the hunter a discourse of horsemanship directing the right way to breed, keep, and train a horse, for ordinary hunting and plates. langbaine, gerard, - . approx. kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from -bit group-iv tiff page images. text creation partnership, ann arbor, mi ; oxford (uk) : - (eebo-tcp phase ). a wing l estc r ocm this keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the early english books online text creation partnership. this phase i text is available for reuse, according to the terms of creative commons . universal . the text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. early english books online. (eebo-tcp ; phase , no. a ) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set ) images scanned from microfilm: (early english books, - ; : ) the hunter a discourse of horsemanship directing the right way to breed, keep, and train a horse, for ordinary hunting and plates. langbaine, gerard, - . [ ], p. printed by l. lichfield ..., for nicholas cox, oxford [oxfordshire] : . errata: p. . reproduction of original in bodleian library. created by converting tcp files to tei p using tcp tei.xsl, tei @ oxford. re-processed by university of nebraska-lincoln and northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors. eebo-tcp is a partnership between the universities of michigan and oxford and the publisher proquest to create accurately transcribed and encoded texts based on the image sets published by proquest via their early english books online (eebo) database (http://eebo.chadwyck.com). the general aim of eebo-tcp is to encode one copy (usually the first edition) of every monographic english-language title published between and available in eebo. eebo-tcp aimed to produce large quantities of textual data within the usual project restraints of time and funding, and therefore chose to create diplomatic transcriptions (as opposed to critical editions) with light-touch, mainly structural encoding based on the text encoding initiative (http://www.tei-c.org). the eebo-tcp project was divided into two phases. the , texts created during phase of the project have been released into the public domain as of january . anyone can now take and use these texts for their own purposes, but we respectfully request that due credit and attribution is given to their original source. users should be aware of the process of creating the tcp texts, and therefore of any assumptions that can be made about the data. text selection was based on the new cambridge bibliography of english literature (ncbel). if an author (or for an anonymous work, the title) appears in ncbel, then their works are eligible for inclusion. selection was intended to range over a wide variety of subject areas, to reflect the true nature of the print record of the period. in general, first editions of a works in english were prioritized, although there are a number of works in other languages, notably latin and welsh, included and sometimes a second or later edition of a work was chosen if there was a compelling reason to do so. image sets were sent to external keying companies for transcription and basic encoding. quality assurance was then carried out by editorial teams in oxford and michigan. % (or pages, whichever is the greater) of each text was proofread for accuracy and those which did not meet qa standards were returned to the keyers to be redone. after proofreading, the encoding was enhanced and/or corrected and characters marked as illegible were corrected where possible up to a limit of instances per text. any remaining illegibles were encoded as <gap>s. understanding these processes should make clear that, while the overall quality of tcp data is very good, some errors will remain and some readable characters will be marked as illegible. users should bear in mind that in all likelihood such instances will never have been looked at by a tcp editor. the texts were encoded and linked to page images in accordance with level of the tei in libraries guidelines. copies of the texts have been issued variously as sgml (tcp schema; ascii text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable xml (tcp schema; characters represented either as utf- unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless xml (tei p , characters represented either as utf- unicode or tei g elements). keying and markup guidelines are available at the text creation partnership web site . eng horses -- breeding. horsemanship. - tcp assigned for keying and markup - spi global keyed and coded from proquest page images - tcp staff (michigan) sampled and proofread - olivia bottum text and markup reviewed and edited - pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion the hunter . a discovrse of horsemanship : directing the right way to breed , keep , and train a horse , for ordinary hunting and plates . oxford , printed by l. lichfield , printer to the university , for nicholas cox. . the hunter . chap. i. of hunting-horses in general , their excellency , and the necessity and benefit of the art of keeping . i shall omit to speak in praise of hunting in general , since i would avoid ( as much as might be ) repetitions , and that it is already done at the begining of the foregoing book , with more address than i am master of . but since that author hath spoken nothing of the hunting-horse , which is a principal instrument of that excellent recreation , i desire leave to speak a word in his behalf . in behalf , i say , of this noble creature , to whom all that are followers of hunting are oblig'd : since it is by his strength and vigour that we grati●ie at ease our eyes and ears with all the pleasures that hunting affords ; and without whose assistance , a great part of us could enjoy it a little more than in imagination . but t is not to us only , that are huntsmen , but to all m●nkind , that the hunter is ( or may be ) serviceable . has our prince , or country occasion for our service in the field : on what horse can we venture our lives more sec●rely , than on the hunter ? his readiness to obey the hand and heel , equals him to the mannag'd horse . his being us'd to gallop on all sorts of grounds , as well steep places as deep earths , has so steel'd his courage , that he declines no military service you can put him on . are there ambuscado's to be laid , discoveries to be made , speedy and long marches to be perform'd ; or any other service , wherein strength of body , purity of wind , or swiftness , are requir'd● the general may in any of these cases rely on the hunter , with as much con●idence , as on the horse that is dress'd in the mannage . in times of peace he is equally useful , not only for pleasure , but also for necessity , and profit . how diverting to the eyes , is a beautiful horse after a pack of dogs ? and with how much ease to our bodies , and delight to our minds , are we carried vp to them ; with so much vigour and pride to be discern'd in his countenance , as if he emulated the hounds in their speed , and was desirous to excell them , in his obedience to their common lord. how necessary is the hunter beyond all other horses , if his masters urgent affairs ( where either life or fortune are in hazard , ) exact the performance of a long iourney in a short time. if his master , in hopes of advantage , has match'd him against any other horse ; how ready and willing is he , to perform the vtmost that nature is capable of , or his master can reasonably expect from him● and having art joyn'd to his natural abilities , will not only excell all other horses , but accomplish things beyond his masters hopes , or expectations ; for without its assistance in dieting and exercise , no horse can follow the hounds , or indeed undergo any other extreme labour , without hazarding the melting his grease , the breaking of his wind , or foundring him either in feet , or body : all which are consequences of immoderate labour , and ignorance in this art. that i may therefore give you some light into its mysteries , i shall first direct you how to breed such horses that may be for training ; or else instruct you , how otherwise to procure them . secondly , how to know by shapes , marks , and other tokens , what horse may be most convenient for your purpose . thirdly , how to diet him so , that he may perform all things within his power , without danger . lastly , what manner of exercise is most conducive to this design : and on these heads i intend to inlarge in my following discourse . but before i enter upon my subject propos'd , i think it necessary to answer four objections , that may be made against this art of dieting and training horses , that i may remove all prejudice from the minds of those , who think they may have reason to oppose it ; and that i may vindicate ( with truth ) this art , and clear it from all aspersions . the first objection i shall mention , is made by de grey in his epistle to the reader , ( edit . th . ) where under the vmbrage of his love to horses and in pity of the hardships they undergo in hunting , he extreamly inveighs against it , as the sourse of all their miseries . but that i may not be tax'd of prevarication by my reader , and for his satisfaction i shall set down his words , which are these . if the nobility and gentry of this our isle of great britain , did truly know how honourable , and how commendable horsemanship were , and how much they are esteem●d and admir'd , who are the true professors thereof , they would labour more than they now do , to breed and to have good horses ; but it much troubleth me to see , how little esteem gentlemen have thereof . some horses they have , though not for mannage , yet for hunting : but what manner of hunting ? fox-hunting forsooth , or harriers , which ●e as fleet as petty grey-hounds , wherewith they do so much over-strain the strength of these poor horses , ( forcing them over deep fallows , tough clays , and wet and rough sands , ) that albeit those horses be strong and able , yet are they so toil'd out therewith , as that when they come home at night they would pity the heart of him that loveth an horse to see them so bemired , blooded , spurred , lamentably spent , and tyred out ; whereas if such horses had been ridden to the great-saddle and cannon , they would infinitely have delighted all men that should have beheld them . to this i answer , that for my own part i am not very fond of fox hunting ; but i can see no reason why persons of honour should not gratifie their fancies with this recreation , since from the beginning horses were made for the service of man ; and doubtless for their recreation , as well as more necessary uses . and i am very confident , that if horses be train'd , dieted , and ridden according to art , there will be left no ground for this objection . for by good feeding faintness would be prevented ; and by airing , and due exercise , the horses wind would be so improv'd , that no moderate labour would hurt him ; nay , though a horse by immoderate riding , were reduc'd to such tragical exigencies , as de grey mentions , yet by the assistance of art nature may be in twenty ●our hou●●s space so reliev'd , that all those dangerous symptoms shall be remov'd , and all the natural faculties act as ●ormerly . now as to the last part of his argument , i appeal to all the greatest masters of academi●s here , or in foreign parts ; whether in the mannage , the spurs are not as much us'd , ( not to say more , ) as in hunting ; and the duke of newcastle in his methode nouvelle in . p. . says , il n'y a point d' exercise si violent pour l●s chevaux que celuy de manege ; that is , there is no exercise so violent for horses as the mannage ; so that you see hunting is not the only violent exercise : and salomon de la brove goes further in his cavalarise fran●oise , telling us , that mannag'd horses should sometimes be us'd to the chase , since hunting assists his wind , and brings him to a civil acquaintance with other horses : inferring from hence , that hunting procures to an horse two benefits , viz. speed and strength , and reforms in him two vices , salvageness and restiveness . secondly , there are others , that though they may approve of keeping their horses clean , yet are not reconcil'd to hunting ; but being either admirers of coursing , or else keeping horses only for the benefit of their health , and the taking the air ; will not be perswaded , but that they can bring their horses to the same perfection without hunting , as with it . to answer the first of these , i mean coursers ; i affirm , 't is impossible to attain the end of this art by that means : for being oblig'd in search of their game to toil their horses all day , over deep fallows , in a foot-pace only , they are likelier to bring their horses to weariness than perfection . and the same answer may serve the others likewise : for riding a horse up and down the field after nothing , brings a weariness and dislike to an horse in his exercise , through his ignorance of the time , when his labour shall cease ; whether , or to what end he is so labour'd . whereas on the contrary , an horse naturally takes delight in following the dogs , and seems pleas'd with their musick , as is evident by his pricking up his ears , gazing on them , and pressing to gallop towards them , when ever he hears them in full cry , ( though at a distance . ) nay further , i have been master of a stonehorse , that so entirely lov'd the hounds , that when at any time ( through eagerness of sport , and desire to save the hare from being eaten ) i have rid in amongst the dogs , he would so carefully avoid treading on them , that he has more than once hazarded my limbs ( by making a false step ) to save theirs . from hence i infer , that doubtless horses extreamly delight in hunting , and consequently , that it is a fit exercise for them . thirdly , others object , that what soever pleasure there may be in hunting , they had rather deny themselves that satisfaction than hazard the laming their horses , which , ( as they are told ) few , or no hunters escape . that hunters are sometimes lame , i do not deny : but cannot allow , that it proceeds alwaies from this exercise . for 't is the indiscretion of the riders , in overstraining their horses at leaps ; and by that meanes , sometimes clapping them on the back-sinews , catching in their shoos , and such like , and not the sport , that is the cause of lameness . but on the contrary , i will undertake to shew any man twenty other horses lame ( which never knew what belong'd to hunting ) for one hunter . there are several other reasons be●ides hunting to be given for lameness ; as for instance . much travel though but moderate , if care be wanting ) will produce wind-galls , and splints , which are the fore-runners of lameness . want of exercise will straiten the hoofs , and dry up the sinews ; and too much negligence in travail occa●ions surbating , foundring , and gravailing . horses on the road oftentimes stumble , and now and then fall , and so become lame . na● , a slip , or an over-reach are as incident to the pad , as to the hunter . and to conclude , the horse that is dress●d , is more liable to a strain in the back , and ●illets , than the hunter ; by meanes of his short●t●rns : so that you may perceive that lameness is epidemical , and therefore no more to be objected against hunting-horses , than the rest of that species . fourthly , some again are enemies to this art of dyeting horses in particular : affirming , that such exact diet makes them tender , sickly , and takes them off their stomach : and that the charges are not only great , but likewise unnecessary . to the first part of this obiection , i answer , that an horse is so far from being made tender , or losing his appetite , by such extream and several feedings , if he have proportionate exercise , that it rather inures him to hardship . for much labour ( if not too violent ) either in man or beast , instead of weakning the stomack , and causing sickness , does rather advance the appetite and preserve his health ; and it may be observed , that it doth oftner heighten than decay the stomack . in like manner moderate airings purify his wind , and both together render him healthy , and fit for service . as to the several sorts of food , we shall prove in the sequel , that every part of it is both nourishing , and natural to all horses constitutions ; so that consequently , t is not only allowable , but necessary : and to prove this , needs no more ; than to ride an ordinary horse drawn clean , a days hunting or three hea●s , and a course , against the best of those horses , which are kept by such persons who think that half a peck a day , and fetching his water at the next spring is horsemanship sufficient ; and they will find by keeping and exercise , the ordinary horse will become long winded , and stick at mark ● when the other that is foul-fed , and fat , will soon give out , for want of wind ; ●r otherwise if he be hardy will dy under the spur ; whereas if the untrained horse had been rightly ordered he would have worsted twenty such horses . now to the charges of keeping , fifty shillings a y●ar disburs'd for bread , besides hay , straw , corn and physick , ( which all horses of value must be allowed ) is all that will be requisite , to keep an horse in as good state for ordinary hunting , as any horse whatsoever . lastly by being skilful in the art of keeping , this advantage will insue ; that no dist●mper relating either to the head or body can conceal themselves from his keepers knowledge , whose skill will inform him , how to put a stop to them , before they have made any considerable advances to the horses prejudice . and he that grudges so small an expence on so noble and useful a creature as an horse is , deserves never to come on the back of one . chap. ii. of breeding , the choice of a stallion , and mares , with some general remarks on marks and colours . since creation and generation preceeded the art of riding , and that the first thing which is of course to be treated of , is the choice of an horse ●it for this exercise of hunting . i shall speak somthing cursorily of the art of breeding , before i treat of the hunter ready for service . to them therefore that have grounds convenient for breed , i shall direct this part of my discourse : and lay them down some few rules that may be serviceable to them , though i shall be as brief as possible , and refer them to markham , de grey , morgan , almond , and farring compleated , ( which is collected from the forementioned authors markham and de grey ) all which have treated of the art of breeding more at large . first therefore i wonld advise you to buy either an arabian horse ( if you can procure him , ) a spaniard , a turk , or a barb , for your stallion , that is well shap'd , of a good colour to beautify your race , and well mark'd , to agree with most mens opinions ; though otherwise they are not so significative as mr. blundevile , and his italian author frederigo grissone , would have us believe . to begin with the arabian ; merchants , and other gentlemen that have travell'd those parts , report , that the right arabians are valu'd at an incredible , as well as an intolerable rate ; being priz'd at five hundred , others say at one , two , and three thousand pounds an horse ; that the arabs are as careful of keeping the genealogies of their horses , as princes in keeping their pedigrees ; that they keep them with medals ; and that each son's portion is usually two suits of arms , two cymeters , and one of these horses . the arabs boast , that they will ride fourscore miles a day , without drawing bitt : which has been perform'd by several of our english horses . but much more was atchiev'd by an high●way-man's horse ; who having taken a b●oty , on the same day rode him from london to york , being one hundred and fifty miles . notwithstanding their great value , and the difficulty in bringing them from scanderoon to england by sea ; yet by the care , and at the charge of some breeders in the north , the arabian horse is no st●anger to those parts ; where persons who have the curiosity , may ( as i presume ) at this day see some of the race , if not a true arabian stallion . the spanish horse ( according to the duke of newcastle ) is the noblest horse in the world , and the most beautiful thát can be ; no horse is so curiously shap'd all over from h ●ad to croup , and he ●s absolutely the best stallion in the world , whether you design your breed for the mannage , the war , the pad , hunting , or for running horses . but as he is excellent , so he wants not for price , three or four hundred pistol● being a common rate for a spanish horse . several have been sold for seven hundred , eight hundred , and a thousand pistols a piece ; and one particular horse , called el bravo , that was sent to the arch-duke leopold , was held worth as much as a mannour of a thousand crowns a year . the best spanish horses are bred in andalouzia , and particularly at cordova , where the king has many studds of mares , and so have several of the spanish nobility and gentry . now besides the great price at first , the charges of the journey from spain to england will be very considerable : for first , he must travel from andalouzia to bilbo , or st sebastien , the neerest ports to england , and is at least four hundred miles : and in that hot country you cannot with safety travel your horse above twenty miles a day , then there is the expence of your groom and farrier , besides the casualty of lameness , sickness , and death : so that though he do prove an extraordinary good horse , by that time he arrives at your own home he will likewise be an extraordinary dear one . the turk is little inferior to the spanish horse in beauty , but somewhat odd-shap'd , his head being somewhat like that of a camel : he hath excellent eyes , a thin neck excellently risen , and somewhat large of body : his croup is like that of a mule ; his legs not so underlimb'd as those of the barb , but very sinewy , good pasterns , and good hoofs : they never amble , but trot very well : and are accounted at this present better stallions for gallopers than barbs , as ●when i com● to speak of them ) i shall shew . some merchants affirm , that there cannot be a more noble and divertive sight to a lover of horses , than to walk into the pastures near constantinople , about soyling-time , where he may see many hundred gallant horses tethred , and every hor●e has his attendant or keeper , with his little tent ( plac'd near him ) to lie in , that he may look to him , and take care to shift him to fresh grass , as occasion requires . the price of a turk is commonly one hundred or one hundred and fifty pounds a horse , and when bought t is difficult to get a pass ; the grand segnior being so very strict , that he seldom ( but upon extraordinary occasions ) permits any of his horses to be exported his dominions . but if ( when obtain'd ) you travel by land , without a turk or two for your convoy , you will be sure to have them seiz'd on by the way . then , as in the former , so here , you will find the same difficulties of a long journey , ( for you must come through germany , which is a long way , ) and the same charges attending it , i mean your groom and farrier ● who must be careful that they entrust no persons whatsoever with the care of him , but themselves , especially in shooing of him : for t is the common practice beyond sea , ( as well as here ) where they discover a fine horse , to hire a farrier to prick him , that they may buy him for a stallion . but some people chuse to buy horses at smyrna in anatolia , and from thence , as likewise from constantinople , transport them to england by sea ; which , if the wind serve right , arrive in england in a month , though generally the merchants make their voyages little less than a quarter of a year . the barb is little inferior to any of the former in beauty , only he is accounted by our modern breeders too slender and lady-like to breed on : and therefore in the north , at th●s instant , they prefer the spanish horse and turk before him . he is so lazy and negligent in his walk , that he will stumble on carpet-ground . his trot is like that of a cow , his gallop low , and with much ease to himself . but he is for the most part sinewy , and nervous , excellently winded , and good for a course , i● he be not over-weighted . the mountain-barbs are accounted the best , because they are the strongest and largest . they belong to the allarbes , who value them as much themselves , as they are priz'd by any other nations , and therefore they will not part with them to any persons except to the prince of the band to which they belong ; who can at any time , at his pleasure , command them for his own use . but for the other more ordinary sort , they are to be met with pretty common , in the hands of several of our nobility and gentry ; or if you send into languedoc and provence in france , they may be there bought for forty or fifty pistols a horse . or if you will send into barbary , you may have one for thirty pounds , or thereabouts● but here too the charges and journey will be great ; for though from tunis to marselles in france be no great voyage , yet from marselles to callais by land measures the length of all france , and from thence they are shipt for england . the next thing of course to be treated of , is the choice of your mares , and the fittest mare to breed out of , according to the duke of newcastle's opinion , is one that has been bred of an english mare , and a stallion of either of these races ; but if such a mare be not to be got , then make choice of a right bred english mare by sire and dam , that is well fore-handed , well underlaid , and strong put together in general ; and in particular , see that she have a lean head , wide nostrils , open chaul , a big weasand , and the windpipe straight and loose , and chuse her about five or six year old , and be sure that the stallion be not too old . now for the food of the stallion , i would have you keep him as high as possible for four or five months before the time of covering , with old clean oats , and split beans , well hull'd ● to which you may add , if you please , bread , ( such as in this book shall be hereafter directed ) and now and then , for variety , you may give him an handful of clean wheat , or oats washt in strong ale ; but as for bay-salt , and anniseeds , which mr. morgan , in his perfection of horsemanship , advises should be scatter'd amongst his provender , i hold them superfluous whilst the horse is in health , but be sure let him have plenty of good old sweet hay , well cleansed from dust , and good wheat-straw to ●se on ; and let him be watred twice every day at some fair running spring , or else a clear standing pond-water ( where the other is not to be had ) near some meadow or level piece of ground , where you may gallop him after he hath drunk . when you have brought him to the water , do not suffer him to drink his fill at the first , but after he has taken his ●irst draught , gallop and scope him up and down a little to warm it , and then bring him to the water ag●in , and let him drink what he please , and after that gallop him as you did before , never leaving the water till you find he will drink no more . by this means you will prevent raw crudities , which the coldness of the water would produce to the detrimen● of the stomach , if you had permitted him to drink his fill at first ; whereas you allowing him his fill● ( though by degrees ) at last , you keep his body from drying too fast . and this i take to be much better for your horses than ( according to the forecited morgan ) to incourage his water with whitewine , to qualifie the cold quality thereof : for nature it self is the best directress for the expulsion of her enemies , especially in brutes , where usually she can command the appetite : and therefore i esteem his own natural heat , for warming his water , to be better than that which proceeds from any other . now as to morgan's direction of sweating him every day early in the morning , which he says will not only perfect disgestion , and exhaust the moisture from his seed , but also strengthen and cleanse his blood and body from all raw and imperfect humors ; i am of opinion t will both dry up the radical moisture too fast , and likewise instead of heightning his pride and lust , ( which he alledges , weaken him too much . other rules might be given as to the ordering of them after water , and the hours of feeding , with the quantity &c. but these will be fitter to be handled in another place , and therefore no more of them here . now when your stallion is in lust , and the time for covering is come , which is best to be in may , that the foles may fall in april following , otherwise they will have little or no grass , if they should be put together ( according to markham's opinion ) in the middle of march , tho he holds that one fole falling in march is worth two falling in may , because ( saith he ) he possesseth , as it were , two winters in a year , and is thereby so hardened , that nothing can almost after impair him . the time i say being come to put your stallion and mares together , pull off his hinder shoes , and lead him to the place where the stud of mares are , which you intend for covering , which place ought to be close , well fenc'd , and in it a little ●●utt for a man to lie in , and a larger shed with a manger to feed your stallion with bread and corn , during his abode with the mares , and to shelter him in the heat of the day and in rainy weather , and this close ought to be of sufficient largeness to keep your mares well for two months . before you pull off his bridle , let him cover a mare or two in hand , then turn him loose amongst them , and put all your mares to him , as well those which are with foale , as those which are not , for there is no danger in it ; and by that means they will all be serv'd in their height of lust , and according to the intention of nature . when your stallion has cover'd them once , he tries them all over again , and those which will admit him he serves ; and when his business is finish'd , he beats the pale , and attempts to be at liberty ; which when your man finds , ( who is night and day to observe them , and to take care that no other mares are put to your horse , and to give you an account , which take the horse , and which not , &c. ) let him be taken up , and let him be well kept as before ; only you may at the first give him a good mash or two , to help to restore nature , for you will find him nothing but skin and bones , and his ma●e and tail will rot off . be sure give him never above ten or twelve mares in a season , at most ; otherwise you will scarce recover him against the next years covering-time . when your stallion is past this use , then buy ano●ther ; but be sure never make use of a horse of your own breed , for by so doing the best kind would in time degenerate : but you cannot do better ( the duke of newcastle says ) than to let your own mares be cover'd by their sire , for ( according to his own words and opinion ) there is no incest in horses : and by this means they are nearer one degree to the purity and h ead of the fountain , from which they are deriv'd , since a fine horse got them , and the same fine horse covers them again . now though the duke of newcastle affirms this to be the true way for covering mares , alledging that nature is wiser than art in the act of generation , and that by this way , of a dozen mares he dare affirm that two shall not fail : yet it may not correspond with the interest of some private gentlemen who turn breeders for profit as well as pleasure ; for a good stallion bearing such an extraordinary rate , and they having but one , have reason to be cautions , to avoid as much as can be all hazardous experiments ; which ( with submission to the duke's judgment ) this in some cases may prove . for first , there have been horses of great spirit , that have kill'd themselves through excess of lust , being left to range at their liberty ; and those that have been confin'd to an enclosure , & a select number of mares , have yet in one weeks space so weaken'd nature , that not above half the mares have held . secondly , some mares are of so hot a constitution of nature , and their lust so violent , that if they are permitted to run long with the horse , after they have conceived , will ( if they be high in flesh and lusty ) desire the horse again , which generally hazards the loss of the embrio they go with . to prevent therefore these inconveniences , i shall lay you down an other method ( as briefly as may be , ) which is called covering in hand , as the former is generally term'd out of hand , and the way is this : viz. when you have brought both your horse and mare to as proper condition for breed by art and good feeding , then set some ordinary ston'd-nag by her for a day or two to wooe her , and by that means she will be so prone to lust , that she will readily receive your stallion ; which you should present to her either early in a morning , or late in an evening , for a day or two together , and let him cover her in hand once , or twice if you please , at each time , observing always to give the horse the advantage of ground , and that you have some one ready with a pucket of cold water to throw on the mare 's shape , immediately on the dismounting of the horse , which will make her retain the seed received the better , especially if you get on her back , and trot her about a quarter of an hours space , but in any case have a ●are of heating , or straining her : and it will not be amiss , if after every such act you let them fast two ho●rs , and then give each of them a warm mash ; and t is odds but this way your mares may be as well serv'd as the other , and yet your stallion will last you much longer . i shall say no more as to the keeping the mares during the time of their being with foale , nor of their foaling ; only this , that if you take care to house them all the winter , and to keep them well , their colts will prove the better . when they are foaled , let them run with their dams till martin-mass , then wean them , and keep them in a convenient house , with a low rack and manger on purpose ; litter them well , and feed them with good hay , and oats and wheat-bran mix'd , which will make them drink , and belly well . the first year you may put them all together , but afterwards they must be separated , the stone-colts from the fillies ; and if you have choice of houses , you may put yearings together , two years old together , and so three years old together , for their better satisfaction and agreement ; as little children best agree together . in a warm fair day you may grant them liberty to run and scope in some enclosed court or back-●ide , but be sure to take care to put them up again carefully , that they be not hurt . when summer is come , and there is plenty of grass , put them out in some dry ground , that hath convenient watring , and so let them run till mar●inmass again : then house them as before , and order them in all points as older horses , till they are full five years old , then take them up for good and all , and let your groom back them if he have skill , or else some skilful rider . you may if you please just break your fillies at two years and half old , and let them be cover'd at three ; and by that means they will be so tame and gentle , as not to injure themselves or their foals . but in case of sickness , or any accidental calamity , as lameness , &c. you must then commit them to the farrier's care. the reason why i propose the housing of them every winter , with dry feeding and lodging , is , that they may be the liker their sire in beauty and shape . for the primary cause of the fineness of shape and beauty in horses is heat , and dry feeding . and this is prov'd from the several races we have already mentioned , viz. the spanish horse , barb , and turkish horse , all which countreys are under an hot climate , and by consequence afford little grass : therefore in our more moderate and cold countries we are to assist nature by art , and to supply the want of heat by warm housing , and dry feeding . this is easily made evident by example . for take two colts begot by the same sire , on mares of equal beauty , and house the one every winter , and feed him as directed , and expose the other , till they are four years old , and fit to be back'd ; and you shall find the former like his sire in all respects , and the other fitter for the cart than hunting , as being a dull , heavy , flabby , scarce animated ●lod ; and all this proceeds from the humidity of the air and earth . from hence you may infer , that t is not only generation , but , as i may term it , education , that makes a compleat horse ; and such yours will be , if you order them according to the former directions ; for yon may with ease break the colt that is by such good management made gentle , and half-back'd to your hand . but i have dwelt longer on this subject than i intended , my business being chiefly to inform the groom ( not the master ) what belong'd to his office ; and therefore i will wander no further from my purpose , but leave it to the rider to follow his own method in rendring colts fit for his masters service : whilst i give some few directions to those gentlemen who will not bestow either trouble or charges on breeding ● or have the will but not the convenience to do it , how to elect an horse fit for this exercise . the way for a gentleman to furnish himself with an horse , that may be worth training for hunting , is e●ther to enquire out some noted breeder ( of which there are many in the north , ) or else to go to some famous fair , as malton and rippon fairs in yorkshire , the former held on the . day of september yearly , and the latter on may day : or to richmonds in the same shire , ( which , as i am inform'd , does now of late years exceed both the fore-mention'd , being scituate in the middle of the most celebrated part of the breeding country ; ) its fairs are held in easter week , and at rood tyde . northampton has several fairs in the year likewise , as on the . day of april , the th . of september , th . of november , with several others . there are several other fairs , as lenton-fair in notinghamshire , pank ridg-fair in staffordshire , &c. which for brevities sake i omit . at any of these places he may make choice of a horse , which as near as can be ought to have these following shapes : viz. his head ought to be lean , large , and long ; his chaul thin , and open ; his ears small , and pricked , or if they be somewhat long , provided they stand upright like those of a fox , it is usually a sign of mettle and toughness his forehead long and broad , not flat , and as we term it mare-fac'd , but rising in the midst like that of a hare , the feather being plac'd above the top of his eye , the contrary being thought by some to betoken blindness . his eyes full , large , and bright ; his nostrils wide , and red within , for an open nostril betokens a good win● ; his mouth large , deep in the ●●kes , and hairy ; his thropple , weasand , or windpipe , big , loose , and streight when he is rein'd in by the bridle ; for if , when he bridles , it bends in like a bow ( which is called cock-throppled ● it very much hinders the free passage of his wind. his head must be so set on to his neck , that there must be a space felt between his neck and his ●haul ; for to be bull-neck'd is uncomely to sight , and prejudicial to the horses wind , as aforesaid . his crest should be firm , thin , and well risen ; his neck long , and straight , yet not loose , and pliant , which the northern-men term withy-cragg'd ; his breast strong , and broad ; his chest deep , his chine short , his body large , and close shut up to the ●●cklebone ; his ribbs round like a barrel , his belly being hid within them . his fillets large , his buttocks rather oval than broad being well let down to the gascoins . his cambrels upright , and not bending , which is called by some sickle-hough'd , though some hold it a sign of toughness and speed. his legs clean , flat , and streight . his ioynts short , well knit , and upright , especially betwixt the past-●orns and the hoof , having but little hair on his fetlocks . his hoofs black , strong , and hollow , and rather long and narrow , than big and flat . and lastly , his main and tail should be long , and thin rather than thick , which is counted by some a mark of dulness . as to his colour and marks , i rather incline to believe them grateful to the eye , than any infallible indexes of goodness ; for as the goodness or badness of a man does not consist in his complexion , but in his inward vertues , so neither do colour or marks certainly demonstrate the goodness or badness of an horse , because his qualifications proceed from his inward disposition . but yet i wholly dissent from the opinion of mr. morgan , p. ; who holds , that colour and marks are no more assurance of a good horse ; than the having a feather in a mans hat does prove him a good man or a bad ; inferring that inherent colours are of no greater eminency or value , than those external ones are which may be taken or laid aside at a man 's own will and pleasure . now i say , that altho marks and colour do not absolutely give testimony unto us of a horses goodness , yet they as well as his shape do intimate to us in some part his disposition and qualities . for nature , not being defective , frames every part of the same matter whereof the whole is formed , and therefore the foe●●● being formed of the copulative seed of its sire and dam , does from them derive as well the accidental as the more essential qualities of its temperament and composition . and for this reason hair it self may often times receive the variation of its colour from the different temperature of the subject out of which it is produced . and to confirm this , i dare pass my word , that wherever you shall meet with an horse that hath no white about him , especially in his fore-head , though he be otherwise of the best reputed colours , as bay , black , sorrel &c. that horse i dare affirm to be of a dogged and sullen disposition ; especially if he have a small pink eye , and a narrow face , with a nose bending like a hawks bill . but yet i am not positive , that horses even of the most celebrated colours , and marks answerable , do always prove the best ; because i have seen those horses worsted by others , whose marks and colour have been esteemed the worst ; as bright sorrel , and mouse-black with bald faces , and all the leggs white above the ●nee . but i rather attribute the ●ause thereof ●o the ignorance of the rider , that had the training of those best marked horses , than to any defec● in nature ; for nature is no counterfeit , as ar● often is , to make a thing shew to the eye , contrary to what it is in reality . and therefor● as i would not have men put too great confidence in marks and colours ; so i would not have them esteemed of so lightly , as the former comparison of mr. morgans would make them ; for it is a constant and inseparable quality for horses to produce hair , which is given them by nature as a tegument and defence against the cold : and if it be shaved off , gall'd , or any waies else removed or taken away , yet it will grow again● but a feather may be put to , or taken from a mans hat at his pleasure . therefore since colour seemeth to set forth the beauty of an horse , you may for ornament sake and to please your eye , make choice of an horse that is either a brown-bay , dapple-bay , black , sad-chessnut with flaxen main and tail , so that they have either a white star , blaze , or snip , with a white foot ; dapple-grey , or white lyard with black muzzle , eye , and ear. any of these are reputed by most men to give a grace to shape ; tho in themselves they are no perfect signs of goodness . but for his internal endowments , they are more material , and therefore take care that he by nature be of a gentle disposition , to his keeper tractable and docile free from those ill qualities o● biting , striking , restiffness , lying down in the water , starting , running away with his rider , plunging , leaping , &c. not but that most , if not all these ill habits may be rectified by art ; for experience has shewn us , that horses which h●●e ●ot been of such a perfect natural composition , as might be desired , have yet been tempered by art , and have not only been reclaimed from their vicious habits , but have been likewise brought to great performance in heats , as well as hunting , as i could instance in several if it were necessary . and therefore since art was invented to perfect nature ; if ( notwithstanding your care ) you have met with a horse subject to any of these ill qualities aforesaid , you must search into the causes of it , which art will help you to discover and remove : and then the cause being taken away , the effect will cease . so that probably , contrary to most peoples opinions a vicious horse , by good management and government may be brought to excell an horse that has a better reputation and fame in the judgment of the generality of hors●men . chap. iii. of the age a hunter should be of before he be put to hunting ; of the stable , and groom , and of the horse's first taking up from grass , in order to his further dieting . having gotten a horse answerable either to the former descriptions , or your own satisfaction at least , i am to suppose that by a skilful rider he is already grounded in the fundamentals of this art ● by being taught such obedience , as that he will readily answer to the horseman's helps and corrections both of the bridle , the hand , the voice , the calf of the leg , and the spur ; that he can tell how to take his way forward , and hath gained a true temper of mouth , and a right placing of his head , and that he hath learn'd to stop and turn readily ; for without these things are perfectly taught , and as it were laid for a foundation , he can never proceed effectually . i had thoughts of enlarging upon this particular subject , but i find my discourse is like to swell beyond its bounds , so that i am forced to omit it , and therefore i shall refer you to the directions and prudence of your rider , and only tell you that t is convenient , your horse should be five years old , and well way'd before you begin to hunt him . for though it be a general custom amongst noted horsemen to train their horses up to hunting at four years old , and some sooner , yet at that age his joynts not being full k●it , nor he come to his best strength and courage , he is disabled from performing any matter of speed and toughness : and indeed being put to sore labour and toil ●o young , he runs a very great hazard of strains , and the putting out of splents , spavins , curbs and windgalls , besides the daunting of his spirit , and abating his natural courage , insomuch that he will become melancholly , stiff , and rheumatick , and have all the distempers of old age , when it might be expected he should be in his prime . your horse then being full five , you may if you please put him to grass from the middle of may till bartholmew-tide , or at least from the middle of summer till that time ; for then the season being so violently hot , it will not be convenient to work him : where whilst he is sporting himself at liberty in his past●re , we will if you please take care to provide a good stable for his reception at his taking up , and a good groom to look after him ; both which are more essentially necessary to the hunter than to other horses , which require not that exact care in keeping . first then as to the stable , i could wish every gentleman would be careful to scituate it in a good air , and upon hard dry and firm ground , that in the winter the horse may go and come clean in and out : and if possible let it be seated on an ascent , that the urine , foul water , or any wet , may be convey'd away by trenches , or sinks cut out for that purpose . be sure to suffer no hen-houses , hog-styes , or houses of easment , or any other filthy smells to be near it ; for hen-dung , or feathers swallow'd , oftentimes prove mortal , and the ill air of a jakes as often is the cause of blindness : likewise the very smell of swine will frequently breed the far●y , and no animal whatsoever more delights in cleanliness , or is more offended at unwholesome savours than the horse . let ●our stable be built of brick , rather than stone , since the latter is subject to sweating in wet weather : which dampness and moisture is the original of rheums , and catarrhs . let your wall be of a good convenient thickness , as about eighteen or twenty inches thick , both for safety and warmth in winter , and to keep the sun from annoying him in summer , which would hinder concoction . you may ( if you please ) make windows both on the east and north sides , that you may have the benefit of the air during summer , from the north , and of the morning sun during winter from the east . and i would advise you to glaze your windows , and make them with sashes , to let in air at pleasure , and to keep out poultry , for the reasons afore recited ; and likewise to make close wooden shutters , that during the middle time of the day the stable may be dark , which will cause him to take his rest as well in the day as the night . let your floor , ( i mean that part on which he is alwaies to stand , or lye down on , be made of oaken planks , and not pitch'd , for t is easier and warmer for the horse to ly on boards than stones . be sure to lay them level ; for if they are laid higher before than behind ( as they generally are in inns and horse-coursers stables , that their horses may appear to more advantage in stature , ) his hinder-leggs will swell , and he can never lye at ease , because his hinder parts will be still slipping down . lay your planks cross-way , & not at length ; and underneath them sink a good trench , which receiving the vrine thro holes bor'd on purpose in the planks , may convey it into some common receptacle . let the ground behind him be raised even with the planks , that he may continually stand on a l●vell . let the floor behind him be pitcht with small pebble : and be sure let that part of your stable where the rack stands be well wainscoted . i would have two rings placed at each side of his stall , for his halter to run through ; which must have a light wooden logger at the bottom of it , to pois● it perpendicularly ; but not so heavy as to tire the horse , or to hinder him from eating . instead of a fix'd manger , i would have you have a locker , or drawer , made in the wainscote partition , for him to eat his corn out of , which you may take in and out to cleanse at pleasure . and whereas some may object the narrowness of the room , you may remedy that at your pleasure , by allowing it to be the larger : tho considering the small quantity of provender , you are to put in at a time , ( as you see hereafter ) you need not make it very large . i would not advise you to make any rack , but instead thereof ( according to the italian fashion ) to give your horse his hay on the ground , upon the litter ; or else you may ( if you please ) nail some boards in the form of a trough , in which you may put his hay , and the boards will prevent him from trampling and spoiling it . some possibly may object , that this way of feeding him , may spoil his crest , and that the blowing upon his hay will soon make it nauseous to his palate . for the spoiling his crest , it rather strengthens it , and makes it firm , whereas , on the contrary , to lift up his head high to the rack will make him withy-cragged : but the way forementioned , he will ●eed as he lyes , which will be for his ease and satisfaction . as to the quantity of his hay , you are to give it him in such small proportions , ( tho the oft●ner ) that it may be eaten before his preath can in the least have tainted it . but the chief● reason why i advise you to this way is this , because the receiving his hay down upon the ground , will help to cleanse his head from any rheum or dose , which he may have gotten by negligence and over-exercise , and induce him by sn●●zing to throw out all manner of watry humors that may annoy his head. if your stable will allow , you may build several partitions of boards , and at the head towards the manger let them be advanc'd to that height that one horse may not molest or smell to another ; and so divide the whole into as many equal stands or staulls as it will admit of ; allowing to each , room enough to turn about in , and lie down at pleasure . you may make one of your staulls close , which may serve for your groom to lie in , in case of a match , sickness , &c. and where he may burn candle without the horse's discerning of it . behind the horses i would have a range of presses made with peggs in them to hang up saddles , bridles , housing-cloaths , &c. as likewise shelves to place your curry-combs , brushes , dusting-cloaths , oyntments , waters , or any other necessaries upon . now that you may not cumber your stable with oat-binns , i think it necessary to tell you , that the best way is to make use of the invention of mr. farmer of tusmore in oxford-shire . which is done ( according as it is described by the ingenuous dr. plot , in his natural history of oxford-shire ) by letting the oats down from a loft above , out of a vessel like the hopper of a mill , whence they fall into a square pipe let into the wall , of about four inches diagonal , which comes down into a cupboard also set into the wall , but with its end so near the bottom that there shall never be above a gallon , or other desireable quantity in the cupboard at a time , which being taken away and given to the horses , another gallon presently succ●eds ; so that in the lower part of the stable , where the horses stand , there is not one inch of room taken up for the whole provision of oats : which contrivance hath also this further convenience , that by this motion the oats are kept constantly sweet , ( the taking away one gallon moving the whole mass above , ) which laid up any otherwise in great quantities , grow frequently musty . now i would have you have two made , the one for the oats , the other for your split beans , and both let into your range of presses ; the partitions may easily be made over head , to separate your oats from your beans . or if you like not this way , you may convert it into an hay-loft , or chambers for your grooms , which you fancy ; but whatever you make choice of , let the floor overhead be seil'd , that no dust from above fall upon your horses . but if you have the convenience of a rick-yard , so that you keep your hay abroad , it is the opinion of some knowing horsemen , that to tuck it out of the rick by little and little , as you have occasion to use it , makes it spend much better than it would otherwise do out of the hay-tallet . as to the rest of its perquisites , a dung●yard , a pump , or a conduit , are necessary ; and if yo● can have that convenience , some pond or running river near hand . but be sure , never let the front of your stable be without litter , that by frequent practice your horse may learn to empty his bladder when he is come from airing , which will be both healthful for your horse , and profitable for your land having thus laid down a modell for a stable , my next business is to tell the groom his duty ; i mean not those which generally appertain to all servants , such as are obedience , fidelity , patience , diligence &c. but those more ●ssentially belonging to this office. first then he must love his horse in the next degree to his master , and to endeavour by fair usage to acquire a reciprocal love from him again , and an exact obedience , which if he know how to pay it to his master , he will the better be able to teach it his horse ; and both the one and the other are to be obtain'd by fair means , rather than by passion and outrage . for those who are so irrational themselves , as not to be able to command their own passions , are not fit to undertake the reclaiming of an horse , ( who by nature is an irrational creature ) from his . he must then put in practice that patience , which i would have him master of , at all times , and by that and fair means he shall attain his end : for nothing is more tractable than an horse , if you make use of kindness to win him . next , neatness is requisite in a groom , to keep his stable clean swept and in order ; his saddles , housing-cloaths , stirr●ps , leathers , and girths , cleane , and above all his horse clean dress'd and rubb'd . diligence in the last place is requisite both in a daily practice of his duty , and in observing any the smallest alteration whether casual or accidental , either in his countenance , as symptoms of sickness , or in his limbs and gate , as lameness , or in his appetite , as forsaking his meat , and immediately upon any such discovery to seek out for remedy . this is the substance of the groom's duty in general , and which i shall treat of more at large as occasion shall offer it self . in the mean time since bartholomew-tide is now come , and the pride and strength of the grass nipp'd by the severe frosts , and cold dews which accompany this season , so that the nourishment thereof turneth into raw crudities , and the coldness of the night ( which is an enemy to the horse ) abates as much flesh and lust as he getteth in the day , we will now take him up from grass whilst his coat lies smooth and sleek . having brought him home , let your groom so that night set him up in some secure and spacious house , where he may evacuate his body , and so be brought to warmer keeping by degrees ; the next day stable him . but , tho it be held as a general rule amongst the generality of grooms , not to cloath or dress their horses , till two or three days after their stabling , i can find no reason but custom to perswade one to it ; but it being little conducive either to the advantage or prejudice of the horse , i shall leave it to their own fancies : but as to the giving of wheat-straw , to take up his belly , ( a custom us'd by grooms generally at the horse's first housing , ) i am utterly averse from it . for the nature of a horse being hot and dry , if he should feed on straw , which is so likewise , it would straighten his guts , and cause an inflammation of the liver , and by that means distemper the blood ; and besides it would make his body so costive , that it would cause a retention of nature , and make him dung with great pain and difficulty ; whereas full feeding would expell the excrements , according to the true intention and inclination of nature . therefore let moderate airing , warm cloathing , good old hay , and old corn , s●pply the place of wheat-straw . to begin then methodically , that your groom may not be to see● in any part of his duty , i sh●ll acquaint him , that his first business is , a●●er he hath brought his horse into the stable , in the morning to water him , and then to rub over his body with a hard wisp a little moisten'd , and then with a woollen cloath ; then to cleanse his sheath with his w●t hand from all the dust it had contracted during his running , and to wash his yard either with white-wine , or water . then he may trim him according to the manner that othor horses are trimm'd , except the ins●de of his ears , which ( though some still continue that fashion ) ought not to be meddled with , for fear of making him catch cold . when this is done , let him have him to the farrier , and there get a sett of shoos answerable to the shape of his foot , and not to pare his foot that it may fit his shoo , as too many farriers do , not only in brabant and flanders , but here likewise . be sure let his feet be well open'd betwixt the quarters and the thrush , to prevent hoof-binding ; and let them be open'd straight , and not side-ways , for by that means in two or three shooings , his heels ( which are the strength of his feet ) will be cut quite away . pare his foot as hollow as you can , and then the shoo will not press upon it . the shoo must come near to the heel , yet not be set so close as to bruise it ; nor yet so open as to catch in his shoos , if at any time he happen to over-reach , and so hazard the pulling them off , the breaking of his hoof , or the bruising of his heel . the webbs of the shoos must be neither too broad , nor too narrow , but of a middle size , about the breadth of an inch , with slop'd spunges , and even with his foot ; for though it would be for the advantage of the travelling horse's heel , to have the shoo sit a little wider than the hoof , on both sides , that the shoo might bear his weight , and not his foot touch the ground ; yet the hunter being often forc'd to gallop on rotten spungy earth , to have them larger would hazard laming , and pulling off his shoos , as hath been shown before . there is an old proverb , before behind , and behind before ; that is , in the fore-●eet the veins lie behind , and in the hinder-seet they lie before . therefore let the farrier take care that he prick him not , but leave a space at the heel of the fore-feet , and a space between the nails at the toe . when your shoo is set on according to this direction , you will find a great deal of his hoof left to be cut off at his toe . when that is cut off● and his feet smooth'd with a file , you will find him to stand so firm , and his feet will be so strong , that he will tread as boldly on stones as on carpet-ground . by that time he is shod , i presume 't will be time to water him , therefore rake him to the river , and let him , a●ter he has drank , stand some time in the water , which will close up the holès ( according to the opinion of some horsemen ) which the driving of the nails made . then have him gently home● and having ty'd him up to the rack , rub him all over body and legs with dry straw ; then stop his feet with cow-dung , sift him a quarter of a peck of clean old oats , and give them to him ; then litter him , and leave him a sufficient quantity of old hay to serve him all night , and so leave him till the next morning . chap. iv. how to order the hunter for the first fortnight . i presume by this your horse will have evacuated all his grass , and his shoes will be so well setled to his feet , that he may be fit to be rid abroad to air without danger of surbating . therefore 't is now necessary that i begin in a more particular manner to direct our unexperienc'd groom how he ought to proceed to order his horse according to art. first then you are to visit your horse early in the morning , to wit , by five a clock if in summer , or six , if in winter , and having put up his litter under his stall , and made clean your stable , you shall then feel his ribs , his chaule and his flank , for those are the cheif signes by which you must learn to judge of the good , or evil state of your horses body , as i shall now shew you . lay your hands on the lower part of his short-ribs , near the flank , and if you feel his fat to be exceeding soft and tender , and to yield as it were under your hand , than you may be confident it is unsound , and that the least violent labour , or travail will dissolve it : which being dissolv'd , e're it be hardned by good dyet , if it be not then remov'd by scouring , the fat or grease b●longing to the outward parts of the body will fall down into his heels , and so cause gowtiness and swelling . i need not trouble you with the outward signs of this distemper , they are evident to the eye : but tho every groom can inform you when a horse is said to have the grease fallen into his heels , yet may be he cannot instruct you in the cause why travail disperseth it for a time , and when the horse is cold it returns with more violence than before . the reason therefore is this : the grease which by indiscreet exercise , and negligence in keeping is melted and fallen into his legs , standing still in the stable cools and congeals , and so unites it self with other ill humours , which flow to the affected part , so that they stop the natural circulation of the blood , and cause inflamations , and swellings as aforesaid● but travail producing warmth in his limbs thaws as it were the congeal'd humours , and disperses them throughout the body in general ; till rest gives them opportunity to unite and settle again . now tho most grooms are of opinion that this distemper is not to be prevented by care or caution , that when it has once seaz'd a horse it remains incureable ; yet they are mistaken in both , for by art it may be prevented , and by art cured : altho the cure is so difficult to be wrought , that a groom cannot be too careful to prevent it . as for the ●nward grease which is in his stomack , bag , and guts , if when once melted it be not remov'd by art , medicine and good keeping , it putrifies , and breeds those mortal diseases , which inevitably destroy the horse , tho it be half a year , or three quarters of a year after . and this is generally the source of most feavers , surfeits , consumptions , &c. and such other distempers which carry off infinite numbers of horses , for want of the farriers knowledge in the first causes of the distemper : which to prevent you shall follow the ensuing directions . after by ●eeling on his ribs you have found his fat soft and unsound , you shall feele his chaule , and if you find any fleshy substance , or great round kirnells or knots , you may be assured● that , as his outward fat is unsouud , so inwardly he is full of glut , and pursive , by means of gross and tough humours cleaving to the hollow places of the lungs stopping so his windpipe that his wind cannot find free passage , nor his body be capable of much labour . therefore the chief end and intention of art is by good sound food to enseame and harden his fat , and by moderate exercise , warm cloathing , and gentle phisick to cleanse away his inward glut , that his wind , and other parts being freed from all grossness , his courage and activity in any labour or service may appear to be more than redoubled . the same observations you must make from his flank , which you will find alwaies to correspond , with the ribs and chaule , for till he is drawn clean it will feel thick to your gripe , but when he is enseam'd , you will perceive nothing but two thin skins ; and by these three observations of the ribs , flank , and chaps , you may , at any time pass an indifferent judgment of your horses being in a good condition or a bad . when you have made these remarks ● you shall sift your horse a handful or two ( and no more ) of good old sound oates , and give them to him , to preserve his stomack from cold humours that might oppress it by drinking fasting , and likewise to make him drink the better . when he hath eaten them , pull off his coller , and rub his head , face , ears , and nape of the neck with a clean rubbing cloth made of ●emp , for 't is soveraign for the head , and dissolveth all gross and ●ilthy humours . then take a small snaffle , and wash it in fair water , and put it on his head , drawing the reins through the headstall , to prevent his slipping it over his head , and so tye him up to the rack , and dress him thus ; first in your right-hand take a curry-comb suitable to your horses skin , ( as if your horses coat be short and smooth , then must the curry-comb be blunt , but if long and rough , then m●st the teeth be long and and sharp , standing with your face opposite to the horses , hold the left cheek of the headstall in your left-hand , and curry him with a good hard hand from the root of his ears , all a long his neck to his shoulders : then go over all his body with a more moderate hand , then curry his buttocks down to the hinder cambrell with an hard hand again : then change your hand , and laying your right arm over his back , joyn your right side to his left , and so curry him gently from the top of his withers , to the lower part of his shoulder , ever now and then fetching your stroke over the left side of his breast , and so curry him down to knee , but no further : then curry him all under his belly , near his fore-bowels , and in a word all over very well , his legs under the knees and cambrels only excepted . and as you dress'd the left side , so must you the right likewise . now by the way take notice , whether your horse keeps a riggling up and down , biting the rackslaves , and now and then offering to snap at you , or lifting up his leg to strike at you , when you are currying him : if he do 't is an apparent sign of his displeasure by reason of the sharpness of the comb , and therefore you must file the teeth thereof more blunt : but if you perceive that he plays these , or such like tricks through wantonness and the pleasure he takes in the friction , then you shall ever now and then correct him with your whip gently for his waggishness . this currying is only to raise the dust , and therefore after you have thus curried him , you must take either a horse-tail ● nail'd to an handle ) or a clean dusting-cloath of cotten , and with it strike off the loose dust rais'd by your curry-comb . then dress him all over with the french-brush , both head , body , and legs to the very fet-locks , observing always to cleanse the brush from the filth it gathers from the bottom of the hair , by rubbing it on the curry-comb . then dust him the second time . then with your hand wet in water rub his body all over , and as near as you can leave no loose hairs behind you ; and with your wet hands pick and cleanse his eys , ears , nostrils , sheath , cods , and tuel , and so rub him till he be as dry as at first . then take an hair-patch , and rub his body all over , but especially his fore-bowels under his belly , his flank , and between his hinder thighs . lastly , wipe him over with a fine white linnen rubber . when you have thus drest him , take a large saddle-cloath ( made on purpose , ) that may reach down to the spurring-place , and lap it about his body ; t●en clap on his saddle , and throw a cloth over him for fear of catching cold . then take two ropes of straw twisted extream hard together● and with them rub and chase his legs from the knees and cambre●s downwards to the ground , picking his ●●tl●ck-joynts with your hands from dust , filth , and scabs . then take another hair-patch kept on purpose for his legs , ( for you must have two ) and with it rub and dress his legs also . now by the way let me give you this necessary , caution , be sure whilst you are dressing your horse let him not stand naked , his body being expos'd to the penetration of the air , whilst you are telling a banbury-story to some comrades , that accidentally come into the stable , as i have seen some grooms , that would stand lolling over their horses , when they were uncloath'd ; and trifle away their time by listning to some idle discourse ; but when you have stripp'd him fall to your business roundly , without any intermission till you have sadled him , and thrown his cloth over him . and the reason why i advise you to throw a cloth over him , whilst you are dressing his legs is this ; that although t is a general rule amongst grooms , that an horse cannot take cold whilst he is dressing , yet is that saying to be understood only of his body , not of his legs ; for the rubbing of his legs will not prevent catching cold in his body . when this is done , you shall with an iron picker pick his feet clean , ( that the stopping of his feet may not be a means of his taking up stones in them , ) comb down his main and tail with a wet main-comb , then spirt some beer into his mouth , and so draw him out of the stable . being mounted , rak● or walk him to some running river , or fresh clear spring , distant a mile or two from your stable , ( which will refine his mouth which he may have lost , during his summers running , and will likewise settle his body upon his rake , ) and there let him drink about half his draught at first , to prevent raw crudities arising in his stomach . after he hath drunk bring him calmly out of the water , and so ride him gently for a while ; for nothing is more unbeseeming a horseman , than to thrust his horse into a swift gall●p , as soon as he comes out of the water , for these three causes . first , it is not only hazards the breaking of his wind , but also assuredly endanges the incording , or bursting of him . secondly , it begets in him an ill habit of running away , as soon as he hath done drinking . lastly , the foresight he hath of such violent exercise , makes him oftentimes refuse to quench his thirst : and therefore ( as i said ) first walk him a little way , and then put him into a gentle gallop for or score , then give him wind : and after he hath been rak'd a pretty space , then shew him the water again , and let him drink what he pleases , and then gallop him again ; and thus do till he will drink no more , but be sure to observe always that you gallop him not so much as either to chafe , or sweat him . now by the way observe , that in his galloping after water , ( after the first weeks enseaming , ) if sometimes you give him a watering course sharply , of twelve or twenty score , ( as you find your horse , ) it will quicken his spirits , and cause him to gallop more pleasantly , and teach him to mannage his limbs more nimbly , and to stretch forth his body largely . when your horse hath done drinking , then rake him to the top of the next hill , ( if there be any near your watring-place , for there in the morning the air is purest , or else to some such place , as he may gain best advantage both of sun and air , and there air him a foot-pace an hour , or so long as you ( in your discretion ) shall think sufficient for the state of his body , and then ride him home . during the time of your horses airing , you will easily perceive several marks of your horses satisfaction , and the pleasure which he takes in this exercise . for he will gape , yawn , and as it were shrug his body . if he offer to stand still , to dung , or stale , which his airing will provoke , be sure give him leave , as likewise to stare about , neigh , or listen after any noise . now airing brings several advantages to the horse . first , it purifies the blood , ( if the air be clean and pure , ) it purges the body from many gross and suffocating humors , and so hardens and enseams the horses fat , that it is not near so liable to be dissolv'd by ordinary exercise . secondly , it teaches him how to let his wind rake equally and keep time with the other actions or motions of his body . thirdly , it sharpens the appetite , and provokes the stomach , ( which is of great advantage both to hunters and gallopers , who are apt to loose their stomach through excess or want of exercise ) : for the sharpness of the air will drive the horses natural heat from the exterior to the interior parts , which heat by furthering concoction creates an appetite . lastly , it increases lust and courage in him , provided he not too early air'd . but whereas mr. markam , in his way to get wealth , . pag. . directs , if your horse be very fat to air him before sun-rise , and after sun-set ; and that the author of the gentleman's iockey , . pag. . says , that nothing is more wholsome than early and late airings ; i think the contrary may be made out from experience . for in this art , all things that any ways hinder the strength and vigor of nature , are to be avoided ; now , that extreamity of cold , and being out early and late do so , is evidently seen by horses that run abroad all winter , which however hardily bred , and kept with the best care and fodder , yet cannot by any means be advanc'd to so good case in winter as an indifferent pasture will raise them to in summer . and this holding true of the nocturnal colds , must needs be verified in some proportionate measure of the morning and evening dews , and that piercing cold which is observ'd to be more intense at the opening and close of the day , than any part of the night . besides that , the d●ws and moist rimes do as much injury to a horse , as the sharpest colds or frosts : since ( as i have found by experience ) a horse any ways inclinable to catarrhs , rheums or any other cold distempers , is apt to have the humors augmented , and the disease most senbsily increasd by these early and late airings . but if he be not had forth to aire till the sun be risen , ( as you must cast to have him dress'd , and ready to lead forth against that time ) his spirits will be chear'd and comforted by that universal comforter of all living creatures ; and indeed all horses naturally desire to enjoy the sun's warmth , as you may observe by those horses which lie out all night , who as soon as the sun is risen , will repair to those places where they may have the most benefit of his beams , and by them be in part reliev'd from the coldness of the foregoing night . and besides the benefit of the sun , the air will be so mild and temperate , as it will rather invigorate than prey upon his spirits , and more increase his strength than impair it neither , tho we disallow of early and late airings , need we be at a loss to bring down our horses fat , and from being pursive , and too high in flesh , to reduce him to cleanness , and a more moderate state of body : for if you do but observe this one rule of keeping a fat horse so much longer out at a time both morning and evening , you will undoubtedly obtain your end by such long airing , joyn'd with true sound heats , which you may expect indeed , but will never find from those that are shorter , how early and late soever : for this method ioyn'd with good feeding is the best prescription can be given in this case , and t is from the length of your airings only , that you must hope to bring your horse to a perfect wind , and true courage . and therefore a horse that is 〈◊〉 in flesh , is a sitter subject to work on , than one that is low , because he is better able to endure labour , whereas the other must of necessity be so favoured in training , to improve his strength and flesh , that he is in danger ( without he be under the care of a very skilful keeper ) of proving thick winded for want of true exercise in training . when you are returned from airing , and are dismounted , lead your horse on the straw , which ( as i told you before ) should always lye before the stable door ; and there by whistling and stirring up the litter under his belly will provoke him to stale , which a little practice will bring him to , and is advantagious for the horses health , and the keeping of your stable clean ; then lead him into his staul ( which ought likewise to be well littered ) and having ty'd up his head to the empty rack , take off his saddle , rubb his body and leggs all over with the french-brush , then with the hair-patch , and last of all with the woollen cloath . then you shall cloath him with a linnen cloath next to his body , and over that a canvas cloath , and both made so fit as to cover his breast and to come pretty low down to his legs , which is the turkish way of cloathing , who are the most curious people ( saies the duke of newcastle ) in keeping their horses , and esteem them the most of any nation . over the forementioned put a body-cloath of six , or eight straps , which is better than a sircingl● and pad stuft with wisps , because this keeps his belly in shape , and is not so subject to hurt him . now these cloathes will be sufficient for him at his first stabling , because being inur'd to the cool air he will not be so apt to take cold , the weather likewise at that season being indifferently warm● but when sharp weather approaches , and that you find his hair rise about his outward parts that are uncloathed , as neck , gascoins , &c. then add another cloath , which ought to be of woolen , and for any horse bred under this climate , and kept only for ordinary hunting , this is cloathing sufficient . now the design of cloathings is only by their help joyn'd to the warmth of the stable , and the litter ( which must alwaies lye under the horse ) to keep his body in such a moderate natural heat , as shall be sufficient to assist nature , that skilful physitian in expelling her enemies , by dissolving those raw and gross humours which are subject to annoy the horse , and which would very much prejudice him if they were not removed ; which warm cloathing does in a great measure by dispersing them into the outward parts , and expelling them by sweating as he sleeps and lyes down , which will be a meanes to purge his body , and keep it clean from glut , and redundant humours . but yet ( as in all things the golden mean is best ) there is a meane to be observ'd too here : for as too few cloathes will not assist nature sufficiently in the expulsion of her enemies , so too many will force her too much , and cause weakness in your horse by too violent sweatings . therefore you must have a care of following the example of some ignorant grooms , who because they have acquired a false reputation by livi●g in some noblemans or gentlemans service , that are noted sportsmen , think they are able to give laws to all their fraternity , and therefore without any reason heap multiplicity of cloaths on the horse as if they meant to bury him in woolen . you must know , that both the temperature of the weather and the state of his body are to be observed ; and that all horses are not to be cloathed alike . your fine-skined horses , as the barb , turk , spanish horse &c. require more● clothes then our english common horses , that are bred in a colder climate , and have naturally thicker skin 's , and a longer coat . but that you may not erre i have told you already how you are to cloath your horse , a●d therefore shall only add this one general rule , that a rough coat shews want of cloaths , and a smooth coat cloathing sufficient : ever observing , that by his countenance , his dung , and other outward characters ( which i shall by and by give you more at large ) you perceive your horse to to be in health , and yet notwithstanding your horses coat still stares , you must add more cloathes till it lye ; as on the other hand if it will lye withe the assist●of a single linnen cloath it is su●●icient . but if when he has been in keeping some time , you perceive him apt to sweat in the night , 't is a sign that he is over-fed , and wants exercise : but if he sweat at his first coming from grass , you must know that there is cause rather to encrease , than diminish the cloathes i have alloted at his first housing ; for it proceeds from the foul humours which oppress nature , and when by exercise they are evacuated , nature will cease working , and he will con●tinue in a temperate state of body all the year after . when he is cloath'd up , pick his feet cleane with an iron picker , and wash his hoofs clean with a spung dipt in fair wate● , and then dry them with straw or a linnen cloath , and if there be occasion and that you find your horses legs durty , you may bathe them likewise , only you must be sure to rub them dry before you go out of your stable , then leave him on his snaffle for an hour , or more , which will assist his appetite . when an hour is expired . you shall come to him again , and having tuck'd an hardful of hay , and dusted it , you shall let your horse tease it out of your hand till he hath eaten it ; then pull off his bridle , and having rub'd his head and neck clean , with the hempen-cloth , as before , pull his eares , and stop his nostrils to make him snore , which will help to bring away the moist humours which oppress his brain , and then put on his coller , and give him a quarter of oats clean drest , in a sive , having first made his locker , or manger clean with a wispe of straw , and a c●oth . whilst he is eating his corn ● you shall sweep out your stable , and see that all things are neat about him , and turning up his cloaths , you shall rub his f●llets , buttocks , and gascoins over with the hairpatch , and after that with a woolen-cloth ; then spread a clean flannel fillet-cloth over his fillets and buttocks ( which will make his coat lye smooth ) and turn down his housing-cloaths upon it . then anoint his hoofs round from the cronet to the toe with this ointment , viz. take four ounces of venice turpentine , three ounces of bees wax , two ounces of the best rosin , one pound of dogs-grease , half a pint of train oyle , melt all these ingredients ( except the turpentine ) together , being melted remove them from the fire , and then put in the turpentine , and keep it stirring , till all be well incorporated , then put it in a gally pot , and when it is cold cover it close from dust , and reser●e it for use . after this pick his feet with an iron picker , and stop them with cow-dung ; and by this time your horse ( if he be not a very slow feeder ) will have eaten his oates , which if you find he does with a good stomack , sift him another quart , and throw them to feed him by little and little , whilst he eats with an appetite ; but if he fumbles with his corn , then give him no more at that time . and this i think a better direction than to prescribe a set quantity of provender , as all authors i have yet met with have done . for without doubt no certain quantity of meat can be allotted for all sorts of horses , any more than for all sorts of men ; and therefore proportion the quantity to the horses appetite : but be sure at all times give him his full feeding , for that will keep his body in better state and temper , and increase his strength and vigor . whereas on the contrary , to keep your horse always sharp-set , is the ready way to procure a surfeit , if at any time he can come at his fill of provender ; according to the common proverb , two hungry meales make the third a glutton . but tho you perceive he gather flesh too fast upon such home-feeding ; yet be sure not to stint him for it , but only increase his labour , and that will assist both his strength and wind. when these things are done , you shall dust a pretty quantity of hay , and throw it down to him on his litter , after you have taken it up under him ; and then shutting up the windows and stable door , leave him till one a clock in the afternoon ; at which time you shall come to him , and having rubb'd over his head , neck , fillets , buttocks , and legs , as before , with the hair-patch and woollen-cloath , you shall feed him as before . and then leave him till the time of his evening watring , ( which should be about three of the clock in winter , and four in summer ; ) and then having put back his foul litter , and swept away that and his dung , you shall dress and saddle him as before , and mounting him you shall rake him to the water , and after drinking and galloping you shall air him along by the river side , till you think it time to go home ; then order him in all points , as to rubbing , feeding , stopping his feet , &c. as you did in the morning ; and having fed him at six a clock , be sure feed him again about nine ; and having litter'd him well , and thrown him hay enough to serve him for all night , you shall leave him till the next morning . and as you have spent this day , so you must order him in all respects for a fortnight together , and by that time his flesh will be so harden'd , and his wind so improv'd ; his mouth will be so quicken'd , and his gallop brought to so good a stroke , that he will be fit to be put to moderate hunting . now during this fortnights keeping you are to make several observations , as to the nature and disposition of your horse , the temper of his body , the course of his digestion , &c. and order him accordingly . as first , if he be of a churlish disposition , you must reclaim him by severity ; if of a loving temper , you must win him by kindness . secondly , you must observe whether he be a foul feeder , or of a nice stomach ; if he be quick at his meat , and retain a good stomach , then four times of full feeding , in a day and a nights space , is sufficient ; but if he be a slender feeder , and slow at his meat , then you must give but a little at once , and often , as about every two hours , for fresh meat will draw on his appetite ; and you must always leave a little meat in his locker for him to eat at his own leisure betwixt the times of his feeding ; and when at any time you find any left , you shall swe●p it away , and give him fresh , and expose that to the sun and air , which will prevent mustiness and reduce it to its ●irst sweetness , before it was blown upon . now as to the manner of feeding , you may sharpen his stomach by change of meat , as giving one meal clean oats , another oats and split-beans , and ( when you have brought him to eat bread ) you may give him another meal of bread , always observing to give him oftenest that which he likes best ; or if you please you may give him both corn and bread at the same time , provided you give him that last which he eats best , and which has the best digestion . t is observ'd of some horses , that they are of so hot a constitution , that without they may drink at every bit they cannot eat , and those horses usually carry no belly ; in this case therefore you must let a pale of water stand continually before them , or at least offer them water at noon , besides what they fetch abroad at their ordinary times . next you are to observe the nature of his digestion , that is , whether he retains his food long , which is the sign of a bad digestion ; or whether nature does expel the dung more frequently ; which if he do , and that his dung be loose and bright ● t is a sign of a good habit of body ; but if he dung hard , and seldom , then on the contrary t is a sign of a dry body ; and therefore to remedy this , you shall once in a day give him a handful or two of oats , well wash'd in good strong ale , for this will loosen his body , and keep it moist , and you will sind it also good for his wind , notwithstand - the opinion of some to the contrary . chap v. of the second fortnights diet , and of his first hunting , and what chases are most proper to train him . by that time you have spent this fortnight , according to the foregoing rules , your horse will be in a pretty good state of body ; for the gross humors will be dry'd in his body , and his flesh will begin to be harden'd , which you will perceive ( as i told you at first ) by his chaul , his short ribs , and his flank ; for the kernels under his chaps will not feel so gross as at first they did , his flesh on his short ribs will not feel so soft and loose , nor the thin part of his flank so thick as at his first housing ; so that now you may without hazard adventure to hunt him moderately . but before i proceed , i think it necessary to clear one point , which i have heard much discuss'd amongst horsemen , which is , what sort of chase is most proper for the training of a young horse ? some being of one opinion , some of another . for some would have a horse , which is design●d either for a buck-hunter or fox-hunter , us'd from the beginning to the chase which they are design'd for . others think those chases too violent for a young horse , and therefore chuse to train him after harriers ; and of this opinion i must own my self to be , since experience has fully shewn me the advantages of the one , and the inconveniences of the other . now to prove this assertion , let us take a slight view of the several cbases which are commonly used by our nobility and gentry , where the horse is made a companion and member of the sport , and they are these ; the stag , buck , hind , fox , otter , and hare . as for the three first here mention'd , as there is not much difference in the hunting of them , so the inconveniences from each chase are in a manner the same also . for which soever you hunt , t is either in covert , or at force . now if deer be hunted in a park , they usually chuse the most woody parts of it , as a refuge from the pursuits of their enemies , which is both unpleasant to the rider , and troublesome to the horse , to follow the dogs thro the thick bushes ; and besides , usually the ground in parks is full of mole banks , trenches , &c. which is dangerous for a young horse to gallop on , till he has attain'd to some perfection in his stroke . but if they be turn'd out of the park , and be hunted at force , you will find , that as soon as you have unharbour'd or rous'd them , they will immediately make out end ways before the hounds five or six , nay sometimes ten miles , they following in full cry so swiftly , that a horse must be compell'd to run up and down hill without any intermission ; leaping hedg , ditch , and dale , nay often crossing rivers , to the great danger of the rider , as well as of the horse . so that in my opinion t is altogether improper to put a young horse to such violent labour at the first , till by practice and degrees he hath been made acquainted with hard service . now besides the swiftness and violence of this chase , and the danger of cracking his wind , and bursting his belly ; besides the straining of his limbs by such desperate riding , and the creating in a young horse a loathsomness to his labour , by undergoing such violent and unusual service ; the seasons for these chases begining about midsummer , and ending about holy-rood-tide , which is that part of the year in which the sun's heat is excessive , and so scorches the earth , that a violent chase would hazard the melting his grease , and the weight of the rider , by reason of the hardness of the ground , would occasion foundring , splents , and windgalls , insomuch that in short time the horse would prove altogether vseless . but here i cannot but desire to be rightly understood , since tho i object against these chases as impro●per for young horses , yet i do not mean that horses should be excluded this recreation ; but i would have those which are imploy'd herein , to be horses of stay'd years , and by long practice and experience have been rightly train'd to hunting . young horses ( as the duke of new-castle says ) being as subject to diseases as young children , and therefore he advises any man that would buy a horse for use in his ordinary occasions , as for iourneys , hawking or hunting , n●ver to buy a ho●se untill the mark be out of his mouth , and if he be sound of wind , limb , and sight , he will last you eight or nine years with good keeping● and never ●ail you ; and therefore ( pursues he ) i am always ready to buy for such purposes an old nag , of some huntsman , or falconer , that is ●ound , and that is the useful nag , for he gallop● on all grounds , leaps over hedges and ditches ; and this will not fail you in your journey , nor any where , and is the only nag of use for pleasure or jou●ney thus far the duke . and if it may be perm●tted ●o add to his advice , i would have them strait-bod●ed clean-timbred nags , such as may be light , nimble , and of middle stature , for those horses are not near so sub●ect ●o lamness as those of bulk and strength , the causes whereof have been already declar'd . the next chase propos'd was that of the fox , which although it be a recreation much in use , and highly applauded by the generality of the nobility and gentry ; yet with submission to their judgment i never could find that pleasure in it which has been represented to me by some of its admirers : and i am sure it is inconvenient for the training of a young horse , since it is swift without respite , aud of long continuance , both which , as i have already shew'd , are distastful to him ; but the greatest inconvenience that happens to a horse in this chase is this ; that when a fox is unkennel'd , he seldom or never betakes himself to a champion countrey , but remains in the strongest coverts , and in the thickest woods ; so that a horse can but seldom enjoy the pleasure of accompanying the hounds , without hazarding being stubb'd● , or other as dangerous accidents . the fittest horses for this chase are horses of great strength and ability , since this chase begins at christmas , which is the worst time of riding , and ends at our lady-day , when the ground is best for it . the next chase to be spoken of is the otters , which although it may seem delightful to some , yet i cannot by any means think it convenient for a horse : for he that will truly pursue this amphibious sport , must often swim his horse to the equal hazard both of the rider and the horse . but to conclude with the last , and the best of chases , and that is the hare . it is in my opinion the most pleasant and delightful chase of any whatsoever , and the most beneficial for training a young horse . it is swift , and of some indurance , like that of the fox , but far more pleasant to the horse , because hares commonly run the champion country ; and the scent not being so hot as the foxes , the dogs are oftner at default , and by that means the horse has many sobbs , whereby he recovers wind , and regains new strength . this chase begins at michaelmass , and lasts till the end of february ● now the best dogs , to bring your horse to perfection of wind and speed , are your fleet northern hounds ; for they , by means of their hard-running , will draw him up to that extraordinary speed , that he will not have time to loiter , and by continual practice will be so inur'd and habituated to the violence of their speed , that in a short time he will be able to ride on all sorts of ground , and be at such command upon the hand , that he will strike at what rate you please , and three-quarters speed will be less troublesome to him than a canterbury-gallop . i have often thought this one of the reasons why your northern breeders for the generality excel those of the south ; since certainly the speed of their hounds contributes much to the excellence of their horses , and makes them endure a four mile course without sobbs , which some horsemen call whole-running : but of this more in another place . the time being now come that he may be hunted , you shall order him on his days of rest in all points , as to his dr●ssing , hours of feeding , watring , &c. as in the first fortnight afore directed ; only since his labour is now to be increas'd , you must endeavour to increase his strength and courage likewise ; and this will be effected by adding to his oats a third part of clean old beans spelted on a mill , and as an overplus to allow him bread made after this manner . take four pecks of clean old beans , and two pecks of wheat , and grind them together , and sift the meal thro a meal-sieve of an indifferent fineness , and knead it with warm water and good store of barm , and let it lie an hour or more to swell , for by that means the bread will be the lighter , and have the easier and quicker digestion ; after which being with a brake or any other way exceedingly well-kneaded , make it up into great houshold peck-loaves , which will be a means to avoid crust , and prevent its drying too soon ; bake them thoroughly , and let them stand a good while in the oven to soke , then draw them , and turning the bottoms upwards let them stand to cool . when your bread is a day old you may venture to feed your horse with it , having first chipt away the crust ; and sometimes giving him bread , sometimes oats , and now and then oats and spelted beans , according as you find his stomach ; you need not fear but such feeding will bring him into as good condition as you need desire for ordinary hunting . when your bread is prepar'd , and you first fortnight expir'd , you must then pitch upon a day for his first going abroad after the dogs , and the day before you hunt you must always order him after this manner . in the morning proceed in your usual method as before , only observe that day to give him no beans , because they are hard of digestion , but give most of bread if you can draw him on to eat it , because it is more nourishing than oats ; and after your evening watering , which ought to be somewhat earlier than at other times , give him onely a little hay out of your hand , and no more till the next day that he returns from hunting : and to prevent his eating his litter , or any thing else but what you give him , you shall instead of a muzzle put on a cavezone joyn'd to a headstall of a bridle , being lin'd with double leather for fear of hurting him , and tying it so straight as to hinder his eating ; and this will prevent sickness in your horse , which is incident to some horses when their muzzle is set on , notwithstanding the invention of the lattice-window , now adays so much in use ; but this way your horses nostrils are fully at liberty , and he will never prove sick . but as to his corn , give him his meals , both after his watering , and at nine a clock , at which time be sure to litter him very well , that he may the better take his rest , and leave him for that night . the next morning come to him very early , as about four a clock , and having dress'd a quarter of a peck of oats very clean , put them into his locker , and pour into it a quart of good strong ale , and after having mix'd the oats and ale very well give him them to eat , whilst you put back his dung and foul litter , and make clean his stable , but if he will not eat wash'd oats then give him dry ; but be sure put no beans to them . when he has done eating , bridle him , and tie him up to the ring , and dress him . when he is dress'd saddle him ; then throw his cloth over him , and let him stand till the hounds are ready to go forth . but be sure not to draw your saddle girths straight till you are ready to mount , lest by that means he become sick . but generally old horses are so crafty , that when an ignorant groom goes to girt them up hard , they will streth out their bodies to such a bigness by holding their wind , ( on purpose to gain ease after they are girt ) that t will appear difficult to girt them ; but afterwards they let go their wind , and their bodies fa●l again . when the hounds are unkennell'd , ( which should not be till sun-rising ) go into the field along with them , and rake your horse up and down gently till a hare be started ; always observing to let him smell to other horses dung , ( if he be desirous of it ) which will provoke him to empty himself , and let him stand still when he does so : and if you meet with any dead fog , rushes , or such like , ride him upon them , and by whistling provoke him to empty his bladder . when the hare is started , you are not to follow the hounds as the other hunters do , but to con●ider , that this being the first time of your horses hunting , he is not so well vers'd in the different sorts of grounds as to know how to gallop smoothly , and with ease on them ; and therefore you are not to put him as yet to above half his speed , that he may learn to carry a staid body , and to mannage his legs both upon fallows , and greenswarth . neither are you to gallop him often , nor any long time together , for fear of discouraging him , and breeding in him a dis●ike to this exercise ; but observing to cross the fields still to your best advantage , you shall make in to the hounds at every default , and still keep your horse ( as much as these rules will allow you ) within the cry of the dogs , that he may be us'd to their cry ; and you will find , that in a very short time he will take such delight and pleasure in their musick , that he will be desirous to follow them more eagerly . now if at any time the chase be lead over any carpet ground , or sandy high-way , on which your horse may lay out his body smoothly , you may there gallop him for a quarter or half a mile , to teach him to lay out his body , and to gather up his legs , to enlarge and shorten his stroke , ● according to the different earths he gallops on , as if on green-swarth , meadow , moore● heath , &c. then to ●●oop , and run more on the shoulders ; if amongst mole-hills , or over high ridges and furrows , then to gallop more roundly , and in less compass , or according to the vulgar phrase two up and two down , that thereby he may strike his furrow clear , and avoid setting his fore-feet in the bottom of it , and by that means fall over ; but by this way of galloping , tho he should happen to set his feet in a furrow , yet carrying his body so round and resting on the hand in his gallop , would prevent his falling ; and to this perfection nothing but use , and such moderate exercise can bring him . according to these rules you may spend your time in hunting , till about three a clock in the afternoon , at which time you shall have him home in a foot pace as you came out in the morning , and besure that he be cool before you bring him out of the field ; and as you are going home● consider with your self , whether or no he hath sweat a little , ( for you must not sweat him much the first time ; ) but if not , then gallop him gently on some skelping earth , till he sweat at the roots of his ears , a little on his neck , and in his flanck , but it must be done of his own voluntary motion , without the compulsion of whip and spur : and then when he is cool as aforesaid , have him home and stable him , and besure avoid walking him in hand to cool him , for fear he cool too fast , or washing him , for fear of causing an obstruction of the natural course of the humours , ( which are thought by some horse-men to abound most in winter ) and by that means cause an inflamation in his legs , which is the parent of the scratches . when you set him up in his staul ( which must be well litter'd against his coming home ) tye up his head to the ring with the bridle , and then rub him well with dry straw all over both head , neck , fore-bowels , belly , flank , buttocks and legs ; and afterwards rub his body over with a dry cloth till there be not a wet hair left about him , then take off his saddle and rub the place where the saddle stood dry likewise , and so cloath him with his ordinary cloaths with all speed , for fear least he take cold ; and if you think him too hot throw a spare cloath over him , to prevent his cooling too fast , which you may abate when you please , and so let him stand on his snaffle two hours or more , stirring him with your whip now and then in his staul , to to keep his legs and ioynts from growing stiff . when that time is expired , and you think it may be throughout cold , then come to him , and having drawn his bridle rubbed his head , and pick'd his feet from durt and gravel which he may have gather'd abroad , put on his coller , and ●ift him a quart , or three pints of oates , and mix with them a handful of clean dusted hempseed , and give them to him ; but give him not above the quantity prescribed , for fear of taking away his stomack , which will be very much weakned through the hea● of his body , and want of water . then remove the spare-cloth ( if you have not done it before , ) for fear of keeping him hot too long , and when he has eaten his corn , throw a pretty quantity of hay clean dusted , on his litter , and let him rest two or three hours , or there abouts . whilest you are absent from him , you shall prepare him a good mash , made of half a peck of mault well ground , and water that is boiling hot , observing to put no more water than your mault will sweeten , and your horse will drink , and then stir them together with a rudd●r , or stick and then cover it over with cloths , till the water has extracted the strength of the malt , which will be evident to your taste and touch , for t will be almost as sweet as honey , and feel ropy like birdlime ; then when it is cold , that you can scarce perceive it to smoak ● offer it to your horse , but not before , lest the steam ascend into his nostrils , and thereby offend him with its scent ; and when he has drunk the water , let him if he please eat the malt also . but if he refuse to drink , yet you must give him no other water that night , but by placing it in one corner at the head of his stall , in such manner that he may not throw it down , ( which you may effect by nailing a spar across before the bucket ) let it stand by him all night , that he may drink at his pleasure . now you will find this mash , or ( as some call it ) horse-caudle , very beneficial to your horse on several accounts ; for it will comfort his stomach , and keep his body in a due temperate heat after his days hunting ; it will cleanse and bring away all manner of grease and gross humours , which have been dissolved by this days labour , and the fume of the malt-grains , after he has drunk the water , will disperse watry humours , which might otherwise annoy his head , and is allow'd by all horsemen to be very advantageous on that account . when he has eaten his mash , then strip him of his clothes , and run him over with your curry-comb , french brush , hair patch , and wollen cloath , and clothe him up again , and then cleanse his legs as well as his body of all dirt and filth which may annoy them , as you have been directed in dressing ; th●n remove him into another stall ( that you may not wet his litter ) and bathe his legs all over from the knees with warm beef-broth , or , which is better , with a quart of warm vrine , in which four ounces of salt-peter hath been dissolv'd ; then rub his legs dry as when you came in from water , set him into his stall , and give him a good home-feeding of oats , or bread , ( which he likes best ) or both , and having shook good store of litter under him , that he may rest the better , and thrown him hay enough for all night on it , shut up your stable close , and leave him to his rest till morning . the next morning come to him betwixt six and seven a clock , for that is time enough , because the mornings rest is as pleasant a●d refreshing to the horse as it is to a man , for then the meat being concocted the sleep is more sweet , and the brain is at that time more thin and pure . if he be laid disturb him not , but stay till he rises of his own accord , ( aud to know this you ought to have a private peep-hole ) but if he be risen , then go to him , and the first thing you must do is to put back his dung from his litter , and to observe what colour it is of : observe whether it be greasie , and shining outwardly , and break it with your feet , that you may see whether it be so inwardly ; for if it be greasie and foul either within or without , ( which you may know by its outward shining , and by spots like soap , which will appear within ) or if it appear of a dark brown colour , and harder than it was , it is a sign that your former days hunting was beneficial to him , b● dissolving part of the inward glu● which was within him ; and therefore the next time you hunt you must increase his labour but a little . but if you perceive no such symptoms , but that his dung appears bright , and rather soft than hard , without grease , and in a word that it holds the same pale yellow colour it did before you hunted him , then t is a sign that days hunting made no dissolution , but that his body remains in the same state still , and therefore the next days hunting you may almost double his labour . when you have made these remarks from his dung , you shall then proceed to order him as in his days of rest ; that is to say , you shall give him a handful or two of oats before water ; then dress , water , air , feed , &c. as in the first fortnight . now as to his feeding you must remember the way i have already shew'd , of changing his food ; as giving him one while bread , another oats , a third time oats and beans , which you find he likes best ; observing always , that variety will sharpen his appetite . but bread being his chief food , as being more nourishing and strong than the others , you must feed him often'st with it . and as in the first fortnight i directed you to observe his digestion , whether it were quick or slow , so likewise must you do now that he begins to eat bread. if you ●ind him quick , and that he retains his bread but a little while , then ( as i have already directed ) you shall only slightly chip your bread ; but if he be slow , and retains it long , cut away all the crust , and give it to some other horse , and feed your hunter only with the crum ; for that being light of digestion soon converts to chyle and excrements , but the crust being slow of digestion requires by reason of its hardness longer time before it be concocted . the next day after he has rested , you shall hunt him again as you did the first day , observing from the remarks you have made , to hunt him more or less , according as you find the temper and constitution of your horse ; and when you are return'd home , observe to put in practice the same rules which you have just now read ; and thus hunt your horse three times a week for a fortnight together , observing to give him his full feeding , and no other scowrings but mashes , and hempseed , which is equal in its vertue to the former , and only carries off superfluous humours in the dung. and here before i conclude this chapter , i cannot but take notice of the abuse of scowrings , and my own ignorance , being led away by the perswasions and my mistaken opinion of other mens skill , who because they could talk of giving a scowring , ( tho experience has since taught me , that they never knew the operation of them , nay nor the disposition of the horses which they kept ) i thought most eminent and skilful horse-doctors . but indeed i found to my cost , that my ignorance led me into the same mistake with those men , that take physick by way of prevention , and by that means render their bodies more lyable to diseases , their pores being so much opened by physick . in like manner i found that tho i bought horses of sound and strong constitutions , yet by following the false rules and practices of others i quickly brought them to weak habits of body ; and by continually using them to unnecessary physick , to be tender , and apt to take cold and surfeits on every small occasion : which taught me to know , that as kitchen physick is best for a man , ( unless he languish under some more than ordinary distemper ) so natural and true sound feeding is best for a horse , it strengthning his constitution , and keeping his body in good temper ; for a horse that is full-fed with good natural diet is not subject to costiveness ; and from hence i infer , that a horse which is sound , and in health , and of a strong constitution , needs little physick more than good wholsom meat , and his fill of it , provided you order him as he ought to be when he is come from hunting . but as horses no more than men are free from distempers , but by reason of abuses and unkind masters are rather more liable to them , ( it being become a proverb , as many diseases as a horse ) ; so when at any time they happen recourse must be had to physick ● and as it is good in its true use , so i shall in the subsequent part of my discourse set down when , and what manner of scourings are useful , and how they are to be applied with skill , and safety ; of which in its proper place . chap. vi. of the horses third fortnights keeping , and first thorough-sweating . by this time your horse will be drawn so clean , his flesh will be so inseam'd , and his wind so improv'd , that he will be able to ride a chase of three or four miles without much blowing , or sweating ; and you will ●ind by his ●haul and flank , as well as his ribs , that he is in an indifferent good state of body , and therefore this next fortnight you must increase his labour , by which means you will come to a true knowledge of what he is able to do ; and whether or no he will ever be sit for plates , or a match . when your horse is set over night , and fed early in the morning , ( as in the last fortnights preparation for hunting was directed ) then go into the field with him , and when your horse is empty , as he will ●e by that time you have started your game , you shall follow the dogs at a good round rate , as at half-speed , and so continue till you have kill'd or lost your first hare . this will so rack your horses wind , and by this time he will have so emptied himself , that he will be sit to be rid the next chase briskly ; which as soon as begun you shall follow the dogs at three quarters speed , as near to them as is consistent with the discretion of a good horseman , and a true huntsman ; but be sure as yet not to strain him . during this daies riding you shall observe your horse's sweat , under his saddle , and forebowels , if it appear white like froth , or soap-sudds , 't is a sign of inward glut and foulness , and that your daies sport was fully sufficient , and therefore you shall have him home , and order him as before you are directed . but if your sport has been so i●different , as not to sweat your horse thoroughly , then you shall make a train-sent of four miles long , or thereabout , and laying on your fleetest dogs , ride it briskly , and then having first cool'd him in the field , ride him home and use him as aforesaid . now that i may not leave you in ignorance what a train-scent is , i shall acquaint you that it has its name , as i suppose , from the manner of it , viz. the trailing or dragging of a dead cat , or fox , ( and in case of necessity a red-herring ) three or four miles , ( according to the will of the rider , or the directions given him ) and then laying the dogs on the scent . but this caveat let me give all huntsmen , to to keep about two or three couple of the fleetest hounds you can possibly procure for this purpose only . for although i have seen skillful sportsmen use their harriers ● in this case , for their diversion yet i would perswade them not to use them to it often ; for it will teach them to lie off the line , and ●ling so wide , that they will never be worth any thing . when you unbridle your horse , give him instead of hempseed and oates , a handsome quantity of rye bread , ( to which end i would advise you to bake a peck loaf for this purpose ) which being cold and moist will assist in cooling his body after his labour , and prevent co●tiveness , to which you will find him addicted , then give him hay , and afterwards a mash , and then order him in all points as formerly . the next morning if you perceive by his dung that his body is distempred , and he is hard and bound , then take some crumms of your rye-bread and work it with as much sweet fresh butter as will make it into paste , and then making it into balls about the bigness of a large wallnut , give him or of them in the morning fasting ; and then setting on your saddle upon his cloth , mount him● and gallop him gently in some adjoyning grass-plat , or close till he begin to sweat under his eares , then lead him into the stable , and let him be well rub'd , and throwing a spare cloth over him , and good store of fresh litter under him , let him stand two hours on the bridle , then give him a quantity of rye-bread , then throw him some hay to chew upon , and after that get him another warm mash , and then feed him with bread and corn as much as he will , and be sure to allow him what hay he will eat . the next day water him abroad , and order him as in his daies of rest . the day following hunt him again● but by no meanes so severely as you did the time before till the afternoon , but then ride him after the dogs briskly , and if that does not make him sweat throghly make another train-scent , and follow the dogs three quarters speed , that he may sweat heartily . when you have a little cooled him , have him home , and upon his first entrance into the stable give him two or three balls as big as wallnuts , of this most excellent scowring ; viz. take butter four ounces , lenitive electuary two ounces , gromell broom and parsly seeds , of each one ounce , aniseeds , liquorish and cream of tartar , of each half an ounce , iallap an ounce make the seeds into powder , and stir them into a paste , with the electuary and the butter ; knead it well , and keep it close in a pot for use . as soon as you have given your horse these balls rub him dry , then dress him and cloath him up warm and let him stand two or three hours on the snaffle , then give him two or three handfulls of rye-bread , and order him as you did before as to hay provinder , mash &c. and so leave him till the morning . then come to him and first observe his dung whether it keep the true colour , or whether it appear dark , or black , or red and high coloured ; next whether it be loose and thin , or hard and dry . if it be of the right colour i mean pale yellow t is a sign of health , strength and cleanness ; if it be dark , or black , then t is a sign there is grease and other ill humours stirred up which are not yet evacuated : if it be red and high coloured , then t is a token that his blood is feaverish and distempered through inward heat : if it be loose and thin , t is a sign of weakness , but if hard and dry , it shews the horse to be hot inwardly , or else that he is a foul feeder : but if his dung carry a medium betwixt hard and soft , and smell strong , t is a sign of health and vigour . when these observations have been taken notice of concerning his dung , then you shall feed , dr●ss , water , &c. as in his former days of rest ; observing always to give variety , and his belly full of corn and bread. the next have him abroad in the field again , but by no means put him to any labour , further than to rake him from hill to hill after the dogs , to keep him within ●ound of their cry ; for the design of this day 's exerci●e is only to keep him in breath , and get him an appetite . observe as you ride , that you let him stand still to dung ; and look back on it that you may draw inferences from the faces . when the day is well nigh spent bring him home without the least sweat , and o●der him as at other times , only observe to give no scourings , nor rye-bread . you may if you please wa●●r your horse this day , both at your going into the field and at your coming home , observing to gallo● after it , to warm the water in his belly . the next is a day of rest. in the same manner in every respect as you have spent this week you must spend the next likewise , without alteration in any point ; and by that time assure your self that your horse will be drawn clean enough fo● any ordinary hunting ; so that afterward observing to hunt your horse moderately twice or thrice a week , according to your own pleasure , and the consti●ution of your ho●ses body , you need not question but to have him in as good state and strength as you would de●●●e , without danger of his wind , eye-sight , f●e● , or b●dy . now wh●● you have thus according to art drawn your ho●●e clean , you will perceive those signs which i told you of , verified ; for his flesh on his short ribs and buttocks will be as hard as a board , his flank will be thin , and nothing to be felt but a double skin , and chaps so clean from fat , glut or kernels , that you may hide your fists in them ; and above all his exercise will give plain demonstration of the truth of this art , for he will run three or four miles three quarters speed without sweating , or scarce blowing , i say when this is perfected , you must avoid all scourings after hunting , ( because nature has nothing to work on ) but rye-bread and a mash , except your horse be now and then troubled with some little poze in the head ; and then you shall bruise a little mustard seed in a fine linnen rag , and steep it in a quart of strong ale for three or four hours , and then untying the rag mix the mustard-seed and the ale with a quarter of a pe●k of oats , and give it your horse . lastly , when your horse is drawn clean , you must beware that he grows not foul again thro want of either airing , or hunting , or any other negligence , lest by that means you procure to your self and your horse double pains and labour , and no thanks from your master . chap. vii . of making a hunting-match , its advantages and disadvantages . since many persons of honour delight in good horses , both for hunters as well as gallopers , it may not be improper to speak a word in this place concerning the advantages or disadvantages which happen in making of hunting-matches ; since he that proceeds cautiously and upon true grounds in matching his horse is already in a great measure sure of gaining the prize , at least if the proverb be true , that a match well made is half won . the first thing to be consider'd by him that designs to match his horse , for his own advantage and his horses credit , is this ; that he do not flatter himself in the opinion of his horse , by fancying that he is swifter than the wind , when he is but a slow galloper ; and that he is whole-running , ( that is , will run four miles without a sobb at the height of his speed ) when he is not able to run a mile . and the ground of this error i suppose arises from a gentleman 's being mistaken in the speed of his hounds , who for want of tryal against other dogs that have been really fleet , has suppos'd his own to be swift , when in reality they were but of middle speed ; and because his horse ( when trained ) was able to follow them all day , and at any hour to command them upon deep as well as light earths , has therefore falsly concluded him to be swift as the best ; but upon tryal against a horse that has been rightly train'd after hounds that were truly fleet , has to his cost bought his experience , and been convinc'd of his error . therefore i would perswade all lovers of hunters to get two or three couple of try'd hounds , and once or twice a week to follow after them a train-scent ; and when he is able to top them on all sorts of earth , and to endure heats and colds stoutly , then he may the better re●ie on his speed and toughness . that horse which is able to ride a hare-chase of five or six miles briskly , and with good courage , till his body be as it were bath'd in sweat ; and then upon the death of the hare , in a nipping frosty morning can endure to stand still , till the sweat be frozen on his back , so that the cold may pierce him as well as the heat ; and then even in that extremity of cold to ride another chase , as briskly and with as much courage , as he did in the former : that horse which can thus endure heats and colds oftenest is of most value amongst sports-men . and indeed t is not every horse that is able to endure such extraordinary toyl ; and i my self have seen very brave horses to the eye , that have rid the first chase to admiration , that when the cold had struck to them , and they began to grow stiff , have flagg'd the second , a●d given quite out the third heat . therefore to make a judgment of the goodness of your own horse , observe him after the death of the first hare , if the chase has been any thing brisk : if when he is cold , he shrinks up his body , and draws his legs up together , t is an infallible token of want of courage ; and the same you may collect from the slackning of his girths after the first chase , and from the setting of his teeth , and the dulness of his countenance ; all which are true marks of faintness , and tyring ● and therefore there is no reliance on such a horse , in case of a wager . but if on the contrary , you are master of a horse ( not only in your own judgment , but in the opinion of knowing horsemen ) that is approv'd for speed , and toughness , and you are desirous to match him , or otherwise to run for a plate ; i will to the best of my power tell you the advantages that are to be gain'd in matching . but before i enter upon the subject propos'd , i think it convenient to tell you the way our ancestors had of making their matches , and our modern way of deciding wagers . first then the old way of tryal was by running so many train-scents after hounds , as was agreed on between the ●arties concern'd and a bell-court , this being found not so uncertain and more durable than hare-hunting , and the advantage consisted in having the trains led on earth most suitable to the nature of the horses . now others chose to hunt the hare till such an hour prefix●d , and then to run the wild-goose-chase , which , because it is not known to all huntsmen , i shall explain the use and manner of it . the wildgoose chase received its name from the manner of the flight which is made by wildgeese , which is generally one after another : so the two horses after the running of twelvescore yards , had liberty , which horse soever could get the leading , to ride what ground he pleas'd ; the hindmost horse being bound to follow him , within a certain distance agreed on by articles , or else to be whipt up by the triers or iudges which rode by , and which ever horse could distance the other won the match . but this chase was found by experience so inhu●ane , aud so destructive to good horses , especially when two good horses were match'd ; for neither being able ●o distance the other , till ready both to sink under their riders through weakness , oftentimes the match was fain to be drawn , and left undecided , tho both the horses were quite spoyl'd . this brought them to run trainscents , which afterwards was chang'd to three heats , and a straight course ; and that the lovers of hunting-horses might be encourag'd to keep good ones , plates have been erected in many places of this land , purposely for hunters , and some their articles exclude all others , ( namely gallopers ) from running . but whether you design to match your horse against any one horse in particular , or to put him in for a plate , where he must run against all that come in general ; yet t is necessary that you know the nature and disposition of your horse , before you venture any wager on his head ; that is to say , whether he ●e hot and fiery , or cool and temperate in riding ; whether he be very swift , but not hard at bottom , or slow , but yet sure , and one that will stick at mark ; on what sort of earths he most delights to gallop on , whether to climb or run down hills● or else to skelp on a flat ; whether to run on de●p , or light grounds ; whether on rack-ways , or carpet-ground ; whether amongst mole-hills , or on meadow ground ; whether he be well-winded , or thick winded , so that tho he will answer a spur , and mend upon lapping , yet he must have ease by sobs . all these things must be known , to the end that you may draw those advantages from them which may be offer'd in matching ; as this for example . if your horse be hot and fiery , t is odds but he is fleet withall ( for generally those horses are so ) and and delights to run upon light and hard flats ; and must be held hard by the rider that he may have time to recover wind by sobb● ; or else his fury will choak him . but whereas it is the general opinion that nothing that is violent can be lasting ; and therefore that it is impossible that such hot mettled horses can be tough and hard at bottom , this i conceive may be but a popular errour ; for i have sometimes seen by art those two qualities reconciled , at least so far , as to make the most fiery horse managable , and to endure both whip and spur ; and then tho he should not prove at bottom so truly tough as the craving drudge , yet by his riders management his speed shall answer it in all points and serve in its stead ; but to return to my subject .. the best way to match such a horse is to agree to run train-scents and the fewer the better for you , before you come to the course : also in these train-scents the shorter you make your distance the better : and above all things be sure agree to have the leading of the first trayn , and then making choice of such grounds as your horse may best shew his speed , and the fleetest doggs you can procure , give your hounds as much law before you , as your tryers will allow , and then making a loose try to win the match with a wind ; but if you faile in this attempt then beare your horse , and save him for the course at last . but if your horse be slow , yet well winded , and a true spurr'd nagg ; then the more trainscents you run before you come to run the straight course the better . observing here too , to gain the leading of the first train , which in this case you must lead it upon such deep earths that it may not end near any light ground . for this is the rule received among horsemen that the next train is to begin where the last ends , and the last train is to be ended at the starting post o● the course . therefore observe to end your last on deep earths as well as the first . in the next place have a care of making a match of a suddain , and in drink , for fear least you repent when you are sober . neither make a match against a horse , which you do not know , without first consulting some skilfull or trusty friend , on whose iudgment and honesty you can safely rely , and who is able to give a good account of your adversaries horse's speed and his manner of riding ; and if you find him any ways correspondent to your own in speed or goodness be not too peremptory to venture , but upon some reasonable probabilities of winning : for t is neither braggs nor fancy that will make your horse run one jot the better , or your adversarys the worse : and remember this , that there is no horse so good , but there may be another as good ; and then if you proceed on good grounds , and true iudgment , you may be the bolder to go on , and stand to your match , notwithstanding the opinion of other men may be against you . one material advise i had like to have forgot and that is this ; be sure at no time give advantage of weight , for you will find the inconvenience of it at the latter end of the day : for tho a horse feel it not when he is fresh , yet it will sink him very much when he grows weak : a horse-length lost by odds of weight in the first train , may prove a distance in the streight course at last ; for the weight is the same every heat tho his strength be not . but if on the other side you gain any advantage of weight , article that the horseman shall ride so much weight as you are agreed on , besides the saddle , for by this means the rider ( if he be not weight of him self ) must carry the dead weight somewhere about him , which will be troublesome to the rider as well as the horse ; and the more to the latter , since t is more remote from his back then if it were in the saddle , and by consequence will more disorder his stroke if the rider incline to either side then if it were nearer the center ; as you may see by a pair of scales , where if the pin be not placed exactly in the midst of the beam , the longest part ( as being most distant from the center ) will be the heaviest . now as to the time that you take for dyeting , that must be according to the nature of your horse , and the present state of body he is in ; for tho he may be clean enough for ordinary hunting , yet he may be far distant from that perfect state of body , that is required in a match , and to keep him in such strict dyet all the season , ( except on such extraordinary occasions ) would be an unnecessary expence . as to your horses disposition for running , you must know it by use and observation , for in this point horses very much differ , for some run best when they are high in case , others when they are in middle condition of flesh , and some again when they appear to the eye poor , and low in flesh ; there fore according to your horses nature , and the time required to bring him into his best state , you must order your day for the tryal of your match to be . but if you design to put him in for some hunting plate ; there neither the choice of your ground , the weight , nor the horses you are to run against are at your disposal , but you must take them as you find them ; only the time for b●inging your horse into a good condition is at your own discretion , since you may begin as soon or as late as you please to keep him in strict dyet , the time for all plates being usually sixt , and annually the same . chap. ix . of the ordering the hunter , for a match or a plate . when you have either matcht your horse , or entertained thoughts of putting him in for a plate , you must consider that you ought to reserve a month at the least , to draw his body perfectly clean , and to resine his wind to that degree of perfection which art is capable of attaining to . first then you must take an exact view of the state of his body ; both outwardly and inwardly ● as whether he be low or high in flesh , or whether he be dull and heavy when abroad , and this occasioned through too much hard riding , or through some grease that by hunting has been dissolved , but for want of a scowring has not been removed . if he appear sluggish and melancholy from either of these causes , than give him half an ounce of diapente in a pint of good old malligo sack , which will both cleanse his body , and revive his spirits : and then for the first week you shall feed him continually with bread , oats and split beans , giving him sometimes the one and sometimes the other , according as h● likes , always leaving some in his locker to eat at his own leisure when you are absent ; and when you return at your hours of feeding to take away what is left , and to give him fresh till you have made him wanton and playfull . to which end you shall observe that though you ride him every day morning and evening on airing , and every other day on hunting , yet you are not to sweat him , or put him to any violent labour , the design this week being to keep him in wind and breath , and to prevent pursiveness . but you are to observe that both your oats , beans and bread are to be now ordered after another manner then you did before , for first you must dry your oats well in the sun , then put them into a clean , bag and beat them soundly with a flail or cudgel , till ●ou think th●y are hulled ; then take them out of the bagg and winnow them clean both from hulls and dust and so give them to your horse as you have occasion . your beans in like mann●r must be separated from the hulls which are apt to breed glut , and must either be thrown away or given amongst chaf to some more ordinary horse . and for your bread whereas before you only chipt it , now you must cut the crust clean away , and dispose of it as you please ; for t is hard of digestion , and will be apt to heat and dry his body . and now that you are to put him into stricter keeping , you are to make a finer sort of bread then before , as thus ; take two pecks of beans , and two of wheat , and grind them together , but not too fine , to prevent too much bran being in the bread ; and dress one peck of the meal through a ●ine range , and knead it up with new ale-barm , and the whites of a dozen new layd eggs , and so bake it in a loaf by it self , and the rest dress through a boulter , and knead it only with ale and barm ; and use it in all other points as the former : now the peck-loaf is to be given your horse when you set him , and the other at ordinary times . this bread assists nature much in increasing the strength , courage and wind of your horse , provided you add thereto ( as i have always told you ) true labour , as any bread whatsoever ; nay even as either of m. de-greys sorts of bread , which he mentions in his compleat horseman p. . ed. especially his last , which he says is better bread , and a greater cooler ; and which he prescribes to make thus , take wheat meal one peck , rye-meal , beans and oat-meal , all ground very small , of each half a peck , aniseeds , and licorish , of each one ounce , white sugar-candy four ounces all in fine powder , the yolks and whites of twenty eggs well beaten , and so much vvhite-wine as will knead it into a paste , make this into great loaves , bake them well , and after they be two or three days old , let him eat of this bread , but chip away the out side . now the reason why i have cited this is , because i have heard several ( who would be thought knowing horsemen ) applaud this very bread beyond any other to be met with in any book , tho for my part i can find nothing excellent in the whole composition . for first oat-meal tho it be strong , yet it is a dry grain , hard of digestion , and a great dryer up of the blood. the wheat is of a drying quality likewise , tho it be light ; for the aniseed and licorish , they are not only physical but hot also ; so that the body becomes over heated , and thereby costive . and yet these people will not be perswaded , but these drugs will make him long-winded ; possibly they might assist him in neighing , as some men say it doth songsters in vocal musick , wherein there is no exercise of the body used ; but where bodily strength is required , i am apt to believe it more prejudicial than pro●itable . but here some will object that there is rye and beanes both which are moist●ing ; especially the rye wh●ch is both cold and moyst , and is the very reason de grey himself gives why he put rye into his latter bread , because ( says he ) rye is a loosner and a cooler , and therefore it will make the horse more soluble . i have already said , that if his body have feeding proportionate to his labour , the horse will continue in a right state ●f health . yet since he is hot by nature , and labour might increase his natural heat , and render him costive , therefore i have all along prescrib'd him rye-bread alone as physical . but here let the horse be in what condition soever , whether bound in his body or laxative , yet rye being a part of your bread , ●our horse must continually feed thereon , which has this undeniable disadvantage , that if he be loose in his body , this bread ( to use de grey's own words ) will make him more soluble . and now whilst i am discoursing of horsebread , i cannot be condemn another curiosity in some feeders , who think , by dressing their meal to the utmost degree of fineness they do wonders , and that such pure food must of necessity bring him to the greatest perfection imaginable both of body and wind. but in this point i think they are deceiv'd , for the meal being dress'd so very fine , nothing remains but the quintessence of it ; which tho it be lightned by barm and whites of eggs , yet when it is above a day old t will begin to harden , ( as may be observ'd by manchet ) and especially if oatmeal be in it , by reason of its drying quality , whereby it will not be so easie of digestion , as it would be otherwise if it had no bran in it ; and by consequence will be more apt to oppress his stomach , if he be heated , before it be throughly digested , and so breed raw crudities , and an in●lammation of the blood , and by that means hazard a sur●eit , than which nothing can be of worse consequence to a horse that is match'd . and therefore t is that i advise , that your horse-bread should only be made of wheat and beans , and that it should not be dress'd too fine , nor too course , but so , as that there may be neither so much bran left as to annoy the blood , nor so little as to make your bread too close and solid ; but you may leave some on purpose to scowr the maw , and further your horses digestion . and thus much by way of digression . having spoken to the first condition of horses which we propos'd , viz. melancholly , and low in flesh , we are now to speak of those which are brisk and lively ; which if your horse be so , that when you lead him out of the stable he will leap and play about you , then you must not only avoid giving him the scowring last mention'd of sack and diapente , but any other whatsoever : for there being no foul humours , or any super●luous matter left in his body for the physick to work on , it will prey upon the strength of his body , and by that means weaken it , which it must be your utmost endeavour to preserve by full feeding and sound labour , which will necessarily produce a perfect wind , which is the support of strength , for when his wind once fails , his strength avails nothing . as to the manner of it , if your horse be ingag'd in a hunting-match , you shall sweat him twice this week , but not by hunting him after the hare , as formerly , but by train-scents , since the former on this occasion may prove deceitful ; for tho the hounds be very swift , yet the scent being cold the dogs will often be at fault , and by that means the horse will have many sobs , so that when he comes to run train-scents in earnest your horse will look for ease , his wind being not so perfect as in art it ought to be . therefore lead your train-scents with a dead cat over such grounds as you are likely to run on and best agrees with yous horses humour , and be sure make choice of the fleetest hounds you can get , and then your horse will be kept up to the hight of his speed . as to the number of train-scents that you are to ride at a time , ●hat you must order according to your match , or ( which is better ) according to your horse's strength , and ability for performing his heats . for if you labour him beyond his strength , t will take him off his speed , weaken his limbs , and daunt his spirit . if you give him too little exercise , it will give opportunity for pursiveness and ill humours , as glut , &c. to increase in him , and gain in him a habit of laziness , that when he comes to be put to labour above his usual rate , he will grow restiff , and settle like a iade , either of which will redound to your discredit , and therefore it must be from your own knowledge in the state of his body , and not from any general directions in writing , that you must steer your course only this direction may be given you , that if you are to run eight train-scents and the straight course , more or less , you are to put him to such severe labour not above twice in your whole months keeping ; and and if it be in the first fortnight , t will be the better , for then he will have a compleat fortnight to recover his strength again ; and for his labour in his last fortnight , let it be proportionate to his strength and wind , as sometimes half his task , and then three parts of it . only observe , that the last tryal you make in the first fortnight be a train-scent more than your match , for by that means you will find what he is able to do . and for the proportion of his exercise , twice a week ( as i have already said ) is sufficient to keep him in breath , and yet will not diminish or injure his vigour . but if your hunting-match be to run sewer train-scents , then you may put him to his whole task the oftner , according as you find him in condition ; only observe that you are not to strain him for ten daies at least before he ride his match , that he may be led into the field in perfect strength and vigour . if you intend him for a plate , let him take his heats according to this direction , only let it be on the place , that he may be acquainted with the ground ; and as for the hounds you may omit them , as not being ty'd to their speed , but that of your adversaries horse's . but as to your number of heats , let them be according to what the articles exact ; only observe that as to the sharpness of them , they must be regulated according to the temper of his strength , and the purity of his wind. and when you heat him provide some horses upon the course to run at him , which will quicken his spirits , and encourage him , when he finds he can command them at his pleasure . and here too the same rule must be observed , not to give your horse a bloody heat for ten daies or a fortnight before the plate be to be run for : and let his last be●t which you give him before the day of tryal be in all his cloathes , and just skelp it over ; which will make him run the next time much more vigorously , when he shall be stript naked , and feel the cold air pierce him . but now that i am speaking of sweating , it may be expected that i should lay down some rules how to order a horse that is in keeping for a match in frosty weather , or in case he be an old strain'd horse , so that you dare not heat him in hard weather , for fear of lameing him a fresh . in these cases some horsemen have practic'd sweating their horse in the house , by laying on him multiplicity of cloathes , being first made hot at the fire ; which is the most unnatural way of sweating a horse that can be , since 't is provok'd by heat arising from the outward parts , and is too violent , the extreamity of the heat joyn'd to the weight of the cloathes , not only weakning , but almost smothering him . the next way in use , is to give him his heat a●road , as i just now mention'd in his cloathes , but this too is not so natural and kindly , as without his cloathes , since here too the heat is augmented from without , and consequently abates his strength the more , and yet doth not altogether so well improve his wind. therefore if either you have a horse that has been strain'd , or otherwise the weather be unseasonable , find out some dead iog , or sandy way , though of but half a miles length , and there breath your horse till he sweat as you would have him . i remember to have heard of a gentleman having match'd his horse for a very considerable summ ; and the weather proving hard , took this course to keep his horse in breath ; he caused straw , and foul litter to be spread all along round an adjoyning close , and every morning his servnats shook it up and turn'd it , to keep it hollow and soft , and then the horse was had forth to gallop on it after his water , and by this meanes kept his horse in tollerable wind. now during this month both on his resting-daies , and after his sweats on heating-daies , you are to observe the same rules which you were taught in the first week of your third fortnights keeping ; only you are to omit all scourings , but rye-bre●d and mashes ; since your horse being in so perfect a state of body has no need of any . only if you think there may be any occasion , and that your horse prove thirsty , about eight or nine a clock at night you may give him this ●ulip to cool him and quench his thirst. take barly-water two quarts : of syrrup of violets ounces , of syrrup of lemmons ounces , mix them together , and give them to your horse to drink ; if he refuse , fasten it from falling as you did the mash , and so let it stand by him all night . during the last fortnight , you must not only dry your oats , and hull them by beating , but likewise take half a strike of oats and wash them in the whites of a dozen or twenty eggs , and stirring them therein let them soke all night ; then the next morning take them and spread them abroad in the sun , till they be as dry as at first , and so give them to your horse , and when they are spent prepare more in the same manner . this food is light of digestion , and very sovereign for his wind. ●is beans must be order'd as before , only give them not so frequently , if he will eat his oats without them ; and for his bread this fortnight let it be three parts wheat to one of beans , and let it be ordered as before directed . and likewise if you find him inclin'd to costiveness forget not to relieve nature by giving him oats wash'd in two or three whites of eggs and ale beat together ; for that , as i have told you already , will cool his body , and keep it moist . during the last week omit giving him a mash , only give the barly-water as before ; but as to hay let him have as much as he will eat ( which will not be much , if he have his fill of better food ) till a day before he is to ride his match , but then you must hold your hand , that he may have time to diges● that which he has eaten , and then and not before you may muzzle him with your cavezone ; and be sure that day , and so till the morning he is led out , to feed him as much as possible , for such a days labour will require something to maintain strength . therefore in the morning , an hour before you are to lead out , give him a tost or two of white-bread steept in sack ● which will revive his spirits , and so lead him into the field . but if you are to run for a plate , which usually is not till three a clock in the after-noon , then by all means have him out early in the morning to air , that he may empty his body , and when h● is come in from airing feed him with tosts in sack ; for you must consider , that as too much fulness will endanger his wind , so too long fasting will cause faintness . when he has ●aten what you think fit to give him , put on his cavezone , and then having chaf'd his legs soundly with piece-grease and brandy warm'd together , or train-oyl , ( which ought likewise to be us'd daily at noon for a week ● before the match , or longer if you see cause , ) shake up his litter , and shutting up your stable close , and preventing any noise to be made near him , leave him to his rest till the hour come that he is to go into the field . as to platting his main and tail , shooing him with plates , pit●hing his saddle and girths , and the like preparations , they are things which every groom can instruct you in , and therefore i shall not trouble you with rules concerning them , but in lieu thereof shall add some farther directions how to judge of the state of your horses body , and if you find any thing amiss therein how to redress it . chap ix . of the means to judge of your horses state of body , and of curing all casualties that may happen a●ter matching . there are several observations to be made by you during your dieting your horse , which if you miscarry in , may be the loss of your match , or your share in the plate . therefore , that you may know how to proceed regularly in this ar● , i shall endeavour to summe them up . first then you are to observe his chaule , his ribs , and his flank , according to the rules formerly laid down ; for if he be clean within , he will also be clean there ; but yet he may feel clean there , when he is not clean within ; and therefore those grooms are very conceited , who upon their first view of a horse and handling of his flank , pronounce him to be in a true state of body ; for gentle airing , warm cloathing , scanty feeding , may disperse the gross fat and glut , and drive it from the outward parts , so that he may appear clean , when in reality he is not so : and therefore you are only a competent iudg , who know how he was cleansed . therefore you are to observe , first , whether in all points you have proceeded according to art in his training ; as whether he performs his heats with vigor aud true courage , whether he have been all along home-fed , whether you have not suffer'd pursi●eness to increase by too little labour , or abated his flesh and strength by too much . these things are the very grounds of keeping , and therefore ought to be scan'd and consider'd with judgment . next you are to observe his manner of feeding , as whether he holds his appetite or no ; and observe what sort of food he likes best , and of that give him oftenest ; and in case his stomach abate , keep him out longer morning and night , at his airings . in like manner you must observe his dung , which tho it be as fallacious oftentimes as a sick-man's water , it being liable to alteration on the change of dyet , or being influenc'd by the air , yet being clean and in health it will usually be a pale yellow colour , and be voided in round pellets ; but if it be loose , and soft , it is an infallible sign of weakness , and therefore must by good feeding be remedied as soon as possible . but if it be hard and dry , so that he cannot dung but with difficulty and straining , then you must endeavour to relieve nature , but not with scowrings , which would weaken too much , but rather chuse to give him this glister , which will both cool and refresh him . take a quart of whey , of syrrup of violets , and pulpe of cassia , of each four ounces and of manna half an ounce ; this will purge him gently , and is most excellent to cool his bowels . the next thing to be considered is lamness , which if it proceed from old strains you must make use of this oyntment , which i have several times experimented with good success . take a fresh butter , oyle of bayes , dialthea , and turpentine of each two ounces , mix and boyle them together on a soft fire , and when they are well incorporated , as hot as the horse can suffer it , annoint the horse twice a day , and give him exercise , by airing him abroad morning and evening a foot pace , and you will find it a certain remedy for any strain in the shoulder● clap on the back sinews , or any gri●f what soever , that proceeds from strains . but if you only fear lameness from old strains , then you must be careful that your exercise be moderate , and alwaies when you come in from water and his legs are rub'd dry , annoint them with such supple oyntments , as are accounted good for the limbs , as linseed , train , sheepsfoot , neatsfoot , nerve-oyle and the like ; all which may be used on his daies of rest , but on his heating daies vrine and salt-peter . some horsemen make use of brandie and sallet oyl mix'd , and bathe his legs , and afterwards heat it in with a hot iron , and commend it as the best thing for the limbs of an old s●if● horse . but if your horse through negligence , or any casualtie happen to have the grease fall into his heels , you must endeavour ro remove it by a good sound heat , and a scowring after it , and apply to his legs this poultiss . take of honey a pound , of turpentine , common gum , meal of linseed , and the meal of fenugreek , of each ounces , and the powder of bay●berries well sea●ch'd ounces , mix and boyle all these well together ; then take it off , and put to it a pint of white-wine , then boyle it again , till it be very thick : and with this , as hot as the horse can suffer it , lap his legs about plaister-wise , and renew it only once in three daies , and it will certainly bring his legs within compass● if your horses feet be bad , either surbated ● or foundred , then instead of cow-dung , you may stop them with blew-clay and vinegar temperd together , and on his heating-daies at night stop them with grey-sope , and keep it in with a peice of an old shoo-sole . if your horse be troubled with any dose in his head give him mustard-seed amongst his provender , but if it be a worse cold , which you will perceive by his ratling , then give him this lambitive , or electuary . take of honey and treacle , each half a pound , having mixt these together , add to them powder of cumminseed , liquorish , bay-berries , anniseeds , each an ounce , mix all these together , and put them to the honey and treakle , which will make it of a thick consistance . if your horse hath a cold , instead of his oates before water , give him the quantity of a walnut of this lambitive on the top of a stick or in a spoon , and let him lick it off ; and the same do after airing , when first you come in , and you will find the advantage of it . these at present are all the inconveniencies that i can call to mind , which are lyable to hunters , or gallopers in their keeping ; and tho through inadvertency , or want of memory i should have omitted any , yet from these grounds , you may form your remedies for any common accident or distemper ; and now that we draw near to the match-day , and the end of our discourse , we will only discuss some few rules relating to the tryal of the hunting match . i mean rules to be observed in riding , and so conclude . chap. x. of riding a hunting-match , or heats for a plate , and the advantages belonging to each . i have endeavoured to shew the necessity and the manner of training and dieting horses , but this alone is not sufficient to the winning of either match or plate without a knowing and an honest rider , and a skilful iudge or tryer be joyn'd thereto ; but since no man is sitter to ride the horse than he that has the training of him , i shall lay down some general rules how to ride to the best advantage either a hunting-match , or three heats and a course for a plate . the first requisite in a rider , next to faithfulness in his trust , is to have a good close seat , his knees being held firm to his saddle-skirts , his toes turn●d inward and his spurs outward from the horses sides , his left hand governing his horses mouth , and his right commanding his wh●p ; observing during all the tryal throughout to sit firm in his saddle , without waving , or standing up in his stirrops , which very much incommodes the horse , notwithstanding the conceited opinion of some iockeys that it is a becoming seat. when you spur your horse , strike him not hard with the calves of your legs , as if you would beat the wind out of his body , bust just turn your toes outwards , and bring the spurs quick to his sides ; and such a sharp stroke will be more serviceable to the quickning of your horse , and sooner draw blood . be sure not to spur yonr horse but when there is occasion , and avoid spurring him under the fore-bowels , between his shoulders , and his girths near the heart ( which is the tend'rest place ) till the last extremity . when you whip your horse let it be over the shoulder on the near side , except upon hard running , and when you are at all ; then be sure with a strong jerk to strike your horse in the flank , for there the skin is tender'st , and most sensible of the lash ● observe when you whip or spur your horse , and that you are certain he is at the top of his speed , if then he clap his ears in his pole , or whisk his tail , be sure that you bear him hard , and give him as much comfort as ever you can , by sawing his snaffle to and fro in his mouth , and by that means forcing him to open his mouth , which will comfort him , and give him wind . if there be any high wind stirring when you ride , observe if it be in your face to let your adversary lead , and to hold hard behind him till you see your opportunity of giving a loose ; yet you must observe to ride so close to him , that his horse may break the wind from yours , and that you by stooping low in your seat may shelter your self under him , which will assist the strength of your horse . but if the wind be in your back , ride exactly behind him , that your horse may alone enjoy the benefit of the wind , by being as it were blown forward , and by breaking it from him as much as you can possible . next observe what ground your horse delights to run best on , bearing your horse ( as much as your adversary will give you leave ) on level carpet-ground , because your horse naturally will be desirous to spend himself more freely thereon . but on deep earths &c. give him more liberty , because he will naturally favour himself thereupon . be sure , if you are to run up hill , to favour your horse and bear him , for fear of running him out of wind ; but down hill , ( if your horses feet and shoulders will endure it , and you dare venture your own neck ) always give him a loose . only take this for a general rule , that if you find your horse to have the heels of the other , that then you be careful to preserve his speed till the last train-scent , if you are not to run a straight course , but i● so , then till the course , & so to husband it then too , that you may be able to make a push for it at the last post. next you are to observe the nature of your opposites horse , and if he be fiery , then to run just behind , or just cheek by joul , and with your whip make as much noise as you can , that you may force him on faster then his rider would have him , and by that means spend him the sooner . or else keep just before him upon such a slow gallop , that he may either over reach or by treading on your horses heels ( if he will not take the leading ) endanger falling over . observe on what ground the contrary horse runs worst and on that earth be sure to give a loose that your adversaries being forced to follow you , may hazzard stumbling , or clapping on the back sinnws . observe likewise in your riding the several helps and corrections of the hand the whip and the spur , and when and how oft●n he makes use of th●m ; and when you perceive that his horse begins to be blown by any of the former sy●ptoms , as whisking his tail , clapping down his ears , holding out his nose like a pig &c. you may then take it for granted that he is at the top of what he can do ; therefore in this case observe how your own rides , and if he run cheerfully and strongly without spurring , then be sure keep your adversary to the same speed without giving him ease and by that means you will quickly bring him to give out , or else distance him . observe at the end of every train-sent what condition the other horse is in ; and how he holds out in his labour ; which you may be able to give a judgment of by his looks , the working of his flank , and the slackness of his girths . for if h● look dull t is a sign his spirits fail him ; if his flanks beat much , t is a token that his wind begins to fail him , and then of necess●ity his strength must too . if his wind fail him , then his body will grow thin and appear tuckt up , which will make his girths appear slack to the eye . and therefore take this for a rule that there is no greater sign of weakness then this which i have last mentioned ; so that if your adversaries horse want girting after the first scent , provided he were close-girt at his first starting , you need not much dispair of winning your wager . when each train-scent is ended ( and so likewise after every heat for a plate ) you must have dry straw , and dry cloaths both linnen and woollen which have been steep'd in vrine and salt-peter a day , or two , and then dryed in the sun ; and likewise one , or two of each which have been so steeped , must be brought wet into the field ; and after the train is ended you must have two or three hel●ers , and after your groom has with a knife of heat ( as the d. of new-castle calls it ) which is an old piece of a sword blade , scrapt off all the sweat from your horses neck , body &c. you must see that they first with straw , and then with their dry cloaths rub him dry all over , whilst others are employed about his leggs ; and as soon as they are rub'd dry then chafe them with your wet cloaths , and never give over till you are called by the iudges to start again . this will keep his joynts plyant and nimble , and prevent any inflammation which might arise from any old strai● . the next thing to be considered is the iudges , or tryers office , which is to see that all things are ordered according to the articles , which to that end ought to be publickly read before the horses start. next that each tryer on whose side the train is to be led , according to the articles give directions ●or its leading according to the advise of the rider , or his knowledge of the nature and dispos●●ion of that horse on whose side he is chose . next that each tryer be so advantageously m●●●●ed , as to ride up behind the horses , ( but not upon them ) all day ; and to observe that the contrary horse ride his true-ground , and observe the articles in every particular , or else not to permit him to pr●ceed . next that after each train-scent be ended , each tryer look to that horse against whom he is chosen , and observe that he be in ways reliev'd but with rubbing , except liberty on both sides be given to the contrary . next , as soon as the time which is allow'd for rubbing be expired , which is generally half an hour , they shall comm●nd them to mo●●● , an● if either rider refuse , it may be lawful for the other to 〈◊〉 without him , and having ●ea● him the distance agreed on , the wager is to be adjudg'd on his side . next , the tryers shall keep off all other horses from crossing the riders , or leading them ; only they themselves may be allow'd to instr●●t the riders by word of mouth how to ride , whether slow , or fast , according to the advantages he perceives may be gain'd by his directions . lastly , if there be any weight agreed on , they shall see that both horses bring their true weight to the starting place , and carry it to the end of the train , on penalty of losing the wager . the same rules are to be observ'd ( especially this last ) by those gentlemen which are chosen to be iudges , at a race for a plate ; onely they usually stay in the stand , that they may the better see which horse wins the ●eat . now for running for a plate , there are not so many observations to be made , nor more directions requir'd than what have been already mention'd ; onely this , that if you know your horse to be tough at bottom ● and that he will stick at mark , to ride him each heat according to the best of his performance , and avoid as much as possible either riding at any particular horse , or staying for any , but to ride each heat thro●●●out with the best speed you can . but if you have a very ●●ery horse to manage , or one that is hard-mouth'd , and difficult to be held , then start behind the rest of the horses with all the coolness and gentleness imaginable● and when you find your horse to begin to ride at some command , then p●t up to the other horses , and if you ●ind they ride 〈◊〉 their ease , and are hard held , then endeavour to draw them on faster ; but if you find their wind begin to rake hot , and that they want a sob , ●f your own horse ●e in wind , and you have a loose in your hand , keep them up to their speed , till you come within three quarters of a mile of the end of the heat ; and then give a loose , and push for it , and leave ●o fortune and your horses goodness the event of your success . many more rules there are which may not occur at present to my memory , and others which i purposely omit ; but those may serve the honest iockey , and for the others which relate to foul-play , as crossing , ●●nging ●n the posts , leaning on the other horseman , yoking ● &c. i desire not to instruct any one in them , and could wish that they might never be made use of , but be ●holly relinquish'd by all honest horsemen . lastly , when either your hunting-match , or your tryal for the 〈◊〉 is ended , as soon as you have rubb'd your horse dry , yo● shall 〈◊〉 him ●p , and ride him home , where the first thing you give him shall be this drink to comfort him . take a pint and a half of sweet milk , and put three yolks of eggs beaten into it ; then make it luke-warm , and put in three penny-worth of saffron , and three spoonfuls of sallet-oyl , and give it him in a horn. when this is done dress him slightly over with your curry comb , brush , and woollen cloth ; and then bath the place where the saddle stood with warm sack to prevent warbles , and wash the spurring-places with piss and salt , and then afterwards annoint them with turpentin● and powder of iet mix'd together ; and be sure let the sta●le i 〈◊〉 very well litter'd ; and then cloath him up with all speed , and so let him stand two hours . then feed him with rye-bread , after that with a very good mash : then give him his belly full of hay , and what corn or bread he will eat . then but he his legs well with vrine and s●lt-pe●er , leave him corn in his locker , and so let him rest till the next morning ; at which time order him as before directed in his days of rest. thus i have imparted to the ●ublick what my own experience has taught me , relating to this part of horsemanship . i desire no person to rely on it further then they shall find it advantageous upon pra●tice and tryal . if others more skilful would be as free to communicate their observations on this subject , this profitable part of knowledge might then perhaps be improv'd to perfection . the giving a specimen 〈◊〉 all that is here design'd . if the reader finds any errors , he is desir'd either to pardon or 〈◊〉 them . to those that either know no better , or want other● helps , this possibly may prove no 〈◊〉 piece of service . errata . pag. . l. . for rot read moot . p. . l. . for lyare r. lya●●● p. ●● . l. . 〈◊〉 dose ●● pose . 