you will but if hee bee a ramadge Iade or of euill disposition by Nature for my owne part I esteeme him not of any worth to be kept as I haue before saide and therefore the excellent breede is euermore to bee increased and cherished for doe not all Ryders vse all meanes of Art and practise to remooue imperfection to reduce them to perfection for the vse of Man for whose onely vse they were created whereunto the vnperfect shape by all the Arte and knowledge of man cannot haue perfection with continuance Hauing spoken of pacing the Horse in the Ring it followeth that after the ten daies expyred the Horse bee taught to trotte the Ring which must be begun in as slow gentle trot as he was in his first beginning of pacing increase his ring-turns by two two euery day vntil he make ten turnes for the left ring 12. for the right which wil increase his swiftnes whereof he would be restrained vntil he be most perfect as I haue shewed in teaching the scholler to write then wil he do it in the greatest grace and pride that may be which is the true propertie qualitie of all Art euermore to effect perfection during which time of beginning of trotting he may not be ridden with wand nor weare any bytt vntill he be most perfect in trott stoppe and turne wel on both hands and not by any meanes suffered to gallop vntill hee can also perfectly aduance by which meanes he will be iust in his pace iust in his trot iust in his stoppe with a staide head and necke being the chiefe goodnesse that nature and Art affordeth Wherefore when you begin to trot the Ring be sure that at the first he bee moued therunto as gently and quietly as you can deuise and so to euerie action whatsoeuer vpon a stayed temperate and firme hand with a sweete stay with a true reyne that is that his nose be iust vnder his fore-head neither too much out nor too much in which is the iust placing and setling of the head which will make him haue a pleasant mouth when hee commeth to weare the bitt and in this consisteth the chiefe point of Horsemanshippe because hee is so to be maintained in all his actions the which is most easie to bee done and continued if the horse bee of perfect shape and spirit but if he shold make resistāce for that he is either rammage or euill broken then trot him swift with quicknesse of voice rod and spurre for the time of his trotting is the fittest time to make him forgette his toyes and to attend his way and if all this wil not helpe then spare not to gallop him and then be sure he will be a I ade from the beginning to the ende for a Horse of good temper and perfect shape can neuer be of so bad nature and qualitie Wherefore I thinke fit now to shew how to make your Horse perfect in stop after you haue ended the number of your Ring turnes which is to trott your Horse right out in the middle furrowe betwixt the Rings vntil you come at the place of stop and there to make a prettie stay keeping his bodye right in the pathe wherein if the whole body or any part stand ouerthwart seeke not at first to correct him for the same but let a foote-man direct him to stand right in the pathe by thrusting in that part which standeth out of order or you may cause the horse to goe farther in the same path and stoppe him holding that raine straiter on that side whereon hee most forceth your hand then on the other which wil enforce him to keepe right which when hee yeeldeth euermore cherish him and after it will be good to trot and stop him on a ground that is a little steepe which something falleth and immediately riseth but when he is perfect then you may doe it on a ground verie steepe but to teach him to goe backe you must as I haue saide keepe a firme stayed hand on him without giuing libertie and then striking him on the necke with your rodde and in that instant time say backe backe but if hee refuse let a foote-man with a rodde gently strike him on the knees so by gentle pulling in of your hand and fayre meanes win him and when he yeeldeth cherish him Hauing shewed how to ride your Horse without wand bit or spurre I will now shew you how to ride with all three and the true vse of the hand vpon the bit the chiefe only principall point of horsemanship First therfore when you ride with a wand take it very warilye that the Horse bee not feared therewith to assurethe horse therof presently after you haue receiued it coy and scratch him about the necke with the end thereof and for the carrying thereof it must be in the right hand with the point vpright and when you would vse it let the point fal close vnto him as occasion shall require but in your manage lay your hand on your right thigh and the wand crosse the Horses necke and when he hath made his course and turned on the right hand then before the end of his second course when he is almost ready to tourne on the left hand list your hand and rod hold the point right foorth on the right side against his eye and as he changeth turnes so change your rod of the one side and of the other but if your Horse will not turne on the side you would haue him euermore beat him on the contrary side and when he is any way disordered carry the wand on the contrary side and when you would haue him carry his forepart light strike him on the shoulder and forelegs and when you would haue him light behinde strike him one the rump and hanches and thus much for the vse of the wand as occasion shall serue Now for the true vse of the bit which is an instrument onely guided and directed by the hand because the ground of the art of riding dependeth wholly vpon the vse and true gouerment of the hand being guided by reason and discourse so as the Horse in all motions and actions is and ought to answere to that motion which the hand mooueth I may not passe the same ouer-lightly First therefore let the bit that you first bit your Horse withall be gentle and pleasant yet so that the gentlenes cause him not to dispise you nor the hardnes driue him to dispaire for you must vnderstand that knowledge alwaies presupposeth reason and reason sence and sence and reason consist in true mediocrity and therefore amongst the most learned precepts that were written in the temple of Apollo in Graecia this was in the second place nothing too much SOLON saide nothing more then enough PITTACHVS doe all thinges by a mediocritie so that all difference betwixt good and badde consisteth in a certaine mediocritie which CICERO calleth the best of all
