CHAP. I.
The best Method, and speediest way for Ordering of Race-Horses, to fit them for any Match in what Estate soever they be.

AT such time as a Horse is matched, (or designed to be matched) for a Race, or Course, let him, to whom the Horse belongs, or whosoever shall have the ordering of that Affair, be very circumspect in observing the Condition or Ability of Body in which the Horse is at the time of such his being matched, which chiefly ought to be taken notice of in three several Rules or Methods, the which I here shall undertake to lay down for the better satisfaction of those whom it hereafter may concern.

1. The first of which is, if your Horse be Foggy, Gross, or over-fat when he has been lately taken from Grass, or Soil.

2. The second likewise to be observed is, If he be more than ordinary Lean, either by reason of two hard Riding, or any Di­sease has pulled him down by hindring his feeding.

3. Thirdly, If he be in good plight, and has had good keeping, dealt well by, and moderately rid or exercised.

[Page 4] Now in the first of these you cannot take less than two Months, or ten Weeks, to bring your Horse into a fit condition for a Match, which must be done by moderately Dieting him and often Exerci­sing him, which wasts the superfluous grease, and makes him long­winded, both which will make him more fit and apt to win the Wager laid upon his Head.

As for the Second, If your Horse be exceeding poor, then about six Weeks space must be allowed, with good feeding and moderate exercise.

Now for the Third and Last of the fore-mentioned conditions, which is a medium betwixt both; lesser time will serve to fit him for the match you do design to have him run. About a Month or five Weeks will be sufficient, if you observe the Dieting of him, which must be indifferently well.

But seeing I have given you an account of the particular Estates or Conditions of Horses; So now I must give you some cautions therein to be observed: First then, note if your Horse be fat and unwieldy, you must have a regard to his Exercise, for if he be over­free, and is willing to put out his strength and abilities to the ut­most, so that his flesh quickly fall away, you must restrain him, and not put him to too hard Exercise, for he cannot bear it like those, who are hardy by nature, and grow fat with any Diet, or any reasonable Exercise.

Yet farther, if your Horse be in a poor condition by any hard or ill usage or disorder of Body, yet notwithstanding any thing in the like nature, grows quickly into good liking, and so continues for a considerable time; you need not, neither shall you be so ten­der of him as in the case of that just before mentioned, nor at all restrain him from his Exercise, for if you do, he will soon grow unfit for your purpose.

Thus far have I thought fit to instruct such as are unskilful, or have not the most expedient Method, for preparing Horses for Races.

And now I think it most convenient to give my Reader a full sa­tisfaction and ample instruction as to the dieting and using of Hor­ses, and lay open the secrets most necessary to be observed by all according to truth and the most innate Sincerity. And first of the fat Horse, because in him are comprehended the other two, by reason he may be made lean, or between both, as the Master of him thinks most convenient, &c.

CHAP. II.
The way and manner of dieting or feeding a Horse to fit him for a Race, being Fat or Gross, immediately after his being taken from Pasture or Soil, as to the first two weeks.

NOW if you lay a Wager, or match a fat or unwieldy Horse, which has been made so, either by being kept at grass in long idleness; or standing at his Stall, and there over-lavishly fed; to bring him to a fit condition to perform your expectation, for the first Fort-night you must be up as soon as day appears, if not before, to attend him, and having put on his Bridle, which you must be sure always to let hang upon the Rack close by him, dip­ped either in Beer or Ale, which will not only put him in mind of his being rid, but also make him the more familiar with it, and love it the better when on. This being done, cleanse the Stable of the filth, and then fall to dressing of him, which according to the best method, is as follows.

First, Curry him well in every part, but begin with the Head, then his Neck, Back, and Hinder-parts, after that his Shoulders and Fore-legs as low as the Knees, that done, use your dusting Cloth, or something in the like nature, and with it dust him over in eve­ry part, then rub him well with your hard brush, beginning first at the Head, and omitting no place whatsoever there, as the Temples, Nose, Ears, Under-jaws, and Fore-head, then proceed to the others parts as before, not forgetting his shanks, nor setting on of his Hoofs, going backwards by degrees till the whole Body be well rubbed, after that take your wet hand and stroke him over gradularly, not leaving him rough nor wet in any part. Then with your wet hands or a soft Cloth rub gently his Yard, Testicles, Sheath, Ears, between his Thighs, and all other private places whatsoever: After which, with a Hair-cloth or any other hard Cloth, if that be wanting, rub him over again, being sure to ob­serve the rubbing of his Face well, as his Cheeks, between his Jaws, and on his Fore-head, the rising of his Neck, and Fetlocks, and other places as you shall see occasion.

[Page 6] Which being well done, take a clean woollen cloth something fine, and cleanse him with the same, beginning at the Head, and so proceeding as you were taught before, leaving no part unrub­bed; Lastly, with a Curry-comb well wetted, comb out the Main and Tail very decently; thus much for rubbing and cleansing; which is as necessary in the ordering of Race-Horses, as their meat. The next thing to be observed is, to cover his Body with a large Cloth for that purpose, either of thick Kersy or thin Stuff accor­ding to the season of the Year, or as heat or cold shall best agree with the nature of the Horse, upon which put his Saddle, girting the foremost Girth very hard, but the other slack; then under it thrust two wisps of clean straw, which may stretch it to an equal straightness with the first, then putting a thick Breast-cloth on you may mount, but if you please you may first spurt some Beer or Ale into his mouth, which will make him champ and feel his Bit the sooner, and be sure that you Stable be made clean before you bring your Horse in again, the Dung and foul Litter being laid at the door, and it well stored with fresh; for if the Horse stand not upon good store of Litter, and have it likewise to lie cry in, he will not thrive well nor seem half so pleasant as he will with it; for which purpose of all the straw, Wheat-straw is the best, and must be used on this occasion unless it cannot be got, and then the next to it is Oat-straw, for both Rye and Barley-straws do much annoy your Horse, by reason the one doth cause him to be much troubled with the heart-burn, and the other to loosen him, and make him scour extremely.

Being thus upon his back, you must ride him easily for the space of half an hour, for if you gallop or strain him presently you do him much injury, by reason that it stretches his Sinews too much on the sudden, which is apt to ingender cold humours in the Joints and Nerves, so that the Horse will be stiff after it, if not carefully, if not quickly remedied by bathing his Legs with Oil of Swallows or Earth-worms; but after by gentle riding they are made pliable, you may gallop him easily, but let it be by any means upon plain and firm ground, or if you live near any steep Hills, whose ascent is smooth and firm, let it be up them, then walk him down in your hand, a foot pace, or a small amble, that so he may cool by degrees; the best time to begin to exercise is before the Sun rise, or as soon as it is risen at the farthest, then after his [Page 7] breathing, when he begins to be cool, lead him to some pleasant Spring or River, and there let him drink his fill.

Then gallop him again, but not too hard, when you have done so, for about the space of a quarter of an hour, bring him again to the Brook or River, and let him drink if he so pleases, but if not, then give him a gentle course or two to raise thirst in him, the which no doubt will do it, for take this as a general Rule, that be­fore and after water, you be sure to breath him gently.

After he hath drank three times, and been breathed the like num­ber, you may bring him home, and coming to the Stable-door, where the Dung and the foul Litter is laid, let him stand upon it; after you are alighted from his back for some time, and by softly tapping or hitting his hinder Legs with your switch or whip, make him stretch them as far as he can backwards, and by pleasant whist­ling provoke him to Urine, which if he refuse to do once or twice, yet at last he will do it freely; and thereby you will preserve your Stable from filth and noisomness, which otherways would much offend the Horse.

He being come into the Stable, rub his Fore-Legs with wisps of clean Straw, putting all your strength thereto, but first, be sure to tie his Head up close to the Rack in his Bridle, then his Breast, or Fore-cloth being taken off, rub his Head, Breast, and Neck. After that, unloose his Body-Cloth, and rub him well in every part, but especially in the Saddle-place, his Saddle being hung up in his sight; and after he hath been well rubbed with dry Cloths, cover him up again with a linen coverer, and upon that put his wool­len Cloth, or more if the Weather be cold, if warm, they will be sufficient, but be sure to observe they are dry when you put them on.

After you have girted them close upon him, stop in little wisps of light straw quite round him, between the Cloths and the Girts, let them by no means be knotty or hard, lest they hinder him of his sleep, and make him lie uneasie by hurting his sides; when he is thus cloathed, cleanse his feet, by pulling out the gravel or earth that they may have got into them, and with warm Cow-dung stop the same up close; after that is done, put about half a small arm­ful of Hay, that is very sweet and good, into his rack, bound up as hard as possibly you can bind it, but first let it be cleared from Dust or Seeds as well as may be, and take not off his Bridle till he [Page 8] has eat it or most of it, for it being bound up hard will make him pull it with more than ordinary eagerness, and then consequently he must eat it with a good stomach, but let him not stand above one hour and a half in his Bridle, but having taken it off rub well his Face, the ridge of his Neck, and each part of his Head with a rough Cloth made of Flax or Hemp, but the latter is the best, be­cause if it be new, the smell of it is very wholesome, and being apt to make him sneeze, will thereby cleanse his Head of gross and crude humours lodged therein.

This being done, cleanse the Manger of all the scattered Hay, or other things offensive that may be in it, then take about two dou­ble handfuls of the best old Oats that are free from Chaff or Seeds, be sure they be the largest and fullest you can get, for the good­ness of Oats is known by their weight, such as many do call Polo­nian Oats, or some more vulgarly cut Oats, for these of necessity are wholesomest and best; for if you give your Horse those that are musty or wet, they will cause several little risings in the Hor­ses Body, or more properly termed swellings, and such as be not old breed little worms in the Belly and cause pain; it is very hurt­ful for to give your Horse any Oats that are not throughly dres­sed, for they will not only cheat him in his feeding, but make him slight them; nor are black ones to be allowed of, unless in time of necessity, and then they are not wholesom.

