obteine or bee depriued of his original and naturall qualitie by the goodnes or badnesse of any Ayre whatsoeuer although hee alter his helth or obscure the quality for a time yet doth it not depriue him of his naturall qualitie but such as he had from his Syer and dam such will he be vnto his death although by good or euill vsage or education he may be either helped or hindered for the best phisitions Philosophers do hold that all creatures receiue their conditions and qualities at the time of their framing and not at their birth for otherwise nature were not perpetuall so as the ayre where they are bred cannot be any speciall inherent cause of naturall goodnes or badnesse et res quaelibet dominatur a suacausa and euerie thing is gouerned of his own cause then if no cause of naturall goodnes not any naturall effect thereof can followe the which if it be not naturall then not perpetuall but accidentall whereof art taketh no knowledge so as the force thereof cannot depriue generall nature for it is a generall rule amongst all learned quòd accidens in corpore nullum pars est corporis naturalis that an accident in the body is no part of the naturall body CHAP. 8. Of the Water SEcondly of the water which all men know to be a heauy element colde and moist and yet the water cannot aptly bee saide a meere Element of Water being mixed and vnpure as our experience doth teach vs with Brimstone Allom salt and such like c. no more then smoke can be said of it self to be a pure clement but this we know that it is by nature colde and moist and the power and vertue thereof doth mollysie and yeelde nourishment more then the aire to the body therfore doth tēperate moderate the element of fire in the body but the same cānot any waies depriue original nature without depriuation of y◠subiect being cōpounded of the elements wherof water is one although not such as we see except it do exceed the cōpasse of natures mixture in the creation of the creature for if materiall water should alter the nature of the Beaste from the qualitie of his originall creation how should hee bee fit for the vse of man when necessitie shall enforce him to drinke of all waters and thereby haue seuerall alterations in qualitie and therefore that beeing no principall cause there cannot be any effect of the alteration of original nature from the creation CHAP. 9. Of the Ground THe third the last is the ground which is a heauie Element colde and drie and may well be saide to bee the mother of all bodies the which according to the Mathematickes be deuided into mountaines Hilles Vallies Fields Medowes and such like the cause whereof the great Flouds and Windes in the time of the generall inundation of the whole world haue so erected as some learned doe maintain and in the first creation to be otherwise Now that the drynesse or wetnesse the stony or shade hils or dales should make a new alteration of nature other then for perfection or imperfection of health or for other accidentall matter as the Fens and marshes doe witnesse I cannot finde reason to perswade although I admitte the goodnesse of the ground a meanes to many good purposes for preseruation of the temperature in the composition of the creature then being no alteration of nature other then accidentall which hath not perpetuitie I holde the same no such cause whereupon any such effect followeth consequently that the goodnesse of horses is not appropriate more to one countrie then to another neither is or can be any assurance of the natural goodnes of any horse for as ashes thogh they be compounded of the 4. elemēts yet no naturall agent in the world can corrupt them or take frō thē their qualitie agreeable to their nature because nature left to her libertie to her own order without oppressing her turneth by little little to recouer the figur she had before which could not be if the same were once depriued of his original quality which it took at the time of creation for nature neuer passeth frō one extreame to another but by the mean CHAP. 10. Of the colour of horses NOw are we to proceede to the examination of the certainty of the knowledge that may be takē from his colour which all men most embrace wherof my purpose is first to name those which they cal the best viz. Browne bay dapple-gray black ful of siluer haires black like a moore the Roane bright bay darke bay bright sorrel flea-bitten whitelyard c. The ancient writers tel vs that euerie horse is coloured as he is complexioned according to complexion he is good or euil conditioned and as hee doth participate of the Elements so hee is complexioned and this is the Topica vel sedes argumenti the place or seate of the argument affirming that if he haue most of the element of the fire then hee is cholericke and therefore light hot fierie and of no great force as the bright sorrel but if of the element of water then dull slowe heauie cold of nature and therefore most commonly milk white but if of the element of the Aire then more full of blood sanguine nimble pleasant and of collour bay but if of the earth then melancholly faint-hearted sad and heauie and of colour dark dun russet or blacke and thereby seeme to conclude that colours are the demonstrations of goodnesse of qualitie so as by these and such like reasons by continuance of time our selues beeing desirous euermore to maintaine and vpholde that we first receiue as the new pot that retaineth the taste of the first licour it was first seasoned with not hauing iudgement truely to discerne the same being a fundamental point of their doctrine In this Art is to be examined from reasons of truth and confutation of cauill and therefore from right institution I will begin with difinition because a man may be well said to knowe when hee vnderstandeth what it is that hee doth handle I define complexion thus Complexto est qualitas que ex actione ad inuicem passione contrariarum qualitatum in elementis inventarum resaltat complexion is a qualitie or condition which doth rebound or moue out of the ioynt action and passion of contrariety of the qualities moued in the elements of which foure complexions whose fathers are the foure Elements there is a mixture of them all in all the partes of the body yet diuerslie more inclyned some to one some to another complexion according to their diuersitie of their vses that of these discords a perfect harmony may bee made vp for a perfect complexion but when any part of the body goeth to bee distempered leadeth to an extreamitie beyond the compasse of natures temperate mixture then cures of contarie qualities to the intemperate inclination of that part may bee both necessarie and
when I apprehended with Galen that euery science is a conuenient firme notice that neuer departeth from reason knowing the end where vnto I was borne and to whose benifit I should liue notwithstanding all stimulatorie causes of progression I assembled my conceits to peîrce through the hardnes of the enterprise rather estemed to walk alòe to steepe downefalles and with Quintus Fabius to hazard my credit yea with worthy Horatius Cocles my life for the honour of my soueraigne and benefit of my country then to be like the beasts who neuer forsooke the beaten path and high market way with a guide before them so as posteritie shall still liue without adding increase to former knowledge and therefore as to the load-star of my desire and prefixed period for producing fourth of that truth which this Art hath bin long in trauell of for Nihil magnum subito noscitur I haue adventured to draw the thred of this subiect to my determinate conclusion not by a dim light soone quenched but by a Sinopsis or perfect viewe of the whole body of breeding to shew the reason and cause of the errors in breeding the true meanes of restitution thereof to perfection An action most befitting man The vse of reason who by nature is reasonable to teach according to his owne nature the same being as Seneca affirmeth an imitation of nature so as reason hauing his true vse it shall not onelye beholde and contemplate the truth but also represse and bridle all affections that swell and rise against it as a vertuous Mistresse admonishing and thereby become the most excellent nursse to suckle vp true knowledge practise to the full proportion of man his hopeful desire but least any shold tell me that my passion in the earnest loue of this subiect should make me forget my passages I proceede to set downe the only essentiall and true obseruations of a perfect breede wherein I pray you obserue a principle most fit truly to know whece proceedeth the most excellent colts that are begotten 1. First prouide Horses and Mares of the most perfect and beautifull shape euen such and no other then I formerly described 2. Secondly truly vnderstand at what age such horses and mares are fittest to beget and bring foorth perfect Colts 3. Thirdly how to prepare and keepe those horses and Mares before they come to the Action 4. Fourthly when how and where they are to doe the action in perfection 5. Fiftly how to keep them in perfection after their conception vnto the time of foaling 6. Sixtly and lastly how to vse them when they are foaled and how to preserue continue them in their perfection Now if any man demaund of me why I doe not shew what groūds are meetest for breed how such groūds are to be seuered to what end euerie diuision should serue I answere it were Sisiphi saxum voluera great labour without profit for can any man thinke that euery man that wold or doth breed horses may goe to Corinth or can haue such groundes as may be discribed are not most grounds of seueral natures qualities are there not infinite numbers of Colts most excellently bred by such as haue no inclosed groundes and doth not euerie mans experience being his principall leader confirme the sufficiencye of multitude and number that are so bred so that if one of an hundred that are bred were good few could iustly complaine I haue therefore heerein indeuoured to enforme the reader with true knowledge how to haue an excellent breede so neere as mans wisdome may attaine the truth wherof being laid down will sufficiently direct euerie man how far the true vse of all grounds doe CHAP. 28. Of the creation and generation of Horses 1. IT is twofolde Supernaturall and to be considered after a two-folde manner 1. The first and primarie once immediately by God in his supernatural Creation 2. Naturall The second and ordinarie in his naturall generation 1. Conception The ordinarie and naturall generation is made by the elementarie force and forming vertue which is in the seede when it is in the wombe in such order that the 13 first daies the seed of the horse and mare doe