on the Bridle then instantly with a mild voice say Hup Hup striking him at that instant with his Wand on the right shoulder and also on both the Calves of his Legs together but spur him not if possibly without it he will advance the which with a little labour and patient teaching no doubt but he will attempt to do twice or thrice together which if he do then in that instant let his Rider make much of him although he did it very meanly then let him pause a little time and give him breath and trot him again in the same manner the like distance of ground and as before so gently use him again but if he do not better every time he is taught he must be still sollicited until that he do better and then after that he can in plain ground perfectly advance then reach him gently upon the hanging knole of a Hill to bring him perfectly to stop and run sliding upon his Buttocks or hinder Legs which is very handsom beautiful and graceful for Manage and Turn and therefore let him do it before he is taught any other Lesson and then he will do it upon a soft Trot upon the swift Trot and afterwards upon a soft Gallop and not before but never upon a swift Gallop until that he be perfect both in Turn and Manage If he advance too high and not just and even with a good grace as he ought then may the fault be speedily found and easily amended by immediate correcting him with one even stroke over his Legs the Wand again ordered and conveyed out of his fight with a sweet staid hand on the Bridle few such tryals will amend and perfect what is amiss in the Horse And whereas some appoint many helps for Horses that are harder to turn on the one side then on the other although I do confess their general desire is more apt to the left hand then to the right yet to a Horse of good Nature and perfect shape a little Art will speedily teach him to teach others but if he be a Jade one may as soon teach an Ass to play upon a Harp It now remaineth to shew when to make the half Turn and the double the Chambetta the Manage to pass a swift Carriere the Cornet and such like The next Lesson for him to learn after he is perfect in those I have set down as I promised is to make a true and a just half double Turn which should be in this manner First when the Rider hath gently trotted stopped and advanced his Horse the length of a short Carriere let him teach him gently and mildly to make the half Turn beginning always on the right hand that is for the Rider to turn him with the help of his left Leg that his head may stand that way which before his Tayl stood which is called a Half Turn because he maketh his half Circle but if in the Turn he set his head that way it stood at the first that is a whole Circle and therefore called a Whole Turn But let him first do the half Turn perfect which must be done by helping him with his Voice and Calf of his Leg and not at first by any means to have him spurred if he can otherwise be brought unto it because a Spur is a correction which is not to be used but at that instant time when he hath committed an errour and not when he remaineth ignorant in what he do by which means undoubtedly being a sensible Creature he will perceive his errours and offences whereby with little correction he will easily amend any fault Let the Rider never go about to make him despair but continually incourage him for having formerly attained a perfection of a just even and swift Trot in the Rings the very true ground of all other Lessons he will easily turn on the right hand setting his head that way that his Tayl stood the which being perfectly attained then let the Rider close it up with another half Turn on the same hand with the prescribed help setting his head and all his body in the same way it was at the first then give him breath and make much of him then make him do as much on the left hand with those other prescribed helps and so change from hand to hand leaving always on the right 1. In the doing whereof observe whether he bring on the contrary Leg orderly 2. That he do it after the first bound of advancing and after the second or third bound 3. That after he is perfect in doing the whole Turn that the Rider make him to do it swiftly and roundly without stop or stay of the half Turn and speedily in the closing of every whole Turn and in as narrow a compass as may be 4. That the Rider as hath been said begin on the right hand and end on the right 5. After he is perfect as aforesaid give him on each hand three whole Turns whereof let the first be very fair and softly beginning at the right hand and ending on the right in performing whereof the Rider must always help him with his Tongue his Rod and his Leg by which continual use before he teacheth him any other Lesson which should never be done unless he be perfect in the Lesson he is learning so that the Rider shall in the end with discreet and temperate teaching bring him to an admirable perfection keeping time and measure that the one be not swifter then the other if either the last which for the most part is as speedy and perfect Now to proceed to the Managing thereof the true signification whereof is to be rightly understood by such as intend to be expert in Horsemanship for ignoratis terminis ignoratur Ars to be ignorant of Terms is to be ignorant of the Art I take it to be a compound word of the word Manus and Ago the hand in this Art being the Instrument of Instruments doth guide and govern the Horse to every action and therefore may fitly be said Manu agere or as the Italians properly call it Manegiare which is as much as skilfully to handle And therefore when the Rider shall exercise the Horse perfectly and gracefully in his place trot stop advance double or single turn gallop leap capriole cornet assault or whatsoever the hand being the principal Actor or primus motor may truly and aptly be called Manage which cannot so rightly be done without the general knowledge of the practice of the Precepts of the whole Art And although many worthy Horsemen have and do only rest and rein Managing to Galloping and to bring a Horse to and fro one self same path by a half rest whole rest and when the Rider manageth with a half rest causing the Horse at the end of every managing path after he hath stopt to advance twice together and at the second bound to turn and rest one bound doth not the Rider therein exercise the Trot the Stop and the
Car-men or Paris-Garden Stable For in every particular Nature that is the temperature of the Elements in every particular body without all contradiction causeth and maintaineth the particular actions of the body wherein it is and that such shaped Horses were never compounded or framed of a true temperature of the Elements and therefore impossible to be reduced to the perfection of action otherwise then by abuse and great force which Nature abhorreth And that is but for a small time such Carrions as these made use of also do shadow the Glory of the Kingdom disparage the Judgment thereof discourage many Noble and Heroick Gentlemen either to become Breeders Riders or Maintainers of Horses and lastly cast mists over the perfections of our English Riders CHAP. IV. Of the English Bridle Saddle and bringing of the Horse to the Block the mounting and seat of the Rider and of the Execution of the Action of teaching of the Art WHen the Horse is made gentle familiar and fit for the Rider to teach put on a Head-stall or a Canetsane over his Nose with a pair of strong Rains but so loose and easie for his Nose as may neither hurt nor abate of his courage or his quick and fresh feeling and in a most gentle manner set a Saddle upon him with an upright short Pommel so as that the true use of the hand may not be hindered or injured the Bolsters whereof should be broad in the top to inclose the Thigh and yet to bear so slope that the Knee be not pinched nor the Thigh kept from the true resting place the Seat whereof should be of a reasonable length and largeness the Bolsters behind bearing forward to inclose and support the Thigh to the former Bolsters the Strapper thereof broad and very strong with broad Girthes and with very strong and broad Buckles cross-girded so as that the Saddle may rest firm on his Back whereby the Seat will be easie sure and certain without motion leaving the near Stirrup-leather almost half a hole longer than the right Stirrup and although that the Horse be gentle yet because he hath a new Master and Rider not known unto him being neither assured of himself nor of that his Rider would have him do so as that it may be truly said that he is not himself but that he is troubled in mind Therefore to keep him from fear and perturbation I would have a quiet and staid Horse also saddled to be rid before him and then bring them both to the Block but the old Horse first and then the Colt at which time let the Rider use all the mild and gentle words to the young Horse making the Rains of the Bridle even and just holding them in his left hand not stiff nor altogether remiss or loose and as soon as he is mounted on his Back let him set quietly there a while lest any sudden motion should breed any perturbation in the Horse and until the Rider have setled himself in the Saddle his Nose directly answering the Horses fore-top betwixt his Ears his Legs hanging straight down neither thrusting down the Toe nor lifting up the Heel but with his foot with such evenness in the Stirrup as if he stood upon the ground the Stirrup-leathers rather short then long winding his Toes somewhat nearer to the Horses side then the Heel holding the Rains even and just with his Crest even with the point of the Withers a little above the Main with his Thighs and Knees close to the Saddle and his feet resting in the Stirrup in due place not too far thrust into the Stirrup with an upright and straight body his Ridge-bone answering the Ridge-bone of the Horse so as the Horse and Rider may ever seem to be of one body in all motions during which time let the Rider claw the Horse with his hand to remove from him all fear or hard conceit of his Riding that done let him go forward to paces fair and softly and stay again making much of him and so pace softly and quietly to the place where the Rider intendeth to tread out a Ring all which must be done by the Rider boldly and without fear and as he must be thus used in going forward so must he be used in treading and pacing out of the Ring in some new-plowed Ground that is most deep of Mould where first let the old Horse enter betwixt two Furrows so far as the Rider may have space enough and Mould enough and follow with the young Horse close to him which will