Therefore be sure when you give him his portion of Oats, which must not exceed a quart at a time, you must sift them so, that all the light Oats and Husks may fall away, and whatsoever else you imagine offensive, as Dust or Seeds, Straw or other Grain, after which put them into the Manger; and observe whether he eat them heartily or not, if he do, you may supply him with the like quantity again, ordering them as the former, so depart and leave him to himself till about ten or eleven of the Clock, at which time you coming again to him rub his Head, Face, and Neck, with the Hempen Cloth before recited, then give him another like quan­tity of Oats or somewhat more, order them also in the like man­ner before you give them to him, after which leave him for the space of two hours, and let him remain during that time in as much darkness as your Stable is capable of, and not only then, but al­ways in your absence; for the more obscure and dark he is kept, the better will he eat his meat, and the better will he take his rest; [Page 9] for note, a Horse will seldom lie down in a Stable that is very light, unless he be much wearied either with standing or Travel; to cause the more darkness many are used to line their Stables, or at least the Stall where the Horse designed for Race stands, with Sacking or Canvas; not only to make it dark, but to keep him the warmer, by sheltring him from wind and dust.

After the end of the said two hours which is about one of the Clock; you must visit him again, and give him another the like quantity of Oats ordered as the former, and rub his head, neck, and face, as before; which done, give him a small bundle of Hay hard twisted together, and let him alone to eat that by himself, and so let him continue till four of the Clock if the days be long, but if short, not past three.

Then according to the time come to him again, and the Stable being well cleansed, wet the Bit of his Bridle in Beer, and so fasten the Reins of it to the Rack as soon as you have put it on, which being done, take off his cloths and dress him according to what you were taught in the morning; he being well dressed, bring him forth and put his Saddle upon his Cloths as formerly, and endeavour to make him piss upon his Dung and old Litter cast without the Stable, then as soon as you please you may mount him, and ride him as in the morning, only let this difference be generally observed, that you ride him not up any hills that are steep in the evening, but upon the plainest and firmest ground you can find; or if you will for change, sometimes in smooth, green Meadows that are dry, or by running waters if they lie conveni­ent, or that there be any near you; and let him take all the Air he can, and often suffer him to gaze upon the Stream, but suffer him not to stand still, but keep him in a continual motion either Galloping or short Pacing which many give the term of racking; if he at any time as you lead him in or out of his Stable, offer to smell to any Horse-dung though not his own, hinder him not, for that will cause him to evacuate and fit him the better for his meat.

When he is well watred and well aired at the cool of the day (or if it be within night it matters not) bring him home (for note, there is nothing better to rid him of gross and foul hmours than to be abroad with him early and late) and when he is come to the Stable, observe that nothing, according to former ordering of [Page 10] him be omitted, but all done with care and diligence, the which I hope by this time you have so well taken notice of that I need not to repeat it over again; let his diet be likewise the same, and let him stand at it by himself two hours or more, according to the Season of the Year, in his cloths; in Winter you may let him stand till nine before he has his Bait for all night, in Summer later if you please; then coming to visit him you must give him near three pints of Oats sifted, dress him in every part, give him a small bundle of Hay in his Rack, and after having raised his Lit­ter leave him till the enssuing morning.

When betimes you must abroad with him again and use him as you have been taught, so that in the space of two weeks you may bring him to such a pass, as he will be fit to ride or take any mo­derate heat, but beware how you strain him too much, for it will do him a great injury; thus having after the exactest manner instruct­ed you as to the first fortnights keeping, I shall next proceed to give you Rules and Methods for giving him Courses, or as some term them Heats, &c.

CHAP. III.
Orders most carefully to be observed in the Coursing or Heating your Horse.

TO begin with which, I must inform you that you must not give above two Courses in a Week, for if you do you will spend him too much, although he be never so lustly, and thereby weaken him and make him unfit for your Race.

The next thing to be observed is, that one of the times must be upon the day you design he shall run the Match; the two days must be as equally distant from each other as you can divide the Week, therefore you ought to make your Match accordingly; Mondays and Fridays, or Tuesdays and Saturdays are the fittest if you can so model the affair, for those days have the most di­stance between them; if your Match be designed on the Monday let that and Friday be his heating days.

[Page 11] But if on Tuesday or Wednesday, then Saturday must be the other that must serve to both, because it is unseemly to do it on the Sunday, and so you may observe of whatsoever day it shall fall out to be, that you keep as near as you can an equal distance of time between his Courses or Heats.

But again, you must be sure to observe in what weather you ride him at such times, for if it be wet, that is, if it either Rain, Snow, or Hail, you must not give him any heat till such time it be fair, unless necessity urge it, as when it rains most part of the Week or so; and then you must chuse the time when it holds up best, and let him be covered very warm, not only his Body, but his Head, Neck, Ears, Breast and Shoulders; for his Head you must provide a covering made with little bags to put his ears in, and be sure you keep him abroad as little time as possible, for the damp raw Air will at such times indanger much his health.

But to the last particular that is to be taken notice of in this Chapter; be sure if the weather be fair and serene, get him dressed and abroad with him as soon as day-light appears, but not before, by reason it is very incommodious in this case both to the Horse and Man, and thus much concerning his Courses or Heats, which is the most necessary thing to be observed in preparing him for your Match; now to the second order of his Keeping and Feeding.

CHAP. IV.
The manner of his second Fortnights Feeding, and the care to be observed therein.

IN this as in the former, you must be circumspect to observe the cleaning of his Stall, giving fresh Litter, and keep it lighted up that his Bed may be always soft, and the old with his Dung and Stale cast out at the Stable-door, then when you come to him in the Morning give him a quart or somewhat more of well dressed Oats, dressed as you were taught before, e'er you put on his Bridle, which being eaten, dress him in every part with such [Page 12] cloths, brushes, and combs, as you formerly have done, which being perfected according to the best of your skill, sursingle on his cloths, and then set his Saddle upon his back and ride him a­broad, galloping and racking him moderately, and between each time of so doing water him, and let his bringing home and Stabling be in each particular observed as in the foregoing fortnight, the which you have been so amply taught that I think there is no need of repeating it over again, only this take notice of, which is not yet laid down; when you have brought him into his Stall before you pull off his Bridle take a wisp of the best hay you can get, and holding it hard in your hand after it is well dusted, let him eat it thence, and give him all the occasion you can to pull hard at it, and if he devour it with a good Appetite supply him with more, and do so three times at least if he will eat it, for by so doing you will bring him to be familiar with you and win much upon his good nature; when he refuses to eat or that you think he has eaten enough, take off his bridle after he has stood in it about an hour, then rub him all over and dress him as formerly, which ended, give his Bait of Oats in quantity and manner as has been often declared, but by no means forget to sift them. Then having his diet-bread by you pretty stale, which must be about three days old at least, it being then the wholesomest and most commodious for him to eat, and after having eaten it to digest; the manner of making it accor­ding to the most skilful prescribers is as you shall be shewed in the following Chapter.

CHAP. V.
The first Diet to be given in the ordering your Race-Horse, and the way to make it.

FIrst, to make this Diet-bread you must take half a bushel of the best Horse-beans, well sifted from any Seeds or Husks, or three pecks, if your Horse be a great feeder; to the latter you must put one peck of the best Wheat you can get, to the former quantity proportionably; you may grind them, divided if you please, [Page 13] and so mingle them afterwards, but in my opinion they will be best ground together, after which dress the meal as fine as you can, so that there be few or no husks or bran left in it; then take the best Ale-yest you can get, by no means let it be sour or dirty, a­bout three quarts will do, and put to that as much water as will just make the Meal up into Dough, which must be kneaded with all your strength in a Trow, or some such like thing for that purpose. If you are not strong enough to knead it with your hands you may tread it with your feet, being sure to leave no knobs in it, when it is throughly kneaded, cover it from the dust and let it re­main the space of an hour, then knead it again, and after you have so done make your Loaves up about the bigness of six-penny-loaves or bigger if you please, and after you have baked them exceeding well in an Oven, take them out, set them trans-verse to cool, that is, with their bottoms upwards.

When you have kept them three days, which you must do e'er you give any of them to your Horse for fear of making of him sick, which if they do, he will refuse to eat it for the future.

The next thing to be observed is, that if the bread be moist or clammy, so that it stick to his mouth and he cannot freely swallow it, or do seem not to like it, you must cut it into thin slices and dry it in the Sun, or if the Sun shine not, in some Stove or by the Fire, but not too hard, then take it and mix it with his portion of Oats by smalling it amongst them, so that then he will eat it free­ly, and it will do him no harm, but be sure to pare away the crust, but note that you must never give it him alone, but always being crumbled and mixed with his Oats, the quantity of Bread you so mix must not exceed three or four slices at a time.

You having given him one bait, in the morning, about eleven or twelve a-clock visit him again, and after well dressing him give him his bait or portion of diet, as before, both of Bread and Oats.

About two of the Clock or somewhat later if you design not to course him the following day, and so take the distance of time as has been formerly observed in all his diets, only let his motions be curiously observed and each action taken notice of, for by that you may know in what liking or estate of body he is, and how he thrives upon his diet.

Again observe, that if you design to heat him the day follow­ing you must not from the time just before mentioned give him [Page 14] any bread with his Oats, but let him eat them by themselves, and when he has eat them put him on his Bridle and dress him well in each part, the manner of which I hope we need not now declare; then his cloth being put on in decent manner, clap on his Saddle and ride him abroad in the Air, gallop and rack him gently and let him take his watrings as before, them bringing him home let him stale and dung at the door if you can get him to do it; and being brought into the Stable, after rubbing down give him his por­tion of Oats, but no Hay, for that is not convenient before a heat.

Now I have given you a most exact account concerning the or­dering and dieting your horse, the next thing necessary is, to in­form you what Muzzles are most convenient for Race-Horses, and what is the occasion of their being put on, and the danger that there is in some of them.

First then, Muzzles were made to prevent horses from biting and tearing their Racks, Mangers, and Stalls, to keep them from eating Loume or Mud-walls, their own Litter or the like, which is very dangerous and hurtful to them, for it is not requisite they should eat any thing without your knowledge, or what you give them.

But as for these Muzzles there are many kinds, some close, some broad, others with little round holes in them, these are common­ly made of Leather which often proves very annoiable to your Horse.

First then, any Leather that is alumed is very hurtful to the head by reason of its sharp scent and saltness, the next is that which is greased or dressed with course Oil, the smell of which often makes your Horses head-ake, and causes him to leave his meat, be sick and hard bound, so that he cannot dung kindly.

