of a Goat of each a Gyll of Honâ—â— halfe a pound and then giue the Horse a pint and better of this to drinke euery morning fasting being onely made luke-warme and if it chance either by the boyling or standing to grow too thicke you shall resolue it with White-wine and after the first boyling but onely warme it and here you must Note that by all meanes you must bruise the roots well before you boyle them and not straine them till all the moysture be spent and then strain them hard with fresh White wine and giue it the Horse to drinke also CHAP. 13. For the Wormes or Botts in Horses TAke of the tender crops of Broome halfe a little handfull and as much Sauin and choppe them very small then with sweet Butter worke it into pills or Balls and hauing kept the the Horse fasting all night make him early in the morning swallow two or three balls thereof then chafe him a little and set him vpon his bridle making him fast at least two howers after but by no meanes let him touch any water till it be night CHAP. 14. An excellent Purgation or Scowring for any Horse that is either Sicke Surfetted or hath his grease molten TAke of Cassia an ounce of Filonio Perseo of Tryfora magna being two compositions of each halfe an ounce of syrop of Violets two ounces and dissolue all these in foure ounces of Mell Rosatum and with a Horne giue it the Horse fasting then rake him vp and downe gently an houre or two and after set him an houre vpon his Bridle then giue him a sweet mash after cleane drest prouender and sweet hay but let him touch no cold water for two daies following And thus much for all manner of inward diseases in Horses which are to be cured by drench or potion and although the multiplicity of the names of inward diseases are farre beyond these which I haue reckoned yet is there not any inward disease whatsoeuer but may be safely cured by some one of these which I haue already recited Therefore I will now proceed to outward Sorances and although in both I differ from the method which my author Seignior Grilli vseth as touching the Marshalling of the medicines yet I will keepe his matter and meaning most truely and with a great deale more ease and benefit to the reader whom I am much more curious to please then he was who onely placed his receipts as they came to his memory CHAP. 15. An approued medicine for the Dropsie or Feltrick in Horses THis is a disease most incident to horses that are nourished with foule foggy and moyst feeding as for the most part your Fenne Iades are so as in those places you shall haue continuall experience thereof being a foule vnnaturall swelling of the Horses body especially vnder his belly The cure whereof is first with your Fleame strike him in diuers places where the swelling most appeareth and let the corrupt blood drop out the space of an houre and more then wipe his body cleane and take a pint of strong lee made with vryne and ashe ashes and dissoluâ— into it an ounce of Populyo and an ounce of Dyalthea and being made very warme therewith bath and anoynt all the sweld place and morning and euening after the Frycasse chase or Trot the Horse vp and downe for the space of halfe an houre and for a morning or two giue him to drink a quart of Ale and two spoonfull of Diapente brewed together by let it but immediately before his chasing CHAP. 16. Of outward Sorances and first oâ— the strengthening of the Sinewes whether they be hurt by straine stroke or wound TAke of Swines grease of Horse tallow of May Butter of oylâ— Oliue of â—â—ch of them fiue ounces and a halfe of the oyntment called Aâ—ripâ—a one ounce and a halfe of new waxe two ounces and a halfe and of Camphyr a third part to all the rest melt them all together on the fire and make thereof an Vnguâ—nt and being very warme anoynt the greiued part therewith morning and euening and what you vse not preserue in a close glasse or gally-pot for it will last all the yeare CHAP. 17. A most excellent Pouder to cure any Fistula either in the Pole the withers or any other part of the horses Body TAke of Roman Vitrioll two ounces of Roch-Allom and Rose-water of each two ounces and boyle all these together on a quick fire till they come to bee as hard as a stone then bâ—at it into a very fine pouder then when you dresse the sore fiâ—st dâ—p your Tent in Vnguentum Aegyptiacum and then roule iâ— in this Pouder and so put it into the hollownesse this Pouder also being sprinckled on any old sore will drye it vp and heale it CHAP. 18. For the Farcy OF all the Diseases and Soraâ—ces which doe belong to a horse there is none more hatefull and vild then this which is called the Farcy and though being truely lookt into with Art and iudgement it is as easie to cure as any other Sorance yet when any ouerslip or escape hapneth it is then vtterly incurable or at the least so difficult that it is seldome or neuer cured without some foule eye sore or deformity the onely reason thereof being that this disease groweth from purrifaction of blood and foulenesse of body so that except the body bee first throughly scoured and clensed it is impossible with any outward medicine to worke any cure or ease at all Therefore for the safe curing of this discase you shall first leâ— the horse blood in the necke veyne and take from him good store of blood for there is little dout to be made of his weakning theÌ„ take of the composition called Triforamagna of Aloes patico of each two ounces of Barley Bran two ounces dissolue â—ll these in a pint of oyle oliue then diâ—de it into two parts and giue them two mornings together to the horse with a horne being mixt with a pint of white wine then take as much blacke sope as a Walnut and halfe so much Arsnicke beaten to pouder and make them into a salue then with the poynt of a knife open all the hard knots or pustulles and put into them the quantity of two barley cornes of this salue and it will eat out the chores kill the poâ—sonous humour then when you see the wounds red and faire heale them vp by anoynting them with fresh butter molten hot and the Pouder of Bole-Armoniacke strewed thereon CHAP. 19. For a Horse that hath a Stinking breath TAke of Cinamon of Cloues of Gallingall of Commin-seeds of Anise-seeds of Coriander-seeds of each of these three ounces of Fenegreeke eight ounces beat all these and searse them to a fine pouder then mixe with them two pound of wheat meale and with white wine make it into a stiffe past then in an Ouen or stoue bake it as hard and drye as may bee and then beat it into a
brought to obedience then doth he proue so stubborne h The cause of mary Iâ—dâ—s 1 Pr. 18. a that it will triple the paines to reforme his desire more then it would haue done at the first nay it maketh many horses to be accompted Iades in regard they cannot tell how to manâ—ge them to gaine that after which they let slip at the first And the cause heereof is that they worke by the figure Hysteron 1. Pr. 19.d. Proteron in setting the Cart before the Horse which will excuse lapsis linguae but will confuse opus formae for they do cherish before there be obedience whereas there should first be obedience and after they should cherish And also they must be carefull to respect the time of rest for â— Of the time of rest till he conceiue the minde of the man by his motions hee must not rest long and his exercise must be little and often for if he rest long before he hath some ground hee will forget betwixt times and so be alwayes in learning and by that meanes oftentimes cause restiuenesse for as long rest doth increase strength and courage in a Horse and also doth ground that the better which he hath learned whereby hee doth it with greater delight euen so long rest before hee be fit for it doth bring strength and coâ—rage to the contrary effect Wherefore these distinctions of time being truely obserued he shall easily finde how profitable this particle thereof when is for the perfection of his labours CHAP. 18. How the Man should know the disposition of the Horse HAuing heeretofore set forth the Theoricke Part of the Man how he should learne his owne duty now I thinke it also a He is a compleâ—t Horseman that can tâ—ll how to win the desire oâ— the Horâ—e to his will Theo. 33. c so necessary to speake somwhat of the disposition and quality of the Horse that the man may the better iudge how to vse him in his kinde that so hee may bee brought to the right knowledge of his minde and by that meanes he shall be accompted a perfect and compleate Horseman in knowing how to vnite and conioyne the appetite or desire of the Horse to his will that thereby they two may be made one subiect both in agitation and action For the concord betwixt the Man and the Horse hath some affinity to the contract betwixt a Man and his Wife An Allegory for the Woman before she betake her to a Husband is her own maister and doth whatsoeuer pleaseth her selfe but when shee is married then shee should depend vpon the gouernment of her Husband and they both should will and doe one thing if they would increase prosperously But if there be a repugnancy betwixt them so that one doth scatter as the other doth gather the one willing one thing and the other doing another then in stead of setting vp they pull downe and where they should cherish amity they foster enmity Euen so a Colt before he come to be handled it is its owne Theo. 7.c. maister going at liberty and doing what it lusteth being without subiection But when it commeth to be backed then it must bee subiect to the yoake of obedience and yeeld to the command of the Man and so bend all its actions to the will of him that there may be a simpathy and concord betwixt them but if there be in like maner an opposition the one against the other and that the Horse will not obey to that which the Man doth desire to haue him doe by his motions they being quicke and gentle so that when he would haue him stop or retire he will go Theo. 20. c b No good progression without obedience forward or to goe foot-pace hee will either trot or gallop c. Then let the Man force what he will by extremities if he cannot tell how to bring him to obedience they will agree as a Dogge and a Beare alwayes wrangling or fighting for whereas there should bee an orderly progression by obedience there will be a confused subuersion by resistance Therefore for the better establishing of this combination betwixt them it is requisite that the man should enter into the disposition of the horse that he may the better proportionate Theo. 2. l. u. his helpes and corrections according to the inclination of him Now by the disposition I vnderstand that which many heretofore improperly haue termed nature the mistaking of which word hath much defaced this Art among the common sort as I haue already shewed For it is holden as it is most true that no man can change the nature of the horse but this is to bee vnderstood of the nature or essence that the Colt receiueth at its first forming for then presently it doth receiue its properties which indeed cannot be changed As for instance it then receiueth that naturall difference from Man which is to be an irrationall and sensatiue Creature although it may bee â— Naturall properties cannot be changed said to be a liuing Creature and therfore cannot by any