cause of a quarell be good the effect and issue thereof cannot be euill and as I haue said so I say still that all true knowledge seeketh after the beginning and cause of thinges to attaine to the knowledge and effect of the thing and from the effects and euents to finde the knowledge of the cause Thus you see that to depend vppon speech without probable reason and without shewing the cause of such things as they publish to the world doth infect with error all those that entertaine the same and will dayly increase so long as they sectari riuulos non petere fontes thinke the spring clearer then the fountaine Faelix qui potuit rerum cognoscere causas it is scientia sciolorum quae est iusta ignorantia it is the knowledge of the pretended knower that is ignorant but where true knowledge practise concur there not elsewhere truth shineth CHAP. 11. Of horses markes ANother matter alleaged by the writers Non tam imperto nobiâ— opus quam exemplo to know a good horse is his markes but for asmuch as I haue stayed about the displaying of the colour I purpose not to stay about a particuler part of colour whereof the Italian writers haue drawn particuler names from whome as people apt to imitation the common people willingly entertaine the same and the horses so marked for example presseth more then law and the eyes thoughts of the lesser are alwaies vppon the great and therefore when a horse hath a white foote or a white marke they say he is excellent good and him the Italian calleth Balzano but say if the white extend high large that betokeneth debilitie because say they whitenes betokeneth weakenes dulnes and such like and that they call Balzani so running in the path of their owne pride as a stray sheepe that hath beene long time lost is euer lost goe forward and tell vs of Calzati Arseglio Trauato trustrauato Rapicano AttuffuÌ„ato Guzzo Zaino c. sure I am that neither white foote white starre white list strake snip phillet in the fore-head white rumpe blacke or red flee-bytings Ostrich feather where it cannot bee seene meale nose meale flanke bearded vnder his chops like a Goate blacke and long fetter-lockes long maine long taile blacke maine blacke taile blacke list and such like are no more assurance of a good horse then the hauing a feather in a mans hat doth proue him a good man or a bad which by seeing and practise you will sooner beleeue then my saying can perswade for vndoubtedly you shall finde good and bad of all colours and without markes But men hauing bene perswaded especially by strangers to those obseruations al men are possessed therewith by custome and haue sought to breed by such mares and horses that haue bene so coloured and marked as infallible tokens of their goodnesse whereby great multitudes of those colours and markes haue bene generally bred and thereby receaued and esteemed of great value beeing accompted true noates of good horses how truely may it be said consuetudo piccandi tollit sensum peccati the custome of dooing euill maketh men sencelesse and without feeling of that is euil which maketh a monster in nature when as seeing their owne experience wil not beleeue so true experience And therefore I conclude with Augustine consuetudinem vincere dura pugna to ouercome custome is a hard fight CHAP. 12. Now of his shape THe last thing the writers affirme to knowe a good horse is his shape which originally as it issued from the hands of God was no doubt most excellent for the workes of God were all perfect but the particuler obseruations and discriptions of perfect shape Nihil est sine mensura ac partium proportion-formosum This rule is generally to be obserued in the shape of a horses discription are in number about thirtie the which I will recite and giue some short answere to euerie particuler as they are by them recyted onely to mooue you to carefull consideration to vnderstand what they accompted perfect shape which being deuided into 4 parts 3. parts therof are as well incident proper to Iades as to good horses and therein I wish you to obserue their incertaintie for your vnderstanding I will begin with the hooue so ascend til the whole body be described First therefore they say that the hooue should be black smoothe dry large round and hollow and some write that if it bee soft and tender and the heele broad it is a signe of lightnesse and that the Horse will from his foaling treade light vpon the ground being affraide to trust his hooues beeing tender and therefore streyneth his fore legs-and back the more First for briefe answere heerein there appeareth contrarietie in the description and yet both are herein commended and yet the learned say contraria non solum substantia sunt seperata sed etiam pugnant inuâ—â—em contraries are not onely seperated in substance but doe each of them fight against the other for all contaries are either immediate or mediate as if a man would thus reason aut dies aut nox est either it is day or night of which if you allow one the other is taken away but to say that a man either sits or walks is no contrarietie although no man can doe both at one time for a man may do neither as he that lyeth down but here the drie hooue is commended therefore the moiste and soft hooue is discommended but aswel a good Horse as a bad Horse may haue a drie hoofe there is not any Horse can be saide to haue a perfect hoofe that hath a moist or soft hoofe and yet the greater coÌ„mendations is attributed to the soft hoofe because say they it betokeneth lightnes but if a man might thus reason a drie hoofe is naught because it is brittle and easily becommeth hoofe-bound and a soft hoofe is naught because it is a flat or pumish hoofe which cannot be deep of hoofe so as he cannot be a horse of continuance no more can he be bold of his feet as other Horses and especially if he be not very skilfully shod neither dare he vse his feete boldly vppon stony and hard grounds and therby becommeth fearfull and yeelding and so not sure footed but if it be said that good shooing may altogether helpe that faulte I answere good shooing may doe some good but not to the perfction of the hoofe but only to succour the vnperfection thereof good Smithes are rare to be found but how if he be euill shod as it is ten to one amongst common Smithes is he not more then halfe spoiled besides it is vnperfect for it cannot be of continuance as a deepe hoofe because it must be intended only of the forefoot it is the worse And all thinges must be considered and allowed that are in perfection which is mediocritie not in their imperfection which is euermore in extreames
or Darkenesse from aboue This Treatise I haue drawen from the springs of Nature Arte and Practise whereby shall euidently appeere all perfection of breede shape and exquisite action First to haue Commencement from Nature Then to bee guided by generall Preceptes and vniuersall groundes of Arte. Lastly perfected and preserued by vse and practise And when these bee truely vnderstoode then and not before shal this now wthiered dead Art of Horsemanship blaze this MOTTO Hijs radijs rediuiua viresco Your Maiesties performance heerein cannot but tende to the immortall Fame of your Person the terror of your Enemyes the strength of your Kingdomes and the general applaud of your louing Subiectes whose eyes hauing seene the accomplishment whatsoeuer they haue heeretofore seene shal be but as Stubble to lower grasse Now with Hart and Handes lifted vp to the King of all Kinges I pray That as he hath made you the greatest on Earth so may your yeares be in this and after your place in the Kingdome of Heauen Your Maiesties least and vnworthiest subiect Nicholas Morgan TO THE MOST HIGH and mighty Prince HENRY Prince of great BRITTAINE apparent THe thrice worthy and long decayed Skill of Horsemanship right Noble Prince whether it stande more obliged to your Royall inclination by which it is newly reuiued or to your practicall perfection by which it is rarely beautified I had rather the establishment of good Races and perfect Riders then the rudenes of my Artelesse Pen should decide And what fitter Herald can there be to diuulge your loue to our Nation or your victorious resolutioÌ„ against hostile inuasions then the maintenance of that whereby all your Hereditary Kingdomes must be walled and enlarged your Foes daunted your victorious Name enthroniz'd Heerevnto if by these my elaborate Directions and experienced Obseruations your Highnesse may bee happily incited I make no question but this little Iland will furnish you with so fit places for breeding and so sufficient Riders for managing that your men shall not complain for want of excellent Horses nor your Horses groane for want of worthy Riders This pleasing Harmony your forwarde beginnings haue giuen vs great cause to hope and your answerable proceedings will I doubt not afford vs the happines to see By those was this naked Impe of mine first bred and by these it lookes to bee still fostered as being his first Fruits who with his harty praiers for your endlesse happinesse hath wholy deuoted his vnworthy selfe to be Your Highnesse most