Now there are another kind of Muzzles that are very requisite which are much in use, which are made of pack-thread or whip­cord. These are most convenient in the Summer-time and will not offend the horse, if you wash them once in two or three days or have fresh ones to put on.

Another sort there are which are commonly used in Winter, which are made of strong Canvas fit for the head of your Horse, so far as need requires, and bound with strong filleting, on one side a loop being made, and on the other a string to fasten it round his Poll, and under his Chaps; some for warmth use to put [Page 15] double Canvas, but take notice there must be a breathing Place with net-work just against his mouth and nostrils to let the Air in and out, or else if it be hard tied on it will go near to stifle him.

Thus much as touching Muzzles, now I will return again to the ordering your Horse, and give you a farther account of several other particulars in the management of him, beyond what has al­ready been discoursed upon.

If in the ensuing morning, you coming to visit your horse find him laid, raise him not, but let him rest, but if he be upon his Legs take a quart of Oats and wash them well in Beer or Ale, then dry them indifferently well and give him them to eat; and when he has so eaten them, put on his Bridle and rub him down exceeding well, after that put on all his cloths and then for Saddling of him; after which, hold up his head as high as you can reach, and into his mouth break a new-laid Egg and oblige him to swallow it, after which spurt some Beer into his mouth and carry him abroad to Air, observing at the door as formerly. Being mounted, ride him gently, and by degrees increase his pace till it come to a gal­lop, and if he be so enclined let him smell to any Horse's dung he meets with upon the Road.

Now I shall give you another instruction worth observing; that is, the day you are designed to run the Race when you come within a mile or less of the starting goal or post for that purpose as­signed; take off his cloths, which being done clap your Saddle upon his back, sending some person with his cloths to the end of the Race intended, and ride him on gently till you come to the weighing or starting post; shew him the post and make him as far as he is capable, sensible of what he is designed for to be done with­al.

The Signal for the start being given put him on at near three quarters speed, or if his strength will allow it, more, but be sure you put him not to more than he is able to perform, hold the Reins pretty streight in your hand, but by no means check him in his Course, but let him run on chearfully, and give him all the encou­ragement you can, and so let him run the whole Race through.

If you, during the Course find his strength to fail him, or that he begin to yield, give him what ease you can, and do not force him to too great a swiftness, but use him so that he may be at all times [Page 16] well pleased with his courses and free to run, and so in a short time you bring him to perfection, but if he be any way discouraged at first, he will never perform according to your Expectation.

Now the next thing material to be observed is upon what ground you run, and then consider which ground your horse takes most delight to run upon, for this may turn to your great advan­tage, the which you may best take notice of in his Heats or in his first Race, whether it be smooth, rough, dry, wet, or a little ri­sing that he most eagerly covets, and for the future chuse it if pos­sible in all your Races.

When the Race is ended, wherein if he have been exceeding hard put to it, by no means let him stand still but gallop him mode­rately about some green Field, the better to let him take breath by degrees and cool accordingly, the which when you find he has pretty well done, have him into some dry gravel-pit or other deep place out of the wind, or if there be none convenient, then to the thickest Bushes or Trees you can meet with, and there having his cloths ready, with a large blunt knife or some old piece of Iron or Wood flat like a Ruler, yet having a blunt edge, scrape the sweat off from his Body, laying the strength of both your hands to the same till none appear in any part, and between whiles give your horse a turn or two, and then scrape him again till he has done sweating, at which time pull off his Saddle and scrape the place on which it was; likewise then with dry cloths, rub him in all parts, not omitting any place, exceeding well, put on his cloths and girt his Saddle on upon them, immediately after which you must gallop him gently for a considerable space, then rub him slightly not taking off his cloths, especially from his head and neck; then you may a­light and walk him in your hand about the Heath or Field, but be sure you suffer him not to graze if he should offer it, and when you per­ceive him cool and dry, ride him home gently; you may gallop him softly if you please; when you come home to the Stable-door en­deavour to make him piss and dung, but beware you put him not into the Stable till he be quite dry and very cool, where being en­tred fasten his bridle to the Rack, and have this following dose in readiness, which you must give him in a drenching horn, or some such like thing, which will cleanse his body and much help nature to recover strength, if he be any ways weakned by his running.

CHAP. VI.
The Dose or Scouring is made thus.

FIrst, get a Pint of the best Canary, and add to it one ounce, three drams of clarified Rosin beat into powder, and stir it about in the Wine, then add more, half a pint of Olive Oil the best that can be got, (for if it any ways stink it will make your horse sick and cause him to cast it up again) and mix it well with the former, then take an ounce and three quarters, or if you will, two ounces of Sugar-Candy, beat it small and put it to the rest, all which being well mixed together place them in an earthen Ves­sel upon a gentle fire till they boil, then take it off and let it stand till it be blood-warm, and so give it your Horse; if he refuse to take it you must force him to it by pouring it down his throat, and holding up his head till he have quite swallowed it down.

The virtue of it is to take away by scouring and sometimes by gentle Sweat all foul and gross humors, that too much heat or over­streining had caused to gather in the Stomach and Bowels, it dis­solves crewdy grease that having been melted is again settled in hard knobs, and brings it away in what part soever; in fine, there is not a wholsomer drink can be given to any horse, especially af­ter running.

CHAP. VII.
The Way and Method of looking to, and keeping your Horse after he has taken this Potion.

WHen the Horse has taken it, then immediately rub his Legs and pull off his Saddle and all other his cloths, leaving him nothing on, then curry him well, and after brush him, and with a dusting cloth dust him, and again with a new hempen cloth or cloth of hair, rub his body in every part, but in so do­ing [Page 18] your greatest pains must be about his head, neck; and breast; this being perfected put on his cloths and keep him as warm as possible, and put several handfuls of straw under his girts, and then let him remain without either meat or drink for the space of two hours, during which time you must watch him, and seldom let him stand still for fear of getting cold, during the time the Potion is in working; nay, seep or standing still (which he will chuse if he be left alone to himself) are alike dangerous, by reason that the blood and vital Spirits have not their operation so well as in times of motion, nor the heat of the body power to force up the humors that lie as it were absconded in the several parts. When he has stood in his Bridle, and fasted so long as is before-mentioned, or if you think convenient somewhat longer; then take ears of wheat about one hundred, and offer them to him to eat, but let them not be bearded in any-wise, but e'er you suffer him to take them, feel him all over in what condition or estate of body he is, and if you find him sweat on a sudden or any cold clamm over-spread his Limbs, which many call a cold sweat, or if you observe him to pant, tremble, or fetch his breath short, with-hold your hand and give not any thing; for if you do, it will much indanger him, these being the Symptoms that the Potions has not done working, but that it is striving with the vicious humors and soul indigestures of the Body, therefore put on his slip and taking off his Bridle stop all the Lights of the Stable, the better to keep it dark, and secure your Horse from too much Air, and let him take his ease in your abseuce for the space of two hours or more, by which time the Potion will have done working and his sickness will pass away.

Then coming to him again, if you find him well you may give him the ears of wheat by four or five at a time till the whole parcel is wasted, after that if he will eat any more you may suffer him to have the like quantity again, and after them a small bundle of Hay bound up very hard and thrown into his Rack, but during the time of his eating it, be sure to rub him over as you have been taught; but more especially his head.

Within the hour following give him his quantity of Oats as before, mingling with them a pint of husked Beans, as clean from husks and dust as can be, then take tree slices of bread and (the crust being cut away) crumble them among the Oats and Beans, and so give them to him, and after he has eaten [Page 19] them let him stand about two hours and a half, or three if you please.

Then coming to him give him some Bait again of each the same parcel as before, then dress him down well and put on his cloth, but put not on his Saddle, nor back him, neither let him have any water that night, but keep him within doors, for if you do otherwise you will endanger your horse.

CHAP. VIII.
The manner of making these Balls and their Virtue, with an account of what Diseases they are most powerful to cure.

TAke the powder of Elicampane-Roots, Cummin-seeds and Fe­nugreek-Seeds, of each two ounces beaten and sifted as fine as you can possible, to which put two ounces of Sugar-candy, brown if you please, beat that likewise; fine flower of Brimstone the like quantity, one ounce of the juice of Liquorice, then wetting them with half a pint of White-wine, set them over the fire, af­ter which take one ounce of the Chymical oil of Aniseeds, and three ounces of the Syrup of Colts-foot, add to these of Olive-oil, Honey, and Syrup or melted Sugar, all of them being the best you can get, one pint and a half, that is, of each half a pint, proportio­nable, then mingle all these Ingredients together, and thicken them into paste with fine wheat-flower, and so make them up into Balls for your use; you must not make them above the bigness before­mentioned, or if you please you may make them up as you use them; put them or the Paste up into a gally-pot and stop it close, and it will keep a long time.

For the use of them take these instructions, for their virtues are very great.

First then, if you use them for any sickness or dulness in your Horse, anoint or rub them over with sweet Oil or Butter, and so give them to him each Morning as you were taught before, and after give him a gentle breathing and let him drink, but if the weather be foul, take him not out.

But if for cold, or any infirmity in his Stomach, you may give them to him till you perceive it is wasted and gone.

The Virtues of them are for several other things, as Glanders, Heaviness to purge away any molten grease, to recover a lost Sto­mach, [Page 20] Faintings, and Heart-Qualms, and to make any tolerable Horse fat to admiration, but to your Race-Horses you must give for strengthning and cherishing the Spirits. But now to the fourth and last fortnight for preparing your Horse, which must begin with his last diet.

CHAP. IX.
The manner of making his last Diet.

IN this you must use three Pecks of Wheat, and but one of Beans, and let them be ground together upon the black Stones as small as possible they can be, then dress it through an exceeding fine dressing-cloth; for note, that every Bread must be finer than the former: Then put to it the fore-mentioned quantity of Ale-Yest, but be sure it be not sowre, nor the Grounds. Then knead it together, and make it up into Loaves as formerly; but to this, above what has been spoken of, you must add the Whites of two or three and twenty Eggs, and instead of water put milk, so much as will make it up.