mingle vnite and curdle together like Creame are made one body which is the conception 2. Tormelesse blood The next xiii daies this seede is concocted thickned and changed into a masse of flesh and indigested formeles blood which is the proper matter of his bodie 3. Fashioned body The third xiii daies following of this masse or lumpe is made and fashioned the body in grosse 4. Perfect body The fourth xiii daies the whole body is ended and perfected and no more vnperfect in shape and at the fourth month the Colt hath motion and sence and tripling this terme which is at the twelue months he commeth foorth into the light CHAP. 29. Of the Elements whereof the Horse and euerie other creature is compounded EVerie Colt and likewise euerie creature and things inanimate are in their creation compounded of the Elements which is as much to say of a pure and simple thing which the outward sence cannot discerne and yet the common beginning of all Creatures namely of Fyer Ayer Water and Earth I mean not such as we dayly see with our eyes for they are bodies compounded which our sences doe perfectly know but these Elements I speak of are aboue which our outward sences are not able to discerne First of the Fyer Fyer which is the highest lightest Element placed next the Moone and of nature hot dry but most of heate 1. His vertues properties by reason of his heate are to mooue to generation The vertues 2. Secondly to seuer the bones in the Colt from the flesh the flesh from the sinewes the heart from the liuer c. as the wood that is burned hath vapor smoak flame and ashes which the heat seuereth so in burning of seuerall mettalls the heate seuereth the one from the other and yet gathereth the like together 3. Thirdly to ripen 4. Fourthly to disgest thinges rawe and vndigested 5. Fiftly to mingle dry with moist 6. Sixtly to open the Pores of the Colt that the ayer being somewhat grosser may enter into the body 7. Seauenthly to breake the colde of the water and earth so as it may not distemper the bodie The second element is the Ayre Aeyr and placed next the fire and is light and hot but chiefly moist 1. First by reason of his moisture I meane not a waterish moisture but a comforting nourishing moisture as oyle is to the lampe The vertues to make the matter apt to receiue shape 2. Secondly to make the mixt bodies of blood fleame choler and melancholly not onely subtile and penetrable but also light to the intent they may be neither too grosse nor too heauy 3. Thirdly to slake the burning of the heart and of the other members as
apeareth by the office of the lungs which as a paire of bellowes doth drawe fresh ayre vnto the same and also gladde the spirrits and disburdeneth it selfe of those fumes and excrementes which oppresse it filling all emptie corners with moistnes and howsoeuer the ayre seeme to our sences yet doth it yeeld more moisture then the water The third element is Water which though heauy and moist Water yet most colde 1. First by meanes of his coldenes for colde is not actiue it doth conglutinate and ioyne his bones with flesh and sinewes The vertues and his flesh with sinewes and bones for the nature of colde is to binde durt wood stickes strawes and such like in one masse 2. Secondly with his coldenes it doth temper the feruent heat of the fire 3. Thirdly it doth gather that together which the fire would disperse asunder for the nature of heate is to open and disperse that which colde hath conioyned and of colde to binde that which heat hath dissolued The fourth element is the Earth which though it be heauie and colde yet most chiefiy drie Earth The Colt being a mixt body the earth doth harden and retaine his shape which the Ayre and water would make fluxible The vertues as is to be seene in waxe and other things newly wrought which before it be hard and dry will not holde and when the body dieth those elements both in quallitie and substance returne from whence they came as that which is hot to the fire that which is moist to the ayre that which is colde to the water and that which is dry to the earth CHAP. 30. Of the humors THe humor from whence the seed and menstruall blood are taken for the framing of the Colte are 1. Blood 2. Fleame 3. Choler 4. Melancholly 1. The blood which is perfect is hot and moist and yet his predominate quallitie heate and therefore ful of ioy and pleasure 2. The Fleame is colde and moist but the predominate quallitie thereof coldenes and therefore full of waterish blood with little heat of spirit 3. The choler is hot and dry but the pedorminate qualitie therof is heat and therfore full of anger when the blood is ouer hot not cleere but of thick spirit 4. The melancholly which is blacke choler is colde and dry but the predominate quallitie drines therfore heauy sad and fearefull for the blood is thicke and colde and the spirit full of darkenes CHAP. 31. The vses to be gathered from the humors Humor FIrst that the cause of the good or bad temperature of the Colte which is his good or bad qualitie proceedeth from the goodnes or badnes of the blood the blood in nature though not in predominate qualitie is like vnto the ayre light hot and moist fleame to the water which is heauie and moist choller which is red like vnto blood hot and drye melancholly which is blacke choller heauy colde dry like vnto the earth But the fleame sweetneth the force of the two choller 's and the melancholly moderateth the suddaine motions Blood The Fountaine of the blood is the liuer and the vse of this fountaine is to keep it pure from which the veines issuing are as channells of the first and naturall blood and the Arteries comming from the heart as conduits of the second blood more subtill and vitall from whence it is apparant that the purity thereof dwelleth in the heart yet the liuer is the storehouse of blood fountaine of the veines the seat of the naturall nourishing facultie or vegatiue soule made ingendred of the Chyle that is to saya kinde of white suck or whey fit for the nourishment of the bodie which by veines passe vnto the liuer Fleame Fleame in the braine which is colde and spungeous and the seat of the sensible soule Vbi sedet pro tribunali the braine and not the hart for the heart hauing feeling and motion is not capeable of sence Choler Choler in the liuer Melancholly Melancholly in the spleene which is the receit and discharge of the excrements of the liuer 1. From hence it may be truely collected that euerie humor hath his proper end and vse Blood chiefly nourisheth the body Fleame helpeth to mooue the Ioints choler to prouoke the body to anoid excrements and melancholly to prouoke the horse to appetite 2 Secondly it may be collected that such as the temperature of the elements are in these humors whereof the Colt is framed in the wombe such will bee his qualities and dispositions in his actions and if any of these humors are predominate in qualitie when the Colt is framed of them then he is to bee tearmed according to the predominate qualitie thereof Now there are in euerie Colt aswell Male as female foure chiefe or principall instrumentall members viz. the braine the heart the liuer and the stones otherwise the Female could not haue seede to mooue her to lust whereof the first three are onely to preserue the body wherein they bee and the fourth to preserue the whole kinde from which doe spring other officiall members which doe serue and doe office to the principall members as the sinewes from the braine which are animall spirits the Arteries from the heart which are vitall spirits the veines from the liuer which are the naturall parts and the seede vessels from the stones as place of generation CHAP. 32 From whence these humors proceede and haue their being THere cannot bee any thing more true or agreeable to reason The foure faculties viz. Eating Retaining Concoction Expulsion then to affirme that nature hath prouided for euerie beaste foure Naturall faculties viz. to eate to retaine to concoct to expel of which concoction altering the foode there are residing in their bodies the saide foure humors blood Fleame Choler and Melancholly whereof nature vseth onely the seruice of one to worke the creature which is an excrement that may fitly be tearmed whey or wheish blood whose engendering is wrought in the liuer and in the veines at such time as these foure humors doe take from the beast the forme substance they ought to haue and of such licour as this dooth nature serue her selfe to resolue the meate to work that the same may passe thorough the veines thorough the straite passages carrying nourishment to all the partes of the body What is a Veine The veines being a conceptacle or emptie place of receite for the blood mixed cōfused with the vitall spirit the which veines haue their beginning from the liuer their office is to draw from the liuer vnto them this whey to send part of the same thorough the passages into the bladder from thence out of the body to free the creature from offence wherof two of the veines cary part of the said whey frō the liuer to the cods vessels of seede there residing with some smal quantity of the purest blood wherby the
