you to take so long time as you think fit to credit them The first is if the Horse haue a chollick if he looke vpon a Duck or any water foule it wil cure him the second is if a maid strike him on the face with her girdle he is presently remedied CHAP. 117. For Costiuenes or belly bound TAke of the decoction of mallows a quart put toit halfe a pint of oyle or somuch butter an ounce of Benidicte luxature powre into his fundament with a litle horne and hold his taile close to his fundament whiles another doth lead him so keep it as long as you can and after keepe him warme and giue him warme water to drinke For the Laxe CHAP. 118. TAke of Beane flower Bole armony of each a quarterne mingled in a quart of red wine giue it him luke warme and after drinke warme water with beane flower but if that will not stay him then giue him halfe a penny worth of Allom beaten into pouder Bole Armony beaten small in a quart of milke stirring them til the milke be all of a curd and this will stop him For the Wormes CHAP. 119 THey are ingendred of raw euill humors there are 3. kindes of them the worme the bot the truncheon The Horse wil lye downe and wallowe which is when they feede on him his breath will stincke and his mouth clāmy The cure giue him a quart of new milke and halfe a pinte of hony in it blood warme this will make them rest from gnawing of him because they wilsuck therof vntil they be ready to burst then the next day giue him this drinke following The cures that are pretended are diuers first take a quart of wort or ale of the strongest then take a quarter of a pound of ferne half a pound of Sauin halfe a pound of stone crop stamp them and put them together with two spoonefulls of brimstone and asmuch chimney soote beaten to pouder and let them lye in steepe two houres then straine them and giue the Horse a little warme then bridle him and let him stand 6. houres after without meat and there is no doubt but the Horse wil be at quiet for the strength thereof is such to staine the mawe as the bot will not meddle but fly from it but it doth not kil them And so is it of all other medicines for the same whereof are infinite Now if I may perswade you or rather Mai. Iohn Orpen that worthy Farrier deceased after these former drinkes giuen the third day make him purging pils as hath bene before viz. Take of lard a pound laid in water two houres then take nothing but the cleane fat thereof stamp it in a morter thereunto put of Licoris of Anniseedes of Fenegreeke of each beaten into pouder 3. ounces of Alloes in pouder 2. ounces and of Agaricke one ounce knead them in paste and make 6. balles therof then hauing fasted ouer night giue him the next morning 3. of these pilles nointed with hony when you haue opened his mouth catch hold of his tongue holde it fast til you haue hurld in one and thrust it downe his throate with a rowling pin and then let his tongue goe till he hath swallowed it down and so do with the rest and keepe him close from all ayre and at night giue him a good strong mash warme water 3. daies after my reasō is for that these balles wil now purge out of his body all the bots and wormes and al the humors that bred cherished them so as your Horse wil be perfectly cleane And you shall finde most of the bots aliue when they are purged for you cannot kil them with medicine but only make them forbeare vexing of him so long as his mawe resteth so bitter stinched as they dare not feed on it but vpon other humors whereby moste men thinke they haue cured their Horse perfect and the like reason is for chickins gut and such like which being a pleasanter foode then the horse mwe leaue him aprest to feede on them but doe not cure him for in reason it cannot kill them nor auoide them and therefore the botts remaine stil in the body CHAP. 120. For the Colt euill THe eure is to wash the sheath cleane with luke-warme Vinegar draw out his yarde and wash it also then ride him in some running streame vp to the belly to allaye the heat and thus doe lustily a quarter of an houre and so euerie day after for three or foure daies CHAP. 121. For mattering of the yard TAke a pinte of white wine boile therin a quarter of Roche Allum and with a Squirt thrust vp verie farre into his yarde squirt the same three or foure times to pierce and clense the bottome from the filth and thus continue vntill he bee whole CHAP. 122. For the Foalling of the yard THe cure is to wash the same with warme white wine and annoint it with oyle of Roses and hony mingled together then put it vp and with a codpeece or trusse keepe it still vp and dresse him euerie day once till he be whole CHAP. 123. For the swelling of the Cod or stones THe cure is to let him blood on both sides in the flanke veines then take of Oyle of Roses and Vinegar of each a pinte halfe a quartern of Bole Armony beaten into pouder mingle them together and being luke warme annoint the Cod therewith with two or three feathers and the next day ride him into the water and giue him 2. or three turnes then bring him to the stable and when hee is dry annoint them againe and so continue till he be whole but if the cods doe swell by meanes of anye hurt then couer the cods with a charge of Bole Armony and Vinegar wrought together renewing till the swelling