They being baked, let them stand their usual time, and then cut the Crust away, or as some call it, chip them, after which, dry a quart of Oats well, and after that sift them, so that there be no defect left in them, to which, put your Beans in like manner ordered, and at the usual times, give them all three, mingled to­gether to him.

As for his Heating and Coursing-days, the first week they must be punctually observed, but the second you must abate him one, that is, heat him but once, and that must be Mondays hear. After he has stood one hour more in his Bridle, you may take three pints of Oats, and steep them in Beer or Ale for a short time, and then give them to him, and they will much cherish him, and allay his thirst.

This being done, about an hours space after, you shall give him the former quantity of Beans, Oats, and Bread in the same order, and manner, or if you think it more convenient, you may give them several, and not mingle them; let him by no means want for feeding at night, for when you make him his last, give him not only his Bait, but leave him a bundle of Hay in his Rack bound up very hard.

[Page 21] Next Morning, as soon as day appears, you must give him his first diet, then rub him well in every part; after which, put on his cloths and air him, that is, ride him abroad, and use him as formerly, permitting him to drink freely; both Gallop and Rack him, but do not ride him hard.

When you return, dress him, and feed him with Oats, Beans, and Bread, as heretofore, and some Hay, but not so much as you were used to give him.

As for your heating days, they must likewise be observed in all points as formerly, nor upon any occasion neglected, unlese up­on such as has been declared, nor must you encrease them, nor strain your Horse more than you were wont; four heats or cour­ses will be sufficient for the first fortnight, and four purges or scouring for the whole time of his being made fit for Racing, all which must be observed with diligence and caution, according to the forementioned Methods and Instructions; but now to the third, &c.

CHAP. X.
The third Fortnights Dieting and Ordering your Horse.

NOw for the manner of Making his Bread, it must be as fol­loweth, finer than formerly was wont, must it be made; therefore take but two pecks of Beans, and with fine Wheat make it up a Bushel, let them be ground together as formerly, and dres­sed exceeding fine, so that there be hardly a Husk or a Bran to be seen; then with a like quantity of yest as before, mingle the meal and add water to it, so much as is just sufficient to make it stick close together; when it is well kneaded and worked up, you must bake it as you have been taught.

After which, it having stood about three days or somewhat more, pare away the Crust and give it your Horse, (that is) three slices crumbled amongst a quart of fine dressed Oats and a quart of split Beans; your observance shall be in these as in the former two weeks, his Dressings, Airings, times of Feeding, and likewise his heating days must be particularly observed. And take notice of this,

That you must not, after he has been heated, give him any of the Scowring, but that being laid aside, give him in the room of it Balls about the bigness of a Pullets Egg, which are great Cordi­als, [Page 22] and restoratives, and you must give him one at a time; thus sit­ting in the Saddle or otherwise if you please, hold up his head as high as is convenient, and put one of them into his Mouth and oblige him to swallow it, but before you give it him, you must rub him down, or according to your match; for you must not heat him for four or five days before you intend to run your Race, but you may air him very well, and give him gentle breathings, that he may in no wise lose his wind, but give him none of the fore­mentioned scouring drink.

One thing more I have considered to quicken his Spirits and make him lively, which is to burn Storax, Olibanum, Frankincense and Benjamin mixed together, which drive away all ill scents and airs, and there is nothing more wholesom for the brain.

As likewise, when you give your Horse his Oats, Beans and Bread, wash the two former in neither Ale nor Beer, but take a pint of Muscadine, and about the Whites of ten Eggs, and steep them therein, but you need not do this above four times in a week; at other times, give them to him dry as formerly.

Beware likewise how to give him any Hay, unless immediately after his heats, and then holding a small wisp in your hand, let him pull it thence by degrees, but if his Belly be apt to shrink up, you may give him more to keep it streight.

Again, all the last week, if your Horse be given to eat his Lit­ter you must keep him muzzled as you have been formerly taught, but if he be not subject to the same, nor to eat any other foul thing, three days before you run him will be a sufficient space to keep him muzzled.

The day-morning before you intend to run him, you must air him gently, and when you have brought him home, dress him and rub him as formerly, and be sure to diet him exceeding well, omitting no point, neither before nor after his being carried a­broad, only towards might you may stint him of the third part of his usual Bait, but let his last Diet be full Proportion, as likewise his dressing; another thing is also to be observed, which is, that you must not keep him out late, but let him be in his Stable at Sun-set or before, and likewise the day before the Match, you shall shooe him, poll him, and all things else that you shall think convenient for fitting him out in the best wise, but beware that it be not un­skilfully performed, for then you may much injure your Horse, or [Page 23] give him some cause to be offended at your curiosity, or as many call it Adornment. It is reported by some who have had long experience in this way and manner of ordering of Horses, that se­veral are so skilful as to understand the meaning of such orna­ments, and what they are to be put to, the next day, which makes them conceive such Pride that they will not eat any meat till the time they have run the Race, unless it be forced upon them.

It is true, all Authors that treat of Naturalities do affirm that horses are most knowing and subtil Creatures, and that they are endued with many noble Qualities and generous Perfections.

Now for brading their Tails and Manes, and tying Ribbons on their fore-head, or at their ears, I hold altogether unnecessary, for so doing does not only offend him, but many times hinders him in the performance of his Race, by reason that they make him cast his head often to look at them, and if he has not been used to them, many times make him start out of his way, and so lose his ground; therefore in my opinion, only to comb out his Mane and Tail (and if they be too cumbersome you may clip them a little) is the best Method in that case.

Be sure there be nothing left undone that you intend to do to him, till the morning he is to run, for if there be, it may chance to vex him, and thereupon some Horses will grow sullen and will not run freely.

The morning you are to run, make him a visit before it is well light, and after you have pulled off his Muzzle and rubbed his head in every part thereof, offer him a quart of Oats steeped in a pint of Muskadine or Tent, but before you put them in bruise them a little, if he chance to refuse it, put him some Oats in the whites of Eggs only; or to be better sure of his eating, some of the best and finest Bread, and some whole Wheat, well sisted and dressed, mingle with his Oats, in which you must use no Beans; but be sure you give him but a little of any of these diets, for if you fill him he will be unfit for the Race and may fail your expectation, which otherwise he no doubt would have answered in each parti­cular, to your great satisfaction.

If he empty not his Body freely, take him abroad and air him a little, and see if you can possibly get him to dung and urine, the which if he do (the which no doubt by this time you will have [Page 24] taught him to do) bring him into the Stable again, and put his Muzzle on; but on the contrary, if he will empty without any farther trouble in the Stable, 'tis needless to lead him out, and far better to let him remain till the time you are designed to run, or about half an hour before, according as the distance is from the place he is kept at to the starting place.

Just as you are going to lead him, dip the Bit of his Bridle in Muskadine or Alicant, and then drawing off his Muzzle, draw on his bridle, but if you see him inclinable to empty, let him do it be­fore, and to incite him to do it the more speedily, give him about a pint of washed Oats, Bread and Wheat as before you did; then spread soft wax, such as shoo-makers use, under your Girts and Saddle, which done girt it gently on his back, so that he scarcely feel it is on; then spread a large white Linen cloth over his Saddle, and over it all his other cloths, which likewise being slightly girt, stick wisps under his Girts or Sursingles, but let them be very soft; then cover him with some piece of rich Tapestry or Cloth of State to make him shew gallant, after which pour down his throat with a drenching horn, one pint of Muscadine, Alicant, or for want of either, Canary.

Then lead him forth with courage, and suffer him to move gently, and if he offer to smell to any dung, either old or new, suffer him by any means to do it, or if he offer not, endeavour to make him, for it will cause him to evacuate, which will much lighten him and help him in the Race; nay use double diligence herein, by leading him to such places as you think will soonest provoke him to it, as heaps of rushes, brakes, or heath, little bushes, high tufted grass, or the like; but if there happen to be no such in your way, then you may spread, and light up some Straw under his feet, making it rustle; then whistle, and touch him gently with your switch or whip to make him stretch, the which no doubt will ef­fect your desire.

Again, If he foam at mouth by champing hard upon his Bit or otherwise, you must take care to have a fine linen cloth ready to wipe it off, and a vessel of fair cool water, to cleanse and wash his mouth still as you observe the froth or foam to rise.

Then having walked him gently to the place designed for starting, you must take off all to his Saddle, and having rubbed him down with care in every part (which must be done with hard [Page 25] wisps) search and cleanse his feet, and spurt some water in his mouth; after which, your self or whom you assign to ride him, may take his Back, and observing the fair start, put him swiftly on, and run the Match.

—No doubt with good success, for this manner of ordering will seldom fail your expectations, if your horse in himself be but sound and of good Mettl'd Limbs and strength to bear him out.

Now I shall give the curious to understand as necessary a point be­longing to horses as has ever been discoursed of in any Tract whatsoever, the which will be very useful for all those whose em­ploy it is to trade in Horses, and be as the Sailers Card, to direct them in that affair, and keep them from being over-seen, or cheat­ed in any Market or Fair whatsoever; with each particular obser­vation, rule and method to be taken notice of in the Limbs, body, and head, as eyes, mouth, nose, ears, and the true manner to know a good Horse from a bad.

But to begin, first, there are these things to be observed, if you will chuse a Horse that shall be for your turn, and please you in every part, and in all his actions, travels, or other labours, as Hunting, Racing, War, drawing of Coach, Chariot, or any rural service whatsoever, but take notice that no one Horse can be capable of all these.

Therefore you must chuse your Horse according to what you design him for, and so manage him accordingly.

But to imperfection in general, the which I will undertake to demonstrate in the sound Horse, who is no ways defective, be­cause in him may lively appear all the maladies and mischances that may or can befal any horse whatsoever.

First then, be advised, that whenever you design to buy a Horse, take especial notice of all his parts, and the full proportion of his body according to his natural shape, or if you can observe any imperfection in his Limbs that may arise by accident, whereby they are lessened or made bigger, take special care to find out the cause of it if possible, by which you may know what you buy, and whether to like or dislike him.

In which, your observances in election must be drawn from two heads, the first of which is general, the latter peculiar or pro­per.

