bad humors as are disolued in him But if hee haue taken a cold through which or any other cause he begin to be sicke and forsake his meate then you shall take halfe an ounce of Diapente and brew it with a pint of the best Maligosacke A scowring of Diapente and Sacke and giue it him in the morning and vse him in his exercise as afore onely in stead of your Rye bread you shall giue him other bread or beanes and â—ates or cleane oates which he hath most desire to this scowring I haue found the best though there be many other for it will comfort his stomacke and sharpen his appetite and will purge him from what grease or humors The excellency of this scowring soeuer though it hath beene long in his body for I applyed it to a Horse that hath beene so farre spent as hee was almost without hope of recouery hauing forsaken all meate and could scarcely stand and yet in short time after he had it recouered his strength and appetite and it is so soueraigne and comfortable that you may vse it if necessity require two or three mornings together But because this Diapente is rare and not ordinary to be had in euery Apothecaries shoppe I will set downe in another place the making thereof that you may be sure to haue that which is good to vse at your owne pleasure There is also another scowring which is highly commended A scowring for him to be put to his water when he drinketh by Maister Markeham which although I haue had no experience of yet I will set it downe that others may vse it as they shall find the operation thereof Take of Anise-seeds three ounces of Cummin-seed sixe drammes of Carthamus a dramme and a halfe of Fenegreeke seed one â—unce two drammes of Brimstone one ounce and a halfe beate all these to a fine powder and searse them then take of Sallet oyle a pint and two ounces of Hunny a pound and a halfe and White wine foure pints make all into a strong stiffe past with as much wheat meale as shall suffice and worke it well keep this paste in a linnen cloath for it will last long and at night after you come from Hunting and your Horse is thirsty take a Ball thereof as bigge as a mans fift and dissolue it into a gallond or two of cold water which will turne the colour like Milke and offer it to your Horse in the darke least the colour displease him which if he refuse care not but let him fast till hee take it which hee will doe in twice or thrice offering and after hee hath once taken it hee will drinke it before any other water Thus farre Maister Markeham Which drinke as he saith your Horse can neuer take too much nor too oft of it if he haue exercise otherwise it feedes too fast and that it is a present remedy from all inward infirmities whatsoeuer and therefore wisheth no Horseman to be without it for it will last three or foure months CHAP. 14. Of Making a Match for Hunting BEcause there are many that take great delight in this noble sport of Hunting and for the loue and delight they take in their horses are desirous to defend their speed and valour with the price of their purses in making of matches for their glory I will as plainely as I can set downe the true grounds of making a match that they may haue the better assurance of their iudgement No truth can be gathered by vncertain ties For there are and hath beene so many deceiued herein for that they haue no certainty to worke vpon but relye vpon flying reports and conceited fantasies that this generous exercise is much darkened and is accounted but chance or fortune being as it were led in darkenesse by other mens ignorance whereby they haue receiued such damage and losse that they condemne all those that delight therein as prodigall and vaine to hazard so much vpon such vnstable delights But to purge this Art from the dregges of such false imputations All Arts of themselues are true know that the cause of such vncertaine grounds doth not proceed from the Art for all Arts simply of themselues are grounded on the truth but from the pretended knower The 3. Epist â—â— the Reader which will be a follower of his owne will without reason or premeditation and flatter his owne fantasie in thinking his Horse doth flye if he runne but vpon any reasonable speed and that he is whole running when hee will not runne a quarter of a mile at the height of his speed without a sob Wherefore to worke the more surely before you attempt to Obseruations in matching make any match obserue first that you traine your horse after such hounds as are very swift and speedy and then if you can 1 Traine after swift hounds at any time command them vpon deep or light earths then you shall the lesse doubt of his speed and toughnesse 2 Theo. 20. 33. 34 Secondly haue a care that hee carry a firme body and that hee handle his legges aptly vpon seuerall earths and that hee bee at such command of his mouth that hee will ride at what 1. Pra. 21. 2. Pr. 6. rate your discretion shall direct Thirdly that hee be whole running so that hee will runne a 3 Of whole running traine-sent or a feure miles course without slacking his speed to sobbe which he will doe if he be so truly trayned as he should for then the motion of his wind will agree so reciprocally with Thâ—o 31. 32. the motion of his body that hee will runne so slightly that his winde will answer to euery stroke hee striketh with his legges without iarre though he be at his full speed whereas if hee The cause of false running 2. Pr. 8.d. bee vsed to slacke his speed whilst hee lets his winde rake he will looke for it and then if hee bee ouertopt with speed and cannot haue that liberty hee will settle suddainly like a Iade But whereas it is holden that one horse cannot both bee Obiection swift and tough and therefore not possible by Art to reduce a 2. Pr. 7.n. horse to both those qualities I answer that opinion is crept Answer in for want of knowledge in the Art for it being inuented to support and maintaine nature if a horse haue any naturall inclination to speed it doth not onely helpe to increase but also to husband it so as hee will spend no more of it then shall be necessary 2. Pr. 7. p. and then hee will stil reserue some till the time that hee Theo. 20. 34. Chap. should most vse it which thing I dare confidently affirme this Tractate rightly vnderstood will effect Now of matches in hunting they are either traine-sents and Of hunting matches the Wild-goose-chase or else traine-sents and a Bell-course either single or double that
lauing or washing them with cold water as also they may by such vse be defended and preâ—ented from such Sorances but if by negligence or other casualty the Horse happen into this griefe you shall take of Honey a pound of Turpentine foure ounces of common Gum foure ounces of the meale of Lyn-seede and the meale of Fenegreeke of each foure ounces and of the powder of Bay-berries well searst three ounces then mixe and boyle all these very well together then take it off and put to it a pinte of White wine then boyle it againe till it be very thicke and with this as hot as the Horse can suffer it lap the Horses legge or legges about plaster-wise and renew it not aboue once a weeke but when you ride him and it is a certeine well approued medicine CHAP. 33 For Cloying Pricking or any other hurt in the quicke of the Horses foote FIrst with a paring kniffe cut the Hoofe and lay open the wound as plaine as may be then take of waxe of Hogges-grease and of Turpentine of each one ounce of Verdy-grease a quarter of an ounce boyle them all on a gentle fire and being reasonable hot dip a few flaxe hurds therein and with the same dresse the sore renewing it at least