meanes be made rarionall and likewise its voyce to be non significatina and so cannot be altered and againe nature hath giuen it to goe vpon the earth and therefore Art cannot make him flye in the ayre and many such like which onely are immutable from nature but those accidents which come to the essence or nature of the indiuidium which recepit magis aâ—t minus et augeri aut minui potest either in quantitie or quality by Art may be reformed and may both be encreased and diminished as stoutnesse d Accidentall qualities may be altered and weaknesse of courage swiftnesse oâ— slownesse dullnesse or freenesse and such like in regard the cause of such diuersities for they are not contraries proceed from patibiliâ— qualitas for the body is moued according to the appetite or â— A Horses body is moued according to his appetite Theo. 33. d lust of the horse or else what should be the reason that the more vnlikely horse for shape should beat and make a â—ade of that horse which is more likely to the eye if the defect of shape were not helped by Art Wherefore seeing this old cloake which hath so long couered the ignorance of men I meane the nature of the horse hath goten such a rent that it will not keep off any more raine let them shake it off and cloath themselues with that which will hold out water For let the man enter into the disposition of the horse and gouerne himselfe so that he may vse him accordingly he shall finde that many things which before were held impossible will be effected with much facility But because no certaine thing can limit an vncertaine therefore it is very hard to set downe a certaine grownd how to know the true disposition of euery indiuidium for there is nothing Theo. 28. a. 1. Prac. 25c. Theo. 36.h. â— There are
so far as the knowledge of Man can comprehend is to haue a care that the Horse and Mare doe feed vpon such foode as will ingender the perfectest seed For as the vigetatiue part of the indiuiduum is preserued by the foode it doth receiue so is the sensitiue part made more pure or grosse according as the norishment thereof hath his naturall operation and therefore such as the naturall quality of a Such as the quality of food is such as the seed that is increased thereby Theo. 37. b meate is in operation such will be the naturall quality of the powers of seed for generation for perfect and good meate doth produce perfect and good bloud and it bringeth forth perfect and good seed for after the meat is concocted euery part thereof is dispersed into the seuerall parts of the body to maintaine the whole But the cheifest part is conuerted into blood and being infused into the vitall parts it doth reside into the liuer as the store house thereof from whence there is conueyed by two veines into the two coddes they being the vessels of seed a certaine white thicke substance there residing with a quantity of the purest bloud which by the operation of the stones is made a perfect seed fit for procreation And so that part of seede which is hotte and dry as the Phisitians hold goeth to the right codde which doth beget the male and that which is cold and moyst to the left which doth beget the female And the like is to bee obserued in the Female but more cold and moyst by reason of that humidity that doth reside in them to nourish the vigetatiue part of the Colt in the wombe Wherefore seeing that the cause of good and bad hot and The profe of the former assertion cold seede doth first proceed from the meate that the Horse and the Mare doe eate and that the seed hath the same quality of heate and cold as the foode hath whereby they are nourished and that the Colt doth partake of the same temperature the seede is on therefore it is behouefull that there should be a greater care had then hath beene heretofore of the food on which they shall feede that it may be of such quality as will produce a Colt of the best perfection But herein also hath our Stepdam ignorance luld many a long time in the cradell of accustomed error whereby they are fallen into such a dead sleepe of conceit that it is as hard for a Man to awake them as to rayse Lazarus out of his Graue being foure daies stinking For it is a thing generally holden but yet Note a meere delusion as euill as generall that whensoeuer they would haue their Horse to serue their Mares it is meete that the Horse should be put either to Soyle or to Grasse as the Mare is or else it is not possible that the Maâ—e should hold Which opinion is also as false as it is common for I my selfe haue had and also haue knowne others to haue had Mares couered with Horses that haue beene in strict diet for a match and yet haue holden and brought forth Foales of sufficient perfection but yet I hold that the goodnesse of the Colt was much abated by reason of the contrary quality of the seede of the Mare which did extenuate the strength of the operation of the Horses seede she being at grasse Now if there be such an imbecillity in natures workes that she cannot show her force being letted but in part what defect will there be in that Colt which is formed of that seed which b Grasse is no good food for increasing good seede 1. Pr. 9. a. is concocted from them both of raw and cold food such as grasse is there is no man if he haue any vnderstanding but he will confesse that Colt must needs be of that raw cold and moyst quality according to the naturall quality of the foode whereby they will be of a grosse and fleshy disposition and of a dull and heauy spirit Therefore for the preuenting of these and many more inconueniences too long to rehearse and that they desire to bring their race to the best perfection let them obserue to feede both their Horse and Mare with such foode as shall be both hot and dry according to the true nature of a Horse because as hath beene said the Colt doth participate of the same quality and temperature of the food and because if they both feed of one and the self-same meat there will increase an vniforme seed without contrariety For the effecting whereof I would wish them that carry such a noble and generous mind as to reedifie the decayed building of this famous subiect and to exalt him c Good naturall feeding and moderate exercise purifieth the blood and so the seede againe to the Superlatiue degree to keepe their Horse and Mare in as strict diet as is vsed for a match letting them haue moderate excercise which will further digestion and exhale moysture from the seede and also cause a pure and delicate braine and make them both full of lust and courage and likewise such good feeding doth refine the vegetatiue part in perfecting the blood and composeth a most dainty and good seed whereby the Colt will be most beautifull and excellent and of a high and full spirit And therefore let their meat be old sweet hay well clensed from dust and their prouender old cleane d What meat they should eate to cause good blood and sweet oates well mingled with old beanes giuing them such reasonable store as they shall not be forced through hunger to feede too much vpon hay and if their prouender bee often washed with strong Ale it will giue the beter courage And let their bread be made of foure peckes of wheate and as many beanes well ground refining them through a meale sieue and very light with barme for the lighter it is the sooner it 2. Pr. 22. x will bee digested and so turne better blood or if that bee held too costly then to sixe pecks of beans put but two pecks of â— Wheat is a comforter of the heart wheat it wil not be much amisse but yet the more wheat the better because it is hot and dry and so a great comforter of the heart and vitall parts But whereas Mr. Morgan doth wish that the bread should be baked with the bran as it commeth from the Mill I am of a contrary minde because branne is void of good nourishment and doth scald the stomacke it being extreame hot and dry and so doth inflame the blood which f Branne doth inflame will be an vtter enemy to the designes of this proiect for the inflamation of the blood doth corrupt the seed Furthermore for their let it be a faire running spring or else a cleare standing ponde water where the other is not to bee had but let them fetch it euening and morning a g Of
their water and their vsing therein 2. Prac. 10. â— mile or two for their exercise obseruing to warme them a little after their water not suffering them to drinke their fill at the first but after they haue taken their first draught gallop them a little to warme it and then let them drinke againe and after that gallop them as you did before neuer letting them depart till they will drinke no more and so by this order you shall free the stomack from such raw crudities as the coldnesse of the water would incite if they did drinke their fill at the first and further in letting them haue their fill it will keepe their bodies from drying too fast because Nature it selfe is the best director for the expelling of her enemies especially in these creatures where she can command the apetite But whereas Mr. Morgan doth wish to put wine into their 2. Pra. 22. h Wine is no naturall drinke for a Horse water to qualifie the heate thereof I hold it not proper feeding for a horse in regard they naturally desire to drinke water and when a horse is in perfect state of body as it is to bee supposed these must be nature doth awayes desire that which will preserue 1. Pra. 12. â— Theo. 37.n. 1. Pra. 8. g. it to flye from that which wil hurt it in that euery thing is maintained by the like and destroyed by the contrary and so their owne naturall heat for warming their water is better then that which proceedeth from any other Now when you haue brought them home either from their water or any other excercise as occasion shall be offered let them be had presently into the stable it being made cleane 1 How to vse them after they come from their water and sweet and rub them cleane and dry letting them be round stopt with great waddes of straw and good store of litter vnder them to keepe them warme that they coole no faster then nature is able to expell such grosse humors as otherwise would n congeale by cooling faster then the bloud can haue its naturall course to nourish all the parts of the body which is the cause of 2. Pr. 10. â— all sicknesse and diseases Which done let them stand vpon the snaffle an houre or more till they bee through coold without any meat except a little hay in the rack to chaw vpon for 1. Pra. 9. a k Cooling too fast or eating too hot will corrupt the bloud if you should giue them meat before they bee through cold it will concoct sooner then nature doth desire by reason of the exterior heat which was prouoked by labour and so will inflame the naturall heat which is the cause of imperfect digestion Then when they are cold let their bridles be drawne and their bodies and legges well chafed and rubd letting them haue such a quantity of bread or other prouender as in your Theo. 18.f. discretion you finde their apetite to serue but seeing no certaine thing can limit an vncertaine therefore no man can describe such a certaine quantity of meat as shall satisfie the appetite of euery horse And heerein I differ againe from Mr. Morgan who doth wish that there should bee a spare diet both in meat and water