often making much of him vvhen he doth vvell taking leasure giuing breath you shal vndoubtedly if he be of good nature perfect shape make him do swiftly loftilie and iustly with such grace as shall bring to the vnlearned beholder wonder and to the skilful admirable delight In the doing wherof first obserue whether hee bring on the contrarie legge orderlie Secondly that hee doe it after the first bound of aduancing and after at the second or third bound Thirdly that you alwaies begin on the right hand and end on the right Fourthly that after he is perfect in dooing of the whole turne that you make him doe it swiftlye and roundly without stop or stay of the halfe turne and speedily in the closing of euerie whole turne and in so narrow a roome as may be Fiftly after he is perfect as aforesaide giue him on each hand three whole turnes wherof let the first be verie faire and softly beginning at the right hand and ending at the right in the dooing whereof you must alwaies helpe him with your tongue your rod and your legge whereby a continual vse before you teach him any other lesson which would neuer bee done vnlesse he be perfect in the lesson hee is learning you shall in the end with discreete and temperate teaching bring him to an admirable perfection keeping time and measure that the one bee not swifter then the other except the last which euermore would be moste perfect and speedy Now to proceed to the managing of a horse the true signification whereof is to bee rightlye vnderstood by such as endeuour Horsemanship for ignoratis terminis ig noratur ars to bee ignorant of the termes is to be ignorant of the Arte I take it to be a compound of these lattin wordes manus and ago for as the sterne of a ship dooth guide and gouerne the same by a sweete and gentle motion so the hand being the instrument of instruments doth guide gouerne the Horse to enerie action and therefore may fitly be saide manu agere or as the Italians properly call Maneggiare which is as much as skilfully to handle And therfore when the rider shal exercise the Horse perfectly and gracefully in his place trot stop aduance double or single turn cariere gallop leape caperiole coruet assaut or whatsoeuer the hand being the principall actor or primus moter may truely and aptlye bee called mannage which cannot truely be done without the generall knowledge and practise of the generall preceptes of the whole Arte. And as all the former exercises must bee taught and begunne to be exercised vpon a soft pace or trott and not with a galloppe euen so ought his managing to be And although many worthy Horsemen haue and doe onely restraine managing to gallopping and to bring too and froe in one selfe pathe by halfe rest whole rest or without rest as when the rider manageth with halfe rest causing the Horse at the end of euerie managing path after hee hath stopped to aduance twice together and at the second bound to turne and rest one bound doth not the Rider therin exercise the trott the stoppe the aduance and the turne which he formerly learned and according to the same maner or when he manageth with whole rest and turne him at the third bound and rest two boundes Or manage him without rest by turning him immediately vpon the stop without anye taryance or rest at al which only is most common with vs in England and yet the manage with the halfe rest is moste necessarie for attaining of perfection doth not the Ryder keepe and maintaine the Horse in one path one place of stop making him keep his ground and therein carrie his head necke legs and all his body iust closing his turne roundlye and in narrow roome with true time and measure in euery action as he hath bene formerly taught how then can managing be properlye referred to one onelie action when it is the perfect acting of euerie action and lesson he hath learned wherin when your horse is moste ready and perfect you may increase the often dooing of his lessons at your will and make alteration of his turnes and exercises to finde out the perfection of his obedience and when the same are artificially and perfectlye performed then may the rider be truely saide a perfect manager in all which alterations beware of furious passion or of longer exercise then you finde ful breath and delight in the horse wherin if there be any omission be sure there cannot be perfection of the thing desired for as patience is a braunch of magnanimitie fortitude and greatnes of courage so impatience is a weakenes imbicilitie of a base vile and contemptible nature because choller anger are enemies to al reason therfore saith Salomon he that is slow to anger is better then a mightie man and he that ruleth his owne minde is better then hee that winneth a Cittie Now resteth it to shewe what are the principall things that are to be obserued in the true managing of a horse First he is to be taught his manage with a soft trot not