you will but if hee bee a ramadge Iade or of euill disposition by Nature for my owne part I esteeme him not of any worth to be kept as I haue before saide and therefore the excellent breede is euermore to bee increased and cherished for doe not all Ryders vse all meanes of Art and practise to remooue imperfection to reduce them to perfection for the vse of Man for whose onely vse they were created whereunto the vnperfect shape by all the Arte and knowledge of man cannot haue perfection with continuance Hauing spoken of pacing the Horse in the Ring it followeth that after the ten daies expyred the Horse bee taught to trotte the Ring which must be begun in as slow gentle trot as he was in his first beginning of pacing increase his ring-turns by two two euery day vntil he make ten turnes for the left ring 12. for the right which wil increase his swiftnes whereof he would be restrained vntil he be most perfect as I haue shewed in teaching the scholler to write then wil he do it in the greatest grace and pride that may be which is the true propertie qualitie of all Art euermore to effect perfection during which time of beginning of trotting he may not be ridden with wand nor weare any bytt vntill he be most perfect in trott stoppe and turne wel on both hands and not by any meanes suffered to gallop vntill hee can also perfectly aduance by which meanes he will be iust in his pace iust in his trot iust in his stoppe with a staide head and necke being the chiefe goodnesse that nature and Art affordeth Wherefore when you begin to trot the Ring be sure that at the first he bee moued therunto as gently and quietly as you can deuise and so to euerie action whatsoeuer vpon a stayed temperate and firme hand with a sweete stay with a true reyne that is that his nose be iust vnder his fore-head neither too much out nor too much in which is the iust placing and setling of the head which will make him haue a pleasant mouth when hee commeth to weare the bitt and in this consisteth the chiefe point of Horsemanshippe because hee is so to be maintained in all his actions the which is most easie to bee done and continued if the horse bee of perfect shape and spirit but if he shold make resistāce for that he is either rammage or euill broken then trot him swift with quicknesse of voice rod and spurre for the time of his trotting is the fittest time to make him forgette his toyes and to attend his way and if all this wil not helpe then spare not to gallop him and then be sure he will be a I ade from the beginning to the ende for a Horse of good temper and perfect shape can neuer be of so bad nature and qualitie Wherefore I thinke fit now to shew how to make your Horse perfect in stop after you haue ended the number of your Ring turnes which is to trott your Horse right out in the middle furrowe betwixt the Rings vntil you come at the place of stop and there to make a prettie stay keeping his bodye right in the pathe wherein if the whole body or any part stand ouerthwart seeke not at first to correct him for the same but let a foote-man direct him to stand right in the pathe by thrusting in that part which standeth out of order or you may cause the horse to goe farther in the same path and stoppe him holding that raine straiter on that side whereon hee most forceth your hand then on the other which wil enforce him to keepe right which when hee yeeldeth euermore cherish him and after it will be good to trot and stop him on a ground that is a little steepe which something falleth and immediately riseth but when he is perfect then you may doe it on a ground verie steepe but to teach him to goe backe you must as I haue saide keepe a firme stayed hand on him without giuing libertie and then striking him on the necke with your rodde and in that instant time say backe backe but if hee refuse let a foote-man with a rodde gently strike him on the knees so by gentle pulling in of your hand and fayre meanes win him and when he yeeldeth cherish him Hauing shewed how to ride your Horse without wand bit or spurre I will now shew you how to ride with all three and the true vse of the hand vpon the bit the chiefe only principall point of horsemanship First therfore when you ride with a wand take it very warilye that the Horse bee not feared therewith to assurethe horse therof presently after you haue receiued it coy and scratch him about the necke with the end thereof and for the carrying thereof it must be in the right hand with the point vpright and when you would vse it let the point fal close vnto him as occasion shall require but in your manage lay your hand on your right thigh and the wand crosse the Horses necke and when he hath made his course and turned on the right hand then before the end of his second course when he is almost ready to tourne on the left hand list your hand and rod hold the point right foorth on the right side against his eye and as he changeth turnes so change your rod of the one side and of the other but if your Horse will not turne on the side you would haue him euermore beat him on the contrary side and when he is any way disordered carry the wand on the contrary side and when you would haue him carry his forepart light strike him on the shoulder and forelegs and when you would haue him light behinde strike him one the rump and hanches and thus much for the vse of the wand as occasion shall serue Now for the true vse of the bit which is an instrument onely guided and directed by the hand because the ground of the art of riding dependeth wholly vpon the vse and true gouerment of the hand being guided by reason and discourse so as the Horse in all motions and actions is and ought to answere to that motion which the hand mooueth I may not passe the same ouer-lightly First therefore let the bit that you first bit your Horse withall be gentle and pleasant yet so that the gentlenes cause him not to dispise you nor the hardnes driue him to dispaire for you must vnderstand that knowledge alwaies presupposeth reason and reason sence and sence and reason consist in true mediocrity and therefore amongst the most learned precepts that were written in the temple of Apollo in Graecia this was in the second place nothing too much SOLON saide nothing more then enough PITTACHVS doe all thinges by a mediocritie so that all difference betwixt good and badde consisteth in a certaine mediocritie which CICERO calleth the best of all
reason After your horse hath pefectly learnd swiftly to trot perfectly to stop perfectly go back thon ought he to be taught perfectly to aduaunce which is by lifting vp both his fore-feete iust and euen together like vnto a goate somewhat aboue the ground and so let them fal euen iust twice or thrice together the true dooing wherof wil cause him to make a iust perfect mannage and a ready and perfect turne for the attaining whereof trot him gently fortie or fifty foote in some plaint way then giue him a iust stop which he wil truly perform because he hath before perfectly learned the same alwaies keepe a steady pleasant perfect haÌ„d on the bridle then instantly with a milde voice say hup hup striking him in that instant with your wand on the right shoulder also with both the calfes of your legs together but spur him not if possiblye without it hee wil aduance the which with a little labor patieÌ„t teching no doubt hee wil atteÌ„pt to do 2. or thrice together the which if he do then in that instant make much of him althogh it be very meanly done pause a little time giue breath then trothim again in like maner the like distance of grouÌ„d as before so gently vse him again the which if he do better aduaÌ„ce make much of him but if he do not better euery time hee is taught you must stil folicite him vntil he doe better then presently coy him make much of him all which must be with temperance not with furie and be sure to giue him breath and not to be rash or hasty neither forget to make much of him when at your direction hee doth any thing well so shall you cause him to do the same most delightfully also sencibly aprehend when he doth wel whatsoeuer you desire after that he can in plain grouÌ„d perfectly aduiÌ„ce then teach it him