For the first of which, it is to be understood upon what occa­sion you buy your Horse, or for what use he is designed, what co­lour is best, or best pleases you; next his stature, breed and like­liness, these are general, because every man in this will please him­self according to his fancy, nor ever can we imagine all men to be of a mind in this, therefore it is best to let them chuse accor­ding to their own pleasure, nor much matters it.

The next, which is a peculiar or a particular Query, is to know what Country-breed he is of, whether English or Foreign, to know which you must enquire of those who have had the breed­ing of him, or if that cannot be known, by reason of his being so often bought and sold, take these particular observations; if he be Spanish breed, his Limbs are small and streight, dry and spare, like a Hart's; if Barbary, a fine little Head and a well-set Breast and Shoulder; if of Naples, he is hawks-nosed and clear-eyed, his eyes seeming to sparkle; if Dutch or Flemmish, his legs will be generally rough and large-hoofed; as for French and English, they are almost alike, only the English are stronger set and more hardy for any exercise whatsoever.

Now to his colour, for the colour of a Horse is much to be ob­served, by reason one colour is far better than another, though there be good Horses of all colours; the best colours, as the most experienced do affirm, are the Roan, the White, the Lyard, the Bay, the Sorrel, the Dapple Gray, the Flea-bitten, the Black; Iron-grey, and White, but above all, the Bay is chosen and ac­counted the best, both by the French and the English, especially if they have a Star in their fore-heads, and their feet spotted with white spots, the Lyard for courage is esteemed, which is a mingled Roan, the Mouse, Dun and Grizled, were formerly in great esteem, as also the Dapple-Grey, and such as come nearest them, the Iron-Grey, the White Sorrel and Brown-Bay. Plato commendeth much the White, whom Virgil does not esteem; others commend the Black, especially if he have a white Star in his fore-head, or be streaked with white down his face, the black if he be not mingled with Silver-hair, nor have any white about him, is naught for Service, the Flea-bitten Horse is always singular good for Tra­vel and other Labours, and will hold out the best of any; the yellowish or glew'd unless he be spotted or straked with white is naught, yet if he be well marked he often proves indifferent well; [Page 27] and if he have a black List down his back from the nape of his neck to his tail, he is excellent good for a Stallion if his proper­tion be according; the red Bay, and the blue gray are much subject to Melancholy. The Flea-bitten and the Black with White are Sanguine, the Roan, the Sorrel, and the Black without White subject to choler.

But as to their Paces, which are these, Trot, Rack, Amble, or Gallop, the which you must chuse, according as you design to put him to, either for Racing, Hunting, Travelling, or Fight; if it be for moderate Travelling, an easie Trot is best, the which you may know if he be prone to by observing his Legs.

Thus when his near fore-leg and his off hinder-leg, move to­gether, or his near hinder-Leg and his off fore-Leg; and farther observe, that if when he moves, he be quick to raise his Legs from the ground, and do it short and with an even distance, making but little treads, he will likewise pace very well; for if he lift up his feet blunderingly or carelesly, it denotes he is given to Stumbling and will be oft troubled with Lameness; if he strike his Legs across, or take no wideness in his steps, it denotes he is subject to trip, en­terfere or fall; if he take not his step even, it shews an unwillingness to travel and a weakness in his Limbs; if he tread large steps, he is subject to over-reach and strain himself if he be put to the Speed.

Again, if you chuse a Horse for ease and pleasant Journeys, you must chuse an Ambler, which you may know thus, if he move both his Legs on the same side together, fore-Leg and hinder-Leg, and that he must do, large, nimble, and easie; for if he tread short and shuffling he is no good Ambler, yet if he be very nimble at his first beginning to pace, it denotes he cannot long hold it.

Now for hunting either of Buck, Stag, or Hare, for speed on the Road, or to ride Post, if you chuse a Horse, then you must take one who has naturally or has been taught the racking Pace, which is neither trot nor Amble, but between both, and is the easiest of all, though it gain not so much ground, the which you may observe by the same method as you did ambling.

The next I have to treat of is gallopping, which is natural to all the former Paces, but the Amble; for an ambling Horse will im­mediately be brought to Gallop, by reason it consists almost of the same nature with it, only a slower and not so much straining; for it being a swift Pace, by long use has so inured the Horse to it [Page 28] that he cannot without some time and instruction frame his legs to it, but will fall into a Pace; if he be overmuch spurred, beaten or forced, that can properly be called no Pace, but a confusion of all together, but perfects all things, so in time you may bring him to gallop as you please if no imperfection in his Limbs restrain him.

Now I shall lay down such observations as you may infallibly know a good Gallopper by. First, if he raise his feet swift and clearly from the ground but not too high, and that he neither rowl nor boggle in his way, nor striketh his Belly with his feet. If he take large reaches with his fore-legs, and his hinder follow quickly, in which you must likewise observe that he do not cut under the Knee, or on the Shank, which is called by some the Gal­lopping, but by others the swift-cut, or that he throws not his Legs cross or twist them as it were, nor that he set one foot upon, or clap it against the other, but that he keep him steady and even in all his course, and still with his fore-foot head the way.

The Horse who has these properties always gallops most neatly, and a Man may trust to him in any time of danger, that is, if he be beset with Thieves, or pursued by an Enemy, in time of War, if he be but able of Body, and well kept.

If your Horse raise all his feet together, and gallop as it were on a heap, or round, then he is not swift, but will tread sure and hold out well, by reason of his strength and limbs, and is fit for War or carry double.

Again, observe if a Horse, gallops but softly and treads firm, not being Subject to fall nor stumble, yet his Legs seem tender, and he lifts them up as it were in fear, and throws them in and out as if he was hurt or pained, then he is not for gallopping uses, nor ever will he, by reason he has some obscure disease or stiff lameness in his Joints that is hard to remove.

Now as to his height or stature, the which must be observed ac­cording to the use you put him to, or as your self shall think fit, a well-made Horse with strong Joints, but not much flesh upon his Legs, you must chuse, about sixteen hands high; if you take one for carrying double or any other great weights; as likewise for drawing either in Cart, Waggon or Coach, and if for recreation on­ly, the finest and neatest limbed and shaped you can light of, and not exceeding fourteen hands in stature, or if you please less, accor­ding to the proportion of your own body.

[Page 29] Thus far having given you, as I well hope, a satisfactory instructi­on, I shall now proceed to inform you of the Deformities and Im­perfections, secret Distempers and Infirmities that lie hidden ma­ny times from the eyes of the Buyer, the which are not a few, so that it would be almost impossible to discover them all, so that eve­ry one might understand them; therefore I shall endeavour to give you as plain and full an account as is necessary, or that can be understood according to the best opinions of the skilful.

To begin then, when any one offers you a Horse to sell, after you have seen him tried, as to the former experience, and under­stand his Age, and Breed, then cause his Saddle and all other his Cloths, nay his very Bridle, if so be you can get him to stand still without it, to be took off, and then place your self just before him, and look wishfully upon him, and take especial notice of his Coun­tenance at all times, whether he look pleasant and lively, well and stedfast, without change or alteration; the which if he do, it is a sign that he is of a good Spirit, and in good health, as to bodily sickness or inbred diseases; the next thing to be observed is his ears, for if they be thick, stiff and taper from the roots to the tips, as also long or of a convenient size well fastned and strong at the roots, it is a great sign of mettle, perfection and completeness, for such ears are an ornament to any horse.

But if they be contrary, as thick at the ends, lolling, and of­ten moving, it denotes him dull, sloathful, heavy, and stubborn, and of a very ill temper.

Now if his face be clean and his forehead rising, the similitude of a feather in his forehead, upon his cheeks or any part of his face, but it is the greater sign if it be above his eyes, or if he have a white Spot, Star, or Streak of a pretty large Size, drawn even, or a snip of white upon his nose, it is a sign he is good and beauti­ful.

But on the contrary, if his face seem swelled, bloated or puffy, fat, dull, cloudy, or lowring, his forehead flat and square, which the Vulgar term Mare-faced, the rach if any he has in his front, standing very low, or in the middle of his face, his Star or Streak uneven or crinkled, his nose ball'd or raw, and the hair in many places off from his face, are very bad marks and signatures of great deformity.

[Page 30] Again, if his eyes be shining, full and round, stand Eagle-like, out from his head, and little or none of their whites to be seen, if they be full and sparkling, it denoteth him chearful, swift-sigh­ted and comely, full of spirit and of good nature, yet fierce and fiery.

But if his eyes look askew, seem dull, and withered, little and slow in motion, they denote much imperfection, and are unhand­some to behold; if they are the colour of Foxes or Ferrets eyes, he will be quickly moon-eyed or wall-eyed, and, if not timely prevented, blind; if he chance to have a thick, dull Philm over it, and in it white specks, it not only shews a timorousness in your Horse, but subjection to causeless starting, and also in danger of having a Pin and Web or white skin over his sight; if they run either water or matter, or seem bloody or raw, they proceed from an old Surfeit or an over-heating, which was done by immoderate riding: Corruption ingendring in the Head by exceeding draughts or the like, as dead eyes that are low sunk do; that, if he lives long he will be blind, and that he was gotten by a very aged Stalli­on and is of no good breed; if the Whites be as much seen as the Black it signifies great weakness, unnatural and sullen in him­self.

Again, if you observe by feeling or otherwise, his Chaps or Jaw-bones Lean, Spare, and large spaces between them, his Wind­pipe Head great and wide, not surrounded or incumbred with Nerval small Ropes or the like; and that his neck seems to shoot through the Jaw, or be placed in the nether part of it within the same; it is a token of large and strong wind, and that your Horse will hold out a Race very well if all his Limbs be proportionable, and that he is of a good heart, and has a head not subject to Di­seases: But on the contrary, if his Jaws be fat, gross and full of kernels or knobs, and that there is but a little space between the bones, it denotes short wind, foulness of Stomach and Belly, and subject to Glaunders, Broken-winded, or Strangury, and many times apt to be troubled with grievous Colds.

Now if his Jaws be close and firmly fixed as it were to touch each other, so that they cause the flesh to rise about them as if swelled, it denoteth short-wind, gross and vicious humours setling there, and especially if it rise more in one place than in another, and the form of the risings be long, for then some inward infection is ga­thered, [Page 31] which if not taken in time will turn to an Impostume or worse.