with a gallop my reason is because therby he may at the first sencibly apprehēd what he is to do how to do the which when he knoweth if he be of good nature perfect shape he will not only do it most willingly but perform it most beautiful graceful praise-worthy which is by bowing of his houghes behinde to turn round with the chā betta which is by holding vp the forefoot on that side he shold turn whiles he bringeth ouer the contrarie leg and setteth it not down vntil he haue closed his turn so as therby he shal carie both his forefeete aboue the ground to his great praise and not trayling vpon the ground which is disgracefull When you teach your horse which is after hee can stop wel aduance before and turne readily on both hands then with a soft trot come to the place of stop about 20. paces in length and make him aduance twice together at the second bound turne him on the right hand for on that hand you must alwaies beginne helping him so that by bowing his houghs behinde hee mooue his fore-part orderlye then immediately in gentle maner trot him back to the place you came frō then there after he hath made his stop at the second bound of his aduancing turn him on the left hand obseruing the like order vntil you haue gone 10. or 12. times and at the last cause him to aduance twice together thus much for the halfe rest the which when hee can perfectly doe you may teach him the whole rest which is to aduance thrice at the third bound to turn but be sure he be perfect in one lessō before you teach him another Now because the mannage without rest is moste propper for Iades I omit to entreate therof because I wold not admit Asinum sub
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
no pleasure nor profit commeth of hidden treasure I haue therefore herein indeuoured Polipi mentem tenere to frame all my discourse to the true louers of the renowned Art of Horsemanship to obiect against any assertions the moste difficult obiections CHAP. 26. Obiections against the generall propounded rules FIrst it may be demaunded whether these obseruations are both for young coltes when as their bodies are not growne to perfection and for olde Horses which by leannesse seeme to be vnperfect I answere when the Colt falleth from the Dam the naturall body is of that proportion of shape which neither can or will at any time after alter in that shape doth it growe and increase vnto the end not as some doe ignorantly alleadge one yeare to growe in the forepart and another yeare in the hinder part for the facultie of nature cannot be nutritiue in a sound bodye to one part neglect the other part neither can any part continue without nourishment without the destruction of that part neither can the nourishment of the body alter the forme and naturall shape of the bodye and therefore the rules are infallible both for olde and young and to graunt them otherwise were absurd because nulla ratione potest admitti per communem sensum quia non couuenit humanae societati by no reason it can be admitted by common sence the same not being agreeable to humane reason Nulla placidior quies nisi quam ratio composuit Therefore what Nature hath framed is constant and perpetuall without change and the forme of constitution shape such in his age as you see him a Colt 2. Secondly it may be demaunded whether a Horse wanting any of these rules may notwithstanding be a good Hotse The degrees of goodnes what is to bee sud good I answere you must consider that there are degrees in goodnesse as good better and best of al Next you must consider what is good or what may be saide to be good for no one thing can be truly saide to be good that vnderstanding knowledge doth not tell you to be good for ignorance and error do call light-darkenes and darkenes light good euill and euill good so as your direction must not be opinatiue but examined per Norman rationis by the rule of reason if you be a creature reasonable for do you not know the Fly the Dog the Lyon the horse man are al liuing creatures but with difference for only maÌ„ is a liuing creatur reasonable created for the only glory of God so as you must alwaies reason from true definition then if you will demauÌ„d of the most best good Horse I holde and will defend against all contrary opinion that there is not any of the most best Horses that doth or can want any of my sixe rules which I prooue thus When God first created Horse he created them in all perfection of that kinde for nothing issued froÌ„ his hands ill shaped hee made him perfectly good Psal 8.5 and all that good onely for man and to that end were all his creatures made and as he made man their lord and ruler so did he appoint them their preseruer but no destroyer of his creatures Iustissima pana vt quâ—scione rectuÌ„ non sacâ—t et a witâ—at scire quod tectuÌ„ Aug. and all this is inheritable to vs then examine what is that which man can more or lesse require in a horse for perfection then these sixe qualities before described being such as are euer inseperable euermore so to be appreheÌ„ded in iudgement conceit for if he be bold and feareth nothing that true wisedome and discretioÌ„ would haue him to aduenture neither defectiue in his loue to giue his life for your sake so easie going as your selfe can desire and so sure of foote as no perrill or danger is to be feared withsuch perseueraÌ„ce coÌ„tinuance in labour as your body and his life can endure with al forwardnes following will freenes and obedience so as two or three lashes shal be sufficient to enforce his trauell till his vitall spirit life forsake him being such qualities as all the best Artists skilful horsemen of the whole world haue