gently vpon the hanging knole of a hill to bring him perfectly to stop and runne slyding vpon his buâ—tocks or hinder legges which is moste praise-worthy beautifull or gracefull for manage and turne and therefore let him do it most perfectly before you teach him any other lesson and when he can doe it perfectly vpon a soft trott then vpon the swift trot afterwards doe it vpon a soft gallop and not before but neuer vpon a swift gallop vntill he be perfect both in turne and mannage remembring the manner how I tolde you to make a Scholler write as faire and perfect as his maister be sure to obserue if it may be when you teach him to haue one by that can iudge of the good or euill dooing therof the want wherof is a principall cause of most errors because the Ryder cannot iudicially see whether it bee as it ought that is iust and true and with comelye grace whereby manye faultes and errors are committed and continued which by the helpe of a skilfull director would bee easily amended in the beginning for principio mederi multo melius quam fini to amend a fault in the beginning is far more easie then when it hath bene long accustomed for if he aduance too high and not iust and euen and with a good grace as hee ought then may the fault be speedily found and easily amended by immediate correcting him with one or with an euen stroke of your legges and the wand with a sweete staied hand on the bridle which with few trials will amend what is amisse and the end full perfection And for the teaching of your horse to yerk because thereby commeth much more hurt then good I leaue to entreat thereof And whereas some apoint many helpes for Horses that are harder to turne on the one side then on the other although I confesse their general desire is more apt to the left hand then to the right yet to a Horse of good nature and perfect shape little Arte will speedily helpe and to teach those Horses that are otherwise shaped is but to teach an Asse to run vnder a bridle and may truly say with Horace O infelix operam perdas O vnfortunate skill to loose thy labor and so soone shall a ryder bring a Iade to perfection as an Asse to play on a harpe for as a good Horse by the sound of a trumpet is stirred and mooued to battaile so Suem abigat citius quam animet ad pugnam the Sowe is therby sooner chased away then incouraged to fight because nature hath not made her for that purpose It now remaineth to shew when to make the halfe turne and the double turne the chambetta the manage to passe a swift cariere the coruet such like The next lesson he is to learne after he is very perfect in those I haue set down is to make a true iust halfe and double turne which would be in this maner First when you haue gently trotted stopped aduanced your Horse the length of a short cariere teach him gently and mildly to make the halfe turne beginning alwaies on the right haÌ„d that is to turn him with the helpe of your left leg that his head may stand that way which before his taile stood which is called a halfe turne because he maketh but halfe a circle but if in the turne he set his head that way it stood at first that is a whole circle and therefore called a whole turne but let him first doe the halfe turne perfect and let that bee his first lesson learne it very perfect before you teach him the double turne which must be done by helping him with your voice and Calfe of your left legge and not at first by any meanes to haue him spurred if he can be otherwise brought vnto it because to spur is a correction which may not bee done but in that instant when he hath committed an error and not while he remaineth ignorant what to doe by which meanes vndoubtedly being a sencible creature he wil euermore perceiue his errors and offences wherby with little correction he wil easily amend any fault neuer driue him to dispaire for hauing formerly attained a perfectioÌ„ of a iust eueÌ„ swift trot in the rings the verie true ground of all other lessons he will easily turne on the right hand setting his head that way his taile stood the which being perfectly attained then close it vp with another halfe turne on the same hand by the prescribed helpes setting his head and all his body in the same pathe it vvas at the first then giue breath and make much of him and then make him doe as much on the left hand and so to change from hand to hand leauing alvvaies on the right remembring that the tvvo first halfe turnes be done more leasurely then the tvvo last halfe turnes vvhich must be done more speedily and then make him doe as much on the left hand so change from hand to hand leauing alvvaies on the right Thus by
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
freno an Asse to weare a bridle in all your managing let your body still accōpany your horse in the action with a good grace And vvhen he hath verie perfectlye learned his manage on a soft trot then may you manage him vvith a gallop giuing him on each hand one single turne and a little before you turne him holde your rodde on the contrarie side vvhereby hee shall knovve on vvhat side to turne and at the stop make him to aduance either vvith voice rod or spurre alvvaies remembring to giue breath and euermore beginne vvith a gentle gallop vntill he be verie perfect and then time will bring him to a perfect and swift manage but I wish you so to vse exercise your horse as when hee is become a perfect Horse you may long be maister of a perfect Horse and not to spend or spoile him in a little time in teaching of him needelesse toyes There might be much more spoken of helpes and corrections in managing but because they are proper to Iades or else to horses that are euill taught I omit them for if your horse be such as he ought your selfe temperate and discreete otherwise I wish you not to professe your selfe a Horseman you shall heerein finde sufficient After your Horse is perfect in such lessons as haue beene formerlye remembred Cariere and growen to his full and perfect strength hauing learned al his lessons without swift gallop and therein so ready as may be wished then beginne with him with a short Cariere in a faire sandie way with a liuely voice put him forward forcing him to runne swiftlye roundly smothely with a steady head and lightly to stop him selfe on his buttocks then turne him on the left hand softly pace him to the other end of the Cariere path and there stop him and turne him againe on the right hand and so leaue And as this passing a cariere or swift gallop must neuer bee done or taught vntill hee be moste perfect in all the lessons so must it be done verie sparingly as once or twice in a month at the moste so shall hee doe all things with admiration and of long continuance CHAP. 54. bound and Leape SOme haue a desire to haue their Horses to bound leape and yarke and because I know it would be most exactly done which cannot bee but by the best spirited Horses tending altogether to their destruction and a matter rather of delight then good vse I leaue it to the disposition of the owner wishing much rather to haue it omitted then practised vnlesse there were more plentie of Horses that are meete for the same CHAP. 55. Of the Capriole and Ooruetti THe difference betwixt these twois that the Capriole or Goates leap is alwaies in going forward and the Ctorueti still in one place these are to be learned taught by one order but neither of them shall euer be well learned and exactly done vnlesse your horse be very perfect to stoppe which is by much bending the elbough of the hinder houghes or heeles of the horse now the Coruetti may in some sort resemble the dauncing of the Beare at a stake for when he daunceth and praunceth vp and downe in one place lifting his forefeete euen and iust together seeming to turne if he might be suffred that is properly the coruet the which is neuer well done vnlesse he bee iust and steadie of head and body bowing the hammes of his hinder legs as if hee would sitt or slide on his buttocks And the Capriole is in the same manner yet still going forward seeming as though he wold yark behinde by aduancing his rump but doth not and as hee doth it forward so will he doe it backward and side-long Now