three times a day and it will heale it CHAP. 34. An excellent Bath for any griese inward or outward that a Horse hath whether apparant or hid TAke of Sauine the barke and leaues of Lawrell of Pelletary of Rosemary of Sage of Rue of each of these foure ounces and boyle them in a gallond of White wine till a halfe part be consumed and with this bath the horse where the griefe is apparant or generall if no griefe appeare outwardly and it is a most approued good medicine CHAP. 35. For a horse that refuseth his meate through the extremity of Cold. TAke Rue and Pepper of each a like quantity and beat them in a morter together till they be thicke like a salue then take a good lumpe thereof and put it into the Horses mouth and force him to chaw and hold it therein a good space and assoone as you let him open his chaps he will fall to his meate and eate eagerly or if you but chop Brionie into little morsels and giue it him to eate it will bring his stomacke againe suddenly CHAP. 36. For a Horse that is foundred OF Foundrings there are two kinds the one in the body the other in the feet and to them we may adde a generall foundring which is when a Horse is Foundred both in the body and feet at one instant as many times it hapneth and the Cure is first to let him blood in the necke veine and saue the blood in a cleane vessell stirring it much about for cluttering then put vnto it a dozen whites of Egges and as much Bran or Wheat-meale and Bolarmoniake as will thicken it and therewhere with charge his backe and legges from the knees vpward Then take a pint of sweet wine and more then halfe so much of his owne blood of the best Treackle and of Diapente of each a good sponefull of Mans ordure the quantity of a good Nut brew and mixe all these very well together and giue it the Horse to drinke with a Horne then take of vnsleckt lime a pretty quantity and as much Orpment and dissolue them in running water like an Vnguent then let it stand for an houre or two after it is so prepared and then take as much Mel Rosarum as will bring it to a very stiffe substance and with it being made very hot both anoynt the vpper part of his Houes especially about the cronets and also stop the bottomes or soales of his feete therewith and also if you take good store of blood from the Toae veines the cure will be both more easie and more speedy CHAP. 37. An approued medicine for the Canker THough all Cankers hold but one generall nature yet there is difference in the cure for the Canker which is outwardly on the flesh that which is inwardly in the mouth may not take one generall application though one and the selfe-same medicine will heale both because to the outward parts may be applyed poysonous corrosiues as Mercury Auripigmentum and such like but into the mouth must needs come none but sharpe naturall medicines which will not offend the stomacke therefore for any Canker first make a strong Allomwater of Allome Honey Sage-leaues Woodbine-leaues and clâ—ane running water well boyled together and with this water and the leaues rub the sores till they be red and raw then take strong Wine-Vinegar and a halfe part of the powder of Allome finely beat and searst and a halfe part of Ginger likwise finely beat and searst and an equall quantity of life Honey and mixe them all very well together and therewith anoynt the sore morning and euening vntill it be whole CHAP. 38. The Authors Farewell THus most louing courteous and best affected Reader I haue resembled the part of a carefull Husband-man and haue gathered the haruest that the seed of my barren soyle hath yeelded which I grant was at the first gleaned after other mens Carts and now hauing thrashed it with the flayle of practise and winnowed it with the fanne of experience I haue sowen it a The Authors willingnesse to profit his countrey on the Furrowes of the world that it may be watered with the dewey showers of your charitable affection hoping that it will fructifie the more being sowen in the Vernall or Spring time of the yeare when the Vigetatiue faculty is most predominate the which if it will yeeld but such increase as is worthy to bee carried into the Barnes of your kind acceptance I shall think my paines fully recompensed And for your further good will incourage me to till this ground againe for a new crop so that I may haue but this straw to redeeme my present necessity which I hope will make such bread as will nourish all the imps and labourers that shall grow or take paines in this Vineyard if it be not reaped with the infectious sickle of preiudication For I grant this is defectiue in wanting the strongest grain to b The Buffe saddle is tâ—e giue nourishment which I did omit both because it was not of such present necessary vse and also that it would haue made this c â—â—fe gâ—ound 〈…〉 Booke so great and vnportable as many would haue bin destitute of reliefe for want of ability to purchase the same For notwithstanding ◠〈◊〉 minds are 〈…〉 cannot be 〈◊〉 it is multiplied to a farre greater quantity then my intended mind at the first did thinke to produce In the which by Gods assistance as hee shall inlighten mine vnderstanding Theo. 3.d. I will also purge that part from such choaking weeds as are growne therein some what amply and confine this within d Many things consume the memory a more summary limit onely illustrating such points as are obumbrated by vnfolding so many doubts which I will set forth Dialogue-wise for the more facilitie and ease of your apprehensions till which time accept of this my simple good will and so I bid you heartily farewell desiring a prosperous successe to these my willing endeauours to haue this famous Art meritoriously to flourish in this Kingdome FINIS A TABLE OF ALL THE Cures for Diseases in Horses contained in this Booke CHAP. Fol. 1 HOw the true knowledge of Curing diseases is intricate 1 2 A most excellent receipt for any Inward sicknesse what soeuer 8 3 A Suppossitary for any inward Sicknesse ibid. 4 A Glister to cure any inward Sicknesse 9 5 For the Yellowes ibid. 6 An excellent Pill for the Yellowes ibid. 7 For the Staggers 10 8 For any extreame cold whatsoeuer or of what nature soeuer ibid 9 For the Lax or Fluxe of Body by any meanes 11 10 For a Horse that is Hyde-bound or in great pouerty ibid. 11 An excellent receipt for the pissing of blood ibid. 12 A most excellent receipt for the Stone or for a Horse that cannot pisse but drop by drop 12 13 For the Wormes or Botts in Horses ibid. 14 An excellent Purgation or Scowring for any Horse that is either Sicke Surfetted or hath his grease molten 13 15 An approued medicine for the Dropsie or Feltricke in Horses ibid. 16 Of outward Sorances and first of the strengthening of the Sinewes whether they be hurt by straine stroke or wound 14 17 A most excellent Pouder to cure any Fistula either in the Pole the withers or any other part of the horses Body ibid. 18 For the Farcy ibid. 19 For a Horse that hath a Stinking breath 15 20 A most excellent Plaister to cure any wound gald backe or other hurt whatsoeuer 16 21 For Sinewes that are cut or seuered ibid. 22 For a Mallander or Sellander ibid. 23 An excellent Powder for any sore eye ibid. 24 An excellent Water for all manner of sore eyes 17 25 For any Bone Spauen Splent Curbe Ring-bone or any other bony excression ibid. 26 For pinching with the Sadle on the Withers or other part of the backe the nauell gall and such like ibid. 27 For the Scabbe Scurfe or Mangy 18 28 For any hurt in the Fetlocke whether it come by casting in the halter or otherwise ibid. 29 For the Mules kib'd heeles Scratches paines or other such noysome Sorance ibid. 30 For any hurt or sore vpon the Cronet of the Hoofe 19 31 For any Straine or griefe in the shoulder or any other ioynt or member ibid. 32 For all manner of sweld legs whether they be putryfied or otherwise ibid. 33 For Cloying Pricking or any other hurt in the quicke of the Horsesfoote 20 34 An excellent Bath for any griefe inward or outward that a Horse hath whether apparant or hid ibid. 35 For a horse that refuseth his meate through the extremity of Cold. ibid. 36 For a Horse that is foundred 21 37 An approued medicine for the Canker ibid. 38 The Authors Farewell 22 FINIS