his former perfection so farre as lyeth in the power and abilitie of man CHAP. 35 That the aliment or food that the Horseeand Mare do seede vppon before thâ—ction raiseth and maketh their seed THe learned Phisitions and Philosophers do holde that all aliment or foode is differing in qualitie after the disgestion and concoction in euery creature and hath a different and particular seed aswel in substance as in tâ—perature from which groud it is probable and without contradiction that the colt begotten pertaketh his temperature and quallitie of the meate which their Sires did feed vppon before the action for who is so much depriued of vnderstanding but knoweth that there are meates and drinks to increase or mittigate heat or drynes or moistute for though it be true that all meat that Horses eat whether in naturall quallitie the same are hot or colde dry or moiste turne to the nature of the Horse and of his substance whereof if any other creature doe eat it will doe the like yet such as the naturall quality of the meat is in his operation such wil be the naturall quallitie of the humors after the same is concocted and disgested in the bodie and according thereunto such wil be the blood the fleame the choler and the melancholy that commeth from the same for if the Horse be fed with grasse sorrell lettuce or other hearbes will any man doubt but that the blood and other humors that come thereof wil be in nature and qualitie colde and moist according to the naturall qualitie of that aliment or foode Then if the blood and other humors after the concoction of such food be colde and moyst will any man doubt that the seed of generation and the menstruall blood for so much therof as nature taketh from it but that the same wil be cold and moist acording to the natural quallitie thereof and that as the blood thereof is colde and moiste the wheyish blood thereof drawne from the liuer by the veynes wil be colde moist and the seed thereof cold moist because the humors do attaine the substances and qualities which the meate had before it was eaten that the brain of the colt being the seat of his sence hath his beginning maintenance from the purest part of the seede and measure of spirit which the Colt hath from the liuer heart and veines will be of like Nature and qualitie For if wee consider the Colt and sound the causes of his essence and nature and consider the causes which maketh him mooue you shall finde that it is his heate and moisture which are two principall qualities consisting in all liuing creatures nourishers of nature for so soone as heate and moisture faile in any liuing creature it can no more liue nor mooue streight is the body occupied with contrarie qualities coldnes and drynes the enemies of nature If you will mount ascend higher to know what is the cause of those two qualities heate and moisture you shal finde that it is because al liuing creatures are composed of the foure elements of fyer aier water earth in which the said foure qualities of heate moisture coldnesse and drinesse doe consist and while heate and moisture rain in the body it liueth but when cold and drynesse are predominate then dyeth it Againe if you consider the cause of the heate and moisture and the other qualities which wee see in the foure Elements and in the bodies made of them yee shall finde the sun the cause of the heat the moone the cause of the moisture let vs passe farther and seek the cause wherefore the Sunne is hot and the moone moiste and from whence these qualities come vnto them and we shall finde the soueraigne cause in God The due consideration heereof if without partialitie it be considered will moste apparantly condemne the practise of all breeders and the workes of all former writers and their knowledge of nature not to bee defended for if iudicially you consider that the power of all begetting doth onely appertaine to his naturall vertue called his vegetatiue soule the which if it haue bred and cherished a rawe colde and vnperfect seede how can it be defended but that the Colt begotten of that seede wil be of the same temperature and depriued of the good temperature which it ought to haue according whereunto his goodnes or badnes of action will be wherefore seeing all the learned and true experience teache vs that there are only two waies to come vnto the knowledge of thinges the one from the causes and maximes to the knowledge of the effects consequences the other when contrary by the effects consequences we know the causes and maximees For when we see the earth waxe greene and the trees gather leaues wee know by that effect that the Sunne which is the cause thereof approacheth nigh vnto vs and wee come to receiue this maximee that the Sunne giueth vigor and force to the earth to bring forth fruites And by the contrarie wee receiue this maxime to know the effect and to conclude the consequence that the Sunne comming nigh vs the earth bringeth forth her fruits and withdrawing from vs the earth leaueth to bring foorth CHAP. 36. The meanes to make theseede perfect for generation IT is graunted by all learned and vnderstanding men that the seede of the horse ought to be hot and drie and that all excessiue moisture of seede must bee abated and taken away 1 Labour Now the means to make hot and dry seede fit for generation is labour and spare dyet 2 Spare dyet by labour the moisture by reason of heate is exhausted by spare dyet the disgestion is made perfect and therefore through heate proceeding from labour the same is easily perfectly concocted and so be cometh fit for generation wherin also this consideration is to bee had that the meate that the horse and mare do feed vpon be in qualitie of Nature hot and dry and then moderately taken there is no doubt but that the seed which shall come thereof will be easily perfected because naturallie it partaketh of the qualitie and temperature of the meate as hath bin said and also the same meate that feedes both horse and Mare would be one and the same The cause why Colts are like their Syres because it will increase a vniforme seede and so the Colt be like vnto the Syers the meate would bee olde sweete hay or Wheate-strawe moderately giuen his prouender olde dryed cleane and sweete Oates wynowed or cleansed from all dust and filth mingled with olde dryed pease or beanes with a scattering of Baye salte and anniseedes their water sweet and pure and euery day early in the morning when they are both fastinge and emptie moderately excercised vntill they sweate and then painefully dressed rubbed dry and thorough cold before any meat be giuen vnto them the which doth not only perfect disgestioÌ„ exhausteth the moisture from their
deepe chest and body with vpright pasternes and narrowe hoofe to giue testimony of his great strength and abilitie of body to indure and continue long great trauel And euery vntrue vnperfect shaped horse hauing in euerye part the contrary shape viz. A narrow fore-head litle eyes fleshy head thick fleshy Iawes short neck set on like a Hog or Goate a narrow shallow brest body weak bending pasterns fleshye broad club-footed is a moste vile royle and a Iade in all and euerie his actions so as all the Artistes and moste excellent horsemen in the vniuersall world can neuer endowe him with the least perfection of action continuāce therin wherby you may as truely infalliblie iudge the difference betwixt good bad as the difference betwixt fire water as also the perfection imper fectiō of the cōposition temperature of his elemēts in the time of his creation for whē you see a horse or colt that is naturaly lean dry wil hardly be made fat continne fat yet digesteth speedily of a slener substance of bodye short hayred and the same hard and full of stirring it is plaine that he was composed of the predominate humor of red choler and that the blood wherof the seede was made was of a darke and thicke spirit and had much of the Gall for if the blood had bene perfect it would haue bene hot and moist of an oilie substance for want of which radical moisture he doth too speedily disgest neuer fat of slender substance his hayre short dry and hard for want of that moisture to passe thorough the pores of the skin to make the same soft of length and substance and that hayre if it bee eaten will neuer bee digested by reason of his drynes when as his bones being eaten will be digested besides he cannot be long liued wanting sufficient radicall humors to feede his great heat for the lack whereof hee is like to a lamp that hath a great flame little oyle therfore speedily consuming the Oyle it extinguisheth his owne light and this horse is tearmed cholericke and his shape must of necessitie bee defectiue in substance because largenes and great proportion of shape proceedeth principally from moisture so as wanting substance and fulnes of proportion as I haue formerlye saide he cannot be of continuance but quickly spent like vnto small dry wood which speedily flameth and therefore is speedily consumed soone hot soone colde a great bragger but no performer a fiery looke and countenance in whome at the first entring into action there is no temperance seeming rather to flye then to be content to stand quiet and yet the trauell of a few myles through his violent heate and drynesse speedily spendeth his vital spirit so that his hart which is the chariot of his life and the fountaine of those vitall spirits and the hottest of all other his spirituall members for want of sufficient radical oyled moisture to coole the same is so smothered and choaked that of necessitie it yeeldeth Againe when you see a horse that is long large loose and weake ioynted hollowe eyed not well compacted although by hye and proud keeping he may make shew of spirit and vigor yet not withstanding assuer your selfe that he is cōpounded of the element of Water which is altogether flegmaticke which in predominate qualitie is heauie moiste and colde and therefore a lubber and a Iade beeing weake and loose in all the parts of his body by reason he wanteth the chiefe element of Fyer which is hot dry to exhaust and drie vp his predominate quality of moisture to purge and refine the moisture to become full of vigor spirit and courage to the performance of his actions Also when you see a horse that hath a great fleshy head thick boned and fleshie iawes a great fleshy vpright ioynt a great thicke short necke and a full proportioned body whereby hee seemeth a puissant strong horse assure your selfe the chiefe and predominate Element in his composition was of the earth which is melancholly or black choler which in qualitie is colde and drie and of the element of Water which is heauy and moist so as by the moisture of water which is fleame it groweth great so by the cold nes and drynes of the earth which is melancholly hee is framed a great heauie lumpe or masse without true proportion of shape and his actions in qualitie are heauie sad and fearefull and vnapt for action other then as a great topp which neuer goeth well but by strong lashing neither can he bee of other qualitie then according to the qualitie of the Elements wherof he is composed wanting the two most excellent elements which are Fyer and Ayre that is heate and oylie moisture to raise his spirit to the liuely and couragious performance of his actions so as after hee hath come to bee ten yeares olde hee will exceede in stumbling and falling flat downe neither can bee of long life wanting a iust and true proportion of temperature of the foure elements neither can the best keeping in the world or the moste skilfull horseman of the world bring him to performe any action contrarie to his nature according whereunto euerie creature worketh the which nature is no other then the temperature of the Elements when hee was composed and framed in the wombe according whereunto his shape was framed which beeing naturall will bee perpetuall and vnchangeable in him vnto his death And therefore there is not any truth can bee more apparant then that a iust and true proportion of the temperature of the Elements maketh a Horse of perfect shape and excellent qualitie and hauing largely shewed you his vertues I speake not for them if your sight cannot commaund affection let them loose it they shall please much better after you haue troubled your eyes with the view of the iades deformities and then how much more they please so much more odious and like themselues shall the Iades deformities appeare for this true light contraries giue each to the other that in the midst of their enmitie the one maketh the other seeme more good or euill Now it resteth to consider how possible it can bee that a Colte can be compounded of a true proportion of temperature if you suffer Horse and Mare goe to grasse when they beget and were all learning and reason banished from this my assertion the onely infinite number of iades being a thousand to one of good Horses would condemne the generall practise of all Nations and their errors heerein not to be defended But if you obserue the naturall quality of euery Element if the instinct of originall nature be not annihilated you will reforme your iudgement and consequently your practise in breeding for the nature of the Element of fire whereunto the humour of perfect blood is likened dooth seuer the pure from the vnpure rust and drosse from the Iron the copper and vnperfect mettel from