in all ages will laboure and endeauour to bring Horses vnto as to a restitution perfectioÌ„ of their first creation according to the natural disposition originally infused in them by God for the preseruation of their first being how shall graÌ„t the depriuatioÌ„ of any of them or of any parte of any one of them without the publike trespas to man for whose onely vse and comfort they were made as Lord and Emperor of all creatures so consequently to the all-creator but if your meaning be to descend to the comparatiue degree that is to a horse not altogether of such excellâ—cie then in some sort ther may be some tolleratioÌ„ admitted in part of some of my rules namely his boldnes which if by nature hee want yet by art may in some sort be helped by vse of being amongst guns drums trumpets and such like the which I dare not absolutely admit if by any possibilitie those may be that are naturally bold otherwise there must be a coÌ„tinual vse practise to coÌ„tinue preserue whatsoeuer is accidentally gained yet peraduenture at some times faile because it is not naturall Againe Neglectis Grenda filix innas uur agriâ—t Horat. a Horse may be thick chapped or iawed admitted if the whole head be lean al the shape otherwise perfect but yet there wil be a great difference of pleasure in his raine pleasant mouth besides his voluntarie forwardnesse when you shall compare the one with the other Lastly the verie high born proud and stately horse might also in some part be tollerated and admitted to a lower raine and yet a good Horse but when you consider the grace maiestie and high countenance with honor and maiestie to man beeing a part of his primarie creation I cannot admitte the least imputation to man for whose glorie and vse they were in all perfection originally created neither to admitte the consideration of any imperfection but rather by all possible meanes to vphold the perfection of their creation least man should thereby take libertie to neglect his duetie and charge which mans corruption too much of it selfe alloweth and vpholdeth as the practise in all ages and times in all professions doe sufficiently witnesse howsoeuer they pretend the contrarie and thereby allowe to Arte such perfection as to make that perfect which nature hath made vnperfect when as Art is but onely a quickner vp of Nature as to endeuour by Art and practise to make a low fore-parted or short necked Horse to raine well and perfect with continuance which will be performed ad calendas graecas when God hath made another world For there is not any learned phisitian or other learned man that can or will chalenge absolutely to
thinges for when you presse him with the bridle if hee carryeth his head well yet must you presentlye ease your bridle hand and make much of him because hee sheweth himselfe obedient vnto you and whensoeuer hee doth anye thing well and with delight you must bee verye heedefulnot to vexe him as if your desire were to torment him but euer so winne him as hee may bee willing to please you So likewise when you beare a firme hand with a stay thereby the Horse doth bring in his head and yeelde to your hand yet you must shorten the raines of your bridle till his head bee setled in due place that is neither to carie his fore-head too much out nor too much in stil maintaine him in the forme in all his dooings yet that it exceede not mediocrity or temperature but remaine light on the hand with a sweet mouth Thus hauing shewd you that it must be done I will shewe you how to doe it by keeping this order stay your horse temperately with the bridle vpon a stayed hand as his resistance shal require without giuing any libertie then with your rodde strike him gently vpon the bowing of the necke prouoking him with the spur on that side hee most wryeth his buttock to the end he may goe iust vntill he draw backe one of his forefeete which if hee doe make much of him and then stay a while and do the like drawing onely the bridle for the former cherishing will cause him to vnderstand you and then wil he goe lightly backe with both the fore legges when you touch him on the necke with the rodde saying with a lowde voice backe at which voice with the feele of the rodde and drawing of the bridle he will goe backe to your desire and alwaies after when hee is out of the due and true stay vppon the bridle doe the like that is to goe backe in forme afore-said and although some disorder be committed haue no dispaire for you shall finde him easily wonne to a good mouth by this vse of a temperate and firme hand which is by the mediocritie of slacking and drawing which is propperly tearmed a sweet stay What is a tēperate and firme hand which the Italians call Dolce Appoggio making him light vpō the hand champing the bitt with great pleasure and a stayed head in due place the true tokens whereof are iust rayne iust staide and light borne head with pleasure on the bit being properties inseperable in euery perfect shaped Horses actions but because it may seeme very difficult to haue continuance of perfection in euery action although it is common vppon stop or standing still to be in order yet perhaps vpon motion he wil leaue playing on the bit and beare vpon the hand especially vppon the maine careere which commeth for want of true knowledge how to maintaine and continue the hand iust and firme with a sweete stay so as he may take pleasure on the bit and therefore how to maintaine a Horse both in furious and quiet dooings is to be considered of if then at any time he make any disorder note it dilligently and by and by stay fayre and gently and make him go backe as you did before for in going backe he wil