goe away and if it breake taint it with Melrosatum and make him a breech renewing it til it be whole CHAP. 124 For incording or Bursting THis is when the rimme that incloseth the guts is broken so that they fal into the Cod of the horse which is apparant to sight or feeling the cure is to put 4 pasternes on his feet as the horse-gelders vse then bathe his stones with warme water and butter then raise them vp from the bodye with both your hāds being closed by the fingers fast together and so holding the stones in your hands worke downe the gut into the body of the Horse by striking it downeward with your thumbes one after another vntill that side of the stone be so small as the other then hauing returned the gut into his place take a woollen list of two fingers broad thoroughly annointed with fresh butter and tie his stones both together or so nigh his body as maybe not ouer hard but that you may put your finger betwixt that done in all quietnes take the Horse away and let him not be stirred 3. weekes after but the next day vnloosen the list
the Iade wanting perfection of shape his colt cannot haue perfection of action And againe I haue found that perfect Horse and perfect Mare may haue a colte that is a Iade if my former rules be not obserued And moreouer if a present good order should make a present depriuation of a corrupted nature or a present euill order bring a totall depriuation of that is naturally good then nature should be inconstant to become euill or good vppon a suddain sed nemo fit repente malus no man becommeth euill vpon a suddaine neither can nature which is perpetuall presently passe from one euill vnto another but by the meane 7. Seauenthly the Horse and Mare must be sparingly and moderately fed that they may well disgest and ouercome that they eate for although the meat in qualitie be hot and dry yet if the quantitie thereof be such as their naturall heat cannot disgest the same becommeth rawe colde and moist And also if after full feeding the Horse and Mare be trauailed it procureth vntimely disgestion the wheyish blood thereof comming to the seede vessels is ouer-rawe and falsely prouoketh before it be disgested and seasoned otherwise it increaseth perfect seede fit for generation and both hauing perfect seede one must be agent and former and the other serue for nourishment as in the forming of chickens and birds in which are two substances one of the yolke another of the white the chick being made of the yolke is maintained by the white whiles the forme indureth and which of their seedes is of the greatest efficacie of the same is the generation and whether of the seedes the generation is of that the colte retaineth the condition and qualitie but if the Horse and Mare be kept with ease and rest it engendereth coldenes and moisture and thereby quencheth the naturall heat and desire of generation and corrupteth the seede and maketh the same vnperfect CHAP. 39 Now followeth the fourth rule that is when how and where to doe the action in perfection THe time when the action is to be performed must be after the Horse and Mare haue bene dieted and are most lustie in the perfection of the bodie hauing plentie of seede well concocted fit for generation for dooth not the gardiner with the seede that he preserueth attend both the perfection of the growth of the hearb and vntill the seede be ripe and waxe dry for if they pull them from the stalke before they will neuer growe to any vse of perfection for the seede must haue time to settle concocte and ripen and be duely seasoned to become hot and dry and of sufficient substance then the time of the moone beeing obserued which is two or three daies before the full or new moone when the Mare hath greatest substance of menstruall or flegmaticke blood for composition of the colte the which the colte through his greate heat in the time of increasing and growing in the wombe will consume that is the reason why some coltes are much bigger then others Now before the time of action or begetting viz. when the horse and Mare are both lustie and proude let some little stoned Iade often wooe the Mare vntill you see her verie willing to receiue the horse so as she will seeme to burne in desire alwaies readie and yeelding to the horse as the hen to the cock but take great care that the Iade doe not leape her vnlesse hee haue such trusses that he cannot serue her and thereby you shall be assured to know her desire then let the horse that shall couer her see him busie with her which will greatlie stir his desire and natural heate and so inflame his vitall spirits as will raise greate quantitie of seede for the action both in himselfe and the Mare the action must be done in the morning earely when the stomacke hath perfectly disgested and is emptie and not vpon a full stomacke Also when the winde is in the North or west and not when the winde is in the south because all heate maketh the seede thin and the south winde is grosse and moist and that the ayre is of such force appeareth in the winter when it dooth harden water wood stones and other creatures and all heat as the Summer time witnesseth openeth dissolueth maketh the same feeble Also the horse must couer a Mare sildome otherwise hee cannot haue plentie of temperate