the gold the siluer from the impuritie of the Alleye or Ore the masâ—e and vnpurified substance of fleshe from the bones the grossenes of the bones into the purity of bones and it openeth and disperseth the massie and vnproportionate substance into a pure and fine substance of flesh and the reason why the blood of the Mare is more waterishe raw grosser and vnperfecter then the blood of the Horse is for that she wanteth that sufficiencie of heate which the Horse hath to refine and perfect the same and the fountaine of blood both in Horse and Mare would be plentifull and pure because their seede is first taken from the same as I haue formerly shewed and the fountaine of blood is the liuer from which the veines doe disperse and conuey the same to the whole bodie and the liuer is called Epar from the worde Pyr which signifieth fire now if the liuer should be colde or a fountaine of vnperfect blood then no doubt but the colte wil be vnpersect and the reason is apparant for that the element of fire in the blood dooth purifie all the substance whereof the Colte is framed in the wombe and the vitall spirit of the sensible soule of the Horse and Mare if the elements in them be not in perfection of temperature can not endure Againe the element of the ayre being a light and pure element hotte and moyste dooth most naturallye feede preserue maintaine and cherish the Element of fire euen as pure oyle dooth the light of the lampe and maketh the mixte bodies of fleame choler and melancholy light to the inteÌ„t they may be neither too grosse nor too heauy Againe the element of water being heauy colde and moiste according to his nature doth greatly enlarge both bones flesh and sinewes and according to the nature of moisture doth temper the feruent heate of fire and keepe that together which the heate would disperse Againe the element of the earth being cold and dry but principally dry doth harden the bodie to retaine his shape which the aire water would make fluxible the which elements in the foure humors of blood fleame choler and melancholly whereof euery colte is framed there ought to be a iust proportion of temperature otherwise it is vnpossible to haue a beautifull and perfect shape or excellent qualitie or action from whence there followeth the truth of my assertions That if the aliment or foode although the Horse and Mare be of perfect shape whereof the Horse and Mare doe feede be not in naturall qualitie such as the humors that proceede from the same may be fit for the true proportion of temperature in the seede and euery way ordered as I haue prescribed when the colte is to be begotten and after there is not neither can be assurance of perfect races and consequently of perfect Horses whatsoeuer M. Pero Lopez or any other shall affirme to the contrary notwithstanding his lunary or lunaticke obseruations CHAP. 44. The answere to the examples NOw to answere the examples the first whereof is that all liuing creatures in those three moneths of March April May do beget and bring forth I answere briefely that if the example be vnderstood it doth not condemne my proposition for if it were granted that all liuing creatures do in those 3. moneths only beget bring forth which were moste vntrue to grant-the word all cannot haue an absolute reference to the whole species and kinde of all creatures without exception so as no creature hath doth or shall beget or bring foorth but onely in those 3. moneths but it is true that there are some of all creatures that do then commonly beget and bring forth and some there be of all creatures that neither then nor in any time of their liues beget and bring foorth thorough the imperfection of some naturall cause neither is it an infallible propositioÌ„ to say that because they do beget bring foorth in those three moneths therefore all other moneths of the yeare are vnmeete and exempted to beget and bring foorth for if you consider the originall cause from God when he saide increase and multiply the same was not particularly limited to any day moneth or yeare for the examples are manifest that there are some of al creatures which doe beget and bring forth in all moneths of the yeare and the reason wherfore in these three monethes these actions are most vsuall is for that the sun hauing long absented himselfe so as the cold and stormy winter weather hath greatly weakened and impaired the naturall strength and state of the bodie especially of the sauadge and wilde which want fulnes of foode to increase and mainetaine the same and for that cause doe abstaine from generation vntil the sun giue more heat to comfort their bodies with increase of foode the which is to be seene in the seuerall kinde of all creatures as in conies pigeons and other domesticall creatures which doe beget and bring foorth in all times of the yeare and to say that those three months are onely fit because blood is then predominate is also against the opinion of the learned who affirme the blood to increase from the eight of Februarie vnto the seauenth of May and that red choler increaseth from the seauenth of May vnto the seauenth of August and that blacke choler which is melancholly beginneth to increase from the seauenth of August vnto the seauenth of Nouember and that fleame beginneth to increase from the seauenth of Nouember vnto the seauenth of February and yet not any of them can be saide to haue dominion onely in those times for that were to allow the discordand predominate qualitie of the elements which is the onely cause of sickenesse and the continuance thereof death CHAP. 45. The answere to the second example from the earth THe apparancy of that reasoÌ„ is also taken from the force of the naturall heate of the sunne wherewith all trees grasse plants the vegetatiue soule or the naturall life and vertue thereof hauing ben imprisoned in the colde time of winter in the rootes lying in the bowels of the earth to shroude and preserue themselues from destruction the sunne drawing neere vnto them the same being the preseruation of their liues do then begin to shew their life in the greatest glory but the same is not to be attributed to the saide moneths if the sunne did not at that time extend his naturall heat more and otherwise in the other Monethes as the diuersitie of colde and hot countries do manifest and therefore I will proceed to the reasons of the practise of these moneths The reason of the common practise of all nations is for that a mare goeth with foale twelue moneths and ten daies or there abouts and therefore the moste breeders would not haue the mare go to horse before those moneths of March Aprill or May because her foaling time should be neere the spring of grasse the which opinion and practise I thinke fit likewise
left disagreement are of longest continuance so the inherence of contrariety one speciall cause of the horses dissolution the reason is for that their bodies consisting of the euer-â—arring elements Fire Ayre Water and earth haue alwaies an vnresistable home-bred cause of dissolution For by consent of Philosophers and reason it selfe setteth downe as an vndeniable truth that safetie from diseases Wherein health of horses consisteth the life of horses the chief maintenance therof consisteth principally if not wholy in the due and iust proportionall temperature of the foure first qualities heate colde drynesse moisture and til their disproportion there is no danger of sicknesse or anye growing death What is sickenes for sicknesse cannot bee defined other then the disproportion of those foure qualities whereby the part whereunto the same is incident is disabled to performe his naturall function so as the disproportion of the foure first qualities their swaruing from their iust temperature is the cause of the horses dissolution wherby in euerie horse we see a declining from his ingrafted Nature The cause of their dissolution which increaseth according as his age altereth and therefore his dissolution cannot bee auoided but Nature like a kinde mother is neuer wanting to the necessities of her ofspring and therefore hath bestowed on the horse a facultie to restore that disabled part of sickenesse through the assimulation of nourishment applyed thereunto least there should follow a suddaine destruction against which I doubt may bee propounded viz. If there may bee restitution of the part disabled whence commeth death the end of Nature To which I answere that the impurity of that supply for the restoring of that outward part by degrees tainteth that perfection of the restitution and by a continuall mixture at length corrupteth it for as in the mingling of water with wine the greater the infusion of water is the more is the infeebling of the wines force till at length it be cleane opressed and extinguished so is it in the case of restitution of health wherein though at first the naturall meanes retaine their puritie and naturall qualitie yet at length by the continuall mixture there followeth a totall and perfect corruption of the integritie for if by the restoratiue facultie there could be a perfecte supply of that which was lost the Horse might for any impediment in nature bee preserued in perpetuall health for as the mediocrity and puritie of oyle dooth preserue the light of the Lampe so too much thereof or a little water being contrary in qualitie dooth quench the same euen so if the faculty that doth restore the disabled parte of the Horse be either too much or any way impure it dooth little auaile to perfect restitution to the disabled part and although the same