for the perfecting of digestion and refining the seed And my reason is they being only sensitiue their appetite is serued according to the plenosity of the receptacle parts For when they haue receiued or eaten so much as nature cay digest into good nutriment then if a man would knock A reason l A horse will eat no more after nature bee satisfied 1. Pr. 10. a. them in the head he can neither cause them to eat one bit or drinke one sup more And heerein they are farre more temperate then Man for they feeding their appetite sensitiuely they being sensitiue Creatures cannot consult with themselues to draw on their appetite by expostulating of the goodnes or rarenesse of the meat But they onely feed their stomacke for the present and doe eat so much as is sufficient neuer regarding what they shall eat the next neither for the goodnesse not quantity Now therefore in regard Nature is the best director what quantity will best satisfie their appetite I thinke it best to let them be their owne caruers for if they bee restrayned and haue not enough then it will bee a meanes indeed for them to cloy their stomacks with feeding if at any time they may haue it according to the old Prouerbe two hungry meales will make m Nature abhorreth emptinesse the third a glutton Or else if they be continually kept with a spare diet then nature not beeing sufficiently satisfied there will be neither such store of good blood nor such aboundance of seed as otherwise there would and then if there be a defect in the materiall substance the formall cannot be perfect And againe if there be want of food the stomack will be empty and then seeing nature abhorreth emptinesse what should supply 1. Pr. 12. a that want but moyst ayre whose nature is to penetrate into all places of vacuity by reason of its tenuity which will much hinder concoction through the moistnesse thereof for that nature cannot turne that food which was receiued into such perfect bloud as otherwise it would if there were the whole heat and strength of nature And as for surfets and diseases they doe not come to these 1. Pr. 14.b. n Surfets doe not altogether proceed from full feeding 1. Pr. 15.k. i Spare dyet is Phisicall 1. Pr. 12.b. Creatures by fulnesse of feeding but by the abuse in eyther of the excesses of too much or two little exercise from whence commeth inflamation of the blood or else by a negligent care after labour which causeth an obstruction of blood by too fast cooling For the which causes spare dyet is to be vsed to refell such corrupt and grosse humors as doth destroy nature it being medicinall and therefore it cannot bee good for a perfect strong body for to it medicines doth weaken nature But to conclude hauing kept them in such sort as I haue said for some twelue or fourteene daies for by that time their bloud and seed will bee sufficiently purged from grosse humors you may then put them together for generation referring the end of your proceeding to Gods good blessing But this I would haue you to obserue that you doe not labour either of them for three dayes at the least before you put them together more then the fetching of their water least it cause too hasty Note digestion by causing a greater heat then nature would effect for concoction for when the state of the body is perfect then the naturall heat doth worke the best temperature both so blood and seed during which time let them be fed very well ' for thereby they will be very lusty and haue great plenty of seed so that they will performe
her at her first couering off let one cast a pealefull of cold water at her shape which will be a meanes to cause her trusse vp her body and so receiue the seed more willingly and let one presently leape vpon her back and put her to a good round Trot for a quarter of an houre for that will be a meanes that she shall not haue time to cast her seed but in any case let him neither heat nor straine her Which done haue them both into the stable and let them stand an houre or two without meate and after feed them well that night and the next morning either giue each of them a warme Mash or else let them be ridden to the water and vsing them as formerly hath beene showne let them drinke their fill to coole the heate of their body and feede them well He second couering the next day till noone that the meate may be well digested before night and bring them together the second time doing in all things as at the first except the stone nagge for after he is needlesse for then Nature will prouoke and also he will be dangerous in causing her cast her seed which she formerly receiued and likewise if you thinke good vse her so the third night and then no more for by that time there is oddes but she shall be serued for this is the surest and best way that euer I could finde by reason or practise But whereas some hold that once is sufficient for her to bee couered because the Colt is begotten at once and also the first seed is the strongest and therefore oftner is superfluous and weakeneth the seede To which I grant it is so that once were enough if men knew when that once were but it is doubtfull whether the Matrix wil be so open at the first as to receiue such a quantity of seed from the horse as shall equally temper the Mares which if it be not then the second or third time is more certaine and therefore this order will make it the more sure And there will not be any great doubt of weakening the seed they hauing such intermission of time to recouer their former lust if they be well fed in the intrim which will preserue their seed hot and strong CHAP. 10. How to know whether the Mare hath conceiued or no. AFter that your Mare hath beene thus couered it is obserued Obserue her that if she be fully serued shee will fall freely to her meate not offering to cast or pisse nor bend her eares nor eies after the Neyghing of other Horses but the surest obseruation How to iudge whether shee hath conceiued or no. for her conception is to try her with a Horse about some foureteene dayes after for if she haue conceiued she will refuse to haue further copulation for by that time their seed will be so mixt and vnited that it will curdle and become thicke like creame which is the conception whereby one body is formed and then shee will desire the Horse no more For shee being a 1. Pr. 7. â— onely a sensitiue creature when nature is serued her desire is taken away shee nothing regarding pleasure but onely the end for which she was created which was to increase and multiply As for her fast feeding and the smooth lying of her hayrâ— which some hold to be markes of her conception there is no certaine knowledge for they may come from other causes as from good keeping or the difference of dispositions some being more apt to feed then others or by good dressing and clothing some hauing naturally smother skinnes then others c. And againe there are some which will vndertake to know whether a Mare be with Foale or no by the skinne at the hind part of her maine next the Withers for they say if one take it betwixt the finger and the thumbe it will be loose and thicke if she be with Foale wherein can be no certainty nor reason to approue it For the loosenesse of the skinne there may be caused for want of flesh and the skinne of all that haue much hayre vpon their maines are thicke there because of such store of moysture which causeth the maine to grow so long and therefore cannot be any testimony of her conceiuing CHAP. 11. How to vse her after her conception till she Foale VVHen your Mare is couered and you perceiue she hath conceiued there ought still a care to be had to preserue the seed in purity from grosse humors lest it should be impayred of the perfect temperature before the Colt be formed and after â—o nourish and maintaine it with good and sound a There ought to be a care still had that the Mare be kept with good food for the nourishing of the foale in her wombe food whilest it is growing in the wombe because it is releiued with such sustenance as the Mare doth eate and therefore if the Mare feede vpon raw and cold meate it will loose that perfect shape and strong courage Wherefore to preserue the Colt in its true temperature let her seed on sweet hay and good prouender for the space of a moneth for by that time the seed will be concocted into a fleshy lumpe and the body fashioned in grosse and then if necessity force and the time of yeare Let her exercise be moderate serue let her be turned to grasse but let it be vpon dry ground where the grasse is not ranke but such as she may fill her belly once a day also there would be shelter where she doth runne to keepe her both from the violence of â—â—ormes and heat of the Sunne and for her watring she would haue a fresh riuer if conueniently or else cleare standing water And for her labour let it be no more but onely to fetch her water for the first moneth and after let it neuer be violent but moderate whether it be trauayling carting or plowing least there be a dissolution of the substance by too great heate And likewise she must be kept from great burthens least she be ouer-strayned And further as Maister Markham saith there must be a care that she come not in the company of stone Iades least they straine her by forcing to couer her which if they should would endanger the casting of her Foale Now when she is towards her Foaling let her be put into some such couenient close as is well fenced least she miscarry in her Foaling for it is holden What place is best for her to Foale in that they desire to Foale neare the water and that they Foale standing with which opinions I will not contest For as yet I neuer could see any Mare in Foaling although I haue beene very vigilent therein but yet I haue knowne a great company of Mares by times Foale in wet fenney grounds and very few that haue lost their burdens by drowning Now after she hath Foaled let her be keept a weeke or tenne