〈…〉 p. . ● . . for to 〈…〉 &c. in 〈…〉 , r. him● and s● 〈◊〉 him by 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 p. . l. ● . for da●●● . palc. p. ●● . l. ● . for so 〈…〉 . finis . a proclamation, for bringing in horses out of some vvestern shires. edinburgh, the . of march, . scotland. privy council approx. kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from -bit group-iv tiff page image. text creation partnership, ann arbor, mi ; oxford (uk) : - (eebo-tcp phase ). b wing s a estc r ocm this keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the early english books online text creation partnership. this phase i text is available for reuse, according to the terms of creative commons . universal . the text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. early english books online. (eebo-tcp ; phase , no. b ) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set ) images scanned from microfilm: (early english books, - ; : ) a proclamation, for bringing in horses out of some vvestern shires. edinburgh, the . of march, . scotland. privy council scotland. sovereign ( - : charles ii) sheet ([ ] p.) printed by evan tyler, printer to the kings most excellent majesty, edinburgh : anno dom. . caption title. royal arms at head of text; initial letter. printed in black letter. intentional blank spaces in text. reproduction of the original in the national library of scotland. created by converting tcp files to tei p using tcp tei.xsl, tei @ oxford. re-processed by university of nebraska-lincoln and northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors. eebo-tcp is a partnership between the universities of michigan and oxford and the publisher proquest to create accurately transcribed and encoded texts based on the image sets published by proquest via their early english books online (eebo) database (http://eebo.chadwyck.com). the general aim of eebo-tcp is to encode one copy (usually the first edition) of every monographic english-language title published between and available in eebo. eebo-tcp aimed to produce large quantities of textual data within the usual project restraints of time and funding, and therefore chose to create diplomatic transcriptions (as opposed to critical editions) with light-touch, mainly structural encoding based on the text encoding initiative (http://www.tei-c.org). the eebo-tcp project was divided into two phases. the , texts created during phase of the project have been released into the public domain as of january . anyone can now take and use these texts for their own purposes, but we respectfully request that due credit and attribution is given to their original source. users should be aware of the process of creating the tcp texts, and therefore of any assumptions that can be made about the data. text selection was based on the new cambridge bibliography of english literature (ncbel). if an author (or for an anonymous work, the title) appears in ncbel, then their works are eligible for inclusion. selection was intended to range over a wide variety of subject areas, to reflect the true nature of the print record of the period. in general, first editions of a works in english were prioritized, although there are a number of works in other languages, notably latin and welsh, included and sometimes a second or later edition of a work was chosen if there was a compelling reason to do so. image sets were sent to external keying companies for transcription and basic encoding. quality assurance was then carried out by editorial teams in oxford and michigan. % (or pages, whichever is the greater) of each text was proofread for accuracy and those which did not meet qa standards were returned to the keyers to be redone. after proofreading, the encoding was enhanced and/or corrected and characters marked as illegible were corrected where possible up to a limit of instances per text. any remaining illegibles were encoded as <gap>s. understanding these processes should make clear that, while the overall quality of tcp data is very good, some errors will remain and some readable characters will be marked as illegible. users should bear in mind that in all likelihood such instances will never have been looked at by a tcp editor. the texts were encoded and linked to page images in accordance with level of the tei in libraries guidelines. copies of the texts have been issued variously as sgml (tcp schema; ascii text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable xml (tcp schema; characters represented either as utf- unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless xml (tei p , characters represented either as utf- unicode or tei g elements). keying and markup guidelines are available at the text creation partnership web site . eng treason -- scotland -- early works to . loyalty oaths -- scotland -- early works to . horses -- scotland -- early works to . broadsides -- scotland -- th century. - tcp assigned for keying and markup - spi global keyed and coded from proquest page images - elspeth healey sampled and proofread - elspeth healey text and markup reviewed and edited - pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion honi soit qvi mal y pens a proclamation , for bringing in horses out of some vvestern shires . edinburgh , the . of march , . charles , by the grace of god , king of great britain , france and ireland , defender of the faith. to our lovits , _____ messengers , our sheriffs in that part , conjunctly and severally , specially constitute , greeting : forasmuch as it is more then high time , to prevent the rising of disaffected persons , who , during the continuance of the war with our forraign enemies , are ready to break out in open rebellion , and rise in arms against us , and our authority , by disabling them from putting themselves in a military posture , and in a condition to make any sudden marches , or attempts upon our well affected subjects , or any part of our standing forces , or to joyn with these , who are of there own pernitiousand disloyal principles , who live at a distance from them . therefore , we with advice of the lords of our privy council , command and charge all persons within the shires of lanerk , air , renfrew , wigton , and stewartry of kirkcudbright , of whatsoever quality , who have refused to accept of any publick trust , or have deserted the same , being in place : as also , all those who withdraw from publick ordinances , and do not keep their own paroch churches , or do not submit to the present government of church and state. as likewise all those who being warned to rise , and joyn with our forces , for suppressing the late rebellion , did not give obedience , unlesse the saids persons will take the oath of allegiance , and subscribe the declaration appointed by the late act of parliament . that after the fifteenth day of may next , they , by themselves , nor no persons to their use and behove , do not keep any serviceable horses , above the rate of one hundred merks scots , under any pretext whatsoever : with certification , if the failzie , that upon information of any person well affected , the sheriff , or any two of the justices of peace within the shire , shall cause value such horses , and finding them above the rate foresaid , shall cause deliver them to the informer , and that without any payment , or satisfaction to be made therefore . and requires all sheriffs and justices of peace , within their respective bounds , to issue orders , for conveening the contraveeners of this act before them , and causing apprize any such horses , by indifferent persons , that it may be known , if they be above the rate foresaid . and , in case that the persons who compear , shall offer to purge themselves of any suspition of disaffection to our government , upon the accounts foresaids ; that they administer to them the oath of allegiance , and offer the declaration to be subscribed by them , which being taken , and subscribed by them as said is , then we enjoyn them , to dismisse the saids persons , with their horses , to be kept by them , without any farther trouble or molestation : otherwise , that they proceed as said is . and ordains the sheriffs of the said shires , to cause intimat these presents by publick proclamation , at the mercat crosses of the head burghs of the saids respective shires and stewartry : and cause read the same at all the paroch churches of the saids bounds , upon a sunday before noon , after divine service , with all diligence . and that these presents be printed , that none pretend ignorance . edinburgh , printed by evan tyler , printer to the kings most excellent majesty , anno dom. . the experienced farrier, or, farring compleated in two books physical and chyrurgical. bringing pleasure to the gentleman, and profit to the countrey-man. ... for here is contained every thing that belongs to a true horse-man, groom, farrier or horse-leach, viz. breeding; the manner how, the season when, ... and what are fit for generation; the feeder, rider, keeper, ambler and buyer; as also the making of several precious drinks, suppositories, balls, purgations, ... and directions how to use them for all inward and outward diseases. also the paring and shooing of all manner of hoofes, ... the prices and vertues of most of the principal drugs, both simple and compound belonging to farring, ... also a large table of the virtues of most simples set down alphabetically, and many hundreds of simples placed one after another, for the cure of all ... diseases, ... with many new receipts of excellent use and value; never yet printed before in any author. by e.r. gent. e. r., gent. approx. kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from -bit group-iv tiff page images. text creation partnership, ann arbor, mi ; oxford (uk) : - (eebo-tcp phase ). a wing r a estc r this keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the early english books online text creation partnership. this phase i text is available for reuse, according to the terms of creative commons . universal . the text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. early english books online. (eebo-tcp ; phase , no. a ) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set ) images scanned from microfilm: (early english books, - ; : ) the experienced farrier, or, farring compleated in two books physical and chyrurgical. bringing pleasure to the gentleman, and profit to the countrey-man. ... for here is contained every thing that belongs to a true horse-man, groom, farrier or horse-leach, viz. breeding; the manner how, the season when, ... and what are fit for generation; the feeder, rider, keeper, ambler and buyer; as also the making of several precious drinks, suppositories, balls, purgations, ... and directions how to use them for all inward and outward diseases. also the paring and shooing of all manner of hoofes, ... the prices and vertues of most of the principal drugs, both simple and compound belonging to farring, ... also a large table of the virtues of most simples set down alphabetically, and many hundreds of simples placed one after another, for the cure of all ... diseases, ... with many new receipts of excellent use and value; never yet printed before in any author. by e.r. gent. e. r., gent. the second edition much enlarged and amended, and two new sheets of the prices and virtues of drugs added to the table of drugs, that was not in the former impression, with a caution to the farrier about his buying of them; also one hundred and fifty new receipts, and thirty directions for the physicking of horses, with about two thousand new simples, and an advertisement touching their usefulness; with many other new additions, too tedious here to rehearse. [ ], , [ ] p. printed by richard northcott adjoyning to s. peters alley in cornhill, and at the marrier and anchor upon new-fish street hill, near london-bridge, london : . "the second part of the experienced farrier" has a separate title page, dated ; with continuous pagination and register. with errata on l r and an advertisement on l v. imperfect; print is faded affecting legibility. reproduction of the original in the bodleian library. created by converting tcp files to tei p using tcp tei.xsl, tei @ oxford. re-processed by university of nebraska-lincoln and northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors. eebo-tcp is a partnership between the universities of michigan and oxford and the publisher proquest to create accurately transcribed and encoded texts based on the image sets published by proquest via their early english books online (eebo) database (http://eebo.chadwyck.com). the general aim of eebo-tcp is to encode one copy (usually the first edition) of every monographic english-language title published between and available in eebo. eebo-tcp aimed to produce large quantities of textual data within the usual project restraints of time and funding, and therefore chose to create diplomatic transcriptions (as opposed to critical editions) with light-touch, mainly structural encoding based on the text encoding initiative (http://www.tei-c.org). the eebo-tcp project was divided into two phases. the , texts created during phase of the project have been released into the public domain as of january . anyone can now take and use these texts for their own purposes, but we respectfully request that due credit and attribution is given to their original source. users should be aware of the process of creating the tcp texts, and therefore of any assumptions that can be made about the data. text selection was based on the new cambridge bibliography of english literature (ncbel). if an author (or for an anonymous work, the title) appears in ncbel, then their works are eligible for inclusion. selection was intended to range over a wide variety of subject areas, to reflect the true nature of the print record of the period. in general, first editions of a works in english were prioritized, although there are a number of works in other languages, notably latin and welsh, included and sometimes a second or later edition of a work was chosen if there was a compelling reason to do so. image sets were sent to external keying companies for transcription and basic encoding. quality assurance was then carried out by editorial teams in oxford and michigan. % (or pages, whichever is the greater) of each text was proofread for accuracy and those which did not meet qa standards were returned to the keyers to be redone. after proofreading, the encoding was enhanced and/or corrected and characters marked as illegible were corrected where possible up to a limit of instances per text. any remaining illegibles were encoded as <gap>s. understanding these processes should make clear that, while the overall quality of tcp data is very good, some errors will remain and some readable characters will be marked as illegible. users should bear in mind that in all likelihood such instances will never have been looked at by a tcp editor. the texts were encoded and linked to page images in accordance with level of the tei in libraries guidelines. copies of the texts have been issued variously as sgml (tcp schema; ascii text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable xml (tcp schema; characters represented either as utf- unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless xml (tei p , characters represented either as utf- unicode or tei g elements). keying and markup guidelines are available at the text creation partnership web site . eng horsemanship -- early works to . horses -- early works to . veterinary medicine -- early works to . - tcp assigned for keying and markup - apex covantage keyed and coded from proquest page images - jonathan blaney sampled and proofread - jonathan blaney text and markup reviewed and edited - pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion the experienced farrier , or , farring compleated . in two books physical and chyrurgical . bringing pleasure to the gentleman , and profit to the countrey-man . in which you have the whole body , sum and substance of it in one entire volume , in so full and ample manner , that there is little or nothing more material to be added hereto . for here is contained every thing that belongs to a true horse-man , groom , farrier or horse-leach , viz. breeding ; the manner how , the season when , the place where , the colours , marks and shapes of all stallions and mares , and what are fit for generation ; the feeder , rider , keeper , ambler and buyer ; as also the making of several precious drinks , suppositories , balls , purgations , scourings , ointments , salves , powders , waters , baths , charges , perfumes , and directions how to use them for all inward and outward diseases . also the paring and shooing of all manner of hoofes , and in what point that art doth consist ; the prices and vertues of most of the principal drugs , both simple and compound belonging to farring , ( and where you may buy them , ) viz. roots , barks , woods , flowers , fruits , seeds , juices , gums , rozins , simples from plants ; animals , their parts and their excrements , minera's , metals and stones ; together with chymical oyls and spirits , electuaries , treacles , powders , waters , plaisters and ointments , &c. you have also a large table of the virtues of most simples set down alphabetically , and many hundreds more of simples placed one after another , for the cure of all inward and outward diseases , which you are to make use of according to your discretion ; with many new receipts of excellent use and value ; never yet printed before in any author . the second edition much enlarged and amended , and two new sheets of the prices and virtues of drugs added to the table of drugs , that was not in the former impression , with a caution to the farrier about his buying of them ; also one hundred and fifty new receipts , and thirty directions for the physicking of horses , with about two thousand new simples , and an advertisement touching their usefulness ; with many other new additions , too tedious here to rehearse . by e. r. gent. london , printed by richard northcott adjoyning to st. peters alley in cornhil , and at the marriner and ancher upon new-fish-street hill , near london-bridge . . to the reader . you would say , that this book , tho' new , is no otherwise then old , by reason that a great part thereof are collections , and therefore the less to be regarded ; let me ask you one question , is the honey the worse , because the bee sucks it out of many flowers ? or , is the spiders web the more to be valued , because extracted out of her own bowels ; let not this be any prejudice to this book , but peruse it without partiality , and with the judgement of a farrier ; and you shall then find , that these old collections are become new , not because they are new printed , but because they are new digested and modelized , and put into a better form and method then ever yet before printed ; for let me tell you , there was never any thing in this nature ever printed before , but there was something or other wanting to make it a compleat book of farring ; but in this you shall find nothing wanting , either to the perfecting a cure of all diseases of a horse , either inward or outward , or to the making a man a compleat horseman . besides , these old collections , you shall find a great many new additions ; as first , a table of the prices and vertues of most of the principal drugs , both simple and compound belonging to farring , as they are commonly sold at the druggists in london , with a caution to the buyer of them ; a table so very useful , that 't is much to be wondred at , that amongst so many excellent books of farring as are extant in the world , there should be nothing of this kind ever before annexed to them . secondly , you have a large table of the nature , temperature and virtues of most simples , set down alphabetically . thirdly , you have an account of many hundreds more of simples , placed in order one after another , for the cure of all inward and outward diseases , with an advertisement touching the usefulness of them . fourthly , wherever you find a hand pointing in the margin , you shall find such receipts as have been often made use of with very good success , and which was never yet printed before in any author . fifthly , you have the gathering , drying and preserving of simples and their juices . sixthly , you have the method of making of syrups , decoctions , oyls , ointments , plaisters , charges , poultisses , balls , &c. seventhly , you have hot medicaments appropriate to the parts of the body . eighthly , you have cold medicaments appropriate to the same use . ninthly , you have the properties of purging medicaments . tenthly , you have the properties of altering medicaments . eleventhly , you have a table of the diseases of a horse , either inward or outward , set down alphabetically , shewing you where they do grow in any part of the body ; how you may know them , and what were the causes that bred them . twelfthly , you have in the table of the said diseases the page quoted where to find the proper cures for every disease . thirteenthly and lastly , you have five infallible cures never yet put to press before ( which the table of diseases will direct you to ) viz. the glanders , farcin , staling of blood , scratches , and making the brittlest hoof that is so tough that it will carry a shoo passing well ; with many other things contained in this book , which is not here inserted . by e. r. gent. if you desire to know the vsefulness of your general simples , set down in order one after another , in the first and second part , before every disease . look for page . and that will inform you . amend the errata's before you fall to practice . the bookseller to the reader . courteous reader , having long since printed with great care , pains and industry , this my experienced farrier , for the cure of all inward and outward diseases , both in horses and mares ; and finding it hath been received by all lovers of horses or horsemanship with a general and friendly liking , emboldens me once more to present you with a second impression , well hoping it may find no worse vsage from you then the former had done , but be received with the same candour , favour and esteem equal with that , and the rather , by reason that the many errors committed in the former edition , is now carefully corrected and amended in this , and very many vseful additions added hereto , that were not in the former impression , there being no less then one hundred and fifty new receipts ; besides , the addition of two new sheets of the prices and virtues of drugs , very useful ▪ for all farriers to know , with a caution to the buyers of them ; also about two thousand new simples , ( with their vsefulness declared ) put to the end of the other general simples , for the cure of all inward and outward diseases , which upon your perusal you may find here and there scattered throughout the whole work ; you have also thirty new directions for the physicking and drenching of horses , with an account of four several sorts of aloes ( which may serve as the basis and ground work of all purges and scourings ) with their goodness declared , and the distinguishing marks how you may know one sort of aloes from another , with many other things herein contained , which if at your leisure you carefully compare this impression with the former , will quickly inform you of the truth hereof . r. northcott . the table . the shapes of a horse page . the colours of a house in verse ib. the shapes of a horse another way ib. and ▪ a proverb amongst husband men on the colours of a horse what things are good to strow amongst a horses provender things that you are to have always by you in a readiness ib. the virtues of them declared ib. terms of art to commend a horse , if you know him to be good . the office of the breeder . the best manner of breeding grounds to breed in , and change of grounds choice of stallions and mares ib. the age of stallions and mares observations upon covering ib. bad to cover after the change of the moon ib. covering in the wane ib. burning when other horses cover her . ib. spaying of mare-colts , and of gelding of horse-colts ib. what time is best for a mare to take horse ib. how long time a mare goes with foal , how to order her before she is covered , and how to make her conceive to have a horse-colt or mare-colt the manner how to cover her , and to know whether she stands to her covering ib. how many mares for one horse ib. how to order a mare after she is covered how to help her if she cannot foal ib. how to order her after foaling ib. how long foals are to run with their dams the time of foaling looked upon to be very improper because in the winter-season ib. when mares are fit to take horse to know the true shape spirit and height of a foal , from his shin-bone , from the space between his knees and withers , from his spirit and from his hoofs ib. weaning of foals ib. taming of colts ib. the time to break colts ib. coiling the stud , or making of election of barren mares ib. general observations concerning mares , viz. of covering , of bringing of foals , of making a mare slink foal , and to make her stand to horse ; of stallions for trotters , and of mares to horse . ib. to put your horse and mare into an empty house ; not to chase the mares ; the wall-eye is an imperfect sight , and of choice of mares , &c. ib. & . election of horses for war , for swiftness , for travel and for draught . ib. to know whether your mare be with foal or not ib. to make a mare conceive a male foal . the office of the keeper . of the horse in general , his choice for every several vse , his ordering , diet and best preservation for health , both in travel and rest ib. yhe nature of a horse in general . ib. your choice of a horse for the wars . ib. what colours of a horse is best . ib. choice of a horse for a princes seat. for travel ib. for hunting ib. for running ib. for the coach ib. for the pack ib. for the cart and plough how to order these several horses , and first of the horse for the wars . ib. ordering a horse for a prince or a great ladies seat. ib. ordering of traveling horses at home and abroad ib. of watering in the morning , of feeding betimes , and of moderate traveling . to get a horse a stomach ib. not to stop a horses feet with cow dung till they be cold ib. look to his back , girts and shooes . ib. not to eat nor drink when he is hot . ib. to labour him moderately , when the weather is extream hot or cold . ib. not to travel him too late the saddle not to be presently taken off when he is hot ib. horse-bread very good food ib. river water not so good as standing-water ib. swine and pullen is naught to be nigh a stable ib. the light of the stable is best to be made towards the south and north. ib. to be tied with two reins very safe . ib. to ride him on stony ways ib. wheat-straw and oat-straw is best for litter ib. of dressing your horse of the stable ib. a mud-wall naught to be nigh a horse . ib. chopt straw good to throw amongst a horses provender ib. bottles of hay to be tied hard is very good ib. to sprinkle hay with water is also good , and so is fennegreek strowed amongst his provender ib. exercise is very good ib. grass is also good once a year , to cleanse his blood and cool his body ib. a horse hath good store of blood after travel ib. what you are to do in case of necessity coming late to your inn to give him mares milk to drink , if he be poor , is very good ib. the best time when to water in the winter ib. not good to wash a horse when he is hot . ib. to light at every steep hill very good ib. how a fat horse is to have his meat and water ib. rubbing very good for a horse ib , boyled barley is very good . ib. feet picked after travel ib. much rest naught be careful to look to your saddle for fear of pinching him ib. a horsemans rule in verse ib. riding softly very good ib. trotters oyl is very good to help stiff limbs ▪ ib. legs bathed with cold water is good to prevent scabs and swellings ib. washing at the stable-door is very good if necessity requires ib. dressing upon travel and rest ib. when to let blood ordering of hunting horses ib. sir robert chernock's manner of feeding his horse in buck-season for hunting ib. ordering of running horses ib. ordering of coach horses ib. ordering of the pack and cart-horse . the office of the rider and groom , and of things belonging to him , viz. his general an a particular knowledge in handling , sadling , mouthing , backing and riding of the great horse , or horse of pleasure ib. of the stable , and what it ought to be built with ; a brick stable preferred before stone . no hog-sty nor hen-roost ought to be nigh it . of the manger , of a pitched floor , a mud-wall 〈◊〉 and of dung not to lie nigh a 〈◊〉 ●●eels ib. 〈◊〉 of stables approved to be better then planked stables for several reasons ib. the inconveniencies of a plank-floor shewed ib. your care in the choice of a groom . how a rider ought to be qualified . ib. what manner of person a groom ought to be ib. to saddle and bridle a colt of mouthing ib. of backing helps at first backing ib. what lessons for what horse helps and corrections from his voice , from his rod , from his bit and snaffle , from the calves of his legs , from his stirrop's and stirrop-leathers , and from the ground . and of large rings ib. of stopping advancing ib. retiring ib. of bitting of streight turnes and turnings ib. the first streight tnrn ib. the other streight turn how to help an ill rein and cure a run-away jade the help ib. another for unconstant carriage . ib. the office of the feeder . the introduction to the work touching the time limited for a hunting horse . their reasons ib. long time inconvenient ib. the first ordering of the running horse , according to the several estates of their bodies . to have an eye to the particular estate of a horses body ib. the first fortnights feeding of a horse for a match , that is fat , foul , or either newly taken from grass or soil his feet stopped with cow-dung ib. four considerations in giving of heats the second fortnights feeding the first read ib. the vse of the muzzel ib. the first scouring ordering of him after his scouring . ib. the third fortnights feeding the second bread ib. the fourth & last fortnights feeding the last and best bread ib. certain observations and advantages for every feeder to observe in sundry accidents of meat and drink ib. observations for lameness observations from the estate of his body ib from his inclinations ib. from his outward handling ib. from his privy parts for his limbs ib. for water ib. observations from the ground to run on ib. observations from sweat observations from the hair ib. the office of the ambler . observations in ambling . mens opinions and errors ambling by the ploughed field ib. ambling by the gallop ib. ambling by weights ib. ambling in hand , or not ridden ambling by the help of schooes ib. ambling by the help of fine lists ib. ambling by the hand only ambling by the tramel ib ▪ errors in the tramel ib. the best way to amble a horse the form of the tramel the true use of the true tramel vvhen to alter the tramel ib. vvhen to mount his back vvhen to journey ib. the office of the buyer , wherein is shewed all the perfections and imperfections that are or can be in a horse observations and advertisements for any man when he goes about to buy a horse ib. the end for which to buy ib. election how divided the general rule ib. of breed ib. of colour ib. of pace , or trotting ib. ambling racking ib. galloping ib. stature the particular rule ib. how to stand to view his shapes , viz. his eares , his face , his eyes , his cheeks and chaps , his nostrils and muzzle , his teeth , his breast , his fore-yhighs , his knees , his legs , his pasterns , his hoofs , the setting on of his head , his crest and mane , his back , ribs , fillets , belly and stones ; his buttocks , his hinder-yhighs ▪ his cambrels , his hinder legs and his tail , &c. from p. . to p. an uncontroulable way to know the age of a horse , viz. by his teeth , mouth , hoofs , tail , eyes , skin , hair and barrs of his mouth , from p. to the perfect shape of a horse altogether ib. rules to be observed of putting a horse to grass , and taking him up again . of cleansing and making a horse clean . general notes concerning some simples . ib. of syrups , pills , powders , electuaries and ointments ib. of oyls , roots , herbs , seeds , rind or bark & a table of the office of the farrier , alphabetically set down , p. . a accopium , a drink , with the virtues and nature of it and atman , a confection , with the virtues of it b. baths of all sorts to bon●s , how many a horse hath , and where scituated blooding a horse , when the best time blood-letting , with observations upon it of burning burning actual and potential bread made for a horse to keep him in heart and strength of body , and to keep him from faintness in his labour and exercise , be it never so sore . bread , to make another sort ib. bangle-eares how to help balls cordial , to cure any violent cold , glanders , which prevents heart-sickness , which purgeth away all molten-grease , which recovers a lost stomach , and makes a lean horse fat suddenly ib. blood cleansed , general simples good for it bewitched , general simples good for it c. complexion ●f a horse which is the most necessary faces that a farrier can judge of his infirmities by corrasives , . and cauterizing and cauterizing , in what cause cautery potential and a caustick and cordial powders to make charges of several sorts ▪ and copperas water conglu●inating simples clensers of the blood , simples good for it in general , vide blood clensed cordials and strengthners of nature ; see for simples that are good in general for it to cast and overthrow a horse d. diapente , a drink , how to use it , and to shew you the virtues of it diahexaple , a drink , with the virtues of it and diatessaron made , or horse mithridate how made ib. drinks given when you neither have diatessaron , diahexaple or diapente diseases of a horse known by the signes he shews , from to drugs , the nature of the principal sorts of them drinks in general for all inward diseases of a horse that troubles the whole body , from to other general drinks for the cure of all inward sickness ib. a drink very comfortable a drink operative ib. drugs , their prices ; see for the table of them between the first and second part decoction , what it is e. of the elements and their nature eyes a caution about them to make the black and red aegyptiacum , which are both corrasives . for their naures are to corrode and eat away all manner of proud and naughty flesh , out of any old sore or vlcer . drenches in general for all manner of sicknesses and dead foal to expel , general simples good for it f. a farriers office , in what part it doth consist a farrier ought to know principally five things a farrier what he ought to know before he goes about to purge a horse to fat a lean horse in twelve or fifteen days another for the same purpose ib. of feavers , and how you may know every sort of them one from another . and fatning things in general lust to provoke , simples good for it in general g. of glisters and their vses glisters for costiveness a glister laxative a glister restringent and a glister for a fat horse that cannot be kept clean ib. a glister in case of a desperate sickness ib. a glister for the pestilence and all feavers ib. a glister for the cholick ib. advice given upon giving of glisters , and what are to be put into them . ib. laxative glisters , what simples are to be put into them gelding of horses , how and in what season is best green ointments , several sorts of them . and glisters what they are h. of the four humors , blood , phlegm● choler and melancholy health , twelve causes of it horse-treacle how made halting , where to find the grief either before or behind horse-spice how made ; if you intend to make use of it amend the fault , for there is left out of it a quarter of a pound of anniseeds , and a quarter of a pound of the powder of liquoris . ib. of hoofs and the several kinds of them , viz. brittle and rugged hoofr , long hoofs , crooked hoofs , flat hoofs , with broad frushes , hoofs with narrow heels from to of paring the perfect hoof and fore-feet of paring the imperfect hoof , every one according to their kind ; first , of the broken hoof chap. , . of paring the rough and brittle hoof ch . . of paring the long hoof , ch . . ib. of paring the crooked hoof , ch . . of paring the flat hoof , ch . . ib. of paring the over-hollow hoof . ch . . of paring the hoof that hath a broad frush ch . ib. of paring the hoof that hath a narrow heel ch . . ib. horse-bread two sorts of it , to keep him in heart and strength of body , &c. a horse to be made not to neigh , either in company , or when he is ridden humors drove back that flow too fast to a wound you have in cure ▪ hair made smooth , sleek and soft . head perfumed , see perfumes to make a horse follow his master , and to challenge him amongst never so many people heam to expel , which is the same as the after-birth is in women ; see general simples good for it k. knitting simples ; see conglutinating things l. lameness , to know where it lies , either before or behind loosening things in general . m. the principal members of a horse . mash , how made mithridate how made milk to cause , general simples good for it n. neesing powder , vide perfumes for the head. o. oyls oyl of oats with the virtues of it . oyntments , salves , powders , and waters and oyntments green to make . , and old horses made seemingly young . p. planets , their names physicking observations , see for more of them in the second part. purgations , and their several vses . physicking a horse and how to order him after he hath it . pills of all sorts , and purgations . and pu refactives powders cordial how to make a powder made of honey and lyme , that will dry up any wound or vlcer . pills purging ● pills what they are for purgings , or scouring simples in general portion , what it is a plaister to dissolve and take away evil humours , which shall at any time fall down into the legs of a horse . perfumes and purgers of the head of all filthy and gross humours . and purgings of all sorts , and they are five , viz. by portions , by glisters , by suppositories and by grass certain principles concerning simples prices of drugs , see for them between the two parts r. rubarb , its nature raking of a horse . roots rowling of horses , and of the vse thereof ● . and riding , who first invented it . s. shapes of a horse at large simples with notes in general upon them sinews of a horse , their number signes of the zodiack , and government of them sickness dangerous , how it cometh . ● sickness accidental . sickness cured , when it cometh , and to prevent it before it comes ib. of sickness in general , and of the signes from whence it proceeds . and sorrances , what they are in general , and observations in the cure of them . simples how mixed swellings hard and soft , and how you are to use them , in the cure of them . of sores suppositories , the several sorts of them from to scourings , what they are scourings by grass , by sorrage , by sallow and elm , by thistles , by malt ▪ scouring of a little stronger nature . ib. of shooing and paring all manner of hoofs , and in what point the art of it doth consist shooing the perfect hoofs and four feet , and how the shoo , paring and nail should be made of shooing the rough and brittle hoof of shooing the long hoof of shooing the crooked hoof ▪ ib. of shooing the flat hoof ib. of shooing the over-hollow hoof. of shooing the hoof that hath the broad frush ▪ ib. of shooing the hoof that hath the narrow heel ib. of paring and shooing of the hinder feet of shooing the hoof that hath a false quarter ib. of shooing and paring the hoof that is hoof-bound , of making of planch-shooes . ib. of paring and shooing for enterfering ▪ shooes with calkins , rings , welts and turning vices , and of the patten shoo and stars , white and black , and how to make them and suppository , what it is a suppository for inward sickness salves , unguents , powders and waters and scouring and purging things in general particular scourings of all sorts for running horses , whose grease must necessarily be molten , as also for a fat horse and sores and ulcers of all sorts to wash , general simples good for them . swellings and risings in the skin , hard or soft , general simples good to take them away simples and their certain principles . ib. sweat to cause , general simples good for it sores and ulcers of all sorts to cure , simples good in general for them . a stubborn horse to be made go . t. to trim an unruly horse v. of the vital blood veins , their number that you are to take blood from ib. veins opened , for what use ib. veins taken up veins , for what cause they are taken up of vomits wounds clensed , old or new , before you dress them wind to expel simples that are good for it in general venomous beasts of all sorts to cure , general simples good for them . errors that hath escaped the press in the first part of the experienced farrier . page . line . for clod reade clot. p. . l. . f. li●ter up horse r. litter up your horse . p. . l. . f. streight r. start . p. . l. . f. horse . r. hose . p. . l. . f. o●g r. long . p. . l. . f. melander r. malender . p. . l. . f. crow-scab r. crown-scab . p. . l. . f. myly mouth r. mayly mouth . p : . l. , f. heat r. heats . p. . l. . f. small r. well . p. ● . l. . and . f. add them to . r. add to them . p. . in the receipt how to make horse-spice , put into it a quarter of a pound of liquoris powder , and a quarter of a pound ▪ of anniseeds . which are left out of the receipt . p. . l. the last . f. grie . r. grief p. . l. . f. chords . r. cords . p. . l. . f. take of a little r. take a little . p. . l. . f. of honey r. take honey . p. l. . f. and it will r. will. ib. l. . f. flag in mortar r. flag braised in a mortar . p. . l. . f. dispenseth r. disperseth . p . l. . f. ladanum r. labdanum . p. . l. . ● . so over r. throw over . p. . l. . f. jallop r. jallap . ib. a parenthesis wanting to make it sense . p. . l. . f. creauna r. creanna . ib. p. l. . f. suppupuration . r. suppuration . p. . l. . f. eing r. being . p. . l. . is is wanting . ib. p. l. . irish slate . d. the pound r. . d. the pound . the experienc'd farrier . the first part. the shapes of a horse . he must have the eyes and joynts of an ox , the strength of a mule , the foot of the same , the hoofs and things of an ass , the throat and neck of a vvolf , the eare and tail of a fox , the breast and hair of a vvoman , the boldness of a lion , the sharp and quick sight of a serpent , the pace of a cat , the lightness and nimbleness of a h●re , a high pace , a deliberate trot , a pleasant gallop , a swift running , a rebounding leap and present , and be quick in hand . the colours of a horse in verse . if you desire a horse thee long to serve , take a brown-bay , and him with care preserve ▪ the grey's not ill , but he is prized far that is cole-black , and blazed with a star : if for thy self , or friend , thou wilt procure a horse , let him vvhite - lyard be , he 'll long endure , the shapes of a horse . another vvay . he ought to have three of an ox , which is a fair and full eye , a large neck ▪ and to be strong and short joynted . three of a fox , which is to have a comely and short trot , small and long eares , and a bushy tail. three of a hart. which is to have lean and dry legs , to be well risen before , and a lean head. three of a vvoman , which is to have a fair and large breast , to have a beautiful and full hair , and gentle to his rider and keeper . a proverb amongst husbandmen . if you have a foal with four white feet , keep him not a day . if you have a foal with three white feet , make him soon away . if you have a foal with two white feet , give him to thy friend , if you have a foal with one white foot , keep him to his lives end , these things are good to strow in a horses provender . the powder of anniseeds , licoris , fennegreek , bay-berries , brimstone , allum , hemp-seed , alacampane , or the roots of pollipodium of the oak or savin , marshmallowes , rhue , hysop , hore-hound , colts-foot . if you give him the herbs green , you must chop them small , if dry , beat them to powder , which simples will keep him sound and in perfect health ; for their vertues are to purisie the blood , prevent obstructions , open and resolve the liver , cool the blood , keep and preserve the whole structure of the body in sound and perfect health . these things you are always to have in a readiness by you . fennegreek a pound , licoris half a pound , bay-berries a quarter of a pound , london - treacle one pound , anniseeds a quarter of a pound , cummin-seeds a quarter of a pound , grains a quarter of a pound , turmerick a quarter of a pound , long - pepper two ounces , alacampane half a pound , allum half a pound , brimstone half a pound , green copperas half a pound , savin three handfuls , chopt - hair a handful . these things repeated over again , with their vertues declared . fennegreek , licoris , bay-berries , london-treacle , anniseeds , cummin-seeds , grains , long pepper , alacampane , all good for colds . colds . turmerick , good to purge the blood , and to cure the yellows . yellows . brimstone , alacampane , allum , savin , chopt-hair , good for the wormes . vvormes . if you are ask's what fault your horse hath , if you know him to be sound , you may answer him in this manner . he hath neither splint , spavin , nor wind , gall scratches , crepances , nor rats-tails , mules nor cib'd heeles , sellander , nor mallender , curb , ring - bone , quitter - bone , hough - bonny , sit - fast , ambury , viues , but good eyes and good thighs ; or if you can affirm him further to be sound , you may say he hath neither farcin , foundred-foot , broken - wind , moulten - grease , nor running glaunders . of the office of the breeder . the best manner of breeding . you are not to breed in fenny , moorish pastures , nor in lands too fertile , nor too barren , the golden number is the best temper , yet to incline a little to hardness , is better then much rankness , the one breeds health and the other disea●es . let the situation be a little hilly , and in some places stony and rocky , for they are very good for colts to play on , and helpeth their vvind , and knitteth their joynts , and hardeneth and maketh tough their hoofs ; and no matter how rough and uncertain it is , for it will make them the more sure footed . as much ground as will keep a milch-cow , will keep a milch-mare . change of groudns . you are to have three sorts of grounds , one to foal in , another to summer in , and a third to vvinter in . the first to be without danger , the second not to be without shelter of bushes , or under vvoods , to defend from stormes and tempests ; and the third is , to have good hovels , sheds , barnes , or back-stables , wherein may be stored vvinter-provision . you are likewise to accommodate your grounds with partitions , to put each cattel by themselves , as your young and old , rase or breeding mares by themselves , your vveanlings by themselves , your fillies by themselves , and your stoned colts by themselves , or else your breed will come to nothing , and you may run the hazard both of your cost and pains . choice of stallions . you are to be careful , that neither your stallion nor mare have any of these defects , viz. neither moon-eyes , watery-eyes , or blood-shotten eyes , neither splint , nor spavin , nor curb , &c. nor any natural imperfection , for the colts will take them as hereditary from their parents . i shall advise you that you choose the best and ablest , the highest spirited , the fairest coloured , and the finest shaped , whether it be neapolitan , t●rk , spaniard , barbary , english , dutch , polander , french or german , and that you would inform your self of all natural defects in the stallion , ( for it is impossible to find out absolute perfection ) and to amend them in the mare , and what is amiss in the mare , to see it repaired in the horse . the age of stallions and mares . a stallien ought not to be younger then four years when he covereth a mare , and he will beget colts from that age to twenty . and a mare may bring forth from three years old to thirteen , when she is four years she will nourish her colt best , but after she is ten years she is not good , for commonly an old mare-colt will be heavy in labour . observations upon covering . let your mare be covered from the end of the first quarter to the full of the moon , or at the full , for those colts will be more stronger and hardier of nature . after the change. it is not good for mares to be covered after the change , for those colts will be tender and nice . the wain . mark the vvain in that time the mare was covered , the same time of the moon she will foal . burning . if your mare hath been covered , and the colt knit within her , if another horse covers her he burns her . of spaying a mare-colt . if a mare-colt be spayed nine days after it is foaled , she will prove ( as some say ) fair , gallant and well . of gelding of colts . horses will be better shaped , and in less danger of gelding , if they be gelt at nine or fifteen days old , if the stones appear , or so soon as you find them fall down into the god. vvhat time a mare is to take horse . if your mare be covered of st. lucies day , which is the thirteenth of december , then she will foal about st. thomas's day , the same moneth in the year following . how long time a mare goes . during the time of her going with foal , from the day of her covering unto the day of her foaling , is commonly twelve months and ten dayes , unless it be a young mare upon her first colt , which may come sooner . how to order her before she is covered . you are to take her into the house about six weeks before she is covered , and feed her well with good hay and oats , well sifted , to the end she may have strength and seed to perform the office of generation . but if you would have her certainly conceive , then take blood from both sides of her neck , and let her bleed nigh a quart of either vein , which you must do five or six days before you have her covered ; if you desire to have a horse-colt of your mare , then let her be covered when one of the first masculine signes do reign , which are either aries , taurus , gemini , cancer , or leo. but if she be covered when any of the feminine signes be predominate , as virgo , libra , scorpio , sagita●ius , capricornus , aquarius or pisces , then be confident it will be a mare , for it is so certain , that it seldom or never fails , especially if the vvind be either vvest or north , but vvest is best . the manner of covering her . you are to bring her out into some broad place , and tie her to a post , then bring out some stone jade to dally with her , to provoke her to appetite , then let the stallion be led out by two men , and let him leap her , and let him do it in the morning fasting , and when the horse is dismounting , throw a pale full of cold water upon her shape , which by reason of the coldness will make her shrink in , and truss up her body , and will make her retain her seed the better ; then take away the stallion , and let her be put out of the hearing of the horse , and let her neither eat nor drink in four or five houres after , and give her a ma●● and white water . if she stands to her covering , you may know it by this , if she keeps a good stomach , and does not neigh at the sight of a horse , or if she does not piss often , or open and shut her shape often ; or that if her belly , four days after her covering , be more gant , and her hair more slick and close to her skin , &c. how many mares for one horse . if you cover abroad , one horse will serve twelve mares , if you expect no other service from him ; but if you keep him in the stable where he hath extraordinary keeping , he will serve fifteen . how to order a mare after covering to her foaling . keep her with the same diet as before covering , for three weeks or a month after , lest the seed be empaired before it be formed in the vvomb ; and let her be kept sweet and clean without any exercise , during three weeks or a month , and to keep her in the house till mid - may , and not to turn her out before mid - may , and with her feet well pared , and a thin pair of shooes upon them , and take her in again the latter end of september , if not before , and keep her to the end of her foaling , and let her be loose in the stable with good store of straw with her , that so the foal may fall the softer , for a mare does usually foal standing . how to help her if she cannot foal . if she cannot foal , hold her nostrils so that she cannot take her wind ; or if that will not do , take the quantity of a vvallnut of madder , and dissolve it in a pint of old ale , and being warm give it the mare , if both fail , take the help of some understanding farrier . if she cannot avoid her secundine , then boyl two or three handfuls of fennel in running water , and take half a pint of it with as much sack , or for want thereof , a pint of strong beer or ale , with a fourth part of sallet oyl , mix them together , and give it her luke-warm into her nostrils , and hold them close for a good space , or , for want thereof , give her good green wheat or rye , ( but rye is the best ) and they are as effectual . let her not eat her clean , for that is very unwholesom and will dry up her milk. to order her after foaling . vvhen she hath foaled , and licked her foal , milk and stroak her before the colt doth suck , which will both cause her to bring down her milk , but make it to multiply , and keep it that it doth not clod ; which may cause her to become dry , which if there be cause , boyl as much milk as you can get from her , with the leaves of lavender , or spike , and bath the udder with it warm till it be broken , and the knobs and knots dissolved . let her water after foaling be white water , which is bran put into her water , and give her sweet mashes ; and a month after her foaling give her a mash , and put into it some brimstone or savin , which will be a great preservation to the colt. and then if she be moderately laboured at plough , or harrow , the mare and colt will be the better , provided she be kept from raw meats while she remaineth in the stable , = which will both increase her milk , and cause her colt to thrive the better . and that you suffer not the colt to suck when she is hot , lest thereby you surfeit the colt. how long foals are to run with their dams . let them run with their dams a full year at least , but if they be choice foals , then two years , for the loss of the use of the mare will be no loss , in comparison of the benefit you will receive by the foal ; but if you want accommodations vvean at seven months , but be sure to keep them well , for what they lose the first year they will hardly gain in three following ; and at the vveaning give them savin and butter for divers mornings together , or else the worm and gargil will hazard to destroy them ; besides , have an eye to the strangle , for it is apt to essay them , and if not taken in time it will destroy them ; the first vvinter spare neither hay nor corn , that is , oats in the chaff , or in the sheaf , or give him any offal that comes from any grain whatsoever . the time of foaling look'd upon to be very improper , because in the vvinter-season . the time of foaling , as i have said before , i would have in december or january , which most hold to be a very improper time , the vveather being cold , and but little grass , which of necessity she must be housed , and fed with hard meat , which will dry up her milk , and so starve the foal : but to satisfie this scruple , and to tell you , that experience is the best master , for certainly the vvinter-season must needs be the best both for the mare and foal , being kept in a warm house ; and as for her milk , she will have great plenty , being fed well , and that more nourishing then that got at grass , which will make him more lusty , and of greater bone and stature , and cleaner limb'd , and more neatly joynted and hoof'd , and in better liking then that colt foaled in may or june , or any of the hotter months , for though grass doth yield great plenty of milk , yet it is not so nourishing , because it is very thin and watery , therefore it will not yield so substantial nourishment as the vvinter-food , ●if it be good , for though the quantity of milk is not so great , yet it is of greater goodness ; and besides , the pinching cold , rains and floods in vvinter , will so nip the poor colt , and enfeeble the mare in such desperate manner , that the wanting her former plenty of food and dry lodging , her milk will decay when the colt hath most need of it , by which means they must needs both fall into extream poverty ; and over and above all this , by his running abroad with the mare , he becometh so savage and wild , that if any infirmity seize upon him , his own unruliness being so great , the cure may be very difficult , for infinite are the number that hath perished in this kind . vvhen mares are fit to take horse . observe their chasing and galloping up and down morning and evening , and their throwing up of their noses , and lifting up of their tails , riding on one anothers backs , often pissing , or opening of their shapes , and closing of them again , which are signes of lust . to know the true shape , spirit and height of a foal . the same shape that it carries at a month old , he will carry at six years old , if he be not abused in after-keeping , and as the good shape , so the defects also . from the shin-bone . a large shin-bone , that is long from the knee to the pastern in a foal , shews a tall horse . from the space between his knee and vvithers . look what space he has between his knee and vvithers , double that will be his height when he is a compleat horse . from their spirits to know their goodness . if they are stirring spirits , free from affrights , wanton of disposition , and very active in leaping and running , striving for mastery , prove generally good mettl'd horses , the contrary , jades . from his hoofs . if his hoofs be strong , deep , tough , smooth , upright standing and hollow , he cannot be evil , for they are the foundation of his building , and lend fortitude from all the rest . therefore the barbary-horse is well known by his hoofs , for there is no horse hath naturally so good a hoof as he . vveaning of foals . vvean your ordinary foals at the end of seven months , your better at a year or two , and let them not be within the hearing of one another , and keep them very high the second year ; but the third and fourth put them to hard grasing . taming of colts . you are to make them familiar to you from the first vveaning , and so vvinter after vvinter ( in the house ) use them to familiar actions , as rubbing , clawing , haltering , leading to water , taking up of his feet , knocking his hoofs , and the like . the time to break colts . the best time to break colts to the saddle is at three years old , and the advantage , or four at the utmost . but he that hath the patience to stay to see his horse full five , shall be sure to have him of longer continuance , and less subject to disease or infirmity , and on that ( but by death ) will hardly come to the knowledge of tyring . coiling of the stud , or making of election . i advise you by no means to make too early coiling : for some horses will shew their best shape at two and three years old , and lose it at four , others not till five , nay , six , but then keep it ever ; some will do their best days work at six or seven years old , others not till eight or nine . but be the time when it will , let him preserve for his own use the best ; those that be defective , i mean , such as bring incurable desormities , gross sorrances , as spavins , ring-boncs , imperfect eyes , or the like , make away with them . barren mares . if you f●nd any of your mares grow into barrenness , away with them , for though i could prescribe you remedies , yet they are not worthy of your use . general observations concerning mares . in length and height a mare groweth till she be five , and a horse till he be six years old . covering . vvhen a mare is past two years old , she may be covered , but the best time is after four years old . bringing of foals . common mares may bring foals every year , but let your best bring but every second year , especially if they bring horse - colts . to make a mare stink foal . to make a mare slink her foal is to give her down her throat with a horn some water , with three grig eeles , which will make her slink with a great deal of safety . to make her stand to horse . to make a mare stand to horse the better , is to let her stand by him two o● three days before he cover her stallion for trotters . let your stallion for trotters be either ne●politan courser , or arabian , turk , or barbary , and for amblers , either the spanish jennet , or the irish hoboy . mares to horse . put your mares to horse , from the middle of march , till the middle of may , or middle june , the moon having newly changed . to put your horse into an empty house . it is good to put the horse and the mare for three or four nights together in an empty house , and take him away in the morning , and feed him well , and feed your mare sparingly ; but especially give her but little water . chasing the mares . at the end of six months chase not the mares , for then they are a quickning , and may easily be made to cast their foals . the vvall-eye . the wall-eye of a horse or mare doth never see perfectly , especially when the snow is upon the ground . choice of mares . for your choice of mares you ought to respect their shapes and mettles , that they be beautifully fore-handed , and that they be of a mean stature , large and broad , and the stallion of like shape , but somewhat broader and taller , and temper their natures thus . put unto the hot horse the cool mare , and to the hot mare the cool horse . if you will elect a horse for service and warlike employment , then these are best . the neapolitan , the sardinian , the courser , the almaine , the french , the jennet , or the turk● . or if any of these bastardized in themselves , or with a fair well shaped and mettl'd english mare . for swiftness . if you will elect for swiftness , then the arabian , the barbary , which is a horse of africa . the spanish , the grecian , which is the turky horse . or any of these bastardized in themselves with our english mares . for travel . if you will choose for long travel and service . then , the english , the hungarian , the swedeland , the poland , the irish . for draught . if you will choose for draught and service . then , the flanders , the friesland , or any of the netherlands , either bastardized in themselves , or with our english rases , and these are excellent for coach , for cart , for pack or any burthen . if you will choose for ease , then the irish . to know whether your mares be with foal , or not . if you pour a spoonful of cold vinegar or water into her ear , if she shake only her head , it is a sign she is with foal ; but if she shake her head , body and all , then it is a sign she is not with foal . or if she scoures , her coat grow smooth and shining , and that she grows fat , it is a sign that she holds . to make the mare conceive male foals . to make your mare conceive male foals , is to keep your stallion proud , and your mare poor ; that his lust mastering hers , he may only be predominate and chief in the action . of the office of the keeper . of the horse in general , his choice for every several vse , his ordering , diet , and best preservation for health , both in travel and in rest. of the nature of horses in general . he is valiant , strong and nimble , and above all other beasts most apt and able to endure the extreamest labours , the moist quality of his composition being such , that neither extream heat doth dry up his strength , nor the violence of cold , freeze the warm temper of his moving spirits , for he withstandeth all defects of sickness with an uncontrouled constancy . he is most gentle and loving to man , apt to be taught , and not forgetful when an impression is fixed in his brain ; he is watchful above all other beasts , and will endure his labour with the most empty stomach , he is naturally given to much cleanliness , he is of an excellent scent , and therefore not so much as to offend any man with his evil savours . your choice of a horse for the wars . choose him of a tall stature with a comely head , and out-swelling forehead , a large sparkling eye , the white thereof covered with the eye-brows , a small thin ear , short and pricking ; if it be long , well carried , and ever moving , a deep neck , a large crest , broad breast , bending ribs , broad and streight chine , round and full buttocks , a tail high and broad , neither too thick nor too thin , a full swelling thigh , a broad , flat and lean leg , short pasterned , strong joynted . colours of a horse . the best colours are brown bay , daple-gray , roand , bright-bay , black , with a white near foot behind , white sore-foot before , white star , chesnut or sorrel , with any of those marks , or dun with a black list . horses for a princes seat. if you will choose a horse for a princes seat , or for any supream magistrate , or any great lady ; then choose the finest shape , that is nimble , with an easie pace , and gentle to get up , familiar and quiet in the company of other horses , and let his colour be milk-white , with red frains or without , or else dapple-grey , with a white mane , and white tail. horses for travel . if you choose a horse for travel , choose him for strength , viz. his joynts strong , his pastornes short and streight without bending in his going , hollow and tough hoofs , let him be of a temperate nature , neither too furious , nor too dull . hunting horses . if you choose a horse for hunting , let his shape be generally strong , and well knit together , making equal proportions , for as unequal shapes shew weakness , so equal shapes shew strength and durance ; your unequal shapes , are a great head and a little neck , a big body and a thin buttock , a large limb to a little foot , &c. let him have a large and lean head , wide nostrils , open chauld , a big vvheasand , and the vvind-pipe streight . running horses if you choose him for running , let him have all the finest shapes that may be . let him be nimble , quick and siery , apt to flie with the least motion ; long shapes are sufferable , for though they shew weakness , yet they assure sudden speed . coach-horses . if you choose him for the coach , which is called the swift draught , let his ●hape be tall , broad and well furnish'd , not gross with much flesh , but with the bigness of his bones ; let him have a strong neck , a broad breast , a large chine , sound clean limbs , and tough hoofs . and for this purpose your large english geldings are best , your flemish mares next , and your strong stone-horses tolerable . p●ck-horses . if you choose a horse for portage , that is , for the pack or hampers . let him have a strong body and limb : , but not tall , with a broad back , out-ribs , full shoulders and thick vvithers ; for if it be thin in that part , you shall hardly keep his back from galling , and be sure he take a large stride , for he that taketh the largest stride goes at the most ease , and rids his ground the fastest . cart or plough . lastly , if you will choose a horse for cart or plough , which is the slow draught , choose him that is of an ordinary height , for horses in the cart unequally sorted never draw at ease , but the tall hang up the low horse . let him be big , large bodied and strong limb'd , by nature rather inclin'd to crave the vvhip , then to draw more then is needful . and for this purpose , mares are most profitable , if you have cheap keeping for them , for they will not only do your work , but bring you yearly increase ; be sure you take them well-forehanded , that is , good head , neck , breast and shoulders ; for the rest , it is not so regardful , only let her body be large , for the more room a foal hath in her dams belly , the sairer are his members . and be sure you never put your draught-beasts to the saddle for that alters their pace , and hurts them in their labour . how to order these several horses . and first of the horse for the wars . during his time of teaching , which is out of the vvars , you shall keep him high ; let his food be good hay and clean oats , or two parts oats , and one part beans or pease well dried and hard , half a peck at a morning , noon , and at evening is sufficient . in his days of rest , dress him betwixt five and six in the morning , and vvater him at seven or eight in the afternoon . dress him between three and four , and vvater him about four or five , and give him provender always after watering ; litter him at eight , and give food for all night . the night before he is ridden , about nine at night take away his hay , and at four of the clock in the morning give him a handful or two of oats , which being eaten , turn him upon the snaffle , rub him all over with dry clothes , then saddle him and make him fit for his exercise ; and when you have done with him , bring him into the stable all sweaty , as he is , and rub him all over with dry vvisps , then take off his saddle , and after you have rubbed him all over with dry cloaths , put on his housing-cloth , then put on the saddle again , and girt it , and walk him about gently while he be cold , then set him up , and after two or three houres fasting , put him to his meat , then in the afternoon , curb , rub and dress him , and water him , and order him as aforesaid . ordering a horse for a prince , or great ladies seat. you must order him in the time of his rest , like unto the horse for service ; and in his time of labour like the travelling horse , only you are to keep him more choicely . i mean , in a beautiful manner , his coat lying smooth and shining ; if he come in sweating into the stable , after you have rubbed him down take off the sweat with a sword blade , whose edge is rebated . ordering of travelling horses at home and abroad . feed him with good hay in the vvinter , and good grass in the summer . his provender , let it be good dry oats , beans , pease or bread , according to his stomach ; in the time of rest , half a peck at a watering is sufficient , in the time of labour as much as he will eat with a good stomach . of watering in the morning . when you travel him , water two houres before you ride , then rub , dress and lustily feed , then bridle up , and let him stand an hour before you take his back . of feeding betimes . in your travel feed your horse betimes for all night , that thereby he may the sooner take his rest . moderate travelling . travel moderately in the morning , till his wind be rackt , and his limbs warmed , then after do as your affairs require . be sure at night to water your horse two miles before you come to your journey 's end ; then the warmer you bring him to his inn the better , walk not , nor wash not at all , the one doth beget colds , the other foundrings in the feet or body , but set him up warm , well stopt , and well rubbed , with clean litter ; give no meat whilest the outward parts of your horse are hot or wet with sweat , as the ear-roots , the flanck , the neck , or under his chaps ; but being dry , rub and feed him according to the goodness ▪ of his stomach . to get a stomach . change of food begetteth a stomach , so doth the washing the tongue or nostrils with vineger , wine and salt , or warm urine . not to stop the horses feet with cow-dung till they be cold . stop not your horses feet with cow-dung till he be sufficiently cold , and that the blood and humours which were dispersed , be setled into their proper places . look to his back , girts and shooes . look well to his back , that the saddle hurt not ; to the girts , that they gall not ; and to his shooes , that they be large , fast and easie . not to eat nor drink when he is hot . let him neither eat nor drink when he is hot , nor presently after his travel . to labour him moderately , when the weather is either extream hot or cold . labour him moderately when the weather is either extream hot , or extream cold , that so you may avoid extream heats or sudden colds . not to travel him too late . travel him not too late , that your own eye may see him well dried , and well fed , before you take your own rest . the saddle not to be presently taken off . take not the saddle from your horses back suddenly . horse-bread very good food . horse-bread which is made of clean pease , beans or fitches , feedeth exceedingly . river-water is not so good as standing-water . let your horses meat and drink be exceeding sweet and clean , standing-water is better then river-water , for that is too piercing . swine and pullen is naught to be nigh a stable . let him lie clean and dry , keep your stable sweet , let no swine lie near it , nor let any pullen come within it . let the light of your stable be towards the south and north. let the light of your stable be ever towards the south and north ; yet so as the north-windows may in the winter be shut close at pleasure . to be tied with two reins . let him be tied with two reins . to ride him on stony wayes . ride him often on stony ways , that he may the better feel his feet , and harden his hoofs . wheat-straw , and oat-straw , best for litter . let his bed be of wheat-straw above his knees , the barley-straw is the softest , yet a horse will covet to eat it , which is unwholesom ; wheat-straw , though it be hard to lie upon , yet it is wholesom to eat , and as for oat-straw , it is the best in the superlative , for it is not only wholesom to eat , but soft to lie upon . of dressing your horse . curry or dress your horse twice a day , that is before water ; and when he is curried , rub him well with your hand , and with a rubber , his head should be rubbed with a wet cloth , and his cods made clean with a dry cloth , otherwise he would be scabby between his legs ; you should wet his fore-top , his mane and his tail with a wet mane-comb , and ever where the horses hair is thinnest , there curry the gentlest . of the stable . let the plaunchers of your stable lie even and level , that your horse may stand at his ease , and not prove lame by too much oppressing his hinder feet . a mud-wall is naught to be nigh a horse . let not any mud-wall be within your horses reach , for he will naturally covet to eat it , and nothing is more unwholesom . chopt straw is good to strow amongst his provender . give your horse plenty of garbage ( which is chopt vvheat-straw ) both with his provender and without , for it is a mighty clenser of a horses body . bottles of hay to be tied hard . let your hay-bottles be very little , and tied very hard , for so your horse shall eat with a better stomach , and make least waste . to sprinkle the hay with water is good , and to strow fennegreek amongst his provender . to sprinkle water upon your hay is most wholesom , and to sprinkle fennegreek upon your provender , is as sovereign ; the ●rst is good for the vvind , the latter for vvormes . exercise good . let your horse have daily exercise , for that begets a good stomach to his meat . grafs is good once a year , to cleanse the blood and cool the body . purge your horse once a year with grass , or green blades of corn called forrage , for fifteen days together ; yet before you purge him , in any case let him blood , and whilest he is in purging let him have no prevender . a horse good store of blood after travel . a horse after travel hath ever more blood then any beast what●o●ever , therefore it is good to take blood from him to prevent the yellows , or other diseases that may follow . what you are to do in case of necessity , coming late to your inn. if you come late to your inn , so that your journey be great and earnest , and that your horse will not eat till he hath drunk , and yet is hot notwithstanding , then let his drink be milk given in the dark , lest the whiteness make him refuse it ; this is both cordial and pleasant : if you cannot get milk enough , then mingle milk with water luke-warm . to give him mares milk to drink if he be poor . if your horse either by labour , or any surfeits be brought low , lean and weak , give him mares milk to drink many days ▪ together , and it will make him strong . the best-times to water in the winter . the best houres to water your horse in the winter ( when he is at rest ) is betwixt seven and eight in the morning , or four or five in the evening . not good to wash a horse if he be hot . it is not good to wash a horse when he is hot , but you may wash him above the knees , so that you do not wash his belly ; and that you ride him after he is washed , and so set him up and dress him . the purer the water is wherein you wash your horse , the more wholesom it is , so that it be not too extream cold . to light at every steep hill. when you travel , at every steep hill , light , both to refresh your horse and your self . how a fat horse is to have his meat and his water . let a fat horse have his water at four times , and not as much as he will drink at once , and let him stand two or three houres every day without meat . rubbing is good for a horse . rubbing much , hard and well , doth profit , preserve , and it keeps both legs and body in strength , and he doth much delight in it , and it doth better then much meat . boiled barley is good . boiled barley is a great fatner of a horse . to pick his feet after travel . cleanse and pick the soles of his feet ever after travel , and stuffe them well with ox-dung , and anoint his hoofs with grease , tarr or turpentine . much rest naught . much rest is the nurse and mother of many diseases . be careful to look to your saddle . when you ride , look often to your saddle and your horses shooes , and you shall find much more ease in your journey . a horse-mans rule . if you do intend to keep your horse in his skin , go softly out , and come softly in . riding softly . ride moderately the first two houres , but after according to your occasions . trotters oyl is good to help stiff limbs . trotters oyl is an excellent ointment , being applied very warm to your horses limbs , to nimble them , and to help stiffness and lameness . and dogs grease is better , therefore never want one of them in the stable . to bath his legs with cold water , is good to keep his legs from scabs and swellings . bath the fore-legs from the knees and gambrels downwards with cold water , for it is wholesom , and both comforteth the sinews , and prevents scabs and swellings . to wash at the stable door , if necessity requires . if foul ways compel you to wash your horses legs , then do it with a pail of water at the stable-door , rather then to endanger him in pond or river ; and for walking , rather sit on your horses back to keep his spirit stirring , then to walk him in your hand , for he will soon catch cold that way , the wind and air getting between his saddle and back . dressing upon travel and rest . dress your horse twice a day upon rest , and once upon travel . blooding . spring and fall are the best times to take blood from a horse . ordering of hunting horses . while he is at rest , let him have all the quietness that may be , let him have much meat , much litter , much dressing , and water ever by him , and let him sleep as long as he pleaseth , keep him to dung rather soft then hard , and look that it be well coloured and bright , for darkness shews grease , and redness inward heating . let exercises and mashes of sweet mault , after his usual scourings ; or let bread of clean beans , or beans and wheat mixt together , be his best food , and beans and oats the most ordinary . sir robert chernock's manner of hunting in buck-season . he never takes his horse up into the stable during the season , but hunts him upon grass , only allowing him as many oats as he can well eat . and he approves of this to be a very good way , by reason that if there be any molten grease within him which violent hunting may raise up , this going to grass will purge it out ; he hath rid his horse three days in a week during the season , and never yet found any hurt , but rather good by it , so that you turn your horse out very cool . the ordering of your running horse , let him have no more meat then will suffice nature , drink once in twenty four houres , and dressing every day once at noon only ; let him have moderate exercise morning and evening , ayrings , or the fetching of his water , and know no other violence but in his courses only . if he be very fat , scoure oft ; if of reasonable stature , seldom ; if lean , then scoure but with a sweet mash only ; let him stand dark and warm , having many clothes and much litter , and that wheat-straw only . let him be empty before you run , and let his food be the finest , lightest and quickest of digestion that may be ; the sweats are most wholesom that are given abroad , and the cooling most natural which is given before he cometh into the stable . keep his limbs with cool ointments , and let not any hot spices come into his body . if he grow dry inwardly , wash'd meats is most wholesom . if he grow loose , give him wheat-straw in more abundance . and be sure do every thing neat and cleanly about him , which will nourish him the better . ordering of coach-horses . let them have good dressing twice a day , hay and provender their belly-full , and litter enough to tumble on . let them be walk'd and wash'd after travel , for by reason of their many occasions to stand still , they must be inur'd with all hardness , though it be much unwholesom . their best food is sweet hay , or well dried beans and oats , or bean-bread ; look well to the strength of their shooes , and the galling of their harness ; keep their legs clean , especially about their hinder fetlocks ; and let them stand in the house warmly cloathed . ordering of the pack and cart-horse . they need no walking , washing , or houres of fasting , only dress them well , look to their shooes and backs , and then fill their bellies , and they will do their labour . their best food is sweet hay , chaff or pease , or oat-hulls and pease , or chopt straw and pease mixt together ; to give them warm grains and salt once a week will not be amiss , which will prevent the breeding of wormes , and such like mischief . the office of the rider and groom , and of things belonging to him , viz. his general and particular knowledge in handling , sadling , mouthing , backing and riding of the great horse , or horse of pleasure . of the stable , and what it ought to be built with . to begin first with the winter-house of the horse , the stable : you ought to place it in a good air , and to be made of brick , and not stone , for brick is most wholesom and warmest , for stone will sweat upon change of weather , which begetteth damps , and causeth rheums in horses . there ought not to be nigh it any unsavoury gutter nor sink , no jakes , hog-sty or hen-roust to annoy it . the rack ought to be placed neither too high nor too low , and so well-placed , that the hay-dust fall not into his neck , mane nor face . the manger ought to be of an indifferent height , made deep , and of one entire piece , as well for strength as conveniency . let the floor be pitched and not planked , and let there be no mud or lome-wall near it , for he will eat it , which will cause him to be sick , for lome and lime are suffocating things , and they will infect and putrifie the blood , and endanger his lungs , and spoil his wind ; neither let any dung lie near his heels , for that will breed cib'd and scabby heels . paving of stables is better then planked stables for these reasons . first , they are much more durable and lasting . secondly , they are less charges by much . thirdly , for him to stand continually upon a pitched floor , it emboldneth his feet and treading the more . fourthly , it is the most excellent thing that may be for colts , who are unshod , for it hardeneth their hoofs , so that by custom they will be as bold to go upon stones , rocky and hard ways , as horses that are shod ; neither will it suffer the hoofs to grow abroad in the manner of an oyster ; besides , the use thereof will make their hoofs more tough , durable and hollow , insomuch that when they come to be shod , they will carry their shooes much longer . to shew the inconveniencies of a planked floor . first , it is more slippery , out of which reason a mettl'd horse may be endangered , to be lamed or spoiled by some sudden slip , which a pitched stable is not so subject to . secondly , the planks oftentimes shrinking , if the horse be high mettl'd and be subject to curvet , he may break a plank , and so plunging may easily spoil or break his leg. thirdly , when you put forth your horse to grass in the summer , the sun will so dry the planks , that they will warp and loosen the pins , and make them give way , that so when horses that have gone for some months before , not being handled , become wild and unruly , that when they come into the stable , and feel the planks to give way under them , will fall to flinging and leaping till they have dislocated the planks , and not only both endanger himself but his fellows also . fourthly , whereas you may imagine a planked stable warmer then a paved one , i know the contrary , for your pitched floors have no vaults or channels under them , like as your planked ones have , to carry away the water that the horses make , by which means the horses lieth over a dampish , moist vault ; and besides , the evil savour of the horse-piss will be ever in their nose , which is very unwholesom and noisom , and many times the cause of many infirmities ; neither can it be so warm as the other for chinks and holes , which are made by the awger through the planks , ( which must always be kept open to let forth the urine ) to give way to the cold wind which cometh from thence , which cannot but be very unwholesom . therefore i do affirm , that if your groom do litter up horse well , so that he may lie soft and warm , he will prosper better then upon a planked floor , provided it be laid even , not higher before then behind , more then will carry the water to his hinder-feet , where there ought to be a small gutter to carry it away , for by raising your floor too much , his hinder legs will swell , and so he will become lame , by reason he bears too much weight on his hinder parts . of the care in the choice of a groom . after you have bred colts according to my instructions , and that that they prove to your mind , then the next care you ought to have is of grooms , which ought to be very expert in their faculties , which consisteth their making or marring , for you cannot say that a colt three or four years old can be a perfect horse , till he come to be handled and made fit for his masters riding , which is to be made gentle , shod , backed , broken , ridden , wayed , mouthed , and in brief brought to his utmost perfection . his rider therefore must be an expert and able horseman , and his keeper every way as sufficient , otherwise what defects you find in your horse , are not to be attributed to him , but either to his rider , or to his groom ; therefore let your care be , that they be both sufficient . how a rider ought to be qualified . if you desire your colts to come to their utmost perfection , then let your rider be one who is cried up to be an experienc'd horse-man ; he must not be of life dissolute or debaucht , nor of nature harsh , furious , cholerick or hair-brain'd , for the least of either of these vices are very unseemly in a person of this profession ; he must be master over his passions , for he that is not cannot make a good horse-man . and it is not much to be wondred at , if a horse fall into imperfections or vices , for these his evil conditions and faults are not so much to be imputed to the horse , but to the teacher , for he is not a good horse-man that doth not bring his horse to perfection , by sweet and gentle means , rather then by correction and severe chastisements ; yet not but that i allow of correction , and that it is as necessary as meat , if it do not exceed the limited bounds of moderation , and that it be done at the very instant when he offendeth , and doth justly merit the same , or else he will not know the cause why he is chastised ; so on the other side , when he doth well , let h●m be cherished and made much of , which will encourage him to go forward in well-doing . what manner of person a groom ought to be . the groom must be a man that must truly love his horse , and so shape his course towards him , as that the horse may love and dote upon him ; for a horse is the most lovingest creature to man of all other bruit creatures , and none more obedient to him ; wherefore , if he be mildly dealt withal , he will be also reciprocal ; but if he be harsh and cholerick , the horse will be put by his patience , and become rebellious , and fall to biting and striking ; for the old proverb is , patience once wronged , will turn into fury . he must continually toy , dally and play with him , be always talking and speaking pleasing words unto him ; he must lead him abroad in the sun-shine , and then run , scope and shew him all the delight he can ; he must duely curry , comb and dress him , wipe dust , pick and clense him , feed , pamper and cherish him , and be always doing somewhat about him , either about his heels , or taking up his feet , or rapping him upon the soles ; and he must keep him so well dress'd that he may almost see his face upon his coat ; he must keep his feet stopped , and daily anointed , his heels free from scratches and other sorrances , and to have so vigilant an eye upon him , to oversee all his actions , as well feeding as drinking , that so no inward infirmity may seize upon him , but that he may be able to discover it , and being discovered may seek for to cure it . to saddle and bridle a colt. when your horse is made gentle , take a sweet watering trench , wash'd and anointed with honey and salt , put it into his mouth , and so place it , that it may hang about his tush ; then offer him the saddle ; but with that carefulness that you do not affright him therewith , suffering him to smell at it , to be rubbed with it , and then to feel it ; then in the end to fix it on , and girt it fast , and at what part and motion he seems most coy , with that make him most familiar ; then being thus sadled and bridled lead him forth to water , then bring him in , and after he hath stood a little reined upon the trench , an hour or more , take away the bridle and saddle , and let him go to his meat till the evening , then lead him forth as before , and when he is set up gently , take off his saddle and dress him , and cloath him up for all night . the way to make him endure the saddle the better , is by making it familiar unto him , by clapping the saddle with your hand as it stands upon his back , to shake it and sway upon it , to dangle the stirrops by his sides , and to rub them on his sides , and make much of him , and be familiar with all things about him , as straining the crooper , fastning and loosening the girts , or taking up and letting out of the stirrops . of mouthing . when he will trot with the saddle obediently , then you shall wash a trench of a full mouth , and put it into his mouth , and throw the reins over the sore-part of the saddle , so that the horse may have a full feeling of it ; then put on a martingal , and you shall buckle it at such length , that he may no more then feel it when he jirketh up his head , then take a broad piece of leather , and put it about the horses neck , and make the two ends of it fast by platting , or otherwise at the withers and mid-part before his weasand , about two handfuls below the throple , betwixt the leather and his neck , let the mattingal pass , so that when at any time he shall offer to duck or throw down his head , the cavezan being placed upon the tender gristle of his nose , may correct and punish him , which will make him bring down his head , and fashion him to an absolute rein. then trot him abroad , and if you find the reins or martingal grow slack , straiten them , for where there is no feeling there is no vertue . of backing . when you have exercised your horse thus , divers mornings , noons , or evenings , and find him obedient , then take him into some ploughed ground ( the lighter the better ) and after you have made him trot a good pace about you in your hand , and thereby taken from him all his wantonness , look and see whether your tackling be firm and good , and every thing in his true and due place , you may then ( having one to stay his head and govern the chasing rain ) take his back , yet not suddenly , but by degrees , and with divers heavings , and half-raisings , which if he endure patiently , then settle your self ; but if he shrink or dislike , then forbear to mount , and chase him about again , and then offer to mount , and do thus till he be willing to receive you . then when you are setled , and have received your stirrops and cherisht him , put your toes forward , and he that stays his head , ler him lead him forward half a dozen paces , then cherish him ; then lead him a little further and cherish him , and shake and move your self in the saddle , then let him stay his head , and remove his hand a little from the cavezan , and as you thrust forwards your toes , let him move him forward with his rein , till you have made the horse apprehend your own motion of body and foot , ( which must go equally together , and with spirit also ) so that he will go forward without the other assistance , and stay upon the restraint of your own hand , then cherish him , and give him grass and bread to eat , alight from his back , then mount and unmount twice or thrice together , ever mixing them with cherishings . thus exercise him till you have made him perfect in going forward , and standing still at your pleasure . helps at first backing . when this is effected , you may lay by the long rein , and the band about the neck , and only use the trenches and cavezan , and the martingal , and let a groom lead the way before you on another horse , and go only streight forward , and stand still when you please , which will soon be effected , by trotting him after another horse , and bring him home sometimes after the horse , and sometimes equally with him , and sometimes before , so that he may six upon no certainty , but your own pleasure ; and be sure to have regard to the well-carriage of his neck and head , and as the martingal slackneth so to streighten it . what lessons for what horse . when this work is finished , then teach your horse these lessons : as if he be for hunting , running , travel , hackney , or the like , then the chiefest things you are to apply your self to , are to preserve a good mouth , to trot freely and comly , to amble surely and easily , to gallop strongly and swiftly , to obey the hand in stopping gently , and retiring willingly , and to turn on the other hand readily and nimbly . but if you intend him for the great saddle , or the use of the wars , then although the lessons be the same , yet they are to be done in a more punctual manner . so that if any horse can be brought to the best , the easier must needs follow with little industry . and it is a rule in horseman-ship , that no lesson which belong to the wars can be hur●ful , or do injury to any horse whatsoever , that is kept for any other purpose . whence it cometh , that any horse for the wars may be trained for a runner , or hunter , at pleasure ; but every runner , or hunter , will not serve the wars ; and every horse-man that can make a horse for the wars , may be a jocky when he pleases ; but no jocky ( that i know ) can make a horse for the wars . therefore i will run a middle way , and sute my lessons to both purposes . helps and corrections . before you teach your horse any lessons , you must know there are seven helps to advantage him in his lessons , to punish him for faults gotten in his lessons . and they be , the voice , the rod , the bit or snaffle , the calves of the legs , the stirrop , spur , and the ground . voice . the voice is an help when it is sweet and accompanied with cherishings , and it is a correction when it is rough or terrible , and accompanied with strokes or threatnings . rod. the rod is an help in the shaking , and a correction in the striking . bit or snaffle . the bit is an help in its sweetness , the snaffle in its smoothness , and they are corrections , the one in its hardness , the other in its roughness , and both in slatness and squareness . calves of the legs are helps when you lay them to the horses sides gently , and corrections when you strike them hard , because they give warning that the spurs follow . stirrop and stirrop-leathers . are corrections , when you strike it against the hinder part of the shoulder , and they are helps when you thrust them forward in a quick motion . spur. is a help when it is gently delivered in any motion that asks quickness and agility , whether on the ground , or above the ground , and a correction when it is stricken hard in the sides , upon any sloth , or any fault committed the ground . the ground is an help when it is plain and smooth , and not painful to tread upon ; and it is a correction when it is rough , deep and uneven , for the amendment of any vice conceived . of large rings , when your horse will receive you to and from his back gently , trot forward willingly , and stand still obediently . then intending him for the wars , or other purpose , ( for these lessons serve all occasions , ) you shall in some gravelly or sandy place , where his footsteps may be discerned , labour him within the large ring , that is , at least fifty paces in compass ; and having trod it about three or four times on the right hand , rest and cherish ; then change the hand again , and do as much on the left hand , then rest and cherish ; and change the hand again , and do as much on the right hand , ever observing upon every stop to make him retire and go back a step or two . thus labour him , till he will trot his ring on which hand you please , changing within the ring in the manner of a roman s , and to do it readily and willingly ; then teach him to gallop them as he did trot them , and that also with true footing , lofty carriage and brave rein , ever observing when he gallops to the right hand , to lead with his left fore-foot , and when he gallops to the left hand , to lead with the right fore-foot . object . now here is to be cleared a paradox held by many of our horsemen , which is , that the exercise of the ring is not good for running horses , because it raiseth up his fore-feet , and make him gallop painfully , and so an hindrance unto speed . answ . but if they consider that this habit , ( if it be taken ) is soon broken , either by the horse-mans hand or discretion , who hath power to make him move as he pleaseth ; or if they will truly look into the benefit of the thing it self , they shall finde it is the only means to bring an horse to the true use of his feet , and the nimble carriage of them in all advantages . for every runner of horses will allow , that for an horse ( in his course ) to lead with his right foot , is most proper , and when at any time he breaks or alters it , it must be disadvantage , because , ( not well acquainted to lead with the other , ) he cannot handle it so nimbly . now at his first backing , by the use of his ring and change of hands , he will become so expert and cunning with both , that whatsoever mischance shall alter his stroke , yet shall his speed and nimbleness keep one and the same goodness . of stopping . when you come to the place of stop , or would stop , by a sudden drawing in of your bridle-hand , somewhat hard and sharp , make him stop close , firm and streight , in an even line ; and if he err in any thing , put him to it again , and leave not till you have made him understand his error , and amend it . advancing . now if you do accompany this stop with an advancement a little from the ground , it will be more gallant , and may be done by laying the calves of your legs to his sides , and shaking your rod over him as he stops . if it chance at first he understand you not , yet by continuance and labouring him herein , he will soon attain unto it , especially , if you forget not to cherish him , when he gives the least shew to apprehend you . retiring . after stopping and advancing , make him retire , as before shewed . and this motion of retiring , you must both cherish and encrease , making it so familiar with him , that no lesson may be more perfect ; neither must he retire in a confused manner , but with a brave rein , a constant head , and a direct line ; neither must he draw or sweep his legs one after another , but take them clean , nimbly and loftily , as when he trotted forward . of bitting . when your horse is come to perfection in these lessons , and hath his head firmly setled , his reins constant , and his mouth sweetned ; you may then ( if you intend him for the wars ) take away his trench and martingal , and only use the cavezan of four or three pieces , that is , a joynt or no joynt in the midst , and to that joynt a strong ring , and a joynt of each side , with rings before the joynts , to which you shall put several reins to use , either at the post or otherwise . into his mouth you shall put a smooth sweet canon bit , with a french cheek suitable to the proportion of the horses neck ; knowing that the long cheek raises up the head , and the short pulls it down . and with these you shall exercise the horse in all the lessons before taught , till he be perfect in them , without disorder or amazement . of streight turns and turnings . when he is setled upon his bit , then you are to teach him to turn roundly and readily in the streighter rings ; and of these there are divers kinds , and divers methods to teach them . but i shall fix upon two manner of streight turns , as the perfection from whence all turnings are derived . the one is when a horse keepeth his hinder parts inward and close to the post or center , and so cometh about and maketh his circumference with his hinder parts , opposing face to face with his enemy . the first streight turn . you shall to the ring in the mid-part of the cavezan , fix a long rein of two fathom or more , and to the other rings two other shorter reins ; then having saddled the horse , and put on his bit , bring him to the post , and put the reins of the bit over the fore-part of the saddle , bolsters and all , and fix them at a constant streightness on the top of the pomel , so that the horse may have a feeling both of the bit and curb . then if you will have him turn to the right hand , take the short rein on the left side of the cavezan , and bringing it under the fore-bolster of the saddle up to the pomel , and there fix it at such a streightness , that the horse may rather look from , then to the post on the right side . then let some groom or skilful attendant hold the right-side rein of the cavezan at the post , governing the fore-parts of his body to come about at large : then your self taking the long rein into your hand , and keeping his hinder parts inward , with your rod on his outward shoulder , and sometimes on his outward thigh , make him move about the post , keeping his inward parts as a center , and making his fore-parts move in a larger circumference . thus you shall exercise him a pretty space on one hand , till he grow to some perfectness ; then changing the reins of the cavezan , make him do the like to the other hand . and thus apply him divers mornings , and cherishing him in his exercise according to his deservings , till you have brought him to that readiness , that he will upon the moving of your rod couch his hinder parts in towards the post , and lapping the outward fore-leg over the inward , trot about the post swiftly , distinctly , and in as strait a compass as you can desire , or is convenient for the motion of the horse ; and from trotting you may bring him to flying and wheeling about , with that swiftness , that both the fore-legs rising and moving together , the hinder parts may follow in one and the same instant . when you have made him thus perfect in your hand , you shall then mount his back ; and making some skilful groom govern the long rein , and another the short , by the motion of your hand upon the bit , and soft rein of the cavezan , keeping the horses head from the post , and by the help of the calve of your leg laid on his side , and your rod turned toward his outward thigh , to keep his hinder parts into the post , labour and exercise him till you have brought him to that perfection which you desire . then take away the long rein , and only exercise him with the help of the short rein of the cavezan , and no other . after take both the reins of the cavezan into your hands , and exercise him from the post ; making him as ready in any place where you please to ride him , as he was at the post . the other streight turn . now for the other streight flying turn , which is to keep his face fixt on the post as on his enemy , and to move about only with his hinder parts , you shall take the same helps of the long rein , and the short reins of the cavezan , and govern them , as before shewed , only you shall not give the short rein to the post-ward , so much liberty as before , but keep his head closer to the post , and following his hinder parts with the long rein , by the help of your rod make him bring his hinder parts round about the post ; and observe , that as before he did iap one foot over another , so now he must lap the hinder legs one over another . in this exercise , exercise him as the former , then ( after a perfectness ) mount his back , and labour him , as before shewed . then lastly , leaving the post and all other helps , only apply him in such open and free places as you shall think couvenient , for upon the finishing of this work your horse is made compleat , and can perform all things that can be required , either for the service in the wars , for the high-way , or any other galloping pleasure . how to help an ill rein , and cure a run-away jade . many horses are so evil - beholding to nature , for giving them short necks , and worse set-on heads , and so little beholding to art to amend them , which causes many a good horse to be left cureless of those two gross insufferable faults , which are either a deformed carriage of the head , like a pig on a broach , or else a furious running away , got by a spoiled mouth , or an evil habit . the help . if it be a young horse at his first riding , then to his trench ; if an old , then to his snaffle , ( for i speak not of the bit ) but a pair of reins , half as long again as any ordinary reins , and loops to fasten and unfasten at the eye of the snaffle , as other reins have . now when you see that the horse will not yield to your hand , but the more you draw the more he thrusts out his nose , or the more violently he runs away ; then undo the buttons of the reins from the eye of the snaffle , and draw them through the eyes , and bring them to the buckles of the formost girt , and there button them fast : then riding the horse in that manner , labour him with the gentle motions of your hand , coming and going by degrees , and sometimes accompanied with your spur , to gather up his body , and to feel your command , and in a short time he will bring his head where you will place it . and for running away , if you draw one rein , you turn him about in despite of all fury ; and if you draw both , you break his chaps , or bring them to his bosom . in the end , finding himself not able to resist , he will be willing to obey . another help for unc●nstant carriage . there is another soul error in many horses , which these reins also cure , as this , when your horse is either so wythie cragg'd ( as the northern man calls it ) or so loose and unsteady necked , that which way soever you draw your hand , his head and neck will follow it , sometimes beating against your knees , sometimes dashing against your bosom , and indeed , generally so loose and uncertain , that a man knows not when he hath steady hold of him ; a vice wonderful incident to running horses , especially the furious ones . in this case you shall take these long reins , and as before you drew them to the buckles of the girts , so now martingal-wise draw from the eyes of the snaffle , betwixt his fore-legs to the girts , and there fasten them . thus ride him with a constant hand , firm and somewhat hard , correcting him both with the spurs and rod , and somtimes with hard twitches in his mouth when he errs ; and with a few weeks labour , his head will come to a constant carriage , provided , that you labour him as well upon his gallop as his trot , and leave him not till you finde him fully reclaimed . the office of the feeder . an introduction to the work touching the limitation of time for preparing the running horse . i will not dispute the several opinions of men in this kingdom , touching the keeping of running horses , because they are idle and frivolous . only this i shall do , clear one paradox , and that is the limitation of time , allowed for the making ready of a horse for a match or wager . some do affirm , that a horse newly taken from grass , being foul , cannot be made fit under six months : by which they rob their masters of half a years pleasure , thrust him upon a tyring charge to make the sport lothsom , and get nothing but a cloak for ignorance , and a few false got crowns , that melt as they are possessed . their reasons . yet as hereticks cite scripture , so these find reasons to defend want of knowledge . as , the danger of too early exercise , the offence of grease suddenly broken , the moving of evil humours too hastily , which leads to mortal sickness ; and the moderation , or helping of these by a slow proceeding , or bringing of the horse into order by degrees and time ; or ( as i may say ) by an ignorant sufferance . these reasons have shew of a good ground , for too early exercise is dangerous , but not if free from violence . to break grease too suddenly is an offence insufferable , for it puts both limbs and life in hazard , but not if it be purged away by wholesom scourings . the hasty stirring up of humours in the body , where they superabound , and are generally dispersed , and not setled , cannot choose but breed sickness ; but not where discretion and judgement evacuateth them in wholesom , sweet and moderate ayrings . long time inconvenient . and for the moderation of all these , by the tediousness of time , as two months for the first , two months for the second , and as much for the last . it is like the curing of the gangreen in an old man ; better to die then to be dismembred , better lose the price then bear the charge . for i appeal to any noble judgement , whose purse hath experienced these actions , if six months preparation , and the dependents to it , do not devour up a hundred pounds wager . now i allow but of two months time at any time of the year whatsoever , for an old horse , or an horse formerly trained , for i speak not of colts ; if he does it not in two months , he shall not do it in fifteen . but reply they , no scouring is to be allowed , for they are physical ; they force nature , and so hurt nature ; they make sickness , and fo empair health . and that indeed nothing is comparable to the length of time , because nature worketh every thing it self , and though she be longer , she hath less danger . i confess that sibbesauce scourings , which are stuff'd with poisonous ingredients , cannot choose but bring forth infirmity ; but wholesom scourings , that are composed of beneficial and nourishing simples , neither occasion sickness , nor any manner of infirmity , but brings away grease and all foulness , in that kindly and abundant sort , that one week shall effect more then two months dilatory and doubtful forbearance , i call it dilatory and doubtful , because no man ( in this lingring course ) can certainly tell which way the grease and other soulness will avoid , as whether in his ordure ( which is the safest ) into sweat , ( which is hazardous , ) into his limbs , ( which is mischievous ) or remain and putrifie in his body , ( which is mortally dangerous ) since the issue of any , or all these fall out according to the strength and estate of the horses body , and the diligence of the feeder . and if either the one fail in power , or the other in care , farewel horse for that year . all this envy cannot choose but confess ; only they have one broken crutch to support them , which is , they know no scouring , therefore they will allow of no scouring . against barbarism i will not dispute , only i ▪ appeal to art or discretion , whether purgation or sufferance , when nature is offended , be the better doers . but they reply by a figure called , absurdity , that whatsoever is given to any horse more then his natural food , and which he will naturally and willingly receive , is both improper and unwholesom , to this i answer , the natural food of man is bread only , all other things ( according to the philosopher ) are superfluous , and so to be avoided . at this argument both humanity and divinity laughs . for other helps , as physick , divers meats , and divers means , ordeined for both , even by the power of the almighty himself , tells the contemners hereof , how grossly they err in this foolish opinion . nay , allow them a little shadow of truth , that things most natural are most beneficial , then it must follow , that grass or hay , ( which is but withered grass ) is most natural , and so most beneficial . now grass is physical , for in it is contained all manner of simples , of all manner of mixtures , as hot , cold , moist , dry , of all qualities , all quantities . so that whatsoever i give ( which is good ) is but that which he hath formerly gathered out of his own nature , only with this difference , that what he gathereth is in a confused manner , clapping contraries together so abundantly , that we are not able to judge where the predominant quality lieth ; and that which we compound is so governed by art and reason , that we know how it should work , and we expect the event , if it be not cross'd by some greater disaster . but will they bind themselves to keep the running horse only with grass or hay ? they know then the end of their labours will be loss . nay , they will allow corn , nay , divers corns , some nourishing and loosening , as oats and rye ; some astringent and binding , as beans ; and some fatning , breeding both blood and spirit , as wheat ; nay , they will allow bread , nay , bread of divers compositions , and divers mixtures , some before heat , and some after , some quick of digestion , and some slow , and if this be not as physical as scourings a good horse-man gives , i repent me that i have said any thing . nay , these contemners of scourings will allow an egg , and that mixt with other ingredients . and for butter and garlick they will use it , though it be never so fulsom ; the reason is , because their knowledge can arise to no higher a stair in physick ; and authorised ignorance will ever wage battel with the best understanding ; like foolish gallants on st. george's day , who neither having ability to buy , nor credit to borrow a gold chain , scorn at them that wear them ; or martin mar-prelate , that not having learning worthy of a deacon , found no felicity , but in railing at divine fathers . there are another sort of feeders , which in a contrary extream , run beyond these into mischiefs , and those are they that ov r-scoure their horses , and are never at peace , but when they are giving of portions , ( which they call scourings ) sometimes without cause , always without order , bringing upon an horse such intolerable weakness , that he is not able to perform any violent labour . from this too little , and too much , i would have our feeder to gather a mean ; that is , first to look that his simples be wholesom : then to the occasion , that he be sure there is foulness : and lastly , to the estate of body , that he may rather augment then decrease vigour , so shall his work be prosperous , and his actions without controulment . to conclude , two months i allow for preparation , and according to that time have laid my directions . mine humble suit is , out of a sincere opinion to truth and justice , so to allow or disallow , to refrain or imitate . the first ordering of the running horse . according to the several estates of their bodies . this office of the feeder , albeit in general it belong to all horse-men , yet in particular it is most appropriate to the feeder of the running-horse ; because other general horses have a general way of feeding , these are artificial and prescript from , full of curiosity and circumspection , from which whosoever errs , he shall sooner bring his horse to destruction then perfection . you are to have regard to three estates of a horses body . the first is , if he be very fat , foul , or either taken from grass or soil . the second , if he be extream lean and poor , either through over-riding , disorder or other infirmity . and the third , if he be in good and well-liking estate , having had good usage and moderate exercise . if he be in the first estate of body , you shall take longer time for his feed , as two months at the least : for he will ask much labour in airing , great carefulness in hearing , and discretion in scouring , and rather a strict then liberal hand in feeding , if he be in the second estate of body ( which is poor ) then take a longer time , and let his airings be moderate , as not before and after sun , rather to encrease appetite then harden flesh , and let him have a bountiful hand in feeding , but not so much as to cloy him . if he be in the third estate of body , which is a mean betwixt the other extreams , then a month of six weeks , or a fort-night , or less , may be time sufficient to dyet him for his match . now as this estate participates with both the former , so it would borrow from them a share in all their orderings , that is , to be neither too early , nor too late in airings , laborious , but not painful heatings , nourishing in scouring , and constant in a moderate way of feeding . to have an eye to the particular estate of a horses body . now as you regard these general estates of bodies , so you must have an eye to certain particular estates of bodies . as if an horse be fat and foul , yet of a free and spending nature , apt quickly to consume and lose his flesh , this horse must not have so strict a hand , neither can he endure so violent exercise as he that is of an hardy disposition , and will feed and be fat upon all meats and all exercises . again , if your horse be in extream poverty , through disorder and misusage , yet is by nature very hard , and apt both soon to recover his flesh , and long to hold it ; then over this horse you shall by no means hold so liberai a hand , nor forbear that exercise , which is of a tender nature , a weak stomach , and a free spirit , provided always you have regard to his limbs and the imperfections of lameness . the first fortnights feeding of an horse for match , that is , fat , foul , or either newly taken from grass or soil . if you match a horse that is fat and foul , either by running at grass , or standing at soil , or any other means of rest , or too high feeding ; you shall ( after his body be emptied , and the grass avoided , which will be within three or four days ) for the first fortnight at leust , rise early in the morning before day , or at the spring of day according to the time of the year ; and having put on his bridle washt in beer , and tied him up to the rack , take away his dung and other foulness of the stabie ; then dress him well , as in the office of the keeper . when that work is finished , take a fair large body-cloth of thick house-wives kersie , ( if it be in winter , ) or of cotton or other light stuff ( if it be in summer , ) and fold it round about his body , then clap on the saddle , and girt the foremost girt pretty streight , but the other somewhat slack , and wisp it on each side his heart , that both the girts may be of equal streightness . then put before his breast a breast-cloth suitable to the body-cloth , and let it cover both his shoulders , then take a little beer into your mouth , and squirt it into the horses mouth , and so draw him out of the stable , and take his back , leaving a groom behind you to trim up the stable to carry out your dung , and to truss up the litter . for , you are to understand that he is to stand upon good store of dry litter both night and day , and it must be wheat-straw or oat-straw , for barley-straw and rye-straw are very unwholesom and dangerous , the one doth heart-burn , the other causeth scouring . when you are mounted , rack the horse a foot-pace , ( for you must neither amble nor trot , for they both hurt speed ) at least a mile or two , or more , upon smooth and sound ground , and ( as near as you can ) to the steepest hills you can find ; there gallop him gently up those hills , and rack and walk him softly down , that he may cool as much one way , as he warmeth another . and when you have thus exercised him a pretty space , and seeing the sun begin to rise , or else risen , rack down either to some fresh river , or clear pond , and there let him drink at his pleasure . after he hath drunk bring him gently out of the water , and so ride him a little space with all gentleness , and not according to the ignorance of some grooms , ru●h him presently into a gallop , for that brings with it two mischiefs , either it teaches the horse to run away with you so soon as he is watered , or else refuse to drink , fearing the violence of his exercise which follows upon it . when you have used him a little calmly , put him into a gallop gently , and exercise him moderately , as you did before ; then walk him a little space , after offer him more water ; if he drink , then galhim again ( after calm usage ; ) if he refuse , then gallop him to occasion thirst . and thus always give him exercise both before and after water . when he hath drunk sufficient , bring him home gently , without a wet hair , or any sweat about him . when you come to the stable door , provoke him to piss if you can , by stirring up his litter under him , which if he do not a little custom will make him do it , and it is a wholesom action , both for his health and the sweet keeping of the stable . this done , bring him to the stall , and tie him up to the rack , and rub him well with wisps , then loose his breast-cloth , and rub his head and neck with a dry cloth , then take off the saddle and hang it by , then take his body-cloth and rub him all over with it , especially his back , where the saddle stood . then cloath him up first with a linnen-sheet , and then over that a good strong housing-cloth , and above it his woollen body-cloth , which in the winter it is not amiss to have loyned with some cotton , but in the summer the kersie is sufficient . when these are girt about him , stop his circingle with small wisps very loose , for they will be the softer . his feet stopped with cows dung . after he is cloathed , stop his feet with cows dung , then throw into the rack a little bundle of hay , hard bound together , and well dusted , and let him eat it , standing upon his bridle . when he hath stood an houre upon his bridle , take it off , and rub his head and neck very well with a rubber of hempen cloth , for this is good to dissolve all gross and thick humors from the head ; then after you have made clean the manger , take a quart of sweet , dry , old and clean dress'd oats , for those that are unsweet breed infirmities ; those that are moist cause swelling in the body ; those that are new breed wormes ; and they which are half-dress'd deceive the stomach , and bring the horse to ruine . though the black oat is tolerable , yet it makes foul dung , and hinder a mans knowledge in the state of his body . this quart of oats you shall dress in such a sieve as will let a light oat pass thorough it , and if he eat them with a good stomach , let him have another , and let him rest till eleven of the clock . then rub his head and neck as before , and dress him another quart of oats , then leave him till one of the clock , with the windows close , for the darker you keep him the better , and will cause him to lie down and take his rest , which otherwise he would not , therefore you are to arm the stable with canvass , both for darkness , warmth , and that the filth may not come near him . then at one of the clock use him as you did before , and give him another quart of oats in the same manner , making of him clean by taking away his dung , and give him a little knob of hay , and leave him till the evening . at the evening come to the stable , and having made all things clean , bridle as in the morning , take off his cloaths , and dress him as before . then cloath , saddle , bring him forth , and urge him to empty ; mount , rack him abroad , but not to the hills , if you can find any other plain ground , and air him in all points as you did in the morning . when you have watered and spent the evening in ayring , till within night , ( for nothing is more wholesom and consumeth foulness , more then early and late ayrings ; ) rack him home to the stable door , and there alight and do as you did in the morning , both within doors and without , and so let him rest till nine at night ; then at night come to him , and rub down his legs well with wisps , and his face and neck with a clean cloth , and turning up his cloaths rub all his hinder parts , then give him a quart of oats in the same manner as you did before , and after that a little bundle of hay ; then toss up his litter , and make his bed soft , and leave him till the next morning . then the next morning do every thing to him , without the least omission , as hath formerly been declared , and thus keep him for the first fortnight , which will so take away his foulness , and harden his flesh , that the next fortnight you may adventure to give him some heats . object . but to answer an objection that may be urged , touching the quantity of provender which is prescribed , being but a quart at a meal , seeing there be many horses that will eat a larger proportion , and to scant them to this little , were to starve , or at the best to breed weakness . answ . i set not down this as an infallible rule , but a president that may be imitated , yet altered at pleasure : for i have left you this caveat , that if he eat this with a good stomach , you may give him another , leaving the proportion to the feeders discretion . four considerations in giving of heats . first , that two heats in the week , is a sufficient proportion for any horse of what condition or state of body whatsoever . that one heat should ever be given on that day in the week , on which he is to run his match , as thus ; your match-day is a monday , your heating-days are then mondays and fridays , and the monday to be ever the sharper heat , but because it is the day of his match , and there are three days betwixt it and the other heat . if the day be tuesday , then the heating-days are tuesdays and saturdays ; if wednesday , then wednesdays and saturdays , by reason of the lords day ; if on thursday , then thursdays and mondays , and so of the rest . you shall give no heat ( but in case of necessity ) in rain or foul weather , but rather to defer houres and change times ; for it is unwholesom and dangerous . and therefore in case of showers and uncertain weather , you shall have for the horse a loyned hood , with loyned eares , and the nape of the neck loyned to keep out rain , for nothing is more dangerous then cold wet falling into the ears , and upon the nape of the neck and fillets . . and lastly , observe to give the heats , ( the weather being seasonable ) as early in the morning as you can , that is , by the spring of day , but by no means in the dark , for it is to the horse both unwholesom and unpleasant , to the man a great testimony of folly , and to both an act of danger and precipitation . the second fortnights feeding . you shall do all things as in the first fortnight , only before you put on his bridle , give him a quart of oats , then bridle him up and dress him , as before shewed , then cloath , saddle , air , water , exercise and bring him home , as before shewed , only you shall not put hay into his rack , but give it him out of your hand , handful after handful , and so leave him on his bridle for an hour , then rub him , and after other ceremonies , sift him a quart of oats , and set them by , then take a loas of bread that is three days old , and made in this manner . the first bread. take three pecks of clean beans , and one peck of wheat , mix them together , and grind them , and bolt it pretty sine , and knead it up with good store of barm and lightning , but with as little water as may be , labour it in the trough very well , and break it , and so cover it warm , that so it may swell , then knead it over again , and make it up in big loaves , and so bake it well , and let it soak soundly , and when they are drawn , turn the bottom upwards , that so they may cool . at three days old give it him , for new bread is hurtful , when you give it him , chip it very well , and cut some of it into small pieces , and put them into his quart of oats you had formerly sifted . about eleven of the clock give him the same quantity of oats , and let him rest till the afternoon . at one of the clock in the afternoon , if you intend not to give him a heat that day , feed him with bread and oates as you did in the forenoon , and so consequently every meal following for that day . but if you intend the next day to give him a heat ( to which i now bend mine aim ) you shall only then give him a quart of oats clean sifted , but no hay , and so let him rest till evening . at four of the clock give him a quart of clean sifted oats , and after they are eaten , bridle him up ; dress , cloath , saddle , air , water , exercise , bring home and order , as before shewed , only give him no hay at all . after he hath stood an hour upon his bridle , give him a quart of oates , and after they are eaten put on his head a sweet muzzle , and let him rest till nine at night . the vse of the muzzle . the use of the muzzle being rightly made , is to keep the horse from eating up his litter , from gnawing upon boards and mud-walls , and indeed to keep him from eating any thing but what he receiveth from your own hands , they are made sometimes of leather , and stampt full of holes , or else close , but they are unsavoury and unwholesom . nay , indeed all leather is unpleasant . besides , they are too close and too hot for him the best summer muzzle , ( and indeed best at all times ) is the ner-muzzle , made of strong pack-thread , and knit very thick and close in the bottom , and so enlarged wider and wider upwards to the middle of the horses head ; then bound upon the top with tape , and on the nether side a loop , and on the farther side a long string to fasten it to the horfes head. the best winter muzzle ( and indeed tolerable at any time ) is made of double canvass , with a round button , and a square latice window of small tape before both his nostrils , down to the very bottom of the muzzle , and upward more then a handful , and must also have a loop and a string to fasten about his head. at nine of the clock at night , give him a quart of clean oats , and when they are eaten , put on his muzzle , and toss up his litter , and so leave him . the next day early give him a quart of clean oates , rubbed between your hands with some beer or ale , and when he hath eaten them , dress him and saddle him as before , and being ready to depart , give him a new laid egg or two , and wash his mouth after it with beer or ale , and so lead him away , and at the door provoke him to empty , then mount and rack him gently to the course , ever and anon making him smell another horses dung . when you are come within a mile of the starting post , alight and take off his body-cloth and breast-cloth , and girt on the saddle again ; then sending away your grooms both with those cloaths , and other dry cloaths to rub with , let him stay at the end of the course till you come : then your self rack your horse gently up to the starting post , and beyond , making him smell to that post , ( which you call the weighing post ) that he may take notice of the beginning and ending of the course . there start your horse roundly and sharply , at near a three quarters speed , and according to his strength of body , ability of wind , and chearfulness of spirit , run him the whole course through . but by no means do any thing in extremity , or above his wind , but when you find him a little yield , then give him a little ease , so that all he doth may be done with pleasure , and not with anguish ; for this manner of training will make him take delight in his labour , and so encrease it : the contrary will breed discomsort , and make exercise irksom . also during the time you thus course him , you shall note upon what ground he runneth best , and whether up the hill or down the hill ; whether on the smooth , or on the rough , on the wet or on the dry , or on the level , or the earth somewhat rising : and according as you find his nature , so manage him for your own advantage . when you have finished the heats , and a little slightly galloped him up and down to rate his wind and chear his spirits , you shall then ( the groom being ready ) ride into some warm place , and with your glassing knife , or scraping knife , made either of some broken sword blade , or some old broken sythe , or for want of that , a thin piece of old hard oaken wood , fashioned like a long broad knife with a sharp edge , scrape off the sweat of your horse in every part ( buttocks excepted ) till there will none arise , ever and anon moving him up and down : then with dry cloaths rub him all over ( buttocks excepted ) then take off his saddle , and having glassed his back , and rub'd it near dry , put on his body-cloth and breast-cloth , and set on his saddle again and girt it , then mount and gallop him gently , and ever and anon rubbing his head , neck and body , as you sit , then walk him about the fields to cool him ; and when you find he drieth apace , then rack him homewards , sometimes racking , and sometimes galloping ; and by no means bring him to the stable , till you find him throughly dry . when you are come to the stable-door entice him to empty , then set him up and tie him to the rack , and ( as having prepared it before ) give him this scouring , made in this manner . the first scouring . take a pint of the syrup of roses , or a pint of strong honyed-water , and dissolve into it of cassa , agarick and myrrhe , of each an ounce , and jumble them well together in a viol-glass . then being mul'd , and made warm at the fire , and the horse newly come from his heat ( as before shewed ) give him this scouring , for it is a strong one , and avoideth all manner of molten grease and foulness . ordering him after his scouring . when you have given it him , rub his legs well , then take off his saddle , and if his body be dry , run slightly over it with a curry-comb , and after that the french brush , and lastly , rub him all over with dry cloaths very well , and cloath him up very warm , and if the weather be very cold , to throw over him a loose blanket . he must fast full two houres after his scouring , not departing out of the stable , and keep him stirring therein , for it will work the better . after he hath fasted on the bridle two houres , then take a handful of wheat-ears , and coming to him , handle the roots of his ears , then put your hand under his cloaths next to his heart upon his flanks , and on the nether part of his things ; and if you finde any new sweat arise , or any coldness arise , or if you see his body beat , or his breast move fast , then forbear to give him any thing , for it shews there is much soulness stirred up , on which the medicine worketh with a conquering quality ; the horse is brought to a little sickness , therefore in this case you shall only take off his bridle , put on his coller , toss up his litter , and absent your self , ( having made the stable dark and still ) for other two houres , which is the utmost end of that sickness . but if you finde no such offence , then give him the ears of wheat , by three or four together , and if he eat this handful , give him another , and so another or two . then give him a little knob of hay well dusted , and draw his bridle , and rub his head well . an hour after give him a quart of clean oats , and put two or three handfuls of spelted beans amongst them , and see that they be very clean , and break amongst them two or three shives of bread clean chipt , and so leave him for two or three houres . at evening before you dress him , give him the like quantity of oates , beans and bread , and when he hath eaten them , bridle him , dress and cloath him ; for you shall neither saddle , or air him forth , because this evening after his heat , the horse being foul , and the scouring yet working in his body , he may not receive any cold water at all . after he is drest , and hath stood two houres on his bridle , then wash three pints of clean oates in beer or ale , and give them him , for this will inwardly cool him , as if he had drunk water after he hath eaten his washt meat , and rested upon it a little , you shall at his feeding times with oates and spelt beans , or oates and bread , or altogether , or each several , or simply of it self , according to the liking of the horse , feed him that night in plentiful manner , and leave a knob of hay in his rack when you go to bed. the next day early , first feed , then dress , cloath , saddle , air , water and bring home as at other times ; only have a more careful eye to his emptying , and see how his grease and foulness wasteth . at his feeding times feed as was last shewed you , only ▪ but little hay , and keep your heating-days , and the preparation of the day before , as was before shewed . thus you shall speed the second fortnight , in which your horse having received four heats , horse-man like given him , and four scourings , there is no doubt but his body will be drawn inwardly clean , you shall then the third fortnight order him according to the rules following . the third fortnights feeding . the third fortnight you shall make his bread finer then it was formerly . as thus , the second bread. take two pecks of clean beans , and two pecks of fine wheat , grind them well , and searce them through a fine raunge , and knead them up with barm and great store of lightning , and make it up as you did the former bread. with this bread after the crust is taken away , and being old , feed your horse , as before shewed , for this fortnight , as you did the former , putting it amongst his beans and oats , observing his dressings , airings , feedings , heatings and preparations , as in the former fortnight , only with these differences . first , you shall not give your heats so violently as before , but with a little more pleasure , as thus . if the first heat have violence , the second shall have ease , and indeed none to over-strain him or to make his body sore . next , you shall not after his heats , give him any more of the former scouring , but in stead thereof , instantly upon the end of the heat , after the horse is a little cooled and cloathed up ; and in the same place where you rub him , give him a ball as big as a hens egg , of that confection which is mentioned in the office of the farrier , and goeth by this title , the true manner of making those cordial balls , which cure any violent cold , or glanders , which , &c. the fourth and last fortnights feeding . the fourth and last fortnight you shall make your bread much finer then either of the former . the last and best bread. take three pecks of fine wheat , and one peck of beans , grind them on the black stones , and boult them through the finest boulter you can get , then knead it up with sweet ale , barm , and new strong ale and the barm beaten together , and the whites of twenty or thirty eggs ; but in any wise no water at all , but in stead thereof some small quantity of new milk , then work it up . bake it and order it as the former . with this bread , having the crnst cut clean away , and with oats well sunned , beaten and rubbed between your hands , then new winnowed , sifted and dress'd , with the purest spelt beans , and some fine chiltern wheat , with any simple , or any compound , feed your horse at his feeding times , as in the fortnight last mentioned . you shall keep your heating-days the first week or fortnight , but the last week you shall forbear one heat , and not give any five days before the match-day , only you shall give him strong and long airings . you shall not need this fortnight to give him any scouring at all . if this fortnight morning and evening , you burn the best frankincense in your stable , you shall finde it exceeding wholesom for him , and he will take wonderful delight therein . in this fortnight , when you give him any washt meat , wash it in the whites of eggs , or muskadine , for that is most wholesom and less pursie . this fortnight give him no hay , but what he taketh out of your hand after his heats , and that in little quantity , and clear dusted . the last week of this fortnight , if the horse be a foul feeder , you must use the muzzle continually ; but if he be a clean feeder , then three days before the match is sufficient . the morning , the day before your match , feed well both before and after airing , and water as at other times , before noon and after noon , scant his portion of meat a little ; before and after evening airing , feed as at noon , and water as at other times , but be sure to come home before sun-set . late at night feed as you did in the evening , and give him what he liketh , according to his stomach , only as you can , forbear bread and beans . this day you shall coul your horse , shoo him , and do all extraordinary things of ornament about him , provided that you do not give him offence to hinder his feeding or resting ; for i have heard some horsemen say , that when they had shod their horses with light shoos , the night before the course , that their horse hath taken such notice thereof , that they have refused to eat , or lie down . but you must understand , that those horses must be old , and long experienced in this exercise , or else they cannot reach these subtil apprehensions . but to pass by curiosity , as plating of tails , and all other unnecessary ornaments , whereby they do injury to the horse , i shall advise you for necessary and indifferent things , that they be done the day before , then in the morning of the course , because i would have him that morning find neither trouble nor vexation . the next morning ( which is the match-day ) come to him very early , and take off his muzzle , rub his head well , right his cloaths , and give them ease by wisping and using the plain circingle , then give him a pretty quantity of oats washed in muscadine , or the whites of eggs , or if he refuse them , try him with fine dress'd oats , mixt with wheat , or oates simple ; when he hath eaten them , if he be a slow emptier , walk him abroad , and in the places where he uses to empty , there entice him to empty , which when he hath done , bring him home and let him rest till you have warning to make ready . but if he be a free emptier , let him lie quiet . when you have warning to make ready , take off his muzzle , and put on his snassle well washed in muscadine , but before you bridle him ( if you think him to empty ) give him three or four mouths full of washed meat last spoken of , then bridle him up and dress him , and after pitch the saddle and girts with cordwainers wax , set it on and girt it gently , so as he may have feeling , but no straitness ; then lay a clean sheet over the saddle , over it his ordinary cloaths , then his body-cloth and breast-cloth , and wisp him round with soft wisps , then if you have a counterpane , or cloth of state for bravery sake , let it be fastened above all . being now ready to draw out , give him half a pint of muscadine , and so lead away . in all your leadings upon the course , use gentle and calm motions , suffering him to smell upon any dung , and in especial places of advantage , as where you find rushes , long grass lying , heath or the like , walk in and entice him to piss . but if you find no such help , then in especial places on the course , and chiefly towards the latter end , and having used the same means before , break some of the wisps under him , and entice him to piss . also in your leading , if any white or thick foam or froth rise about the horses mouth , with a clean handkerchief wipe it away , and carrying a bottle of clean water about you , wash his mouth now and then with it . when you come to the place of streight , before you uncloath , rub or chase his legs with hard wisps ; then pick his feet , uncloath , wash his mouth with water , mount his rider , start fair , and leave the rest to gods good will and pleasure . certain observations and advantages for every feeder to observe in sundry accidents . there is no unreasonable creature of pleasure subject to so many disasterous chances of fortune , as the horse , and especially the running horse , both by reason of the multiplicity of diseases belonging unto them , as also the violence of their exercise , and the nice tenderness of their keeping : and therefore it behooveth every feeder to be armed with such observations as may concern mischiefs , and those helps which may amend them when they happen . of meat and drink . the first observation that i shall arm the feeder withal , is the true distribution of meat and drink . let him observe , if there be any meat , drink or other nourishment which you know to be good for him , yet he refuseth it ; in this case you are not to thrust it violently upon him , but by gentle means and cunning enticements win him thereunto , tempting him when he is most hungry , and most dry ; and if he get but a bit at a time , it will soon encrease to a greater quantity , and ever let him have less then he desireth ; and that the sooner he may be brought unto it , mix the meat he loveth best with that he loveth worst , till both be made alike familiar , and so shall the horse be a stranger to nothing that is good and wholesom . observations for lameness . our feeder must observe , if his horse be subject to lameness or stiffness , to surbate or tenderness of feet , then to give him his heat upon smooth carpet earth , or to forbear strong ground , hard high-ways , cross ruts and furrows , till extremity compel him . observations from the state of his body . our feeder must observe , that the strongest state of body , ( which i account the highest and fullest of flesh , so it be good , hard , and without inward foulness ) to be the best and ablest for the performance of these wagers ; yet herein he must take two considerations ; the one the shape of the horse body , the other his inclination and manner of feeding . for the shape of his body . there be some horses that are round , plump and close knit together , so that they will appear fat and well shaped , when they are lean and in poverty . others are raw-boned , slender and loose knit together , and will appear lean and deformed , when they are fat , foul and full of gross humours . from his inclination . so likewise for their inclination , some horses ( at the first ) will feed outwardly , and carry a thick rib , when they are inwardly lean as may be . there be others that will appear lean to the eye , when they are only grease . in this case the feeder hath two helps to advantage his knowledge , the one outward , the other inward . from his outward handling . the outward help , is the outward handling and feeling the horses body , generally over all his ribs , but particularly upon his short and hindermost ribs . if his flesh generally handle soft and loose , and the fingers sink into it as into doun , then is he foul without all question ; but if generally it be hard and firm , only upon the hindermost rib is softness , then he hath grease and foul matter within him , which must be avoided , how lean and poor soever he appear in outward speculation . the inward help is only sharp exercise , and strong scouring ; the 〈◊〉 will dissolve the foulness , the latter will bring it away . observations from the privy parts . our feeder must observe his horses stones , for if they hang down side , or low from his body , then is he out of lust and heart , and is either sick of grease , or other foul humours ; but if they lie close , couched up , and hid in a small room , then he is healthful and in good plight . observations for the limbs . our feeder must observe ever the night before he runs any match , or fore heat , to bathe his legs well , from the knees and gambrels downwards , either with clarified dogs-grease , ( which is the best ) or trotters oyl ( which is the next ; ) or else the best hogs-grease , which is sufficient , and to work it well in with your hands , and not with fire . for what he gets not in the first night , will be got in the next morning , and what is not got in the next morning , will be got when he comes to uncloath at the end of the course : so that you shall need to use the ointment but once , but the rubbing as often as you finde opportunity . observations for water . our feeder shall observe , that albeit i give no directions for watering him after the h●●●s , yet he may in any of the latter fortnights ( finding him clean , and his grease consumed , ) somewhat late at night , as about six of the clock , give him water in reasonable quantity , being made luke-warm , and fasting an houre af er it . also if through the unseasonableness of the weather , you cannot water abroad , then you shall at your watering houres water in the house , with warm water , as aforesaid . if you throw a handful of wheat-meal , bran or oat-meal finely powdred ( but oat-meal is the best ) into the water , it is very wholesom . observations for the ground to run in . our feeder shall observe , that if the ground whereon he is to run his match , be dangerous and apt for mischievous accidents , as strains , over-reaches , sinew-bruises and the like , that then he is not bound to give all his heats thereon ; but having made him acquainted with the nature thereof , then either to take part of the course , as a mile , two or three , according to the goodness of the ground , and so to run him forth , and again ( which we call turning heats ) provided always that he end his heat at he weighing post , and that he make not his course less , but rather more in quantity then that he must run . but if for some special cases , he like no part of the course , then he may many times ( but not ever ) give his heat upon any other good ground , about any spacious and large field , where the horse may lay down his body and run at pleasure . observations from sweat. our feeder shall take especial regard in all airings , heatings , and all manner of exercises whatsoever , to the sweating of the horse , and the occasions of his sweating ; as if he sweat upon little or no occasion , as walking a foot-pace , standing still in the stable , and the like , it is then apparent that the horse is faint , foul sed , and wanteth exercise . if upon good occasion , as strong heats , great labour , and the like , he sweat , yet his sweat is white froth , and like sope-suds , then is the horse inwardly foul , and wanteth also exercise . but if the sweat be black , and as it were only water thrown upon him , without any frothiness , then is he clean sed , in good lust and good case , and you may adventure riding without danger . observations from the hair. our feeder shall observe his hair in general , but especially his neck , and those parts that are uncovered , and if they lie slick , smooth and close , and hold the beauty of their natural colour , then is he in good case ; but if they be rough or staring , or if they be discoloured , then is he inwardly cold at the heart , and wanteth both cloaths and warm keeping . many other observations there are , but these are most material , and i hope sufficient for any understanding . the office of the ambler . observations in ambling . there is not any motion in a horse more desired , more useful , nor indeed more hard to be obtained unto by a right way , then the motion of ambling ; and yet ( if we will believe the protestations of the professors ) not any thing in all the art of horsemanship more easie , or more several ways to be effected , every man conceiving to himself a several method , and all those methods held as infallible maximes , that can never fail in the accomplishment of the work. mens opinions and errors . but they which know truths , know the errors in these opinions , for albeit every man that hath hardly a smell of horsemanship , can discourse of a way how to make a horse amble , yet when they come to the performance of the motion , their failings are so great , and their errors so gross , that for mine own part , i never yet saw an exact ambler , i confess some one man may make a horse amble well and perfectly , nay , more then one , peradventure many , and thereby assume unto himself the name of perfection , yet such a man have i seen erre grossly , and spoil more then his labour was able to recompence . but leaving mens errors , because they are past my reformation , i will only touch at some special observations , which in mine opinion i hold to be the easiest , the certainest and readiest for the effecting of this work , and withal glance at those absurdities , which i have seen followed , though to little purpose , and less benefit , ambling by the plowed field . there is one commends the new plowed lands , and affirms , that by toyling the horse thereon in his foot-pace , there is no way so excellent for the making of him amble ; but , he forgets what weakness , nay , what lameness , such disorderly toyl brings to a young horse , nay , to any horse ; because the work cannot be done without weariness , and no weariness is wholesom . ambling by the gallop . another will teach his horse to amble from the gallop , by sudden stopping , a more sudden choking him in the cheeks of the mouth , thrusting him into such an amazedness betwixt his gallop and his trot , that losing both he cannot choose but find out ambling . but this man forgets not alone the error before spoken ( which is too great toil ) but also spoils a good mouth , ( if the horse had one , ) loses a good rein ( if there were any , ) and by over-reaching and clapping one foot against another , endangers upon every step an hoof-breach or sinew-strain . ambling by weights . another says there is no better way then ambling by weights , and thereupon overloads his horse with unmerciful shooes of intolerable weight , and forgets how they make him enterfere , strike short with his hind-feet , and though his motion be true , yet is to slow , that it is not worth his labour . another solds great weights of load about his feetlock pasterns , and forgets that they have all the mischiefs of the former ; besides , the endangering of incurable strains , the crushing of the crownet , and the breeding of ring-bones , crown-scabs and quitter-bones . another loads his horse upon the fillets with earth , load , or some other massy substance , and forgets the swaying of the back , the over straining of the fillets , and a general disabling of all the hinder parts . ambling in hand , or not ridden . another struggles to make his horse amble in his hand , before he mounts his back , by the help of some wall , smooth pail or rail , and by chocking him in the mouth with the bridle hand , and correcting him with his rod on the hinder hoofs , and under the belly , when he treadeth false , and never remembers in what desperate frantickness it drives an horse , before he can make him understand his meaning , as plauging . rearing , sprauling out his legs , and using a world of a●tick postures , which once setled , are hardly ever after reclaimed ; besides , when he hath spent all his labour , and done his utmost , as soon as he mounts his back , he is as sar to seek of his pace as if he had never known such a motion . ambling by the help of shooes . another finds out a new stratagem , and in despight of all opposition in the horse , will make him amble perfectly , and thereupon he makes him a pair of hinder shooes , with long spurnes or plates before the toes , and of such length , that if the horse offer to trot , the hinder-foot beats the fore-foot before it . but he forgets that the shooes are made of iron , and the horses legs of flesh and blood , neither doth he remember with what violence the hinder-foot follows the fore-foot , nor that every stroke it gives can light upon any place but the back-sinews , then which there is no part more tender , nor any wound that brings such incurable lameness . ambling by the help of fine lists . another ( out of quaintness more then strong reason ) strives to make his horse amble by taking of fine soft lists , and solding them streight about the cambrels , in that place where you garter an horse for a sti●●strain , and then turn him to grass for a fortnight , or more , in which time ( saith he ) he will fall to a perfect amble , ( for it is true , he cannot trot but with pain , then taking away the lists , the work is finished . but under the correction of the professors of this foreign trick , for it is a spanish practice ; i must assure them , that if they gain their purpose , they must offend the members ; if they hurt not the limbs , they lose their labour ; but however , this is most assured , that the amble thus gained , must be disgraceful , or ambling and cringing in the hinder parts , without comeliness , speed or clear deliverance . ambling by the hand only . another ( and he calls himself the master ambler of all amblers ) affirms , there is no true way of making an horse to amble , but by the hand only , and i am of this opinion , could this secret be sound out , or could a man make a horse do all that he imagined ; but horses are rebellious , and men are furious , and the least of either of these spoils the whole work ; and it is impossible for any man to ●adge an horse to a new motion , utterly unknown , against which he will not resist with his uttermost power . besides , to do this action with the hand only , it must only be done from the horses mouth , and that mouth must of necessity be altered from his first manner of riding ; for to use all one hand must preserve all one motion , and then where is his ambling , which was not known at the first backing ? again , we strive at the first backing of an horse , to bring his mouth to all sweetness , his rein to all stateliness , and the general carriage of his body to all comeliness . now in this course of ambling by the hand only , the mouth must be changed from the chaps to the w●eks o● the mouth , which is from sweetness to harshness , his rein must be brought from constancy to unconstancy ; for the eyes that did look upward , the nose and muzzle which was couched inward , must be turned outward , and the general comeliness of the bodies carriage must be brought to disorder and false treading ; or else he shall never accomplish the true art of ambling by the hand only . ambling by the tramel . there is another , ( i will not call him the best , ) because his error may be as great as any ) and he will make his horse amble by the help of the tramel only , which i confess is nearest , the best and most assured way , yet he hath many errours , as followeth . errors in the tramel . first , he loseth himself in the want of knowledge , for the length of the tramel , and either he makes it too long , ( which gives no stroke , ) or too short , ( which gives a false stroke ) the first makes an horse hackle and shuffle his feet confusedly , the latter makes him roul and twitch up his hinder feet so suddenly , that by custom it brings him to a string-halt , from which he will hardly be recovered ever after . another loses himself and his labour by misplacing the tramel , and out of a niceness to seem more expert then he is , or out of fearfulness to prevent falling ( to which the tramel is subject ) places them above the knee , and above the hinder foot-hoof . but the rule is neither good nor handsom ; for if the tramel be too long or loose , that is , gives no offence to the sinews , and other ligaments , about which they must necessarily be bound , when they are raised so high , then they can give no true stroke , neither can the fore-leg compel the hinder to follow it . and if they be so short or streight , that the fore-leg cannot step forward , but the hinder must go equal with it , then will it so press the main sinew of the hinder-leg , and the veins and fleshy part of the sore-thighs , that the horse will not be able to go without halting before , and cringing and crambling his hinder-parts so ill-favouredly , that it will be irksom to behold it ; besides , it will occasion sweatings , and draw down humours , which will be more noisom then the pace will be beneficial . another makes his tramel of such course and hard stuff , or else girts it so streight , or leaves it fretting up and down so loose , that he galls his horses legs , and leaves neither hair nor skin upon them , at the best it leaves such a soul print and mark upon the legs , that every one will accuse both the horse and his teacher of disgrace and indiscretion . as these , so i must conclude with the last error of the tramel , which is mens opinions , and though it be the most insufficient , yet it hath the greatest power to over-sway truth , and that is , the tramel is utterly unnecessary and unprofitable , and the defender worthy of no employment , alledging the land only to be excellent . the ●rrors i have already confuted ; it now remains ( after all these faults finding , that i shew the truest , easiest , and that way which is most uncontroulable for the making of an horse to amble , with all the gracefulness and perfection that can be required . the best way to amble an horse . when you are about to make an horse amble truly , and without controulment . first , try with your hand by a gentle and deliberate racking and thrusting of the horse forward , by helping him in the weeks of his mouth with your snaffle , ( which must be smooth , big and full ) and correcting him first on one side , then on another with the calves of your legs , and sometimes with the spur , if you can make him of himself strike into an amble , though shuffling disorderly , there will be much labour saved ; for that proc●ivity or aptness to amble , will make him with more easiness and less danger , endure the use of the tramel , and make him find the motion without stumbling or amazement : but if you finde he will by no means either apprehend the motions or intentions , then struggle not with him , but fall to the use of the tramel in this manner following . the form of the tramel . but before i come to the use and vertue thereof , i will shew you the form and substance whereof it ought to be made ; because nothing hath ever done this instrument more injury , then false substances and false shapes . therefore some make these tramels of all leather , and they will either reach or break , the first marrs the work by uncertainty , the other loseth the labour . another makes it of canvass , and that galls . a third makes it of strong lists , and that hath all the faults of both the former , for the softness will not let it lie close , and the gentleness makes it stretch out of all compass , or break upon every stumble . and as these , so there are a world of other useless tramels , for you must understand , that touching the true tramel , the side-ropes must be firm without yielding an hair : the hose must be soft , lie close , and not move from his first place , and the back-band must be flat , no matter how light , and so defended from the fillets , that it may not gall . and this tramel must be thus made , and of these substances . first , for the side-ropes , they must be made of the best , finest and strongest pack-thread , such as your turky-thread , and turned by the roper into a delicate strong cord , yet at the utmost , not above the bigness of a small jack-line , with a noose at each end , so strong as is possible to be made ; neither must these side-ropes be twined too hard , but gentle , and with a yielding condition , for that will bring on the motion more easie , and keep the tramel from breaking , now these side-ropes must be just thirty six inches in length , and so equal one with another , that no difference may be espied . for the horse which must be placed in the small of the fore-leg , and the small of the hinder-leg , above the feet lock , they must be made of fine girt-web , which is soft and pliant , and loyned with double cotton : over the girt-web must be fastened strong tabbs of white neats leather well tallowed , and suited to an even length , and stamped with holes of equal distance , which shall pass through the nooses of the side ▪ ropes , and be made longer or shorter at pleasure , with very strong buckles . these hose , the girt would be four inches in length , and the tabbs ten . the back-band being of no other use but to bear up the side ropes , would ( if you tramel all the fore-legs ) be made of fine girt web , and ●oyned with cotton ; but if you tramel but one side , then an ordinary tape will serve , being sure that it carries the side-ropes in an even line , without either rising or falling ; for if it rise , it shortens the side-rope , and if it falls , it endangers tangling . thus you see what the true tramel is , and how to be made ; touching the use , it thus followeth . the true vse of the true tramel . when you have brought your horse into an even smooth path , without rubs or roughness , you shall there loose the near fore-leg , and the near hinder-leg , then put to them the side-rope , and see that he stand at that just proportion which nature her self hath formed him , without either straining or enlarging his members , and in that even and just length , stay the side-rope by a small tape fastened up to the saddle . then with your hand on the bridle , straining his head , put him gently forward , and if need be , have the help of a by-stander to put him forward also , and so force him to amble up and down the road , with all the gentleness you can , suffering him to take his own leisure , that thereby he may come to an understanding of his restraint , and your will for the performance of the motion , and though he snapper or stumble , or peradventure fall now and then , yet it matters not , do you only stay his head , give him leave to rise , and with all gentleness put him forward again , till finding his own fault , and understanding the motion , he will become perfect , and amble in your hand to your contentment . and that this may be done with more ease and less amazement to the horse , it is not amiss ( at his first trameling ) that you give your side-ropes more length then ordinary , both that the twitches may be less sudden , and motion coming more gently , the horse may sooner apprehend it . but as soon as he comes to any perfectness , then instantly put the side-ropes to their true length . for an inch too long , is a foot too slow in the pace ; and an inch too short causeth rouling , a twitching up of the legs , and indeed a kind of plain halting . when to alter the tramel . when the horse will thus amble in your hand perfectly , being tramelled on one side , you shall then change them to the other side , and make him amble in your hand as you did before . and thus you shall do , changing from one side to another , till with this half ▪ tramel he will run and amble in your hand , without snappering or stumbling , both readily and swiftly ; when this is attained unto , which cannot be above two or three houres labour , ( if there be any tractableness ) you may then put on the whole tramel , and the broad , flat back band , trameling both sides equally , and so run him in your hand ( at the utmost length of the bridle ) up and down the road divers times , then pause , cherish , and to it again ; and thus apply him , till you have brought him to that perfection , that he will amble swiftly , truly and readily , when , where , and how you please ; then put him upon uneven and uncertain ways , as up-hill and down-hill , where there are clots and roughness , and where there is hollowness and false treading . when to mount his back . now when he is perfect in your hand upon all these , you may then adventure to mount his back , which ( if you please ) you may first do by a boy , or groom ; making the horse amble under him , whilest you stay his head to prevent danger , or to see how he striketh . then after mount your self , and with all gentleness and lenity , encreasing his pace more and more , till you come to the height of perfection . and thus as you did before in your hand , so do now on his back , first with the whole tramel , then with the half , and changing the tramel oft , first from one side , then to another , then altering grounds , till you finde that exquisiteness which you desire , and this must be done by daily exercise and labour , as twice , thrice , sometimes oftner in the day . when to journey . when you have obtained your wish in the perfection of his stroke , the nimbleness of his limbs , and the good carriage of his head and body , you may then take away the tramel altogether , and exercise him without it . but this exercisei would have upon the high-way , ( and not horse-courser like ) in a private smooth road , for that affords but a cousening pace , which is left upon every small weariness ; therefore take the high-way forward for three , four or five miles in a morning , more or less , as you finde his aptness and ability . now if in this journeying , either through weariness , ignorance or peevishness , you finde in him a willingness to forsake his pace , then ( ever carrying in your pocket the half tramel ) alight and put them on , and so exercise him in them , and now and then give him ease , bring him home in his true pace . this exercise you shall follow day by day ; and every day increasing it more and more , till you have brought him from one mile to many ; which done , you may then give him ease , as letting him rest a day or two , or more , and then apply him again ; and if you finde in him neither errour nor alteration , then you may conclude your work is finished . but if any alteration do happen ( as many phantastick horses are subject unto , ) if it be in the motion of his pace , then with your hand reform it . but if that fail , then the use of the half-tramel will never fail you . now if the error proceed from any other occasion , look seriously into the cause thereof , and taking that away the effect will soon cease ; for you are to understand , that in this manner of teaching him to amble , you are forbidden no help whatsoever which belongs unto horsemanship , as chain , cavezan , musroul , head-strain , martingale , bit , or any other necessary instrument , because this motion is not drawn from the mouth , but from the limbs . many things else might be spoken on this subject , but it would but load paper , and weary memory ; and i am only at short essays , and true experiments , therefore take this as sufficient . the office of the buyer , wherein is shewed all the perfections and imperfections that are or can be in a horse . observations and advertisements for any man when he goes about to buy an horse . there is nothing more difficult in all the art of horsemanship , then to set down constant and uncontroulable resolutions , by which to bind every mans minde to an unity of consent in the buying of an horse ; for , according to the old adage , what is one mans meat , is another mans poison ; what one affects , another dislikes . but to proceed according to the rule of reason , the precepts of the ancients , and the modern practice of our conceived opinions , i will as briefly as i can , ( and the rather , because it is a labour i never undertook in this wise before ) shew you those observations and advertisements which may fortifie you in any hard election . the end for which to buy . first , therefore you are to observe , that if ●ou elect an horse for your hearts contentment , you must consider the end and purpose for which you buy him , as whether for the wars , running , hunting , travelling , draught or burthen , every one having their several characters , and their several faces both of beauty and uncomeliness . but because there is but one truth and one perfection , i will under the description of the perfect and untainted horse , shew all the imperfections and attaindures , which either nature or mischance can put upon him of greatest deformity . let me then advise you that intend to buy an horse , to acquaint your self with all the true shape ; and excellencies which belong to an horse , whether it be in his natural and true proportion , or in any accidental or outward increase or decrease of any limb or member , and from their contraries , to gather all things whatsoever that may give dislike or offence . election how divided . to begin therefore with the first principle of election , you shall understand they are divided into two especial heads , the one general , the other particular . the general rule . the general rule of election is , first , the end for which you buy ; then his breed or generation , his colour , his pace , and his stature ; these are said to be general , because they have a general dependence upon every mans several opinions , as the first , which is the end for which you buy , it is a thing shut up only in your own bosome . of breed . the other , which is breed , you must either take it from faithful report , your own knowledge , or from some known and certain characters , by which one strain , or one countrey is distinguished from another , as the neapolitan is known by his hawk-nose , the spaniard by his small limbs , the barbary by his fine head and deep hoof , the dutch by his rough legs , the english by his general strong knitting together , and so forth of divers others . of colour . as for his colour , though there is no colour exempt from goodness , for i have seen good of all , yet there are some better reputed then others , as the dapple grey for beauty , the brown bay for service , the black with silver hairs for courage , and the liard and true mixt roan for countenance . as for the sorrel , the black without white , and the unchangeable iron grey , are reputed cholerick ; the bright bay , the flea-bitten , and the black with white marks , are sanguinists ; the black , white , yellow , dun , kite-glewed and the py-bald , are phlegmatick ; and the chesnut , the mouse dun , the red bay , the blew grey , are melancholy . pace ▪ as trotting . now for his pace , which is either trot , amble , rack or gallop , you must refer it to the end also for which you buy ; as if it be for the wars , running , hunting , or your own pleasure , then the trot is most tolerable , and this motion you shall know by a cross moving of the horses limbs , as when the fore-leg , and the near hinder-leg , or the near fore-leg , and the far hinder-leg move and go forward in one instant . and in this motion , the nearer the horse taketh his limbs from the ground , the opener , the evener and the shorter is his pace ; for to take up his feet slovenly , shews stumbling and lameness ; to tread narrow or cross , shews enterfering or failing ; to step uneven , shews toil and weariness , and to tread long , shews over-reaching . ambling . now if you elect for ease , great persons seats , or long travel , then ambling is required . and this motion is contrary to trotting , for now both the feet on one side must move equally together , that is , the far sore-leg , and the far hinder-leg , and the near fore-leg , and the near hinder-leg . and this motion must go just , large , smooth and nimble ; for to tread false , takes away all ease ; to tread short , rids no ground ; to tread rough , shews rouling ; and to tread un-nimbly shews a false pace that never continueth , as also lameness . racking . if you elect for buck-hunting , galloping on the high-way post , hackney , or the like , then a racking pace is required : and this motion is the same that ambling is , only it is in a swifter time , and a shorter tread ; and though it rid not so much ground , yet it is a little more easie . galloping . now to all these paces must be joyned a good gallop , which naturally every trotting and racking horse hath ; the ambler is a little unapt thereunto , because the motions are both one , so that being put to a greater swiftness of pace then formerly he hath been acquainted withal , he handles his legs confusedly , and out of order , and being trained gently , and made to understand the motion , he will as well undertake it as any trotting horse whatsoever . now in a good gallop you are to observe these vertues . first , that the horse which taketh up his feet nimbly from the ground , but doth not raise them high , that neither rouleth nor beateth himself , that stretcheth out his fore-legs , follows nimbly with his hinder , and neither cuteth under his knee , ( which is called the swift cut ) nor crosseth , nor claps one foot on another , and ever leadeth with his far fore-foot , and not with the near , he is said ever to gallop comely and most true , and he is the fittest for speed , or any swift employment . if he gallop round , and raise his fore-feet , he is then said to gallop strongly , but not swiftly , and is fittest for the great saddle , the wars and strong encounters ; if he gallop slow , yet sure he will serve for the high-way , but if he labour his feet confusedly , and gallop painfully , then is he good for no galloping service ; besides , it shews some hidden lameness . his stature . lastly , touching his stature , it must be referred to the end for which you buy , ever observing that the biggest and strongest are fittest for strong occasions , and great burthens , strong draughts , and double carriage , the middle size for pleasure and general emploiments ; and the least for ease , street-walks , and summer-hackney . the particular rule . now touching the particular rule of election , it is contained in the discovery of natural deformities , accidental outward sorrances , or inward hidden mischiefs , which are so many and so infinite , that it is a world of work to explain them , yet for satisfaction sake , i will in as methodical manner as i can , shew what you are to observe in this occasion . how to stand to view . when a horse is brought unto you to buy ( being satisfied for his breed , his pace , colour and stature , ) then see him stand naked before you , and placing your self before his face , take a strict view of his countenance , and the chearfulness thereof ; for it is an excellent glass wherein to behold his goodness and best perfections . as thus , his ears . if his ears be small , thin , sharp , short , pricked and moving ; or if they be long , yet well set on , and well carried , it is a mark of beauty , goodness and mettle : but if they be thick , laved or lolling , wide set and unmoving , then are they signs of dulness , doggedness and evil nature . his face . if his face be lean , his forehead swelling outward , the mark or feather in his face set high , as above his eyes , or at the top of his eyes , if he have a white star , or white ratch of an indifferent size , and even placed , or a white snip on his nose or lip ; all are marks of beauty and goodness . but if his face be fat , cloudy or skouling , his forehead flat as a trencher , ( which we call mare-faced ) for the mark in his forehead stand low , as under his eyes ; if his star or ratch stand awry , or in an evil posture , or instead of a snip , his nose be raw and un-hairy , or his face generally bald , all are signs of deformity . his eyes . if his eyes be round , big , black , shining , starting or staring from his head , if the black of the eye fill the pit or outward circumference , so that in the moving , none ( or very little ) of the white appeareth , all are signes of beauty , goodness , and material ; but if his eyes be uneven , and of a wrinkled proportion , if they be little ( which we call pig-eyed ) both are uncomely signes of weakness ; if they be red and fiery , take heed of moon-eyes , which is next door to blindness ; if white and walled , it shews a weak sight and unnecessary starting or finding of buggards ; if with white specks , take heed of the pearl , pin and web ; if they water or shew bloody , it shews bruises ; and if any matter , they shew old over-riding , festered rheums , or violent strains . if they look dead or dull , or are hollow , or much sunk , take heed of blindness at the best . the best is of an old decrepit generation : if the black fill not the pit , but the white is always appearing , or if in moving , the white and black be seen in equal quantity , it is a sign of weakness and a dogged disposition . his cheeks and chaps . if in handling his cheeks or chaps , you find the bones lean and thin , the space wide between them , the thropple or wind-pipe big as you can gripe , and the void place without knots or kernels ; and generally the jaws so great , that the neck seemeth to couch within them , they are excellent signes of great wind , courage and soundness of head and body . but if the chaps be sat and thick , the space between them closed up with gross substance , and the thropple little , all are signes of short wind , and much inward foulness . if the void place be full of knots and kernels , take heed of the strangle or glaunders , at the best , the horse is not without a foul cold. if his jaws be so streight that his neck swelleth above them , if it be no more then natural , it is only an uncomely sign of short wind , and pursiness or grossness ; but if the swelling be long , and close by his chaps like a whet-stone , then take heed of the vives , or some other unnatural impostume . his nostrils and muzzle . if his nostrils be open , dry , wide and large ; so as upon any straining the inward redness is discovered , and if his muzzle be small , his mouth deep , and his lips equally meeting , then all are good signes of wind , health