be pure yet shall it taint the perfection of restitution and in the end by a continuall languishing be cleane consumed by a home-bred enemie where by little and little it spoyleth him of perfection of restitution Against which it may be also replied that not-withstanding the imperfection of restitution yet there maie be an endurance and perpetuall preseruation of the species or kinde of horse because they haue a facultie of procreation to propagate their kinde that though euerie horse of necessitie must dye yet may he leaue another of his owne kinde of as great perfection behinde him wherby there might be a continnall and euerlasting succession To this I answere that if a corruption be graunted in the particuler it followeth a rule in reason to graunt it in the species for the species being a thing existent onely in imagination not hauing any euill being but as it is conceiued of in the particulers the like must be concluded of in the general but to shew it by a demonstratiue proceeding let vs obserue the like course of the decay in the species as there is in the indiuidium for as the facultie of restitution is to the particular so is generation to the species in case of preseruatioÌ„ for as the restitution of the part disabled the supply is not so pure as that which was lost Note The reason why Horses are not of so long continuance as in former time the particulers decaying by little little are at last coÌ„sumed euen so by procreatioÌ„ the maintenaÌ„ce of the species and the puritie of the part disabled being by degrees and by time diminished at length there followeth euen of necessitie an absolute corruption by reason that the particulars whose function the generation is being by continuance of outward nourishment corrupted the seede the matter and meanes of propagation cannot but be tainted with like corruption and this is a chiefe reason why Horses are not so health-full but of lesse continuance then they were in the first creation like as the diuision of any thing finite that by often detraction though but of little quantitie the whole becommeth at length vncapable of diuision so by continual wasting of the kinde there followeth at length euen of necessitie a totall and inuincible extinguishing from whence I conclude that it is vnpossible for horses to be of such perfection of excellencie as in their primarie creation or to last and continue without diseases and death hauing inwardly in their nature sufficient and vnpreuentable causes of dissolution Hauing thus euidenced the truth of these two positions of diseases and death and that there is a time of endurance vnto euerie particular horse and vnto the whole kinde and learning by experience the naturall and true mother of knowledge that among the particulars there are differences in nature of diseases and death both in length and shortnesse of time in continuance it remaineth that I set down the causes of this naturall difference which cannot be done other then by propounding the receiued causes of the length and shortnesse thereof according as they are more or lesse in the Horse and so iudge of the effects CHAP. 58. The causes of long life IT is euident that all Horses that were neerest vnto the beginning were clearer lesse tainted with corruption therefore in this last age of the world they are in a more extreame degree of corruption by reason of that frequent alteratioÌ„ in the elements when euery mutation addeth something to the begun impuritie Now touching the causes of long life I wil briefly discotomise them because they are either Inward or Outward The inward causes are either naturally engrafted or obtained by Arte. Industrie and Wisdome Now that which is naturall is of necessity in the good temperature proportionate mixture of the foure first qualities in the body For heate that is vnproportionate to the quantitie of moisture rather hastneth death by the too speedy consumption of his moiste foode then any way prolongeth life So also too great cold that ouerswayeth the quantitie and vertue of naturall heate shortneth life and so likewise it may be said of the excesse of the other two contrarie
CHAP. 105. THere are many opinions how this should come to a horse and therefore I wish many meanes to be vsed before any extream meanes be vsed first therfore if the horse haue such a crick that he holdeth his necke streight and cannot haue the vse to lift the same vp and downe as is vsuall then let two men one on the each side rub his neck so long as by common intendment it is growne very hot which being done put a bit into his mouth and make triall if he will or can reine in any seemly proportion the which if he do then it is to be intended either the same came by some colde or some strain and then I would haue him let blood on both the brest vaines and all his neck throughly annointed and labored with Aquauite and Nerue oyle that it may drinke into the skin and two sheep skins wraped about his neck with the wooll next the neck to keepe it in a great heate and so to rest 24. hours if he doe not heerby amend but carrieth his head still downe feedeth slowly then make a hole in his forehead hard vnder the foretop thrust in a cornet to raise the skin from the flesh a handfull deep then take a goose feather well nointed with hoggs grease to keepe the hole open that it may run ten dayes together euery day twice let the feather be cleansed newly annointed and let his neck be stil labored with rubbing kept very warm to keepe it in a sweat and if you perceiue no amendment then draw him with a hot yron from the root of the eare on both sids of the neck through the middest of the same euen to the brest a straw deep that both ends may meet on the breast but if he carry his necke awry on one side then onely draw the contrary side with a hot yron faile not eury morning when he is fasting to ride him with a bit til he sweat the hotter he is the more pul in his reine when he cōmeth to the stable keepe him warm the he sweat after coole him moderately and rubat him throughly CHAP. 106 For the wennes or knobs in any part of the body THe cure is take of mallowes sage and red netles of each a handfull boile them in running water put therevnto butter and hony a litle quantitie and when the hearbs be soft bruse them then put thereunto of Oyle of bayes two ounces and two ounces of hoggs grease and warme them together ouer the fire which being well stirred and verie hot make a plaister as big as the wen vppon a peece of leather and so renew it by the space of eight dayes alwaies laid to so hot as may be and if it come not to a head then lance it very deepe then heale it with very cleane washed turpētine the yolk of an egge a litle saffron well wrought together with a taint of flaxe well rould therein renewing it euery day once For the same Take a pound of strong lye and sope a quarter of vitreall romane one ounce of Salarmoniacke asmuch of roch-allom and boile them together til they are thicke and vse it for an ointment For the same Take of Gipsiacum the strongest lay it on with cotton three or four times and it will take it away CHAP. 106. For the falling of the Crest THe cure is first let the crest be supported to stand vpright then on the contrary side that it falleth draw his crest the depth of a straw with a hot yron the edge of which yron wold be half an inch broad make your beginning ending somewhat beyōd the fal but the first draught must go al the way vpon the edge of the maine euen vnderneath the roots of the same bearing your hand right dounward into the neckward then answer that with another draught beneath and so far distant from the first as the fall is broad compassing al the fall and betwixt these two draughts right in the middest draw another draught then with a button of an inch about or else crossing the same with your yron burne at each end a hole or else crosse the spaces betwixt the draughts the reason is that by the pursing vp and shrinking of the skin on the contrary side the crest may stand vpright some will afterwards anoint the same with fresh butter or somthing aswage the heate but Maister Orpen of Greenwich an excellent Farear would not do any thing that might enlarge the skin and for my owne opinion I hold it best vntill 9. daies be past and then to take away the scab it will not be amisse CHAP. 107. For all manginesse THis is diuersely cured some thus Take of green copporas of allom of each a pound of white copporas a quarterne boile them together in 3. quarts of running water in a strong earthen pot vntil halfe be consumed and being made warme with a clout on a sticke rub him once a day vntil he be whole For the same LEt him blood a pottel at least then put presently vnto it a quart of bay salt labour them together and annoint al his body therwith and let it dry in Also to annoint him with the fatte of a Seale is excellent For the same TAke of fresh grease a pound of quicke siluer halfe a pound of brimstone one ounce of rape oyle halfe a pinte or else double or treble the simples as you shall haue occasion then work them so as the quicke siluer be not seene then take a woolcarde and clawe him vntill it be rawe and annoint him therewith but in this cure be sure first to let blood aboundantly and giue him in all his prouander or with hot graines or mashes plenty of the pouder of brimstone to driue it out of the body when you think it dead take a pound of black sope and strong bucke lye and wash body main taile all ouer if he be cleane from all medicine and a bout 5. or 6. daies after purge him with Pilles as hath bene prescribed and then within 5. or 6. daies after swim him in a riuer and rub him and cleare him of all medicine and cloath him very warme and if you do first purge him and then let blood after minister salues it is the better CHAP. 108 For swelling in the withers or backe THe cure is presently to lay a good quantity of Horse-dung new made vpon it and if it be new done it will aswage it If not then pricke it with a fleame or fine pen-knife through the skin to make the blood issue out then take of mallowes smallage 3. or 4. handfulls boyle them till they be pap straine them and bruse the hearbs in a wodden dish and put thereunto a little hogs grease or sallet oyle sheepes suet or other fresh grease boile them together not frying them hard and then with a cloth binde it warme to the swelling renewing it euery day