you are not to teach your horse either of these vntil he be absolutely perfect in those former lessons before mentioned because these lessons before mentioned because these lessous are only learned by stopping aduancing the which if he haue once perfectly long practised then trot him for diuers daies vpon some hanging groūd vpon the knole of the hill on the same ground make him to aduance twice together the which he will very quickly do then help him with the sound of your lips to trot two paces farther and there to stop and aduance twice together at the end of the two paces all the length of a hanging hill downeward remembring euermore to cherish him when he doth well and to giue breath that all his doings may be done with delight otherwise he will neuer do it worthy commendations and by this vsing of him you shall haue him vvithin a little time at euery time that he stoppeth aduanceth if you helpe him vvith your vvord in saying hup and vvith your rod by striking him vpon the forepart of his shoulder and in his vvell dooing thereof make much of him he vvill go from stop to stop aduancing both forefeet and hinder loynes vvith time measure so oft as you vvil and in such iust euen and staid manner as vvilbe very delightfull ro beholde Novv because I vvould not haue you begin any lesson but by the direction of a perfect schoolemaister and in that course to continue so must you endeauour your selfe to knovv the reason of all your doings and therefore be sure to be alwaies present at the excercises of the most skilfull Horsemen and as Salomon saith let your foote tread often vppon their threshold read the best writers and when you are able to iudge truly and to make difference betwixt good and bad make asmuch practise as you may and then neuer doubt to become a perfect Horseman and be able to teach your Horse whatsoeuer is fit for a Horse to doe and a man to knowe And if I should now discribe the forme and fashion of all manner of bitts I thinke it needelesse for two respects First for that Laurentius Rusius in his booke written in latten intituled with the Greeke word Hyppoateia signifying the medicine or cures for Horses as also Maister Blundeuile in his booke diuers others haue verie painefullye performed the same When you shall knowe the perfect shape of good Horses and the perfection of the true knowledg of their nature in this treatise most plainly described you wil acknowledge the multitude variety of bits not to be of any vse besides hauing diuers good Bit-makers within this kingdōe who can exactly make as many perfect bits as art cā require I haue thought fit heere to rest and not to make volumnes of needles matter Nulla placudior quies nisi quam ratio composuit Gentle Reader thou seest how briefely I haue entreated of the Art of riding and yet I doubt not but sufficient to the vnderstanding Reader And much better then teadiousnes to a young Scholler But whosoeuer he be that desireth to be a perfect rider and a good Horseman must labour and studie to attaine the true knowledge of nature because nature Art
the hole full of salt For the same TAke Egremony hony and violet leaues stampe them together and flit the sinew vnderneath the care and lay a plaister thereunto three dayes For the same TAke a handfull of sorrell lap it in a bur-dock leafe and roste it in hot embers like a warden then take it out and very hot apply it to the kirnels and so let it rest a day and night and stil so renew it vntill the kirnels be rotten and breake and after all is rotted and gone take the yolke of an egge hony and wheat-flower well incorporated and made thicke and make plasters thereof to heale it CHAP. 94. For the Canker in the nose THis commeth of a corrupt blood consumeth the flesh and makes it rawe within and in the end will eate the gristle therof it will also cause the horse to bleed at the nose and yeild filthy sauour the cure is take of greene copperas and of Allom of each a pound and of white copperas one quarter boile these in a pottle of running water vntill it be almost halfe consumed then take it of and put into it halfe a pint of hony then hold vp his head with a drinking staff but not too high and with a squirt of brasse or elder squirt the same water being luke warme three or foure times together into his nostrils and giue him libertie to blowe out the filthy matter least you choke him and with a stick and a ragge wash his nostrils twice a day vntil he be whole For the same IF you see the canker be of great heate and burning in the sore with exceeding paine take the iuce of purslaine lettice sorrell night shade and wash the sore with a sine clout and with a squirt wash the same and this will kill it CHAP. 95 For bleeding at the nose THis may come vppon many causes which cannot be truely known comming from within the body therfore I wil shew how to cure the same take a pint of red wine put thereunto a quarter of bole armony beaten vnto fine powder put the one half thereof into his nostril that bleedeth holding vp his head this may do wel if in the nostril or head there be the original cause the next day giue him the rest into his body that wil surely binde his body it may help the bleeding being invvard For the same LEt him blood in the brest vaines of each a pint for that is most likely to turne the course of the blood take 2 or 3 sponefuls of his blood and put it in a saucer and boyle it vntill it be dried to povvder then take the povvder thereof and blovv it into his nostrils and if it come of a vvound put it into the same and it vvill presently stint it horse-dung asses dung hogs dung sage leaues brused put into the wound or take of frankinsence an ounce alloes halfe an ounce beat them into fine pouder and mingle them throughly vvith the vvhites of egs vntil it be so thick as hony and with soft hares haire thrust his nostrils so ful as it cānot fal out And lastly some vvill throvv colde vvater vpon him against his haire it is likely that the over-cooling of him that vvayes may stop the flux thereof this did M Iohn Orpen a vvorthy Farrer vse if at any sudden such an accident did happen CHAP. 96. Of the riftes or corruption in the pallate of the mouth TAke sharpe vinegar and salt and wash the same and then annoint it with honny For the lampas or bladders in a Horse mouth euery Smith can cure CHAP. 97. For the canker in the mouth VVash the fore place with strong vinegar made thicke with the pouder of Allome two or three daies together to destroy the exulcerate matter Then take a quart of faire water of Allome 4 ounces of honny 4. or 5. spoonefulls of maudlin leaues Sage leaues Collumbine leaues of each a handfull boile al these together till halfe be consumed and then euery day wash the same two or three times being warmed and it will heale it CHAP. 98. For the Gigs in the mouth THey are swellings with blacke heads growing in the inside of the lips the cure is to flit them and thrust out the corruption and to wash the same with vinegar and salte CHAP. 99 For the heat in the mouth TVrne vp the vpper lip and iagge it with a lancet that it may bleede and washe it with vinegar and salte CHAP. 100. For the Camey in the mouth THis commeth by eating of filthy hay that cats dogs and other vermine haue pist vppon which will cause the Horse mouth to be furd or clammy as he will not not eat The cure is to let him blood in two great vaines vnder the tongue and to wash his mouth with vineger and salte and to giue him new bread that is not hot CHAP. 101. For the hurt of the tongue with the Bit. THe cure is to wash it with Alome water then take black bramble leaues and chop them with larde then put them within a cloute and make them as round as a ball then dip the same in hony and annoint the tongue therewith vntill it bee whole CHAP. 102. For the Barbels or paps vnder the tunge THe cure is to clippe them away and to wash the mouth with vinigere and salt CHAP. 103. For the swelling in the gummes THe cure is make him to bleede well in the pallet of the mouth and also to scarifie the gummes that the ranke blood may come forth and then rub them throughly with vineger and salt For to drawe the wolues teeth CHAP. 104. THese are two litle teeth growing in the vpper Iawe next to the great grinding teeth which hinder the horse for grinding his meat so as he will let it fall vnchewed somtimes you shall see some teeth so long and ouerhanging in his Iawes that they doe race and cut his cheeks so as he cannot feed The cure is tye the horse head to some rafter or post and his mouth to be openned with a corde so as you may see euery part therof then take a round yron toole halfe a yard long made at the end like a Carpenters Gouge and with your left hād set the edge of that toole at the foot of the wolfes teeth on the outside of the Iawe turning the hollowside of the toole doūward holding your hand stedily then with a mallet in your right hand strike on the head of the toole a pretty blowe to losen it and make it bend inward then wrench the tooth outward with the inside of the toole and thrust it out of his head doe the like to the other tooth and fill the holes with salt and if any tooth ouerhang the nether teeth to the hurt of the horse then with your mallet and toole pare the tooth or as many as do ouerhāg for hurting the horse mouth For the crick in the neck