How to vse her after she hath Foaled daies with exceeding good meate which will be a meanes to recouer her strength the sooner and also increase her Milke and the first drinke shee hath after her Foaling let it be a warme Mash for it is very comfortable and agreeing to her Nature for if she drinke cold water it will make an obstruction of the flux of Flegmaticke blood too suddenly which must needs in gender euill humours in the Mare And likewise as soone as she hath Foaled let her Vdder be well drawne for it will bring away that cloddy milke which hath beene long in her Vdder and dissolue the hard knots the sooner where the Milke wil be better for the Foale and of greater store Now when shee hath gotten strength and the Foale doth also begin to be strong if shee haue exercise either at the plow or Cart or ridden it will bee the better for labour is very necessary Why moderate exercise is good to purge grosse humors which abound by too much rest But then it must be moderate lest by ouer-heating the milke be inflamed and so surfet the Foale But if you meane to trauaile her let not her Foale follow for trauaile will much weaken it and also it will suck before the milke bee cold Therefore How to bestow the Foale while she is laboured let it be shut vp in some house and giue it some good food to eat which will both comfort it and make it domesticall And when the Mare commeth home let her bee well cooled and cast some cold water vpon her Vdder to wash the dust or durt away and coole it and draw her vdder before the Foale sucke And if it bee in Summer let her runne at grasse in the vneuenest grounds you haue for as Mr. Markham saith it will make the Foale very nimble and haue sure footmanship in scoping and leaping vpon such vneuen grounds but I would haue you to house both your mare and Foale in Winter if you haue but two or three for although I haue spoken singularly yet it doth extend to plurality but if more then let them run abroad in such grownds as Mr. Markham hath described hauing store of bushes and trees for shelter or else a houell open 2. Pr. 21. â— b A horse doth naturally desire to be refreshed with the heat of the Sunne to the East and west that the Colts may be comforted with the heat of the Sunne morning and euening which they naturally doe desire and a partition ouerthwart in the midst to defend them from the winter windes and stormes Moreouer there would be ouerlayers vpon which may be laid hay and pease oates in the straw for Winters prouision and if the houell bee couered ouer to keepe the fodder dry it will bee the better But heere me thinkes I see the apparition of Midas whose whole felicity is to conuert all things into gold for hauing an inferior affection to horses could very well find in their hearts to haue good horses were it not for cost but yet could bee c The miserable estate of many in this Age. Preface 2. content to reape the profit of anothers charges and these exclaime with open mouth against charges of keeping all Winter in the house or with such charges abroad wherein they shew wretched care in gerting and their miserable mind in keeping for who can reape the haruest that doth not hazard his feed in the spring which they thinke a small losse to the increase a fruitfull yeare doth bring and so if they did rightly weigh the necessary charges of grasse and hay which they should be relieued d That is no charges that bringeth triple profit all Winter with and the danger of staruing and drowning and compare all these with the certainty from these dangers and to the purenesse and value of a Colt so fed for one of them will be worth foure of ordinary breeding they shall find that keeping after this manner or in the house will bee the cheaper for in breeding of many Foales there must bee many Mares and so many mouthes as Foales and Mares and so consequently great charges and small profit in comparison of the other for foure Mares in this sort wil yeeld more gaine then a dosen contrarily Wherefore whosoeuer is desirous to haue their profits to soare as high as their desires they must keepe well in Winter for if they haue nothing to seed on but grasse and hay the Mare will haue small nourishment to encrease her Milke whereby the strength and courage of the Colt will bee much abated through the grossenesse of the milke and extremity of cold which is an enemy to the strongeâ—â— horse but much more to a young Foale whose composition hath neither strength nor substance But whereas Mr. Markham doth wish to prouide for them light corne and wild oates I consent not thereto because they must haue of the best releefe if they think to hold nature to the best perfection seeing it is in the declining age of the World For thereby their bloods will bee kept more pure and so the 1. Pra. 12.c. Colt more strong at three yeares of age then another at fiue and also they will be the more able to indure the cold especially hauing such a houell to keepe themselues from wet and cold Rimes CHAP. 12. When and how to waine your Colts THe last thing that is to bee obserued before you come to reap the fruits of your labour and charges is to know when and how to waine your Colts and keep them till they be fit for the saddle But because I shall digresse heerein also from the Antients if I should enter into the answer of all seuerall opinions I should bee too tedious therefore I will bee as briefe and plaine as I can For whereas Mr. Markham would haue the Foales runne with their dammes to suck a whole yeare I hold Of sucking all the yeare it good with this prouiso that they may be housed in Winter and that the Mare goe Foalelesse that yeare Otherwise it will weaken the Mare too much in feeding that which is in her wombe and also that which sucketh and it will likewise hinder them both for neither of them can haue such naturall and kind nourishment as perfection would wish for it is a maxime that if the eye be set vpon two things indifferently it can behold neither of them perfectly â—â—en so the mare hauing a naturall â— Duplicibus desidâ—rijâ— remo incidere potest 1. Pra. 7.m. instinct to nourish both indifferently she cannot produce nourishment for either of them effectually because nature desiring an impletion the emptiest places will be first fild with the substance of food when it is concocted and so the best part will bee inuerted to milke which will bee a defect to that in the wombe whereby there will bee a debility in its composition And also the milke that the other is fed with all