and courage . but if his nostrils be streight , his wind is little ; if his muzzel is gross , his spirit i● dull ; if his mouth be shallow , he will never carry a bit well ; and if his upper lip will not reach his nether , old age or infirmity hath marked him for carrion . if his nose be moist and dropping , if it be clear water , it is a cold ; if soul matter , then beware of glaunders : if both nostrils run , it is hurtful ; but if one , then most dangerous . his teeth . touching his teeth and their vertues , they are set down in a particular chapter ; onely remember , you never buy an horse that wanteth any , for as good lose all almost as one . his breast . from his head look down to his breast , and see that it be broad , out-swelling , and adorned with many features ; for that shews strength and durance . the little breast is uncomely , and shews weakness , the narrow breast is apt to stumble , fall and enterfere before ; the breast that is hidden inward , and wanteth the beauty and division of many feathers , shews a weak armed heart , and a breast that is unwilling and unfit for any violent toyl or strong labour . his fore-thighs . next look down from his elbow to his knees , and see that those fore-things be rush-grown , well horned within , sinewed , fleshy , and out-swelling , for they are good signs of strength , the contrary shews weakness , and are unnatural . his knees . then look on his knees , and see that they carry a proportion , be lean , sinewy and close knit , for they are good and comely ; but if one be bigger and rounder then another , the horse hath received mischief ; if they be gross , the horse is gouty ; if they have scars , or hair-broken , it is a true mark of a stumbling jade , and a perpetual faller . his legs . from his knees , look down to his legs , to his pasterns , and if you finde them lean , flat and sinewy , and the inward bought of his knee without seames , or hair-broken , then he shews good shape and soundness ; but if on the inside of the leg you finde hard knots , they are splinters ; if on the out-side , they are screws or excressions ; if under his knees be scabs on the inside , it is the swift cut , and he will ill endure galloping ; if above his pasterns on the in-side you find scabs , it shews enterfering ; but if the scabs be generally over his legs , it is either extream soul keeping , or else a spice of the maunge ; if his flesh be fat , round and fleshy , he will never endure labour ; and if on the inward bought of his knees you finde seams , scabs or hair-broken , it shews a melander , which is a cancerous ulcer . his pasterns . look then on his pastern-joynt and his pastern , the first must be clear and well knit together , the other must be short , strong and upright standing ; for if the first be big or swell'd , take heed of sinew-strains and gourdings : if the other be long , weak or bending , the limbs will be hardly able to carry the body without tyring . his hoofs . for the hoofs in general , they should be black , smooth , tough , rather a little long then round , deep , hollow and full of sounding : for white hoofs are tender , and carry a shoo ill ; a rough , gross seamed hoof , shews old age or over-heating . a brittle hoof will carry no shoo at all ; an extraordinary round hoof is ill for foul ways , and deep hunting . a flat hoof that is pumissed , shews foundring ; and a hoof that is empty , and hollow sounding , shews a decayed inward-part , by reason of some wound or dry founder . as for the crown of the hoof , if the hair lie smooth and close , and the flesh flat and even , then all is perfect ; but if the hair be staring , the skin scabbed , and the flesh rising , then look for a ring-bone , or a crown-scab , or a quitter-bone . the setting on of his head , his crest and mane. after this , stand by his side , and first look to the setting on of his head , and see that it stand neither too high , nor too low , but in a direct line ; that his neck be small at the setting on of his head , and long , growing deeper to the shoulders , with an high , strong and thin mane , long , soft , and somewhat curling , for these are beautiful characters : whereas to have the head ill set on , is the greatest deformity ; to have any bigness or swelling in the nape of the neck , shews the pole-evil , or beginning of a fistula ; to have a short thick neck like a bull , to have it falling at the withers , to have a low , weak , a thick or falling crest , shews want both of strength and mettle ; to have much hair on the mane , shews intolerable dulness ; to have it too thin , shews fury ; and to have none or shed , shews the worm in the mane , the itch , or else plain maunginess . his back , ribs , fillets , belly and stones . look on the chine of his back , that it be broad , even and streight , his ribs well compassed and bending outward , his fillets upright , strong and short , and not above a handful between his last rib and his huckle-bone , let his belly be well let down , yet hidden within his ribs , and let his stones be well truss'd up to his body , for all these are marks of health and good perfection ; whereas to have his chine narrow , he will never carry a saddle without wounding , and to have it bending or saddle-backed , shews weakness . to have his ribs flat , there is not liberty for wind. to have his fillets hanging , long or weak , he will never climb an hill nor carry a burthen . and to have his belly clung up or gaunt , or his stones hanging down , loose or aside , they are both signes of sickness , tenderness , foundering in the body , and unaptness for labour . his buttocks . then look upon his buttocks , and see that they be round , plump , full , and in an even level with his body : or if long , that it be well raised behind , and spread forth at the setting on of the tail , for these are comely and beautiful . the narrow pin-buttock , the hog or swine-rump , and the falling and down-let buttock are full of deformity , and shew both an injury in nature , and that they are neither sit or becoming for pad , foot-cloth or pillion . his hinder-thighs . then look to his hinder-thighs or gaskings , if they be well let down even to the middle joynt , thick , brawny , full and swelling ; for that is a great argument of strength and goodness , whereas the lank slender thighs shew disability and weakness . his cambrels . then look upon the middle joynt behind , and if it be nothing but skin and bone , veins and sinews , and rather a little bending then too streight , then it is perfect as it should be . but if it hath chaps or sores on the inward bought or bending , then that is a sellander . if the joynt be swell'd generally all over , then he hath got a blow or bruise , if the swelling be particular , as in the pit or hollow part , or on the inside , and the vein full and proud ; if the swelling be soft , it is a blood-spaven ; if hard , a bone-spaven ; but if the swelling be just behind , before the knuckle , then it is a curb . hinder-legs . then look to his hinder-legs , if they be lean , clean , flat and sinewy , then all is well ; but if they be fat they will not endure labour . if they be swelled , the grease is molten in them . if he be scabbed above the pasterns , he hath the scratches ; if he have chaps under his pasterns , he hath rains , and none of these but aro noisom . his tail. lastly , for the setting on of his tail where there is a good buttock , the tail can never stand ill ; and where there is an evil buttock , there the tail can never stand well ; for it ought to stand broad , high , flat , and couched a little inward . thus i have shewed you the true shapes and true deformities , you may in your choice please your own fancies . an uncontroulable way to know the age of an horse . there are seven outward characters , by which to know the age of every horse ; as namely , his teeth , his hoofs , his tail , his eyes , his skin , his hair , and the barrs in his mouth . his teeth . if you would know his age by his teeth , you must understand that an horse hath in his head just fourty teeth , that is to say , six great wong teeth above , and six below on one side , and as many on the other , which maketh twenty four ; and are called his grinders ; then six above and six below , in the fore-part of his mouth , which are called gatherers , and make thirty six . then four tushes , one above and one below on one side , and are called the bit teech , which make just fourty . now the first year he hath his foals teeth , which are only grinders and gatherers , but no tushes , and they be small , white and bright to look on . the second year he changeth the four fore-most teeth in his head , that is , two above , and two below in the midst of the rows of the gatherers , and they are browner and bigger then the other . the third year he changeth the teeth next unto them , and leaveth no apparent foals teeth before , but two above , and two below of each side , which are all bright and small . the fourth year he changeth the teeth next unto them , and leaveth no more foals teeth before , but one of each side , both above and below . the fifth year his sore-most teeth will be all changed ; but then he hath his tushes on each-side compleat , and the last foals teeth which he cast , those which come up in their place will be hollow , and have a little black speck in the midst , which is called the mark in the horses mouth , and continueth till he be past eight years old . the sixth year he putteth up his new tushes , near about which you shall see growing a little of new and young flesh , at the bottom of the tush : besides , the tush will be white , small , short and sharp . the seventh year all his teeth will have their perfect growth , and the mark in his mouth will be plainly seen . the eighth year all his teeth will be full , smooth and plain , the black speck or mark being no more but discerned , and his tushes will be more yellow then ordinary . the ninth year his foremost teeth will be longer , broader , yellower and fouler then at younger years , the mark gone , and his tushes will be bluntish . the tenth year , the inside of his upper tushes will be no holes at all to be felt with your fingers ends , which till that age you shall ever feel ; besides , the temples of his head will begin to be crooked and hollow . the eleventh year his teeth will be exceeding long , very yellow , black and foul , only he may then cut even , and his teeth will stand directly opposite one to another . the twelfth year his teeth will be long , yellow , black and foul , but then his upper teeth will hang over his nether . the thirteenth year his tushes will be worn somewhat close to his chaps , ( if he be a much ridden horse ) otherwise they will be black , foul and long , like the tushes of a boar. his mouth . see that he does not over-hang his upper teeth over his nether , for though it be the mark of an old horse , yet sometimes a young horse hath that infirmity . see likewise that he is not too deep burnt of the lampas , and that his flesh lie smooth with his barrs , for if it be too deep burnt , his hay and provender will stick therein , which will be very troublesom to the horse . his hoofs . if his hoofs be rugged , and as it were seamed one seam over another , and many seams ; if they be dry , full and crusty , or crumbling , it is a sign of very old age ; and on the contrary part , a smooth , moist , hollow and well-sounding hoof , is a sign of young years . his tail. if you take your horse with your finger and your thumb by the stern of the tail , close at the setting on by the buttock , feeling there hard , and if you feel of each side of the tail a joynt stick out more then any other , by the bigness of an hazel-nut , then you may presume the horse is under two years old ; but if his joynts be all plain , and no such thing to be felt , then he is above ten , and it may be thirteen . his eyes . if his eyes be round , full , staring or starting from his head , if the pits over them be filled , smooth and even with his temples , and no wrinkles , either about his brow , or under his eyes , then he is young , if otherwise you see the contrary characters , it is a sign of old age. his skin . if you take his skin in any part of his body , between your finger and your thumb , and pull it from his flesh , then letting it go again , if it suddenly return to the place from whence it came , and be smooth and plain without wrinkle , then he is young and full of strength ; but if it stand , and not return instantly to its former place , then he is very old and wasted . his hair. if an horse that is of any dark colour , shall grow grissle only about his eye-brows , or underneath his mane ; or any horse of a whitish colour shall grow meannelled with either black or red meannels universally over his body , then both are signes of old age. his barrs . lastly , if the barrs in his mouth be great , deep , and handle rough and hard , then is the horse old ; but if they be soft , shallow , and handle gently and tenderly , then is he young , and in good ability of body . and thus much be spoken touching the office of the buyer . the perfect shape of a horse altogether . first , there is required that the hoof be black , smooth , dry , large , round and hollow ; the pasterns streight and upright , fet-locks short , the legs streight and flat , called also lath-legged , the knees bony , lean and round , the neck long , high reared , and great towards the breast , the breast large and round , the ears small , sharp , long and upright , the fore-head lean and large , the eyes great , full and black , the brows well filled , and shooting outwards , the jaws wide , slender and lean , the nostrils wide and open , the mouth great , the head long and lean , like to a sheep , the mane thin and large , the withers sharp and pointed , the back short , even , plain and double chined , the sides and ribs deep , large and bearing out like the cover of a trunk , and close shut at the huckle-bone , the belly long and great , but hid under the ribs , the flanks full , yet gaunt , the rump round , plain and broad , with a large space betwixt the buttocks , the thighs long and large , with well-fashioned bones , and those fleshy , the hams dry and streight , the trunchion small , long , well set on , and well couched , the train long , not too thick , and falling to the ground , the yard and stones small ; and lastly , the horse to be well-risen before . and to conclude , the perfect shape of a horse , according as a famous horse-man hath described it , is in a few words , thus , viz. a broad fore-head , a great eye , a lean head , thin , slender , lean , wide jaws , a long high reared neck , reared withers , abroad deep chest and body , upright pasterns , and narrow hoof ; and this is the common , allowed and approved shape of a perfect horse , so that if any of those things be deficient in him , he cannot be said to be a horse of a perfect shape . wherefore i conclude , that if a horse be of a good colour , well marked , and rightly shaped , and right also by sire and mare , it will be seldom seen that he would prove ill , unless his nature be alienated and marred , either in the backing and riding , or else that he be otherwise wronged , by the means of an unskilful groom . but i may in this point be taxed to hold a paradox ; which helpeth farcins , yellows , stavers , scabs , mainges , agues , feavers , colds , surseits , glanders , or any other malady , which may be any ways noxious to the inward part of the body . and it also preventeth sudden sickness , if you do suspect it . fifthly , the opening of the two plate or breast-veins do help the anticor , sickness of the heart , morfoundring , which is the foundring in the body by over-riding , whereby the grease of the horse is molten ; it also preventeth diseases in the liver , lungs , and inward parts grieved ; and sometimes hurts in the shoulder , which causeth lameness before . sixthly , we use to touch the two thigh-veins before , which helpeth ▪ foundring in the fore-feet , mallenders , splent , screw , ring-bone , and such like infirmities in the fore-foot , and such other higher parts . seventhly , we use to take blood from the four shackle-veins before , and this is very good for the crow-scab , ring-bone and such like diseases . eighthly , we use to strike the two spur-veins , which cureth the farcin in the sides , morfoundring , swelling under the belly , which is a disease called the feltrick , and the like . ninthly , we prick the two toe-veins , which do help frettizing , foundering , hoof-bound , beating of the horses feet by riding upon hard and stony ways , and the like . tenthly , we open the two thigh-veins behind , and this doth help the grief of the kidneys , swelling in the hinder-legs , foundring , sellenders , scratches , kybes , &c. and it also helpeth diseases in and about the belly , as pissing of blood , pissing oft after great and extraordinary hard labour , and the weakness of the reins , the back , belly , guts , or any other of the inward parts , the curb , spaven , and such diseases which come of rankness of blood. eleventhly , we sometimes do open the four shackle-veins behind , and this is very good against founderings , and other pains in and about the feet . twelfthly , we let blood in the two flank or hanch-veins , and this is most probable for all kind of feavers , the stones , poverty and the felter-worm . thirteenthly , we draw blood from the two tail-veins , which cureth the mange in the tail , falling of the hair , or itch in the tail. and these are for the most part all the veins that are usually opened . so that the full sum or number of veins which farriers commonly open are thirty . other veins there are which are of a smaller proportion , and therefore not fit to be opened , i will not say that these veins so opened doth cure the diseases absolutely ; but it doth sometimes asswage the malignancy of the malady , sometimes it preventeth diseases , and sometimes again it prepareth the body , the better to receive such physical drinks which do inwardly cure them , and such salves , oyls , unguents , which do dry and heal up outward infirmities , &c. how many bones a horse hath , and where they are situated . all the bones which every horse hath , whereby to make up an organical body are these , viz. he hath in his head thirty nine or fourty teeth ; the bones in his head do comprehend the crocks and handles of the scull , albeit they be composed of parts and parcels of other bones , also the two flat handles , which from the pallat and the fork or throat hath five ; the chine hath fifty two , the breast one , the ribs hath thirty six , the fore-legs and fore-feet hath fourty four , and the hinder-legs and feet fourty , so as the whole structure of the body of a horse , whereby to perfect a full building of bones , consisteth of about two hundred fifty seven , or two hundred fifty nine , if they be rightly computed ; which do represent themselves altogether at what time the perfect anatomy of a horse is laid open . of the elements . the elements are four , and they give life and nutriment unto man , and all other living creatures ; they are these , fire , air , water , and earth . their nature . the nature of fire is to be hot and dry , air to be hot and moist , water to be cold and moist , and earth to be cold and dry . signes of the zodiack aries , taurus , gemini , cancer , leo , virgo , libra , scorpio , sagittarius capricornus , aquarius , pisces ; these do all govern the twelve months of the year , and are placed above the zodiack . names of the planets . saturn , jupiter , mars , sol , venus , mercury and lun●a . the government of the signes . aries governs the head , taurus the neck , gemini the shoulders and armes , cancer the stomach and breast , leo the heart , virgo the belly and guts , libra the reins and buttocks , scorpio the privy parts , sagittarius the thighs , capricornus the knees , aquarius the legs , and pisces the feet . the best time to let a horse blood in . if there be no extraordinary cause , as in case of desperate sickness , or so ; then jan. the third and fifteenth , feb. the fourth and ninth , mar. the seventeenth and eighteenth , april the tenth and sixteenth , may the first and thirteenth , june the fifteenth and twentieth . but for july and august , by reason that the canicular days be then predominant , blood-letting is not so good , but only in urgent case of necessity . in septemb. the eleventh and twenty eighth . octob. the eighth and twenty third . novemb. the fifth and seeds . gather seeds and fruits when they be fully ripe , and they also last but one whole year . rind or bark . gather the rind or bark of any simple when the herb is ripe , dry them , and they will last many years . the office of the farrier . what points consist the office of the farrier . it consists in four things , viz. science , experience , knowledge and handy work ; but i shall let pass the first three , and speak to handy-work , and that is , to heat an iron well , to turn a shoo well , to make and point a nail well , to pare the hoof well , to cauterize well , to let blood well , to be light and well-handied , bold and hardy , and dressing of a horse well of such accidents as may happen unto him . the principal members of a horse . some hold that there be four , and make the stones or gignitors one ; but i say there are but three , the liver , the heart and the brain ; and if he be offended in any of these he will die ; but if any other member besides these be hurt , he may live ; and therefore the stones or gignitors cannot be one of the principal members , for you cannot touch any of those three , but you kill him out-right , or desperately endanger him . now the stones may receive hurt , and if i despair of curing them , i can cut them out , without peril of his life . of the sinews , and of the number of them . there are two sinews , or tendons , which are white , and begin at the end of the nose , and extend themselves along the neck , and along the back , and make their extent to the four legs , and take their ligaments in the fore-feet . there are in every horse twenty nine or thirty , great and small . the two great sinews which i named before . it. two branches which are main sinews that proceed from the brain , and run down the cheeks to the teeth . it. there are from the shoulders to the first joynt of the armes , or fore-legs downwards , two great sinews . it. from the knees to the pasterns are four great sinews , with the same number in the hinder-part . it. in the fore-part of the breast , and above it , as well within as without , are ten sinews , some greater and some smaller . it. from the reins of the back to the stones are four great sinews . lastly , one great main sinew which runneth along to the end of the tail. so as the full number of the sinews are twenty nine , or thirty , which are to be discerned . but to speak properly , a horse hath but one only vein , which is that which we call the median , or lives vein , which is in the liver , being the true fountain , scource and great tun , from whence the canes , conduit-pipes and little veines , ( as the smaller rivers ) do separate themselves , which do run through all the parts and members of the whole body . those veins that do ascend to the head and body , are called veins ascendent , and those which do run low as to the legs , and lower members , are called hollow or descendent veins . of the vital blood. those are veins which are vessels of quick or running blood , and is that , that when the creature sleepeth , his blood is in continual agitation , and never ceaseth . of the number of the veins that you are to take blood from . in the neck , in the weeping-veins , under the ears , and in six other places , of and about the head ; as in the pallate-veins , in the tongue , in the flank-veins , in the breast and spur-veins ; in the four members , to wit , the legs , thighs , pasterns and feet ; also in sundry other places , according as necessity shall require it , and in places which may the better kill the ma●ady of the said horse . for what use you open the veins . to open the two temple-veins easeth the pain in the head , coming of colds , rheums , feavers , yellows and stavers , drowsiness , frenzie , the sleepy evil , falling evil , or any grief in or about the eyes or brain . secondly , we open the two eyes or weeping-veins , being most sovereign for such diseases whereunto the eyes are subject ; as watery or weeping eyes , blood-shotten , pin and web , haw , or the like . thirdly , we open the two pallat-veins in the mouth , and those do cure the lampass , and any inward sickness in the body ; as the yellows , stavers , anticor , surfeits , drowsiness , tiredness , or weariness of the body ; or if he hath any malady in the throat , as the strangle , quinzy , kernels , pustils , either within or without ; it many times helpeth inflammations , glanders , or the like ; for the eating or swallowing of his own blood , is most wholesom and sovereign in such cases . fourthly , we do usually open the two neck-veins , for some may object unto me , that many times horses , who are of the best colour , best marks and truest shapes , do nevertheless prove arrant ●ades . i answer , i acknowledge all this to be true , for i have known horses , who upon their first view , have been in extrinsecal shew so hopeful , as that they have promised what a man could expect from them , which notwithstanding when they have come to the test , they have been a scandal to their sex ; but this is not a thing frequent , for in every one of these who have thus miscarried , you shall have twenty prove right and answerable to your minds . rules to be observed of putting a horse to grass , and of taking of him up again . before you put your stable-horse to grass , eight or nine days before , take blood from him , the next day after give him the drink of diapen●e , and a day or two after his drink abate of his cloaths by degrees , before you turn him forth , lest by doing them on the sudden he take more cold , and after his cloaths are taken off , curry him not at all , but let him stand in his dust , for that will keep him warm . neither would i have you put him forth till the midst of may , at the soonest , for till that time grass will not have bite enough , ( and let the day wherein you turn him forth be a warm sun-shine day , and about the hour of ten ) for horses pampered in warm stables , and kept close , will be subject to take cold . taking of him up . secondly , let him be taken up from grass very dry , or else he will be subject to be scabby , and that not later then st. bartholomew's day , which is the twenty fourth of august , for then the season doth begin to let fall cold dews , which causeth much harm to your horse , and then beginneth the heart of grass to ●ail , so as the grass which he then feedeth upon breedeth no good nutriment , but gross , phl●gmatick and cold humors which putrisieth and corrupteth the blood , and take him up very quietly for fear of melting his grease , for his fat gotten at grass is very tender , so that every little motion dissolveth the same , whereby the blood may be enslamed , and so be in danger of sickness , if not of death . a day or two after you have him in the stable , let him be shod , let blood and drencht , as before is shewed you , for this preventeth yellows , stavers and such like diseases , which the gall and spleen occasioneth , which the heart and strength of grass , ( through the rankness of blood ) doth engender in his body . but if you intend to be curious after you have taken him into the stable , before you have either blooded or drencht him , you may clean him in this manner . of cleansing or making a horse clean . first , therefore if it be a hot sun-shiny day , take him out of the stable into a place convenient , and there trim him , then take ordinary soft washing sope ▪ and anoint his head and every part of him all over therwith , and to have a care that none of it get into his ears or eyes , then wash him very well with warm water all over , then wipe him with a warm linnen-cloth , and after rub him dry with woollen cloaths , then sope him all over again , especially his mane and tail , and wash him very clean with buck-lee , with a wisp or woollen cloth , and when you have sufficiently cleansed him , dry him as you did before , and so lead him into the stable , and cloath him up with a clean , thin , soft cloth. and by this kind of trimming and cleansing him , you may so alter him , that the owner can scarce know him . general notes concerning some simples . all manner of marrows and piths , of what kind soever they be must be kept by themselves in a dry cool place , and preserved from all filth or uncleanness , and from the annoyance either of wind or fire , and so they will last full out a whole year . syrups , powders , pills , electuaries and ointments . you shall keep no syrops , no sweet electuaries , nor pills , nor powders , nor conserves of flowers , nor any ointments , sewets or emplaisters , or conserve of fruits or roots , will last fully out two years . oyls . of oyls , some will last long , some must be new made : oyls extracted out of wood or metals will last long . roots . gather roots in autumn , but take the small sprigs from them , and make them clean and dry . dry small roots in the shade and wind , and great ones either in the wind , or sun , or by the fire ; lay them in a dry place towards the south , and they will keep long , provided that neither sun nor moisture do injure them . herbs . gather all manner of herbs when they do most ●lourish , and dry them in the shade , except they be very moist and apt to putrifie , they last for the most part a whole year . sixteenth , dec●mb . the fourteenth and twenty sixth . and these days we hold to be the very best , unless dangerous and sudden sickness do cause us to alter the same , for in cases of necessity no days are to be regarded or observed . more observations of blood-letting you may finde hereafter . of the four humors . blood , choler , phlegm and melancholy . four humors also there are , which be as it were four children to the four elements already spoken of : and these are , blood , phlegm , choler and melancholy , without which a natural body cannot be made ; for blood naturally ( if it be perfect ) is hot and moist , but taketh most from heat , and therefore is subordinate to air ; phlegm is cold and moist , but the principality thereof is coldness , and therefore hath reference to water : choler is hot and dry , but his chiefest nature is heat , and therefore is governed by the element of fire : melancholy is cold and dry , but his chiefest condition is driness , and therefore subjects it self to the element of earth . now the fountain of blood is the liver , which dispersing it self by the help of the veins into all the parts of the body , nourisheth and preserveth the same . phlegm preoccupateth the brain , being a cold and spungy substance , and the seat of the sensible soul. choler inhabiteth the liver , which being hot and dry , maketh a pleasing harmony with the blood. melancholy resideth in the spleen , which is the receptacle and discharge of the excrements of the liver , from whence we may collect , that it hath its proper use and end : as for demonstration , blood principally nourisheth the body , phlegm occasioneth motion of the joynts and members , choler exciteth and provoketh the belly to avoid its excrements ; and lastly , melancholy disposeth the body to an appetite . whereupon all the learned philosophers do with one unanimous assent agree in this , that in every natural body there are four principal instrumental members , from which all the parts of an organi●al body are said to be framed , and these are the brain , the heart , the liver , and the stones or gignitors , and each one of these do perform its true function to all the particular members of the body ; for the sinews do receive their sustentation from the brain , and these are called animal spirits ; the art●ries from the heart , which are vital spirits ; the veins from the liver , which are natural parts ; and the seed-vessels from the stones or gignitors , as the place of generation . of a horses complexion , which is the most necessary faces that a farrier can judge of his infirmities . to speak of the complexions of a horse in a particular manner , which is one of the most necessary faces that a farrier can behold , both for the judging of horses infirmities , and also for the true compounding of his medicines for every disease ; and therefore by the colour of the horse you are to judge his complexion . for look which of the elements is most predominate in him , from that element you may draw his complexion ; as thus , if he participate more of the fire , then of any of the other elements , then we hold him to be a cholerick horse , and his colour is either a bright sorrel , a coal black without any white , or an iron grey unchangeable , that is , such a crey as neither will ever turn a daple-grey , a white or a flea-bitten , and these horses are of nature light , hot , fiery , and seldom of any great strength . these horses are most subject to pestilent feavers , yellows and inflammation of the liver . therefore every farrier should be careful in his composing of any medicine for such a horse , to purge choler , yet very moderately , and not with any extraordinary strength in the potion or drench , because the horse being in his best strength , not reputed strong , should you apply any violent thing to him , that little strength being abated , there were great danger in confounding the whole body . if the horse participate more of the air then of the other elements , then is he of a sanguine complexion , and his colour is either a bright bay , or a dark bay , which hath neither scouling countenance , myly mouth , no● white flank ; or a white flea ▪ bitten , white lyard like silver , or black with a white star , white rash or white foot. these horses are of nature pleasant , nimble , free and of good strength . the disease , to them most incident , is consumption of the liver , leprosie , glanders , or any disease that is infectious ; they are of a good strong constitution , and may endure strength in their medicines , especially any thing that cooleth the blood. if the horse participate more of the water then of the other elements , then is he of a phlegmatick complexion , and his colour is either milk white , a yellow dun kite glewed , or a pyde-ball , in whom there is an equal mixture of colours . otherwise , if the bay , the black or the dun exceed the white , he is said to be of that complexion of which the colour is greatest . these horses are of nature slow , and apt to lose flesh . the diseases which are most incident unto them , are colds , head-ach , rheums , staggers , and such like . they are able to endure the reasonable strength of any medicine , because of the abundance of phlegm which is in them , sufficeth both nature , and the potion to work upon . all cold simples are to them exceeding hurtful , so are also they which are violently hot in the third degree ; the first , because it bindeth too soon ; the latter , because it disperses too suddenly , therefore simples of a moderate mean are best . if the horse participate of the earth more then of the other elements , then is he of a melancholy complexion ; and his colour is a mouse-dun , russet , chesnut , ashie grey , dark bay , having long white hai● , like goats hair , growing on his legs ; these horses are of nature heavy and faint-hearted . the diseases to them most incident , are inflammations in the spleen , frenzie , dropsey , and such like ; they are commonly of better strength then they appear by their actions , and are able to endure the strength of any reasonable medicine ; all cicatrizing and dry simples are hurtful unto them , the cold and moist are the most profitable . having thus shewed you these four complexions , cholerick sanguine , phlegmatick and melancholy , together with their qualities and strengths ; you shall understand now , that amongst farriers there is another complexion , or fifth constitution , which is called the composition , or mixture of complexions ; that is , when a horse doth participate of all the four elements equally , and in due proportion , and this is the best complexion , and the horse that is of this complexion is ever one of these colours ; that is to say , of a fair brown bay , dabled , or not dabled , a dable grey , a black full of silver hair , or a fair roan red or black . and these horses are of nature most excellent , most temperate , strongest , gentlest and most healthful , though they may have any disease as the other hath , yet are they naturally inclined to no disease . but what infirmity soever falleth unto them , is meerly accidental , and not through any overflow of natural distemperature . all medicines must be compounded for them according to the nature of the sickness , and the time of their languishment ; for if the sickness be young and new bred , then are they able to receive any well composed receipt ; but if it be old , and the inward powers and faculties feebled , then you must be careful to help nature , by adding to every medicine , of what nature soever , some simple of comfort , that as ill humors be clensed , so strength may still be repaired and maintained . and thus much for complexions . twelve causes of health and long life . . the first is nature , good digestion and good nourishment . . the second is , moderation in feeding and diet. . the third is , moderate labour . . the fourth is , moderate use of sleeping and waking . . the fifth is , moderate spending upon mares . . the sixth is , moderate journeys . . the seventh is , wholesom air. . the eighth is , not to be exercised too soon after grass . . the ninth is , to be kept from raw and green meats . . the tenth is , not to be suffered to eat or drink being hot . . the eleventh is , not to be neither washed nor walked at the end of his journey . . the twelfth is , to give him with his provender such powders and simples as are prescribed you in all those chapters , which are by me mentioned , but more particularly in page . and though he dislikes them at first , yet by mixing a little and a little at a time , they will become natural to him . dangerous sicness how it cometh . first , all sickness cometh either by heats in over-violent exercise , as when the horse hath his grease moulten , the heart over-charged , the vital blood forced from the inward parts , and the large pores and orisices of the heart are so obstructed and stopped , that the spirits cannot return back to their proper places , so as the organs of the body cannot rejoyce , but by this means the body must of necessity languish , founder and mortifie . secondly , dangerous sickness cometh also by colds , as by indiscreet and negligent keeping , as well before as after long and violent exercise , and then is the head perplexed , the eyes dulled and pained , the roots of the tongue inflamed and fwelled , the lungs with rheums tickled and offended , occasioning strong and laborious coughing , and the nostrils often distilling , and pouring ●orth filthy and corrupt matter . thirdly , dangerous sickness cometh also by surfeit of food , either by eating too much or too little of what is good , or also of what is not wholesom ; so as the first killeth , or at least debilitateth the stomach , oppresseth the heart , and s●ndeth up those evil fumes into the head , by which are engendred the stavers , frenzies , and other mortal diseases ▪ the second putri●ies the blood , and converts all its nutriment into corruption , from whence proceeds the yellows , farcins , feavers , mainges , and other such like pestilent , leprous and lothsom diseases , which suffocating the heart , and clogging the stomach , dilates and spreads it self universally over the whole body , leaving no member free , and confoundeth every faculty and member thereof . fourthly and lastly , dangerous sickness come also by accidents , as when a horse receiveth some deep or perillous wound or hurt , either in his body , or elsewhere , in some vital or dangerous part , by means whereof nature is so far offended , as that incontinently a general sickness seizeth upon him , which if not prevented , death immediately ensueth . signes to know these dangerous sicknesses . if his sickness proceed from the first , which are heat , then are the signes these , viz. the heaviness of his countenance , swellings of his limbs , especially of his hinder-legs , scouring and loosness of his body , in the beginning of his sickness , short and hot breath , a loathing and forsaking of his meat . if from the second , viz. cold ; then the signes are , a dejected countenance , dulness or sleepiness of the eyes , pustels or hard knots under the caul , yea , and many times ins●amed kernels and swellings so high as to the very roots of the ears , a rotten ▪ moist , inward and hollow cough , he many times chewing betwixt his teeth , some loose , filthy and phlegmatick matter , immediately after his coughing , which in some cases is not an evil sign ▪ by reason that thereby the cold rotteth and goeth away ; whereas on the contrary side , for a horse to cough clear and dry , doth demonstrate a dry cough , which hath long time lurked in his body , which is difficult to cure , which will so discover it self at last , that his belly will shrink up , and when he drinketh water will come forth of his nose , and his eyes will be either watery or mattery , and run continually , through pain he hath in his head , procured by means of his cold , and his hair will be rough and staring , &c. if from the third , which is surfeit , then the signes of his sickness are these , a dulness of the head , eyes and countenance , and that so violent , that he will not be able to lift up his head from the manager ; a dull and dead eye , and sunk into his head , his ears prickt upright , and the tops of them cold , as also his upper lips and his sheath , his pace reeling and staggering , and if he be too far gone he will be mad , which you may know by his biting the rack and manger , or any body that shall come nigh him ; and sometimes biting of himself , and beating his head against the wall , &c. but if the malady be not got into the brain , then you shall find by the yellowness of his eyes , lips and tongue , that it is turned to the yellows , which will so infect his blood all over , that if not prevented suddenly he will soon come to the dogs . accidental . the sourth and last ground of his sickness is , if it proceed from accidental means , the signes then are a perplexed and troubled body , sweating at the roots of his eares , flanks , behind the shoulders , against the heart , sometimes trembling all over his body , and sometimes glowing and burning in his vital parts , as in the temples of his head , against his heart , on the inside of his fore-legs , and on the inside of his hinder-legs ; his mouth will be dry and hot , his tongue will be subject to be inflamed and furied , he will have a loathing against meat ▪ and a great drought to thirst , and drink cold water , and to keep his mouth in the same when he hath done drinking . to cure sickness before it comes , and to prevent it when it comes . first , when you finde it come , to let him blood , and for three mornings together to give him the drink of diapente , and keep him warm , and let him fast three houres after it , and then give him a mash , and hay after that . but in case diapente is not to be had , then take celand●ne half a handful , as well roots as leaves , well washed and picked , wormwood and rue of each half a handful , boil them in a bottle of ale or beer to a quart , and strain it well , and put it into half a pound of sweet butter , and two or three spoonfuls of treacle , and give it him luke-warm . but secondly , to prevent it before it comes , is when you turn him to grass , to let him blood likewise , and to give him the next day the drink of diapente , and so to abate his cloaths ( if he hath any ) to harden him before you turn him to grass , to prevent his taking of cold. the drink of diapente . take of gentian , of aristolochia rotunda , of bay-berries , of myrrh , and of the shavings of ●vory , of each a like quantity , and let them be pounded severally , and finely searced , and after weighed , so as the quantity may be just and even , not any one less or more then another , and after you have mixed them very well together , put them into a gally-pot , close stopped , as that no air get into it , and so keep it for your use . how to use it . if you drench him for a cold or glanders , give it him in muscadine , if for other maladies , then in sweet sack , and the quantity must be a pint and an half . but if you cannot get either sack or muscadine , then give it in strong ale or beer ; the quantity of this powder of diapente must be two or three spoonfuls , unless to a small , sick and feeble horse , then according to your own judgement , as you shall think requisite . the word diapente is as much as to say composition of five simples . the vertues of diapente . it is the most sovereign thing which can be given to a horse by way of drench , to cure him of very many diseases . it is good against all infectious maladies , as feavers of what nature soever , all sorts of pesti●encies , or contagious colds , coughs wet or dry , glanders , surfeits , inflammations in the blood or liver , frenzies , yellows ; it purisieth , refineth and purgeth the blood from all infection and corruption ; it easeth the overflowing of the gall , and the working of the spleen ; in a word , it cureth whatsoever diseases the body of an horse may be inwardly inclined unto . the making of the true diahexaple . take the roots of round aristolochia , wash them small , scrape them , and make them as clear as may be , then take juniper-berries unexcorticated , and bay-berries excorticated ; take the purest and best drops of myrrh , and the finest shavings of ivory , of each an equal quantity , beat all but the myrrh together , and searce them fine . lastly , beat the myrrh and searce it also , then mix them altogether , press it hard into a gally-pot , and keep it for your use . the vertues of diahexaple . this powder or indeed mithridate , is most excellent and sovereign against all manner of poison , either inward or outward , it cureth the biting of venomous beasts , and helpeth short wind and pursiness . it mundisieth , clenseth , suppleth , and maketh thin all gross humors , it healeth all diseases of the liver and stomack , helps digestion , and being given in a pint of sack , it cureth all colds ; it is good against consumptions , breaks phlegm , helps staggers and all diseases of the head. gerrard . it recovers tiring and weariedness , and takes away cramps and convulsions , dries up the scurvey , breaks the stone , opens all inward obstructions , and helps the yellows , the gargil and the dropsey . diascordies . it cures all diseases of the lungs , as glanders and rottenness , gives ease to all gripings and windiness of the belly , provoketh urine , takes away infection , and kills wormes . a drink to open an horses body , and to clense it . take a quart of new milk , sallet-oyl , honey , of each half a pint , an ounce of london . treacle , and the yolks of six eggs , beat altogether , then put to it licoras , sugar-candy , anniseeds , ( all in powder ) of each an ounce , and infuse altogether , and so give it him , ride him after it , set him up warm , and let him fast two houres or more . how to make diatessaron , mithridates or horse-treacle . take of the powder of diapente , two ounces , and put it into a clean stone-mortar , and put thereto clarified or life-honey the like quantity ; let the mortar be hot before you put them in , then with a pestle of wood work it till it come to a treacle , then take it forth , and keep it in a gally-pot close stopped for your use . how to use it . take half an ounce of this confection , and dissolve it in a pint and an half of muscadine , or sweet sack , and give it him blood-warm , and as you see occasion , you may add to it of london-treacle an ounce . the vertues of it . it is good for all poisons and infectious diseases , and drives sorth all manner of sickness from the heart , and is good for all sorts of feavers , and all other desperate and dangerous sickness , taking first blood from him if there be cause . how to make the electuary of diatessaron . take gentian , bay-berries , aristolochia rotunda , or birth-wort , of each two ounces , all beaten to very fine powder ; put them into a stone-mortar , ( as you did the other ) with two pounds of clarified honey , and work them together till they come to a treacle , and when you have done , put it up into a gally-pot , and keep it for your use close stopped , use it as you do the other . the vertues of it . it resists pestilence and poison , and cures the biting of any venomous beast ; it is good for the falling sickness , convulsions , and all cold distempers of the brain ; as also for colds and coughs wet or dry , surfeits , glaunders , inflammation of the blood and liver , yellows , and many other diseases which a horses body is inclineable unto . a drink given when you neither have diahexaple , diapente or diatessaron . take of tarr two ounces , of honey an ounce , black soap two drams , and bay salt a handful , incorporate them well together , then take two egg-shells , the crowns only being broken , so as you may get forth the meat , and fill them full with this medicine , and put them down his throat , and walk or ride him gently up and down a quarter of an hour or more , warm cloathed ; that done , set him up warm , and litter him well , and let his drink be either mashes or white water for four or five days after , and let him fast three houres after his medicine , and let his hay and provender be sweet and good . signes of all sickness in general . if you find in your horse heaviness of countenance , extream loosness , or extream costiveness , shortness of breath , loathing of meat , dull and imperfect eyes , rotten or dry cough , staring hair , or hair unnaturally discoloured , a staggering pace , frantick behaviour , yellowness of the eyes , of skin , faint or cold sweat , extraordinary lying down , or beating or looking back at his body , alteration of qualities or gestures , not casting of the coat , leanness , h●de-bound and the like . all these are apparent signes of distemperature and sickness . the diseases of a horse is known by the signes he makes . if he be slower in pace then he use to be , if his eares hang down more then they are wont , if his flank be more then usually hollow , if he burn between his eares , or about his pasterns , if in travel his stomach fail him , or his mouth , that in his labour do use to foam , become dry , all these are signes of sickness . by hanging of his head. if he hang down his head , which was wont to be of a chearful countenance , it is a sign of a feaver , head-ach , the staggers or ●ore eyes . by the turning of his head backwards . if he turn his head backward to the place grieved , if it be to the right side , it is a sign of obstructions in the liver , but if he turn it down to his belly , it is a sign either of the cholick , bots or worms . by water running from his mouth . when water runs from his mouth , it is either a sign of the staggers or wet cough . by his stinking breath or stinking matter from his nostrils . if his breath stinks , or foul matter issues from his nostrils , it is a sign of an ulcer in the nose or head ; but if the matter be white , then it is a sign of glanders : if the matter be black , then it is a sign of the mourning of the chine , if there be any such disease . but if it be yellow , then it is the consumption of the liver : but if he cast little lumps out of his mouth , then it shews consumption and rottenness of the lungs . by his breath and body being hot . if his body and breath be hot , it is a sign of a feaver and heat of the stomach , if therewithal he forsake his meat , it is a sign of the inflammation of the liver , and either of dry or moist yellows . by his hollow temples . if his temples be very hollow , it is a sign of the strangle or old age. by shortness of breath . shortness of breath , and beating of the flank , is a sign either of a feaver or the strangle , but if the passage of the throat be stopped , it is a sign the film of the lungs are broken , and the spleen troubled , or else broken-winded . by the swelling about the eares . if there be any thing swelling about the eares , it is a sign of the pole-evil : swelling under the eares is a sign of the vives ; and swelling in the mouth , is a sign either of a canker , flaps or la●pas . by the swelling under the throat . swelling under the throat is a sign of the glanders , and swelling about the tongue-roots , a sign of the strangle : but if there be about the tongue-roots nothing but little small knots , like wax-kernels , then it is a sign but of a cold only . by his swelling about hi● body . swelling on the left side , is a sign of a sick spleen ; swelling in the belly and legs , a sign of the dropsey ; and swelling in the flank , of cholick only . by his offering to cough . to couch , or to offer to cough , it is a sign either of the glanders , or of a wet or dry cough , of a consumption or foundring of the body . by his staggering . staggering is a sign either of a feaver , of the staggers , or of swaying in the neck : but if he stagger or roul behind only , then is it a sign either of foundring of the body , or of pain in the kidneys . by the hollowness of his back . the hollowness of a horses back is a sign of a dry malady , or the dropsey . by his trembling . trembling is a sign of a feaver , or foundring in the body : and here is to be noted , that if he trembleth after he hath drunk , he hath during the time of his trembling a fit of an ague upon him , and after he hath done trembling he will glow , and some horses after their burning will sweat also . by the staring of his hair. hair staring is a sign either of a cold stomach , or of foundring in the body , but generally o● a cold , or want of cloaths . by his staling with pain . if he stale with pain , it is a sign either of foundering in the body , the wind-cholick or the stone ; and if the urine which comes from him be yellow , it is a sign of the glanders ; but if it be blackish and thick , it is a sign of the pain in the kidneys . by his leanness and gauntness . leanness and gauntness is a sign of hide-bound , or of the consumption , of the dry malady , of foundring in the body , inflammation of the liver , the yellows , cholick or wormes . by his loosness of body . laxativeness or loosness of body is a sign of a hot liver . by his costiveness . costiveness in the body is a sign of dry yellows , or diseases of the gall. by his stinking dung. if his dung stink , it is a sign of a hot liver : if it have no smell , then of a cold liver ; but if it be undigested , then either of a consumption , or of a dry malady . by his lying . if he desire to lie much on his left side , then is he troubled with the spleen , if on the right , then it is a sign of heat of liver ; and if finding no rest , it may be bots , wormes , cholick , or griping in the belly ; if when he is down he spreads himself abroad , it shews the dropsey ; if he groan when he is down , it shews either a sick spleen , moist yellows , cholick , bots or film broken , if he be not able to rise when he is down , then either mortal weakness , foundering in the body or legs . by his striking at his belly . if he strike with his foot at his belly , it is a sign of the cholick : but if when he striketh , he fisk with his tail also , then it is either bots or rough wormes . by his being scabby . if he be scabby and ulcerous all over his body , and about his neck , it is a sign of the mange ; if it be an ulcer full of knots , creeping about the veins , it is the farcy : if spreading abroad only in one place , it is a ●●nker : if the ulcer be hollow and crooked , it is a fistula ; but if it be a spungy wart , full of blood , it is then an anbury . by his tongue . if his tongue hang out and is swoln , it is a sign of the strangle . by his eating and d inking much . if he eat much and drink little , it is a sign of a cold liver ; but if he desire to drink much and eat little , it is either a sign of a feaver , rotten lungs , heat in the stomach , heat in the liver , or the dry yellows . by his dung. it is necessary to observe his dung , for it is the best tell-troth of his inward parts ; and you must not judge it by a general opinion , but by a private discourse with your self how he hath been fed , because food is the only thing that breeds alterations , — as thus — if he feed altogether upon grass , his dung hath one complexion , as green ; if upon hay , then another , as a little more dark . if upon little provender , then inclining to yellow . but to avoid both curiosity and doubt , observe well the complexion of his dung , when he is in best health , and the best feeding , and as you finde it alter , so judge either of his health or sickness , as thus — if his dung be clear , crisp , and of a pale yellowish complexion , hanging together without separation , more then as the weight breaks it in falling , being neither so thin nor so thick , but it will a little flat on the ground ; and indeed , both in savour and substance , resembling a sound mans ordure , then is he clean , well fed , and without imperfection . if it be well coloured , yet fall from him in round knots or pellets , so it be but the first and second dung , the rest good , as aforesaid , it matters not , for it only shews he did eat hay lately , and that will ever come away first . but if all his dung be alike , then it is a sign of foul feeding , and he hath either too much hay , or eats too much litter , and too little corn. if his dung be in round pellets , and blackish , or brown , it shews inward heat in the body . if it be greasie , it shews foulness , and that grease is molten , but cannot come away . if he void grease in gross substance with his dung , if it be white and clear then it comes away kindly , and there is no danger : but if it be yellow or putrified , then the grease has long layn in his body , and sickness will follow , if not prevented . if his dung be red and hard , then he hath had too strong heats , and costiveness will follow , if not prevented ; if it be pale and loose , it shews inward coldness of body , or too much moist and corrupt feeding . signes from the vrine . though the urine be not altogether so material as the dung , yet it hath some true faces , as thus — pale colour . that urine that is of a pale yellowish colour , rather thick then thin , of a strong smell and piercing condition , is an healthful , sound and good urine ; but if it be of an high , red complexion , either like blood , or inclining to blood , then hath he had either two sore heats , been over-ridden , or ridden too early after winter-grass . high complexion . if the urine be of an high complexion , clear and transparent , like old march beer , then he is inflamed in his body , and hath taken some surfeit . white like cream . if it carry a white cream on the top , it shews a weak back or consumption of the seed . green. a green urine shews consumption of the body . bloody streaks . a urine with bloody streaks shews an ulcer in the kidneys , and a black , thick , cloudy urine shews death and mortality . of sickness in general . whensoever upon any occasion , you shall find your horse droop in countenance , to rorsake his meat , or to shew any other apparent sign of sickness , if they be not great , you may forbear to let blood , because where the blood is spent , the spirits are spent also , and they are not easily recovered . but if the signes be great and dangerous , then by all means let blood instantly , and for three mornings together , ( the horse being fasting ) give him half an ounce of the powder ( called by me ) diahexaple , and by the i●alians , r●gina medicinae , the queen of medicines , brewed either in a pint of muska●i●● or 〈◊〉 or a pint of the syrup of sugar , being two degrees above the ordinary molosses , or for want thereof molosses will serve the turn , and where all are wanting , you may take either a pint of dragon-water , or a quart of the sweetest and strongest al●wort , or in extremity , take a quart of strong ale or beer , but then warm it a little before the fire . this must be given with an horn , and if he hath ability of body , ride him in some warm place after , and let him fast near two houres after the riding . at noon give him a sweet mash , cleath very warm , and let him touch no cold water . the making of the diahexaple you may finde in the table . general observations in the physi king horses . know then first , that whensoever you give your horse any inward portion or glister , give it him no more then milk-warm , for there is nothing more mortal to a horse then the scalding of his stomach , for a horse of all living creatures , can worse endure to receive inwardly hot things : besides , let his drinks and inward medicines be given him easily and gently , le●t in making too much haste you suffocate him , which if it do , you must then let his head loose , and walk him up and down till the passion be past . now for the administring of pills , ●alls , and such like medicines , little advice is required , if they be not made too great , only if you take forth his tongue first , and then put them up into his mouth upon the end of a stick , then let go his tongue again , which when he draws it into his mouth , he must needs force the ●alls down his throat . you are to administer your physick ●ermore fasting , unless upon urgent occasion , ( as in case of sudden and dangerous sickness ) and the longer he be kept fasting from meat and drink , as well before he taketh as physick as after , it will be the better , for by that means his medicine will work the more kindly in his body ; for he ought to be kept from eating and drinking , at least three houres before and after . purging balls how made and given . take an ounce , or an ounce and a half of aloes succotrina , more or less , ( according to the strength and constitution of your horse ) powder it very well , and mix it with a little fresh butter ; then divide it into three equal parts , and cover them all over with fresh butter , to prevent the bitter taste of the aloes : make them about the bigness of a large wall-nut , shaped thick in the middle , and sharp at both ends , and given him in the morning fasting . if you think them not stiff enough with butter alone , you may mix some bran with it , and then they will be as stiff as dough or paste . what exercise is meet with physick . a little moderate exercise is very necessary , whereby his physick may work the better , and the sooner , as to trot him easily about , or to walk him up and down under the wind in the warm sun about a quarter of an hour . then bring him into the stable , and cloath him up warm , and litter him well , and let his keeper be with him three or four houres , observing his postures , and as occasion may require , to help him with all things necessary for his use . no creature hath a moister body then a horse . of mixing your simples . if your horses sickness be a feaver , to mix always your simples with warm water , with honey , or with oyl ; but if the disease be coughs , rhenms , or any thing that proceedeth of cold causes , then mix them with good ale or wine , but if he be brought low with sickness , then mix them with milk and eggs. observations upon raking a horse . observe whensoever you rake your horse with your hand , ( which is to draw his ordure out of his fundament , when he cannot dung , that you anoint your hand with sallet oyl , or butter , or hogs-grease : the like you must ever do when you put up any suppository ; but when you administer any glister , you shall then but anoint the glister-pipe . observations upon blood ▪ letting . observe in blood-letting , that you take not so much blood from a colt as an old horse , and but the fourth part from a yearling ●oal , you must likewise have regard to his age and strength , taking more or less , according to his ability of his body . lastly , letting of blood is either to divert sickness and preserve health , or to refresh and cool the spirits , or to diminish blood , or to p●rge grease and bad humours . before you let him blood , moderately cha●e or exercise him , and let him rest a day before his blood-letting , and three days after , not forgetting that april and october are the two principal seasons for that purpose , unless urgent occasion requires . he will bleed the better if you let him drink before you blood him , conditionally you do not heat him . when he is bleeding , put your finger into his mouth , and tickle him in the roof thereof , making him chaw and move his chaps , and that will force it to spin forth , which when he hath bled enough , according to your discretion , rub the horses body all over therewith , but ●especially the place where he is blooded on , for the ancient farriers hold that it is endued with a certain natural vertue to comfort the weak and feeble members of a horse , and to dry up all evil humours . and tie him up to the rack for an hour or two , lest he bleed afresh , for that will turn his blood. signes to know when he wanteth bleeding . if he stand in need of bleeding , his eyes will look red , and his veins will swell more then ordinary ; also he will have a certain itch about his mane and tail , and still be continually rubbing them , and sometimes will shed some of his hair also , he will now and then pill about the roots of his eares , or in those places where the head-stall of the bridle lies ; his urine will be red and high-coloured , and his dung will be black and hard ; also if he hath red inflammations , or little bubbles on his back , or doth not digest his meat well , or if the whites of his eyes be yellow , or the inside of his lips , either upper or nether ; many other signes there are of bleeding , but let these suffice , &c. of outward sorrances what they are , and of general observations in the cure of them . outward sorrances , according to my meaning in this place , are taken two manner of ways , that is to say , either it is an evil state and composition of the body , which is to be discerned , either by the shape , number , quality or sight of the member , evil affected and difeased : or else it is the loosning and division of any unity , which as it may chance diversly , so it hath divers names accordingly . for if such a division or loosing be in the bone , then it is called a fracture ; if it be in any fleshy part , then it is called a wound or an ulcer ; if it be in the veins , then a rupture ; if in the sinews , then a convulsion or cramp ; and if it be in the skin , then it is called an excortication : and of all these severally i intend to treat of in the chapters following . now for as much as in this general art of chyrurgery , or sorrance , there are certain general observations or caveats to be held inviolate , i will before i proceed any further , give you a little taste thereof . burning . first , you shall therefore understand , that it is the duty of every good farrier , never to burn or cauterize with hot iron , or with oyl , or to make any incision with knife , where there be either veins , sinews or joynts , but either somewhat lower , or somewhat higher . corrasives . it. you shall never apply to any joynt or sinewy part , either resalgar , arsnick , mercury , sublimate , nor any such violent corrasive . cauterizing . it. it is ever better to lance with a hot iron then a cold , that is , it is better to cauterize then to incise . blood. it. blood doth ever produce white and thick matter , choler a waterish and thin matter , but not much , salt phlegm great abundance of matter , and melancholy many dry scabs . bleeding . it. you must never let blood , except it be either to divert sickness , and preserve health , or to refresh and cool the blood , or else to diminish blood , or to purge bad humors . it. when you let blood , take but the fourth part from a colt , which you take from a grown horse . swellings . it. in all imposthumes and swelling sores , called tumors , you must observe the beginning of the grief , the increase of the grief , the perfection and state of the grief ; and lastly , the declination and ending of the grief . it. in the beginning of every such swelling impostumes , ( if you cannot quite destroy them ) use repercussive medicines , if they be not near some principal part of the body ; but then not for fear of endangering life , and in augmentation ; use mollifying medicines , and suppling to ripen them , and when they are ripe , lance them , and let out the corruption , or dry them up , and in the declination of them , use cleansing and healing medicines . hard and soft swellings . it. all swellings are either hard or soft , the hard will commonly corrode , the soft will continue long . it. if you thrust your finger upon any swelling upon a horses legs , then if it presently rise again and fill , then is the hurt new and recoverable , but if the dent do remain and continue still behind , then is it an old hurt , and cometh of cold humours , and asks great art in healing . sores . when sores begin to matter , then they heal , but if the putrefaction be great , then beware they rot not inwardly . cauterizing . all cauterizing or burning , with hot irons , straineth things enlarged , drieth up what is too much moistned , dissolveth things gathered together or hardened , draweth back things which are dispersed , and helpeth old griefs ; for it repineth , dissolveth , and maketh them to run and issue forth matter , as you may finde more at large hereafter . burning . it. you must sometimes burn under the sore , to divert humours , and sometimes above , to defend and withhold humours . it. it is ever better to burn with copper then with iron , because iron is of a malignant nature , steel is of an indifferent vertue betwixt both . actual and potential burning , what it is . it. all actual burnings is to burn with instruments , and potential burning is to burn with medicines , as are causticks and corrasives . of blowing powder into a horses eyes . it. if you blow powder into a horses eyes often , it will make him blind . of taking up of v●ins . it. by no means take up any veins in the fore-legs , unless great extremity compel you : for there is nothing will sooner make a horse stiff and lame . many other observations there are , which because they are not so general as these be , i think it meet to omit . five things a parrier ought principally to know . . first , what diseases a horse is inclineable to . . secondly , what be the causes of every disease in particular . . thirdly , how , and by what ways and means these diseases do accrew . . fourthly , the signes how to distinguish and know them . . and lastly , the means and manner how to cure them . of glisters and their vses . the nature and property of glisters are divers , therefore every farrier ought to know to what end they serve , and which hath drugs or simples , they ought to be compounded , for every glister is to be made according to the disease . now some are to ease griefs , and to allay the sharpness of the humours , some to bind , some to loosen , and some to purge , and some to heal ulcers . these glisters by cleansing the guts , refresh the vital parts , and prepare the body , ( if the body be not at that time soluble ) to make the purgation work the better , which if you give your medicine without giving a glister before it , you may stir up and provoke the peccant humours , which by reason they cannot finde present way sorth , being hindred by oppilations in the guts , through costiveness and ventosity , and other impediments , do attempt to make their passage a contrary way , which cannot be done but with great hazard to the life of the poor beast . now for the composition of glisters , you shall understand that they be made of four things , that is , of decoctions , of drugs , of oyl , of such like unctuous matter , as butter , or soft grease , and fourthly , of divers salts to provoke the vertue expulsive . a decoction is a broth made of certain herbs , as mallowes , marsh-mallowes , pell●ory , camomile , and sometimes of white lilly ro●ts , and other such like things , which we do boil in water to a third part , and sometimes we use in stead of herbs and water , to take the fat of beef-broth , of a sheeps-head , milk , whey , and some such kind of liquor , mingled sometimes either with honey or sugar , according to the quality of the disease ; the glister being either lenitive , that is to say , casing of pain ; or glutinative , which is , joyning of things together ; or else abstersive , which is wiping away or cleansing of ●ilthy matter . you ought to administer according to the age , strength , greatness and corpulency of the horse ; for if he be a horse of a strong and able body , of large growth and stature , fat and lusty , we use to put into the glister of the decoction three pints ; but if he be of a small growth , weak , sick , feeble or lean , then we do put in a quart of the same at most . of oyl we use to put in half a pint , of salt two or three drams at most , and sometimes we put verjuice , sometimes honey , as we finde cause ; drugs we use , are sene , cassia , agari●k , anniseeds , oyl of dill , oyl of camomile , oyl of violets , sugar-candy , &c. you ought not to exceed the quantity of three ounces in one glister at the most , neither must you exceed of butter four ounces , and let it not be above luke-warm when you give it him , let him be somewhat empty , and let him be raked before you administer it , give it him in a glister-pipe made for that purpose . which ought to be twelve inches in the shank , which must be put home ; and having the confection within the bladder , wring it with a very good strength into his body , then draw out the pipe by degrees cut of his body , and not all at once , and clap his tail close to his tuel , and so hold it with your hand close about half an hour at the least , to the end it may work in his belly the better . a glister for a horse that is very costive of body , and cannot dung. take the fat of beef-broth a pint and an half , of english honey half a pint , adding thereto of white salt two drams , mix them well together , and administer it blood-warm , and clap his tail close to his tuel , and there hold it for half an hour at least , and if then it will not work as i am confident it will , let him trot about easily about half an hour , and set him up warm cloathed and littered , and let him stand upon his trench four or five houres , during which time he will purge kindly , then unbit him and give him sweet hay , and an hour after he hath eaten give him a mash of malt , and an hour after that , white water , and let him drink no cold water in a day or two after . the vertues of it . the nature of this glister is , to open and loosen the body , to bring away with it all offensive humours , to remove obstructions ingendred in the body by means of excessive heat ; it cleanseth the guts , and slicketh away all slimy substance which is residing in the guts . the horse that received this glister was a small seotch nag , and was grown weak and poor , and low of his flesh , but if he had been a great , large , fat , healthy or corpulent horse , you might have made it stronger . another laxative glister . take the decoction of mallowes , and mix therewith fresh butter four ounces , or sallet-oyl half a pint , and so luke-warm administer it , and order him as you did before . the nature of it . this is of all the glisters the most gentle , and is very lenitive and a great easer of pain , it is good for a horse that is taken with any contraction or convulsion , and generally for any costiveness in a horse whatsoever , proceeding from any surfeits or sickness . another glister laxative . take pellitory two handfuls , or for want thereof , melilot two handfuls , or if you cannot get any of them , then two handfuls of camomile , but pellitory is the best , boyl it to a decoction , and add to it of verjuice and salter-oyl , of each half a pint , of honey four ounces , of cassia two ounces , mix altogether , and apply it blood-warm glister-wise . the vertues of it . it will open the body and guts of the horse very well , it will take from him all noxious and offensive humours ; it will carry away all spungy matter ; it will allay the sharpness of humours ; it will cleanse old vlcers ; it will refresh and comfort the vital parts . but if you find you have given him too great a quantity , so that he purgeth or scoureth too much , then you may give him this glister restringent . a restringent glister . take the aforesaid decoction one pint , and as much of cows milk ( as it cometh warm from her ) and put to it the yolks of three new laid eggs , well beaten and mixed with the said liquor , and give it him blood-warm . this is only to be applied to a horse that is very laxative , or that doth empty himself too much . a glister for a fat horse that cannot be kept clean . take mallowes three handfuls , marsh-mallow roots cleansed and bruised , and violet leaves , of each two handfuls , flax-seed three spoonfuls , as many of the cloves of white lilly roots as you can hold in your hand : boyl all these in fair water from a gallon to a quart , and strain it , and put thereto of sene one ounce , which must be infused or steeped in the liquor three houres , standing upon the hot embers , then put to it of sallet oyl , half a pint , and being blood-warm administer it . a glister in case of desperate sickness . take of the oyl of dill , oyl of camomile , oyl of violets , of cassia , of each half an ounce , and of brown sugar-candy in powder , three ounces , then take half a handful of mallow-leaves , boyl them to a decoction in fair water , then strain it , and put to it all the fore-named ingredients , and administer it blood-warm . this helpeth all feavers , it is good against the pestilence , and all languishing diseases , most excellent against surfeits , either by provender or otherwise , and it will occasion great strength in a short time , if it be rightly made , and carefully given . a glister for the pestilence and all feavers . take the pulpe of colloquintida , half an ounce ( i mean the seeds and skin taken away ) of dragantium three quarters of an ounce , of centaury and of wormwood , of each half a handful , of castoreum a quarter of an ounce , boyl all these in three quarts of water to a quart , then strain it , and dissolve into the broth , of gerologundinum three ounces , and of white salt three drams , of sallet-oyl half a pint , and blood-warm administer it . a glister for the cholick . take salt water , or new made brine two pints , dissolve therein a pretty quantity of sope , and so blood-warm administer it . vertues . this is very good for the cholick , or any sickness or griping in the guts or belly . and let this suffice for glisters . advice given upon giving glisters . . before you administer any glister , be sure to rake him . . when you put in the glister-pipe , apoint it first with butter or sallet-oyl , and that you put it in and out gently , and by degrees , you must anoint likewise the hand and arm. . let him keep it above half an hour , by holding his tuel close to his fundament . . that you do administer it but blood-warm . . that you squeeze and press between your hands the bladder strongly . . and lastly , that you let him not drink any cold water in a day or two after , but let it either be a sweet mash , or else white water . what things are put into a laxative glister . pellitory , melil●●e , camomile , ( but pellutory is the best , ) and of this would i make a decoction , and to this decoction would i put sallet-oyl , honey , aloes and verjuice of the crab , brank-urfine , mallows or marsh-mallows , fennel roots , parsley roots , jack by the hedge . the nature of the principal drugs . agarick purgeth the brain , alloes the breast and body , rhubarb purgeth the evil water , and it openeth the liver , and helpeth obstructions and opilations , aristolochia rotunda mollifieth the breast , liver and lungs , and ba●●●aury or bay-berries do mortisie the peccant humours which do engender in the breast or entrails , near about the heart ; and saffron ( if it be discreetly given ) doth marvellously comfort and enlighten the heart . what the true nature of rubarb it . rubarb hath two contrary natures , for if you either scrape , grate or cut it , then it is a loosner , for it dissolveth and openeth the liver , and expelleth the obstructions thereof ; it expulseth all bad humours in and about the heart , liver and spleen ; it cleanseth the body , and sendeth away the peccant humours among the excrements , and all such things as may annoy or offend the entrails . but if you shall pound or beat it in a mortar , or otherwise , the spirit whereof being a subtil body , will transire and flie away , whereby the operation thereof will be to bind , and be no way profitable . the nature of a suppository . the nature of suppositories are to help a horse that cannot well empty himself , for a suppository causeth him to discharge himself of many superfluous and evil humours , which do disturb , annoy and distemper his bod● with their peccant qualities and conditions , for they breed bad 〈◊〉 which oft-times good diet cannot amend , and therefore must be sent away by purgation , that is to say , by suppository , or glister , or portion , a suppository is but a preparative to a glister or portion , and is of all other things the gentlest you can use ; it will loosen the guts , which may be bound and clogged with dry , hot and hard excrements , which a glister will not so well do . the first suppository . take a candle of four or five in the pound , and cut off three inches at the smaller end , and anoint the biggest part of it either with sallet-oyl or fresh butter , and so put it into his fundament , then with your hand hold his tail to his tuel about half an hour , by which time the suppository will be dissolved , then take his back and trot him up and down till he do begin to empty and purge himself , for by this means it will work the better and more kindly . this is she most gentle of all suppositories that can be given . this dissolveth all hard , dry and hot excrements , and sendeth them forth , and besides , it suppleth the guts . another , if you find him so weak , that you dare not without the peril of his life , administer unto him any portion , or purging medicine , then give him this suppository . the second suppository . take of common honey six ounces , of salt-niter one ounce and a half , of wheat-flower , and of anniseeds in fine powder , of each an ounce , boyl all these to a stiff thickness , and so make it into suppositories , then take one of them and anoint it all over with sallet-oyl , and your hand also , and so put it up into his fundament the length of your hand , then tie his tail betwixt his legs , by fastening it to his girts , and let it remain so half an hour , then ride and order him as before . this is good in case of surfeits or inward sickness . suppository the third . take a piece of castle-sope , and paring it , bring it into the fashion of a suppository ; and apply it , and order him as before is taught you . this is special good to purge phlegm . suppository the fourth . take so much saven as will suffice , and stamp it to a mash , and stamp with it stavesakar and salt , of each two ounces ; boyl these in common honey so much as will suffice , till it be thick , and so make it up into suppositories , and administer one of them as you did before , and order him ●o likewise . this purgeth choler . suppository the fifth . take an angry red onion , and pill it , and jag it cross-ways with your knife , and so administer it , and order him as before . this purgeth melancholy . suppository the sixth . take common honey a pint , and boil it till it be thick , and make it up into suppositories as it cooleth , and administer it , and order him as before prescribed . this purgeth ill humours , it cooleth and comforteth the body very much , and causeth a good appetite to meat . observations to be observed in giving of suppositories , glisters or portions . first , you must do it in a morning fasting , unless necessity urgeth the contrary . secondly , you must not at those times suffer him to drink any cold water , no , not with exercise , but either sweet mashes , or white water . thirdly , it is very needful , that before you administer either of them , to rake him . and fourthly , that he be after kept warm . of purgations and their uses . purgation is an emptying and voiding of superfluous humours , which do cumber , pester and disturb the body with their peccant condition ; which ill humours do breed bad nutriment , which when it will not be concocted and amended , either by fair means or by the help of nature , then it must be compelled , forced and driven away by purgation , vomit , glister or suppository ; but to speak only of purgations , purging of horses are either by pills , or portions ; pills are any solid or substantial stuff fixed together in one body , and being made into round balls are cast down the horses throat . a portion is when you give him any liquid purging matter to drink , whether it be purging powders dissolved in wine or ale ; or that if it be any other liquid stuff . now pills purge and make clean the head and brain , bringing phlegm and other gross humours down into the excrements . and potions cleanse the stomach , guts , and every other inward member , vvhat a skilful farrier ought to know before he goes about to purge a horse , he ought to consider the nature of the simples . now the art of the true farrier is in choosing of the simples , whereof these pills or portions are to be compounded , and in skilfully applying the same . first , then he ought to know what ill humours he is opprest with , as whether it proceed from choler , phlegm and melancholy , and where they do most abound , and then what simples are best to purge those humours , and with what quality or temperament they are indued , for some simples are most violent and next cousins to strong poisons , as scamony or colloquintida : some again are gentle , as manna , cassia , whey , prunes , and such like ; and some are neither too violent nor too gentle , but of a mean , as rubarh , agarick , sene and aloes . the nature of the disease , the strength of the horse , and the climate he was bred in . you ought to consider the nature of the disease , the strength of the horse , and with them joyn the nature , strength and quantity of the medicine , he must consider likewise the climate wherein he was bred ; and you are to make a difference between delicate and tender horses , and strong and sturdy horses , and in such cases the quality and quantity is to be looked into of every simple . the climate likewise is to be respected , whether it be too hot or too cold , and you are not to administer as hot simples in the summer as in the winter , nor so cold things in the winter as in the summer , you ought to have respect to the day , and to chuse that always that is most temperate , for too much heat makes a horse faint , and too much cold spoils the working of the medicine . when he is to have his portion . give him his portion in the morning , after he hath fasted from meat and drink all the night before . to ride him after it . after he hath received his portion , ride him gently after it , about an hour , and set him up , and let him stand on the bit two houres after it , well littered and cloathed . if he be sick , let him lie down , but if that will do him no good , and that you finde him so sick that you fear his life , then give him a quart of warm milk with a little saffron in it , and he will do well , and give him no other meat then a math of malt and white water to drink till his medicine hath done working . how to make a mash . take half a peck of ground malt and put it into a pale , then put in as much scalding hot water as will wet it very well , then stir it about half an hour , till tasting the water you finde it as sweet as honey , then being luke-warm give it to the horse to drink . this mash is only to be used after you have given him a purge to make it work the better , or after hard labour , or instead of drink in the time of any great sickness . now to come to particular receipts and medicines themselves ; and though the ancient farriers do make but two kinds , that isto say , pills and purgations ; yet i divide them into three , that is to say , scourings , pills and purgations . vvhat scourings are . scourings are those wholesom , natural and gentle purging medicines , which stirring up no great flux of humours , do only keep the body clean from such evils as would arise and grow , being every way as wholesom in health as in sickness , and may most properly be termed preparatives , or preparers of the body to entertain more stronger medicines . scouring by grass . to speak of the most gentle and natural scouring , which is grass , which you are to give but for fifteen days together , and no more , for after that it fatteth , the best scouring grass is a new mown meadow , for that will rake his guts very well , nor will he in such a place gather flesh ; but if you intend to fat him , you are to take him out from thence , and put him into some other pasture , where the sithe hath not been . and this manner of scouring will cause him to empty himself well of all his evil hamours and surseits , ease his limbs marvellous well , do his legs and feet very much good , refine his corrupt blood , and make him agile and full of spirit . next unto grass is sorrage , which is only the blades of green corn , as vvheat , rye , barley , and such like , being given him seven days and no more , which cleanseth and cooleth the body very much , so doth the leaves of sallows , and of the elm-green thistles , likewise being cut up and given him for about five days is a good scourer . and the last of these gentle scourings is the mash of malt as ascresaid ; but as you are prescribed there to make it of a quarter of a peck of malt , you are to take a larger here ( if you use it for a scouring ) a peck of malt , and put to it a handful or more of beaten hemp-seed . a scouring to be given after a sweat. take half an ounce of rozin of jallop in powder , half an ounce of cream of tartar powdred , and half an ounce of licorish in powder , make these up into balls with fresh butter , about the bigness of a small wall-nut , and give him four or five at a time , in a horn-full of beer , one after another . scourings of a little stronger nature are these . to mix with his oats a handful or two of hemp-seed , or to take a handful of the powder of dried box-leaves , and as much of brimstone , and mix it amongst his provender . these are to be used after labour when he hath sweat much . they purge the head and stomach . these two scourings work upon no matter but what nature will excel , they purge the head , stomach and intrails , they kill all kind of vvormes , and dry up phlegm . scourings of a stronger nature . take of sallet-oyl half a pint , of new milk from the cow a pint , brew it together , and give it him luke-warm , or else take a pint of muscadine , and half a pint of sallet-oyl , and give it him to drink , or the same quantity of oyl and sack mixt together , and give it him luke-warm . their vertues . these scourings clense the head , body and guts , from all phlegm or molten grease , which any violent labour hath dissolved , they are exceeding good for any manner of cold , or stopping of the wind-pipes , and if you add to them good store of sugar-candy it will be the better . how to order a horse before you give him physick . in winter if his body be purged , it must be prepared by blood-letting with artificial diet ; you are to keep him a day or two without hay , straw , or such like hard meats , which will hinder the working of the physick , and he must be kept for a time from all manner of meat , because emptiness is a great help to physical operation , otherwise it may happen to do more hurt then good . two or three days before you purge him , let his meat be either wheat or rye-bran , prepared like as has been taught you , or else good bread made on purpose with beans , pease , and some rye in it . or else good sweet oats clean sifted , and let his drink be white water only . and that morning you intend to give him his purge , let him be fasting from either meat or drink . the easiest sort of pills . the easiest pills are these , either take twenty cloves of garlick clean pill'd and bruised , then a quarter of a pound of sweet butter , and so roul up the garlick in four or five balls , as big as two wall-nuts a piece , and throw them down his throat one after another ; or else take a quarter of a pound of butter , and as much red saunders , beat them very well together in a mortar , and make them up in balls , and give him them as you did the other ; or else take a handful of rosemary-leaves chopped very small , and mix them with a quarter of a pound of butter , and make it into round balls as the other , and give them the horse ; or else take five green figs and put them down his throat . the strongest sort of pill . take one pound of lard laid in water two houres , and take nothing but two ounces of the clean fat thereof , and stamp it in a mortar , and put thereto of licorish , of anniseeds , and of fennegreek beaten to powder , of each one ounce , of alloes beaten into powder one ounce , of agarick half an ounce , knead them altogether into paste , and make three or four balls of them , and give them the horse . this pill is not to be given but to a horse of great stature , and strong in health of body . purg t●ns that are the strongest c●rs●rs . . take myrrh and mix it with a pint of white-wine and it will purge all sickness that proceedeth of 〈◊〉 the signs whereof his belly will swell , be very hot , neither dang nor break wind. or . take a pint of wine , and bea● a raw egg therein , and add to it a quarter of an ounce of 〈◊〉 and half an ounce of myrrh beaten to powder , and give it him luke-warm , and it will purge all inward discases proceeding of 〈◊〉 or . two spoonfuls of the powder of dia●ente given with half a pint of swines grease , purgeth all diseases proceeding of 〈◊〉 or . take as much black sope as the bigness of a wall-nut , a quart of new milk , and a quarter of a pint of sallet-oyl , and give it him luke-warm , and it purgeth all cold infirmiteis , but it will make him exceeding sick. or . take the guts of a tench or barbel cut into small pieces , and give it him in a quart of white-wine , and it will purge him from all costiveness and pain in the guts . or . rye being boiled so that it burst not , and dried again , and given him in stead of provender , purgeth and killeth all manner of wormes . or . take of alocs sacco●rina one ounce , two drams of rozin of jellop , gentian , aristolochia and elecampane , of each a dram , mix them well in a quart of ale , and two ounces of butter , with two eggs whites , and all well beaten ; shake in the aloes last , when it is a little warm , and give it him . or . take of radish roots one ounce , of the root called panax , and scamony , of each half an ounce , beaten altogether , and boiled in a quart of honey , and give him two spoon●nls of it to drink in a quart of ale warm , and this will purge all gross humours whatsoever . or . take elecampane roots boiled in milk till they be soft , and add them to half a pint of sallet-oyl , and give it him luke-warm , and this will purge and cleanse any kind of glaunders . or . take of sweet sope a quarter of a pound , made up into balls , and give them the horse , and it will purge all humours whatsoever , both viclently and most abundantly . or . take of white-wine a pint , or for want of that , a quart of new ale , so much of the powder 〈◊〉 of the best and choicest , as you may take up upon a shilling at four times , give it him warm . this will purge away his filth and ●lime , and carry away his peccant humours which s●● feits hath ingendred . or . take an ounce or better of the best aloes , and after you have beaten it to very fine powder , then work it up with a little sweet butter , and then divide it into three parts , and cover them all over with clear butter , as big as a small wash-ball , and give them in a morning fasting upon the point of a stick , and give him a horn-full of warm beer after them , and ride him after them , and set him up warm . prob ●um est . or . take of the strongest ale-wort one quart , of ordinary honey a quarter of a pint , of london-trea●le two ounces , mix and brew altogether well , and so give it him blood-warm , and keep him upon the trench warm cloathed and well littered six houres after , and let his drink be white water or a sweet mash : this both purgeth and comforteth , put into his drink , either the powder of brimstone , or of fenegreek or turmerick , or 〈◊〉 one or more together , according as he will be brought to like , which being well mixed , put into his drink one spoonful at once . or . take of ordinary honey , and mingle it with his oats , which must be mixed by rubbing the oats and honey betwixt the hands ; let him eat his oates thus mingled till you finde him quite cured ; which will be when he hath quite done running at the nose . this is one of the best and most certain cordials that i know , for this disperseth all phlegm and choler ; it also purgeth the head , brain and blood , it venteth evil humours , it causeth good digestion , and freeth him from glaunders , colds , catarrhs , rh●ums , running at the note , and the like . or . when you let blood you may save it in a bowl or dish , keeping it stirring to keep it from clotting , and give it him to drink in a drenching-horn , mingled with a handful of salt. this is good for a cold. or . take an ounce of aloes succotrina beaten to powder , and as much of the powder of rozin of jallop as will lie upon a six pence , mix them well with a little fresh butter , then divide it into three parts , and cover each part all over again with butter , about the bigness of a good handsom wash-ball , and give them him in the morning fasting , with a drenching horn-full of strong warm beer after every ball ; and order him as you have directions for sick horses . this is a very good receipt to scour a hide-bound horse that is sick of moulten grease , and that does not thrive , nor fill himself , nor carry a good coat . or . take a handful of groundsel , half a handful of dried ( or less of green ) wormwood , and half a handful of red sage chopped very small , and boiled in three pints of strong beer or ale ; then strain the beer from the herbs , and put into it a good piece of butter , with as much of the powder of mecho●●an as will lie upon a broad shilling , and give it him luke-warm in the morning fasting , and order him as you do sick horses . this drink purgeth slime and moulten grease in lumps , and makes a horse thrive very well both in winter and summer . see the second part for purgations , for anothor of this kind . bran , how boiled and prepared to give a horse that hath a cold ; as also what seeds you are to give him amongst his provender for the cure of it . set a kettle over the fire almost full of water , and when it is ready to boil put in your bran , and let it boil about a quarter of an hour ; then take it off and cover it with a cloth or board , let it stand till it cool a little , and give it him early in the morning as hot as he can conveniently eat it ; at night let his meat be oates and white water , but be sure you put into his provender the quantity of an egg-shell full of these powders grossly beaten ( lest he blow them away ) viz. linseed , cummin-seed , nutmegs , ginger , cloves , fennegreek , sileris-montani , of each of these two ounces , and of brimstone six ounces ; but before you give him his oates and powders , give him white water , and rub him and litter him well ; let him seed on wheat-straw about an hour before you give him his oates , and afterwards give him some hay . this way of feeding about eight or nine days together , will quite free him from his cold , if it be not too violent . horse-spice how to make . these several powders mixed together make it , viz. rubarb one ounce , turmerick two ounces , eleoampane six ounces , brimstone four ounces , fennel-seeds four ounces , grains of paradise four ounces , &c. put all these together in a glass or gally-pot , and keep them till you have occasion to use them . the quantity that you are to give your horse , is either greater or smaller , according to the strength and constitution of your horse ; you are not to exceed above an ounce at a time , mixed with a spoonful of the best sallet-oyl , and a spoonful or two of the treacle of jean , dissolved in a quart of strong beer , which is very good for a cold , and to make a horse thrive . or you may give him an ounce of them in three pints of warm beer or ale , after blood-letting , to prevent diseases . if you leave out the rubarb , you may give him a greater quantity , for that is a great purger . rules to know where a horse halteth , either before or behind . if he do halt before , his grief must of necessity be either in the shoulder , or knee , or in the shank , or in the pastern , or in the foot ; if it be in the shoulder , it must be either towards the withers , or in the pitch of the shoulder , you may know it in that he will a little draw his leg after him , and not handle it so nimbly as he doth the other , if he cast his leg more outward then he doth the other , it is a sign that he is lame , and that the grief lieth in his shoulder ; and if you take him in your hand turn him short on either hand , you shall finde him to complain of that shoulder he is lame of , and he will either favour that leg , or trip in the turning , you may finde him lame by his standing in the stable , and he will hold out that leg that is lame more then the other ; and if he complains more when you are on his back then otherwise , then be sure the grief lies in the withers , and gripe him hard , ▪ and you shall perceive him to shrink , and perhaps offer to bite . if he tread thick and short before , then is the grie upon the pitch of the shoulder close to the breast , which you may finde by setting your thumb hard to the place , and by thrusting him with it , if you would have him to go back , whereat he will shrink and put back his leg , foot and body ; if the grief be in the elbow , you may know it by pinching him with your fore-finger and thumb , and he will hold up his leg and offer to bite ; and these be all the griefs that lie in the shoulder of a horse . if the griefs lie lower , they must be either in the knee , in the skin , in the pastern , or in the foot. when in the knee . if it be in the knee , you may find it by his stiff going , for he will not bend it so nimbly as he doth the other . if it be in the shank or shin-bone , you may see it , and likewise feel the same , it being then a back-sinew strain , splint , or some such like sorrance or annoyance if it be in the bending of the knee , then it is a mallender , which is also easily descried ; when it is in the pastern or joynt , then you may know it by his not bending it so well as the other ; besides , if you put your hand upon the place , you shall find it very hot ; if it be in the foot , it must be either in the cronet or in the sole ; if in the cronet it is probable it came by some strain or wrench ; if in the heel , then it came by some over-reach , or else by some disease in or about the frush ; if in the sole , then it came by some prick , accloy , retoire , nail , stub , stone or gravel . and thus i have shewed unto you the several ways that cause a horse to be lame before , and how to know and distinguish the places grieved , together with the occasion of every particular grief . how to distinguish an old grief from a new. you have three ways to finde out his lameness , in what joynt , limb or member of the body soever . . the first way is to cause him to be turned at the halters end , on either hand , suddenly and swistly , upon as hard a way as you can pick out ; and if he have any ach , wrench or grief in his fore-parts , it will appear : for when he turneth upon that hand that the grief is on , he will favour that leg , and so run both towards you and from you , especially done at a little yielding hill ; and if he have any imperfection , he will soon shew it , for he will favour that leg wherein the grief resideth ▪ but if you cannot finde it out this way . . then your second way must be to take his back , and ride him till you have thoroughly heat him , then set him up for two or three houres till he be cold , then turn him at the halters-end , or ride him , and you may easily discover the least grief that may be in him . . a third way there is , and that to know whether the grief proceeds from a hot or cold cause , for if it proceed from a hot cause , he will halt most when he is hot ; but if it be of a cold cause , then he will halt least when he is hot , and most ridden and travelled , and most at his first setting sorth , whilest he is cold , and thus much for lameness and halting before . now finding that his lameness is not before , you may then conclude , if he be lame at all it must needs be behind , and then it must of necessity be either in the foot or in the nether joynt , in the pastern or in the leg , in the ham or in the hoof , in the stiffling place or joynt , or in the hip. if the grief be either in the leg , pastern or foot , you may know it by the same signes as i have inculcated to you already in the fore-legs . if it be in the bending of the ham it must be a selander . if it be in the hoof , then it is either a bone or blood-spavin , which is easie enough to be discerned , or else it must come of some blow , wrench or strain , neither then will the swelling easily appear , which you may perceive either by the stiffness of the joynt , or you may find the place to be hot and burning . if the pain lie in the stiffing place , you may know it by his gate , for in his going he will cast the stifle-joynt outward , and the bone on the inside will be bigger then the other , besides his toe will hardly touch the ground . if it be in the hip , which is upon the side of the buttock ; and if it be newly taken , you may know it in that he will go side-long like a crab. and if it be an old hurt , the hip will be fallen lower then the other , and the flesh to shrink , which to discover it the sooner run him at the full length of the rein , and he will be sure to favour that leg the grief is in ; but if you find him to go upright without favouring any leg , then take his back and ride him till he be warmed , and then set him up till he be cold , and then lead or trot him in your hand as you did before , and if he be lame at all he will be sure to complain . and so much for lameness before and behind . chap. i. the true art of pairing and shooing all ma●m●r of hoofs , and in what point the art of shooing doth consist . the art of shooing consisteth in these points , viz. in paring the hoof well , in making the shoo of good stuff , in well-fashioning the web thereof , and well-piercing the same , in fitting the shoo unto the horses foot , in making nails of good stuff , and well-fashioning of the same ; and finally , in well driving of the said nails , and cleansing of the same . but sith neither pairing nor shooing is no absolute thing of it self , but hath respect unto the foot or hoof , ( for the shoo is to be fitted to the foot , and not the foot to the shoo ) and there be divers kinds of hoofs both good and bad , requiring great diversity , as well of pairing as shooing ; it is meet therefore that we speak of the diversities of hoofs , and then shew you how they ought to be paired and shod . chap. ii. of hoofs and divers kinds thereof . ● . of hoofs , some be perfect , and some imperfect . the perfect hoof is that which is round , smooth , tough and short , so as he may tread more on the toe then on the heel , and also right , and somewhat hollow within , but not over-hollow , having a narrow frush and broad heels . the imperfect hoof. the imperfect hoof is that which lacketh any of these properties before-said , belonging to a perfect hoof. if the hoof be not round but broad , and spreading out of the sides and quarters , that horse for the most part hath narrow heels , and in continuance of time will be flat footed , which is a weak foot , and will not carry a shoo long , nor travel far , but soon surbate ; and by treading more on his heels then on his toes , will go low on his pasterns , and such feet through their weakness be much subject to false quarters , and to gravelling , which is most commonly seen in flanders horses , and such as are bred in moist grounds . brittle and rugged hoofs . secondly , if the hoof be not smooth , but rugged and full of circles , like rams-horns , then it is not only unseemly to the eye , but also it is a sign that the foot is in no good temper , but too hot and dry , and that makes it to be brittle , which defect is often seen in our english horses . long hoofs . thirdly , if it be long , then it will cause the horse to tread all upon the heels , and to go low on his pasterns , and thereby to breed wi●d●gall● , whereunto the jennets of spain be much subject , by reason of their long hoofs . cro ked hoofs . fourthly , if the hoof be not right but crooked . viz. broad without and narrow within , whereby the horse is splay-footed , then it will cause him to tread more inward then outward , and to go so close with his joynts together , as he cannot well travel without enterfering , or perhaps striking one leg so hard against the other , as he becometh lame . but if he be broad within , and narrow without , that is not so hurtful , notwithstanding it will cause him to gravel sooner on the out-side , then on the inside . flat hoofs . fifthly , if the hoof be flat and not hollow within , is most commonly seen in frezons and flanders horses , then it breedeth such inconveniencies as are before declared in the first imperfect hoof. and again , if it be ever-hollow , then it will dry the faster and cause him to be hoof-bound , for the over-hollow hoof is a streight narrow hoof , and groweth upright , for though the horse treadeth upright , and not on his heels , yet such kind of hoofs will dry over-fast , unless they be continually stopt , and cause him to be hoof-bound , which lameth him , making him to halt , whereunto the jennets and barbary-horses are much subject . broad frushes . sixthly , if the frush be broad , then the heels be weak and so soft , as you may almost bend them together , and then he will never tread boldly on the stones , or on hard ground . narrow heels . seventhly , narrow heels be tender , and he will at last grow to be hoof-bound , to which defects the jennets are most commonly subject . chap. iii. of pairing the perfect hoof and fore-feet . first , pair the scat of the shooe , as even and plain as may be , that so it may sit close , and not bare more on one place then another , and take more of the toe then the heel , for the heels must be higher then the toes , because all the weight of the horses fore-body lieth upon the quarters and heels of the fore-feet . and therefore those parts must be most maintained , and taken off with the butteris as little as may be , for the heels are naturally weaker then the toes . but in the pairing of the hinder-feet is clean contrary , as you shall sinde hereafter in its proper place . chap. iv. of shooing the perfect hoof and fore-feet , and how the shoo , pairing and nail should be made . make your shoo of spanish iron , with a broad web , fitting it to the hoof , and let the spunges be thicker and more substantial then any other part of the shoo , yea , and also somewhat broad , so as the quarters on both sides may appear without the hoofs a straw bredth , to guard the coffin , which is the strength of the hoof , and when you come to the piercing thereof , pierce it from the quarter to the hard toe , but not backward towards the heel , and that the holes may be wider on the out-side then on the in-side , and that the circle of the piercing may be more distant from the edge of the toe , then from the edge of the quarter , whereas it beginneth because the hoof is thicker forward then backward , and therefore more hold to be taken . make your nails of the same iron as aforesaid , the heads whereof should be square , and not fully so broad beneath as above , but answerable to the piercing holes , so as the heads of the nails may enter in and fill the same , appearing somewhat above the shoo , and then they will stand sure without shogging , and endure longer , and that that which pierceth them be of the same size as the nails , that is to say , great above and small beneath , which our common smith , little regard , for they make the holes as wide on the inside as the outside , and their nails of so great a shouldering by driving them over-hard upon the nail-hole , as that the heads , or rather necks of the said nails cannot enter into the holes . for to say the truth , a good nail should have no shouldering at all , but be made with a plain and square neck , so as it may justly fill the piercing hole of the shoo , for otherwise the head of the nail standing high , and the neck thereof being weak , either it breaketh off or else bendeth upon any light occasion , so as the shoo standeth loose from the hoof , and is quickly lost . moreover , the shanks of the nails should be somewhat slat , and the points sharp , without hollowness or flaw , and stiffer towards the head above then beneath . and when you drive , drive at the first with soft strokes , and with a light hammer , until the nail be somewhat entred , and in shooing fine and delicate horses , grease the points of the nails with fost grease , that so they may enter the more easily , and drive the two talon-nails first . then look whether the shoo standeth right or not , which you shall perceive in beholding the frush , for if the spunges on both sides be equally distant from the frush , then it standeth right , if not , then amend it and set the shoo right , and standing right drive in another nail , that done , let the horse set down his foot again , and look round about it , to see whether it fitteth the horses foot in all places , and whether he treadeth even or just on it or not , and if you see that the shoo doth not furnish every part equally , but appeareth more on one side then another ; then lift up the horses other foot , that so he may stand steadily upon that foot , and so standing strike him on the hoof with your hammer on that side that the shoo is scant , and that shall make the shoo to come that way . the shoo standing streight and just , drive in the rest of all the nails , to the number of eight , that is to say , four on one side , and four on another , so as the points of the nails may seem to stand in the out-side of the hoof , even and just one by another , as it were in a circular line , and not out of order like the teeth of a saw , whereof one is bent one way and another another way . that done , cut them off and clinch them , so as the clinches may be hidden in the hoof , which by cutting the hoof with a point of a knife , a little beneath the appearing of the nail , you may easily do . thus done with a rape , pair the hoof round , so as the edge of the shoo may be seen round about . chap. v. of pairing of the imperfect hoofs , every one according to their kinds . and first of the broad hoof. a broad hoof , not being as yet grown to be too flat , may be holpen and kept from being flat , by the skill and diligence of the farrier in well pairing and shooing it . and therefore to pair it well , let him take as much of the toe with his butteris as he can possibly , keeping it always under , but let him not touch the quarters nor the heels at all , unless it be to make the seat of the shoo plain , and let that be done so superficially as may be , so shall the hoofs remain always strong . chap. vi. of shooing the broad hoof. make a good strong shoo , with a broad web , and broad spunges , and pierced as is before-said , fitting it to the foot , being first pared as is abovesaid , and from the talon-nail towards the heel , let the shoo appear a straws bredth without the hoof , and set it on in such order and with such nails as appertaineth unto the perfect hoof , saving that you shall set five nails on the out-side of his hoof , and four on the in-side , because he weareth more without then within . chap. vii . of pareing the rough and brittle hoof. this kind of hoof is most commonly weaker without then within , and because it is for the most part hotter then the other hoofs be , the heels may be more opened then the other , that so they may be the more easily stopt with cow-dung , or other ointment to keep it moist , and also the raggedness on the out-side of the coffin should be filed away with a rape , and made smooth , and also more often anointed then other hoofs ; and as for the rest of the hoof it must be pared as the perfect one . chap. viii . of shooing the rough and brittle hoof. make this shoo neither too light , but so as it may well bear the horse ; nor yet too heavy , for then the hoof being weak , will soon cast it , and pierce this shoo , to be set on with nine nails , five without and four within . chap. ix . of paring the long hoof. the long hoof may be holpen by cutting away the toe , for the shorter foot a weak and slender leg hath , the better . and to say the truth , it is the short foot that maketh the strong leg , and the long foot maketh the weak leg , being forced thereby to tread all upon the heel , and on the pastern , and let the rest of the hoof be pared like the perfect hoof. chap. x. of shooing the long hoof. make this shoo as round as you can at the toe , that the bredth may take away the evil sight of the length ; and if the foot be very narrow , then let the shoo disbord without the hoof , and pierce the shoo the deeper , and set it backward enough , because such kind of feet dotread most on the heels , and set the shoo on with eight nails , like the perfect hoof. chap. xi . of paring the crooked hoof. first , look on what side the hoof is highest and least worn , and then pare all that away , and make it equal with the lower side which is most worn , without touching the worn side at all , unless it be to make the seat of the shoo plain , and as for the rest , pare it like the perfect hoof. chap. xii . of shooing the crooked hoof. make an indifferent strong shoo with a broad web , sitting it to the foot , and pare it not until you have laid the shoo unto the foot , to the intent you may pare it to the horses most commodity , which shall be done , if you pare the scant side , which most commonly is the inside , more towards the toe , then the fuller or stronger side . and whereas the hoof is weakest , there also make the shoo strongest , and set on this shoo with nine nails , viz. five on the stronger side , and four on the weaker side . chap. xiii . of paring the flat hoof , otherwise called the promised hoof. make the seat of the shoo plain , and take somewhat of the toe , but touch not the heel nor the ball of the foot , but leave both them so strong as you can . chap. xiv . of shooing the flat hoof , or promised hoof. make this shoo with a very broad web , for the more it cover the weak sole , the better , and let the mid-part of the web that covers the ball of the foot be much thicker then the out-sides where the piercings be , and let it be so hollow as it touch no part of the ball of the foot , and let it be large and long enough in all places , so as the horse may go at ease , and let it be pierced round about the toe , to favour the heels , and make ten holes for ten nails , viz. five on each side . chap. xv. of paring the over-hollow hoof. pare this hoof round about , and especially the seat of the shooe , viz. round about by the edges , to the intent the hollowness of the hoof within may not be so deep , but more shallow then it was before , and let it be always kept moist with stopping it , for fear of hoof-binding , observing in your paring so even a hand as may be , in all points like unto the perfect hoof. chap. xvi . of shooing the over hollow hoof. make a light shoo in such order and form as was said before , to serve the perfect hoof. chap. xvii . of paring the hoof that hath a broad frush . broad frushes do cause weak heels , and therefore had need of little or no paring at all , and for that cause pare only the toe , and also the seat of the shoo , so much as shall be needful , to the even standing of the shoo , leaving the heels so strong as may be . chap. xviii . of shooing the hoof that hath a broad frush . make this shoo stronger towards the heel then towards the toe , and also let the web be somewhat broad towards the heels to save them from the ground , and set on this shoo with nine nails , because most commonly it is a great foot , and in all other points make it like the shoo with the perfect hoof. chap. xix . of paring the hoof that hath narrow heels . pare the toe short , and make the seat of the shoo fair and plain , and open only so much , as there may be some little space betwixt the frush and the heel , for the less you take of the heel , the better . chap. xx. of shooing the hoof with narrow heels . make a light shoo with a broad web , and let the spunges be so broad as they may almost meet together , to defend the heel from the ground , and pierce it all towards the toe , sparing the heel so much as you can , and let the shoo be long enough towards the heels , and set it on with eight nails , like the shoo that fitteth the perfect hoof. chap. xxi . of pairing and shooing the hinder-feet . the paring of the hinder-feet , is clean contrary unto the fore-feet , for the weakest part of the hinder-foot is the toe , and therefore in pareing the hinder-foot , the toe must be always more spared then the heels , but in all other points observe the order of paring , according to the perfection or imperfection of the hoofs before declared . chap. xxii . of shooing the hinder-feet . make the shoo fit for the hoof as is before-said , and let it be strongest at the toe , and pierced nigher the heel then the toe , because the toe is the weakest part of the foot , and let the out-side of the hinder-shoo be made with a calkin , not over-high , but let the other spunge be agreeable unto the calkin , that is to say , as high in a manner as the calkin , which calkin is to keep him from sliding , but then it may not be sharp pointed , but rather flat , and handsomly turned upward , which is the best sort of calkin . chap. xxiii . of shooing the hoof that hath a false quarter . if the horse halt , then make him a shoo fitting to his foot , tacking it on the quarter on that side that his false quarter is on . if he do not halt then make him a shoo , with a button or shouldering on the inside of the shoo , and next to the sole of the foot , somewhat distant from the false quarter towards the toe , and that shall defend the sore place , so as the shoo shall not touch it . and with this kind of shoo you may travel your horse where you will. chap. xxiv . of pareing and shooing for enterfering . those hoofs that enterfere , are most commonly higher on the out-side then on the in-fide , and therefore you should take off the out-side with a butteris , to the intent that the in-side may be somewhat higher ( if it will be ) then the out-side , and then make him a shoo fit for his foot , which should be thicker on the in-side then on the out-side , and let that shoo never have any calkin , for that will make him to tread awry , and the sooner to enterfere , and let it be prepared in such sort that it makes him not to enterfere . chap. xxv . of paring and shooing the foot that is hoof-bound . first , pare his toe as short as may be , and pare the sole somewhat thin , and open the heels well , and make him a half-shoo like a half-moon . chap. xxvi . of making the planch-shoo , or pauncelet . the planch shoo maketh a good foot and evil leg , because it maketh the foot to grow beyond the measure of the leg. notwithstanding , for a weak heel it is marvellous good , and it will last longer then any shoo , and it is borrowed from the moyl that hath weak heels and frushes , to keep the foot from stones and gravel . notwithstanding , wo be unto that horse that hath need of such a shoo. chap. xxvii . shooes with calkins , rings , welts , and turning vices , and of the patten shoo. besides , all these kind of shooes before recited , there be divers others , whereof some be made with high calkins , some with rings , some with welts or borders about , and some with vices , some with toes turned upward , some with heels turned upward , and of many other fashions , which though they be not so needful , i thought good to speak somewhat of them . and first , as touching shooes with calkins , that though they be intended to keep the horse from sliding , yet they do him more harm then good , in that he cannot tread evenly upon the ground , whereby he many times wrencheth his foot , or straineth some sinew , and especially upon stony ways , where the stones will not suffer the calkins to enter , the foot slippeth with more violence ; yet some do not think him well shod , unless all his shooes be made with calkins , either single or double , yet of two evils , double is the less , for he will tread evener with double then single calkins , but then let them not be over-long , or sharp pointed , but rather short and flat . and thus much for shooes with calkins . chap. xxviii . of shooes with rings . shooes with rings were first invented to make a horse lift up his feet high , but such shooes are more painful then helpful , and is an unhandsom sight in horses , which thing is incident to most horses that have not sound hoofs , for having tender hoofs , they fear to touch the ground that is hard . now such kind of horses that have naturally these tender heels , some for want of discretion , do think to amond them by adding thereunto high calkins , or else rings , and thereby cause him to have weaker heels then he had before . therefore i shall advise you to lay aside all these unprofitable devices , and make all your shooes , especially your sore-shooes with spunges , as hath been before taught . chap. xxix . of shooes with swelling welts , or borders about . in germany and high almany , the smiths do make their shooes with a swelling welt round about the shoo , which being higher then the heads of the nails , do save them from wearing , which are the best fort of lasting shooes , for mr. blundevill travelled in those countreys out-right above miles upon very stony ground , yea , and upon mountains , without removing shoo or driving nail , for the shoo being made of well tempered stuff , weareth equally in all parts , and the horse treadeth evenly upon them . chap. xxx . of shooes with turning vices , and also joynt-shooes . some that use to pass the mountains where smiths are not easily to be found , do carry about them shooes with vices , whereby they fasten it to the horses foot , without the help of the hammer or nail , notwithstanding they are more for shew then any good use . for though it fave his feet from stones , yet it so pincheth his hoof as he goeth with pain , and doth perhaps do his hoof more hurt then the stones do , therefore it is better upon such needful times to use the joynt-shoo , which is made of two pieces , with a flat rivet-nail joyning them together in the tow , so that you may both make it wide and narrow to serve any foot , therefore the rider ought to understand to drive a nail , and to have his instruments about him , meet for carriage , without the which there are but few gentlemen of almany that loveth his horse , but can use those instruments for that purpose as well as most smiths . chap. xxxi . of the patten shoo. because every smith knoweth the use of this shoo , and how to make it , i shall not need to use many words , but only shew you that it is a necessary shoo for a horse that is hurt in the hip , or stiffle , or shoulder , which will make him bear upon that leg the grief is on , and consequently make him use it the better . in what causes to cauterize . cauterization or giving of fire is of two natures , viz. actual and potential . your cautery actual is made by hot burning instruments , with which you sear and burn those places which be requisite for the perfecting of the cure you have in hand , which cannot be peradventure well cured , but by giving of tire ; as in case of great imposthumation , stenching of blood in wounds , or in searing of veins , sinews , or the like , or else in case of dismembring , if other means be not at hand , whereby to stay the flux of blood without danger of bleeding to death . and if they that give fire be not very skilful , i would advise them to practise upon jades , and not horses of price , to the end they may the better come to know how to carry their hand either lighter or harder , and also that they do make their circles round , and their lines streight and even . for this actual fire is a thing most necessary for them that do understand the vertue thereof , and therefore ought to be very carefully applied , and never but upon very good grounds ; which in so doing , you shall find it to be a most sovereign remedy to hinder and stay all manner of corruption , whereunto any member may be inclined ; provided that in the handling of your instrument you touch not muscles , arteries , sinews , ligaments , chords , or the like ; for so you may utterly lame , where you would set upright . for by this actual fire you shall joyn and conglutinate parts and members severed , dry up superfluous moisture , and sick members swelled , and bring forth all evil and putrefactious matter , congealed and gathered into knots , as , wens , biles , ●ustils , exulceration , and the like : you shall also asswage old griefs , and make perfect all such parts of the body as be any way corrupted : neither shall you need fear the encrease of any evil humours , by reason that the skin being severed by means of the hot iron , it doth ripen and digest all manner of putrifaction and matterative stuff , whereby it venteth and passeth away much more easily , healing and qualifying all grief and pain , causing the member which before was subject to festering and to gangreen , to become the sounder and stronger , and the worst that can be made thereof , will be but a little eye-fore , by reason of a scar which it leaves behind it . but then you must have a very great regard unto your instruments , that they be made according to the nature and quality of the place and member which is to be scared ; for one fashion will not serve in all causes : for as the places which are to be cauterized , are commonly different in shape and proportion , so ought the shapes and fashions of your instruments to be accordingly . you ought to have a care in the heating of them , for as they ought not to be too hot , so they ought not to be too cold , for by that means you may inflame the place too much . your instruments are to be made of iron or steel , which are the best to work with , and to be preferred before gold , silver , brass or copper , because steel or iron will retain its own received heat longer then any other metal , for the others , as they are the sooner made hot , so they are the sooner cold . now steel and iron metals are much more substantial and harder then the other metals are , and though they are the longer a heating , yet they retain their heat the longer . again , a man cannot tell when those other metals are hot enough , as also when they be too hot , and if you put never so little water to them to allay their heat , they presently become too cold , the contrary whereof you shall find to be in the nature of iron and steel . cautery potential . now i will in a word handle cautery potential , which as the cautery actual burneth the flesh by hot instrument , even so doth cautery potential burn the flesh by medicine , of which there are three sorts or degrees . namely , by corrosive , by caustick , or by putrifaction . corrosive . corrosive , is when that is applied to the wound , wherein is dead or proud flesh to corrode or eat it away , by which means the wound is prepared and made the more fit for emplasters , waters or unguents , which do carnisie and make good flesh , by which means the wound which before was foul , is now become clean , healed up and made sound , and these corroding things are commonly precipitates , sublimatum , arsnick , resalgar , leads white and red , copper as white and green , verdegrease , allom , viteral , sandaracha , chrysocollo , origanum , mercury , aconitum , capitellium , romane , vitrial , shaving of ox or harts-horn , red coral , spunge of the sea somewhat burned , vnguentum apostolorum , vnguentum aegiptiacum , vnguentum caeraccum , magistra , sal niter , cantharides , apium , aqua fortis , siclamine , melanacardium , and many more , that do burn , eat and corrode the flesh , putting the poor beast to a great deal of pain . a caustick . a caustick is a great burner , for that being once put to the skin , will in a short time make a wound where none was before ; for which we do use to make issues , for causticks are stronger and more violent then either putrifactives or corrosives ; for whereas corrosives do work only upon skin broken , and to corrode and eat out dead , proud , spungy and naughty flesh , and putrifactives do ripen , mollifie and prepare the wound for the caustick , so causticks do break skin and flesh , and all ; and therefore it is more violent , and burneth worse then any of the two former . putrifactive . now your putrifactives are such medicines as we do commonly apply to swellings , which we do make for the most part of medicines compounded , as poltesses , rosted sorrel , white lilly-roots and the like , for such things are drawers , causing swellings which be hard and fleshy , to become soft and putrifactive , and to prepare sorrances for the causticks , whose nature is to break and open , what before the putrifactive had ripened , which otherwise must have been done by cautery actual , or by incision . and this i do think sufficient to be handled upon this subject . how to make bread for a horse to keep him in heart and strength of body , and to keep him from fainting in his labour and exercise , be it never so sore . take wheat-meal , oat-meal and beans , all ground very small , of each a peck , anniseeds four ounces , gentiana and fennegreek , of each an ounce , licoris two ounces , beat themall to fine powder , and searce them well , and add to them twenty new laid eggs whites , and all well beaten , and as much strong ale as will knead it up , then make your leaves like to horse-bread , but not too thick , and let them be well baked , but not burned , give it him not too new , and when you give it him give it him five or fix mornings together , without any provender , and thus you shall have him well winded , lusty , strong , hardy and healthy , whereby to be able to hold out and retain his metal to the last . another sort of bread. take of wheat-meal one peck , rye-meal , beans and oat-meal , of each half a peck , ground very small , anniseeds and licoris , of each one ounce , and white sugar-candy four ounces , beat all into fine powder , with the whites and yolks of twenty new laid eggs well beaten and put to them , and so much white-wine as will knead it into a paste , make them into great loaves and bake them well , and after they be two or three days old , let him eat of this bread , but chip away the out-side , now the reason i prefer meal before flower is , because flower is much more hot and binding , and therefore the courser the bread is , the better it is for the horse . and the reason why i put rye into my latter bread , is , because rye is a loosner and a cooler , and therefore it will make him the more soluble . for what causes veins are to be taken up . as touching taking up of veins , you shall understand that it is a thing very behoof-full , as that many times the most exquisite farrier living shall not be able to perfect this cure , but by that way and means , for unless sueh veins be either taken up , or some way stopped , which are noxious to the cure , by feeding the malady with its peccant humours , the farrier can never work by true art. again , veins well taken up do prevent many maladies , whereunto many horses are much more propense then others are . and lastly , the taking up of veins cureth some diseases which could otherwise never be cured . for the taking up of the thigh-veins sendeth away spavens , splents , curbs , kibed heels , swelled legs , scratches , malenders , farcin in the legs , and the like sorrances ; besides , it causeth all pains , aches , strains , stiffness in the limbs , &c. take up the shackle-veins , and it preventeth the quitter-bone , ring-bone . swelling in the lower joynts , founderings , &c. wherefore for as much as ignorant people , whatsoever opinion they may have of their super-abundant skill , yet they are very much to seek , in that they do so much exclaim against taking up of veins absurdly , affirming it to be a great means of laming of horses ; but let them not mistake themselves , for assuredly it is the best and only remedy against these and many more maladies , and when they shall have made trial , they will not be of so prejudicate an opinion . of roweling of horses , and of the use thereof . the roweling of horses is so common amongst our simple smiths , that they will rowel him for any disease almost , without any sense or reason , whereby they needlessly torment the horse , and bring a flux of naughty humours down to the place , which causes him to be lame , which might otherwise be sound . but this i must say of it , that if it be well used by a skilful farrier , it is not only commendable , but causes great good to a horses body and limbs . helps got by roweling are these . it separateth and dissolveth evil humours which are gathered together in any one place , it loosneth those parts which are bound , and bindeth those parts that are weakned , it strengthneth sick joynts , and comforteth whatsoever is oppressed with any cold phlegm . the use of it in general is for inward strains , especially about the shoulders or hips , or else for great hard swellings , which will not be mollified or corroded by any outward medicine . now if the bruise be not taken away presently by applying to it some comfortable hot medicine . there will arise a certain jelly between the pot and the bone which offendeth the tender gristle , which covers the ends of every bone , which makes the horse halt most vehemently . now nothing will take this away but roweling . now the manner of roweling is this . when you have sound out the certain place of his grief , after you have cast him upon some soft place , make a little slit a handful below the place grieved through the skin , no bigger then you can thrust in a swans quill into the same , then raise the skin a little from the flesh with your cronet , and then put in your quill , and blow all the skin from the flesh upward , even to the top , and all over the shoulder , then stopping the hole with your finger and your thumb , beat the place blown all over with a hazel stick , and spread the wind with your hand into every place , and so let it go , then take some horse-hair , or some red sarcenet , half the bigness of a mans little finger , and put it into your roweling-needle , which should be at least seven or eight inches long , thrust it in at the first hole , and put it upward , drawing it out above at least six inches , and if you please you may put in another above that , and then tie the two ends of the rowls together , and move and draw them to and fro in the skin , not forgetting before you put them in , to anoint them with sweet butter or hogs grease , and every day after likewise , for that will make the corruption run out the better . now there are other farriers think , that these long rowels of hair or silk , do make a double sore and a great scar , therefore they make their rowels of round pieces of stiff leather , such as is on the upper part of an old shoo , with a round hole in the midst , according to the form in the margent , and then double it when they put it in , and then spread it open , and lay it flat between the flesh and the skin , and that the hole in the rowel may be just against the hole in the horses skin , and once in two or three days to clense the rowel , and to anoint it with hogs-grease or butter , and so to put it in again . another french way of roweling , which is reputed to be the best way . cut open the skin with your incision knife the length of an inch or more downwards ; on the lowest part of the horses breast , close to the side that he is lame on ; then raise with your finger or cronet the skin from the flesh round about the orifice , about the bredth of a six pence , which must be just the size of the rowel you put into it , whether it be made of the upper leather of an old shoo , or horn of an old lanthorn ; but the upper leather of a shoo is best . the form of your rowel must be in the shape of the figure in the margin , with a little hole in the middle of it , wherein you must put a needle and thread through it , as you find by the two pricks on the top and bottom of the hole . then take a quill and put it into the hole , and do as you were taught in the receipt before , viz. to blow and beat the wind upwards all over the shoulder ; when you have blown it as much as you think fitting , draw a needle and thread through the rowel and skin , closing the rowel in the slit , and let the hole in the rowel be right against the slit you have cut , so that it may not move . then run another stitch or two thwart the cut , as you see the manner of it by the figure in the margin ; when you have stitcht it up , anoint it all over with butter or hogs grease , and let the rowel remain in for about a week or more before you take it out , and he will do well . instructions upon rowelling . if you rowel him for any swelling , then put in your long rowel the same way that the veins run , and seldom or never cross-wise , and the more you blow the skin for a swelling , the better , for the wind is that that causeth putrifaction , and makes the festered humours to dissolve and distil down from the secret hollows of the joynts into those open places , where it falleth away in matter , and so the breast becomes cured . how to geld horses or colts . you are to observe in the gelding of horses . first , the age , secondly , the season of the year . and lastly , the state of the moon . for the age , if it be a colt , you may geld him at nine days old , or fifteen if his stones be come down ; for the sooner you geld him the better , for growth , shape and courage . now a farrier may geld a horse at any age whatsoever , if he be careful in the cure. the season of the year to geld in . the best season for gelding is between april and may or in the beginning of june at the furthest , or about the fall of the leaf , which is the latter end of september . the state of the moon . now for the state of the moon , the fittest time is ever when the moon is in the wane : as touching the manner of gelding , it is in this sort , whether it be foal , colt or horse , after you have cast him upon some soft place , take the stones between your fore-most finger , and your great finger , then slit the cod , and press the stones forth , then with a pair of small nippers , made either of steel , box , wood or brazil , being very smooth , and clap the strings of the stones between them , very near unto the setting on of the stones , and press them so hard that there may be no flux of blood , then with a thin drawing cauterizing iron made red hot , fear away the stone , then take a hard plaister made of rozin , wax and wash'd turpentine , well molten together , and with your hot iron melt it upon the head of the strings ; then fear the strings , and then melt more of the salve , till such time as you have laid a good thickness of the salve upon the strings , then loose the nippers , and do so to the other stone , and fill the two slits of the cod with white salt , and anoint all the outside of the cod with hogs-grease , and so let him rise , and keep him in a warm stable loose , that so he may walk up and down , for there is nothing better for him then moderate exercise . now if you do perceive that he doth swell in his cod , and sheath very much , then chafe him up and down , and make him trot an hour in a day , and it will soon recover him , and make him sound . to make a white star either on your horses fore-head , or in any other part of his body . after you have with a razor shaved away the hair so wide as you would have the star , then take of a little of the oyl of vitriol in an oyster-shell , and dip a feather or a piece of silk into it , ( for it will eat both linnen and woollen ) and just wet it all over the place shaved , and it will eat away the roots of the hairs , and the next that comes will be white . you need not do it above once , you may heal it up with your copperas water and green ointment . to make a black star or white hairs black . wash often the place you would have made black , with fearn roots , and sage sod in lye , and it will breed black hairs in a white horse . or take souter ink , galls and rust beaten well together , and anoint the place therewith , and it will turn white to black . to make a red star. take aqua fortis one ounce , of aqua vitae a penni-worth , of silver to the value of eighteen pence . put them in a glass , and heat them well therein , and then anoint the place very well therewith , and it will immediately turn the hairs to be of a perfect red colour , but they will endure no longer then the casting of the hair , which you must renew again if you intend it shall contiuue . to make a horse seem young. take a small crooked iron , no bigger then a wheat-corn , and having made it red hot , burn a little black hole in the tops of the two outmost teeth of each side the nether chap before , next to the tushes where the mark is worn out , then with an awl-blade pick it , and make the shell fine and thin , then with a sharp scraping iron make all his teeth white and clean ; this done , take a fine lancet , and above the hollows of the horses eyes which are shrunk down , make a little hole only through the skin , and put in the quill of a raven or crow , and blow the skin full of wind , till all the hollowness be filled up , then take out your quill , and lay your finger upon the hole a little while , and the wind will stay in , and he will look as youthful as if he were but six years old . to make a horse that he shall not neigh , either in company or when he is ridden . if either you be in service of the wars , and would not be discovered , or when upon any other occasion , you would not have him to neigh or make a noise , then take a list of woollen cloth , and tie it fast in many folds about the midst of his tongue , and he will not neigh nor make any extraordinary noise , with his voice , as hath been often tried and approved of . to help a horse that hath laved or bangle earer . take his eares and place them in such manner as you would have them stand , and then with two little boards or pieces of trenchers three fingers broad , having long strings knit unto them , bind the ears so fast in the places where they stand , as that they cannot stir , then betwixt the head and the root of the ear , you shall see a great deal of empty wrinkled skin , which with your finger and your thumb , you shall pull up , and with a sharp pair of scissers clip away all the empty skin close by the head , then with a needle and red sllk stitch the two sides of the skin close together , and then with your green ointment heal up the sore . which done , take away the splints which held up his eares , and you shall find , that in a short space his eares will keep the same place as you set them without alteration ; and this you shall find to be as certain and true as the healing of a cut finger . the first inventors of riding . bellirophons , as some men say , was the first that invented riding on horse-back . and the pelletrones , a people of lapithia , found out afterwards the manner of bridles , bits and rings , to guide horses withal . but they of thessalia were the first that used the service of horses in the wars . the receipt of making the cordial balls . the true manner of making those cordial balls , which cure any violent cold or glaunders , which prevent heart-sickness , which purge away all molten grease , which recover a lost stomach , which keep the heart from fainting with exercise , and make a lean horse sat suddenly . take anniseeds , cummin-seeds , fennegreek seeds , carthumus seeds , elecampane roots and colts-foot , of each of these two ounces , beaten and searced very fine , two ounces of the flower of brimstone , then take an ounce of the juice of licoras , and dissolve it on the fire in half a pint of white-wine ; which done , take an ounce of chymical oyl of anniseeds , then take of sallet-oyl , honey , and of syrup of sugar , or for want of it , molosses , of each half a pint , then mix all these with the former powders , and with as much fine wheat-flower as will bind and knit them altogether , work them into a stiff paste , and make thereof balls somewhat bigger then french wall-nuts , hull and all , and so keep them in a close gally-pot , ( for they will last all the year ) yet i do not mean that you shall keep them in the pot in balls ; because they cannot lie close , the air may get in , and do hurt ; as also the strength of the oyls will sweat outward , and weaken the substance , therefore knead the whole lump of paste into the gally-pot , and make the balls as you have occasion to use them . the form of the balls . if you give them upon the end of a stick , you must make them sharp at both ends , and thick in the middle ; but if you give him them in a horn of beer , make them about the bigness of a good big wall-nut , and put down a horn-full of strong beer after every ball , to clear his passage , and to prevent sticking . the vse of these balls . now for the use of these balls , because they are cordial , and have diver excellent vertues , you shall understand that if you use them to prevent ●ickness , then you shall take a ball and anoint it all over with sweet butter , and give it him in the morning in the manner of a pill , then ride him a little after it ( if you please otherwise you may chuse ) and feed and water him abroad or at home , according to your usual custom . and thus do three or four mornings together . if you use them to cure either cold or glaunders , then use them in the same manner for a week together . if you use them to satten a horse , then give him them for a fortnight together . but if you use them in the nature of a scouring , to take away moulten grease and foulness , then instantly after his heat , and in his heat . again , if you find your horse at any time hath taken a little cold , as you shall perceive by his inward ratling , if then you take one of these balls and dissolve it in a pint of sack , and so give it him , it is a present remedy . also to dissolve the ball in his ordinary water , being made luke-warm , it worketh the like effect , and fatneth exceedingly . to give one of these balls before travel , it prevents tyring ; to give it in the heat of travel , it refresheth the weariness ; and to give it after travel , it saves him from all surfeits and inward sickness . a reccipt to fat a lean horse in twelve or fifteen days . first , therefore to let him blood if he wants bleeding , then instead of oats in the morning give him wheat-bran prepared after this manner , set over the fire a great kettle , and fill it almost full with fair water , and when it boyls put in your bran , and let it boyl a quarter of an hour at least , then let it stand to cool , and in the morning early give him of this bran so hot as he can eat it , and let his drink be of the same water , and at night give him oates and white water , and let him be well littered , and warm covered ; but if it be in the summer , his stable ought not to be too hot , and at night with his oats give him an egg full of this powder , with which you are to continue him for the space of eight days , or according as you shall see cause . you must understand , that bran thus prepared , drieth up his naughty , gross and corrupt humours , and doth the better prepare the body to assume lust , courage , strength and flesh , together with the help of the powder , which is this . the powder how to make a lean horse fat. take of cummin , fennegreek , sileris-montani , nutmegs , cloves , ginger , linseed , of each two ounces . quick brimstone six ounces , make all these into powder , and give him the quantity of an egg-shell full with his oats ▪ every night , but first let him be watered with white water , which is two or three handfuls of bran stirred amongst his water , then rub him , litter him , and cloath him well , and then give him some sweet wheat-straw in his rack , and let himseed on that for an hour , then give him his oats mixed with his powder , and when he hath eaten them , give him hay at your pleasure , remembring to keep him warm , but so as with moderation , and you shall find him amend exceedingly , but you must put into his oats every time two handfuls of nettle-seeds , for that is the thing that will principally cause him to battle . it will also greatly avail to his amendment , if he be aired every morning and evening , an hour after sun-rising , and an hour before sun-set , if the weather be warm , and the sun do shine . and this is the best course you can take to set up a lean and poor horse . another receipt to make a lean horse fat. take of elecampane dried , cummin , turmerick , anniseeds , of each two ounces , groundsel half a handful , boyl all these together in a gallon of ale , with three heads of garlick well bruised and picked , then strain it , and give him a quart of it in the morning fasting blood-warm , and ride him after it , but not to heat him , and thus do four mornings together , and in a short time after ( if the year be seasonable ) turn him to grass , and he will fatten suddenly . but if the time of the year will not serve , and that you have a mind to raise him in the stable , then give him amongst his oats this powder . take of elecampane dried , and of cummin both alike , well beaten and searced , and when you give your horse provender , then give him half an ounce of them well mixed amongst it for fourteen days together , and you shall find him to amend and prosper , after a strange manner : provided , that you give him seasonable ayring , moderate exercise , and mashes and white water . of the drink called acopum . take of euforbium half an ounce , castoreum one ounce , adraces half a quarter of a pound , bidellium half an ounce and half a quarter , opoponax one ounce , fox grease half an ounce , pepper one ounce , laserpitium three quarters of an ounce , ammoniacum half a quarter of a pound , pigeons dung as much , galbanum half an ounce , nitrum one ounce and a quarter , spuma nitri three quarters of an ounce , ladanum a quarter of a pound , pyrethrum , and bay-berries , of each three quarters of an ounce , cardanum two ounces , seed of rue half a quarter of a pound , seed of agnus castus one ounce , parsley seed half an ounce , dried roots of ireos , or flower-de-luce one ounce and a quarter , and half a quarter , of oyl de bay as much , of oyl of spikenard three quarters of a pound , of oleum cyprinum three quarters of a pound , and half a quarter , the oldest oyl olive a pound and a half , pitch a quarter of a pound and two ounces , turpentine a quarter of a pound ; melt of every of these that will be molten , severally by themselves , and then mingle them together with the rest of the ingredients , being first beaten to fine powder , and after they have boiled a little on the fire , take it off , and strain it into a clean gally-pot , and so keep it for your use . and when you give your horse any of it at any time , you must not give him of it above two spoonfuls in a pint of sack or muscadine , and if by long keeping you find it wax hard then soften it with the oyl of cypress , so that it may be good and thick . the vertues of it . it is both a medicine and an ointment , for it helpeth convulsions in the sinews and muscles , it draweth forth all noisom humours , and disburdeneth the head of all grief , being put up with a long goose feather anointed in it , into the nostrils of a horse , it healeth , i say all manner of convulsions , cramps , numbness , and string-halts , colds and rhumes ; it dissolveth the liver , being troubled with opilations and obstructions , it helpeth siccity and aridity in the body ; it banisheth all weariedness and tiredness , if his limbs be bathed with this medicine . and lastly , it cureth all sorts of inward diseases , if it be administred by way of a drench , in wine , strong beer or good ale. the nature of it . it is hot in working , otherwise it could not hold good in case of surfeits , tiredness , and of convulsions , and the like , wherein consisteth its chief vertues , being administred outwardly ; but being administred inwardly , it is not altogether so hot , for it helpeth feavers for the most part , and i think it is most safe , to give not above two spoonfuls of it in a quart of good strong beer or ale , though mr. markham adviseth to give four or five spoonfuls in sack or muscadine , which are hot things of themselves . the confection called arman . to make this confection , of honey of roses a pound and a half , as much as will suffice of the crumbs of the whitest manchet made into fine powder , then take of cordial-powder of nutmegs , and of cinnamon of each an ounce and a half , mix all these together , being first made into fine powder , then put it into a gally-pot , and moisten it with rose-vineger , that it may be of a thick substance like unto pap , and so keep it for your use . when you use it , put some of it upon the end of a bulls pizel into his mouth , and let him champ thereon ; but if you give it for the quinsey or feaver , give him down two hornfulls of it , and do this in the morning fasting , and let him fast two or three houres after it . the vertues of this arman . it provoketh a good appetite to meat , and causeth good digestion , and taketh away all annoyances that troubleth the stomach , it cooleth the inward heat in the body , it helpeth all agues and feavers , and is most excellent against surfeits ; it is good for the quinsey in the throat , coming of cold taken ; and very good against the gripings in the belly or guts , proceeding of wind ▪ this confection was brought out of france . how to make the cordial powder which we have likewise from the french. take cynamon and sugar , of each four ounces , and of fine bole-armoniack two ounces : make them into very fine powder , and mix them well together , and keep it for your use in a gally-pot close stopped . the vertues of it . it is good for sick horses that are far spent with a consumption in the flesh and liver , &c. for it is a most restorative cordial , comforting the vital parts , and spirits animal , and restoreth it to sanity . another cordial powder , called , electuarium theriacum , by reason it hath much treacle in it . take syrop of violets , syrop of lemons , syrop of roses , of each half an ounce , adding to it an ounce of london-treacle , ( which is the best of all treacles for horses ) mingle them well together , and it is a most sovereign cordial to be administred to horses that are sick and weak . to make the black and red aegiptiacum , which are both corrosives . for their natures are to corrode and eat away all manner of deal , proud , rotten and naughty flesh , out of any old sore or vicer , and they do also cleanse and prepare a sore , and make it apt to be healed with carnifying or healing s●lves . take two pounds of course english honey , verdegrease , dyers galls , and green copperas , of each four ounces , make them all into powder , and mixed together , and put into an earthen pot , and set it upon the fire , keeping it stirring , but so soon as it begins to boyl , take it off and let it cool , for if it boyl too long it will become red , which will not be so good . this black ▪ aegyp●iacum is good to dissolve the hoo●s of a horse , if they be too dry , or hard , so as it will cause the corruption , if any be in the foot , to ascend above at the cronet , where the hair is , and also to restore the hoof of the horse when the sole is taken out , and in this nature you must use this unguent , but only at the third dressing after you have taken out the sole . the red aegiptiacum is thus made . take course honey two poun is , verdegrease four ounces , green copperas two ounces , beat the verdegrease and the copperas very small to powder , then put it into an earthen pot , and put unto it a little vineger , and so boyl it very well till it become red , and keep it for your use . general drenches , or receip's for all inward diseases , or sickness . the spaniards have this receipt for all inward diseases . take wheat-meal twelve pounds , anniseeds four ounces in sine powder ▪ brimstone in powder three ounces , fennegreek in powder three ounces and a half , cummin in powder three ounces , honey two pounds , good sallet-oyl one pound and a half , of good sack as much . these are all to be put into a pot well nealed , and boyled until it be thick , and when it is cold to make it up into p●lls or balls , you must keep it stirring while it is a boyling , otherwise it will burn to , and when they are thus made into pills , give him of them four or five mornings together fasting . these killeth wormes in a horses body , helpeth diseases of the lungs and inward parts , and is a very good plaister applied outwardly . it is most useful in all cold causes , and it is so cordial , that it will bring a lean and poor horse unto flesh and good state in a little time . another excellent receipt for all inward diseases . take wheat-meal six pounds , or as much as will bring the ingredients unto a sti●● paste , anniseeds two ounces , cummin two ounces , wild or bastard-saffron two drams and an half , white-wine four pint● , fennegreek one ounce and two drams , brimstone one ounce and a half , sallet-oyl apint and two ounces , english hony one pound and a half ▪ make those things into powder that will beat to powder , then compound them together , and make it into a stiff paste , and keep it in a gally-pot close covered for your use . when you use it , make a ball thereof as big as a mans fist , and dissolve it in two gallons of fair water , till it be all molten , let him drink of this morning and evening so long as he please , and let him have no other water to drink , to the end he may be the better compelled to drink it , which in the end he will do and like it very well . this is good for many inward infirmities , it raiseth and battleth a horse much better then either grass or provender , and giveth him life , spirit and stomach , and keepeth him in perfect health . another receipt for all inward diseases . take fennegreek , turmerick , grains , anniseeds , licoris , long pepper , cummin , of each half an ounce , and of saffron one dram ; and of herbs , take celendine , rue , pelamontine , hysop , thyme and rosemary , of all of them no more then will make half a handful , chopt small and boiled , first in a quart of good ale or beer , then put in your spices finely powdred , and boil them again , then strain it and put to it the quantity of an egg of sweet butter , and an ounce of london treacle , and give it him blood-warm , and ride him moderately after it , and set him up warm , and let him fast three or four houres , and let his drink be either a sweet mash or white water . this is very good against feavers , colds and the yellows . another receipt for inward sickness . take aristolochi● rotunda , bay-berries , gentian , anniseeds , ginger , and of trifora magna , of each an ounce , beat all the simples to very fine powder , and mix them well together , then take of white-wine or good ale or beer a quart , then put into it one spoonful of all of them , with half a p●nt of sallet-oyl , and of mithridate two drams ▪ warm these upon a fire , and administer it blood-warm , and exercise him before and after his drink , but not to sweat him , neither let him drink any cold water in four or five days after , but either warm mashes or white water . this is most sovereign for any inward sickness , droopings , forsaking of meat , feavers , colds , coughs or the like . a suppository for inward sickness . if he be so sick that you fear to give him any strong medicine , and that costive withal , then give him this suppository . take of honey six ounces , of salt-niter one ounce and a half , of wheat-flower and of anniseeds beaten into fine powder , of each one ounce , boyl all these into a hard thickness , and make it into suppositories , and after you have anointed your hand with sallet-oyl , and the suppository likewise , convey it into his fundament a pretty way , and tie his tayl betwixt his legs to his girts , or else hold it close with your hand about a quarter of an hour till it be throughly dissolved , and this will purge kindly , and loosen his guts , so that you may be the more bold to administer what drinks , cordials , or other things , which you think most requisite for his recovery . other general dr●n●hes to cure all inward sickness in horses , which trouble the whole body ; of feavers of all sorts , plagues , infections , and such like . sickness in general are of two kinds , one offending the whole body , the other a particular member , the first hidden , and the second visible . of the first then , which offend the whole body , are feavers of all sorts , as the quotidian , the tertian , the quartan , the continual , and the hectick . the feavers in autumn , in summer , or in the winter ; the feaver by surfet , feaver pestilent , feaver accidental , or the general plague ; they are all known by these signes , much trembling , panting and sweating , a sullen countenance that was wont to be chearful , hot breath , sainting in labour , decay in stomach , and costiveness in the body , &c. first , let him blood , then give him this drink , take of sellendine roots , leaves and all , a good handful , as much wormwood and as much rue , wash them well , then bruise them in a mortar , then boyl them in a quart of ale or beer , then strain them , and add to them a pound of sweet butter , then give it the horse to drink luke-warm ; or half an ounce of the powder of diapente , given in sack or ale , two or three mornings together . or give him three or four yolks of new laid eggs , beaten with seven or eight spoonfuls of aqua vitae or brandy . this is good when he hath his shaking fit upon him . or take four ounces of diapente , and mix it with four ounces of clarified honey , and keep it in a close glass , and give him half an ounce thereof in wine or ale ; or take of licoras an ounce , of anniseeds , cummin-seeds , and elecampane roots , of each half an ounce , of turmerick and bay-berries , of each a quarter of an ounce , of long pepper and fennegreek , of each two drams beaten small , and put five spoonfuls thereof into a quart of ale , warmed with a little putter or oyl , and it is very sovereign , for any disease coming of cold causes . or red sage , mint , sellendine and rue , boyled in beer is good . diatessaron is good simply of it self , so is diapente , or diahexaple . there are several particular receipts which i might give you for every sort of these feavers i have named , but i think these in general may serve instead of a more particular account , only observe this note by the way . that you must in all hot causes administer cooling things , and in cold causes hot things . signes whereby you may know every sort of feaver . signes in general to know a feaver , is by holding down of his head , he will quake and tremble , and when his trembling is over , he will burn , and his breath be hot , he will breath fast , and his flank will beat , he will reel , he will forsake his meat , his eyes will swell and be closed up , and watering , his flesh will as it were fall from his bones , and his stones will hang down , he will desire to drink , yet not drink much , neither will he sleep , but more particularly . a quotidian feaver proceeds from hard riding , being set up too hot in the stable without riding . quotidian or every days feaver is known by blood-shotten eyes , short and hot breathing , panting , loathing of his meat , and stiffness in his limbs , and his sickness will not last above six or eight houres in a day , and then he will be well again . tertian feaver proceeds from the same causes as the quotidian . the tertian or every other days feaver , is known by the signes formerly spoken of , and this as the chiefest , that he will be sick as on monday , and well on the tuesday , and sick on the wednesday following . quartan feaver proceeds from the same causes as the tertian doth . the quartan feaver , as some farriers call , a third days sickness , as thus : if his fit begin on the monday , he will be well on the tuesday and wednesday , and sick again on the thursday . there is no other sign to know it , then the coming and going of the fits. continual feaver proceeds from heats and colds . the feaver continual is that which continueth without any intermission , the signes are want of rest , and falling away of the flesh , besides certain inslammations or swellings , which will appear about his withers and flanks . hectick feaver proceeds from a sick stomach , being scalded with hot drinks , hath lost the power of digestion . the hectick feaver , which is the worst of feavers , is known by this , that he will never eat with appetite , and when you draw out his tongue you shall find it raw , his flesh will be loose and flaggy , and his body subject to trembling . all these feavers do most commonly happen to a horse in the spring , because the new blood is apt to be inflamed . autumn feaver proceeds from new blood being inflamed . the signes of an autumn feaver , is known by the same signes i have declared , for they are the same feavers , only altering the time of the year . summer feaver . a feaver taken in the summer is the worst of all ordinary feavers whatsoever , especially such as are taken in the dog-days . the signes of this feaver are , that his arteries will beat most palpably ▪ and wheresoever he staleth , you shall perceive he sheddeth his seed also . winter feaver . a feaver in the winter is not so dangerous as the feaver before-mentioned , yet if you do not remove it speedily it will continue long . the signes are no other then hath been declared . feaver by surseit . the feaver by surseit is known by these signes , he will beat upon his back , his breath will be short , hot and dry , and his wind will draw only at his nose with great violence . feaver pestilential . the feaver pestilential , is known by the holding down of his head , forsaking of his meat , shedding much water at his eyes , and many times swellings , or ulcers , rising a little below his ear-roots . feaver accidental the feaver accidental comes by some blow or wound , by which any of the vital powers are let or hindred , which may bring him to a feaver , then the signes be , he will covet much to drink , but cannot , and his flesh will fall away in an extraordinary fashion . how to make the oyl of oats . take of milk two gallons , and warming it on the fire , put to it a quarter of a pound of burnt allom , which will make it turn to curds , then take out the curd and strain the whey , then take a quarter of a peck of clean husked oats that were never dried , and put them in the whey , and set them on the fire till they burst and be soft ; then put them into cullender to let the whey run through them , then put the oats in a frying-pan over the fire , keeping them stirring , till you see the vapour or smoke of them ascend upwards , but as it were run about the pan , then take them off and put them into a press , and press them most exceedingly , and what cometh from them is the oyl of them , which you must save in a close glass . the vertues of it . this oyl of all medicines and simples whatsoever , is the most excellent and sovereign for a horses body , as being extracted from the most natural , wholesom and best food which doth belong unto a horses body . this oyl being given by four or five spoonfuls at a time in a pint of sweet wine , or a quart of strong ale , and some of the whey poured into his nostrils doth cure the glaunders before all other medicines ; it is also ( given in the same manner ) the best of all purgations ; for it purgeth away all those venomous and filthy humours , which feedeth the most incurable farcy whatsoever . how to make the powder of honey and lime ; which is so great a drier , that i● will dry up any wound or old sore . take such a quantity of unslackt lyme as you shall think fit , beat it into very fine powder , then take so much honey as will make it up into a stiff paste , then put it into the form of a thick cake , or loaf ▪ and put it into an oven , or burning fire , till it be baked or burnt glowing red ; then take it forth , and when it is cold , beat it into fine powder , and then use it as occasion shall serve . if you mix amongst it the powder of a burnt shoo , it will be much the better . a comfortable drench . make it of these cordials , to wit , of sugar , cinnamon , cloves , nutmegs , saffron , licoris , anniseeds ; beat all these into fine powder , adding thereunto white-wine , and all these infused in an earthen pot . an operative drink . put in such a quantity of these things as you think requisite for the strength of the horse , viz. white-wine , sallet-oyl , alloes , rubarb , agarick , duke , or duck-powder , honey , cordial-powder , &c. several sorts of charges . take of black pitch half a pound , of mastick two ounces , of galbanum four ounces , of fat pitch and of turpentine , of each half a pound , melt them into a pot together , and when it is half cold charge the place up to the hanch , and so overthwart the reins of the back , and if it be not cured at the end of eight or ten days , take it off and apply this ointment . take of oyl de bay , althea , tried hogs-grease , of each half a pound , incorporate them altogether , and therewith anoint and chafe the place grieved . [ 〈◊〉 the second part for the best of charges , i. w. marked in the margent ▪ ] a honey charge for a wrench or slip in the shoulder , h●p or other member ; for all sorts of scratches , and for stiffness of sinews hurt , or any other way offended , to asswage swellings and tumours , and to draw away all bad humours . take of wheat-meal two pounds , and put a little white-wine unto it , and put it into a kettle , as if you were to make a poultess , and when it is well mixed , add to it of bole-armoniack in fine powder half a pound , of english honey one pound , then set it upon the fire and boyl it , keeping it continually stirring , and put to it in the boyling half a pound of black pitch , keeping it stirring , and when you think you have boiled it enough , put to it of ordinary turpentine , half a pound of oyl de-bay , cummin , althea , sanguis draconis , bay-berries and fennegreek , beaten to powder , and of linseed-meal , of each two drams , boil them altogether again , still keeping them stirring till they be well incorporate , and therewith charge the grieved member with it pretty warm , but not to scauld him . a restringent charge to be applied to broken bones , or to bones dislocated or out of joy●t , being first set , and also to take moist humours from weeping wounds , and so to dry up bad humours , which do pre-occupate the body . take of oyl de-bay four ounces , orpin , cantharides , and euphorbium , of each two ounces , make all these into fine powder , and mix them with your oyl de-bay very well , and therewith charge the place grieved . this is also very good to charge the swelling of a back sinew-strain . a celd charge . take bole-armoniack ▪ wheat-flower , the white of an egg , and aqua-vitae or white-wine ; beat all these together pretty thick , and lay it to the place grieved upon a brown paper , and when it is dry lay on fresh . you must keep that part out of the water , if you intend the plaister should slay on . of salves , vnouents , powders and waters . take of perosen , and of hard rosin , of each one pound , of frankincense , virgin-wax , or for want thereof , new wax , and sheeps suet , of each half a pound , of old tried hogs-grease one pound and a quarter , boil the gums and wax in half a pint of white-wine , and then put into it your sheeps tallow and hogs-grease , and when all is molten and incorporated together , strain it , and whilest it is yet hot put in an ounce of venice-turpentine , and so work all well together , which when it is cold , pour in the liquor from the salve , which put up into a gally-pot for your use . the vertues of it . this is a most sovereign salve to heal any green wound , ( that is not come to an ulcer ) and so dry it up . another most excellent powder . take unslacked lyme , the dry dust of tanners oken bark , and an old shoo sole burned to a coal , of each alike , make them into fine powder , and mix them well , and keep them in a box for your use . the vertues of it . this powder healeth the buds of the farein after they be broken , and skinneth them , and if they be washed with the juice of vervine and strong vineger , mingled together , and this powder cast upon them , will heal and skin them . it healeth likewise and skinneth all other sores . another oyntment . take half a pound of tried hogs-grease , a penniworth of verdegrease beaten to fine powder , give them two or three walms on the fire , then take it off , and put into it half an ounce of venice-turpentine , and stir it well together till it be cold , this ointment will heal any wound or sore in a horse . another oyntment . burn a good quantity of roch-allum , and as much bay-salt , and burn that also , make them both together into fine powder . then take of common honey , and of sweet butter , of each alike , as much as will suffice , incorporate them altogether , by melting them over a gentle fire , and with a taint or plaister apply it . and this cureth any foul sore . a good vvater . take a pint of fair water , and put into it of bay-salt , and of green copperas , of each the quantity of a hazel-nut , first , made into fine powder , let them boil a little upon the fire , with this wash your sore before you do apply any of your salves , unguents or powders . another salve . take of common honey , two ounces , roch-allom , verdegrease and vinegar , of each an ounce , make your allom and verdegrease into fine powder , then take of ●ublimate finely powdered , two ounces , boil them a little on the fire , this laid plaister-wise on the wound once a day , or if the wound be deep to taint it with it , but before you dress it , wash the sore with water made of green copperas and bay-salt . the vertues of it . this doth not only cure all sorts of wounds in the body , but the foot also , and it cleareth any wound from dead and proud flesh . another salve . take the buds or the tender tops of the leaves of elder , ( or for want there of , the inner rin● of the bark ) one handful , and first shred , and after pound them very well , till you bring them to a salve , and apply this to the sore , binding a cloth about it to keep it from falling off . the vertues of it . this will cure any old or new sore whatsoever in any part of the body , as galled backs , spur-galls , gravelling , prick'd , being dressed every day once , and it will cure a f●●tula , if the juice of it be injected into it unto the bottom . an oyntment . take the white of a new laid egg , and sallet-oyl , as much as will suffice , and beat them well together , and before you apply it unto the wound , pour into the wonnd burnt butter , and then lay on your medicines with hurds plaister-wise . and this will cure any green wound . another . an ounce of black sope , and as much dogs grease , with as much burnt allom as will lie upon a six pence , melted upon the fire together , is very good to heal or skin any wound or hurt , let the burnt allom be put in last , when the others are melted . how to give a horse a vomit . vomits are given to horses newly taken from grass , to bring away their gross and phlegmatick humours , which do abound in their stomach and head , which if they be not taken away in due time , may empair greatly the health of the horse . i never knew that vomits were useful to a horse till i met with a french farrier , which i saw administred it to sundry horses , which did work very kindly . the receipt is this . take two of the greatest roots you can get of poll●podium of the oak , washed and scraped very clean , and tie it to his snaffle , trench or bit , then let it be steeped in the oyl of spike all night , and in the morning fasting put on his bridle with the same roots , and ride him about with it about an hour fair and softly , and if he be troubled with any rheuma●ick or phlegmatick humour , or with any cold or silthy matter , which may annoy his stomach , this will force him to vent it at his mouth and nose , and it will cause him to cough and n●ez , where he will send forth a great abundance of silth and evil slimy stuff from off his stomach and head , as that in a very short time he will become very clean in his body , for this will both refine his blood , and exhaust all his watery humours , which will make him found a long time after it . and this is not only to be applied to a horse newly taken from grass , but to any other horse that hath taken cold or to any ketty , foul , foggy or pursive horse whatsoever . this may seem strange here amongst us , but let any man make trial , and he shall find it to be most admirable . pur●ing pills . take of fresh butter one pound , alloes and fennegreek , of each an ounce , life-honey and white sugar-candy powdred , of each four ounces , agarick half an ounce , make all these into fine powder , and being well incorporated with the butter and honey , make pills thereof , and give them to your horse , and if he be but a small and weak horse , you must give him but two parts of three , but if he hath a strong cold and cough withal . then take fresh butter , and of mel-r●s●rum , of each four ounces , of alloes and sene , of each an ounce , of rubarb and bay-●erries , of each three ounces , coll●quintida and s ffron , of each two drams , co●di l-powder one ounce , d●k● or d●tch-powder four ounces , make them all into fine powder , and mix them well with two ounces of mithrida●e , and with your butter and mel-rosarum , beat and pound them well together , and make them up into pills , and give them your horse . this receipt will purge him very well , though it heat him for some time , and let him be ordered as in other physical cures of the like nature , and proportion your pills according to the strength , greatness and corpulency of your horse . a plaister to dissolve and take away evil humours , which shall at any time fall down in the legs of your horse . take of common honey a pound , of turpentine half a pound , of mastick in fine powder two ounces , of frankincense and bole-a●m●●iack made into fine powder , of each four ounces , of s●ng●is d●aconis three ounces , six new laid eggs , of the strongest wine-vineger one pint , of the flower of rice seven ounces , mix all these together , and hereof make a plaister , and lap the legs of the horse from the feet to the upper joyn●s , and do this but four or five times , and you shall find that it will perform a strange and rare cure. of several sorts of baths , and first of a bath to dry up humours . take sage , rosemary , of each a handful , and of the bark of the root of b●●ch three pounds , and of the b●●ks of young e●mes , oaks and ash , of each a handful , of n●p , penvy-royal , and of coestnuts , the rinds being taken away , of each a handful , three or four white onions clean pilled and cut into small pieces or slices , red wine three pottles , strong white-wine vineger two pottles ; boyl all these together , and cause him to be walked a quarter of an hour till he be warm , then bathe him with this bath good and hot , and set him up warm , and let his drink be either sweet mashes or white water , and thus bathe him for three or four dayes together , and let him not be ridden in any water for eight or ten days after . the vse or vertues of paths . baths are somentations , which are the most comfortable things of any to the joynts and limbs of a horse , for they dissolve all ill humours , and give heat and warmth unto all the members that are benumbed with cold , or for want of blood it comforteth and strengthneth them , and giveth very great case to the pained sinews . besides , it asswageth swellings , in or about any part of the body ; for legs swelling stiff , or benummed , or for any other joynt pained or grieved , or for any string halt , cramp or convulsion . which bath to cure all such maladies is this . bath . take muscadine and sallet-oyl , of each a pint , bay-leaves and rosemary , of each two handfuls , let them boyl half an hour , and when you are to bathe your horse therewith , rub and chafe the grieved place with a wisp or hair-cloth a pretty while , then put the foot into some broad bowl or pail , whereby to preserve the liquor and herbs , and bathe him thus a quarter of an hour , which ended , bind upon the place a piece of sheeps or lambs skin , with the woolly side to the leg , and let him stand so twenty four houres , apply this five or six times , and it will be a perfect cure. bath . a bath to cure all go●●dy and g●uty legs , which cometh either by farcin , scratches , or the like , &c. take a quart or more of chamber-ly , and put into it a handful of bay-salt , a quarter of a pound of soap , a pretty quantity of soot , a handful or two of misle-toe , chopped small , boil them very well together , and bathe the place very well therewith , and in three or four days bathing it morning and evening , it will not only take down the swelling , but prevent the farcin . bath . another bath for the same purpose . take the grounds of a beer-barrel , with the barm , smallage , featherfew , winter-s●vo●y , co●●rey , mallowes , ru● , se●-●●●l , penny-royal , wormwood , archangel , of each a good handful , and of the leaves and berries of misle-toe three or four good handfuls , sheeps tallow one pound , tried hogs-grease half a pound , three or four handfuls of rye or wheat-bran , boyl them altogether , till the herbs and misle-toe become soft , and be sure you have liquor enough , and a little before you take it from the fire , put into it some hay , with this bathe his legs ; first one , then the other , as was before shewed , and when you have bathed that leg sufficiently , make a thumb-band of the hay in the bath , and rowl it about the leg above the uppermost or middle joynt , and put off the herbs between the thumb-band and his leg , which done , pour on the liquor remaining upon the thumb-bands , and so bathe him for so many days once , as you shall think requisite , and it will bring down the swelling quite and make him sound . bath . another bath very excellent . take smallage , ox-eye and sheeps suet , of each alike , to a good quantity , chop them small together , and after stamp them in a stone ▪ mortar , then boyl them with mans urine , and bathe the grieved parts herewith warm , doing as before with ●owl or pail ; then with thumb-bands of soft hay made , first wet in cold water , rap up the member , as well above as below the grief , and use it as often as you shall see cause . this bath is very good for swelled legs upon travel , or for any other lameness which cometh either by stroke , strain or other accident . bath . another bath . take savin , and the bark and leaves of the bay-tree , pellitory , rosemary , sage , rue , of each three ounces , boyl these in a gallon of white-wine , until half be consumed ; and bathe your horse as before is shewed . to bathe a horse in salt water , is very wholesom , both for the horses skin , and for any disease in the stomach . bath . a bath for a horse that is tired or over-travelled . take of mallows , of sage , of each two or three handfuls , and a rose-cake , boyl them together in water till it be all consumed , then add to it a good quantity of butter or sallet oyl , and mix them together , and bathe all his fore-legs therewith , and all the parts of his body also , or to let him blood , and with that blood , oyl and vineger mixed together , presently to anoint his body , helps most sorts of infirmities . of perfumes or purges of the head of all filthy and gross matter . perfumes are necessary to be applied to horses in cases of colds ▪ glanders , rheums , murs , p●z●s , catharrs , &c. for they do not only break a cold , but dissipate congealed humours which do annoy the head , brain and stomach of the horse , and sometimes they expel and cause him to vent at his nose and mouth , much filth and corruption , which doth stop , clog and pester his head and body , and sometimes they do siccicate and dry up many bad humours which are engendred in the head and brain . the ingredients of which simples wherewith we persume sick horses are many ▪ as the juice of onions snuffed up the nose draweth forth raw phlegmatick humours . the juice of coleworts squirted up his nose , or the juice of red beets . the leaves of the wind-flower stamped , and the juice squirted up his nose ; or the juice of dazies purge the head of filthy slimy humours . the juice of sage draweth forth thin phlegm . the juice of the primrose stamped , strained and squirted up his nose , is good to purge the brain . the juice of the small cellendine purgeth the head of foul and filthy humours ; the juice of the leaves or berries of ivy , that grows upon walls , doth infinitely purge the head ; fennel — gya●● or ferula snuffed up the nose , white hellebore or neesing — root beaten to powder , after it is dried and blown up into the nose , purgeth the head and brain from gross and slimy humours , wild white hellebore hath the same vertues ; the juice of sweet ma●y●em draweth forth much phlegm ; the juice of stinking gladdon squirted up the nose , draweth down to the nose great store of filthy excrements ; mustard-seed beaten to powder , and blowed up the nose , purgeth the head ; the juice of snees●wort squirted up the nose , bringeth from the brain slimy phlegm ; the juice of the leaves of elder purgeth the head ; the juice of mercury purgeth the head of all gross and vitious humours ; pellitory , pimpernel , rosemary , the smoke taken up his nostrils , or take a feather and anoint it in oylde ▪ bay , and thrust it up his nose , is good for any cold or obstruction in the head. the best perfume of all . but the best perfume of all is to take the best olibanum , storax , benjamin and franke cense , bruised grossly together , and strowed upon a chasingdith of coals , and let him receive the smoke of it up his nostrils through a tunnel , which will bring away abundance of tough matter into water from the head and brain , insomuch that it will be almost ready to extinguish the fire ; it is a most excellent comforter of the brain , and brings a great chearfulness to the heart , and rejoyceth the whole body . the green ointment . the green ointment , which cure sores whether old or green , vleers , fistulaes , poll-evils , or what else ; for where this ointment cometh , no proud or dead flesh will grow , no flies will come near the place , or for horse or mare-filly that is gelt or splad , anoint but the place , and they will neither swell nor fester , for it doth not only heal soundly , but speedily also , provided you lay nothing upon the wound or sorrance , where the ointment is administred , as neither hurds , lint , plaisters or the like , unless you have occasion to taint a wound which is deep , neither that for any long time , or too often ; and besides , the seldomer the wound is dressed , as once a day , or once in two days , it will heal the better and faster , especially if it be brought into good for wardness of healing . and together with this ointment you may do well ; wash the sorrance with the copperas water , which by reason it is always first to be used , you shall have it first , and the green ointment after it . the making of the copperas water . take two quarts of fair water , and put it into a clean postnet , and put to it half a pound of green copperas , of salt a handful , of ordinary honey a spoonful , and two or three branches of rosemary , boil all these till one half of the water be consumed , and a little before you take it from the fire , put to it the quantity of a doves egg of allom , then take it from the fire and strain it into a pan , and when it is cold put it into a glass close stopped , and keep it for your use . and when you are to dress any sore , first wash it very clean with this water , and if the wound be deep inject it with a seringe . the vertues of it . this water will of it self cure any reasonable sore or wound ( but the green ointment being applied after it is washed ) will heal any old ulcer or fistula whatsoever , if they come to the bottom of them , and for green wounds they have not their fellow ; if you think good you may boyl it in verjuice or chamber-lye , one being a great searcher , cleanser and healer , the other a great drier . how to make the green o●n●ment . take a clean skillet or postnet , and first put into it of rozin the quantity of a wallnut , which being molten , put to it the like quantity of wax , and when that is also molten , put to them of tried hogs-grease half a pound , and when that is molten , put into it of common english honey one spoonful , and when all these are molten and well stirred together , then put in of ordinary turpentine half a pound , and when that is dissolved , take it from the fire , and put to it an ounce of verdegrease beaten to fine powder , and so stir it altogether , but be careful it run not over , for that the verdegrease will cause it to arise , then set it again upon the fire till 〈◊〉 begin to simper , then take it off , for if you let it boil too much it will turn red , and lose its vertue of healing , and become a corrasive , then strain it through a cloth into some earthen pot , and keep it for your use close covered . the vertues of it . this is the most excellent ointment that ever i knew , for de grey hath done such rare cures with it , that he hath been offered ten pounds for it . for it cleanseth a wound be it never so foul , or infected with dead , proud , spungy or naughty flesh it carnifieth and healeth abundantly , and withal so soundly and firmly , as that it doth never more break forth , it draweth forth thorns , splinters , nails , and all such things in the flesh , and in a word it cureth all sorts of sores and wounds . another excellent green ointment made only in the month of may , which cureth all sorts of strains , aches , burnings , scaldings and swellings whatsoever , either in the throator any other part of the body . take half a pound of each of these things here under-mentioned , viz. rue , red sage , wormwood and young bay leaves , beat them very well in a mortar ; then take four pounds of new sheeps suet , and work the herbs and it very well together with your hands , till they be incorporated and become as one lump ; then put to them two quarts of sallet-oyl , and work that also till it become all of one softness and colour ; then put it into a new earthen pan , and let it stand covered eight days ; then boyl it over a soft fire the space of two houres or more , keeping it stirring all the while ; then put into it four ounces of the oyl of spike , and let that boyl as long ; the way to know whether it be well boiled , is to put a drop of it upon a plate , and if it be upon a fair green , you may assure your self it is enough ; then strain it through a new canvass , and keep it in an earthen pot for your use . this ointment will hold very good seven or eight years . a very good receipt to keep back humours that flow too fast to a wound you have in cure , which will make it heal so much the sooner . take two pints of white-wine vineger or tartar , and put to it an ounce or more of the powder of bole-armoniack , and of common salt well dried the like quantity , the powder also of the bur-dock root , or the juice of the leaves , and wash the swelled place round about with it , once or twice a day , and it will be a great help in order to its cure. another for the same vse . after you have beaten a penniworth or more of camphire very small , dissolve it in a pint of verjuice , and boyl it about a quarter of an hour , then put it into a glass close stopped , to keep for your use , and use it as you have directions in the former receipt . to cleanse a wound old or new before you dress it . take more or less of white-wine vineger , according as you have occasion , and put into it the powder of the roots of elder dried , or the juice of the leaves , with a spoonful of honey , and a little powder of burnt allom , and boyl it about half a quarter of an hour , and use it warm . another sort of green ointment , which is good to heal any wound old or new. take a handful of these herbs here under-mentioned , viz. rosemary , wound-wort , red sage , mug-wort , comfrey , rue and southern-wood , &c. cut them small , and boyl them in a pound and an half of may butter , and the like quantity of sheeps suet ; when you have boiled it according as you have directions for the boyling of ointments in the latter end of the book , strain out the ointment from the herbs , and put i● into a pot , and keep it for your use . of purging or scouring things in general . turn-sole boiled in water gently purgeth the body , felt-wort or baldmony , alloes or sea housleek is the most convenient medicine for the stomach , that is the seed of st. peters wort , the seed of tutsan or park-leaves do purge cholerick humours , dodder that groweth upon savory , hedge-hysop purgeth mightily waterish , gross and slimy humours , scamony or purging bind-weed , doth mightily purge , and it is very hurtful to the body , if you do not mix it with alloes , colloquintida is a violent purger , and is not to be used but upon some desperate diseases , and then not to be given , unless it be mixed with some clammy things whereby the vehemency there of may be repressed , black hellebore or bears foot , hogs fennel purgeth by siege both phlegm and and choler , either of the pollipodies purgeth choler and phlegm . the entrails of a carp or barble cut into pieces , and given him in white-wine or ale , or rye sodden that it burst not , and dried and given him instead of provender , an ounce of alloes made up in balls of butter , after it is finely beaten to powder , purgeth excellently , spurge boiled in beer and given him , hempseed , fennegreek , cassia , honey , sallet-oyl , in sack given him , the powder of mechoacan boiled in ale , or ale-wort , london treacle and honey brewed together and given him , or sene , agarick and licoris boiled in ale and given him , or gentian sliced and boiled in a quart of beer till it come to a pint and given him . particular scourings at large , and first of a scouring for any horse , sick or sound , and especially for running or hunting horses , whose grease must necessarily be molten . take twenty raisins of the sun with the stones pickt out , ten slit figs slit round-wise , boyl them in a pottle of running water till the vvater is consumed and thickned , then take the powder of licoris , anniseeds and sugar-candy , finely searc'd , and mix it with the raisins and figs , stamping and working them together till they become a stiff paste , then making round balls thereof of a pretty bigness , rowl and cover them all over with sweet butter , and give as many of them to the horse as you shall think meet for his strength , provided that the day before , you give him such exercise as will raise up his grease , and that immediately before you give him this medicine you also warm him throughly , that the humours being again stirred up , the medicine may work the more effectually . another scouring to purge a horse from ail grease , glut or filthiness within his body , which i think may go for as good a scouring as can be invented by art. take of anniseeds three ounces , of cummin seeds six drams , of carthamus a dram and a half , of fennegreek-seed one ounce and two drams , of brimstone one ounce and a half , beat all these to fine powder and searce them , then take a pint and two ounces of sallet-oyl , of honey a pound and a half , and of white-vvine four pints , then with as much fine vvheat-meal as will suffice , make all into a strong stiff paste , and knead and work it well ; this paste keep in a gally-pot close covered for your use ; when your horse hath been hunted , and is at night or in the morning very thirsty , take a ball of it as big as a mans fist , and dissolve it in a gallon or two of cold vvater , and it will make the vvater look white as milk , then give it him in the dark lest the colour displease him ; if he drink it , then feed him , but if he refuse it , let him fast till he take it , which assuredly he will do in twice or thrice offering , and when he hath once taken it , he will refuse all other drink for this , and you cannot give him too much nor too oft of it if he have exercise . it is an excellent thing for all inward infirmities whatsoever . another excellent scouring after any sore heat , or for any fat horse after his exercise , with directions how he is to take it , and how you are to order him after it , with cautions what to do when you give any scouring . take a quart of good sack , and set it on the fire in a bason or skillet , it and when it is warm , take an ounce of the clearest rosin , being bruised very small , and by degrees little by little put it into the sack , and keep it stirring for fear of clotting , and when it is well incorporated into the sack , take it from the fire , and put into it half a pint of the best sallet-oyl , and in the cooling , stir them all very well together , then put 〈◊〉 it an ounce of brown sugar-candy beaten to powder , and being luke-warm , give it the horse in the height of his heat , as soon as you come home from exercise , then rub him well and cloath him warm , and let him fast two houres after it , and keep him stirring in the stable , for that will make spirits work , for rest doth but dull the spirits . when you give him any scouring , be sure that day to give him no cold water after it , for it is binding and knitting , and detaineth that soulness which the scouring should take away . another scouring when others will not work . take a quarter of a pound of sweet butter , and so much of castle-soap , and half an ounce of alloes , beat them together , and add two spoonfuls of beaten hemp-seed , and of rosin half a spoonful , of sugar-candy an ounce bruised , work them all into a paste , and give it him in balls immediately after his heat , and when you have warmed him , and stirred up the grease and foulness within him . [ there is in my second part a very safe and easie scouring . ] if you have a desire to see more variety of purgations of all sorts , look back . of loosening things in general . brank-ursin or seed , hemp-seed , fennegreek-seed , the juice of the white beets , coleworts , spinage , mercury , succory , white sope and spurge brayed together and given him to drink , sallet-oyl given him in sack or ale , or anniseeds , linseeds and piony boiled in beer , or the bark of the elder-tree bruised and mixed with old ale and given him , or take of the decoction of mallows , sallet , oyl and fresh butter , benedicta laxativa , given him blood-warm glister-wise , or rye thrown amongst his provender , or mustard-seed , or to anoint your hand with butter or hogs-grease , and pluck away his ordure , and then put into his fundament a good piece of the great end of a candle , or give him in ale eleven leaves of lawrel stamped , the seed of horned poppey given him in ale. all sorts of docks being boiled are loosners of the belly , marigold-leaves , burage , bugloss , the leaves of hounds-tongue boiled in ale do mollifie the belly , syrop of violets , black hellebore or bears foot , hogs fennel loosneth the belly gently , speraege or asparagus . things good to fatten a horse in general . beans boiled in two gallons of water till they swell or burst , and mix them with a peck of wheat bran , and give it him in the manner of a mash , and it will fat suddenly , or coleworts sodden and mixed with wheat bran , and give them instead of provender , or to give him in stead of his provender , the grain called buck , or to give him parched wheat mingled with ale , or wheat bran mingled amongst his provender , but be sure to keep him well dressed and cleanly lookt after , for without clean keeping his meat will do him but little good , and to give him a little meat at once for fear you cloy him . or take sage , savin , bay-berries , earth-nuts , bears-grease mingled with a quart of wine or ale , and give it him , or to feed him a month together with scalded bran , or take cummin-seed , fennegreek-seed , siliris montani , nutmegs , cloves , ginger , linseed , of each two ounces , quick brimstone six ounces , made all into line powder , and give him an egg-shell full of it every night in his provender , and white water after it , and put into his oats with his powder a handful of nettle-seed , for that is a thing which will principally cause him to batten , and when he is glutted with this meat , then give him bread , if he leave his bread , then give him malt , or any grain that he will eat with a good appetite , or to give him many mornings together half an ounce of brimstone finely beaten with a raw egg , and a penny weight of the powder of myrrh in a quart of ale , or to give him three leaved grass half green and half dry for many days together , or to give him pepper , saffron , anniseeds , turmerick , treacle , licoris , penny-royal and archangel , mingled in milk with the yolks of eggs , barley dried or barley boiled till it burst is a great fattener , but most of these ways will not breed fat that will continue ; but the best way to make him fat , and to cause him to keep it , is to give him three mornings together a pint of sweet vvine , and two spoonfuls of diapente brewed together , for that will take away all infection and sickness from the inward parts , then to seed him well with provender at least four times a day , viz. after his water in the morning , after his water at noon , after his water in the evening , and after his water at nine a clock at night , and if you find that he eat not his provender well , then to change it to another , and to let him have most of that food he loveth best , and there is no question but he will grow fat suddenly . but if you will have a more particular account , then turn to the mirrour of all medicines , to make the leanest horse that may be fat , sound and fit either for market or travel , in the space of fourteen days , you may find before , with several other such like receipts ensuing . an explanation of several hard words belonging to chyrurgery . vvhat a fracture is . if there be a loosening in the bone , it is called a fracture . vvhat a wound is . if it be in any fleshy part , it is called a wound . vvhat a rupture is . if it be in the veins , then it is a rupture . what a convulsion is . if in the sinews , then it is a cramp or convulsion . what an excortication is . if it be in the skin , then it is called an excortication . of giving of fire , and there are two ways of it , the one actual , and the other potential ; the first is done by medicine , either corrasive , putrif active or caustick . cautery actual . the actual fire doth burn the flesh by instrument , which stoppeth corruption of members , and stancheth blood , provided the sinews , cords and ligaments be not toucht , the instruments to cauterize , are gold , silver , copper or iron . cautery potential . the potential fire doth burn by medicine , of which there are three sorts or degrees , namely , by corrosive , by caustick , or putrifaction . the corrosive . the corrosives are simple or compound , the simple corrosives are roch-allom , burnt or un-burnt , red coral , mercury sublimed , verdegrease , copperas white and green , and these corroding things are called precipitates , which are eaters of dead flesh . the compounds are vnguentum apostolorum , vnguentum aegyptiacum , and vnguentum coraceum , with others . medicines putrifactive . medicines putrifactive are such medicines , which are applied to swellings , which are made for the most part of medicines compounded , as poultesses , rosted sorrel , white lilly roots and the like . what a caustick is . a caustick is a great burner , for that being once put to the skin , will in a short time make a wound where there was none before , and those things are lye , lime , vitriol , aqua-fortie and the like . corrosives . corrosives are weaker then putrifactives , and putrifactives are weaker then causticks . corrosives work in the soft flesh , putrifactives in the hard , and causticks break the sound skin . thus you see the use of these things , you may apply them at your pleasure , for these cure all sorts of farcies , cankers , fistulaes , leprosies , maungies , scabs , and such like poisonous infection . of the several sorts of purgings , which are five , by pills , by pori●ons , by glisters , by suppositories , and by grass . what pills are . pills are solid or substantial stuff fixed together in one body , and being made into round balls are cast down the horses throat , which purge the head and brain from phlegm , and other gross humours down into the excrements . what a portion is . portions are when you give him liquid purging powders dissolved in wine or ale , or that if it be any other liquid stuff , now portions cleanse the stomach and guts from such naughty humours , which glaunders , colds and surfeits have ingendred in the body . what glisters are . glisters are given at the fundament , and are made up of four things , that is to say , decoctions , of drugs of oyls , and such like unctious matter , as butter or grease ; and ●ourthly , of divers salts to provoke the vertue expulsive . now they are of several natures , some to ease and appease griefs , and allay the sharpness of humours , some to bind and some to loosen , and some to heal , as in cases of ulcers and old sores within the body , &c. what a suppository is . a suppository is only a preparative to a glister , and but only to cleanse and make loose the great guts which cometh to the tuel , and they help the disease of the guts , being of nature more gentle then glisters are , and may be applied when glisters cannot . purging by grass . purging by grass , is either by green corn , wheat , rye , barley , oats or tares , which is a great clen●er and cooler of his body . what a decoction is . a decoction is a broth made of certain herbs , as mallows , mash-mallows , pellitory , camomil , and sometimes of white lilly roots , and other such like things . simples that are good to conglutinate and knit things together , either inward or outward . iris illyrica beaten and sifted , and mingled with pepper , honey and currants , and given him to drink in wine and sallet-oyl , conglutinateth any inward rupture or burstness , dragant , saffron , the fruit of the pine , with the yolks of eggs given him to drink with wine and sallet-oyl , is good to conglutinate any inward member or vein broken , the roots and seeds of asparagus sod in water and given him , and after three days give him opoponax with honey and myrrh , and it will conglutinate any inward ulcer or rupture whatsoever . the bark of ash beaten with wine , and plaister it , is a great knitter of broken bones , or the inward bark of an elm laid in running water , and bathe the place therewith , or the roots of rocket boiled in water , and plaister it , or wilde briony stamped and plaistered also , hazel-tails and the seeds of red docks made into powder , and given him to drink is good , or bugel is a knitter of wounds inward or outward , so does lions-paw , or self-heal , the distilled water of sow-bread doth knit any broken sinew in the body . bole-armoniack beaten to powder , and finely sifted and beaten with the white of an egg , and spread upon the leg , and covered over with flox , is very good for a sinew-strain , and is a great strengthner of the grieved place , where a bone hath been out of joynt , and put in again ; the yellow wall flower strengthens any weak part out of joynt . a poultess made of brank-ursin and applied is good , so is a decoction of the root of butchers-broom or knee-holly , with the berries made also into a poultiss ; the root of the great comfrey bruised and laid to them , doth consolidate and knit them together ; the decoction of the leaves , bark or roots of elecampane healeth them , being bathed therewith ; the roots of eringo or sea-holly boiled in hogs-grease , and applied to them , draweth not only bones out of the flesh , but also thorns , and healeth them again ; an ointment made of the roots of osmond-royal or water-flag in a mortar , with the oyl of swallows , and the place grieved anointed with it , is very good ; flix-weed doth consolidate broken bones , so doth the leaves of the holly-tree used in fomentations , so doth knot-grass and moon-wort , the leaves of mullen bruised and boiled in wine , and laid to any member out of joynt , and newly set again , taketh away all swellings and pains thereof ; the leaves of nettles also bruised and laid to them refresheth them ; the juice of plantine applied to any bone out of joynt hindreth the inflammation , swelling or pain that shall arise thereon ; solomons seal knitteth any joynt , which by weakness useth to be often out of its place ; or the decoction of the root being bruised and infused in wine all night , and given him , much helpeth towards the cure ; the leaves of turn-sole bruised and applied to bones out of joynt is very good for them , &c. simples that are good to clea●se the blood. avens , vvater-cresles , or brook-lime , burage or bugloss , butchers broom or knee-holly , cardus b●nedictus , the red dock , which is commonly called blood-wort , fennel-seeds , fumitory , hops , vvall-rue , or ordinary white maiden-hair , mustard-seed , the root of the bastard rubarb , sage , succory , scurvey-grass , smallage , vvood-sorrel , star-thistle , ladies thistle , the yellow vvall-flower , &c. simples that are good in general to ex pel the dead foal . a●heal , the herb alkanet applied to her shape draweth it forth , angelica , brook-lime , or water-pimpernel , centaury or sweet chervil given her in wine is very good . the powder of the root of cuckow-point , or the juice of it given in wine bringeth it away , flax-weed or toad-flax is good , flower de-luce made up in a pessary with honey , and put up into her body bringeth it forth , germander , hore-hound , filapendula or drop-wort is good also given her ; so is the root of masterwort ; ground-pine is excellent good to expel it . the decoction of the leaves and branches of sage given is also good , so is the juice of the yellow wall-flower , &c. simples good in general to provoke lust in horses . the decoction of asparagus given him for some time , the seed of the ash-tree powdred with nutmegs is a great increaser of it , beans , chest-nuts , cream of cich-pease , or cicers boiled in water and given . the seeds of both the sorts of clary , the pith of the stalk of the burr-dock , before the burr cometh forth ; the weight of one ounce of cloves given in milk provoketh it exceediugly ; bread made of potatoes and bean-flower , and given him , is a great provoker of it ; the roots of chervil , the roots of fennel-gyant , spear-mint , mustard-seed , nettle-seed ; the seed of the wilde rocket encreaseth it exceedingly , raisins of the sun , sweet almonds , pine-nuts , the pizzle of a bull or hart , boars stones dried and powdred , and given him amongst his provender , &c. simples good in general to increase milk in mares . the seed or leaves of burrage or bugloss , cicers boiled in milk , cocks-head the leaves or seed of fennel , the seed of wilde rocket , sow thistles , the seed of vipers , bugloss given him in ale , dandelion , &c. things good in general to wash all manner of sores and vlcers ▪ alehoof bruised with white-wine and allom , is very good to wash all sorts of them , flixweed made into a salve doth quickly heal them , how foul or malignant soever they be , the distilled water of the herb worketh the same effect , but it is somewhat weaker . the juice of fox-gloves doth cleanse , dry and heal them . the juice of the leaves or roots of stinking gladwin , and anoint any scab or sore in the skin , it taketh them away . the juice of purslain is good to allay the heat in sores and hurts , meadow sweet , ragwort , the juice of the green herb of tobacco , wilde tansie boiled with vineger and honey is good to heal moist , corrupt and running sores , &c. simples that are good in general for all manner of swellings or risings in the skin , viz. hard knobs and kernels , as also swelled legs , swellings under the chaul , hard or soft , and to ripen them . archangel stamped with some salt and vineger , and applied , dissolveth them , bdelium ( a kind of gum ) doth ripen them ; the leaves of the beech tree is good to discuss hot swellings ; barley-meal and flea-wort boiled in water , and made into a poultess with honey and oyl of lillies , cureth swellings under the throat ; brine dissolveth hard swellings , chickweed boiled in water very soft , adding to it hogs-grease , with the powder of fennegreek and linseed , and a few roots of marsh-mallows stamped in the form of a cataplasm or poultess , and applied , taketh away the swelling of the legs , or any other part . b●ook-lime or water pimpernel used in the like manner is also very good ; the decoction of coleworts taketh away the pain and ach , and allayeth the swellings in swollen legs , wherein any gross or watery humours are fallen , the place being bathed with it warm . oyl of camomil is good to dissolve hard and cold swellings , cummin put into a poultiss is also good for them ; so is chervil bruised and applied , cinquesoyl boiled in vineger helpeth all hard swellings , so does clary and cleavers boiled in hogs-grease do the like ; cocks-head bruised when they are green , and laid as a plaister , dispenseth knots and kernels in the flesh ; the juice of colts-foot is good for all hot swellings and inflammations . endive applied asswageth all swellings and tumors coming of a hot cause , an oyl made of the broad flag flower-de●luce , mollifieth all manner of tumors and swellings in any part of the body ; as also of the matrice , the roots of stinking gladwin boiled in vineger or the grounds of beer , and laid upon them , consumeth them , the decoction of the leaves of the goose-berry bush cooleth them , frankincense mingled with honey , and applied , dissolveth hard swellings ; the fresh herb of groundsel made into a poultess , taketh away the heat and pains of them , and used with salt dissolveth knots and kernels ; henban● asswageth all manner of swellings in the cods or elsewhere , if they be boiled in wine , or the grounds of beer , and applied either of themselves , or by a fomentation warm . true-love or one berry hath the same vertues . hore-hound boiled in hogs grease is also good for any swelling in any part of the body ; st. j●h●s wort dissolveth swellings , knotgrass cooleth all manner of hot inflammations breaking out by heat , hedge mustard is good for swellings in the stones ▪ the decoction of rag-weed , or pellitory of the vvall is good , rye-bread , or the leaves thereof , ripeneth and breaketh imposthumes and other swellings , so doth wood-sage , the leaves of southern-wood boiled till they be soft , and stamped with barley-meal , and barrows grease , and applied to the place grieved is good for all cold tumours . the decoction of the root of scabins applied , doth wonderfully help all sorts of hard or cold swellings in any part of the body , &c. simples good in general to cause sweat , given inwardly or applied outwardly ▪ mountain calamint given inwardly , or applied outwardly , being boiled in sallet-oyl , and the body anointed with it , the juice of scabius given him with treacle ; camomil used in baths provoketh it , opening the pores , and mitigating the griping pains in the guts and bowels ; the juice of bugloss mixed with brandy , and the body rubbed therewith is good , master-wort or herb-gerrard is also good ; fennel-gyant mixed with sallet-oyl , and the body anointed with it . an oyl made of asarabaca , with landan●m , by setting it in the sun , and the back anointed with it is good , wood-sage , &c. simples , and other things that are good to expel the heam in beasts , which is the same as the after-birth is in women . time , winter-succory , penny royal boiled in white-wine and given , common horehound boiled also in the same wine and given , dittany given or put up in a pessary , driveth forth the dead foal , and expelleth the secundine ; angelica driveth it forth also , so doth parsley-seed , alexanders , hops , fennel , savin and bay-berries , the powder of the inside of the wrinkled skin of the gizzard of a hen that lays , dried and given in white-wine is excellent , &c. simples good in general to provoke or expel wind. alexander or house-parsley , angelica seeds , bay-berries , the seeds of the wild carriots , bishops-weed dissolveth it , caraway-seeds , cardamum seeds , sweet chervil , cummin taken inwardly , or given in glisters is good for the gnawing of the guts and belly , dill-seeds , the herb devils-bit boiled in wine , fennel-seeds , filapendula or drop-wort , hemp ▪ seed , the berries of holly , juniper-berries , the root of lovage , lavender , nep or cat-mint , nutmegs , wild parsnix , or the seeds or roots of common parsley dissolveth it both in the stomach and bowels , china-roots , winter and summer-savoury , penny-royal given him in sack , burnet , saxa●rage , stone-parsley , the seed of smallage , time or mother of time , valerian , &c. simples that are good in general for cattel that are bewitched . two drams of the berries or seed of true-love , or one berry beaten to powder , and given him for twenty days together restoreth him , misle-toe growing upon pear-trees and hung about the neck is very good , amara ●ulcis , gathered in its influency , is also good for it used as before ; peony is good . the branches of the holly-tree is reported to defend , not only from witch-craft , but lightning also , &c. simples that are cordials and strengthners of nature . gentian strengthens the stomach exceedingly , and keepeth the heart from fainting ; clove gilly-flowers are great strengthners both of the brain and heart , and are very good to put into cordials for sick and weak horses , st. johns-wort , juniper-berries strengthens the brain , and all the limbs of the body ; marigolds strengthens the heart , so doth saffron and mustard-seed ; give not above two drams of saffron at a time when you use it ; mother of time is a great strengthner of it , red roses doth not only strengthen the heart , but stomach and liver , and the retentive faculty , and mitigateth the pains that arise from heat , bugloss , balm , motherwort , mace , cinnamon , cloves , anniseeds , canary , &c. simples that are good in general , either taken inwardly , or applied outwardly , for the biting or stinging of any venomous beast , viz. adders , vipers , spiders , wasps , bees and hornets , &c. the decoction of agrimony given him , or the juice of alexander or horse-parsley , aristolochia rotunda or birthwort , asarabica , balm , wood-bitony , the powder of the dried leaves of the blew bottle given in plantine-water , comfrey , bucks-horn , plantine given him , with some of the leaves laid to the hurt place is good against the biting of adders , the juice of the root of the bur-dock , given him inwardly , and applied outwardly to the place bruised with salt , is also very good for them to ease the pain thereof , water-caltrops , cantaury , campions , flower-de luce boiled in vineger and given is good , so is the decoction of the root of common elder ; the seed of st. johns wort given inwardly and applied outwardly is good for them ; so is sage , rocket , penny-royal , pimpernel , ground-pine , marjorem , summer-savory taketh away the stinging of bees or wasps , the root of spignel , the green herb of tobaccho applied to the place bruifed ; the leaves of the tamarisk tree boiled in wine and given him is good , so is valerian and vipers bugloss , the flower of barley or wheat-meal boiled in vineger , applied to the place grieved , is very good to draw forth the venom , the juice of mead or trefoyl is also good for them , &c. a very large account in general , of what simples are good for all sorts of sor●s or vlcers , whether inward or outward , of what nature soever . agrimony , alehoof boiled with a little honey and verdegrease , doth wonderfully cleanse them , and stayeth the spreading and eating of the cankers in them ; the juice or the water of angelica is very good to wash them with , so is anemone or wind-flower and archangel , arsmart is good for putrid ulcers , alloes beaten to powder and strewed upon them is also good , so is the juice of broom and water-bitony , the water or juice of bistort , or snakeweed , or of the leaves , buds or branches of the bramble is very good to wash them with ; the ●uice of the leaves of the blew bottle helpeth all ulcers or sores in the mouth ; bugle , burnet , wild champions given inwardly , or applied outwardly , is very good , so is the juice of celandine and centaury , the red berries of the vvinter-cherries given inwardly , cleanseth the inward imposthumes and ulcers of the reins and bladder , and is also good for bloody and foul urine ; the juice of the bruised leaves of chickweed , cinquefoyl or ●omfrey is good to wash them with , cuckoe-point , the root of it in powder , or the herb boiled in sheeps or cows milk healeth the inward ulcers of the bowels ; the distilled vvaters of cucumbers given inwardly is very good for ulcers in the bladder ; the powder of the root of both kinds of fern strewed upon them , drieth up the moisture in them , and healeth them speedily , so doth the powder of sow-fennel , or fig-wort , the juice or the vvater of flix-weed injected into them , doth cleanse and heal them up , elecampane root beaten to powder and mixed with honey is also very good . dill burnt and laid upon moist sores cureth them ▪ franckincense is good to fill up hollow ulcers , hemlock is good for all creeping ulcers and pustles that arise from hot and sharp humours , by cooling and repelling the heat . take this receipt for the cure of all manner of ulcers . take the green leaves of the yellow henbane , three pounds and a half of them , stamped in a mortar , and boil it in a quart of sallet oyl , in a brass pan , gently upon the fire , keeping it stirring till the herbs are black , and will not boil nor bubble any more , then you shall have a most excellent green ointment , which being strained from the dross , put it to the fire again , and add to it half a pound of bees wax , four ounces of rosin , and two ounces of common turpentine , melt them together , and keep them for your use . this will cure any iuveterate ulcer , botch , burning , green wound , and all cuts or hurts in the head. the fresh leaves of ivy boiled in white wine doth wonderfully help to cleanse them ; juniper-berries drieth up hollow ulcers , and filleth them up with flesh ; knot ▪ grass , or the powder of the herb or seed , cools all gangreens , fistulaes , and foul and silthy ulcers ; knape weed is a great drier up of moisture in them ; madder helpeth them in the mouth , if unto the decoction you put a little allom and honey of roses , herb mouse-ear is very excellent to stay the malignity and spreading of them ; pellitory of the wall , penny-royal bruised and put to vineger cleanseth them ; the juice of plantain is good for old ulcers that are to be healed ; the juice of purslain is good for inflammations in the privy parts ; the powder of savin mixed with honey cleanseth them , but it hindereth them from healing ; the juice of rag-wort is very good also , &c. burning compositions . the gentlest is vnguentum apostolorum , next to it is verjuice and hogs-grease beaten together ; next to this is precipitate and turpentine mixt together ; next to it is arsnick allayed with any oyl or healing salve ; next to it is mercury sublimate likewise allayed with some cooling salve ; and the worst is lime and soap , or lyme and strong lye beaten together , for they will corrode and mortifie the soundest part whatsoever . to make hair smooth , sleek and soft . to do this , keep him warm at the heart , for the least inward cold will make the hair stare , then make him sweat oft , for that will raise up the dust and sweat which makes his coat foul , when he is in his greatest sweat , with an old sword blade scrape off all the white foam , sweat and filth that shall be raised up , and that will lay his coat even and smooth . and when you let him blood , rub him all over with his own blood , and so let it remain two or three days , and then curry and dress him well , and this will make his coat shine like glass . how to cast and overthrow a horse . when you intend to cast your horse , bring him upon some even , smooth and soft place , or in the barn upon some soft straw , then take a long rope , and double it , and cast a knot a yard from the bought , then put the bought about his neck , and the double rope betwixt his fore-legs , and about his hinder pasterns , and underneath his fet-locks , then put the ends of the rope underneath the bought of his neck , and draw them quickly , and they will overthrow him , then make the ends fast , and hold down his head , under which you must be sure to have always good store of straw . now if you would at any time brand your horse on the buttock , or do any thing about his hinder-legs that he may not strike , take up his contrary fore-leg ; and when you do brand your horse , see that the iron be red hot , and that the hair be both seared away , and the flesh scorched in every place before you let him go , and so you shall be sure to lose no labour . to make an unruly horse stand still to be trimmed , that will not be trimmed with barnacles . take off one of his stirrop-leathers , and put it into his mouth , and so over his head as you do a bridle , and girt up his chaps very hard , and he will stand quietly to be trimmed . another to make an unruly horse stand still to be shod . the common way is to put a pair of barnacles upon his nose , and tye them very hard ; but if you find that will not do , then at the same time put some round stones into his eares , and ty them up hard that they fall not out . how to make a stubborn horse to go . tye a small cord or line about his stones pretty hard , and bring it between his fore-legs , and let it be of that length that you may reach the other end of it with your hand when you are upon his back , and when you find that he will not go forward , jerk him with your line , which is the only means i know of to break him of his stubborn tricks . if he be a gelding , then strike him with a long rod that is burnt at one end , and this will help . to make a horse follow his ▪ master , and finde him out and challenge him amongst never so many people . take a pound of oat-meal , and put to it a quarter of a pound of honey , and half a pound of lunarce , and make a cake thereof , and put it into your bosom next to your naked skin , then run or labour your self till you sweat , then rub all your sweat upon your cake , then keep him fasting a day and a night , and give it him to eat , and when he hath eaten it , turn him loose , and he shall not only follow you , but also hunt and seek you out when he hath lost you , or doth miss you , and though you be enviroued with never so many , yet he will find you out and know you , and when he cometh to you spit into his mouth , and anoint his tongue with your spittle , and thus doing he will ●●ver forsake you . how to make a black star or white hair black . if you desire to make on a white horse a black star , you shall then take a scruple of ink , and four scruples of the vvood of oliander beaten to powder , incorporate this in as much sheeps suet as will suffice , and anoint the place therewith , and it will make any white hair black , or take the decoction of fearn roots , and sage sod in lye , and wash the place therewith , and it will breed black hair , but you must wash the place very oft therewith ▪ or take the rust of iron , galls and vitriol , and stamp them with oyl , or else take souter-ink , galls and rust , and beat them well together , and anoint the place well therewith , and it will turn any white hair to be black . certain principles touching simples . as touching simples , some are only to ease pain , as linseed , camomile , soft grease , suet of all sorts , or any other oyl that is hot in the first degree , and whensoever any of these simples are compounded with their like , the medicine is called anodina or lynogs . there are other simples which are astonishing , benumbing or bringing asleep , as opium , mandrake , poppey , hemlock , and such like , which are gross and cold in the fourth degree , and whensoever any of these simples are compounded with their like , then the medicine is amongst leaches called narcotica . the third sort of simples are such as incarnate , or breed flesh , as frankincense , flour , saffron , yolks of eggs , and such like , which are hot in the second degree ; and whensoever any of these simples are compounded with their like , then the medicine is called sa●cotica . the fourth sort of simples are corroding , fretting and burning , as arsnick , resigallo , mercury , lime , and such like , which are hot in the fourth degree ; and whensoever they are applied simple or compound , then the medicine is called corrosive . the fifth sort of simples are those which be called mollifying , and are four in number . that is green mallows , white mallows , violets and brank-ursin . the last sort of simples are those which are called cordials , and are three in number , viz. violets and bugloss of both kinds . and thus much touching the nature , use , property and operation of simples . the end of the first part. a table of the price , value and virtue of most of the principal drugs , both simple and compound , belonging to farring , as they are frequently sold at the druggists in london , viz. roots , barks , woods , flowers , fruits , seeds , juices , gums , rozins , simples from plants , animals , their parts and their excrements ; minerals , metals and stones ; together with chymical oyls and spirits ; as also treacles , oyntments , electuaries , powders and waters , &c. roots . angelica strengthens the heart , and is good against pestilence and poison . the price the pound is — s. . d. aristolochia longa of long birth-wort , brings away the heam in beasts , ( which is the same as the after-birth is in women ) the price the pound is — s. . d. aristolochia rotunda , of round birth-wort , powdered and given in malaga wine , is good for ruptures , both of them resist pestilence and poison . the price the pound is — s. d. bistort is good against pestilence and poison , bruises , huxes and staling of blood. the price the pound is — s. d. costus amarus and costus dulcis are both hot and dry , and are good to bring away wind , given him ; and boiled in sallet-oyl , and applied ▪ outwardly to any pain or grief in the legs , easeth it . the price of them the pound is — s. d. agarick , look for it farther in simples out of plants , and for the vertues of it in the table of simples . jallop powdered , is very good to mix amongst other powders ; correct it with liquoris powder , to prevent gripi●g , to purge a horse . the price the pound is — s. d. turmentil is a kind of cinquefoyl , and is dry in the third degree , but moderately hot ; it is very good given in pestilential diseases , and for poison . see more of the usefulness of it in the table of simples . the price the pound is — s. d. china , see the virtues of it in the table of simples ; the price the pound of the lupid or flinty , is — s. d. the price of the best the pound is — s. d. di●tany is hot and dry in the third degree ; it bringeth away the heam in beasts ; the price the pound is — s. d. doronicum romanum is hot and dry in the third degree ; it is a great strengthner of the heart , and is a very sovereign cordial ; it preserves wonderfully against pestilence and poison , and is also good for the bit●ng of any venomous beast . the price the pound is - s. d. elecampane , see the virtues of it in the table of simples ; the price the pound is — s. d. eringo , see the virtues in the table of simples the price the pound is — s. d. gentian , see the virtues in the table of simples ▪ the price the pound is — s. d. galangal , see the virtues in the table of simples ; the price the pound is — s. d. hermodactils purge phlegm from the joynts , and therefore they are good for the diseases of them their vices you may correct with long pepper , ginger , cinnamon , mastick , &c. the price the pound is — s. d. hellebore , black and white ; see for bears-foot in the table of simples , and you shall there find the vses of them ; the price of them the pound are — s. d. liquorice , see the virtues of it in the table of simples ; the price of it in the stick the pound is — s. d. mechoacan , is to be corrected with cinnamon ; it is temperate , yet drying ; it purgeth phlegm from the head and joynts ; it is also very good for coughs and pains in the reins , and is also good against the most pockey and inveterat● farcy that is ; you may safely give as much of the powder of it , as will lie upon a six-pence ; the price of it formerly was about s. but now it is worth s. and hardly got for that . meum is very good given in pestilential diseases , and is much of the virtue of the angelica root , and is used in the room of it , when it cannot be got , the price the pound is — s. d. poll pody of the oak , is a great dryer up of superfl●ous humors from the legs being corrected with fennel-seeds , anniseeds , or ginger , &c. the price the ●ound is — s. d. o●ice of florence is hot and dry in the third degree ; it resists poison , and helps shortness of breath , the price the pound is — s. d. rubarb , see the virtues of it in the table of simples ; it is worth from s. to s. the pound . turmerick ▪ see the virtues of it in the table of simples ; the common price in the race is about d. but now it is worth s. barks . cinnamon is hot and dry and binding ; it strengthens the stomach , and helps digestion , coughs and destuction of humors upon the lungs , dropsey and pain in pissing ; there is hardly a better remedy to be given to a mare or cow that is foaling or calving , to expedite it , and to comfort them after it , then two drams of the powder given in white-wine or ale. the price of it the ounce is — . s d. cassi● lignea is somewhat more oyly then c nnamon , and is much of the virtue of that only this is lo●sening , whereas the other is binding . the price of it the pound is — s. d. pomgranate-rinds or pill , cools and binds and is therefore very good to stay fluxes or scourings . it helps also digestion , and strengthens the stomach , the price the pound is — s. d. tamarisk b●rk is good to strengthen weak and feeble joynts , infused in ale and gives , and the burnt ashes of it made into an ointment , and applied to the place grieved , the price of it the pound is — s. d. woods . lignum vitae is a great drier up of evil humors , causeth sweat , resists putrefaction , and is good for the pockiest farcy that is , as also for all manner of scabs , ulcers and leprosie , give him inwardly in the nature of a diet-drink , ( not exceeding a quart of it at a time ) , the price of it the pound is — s. d. saffafras is a very large and fair tree growing in florida , and smells very much like unto fennel . it is hot and dry in the second degree , and is also a great drier up of evil humors , the decoction of it , or some of the chips , with lignum vitae boil●d in a horses drink that is given for the f●rc● , is a great furtherer of the cure : it is very good also to open obstructions and stoppings in the stomach , and is a great strengthner of the breast , if it be weakned through cold , the price of it the pound is — s. d. sanders white the pound is — s. d. sanders yellow the pound is — s. d. sanders read the pound is — s. d. they are all cold and dry in the second and third degree ; they stop destuctions from any part of the body , helping inflammations , and cools the heat of feavers , the yellow is accounted the best , but the red is good enough to use for horses . see more of the virtues of them in the table of simples , flowers . staechas or stoechados is hot and binding , and opens stoppings in the bowels , and is a very great strengthner of the whole body . they are not much unlike in shape and sent unto lavender , the price of them the pound are — s. d. belaufi is a red flower , and is very binding , and is often given with very good success to stop scourings and bloody fluxes , the price the pound is — s. d. clove-gilliflowers strengthens the heart , liver and stomach , provokes lust , and resists pestience , the gardens do afford them you . saff●on , see the virtues of it in the table of simples , the price the pound is — s. d. metholet is good for the reins , the price the pound is — s. d ▪ fruits . bay-berries , see the virtues of them in the table of simples ; the price the pound are — s. d. juniper-berries , see the vertues of them in the table of simpses , the price of them the pound are — s. d. gauls , see also the vertues of them in the table of simples ; the price of the best the pound are — s. d. raisins of the sun helps the inflammations of the breast and liver ; they help coughs and consumptions , and cleanse and loosen the belly . the price of them are very well known by every good housewife nutmegs strengthens the brain , stomach , liver and body ; they ease pain in the head , and stop lasks or loosness , the price the ounce are — s. d. mace is a great comforter of the heart and spirits ; the price the ounce is — s. d : cubebs , is a kind of pepper that comes out of the indies , its hot and dry in the third degree ; they expel wind , and cleanse the stomach from tough and vitious humours , and provoke lust . the price the pound are — s. d. tamarinds are cold and dry in the second degree ; they cool the blood , liver and stomach , and purge choler , and are also good for the yellows . the price the pound are — s. d. mirtle-berries are dry in the third degree , they loosen evil humors ; the price the pound are — s. d. long pepper is hot and dry in the fourth degree ; see the vertues of all the sorts of them in the table of simples ; the price the pound is — s. d. seeds . angelica-seeds , see the virtues of it in the table of simples ; the price the pound are — s. d. broom-seeds , see the virtue of them in the table of simples , the price the pound are — s. d. grains of paradice , see the virtues of them also in the table of simples , the price the pound are — s. d. anniseeds , see also the virtues of them in the table of simples , the price the pound are — s. d. burdock-seeds , bruised and given in white-wine or ale causeth a horse to stail freely , that could not stail before , the price the pound are — s. d. fennel-seeds are good for the same purpose ; they cause also milk in mares , the price the pound are — s. d. cardamum-seeds heat and kill wormes , cleanse the reins , and cause a horse also to stale . the common price of them is s. d. but now they are worth — s. d. staves-acre , see the virtues of it in the table of simples , the price the pound is — s. d. cummin-seeds , heat and dry . they stop blood , expel wind , ease pain , and helpeth the biting of venomous beasts ; and being outwardly applied in plaisters , are of a discussing nature , the price of them the pound are — s. d. fennegreek-seeds are also of a discussing nature , they ease inflammations both internal and external ; they are also very good for colds , given him amongst his provender , or boiled amongst his oates , keeping his body solvable , the price of them the pound are — s. d. the price of them in powder is — s. d. linseed hath the same virtue as the fennegreek , the price the pound is — s. d. common nettle-seeds provoke lust , and is a great fattener of a horse given him amongst his provender ; the price of them the pound is — s. d. pa●sley-seed , see the virtues of them in the table of simples , the price the pound is — s. d. peony-seeds helpeth the wilde mare , convulsions and falling sickness ▪ the price the pound are — s. d. plantine-seeds are good for the plague and pestilence , the price the pound are — s. d. saxafrage-seeds , see the virtues of them in the table of simples , the price the pound are — s. d. poppey-seeds white and black provoke sleep , the price of them the pound are — s. d. pu●slain-seeds , see the table of simples for the virtues of them , the price the pound are — s. d. lupines are a kind of small flat beans , they ease the pain of the spleen , kill wormes given inwardly , and being outwardly applied , cleanse filthy vlcers and gangrenes , helps scabs , itch and inflammations , the price of them the pound are — s. d. simples out of plants . agarick purgeth phlegm and cholar , cleanseth the breast , liver , stomach and reins , you are to correct it with powder of ginger ; the price of he best the pound is — s. . d. the outward parings of it the pound is — s. d. congealed juices , gums and rozins . aloes succotrina , see the virtues of it in the table of simples , the price of it the pound is form s. d. to s. barbadoes aloes hath the same virtues as the other but is a great deal stronger , and therefore the better purge for a horse of the two for an ounce and a quarter of it is a purge strong enough for the strongest bodiedhorse almost that is ; the price of the best the pound is — s. d. ass●loetida , see the virtues of it in the table of simples , the price the pound is — s. d. camphire is cold and dry in the third degree , if beaten to powder and mixed with oyle of olives , and the temples anointed with it easeth the pain in the head coming of heat ; it takes away also any hot inflammation in the eyes , and cools any place that . ' t is applied to . the price commonly the pound was s. or s. but now it being very scarce , it is worth s. bitumen , see the virtues of it in the table of simples , the price of it the pound is — s. d. colophony the pound is — s. d. benjamin is a very good perfume for a horse head that is stuffed with a cold , the smoke being received up his nostrils through a tunnel , strowed upon a chaffing-dish of coals . the price the pound of the best is — s. d. the price of the course which is good enough for a horse is — s. d. gum coppal and gum anime are in nature much alike ; it is good for pains and meagrim in the head , and to stop desluctions that flow from thence if it be used as the binjumin . it is also a great strengthner of the sin●ws . the price of it the pound is — s. d. gum lack see the virtues of it in the table of simples , the price the pound is — s. d. gum armoniack , or amoniack , softends , draws and heats , dissolved in vineger , and applied plaister wise , taketh away hardness in the flesh and made in o an cintment with sallet oyl , is good to anoint the s●ff and wearied limbs of a horse ; an ource of it made up into a pill according to art , loosneth the belly , and is good for a horse that stales blood. the price the pound is — s. d. opopo●x is of a heating , mollifying , digesting quality . see more of the virtues of it in the table of simples . the price the pound is - s c. gum arabick thickneth , cooleth and correcteth sharp humors , helpeth burnings , and keepeth the place from blistering , the price the pounds is — s. d. opium is good to cause sleep , but be very cautious how you use it , two or three crains is enough to give him at a time , the price the pound is — s. d. gum dragon is good for coughs and distillations upon the lungs , and is also a good put into poultisses to sodder wounds together , especially nerves and sinews that be hart , the price the pound is — s. d. english liquoris juice strengthens the lungs , and helpeth colds and coughs , and is better for use then the powder of liquoris , the price of it the pound is — s. d. spanish liquoris-juice is of far better use then the english , and hath the same virutes as the english ▪ but more effectual for the purposes aforesaid , the price of it the pound is — s. d. accatiae is a small thorn growing in egypt , out of the leaves and fruit wherof is drawn a juice or liquor , which being dried is called by this name ; it is cold and very ast●ingent and binding , and therefore is very good to st●p lasks , loosness , or scouring ; the apothecaties hath seldom the right , but instead thereof use the juice of sloes , which they call by this name ; the price of the right is worth five or six shillings , but of the common but one . rozin of jallop is a very good purge for a horse ; but if you think it too dear , you may use the powder of the root , the price of it the ounce is about — s. d. mastick , see the vertues of it in the table of simples , the price the pound according to its goodness is from s. to s. manna is a very safe and gentle purger , you may give him a quarter of a pound of it , or more , dissolved in a pint of canary , or four want of that , aquart of warm ale or beer ; it is temperately hot and cleanseth the throat and breast . the price the pound is according to its goodness from s. to s but now it is so scarce that it is worth s. olibanum is hot in the second degree and dry in the first ; you may give an ounce of it safely at a time ; it helps loos●ess and the shedding of the seed ; it is also good for colds and coughs , and to make plaisters of , the price the ●ound is — s. d. burguncy-pitch is good applied as a plaister , for all pains coming of b●u●ses or dislocation , the price the pound is — s. d. bdelium , see the vertues of it in the table of simples , the price the pound is — s. d. gum carauna outwardly applied is very good fo aches and swellings in the nerve and joynts , and also good 〈◊〉 draw back humors from the eyes ▪ spread upon a leather , and laid behind his eares , the price the pound is — s. d. pitch common mollifieth hard swellings and bringeth them to suppupuration ; it cleanseth ulcers and filleth m with flesh ; the table of simples will shew you more of the use of 〈◊〉 the price the pound is — s. d. rozin , all the sorts of them are good to f●●l 〈◊〉 holl w u cers and woun●s with flesh and to comfort the body oppressed with cold griefs , the price of the best the pound is — s. d. stone-pitch is very good to strenghten w●ak and sway●d backs , or sinew-strains , applied in the nature of a charge , with other strengthning gums , the price the pound is — s. d. sangus draconis in the lu●p the pound is : — s. d. sanguis draconis is drops the pound is — s. d. they cool and bind exceedingly and are very good given inwardly or applied outwardly , for the stopping of fluxes of blood . tartar french is the excrements of wine which sticks to the vessel ; it is hot and dry an cleanseth , the pricethe pound is — s. d. tartar renish the pound is — s. d. frankincense applied to the temples , stops the rheum that flows to the eyes , and also is very good to stop th bleeding of wounds , though the arteries be cut , if it be applied to them made up into a salve or ointment . the price the pound is — s. d. borax inwardly taken in small quantities , stops fluxes and the running of the reins , and eing be atcn to fine powder , and put into green wounds , cureth them specaily ; the best is that that comes out of the silver and godl mines , the price the pound is — s. d. turpentine common , see the vertues of it in the table of simples , the price the pound is — s. d. if you intend to clcanse the horse reins , being soul , which you may know by the mattering of his yard , then make it up into balls , according to art , with some flower and bole-a●moniack , and give him a ball of it every morning till you find him cured . turpentine venice the best the pound is — s. d. tar● is very good for a cold given a horse , mingled with the flower of brimstone , the fat of rusty bacon and honey , made up into balls with some powder of liquoris , and given him for two or three mornings together ; it is also good to put into salves for the cure of wounds ; the price the pound is — s. d. gum elmni is very good for fractures in the skull , and also for wounds , and is commonly put into plaisters for that purpose , the common price of it the pound when it is plenty is about s. but now it is worth s. d. eusorblum is a gum that comforteth wounds ; you may see more of the vertues of it in the table of simples , the price the pound is s. d. labdanum , is a gum that is of a very heating nature , yet mollifying ; it is used in plaisters to open the mouth of veins , and is also good to keep hair from falling off , and for pains in theears , the price the pound is s. d. myrrh is a gum that heats and dries , yet opens and softens the womb , given inwardly , and expels the heam in beasts , ( which is t he same as the after-birth is in women ) . it is also very good for cold and coughs , and outwardly applied fills up hollow ulcers with flesh . the quantity that you may give him inwardly with saf●●y , is about two or three drams , with other compounds ; you may sie more of the ver●ue of it , if you look into the table of simples , she price of it the pound is — s. d. storax calamite is a sweet gum , which helps coughs and distillations upon the lungs . it is also a very good perfume for sickness in the head , to draw away evil humors from thence , the price of the best the pound is — s. d. storax liquid is much like tarr . it is good put into plaisters , to modifie hard wounds and swellings , the price the pound is — s. d. galbanum is a gum that is hot and dry , and disussing applied to her shape , expels the heam ; see more of the vertues of it in the table of simples ; the price the pound is — s. d. animals , their parts and excrements . issing glass is made of the skin of fishes ; it is a very great strengthner of a weak back given inwardly , boiled in milk with some fine bole ▪ armoniack ; if you find it very clear and sweet when you break it , you may conclude that it is very good , the price of it the pound is — s. d. oysters newly opened and applied to a pestilential swelling , draweth the venom out of it , the price of these are very well known . grashoppers bruised and given in ale or beer , is very good to ●ase the griping pains of the guts and bladder , every meadow affords plenty of them , which you may have for gathering . cantharides are spanish flies , that will raise blisters in any sound part of the body , if they be bruised and applied , the price of them by the ounce is — s. d. harts-horn-shavings resists poison and plague , provokes vrine , and strengthens nature very much , the price the pound is — s. d. ivory raspt strengthens the heart and stomach , and helps the yellows , the price the pound is — s. d. ivory burnt strewed upon a galled back , or any raw place , drieth and healeth it up , the price the pound is — s. d. wax sotens , heats and fills up sores with flesh put into oyntments and used as a salve , the price of the white the pound is — s. d. the price of the yellow is — s. d. honey is a most excellent cleansing thing , and profitable in all inward vlcers and wounds , in what part of the body soever they be ; it also opens the veins , and strengthens the reins and bladder . the price the pound is — s. d. a stags pizzle dried , and the powder given him in ale , helps the biting of venomous beasts , stirs up lust , and provokes urine , the price the ounce is — s. d. the bone that is found in a stags heart , being well dried and beten to powder , and given him in ale , is also very good against poison and pestilence , the price of it the ounce is — s. d. minerals , metals and stones . verdegrease , see the nature of it in the table of simples , the price the pound is — s. d. allom common the pound is — s. d. allom roch is the best , see the virtues of them in the table of simples , the price the pound is — s. d. bole-armoniack is a certain red earth which is cold and dry , and driveth back evil humors ; it is also very good to stop bleeding , either inwardly given , or outwardly applied , by strewing the powder of it upon wounds ; the greasiest is accounted the best , the price of it the common the pound is — s. d. the pric of the best is — s. d. quick-silver is good given a horse that hath his guts twisted by wind , and is also good for the farcy ▪ you may give him with safety a quarter of a pound of it at a time with sallet-oyl , the price of it the pound is — s. d. brimstone , see the table of simples for the virtues of it , the price the pound is — s. d. flower of brimstone is better then the common powder , for any inward use you apply it , therefore i advise you wherever you meet with any of the common powder in your medicaments , take this in the room of the other ▪ the virtues are the same with the common brimstone , but more effectual in ●peration ; 't is good for colds , coughs and rotten lungs , as also for the wormes , yellows and mange , the price the pound is — s. d. red corral prepared according to art , that is made into a very fine powder , and about as much of it as will lie upon a broad shilling given him in claret or beer , stops any issue of blood , scouring or running of the reins , if it be often repeated ; you may see more of the virtues of it in the table of simples , the price the pound is — s. d. steel filings cleanseth not only the reins and bladder from gravel , but is also a great purifyer and sweetner of the blood , the price the pound is — s. d. white-lead is of a cold , dry and earthy quality ; it helps inflammations and dries up evil humours , the price of it the pound is — s. d. lythargy of gold and silver binds and dries much , they fill up ulcers with flesh , and heals them ; the gold is accounted the best , and is worth the pound — s. d. the silver the pound is — s. d. red lead mixed with sallet-oyl , being beaten to a very fine powder , and the grieved place where the pole-evil is anointed with it every day , and heated well in with a hot fire shovel , will sink it , the price of it the pound is — s. d. lapis haematites or blood-stone , is good to stanch bleeding inwardly and outwardly , being ground very fine , and given him . it hath also many other medicinal vertues . the price the pound is — s. d. sal prunella the pound is — s. d. mercury precipitate the pound is — s. d. sal armoniack is hot and dry in the fourth degree , the pound is s. d. sal jemma , see the vertues of it in the table of simples . the price the pound is — s. d. s●●t-peter refined in the lump evaporateth ▪ it comforteth the sinews , and taketh away tyring and weariness ; the price in the lump or chrystallized the pound is — s d. tutia is a certain mineral that is cold in the first , and dry in the second degree , and is very good for the defects in the eyes , the price the pound is — s. d. vitriol , which we call copperas is of two ▪ kinds . viz. vitriol romanum , which we call green copperas , and vitriol albium , which we call white copperas ; they are both hot and dry , but the white accounted the stronger ; they take away scurfs and kill scabs , boiled in spring water , and the grieved place bathed therewith , the price of the white the pound is — s. d. the price of the green the pound is s. d. it is very good laid in spring ▪ water ( till it be coloured ) for sore eyes vitriol common , or copperas green and white , which is sold at the colour-shops is worth about three half pence ▪ or two pence the pound irish slate beaten to a very fine powder , and about an ounce of it given in a quart of warm ●le is very good for a horse that hath been bruised by falls , the price the pound is — s. d. simples that you may buy ●heaper at the druggists , t' en you can prepare them your selves . elecampane powder the best the pound is — s. d. elecampane powder the common the pound is — s. d. liquoris powder the best the pound is — s. d. liquor is powder the common the pound is — s. d : red sanders powder the best the pound is — s. d. turmerick powder the best the pound is — s. d. powder of ginger the pound is — s. d. prics of s veral things bought of the grocers . sugar ▪ candy white is good for sore eyes , being beaten to powder and blown into them , the price of it the pound is — s. d. sugar-candy brown is good made up with other simples or compounds for colds or coughs , the price the pound is — s. d. common treacle is also very good for colds , coughs and surfeits , made up with other compounds or his drink sweetned therewith , and a lump of sweet butter put to it , the price the pound is — s. d. oyls . oyl of o rganum is very good for all manner of swellings , occasioned by bruises or strains in the nerves and sinews the price the pound is — s. oyl of euphorbium helps sinews and strengthens them , mollifying their hardness the price the pound is — s. oyl of st. johnswort is also very good for all sinew-strains and swellings in any part of the body , the price the pound is — s. d. n●●v● oyl is good to strengthen the nerves and sinews , the price of the best the pound is — s. d. the price of the common is — s. d. oyl of turpentine is good for swellings , bruises , strains and old sores and f●●●ulaes , the price the pound is — s. d. oyl of spike is also good for all manner of st ains , whether in the shouder or joynts , and also for all manner of swellings in any part of the body the price of the righ the pound is — s. d. oyl of peter is very good for stains , hard swellings splints , spavins and ●ruises . the places grieved being anointed with it , the price the pound is — s. d. oyl of exceter is also good for the same distempers , the price the pound is — s d. oyl of sweet almonds , helps colds and coughs wet and dry sweetned with brown sugar candy ; it is good also for ulcers in the bladder and reins , and is a great enc●easer of seed ; if you give it inwardly , use new , for it will soure in three or four days , the price the ounce is — s. d. oyl of bays is good for the cholick , and is a sovereign remedy for any disease in any part of the body coming of wind or cold , you may safely give him feur or five drops of it at a time , in any compound medicine appropriated to that use , the price the pound is — s. d. oyl of swallows is very good to anoint the sinews of a horse , that stumbles or ae shrunk , to stretch and make them give way again , and is also good for all manner of bruises , sprains and strains , the price the pound is — s. d. chymical preparations bought of the druggist . mercurius dulcis sub . the ounce is — s. d. tarta●um vitriolarum the ounce is — s. d. chymical prices of cyls and spirits , which do corrode and eat off dead and proud flesh , and dony excrescences . aqua fortis singlethe pound is — s. d. aqua fortis double the pound is — s. d. oyl of anniseeds the ounce is — s. d. oyl of organum the ounce is — s. d. oyl of tartar deliq. the ounce is — s. d. oyl of vitriol the ounce is — s. d. compounds or electuaries . diascordium stops fluxes , and mightily strengthers the heart , it is not so hot , but it may be given to a sick horse to provoke sleep , one ounce of it is enough to give him at a time , dissolved in a quart of warm beer the price the ounce is — s. d. diatessaron , see the virtues of it in the first part ; 't is worth the pound at the apothecaries s. d. but if you make it your self , you may make it for s. mithridate is good against poison , provokes sweat , is good for consumptions and colds , helps the cholick , by expressing the wind , as also ulcers in the bladder , two or three drams is enough to give him at a time dissolved in a quart of ale or beer , the price the pound is — s. d. london-treacle is a very good cordial ; it resists poison , and is an excellent antidote against pestilential diseases ; it strengthens also a cold stomach , and helps ingestion ; you may give him with safety two ounces of it by its self , or more , ( according to the strength and courage of the horse ) dissolved in a pint of sack , or for want of that a quart of 〈◊〉 ale or beer sweetned with honey . but if you put it into 〈◊〉 where there are other compounds mixed with it , then 〈…〉 the price of it the pound is — s. d. oyntmens . 〈…〉 o●ntment , is a most excellent 〈…〉 in the nerves and arteries coming of 〈◊〉 as a●so for old b●uises-dead pa●sies , chillness , coldness or 〈◊〉 or any particular member , by hard travel or otherwise ; 't is indeed a mest precious fewel both for man or beast , for any disease in any part of the body coming of cold ; it is also very good for the w●n● 〈◊〉 if the belly be anointed with as , and chase ) and heated invery well ; 't is sold at the apothecaries by the pound , for — s. s. d. dialtlae● is very good to moisten hard wounds , and to soften hard swellings , or any bony excrescence in the flesh ; it is sometimes given inwardly to a horse or cow , ( with very good success ) that is in great danger of loss of life , by licking up any venomous or poisonous thing , either at hay or grass , or when they have over-gorged themselves by eating too much delicious food , as clover-grass , turnep-tops , or the like , which will cause them to swell so full , that they will be ready to burst . if you find him in this desperate condition , give him according to his strength and constitution , more or less of this ointment , mixed with the like quantity of castle-sope , dissolved in some warm beer , and ride or stir him afterwards , which will not only make him piss freely , but also cause him to scoure , which is the best means i know of to be use for the preservation of his lifoe . this is sold at the apothecaries also for about s. d. the pound . if you desire to knew for your farther satisfaction , what things this ointments is made up with , take this acceunt of them ; they are these viz. sallet-oyl , marsh-mallowes , linseeds , fennegreek-seeds , bees wax , rozin and turpentine . if he be a strong , lusty and healthy horse , you may venture to give him two ounces of each . but this i leave to the skilful farrier , discretion . patch or piece grease , was formerly made by the shoomakers from the shreds of their leather boiled in spring water , on the top of which arises a certain oyly unctuous matter which they skin off , and boil up with other ingredients to a salve . 't was many years ago frequently used to liquor boots and shooes with , and only made by them for that purpose ; but the more skilful in the art of farring hath found out a far better use for it , viz. the curing of many outward distempers , which you shall have an account of in its due time and place ; this most excellent receipt or salve is almost quite lost to posterity , for few or none can make it truly . i knew only but of one , and she is a shoomakers wife , who keeps this secret to her self , ( and you cannot much blame her for it ) by reason of the great profit and advantage she bath made by the sale thereof , having got many a fair pound by it . her name is mrs harvey , and keeps a small alchouse in bedford-bury street , near covent-garden , at the sign of the hornes . the virtues of it . 't is a most excellent ointment of it self both for man or beast , for all pains and aches in the limbs new or old ; as also for all manner of stains and swellings , in what part of the body soever they be . but more powerful and effectual it is in operation , for these several distempers . if it be used according to markhams direction , viz. to melt ten ounces of it on the fire , and after you have taken it off put into it these several oyls here under-written , viz. oyl of spike four ounces . oyl of origanum one ounce oyl of exceter an ounce and a half oyl of st. johns-wort three ounces . stir all these very well together and put it up into a gally-pot close coverd with a bladder and leather over that , and keep it for your use . a caution : if you cannot get piece-grease use goose grease , but this is not half so powerful in operation as the other . but this i must needs say of it , it is of such thin and subtil parts , that it will quickly search to the bottom of the grieved part. how you are to use it . melt your ointment over the fire , and anoint the grieved place and rub and chafe it in very well with your hand , holding at the same instant before it a hot brick-bat , or fire shovel to make it sink in the better . anoint it once in two days , but rub and chase it in twice or thrice a day , and give him moderate exercise . the price of this excellent salve , as she commonly sells it for the pound is — s. d. spirits . spirit of lavender is a most excellent cordial , and may serve in the room of many more ; you may give him half an ounce of it in a quart of warm ale or beer sweetned with honey or common treacle . this is sold at the apothecaries by the ounce for — s. d. compound powders bought of the druggist . horse spice , see the virtues of it in the receipt how to make it in the first part , the price the pound is — s. d. diapente , see also the vertues of it in the first part , the price the pound is — s. d. another single powder . carolina is a kind of sea-moss , that grows upon the rocks ; it is cold , binding and drying , and is good for hot inflammations , and to kill wormes , you may safely give him as much of the powder of it as will lie upon a shilling in ale or beer , the price the pound is — s. d. waters . treacle-water hath the same vertues as the treacle , the price the pint is — s. d. a caution to the farrier about the buying of his drugs . these several drugs both simple and compound , which the farrier makes use of in the cure of any inward or outward distemper , does commonly rise or fall according to the scarcity or plenty of them ; and therefore i advise you , whenever you have occasion to buy any of them , do not depend too much upon the prices here set you , but get them as cheap as you can . for 't is customary amongst the druggists not to sell any thing , unless they get double , if not treble profit by what they sell , though withal i must tell you , they are here valued as near to their standing selling price as can be possibly , for goods that do rise and fall , yet notwithstanding this , i am perswaded to believe they yet get four pence out of every shillings worth of goods they generally sell , &c. the second part of the experienc'd farrier . shewing , i. the nature , temperature and vertue of most simples , for the cure of all inward and outward diseases , never yet printed in this nature before . ii. you have things in general , set down one after another , for the cure of all diseases , which you may use as your discretion serves iii. you have severally particular receipts for the cure of all diseases . iv. where you find the hand pointing , you shall finde such receipts that were never before printed . v. you have the gathering , drying and preserving of simples and their juices . vi. you have the way of making and keeping of all necessary compounds . vii . you have hot medicaments appropriate to the parts of the body . viii . you have cold medicaments appropriate to the parts of the body . ix . you have the properties of purging medicaments . x. you have the properties of altering medicaments . xi . you have a table of all the diseases of a horse , either inwardly or outwardly , set down alphabetically , where they do grow in any part of a horses body , and how you may know them , and what was the cause that bred them . xii . and lastly , you have in the margent of these said diseases , the page quoted where to find the proper cure for every of these diseases , with many other things contained in this book , not here inserted . the second impression much enlarged and amended by a. o. london , printed for richard northco : adjoyning to st. peters alley in cornh●ll ; and at the anchor and marriner near london-bridge . . purging simples . rubarb , cassia , tamarinds , myrobalans , aloes , seeny or senna , mechoachan root , agarick , pollypody , carthamus , bastard or spanish saffron , dwarfs elder , ensula or devils milk , hermodactils , jallop , turbich , scamony , hellebore or bears foot , colloquintida , spurge-olive , spurge-flax , lawrel , soldanella , turn-sole , &c. binding-simples . look for them in the table , at the latter end of the book . foreign simples that are heating . ginger , zedory or set-wall , galangel , acorus or water-flag , calamus aromaticus , or the ariomatical reed , costus , cinnamon , nutmegs , mace , pepper , cloves , cardamums , cubebs , kermes , sanders , sassafras , china-root , guiaccum or lignum vitae , sarsaparilla , aloes wood , &c. home-bred heating simples . pellitory of spain , mustard common , and treacle mustard , rocket , nettles , flower-de-luce , or orrice , elecampane , cyprus , angelica , lovage , hartwort , gentian , turmentil , paeony , madder , rest-harrow , sea-holly , common-grass , liquoris , sow-bread , radish-roots , anemone or wind-flower , wall-flowers , tyme , marjorem , penny-royal , polium , basil , origanum , mint , calamint , wormwood , mug-wort , balm , horehound , bitony , speedwell , ditany , sage , clary , french lavender , scordium , rue , gromel , saxifrage , aristolochia or birth-wort , asarabaca , burnet , germander , ground-pine , feather-few , st. johns-wort , hysop , cranes-bill , doronicum or leopards-bane , cardus benedictus , motherwort , black chameleon thistle , valerian , fumitory , eye-bright , centory , rhaphonticum , coriander , wood-bine , broom , ashen-keys , misletoe of the oak , poplar , cummin-seeds , &c. cooling simples . mandrake , night-shade , winter-cherries , henbane , poppey , housleek , purslain , dogs-tongue , plantine , knot-grass , comfrey , sorrel , agrimony , sower-dock , primrose , cabbage or garden coleworts , flea-bane , colts-foot , hops , bistort , strawberry bush , cinquefoil , goose-grass or cleavers , scabius , cats-foot , melilots , fennegreek , red cicers , lupins , sumack , myrtle , yarrow , tamarisk . before you enter upon the use of these simples , ( unless you know them very well ) look into the table of simples to see the nature of them , for some of them are very pernicious , unless corrected by art. the nature , temperature and vertue of most simples , set down alphabetically . as also some drugs , liquors , seeds , rozins and juices , &c. a. agaricum , or agarick is a kind of mushrom or toad-stool . it is hot in the first , and dry in the second degree . it expelleth humors , purgeth all phlegm and choler , and is good for the liver and kidneys ; correct it with the powder of liquoris . agripa is an ointment that is good against all humors . amoniacum is hot in the third degree , and dry in the second ; it loosneth and dissolveth humours . allom , commonly called roch-allom , is hot and dry in the third degree , it is a drier up of humors , and is good for fore mouths , and old cankers and fistulaes , and killeth the wormes taken inwardly . alloes is hot , and that in the first and second degree , but dry in the third , it is extream bitter , yet without biting ; it is the most natural purger of man and beast that is , for it strengthens the heart , and revives the spirits ; it is also of an emplastick and clammy quality , and somtimes binding , being externally applied . sweet almonds when they be dry be moderately hot ; but the bitter ones are hot and dry in the second degree ; there is in both of them a certain fat and oyly substance , which is drawn out of them by pressing of them . they provoke urine , and is very good for the lungs and liver . anniseed are hot and dry in the third degree , saith galen , but others , that they are hot in the second degree , and much less then dry in the second degree ; they are good to expel wind , provoke urine , stir up lust , and is a great cleanser of the breast from phlegmatick humors . a●●stolochia , which we call birth-wort or harts-wort , is hot and cleanseth , but if it be rotunda , then it is so much the stronger , being hot and dry in the fourth degree , and draweth and purgeth thin water and phlegm , and is good to open the lungs , and is good against all manner of poison whatsoever , or the biting of any venomous beast . armoniack , both draweth , cooleth and softneth . arsnick of both kinds , is hot in the third , and dry in the first degree , it bindeth and eateth away proud and naughty flesh , and is a very strong corrosive . assafoetida , or devils-bit , is a stinking gum that is hot in the third , and dry in the fourth degree , it cleanseth evil humors , it is good for the yellows and staggers in a horse , a little piece of it being dissolved in brandy , and put it into his eares . asphaltum , is pitch that is mixt with bitumen , it is hot and dry , and omforteth any swelling . asponteo is hot in the first , and dry in the second , it cleanseth and draweth , and is good to comfort the stomach . ashes are hot and dry in the fourth degree , and cleanseth mightily . as●rabacca is hot and dry with a purging quality , yet not without a certain kind of binding , the roots are hot and dry , more then the leaves , they procure urine . the black alier tree , the inner bark of it is of a purging and drying quality , it purgeth thick phlegmatick humours , and also cholerick downwards , and also by vomiting , which must be used with care . of aller or alder tree , the leaves and bark of it are cold and dry , and astringent , and is used against hot swellings and in●lammations , especially of the almonds and kernels of the throat , the bark of it is used amongst poor countrey dyars , to dye cloth , caps , hoose and such like . the ash tree , the leaves and bark of it are dry and moderately hot , the seeds are hot and dry in the second degree , they stop the belly , being boiled in vineger and water , the se●ds provoke urine and stir up bodily lust . asp●d●lls are hot and dry in the third degree . anemones , all the kinds of them ( which are wind-flowers , ) are sharp , biting the tongue , and are of a binding faculty . adders tongue is dry in the third degree , and is good for wounds in the breast and bowels , and is good for ulcers and inflammations . arsmart ▪ or water-pepper is hot and dry , yet not so hot as pepper , is good for ulcers , cold swellings , bruises , and to lay under the saddle , to make tired horses go . alh●●● , all the kinds of them are dry with little or no heat , and are endued with a binding quality , they are good for green wounds being bruised and boiled in an ointment ; it is good for the wormes , gout , cramp and convulsions of the sinews , provokes urine , and is good for cold griefs of the head , biting of mad dogs , lethargy , cholick , obstructions of the liver and spleen , stone , and expelleth the dead birth . archangel or dead nettles are hotter and drier then nettles , approaching to the temperature of hore-hound , and is good for the bleeding at the nose , ulcers , old sores , bruises and burnings , and to dissolve tumors . alkanet , the root of it is cold and dry , and bindeth , and because it is bitter it cleanseth away cholerick humours ; the leaves are not so forcible , yet they do bind and dry , and is good for the stone , yellows , leprosie , venomous bea●ts , fluxes and bruises by falls , wormes . angel●ca is hot and dry in the third degree , and op●n●th and attenuateth , digesteth and procureth sweat , and is good against poison , plague , cold , wind , cough of the lungs , strangury , short windedness , stoppings of the liver and spleen , biting of mad dogs , ulcers and old ●ains . alexanders or wild parsley , the seeds & roots are less hot and dry then the garden parsley , they cleanse and make thin , being hot and dry in the third degree . they are good to consume wind , provoke urine , and is good for the strangury , and opens the obstructions of the liver . amara dul●●s , which is woody night-shade , the fruit and leaves of it are in temperature hot and dry , and cleansing and wasting away , it is good to remove witchcraft , tied about the necks of cattel , and is good to remove the obstructions of the liver and spleen , difficulty of breathing , bruises by ●alls , congealed blood , dropsey , yellows . water-a●ri●●ny is hot and dry in the second degree ; it is good to secure and open ; it maketh thin , thick and gross humors , and to expel and drive them forth by urine , and therefore is good for the dropsey ; it opens obstructions of the liver and spleen , kills worms , itch , scabs , flies and wasps . it is good to strengthen the lungs , and is good for a cough and broken wind in cattel . aleho●f or gro●●d-ivy is hot and dry , and because it is bitter it scoureth and removeth stoppings out of the entrails ; it is good for inward wounds , pains and gripings by wind , choler , spleen , plague , poison , old pains in the joynts , sore mouth and throat , ulcers in the privities , itch , scabs , web in the eyes , redness and wateriness in them , and deafness . amaranthus , which is called flower gentle , is good for the running of the reins and inward bleeding . garden arrach , or o●rach , is moist in the second degree , and cold in the first ; it is a loosner of the belly , and fortifieth the expulsive faculty , and is good for swellings of the throat being bruised and laid to it , and being taken inwardly is good for the yellows . wild● arrach and stinking by smell , is good given inwardly for the fa●cy , and is good for any disease of the womb. a●●ns called col●wo●● , or herb b●●n●t , hath a drying and binding faculty , with a certain salt quality , wherby they clense , the decoction of them loosneth the belly , and is good for the diseases of the chest and breast ; it is good for inward wound● , the heart , a cold brain , obstructions , cholick , fluxes , ruptures , plague , poison . agarick cometh of the larch tree , which is almost like a pine-tree , and the leaves and bark is in temperature like it , but not so strong . it purgeth away gros● and phlegmatick humors ; it troubleth the stomach , therefore ging●r is to be mixed with it ; it is hot in the first degree , and dry in the second ; it is good against short windedness , cough of the lungs , consumption , comforteth the stomach , and is good against worms . agnus c●stus , the leaves and roots of it are hot and dry in the third degree , they are of very thin parts , and waste and consume wind. b. balm is hot and dry in the second degree , and it mundisieth and cleanseth , it chear● up the heart ▪ opens obstructions of the brain , and is a remedy against the stinging or biting of any venomous beast , mad dogs , the bloody flux , surfeit , short-windedness . the b●rberry bush , the leaves and berries are cold and dry in the second degree , and as gallen affirmeth , are of thin parts , and have a certain cutting quality ; they are good to stop la●ks and bloody fluxes , the inner rind of the tree is good to purge the body of cholerick humours , and is good for agues , scabs , itch , tetters , yellows , boyls , scalding and the farcin . garden-b●zil is hot in the second degree , but it hath adjoyned with it a superfluous moisture , and therefore not very good to be taken inwardly , but being applied outwardly to the stinging of any venomous beast , wasps or hornets , it taketh away the venom . wilde bazil , the seeds are hot and dry . bazil v●lerian is dry in the second degree . bay-berries are vehemently hot and dry , and are good for all manner of rheumes , shortness of wind , especially for any disease of the lungs , they are good against poison , consumptions , phlegm , helpeth tiredness , cramps , stone , stopping of the liver , the yellows and dropsey , and provokes urine . bdelium is a gum that is brought out of arabia and the holy land , and is hot and dry ; it softeneth and draweth away moisture , and is good for all manner of hard swellings whatsoever ; it is most excellent for mixture with a poultess , against hardness and knots in the sinews , and being drunk , breaks the stone , and expels urine . beans are moderately cold and dry , and are very windy , ladies bedstraw is good for the stone , and stays inward and outward bleeding . white b●ets are in moisture and heat temperate , and is a loosner of the belly , and is of a cleansing quality , and provoketh urine . red beets are of a binding quality , and therefore good to stop the bloody flux . water b●tony is hot and dry , and is good for ulcers and bruises . whi●e runn●ng bitony smelling like marjorum , is hot and dry in the third degree , it bindeth wounds and conglutinateth , and is good for diseases of the liver , for the wormes , old sores and wounds , and is commonly called centau●y . beech-tree , the leaves of it doth cool , and the kernels of the nut is somewhat moist , the leaves are good for hot swellings , and the water that is found in the hollow places of it , will cure man or b●ast , of any scurf , scab , or running tetters anointed therewith . blites are of a cold and moist temperature , and are good to stay fluxes of blood. bilberries called by some vvhorts , and whortle-berries , are cold , even in the latter end of the second degree , and dry also , and are of a binding quality ; there is two sorts of them , a black and a red , the black are good for hot agues , and to cool the heat of the liver and stomach , and do bind the belly , the red are more binding , and stay any fluxes of blood whatsoever , used outwardly or taken inwardly . byfoil or tway-blade are often used for wounds both green and old , and to conglutinate and knit ruptures . bitumen is the fatness of the earth swimming above the water , which cast upon the shore condensates and becomes hard , and resembles dry pitch , it discusses , mollifies , glutinates and defends from inflammation ; it takes away gross humors in all parts of the body , and cures the weakness of the sinews , palsey , and diseases of the arteries from a cold cause . birch-tree , the juice of the leaves is good to wash a sore mouth or throat , and is good to break the stone in the kidneys or bladder . birds-foot , all the kinds of them are of a drying quality , and therefore very good to be used in wounds drinks , and to be applied outwardly for the same purpose ; but the paler flowered birds-foot is good to break the stone in the back and kidneys , and helpeth the rupture taken inwardly . bishops-weed is hot and dry in the third degree , of a bitter taste , and something sharp withal ; it provokes lust , causeth urine , is good for the wind , and for the biting of venomous beasts . bistort or snakeweed is cold and dry in the third degree , the leaves and roots are excellent good to resist poison or plague , and is good for all manner of fluxes of blood whatsoever , and stayeth a lask , is good for the yellows , ruptures , or burstness and staling of blood . one blade is a very cordial herb , and will cause sweat , and is sovereign against the plague , by expelling the poison , and is an excellent vvound-herb for green and old wounds , and sinews cut . the bramble or black bush , the flowers and leaves of the unripe fruit do very much bind and dry , and is good for all kind of fluxes , the buds , leaves and branches of it , while they are green , are of good use in ulcers and putrid sores ; the root is good against the stone in the reins or kidneys ; the leaves of them are good for sore mouths and throats , or quinsey , the powder of the dried leaves strewed on cankers do wonderfully heal them . burrage and bugloss is in a mean betwixt hot and cold , the leaves and roots are good against pestilential feavers , poison of venomous beasts , yellows , itch , tettars , wormes , weakness , corruption , cough , sore mouth or throat . blew-bottle is naturally cold , dry and binding ; the powder of the dried leaves is good taken inwardly , is good for broken veins , and given with plantine water expelleth poison or the plague , the juice of it is good to sodd●r green wounds together , and is good to heal sores in the mouth ; and the juice of the leaves dropped into the eyes , taketh away the inflammation of them . bra●k-ursine , bears-breech and acanthus is betwixt hot and cold , being somewhat moist , with a mollifying and digesting quality , as are these of the mallow ▪ and are good to put in glisters to loosen the belly ; the decoction taken inwardly is good for the bloody flux and burstness ; and is good for hectick feavers ; or applied made up in a poultess , unite broken bones , and strengthens the joynts that have been put out , and is an excellent remedy for burnings by fire . white b●iony is hot and dry in all parts in the third degree , both the white and the black are furious martial plants , and purge the belly with great violence , and therefore you are to correct it , and then it is very good for all manner of griefs in the head , as also for the joynts and sinews , cramps and convulsions , dropsey , provoketh urine , and is good for the stone . brook-lyme or vvater-pimpernel is a hot and biting martial plant , and is of the same nature as water-cresses , and are good to cleanse the blood , provokes urine , and breaks the stone . butchers broom is hot in the second and dry in the first , and is of a cleansing nature , it openeth obstructions , provoketh urine , expelleth gravel and the stone , and is good for the strangury , yellows and pain in the head. b●oom and broom-rape , the twigs , flowers and feed of it are hot and dry in the second degree , they are of a thin essence , and are of force to cleanse and open , and especially the feed which is drier , and not so full of superfluous moisture , it is good for the dropsey , cleanser of the reins , kidneys and bladder from the gravel and stone . bucks-horn plantine is of a drying and binding quality , it is good against poison , stone in the reins and kidneys , stoppeth a lask , and is good for a bloody urine and bloody flux . bucks-horn is called harts-horn , herb-ivy , wort-cresses or swines cresses , their vertues are the same with bucks-horn plantine . bugle is of a mean temperature , and is good taken inwardly to dissolve congealed blood that is occasioned by bruises or falls , and is effectual in all vvound-drinks , it is good for fistulaes , gangrenes , the leaves of it being bruised and applied to them . burnet is a drier and a binder , yet it is meanly cool , it is a most precious herb little inferiour to bitony , it stancheth bleeding as well inwardly as outwardly , and is good to stay the lask and bloody flux ; it is good for all old ulcers or running cankers and moist sores , to be used either by juice or decoction of the herb or root , the seed is also good for the same purposes aforesaid . the butter-bur or petasitis is hot and dry in the second degree , and of thin parts , the roots is good against the plague and pestilential feavers , by provoking sweat , the powder of the root given in vvine is good to resist the force of poison ; it is good for vvheezing and difficulty of breathing , kills flat and broad worms . bran is hot and dry , and dissolveth very much . bur●-deck is dry and wasting , the root is something hot , the leaves are cooling and moderately drying , and is good for old ulcers and sores , the juice of the leaves or roots is good against the biting of any venomous beast , the seed of it is most excellent to provoke urine , being beaten to powder , and drank in white-wine or ale , and remedieth the pains in the bladder ; it is good for burnings , cankers . bu●● re●ds are cold and dry of complexion . vipers bugloss , all the kinds of them are cold and dry of complexion . sea bind-weed is hot and dry in the second degree . beares-●oot or black hellebore is hotter in taste then the white , and is in like manner hot and dry in the third degree ; it is safer to be taken , being purified by the art of the alchymist , then given raw ; the roots are good against all melancholy diseases , as quartan ▪ agues and madness ; it is good for the falling sickness , leprosie , yellows ▪ pains in the hip ; the root beaten to powder , and strewed upon ulcers or putrified sores , consumes the dead flesh , and instantly heals them . it will help gangrenes in the beginning , twenty grains is a sufficient dose for one time , and let it be corrected with half so much cinnamon . the root boiled in vineger is excellent good against s●abs , m●nge and leprosie , a piece of it being put into a hole made in the ear of a beast troubled with a cough , or that hath taken any poison , and taken out in twenty four houres , helpeth them ; and is very good also to rowel cuttel withal that hath the gargel , and also for many other uses . bal●mo●y or f●ltwart , the roots are hot , cleansing and scouring , some say it is likewise binding withal . b●l●●om is hot and dry in the second degree , and is good for new and green wounds . bishops-weed . herb-vvilliam , amtos , the seed is hot and dry in the latter end of the third degree ; it is given against the biting of any venomous beast ; it causeth urine , it is good against poison , the plague and all pestilential feavers . sweet briar or eglantine balls are binding , and are good for bloody fluxes , and is good to stop a lask or loosness . vvilde briar-balls are greater binders , and are good to stop a lask and bloody flux , and for staling of blood , and is a great drier up of evil humours . bucks-thorn or laxative ram , the berries as they are in taste bitter , so they are binding , and are also hot and dry in the second degree , and doth purge thick phlegm and cholerick humors . the box-tree is of a binding quality , and is good against the biting of mad dogs . b●acca is cold and dry in the second degree , it closeth things opened , it softens hardness , filleth places empty , and do extenuate all excretions . brimstone is hot and dry in the third degree , draweth and disperseth humors , killeth the itch given inwardly , and outwardly applied it is good for coughs and rotten phlegm ; it is good likewise for the wormes , being mixed with a little salt in his provender ; it helps lethargies snuffed up the nose , heing beaten to powder . b●learmoniack is a certain red earth , which is cold and dry , which draweth and driveth back evil humors , and is also an excellent defence against fluxes of blood , and all manner of bleeding whatsoever , either taken inwardly , or outwardly applied . brine , or water and salt is of the same nature as salt is , it is good given inwardly to kill wormes , or applied outwardly to dry humors , and takes away swellings . c. all cabbages and coleworts have a drying and binding faculty , with a certain salt quality , whereby they cleanse , and being boiled in broth opens the belly , but the second decoction binds ; the juice of them drank is good against the poison of venomous beasts , they are good against a consumption , obstructions of the liver and spleen , stone , swellings , sores and scabs , and the juice being dropped into the eyes with honey is good to clear them . the sea-colewort is of a biting quality , the first decoction loosneth , and is more cleansing then the other kind ; the seed bruised and drank killeth wormes , the juice of them cleanseth and healeth sores , dissolveth swellings , and taketh away inflammations . calamint or mountain mint is of a fervent taste and biting hot , and of a thin substance , and dry after a sort in the third degree ; it wasteth away thin humors , cuts and maketh thick humors thin ; it is good for ruptures , convulsions , cramps , shortness of breath , torments and pains in the stomach , helpeth the yellows , killeth wormes given with salt and treacle , killeth scabs either inwardly taken or outwardly applied , and killeth the wormes in the ears ; the juice being dropped therein . camomel is hot and dry in the first degree , and of thin parts , and heateth moderately , and drieth little ; it mollifieth and dissolveth all griefs , and especially for the liver ; it is good for swellings , cholick , stone , pains in the belly , cold , yellows , dropsey and cramps . vvater-caltrops are of a cold nature , and consisteth of a moist essence , being made into a poultess , are good for inflammations , swellings , cankers , sore mouths and throats , they are good for the farcin and stone , especially the nuts being dried , they resist poison , and this biting of venomous beasts . vvilde champions are reserved to those of the garden , they are good to stay inward bleeding , taken inwardly ; and outwardly it doth the like to wounds ; it expelleth urine and gravel , and purgeth the body of cholerick humours , and is good against the poison of venomous beasts , the plague , &c. and is good for old sores , fistulaes and cankers , to cleanse and heal them cardus benedictus is good for pains in the head , the yellows and other infirmities of the gall , cleanseth the blood , helpeth the itch , biting of mad dogs , and other venomous beasts , and is good for agues . vvilde carrets are hot and dry in the second degree , expelleth wind , provoketh urine and causeth lust ; they are good for the dropsey , cholick , stone , for running sores and ulcers , the seed of them worketh the same effects as the roots do . caraway-seeds are hot and dry in the third degree , hath a moderate sharp quality , whereby it breaketh wind , provoketh urine ; the seeds are good for colds in the head and stomach . cellandine is hot and dry in the third degree , the juice of it put into the eyes cleareth them from films and cloudiness , which darkneth the sight , it is good in old filthy creeping ulcers , to stay their malignity of fretting and running , and to cause them to heal the more speedily : it heals also tettars , ring-wormes and spreading cankers , the powder of it mixed with brimstone killeth the mange , it is good taken inwardly for the yellows , and openeth the obstructions of the liver and gall. the lesser cellandine , called pilewort , is hot and dry , and more biting and hotter then the greater , and cometh nearest in faculty to the crow-foot , it is good taken inwardly for the farcin , and to be applied outwardly for the same disease . the ordinary centaury purgeth cholerick and gross humors , openeth the obstructions of the liver and gall , helpeth the yellows , killeth worms , is good for cramps and convulsions , against venomous beasts , it cleanseth foul ulcers , and killeth spreading scabs ; all the centaurys are much of one and the same nature , only take this observation , that in diseases of blood use the red ; if of choler , use the yellow ; but if of phlegm or water , the white is best . vv●nter-cherries , the leaves are cool , and are used in inflammations , but not opening as the berries and fruit are , which draw down the urine , and expel the gravel and stone out of the reins , kidneys and bladder ; it is also good for all imposthumes in them , likewise to cleanse them , and is good for bloody and foul urine . chervil is of temperate heat and moderate driness , but not so much as the parsley ; it warms the stomach , and is good to dissolve congealed blood in the body ; it is good for the stone , the wilde chervil applied dissolveth swellings in any part of the body . sweet chervil or sweet cicely , the roots warmeth the stomach oppressed with wind and phlegm , and is good for the consumption of the lungs , it is good against the plague , the juice of it is good to heal ulcers . chest-nut-tree , the fruit is dry and binding , and is neither hot nor cold , but in a mean between both , the inner rind that covereth the nut is of so binding a quality , that it will stop any lask or loosness whatsoever , and likewise the bloody flux . earth chest-nuts are hot and dry in quality , and also binding in quality , but the seed is hotter , they provoke lust exceedingly , the seed provoketh urine . chickweed is cold and moist , and of a waterish substance , it cooleth without binding , and is good for all swellings and imposthumes whatsoever , itch , scabs , cramps , and is good for ulcers and sores in the privy parts . bastard chickweed is like to the other in vertue and operation . cinquefoil , or five-leaved grass , the roots of it are dry in the third degree , and without biting , for they have very little heat and sharpness , it is good given inwardly for agues , and to cool the heat of pestilential feavers , the juice of it drunk for certain days together , cureth the quinsey and yellows ; it is good for the falling sickness , cough of the lungs , the roots boiled in vineger is good for all hard swellings , knots and kernels , and lumps growing in any part of the flesh , and all inflammations and st. anthonies fire , and all sorts of running and foul scabs , and is good for ruptures or burstings used with other things , taken inwardly or outwardly applied , and is good likewise for to stay bleeding of wounds , inwardly taken or outwardly applied . garden clary , or more properly clear-eye , is hot and dry in the third degree , the feed put into the eyes doth clear them of motes , and takes out the red spots out of them ; it is good for swellings , and draweth forth splinters and thornes out of the flesh ; the powder of the root put up the nose purgeth the head and brain of much rheum and corruption ; it is a great strengthner of the back , the juice of it drank in ale or beer expelleth the secundine . wilde clary is hotter and drier then the garden clary , the seeds provoke lust , warmes the stomach , scatters congealed blood in any part of the body , and helps dimness of sight , being put into the eye , and there let it remain till it drop out of it self , and it will cleanse the eyes from putrified matter , and by often using of it will take off a film . cleavers or goose-grass is moderately hot and dry , and somewhat of ●●in parts ; it is good for the biting of any venomous beast , for the yellows ; it stayeth lasks , bloody fluxes and bleeding wounds , being bruised and laid to them , as also to close up green wounds ; the powder of the herb dried and strewed upon old filthy ulcers helpeth them , and being boiled with hogs-grease , helpeth all hard swellings about the throat , being anointed therewith . it is a great cleanser of the blood and strengthner of the liver . clowns wound-wort is hot in the second degree , and dry in the first , and is a most excellent wound-herb for all green wounds , and is a stancher of blood , and will dry up fluxes and humors in old fretting ulcers and ●ankers that hinder the healing of them ; a syrup made of the juice of it is inferiour to none for inward wounds , ruptures of veins , and pissing of blood. cocks-head , red fitching or medick fitch ▪ the green leaves bruised and laid as a plaister disperseth knots or kernels in the flesh , and being dried and taken in wine helpeth the strangury ; and being anointed with it provoketh sweat ; it is a good food for cattel to make them give good store of milk , so is alder and medick fitch . columbines are thought to be temperate , between heat and moisture , the leaves are used in lotions for sore mouths and throats , the seed openeth the obstruction of the liver , and is good for the yellows . colts-foot , the leaves of it while ▪ it is green have a drying quality and are somewhat cold , but the dried leaves are not so biting ; they are good for wheezings and short-windedness , agues , inflammations and swellings , st. anthonies fire and burnings . comfrey is cold and dry , and of an earthly quality , the use of this is the same with clowns wound-wort ; the great comfrey helpeth a bloody urine , and is good for all inward wounds , bruises , hurts and ulcers of the lungs , is good for the falling or shedding of the seed , and is good made into an ointment for all pains and old aches . coral-wort cleanseth the bladder , and provoketh urine , expels the gravel and stone , and easeth pains in the sides and bowels ; it is good for inward wounds , especially for those in the breast and lungs , and is good for outward wounds made up in an ointment , it stops fluxes , and is good to dry up the watery humour that is in ulcers , that hinder their cure. red corral bindeth and meanly cooleth , and is very effectual against issues of blood , and easeth the difficulty of staling , and is good for the falling sickness . costmary or alecost , or balsam-herb , is hot and dry in the second degree , & provoketh urine as well as maudlin ; it purgeth choler and phlegm , and is good for agues , and dries up all thin rheums from the head and stomach . of cud-weed or cotton-weed , their kinds are of a binding and drying quality , and are good for defluxions of rheums from the head , and to stay all fluxes of blood whatsoever ; it helpeth the bloody flux , and is good for inward and outward wounds , hurts and bruises , and is good for burstness , the wormes and old and filthy ulcers . crabs-claws is a great strengthner of the reins ; it is good for st. anthonies fire , and all inflammations and swellings in wounds , and an ointment made of them is good to heal them . it is a most excellent thing for bruised kidneys , and upon that account pissing blood. winter-cresses is hot and dry in the second degree , the seed causeth urine , and drives forth gravel , and helps the strangury ; the juice of them made up into the form of an ointment , with wax , oyl and turpentine , cleanseth foul ulcers . banck-cresses , the seeds are of a fiery temperature , and doth extenuate and make thin , they strengthen the brain , and is little inferiour to mustard-seed , and are good to stay those rheums that fall down from the head upon the lungs ; it is good likewise for the yellows , and the paint in the hip. sciatica-cresses are hot and dry in the fourth degree , like to garden-cresses both in smell and taste ; they are good to put into a poultess to help all old pains and griefs in the hips or joynts , and other parts of the body that is hard to be cured . garden-cresses are sharp and biting , and therefore it is hot and dry , whilest it is young and tender , the seeds are much more biting then the herb , and is hot and dry almost in the fourth degree , and is good for pains in the hip , and hard swellings and inflammations . dock-cresses are of nature hot , and somewhat obstersive , and cleansing , the juice of them is good for ulcerated sores . water-cresses are hot and dry , they cleanse the blood and humors , serve in all other uses in which brook-lyme is available , as to break the stone , and to provoke urine , and cleanse ulcers . cross-wort is of a binding and drying quality , and is a most excellent wound-herb , both inwardly taken and outwardly applied , it sendeth forth phlegm out of the stomach , and is good for ruptures and burstness . crow-foot is a fiery hot herb not fit to be given inwardly unless it be corrected , it will draw a blister as well as cantharides . cuckow-point , or vvake-robin is hot and dry in the third degree , it is good given against the plague or poison , being mixed with vineger , it is good for short-windedness and cough of the lungs , it is good to provoke urine , is good for the itch , ulcers , and to take away the pin and web in the eye . calamus is of a hot heating quality , saith dioscordes ; but gallen and pliny affirms , that they have thin and subtil parts both hot and dry , it provoketh urine , expelleth poison , and is good for inward bruises , and the juice of it strained with honey taketh away the dimness of the eyes . corneflag is of force to waste , consume and dry , as also of a subtil and drying quality , being stamped with frankincense and wine , draweth forth splinters out of the flesh ; it is likewise good for hard swellings . cowslips of jerusalem is of the temperature of great comfrey , and is somewhat more drying and binding . colloquintida is hot and dry in the latter end of the second degree , and therefore it purgeth , cleanseth and openeth , and performeth all those things that bitter things doth , but that the strong quality that it hath , is as gallen saith , of more force then all the rest of the operations , therefore it is not rashly to be used , but upon some desperate diseases . cranes-bill is cold and somewhat dry , with some binding quality , it hath power to joyn and sodder together , and is therefore good for burstness and broken bones . the seed of garden cummin is hot and dry in the third degree , and hath also a binding quality , and is good for the wind , the chest and lungs , and all raw humors , and is good to put into plaisters and poultesses for swellings . the seed of cockle is hot and dry in the latter end of the second degree , and is good against the yellows . camock is hot in the third degree , it cutteth and maketh thin , the bark of the root given in white-wine causeth urine , and breaketh the stone , and drives it forth . cyprus-roots , long and round , are of a hot nature , the ashes of them burnt is good for ulcers in the mouth , cankers , &c. cypres , the fruit and leaves are dry in the third degree , and astringent , the nut being stamped and drunk in wine , stoppeth the lask and bloody flux . cassia fistula or pudding-pipe , the pulpe is moist in the latter end of the third degree , it gently purgeth cholerick humors and s●imy phlegm . cochinile is given alone , and mixed with other things in malignant diseases , as pestilential feavers and the like , and is a great cordial . cynamon hath power to warm , and is of thin parts , it is also hot , dry and astringent , it breaketh wind , provoketh urine , and is good against the fretting pains of the guts and entrails , proceeding of cold causes . cloves are hot and dry in the third degree , they streng●hen the stomach , liver and heart , provoketh urine , the oyl of them taketh away the pin and web in the eye . china roots is thought to be moderately hot and dry , it strengthens the liver , removes the dropsey , cures malignant ulcers and scabs , and is good in a consumption , and for the farcin . copperas are of two sorts , green and white , they are hot and dry , but the white is much the stronger , they are great driers up of evil humours , being outwardly applied they kill likewise scurfs and scabs . costus hath an heating and attenuating quality , it is good to help strains , convulsions and cramps , killeth wormes , and is good against the biting of vipers , and against windiness in the stomach . calafonia or colofonia , doth incarnate ulcers , and doth conglutinate things that are separated . camphopa is a kind of gum which is cold and dry in the third degree , and preserveth the body from putrefaction , and bindeth humors , it is good against poison , plague and feavers . cantharides are certain spanish flies which are hot and dry in the third degree , they increase lust taken inwardly , and being applied outwardly to any part of the body they will raise blisters . cardamonium is not , and extenuateth humors , and being mixt with vineger killeth scabs . castorum is hot and dry , and purgeth much . cerusa is a white ointment made of oyl and white lead ; it is cold and dry in the second degree , and is a great healer and shealer of scabs . cito or cisto is dry in the second degree , and bindeth much . citrons or cithrons are cold and moist in the second degree , they do cleanse and pierce . cam●●ry is cold , and conglutinateth and bindeth , and is good against ruptures . castro or cosse , being bitter , is hot and healeth ulcers . cane-reed is hot and dry in the third degree . d. daisies are cold and moist , being moist in the end of the second degree , and cold in the beginning of the same . they are good for wounds in the breast , and therefore sitting to be made into oyls , ointments and plaisters , as also into syrups ; the great and wilde ones is a very good wound-herb , and the distilled water of them both is good to refresh the inward parts and to allay the heat of choler ; they are good for ulcers . swellings , kernels , bruises by falls , ruptures , burstings and all inflammations . dandelyon , vulgarly called piss-a-beds , is like in temperature with succory , that is to say , of wilde indive , it is cold , but it drieth more , and doth withal cleanse and open ▪ by reason of the biting quality it hath , and therefore is good for the obstructions of the liver , gall , spleen and yellows ; the distilled water of it is good to allay the heat of pestilential feavers , and to wash sores . darnel is hot in the third degree , red darnel drieth with sharpness . the meal of it is good to stay gangrenes . cankers and putrid sores ; it killeth ring-wormes and soul scabs ; if it be used with salt and radish-roots , with brimstone and vineger , it dissolveth knots and kernels , and being boiled with wine , pigeons dung and linfeed , dissolveth those that are hard to be dissolved ; darnel meal draweth forth splinters and broken bones , being applied as a poultess ; the red darnel boiled in wine stayeth the lask and bloody flux , and all other fluxes of blood. d ll is hot in the end of the second degree , and dry in the beginning of the same ; or in the end of the first degree ; it provoketh urine , and is good against windiness ; it is good to case swellings and pains . devils-bit is somewhat bitter , and is of a hot and dry temperature , and that in the latter end of the second degree ; it is good against the plague and all pestilential diseases ; as poisons , feavers , and biting of venomous beasts ; it is good for bruises either inward or outward ; it is good to expel wind , drive forth wormes . the distilled water of it is good for green wounds , old sores , and cleanseth the body inwardly , and the seed outwardly , from sores , scurss and itches . docke , all of them are generally cold a little , and moderately , and some more . they do all of them dry , but not after one manner , yet some are of opinion that they are dry in the third degree : the red dock cleanseth the liver , but the yellow is best to take when the blood is afflicted with choler . the seeds of most of the kinds do stay lasks and fluxes of all sorts ; they are good for the itch and breaking out of the skin , if it be bathed therewith . dodder is of the nature of the herb on which it groweth ; is more dry then hot , and that in the second degree ; it is a purger of choler and phlegm from the head , obstructions of the liver , gall and yellows . dogs-grass , quich-grass ; or couch-grass , opens obstructions of the liver and gall , stopping of urine , and easeth the pains of the belly , inflammations , and wasteth the stones in the bladder , and ulcers thereof . also being boiled , the seed doth more provoke urine , and stayeth the lask ; it is a good remedy against all diseases coming of stoppage . doves-foot or cranes-bill is cold and somewhat dry , with some binding quality ; it is good for the wind ; cholick and stone ▪ the decoction thereof in wine is a good wound-drink for inward wounds , hurts or bruises , and is good to cleanse and heal outward sores , ulcers , fistulaes and green vvounds , and is excellent for ruptures . ducks-meat is cold and moist in a sort in the second degree ; it is good for inflammations and st. anthonies fire . dragons is under mars , and therefore the best way to use it is after it is distilled , and then the vvater of it cleanseth all internal parts of the body , and so it doth the external from scurfand scabs , and being dropped into the eye taketh away the pin and vveb , and is good against pestilence and poison . dogs-tooth is of a very hot temperament , and of an excrementitious nature . the roots of all the daffodils are hot and dry in the third degree . dyars-weed is hot and dry of temperature , the root as also the whole herb heats and dries in the third degree ; it cuts , attenuateth , opens and disgests ; it is good for the biting of venomous beasts and poison , taken inwardly or applied outwardly . bastard-dirtany is hot and dry in the second degree , and of a wasting , attenuating and opening quality , and is good for the stone in the kidneys and bladder . dropwort or filipendula is hot and dry in the third degree , opening , cleansing and a little binding ; all the kinds of them have the same faculty , unless it be the pernicious drop-wort ; they are good against pains in the bladder , and break the stone . e. elder is of a drying quality , glewing and moderately disgesting ; it purgeth choler and phlegm , both the inward rind and the berries , and the dropsey ; the bark of the root worketh more powerfully then either of them ; it is good against the biting of any venomous beasts , the juice of it asswageth the hot inflammations of the eyes , and all manner of burnings and scaldings , being laid to the grieved place . dwarf-elder called dane-wort ▪ and wall-wort , it is of temperature hot and dry in the third degree , it doth waste and consume by purging of choler , and phlegm and water , and is more powerful then the common elder , and hath all the properties of it . the elm-tree , the leaves and bark of it is moderately hot , with a cleansing faculty , the leaves bruised and applied healeth green wounds , it is good to cure a scurf , ruptures , broken bones , swellings and burnings . endive and succorie are cold and dry in the third degree , and withal somewhat binding , it is a fine cooling and cleansing plant ; the garden endive is colder , and not so dry and cleansing ; the juice or the water of it is good to cool the excessive heat of the stomach and liver , or any inflammation in any part of the body , and being applied outwardly it is good for ulcers , hard swellings and pestilential sores . elecampane is hot and dry in the third degree , especially when it is dry , for being green and full of juice it is full of superfluous moisture , which somewhat abateth the heat and dry quality thereof ; it is good for colds and coughs , and to warm a cold stomach , wind , short-windedness , wheezing , stone in the bladder , resisteth poison , the plague , cramps , convulsions , wormes , cankers , fistulaes . ensula , or devils-milk , is hot , sharp and drying , and draws choler from the joynts . eringo or sea-holly , breedeth seed exceedingly , and is hot and moist , it is good for the yellows , dropsey , cholick , provoketh urine , expelleth the stone ; the roots bruised and applied outwardly is good for the farcin , or taken inwardly for the same disease ; it is good for broken bones , and to draw thornes out of the flesh ; the juice dropped into the ears helpeth the impostumes in them ; the distilled water of it is good for all the purposes aforesaid . eye-bright is hot and dry , but yet more hot then dry ; the juice or the water of it is good to help all infirmities of the eyes that cause dimness . elusa is a herb like a spunge , and is hot in the fourth degree ; it drieth and cleanseth exceedingly , and of some is called wolfes milk. excrusion is that which we call oxicration , it is a certain composition of aceto and water , and is good to allay swellings and tumors . eggs , the whites are cold and the yolks are hot , and doth strengthen and incarnate , the shells beaten to powder and given in beer or ale , is very good to expel the stone out of the bladder . f. fern , both the kinds of them , male and female , are hot and dry , and somewhat binding , their vertues are both alike ; the roots of them are good to kill wormes , the green leaves purge the belly of cholerick humors ; an ointment made of the roots , bruised with hogs-grease is good for the wounds in the flesh , the powder of them is good to dry up moistures in malignant ulcers . the water ferne or osmond-royal is hot and dry , but lesser then the former , and hath all the vertues the other hath , but more effectually , and is good for wounds or bruises , and the like ; the decoction thereof being drunk or boiled in an ointment or oyl , as a balsam or balm , is very good for bruises , or bones broken and out of joynt ; it is good for the cholick , for ruptures , the decoction of the root in wine provoketh urine exceedingly , and cleanseth the bladder and passages thereof . featherfew heateth , it is hot in the third degree , and dry in the second ; it expelleth the secundine being drunk . it is good for a cough , and to cleanse the reins of the bladder , and to expel the stone out of it . it purgeth phlegm and choler , is good for the head-ach and wind-cholick , and performeth all that bitter things can do . fennel-seed is hot in the third degree , and dry in the first ; it openeth obstructions and stoppings of the bladder , and maketh the stone to avoid by urine . it is good for all manner of gross humors , and is good for the liver and lungs , and is of the same nature as anniseeds are . sow-fennel , or hogs-fennel , the kinds of the herbs , especially the yellow sap of the root , is hot in the second degree , and dry in the beginning of the third ; it is good against wind in the belly and stomach ; it loosneth the belly gently , and purgeth siege both by phlegm and choler . fennel-gyant is hot in the third degree , and dry in the second , and is astringent and binding , and is good for the bloody flux . filipendula or dropwort , vide dropwort . green figs serve to ripen tumors , soften and consume hard swellings , and are good for pursiness , coughs and diseases of the lungs , the decoction of the leaves , and the place washed with it , is a most excellent remedy for the leprosie , scurf , scabs or running sores . fuss-balls do dry , and are good to lay to a gall'd back . the yellow water-flag or flower-de-luce , and all the kinds of them are very astringent , cooling and drying , and helps all lasks and fluxes , whether of blood or humors ; it helps all foul ulcers , the juice being applied to them . flax-weed or toad-flax , all the kinds of them are of the same temperature with wild snap-dragons , whereof they are kinds ; it provokes urine , opens the obstructions of the liver and spleen , helpeth the yellows , expelleth poison , driveth forth the dead ▪ foal , and is good to cleanse soul and cankerous ulcers and fistulaes . flea-wort , it is cold and dry , the fryed-seed taken stayeth the flux and lask of the belly ; the seed is good for hot agues and burning feavers , and other inflammations ; it is good for the diseases of the breast and lungs caused by heat ; it is good for the head-ach and all hot imposthumes , and breakings out of the skin ; it is good for old pains in the joynts , &c. flix-weed drieth without any manifest sharpness of heat ; it is good for lasks and bloody fluxes , and for all issues of blood whatsoever ; it is good for broken bones to consolidate them together , it heals all sores and putrified ulcers . flower-de-luce is hot and dry in the third degree ; it purgeth choler and tough phlegm , helpeth the yellows and dropsey ; it easeth the pains in the belly , and is good for the liver and spleen ; it is good for cramps , all manner of poison , provoketh urine , helpeth the cholick , and is good to comfort all cold joynts and sinews , and is good for ulcers and fistulaes . fluellin or lluellin is of a binding quality , and is good for hot swellings , wounds , ulcers and cankers , and is good to stop a lask and bloody flux . fox-gloves , in that they are bitter are hot and dry , with a certain cleansing quality ; the juice of it is good to heal green wounds and old sores , to cleanse , dry and heal them ; it purgeth the body of tough phlegm , and is good to open obstructions of the liver and spleen , is good for the farcin , and other breakings out in the skin . fumitory is cold and somewhat dry of operation , and cleanseth by urine . it is good for the liver and spleen , yellows , stavers , plague , ●ore mouths and throat , and all manner of breakin gs out in the skin . the furz-bush , or fuzen-bushes , are hot and dry of complexion , and is good to open obstructions of the liver and spleen ; the seeds are good to cleanse the reins from the gravel or stones , provokes urine , and is good against the yellows . frankincense hath power to bind , saith dioscordes , it is good for wounds old and new , and also for ulcers . flax or line , the seed thereof is hot and dry , and it ripeneth and molli●ieth . fitches are hot in the first , and dry in the second degree , and they do open and cleanse ; see oblibanum . herb frankincense , the seeds and roots are hot and dry in the second degree , and are of a digesting , dissolving and mundifying quality . feltwort or baldmony , the roots are hot , cleansing and scouring , some say it is likewise binding and of a bitter taste . fennegr●ck is hot in the second degree , and dry in the first , and is a loosner of the body , and is good for colds , and a killer of wormes . g. gentian felt-w●rt or baldmony , there are two sorts of them , and both under the dominion of mars , they both resist poison and pestilence , strengthens the stomach , the powder of the dried root is good against the biting of a mad dog , or any other venomous beast , opens obstructions of the liver ; it is good taken inwardly against bruises by falls , provokes urine exceedingly , is good for cramps , it expectorates tough phlegm , and kills scabs , and all manner of fretting sores and ulcers , killeth wormes , is good for the farcy and yellows taken inwardly . the root made into the form of a tent is good to open sores , being put therein . garlick is very sharp , and hot and dry in the fourth degree , it causeth urine , is good against the biting of a mad dog , and any other venomous creature , purgeth the head from tough phlegm , killeth wormes , helpeth the lethargy , is a preservative against the plague , is good for foul ulcers , breaketh imposthumes and other swellings , and for all those diseases the onion is also effectual , but they are better applied outwardly then received inwardly , because they have their vices as well as their vertues . clove-g●lliflowers are so temperate , that no excess , neither in heat , cold , driness nor moisture can be perceived in them ; they are great strengthners both of the brain and heart , and are very good for to be put into cordials for hot pestilential feavers , and expel poison . stock g●lliflowers are referred to the wall-flower , although in vertue they are much inferiour . garden ge●m●●der is of thin parts , and hath a cutting faculty ; it is hot and dry almost in the third degree ; it opens and cleanseth , for it opens the obstructions of the liver and spleen , and difficulty of urine ; it is good against poison , ulcers , cramps , agues , falling sickness , head-ach , yellows and wormes . vvater germander is hot and dry , and hath a bitter taste , harsh and earthly . stinking gladwin is hot and dry in the third degree , it purgeth choler and phlegm , the powder or juice of it put into the head draweth forth much corruption , and being given inwardly is good for cramps ; it is good for the strangury , provoketh urine ; the roots are very good in wounds , and draweth forth splinters or thornes out of the flesh , the roots boiled in vineger dissolveth any hard swelling or tumor ; the juice of the leaves and roots heal the mange , and all other running and spreading scabs . golden rod is hot and dry in the second degree , and cleanseth with a certain astriction or binding quality , and is good for the stone in the reins and kidneys ; it is good taken for inward bruises , and outwardly applied for outward ones ; it stayeth bleeding in any part of the body , and of wounds also , the fluxes of humours , the bloody flux , ruptures . it is an excellent wound-herb , inferiour to none , either taken inwardly , or outwardly applied , and is good for all sores and ulcers whatsoever , whether they be in the mouth or throat . gout-wort cures all manner of pain in the hip or joynt-aches . gromel , the seed of it is hot and dry in the second degree ; it is good to break the stone , and to avoid it out of the reins and bladder by urine , and helpeth the strangury . gum armoniack outwardly applied , dissolves hard knots and swellings in any part of the body , and inwardly given cures hard milts , and frees from obstructions , moves urine , and fetcheth forth stones . winter-green is a very good wound-herb , and is good taken inwardly , being bruised for ulcers in the kidneys or neck of the bladder ; it stayeth also fluxes whether of blood or humours , as the lask , bloody flux , bleeding wounds , and taketh away inflammations , and is good for foul ulcers , cankers and fistulaes . groundsel hath mixt faculties , it cooleth and disgesteth ; it is a universal medicine coming from heat , whatsoever they be ; it is good against the yellows , falling sickness , provokes urine , expels gravel in the reins and kidneys , is good for griping in the bowels and cholick , and dissolveth any hard knobs and kernels in the body . english galingale hath a heating quality , and some do reckon it to be hot and dry in the second degree : the greater galingale roots are hot and dry in the third degree , but the lesser are somewhat hotter ; it is good for cold griefs in the stomach , strengthens the brain , and comforteth the sinews . ginger heateth and drieth in the third degree , and is good for the stomach , answering the effects and qualities of long pepper . glass-wort is hot and dry , the ashes of it are both drier and hotter , even to the fourth degree , and have a costick and burning quality . green-weed or base brome are hot and dry in the second degree ; they are thought to be in vertue equal with the broom , the dyars use it very much to dye withal . galls are dry in the third and cold in the second ; they cleanse and m●ndifie , they keep back rheums and such like fluxes , and doth dry up the same , and are good to stop lasks and bloody fluxes , and the falling out of the fundament . grains of paradice are hot and dry in the third degree , they comfort the weak , cold and feeble stomach , and helpeth the ague , farcin and falling sickness . gum lacke is hot in the second degree , and comforteth the heart and liver , and openeth obstructions , expelleth urine , and is good for the dropsey and yellows , and expelleth the stone out of the reins and bladder . fresh grease is hot and moist in the first degree , and mollifieth , ripeneth and healeth wounds , imposthumes and ulcers . galbanum is a gum which is hot in the third degree , and dry in the second : it softeneth , stoppeth and draweth away evil humours , and is good against colds , the fume taken up the head , as also for the dizziness thereof . h. hearts-ease is obscurely cold , but more evidently moist , and of a fat and slimy juice , like that of the mallow , for which cause it moisteneth and suppleth , but not so much as that , it is good for the inflammations of the lungs and breast , scabs and itch. hearts-tongue is of a binding drying faculty , strengthens the liver , and is good for the lask and bloody flux , and is good against the biting of serpents . hawk-weed , all the kinds of them are somewhat dry , and somewhat binding , and is good for the heat of the stomach , the fits of the ague , the wind , provoketh urine , is good for the biting of venomous beasts , the dropsey , the wind-cholick , and is good to digest thin phlegm from the chest and lungs , it is good for ulcers , burnings , inflammations and st. anthonies fire , and being made into a poultess , is good for cramps and pains in the joynts . the hawthorn-berries are very binding , therefore are good to stop a lask , the berries dried and drunk in white-wine is very good against the stone and dropsey , the seed bruised after it is cleared from the down and drunk , is good for the tormenting pains of the belly . hemp is hot , the seed consumeth wind , it is good for the yellows , openeth the obstructions of the liver and gall , and is good for hot inflammations , the seed loosneth the belly , strewed amongst a horses provender , and allayeth the troublesom humours of the bowels . hedge-hysop is drying , and is good outwardly applied to pains in the hips or joynts , and is good to cleanse old and filthy ulcers . herb-robert is good for the stone , and to stay all inward flowings of blood , and is a great healer of green wounds , and is good for old ulcers . herb true-love , or one-berry is exceeding cold , and the leaves or berries is good to expel poison of all sorts , as also the plague and pestilence , is good for the cholick , green wounds , and to cleanse old and filthy ulcers , and is good to discuss all swellings in any part of the body . hore-hound the white and the black are hot in the second , and dry in the third degree , it helpeth the obstructions of the liver , openeth and purgeth , and is good against colds , consumptions , short-windedness , an expeller of poison , and a cleanser of old sores and ulcers , cleareth the eye-sight , and snuffed up the nostrils , is good for the yellows . horse-ta●l is of a binding faculty , and doth moderately dry , and is good to cure wounds , nay , though the sinews be cut asunder , and is good not only for all inward ulcers of the bladder , but all outward sores , provoketh urine , helpeth the stone and strangury , and is good for all lasks and bloody fluxes , and pissing of blood , or bleeding at the nose . housleek or sengreen are of a cooling nature , and is good for all inward heats as well as outward , as in the eyes and other parts of the body , it cooleth all hot inflammations , as st. anthonies fire , scaldings and burnings , cankers , tetters , ring-wormes , &c. hounds-tongue , but especially the root is cold and dry , it is good for coughs and short-windedness , the biting of mad dogs , and is good for green wounds , and is good inwardly for the farcy . holly-holm or hulver bush , the berries are hot and dry , and of thin parts , they expel wind , they purge the body of gross and phlegmatick humours eaten not dried , but if they be dried and beaten to powder and eaten , they bind the body , and stop fluxes , and the lask , the bark of the tree and leaves are good in fomentations for broken bones and members out of joynt . heath-bush hath a digesting faculty , the flowers and leaves are good to lay upon the biting of venomous beasts , and the bark and leaves may be used for the same causes as turmerick is . harts-horn is dry , yet it strengthneth very much , and expelleth poison . honey is hot and dry in the second degree , it cleanseth the stomach and entrails , stoppeth humours and incarnateth wounds , and cleanseth also the reins and bladder . hyacinths do little cleanse and bind , the seeds are dry in the third degree , but the roots are dry and cold in the first . hellebore , vide bears-foot . i. st. johns-wort is hot and dry , being of substance thin , and is a most excellent herb for inward bruises , or hurts , or outward wounds , it is good to open obstructions , dissolve swellings , and strengthen those parts that are weak and feeble , it is good for bleedings inward or outward , for the biting of any venomous creature , and is good to cast forth the stone in the bladder by urine . ivy that groweth upon walls or upon trees , it hath a certain binding and cold substance , and somewhat biting , the flower of it is good for the bloody flux and lask ; the leaves or flowers outwardly applied , is good for the nerves and sinews ; the yellow berries of them are good for the yellows , and killeth the wormes , is good for the plague , provokes urine , breaks the stone ; it is good for to cleanse foul ulcers , sores and green wounds , or for burnings and scaldings ; the juice of the berries and leaves squirted up the nose , purgeth the head from rheum , and cureth the ulcers therein , and is good given for a surfeit . the ●uniper bush is hot and dry in the third degree , the b●rries are also hot but not so dry ; they are good against poison , plague , the biting of any venomous creature , provokes urine , is good for the dropsey , strengthens the stomack , expels wind ; they are good for the cough , shortness of breath , consumptions , pains in the belly , ruptures , cramps , and strengthens all the members of the body ; a lye made of the ashes of the wood , and the body bathed therewith , is good for the mange , and all manner of scabs , the berries break the stone , and brings a horse to a stomach , and is good for the falling sickness . jack by the hedge , or sauce alone , is hot and dry , but much lesser then garlick , the seed boiled in wine is a good remedy against the wind-cholick or stone , the green leaves are good to heal ulcers . iris is a root that is hot and dry , it cleanseth and ripeneth , and is good against colds , and purgeth ulcers . iron-rust is hot and dry in the second degree , it comforteth and retaineth evil humors . k. knot-grass , all the kinds of them are cold in the second degree , and dry in the third , and are of a binding quality , it is good to cool the heat of the stomach , and to stay any flux of blood or humours , as lask , bloody flux , it is good for the falling of the seed , provoketh urine , helpeth the strangury , and expelleth the gravel and stone , it killeth wormes , is good to cool all manner of inflammations , and to expel the poison or venom of any venomous creatures ; it helpeth gangreens , fistulaes , cankers and ulcers , and is good for fresh and green wounds , and to strengthen broken joynts and ruptures . kidney-wort , or vvall-penny-royal , or vvall-penny-wort , the distilled water of it given ▪ is good to allay all hot inflammations of the stomach and liver , or bowels , and being outwardly applied , is good for outward heats , inflammations and st. anthonies fire , and healeth ●ore kidneys , torn and fretted by the stone , provoketh urine , is good for the dropsey , it helpeth the bloody flux , and cureth green wounds , and stayeth their bleeding . knape-weed helpeth to stay bleeding at the mouth and nose , and other outward parts , and all inward bleedings of veins , and also the flux of the belly and inward bruises , it is good for ruptures taken inwardly , or outwardly applied , it drieth up the noisture of all cankerous and running sores , and healeth them up gently . knee-holm or butchers broom , the roots which are chiefly used , are hot and meanly dry with a thinness of essence , the decoction of it provoketh urine , breaketh the stone , and driveth forth gravel ; it raiseth up tough ph●egm that sticketh at the chest and lungs , and the berries of it is good for the yellows . l. ladies mantle is good for inflammations and to stay bleedings , fluxes of all sorts , and helpeth ruptures and bruises , it is one of the best wound-herbs that is both inwardly taken and outwardly applied . lavender is hot in the first , and dry in the second degree , it is good for all the griefs of the head and brain , that proceed of a cold cause , it strengthens the stomach , and freeth the liver and spleen from obstructions , expelleth the dead foal and secundine , the flowers distilled and so used , are good to cause urine , and to ease the pain of the cholick , it is good for the falling sickness . french lavender hath a cold and earthly substance , by reason wherèof it bindeth , it is of force to take away obstructions , to extenuate and make thin , to cleanse and to strengthen not only all the entrails , but the whole body also . sea lavender is very astringent or binding , the seed beaten to powder , and given in wine or beer helpeth the cholick and strangury , and stayeth all fluxes of blood. lavender-cotton is hot and dry in the third degree , it resisteth poison , and helpeth the biting of any venomous creature , the powder of it is good for the mattering of the yard , it killeth the wormes and scabs . ladies smecks or cuckoc-flowers , all the sorts of them are hot and dry in the second degree , they differ not much from the water-cresses , they provoke urine , break the stone , and warm a cold stomach . l●ttice is a cold and moist herb , but not in the extream degree of cold ; they loosen the belly being boiled . it is good for the pains of the bowels coming by choler , they are naught for short-windedness and the lungs . water-lilly , the seed of it hath a drying force , the leaves and flowers of it are cold and moist , and cool all inflammations both inward and outward ; the seed as well as the fruit stayeth fluxes of blood or humors , either inward or outward , and is good for the mattering of the yard . lilly of the valley , called conval-lilly or may-lilly , the distilled water of it helpeth all inflammations in the eyes , and the pin and web. white lillies , which are the garden lillies are hot , and partly of a subtil substance ; but the root is dry in the first degree , and hot in the second , they expel poison , and are very good in pestilent feavers . an ointment made of the roots with hogs-grease is good for scabs , and unites sinews when they are cut , and is a great clenser of ulcers , the oyl of it is good to bring any head-swelling to ripeness to break . licoris is very familiar to the body of man or beast . it hath a certain binding quality , which warmeth and cometh nearest of all to a mean temperature , and because it is sweet it is meanly moist . it is good for a cough , shortness of breath , and for all the griefs of the breast and lungs ; and for the diseases of the kidneys and ulcers in the bladder ; it is good for the strangury ; heat of urine , the fine powder of it blown into the eye helpeth the pin and web. common liver-wort is good for all the diseases of the liver , both to cool and to cleanse it , and helpeth all inflammations in any part of the body ; the yellows , mattering of the yard ; it is good for tettars , sores and scabs . loose-strife or willow-herb is good for all manner of bleedings inward and outward , as bloody fluxes and bleeding wounds . lovage is hot and dry in the third degree . it openeth and disgesteth humors , provoketh urine , warmeth a cold stomach , is good for the pain in the belly coming by wind , resisteth poison , is good for the quinsey , taketh away the redness of the eyes . lung-wort , which is a kind of moss growing on sundry sorts of trees , is good for coughs , diseases of the lungs both in man and beast , and is a most excellent remedy boiled in beer for broken-winded horses . leeks , scallions or onions are hot and dry , and do attenuate and make thin , and loosen all evil humors in the body . vnslack● lime is hot and dry in the fourth degree , it drieth and corrodeth . lawrel and bays are hot and dry , they cleanse and mundifie . lee is hot and dry in the fourth degree ; it is very adustine , cleansing and piercing . lithargirto is of two kinds , one of the colour of gold , the other of silver ; it is dry and bindeth , softneth , incarnateth , cooleth and closeth up wounds . the golden colour is the best . m. the root madder , which the physicians and diars use , is disputed whether it bind or open ; as it is of an obscure binding force , so it is of nature and temperature cold and dry ; it is of divers thin parts , by reason whereof the colour doth easily pierce ; it is good for inward bruises , or outward bruises ; it is good for the bloody flux , provokes urine , cures the yellows , by opening the obstructions of the liver and spleen ; and anointed with vineger cures the tettar or ring-worm . vvhite maiden-hair , all the kinds of them are dry , and maketh thin , and is between heat and coldness ; it is good for a cough , shortness of breath , the yellows , diseases of the spleen , stoppage of urine and stone , ( in all which diseases the wall-rue is as effectual ) stayeth both bleedings and fluxes of the stomach and belly , being green it loosneth the belly , and avoideth choler and phlegm from the stomach and liver , cleanseth the lungs and blood , and being boiled with camomil , dissolves knots , allayeth swellings , and drieth up moist ulcers ; the lye made thereof is good to cleanse the skin from scabs , and from dry and running sores . golden maiden-hair hath all the vertues of the former . of mallows and marsh-mallowes , either of them hath a certain heat and moisture , and the leaves and roots of them boiled in water with parsley and fennel-roots openeth the belly , and are good for hot agues , they are used in glisters , the juice of them given is good for the falling sickness ; the leaves bruised with honey , and laid to the eyes , taketh away the inflammation of them ; it is good against poison : a poultess made of them , and applied , is good for all hard tumors , inflammations , impostumes and swellings ; it is good for scaldings and burnings , and for st. anthonies fire . marsh-mallows are more effectual in all the diseases before mentioned , and in decoctions and glisters , to ease all pains of the body , making the passages slippery for the stone to descend . maple-t●e● , the decoction of the leaves and bark strengthens the liver , and to open obstructions of it and the spleen , and to ease the pain proce●ding thence . myrobala●s p●rge gently melancholy , and comforteth the heart and liver . vvilde ma●jore● doth cut , attenuate and make thin , dry and heat , and that in the third degree , strengthens the stomach , helps the cough , consumption of the lungs , cleanseth the body of choler , expelleth poison , and is good for the biting of venomous beasts , helps the dropsey , scabs , mange , yellows . sweet marjoreni is excellent good for all the infirmities of the head ▪ squirted up the nose , and taken inwardly , is good for to comfort a cold stomach , and the diseases thereunto belonging , and being outwardly applied is good for the obstructions of the liver , and being put into an ointment , it warmeth and comforteth the outward parts , as the joynts and sinews , for swellings , and for places out of joynt . marigolds are hot almost in the second degree , especially when they be dry , and are much of the nature of saffron , the juice of the leaves mingled with vineger , and anoint a hot swelling with it asswageth it , they comfort the heart and spirits , and expelleth any pestilent or malignant quality that may annoy them . master-wort , the root is hotter then pepper , and therefore good in all cold diseases , or griefs of the stomach and body ; it is good for rheum , shortness of breath , and expelleth the stone by urine , casts out the dead foal , it is good for the dropsey , cramps , falling sickness , poison , provokes sweat , it cleanseth and healeth all green wounds . sweet maudlin , the vertues of it is the same with cost-mary , or alecost , and therefore i refer you unto costmary for satisfaction . medlars are cold , dry and binding , the leaves are of the same nature , they are good to stop all fluxes of blood inwardly given , and the dried leaves beaten to powder , and strowed upon bleeding wounds , stayeth the bleeding of them , and healeth them up quickly ; the stones of them made into powder , and given in white-wine , wherein parsley roots hath layn , in●using all night , doth break the stone in the kidneys , and help to expel it . melilote or kings claver is hot and dry in the first degree , it hath a certain binding quality , besides a wasting and ripening quality ; it is good for spreading ulcers ; it is used to be put into glisters , the flowers of it with chamomel , to expel wind , and into poultcsses to asswage swellings , with the juice of it with oyl , wax ▪ rosin and turpentine , is made a most sovereign drawing emplaister , the herb boiled in wine breaketh the stone . french and dogs mercury are hot and dry in the second degree , and hath a cleansing faculty ; the juice of it purgeth choler and watery humors , it is good for waterish eyes ; it cleanseth the breast and lungs from phlegm ; the juice put up the nostrils , purgeth the head of catarrhs and rheums , helpeth the yellows ; it helpeth all running scabs , tettars , ring-wormes , and being applied as a poultess allayeth all swellings and inflammations , and given in glisters it evacuates from the belly all offensive humors . the dogs mercury , though it is less used , may serve to the same purposes to purge waterish humors . of all the mints , spear-mint or heart-mint is the most wholesom , it hath a heating , binding and drying quality . the juice taken in vineger stayeth inward bleeding , dissolveth ●mpostumes being laid to with barley meal , and applied with salt , helpeth the biting of a mad dog ; it is good in all manner of breakings out of the skin , and is good against poison . nep or cat mint hath the same faculties with the other . horse-mint is hot and dry , it dissolveth wind in the stomach , helpeth the cholick and short-windedness ; it is good against the biting of venomous beasts ; the farcy taken inwardly , and squirted up the nostrils ▪ purgeth the head of evil humors . misletoe , the leaves and berries are hot and dry , and of subtil parts , the bird-lime doth mollisie hard knobs , tumors and impostumes , ripeneth and discusseth them , and being mixed with equal parts of rosin and wax , heals old ulcers and sores ; missletoe bruised , and the juice put into the eares , healeth the impostumes in them in a few days . the missletoe of the oak being given inwardly , cures the falling sickness , or hung about his neck . money-wort , or herb two-pence ; it is moderately cold , it stays lasks and bloody fluxes , bleedings inwardly or outwardly , and is good for all wounds inward or outward . moon-wort is cold and drying more then adders tongue , and is good for all manner of wounds both inward and outward ; it stayeth all inward bleeding , as veins broken , bloody fluxes , and the like ; it consolidateth all fractures and dis●ocations ; it is good for ruptures ; it is reported that it will unlock locks , and unshooe horses that tread upon it . tree-moss is cold and binding , and is the more binding according to the nature of the tree it grows upon ; that of the oak is the most binding , and is good to stay fluxes and inward bleedings . moss boiled in milk , with the powder of anniseeds , elecampane and licoris , is a most excellent medicine for a cold or cough . mechoachan-root is hot and dry in the second degree , and purgeth filthy humors ; it is very safe , and is good for inveterate coughs , cholick , dolour and the farcin . ground-moss is dry and astringent , without any heat or cold ; it breaketh the stone , and driveth it forth by urine , being boiled in white-wine and given , and being boiled in water and applied , easeth all inflammations and pains coming of a hot cause . mother-wort is hot and dry in the second degree , by reason of the cleansing and binding quality . it is a very great comforter of the heart , provoketh urine , cleanseth the chest from cold phlegm , and killeth the wormes in the belly ; it warmes and dries up the cold humors in the body , and helps the cramp and convulsions of the sinews . mouse-ear is hot and dry , of a binding quality ; it is good for the yellows , it is good for the stone and pains in the bowels , and is a very good herb for inward or outward wounds ; it is good for the dropsey , and stayeth the fluxes of blood both outward and inward ; the juice of it is good to stay the spreading of all fretting cankers and ulcers whatsoever . mugg-wort is hot and dry in the second degree , and somewhat binding , it expels the dead foal , it breaks the stone , and is good for stoppage of urine ; the root made up with hogs-grease to an ointment ▪ taketh away wens and hard knobs . the m●lbeerry-tree ; the mulberry is of different parts , the ripe berries , by reason of their slippery moisture , doth cleanse and open the body , the unripe fruit is cold and dry in the second degree ; the bark , but chiefly the root is hot and dry in the third degree ; the unripe fruit being binding , is good to stop lasks and bloody fluxes , the bark of the root killeth the broad wormes in the belly ; the juice made of the berries is good for inflammations and sores in the mouth or throat . mullein doth dry , the leaves are of a digesting and cleansing quality , the root is good against lasks and fluxes of the belly ; it is good for burstness , cramps and convulsions , for old coughs ; the decoction of the root in red wine , or in water wherein steel hath been quenched , doth stop the bloody flux ; it opens the obstructions of the bladder and reins , the powder of the dried flowers is good for the pain of the cholick ; the decoction of the roots and leaves are good to dissolve tumors , inflammations or swellings ; the seed bruised in wine draweth forth thornes and splinters . common mustard-seed doth heat and make thin , and is a loosner of the belly ; it also draweth forth , and is hot and dry in the fourth degree , it cleanseth the blood , strengthens a weak stomach , and heats it if cold , and is very good for the head ; it draweth forth splinters and bones out of the flesh , provokes urine , resisteth poison ; it is good applied outwardly , to fetch out cold or any other pain of the body or joynts , and is good for all scurfs or wilde scabs . hedge mustard is good for diseases of the chest and lungs , and for coughs , shortness of breath , yel ows , and is used commonly in glisters , the seed is good against poison or venom . millet is cold in the first degree and dry in the third , and is of a thin substance , the meal of it mixed with tar , and applied to the biting of any venomous beast , is good to take out the venom . the myrtle tree consists of contrary substances , a cold earthliness , it hath a subtil heat and