execution of the action of teaching WHen the Horse is made gentle familiar fit for the Ryder to teach put on a headstall with a Chaine or Cauetsane ouer his nose with a paire of strong raines but so loose and easie for his nose as may neither hurt nor abate his courage or his quick fresh feeling and in all gentle manner set a saddle on him with an vpright short pomell so as the true vse of the hand may not bee hindered or harmed the bolsters whereof would be broad in the top to inclose the thighe and yet to beare so slope as the knee bee not pinched neither the thighe kept from the true resting place the seate whereof would be of reasonable length and largenes the Bolsters behinde bearing forward to inclose and support the thigh to the former bolsters the strappes therof broade and verie strong with broad girthes and verie strong and broade buckles and crosse girded so as the saddle may rest firme on his backe wherby the seate will be easie sure certaine without motion leauing the neere stirroppe leather almoste halfe a hole longer then the right stirrop and although the Horse be gentle yet because hee hath a new maister and rider not knowne vnto him beeing neither assured of himselfe nor of that his Ryder would haue him to doe so as it may bee truelye said hee is not himself that is troubled in minde therfore to keepe him from feare and perturbation I would haue a quiet slaide horse also sadled to be rid before him and then bring them both to the block but the olde Horse first and then the Colt at which time let the Ryder vse all milde gentle words to the young Horse making the Raynes of the Bridle eeuen and iust holding them in his left hand not stiffe nor altogether remisse or loose and so soon as he is mounted on his backe sit quietly there a while least anye sudden motion should breede perturbation in the Horse and vntill the Ryder haue settled himselfe in the Saddle his Nose directlye answering the Horse his fore-toppe betwixt his eares his legges hanging streight downe neither thrusting downe the toe nor lifting vp the heele but with his foote in such eeuennesse in the stirrop as as if he stoode vpon the ground the stirrope leathers rather short then long winding his toes something nearer to the horse-side then the heele holding the Raines eeuen iust with his Crest eeuen with the point of the withers little aboue the Maine with his Thighes and Knees close to the Saddle and his feete resting in the stirroppe in due place not too far thrust into the Stirrop with an vpright and straite body his Ridge-bone answering the Ridge-bone of the Horse so as the Horse and Ryder may neuer seeme but as one body in all motions during which time clawe the Horse with your hand to put him from feare or hard conceite of his Ryder that done goe forward about two paces faire and softly and stay againe making much of him so softly and quietly to the place where the rider meaneth to tread out a ring all which must be donne by the ryder bouldly and without feare and as he must be thus vsed in going forward so must he be vsed in treading and pacing out the ring in some new plowed ground that is most deepe of mould where first let the olde Horse enter betwixt two furrowes so far as the rider may haue space enough and mould enough and follow with the young Horse close vnto him which will cause him the willinger to goe because he is directed and guided by the olde Horse by which meanes he shal not be any waies discomforted then let the olde Horse the young Horse following enter on the right hand ouerthwart the furrowes and tread out twice together a round ring conteyning in circuit about 30. paces beeing come about the second time where he beganne tread out the like ring on the left hand and after he hath so gone twice about let him begin againe on the right hand so continue vntil he haue gone about the left ring 4 times the right six that done go faire and softly out of the selfe same furrow where he began about 30. or fortie paces and there stand still keeping his head and bodie right in the path remembring alwaies to haue some go by to signifie his true doing and to helpe if neede be and then goe very gently backe againe from the place he came and there let the rider alight making much of him by coying him giuing him a little grasse hay or bread in his mouth to procure and win his loue and thus let him be vsed for two dayes with a Horse before him and after let him leade and beginne himselfe to treade and pace the Ring in this gentle manner by the space of ten daies keeping a temperate staide and firme hand vppon the Reines with a sweete feeling stay carrying his fore-head as Rammes do when they goe to fight whereby hee shall not onelye Reine well but beare his heade iust stayed and light and when hee knoweth what to doe and that for the same hee is euermore cherished hee will striue to doe it faster faster with the continuall keeping of your hand steadye hee will doe it with a wonderfull pride and delight and by giuing of libertie and hastie dooing will worke the contrarie In the pacing of the Ring you may not carry ouer hard hand to dull the sence but so temperately as the feeling may be alwaies fresh otherwise by the violent haling thereof by much galling his Nose whereof hee would willinglye haue ease to auoide the same he wil set his head necke awrie the true vse therefore is that standing in the Furrowe iust and streight with his bodye you moooue him gentlye to goe forward and in the verie motion turne him on the right hand by drawing verie softlye the right Rayne shorter with your right hand lowe vnder the Pomell of the Saddle whereunto if hee yeelde as no doubt but hee will especiallye hauing trodde the same before presentlye make much of him neither drawing nor slacking the Reyne at which time of dooing both for ease of the Ryder and Horse if neede shall bee let some skilfull bodye but his Keeper were moste fitte come on his left side to his foreshoulder and thrust him in by little and little and then the Ryder also by the Calfe of the left legge and the clacke of his tongue to bee a helpe to make him goe forward but if the horse bee such as I haue described hee will doe it voluntarilye and perfectlye without such helpes but if hee should not in the verie motion of the turne to drawe the Reyne with your hand as before whether it be on the right hand or on the left all which must bee done by gentle dealing so as hee may hope for rest and quietnesse whereby hee will bee readye to doe whatsoeuer