seede therefore once in three weekes or a moneth is enough and not to spend his seed but when hee doth abound in fulnesse and perfection of seed without any respect of the time of the yeare and the place where it is to bee done would be in some house or yarde where no hurt can come vnto them or bee troubled with the sight of other horses and there let the mare be led to some slope or falling ground made of purpose where the hinder part of her body may stand highest then bring the horse in your hand at whose sight she will pisse or at the least offer to doe it which she must be suffered to do before he leape her leaste by strayning of her body after the act she loose the seede then so soone as hee commeth off from her let the keeper cast a paleful of the coldest water strongly at her shape the coldnes strength and suddennesse whereof will cause her to trusse and shrinke vp her bodie and thereby a great meanes to stay the seede and cause it to conioyne and close themselues in the matrix for the wombe dooth not presently embrace and inclose the seed but some houre after yet the wombe doth very suddenly draw together then haue the horse away and set the mare in some close place without giuing her meate for two or three houres after and no water vntill night and then not much And if you doe perceiue that the horse did closely and courageouslie serue her and she receiue it with all willingnesse then haue him from her and let them not come no more together for if the womb hath once drawne together and maketh as it were a pursse to drawe the seede vnto it it will not suffer it to get out so as if the first time of seruing take effect all the rest are in vaine doe great hurt and the first dooing is euer best and most effectuall because the seede of both parts commeth from the veine of the right side and is moste hot plentifull and aptest to conceiue consisting of greatest substance in qualitie moste hot and dry whereby it cannot bee easilie lost like that which is thin liquid and colde and if it should bee oftner admitted then the second seede proceedeth from the left side which naturally is not so hot but more liquid and moist whereby the conception is most commonly a mare foale in respect of the moistnes and coldnesse but if it happen a horse Colt yet not of that goodnesse wanting perfection of heate for heate is the cause of hardynes and courage because
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
to examine There is not any mā of experience the can truly deny but if the Mare be lustie and in perfection of health when she foaleth at what time of the yeare soeuer it be but that she hath more milk for three weekes or a month then the foale is able to sucke and to continue plentifull in milke let her presently after foaling bee milked so cleane as may bee and so continued vntill the curd in her vdder be broken and dissolued which will make her plentifull in milk a thing easily done if she before be made domesticall and the same is approoued true in all creatures that giue sucke so as if she foale in the beginning of Winter yet wil she haue plenty of milk being housed she wil haue a more lusty strong healthfull and couragious Colt of great stature and greater strength and better able to indure hardnes and keepe his flesh better then if she foaled at May day my reasons are Although the grasse maketh great quantitie of milk yet the same is verie thin and the winter food lesse in quantitie but verie thicke and of greater nourishment and that a Colt foaled in the winter will bee stronger then that is foaled in the Summer because that coldnes of ayre by vnyting knitting of the bodie according to the nature of colde giueth strength much more then heate for heat openeth dissolueth and weakeneth for all creatures are stronger in Winter then in Summer and they will eate much more and disgest better in the colde then in the heat because the naturall heat is thereby in the inner parts not dispersed and those are most strong of greater stature that are bred verie far North then those in the south And Aristotle in his politiques saith that generally such as are bred in colder countries are stronger and bigger bodyed and better couraged and longer liued for the coldenes of the compassing ayre restects the ayre into the inner partes and by that reflection the heates force is increased and the partes gathered better and closer together And moreouer by giuing somtimes masshes made with malte or with wheat meale and mixed with the pouder of brimstone of the rootes of Enula campana of Polipodium of the Oake Anniseedes Licorish Fenegreeke Turmericke Bay-berries and such like which will not onely increase the milke of the mare but also most medicinable for the healthfull preseruation of her and her foale and the Colte being thus wintered in the house with his dam it will make it to feede of all manner of winter foode and quietly take any medicine and become most gentle being brought vp in the company of man from the day of the foaling whereby it shall not neede to be tamed or broken as other Coltes are neither to be roughly handled for the curing of any hurt or sorrance that may happen Also if you cannot otherwise iudge you shall thereby finde the natural qualitie and disposition thereof