drieth ; the leaves , fruit and juice doth bind outwardly applied , and inwardly taken stayeth all issues of blood. m●st●ck is good to draw forth splints and nails out of the flesh , it bindeth and strengthneth weak parts , and is good for old or new strains , and inwardly taken strengthens the stomach , and is good to stop the distillation upon the lungs . m●lva is cold and moist , it stoppeth , softneth and mitigateth pain . malva vis●us is very dry , it softneth , loosneth and mitigateth . mace is dry in the third degree , without heat , and only bindeth , it is a comforter of the heart and spirits . ma●na is of equal temper , hot and dry , it openeth , mollifyeth and incarnateth . mariaton or martiaton is a hot unguent against all cold humors ; it helpeth the grief of the sinews , purgeth cold watery matters , and ripeneth tumors . marrow , of what kinde soever , is cold and moist , and mollifieth ulcers ; now the best marrow is that of a hart or old stag , the next that of a calf , the next that of a sheep , and the last that of a goat . myrrhe is a sovereign gum , it is hot and dry in the second degree , it conglutinateth , bindeth and cleanseth wounds ; it is good against all colds , it killeth wormes , and helpeth pursiness , for though it doth cleanse much , yet it doth not exasperate the arteries , also it doth incarnate ; it helps all diseases of the lungs , the cholick , stops fluxes . morcosita or marcasita is hot and dry , it comforteth , bindeth and melteth humors . the fruit of the myrtle-tree is dry in the third degree , it doth bind good , and loosen evil humors . n. narlwort or vvhitlow-grass is good for imposthumes in the joynts . neepe or cat-mint , is good for the head ach , coming of cold causes , all catarrhs , rheumes ; it is good for windiness of the stomach and belly , colds , coughs and shortness of breath ; the juice given inwardly is good for bruises , the decoction of it is good to bathe scabs with . nettles are of temperature dry , a little hot scarce in the first degree , they are of thin and subtil parts ; the ●eed provoketh urine , and expelleth gra●el and stone out of the reins and bladder ; it is good against the biting of venomous beasts , biting of mad dogs ; the juice of them is good to cleanfe sores , fistulaes and wounds ; and such as are fre●ting , corroding and eating scabs and manginess ; it is good for to strengthen those places that are out of joynt , and is good for aches and defluctions of humours upon the sinews . the seed of them is a most excellent thing to fatten a horse , being strowed amongst his provender . common night-shade is wholly used to cool hot inflammations , either inwardly or outwardly , and is no way dangerous to use as the other night-shades are . it is good to wash a sore mouth with , as also all corroding and fretting ulcers and fistulaes ; a cloth wet in the juice , and applied to any swelling taketh it away ; have a care you take not the deadly night-shade for this ; if you know it not , you may let them both alone . the roots of narcissus or daffadill are hot and dry in the second degree , and are of such wonderful oualities in drying , that they glew together great wounds , either in the flesh , veins , sinews or tendous ; they have also a certain cleansing and attractive faculty ; it taketh away the aches and pains in the joynts , and stamped with hogs-grease and leaven , bringeth to maturation hard impostumes , and stamped with darnel-meal and honey , draweth forth thornes and scabs out of any part of the body ; the juice of the root drunk is good for the cough and cholick . neesing-root or neesing-wort is hot and dry in the third degree , and hath been taken for a wilde kind of pellitory of the wall. navel-wort or penny-wort of the wall is of a moist substance , somewhat cold , and of a certain obscure , binding quality . it cooleth , repelleth and driveth back , scoureth , consumeth and wasteth away . nutmeg is hot and dry in the second degree , and somewhat astringent ; it breaketh wind , and is good for all cold diseases of the body . nutshells burnt are hot and dry , and do skin and stop the flux of matter . nasturiu●● is hot and dry in the fourth degree , it burneth , draweth , melteth and killeth wormes . nitrum is of the same nature as salt-peter is , and it mundifieth exceedingly . o. the leaves and bark of the oak and acorn-cups do bind and dry in the third degree , being somewhat cold withal ; the powder of the bark or cups stayeth all manner of fluxes and lasks , and stayeth the mattering of the yard ; the acorns procure urine , expel poison ; the distilled water of the oaken buds are good taken inwardly , or outwardly applied , to asswage inflammations , and stop all manner of fluxes . it is good in pestilent and hot feavers ; it cooleth the heat of the liver , breaketh the stone of the kidney , the water found in old hollow oaks , is good to anoint ●oul scabs . oats are naturally dry , they do dry , bind , cleanse and comfort all the inward parts , and is the only simple that agrees with the composition of a horses body , and therefore the oyl of them is the only absolute and perfect medicine that can be administred for any inward sickness ; you are taught how to make it in my first part. oaken apples are hot and piercing , and much of the nature of galls . one berry-herb , true-love , or herb-paris is very cold , whereby it represseth the rage and force of poison , both the berries and powder of the herb. one-blade , half a dram of the powder of the roots is a sovereign remedy against the plague , and is a very good wound-herb . or●his , which is called dogs-stones , they are hot and moist of operation , and provoke lust very much , and kill wormes . onions are hot and dry in the fourth degree , and do attenuate and make thin , they help the biting of a mad dog and other venomous creatures ; used with honey and rue , they kill wormes ; the juice of them is good for burnings and sc●ldings . orpins are cold and dry , and of subtil parts ▪ and is seldom used inwardly , but is used outwardly to cool all hear or inflammations upon any hurt or wound , and is good for scaldings and burnings , the juice of it and sallet-oyl being beaten together and anoi●●ed therewith ; and the juice of it mixed with honey , and given down his throat ; you shall find it a better and sooner cur● then a dogs-turd . orpiment● is a kind of metal , of which the artificial is called arsnick , is hot in the third degree , and dry in the second , it bindeth , corrodeth , burneth and fretteth , and is a corrosive . opium is cold and dry in the fourth degree , and is a liquor made with poppy , dried and mixed with saffron , and doth astonish and provoke sleep . ol●banum is hot and dry in the second degree , and warmeth , bindeth , closeth and incarnateth wounds . oyl of olives or s●llet-oyl , is of a very temperate nature , and changeth its quality according to the nature of the simples mixed with it , it is a clean●er of the body by a gentle way of purging from molten-grease , and expelleth poison . opoponax is a gum that is hot in the third , and dry in the second degree ; it purgeth thick phlegm from the remote parts of the body , viz. brain , joynts , feet , nerves and breast , and strengthens all those parts if they be weak ; it helps also old rotten coughs , gouts , swellings of the spleen , strangury , difficulty of pissing ; you may give six drams of it corrected with mastick , and dissolved in vineger . p. parsley is hot and dry , but the seed is more hot and dry , which is hot in the second degree and dry almost in the third , the root is of moderate heat , it provoketh urine , and breaketh wind in the stomach and bowels , and loosneth the body by opening the obstructions of the liver , it breaketh the stone , expelleth poison , and is good for the yellows . parsley-pi●rt or parsley break st●ne , is hot and dry , and of a cutting quality , it provokes urine , and break ▪ the stone , and helps the strangury . parsnip-●oots are moderately hot , and more dry then moist , it procures lust though windy , provoketh urine ; but the wilde parsnip hath a more cutting , attenuating , cleansing and opening quality , and is of more use in physick ; it helpeth the biting of venomous creatures , or dissolveth wind in the stomach and bowels , the seed is of more use then the root , the countrey-people call them madneps . cow-parsnips , the seed of them are of a cutting quality , and is good for a cough , short windedness , falling sickness , yellows , the root scraped upon a fistula , taketh away the hard skin growing thereon , the seed given cleanseth the belly from tough phlegm . pellitory of spain is very hot and burning , and is the best purger of the head that is from pains , the powder of it being blown up his nostrils . pellitory of the wall cleanseth and bindeth , it is good for an old and dry cough , short windedness , stone , gravel , wormes , and is put into glisters to mitigate the pains coming by wind ; it is good for the obstructions of the liver and spleen , it is good for a sore throat , it asswageth hot swellings , impostumes , burnings and scaldings by fire or water , or all other hot tumors or inflammations , it cleanseth foul rotten ulcers and scabs . penny-royal , both the sorts of it are of a drying faculty and of subtil parts , it maketh thin tough phlegm , and warmeth any cold place where it is applied , it expelleth the dead foal and secundine ; it helpeth the biting of venomous creatures , it cleanseth soul ulcers , it is good for cramps , convulsions of the sinews , the cough , dropsey and yellows . p●ony male and female doth gently bind with a kind of sweetness , it is a little hot , but it is dry and of subtil parts , it is good for the falling-sickness , the root being hung about the neck , and some of the juice of it given inwardly , and is good for the night-mare . pepper-wort or dittander is good for old pains and griefs in joynts ; and for scabs . perwincle is hot in the second degree , and somewhat dry and binding , it is good to stop fluxes of blood , and all manner of bleeding inwardly and outwardly . st. peters-wort is of temperature hot and dry , and is of the same nature as st. johns-wort , but somewhat weaker , it purgeth cholerick humours ▪ helpeth old pains and griefs , and burnings by fire . pimpernel , both the sorts of them are of a drying faculty without biting , and somewhat of adrawing faculty , in so much that it will draw forth splints out of the flesh , and purgeth the head put into the nostrils , they are a great cleanser of ulcers , and a sodderer up of wounds , it is good for the plague , and all venom taken by venomous beasts , and mad dogs , it opens the obstructions of the liver and spleen , provoketh urine , expelleth the stone and gravel , the juice of it cleareth the sight . ground-pine or cham●pitys is good for the strangury , and all diseases of the liver and spleen , and gently openeth the body , casteth out the dead foal ; it is good for all pains in the joynts , dropsey , yellows , poison , falling sickness , to cleanse foul ulcers , and to sodder up the lips of green wounds . water plantine is cold and dry of temperature , is good against burnings or scauldings , and is good to stay fluxes of blood. rib-wort plantine is cold and dry in the second degree as are the other plantines , the vertues are referred to the kinds of plantine . land plantine is of a mixt temperature , for it hath in it a certain waterish colour , with a little harshness and coldness , and is therefore cold and dry in the second degree , the juice of it is good for all pains in the bowels , and stayeth the distillation , rheum in the head , and is good for all manner of fluxes of blood , inwardly taken or outwardly applied , it is good for shortness of breath , and consumption of the lungs ; the seed is good for the dropsey , falling sickness , yellows , stoppings of the liver , the distilled water of it is good to cool the hot inflammation of the eyes , and taketh away the pin and web ; it is good for all manner of burnings and scauldings , is good for ●ore mouths , and is good for all ulcers and cankders ; it is good for all manner of scabs , tettars and running sores , and is a very good wound-herb , either inwardly taken or outwardly applied . polipody of the oak , polipody of fern , indian polipody , are dry without biting , it purgeth choler and phlegm , and is good for the cholick , it is good against a cough , shortness of breath , and distillations of thin rheums upon the lungs . poppies of all sorts are cold , it is a great causer of sleep , it stayeth the flux of the belly , the leaves or heads made with a little vineger and brought to a poultess with barley-meal and hogs-grease , cooleth inflammations and st. anthonies fire . prim or privet , the leaves and roots of it are binding , and is good to wash sore mouths , to cool inflammations , and to dry up fluxes , and is good for ulcers in the mouth and throat , and all swellings and impostumes , and is good against all fluxes of the belly and stomach , and bloody flux . pepper is hot in the third degree . all the sorts of them heateth , provoketh urine , digesteth , draweth , disperseth and cleanseth the dimness of the sight , and is good to be put into medicaments for the eyes ; it is an expeller of poison , and is good for all diseases of the breast and lungs , helps wind , is good for the cholick . pitch is drawn from the pine-tree , by the force of fire , and is the last running , and tarr is the first , which is the thinner ; it is hot and dry , and tarr more hot , and stone pitch more drying , it conglutiuateth and gathereth together . petrolium is a certain oyl made of salt peter and bitumen , and is hot and dry in the second degree , healeth wounds , and comforteth weak members . philonium , of which there are two kinds , philonium romanum , and philonium persicum , and are excellent positions , and most comfortable in the loss of blood. pomegranat is cold and dry , provoketh urine , and is good for the stomach ; the rind , seed or flowers of them beaten to powder and given , stop the lask and all issues of blood. pomecitron , the rind of it is good against all poisons . q. queen of the medows , medow-sweet , or mead-sweet , is cold , dry and binding , and is good for all manner of inward or outward bleedings ; it helps the cholick , stayeth the flux of the belly , healeth old ulcers , cankers and fistulaes ; the distilled water of it is good for the inflammation of the eyes . r. radish , horse-radish and garden-radish , are hot in the third degree , and dry in the second ; they drive forth the gravel and stone out of the bladder by urine . horse-radish is hot and dry in the third degree , and hath a drying and cleansing quality ; it killeth wormes , and being bruised and laid to old griefs taketh them away , and is a provoker of urine , and likewise good for the dropsey . rag-wort is called st. james-wort or stagger-wort , is hot and dry in the second degree ; it cleanseth , disgesteth and discusseth ; the juice of it is good for ulcers in the mouth or throat ▪ for hard swellings , imposthumations and quinsey ; it is good to stay catarrhs , thin rheums and distillations from the head into the eyes , nose or lungs ; the juice is good to heal all green wounds , and to cleanse and heal all filthy ulcers in any part of the body ; it is good for all pains and aches in any part of the body likewise . rattle-grass , there is two sorts of it , the red and they yellow ; the red is good to heal up fistulaes and hollow ulcers , and stay the flux of humors to them , and other fluxes of blood , being boiled in red wine and given . the yellow rattle-grass is good for a cough , and dimness of sight , the seed being put therein . rest-harrow or c●ammoack , is hot in the third degree , it cutteth and maketh thin ; it provoketh urine and driveth forth the stone , which the bark of the root doth very powerfully . it is good to open the obstructions of the liver and spleen , and is good for a rupture . the wilde rochet is hot and dry in the third degree ; it provoketh urine exceedingly , expelleth poison , killeth wormes and other noisom creatures that breed in the body . wint●r-rochet or cresses , is hot and dry in the second degree , the seed of them provoketh urine , helpeth the strangury , and expels gravel and the stone . it is a good wound-herb inwardly given , or outwardly applied : it cleanseth ▪ and healeth foul ulcers and sores by the drying quality they have . roses of all sorts , the leaves and the flowers of them consist of divers parts , as binding , yet moist and watery , they come very near to a mean temperature ; the white and the red are very binding , and those that are not full blown , do cool and bind more then those that are blown ; they being dried and b●aten to powder , stayeth the lask and pissing of blood , the red strengthens the heart and stomach , asswage inflammations , the mattering of the yard and fluxes of the belly , the beards of them are binding and cooling . rosa s●lis or sun-dew , the water of it distilled helps a salt rheum distilling from the lungs , wheesing , shortness of breath , the cough , and to heal ulcers in the lungs , comforteth the heart . rosemary is hot and dry in the second degree , and of a binding quality , and is good against all fluxe , of blood , and cold diseases of the head and stomach ; it is good for the lethargy and falling sickness ; it opens the obstructions of the liver , and is good for windedness of the belly ; it is good for dim eyes , yellows , cough , consumption . rubarb the best , which is the indian , hath two contrary natures , for if you either cut , scrape or grate it , then it is a loosner , for it dissolveth and openeth the liver , and expelleth the obstructions thereof ; it expulseth all bad humors in and about the heart , liver and spleen ; it cleanseth the body , and sendeth away the peccant humors among the excrements , and all such things as may annoy or offend the entrails . but if you shall pound and beat it in a mortar , or otherwise , the spirit thereof being a subtil body , will trans●e and flie away , whereby the operation thereof will be to bind , and no way profitable . garden patience or monk● rhubarb , is a kind of dock bearing the name of rhubarb , for the purging quality therein ; it purgeth choler and phlegm , the seed binds the belly and stayeth any lask or bloody flux , the distilled water of it is good to ●●eanse and heal soul ulcers , and to allay the ●nflammation of them . bastard rhubarb hath all the properties of the monks rhubarb , but more effectually for inward and outward diseases ; it cureth the yellows , the seed boiled in wine helpeth the farcin , the stone , provoketh urine , helpeth the dimness of the sight ; it is a cleanser and cooler of the blood. the properties of the english rhubarb is the same with the other , but much more effectual , and hath all the properties of the indian rhubarb , except the force of purging , wherein it hath but half the strength ; it purgeth the body from choler and phlegm ; it cleanseth the stomach , liver and blood , opening obstructions , curing the yellows , dropsey , cleanseth the reins , being taken with venice turpentine . medow rue bruised is good for old sores ; it is a loosner of the body ; it is good for the yellows and plague . garden rue is hot and dry in the latter end of the third degree , and the wilde in the ●ourth ; it is of thin parts , it consumeth wind , and disgesteth gross and tough hamors , provoketh urine , is good against poison , the plague , the pains and gripings of the belly . it is good for the cough , wind-cholick , wormes , dropsey , stops bleeding ; it is good for the farcin , scabs , tettars and ring-wormes . rupture-wort is dry , closeth up and fastneth ; it is good for the ruptures , fluxes , mattering of the yard , strangury , stopping of urine , stone and gravel . it is good for all griping pains in the stomach and belly , obstructions of the liver , yellows , wormes , wounds . it stayeth the defluctions of rheums from the head , and drieth up the moisture of fistulaes and ulcers . reeds are hot and dry in the second degree ; and are drawers out of splints and thornes out of the flesh . rye is hotter then wheat , and is more forcible in wasting and consuming away ; it ripeneth imposthumes , boyles and other swellings . all the rozins are hot and dry ; the rozin of the cedar-tree is the hotter , the rozin of the pitch-tree is not so sharp and biting , and therefore not so hot ; the rozin of the firr-tree is in a mean between both ; the liquid rozin of the pine is moister ; the rozins which are put in plaisters , which is our common rozin , stoppeth , softneth , clea●seth , draweth and purgeth wounds ; and is good against cold causes . risigallo is a composition of old sulphur , or orpiment and unslackt lime , and is a most strong corrosive . s. saffron is binding , it is hot in the second , and dry in the first degree ; it strengthens the heart , is good for the consumption of the lungs , and shortness of breath ; it is an excellent thing in epidemical diseases , as the plague , and is good for the yellows . garden sage is hot and dry in the beginning of the third degree , or in the latter end of the second . it is good for the head and brain , strengthens the sinews , restoreth health ; it is good for a cough , biting of serpents , expelleth wind , drieth the dropsey , and is a cleanser of the blood. it is good to put into a water to wash a sore mouth withal , and is good for old cankers and sores . wood-sage is hot and dry , yet less then the common sage , being hot and dry in the second degree . it disgesteth and discusseth swellings and knots in the flesh . it is good for ulcers , sores , burstness , green wounds , and provoketh urine . solomons seal is binding , the roots of it is good in wounds and hurts , to cleanse them , and to dry and restrain fluxes of humors and bloody flux and lask ; it is good for ruptures and burstness taken inwardly , or outwardly applied , and is good for inward and outward bruises . sanicle is bitter , and hath a certain binding quality , so that it cleanseth and strengthneth , and is hot and dry in the second degree , and in some authors hot in the third ; it is a most excellent vvound-herb , either outwardly applied , or inwardly given , and is good for ulcers and impostumes in any part of the body . it is good to stop a lask and all fluxes of blood , either inwardly or outwardly . it is good for the ulceration of the kidneys , and pains of the bowels and ruptures . it is good in binding , restraining , heating , drying and healing , as comfrey , bugle , self-heal , or any other of the consounds , or vulnerary herbs whatsoever . sarasens consound or sarasens wound-wort , is dry in the third degree , with some manifest heat ; it is a good wound-herb , and is good for the obstructions of the liver and gall , yellows , dropsey , for all ulcers of the reins , or other inward wounds and bruises , and for ulcers in the mouth and throat , and pains in the stomach . sawce alone , vide jack in the hedge . vvinter savory and summer-savory is very good for the cholick , the summer-kind is the best ; it expelleth wind in the stomach and bowels ; it provoketh urine , it cutteth tough phlegm in the chest and lungs ; the juice dropped into the eyes cleareth the sight , if it proceed of thin cold humors , distilling from the brain , and being used in a poultess is good for old aches and pains in the hips and joynts coming of cold . savin is hot and dry in the third degree , of subtil parts ; it cleanseth old ulcers , being dried and mixed with honey ; it is good to break carbuncles , plague-sores , farcin , wormes , scabs , itch and running sores , cankers , tettars , ring wormes ; it kills the quick foal , and expels the dead . common saxafrage , the root and seed thereof is of a warm and hot composition , it cleanseth the reins and bladder , and dissolveth the stone , and expels the gravel by urine , helps the strangury , cleanseth the stomach and lungs from phlegm . b●rnet saxafrage , the seed , leaves and roots of the great and small , are hot and dry in the third degree , and of thin and subtil parts , they have the same properties as parsley hath in provoking urine , and easeth the pains of the cholick , breaks and avoids the stone by urine , and is good against venom , and is good for cramps and convulsions , the juice of it dipped into wounds drieth up the moisture of them . scabius . three sorts there are of it , though there be many others , yet these be most familiar , and the vertues of these and the rest are much alike , it is hot and dry in the latter end of the second degree , or near hand in the third , and of thin and subtil parts . it is good for coughs , short windedness , and all other diseases of the breast and lungs , ripening and digesting cold phlegm , and other tough humors , it ripeneth also all inward ulcers and impostumes , it is good for running and spreading scabs , tetters and ring-wormes . english s●urvey-grass is evidently hot and dry , very like in taste and quality to the garden-cresses , it openeth and cleanseth the blood , the liver and spleen ; it openeth obstructions , and evacuateth cold , clammy and phlegmatick humors both from the liver and spleen , the juice of it is good for soul sores in the mouth . self-●eal is of the temperature of bugle , moderately hot , dry and something binding ; it is a most excellent herb for inward and outward wounds or bruises in any part of the body , it stayeth the flux of blood in any wound , and cleanseth soul ulcers and sores . the service-tree , the berries are cold and binding , it is good to stay bleedings of wounds , lasks and fluxes of blood. shepherds parse is cold , dry and very much binding , it help all fluxes of blood , either caused by inward or outward wounds , and also flux of the belly , and bloody flux , or pissing of blood , is good for the yellows , and being made into a poultess helps inflammations , and st. anthonies fire , an ointment being made thereof is good for all wounds in the head. smallege is hotter , drier , and much more medicinable then parsley , it openeth the obstructions of the liver and spleen , cleanseth the blood , provokes urine , helps the yellows , agues , the juice is good for sore mouths and throats , cleanseth all the foul ulcers and cankders , being washed therewith ; the seed is good to expel wind , kill wormes , the roots are effectual to all the purposes aforesaid , and is stronger then the herb. sope-wort or bruise-wort is hot and dry , and a little scouring ; the juice is good to heal up green wounds ; it provokes urine , expels the gravel and stone , and is good for the dropsey . the sorrels are moderately cold , dry and binding ; the common sorrel is good to cool hot diseases , inflammations or heat of blood , for it puri●ieth it , it killeth vvormes , and is a cordial to the heart , which the seed doth more effectually , being more drying and binding , and therefore stayeth the humors of the bloody flux , and flux of the stomach ; it is good to resist poison , expelleth the gravel and stone , helpeth the yellows . the juice of it with vineger killeth the itch , scabs , tettars , ring ▪ wormes and the like . vvood-sorrel is cold and dry , like sorrel , and serves for all the purposes that the other sorrels do , and is more effectual in hindring the putresaction of blood , and ulcers in the mouth and body , and cooleth heats ▪ inflammations and pestilential feavers , or other contagious sickness . sow-thistles are of a mixt temperature , for they consist of a waterish substance , cold and binding ; the milk of them is good for short windedness , and causeth the stone and gravel to be avoided by urine ; it helpeth the strangury , it causeth milk in cattel . southern-vvood is hot and dry in the third degree ; the seed is an antidote against all deadly poison , and is good to kill vvormes ; it is good to draw forth thornes out of the flesh ; the ashes of it drieth up old ulcers that are without inflammation . spignel provokes urine , helpeth the strangury , and all joynt aches , the powder of the root with honey breaketh tough phlegm , and drieth up the phlegm that fasteneth upon the lungs ; the roots are good against the biting and stinging of venomous beasts . spleen-worts are of thin parts , and are in a mean temper ; it is good for the spleen , helpeth the strangury , wasteth the stone in the bladder , and is good for the yellows . straw-berry leaves do cool and dry with a binding quality , they are good for all hot inflammations and swellings , applied outwardly , and being inwardly given , after they have been boiled in vineger , doth cool the liver and blood , and asswage all inflammations in the reins , provoketh urine , and allayeth the heat and sharpness thereof , stayeth the bloody flux . the juice of the leaves are good to make a lotion for a sore mouth or ulcerstherein . succory and endive are cold and dry in the second degree , and withal somewhat binding , they cleanse phlegmatick and waterish humors out of the stomach , opens the obstructions of the liver , gall and spleen , is good for the yellows , heat of the reins , urine and dropsey ; the water or the juice of the bruised leaves applied outwardly , allay swellings , inflammations and st. anthonies fire , and to wash pestilential sores . wilde succory agrees in nature and temperature with the garden succory , and as it is more bitter , so it doth more strengthen the stomach and liver . stone-crop , prick madum ▪ or small housleek , grows upon the ground with divers branches , with thick and whitish green leaves ; it is cold in quality , and somewhat binding , and therefore very good to stay defluctions that flow from the eyes ; it stops bleeding both inward and outward , helps cankers and all fretting sores and ulcers ; it abates the heat of choler , expels poison , resisteth pestilent feavers , and is good for agues , you may take it inwardly for all these diseases . it is good likewise for the farcin . snap-dragon , all the sorts of them are hot and dry , and of subtil parts . star-wort is of a mean temperature in cooling and drying ; it is good for the falling of the gut by the inflammation of the fundament , and is good for the falling sickness . white sattin flower , the seed of it is hot , dry and sharp of taste , the seed of it is good for the falling sickness ; there may be made of it an excellent ointment of the leaves of it , and sanicle stamped together , adding thereunto oyl and wax . sea star-wort is hot and dry in the third degree ; the roots of it given in white-wine , driveth forth by urine watery and gross humors , and therefore it is good for the dropsey and poison , and is good for all inward and outward wounds . s●aves-acre , the seed of it is extreme hot , almost in the fourth degree , being beaten to powder , and mixed with oyl or lard , kills lice , itch or mange in man or beast . it is dangerous to give it inwardly . sncese-wort , all the kinds of them are hot and dry in the third degree . star of bethlehem , the kinds of them are temperate in heat and driness , the roots of them roasted and applied with honey in the manner of a poultiss , healeth old eating ulcers , and softneth and discusseth hard tumors . spinach is cold and moist almost in the second degree , but rather moist , it loosneth the belly , but maketh it windy . set-well , vide valerian . sene is of a mean temperature , neither hot nor cold , yet inclining to heat , and dry almost in the third degree ; it is of a purging faculty , and that in such sort that it is not troublesom , having withal a certain binding quality , which it leaveth after the purging . all spurges are hot and dry almost in the fourth degree , of a sharp and biting quality , fretting and consuming ; the milk and sap is in more special use then the fruit and leaves , the root is of least strength , the strongest is that of the sea. scammony , the juice doth mightily purge , and is the strongest purger whatsoever , and is very hurtful to the stomach , if you mix it not with all●es , or some other things , to correct the evil qualities of it . the sycamore-tree , the fruit of it is somewhat sweet of taste , and is of temperature moist after a sort , and cold , as be the mulberries . the liquor that issueth out of the bark of this tree , in the beginning of the spring , before the fruit appeareth , taken up with a spoon or spunge , and dried or made up into a cake , and kept in a gally-pot , mollifieth and closeth wounds together , and dissolveth gross humors , and is good inwardly given , or applied outwardly against the biting of serpents ; it doth soon putrifie . storax or stirax is a sweet gum , which is of a heating , mollifying and concocting quality ; it is an excellent perfume for the head , and draweth many evil humors from thence , as colds and other sicknesses in the head. sanguis draconis is supposed to come from the dragon-tree , it hath an astringent faculty , and is good to stay fluxes of blood. sloes , vide black thorn. scallions are hot and dry in the second degree , they are good for scabs , and for the lungs . sarsafras or ague-tree , the boughs and branches thereof are hot and dry in the second degree ; the rind is hotter , the root is the best part of it , it procureth the same effects as cinnamon doth . sanders white , red and yellow , are all cold and dry in the second ●r third degree ; they are of an astringent and strengthning ●uality . they drive back humors , and stop defluctions from any part , helps inflammations , and cools the heat of feavers . the yellow is accounted the best . sna●ls with shells are of the same nature as snails without shells are . snails without shells do conglutinate very much , and is good to put in medicines for ruptures ; the distilled water of them is good for a consumption . sandevoir is most excellent for dim or rheumatick eyes , being laid asteep in running water . soap is hot , it draweth ●orth splinters and nails ; it mollisieth , drieth , cleanseth and purgeth . salnitre , some use for this salt peter , it is hot and dry , and evaporateth ; it comforteth sinews , and taketh away tiredness and weariness . salgemma is a kind of salt which is hot and dry , it cleanseth and bindeth . sallows or vvillows bindeth and drieth vehemently . sal● is hot and dry in the second degree , cleanseth and killeth wormes . sagina , or saggina , or sorge , of some called pannicum indicum , is only hot and dry . s●lmoniack is hot and dry in the fourth degree , and cleanseth . sarcocolla is a gum of the kind of euphorbium , and is hot and dry in the second degree ; it cleanseth , incarnateth and comforteth wounds . sevadalce is hot in the second , and dry in the first degree , it cleanseth and openeth . serapino is a gum of ferula , it is hot in the third , and dry in the second degree ; it mollifieth , loosneth and is good for colds . t. tarre is drawn out of the pine-tree , and is the first running , pitch is the second , it is hot and dry in the second degree ; it is good against colds or evil humors gathered together in the breast , and draweth wounds . it is outwardly applied with other ingredients to the scratches , and is good to anoint a horses nose with , to keep the infection of the plague from him . english tobaccho killeth wormes , a little of it chopped small or beaten to powder , after it is very dry , and put amongst other medicines . it is good for the stone in the kidneys to help the pain , and to expel the gravel ; it is good boiled , in chamberly with brimstone , allom and green copperas , to kill the mange or all manner of scabs ; the oyl of it is good for all manner of aches , cramps and convulsions ; a pipe filled with it , and put into a horses fundament , which the wind of his body will draw it out , is a very good glister for all manner of wormes there , and to cleanse his body . tam●●inds are cold in the third degree , and dry in the second ; they are very temperate , and gently purge adust humors . the tamarisk ▪ tree hath a cleansing and cutting faculty , with a manifest driness ; it is somewhat binding , it is good for inward bleedings , cholick , yellows , biting of venomous beasts , the decoction of it with some honey is good to stay gangrenes , and fretting sores and ulcers , and to kill nits and lice being washed therewith , the wood or bark is good for all the purposes aforesaid , as well as the branches ; it is good given to a horse to kill the farcin . garden tansie that smells sweet , is hot in the second degree , and dry in the third ▪ and that without smell is hot and dry , and of a mean temperature , it is good to consume phlegmatick humors , the decoction of the common tansie opens all stoppings , is good for the strangury , it expels wind , the seed is good for the wormes , being boiled with oyl is good for shrunk sinews and cramps . wilde tansie is cold and dry almost in the third degree , having a binding quality ; it stayeth the lask and all fluxes whatsoever ; it is good for burstness , and is good for all joynt-aches or pains ; it is good for inward or outward wounds , and to heal running sores , it cooleth the hot fits of the ague be it never so violent , the distilled water of it dropped into the eyes , or a cloth wet therein , taketh away the heat and inflammation of them . of thistles in general , all of them provoke urine , the juice of them will cause hair to grow where it is fallen off . treacle mustard and methridate mustard both purge the body upwards and downwards , it breaks inward imposthumes ; it is a very good antidote against poison , venom and putrefaction ; it is also available in many cases , the common mustard is used , but somewhat weaker . the black-thorn or slo-bush , all the parts of it is cooling , and binding , and drying , and good to stay bleeding at the mouth and nose , stop the lask of the belly or stomach , bloody flux , and to ease the pains of the bowels and guts , that come by overmuch scourings , the leaves are good to put into lotions , to wash a sore mouth or throat with , wherein are sores or kernels , and to stay the defluctions of rheums to the eyes or other parts , and to cool the heat of them . thorough-wax or thorough-leaf is of a dry complexion , and is good for all sorts of bruises and wounds inward and outward , and old ulcers and sores likewise ; the decoction of the herb or the powder of it taken inwardly , and the leaves bruised and applied outwardly , is good to cure ruptures and burstings . thyme is hot and dry in the third degree , it is a great strengthner of the lungs , it purgeth the body of phlegm , and is good for short-windedness , an ointment made with it is good for hot swellings , it comforteth the stomach , and expels wind. vvilde thime or mother of thime , is of temperature hot and dry in the third degree , it is of thin and subtil parts , cutting and much biting , provokes urine , easeth the griping pains in the belly coming by wind ; it is good for cramps , ruptures and inflammations of the liver , it is good for the lethargy , pissing of blood , coughing , strengthens the stomach , expels wind , and breaks the stone . turmentil or serfoyl is binding , and therefore good to stay all fluxes of blood or humors , whether at the nose or mouth , or any wound in the veins or elsewhere ; it resisteth poison , plague , pestilential feavers , and contagious diseases , and expelleth the venom from the heart by sweating , there is not found any root more effectual to help any flux of the belly , stomach , spleen or blood , then this taken inwardly or applied outwardly ; it opens the obstructions of the liver , helpeth the yellows , it is good made into a plaister to strengthen the reins of the back ; it is good for ruptures and bruises by falls taken inwardly or applied outwardly ; and 't is a most excellent wound-herb applied outwardly to rotten sores and ulcers any where of the body , or for any inward wound , it dissolves hard knots and kernels any where about the body . turnsole or heliotropium purgeth choler and phlegm boiled with water and given , and being boiled with cummin helpeth the stone of the reins or bladder , provoketh urine , the herb bruised and laid to any old pain in the joynts taketh it away , the juice of it is good to take away wenns , and to dissolve hard kernels or knobs in the flesh . medow trefoyl or honey-suckles is cold and dry , and are good to put into glisters , it is good in a poultess for inflammations and swellings , the juice dropped into the eye taketh away the pin and web , and taketh away the blood-shotten of them ▪ hart-trefoyl is a great strengthner of the heart , fortifieth it against poison and pestilence , and defending it from the noisom vapors of the spleen . pearl-trefoyl , it differs not from the common ▪ sort , save only it hath a white spot in the leaf like a pearl , and is of great vertue against the pin and web in the eyes . tu●bich is a root that is hot and dry , and purgeth by moderate drawing , ( f it be corrected , ) gross , viscid and putrid phlegm from the brain , breast , and remote parts and junctures . tutsan or park-leaves , the faculties are such as st. peters-wort , which declares it to be hot and dry ; it purgeth humors , it is good for burnings by fire ; it is a very good wound-herb , either inwardly given or outwardly applied . tartar is the excrement of wine which sticks to the vessel , and is hot and dry in the third degree , and only cleanseth . turpentine is hot in the second and dry in the first , it doth draw , skin , incarnate and conglutinateth things together , and is good for the mattering of the yard given inwardly , being made up by art into balls , with flower and bole-armoniack . thuris cortex is dry in the second degree and bindeth . trifora magna is a certain composition which will provoke sweat , helpeth griefs in the stomach , and taketh away all cold rhumes . tutia preparata is a certain mineral that is cold in the first , and dry in the second degree , and is very good for sore eyes . turmerick is hot in the third degree , and openeth obstructions , it is good against the yellows , and all cold distempers of the liver and spleen , and fattens by a certain hidden quality . tastil wilde is cold in the third and dry in the first degree , and comforteth and bindeth . v. garden valerian is hot but not much , provoketh urine , being dried and given , helpeth the strangury , it is good for short windedness , the roots of it being boiled with licoris , raisins and anniseeds , helpeth to open the passages ▪ and expectorates the phlegm easily ; it is good for the plague , and those that are bitten and stung by any venomous creature ; it expelleth wind , and being boiled in white-wine and dropped into the eyes , taketh away the dimness of sight , or any pin and web ; it healeth any inward sores and wounds , and also all outward wounds and hurts , and draweth out splinters and thornes out of the flesh , the herb being bruised , and laid to the place grieved . vvilde valerian some hold , that being dried and beaten to powder , purgeth upwards and downwards . both the vervaines are very dry , and do meanly bind and cool ; it is an excellent herb for the womb , and all the cold griefs belonging thereunto , as plantain doth the hot . it is hot , dry and bitter , opening obstructions , cleansing and healing ; it is good for the yellows , dropsey , the defects of the reins and lungs , and all inward pains and torments of the body ; it is good against the plague , and the venom of venomous beasts , against agues , the wormes , the diseases of the liver and spleen , and all diseases of the stomach and lungs , coughs , shortness of breath , and to cleanse the bladder from all evil humors , that engender the stone , it healeth all wounds both inward and outward , stayeth bleeding , and healeth old ulcers in any part of the body being used with honey ; it is good for swellings used with hogs-grease , the distilled water of the herb or ●uice dropped into the eyes , cleanseth them from films . the branches of the vine and the leaves do cool and mightily bind , and stayeth bleeding in any part of the body , and are good to stop a lask and bloody flux , the leaves are put into lotions for sore mouths , and being put into a poultess with barley-meal , cools ●nflammations of wounds . all the violets are cold and moist while they are fresh and green , and will cool any heat and distemper in the body , either inwardly given , or outwardly applied , impostumes ▪ also and hot swellings , they purge the body of cholerick humors , the powder of the purple flower helpeth the quinsey and falling sickness ; it is good for the liver , yellows and hot agues . the sorts of vipers grass , are hot and moist as are the goats-beards , it is very good for the plague , poison of venomous creatures , falling sickness ▪ of wall or vipers bugl●ss , the several sorts of them are cold and dry of complexion , it is good against the biting of vipers or any other venomous beasts , and also against poison or any poisonous herbs , the roots comfort the heart , tempers the blood , allays the hot fits of agues . vineger , especially if it be of wine , is cold and piercing , to wit , cold in the first , and dry in the third degree , it cuts phlegm . vermilion is a certain metal drawn from quick sulphur , and quick-silver , it draweth , healeth , incarnateth , bindeth and comforteth ulcers . verdegrease is hot and dry in the third degree , and is a corrasive that eateth away dead and proud flesh , and is good to be put into ointments for green wounds , or for the scratches . green and white vitriol may be taken inwardly , a few drops of it with other things for the farcin , and outwardly applied to take away wenns or hard kernels , or to eat away a quitter-bone or splint , or to take off warts from the hands ; if you will stay the eating of it , or that you will have it eat no further then where you lay it , wet all round where you lay it with water , you must take it out of the glass with a feather , or a piece of silk tied to a stick , for it will eat both linnen and woollen . the white is the strongest , but the green is most safe for any use . vitriola caleanthum is reckoned amongst metals , and is a kind of inkey earth , it draweth and fretteth . vitriola herba is an herb that groweth on the vvall , and is taken for pellitory on the wall. w. wall ▪ flower or winter-gilliflower , all the kinds of them are of a cleansing faculty , and of thin parts . the yellow kind works more powerfully , and are of more use in physick ; it cleanseth the blood , and freeth the liver from obstructions , expelleth the secundine and dead foal , stayeth inflammations and swellings , comforteth and strengthneth any weak part out of joynt , cleanseth the eyes from films , and cleanseth also filthy ulcers in the mouth , and is a good remedy for all aches and pains in the joynts and sinews , and is good for the farcin . the vvallnut-tree , the bark of it doth bind and dry very much , and the leaves are much of the same ▪ temperature , they kill the vvormes in the belly , with other things put to them ; they help the biting of a mad dog , or the venom or poison of any creature ; the kernels of them when they are old are very astringent , and will stop a lask ; the oyl of the kernels taken inwardly helpeth the cholick , and expels vvind ; the distilled water of the green husks , before they be ripe , is good to cool the heat of agues , as also to resist the infection of the plague , being applied to the sores ; it cooleth also the heat of green vvounds and old ulcers , being bathed therewith . wold , weld , or dyars-weed , is hot and dry of temperature , also the whole herb heats and dries in the third degree ; it cuts , attenuates , resolveth , opens , disgests ; it is good taken inwardly , or applied outwardly against the venom of venomous beasts , as also for the plague or pestilence , and is good for green wounds . wheat is hot and dry in the first degree ; it hath a certain clammy , stopping quality ; the oyl of it pressed out between two thick plates of iron , healeth all tettars and ring-wormes , used warm . the green corn chewed and applied to the place bitten by a mad dog healeth it ; sliced wheat-bread , soaked in red rose-water or spring-water , and applied to the eyes that are hot , red and inflamed , or blood-shotten helpeth them . and hot bread applied to the kernels of the throat , healeth the kernels thereof ; the flower of it mixed with the juice of henbane stayeth the flux of humors to the joynts , and being boiled in vineger helpeth the shrinking of the sinews , the flower of it mixed with the yolk of an egg , honey and turpentine , doth draw , cleanse and heal any bile , plague-sore or foul ulcer ; the decoction of wheat-bran is good to bath those places that are bursten by a rupture , and the said bran boiled in vineger , helpeth all swellings and inflammations , it helpeth the biting of vipers and all other venomous creatures . wasers put in water and given , stayeth the lask and bloody flux . the willow-tree , the leaves , flowers , seed and bark , are cold and dry in the second degree , and binding ; they are used to stay bleeding of vvounds , and all other fluxes of blood ; it helpeth to stay all thin , hot and sharp distillations upon the lungs ; the leaves bruised with some pepper is good for the vvind-cholick . the water of the vvillow-tree received of a branch cut , is good for dimness of sight , for films , and to stay the rheumes that fall into them , provokes urine being stopped ; the flowers of it boiled in white-vvine hath an admirable faculty in drying up of humors . the bark worketh the same effect . vvoad is dry and without sharpness , the wilde vvoad drieth more , and is more sharp and biting ; it is so dry and binding , that it is hardly fit to be given inwardly ; an ointment made thereof stancheth bleeding , and is good in such ulcers as are bound with moisture , for it takes away the corroding and fretting humors ; it cools inflammations , quenches st. anthonies fire , and stayeth defluctions of blood in any part of the body . vvood-bind or honey-suckles are cleansing , consuming and disgesting ; the flowers are good for the lungs , provokes urine , helps cramps , convulsions , palseys , and whatsoever grief comes of cold or stopping ; the flowers are more effectual then the leaves , & the seed is as effectual as the leaves . pond-weed doth bind and cool like as doth knot-grass , but his essence is thicker then that ; it is good against consuming and eating ulcers , and all hot inflammations . vvormwood is hot and dry in the first degree , just as hot as the blood ; it remedies choler , provokes urine , helps surfeits , swellings in the belly , and is the best herb for the yellows that is ; take of the flowers of wormwood , rosemary and black thorn , of each a like quantity , half that quantity of saffron boiled in beer or ale , and this now and then used will keep a horse in perfect health ; wormwood is good against poison , quinsey , biting and stinging of venomous creatures , cholick , wormes , and to keep clothes from the moths ; it helps the spleen , strengthens the heart , and heats the stomach . vvillow-herb , vide loose-strife . wallwort , or danewort , vide dwarf-elder . woodroff is of temperature like unto our ladies bed-straw , but not so strong , being in a mean between heat and driness ; it prevaileth in wounds , as cruciata and other vulneary herbs doth . the leaves and berries of the wafering tree are cold and dry , and of a binding quality ; the decoction of the leaves is good to seringe a sore mouth with , and is good for the diseases of the gums , and fastneth loose teeth . vvormes do conglutinate and comforteth sinews . vvhite lead is a great drier and shealer of scabs , and is good put into medicines , for scratches , and for sellanders and mallenders . y. yarrow , called also nose-bleed , milfoyl and thousand-leaf , it cleanseth and is meanly cold , but it most of all bindeth ; an ointment of it cureth wounds , and is good for inflammations ; it is good for the bloody flux . the ointment is good not only for vvounds , but ulcers likewise and fistulaes , especially such as are bound with moisture . the hair being washed with the decoction , stayeth the shedding of it , taken inwardly is good for the mattering of the yard , and the juice of it is most excellent , or the decoction of it injected into the yard with a syringe , to stop the extreme flowing of the seed , although the issue dorh cause inflammation and swelling of the secret parts , and though the spermatick matter do come down in great quantity , as hath been very well proved . vvater yarrow is of a dry faculty , by reason it taketh away hot inflammations and swellings . z. zuche , which are called g●urds ▪ are cold and moist in the second degree , and allayeth all manner of inflammations , or hot swellings . softning or dissolving herbs are four , viz. mallows , marsh-mallows , black violet and bears-breech . the experienced farrier . the second part. before you enter upon the drenching and physicking of horses ; take these directions with you . i. that all diseases are cured by their contraries , and all parts of the body are maintained by their like , viz. if heat be the cause of the distemper , then appropriate those medicin●s that are cold to it ; if cold , then give hot ; if wind be the cause of illness , then finde out in your table of simples proper medicines for that disease , and use them according to directions . ii. apply not the medicines to one part of the body , that are appropriated to another part , viz. if the brain be over-heated , use not such medicines as cool the heart and liver . iii. if you give distilled waters for the disease you intend to cure ; give such water as is distilled out of the herb proper for that disease , and sweeten it with the same quantity of syrup as you give water , made also of the same herb , or some other proper for the disease . iv. if the disease of the body lie remote from the stomach and bowels , then use pills or balls , which is the most proper physick for the distemper , because they are longest in digestion , and therefore the most fit to carry off the disease by degrees . v. rather be found faulty on the safer side , by giving your physick too weak then too strong . vi. consider the natural temper of your horses body that is afflicted , and support it in that , or else you weaken and destroy nature , in stead of repairing it ; as the heart is hot , the brain cold , so apply your simples accordingly . . those medicines that are hot in the first degree , are just of the heat and temper of the blood , and therefore most wholesom and proper for the body . viii . all medicines that are opening and provoke urine , are best given in white-wine or ale , for they are of an opening nature , and a great strengthner of the reins . ix . all medicines that are given to stop any loosness or scouring , let him fast three houres or more before he receive them . x. let your medicines be proper to the humor offending ▪ or else you will weaken nature , not the disease . xi . if the humor offending be thin , that you intend to remove , then let your medicine be gentle ; but if it be thick and tough , then give him some cutting and opening thing the night before , to prepare his body the better for his purge the next day . xii . have a care how you use binding medicines , when you purge tough humors . xiii . if your horse be bound in his body , either rake him with your hand , ( being first anointed with sallet oyl , hogs-grease or sweet butter , before you pull his baked or hard dung from him ) or else give him a glister before you give him a purge . xiv . you must consider the strength and stature of your horse , and accordingly prepare your medicines , either stronger or weaker . xv. if you give your horse a drench for a cold , you usually give him of these sorts of powders . viz. fennegreek , liquoris , bay berries , anniseeds , cummin-seeds , grains of paradice , long pepper , elecampane , turmerick , &c. but be sure you exceed not above three ounces of them in his drench at one time . xvi . if you give a horse a scouring that is very strong and lusty , you may venture to give him with safety an ounce or more of the best barbadoes alloes , ( which is the strongest sort of aloes that is ) powdred and made up into balls with fresh butter , as you have directions afterwards . xvii . if you give aloes succotrina , you may give an ounce and an half of it . ( because it is of a weaker nature than the other ) dissolved on the fire in half a pint of white-wine , and brewed afterwards in a quart of strong beer , with about two ounces of fresh butter put into it , which by reason of the loosning and opening quality it hath , will cause the aloes to work so much the sooner and better . this proportion is to be given only to a large and strong constitutioned horse , a less quantity will serve a smaller . an advertisement about the several sorts of aloes , and how you may know not only their goodness , but also distinguish them one from another . there are four several sorts of them , and differ only in purity , viz. aloes caballina , aloes hepatica , aloes barbadoes , and aloes succotrina . . aloes caballina is a yellowish sort of aloes , much of the colour of a boiled liver , and is somewhat dearer , stronger and better then aloes hepatica . this is seldom sold by it self , but kept only to mix amongst the black and courser sort of aloes , to give them a good colour . . al●es hepatica is much of the same kind with the caballina ( for they come over mixt together ) but is of a blackish roziny colour when refined , which is accounted the best colour . . aloes of barbadoes is found out but of late years , but is accounted the strongest sort of all the kinds of them ; if it be of a duskish sad brown , and hath an eye of yellow amongst it , you may conclude it to be good ; but the most common colour is black like unto pitch ; an ounce of either of these three is a purge strong enough for most reasonable horses . . aloes succotrina is the weakest , but best of all the kinds of them ; if you break it thin , and find it of a clear roziny colour , and transparent , you may be satisfied 't is the very best . this is four times dearer then the other sorts , and is also given to horses , ( but in a larger quantity ) by those that value not their purses . xviii . if you make your balls of the powder of aloes and butter , mix it not all at once with the butter , but work it up in a little at first , and then divide it into three equal parts , and cover every part over with fresh butter , about the bigness of a small wash-ball , which will prevent the bitter taste of the aloes from offending him when you give them , give him a horn-full of warm beer after every one of them , not only to prevent sticking , but to clear his passage , the better for the remaining balls . but the best way of making of balls of aloes for a scouring you may find after the best receipt for the glanders , within a leaf of the latter end of the book . xix . if you put london-treacle at any time into your horses drinks , put not above one ounce of it at a time where there are other ingredients , but if you give it by it self , you may give him two ounces of it dissolved in a pint of sack , or for want of that a quart of good ale or beer . xx. when you physick your horse at any time , give him his hay so sparingly over-night , that he may stand two or three houres at the rack-staves , and let him fast three or four houres after he hath taken it . xxi . 't is good to stir him a little after he hath taken his drink , which will make his physick work so much the better . xxii . if you are about the cure of any outward wound or sore , the best way to expedite it , is to keep the place warm ▪ which is done by clapping a plaister of burguna●-p●tch over the medicine , which will be a means to de●end the grieved part from the air or vvind . xxiii . if a horse hath swoll●n , or gourded legs , and hath been poisoned with the medicines of other farriers , and is fallen into your hands for cure ; then be sure before you undertake to meddle with him , to wash his legs very well with warm ▪ whey , ( or for want of that , milk , but whey is best ) for this will clear off the venom and poison of their medicines , and make the cure more facile and easie to be effected . directions how to order a sick horse . whensoever you find your horse sick at any time , either of feaver , farcy , molten-grease , cold , or any other distempers , &c. and that you have given him something in order to his cure , and yet you find his stomach so bad , that he falls from his meat , then to recover it again , and to strengthen and keep up his weak and feeble spirits give him first , ( to bring him to a stomach ) half a pint of white-wine , vineger or verjuice luke-warm , sweetned with two or three spoonfuls of honey , well dissolved in it over the fire . and about three or four houres after it , give him the common cordial for horses , which is made of a quart or three pints of strong beer , with a good big toast of houshold wheat-bread crumbed into it gross and well boied . before you give it him , while it is cooling , put into it two or three spoonfuls of honey , and about two ounces of fresh or salt butter , and let him have it luke-warm ; give him at night a mash of malt , or oats , that are boiled till they are bursten . after he hath eaten them , let him feed upon hay for about an hour or more , then give him warm-vvater to drink , with a handful or two of vvheat-bran stirred amongst it ; the next morning give him his cordial again , and at nine or ten of the clock warm-vvater and bran , and boiled oats , and now and then a cordial of white-vvine and honey , and moderate exercise once or twice a day , ( if he be not too weak to walk . ) this is the only method that i know of that you can use for the recovery of a sick and weak horse , and for to remedy his costiveness which does usually attend sicknesses . . the longer he fasts after you have given him his drink , ( conditionally he be in good heart and strength ) the better effect it will have in working upon the disease for which it was given . for three or four houres is time long enough to fast , but if he be a sick , feeble and weak horse , then two houres is enough . . after he hath fasted according to his strength , give him some comfortable thing to recruit his spirits ; a● a ▪ mash of malt , boiled oats , s●al●ed bran , &c. which will be a means to put heart and strength into him again , which his drench and fasting may in some measure have weak●ed . if you use your horse to scalded bran , mashes of malt , or boiled oats , and have boiled fennegreek amongst them ▪ or given him it at any time amongst his provender , he will be the more ready and willing to take his oats thus prepared , ( which is very good after any drench you have given him . ) viz. to boyl a quarter of a pound of fennegreek with half a peck of oats till they burst , and throw them into the manger scaulding hot , and though he cannot well eat them till they be somewhat cold , yet the steam that doth arise from thence is very wholesom to open and comfort his head and brain , and to free him from colds and stuffings therein . if you find him nice and not willing to eat them , decoy him with a little wheat-bran strowed upon them , which to the liking he may have to that , possibly may cause him to lick them up both together ; the water that is drained from his oats put into a pale of cold water by it self , and give it him to drink luke-warm , after he hath fed a little while upon hay . an advertisement , not only touching the vsefulness of the general simples , set down in order one after another , in the first and second part , for the cur● of all inward and outward diseases , but also of the table of simples . wherever you meet with such simples in the first and second part , imagine not that they were put there to no other end nor purpose , then to blot or blur paper with , or that they were intended only to make the book swell large and big , to bring profit and advantage to the bookseller . i confess to the ignorant and unskilful it may appear so , by reason of their want of knowledge and judgement , to discern and apprehend the several uses for which they were written . but if the ingenious and skilful in the art of farring , ( to whom these things were principally intended ) consider them , and seriously weigh the nature and virtue of every one of them , ( as their table of simples will acquaint them with ) they will quickly come to understand their usefulness , and readily employ them to the same end they were first designed and intended for , viz. not only to emprove their knowledge and understanding in the nature of them as to the autherick , but also as to the practick , in bettering their skill in the physical uses of them , conditionally they will be so ingenious as to compound and fit up their several juices or powders into medicaments according to art , as their genius and inclinations may lead them . neither are they placed here because there wants receipts for the cure of all diseases , either inward or outward ; but for the general good of all ( as i have said before ) that will be studious to divert and recreate themselves in compounding and making up of new medicines proper and suitable to the diseases they intend them for ; so that here you see , that so long as you have this magazin or storehouse of nature to come to , this book will never be old , but be always fresh and new , unto those that will resort unto it for their emprovement . to make oyl of camomil , which is very sovereign for any grief in the limbs , which proceeds from a cold cause . take a good hand●ul of camomil , and bruise it in a mortar , then put it into a quart of sallet-oyl in some convenient vessel ●it for your use ▪ and let it remain therein three days and three nights , then strain out the oyl from the camomil , and put into it some fresh herbs , and let them stand also the same time , then change it twice more as you did before , and your oyl is made . to make oyl of spike , which is good for all manner of sinew-strains , or pains or aches in the limbs . take the flowers of spike , and wash them in sallet-oyl , then stamp them well , and put them into a canvass bag , and press out what oyl you can get , then put it into a glass and set it by , and it will clear of it self , and wax fair and bright , and smell very strong of the spike . you may make oyl of other herbs after this manner . to make oyl of mastick , which is good for any cold grief . take two ounces of mastick , and two ounces of olibanum , and boyl them in a quart of sallet-oyl to a third part , then put it into a canvass bag , and press out what oyl you can get as you did the other , and let it stand by you about twelve or fourteen days , and it will be perfect . comp●●hensive termes explained ▪ . the five greater opening roots are , fennel , smallage , parsley , sparagras and knee-holly . to which may be added , garliek , onions , angelica , liquoris , gentian , cichoxy , endive , celandine , squills and master-wort . . the five lesser opening roots , are , eringo , grass , capers , rest-harrow and madder . to which you may add , turmerick , birthwort , elecampane , horse-radish , and pollipodium . . the five softning herbs , are marsh-m●llows , mallows , mercury , violet-leaves and beets ; to which you may add , pellitory of the wall ; coleworts , a●rach , melliolet and white lillies ▪ the hairy herbs are , maiden-hair , wall-ru● , spleen-wort , harts-●orn and trichomanes ; the greater are peony , lavender , rosemary , sage and poppey . . the four cordial flowers are , borrage , bugloss , roses and violets . to which you may add saffron , marigold , spickn●●● , rosemary , clove-gilliflowers and poppy . . the four greater hot seeds are , annis , cummin , caraway and fennel . to which you may add cardamoms , grains of paradise , pepper and mustard-seed . . the four lesser hot seeds are , amom● , bishops-weed , parsley and c●rro●s . to which you may add , cubebs , di●b , rochet , smallage and er●simum . . the four greater cold seeds are , cucumber , gourd , cit●ul and millon ; to which you may add , poppy , henbane , night-shade and hemlock . . the four lesser cold seeds are , endive , le●tice , succ●ry and purslain . to which you may add cm●kweed , dandelion and plantine . . the three hot flowers are , camomil , m●lilot oris or flower-de-luce ; to which you may add , saffron , lavender and rosemary . . the four hot ointments are , martiarum , aragon , althaea and agrippae ; to which may be added , nervinum , laurinum , anodynum and amarum . . the four cold ointments are , rosarum , album camphorinum , populeon , r●frigerans galeni ; to which may be added , sumach , night-shade , pomatum and diaphompholigos , which are all bought at the apothecaries . the gold and hot ointments repeated over again , with their vertues belonging to them . . martiarum , is good for all cold diseases of the body , as palseys , convulsions , cramps , stiffness of the nerves and joynts , falling sickness , lethargy , &c. . aragon hath all the virtues of martiarum . . althaea softens , dissolves and asswages pains in any part of the body , and is good against stiffness and contracting of the nerves , helps palseys and convulsions , and is good to conglutinate and closeup the mouth of wounds . . agrippae is very excellent for all watery tumors in the outward parts , by anointing them therewith ; it kills wormes , and expels water by purging . . nervinum , is good for the nerves , to comfort , strengthen and amend their defects , proceeding from cold and dead palseys , convulsions , cramps , numbness , bruises and old aches , &c. . la●rinum , is good for all cold and moist diseases of the brain , nerves , stomach , liver , spleen , reins and joynts ; it helps weariness , and is good for all old aches and pains , and other diseases . . anodynum , is good to asswage tumors , inflammations , and easeth pain in any part of the body . . amarum , anointed on the belly and chest , and between the shoulders , expells water , and kills wormes , opens obstructions of the liver and spleen , provokes urine , the shape being also anointed with it expels the heam . . rosatum , is of a fine cooling nature , very useful for all gaulings of the skin , and frettings accompanied with cholerick humors , tettars , ring-wormes , and is good to mitigate diseases of the head coming of heat . . album camphoratum , is an excellent cold ointment to asswage pain , and is a great drier , and is good for scabs , burnings and hot inflammations , chasings , frettings or gaulings of the skin ; it dries up ulcers , and takes away their itching in the time of healing . . popul●eum is very cooling ointment , which softens and eases pains . . refrigerans , cools and moistens , and is good to cure inflammations , tumors , wounds and other maladies , proceeding from hot and dry diseases . . sumach is good for the falling of the fundament , and helps pain● and weakness in the back consolidates ruptures , &c. . night-shade , is a very cooling ointment . . poma●um , is a softning , cooling and asswaging , and comforteth weary limbs . . di phompholigos , cools , dries , heals and skins , wounds , sores and ulcers , &c. these are all very costly ointments , and are to be used only by the rich , which value not their purses ; yet the honest and plain farrier hath far more cheap , and every whit as good , proper and useful medicines for the cure of the said distempers as the others are , conditionally he takes the pains to look them out , which he may here and there find scattered throughout the whole work. of the vse of a●timony . crude antimony is a mineral much like unto lead , the best coming from tra●silva●ia and hungaria , and is known by its bright and long flakes ; 't is an excellent thing to put into a horses provender , to cleanse and purifie his blood , and to free his body from ●olds , or other distempers , that lie hid and lurking therein to destroy him ; the manner how you are to use it , is to beat it very small , and then sift it through a ●ine sieve , then strow about a quarter of an ounce of it morning and evening , ( for about a month together ) in a quarter of a peck of his oates , being first wet with good ale or beer . 't is sold at the druggist for d. the pound . the filings of steel needles is also very good for the said distempers , used after this manner . general things good for the joynts and sinews , that hath in them any ach , or numbness , weakness or swelling . if it proceed from a hot cause , you must apply cooling things to it , but if from a cold cause , hot things . the oyl that is pressed out of almonds is a great mitigater of pain , and all manner of aches , aquavitae , archangel , alh●al , balsam , burgundy pitch spread upon leather , and ●aid to the place grieved , draweth forth all manner of pain ▪ burnet , brandy , bay-leaves , brank-ur●in , the oyl of chamomel , the bruised roots of comfrey , cowslips , chickweed , centaury , cow-parsnips , germander , hawk-weed , mallows or marsh-mallows , mug-wort , mullen penney-royal , purslain , the great leaved dock , saxafrage , english tobacco , garden tansie , wilde mother of thyme , sow-fennel , flower-de luce , turpentine , rag weed , stamped very small , and boiled with some hogs-grease , to the consumption of the juice , and at the end of the boiling it , add to it mastick and olibanum ▪ and anoint the place with it . pepper , saffron , garlick , rosemary , frankincense , myrrh , sciatica cresses , wilde tansie , spignel , yellow wall-flower , nep , catmint , herb gerrard , mustard-seed , &c. particular receipts for aches . take accopium and mix it well with sack , and chase it very well in with your hand , and if it be of a cold cause , it will take it away at three or four times doing . another . take brandy or aquavitae , and chafe and bath the place grieved very well with it , and dry it in with a hot fire shovel , then take a rag , and dip in the brandy or aquavitae , and strew the inside of it all over with pepper , finely beaten and ●earced , and bind it to the place grieved , and swath it up with a dry rowler , and do it thus once every day till he become sound . another . take of sweet butter half a pound , of aquavitae a gill , of saffron hal● a dram , pepper ●inely beaten and ●earced three drams , three heads of garlick bruised , mix them altogether , and let them stew on the fire , and not boil , till it come to a salve . this being chafed in very warm to the place grieved , and a brown paper wet in the same , and bind to it , with a dry cloth upon that , and so used morning and evening , will cure it . things good in general for st. anthonies fire . the juice of houseleek tempered with white lead , the juice of the green leaves of garden night-shade mixed with barley-meal , is good for it and all hot inflammations . allum put to the juice of white beets , the roots of cinquefoyl boiled in vineger , the distilled water of colts-foot ; with elder flowers and night-shade , and applied , crabs-claws , the juice of wall penny-wort , with the leaves and flowers of feather-few is good for it , and all hot inflammations and swellings , the roots of bugloss mixed with sallet-oyl and barley-meal , water sengreen or fresh water souldier , ducks-meat , the leaves of the goose-berry bush , or hawk-weed bruised and applied with salt. the juice of kidney-wort applied also , taketh away all outward heat and inflammations ; the juice of mallows or marsh-mallows boiled in sallet-oyl , and applied , is very good ; a poultess made of barley-meal and hogs-grease , with the green heads of garden poppy bruised and applied with vineger is also very good , so is the juice of purslain ; an ointment made of the juice of garden rue , with oyl of roses , ceruse and a little vineger , and applied , is most excellent ; the juice of the bruised leaves of succory is good , so ●s an ointment made of woad , and the place anointed with it . but because it is a disease very rare to be found in horses , you shall have as strange a cure. 't is this . a particular receipt for st. anthonies fire . after you have cast him , slit the skin of the fore head of the horse under the sore-top , and open the same round about with your cornet , rounding it about an ●nch every way , which done take a worm , which you shall find in a fullers teasel , and blow it in alive with a quill into the place , and have a care you kill not the worm in stitching up the skin again , for in twenty days the worm will die , and in that time the horse will be throughly cured . if you would know the nature of the disease , you may find it hereafter , in a table set down alphabetically , shewing where the diseases of a horse do grow , and the causes of them . things good in general for the antichor or heart-sickness . to let blood ▪ if you know he wants it , and to give him a purgation of sack , sallet-oyl and sugar candy , or sugar and cinnamon given him in sack or diapente , or dr. stephens water , butter-burr , avens , &c. a particular receipt for the anticor or heart-sickness . after the swelling appears , and you have taken a good quantity of blood on both sides of the neck , give him the drink of diapente with b●er or ale , which you may find in my first part , putting therein one ounce of brown sugar candy , and half an ounce of london-treacle , which will drive the sickness and grief from his heart ; which-done , anoint the swelling with this ointment . ointment . take hogs-grease , boars grease and bas●licon , of each three ounces , incorporate them well together , and anoint and rub the swelling every day , till it become soft , then open it , and let forth the corruption , and wash the sore with the copperas water , which you may find in my first part. and ●aint it with your green ointment , which you may sind as aforesaid , and it will be soon whole . things good in general for an vpper or nether a●taint , or any hurt by over-reaching . before you apply your salve , lay the place bare without hollowness , and wash it with beer and salt , or vineger and salt , and then what will cure a mallender or sellander will cure this . particular receipts good for an upper attairt . take venice-turpentine one ounce , and brandy three spoonfuls , beat them well together till they come to a salve , and anoint the sore very well therewith , and heat it well in with a hot iron , and do this three or four times , and it will cure him . another . take of sanguis draconis three quarters of an ounce , bole-armoniack one ounce , sallet oyl as much , mastick three ounces , sewet as much , and as much hogs-grease , melt and mix all these together , and lay it to the swelling , and it will take it away . a●other . take one or two handfuls of saexafrage , and all the sewet of a loyn of mutton , and a pint of white wine , chop the herb , and mince the sewet very small , and boil them all very well ●ogether , then take a good quantity of horse-dung newly made that goes to grass , and mix with the other ingredients , and work it to a salve , and apply it plaister-wise hot to the place , renewing it every day so long as you think convenient , and this is a very excellent cure. another for the nether attaint . take a piece of filletting , and bind it about the pastern joynt , pretty hard , which will cause the blister or swelling the better to appear ; then let out the corrupt jelly with your incision-knife , and crush it all out , then heal it up with your copperas water , and anoint it with the green ointment . things good in general for the stavers , head-ach or farcin . to let blood to hang about his neek , the root of amara dulcis , the juice of sow-fennel or hogs fennel squirted up his nose , or the seed and root of cow-parsnip boiled in oyl , and his head anointed therewith ; the seeds of brank-cresses blown up his nostrils , or ducks-meat applied to his forehead made into a poultess ; or his head bathed with the distilled water of common elder , taketh it away if it cometh of a cold cause ; flea-wort bruised and applied after the same ●anner do h the like , so doth germander and henbane bruised with vineger and applied , the dust of tobacco blown up his head with a large quill or kix , causeth him to neese , which easeth him from the pain ; the root of pellitory of spain dried and beaten to powder , and used in the same manner , doth the like . the juice of cellendine put into his eares , or assa foetida dissolved in brandy , and put into his eares , or verjuice and salt put into his eares ; or groundsel and aqua vitae stamped together and put into his ears , &c. particular receipts for the stavers . after you have taken blood from him , take the quantity of a hazel-nut of sweet butter and salt ▪ dissolve it in a sawcer full of white-wine vineger , then take lint or fine flax dipt therein , and so stop both his eares therewith , and stitch them up and let it remain there about twelve houres , and he will be cured . another . take of bitter almonds an ounce and a half , of the gall of an ox two drams , of black ellebore made into fine powder a half penniworth , of grains , castoreum , vineger and varnish , of each five drams , boyl all these together till the vineger be consumed , then strain it and put it into his eares , and do as you did before . another . aqua vitae and garlick so much as will suffice , and stamp them together ▪ and put into his ears , doing as before . another . take the seeds of cressy , of poppy , of smallage , of pursly , of dill , ( the seeds only of these herbs ) and take also pepper and saffron , of each two drams , make them all into fine powder , and put to them of barley-water two quarts , boiling hot from the fire , and ●et it infuse therein three houres , and strain it and give him one quart thereof , and his hay sprinkled with water , and the next day give him the other quart fasting , and let him drink no cold water for four or five days after , but only white water , unless sometimes a sweet mash , and this will cure him . you must note that in this disease of the stavers you must be sure to let him blood , before you give him any medicine . another . after you have sharpned a small and tough oaken or ashen stick , and made a notch at one end like a fork , ( to keep it from running so far into his head ) put it into his nostrils , and job it up and down to the top of his head , which will cause the blood to descend freely ; then in the morning fasting give him this drink well brewed together , viz. one ounce of the powder of turmerick , with as much of the powder of anniseeds in a quart of strong beer or ale , with a pint of verjuice , and a quarter of a pint of brandy ; and stop his eares with aqua vitae and herb-grass beaten very well together . put an equal quantity into each ear , and stop flox or hurds over it to keep it down , and stitch them up with a needle and thread , and let it remain in for about twenty four houres , then unstitch them and pull forth the hurds , and the next day blood him in the neck , and give him his blood with a handful of salt put therein well stirred together ro keep it from clotting , and he is in a fair way to be cured . things good in general for the yellows . agrimony , water-agrimony , the bark of the black elder tree , hops , fennel , smallage , endive , succory-roots , garden-arrach , orach , asarabacca , ash-tree , the juice of coleworts , the inner rind of the barberry tree , or berry , bay-berries , burr-dock roots , wood-bitony , bistort or ●nakeweed , red beetes , burrage or bugloss , butchers-broom , calamint or montanie mint , camomel , cardus benedictus , celandine , the juice of cinquefoyl , the juice of cleavers , the seed of columbines and saffron boiled together , and given him , dandelion , dodder of thyme , eringo , flax-weed or toad-flax , the juice of the flower-de-luce fumitory , the fuzz-bush , garlick , gentian , feltwort or baldmony , the seed of germander , groundsel , the roots of black hellebore , the yellow berries of ivy , liver-wort , madder , maiden-hair , wall-rue , the seed both of the male and female , mercury , wilde-marjorem , worm-wood , mouse-ear , hedge-mustardseed , cow parsnips , the roots of penny royal , the seed of plantine , bastard-rubarb or the great round leaved dock , rupture-wort , sarasens consound , or sarasens wound-wort , shepherds purse , the seeds and roots of sorrel , spleen-wort , tamarisk , turmentil or setfoyl , vervain , ground-pine , myrrh , ivory or harts horn , long-pepper , licoris , anniseeds , ganders or geese dung , misle-toe ▪ white thorn , the roots of parsley , pimpernel , chick-weed , sheeps dung steeped in beer ; you are to let him blood in the first place . a particular receipt for the yellows . take an ouuce of mithridate , and dissolve it in a quart of ale or beer , and give it him luke-warm . but if you have no mithridate , give him two ounces of london treacle , and for want of that two or three spoonfuls of common treacle . another particular receipt for the yellows . take of turmerick , burr-dock roots , long pepper , of each about half an ounce , anniseeds and licoris in fine powder and searced , of each , a spoonful , celandine the leaves and roots one handful , chopt small , and strain the celandine , and put them into a quart of strong beer , and boyl them a little on the fire , and in the cooling sweeten it with london-treacle , and put into it a good piece of butter , and give it him blood-warm , and give him white water , and he will do well . another . take of the best live honey , half a pound of saffron and fennegreek made into fine powder as much as will suffice , incorporate these with your honey to a stiff paste , and so make thereof three pills , and dipping them in sallet-oyl give him them , and ride him and walk him gently an hour , and set him up warm . another . after you have let him blood , take a quart of ale , and put an ounce of saffron , and an ounce of turmerick into it , being first made into fine powder , and with the juice of sellandine so much as will suffice , and give it him blood-warm . another for the yellows . after you have blooded him on both sides the neck , and third barr on the palat of the mouth ; give him camomil , elder leaves and celandine , of each a small handful chopped indifferent small , with a little of the inner rind of the barberry tree boiled in three pints of strong beer or ale till they come to a quart . then strain the herbs from the liquor , and give it him luke-warm fasting in the morning , with a piece of sweet butter melted in it , and sweetned with two spoonfuls of honey or common treacle ; and order him as you have directions in the physicking of horses . another for the yellows . to let blood as before . then give him turmerick and anniseeds beaten to powder , of each an ounce , with half an ounce of the powder of the inner bark of the barberry tree , or for want of that a gill of the juice of celandine ; give him all these either in a pint of white ▪ wine vineger , or in a quart of stale beer , and half a pint of brandy luke-warm , fasting in the morning ; give him with it a spoonful of the flower of brimstone at the mouth of the first horn you give him ; but none with the rest ; and order him as you do usually sick horses . another for it . after you have let blood , as you must always do in this disease , mix two penniworth of saffron beaten well to powder , and a thimble-full or two of the powder of turm●rick with fre●h ●utter , and make it up into a small ●all , and give it him for three or four mornings together fasting , and it will cure him . simples that are good in gener l for the cure of the black ●aurdice or yellows . the decoction of the flowers of sorrel made in white-wine or stale beer , and sweetned with honey helpeth it given him often ; the powder of the leaves and bark of the tamarisk tree , is also good given him in beer , so is the juice of the leaves of broom , a● also the seeds given him several mornings together in beer till you see amendment ; a horn-full of it is enough to give it him at a time . a particular receipt which is very good for the cure of it . take the roots of red docks , the roots of burr-docks , and slice a good quantity of them , and put them into a bottle of beer , with a little mithridate , close stopped , and give him a horn or two full of it , in the morning fasting . things good in general for the falling-evil ▪ planet-struck , night-mare or palsey . fifteen of the seeds of the single peony given him in four wine ; to hang a flint-stone over his head , or some old sythe or old iron , or to give him exercise before and after water , and to mix hemp-seed in his provender ▪ and to enforce him to sweat , mis●etoe of the oak given , mustard-seed , the seed of the black poplar , cinquefoyl , germander , hysop , st. johns wort , &c. particular receipts for the night-mare . take a handful of salt , half a pint of sallet-oyl , brown sugar candy four ounces , mix them all very well together , and warm them on the fire , and give it him blood-warm two mornings together , and it will cure him . another . give him this purging pill , take of tarr three spoonfuls , of sweet butter the like quantity , beat them well together with the powder of licoris , anniseeds and sugar-candy till it be like paste . then make them into round balls , and put into each ball two or three cloves of garlick , and so give it him , observing to warm him before and after , and let him be fasting likewise two or three houres before and after . things good in general f r cramps , or convulsion of the s●n●ws . rhub●rb taken inwardly , the seed of bastard st. johns wort given , the oyl drawn from sweet marjorem , and the grieved place anointed with it is good , for all manner of aches coming of a cold cause , calamint given inwardly , bitony , elecampane , master-wort or the herb gerard given inwardly , the roots of valerian given , southern-wood , or the seeds of the ladies thistle given , juniper-berries given , bay-berries , china-roots , brank-ursine taken inwardly , or applied outwardly , the leaves of the burr-dock bruised , and laid to the place grieved , oyl of chamomel , centaury applied to it , costus , the juice of chick-weed made up with hogs-grease , and anoint the place grieved with it is very good , or to force him to sweat by clothes , or to bury him in a horse dunghil only with his head out , alheal or centaury bruised and applied to them is very good , so is sow-fennel bruised with fallet-oyl and vineger , and applied , so is gentian and germander bruised and applied , the powder of stinking gladwin boiled in ale or beer and given is good , a poultiss made of hawk-weed and barley-meal , and said to the place offended is also good . lavender is good for them given inwardly , the roots and seeds of marsh-mallows boiled in the grounds of beer , and applied , is also good for them , so is a decoction of mugwort with camomil and agrimony , and the grieved place bathed therewith warm , penny-royal applied with salt , honey and vineger is also good , hermodactils and venice-turpentine given inwardly is also very good , the juice of the green herb of tobaccho made into an ointment and applied , is also very good , &c. particular receipts for the cramp . chafe and rub the member contracted , with vineger and common oyl , and then wrap it all over with wet hay or rotten litter , or else with wet woollen clothes , either of which is a present remedy . another . after you have sweated him well in a horse dunghill , anoint him with this ointment , take of hogs-grease one pound , of turpentine a quarter of a pound , of pepper half a dram , of new wax half a pound , of sallet oyl one pound , boyl them altogether and anoint him with it . another . take pimpernel , primrose-leaves , chamomel , crow-foot , mallows , fennel , rosemary , of each six handfuls steeped fourty eight houres in fair water , and boil them in it till they be tender , and bath him therewith four days together , morning and evening , and apply the herbs to the place with a thumb-band of hay wet in the same liquor , and anoint the said member every day about noon , with petroleum , nerval , and oyl of spike mixed together . another . take two quarts of strong ale , and of black soap two pounds , and boyl them together till they look like tarr , with some brandy , and anoint the place grieved therewith . things good in general for all colds or coughs wet and dry , or for any consumption or pu●refaction of the lungs . agrimony , bay berries , elecampane , licoris , anniseeds , long pepper , moss of an oaken-pale or timber-stick boiled in milk , briony , a great purger which must be corrected , the gum of the cherry-tree dissolved in ale , colts-foot ▪ hawks-weed , hore-hound , juniper berries , pellitory of the wall given him with honey and brown sugar candy , penney royal boiled in milk , ground pine , the juice of purslain , the juice of jack by the hedge , scabias , vervan , fennelseeds , fennegreek , cardamum , cumin , ciliris montany , nutmegs , cloves , ginger , linseed , brimstone , germander is good for all moist colds , hempseed , raisins of the sun , sallet oyl , garlick , tarr given him in an egg-shell , sellendine , mustard and allum boiled in milk or beer , rubarb , cassia , myrrh , herb-grass , caraway seeds , marjorem , currants , millolet , lions-foot , ladies mantle , opoponax , galbanum , storax , a hedge ▪ hog dried in an oven and beaten to powder , and mixed with his provender , or groundsel shred small with the powder of anniseeds boiled in beer , hysop , water and salt brayed together and given him , is good for a new cold , or oyl de bay , anniseeds and licoris , of each alike made into fine powder , and sowed in a linnen cloth and fastned to his bit , and to ride him upon it , is good to break a new cold , ivy berries dried and beaten to powder and given in beer , the seed of bank cresses , feltwort or baldmony , the root of centaury boiled in beer and sweetned with treacle , the root of mullin or long-wort , ferula , rosemary , bitter almonds , grains of paradise , lung-wort or wood liver-wort , or take a hen egg after the white is taken out , and fill it up with butter , tarr and salt , and put it down his throat for three mornings together , is very good for an old cough , the powder of angelick taken in the distilled water of agarick and wood-bitony mixed with common treacle or honey is very good , the root of burrage or bugloss made into an electuary and given is also good , the juice or the decoction of cinquefoyl with honey cureth the cough of the lungs , featherfew with the juice of sow fennel put into an egg , ( the white being taken out ) with brown sugar candy , or a little london treacle and given , is excellent , a syrup made of the green leaves of the fruit of the fig-tree is good for all the diseases of the breast and lungs , hysop boiled with rue and honey is good , so is lungwort , maiden-hair , wilde rotchet , sugar and sallet oyl is also very good , the liquor of the wounded beech tree given in the decoction of colts-foot is also very good for him , so is also polipody with sugar candy ; or any of these juices with honey and sugar candy made into a paste , with the flower of brimstone and liquoris is very good , &c. particular receipts for colds . take the moss that is growing upon an oaken pale or timber stick , one handful or better , and boil it very well in three pints of new milk , with a green root of elecampane cut into thin and small slices with some licor●s , and let it boyl till the milk be half consumed , then strain it and press it throughly , and as it is a cooling put into it a good piece of sweet butter , and of ordinary treacle so much as will suffice , and so give it him blood-warm . this is good also for the head ach , frenzy , stavers , pose , cold , cough wet or dry , shortness of breath , rotten lungs , glanders , lax , leosness , bloody flux , or the like diseases . you may boil them in al● or beer , i mean the ingredients you make up your drink with . let him have this drink three mornings together , and it will cure both his cold and cough wet and dry . another to take away a cold , poze or ratling in the fead , how violent soever without giving any inward medicine . take a small quantity of fresh or sweet butter , and of brimstone made into fine powder , work them together till they be one entire body , and of a deep yellow gold colour , then take two long goose-wing feathers , and anoin● them herewith to the very quills on either side , which done ; rowl them into more of the powder of brimstone , and so put them up into either nostril one , and at the but end of the quill put a strong packthread , which must be fastned over his pole , like to the head-stall of a bridle , and ride him moderately after it about an hour , and this will provoke him to snort and snuffle out of his nose and head , much of congealed filth which is in his head , then tie him to the rack for an hour after , and this will purge his head very clean , then draw forth the feathers and he will do well , keeping him warm , and giving him mashes or white water for four or five days together . this you may safely use to a horse , that is ready to hunt or run for any great wager , and the day is so near that you durst not give him any inward drench . another very good , though short . take of time one handful , boyl it in a quar● of strong ale till it come to a pint , then strain it , add thereunto of ordinary treac●e two spoon●uls , and give it him blood warm . another for a new taken cold. take water and salt and brew them well together , and give it him blood-warm . another for a cold newly taken . take a hens egg , and make a little hole on the top to take out the white and yolk ; then take tarr and butter , of each alike , and put it into the egg after you have workt it very well together , and give it him three mornings together . another which will cure a long taken cold , yea , though it be accompanied with a dry cough , and shortness of breath or pursiveness , and it hath done cures that hath been held very impossible to have been effected . take of the conserve of elecampane three quarters of an ounce , and dissolve it in a pint and an half of sweet sack , and give it him in the morning fasting , and ride him gently a little after , and thus do several times till you find the infirmity do decrease . the kinds of this conserve , and how to make it . there are two kinds thereof ▪ one is called particularly a preserve , and the other an absolute conserve . the first is simple , the other compound , both very sovereign , but the conserve is the best . they will keep a whole year close stopped ; the simple you must preserve as you do all other green roots , and keep it close in a gally pot , in its own syrup , and when you use it , beat it in a mortar together with its syrup and refined sugar made first into fine powder . now your compound or conserve is thus made , first let your roots of elecampane be neatly candied , and made very dry and hard , and get the youngest roots you can , which must be kept also in a gally-pot , or glass , close stopped in a dry and warm place , where they may not give again , and when you use it , beat so much of it in a mortar as you shall use , with the syrup of coltsfoot , and the powder of refined sugar , still working it till you have brought it to a perfect conserve , and give it him in sweet sack. the first of these two , which is the simple , helpeth any ordinary cold or stopping , it comforteth the lungs , enlargeth his wind , purgeth the head from all filthy matter , and dissolveth many other obstructions as well in the body as the head. but the compound or conserve worketh better effects in the body of the horse , espe●ially if the malady be old and dangerous , or if there he any taint in the lungs , liver or inward parts : this conserve in time by the frequent use thereof will cure all dry coughs which are held to be incurable . but if you have not these conserves take this other receipt . another . take of the syrup of colts-foot one ounce , of elecampane roots dried , anniseeds and licoris , of each half an ounce , all made into fine powder , an ounce of brown sugar-candy , which must be divided into two parts , then take sweet butter as much as will suffice , and so make this up into three balls good and stiff , which done , roul them in your other moiety of your powdred sugar-candy , and so give it him fasting , and ride him gently for half an hour , and so set him up warm , and let him fast three houres after it , and let him drink no cold ▪ water , unless it be with exercise , and sprinkle his hay with water , and his oats with beer or ale. a fume for a horse that is stopped in the head , and that he voideth filth and stinking matter out of his nose . take of auripigmentum and of colts-foot made into powder , of each two drams , with venice-turpentine , work them into a stiff paste , and make them into small cakes the bredth of a six-pence , and dry them a little , and put one of these cakes into a cha●ing-dish of coals , covered with a tunnel , and so fume him , and this not only during his physick , but at other times after . for a new cold give him this cawdle . take the yolks of four new laid eggs , and beat them well together , and dissolve them with a quart of good ale , then take three nutmegs , with a little anniseeds and licoris , made all into fine powder , and as much pepper in fine powder as you can put upon a six-pence , and put these in also with a piece of sweet butter , and two or three spoonfuls of ordinary treacle , and of brown sugar-candy four ▪ ounces , warm them all upon the fire till the treacle and butter be molten , and give it him blood-warm four or five mornings together , and this is an infallible cure. another for a cold. take four ounces of horse-spice , half an ounce of diapente , one ounce of the powder of elecampane roots , half an ounce of the flower of brimstone , one penniworth of common treacle , one penniworth of honey , half a quarter of a pint of sallet-oyl ; take all these together with a little wheat-flower to a paste , made up in a small ball every morning so long as it lasts , wrapped up in sweet butter . another , which cures any cold or dry cough , shortness of breath , pursiveness , or broken-winded . take of tarr and sweet butter of each three spoonfuls , and work them well together , with the fine powder of licoras , anniseeds and sugar-candy , till it be brought to a hard paste : then make it into three round balls , and put into each ball four or five cloves of garlick , and so give him them , and warm him before and after he hath received them , and be sure that he be fasting before he takes them , and let him fast three houres after them . another for the same purpose . take of the white fat or lard of bacon , a piece four fingers long , and almost two fingers thick both ways , then with your knife make many holes in it , and stop it with as many cloves of garlick as you can conveniently get into it , then rowling it in the powder of licoras , anniseeds , sugar-candy and brimstone , of equal proportions alike , and give it him in a morning fasting , twice a week , till you find amendment , and ride him after it , and sprinkle his hay with water . another . take a red herring , and take out the bones , and rowl it up in tarr , and give it him down his throat , and it will cure him . another . take of the juice of licoras , london-treacle , anniseeds , turmerick , fennegreek and long pepper , of each an ounce , beat the hard simples into powder , then put to them two ounces of english honey , and as much of sugar-candy , and incorporate all together , and make thereof balls as big as pullets eggs , and give him two or three in a morning fasting , and give him two new laid eggs after them , and at noon give him a mash , keep him warm , and do this twice or thrice . another for a desperate dry cough . take a pint of burnt sack , sallet-oyl and red wine vineger , of both a quarter of a pint , of fennegreek , turmerick , long pepper , and licoras , of each a spoonful in powder , and give it him half at one nostril ▪ and half at another , and do this twice a week , and ride him after it , and let him fast two houres , and keep his head and breast warm . another for a horse that ●ath a ratling cold in his head. take a quarter of a pint of mustard made with white-wine vineger , and put to it more when it is made , another quarter of a pint , to make it liquid , then put to it an egg well beaten , and two spoonfuls of sallet-oyl , then let it be luke-warm , and work it very well together till it foams again , and give it him in three parts , one down his mouth , and the other two at each nostril . ano●her for a cold long setled . take three heads of garlick and roast them in embers , then mix them with three spoonfuls of tarr , as much powder-sugar , and half a pound of hogs-grease , then with anniseeds , licoras , elecampane , fennegreek and cumminseeds made into paste , and give as much at once as a ducks egg. another for a dry cough or ro●ten lungs . take elecampane , the flour of brimstone , licoras , fennel-seeds , lins●ed , of each an ounce , and of clarified honey one pound , work the powders and those together , and to a pint of sweet wine put two ounces of these , and give it him morning and evening , and ride him after it , and let him fast one hour after riding . a cordial powd●r for any ordinary cold , and to prepare a horse before travel , and to preserve him from mischief after travel . take of english licoras , elecampane roots , of each an ounce , of sugar candy an ounce and a half , and beat them into fine powder , and ●earce them . keep it in a box , and when you use it for a cold , give him an ounce in a pint of sack , if it be in travel , then give it in sweet wine or strong ale ; but if in ale , then take a quart , and give it both before travel , a●d in your inn , or at home immediately after travel . another to break a festered cold , or dry up glanders , and to heal the vlcer and ci●ker in the nose . take a pint of verjuice , and put to it so much strong mustard made with white-wine vineger as will make it strong , then take an ounce of roch ▪ allomin powder , and as you give this to the horse , as you fill the horn , put in some of the allom , and give him part at both nostrils , but esp●cially at that nostril that runneth most , and ride him after it , and set him up warm , and give no cold water but with exercise . thus do divers mornings . if you would see the manner of making those cordial balls , which cure any violent cold or glanders , or for other diseases ; look in my first part for cordial balls . another for a cold and surfeit . take two handfuls of mallows , one of sellandine , one of herb of grace or rue , one pint of hemp-seed beaten in a mortar very fine , chop the herbs , and boyl them in two quarts of water , to one quart , then put into it a piece of butter , and give it him luke-warm , and order him as a horse should be ordered after drenching . another for a cold or for any inward disease . take two spoonfuls of bay salt , two spoonfuls of eng●ish honey , two spoonfuls of tarr , as much black soap as a nutmeg , as much diapente as will lie upon six-pence , and as much turmerick beaten to powder , as will work altogether until the salt be molten , then fill two egg-shells with it ▪ and give it him , cracking the shells a little first , and ride him a little after it , and let him fast two or three houres after it , then let him eat hay , after you have first given him a mash . another . take a quart of white-wine vineger , four heads o● garlick pilled clean , five new laid eggs , set it in a dunghil twenty four houres ; then take out the eggs and wipe them clean , and strain the vineger from the garlick , and put to it two spoonfuls of honey , three ounces of treacle of jeane . these being thus mixed , give him of it every morning two horn-fulls of it , and one egg so long as it lasts . another . take an ounce of elecampane beaten to powder , a spoonful of treacle , a spoonful of english honey ; put all these into a quart of new milk , blood-warm . this use twice a week till the cold is gone . another . take of the powder of diapente one ounce , of the powder of liquoris one ounce , of aloes beaten to powder half an ounce , eight cloves of garlick bruised and peeled , and two spoonfuls of sallet oyl , put all together in a quart of beer , and give him them in the morning fasting , and keep him warm for a day or two after it . another . take a quart of new milk , and a handful of sellandine with the roots , seethe the milk , and cut the sellandine as small as you can , then boyl them a little while together , and put into it a good piece of sweet butter , and give it him luke-warm . another . take an ounce of rubarb , half an ounce of cassia , half an ounce of mirrh , one penniworth of english treacle , make them up into three balls with fresh butter , and after rowl them in bran , and give him them fasting . another for a cough or glanders . take a little handful of box , cut it very small , then take an ounce of liquoris beaten , an ounce of anniseeds beaten , boyl them all in a quart of ale or beer to a pint and a quarter , then put a quarter of a pint of good sallet-oyl , and a quarter of a pint of treacle , and give it him all at once , and ride him moderately a mile or better , keep him warm covered four or five days , and give him a mash two houres a●ter the drink , and after five days you may ride him moderately , and if you find he requires the same drink again , give it him . another . take a handful of rue , and shred it very small , and boyl it in a quart of new milk , till a quarter-part be boiled away , then put into it two spoonfuls of anniseeds beaten very small , and the like quantity of licoris , and two spoonfuls of treacle , and give it him luke-warm , but put first a piece of sweet butter into it . let him fast two houres after it . then give him a mash of good sweet malt , and after that hay . a receipt for a dry husking cough , which will make him throw out the filth at his nostrils . take a whole head of garlick , and peel all the cloves clean , then put them into a linnen cloth , and boyl them in a quart of milk till they become tender ▪ then take out the garlick , and squeeze out the substance with the milk , and put it a cooling , then put to it a pound of hony , and half a pound of fresh butter , and give it him blood ▪ warm . another . if he run at grass , and hath got a cold , and you are minded to drench him , take him up over night , for fear of catching cold , and give him the drink the next morning , and keep him in the house that day , and if it be warm weather turn him out the next , and take him up at night , and the next day after turn him out both nig●● and day . another . take bay-berries , fennegreek , elecampane roots , long pepper , licoris , anniseeds , cummin-seeds , about three ounces of them all beaten very well , and boil'd a little in a quart of strong beer , then sweeten it with treacle , and put a good piece of butter into it , and give it him luke-warm . another . take three or four red onions soft roasted , chop and bruise them very small , and mix them with about two spoonfuls of mustard , and four spoonfuls of sallet ▪ oyl with these powders well beaten , viz. elecampane , long pepper , licoris and fennegreek , of each a spoonful , made up into balls with fresh butter , and give him three of them at a time for three mornings together , and ride him after it . another . mingle as much tarr , honey and powder of liquoris , of equal parts alike , as will make two pretty big balls , and dissolve them in a pint and a half of strong beer , and give him luke-warm , and exercise him after it . balls for a cold. take about a quarter of an ounce of cloves , one ounce of the flowers of rosemary or leaves dried , made into powder , two ounces of red tarr , two ounces of fennegreek , two ounces of diapente , two ounces of syrup of colts-foot , two ounces of english honey , with a little malt-flower , and work them up into a paste , and make balls of it , and give him two of them at a time fasting , for three mornings together , with exercise after it , and it will cure him . another most excellent for a dry husking cough , or consumption of the lungs . take about three ounces of the fat of rusty bacon , two ounces of tarr , one ounce and a half of good honey , and half an ounce of th● flower of brimstone , work all these up together into a stiff paste , with a little wheat-flower , and give him a ball or two of it for three mornings together , and rest him two or three days i● there be occasion , repeat them again , and it will certainly cure him . another for a cold old or new , or for a cough wet or dry . stamp or chop a handful of herb-grace or rue very small , and put to it an ounce of the powder of anniseeds , with a little of the flower of brimstone , and make it up into balls with fresh butter and a little honey , and give him a large ball of it dissolved in a pint of warm strong beer every third morning , for three mornings together , and throw down after it two or three hornfuls of clear beer , to take away the ill taste . another for a summer-cold , or when you find that he doth not fill himself , but looks gaunt and thin . dissolve about a quarter of a pound of red stone-sugar , in a pint of sack , over the fire , and when it is indifferent cold , put into it two spoonfuls of the best sallet oyl you can get , and give it him luke-warm , and ride him after it , and order him as you do sick horses , with mashes , bursten oats and warm water . another very good for a cough of the lungs . after you have kept him very sparingly with meat over-night , give him this drink in the morning luke-warm , with exercise after it , viz. one spoonful of the flower of brimstone , with half so much of the powder of mechoachan , mixed with a spoonful of the syrup of hore-hound , dissolved in near a quart of strong beer or ale , luke-warm . the vertues of it . 't is a great enlarger of the wind , and a clearer of his pipes , and drives away his cough from the lungs . another for a cough of the lungs , strangling in the guts , and to clear his pipes , and to enlarge his breast . if you intend your horse either for hunting or running , and that you desire to free him from those infirmities above-written ; then about a week before you design him for these exercises , give him this ensuing drench , viz. two balls made up in this manner , take as much of sweet or salt butter , as contains the bigness of a large ▪ turky egg , and mix and bray together with it a quarter of an ounce of the powder of anniseeds , with the like quantity of the powder of liquoris , and a little of the flower of brimstone ; then divide it into three equal parts , and hollow every part in the nature of a pye , and put into each part half a spoonful of the syrup of hore-hound , and close them up close to prevent the syrup from getting ●orth , and they are made . how you are to give them , and how to order him after given . warm a quart of strong beer , and fill a hornfull of it , and put into it one of your balls , and throw it down his throat with two hornfuls of more beer after it , to prevent sticking , and to clear his passage for the remaining balls ; give the rest after the same manner . observation . as coughs and colds do generally come by heats and colds , so the best way to send them away packing , is by the same means they came ; therefore i advise you , that after you have given him his balls , to ride him upon a gentle hand-gallop till he sweat , but bring him home cool by riding him softly a mile or two before you come home ; when he is in the stable , tie him up to the empty rack , and cloath and litter him up warm , and order him as you do commonly sick horses ; but in case you find that this drink hath not wrought the wished effects you expected , then about a week after give him as you did before the same balls again . these balls are very good to give your horse a week before you turn him to grass , and a week after you have brought him home ; and if you give him them three or four times a year will keep him in good and perfect health , making him very thriving and iusty . if this drink at any time , or any other , make him sick , give him a pint of warm milk from the cow , or warmed over the fire , and he will be well gain . things good in general for broken-winded horses . to sprinkle water upon all the hay he eats is good , maiden-hair , ●eos , ash , licoras , fennegreek , anniseeds , cummin , pepper , bitter ●lmonds , borage , aristolochia , galingale , cardamum , nutmegs , saf●on , coloquintida , cardus benedictus , fluellin , dragons , lung wort , ●ngelica , mullet , mullen or horse lung-wort , nettleseed , the ashes of a hedge-hog strowed amongst his provender , bay-berries , saffron , yolks of eggs , water , agrimony , briony , lung-wort , which grows upon rotten oaks or beech-trees , or to let him drink ten days together of the water wherein licoras hath been sodden , mixt with wine , or to let him drink of the water wherein hath been boiled cardus benedictus , dragons , elecampane , penerial . particular receipts for a broken-winded horse . take the guts of a hedge-hog , and dry them and beat them to powder , and give him two or three spoonfuls thereof in a pint of wine or strong ale , then the rest mix with anniseeds , licoras and sweet butter , and make round balls or pills thereof , and give him two or three after his drink , and let him fast two or three houres after . water-agrimony is excellent good for it . another very good . take wheat-meal , the powder of lung-wort , alias mullet , gentiana , anniseeds , cummin-seeds , o● each three drams , make them into fine powder , and make them into paste with honey and sweet butter , of ●ach a like quantity , and put to it the yolks of two new laid eggs , make this paste into balls , and every morning fasting give him three or four of them rowled up in the powder of elecampane , and the powder of licoris , of each alike . these pills preserve the wind of a horse marvellously , and keeps him always in breath . another . take the excrements of a sucking child , and put into it a pint of white wine , let it boyl till the one half be consumed , and so give it him blood-warm ▪ this will cause him to forsake his blowing for fifteen days , so as when he beginneth again to blow give him the same medicine , and so keep him with this from time to time , as you shall finde cause , and by this means you shall have his wind good . put not too much of the excrement in , for it will make him very sick . another , which is the best of all , take the leaves of mullet , alias mullen , alias horse lung-wort ; and dry them , and make them into fine powder , and make them up in balls with ordinary honey ; the bigness of a pidgeons egg , and give him three at a time fourteen or fifteen days together , or longer , as you shall see cause , and let him not drink any cold water during the time , and let his exercise be moderate , and his hay sprinkled with water , and his oats wet with good ale or beer , and in short time he will be well and sound again . another very good . boars or barrows dung dried and beaten to powder , and a spoonful of it , with aboat two thimblefuls of the powder of brimstone put into a quart of warm milk , and given him fasting in the morning for four or five times , resting a day between each taking , ( to recruit his spirits ) will very much help if not altogether cure him . if you find that this drink does not make him sick , you may give him a larger proportion , not exceeding two spoonfuls . some of the general things for this distemper mixed amongst his provender , will further it very much . things good in general for shortness of breath , pursiness , or preservers of the wind. saffron , wood-bitony . butter-burr , colts-foot , elecampane , fennel , anniseeds , the ●uice of sow-fennel dissolved in wine , and put into an egg and given him , hore-hound , juniper berries , lung-wort that groweth upon oaks or beeches , which is a kind of moss , with grayish tough leaves , horse lung-wort , the roots of marsh-mallows , the roots of master-wort , hedge m●stard-seed ; the seeds of cow-parsnips , pellitory of the wall , the juice or seeds of purslain , ro●a solis or sun-dew , scabeus , the milk of sow-thistles given in wine or beer , vervain , antimony , southern-wood , the kernels of grapes , the blood of a sucking pig , venus hair , ireos , ashen skies , fennegreek , raisins , pepper , almonds , burrage , nettle-seeds , aristolochia , coloquintida , powder of gentian , nutm●gs , cloves , gallingal , graines of paradice , calamint , hounds-tongue , filapendula or drop-wort , tyme , the root of valerian boiled with liquoris , raisins and anniseeds , and given him ; caraway seeds , white-wine and yolks of eggs , the juice of vvater-cresses , frankincense , a snake boiled and the broth given him , agarick , cardamum , lightwort , angelica , the green bark of elder tree , red mints , red fennel , primrose leaves , brimstone , salt nitre , balm , violet leaves , hysop , the lungs of a fox boiled or laid in rose water , ordry them and beat them to powder , and give him them in beer , or strow them amongst his provender , bay-berries , white hawthorn leaves , the guts of a hedge-hog dried and beaten to powder , and boiled in beer and given , ●or mixed amongst his provender with anniseeds and liquoris , or wet his hay with water , and his oats with ale or beer , oyl of frankincense , fern roots , night-shade , cassia , mithridate , diacartamus , s●ne , aloes , french beanes enlarge the beast much , the powder of feather few given him in ale or beer , is also very good , &c. particular receipts for shortness of breath , or pursiveness , or preservers of the wind. take anniseeds , liquoris and sugar-candy , all beaten into very fine powder , and take four spoonfuls thereof , and brew it well in a pint of white vvine , and half a pint of sallet oyl , and use this ever after your horses travel , and a day before he is travell'd . another . take wheat flower four pounds , elecampane and gentian , of each an ounce , anniseeds , fennegreek , cummin , brimstone and liquoris , of each half a pound , make them all into very fine powder and s●arced ; then put into it of common english honey half a pound , and so much white wine as will make all these into a cataplasm . boyl them till they become so thick , that they are fit to make up into balls , and give him three or four at a time , for six or eight mornings together , use it often , for it will keep him in health , and make him ●ound of his body , wind and courage . but if you do perceive a taint in his wind , then take a close ●arth●n pot ▪ and put thereunto three pints of the strongest wine vineger , and four new laid eggs unbroken , and four heads of garlick clean pilled and bruised , then cover the pot very close , and bury it in a dunghil thirteen houres , then take it up , and take forth the eggs , and use it as you do the ●ame receipt before-recited . things good in general for the glanders . cummin seeds , grains of paradice , fennegreek , diahexaple , sallet oyl , aquavitae , the bark of elder , sugar candy , garlick , urine , white-wine , bay salt , liquoris , anniseeds , hogs grease boiled in water , and take the fat off , ginger , yolks of eggs , saffron , cloves , cinnamon , nutmegs , moss boiled in milk , cardamonium , spikenard of lavender , gallingale , honey , euphorbium , pepper , brimstone , spikenard of spain , myrrh , iris illyrica , smallage , penny royal , aristolochia , salt water , oyl of oats , tanners oyl . auripigimentum and tussi●aginis beaten into powder , four drams of each beaten with turpentine , and make them into little cakes ▪ then put them upon a chafing-dish of coals , and a tunnel put over it , so let him take the perfume of it up his nose , agarick , gentian , bay-berries , hore-hound , gumma guiatum , amber , coral , arkanet , black-berries , the dust of oaken bark , bramble-leaves , knot-grass , wilde dazie roots , muscadine figs , elecampané , treacle , box leaves , coals of ashen wood quenched in ale , and poured down his nose . particular receipts for the glanders . the first thing that is to be done in this disease is to let him blood , then for four or five days together give him scalded bran , which will dry up his moist and bad humors abounding in him , and prepare him the sooner for his cure. take honey as much as will suffice , and mingle it with his oats , rubbing the oats and the honey together betwixt your hands , so as the honey may be very well mixed with your oats , continue him with this manner of feeding morning and evening , till you find him leave running at the nose . this receipt de grey declares he hath cured very many horses with . another . take sallet oyl and white vvine vineger , of each six spoonfuls , beat them well together , and put it into both his nostrils if they both run , and continue this three mornings together , and presently after you have given him this medicine , you are to put it up into that nostril that runs , a long goos feather dipped in oyl de bay , stirring it up and down in his nostrils , which will cause him to sneeze and snuff so , that the viscous corruption which remaineth in his head may void ; keep him warm all the let his drink be sweet mashes . auother . take new made chamberly , and of the best and strongest white wine vineger , of each half a pint , then take of mustard-seed two or three spoonfuls , and make mustard thereof with vineger , and let it be very well ground , that done , put your vineger and chamberly to the mustard , and stir them well together , then take of tarr and bay-salt ▪ of each alike , incorporate them well together , and convey so much thereof as three egg-shells will hold , the meat first taken forth ; and having first prepared these things , let the horse be taken forth of the stable , ( being kept that night to a very spare diet , ) and ride him first till he begin to sweat , then give him the three egg-shells fill'd with the said tarr and salt , and throw down presently after it a hornfull of the chamberly , vineger and mustard , and a half horn of it at each nostril , then ride him again as you did before , then cloath him warm and litter him well , and let him stand upon the trench until three or four of the clock , then give him a warm mash , and order him as you do horses in physick . give him this medicine every other or third day three or four times , and you shall find it an infallible cure. before you use this medicine , you must prepare his body with bran prepared , and after with a glyster , and your goose-feathers . another . take better then two handfuls of the cankerous moss , which groweth upon an old oaken pale , and boyl it in two quarts of milk to one , then strain it , and squeeze the moss well , and give it him luke-warm to drink ; then take two goose-feathers , and take as much sweet butter as contains a wall-nut , and with the powder of brimstone finely beaten and s●arced , work them well together with your knife , till the butter be brought to a high gold colour ; then take two feathers , the longest you can get in a gooses wing ; and first at the quills end with a needle fasten two long threads , then with your salve anoint your feathers all over , which done rowl them well in the powder of brimstone , and thrust them up into his head , then fasten the thread on the top of the horses head , and ride him abroad for an hour or two , airing him in this manner morning and evening ; and when he hath stood a pretty while in the stable , after you have brought him home again untie the threads , and draw forth the feathers , and wiping them very dry , lay them up till you have next occasion to use them . this disease cometh not suddenly , but grows out of long process of time , and therefore the cure must be done by leisnre ; therefore you must continue the medicine as your leisure will serve either every day , or at the least thrice a week , if it be for four or five months together , and be sure it will in the end yield your desire . another which will cure any high running glanders , called the mourning of the chine . take elecampane roots , and boyl them in milk till they be soft , that you may bring them to pap , then with a horn give them to the horse with the milk luke-warm , being no more then will make the roots liquid , and having anointed your goose-feathers , use him and ride him as you did before . another . take of agri-pigimentum , and of tussilaginis , beaten into powder , of each four drams , then beating them with fine turpentine , bring them into a paste , then make them up into little cakes as broad as a groat , and dry them . then lay two or three of them on a chafing-dish of coals , and cover them with a tunnel , so that the smoke may come up onely at the end thereof , and so without auy loss ascend up into the horses head through his nostrils , then ride him till he begin to sweat , this do once every morning , before water , till the running be stopped , which will be in a very short space , considering the greatness of this disease . another . after you have purged him , two days before give him this drink ; take of tanners owes new made , wherein never came hides , one pint , of sallet oyl four spoonfuls , two heads of garlick pilled and bruised , feathersew and sellandine , of each one handful chopped very small , anniseeds and licoris , and bay-berries , all finely pulverized , of each one spoonful , boyl all these a little , and give it him blood-warm twice a week fasting , and being thus four times drenched , will be perfectly cured , which seldom or never fails . the best receipt for this disease is in my first part. another . take cummin-seeds , grains of paradice and fennegreek in powder ▪ of each half an ounce ; of diahexaple a quarter of an ounce , beat this in a mortar with a quarter of a pint of verjuice , three spoonfuls of sallet-oyl , and two spoonfuls of aqua vitae ; then put altogether to a quart of old ale , with a good slice of sweet butter , and set it on the fire till it be ready to boyl , then being luke-warm give it him part at his mouth , and part at both nostrils ; then ride him pretty roundly for an hour , and set up warm ; let him fast an hour , and if you perceive sicknes , to grow , give him a pint of new milk. another for the glander ▪ keep the horse fasting for four or five houres , then give him this drink here under written , viz. ten cloves of garlick peeled and bruised , half a handful of oaken moss , and one handful of pollipody of the oak , boyl all these together upon a gentle fire in three pints of new milk till half be consumed , then strain out the milk from the moss and other ingredients , and put into it three quarters of an ounce of the powder of elecampane roots , one ounce of the floure of brimstone , half an ounce of the juice of spanish liquoris , and half an ounce of the powder of fennegreek well mixt together ; then take two handfuls of the innermost bark of green elder ▪ and boyl it in a quart of spring water , till more then half be consumed ; then strain it forth and pour it into the other ingredients ▪ and stir them well together , and give it him lukewarm , some at his mouth , and some at his nose ; exceed not above a pint of it at a time ; warm him very well after it , but bring him home cool , and cloath and litter him up warm , and let him fast three or four houres after it , and order him as you do sick horses , with mashes of malt , boiled oats and white water , &c. observations upon it . this disease is very difficult and hard to cure , and therefore you must not think that once or twice giving , it will get 〈◊〉 conquest over this sturdy disease , but it must be the work of a longer time , a month or more at least , viz. give it him two or three days together , and intermit a day or two between to recruit his spirits , and so continue it till you have recovered him . but the best and most certain receipt for the cure of this filthy and lothsom disease , is by a receipt at the latter end of the book , which i refer you principally unto , vide t●e best receipts for the cure of the glanders . another to stay it for a time being incurable . take the green bark of elder , and beat it in a mortar , and strain it till you have a pint thereof . then put that juice to a pint of old ale , and warm it on the fire with a good lump of sweet butter , and an ounce of sugar candy , and so give it lukewarm , ride him after it , and let him fast an hour , and keep him warm , do thus divers mornings . if you are minded to take a general receipt to cure all colds , glanders , heart sickness , and to purge away molten grease ; look in the first part for b●lls cordial to cure any , &c. things good in general given inwardly to a hide-bound horse . white-wine , sallet oyl , venice turpentine , mithridate , loaf sugar , cassia prepared , milk of sweet almonds , verjuice given him , muscadine , strong ale , grunfel , rue , smallage , rosemary , bitony , gum dragagant , garlick , sweet butter boiled to a pint and given him three several mornings together , the pint being divided into three parts , and keep him very warm , and feed him with mashes and white water , or fennel-seeds , anniseeds , licoris , bay-berries , elecampane , fennegreek , turmerick , all made into fine powder , infused in ale and sallet oyl , given him four mornings together , or hogs-grease , dragon-wort , incense , syrup of roses dissolved in tutsan , and given him blood-warm , with moderate exercise till he sweat . general outward applications . to let him blood either on both sides the neck , or on both the side-veins , then to take fair water , mallows , smallage , rosemary , bay-leaves boiled in water till they be soft ▪ and bath his body with it warm , and after he is dried anoint him with this oyntment , hogs-grease , camomil , mallows , grunsel ▪ smallage chopped small and boiled in the grease , and anoint his body with it , which will loosen his skin , or rub him against the h●ir all over , and lay upon him a sack well soaked in water ; and ●ers it is well drained a while , lay it upon him , and over that so many cloa●●●s as will bring him to a sweat , which will be the best cause to restore him , but let him not sweat above an houre at most , and cool him by degrees . particular receipts for a hide-bound horse . after you have let him blood , to give him three or four mornings together a quart of new milk , with two spoonfuls of honey , and one ounce of london-treacle , and let his food be warm grains and salt , or sodden barley , or sweet mashes . another . first , let him blood in the neck-vein , then give him this drink , take two handfuls of sellandine if it be in the summer , the leaves and stalks will serve ; but if it be in the vvinter , take leaves , stalks , roots and all , chop them small , then take a handful of vvormwood , and a handful of rue , chop them likewise , put them all into three quarts of ale or beer , and boyl them to a quart , then strain and squeeze the herbs , and dissolve into it three quices of treacle , and give it him luke-warm , and for a w●ek together , once a day rub the horses body all over with oyl and beer , or butter and beer against the hair , and seed him with warm mashes of malt and water , and for his provender let him have barley sodden till it begin to break , provided you keep it not until it soure . another . take anniseeds , licoris , fennel-seeds , bay-berries , elecampane dried , fennegreek , turmerick , of each alike , made into fine powder , give him two spoonfuls of this powder mixed in ale or beer one quart , with two spoonfuls of sallet-oyl , and give it him four mornings together , and the first morning you are to give him two spoonfuls of the powder , and the other three mornings but one , keep him warm , and order him as a sick horse , and he will certainly be cured . things good for a tyred horse in general , either taken inwardly , or applied outwardly . powder of elecampane , cinnamon , ginger , nutmegs , grains , cloves , anniseeds , fennel-seeds , sage , rosemary , mint , ru● , camomil , tyme , half an ounce of either of them , or all of them giv●n him in a quart of beer or ale , or apply outwardly to his back ar●mart laid under his saddle , and his back rubbed therewith , and if he hath any life in him , this will make him go ; or to take three or four round pebble stones , and put into his ear , and tie them fast in , and the noise of them will make him go ; or to make a hole in the flap of his ear , and thrust a long stick full of nicks through the same , and to saw and fret him with it , and while he hath any life left him ●e will go , or to t●e a bunch of penny royal to his bit , and it will keep him from tyring ; an ounce of the powder of bitony mixed with honey and vineger , given him , is very refreshing . simples that are good in general , for to comfort the sinews , arteries and joyn●s , ●fter travel , cold or pain . a poultess made of pellitory of the wall , with mallows or marsh-mallows , boiled in the grounds of strong beer , with the flower of wheat and bran , and some oyl of roses put thereto , and laid upon them hot , restoreth any bruised sinew , tendon or muscle to their strength again ; a decoction of mug-wort with camomil and agrimony , and his limbs hathed therewith while it is warm , is a very good help for them ; so is the herb ladies bread , or the flower made into a bath , and used as before is very good ; so is oaken moss boiled in the grounds of beer , and applied to them , &c. particular receipts for a tyred horse . take half an ounce of elecampane powdred , and give it him in a quart of ale , and tie his head to the rack , and provender him well at night ; or a bunch of penny-royal tied to the bit or snaffle , is very comfortable to him , and will cause him to travel lustily . another . take the powder of bay-berries , and mix it with hogs-grease , and bath his limbs very well with it , doth wonderfully refresh him . of purgation and their uses , vide my first part. scourings in general and in particular , vide my first part. things good in general for a hot stomach . bilberries , barberries given inwardly , or to wash his tongue with vineger , or to give him cold water mingled with vineger , or to give him mi●k and wine mingled together with some mel rosatum , the decoction of endive , grunsel , hawkweed , kidney-wort , garden sorrel , sow-thistles , &c. things good in general for a cold stomach . bay-berries , angelica , caraway-seeds , garden chervil , clary , mace , cinnamon , grains of paradice , saffron , pepper , cloves , ginger , elecampane , two drams of the dried root of lovage is good for it . particul●r receipts for the stomach . if his stomach be cold , give him wine and oyl mixt together , divers mornings together , or other farriers give wine rue , sage and oyl boyled together , or to add to the former compound , white pepper and mirrh , or to give him pilled onions chopt , and rochet-seed boiled in wine ; but to conclude , for general forsaking and loathing of meat , proceeding from hot or cold , then give him blades of corn in good quantity . things good for a blood-spaven . to cure it , first shave away the hair on both side ; the swelling so far as it goes , then take up the thigh-vein and let it bleed well ; which done , tie the vein above the orifice , and let the vein bleed from below what it will ; whereby the blood which was assembled about the spaven place , is by this means sent away ; then with your fleam , or incision knife , make two incisions in the lower part of the swelling , and after prick two or three holes in each side of the hough where the ●pav●n is , that so the medicine may take the better effect , and when the blood and water hath vented away so much , as it will do , bind ro●nd about it plaister-wise the whites of eggs and bolearmoniack very well beaten together , either upon hurds or linnen cloth , and make it fast about the hough , to keep on the plaister ; the next day take it off , and wash and bath the sorrance with this bath , viz. take mallows and the tops of nettles , and boyl them in water till they be soft , and therewith bath him . then take mallow roots , brancha ursina ▪ oyl , vvax , and white-vvine , so much as will suffice , and boyl them , and bind this warm to the sorrance round about the hough , and sowe a cloth about it , and so let it remain three days more , and every morning stroak it downwards with your hand gently , to the end the bloody humor may issue forth , the fourth day bath and wash it clean with the former bath . that done , take gum creana and stone pitch , of each an ounce , and of brimstone a quarter of an ounce , made into very fine powder , melt these on the fire together , and when it is almost ready to take off , put into it half an ounce of venice turpentine , and make a plaister thereof , spreading it upon leather , and apply it to the place warm , round about the hough , and let it remain till it fall away of its own accord , but if it come off too soon , make another plaister of the same ingredients , and lay to it , which is the best cure i could ever know for this malady . another ●or it . vvhen the swelling doth appear upon the inward part of the hough , take up the thigh-vein , and let it bleed from the nether part of the leg , till it will bleed no longer , and after give fire to the spaven both long-ways and cross-ways , and then apply a restringent charge to the place . things good to cure a bone spaven . take up the veins that feed it , ( wherher spaven or curb ) as well below as above , then give it fire , then charge the place with pitch made hot , and clap flax upon it , then four days after you must dulcifie the sorrance with the oyl pampilion , and fresh butter molten together upon a gentle fire , and when the scar shall be fallen away , apply unto it a kind of stuff which is called blauco or white , made of jessoe , and so continue it until it be whole . another . take the root of elecampane well clensed , and lap it in a paper and roast it soft , and after you have rubbed it and chafed it well , clap it on and bind it on hard , but not so hot as to scald away the hair , and at twice dressing it will take it away , or if you anoint the place with oyl of origanum morning and evening , it will take it away . this is good for curb , spaven , ring-bone , or any bony excression . another . upon the top of the excression ; make a slit with your knife the length of a barley-corn or more , then with a fine cornet , raise the skin from the bone , and hollow it round the excression , and no more then dip some lint in the oyl of origanum , and thrust it into the hole and cover the knob , and so let it bridle till you see it rot , and that nature casteth out both the medicine and core. another to aba●e the pain of the bone spaven . take two penniworth of the oyl of camomel , and two penniworth of the oyl of turpentine , and mix them well together in a glass viol , and anoint the place grieved with it . another . take a pint of anniseed water , and put into it one ounce of household pepper beaten to powder , with an ounce of roch allom , and boyl them together to the consumption of one half ; then strain it and put it into a class to keep for your use , and apply it once or twice a day , when you have occasion . another for it , which will not only take that away , but also a splint , curb ▪ ring-bone , or any bony excression . first , clip away the hair as far as the excression goeth , and a little more , then take a piece of allum'd leather , made as big as the place you have cured ; then take a little shoo makers wax and spread round about the very edge , or verge of the same , leaving all the inward part empty and not touched with the wax ; then take the herb spear-grass , or spear-wort , which hath the vertue to raise blisters , and bruising it , lay some thereof upon the leather in the empty place , and bind it ●ast thereon , suffering it so to lye , ( if it be in the summer time , when the herb hath his full strength , ) near half a day ; but if it be in the winter , then it is not amiss ( to renew the strength of the herb ) if you add to it a drop or two of the oyl of origanum and l●t it lie half a day fully , and be sure to tie up his head , for fear of biting it away ; when you take away the herb , rab the place well , and anoint it with train oyl varm , or else lay●on a diminium plaister . but because this dis●ase is not easily to be cured , unless you see some skilful farrier do it before you ; i shall shew you therefore for the prevention thereof ( when you find a swelling begin to arise ) what you shall use . take natural balsom , and having first shaved away the hair , anoint the place with it for two or three days , and after you shall repress the humours with this charge . take three ounces of the oyl of roses , bolearmoniack one ounce , wheat-flower half an ounce , and the white of an egg ; make all these into one body , and every day after you have anointed it with balsom , lay on the said charge . things good in general for to take away a splint , oyl of vitriol , unslackt lime , oyl of origanum , an elecampane root roasted and laid to it , oyl of peter , spear-grass , alias spear-wort , verdegrease , oyl-de-bay , powder of mercury , powder of arsnick , ●row-foot , laid to it , &c. particular receipts to cure a splint . after you have washed the place and shaved away the hair , as you must do in the cure of all splints and bony excressions . knock and rub it with your ●lood staff , or a hazel-stick , then prick it with your fleam ; then take vervain and salt of each a handful , pound them together to an ointment and apply it to the place , and bind it up with a rowler , and stitch it on fast , and let it so remain twenty four houres , and then unbind it and it is cured . another , take nerve oyl one ounce , cantharides the weight of six pence , and as much of the oyl of vipers , boyl them easily , then anoint the splint , with this cross the hair and heat it in with a hot iron , then tie up the horses head to the rack for twenty four houres , then squeeze out the corruption , and do this twice or thrice . for a splint , and to dry up wind-galls . first , heat the sorrance with a hot pressing iron , then vent it in several places with your fleam , then take a spoonful of salt , half a spoonfull of nerve oyl , a penny weight of verdegrease , and the white of an egg , beat all to a salve , and dipping flax hurds ▪ therein , apply it to the grief . another to take off a splint . take of the oyl of vitriol , and dip a stick or feather into the glass , and touch the place with it , and it will eat it away . if you find it eat too much , you may stop it by bathing it with cold water ; or if you boyl some green copperas in water , and wash the sore with it , it will not only cleanse the sore from any piece of the remaining splint , but soon heal it up likewise . to take away a splint and leave no scar behind . take a red hazel stick about the bigness of your thumb , about a quarter of a yard long , and after you have beaten and knockt the splint very well with it , then take and cut one end of it very smooth , and stick a needle into the pith of it , leaving so much of the point of it out as will prick through the skin , pricking it full of holes , then take some of the oyl of peter , and rub all over it , and bath it in with a hot fire-shovel , and do thus four or five days together , and it will cure it . another . first , wash the place with warm water , and shave away the hair , then slit a hole in the skin more then the length of a barley-corn , and then convey into the hole so much arsnick in the fourth part of a hazel-nut , and bound on with a bolster and rowler of linnen , and made fast with a needle and thread , and so let it remain for three whole days and nights , in which time the arsnick w●●l eat and corrode clean away the splint , then to kill the fire anoint the place with sweet fresh butter eight or ten days after , being first molten , and it will be whole . another . take the root of elecampane well washed and cleansed , and lap it in a brown paper , wet it and roast it in the hot embers , as you do a warden ; then after you have rubbed and cha●ed the excression bind it fast on , but not so hot as to scauld away the hair , this will consume it away in two or three dressings ; or if you anoint the splint with the oyl of origanum , morning and evening , it will take it away , but not presently . observation . you must stay the falling down of new humours to the place troubled , by binding plaisters , as pitch , rozin , mastick , red lead , oyl , bole-armon●ack , and such like , then to draw forth matter , which is gathered with drawing simples , as vvax , turpentine , and such like ; and lastly , to dry up the relicks with drying powders , as honey and lime , oyster-shells , soot and such like ; and also you must know , that all splints , spavens or knobs , must either be taken away at the beginning , or after the full of the moon . another receipt to take off a splint , which though it seem difficult , yet de grey declares that he hath taken off more then splin●s . take two heads of garlick and peel them , and cut them small , and do neither stamp nor bruise them ; then take the like quantity of salt , and mix with them , and divide them into two equal parts , and put them into two fine linnen clouts , and bind them upon the ends of two sticks , about a foot in length , of the fashion of two short wooden foyls , but not so long , being not above twelve inches a piece ; take then your blood-stick , and rub , knock and beat the splint therewith very well , to soften it , then prick it through the skin with your blood-staff and fleam , then take of the oyl of nuts one pint , and put it into a small pipkin , and set it upon the fire with a chasing-dish of coals , and make it boiling hot , and when it is ready to boyl put in your short sticks or ●oyles , which hath the garlick and salt fastned unto them , and first with the foyl , and then with the other , ( i mean by turnes ) apply them hot to the splint , and between whiles rub and stroak the splint downwards with your thumb , whereby to bring forth the blood , till having with the foyls very well mollified the said splint , you may the more easily crush forth the blood whereof the splint is engendred and formed ▪ and thus it is cured , only you must remember to anoint the place two or three times after with sweet or fresh butter . things good in general for a curb . oyl of vitriol , arsnick , verdegrease , an elecampane root roasted and laid to it , an onyon roasted with unslackt lime and laid to it , mercury , turpentine , nerval , green gopperas , tartar , &c. particular receipts to cure a curb . first , shave away the hair , then bind the hough strait above the joynt , then with a small stick beat , rub and cha●e the curb , like as you do in the cure of a splint , then pierce the skin with your fleam in two or three places , and so with your thumb thrust forth , and crush out the corrupt blood , and after convey so deep as you can get , into every hole , the bigness of two barley cornes of arsnick , and so bind up the place , and let it remain for the space of twenty four houres , then open the place , and anoint it every day with fresh butter till it be whole ; oyl of vitriol used as you do to take away a splint , will take off a curb also . note , that whatsoever cureth the splint or spaven cureth the curb also . another receipt . take white-wine lees one pint , a porringer-full of wheat floure ▪ of cummin in fine powder half an ounce , mix all these well together , and being made warm upon the fire , charge the place therewith , renewing it once for three or four days together ; and when the swelling is almost gone , draw it with your hot iron , and charge the burning with pitch and rosin molten together , which must be applied warm , to the end the charge may stick on the better , then presently clap on flox , and let it remain until it fall away of it self , and let it come in no wet or water for the space of fourteen days . another . take a bar of iron , heat it red hot , and hold it near to the place till it become warm , then with your fleam prick six or seven holes through the skin , and anoint the sorrance with nerval ; then take a spoonful of salt , and a penny weight of verdegrease in ●ine powder , with the white of an egg , incorporate them well together , and wet some flax in this medicine , and bind it to the place , renewing it every day once , and in a short time he will be perfectly ●u●ed . or to ●alcinate tartar , and dissolve it in water , and congeal it like salt , and mingle it with soap like an ointment , and dress it therewith , and this will in fourty houres heal any mules , pains and scratches whatsoever . things good for the mules , vide scratches . things good for the pains , vide scratches . things good for kib'd heels , vide scratches . things good for crepances and rats-tails , vide scratches . what cures the scratches cures all these diseases . things good in general for the scratches . these things boiled in hogs grease and train-oyl , viz. tarr , white lead , bol●armoniack , verdegrease , green copperas , allum , briumstone , briar apples all beaten to powder ; the powder of galls , rue , rosemary , gun-powder , burnt oyster-shells , ●urpentine , ginger , red herrings chopped small , elecampane , &c. or lyme , honey , bay-salt , urine , vineger , the sperm of frogs , pepper , garlick , mastard , plantain , rib-wort , sage ▪ tobaccho , elder , mans-dung , burr-dock roots and snails is good for them , &c. observations how to order him in this disease . you are to take notice that in all the cures of the scratches , you must keep his legs from wet during the cure , and likewise you must clipaway his hair from off his heels very close , or else that will poison his leg. and likewise before you dress him with any of the receipts following , you must scrape off his scabs first , and wash off the blood that follows them with chamberly and salt , or brine . when you have dress'd him with any of the receipts following , wash it clean off with scalding chamberly and salt , or scalding brine , before you dress him again . particular receipts for the scratches . take brimstone , and make it into fine powder , and mix it with sweet butter , and anoint him therewith once a day . another . take unslackt lyme , salt and soot , of each alike , all made into fine powder , boiled in the strongest white-wine vineger you can get , till it be as thick as a poultess , then soften it with tried hogs-grease , and so work it to an ointment , and anoint the places grieved till they be cured another . take the tender tops of elder-buds , and the berries of the brambles while they be red , and before they be ripe , of each a handful , boil them in two quarts of wort , and put to it the quantity of an egg full of allom , and wash the sorrance very hot twice a day , another . take verdegrease and make it into fine powder ▪ and work that and common honey together , till they come to an ointment , anoint the sorrance with it , and it will cure them . another . take tried hogs-grease and gun-powder , of each as much as will suffice , incorporate your gun-powder very well with it , after it is well beaten to powder , and anoint the place grieved with it once a day . another . take honey , verdegrease , brimstone bruised small , green copperas and bay-salt , of each a like quantity , boyl all these with a double quantity of hogs-grease , and put to it a big root of elecampane , bruised in red wine-vineger , apply this to the sore very hot , and supple them by bathing them with new milk from the cow. another . take a hundred and twelve snails , and put them in a linnen-bag , and put to them a handful of bay salt , and hang them against the heat of the fire , and catch the oyl that shall drop from them , and keep it close in a glass , and chafe it into his leg ; when he is dry , and three or four dressings will cure him . this must be made in may. another . take the spawn of frogs , and distil it , and keep the water close stopped in a glass for your use , and wash and bath the places with it every day warm , and it will cure him . another . take honey and pepper made into very fine powder , and boyl them together , and anoint the sorrance therewith , and they will soon heal and dry up . another for them being held incurable . first , let him blood in the shackle-veins , the spu●-veins , and the fore toe-veins , only let it be three days between the bleeding of the one toe and the other , then with a thumb-rope of hay , rub the sores till they be raw and bleed ▪ then take a quart of old urine , and a quart of strong brine , and put to them half a pound of allom , and boyl it to a quart . with this hot wash the sores well , then take the sperm of frogs ( in march ) and put it into an earthen pot , and in a weeks time it will look like oyl , then take the oyl and the round things you see in the sperm , and spread it on a cloth , and bind it to the sores , and do this divers times . another . a piece of bread sod in vineger to a poultiss , and laid to them , will draw out the cores , then take half an ounce of verdegrease , as much brimstone in quantity and bigness , not in weight , and as much honey as will fill an egg-shell , boyl them together till they look black , and anoint the sore places with it , and this will heal them and c●re them ; or seeth three or four ounces of brimstone in a quart of white-wine vineger , till a fourth part be wasted , and with a clout put upon the end of a stick wash the sore legs therewith as hot as your horse can endure it , the hair being first cut close , and the sore places and chops of his heels made as clean and dry as you can . another . take two ounces of green copperas , and beat it to powder , then take half a pound of english honey , and half a pound of black soap , an ounce of burnt oyster-shells , an ounce of beaten brimstone , boyl them altogether to a salve , and anoint your horses heels with it cold . another . take two quarts of strong ale , a pint of old malaga sack , a handful of dried rosemary beaten to powder , a handful of dried red sage , two handfuls of dried bay ▪ leaves , and half a pound of allom , boyl them altogether till it be half consumed , then strain it , and when you use it anoint your horses feet with it every day warm till they be whole ; keep , him in the stable during the cure. the mirrour of all medicines for the scratches , which never yet failed to cure them , though their legs were as big as two legs , and though they run never so much at the heels , provided you follow these directions ; first , to draw blood from him , and a week after to give him these balls , which will purge away the evil humors out of his body . the ●urge . if he be a strong bodied horse , and of a good stature , you may give him an ounce and a half of the best aloes you can get , and pound it to a very ●ine powder , then put some butter to it , and word and mix it very well together with your knife , then divide it into three parts , and cover every part of them over again with fresh butter , and make them as big as a good wash-ball , then fasting in the morning give him them upon the point of a stick , and ride him a little after it to warm them in his boyd , which will make them work the better , then bring him into the stable and keep him warm , and let him fast two or three houres after it ; then give him his mash of malt , and let him eat a little hay , and so ride him softly after that . after you have given him his balls , put down a hornful or two of warm beer after them . if you find him purge too much , so that it takes him quite off his stomach , give him two or three wilde briar balls beaten to powder in a quart of warm beer , and it will soon stay him ; or for want of them , boyl some cinnamon , pepper , nutmegs , ginger and bay-berries in it . but if you find that he will not purge at all , which is very unlikely ; then ride him to some green corn that is not eared , ( or for want of that some four grass ) and let him ●eed thereon about a quarter of an hour , then ride him gently home , and set him up warm , and you shall find him purge very kindly without any danger . the receipt for the scratches . after you have thus purged him , clip off the hair as close from his heels as you can , then scrape off all the scabs till they bleed , and wash them with brine , or chamberly and salt scalding hot . then take a quarter of a pound of brimstone , half a quarter of a pound of green copperas beaten to powder , or a quarter of a pound of goose-grease , a penniworth of tarr , boyl all these together in a very large pipkin , or else they will boyl over ; let them boyl about a quarter of an hour , then take a rag and tie it to a stick , and dip it into it , and put it all over the raw places scalding hot , and dress it every other day ; making his feet first clean by washing off the stuff with scalding brine , or chamberly and salt , and the scabs picked off , and in three or four dressings it will cure them , be they never so bad , provided you keep him out of the vvater during his cure. if you find his legs not very much swelled you need not purge him . another very good , but not so certain , but more proper for the killing and shealing of all manner of scabs growing about a horses legs . after you have clipped off the hair of his legs very close , and rubbed off the scabs with a thumb-rope of hay , and washed them with scalding chamberly and salt , or with scalding brine , and when he is dry anoint him with this ointment here under written ; vvhen you come to use it mix with it as you use it , some oyl of turpentine , for it will be much the better . 