thinges for when you presse him with the bridle if hee carryeth his head well yet must you presentlye ease your bridle hand and make much of him because hee sheweth himselfe obedient vnto you and whensoeuer hee doth anye thing well and with delight you must bee verye heedefulnot to vexe him as if your desire were to torment him but euer so winne him as hee may bee willing to please you So likewise when you beare a firme hand with a stay thereby the Horse doth bring in his head and yeelde to your hand yet you must shorten the raines of your bridle till his head bee setled in due place that is neither to carie his fore-head too much out nor too much in stil maintaine him in the forme in all his dooings yet that it exceede not mediocrity or temperature but remaine light on the hand with a sweet mouth Thus hauing shewd you that it must be done I will shewe you how to doe it by keeping this order stay your horse temperately with the bridle vpon a stayed hand as his resistance shal require without giuing any libertie then with your rodde strike him gently vpon the bowing of the necke prouoking him with the spur on that side hee most wryeth his buttock to the end he may goe iust vntill he draw backe one of his forefeete which if hee doe make much of him and then stay a while and do the like drawing onely the bridle for the former cherishing will cause him to vnderstand you and then wil he goe lightly backe with both the fore legges when you touch him on the necke with the rodde saying with a lowde voice backe at which voice with the feele of the rodde and drawing of the bridle he will goe backe to your desire and alwaies after when hee is out of the due and true stay vppon the bridle doe the like that is to goe backe in forme afore-said and although some disorder be committed haue no dispaire for you shall finde him easily wonne to a good mouth by this vse of a temperate and firme hand which is by the mediocritie of slacking and drawing which is propperly tearmed a sweet stay What is a tēperate and firme hand which the Italians call Dolce Appoggio making him light vpō the hand champing the bitt with great pleasure and a stayed head in due place the true tokens whereof are iust rayne iust staide and light borne head with pleasure on the bit being properties inseperable in euery perfect shaped Horses actions but because it may seeme very difficult to haue continuance of perfection in euery action although it is common vppon stop or standing still to be in order yet perhaps vpon motion he wil leaue playing on the bit and beare vpon the hand especially vppon the maine careere which commeth for want of true knowledge how to maintaine and continue the hand iust and firme with a sweete stay so as he may take pleasure on the bit and therefore how to maintaine a Horse both in furious and quiet dooings is to be considered of if then at any time he make any disorder note it dilligently and by and by stay fayre and gently and make him go backe as you did before for in going backe he wil bring himselfe into his right order again then presently make much of him and forthwith mooue him forward faire and gently till he come to the place of stop and as he must be thus vsed in going forward so must he be vsed in treading of the rings first gently vppon the pace vppon the trot and so vpon the gallop in practising wherof you must precisely obserue that it be done with a temperate stayde and firme hand otherwise he will gape thrust his tongue vppon the bit or ouer the bit to defend himselfe thrust his head out sudd ainely pluck it in disdainefully or else shaking or moouing his head one way or other to be freed from the pressing of the intemperate hand which is to him violence and contrarie to Nature the which Art shold euermore labour to please The true forme practise of drawing the bridle is also to bee learned which is that being mounted in the Saddle let the Ryder draw the Raines equall and if the Horse know not the Bytt then let the Bytte bee verie slack and hold the Raines in his left hand with the little finger and ring finger betweene vnder the pomell of the saddle as neere the withers as he can and then with the right hand draw the raines softlye and equally together through the left hand so as the standers by can scarce perceiue the which hee may not remooue vntill he feele the Horse begin to stay vpon the bytt then there hold them without slacking or farther drawing vntill hee peruse whether the head standeth in true forme which if it bee not then let him a little yeelde his left hand againe and standing so a prettie while bring his left hand to his former place againe where the Horse made the first stay vppon the bytte but if you perceiue the Horse doubteth whether to put it out or bring it in which will bee hardly perceiued other then that then hee standeth without motion vppon the bytte then drawe the Raines with your right hand somewhat more through the left hand as before but so little and gently as can scarce bee perceiued by the Beholders for so must all the motions of the hand bee and then keepe it firme and stayed a prettie while and then if hee yeelde though verie little keepe your hand still at one stay neither slacking nor drawing it wherebye hee will feele the ease hee hath gotten by yeelding and then presentlye make much of him but if it happen the Raines fall slacke remooue not your left hand but drawe the Raines through your left hand as before for they may not be slack vntill he stay againe vppon your right hand whereunto whensoeuer he yeeldeth make much of him continuing still in this sort to solicite him till his head be in his due place that is neither too much out nor too much in after which time if hee beare not light let his keeper strike him gently on the knees of his fore-legges to make him go backe whereby he will bring in his head and then will the bit mooue and your hand finde ease but be very carefull at that instant to keepe your hand so firme as you neither slacke nor drawe in to the end he may feele and reteyne the ease of his owne motion of yeelding which willingly he will not loose beeing delightfull to nature but take delight to stir the bit in his mouth and goe backe withall likewise the which when you finde are tokens of the winning of his mouth which beeing won with obseruation of good order may be brought to continuall perfection Thus I haue shewed you so much as Arte may helpe but if the shape and nature of the Horse be opposite and repugnant as in
the greatest number of Horses it is howsoeuer for a time it may seeme perfect yet no doubt it cannot be of continuance and therefore still desire all men to put their vttermost helpe for to increase a perfect breede of Horses and increase of temperate teachers But because in the whole Art of Ryding there is no one thing more difficult then to make a Horse Trott iust and that the pefection thereof is the perfection of all other his iust dooings I purpose a little farther discourse heerein fearing that I haue beene too briefe so as diuers doubts may stil arise amongst such as haue not had long knowledge and practise therein Wherefore obserue that when you are teaching your horse heerein or in any other lesson that you doe not trouble him with anye other lesson at that time neither suffer him to begin to learne any other vntill he be verie perfect in that he is in learning 2 Secondly that you doe not suffer anye other to ride him vntill he be perfect in such lessons you purpose to teach him least he be confused by diuersitie of hands and man-ner of teaching 3. Thirdly when hee is brought to a iust stay of head and assurance of the bytt then doe you mainetaine him therein to a full perfection 4 Fourthly when he is out of order then stay him and make him goe backe as before is mencioned 5 Fiftly when he is in order then make much of him and stay not long but with a firme hand faire gently put him into his pace againe 6. Sixtlye if hee continue in his good order make much of him giuing your body with a gentle motion of the calfes of your legges mooue him to doe it more speedily the which if he be by nature good he will quickly performe alwaies remembring to keep a firme hand vnlesse by bringing in his head the Reines fall slack which must be then drawne as hath bene tolde you 7. Seauenthly if his trot continue not light vppon your hand stay him cause him to goe backe which will bring him in order againe and then gently put him into his pace so to his trot as before which being wel done cherish coy him by all the sweetest best meanes you may so that you may ouerwin his loue therby so for that time leaue him lead him home by some leading line in which time giue him a little grasse or hay on