bring himselfe into his right order again then presently make much of him and forthwith mooue him forward faire and gently till he come to the place of stop and as he must be thus vsed in going forward so must he be vsed in treading of the rings first gently vppon the pace vppon the trot and so vpon the gallop in practising wherof you must precisely obserue that it be done with a temperate stayde and firme hand otherwise he will gape thrust his tongue vppon the bit or ouer the bit to defend himselfe thrust his head out sudd ainely pluck it in disdainefully or else shaking or moouing his head one way or other to be freed from the pressing of the intemperate hand which is to him violence and contrarie to Nature the which Art shold euermore labour to please The true forme practise of drawing the bridle is also to bee learned which is that being mounted in the Saddle let the Ryder draw the Raines equall and if the Horse know not the Bytt then let the Bytte bee verie slack and hold the Raines in his left hand with the little finger and ring finger betweene vnder the pomell of the saddle as neere the withers as he can and then with the right hand draw the raines softlye and equally together through the left hand so as the standers by can scarce perceiue the which hee may not remooue vntill he feele the Horse begin to stay vpon the bytt then there hold them without slacking or farther drawing vntill hee peruse whether the head standeth in true forme which if it bee not then let him a little yeelde his left hand againe and standing so a prettie while bring his left hand to his former place againe where the Horse made the first stay vppon the bytte but if you perceiue the Horse doubteth whether to put it out or bring it in which will bee hardly perceiued other then that then hee standeth without motion vppon the bytte then drawe the Raines with your right hand somewhat more through the left hand as before but so little and gently as can scarce bee perceiued by the Beholders for so must all the motions of the hand bee and then keepe it firme and stayed a prettie while and then if hee yeelde though verie little keepe your hand still at one stay neither slacking nor drawing it wherebye hee will feele the ease hee hath gotten by yeelding and then presentlye make much of him but if it happen the Raines fall slacke remooue not your left hand but drawe the Raines through your left hand as before for they may not be slack vntill he stay againe vppon your right hand whereunto whensoeuer he yeeldeth make much of him continuing still in this sort to solicite him till his head be in his due place that is neither too much out nor too much in after which time if hee beare not light let his keeper strike him gently on the knees of his fore-legges to make him go backe whereby he will bring in his head and then will the bit mooue and your hand finde ease but be very carefull at that instant to keepe your hand so firme as you neither slacke nor drawe in to the end he may feele and reteyne the ease of his owne motion of yeelding which willingly he will not loose beeing delightfull to nature but take delight to stir the bit in his mouth and goe backe withall likewise the which when you finde are tokens of the winning of his mouth which beeing won with obseruation of good order may be brought to continuall perfection Thus I haue shewed you so much as Arte may helpe but if the shape and nature of the Horse be opposite and repugnant as 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
freno an Asse to weare a bridle in all your managing let your body still accōpany your horse in the action with a good grace And vvhen he hath verie perfectlye learned his manage on a soft trot then may you manage him vvith a gallop giuing him on each hand one single turne and a little before you turne him holde your rodde on the contrarie side vvhereby hee shall knovve on vvhat side to turne and at the stop make him to aduance either vvith voice rod or spurre alvvaies remembring to giue breath and euermore beginne vvith a gentle gallop vntill he be verie perfect and then time will bring him to a perfect and swift manage but I wish you so to vse exercise your horse as when hee is become a perfect Horse you may long be maister of a perfect Horse and not to spend or spoile him in a little time in teaching of him needelesse toyes There might be much more spoken of helpes and corrections in managing but because they are proper to Iades or else to horses that are euill taught I omit them for if your horse be such as he ought your selfe temperate and discreete otherwise I wish you not to professe your selfe a Horseman you shall heerein finde sufficient After your Horse is perfect in such lessons as haue beene formerlye remembred Cariere and growen to his full and perfect strength hauing learned al his lessons without swift gallop and therein so ready as may be wished then beginne with him with a short Cariere in a faire sandie way with a liuely voice put him forward forcing him to runne swiftlye roundly smothely with a steady head and lightly to stop him selfe on his buttocks then turne him on the left hand softly pace him to the other end of the Cariere path and there stop him and turne him againe on the right hand and so leaue And as this passing a cariere or swift gallop must neuer bee done or taught vntill hee be moste perfect in all the lessons so must it be done verie sparingly as once or twice in a month at the moste so shall hee doe all things with admiration and of long continuance CHAP. 54. bound and Leape SOme haue a desire to haue their Horses to bound leape and yarke and because I know it would