't is this , take a pound of tried hogs grease , with a quarter of a pint of ●rain oyl , and boyl these things in it very well after they are beaten to fine powder , viz. dyer-galls five , of verdegrease , bolearmoniack , green copperas , allum , brimstone , two wilde briar-balls , a red herring chopped small , throe or four sprigs of rosemary , and as many of rue , mix them as equally as you can , ( i mean the rest of the ingredient● , ) only brimstone excepted , which you should have most of , about half a pound weight of all of them together is enough . after your hogs-grease is melted , and the rest of the ingredients boiled for some time in it , then put in two or three penniworth of tart , and boyl that with it , which will take away the ill sent of all the rest of the ingredients ; when you have well boyl'd it , strain it out into a pot , and keep it for your use . observation upon it . when you dress his legs with it , anoint him well with it over-night , and rub it off with a thumb-rope of hay the next morning very easily , for this ointment will sheal them off extraordinarily , then wash it with scalding brine , and at night anoint him again with the same ointment , keep him dry during the cure. another that cureth not only the scratches , but also all rotten and broken cuts , and pu●rified sinews . after you have ordered him , as in observations how to order him in this disease ; take half a pound of english honey , one ounce of black pepper beaten , about thirty cloves of peeled garlick , bruise and mix them very well together in a wooden bowl , or stone mortar , till they come to a salve , and apply it to the grieved place spread upon a brown paper , doubled two or three times double , and put over that a linnen cloth , sowed fast to keep it from coming off ; bind also over that a thumb band of wet hay , and about two or three days after take all off , and make clean the grieved place very well with warm beef-broth ; do this three or four times after this manner , and it will certainly cure them , conditionally you give him a drench or two of the drink that is called , a drink to cure the most malignant farcy that is . the vertues of this salve . it will not only kill this disease , but also draw , cleanse and knit sinews together in a very strange and wonderful manner . a most excellent water , not only good for this infirmity , but also for sore heels , sellender or mallender , and to cleanse and heal any wound or sore , by drying up the evil humour that abounds therein . after you have boiled a quart of conduit or spring-water , and scummed off the filth that shall arise on the top , take it off the fire , and put it up into a bottle , with two ounces of white copperas ▪ and three ounces of the powder of burnt allum ; when you use it , shake the glass to make it all alike , and apply it warm to the place grieved , and wrap a linnen rag dipt in water about the mallender three or four times double . this water will keep many years , for the older it is , the better . things good in general for foundring . first , pare all his soles so thin , that you may see the quick , then let him blood at every toe , and let them bleed well ; then stop the vein with tallow and roz●n , and having tackt hollow shooes on his feet , stop them with bran , tarr and tallow as boiling hot as may be , and renew it once in two days for a week together , then exercise him much , and his feet will come to their use and nimbleness , or after he is pared thin , and let blood at his toes , stop his feet with cowes-dung , kitchins fee , tarr and soot boiled together , and poured boiling hot into them . if you travel your horse , you must stop him with it cold , and add unto it the white of an egg or two , for that will take away the heat of the former days journey . or to stop his feet with tow dipt in an ointment made of turpentine , sallet-oyl , verdegrease , wax and hogs-grease ; if he be newly foundred , give him with a horn a pint of fair water with a handful of salt in it ; but if you stay three or four days , or longer , then give him of hellebore a spoonful , of saffron a penniworth , of ass●foetida and of soap of venice two drams , a little of the seed of bay , all made into powder , and given him in a pint of vineger blood-warm , and cover him with a wet cloth , and cloath him warm , and tie him up to the rack , that he neither lie down nor vomit , and let him sweat an hour , and cool him by degrees . particular receipts for the cure of a foundred horse . for a horse foundred in his feet , let him blood in the neck , breast and spur veins , and take two quarts of blood from him , with which make this charge as followeth , take the blood and put into it eight new laid eggs , shells and all , beat them well together , and put to it half a pound of bolearmoniack beaten to powder , strong white-wine vineger one pint , sanguis drac●nis three ounces in fine powder , make this up with wheat-meal good and thick , with this charge his back , reins , breast , thighes , fetlocks and soles , and spread two cloaths plaister-wise , good and thick , and apply them to the coffin of his feet , and bind the sore-legs about the knees good and streight , with broad filleting or lists , then ride him two houres upon a hard way , which if it be paved or pitcht it is the better , his feet being pared reasonable near before-hand , and when you do bring him into the stable , let his feet he stopped with this charge ▪ take rye or wheat-bran , ox or cows-dung , sheeps suet , or turpentine , ( which must be put in last ) mince your sheeps suet small , melt and heat all these upon the fire , stirring them very well , then put in your bran to make it into a stiff paste , then put in your turpentine and incorporate them all very well together , and stop your horses feet with it , which being thus charged and stopped three or four days together , ridden and kept warm , and not suffered to drink cold water , but either mashes or white water , he will be sound in four or six days if it be a dry foundered by standing too long in the stable , then pare him somewhat near , and let him bleed well in the toe veins . then take eggs , and roast them blew hard , and together with the powder of cummin stop his feet therewith so hot , as they may be taken out of the embers , and put over the soles a piece of leather , with splints cross , to keep the eggs from coming out . take then a great onion , peel and stamp it , and let it inf●se twenty four houres before in the strongest white-wine vineger you can get , and give it the horse presently , after you have stopped the horses feet , and cover him up warm , and let him stand upon the trench three houres , and then give him meat and white water . another for foundering a month or more . you must take out the soles of his feet , and have in a readiness these things , viz. take the tender tops of hysop three handfuls , pound them together in a mortar to stench his bleeding , then have this receipt in a readiness . take snails in the shells , and take them forth and reserve them , then take a handful of bay-salt , and two or three handfuls of the tender tops of the angriest nettles you can find , beat them with your snails and salt to a salve , then take out the sole , and stench the bleeding with your hysop , and when it leaveth bleeding , apply this medicine to it , and bind it up with cloaths , and let it remain twenty four houres , then open it and heal it up with your green ointment , which you may find in my first part , and in two days you shall see a new sole coming . but if he be but hough-bound , then take turpentine and sheeps suet , of each half a pound , wax a little , sallet-oyl half a pint , boyl altogether , but put in the turpentine last , and as they boyl keep them with a continual stirring , and anoint his houghs once a day well . for ●n ordinary heat in his feet . take wheat-bran and hogs-grease , and make them into a poultess , and apply it as well to the coffin as the soles , and it will be well again . another for a founder or frettize wet or dry . first , pare thin , open the heels wide , and take good store of blood from the toes , then tack on a shoo somwhat hollow , broad at the heels , and the inside of the web , from the first nail to the heel turned inward towards the frog , yet not to touch any part thereof , or the hough , so as he may tread on the out-verge of the shoo , and not on the inward . then take burgundy pitch , or frankincense , and rowling it in a little fine cotton-wooll or bombast , with a hot iron melt it into the foot , betwixt the shoo and the toe , till the orifice where the blood was taken be filled up ; then take half a pound of hogs-grease and melt it , and mix it with wheat-bran till it be as thick as a poultess , then boyling hot stop up his feet with it , then cover it with a piece of an old shoo , and splint it up , and so let him stand for three or four days , then if occasion serve you may renew it , otherwise the cure is wrought . observations on the cure. first , you shall not need to remove or stir his shooes , then after twenty four houres rub off the charge from his back . it. take away his gart●rs after twelve houres , and rub his knees and houghs with your hand , and with wisps to take away the numbness . it. if you cannot get wheat-meal , take oat-meal . it. if he will not bleed in the veins before-named , then bleed him in the neck-vein . lastly , if you take him in hand to cure within twenty four houres after he is founded , he will be cured in twenty four houres , but if he go longer the cure will be longer in doing . now if he be foundred through streightness of his ●ho●e , which is not a founder but a fr●ttizing ▪ which is a degree less then foundering . then let him blood on the ●oes , and stop the place with bruised sage , and tack his shoo on again , and stop it with hogs-grease and bran boiled together , as hot as possible you can , and do this twice in a fortnight ▪ and give him rest and it will help him . an odd kind of receipt to cure a foundred horse , ride him so hard as to sw●at , then ride him up to the knees in water , and there let him stand about half an hour ▪ which will cause the humour to ascend out of his feet into his body , then an hour after you come home , give him a thorough scouring , and ride him gently after it , and so bring him home , and cloath him up warm , and this will carry it out of his body again . probatum , by mr. goodman . give him the purge as aforesaid . another for the taking out of his sole . if you find that none of the receipts for this disease , have had their wished effects in order to his cure , then follow these directions for the taking out of his soles , and though it be not the common way that is practised amongst our smiths , yet 't is looked upon to be the best and safest ; 't is this , first , t●e about his pastern a list or cord so hard , as will keep up the blood into his leg , that it fall not down to trouble you , then pare the foot thin , and cut the hough round with your incision knife to the quick , as near to the inside of the outward shell of the hough as you can raise the ●ole at the toe , then take hold of it with a pair of pinchers , and pluck it gently upwards towards the heel , for fear of breaking the vein in the foot. when you have so done tack on the shoo again somewhat hollow and broad , then untie the cord , and knock round the hough with a blood staff , and the blood will descend very freely , which when you think he hath bled enough , stanch it with two or three hand●uls of hysop bruised with salt , and put over it flox hurds or tow , and over them a piece of stiff leather between the hurds and the shoo , to keep them in ; or you may put two or three flat sticks , cross them in the room of the leather ; about twenty four houres after or more , take away the flox or hurds , and bruise a handful or two of the angri●st red nettles you can get with bay-salt , and apply them , and cover them over with the hurds and splinters as you did before ; about a month after or more open it again , and new dress it with salt and hogs-grease well bruised and mixed together , and splint it up as you did before with tow or flax , or some such like thing . contrive this last medicine during his cure , which will be perfected in two or three times dressing more at farthest ; if you find him somwhat sound , tack on a shoo with a broad web , and let it stand wide and easie , and in twelve or thirteen days he will be fit to ride an easie journey ; when you ride him at any time , when you bring him home at night , apply all over his foot , both inside and outside , a poultess made of about four ounces of sheeps su●t cut small , and white-wine vineger boiled together , and keep it on with hurds and splints as you did before ; let this remain about fourty eight houres or more . this last poultess used three or four times will very much strengthen his hough , and make him stand again . directions for the ordering of him . . to let blood , and keep him in during his cure. . if he be foundred of both his fe●t , take not out both his soles together , for then he will not be able to stand , nor rise when he is down . . some smiths do take out the frush and sole , and some but only the sole ; your often practice in this cure will be the best directer . . the common way of taking out of soles is known by every countrey smith . . the poultess that i ordered to be last applied to the sole and coffin of the foot , i● very good applied to it when it hath been bruised by stub , stone , or any other accident . a other for the foundring in the chest . about five or six penniworth of the oyl of peter , with the like quantity of ale or b●er mixed with it , and well rubbed in with your hand , holding a hot fire shovel at the same time before it , while you are doing it , is a very good help in order to his cure. if you intend to have the right oyl of peter , do not stint your self in the pric● of it , for if you do they will mix oyl of turpentine with it . things good in general for the mallender and sellander . you are always in these diseases first to wash and shave away the hair , and rub the sorrance with a wisp till it be raw , and dry up the yellow matter that comes out of it , before you apply any thing to it . what cures the scratches will cure this disease . gun-powder bruised in hogs-grease , and anoint the grief therewith , a soft rowed herring out of the pickle , beaten with soap and allom , and laid to it , and renewing it for three days together , and pluck off the scabs before you lay it on again , hens dung and gilly ▪ flowers beaten together , or soap and lyme laid to it , or the dung of a man , or sulphur , vitriol , salt-n●tre , sal ▪ gam●e mixt with oyl de bay , or green copperas , allum and tobaccho boiled in urine , or oyl of turpentine , oyl of hemp-seed , mustard , verdegrease , &c. particular receipts for the cure of these diseases . take glovers shreds which he cutteth from his white leather , and boyl them in white-vvine vineger till they be soft , and bind this to it hot , and if you find that in once or twice dressing it take not away the scurf or scab , renew it daily till it doth , for by this means the roots of the bristly hairs which grow in it , which feedeth the mallender will be taken away by this receipt , which will cause it soon to be cured . another . to anoint the sorrance with the oyl of turpentine , will both kill and heal it , and make it marvellous sound . and this will likewise cure the scratches . another . take an ounce of gun-powder , bruise it to dust and mix it well with hogs-grease and allom , and cha●e it in well , two or three dressings will cure it ▪ another . take verdegrease and soft grease and grind them well together to an ointment , put it in a box by it self . then take vvax , hogs-grease and turpentine , of each alike , and being melted together , put that salve into another box ; and when you come to dress the sore , after you have taken off the scab , and made it raw , anoint it with your green salve of verdegrease and fresh grease , only for two or three days . it is a sharp salve , and will kill the cankerous humour , then when you see the sore look fair , you shall take two parts of the yellow salve , and one part of the green salve , and mix them together , anoint the sore therewith till it be whole , making it stronger or weaker , as you shall find occasion . another . take of the strongest white-vvine vineger , and boyl it , and so boyling hot , rub the mallender there with twice every day until it do bleed , that done , put upon it the powder of verdegrease good and thick , and so bind it on with a clout , and let it so remain till a crust come thereon , and when you shall find the crust to be dry , and withal to chop , anoint the grieved places with tried hogs-grease , and that will cause the crust to fall off . another . after you have rubbed off the scabs , and washed it well with scalding chamberly and salt , anoint it with this salve made of green copperas , galls , verdegrease , gun-powder and allom , all made into fine powder , and made up in hogs grease and tarr . things good in general to eat away proud flesh . ink , quick sulphur , orpiment , lethergy , unslackt lyme , roch allom , galls , soot , verdegrease , green copperas , white copperas , precipitate , the juice of borage , scabius , fumitary , a little oyl and vineger boiled with a soft fire , and put to it tarr , and it will eat away any dead flesh , oyl of vitriol , black hellebore , the root of it beaten to powder , arsnick , &c. an excellent ointment to eat away all dead flesh , a●d to heal the same . take of common honey two ounces , roch-allom , verdegrease and vineger , of each an ounce ; sublimate two drams : let all be made into fine powder , and boyl it a few warmths , keeping it still stirring , and then take it from the fire ▪ and keep it in a gally pot close stopped for your use . apply it upon lint or fine hurds to the sorrance once a day , and it cureth speedily and soundly , but before you dress the sore , you cleanse , wash and inject the wound with this water . a water to wash and cleanse a sore or vvound , before you use the ointment above . take red sage , plantain , rib-wort , yarrow , bramble-leaves , rosemary , hysop , and honey-suckle leaves , of each half a handful , boyl them in one pint of white-wine , and as much of smiths or cold trough water , then add thereto the boyling of common honey one spoonful , and as much allom as a wall-nut , and a bright black piece of a sea ▪ coal , the bigness of an egg unbroken , then let it boyl till half be consumed , then strain it hard and wash the sore therewith , and if the wound be deep , inject of this water with a syringe into it every day when you dress him , and by this doing you shall cleanse the wound , and take away all bad and dead flesh , and heal it up soundly . another water to cleanse and heal a s●re . to a gallon of smiths water and a quart of ale , add two handfuls of sage , a pint of honey , an ounce of common allum , and half an ounce of white copperas ; boyl them very well together till they be all consumed , and put them into a clean vessel , and keep them for your use . dr take spring-water , and put to it roch-allum and madder , and boyl them till they be both consumed , and put them up for your use . or take sage , cinquefoyl and fennel , of each a good handful , and boyl them in a gallon of spring-water till they be tender , then strain the liquor from the herbs , and put to it a quarter of a pound of roch-allum , and let it boyl again a little while , till the allum be dissolved , then take it from the fire , and make use of it after this manner , viz. dip lint in it warm , and lay it upon the sore , and if it be hollow apply more lint ; then make a bolster of linnen cloth , and wet it well in the water , then wring out the water , and bind on the bolster close . a receipt for a puncture or green wound . if it be in the foot , or any other part of the body , if you can come well unto it , or if it be an imposthumation unbroken , scald it first with this medicine . then wash it with the water above . medic●ne . take red tarr a penniworth , of the reddest and best , of hogs grease half a pound , of green copperas and bay-salt of each a handful , both made into fine powder , boyl all these very well , and with a clout fastned upon a stick , apply it scaulding hot four mornings together , for this scaulding doth so kill the malice of the fistula , that it can never break to annoy the horse any further . it careth the imposthumes and ●oul ulcers , being thus applied . things g●od to take a vven , or any other excression arising in the flesh , or hard swellings . balm used with salt , taketh away the hard swellings in the throat , or w●ns or kernels therein . the decoction of the lesser sellendine wonderfully cureth all hard wens , or tumors applied to them , the seed of darnel , pigeons dung , sallet-oyl and the powder of linseed bo●led to the form of a plaister , consumeth them , the seed of turn-sole laid upon them ▪ archangel , or rather the hedge-nettle stamped with vineger and applied as a poultess , taketh away any hard swelling , and also fiery hot inflammations . to tie a double thread about it to eat it off , then with your incision-knife cut it a cross in four equal parts or quarters to the very bottom , but beware you touch not either vein or sinew , then with oyl of vitriol eat it away , or with mercury ; or else burn them off with your hot iron , then heal the place with your green ointment . the leaves of bucks-horn bruised and applied will consume them . the milk that issueth out of the fig-tree branches when they are broken and applied , is also very good ; so is the juice of housleek or mercury ; the juice of the leaves and flowers of mullein , with the powder of the dried root rubbed upon them taketh them away . the water that droppeth from the hollow places of the popla●-tree anointed with it doth the like , garden-rue bruised with a few myrtle-leaves made with wax , and applied , taketh away all sorts of them , so doth an ointment made of the burnt ashes of the willow-tree , mixed with vineger , and the place anointed therewith , &c. things good to cure an anbury , which is a great spungy wart full of blood. to tie it about with a thread or hair so hard as you can pull it , and in few days it will fall away of it self , then strew upon it the powder of verdegrease to kill it at the root , and heal it up again with your green ointment . but if it be so flat that you cannot bind any about it , then take it away with your incision-knife close to the skin , or else burn it off with a hot iron , and then first kill the fire with turpentine and hogs ▪ grease molten together , and heal it up as before prescribed , but if it grow in such a sinewy place that it cannot be conveniently cut away with a hot iron ▪ then eat it out with the oyl of vitriol , and heal it up as you do other wounds . head purged , vide perfumes in the first part. things good for to put in ointments and salves for the cure of all manner of wounds in general . the juice of ordinary centaury is good to cleanse old sores , and to heal ●p wounds , the juice of the leaves of cleavers do close up the lips of green wounds , or the powder of the seed of the herb doth the same , clowns wound-wort , coral-wort , cole-wort , the powder of the root of sow-fennel , or hogs-fennel , fox-gloves , golden-rod , winter-green , true love or one berry , hounds tongue , st. johns-wort , kidney-wort , knape-weed , ladie , mantle is the best wound-herb that is , and is good for inward and outward wounds , loosestrif● . the dryed leaves of medlers strewed upon a wound ▪ healed it quickly , money ▪ wort or the herb two pence . the juice of nettles is good to wash a wound with , and if it be bound to it but three days you need no other medicine , pimpernel , ground-pine , plantine , rag-wort , w●ld sage , sarasens consound , solomons seal , sanicle , burnet , saxafrage , scabius , self ▪ heal , southern-wood , the juice of wild tansie , tutsan , vervain , blew-bottle , elder , couch-grass or dogs-grass , daffadil , cranes-bill , comfrey , doth so conglutinate things together , that it is reported that it will sodder meal together , being cut into pieces and put into the pot , celandine , broom , turpentine , mastick , frankincense , balsom , the leaves of elm , flix-weed is good for ulcers and vvounds , byfoyl , costmary , cowslips , cross-wort , yarrow is good for fistulaes and ulcers , &c. particular receipts for salves or ointments , for vvounds old or new. take common honey and verdegrease finely pulverized , of each as much as will suffice , boyl them together till the medicine wax red , and this will heal up any old or green sore in short space . another . take turpentine , black soap , hogs-grease , green treat and pitch a like quantity , mix and boyl them together , and apply it warm , either plais●er-wise or tent-wise . another . take a quarter of a pound of butter , of tarr and black soap of each half as much , and a little turpentine , boyl all but the soap together , and when you take it off the fire , put in the soap , with this ointment dress any cut and it will heal it , or hogs-grease and venice-turpentine melted together . another . take eight drams of venice-turpentine , four drams of new virgins w●x , melt them in a pewter vessell , and stir them well together , and when they are well melted and mixed , take them from the fire , and put into them half a pint of white-wine , and when it is cold , pick holes in it , and let the white-wine run out , then anoint your hands with oyl of roses , and work the wax and turpentine well together , then put them into the pewter vessel again , and put to them half an ounce of the gum of the firr-tree , and three drams of the juice of bitony , then seeth them well together till the juice of bitony be wasted ▪ and put to it three drams of womens milk , or the milk of a red cow , and seeth them once again until the milk be wasted , and so keep it for your use in a gally-pot . another take worm-wood , marjorum , pimpernel , calamint , olibanum , beat them all into powder , and boyl them in wax , and barrows-grease till they be as thick as an oyntment or salve , with this dress any wound , and it will heal it . others . the powder of honey and lyme , or turpentine simply of it self , will dry up and skin any wound . if your horse be goared upon a stake , then pour into the wound butter scalding hot , and let him lie after he is cast , so long as you think the ointment is gone down to the bottom , and do thus once a day till it be whole . if you desire to keep a wound open , put in the powder of green copperas , but if to heal it up speedily , then wheat-flower and honey well beaten together will do it . another for any new wound or hurt . a quarter of a pound of the powder of bolearmoniack put into the best white ▪ wine vineger as you can get , and boiled well upon the fire , and a piece of butter put into it when it comes off the fire , and the wound washed therewith warm once every day will be soon well . or linseed oyl is very good put into a wound to heal it up , and to kill a gangreen if it be well washed and cleansed with batter aad vineger ; or train-oyl and the powder of verdegrease melted together , will heal and skin any wound well and quickly . if you desire to see more variety of ointments , salves , powders and waters ; look for them in the first part. observations upon dressing of wounds . if he hath a wound in his head newly made , or in any other part that is full of sinews , bones or gristles ▪ wash it well with white-wine warmed , and keep it while you are in dressing covered warm with wet cloaths , then search the bottom of the wound with a probe , and let it take as little wind and air as you can , and having found the bottom of it , stop the wound close with a clout till your salve be ready . if the wound be a cut , make a handsom rowl of soft tow , ●o ●ong and so big as may fill the bottom of the wound , which for the most part is not so wide as the mouth of the wound , then make another rowl somewhat bigger , to fil● up the rest of the wound , even the hard mouth , and anoint them with such ointment as you shall think fit for the cure , luke-warm , only observe this , that if the wound be large , stitch the wound a little together with crimson silk , it will heal the sooner and make the scar less . but if the hurt be like a hole made with some prick , then make a stiff taint either of tow or lint , so long as will reach the bottom , and anoint it with your ointments , and bolster the same with a little tow , and clap a sticking plaister over it made of pitch , rosin , mastick and turpentine , melted together ; if the mouth of the wound be not wide enough to let out the matter , if it be in such a place as you may do it without hurting the sinews , give it a slit from the mouth downwards , that so the matter may have the free passage out , and be sure to keep in the taint by one means or other , and that it be not drowned within the wound , and to tie some thread at the upper end thereof , that it may be taken out at pleasure . now if the hole be deep and in such a place as you cannot cut it , then make your tent full as big as the hole of a dry spunge that was never wet , so long as it may reach the bottom , and the tent being made somwhat full with continual turning and wrying of it , you shall easily get it down , and dress the wound twice a day , and cleanse it every time with white-wine luke-warm , for the spunge annointed with the oyntment , will both draw and suck up all the evil matter , and make it very fair within , and as it beginneth to heal every day tent it lesser and lesser , until it be ready to close up , and never leave tenting it so long as it will receive a tent , be it never so short ; for hasty healing of wounds breedeth fistulaes ▪ which properly be old sores ; and therefore must be healed like fistulaes . now if the wound proceed from some ancient impostumation , then take to or three great onions , and taking out the cores , put therein a little bay-salt and a little whole saffron , and roast them in hot embers then plaister-wise lay them hot to the wound , renewing it once a day till it be whole . now if the upper skin of the wound be putrified to take it away , lay a plaister of cows dung to it ●od in milk , and there let it remain for twenty four hours , and it will leave nothing vile about the wound . an excellent receipt for any green ▪ wound . take pen●y-royal , camomil , brook-lime , rag-wort or rag-weed , sage , ground-pine , ivy , plantaine , yarrow , feather●ew , maiden-hair , of each a handfdl , shred and bruise them very well in a mortar together , then set them over the fire in a pound and a half or more of hogs-seam or lard , with half a pound of d●ers suet , let them gently simper for about an hour ; then take it off the fire , and strain the herbs from the liquor , and set it over the fire again , and make it boil up ; then take it off , and put into it a quarter of an ounce of verdegrease finely powdred and searced , with a quarter of an ounce of burnt allom , and an ounce of common bees wax , and a good quantity of the oyl of deers shank , stir them very well together , and put it into a pot , and keep it for your use . if you cannot get maiden-hair , use chickweed and for want of deers suet , or oyl of deers shank , put in a pound of seam or lard , half a pound of m●y ●utter , and half a pound of sheeps tallow . how to make adders tongue ointment , which is a most sovereign and excellent ointment for any beast that hath been stung or bitten by any venomous creature ; or for any wound by stake , bite or any other accident ; as also for any hard swelling in any part of the body , and is also very good for the garget in a cows bag , chafed in very well with your hand twice a day . take as much of the herb adders tongue as you have occasion to use ▪ with a third part of male plantine , and bruise them very well in a mortar together , then put to it fresh butter new from the churn , well beaten from the ●utter milk , and mix it very well with your herbs , but put not in so much of it as to make it lose its green colours ; after you have so done , put it into an earthen pan , and let it lie about three or four weeks in some cool place till it grow mouldy , then melt it down upon a gentle fire till the herbs grow crisp ; then strain it out into some convenient thing fit for your purpose , and keep it for your use . you may dissolve into it if you please ( when it comes off the fire ) some fine and clear turpentine , which will make it much the better . you may make an excellent green balsom for the said distempers , if you boy ▪ the herbs in sallet oyl , and dissolve into it when it comes off the fire , some fine clear turpentine . this ointment is made only in the month of april or may , the herb being then to be found , and in its prime , for it soon perisheth with a little heat . another f r a sore or swelling . black soap , common turpentine , green treat , ( which is a green ointment bought at the apothecaries , ) pitch and hogs-grease , of each a small quantity boiled well together , and applied is very good . another to dissolve any sore or swelling is very good without breaking . take half a pound of black soap , ( or for want of that common soap ) as much bolearmoniack powdred , with a little of the powder of unslackt li●e , and put to them a quarter of a pint of brandy , with a small g●ll of the oyl of roses , and oyl of linseed , and anoint them with it , and it will help them . things good to cure a galled or swelled back in general . take the white of an egg and beat it to an oyl , then take flower , honey and ●olearmoniack , finely beaten , and mix them well together , and spread it upon a piece of thin leather , and lay it over the place galled , and it will not come off till it be well . or take the soot of the chimney , and mix it with cream till it become a salve , and make a plaister thereof , and lay it to the gall and swelling , and it will cure him . or take some two or three spoonfuls of aquavitae , and put to it some sope and boyl them well together , and anoint the place well with it , as hot as it can be well applied to the swelling , and it will take it down , or loam boyled in vineger to a poultess , and apply to it very hot taketh it down . or take a loaf of wheaten bread and cut a slice of it , and toast it very well , and when it is toasted , spread it all over with honey on both sides , and prick it full of holes , and toast it till the honey is well soaked into it , and the toast is become dry , then put it into a mortar , and beat it to powder , and keep it for your use , when you use it , strew it upon the galled place , and it will dry it up in a short space . to take away any swelling , and to heal any galled back whatsoever . take only the oyl of turpentine , and lay it upon the raw back morning and evening with a feather , and it will heal it up , and so use it to a swelled back , it will either sink it or break it . another for a galled b●ck , enter●ering or shackle-gaul . take three parts of sheeps dung newly made , and one part of rye , or wheat flower , and dry the flower and mix it well with the sheeps dung , kneading it to a paste , and make it into a cake and bake it , and apply the powder warm unto the place , and it will heal it very well , or anoint it with turpentine and verdegrease mixed together , finely powdred . a●other take water and salt and boyl them well together , and wash the place therewith . then take pepper made into fine powder , and strew it upon the place and it will heal it in a very short time , or to bruise a new laid egg between his legs , and rub the place with it , cureth the gall there . another . take the leaves of ars-smart , and wash them , and lay them all over the place , and though you ride him every day , yet they will heal very fast , but if he remain in the stable , put the water of the leaves upon it . another which cureth not only galled backs , but any other wound whatsoever . take rosin and common pitch , of each six ounces , mastick and incense of each one ounce , turpentine , galbanum , bolearmoniack , of each three ounces , melt and incorporate all these together upon a gentle fire , and as they begin to cool make them up in rowls , and when you use it , spread it upon a cloth or leather somewhat thin , but if you use it without either cloth or leather , to any outward part that is not yet broken , then lay it on much thicker then you use to do plaister-wise , and whilest it is warm clap flox of the same colour upon it . this is a most excellent defensative plaister for the staying and drying up of all evil humours , and also very sovereign for asswaging of swellings . another for a sore back . take the juice of cellandine and live honey , of each two spoonfuls , beat them with the yolk of an egg , and as much allom and wheat-flower as will serve to bring it to a salve , dress the sore with this once a day and it draweth and healeth . now though these medicines are enough , yet because farriers hold divers opinions , and think what they know to be the best , i shall give you a catalogue of their receipts in general . the powder of bryer-leaves , rye-flower , the powder of burnt oyster-shells , the white of an egg , honey , barley , straw burnt and soot will dry up and heal a sore back . the powder of honey and unslackt lime will skin any gall , provided the sore be first washt with vineger and onions boiled in water , and laid hot to a swoln horses back , will asswage the swelling , and the yolk of an egg , salt and vineger will heal it up when it is broken , provided you wash the sore with ale wherein rosemary hath been sod . the soot or grim of a pot will dry and skin a galled back . things good for inward or outward bruises , or swellings in general . wood and water-bitony , honey-suckle leaves , knot grass , archangel , plantine , rib-wort , yarrow , bursa-pastoris , bugle , chervil , mallows , solomons seal , sarasens consound , sarasens wound-wort , scabius , self-heal , sanicle , sope-wort , thorough-wax , rosin , turpentine , honey , galbanum , st. johns-wort , pitch , &c. the juice of arsmart consumeth all cold swellings , and dissolveth all congealed blood , got by bruises , strokes or falls ; the root of cinquefoyl , cud-weed or cotton-weed doth the like , osmond-royal or water-fern is also good ; golden rod outwardly applied is good for them : nep or catmint bruised , and the juice given inwardly is also very good . the decoction of wood sage is a very good remedy for any inward vein broken , to disperse and avoid the congealed blood , and to consolidate the veins ; sanicle is also good . the powder of bolearmomack given in warm ale stops any inward bleeding ; the powder of irish slate given also in warm ale is good for any inward bruise whatsoever , &c. particular receipts for the cure of bruises or swellings . first , ripen it with hay boiled in chamberly , or with rotten litter laid upon it , then let out the corruption , then fill the hollowness with the powder of rosin , and lay a plaister of shoomakers wax over it , and thus do once a day while it be whole , if it be slow of skinning or healing up , strew on the powder of unslackt lime , and bolearmoniack mixt together , and if any proud flesh arise , take it down either with burnt allom , or verdegrease in powder . another . take ale or beer yest , and verjuice , and putting a little fine hay thereunto , boyl them well together , then bind the hay to the swelling , and pour on the liquor , and do thus three or four days together , and it will take away the swelling , or rotten litter and hay boiled in urine will take it away . another for any inward bruise , by fall or otherwise . take near a quart of strong beer or ale , and put to it one ounce of the powder of bolearmoniack , and half an ounce of the powder of irish sla●e , and boyl it a little and give it him fasting in the morning , for three or four mornings together lukewarm , and he will do well . another for a swelling upon the head , occasioned by a blow or o●herwise . if the swelling be on both sides , then blood on both sides ; but if it be but on one side , then blood but on that side the swelling is of , and give him this drink , viz. one ounce of anniseeds , one ounce of turmerick , half an ounce of bayberries all beaten to powder , with a gill full of the juice of herb-grace , red sage and wormwood ; put all this into a quart of strong beer lukewarm , and give it him fasting in the morning , and order him as you do a horse that hath had physick . 't is good also to apply this outward application to it , viz. a little common soap put to a quarter of a pint of brandy , and rub and chase it in with your hand very well , and heat it in with a hot fire-shovel ; leave it as thick upon the swelling as you can . this will prevent a farcy , which blows and strokes do commonly breed , and is also very good for any old or new swelling whatsoever . another which will take away any crusty knobs , or hard swellings in any part of the body of a horse . according to the cure you are to undertake , whether great or small , proportion oyl of turpentine , and strong beer or ale , and let it be of equal parts alike , well shaked together in a glass , and then rub and chafe it very well in with your hand , and heat it also in with a hot fire-shovel ; and two or three days after apply a charge of common soap and brandy , well chafed in , as you did the turpentine before ; you may if you please put in a little of the oyl of wormes , which is a great mollifier of any crusty , hard or bony part . if you will see more of this kind , vide observations upon bruises and strains about three leaves further . things good in general to cure swelled legs . nerve oyl , black soap and boars grease melted together , and anoint the place with it , or to bathe his legs in butter and beer , or in vineger and butter melted together , or with sheeps-foot oyl , or with train oyl , or with piss and salt peter boiled together , and to rowl his legs with hay-ropes wet in the same liquor , from the pastern to the knee , but not bind them too hard , or to bathe him with the water wherein had been boiled sage , mallows and rose cakes , and butter and sallet oyl put into it , or to take frankincense , rosin , fresh grease , of each alike , boiled and strained , and used once a day , as you see occasion ; or to wash his legs with the coldest fountain-water you can get ; or to let him stand every day till the swelling be asswaged , in running water up to the knees ; or else take primrose-leaves , violet leaves , straw-berry leaves , of each a handful , boyl them in new milk till they be soft , then put into it of nervel , of petroleum , and of pumpilion , of each an ounce , anoint him with it for five or six days together ; or take pitch , virgins wax , rosin , the juice of hysop , galbanum , myrrh , secondary bdellium , arabicum populeon and storax , according to your discretion , and boyl them in deers sewet , and when it is cold put into it bolearmoniack and costus beaten into fine powder , and incorporate them well together into the other ingredients and boyl them all over again , and when it is almost cold , work them up into rowls , and when you use it , spread it upon a plaister , and wrap it about the swelling , and let it stay there till it drop off of it ▪ self ; this is good for a surfeit . to asswage the swelling of a horses legs , that is very much swelled by reason of the scratches . take a quart of chamberly or more , as you shall think fit , and put into it a handful of bay-salt , a quarter of a pound of soap , a pretty quantity of soot , a good handful of misle-toe chopt , boyl them all very well together , and bath his legs with it very warm two or three times a day , and wrap a cloth wet in the same , and lap about it , and this will asswage them . if you will have more receipts for swelled legs ; see the first part for plaisters and baths for swelled legs . things good to cure a horse that is spu●-gall'd , or shackle-gall'd , or lock-gall'd . salt and urine mixt together , or salt and water , and the place bathed with it takes out venom ; warm vineger is likewise good , or else bind unto the place , the tender tops of nettles stamped , oyl of turpentine is good , or allom and green copperas boiled in water , and wash the place with it , the leaves of briony stamped and bruised with vineger , and applied to the place , honey and verdegrease boiled together till it look red , and anoint the place with it twice a day , and strow upon it some chopt flox to keep on the salve , is very good for shackle-galls , and chiefly for the scratches , &c. things good in general to cure the diseases of the eyes , as watery eyes , blood-shotten eyes , dim eyes , moon-eyes , wart in the eye , inflammation in the eye , pearl , pin , web or haw , &c. the juice of cabbages and coleworts boiled with honey and dropped into the eye , cleareth the sight and consumeth any felm , as also the canker that groweth therein , the juice of celandine put into the eye , taketh away the pin and web in the eye , and cleareth the sight , the juice of ordinary centaury cleareth the sight , the juice of ground-ivy , alias ale hoof is good for moon-eyes , and to clear the sight , the juice of housleek is good to allay the fiery heat of the eyes , and is good likewise for rheumatick and watery eyes , the juice of germander put into the eye , taketh away the pin and web , and all dimness of sight , so doth the juice of eye-bright , so doth the juice of horehound with honey . the seed of clary powdered and finely s●arced , and mixt with honey , taketh away dimn●ss of sight , and is good for watery eyes likewise , so doth the juice of dragon , ale-hoof , celander and dasies stamped and strained , and white sugar , and white rose-water put to it , taketh away all manner of inflammations , spots , webs , itch , smarting and any grief whatsoever in the eyes , nay , though the sight be in a manner gone . the leaves of common ivy laid asteep in water for twenty four houres helpeth sore and smarting waterish eyes , the juice of endive cleareth the sight , the distilled water of groundsel , the juice of melilote cleareth the sight , the distilled water of the lilly of the valley is good for inflammations of the eyes , or for pin and web , the powder of licoris blown into the eye , is good likewise for the same , with rheumatick distillations in them , the distilled water of loose-strife is good for hurts and blows in the eyes , and for blindness , the distilled water of lovage taketh away the redness and dimness of them , sweet marjorum stamped with fine flower , and laid to them , is good for inflammations in them , the juice of mercury is good for waterish eyes , the juice of pimpernel with a little honey cooleth the inflammations of them , and taketh away the pin and web , the juice of purslain is good to take away the redness of the eye , the juice of the yellow rattle-grass with honey put into the eyes , or the whole seed put into them draweth forth any skin , dimness or felm from the sight , the distilled water of red roses , is good for the heat and redness in the eyes , and to stay and dry up the rheum and wateriness in them , the juice of rue , fennel , honey , and the gall of a cock put thereto is good , the juice of strawberry leaves ●ickt into the eye is good , or take strawberries and put them into a glass well stopped , and set it in a horse-dunghil for twelve or fourteen days , and then distil it , is good for inflamed eyes , or to take away any felm or skin that groweth over them . the distilled water of the wild tansie , or the juice of it taketh away the heat and inflammations in them , medow trefoil or honey-suckle leaves is good for a pin and web , the distilled water of vervain is good to clear the sight , and to take away the felm ; the juice of violet-leaves is good to take away the inflammatio● of them , either applied outwardly , or put into them , spring-wate● is good to bath an inflamed eye with , water that is gathered from the willow-tree when it flowreth , the bark being slit and a fitting vessel to receive it , is very good for redness and dimness of sight , and for felms that cover the eye , and to stay the rheum that falls into them , the juice of mustard ▪ seed is good for dimness of sight , the juice of an onion with honey cleareth the eye , and doth remove the pin and web , and amendeth the blood-shotten eye , the juice of the blessed thistle is good for the same , the flowers or roots of valerian boiled in white-wine cleareth the sight , egg-shells burned between two tiles and beaten to powder , after the inward felm is taken away , is good for dimness of sight , lapis calaminaris , plantine-water , white-wine squirted into his eyes , cleareth them , so does alloes , camphire powder , white vitriol , or white copperas blown into his eye after it is beaten to powder , and searced very fine , taketh away the pin and web , or any felm whatsoever , the ashes of the root of black sallow sugar-candy , and grated ginger and salt made up in butter and little balls , and put one into his eye once a day taketh away the felm of it , bine-bole , or bolearmoniack with white sugar candy blown into the eye , stoppeth any rheum that falleth into the eyes , alabaster beaten very fine and searced and blown into the eye , taketh away any felm whatsoever , so doth the powder of a black flint burnt , sanguis draconis taketh away a felm , so doth the bone of the cuttle-fish beaten to powder and blown into the eye , and is likewise good for blood-shotten eyes , may-butter , rosemary , yellow rosin and cellandine stamped and fried , and kept in a box , is a jewel for the eyes , burnt allom blown into the eyes is good for to take off a felm , an egg-shell filled with pepper , and burnt and beaten to powder , and blown into the eyes , taketh away the pin and web , or any other dimness , the powder of sandevoir , and the powder of white salt burnt , is good likewise for the same , so is the powder of pummistone blown into the eye , the powder of the inner sole of a shoo burnt to ashes and beaten to powder , is good to stop the rheumatick eye , the powder of two tiles rubbed together and blown into the eye , taketh away a felm , wormwood with the gall of a bull beaten together , is good for a dim sight ; or take the roots or leaves of primrose clean washed and boiled in runningwater the space of an hour , and put somewhite copperas to it , then strain it and let it stand , and there will appear an oyl upon the water , and anoint his brows , temples and eyes with it , and it will take off a felm ; mans dung burnt in a fire-shovel to a cole , and beaten to powder and blown into his eyes , taketh away a felm ; or take a handful of the angerest young nettles , and stamp them well , and put them in a linnen rag , and dip it in beer , then squeeze out the juice , and put a little salt to it , and lick that into the eye , and that will take away the felm ; or the lean of beef , or a gammon of bacon dried and beaten to powder and blown into the eye , taketh it away also , 〈…〉 or lapis tulia doth the like prepared ; the gall of a hare , and live-honey alike , put into the eye , doth the same ; the haw every smith can cut out . eye-lids swelled outward . if you meet with a horse ( which is very rare to do ) whose eye-lids are so swelled that the inside of them are turned outward , and look very red , and as it were full of bladders , and yet the ball of the eye very sound and good , then you need do nothing to him but to keep him warm with a hood made fit for his head , of some linnen cloth , and to anoint them twice a day with white sugar-candy , honey and white rose-water , and in two or three days time they will turn into their places again , then take blood from him , which is partly the occasion ( and cold rheums together setling in the head ) of this disease ; do not clip nor meddle with the bladders , or any part of the eye , lest you do not only put out his eyes , but endanger his life , or at best make him but blear-ey'd . particular receipts for the eyes . take rose leaves , smallage , maiden-hair , euface , endive , succory , red-fennel , hill-wort and cellandine , of each half a quarter of a pound , bei●g washed clean , lay them in white-wine asteep a whole day , and then distil them . and the first water will be like gold , the second like silver , and the third like balm , this water hath recovered sight for some years . another to take off a felm , or pin and web. take white copperas and beat it to powder , and sift it through a very fine sieve , with the same quantity of white sugar-candie beaten , and blow it into his eye once a day , and as you see it amend , once in two or three days is enough . another to take off a felm take alabaster and beat and searce it very fine , and blow it into his eye once or twice a day , and it will take it off . another for the same . take bay-salt , or for want of that common-salt , and bruise it very small and mix it well with fresh butter , then make it up into small balls , as big as a hazel-nut , and open his eye-lid and put one of them in , holding your hand over it till it be all melted , and thus doing once a day will take off any felm , if it be taken in time . another to take away the rheum from his eyes , and to clear it : take butter and salt , of each alike , and mix them well together with your knife , then take a piece as big as a small wall-nut , and put it into his ear , ( on that side that is offended ) and let it remain there for four or five houres , and this will dry up the rheum and clear his eye . you must tie or sew his ear close , or else he will shake it out . another to stay the rheum in a horses eye . take fine bole , or bole-armoniack , and blow it into his eyes , and it will drive back the rheum ; but if he will not suffer you to blow it into his eye , mix it with butter and some white sugar-candy beaten to powder , and make it up into little balls and put one of them into his eye once or twice a day , as you shall see occasion . another to take off a felm . take the blackest flint you can get , and calcine it , then beat it to powder , and sift it through a fine sieve , and put to it the powder of ginger , and blow it into his eye as you see occasion . another for sore eyes , dim eyes or moon-eyes . take lapis calaminaris , half an ounce , and heat it red hot , and quench it in a quarter of a pint of plantain water , or white . wine , do this eight or nine times , then beat it to powder , and put it to the water , then add half a dram of aloes , and a spoonful of camphire in powder , and let them dissolve , drop this into the eye ▪ another for the same . take a pint of snow-water , and dissolve into it two or three drams of white vitriol , and with it wash his eye three or four times a day , and it helpeth . another for a white felm or skin over the eye . take the root of the black sallow , and burn it to ashes , then put to it the like quantity of white sugar candy , and grated ginger finely searced , and blow it into his eye morning and evening . another for any soreness in th● eye , at pearl , pin , web or bruise . take a new laid egg , and roast it very hard , then cleave it in sunder long-wise , and take out the yolk , then fill the empty holes with white vitriol finely beaten , and close the egg again , and roast it the second time , till the vitriol be molten ; lastly , beat the egg , shell and all , in a mortar , and strain it , and with that moisture dress the eye . if instead of the vitriol you fill the holes with myrrh , finely searced , and hang the egg up that it may drop , and with that moisture dress the eye , it is every way as good , only it is a little stronger . another which is infallible for the curing of a pin , pearl . vvib or spot in a horses eye . take an egg and make a hole in the top , put out half the white , then fill up the empty place with salt and ginger finely mixt together , then roast it very hard , so as you may beat it into fine powder , having formerly lapt it in a wet cloth , then morning and evening after you have washed his eye with the juice of ground ivy , or eye-bright water , blow this powder therein . to cure a vvart in a horses eye , which is upon the edge or inside of the eye-lids . take burnt allom , and the same quantity of white copperas unburnt , both being beaten very small , and ●ay some of this powder on the head of the wart once a day , and it will consume it . another for ●oul eyes , sere eyes , or sight almost lost . take thacchamahaca mastick , rosin and pitch of each a like quantity , and being molten with flax of the colour of the horse , lay it as defensive on each side his temples , as big as a twenty shilling piece , then underneath his eyes upon the cheek-bone ( with a round iron ) burn three or four holes , and anoint them with sweet butter , then take a handful of cellandine , and wash it clean in white-wine , but let it touch no water , then bruise it and strain it , and to the quantity of juice , put the third part of womans milk , and a pretty quantity of white sugar-candy , searc'd through a piece of lawn , and lick it into his eye morning and evening . thus do for the worst of sore eyes , but if the offence be not extreme , then you may forbear both the defensitive and the burning , and use only the medicine . another for a bite , or stroke upon the eye . honey , powder of ginger ▪ and the juice of cellandine , mixed together , and licked into his eye with a feather twice a day , is a very good cure for it . another for a felm . the powder of verdegrease finely beaten and searc'd , and burnt ▪ allom , of equal parts alike , mixed with some of the ointment of marsh-mallows , and about the bigness of a pease put into his eye once or twice a day will cure him . another for blood-shotten eyes . roman vitriol steeped in white rose water , till it be coloured , ( or for want of that fair spring water , ) and the eye washed therewith twice or thrice a day cureth it . another to stop a rheum flowing to the eyes . take flox or hurds , and dip it in the best melted rosin you can get , and apply it to the hollow of the eyes driveth it back . some observations to be observed upon bruises and strains . . in all bruises by falls or any other accidents , 't is good to bleed first in the common bleeding neck-vein , before you give him any inward medicines for it , and be very careful that what you give him be not binding things , for they will so coagulate and thicken the strained blood , that it cannot have its free passage through the uriter vein as it should have , which will be very prejudicial to his health . . the best thing you can give him for any inward bruise or wrench in the back or kidneys , is common turpentine made into balls , with the best english liquoris-powder you can get for money , about an ounce of it given him every morning for about a week together , and a plaister or charge applied at the same time to his loyns or fillets , made up with oxicrocium and paracelsus melted together , will perfectly cure him in a month at farthest , you may renew your charge , if there be occasion . . all things that provoke urine are very good for him , for the congealed blood must have its vent through the uriter-veins , or else it will do him but little good . . if your horse hath a strain upon the back-sinews ; 't is also very convenient to let him blood with your fleam on the shackle-vein , on the pastern-joynt , the hair being first clipped away , to the end you may the better see how to strike the vein ; when you have so done , apply your piaister or charge of oxicrocium and paracelsus melted together , as before directed , and laid hot upon the grieved part , and let it lie on till it come off of it self , and it will cure him in a very short time . things good in general for the cure of any halting coming by strain or strol● , ●ither before or behind , from the shoulder or hip down to the hoof. if it be in the shoulder , to let blood and apply things to it as you do other strains . a poultess made of pellitory of the wall , and mallows boiled in strong beer tilt , with bran , bean-flower and sallet-oyl put thereto , and applied warm , is good to restore any sinew-strength in a short time , the decoction of the herb scabius applied is good for any shrunk-sinew or vein , or tansie boiled in oyl is good for it , oyl of turpentine , brandy , aquavitae , oyl of spike , nerve oyl , sallet-oyl , bears-grease , oyl of swallows , bolcarmoniack is good for sinew-strains , so is ar●mart and brook-lime steeped together , good for old strains , glovers spe●ks boiled in ale , and applied hot to the place is good , oyl of organum , oyl of exceter , oyl of peter , oyl of st. johns wort , oyl of roses , mirtles , sanguis draconis , pickle or brine from olives , train-oyl , mallows , oat-meal and bran bruised together and boiled with urine , and laid to it poultess-wise , dialthea and nerve-oyl mingled together , pumpilion , nerve oyl and black soap minglod together upon the fire , and anointed therewith , brandy and soap boiled together is good , or white-wine vineger and fresh butter boyled together , with as much bran as will bring it to a poultess , and said to it morning and evening is good , or mallows and chickweed boiled together in ale , &c. particular receipts for the cure of all manner of halt●ngs , coming by strain or stroke , ●ither before or behind , from the shoulder or hip down to the hoof. markhams master-medicine for a back-sinew strain , or any strain , shrinking , or numbness of sinews . take a ●at sucking mastive whelp , flay it and bowel it , then stop the body as full as it can hold with gray snails , and black snails , then roast it at a reasonable fire ▪ when it begins to warm , bast it with six ounces of oyl of spike made yellow with saffron , and six ounces of oyl of wax ; then save the droppings , and whatsoever moisture falls from it , while it any drop will fall , keep it for your use . with this anoint the strain , and work it in very hot , holding a hot fire-shovel before i● , thus do both morning and evening till amendment . another in nature of a charge for a back-sinew-strain . take five quarts of ale , and a quarter of a peck of glovers specks , and boyl them till it come to a quart , then apply it hot to the grief , and remove it not in five or six days . another for a strain in any part new or old. take of sheeps sewet a pound , of sheeps dung two handfuls , chopt hay a handful , wheat bran a pint , sweet ●oap a quarter of a pound , boyl all these in a quart of strong ale till it come to a poultess , then take it from the fire and put in half a pint of white-wine vineger , and a quarter of a pint of brandy , and apply it hot to the grief , and give him moderate exercise . another for a strain or sinew-bruise . take cumminseeds and bruise them gross , then boyl it with the oyl of camomile , and put to it so much yellow wax as will bring it to cerots , and spread it upon a cloth or leather , and apply it hot to the grief . another for old strains , griefs , or old cramps . take brandy , oyl de bay , oyl of swallows , bolearmoniaek , hogs-grease , black soap , of each half a pound , boyl them till the brandy be incorporate , then take of camomil , rue , red sage and misle-toe , of each a handful , dry them and bring them to powder , and mix it with the ointment , and bring all to a salve . with this anoint the grief , and hold a hot bar of iron before it , chasing it well in , and do thus once a day , and in nine days the cure hath been effected . a sudden cure for a kneck or bruise on the sinews , or sinew-strain new or old. take a live cat , wilde or tame , and cut off her head and tail , then cleave her down the chine , and clap her hot bowels and all to the bruise ; let it lie on twenty four houres , and serve another cat or two so if there be occasion ; when it is dry , anoint it with oyl of turpentine , brandy and soap , and heat it well in with a hot iron . the cats bones must be br●ken . another for a strain newly done , to help it in twenty four hours . take the grounds of ale or beer , a quart , as much parsley chopt gross as you can gripe , boyl them till the herb be soft , then put to it a quarter of a pound of sweet butter , and when it is molten , take it from the fire , and put it in a pint of wine vineger , and if it be thin , thicken it with wheat-bran , and lay it upon h●rds , and poultess wise as hot as ●ie can endure it lay it to , and remove it once in twelve houres , and give him moderate exercise . another which is markhams own balm , which he says hath never failed h●m in any strain in the sh●ulder , or other parts , ●id or apparent , or for any vvind-gall or swelling . take ten ounces of piece-grease , and melt it on the fire , then take it off , and put into it four ounces of the oyl of spike , one ounce of the oyl of origanum , an ounce and a half of the oyl of e●●●ter , and three ounces of the oyl of st. johns wort , stir them well together , and put them up into a gally pot . with this ointment ( or indeed precious balm ) being hot , anoint the grieved place , and rub and chafe it in very much , holding a hot fire-shovel before it , and anoint it once in two days , but rub and chafe it in twice or thrice a day , and give him moderate exercise for want of piece-grease take goose-grease . [ look for ointments in the table of the prices of drugs , and you shall find what it is , and where it is to be bought ] . another for sinews that are extended , over-strained , and so weakened , tha● the member is useless . take of cantharides , euphorbium and mercury , of each a like quantity , and of the oyl-de bay double as much as of all ●he rest ; bring the hard s●mples to powder , and beat all to a salve , apply this 〈◊〉 the grief ( being desperate ) and though it make a sore , it will give strength a●d streightness to the sinews . for the sore you may cure it either with pop●leon , fresh butter or deers grease warm . another of the same nature , but more ge●●le . take turpentine two ounces , verdegrease three ounces , hogs-grease six ounces , boil them till the verdegrease be dissolved , then take rosin , bees wax , of each two ounces , mix all these together , then apply it to the grieved pl●ce hot . another which is a charge for a new strain or grief , proce●ding from heat . take the whites of six eggs , and beat them with a pint of white-wine vineger , the oyl of roses and myrtles , of each an ounce , bolearmoniack four ounces , as much sanguis draconis , and with as much bean-flower or wheat-flower , ( but bean is the best ) as will thicken it , bring it to a salve , and spreading it on hurds , lay it about the grieved place , and renew it not until it be dry . signes to know where the grief lies . you may know where the grief lies , by pinching every several member , and where he most complaineth , there is his most grief . for a new strain . take white-wine vineger , bolearmoniack , the whites of eggs , and bean-flower , and having beaten them to a perfect salve , lay it very hot to the ●ore place , and it will cure it . another for an old strain . take vineger and butter , and melt them together with wheat-bran , make it into a poultess , and lay it as hot as may be to the place grieved , and it will take away the grief . a●other for a back sinew-strain . take venice turpentine and brandy beaten together to a salve , and anoint the grieved place therewith , and heat it in with a fire-shovel , and in two or three times doing it will take it away . another for an old strain or la●eness . take boars-grease , bolearmoniack , black soap and nerve-oyl , of each a like quantity ▪ boyl them well together , and apply it hot to the grief , chasing it very well , and heating it in with a hot fire-shovel , and thus do it once a day till the pain go away . an ther for a strain in the pastern , or foot-lock joynt . a poultess made of the grounds of strong beer , hens-dung , hogs-grease and nerve oyl boiled together , and applied to the grieved part , two or three times bound on with a linnen rag will help him . another very good for a new sinew-strain . take common soap a quarter of a pound , bolearmoniack in powder an ounce , the whites of three or four new laid eggs , a gill of white-wine vineger , half a gill of brandy , and a quarter of a pint of new wort , either of beer or ale , with half a gill of the oyl of turpentine , and incorporate and mix them very well with your hand ; then rub and cha●e the thinness of it in upon the grieved place , holding a hot fire-shovel before it to make it sink in the better , then daub all over the thickest of it in the nature of a charge , and stick flox or hurds upon it , and bind it up with a linnen cloth , and it will do well ; if there be occasion , you may apply a fresh charge to it . another for an old strain upon the legs . after you have clipped away the hair so close on the pastern-joynt , that you can see the pastern-vein , strike it with your fleam , and let it bleed well , then take two ounces of the oyl of turpentine , with the like quantity of strong ale or beer , and put them into a glass , and shake them very well together , to incorporate them the better , then pour it out into an earthen or pewter dish , and with your hand anoint and cha●e it into the grieved part very well , holding at the same instant of time a hot fire-shovel before it , to make it sink in the better . when you find that the swelling is abated , lay the common charge of soap and brandy upon it , and bind a linnen rag wet in the same about it ; when your charge begins to pill off , anoint it with the oyl of trotters once or twice . this way of ordering him will perfect the cure in a week or fortnight at farthest . another for any grief , pain numbness , weakness , or swelling in joynt● that cometh of a cold cause . take brandy and bath the place therewith very warm , heating it in with a hot fire shovel , then wet a linnen cloth in the said brandy , and cover the wet cloth all over with pepper finely beaten , very thick , and so fold it about the grieved place , then rowl it on fast with a dry rowler , and let him rest , and do this once a day till you see amendment . an excellent charge which never yet failed for any sinew-strain from the shoulder , or the hips down to the foot , nay , though it be in the coffin joynt , which is the ●ardest of strains to cure. take of burgundy pitch , and of frankincense , of each a quarter of a pound , as much stone pitch , or for want of that common black pitch , as containing the quantity of a wall ▪ nut , a quarter of a pound of roses , and the like quantity of bolearmoniack finely beaten to powder , melt all these together till they be throughly dissolved , incorporate them well together , if you add two or three penny-worth of mallick to them , it will be the better , but if you have none of it , it will do without it . how to use it . when it is almost cold that it will not scauld the skin , lay it on the grieved place with a lath or any other such like thing , then lay all over the charge some flox , wooll , deers hair , or such like things , then heat the charge again , and daub it all over the flox somewhat better then you did the former , then cover it all over again with some flox as you did before , and if he be a stable horse , keep him out of the water by watering him in the house ▪ but if it be in the summer , you may charge him abroad ; if the strain be in the coffin joynt , you must let him blood in the toe , which every common smith can do , then stop the bleeding of it by some flax or tow , dipt in the white of an egg , beaten with bolearmoniack ; use it as before shewed , laying it all over the hough heels , and foot lock-joynt , and especially at the setting on of the hough . how to know when it is well made . if it be well made , you may know it by this sign , viz. if you drop it upon a piece of white paper and let it lie until it be cold , then take and break it asunder , and if it crumble in the breaking , it is too hard , but if it break clear without crumbling , it is well made , and if you find it too soft , and that it will not keep on the horses foot , then put in a little more rosin and bolcarmoniack into it , and if you find it too hard put in a little tallow or sa●let-oyl ▪ but tallow is the best . if it be in hot weather you must make it the harder , and especially if he run abroad ; and if it be in cold weather , you must make it the softer . if you desire to see more charges for these uses , look in my first part. for swelledor garded ▪ l●gs , whether by grease or other a cident . if your horses legs be swelled , only because the grease is fallen into them and there is no other outward ulcer , neither will the bathing with cold fountain water , and other ordinary helps asswage them , then take a pottle of wine lees , or else take the grounds of strong ale or beer , and boyl it with a pound of hogs-grease , then with as much wheat-bran as will thicken it ▪ make thereof a poultess , and having made him a hose of woollen cloth , fill it with this poultess as hot as he can suffer it , then close up the hose and let it abide two days ; the third day open the hose at the top , but stir not the poultess , but put in hot moulten grease to it whilst it will receive any , for that will renew the strength thereof , then close it as you did before , and let him stand two or three days longer , then open the leg and rub it down ; and if you find occasion , you may apply another ; if not , the cure is wrought . now , if besides the swelling , he hath ulcers , chops and sores , then apply the poultess , as before shewed ; and after a week application , take a quart of old urine , and put to it half a handful of salt , as much allum , and half an ounce of white copperas , boyl them together , and with it wash the sore once or twice a day , then after a little drying , anoint them with the oyntment called aegyptiacum , and is made of vineger eight ounces , of honey twelve ounces of verdegrease two ounces , of allum one ounce and a half , and boiled to the height , till it come to a red salve , and it will both kill the malignant humours , and heal and dry up the sores . another for swelled legs , wheather by grease , ●o●tiness , wind or travel . first , bathe them well with the pickle or brine which comes from olives , being made hot ; then take a pint of train oyl , as much nerve oyl , and as much oyl de bay , a quarter of a pound of allum , half a pint of sallet-oyl , half a pound of hogs-grease , put all these to a pottle of urine , and with a handful or two of mallows , oat-meal bruised , and bran , boyl them to a poultess , and very hot apply it to the grief ; do this once in two days . things good in general for a horse that hath a wren●h in his back . to shave away the hair , but then you must not lay his charge on too hot ; you may find many sorts of them in my first part. but more particularly take this , take of bolearmoniack , com●rey , alias , consolida major , galbanum , sal-armoniack , sanguis draconis , his own blood , burgundy-pitch , mastick , olibanum , of each alike , stamp them well together with wheat-meal , vineger and the white of an egg , and lay it upon the place grieved , then clap upon the top of it all along the chine and back , a sheeps skin newly taken off from his back , and change it every day , and in three or four days it will be well , but let the charge lie on till it fall away of it self . or to bath his back with brandy well warmed , and the powder of bolearmoniack mixt together is very good . but if your horse be naturally weak in the back , or swayed in the back , these two diseases are not absolutely cured ; but coleworts boiled in sallet-oyl , and put bean-meal into it , and charge the back with it , will strengthen it . or you may give him these things inwardly which is good for a back swanckt in the fillets or loyn ; or for a wrench in the back-bone , viz. take one ounce of solomons seal , one ounce of comfrey , one of clary , a quarter of a pound of pollipody of the oak , wood-bitony two handfuls ; boyl them in a gallon of strong beer or more , till half the quantity be consumed , then take it off the fire , and put into it a quarter of a pound of butter , and a quarter of a pound of honey , and give him a quart of it luke-warm in a drenching-horn fasting , at the end of every third day , for about three or four times , and order him as in observations how to order sick horses ; i●●ing-glass boiled in milk with a little bole armoniack is a great strengthner of the back , given him for several mornings together ; but the more easie and familiar way to cure these distempers , and is as good a thing as i think you can possibly give him , is to make him some balls of common turpentine , and the powder of english liquoris , and give him about two ounces of them , for about a fortnight together , and apply at the same time to the reins of his back this excellent plaister , viz. oxicrocium and paracelsus , of each a like quantity ( but rather more of the oxicrocium ) melted together , and spread upon sheeps leather , and apply it to grieved part , and let it lie on till it fall off of it self ; you may renew his charge if you think it convenient , after the other hath been about a fortnight on . this is also a very excellent plaister for a back sinew-strain in the foot-lock joynt , and indeed for all manner of strains whatsoever . to cure the lampas . take a roasted onion very hot , and put it upon a clout , or upon hurds , and with it rub the lampas very much , and do this two or three times a day till it be whole , but the best cure is to burn it away , which every common smith can do . things good to cure the camery or frounc● . to let him blood in the two greatest veins under his tongue , and to wash the sore with vineger and salt , or to burn the pimples on the head , and to wash them with ale and salt till they bleed . to cure the barbes . clip them away with a pair of scissers , and let them bleed , then prick them in the palate of the mouth with your fleam , and wash the place with wine vineger , bolearmoniack and salt , and see that no hay dust stick upon the place clipped , and he will be well again . several receipts for the canker in the mouth , nose , or in any other part of the body . for the canker in the mouth or nose , take white-wine half a pint , roch-allom , the quantity of a wall-nut , bay-salt half a spoonful , english-honey one spoonful , red-sage , rue , rib-wort , bramble-leaves , of each alike much , boyl these in the white-wine so much as will suffice , till a quarter be consumed , and inject this water into the sorrance , or if it be in the mouth ▪ wash the place with a clout fastned to a stick , and dress him therewith twice a day , or oftener as you shall see ●it , till it be whole . another for the nose or mouth , or any other place . take the juice of plantine , as much vineger , and the same weight of the powder of allum , and with it anoint the sore twice or thrice a day , and it will kill it and cure it . another . take of ginger and allum , of each alike , made into fine powder , mixing them well together till they be very thick like a salve , and after you have washed it very well with allum-water or vineger , anoint it with this salve , and in twice or thrice dressing it will be killed . things good in general for the canker . the herb fluellen stamped , and the juice given inwardly , or applied outwardly , healeth the most spreading and eating cankers and ulcers , and fretting sores , sage , plantine , rosemary , honey , allum , verdegrease , green and white copperas , brimstone , tansie , bay-salt , bramble-leaves , elder , ginger , the roots of asphodil , quick silver , arsnick , agrimony made up with hogs-grease cureth old cankers and inveterate ulcers , allum , honey and verdegrease mixed together is good ; the decoction of white beets in water is good for running sores , ulcers and cankers in the head , legs , or other parts of the body , the decoction of the leaves of the burr-dock , &c. another excellent cure for the cure of the canker in the head , face or ey●s , &c. take three ounces of burgundy pitch , and half a pint of sallet oyl , and put them into a large earthen new pipkin , and set them over a soft fire , and let them simper gently , keeping them stirring while they are on the fire , to incorporate them the better . your pipkin must be the larger , by reason that you are to put in verdegrease ▪ which is of that fie●y nature , that it will make it quickly rise and boyl over , if you have not a special care thereof ; after you have boiled it near a quarter of an hour , put to it one ounce of the oyl of turpentine , and as much of the powder of verdegrease as will lie upon a six-pence , finely powdered and searc'd through a lawn sieve , boyl them also a little while together , then take it off the fire , and put it into a gally-pot , and keep it till you have occasion to use it . directions to know whether it be well or ill made . if it be vell boiled it will be neither too thick nor too thin , but in the condition of an ointment , and of a very good green colour ; but if it be too much boiled , your verdegrease will turn it of a red colour , which will be so prejudicial to your salve , that it will lose the healing quality thereof . directions how to use it . if you use it for a canker in his nose , you are to tie a linnen rag upon the end of a stick , and dip it in wine vineger and salt , or verjuice and salt mixed together , and put it ●p into his nostrils , and rub and scrub off the scabs and filth that you find therein ; when you have thus washed and cleansed it , take the longest goose-feather you can get , and if it be not long enough to reach to the top of his nostrils , tie it to the end of a small stick , and dip it into the salve , and use it as before once a day , and he will do well . if you find it on his head , face or eyes , you must do the like , viz. to rub and scrub off the scabs till they bleed , and lay on some of your salve with a feather , and strew some wheat-bran upon it to make it keep on the better . you are to dress it once a day till you find it heal , and then once in two or three days is enough . observa●ion . the quickest and speediest way for to effect all outward cures , is to let him stand in the house during his cure. things good to kill wormes in general . alheal , alkanet , water agrimony , the leaves of bistort , or snake-weed , the powder of the root of butter-bur , the seed of sea co●ewort , bruised and given in beer , the powder of ordinary small centaury , the powder of the root call'd devils bit , elecampane , the powder of fern-roots , the juice of flix-weed , gentian , feltwort or baldmony , germander , hops beaten to powder and given him , the powder of horehound , knotgrass , groundsel , savin , brimstone , allom , salt , mother-wort , the bark of the root of the mulberry-tree , nettleseeds , the powder of the leaves of the peach ▪ tree , the powder of plantine , horse-radish ; wild-rotchet , rupture-wort , southern-wood , vervain , the bark of the wallnut-tree , or the powder of the green shells , wormwood dried and beaten and given , tansie seed ▪ the white beete sodden with garlick , mercury calcin'd , alloes , blak soap , ta●ners ouze , his own ▪ hair chopped small and given him in his provender , rue , soot , the warm guts o● a new slain hen or chicken rowled up in salt and brimstone , and given him , elder-berries sodden in ▪ milk , chalk , fennegreek , bay-berries , turmerick , worm-seed , garlick , hens dung , saffron , mint , sage , rozin , juniper berries , the green branches of sallow or willow given him , reeds , so much of sublima●um as will lie upon two pence , workt up in butter and given him , stone-crop , quick-silver crude or mortified , with the juice of lemons , &c. particular receipts for the ●ots or wormes . take a quart of new milk , and as much honey as will extraordinarily sweet , then give it him in the morning luke-warm , having fasted all the night before , and let him ●ast after it two houres ; then take a pint of beer , and dissolve into it a good spoonful or more of black sope , and being well mixed together give it him , then ride and chase him a little , and let , him fast another hour , and the wormes will avoid . another more easie . take savin chopped and stamped small , a good handful warmed in a quart of beer , and given him luke-warm , or a quart of brine given him is very good . another . take as much precipitate , alias , red mercury calcin'd as will lie upon a silver two-pence , and work it into a piece of sweet butter , the bigness of a small wall-nut in the manner of a pill , then lape it all over again with butter , and make it as big as a small egg , and give it him fasting in a morning , taking forth his tongue , and putting it upon the end of a stick , put it down his throat , and ride him a little after it , and give him no water that night , and let him fast two houres , and then let him feed as at other times . with this medicine you may kill all manner of bots , trunchions and wormes of what kind soever , but you must be very careful you exceed not the quantity prescribed , for it is a very strong poison . another . take the ●ender tops of broom and of savin , of each half a hand●ul , chop them very small , and work them up into pills with fresh or sweet butter , and having kept him over night fasting , give him three of these pills the next morning early , and let him fast two houres after it , and give him no water that night ; or take rosin and brimstone beaten not very fine , and strowed amongst his provender , and given him fasting , long before he drinks is good . to a mare with foal , be cautious what you give her . you shall need therefore but only to rake her , and to let her blood in the roo● or palate of her mouth , and make her eat her own blood , for that will not only kill , but help all inward maladies . another . take a quart of milk warm from the cow , and put half a pint of honey to it , and give it him the first day ; the next day take rue and rosemary , of each half a handful , stamp them well together , then let it in●use together with the powder of brimstone and soot , ( so much as will suffice ) four houres in a quart of beer or ale-wort , then strain it , and give it him blood-warm , then ride him gently an hour or two , and set him up warm , and give him hay an hour before you give him drink , and let it be white water , and give him no hay before you give him his said drink , and let his drink be either a mash or white water . another . take two or three heads of garlick well peeled and bruised , with the quantity of a small nutmeg of black soap , and put them into a quart of strong beer , and warm it a little over the fire , and give it him luke-warm in the morning fasting , with about an ounce of the flower of brimstone at the mouth of the first horn ; and order him as you do horses that you give drenches to . another . three or four penniworth of the powder of carolin● , ( which you may buy at the apothecaries ) given him in a quart of sweet wort in the morning fasting , is a very good cure for them . another . take of turmerick and anniseeds a good spoonful , of each beaten to powder , put them in a quarter of a pint of brandy , and a pint and a hal● of strong beer , and gi●e it him fasting in the morning luke-warm , with some flower of brimstone put at the mouth of each horn , not exceeding an ounce of it in all , and let him fast three or four houres after it . you may repeat this drink two or three times , as you see occasion . another for the bots in a horse . take the guts of a chicken newly killed and wrap them up warm in honey , and put it down his throat over night ; the next morning give him a pint of new milk , with about three ounces of the flower of brimstone , and exercise him after it . things good i● general to stench bleeding , either inward or outward , or of any sinew , cut or wound , or of b●e●ding at the nose . the leaves of snakeweed or bistort strowed upon the wound after it is beaten to powder , the juice of cleavers applied to a bleeding wound will stop it ; the green leaves of cud-w●ed or cotton-weed bruised and laid to the wound , the decoction of the herb called golden rod outwardly applied the smoother horse-tail is good , either inwardly taken or outwardly applied , ladies mantle , the dried leaves of medlars strowed upon the wound being beaten to powder , stoppeth the bleeding of it ; the juice of mint given in vineger stayeth bleeding inwardly , money-wort or the herb two pence stayeth bleeding inwardly , so doth moonwort , or the oaken moss of a pale or spear ; mouse-ear stayeth the flux of blood inward or outward ; the powder of the leaves of the peach tree strowed upon the wound , plantain , queen of the medows , medlars dried before they be ripe and beaten to powder , and strewed upon the wound , the juice of sorrel , stone-crop , a piece of a fuze-ball or a mullipuss laid to any bleeding wound stoppeth it presently ; an ointment made of white lilly-roots with hogs-greas is very good for them . the broth wherein coleworts hath been sodden , is good for cut sinews and joynts . the root of garden-lilly stamped with honey , gleweth and soddereth them together , the herb tutsan or park-leaves , the leaves or bark of the willow-tree is good for the bleeding of wounds , or at the nose , or fluxes of blood , the powder of the blew bottle taken inwardly , the juice of clowns wound-wort taken inwardly with comfrey , or applied outwardly , the down of a hares or cony skins , or woolen cloth burnt to ashes and strewed upon the wound , primrose leaves or wild tansie bruised , and old felt burnt and beaten to powder . bolearmoniack beaten to powder , and given inwardly or applied outwardly , stancheth bleeding . to stop bleeding at the nole , tie him hard upon his fore-legs , about twelve inches above his knees , and just beneath his elbow , and keep the nape of his neck as cold as may be , with wet hay or clothes , and it will stanch him presently . the leaves of rosemary made into oyls , ointments or bathings , help all cold and benumbed joynts , sinews or members , &c. the best receipt to stop bleeding at the nostrils . the juice of the roots or leaves of nettles squirted up his nostrils stayeth the bleeding at the nose . but the best thing of all to stop bleeding at the nose , is to take a hank of coventry-blew thread , and hang it cross a stick , and set one end of it on fire , and strow a little white-wine vineger on it , to keep it from burning too fast , and let him receive the smoak up his nostrils , and it will stop it in a very short time , when nothing else will do . new horse dung tempered with chalk and strong vineger laid to a bleeding wound will stop it , burnt silk is good likewise for it , so is the juice of coriander , or bruised sage , or hogs dung , or a clod of earth , or bruised hysop , or the soft crops of haw-thorn bruised , or to boyl two ounces of the horses blood , and beat it to powder , and strow upon the wound ; and to stop bleeding at the nose , the juice of coriander squirted up it stayeth it , or the juice of periwincle , the coam of a smiths forge laid to the wound stayeth bleeding , or shepherds pouch distilled and an ounce given fasting , stayeth any inward bleeding , whether natural or unnatural , or bursa-pastoris bruised and applied to the place . particular receipts to stop bleeding . take the powder of the stone emachile , and blow it up into his nose , and lay it to the vein or wound that bleeds , and it stancheth them . another . take the root of rubarb and bruise it in a mortar , and stop it into the nostrils that bleeds , and it stayeth it . ano●her for the bleeding at the nose . take bitony and stamp it in a mortar with bay-salt , or other white salt with wine-vineger , and put it into his nostril that bleeds , and it stayeth it . loosening things in general , vide the first part. binding things in general which is good to stop a loosness , lask or flux of blood. sloes , or the inner rind of the black bush , wilde bryar-ball , or the inner rind of it , dock-roots , or the seeds of docks boiled in beer ▪ the inner skin that covereth the chest-nut , cud-weed or cotten-weed , the root of the water-flag , or flower-de-luce , the seed of flea-wort fryed and given , the seed of flix-weed given in water where steel hath been quenched , the powder of stinking gladwin is good for the flux , winter green , the dried shells of hazel-nuts , or the red skin that is over the kernel , the berries of holly-holm , or halver-bush beaten to powder and given , knape-weed , knot-grass , ladies mantle , the seeds or roots of water-lilly , loose-strife or willow herb , honey-wort , or the herb two-pence , moon-wort , the oaken-moss of a pale or spear , mulberries , the roots of mullen , the leaves and bark of the oak and acorn cups , the leaves of the pear-tree , or sour pears , periwincle , queen of the medows , red roses , sanicle , the powder of services when they are mellow , shepherds purse , wilde tansie , the bark of the wall-nut tree , or the kernels of the wall-nuts when they are old , yarrow , wormwood , the juice of rue mixed with clarified honey with red wine , or bean flower and bole-armoniack boiled in milk ▪ or red wine and bay-salt bruised together , cinnamon and nutmegs boiled in red wine , tanners bark , dragon-water , a pint of it sweetned with treacle , myrrh , mastick , storax , the rind of pomegranate , allum , for a foal give him a pint of ver-juice to drink . the inward and outward barks of the willow-tree burnt to ashes is a great binder and dryer up of sores , &c. particular receipts to stay a lask or loosness . take bean-flower and bolearmoniack , of each three ounces , mix them with red wine , or stale beer , and give it him blood-warm . another . take half a pint of plantine water , and half a pint of red wine , ( or for want of that , claret , ) and put into it an ounce of cassia powder finely beaten , with as much of the powder of pomgranate rinds , and boyl them well together , then take the yolks of two eggs , and some loaf sugar , and make a caudle of it , and give it him luke warm , and it will help him . another . the powder of a stags pizel dried and grated , and given him in claret or stale beer , is a very sovereign remedy for it , so is the powder of the jaw-bone of a pike , teeth and all , given after the same manner . another very excellent . take three pints of stale beer , and put to it the powder of cummin-seeds three spoonfuls , and boyl them together till half be consumed , then take knot grass , shepherds purse and plantine , and stamp them severally and put four or five spoonfuls of the juice of each of them , and put to the beer , and boyl them again a little , and give him it half over-night , and half the next morning ; but if it fall out in the winter that you cannot get the herbs , then take the water of the distilled herbs , and use it as before . another . take as much bole-armoniack as contains the bigness of a wall-nut , beat it into fine powder , and put it into a pint of claret , ( or for want of that , verjuice ) and give it him when you find occasion . or take a pint of claret , verjuice or beer , and put into them an ounce of the powder of cinnamon , with some of the powder of the wild briar-balls , and two or three ●olks of new laid eggs warmed over the fire . this given twice or thrice at most will perfectly cure him . another very good . take a quart of claret , and put to it four yolks of new laid eggs , half an ounce of long pepper , with as much of the grains of paradise , boyl them together and give it him luke-warm . or take an ounce of the inward bark of an oak , and half an ounce of the powder of long pepper boiled in a quart of new milk , and give it half over-night , and the other half of it the next morning fasting is very good . another . take two or three wild briar-balls , if they be not very large , and beat them to powder , and boyl them in a quart of beer with a little of the powder of bolearmoniack , and give it him blood warm , and it is a certain cure. another for a violent scouring . take the intrails of a pullet , or great chickin , all but the gizard , and mix with them of spikenard one ounce , and make him swallow it , and this will infallibly stay his scouring , yea , though it be a bloody flux . another which will stay a lask , be it never so violent . take a penny worth of allum powdered , bolearmoniack powdered an ounce , put them in a quart of milk , keeping them stirring till the milk become all of a curd , and give it him luke-warm . another . take a quart of red wine , and put into it an ounce and a half of bolearmoniack in fine powder , and two ounces and a half of the conserve of sloes , mix them together and boyl them pretty well , then take it off and put into it a spoonful of the powder of cinnamon , brewed altogether , and give it him , and let him fast two houres after it , and le● him eat no washed meat . hay is wholesom , so is bread and oats , if they be well mixt with beans or wheat , but not otherwise . another . take a handful of the herb shepherds purse , and boyl in a quart of strong ale , and when it is luke-warm take the leaves of woodrose stampt and put therein , and give it him . things good in general for a bloody flux . cummin-seeds , knot-grass , plantine , the leaves or seeds of agrimony , the inner rind of the barberry-tree , or ber●ies , or red beets , bistort or snakeweed , and turmentil is very excellent , brank u●sine , bears-breech , bucks-horn , plantine ▪ burnet , the roots of cinquefoyl or five leav'd grass , the juice of clowns wound-wort , red darnel , the powder of the yellow water-flag or flower de luce , the flower of ●vy , kidney-wort , sage , wormwood , shepherds pouch , red robin , the seeds of sorrel or roots , wilde tansie , ●ole-armoniack , myrrh , southernwood , parsley , rue , spittlewort , cassia , cinnamon , chalk , vineger , bursa pastoris , tanners bark , red wine , sloes , arsmart , self-heal , pauls bittony , milfoyl , the blood of a hare made into powder , the powder of mens bon●s , the powder of white dogs turd , the pizzle of a hart , or of harts or goats hornes burned , the jaw bone of a pike beaten to powder , red saunders , &c. particular receipts for the bloody flux . take an ounce of saffron , two ounces of myrrh , three ounces of southernwood , of parsley an ounce , of rue three ounces , of spittle-wort and hysop , of each two ounces , of cassia which is like cinnamon , one ounce , beat all these into fine powder , and with chalk and strong vineger work them to a paste , of which paste make little cakes , and dry them in the shadow , and dissolve some of them in a pint and a half of barley milk , or for want of that , that juic● which is called crimor or p●isane , and give it him to drink , and it doth not only cure the bloody flux , but being given with a quart of warm water , healeth all grief and pai● either in the belly or bladder , which cometh for want of staling . another . take red wine three pints , half a handful of the herb called bursa pastoris , or shepherds purse , and as much tanners bark taken out of the fat and dried , boyl them in the wine till somwhat more then a pint be consumed , then strain it hard and give it him luke-warm to drink , if you add to it a little cinnamon it will be the better , or to dissolve into a pint of red wine , four ounces of the conserve of sloes , and give it him to drink , either of the medicines are sufficient . another most excellent receipt , which is infallible for the cure of the bloody flux , or any other scouring whatsoever . take three pints of new milk , and dissolve in it over a gentle fire four or five ounces of issing-glass , which , when it is thoroughly dissolved , it will so thicken the milk that it will look like unto cream . after you have so done , pour or strain it forth through a very course sieve , to take out the dross and dregs of the issing glass that will remain behind undissolved , and give it him luke-warm in the morning fasting , and at twice or thrice giving it will cure him at farthest . 't is also a very great strengthner of nature . when the issing-glass is dissolved , and the dregs strained and poured from the milk , there will not be above a quart of it , which is quantity enough to give him at a time . to make your issing-glass dissolve the freer and better , bruise it first in a mortar , and then take it in pieces , which if it be right and good , it will flake off like unto a wafer , and be transparent . issing-glass is not much unlike in form and shape unto a white pudding ; the price of it you may find in the table of the prices of drugs . 't is very good also to be given to a weak horse , to strengthen and make him lusty . things good in general for the falling of the fundament ▪ to anoint it with oyl of roses or warm red-wine , if it be not inflamed , and put it up again ; but if it be , bath it with a spunge dipt in the decoction of mallowes , chamomel , and dill , mingled together , to asswage the swelling , and put it up again with your warm hand , and bath the tuel about with red-wine , wherein hath been sodden acatium , galls , acornecups and the paring of quinces , then throw upon it the powder of bolearmoniack , frankincense , &c. particular receipts for the falling of the fundament . take garden cresses , and having dried them to powder , with your hand put up the fundament , and then strow the powder thereon , after it lay a little honey thereon , and then strow more of the powder , mix with it the powder of cummin , and it helpeth . another . take white salt made into very fine powder , strow a little upon the gut , then take a piece of lard , and first having boiled mallow-leaves till they be soft , and beat the leaves well with the lard , and when it is well beaten make it up like to a suppository , and apply it to the place every day once till it be whole . another . take a small fagot made of the green boughs of the willow-tree , and burn them to ashes in some clean place ▪ when you have done wash his fundament with warm water , and strow some of the finest of them upon it , and put it up into its place again with your warm hand , and tie down h●s tuel between his hinder legs to his surcingle , pretty streight , and it will knit very strong again . or white pepper strowed upon it , after it hath been beaten and s●arced to a very fine powder , and used as you did the other , is very good also . things good in general for the biting of a mad dog. to let blood first , angelica , balm , wood-bittony , cardus benedictus , the juice of elder , all taken inwardly ▪ an ointment made of the juice of the figtree leaves and hogs grease is good to anoint the sore , gentian , felt-wort or baldmony , hounds to●gue , mint bruised and laid to the ●ore is good , pimpernel given inwardly , or applied outwardly , plantine , the bark of the wall-nut tree taken with onions , salt and honey is good , the tops of rue , box leaves , primrose ▪ roots , of each alike , powdred together , and boiled in new milk with london-treacle is good , hob goblin , dan-wort . sallet-oyl , the powder of diapente given inwardly , or lay a live pidgeon cleaved in the midst hot to the wound , and it will draw out the venom , and heal the sore with turpentine and hogs-grease melted together , the leaves of aristolochia bruised will take away the poison , yarrow , calamint and southernwood made into a salve . the ash keys , the roots of the sweet bryar dried and beaten to powder , and given inwardly , and applied outwardly , is good , &c. particular receipts for the biting of a mad dog. take hob-goblin , periwincle and box-leaves , of each half a handful , first mince them small , and stamp them very small in a stone mortar , and with milk or beer administer it both at the change and full of the moon . the best of cures for the biting of a mad dog. take the herb which groweth in dry and barren hills , called , the s●ar of the earth ; you must give it three days together ; the first time you must gather three of these herbs with all the whole roots , and wash and wipe them clean , then pound them well , losing no part of them , and give it him in beer , an ● be careful that he hath all the herbs and roots , you may make them up in sweet butter , which will do as well ; the second day give him five of these herbs and roots , and the third day seven , and he will be assuredly cured , for it cureth all manner of cattel of all sorts whatsoever ; it cured a whole kennel of hounds of a gentlemans , one beagle excepted , which they did not suspect to be bitten it cured a gentlemans son , who was so far gone with it that his head began to be addle , and to talk idlely , yet it cured him perfectly , and though he was then but a child , yet he lived to be a proper man. look for another afterwards . another . take goats dung , and of flesh that hath layn long in the salt , with the herb danewort , of each half a pound , and fourty wall nuts stampt altogether , and lay part thereof to the sore , and it will suck out the venom , and heal up the wound ; but upon the first dressing give him wine and treacle together to drink . another . give him two or three spoonfuls of the powder of diapente , in a quart of good ale or beer , and to cauterize and burn the sore , and to heal it up with a healing salve . another . presently after the biting let him blood , then take sage and rue , of each a large handful , one ounce of common treacle , three or four heads of garlick peeled and bruised , of scraped tinn or tinnfoyl the bigness of a nutmeg ; put all these into a gallon of strong ale , and put them up into an earthen pot close stopped with paste , then boyl it in a kettle of water till half of it be consumed . give him five or six spoonfuls of it before the full of the moon , and three days after ; but if necessity requires , give it presently . another not so difficult to make . first , let blood , ( as you must always do in this distemper ) then take henbane and burn it to ashes , and mingle it with hogs-grease , and apply it to the place bitten ▪ and give him some of the juice of the green herb inwardly to drink in a quarter of a pint of angelica water , and he will do well . things good in general to expel all manner of poison , either by serpent , spider , or any venomous be●st . bay-berries , burrage , the powder of the bl●w bottle , the powder of the root of the butter-burr , water caltrops , dragons , the seed of fennel , garlick , english or foreign gentian , felt-wort or baldmony , clove-gilliflowers , angelica , germander , hawk-weed , the leaves or the berries of the herb called true-love , or one berry , hops , horehound , juniper-berries , lavender-cotton , the white lilly , lovage , wild marjorem , mustard-seed , ground pine or champepitis , the seeds of garden rue , sorrel , southern-wood , stone-crop , the juice of turmentil or set-foyle , heart-trefoyl , vipers bugloss , the root of valerian , holy-thistle , birth-wort , the root of spider ▪ wort , the seed of turneps , the juice of bastard-wild poppy , moon-wort , calamus , white hellebore , or neesing-root , bittony , elecampane , mallowes , cinque-foyl , master-wort or herb gerard , the seed of hercules , all heal , parsley-seed , ameos , or bishops weed , wormwood , pom●itron , the seed of oringes , pepper , the ashes of reeds given him to drink , mug-wort , or great tansie , and wine and camomel stampt together . particular receipts to expel poison . take a pint of sallet oyl , and mix with it some dragon and angelica water , and give it him luke-warm . another . take calamus , ●ittony , angelica , dragons , and elecampane and bay-berries , about two ounces of all of them together very finely beaten , and boyl them in a quart of ale , and give it him , is very excellent . another . take rue , mug-wort , germander and worm-wood , chopt small and boyled in a quart of beer and give it him . if you desire to know the best cure for this distemper , look for the ointment of dialthaea or marsh-mallows , in the table of the prices if d●ugs , and you may find the receipt ●f it . things good in general for the plague or pestilence red-lead , bezor , the seed of the thorny-apple , gun-powder , bistort or snake weed , one blade , burrage , the powder of the blew bottle , the roots of the butter-burr beaten to powder , the juice of cellendine , cuckoe-pint dryed and beaten to powder , the leaves or root of devils bit boyled in wine , elecampane , garlick , true-love or one berry , the berries of ivy , juniper berries , pimpernel , the seeds of garden rue , saffron , sage , the roots of the star thistle , stone-crop , angelica , the roots of valerian , diapente mixed with sack and sweetned with treacle , urine mixt with hens dung , gentian , aristolochia , myrrh , scrapings of ivory , bay-berries , pepper , germander , turmentil , the seeds or leaves of southernwood stamped and given in white-wine , or ale with bolearmoniack or balm , bittony or naphe , the juice of marigolds , scabius , dragons ▪ water , mug-wort , featherfew , yarrow , tansie , briar-leaves or elder-leaves , the root of the white lilly given three mornings together boiled in beer , causeth the poison of the pestilence to break forth into blisters in the outward part of the skin , the root of winter-green is good , calathian violet , vipers-grass , rue , ameos or bishops-weed . to preserve a horse from the infection of the plague is to anoint his nose with vineger , wherein hath been steeped affasetida during the infection . particular receipts for the cure of the plague or pestilence . take devil-bit , gun-powder , bistort or snakeweed , angelica , bay-berries , the root meum , elecampane , all beaten to powder , and give it him two mornings together , and order him as you do other sick horses . about three ounces of all of them is enough . another . give him two spoonfuls of diapente with a pint of white-wine , or a quart of strong beer sweetned with treacle , and give it him . if you desire more receipts , you may compound them as your discretion will think ●it , out of my general things for the plague . things good in general for pissing and staling of blood. agrimony , wood-bittony , bucks-horn , plantine , wilde bryar palls , the whole chest-nut dried and beaten to powder , the powder of the root of the earth chest-nut , the root of cinquefoyl or five-leav'd grass , clowns wound-wort , comfrey , the powder of an herb called crabs-claws , the herb or seed of flix-weed given wherein steel hath been quenched , fluellen or lluellen , golden rod , the smoother tail of the rougher horse tail , the juice of housleek , spear-mint , money wort , mouse-ear dried , green mulberries , red robin , shepherds purse , bolearmoniack , * hob-goblin , blood-wort , plantine , the juice of purslain ; the powder of gum ▪ tragacanth and arabeck , the red rattle grass boiled in red wine , red roses , the seeds of rushes , the juice of the powder of sanicle . the seeds of sorrel or roots , wilde tansie , wild tyme or mother of tyme , turmentil or set-foyl , the kernels of old wall-nuts , the powder of the rinde o● dried pomgranates , pollipodi●m of the wall , knot-grass , comfery , storax , pine-apple , kernels , daffodil and wheat-flower , or licoris and anniseeds rowled in honey and given him . barley boyled in the juice of gumsolly , the barley to eat and the liquor to drink , the yellow willow herb , bugle , herb two pence , water-sengreen , marsh mallowes , the root or queen of the medow , knipper-wort , the tender tops of the bramble-bush or flowers , the berries of the hawthorn tree , acatia , moss of an oaken pale or stick boyled in beer , coral is a most excellent thing to stop all issues of blood , a live frog given him , or aristolochia longa boiled in ale or beer is very good . particular receipts for the care of a horse that pisses or stales blood. take knot-grass , shepherds purse , blood-wort of the hedge , pollipodium of the wall , comfery , garden blood-wort of each a handful , shred them small , and put them into a quart of beer and boil them , then put to them a little salt , leaven and soot , mix altogether and give it him . another for the same . take three or four red sprats , or one red herring , with a hard row , chop them very small , and let them lie asteep a●out half an hour , in a quart of strong beer , and give it him lukewarm , fasting in the morning , or at any time of the day when you have occasion , with about a spoonfull of the powder of bolearmoniack amongst it , and it will cure him at twice giving at farthest . another which never yet failed , whether it be a strair , or some other inward distemper , and will stop any violent scouring , being boiled in beer , and given . take two or three wilde briar apples , if they be small , and beat them to very fine powder , taking out the sticks that are in them , and boyl them in a quart of beer , and give it him fasting , so long as you find him stale blood. if you put to it the powder of hob-goblin , it will be the better , and it will certainly cure him . take heed you blood him not , for if you do you endanger his life . it will cure him at twice or thrice giving at furthest . these balls are to be given when they be ripe , which is about the latter end of november . another . take a good handful of arsmart , and chop it very small , and boyl it well in a quart of good beer , and when it is cool enough give it him so long as you find him to stale blood , with the powder of bolearmoniack , and you shall find it work a cure in two or three times giving at farthest . things good in general for the cure of the poll-evil . to sink it at the first rising , anoint it very well with red lead and sallet oyl , and cha●e it in very well twice a day with your hand , and keep him warm , and it will sink it , and if you find it will not sink , ripen it with wine vineger , and the loam of a wall , straws and all , boiled together , and let out the corruption with a hot iron , and tent it with flax dipt in hogs-grease , and after four days tent it with a dry spunge dipt in turpentine , saffron and the yolks of eggs. but if it be turned to a fistula , then take of unslackt lyme and arsnick , the juice of garlick and onions , wall-wort ●nd holly , and boil them till they become an ointment , then wash the sore with the water wherein green copperas and allom hath been bo●led , and fill the whole full of the ointment , by dipping a tent therein twice a day , or to take of orpiment , unslackt lyme , verdegrease , the juice of pellitory , cellendine , black ink , honey , and strong vineger boiled together thick , and made into rowls , and put it into the sore , and if the fistula be killed the matter will be white and thick , then dry it up with the powder of savin , honey and lym● baked together , or anoint it with tarr , fresh hogs-grease and sallet-oyl melted together , or tent it with red lead and black soap mingled together , and to sink it before it breaks , lay a charge to it of shoomakers wax spread upon allom'd leather , or what other charge you think most convenient . you may find var●ety of them in my first part , if you look for charges . particular receipts for the cure of the poll ▪ evil. after you have shaved away the hair from the swelling , then lay on a plaister of black ●hoomakers wax ▪ with some mastick melted in it , and spread it upon allomed leather and let it lie till it hath ripened or broke the impostume , then take a pint of wine-vineger , and when it is boiling hot , mix with it as much loam with the straws in it , and apply it as hot as the horse will suffer it , and renew it once a day till it be whole . another . take an ounce of quick silver , and kill it in fasting spittle , and mix it with the quantity of a hens egg , with hogs-grease and brimstone finely beaten to powder , incorporate these very well together , and anoint the swelling very well with it , then take red tarr one penniworth , of hogs-grease half a pound , and of green copperas and bay-salt , of each a handful , both made into fine powder , boyl them very well , and boyling hot apply it to the place with a clout t●ed on the end of a stick , being lately anointed with the quick-silver , hogs-grease and brimstone , and by so scaulding it three or four mornings together , you may after that but only warm the tarr , and apply it , and it will be cured , for this scaulding doth so kill the malice of the fistula , that it will never break forth any more , and this will cure any other fistulaes or foul ulcers whatsoever . another . after you have so slit the sore that the corruption may run forth , and you have eaten or cut away the proud and dead flesh , and washt it and made it very sweet and clean with allomed water , pour into it some oyl of turpentine , and thus dressing it every day , you shall soon find it grow well , for this oyl will no● only search it at the bottom , but it will also cleanse and heal it . it will likewise heal any raw back pinch'd by the saddle , or any swelling it will likewise sink . another . take euphorbium and mastick ▪ mix them well together , and seeth them well with french sope , and make a tent and put it into it , and it will consume the evil moisture . things good for the pains , vide scratches , for what cures the scra●ches cures these . things good in general to kill the canker in any part of the body . green copperas , white copperas , bay-salt , unslackt lyme , sope and quick silver well mixt together , turpentine hogs-grease , arsnick , verdegrease , allom , garlick , rue , savin ▪ tar , ginger , pepper , orpiment , oyl of vitriol , elecampane , fluellen , tansie , cuckoe-point , snap-dragon , burr-dock roots , &c. particular receipts to cure the canker of the body . take savin , bay-salt and rue stampt with barrows-grease , and anoint the sore therewith , and when the ill humors are killed , ( which you shall know by the whiteness ) then heal it with tar , oyl and honey mixt together . another . take vineger , ginger and allom , and mix them well together , and anoint it therewith , and it will kill the poison and heal the ulcer . another for a canker , foul vlcer , l●prosie , and to make hair grow . take a quart of tar , and put to it half a pound of boars grease , an ounce of green copperas , a quarter of a pound of salt peter , two ounces of wax , a quart of honey , a quarter of a pound of rozin , two ounces of verdegrease , a quart of lynseed oyl , seeth them till half b● consumed ; then strain it and keep it ciose in a pot , then when you have occasion to use it , take of it warm , and apply it to the sore , it doth both heal , draw and make hair to grow . things good in general to cure a fistula or canker , or any other running sore whatsoever . wild champions , doves foot or cranes bill , the powder of the root of sow fennel put upon them , the juice or water of flix-weed or toad flax put into them , the juice of coleworts , the juice of flea-wort mixed with hogs-grease clenseth them , the juice of the flower-de luce , fluellen or lluellen , golden rod , the juice or the distilled water of winter green , the root of the black hellebore b●aten to powder and strowed upon them , consumeth the dead flesh instantly , the leaves of true-love or one berry , knape-weed , knot-grass , ladies mantle , money-wort or the herb two-pence , the juice of the leaves or roots of nettles is good to wash all rotten and stinking sores , fistulaes and gangrenes , and such as are fretting , eating or corroding scabs or manginess , in any part of the body , the root of cow parsneps scraped upon the hard skin of a fistula will take it away , the juice of pellitory of the wall , pimpernel ground-pine or champepitis , the juice of plantine , queen of the medows , the juice of rag-wort or rag-weed , the red rattle-grass , winter rochet or winter-cresses , the juice of wild sage , the juice of s●razens wound-wort . it is good for ulcers in the mouth and throat , be it never so foul and stinking , and so is sanicle , the powder of savin is good to cleanse them , but it keeps them from healing , the juice of scabius , the juice of garden succory , self-heal is good to cleanse sores , and is good for ulcers in the mouth and throat , so is the juice of smallage put to honey of roses , the juice of sorrel or wood sorrel is good for ulcers and cankers , the juice of the tamarisk tree , vervain , the juice of the leaves of the wall-nut tree , or the water of them distilled in ale is good to cleanse and cure ●oul running sores , wheat-flower mixed with the yolk of an egg , honey and turpentine doth draw and heal any bile , plague sore , or any running ●oul ulcer , roch allom and bay-salt burned to powder and beaten together , and mixed with cummin and honey , keep it for your use , and apply it either tent-wise or plaister-wise , which will heal any old sore , the oyl of turpentine is good likewise for the same purpose , the juice of beets , calafoma or calofonia , the ashes of garlick strowed upon them , the powder of cellendine or verdegrease , vineger and honey mingled together upon the fire ; but if you intend to make it stronger , put to it some mercury , sublimate and arsnick beaten to powder , but the other may be applied to the mouth , and he receive no danger , or white-wine vineger , mercury , precipitate , camphire , green treacle , sage , yarrow and ribwort , with honey and hogs-grease boiled together , till half be consumed , and strain it and wash the wound with the liquor , or take four quarts of cole-trough water , boyl it and skin it , then boyl it over again after you have strained it , with white copperas , allom and verdegrease , of each a pound , beaten to powder , and when it is clear , put it into a glass for your use . the powder which remaineth at the bottom , keep by it self , for it will heal up any old sore , or take roman vitriol , roch allom and rose-water boiled till they become as hard as a stone , and strow this powder upon it is excellent good ; but to break a fistula , take brook ▪ lyme , mallows , arsmart , of each alike , boiled in chamber-lye till they be soft , and apply it to the swelling , and renew it not in two or three days but to cure a canker take red grape leaves , bramble-leaves , honey-suckle leaves , allom , columbine ●eaves , sage leaves , boiled in water , and wash the sore till it bleed , or verdegrease , butter and salt melted scald●ng hot , and pour it into the fistula , and use it till all the flesh look red , then tent it with verdegrease , allom , wheat-flower , and the yolks of eggs beaten and mingled together , and skin it with barm and soot mixt together , or loam-wall and wine vineg●r put hot upon the sore , is good to ripen and heal it , or butter , rozin and frankincense , made boiling hot and poured into the wound , and for a fistula in the head , dip a lock of wooll in the juice of the hous●eek , and put it into his eare , and put hurds upon it and tie it clo●e , and this will break it , or ●alt mixed with butter or water , and salt put into his ear will do the like . particular receipts for the cure of a fistula . after you have searched it to the bottom with a probe of lead , or some other thing which will bend wheresoever the concavity of the sorrance leadeth it , and when you have found the bottom let it be opened downwards , if it may be possibly done to the end the corruption may the better issue out , then tent it two or three days with tried hogs-grease to cause the hole to be the wider , then inject this water following . take of sublimate , and of precipitate of each as much as will lie upon a three-p●nce , of allom and of white copperas , of each three ounces , burn all these in an earthen pot , but first rub the bottom with a little oyl to keep it from burning , this done burn them together , then take two quarts of fair clear water , boyl it first by it self , and scum it in the boyling , then take it from the fire , and put in as much of this powder as will lie upon a shilling at twice , and thus it is made ; b●t if you would have it stronger , then take fair water and smiths water , of each alike , and of white ▪ wine vineger a third part , & with the ashes of ashen-wood make lye of them with the water and vineger , and so make your water with this powder and lye in the former ingredients , according as before is taught you , inject this water with a syringe into the sorrance , and in a short time it will both kill the fistula and heal it up , and is an approved and infallible cure. another . take a pint of the best honey , an ounce of verdegrease beaten to powder , and boyl them together three quarters of an hour , then strain it into a gally-pot , and keep it for your use . this is a very precious ointment to tent a fistula or poll-evil , for it searcheth it to the bottom , and eateth away all dead and evil flesh , which causeth it to heal the better . a water for a fistula . take a pint of the best white-wine you can get , or for want of that white-wine vineger or verjuice , and put a good handful of sage-leaves bruised into it . after you have boiled it pretty well , strain out the sage from the wine , and dissolve into it about an ounce and a half of roman vitriol , half an ounce of burnt allom , and half an ounce of the fine powder of verdegrease ; when it is cool , put it in a glass , and keep it close stopped for your use . when you dress the sore , let it be very warm , and syringe it very well to the bottom once or twice a day , and in five or six weeks it will be cured . another receipt for a fistula , take of roch allom and bay salt burnt , of each half an ounce , the leaves of rag-weed and elder-tops , what you think fitting , according to the concavity of the sore , bruise and mix them very well together , with a handful or two of grey snails , shells and all , and stop the hole full of it to the bottom , having first washed and cleansed it very well with a syringe , with the water abovesaid , do this once or twice a day , and it will do well . thing● good for feavers in general , which you are to use according to your discretion . * to let blood , the distilled water of the branches , leaves , flowers , or fruit of the bramble is very good , the leaves or roots of burrage or bugloss is very good for pestilential feavers , to defend the heart , and to mitigate heat in them , the seeds or leaves of the blew-bottle is likewise good for the same , so is the root of the butter-bur , the juice of cinque●oyl is good for all inflammations & feavers , the distilled water of dandelion ; the inner juice of the pomcitron or lemmons are good , cochenele is good in pestilential fevers , a manchet steeped in muscadine and given him , or in sallet oyl , mashes of malt and warm water , three or four yolks of eggs , given him in eight spoonfuls of aquavitae , and stir him till his shaking fit be over is good , so is muscadine and sugar-candy brewed together , wormwood , pepper , grains , powder of dried rue boiled in ale , and sweetned with treacle and sugar-candy is good , so is ston●-crop bruised and infused in ale and given him , germander , gumgragant and dried roses put into a quart of ale , with sallet oyl and honey given him luke-warm is good , alloes , garlick , licoras and anniseeds mixed in white-wine and given him , rue , long pepper , bay-berries , smallage boiled in beer , saffron and treacle mingled together , or a handful of thyme boiled in beer till it be tender , then ●train it and put to it sugar candy , anniseeds and treacle , and give it him blood-warm ; but for a hectick feaver boyl sage , yarrow , ribwort , plantine , bramble-leaves , honey-suckle-leaves , of each a handful , with common honey a spoonful in two quarts of running water till half be consumed , then put to it a good piece of allom , and two spoonfuls of vineger , and when it is dissolved drain the water from the herbs , and keep it for your use , and wash his mouth therewith often , for his tongue will be raw ; then give him this drink , take of alloes an ounce , powdred garlick half an ounce , of anniseeds and licoras an ounce made into powder , bruise your garlick and put to it three ounces of brown sugar candy , and add to it a pint of white-wine , and give it him blood-warm , and ride him afterwards ; give him this drink every other day for three mornings together . particular receipts for them . take oyl of vitriol , oyl of sulphur and the spirit of salt , and put to it a quart of strong beer , ninety or one hundred drops of either of them , and give it him every morning till you find his feaver abate ; these three oyls or spirits are much of a nature , for they all comfort and strengthen the stomach very much , and abate all inflammations , quenching draught , and abating the heat of feavers , and create a good stomach ; they purifie the whole mass of blood , and resist all poison , plague and putrefaction , and are so excellent medicines , that they are to be accounted truly cordial and comfortable to the whole body ; powerful , yet safe in operation ; if you give them alone , they are present death . they are good also applied outwardly , to takeaway hard knobs or warts , and to kill ulcers or fistulaes in the flesh . the dose given him is from fifty to one hundred drops . when you take them mix them not together , but use them singly by themselves . have a care you touch not your linnen or woollen with them , for if you do , they will soon eat them full of holes . the salt spirit i advise you rather to make use of , of the three . another receipt good for a feaver . take of diapente one ounce , bay-berries and long pepper , of each half an ounce , of the flat shell of an oyster burnt and beaten to powder half an ounce , of diascordium half an ounce , put all these into a quart of strong beer , and give it him ●uke-warm when you find him want it , and order him with white-wine and honey to preserve his stomach , and a cordial of brown houshold-bread boiled in beer , and sweetned also with honey , as you have directions more fully how to make , and use them in directions for sick horses , after the table of simples ; this drink will cause him to sweat and sleep , which will bring him to his senses , which is the proper effect of the diascordium ; but if you find that this does not make him sleep , then give him as much powder of poppy-seeds as will lie upon a six pence in two hornfuls of small beer , at each nostril one , or for want of that a spoonful of white poppy water , which cause him to sleep soundly . things good in general to be given inwardly for the cure of the farcy . hounds tongue , knot-grass , horse-mint and spare-mint , rag-wort , feed of bastard rhubarb , savin , scabius , stone-crop , tamarisk , oyl of vitriol , ten or fifteen drops of it in his drink is good for it , stinking gladwin , dodder , callamint , water-hemp or water-agrimony , hearts-ease , hops , black hellebore or beares foot , fumitory , the dried bark of the black aller-tree , the root of asarabica is not only good for it , but likewise for all cankers or old putrid ulcers and fistulaes upon the body , the inner rind of the barberry-tree , the inner rind of the elder-tree , or berries , burrage , briony a great purger , which must be corrected , gentian , feltwort or baldmony , the juice of housleek or stone-crop , liver-wort , the seed of male and female , mercury , chick-weed , turmerick , bay-berries , fennegreek , nut-galls , the inner rind of the wall-nut tree , the juice of cinquefoyl put into his eares , or the juice of rue and aqua-vitae , or assafetida and brandy put into them , the juice of ground-ivy given inwardly , the juice of cellandine , the juice of sow-thistle , southernwood , &c. things good in general to be applied outwardly to kill the knots of the farcy . after you have blooded him well , take oyl of bay and euforbium mixed together , and anoint the knots with it , or to bath the place with the stale of a cow or ox , and with the herb called lyons foot , boiled together , or tallow and horse-dung melted together , or to burn the knots with a hot iron , or to wash the sore with salt , vineger , allom , verdegrease , green copperas and gun-powder boiled together in chamber-lye , or take a penny-worth of tar , two handfuls of pigeons dung , white mercury two penniworth , and make it into salve , and anoint him with it . soot , bay-salt and black sope is likewise good , so is rue , brimstone , arsmart , hemlock , nettles , housleek , brandy , oyl of turpentine , aqua-vitae , pepper , ginger , misle-toe , the powder of unslackt lime , used at your pleasure , &c. observation upon this disease . if his breath smell strong and stink , his lights are rotten , and there is no cure for him . particular receipts both inwardly given and outwardly applied for the cure of the farcin . take nine leaves of the pot-herb called beetes , of the smallest but soundest leaves , and nine grains of bay-salt , beat these very well together to a salve , and put this medicine into his eares by equal portions in the morning before sun-rise , and stitch them up , and let him stand with meat before him , and let his drink be white water . unstitch them not in twenty four houres , then take forth the wooll and stuff and he is cured . another . if the farcin be in the fore-parts of the horse , take two ounces of arsnick , and put it into a piece of new cloth , and bind it up with a piece of new pack-thread , and fasten it unto his mayn ▪ and if it be in his hinder-parts , as well as his fore-parts , then hang it upon his tail , and the more you ride and exercise him the better , and though the common way is to keep him with a spare diet , i like not of it , for you cannot keep him too well , for the lower you keep him , the more doth the disease get the upper hand of him . another to anoint the farcy knots with . take black hellebore , and add to the herb some of its juice , then put to it old boars or barrows grease , and boyl it till the juice be quite boyled away in it , whereby to bring it to an ointment , with which anoint the knots or buttons of the farcin with , but shave or clip away the hair before you do anoint it . another for it when it first appears , before it begins to be raw . take of chamberly , soot and bay-salt , and boyl them very well together , then at night wash the places infected with a rag , upon the end of a stick very hot , but not so hot as to scauld away the hair ; then in the morning anoint it with tarr and black sope , boyled together pretty hot . this done four or five times together will cure it . another which de-grey says he hath cured horses with . take of rue the leaves and tender tops only , without any the least stalk , a good handful , first chop them small , then stamp them in a mortar to an ointment , then put to it one spoonful of the purest tried hogs-grease you can get , and work them together to a salve , then stop into either ear the whole quantity by equal proportions , and put a little wooll upon the medicine to cause him to keep it in the better , and so stitch up his eares , and let it be in about twenty houres , and then unstitch them , and take forth the wooll and he is cured . another , which if he hath it given him twice it will cure him . take the inner rind of elder , the inner rind of the wall-nut-tree , the inner rind of the barberry-tree , of all of them an equal quantity , and not exceeding above a handful of all of them together ; boyl them in a quart of strong beer a little while , then take out the barks , and add to it the powder of turmerick , fennegreek , and two nut-galls beaten to powder , with the powder of grains of paradice , about an ounce of all of them , boyl them in the same beer about as long as you did before , then sweeten it with treacle , and give it him luke-warm in the morning fasting , and let him fast two or three houres after it , and order him as you do a sick horse , ; if you put into it a little handful of stone-crop it will be the bettet ; you must wash the buds of the farcy night and morning with this water . take half a pound of green copperas , and boyl it a little while in a quart of chamberly ; before you boil it you must put in a good quantity of salt or brine . another . after you have kept him slenderly fed all night , give him the next morning fasting , half a pint of the juice of housleek , and half a pint of sallet oyl mingled together , and let him fast till night , and then give him hay and no water till the next morning , and that warm too . this drink used twice will almost cure any farcy . another for the farcy ▪ take a handful of each of these herbs here under-written , chopped very small , and boiled in three pints of strong ale or beer to about a pint and an half , and after you have strained the liquor very well from the herbs , give it him luke-warm fasting in the morning , but before you give it him , stir into it an ounce of crude antimony , finely powdred and searc'd ; about three or four days after give him the like drink again , and repeat it the third time if there be occasion , and it will certainly cure him . the herbs are these , chickweed , wood-bittony , groundsel and mullen . the buds must be anointed also with this outward application . take the bigness of a hazel-nut ▪ of yellow arsnick beaten to powder , and put to it about a spoonful of black sope , ( or for want of that , common sope ) and lay a little of it upon the head of every one of them , which will so corrode and eat into them , that they will become so loose , that they will drop out by the roots , then heal up the wounded places by anointing them with your green ointment , which you may find in the first part , or with sallet-oyl or hogs grease ; take care you let him not come to gnaw it with his teeth for fear of poisoning him , or that you lay it not upon any sound place , for it will make a wound wheresoever it comes . you may anoint them with the oyl of vitriol , if yo● please , which hath the same operation with the other . another outward application for this disease , which will not only cure the buds of it , but any foul scab , leprosie or mange . after you have let blood , which is always convenient in this disease ; take three pints of old urine , and a pint of vineger or verjuice , and put to it half a pound of the stalks of the strongest tobaccho you can get , but let them be first bruised and laid asteep in the urine all night before you boil them ; after you have ●o done , set it over the fire , and put to it an ounce of the flower of brimstone , and boil them altogether till it come to a quart , then strain forth the liquor from the stalks , and anoint the infected places with it till they be well . another inward and outward application for the farcy . after you have blooded those buds with your incision-knife , which are fresh and green wash them once or twice a day with your fistula-water , which will kill them , conditionally you give him this inward drink with it , viz. take two quarts of running water and put to it , two handfuls of herb-grace , chopt indifferent small , with two or three spoonfuls of bruised hemp-seed , and set it over the fire , and let it boyl away till it come to three pints , then give it him three times in nine days , and order him as you do sick horses , and he will do well . another to cure it by p●tting something into his eares . after you have bruised about nine or ten cloves of garlick , ( being first peel'd ) wiuh a handful of rue , and about half a quarter of a pint of brandy strain the juice through a cloth into some convenient thing , and put to it so much of black or white wooll as it will well drink up , and fill each ear full of it , putting a piece of dty wooll upon it to keep it in the better . then sowe them up as you have directions before , and do not unstitch them in twenty four houres ; if you open his head in the usual place under his fore-top , and put into it about the length of an inch of the inner rind of elder , and let it remain there about the same time , the cure will be the sooner expedited . another medicine to put into his eares to cure it when it is in his head. after you have let blood bruise so much of housleek and hemlock as will contain two spoonfuls of the juice of each of them , and add to them two spoonfuls of sallet-oyl , and fill each ear full of it , leaving so much room as you may put flox or wooll upon it to keep it in the better . when you have so done stitch up his eares as in the former receipt , and at twenty four houres end take out the stuff . if you like best the former way of soaking up the juice with the wooll better then this , you may use that . a drink to cure the most malignant farcy that is . before you give him this drink here under-written , let him be kept very sparing of meat all night , and the next morning blooded on both sides the neck very well . 't is this , take the inner rind of the barberry tree , herb-grace , sage , wormwood , fennel , lungwort , of each half a handful chopped small , anniseeds , turbich , turmerick , and of aristolochia rotunda , about two ounces of all of them beaten to powder ; boyl the herbs pretty well in two quarts of small beer to one quart , then strain it forth and put in your powders to it , and when it is cold enough to take , give it him . how to order him before and after you have given it him ▪ . before you give it him , let him fast four houres , and after it as much , when you have given it him , air him well by riding him after it . . let him drink but once a day , and let it be white water , which is a handful or two of wheat-bran stirred in amongst his water , made first luke-warm . . let him be kept in the house with very dry meat during his cure. . exercise is very good in this distemper , and the more you use him to it the better you will find him , . 't is good also in order to his cure , once or twice a day to flounce him backward and forward in some clear river or pond , up to the midsides , which will cleanse his body , and take away the filth and venom of the disease . . this often washing him in cold water will wash off the poisoned medicines , if he hath been poisoned with any , and also abate very much the malignancy of the disease . . let him rest three or four days after his first drink , and then give him another , and order him in every thing as you did before . . if you find him after this second drink that he is not perfectly cured , you may give him the third , and this will certainly cure him . . when you give him his first drink , if you please you may blood him with the end of your cornet in the furrow on the top of his mouth . the vertues of this malignant drink for the farcy are these . it will cause him to vomit up much filth , and run at the nose very nauseous and stinking stuff , and yellowish water ; it is a great sweetner and purifyer of the blood , as also a great drier up of all evil and malignant humours that are seated and rooted in the body ; if the heads of the buds appear red and loose , lay upon them a little burnt allom , mixed with a little butter or hogs-grease , and you shall quickly find them to fall off . a receipt for the c●re of the water - farcy . this is the usual and common way for the cure of it , viz. to take a long and small iron rod , and bend it backward at one end about the length of a fleam , then heat it red hot in the fire , and strike the swelled places under his belly , and chaps full of holes , and let and squeeze out the grey and oyly water , that you find pent up in the skin , and wash the places , ( to keep them from wrankling , and to take out the fire ) with chamberly and salt , and some powder of bolearmoniack mixt amongst it as hot as he can we●l endure it for three or four times , and he is cured . things good in general to cure the running or rotten frush . to take off the shoo and pare away all the corrupt places , and make them raw , then put it on again being widened ; then take soot and salt , bruise them well together in a dish , and mix therewith the whites of three eggs , and dip tow therein , and stop all the foot with it , renewing it seven days together , or to wash it with urine three or four times a day ; or take a quart of urine , and boyl in it a quarter of a pound of allom , with some green copperas , and strain it out , and keep it for your use ; and after you have washed the sore with it , strow on it the powder of green nettles fryed and pepper , and it will dry it up . when you dip tow in any thing , you must splint it in that it may not fall off , and during the cure to let him come into no wet , and at the seven days end leave stopping him , and ride him abroad , and bring him in very clean into the stable , for dirty setting up breeds this infirmity , &c. things good in general for the over-flowing of the gall , which is a yellowness of the skin , and a costiveness of the body . saffron boiled in milk is good , or ale , saffron and anniseeds mixt together , or cellandine roots chopt , bruised and boiled in beer , or for want of cellandine , rue , and give it him luke-warm , &c. things good for gangrenes inward or outward . the leaves , fruit or roots of briony ; but it is a great purger which must be corrected ▪ the leaves of bugle bruised and applied , or the juice of it to wash the place ; the meal of darnel is good to stay them , cankers , or any other eating and fretting sores , water-cresses , mallows , elder-leaves , brook-lime , mouldy hay and bran boiled in the dregs of strong beer , and laid to very hot , is good to stay its spreading , if any thing will do it ; nettles bruised and laid to them is good , so is the decoction of the leaves or bark of the tamarisk-tree , and the place bathed therewith . vvhat the spleen i● . it is a long , flat , narrow and spungy substance , of a pale fleshy colour , joyning with the liver and gall ; it is the receptacle of melancholy , and the dregs of the blood , and it is as subject to infirmity as any inward part whatsoever , as to inflammations , obstructions , knobs and swellings ; it is through the spunginess apt to suck in all manner of filth , and to dilate and spread the same all over the body , the appearance thereof is on the left side under the short ribs , where you shall perceive some small swelling , which swelling gives great grief to the midriff , and taketh away more of his digestion then his appetite , and being suffered to continue , it maketh faint the heart , and grows in the end to a hard knob and stony substance . now if i mistake not , this spleen is no other then the milt , and i have known four or five horses die of it out of one stable , and it hath been lookt upon no other then the plague , which if they had had things proper for the distemper they might have lived . things good in general for the spleen , either inwardly taken or outwardly applied . a decoction of the herb archangel in wine applied to the place grieved hot , barley-meal-boyled with melilot and chamomel flowers , with some lynseed , fennegreek , and rue applied warm , the juice of chamomel given inwardly , or to make him sweat , and then give him a quart of white-wine , wherein hath been boyled the leaves of tamarisk , and a good quantity of cummin seeds beaten to powder , and give it warm , or to pour into his left nostril every day after he hath sweat the juice of myrobalans mixt with wine and water to the quantity of a pint , or take cummin-seed and honey , of each six ounces , of lacerpitium as much as a bean , of vineger a pint , and put all these into three quarts of water , and let it stand so all night , and give him a quart thereof next morning fasting , or garlick , nitrum , hore-hound and wormwood sodden in sharp wine , and given , and to bathe his left side with warm water and to rub it hard . a particular receipt for the spleen . take a handful of agrimony chopped very small , and work it up with sweet butter into two or three balls , with half an ounce of the powder of turmerick , and as much of cummin-seeds powdred , and give him them fasting in the morning for several mornings together , and it will cure him ; 't is good also to give him some of the herb boiled in his drink , or oxicrocium applied plaister-wise to the grieved part is very good . things good in general to cure the colt-evil . the juice of rue mixed with honey , and boiled in hogs-grease , bay-leaves , with the powder of fennegreek added thereto , and anoint the sh●ath with it . the powder of the herb avit , and the leaves of bittony stamped with white-wine to a moist salve , and anoint the sore therewith ; to wash the sheath clean with luke-warm vineger , and to draw out the yard and wash that also , and to ride him twice every day into some deep running water , tossing him to and fro to allay the heat of the members till the swelling be vanished ; and if you swim him now and then it will not be amiss ; but the best way to cure a horse is to give him a mare , and to swim him after it ; to bathe his cods with the juice of housleek , or with the water wherein knee-holm hath been sod ; if it stops the urine , then give him new ale and a little black sope in it to drink , or to wash his cods with butter and vineger made warm , or with the juice of h●mlock , or else take bean-flower , vineger and bolearmoniack , and mix them together ; lay it plaister-wise to his sheath and cods , or to make him a plaister of wine-lees , housleek and bran mixt together , and laid to his sheath and cods , &c. things good to cure the mattering of the yard . take roch allom one ounce , and white-wine one pint , boyl them till the allom be dissolved , then blood-warm inject this portion with a syringe , putting it up into his yard so far as it may be four or five times a day , till it be well . this is so perfect , that you need not any other . things good in general for shedding of seed , which is no other then the running of the reins in men. amaranthus that bears a white flower , the juice of bistort added to the juice of plantine outwardly applied , comfrey , to ride him into some cold water up to the belly , then cover him warm and give him red wine and hogs-dung , or red-wine and acatium , venice-turpentine , &c. two receipts ( which may serve in stead of many more ) for the shedding of the seed , or running of the reins , which is an infallible , safe and sure way of stopping it ; and is also good for all manner of bruises by falls , or any other accident , &c. take a pound of common turpentine , ( if you will not go to the charge of the venice ) and put to it so much of the fine powders of bolearmoniack and english liquoris , with a little wheat-flower , as will make it up into a stiff paste ; when you have occasion to use it , rowl it out between your hands , and break so much of it off as contains the bigness of a small wash-ball , and give him three of them morning and evening upon the end of a stick , or in a horn full of strong beer , till you find the flux of seed stayed , which will be in a week or fortnights time at farthest . 't is convenient to purge and cleanse his reins very well first before you give him his balls , which will not only expedite , but perfect the cure so much the sooner and better . another for the same . take brown sugar candy , tanners bark finely powdred and sifted , with the powder of the dried leaves of clary , and incorporate them very well with some common turpentine , and make them up into balls with a little wheat-flower , and give him two or three of them at a time , morning and evening , about the bigness of a pigeons egg , till the flux of the seed stayeth , which will be in a very short time . things good in general for the cure of the falling of the yard . to wash his yard with sea-water , or water and salt , and if that will not prevail , prick all the outmost skin of his yard with a sharp needle very slightly , and wash all the pricks with strong vineger , and this will not only make him draw up his yard again , but also if at any time his fundament chance to fall , this cure will put it up again , or to put honey and salt into his yard made liquid , or else a quick fly or a grain of frankincense , or a clove of garlick clean pilled and bruised , and bath his back with oyl , wine and nitre made warm and mingled together ; but the best cure is first to wash all his yard with white-wine warmed , and anoint it with oyl of roses and honey mixed together , and so put it up into his sheath , and with a l●ttle bolster of canvass keep it from falling down , and dress him thus in twenty four houres until he be recovered , and let his back be kept very warm as is possible , both with cloth and a charge of plaister made of bolearmoniack , eggs , wheat-flower , sanguis draconis , turpentine and vineger , or else lay next his back a wet sack or wet hay , and a dry cloth over it , and that will keep his back exceeding warm . vvhat is good for the cure of the particular diseases in mares , barrenness , consumption , rage of love , casting foals , hardness to foal , and how to make a mare cast her foal . if you have your mare barren , boy● good store of the herb agnus in the water that she drinketh , or to stamp a good handful of leeks , with four or five spoonfuls of wine , then put twelve flies called cantharides , and strain them altogether with a sufficient quantity of water to serve the mare two days together , by pouring the same into her nature with a glister ▪ pipe made for that purpose , and at the end of three days offer the horse to her , and if he covers her , wash her nature twice together with cold water ; or to take of nitrum , sparrows dung and turpentine , of each a like quantity , wrought together and made like a suppository , and put that into her nature , and it will cause her to desire the horse , and also to conceive . if you will have her fruitful , boyl good store of mother-wort in the water which she drinketh ; if she lose her belly , which sheweth a consumption of the womb , give her a quart of brine to drink , mug-wort being boiled therein . if your mare , through good keeping , forsake her food , give h●r for two or three days together , a ball of butter and agnus castus chopt together ▪ if you will have her cast her foal , take a handful of bittony , and boyl it in a quart of ale , and it will deliver her presently . if she cannot foal , take the herb horse-mint , either dry it or stamp it , and take the powder or the juice , and mix it with strong ale , and give it her , and it will help her . and if your mare is subject to cast her foals , as many are , keep her at grass very warm , and once in a week give her a good warm mash of drink , this secretly knitteth beyond expectation . things good in general for the cure of a consumption . wood-bitony , hore-hound , juniper-berries , leeks mixed with sallet oyl and sack , with some frankincense , agarick , bay-berries , brank-ursine , china , dandelion ; but the best is to scour him well , and put him to grass ; or take a sheeps head with the wooll on , wash it clean , and boyl it in a gallon of fair water , until the flesh come from the bones , then strain it , and put into the broth half a pound of re●ined loaf sugar , of cynnamon , conserve of roses , conserve of barberries , conserve of cherries , of each three ounces , and give him a quart every morning fasting ; use this till four or more sheeps-heads be spent , and let his drink be either sweet mashes or white water . take no blood from him in this disease , but rather labour to cherish the blood h● hath , neither be too busie in administring unto him purges , but cordials , as diapente , diatessaron , duke powder , cordial powder , and such like restoratives , and to give him good meat and good mashes , and to change his meat sometimes to make him eat his meat the better . things good in general for the lungs . physick-nuts is good for rotten lungs , lung-wort , or wood liver-wort beaten to powder and given in beer , is good for inflammations and ulcers of the lungs , the powder of stinking gladdon , given him in beer , with a little mastick , is good for them . the decoction of hysop made with figs , water , honey and rue helpeth the inflammations of the lungs , the old cough or shortness of breath , featherfew , penny-royal given with honey cleareth the breast from all gross and thick humors , and cleanseth the lungs ; calamint is good for the wheesing of them ; common horehound cleanseth them , and is good for the ulceration of them , so doth bittony ; scabius scoureth the chest and lungs , mullen or lungwort is good , comfrey , cowslips of jerusalem , cinquefoyl is good for the liver and lungs , chervel boiled is good for the consumption of the lungs , cummin-seeds , brank-ursine , rue , licoris , bay-berries , cassia , water-agrimony , alehoof , the leaves of the fig-tree , lung-wort which grows upon oaks or beeches , which is a kind of moss with broad grayish tough leaves , maiden-hair , wilde marjorem , hedge mustard-seed , rosa solis or sun-dew ; the juice of sanicle , vervain , wood-bind or honey-suckles , cresses , almonds , bugloss , garlick boiled in milk , tartar , which is the thickest of white-wine lees , dried and made into powder , elecampane , sugar-candy , diapente , or take a pint of sweet sack , honey , myrrh , saffron , cassia and cinnamon , of each alike , made into fine powder , and mix two spoonfuls of it with your sack , and give it him warm fifteen days together , and feed him with mashes and white water . but if his lungs be rotten , then take the juice of purslain half a pint , and mix with it oyl of roses , and put to it tragantium steeped in cows milk , and give it him seven mornings together , and this will ripen the impostume , which you may know by his stinking breath , then give him this powder ; take of cassia made into fine powder , seven raisi●s of the sun stoned , boiled in a pint of muskadine , and give it him blood-warm ; or the water of angelica give him with some of the root . particular receipts for the lungs . take of horse lungwort , alias mullet , it groweth in every place with broad hoary soft leaves , which do feel like velvet . shred it , stamp it and strain it ; then take of fennegreek a good spoonful , and of madder as much , made into ●ine powder , and give this to him in a quart of good ale or beer , and give it him every other day , for twelve or fourteen days , and sprinkle his hay with water , and let his oats be washed in good ale , and let his drink be white water , and somtimes sweet mashes . another , take a snake , and cut off the head and tail , and flea it , and after cut the same into pieces the length of your finger , and roast it as you would an eel upon a spit , and let it baste it self , and keep the oyl of it in a glass for your use ; when you use it anoint the breast , and his four short ribs which be against the lungs ; but first clip away the hair , for that will take too much of the oyl up , and thus do often for some time , and it will recover his lungs again , and make him perfectly ●o●nd . things good in general for the consumption of the liver . there is no absolute cure for it , but to preserve it give him half a pint of sack , with the same quantity of the blood of a young pig luke-warm to drink , or to give him three days together no other food then warm wort and baked oats , and let him be kept fasting the night before he receives his medicine , or to put into his wort which he drinketh , two or three spoonfuls of the powder of agrimony , red rose-leavs , saccarum , rosaceum , diarcadon , abbat is , disantelon , lico●as , and of the liver of a wolf , or to give him sulphur and myrrh beaten into fine powder , mixed with a new laid egg , and given him in half a pint of malmsey , and separate him from other horses , for this disease is infectious . things good in general to preserve the liver , and to open the obstructions of the liver and spleen . amara dulcis , alheal , agrimony openeth and cleanseth the liver , water-agrimony openeth the obstructions of the liver , and mollifieth hardness of the spleen , alexander or wild parsley , angelica , asarabica , the decoction of avens , the bark or the root of the bay-tree , openeth the obstructions of the liver and spleen , and other inward diseases , the juice of the white beet openeth them , wood-bittony , butchers broom or knee-holly , the leaves of calamint , centaury , columbines , dandelion , liver-wort , the leaves or bark of the maple-tree , pimpernel , ground-pine or chamepitys , agaricum , almonds , fumitory , chamomel , wormwood , licoras , anniseeds , smallage , parsley , spikenard , gentian , succory , endive and lupine , all these are very comfortable for the liver , and are to be seethed in water that he drinketh , alloes dissolved , ireos stamped , ●avoury lungwort , or oyl and wine mixt together ; but the best of all is a wolfes liver dried and beaten to powder , and given him in beer , or strowed amongst his provender , or parsley and harts-horn , or fennel and parsley-roots scraped or boiled in water , and given him with licoras and sorrel , or ●ollipodium of the oak beaten to powder and strowed amongst his provender , or take hysop , cowslip-leaves , silver-wort or lung-wort , alias mullen , harts-horn , of each a handful ; then take gentian , aristolochia rotunda , fennegreek , enula compana dried and long pepper , of each alike , and when they are all powdred and searced , take a spoonful of all of them ; chop the herbs and mingle them with this powder , and put a spoonful of live honey to it , and boyl all of them in strong ale till half of them be consumed , and give it him blood-warm ; groundsel preserveth it greatly . of the infirmities in general of the hoofs , as false quarters , loose hoofs , casting of the hoofs , hoof-bound , hoof-running , hoof-brittle , hoof-hurt , hoof-soft , hoof-hard , and generally to preserve hoofs . false quarters . to take off the shooe , and to take away so much of the hoof on that side the sorrance is , that when the shooe is set on again , the chink may be wholly uncovered , then open the chink to the quick with your drawing-iron , and fill up your rift with a rowl of hurds dipt in this ointment ; take turpentine , wax and sheeps sewet , of each alike melted together , and dip your hurds therein , and stop the rift therewith , renewing it once a day till it be whole ; and thus the rift being closed on the top with this ointment , draweth the place betwixt the hoof and the hair with a hot iron overthwart that place , which will make it grow and shoot downwards , and ride him with no other shoo till his foot be hardned and become ●ound . what is good to cure a loose hoof. if the hoof be loose , let it be of what cause soever , you are first to open it in the sole of the foot , so as the humour may have free passage downwards , and put a restrictive charge about it , as you have some in my first part , then to heal it up with turpentine and hogs-grease melted together ; or take three spoonfuls of tarr , and a quarter of a pound of rosin , and half a handful of tansie , and half a handful of rue , and half a handful of red mints , and half handful of southernwood brayed altogether in a mortar , and add to it half a pound of butter , and a penniworth of virgins wax , and melt them on the fire till it come to be a thick salve , then spread it upon a cloth , and lay it to it seven days together till it be whole ; or to anoint it with burgundy-pitch , and it will fasten it ; or take bittony , rosemary , rue , bolearmoniack and frankincense boiled together and laid over it ; o● to take tar , brimstone in fine powder , wheat-bran , and the urine of a man-child , boyled all to a poultess , and apply it hot to the hoof , and it will fasten it , or to stop it with the brains of a pig , or to stop it with flax dipt in the whites of eggs , or wash it with vineger , and ●ill it with tartar and salt , and then anoint it with olibanum , mastick and pitch of greece , of each alike , and a little sanguis draconis , new wax and sheeps suet , and melt it together , and anoint it with it , and if the new hoof come , cut away the old . of casting the hoof. take aqua fortis the strongest you can get , and first with a rape or drawing-iron file or draw away the old hoof somewhat near , then touch the hoof so prepared with your aqua fortis three or four several dressings and no more , then anoint the foot with the unguent for horses feet , viz. take hogs-grease three pounds , patch grease two pounds , venice-turpentine one pound , new wax half a pound , sallet oyl one pound , melt and mix all these upon the fire , and anoint the coffin of the hoof up to the top , and this will bring a new hoof. another . take turpentine half a pound , tar half a pint , new wax half a pound , sallet oyl one pint , melt all these except the turpentine together , till they be well mixed ; and a little before you take it from the fire put in your turpentine , and stir it till it be cold , but before hand make him a buskin of leather , with a thick sole made fit for his hoof , but wide enough , that it may be tied about his pastern , and dress his hoof with this medicine , laying tow or hurds upon it , and so put on the said buskin , and fasten it to the pastern joynt , or a little above , but so as the buskin do not trouble the foot , renewing the medicine every day till it be whole , and is good likewise for a hoof-bound horse ; and as the hoof beginneth to come , and if you find it grow harder and thicker in one place then another ; or crumbleth , or groweth out of fashion , take your rape and file it into good fashion again ; and when you finde it so well that you may turn him out , put him into some moist pasture or medow , which will cause the hoof to become tough . of the hoof-bound . first , pluck off the shooes , and shoo him up again with half-moon and lunet-shooes ; then ease with your drawing iron or rape , the quarters of the hoofs on both sides of the feet , from the cronet down to the end or bottom of the hoofs , so deep till you perceive as it were a dew to come forth , and if you make two rases it will be the better , and enlarge the hoofs the more , that done , anoint the hoofs next to the hair about the cronet with this ointment . take of turpentine one pound , of wax and of sheep or deers sewet , of each half a pound , of tarr and of sallet oyl , of each half a pint ; melt all but the turpentine together , and when you are ready to take it up put in your turpentine , and stir it well together till it be cold , anoint his hoofs once a day till you find amendment , and ride him once a day upon soft ground for the space of a month ; then take off his half-moon shooes , and pare his soles , frushes and heels , so thin , till you may see a dew come forth , and the blood ready to start , then tack on his shooes , and stop his feet as well within as without with this charge . take of cow or ox-dung , and of wheat-bran , of each so much as will suffice , of tried hogs-grease , and of the kidney of a loyn of mutton , of each one pound , of turpentine and tar of each half a pound , melt all these together , ( the turpentine excepted ) which must be put in when it is almost ready to take from the fire , keeping it shirring to mix the ingredients . let this charge be laid on hot , and renew it nine days together , to the end the sole may arise , but if this will not do take out the sole clean , and after you have stanched the bleeding with the tender tops of hysop stamped in a mortar , apply then the oyl of snails to it and red nettles ; the oyl is thus made , take fourty , fifty or more snails , and put them into a bag with bay salt , and when they are hung some time nigh the fire , there will drop an oyl from them , and use that with red nettles once a day for three days , and heal up the feet with your green ointment , which you may find in my first part , which will bring a new hoof again , which then shoo him with lavels again , and turn him forth to grass . if you fear that your horse is subject to be hoof-bound , anoint his coffin all over with neats-foot oyl , especially at the setting on of the hoof , or with turpentine , and to stop his feet underneath with cows dung . or take the fat of bacon half a pound , of white sope three ounces , balm a handful , and five or six sprigs of the tender tops of rue , chop and stamp all these together very well , then fry them and lay them to reasonable hot , and let him come in no wet till he be well , and being thus dressed every day once , his hoof will in a short time be sound and easie to him again . things good in general to preserve hoofs , and to make them grow . to pare him well when you shooe him , which ought to be when the moon is three days in the increase , turpentine , hogs-grease and bees wax melted together , and anoint the coffin with it , or myrrh , allom , the juice of garlick , rue , asses dung or cows dung , pitch , rozin , sallet oyl , dogs-grease , olibanum , dialthea , sheeps sewet boiled together , and anoint his hoofs with it , or chalk and white lead mingled together ▪ or bark dust and honey mingled together , or yarrow , allom and wormwood boiled in oyl , or to boyl beans till they burst , temper them with honey , and anoint his feet with them , or to wash them with warm . vineger , and anoint them with hore-hound , wormwood and grease melted together , standing upon his own wet litter , is good to keep them moist , and make them to grow . particular receipts to make a horses hoof grow , and to toughen it . take the juice of garlick seven ounces , of old hogs-grease two pounds , and a handful of asses or cows dung , boyl and mix them well together , and stop his feet with it , and anoint the cronets of his hoofs , the medicine being pretty hot . another for brittle hoofs . take turpentine , sheeps sewet , unwrought wax and hogs-grease , of each half a pound , sallet oyl half a pint and of dogs grease a pound , boyl them altogether , and keep them in a gally-pot for your use , and when you use it , anoint his hoofs very well two or three times a day with it , especially at the setting on of the hair , and to stop them with cows-dung and dogs grease melted together . another most excellent . take one pound of dogs and hogs-grease , and clarifie it with rosemary , then mix it with half so much cows dung , and boyl it up and anoint his feet with it either hot or cold , is very good . a most excellent receipt for brittle hoof'd horses , to make their hoofs grow so in a fortnights time , that they will carry a shoo● that would not carry it before . take a gallon of fresh hogs-grease , half a bushel of damask roses clean pickt , and when you have melted your hogs-grease , and that it is boyling hot , put in your damask roses into it , and stir them well about till they be all wet , then take them off the fire and put them into an earthen pot close covered , and put it into the oven after you have drawn your bread , and there set it stand till it be cold , then take it out and put it into a new horse-dunghill that is very hot , and there let it be for three weeks , then take it out and melt it again and strain the roses from the liquor , and keep it in an earthen pot close covered for your use . how to use it . when you dress your horse , take a spoonful of tar , and three balls of horse-dung warmed in a pint of that oyl , then take off his shooes ▪ and bind up his feet with a pair of buskins of leather with a thick sole , and pour in the liquor and let him stand a week so , but apply fresh shift to him every day poured into the buskins , but take away none of the old medicine , then tack on his shooes again , and stop his feet , and anointing them with the former medicine , after his bags are off you may water him twice a day as at other times , and when his feet be clean pickt and dry , you may use the medicine as you did before . in my first part you may have a better direction to make the buskin ▪ things good to soften a hoof that is too hard . take an ounce of soap , two ounces of unslackt lyme , with as much strong lye as will make it soft , and stop his feet daily with it till they come to a convenient softness . or hot glowing embers put upon the hoof will soften it . things good to harden hoofs if they be too soft . to burn an old shooe sole and seethe it in vineger , and bath his feet with it twice a day will harden them , or take of the powder of galls , bran and salt of each a handful , boyled in a pottle of strong vineger , and therewith bath the hoofs and it will harden them , the powder of honey and lyme , the powder of burnt oyster-shells , the powder of a burnt felt or boot mixed together with cream is good . things good for the malt-long . things good for the malt-long of the hoofs , which will run in waterish humours about the cronet , which are certain knobs there . if it be in the summer take black snails and burr-dock-roots , and beat them well together , and lay them unto the sore , and renew them once in twenty four houres ; but if it be in the winter , take the scrapings of a pan or cauldron , and put to it a handful of the inner rind of the elder tree , and having beaten them well together in a mortar , lay them to the sore , and renew it once a day , and it will heal it , or take garlick , pepper and honey , of each alike stamped together , and laid to it . for any hurt upon the hoof , or for all manner of hurts in general . to stop the hoof with honey and vineger mingled together for the space of three or four days at least , and then lay on the leaves of tamarisk bruised with them till it be whole , or to stop the hoof with sheeps-grease and horse-dung mixt together , and renew it once a day till it be well , or take pitch and rozin of each two ounces , brimstone in fine powder an ounce , melt them together on the fire , and add to them an ounce of turpentine , and as it cooleth make it up into rowls , and when you use it put it into the wound pretty hot , and all about the sorrance , and clap hurds upon it , and over that a piece of leather , and so splint it on , and in twice or thrice dressing he will be cured , two ounces of turpentine melted down with some wax healeth any wound or gall , house-snails seethed in butter will draw out any thorn or nail being often renewed , or take sope and salt of each alike , and work them into an ointment , and after you have washed the wound with beer and salt , or urine and salt , and dried it again with a linnen rag , bind on the medicine , and let it remain on for twenty four hours , which will take out the venom ; then take train oyl one spoonful or two , and as much white lead into fine powder , and work them to a thick salve , and apply it to the sorrance plaister-wise till it be whole , which will not be long , for nothing doth dry up sooner , or is more kindly or natural for the breeding of a new hoof then this . things good in general to draw out either stub , thorn or iron , either out of the foot or any other part of the body . black sope laid to the sore all night will make it appear , the roots of reeds stamped and mixt with honey , and laid to it , draweth out any stub or nail , so will also black snails stamped and wrought with butter , the root of stinking gladwin roasted and laid to it , the root of the sword-flag stamped with the powder of frankincense and wine is good , daffadil stamped with meal of darnel and honey , clary stamped and laid asteep in warm water , and the slimy substance taken and applied plaister-wise doth the like . dittony bruised and applied , primrose-leaves , galbanum , agrimony stamped with hogs-grease ; if a cloth be wetted in the distilled water of haw-thorn , and applied , will draw forth any thorn and splint , the seeds and leaves of mullen boiled in wine , the juice of scabius and southernwood bruised and laid to it , sope and chalk mixed together , and when it is out pour into it scalding hot turpentine , and when that is cold pour in the powder of sulphur , or black snails and sope bruised together and apply it to the grief ; and bolster up his foot or the sore with hurds , and keep it from all wet and filthiness . vvhat is good for the cords in general . to bathe his legs with the grounds of ale , and to rope them up with hay wet in the same for a fortnight or more together , or take mustard , aquavitae and sallet oyl , and boil them together , and make a plaister of it , and apply it to the place grieved . but the best and sure cure of all is to make a slit upon the very top of his nose , and with your cornet take up his two great sinews which you shall there find , and cut them in sunder , and so heal it up again with some healing salve , and this will do him no harm but good , for it will give him the use of his legs so perfectly , as that he will seldom or never after trip any more , and this can any ordinary smith do . to cure the string-halt . take up the middle vein upon the thigh , and underneath the same , then under the said vein there lies a string , which string must be cut away , and then anoint him with butter and salt , and he will both do well and go well . you may find it more at large afterwards . great driers in general of old sores , and of all manner of moist humours whatsoever . allom burnt , unslackt lyme , the ashes of an old shooe burnt , oyster-shells burnt will dry up any sore , be they never so moist , the juice of elder , the powder of the leaves of brambles , or the inner rind , the powder of the root of the butter-bur , the powder of fern roots , the powder of sow-fennel , the distilled water of throatwort , the whole plant , root and all , w●ll dry up the hollow moisture of corroding ulcers , the ashes of southernwood , the ashes of nut-shells burnt , chamberly , green copperas , brimstone , mastick , frankincense , cloves , myrrh beaten to powder , and laid upon a chafing-dish of coals , then take some lint , and receive the smoak of it into it , and lay it upon the sore , but wash it first with chamberly , soot and cream tempered together , aquavitae and sope boiled together , rye flower , the white of an egg beaten to an oyl with honey , bole-armoniack and meal m●xt amongst it , and make a plaister of it , is good to heal up any new gall'd back , barley-straw burnt and soot , the powder of honey and unslackt lyme will heal any gall , being first washed with vineger , the soot or grim of a brass pot , the powder of the bone of a crab-fish , the powder of galls , the grease of snakes roasted with heads and tails off is a great drier , the bark of a willow-tree burnt to ashes , is a great drier and binder , dry figs beaten to powder with allom , mustard and vineger , or oyland soft grease beaten to a salve , with vitriol , galls and allom ; the powder of pomegranates , salt and vineger doth dry very much , or take a toast of wheaten-bread , spread all over with honey , and toasted dry , and beaten in a mortar to powder , and strowed upon any gall , and it will dry it up soon , or take egg-shells burned black and beaten to powder , with old shooes burned to a coal and charcoal , quick lime and green copperas burned in an earthen pot until it be red hot , then take of each of these alike , and knead them well together till they come to a paste , and bake it well , and beat it into fine powder , and strow it upon the sore , and before you dress it , wash it with strong vineger or chamberly , and it will be well ; or bathe the sore with hot melted butter , and strow upon it the powder of rozin for a day or two , then take of thick cream and soot , and work it to a paste , and apply it to the place plaister-wise . a plaister to dry up superfluous moisture , and to bind parts loosened . take bitumen one pound , of the purest part of frankincense three ounces , of bdelium arabicum one ounce , of deers sewet one pound , of populeum one ounce , of galbanum one ounce , of the drops of storax one ounce , of common wax one pound , of rozin cabial half a pound , of viscus italicus one ounce and a half , of apoxima one ounce , of the juice of hysop one ounce , of the drops of armoniack one ounce , of pitch half a pound , let them be well molten together and incorporated , and make a plaister thereof . another plaister to dry up any swelling , vvind-gall , splint or bladder , in or about the joynts . take of virgin-wax half a pound , of rozin one pound and a quarter , of galbanum one ounce and a half , of bitumen half a pound , of myrrh secundary one pound , of armoniack three ounces , of costus three ounces , boyl all these together in an earthen pot , saving the armoniack and costus , which being first ground like fine flower , must be added unto the other things , after that they have been boiled and cooled , and then boiled together again and well stirred , so as they may be incorporated together , and made all one substance , and then applying as occasion shall be administred . things good to dissolve humours . to bath the sorrance well with hot melted butter , and to strew upon it the powder of rozin for a day or two , then take cream and soot , and work them to a thick paste , and apply it to the sorrance , and it will dry ▪ up the humour and skin , and heal the sore . vvormwood , sage , rosemary , and the bark of an elm , or of a pine , and linseed boiled in oyl , and make a bath thereof , and lay it to the grieved place , and it will dissolve any humour ▪ that are bound and gathered together . a pound of figs stamped with salt till they come to a salve , dissolveth all manner of humors , by opening the pores , and giving a large passage ▪ look for more receipts in my first part , of this nature . things good to stop humours . the flower of vvheat mixed with the juice of henbane stayeth the flux of humors ▪ the flowers of the vvillow-tree boiled in white-wine and given inwardly , drieth up evil humors ; wormwood , sage , bolearmoniack , camphopia , a kind of gum , cardimonium is good . things good to drive back humours . vineger , salt and bold-armoniack beaten together , and spread about the sore driveth it back , or white-lead and sallet oyl beaten together , or red lead and sallet oyl , or else v●gue●um album camphoratum , and such like , but to take away the evil humours of the legs , take of common honey , turpentine , mastick , frankincense , bolearmoniack made into powder , sanguis draconis , new laid eggs , white-wine vineger , the flower of rice mixed altogether , and make a plaister of it , and lap it round about the legs from the feet to the upper houghs , do this four or five times hmours made thin . garlick maketh thin , thick and gross humours , and cutteth such as are tough and clammy , french mercury a decoction made of it and cummin-seeds . humours purged . a conserve made of musk , roses are a great purger of waterish humours , sene purgeth cholerick and phlegmatick humours , also gross and melancholick . simples that are good to cleanse the body from all manner of evil humours . agrimony , anniseeds , the inner rind of the barberry-tree boiled in ale and given him for three or four mornings together cleareth the body from itching , mange , tettars , ring-wormes , yellows and boyls . the flowers of broom or fuz clenseth it of choler ; the decoction of the root of butchers broom or knee-holly made in wine and treacle p●c thereto , clenseth the breast from phlegm , and the chest from much clammy humors gathered therein ; wild marjorem clenseth it from choler ; the seed of cow parsnips clenseth it from tough phlegmatick matter therein ; the powder of english rubarb steeped all night in ale and given him fasting , clenseth the stomach , liver and blood , by purging away those evil humours that offend the body ; the distilled water of dragons given him , is a great clenser of the internal parts , mallows or macsh-mallows does the like ; mercury clenseth the breast and lungs from phlegm ; the distilled water of the star-thistle or root beaten to powder is very good ; common wormwood clenseth the body from choler ; ground-pine is good for all diseases of the brain , procured from cold and phlegmatick humours , &c. simples that are good to dry up all manner of evil humours in sores or wounds the powder of the root of the butter-bur doth wonderfully help them , wilde bryar-balls dried and beaten to powder , and strewed upon them , doth the like ; the root of sow fennel beaten to powder and used as before doth the like ; so doth fig wort , mother-wort and lung-wort ; nettles bruised and applied to them is very good ; pollipody , rupture-wort bruised and applied to the place grieved drieth up all manner of filthy ulcers and humours ; green copperas boiled in water , and the place bathed therewith drieth them up ; about two ounces of burnt allom , put into a quart of spring-water after it comes off the fire , and the place grieved bathed therewith warm morning and evening , and a wet cloth dipped in the water , and bound about it three or four times double wet , is excellent good to dry them up ; the powder of the root of turmentil is good ; the flower of wheat mixed with the juice of henbane laid to them , stayeth the flux of them to the joynts ; the leaves , bark or seed of the willow-tree doth the like ; the flowers also hath the same faculty in drying up of evil humours ; wood-sage digesteth humours , &c. things good in general for the shedding of the hair from the main or tail. to anoint the main and crest with black sope , and then to make a strong lie of ash ashes , or else of urine and ashes , and wash it all over with it , but if there should grow on the horses tail a canker , which will consume away ●oth the flesh and bone , then lay some oyl of vitriol upon it and it w ll kill it ; if you find it eat too much , 't is but wetting it with cold water , and it will stop it ; or take of green copperas , allom and white copperas boiled in running water till half be consumed , and wash it with it till it be whole ; but if the hair fall away , then take southernwood and burn it to ashes , and mix it with common oyl , and anoint it with it , and it will presently bring hair again ; if it be in the main , let him blood ; but if it be both in the main and tail , then take quick-silver and tried hogs-grease , the quick-silver being first mortified with fasting spittle , incorporate them very well together till the hogs-grease be of a perfect ash-colour , and anoint the sorrance with it every day once , heating it in with a hot fire-shovel , and three or four days thus dressing him he will be well . things good in general to take away hair in any part of the body . the gum that grows on the body of ivy rubbed therewith , for it is of so hot a quality that it doth obscurely burn ; the juice of fumitory of that which groweth amongst barley with gum arabick , &c. particular receipts to take off hair in any part of the body . dissolve in water eight ounces of lyme , and then boyl it till a quarter be consumed , then add to it an ounce of orpiment , and lay a plaister of it to any part of the horse , and it will in few houres bring away the hair. another . take rust and orpiment boiled in running water , and wash the place with it very hot , and it will soon bring the hair away . to make hair black . the leaves of the bramble boiled in lye , and anoint any place with it maketh it black , or the leaves and berries of the wayfring tree boyled in lye , or the juice of common elder , or the decoction of sage washed therewith . to make hair yellow . to wash the hair with the lye of the ashes of the barberry-tree . things good in general to make hair grow very soon , very thick , and very long . the roots of the elme boyled very well in water , and wash the place therewith , the juice of thistles put on the place , the juice of red beets , the juice of onions ; tar , hogs grease , dogs-grease , the ashes of green willow , nut-shells , soap , bears-grease , aquavitae ▪ oyl of turpentine , an oyl made of the white lilly-roots with hogs-grease is very good , the ashes of southern-wood mingled with old sallet-oyl , &c. particular receipts to bring hair , and to cause it to grow long . take the dung of a goat newly made , ordinary honey , allom , and the blood of a hog , the allom being first made into fine powder , boyl them together and anoint the place with it every day , and it will make the hair come again apace . another . to wash the place with the water wherein the roots of althaea hath been boyled , and after dry it gently with your hand increaseth hair much . others . to wash the place with the urine of a young boy , then take lye made of unslackt lyme , ceruse and lytergy , and with it wash the hair off , and it will make it come soon , long and thick , or to wash the place with oyl mingled with the ashes of nut-shells burnt , or else snails shells burnt , or nettleseeds bruised with honey , water and salt , or the root of the white lilly beaten and sod in oyl , and anoint the place therewith , or the juice of radishes or tar , sallet-oyl and honey boyled together , or the soot of a caldron mixed with honey and oyl ▪ &c. another . take a quarter of a pound of soap , and as much piece-grease , and a quarter of a pint of aquavitae , boyl these together , and apply it to the bald places , and in a fortnight it will bring hair again . another which is the best of all . take green wall-nut shells and burn them to powder , and mix it with honey , sallet-oyl and wine , and anoint the place therewith , and it will encrease hair wonderfully and very soon . things good in general for to ripen all imposthumes , inflammations hot or cold , or for any swelling in any part of the body and legs , and to take away hard knobs or kernels , &c. wheaten-bran boiled in vineger , leaven made of wheat , daffodill stamped with bores-grease and leaven of rye-bread , is good to ripen hard impostumes , brank-cresses , sow-thistles , hawk-weed , the juice of thorn-apples boyled in hogs-grease to an oyntment , the leaves of arsmart bruised and laid to any impostumes in the joynts , for the space of an hour or two taketh away the pain ; the juice of housleek is good against the burning inflammations , the juice of wall-penney-wort is likewise good for any hot inflamm●tions or tumors , all the sorts of pimpernel is good to cure inflammations and swellings , the leaves of flowers of fether-few is good for all hot inflammations and swellings , the leaves of mullen boyled in water and laid to the eyes cureth and easeth the pains of them , walter-caltrops used in the nature of a poultess is good , water sengreen , or fresh-water-souldier , duckmeat , is good for all hot inflammations and swellings , the fruit of the pompion boyled in milk is good for the inflammations of the inward parts , the green leaves of elder pounded with deers suet allayeth all hot inflammations , straw-berrie-leaves , bay-leaves , apples are good for all inflammations and hot swellings , figs stamped and made into the form of a plaister with white meal and the powder of fennegreek and lynseed , and the roots of marsh mallows applied warm doth soften and ripen impostumes , and all hot and angry swellings and tumors , and if you add thereto the roots of lillies , it ripeneth and breaketh venomous imposthumes . observation . to all cold swellings or imposthumes you may apply hot simples to them , and to all hot swellings and inflammations you must put cold ; if the swelling doth imposthumate , you may know it by the heat , and when you have made it fit to be opened , open it with a red hot iron . particular receipts to ripen imposthumes or swellings . take mallow-roots , and white lilly-roots , of each alike , bruise them and put to them hogs-grease and linseed-meal , and boyl them till they be soft , and plaister-wise apply it to the grief , and it will ripen it , break it and heal it presently . or oyl of populeon is very good , anointed twice a day with it . another : take southern-wood and dry it to powder , and with barley-meal and the yolk of an egg make it into a salve , and lay it to the impostume , and it will ripen it , break it and heal it . another . take of sanguis draconis , gum arabick , new wax , mastick , pitch of greece , incense and turpentine , of each a like quantity , and melt them together , then strain them and make a plaister thereof , and lay it to the imposthume without removing , and it will both ripen , break and heal it . another . take wheat-bran two handfuls , and so much wine , ale or beer , as one quart , and to thicken it put to it of hogs-grease half a pound , boyl them together till the liquor be quite consumed , and apply it hot to the place , renewing it every day once till it break of it self , or be so soft to be opened , then let forth the corruption with a hot iron , and taint it with flax dipt in this salve , take of turpentine and of hogs-grease , of each alike ; and of rozin and wax a much greater quantity , melt them together and dip the taint in it , and put it into the wound , renewing it every day once till it be whole . this is to ripen inflammations , pustules and kernels , which do grow under the chaul of a horse ; but if it be an inflammation in any other part of the body , then take four quarts of the grounds of a beer-barrel , of smallage , penny-royal , winter-savoury , comfrey , rue , and of the leaves and berries of misletoe , of each two handfuls , chop them small and put them to the grounds , and put to it a pound of sheeps sewet or deers sewet tried , and three or four handfuls of rye or wheat-bran , so much as will serve to boyl it to a poultess , and when it is boiled apply it to the place , it will break it or at least soften it that it may be opened , if it be hard when you put your poultess thereunto , it will send it back . things good in general for imposthumated ears . if it be not broke , water and salt put into the ear , or butter and salt will break it , or to apply to this swelling linseed beaten , and put to it honey and hogs-grease melted together , and when it breaks taint it with flax dipt in salve made of turpentine . metrosatum and sallet oyl ; but if he hath pain in his ear , dip some black wooll in the oyl of chamomil , and put into it ; but if it be broken , dip it in the oyl of roses , honey and venice turpentine , the juice of ivy growing on a pale or wall , put into the eares stayeth the running of them , though it be of long continuance , and helpeth old ulcers and impostumes bred there , but if you think it too sharp , you may mix it with the oyl of roses . particular receipts for imposthumated eares . take of pepper beaten and searced , and tried hogs-grease one spoonful , the juice of rue one handful , white-wine vineger two spoonfuls , and if the swelling , imposthumation or inflammation be in the eares , face , head or throat of the horse , if you take either black wooll , fine lint , flax or hurds , and dip it into this medicine , and so stop both his eares therewith , and then stitch them up that it get not forth , renewing it once in two days , till the swelling be clean gone , he will be certainly cured . but if the grief be in any other part of the body , then with this ointment you shall anoint the grieved or swoln place once or twice a day , till it depart ; but if the swelling be near about the cods or privy parts , then bath the place well with cold water , and after it is made dry again , with a cloth anoint it with the said ointment every day once or twice , and it is a present cure ; it cureth also the ulcer and canker in the nose , and is a sure cure for the vives . things good in general for the strangles . to anoint and chafe the swelling well with bacon-grease or hogs-grease , and that will ripen and break it . or so soon as you finde the swelling begin to arise between his chaps , take a wax candle and burn it therewith , till the skin arise from the flesh , then lay unto it wet hay or wet litter , and that will ripen it and make it break ; then lay a plaister unto it only of shoomakers wax , and that will both draw and heal it . now if it break inward you may know it by voiding the corruption at his nose ; then twice or thrice every day perfume his head by burning under his nostrils frankincense or mastick , or else by putting a hot coal into wet hay , and let him receive the smoke thereof up his nostrils , or else to blow the powder of euphorbium with a quill into his nose ; and so note , that whatsoever cureth the vives cureth the strangles ; or with a small round hot iron thrust a hole through the skin , on both sides the weesand , and then after it beginneth to matter , to mix butter , tanners water and salt together , and every day anoint the sore therewith till it be whole , to anoint the swelling with oyl of turpentine is good . blooding him in the mouth is very good for this distemper . a particular receipt for the strangles . take basilicon , old bores grease and dialthaea , of each four ounces , of oyl de bay one ounce , incorporate all these very well together , then anoint the place well after you have clipped away the hair , and bind it up with a piece of sheeps skin with the wooll next to the inflammation , that the warmth thereof may the better help to ripen the pustules , which being ripened , let forth the corruption with a small hot iron , and taint it for three or four days together with basilicon only , and afterwards heal it up with your black aegyptiacum , taught you in my first part , and let him eat good sweet hay and bran in stead of oats , and let his drink be white water . an excellent receipt for the strangl● , squinzey , strangling or cold , that hath run for above half a year or more at his nose . give him this drink in the morning fasting , in a pint and a half of strong beer , ( not boiled , but heated ) luke-warm , and blood him in the third ●urrow of his mouth after it , viz. the powder of turmerick and anniseeds , of each an ounce , half a quarter of a pint of brandy , with five or six spoonfuls of white-wine , white-wine vineger , or for want of that , verjuice ; then air him after it . when you have brought him home , cloath and litter him up warm , and tie him to the empty rack for three or four houres or more ; but if you see him sweat very much , which this drink does usually cause him to do , and that you find him desirous to lie down , you may untie him and give him that liberty ; let him have no mash , but only warm water , and a handful or two of wheat-bran put into it , and the next morning give him the like , and presently after it ( to bring him to a stomach ) give him about two ounces of honey in half a pint of white-wine , or white-wine vineger , or for want of either , verjuice , and air him after it . the third day you may give him the common cordial for horses , viz. three pints of stale strong beer , boyled with a good big toast of houshold-wheaten bread , crummed into it , and when you are ready to give it him , put into it before it be quite cold , honey and fresh butter a quarter of a pound of each , and give it him luke warm fasting , and exercise him after it , and set him up warm three or four houres , after give him as you did before , warm water and bran in it . thus order him till you finde amendment . the vertu●s of the cordials of white-wine and honey , and of the to●st of houshold-bread boyled in strong beer , and sweetned with honey , &c. these do not only help to bring him to a stomach , and kill the canker in his mouth and throat , ( which this disease does commonly bring a●ong with it ) but also clears his guts , and clen●eth and heals his lights , if there be any imperfection in them . observations upon this disease . . if you find that he runs at the nose any ●oul , filthy & yellowish matter , and it afterwards turn white , you need not much question the cure. . if he hath any knots or kernels under his jaws , your common charge of soap and brandy , heated and rubbed in well , will either break or sink them . . if you find the hair in the middle of the swelling begin to scale off , and that it be soft all over , you may let out the corruption with your incision knife , and let it heal up of it self . . though your dri●● does cause him to be very sick , and make him swell much in his body , fear him not for he will do well . . two or three miles riding every day will do him much good in order to his cure. a receipt for a sprain shoulder ; and if you desire to see more variety of receipts , look for sinew-strains . take oyl de bay , dialthaea , fresh butter , oyl of turpentine , of each two ounces , boyl and mix them well together , and when they be well incorporated anoint the grieved place therewith , so hot as he can well suffer it without scaulding , and anoint him thus twice or thrice a day , and give him moderate exercise by walking him a foot pace gently up and down , and this is a certain and approved remedy . another for a sprain in the shoulder . take one ounce of the oyl of spike , half an ounce of the oyl of lin●eed , half an ounce of the oyl of st. johns wort , with half an ounce of the oyl of pompilion , and put them all together into a glass viol , and shake them very well together to mingle them , then put them forth into some earthen vessel , to prevent penetrating and loss of the medicine ; and when you have occasion to use it , chafe and rub it all over the grieved place with your hand , one holding at the same time at a little distance a hot fire-shovel , or brick-bat before it , to make the oyls sink in the better . this is very good for a slight strain ; then blood him in the shoulder , and tie his fore-feet together . another for a very great and violent shoulder-strain , which is the best r●ceipt i know for the cure of it . if by any accident he get a strain in his shoulder , take this common and usual way which our smiths do now generally use , viz. to take up his sound leg before , and double it backwards in the joynt , and tie it so doubled with some list or garter , so fast that it untie not ; then force him to go upon his three legs , till he sweat at the roots of his eares , flanks and between his legs ; then let down his leg again ( by untying it ) which will cause the blood to descend so into the plate-vein , that it will be more visible to be seen then when it was tied up ; but in case it does not appear so plain as you would have it , dabb a little warm water upon it with your hand , and stroke it downwards towards the place you are to let blood , and this will make it appear more visible to be seen then it was before . then tie up his leg again , and let him blood in the common bleeding place , viz. between his chest and lame leg , about two quarts or more , according to the greatness or smalness of his strain . let the blood that you save for this purpose ( to anoint him with ) be about a quart , add let it be the last blood , for that is the best , and therefore most proper and fit for your use ; put a handful of salt into the bowl you receive it into , and keep it stirring all the while it is running to keep it from clotting . when he hath bled so much as you think fitting , pin up the mouth of the vein with a pin or needle to prevent bleeding , winding some hairs of the mane or tail about the pin , to keep the pin fast and steddy , and a day or two after take it out ; but before you pin him up , anoint him all over the shoulder and bottom of his breast , between his legs and down to his knee , with oyl of turpentine and strong beer or ale , of equal parts alike , shaked and mingled very well together first , in a glass vial , clapping and dabbing it well in with your hand ; and after you have anointed him as much as you think good , smear all the said places anointed before with the blood and salt , chafing and dabbing this also very well in with your hand , as you did the other ; then bring him home softly into the stable , and give him some meat , and tie his fore-legs together with his surcingle , or any other string that is broad and easie ; the next day you may untie his legs , and walk him abroad in your hand at the halters end , which if you find that he goes pretty well , you may mount his back , and ride him a mile or more gently ; then set him up again , and tie up his legs as you did before ; the third day after his dressing , make him a thin flat wedge of wood about the bredth of a six-pence , and drive it between the shooe and ●oe so fast that it stir not , not forgetting still to tie his legs together ; thus order him for three or four days together , which is the usual time limited to make him sound again , conditionally it be but a new strain ; when you take him out of the stable , or ride him at any time , you must untie his legs ▪ and take forth the wedge . this receipt is good also for a shoulder that is pulled out of its place , about the bredth of a mans hand or more , or a wrench shoulder , or a splayed shoulder , &c. things good in general to cure the sit-fast , or hard knobs growing under the saddle . take a long nail with the point turned inwards , and catch hold of the edge of the dead skin or horn which will rise from the sound skin , and with a sharp knife cut away all the dead and hard skin from the sound flesh , and heal it up by pouring hot butter into it morning and evening , and when the flesh is made even , dry and skin it either with the powder of honey and lyme , or with soot and cream mixt together ; or to wash the wound either with urine or white-wine , and dry it up with the powder of oyster-shells burnt , or of bole-armoniack ; or take the green leaves of cabbage and stamp them with hogs-grease , and work them to an ointment , and lay it to his back , then put on the saddle and mount his back , to the end that the ointment may the better enter , or sink into his back , and in few days it will cure him , &c. things good in general for a navel-gall . to anoint it with the oyl of turpentine , will not only cleanse it but heal it also ; but if you find any dead or proud flesh arise in it , either cut or eat it away before you use any medicine , with either burnt allom or the powder of verdegrease ; or after you have washed and clensed the sore with your copperas water , or with warm vineger , strow this powder on it ; take of honey a quartern , and as much unslackt lyme as will thicken the honey , and make it into a paste , and bake it so hard as that you can beat it to powder , and strow it on the sorrance , &c. particular receipts for the navel-gall . take oyl de bay , oyl of costus , fox grease , oyl of savin , of each an ounce ; then take one hundred of great garden wormes , and scour them with salt and white-wine , and put all the ingredients together into an earthen pot very well stopped , and boyl it well , then add thereto of sallet oyl one ounce and a half , and boyl it over again till it come to a perfect ointment , then strain it into a gally-pot , and keep it for your use , only warm it , a●d so dress the sorrance therewith with lint or hurds , and it will soon be whole . another . after you have washed the sore with old urine and salt , then anoint it with an ointment made of bitony , powder of brimstone , hellebore , pitch and old hogs-grease stamped together and melted , or with your green ointment in the first part. another for the navel-gall . if the place be only swelled , and the skin not broken , then dabb the grieved part all over with your hand , or with a rag wet in brandy , and it will take it down ; or the oyl of turpentine used after the same mann●r will do the like : but if it be raw and sore , then these medicines are very proper for it , viz. take a quarter of a pint of whale oyl , by some called train oyl , and boyl in it as much of the powder of verdegrease finely powdred and ●earced as will lie upon a small shilling , and the grieved part anointed with it will cure it very speedily . or the same quantity of verdegrease , train-oyl , and two or three spoonfuls of the ointment of marshmallows boyled a little together , is a certain cure for it . how you are to order them . if the skin hang loose about them you are to cut it off . but if it be an old navel-gall , which feels hard , then cut out the bruise with your incision knife , and ●ear the wound up again with a hot iron , and heal it up with your green ointment in the first part. these medicines are not only good for a navel gall , but for any manner of sores and raw backs whatsoever , and also for a sit-fast . vnguentum bubrum desicativum is also good for them , so is palm-oyl . what is good for the cure of the pal●ey . to let him blood on his neck-vein and temple-veins , on the contrary side to that way he wryeth his neck , then anoint his back all over with oyl of petrolium , and with a wet hay rope swaddle his neck all over even from his breast to his eares ; then for three mornings together give him a pint of old muscadine , with a spoonful of these powders in it , viz. opoponax , storax , gentian , manna , succory , myrrh and long pepper beaten all into fine powder , but put not in so much of the myrrh and long pepper as of any of the rest . things good in general to cure the lethargy or sleeping evil. to keep him waking with great noise , and let him blood in the neck and palate of the mouth , and to give him water wherein hath been boiled chamomel , mother-wort , wheat , bran , salt and vineger to perfume his head , and to anoint the palate of his mouth with honey and mustard mixt together , or to put parsley-seed or fennel-seed into his water to provoke him to urine ▪ another for the same . after you have blooded , as you must always do in this disease , then take some of the green boughs of the ash-tree , and set them on fire in some clean place , and quench the coals made thereof in some ale , and when you have strained it out , give him a hornful of it at each nostril , the cold being first taken off . 