your hand and scratch him speake to him with the most louing words you may which will make him at your next exercise doe all thinges to your greatest content within twentie daies he will pace and trotte in such order as alwaies after you may trot him most swiftly in the rings or in manage 8. Eightly in his swift trot by all meanes keepe your true feate and firme hand so as he lose not that excellent forme and grace before prescribed but do not galloppe him vntil he be iust and perfect in his swift trot then out of that trot to put him to a quiet gallop in the large ringes euen to the stoppe but beware you draw not your hand hastily to you but by a little sway of your bodye backe and hand together and stay your hand there til he come back a step or two there stay him suffer him not to go forward in that instant make verie much of him so let your hand and body go to the place againe 9. Ninthly if he should then offer to goe forward stay him with the like sway and then alight lead him home making much of him as before 10. Tenthly to assure your selfe of the right vse of this hath bene saide and of the perfections therof pace your Horse ouerthwart some deepe fallowe as fast as you can for halfe an hower but suffer him not by any meanes to trot keeping your hand in a firme and temperat stay as before and if you still finde his head in due place his cariage light pleasant vpon the bit you are assured you haue gained the perfection of the hand and the true vse thereof for the teaching and making of a yong Horse wherin obserue that if he be of perfect shape his head wil be in due place light vpō the bit without art Now a little I purpose to speake of the Horse that is alreadie taught and brought to perfection wherin a good rider hath small neede to vse any rod or other help but to keep his true iust and perfect seat because the Horse by the least token or motion of bridle or spur will do all thinges in such time and measure as the beholders will iudge the Horse and rider but one bodie one minde and one will and therefore how the reines should be caried placed vsed is the onely thing to be spoken of The reynes you must holde in your left hand placing the little finger and ring-finger betwixt the two reines and the thumbe close vp on the reines so as the hand remooue not from the crest of the Horse for by the motiō of the hand it is signified to the Horse which way you would haue him turne which is by streyning the reyne on that hand you would haue him turne and slacking it on the other the order and manner there of hath bene and is yet diuersly vsed of the best horsemen and therefore I leaue it to euery mans vse as he findeth it most fit but in running at the Tilt where the Horse neither doth or can turne the rider must not draw the bridle towards the Tilt but only strainethe reine that is next the Tilt to make him cary his head towards the same 1. But because the true shape and goodnes of nature of the Horse is it that art attendeth worketh vpon in those Horses the rules of arte haue perfection with continuance so as the Horse that is of perfect shape and well taught shall not indanger winde or limbe or deformity of body 2. Next your person shal neuerbe in perill by rearing or running away 3. Thirdly the rider shall neuer be grieued with heauy bearing vpon his hand but performe all with great delight neither shal you need Cauetsane musrole martingale or such like but only false reines 4. Fourthly lastly this teaching will manifest the difference betwixt true knowers and ignorant ryders which doings the Horse doth represent expresse when he would appeare most beautifull and thereby make both the rider and himselfe appeare most noble terrible and beautifull to beholde with such delight to the beholders as they will seeme to be rauished with delight all which is attained by good discretion taking of time with temperance which of few is little regarded rather ryding without order and with such extremitie of spur and rod that for want of breath they commit many diforders whereby the poore Horse is cruelly tormented being no other then to ride as mad men without discretion and as passionate and furious men without
all other beastes in the middle betwixt man and Plante going as it were athwart so that man the vniuersall king of these lower parts walking with an vpright countenance as a maister in his house rulling all beastes with obedience and following will to man their commaunder springing from their naturall affection to account the minde being the efficient cause of their affection to action the minde beeing the efficient cause of their affection it is a consequent in reason that man by his knowledge and practise for the obteyning of the motion of their affection labour by art practise to gaine the minde and natural disposition of the subiect to endure their being which the god of nature hath giuen wherunto euerie creature desireth restitution All which principally consisteth in the true knowledge of nature for who seeth not that where nature is bound how it desireth to bee loosened The works of nature and wherin it is decayed how it laboureth to be restored and how all creatures in the world reioyce at their returning againe to nature and how the ordinance of all thinges is to haue ioyned the end to the beginning to make the course of it stable Not to change from his proper origionall kinde do we not see the tree bird sea Sun Stones Fyre and euery creature preserue themselues in the natural course of their first and primarie creation and haue an ynated hatred of all things that be enemies to the same Therfore whatsoeuer creature is to remaine for durable must now by mans industrie and the helpe of his owne nature so far as lyeth in the power of man bee brought to his former restitution and for this cause hath nature hid the knowledge and truth of all thinges in the heart of man which mooued Plato to say That whatsoeuer men learned they doe but recorde them as things forgotte Shall man then so diuine a Creature so much degenerate to become so slymy and earthy not to awake his thoughts from the sleepe of idlenes to imbrace the true knowledge of nature Art and practise of Horsemanshippe tending somuch to the honour of the King and preseruation of the whole body of the common-weale can any calling bee more noble then a good Horse-man are they not tryumphers both in Campes and Courts doth any earthly thing breede more wonder and hath not the same from all beginning beene hereditarie in the moste noble persons how then Fascientia nobilior quae Gersatur circa nobilius subiectuÌ„ shall not that action bee accompted moste best and honourable that is euermore performed by the best wherefore let the pleasure in the excercise of your mindes bee so cherished that without perswasion of the excellencye of the knowledge your selues may bee perswaded by knowing the fruites of knowledge Patente indisposito frustra intitur vis agentis None will bee taught if he be not mooued with desire to bee taught and as Aristotle saith It is not 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 but 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 must bee the fruite and how 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 can bee without being mooued to practise is not hard to consider but no doubt that man which seeth the vertue cannot but bee rauished with the loue of her beautie for as the Image of such actions stirreth and instructeth the minde with desire to bee worthy so it informeth with knowledge and practise how to be worthie haue not Horsemen from all beginning bene accompted egregia et imidiate regni membra The most excellent principall members of the kingdome and such as the Maiestie both of King and kingdome depend vpon What else mooued Seuerus the Emperor to cal them SenatoruÌ„ seminarium the nurserie of the state and as men especiall aboue others euermore called to the great and solemne meetings of the kingdome Comitis apelâ— laâ—â—â—gâ—n 〈…〉 pr◠〈◊〉 Coâ—â—â—â— laluls 〈…〉 â—hitter is not a Dake called Dux a dncendo exercitu of being the generall leader of the Army and a Marques called Mâ—chio of this word Mâ—cha which signifieth a horse