and to vse him to the cry of the dogges to increase his delight which you shall doe after this manner After you haue serued your Horse for night you shall come to If he be not layd him early in the next morning as about fiue of the clocke and first sift him the quantity of halfe a pecke of oates for they will be well digested by such time as he be drest and in the time of ranging to finde sport which he shall eate whilst your are making cleane your stable then you shall bridle him and tye him to the bare racke and dresse him and after he is drest saddle him then throw his housing cloth ouer him and so let him 2. Pr. 5. stand till the Hounds be ready to goe forth At which time you shall take his backe rake him gently into the field vntill such time as some game presents it selfe vnto you But because it is the first day of his hunting so that he cannot tell how to behaue himselfe vpon vneauen grounds you Hast maketh wast shall not put him at any time to aboue halfe his speed that hee may haue the better time to learne how to carry a stayd body and handle his legges both vpon deepe and light earths Neither shall you toyle him too long for wearying him till hee Long royle is to be eschewed at the first till the body be firme be acquainted with that exercise for daunting of his spirit and causing him to be lash bodied but to thwart and crosse from place to place to make in with the dogges to vse him to their cry because a Horse doth take great delight and pleasure therein and it will also stirre vp his desire to follow them the more willingly Thus you shall spend the time in Hunting for two or three How to vse your Horse after Hunting howers or as in your discretion you feele your Horse or the sport afford then you shall haue him home and set him into the stable hauing care that there be good store of fresh litter vnder him to stand vpon and tye him in his bridle vp to the racke hauing a little fresh haye in it for him to chaw vpon in his snafle to coole his mouth and to sharpen his appetire then rubbe him exceedingly with dry straw both head necke vnder the forebowels belly flanke and his legges withall the other parts of his body then take off his Saddle and rub his backe very well and so cloath him vp with all speed for taking cold and 2. Pra. 9. wadde him round with loose wispes of straw and if he be very hot throw another cloth ouer him loose to keepe him that hee 1. Pr. 6. coole not too fast and so let him stand an houre or till you feele him somewhat cold often stirring him to and fro in his stall gently with a sticke for that will keep his legges and his ioynts more nimble Then draw his bridle and giue him such a quantity Note of prouender as you shall thinke good but not so much as to take away his stomacke which will be some-what weake through the heate of his body and want of water and putting haye in his racke and taking away the loose cloth for keeping him hot too long let him rest for two or three houres or there 1. Pr. 6. abouts during which time you shall make a mash ready of halfe a pecke of mault and put no more water to it then it will sweeten and you thinke your Horse will drinke and let it stand couered till the water hath gotten the strength of the malt Of making a Mash which you shall perceiue by your tast for it will be very sweet and also by your feeling for it will be clammy like hony and rope like bird-lime which you shall giue him to drink when it is so cold that you can hardly see it smoke least the smoake should strike vp into his nose and so cause him to take a dislike and let Though the smell be strange to him at the first yet the tast will prouoke him him haue no other water that night and therefore if he will not drinke it at the first let it stand by him all night and set it so that he spill it not neither with his feet nor head Now this mash is very profitable for it is comfortable for his stomacke and it will keepe his body in a temperate heat after his labour and also it will clense and bring away such grease The benefit of a Mash and grosse humors as are disolued by that daies exercise After that you shall giue him as much prouender as you thinke he will eate and rubbe him all ouer to clense the sweat away that is dryed and barked outwardly and rub his legges very well 1. Pra. 14. then put fresh haye in his racke and shake good store of litter vnder him that he may rest the better and shut your stable close and let him rest that night The next morning come to him about sixe of the clocke for that is early enough because the mornings rest is as delightfull and comfortable aswell for a Horse as a man for then the braine is more thin and pure the meat being concocted whereby the sleepe is more sweet but open the dore very softly for The cause of quiet sleepe Met ap disquieting him if hee bee layd which if hee bee let him lye till hee rise of himselfe Somnus est sentientis facultatis requies Then goe to him and the first thing you doe looke to his dung what colour it is of for if it bee greasie and foule then it is a signe that the former dayes exercise did him good in dissoluing Obseruations from the dung some of that foule glut that was in him but if you perceiue no alteration of colour nor that it is greasie then it is a signe that that day made no dissolution and therfore you may take the more of him the next Then looke in his manger and see whether hee hath eaten Obserue how he feedeth vp all his prouender which if hee haue not sweepe it cleane away and bridle him vp but if hee haue giue him a little seruing more to eate whilst you make cleane his stable After bridle 2. Pr. 10. Chap. him and tye him to the Racke and dresse him and haue him forth to the water as aforesaid for this should bee a day of rest And thus you shall vse him to the field thrise a weeke till you haue brought his body to such cleannesse that you may iudge both of his speed and toughnesse Now for obseruations you shall note that you vse him in Generall obseruations the dayes of his rest which must be euery other day at the least in all poynts as you did during the time of his inseaming But whereas it hath beene vsuall to giue a Scouring the day of his Of Scowrings rest
hazard either the mortall disease of foundring in the body or else hinder concoction with ouer raw humors so that he cannot haue good digestion for want of which vnwholsome crudities will ingender 1. Pra. 6. 2. Pra. 10. And therefore water your Horse as little as you can in the house but let him fetch it abroad that you may heate it in his body by galloping and so preserue him from such dangers as may insue thereby Secondly if he drink but once a day his body will be brought Whether a running horse should drinke oftner then once a day very dry and costiue in that it cannot haue sufficient moisture to quench that excesse of naturall heate which will abound if he be restrained from drinking when the necessity of nature requireth and so that heate will get such prodominancy of the naturall moysture that he will dry too fast the moysture not hauing a proportionated quantity to keepe his body in a meane temper A Simily for the nourishment of nature and so cause an inflamation and distemperature of the whole body for as too much oyle quencheth the light of the lampe so if it haue too little it will consume more speedily A running horse would be watered as often as he is ayred Therefore to keep your Horse in perfect state I wish all those that will be counselled to water him euery euening morning whilst he is abroad to ayre and let him drinke what hee lusteth so it be warmed in his body as before for he will not drinke so much as shall harme him for that his food must be so perfect and clean from grossenes dust that it will not much prouoke thirst Thirdly to put Anise-seeds Liquoras or any other such Apothe 1. Pr. 7.h. caries drugges in his water to make him long winded it is vnnaturall vnwholesome and yet worketh no sound effect but Liquoras water is vnnaturall for a horse 1. Pra. 6. onely a conceipted illusion For as I haue said