humble Seruaunt NICOLAS MORGAN ¶ To the most honourable Lord EDWARD Earle of WORCESTER Lord Herbert of Ragland Chopslow and Gower Master of his Ma ties HORSSE and Knight of the noble Order of the Garter IT may seeme strange Right Honorable if not within the degrees of admyration that after many Editions of Horse-manship published and practised in seuerall Nations aswell before the coÌ„ming of Christ assythence with a generall approbation of perfection and therby growen to so high esteeme that it is thought the whole world can not discouer another such there should be now by one who hath drawen the longest Line of his life within the Listes and Lymits of an Inne of Court a Volume of new Inuentions The Tuscanes do say that Wittes of inâ—ention are Goatish because they take pleasure and delight to walke alone and to approach neere steepe downfalles and will not follow the beaten path with a Guide before them But it behoueth that in humane Artes there be Goatish wittes who may discouer vnderstanding through Secretes of Nature and deliuer Contemplations not heard off After this maner Artes take encrease men dayly know more more for as Aristotle affirmeth our vnderstanding is like a plaine Table wherein nothing is portrayed My selfe seeing all former Writers and Practisers neuer to haue published the knowledge of Nature Art Practise of this Subeict but successiuely to haue troden and traced each other in one path not daring aduenture to ad any thing vnto that Table wherein through want of perfect sight they thought APELLES Pensil to haue been esteming all the actions of Superiors to be Rules of action to Inferiors et quod viros magnos sequi est pene sapere and that the pathes of the auncient Phylosophers are so worne out and ouer-growen with weedes that no tract or touch remained to trace or follow them and their labyrinths so intricate that no Ariadnes threed could winde him out that was once entred neuer beleeuing that Nature had dealt liberally with all the world besides thought it vnpossible for other to ascend to any higher Contemplation of Nature although the wise learned will euer presume to race out that old enuied Sentence Plura latent quam patent being written in capital letters euen by the hand of Nature in the forehead of euery Creature And knowing Right Honorable the true ende of all mens labours and Studies to be the beginning of the publike and common good of their Countrey wherein they breath and haue their being without searing PLATO his Prouerbe 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 NOTHERCVLES himselfe against two or 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the reuenging eye that is neuer shut the necessity of the time enforcing therevnto I haue heerein not onely discouered the hidden Secretes of Horsemanship but also the manifest Errors of the Arte and Practise And presuming vpon your Honors accustomed fauours towards all louers of this Art hauing both the life of the true knowledge and practise thereof as also the Seate of perfect Iudgement most worthyly liuing in you to inspire some life into these breathelesse Ghoastes of mine wherein if I haue omitted any thing pertinent or admitted ought that is superfluous I hope the eye of your fauour will winck at my missing as for the malicious seing I cannot looke for fauourable acceptance I weigh not their verdict onely as the Poet sayth Equitem mihi plaudere curo In which hope of acceptance of my tendred Dutye and pardon of your Honorable Lord ship for my boldnesse I thrise humbly take my leaue and euermore rest Your Honors in all seruice NICOLAS MORGAN The Author to the Gentlemen of great BRITTAINE IT appeareth by Varro and many learned Phylosophers that in the first Age aswell men as beasts did liue of those things which the vntilled earth naturally brought foorth and that in the second Age men began with feeding of Cattel after to plow the ground to take the fruits to plant Trees to take wilde Beastes to make them domestical and that some Countreyes did naturally exceede others in diuersity thereof as Phrygia for wilde Sheepe Samocrates for Goates Italie for Hogges Dardania Media and Thracia for Bulles and Kine Fusia and Cacinia for Asses and Spaine for Horses And after that they had made vse of all Creatures they affirmed that Inter cetera Animalâ—a Equus sensetur nobiltor et magis ceteris necossarius tamregibuset alijs Principibus tempore bellorum et pacis AmoÌ„gst other liuing creatures
Nemo sibi 〈◊〉 erra sed alijs erroris causa et Author est Error is not simply an Error to him that possesseth it but it is the cause and Author of many other errors And besides whosoeuer beleeueth an error thinketh it a worke of charity to perswade another to beleeue the â—â—me and that he may the better do it he feareth not to adde of his owne inuention so much as he seeth necessary for his purpose to supply that want and vnwillingnesse which he thinketh to be in the coÌ„cerpt of him to whom he telleth the same And therefore whereas other Nations publish themselues the great Maisters of this Subiect affirming that whatsoeuer they say should be beleued and receiued without iudging and examining what they teach Hold it for tyranicall Iustice Nam qut a semet ipso loquitur mendax est It is said that in the Countrey of Pharsalia from whence came BVCEPHALE Alexander the great his Horse that the Mare that was kept for that Horse broght foorth Coltes alwayes like the Syre for which cause Aristotle reporteth she was called IVSTE I will not enquire how many of our great Maisters can expresse the naturall and true reason thereof although I doubt not the same and many more greater expressed in this Tractat and yet the learned Phylosophers and Phisitions make great Dispute from whence the likenesse of yssue to their Parentes proceede considering their diuersity of likenesse neyther will I enquire of any mans particular Stable where peraduenture Asinus subfreno currere docetur some concealed Cart-Horses are finely cloathed Neither at any time enquire where true practise of Horsemanship I onely speake of riding his Majesties Court excepted is vsed Who can make that cleane that commeth of vncleane seede Can a Kite bring forth a good flying Hawke mals Coruâ— malum ouum of an euil Crow commeth an euil egge The long and pittifull apprehension hereof standing at the gates of my eâ—res although in the winter of mine Age hath mere then enforced me to this labour and to present the same vnto your view as the most noble Aire for such labour to flye in who by consideration what as amisle done may â—â—o the Springs of your wisdomes as from the Beames of your vertues be mooued to the consideration of that is not done by your generous endeuours in short time make both it your selues in it â—al samous partes all his Maiesties Kingdomes and Dominions aboue all the Kingdoms of the world in greatest perfection hauing at this day as famous Riders as euer was Zenophon Geouan Barardiuâ— Colo Pagano Frederick Gryson John Pietro Puglano Claudio Curto or who soeuer And therefore my principall labour herein is principally to enforme guide the vnderstanding with assured knowledge vndoubtedly to know from whence the perfection of shape and the naturall goodnesse of euery horse proceedeth vt ipso unltu Ethiopem cognoscas That by the only view of them you may know their goodnesse how to keepe maintaine your Races in greatest perfection nearest their originall and primary creation to set foorth the same by probable reason thereby to refell and confute all former Errors heeretofore written or practised neuer by any heereto fore attempted but the contrary successiuely defended My desire therfore is that you would be pleased diligently to read this my Tractat wherein I doubt not you shall finde sufficient contentment against the oppositions of any former Writer whatsoeuer and to do your greatest endeuours to place within euerye Shyre a sufficient vnderstanding Rider according to the Rule of Themystocles that will Impetraremelius quam impetrare preuaile by perswasion not by constraint By whom all Horses fytte for seruice may be made fytte and apt for all seruices because without such Riders there is not one Horse of a thousand vnderstandingly and truely broken or made perfect Then shall your Horses be defence of the poore preseruation of the rich laughter at feare inuincible power against force honour of our most renowned King and the life of the Common weale The want whereof hath not onely depriued all his Maiesties Dominions of good Horses but also hath discouraged and dismaied many valorous and noble Gentlemen from the delight and pleasure therin although the whole Arte euery part thereof be without offence scandal Temperance the rule of all pleasure damage or preiudice of another And without preiudice of theÌ„ selues their honors their healthes their leasure their duty or their function if the same be taken as men do take Honuy with the tip of the finger not with a full hand for the fulnesse of pleasure is the bayte of iniquity Degener at a robore acâ—nâ—ute miles asiueiudine volupta tem Tacit