How to vse her after she hath Foaled daies with exceeding good meate which will be a meanes to recouer her strength the sooner and also increase her Milke and the first drinke shee hath after her Foaling let it be a warme Mash for it is very comfortable and agreeing to her Nature for if she drinke cold water it will make an obstruction of the flux of Flegmaticke blood too suddenly which must needs in gender euill humours in the Mare And likewise as soone as she hath Foaled let her Vdder be well drawne for it will bring away that cloddy milke which hath beene long in her Vdder and dissolue the hard knots the sooner where the Milke wil be better for the Foale and of greater store Now when shee hath gotten strength and the Foale doth also begin to be strong if shee haue exercise either at the plow or Cart or ridden it will bee the better for labour is very necessary Why moderate exercise is good to purge grosse humors which abound by too much rest But then it must be moderate lest by ouer-heating the milke be inflamed and so surfet the Foale But if you meane to trauaile her let not her Foale follow for trauaile will much weaken it and also it will suck before the milke bee cold Therefore How to bestow the Foale while she is laboured let it be shut vp in some house and giue it some good food to eat which will both comfort it and make it domesticall And when the Mare commeth home let her bee well cooled and cast some cold water vpon her Vdder to wash the dust or durt away and coole it and draw her vdder before the Foale sucke And if it bee in Summer let her runne at grasse in the vneuenest grounds you haue for as Mr. Markham saith it will make the Foale very nimble and haue sure footmanship in scoping and leaping vpon such vneuen grounds but I would haue you to house both your mare and Foale in Winter if you haue but two or three for although I haue spoken singularly yet it doth extend to plurality but if more then let them run abroad in such grownds as Mr. Markham hath described hauing store of bushes and trees for shelter or else a houell open 2. Pr. 21. â— b A horse doth naturally desire to be refreshed with the heat of the Sunne to the East and west that the Colts may be comforted with the heat of the Sunne morning and euening which they naturally doe desire and a partition ouerthwart in the midst to defend them from the winter windes and stormes Moreouer there would be ouerlayers vpon which may be laid hay and pease oates in the straw for Winters prouision and if the houell bee couered ouer to keepe the fodder dry it will bee the better But heere me thinkes I see the apparition of Midas whose whole felicity is to conuert all things into gold for hauing an inferior affection to horses could very well find in their hearts to haue good horses were it not for cost but yet could bee c The miserable estate of many in this Age. Preface 2. content to reape the profit of anothers charges and these exclaime with open mouth against charges of keeping all Winter in the house or with such charges abroad wherein they shew wretched care in gerting and their miserable mind in keeping for who can reape the haruest that doth not hazard his feed in the spring which they thinke a small losse to the increase a fruitfull yeare doth bring and so if they did rightly weigh the necessary charges of grasse and hay which they should be relieued d That is no charges that bringeth triple profit all Winter with and the danger of staruing and drowning and compare all these with the certainty from these dangers and to the purenesse and value of a Colt so fed for one of them will be worth foure of ordinary breeding they shall find that keeping after this manner or in the house will bee the cheaper for in breeding of many Foales there must bee many Mares and so many mouthes as Foales and Mares and so consequently great charges and small profit in comparison of the other for foure Mares in this sort wil yeeld more gaine then a dosen contrarily Wherefore whosoeuer is desirous to haue their profits to soare as high as their desires they must keepe well in Winter for if they haue nothing to seed on but grasse and hay the Mare will haue small nourishment to encrease her Milke whereby the strength and courage of the Colt will bee much abated through the grossenesse of the milke and extremity of cold which is an enemy to the strongeâ—â— horse but much more to a young Foale whose composition hath neither strength nor substance But whereas Mr. Markham doth wish to prouide for them light corne and wild oates I consent not thereto because they must haue of the best releefe if they think to hold nature to the best perfection seeing it is in the declining age of the World For thereby their bloods will bee kept more pure and so the 1. Pra. 12.c. Colt more strong at three yeares of age then another at fiue and also they will be the more able to indure the cold especially hauing such a houell to keepe themselues from wet and cold Rimes CHAP. 12. When and how to waine your Colts THe last thing that is to bee obserued before you come to reap the fruits of your labour and charges is to know when and how to waine your Colts and keep them till they be fit for the saddle But because I shall digresse heerein also from the Antients if I should enter into the answer of all seuerall opinions I should bee too tedious therefore I will bee as briefe and plaine as I can For whereas Mr. Markham would haue the Foales runne with their dammes to suck a whole yeare I hold Of sucking all the yeare it good with this prouiso that they may be housed in Winter and that the Mare goe Foalelesse that yeare Otherwise it will weaken the Mare too much in feeding that which is in her wombe and also that which sucketh and it will likewise hinder them both for neither of them can haue such naturall and kind nourishment as perfection would wish for it is a maxime that if the eye be set vpon two things indifferently it can behold neither of them perfectly â—â—en so the mare hauing a naturall â— Duplicibus desidâ—rijâ— remo incidere potest 1. Pra. 7.m. instinct to nourish both indifferently she cannot produce nourishment for either of them effectually because nature desiring an impletion the emptiest places will be first fild with the substance of food when it is concocted and so the best part will bee inuerted to milke which will bee a defect to that in the wombe whereby there will bee a debility in its composition And also the milke that the other is fed with all
will be corrupt and vnnaturall and the strength of nourishment taken away by natures operation to releeue the other Wherefore if you mind to haue your Foale sucke all the yeare let her not take the horse that yeare for one Colt well bred will bee worth foure that is contrary and so euery other yeare is sufficient for a Mare to haue a Foale if you desire the true perfection herein But if you minde to take it off before Winter or that you When to waine your Foales perceiue your Mare to be with Foale againe then take off that Foale which sucketh betwixt Michaelmas and Martinmas before the weather bee too cold and the strength of the grasse faile And whereas there is an obiection to the contrary alledging Obiection that if they be taken off so soone it will bee a great weakening and plucking back of their strength and growth and will cause surfets by grosse humors through the raw digestion of grasse and hay which they shall be forced to feed vpon to suffice nature I answere it is true if they runne abroad all Winter from Answer their dammes for it is such a mortall enemy to the designes of this subiect that I would not wish any man to follow it But if you weine them then and take them into the house and giue them good food it will nourish and strengthen them more by many degrees then if they should runne with the Mares Thus hauing spoken of the times when to weine your Foales it resteth to show how to doe it which I would wish after this manner First if your Mare proue Foalesse that yeare then you may let it sucke all Winter and take it off about mid-Aprill or beginning How to Weine your Foales of May and shut it vp in some close house where it shall not heare the Neighing of the Damme and keepe it there with good oates and broken beanes mixt together and let it haue fresh and sweet haye and cleane water euery euening and morning for the space of a Fortnight for by that time it will throughly haue forgotten the Mare and then put it to grasse for by that time also the grasse will haue good substance which before mid-May is but froth and sap But if your Mare proue with Foale then take it off at the beginning of Winter before any great store of cold come and the strength of grasse gone vsing them in all things as is aforesaid onely adding this because the Foale is somewhat young I will wish you to giue it new Milke from the â—ow for a weeke till it hath forgotten the dam and that it fall to eate on such meate as is formerly said And after abate your milke by little and little mixing it with fayre water till you haue taken it cleane away For by this meanes you shall keepe it continually in firme strength and courage And likewise there would 〈◊〉 racke set â—â— in the house to put in Haye and Oates in the Straw and a Cribe to put Prouender in letting the Foale haue good store thereof all winter But whereas it is a generall opinion as a thing of necessity to giue the Foales the second day after their wainening the slips of Sauen or the pouder of Brimstone or the rootes of Enulacampana beaten to pouder in their Prouender and many other such like I differ therein except it be vpon necessity that they paine themselues of the Wormes because these are Phisicall needlesse for a sound body for if there be no excesse for them â— Phisicke weâ—kneth nature if it be needlesse 1. Pra. 7. â— to worke vpon then it will make nature the subiect which will be a weaking thereof For if it weaken a strong body which hath materiall substance then much more a weake body which is but gristles and froth and so of a weake digestion And further if it be giuen them in prouender it will make them loath it and then if nature be not satisfied with the best food it will feed more vpon the worst which will not be so nourishing or else the stomacke will abound with raw and cold humors for want of repletion Hauing thus wintered them you may put them to grasse at such time as is said before for then the weather will be warme and the grasse of full strength and let them runne till Bartholmew-tyde that the grasse beginne to decaye and after let them be serued in the houell with such prouision as I haue showne till after Michaelmes and then house them againe if you haue not many as you did in the Winter before and so euery Winter till they be fit for the Saddle for this profit will insue if there were â— Pra. 11.c. no more by this order they will gaine such strength and courage that they will be more ready for the Saddle at three yeares of age then others of contrary breeding will be at fiue And whereas Maister Morgan doth wish that their stable â— Paued Plaunchers are not good should be paued with stone to the end to make them the more apt to endure the cold and make their Hooses tough and durable I am not of his minde for there is no greater enemy to either young or old Horse then cold and therefore the contrary must needs be the more agreeing to his nature and likewise they will not take their rest so naturally of the hard stones as otherwise they would doe hauing continually litter to lye vpon for I would not haue young Colts to bee stinted to stand all the day for that will cause great weakenesse in them whereas lying at their pleasure vpon warme litter it wil batten them very kindly and also the warmth will purge and expell grosse humors out of their limbs and so make them very cleane and nimble And whereas hee doth say it will make the Hoofes tough A thing contrary to reason and durable he deceiueth himselfe except hee will hold that the more a thing is worne it will be the more durable for with continuall standing and mouing vpon the stones it will both weare and breake their Hoofes so that they will rather be brittle then tough and againe what need a perfect Hoofe any repayring if his assertion were admitted for it is naturally tough and durable of it selfe But if not perfect then the continuall vse of the stones will make it worse for if it be flat then it will Howsoeuer it is taken it cannot be good be in danger of Hoofe-binding in regard the coffin will be so dry that it cannot spreed so fast as the flesh doth grow by reason of the moystnesse of the Frush and if it be brittle the stones will cause it to breake the more Therefore for the remedying of all these dangers I thinke it best that they haue continually store of litter to stand and lye vpon at their pleasures for no c 1. Pra. 7. â— Man can limit a better order then nature it selfe would