't is good also to open his forehead underneath his fore-top , and put into it a slice or two of an old onion , and let them lie there till they rot. things good in general for the phrenzie and madness in a horse . to let him blood in all the lower parts of his body , to draw the blood front his head ; as namely , in his shackle , veins , the spur-veins , the plat-veins and the thigh . veins , and let him blood very much , then give him this drink , take the root of wilde cucumber , and where that cannot be gotten , take a handful of rue or mints , and a handful of black hellebore , and boyl them in beer , and give it him luke warm ; or to give him the root of virga pastoris stamped in water , or to give him mans dung in wine three mornings together , or to make him swallow down hens dung. things good in general for the quitter-bone . to open it , and put some oyl of vitriol into it , and that will so eat about the bone , so that you may thrust it out ; this is a very safe , and as good a medicine as any you have . if you find it eat too much , you may stop the eating of it with cold water , or with your copperas water in my first part , which will not only keep it sweet and clean , but also keep proud flesh from growing in it , or you may heal it up with a salve made of turpentine and hogs-grease , and always before you dress it to wash it with the said water , or auripigmentum made into fine powder , and steeped in white-wine twenty eight houres , and apply it to it , and it will eat so about it that you may pull it away with your fingers , and do likewise after the bone or gristle is taken out , heal it up with your copperas water and your green ointment , and let him not come into the water during the time of cure. particular receipts for the cure of a quitter-bone . tent it a day or two with hogs-grease and verdegrease ground together , then take scalding hot grease poured into the hole , and lay a plaister of pitch and tarr mixt over it for twenty four houres , and if the bone rise not , do the same again and it will rise , then take it out with your nippers , and heal it up with some of your salve , which you best like on , which you may find in my first part. another . take of common honey and verdegrease in fine powder , as much of each as will suffice , boyl it till it be red ▪ and tent the wound till it be whole , keeping evermore the wound open , lest it heal up above before it be well healed up at bottom . another . take of arsnick the quantity of a small bean made into ●ine powder , and put it to the botttom of the sorrance , and stop the mouth of it with hurds , and bind a clout over it very fast that he bite it not off , for it will poison him , and after it hath remained on for twenty four houres , open it and it will look black therein , it is a sign that it hath done his work , then to allay the fire and to restore the flesh , is to taint it with turpentine and hogs ▪ grease melted together , and to cover the taint with a plaister made of rozin , pitch , wax and turpentine melted together , and thus dress him daily till you have got out the core or sharp gristle , for till that be out the sorrance will not heal , or to heal it up with your green ointment . things good in general for the cure of a ring-bone . to wash the place with vineger after you have shaved away the hair , then use green vitriol , euphorbium , cantharides , verdegrease , oyl de bay , venice turpentine , oyl of turpentine , the powder of tartar and salt arsnick , unslackt lime , the powder of vitriol , pepper , ginger . particular receipts for the cure of a ring-bone . scarifie the place about the ring-bone with a lancet , then take a great onion and pick out the core , then put into it verdegrease and unslackt lyme , then cover the hole and roast the onion soft , then bruise it in a mortar , and so very hot lay it to it four days together , and it will cure it . another . take unslackt lyme and burn it well , which you may know by its lightness , make into fine powder , and lay it upon the place swelled all along of a good thickness , and bind a linnen cloth upon it very fast , and so put him into the water , and let him stand there a pretty while , then take him forth and unbind his foot , and he is infallibly cured , for the burning of the lyme doth kill the ring-bone even unto the root thereof ; de grey declares that he hath cured with this receipt about one hundred horses ; but when you are to dress your horse you are to bring him close to the water , and so soon as you have dressed him you are to put him presently therein . another . after you have washed , shaved and scarified the place , then take grey sope and arsnick pulverized , of each the quantity of a wall nut , which being very well mixed , spread it upon the sorrance , so far as the ring-bone goeth , and having thus spread it , apply upon it a few hurds , and bind a clean linnen cloth upon it , and remove it not in twenty four houres , then take it away and stir not the scab , but only anoint it with fresh butter till it fall away of it self , and so heal it up with some healing salve , whereof you have plenty in the first part. and this medicine will cure either bone-spavin , splint or curb ; let him come in no water during his cure. the common way that our smiths do ▪ generally use for the cure of this infirmity , is to take up the vein on the inside of the leg where the sorrance is , and then to ●ear the ring-bone with a hot iron , made about the thickness of the back of a knife , three times downright , and as many times cross it till it look somewhat of a yellowish colour , then prick three or four holes in it on an equal distance one from another , in the seared lines quite through the skin , with a nail or other instrument of iron , which you think most proper and fit for the work : when you have so done , rub a handful of common salt very well in upon it , which will fetch forth the blood and water , that was occasioned by the scaring and pricking of it ; then apply this charge to it , viz. half an ounce of mastick and frankincense , burgundy pitch and common black pitch , of each as much as contains the bigness of a wall-nut ; boyl all these very well together in an earthen pipkin till they be thoroughly melted and incorporated , and apply it very hot upon the grieved place , with a lath or any other flat stick , and clap flox or hurds upon it , pressing it down hard with your hand to make it stick on the better . observations how to order him . let it stick on till it come off of it self , and if occasion requires apply another fresh charge to it . if you turn him to grass , let him remain the first night in the stable , which will make it stick on so much the better . the cure will be the sooner perfected if you keep him upon dry ground , for if he goes much in the wet it will quickly come off ▪ things good to cure the red water . take of the root of the herb , called , emanuel , alias , bonus henricus , or good king henry , or all good , boyl the roots in water and give it him , or mustard-seed beaten small , a good handful given him in white-wine vineger two or three times together one after another , keeping his belly rubbed with a good long stick by two men , one taking one end of it , and another the other end . a particular receipt very good for it . give him these things here under-written , well mixed and brewed together in a quart of strong beer or ale for three mornings together , viz. three spoonfuls of the powder of the lean of salt beef dried , two spoonfuls of the powder of bolearmoniack , with about four or five shallots peeled and bruised in a mortar , with the rest of the powders , dissolve all these in the beer as aforesaid , and give it him . 't is not amiss to give him after his drink a pint of butter-milk , or for want of that a pint of cheese-runnet . this is a very good and certain cure for it . things good in general to provoke vrine , or to cause a horse to stale . wilde bryar ▪ balls beaten to powder is very good , alheal , water-agrimony , birds-foot , parsley-roots or seed , mustard-seed , alexander and horse-parsley , or wild parsley which is sold in apothecaries shops , for macedonian ▪ parsley , burdock-seed is a great provoker of urine , asarabacca th● kernels within the husk of ashen keys , brook lyme , pimpernel , water-cresses , butchers-broom , the root of the butter-bur , the juice of the leave ▪ of the bur-docks , champions , wild-carrots , the berries and fruit of the winter-cherries , the juice of garden-chervil , the juice of cuckoe-point boiled in ale or beer , the seed of cucumbers , dandelion , dodder of thyme , dogs-grass , elder , elecampane , eringo or s●a-holly , the root of fern , fennel-seeds , filipendula , drop-wort , flax-weed or toad-flax , the flower-de lu●e , gentian , felt-wort or baldmony , the seeds of germander , the seeds of stinking gladwin , golden-rod , gromel , groundsel , hartichoke weed , hawk-weed , herb robert , hops , the smoother not the rougher horse-tail , st. johns wort , the berries or leaves of ivy , garlick , radish roots , horse ▪ radish-roots , the seeds of rochet , kidney-wort , knot-grass , juniper berries , the flowers of lavender steeped in white wine , ladies smocks or cuckoe-flowers , lovage , maiden-hair , wall-rue , the roots of master-wort , mother-wort , mug-wort , nettle-seeds , dried acorns beaten to powder and given , parsley , piert , or parsley-break stone , the powder of the bark of rest-harrow , burnet , smallage , the roots of spignel , the seeds of the star-thistle , lady thistle , great turnsole boiled in water with cummin , the water that is gathered from the willow-tree when it flowreth , the bark being slit to let it out , honey suckle leaves , wormwood , saffron , the roots of valerian with fennel-seeds , haws bruised and laid asteep in beer or ale , egg ▪ shells dried and beaten to powder and given in ale or beer , the juice of coleworts , southernwood , mallows stamped and given him in ale , cherry-stone kernels , madder . but for a horse that can neither stale nor dung , take the root of male brake or fern , the male is to be known , for if you cut it you will find the perfect figure of an eagle upon it , put a piece thereof upon his tongue , and it will cause him both to stale and dung , a flint-stone beaten to powder will make him stale given him in beer ; ivy-berries dried and beaten to powder and given in white-wine is very good . particular receipts to cause a horse to stale or piss . take a quart of strong ale and put it into a pottle-pot ▪ then take as many keen radish-roots washed , slit and bruised as will fill up the pot , then stop it up close and let it stand twenty four houres , then strain the ale and roots very hard and give it him fasting , and ride him a little up and down , and set him up warm , and you shall se● him stale , do this two or three mornings together . another . take a good piece of fine castle-soap , about the bigness of a good big wall-nut , and dissolve it in a quart of warm beer with some bruised parsley seed , give it him in the morning fasting , and ride him moderately after it , and set him up warm , and it will cause him to stale . another . take three or four spoonfuls of bruised bur-dock seeds , and boyl it in a quart of beer , and give it him to drink luke-warm , putting a good piece of butter to it whilst it cools . another for the same . take half an ounce of fennel-seed , half an ounce of parsley-seed , half an ounce of bur-dock-seed , half an ounce of nettle-seed , and half an ounce of ivy-berries when they be thorough ripe ; put all these into a pint of white-wine , and a quarter of a pint of ale , and let them steep some time therein , and give it him fasting in the morning for two or three mornings together , and exercise him after it . this is a most excellent receipt , not only for this distemper but also the wind-cholick , stone and gravel , for it wonderfully clenseth the kidneys from sand and filth . another very good . take burnet , dill , smallage and anniseeds , of each a like quantity , well dried and beaten to powder , and put a small spoonful of each of them to a pint of white-wine , or for want of that a quart of ale , and give it him as you did the other . another . take about a spoonful of these powders here under-written , and put them into a pint of white-wine , and as much ale , and give him them fasting in the morning with exercise after it , viz. gromel-seed , broom-seed , parsley seed , and the powder of the root of horse-radish well dried . another infallible cure for the stoppage of vrine . kill as many bees as you think you have occasion to use , and dry them very well , and beat them to powder , and give him about an ounce of them at a time in a pint of white-wine , or for want of that a pint of ale , and at twice or thrice giving them at furthest , they will so open the passages of the uriter veins , that they will make him piss and stale very freely . this receipt is also good for the strangullion . things good for the pain or vlcers in the kidneys . plantine , licoris , the decoction of the tender tops of broom , broomrape boyled in wine is good for the kidneys and bladder , and provoketh urine , and breaketh the stone , to bath his back with sallet-oyl and nitrum warmed together , and to cover him warm , then to drink the water wherein hath been boiled dill , fennel , anniseeds , smallage , parsley-seed , mustard-seed , spikenard , myrrh , cassia ▪ or sallet oyl and deers sewet melted together , and the root of the daffodil boiled in wine . things good in general for the strangury or strangullion . to bath his loyns with warm water , then take bread and bay-berries and temper them with sweet butter , and give him two or three balls thereof three days together , or take a quart of new milk and a quartern of sugar , and after they are well brewed together , give it him to drink fasting in the morning , and to keep him from all sharp meats , as mowburnt-hay , bran and the like , or to boyl in the water that he drinketh good store of the herb mayth or hogs fennel , and it will cure him . a particular receipt for it . take some of the powder of a flint-stone calcined , with an ounce of the powder of parsley-seed , and as much of the powder of ivy-berries , and boyl them a little in a pint of claret , and given him , is a very good cure. things good for the stone in general , or for the stone in the kidneys . alehoof , alkanet , birds ▪ foot , the seeds of the bur-dock , parsley-seeds , the kernels of the husks of the ash-tree , the bark of the bay ▪ tree root , broom , bucks horn , plantine , carrot-seeds , the berries or fruit of the winter cherry , expelleth the stone out of the reins and bladder , the juice of garden-chervil , chich pease or cicers , the root of columbines , coral ▪ wort , dogs-grass , doves-foot or cranes-bill , elecampane , eringo or sea-holly , fennel , the powder of the root of filapendula or drop-wort , the flower de luce , the fuz bush , garden rod , herb robart , the smoother not the rougher horse-tail , st. johns wort , the berries of ivy , maiden-hair , the juniper berries , kidney-wort , knot-grass , wall-rue , the roots of master-wort , medlar stones made into powder and given in wine or beer , wherein some parsley-seed hath been infused all night , and a little boyled , the powder of spear-mint , ground moss boiled , mouse-ear , mug-wort , nettle seeds , parsley piert or parsley break-stone , the kernels of the peach tree , pellitory of the wall , pimpernel , the gum of the plum-tree , the powder of the bark of the root of rest-harrow given in white-wine , winter rochet or winter-cresses ▪ wilde briar-balls beaten to powder and given in white-wine , the seeds of the great round leav'd dock , cummin , white saxafrage , burnet saxafrage , the seeds or roots of sorrel , the milk of the sow-thistle given in wine , spleen-wort , the seed of the star-thistle , garden tansie , the great turn-sole boiled in water with cummin , vervain , the tears of the vine given , but the salt of the leaves is better , vipers bugloss , dodder , sallet oyl , the lard of a goat , coriander seed , castle sope , the juice of the red colewort , the roots of alexander , wormwood , southernwood , galingale , mallows , black soap , hysop . particular receipts good for the stone in the reins , kidneys or bladder . take saxafrage , nettle-roots , parsley-roots , sperage-roots , and dodder , of each a handful , bruise them and boyl them gently with white-wine until a third part be consumed , then put to it of salt a handful , of sallet oyl , and of the lard of a goat , of each three ounces , of hony half a pound ; when all this is boiled , strain it and ring it very hard , and give him of this one pint every morning fasting , blood-warm , and if it become too thick by boiling , dissolve into it some white-wine ; and after the first boiling it must be but only warmed , and let him have it so long as it will last ; or a handful of maiden-hair steeped all night in a quart of strong ale , and strained , and given him is excellent . another . take of ale or beer a quart , and put it into a pot , and put to it so many of the reddest radish roots clean washed and sliced into small pieces as will fill up the pot , then stop it up so close that the air get not in , and let it remain twenty four houres , then strain the roots from the ale or beer very hard , and give it him in a morning fasting , and ride him gently upon it , and after that set him up warm covered and littered , and in a little while you shall see him piss freely , let him have it several mornings together , and during the cure let his drink be white water . another . make a strong decoction ( that is to say ) boil the first quantity of water to an half pint three times over , of keen onions clean pilled and parsley , then take a quart thereof , and put to it a good spoonful of london-treacle , and as much of the powder of egg-shells , and give it him . and thus do divers mornings if the infirmity be great , otherwise when you see him offended . things good in general for the cholick or stone , or for the gripings or fretting of the guts by vvind . centaury , costmary is good for the gripings of the belly , camomel flowers is good for the cholick and stone , and is good given in a glister for that purpose ; the roots of the sea holly boiled in white-wine , rue boiled with dill and fennel-seeds in wine is good , cinnamon , sixteen or eighteen of the berries of holly purgeth the body of thick and phlegmatick humors , hawthorn-berries , cardamum , cloves , pepper , juniper berries given him , or to put a jagged onion into his fundament , or to give him a pipe of tobaccho at his fundament , hore-hound , southernwood , or the powder of a stags pizel dried and given in beer , or the heart of a lark swallowed down whole , hysop , cowslips , liver-wort , lungwort , the urine of a child given him to drink , gentian , aristolochia rotunda , enula campana , or a glister made of sope and salt water , or to give him two drams of myrrh in wine , nettle-roots , sperage-roots , dodder bruised and boiled in white-wine , with some salt amongst it , is good to give him fasting , the powder of the wilde briar apple-balls . or you may give him by way of a drink , or by glister , this following drench , viz. two good handfuls of mallow leaves boiled in three pints of new milk till it comes to a quart ; strain out the milk from the mallows , and give it him either way sweetned with loaf-sugar luke-warm . this is a most excellent receipt for the dry gripes , for this will make his body loose , which by this means will free him from those tormenting pains he is troubled with . particular receipts for the cholick or stone . take of white-wine a quart , fennegreek four ounces , bay-berries and pepper , of each four ounces , grains and ginger of each an ounce , water-cresses two handfuls , sage one handful , sengreen one pound , mints a handful , stamp the herbs and pound the spices , and put them to the wine and boyl it , then strain it and put two spoonfuls of honey to it , and give it him luke-warm . another . take cloves , pepper , cinnamon , of each one ounce , all made into fine powder , and well mixed , then put it into a quart of sack , and let it boyl a while , then take it off , and put to it one spoonful of honey , and give it him luke-warm , then cloath him up and litter him , and let him fast three or four houres after it , then give him hay , and one hour after that a sweet mash or white water . another for the cholick and stone . take of white-wine one pint , of burdock seeds eight ounces made into fine powder , of parsley-seed two ounces , two ounces in powder of hysop , unset leeks and water-cresses , of each half a handful , of black sope half-an ounce , stamp them well and strain them with the wine , then put to it your bur and parsley-seed , and so give it him blood-warm ; this will break the stone , and bring it from him with much ease , and cure his cholick . another for griping and fretting in a horses belly . first , blood him in the mouth with your cornet horn , and give him a pint or a quart of pork or beef brine cold , when you see occasion ; after you have so done , strip up your shirt as high as your elbow , anoint your hand and arm with sallet oyl , butter or hogs-grease ▪ and put it into his fundament , and draw forth as much of his hard and baked dung as you can well get ; then take a good big angry red on●on and peel it , and jag it cross-ways with your knife , and rowl it very well in salt and floure of brimstone , and cover it all over with fresh butter , and put it up into his body as far as you can well thrust it , and tie down his tuel or tail close between his legs , to his surcingle or girts , and walk or ride him about a quarter of an hour or more ; then untie his tail , and you shall find he will purge freely ; the excellency of this receipt is , that it will cleanse his maw and guts , and kill the wormes within him ; the next morning you may give him a comfortable drink warm , made of an ounce of horse spice , boyled a little in a quart of strong beer sweetned with either hony or common treacle . or you may give him a cordial of three pints of strong beer , with a toast of houshold wheat bread crummed in it , and boyled together with a little mace , and when you have taken it off the fire , dissolve into it two or three spoonfuls of honey , with a good big lump of sweet butter , and he will do well . things good in general for the dropsey . to let blood first , to take away the thin wheyish blood , the kernels within the hu ks of the ashen keys , broom , chamomel , wild carrets , centaury , the berries of elder either green or dry , dwarf elder , hawk-weed , wormwood , juniper berries , kidney wort , wilde marjorem , the juice of pellitory of the wall , the seed of plantain , bayberries , succory , the bark of the tamarisk tree , lady thistle , vervain , peony seeds , coleworts , smallage , elm boughs , sallow leaves , or whatsoever else that will make him urine , chiche steeped in water a day and a night , parsley stamped and mixt with white-wine , or burdock seeds taken the same way , rue , red sage , winter savoury , time , horse radish , roots , rubarb , saldanella , salt of scurvey-grass , garden scurvey-grass , rosemary tops , asarabica , wood bitony , china-roots , the juice of the white lilly-roots tempered with barley-meal and baked , and given him for to eat is very good . a particular receipt for the cure of the dropsey . take a gallon of ale , and set it upon the fire , and scum off the froth as it riseth , then put into it of wormwood and of rue , the tender tops and leaves without stalks , very well picked , of each a handful , and boyl it to a quart , then strain it , and dissolve into it three ounces of london treacle , and put into it of long pepper and grains made into sine powder of each an ounce , then brew them well together ; an give it him blood-warm , and bath and anoint his legs that be swelled with train-oyl twice a day , till it go away , and give him mashes or white water , and feed him with such meat as he will best eat , and if the weather be seasonable turn him to grass , and he will do well . things good in general for gravelling . to take off his shooe , and with your drawing iron draw the place till you come into the quick , prick forth all the gravel , and crush forth the matter and blood clean , then wash it clean with your copperas water taught you in my first part , then pour upon it sheeps tallow and bay-salt molten together scalding hot , and stop up the hole with hurds and set on the shoo again , and at two or three times dressing it will be whole ; but till he be thoroughly well do not travel him , neither let his foot come into any wet , or after the gravel is gotten out , stop his foot with hogs-grease and turpentine molten together , pouring it into the wound scalding hot , or to stop it with hogs-grease , verjuice , bees wax , the juice of housleek beaten in a mortar together , and melt it , and dip flax therein , and use it as you did the other ; or to wash it with beer and salt , or chamberly and salt ; and to put into it scalding hot pitch , virgins wax , deers sewet , bores grease and the juice of housleek , and stop it up with hurds , and tack on the shoo again , or to lay into it flax dipped in the white of an egg , or to heal it with the powder of galls and tartar mixt together . things good in general for molten grease . first , to take blood from the neck-vein to a good proportion , to let out all the inflamed blood , and to give him bran prepared or dried bran , and if he empties himself , to give him a restringent glister , which you may find in my first part. but things in general to be given inwardly are these , sallet oyl , sack , honey , cordial powder of anniseed , hemp-seed , cummin-seed , fennegreek-seed , powder of elecampane roots , brimstone , licoras , colts-foot . in maladies of this nature you must forbear to administer such drugs as be hot , for that is the way rather to kill then recover your horse , for lenitive and gentle things are the only means to bring it away . particular receipts for molten grease . take of titian three pints , three ounces of loaf-sugar finely powdered , of cordial powder an ounce , of live honey four ounces , and give it him to drink blood-warm . another for grease fallen into his legs . when you have warmed him well by riding him two or three miles ; then take about half a pint or more of sack , and three or four penny-worth of sallet-oyl , and give it him to drink , then ride him as far again , and he will purge out his molten grease ; this done two or three times will cure him for that winter . another for molten grease . after you have let him blood , take half a pint of white-wine , half a pint of sallet-oyl , of rubarb and of aloes two drams , of sene half an ounce , of agarick three drams , bay-berries half an ounce , saffron two drams , duck or duke powder , and of cordial powder of each two drams , make what is to be powdred into powder , and mix them well together , adding thereunto four ounces of live honey , give it your horse after it is well warmed upon the fire blood-warm , but be sure you let him fast about three houres before you give it him , and three houres after you give it him , and let his drink be either a sweet mash or white water for five or six days after , and let him have in stead of oats bread made for him , or bran prepared ; but if you give him oates , put in amongst them fennegreek bruised ; but if you desire to approve of another receipt ; look in my first part for balls for colds , glanders or molten grease . another very good for it . to abate the stirring and working of his body , and to bring and restore him to his perfect health again ; take this course for his recovery , take an ounce of diascordium and dissolve it in a pint of sack , or for want of that in a quart of beer or ale , and give it him cold in the morning fasting , and order him as you do sick horses , with mashes of malt , bursten oates , warm cloaths , warm water , &c. but if you find that he falls from his stomach , and dungs hard , to remedy these two evils i direct you to the directions how to order sick horses , about the beginning of the first part after the end of the table of simples , where you may find vineger and honey to bring him to a stomach , and a cordial of bread boyled in beer with butter and honey put therein , to loosen his body , and to bring him to heart again , which when you find him lusty and strong , you may give him as much of the powder of mechoachan as will lie upon a shilling at thrice , in a quart of warm beer or ale ; or you may give him a purge of aloes . another also very good . take an ounce of the best aloes succotrina you can get for money , half an ounce of the cream of tartar beaten to powder , with as much of each of these powders as are here under-written , as will lie upon a groat , viz. licoris , flower of brimstone and ginger ; mix them altogether , and work them up in a little fresh butter at first , then divide them into three equal parts , and cover over every part all over with fresh butter , to keep the bitter taste of the aloes from offending him . let your balls be made about the bigness of a small wash-ball , thick in the middle and sharp at both ends ; stick them upon a stick not too sharp at the end , and give him them in the morning fasting , with a small horn-full of warm beer after every one of them , to make them pass down the better ; let him have moderate exercise after them , and order him as you do sick horses , and he will do well . general simples good for a surseit . angelica , the distilled water of broom flowers , the leaves of balm , with nitre given in ale , or the juice of ivy-leaves so given , liver-wort , common wormwood , the distilled water of wilde poppey , &c. a particular receipt for a surseit . take three quarts of strong beer , one handful of wormwood , one handful of cellendine , one of herb-grace , alias rue , chop them gross , and boyl them in it till they come to a quart ; then strain and squeeze the liquor from the herbs , and put into it two spoonfuls of honey , and two ounces or more of treacle of jeane , with a lump of sweet butter , and give it him fasting in the morning with exercise after it , and when you bring him home , cloath and litter him up warm , and two or three houres after give him a mash and white water . another for a horse whose coat stands staring , and do●s not thrive ; or that hath swelled co●s or legs by reason of moulten grease , setled and dried in his body , which commonly brings along with it gauntness and costiveness , with several other distempers , &c. the only way to remedy and help these distempers , is first to give him a purge of aloes made up according to art as you may find the manner how in directions for the purging of horses after the table of simples , and order him as you do sick horses with mashes , bursten oats , scalded bran , warm clothing and warm water &c. about three or four days after he hath done purging and drank cold water , to bring him to a stomach , give him honey and white-wine , and to comfort him and loosen his body , and to make him stale freely , give him the cordial of houshold wheat bread boyled in beer , &c. you may find the manner how to make this also in the directions how to order sick horses after the table of simples ; as to the ordering of his swelled cods or legs , you may apply to them ( after his physick hath done working ) the common charge of soap and brandy scalding hot , and three or four days after ride him into some river or clear pond , up to the mid side , and flounce him backwards and forwards , which will be a means to abate and take away the swelling ; you need not lay on your charge above once . these directions are in case of a dry surfeit . but if he be troubled with a cold , which you may soon know by his coughing and running at nose , then give him this drink , viz. of the powder of anniseeds and turmerick , of each on ounce , put into a pint and a half of strong beer , half a quarter of brandy , and about five or six spoonfuls of white-wine vineger , ( or for want of either , verjuice ) . boyl all these a little , and give it h●m luke-warm fasting in the morning . if you find his stomach lost give him his cordial . but if you find that your horse is fat and strong , and hath his grease setled within him , then give him the purge of aloes first , but if you find him both fat and ill together , then give him this white-wine and honey , and cordial , to bring him to a stomach , and after them give him his purge . observation . these heats and colds which are occasioned by hard labour or violent riding , does commonly bring along with them hard pustules and kernels under his chaul , which you may either sink or break with your common charge of soap and brandy , boiled together and applied hot ▪ if you find that they break wash them with verjuice and butter , or vineger and butter melted together , and they will do well . things good in general to mollifie hardness . linseed , fennegreek , rosin , pitch of greece , flower of roses boyled together with turpentine , honey and sallet oyl , till it come to an ointment , malvar●sco , oleum , rosatum , brank-ursine , mallows , coleworts , lard , oyl of cypress with meal , pellitory , wormwood or grease , mustard-seed and cummin boiled together , or the juice of the roots or leaves of elder , armoniack , aloes , opoponax nettles , mercorella , the roots of cucumbers , hogs-grease and tar , turpentine and old grease beaten together , oyl of turpentine is very excellent to take down a swelling , patch-grease and turpentine melted together , and stop his feet therewith , and anoint his coffins therewith , or salt and water mixt together , and bath the swelling therewith , and dip a linnen cloth in the same , and lay that upon it , and it will dissolve it . what is good for bruised kidneys . the powder of the herb called crabs-claws , plantine , licoris , broom , &c. things good in general for a sore mouth and throat . wood-bine leaves , bolearmoniack , plantine water , to wash it with a water made of them ▪ or to wash it with bay salt and verjuice warmed together . if the palate be sore , then let him blood there , then take honey , young onions and toasted cheese boiled together , and anoint the pallate with it , or to wash it with the juice of alehoof , the juice of golden rod , mallows or marsh-mallows , or mint , or mulberries , or nettles , or pellitory of the wall , or privet , or queen of the medows , or rag-wort , or sage and allum , or self-heal , or succory , or the juice of the english vine , the decoction of rag-weed , plantine boiled in white-wine , mustard-seed applied outwardly dissolveth the swelling of the throat . what is good for the quinsey . to let blood under the tongue , and if his throat is so swelled that you can get nothing hardly to go down it , lay a poultess under his chaul , and that will open the passage , then take a bulls pizzle or a whale-bone , and tie a linnen rag about it , and dip it into milk , wherein allum and the powder of a dogs-turd hath been dissolved , and thrust it up and down his throat , and put a hornful of it down after it ; if he be so bad that he can eat nothing but what you give him with a horn , which must be comfortable and cordial things ; be sure let the hornful of milk wherein allum and dogs-turd hath been dissolved , be the last thing you give him , or else it will do him no good , and to tie him up to the rack half an hour after it ; you are to use it two or three times a day or oftner as you shall see occasion , or four ounces of the juice of cinquefoyl given down at a time for certain days together cureth it , or the juice of cudiweed or cotton-weed taken in wine and milk is a good remedy against t , so is hysop boyled with figs. another receipt good for it . after you have blooded him under the tongue , take as many leaves of common mallows as you think fit for your use ; boyl them very well in his own piss and apply it as hot ( poultiss-wise ) to his throat as he o●n well endure it , and you shall soon find the wonderful effects of it , for it will open the passage of his throat , and take down the swelling occasioned by the inflammation of it ; do this two or three times if you see occasion , and apply your inward medicine also to it , as the receipt above will direct you . things good in general to kill lice or vermin . the decoction of the herb or seed of henbane , and wash him with it , to wash his body all over with cows piss for three or four days together , it is an approved and certain cure , and is as good as any i can give you . however i shall give you some more receipts , which is to anoint him with quick-silver and hogs-grease mixed together , or take staves-acre and green copperas boiled in running water , and wash him all over therewith , and at twice dressing it will cure him , or tobacco shred small and boyled in small beer with some powdred allum , and when the allum is dissolved , to wash him therewith . another very good to destroy them . take hogs lard , and anoint your horse all over his back-bone , and under his mane , and about his flanks , or any where elsewhere you find your lice do come , and it will destroy them ; the reason is , that this food being so very delicious , and so well lik't of by them , makes them seed so much upon it that it causeth them to burst . or to take train oyl , which is whale oyl ▪ and anoint his breast and flanks with it , and then dip a broad list of woollen into it , and sow it about his neck , and this will destroy them . things good in general to keep the flies off a horses head. to anoint his head with oyl and bay-berries mingled together , or to rub his head all over with the water wherein rue hath been steeped in after it is well bruised , or to anoint his head or round about his eyes with lynseed oyl , and it will keep them away , or with the water wherein devils dung hath been dissolved is the best of all , or with the water of pellitory of spaein , or the leaves of ivy bruised with a little water , and his head washed therewith . things good in general for the cure of the leprosie or mange . to take blood first from the neck-vein , good store , and scrape away the scurf with an old curry-eomb , oyster-shell or such like , then these things you are to use as your discretion serves , staves-acre , chickweed , elecampane , mercury sublimate , the leaves of bramble boyled in lye , cow-piss , the powder of the dried root of briony , the powder of the red dock , or the powder of arsnick , resalgar or white mereury mixed with hogs grease till it be killed , urine , tobaccho and brimstone boiled together is very good , or salt , verdegrease , allum , verjuice and train oyl boiled together and anoint him therewith , or broom , wormwood , mustard-seed , elecampane , chimney-soot and black soap boyled together , or the juice of hemlock , unslackt lyme , pepper and ginger boiled in beef-broth , and anointed therewith is very good ▪ particular receipts for the mange . take a quart of fair running water , and put into it half a pound of green copperas , and an ounce of allum , and an ounce of tobaccho chopped small , then boyl them together till they come to somwhat more then a pint , and anoint him all over with it very warm after you have rubbed off the scabs , and tie him to the rack three or four houres , twice dressing him cures him . or the ashes of the bark of the ash tree made into a lie , and the body washed therewith , calamint taken inwardly , the decoction of the leaves of the fig tree , wilde flower , &c. another . first , let blood , then take a quart of old urine or vineger , and break it into a quarter of a pound of tobaccho , and set it on the embers to stew all night , and wash the infected places , whether it be in the mane or otherwise . another for any mange or vniversal leprosie in a soul surfeited horse . after you have let him blood , and scraped off the scabs or scurf , take of verjuice and vineger a pint , cow-piss a pint , train oyl a pint ▪ old urine a pint , and put to them a handful of wilde tansie , and a handful of bay-salt , a quarter of a pound of brimstone , as much allum , two ounces of verdegrease , and four ounces of bolearmoniack , boyl all well together , with this very hot wash ▪ him well , and if you put to it a quantity of a pint of blood you take away , it is not amiss , do this twice or thrice . another . take mother of salt peter , the best and strongest , and wash the sores therewith so hot as he is able to suffer it , and in three or four times dressing it will cure him , this will not only kill the mange , but all scratches , pains and rats-tails , &c. another . take of sopers lees , and after you have scraped away the scurf , wash him with it , and in once or twice dressing he will be well , it cures the mange not only in horses , but also dogs , provided they get not to it with their mouth . an inward drink with an outward application , which i think is the best remedy that can be invented for this disease . take anniseeds and turmerick , of each an ounce , finely beaten , of the blackest rozin powdered one ounce , put them into a quart of strong beer , heated luke-warm , and give it him in the morning lasting , with a little of the flower of brimstone at the mouth of every horn you give him , not exceeding above an ounce in all , and let him fast four or five houres after it , and order him afterwards as you do a sick horse . about two or three days after his drink , when he hath a little recruited and recovered his strength again , apply this outward application ( but first curry off all the scabs with an old curry-comb till the blood and water appear ) viz. take oyl of turpentine and beer , of equal parts alike , with some flower of brimstone , well shaked and jumbled together in a glass vial , to incorporate them the better , and anoint him all over with it , tying him first with a strong bridle to the rack to prevent him from biting at it , for it is a very terrifying , biting and sharp medicine , and will torment him for about half an hour or more and then the smarting will be over . if you find your horse full of good and in heart , you may venture to give him two or three of these drinks and ointings , if you see the cure will not be performed without them ; but if he be a very poor lean horse , then one is enough till he hath recovered more heart and strength . things good in general for the cure of the scab , tetter , or ring-worm . the water that is ●ound in the hollow places of a decayed beech-tree , and annoint him with it , the juice of the leaves and roots of stinking gladwin , one part of plantine water , and two parts of the brine of beef boyled together and clarified , and anoint him with it , plum-tree leaves boyled in vineger , killeth tettars , the juice of the root of monks rubarb , which is a kind of dock , some call it garden-patience , is very good , the oyl of wheat pressed between two thick plates of copper , the juice of mercury mingled with vineger , water-cresses , the roots of docks boiled in vineger and bathed therewith , cardimonium mixt with vineger . to make a strong lye of old urine , ash keys and green copperas , and bathe the knots therewith , and it will kill and heal them ; or to cut the head and tail of a snake , and cut it into small pieces and roast it , and anoint the sore with the grease of it , and it will heal it in a shor time , and have a care you touch no place but the sorrance , for it will venom . particular receipts to cure the tettar or ring-worm . take two drams of precipitate , and put it into a small vial-glass with fair water , much more then will cover the powder , keep it close stopped , and with this water twice a day wash it , and it will infallibly cure it ; and after you have dressed the sorrance , shake the glass , and let it stand till the next dressing ; but if it be in any fleshy part , you may kill it by bathing the sorrance with the juice of southern-wood , maudlin and rue , of each alike stamped together and strained , and bathe the place with it twice a day till it be whole . another . take the roots of elecampane , and the roots of red docks , of each alike , slice them thin , and put them into three quarts of urine , with two handfuls of bay-salt , let it boil till one quart be consumed , then take it off , and with a clout fastned to a stick wash the sorrance very hot , four or five mornings together , and it will kill it . a very good receipt to cure any manner of scab , itch or scurf , in any part of a horses body . mix sallet oyl , his own water , white wine vineger , salt , butter and brimstone together , and anoin● the grieved part with it twice a day , and it will cure them . let your quantities of all these things be more or less , according to the cure you undertake . things good in general for the crown scab , which is a stinking and filthy scab , breeding round about the corners of the hoof. spread upon a plaister this ointment , take salt bacon , grease , soot , wax and pitch molten together , and lay to it ; and if the flesh grows proud , eat it away with verdegrease beaten to powder , or with burnt allum , or scrapings of harts-horn or ox-horn made into powder , or take sope and hogs-grease , and half a pound of bolearmoniack , and a quarter of a pound of turpentine mixed well together , and make a plaister and bind it on fast , renewing it every day till it leave running , and then wash it with strong vineger made warm , and let him come into no water during the cure ; or to bathe him with old urine sod with salt , and that will dry up the humours and heal it , or to wash it with green copperas , allum and honey boiled together in fair water , and wash the sore with it three or four times a day , and this will both kill and heal it without any other medicine . things good in general for a surbated horse . take two new laid eggs , and after you have well picked his fore-feet , break them raw into his soles , then stop them up with ox or cow dung , and he will be well by the next morning ; or sugar-candy melted with a hot iron between the shoo and the foot , and when it is hardned take nettles and bay-salt , stamped and laid upon it , or after his foot is pared , to cool it stop his feet with bran and hogs-grease boiled together very hot , and to cover the coffin round with the same , or to stop them every night with cows dung and vineger mingled together . things good in general for sinews that are cut , prickt , bruised or shrunk , or for any other griefs in them . alheal is good for the grief of them , wood-bitony , comfrey soddereth cut sinews together , the dried powder of red wheat boiled in vineger is good , wilde tansie , oyl of chamomel , mugwort cureth the contraction and drawing together of the sinews ; or tarr , bean-flower and oyl of roses mixed together , and laid to the place hot , and if it do not presently good , then take wormes and sallet-oyl fried together , or else the ointment of wormes , which you may have at the apothecaries , and apply either of them , for they knit the sinews again if they be not quite cut asunder ; but if there be a convulsion , you must with your scissers cut the sinew asunder , then take rozin and turpentine , pitch and sanguis draconis melted together , and clapped somewhat hot to the sore , then take flax and clap upon that , for that will cleanse and defend , and is a very excellent medicine for any swollen joynt whatsoever . but if the sinews be not much swelled , but only stiff , then take of black soap a pound , and seethe it in a quart of strong ale , till it wax thick like tarr , and anoint the sinews and joynts with it , and it will supple them and stretch them forth be they never so much shrunk ; or take a quart of neats-soot oyl , a quart of ox galls , a quart of aqua-vitae or brandy , a quart of rose-water , or a handful of rosemary stamped , boyl all these together till half be consumed , and strain it , and use it as you see occasion . a receipt for a cut sinew . take the leaves of nep or woodbine , and bruise them well in a mortar with may butter , and apply it to them , is very good to knit them together . a particular receipt for the shrinking of the sinews . take a handful of chickweed , of red roses dried the like quantity , put them into a pint of ale , and a pint of canary , and let them boyl together till a fourth part be consumed ; then put to them a pint of trotters oyl , and let that boyl also a good while , keeping them stirring , which being strained anoint the grieved part therewith , chasing it in very well with your hand , holding a hot fire-shovel or brick bat before it at the same time , to make it sink in the better ; when you bind it up , put to it some of the herbs , and at three or four times dressing it will be well . the decoction of the root of scabius and garden tansie boiled in sallet oyl ; or the decoction of the leaves of mullen , with sage , marjorem and camomel flowers , and the grieved part bathed therewith , is excellent good for them , &c. things good in general to cure the tongue of a horse that is hurt . to boyl in water wood-bine leaves , primrose leaves , black berryleaves , knot-grass with some honey , and put to it a little allum , and two or three times a day wash it with a clowt tied upon a stick , being luke-warm , or take mel rosatum and anoint therewith , and be sure whensoever you dress his tongue or mouth , tie him up to the rack an hour after it , that so the medicine may take the better effect ; or take red honey , the marrow of powdered pork , quick lime and pepper made into fine powder , of each alike , boiled together till they come to an ointment , and anoint with it twice a day . particular receipts for the cure of the tongue of a horse that is hurt . take of arman half an ounce , and put it into the fire till it become red hot , then take it out and beat it to very fine powder ; then take a sawcer full of live honey , and of white-wine one pint , mix and steep these with the powder together , and so let it boyl over the fire , keeping it stirring , then take it off and let it cool , and so wash his tongue morning and evening with it till it be whole . another . take the juice of selandine , and wash the hurt therewith nine days together , and it will cure it though it be half cut asunder , for the juice of the selandine will conglutinate and sodder the tongue together , being cut or wounded . things good for venomed things . garden bazil or sweet bazil laid to it is good for any thing venomed by a spider , wasp , bee or hornet , water-bistort or snakeweed is likewise good ; and if he hath drunk horse-leeches , hens-dung and the like , give him three spoonfuls of the herb sow-thistle dried in a quart of ale. another for a venom . take a handful of rue , and stamp with it the fat of rusty bacon , till it come to a perfect salve , and therewith dress the sore till it be whole . another to be used either inwardly or outwardly . if he hath eaten any venomed thing , give him the juice of sage , morning and evening in wine or ale ; but if he be outwardly venomed , bruise the sage , and apply it to the grieved part twice a day , and it will take out the venom . things good in general for vlcers . tarr , hogs-grease , green or white copperas , salt-peter , bees wax , honey , rozin , verdegrease , linseed oyl , all boiled together , and make a salve of it , and dress it with it . euphorbium , mastick , french soap is good , or to wash the sore with white wine and green copperas dissolved together , and to heal it up with swines grease , the leaves of lillies beaten in a mortar , and make a salve of it , and lay it upon the sore , and cover it with a plaister , or loam and horse dung mixed with pepper and the white of an egg ; or to strow upon the sore of the powder of galls , or to scald it once a day with sallet-oyl or sack , frankincense , cloves ▪ green copperas and brimstone , and double as much myrrh as any of them , and put it upon a chafing-dish of coals , and receive the smoke of it upon hurds , and keep it close in a box , and when you use it , wash the sore with urine or vineger twice a day . things good in general for a vlcer or canker in the nose . green copperas and white copperas , with some allum boiled in running water , and squirted into his nostrils luke-warm , three or four times one after another , is good ; but if the canker be hot and very burning with great pain ; then take the juice of purslain , night-shade , lettice , and mix them together , and wash the sore with a fine cloth dipt therein , or else squirted up his nostils , and it will allay the heat of it ; or to take sage , rue , hysop , of each a handful , and seethe them in urine and water , and strain it out , and put into it a little white copperas , honey and aquavitae , and wash or squirt it into the place ; but if the canker be killed heal it with this water , take of rib-wort , bitony and dasies , of each a handful , and seethe them well in wine and water , and wash the sore therewith ; or take chrystal made into fine powder , and strow upon it pauls bitony bruised is very good . things good in general to cure the vives . to cut a hole where the kernels are , and pick them out with a wire and ●●ll the hole with salt , and at three days end it will run ; then wash it with the juice of sage , and heal it up with an ointment made of hony , butter and tarr , or with your green ointment in my first part ; or to wash the sore wherein hath been boiled green copperas and allum , and to taint it with flax dipt in the white of an egg , beaten to an oyl , or to heal it up with hogs grease , turpentine and wax molten together ; or take a spunge dipped in white-wine vineger , and bind to the sore , and renew it twice a day , till the kernels do rot , then open the nethermost part of the softness , and let the corruption out , and fill the hole with salt finely brayed , and the next day wash away the filth with warm water , and the next day after wash the sore with honey and fitch-flower mingled together till it be whole . particular receipts for the cure of the vives . take tar , tried hogs-grease , bay-salt and frankincense powdered , of each as much as will suffice , melt them together , and with a clowt fastned to a stick , scald the place four or five mornings together , until the inflamed places do become soft and ripe , then slit the skin with your incision-knife , and let forth the corruption , and heal up the sore with tried hogs-grease and verdegrease made up into fine powder , melt them upon the fire , and let it not boyl more then a waum or two , then put in some ordinary turpentine , and so stir all together till it be cold , and anoint the sorrance with it till it be whole . another which is the best cure for it . take a penniworth of pepper beaten to fine powder , swines grease a spoonful , the juice of a handful of rue , vineger two spoonfuls , mix them very well together , and convey it equally into both the eares of the horse , and so tie or stitch them up , then shake his eares that the medicine may sink downwards , which done , let him blood in the neck-vein , and temple-veins , and this is an infallible cure. another very good for the same . the vives are cured several manner of ways , as you find by the receipts above , but the most usual and common way that our smiths generally use for the cure of this infirmity , is for to let blood on both sides the neck-veins , then to sear the swelling with a small hot iron , from the root of the ear , down to the bottom of it , till the skin look yellow ; the manner and form of the searing-iroh must be somewhat like the shape and fashion of a great arrows head , as you see by the figure in the margin , with three or four small lines or stroaks on each side , drawn from the body of it . after you have seared it , to take out the heat of the fire ; and to make it sound again , anoint it with fresh butter or hogs-grease , and he will do well . what is good to cure the arraistes or rats-tails , which is a kind of scratches . to ride him till he be warm , which will make the veins to swell , and the better to appear , then let him blood on the fet-lock veins , on both sides , making him to bleed well , and the next day after to wash the sores with warm water , and then clip away all the hair from about the sores , and anoint the grieved place with this ointment , viz. take green copperas and verdegrease , of each two ounces , and of common honey , four ounces , beat your copperas and verdegrease very small , and so work them with your honey to an ointment , and anoint the sores daily with it till it be whole . things good in general for the cure of the wind-cholick . alheal , true-love or one berry , the berries of holly , holm or hulver-bush , juniper-berries , the flowers of lavender steeped in wine , wilde parsnips , jack by the hedge , winter and summer savory , but the summer is the best , burnet , saxafrage , the leaves of the willow-tree bruised , and the juice given with some pepper in beer , cardamum , fennegreek , hawes beaten to powder , rue , cloves , cinnamon , an onion peeled and jagged , and put it into his fundament , or to give him a pipe of tobaccho at his fundament lighted , and the wind of his body will draw it out . if you intend to see more of this nature , look for cholick . angelica , wood-bittony , mullen , mustard-seed , centaury . a plaister to lay upon the wound to keep in the taint or salve . take pitch , rozin , mastick , turpentine , hogs grease , of each so much as will suffice , melt them together and keep it for your use , when you use it , spread it upon leather and cover the wound therewith , this salve doth infinitely comfort a wound both green or old , be the same fistula or otherwise . things good in general to cure the wind-galls . to open them the length of a bean and thrust out the jelly , then take the white of an egg and oyl-de bay , and mix them together , and apply it with hurds , plaister-wise , and in three or four days thus dressing , it will be cured , and after you have opened it , and the jelly squeezed out , to lay pitch and rozin melted together upon it , and to clap some hurds upon that . this is a very good cure. to lay to it oyl de-bay , turpentine , verdegrease , the white of an egg and red lead boiled together till they become a salve , or the roots of cummin beaten with salt and laid to it , or to anoint them with the juice of onions , or leeks , or ground-ivy and wormwood sodden in white-wine , and laid to them ; or after the jelly is let out , to lap a wet woollen cloth about it , and with a tailors hot pressing iron rub upon the cloth till all the moisture is dried up , then daub all over it pitch , mastick and rozin boiled together , and lay hurds upon it . in all these kind of cures you must first shave away the hair , and open the sorrance , and squeeze forth the jelly before you lay any charge to it , and to keep him out of the water during the cure. particular receipts for the cure of the wind-gall . take tachamahaca , mastick , perozin , of each the quantity of a hazel-nut , and of stone pitch to the quantity of a wall-nut , with a little brimstone powdered , melt all these together , and when it is molten put in as much turpentine as a wall-nut will contain , and spread it upon a plaister , and lay it to the place warm , and daub it all over with the same salve , and flox upon that , and let it remain on till it fall away of it self . another . take of oyl of vineger , and dip your thumb therein , and rub the sorrance with it every day till the hair do fall off , which will cause the wind-galls to break out and bleed , then heal and cure them as you have been already taught . another for the cure of the wind-galls . take about half a pint of white-wine vineger , one ounce of roman vitriol , one ounce of mastick , one dram of white copperas , and one ounce and a dram of euphorbium , boyl all these together till a fourth part be consumed , then strain it out , and put it into a glass close stopped , and keep it for your use . the manner of using it is to rub about a spoonful of it upon each side where they are for three or four days together , and not clip away the hair. a purgation for a horse sick of grease or costiveness . take a pint of old white-wine , and set it on the fire , and dissolve into it a lump of castle soap as big as a hens egg , and stir them well together , then take it off , and put into it two good spoonfuls of hemp-seed beaten , an ounce of sugar-candy beaten to powder , and brew all together ; then having warmed the horse , to stir up nis grease and other foul humors , give it to him to drink , and walk him up and down a little after it , to make the potion work , then set him up warm , and after a little stirring him in his stall , if he grow sickish , give him liberty to lie down , then after two houres fasting give him a sweet mash , and feed as at other times : or if you find him sick , give him a pint of warm milk down his throat , and he will be quickly well . for costiveness , rake out his hard dung , then boyl an ounce of each of these things in a quart of beer , viz. anniseed ; fennegreek , linseed , and the powder of piony , and give him a pint of it luke-warm . to cure a horse that is swelled after blood-letting . take lynseed oyl , hogs-grease and red lead mixt together , and melt them together over the fire , keeping them stirring till it becomes cold , or else the red lead will sink all to the bottom ; then rub it once a day well in with your finger till the swelling be down , and this will dissolve the hardest knot that is ; if it be in the winter you must heat it in with a hot fire-shovel ; but if it be in the summer , the sun will do the same thing . another for a horse that hath taken cold after blood-letting ; or that hath been prickt by some rusty f●eam , so that it wrankles . take soap and brandy , and dissolve them together cold , and wash the place with it is good for them ; so is the ointment or oyl of populeon , the place grieved being anointed with it . or pitch both white and black of equal parts alike melted together , and applied hot upon the end of a lath , and flox or hurds stuck upon it while they come off of themselves , is also a very good cure. things good to cure a bone-spaven . though this is a very hard thing to cure , yet i shall give you such receipts as i find in an eminent author . first , take up the vein which feeds it , and let him bleed well , and do no more to him that day ; the next day shave away the hair from off it , and rub it hard with a rowling pin , ( having first anointed the place with petroeleum , and chafed it well with your hand ) or some other round and smooth stick morning and evening , for four days together , and at the fourth days end slit down the skin with your incision-knife , the full length of the spaven , but be very careful you touch not the great artery or vein , both which do lie very near , for if you do but hurt that you maim the horse past all recovery , having thus done lay to the place the herb called flamula , bruise it and bind it on so fast that it fall not off in two days more : then for three days after take cantharides and euphorbium , and incorporate them well together , ( being before beaten to powder ) with black soap and bay-salt , and lay this to the place , and thus dress it every morning , and this will lay the bone and crust bare . after take fearn roots , hounds-tongue and boars grease , incorporate all these together , and lay to the place till you perceive the crust to be loose , and to be wasted ; and now and then try to loosen it with your cornet , or other instrument , and if you can conveniently take it off , do so , which done heal up the wound with your green ointment prescribed in my first part. but if you find a swelling begin to arise in the spaven place whereby you suspect it , then for the prevention thereof , after you have first shaved away the hair , anoint the place with natural balsam , for two or three days together , then repress the humour with this charge take three ounces of the oyl of roses , bole-armoniack one ounce , wheat flower half an ounce , and the white of an egg ; make all these into one body , and every day after you have anointed it with balsam , lay on the said charge . things good in general for all manner of burnings or scaldings , either by shot , gun-powder or wilde-fire . the leaves or roots of the yellow lilly , daffodil stamped with honey , the juice of an onion , the juice of the red lilly , lettuce , the juice of thorn-apples boiled in hogs-grease to the form of an ointment , cures all manner of burnings or scaldings whatsoever in a very short time , water plantine , the juice of housleek , st. johns wort bruised , the herb tutsan or park leaves , an ointment made of the juice of cowslips , and oyl of linseed cureth all manner of scaldings or burnings whatsoever , ivy that groweth upon walls or trees , brank-ursine , the juice of elder-leaves , the decoction or the distilled water of archangel , the flowers and herb of ladies bed straw made into an oyl , by setting it in the sun , is good , the leaves of the bur-dock bruised with the white of an egg , is a most excellent thing for all manner of burnings by fire , the juice of colts-foot , the decoction of dasies , wall-wort and agrimony cureth inward burnings , being given inwardly , the decoction of the leaves of brank-ursine . particular receipts to allay burning with shot , gun-powder or wilde fire . take varnish and put it into fair water , and beat them very well together , then pour away the water from the varnish , and anoint the place burned with a feather dipt into it , and in a few days dressing it will kill the fire , which done heal the sore with your carnifying and healing salves . another . take hogs-grease and set it on the fire , and take off the filth that shall arise , and when it is well boyled , take it off the fire and put it into an earthen pan to cool for four or five nights together in the open air , then wash it in fair running water so often till it become white , then melt it down again , and keep it for your use , and anoint the place grieved , and it will cure him . another . take fresh butter and the whites of eggs , as much of each as will suffice , beat them well together till you bring them to a formal ointment , and anoint the places burned therewith , and it will speedily take away the fire , and cure them soundly . another . take a stone of quick lime , which must be well burned , which you may know by its lightness , dissolve it in fair water , and when the water is setled ▪ strain the clearest through a fine cloth , then put into the water either the oyl of hemp-seed or sallet oyl , of like quantity with the water , and so beat them well together , you shall have an excellent unguent very precious for all sorts of burnings . and the nature of these three unguents be to leave no scars . wherefore we apply them for most sovereign remedies , as well for man as beast . to help a horse that is costive in his body . take a decoction of mallowes one quart , sallet oyl half a pint , or fresh butter half a pound , benedicta laxativa one ounce , give him this blood-warm glister-wise , then clap his tail to his tuel , and hold it close , and make him keep it for half an houre at the least , and when it hath workt , give him a sweet mash , and so keep him to mashes and white water for two or three days . what is good to make a horse draw up his yard . to bathe his yard and sheath with white-wine made warm , then anoint it with oyl of roses and live honey mingled together , and so put up the yard into the sheath , and with a short bolster of canvass keep it from falling down , and dress him once every day till he be well , and let his back and fillets be kept warm , and anoint him with acopum , but if you have it not , apply this charge unto his back and fillets . take bole-armoniack , the whites of eggs , wheat-meal , sanguis draconis , venice turpentine , and strong white-wine vineger , of each as much as you think fit , mix them well together , and charge his back with it , as also his sheath and his stones . another . take the ashes of ashen wood , the whitest , finest and best burned , and searce them , one pound of red clay dried , and made into fine powder , half a pound , bolearmoniack half an ounce powdred , boyl all these in as much verjuice of the crab , as will make it liquid like pap and with it anoint his yard , sheath and stones , morning and evening , and he shall be presently cured . a receipt to scour and cleanse a horses yard , that is foul and furred by pissing within his sheath . draw forth his yard , and rub and pick off the filth with your hand , and cleanse it well with butter and white-wine vineger melted together , and squirt some of it up into his yard with a syringe , and he will do well . a receipt to prevent diseases in a horse the whole year . the first day of april open a vein in the neck , and if it be good take the less ; if bad , take the more ; then from that day until the first of may give him this which i shall prescribe , and let him have it morning and evening during the whole month of april , from the first to the last , which is before his turning out to grass , or soyling , which shall be about the middle of may , and let him have the same all the whole month of october , ( like as you must do in april ) after you have taken him from grass about bartholomew tide , that which i prescribe is this . to prevent diseases . take a bushel of old rye , sweet and clean , well purged , or made clean from all filth , and put it in a clean iron pot , dry , and without water , put it over the fire ▪ and put in your rye and keep it continually stirring to the bottom , until it be so parched that it becometh black , hard and dry , then take it from the fire and put it into some clean vessel , and when it is cold keep it close stopped for your use . when you use it , take two or three handfuls of it , and beat it into fine powder , and mingle it amongst his provender , at every watering , morning and evening , or at other times when you give him oates ; do this these two entire months of april and october , for all men hold that in these two months the blood turneth and altereth , as we alter his diet , from hard and dry meat to grass , and so likewise from grass to dry meats , for this rye thus parched and ordered , doth refine the blood , cool the liver , and purgeth the spleen , so as the whole structure of the body is thereby better ●ured and freed from all such bad and unnatural humours , which would otherwise make the body inclinable to sundry maladies and diseases , which this rye preventeth . things good to keep a horse from casting forth his drink . as it proceeds from cold in the stomach , or other causes , as cold in the head where the rheum bindeth , about the roots and kernels of the tongue , hath as it were strangled and made strait the passages to the stomach ; therefore to prevent this mischief you must give him cordial and warm drinks , as malmsey , cinnamon , anniseeds and cloves , well brewed and mixed together , and to anoint his breast and under his shoulders , with either the oyl of cypress , oyl of spike , or the oyl of pepper , and to purge him with fumes or pills , for such fumigation joyning with these hot oyls will soon dissolve the humors . a particular receipt for the cure of it . this infirmity comes also by glut of provender , or by eating of raw or green food , as new pease or beans , &c. you may also take this course for the recovery of him , viz. to give him comfortable things , as diapente boiled in beer or ale , and the like ; or to keep him fasting , and let him have no meat , but what he is willing to take out of your hand , viz. bread , hay , oats , &c. let his drink be new milk till his stomach returns to him again . 't is also very good to bring him to his stomach again , to put a piece of sour brown bread steeped in vineger , into a bag , and hang it at his nose for him to smell of it . things good in general for the hungry evil. to comfort his stomach by giving him great slices of white bread , toasted and steeped in sack , or to let him drink wheat-flower and wine mingled together ; or to make him bread of pine nuts , and wine mingled together , but there is nothing better then moderate feeding of the horse many times in the day , with wholesom bean-bread well baked , or oats well dried and sifted . particular receipts for a horse that hath swallowed down hens-dung , or a●y other venomous thing . take a pint of sallet-oyl , and two spoonfuls of sugar-candy beaten to powder , and as much of the powder of diapente , and brewing them well together give it him to drink , and for want of diapente , so much of the shaving of ivory , or of an old stags-horn especially , the tips thereof burnt , or three spoonfuls of the powder of sow-thistle given him in a pint of ale or beer . another . take of the urine of a man , as it cometh warm from him , one pint , of bay-salt a handful , stir them well together , and give it him , and after walk him up and down for half an hour . if you desire to see more receipts , you must look for things that are good to expel poison . things good for pain in the teeth , loose teeth , wolfes teeth and jaw teeth . for loose teeth the cure is to prick all his gums over with a lancet , making them bleed well , then rub them all over with sage and salt , or with the leaves of elecampane , and it will fasten them . the pains of his teeth comes by means of distillation of humors , which is cured by rubbing all the outside of his gums with fine chalk and strong vineger mixt together ▪ or after they are so washed to strow upon them the powder of pomegranate pills , or to cover the temples of the head with a plaister of rozin and mastick molten together . now for the cure of the wolfes teeth or jaw teeth , tie up his head to some post or raster , and after you have opened his mouth with a cord , so wide as you can see any part thereof , take an instrument of iron made like unto a carpenters gouge , and with your left hand set the edge of the tool to the foot of the wolfes-teeth on the out-side of the law , turning the hollow side of the tool downwards , knock it out as steadily as you can with your mallet , and put some salt finely brayed into the holes . now if the upper jaw teeth doth hang over the nether jaw-teeth , and so cut the inside of the mouth , then take your gouge and mallet ▪ and pare the teeth shorter by little and little , turning the hollow side of your tool downwards towards the teeth , by which means you shall not cut the inside of his cheeks , then with your file file them all smooth , without any ruggedness , and then wash his mouth with vineger and salt. things good in general for the crick in the neck . the cure is to thrust a sharp hot iron through the flesh of the neck in five several places , three inches distant from one another , and to have a care you touch not any sinew , and rowel all of them with horse-hair , flax or hemp , for the space of fifteen days , and anoint the rowels with hogs-grease , and the neck will soon be restored , or to bathe the horses neck with the oyl of peter , or the oyl of spike very hot , and then rowle it up in wet hay , or rotten litter , and keeping him very warm , without using any burning , wounding , or other violence , he will do well , the leaves or roots of down or cotton-thistle given inwardly , or the leaves or roots of the fullers thistle , eringo or sea-holly , or vineger and patch-grease melted together , and chafed in very hot against the hair , and afterwards bathed in with soap and vineger mixt together , is very good . a certain way to raise up the crest that is fallen . is first to raise it up with your hand , and to place it where it ought to stand , then having one standing on the same side the crest falleth from , let him with one hand hold up the crest , and with the other thrust out the bottom of it , so as it may stand upright , then on that side to which it falleth , with a hot iron ( somewhat broad on the edge ) drawing his neck first at the bottom of the crest , then in the midst of it , and lastly at the setting on of the hair , and to draw it through the skin , and no deeper then on the other side ( from whence the crest falleth ) gather up the skin with your hand , and with two plaisters of shoo makers wax , laid one against the other at the edge of the wound , and with smooth splints to stay the skin , that it may shrink neither upward nor downward , then with a pair of sharp scissers clip away all the spare skin which you had gathered with your hand , then with a needle and some red silk , stitch the skin together in divers places , and to keep the skin from breaking , stitch the edges of the plaister also , then anoint the sore with turpentine , honey and wax melted together , and the places which you drew with a hot iron , with piece-grease made warm , and thus do twice a day till it be whole ; and have great care that your splints shrink not . but the best cure for this infirmity , is to let him blood , and to keep him very well , for strength and fatness will ever raise the crest . things good for a horse that is wrung , or hurt in the withers . if you find that by taking off the saddle his withers are swoln , clap on the saddle again , and lay upon the place some wet litter , then take up a thin turf of grass and earth together , and put into the fire , and let it there remain till it become red hot , then take it out and moisten the grassy side very well with white-wine vineger , then take off the wet litter , and lay the turf very hot with the grassy-side next to the place , and so put on the saddle again , and let it so remain all night , and this presently helpeth any swelling in the withers , or any other part of the back , as also any swellings by spur-galls . but if the skin be broken or ulcerated , then take sweet butter , bay salt and the powder of frankincense , of each as much as will suffice , boyl all these together , and with a clout fastned upon a stick , dip it into it scalding hot , and scald it two or three times but if it be full of corruption , then make incision on both sides beneath , that the matterative stuff may the more easily void away downwards , and heal it up with your powder of lyme and honey , or to anoint it well with the oyl of turpentine , and it will either asswage or break the swelling , and if it be broke squeeze forth the corruption , and drop some of the said oyl into it morning and evening , and it will both cleanse and heal it ; but if the skin be only galled off , take cream and soot well mixt together , and lay upon the sore , and it will heal it presently , if the wound be not very deep . things good in general for swelled cods . if it come of rankness of seed , or of blood , then let him have a mare , and let him cover her two or three days together , and half an hour after ride him into the water above the cods or stones against the stream , and he will do well . but if it come of other causes , take the lees of claret-wine , or for want of that , the dregs of strong beer and cummin-seed made into fine powder , and a little wheat and bean-flower , boyl them altogether to an ointment , and anoint his cods warm therewith , then draw forth his yard , and wash that and his sheath also with white-wine vineger , and three or four houres after ride him into the water above the cods , and let him stand in the water some short time , and to ride him against the stream , do this every day till the swelling be asswaged , or take the roots of wilde cucumbers and white salt , boyl them in fair water to an ointment , and anoint his cods with it warm , and then apply this ointment . take goats-grease , or deers sewet , the white of an egg and sallet oyl , boyl them gently , and anoint his cods therewith , but this must be after he hath been ridden into the water , and dry again . a charge for swelled cods . or take bolearmoniack beaten into fine powder , vineger and the whites of eggs well beaten together , and anoint him therewith daily , till it be abated ; and if it impost humate , where you find it to be soft , open it with a hot iron , or with your incision knife , if it break not of it self ; and heal it up with your green ointment , taught you as aforesaid . another for any bite or bruise on his cods , which cause them to swell very much . to remedy this accident , wash and bathe them very well with warm whey morning and evening for three or four days together , and anoint them after it with the oyl or ointment of populeon till you finde the swelling abated , keeping his cods warm with a linnen bag , made in the nature of a purse , and drawn easily over them . if you find that the swelling is abated , you may then apply the common charge of soap and brandy to it very hot , which will knit the strings of his cods together again ; but if you find that they are so torn that you question his cure then the best way in my opinion is to geld him . a most excellent bath , which is not only good for swelled or bruised cods , but for all manner of bruises in any part of the body , from head to foot. take two quarts of the strongest ale you can get ; then set it over the fire in a large skillet or pipkin , and put to it two good handfuls of the rind of the black berry bush , and let it simper away till it come to a quart , then strain it forth and keep it for your use . how you are to use it . bathe the grieved part night and morning with it very hot , and heated very well in by the fire , then dip a linnen cloth in the same , and bind it up hot ; when you have done , peel off the bark towards the root , ( when you gather it ) for that is the best . this is a very great strengthner of any weak member , by either bruise , strain or pain . things good in general for bursting or ruptures in horses . though i hold it incurable , yet i shall give you those things that worketh much good , though no absolute cure. these things are great knitters , and are to be taken inwardly , valerian , rupture-wort , cross-wort , cranes-bill , the powder of the roots of chammack , the leaves and nuts of the cypres , elm leaves or the bark thereof , corn-flag ; any of these things given inwardly , with the outward means used , maketh the cure the more effectual ; the outward means is this , bring the horse into a place where there is a beam overthwart , and strow it thick with straw , then put on four strong pasterns , with four rings on his feet , and fasten one end of a long rope to one of those rings , with the loose end of the rope , and so draw all his fore-feet together , and he will fall ; then cast the rope over the beam , and hoist him up so , that he may lie flat on his back with his legs upwards without strugling , then bathe his stones well with warm water and butter molten together , and the stones being somewhat warm and well mollified , raise them up from the body with both your hands , being closed by the fingers close together , and holding the stones in your hands in such manner , work down the gut into the body of the horse , by stroaking it downwards continually with your two thumbs , until you perceive that that side of the stone to be so small as the other , and so having returned the gut to the right place , take a list of two fingers broad , thoroughly anointed with fresh butter , and tie his stones both together with the same , so nigh the body as may be , yet not over-hard , but so as you may put your finger between , that done , take the horse quietly down , and lead him gently into the stable , and keep him warm , and let him not be stirred for the space of three weeks , but forget not the next day after you have placed his gut in his true place to unloosen the list , and to take it away , and as well at that time as every day once or twice after , to cast a dish or two of cold water up upon his cods , and that will make him to shrink up his stones , and thereby to restrain the gut from falling down , and at the three weeks end , to make the cure so much the surer , take away the stone on that side he is bursten , so he shall hardly be bursten on that side again , and during the cure let him not eat much nor drink much , and let his drink be always warm . a particular receipt for the rupture . take common pitch , sanguis draconis , powder of bolearmoniack , mastick and frankincense , of each an ounce , and make a plaister thereof , and lay it upon his loyns , and upon the rupture , and let it remain there till it fall off of it self , and it will cure him ; conditionally you give him some strengthning things inwardly , which you may find variety of , if you look for general things good for ruptures . particular receipts for the botch in the groin of a horse , which is a hard swelling there , which will cause his legs to swell , especially from the cambrels or hoofs upwards . the cure is to ripen it with this plaister , take of wheat-floure , of turpentine and of honey , of each a like quantity , stirring it together to make a stiff plaister , and with a cloth lay it on the sore , renewing it once every day till it break or wax soft , and then lance it , so as the matter may run downwards , then taint it with turpentine and hogs-grease molten together , renewing it every day once , until it be perfectly whole . another for the botch in the groin , or any impos●humation . as soon as you can perceive the swelling to appear , lay upon it a plaister of shoomakers wax spread upon allum-leather , and let it lie until the sore grow soft , then open it with a lancet , or let it break of it self , when the filth is come out , wash the sore very well with strong allum water , then taint it with the ointment called aegyptiacum till it be whole . a receipt to cure the mellet , which is a dry scab , that groweth upon the heel of the fore-feet . take of ordinary honey half a pint , black soap a quarter of a pound , mix them together , then put thereto four or five spoonfuls of vineger and as much allum finely beaten and imburned as a hens egg , and of rye flower two spoonfuls , mix them very well together , and having clipped away the hair , apply it to it plaister-wise , so far as the sorrance goeth , and let it so remain for five days , then take it away , and wash all the leg , foot and sorrance , with powdred beef-broth , and after rope up his legs with thumb bands of soft hay wet , in the same liquor , and he will be sound ; you are to remember that whensoever you are to dress the sorrance , you take off the dry scab , or whatever crusty thing shall be upon the place , and to wash it very clean . a receipt for the hough-bonney . to ripen it either with rotten litter or hay boiled in old urine , or else with a plaister of wine lees , and wheat-flour boiled together , to ripen the swelling , and bring it to putrefaction , or else to drive the swelling away ; but if it come to a head to lance it in the lowest part of the softness , with a thin hot iron to let out the matter ; then to taint it with turpentine , deers sewet and wax , of each alike molten together , laying a plaister of the same salve over it , to hold in the taint until it be perfectly well . things good in general for the cure of the fig in a horses foot. cut away the hoof so as there may be a convenient space betwixt the sole and the hoof , to the end the fig may the more easily be cured ; then put to the sorrance a piece of a spunge , which you are to bind close upon it , which will eat it off to the very root , and heal it up with your green ointment , in my first part , or to cut it away close with your incision ▪ knife , or else to burn it off with a hot iron , ( which is the better way ) then for two days after lay tried hogs-grease to it , to take away the fire , take then the tops of the most angriest nettles you can find , pound them very small , and so lay them upon a linnen cloth , just the bigness of the fig ; then take the powder of verdegrease , and strew it upon the chopped nettles , ( which must be done before you lay it to the sorrance , ) and so bind it upon the sorrance , renewing it every day once till the hoof have recovered the sore . to cure blisters . fret them in the sun till they bleed , then take the roots of ivy , and stamping them in a mortar , mix them with as much tar , brimstone and allum , till they come to a salve , and dress it therewith , and it will heal it . things good in general for knots in the joynts , hardness , cramp● or any inflammations . the powder of diapente beaten with linseed oyl , or sallet oyl , to an ointment , and applied once a day to the grief , is good for the cramp or inflammation , or wine , oyl and tar mingled together as it is boiled , is good , or mustard , hogs grease and bay-salt mixed together with vineger , and applied , is good , or take a plaister of figs , and the roots of fern and rochet mingled with hogs-grease and wine-vineger , or take dry pitch , pitch of greece , of each one part , of galbanum and lime , of each four parts , of bitumen two parts , of wax three parts , melt them altogether , and anoint the place therewith very hot , and it will take away the grief . a particular receipt to cure a knot that is moving in the place where it grows if you find in any part of your horses body a knot or kernel that feels soft , and slips up and down in the skin when you handle it ; take your incision-knife , and slit the skin right over against it , so wide , that you may pinch the knot out to cut it off ; when you have so done , to stanch the bleeding of it , sear the inside of it with a hot iron , and stop the wound , either with the powder of bolearmoniack or hares wooll . the next day unstop it , and wash the wound clean with a linnen rag tied upon a stick , dipped in verjuice or white-wine vineger ; then dry up the moisture that you shall find therein with a linnen rag also , and heal it up with your green ointment in the first part , or what other healing salve you think best fit for the purpose . observation . in all wounds that you have in cure , be sure you cleanse and wash them very well before you apply any healing medicine to them . another to take away the knots under the chaul , occasioned by heats and colds . brandy and soap dissolved together over the fire , and chafed in very well hot , with your han i heated in afterwards , by holding a hot fire-shovel before it , will either sink or break them . or butter or hogs-grease used after the same manner is very good . observations upon dressing of them . before you anoint them sear away the hair with a candle , and in a fortnights time or little more they will remove , conditionally you give him some inward medicine for a cold. how to cure wounds made with the shot of gun-powder . search first if the bullet be in the wound , if it be , take it out with an instrument made for that purpose , but if you cannot get it out , you must have patience , for nature it self will wear it out of its own accord , without any impediment , for lead is of that nature that it will not canker ; then to kill the fire , drop in some varnish into it with a feather to the bottom , and stop up the mouth of the wound with some soft flax dipt likewise in the same ; then charge all the swollen place with this charge . take of bolearmoniack a quartern , of linseed beaten into powder half a pound , of bean-flower as much , and three or four eggs , shells and all , and of turpentine a quartern , and of vineger a quart , mingle them well together upon the fire , and being somewhat warm , charge all the sore place with part thereof , and clap a cloth upon it to keep the wound warm , continuing so doing every day for four or five days together , then at the fifth days end leave anointing it , and taint it to the bottom with a taint dipt in hogs-grease and turpentine melted together , renewing once or twice every day till the fire is killed , which you shall perceive by the mattering of the wound , and by falling of the swelling , for so long as the fire hath the upper hand , no thick matter will issue forth , but only a thin yellowish water , neither will the swelling asswage , and then of turpentine washed in nine several waters half a pound , and put thereto three yolks of eggs , and a little saffron , and taint it with this ointment , renewing it every day once till the wound be whole ; but if the shot be got quite through the wound , then take a few weavers linnen thrums made very knotty , and dipping them first in varnish , draw them through the wound , running them up and down in the wound at least twice or thrice a day , and charging the wound on either side upon the swollen places with the charge aforesaid , until you perceive that the fire is killed , then clap on a comfortable plaister upon one of the holes , and taint the other with a saint in the salve , made of washt turpentine , eggs and saffron , as is beforesaid . some farriers use to kill the fire with the oyl of cream , and to heal up the wound with turpentine , wax and hogs grease melted together , or to kill it with snow-water , and charge the swelled place with cream and barm beaten together , and to heal up the wound by dipping a taint in the yolk of an egg , honey , saffron , well beaten together . of bones being broken and out of joynt to cure. * if your horse hath any broken bone , then take a double strong can vass , which ought to be as broad as the horses fore-shoulders to his flanks , then you shall have another double canvas , which shall come from between his fore-booths up to the top of the wither , whereas meeting with the rest of the canvass , and having very strong loops and ropes fastned to them , sling him up upon some beam , no higher then that his feet may touch the ground , and if it be a fore-leg that is broken , raise him up then higher before then behind , and if a hinder , then a little higher behind then before , so that he may rest most upon the members most sound , when he is thus slung , put the bone into the right place , and wrap it close up with unwashed wooll , newly pulled from the sheeps back , bound fast to the leg with a smooth linnen rowler , soaked before in oyl and vineger mingled together , and look that your rowler lie as smooth and as plain as may be ; and upon that again lay more wooll dipt in oyl and vineger , and then splint it with three broad , smooth and strong splints , binding them fast at both ends with a thong , and be sure to keep out his leg streight for the space of fourty days , and loosen not the bones above thrice in twenty days , unless it shrink , and so require to be new drest and bound again , and fail not to pour on every day through the splints sallet oyl and vineger mingled together , and if at the fourty days end you find that the broken places be soddered together with some hard knob or gristle , then loose the bands , and ease the canvass , so as the horse may tread more firmly upon his fore-foot , which if he doth , loose him altogether , and let him go up and down fair and gently , using from henceforth to anoint the place with soft crease , or to take of liquid pitch one pound , of wax two ounces , of the purest and finest part of frankincense one ounce , of amoniacum four ounces , of dry rozin and of galbanum , of each one ounce , of vineger two pints ; boyl first the vineger and pitch together , then put in the amoniacum dissolved first in vineger , and after that the aforesaid drugs , and being united in one , strain it , and make into a plaister , and use it according to your occasion , or to take a quart of old sallet oyl , and put to it of hogs-grease and of spicma , nitre , of each one pound , boiled together till they begin to bubble above ; then take it from the fire , and when you use it , let it be chafed in very hot , and then the former plaister solded about it , which is very comfortable for a broken bone. a bath very good for broken bones . to a gallon of standing lye put to it these things here under-written , viz. knot grass two handfuls . plantine two handfuls . comfrey a handful . wormwood a handful . boyl these very well in the lye , and while it is warm bathe the afflicted member therewith , and give him also at the same time inwardly the buds of elder ( gathered in march ) boiled in running water for several mornings together , in half a hornful of sallet oyl and vineger , and it will much avail to the knitting of the bones . a receipt to cure a stifled horse . after you have tied down his head to the manger , then take a cord and fasten it to the pastern of the stisled leg , and draw his leg forwards , and so the bone will come right , by helping it with your hand , which being in , your care then must be to keep it in with your hand , and then tie the other end of the cord to the rack , so as he may not put back his leg , to dislocate the bone for an hour or two after , till it be setled and dressed ; wherefore let his keeper stand by him all the while , lest he should lie down , or be unruly . take pitch , which you must have molten in a pot in a readiness , and with a glout upon a stick , anoint his stifling three or four inches broad at the least , and ten inches long , and presently before the pitch can cool , have a strong piece of new canvass cut fit for that purpose , which being made very warm by a fire , clap it upon the place so neatly that the bone cannot go forth again . this plaister must not lie towards the flank and foot long-ways , but cross-ways upon the joynt , as it were about the thigh , otherwise it cannot hold in the bone. having thus done , anoint the plaister on the out-side all over with the said molten pitch , and whilst it is warm , clap flox of the horses colour all over the out-side of the canvass , and let the plaister remain on till it fall away of it self , and after that you may apply such good unguents as you may think most expedient for the malady ; but if the bone be not out , then put in a french rowel , a little beneath the stifling place , and let it remain in fifteen days , turning it once every day , and at fifteen days end take it forth , and heal up the orifice with your green ointment in my first part. another which is very good . the only way for the cure of this imperfection , is the common way that farriers generally use , viz. to swim him in some deep river or pond , till he sweat about the ears , which will put the bone into its right place again ; when you think that he hath swum enough , take him out of the water , and throw an old blanket over him to prevent catching of cold , and lead him home gently ; when you have him in the stable , put a wedge of wood about the bredth of a six-pence between his toe and his shoo on the contrary foot behind , and when you find him thoroughly dry , anoint him upon the grieved part with piece-grease , or oyl of turpentine and strong beer , of equal parts alike , well shaked and mixt together in a glass vial ; chafe it in very well with your hand , one holding at the same time before it a hot barr of iron , or fire-shovel , to make it sink in the better ; or for want of them , you may apply unto it brandy and common soap and strong beer mixt together , and used as you did the turpentine . these are very sharp medicines , ( especially the turpentine ) which will cause the place to swell and heave up , but fear them them not , for they will work a speedy cure. to cure the string-halt . take up the vein in the thigh , and then anoint all the leg and the thigh from the body down to the very foot , a long time together , holding a red hot fire-shovel to the place , and let him be anointed with this ointment . take of the oyl petroilum , of the oyl of wormes , of the oyl of nerval , of patch or pe●ce-grease , of the oyl of spike , of each one ounce , of london-treacle two ounces , and of hogs-grease one pound , melt all these upon the fire ; then take it off , and keep it stirring till it be throughly cold , and with this anoint the visited member every day once , and then wisp him with a soft thumb-band of hay from the pastern to the top of the hoof , and thus do for ten days together , rubbing and chafing in the ointment very well a long time together , holding a hot fire-shovel near it , the better to cause it to sink into the sinews , nerves and joynts . but after you have done anointing him , keep him warm and well littered , and let the thumb-bands be daily made lesser and lesser , and shorter and shorter , till you perceive him to handle both legs alike , and your horse to be recovered ; but you must not ride him that he may sweat much in a month after ; and so soon as warm weather cometh , turn him to grass in some dry pasture , where is water , and take him up again about bartholomew-tide , or before the cold cometh ; and whilest he coth remain in the stable keep him warm , and so he will be free of his string-halt , and be a sound horse again ; to anoint him also with acopum is very good ; with this receipt de grey says , he hath cured sundry horses of this malady . how to make your unguentum-theriacum , which is good for any ach in the joynts , griefs in the hip , stifling place , legs , shoulders , pastern , or any other part of the legs , a back sinew-sprain only excepted . take norvel , of oyl of pamphylion , and of black sope , of each two ounces , and of tried hogs-grease half a pound , melt them all upon a gentle fire , and being molten put into it of ordinary treacle two penny worth , then take it from the fire , and keep it stirring till it be cold , then will it be of a dun colour ; keep it in a gally-pot for your use , and when you use it , anoint the place grieved with the same , rubbing and chafing it in very well , and heating it well in with a hot fire-shovel . hot simples in general . agarick , aloes , allum , anniseeds , aristolochia , assafetida , asonteo , asarabacca , arsmart , archangel , angelica , alexanders , alehoof , balm , garden-bazil , bayberries , wilde running bitony smelling like marjorem , burrage is hot and cold , so is brank-ursin , briony , broom , butter-bur , burdock , brimstone , celandine , chervil , garden clary , clowns wound-wort , calamus , coloquintida , garden cummin , chamock , cinnamon , cloves , china , darnel , elecampane , fennel , gentian , garlick , germander , stinking gladwin , golden rod , gromel , english galingale , ginger , glass-wort is so hot that it hath a costive burning quality , galls , grains of paradice , galbanum , hemp-seed , garden hysop , honey , st. johns-wort , juniper-berries , ivy , jack by the hedge , iris , knee-holm , lavender , lavender-cotton , ladies smocks , garden lilly , lovage , leeks , mallows and marsh-mallows , wilde marjorem , sweet marjorem , marigolds , master-wort , melilote , french and dogs mercury , spear-mint , misle-toe , mother-wort , mouse-ear , mug-wort , mustard-seed , neesing-roots , nutmeg , one blade , pepper , rag-wort , rest-harrow the wilde rochet , rosemary , garden rue , saffron , sage , sanicle , sarasens confound , savin , common saxafrage , burnet saxafrage , scabius , english scurvey-grass , self-heal , smallage , sope-wort , southernwood , sea star-wort , staves-acre , garden tansie , time , tutsan , turmerick , valerian , veruain , wold , weld or diars-weed , fennegreek , scutchanele , london treacle . cooling simples in general . clove gilly-flowers , groundsel is an universal medicine coming of heat whatsoever , hawk-weed , housleek , knot-grass , kidney-wort , lettuce , water-lilly , licoris , common liver-wort , medlars , money-wort , tree-moss , ground-moss , the unripe fruit of mul-berries , mace , common night-shade may be used either inwardly or outwardly , and is no way dangerous as the others are , navel-wort , orpin used outwardly , water-plantine , land-plantine , pomegranate , queen of the medows , shepherds purse , common sorrel , wood-sorrel , sow-thistles , strawberry-leaves , succory , stone-crop , star-wort , spinach , wilde tansie , all the parts of the black thorn or sloe-bush , medow trefoyl , honey-suckles , both the vervains , vine-leaves , violets , vipers-bugloss , vineger , the leaves , flowers , seed , and bark of the willow-tree , yarrow , antimonium , alkanet , garden arach , barberry-bush , barley , bilberries , blew-bottle , bucks horn , plantine , bole-armoniack , comfrey , cranes-bill , dandelion , all the kinds of docks are generally cold , ducks meat applied outwardly is a great cooler of hot inflammations , fumitory . things good in general for a prick or stub in the sole of a horses foot. to pull off his shoo , and pare his foot so deep that you may discover the hole , making the mouth of it about the bredth of a two-pence , then wash it well with chamberly and salt , or green copperas and allum boiled together in water , then tack on his shoo again , and stop the hole with turpentine , hogs-grease and verdegrease melted together , and lay flax or towe upon it , and put over that cows dung , and cover it with leather , and splint it with two cross splints , and renew it once in two or three days , and keep him out of wet during the cure. or taint it with tallow and turpentine melted together , and anoint his coffin all over with bolearmoniack and vineger mingled together , and take red nettles stamped with vineger , and black or common sope , and stop the wound therewith , or to wash the wound with vineger and salt ; or if it be in the summer , take the tender buds or leaves of elder stamped ; if in the winter , the inner rind of it , and melt some hot tallow with it into the wound . or take turpentine , brown sugar-candy powdred , and white ginger powdred , and melt them all in an iron spoon , and pour it hot into the wound , and put hurds or flax upon it , or roch-allum burned and made into powder , and fill the hole therewith , and lay hurds thereupon , or oyl of turpentine poured into it is excellent good , for it will not only search it to the bottom , but take out the venom and heal it up . or after you have clensed it with salt and vineger , take salt made into fine powder , and four times so much turpentine , and boyl them well together , and pour it into the wound scalding hot , and put into it the powder of brimstone dissolved in white-wine , and lay hurds upon it . or take oyl de bay four ounces , of orpin , of cantharides and euforbium , of each two ounces made all into fine powder , and set them on the fire , keeping them stirring till they become an ointment , and with it dress him as before is taught . but if the foot be bruised , fear a live spider upon it with a hot iron . a particular receipt for a stub in the foot , or for any over-reach of the toe of the hinder-foot upon the heel of the sore-foot , or for any accidental cut with a stone . after you have well searched and made clean the wound with water and salt , or verjuice , beer and butter ; take these things here under-written , well beaten and bruised together till they come to a salve , and spread them upon a linnen rag , or brown paper , with a rag bound and tied fast over it to prevent the coming of it off ; let it lie on twenty four houres before you take it off ; continue so dressing and washing it every twenty four houres till you find amendment ; but if you find it amend very fast , you need not dress it in two or three days . the things you are to apply to it are these . viz. common soap about the bigness of a good big wash-ball , a large onion peeled and a spoonful of long pepper beaten to powder , and mashed and bruised together with the rest . of clifts and cracks in the heels cross and overthwart , which are a kind of scratches , and are cured with the same medicines as they are . falling evil cured , which is no other then the falling sickness in man. take a pretty quantity of blood from the neck , and four or five days after let him blood in the temple veins , and on his eye-veins , then anoint his body all over with a comfortable friction , then bath his head and eares with oyl de bay , liquid pitch and tar mixt together , and of the same , put some of it into his eares , then make him a cap or biggin of canvass , quilted with wooll , to keep his head warm , then give him a purgation or scouring ; but if the disease continue still , then pierce the skin of his forehead with a hot iron in divers places , and after anoint it with sweet butter , for thereby you shall draw out the gross humours which do oppress the brain , and keep him warm in the stable , during the time of his physicking . general things to be given inwardly for it . the seed of the bolbonack , or the satten flower , the leaves and flowers of flea-wort , stinking ground-pine taken with oxymel or honeyed water is good , given evening and morning for some time together , bitony , the flower of violets , the roots of peony , master-wort of gerrard , anniseeds , the leaves and bark of the mastick tree , the gum of it hath the same vertue given in ale , the distilled water of red cherries . a particular receipt . a spoonful of the powder of dried missle-toe that grows upon the apple tree , ( which is shaped much like ivy-leaves ) given him in half a pint of canary , and kept warm , is very good . a hip-shot horse . there is so uncertain a cure to be made of it , that i durst say nothing of the cure. the cure for the hurle-bone out of joynt . take oyl of turpentine and strong beer , of equal parts alike , and shake them very well in a glass-vial , and anoint the grieved part therewith , as also the brawn and inside of his thigh down to his gambrels , and heat it in very well by holding a hot fire-shovel before it , while you are doing it ; this will make him sound in a few days , conditionally you continue using of it , working the bone gently in with your hand , to bring it to its right place again . this is a very sharp and biting medicine , which will make his skin puff and heave up , but you need not fear it , for there is no danger in it ; when you have anointed him tie him up to the rack-staves for about half an hour , to prevent his biting of it with his teeth , which may prejudice him ; while he stands in the stable , put a wedge of wood about the bredth ▪ of a six pence between his toe and his shooe ; but when you ride him you are to take it out ; but when you come home to put it in again . or after you have anointed him once with oyl of turpentine and beer , and put in his bone into its right place again , you may clap a charge upon it made of oxycrocium and paracelsus , ( which you may buy at the apothecaries ) which will strengthen it so very much , that it will keep it from slipping out of its place again . but the most best , speedy and certain cure is , ( though it doth a little disfigure your horse ) is to pin him , which every smith either does , or ought to know . quick-scab to cure. to let him blood , then clip away the hair where the sorrance is , and take off the scurf and scabs with an old curry-comb , or other such like thing , then with fair cold water wash it well , and lay a linnen cloth well wet in it to the place , and do nothing to it in ten days after ; and if you find it doth not heal , dress it as before ; and so a third time and a fourth till it be throughly healed ; or to take mallowes and marsh-mallowes , of each alike , and boil them in fair water as much as will suffice , till they be soft ; and with the herb and decoction bathe and wash the sorrance two or three days together warm : then take of common honey a pint , copperas , allum , of glass and verdegrease , all made into fine powder , of each four ounces , turpentine and quick-silver mortify'd , of each two ounces ; boyl all these together with the honey unto an unguent , and with it dress him every day till it be whole . rot in a horse cured . let him first bleed under the tail , then take of mares milk two quarts , or the milk of a red cow then take a lump of arement , then take a young horse about the age of fonr years , and of colour black if it may be , if not of some other colour , run and chafe him about till he sweat much ; then with a spoon or some other instrument rake off the sweat from off his head , neck , breast , back , sides , ribs , buttocks , legs , and in each part or member where you can get off any , and so put your arement and your sweat into the milk , mixing them well together , and by equal portions give it him three mornings together , till he hath taken it all ; and let him drink no drink after it in six or seven houres ; and immediately after his drink , lead him forth into some pasture where other horses be , to sneeze , stale or dung , to empty himself , which is very wholesom for him so to do , before he either eats or drink , then set him up warm and well littered ; and if the season do serve , give him of the green blades of rye ; if not , give him barley steeped in milk three days , but renewed every day once ; then after every of these drinks , if you feel him cold in the pastern joynts , or that he trippeth or stumbleth as you lead him in your hand , do no more to him , for he is past cure ; otherwise , for nine days together after , morning and evening , give him white water only , unless now and then a sweet mash ; and somtimes give him milk with his white water ; if he be not above nine years old , this will prolong his life , whereby he may do the more service . mr. grey declares , that this receipt a knight taught him , who recovered sundry horses with it . swaying in the back . take of the fat of the fruit of the pine-tree two ounces , of olibanum three ounces , of rozin four ounces , of pitch four ounces , of bole-armoniack an ounce , and of sanguis draconis half an ounce , incorporate all these well together , and lay it plaister-wise all over the reins of his back , and let it remain till it fall off of it self another most excellent receipt for swaying a weakness in the back . these infirmities are seldom or never perfectly cured . but the best help for them that i know of is , to give him inwardly some strengthning things , as common turpentine made up into balls , with the powder of bolearmoniack , and powder of the dried leaves of clary , and to apply outwardly at the same time all over the reins of his back these strengthning charges , viz ▪ oxycrocium and paracelsus melted together . or coleworts boiled in sallet oyl , made thick like a poultess , with the powder of bolearmoniack and bean-floure . if you desire to see more variety of charges , ( though these are very good ) look into the first part , and there you may find plenty , where you may pick and chuse what you best fancy . foundering in the body to cure. to cure this distemper , is first to rake his fundament , and to give him a glister , which you have variety of in my first part ; then take sack or ale a quart , cinnamon half an ounce , licoris and anniseeds , of each two spoonfuls beaten into fine powder , with five or six spoonfuls of honey , put them all into the ale together , and warm them till the honey is molten , and give it him luke-warm to drink , and ride him gently after it for the space of an hour , and let him fast two houres more , and keep him warm clothed and littered , and let his hay be sprinkled with water , and his oats very clean sifted from dust , and give it him by little and little , and let his drink be warm mashes of malt and water , and when he hath recovered strength let him blood in the neck-vein , and once a day perfume his head with frankincense . there is no drink nor diet that is comfortable , but is good for this disease . the way of gathering , drying and preserving of simples and their juices , viz. roots , barks , leaves , herbs , flowers , seeds , &c. chap. i. of roots . . chuse those that are sound , and not rotten nor worm-eaten , and let them be such as have their proper taste , smell and colour . . those that are dry , hard and sound , are the best and fittest for your use . . if they prove soft , dry them in the sun , or else string them and hang them up by the fire , but the dry and hard ones you may lay any where . . the small roots will keep a year or two very well , but the larger sort of them will keep four or five , but they are best in their prime the first year . . the best time to gather them is in the summer , before they run out to seed , for then they grow hard and sticky , and lose their vertues . . those roots that you may have all the year , as plantine , fennel or parsley , &c. trouble not your self to dry them . chap. ii. of barks . . barks of such trees as are frequently with you , as the oak , elm or ash , &c. gather them but when you have present use for them ; as for the out-landish you may have ready dried at the druggist . . the barks of roots , as fennel , parsley , &c. is only that which remains when the pith is out , which is called a bark , though very improperly . chap. iii. of leaves , of herbs or trees . . of leaves , gather such as are fresh and green , and full of juice , and in the picking of them be careful to throw away the dead and decayed leaves , which are not fit for any physical use . . that place they most delight to grow in are best for use , as bitony delights to grow in the shadow , and therefore 't is better then that that grows in the sun , because it is its proper place . . those herbs that run up to seed , and in flowers their leaves are not so good then as before they were spindled ( some few only excepted ) and therefore i advise you , if through ignorance you know them not , or through negligence forget them , rather chuse to take the tops then the leaves . . the sun is better to dry them in , then the shadow . . the best way to keep them after they be dried , is near the fire , in a bag made of brown or white paper . . 't is not certainly known how long herbs will keep , but 't is concluded by most they will keep a year very well . . you may know when they are decayed by the loss of smell , colour or both . . those that grows upon dry grounds , does usually keep longer then those that grow upon moist , and those that are very full of juice , will not continue their virtue so long as those that are drier , because more subject to putrifaction and corruption . . those that you do thoroughly dry will keep better then those that are ill dried . chap. iv. of flowers . . the flower , which is the glory and beauty of the plant , is of excellent use in physick , if it be gathered when it is in its prime . . when you intend to gather them let them be thoroughly dry , and the sun shining ; for if you gather them when they be wet they will not keep . . when you have gathered them dry , them thoroughly upon a table , or in the window where the sun comes , before you put them up in papers , to hang near the pire . . if you find their smell and colour continue , you may be assured their vertues are not lost . chap. v. of seeds . . the seed contains the vital faculty and spirit of the whole plant , and therefore hath in it equal vertues with it . . gather them not till they be full ripe , and from the places where they delight most to grow in , and let them be thoroughly dried in the sun before you lay them up . . these having the spirit of the whole plant in them , are not so subject to corrupt as the others are , and therefore you need not keep them so near the fire as you do the herbs . . they will continue good and sound four or five years ; but they are best in their prime the first and second . chap. vi. of juices . . the juices that you are to press out of herbs , plants , tops and flowers must be done when they are young and tender . . if you intend to preserve them some time , you must gather them when they be thoroughly dry . . when you use them they must be bruised in a stone-mortar with a wooden pestle , and put afterwards into a canvass bag , and the juice pressed out in a press , and when you have so done set it over the fire in an earthen pipkin or skillet , and clarifie it by taking off the scum that shall arise ; you may know when it is well clarified , for then the scum will not appear on the top . . this being clarified according to your mind , you may preserve it for your use , ( in the winter when you can get no herbs ) these two ways . first , by putting it into a glass when it is cold , and pouring so much sallet oyl over it as will cover it , let the oyl lie about the thickness of two fingers above the juice ; this oyl being of a light body will always get uppermost , and keep out the air from entring , and so preserve it the better from putrefaction . when you have occasion to use it , pour it out into a porringer or any other convenient vessel , so much as you think you shall use , and take off the oyl that comes out with it , with a little cotton or with a spoon , and put the remainder back again in the glass , ( if you leave any ) and it will quickly sink under the oyl again , &c. the second way of preserving it is after you have clarified it , to boyl it over again , ( being first cold ) to the thickness of honey , and this way it is used for the diseases of the mouth . the way of making and keeping all necessary compounds , viz. electuaries , pills , waters , ointments , plaisters , charges , poultisses , oyls , syrups by infusion and by decoction , or by juice . chap. i. of electuaries . . if you desire to preserve your horses health abroad as well as at home , then make up some electuary with some herbs , rooes and flowers , suitable to the diseases you think he may be most afflicted with , whether they be coughs , colds , or any other illness , and put it into a gally-pot . . if you intend any physick for present use , let the herbs , roots , seeds and flowers be always in a readiness , ready dried in your house , that so you may not want them when you come to use them . . they will keep best whole , for being beaten and made into powder , they will be soon penetrated by the air , which will cause them to lose much of their strength and virtue . . if you find them not dry enough to beat , make them fit for the pestle by drying them by the fire . . when you use them , beat them as small as you can , and then sift them through an indifferent fine sieve . . to one ounce of this powder you may add three ounces of clarified honey , and make up what quantity of electuary you please , according to the occasion and use you have for it . . your honey must be clarified by the fire , by scumming off the scum from it that shall arise . . mix the powders and this honey very well together in a mortar , before you put them up for your use . . the usual dose of cordial electuary is from one ounce to two ounces , dissolved in a pint or a quart of strong warm ale or beer , and given him in the morning or evening fasting , and to fast two or three houres after it . chap. ii. of pills or balls . . the invention of these pills or balls at first were for the purging of the head , as i have told you in some of my physical observations . and as such infirmities as lie nearest the passages were best removed by decoctions , because they pass to the grieved part soonest , so in the infirmities of the head or other parts of the body more remote from the stomach and bowels , are best removed by pills or balls , which are longest in digestion , and therefore the better able to call the offending humor to them . . the way of making them is very familiar , for with the help of a pestle and mortar , and a little of your care , you may make any powder into balls , you have directions at large for the making of them after the best receipt for the glanders . . the manner of giving them are two-fold , viz. either upon the end of a stick , with his tongue first drawn forth on one side of his mouth , or in a horn-full of strong beer . chap. iii. of distilled waters . . waters are distilled out of roots , herbs , flowers and fruits , and are best when they are distilled in their greatest strength and vigour . . distilled waters are the weakest of all artificial medicines , and made more weak by distilling them in a pewter still , being good for very little unless mixed with other medicines . but the strongest way of stilling them is in sand. . when they are distilled put them up into a glass , and bind on the top of it a paper prick't full of holes , that so the fiery ▪ vapours may exhale , for else they will cause them to mother , which will corrupt the waters . then cover them close , and keep them for your use . . stopping them with cork is the common way though not the best , because that way will make them grow musty , and not much better is paper , if it be suffered to touch the water ; but the best and most approved way to keep them is to top them with a bladder , being first wet in water , and bound over the glass . . those waters that are distilled in a pewter still will not keep above a year good , when those that are distilled in sand will keep twice as long . chap. iv. of oyntments . there be many ways of making oyntments , but the most familiar and easie is the common way , viz. to bruise those roots , herbs or flowers you intend to make it of , and to two handfuls of the bruised herbs , add a pound of tried hogs seame , mash and beat them very well together in a mortar , then put them into an earthen pot ( covering it with paper to keep it from filth ) and set it in the sun , or in some other warm place for four or five days that it may melt , then take it forth and boyl it gently over the fire for some little time , then strain it out while it is hot , pressing the herbs very hard to get what grease you can out of them , then add to it as many more fresh herbs bruised and set in the sun , and ordered in every thing as before ; but if you think them not yet strong enough , you may repeat the herbs over again the third or fourth time , for the fuller of juice the ointment is , the stronger will it be ; the last time you boyl it , boyl the herbs and all with it , and when they be crisp and the juice consumed , ( which you may know by the leaving of its bubling while it is on the fire ) 't is enough , then strain it out very hard in a press , and to every pound of ointment add two ounces of the best common turpentine you can get , and as much bees wax , which will take away the offensiveness of the grease , which is very prejudicial to wounds as well as oyl . chap. v. of plaisters . . the emplaisters of the greeks consisted of very many ingredients , viz. gums , rosin , wax , herbs , seeds , roots , juices , liquoris , minerals , metals , stones and excrements of creatures , &c. which said metals they reduced to powder , and mixed them with their satty substances , which the rest of the plaister consisted of while it was hot , keeping it continually stirring up and down to prevent the sinking of them , that they may the better stiffen and incorporate together ; which after it was somewhat cold and hard , they made them up into rolls , and when they needed it they melted them again by the fire . . the arabians made up their medicines with meal , oyl and fat , which needed not so much boyling as the other did . but seeing these are so difficult to make , and when made , so rarely used in farring , i shall advise you to let them alone , and buy them rather of the druggist , when you have occasion to use them , then put your self to the needless trouble of making of them . chap. vi. of charges . . the use of these are for strains , sprains , or any other weakness in the legs , shoulders or back , and are made of several things , viz. pitch , rosin , mastick , oxycrocium , paracelsus , add hernium , galbanum , frankincense , turpentine , meal , bolearmoniack , &c. the manner of using them is to melt what things you have occasion for in an earthen pipkin , and lay it on with a lath all over the grieved part , then clap upon it some flax , hurds , tow , wooll , deers hair or such like thing , then heat the charge again , and daub it all over the flax , tow or wooll the second time , scalding hot ; then daub it over again the third time as you did before , pressing it all the time close with your hands to the grieved part to make it bind on the faster , and let it remain there till it fall off of it self . . if his charge be on his legs , be careful that he come not into the water , for that will soon fetch it off . but to prevent this , chuse rather to keep him in the stable , and water him there till he be somewhat amended . chap. vii . of poultisses . . poultisses are vulgarly called cataplasmes , which is as much as to say a thick poultess made of meal and herbs , which is a very excellent medicine to ripen and break sores , ease pains , cool hot inflammations , dissolve hardness , ease the spleen , disperse swellings , and digest humors . . when you are to make them , you are to take those roots and herbs as are most proper and suitable to the disease and member afflicted , chopping them first small , then put them into clear running water , and boyl them to a gelly , then add to them a little meal of lupins , ( or for want of that barley-meal , ) with a little sallet oyl , or rough sweet suet , which i account better ; then spread it upon a linnen cloth , and apply it to the grieved part , bound fast with a tape or pack thread that it fall not off . chap , viii . of oyls . . sallet oyl is made from the expression of olives , which is so temperate , that it exceeds in no one quality . . of oyls , some are simple , and some are compound . . simple oyls are such as are made by expression of fruits or seeds , as linseed oyl , rape-seed oyl , and oyl of sweet or bitter almonds . . compound oyls are made of the oyl of olives , and other simples , as leaves , flowers , roots , &c. . the manner of making up those herbs or flowers you intend to make your oyl of , must be first bruised , and then put into an earthen pot , and to two or three handfuls of them so bruised put a pint of sallet oyl , and then cover up your pot close with a paper ( to keep it from filth ) then set it in the sun for about a fortnight ; then warm it on the fire , and press out the oyl from the herbs very hard , and add so many more herbs to the oyl , and use them in every thing as before ; the oftner you repeat your herbs , the stronger will your oyl be . when you think it is strong enough for your use , boyl the last herbs ( you put in it ) and oyl together , till the juice be consumed , ( which you may know by the leaving of its bubling ) and the herbs grown crisper . strain it while it is hot , and put into some convenient earthen or glass-vessel , and set it up till you have occasion to use it . chap. ix . of syrups by infusion , by decoction and by juices . . a syrup is a medicine of a liquid form , composed of infusion , decoction and juice . . those syrups that are usually made by infusion , are made of such flowers as lose their colour and strength in boyling ; as violets , roses , peach flowers . they are thus made , viz. to every pound of flowers well pickt , add three pints of spring water made boyling hot on the fire ; put them in an earthen vessel , and put the water to them , then cover it close , and let it stand by the fire to infuse about twelve or thirteen houres , then strain it out ( in such syrups as purge , as peach-flowers , damask roses , &c. the usual and best way is to repeat to their infusion fresh flowers divers times , which after you have strained it out into some convenient vessel , add to every pint of it two pounds of loaf sugar , then melt it over a gentle fire again , taking off the scum that shall arise , and your syrup is made . . those syrups that are made by decoction are made of compounds , yet any simple herb may be made also into a syrup ; take the root , herb or flower you intend to make into a syrup , and bruise it a little in a mortar ; then take it forth , and put to every handful of roots , herbs or flowers , a pint of running water , and boyl it till half the water be consumed ; after you have so done , strain it through a woollen cloth , letting it run out at leisure without pressing ; and to every pint of this decoction add one pound of sugar ; then boyl it again over the fire till it come to a syrup , which you may know when it is well done , if you take a little of it now and then in a spoon , and let it cool . be sure you take off the filth that doth arise while it is a boyling ; and when you think it is enough , strain it hot through a woollen cloth , and press it out and keep it for your use . . syrups that are made by juices , usually are made of such herbs as are most full of juice , and are best made this way , viz. take the herbs and beat them in a mortar with a wooden pestle , then press forth the juice , and clarifie it as you were taught before in juices , then set it over the fire again , and let it boyl till a quarter of it be consumed , and to a pint of it add a pound of sugar , and boyl it up to a syrup , keeping it scumming all the while ; when you think it is well boiled , strain it through a woollen cloth , as you did the other , and keep it for your use . . if you make syrups of roots that are hard , as grass-roots , parsley , fennel , &c. bruise them very well first , then lay them asteep in that water you intend to boyl them in , which will cause the vertue of them to come forth so much the better . . your syrups that are well made will keep somewhat above a year , but such as are made by infusion will not keep so long . . the best way to keep them when made , is in glass or stone-pots , and to bind a paper about the mouth of them . chap. x. of decoctions . . decoctions are made either of fruits , barks , roots , leaves , flowers or seeds , and is made after the same manner as is shewed you in your syrups . . those decoctions that are made of wine are more durable then those made of water . . if you make a decoction for to cleanse the passages of urine , and to open obstructions , chuse rather to make it of white-wine , because it is of a more penetrating and subtil nature then water . . decoctions are of the best use for the cure of such diseases as lie lurking in the passages of the body , stomach , bowels , kidneys , passages of urine and the bladder , &c. which are more powerful in operation , in passing quicker to the aforesaid diseases then any other sort of medicines . . all the difference that are between decoctions and syrups made by decoction , is only this , syrups are made to keep , decoctions only for present spending . . you may sweeten them with sugar or syrup , or such things as you imagine most fit for the disease you give it . . if you make a decoction of roots , herbs , flowers and seeds together , boyl the roots a good while first ▪ because they retain their virtues longer ; so then the next in order according to the same rule , are , first , barks ; secondly , herbs ; thirdly , seeds ; fourthly , flowers ; and fifthly , spices ; which are put in last , because their vertues do soonest come sorth . . all decoctions are to be kept in a glass close s●opped , and the cooler you set them the longer they will keep , their usual time of lasting is not above a week at most . . the usual dose you are to give him at a time is a quart or more , according to the age , strength and constitution of your horse , season of the year , strength of the medicine , and quality of the disease . roots th t are hot in the first degree . liquoris , dogs-grass , marsh-mallows , burrage , china , valerian , bazil , parsley , bugloss , pilewort , lillies , peony male and female , wilde parsnips , burrdocks , spatling poppey , kneeholly , &c. herbs hot in the second degree . lovage , water-flag , fennel , butter-bur , hogs fennel , swallows-wort , carline-thistle , devils-bit , spignel , mercury , sarsaparilla , &c. hot in the third degree . ginger , angelica , asarabica , white dittany , doronicum , elecampane , hellebore white and black , stinking gladdon , filapendula ▪ aron , sow-bread , birth-wort , galangal , cellandine , snake-root , 〈…〉 and black , master-wort , rest-harrow , &c. hot in the fourth degree . leeks , onions , garlick , pellitory of the wall , &c. roots that are very temperate . cinquefoyl , turmentil , mallows , bears-breech , mechoachan , jallop , eringo , asparagus , our ladies thistle , &c. roots cold in the first degree : plantine , comfrey the greater , sorrel , madder , beets white and red , rose-root , &c. cold in the second degree . hounds-tongue , alkanet , succory , endive , dazies , &c. cold in the third . mandrakes , bistort , &c. cold in the fourth . henbane . roots dry in the first degree . calamus , aromaticus , bears-breech , madder , burr-docks , pile-wort , red beets , eringo , self-heal , knee-holly , endive , &c. dry in the second . hounds-tongue , zedoary , plantine , mercury , reeds , devils-bit , parsley , butter-bur , fennel , spignel , lovage , alkanet , marsh-mallows , valerian , sprattling poppey , bazil , water-flag , our ladies thistle , cyprus long and round , ●orrel , smallage , aspodel male , swallow-wort , &c. dry in the third . cellendine , angelica , hogs fennel , turmentil , ginger , birth-wort long and round , aron , sow-bread , carline thistle , bistort , briony white and black , sarsaparilla , asarabica , virginian snake-root , china , doronicum , dittany , galangal of both kinds , hellebore white and black , elecampane , rest harrow , peony male and female , filapendula , orris english and florence , stinking gladdon , &c. dry in the fourth . costus , pellitory of spain , garlick , onions and leeks , &c. roots moist are , dasies , burrage , valerian and spatling poppey , bugloss , white beets , liquoris , dogs-grass , parsnips , skirrets , &c. of hot medicaments appropriate to the parts of the body . . heating the head. doronicum , fennel , peony , spikenard , winters his cinnamon , bitony , costmary , cardus benedictus , cowslips , eye-bright , featherfew , goats-rue , herb mastich , lavender , laurel , lovage , maudlin , mellilot , time , penny royal , rosemary , celandine , scurvey-grass , sneese-wort , fena , peony male and female , chamomel , sage , nutmegs , jallop . . heating the throat . devils-bit , pilewort , archangel white and red , alewort . . heating the breast and lungs . birthwort long and round , calamus , aromaticus , cinquefoyl , elecampane , liquoris , orice squills , cassia lignea , cinnamon , bitony , bayes , bawm , calaminth , camomil , distaff , thistle , fennel , germander , hysop , hore-hound , indian-leaf , maiden-hair , nettle , oak of jerusalem , organy , periwincle , rue , scabius , time , figs , raisins , orris english and florentine . . heating the heart . angelica , butter-bur , basil , cinnamon , citrons , carline-thistle , turmentil , valerian of both sorts , pimpernel , bay-berries , bawm , broom , cardus benedictus , rue , goats rue , rosemary , southernwood , sene , saffron , spicknard , juniper-berries , mace , nutmegs , wall-nuts , mustard-seed , doronicum , bugloss . . heating the stomach . avens , fennel , galangale , ginger , radish , spicknard , enula , cassia lignea , cinnamon , citrons , lemmons , sassafras , bayes , bawm , broom . hysop , indian leaf , mints , time , parsley , sage , smallage , wormwood , rosemary , cloves , almonds , ben , nutmegs , pine-nuts , annis , caraway , cardamums , cummin , elecampane , fern. . heating the liver . carlin thistle , china , dogs-grease , fennel , gentian , parsley , rhubarb , smallage , turmerick , sparagus , agrimonia , ale-cost , ash , bayes , asarabacca , centaury the less , chamepitys , germander , fox gloves , hops , horehound , hysop , ladies-thistle , thyme , maudlin , pimpernel , celandine , samphire , sage , elder , scordium , water-cresses , chamomel , bitony , annis , caraway , cummin , cinquefoyl , parsley , rubarb , knee-holly , rhapontick . . heating the spleen . ash , round birth-wort , thistle-fern of both sorts , fennel , gentian , parsley , sparagus , bayes , agrimony , centaury the less , chamepitys , dodder , germander , hops , hore hound , harts-tongue , maiden-hair , thyme , smallage , samphire , sage , scordium , sena , tamarisk , water-cresses , wormwood , bitony , wall-flower● , annis , caraway , fennel . . heating the bowels . ginger , valerian great and small , zedoary , alehoof , alexanders , chamomil , ginger . . heating the reins and bladder . bazil , burdock , carline-thistle , china , cyprus long and round , dropwort , knee-holly , marsh-mallows , parsley , smallage , sparagus , spicknard , white saxafrage , valerian , sassafras , agrimonia , bitony , brooklime , bayes , broom , chervil , costmary , camomil , clary , germander , hops , melilot , thyme , nettleseed , organy , pimpernel , penny-royal , rochet , samphire , scordium , toad-flax , vervain , gromwell , restharrow , licoris , pellitory of the wall , elder , turpentine , spatling poppey , filapendula , dogs-grass . . heating of the womb. peony , valerian , angelica , pimpernel , briony , aristolochia rotunda , mugwort , rue , mercury , featherfew , savin , bitony , elder , spicknard , red fetches , rosemary , indian nut , juniper berries , oringes , cinnamon , nutmegs , cassia lignea , saffron , cardamums , ash , pepper , castoreum , birthwort long and round , galanga greater and lesser , hogs fennel . . heating the joynts . branca ursina , costus , ginger , hermodactils , jallop , mechoacan , agrimony , arsmart , camomil , costmary , carden cresses ▪ cowslips , melilot , rosemary , rue , sciatica cresses , water cresses , sage , bayes . of cold medicaments appropriate to the parts of the body . . cooling the head. lettice , purslain , mandrake , plantine , night-shade , henbane , water lillies , roses , poppy , violets , gourd , cucumber , melons , opium , house leek , wood-sorrel , strawberry leaves , violet leaves , fumitory , willow leaves . . cooling the throat ▪ bramble leaves , orpine , privit , strawberry leaves , poppey , oringes , lemons . . cooling the breast and lungs . endive , lambs tongue , plantine , polipody , purslain , water-lillies , bramble-leaves , coleworts , violet leaves , mallows , bugloss , cichory ; poppeys , quinces , strawberry leaves , barley ; mulberry leaves , prunes , sanders , fennegreek , gum tragant , arabick . . cooling the heart . dandelion , sorrel , wood-sorrol , water lillies , violet-leaves , cucumbers , gourds , barberries , red corans , citrons , pomegranates , sanders , camphire , vipers bugloss , lettice , burnet , strawberry leaves , water-lillies . . cooling the stomach . cichory , sorrel , asparagus , water-lillies , rudive , purslain , myrtle , roses , violets , cucumbers , barley , quinces , citrons , oringes , pomegranates . . cooling the liver . asparagus , gramen , water-lillies , sorrel , strawberries , gichory , sow-thiltle , endive , purslain , lettice , roses , bugloss , burrage , poppey , barley , lemons . . cooling the spleen . willow , hemlock , fumitory , oyl of vitriol , spirit of salt , oyl of sulphur , which three last you must not exceed above or drops , put into a quart of ale or beer . . cooling the reins and bladder . grass , strawberries , water-lillies , purslain , willow , lettice , cassia , fistula , violets , roses , poppey , citrons , lemons , barley . . cooling the womb. bistort , comfrey , bursa pastoris , plantine , stinking arach , balaustins , water-lillies , willow , henbane , poppy , pomegranats , medlars , myrtles , red coral . . cooling the bowels . cassia , fistula , sow-thistle , bucks-horn , orpine , plantine , fumitory , mallows , alth●a . . cooling the joynts . henbane , housleek , lettice , night-shade , willow , poppy , opium . the properties of purging medicaments . . purging cheler . mild ; as cassia fistularis , tamarins , manna , calabrina , aloes succotrina , rheubarb , damask-roses ▪ violets . . strong , as , asarum , scamonie . . purging phlegm . . mild , as myrobalans , chemulan and emblican , carthamus-feeds , mechoachan . . strong , as agarick , jaiiup , turpethum , coliquintida , hermodactyls , euforbium , sagapenum , briony , spurge , sow ▪ bread , elaterium , squills , turbech , ground-pine . . purging watry humors , . mild , as soldanella , german orrice . . strong , as elaterium , cambogia , hedge hysop ensula . . purging by vomit . . mild , warm water , sat broth , oyl with water , butter , roots of garden-cucumber , orach , mellon , asarum . . strong , as white hellebore , tobacco , sulphur of antimony , merchrius vitae , crocus metallorum , turpethum , minerale , gutta gamba . . purging by vrine . . mild , as roots of parsley , smallage , eringo , ruscus , asparagus , pimpernel , leaves of pellitory , asarum , chervil , scordium , saxafrage , seeds of gromwel , winter-cherries . . strong as sal tartari , succini , absynthii , oleum tarti , baccarum , luniper , vitrioli , sulphuris , cerae , wood and bark of guajaccum , sassaphras . . purging by the throat , mercurius dulcis , sublimatus & praecipitatus , turpethum minerale , unguentaque mercuriata , . purging by sweat , . mild , as angelica , pimperhil , turmentil , gentjan , carduus , scabius , zedoary . . strong , as lignum guajaccum , sassaphras , bezoar-stone , aurum diaphoreticum , antimonium diaphoreticum , bezoar-joviale & minerale , sal tartari , sulphur auratum . . purging by the nose . roots of orris , bind-weed , leaves of beet , marjorem , sage , bitony , ivy , ginger , roots of pellitory of spain , white hellebore , leaves of sneesewort , tobaccho , pepper , mustard , euforbium . the properties of altering medicaments . softening things , the roots of lillies , altheae , wild cucumber , briony , leaves of mallows , pellitory , violets , elder , dwar-elder , flowers of chamomil , seeds of fennegreek , lime , fat , figs , fresh butter , hogs-grease , bears grease , old oyl . loosening things . lillies , lynseed , fennegreek , fat , butter , althaea , see more in my first part . abol●shing things . herb mercury , chamomil , melilot , elder , fennegreek and lynseed , old oyl , butter , orris , tyme , penny-royal hysope , mug-wort , seed of annis , fennel . opening roots , smallage , fennel , asparagus , parsley , holm , cichory , eringo , gentian , fern , madder , tamarisk , ash leaves , fumitory , wormwood , agrimony , maiden-hair , liver-wort , chamepitys , dodder , hore hound , calamint , penny-royal scurvey-grass , brook-lyme , water-cresses , hops , seeds of annis , ameos , lupins , almonds , cinnamon , vineger , endive , garlick , onions , pellitory , turmerick , &c. binding things ; roots of turmentil , plantine , comfrey , white lillies , peony , bistort , rhubarb roasted , leaves of amomum , agnus castus , cypress , cinquefoyl , bawm , flea-wort , horse-tail , ivy , knot-grass , solomons seal , bay , myrtles , oak , purslain , shepherds purse , medlars , rice , lentiles , galls , mirtle-berries , barberries , acorns , mastick , dragons blood . allum , coral , bole-armoniack iron , sumach , pomegranate rind . see more of this nature before spoken of . drawing things ; birth-wort roots , roots of an mony , bindweed , taragon , gentian , pellitory , crow-●oot , daffadil , aron , garlick , onyons , leaves of sciatia cresses , calamint , ditany , pimpernil , ivy , seeds of nettles , euphorbium , ammoniacum , galbanum , sagaponum , pitch , rozin , cantharides , pigeons and hens dung , sope ; see more in this part before spoken of . striking back things ; roots of plantine , leaves of housleek , purslain , duckweed , endive , lettice , night shade , sumach , hen-bane , red roses . dissolving things . roots of asphodil , birthwort , briony , leaves of arach , beets chamomil , chickweed , dill , maiden hait , althaea , mints , pellitory , bawm , cleavers , mallows , scordium . cleansing things roots of aron , asphodil , birth-wort , celandine , orrice , gentian , solomons seal , tamarisk , leaves of smallage , tansey , wood , hysop , water-cresses , horse-hound , agrimony , tansey , pimpernel , pellitory , arach , beets , aloes , sugar , honey , fenne greek-seeds , turpentine , vitriol , whey . pain-removing things ; roots of eringo , orris , rest harrow , water-flag , marsh-mallows , leaves of arach , beets , chamomil , chick-weed , dill , maiden-hair , fennel , marjorem , time , parsley , rosemary , rue , saffron , fennegreek-seed , hogs and hens-grease . things good to clear the wind . costus , galingal , garlick , fennel , parsley , smallage , spicknard , zedoary , camomil , dill , juniper , marjorem , organy , savory , wormwood , ●chenanth , bay , nutmeg , pepper , ginger , annis , caraway , cummin . humour-d●ssolving things , roots of turmentil , zedoary , virginian snake weed . ginger , leaves of cardus benedictus , scordium , butter-bur , rosemary , sage , rue , flowers of saffron , bezoar-stone , cochenele , treacle . things good to drive away poison , angelica , birthwort , bistort , ●ugloss costus , cyprus , carline , doronicum , enula , garlick , gentian , smallage , turmentil , vipers bugloss , zedoary , bitony cardus , calaminth . agrimony , avens , juniper , organy , penny-royal , rue , scordium , wormwood , centaury , bay-berries , pepper , citrons , anniseeds , animi , cardamums , caraway , fennel , bezoar , saffron , cochenele , dragons , plantine . see more in this part . astonisting things . mandrake-roots , leaves of mandrake , hemlock , henbane , poppey , opium , spirit of darnel and darnel meal . to stop the running of the glanders for present sale . take some frank in cense and strow it upon a chafing dish of coals , and let him receive the smoke through a tunnel , into the nostril that runneth , and it will stop it for some time . the best receipt for the cure of the glanders that is , which if your horse be youthful , and his strength and lungs not too much wasted , you need not fear the cure ; for if any thing in the world will cure this disease , this receipt will. take a small faggot made of the green boughs of the ash-tree , and set it on fire in some chimney-corner , clean swept for your use , then having a gallon of the best ale you can get in a readiness , quench so many of the coals that is made thereof therein as will make it pretty thick , then strain it through a linnen cloth into some convenient vessel , fit for your use , then double it over again to make it the stronger , by quenching fresh coals therein ; then strain the liquor from the coals as you did before , and when it is cold put it into a bottle close stopped for your use ▪ for if you do not put it in cold , it will quickly soure , which will spoil it . if you make it strong enough you shall find that the coals will drink up a quart or more of your ale , when you use it , shake the bottle to make it all alike , then pour out of it so much as you think fit for your use , and warm it luke-warm , and put a small drenching horn full of it into each nostril of your horse , if he runs at both , if not ▪ but one will serve ; do this morning and evening during his cure , and ride him gently after it for about an hour , then let him feed a while upon hay , and after that you may give him some drink ; three or four quarts of this liquor will perfect the cure at the farthest ; if you find , that the kernels under the chaul do waste , which this liquor will take away in four or five days at the furthest , you need not much question the cure ▪ you are to keep him in the house during his cure. after you have given him this drink for about a week together you may rest him , by forbearing to give him any more for a day or two , then give it him again ▪ and so use it till you have cured him . 