And you my natiue Countrey men of North-hampton Shire as also you Gentlemen of Kent amongst whom I liue A Countrey obiect to the eyes of all forreigne Nations because there is neyther harty desire nor true ioye in that whereof the minde is vnskilfull ignorant Malerum esca Goluptain Let the Coles of your affections bee kindled with delight your actions to the eares of all people blowen to a wonder against which let no excuse bee sufficient Armour to set in a beautifull Sample such Workes of Horsemanship Honus â—ere 〈◊〉 nus est that may beeas a Glasse to the blinde eyes of al forreigne Nations to see their imperfectioÌ„s your actions in such perfection at you therby may getthe first possession of the keits of al honourable and vertuous mindes But if you obiect that the Ioâ—ney of high Honorâ—ly eth not in plaine way and that you cannot eate the sweet without the sower Nam qui addit Scientiaâ—â— addit et laborâ—m So may it be said on the contrary that laughter is mingled with teares Qui serutatur est maiestatis apprimâ—etur ef gleria Et ipsa seâ—â—citaâ—â—se nisi temperat pramit Yet I pray you be not dismayed invit virtuti nulla est via there is no way vnresistable to vertue Nulla est praclusa oâ—â— thus patet Neither is the way forestalled but open to all neither is or can any thing bee so hard or difficult but paynes and industry will effect Be not as the standing Pooles that gather onely corruption what mooued Pâ—râ—ander to vndertake the digging downe of the high Mountayne Ischmus Let it not be forgotten that the Learned haue said Dissacienâ—e auiuuant The Diuine power avâ—eth all vertuâ—us endâ—uours Certainely there are so many Beauties and so many Graâ—es in the face of Gâ—odnesse that no eye can possibly see iâ— without affection without rauishment otherwise where had beene the Glory of al the famous verinous worthy Actes of Alexander Themistoolâ—s Epiminodas Hearcules Persius Thesius Bellâ—oâ—â—on Hanntball Seivio Caesar and of infinite others if great and difficult Labours had swallowed then glorious encenours Lober est materia vntutis et glerâ—ae â—une qui reijâ—â—â—â— illas reijcis The rewardes of Labour are vertue and
helpfull for the strengthning and assisting nature in the expulsion of her enemies and I doe graunt as the learned doe say that there are foure complexions and likewise foure elements but I deny that euerie horse is coloured as he is complexioned for if the diuersitie of colours of horse haire should bee a true demonstration of complexions there would bee many more complexions then there are elements and although it bee true that horses haue complexions and also true touching the compositions of the elements yet it doth not followe neither doe I admitte that the colour of their haire is a demonstration of their complexions or that they be coloured according to the temperature of the foure elements for the diuersities of their colours are to euerie mans eies witnesses of more colours then there are complexions besides The Moore is black The Europian white The American tawny The East Indiâ—nâ—ed Distmouish those coÌ„â—lexionsâ—y the haâ—e The cause of the colour of haue horses doe almoste yearely alter their colours from the colours they wre of at the time of their foaling wherein also should be alteration of complexion for wee doe see the colour of mans haire doth not truely manifest his complexion for that there are seuerall men both of blacke red browne and white hayre and yet euerie one of their complexions are perfect Sanguine so as the diuersitie of colour of mans haire doth not declare the diuersitie of mans complexion for the naturall cause of the colour of mans haire is the grosse vapour which ariseth from disgestion that the braine maketh at the time of his nourishment and looke what colour is of the member such is that of his excrements if the braine in composition partake much of fleame the haire in growth is white if much choller saffron coloured c. And moreouer Hipocrates saieth that the coloure of mans haire may alter with the ayre of the countrie wherfore then should it be admitted in horses to haue their colour of haire according to their complexion or temperature and if in horses why not in Kine Sheepe Hogs Dogs and such like and seeing that euery mans experience approueth the contrary why should I not say with Cicero Experientia magis quam discendo cognoui I haue knowne more by experience then by learning Furthermore if that his haire should be coloured according to his complexion the which I doe not admit but if it were admitted yet how shall it be prooued that according to his colour he is well or euill conditioned For if by condition they meane his good or bad action and the goodnes of his worke qualitie then is their proposition also vntrue for euery creature worketh according to his nature and all learning doth deny that complexion and nature are in all parts one and the same for the learned doe know that the temperature of the Elements is termed Nature and that is the schoolemaister that doth teach the sensitiue soule of the Horse what to doe Animi mores corporis tempe ratur imsequuÌ„turâ— and according to that temperature doth one bruite beast better performe the workes of his kinde then another but that shall neuer be found true in respect of the colour or that the temperature of the Elements is manifested in his coloure againe some Horses are of many colours then acording to their rule of many complexions and if complexion were admitted simply for Nature then by consequence of reason of many natures so of many diuers and seuerall workes and qualitie of workes Notwithstanding for further examination of their infallible rules wherwith the whole world is blinded let vs come to the vse practise and daily experience of colours and let our great loue to colours set spectacles vppon them to make their excellencie appeare greater clearer and more glorious then they are and examine the moste best and generally admitted coloure called Browne baye which is termed the best at al assayes and which the Frenchmen do call Bayarie loyal trusty Bayard being noted the generall and chiefe Captaine of all coloures let me aske any Horseman in whome knowledge and practise doth reside whether all Horses of that coloure without exception are good if al be not then the rule for coloure fayleth and then by consequence the coloure for haire procedeth not from complexion for if all baye colour be principallie good then whosoeuer hath liued and hath his sight to know baye colour needeth no further or more knowledge to knowe a good Horse and if that coloure bee onely the best then no Horses so good as those An other question I would demaund whether there are not as good Horses of other colours the which if it be admitted then the colour from complexion fayleth Moreouer if yet you rest not satisfied I will set down the wordes of two learned writers that after longe discourse thereof say that de pilo diuersi diuersa sentiunt of the colours of haire diuers doe diuerslie thinke And Ouid Virgill two famous learned men are direct opposite each to the other in opinion of colour of horses the one of them affirming the white colour best and the other denying the same beeing a colour according to the rule of complexion the moste worst and yet I could giue excellent examples of the goodnesse of white horses but the more this cause is handled the more the error of colour is manifest but as I haue saide for this matter experientia omnium rerum certissima moderatrix experience is the best moderator of this controuersie Now if you will yeeld your selfe to heare the originall of these former errors vnderstand that the best writers hereof haue ben much abused for Opianus saith that colours of horses were chosen and maintained for hunting of wilde beastes because saith he the colour of some horses is hatefull to some beastes more then to others and vppon such like causes haue the learned writers alowed colours leauing to posterity their opinions what colours they thought best for such actions since which some writers seeming or at least making shew to vnderstand much making greate Bookes of diuersitie of matter haue set downe colour a principall cause of a good horse so as by translating and taking notes out of other mens labours vntruely collecting and adding their owne conceits not being able to vnderstand the naturall causes they haue made al men almost be caryed away with toies and not with true iudgement thereof do notwithstanding wonderfully tryumph playing as he that hath gotten nothing holdeth it fast so as if the horse be a brown-bay with a white starre white foote or such like he is valued oftentimes more then he is thrice worth Thus hath many ages taken that for a cause which is no cause there is nothing more true then that the goodnesse of the cause is the goodnesse of the effect for as Bernard well noteth si bona fuerit causa pugnantis pugnae exitus malus esse non potest if the