the Iade wanting perfection of shape his colt cannot haue perfection of action And againe I haue found that perfect Horse and perfect Mare may haue a colte that is a Iade if my former rules be not obserued And moreouer if a present good order should make a present depriuation of a corrupted nature or a present euill order bring a totall depriuation of that is naturally good then nature should be inconstant to become euill or good vppon a suddain sed nemo fit repente malus no man becommeth euill vpon a suddaine neither can nature which is perpetuall presently passe from one euill vnto another but by the meane 7. Seauenthly the Horse and Mare must be sparingly and moderately fed that they may well disgest and ouercome that they eate for although the meat in qualitie be hot and dry yet if the quantitie thereof be such as their naturall heat cannot disgest the same becommeth rawe colde and moist And also if after full feeding the Horse and Mare be trauailed it procureth vntimely disgestion the wheyish blood thereof comming to the seede vessels is ouer-rawe and falsely prouoketh before it be disgested and seasoned otherwise it increaseth perfect seede fit for generation and both hauing perfect seede one must be agent and former and the other serue for nourishment as in the forming of chickens and birds in which are two substances one of the yolke another of the white the chick being made of the yolke is maintained by the white whiles the forme indureth and which of their seedes is of the greatest efficacie of the same is the generation and whether of the seedes the generation is of that the colte retaineth the condition and qualitie but if the Horse and Mare be kept with ease and rest it engendereth coldenes and moisture and thereby quencheth the naturall heat and desire of generation and corrupteth the seede and maketh the same vnperfect CHAP. 39 Now followeth the fourth rule that is when how and where to doe the action in perfection THe time when the action is to be performed must be after the Horse and Mare haue bene dieted and are most lustie in the perfection of the bodie hauing plentie of seede well concocted fit for generation for dooth not the gardiner with the seede that he preserueth attend both the perfection of the growth of the hearb and vntill the seede be ripe and waxe dry for if they pull them from the stalke before they will neuer growe to any vse of perfection for the seede must haue time to settle concocte and ripen and be duely seasoned to become hot and dry and of sufficient substance then the time of the moone beeing obserued which is two or three daies before the full or new moone when the Mare hath greatest substance of menstruall or flegmaticke blood for composition of the colte the which the colte through his greate heat in the time of increasing and growing in the wombe will consume that is the reason why some coltes are much bigger then others Now before the time of action or begetting viz. when the horse and Mare are both lustie and proude let some little stoned Iade often wooe the Mare vntill you see her verie willing to receiue the horse so as she will seeme to burne in desire alwaies readie and yeelding to the horse as the hen to the cock but take great care that the Iade doe not leape her vnlesse hee haue such trusses that he cannot serue her and thereby you shall be assured to know her desire then let the horse that shall couer her see him busie with her which will greatlie stir his desire and natural heate and so inflame his vitall spirits as will raise greate quantitie of seede for the action both in himselfe and the Mare the action must be done in the morning earely when the stomacke hath perfectly disgested and is emptie and not vpon a full stomacke Also when the winde is in the North or west and not when the winde is in the south because all heate maketh the seede thin and the south winde is grosse and moist and that the ayre is of such force appeareth in the winter when it dooth harden water wood stones and other creatures and all heat as the Summer time witnesseth openeth dissolueth maketh the same feeble Also the horse must couer a Mare sildome otherwise hee cannot haue plentie of temperate seede therefore once in three weekes or a moneth is enough and not to spend his seed but when hee doth abound in fulnesse and perfection of seed without any respect of the time of the yeare and the place where it is to bee done would be in some house or yarde where no hurt can come vnto them or bee troubled with the sight of other horses and there let the mare be led to some slope or falling ground made of purpose where the hinder part of her body may stand highest then bring the horse in your hand at whose sight she will pisse or at the least offer to doe it which she must be suffered to do before he leape her leaste by strayning of her body after the act she loose the seede then so soone as hee commeth off from her let the keeper cast a paleful of the coldest water strongly at her shape the coldnes strength and suddennesse whereof will cause her to trusse and shrinke vp her bodie and thereby a great meanes to stay the seede and cause it to conioyne and close themselues in the matrix for the wombe dooth not presently embrace and inclose the seed but some houre after yet the wombe doth very suddenly draw together then haue the horse away and set the mare in some close place without giuing her meate for two or three houres after and no water vntill night and then not much And if you doe perceiue that the horse did closely and courageouslie serue her and she receiue it with all willingnesse then haue him from her and let them not come no more together for if the womb hath once drawne together and maketh as it were a pursse to drawe the seede vnto it it will not suffer it to get out so as if the first time of seruing take effect all the rest are in vaine doe great hurt and the first dooing is euer best and most effectuall because the seede of both parts commeth from the veine of the right side and is moste hot plentifull and aptest to conceiue consisting of greatest substance in qualitie moste hot and dry whereby it cannot bee easilie lost like that which is thin liquid and colde and if it should bee oftner admitted then the second seede proceedeth from the left side which naturally is not so hot but more liquid and moist whereby the conception is most commonly a mare foale in respect of the moistnes and coldnesse but if it happen a horse Colt yet not of that goodnesse wanting perfection of heate for heate is the cause of hardynes and courage because
sad heauie or deiected in countenance although hee bee cleare doe not labour him vntill you haue found the cause and remooued it 2. Secondly let not your horse eate any thing by two or three houres before you trauell him then not much vntill you come to your lodging for bayting at noone is naught and hurtfull except you rest 4. or 5. houres so as he may not trauell vpon a full stomacke and let his baite be small be sure he neuer weare a rusty Bit or Snaftle for feare of the canker Thirdly let your trauel be moderate except necessity which cannot be limitted enforce you come to your lodging long before night so as your horse may neither eat nor drinke vntill he be very cold if it be in winter time be sure to cloath couer his head breast very warme after trauel euery morning either squirt a little vinegar into his nosthrils or els rub them with oile de bay with a cloth nointed therewith fastned to the end of a sticke thrust vp and downe his nosthrils to purge his head Fourthly neither wash nor walke your Horse especially in the winter time for when he is very hot to walke him in the colde aire reason telleth you that it is not sufficient to keep him in moderat heat and to wash him it is a preparatiue to a speedy end or the least that may befal to bring him to some dangerous disease And to confirme the truth heerein I affirme and will by good and propable demonstration of truth make it manifest that there is no dangerous disease incident to Horse but the same proceedeth from the cause of heat or colde and none more dangerous then this neither can any Horseman or vnderstanding Farrier truely instance vnto me any particular disease to the contrary and to all young Horses the common messengers of death Fiftly when you trauell alight often from your Horse if cause of necessitie enforce not the contrary and lead your Horse to some place of grasse stravve or brakes and there staye and vvhistle vntill your Horse pisse vvhich by little custome he will vsually doe for the long retention of his vvater is many waies hurtfull and except it be in such places he is most vnvvilling to pisse because the sprinckling thereof vvill scalde his legges Sixtly if your Horse be very hot let him not drinke colde vvater but rather at some house and village giue him a quart of good beere or a pinte of vvine and if you doe vvater him by the vvay let him not drinke vntill he haue vvashed his mouth vvhich is done vvhen he thrusteth his head into the vvater presently pull vp his head vvhich vvill clense his mouth and let him drinke but little although there be necessitie and let it be fiue or sixe miles from your Inne and then ride him so as he may still keepe the same heate he vvas in vvhen he did drinke and vvhen you come to your Inne dresse him cleane from svveat and keepe him verye vvarme and let him not eat vntill he be colde and let it be gi-giuen him by little and little at a time and after drinke if neede be Seauenthly after his laboure if you can haue a conuenient place let him vvallovve himselfe for it dooth exceedingly comfort him and giueth delight to his whole bodie Eightly if he happen to fall sicke in your trauell which commeth commonly either by eating or drinking too much at one time by any accidental meanes the which being suden may be doubtfull truly to iudge Giue him a pinte of sacke or malmesey a quarter of a pint of Aqua vite with six penny worth of the best treacle and a quarter of a pinte of the best sallet oyle brew them well together giue him a draught and then take a new laid egge pul out his tongue bruse the shel and thrust it into his throate and then let goe his tougue then giue him another draught and after that another egge in the same manner and after all the saide drinke then let him blood in the pallate of his mouth and then rub it well with salte and put on his bridle stop him and clothe him head and body with clothes and giue him litter enough and feare him not but if you cannot haue sacke or wine nor treakle giue him halfe a pinte of Aqua-vite or any other comfortable vvater and tvvo egges in forme aforesaide to comfort his hearte which is the Chariot of his life Ninthly at the night giue him a good comfortable mashe if he will eate it and cleane svveet prouender such as he vvill eate bath all his legges with butter beere clense his feete and stop them with cow-dūg after he is sufficiētly fed giue him plenty of sweet litter