If he have wide Nostrills, and they open and shut and seem in a continual motion, so that the insides or redness upon every little Straining or Snorting appear, yet the compass of his nose but small, his mouth not wide but deep, with small dry Lips, meet­ing without the least hanging over, do likewise promise the horse good. And well-winded, courageous and hardy.

But if contrary, quite otherwise; as short-winded, tender and weak, a shallow-mouthed Horse will never bear his Bridle well, but if it be not buckled fast, the Bit will be apt to fall out of his mouth, or he will be much apt to slaver.

Again, if his upper Lip be uneven, and will not meet with his under, but either shut over or flap, it is a certain sign that he has a lingering Disease or is exceeding slow, as also if he have a Rheum or dropping at the nose, if that be clear it will if not timely stopped (the which it is hard to do) turn to the Glaunders; if one nostril runs it is worse than if they did both.

—Now as to his teeth, be sure to observe that when you buy a Horse, to look in his mouth, and take a diligent care to see if he have lost none of his teeth, or if he have, what they are, whether Grinders, Fore-teeth or Tushes; for thereby you may give a shrewd guess at his Age, although the mark be out of his mouth; but to avoid being cheated buy not a horse that has lost any, for if he have lost some the rest will quickly follow.

The next thing to be considered is his Brest, for if that be broad, strong-set, rising or full-fleshed, and adorned with marks or fea­thers; then you may confide in his strength, and he will not de­ceive your expectations; but if he be the contrary, it denotes weak­ness of Body and unfitness for Labour, and that he is given to that ill quality in Horses, viz. to stumbling, as likewise to cutting and tripping; as also if his Breast seem to sink or give inwards, it shews him of no courage or metal.

The next thing to be considered is his Legs; that is, his fore-legs only, of the hinder hereafter I shall treat; first observe the Joint next to his shoulder, which is properly called his Bow or Elbow, and from thence his Thigh as low as his knee, and observe they be well Sinew'd and covered with brawny flesh, no ways giving out nor tumid, and that he stand firm without bending or moving his [Page 32] Joints, which if he do, it is a sign of strength, as likewise they are all marks of the same.

The next is to observe if he carry an even or equal pace with his Legs, but especially with his knees, and that they be neat, well knit, and not too fleshy, of a just proportion; for take notice if they differ in magnitude he has had his knee broke, or else some distemper harbours there, as the Gout, &c. if you find any cuts or scars with hair growing in them, he is apt to fall, which will be hard to cure or rid him of.

Then leaving his Knees, observe his Shanks as low as his Fet­lock, and if they be well Sinew'd, finely made and shaped propor­tionable to his Thighs, and that they neither bend in nor out, and that there be no ridge nor seam descending from the knee-joints on the inside, there is he good and sound in those parts; but on the contrary, if there be scars, scabs, or knobs on the inside, it is by reason of his high striking, called by most the swift-cut; but if above his Fetlock or Hoof, it is interfering or short-cutting, but in this be sure to take good observation, for if under the skin, all over there appear little Knobs or Scabs, it is caused by some ill usage or nasty keeping, or else Symptoms of the Maunge, that will in a short time break forth to the full if not prevented.

Farther, if his Legs be full-fleshed, fat, or Dropsical, he will in no wise be fit for servile Labour; if on the inward bend of his Knee there be long scars, seams or scabs, the which have not been occasioned by the swift-cut, they will prove very dangerous for it denotes a Mallander that in a short time will turn to a Canker or Ulcer.

Now let us descend to his Pasterns, the first of which must be sure to be cleaner and strongly knit with Sinews or Ligaments, the second streight, stiff and smoothly fixed, not more inclinable to bend one way than another, but not over-long; for it shews a weak Horse: Or if the former be gouty or swelled, it denotes strains and over-reaching Sinews.

The next thing to be considered is the hoof, the which is as great a piece of Curiosity to be observed, as any that belong to the chusing a good Horse, for if that fail, all the other proper­ties avail not.

First then, a good hoof should be smooth of colour; black and inclining to long, something hollow and full, sounding; for, take [Page 33] notice that a white hoof is not so good by reason of its tenderness; so that it is apt either to let the shooe draw, or it self to batter or spread, by being in too much wet or hard riding.

The next is a withered hoof that seems to scall, or have welts or seams upon it; which denotes the Horse to be aged or much worn by hard travel or over-heats; another sort of hoofs there are which are called short hoofs, and are so brittle, that they will not bear any shooe above a day at the most, if rid or laboured; if his hoof be exceeding round, it is bad for deep and dirty ways, by reason the horse cannot tread sure; a flat hoof that is light and full of pores or holes is a sign of his being foundred; if you perceive by striking the hoof a hollow noise, or that it be hollow within, it signifies some internal defect, and old fester not cured, that has wasted the pith, and therefore is not good.

The next thing observable is the Coronet or Socket of the hoof, the which being well fleshed, smooth, without Chops or Scars, and well decked with hair, is a sign of its being in good plight and sound; but if the contrary, he is often troubled with ring-worms, a crown-scab, or the like dangerous misfortune.

Having taken particular notice of the former properties of goodness or defect, remove your self to the right side, and then take especial notice how his head is fixed to his neck; see first that it be small at the setting on, and so by degrees descend taper to his shoulders, not thick, but rather broad; and observe that his head stand not too high nor too low, with a high, yet thin Crest, his Mane declinable, long, soft, and a little curling, which are signs of comeliness; as on the contrary, a thick joult-head, and thick neck, short and brawny, shews much dulness and deformity.

If there be any swelling in, or under the nape of the Neck, it will certainly turn to the Poll-evil or some Fistula, which is alto­gether as bad if not taken in time.

Again, to have a thick Neck, and lank or fallen near the Wi­thers, to have a gross and flat, or sunk Crest, are signs of great de­fect in strength; excessive store of hair upon the Mane, especially if it be streight and hard, signifies dulness and want of courage; a thin Mane, that is not made so by any accident or distemper, shews the horse to be of a fiery nature; if it fall away, it shews ei­ther Itch, Worms, or Mange to lodge there.

[Page 34] The next thing worthy to be observed, is his Back or Chine, which must be broad, streight, and smooth, well measured and even, to which his Ribs must be well grafted, firm, and round, his fil­lets or haunches streight, stout and strong, nor must there be above three Inches breadth between his farthest rib and huckle bone, that is the nearest to the same, as the short ribs, which are all signs of a perfect and well shaped Horse.

The next thing is, to take a special observation of the shape of his Body, if it be plump, smooth, and contained within the com­pass of his ribs, and not hanging over or paunching out; his stones or genitals must likewise be contained close in their Purses or Cods, as it were girt to his Yard, the which shews the Horse to be of good mettle, well made and free from Diseases in those parts; but if the contrary, it shews him defective and uncomely.

First then, if he have a narrow back, he will be prone to Saddle-galls, hurts and bruises in riding; to have a sway-back is a token of great weakness in the Chine, or if his Ribs be very fat and streight, they in Travel will hinder him from fetching his full wind, and so consequently make him tire; if now his hinder Liga­ments or Fillets be slack, hang flabbing and unseemly, they will be a great hinderance to him if he travel in steep way, and he can by no means hold any pace up a hill if it be very steep, and but very un­toward in carrying any burthen.

Again, if his Belly be gant, and seems to be close within his ribs, or near to his back, if his Stones hang down and swag about in the Cods, they are great signs of imperfection and uneasiness in the Horse, caused by some Distemper, and likewise he will be apt to founder.

The next things to be taken notice of are his Buttocks, they must be smooth, round, and even, not standing too high nor too low, but as near as can be level with his Body; but many choose a long Buttock'd Horse for riding double or the like, which if they do, they must observe that they rise behind and wear the Dock spread to the setting on thereof, which makes a Horse shew well, and are signs of strength.

Now for the narrow Buttock or ridged rump, they are both weak and uncomely, and will not conveniently bear any thing be­hind.

[Page 35] From which I shall descend to his Thighs or Hips, first observe if they be well brawned, sinewed, and that they from the first set­ting on to the Bow-Joint are made taper, lessening by degrees, and be well fleshed, all which if they be not, shews weakness and unaptness for service; after which take special notice of the Hock or middle Joint, and with your hand feel if it be well knit, full of Gristles, Sinews, and Ligaments, that it be not fleshy nor swelled, and that it have large Veins, be pliant and apt to bend at each mo­tion of the horse, something bowing it must be and firm. All these are good signs; but if there be cuts, scars, or festers in the inside of the Joint or else-where, it is dangerous and not easie to be cured.

If there happen any swelling or heat over the Joints in general, then it is no other but a blow; but observe if such swelling be only in one place, and that on the inside in the hollow of the Joint, and the Veins strut, feel hot, and beat much, or throb, and that the swelling be soft, it is a blood spavin; but if brawny and hard, a bone-spavin; but if it chance to be just upon the hock or out­bow, behind or a little under it, then it is or shortly will be a Curb, &c.

Now for his hinder-legs, you must observe whether they be fine, neat, and clean, full of strong Sinews, and not very fat, which shews him sound in those parts; but on the contrary, if his legs be very fat, fleshy, large, it signifies him bad for Service; if they be tumid or swelling, it denotes the setlings of molten grease there; if any scabs happen to be something above the Pasterns, they denote the scratches or chops; cuts or scars beneath them denote Pains or Aches, all which are dangerous and require great skill and diligence to cure them.

Now for the Tail, it cannot stand amiss nor out of place upon fair Buttocks; but upon an ill pair if it be never so well placed, it will not seem handsom; the posture it ought to stand in, is even with the parting of the Buttocks, that is broad, high, smooth and somewhat bending inward, fleshy and of a good length, bristly and curled, the length being not only a beauty, but very necessary for him to defend himself with against Wasps, Hornets, and Flies, though many desire to have him cut-tailed.

But in general, the whole body must be framed according to the most expert Horsemens Opinions, thus to have the head and [Page 36] legs of a Stag, the ears and tail of a Fox, the neck of a Swan, the breast of a Lyon, the Buttocks of a Woman, and the feet of an Ass. The perfect good horse thus Virgil in his Georgicks describes, the which to insert may not be amiss.

