries the powder of brimstone white Lillie rootes small chopped Ennula campana rootes small chopped or the povvder thereof Rootes of Polipodium of the oke small chopped or the povvder thereof Sauen small cut Marshe vvoorme-vvood small cut or the povvder thereof Garlicke small chopped Tobacco smal chopped Hearb of grace smal chopped Isop Horehovvnd and Coltefoote smal chopped or some of them vvhich vvill keepe him sound and perfect from all inward diseases Thus hauing briefely set dovvne the invvard causes of long life wherout you may deduce the cōtraries sicknes and short life for such is the disposition of Horses and of all creatures bodies that by the continuall combat and enterchangeable dominion of the euer-iarring elements they often change their primary constitution so that if there were no cause of transmutation which notwithstanding are many and manifolde yet hauing that home-bred cause within them that would in time alter their temperature for we see the same bodies in youth and old age diuersly tempered euen by the variation of their originall constitution and the infallible cause of their diuersitie and difference although many times not the onely cause but that onely which proceedeth from the inward ingendred cause of destruction thorough some accidental immoderate contingent or vnnaturall action which sometime happeneth in their full strength and perfection for that which is onely naturall neuer passeth from one extreame vnto another Aristotle in his tripertite diuision of ages but by the meane And although experience the naturall and true mother of knowledge time the mother of truth who euermore bringeth her owne daughter to perfection approoue the contrariety of the inherent qualities of heat colde drynes moisture the onely causes of invvard diseases and the continuance and vnperceiueable lingering thereof the principle cause of their vntimely death knovving a successiue impairing alvvaies importeth a small dissolution so that the preuention of the extremity and suppressing the dominion of the contraries there is not so much as an apparance of their perpetuitie yet vvho is he that seeth his Horses enioy but a small perfection of health doth not possesse himselfe with the forgetfulnesse thereof and of their mortalitie whence you see how farre they wrong their sences and themselues from iudgement standing stil to beholde the execution of doubtfull issues neuer remembring that as from the firmest friendshippes doe spring the greatest enmities so from soundest health the deadliest maladies Therefore qui causam rei praestat is remprestare videtur he that preuenteth the cause of sicknesse preuenteth the sicknes it selfe it is not better occurrere malo quam postea remedium querere to preuent the disease then afterwardes to seeke remedie for the disease but how a perfect order and stability should consist in these disioyned subiectes vnlesse the origionall causes there of had bene formerly expressed without begetting error the childe of confusion extendeth beyond the limits of vnderstanding It therefore remaineth how to cure those horses that haue inward diseases and afterwards the outward diseases CHAP. 59. The meanes to helpe and preserue horses from the inward diseases THere are foure waies or meanes to preserue and keepe horses from their inward diseases viz. purging sweating letting blood and vomiting whereof in order First of purging which may bee saide two-folde outward inward the time of purging or clensing the outward parts must be presently after the taking of the horse from Grasse into the stable which euer wold be at or before the feast of Saint Bartholmew by reason of the great moistnes and colde that then vsually happen to be taken vp very gently for fear of heating of him least his humors thereby should be dissolued by the veines and Arteries into euerie part of the body and that euery horse at such times are ful of humors appeareth in the best spirited horses if you then perceiue their actions how lubburish and heauily they performe the same at such times The manner of purging or clearing the outward parts of the bodye would bee in this manner First sheare his eares and a little place behinde for the head-stall to lye flat and euen Then take Sope and annoint his head and iawes therewith and then take warm Buck-lie and wash and clense the same in euerie part so cleane as is possible from all sweate and scurffe and presently rubbe his head and euerie part with cleane linnen cloathes and after with wollen cloathes verie drie then put on his head a double whood or beggin made of purpose to keepe all the parts of his head verie warme Then if it bee a faire warme day in the Sunne in like maner wash purge and clense all his body and euerie part thereof especially his maine taile and cods then rubbe him and cleare him verie dry and cloath him and stuffe him verie warme and giue him plenty of sweet cleane litter Then annoint all his hoofes hauing