his former perfection so farre as lyeth in the power and abilitie of man CHAP. 35 That the aliment or food that the Horseeand Mare do seede vppon before thâ—ction raiseth and maketh their seed THe learned Phisitions and Philosophers do holde that all aliment or foode is differing in qualitie after the disgestion and concoction in euery creature and hath a different and particular seed aswel in substance as in tâ—perature from which groud it is probable and without contradiction that the colt begotten pertaketh his temperature and quallitie of the meate which their Sires did feed vppon before the action for who is so much depriued of vnderstanding but knoweth that there are meates and drinks to increase or mittigate heat or drynes or moistute for though it be true that all meat that Horses eat whether in naturall quallitie the same are hot or colde dry or moiste turne to the nature of the Horse and of his substance whereof if any other creature doe eat it will doe the like yet such as the naturall quality of the meat is in his operation such wil be the naturall quallitie of the humors after the same is concocted and disgested in the bodie and according thereunto such wil be the blood the fleame the choler and the melancholy that commeth from the same for if the Horse be fed with grasse sorrell lettuce or other hearbes will any man doubt but that the blood and other humors that come thereof wil be in nature and qualitie colde and moist according to the naturall qualitie of that aliment or foode Then if the blood and other humors after the concoction of such food be colde and moyst will any man doubt that the seed of generation and the menstruall blood for so much therof as nature taketh from it but that the same wil be cold and moist acording to the natural quallitie thereof and that as the blood thereof is colde and moiste the wheyish blood thereof drawne from the liuer by the veynes wil be colde moist and the seed thereof cold moist because the humors do attaine the substances and qualities which the meate had before it was eaten that the brain of the colt being the seat of his sence hath his beginning maintenance from the purest part of the seede and measure of spirit which the Colt hath from the liuer heart and veines will be of like Nature and qualitie For if wee consider the Colt and sound the causes of his essence and nature and consider the causes which maketh him mooue you shall finde that it is his heate and moisture which are two principall qualities consisting in all liuing creatures nourishers of nature for so soone as heate and moisture faile in any liuing creature it can no more liue nor mooue streight is the body occupied with contrarie qualities coldnes and drynes the enemies of nature If you will mount ascend higher to know what is the cause of those two qualities heate and moisture you shal finde that it is because al liuing creatures are composed of the foure elements of fyer aier water earth in which the said foure qualities of heate moisture coldnesse and drinesse doe consist and while heate and moisture rain in the body it liueth but when cold and drynesse are predominate then dyeth it Againe if you consider the cause of the heate and moisture and the other qualities which wee see in the foure Elements and in the bodies made of them yee shall finde the sun the cause of the heat the moone the cause of the moisture let vs passe farther and seek the cause wherefore the Sunne is hot and the moone moiste and from whence these qualities come vnto them and we shall finde the soueraigne cause in God The due consideration heereof if without partialitie it be considered will moste apparantly condemne the practise of all breeders and the workes of all former writers and their knowledge of nature not to bee defended for if iudicially you consider that the power of all begetting doth onely appertaine to his naturall vertue called his vegetatiue soule the which if it haue bred and cherished a rawe colde and vnperfect seede how can it be defended but that the Colt begotten of that seede wil be of the same temperature and depriued of the good temperature which it ought to haue according whereunto his goodnes or badnes of action will be wherefore seeing all the learned and true experience teache vs that there are only two waies to come vnto the knowledge of thinges the one from the causes and maximes to the knowledge of the effects consequences the other when contrary by the effects consequences we know the causes and maximees For when we see the earth waxe greene and the trees gather leaues wee know by that effect that the Sunne which is the cause thereof approacheth nigh vnto vs and wee come to receiue this maximee that the Sunne giueth vigor and force to the earth to bring forth fruites And by the contrarie wee receiue this maxime to know the effect and to conclude the consequence that the Sunne comming nigh vs the earth bringeth forth her fruits and withdrawing from vs the earth leaueth to bring foorth CHAP. 36. The meanes to make theseede perfect for generation IT is graunted by all learned and vnderstanding men that the seede of the horse ought to be hot and drie and that all excessiue moisture of seede must bee abated and taken away 1 Labour Now the means to make hot and dry seede fit for generation is labour and spare dyet 2 Spare dyet by labour the moisture by reason of heate is exhausted by spare dyet the disgestion is made perfect and therefore through heate proceeding from labour the same is easily perfectly concocted and so be cometh fit for generation wherin also this consideration is to bee had that the meate that the horse and mare do feed vpon be in qualitie of Nature hot and dry and then moderately taken there is no doubt but that the seed which shall come thereof will be easily perfected because naturallie it partaketh of the qualitie and temperature of the meate as hath bin said and also the same meate that feedes both horse and Mare would be one and the same The cause why Colts are like their Syres because it will increase a vniforme seede and so the Colt be like vnto the Syers the meate would bee olde sweete hay or Wheate-strawe moderately giuen his prouender olde dryed cleane and sweete Oates wynowed or cleansed from all dust and filth mingled with olde dryed pease or beanes with a scattering of Baye salte and anniseedes their water sweet and pure and euery day early in the morning when they are both fastinge and emptie moderately excercised vntill they sweate and then painefully dressed rubbed dry and thorough cold before any meat be giuen vnto them the which doth not only perfect disgestioÌ„ exhausteth the moisture from their
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
feare so as he shal not in any thing shrinck or yeelde vnto perturbations or any other humane accident whatsoeuer For though he looke like death in the face he will passe by with a smile Minus timoriâ— minus periculi audaciam pro muro esse essugere mortem qui eam contemait and rather haue his blood seene then his backe which being well imprinted in his minde pricketh him forward to enterprise and performe those things that are most excellent difficult and fullest of laboures and perrils for as Aristotle affirmeth Whosoeuer wil be valiaÌ„t must be free from all feare of death constant in aduersities voide of feare in perrils choosing rather to dye valiantly then to saue himselfe cowardly and so ballanced he floats stedfastly in the midst of all tempests because his constant reason and temperature the eyes of his valour refine both iudgement will from those grosse faults and errors wherein if nature were his onely guide he wold fal into the want wherof is to be holden a iust exception in a professed Ryder Nam nisi suÌ„mum praestes artificem ridiculas sis et aut laudem eximiam aut risum auferras oportet And because euery rider is a creature reasonable so ought he to be able to yeeld a reason of his dooing for that hee onely teacheth by reason an inherent pecular propertie to man and yet it can not be truly saide that euery reasonable man is a perfect Rider because euery man hath not attained the reason of the art and therefore vnable to teach Nam quod nemo didicit nemo decere potest For no man can teach that hee hath not learned neither can the true order and vse of any arte be vnderstood wherein euery perfecte Rider ought to staye and followe otherwise contrary effectes will euermore ensite for amendment whereof presuming himselfe a Ryder proceedeth from one violence to another and thereby the Horse being a creature sencible is become a creature sencelesse for as continuall correction is violence so all violence taketh away pleasure but if correction be to remedie a fault and ease griefe therein is Arte and reason and the effect pleasure so as it is euident that when the Ryder is not endowed with valour true knowledge of the Arte Neglectis vâ—enda filix inuascitur agriâ— temperature and practise then are the fruites of Nature such as Grounde bringeth foorth without mannuring And therefore the Errors and Faults of this Arte in a man of good constellation and temperature proceede onelye from want of true knowledge and practise For as a good player on a Lute