of their training let the webbes of them bee neither too broad nor too narrow but of a meane scantling about the breadth of a full inch being strong with sloped spunges neither set so close as to bruise his heels nor so open as he may clap one foot vpon another if he chance to ouer-reach and so either pull off his shooe and breake his hoofe or else hazard a straine hauing one foot fastened vpon another or ouer throw both man and horse Then you shall cloath him with a single cloth made of sackcloth The manner of clothing and let the sursingle bee stopt round with wads of straw both for ease and warmth for that single cloth will be sufficient for him at his first comming from grasse because hee is as yet vsed to coole ayre whereby hee will not be in much danger of taking-cold and the weather also at that time is somewhat warme but after you shall adde more cloaths to him as you find the disposition of the ayre and the temperature of his body But heerein is to be condemned a rancke of ignorant horsemen Ignorance bringeth no other fruit then abuses who if they once get the name of keeping a hunting horse will oppose their iudgment against the best will lay on many cloathes without discretion or reason thinking that their place should giue an approbation for what they doe although they are so blinded with ignorance that they cannot see their owne errors and hurt they bring For if a horse hane many cloths The abuse of many cloaths clapt on him without need they will keepe him so hot that he will sweet too violently and so make him faint and take away his stomacke and also he will be the more apt to take cold vpon the least occasion that shall be offered Therefore as Mr Markham saith if you see that his coat How to know when to increase clothes vpon your horse be slight and smooth then you shall cloath him with a single cloth and as the weather waxeth colder that his haire begin to stare about his necke flancke or buttocks then you shall adde another made of woollen cloth which is an ordinary proportion for a hunting horse for if hee haue any glutte within him those two clothes with the warmth of the stable will bee sufficient to helpe nature to expell her enemies shee being the best Phisitian CHAP. 10. Of dressing and inseaming your Horse AFter you haue clensed your horse from such grosse excrements as he hath gotten by running then you shall dresse Of Currying him after thim manner First you shall wash the snaffle of your bridle in faire water and put it on his head and put the reynes through the caule-band for slâ—pping it ouer his head and so tye him vp to the racke then take a curry-combe and curry him all ouer his body to raise the dust beginning first at his necke holding the left cheeke of the head-stall in your left hand and curry him from the setting on of his head all along his necke to his shoulder and so goe all ouer his body to the buttocks downe to his cambrell hough then change your hand and curry him before on his brest and laying your right arme ouer his backe ioyne your right side to his left and curry him all vnder his belly neere his fore-bowells and so all ouer very well from the knees and Cambrell-houghs vpward after that goe to the farre side and doe in like manner Then take a dead horse taile or a dusting-cloth of cotten and Of dusting and the brush strike that dust away which the curry-combe hath raised Then take a round brush made of bristles and dresse him all ouer both head body and legges to the very fetlocks alwayes clensing the brush from that dust which it gathereth by rubbing it vpon the curry-combe After that take a hayrecloth and rubbe him againe all ouer Of the hayre-cloth very hard both to take away the loose hayres and to helpe to lay his coat then wash your hands in faire water and rub him all ouer with wet hands as well head as body for that will Of wet hands and a cleane cloth clense away all those hayres and dust the haire-cloth left Lastly take a cleane cloth and rubbe him all ouer till hee bee very dry for that will make his coat smooth and cleane When you haue thus drest him take a woollen cloth and lappe it about his body on both sides past his mid-ribbe then Of saddling saddle him and throw the other ouer him for feare of getting cold Then take another hayre-cloth for you should haue two one for his body and another for his legges and rubbe all his Of dressing the legges legges exceeding well from the knees and Cambrell-houghs downeward to his very hoofe picking and dressing them very carefully about the fetlocks from grauell and dust which will lye in the bending of his ioynts Note that whilst you are dressing your horse that you doe Note not trifle the time idly either by slow working or prating as many vse to doe letting their horse stand naked and leane vpon him to hold chat with whomsoeuer commeth into the stable through which negligence a horse oftentimes getteth cold especially after he hath beene cloathed and kept warme for then the ayre is as penetrable to him as to vs if wee should be naked which is the cause I wish that his cloth should bee cast ouer him whilst his legges are in pricking and dressing for although it is holden that a horse will not take cold whilst he is in dressing yet he may take cold of his body if hee stand naked whilst his legges are in pricking and dressing for that the rubbing of his legges will not free his body from that danger When you haue thus drest him you shall take a mane Combe and wet the spunge in cleane water and combe downe his mane and taile to make the hayre lye close and handsome which done take his back and rake him a mile or two to fetch his water for that will helpe to refine his mouth which hee hath lost during the time of Summers running and also stay his body vpon his rake and let him drinke as much as he will at once then gallop and scope him vp and downe to warme the 2. Pr. 4. water in his body and so bring him to the water againe and let him drinke what he will then gallop him againe and thus x Of watering your horse doe till he will drinke no more then â—ake him home and set him in the stable vpon good store of litter and tub him well all 1. Pra. 7. g ouer with cleane straw then picke his feete with a croked iron picker made for that purpose and cloath him and stuffe him x round with sost waddes of straw as before and after he hath stood a while vpon the bridle draw it and giue him such
and to vse him to the cry of the dogges to increase his delight which you shall doe after this manner After you haue serued your Horse for night you shall come to If he be not layd him early in the next morning as about fiue of the clocke and first sift him the quantity of halfe a pecke of oates for they will be well digested by such time as he be drest and in the time of ranging to finde sport which he shall eate whilst your are making cleane your stable then you shall bridle him and tye him to the bare racke and dresse him and after he is drest saddle him then throw his housing cloth ouer him and so let him 2. Pr. 5. stand till the Hounds be ready to goe forth At which time you shall take his backe rake him gently into the field vntill such time as some game presents it selfe vnto you But because it is the first day of his hunting so that he cannot tell how to behaue himselfe vpon vneauen grounds you Hast maketh wast shall not put him at any time to aboue halfe his speed that hee may haue the better time to learne how to carry a stayd body and handle his legges both vpon deepe and light earths Neither shall you toyle him too long for wearying him till hee Long royle is to be eschewed at the first till the body be firme be acquainted with that exercise for daunting of his spirit and causing him to be lash bodied but to thwart and crosse from place to place to make in with the dogges to vse him to their cry because a Horse doth take great delight and pleasure therein and it will also stirre vp his desire to follow them the more willingly Thus you shall spend the time in Hunting for two or three How to vse your Horse after Hunting howers or as in your discretion you feele your Horse or the sport afford then you shall haue him home and set him into the stable hauing care that there be good store of fresh litter vnder him to stand vpon and tye him in his bridle vp to the racke hauing a little fresh haye in it for him to chaw vpon in his snafle to coole his mouth and to sharpen his appetire then rubbe him exceedingly with dry straw both head necke vnder the forebowels belly flanke and his legges withall the other parts of his body then take off his Saddle and rub his backe very well and so cloath him vp with all speed for taking cold and 2. Pra. 9. wadde him round with loose wispes of straw and if he be very hot throw another cloth ouer him loose to keepe him that hee 1. Pr. 6. coole not too fast and so let him stand an houre or till you feele him somewhat cold often stirring him to and fro in his stall gently with a sticke for that will keep his legges and his ioynts more nimble Then draw his bridle and giue him such a quantity Note of prouender as you shall thinke good but not so much as to take away his stomacke which will be some-what weake through the heate of his body and want of water and putting haye in his racke and taking away the loose cloth for keeping him hot too long let him rest for two or three houres or there 1. Pr. 6. abouts during which time you shall make a mash ready of halfe a pecke of mault and put no more water to it then it will sweeten and you thinke your Horse will drinke and let it stand couered till the water hath gotten the strength of the malt Of making a Mash which you shall perceiue by your tast for it will be very sweet and also by your feeling for it will be clammy like hony and rope like bird-lime which you shall giue him to drink when it is so cold that you can hardly see it smoke least the smoake should strike vp into his nose and so cause him to take a dislike and let Though the smell be strange to him at the first yet the tast will prouoke him him haue no other water that night and therefore if he will not drinke it at the first let it stand by him all night and set it so that he spill it not neither with his feet nor head Now this mash is very profitable for it is comfortable for his stomacke and it will keepe his body in a temperate heat after his labour and also it will clense and bring away such grease The benefit of a Mash and grosse humors as are disolued by that daies exercise After that you shall giue him as much prouender as you thinke he will eate and rubbe him all ouer to clense the sweat away that is dryed and barked outwardly and rub his legges very well 1. Pra. 14. then put fresh haye in his racke and shake good store of litter vnder him that he may rest the better and shut your stable close and let him rest that night The next morning come to him about sixe of the clocke for that is early enough because the mornings rest is as delightfull and comfortable aswell for a Horse as a man for then the braine is more thin and pure the meat being concocted whereby the sleepe is more sweet but open the dore very softly for The cause of quiet sleepe Met ap disquieting him if hee bee layd which if hee bee let him lye till hee rise of himselfe Somnus est sentientis facultatis requies Then goe to him and the first thing you doe looke to his dung what colour it is of for if it bee greasie and foule then it is a signe that the former dayes exercise did him good in dissoluing Obseruations from the dung some of that foule glut that was in him but if you perceiue no alteration of colour nor that it is greasie then it is a signe that that day made no dissolution and therfore you may take the more of him the next Then looke in his manger and see whether hee hath eaten Obserue how he feedeth vp all his prouender which if hee haue not sweepe it cleane away and bridle him vp but if hee haue giue him a little seruing more to eate whilst you make cleane his stable After bridle 2. Pr. 10. Chap. him and tye him to the Racke and dresse him and haue him forth to the water as aforesaid for this should bee a day of rest And thus you shall vse him to the field thrise a weeke till you haue brought his body to such cleannesse that you may iudge both of his speed and toughnesse Now for obseruations you shall note that you vse him in Generall obseruations the dayes of his rest which must be euery other day at the least in all poynts as you did during the time of his inseaming But whereas it hath beene vsuall to giue a Scouring the day of his Of Scowrings rest