first washed them and made them dry with this oyntment Take of Turpentine and sheepe suet halfe a pound of vnwrought waxe a quarterne of Allom of Sallet Oyle halfe a pinte of Tarre a quarter of a pinte boile themll together vntill they be well incorporated keepe it in a pot and euerie day his feet being clean annoint his hoofes therewith neither let him goe at grasse if he be a horse of worth aboue one moneth in the yeare at any time after The manner of purging or clensing the inner parts of the horse A moste excellent Glister to be giuen within a day or two after the horse is taken frō grasse must euermore be done before hee be laboured or exercised in this manner viz. First annoint your hand with sope and thrust your arme into his fundament and rake out al the dung and then giue him this glister take of Malloes three handfuls Marsh mallowe rootes two handfuls bruised Violet leaues two handfuls Flaxe-seed three spoonefuls and a good quantitie of the white Lilly rootes and boyle them together in a Gallon of faire water to a Wine quart straine it and put thereto of Seene one Ounce let it steepe in the lycour three hovvers ouer embers then put to it of Sallet-oyle halfe a pinte and being blood vvarme giue it him in a glister and make him keepe it so long as you may and this vvould be done three or foure daies before thefull or nevv moone The next day after he hath taken the saide glister giue him early in the morning this drinke viz. Take a quart of the strongest and best alevvorte a quarter of a pinte of honny and six penny vvorth of the best treacle vvell mixed and brued together and keepe him meatles after six houres and let him not drinke any colde vvater but a mashe and eate svveet vvheat stravve and
olde cleane svveet oates The next day after he hath taken the saide drinke giue him earely in the morning this drinke viz. Take a pinte of the best vvhite vvine vvherein hath bene steeped all night an ounce of Sence straine it and put into it one ounce of the best Aloes beaten into povvder halfe an ounce of Agaricke and a spoonefull of the povvder of Licorish vvarme them a little on the fire and brevve them vvell together and then giue it the Horse ride him gently or vvalke him a quarter of an houre set him into the stable very warme clothed let no aire come to him and let him neither eate nor drinke 6 houres after and at night giue him a warme mashe svveete vvheat stravve olde cleane svveete oates and plenty of litter The next day if the signe be good let him blood if the blood be very bad take from him tvvo quarts if indifferent but one quart keepe him verie vvarme and with vvarme mashes in vvhich mashes if possibly he will take it put the powder of brimstone Fenegreke Turmericke and of Enula campana of each one spoonefull The next day after if the weather be faire ride him very gently a mile and so backe againe and at his comming home presentlye haue him into the Stable and cloath him so warme as hee may sweate but not violentlye and so faile not to ride him when hee is fasting euerie day moderately a mile or two vppon some pleasant ground and euerie day to sweate a little for sixe daies and keepe him warme and with warme water and the Stable close when he is in it Hetherto you haue heard how to cleare him outwardly by washing and inwardlye by purging bleeding and sweating and for vomiting take a great roote or two of Polipodium of the Oake cleane scraped and laide all night in steepe in Spike oyle tyed fast to his bitte and euerie morning fasting let him bee ridden vvith it and if hee haue anye colde or filth in his stomacke it will force him to cough and reare it from the stomacke and by this means you shal be sure to clense refine his blood to exhaust his watrish humors and to make his inner parts cleane so as with temperate order before prescribed you shall bee sure to keepe him long a sound perfect and seruiceable Horse Now because the Liuer being the fountaine of blood the Lungs the bellowes of breath yet not vnlike a standing poole which continually gathereth corruption the which being corrupted or stopped speedilye destroyeth the subiect I will set downe excellent meanes to preserue both the one other in perfefection otherwise hee wil be but as a silthye vessell which is seldome clensed CHAP. 60. To refine the blood and preserue the Liuer from infection TAke a root of polipodium of the Oake made verie cleane cut it into small peeces a handfull of Liuer-wort cut in small peeces sixe pence weight of Ruebarbe cut small and euerie morning for three or foure daies in a month giue it the horse in his prouander verie earelye two or three houres before his watering and once in halfe a yeare make triall of his blood how pure it is accordinglye minister helpe if need be CHAP. 61. A most soueraigne drinke to preserue his lungs cleere the most excelling knowledge in Horseman or Farrier TAke the Tartar of white wine lees which is alwaies at the Apothecaries