be most exactly done which cannot bee but by the best spirited Horses tending altogether to their destruction and a matter rather of delight then good vse I leaue it to the disposition of the owner wishing much rather to haue it omitted then practised vnlesse there were more plentie of Horses that are meete for the same CHAP. 55. Of the Capriole and Ooruetti THe difference betwixt these twois that the Capriole or Goates leap is alwaies in going forward and the Ctorueti still in one place these are to be learned taught by one order but neither of them shall euer be well learned and exactly done vnlesse your horse be very perfect to stoppe which is by much bending the elbough of the hinder houghes or heeles of the horse now the Coruetti may in some sort resemble the dauncing of the Beare at a stake for when he daunceth and praunceth vp and downe in one place lifting his forefeete euen and iust together seeming to turne if he might be suffred that is properly the coruet the which is neuer well done vnlesse he bee iust and steadie of head and body bowing the hammes of his hinder legs as if hee would sitt or slide on his buttocks And the Capriole is in the same manner yet still going forward seeming as though he wold yark behinde by aduancing his rump but doth not and as hee doth it forward so will he doe it backward and side-long Now you are not to teach your horse either of these vntil he be absolutely perfect in those former lessons before mentioned because these lessons before mentioned because these lessous are only learned by stopping aduancing the which if he haue once perfectly long practised then trot him for diuers daies vpon some hanging groūd vpon the knole of the hill on the same ground make him to aduance twice together the which he will very quickly do then help him with the sound of your lips to trot two paces farther and there to stop and aduance twice together at the end of the two paces all the length of a hanging hill downeward remembring euermore to cherish him when he doth well and to giue breath that all his doings may be done with delight otherwise he will neuer do it worthy commendations and by this vsing of him you shall haue him vvithin a little time at euery time that he stoppeth aduanceth if you helpe him vvith your vvord in saying hup and vvith your rod by striking him vpon the forepart of his shoulder and in his vvell dooing thereof make much of him he vvill go from stop to stop aduancing both forefeet and hinder loynes vvith time measure so oft as you vvil and in such iust euen and staid manner as vvilbe very delightfull ro beholde Novv because I vvould not haue you begin any lesson but by the direction of a perfect schoolemaister and in that course to continue so must you endeauour your selfe to knovv the reason of all your doings and therefore be sure to be alwaies present at the excercises of the most skilfull Horsemen and as Salomon saith let your foote tread often vppon their threshold read the best writers and when you are able to iudge truly and to make difference betwixt good and bad make asmuch practise as you may and then neuer doubt to become a perfect Horseman and be able to teach your Horse whatsoeuer is fit for a Horse to doe and a man to knowe And if I should now discribe the forme and fashion of all manner of bitts I thinke it needelesse for two respects First for that Laurentius Rusius in his booke written in latten intituled with the Greeke word Hyppoateia signifying the medicine or cures for Horses as also Maister Blundeuile in his booke diuers others haue verie painefullye performed the same When you shall knowe the perfect shape of good Horses and the perfection of the true knowledg of their nature in this treatise most plainly described you wil acknowledge the multitude variety of bits not to be of any vse besides hauing diuers good Bit-makers within this kingdōe who can exactly make as many perfect bits as art cā require I haue thought fit heere to rest and not to make volumnes of needles matter Nulla placudior quies nisi quam ratio composuit Gentle Reader thou seest how briefely I haue entreated of the Art of riding and yet I doubt not but sufficient to the vnderstanding Reader And much better then teadiousnes to a young Scholler But whosoeuer he be that desireth to be a perfect rider and a good Horseman must labour and studie to attaine the true knowledge of nature because nature Art
take it away then euery day after twice or thrice in a day cast colde water vpon his cods to make him shrinke vp his stones at 3. weekes or moneths end to geld him of that stone which done let him eat little and continually drinke water but a little at a time till three weekes be ended CHAP. 125 For the Botch in the Graines of a Horse THe cure is to take of wheat flower Turpentine and Hony of each like quantity stirring it to make a stiffe plaister to lay it to the sore to break it then lance it and taint it with Turpemine and Hogs grease as before CHAP. 126 For griefe in the shoulder that hath bene long time THe cure is giue him a slit on both sides an inch vnder the shoulder bones then with a swannes quill put into the slit blowe vp first the one shoulder and then the other as big as you can possibly euen vp to the withers and with your hand strike the winde equally into euery place of the shoulders and when they be both full then beat all the windy places with a hasell wand ouer all the shoulders then with a flat slice of yron loosen the skin within from the flesh that done rowel the 2. slitts or cuts with two round rowels of leather with a hole in the middest that the mattet may issue foorth and let such rowels be