bad humors as are disolued in him But if hee haue taken a cold through which or any other cause he begin to be sicke and forsake his meate then you shall take halfe an ounce of Diapente and brew it with a pint of the best Maligosacke A scowring of Diapente and Sacke and giue it him in the morning and vse him in his exercise as afore onely in stead of your Rye bread you shall giue him other bread or beanes and â—ates or cleane oates which he hath most desire to this scowring I haue found the best though there be many other for it will comfort his stomacke and sharpen his appetite and will purge him from what grease or humors The excellency of this scowring soeuer though it hath beene long in his body for I applyed it to a Horse that hath beene so farre spent as hee was almost without hope of recouery hauing forsaken all meate and could scarcely stand and yet in short time after he had it recouered his strength and appetite and it is so soueraigne and comfortable that you may vse it if necessity require two or three mornings together But because this Diapente is rare and not ordinary to be had in euery Apothecaries shoppe I will set downe in another place the making thereof that you may be sure to haue that which is good to vse at your owne pleasure There is also another scowring which is highly commended A scowring for him to be put to his water when he drinketh by Maister Markeham which although I haue had no experience of yet I will set it downe that others may vse it as they shall find the operation thereof Take of Anise-seeds three ounces of Cummin-seed sixe drammes of Carthamus a dramme and a halfe of Fenegreeke seed one â—unce two drammes of Brimstone one ounce and a halfe beate all these to a fine powder and searse them then take of Sallet oyle a pint and two ounces of Hunny a pound and a halfe and White wine foure pints make all into a strong stiffe past with as much wheat meale as shall suffice and worke it well keep this paste in a linnen cloath for it will last long and at night after you come from Hunting and your Horse is thirsty take a Ball thereof as bigge as a mans fift and dissolue it into a gallond or two of cold water which will turne the colour like Milke and offer it to your Horse in the darke least the colour displease him which if he refuse care not but let him fast till hee take it which hee will doe in twice or thrice offering and after hee hath once taken it hee will drinke it before any other water Thus farre Maister Markeham Which drinke as he saith your Horse can neuer take too much nor too oft of it if he haue exercise otherwise it feedes too fast and that it is a present remedy from all inward infirmities whatsoeuer and therefore wisheth no Horseman to be without it for it will last three or foure months CHAP. 14. Of Making a Match for Hunting BEcause there are many that take great delight in this noble sport of Hunting and for the loue and delight they take in their horses are desirous to defend their speed and valour with the price of their purses in making of matches for their glory I will as plainely as I can set downe the true grounds of making a match that they may haue the better assurance of their iudgement No truth can be gathered by vncertain ties For there are and hath beene so many deceiued herein for that they haue no certainty to worke vpon but relye vpon flying reports and conceited fantasies that this generous exercise is much darkened and is accounted but chance or fortune being as it were led in darkenesse by other mens ignorance whereby they haue receiued such damage and losse that they condemne all those that delight therein as prodigall and vaine to hazard so much vpon such vnstable delights But to purge this Art from the dregges of such false imputations All Arts of themselues are true know that the cause of such vncertaine grounds doth not proceed from the Art for all Arts simply of themselues are grounded on the truth but from the pretended knower The 3. Epist â—â— the Reader which will be a follower of his owne will without reason or premeditation and flatter his owne fantasie in thinking his Horse doth flye if he runne but vpon any reasonable speed and that he is whole running when hee will not runne a quarter of a mile at the height of his speed without a sob Wherefore to worke the more surely before you attempt to Obseruations in matching make any match obserue first that you traine your horse after such hounds as are very swift and speedy and then if you can 1 Traine after swift hounds at any time command them vpon deep or light earths then you shall the lesse doubt of his speed and toughnesse 2 Theo. 20. 33. 34 Secondly haue a care that hee carry a firme body and that hee handle his legges aptly vpon seuerall earths and that hee bee at such command of his mouth that hee will ride at what 1. Pra. 21. 2. Pr. 6. rate your discretion shall direct Thirdly that hee be whole running so that hee will runne a 3 Of whole running traine-sent or a feure miles course without slacking his speed to sobbe which he will doe if he be so truly trayned as he should for then the motion of his wind will agree so reciprocally with Thâ—o 31. 32. the motion of his body that hee will runne so slightly that his winde will answer to euery stroke hee striketh with his legges without iarre though he be at his full speed whereas if hee The cause of false running 2. Pr. 8.d. bee vsed to slacke his speed whilst hee lets his winde rake he will looke for it and then if hee bee ouertopt with speed and cannot haue that liberty hee will settle suddainly like a Iade But whereas it is holden that one horse cannot both bee Obiection swift and tough and therefore not possible by Art to reduce a 2. Pr. 7.n. horse to both those qualities I answer that opinion is crept Answer in for want of knowledge in the Art for it being inuented to support and maintaine nature if a horse haue any naturall inclination to speed it doth not onely helpe to increase but also to husband it so as hee will spend no more of it then shall be necessary 2. Pr. 7. p. and then hee will stil reserue some till the time that hee Theo. 20. 34. Chap. should most vse it which thing I dare confidently affirme this Tractate rightly vnderstood will effect Now of matches in hunting they are either traine-sents and Of hunting matches the Wild-goose-chase or else traine-sents and a Bell-course either single or double that
see by those Horses which run abroad all Wiâ—tâ—r and it is then very moyst withall in respect the shadow 2. Pra. 9. of the earth doth hinder the reflect of the Sunne that it cannot exhale the moysture that falleth as may be seene by the dew and cold â—ime that falleth in the night through which though it is thought to purifie the bloud yet in reason it is otherwise for it increaseth cold humors the more which do abate the strength The conclusion true of the horse by obstructing and corrupting the bloud and so the conclusion is grantable Wherefore come to your horse some halfe houre before Sun rising whether he be fat or leane or of what state soeuer for The time of comming to your horse in the morning then by such time as you haue rubd his head and body and chafed his legges the Sunne will be risen that so you may haue him forth to ayre for the Sunne being a comforter of all liuing creatures will comfort and cheare his spirits he hauing a naturall desire to be refreshed thereby as is euident by such e 1. Pr. 11.b. Horses as are abroad all the night who when the Sunne riseth will couet to such places as they may stand vnder shelter and haue the benefit of the Sunne to be comforted by the heate Note thereof after the coldnesse of the night Therefore as I say haue him out at that time for then the ayre wil be so temperate as it will help digestion and nothing at all impaire nature though your horse be fat yet doe not think to abate his flesh the faster by hauing him earely forth for so Of a fat horse how to vse him you shall diminish his flesh and strength and yet his ability for labour will be little helped but you shall still obserue the same times for his ayrings and keep him out so much the longer and 2. Pr. 8. 