Nature approueth best of that which is the most pleasing to her selfe and to assimulate such nourishment as will maintaine the vitall powers in the best estate to giue her strength to withstand her enemies and therefore such kinde of drugs are not consonant nor agreeing God prouided grasse for cattel and greene herbs for the seruice of men to her being Phisicall and not to be vsed but vpon vrgent necessity for when the body is well affected and hath a good appetite if a Horse be driuen to drinke liquoras-liquoras-water it will weaken nature because his stomack will not digest it so well nor desire to drinke so much of it as of ordinary water and so it is Liquoras water is vnwholsome vnwholsome in as much as it is no natural releife being differing from his appetite and so changeth his constitution by exalting of ouermuch heate not taking sufficient to delay it and by that meanes also his body will be made dry and so much the rather because such spices are hot And whereas it is supposed to increase wind I grant it doth so in a sinister sort being differing Liquora water is both a sinister helpe of the winde from this end wherefore it is ministred for if hee were to vse any exercise without any strong coaction of the body as to neigh play or such like then it might produce some likelihood as it doth in a man that may vse it to help his wind in singing or sounding a wind Instrument without further action of the body but for strength of bodily exercise it is more hurtfull then A true Simily profitable Let a man that is dieted with such drugges to helpe winde and will not likewise vse his body to true and sound labour be to runne against one that hath ordinary good feeding and hath vsed his body accordingly he shall find that he which More haue lost then wonne by this diet hath exercise and strong feeding wil worse the other though he be neuer so curiously dieted by such kind of meates and drinks although they be both at first of an equal speed nay there is ods that hee will beate him because his is naturall feeding and this vnnaturall Euen so by application it may be said of horses Wherefore I wish to auoyd such kind of drinkes if you desire to bring your horse to his best strength and wind and let good and sound feeding and true labour doe that which liquoras water should doe because it will endure the touchstone when the other will proue counterfeit for I haue seen more that haue beene so dieted loose then euer I saw to win There is also curious diuersities what kind of water is best for a running Horse but because it is not much materiall for What water is best for him there is not such difference in effect as in words I will not presse thereon for so the water be not stinking nor muddy but either a cleane standing water or a running spring it is sufficient And let him haue his fill both euening and morning before you come in with him for it will doe him no harme so as he drinke not at any time whilst he is hot in regard a Horse that is in strict diet will be subiect to an excesse of heate and drinking sufficiently will be a meanes to coole and abate the same CHAP. 23. Of the food of a Running Horse THere are many that make a kinde of superstition in feeding a running Horse aboue a hunter which is rather to make it seeme more curious then necessary for thereby they allude so much to feeding that they take away the Art of riding 2. Pr. 12. holding it to be the onely meanes to bring him to his highest perfection both of strength courage winde and speed But whereas they thinke to make the Art more intricate and themselues more famous they abuse it showes their owne Error nourisheth many inconueniences ignorance disgraces the Horse and worketh the vndoing of many good minds that delight therein and haue no knowledge but onely relye vpon such preiudicated braines Therefore for confirming the knowledge of the weak iudicialls herein let them know that ther is no such curiosity in this more then in the other as it is holden for they both stand vpon maintaining his strength winde and speed which consisteth vpon true naturall feeding onely the difference is in continuance of 2. Pr. 1. 18. time that for long toyle and this to dispatch suddenly and so to haue his speed supported in the highest degree during so short a time which cannot be done by a Phisicall diet to decay nature but by such feeding as will increase it And therefore to abandon curiosity you shall vse him for the first fortnight after he is matched in all respects as you did the hunting horse for his kinds of meate quantity manner 2. Pra. 12. Idem 11. Idem 21. and time of his feeding Onely whereas I
their water and their vsing therein 2. Prac. 10. â— mile or two for their exercise obseruing to warme them a little after their water not suffering them to drinke their fill at the first but after they haue taken their first draught gallop them a little to warme it and then let them drinke againe and after that gallop them as you did before neuer letting them depart till they will drinke no more and so by this order you shall free the stomack from such raw crudities as the coldnesse of the water would incite if they did drinke their fill at the first and further in letting them haue their fill it will keepe their bodies from drying too fast because Nature it selfe is the best director for the expelling of her enemies especially in these creatures where she can command the apetite But whereas Mr. Morgan doth wish to put wine into their 2. Pra. 22. h Wine is no naturall drinke for a Horse water to qualifie the heate thereof I hold it not proper feeding for a horse in regard they naturally desire to drinke water and when a horse is in perfect state of body as it is to bee supposed these must be nature doth awayes desire that which will preserue 1. Pra. 12. â— Theo. 37.n. 1. Pra. 8. g. it to flye from that which wil hurt it in that euery thing is maintained by the like and destroyed by the contrary and so their owne naturall heat for warming their water is better then that which proceedeth from any other Now when you haue brought them home either from their water or any other excercise as occasion shall be offered let them be had presently into the stable it being made cleane 1 How to vse them after they come from their water and sweet and rub them cleane and dry letting them be round stopt with great waddes of straw and good store of litter vnder them to keepe them warme that they coole no faster then nature is able to expell such grosse humors as otherwise would n congeale by cooling faster then the bloud can haue its naturall course to nourish all the parts of the body which is the cause of 2. Pr. 10. â— all sicknesse and diseases Which done let them stand vpon the snaffle an houre or more till they bee through coold without any meat except a little hay in the rack to chaw vpon for 1. Pra. 9. a k Cooling too fast or eating too hot will corrupt the bloud if you should giue them meat before they bee through cold it will concoct sooner then nature doth desire by reason of the exterior heat which was prouoked by labour and so will inflame the naturall heat which is the cause of imperfect digestion Then when they are cold let their bridles be drawne and their bodies and legges well chafed and rubd letting them haue such a quantity of bread or other prouender as in your Theo. 18.f. discretion you finde their apetite to serue but seeing no certaine thing can limit an vncertaine therefore no man can describe such a certaine quantity of meat as shall satisfie the appetite of euery horse And heerein I differ againe from Mr. Morgan who doth wish that there should bee a spare diet both in meat and water for the perfecting of digestion and refining the seed And my reason is they being only sensitiue their appetite is serued according to the plenosity of the receptacle parts For when they haue receiued or eaten so much as nature cay digest into good nutriment then if a man would knock A reason l A horse will eat no more after nature bee satisfied 1. Pr. 10. a. them in the head he can neither cause them to eat one bit or drinke one sup more And heerein they are farre more temperate then Man for they feeding their appetite sensitiuely they being sensitiue Creatures cannot consult with themselues to draw on their appetite by expostulating of the goodnes or rarenesse of the meat But they onely feed their stomacke for the present and doe eat so much as is sufficient neuer regarding what they shall eat the next neither for the goodnesse not quantity Now therefore in regard Nature is the best director what quantity will best satisfie their appetite I thinke it best to let them be their owne caruers for if they bee restrayned and haue not enough then it will bee a meanes indeed for them to cloy their stomacks with feeding if at any time they may haue it according to the old Prouerbe two hungry meales will make m Nature abhorreth emptinesse the third a glutton Or else if they be continually kept with a spare diet then nature not beeing sufficiently satisfied there will be neither such store of good blood nor such aboundance of seed as otherwise there would and then if there be a defect in the materiall substance the formall cannot be perfect And againe if there be want of food the stomack will be empty and then seeing nature abhorreth emptinesse what should supply 1. Pr. 12. a that want but moyst ayre whose nature is to penetrate into all places of vacuity by reason of its tenuity which will much hinder concoction through the moistnesse thereof for that nature cannot turne that food which was receiued into such perfect bloud as otherwise it would if there were the whole heat and strength of nature And as for surfets and diseases they doe not come to these 1. Pr. 14.b. n Surfets doe not altogether proceed from full feeding 1. Pr. 15.k. i Spare dyet is Phisicall 1. Pr. 12.b. Creatures by fulnesse of feeding but by the abuse in eyther of the excesses of too much or two little exercise from whence commeth inflamation of the blood or else by a negligent care after labour which causeth an obstruction of blood by too fast cooling For the which causes spare dyet is to be vsed to refell such corrupt and grosse humors as doth destroy nature it being medicinall and therefore it cannot bee good for a perfect strong body for to it medicines doth weaken nature But to conclude hauing kept them in such sort as I haue said for some twelue or fourteene daies for by that time their bloud and seed will bee sufficiently purged from grosse humors you may then put them together for generation referring the end of your proceeding to Gods good blessing But this I would haue you to obserue that you doe not labour either of them for three dayes at the least before you put them together more then the fetching of their water least it cause too hasty Note digestion by causing a greater heat then nature would effect for concoction for when the state of the body is perfect then the naturall heat doth worke the best temperature both so blood and seed during which time let them be fed very well ' for thereby they will be very lusty and haue great plenty of seed so that they will performe
of their training let the webbes of them bee neither too broad nor too narrow but of a meane scantling about the breadth of a full inch being strong with sloped spunges neither set so close as to bruise his heels nor so open as he may clap one foot vpon another if he chance to ouer-reach and so either pull off his shooe and breake his hoofe or else hazard a straine hauing one foot fastened vpon another or ouer throw both man and horse Then you shall cloath him with a single cloth made of sackcloth The manner of clothing and let the sursingle bee stopt round with wads of straw both for ease and warmth for that single cloth will be sufficient for him at his first comming from grasse because hee is as yet vsed to coole ayre whereby hee will not be in much danger of taking-cold and the weather also at that time is somewhat warme but after you shall adde more cloaths to him as you find the disposition of the ayre and the temperature of his body But heerein is to be condemned a rancke of ignorant horsemen Ignorance bringeth no other fruit then abuses who if they once get the name of keeping a hunting horse will oppose their iudgment against the best will lay on many cloathes without discretion or reason thinking that their place should giue an approbation for what they doe although they are so blinded with ignorance that they cannot see their owne errors and hurt they bring For if a horse hane many cloths The abuse of many cloaths clapt on him without need they will keepe him so hot that he will sweet too violently and so make him faint and take away his stomacke and also he will be the more apt to take cold vpon the least occasion that shall be offered Therefore as Mr Markham saith if you see that his coat How to know when to increase clothes vpon your horse be slight and smooth then you shall cloath him with a single cloth and as the weather waxeth colder that his haire begin to stare about his necke flancke or buttocks then you shall adde another made of woollen cloth which is an ordinary proportion for a hunting horse for if hee haue any glutte within him those two clothes with the warmth of the stable will bee sufficient to helpe nature to expell her enemies shee being the best Phisitian CHAP. 10. Of dressing and inseaming your Horse AFter you haue clensed your horse from such grosse excrements as he hath gotten by running then you shall dresse Of Currying him after thim manner First you shall wash the snaffle of your bridle in faire water and put it on his head and put the reynes through the caule-band for slâ—pping it ouer his head and so tye him vp to the racke then take a curry-combe and curry him all ouer his body to raise the dust beginning first at his necke holding the left cheeke of the head-stall in your left hand and curry him from the setting on of his head all along his necke to his shoulder and so goe all ouer his body to the buttocks downe to his cambrell hough then change your hand and curry him before on his brest and laying your right arme ouer his backe ioyne your right side to his left and curry him all vnder his belly neere his fore-bowells and so all ouer very well from the knees and Cambrell-houghs vpward after that goe to the farre side and doe in like manner Then take a dead horse taile or a dusting-cloth of cotten and Of dusting and the brush strike that dust away which the curry-combe hath raised Then take a round brush made of bristles and dresse him all ouer both head body and legges to the very fetlocks alwayes clensing the brush from that dust which it gathereth by rubbing it vpon the curry-combe After that take a hayrecloth and rubbe him againe all ouer Of the hayre-cloth very hard both to take away the loose hayres and to helpe to lay his coat then wash your hands in faire water and rub him all ouer with wet hands as well head as body for that will Of wet hands and a cleane cloth clense away all those hayres and dust the haire-cloth left Lastly take a cleane cloth and rubbe him