for markgâ—ase signifieth equitun praefeclus the general of the Horsemen and Marsteller the maister of the Horse on whome all the companye of horse-men called Equestres depended who in former ages haue twice in the yeare celebrated their feastes called Equiria horsemens feasts viz On the thirâ—â—nth of March and the eighteenth of Aprill And the Romens in their gouerment did ensrancheis Horse-men with many liberties immunities as an ensigne of their fame appointed to those horsemen called Equestres the wearing of golde Rings naming them Equites aurati the golden Knightes and afterwards for their more honour gaue them ornawenta deaurâ—ta gilded ornaments If I should speake of ancient Histories who are the witnes of former times the light of truth the life of remembrance the mistris of life messenger of old season how memorable is Salon on theme stâ—â—enowned king who kept twelue thousand Horsenâ—en Phrao Cornclâ—â— Ta â—â—us Oldendorpuis 〈…〉 deâ—tar so 133 inuincible Alexander â—ulius Câ—â—lar King â—ycus Bellerophon Son of Gâ—oucus King of Eplera who â—lew two monsters Solymâ—â— Chymera who rid swift Pâ—gâ—sus into a mountaine of Iabia called Chimera and of Câ—ius Câ—lar in the time that hee sauoured Mâ—rius against Silla who to shew the excellency of his horsemanship caused his hands to be bound behinde him and by the only keeping of his knees close to the horse with the small motion thereof without bridle and saddle perfectly to stay stop and turne and of many other kings the memorable records of whose excellent actions would rauish the Reader with admiration how horsemen should become so wonderfull among men So may I not forget the worthines of the Horse from whome the worthines of man proceedeth whose antiquitie cannot be blotted out of memory beeing originally created with man for his only vse and seruice It is said in the 21. of Prouerbs that the Horse was prepared for the day of battaile Bello armantur equs bella haec â—n minta ninantur and in the 1. of Kings the 4. and 2. Croni 9. that Salomon kept 40. thousand horses for warre and likewise many places of the Scriptures make mention of the greate prouision of Horses for warres and to illustrate their excellencie appeareth in the 39. of Iob. How the strength of the Horse commeth from the Lord and with neying hee couereth his necke and that his neying is fearefull that hee diggeth with his feete in the valley and reioyseth in his strength hee goeth foorth to meete the Harnest man hee meeketh at feare and is not affraide and turneth not his backe from the Sword though the Quiuer rattle against him the glittering Speare and the Shield hee swalloweth the ground with swiftnesse and rage and beleeueth not it is the voice of the Trumpet hee saith among the Trumpets ha ha hee smelleth the battaile a farre off and the noyse of the Captaines and the shouting so that
manifolde errors in Horsemanship and the increase of the infinite and intollerable number of Iades do so swarme within this kingdome and elsewhere vpon the face of the earth so as in place of one true perfect shaped Horse there are a thousand Iades to the dishonour of king and Country Will any gather fine and pleasant fruite from trees before the same be fully ripe fit to be eaten but such as are ignorant and without vnderstanding to knowe what is fit to be done and can any truly taste and gather the true vse and fruite of any Arte but he whose minde vnderstanding hath bene is mollified and ripened thorough the knowledge of Nature Art and practise thereof and hath thereunto submitted himselfe and disgested by experience the whole substance matter of this Arte Where is hee to be found that hath laboured and spent his time in the true knowledge of Nature art practise of horsmanship but onely in some particular part therof without which it is impossible to haue a true and sound iudgement therein because the same is as a body consisting of many particular members how then can the whole Arte of Horsemanship be knowne before euery parte thereof bee knowne If a Gentleman endeauour to be learned in the Lawes of this Kingdome doth he not first come to an Inne of chauncerie and there continue one yeare or two to learne the Lawe French and to read bookes fit for a young student and then goe to an Inne of Court and must painefully study eight or nine yeares before he be called to the Bar after he is called diligently and studiously for diuers yeres keepe his vacations and excercise of learning both in the house and publikely abroad in Innes of Chauncery to be aprooued of his study and if he be then thought and aprooued sufficient within few yeares after called to bee a Reader in an Inne of Chancery for one two or three yeares together before he be suffred or vndertake to practise And is not euery base manuell trades-man an Apprentise and Iournyman before he be admitted a Maister of his Arte how then shall it be possible for a Gentleman to attaine perfection in so honourable and difficult an Art as Horsemanship without many yeares study and practise when as all Kings Princes and Nobilitie become Schollers for many yeares onely to attaine to ride well beeing but a particular parte of Horsemanship And shall any that hath vnderstanding onely in part presume sufficiencie of vnderstanding truely to write of the whole Arte I know there is not any thing more opposite to the practise of this time and writings of others then this my labour and yet I haue notwithstanding aduentured Lupum auribus tenere to holde the Woolfe by the Eares bitten while I holde and slaine when I lose knowing that difficult thinges doe euermore come slowly and dangerouslie forward and cannot shew themselues manifestly together at one instant but are from time to time augmented and brought to better order whereby the nature of euerie thing according to natures desire is most best knowne and discerned in the end the end to a generallitie of perfection so as in all Arts their good is the end can the end and perfection of any Arte be more excellent good and more worthy of a subiects pen to bee treated of then of the true knowledge of the honourable Arte of Horsemanship the increase of strength the honour of the king and preseruation of the kingdome what if the same be resisted with the bitter humor of Zoilisme and malice a thing not greatly to be meruailed for so much as that which is easiest is still most vsual but if any are so euil created to bee malicious detracters whose reason cannot shewe so reasonable to leaue reasoning in thinges aboue their reason I leaue them to their dismembred fractions and to the vsarie of their owne desires and onely endeuour to establish the vnstable iudgement in the true knowledg of a good horse and will set downe the naturall quallities that were in euerie horse at his first creation without which no horse can truly be called a good horse which by mans transgression lye secret and hid in man and by naturall abilitie of man may be restored to a full and sufficiēt perfectiō for mans vse though not in the superlatiue excellencie as they issued from the hands of God for as God gaue vnto Adam all perfection that might be in mankinde so hee gaue all perfection to those creatures which were immediately created by him for nothing issued from the hands of God ill shaped or vnperfect and as Adam was created Lord of all creatures to prouide for and preserue them in all perfection in their kinde the same right and charge is discended vppon vs his children But if euerie point herein bee not or can bee so plaine or euident laide foorth as were to bee desired yet it is a custome in reason to coniecture probably where wee cannot define certainly and still by all artistes more and more to be laboured to make perfect that which in a meere admirer can be hardly imagined yet in a sufficient vnderstanding see it liuely exprest and if my rules which I expresse bee easily ouerturned that which I teach is consequently subiect to ouerturning the want of due apprehension heerein hath brought many errors vnto all Arts and professions so as it is more laborous to purge Art from error then to teach the true knowledge and practise of the Art the due consideration