which is no other then the lees of white wine dried to powder one ounce and a halfe of I sop two handfuls of Coltesfoote two handfulls of Horehownd one handful of Ennula campana roots one ounce foure Licorish stickes brused Anniseed one ounce red Sugar candy foure ounces boyle them all in a quarte of ale and when it is halfe boyled put to it of Isop water twice distilled one pin̄te of Coltes foote water twice distilled one pinte boile them againe then straine it and giue it him verie warme to drinke The charge heere of is small you may make what quantity you will by doubling or trebling the simples If you haue a delicate Horse and haue cleared him dieted him as I haue prescribed then euery morning that you will hunt him or excercise him giue him fasting a pinte heereof and so continue him vntil you finde him cleane in perfect breath and then the moderate excercise of him wil be sufficient to keepe him cleane The reasons why the Horse should be thus clensed and cleared after long rest and full feeding are First the pores of all the skinne being opened the Horse will easily sweate and therebye cleere the body from the vnperfect moisture Secondly it maketh the whole body to receiue Ayre which of it selfe is naturally moiste to helpe to coole the burning violent heate of the heart and of the other members when the Horse doth labour as appeareth by the office of the lungs which as a paire of bellowes dooth continuallye drawe fresh Ayre vnto the same filling all the emptie corners with moistnes and therefore the Lungs most principally ought to be kept cleere to draw breath to coole the same and that is the reason why Horses are broken winded because the lungs are vnperfect to doe their office and likewise the reason why broken winded Horses when they are kept at drie meate doe drawe their breath much more shorter and with more violence then when they goe to Grasse because grasse is naturally colde and moist and thereby his heart being more colde the Horse draweth his breath more at length but if the Horse be cleare emptie and sound in the body then doth he alwaies draw his breath alike and so doth euery other creature also from which ground of reason three things may be collected obserued The first is that the horse head bee kept verie cleare from all obstructions the which euermore commeth by colde which greatlie hindereth drawing breath into the body Secondly that the skinne of the Horse be kept cleare and open to draw breath at the pores of the skinne into the body Thirdlye that Canales Pulmonis the pipes or Canes of the Lungs bee not opilated or stopped throgh viscous fleame or tough humors like bird-lime or with impostumation in the pipes and so become putrified euerie of which with continuance thereof will destroy the horse there is no truth more apparant then that the causes of all these inward corruptions and infirmities proceede onely from great rest full and foule feeding and the distemperatures of heate and colde that by the taking away of these causes such effects cannot follow so as you see the preseruation of health and long life is the moderate and temperate labour and exercise the spare cleane and sweete foode as hath bene formerly expressed CHAP. 62. Certaine rules to be obserued by such as shall either trauell or exercise their horses FIrst when your Horse is lustie and pleasant and cleere in bodye then is he fit for labour or any exercise but if he be
sad heauie or deiected in countenance although hee bee cleare doe not labour him vntill you haue found the cause and remooued it 2. Secondly let not your horse eate any thing by two or three houres before you trauell him then not much vntill you come to your lodging for bayting at noone is naught and hurtfull except you rest 4. or 5. houres so as he may not trauell vpon a full stomacke and let his baite be small be sure he neuer weare a rusty Bit or Snaftle for feare of the canker Thirdly let your trauel be moderate except necessity which cannot be limitted enforce you come to your lodging long before night so as your horse may neither eat nor drinke vntill he be very cold if it be in winter time be sure to cloath couer his head breast very warme after trauel euery morning either squirt a little vinegar into his nosthrils or els rub them with oile de bay with a cloth nointed therewith fastned to the end of a sticke thrust vp and downe his nosthrils to purge his head Fourthly neither wash nor walke your Horse especially in the winter time for when he is very hot to walke him in the colde aire reason telleth you that it is not sufficient to keep him in moderat heat and to wash him it is a preparatiue to a speedy end or the least that may befal to bring him to some dangerous disease And to confirme the truth heerein I affirme and will by good and propable demonstration of truth make it manifest that there is no dangerous disease incident to Horse but the same proceedeth from the cause of heat or colde