three inches broad and so put in as they may lye plaine and flat within the cut Then take of pitch of rosen each apound of tar halfe a pinte boile these together and when it is somewhat coole drawe all the shoulders very thick therwith that done clap on as many flockes as wil stick of the horse coloure and euery day clense both the wounds and rowels and put them in againe continuing so 16 daies then take them out and heale vp the wounds with hogs grease turpentine molten together renuing it vntil the wounds be whole but let the flockes lie vntill they fal off and let the horse run to grasse at the least halfe a yeare CHAP. 127 Of wrinching the shoulder THis commeth by a fall sudden or short turning rashe running out of some doore or by some stripe of a horse a sudden stop or such like which being done he wil traile his leg close to himselfe as he goeth The cure is to let him blood in the breast so soone as it is perceiued or knowne the sooner the better three pintes at the least and to keep all the same blood in a pot and thereunto put a quart of strong vinegar six egs broken shelles all and so much wheat-flower as wil thickē that licour put therūto 1. pound of Bole Armony beaten into powder 2. ounces of Sanguis Draconis so as the flower may not be perceiued if it be to stiff soften it with vinegar then with your hand daube al the shoulder from the maine downward betwixt the forebowels all against the haire let not the horse remooue vntil the charge be surely fastned to the kin thē carie him into the stable suffer him not to lye all that day keeping him with a spare dyet 15. daies together at the least and let him not remooue out of his place but onely lye down all that time euerie day once refresh the shoulder pointe with this charge laying still new vpon the old at the 15. daies or 20 daies end leade him gently to see if he be amended the which if hee bee let him rest by the space of two weekes without trauel but if he bee nothing amended then rowel him with a leather rowell vpon the shoulder point and keep him rowelled the space of 15. daies renewing the rowell clensing the woūd euery other day and walke him vp and downe very gently alwaies turning him on the contrarie side if he goe wel pull out the Rowell and heale vp the wound with Turpentine Hogs grease a taint of flaxe but if the hurt were so violent that all this will not help him then draw him Chequer wise with a hot yron ouer all the shoulder point and let him go to plough euery day two houres in soft ground and where he may not be ouer-much strained if it bee possible let him be let blood so soone as hee is hurt in those plate-veines and also in the place or as nere as is possible where the hurt or blow is to the intent that no bloud congeale there or that it tarrye vntill the flesh become blacke with the bruse For the same IF the same be newly done take a Fleame pricke thorough the skin before the shoulder betweene the spade and the mary bone the length of a beane and then take a quill and put betwixt the skinne and the flesh and blowe with your mouth that the skin may arise from the flesh then thrust out the wind againe and then take a pottel of stale pisse and seeth it to a quart and then straine it and put thereunto half a pound of butter half a pound of hogs grease a handfull of Mallowes asmuch of Tansey as much of Veruain as much of red nettles as much of Southerwood as much of baume leaues bruse them seeth them in the vrine til they be soft then annoint the point of the shoulder therewith about a hand breadth euerie day being first made warme vntil he be whole but let him not stirre out of the stable or place where hee standeth till he be wel which is easily perceiued by standing as boldly on that legge as on the other without sparing or fauouring it CHAP. 128 Of splayting of the Shoulder THis commeth by some slippe whereby the shoulder parteth from the brest and so leaueth a rift or rent in the flesh and filme vnder the skinne which causeth him to traile his leg after him The cure is to put a paire of streight pasternes on his forefeete and toilet him stand still in the stable then take of Dialthea one pound of Sallet oyle a pinte of oyle de bayes halfe a pound of fresh butter halfe a pound melt them together in a pipkin annoint the greeued place therewith round about the inside of the shoulder within two or thee houres after all the shoulder will swell then with a fleame strike all the swelling places or with a sharpe hotte yron the head whereof would be an inch long to the intent the corruption may runne out and still annoint the same verie often with the saide oyntment and if it gather to a head then lance it where it is moste soft then taint it with Hogs-grease and Turpentine and a taint of flaxe CHAP. 129. Of the shoulder pight THis is whē the pitch or point of the shoulder is displaced which if it bee the point will sticke out farther then his fellowe the horse will halt right downe The cure is to make him swimme in a deepe water some xi or xii