cause him the more willingly to go because he is directed and guided by the old Horse by which means he shall not be any way discouraged then let the old Horse the young Horse following enter on the right hand overthwart the Furrows and tread out twice together a round Ring containing in circuit about 30 paces and being come about the second time where he began let him tread out the like Ring on the left hand and after he hath gone twice about let him begin again on the left hand and so continue until he have gone four times together about the left Ring and the right six times that done let him go fair and softly out of the Furrow where he began about 30 or 40 paces and there stand still keeping his head and his body right in the path remembring always to have some go by to signifie his true performance and to help if need be and then let him go very gently back from the place he came and there let the Rider alight and make much of him by coying him and giving him a little Grass Hay or Bread in his mouth to procure and win Love and thus let him be used two days with a Horse before him and after him Let him then lead and begin himself to tread and pace the Ring in this gentle manner for the space of ten days keeping a temperate staid and fine hand upon the Rains with a sweet feeling stay carrying his Forehead as Rams do when they go to fight whereby he shall not only rein well but bear his head staid and light and when that he knoweth what to do and that for the same he is always cherished he will strive to do it faster Through the Riders continual keeping of his hand steddy the Horse will do it with a wonderful pride and delight by giving him liberty but a too hasty treating of the Horse will work the clean contrary In the pacing of the Ring the Rider must not carry any over-hard hand to dull the sense but so temperately that the feeling may be always fresh otherwise by the violent by much galling his Nose whereof he would willingly have ease to avoid the same he will set his Head and his Neck awry the true use whereof is that standing in the Furrow just and straight with his body the Rider moves him gently to go forwards and in the very motion turns him on the right hand by drawing
very softly the right Rain shorter with his right hand lower under the Pommel of the Saddle whereunto if he yield as no doubt but he will especially having trod the same before let the Rider presently make much of him neither drawing nor slacking the Rain at which time for his doing both for the ease of the Rider and the Horse if need shall be let some skilful person but his Keeper were most fit come on his right side to his fore-shoulder and thrust him in by little and little and the Rider also by the Calf of the right Leg and the Clack of his Tongue to be a help to make him go forward if the Horse be such a one as I have described he will do it but if he should not in the very motion of the turn then let the Rider draw the Rain with his hand as before whether it be on the right hand or on the left all which must as hath been said be done by gentle dealing so as that the Horse may hope for rest and quietness whereby he will be ready to do whatsoever his Rider will But if he be a rammage Jade as I said before and of an evil disposition of Nature for my own part I esteem him not of any worth not fit to be kept Having spoken of Pacing of the Horse in the Ring it followeth that after the ten days are expired the Horse be taught to trot the Ring which he must begin in a slow and gentle Trot as he was in the first beginning of pacing increase his Ring-turns by two and two every day until he make ten turns for the left Ring and twelve for the right which will augment his swiftness whereof he should be restrained until he be most perfect and then he will do it with the greatest grace and pride that may be imagined which is the true property and quality of all Art evermore to affect and effect to perfection during which time of the beginning of Trotting he must not be ridden with a Wand nor wear any Bit until he be most perfect in his Trot stop and turn well on both hands and not by any means suffered to gallop until that he can also perfectly advance By taking this course he will be just in his pace just in his trot with a staid hand and neck being the chief lustre and goodness that Nature and Art affordeth Wherefore when you begin to trot the Ring be sure that at the first he be moved thereunto as gently and quietly as you can devise and so every action whatsoever upon a restrained temperate and firm hand with a sweet Stay and with a true Rain that is that his Nose be just under his Forehead neither too much out nor too much in which is the just placing and setling of his head which will make him to have a pleasant mouth when he cometh to wear the Bit in which consisteth the chief point of Horsemanship because he is so to be maintained in all his actions the which is most easie to be done and to be continued if the Horse be of perfect shape and spirit but if he should make resistance for that he is either rammage or evil broken then trot him swiftly with quickness of Voice Rod and Spur for the time of his trotting is the fittest time to make him forget his toys and to attend his way and if all this will not help then spare not to gallop him and