and none more dangerous then this neither can any Horseman or vnderstanding Farrier truely instance vnto me any particular disease to the contrary and to all young Horses the common messengers of death Fiftly when you trauell alight often from your Horse if cause of necessitie enforce not the contrary and lead your Horse to some place of grasse stravve or brakes and there staye and vvhistle vntill your Horse pisse vvhich by little custome he will vsually doe for the long retention of his vvater is many waies hurtfull and except it be in such places he is most vnvvilling to pisse because the sprinckling thereof vvill scalde his legges Sixtly if your Horse be very hot let him not drinke colde vvater but rather at some house and village giue him a quart of good beere or a pinte of vvine and if you doe vvater him by the vvay let him not drinke vntill he haue vvashed his mouth vvhich is done vvhen he thrusteth his head into the vvater presently pull vp his head vvhich vvill clense his mouth and let him drinke but little although there be necessitie and let it be fiue or sixe miles from your Inne and then ride him so as he may still keepe the same heate he vvas in vvhen he did drinke and vvhen you come to your Inne dresse him cleane from svveat and keepe him verye vvarme and let him not eat vntill he be colde and let it be gi-giuen him by little and little at a time and after drinke if neede be Seauenthly after his laboure if you can haue a conuenient place let him vvallovve himselfe for it dooth exceedingly comfort him and giueth delight to his whole bodie Eightly if he happen to fall sicke in your trauell which commeth commonly either by eating or drinking too much at one time by any accidental meanes the which being suden may be doubtfull truly to iudge Giue him a pinte of sacke or malmesey a quarter of a pint of Aqua vite with six penny worth of the best treacle and a quarter of a pinte of the best sallet oyle brew them well together giue him a draught and then take a new laid egge pul out his tongue bruse the shel and thrust it into his throate and then let goe his tougue then giue him another draught and after that another egge in the same manner and after all the saide drinke then let him blood in the pallate of his mouth and then rub it well with salte and put on his bridle stop him and clothe him head and body with clothes and giue him litter enough and feare him not but if you cannot haue sacke or wine nor treakle giue him halfe a pinte of Aqua-vite or any other comfortable vvater and tvvo egges in forme aforesaide to comfort his hearte which is the Chariot of his life Ninthly at the night giue him a good comfortable mashe if he will eate it and cleane svveet prouender such as he vvill eate bath all his legges with butter beere clense his feete and stop them with cow-dūg after he is sufficiētly fed giue him plenty of sweet litter and then suffer no man to come into the stable and shut all the vvindovves dores so as it may be very darke and early in the morning let him be thorougly dressed rubbed and before you ryde tvvo houres let him eate halfe a pecke of old sweete Oates with a pinte of the strongest Ale Beere Malmesey or White-wine for his breakefast Tenthly if that your Horse be young that you do trauell vpon which is the ouerthrowe of al fine mettell Horses when you come home and may rest then let him blood and if you finde his blood hot and darke coloured spare not to let him bleed vntill there come perfect blood after for three or foure daies keepe him with good mashes and giue the purging drinke before mentioned and with a pinte of white wine one ounce of Alloes dissolued into powder halfe an ounce of Agaricke and a spoonefull of the powder of licorish made blood-warme and well brewed together and let him not drinke colde water for foure or fiue dayes after and in his prouender put the powder of Brimstone Ennula campana and Polipodium of the oake well mingled together a good spoonefull at a time two or three howers before his water and he will remaine a most healthfull and sound Horse if he be thus vsed vntill he be eight yeares olde for then the chiefe danger is past Vita carnium est cordis Sanitas CHAP. 63. The order of curing Horses that are diseased the causes thereof the signes thereof and the cure toereof I Haue before shewed that the distemperature of the Elements and of their qualities of heat colde drynesse and moysture is sicknesse and their continuance their death in all creatures the which I pray you obserue as the onely causes thereof and that all cures consist in the contraies and that the safety and preseruation of the creature is in reducing them to a true iust and equall proportion of their temperature the which being well imprinted in your vnderstanding will remaine an euerliuing schoolemaster to direct you to rhe perfection of al Horsemanship CHAP. 64. Ague or Feuer in Horses THe learned doe holde three generall kindes First when the vitall spirits are inflamed