or Violl toucheth no other stringes then those that are touched by him that is moste vnskilfull yet because the good player is enformed with knowledge and practise hee knoweth what Stringes make that sound which the care iudgeth by the harmonie and agreement of sound to bee delectable so as thereby he is truly taken for his crafts-maister Euen so he that will be a good Horseman and perfect Rider must not onely haue naturall gifts of true valoure wisedome and temperance but also true knowledge and practise to attaine perfection And although it must bee confessed that euerye good beginninge commeth vnto vs by Nature yet the progresse and growth therein commeth vnto vs by precepts of reason and the accomplishment by knowledge and practise for nature without knowledge is blinde knowledge without nature wanteth practise without the two former vnperfect Heereof it commeth that vnlesse Nature Arte and practise bee conioyned it will bee vnpossible to become a good Ryder or bee able to knowe howe and when to helpe his Horse how or when to correct his Horse neither how or when to cherish his Horse the onelye and principall thinges required in a perfect Ryder And yet if the Ryder that is inritched with Nature Art and practise shall bestowe all his labour and skill vppon a Royle or Iade and thinke thorough his excelling knowledge and practise to make perfect his naturall imperfections let him assure himselfe that hee shall oleum operam perdere lose all labour and paines bestowed vppon him because Arte and practise shall neuer attaine perfection vppon that subiect wherein Nature is vnperfect no more then Arte can assure it selfe to make strong Gables of the purest Sande for although euerie Horse bee a Creature sensible mooued by sence and feeling as thinges propper to Nature and taketh his instruction by speech as man instructeth man which is either by cherishing him when hee doth wel or by punishing him when he resisteth yet neuerthelesse when a Iade beginneth to bee taught and proceede with a continuall perseuerance therein yet shall hee neuer attaine the perfection of action because all arte must imitate the natures of the Horse which to content and please is the ende of the whole Arte but where contrarie natures are there of necessitie must be contrarie working then must needes ensue contrarie effectes for euerie creature worketh according to his nature for amendment whereof the ignorant pretended Rider proceedeth to violence which nature abhorreth as Arte doth error and reason vnruely passion whereby the horse is mooued to perturbation and then his riding becommeth greeuous and painefull so as hee knoweth not what to do no more then an vntoward scholler by whipping to say his lesson delightful and were it granted that the horse were of a good disposition to yeeld all obedience to the most skilfull Rider yet shall he neuer attaine to any perfection of action because nature hath not shaped nor giuen him aptnesse fit for such purpose no more then a natural foole can by education attaine to true wisdome And yet verie few Riders neither haue or doe truely iudge hereof for that no one thing is more manifest in all their writings and actions then prouisions and meanes to help to make perfect that which is most vnperfect by nature as though they had neuer learned that Art can neuer ouercome the necessitie of nature wherefore I doe wish all such as desire to bee Riders let them first examine their owne naturall dispositions Secondly to learne to knowe true and perfect shape of Horses Thirdly the naturall causes of their goodnesse and badnesse Fourthly to bee taught by an vnderstanding Maister and not to beginne without his direction Fiftly to practise and euermore examine the reason of thy practise then shalt thou see what a hand-maide all Arte is to nature in beholding the actions of the perfect shaped Horse to bee easie readye and perfect according to his perfection of nature as true qualities bred and brought forth by nature not by correction but by all mildenes and gentlenes voluntarily performed the which all true and perfect Ryders will and ought altogether cherish seeing all the Horses dooing in that beautiful form that himself doth expresse when he desireth to appeare most beautifull so that hee doth appeare to the beholder both noble terrible and beautiful being iust in his pase iust in
reason After your horse hath pefectly learnd swiftly to trot perfectly to stop perfectly go back thon ought he to be taught perfectly to aduaunce which is by lifting vp both his fore-feete iust and euen together like vnto a goate somewhat aboue the ground and so let them fal euen iust twice or thrice together the true dooing wherof wil cause him to make a iust perfect mannage and a ready and perfect turne for the attaining whereof trot him gently fortie or fifty foote in some plaint way then giue him a iust stop which he wil truly perform because he hath before perfectly learned the same alwaies keepe a steady pleasant perfect haÌ„d on the bridle then instantly with a milde voice say hup hup striking him in that instant with your wand on the right shoulder also with both the calfes of your legs together but spur him not if possiblye without it hee wil aduance the which with a little labor patieÌ„t teching no doubt hee wil atteÌ„pt to do 2. or thrice together the which if he do then in that instant make much of him althogh it be very meanly done pause a little time giue breath then trothim again in like maner the like distance of grouÌ„d as before so gently vse him again the which if he do better aduaÌ„ce make much of him but if he do not better euery time hee is taught you must stil folicite him vntil he doe better then presently coy him make much of him all which must be with temperance not with furie and be sure to giue him breath and not to be rash or hasty neither forget to make much of him when at your direction hee doth any thing well so shall you cause him to do the same most delightfully also sencibly aprehend when he doth wel whatsoeuer you desire after that he can in plain grouÌ„d perfectly aduiÌ„ce then teach it him gently vpon the hanging knole of a hill to bring him perfectly to stop and runne slyding vpon his buâ—tocks or hinder legges which is moste praise-worthy beautifull or gracefull for manage and turne and therefore let him do it most perfectly before you teach him any other lesson and when he can doe it perfectly vpon a soft trott then vpon the swift trot afterwards doe it vpon a soft gallop and not before but neuer vpon a swift gallop vntill he be perfect both in turne and mannage remembring the manner how I tolde you to make a Scholler write as faire and perfect as his maister be sure to obserue if it may be when you teach him to haue one by that can iudge of the good or euill dooing therof the want wherof is a principall cause of most errors because the Ryder cannot iudicially see whether it bee as it ought that is iust and true and with comelye grace whereby manye faultes and errors are committed and continued which by the helpe of a skilfull director would bee easily amended in the beginning for principio mederi multo melius quam fini to amend a fault in the beginning is far more easie then when it hath bene long accustomed for if he aduance too high and not iust and euen and with a good grace as hee ought then may the fault be speedily found and easily amended by immediate correcting him with one or with an euen stroke of your legges and the wand with a sweete staied hand on the bridle which with few trials will amend what is amisse and the end full perfection And for the teaching of your horse to yerk because thereby commeth much more hurt then good I leaue to entreat thereof And whereas some apoint many helpes for Horses that are harder to turne on the one side then on the other although I confesse their general desire is more apt to the left hand then to the right yet to a Horse of good nature and perfect shape little Arte will speedily helpe and to teach those Horses that are otherwise shaped is but to teach an Asse to run vnder a bridle and may truly say with Horace O infelix operam perdas O vnfortunate skill to loose thy labor and so soone shall a ryder bring a Iade to perfection as an Asse to play on a harpe for as a good Horse by the sound of a trumpet is stirred and mooued to battaile so Suem abigat citius quam animet ad pugnam the Sowe is therby sooner chased away then incouraged to fight because nature hath not made her for that purpose It now remaineth to shew when to make the halfe turne and the double turne the chambetta the manage to passe a swift cariere the coruet such like The next lesson he is to learne after he is very perfect in those I haue set down is to make a true iust halfe and double turne which would be in this maner First when you haue gently trotted stopped aduanced your Horse the length of a short cariere teach him gently and mildly to make the halfe turne beginning alwaies on the right haÌ„d that is to turn him with the helpe of your left leg that his head may stand that way which before his