if this fails then be sure he will be a Jade from the beginning to the end for a Horse of a good temper and perfect shape can never be of so bad a nature and quality I shall now next discourse how to make the Rider perfect in stop after he hath ended the number of his Ring-turns which is to trot his Horse right out in the middle Furrow betwixt the Rings until that he come to the place of stop and there to make a pretty stay keeping his body right in the path wherein if his whole body or any part stand overthwart seek not at first through your too much passion to correct him for the same but let a Foot-man direct him to stand right in the path as we said before by thrusting in that part that standeth out of order or that he may cause the Horse to go further in the same path and stop him holding that Rain straighter on that side whereon he most forceth his head then afterwards the other which will inforce him to keep right which when he yieldeth ever cherish him and after it will be good to trot and stop him on a ground that is a little steepy which something falleth and immediately riseth but when he is perfect then he may do it on a ground that is very steep But to teach him to go back the Rider must as I have said keep a firm staid hand upon him with some liberty and then gently striking him on the Neck with his Rod in that instant of time say Back Back but if he refuse let a Foot-man with his Rod gently strike him on the knees and so by the gentle pulling in of his hand and fair means win him and when he yieldeth cherish him Having shewed how to ride a Horse without a Wand Bit or Spur I will now shew the Rider how to manage all three together with the true use of the hand upon the Bit one of the chief and only principal points of Horsemanship First therefore when he rides with a Wand let him take it very warily that the Horse be not frighted therewith and to ascertain the Horse thereof presently after he hath received it toy and scratch him about the neck with the end thereof and for the carrying of it it must be carried in the right hand with the point upright and when that he must use it let the point fall close unto him as occasion shall require but in his management of it let him lay his hand upon his right Thigh and and his hand cross the Horses Neck and when he is almost ready to turn on the left hand let him lift up his hand and Rod and hold the point right forth on the right side against his Eye and as he changeth turns so let him change his Rod on the one side and on the other but if his Horse will not turn on the side he would have him let him strike him on the contrary side and when he is any way disordered let him carry his Wand on the contrary side and when he would have him carry his fore-part right strike him gently on the shoulder or fore-legs and when he would have him lighten behind strike him on the Rump and Hanches and thus much for the use of the Wand as occasion shall serve Now for the use of the Bit which is an Instrument only guided and directed by the hand and because the ground of the Art of Riding dependeth only upon the right use and true government of the hand being
guided by reason and discourse so as the Horse in all motions and actions is and ought to answer to that motion First therefore let the Bit that he first bit his Horse withal be gentle and pleasant yet so that the gentleness cause him not to despise the Rider nor the hardness drive him to despair for you must understand that knowledge always presupposeth reason and reason sense and sense reason all which consist in a true mediocrity and therefore amongst the most learned Precepts that were written in the Temple of Apollo in Greek this was in the second place Nothing too much For if he press him with the Bridle if he carry his head well yet must he presently ease his Bridle-hand and make much of him because he sheweth himself obedient to him and whensoever he doth any thing well and with delight the Rider must be very careful not to vex him but ever so to win him that he may be willing to please him So likewise when he bears a firm hand with a stay that thereby the Horse doth bring in his head and yield to his hand yet he must shorten the Rains of his Bridle till his head be setled in its due place that is as hath been said neither to carry his head too much out nor too much in still to maintain him in the form of his doing yet that it exceed not mediocrity or temperature but remain light on the head with a sweet mouth Thus having shewed the Rider that it must be done by keeping this order I proceed Let him stay his Horse temperately with an even hand as his resistance shall require without giving any other liberty then with his Rod to strike him gently upon the bowing of his Neck provoking him mildly with the Spur on that side on which he most wryeth his Buttock to the end that he may go just until he draw back one of his fore-feet which if he do make much of him and then stay a while and do the like drawing away the Bridle for the former cherishing will make him to understand and then will he go lightly back with both the fore-legs when he is touched on the Neck with the Rod saying with a loud Voice Back at which Voice with the feeling of the Rod and drawing of the Bridle he will go back to the Riders desire and always