wherein heate is prdominat more then Nature requireth Secondly when the humors are distempered by heat Thirdly when the firme parts of the bodie are continually hot so that the ague cōmeth either by excessiue heting the horse therupon a sudden cold or by fulnes of bad bumors which principally grovve from full foule or rawe feeding and great rest and for that reason it taketh the horse either hot ot colde now he cannot be cured but by the contrary viz. by spare feeding cleane feeding dry feeding moderate labour to this end the cure must bee ministred But to be curious in the destinctiō hauing sufficiently expressed the same in this tractat I purpose not it is sufficient to knowe that learning and practise acknowledge a horse to haue an ague as wel as man and to keepe due houres to make him shake and tremble as a man to knowe the same also appereth by the inflamations from the heat of the stomacke which scaldeth and maketh the tongue rawe CHAP. 65. The Cure FIrst when you perceiue his deicted countenance that hee beginneth to tremble or before enforce him into a heat giue him this purging drink Take a quart of white wine put therevnto one ounce of Alloes small beaten of Agarick halfe an ounce of licorish Anniseeds half a dram a little hony warme it a little on the fire and then ride him vntil he be hot put him into a sweat then haue him into the stable let him stand on the bitt cloath him stop his breast head and bodye verie warme so as hee may moderatelye sweate let him haue plentie of litter and so let him stand fiue or sixe houres then vncloathe him and rubbe him perfectlye drye and then cloathe him againe but not so hot and when hee is colde vnbit him and wash his tongue with Allome-water vinegar and sage and giue him sweete wheat straw to eate and a gallon of olde svveete and cleane oates and at night giue him a good mashe and the next day after let him blood a quart and if his blood be very thick black darke oryellowe let him bleed two quarts afterwards keepe him warme from the Ayre for 4. or 5. dayes and giue him vvarme vvater to drinke and a little sallet oyle in it if he vvill drinke it CHAP. 66. For the same LEt him blood in the necke and temple veines and before or vvhen he beginneth to tremble take three nevv laide egges and six or seauen spoonefull of Aqua-vite breake them beat them together giue it him and ride him vntill he svveate then clothe him very vvarme and make him svveat and after he is rubbed dry and colde giue him cleane foode as aforesaide moderately let him not drinke any colde vvater but vvarme vvherein hath bene boyled mallovves sorrell and purslaine of each three or foure handfuls and keep him vvarme probatum CHAP. 67. For the same LEt him blood take of Germander foure ounces of Gum Draganet and of Deade Roses of each an ounce of Oyle Oliffe foure ounces of Hony foure ounces put them into a quart of strong Ale and giue it warme to the horse to drinke then ride him vntill hee sweate and cloath him and keepe him warme as aforesaide CHAP. 68. Ache in the head THe cause of this disease commeth eyther of colde takan after a great heate or of a rawe or vnperfect digestion of stomack proceeding principally from full and foule feeding and betwixt the stomacke and the braine is such affinitie as they doe equally communicate their damages the signes are these the hanging downe of his head his eyes will swell and runne of water and will forsake his meate CHAP. 69. The Cure LEt him blood in the pallat of his mouth and rub it with Salt to make it bleede well then take a sticke with a linnen cloath fastned at the end therof well annointed with oyle of Bay thrust it vp and dovvne his nostrils therby to open and purge his head also perfume him vvith the smoake of Garlick stalkes broken into smal peaces also aire him with the smoke of Frankinsence holding the same in a chafingdish vnder his Nostrils with a great cloath cast ouer his head and let it be done morning and euening keepe him vvith spare dyet moderate exercise the which wil clense his stomack make it so cleane emptie as his braine wil not be disquieted afterwards let him bloud giue him good mashes to drinke for two daies after and no colde water CHAP. 70 Of the sudden sicknes of a horse THe cause is for that the heart which is the chariot of his life wherein the soule of the horse liueth wanting the vse of the veines and Arteries to carrie the vitall spirit of heate to all the parts of the body to giue the horse feeling abilitie to operation by reason of some obstruction of humors or colde which for want of heate cannot be dissolued for that the nature of colde is to binde and conglutinate together and to keepe them from their natural course proceeding from some violent exercise or immoderate feeding and rest by reason whereof there is great iarre discord amongst the qualities of the elements the motion of the vitall spirit wherby the horse liueth and