or shot TAke Varnish or Oyle and Water beaten together and annoynt the place with a feather CHAP. 168. Of Bones out of Ioynt THe cure is to binde all the fore-legs together and to cast him on his backe and then to hoyse him from the ground with his heeles vpward so shall the weight of his bodye cause the ioynt to shoote in againe in his right place CHAP. 169. Of a Horse that stumbleth THis is called the cordes the cordes is a sinewe that breedeth amongst the Sinewes the one end commeth downe to the Shackle veine and so vp thorough the legge and goeth ouer the inner side of the knee and so ouer the shoulder and so along the necke by the Wesant and it goeth ouer the temples vnder his eye downe ouer the snowt betwixt both the nostrils the gristle there knit the length of an Almond take a sharpe knife and cut a slit euen at the top of his nose iust with the point of the gristle open the slit you shal perceiue a white string take it vp with a bores toth or a Bucks horne that is crooked or some crooked bodkin◠twine it about straite and cut it a sunder you may twine it so much as you may reare his foote from the ground then stitch vp the slit and annoynt it with butter the Horse doubtlesse shall be cured CHAP. 170 Of curing a hurt TAke waxe Turpentine rosen Hogs grease of like quantitie and halfe so much Tarre as any one of the other simples melt and boile them together and keepe it ready for any accident CHAP. 171. Of repayring a broaken hoofe to make it grow TAke of Garlick heads 7. ounces of hearbe grace three handfuls of Allom beaten sifted 7. ounces of Barrowes grease that is old 2. pound mingle all these with a handfull of Asses dung and boyle them together and annoynt the hoofes there with CHAP. 172. Of a horse that cannot pisse TAke a pinte of white Vinegar halfe a pound of Simgreene bruse it smal wring out the iuice take a handfull of Fennel a handful of Foxe-gloues leaues or the flowers 2. ounces of Gromel seede and halfe a pinte of sweete hony stampe them well together and straine them into the Vinegar let him stand without meate and drinke 24. houres CHAP. 173. Of sretting in the Guts TAke in the morning a quart of good Ale 4. ounces of Fenegreek 7 oūces of Bayberries asmuch long pepper an ounce of Ginger two handfuls of Water-cresses a handful of Sage another of Mints beate them altogether in the Ale and seeth them in the Ale then streine it and giue it him blud-warme rope all his legs and tye him that he lye not down and put him into a sweat and keep him warm and drinke no colde water for three daies after and giue him dryed beanes and Oates for his prouender CHAP. 174. Of the dangerous galling of a Horse TAke a pottle of vergis two pennyworth of green coporas boyle it to a pinte and a halfe wash and search the hole there with and fill the hole with red leade so let it remaine three daies vntouched then wash it with the same fill it againe with red leade this will heale it though it bee galde to the body CHAP. 175. Of sinking a Thistula or windegall FIrst seere the Thistula then take Rosen sheepes tallowe and Brimstone and boile them together lay it on hot with a cloth and it will sinke downe For the windegall slit out the ielly and lay it not so hot on and it will keepe the same cleane CHAP. 176. Of a Blister TAke the iuice of ground Iuy so much Brimstone a quantity of Tar and so much Allome and lay it to the blister CHAP. 177. Of the paine in the head TAke a pinte of malmesey fiue new laide egges a head of brused Garlicke small Pepper Sinnamon and Nutmegges beaten sine giue it him to drinke three daies together and fast six houres after CHAP. 178. Of a Farcin or sudden breaking out in any part of the body to stay it and fill it TAke this ointment and alwaies haue it ready in your stable three ounces of quicke siluer put it into a bladder and two spoonefulls of the iuice of Oringes and Lemons shake them together then take a pound of fresh hogs grease and of vergis one ounce beate them all in a woodden dish and worke them thoroughly together then take a poūd of fresh Hogs grease and annoint the same therewith and slit the same if neede be then wash it and then put into his eares the iuice of Rugweede and he will be perfect Of a wrinch in the Fetterlocke or other ioynt that is suddenly done Chap. 179. TAke of Naruile and black-sope boyle them together a little on the fire annoint it therwith Of a Windegall that it shall not grow againe Ch. 180. WHen you haue cut the skin take a spoonfull of Oyle de bay 1. spoonful of Turpentine one penny worth of Verdegrease the white of an egge a quarter of an ounce of red lead boyle them together to a salue and lay the same to the place Of the stone in a Horse and Cholicke Chap. 181 TAke a pinte of white wine halfe a pint of burseed beat them smal two ounces of parselyseed halfe a handfull of I sope halfe an oūce of black-sope halfe a handfull of vnset leckes and halfe a handfull of water Cresses mingle them together stamp them and strein them but put the burseed parcely seed to it after it is streined and then warme it and giue it him to drinke Of a horse that pisseth blood chap. 182. TAke Barly seeth it in the iuice of Gomfollye and giue him the barly to eate and the iuice to drinke Of Ripening an impostume Chap. 183. TAke Mallow roots Lilly roots bruse them and put vnto them Hogs-grease and lyn-seede meale and plaister wise lay it to To bring haire a gaine Chap. 184. TAke the dung of Goates some hony and Allum and the blood of a Hog boyle them together being hot rub the place therewith To make a white marke on a horse Chap. 185. TAke a Tile burne it to pouder take dasie roots and the roots of a white bryer of each a like dry them and make powder thereof then shaue the place that you wil haue white rub it very much with the powder then wash the place with this water take a quantitie of Hony-suckle-flowers and a quantitie of hony and the water that Moles haue bene sodde in and wash the place and rub it very sore therewith doe this fiue daies and keepe him from all winde and it will bee white To make a horse he shall not neigh. Chap 186. TIe a woollen list about the middest of his tongue and he shall not ney so long as it remaineth To make a horse follow his Maister Chap. 186. TAke one pound of Otmell a quarter of a pound of honny and halfe a