and then suffer no man to come into the stable and shut all the vvindovves dores so as it may be very darke and early in the morning let him be thorougly dressed rubbed and before you ryde tvvo houres let him eate halfe a pecke of old sweete Oates with a pinte of the strongest Ale Beere Malmesey or White-wine for his breakefast Tenthly if that your Horse be young that you do trauell vpon which is the ouerthrowe of al fine mettell Horses when you come home and may rest then let him blood and if you finde his blood hot and darke coloured spare not to let him bleed vntill there come perfect blood after for three or foure daies keepe him with good mashes and giue the purging drinke before mentioned and with a pinte of white wine one ounce of Alloes dissolued into powder halfe an ounce of Agaricke and a spoonefull of the powder of licorish made blood-warme and well brewed together and let him not drinke colde water for foure or fiue dayes after and in his prouender put the powder of Brimstone Ennula campana and Polipodium of the oake well mingled together a good spoonefull at a time two or three howers before his water and he will remaine a most healthfull and sound Horse if he be thus vsed vntill he be eight yeares olde for then the chiefe danger is past Vita carnium est cordis Sanitas CHAP. 63. The order of curing Horses that are diseased the causes thereof the signes thereof and the cure toereof I Haue before shewed that the distemperature of the Elements and of their qualities of heat colde drynesse and moysture is sicknesse and their continuance their death in all creatures the which I pray you obserue as the onely causes thereof and that all cures consist in the contraies and that the safety and preseruation of the creature is in reducing them to a true iust and equall proportion of their temperature the which being well imprinted in your vnderstanding will remaine an euerliuing schoolemaster to direct you to rhe perfection of al Horsemanship CHAP. 64. Ague or Feuer in Horses THe learned doe holde three generall kindes First when the vitall spirits are inflamed
wherein heate is prdominat more then Nature requireth Secondly when the humors are distempered by heat Thirdly when the firme parts of the bodie are continually hot so that the ague cōmeth either by excessiue heting the horse therupon a sudden cold or by fulnes of bad bumors which principally grovve from full foule or rawe feeding and great rest and for that reason it taketh the horse either hot ot colde now he cannot be cured but by the contrary viz. by spare feeding cleane feeding dry feeding moderate labour to this end the cure must bee ministred But to be curious in the destinctiō hauing sufficiently expressed the same in this tractat I purpose not it is sufficient to knowe that learning and practise acknowledge a horse to haue an ague as wel as man and to keepe due houres to make him shake and tremble as a man to knowe the same also appereth by the inflamations from the heat of the stomacke which scaldeth and maketh the tongue rawe CHAP. 65. The Cure FIrst when you perceiue his deicted countenance that hee beginneth to tremble or before enforce him into a heat giue him this purging drink Take a quart of white wine put therevnto one ounce of Alloes small beaten of Agarick halfe an ounce of licorish Anniseeds half a dram a little hony warme it a little on the fire and then ride him vntil he be hot put him into a sweat then haue him into the stable let him stand on the bitt cloath him stop his breast head and bodye verie warme so as hee may moderatelye sweate let him haue plentie of litter and so let him stand fiue or sixe houres then vncloathe him and rubbe him perfectlye drye and then cloathe him againe but not so hot and when hee is colde vnbit him and wash his tongue with Allome-water vinegar and sage and giue him sweete wheat straw to eate and a gallon of olde svveete and cleane oates and at night giue him a good mashe and the next day after let him blood a quart and if his blood be very thick black darke oryellowe let him bleed two quarts afterwards keepe him warme from the Ayre for 4. or 5. dayes and giue him vvarme vvater to drinke and a little sallet oyle in it if he vvill drinke it CHAP. 66. For the same LEt him blood in the necke and temple veines and before or vvhen he beginneth to tremble take three nevv laide egges and six or seauen spoonefull of Aqua-vite breake them beat them together giue it him and ride him vntill he svveate then clothe him very vvarme and make him svveat and after he is rubbed dry and colde giue him cleane foode as aforesaide moderately let him not drinke any colde vvater but vvarme vvherein hath bene boyled mallovves sorrell and purslaine of each three or foure handfuls and keep him vvarme probatum CHAP. 67. For the same LEt him blood take of Germander foure ounces of Gum Draganet and of Deade Roses of each an ounce of Oyle Oliffe foure ounces of Hony foure ounces put them into a quart of strong Ale and giue it warme to the horse to drinke then ride him vntill hee sweate and cloath him and keepe him warme as aforesaide CHAP. 68. Ache in the head THe cause of this disease commeth eyther of colde takan after a great heate or of a rawe or vnperfect digestion of stomack proceeding principally from full and foule feeding and betwixt the stomacke and the braine is such affinitie as they doe equally communicate their damages the signes are these the hanging downe of his head his eyes will swell and runne of water and will forsake his meate CHAP. 69. The Cure LEt him blood in the pallat of his mouth and rub it with Salt to make it bleede well then take a sticke with a linnen cloath fastned at the end therof well annointed with oyle of Bay thrust it vp and dovvne his nostrils therby to open and purge his head also perfume him vvith the smoake of Garlick stalkes broken into smal peaces also aire him with the smoke of Frankinsence holding the same in a chafingdish vnder his Nostrils with a great cloath cast ouer his head and let it be done morning and euening keepe him vvith spare dyet moderate exercise the which wil clense his stomack make it so cleane emptie as his braine wil not be disquieted afterwards let him bloud giue him good mashes to drinke for two daies after and no colde water CHAP. 70 Of the sudden sicknes of a horse THe cause is for that the heart which is the chariot of his life wherein the soule of the horse liueth wanting the vse of the veines and Arteries to carrie the vitall spirit of heate to all the parts of the body to giue the horse feeling abilitie to operation by reason of some obstruction of humors or colde which for want of heate cannot be dissolued for that the nature of colde is to binde and conglutinate together and to keepe them from their natural course proceeding from some violent exercise or immoderate feeding and rest by reason whereof there is great iarre discord amongst the qualities of the elements the motion of the vitall spirit wherby the horse liueth and mooueth is imprisoned for that time and so seemeth taken as a dead horse without action The signe is the sudden deiecting of his countenance CHAP. 71. The cure LEt him blood on both sides the brest next the heart whereby the veines and Arteries being euacuated and emptied they may begin to doe that office whereunto nature hath appointed them and let him bleede the quantitie of two quarts then giue him a comfortable drinke to stirre vp the vital spirits to action viz take a quart of the best sack burne it with Graines Cloues and Sinamon and a quarter of a pound of the best Sugar and burne it well together with halfe a pinte of Sallet Oyle foure penny worth of the best Triacle then ride him verie gently vntill hee beginne to sweat and so haue him into the Stable keepe his head and heart verie warme and cloath him stuffe his body with sweet straw and keep the stable close and so let him stand 6. houres meatles but beware you cloath him not too much for the drinke vvill thoroughlye warme him and make him sweat let his drinke be warme water wherein boyle Mallowes a handfull water Cresses a handfull of fennell and parsly seed of each an ounce and twice a day morning and euening when he is most fasting ride him gently a mile or two let his meat be sweete wheat strawe olde cleane dry oates mingled with wheat and sometime with olde pease and sparingly giuen and often but not much vntill you see him waxe very hungry and let him be well rubbed and all his litter cleane and sweete CHAP. 72. Staggers THe cause of this disease is for that as I haue formerly saide the braine and the
of sallet oyle foure penny worth of the best triacle and ride him vntill he sweat then presently set him in a warme stable and clothe him very warme and at night giue him a good mash of malte with the pouder of brimstone to the quantity of two spoonefuls CHAP. 113. For Surfeting with Prouender VVHen a Horse hath eaten more then the stomacke can well digest he is in such paine as he is not able to stand but lyeth and walloweth as if he had the bots the danger whereof I haue formerly written The cure is to let him blood and to draw his yard and wash it to put a peece of a cloue of garlicke into it to make him pisse also to rake him behinde and to giue him a glister with the water of sodden mallowes fresh butter and sallet oile keepe him warme and let him eat very little for 4 or 5. daies after CHAP. 114. For the surfetting called the foundring in the bodie THe cause of this disease is ouermuch eating after labour whiles the Horse is hot whereby his meat not being digested breedeth euill humours which by little and little do spred through all the parts of his body and at length oppresse the whole body and do so take away his strength that he hath not power to goe or mooue his ioynts and being laid is not able to rise whereby he wanteth the vse of pissing as also of dunging for nature being ouercome then doth the humor rule the body to the vtter destruction thereof In likâ— maner it is when the Horse beeing over hotte with trauell drinketh so much as the colde thereof suppreseth his naturall heate The cause is that the evil humors being predominate according to their nature being heauy moist immediatly resort down to the horse legs and feet and there rest whereof there must be some dissolution which if it be not preuented make great gourdy lims as the paines cratches spauins winde-galls casting of the houes such like all which seeme more then wonderful to the ignorant because ignorance is the mother of wonder The cure hereof must be according to the effects that are wrought in the horse as if it be espied when the haier beginneth to stare that he be chil