mooueth is imprisoned for that time and so seemeth taken as a dead horse without action The signe is the sudden deiecting of his countenance CHAP. 71. The cure LEt him blood on both sides the brest next the heart whereby the veines and Arteries being euacuated and emptied they may begin to doe that office whereunto nature hath appointed them and let him bleede the quantitie of two quarts then giue him a comfortable drinke to stirre vp the vital spirits to action viz take a quart of the best sack burne it with Graines Cloues and Sinamon and a quarter of a pound of the best Sugar and burne it well together with halfe a pinte of Sallet Oyle foure penny worth of the best Triacle then ride him verie gently vntill hee beginne to sweat and so haue him into the Stable keepe his head and heart verie warme and cloath him stuffe his body with sweet straw and keep the stable close and so let him stand 6. houres meatles but beware you cloath him not too much for the drinke vvill thoroughlye warme him and make him sweat let his drinke be warme water wherein boyle Mallowes a handfull water Cresses a handfull of fennell and parsly seed of each an ounce and twice a day morning and euening when he is most fasting ride him gently a mile or two let his meat be sweete wheat strawe olde cleane dry oates mingled with wheat and sometime with olde pease and sparingly giuen and often but not much vntill you see him waxe very hungry and let him be well rubbed and all his litter cleane and sweete CHAP. 72. Staggers THe cause of this disease is for that as I haue formerly saide the braine and the
stomack are vnited and chained together with certaine sinewes and thereby enterchangeably communicate their dammages so as when the stomacke is oppressed with grose and tough humors or some strong vapors as when the Horse hath eaten some strong hearb as the wilde parsenip or such like by the strong vaporous spirits proceeding out of the stomack to the braine opressing the same as the strong vaporous spirit of wine Aqua vite and such like doth the braine of man he is dizzie and reeleth as if he were drunke and hereof I haue had often experience but at the first the horse doth only reele and stagger as if his backe were swayed and will eate his meat but after he will forsake his meate and not be able to stande CHAP. 73. The Cure LEt him blood in the temple veines one handfull vnder the eyes then take Garlicke Hearbgrace and a little Leauen and bay-salt stamp them together and then put thereunto a little quantity of Aqua-vitae and put it into the Horse eares then take wooll and wet it in the medicine and put it into his eares and binde them close and so let it remaine 24. houres and wash his tongue with vinegar and salte let him not drinke any cold drinke and once a day gently walked CHAP. 74. For the same TAke of bitter Almonds one ounce a halfe of Oxe gall two drams of blacke Elebar stamped one halfe penny worth of Graines of Castorum of vinegar of varnish 5. drams seeth them together vntill the vinegar be consumed and straine them and put it into his cares as aforesaid but binde them with a woollen list and not with any cutting string CHAP. 75. For the same LEt him blood as afore saide then with a knife make a hole of an inch long ouerthwart his fore-head hard vnderhis fore-top and raise the skin with a eornet thrusting it vpward toward the head-stall a good handfull and then taint it with turpentine and hogs grease molted together and doe the like vpon the ridge of the rump and remoue the taintes euerie day and keepe him with warme water CHAP. 76. Crampe or conuulsion of sinewes THe cause of this disease is much fulnesse or verie great emptinesse great eating and feeding much rest lacke of moderate exercise or by ouer-much bleeding extream labour or extream colde that which hapneth of great fulnesse and rest commeth suddenly that which commeth by emptinesse or penurie commeth but by little and little I haue seene a horse his head Iawes and necke so stiffe and starke as he could not bow it any manner of way nor the strength of men open his Iawes or mouth without breaking them his eyes hollowe in his head and the fleshie parts thereof in the greate corners turned backward and his tongue so benummed as he could not eat neither drinke but by sucking of his drinke by little and little with his lips and for my instructions I did see the maner of his death And the same came by full and foule feeding and great rest being exceeding fat when he died I would willingly haue aduentured his cure if many Smithes had not taken the same vpon them neuer vnderstanding the cause as his end manifested CHAP. 77. The Cure TEt him blood in greate measure take him behinde and giue him the glister I prescribed before for a horse that is taken vp from grasse rubbe him with two or three lustie strong men and haue him into a verie warme roome then take two quarts of strong Ale and two pound of backe sope and boile them together