taile stood which is called a halfe turne because he maketh but halfe a circle but if in the turne he set his head that way it stood at first that is a whole circle and therefore called a whole turne but let him first doe the halfe turne perfect and let that bee his first lesson learne it very perfect before you teach him the double turne which must be done by helping him with your voice and Calfe of your left legge and not at first by any meanes to haue him spurred if he can be otherwise brought vnto it because to spur is a correction which may not bee done but in that instant when he hath committed an error and not while he remaineth ignorant what to doe by which meanes vndoubtedly being a sencible creature he wil euermore perceiue his errors and offences wherby with little correction he wil easily amend any fault neuer driue him to dispaire for hauing formerly attained a perfectioÌ„ of a iust eueÌ„ swift trot in the rings the verie true ground of all other lessons he will easily turne on the right hand setting his head that way his taile stood the which being perfectly attained then close it vp with another halfe turne on the same hand by the prescribed helpes setting his head and all his body in the same pathe it vvas at the first then giue breath and make much of him and then make him doe as much on the left hand and so to change from hand to hand leauing alvvaies on the right remembring that the tvvo first halfe turnes be done more leasurely then the tvvo last halfe turnes vvhich must be done more speedily and then make him doe as much on the left hand so change from hand to hand leauing alvvaies on the right Thus by
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
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
cloath him very warme and so let him stand foure houres then vnbit him and if it be in the winter giue him wheat strawe but no hay and if in sommer giue him grasse and for nine daies giue him onely mashes to drinke with some sallet oyle or hogs grease in it CHAP. 88. For the hawe in the eye THis is knowne to all Smithes and no doubt is ingendered by some grosse humor defending out of the head the cure thereof is to pul both the eye-lidds open with 2 seuerall threds stitched with a needle to either of the lidds then catch hold of the hawe with the stich of another needle and thread and pull it out so farre as you may stay it with your singer to the intent it may be cutte round the bredth of a penny and leaue the blacke behinde for by cutting away too much of the fatt and blacke of the eye the Horse many times becometh bleer-eyed and therfore you must spare the fat which is the wash of the eie and the filme wherein the eye groweth but cutt betwene the filme and the crush and then squirt in a little white wine or beere CHAP. 89. For the Lunaticke eyes FOr as much as they are so called I am content so to continue the name and it is said that the Horse becometh blind at certain times in the moone thereupon most men doe gather that his sight is good or bad according to the Naturall course of the Moone but the truth thereof is from the Naturall sight of the eye which is a blewish eie or sight and all Horses that are so sighted after extraordinary heat and trauell wil be blew and haue a filme ouergrow the sight so as he cannot see and although it be cured yet vpon like occasion will fall blinde againe which I haue often seene therfore horses that haue such blew eies are to be anoided the full experience whereof I had from that worthy Ferrar M. Iohn Orpen of Greenewich deceassed who alwaies cured the same by thrusting Tutty into their eyes with his singer but if you lay vpon the temples of his head a plaister of pitch rosen and masticke and then with a sharpe knife make two slitts on both sides of his head an inche long somewhat towards the nose a handfull beneath the eyes not touching the veine and with a cornet loose the skin vpward the breadth of a groat and thrust therein a round peece of leather as broad as a two penny peece with a hole in the middest to keepe the hole open and looke to it once a day that the matter may not be stopped but run ten or eleuen daies then heale it with Turpentine Hogs grease and waxe boyled together with flaxe dipped in it and take not away the plaisters til they fall away then burne him with a small hot drawing yron made like a starre with a hole in the middest in each temple vaine where the plaister did lie in this sort ** and if this helpe not set him to carte beware you breed no colts of Horses that are so eyed for vppon euery hard trauell he wil be blinde CHAP. 90. For the canker in the eyes THis commeth by corruption of blood by meanes whereof you shall see many red pimples both within and without the eye thorough inflamation the eye will looke red and be full of corruption The cure is to let him blood on that side the necke that you see the eye is grieued a pottle or more if you see the blood very foule and the inflamation great then take 3. pintes of faire water and of roch allome and greene copporas of each halfe a pound and of white coppor as an ounce boile them vntill halfe be consumed then once a day being made warme with a fine cloth clense the eye so as it looke rawe and thus doe euery day vntill it be whole CHAP. 91. For impostumes in the eare THis commeth by some blowe or euill humors The cure is take the pouder of Linseede and of wheat flower of each halfe a pinte of hogs grease one pound warme them in a pot on the fire vntill they be throughly encorporated by continual stirring then take a peece of white leather somewhat biger then the impostumation and spred it being very warme as farre as will couer the swelling and renue it euery day vntill it breake then lance it so as the corruption may goe dounwarde and taint it to the bottome with a full taint of slaxe well dipt in this ointment following of melrosatum of Oile olife and turpentine of each two ounces and mingle them throughly well together then make him a biggin of Canuas to close in the sore so as the taint and ointment may abide with in renewing it euery day once vntil it be whole But if the paine be in the eares without great swelling which may be only with cold then take black woole dipt in the Oyle of Camomil and thrust into his eares CHAP. 92. For the Poole euill THis cōmeth of like causes groweth as a fistula betwixt the eares or nape of the neck you shal perceiue it by the swelling if it be not broken ripen it with plasters of white hogs grease as though you would scald it therewith and make him a biggin to keep it very warme and renue the plaster twice a day very hot and the sooner it will ripen then where it is softest and where the corruption may best issue forth with a round hot yron as big as your litle finger two inches beneath the softe place thrust it vpward so as the point of the yron may come forth at the ripest place then taint it with flaxe dipt in hogs-grease and lay also a plaister of hoggs-grease vpon the same renewing it 4 or 5 da then after take half a poūd of turpentine cleane washed and dry from the water with two yolkes of egs and a litle saffrone and mingle them together then with a quil search the depth of the hole and taint it with a sponge so big as the hole to the bottome well anointed with that ointment and so thrust it with a quill into the wound to the bottom and a warme plaster of hoggs grease to couer it renevving it tvvice a day but vvhen the svvelling ceasseth vse no plaster CHAP. 93. Of the Viues THis commeth of corruption of blood the cure is draw them with a hot Iron right down in the midst from the root of the eare so far as the tip of the eare will reach being pulled downe and againe vnder the roote of the eare with a hot yron drawe two strikes on each side like a broad arrow head thus then in the middest of the first line lance them with a Lancelet or Rasor taking holde of the kirnels with a paire of pinsers but beware you touch them not with your bare finger pull them so far out with your pinsers as you may cut the kirnels out without hurting the vaine then fill