all ouer till hee bee very dry for that will make his coat smooth and cleane When you haue thus drest him take a woollen cloth and lappe it about his body on both sides past his mid-ribbe then Of saddling saddle him and throw the other ouer him for feare of getting cold Then take another hayre-cloth for you should haue two one for his body and another for his legges and rubbe all his Of dressing the legges legges exceeding well from the knees and Cambrell-houghs downeward to his very hoofe picking and dressing them very carefully about the fetlocks from grauell and dust which will lye in the bending of his ioynts Note that whilst you are dressing your horse that you doe Note not trifle the time idly either by slow working or prating as many vse to doe letting their horse stand naked and leane vpon him to hold chat with whomsoeuer commeth into the stable through which negligence a horse oftentimes getteth cold especially after he hath beene cloathed and kept warme for then the ayre is as penetrable to him as to vs if wee should be naked which is the cause I wish that his cloth should bee cast ouer him whilst his legges are in pricking and dressing for although it is holden that a horse will not take cold whilst he is in dressing yet he may take cold of his body if hee stand naked whilst his legges are in pricking and dressing for that the rubbing of his legges will not free his body from that danger When you haue thus drest him you shall take a mane Combe and wet the spunge in cleane water and combe downe his mane and taile to make the hayre lye close and handsome which done take his back and rake him a mile or two to fetch his water for that will helpe to refine his mouth which hee hath lost during the time of Summers running and also stay his body vpon his rake and let him drinke as much as he will at once then gallop and scope him vp and downe to warme the 2. Pr. 4. water in his body and so bring him to the water againe and let him drinke what he will then gallop him againe and thus x Of watering your horse doe till he will drinke no more then â—ake him home and set him in the stable vpon good store of litter and tub him well all 1. Pra. 7. g ouer with cleane straw then picke his feete with a croked iron picker made for that purpose and cloath him and stuffe him x round with sost waddes of straw as before and after he hath stood a while vpon the bridle draw it and giue him such
see by those Horses which run abroad all Wiâ—tâ—r and it is then very moyst withall in respect the shadow 2. Pra. 9. of the earth doth hinder the reflect of the Sunne that it cannot exhale the moysture that falleth as may be seene by the dew and cold â—ime that falleth in the night through which though it is thought to purifie the bloud yet in reason it is otherwise for it increaseth cold humors the more which do abate the strength The conclusion true of the horse by obstructing and corrupting the bloud and so the conclusion is grantable Wherefore come to your horse some halfe houre before Sun rising whether he be fat or leane or of what state soeuer for The time of comming to your horse in the morning then by such time as you haue rubd his head and body and chafed his legges the Sunne will be risen that so you may haue him forth to ayre for the Sunne being a comforter of all liuing creatures will comfort and cheare his spirits he hauing a naturall desire to be refreshed thereby as is euident by such e 1. Pr. 11.b. Horses as are abroad all the night who when the Sunne riseth will couet to such places as they may stand vnder shelter and haue the benefit of the Sunne to be comforted by the heate Note thereof after the coldnesse of the night Therefore as I say haue him out at that time for then the ayre wil be so temperate as it will help digestion and nothing at all impaire nature though your horse be fat yet doe not think to abate his flesh the faster by hauing him earely forth for so Of a fat horse how to vse him you shall diminish his flesh and strength and yet his ability for labour will be little helped but you shall still obserue the same times for his ayrings and keep him out so much the longer and 2. Pr. 8. 10. let sound heats doe that by true labour and long ayrings which earely and late ayrings should doe for it is that which causeth perfect winde and valerous courage and therefore that Horse which is somewhat high of flesh is better to worke on then he A fat Horse hath more substance to worke on then a leane that is low because he hath more strength and substance to endure labour whereas the other must be so fostred and fauoured in his training to get strength and flesh that he oftentimes proueth pursiue and thick winded when he commeth to be tryed for want of true exercise and labour And likewise for the manner of ayring whereas he wisheth that you should lead your horse in your hand and so to walke a Of the manner of Training foot by him whilst you are abroade I also differ therein except he be a Horse that is very cleane and hath beene so long trained as hee hath gotten a perfect habit of a true rake or that hee hath any old straine and must be fauoured for feare of renewing it which if he haue none of these as soone as you come 2 Pra. 20. into the stable in the morning if he be risen and haue rubd him as is said for once dressing in a day will be sufficient for a running Horse if he be well rubd and chafed at other times as hee should you shall take his bridle and wash the snaffle in Beere or Ale and bridle him vp then you shall see that all his cloaths be handsome and fast about him then set your Saddle vpon his backe aboue his cloathes and gird them close vnder his belly with the girths and wad him round about the heart with handsome waddes of straw then take a new layd egge and breake it in his mouth and cause him swallow it downe and so get vpon his backe and ride him vpon a gentle rake vp and downe such places as hee may gaine the best aduantage Airing on horse backe is better then in hand both of Sunne and ayre and where you may haue conuenient watering thereabouts and a hill if it bee possible to gallop vp after his water for this manner of ayring a Horsebacke is farre better then a foot both for his mouth winde and exercise of his body When you haue had him forth so long as you in your discretion thinke sufficient for the state of your body you shall haue 2. Pra. 15. him home and vse him as is set downe for your hunting Horse Note that whilst he is abroad to ayre that he rake orderly both 2. Pra. 5. with his winde and body till he be cunning therein and when he desireth to stand that his wind settle to rest gently as his body doth otherwise it will bring a contrariety and cause a hinderance in the passage thereof when hee shall come to be sore strained Note that you faile not to exercise him thus euery day both morning and euening but vpon the day you intend to giue him his breathing course which then you shall giue him instead of his morning ayring and then at night vse him as afore Note that if you see the weather disposed to a thicke fogge raine or snow that then you forbeare to ayre him for then it is better he should stand in the stable then to goe abroad because the moistnesse thereof will pearce through his pores and so redound to some offensiue grieuances CHAP. 22. Of his Watering COncerning the watering of a running horse there is a difference betwixt some mens opinions and mine but because I haue spoken thereof heretofore I will but touch their opinions briefly and referre the taking or leauing of them as in their iudgement they shall finde