10. let sound heats doe that by true labour and long ayrings which earely and late ayrings should doe for it is that which causeth perfect winde and valerous courage and therefore that Horse which is somewhat high of flesh is better to worke on then he A fat Horse hath more substance to worke on then a leane that is low because he hath more strength and substance to endure labour whereas the other must be so fostred and fauoured in his training to get strength and flesh that he oftentimes proueth pursiue and thick winded when he commeth to be tryed for want of true exercise and labour And likewise for the manner of ayring whereas he wisheth that you should lead your horse in your hand and so to walke a Of the manner of Training foot by him whilst you are abroade I also differ therein except he be a Horse that is very cleane and hath beene so long trained as hee hath gotten a perfect habit of a true rake or that hee hath any old straine and must be fauoured for feare of renewing it which if he haue none of these as soone as you come 2 Pra. 20. into the stable in the morning if he be risen and haue rubd him as is said for once dressing in a day will be sufficient for a running Horse if he be well rubd and chafed at other times as hee should you shall take his bridle and wash the snaffle in Beere or Ale and bridle him vp then you shall see that all his cloaths be handsome and fast about him then set your Saddle vpon his backe aboue his cloathes and gird them close vnder his belly with the girths and wad him round about the heart with handsome waddes of straw then take a new layd egge and breake it in his mouth and cause him swallow it downe and so get vpon his backe and ride him vpon a gentle rake vp and downe such places as hee may gaine the best aduantage Airing on horse backe is better then in hand both of Sunne and ayre and where you may haue conuenient watering thereabouts and a hill if it bee possible to gallop vp after his water for this manner of ayring a Horsebacke is farre better then a foot both for his mouth winde and exercise of his body When you haue had him forth so long as you in your discretion thinke sufficient for the state of your body you shall haue 2. Pra. 15. him home and vse him as is set downe for your hunting Horse Note that whilst he is abroad to ayre that he rake orderly both 2. Pra. 5. with his winde and body till he be cunning therein and when he desireth to stand that his wind settle to rest gently as his body doth otherwise it will bring a contrariety and cause a hinderance in the passage thereof when hee shall come to be sore strained Note that you faile not to exercise him thus euery day both morning and euening but vpon the day you intend to giue him his breathing course which then you shall giue him instead of his morning ayring and then at night vse him as afore Note that if you see the weather disposed to a thicke fogge raine or snow that then you forbeare to ayre him for then it is better he should stand in the stable then to goe abroad because the moistnesse thereof will pearce through his pores and so redound to some offensiue grieuances CHAP. 22. Of his Watering COncerning the watering of a running horse there is a difference betwixt some mens opinions and mine but because I haue spoken thereof heretofore I will but touch their opinions briefly and referre the taking or leauing of them as in their iudgement they shall finde reason to perswade Now whereas it hath beene a custome to water a running Horse in the house and to haue him drinke but once a day and likewise to put Liquoras or such like into the water to helpe his winde all these I doe except against and why For first watering in the house is very hurtfull for if he be any Of leting a Horse drinke in the house thing subiect to take cold it will be nourished by drinking cold water if he be not heated after because that waterish humors are enemies to a horse and will increase vnnaturall superfluities Note this Simile for as standing water doth putrifie gather filth so will a horse gather much corruption and excrementall humors by drinking cold water if the coldnesse be not mitigated by exercise to disperse the naturall heate into all the parts of the body And further if hee should drinke at any time in the house after labour before his radicall moisture hath quenched The danger of letting a horse drinke and not heated after that excesse of heate gotten by labour the receiuing of cold water suddenly into his body and not hauing any exercise to heate the same will so ouersway the quantity of naturall heat that it will benumbe his body and make him shake and so
hazard either the mortall disease of foundring in the body or else hinder concoction with ouer raw humors so that he cannot haue good digestion for want of which vnwholsome crudities will ingender 1. Pra. 6. 2. Pra. 10. And therefore water your Horse as little as you can in the house but let him fetch it abroad that you may heate it in his body by galloping and so preserue him from such dangers as may insue thereby Secondly if he drink but once a day his body will be brought Whether a running horse should drinke oftner then once a day very dry and costiue in that it cannot haue sufficient moisture to quench that excesse of naturall heate which will abound if he be restrained from drinking when the necessity of nature requireth and so that heate will get such prodominancy of the naturall moysture that he will dry too fast the moysture not hauing a proportionated quantity to keepe his body in a meane temper A Simily for the nourishment of nature and so cause an inflamation and distemperature of the whole body for as too much oyle quencheth the light of the lampe so if it haue too little it will consume more speedily A running horse would be watered as often as he is ayred Therefore to keep your Horse in perfect state I wish all those that will be counselled to water him euery euening morning whilst he is abroad to ayre and let him drinke what hee lusteth so it be warmed in his body as before for he will not drinke so much as shall harme him for that his food must be so perfect and clean from grossenes dust that it will not much prouoke thirst Thirdly to put Anise-seeds Liquoras or any other such Apothe 1. Pr. 7.h. caries drugges in his water to make him long winded it is vnnaturall vnwholesome and yet worketh no sound effect but Liquoras water is vnnaturall for a horse 1. Pra. 6. onely a conceipted illusion For as I haue said Nature approueth best of that which is the most pleasing to her selfe and to assimulate such nourishment as will maintaine the vitall powers in the best estate to giue her strength to withstand her enemies and therefore such kinde of drugs are not consonant nor agreeing God prouided grasse for cattel and greene herbs for the seruice of men to her being Phisicall and not to be vsed but vpon vrgent necessity for when the body is well affected and hath a good appetite if a Horse be driuen to drinke liquoras-water it will weaken nature because his stomack will not digest it so well nor desire to drinke so much of it as of ordinary water and so it is Liquoras water is vnwholsome vnwholsome in as much as it is no natural releife being differing from his appetite and so changeth his constitution by exalting of ouermuch heate not taking sufficient to delay it and by that meanes also his body will be made dry and so much the rather because such spices are hot And whereas it is supposed to increase wind I grant it doth so in a sinister sort being differing Liquora water is both a sinister helpe of the winde from this end wherefore it is ministred for if hee were to vse any exercise without any strong coaction of the body as to neigh play or such like then it might produce some likelihood as it doth in a man that may vse it to help his wind in singing or sounding a wind Instrument without further action of the body but for strength of bodily exercise it is more hurtfull then A true Simily profitable Let a man that is dieted with such drugges to helpe winde and will not likewise vse his body to true and sound labour be to runne against one that hath ordinary good feeding and hath vsed his body accordingly he shall find that he which More haue lost then wonne by this diet hath exercise and strong feeding wil worse the other though he be neuer so curiously dieted by such kind of meates and drinks although they be both at first of an equal speed nay there is ods that hee will beate him because his is naturall feeding and this vnnaturall Euen so by application it may be said of horses Wherefore I wish to auoyd such kind of drinkes if you desire to bring your horse to his best strength and wind and let good and sound feeding and true labour doe that which liquoras water should doe because it will endure the touchstone when the other will proue counterfeit for I haue seen more that haue beene so dieted loose then euer I saw to win There is also curious diuersities what kind of water is best for a running Horse but because it is not much materiall for What water is best for him there is not such difference in effect as in words I will not presse thereon for so the water be not stinking nor muddy but either a cleane standing water or a running spring it is sufficient And let him haue his fill both euening and morning before you come in with him for it will doe him no harme so as he drinke not at any time whilst he is hot in regard a Horse that is in strict diet will be subiect to an excesse of heate and drinking sufficiently will be a meanes to coole and abate the same CHAP. 23. Of the food of a Running Horse THere are many that make a kinde of superstition in feeding a running Horse aboue a hunter which is rather to make it seeme more curious then necessary for thereby they allude so much to feeding that they take away the Art of riding 2. Pr. 12. holding it to be the onely meanes to bring him to his highest perfection both of strength courage winde and speed But whereas they thinke to make the Art more intricate and themselues more famous they abuse it showes their owne Error nourisheth many inconueniences ignorance disgraces the Horse and worketh the vndoing of many good minds that delight therein and haue no knowledge but onely relye vpon such preiudicated braines Therefore for confirming the knowledge of the weak iudicialls herein let them know that ther is no such curiosity in this more then in the other as it is holden for they both stand vpon maintaining his strength winde and speed which consisteth vpon true naturall feeding onely the difference is in continuance of 2. Pr. 1. 18. time that for long toyle and this to dispatch suddenly and so to haue his speed supported in the highest degree during so short a time which cannot be done by a Phisicall diet to decay nature but by such feeding as will increase it And therefore to abandon curiosity you shall vse him for the first fortnight after he is matched in all respects as you did the hunting horse for his kinds of meate quantity manner 2. Pra. 12. Idem 11. Idem 21. and time of his feeding Onely whereas I