of sallet oyle foure penny worth of the best triacle and ride him vntill he sweat then presently set him in a warme stable and clothe him very warme and at night giue him a good mash of malte with the pouder of brimstone to the quantity of two spoonefuls CHAP. 113. For Surfeting with Prouender VVHen a Horse hath eaten more then the stomacke can well digest he is in such paine as he is not able to stand but lyeth and walloweth as if he had the bots the danger whereof I haue formerly written The cure is to let him blood and to draw his yard and wash it to put a peece of a cloue of garlicke into it to make him pisse also to rake him behinde and to giue him a glister with the water of sodden mallowes fresh butter and sallet oile keepe him warme and let him eat very little for 4 or 5. daies after CHAP. 114. For the surfetting called the foundring in the bodie THe cause of this disease is ouermuch eating after labour whiles the Horse is hot whereby his meat not being digested breedeth euill humours which by little and little do spred through all the parts of his body and at length oppresse the whole body and do so take away his strength that he hath not power to goe or mooue his ioynts and being laid is not able to rise whereby he wanteth the vse of pissing as also of dunging for nature being ouercome then doth the humor rule the body to the vtter destruction thereof In likâ— maner it is when the Horse beeing over hotte with trauell drinketh so much as the colde thereof suppreseth his naturall heate The cause is that the evil humors being predominate according to their nature being heauy moist immediatly resort down to the horse legs and feet and there rest whereof there must be some dissolution which if it be not preuented make great gourdy lims as the paines cratches spauins winde-galls casting of the houes such like all which seeme more then wonderful to the ignorant because ignorance is the mother of wonder The cure hereof must be according to the effects that are wrought in the horse as if it be espied when the haier beginneth to stare that he be chil and shrug for cold forsake his meat hang downe this head quiuer after cold water and after two or three dayes begin tocough then it is a signe that his surfet is not great and then he may be cured thus couer his belly with the glister last mentioned and giue him this drinke take of malmesy a puart of sugar half â—â—atterne of houy half a quartern of sinamon half an ounce of licoris and Anisseeds of each two spoonfull beaten into fine pouder put it into the Malmsie giue it him blood warme keep him warme with warme water 4. or 5. dayes after let him blood CHAP. 115. For the yellowes THe cause herof is also the aboundance of bad humors the cure is plaine let him blood if you see it yellow a pottle then cure him by giuing a quart of white wine of saffron and turmerick of each halfe an ounce and the Iuice that is wrong out of 2. handful of Selondine being blood warm giue it him and keep him warme and with good mashes wherein put two sponfull of the powder of Brimston some will giue in this drinke the greene order of geese strained I could now intreat of the dropsie in a Horse but if you obserue those fewe rules I haue set downe in the beginning of the title of cures you will be free almost from all diseases CHAP. 116. For the Colick The cause of this disease is 2. fold either it commeth through aboundance of humors or with wind and herein the owner or or keper may giue good direction for if he knew the Horse to be cleane within and orderly dieted then it will be probaly coniectured it is the wind and although it be winde yet I iudge the origenal to beobstruction of humor which will not suffer the vvind to haue his free passage vvhich othervvise nature vvould expell as his enimie The cures may be diuers because it is a disease that few Farriers vnderstand I wil set downe seueral cures because if one thing cannot be spedily procured another may First it may be an obstruction for that the horse hath the stone cannot stale first take a quart of white wine halfe a pinte of burre seed beaten smal 2 ounces of parslyseed of smalage Saxafrage the roots of philupendula Grommell seed broom seed of each 2. ounces beaten to fine pouder a good handfull of water-cresses and lay them in steep all night and in the morning strain them cleane and put to it a litle black sope and a litle butter and ride him till he begin to sweat then set him in your stable with a great quantitie of sweet litter vnder him and cloath him warme and so let him stand meatles seuen or eight houres then giue him dryed oates vvarm vvater vvith a quantitie of sallet oyle to drinke and before he haue this drinke let him fast all night If he be a Horse there is nothing better for him then to couer a Mare For the same if you think it to come of winde THis commeth vvhen a horse is ridden hot and set vp cold he vvill pine avvay and forsake his meate keep him emptie all night in the morning take a quart of vvhite vvine four ounces of Fenegreck 7 ounces of baies as much corne pepper an ouÌ„ce of Graines an ounce of Ginger 2. handfuls of vvater cresses a handful of sage a pound of SeÌ„green and wring out the iuce another of mints stamp them put them into the wine let them stand on the fire till it boyle then straine it out and giue it him blood warme with a litle hony For the same TAke a quart of Malmsie of cloues pepper SinamoÌ„ of each half an ounce of suger half a quarter and giue it the horse luke warme and labour him vpon it one houre that he dung and stale and keep him with warme water But if he be a stond horse there is not any better thing then that he hauè his ful desirewith a mare if he cannot pisse or be troubled with the Collick it helpeth many sicknesses and strengtheneth Nature For the same TAke a pint of white wine and stamp to powder three of foure Cantharides they are a kinde of flyes which you shall haue at the Apothecaries when your horse is very empty giue them vnto him being very well wrought and brued into the white wine luke warme vnderstand I pray you that these flyes are a verye corosiue and eating through as poyson and they will not be stopped by any humor with twice giuing it would cure any cholick that had not bin very old After these many medicines for a cholick to refresh your conceits I will set downe two other cures which I finde in some Writers leaue
or 5. branches of hearb grace stamp them well and fry them and lay them to the feete so hot as ye may both vnder and ouer the foote and keep him dry renuing 4. or 5. times CHAP 153. Of the pricke in a Horse soote with a naile or otherwise THe cure is cut the mouth of the hole where the pricke is as broad as a two penny peece and search it cleane for els it is very dangerous take a handful of red nettles and beat them in a morter put thereunto a spoonefull of redvinegar and a spoonefull of blacke sope and 3. spoonefulls of bores gre ase or salt bacon beat them altogether and make a salue thereof and thrust asmuch into the sore thereof as you can and stop it for falling out and let it tae knower and it shall neuorrot further Some will poure in hothogs greaseand turpentine and a taint of flaxe and so cure it but if it begin to breake out at the top of the cronet then take halfe a quarterne of Bole Armony asmuch beane flower and two egges and make a plaister of towe and binde it vpon the cronet and keepe him dry and the hole very open in the foote till he be well and renue the plaister euery two daies till it be whole and if after it should happen a peece of flesh like a fig to grow in the bottome of the foot pare it away with a hot yron and lay hogs grease and turpentine to it to heale it CHAP. 154. Of the retreat or cloying the foote with a pricke of a nayle THe cure is to take turpentine waxe and sheeps fuet moulten together and poure into it or the medicine beforeprescribed CHAP. 155 Of loosening the hoofe THis greefe if it be loose roūd about the hoofe then it commeth by foundring if it be in part then by some other anguish if it come by foundring then it wil first breake in the fore-part of the cronet against the toe because the humor doth discend right towards the toe but if of a chanell naile or pricke then the hoofe wil loosen equally round but if other hurts then right aboue the place that is offended which would bee well obserued of the Farryar But of what cause soeuer bee carefull to keepe open the hole in the bottome of the foote restraine it aboue with the restrictiue plaister of Bole Armony beane-flower and egges mencioned in the cure of the pricke in the foote you may take three spoonefulls of Tarre a quarter of a pound of Rosen a handfull of Tansey a handfull of Rue a handfull of Mints as much of Southern-wood beate them all together with a pound of Butter one penny-worth of Virgins waxe and so make a plaister and binde it to for seauen daies and it will be whole CHAP. 156. Of casting the hoofe THe cure is take of Turpentine one pound of Tarre halfe a pinte of vnwrought waxe halfe a pound of sheepes suet halfe a pound of sallet oyle halfe a pinte boyle all these together vntill they be throughly incorporated make a boote of leather with a strong soale sit for the Horse foote to be buckled about the pastern then take a good quātity of flaxe or towe and lay this salue vpon it to couer the foot so as the boote may not any wayes grieue him renuing it euery day vntill it be whole then let him stand in the stable vpon a bed of cowdung and snailes beaten together which will encrease the same for 15. daies and then put him to grasse This receited ointment wold be alwaies vsed to annoint the hooues CHAP. 157. Of the hooue bound THis is a shrinking together of the whole coffin of the hooue whereby the tuell of the foote which is inclosed in the same is so pinched that the Horse is very lame therewith especially after trauell and if you knocke them they will sound as an empty bottle and if both feete be not bound you shall apparantly see the hooue that is bound to be lesse then the other This commeth by suffering the feete to remaine dry after great