vntill they looke as tarre annoint and rub all his body therewith so as it may drinke in then cloathe him and stuffe head and necke and all the partes of his bodye to bring him to a greate sweate and if it may bee giue him a pinte of white wine and two ounces of Alloes and halfe an ounce of Agaricke infused therein beaten small putting therein three spoonefuls of the best clarified Hogs-grease and if that cannot bee done giue him euerie day a Glister and keepe him with continuall rubbing and in a warme roome and giue him to drinke small Ale wherin mallowes and licorish haue bene boyled let his dyet be spare but sweet and good CHAP. 78. Colde in the head The cause THe cause heere of commeth by some heate standing stil or hauing some colde ayre piercing his head when he is hot or by some humors congealed after long rest and full feeding wanting moderate exercise to expell the same The signes are a continuall distilling rewme waterish cies or the short drawing breath at the Nostrilles when the Canes and passages of breath are stopped CHAP. 79. The Cure PVt vpon his head a double whood and euerie morning when hee is fasting ride him with two Goose feathers dipt in Oyle of Bay and thrust vp into his Nostrils through the ends whereof with a needle put two threds to fasten the same to the headstall so as the feathers cannot fal out and to the snaffle or Bit that he is rodden with fasten a roote or two of Polipodium of the Oak which hath bene steeped all night in Spike oyle and euerie time you ride him annoint the same with the said Oile when he commeth home put on his head the double whood and perfume him being hot with Franckinsence casting a cloath ouer his head that the smoak may ascend into his head vse him thus nine daies together and giue him warme water or good mashes during the saide nine daies for all rewmes hauing continuance are dangerous and many times hauing continuance remedisesse leauing a worse disease then themselues CHAP. 80. Glaunders THe originall cause of this disease is the rewm which being an aboundant moisture beeing naturallye verie colde at length congealeth according to the nature of colde and then proceedeth to kirnels so to inflamation The course and become so great in the end that they seeme to strangle and stoppe the breath of the horse from whence he is saide to haue the Strangles and by continuance of time the same perish either the liuer or the Lungs by a continuall distilling of putrified and corrupt matter the signes are apparant to euerie man that hath sight the diuersitie of medicines infinite and the beginning alwaies of this disease is taking colde after heate the which cannot be auoided from a horse that hath full feeding and great rest will of necessitie haue especially if he feed of rawe greene vncleane or filthie mustie meate or by the vse of continuall trauell vppon full stomack or before his body be made cleane after long rest for the standing poole is euer muddy CHAP. 81. The Cure FIrst cleere his head as is perscribed for the cold in the head in euery part if he be able to be rid or walked that he may receiue breath then giue him this drinke take a pinte of malmsey 6. penny worth of the best triacle and a quarter of a pound of
Liuerworte if he be a Horse of value at euery time a six penny waight of Ruebarbe and euery morning being fasting giue him a pinte of the drinke prescribed for the preseruation of his Lungs and keepe him onely with wheat straw but no hay and olde sweete and cleane oats and euery morning after he hath taken that drinke ride him gently two or three miles For the fourth which is the thicke running at the nose continually cleere his head as hath bene prescribed for the colde in the head and so in euety part as in the rest are prescribed onely adding purging drinkes viz. after all these prescribed orders giue him two seuerall mornings a pinte of white wine one ounce a halfe of Alloes halfe an ounce of Agaricke two drams of Licorish and Anniseeds and a spoonefull of pure hogs grease warmed and well dissolued together and after he hath purged the next day let him blood in both the brest veines the quantite of a quart and still keepe him with good mashes and moderate trauell when he is fasting giuing him euery morning fasting for nine dayes after a pinte of that drinke prescribed for clearing of his Lungs For the sift if you finde no amendment but a knob growne to his Iawe you may giue him a purge with pills as I haue prescribed and if that helpe him not then he is remediles without all doubt CHAP. 85 These things following are most excellent to put in Horses prouender to preserue them from these and all diseases THe powder of a Wolfes liuer The powder of Ennula Compana The powder of pollipodium of the Oake The fine cut peeces of Ruebarbe The powder of Brimstone made very fine The powder of Licorish Anniseedes Fenegreek Turmericke Bay-berries Long-pepper Agrimony Camamile wormewood Sauen Linseed