and shrug for cold forsake his meat hang downe this head quiuer after cold water and after two or three dayes begin tocough then it is a signe that his surfet is not great and then he may be cured thus couer his belly with the glister last mentioned and giue him this drinke take of malmesy a puart of sugar half â—â—atterne of houy half a quartern of sinamon half an ounce of licoris and Anisseeds of each two spoonfull beaten into fine pouder put it into the Malmsie giue it him blood warme keep him warme with warme water 4. or 5. dayes after let him blood CHAP. 115. For the yellowes THe cause herof is also the aboundance of bad humors the cure is plaine let him blood if you see it yellow a pottle then cure him by giuing a quart of white wine of saffron and turmerick of each halfe an ounce and the Iuice that is wrong out of 2. handful of Selondine being blood warm giue it him and keep him warme and with good mashes wherein put two sponfull of the powder of Brimston some will giue in this drinke the greene order of geese strained I could now intreat of the dropsie in a Horse but if you obserue those fewe rules I haue set downe in the beginning of the title of cures you will be free almost from all diseases CHAP. 116. For the Colick The cause of this disease is 2. fold either it commeth through aboundance of humors or with wind and herein the owner or or keper may giue good direction for if he knew the Horse to be cleane within and orderly dieted then it will be probaly coniectured it is the wind and although it be winde yet I iudge the origenal to beobstruction of humor which will not suffer the vvind to haue his free passage vvhich othervvise nature vvould expell as his enimie The cures may be diuers because it is a disease that few Farriers vnderstand I wil set downe seueral cures because if one thing cannot be spedily procured another may First it may be an obstruction for that the horse hath the stone cannot stale first take a quart of white wine halfe a pinte of burre seed beaten smal 2 ounces of parslyseed of smalage Saxafrage the roots of philupendula Grommell seed broom seed of each 2. ounces beaten to fine pouder a good handfull of water-cresses and lay them in steep all night and in the morning strain them cleane and put to it a litle black sope and a litle butter and ride him till he begin to sweat then set him in your stable with a great quantitie of sweet litter vnder him and cloath him warme and so let him stand meatles seuen or eight houres then giue him dryed oates vvarm vvater vvith a quantitie of sallet oyle to drinke and before he haue this drinke let him fast all night If he be a Horse there is nothing better for him then to couer a Mare For the same if you think it to come of winde THis commeth vvhen a horse is ridden hot and set vp cold he vvill pine avvay and forsake his meate keep him emptie all night in the morning take a quart of vvhite vvine four ounces of Fenegreck 7 ounces of baies as much corne pepper an ouÌ„ce of Graines an ounce of Ginger 2. handfuls of vvater cresses a handful of sage a pound of SeÌ„green and wring out the iuce another of mints stamp them put them into the wine let them stand on the fire till it boyle then straine it out and giue it him blood warme with a litle hony For the same TAke a quart of Malmsie of cloues pepper SinamoÌ„ of each half an ounce of suger half a quarter and giue it the horse luke warme and labour him vpon it one houre that he dung and stale and keep him with warme water But if he be a stond horse there is not any better thing then that he hauè his ful desirewith a mare if he cannot pisse or be troubled with the Collick it helpeth many sicknesses and strengtheneth Nature For the same TAke a pint of white wine and stamp to powder three of foure Cantharides they are a kinde of flyes which you shall haue at the Apothecaries when your horse is very empty giue them vnto him being very well wrought and brued into the white wine luke warme vnderstand I pray you that these flyes are a verye corosiue and eating through as poyson and they will not be stopped by any humor with twice giuing it would cure any cholick that had not bin very old After these many medicines for a cholick to refresh your conceits I will set downe two other cures which I finde in some Writers leaue
lothsome to behold therefore to the cure first let him blood on both sides of the necke 3. quarts at least for it is most certaine that the liuer which is the fountaine of blood is corrupted and so sendeth the same into euery part of the bodie then giue him this drinke take a gallon of faire water put into it a good handful of Rue a good spoonefull of Hempseed and a handfull of the inner rine of greene elder bruse them in a morter together and seeth it till halfe be consumed and being colde giue it him to drinke euermore continue to let him blood in that veyne which is nighest to the sore place a great quantity let his diet be thin but very cleane and sweete viz. wheat strawe and dryed sweete oates a few at a time then take this approoued medicine following which although the disease be neuer so foule it will vndoubtedly cure it Take of hearb grace a handfull of Fetherfew a handfull of Chickweed of the house a handfull of Kiks wood a handfull of hearb Robert a handfull keep the residue therof in a pipkin close couered in the earth stop the mouth therof close with hearb grace and dock-leaues and a greene turffe laid vpon it that no aire come in and euery third day vnty his eares and dresse it with new so continue it till all the farcin be dead for vndoubtedly at 3. or 4. dressings it will kill it wash all the hearbs so cleane as no durt or filth be on them boyle chamberlye and bay salt with a little copporas and strong nettles to wash the sores if neede be But beware of burning them either with fire orother corosiue for although it may kill the vlcer yet being dispersed it wil burn and scortch the Horse skin for burning doth purse the skin and maketh it run together so as the Horse wil neuer after prosper I wold haue you get cases of leather fastned to a head stall made hollowe like the shape of a horse eares to lace or buckle that you hurt not his eares or make them laut eared which thing the Sadlers will helpe you heerein for many times by long binding the eares are spoiled so as they must be cut off After that you see the filthy vlcer killed and dead yet you must knowe that the blood is still putrifyed and corrupted therefore euery month at least let him blood but alwaies in seuerall places and when you see the blood fine and pure then giue him some good scouring drink a quart of white wine a quarter of an oūce of ruebarb laid in it in steepe in very thin slices all a night one ounce a halfe of Alloes in pouder dissolued therein halfe an ounce of Agaricke an ounce of sence steeped in the wine al night 3. races of Ginger sliced and laide also in steepe all night and two ounces of sirrop of Roses but the Rubarbe Senee and Ginger take out of the wine but before you put in the other simples and then make it blood warme and giue it the Horse so let him rest all that day giuing him nothing but Wheate-straw at night and the next day following giue him a pottle of sweete strong worte a quarter of a pinte of Treacle and then keepe him warme and giue him wheat-straw good plentie of sweet Oates After all this wash all his body very clean with Buck-lye and black-sope and after cloath him warme and giue him a swet and he will remaine a perfect horse and heereof haue no doubt CHAP 161. Of the Cancker THis Vlcer likewise groweth from the causes afore said The cure is let him blud aboūdantly in the veines that be next the sore then take of Alū 1. pound of green Coporas 1. pound of white coporas a quarterne and a good handfull of Salt boyle them together in faire running water from a pottle to a quart this water being warme put parte thereof into a dish and with a coult wash the same till it begin to bleede and let it dry in then take of black-sope 1. pound and of Quick-siluer halfe an ounce and incorporate them till the quick-siluer be not seene and alwaies after you haue washed the same with a slice couer the Vlcer with this medicine till it be whole but bee sure still to let blood about the Vlcer for many daies together and when it is killed then cast vppon it the pouder of vnslickt lime or of brimstone CHAP. 162 Of the Fistula THis is a filthy Vlcer also bred from some Vlcer not thoroghly cured The cure is to search the depth thereof with a quill or with some other instrument of lead for vnlesse you finde the bottom it is hard to cure and hauing found the bottome if it bee in place where you may boldlye cut with a Rasor make a slit against the bottom so wide as you may thrust in your finger to feele if anye bone or gristle be perished or spungie or loose flesh which must be gotten out then boile a quarterne of honny and an ounce of Verdegrease in powder stirring it continually vntill it looke red then taint therewith and bolster it with flaxe that it get not out but if the place be where the taint cannot bee conuenientlye kept in fasten on each ende of the hole a Shoomakers threed ouer the bolster to keep the taint in renewing it euery day vntill it leaue mattering and make the taint lesser and lesser sprinckle thereon a little slickt lime But if you cannot come to taint it to the bottome then take strong lye honnye Roche Allum Mercurie and seeth them together and applie it to the bottome of the Fistula If the Fistula be in the head take the iuice of Howselike and dipp a locke of wooll in it and put the same in his eares vse it euerie day till it be whole CHAP. 163. Of a spungie wart THe cure is if it be lōg enough tie a threed about it verye hard and it will eate it off or else take it off with a hott yron CHAP. 164. Of Woundes THe cure is take of Turpentine of Mel Rosatum of oyle of Roses of each a quarterne and a little vnwrought waxe and melt them together stirring them continually and so vse it with taint or role as occasion shal be CHAP. 165. Of pulling out shiuers or Thornes and of swelling THe cure is to pull it out if it may be seene but if it swell and cannot then take wormewood Paretorie Beares foote Hogs grease and honny boyle them together and being hotte make a plaister it is excellent for anye swelling so also is Wine-lees Wheate-flower and commen boyled together which when it is at a head Launce it CHAP. 166 Of Sinewes out or brused TAke of Tarre Beane-flower and oyle of Roses and lay it hotte to the place so are Wormes and Sallet Oyle fryed together so is the Oyntment of wormes which you may haue at the Pothecaries CHAP. 167. Of killing the fier either in burning