whereof moueth me orderly to set downe those onely true qualities which naturally were in them in their primarie creation and ought to bee in euerie good horse full and sufficient for the vse of man and particulerly prooue the same by the rules of nature Art practise the which I reduce onely to sixe Boldnes louingnes sure going easie going durable and free going all which are like vnto Hypocrates twins sicke together and well together laugh and weepe together and alwaies are inseparable in euery excellent horse First therefore I affirme that euerie good Horse naturally is and ought to bee bolde I meane not as the prouerbe saith so bold as blinde Bayard whose senses are not sufficient to guide him from his owne wilful destruction but of naturall boldnes neerest to his first creation and perfection of goodnes wherein was no defect of Nature but full and complete for the vse of man in all obedience to the true performance of euery action for if hee had bene fearfull he had not bene fit to encounter the enemie to passe waters or dangerous places great concourse of people much noise strange sights or such like which shold not now haue bene if the affections of nature grafted in them had remained still vncorrupted Difinition of feare for as feare is defined to be an awe of some euill drawing neere at hand so hauing possessed the creature it depriueth him of many comforts which
nature originally had affoorded for the Horse which remaineth neerest his originall creation goeth foorth as Iob in his 29. Chapter affirmeth to meet the harnest man mocketh at feare and is not afraid and turneth not backe from the sworde And as Virgil saith Nec vanos horret strepitus neither doth suddaine noise feare him and therevpon the learned say Quod alios territ is non curabit that which dooth astonish make other creatures affraid he regardeth not CHAP. 14 Of Louingnes to man SEcondly I affirm that euery good horse is and ought to be by Nature louing to man free from al hurt mischiefe and although loue be such a thing as cannot exactly perfectly bee definde as also vnpossible to comprehend all things which do appertain to the nature disposition and efficacie therof yet who doth not see the vertue whereby the louer is knit vnto him whome he loueth and yet none able so much to knowe what as of what quallitie it is but by actions and obseruations and therefore when man shall put a louing Horse to any action he shal see in him euermore a following will to obay and as thunder pierceth the clowds so violently for the loue he beareth his Maister doth he force himselfe against his Maisters enemie and if ineuitable danger ensue he either carrieth his maister from the same or powring out teares of his maisters ruine entertaineth present death whereby the learned haue truely noted their originall nature saying Victores exultant sed victi dolent when they are victors ouercommers then they reioyce but being ouercome they are sorrowfull and mourning otherwise they could not be approoued sensible creatures wherof I haue giuen you examples not vnlike the true loue that was betwixt Nisus the son of Hictaci Eurialus that when Eurialus his deere beloued friend was slaine Nisus hauing taken reuenge of his death afterwards digged him selfe into Eurialus graue so rested with pleasing death whereof Virgil in his 9. book saith his amor vnus erat pariterq in bella ruebāt to these was one loue by fight perished together such is the loue of the louing horse to man euermore entombeth his maisters loue in the graue of destruction iealious of his masters safety vvhen as the frovvard dogged-natured horse keepeth mischiefe and malice inseperable to vvaite vpon his actions to giue freedom to himselfe nam contra eorū eadem est disciplina for of contraries is like learning vvherefore as loue tovvards man man is a vertue commended so loue and obedience of beastes vvith perfection of action to man is originally the ordinance of God in his first creation and therefore as euerie thing ordayned by God is in his ordinance most excellent so all frovvard and dogged lades resisting and opposite to their originall creation vvith a naturall inclination and perseuerance therein to man is a manifestation of their corruption CHAP. 15. Of sure going THirdly I affirme that euerie good horse by nature is sure going and by al practise appeareth so to be for as continually hee is sure from stumbling so if any accident tendeth to his dovvnefall he striueth so long as breath or life lasteth to recouer and keepe himselfe vp if it bee possible vvith his maisters safetie vsing his ioyntes and limbes with such spirit and nimblenesse that hee seemeth to swallowe the ground by his agilitie betokening rather flying then strugling euermore aduenturing his owne perill to keepe his maister from perill whereas the roile and Iade that will not aduenture the leaping of a blocke yet will not faile to stumble nay to make a downefall at a strawe euermore endangering his maisters safety by his sluggish and fearefull seruice so as his Maister neuer so much attendeth his owne preseruation as when he trusteth to a Iades securitie Againe if the good horse were not by nature sure going no art beeing able to helpe how should the first creation of horses bee perfectlye good the same being euermore a principall good action for the vse and safetie of man for whose onely seruice he was created and still preserued CHAP. 16. Of easie going FOurthly I affirme that euerie good horse by his originall nature is easie going as a principall qualitie of his first creation and therefore so stedily iustly and duely he lifteth and setteth fearing to shake his maister expressing thereby the effect of his strength the vertue of his loue still striuing to bee delightfull without danger or meanes of discontent the contrary wherof euermore hapneth by the vse of Iades racking euerie part of mans body so as hee rather desireth a footeboies place then a Horsemans seat not onely to the ouerthrowe of mens lawful labours and endeuors but the whole vse of their perfection of action whervnto they were onely created CHAP. 17 Of long continuance in trauell FIftly I affirme that euery good Horse is by his originall nature durable and of great continuance in his labour the same being a principall qualitie of his first creation for that to enable his seruice to the vse of man in the 39. of Iob. it is saide that his strength is giuen him of God and that he reioyceth therein as purposely ordeyned by God for the seruice of man without which man is depriued of his best and hopefull issues of his labours by his debilitie and lacke of strength CHAP. 18. Of free going SIxtly I affirm that euery good Horse is free and full of desire to performe as a most principall quallitie of his first creation in perfection of all action befitting the vse of man without which hee doth bring much more tedious and grieuous labour then profitable vse and therefore to manifest the ordinance of God in their creation for the comfort of man it appeareth how he thrusteth himselfe with ioy to run headlong into the battaile and as Virgil saith Loco stare nescit micat auribus et tremit artus cauatque tellurem et solido grauiter sonat vngula cornu hee cannot quiet rest but setteth his eares vpright and being full of spirit hee holloweth the ground and with the hollownes of his horned hooues maketh great sound wherein the great goodnes of God to man is to be noted that so strong warlike a beast is so willing to obey and desirous to performe when Assensus sequitur authoritatem dicentis with his whole assent he followeth the authoritie of the speaker whereby al their works might carry admiration if man were not made tame with their continuall actions of admiration CHAP. 19. To prooue those sixe qualities in their originall nature and what they are NOw it remaineth that wee prooue That these sixe quallities are alwaies inseperable that these sixe quallities of a good Horse their coherens indiuiduall connexion as linkes in one chaine and so fastened coupled together What is a Relative as the lacke of the one shall be a true relatiue the losse and destruction of the other for relatiues are alwaies