after when he is out of the due and true way upon the Bridle let him do the like that is to go back in form aforesaid And although some disorder be committed let not the Rider despair for he shall find him easily won to a good mouth by this use of a temperate and a firm hand which is the mediocrity of slacking and drawing which is properly named a sweet Stay which the Italians call Dolce Appoggio making him light upon the hand champing the Bit with great pleasure and a staid head in due place the true tokens whereof are just Rains staid and a light Come-head with pleasure on the Bit being properties inseparable in every perfect shaped Horses actions But because it may seem very difficult to have a continuance of perfection in any action although it is common upon stop or standing still to be in order yet perhaps upon motion he will leave playing upon the Bit and bear up the head especially upon the main Carriere which proceeds from a want of true knowledge how to maintain and continue the hand just and firm with a sweet stay so that he may take pleasure on the Bit and therefore how to maintain a Horse both in furious and quiet doings is to be considered of If then that at any time he make any disorder note it diligently then stay him and make him go backward as you did before for in going back he will bring himself to his right order again then presently make much of him and forthwith move him forwards so must he be used in treading of the Ring first gently upon the Pace upon the Trot and upon the Gallop in practising whereof he must precisely observe that it be done with a temperate staid and firm hand otherwise he will gape thrust his Tongue upon his Bit or over the Bit to defend himself thrust his head out suddenly pluck in disdainfully or else shaking or moving of his head one way or other to be freed from the pressing of the intemperate hand which is to him violence and contrary to Nature the which Art should evermore labour to please The true form and practice of drawing the Bridle is also to be learned which is that being mounted in the Saddle let the Rains be drawn equal and if the Horse know not the Bit then let the Bit be very slack and let the Râ—der hold the Rains in his left hand with the little finger and Ring finger between under the Pommel of the Saddle as near the Withers as he can scarcely perceive the which he must not remove until he feel the Horse to stay upon the Bit and there hold him without staying or further drawing until he perceive whether the head stand in the true form which if it be not then let him a little yield his left hand again and standing so a pretty while bring his left hand to his former place again where the Horse made his first stay upon the Bit then let him draw his Rains with his right hand somewhat more through the left hand as before but so little and gently as scarcely to be perceived for so must all the motions of the hand be and then keep it staid and firm a pretty while and if he yield though very little let him keep his hand still at one stay neither slackning nor drawing it whereby he will feel the ease that he hath got by yielding of it and then presently make much of him But if it so happen that the Rains fall slack let him not remove his left hand as before for they must not be slack until they stay again upon his right hand whereunto whensoever he yieldeth make much of him continuing still in this same manner to sollicite him till his head be in its due place after which time if he bear not light let his Rider strike him gently upon his Knees of his fore-legs to make him to go back whereby he will bring in his head and then will the Bit move and his hand find ease but let him be very careful at that instant to keep his hand so firm as that he neither slack nor draw in to the end that he may feel and retain the ease of his own motion of yielding which willingly he will not lose it being delightful to his Nature but take some pleasure to stir the Bit in his Mouth and go backward withal with it which when the Rider finds out being won with observation of good order he may be brought to a more continual perfection Thus I have shewed the Rider so much of the Art as may help him but if
Advance and the Turn which he formerly learned and according to the same manner or when he manageth with the whole rest by turning him immediately upon the stop without any carryance or rest at all which only is most common with us in England and yet the managing of the half rest is most necessary for the attaining of perfection doth not the Rider keep and maintain the Horse in one path one place of stop making him to keep his ground and therein carry his Head his Neck his Legs and his Body just closing his Turn roundly and in a narrow room with the true time and measure in every action as hath been taught How then can Managing be properly referred to one only action when it is the perfect acting of every Action and Lesson he hath learned wherein when the Riders Horse is most ready and perfect he may increase the often doing of his Lessons as he will and make an alteration of his Turns and Exercises to find out the truth of his obedience and when the same are first artificially and then exactly performed then may the Rider be truly said to be a perfect Manager Now are to be shewed what