trauell and it commonly commeth to a Iennet or Asse hooue because it is deepe of hooue but not to the flat hooue for that only wrinckleth waxeth brittle and by reason of the bredth and shallownesse of hooue it cannot inclose the tuell of the foote to strengthen it and yet it is the moste worst hooue The cure is to open the feete in the quarters verye much so as you may well lay your thumbe betwixt the frush of the foot and the end of the coffin where it principally bindeth then raise both the quarters of the hoofe with a drawer from the Cronet vnto the sole of the foote so deepe as you see the dew come forth also two rases of each side then open the foote within let him blood in the toes and if it be old the blood will be as colde almoste as water for that it hath not bin fed with blood wherin the vitall spirit is that is the cause of the coldnesse wherby it is apparant that the hoofe hath not prospered but starued for you shal see the frush and all the sole of the foote shrunke vppe and starued then take away the sole of the foot and stop it with Nettles and salt brused together gently not ouer hard renewing it once a day for 9. daies and bee sure euerie day twice thoroughlye to annoint the cronet of the hoofe with the oyntment prescribed for casting the hoofe and after the 9. daies ende let his feete bee stopped with Branne and Hogs-grease boyled together and binde to as hot as may bee but still annoynt the hoofe and when you put him to grasse let him not weare any shoes but put him in a Marsh or medowe deepe of grasse whereby his feete will be alwaies wette and so enlarged againe some ignorantlye call this dry foundering when as all foundering in that foote cōmeth by descending of humors to the feet and this is cleane contrarie my experience hath cured horses that haue beene hoofe-bound foure or fiue yeres by this practise which commeth asmuch by drawning blood in the toe of the foote contiuually knocking the same vntill you finde warme blood to come forth CHAP. 158. Of the running of the frush THe cure is pare away the corrupt places vntill you see it raw where the issue is then take a handfull of soote and as much Salt the white of three egges and beate them together and hauing made the shoe hollowe and tacked on stoppe the feete therewith verie hard and renew it euerie day for 7. daies and let not the horse touch any wet when he is whole be sure after trauel to keep that foote cleane from grauell CHAP. 159 Of the Leprosie or vniuersall Manginesse THe Horse that is infected heerewith will bee full of Scabbes rawenesse scuruye and continuall scratching The cure is first to let him blood the first day on
one side of the necke and giue him a quart of new milke and halfe a handfull of the finest pouder of brimstone throughly stirred together for that will expell the mange and in all his prouender and mashes continually for 5. or 6. daies giue him brimstone and in hot graines but if he will not eat it giue it him with milke new ale or wort then the next day let him blood on the other side of the necke at each time a good quantity Within 2. daies after let him blood in the breast veines within 2. daies after in the flank veines within 2. daies after vnder the taile so as he becommeth weake therewith keepe his blood in a pale then seeth chamber-ly and bay salt together and let it be strong of the salt then take a quantity of that blood and stir them together that the same be thicke then let him be rubbed all ouer with a pease wispe then when the same is hot rub him in euery part of his body therewith and let it dry vpon him asmuch as may be and the next day more of the same vpon the olde that it may be as it were plaistred with the same the which being done in the sunne will casely be performed After the same hath rested vpon him two daies take bucke-Lye and blacke sope being very warme and wash all his body cleane then giue him a quart of sacke and halfe a pinte of the best treacle to drinke and annoint his body with this ointment in euery place Take of Lampe oyle a quart fine pouder of brimstone a pinte 2. pound of black sope a pinte of tar a pinte of barrowes grease and so much 5 foote of the chimney as wil thicken it compound them wel together annoint him all ouer with the same being very hot and so let him rest till it fall off from him then when it is all gone wash him cleane with sope suds and thoroughly dry him and then cloth him and put him into a sweat and after dry him keepe him warme and he wil be perfect and remember within one moneth after let him blood a pottell at least and it will bring him to perfection of bodie and health with cleane and sweete dyet and moderate labour if any place be raw throwe thereuppon the pouder of brimstone only and it will dry it and heale it and then giue him a purging drinke and put him to grasse so soone as you may CHAP. 160. Of the sarcyn THis vlcer is not vnknowne to any that haue enioyed Horses and yet vnknowne almost to all I meane the true cause of the disease and the cure some say it is a corruption of blood some an outward hurt as of spur galling biting of ticks hogs lice or such like some say an infirmity bred in the breast neere the heart and in the side vessels or cod neere to the stones of euill humors congealed together which after disperse themselues into the thighes and sometimes into the head and do send foorth watery humors into the nostrils and then it is called the running Farcin I haue often said if the true cause of a disease be knowne the disease it self is easely cured If any man of vnderstanding thinke that by healing the place grieued that the same is alwaies sound whole he is deceaued for many times the sudden healing or curing killeth the body or maketh that part which seemeth to be healed to become of little vse for the helpe of the body for the mange the leprosie this disease of farcin are in a Horse especially most pernicious for often times it falleth out that many Horses infected therwith though they liue and the disease seemeth to be cured yet are of small or no vse and as I haue elsewhere saide that as God created Adam Lord of all his creatures to rule gouerne preserue and haue the vse of his creatures the same right is discēded vpon vs his children so as all our gouernment ouer his creatures must be according to the nature of man gouerned prescribed by reason because all creatures are depriued of reason but only man whereby it may be probably coniectured that where man doth gouerne there and not elsewhere reason doth gouerne and then reason being the bounds and limitation of mediocrity we are to infer that mediocrity is the center of all vertue and the same ought to be vsed in all the actions of man Let vs then consider of the vse and practise of this dise ase doth not euery mans experience and his own vnderstanding being his witnes tel him that when a young or old Horse that hath long rested being taken vp from grasse that he is full and choked as it were with aboundance of humors doth he think that when trauell disperseth those humors as it wil that these humors do not fly into the ayre but remaine in the seueral parts of the body and doth he think that the greatnes of humors being an enemy to nature but that nature would expell them if she could or else keepe them from the heart the fountaine of her life and so leaue them to creepe out of the body in some of the outward parts thereof or otherwise if they cannot get out better to destroy that member then the whole body doth not the continuall increase of humors in the end by disorder become rulers predominate ouer nature so as nature is enforced by their violence to yeeld her selfe to destruction and doth not most men ride their Horses vpon a full stomack and cause nature against her will to digest the same vnnaturally whereof many vnperfect humors are bred doth not most men when their Horses stand in the stable and rest giue him continually more then he can digest which also breedeth raw supersluous humors and doth not most men feed them in the stable with new rawe and greene foode which naturally breedeth obstructions and raw filthy humors and do not most men when their Horses are in the stable suffer them to rest and feede full without moderate excercise and do not most men when they trauell their Horse being very hot suffer them to drinke their fill do not mostmen when their horses come into the Inne very hot the stomack thē being most weake suffer them then to eate before nature be able to digest How then shal I expresse the true cause of diseases when all these abuses breede infinite causes of disease without which no cure can perfectly be effected yet where man cannot truly define Reason leaueth him probaly to coniecture and therefore I coniecture the cause of this disease to growe either from aboundance of bad humors which corrupt the blood or from great distemperature of the blood by a violent heat into a sudden colde so as I haue gathered it onely to the corruption of the blood for otherwise I doe not thinke that the bite of a Horse or a lowse could so poison the whole body as to become