reason to perswade Now whereas it hath beene a custome to water a running Horse in the house and to haue him drinke but once a day and likewise to put Liquoras or such like into the water to helpe his winde all these I doe except against and why For first watering in the house is very hurtfull for if he be any Of leting a Horse drinke in the house thing subiect to take cold it will be nourished by drinking cold water if he be not heated after because that waterish humors are enemies to a horse and will increase vnnaturall superfluities Note this Simile for as standing water doth putrifie gather filth so will a horse gather much corruption and excrementall humors by drinking cold water if the coldnesse be not mitigated by exercise to disperse the naturall heate into all the parts of the body And further if hee should drinke at any time in the house after labour before his radicall moisture hath quenched The danger of letting a horse drinke and not heated after that excesse of heate gotten by labour the receiuing of cold water suddenly into his body and not hauing any exercise to heate the same will so ouersway the quantity of naturall heat that it will benumbe his body and make him shake and so
Suppossitary for any inward Sicknesse IF your Horse be so exceeding weake and sicke that you dare not administer to him inwardly by the stomacke you shall take of common Honey sixe ounces of Wheat flower one ounce of Salt-Niter one ounce and a halfe of Anise-seeds in fine pouder one ounce boyle these to a hard thicknesse and then make it into Suppossitaries and hauing anoynted your hand well with oyle Oliue thrust it vp into the Horses foundament and then hold downe his tayle hard for a good space after CHAP. 4. A Glister to cure any inward Sicknesse TAke of the oyle of Dill of the oyle of Camomile of Cassia and of the oyle of Vyolets of each halfe an ounce of brown Sugar-candy three ounces of Mallowes halfe a handfull boyle these to a decoction in running water and then administer it to the Horse in manner of a glister and in the extremity of any sicknesse it is a certaine cure CHAP. 5. For the Yellowes FIrst let the Horse blood in the necke veine and according to the goodnesse or badnesse of the blood so proportionate the quantity you take away then take a quart of sweet wine or for want thereof a quart of strong Ale or Beare then put to it foure sponfull of the Iuice of Selladine and halfe so much of the iuice of Rue and let them boyle on the fire then take it off and straine into it halfe an ounce of the best English Saffron and three ounces of the best honey and so giue it the Horse luke-warme to drinke then Rake him vp and downe a little and so set him vp warme suffring him to fast two howers after and giue him to drinke with his meate a sweet mash but no cold water by any meanes CHAP. 6. An excellent Pill for the Yellowes TAke halfe a pound of the best Honey and of Safforn beaten to very fine powder and the meale of Fene-greeke of each a like quantity and mixe them with the honey till it come to a stiffe paste then deuide it into two seuerall bals and dipping them in sweet Sallet oyle draw out the horses tongue and force him to swallow them then ride him vp and downe an howre and more and so set him vp warme alwaies prouided that you euer let him blood in the necke veyne first and if you also let him blood in his eie veynes and in the roofe of his mouth it will be much better because the chawing and swallowing of his owne blood is exceeding wholsome and Souereine CAHP. 7. For the Staggers FIrst by all meanes let him blood in the necke veine and let him bleed very well for the abundance of blood is the cause of the disease then with an incision knife open the skinne of the forehead as high as the fore-top and with a cornet rayse vp the skinne and put in two or three cloues of Garlike and then stitch vp the hole close againe with a needle and a little silke and then binding a little flaxe or lint to the wound be sure to keepe out the wind or ayre which may doe hurt Then take of the seed of Cresses the seed of Poppye the seed of Smallagde the seede of Parsley the seed of Dill of Pepper and of Saffron of each of these two ounces beate them all to a very fine pouder then put them to a pottell of Barley water and then straine it very well through a strayner and giue the Horse a quart thereof to drinke early in the morning fasting and then Rake him vp and down gently an houre or more and so set him vp and sprinkle his hay with water but let him drinke no cold water till he be well recouered CHAP. 8. For any extreame cold whatsoeuer or of what nature soeuer TAke of Cloues of Nutmegs of Ginger of Galls or the fruit of Oaks and of Cardimonium of each a like quantity of Fenell seed some what more then of the rest beate and searse all these to a very fine pouder then put two spoonfull thereof to a quart of White wine and straine in two penyworth of the best English Saffron and then beate in the yolke of a couple of egs and so giue it the Horse to drinke early in the morning and then ayre him abroad two howres or more and be sure to keep him warme and by no meanes let him drinke cold water nor let him eate any hay but what is sprinkled with water and once a day which should be at noone if the time of the yeare serue giue him the tender greene crops of Reeds or Sallowes to eate from your hand for they are very souereine and thus doe diuers mornings together and it will not onely clense away all manner of cold but also open his conduits and set his winde at liberty CHAP. 9. For the Lax or Fluxe of Body by any meanes TAke Wood-ashes finely searced and mixe them with as much Bolarmonyacke made into fine pouder and mixing it well with his water let him drinke thereof morning and euening and it will stay his scowring but if it be so violent by either the eating of a feather or any other poyson that this will not stay it then take the intrals of a Hen or Pullet and mixing them with an ounce of Spycknard cause the Horse to swallow it and it will presently stay the Fluxe CHAP. 10. For a Horse that is Hyde-boundâ—r in great pouerty TAke of clarified hogges-grease two ounces of the iuice of Dragant-worte one ounce of Incense halfe an ounce of the Sirrop of Roses three ounces dissolue all these in a pint and a halfe of honyed water on a soft fire and giue it the Horse to drinke fasting in the morning and exercise him a little thereon then set him vp warme and let him fast two or three howers and it will Scowre out all his infection loosen his skin and make him feed very sodainly after CHAP. 11. An excellent receipt for the pissing of blood FIrst clense his yard if any filth or corruption be barkt therevnto by washing it with Butter and Beere made warme together then let the Horse blood in the necke veine and lastly take the water or iuice of Leekes or of Onyons that is the water wherein they haue beene steeped twelue houres at least and close stopped to the quantity of a pint then as much White wine and iumble it well together till it looke slymie then giue it the Horse to drinke and doe thus diuers mornings and it will stay that flux of blood and bring his vrine to the naturall and ordinary colour CHAP. 12. A most excellent receipt for the Stone or for a Horse that cannot pisse but drop by drop TAke of Saxifrage of Nettle roots of Parsley rootes of Fenell roots of Sperage roots of Dodder of each of these a little handfull boyle all these on a gentle fire in a pottell of White wine till a third part bee consumed then put in a handfull of Salt of oyle Oliue and the Larde