and being from his time of foaling kept in a paued stable with stone for so would all stables be it will harden his hooues not suffering them to become broad footed making him most bolde to tread vppon any ground it will make him louing to the man and bold to euery action and to be taught many good qualities and when the spring of grasse commeth it wil little or nothing regard the dams milke And if any doe thinke that in the winter for lacke of milk it would be in penury or hindered of groweth they do much erre therein for it will feede fat lusty strong in the winter if it be brought vp by hand without milke giuing it hay oats bran barly pease or beanes such like but on the contrary when the colte is foaled in May or in the middle of sommer which most men desire not well considering what they desire the contrary of all former benefits will ensue it is saide that the colte will haue plenty of milke which I doe not deny but being milke from grasse it wil be thin and waterish and for a smal time and when it hath least neede of plenty and this is the greatest reason but when it is growne able to take great store of nourishment then the winter weather of snowe frosts and fluds the colte being then yong and tender the mare cannot in reason but want plenty of milke wanting plenty of pleasant foode warme and dry lodging at which time the colte will onely depend vppon the dam and thereby bring both her and colte to pouerty not being able sufficiently to cherish herselfe so both become weake before winter be past besides the colte wil be sauadge and wilde so as if any disease or weakenes come vnto it the same remaineth remedilesse if nature cannot ouercome it and heerein my experience telleth vs many to haue perished neither is it able or apt to feed vppon any food but the mares milke to keepe it selfe in strength and thereby also the dam restrayned and kept from lust of generation and lastly the most materiall cause of all others namely the continuall feeding of wet colde grasse which is in naturall qualitie exceeding colde and moist the good and perfect temperature of the elements in the coltes wil by continuance be greatly impaired being of all others of the greatest importance againe whereas they affirme that the mare in may is most fit to receiue the Horse because the time and season is warm she much colder then the Horse they do little obserue the materiall cause of generation namely the coldnes moistnes of seed which the food of grasse maketh wherof no perfect shape can ensue onely desiring a Colte without any respect of goodnes perfection the vnresistable witnes of all erronious practise in breeding Againe if the mare go to grasse and hath a colt long sucking her when foode and lodging is full of penury how can she be full of lust to bring forth a perfect strong and lusty colte althogh thewinter in respect of winter be open and seasonable and the mare full fed with grasse can any man doubt but that notwithstanding her natural desire of generation wil be quenched if it wer admitted that she hath a desire therevnto yet can the same be in such perfection as ought to be for generation Now commeth the true Chimist who turneth euery thing into siluer that breedeth mony to the third generation neither hath it sooner any being then he sets it to beget more and he crieth out vppon charges and yet would haue his Horse cat good meat but on his neighbours trencher he saith that breeding colts in the stable is very chargeable but if he did once apprehend that in that charge were gain then were eury face of a colt a new Image whome he would adore with the highest veneration if it should be granted that feeding at grasse all the winter time is somewhat cheaper then feeding in the stable yet when the preseruation of mare and
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
are ioynt pattentees with practise without which it is impossible to attaine to perfection in either so must hee also abandon the studye and practise of apish toies and violent helpes I knowe Non omnis fert omnia tellus Euerie ground is not fitte for euerie seede nor euerie man for euerie action nor euerie Horse for the saddle sand dooth not makegood cables neither hempe good morter Let me without offence putyou in minde of that famous and worthy ryder M. Fredericke Grison and others whose workes of ryding if without affection they be read and digested there will apeare therein a perfect picture of ignorance in the true knowledge of naturall causes or at least the reiecting of the force thereof which no doubt caused him and them to publish so many needeles forced fond and friuolous helpes for the perfection of riding and to set foorth in number Fifty seuerall formes and fashions of bits thereby to perswade that art can perfect the imperfections of Nature wherein there is not any truth more manifest then his and their imperfection in true iudgement And yet who seeth not that the Byas of mens consent hath drawne the same to be applauded and practised of all horsemen in all nations and beleeued as an Oracle from a deuine power I do entertaine reuerently esteeme the most of his grounds and rules of riding and account not any to haue written better but to set foorth so many infinite helpes and corrections onely