are the principal things that are to be observed in the true Managing of a Horse He is taught his Manage with a soft Trot and not with a Gallop my reason is because thereby he may be at the first sensible of apprehension what to do and how to do and that gracefully by the bowing of his Houghs behind by turning round with the Chambetta which is by holding up the fore foot on the side he should turn whilst he brings over the contrary Leg and setteth it not down until he have closed his Turn so as hereby he shall carry both his fore-feet above the ground not trailing upon the ground which is disgraceful When the Rider teacheth his Horse which is after he can stop well let him advance before and turn readily on both hands then with a soft Trot come to the place of stop about 20 paces in length and make him advance twice together and at the second bound turn him on the right hand as hath been said you must always begin helping him so that by bowing of his Houghs behind he move his forepart orderly then immediately in a gentle manner trot him back to the place you came from and then there after he hath made his stop at the second bound of his advancing turn on the left hand observing the like order until the Rider have gone ten or twelve times and at last cause him to advance twice together And thus much for the half rest which is to advance thrice and at the third bound to turn but be sure he be perfect in one Lesson before you teach him another In all the Riders managings let his body still accompany his Horse with a good grace and when he hath very perfectly learned his Manage on the soft Trot he may manage him with a Gallop giving him on each hand one single Turn and a little before he is turned let the Rider hold his Wand on the contrary side whereby he shall know on what side to turn and at the stop let the Rider make him to advance either with his Voice Rod or Spur always being careful to give him breath evermore beginning with a gentle Gallop until that he be perfect But I wish the Rider so to use and exercise his Horse that he may be long Master of so good and so perfect a Horse and not to spend or spoil him in a little time in teaching him needless toys as some ignorant Horsemen use to do After the Horse is perfect in such Lessons as have been formerly taught and is grown to full and perfect strength then let the Rider begin with him with a short Carriere in a fair sandy way and with a lively Voice put him forward forcing him to run swiftly roundly and smoothly with a steddy hand and lightly to stop himself on his Buttocks then let him turn him on the left hand and softly pace him to the other end of the Carriere path and there stop him and turn him again to the right hand and so leave off and rest him And as this passing Carriere or swift Gallop must never be done or taught until the Horse be as hath been said most perfect in all the Lessons so must it be done very sparingly and seldom as once in a month at the most CHAP. V. Of the bound Leap Yark SOme have a desire to have their Horses to bound leap and yark and though I know it might be most exactly done by the best spirited Horses but tending altogether to their destruction and a matter rather of foolish delight then of any use I leave it to the disposition of the Owner wishing much rather to have such dangerous Exercises omitted then practised unless that there are more plenty of Horses that are fit for the same therefore any Reader cannot admire that he meets with so short a Chapter CHAP. VI. Of the Capriole and Cornetti THe difference betwixt these two is that the Capriole or Goats-leap is always in going forwards and the Cornetti still in one place These are to be learned taught by one order but neither of them wil be well learned therefore never exactly done unless the Horse be very perfect to stop which must be by much bending of the Elbow of the hinder Houghs or Heels of the Horse Now the Cornetti may in some sort resemble the dancing of a Bear at a stake for when he danceth and pranceth up and down in one place lifting his fore-feet even and just together seeming to turn if he might be suffered which is never well done unless the Horse be just and steddy of head and body bowing the Hams of his hinder Legs as if he would fit or slide on his Buttocks And the Capriole is in the same manner but still going forwards seeming as though he would yark behind by advancing his Rump but doth not and as he doth it forwards so will he do it backward and sidelong Now the Rider need not to teach his Horse either of these until as hath been said he be perfectly exercised in those Lessons formerly mentioned because these Lessons are only learned by stopping and advancing the which if he have once perfectly and have long practised then trot him sundry days upon some hanging ground and upon the Knole of the Hill on the same ground make him to advance twice together at the end of the two paces all the length of the Hill downwards still remembring to cherish him when he doth well to give him breath that all his performances may be done with delight And if he be helped with the word saying Hup and by the Riders Rod by striking him on the fore-part of the shoulder he will go from stop to stop advancing both the fore-feet and hinder Loyns with time and measure as often as the