Thus have you all the particular and general descriptions both of a good and bad horse, and may therefore know what to choose and what to forbear, and note that amongst all the Creatures ir­rational, there is not one more generous nor more serviceable to man than is the horse; for as we read of Bucephalas, the horse of Alexander the Great, that although he was wounded in the Battle against the Persians, so that his Life was much despaired of, yet would not he suffer his Master to mount any other horse till he had brought him safe out of the Battle. The like has been repor­ted of others, whose Loves have been so great to their Masters, that when they have been enclosed with Enemies, the Horses have fought in their defence couragiously; and Eumenius relateth that a certain Traveller being set upon by four Thieves was killed, which his horse perceiving, fell upon them with such fury, that in re­venge of his Masters death, he killed two of them, and made the other two get up into a Tree to save themselves, where he watch­ed them till such time as several Passengers came by and under­stood [Page 37] what had passed, the Thieves being constrained to confess what they had done. And indeed it behoves all that frequently travel the Roads to have a good horse, that they may save them in necessity, either by courage or swiftness in flight.

CHAP. XI.
How to cure the Autocoe, a violent pain so called.

THis happens most commonly, when horses are first put into fresh Pasture, by their too eagerness in feeding, which causes ill digesture, and leaves vicious humours in the stomach, or if he be at Stable or dry meat, the like may happen by his rank feedings; this Disease often takes the Horse very violently, makes his Legs fail him and to hang down his Head, shaking all over as if an Ague possessed him; the speediest way to remedy it, is to let him blood, and two mornings successively to give him about an ounce of Diapente brewed in a quart of strong Ale; it being a soveraign Medicine or Drink to expel the Vapours, Pains, and Infections that do oppress the heart; if he be not cured in twice giving, you may give him thrice, the which will infallibly remove and take away the Distemper.

CHAP. XII.
How to cure a Horse that has been burnt by any Mare, &c.

WHether he be so or no, you may discern by his Yard, for if that be foul, corrupt, and swelleth, so that he cannot stale without much pain, they are infallible symptoms that he has been burnt. To cure which, take a pint of French-wine, boil it with a quarter of a pound of Roch-Alum beaten into fine powder; af­ter which, take it luke-warm, and with a Sirringe or Squirt, squirt it into his Yard, and so do till his Yard leave mattering, and it will perfectly cure him.

CHAP. XIII.
Rules to be observed in the Sweating of Horses.

FIrst, let the keeper take great care, when he airs his Horse, that it be done by degrees, and not all on a sudden, and then let him observe in that as well as in all his other actions, what tem­per of Body he is of, that is, whether with little or much motion he used to sweat; for many Horses will sweat though they stand still in their Stalls, which commonly denotes the Horse faint, ill-dieted, and as bad looked after, then must you exercise him to work out the sweat, and bring down his foul feeding; but if he be not apt to sweat, unless upon strong heats and large breathings, then ob­serve if his sweat be white or frothy, then take notice that your Horse is foul within and must be exercised yet more; but if it be like water yet thick and black, then you need not fear any dan­ger.

CHAP. XIV.
How to prevent a Horse from Stumbling, &c.

TAke your Horse so used to stumble, and with his Halter fast­en him close to a Post, then with your Launcet or a sharp pen­knife slit the skin from his Nose to the upper Lip, that is, down-right just between his Nostrils about two inches, which when you have done, part it as wide as you can, and under it you will find a red film or second skin, that likewise cut and part, beneath which you may discern a flat, smooth, white Sinew, the which take up with your Cornets Horn point, and twist it round about, after a little space twist it again quite round, so another time, then have regard to his Legs, and you shall see him draw by de­grees [Page 39] his hinder legs almost to his fore-legs, the which as soon as he has done, with your Launcet divide the Sinew at the part which grows to the Lip, the which as soon as you have effected, untwist it and it will shrink up into the head, and then his legs will withdraw back again; for note that his Sinew is the cause of this stumbling, and that it goes quite through his body, and spreads it self into his two hinder Legs; after which you must close up the slit and put into it fresh Butter, and a little Salt beat fine, then take a Cere­cloth made of Burgundian Pitch, or Stock-Pitch, and lay upon it, and afterwards you may trust your Horse for Stumbling; this is a rare secret known but by few, but worthy to be observed in any the like occasions.

CHAP. XV.
How to take the best advantage of ground in any Race.

'TIS to be observed, that when you know the ground you are to run, you must acquaint your Horse with it, and give him his Heats there always, making him take the worst part of it, that so upon any straight he may not boggle, but that if he in the Race get the best part he may run the more chearfully, yet let it not be in such rough ground where he may be apt to slip, or get any sprains in his Joints, for if he does it will disable him for the future and make him timorous; but at any time when you heat your Horse thereon, let him run out the full Course, and never be­yond the weighing Post; or if you do not ride him out-right, ride him half way and back again, but never let him exceed the bounds he is to run, that is, not beyond the Mark or Post, but you may run him quite through, and then back again if he be of ability to bear it, so that in a little time he will be so well acquainted with the ground, that when he comes to the Race it will be easie for him to perform; one thing more is to be observed, that is, what ground the Horse most delights to run upon, that you must choose as near as opportunity will give you leave, but you must not always heat him upon the same ground, sometimes in spacious Fields, green Meadows and Rivers sides, as has been before-mentioned.

CHAP. XVI.
How to know by the hair of your Horses Neck in what estate he is.

FIrst observe the horses hair in every part; but the main regard is to be had to that of his Neck; for if it be sleek, close, bright, and shining, it denotes that he is in good order; but if the con­trary, as rough, shagged, and standing upright, and as it were changed colour; take it for a Rule that he is not well, but that some inward grief has seized him, as chilness of heart, want of warmth in the external parts, or some Ague hovering about him, but not yet perfect; to prevent which, and to restore him you must rub him and keep him very warm, with double cloths, and give him in a quart of warm Ale, one of the before-mentioned Cordial Balls, the which will expel the cold humours, and make him live­ly and chearful again, the which you shall know by the sudden falling off his hair, the which before stood staring.

CHAP. XVII.
How to make the brittlest Hoof imaginable become soft, and bear well any Shooe without the least injury to the Horse.

TAke about eight pound of fresh hogs grease, and about half a bushel of Damask Roses well picked and clean from seeds; melt the hogs grease in a Kettle, and when it boils put in the Roses, and dip them all over till they swell; then take them off, and putting them into a close Earthen Vessel with the grease and all, let them stand and cool; or if you have an Oven, when you have drawn, let it stand in it and cool by degrees, after which, when your horse has newly dunged, put about three pound of the same into them, let it stand for the space of three Weeks, then melt it again, and strain out the liquid part, and cover it up close in the earthen vessel by it self, throwing the other away.

[Page 41] The manner to use it is as followeth, the one Spoonful of Tar, and a handful of Horse-dung, heat them together in a pint of Olive Oil, then taking off his shooes, wrap up his feet with stiff Leather so that you may pour the Liquor in, and it will not run out, which being in, let it continue there about a week, and then the old being wasted supply its place with fresh, the which after thrice doing you may put on his shooes again, then stop his feet well with the Tar, Horse-dung and Oil, putting over it Tow, or Flax, and in a short time his hoofs will be soft and tough, so that you may use them without fear, and they will bear any shooe exceeding well, and so for a long time, if not as long as the Horse liveth.

CHAP. XVIII.
An Account of the things to be observed for the preservation of a Horses Health, and to make him live long.

THE First of which is mature and good digestion of whatsoever he eateth or drinketh, so that it turn to pure blood and nourishment.

2. The Second to be considered, is spare and moderate feeding in which he must neither eat too fast, nor too much.

3. The Third must be taken from moderate Labour and seaso­nable Exercise.

4. The Fourth is to observe fit times and seasons for sleeping and waking, both which must be moderately taken.

5. The Fifth, He must not be too much acquainted with Mares, nor ride them often, for nothing sooner shortens life in any Crea­ture.

6. The Sixth, not to be over-heat, nor his Spirits to be wasted by long and tedious Journeys.

7. The Seventh is, continually to be in smooth, serene and wholesom Air, and not to feed in foggy Fens, Marshes, or damp Meadows.

[Page 42] 8. The Eighth, Observe that you neither exercise, nor any ways make him labour hard when he is newly taken from Grass.

9. The Ninth, To keep him from greedily eating young Grass, either Clover or other, but especially from Surfeiting on the blades of Corn.

10. The Tenth, You must observe that he drink not when he has been hard ridden or laboured, so that he is very hot.

11. The Eleventh thing to be taken notice of is, that you must neither wash nor walk him when you are come to your Journeys end, ride him about a moderate pace till he begins to cool, and then bring him into the Stable, rub him well down and clap on his Cloths, and wisp him round, being well stored with Litter.

12. The Twelfth and last is to give him Meat in due time, ob­serve his Scourings, Diets, and other Physical Medicines as occa­sion shall require, the which in this Book you will find good store, with large directions how to use them.

CHAP. XIX.
St. Anthony's most Admirable Remedy for any Sprain, Swelling, or stretching of Sinews or Nerves. A better not to be found.

OF bruised Cummin seeds take three ounces, and boil them in a pint of Oil of Camomil, then add to them half a pound of yellow Bees-wax, and let them boil to the thickness of a Cere­cloth, then spread it on Sheeps-Leather very hot, and apply it to the place so grieved, and in twice doing it will perfect the Cure if it be not too far gone, if it be, you must apply it till it is well.

CHAP. XX.
The speediest and safest way to cure the swift Cut, or the Knee-Cut.

TAke one pint of White wine, then add to it two ounces of Virgin-Honey, brew them together, and boil them till the Honey is melted amongst the Wine, and then add more of Tur­pentine the like quantity, then let them boil to the thickness of a Salve, and as hot as the Horse can endure it, wash the cuts with it once or twice a day, and it will quickly heal them, but be sure you wash the dirt out of them if there be any in, wash it with hot water before you apply the Ointment.

CHAP. XXI.
A speedy Remedy for Horse or a Cow that have any way licked up red Poison, Worms, Spiders, or any other venemous Insect, or that is ready to burst by eating of too much Clover, Turnips or young eared Barley, and drinking after it.