proper and peculier for Iades whome all art knowledge and wisedome of man shall neuer perfect with continuance cannot but manifest a weake iudgement and palpable ignorance of nature and therefore all must acknowledge that euery man by nature is the obiect of change A tree the fruite whereof is neuer ripe but in the latter seasoÌ„ his nature cannot easily be discerned whiles it is greene you must see the bud the blossome and the fruite before you can iudge Ildi doda la sera it is the euening must comend the day saith the Italian and so must you clense and grinde the corne before you can eatit then no doubt shal our virtue grounded vpon rules of reason pursue effect that which our fate hath promised Inueniet viam aut faciet she will either finde a way or make one for God dooth nothing that concerneth vs without vs were it not then a Star of merrit for euery man to giue his thoughts a stronger wing to flie with petition to our most sacred Soueraigne for the placing and planting within euery shire and county of his kingdomes a sufficient vnderstanding ryder But alas who seeth not that the best enterprise is blasted in the blossome by a sinister and scandalous perswasion and yet I am assured Faciliuâ—est errare naturam quam dissimilem sui princeps possit rempublicam formare And therefore I do wish the sentence of Brutus deeply planted in the hearts of al Brittanes Vicit amor patria â—uida est peri culo â—â—rtus laudisque immensa cupido that one and all did thirst in husbanding the honour of their country and their owne vertue and withall ad their industry to the inuocation of diuine assistance so as great Brittaine may so flourish in Horsemanship as they may say to all Horsemen of other nations as Plato said to Dionisius Quid enim communicabit Olla adcacatum wherein can their earthen pipkin benefit our brasen pot Quem sua culpa premet deceptus omittetueri CHAP. 56. Short infallible rules to be obserued and practised by euerie Horseman 1. DOe not gallop your horse before he can stop well 2 Doe not runne him before hee can stop in his gallop 3 Doe not swiftly gallop him before he can stop aduance and turne readily 4. Doe not make him a runner before he bee sixe or seauen yeres olde 5. In all his dooinges from the beginning to the end keepe his reine true and his head steady for it is the foundation of all 6. In the morning earely when hee is emptie and before he eate any thing teach and exercise him euerie morning once vntil hee bee perfect and after twice in a weeke is sufficient 7. In all his teaching and exercise doe it moderately and temperately and leaue him alwaies after the well dooing of his lessons both in breath and with a good mouth 8. After he is perfect in his lessons exercise him not alwaies in one place neither keepe your selfe to a iust and certain instance of time viz. neither more nor lesse neither longer or shorter 9. In managing your horse doe not gallopp him swiftlye at the first but with a soft pace and seldome with a gallop 10 In correcting your horse for an error correct him euen in the instance of the time that he erreth and not otherwise and when he doth wel be sure to make much of him 11 In the time when your Horse is fit to run that is when he is of full strength and in perfect breath and emptie obserue in him fiue things viz. that he This must be after when he is perfect in all his lessons and in greatest perfection of strength for before that time it doth 1. Distemper hand and mouth 2. Diminisheth streÌ„gth 3. Maketh him ouer-reach 4. Faint-hearted yeelding 5. Performeth all things disgracefully 1 Gather roundly 2. Go smoothly 3. Beare his head steadily 4. Runne swiftly and 5. Stop lightly 12. In all his teaching and exercise 1. Begin softly 2. Goe forward more speedily 3. Performe the last couragiously 13 Lastlye exercise and performe all your actions with an vpright body your stirrops short and keepe your legs and your seate gracefully and comely and do all without feare or perturbation of minde Imperia dura tolle quid vitus erit CHAP. 57. The causes of sicknesse and death in the true knowledge whereof consisteth their preseruation WHen I had learned the double consideration of nature Frst in the incorrupt state and puritie of creation Secondlye in the degenerated condition of corruption I could not finde the least iarre and disagreement in the primarie nature of Horses though compounded of the contrarie natures of the foure elements but as an vndefiled nature tempered by proportion without the least discord but after mans pride had broached the deuils suggestion by the taste of the forbidden fruite then appeared the Rebellion of the elements in all creatures since which time there is not found a difference of any other cause of their diseases But to leaue the testimonies of long experience let vs proceede to shew the truth heere of more particular to know that the first cause of naturall diseases and death of all horses is contrarietie of the elements in the compound for all corruption presupposing alteration which is onely betwixt and by meanes of contrarie qualities contrarietie of the inherent qualities beeing the onelye cause of alteration is also cause of the compound corruption for our experience telleth vs that those things wherein are