Smalage Perseley Rue Isop Coltesfoote Horehownd and such like CHAP. 86. Of a broken winde THe cause of this perrilous disease hath not bene truly foreopened by any not being truely vnderstood and therefore accounted of al Horsemen vncurable And therefore as plainely as I can I purpose to vnfolde the same and I wil deuide the same into three kindes euery of which may be truely tearmed a broken winde because the breath being drawne very short and thicke contrary to originall creation the which is long colde quiet for so euery creature is by nature but when any accident of violence of the body is vsed in any creature then euery mans experience telleth him that he panteth and fetcheth breath very short and thicke and therefore with the cause thereof I will begin the which being vnderstood the effects can not be hid Now the causes why a Horse draweth his breath short may be many as sicknes great fulnes or violent excercise but the reason of the cause is for that the heart being the onely hottest part of the body from whence the Arteries and veines do carry the vitall heat into euery part of the bodie and therefore is truly said to be the chariot of life when the same by sicknes fulnes or violence of excercise is choked and as it were smothered with great heate then dooth the lights being the bellowes to draw breath according to that office that nature hath ordeined them vnto presently labour with all violence to draw breath to coole and comfort the heart and so consequently all the other members and parts of the bodie to fill all the empty corners with aire which naturally and in predominate qualitie is moist and when they haue drawn sufficient breath the drynes and heat by the moysture of the aire is quenched the which being done then dooth the creature draw breath leasurely and coldely and not before but so long as the heart is oppressed with the violent heat of sicknes or by great fulnes or violent excercise the canes pipes and passages for breath are almost stopped or choked vp then dooth the lungs labour very extreame thicke to preserue the life of the creature which is the heart and therfore it is saide to be the first thing that liueth and the last that dieth And to make the same a little plainer obserue a Horse that is broken-winded as the vsuall terme is and you shall finde that he fetcheth his breath much more shorter when he is kept in the stable onely with die meate then when he goeth to grasse and the onely reason is the coldenes of the moist food which keepeth the heart and all the bodie in coldenes because the humors that come from the digestion of grasse are colde and moist according to the naturall qualitie of grasse and rawe hearbs This rule being kept in minde it is a truth apparant that all thinges which hinder and stop the free passage of breath breaking the naturall course thereof are the onely causes of broken winde so likewise the cure of broken winde must be the remoouing of the stoppings of aire then the lungs will perfectly do their office then the creature is perfect from the disease The differences of broken windes both in cause and effect are diuers and yet may be truly tearmed broken namely shortnes of breath Pursicke and broken winde Shortnes of breath 1. And first touching shortnes of breath it may come by some grosse tough humors cleauing to the hollow places of the lungs stopping the winde-pipes so as the horse cannot easely draw his breath and the signe thereof is his coughing often dayly and vehemently without voyding at the nose or mouth 2. Secondly it may come by hasty running after drinking or vpon ful stomack or by the dissolution of some humors discending into his throate or lungs by reason of some violent heat dissoluing the same And the signes therof are continual panting sending the same foorth very hot at his nose in a squeasing manner and his flanckes wil beat so thick as he cannot fetch breath but by holding the neck right out and straight and this may truely be called broken winde although in truth no broken winde CHAP. 87. Thecure TAke a close earthen pot and put therin three pintes of strong wine vinegar and foure new laid egges with the shelles vnbroken and foure great garlicke heads cleane pilled and brused then couer the pot close and set it in some warme dunghill and there let it stand a whole night and the next morning take foorth the egges but breake them not then straine the garlicke and vinegar through a cleane cloth then put thereunto a quarter of honny halfe a quarter of sugar-candy two ounces of licorish and two ounces of Annyseedes beaten into fine pouder and then the Horse hauing fasted all night in the morning open his mouth and pull out his tongue and put one egge into his throte and then let goe his tongue so as he may swallowe it downe and then power after it a hornefull of the saide drinke being luke warme and so all the egges in that manner and all the drink being spent then bridle him and stop him