Suppossitary for any inward Sicknesse IF your Horse be so exceeding weake and sicke that you dare not administer to him inwardly by the stomacke you shall take of common Honey sixe ounces of Wheat flower one ounce of Salt-Niter one ounce and a halfe of Anise-seeds in fine pouder one ounce boyle these to a hard thicknesse and then make it into Suppossitaries and hauing anoynted your hand well with oyle Oliue thrust it vp into the Horses foundament and then hold downe his tayle hard for a good space after CHAP. 4. A Glister to cure any inward Sicknesse TAke of the oyle of Dill of the oyle of Camomile of Cassia and of the oyle of Vyolets of each halfe an ounce of brown Sugar-candy three ounces of Mallowes halfe a handfull boyle these to a decoction in running water and then administer it to the Horse in manner of a glister and in the extremity of any sicknesse it is a certaine cure CHAP. 5. For the Yellowes FIrst let the Horse blood in the necke veine and according to the goodnesse or badnesse of the blood so proportionate the quantity you take away then take a quart of sweet wine or for want thereof a quart of strong Ale or Beare then put to it foure sponfull of the Iuice of Selladine and halfe so much of the iuice of Rue and let them boyle on the fire then take it off and straine into it halfe an ounce of the best English Saffron and three ounces of the best honey and so giue it the Horse luke-warme to drinke then Rake him vp and downe a little and so set him vp warme suffring him to fast two howers after and giue him to drinke with his meate a sweet mash but no cold water by any meanes CHAP. 6. An excellent Pill for the Yellowes TAke halfe a pound of the best Honey and of Safforn beaten to very fine powder and the meale of Fene-greeke of each a like quantity and mixe them with the honey till it come to a stiffe paste then deuide it into two seuerall bals and dipping them in sweet Sallet oyle draw out the horses tongue and force him to swallow them then ride him vp and downe an howre and more and so set him vp warme alwaies prouided that you euer let him blood in the necke veyne first and if you also let him blood in his eie veynes and in the roofe of his mouth it will be much better because the chawing and swallowing of his owne blood is exceeding wholsome and Souereine CAHP. 7. For the Staggers FIrst by all meanes let him blood in the necke veine and let him bleed very well for the abundance of blood is the cause of the disease then with an incision knife open the skinne of the forehead as high as the fore-top and with a cornet rayse vp the skinne and put in two or three cloues of Garlike and then stitch vp the hole close againe with a needle and a little silke and then binding a little flaxe or lint to the wound be sure to keepe out the wind or ayre which may doe hurt Then take of the seed of Cresses the seed of Poppye the seed of Smallagde the seede of Parsley the seed of Dill of Pepper and of Saffron of each of these two ounces beate them all to a very fine pouder then put them to a pottell of Barley water and then straine it very well through a strayner and giue the Horse a quart thereof to drinke early in the morning fasting and then Rake him vp and down gently an houre or more and so set him vp and sprinkle his hay with water but let him drinke no cold water till he be well recouered CHAP. 8. For any extreame cold whatsoeuer or of what nature soeuer TAke of Cloues of Nutmegs of Ginger of Galls or the fruit of Oaks and of Cardimonium of each a like quantity of Fenell seed some what more then of the rest beate and searse all these to a very fine pouder then put two spoonfull thereof to a quart of White wine and straine in two penyworth of the best English Saffron and then beate in the yolke of a couple of egs and so giue it the Horse to drinke early in the morning and then ayre him abroad two howres or more and be sure to keep him warme and by no meanes let him drinke cold water nor let him eate any hay but what is sprinkled with water and once a day which should be at noone if the time of the yeare serue giue him the tender greene crops of Reeds or Sallowes to eate from your hand for they are very souereine and thus doe diuers mornings together and it will not onely clense away all manner of cold but also open his conduits and set his winde at liberty CHAP. 9. For the Lax or Fluxe of Body by any meanes TAke Wood-ashes finely searced and mixe them with as much Bolarmonyacke made into fine pouder and mixing it well with his water let him drinke thereof morning and euening and it will stay his scowring but if it be so violent by either the eating of a feather or any other poyson that this will not stay it then take the intrals of a Hen or Pullet and mixing them with an ounce of Spycknard cause the Horse to swallow it and it will presently stay the Fluxe CHAP. 10. For a Horse that is Hyde-boundâ—r in great pouerty TAke of clarified hogges-grease two ounces of the iuice of Dragant-worte one ounce of Incense halfe an ounce of the Sirrop of Roses three ounces dissolue all these in a pint and a halfe of honyed water on a soft fire and giue it the Horse to drinke fasting in the morning and exercise him a little thereon then set him vp warme and let him fast two or three howers and it will Scowre out all his infection loosen his skin and make him feed very sodainly after CHAP. 11. An excellent receipt for the pissing of blood FIrst clense his yard if any filth or corruption be barkt therevnto by washing it with Butter and Beere made warme together then let the Horse blood in the necke veine and lastly take the water or iuice of Leekes or of Onyons that is the water wherein they haue beene steeped twelue houres at least and close stopped to the quantity of a pint then as much White wine and iumble it well together till it looke slymie then giue it the Horse to drinke and doe thus diuers mornings and it will stay that flux of blood and bring his vrine to the naturall and ordinary colour CHAP. 12. A most excellent receipt for the Stone or for a Horse that cannot pisse but drop by drop TAke of Saxifrage of Nettle roots of Parsley rootes of Fenell roots of Sperage roots of Dodder of each of these a little handfull boyle all these on a gentle fire in a pottell of White wine till a third part bee consumed then put in a handfull of Salt of oyle Oliue and the Larde
her food in the winter when it shall stand the most need and the greatest store in Summer when it shall stand the lesse need whereby it shall bee forced in Winter to feed on such food as then it can get for want of milke to suffice nature And againe those Colts which are foaled after Martinmas Of Martinmas Foales though their milke be good yet by the extremity of cold in the long nights their limbes being weake and grisles will be congealed too grossly and their courage much abated So that they will hardly be brought to such strength and courage afterward as otherwise nature would effect they being stockt at the first for there is no greater enemy to a horse then cold â— Cold nights are hurtfull for a Horse Otherwise what is the cause that they prosper not in Winter as well as in Summer if they bee not housed and also that late ayring takes so much of them But as for the time of the Moone and day when they should bee couered I stand not so much vpon such precisenesse referring that to God which is the disposer of times and of all other things But yet because he hath giuen the fruition of food as a secondary meanes to maintaine the species there ought a care to bee had for the preseruation thereof whereby it may increase the best nourishment by such good digestion as humane reason can inuent before they come to performe the action But I am not minding to spend any more time vpon those points I hauing partly touched them before least that I should offend the gentle Reader with too tedious assertions for although I haue beene prolixe heerein yet I am more concise then I would hauing much to doe to end so briefly this being so large a field to walke in for the confuting of antient traditions CHAP. 9. How and where to put your Horse and Mare together for generation THe last thing that is to bee obserued for the perfecting of this generation is to know where and how they should performe the action but because there are so many diuersities of opinions in this as well as in the former there may bee a doubt of a certainty thereof For some doe wish that the Horse and Mare should go abroad together in some inclosd grounds and likewise if there be more Mares to bee serued to let him goâ— at liberty amongst them all And againe others would haue them to be put together at their owne liberty in some spacious house or barne and there to be serued as chance shall alot And further others hold that to haue the Mare couered in hand is the best Now to show all the inconueniences that may arise through these diuersities would be too tedious to make accompt of euery particuler therefore I will briefly touch them and onely set downe that which is the most approued knowing that all Iudgements will not subscribe to my senses although I haue beene very carefull to select the most probable by reason and experience not often dissenting from all but alwayes from the vnlikeliest But howsoeuer some censures be I hope the wise will bee fauourable for mine is in loue and duty Now if to haue the horse and Mare or Mares to runne together 1. Pr. 7.b. a The inconuenience of letting the horsâ— run at grasse amongst your Mares 1. Pr. 4. a. at grasse I hold of all others it is the worst because their food then is the worst and so cannot produce a perfect temperature of bloud and seed And againe if the horse be at liberty he may come to some mishap either by his owne vnrulinesse oâ— by some stroake of the Mares And further their seeds cannot be perfect although they had the best food because the Horse will cause both himselfe and the Mares to bee of an excessiue heat by fretting and chafing so that their courage a 1. Pra. 7.k. and strength will be much weakened and their seed much dissolued by the violence of heat Moreouer as Mr. Markham saith the horse being at liberty and of courage will so spend The cause of Filly Foales himselfe at the first by disorder that the Mares pride will bee too strong for his in conception and the Foales for the most part will proue Fillies And lastly running amongst the Mares some will be ready and some vnready and then he will serue the readiest first he being in courage and then those which shall be ready after shall be in danger of not holding or else bring forth weake and vncomely foales Neither doe I greatly allow to haue them goe at liberty in a house for so he is also in danger of receiuing some stroke by the Mare and further he may couer the Mare at the first before b The discommoditie of couering the Mares at liberty in the house she be ready and then the next couering will not bee so good because his seed will not be so strong whereby the Colt if she hold will not bee of such comely shape and very like to proue a Filly And likewise hee will spend himselfe too fast being in lust and courage through his disorder and cause her to loose her seed which otherwise she might haue kept Wherefore for the avoyding of all these discommodities the c The surest way is to haue him couer her in your hand best and surest way in my iudgement is to haue the Mare couered in hand for thereby both the Horse and Mare may be gouerned by Mans reason for they being led by their appetite do naturally desire to be get and bring forth not obseruing any order in begetting nor the difference in Colts that are brought forth but according to the old prouerbe they thinke with the Crow that their owne Bird is the fairest But being ruled by Man they shall not spend their seed by any disorder for they may both of them be brought to the height of lust before they How to make your Mare ready for the horse come together For when as you haue refined their seed to a perfect temperature by the order set downe in the sixt Chapter then for the better stirring vp the lust of the Mare let a little stoned Nagge wooe her two or three daies if need be till that you see her haue a desire to take the Horse then take him away hauing a care that hee neuer couer her Then feed them both well some fiue or sixe houres before night that they come together and that the food may haue time to concoct and nourish all the parts of the body whereby they will haue the greater store of seede Then haue the Mare into some close place and let the said Nagge wooe her againe in the sight of the Horse which will greatly prouoke both their lusts Then let the Mare stand so that if it bee possible the horse may haue the heigher ground that he may couer her the more closly and assoone as he commeth How to vse