THis is to be known by their speedy swelling and slavering at the Mouth, and working at the Fundament, the which when you perceive that they are ready to burst (which is a common thing about Harvest time) be sure to have recess to this Medicine, take four ounces of Spanish Sope, or if that be not to be gotten, our English Cake-Sope, and scrape it into a Mortar, then put to it two ounces of Dialphera, then beat them small as you can together, and make it into Balls as big as Pigeons Eggs, and take one of them and dissolve it in hot Beer, and if it will not quickly dissolve, crumble it in, then with a drenching horn or any [Page 44] such necessary implement, pour it down the throat of the Beast so swelled, be it either a Horse, Ox, or Cow, and it will imme­diately abate the swelling by urine and scouring, which it will force in abundance.

CHAP. XXII.
An approved Remedy for the mad Staggers or Lunacy.

THE Symptoms whereby you shall know whether your Horse be troubled with this Disease, are his dulness and heaviness, foaming at mouth, dimness of sight, often staring, and having a blue skin over his sight; restless and often reeling and the like, the which, or any of them being observed, you must instantly take care to have your Horse let blood in the Neck, in the great Blood-veins on the left side, or if you think convenient on both sides, and in the third Bar of the Palate of his mouth, and prick him in the Nose, just upon the Gristles above the Nostrils, which bleeding will instantly abate the grievous pain of his Head, then take a hand­ful of Rue or Herb of Grace, three or four cloves of Garlick, an ounce of fine Salt, Aqua vitae two spoonfuls, of White-wine Vinegar one; after they are bruised together, strain them and pour the Liquid substance equally divided into his ears, then with black Wool stop them close, so that no Air can get in, or tie them that he may not shake out the wool, then fume his Nostrils through the little end of a Funnel, with the peelings of Garlick and Mastick well dried and beaten, and rowled up in little Balls or sprink led upon a chafing dish of Charcoals, and so do three times a day at least, and it will expel the infectious vapours that disturbed the Brain, then give him a dram of single Poppy-Seeds beaten into Powder, the which you must blow up his Nostrils, and about two ounces of Poppy-water to drink, which will cast him into a sound sleep, after, let his diet be mashed Oats and ground, and give him cold water to drink, and after twenty four hours you may unbind or unsere his ears and take out the wool, and in a short time he will chear up and look lively again: Probatum est.

CHAP. XXIII.
How to stop the Glaunders for a day or two, whilst you have Sold or Swapped away your Horse, who is troubled with the same.

FIrst, of Verjuice take four ounces, three spoonfuls of Olive Oil, two of Aqua vitae, and put half into one Nostril, and the rest into the other with a Siringe when it is Luke-warm, then ride your Horse full speed for half a mile or more, only when you observe him begin to cough, ride gently, and put him into a warm Stable, cover him with Cloths, and give him a Mash, but if he be ill dis­posed upon the turning of the Glaunders, give him new Milk as warm as possible, and they will infallibly stop.

CHAP. XXIV.
How to order your Stallion as to his Diet when he is to cover your Mare.

AT any time when you design him to Cover your Mare, you must about a week before take him out of the Stable, and let him run in the freshest and tenderest grass you have, the which will not only encrease, but make his seed of the aptest and quickest tem­per for to generate a lively Colt, and he will be the willinger to cover the Mare by reason of his Airy temperament of Body, when feeding on Hay or other dry Meat, would render him dull and short-winded, as likewise his being acquainted with the Mare will be a great incitement to him.

CHAP. XXV.
For the molting of Grease after a Race or other Excessive Riding.

THE means to know the certainty of his grease being molten, is to observe as soon as he is in the Stable, whether his Breast▪ beats or pants more than usual after any Journey or Race, as like­wise his sides under his gi [...]s, and his Flank heaving quick and fa [...]ing softly; all which if you perceive, then is his grease melt­ed, and will turn to crudy humours if not brought away in time; the speediest way for which, is to take one pint of Spanish Wine, and an ounce of Diascordium brewed in the same, and give it to him presently to drink, and so continue doing four or five Morn­ings after, before he has eaten either Hay or Provender, then you must diet him with Mashes of Oats and Barly boiled, and a con­siderable quantity of ground Malt, and let him drink water indif­ferent warm; but if he refuse his Meat you must give him half a pint of White-wine, into which you must put two ounces of Honey, and let them boil till the Honey is melted, and let him take it pret­ty warm, the which will cause him to void much Urine, and by that means give him ease. Upon his taking of this you must ride him a Mile or more, but it must not be above a hand gallop, then returning home you must rub him down and keep him as warm as possible; when in this manner you have spent three days, give him another the like quantity of Honey and White-wine, then take especial notice of his Dung; if it be small, and he seem to dung with pain, then he is bound in his Belly, and the Grease is not removed, to effect which, you must give him three pints or two quarts of Beer the stalest you can get, and a slice of Houshold-bread, both be­ing boiled and mingled together, to which you must add four ounces of Honey, and the like quantity of fresh Butter, then in the Morning before he hath eaten any thing, give it him luke-warm, then ride him about a Mile, then give him the same again at night, and ride him as before; but you must observe to give it him but every other day, the which will loosen his Belly, and by degrees waste the grease; about four hours after he hath taken his dose, boil him three quarts of Oats and give them to him, and mingling [Page 47] that water the Oats were boiled in with some other to cool it, let him drink of it; you may with his Oats boil Fenugreek seeds about three quarters of a pound, and let him eat them mingled; but if he refuse to eat them, you may mingle them with a little fine Bran; then last of all give him an ounce of Aloes boiled, till they are dissolved in a quart of Ale, or a pint of White-wine, and so it will purge away the ill humors, and in three Weeks or less restore him to his former health and soundness of Body.

CHAP. XXVI.
How to make a Horse Vomit, and by so doing, to void the foulness of his Stomach, or any Infection he hath taken in.

TAke Polypodium Roots the greater, pare them and wash them very clean, and then steep them in Oil of Spike, and fasten them to the bit of his Bridle, after which put it on and ride him abroad with the same in his mouth, for the space of half an hour, or somewhat more, but it must be softly, not above a trot at the most, and then if any ill humour or flegmatick substance lodge in his Sto­mach, this will draw it up by causing him to vomit extremely, as likewise to Cough and Sneeze, the which will much cleanse his Head from Rheums that lodge there, and expel the vapours that offend the Brain, so that though it make him sick for the present, yet when that is over, he will find himself more brisk and lively than before, having voided all the filth and slime that are the ori­ginals of all Diseases that happen at any time to any Horse; after you have taken off the Bridle and removed the Roots, give him a pint of the best French Wine mingled with three ounces of Honey, let it be indifferent warm, and then keep him as much from cold as is possible, two hours after you may give him a warm Mash of Oats and Barley.

CHAP. XXVII.
The Discovery of several Tricks and Cheats used by Jockeys.

1. FIrst then, to make a dull Jade both kick, wince and fling, without either Whip or Spur, they use this device; in the fore part of a Saddle made for that purpose, they have an Iron Plate, through which is drilled three holes, through which with a spring come three sharp wyers, the which as long as the Rider sits upright do not prick the Horse, but when he leans forward and presses the Bow of the Saddle▪ they torment him so that he capers and dances though never so dull, which the ignorant Buyer often supposes to proceed from the height of his Mettle, which the Jockey spares not to avouch with Oaths.

2. The Second is, if any Gentleman have set up a Horse in a Stable at Livery, the Jockey either by bribing the Hostler, or pri­vately by taking an opportunity in his absence, will with a hair take up the vein on the inside of the Horses Leg, or by cramp­ing him in the Fet-lock with a small Wyer (neither of which can be observed without a curious search) either of which, will cause the Horse after a quarter of an hours Riding to halt downright Lame, then is the owner sent for, whose coming the Jockey having notice of, pretends some Business in the Stable, and whilst the Gen­tleman is admiring the sudden mischance befallen his Horse, he puts in his verdict, saying, it was a great deal of pity that so good a Beast should be disabled, and by degrees insinuates into the Gentlemans acquaintance, desiring him to send for a Farrier, who comes and searches his foot, but finds no cause of Lameness there, whereupon the Gentleman dispairing of his recovery is often pres­sed by the Jockey to sell him at half the worth, or swap him for some dull Jade, that he or some of his Comrades have near at hand, who having got the Gentlemans Horse, by uncramping or letting loose the vein render him as at first.

3. The Third Cheat they put upon Travellers is this, coming into a Country Inn, their first walk is into the Stable, where ta­king a view of the Horses, they single out the best for their pur­pose, demanding of the Hostler, who that fine Horse belongs to, [Page 49] who ignorant of any design freely tells them; then they place their Horses next him, and seem only to feed, or rub them down, and order the Hostler to fetch a peck of Oats, the which whilst he is gone to do, they thrust a stone about the bigness of a Tennis-Ball into his Fundament, one of which they have always ready, it not having been in a quarter of an hour before the Horse begins to sweat mightily, and fall a trembling and staring as if his eyes were ready to start out of his head, so that a white foam soon after covers ma­ny places about him, which the Hostler observing, runs to the Gen­tleman that owns him, and tells him his Horse is a dying, at which starting up, he runs to the Stable and finds him in a bad plight, not knowing what to think, or if he do, conjectures he is poisoned, and in a confused hurry enquires for a Farrier or Horse Doctor, when as Mr. Jockey steps in, and asketh what is the matter, as if he poor lifeless fellow knew nothing of it, but quickly understan­ding the business, begins both to pity the Horse and Gentleman, the former for his miserable condition, and the latter for the dan­ger he [...]in of losing his Horse, when thus he applies himself: Sir, I am sorry to see your Horse in so bad a plight, then puts in to buy him at a venture, live or die, the which if he cannot do handsomely, he undertakes to cure him, telling the Gentleman that though it is not his usual custom to meddle with, yet he will un­dertake for [...] shillings to warrant his Life: The Gentleman consents rather than to lose a Horse worth twenty pounds; then for a shew he gives him a Drench, and then takes opportunity to withdraw the stone, and within half an hours space the Horse will be perfectly well, and so they fob the Ignorant.