't is convenient if the horse be very strong and lusty , before you give him this drink , to cleanse his body with this scouring , which is both safe and sure . take an ounce of the best barbadoes alloes you can get for mony , and beat it very fine , then mix it very well with fresh butter , and after you have so done divide it into three parts , and cover every part all over with butter , as big as a good wash-ball ; then give them the horse in a morning fasting upon the point of a stick , and stir him a little after it , then bring him into the stable , and keep him warm , and let him fast two or three houres , then give him a mash of malt , and after that some hay . the best of all receipts for the ordering and making up of pills or balls of alloes , for the scouring or purging of a horse that is sick , either of cold , surfeit , molten grease , worme● , or any other inward illness , &c. take an ounce of the best barbadoes aloes , or of aloes hepatica with half an ounce of the fylings of steel needles , and put them both together in a mortar , and beat and rub them round about with your pestle , till the aloes be finely powdred , then drop into it sixteen or twenty drops of b●andy . ( or for want thereof , water ) and rub them round with your pestle ▪ and they will incorporate and become one body , which you may work and make up with your hand like unto paste , into what form or shape you please ; divide them into two or three balls , and give him them fasting in the morning one after another in a hornful of cold strong or small beer , and exercise him after it , then bring him home , and set him up warm clothed and littered , and no question but he will purge very well . some observations upon i● . if you chance to put too much brandy into it , it will be so thin that you cannot work it up into a paste . if this misfortune happen to you , put a little of the powder of english liquoris to it , and that will so qualifie the thinness of it , that you may work it up into a body very well ; or you may make up your aloes after the same manner only with the powder of liquoris , or with any other powder , which you think most proper for your use . how to know the goodness of the fylings of steel needles . if it look bright and be clean from dirt 't is good ; but if you find it of a rusty colour 't is naught ; you may buy it at the needle-makers in crooked lane , near the monument , for d. the pound . another receipt very good for the said distempers . take an ounce of barbadoes aloes , or aloes hepatica , with a dram of each of these roots here under-written , finely beaten and searc'd viz. gentian , aristolochia rotunda and elecampane , put them into a mortar together , and make them up as in your former receipt . or you may make up your aloes with the powder of crude antimony . another excellent purge or scouring , which is good to free a horse from the same distempers as the others did , and is the best way i know of for the dissolving of aloes . take an ounce of the best barbadoes aloes , or aloes hepatica , and beat it in a mortar to a fine powder , then put it into a bladder , and wet the powder very well with brandy wine , then tie it up hard that it receive no vent , and put it into a skillet of water , and set it over the fire , and you shall find that in a little more then a quarter of an houres boyling ▪ your aloes will be quite dissolved . then take it off the fire , ( having first in a readiness a quart of strong beer indifferent hot ) and untie or clip your bladder with a pair of scissers , and let out your aloes into the beer , and put also into it an ounce of fresh butter , with the yolks and whites of two new laid eggs ; brew and beat all these very well together , till you think they are cool enough to give him , and order him as in the former receipt . if your horse be strong and lusty , and that you think this is not a sufficient dose strong enough for him , you may either add more aloes , or else you may put into it as much of the powder of the root of jallop and liquoris , as will lie upon a six-pence , which will strengthen his purge very much and make it work very freely , kindly and safely . some more physical observations in the giving of purges or scourings . . when you give your horse a purge or scouring , either for surfeit , cold , or any other illness , let him fast about three houres before he takes it , and about three or four houres after it . . let the first thing he eats after he hath fasted his limited time , be a mash of malt or boiled oats , and let him not have it till his physick hath wrought twice or thrice with him , which will set it working so much the more freely . . if you give him hay first , before you give him his mash , 't will so bind his physick upon his stomach , that it will spoil the operation and working quality thereof , to the no little prejudice of his health . . the best time in my opinion is to give it him about four or five in the afternoon , for then 't is possible you may see the working of it the next morning , which if you give it him in the morning ( which is the usual time of giving a horse physick ) it may work in the night , and so prevent you of seeing the operation thereof . . according to the strength of your horses body , and the quantity or quality of the physick you give him will be the operation of it , for in some horses it will work in twelve houres , in others not in twenty four , and again in others not in fourty eight . . let him have no water , till after his physick hath done working , and then let it be a little aired before you give it him , with a handful or two of wheat-bran put amongst it . . if you fear your horse is troubled with bots or wormes , and that you find him to begin to dung loose after his purging , then put a tobaccho-pipe at the same time ready lighted into his fundament ( breaking off some part of it before you put it in , lest it prove too long ) and the wind from within his body will draw it out , as orderly as if it were taken at your mouth , so that the smoke being thus received into his body will so suffocate and choak them , that it will make them to let go their hold , which being loose will be the more easily thrown out by the purge in his excrements . a particular receipt for splaiting of the shoulder , which is a torn shoulder . put a pair of streight pastornes on his feet , keeping him in the stable without disquieting of him ; then take of dialthaea one pound , of sallet oyl one pint , of oyl de bay half a pound , of fresh butter half a pound ; melt all these together in an earthen pot , and anoint the grieved place therewith , and also round about the inside of the shoulder , and within two or three days after , both that place and all the shoulder will swell , and either prick it with a launcet or fleam in all the swelling places , or else with a sharp hot iron , and then anoint it still with the ointment before said ; but if you see that it will not go away , but swell still , and gather to a head , then launce it where the swelling doth gather most , and is softest under your finger , and then taint it with your green ointment , which you may find in the first part. things good in general to cure a shoulder pight , which is a shoulder out of joynt . to make him swim in a deep water up and down a dozen turnes , for that will make the joynt to go into its right place again ; then make two pins of ashen-wood the bigness of your finger , being sharp at the points and five inches long , then slit the skin an inch above the point , and an inch beneath the point of the shoulder , and thrust in one of these pins from above downwards , so as both the ends may equally stick with the skin ; and if the pin of wood will not easily pass through , you may make it way first with an iron pin , then make other two holes cross to the first holes , so as the other pin may cross the first pin right in the midst with a right cross ; and the first pin should be somewhat flat in the midst , to the intent , that the other being round may press the better without stop , and close juster together ; then take a piece of a little line , somewhat bigger then a whip-cord , and at one end make a loop , which being but over one of the pins ends , so that it may lie betwixt the pins ends and the skin , and fasten the last end with your pack-thread unto the rest of the cord , so as it may not slip ; and to do well , both the pins and the cord should be first anointed with a little hogs-grease , then bring him into the stable ▪ and let him rest the space of nine or ten days , and let him lie down as little as may be , and put a pastorn shoo on the sore leg , and at nine or ten days end you may anoint the place with a little dialthea or hogs-grease , and so turn him out to grass , and let him run there till the pins be rotted off . if you work him in a cart after , a months time , it will settle his shoulder the better , and make him the more fit to ride . the cure for the canker in the mouth . take allum half a pound , honey a quarter of a pint , columbine leaves and sage leaves , of each a handful , boyl them together in three pints of running water , until a pint be consumed , and wash the sore places therewith , ( with a rag tied upon a stick ) till they bleed , morning and night till they be cured . the c●ring of the gigges , bladders or flappes . pull out his tongue , and slit them with an incision-knife , and thrust out the kernels or corruption , and wash the place with vineger and salt , or allum-water , and they will do well again . but to prevent their coming at all is to wash it often with wine , beer and ale , and so shall no blister breed thereon , nor any other disease . to make vseful unto you those several weights and measures , which are set down by some authors , in some physical and obscure characters , ( and therein contained many excellent receipts ) ; take them as followeth , viz. ss the character of the half-pound lb a pound lb ss a pound and a half ℥ an ounce ℥ j ss one ounce and a half ʒ a dram ʒ ss a dram and a half ℈ a scruple ℈ ss a scruple and a half gr . a grain , which is the least of all weights , m. a handful . p. a pugil . p. a. part . a. of each alike , note that twenty graines make a scruple . three scruples make a dram eight drams make an ounce . twelve ounces make a pound . finis . a table alphabetically set down , shewing , where the diseases of a horse do grow , either inward or outward , in any part of his body , and how you may know them , and what were the causes that bred them . the pages direct you to their cu●es , which are found only in the second part. a. accloyed or cloyed , is no other then prickt with a nail in the shooing , vide prickt page arristes vide rat-tails st. anthonies fire is a vehement burning disease in the flesh , and is of the nature of noli me tangere or wilde ▪ fire , and is named of some , the singles of an horse , which is very hard and difficult to cure and anticor or heart-sickness , is caused many times by too much seeding without exercise , and sometimes by hard and immoderate riding , and careless looking after him afterwards , which makes the blood of this useful creature ( a horse ) so corrupted and inflamed , that unless it find some way to vent it self forth , it soon puts a period and end to his life . this disease hath its seat and residence near the heart , and is known by a swelling in the middle of his breast against the heart , from whence it derives its name attaint upper , is a swelling of the master , or back-s●new of the fore-legs , near the pastorn-joynt , and cometh ordinarily by an over-reach attaint nether is the same with the other , coming sometimes by a wrench , and sometimes by a strain ; all the difference of them is , whereas the other is upon the foot-lock joynts , this is under it , and is usually upon the heel or frush , and is not always visible to the eye ; but it may be felt by the heat and burning of it , and by its softness , which will arise by a swelling like a bladder or blister , wherein will be corrupt and vitious matter like to jelly , which will make him complain very much ib. anbury is a kind of wen● or spungy wart , growing upon any part of a horses body apoplexie , vide palsey ach or numbness in the joynts cometh by cold , taken by hard and violent exercise or labour avives , vives or five● ; see vives b. bloody flux , vide flux bloody back-swayed , vide swaying in the back ▪ barbes are a common disease , and few horses are without them , they are known by two paps under his tongue , which seldom prove hurtful to him , till they be inflamed with corrupt blood , proceeding from vitious humours , which wil● make them raw , and grow beyond their usual length , and cause them to become very painful to him , which will hinder his feeding . you must clip them away with the scissers . blood-spaven , is a soft swelling which groweth through the hough , and is commonly full of blood , and is biggest upon the inside , and being fed by the master-vein , makes it greater then the swelling on the outside ; it runneth down the inside of the hough down the leg to the pastorn ; this disease is occasioned from the corruption of the blood , taken by hard riding when the horse is young and tender , which by overmuch heating , makes it so thin and flexible , that the humour falling downwards resideth in the hough , which makes the joynts stiff , and causeth him to go with great pain and difficulty . this disease not growing hard makes it more easie to cure then the bone-spaven bone-spaven is a great crust as hard as a bone , if it be let run too long , it sticketh , or rather groweth on the inside of the hough , under the joynt , near to the great vein , which maketh him to halt very much , it cometh at first like a tender gristle , which by degrees cometh to this hardness ; it is bred several ways , either by immoderate riding or hard labour , which dissolves the blood into thin humours , and falleth down , and maketh its residence in the hough , which causeth the place to swell , and so becometh a hard bone , which occasions this name of bone-spaven , it cometh also hereditary from the sire or dam , which are troubled with the same d●sease . blood-running itch cometh by the inflammation of the blood , being over-heat by hard riding , or other sore labour ; it getteth between the skin and the flesh , and maketh a horse to rub , scrub and bite himself , which if let alone too long , will come to a grievous mange , and is very infectious to any horse that shall be nigh him ; what cureth the mange cureth this disease . bots and wormes in general are of three sorts , viz. bots , trunchions and maw-wormes : bots are usually found in the great gut near the fundament , trunchions are found in the maw , and if they continue there too long , they will eat their passage through , which will certainly bring death , if not killed . the third sort are called plain wormes , which remain in a horses body , which are of an evil effect also . bots are a small worm with great heads and small tails , breeding in the great gut adjoyning to the fundament , which may be taken away by your hands , by picking them away from the gut where they stick . trunchions are short and thick , and have black and hard heads , and must be removed by medicine . maw-wormes are of a reddish colour , somewhat long and slender , much like unto earth-wormes , about the length of a mans finger , which also must be taken away by medicine . they proceed all from one cause , which is raw , gross and phlegmatick matter engendred from foul feeding , which causeth all these three sorts of evil creatures to breed . the signes to know when he is troubled with them is , he will stamp with his feet , kick at his belly , turn his head towards his tail , forsake his meat ; he will groan , tumble , wallow , and also frisk his tail to and fro bunches , knots , warts and wens , come somtime by eating of foul meat , by bruises , by hard riding and sore labor , wherby the blood becomes so putrified and foul , that it turns into evil humors , which occasions these kind of sorrances . blood-shotten eyes , or all diseases of the eyes come of two causes , viz. either inward or outward ; the inward causes proceed from evil humors that resort and flow to the eyes , or by some stroke or blow that is given him thereon . to bleeding at nose cometh commonly among young horses , proceeding from great store of blood , or by means that the vein ending in that place , is either opened , broken or fretted ; it is opened many times by reason that the blood aboundeth too much , or that it is too fine or too subtil , and so pierceth through the veins ; or it may be broken by some violent strain , cut or blow , or it may be fretted or gnawn asunder , by sharpness of the blood , or by some other evil humours contained therein . botch in the groyn cometh by reason that a horse being full of humours , and suddenly laboured , causeth them to resort to the weakest parts , and there gather together and breed a botch , and especially in the hinder parts of the thighs , not far from the cods ; the signes be these , his hinder legs will be all swoln , especially from the gambrels or hoofs upwards ; and if you feel with your hand , you may find a great knob or swelling , and if it be round and hard it will gather to a head . blisters are certain hollow risings between the skin and the flesh , proceeding either from some burn , scald or chasing , and are very full of thin water . burstness , vide rupture c. a canker is a very filthy and lothsom sorrance , which if it continue long uncured , it will fester and putrifie the place so where it is , that it will eat to the very bone , and if it happens to come upon the tongue it will eat it asunder ; if it lighteth upon the nose , it will eat the gristle through , and if it cometh upon any part of the flesh , it fretteth and gnaweth it in great breadth ; you may easily know this sorrance , for where it is the places will be raw , and bleed often , and many times a white scurf will grow upon that place infected with it . it proceedeth many ways , either by melancholy and filthy blood ingendred in the body , by unwholesom meat , or by some sharp and salt humours coming by cold not long before taken , which will make his breath to stink very much . and clifts and cracks in the heel , cometh several ways , either by over-hard riding or labour , which occasions surfeits ; or by giving him unwholesom meat , or by washing him when he is hot , which corrupts his blood , and causes the peccant humours to fall down and settle where the sorrances are , which makes his heels very raw , and run very offensively with stinking water and matter , which prove very troublesom to the poor creature ▪ cods and stones swelled , cometh several ways ▪ either by some wound , or by the sting of some venomous creature , or by fighting of one horse with another , or by means of some evil humors , which corrupt the mass of blood , which fall down to the cods sometimes after sickness , or surfeiting with cold , and then it is a sign of amendment , and sometimes from having too much plenty of seed . and cord is a streight sinew in the fore-legs , which cometh from the shackle-vein to the gristle in the nose , between the lip , the length of a bean. or there b● two strings like threads that lie above the knee and the body , and runneth like a small cord through the body to the nostrils , which causes a horse to stumble , and sometimes to fall , and is a defect , which is very common amongst young horses . you may know this infirmity by his stiff going , and stumbling without any visible sorrance . cholick is commonly occasioned by wind , which makes it bear this name of wind cholick ; it causeth very violent pain , by griping of the belly of a horse , which will make him strike at it , and sometimes to lie down and tumble , and stamp with his feet , and be so painful as to make him forsake his meat . colt-evil , is a disease that is subject both to a horse or gelding . it cometh to a horse with an unnatural swelling of the yard and cods , proceeding of wind , filling the arteries and hollow sinew , or pipe of the yard ▪ or else through the abundance of seed ; and to a gelding for lack of natural heat to expel their seed any further . cold or poze in a horses head , is gotten by means and ways unknown , according to the temper and constitution of a horses body , and the best keeper , that it cannot warrant his horse from this infirmity . you must know , that if the horse be subject to bad humors , you must endeavour to expel them , by purging of his head. now according as the cold which a horse hath taken , is new or old ; great or small , according as the humours do abound in his head , and as those humors be thick or thin , so is the disease more or less dangerous : if he hath but a new taken cold , he will have small kernels like wax kernels under his chaul about the root of his tongue ▪ but if he hath great , then you may imagine his cold of a longer date . his cold may be new also , if you find him rattle in his head , or avoid thin matter out of his nose or eyes , or if he hold down his head in the manger , or when he drinketh , his water cometh up again out of his nostrils , or if he cheweth between his teeth matterative stuff , but if he casteth foul stinking matter out of his nose , and coughs grievously ; then it is a sign he may have the glanders or consumption of the lungs to consumptions are of two sorts ; one is called , a dry malady , the other a consumption of the flesh . the first cometh by violent heats and colds , with fretting and gnawing humours , descending out of the head , which fall upon the lungs , which causeth at first thin matter to run from the nose ; but after some certain time it groweth thick , tough and vitious , which ceaseth and causeth a maceration and leanness of the whole body , whereby he droopeth and pineth away , and though he doth eat and drink , yet he doth not digest it kindly , to do him good the signes to know this malady is , his flesh will soon consume away , his belly is gaunt , and the skin thereof so hard stretched , or rather shrunk up that if you strike it with your hand it will sound like a tabor , neither will his hair shed in due season , as other horses do , he will cough , and that but huskingly , as if he had swallowed some small bones ; and is a disease hard to be cured . the other consumption is that of she flesh which also is occasioned by a cold , which for want of a cure in time , causeth this maceration and leanness throughout the whole body , and cometh several ways , either by violent heats , or immoderate labour , or riding him into the water before he be thoroughly cold , and setting him up negligently afterwards . and cramp or convulsions are all of one malady , they are forcible contractions of the sinews , veins and muscles , in any member or part of the body , which proceeds several ways , either from some wound or sinew cut asunder , or for want of blood , or by over-heats and sudden cooling afterwards ; or lastly , by over-much purging him ; the signes to know this malady is , that the infected will be so stiff , that the whole strength of a man is not able to bow it , he will be lame and well as it were in a moment . there is also another kind of them , which seizeth upon a horses neck , and reins of his back , and so almost universally over his whole body , which proceedeth several ways , either from some great cold , which may be catched several ways , or by loss of blood , whereby a great windiness entereth into the veins , and so benumbeth the sinews . this is also known by his neck and head standing awry , his eares upright , and his eyes hollow , his mouth dry and clung , and his back will rise like a camel , which must be cured by giving him something to make him sweat , and by loading him with warm woollen cloaths . , costiveness , is when a horse is so bound in his belly , that he cannot dung but with great pain and trouble , it is a disease very dangerous and perillous to him , and is the origen of several maladies ; you may know it by several symptoms , sometimes it proceedeth from glut of provender , or over-much feeding , somtimes by eating too dry and hard meats , which sucketh and drieth up the moisture of a horses body , viz. beans , pease , wheat or tares , &c. not but that they are very wholesom food , and the heartiest meat a horse can eat ; but feeding too much upon them over-heats his body , more then any other grain whatsoever , which shuts up a horses office of nature , so that it makes him he cannot dung : and besides , they are very windy food , which causeth many bad humours and obstructions in the body ; sometimes costiveness cometh also by much fasting , in the dieting of them for races or hunting , which doth suck up ( like a spunge ) the phlegmatick moisture of the body . and crown-●●●b is a filthy , stinking and cankerous disease , breeding round about the feet , upon the coronets or top of the hoof , next the hair , which causeth much pain unto him ; it cometh to him , by reason he hath been bred in some cold wet soyl , striking corrupt humours up to his feet , and is more troubled with these in the summer then the winter . the signes to know it are these ; the hair about the coronets will be thin and staring like bristles , and run with matterative water . camery or frounce , are small warts or pimples in the most of the palate of a horses mouth , which are very soft and sore , and are bred also somtimes in his lips and tongue ; it is occasioned many ways , somtimes by eating of wet hay whereon rats or other vermin hath piss'd upon , somtimes by drawing frozen dust amongst the grass into his mouth , and sometimes by licking up of venom ; the signes shew themselves , which are the pimples or whelks , and soreness of them , with the unsavoriness of his food that he hath eaten before ▪ and his falling from his meat . c●rb is a long swelling beneath the elbow of the hough in the great sinew behind , above the top of the horn , which maketh him halt and go lame when he hath been heated ; it cometh to him several ways , either hereditary , or by some bruise or strain , or by heavy loading him when he was too young . casting out of his mouth and nostrils his drink , proceedeth from a cold stomach , or by some cold taken in his head , where the rheum bindeth upon the roots and kernels of the tongue , which hath as it were strangled and made strait the passages of the stomach . canker in the eyes , cometh of a rank and corrupt blood , descending from the head into them , where it breedeth a little worm like the head of a pismire , which groweth in the corner next his nose , which will eat in time , if let alone , through the gristle of his nose , and so pass into his head , and kill him . you may know it by the great and small pimples within and without the eye-lids , and the eye it self will be full of corrupt matter . what cures it in the mouth cures this . , chops , clefts or rifts , in the palate of a horses mouth , proceedeth either from course and rough hay full of thistles , and other pricking stuff , or by ●oul provender full of sharp seeds , which by frequent pricking the bats of his mouth , doth cause them to wrankle and breed corrupt blood , which may turn to the canker . what cures the canker in the mouth , if it comes to this disease , cures this ; but to prevent the canker wash his mouth with vineger and salt , and anoint it with honey . canker in the mouth , is a rawness of the mouth and tongue which is full of blisters , and cannot eat his meat ; it proceeds from crude and undigested meat , rankness of blood , or unnatural heat coming from the stomach . and crick in the neck is a kind of convulsion , which i shall speak but briefly hereof , because i have handled it fully before in all the kinds thereof . it is when the horse cannot turn his neck any manner of ways , but hold it right forth , insomuch that he cannot take his meat from the ground , but with great trouble and pain . crest-fallen is , when that part which a horses man● groweth on , which is the upper part thereof , and called the crest , leaneth either to one side or other , not standing upright as it ought to do . it cometh for the most part from poverty , occasioned by ill keeping , and especially when a sat horse falleth away suddenly upon any inward sickness . d. dropsey is a disease which causeth a universal swelling of the body through the great quantity of water that lieth between the skin and the flesh , occasioned by melancholy blood , water and wind which will make his belly and legs to swell , but his back , buttocks and flanks will be dried and shrunk up to the very bones , & if you thrust your finger hard upon the place swollen , you shall leave the print thereof behind , for the flesh wanting natural heat , will not return again to its place . other signes there be to know this disease , viz. he will be evil coloured , heavy , dull , and of no face , strength nor spirit , and therefore proceedeth principally for want of good nourishment and digestion , which passeth into melancholy . it proceedeth also either from the spleen or the liver , or both , the blood being putrified and turned into a thin water , and sometimes for want of good exercise , or over-much rest . he will be also short breath'd , lose his stomach , and be very dry , and though you bring him to the water he will drink little , but only pudder long with his nose in it . in a word , he will be as if he had a general consumption over his whole body , and his hair will peal off with the least rubbing . dimness of sight or blindness , is occasioned several ways . either by some strain , violent riding , hard labour , and overcharging him with a burthen beyond his strength , whereby the strings of his eyes are stretched beyond their due compass hereditary . lastly , by some blow or wound . the sign is , want of sight , or the ill effected colour of the eye , e. a boney excretion , is occasioned most an end by causticks , or burning corrasives , which are put to wounds that lie close to the bone ; as when the wound is in the leg , or about the pasterns , for the flesh being very much burned by them , cause then excretion to grow upon the bone , which by the little experience of the farrier the wound is healed , but this excretion doth remain ; and somtimes it cometh by a shackle , or the galling of a lock or fetters , that has bin long continued upon the foot. what cures the bone-spaven cures this . and enterfering cometh several ways , either hereditary from the parents , or by some stiffness in his pace , or by evil and too broad shooing , which maketh him to go so narrow behind with his hinden feet , that he fretteth one foot against another , so that there groweth hard mattery scabs , which are so sore that they make him to go lame . the signes are his ill going , and the visible sign of the scabs . eyes blood-shotten . see blood-shotten eyes . to eyes lunatick . see lunatick eyes . f. feltick is no other then a galled back . fraying is stiffness taken in his legs and feet . to farcin or fashions is a creeping ulcer , and is the most lothsom , stinking and filthy disease that can come to a horse . it proceedeth first of corrupt blood engendred in the body by over-heats and colds , which beginneth first with hard knots and pustles , which at last by spreading and dilating it self , will over-run the whole body of a horse , but it commonly beginneth in a vein , or near to some master-vein , which feedeth and nourisheth the disease ; it com●th sometimes also by spur-galling with rusty spurs , snaffle , bit , or the like ; as also by the bit●ng of some other horse infected with the said disease ; or if it be in the leg , it may come by enterfering one leg with another , and by many other ways , and water farcin cometh to a horse by his feeding upon low watery grounds , and in pits or holes where the grass grows above water , which in picking out the grass he licks up the water with is ▪ which will cause ▪ horses sometimes to swell under the belly and chaps ▪ which when you come to prick it with a hot iron ( bent back again about the length of a fleam ) there will issue from it abundance of yellow , gray and oyly water . flanks , is a wrench , crick , stroke , or other grief gotten in his back , which word we are beholding to the french sor . now there is another sort of flanks , which is quite different from the other , which is a kind of pleurisie , which is when he is over run with too much blood , which endangereth a mange , or else falleth dangerously sick thereby , who by reason that he hath been often blooded before , his body now requires it , whereof he missing , falleth into a lothsom and dangerous malady . falling of the fundament cometh several ways , either by weakness , being poorly fed , or by some cold , which occasions a scouring and flux of blood. a feaver , according to the learned physicians , is an unnatural and immoderate heat , which proce●deth first from the heart , and so spreadeth it self through all the arteries and veins of the body , stopping all the natural motions thereof , and there be several sorts of them , viz. quotidian , tertian , quartan and pestilent , and are all of one nature , though some be more malignant then others are ; only a hectick feaver is of a nature far different from the former , and so likewise a pestilent feaver . vegetius speaketh of summer , autumn and winter - feavers , without making any great difference between them , more then that one is worse then another , by reason of the time and season of the year he hath it in ; i shall shew you first the causes from whence they proceed , and then give you the signes how you may know it . it cometh by hard labour or exercise , as of too much travelling , and especially in hot weather , and sometimes by extream heat of the sun , and also by extream cold of the air , and sometimes it is bred of crudit or raw digestion , which hapneth by too greedy eating of such corn as was not throughly or●ed nor cleansed . now the signes to know a feaver are these , the horse doth continually hold down his head , and is not able to lift it up , his eyes are so swelled , that he cannot easily open them for matterative stuff , and will fall away and consume in his flesh , his lips and all his body is lush and feeble , his stones hang down , he will covet much to lie down , and often to rise again ; if his ague come with a cold fit , he will shake and quiver , and when the cold fit is over , he will burn , and his breath will be hot and will fail , and his flanks beat , he will reel as he goeth , he will covet much to drink , and evermore keep his mouth in the water , although he will drink but little . these are the certain signes of a feaver as i know of . fistula is a deep , hollow , crooked vlcer , for the most part springs from malignant humours engendred in some wound , sore or canker not well cured , sometimes it cometh by a bruise which hath festered inwardly , which either burst forth of it self , or was opened by the farrier , sometimes it cometh by a co-wrench or pinch of a collar in drawing , or by being wrung with the tree of a saddle . the signes to know it , is the hollowness of it descending downwards from the orifice , which is much straiter at the mouth then the bottom , and sendeth forth thin matter from the same . and foundering in the feet , cometh evermore by hard riding , or sore labour , by great heats and colds , whichdistemper the body , and stirs up peccant and malignant humors , that inflames the blood , melts the grease , and causeth it to descend downwards into his feet , and there setleth , which causeth such a numbness and pricking in his hoofs , that he hath no sense nor feeling of them , for he is hardly able to stand , which if he do , it is but after a feeble manner , for you may soon push him down with your hand ; besides , he will stand shaking and quaking , as if he had a fit of an ague . this disease cometh several ways , sometimes by watering him when he is very fat , and his grease molten within him , and then suddenly cooled , by setting him upon cold planks without litter , or taking his saddle off too soon , or else by letting him stand when he is hot in some shallow water up to the feet-locks ; by which means , through the extraordinary coldness of it , causeth the molten-grease to descend into his feet , and there to cake and congeal , which is the true reason of this malady . a horse also may be foundred by wearing strait shoos in the heat of summer , and travelling upon hard ground . to know when a horse is foundred upon his sore-feet , and not on his hinder-feet . you may know it by this , he will tread only upon his hinder-feet , and as little as he can on his fore-feet , and go crouching and crimpling with his buttocks . sometimes he will be foundred on his hinder feet , and not on his fore-feet , ( but this is very seldom ) which you may know by his seeming very weak behind , and will rest himself as much upon his fore-feet as he can , being very fearful to set his hinder-feet to the ground . foundering in the body , cometh by eating too much provender suddenly when he is too hot , & panting , whereby his meat not being well digested , breedeth evil humors , which by little and little do spread through all his members , and at length doth so oppress all his body , that it taketh away his strength , and make him in such evil condition , that he can neither go nor bow his joynts , and being once laid , is not able to rise again , neither can he stale nor dung but with great pain . itcometh also if he drink too much upon traveling when he is hot , and not riding him after it . the signes to know it , he will be chill and quake for cold after drinking , and some of it will come out of his nose , and some few days after his legs will swell , and after a while begin to pill and have a dry cough , which will make his eyes to water , his nose to run with a white phlegmatick stuff , and cause him to forsake his meat , and make him hang down his head for extream pain in the manger . foundering is a french word , and signifieth no more then a surfeit given in the body of a horse . and chest-foundered is discovered by this infirmity ; he will often covet to lie down , and stand stradling with his fore-legs . fa se quarter is a rift , crack or chink on the out-side , but most commonly on the inside of the hoof , which is an unsound quarter , seeming like a piece put therein , and not all of one entire piece ; it cometh several ways , somtimes by ill shooing and par●ng , sometimes by gravelling , or a prick with a nail or stub , which will make him halt , and waterish blood will issue out of the chink or rift . flux cometh several ways , vide lask or loosness . bloody flux or flix are of several kinds , sometimes the fat of the slimy filth that is avoided , is sprinkled with a little blood , sometimes the excrements is like waterish blood , and somtimes like pure blood , and all these do spring from one and the same cause , which is the ulceration of the guts . now you may know by their several mixtures , whether the ulceration be in the inner small gut , or in the outward great gut , if it be in the inner guts , then the matter and blood will be mixt together , but if it be in the outward gut , then they be not mingled together , but come out severally , the blood most commonly following the matter . it cometh commonly of some sharp humour , breeding by filthy raw food , or sore travel , or labour , being violently driven through many crooked and narrow passages , do cleave to his guts , and with their heat and sharpness fret them , causing ulceration and grievous pains . it cometh also by some great cold , heat or moistness , or by means of receiving some violent purgation , as scamony , stibium , or such like violent simples applied in too great a quantity , or it may come by weakness of the liver . the fig , this disease bears its name from a hard piece of flesh growing upon the frush or heel , which resembleth the shape and fashion of a fig. it cometh by reason of some hurt received in his foot ( being not throughly cured ) or by some stub or nail , bone , thorn or stone , and sometimes by an over-reach upon the heel or frush . falling-evil is a disease that is seldom seen , which is no other then the falling sickness , proceeding from ill blood , and cold and thick phlegm gathered together in the fore-part of the head , between the panicle and the brain , which being disperst over the whole brain , doth suddenly cause the beast to fall , and bereave him of all sense for a time . it is more subject to italian , spanish and french horses then to english , some are of opinion , that at a certain course of the moon , horses and other beasts many times do fall and die for a time , as well as men. this disease is known by these signes , when they are fallen , thei● bodies will quiver and quake , and their mouths will foam , and when you think they are dying , they will rise up immediately and fall to their meat . you may know whether they will fall often or not ▪ by putting your fingers to the gristle of their nostrils , and if it feel cold , he will have most , but if it be warm , he will seldom fall . , frenzy , vide madness . g. gigges , bladders or flappes in the mouth of a horse , are small swellings or pustules , with black heads on the inside of his lips , under his great jaw-teeth , which will sometimes be as great as a wall-nut , and so painful withal , that they will make him let fall his meat out of his mouth , or at least keep it in his mouth unchawed . they do proceed from foul feeding , either of grass or provender , you may feel them with your finger . gangrene , is a running and creeping sore , that as far as it runs mortifies the flesh , causing it to rot , so that of necessity , that member wherein a gangreen is radicated must be cut off . grease mol●tn , is when his fat is melted by over-hard riding or labour : you may know it by his panting at the breast and girting place , and heaving at the flank , which will be visible to be seen the night you bring him in , and the next morning , and besides , his body will be very hot and burning . ib. glaunders is such a lothsom and filthy disease , and withal so infectious , that it will infect those that stand nigh him . it cometh first of heats and colds , which beginneth with a thin rheum , and ascendeth up to the head , and setleth near to the brain , and so venteth it self at the nose , which in time groweth thicker and thicker , till it comes of a yellowish colour , like unto butter , which is then very hard to cure , but if it comes to a viscious , and of a tough and slimy substance , and the colour be green , and stink much , having run some months with some reddish specks in it ; then the most experienced farrier may fail in the cure thereof , and the horse die under his hands ; for then it is most certain , if he hath those last symptomes , that his lungs are ulcerated , and his cure not to be performed without great difficulty . besides , these inward signes to know this disease , i shall give you one outward , one which is , he will have some kernels and knots that may be felt under his chaul , and as they grow bigger and more inflamed , so doth the glaunders more increase within the body of the horse . i would advise you before you begin his cure , to prepare his body for four or five days together with scalded bran , and give it him instead of his provender , for this will dry up the moisture and bad humours in his body , then let him blood in the neck ▪ and the next day rake him , and give him the glister in the first part. and graveling cometh to a horse in traveling , by meanes of little gravel stones getting betwixt the hoof and the shoo , which setleth at the quick , and there festereth and fretteth . h. hoof-brittle , or brittle-hoof , cometh either by nature or accident . it cometh naturally by the sire or dam ; accidentally by a surfeit that fell down into his feet , or else in that he had been formerly foundred . to hair falling or shedding from his mane or tail cometh by heat taken , which hath engendred a dry mange therein , which occasion●th their she●ding ; somtimes it comes by a surfeit , causing evil hu mours to resort to those parts , &c. head-ach is a pain that cometh either of some inward cause , as of some cholerick humour , bred in the panicles of the brain , or of some outward cause , as of extream heat or cold , or of some sudden blow or noisom favour . the signes to know it are , the horse will hang down his head and eares , his sight will be dim , his eyes swollen and waterish , and he will forsake his meat . see the first part. hoof-cast , or cas●ing of the hoof , is when the coffin falleth clean away from the foot , which cometh by means of some foundering , prick or stab , which breaketh on the top round about the coronet , which in time causeth it to fall off . hoof-bound is a shrinking in of the hoof , on the top thereof , and at the heel , which maketh the skin to stare above the hoof , and to grow over the same ; it cometh to a horse several ways , either by keeping them too dry in the stable , by strait shooing , or by some unnatural heat after foundering . the signes to know it are , he will halt much , and his hoofs will be hot , and if you knock them with a hammer , they will sound hollow , like an empty pottle , and if they are not both hoof-bound , you may know which is the grieved foot , by the smalnes of it . some call this sorrance a dry foundering . hide-bound , is when the skin sticketh so fast to the horses back and ribs , that you cannot pull it from his flesh with your hand . it cometh to a horse several ways , sometimes by poverty , sometimes for want of good ordering , sometimes by over-heating him by hard riding , and carelessly letting him stand in the wet and rain , and sometimes of corrupt and filthy blood siccicating the flesh , which wanting its natural course , causeth this shrinking of the skin together , which maketh him illy disposed , and to have a gaunt , shrivelled and shrunk up belly to his flanks , making his hair to stare , and his legs to swell , with many more signes ; but let these serve in stead of more . hip-shot is when the hip-bone is removed out of his right place ; it cometh to him many ways , sometimes by a wrench or stroke of a horse , sometimes by slip , strain , sliding or falling . the signes to know it are , he will halt and go sideling in his going , and the sore hip will fall lower then the other , and the flesh in process of time , will consume away , and if you suffer him to run too long , it will never be restored to its pristine estate . the hurle-bone is about the midst of the buttock , and is very apt to go out of the socket with a slip or strain , the cure of it you may find in p. hoof-swelled , cometh sometimes to young horses , when you over-ride , or hard laboring them in their youth , which make them to swell in that place , by reason the blood falling down there , setleth , which if it be not speedily removed , will beget a wet spaven . haw in the eye , is a gristle growing between the nether eye-lid and the eye , and will put it quite out , if it be not taken in time away . it cometh to him by gross , rough and phlegmatick humours , which falleth from the head , and knitteth together , which in the end groweth to this infirmity . the signes of it are , the watering of the eye , and unwilling opening of the nether lid. hough-bouey , is a round boney swelling like a paris ball , growing upon the very top or elbow of the hough , and cometh ever of some stripe or bruise , or by bruising himself in his stall , by offering to strike at the horse that standeth next him , striketh against the bar that divides them . hoof-loosened , is a dissolution or dividing of the horn or coffin of the hoof from the flesh , at the setting on of the cronet . now if the parting be round about the cronet , it cometh by means of foundering ; if it be in part , then it cometh by some prick of some channel-nail , quitter-bone , retreat , graveling or cloying , or such like thing , the signes to know it are these , when loosened by foundering , it will break first in the fore-part of the cronet right against the toes , because the humour doth always covet to descend towards the toe ; but if it proceeds from pricking , graveling and such like cankered thing , then the hoof will loosen round about , equally even at the first ; but if it proceeds from a quitter-bone , or hurt upon the cronet , then the hoof will break right above the place that is grieved , and very rarely seen to go any further . hungry-evil is a great desire to eat , it cometh from some great emptiness or lack of meat , when the horse being even at the pinch , and almost chap-fallen ; it comes many times by cold outwardly taken , sometimes by travelling in frost and snow , and in barren places , which outward cold maketh the stomach cold , whereby all the inward powers are become weakned . the signes to know it , are a change and alteration in his feeding , having lost all temperance , and snatching and chopping at his meat , as if he would devour the manger . imposthumes are swellings which come several ways , either by gathering of filthy corrupt humours in any part or member of the body , making that to swell , which grows at last to an inflammation , and breaks out into foul , mattery and running sores , which proceed from corrupt food or bad blood , and at the first very hard and sore ; there are two sorts of them , hot and cold ; you must first ripen them before they can be healed ; sometimes they are occasioned by some blow upon the eares , or bruise by a hempen halter , or of cold taken in the head , which remaining in the body , make their passage through the eares ; it is known by much burning , and his unwillingness to be handled about that place . and k. kibed heels is a scab breeding behind , somwhat above the nether joynt , growing overthwart the fet-lock . it cometh many ways , sometimes by being bred in cold grounds , sometimes for lack of good dressing after he hath been ridden or laboured in foul ways , which dirt sticking to his legs , ●retteth his skin , and maketh scabby rifts , which are very painful to the horse ▪ causing his legs to swell , especially in winter and spring-time , and then he goeth very stiffly . what cures the scratches cures this disease . kernels under the chaul of a horse , cometh by heats and colds , which bringeth the glanders . i refer you therefore to the cure of the glanders . l. lask , loosness or open flux of a horses body ▪ bringing him to extream weakness and faintness ; it cometh sometimes from cold taken , sometimes by reason that nature is offended with too many cholerick humors , descending from the liver or gall down into the guts , sometimes by drinking too much cold water presently after he hath had his provender , for by that means the water getting to the provender causeth it to swell and breed crudities , and ill humours in the stomach , and so conveyeth themselves down into the guts , sometimes by sudden travelling or hasty running upon a full stomach , before his meat be well digested , sometimes by drinking cold water when he is too hot , and not presently warmed in his belly , sometimes by licking up a feather , or hens dung , with many other ways which will occasion it ; stop it not too suddenly , for nature it self is the best physician ; but if you find he hath had it so long , that nature is become weak and feeble , then you are to seek out for some remedy for the cure of it . lampass is a swelling that proceedeth from abundance of blood , resorting to the first furrow of the mouth , joyning to the fore-teeth , which will cause the said furrow to swell as high as his gathers , which will hinder his feeding , and make him let fall his meat half chawed , out of his mouth again . this is a natural infirmity which every horse hath first or last . and every commo smith can cure. ligs are little pustles or bladders within a horses lips ; there are many other diseases that belongs to the mouth , viz. bloody rifts , gigs , camery , inflammation , tongue-hurt , barbs , and are all cured by this one receipt hereunder written , except the lampass , which every countrey-smith can cure , viz. take worm-wood and shirwit , and bruise them in a mortar , with a little honey , and anoint the sores with it , and they will do well . leprosie is a cankered manginess spreading over all the body , which is very infectious , cometh of abundance of melancholy , corrupt and filthy blood , infected by surfeits taken by over-hard riding or labour . the signes to know this disease are , the horse will be all mangy and scurfey , full of scabs and raw places about his neck , and not very pleasant to look on , and be always rubing and scrubing . lice cometh of poverty , and will breed most about the eares , neck and tail , and over all the body ; they may be catched also by running abroad in the winter in woods , or places full of trees , for the dropping of the trees falling upon his lean and thin body breed them , sometimes he may catch them from another horse ; you may know when he hath them by this , he wil rub and scrub himself against walls and posts , and will be always poor when he hath them . low-worm is a disease hardly known from st. anthonies fire , or the shin●les , haveing the very self-same symptomes . 't is a worm that is bred in the back of a horse between the skin and the bone , and runeth along the neck to the brain , and when it cometh to touch the panicle thereof , it maketh him stark mad ; 't is known by these signes , viz. after a long and wearisom journey , he will be sick , and fall from his meat , and stretch out himself at length with his feet , bonding his back , and straining to piss , but cannot , but if he doth stale , it is but little , and that in his sheath , which in time will make him so mad , that he will gnaw the manger , rack-staves , or any thing within his reach . some farriers take this disease for the staggere , and so kills many a good horse . the cure hereof being not put down in the diseases i have here inserted it . take six heads of garlick clean pilled , of acrement a quarter of a pound , rue , and that turmentile that beareth the yellow flower , of each one pound , bruise them in a mortar together , and put so much white-wine to them , that after they be strained , there may be of the juice and wine two quarts ; then after you have blooded him in the tail pretty well , divide this pottle of liquor into six parts giving him one part every morning , till he hath taken all of them ; and this will perfectly cure him , vide st. anthonies fire . p. ● lungs , the diseases of them cometh from heats and colds , by hard riding , which iet run too long without cure , causeth them to putrifie , corrupt and rot . you may know this infirmity by the beating of his flanks ▪ and working of his ribs ▪ but most chiefly when he cough●th , and then the more slowly they do beat and heave , the more old and dangerous is the disease . he will draw his . wind short , and but little at once , and groan often , especially when he lieth down and riseth up again , out of his nose will issue forth corruption , and will seem to shewsomthing between his teeth . and lethargy or sleeping evil , is most subject to dun and white horses . it proceedeth from phlegm , cold and moist humors which getteth into the brain , does so stupifie and benumb it , which bringeth this sleepiness upon him , and is the true sign of this disease . lunatick eyes look sometimes as if they were covered with white , and somtimes they will look clear , and alter their colour , according to the moons , from which they take their name , vide moon-eyes ▪ m. mattering of the yard , vide yard matter●d melancholy is called the staggers , but the true name thereof is the stavers , vide the saggers . mo●foundred cometh from the french , which signifieth molten grease , or foundering in the body . and moon-eyes bear that name , by reason that at certain times of the moon they will seem very well , & atother times they seem covered over with a white phlegm , which is the worst sort of blindness that is , and is not to be cured , for the more you tamper with it , the worse it is ; therefore my advice is , that you let them alone , for they will go in and out till they go quite out ▪ it may be called a lunatick-eye , which cometh several ways , sometimes from the sire or dam , sometimes from evil humors residing in the head , which descend down to the eyes , and they come also by hard riding , or labouring , which the poor beast was put to perform more then he was able . mallender is a kind of a dry and hard scab , which hath chinks and chops in it , and hard , stubborn and long staring hairs , like to hogs bristles , growing about it , upon the inward part of the fore-legs , just against the bending of the knee . it is an evil sorrance which cankereth and corrupteth the flesh , and makes him go lame at first going out ; it cometh to him several wayes , sometimes by corrupt blood , by hard labour , or riding , sometimes for lack of clean keeping and rubbing ; and usually those horses that hath most hair upon their legs , as the flanders and freezla●d horses hath , are most subject to this disease . mange is a most infectious and filthy disease , which will make him rub and scrub against every thing he can lean against , and if you remove not his fellow-creatures that are in company with him , at home or abroad , they are subject to catch it from him . the signes to know it are , his hair will stare , and in many places pill away from his skin , and a scurf will arise thereon ; it cometh somtimes also by over-heats and colds , by hard riding or labour , whereby the blood is corrupted , or by feeding upon unwholesom meat . mourning of the chine , in plain english is no other then the glaunders , which hath its first source and origen from heats and colds by hard riding or labour , which being let run too long , cometh to this filthy disease , the glaunders ; which in time doth waste the liver , and putrifie the lungs , which will in conclusion kill the poor creature , if not taken in time . those that have opened a horse that hath died of this disease , have found the pith and chine sound and good , and therefore this malady in reason cannot be called the mourning of the chine , but the glaunders . madness or frenzy is divided into four passions . the first is , when some bad humors or blood getteth into the panicle of the brain , but in one part only , it quickly makes him dull of spirit and sight ; which you will know by this sign , he will turn round like one that is giddy ; the reason is , because the outward part of the head is grieved only . the second is , when the venom of such bad blood doth infect the middle of the brain , then he becometh frantick , leaping against walls or any thing else that standeth in his way . the third is , when corrupt and bad blood filleth the veins of the stomach , and infecteth as much the heart as brain , then he is said to be mad . the fourth and last is , when the blood infecteth not only the brain and heart , but even the panicles also , and then he is said to be stark mad , which you may know by biting at every man that comes near him , and by gnawing the manger and walls about him , and at last he will be so very mad that he will tear his own skin in pieces . malt-long or malt-worm is a cankerous sorrance about the hoof just upon the cronet , which will break out into knobs and branches , which will run with waterish sharp lye , or humor , which will venom the whole feet , which are signs enough to know them . molten-grease see grease-molten . mules , vide scratches , for what cures them cures these . mellet is a dry scab that grows upon the heel of the fore-feet . n navel-gall is a bruise on the back , or pinch of a saddle behind , which if let alone too long , is difficult to cure 't is called a navel-gall , because the hurt is right against the navel . night-mare is a melancholy blood that doth oppress the heart , making himsweat more in the night then in the day , which doth take from him his rest ; the way to know it is , by taking notice of him in the morning , whether he sweats in the flanks , neck and short ribs , which if he do , you may be sure that he hath it . o , over-reach is a painful swelling of the master sinew , which is by reason that he doth over-reach and strike that sinew with the toe of his hinder foot , which maketh him to halt and go lame . vide attaint upper and nether . p. pissing of blood cometh several ways , sometimes by riding him too hard , by labouring him beyond his strength , or by carrying too heavy a burden upon his back ; sometimes it cometh by reason of some vein broken in his body , and then clean blood will issue forth many times ; sometimes it cometh by some stone fretting upon the kidneys , by hard riding or labour ; and lastly , it cometh by journeying him in winter , being newly taken up from grass , and travelling him before he is thoroughly cleansed from his grass , which cannot be well under a week or two . your eyes are the witnesses of this disease , for he will piss water like to blood. powle-evil is a fistula growing betwixt the eares and the powle , or nape of the neck , which proceedeth from evil humors that approach unto that place , or else of some blow or bruise , for that is the weakest and tenderest part of all the head , and therefore soonest off●nded , which rude carters do little consider of , whilst in their fury they beat them upon their head with their whip-stocks ; and therefore no horses more subject to this disease then they ; this disease comethmost in the winter . the signs to know it is by the swelling of the place , which in process of time will break of it self , rotting more inward then outward , therefore is more dangerous , if not cured in time . pursiveness or shortness of breath cometh two ways , natural and accidental ; natural is when he is cock-thropled , for that his thropel or wind-pipe being so long , that he is not able to draw it in and out , with so much ease and pleasure as other horses do that are loose thropled , for that the wind-pipe being too strait that should convey his breath to his lungs , and vent it forth again at his nose , makes him pant and fetch his breath thus short ; likewise , when his pipe is too much filled with fat or other phlegmatick stuff , which suffocates him , and makes his lungs labour the more ; it cometh secondly by accident , when he is hard ridden after a full stomach , or presently after drinking , which caus●th phlegmatick humors to distil out of the head into the wind-pipe , and so fall upon the lungs , where they rest and congeal , &c. it cometh also by heats , colds , glaunders , and the like ; and brings with it a great many inconveniencies , viz. dulness and heaviness in travel , subject to sweat much , and ready to fall down upon every little strain . prickt is called accloyed , cloyed or retrait , &c. most of which names are borrowed of the french , and signifies no more then a prick , by the negligence or unskilfulness of the farrier , in driving of the nails , by their weakness , ill pointing or breaking of them ; which if not presently taken out , will in time break out into a foul sore ; you may know it by his going lame ; but if you desire to know it more certainly , pinch him round his hoof with a pair of pinchers , and when you come to the grieved place , he will shrink in his foot ; or you may try him where he is prickt by throwing water upon this hoof , for that place where he is prickt will be sooner dry then any of the rest . with many other signes there are which your ingenuity may find out . planet-struck or shrow-running , is a depriprivation of feeling or motion , not stirring any of his members , but remain in the same form as when he was first stricken . it cometh to a horse several ways , sometimes by choler and phlegm superabundantly mixt together , sometimes from melancholy blood , being a cold and dry humour , which oppress and make sick the hinder part of the brain , sometimes of extraordinary heat or cold , or raw digestion , striking into the veins suddenly ; or lastly , from extream hunger , occasioned by long fasting , the signes whereof you have had already , viz. numbness and want of motion . if this disease cometh of heat , you may know it by the hotness of his breath , and the free fetching of his wind ; if it proceed from cold , then you may know it by his stuffing and poze in his head. palsie or apoplexie is a disease depriving the whole body of sence , and which is called a general palsey , and hath no cure. but when he is deprived but of some part and member of his body , ( and most commonly it is in his neck ) then it is called a particular palsey ; the signes to know it are , he will go groveling and side-ways like a crab , carrying his neck as if it were broken , and goeth crookedly with his legs , beating his head against the walls , and yet forsaketh not his meat nor drink , and his provender seemeth moist and wet . it proceeds from foul feeding in fenny grounds , which breed gross and tough humors , which joyneth with crudities and raw digestion , oppress the brain , or it cometh by means of some wound or blow given him upon the temples . pearl , pin and web , or any unnatural spot or thick felm over the eye , cometh by some stroke or blow given him , or from descent of the sire or dam. the pearl is known by a little round , thick white spot like a pearl , ( from which it hath its name ) growing on the sight of the eye . the pains is a kind of ulcerous scab full of fretting matterish water , and breedeth in the pastorns betwixt the fetlock and the heel , which cometh for want of clean keeping , and good rubbing , after the horse hath been journeyed , by means whereof the sand and dirt remaining in the hair , fretteth the skin and flesh , which cometh to a scab , and therefore those horses that have long hair , and are rough about the feet , as the friezland and flanders horses are , are soonest infected with this disease , if they be not the cleanlier kept . the signes be these , his legs will swell with the vehemency and heat that is caused from the venom and filthy water that issueth from the scabs , for it is so sharp and scaulding ▪ that it will scauld off the hair , and breed scabs so far as it goeth . what cures the scratches cures these . pestilence , plague , murrain or garget is all one disease , which is very infectious and contagious ; it cometh to a horse many ways , sometimes by over-hard riding or labour , whereby a horse is surfeited , somtimes by the contagiousness of the air , and evil vapours and exhalations that springs out of the earth , after great and sudden floods , or coming into fenny or marish ground that hath alwayes been bred in pure and wholesom air. the signes to know this disease are these ; 't will come suddenly upon him , but after three or four days drooping , he will swell under the roots of his eares , like the swelling of the vives , and under the chaul , and come up to his cheeks through the malignancy thereof , and become very hard , he will forsake his meat , and be very sleepy , hanging down his head in the manger , his eyes will be yellowish , he will breath short , which will be very hot and offensive , and sometimes he will break forth in a carbuncle or boyl in his groine , as big as a goose-egg , and his stones will hang limp and flaging , but not always . if you cannot recover him , but that he dieth , bury him very deep , that no scent , if possible , may remain on him to infect the rest . q. quinsey is no other then a sore throat , which if not carefully taken in time , will soon put a period or end to his days . it cometh sometimes by cold and phlegmatick humors setling there , or for want of blooding , when he is over-run therewith . quarters false , vide false quarters . quick-scab doth putrifie and corrupt the blood and flesh , and at last breaketh forth into a lothsom and infectious disease much like unto the mange or leprosic . it cometh by a surfeit taken by over-riding or hard labour , it is called a quick-scab , because it runneth from one member to another , for sometimes it will be in the neck , and at other times in the breast , sometimes in the main , and then another time in the tail. quitter-bone is a hard round swelling upon the cronet , between the heel & the quarter , and groweth most commonly on the inside of the foot. it cometh to a horse many ways , sometimes by gravel underneath the shoo , sometimes by some bruise , stub , prick of a nail , or the like , which being neglected , will impostumate and break out about the hoof , it cometh sometimes also by evil humors which descend down to that place , whereof that quitter-bone springeth . r red-water is that which issueth from any wound , sore or ulcer , which so long as that remains in them , it doth so poison them , that till it get out , they are not to be cur●d . ri●g-bone cometh two ways ; naturally , or accidentally ; naturally , from the stallion or mare , accidentally by some blow of a horse , or any other accident , the pain whereof breedeth a viscous slimy humour , like a gristle upon the top of the cronet , and sometimes goeth round about it , which resorting to the bones that are of their own nature , cold and dry , waxeth hard , and cleaveth to some bone , which in process of time cometh to a bone ; the signs to know it are , there will be a hard swelling round about the cronet of the hoof , which will be higher then any place of it ; besides , his hair there will stare and be bristly ▪ and make him halt . r●t●enness is to have his inward part , viz. his liver lights and lungs so wasted and consumed , that he is not to be recovered by ar● ▪ rheumatick or waterish eyes , cometh by the flux of humors , distil●ing from the brain , and sometimes by some stripe received ; the signes to discover it is , the continual watering of the eye , and his close shutting of his lids together , accompanied somtimes with a little swelling . rupture , incording or burstness is , when the rim or thin film or chaul , which holdeth up his entrails , be broken or over-strained , or stretched , that the guts fall down either into his cod or flank , which cometh several wayes , either by some stripe or blow , or by some strain in leaping over a hedg , ditch or pale , or by teaching him to bound when he is too young , or by forcing him when he is full to run beyond his strength ; or by your sudden stoping him upon uneven ground , whereby he stradling and slipping his hinder feet , teareth the rim of his belly , the signs to know it are these , he will forsake his meat , and stand shoring and leaning on that side that he is hurt ; and if you search on that side with your hand , betwixt his stone and his thigh upwards to the body , and somewhat above the stone ; you shall find the gut it self big and hard in the feeling , whereas on the other side you shall find no such thing . & r●t-tails is a most venomous disease , and not much unlike to the scratches of a horse . it cometh to him several ways , sometimes by too much rest , and the keepers negligence in not rubing and dressing him well ; and by reason of too much rest and good keeping without exercise , the blood corrupting in his body falls down into his legs , which causeth this disease . retrat is no other then a prick in the foot by a nail , vide prickt . rheum cometh by cold , which maketh his teeth loose , and seem long by the shrinking up of his gums , which will spoil his feeding , that all the meat will lie in lumps in his jaws , vide colds rot is a disease so like unto a dropsey , that it is hard to distinguish it from the same ; mistake not this disease for rottenness ; for if he be rotten , his liver and lights are so putrified , that they are not to be recovered : but this rot is of the nature of a sheeps rot that is said to be rotten , when his liver is become soul and tainted , yet we do eat his flesh , and affirm it to be good meat , whereby the sheep is not rotten , but hath a disease called the rot ; it cometh several ways , sometimes to young horses feeding in wet or fenny grounds , and sometimes when they are over-heated in their breaking , whereby their blood is enflamed , putrified and corrupted , causing obstructions in the liver , which cause putrefaction , and so knots and pustils do engender therein , which breedeth this disease . the signes are these , he will lose his stomach , pant much , beat and heave in his flanks , swell under his belly , his hair will stare , his legs swell , burn and dint when you press it with your finger , and his coat will not shed at those usual times as other horses do , and will be so faint and feeble that he will lose his courage and mettle . running of the reins , vide mattering of the yard . s. shedding of the seed cometh somtimes from abundance and rankness of the seed , sometimes by strains , or putting too heavy a load upon his back , and sometimes by weakness of the stones and seed-vessels , not being able to retain the seed until it be digested and thickned . strain or sprain is the sinews stretched beyond their strength , by reason of some slip or wrench . shackle-gall is on the pastornes , vide gall surbating is a beating of the hoof against the ground ; it cometh sometimes by means of evil shooing , lying too flat to his feet , sometimes by travelling a horse too young before his feet are hardned , which many times doth occasion a foundring , sometimes by hardness of the ground , and high lifting up of the horses feet ; and those horses that are flat footed , their co●●ns are so tender and weak , that they be most subject to this sorrance . the signes to know it is , he will halt on both his fore-legs , and go stiffely and creeping although he were half foundred . spleen , see the nature of it . screw is the nature of a splint , only the splint is on the inside of the knee , and the screw is on the outside swellings and tumors cometh by heats and colds , taken by hard riding , or fore labour , whereby the horse being overmuch heated , the grease falleth down and setleth in his legs and other parts , which grow dry and hard , and breedeth splints , spavens , curbs , ring-bones and the like sorrances , which in time are no other things then proper tumors , besides , it doth occasion other knots and swellings . see the first part for the cure of them . scratches are of several sorts and kinds , though they are called by several names , viz. crepances , rats-tails , mules , kibes , pains , &c. being no other then the very scratches which are certain dry scabs , chaps or rifts , that breed between the heel and the pastorn-joynt , and so goeth many times above the pastorn , even up to the very hoof of the hinder legs , but sometimes they are upon all four legs , though not very common , they proceed several ways , sometimes by dry melancholy humors which fall down upon his legs , sometimes by fuming of his own dung lying under his heels , or near him , sometimes by the negligence of the groom , in not rubbing his heels well , especially after a journey or hard labour , when he brings in his horse from water , and doth not rub his legs and heels dry from the sand and dirt which doth burn and fret them , and so cause swellings , and those swellings cause scratches : sometimes it cometh by corruption of the blood after great heats and surfeits , taken sometimes by being bred in fenny , marish and watery grounds ; and sometimes they come to a horse after a very great sickness taken by surfeit ; or lastly , by over-hard riding or labour , whereby his grease is molten , which falleth down and setleth in his pastorns and feet-locks , which doth occasion this sorrance . the signes to know it are these , the staring , dividing and curling of the hair ; it beginneth first with a dry scab upon his pastorn joynts , like unto chaps or chinks , and are in several shapes and formes , sometimes long , sometimes downright , sometimes overthwart , which will cause the legs to swell , and be very gourdy , and run with fretting , waterish , matterative and offensive stuff , which will make him go so lame at the first setting out , that he will be hardly able to go . 't is good to clip away his long shaggy hain from his pastorns , ( if he have any ) which will in some measure prevent them , or or at least curb them . sit-fast or stick-fast is a hard knob , which is as hard as a horn that grows in a horses skin , under the saddle , fast to his flesh , which cometh by a saddle-gall or bruise , which not imposthumating , the skin falleth dead , and looketh like a hard piece of leather . a surfeit is occasioned by heats and colds ; the signes to know it is , he will not thrive , but be gaunt bellied , and dried up in his body , and cannot cough but gruntingly . his coat will stand staring , and doth not lie smooth , sometimes his cods will swell ; and when it falleth out of his body into his legs , they will swell also and stink , by reason of the thin , moist , white , yellow , thick and stinking water or matter that flows from them , which will make them so stiff , that he is not able to go over the threshold . not staling or dunging cometh several wayes , sometimes by being too high kept , and but little exercise given him ; therefore exercise is as wholesom for a horses health , as good food is nourishing to his body , sometimes it cometh when you suddenly travel him , when he hath been newly taken from grass , before his body is emptied of it , and dry meat put into the room thereof , the signes to know this grief is , he will lie down and tumble with extream pain , as if he had the bots. staling of blood , vide pissing of blood. selender is a kind of scab , and is the same with the mallender , only the difference is , that the mallender breedeth upon the bending of the knee , on the inside of the fore-legs , and the selender is bred on the bending of the hough in the legs behind , proceeding both of like causes , and requireth like cure. stinking breath is occasioned by means of corrupted and infected lungs , and you may know it by the smell , vide lungs infected . a splint in the beginning is a very gristle , and will , if let run too long , become to be as hard as a bone , and will be greater or smaller according to the cause of its coming , sometimes as big as a wall-nut , sometimes as big as a hazel-nut ; it is found for the most part upon the inside of the shank between the knee and the foot-lock joynt , and is very hard and difficult to cure ; it is so painful to him , that it will not only cause him to halt , trip , stumble , but also fall in his travel ; it cometh to him by means of too hard travel , or sore labour , whilst he is very young , or by oppressing him with too heavy a burden , whereby the tender sinews of his legs are offended ; it cometh also hereditary , from the sire or dam being troubled therewith , and is known by the sight and feeling , for if you pinch it with your thumb and finger , he will shrink up his leg. stumbling cometh two ways ; first , naturally ; secondly , accidentally ; naturally , by reason that the sinews of the fore-legs are somewhat streight , so that he is not able to use his legs ▪ with that freedom and nimbleness he should ; which to cure him of this disease , is to cut him of the cords , viz. a slit made upon the top of his nose , and with your cornet raise up the great sinews , and cut them asunder , and heal it up again with some good salve , and this will do him no harm but good , for it will give him the use of his legs so perfectly , that he will seldom or never trip more . secondly , accidentally , by either splint or wind-galls , or by being foundred , prickt , s●ub'd , graveled , sinew-strained , hurt in the shoulder or withers , or by carelessly setting him up when he is too hot , which maketh him go very stiff , which stiffness causes stumbling . stavers or staggers , is a giddiness in the head , which when it seizeth the brain , cometh to madness ; it is caused several ways ; sometimes by corrupt blood , or gross and tough humors oppressing the brain , and is very common to most horses , and very dangerous if not taken in time ; sometimes it cometh by turning him out too soon to grass before he be cold , which by hanging down his head to seed , stirreth and make thin humors that fall down to the head , and so by degrees seizeth the brain , which bringeth this mortal sickness ; it cometh also by sore riding and hard labour ; which inflames and putrifies the blood , and disorders the whole body ; the signes of this disease are these , dimness of sight ▪ reeling and staggering of the horse , who for very pain will beat his head against the walls , and thrust it into his litter , forsake his meat , and have waterish eyes swelled legs cometh to a horse several ways ▪ sometimes by hard riding or sore labour when he is too fat , and carelessly putting him to grass , or setting him up in the stable too hot , whereby he taketh cold which causeth the blood , grease and humours to fall down into his legs , and so cause them to swell , sometimes it cometh by long standing in the stable , when the planks where his fore-feet stand higher then his hinder-feet doth , which uneasie posture causeth the blood to settle in the hinder legs , which causeth them to swell . stifled , this malady cometh to a horse accidentally , viz. either by some strain in leaping , or by a slip in the stable , or on his travel , or by some stroke or blow with a horse , which either puts out the bone , or much hurts or strains the joynt , the sign to know it is , by the dislocated bone , bearing it self out which will make him grow lame , and unwilling to touch the ground , but only with his toe , till it be put in again . stone cometh many ways , sometimes from the weakness of the bladder , occasione ▪ by gross and bad humors , stoping the water-conduit , or principally by violent labour , or immoderate riding , sometimes it cometh by foul matter descending from the liver and spleen , which falling down into the kidneys and bladder , setleth there ; whereby there groweth in the mouth of the conduit , certain hard inflamed knobs , which stoppeth his urine , and causeth him to stale with great pain and trouble , by reason the sinews and pozes about the neck of the bladder are benumbed , which taketh away the sense and feeling of the bladder , sometimes it cometh by keeping a horse in his travel too long from staling , for his water being over-heat by exercise , doth conglutinate and become so viscous and thick ; that nature cannot discharge it self so freely as it should do , and being pent up too long in his kidneys , engendereth gravel , sometimes red , and sometimes grey , which falling down into the conduits , by mixture of phlegm and gross humours , is there brought by conglutination , to become a hard stone , which stoppeth the passage of the urine , so as he will not be able to piss or stale , the signes to know this distemper , needs no more then this , that he would fain piss , but cannot , and that many times drop by drop . and string-halt is a sudden twitching or snatching up of his hinder-leg much higher then the other , and cometh most an end to the best metled horses . it cometh by taking cold suddenly after hard riding or sore labour , especially if you wash him when he is too hot , which will chill his blood , and so stupisie and benumb his sinews , that it takes away the sense and feeling of that member . and strangury or strangullion is when a horse is provoked to stale often , and avoideth nothing but a few drops ; it cometh to him several ways , sometimes by hard riding or sore labour , which heats and makes sharp the urine , somtimes by hot meats and drinks , sometimes by ulceration of the bladder , or by means of some imposthume in the liver and kidneys , which being broken , the matter falleth down into the bladder , and with the sharpness thereof , causeth a continual provocation of pissing , which will be with such pain , that he will whisk , wry , and beat about his tail as he pisseth the strangle is not , as some suppose , a quinzey , but an inflammation of the throat , proceeding from some cholerick or bloody fluxion , which cometh out of the branches of the throat-veins into those parts , and there breedeth some hot inflammation , stirred up by a hard cold winter , or by cold taken after hard riding or labour . 't is a great and hard swelling between the horses nether chaps , upon the roots of his tongue , and about his throat , which swelling , if it be not prevented , will stop his wind-pipe , and so strangle or choke him : the signes to know this disease are , his temples of his head will be hollow , his tongue will hang out of his mouth , his head and eyes will swell , and the passage of his throat so stopt that he can neither eat nor drink , and his breath will be very hot . swayed in the back cometh several ways , sometimes by some great strain , slip or heavy burden , sometimes by turning him too hastily round : his grief commonly lieth upon these kind of strains and wrenches , in the lower part of the back below his short ribs , and directly between his fillets . you may perceive it by the reeling and rowling of his hinder parts in his going , and be ready to fall to the ground by his frequent swaying backward and side-long , and when he is down , 't is a great deal of trouble for him to rise again shoulder-pincht cometh either by labouring or straining him too young , or by putting too great a burden upon his back . you may know it by the narrowness of the breast , and by the consumption of the flesh of the shoulders , insomuch as the fore-part of the shoulder bone will stick out , and be higher then the flesh . and if it be of a long standing , he will be very hollow upon the brisket , towards the arm-holes , and will go wider beneath at the feet , then above at the knees . the cure i set down here , because it is not in the place of cures : 't is this , give him a slit with a sharp knife an inch long , upon both sides , an inch under the shoulder-bone : then with a large quill put into the slit , blow up first one shoulder , and then the other , as big as you can possibly , even up to the withers , and with your hand strike the wind equally into every place of the shoulders , and when they be both full , beat all the windy places , with a good hazel wand over all the shoulder , then with a flat sclice of iron loosen the skin within from the flesh : then rowel the two slits or cuts , with two round rowels made of the upper leather of an old shoo , with a hole in the midst , that the corruption may issue forth , and let the rowels be three inches road , and put in flat and plain within the cut ; then make a charge and lay upon the same : look in the table for a charge , and there you may take your choice . shoulder-wrench or strain cometh several ways , sometimes by turning or stopping too suddenly upon some uneven ground , sometimes by running hastily out at some door , som etimes by slipping or sliding in the stable or abroad , sometimes by the stroke of another horse , and sometimes by falls on the planks or slippery ground . you shall perceive it by his trailing his leg upon the ground close after him . shoulder-splaiting or shoulder-t●rn , cometh by some dangerous sliding , either abroad or at home , whereby the shoulder parteth from the breast , and so leaves an open rift , not in the skin , but in the flesh and film next under the skin , which maketh him so lame that he is not able to go . you may know it by the trailing of his leg after him in his going ▪ shoulder-pight is , when the shoulder-point or pitch of the shoulder is displaced by some great fall , rack or strain . you may know it by this , his shoulder-point will stick out further then his fellow , and besides he will halt downright . ib. spaven-blood or bone , vide blood or bone-spaven . shrow-running , vide planet-struck . t. tongue-hurt cometh by accident , or with a bit , halter or the like . tetter , flying-worm or ring-worm , is a very evil sorrance , which runneth up and down the skin of a horses body , from whence it bears its name ; it cometh to him several ways , sometimes by heat in the blood , which engendreth a sharp and hot humour ; sometimes by bad and foul feeding ; it is most commonly found in his rump , which runneth down the joynts till it comes into his tail , and if it continue there long it will turn to a canker ; but yet sometimes it will settle upon some fleshy part of his body , which will so trouble him with itching and rubbing against walls and posts , that he will bring away the hair , yea , and the skin and flesh also with his teeth , if he can come at it , so violent is his itching . you may know it by the falling away of the hair , by his continual rubbing , but if it get into the joynt between the top of the rump and the tail , then it is known by a scab , which you may feel with your finger , and if you scrape or pick it away , there will come out of it by little and little a thin water , which being let long to run , will in time run into his tail , and become a canker , as i said before . trunchions are wormes in shape , short and thick , and of a pretty bigness , which have black and hard heads , vide more for bots ; and there you may find all the kinds of them that do engender in a horses body . v. aves , avives or fives , are all one disease ; they are certain flat kernels , much like unto bunches of grapes , which grow in a cluster close knotted together in the grieved place . they center from the ears , and creep downwards between the chap and the neck of the horse toward the throat ; and when they come to inflame , they will swell , and not only be painful to the horse , but prove mortal by stopping his wind , unless you take a speedy course for the cure of him ; 't is commonly rankness of blood that is the cause of this infirmity . when you go about the cure of them , have a care you touch them not with your fingers , for that will venom them . w. wind-broken , or broken wind , cometh to a horse , when you let him stand long in the stable without exercise , and foul food , whereby gross and thick humors are drawn into his body so abundantly , that sticking to the hollow places of the lungs stop up his wind-pipe , that the wind cannot get backward nor forward : sometimes it cometh to a horse when you run him off his wind , when he is very fat and foul , you may know it by his heaving and drawing together of his flanks , and by blowing wide his nostrils . , wart or spungy excression growing near to the eye , doth come from condensed phlegm residing there , which in time causeth the eye , either to consume or to grow little , if it be not remedied . a wen is a hard rising out of the flesh , like a tumor and swelling , and are of several sizes , sometimes great , sometimes small , some are painful , and some are not painful ; they proceed from gross and vitious humors , binding together in some sick part of the body , but most commonly by some stroke , bruise , blow or a stone thrown at that place , it is outwardly flesh , but towards the root it is matterative . wind-galls are bladders full of corrupt gelly , which being let forth is thick , and of the colour of the yolk of an egg ; they are sometimes great , and sometimes small , and grow upon each side of the fet-lock joynts upon all four legs , and are so painful to him , especially in the summer season , when the weather is hot , and the ways hard , that they make him not only halt downright , but sometimes fall ; they come for the most part from extream labour and heat , whereby the humors being dissolved , do flow and resort into the hollow places about the nether joynts , and there settle , which is the occasion of this evil malady . vvolfes-teeth are two small teeth growing in the upper jaws , next unto the great grinding teeth , which are so painful to him , that he cannot endure to chaw his meat , but is forced either to let it fall out of his mouth , or to keep it still half chewed . wormes vide bots. and there you may find all sorts of them that breed in a horses body , and how you may distinguish them one from another . vvind-cholick , vide cholick . and wrench in a horses back , vide flanks . the womb of a mare is subject to many diseases , viz. ascent , descent , falling out , convulsion , barrenness . abortion , &c. she may be barren through the untemperateness of the womb or matrix , as for that it is too hot and fiery , or else too cold and moist , or else too dry , or else too short , or too narrow , or having the neck thereof turned awry , or by means of some obstruction or stopping in the matrix , and that the mare is too fat , or too lean , or sometimes for want of being well horsed ; the cure is , take a good handful of leeks well stamped in a mortar , with half a glass full of white-wine , then put to it twelve flies called cantharides , then strain altogether with a sufficient quantity of water , that may serve her therewith two days together , by pouring the same into her nature with a horn or glister-pipe made of purpose , and at the end of three days next following , offer the horse unto her that should cover her , and immediately after she is covered , wash her nature twice together with cold water . or take nitrum , sparrows dung and turpentine , of each a like quantity wrought together , and made like a suppository , and put into her nature , causeth her to desire the horse , and also to conceive . y. yellows in a horse is the same that the physicians do call the jaundice in a man , and there are two kinds of them , the yellow and the black , the yellow being moist , and the black dry ; the yellow proceeds from the overflowing of the gall , occasioned by choler , and the black cometh from the overflowing of the spleen , proceeding from melancholy , which are both dangerous infirmities , but the black is most deadly and mortal . the yellow is discovered by the changing his natural colour from white to yellow , viz. the balls of his eyes , the tongue , the inside of his lips and inward parts of his nostrils are coloured yellow ; the black jaundice is discovered by the quite contrary symptomes ; for having this disease , the whites of his eyes , tongue , mouth and lips will be of a duskish colour , and not so clear and sanguine as before . and though this distinction of the yellow and black jaundice be strange to some farrie●s , ye● it is most certain , that when a horse dieth of the yellows , he dieth of the black yellows , for when it cometh unto the case of mortality , then are all the inward parts converted to blackness , and the yellow substance is clean mastered . the origen of this malady cometh principally from unnatural heats given him by hard riding or labour , which inflames the liver , gall , blood and spleen , which causeth choler to have the sovereignty and dominion over the humors , which occasions this disease , which endeth in a sudden death , if not timely prevented . yard mattering or mattering of the yard , cometh most commonly in covering time , by his over-freeness in spending upon mares , when the horse and mare are both too hot , doth burn them , giving him the running of the reins , as we truly term it , the signes to know it are , the falling down of yellow matter from the yard , and a swelling at the end thereof , and when he staleth , he will do it with a great deal of pain , and cannot well draw up his yard again . yard fallen down , or falling down of the yard , cometh to him for want of strength , to draw it up within the sheath , but let it hang down between his legs ; it is occasioned either through the weakness of that member , or by means of some resolution in the muscles and sinews serving the same , caused by some violent slip , strain or stroke in the back , or else by some great weariness and tyring . and the table of the diseases and cures . the nature , temperature and virtue of most simples , set down alphabetically . from page . to p. a. accloyed is prickt . vide prickt . an advertisement , not only about the several sorts of aloes , how you may know and distinguish them one from another , but also some directions for the physicking of horses , and for dressing of wounds . from p. to an advertisement touching the vsefulness , not only of the table of simples , but also of the general simples set down one after another before every disease . antimony crude or raw , the use of it declared . aches , numbness , or any swelling or weakness in any joynt or sinew , general simples good for them . ib. aloes , how to make into purges and scourings , see the manner of it after the best receipt for the glanders , at the latter end of the book . st. anthonies fire , general things good for the cure of it . particular receipts good for the same . anticor or heart-sickness , general things good for the cure of it . ib. particular receipts good for the same . ib. attaint upper or nether , general things good for the cure of it . particular receipts good for the same . ib. aristes , vide rats-tails . apoplexie , vide palsey . adders tongue ointment , vide ointments anberry cured aloes , several excellent ways how you are to make it up into purges . and b. broken wind , general simples good to help it . particular receipts good for the same . ib. breath short , general simples good to help it . particular receipts good for the same . blood-spaven , general things good for the cure of it . particular receipts good for the same . bone spaven cured ib ▪ and back galled to cure. from to bruises or swellings , either inward or outward , general simples good for the cure of them . particular receipts good for the same ▪ bruises and strains , observations upon the cure of them . back-wrench't , weak or swayed , general things good for the cure of it and barbes cured bots or wormes , general things good for the destroying of them . particular receipts good for the same . bangle-eares help'd , vide first part , bleeding , general simples good to stanch it . particular receipts good for the same . binding , simples in general , which is good to stop a loosness , lask or bloody flux , ib. particular receipts good for the same . biting of a mad dog , to cure , general things good for it . particular receipts good for the same , ib. blood-letting , swelling after it to cure , be it never so bad . burning or scalding , either by shot , gun-powder or wilde fire , general things good for the cure of them . particular receipts good for the same . ib. a bath for swelled cods . botch in the groin to cure . blisters cured . bones broken and out of joynt cured . a bath very good for the same . back-swayed to cure . c. a caution about aloes . comprehensive terms explained . and cold and hot ointments repeated ●ver again , and the vertues that belonged unto them made known . cramps or convulsions of the sinews , general things good to help them . particular receipts good for the same . colds and coughs of all sorts , general simples good for the cure of them . particular receipts good for all the sorts of them . to curb to cure , general things good for it . particular receipts good for the same . ib. cib'd heels , vide scratches , for what cures them cures these . crepances , vide rat-tails . camery , vide frounce canker cured and canker , vide fistula , and all other running and foul sores to cure . colt-evil , general things good for the cure of it . consumption , general simples good for the cure of it . particular receipts good for the same . cords , which is stumbling , general things good for the cure of it . cleansers of the body from all manner of foul humours , general simples good for it , cholick or stone , general simples good for the cure of it particular receipts good for the same . ib. crown-scab , general things good for the cure of it cut-sinews , general simples good for to help them and costiveness to help and casting forth of his drink , to cure. crick in the neck , general things good for the cure of it crest fallen raised up again cods swelled , to cure , general things good for them particular receipts good for the same . ib. and chops , clifts or rifts , see for the cure of it in the letter c. in the alphabetical table of the diseases of a horse . cooling simples of clifts and cracks in the heels ; see for scratches , for what cures them cures these cleansers of all sores by washing them , see the first part. charges of all sorts , see also in the first part for them . d. directions for the drenching and physicking of horses and further directions for the same . and diseases and infirmities of mares to cure drawers forth of any stub , thorn or nail , either in the foot , or any other part of the body driers up of all manner of moist humors , general simples good for them dropsey , general things good for the cure of it particular receipts good for the same . see for more simples good for the cure of it in the first part diseases in a horse to prevent the whole year , a very good receipt to preserve him sound casting forth of his drink , general things good for to help it e. eaters away of proud flesh , general things good for it an ointment for the same purpose . ib. enterfering or shackle-gall to cure eyes watery , eyes blood-shotten , wart in them , inflammation pearl , pin or web , general things good for all the diseases of them particular receipts good for all the diseases of them , from to eares imposthumated , general things good for the cure of them particular receipts good for them . ib. f. falling-evil or planet-struck general things good for the cure of it particular receipts good for the same . ib. foundering , general things good for the cure of it . particular receipts good for the same and feltick is no other then a galled back , vide back-galled to , fraying or stiffness taken in the legs vide imperfections of the legs . frounce or camery to cure falling of the fundament , general things good for it particular receipts good for the same . ib. fistula , canker , or any other running sore to cure , general things good for it . and particular receipts good for the same . feavers of all sorts , general simples good for the cure of them particular receipts good for the same . see more in the first part for the several sorts of them to farcey , general things inwardly given for the cure of it general things applied outwardly for the cure of it particular receipts inwardly given , and outwardly applied for the cure of this disease , from to frush running , or rotten , general things good for the cure of it falling of the yard , general simples good for the cure of it false quarters cured frenzie or madness , general things good for the cure of it . flies to keep from coming to a horses head to vex and trouble him fallen crest or crest-fallen , to raise up again fig , general things good for the cure of it falling evil or falling sickness . general simples given inwardly for it . ib. a particular receipt for the same . ib. flaps cured flanks , vide wrinch in the back . g. glanders , general things good for the cure of it particular receipts good for the same . ib. and . the best receipt that is for the cure of this disease is in glanders stopt for present sale galled or swayed back to cure , general things good for it , particular receipts good for the same garded or swelled legs , whether by grease or any other accident cured gall overflowed , general things good for the cure of it . gangreen cured , general things good for it . ib. griping or fretting of the guts , cholick or stone , general things good for the cure of it . and particular receipts good for the same . ib. graveling , general things good for it . grease molten , general things good for it . ib. particular receipts good for the same . grease fallen into the legs to cure. ib. a very good purge for it . gigs , bladders or flaps to cure . h. hide-bound , general things good for the cure of it . particular receipts good for the same . ib. hard swellings cured . head purged , vide perfumes in the first part good for it . halting , vide strains of all sorts hair made to grow . and hoofes , all the imperfections of them cured . from to hurts in the hoof , of what sort soever , general things good for the cure of them . ib. humours dried up , general things good for them . and humours dissolved . humors to stop . ib. humors to drive back . ib. humors made thin ib. humors purged hair shedding from the mane or tail , general things to prevent it . hair to take away , general things good for it . ib. particular receipts for the same ib. hair made black ib. hair made yellow ib. hardness mollified , general things good for to do it hens dung swallowed , or any other venomous things general things good for the cure of it and hough-bonney cured hardness or knots in the flesh hot simples hip-shot hurle-bone out of joynt cured ib. i. joynts and sinews , that hath in them any ach or numbness , weakness or swelling , general things good for them and particular receipts good for the same . ib. joynts , arteries and sinews , comforted after travel , cold or pain . infirmities of mares to help ●mposthumations and inflammations , hot or cold , general simples good for them and particular receipts good for them . ● imposthumated eares , general things good for them particular receipts good for the same . ib. k. kidneys that hath ulcers in them cured . kidneys bruised . knots in the joynts , or for cramps and inflammations general and particular , receipts good for the same . l. legs swelled , general things good for the cure of them . particular receipts good for the same . ib. and lampass . lameness of all sorts to help . and loosening simples . . see more of this in the first part. lask or looseness stopt , general things good for it . particular receipts good for the same . lungs , general things good for them . particular receipts good for the same . liver preserved , general simples good for it . lethargy or sleeping evil , general things good for it . particular receipts good for the same . ib. lice or vermine killed , general things good for it . particular receipts good for the same . ib. leprosie or mange , general things good for to kill it . ib. particular receipts good for the same . lust provoked . see for simples good for the same in the first part. m. mallender or sellender , general things good for the cure of the m. particular receipts good for the same . mattering of the yard , or running of the reins . mares , their several diseases to cure , milk in mares to increase . see the first part for it . mouth-sore , general things good for it . mange or leprosie . milt cured . n. night-mare . neesing-powder . see the first part for perfumes for the head. navel-gall , general things good for it . particular receipts good for the same . ib. o. oyl of camomil , how to make for any grief in the limbs , proceeding from a cold cause . oyl of spike , how to make for all manner of sinew-strains and pains , and aches in the limbs . ib. oyl of mastick , how to make for any cold griefs ib. an ointment for the killing and shealing all manner of scabs . o●●tments , general simples good to put into them for the cure of all manner of wounds . particular receipts good for them . observations upon dressing of wounds . observations upon bruises and strains . observations on the liver and spleen , and general things good for them . ointment of theriacum , which is good for any ach in the joynts , grief in the hips , stifling place , legs , pastern or any other part of the legs and back , sinew-strains only excepted . p. physicking of horses , observations and directions for the use of it . and pursiveness or shortness of breath , general simples good for it . particular receipts good for the same . planet-struck or falling evil , general simples good for it . particular receipts good for the same . ib. poison of all sorts expelled , general simples good for it . particular receipts good for the same . plague or pestilence , general things good for it . ib. particular receipts good for the same . pissing of blood , general simples good for it . particular receipts good for the same . pol-evil , general things good for it . particular receipts good for the same . ib. pains ; see scratches , for what cures them cures these a plaister to dry up any superfluous moisture , and to bind parts loosened . prickt particular receipts good for the same . ib. purgers of the head. see the first part another plaister to dry up any swelling , wound , wind-●all , splint or bladder in or about the joints . palsie pissing or staling with pain , general things good for it . particular receipts good for the same . a plaister to lay upon the wound to keep in the tent or salve . a purgation for a horse that is sick of grease or costiveness . provokers of lust , general simples good for it in the first part . purges of aloes , several excellent ways how to make them up . and physical observations , and q. quarters false , to amend . quitter-bone , general things good for the cure of it . particular receipts good for the same ▪ ib. quinsey or sore throat , general things good for it . ● quick-scab . r. running foul sores . see for fistula running and rotten frush , general things good for the cure of it . running of the reins . ring-bone , general and particular receipts good for the same . red-water , general and particular receipts good for the cure of the same . ring-worm , general and particular receipts good for the cure of it . and rot cured . s. sick horses how ordered , see directions how to do it in p. , and simples put down in order one after another before every disease , and also an account of the table of simples . stavers , head-ach or farcin , general and particular receipts good for them . and stomach hot , general things good for to help it . particular receipts good for the same . ib. spaven-blood to cure . ib. spaven-bone to cure . another which will not only take it away , but also a curb , ring-bone or any other boney excression . splint taken away , general and particular things good for it . swellings of all sorts to cure . see the first part for them . scratches , general and particular receipts good for them . and sellender or mallender , general and particular receipts good for them . and salves and ointments for all manner of swellings of wounds , from to swellings dissolved without breaking . shackle-gall to help . and swellings and bruises to cure , either inward or outward . swelled legs of all sorts to cure , general things good for them . , and swellings by shackle-gall to cure . strains , observations upon them and upon bruises . strains of all sorts to cure , from to swelled or garded legs , whether by grease , or any other accident . staling or pissing of blood , general and particular receipts good for the same . spleen , what it is , general and particular receipts good for the same . and shedding of the seed , general things good for it . strangles , general and particular receipts good for the same . and shoulder-strain or sprain . sit-fast , general things good for it . not staling and pissing of a horse , general and particular receipts good for the same . and stone , general and particular receipts good for the same . and stone cholick , general and particular receipts good for the same . surfeits , general and particular receipts good for them . scab , te●tar or ring-worm , general and particular receipts good for the same . and surbated , general things good for it . sinews , that are cut , prickt , bruised or shrunk , and for all griefs belonging to them , general things good for them ib and see more general things good for them in the first part. swelling by blood-letting , though it be never so bad . scaldings by shot , gun-powder or wilde-fire ; general and particular things good for the same . swelled cods , general and particular receipts good for the same . and string-halt . and stumbling , vide cords simples that are hot . simples that are cooling . ib. swayed back . strengthn●ng simples . see the fi st part for general simples good for it shoulder splaiting , which is a tor● shoulder . shoulder-pight , general things good for the cure of it . ib shoulder-pincht . see the alphabetical table that shews you where the diseases of a horse do grow , and there you may find the cure. sores of all sorts to wash . see the first part for them . swellings of what nature soever , either hard or soft . see the first part for them . p. sweat to cause . see the first part. shortness of breath . see more of it in the first part. stinging and biting of venomous beasts . see more of this also in the first part. sores and ulcers of all sorts to cure ; general simples good for them in the first part. suppository what it is . see the first part. t. tired horses , general and particular things good for to help them . , tetter-scab and ring-bone , general and particular receipts good for them . and tongue of a horse hurt , general and particular things good for the cure of it . teeth , all the infirmities of them cured , viz pain in the teeth , loose teeth . wolfes teeth and jaw teeth . v. ulcers , fistulaes and running sores , general and particular receipts good for the cure of them . and see more simples good for them in the first part. urine caused to a horse that cannot stale , general and particular receipts good for the same . and ulcers in the kidneys to cure. ulcers in any part , general and particular things good for them venomed things , general and particular receipts good for the same . and vives , avives or fives , general and particular receipts good for the cure of it . w. wind-broken , vide broken wind . wind preserved a water to wash and cleanse a sore or wound another water to cleanse and heal a sore . ● a green wound or puncture cured . ib. wen , or any other excression taken away in the flesh . ib. wounds , how to order and dress in the cure of them , and what herbs are good to put into wound salves . , and wrench , or weakness in the back , general things good for the cure of it . and worms of all sorts killed , general and particular receipts good for the same . and wind-cholick , general things good for it . see for more general simples good for it in the first part , wind galls general and particular receipts good for the same . and wolfes-teeth cured . withers wrung cured . wounds by shot cured . womb , see for the several infirmities of it in the alphabetical table of the diseases of a horse . wart spungy . y. yellow , general and particular receipts good for it . and yellows black , general and particular receipts good for the same . yard mattering to cure . yard fallen , general things good for it , and the way of gathering , drying and preserving of simples and their juices , viz. roots , barks , leaves , herbs , flowers , seeds and juices . the way of making and keeping all necessary compounds , viz. electuaries , pills , waters , ointments , plaisters , charges , poultisses , oyls , syrups by infusion , by decoction and by juices , from to roots hot in the first degree . herbs hot in the second , hot in the third , hot in the fourth , roots temperate , roots cold in the first , cold in the second , cold in the third , cold in the fourth . roots dry in the first , dry in the second , dry in the third , and dry in the fourth . roots moist , from to hot medicaments appropriate to the parts of the body , viz. heating the head , heating the throat , heating the breast and lungs , heating the heart , heating the stomach , heating the liver , heating the spleen , heating the bowels , heating the reins and bladder , heating the womb , heating the joynts , &c. from to cold medicaments appropriate to the parts of the body , viz. cooling the head , throat , breast , lungs , heart , stomach , liver , spleen , reins ▪ bladder , bowels and joynts . and the properties of purging medicaments , viz. choler , phlegm , watery humors , by vomit , by urine ; purging the throat , by sweat , and by the nose . and the properties of altering medicaments , viz. softning simples , loosning simples , abolishing simples , binding simples , drying simples , striking back simples , dissolving simples , cleansing simples , pain-removing simples , simples that are good to clear the wind , humor-dissolving simples , simples that are good to expel poison , and astonishing simples . errors that have escaped the press in the second part of the experienced farrier . page . line . for jallop read jallap . ib. p. l. . f. turbich r. turbith . l. . f. zedory r. zedoary . p. . l. . f. humors r. tumors . p. . l. . f. omforteth r. comforteth . l. . f. secure r. scour . p. . l. . f. madders r. mad dogs . p. . make . p. . m. . p. . m. . p. . m. . p. . m. . l. . f. weaknews r. weakness . l. . f. woumbs drinks r. wound-drinks . p. . m. . l. . f. droaped r. drooped . p. . m. . l. . f. reserved r. referred . p. . l. . f. half a dram r. one ouuce . p. . l. . f. six drams r. one ounce . p. . l. . f. ashen skies . r. ashen keis . p. . l. . f. my first part r. at the latter end of the book . p. . l. . after train oyl put ( are good ) p. . l. . r. cornfield . p. . l. . f. hough r. hoof. l. . f. houghs r. hoofs l. . f. hough r. hoof. p. . l. . f. hough r. hoof. l. . f. hough r. hoof. l. . f. hough r. hoof. p. . f. contrive r. continue . l. . f. hough r. hoof. p. . l. . f. meal . r. meat . p. . l. . f. free r. freer . , l. . f bine-bole , r. fine-bole . p , . l. . f. tulba r. tutia . l. ● . f. some years r. some years last . p. . l. . f. sinew-strength r. sinew-strain . p. . l. . f. better r. hotter . p. . l. . f. four or five ounces of issing-glass , make one ounce or better , and to dissolve it first in a little fair water over the fire , before you put it to the milk. p. . l. . f ! turbich . r. turbith . p. . l. . f. add r. and. p. . l. . f. the smoother not r. the smoother root of the. p. . l. . f. two drams r. one ounce , p. . l. . the receipt for the cholick and stone , put it out , for the quantities are all false . p. . l. . f. and tye him r. tie him . p. . l. . f. calaminth r. calamint . p. . l. . f. agrimonia r. agrimony . l. . r. agrimony . p. . l. : f. jallup r. jallap . p. . l. . f. in this part. r. in the f●●st part. l. . f. calaminth r. calamint . p. . l. f. it r. its . finis . books , printed for richard northcott , at the mariner and anchor , on the lower end of fish-street hill , and at his shop adjoyning to st. peters alley in cornhill . the mariners magazine , or sturmy's mathematical and practical arts , containing the description , making and use for the most useful instruments for all artists and navigators , the art of navigation at large ; a new way of surveying land , gauging , gunnery , astronomy and dyalling ; performed geometrically , instrumentally , and by calculation . the compleat academy , a drawing book wright's errors in navigation detected and corrected mr. norwood's sea-mans companion the countrey copy-book dr. newton's scale of interest dr. newton's art of practical gauging mr. cravens aeternalia , or a treatise on eternity . the english rogue compleat in four parts mr. philips his mathematical manual jehosaphat , being the history of the five wise philosophers . where you may also be furnished with all other sea-books . the art of measuring , containing the description of the carpenters new rule ; furnished with variety of scales , fitted for the more speedy mensuration of superficies and solids . written by sam ▪ foster , sometime professor of astronomy in gresham-colledge . also certain geometrical problems , a table of logarithms to , and some uses of the same exemplified in arithmetick and geometry ; but more particularly applied to the mensuration of superficies and solids , as board , glass , pavement ▪ wainseet , plaistering , fyling , timber , stone , brick-work and gauging of cask . the second edit on with additions . by vv. leybourn . to which is added a supplement , being the description of the line of numbers , with its use , in divers practical examples of mensuration ; of singular use for workmen , artificers , and all other ingenious persons delighting there n. by john wiblin carpenter . a description of the five orders of columns and tearms of architecture : according to the ancient use and best rules of the most eminent italian architects , viz. the tnscan , d●rick , ionick , cor●n●hian and composite . drawn and described ( with great care and diligence ) after the right symmetry and measure of free masons . by hans bloome . for the use and benefit of free masons , carpenters ▪ joyners , carvers , painters , bricklayers ; in general , for all that are concerned in the famous art of building . advertisement , the true ▪ plain and golden spirit of scurvey-grass , being highly approved for their admirable cvres in the scurvey , dropsey , and several other general distempers ; faithfully prepared by robert bateman , the first author , at his house at pauls chain , near doctors commons , london , and most eminent towns in the countrey , with printed directions for their vse : the bottles are sealed with his coat of arms , the half-moon and ermins , to prevent counterfeits . price s. each bottle . sold by the said mr. r●ch . northcot next st. peters alley , and at the marriner and anchor , upon fish-street hill , near london - bridge . notes, typically marginal, from the original text notes for div a -e nil dictum quod non prius dictum notes for div a -e ☜ . ox. . fox . . hart ▪ . woman ▪ ☞ turmerick , white lilly roots chopped small and dried . ☞ ☞ throw these things among his provender . ☞ notes for div a -e the time of gelding is when the moon is in the wain , the sign in arie : or virgo , the time of the year is early in the spring or fall. ☜ notes for div a -e ☜ notes for div a -e ☞ ☞ ☞ ☞ ☞ ☞ ☜ ☜ ☜ ☞ an iron with a button . the drawing iron . ☞ ☞ ☞ ☞ ☞ ☞ ☞ ☜ ☜ ☜ ☜ ☜ ☜ ☜ ☜ ☞ ☞ ☞ ☞ ☜ ☞ ☞ ☞ ☜ ☜ ☜ ☞ ☞ ☞ ☞ notes for div a -e ☞ see more of them in the table of simples . you may give him two ounces of it by it self . all these within this bracket are bought at the grocers . you may give one ounce and a half of it by it self . 't is not so strong as alloes succe●ing . 't is commonly adulterated with the oyl of turpentine . this is also adulterated . have a care of the adulterate . have a care of the adulterate . she has been dead about lafayear , but he son contrives in the h use , and sells it . notes for div a -e ☜ notes for div a -e ☞ ☞ notes for div a -e ☞ notes for div a -e ☞ notes for div a -e ☞ notes for div a -e ☜ the flower of it is best , used for any inward use . notes for div a -e ☞ ☞ ☞ ☞ ☞ ☞ ☞ ☞ ☞ ☞ ☞ ☞ ☞ ☞ ☞ ☞ ☞ ☞ ☞ ☜ ☜ ☞ ☞ ☜ ☞ ☜ ☜ ☜ ☜ ☜ ☜ ☞ ☞ ☞ . w. ☜ ☜ ☜ ☜ ☜ ☞ ☞ ☞ ☞ ☜ ☞ ☞ ☞ ☜ for want of the leaves ta●e the root . ☜ ☜ ☞ ☞ ☞ ☞ t●e up the horses head , for ●ear of biting it away . when you take off the p●aister , anoyn● the place with train oyl 〈◊〉 . ☜ ☞ ☞ ☞ ☞ ☜ ☜ ☜ ☞ ☞ ☜ ☞ ☞ ☜ ☞ ☜ ☞ ☞ ☜ ☜ ☞ ☜ ☜ ☜ ☜ ☞ ☞ ☜ ☜ ☞ ☞ ☞ ☞ ☜ ☜ ☞ ☞ ☞ ☞ ☜ ☜ ☜ ☜ ☜ ☜ ☜ ☜ ☜ ☜ ☜ ☜ ☞ ☞ i. w. ☜ ☜ ☞ ☞ if your roots be green , slice them , if dry beat them to powder . ☞ ☞ ☜ ☞ ☜ ☜ ☞ ☞ ☜ ☜ ☞ ☞ ☞ ☜ ☜ ☜ ☞ ☜ ☜ ☞ ☞ ☜ ☜ ☞ ☞ ☞ ☞ ●●oo● not your horse in this dis●●se , for if you do it w●ll certainly k●ll him . the scull of a dead man , dried and beaten to powder , and given in sack i● most excellent . ☜ ☜ * [ hob-goblin is a stone much like an oyster-shell , which you may find upon course stony lands . it is good also beaten to powder to take off a felm from the eyes . ] . ☞ ☞ ☞ ☞ ☜ this water will cure any fistula whatsoever if it come to the bottom , and heal is up with your green ointment . a cank●r cured . ☜ ☜ ☜ * some hold it death to let blood , but this you may use as discretion serv●th . if you desire to know the several sorts of feavers , look in the first part for feavers , and there you shall find them . ☞ ☜ ☜ ☞ ☜ ☜ ● . w. ☜ ☞ ☞ ☞ ☞ ☜ ☜ ☜ ☜ ☞ ☜ ☞ ☜ if you give it for bruises or falls , leave out the bolearmoniack . ☜ ☜ ☜ ☜ ☜ ☜ ☞ ☞ ☞ ☜ ☜ ☜ ☞ ☜ ☜ ☜ ☜ ☞ ☞ ☜ ☜ ☜ ☜ ☜ ☜ ☜ ☜ ☜ ☞ ☞ ☞ ☞ for the dry gripes . ☜ ☜ ☜ you shall find another most excellent for this purpose afterwards . ☜ ☞ ☞ ☞ ☞ ☞ ☞ ☞ resalgar is a composition of sulphur , orpiment and unslackt lyme , and is a most strong ●●rrosiv● . ☞ ☜ blood him first , and about two or three days after give him this drink . ☞ ☜ ☞ see more of this in the first part. p. . ☞ ☜ see a more large account of things of this nature in the first . part p. . ☞ ☜ see the expellers of wind in the first part. p. . ☞ ☜ ☜ they are both very cooling things . ☞ ☞ ☜ ☞ they are both very cooling things . ☜ ☜ ☞ ☞ ☞ * if the bone do fall in its true pl●ce●g in , it will give on a sudden a great 〈◊〉 see my first part for conglutinating things , good in general , or strengthners of parts out of joynt . p , ● . ☞ ☜ patch or piece-grease is the tallow that is gotten from shoomakers shreds ☜ ☜ the nail or s●ub must be first drawn out and the corruption let forth and made very clean , before you dress it . ☜ ☜ notes for div a -e ☞ notes for div a -e ☞ clip away the hair before you apply it . ☞ ☜ ☜ ☜ ☜ ☞ ☜ ☞ ☞ or with the help of the fire and your warm hands , you may work up by it self into balls the b●itlest sort of ●loes that is . ☜ ☜ ☜ or you may dissolve your aloes in cold brandy , being first beaten into fine powder , and put therein . ☜ notes for div a -e ☞ the gentlemans jockey, and approved farrier instructing in the natures, causes, and cures of all diseases incident to horses. with an exact and easie method of breeding, buying, dieting, and otherwise ordering all sorts of horses, as well for common and ordinary use, as the heats and course. with divers other curiosities collected by the long practice, experience and pains of j.h. esquire, matthew hodson, mr. holled, mr. willis, mr\ robinson, mr. holden, thomas empson, mr. roper, mr. medcalf, and nathaniel shaw. gentleman's jocky. halfpenny, john, th cent. approx. kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from -bit group-iv tiff page images. text creation partnership, ann arbor, mi ; oxford (uk) : - (eebo-tcp phase ). a wing h c estc r this keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the early english books online text creation partnership. this phase i text is available for reuse, according to the terms of creative commons . universal . the text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. early english books online. (eebo-tcp ; phase , no. a ) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set ) images scanned from microfilm: (early english books, - ; : ) the gentlemans jockey, and approved farrier instructing in the natures, causes, and cures of all diseases incident to horses. with an exact and easie method of breeding, buying, dieting, and otherwise ordering all sorts of horses, as well for common and ordinary use, as the heats and course. with divers other curiosities collected by the long practice, experience and pains of j.h. esquire, matthew hodson, mr. holled, mr. willis, mr\ robinson, mr. holden, thomas empson, mr. roper, mr. medcalf, and nathaniel shaw. gentleman's jocky. halfpenny, john, th cent. the fourth edition. [ ], , [ ] p., plate : ill. printed for hen. twyford in vine-court middle-temple, and nath. brook at the angel near the royal exchange in cornhill, london : . an edition of: halfpenny, john. the gentleman's jocky. with two final advertisement leaves. includes index. reproduction of the original in the bodleian library. created by converting tcp files to tei p using tcp tei.xsl, tei @ oxford. re-processed by university of nebraska-lincoln and northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors. eebo-tcp is a partnership between the universities of michigan and oxford and the publisher proquest to create accurately transcribed and encoded texts based on the image sets published by proquest via their early english books online (eebo) database (http://eebo.chadwyck.com). the general aim of eebo-tcp is to encode one copy (usually the first edition) of every monographic english-language title published between and available in eebo. eebo-tcp aimed to produce large quantities of textual data within the usual project restraints of time and funding, and therefore chose to create diplomatic transcriptions (as opposed to critical editions) with light-touch, mainly structural encoding based on the text encoding initiative (http://www.tei-c.org). the eebo-tcp project was divided into two phases. the , texts created during phase of the project have been released into the public domain as of january . anyone can now take and use these texts for their own purposes, but we respectfully request that due credit and attribution is given to their original source. users should be aware of the process of creating the tcp texts, and therefore of any assumptions that can be made about the data. text selection was based on the new cambridge bibliography of english literature (ncbel). if an author (or for an anonymous work, the title) appears in ncbel, then their works are eligible for inclusion. selection was intended to range over a wide variety of subject areas, to reflect the true nature of the print record of the period. in general, first editions of a works in english were prioritized, although there are a number of works in other languages, notably latin and welsh, included and sometimes a second or later edition of a work was chosen if there was a compelling reason to do so. image sets were sent to external keying companies for transcription and basic encoding. quality assurance was then carried out by editorial teams in oxford and michigan. % (or pages, whichever is the greater) of each text was proofread for accuracy and those which did not meet qa standards were returned to the keyers to be redone. after proofreading, the encoding was enhanced and/or corrected and characters marked as illegible were corrected where possible up to a limit of instances per text. any remaining illegibles were encoded as <gap>s. understanding these processes should make clear that, while the overall quality of tcp data is very good, some errors will remain and some readable characters will be marked as illegible. users should bear in mind that in all likelihood such instances will never have been looked at by a tcp editor. the texts were encoded and linked to page images in accordance with level of the tei in libraries guidelines. copies of the texts have been issued variously as sgml (tcp schema; ascii text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable xml (tcp schema; characters represented either as utf- unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless xml (tei p , characters represented either as utf- unicode or tei g elements). keying and markup guidelines are available at the text creation partnership web site . eng horses -- diseases -- early works to . horses -- england -- training -- early works to . - tcp assigned for keying and markup - apex covantage keyed and coded from proquest page images - judith siefring sampled and proofread - judith siefring text and markup reviewed and edited - pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion the gentleman's jockey , and approved farrier : instructing in the natures , causes , and cures of all diseases incident to horses . with an exact and easie method of breeding , buying , dieting , and otherwise ordering all sorts of horses , as well for common and ordinary use , as the heats and course . with divers other curiosities collected by the long practise , experience and pains of j. h. esquire , matthew hodson , mr. holled , mr. willis , mr. robinson , mr. holden , thomas empson , mr. roper , mr. medcalf , and nathaniel shaw. the fourth edition . virg. georg. l. tantus amor laudum , tantae est victoria curae , aequum est noscere equos , atque johannem obolum . london , printed for hen. twyford in vine-court middle-temple , and nath. brook at the angel near the royal exchange in cornhill . . to the reader . after so many essays , and some of them not of the meanest , which have been made concerning this point , let it not be thought a presumption to offer known experiments . for although there have been many great masters , who have in many points offered their knowledge in publick to the world in this matter , yet have not altogether said so much , but that a well-wisher may have liberty to cast in his gleanings and though it is said , facile est inventis addere , yet such additions have wrought that high improvement of arts , whereof in this age the world boasteth . esculapius , who by the ancients was deified for his first practise in physick ; yet was after undone by galen , whose works are still famous , even beyond esculapius's name ; yet hath later learning queried much in galen , and paracelsus not afraid even to arraign him . if these in that so renowned art of pharmaceuty have thus varied and amended by practical experiments , why may not this little manual ( as it makes a supplement ) be looked upon with an impartial eye : if the subject of it in practise hath been worth the experimenting by such able hands , it cannot be less worth thy reading . and though you expect more then you find , yet i dare say you shall find more then you expect . whoever is a gentleman , or a souldier that loves his horse , will find the advantage thereof in any experiment ; and the honest country man , whose habitation perhaps may be some miles distant from a farrier , having this book , may at an easie charge cure his own cattle . use it with the same freedom i offer it ; and i dare believe you will find no less advantage than many honourable persons have done , upon occasion , as these medicines and experiments have been applyed , and well approved : and therein your satisfaction will be an amends for all our past care and labour . the table . a. age , how to know a horses age. , ad anbury , a remedy for it . , apoplexy , or palsey . antocow , a disease in a horse , and how cured . b. bread for a running horse , how and of what to be made : the first . , the second bread . the last bread . , ad botts cured . , , , , back sinew-strain cured . blood. to cure pissing blood . , , , , back , swelling there , how cured . breed of horses , how to order . bleeding at nose , to stop . , , burning . to cure a horse burnt by a mare . bruise inward , remedy for it . back-swancked horse , how to remedy . blow , or other mischance , causing swelling about the head. brisket swelled , how cured . button-farcey oured . belly-ach , or belly-bound . blood. to stop in any part . blood-spavin , &c. c. cold , a medicine for it . , , . , , , , cut , or hewing on the legs , cured , canker in the horses mouth , how to cure . , , colts , when best to wean them . what is the best feeding for them . , when they may be handled . cough , old or new , how to cure . , , , canker in the tongue , a remedy . canker in the head .. cods bruised , or bitten , how to cure . cords , a disease , the cure . , cold , either old or new , to cure with safety . , , , , for a curb , the remedy . for the cough , a good receipt . cramp , or convulsion of sinews . colick , how to cure . colt evil cured . canker , in the nose : crick in the neck . hurts in the cronet , quitterbone or matlong . d. diet , how to diet a horse for a match . . ad dung of a horse to be observed . directions to use medicines : diapente , how made . decoction , what it is . drugs , to be put into a glister . dropsie , how to cure . e. eye , a water for sore eyes or dim sight . enterfairing , how to help or hide it . eye , a stroke or bite of the eye , cured . , , to take a film from the eye . , diseases in the eyes , and their cure . f. feeding of a horse to be observed . farcey cured . , , , , , , , , founder , frettize , &c. cured . flaps in a horses mouth , how to cure . fundament , or mother faln out , the cure of it . , foot , a stub or other hurt in the foot. falling evil , how to cure . founded horse , how to cure . , , for the chest founder . fistula , how to cure . , feeding cattle , observations concerning the same . foot-foundring , the cure. fever in a horse to cure . falling evil , the remedy . foundring in the body , how to help . frictions , for a horse . falling of the crest , manginess . defending of a horse from flies . g. ground to run on , how to be chosen : for the glanders , a medicine . , , , , balls for the same . grease fallen into the legs , how to be cured . galls between the legs , how to prevent . garget , to cure . , , gall : to help the overflowing thereof . griping or fretting , in a horses belly . glanders , a preparatory drink . , the black drink for the glanders . gangrene in the foot , a remedy for it . a glister for a sick or surfeited horse . , , , , ad glisters , and their use . , how to be made . when to give it . ibid. the length of the glister-pipe . gall diseased . h. heats : what heats are necessary for a running horse . horses hair to be minded . hudson's medicines . horses hoofs to be made tough and strong . brittle hoofs cured . , , , horses for hunting , pleasure , or travel . , ad how to breed horses . how to handle a sturdy horse . hurle-bone ▪ out of joynt , helped . heat sudden and great , that the grease is melted . horse , to make him thrive . horse-spice , how made . head-ach in a horse , cured . hide-bound . hungry evil , how cured . halting by strain , or stroke . hoofs infirmities of all kinds . i. ives . a disease . remedies for the same . inflammation , how to cure . imposthume in the ear , how to cure . any other imposthume . itch in the tail , &c. interfering , or shackle-galls . k. kernels under a horses throat , how to cure . , knobs , old and hard , the remedy thereof . , knees , broken , swelled and hard . kidneys . pains therein remedied . l. laxativeness , or extream loosness , cured . , legs swelled , or gourded , the remedy for them . , , , leprosie cured . lice , how to kill . , , , lask , or bloody flux , to cure . m. muzzle , the use of it for a horse . , mange cured . , , , mules , a disease , cured . , mares not good for the race : when first to be cover'd , and how to be order'd then . , , how to make them fruitful . how to be cured when ready to fole . murren , how to cure . mallender , to cure it . , , moulten horse , how to cure . mourning of the chine , a remedy for it . mares . particular diseases in them , and their remedies . mouth diseases , bloody rifts , liggs , lampreys , &c. n. navel gall , how to cure . , , night-mare , the remedy for it . neesing for a horse . o. observations for sickness and health in a horse . over-reach , or a tread of the heel , cured . , , over-gorged , horse or cow , how to cure . p. privy-parts of a horse to be minded . an excellent purgation for a horse . pearl , pin , and web , or any film on a horses eye . prick in the foot , how to cure . , pestilence in a horse , how to cure it . , , piss , to make a horse piss . , , poll evil , to cure . , poyson , for a horse or cow that is poysoned . a purge , for peccant humours by surfets . a purge by grass in summer . a general purge . , , , planet-struck , how to cure . palsey , the remedy . q. quitter-bone , how to cure . , r. running horse , how to order him . , , , , how to keep him the second fortnight . how to keep him the third fortnight . the last fortnights keeping . rules how to buy a horse . , ad ringbone , cured . , , . rats tails , cured . rowel , how to put in a french rowel . s. scowring , the first scowring of a running horse . how to order him after . , sickness of a horse in general . , state of a horses body , which the best . , sweating of a horse to be observed . , strain in the shoulder , a remedy . for a sinew sprung-horse . stone cured . a scowring for a horse . , , , strain or swelling a medicine . , , , , splint and spavin cured . , scratches , a cure for them . , , , , , , surbate cured . , a salve for a sore or swelling . for the spleen , a remedy . , stallion , his diet . how long he will continue . sore or swelling , to rot it . , sleeping evil , cured . , splent , how to take out . , , , swelling under the iaws . staggers , a remedy for it . , , sinew-strain in the leg. , , , strangling , the cure of it . shaw's receipts . strain in the pastern , back , or sinews . , , salve of sope and brandy , how to be boyled . swelling in general , the cure . shoulder-strain , a remedy . , stifle in the stifling-bone . scrupin , what , and its cure . stub in the foot or heel . surfet , the cure . , , , , squinzey , or strangling , the cure . stumbling , to help it . spavin , the cure of it . , star , how to make it in the fore-head of a horse . strangullion , how to remedy it . , suppositor for a house . , , , the strangle cured . swaying the back . to draw out stubs or thorns . spur-galling . sinews being cut t. thorn or nail , to draw out . tyred horse , how to help . teeth , or loose teeth . v. urine of a horse to be observed . , vein that swells upon blood-letting . vives , a disease , how cure . , vomits , to cause a horse to vomit . venome drunken , the cure of it . venemous wounds , &c. w. water , how and when to be given a horse . wind-gall , and strain in the shoulder . , wind , a glister for it . wind-colick , a glister . , , wound , a drier for a green wound . how to lay open a wound . an oyntment to heal any wound . , , , , to clean any wound . wound , a water to cure it . water farcion , the cure . , new wound , a remedy for it . , wind-broken , how to cure . worms , the cure for them . , , pain in the withers . wounds in the feet , &c , y. yellows , a remedy for it . , , yard foul and furr'd , to cure the same . the gentlemans iocky & approved farrier london printed for h twyford in vine court midle temple and n brooke att y e angell in cornehill an introduction to the reader , or , a gaining of satisfaction to all reasonable practisers , and confuting the wilful self-conceited . i will not dispute the several opinions of men in this kingdom , touching the keeping of the running horse ; because i know many are idle and frivolous , some uncertain , and a few in the right way : only in this i would clear one paradox , which is strongly maintained , and infinitely pursued by many of our best professours ; and that is the limitation and length of time , for the preparing or making ready of an horse for a match or great wager . there be divers , nay some which i know carry the goddess isis on their backs , that affirm an horse , which is exceeding fat , foul , newly taken from grass soile , or lofty , liberal , and unbounded feeding , cannot be brought to performance of his best labour under six moneths , five is too little , and four an act of impossibility ; by which they rob their noble masters of half a years pleasure , thrust upon them a tiring charge to make the sport lothsome , and get nothing but a cloak for ignorance , and a few false got crowns , which melt as they are possessed . yet as heretiques cite scriptures , so these find reasons to defend want of knowledge . as the danger of so early exercise . the offence of grease too suddenly broken . the moving of evil humours too hastily , which leads to mortal sickness . and the moderation or helping of all these by a slow proceeding , and bringing of the horse into order by degrees and times , or , as i may say , by an ignorant sufferance . these reasons , i know , have the shew of a good ground ; for the early exercise is dangerous , but not if free from violence . to break grease too suddenly is an offence unsufferable ; for it puts both the limbs and the life in hazard , but not if purged away by scowrings . the hasty stirring up of humours in body , where they superabound , and are generally dispersed , and not settled , cannot but breed sickness . but not where discretion and judgment evacnateth them in wholsome sweats and moderate stirrings . and for the moderation of all these by the tediousness of time , as two moneths for the first , two moneths for the second , and as many for the last . it is like the covering of a gangrene in an old man , better to dye than be dismembred , better lose the prize , than bear the charge : for i dare appeal to any noble judgment ( whose purse hath experience in these actions , ) if six moneths preparation , and the dependances belonging to it , and his person , do not devour up an hundred pound wager . but you will demand of me , what limitation of time i will allow for this purpose of preparation ? and i answer , that two moneths time is sufficient at any time of the year whatsoever ; and he that cannot do it in two moneths , shall never do it in fifteen . but reply they , no scowring is to be allowed ; for they are physical , then unnatural ; they force nature , and so hurt nature ; they make sickness , and so impair health : because nature worketh every thing her self , and though she be longer , yet she hath less danger . i confess that slibbersauce scowrings , which are stuft up with poysonous ingredients , cannot choose but bring forth infirmity ; but wholsome scowrings that are composed of beneficial and nourishing simples , neither occasion sickness , nor any manner of infirmity , but bring away grease ▪ and all manner of foulness in that kind , that one week shall effect and cleanse away more than two moneths of delat●ry and doubtful forbearance . because no man in this lingring course can certainly tell which way the grease and other foulness will avoid : as whether into his ordure , which is the safest ; into sweat , which is hazardous ; into his limbs , which is mischievous ; or remain and putrifie in his body , which is mortally dangerous ; since the issue of all these falleth out according to the strength and estate of the horses body , and the diligence of the keeper ; and if either the one fall in power or the other in care , farwell horse for that year ; all this nevy cannot choose but confess , only they have but one broken crutch to support them , which is , they know no scowring , therefore they will allow of no scowring . against barbarism i will not dispute , only i appeal to art and discretion , whether purgation or sufferance ( when nature is offended ) be the better doers . to conclude , two moneths i allow for preparation , and according to that time , i have laid directions . my humble suit is , out of a sincere opinion to truth and justice , so to allow or disallow , to refrain or imitate . of the running horse , and divers other choice secrets not formerly published . the first ordering of the running horse , according to the several estates of their bodies . when a horse is matched ( or to be matched ) for a runing course , you are principally to regard the estate of the body , in which the horse is at the time of his matching , and this estate of body i divide into three several kinds . . the first is , if he be very fat , foul , and either newly taken from grass or soil . , the second , if he be extreme lean and poor , either through over-riding , disorder , or other in firmity . . the third , if he be in a good and well liking estate , having had good usage and moderate exercise . if your horse be in the first estate of his body , you shall take longer time for matching , keeping , and bringing into order , as two moneths at the least , or more , as you can conclude your wager . if your horse be in the second estate of body , that is , very poor , then you shall also take as long time as you may , yet you need not so much as in the former , both because grease cannot much offend , and exercise may go hand in hand with feeding . if your horse be in the third estate of body , ( which is a mean betwixt the other extremes ) thena moneth or six weeks may be time sufficient to diet him for his match . now as you regard these general estates of bodies ; so you must have an eye to certain particular estates of bodies : as if a horse be fat and foul , yet of free and spending nature , apt quickly to consume and lose his flesh ; this horse must not haue so strict an hand , neither can he endure so violent excercise , as he that is of a hard disposition , and will feed and be far upon all meats and all exercises . again , if your horse be in extreme poverty , through disorder or misusage , yet is by nature very hard and apt , both soon to recover his flesh , and long to hold it ; then over this horse you shall by no means hold so liberal and tender an hand , nor forbear that excercise , which otherwise you would do to the horse , which is of a tender nature , a weak stomack , and a free spirit . provided always , you haue regard to his limbs , the imperfection of his lameness . thus you see how to look into the estates of horses bodies , and what time to take for your matchings . i will now descend to their several orderings and dietings , and because in the fat horse , is contained both the lean horse , and the horse in reasonable estate of body , i will in him shew all the secrets and observations , which are to be imployed in the dieting and ordering of all three , without any omission or reservation whatsoever . for truth , sir , i have vowed unto you , and truth i will present you . how to diet an horse for a match , that is fat , foul , and either newly taken from grass or soil , being the first fortnight . if you match an horse that is fat and foul either by runing at grass , or standing at soil , or any other means of rest , or too high keeping , you shall for the first fortnight at least rise early in the morning before day , or at the spring of day , according to the time of the year , and having put on his bridle washt in beer , and tyed to the rack , take away the dung and other foulness of the stable , then you shall dress the horse exceeding well , that is to say , you shall first curry him all over from the head to the tail , from the top of the shoulder to the knee , and from the top of the buttock to the hinder cambril ; then dust him all over , either with a clean dusting cloth , or with an horses tayl , or such like thing , made fast to an handle , then curry or rub him all over with the french brush , beginning with his forehead , temples and cheeks , so down his neek , shoulders , and fore-legs , even to the setting on of his hoofs , so along his sides , and under his belly ; and lastly , all about his buttocks , and hinder legs , even to the ground . then you shall go over all those parts which the brush hath touched with your wet hand , and not leave , as near as you can , one loose hair about him , nor one wet hair ; for what your hands did wet , your hands must rub dry again : you shall also with your wet hands cleanse his sheath , his yard , his stones or cods , and his tuel ; and in dead not leave any secret place uncleansed , as ears , nostrils , fore-bowels , and between his hinder thighs . then you shall take an haircl-oth , and with it rub the horse all over in every part , but especially his face , eyes , cheeks , between the chops , on the top of his forehead , in the nape of the neck , and down his legs , fetlocks , and about his pasterns . lastly , you shall take a clean woollen cloth , and with it you shall rub the horse oll over , beginning with his head and face , and so passing through every part of the horses body or limbs , which hath been before mentioned ; then take a wet mane-comb , and come down mane and tail . when this work is finished , take a fair large body-cloth , of thick warm housewives kersey ▪ ( if it be in the winter season , or of fine corten , or other light stuff , if it be in the summer season ) and fold it round about the horses body ; then clap on his saddle , and girt the foremost girth pretty strait , and the other girth somewhat slack , and wisp it on each side the horses heart , that both the girths may be of equal straitness , then put before his breast a warm breast-cloth , and let it cover both his shoulders . when the horse is thus accoutred and made ready , you shall take a little beer into your mouth and spirt it into the horses mouth , and so draw him out of the stable , and take his back , leaving some ordinary groom behind you , to trim up your stable , to carry forth dung , and shake and toss up your litter . for you are to understand , and it is a general principle , that your horse must stand upon good store of fresh dry litter continually , both night and day , and it must ever be of wheat-straw , if possible , or oat-straw , if forced by necessity . as for barley-straw , and rye-straw , they are both un wholesome and dangerous , the one doth heart-burn , the other causeth scowring . when you are thus mounted , you shall walk forth your horse foot pace , ( which we call racking ) for you must neither amble , nor trot , at least a mile or two , or more , upon smooth and sound ground , and as near as you can to the steepest hils you can find : there gallop your horse very gently up those steep hils , and rack or walk him softly down , that he may cool as much one way , as he warmeth another . and when you have thus exercised him a pretty space then seeing the sun beginning to rise , or prettily risen , you shall walk your horse down either to some fresh river , or some clear pond that is fed with a sweet spring , and there let your horse drink at his pleasure . after he hath drunk , you shall gallop and exercise him moderately as you did before ; then walk him a pretty space , and after offer him more water : if he drink , then gallop him again ; if he refuse , then gallop him to occasion thirst ; and thus always give him exercise both before and after water . when he hath drunk ( as you think sufficiently ) then bring him home gently , without a wet hair about him : when you are come to the stable door ( before which your groom shall throw all his foul litter continually from time to time ) you shall there alight from his back , and by whistling stretching the horse upon the straw , and arising the straw up under the horse , see if you can make him piss , which if at first he do not , yet with a little custome he wil soon be brought unto it , and it is an wholsom action , both for the horses health , and for the cleanly keeping of the stable . when these things are performed , you shall then bring the horse into his stall ; and first tye his head up to the rack in his bridle , then with hard wisps rub all his four legs down with as great strength as you can , then unloose his brest-cloth ; rub his head , neck , and breast , exceeding much with a dry cloth : then take of his saddle , and hang it by ; and after take of his body-cloth ; then rub over all the horses body and limbs , especially his back where the saddle stood ; and then clothe him up first with alinnen sheet , then over it a good strong housing-cloth , and a bove it his woollen body-cloth , which in the winter is not amiss to have lined with some thin cotten , or other woollen stuff , but in the heat of summer the kersey it self is sufficient . when you have girt these clothes about him , stop his sursingle round with reasonable big , soft , and thick wisps ; for with them he will lye at best ease , because the small hard wisps are ever hurtful . after your horse is thus clothed up , you shall then pick his feet , and stop them up with cow-dung , and then throw in to his racka little bundle of hay , so much as a half-penny bottle in a dear inn , well dusted , and hard bound up together , and this he shall tear out as he standeth on his bridle . after the horse hath stood on his bridle more than an hour , or an hour and half , you shall then come to him , and first rub his head , face , and the nape of his neck with a clean rubber , made of new rough hempen cloth , for this is excellent for the head , and dssolveth all gross and filthy humours , and then you shall draw his bridle , and with a very clean cloth make the manger so clean as may be ; and if he hath scattered any hay therein , you shall gather it up and throw it back into his rack ; then you shall take the quantity of a quart , or better , of sweet , dry , old , and clean dressed oats , of which the heaviest and the whitest are the best , as those which we call the poland oats , or the cut oats , for those only are wholesome , the other which are unsweet breed infirmity , those which are moist cause swelling in the body , those which are new breed worms , and pain in the belly , and they which are half dressed deceive the stomack , and bring the horse to ruine . as for theblack oats , though they are tolerable in the time of necessity , yet they make full dung , and hinder a mans knowledg , in the state of the horses body . this quart of oats you shall put into a sieve that is somewhat less than a riddle , and a thought bigger then a reeing sieve , such a one as will let a light oat go through , but will keep a ful oat from scattering . in this sieve you shall ree , dress , and toss your oats very much , that there may be neither dust , nor any other foul thing in them : and so give them to the horse to eat , and if he eat them with a good stomack , you may then sift , and give him as much more ; and so let him rest , till it be near eleven of the clock . then come to the stable again , and having rubbed the horses head , neck , and face , you shall then take another quart or better of oats , and as before , toss and ree them through your sieves , and so give them the horse . then closing up your windows and light , that the horse may remain so dark as is possible , leave him til one of the clock . and here you are to understand that the darker you keep your horse in your absence , the better it is , and it will occasion him to feed , lye down and take his rest , where otherwise he would not . and therefore we commonly use to arm the stals , wherein those horses stand , round about , and aloft , and over the rack , with strong canvas , both for darkness , warmth , and that no filth may come near the horse . at one a clock or thereabouts , come to the horse again , and sift and dress him another quart of oats , as before shewed , and give them him : after you have rubbed well his face , head , and nape of the neck , then putting away his dung and making the stable clean and sweet , give him a little knob of hay , and so leave him till four of the clock in the evening , if it be in the summer ; after three , if it be in the winter and short season . at four a clock in the evening come again to the stable , and having made all things clean , then bridle up the horse , having wet the snaffle with beer , and tyed him up to the rack , then take off his clothes and dress him in all points , and every way as was shewed you in the morning . after he is dressed , then clothe and saddle him , as was also shewed for the morning : then bring him forth , and do your best to make him piss and dung upon the foul litter at the stable door : then mount his back ▪ and ride him forth , as you did in the morning , but not to the hils , if possible you can find any other plain and level ground , as meadow , pasture , or any other earth , especially if it lye along by the river . but in this case you can be no chooser , but must take the most convenient ground you can find , to make a vertue of necessity . there air your horse in all points in the evening , as you did in the morning , galloping him both before and after his water , then racking him gently up and down , in your raking you must observe even from the stable door in all your passages , especially when you would have your horse to empty himself , to let him smell upon every old and new dung you meet with all , for this will make him empty his body , and repair his stomack . after you have watered your horse , and spent the evening in airing till within night , ( for nothing is more wholsome or sooner consumeth foulness than early and late airings ) you shall then air him home to the stable door , there alight , and whatsoever you did in the morning either within doors or without , do the same also now at night , and so leave the horse on his bridle an hour or an hour and an half . then come to him again , and as you did in the fore-noon , sodo now , rub well , draw his bridle , cleanse the manger , put up his scattered hay , sift him a quart and better of oats , and give them him and so let him rest till nine of the clock at night . at nine of the clock at night , which is bedtime both for your horse and your self , come unto him , and first rub down his legs hard with hard wisps , then with a clean cloth rub his face , head , chaps , nape of the neck and fore-parts . then turn up his clothes , and rub over his fillets , buttocks , and hinder parts : then put down his clothes , and sift him a quart of oats , and give them him . then put into his rack a little bundle of hay ( as hath been before shewed ) toss up his litter and make his bed soft , and so betake both him and your self to your rests till the next morning . the next morning ( as the morning before ) come to the horse before day , or at the break , according to the season of the year , and do every thing , without the omission of any one particular , as hath been formerly declared . and thus you shall keep your horse constantly for the first fortnight ; in which by this double daily exercise you shall so harden his flesh , and consume his foulness , that the next fortnight ( if you be a temperate man ) you may adventure to give him gentle heats . now touching his heats , you are to take to your self these four considerations . first , that two heats in the week is a sufficient proportion for any horse of what condition or state of body soever . secondly , that one heat should ever be given upon that day in the week on which he is to be run his match . as thus , for example . if your match is to be run upon the munday , then your fittest heating days are mundayes and fridayes , and the munday to be ever the sharper heat ; both because it is the day of his match , and there is three days respite betwixt it and the other heat . if the match-day be on the tuesday , then the heating days are tuesdays and saturdays . if it be on wednesday , then the heating dayes are wednesdayes and saturdayes by reason of the sabbath . if on the thursday , then the heating dayes are thursdayes and mundayes , and so of the rest . thirdly , you shall give no heat ( except in case of extremity ) in very rainy and foul weather ; but rather to differ hours , and change times , for it is unwholesome and dangerous . and therefore in case of showers and uncertain weather , you shall be sure to provide for your horse a warm lined hood with linnen ears , and the nape of the neck lined to keep out rain , for nothing is more dangerous than cold wet falling into the ears , upon the nape of the neck and the fillets . fourthly and lastly , observe to give your heats ( the weather being seasonable ) as early in the morning as you can , that is , by the spring of the day : but by no means in the dark , for it is to the horse unwholesome and unpleasant , to the man a great testimony of folly , and to both an act of danger and precipitation . the second fortnight's keeping . now to descend to your second fortnight's keeping ; touching your first approach to the stable and all other by-respects , as cleansing , shaking up of litter , and the like , you shall do all things as in the first fortnight . only before you put on his bridle , you shall give him a quart or better , of clean sifted oats , which as soon as he hath eaten , you shall then bridle him up , and dress him in all points , as was declared in the first fortnight , you shall clothe him , saddle him , air , water , and bring him home in all points , as in the first fortnight ; only you shall not put any hay in his rack to tear out , but only draw with your hand as much fine sweet hay ( which you shall toss and dust well ) as you can well gripe , and let him as he standeth on the bridle tear it out of your hand , which if he do greedily and earnestly , then you may give him another and another , and so let him stand on the bridle an hour or more after . then come to him , and after rubbing and other ceremonies , before declared , performed ; sift and dust up the quantity of a quart of oats , and set them by : then take a loaf of bread , that is at least three dayes old , made after this manner , the first bread. take three pecks of clean beans , and one peck of fine wheat , and mix them together , and grind it to pure meal . then searce and bolt through a reasonable fine range , and knead it up with great store of barm and lightning , but with as little water as may be ; labour it in the trough with all painfulness , tread it , break it , and after cover it warm , and let it ly a pretty space in the trough to swell : then after knead it over again , and mold it up into big loaves , and so bake them well , and let them soak soundly ; after they are drawn from the oven , turn the bottoms upward and let them cool . at three daies old you may adventure to give this bread , but hardly sooner , for nothing doth occasion surfeit , or is more dangerous than new bread ; yet if necessity compel you that you must sooner give this bread , or that the bread be danck and clammy , so as the horse taketh distaste thereat , then cut the loaf into thin shives , and lay it abroad in a sieve to dry , and then crumbling it small amongst his oats , you may give it without danger . but to return to my purpose where i left : when you have taken a loaf of this bread of three dayes old , you shall chip it very well , then cut it into thin shives , and break three or four shives thereof ( which may countervail the quantity of the oats ) very small , and mix it with the oats you had before sifted , and so give them to the horse . about eleven of the clock you shall come to the horse , and having performed your by-ceremonies , before spoken of , you shall give him the same quantity of bread and oats as you did in the morning , and so let him rest till the afternoon . at one of the clock in the afternoon ( or after , if you intend not to give him an heat the next day ) you shall feed him with bread and oats as you did in the forenoon , and so consequently every meal following for that day , observing every action and motion , as hath been before declared . but if you intend the next day to give him an heat ( to which i now bend mine aim ) you shall then only give him a quart of sweet oats , and as soon as they are eaten , put on his bridle , and tye up his head , not forgetting all by-ceremonies , before declared . then dress him , clothe him , saddle him , air and water him , as before shewed : also bring him home , and order him , as before shewed , only give him no hay at all after he hath stood an hour on the bridle , give him , as before a quart of clean sifted oats ; when he hath eaten them , you shall then put on his head a sweet clean washt muzzle , and so let him rest till nine of the clock at night . now touching the use of the muzzle ; and which is the best , you shall understand , that as they are most useful , being good and rightly made ; so they are dangerous and hurtful , being abused or falsly made . the true use of them , is to keep the horse from eating up his litter , from gnawing upon boards and mud-walls , and indeed to keep him from eating any thing , but what he reciveth from your hand . these muzzles are sometimes made of leather , and stampt full of holes , or else close , but they are unsavoury and unwholesome ; for if it be allom'd leather , the allom is offensive ; if it be liquor'd , the grease and ouze are full as unpleasant : besides , they are too close , and too hot , and both make a horse sick , cause him to forbear rest , and retain his dung longer in his body , then otherwise he would do . the best summer-muzzle , is the net-muzzle , made of strong packthred , and knit exceeding thick , and with small mashes in the bottom , and so enlarged wider and wider up to the middle of the horses head , and then bound about the top with strong tape , upon the near side a loop , and on the far side a long string of tape to be fastned unto the horses head . the best winter muzzle , is that which is made of strong double canvas , with a round bottom , and a square lattis window of small tape , before both his nostrils , down to the very bottom of the muzzle ; this must also have a loop and a string to fasten it about the horses head . at nine of the clock at night coming to the horse again , after your by-ceremonies , before taught , are performed , give him a quart of clean sifted oats ; and as soon as he hath eaten them , put on his muzzle , toss up his litter , and leave him to his rest . the next day early in the morning before day , come to the horse ( if he be standing on his feet ) but if he be laid , by no no means disturb him . now whilst he is lying , or if he be standing , take a quart of clean oats well sifted , and rub between your hands , and wash them in a little strong ale or beer , and let them not be too moist for fear of offence , and so give them to the horse . as soon as he hath eaten them , bridle him up , and hang by his muzzle in some sweet place , then unclothe him , and dress him , as hath been before shewed ; after put on his body-cloth , and breast-cloth , and saddle him : then being ready to go forth with him , take his bridle-rein and draw it over the top of the rack , so as you may draw his head aloft . then take a new laid egg , washt clean , and breaking it in his mouth make him to swallow it down , then wash his tongue and mouth with a little beer , and so lead him forth of the stable . at the door see if he will piss or dung , then take his back and rack him gently to the course , ever and anon making him smell upon other horses dung , whereby he may empty himself the better . when you are come within a mile or thereabouts , of the starting post , you shall alight from the horses back , and take of his body-cloth , and breast-cloth ; and then girt on the saddle again , then sending away your groom both with those clothes , and the clean dry rubbing clothes , let him stay at the last end of the race till you come . then your self rack your horse gently up to the starting post , and beyond : make your horse smell to that post , as you shall also do at the first post , which we call the weighing post , that he may thereby take notice of the beginning and ending of his course . and there start your horse roundly and sharply at near a three quarters speed , and according to his strength of body , ability of wind , and chearfulness of spirit , run him the whole course through . but by no means do any thing in extremity , and above his wind and strength ; but when you find him a little yield , then give him a little ease , so that all he doth , may be done with pleasure , and not with anguish ; for this manner of training will make him take delight in his labour , and so increase it , the contrary will breed discomfort , and make exercise irksome . also during the time that you thus course your horse , you shall with all carefulness note upon what grounds he runneth best ; as whether upon the hill , whether on the smooth earth , or on the rough , whether on the wet , or on the dry , or whether on the level , or the earth that is somewhat rising , and according as you find his nature and disposition , so maintain him for your own advantage . when you have thus coursed the course over strongly and swiftly , and after a little sleightly gallop him up and down the field , to rake his wind and chear his spirits , you shall then ( your groom being ready with your clothes and other necessaries ) ride to some warm place , as under the covert of some hedge , bushes or trees , into some hollow dry ditch , pit , or other defence from the air , and there alight from his back , and first with a grasing knife , or scraping knife , as some call it , made either of some broken sword blade , some old broken sythe , or for want of them , a thin piece of old hard oaken wood , fashioned like a broad long knife with a sharp edg : and using this with both your hands , scrape off all the sweat from your horse in every part of him , wheresoever you find any wet : and thus do till you find there will no more sweat arise , and ever and a non move and stir the horse up and down , and then with dry clothes rub the horse all over exceedingly . then take off the saddle , and having glassed , scraped and rubbed his back , put on his body-cloth and his brest-cloth , and then set on the saddle again and girt it ; then gallop the horse gently forth , and again a little space ever and a non rubbing his head , neck , and body , as you sit on his back ; then walk him about the fields and downs to cool him , and when you find that he drieth a pace , then rack him gently homeward , sometimes racking and sometimes galloping . but by no means bring him to the stable , till you find he have not one wet hair about him , when you have brought him to the stable-door dry , there dismount , and having enticed him to piss and empty himself , then lead him into his stall , and there tye his head gently up to the rack with his bridle ; which done , presently , as having prepared it before , give the horse this scowring following , and made in this manner . the first scowring . take a pint of the best sweet sack , and put thereto better than an ounce of the clearest , and purest rosin , bruised to a very fine dust , and brew them together exceeding much ; then when the sack and it is incorporated together , put thereto half a pint of the best sallet oyl , and brew them also well together : then lastly , take a full ounce and an half of brown sugar-candy beaten to powder , and put it in also : then mull also upon the fire , and being luke-warm , and the horse newly come in from his heat , as before i shewed you , draw his head up to the rack , and with an horn give him this scowring , for it is a strong one , and this taketh away , and avoideth all manner of moulten grease , and foulness whatsoever . the ordering of the horse after this scowring . as soon as you have given the horse this scowring , presently let your groom fall to rubbing of his legs , and do your selfe take off his saddle and clothes , and finding his body dry , run slightly over it with your curry-comb , after with the brush . then dust well , and lastly , rub all his body over exceedingly well with dry clothes , especially his head , nape of the neck , and about his heart ; then clothe him up warm , as at his other ordinary times , and wisp him round with great warm wisps , and if you throw over him a little loose blanket , it will not be amiss in these extraordinary times , especially if the season be cold . your horse must fast full two hours after the receipt of his scowring , but yet depart not your self , or your groom out of the stable , but stay and keep the horse stirring and walking , partly by extraordinary noise and clamour , and partly by action about him , or making him move up and down , as he standeth . there is nothing more hurtful to the horse , or working of the medicine , than sleep , stilness , and rest , and nothing better or more available to the working of the medicine , than action and motion , for they make the spirits lively , and stir up those humours which should be removed , when rest keeps the spirits dull , and the humours so inclosed and reserved , that nature hath nothing to work upon . after your horse hath fasted upon his bridle two hours , or more , then you shall take an handful of wheat-ears , being your pollard , that is , without rough beards , and coming to the horse , first handle the roots of his ears , then put your hands under his clothes against his heart , upon his fillets , flanks , and on the neather part of his thighs , and if you find any new sweat to arise , or any coldness of sweat , or if you see his body beat , or his breath move fast , then forbear to give him any thing , for it is a pregnant sign , that there is much foulness stirred up , on which the medicine working with a conquering quality , the horse is brought to a little heart-sickness . therefore in this case you shall only take off his bridle , and put on his collar , then toss up his litter that he may lye down , and then absent your self ( having made the stable dark and still ) for two hours more at the least , which is the utmost end of that sickness : but if you find no such offence , then you shall proffer him the ears of wheat by three or four together , and if he eat this handful , then give him another . after he hath eaten the wheat-ears , you shall then give him a little bundle of hay , such as hath been before declared , and draw his bridle , rubbing his head well . an hour or better after he hath had his hay , you shall sift him a quart of the best oats , and to them you shall put two or three handfuls of spelted beans , which you shall cause to be reed and dressed , so clean as possible , from all manner of huls , dust , and filth whatsoever , so as there may be nothing but the clean spelted beans themselves . to these oats and beans you shall break two or three good thick shives of bread , clean chipt , and give all unto the horse , and so leave him to his rest for near three hours or there abouts . at evening , before you dress your horse , give him the like quantity of oats , spelted beans and bread , and when he hath eaten them , then bridle him up and dress him , as before shewed ; after he is drest , clothe him up , for you shall neither saddle him , nor ride him forth ; for you shall understand that this evening after his heat , the horse being inwardly foul , and the scowring yet working in his body , he may not receive any water at all . after the horse is drest , and hath stood an hour and half upon his bridle , you shall then take three pints of clean sifted oats , and wash them in strong ale or beer , and so give them to the horse ; for this will inwardly cool and refresh him , as if he had drunk water . after he hath eaten all his washt meat , and rested upon it a little space , you shall then at his feeding times , which have been spoken of before , with oats and spelt beans , or oats and bread , or all together , or each several and simple of it self ( as you shall find the stomack of the horse best addicted to receive it ) feed him that night in plentiful manner , and leave a know of hay in the rack when you go to your bed . the next day , very early as may be ; first feed , then dress , after clothe , saddle , then air him abroad , and water him , as hathe been before shewed : after bring him home and feed him with oats , spelt beans , and bread , as was last of all declared ; only very little hay , and keep your heating dayes , and the preparation the day before , in such wise as hath been also formerly declared , without any omission or addition . thus you shall spend the second fortnight , in which your horse having received four heats soundly given unto him , and four scowrings , there is no doubt but his body will be inwardly clean : you shall then the third fortnight order him according to these rules which hereafter follow . the third fortnights keeping . the third fortnight you shall make his bread finer than it was formerly . as thus . the second bread. you shall take two pecks of clean beans , and two pecks of fine wheat , grind them on the black stones , searce them through a fine range , and knead it up with barm , and great store of lightning ; working it in all points , and baking it in the same sort as was shewed you in the former bread. with this bread , having the crust cut clean away , and being old ( as was before shewed ) with clean sifted oats , and with clean drest spelt beans , you shall feed your horse this fortnight , as you did in the fortnight before , you shall observe his dressing , airing , and hours of feeding , as in the former fortnight ; also you shall observe his heating dayes , and the day before his heat , as in the former fortnight , only with these differences . first , you shall not give his heats so violently as before , but with a little more pleasure ; that is to say , if the first heat be of force and violence , the second heat shall be of pleasure and ease , and indeed none at all to overstrain the horse , or to make his body sore . next , you shall not after his heats , when he cometh home , give him any more of the former scowring , but instead thereof , you shall instantly upon the end of your heat , after the horse is a little cool'd , and clothed up , and in the same place where you rub him , by drawing his head up aloft as you sit in the saddle , or raising it up otherwise , give him a ball somewhat bigger then a french wall-nut , hull and all , of that confection , which is mentioned before , of the true manner of making of cordial bals. the fourth and last fortnights keeping . now to return again to my purpose , having thus spent the three last fortnights , you shall the fourth and last fortnight make your horses bread much finer than either of the former . the last bread. take three pecks of fine wheat , and put one peck of clean beans , grind them to powder on the black stones , and bolt them through the finest bolter you can get ; then knead it up with very sweet ale-barm , and new strong ale , and the barm beaten together , and also the whites of at least twenty eggs , in any wise no water at all , but instead thereof some small quantity of new milk . then work it up , and labour it with all painfulness that may be , as was shewed in the first bread ; then bake it and order it , as was declared in the other . with this bread ( having the crust cut clean away , and with oats well sunned , beaten , and rubbed over with your hands , then new winnowed and sifted , and most finely drest , that there may be neither light ones , nor foul ones , nor any false grain amongst them ; and with the purest spelted beans that can be tried out ) feed your horse at his ordinary feeding times , in such wise as you did in the fortnight last mentioned before . you shall keep his heating dayes the first week of this last fortnight , in such wise as you did in the former fortnight : but the last week you shall forbear one heat , and not give him any heat five dayes before his match at the least , only you shall give him long and strong airing to keept him in wind ▪ you shall not need this fortnight to give him any scowring at all . if this fortnight , morning and evening , you burn upon a chafingdish and coals in your stable of the purest olibanum or frackincense mixt with storax and benjamina , to perfume and sweeten the room , you shall find it exceeding wholesome for the horse , and he will take delight therein . in this fortnight , when you give your horse any washt meat , wash it not in ale or beer , but in the whites of eggs or muskadine , for that is more wholesom and less pursy . this fortnight give your horse no hay at all , but what he taketh out of your hand after his heats , and that must be in little quantity , and clean dusted and drest , unless he be an exceeding evil feeder , and marvellous tender , and a great belly-looser . the last week of this fortnight , if your horse be a foul feeder , you must use the muzzle continually , but if he be a clean feeder and will touch no litter , then three dayes before your match is a convenient time for the use of the muzzle . the morning the day before your match , feed well both before and after airing , and water , as at other times , before noon and after noon , scant his proportion of meat a little . before and after evening airing , feed as at noon , and water as at other times , but be sure to come home before sunset . this day you shall cool the horse , shoe the horse , and do all extraordinary things of ornament about him : provided there be nothing to give him offence , or to hinder him in feeding , or any other material or beneficial action : for i have heard some horsemen say , that when they had shoed their horse with light shoes , and done other actions of ornament about them , the night before the course , that their horse hath taken such especial notice thereof , that they have refused both to eat and lye down . but you must understand that those horses must be old , and long experienced in this exercise , or they cannot reach at these subtile apprehensions : for my part , touching the nice and strait platting up of horses tails in the manner of sakers or docks ( which is now in general use ) howsoever the ornament may appear great to the eye , yet i do not much affect it , because i know , if an ignorant hand have the workmanship thereof , he may many wayes give offence to the horse , and in avoiding cumbersomness breed a great deale of more cumber ; therefore i wish every one rather to avoid curiosity , which they call necessary ornament , than by those false graces to do injury to the horse . now for the necessary and indifferent things which are to be done unto the horse ▪ i would rather have them done the day before , than on the morning of the course , because i would have the horse that morning to find no trouble or vexation . the next morning which is the ma●ch-day , come to your horse before day , take off his muzzle , rub his head well , and give him a pretty quantity of oats masht in muskadine , if he will eat them , or else in the whites of eggs ; or if he refuse both , then try him with fine drest oats dry and mixt with a little wheat , or with your lightest bread : as for beans forbear them , of any of these foods give him such a quantity as may keep life and soul together : then if he be a horse that is an evil emptier , and will reretain meat long , you may walk him abroad , and in the places where he used to empty , there entice him to empty , which as soon as he hath done , bring him home , put on his muzzle , and let him rest , till you have warning to make ready and lead forth : but if he be a good and free emptying horse , then you need not stir him , but let him lye quiet . when you have warning to prepare for leading out , then come to your horse , and having washed his snaffle in a little muskadine , take off his muzzle and bridle him up : but before you bridle , if you think the horse too empty , you may give him three or four mouthfuls of the washt meat last spoken of , then bridle up , then dress : after having pitcht your saddle and girths with shoemakers wax , set it on his back , and girt it as gently as may be , so as he may have a feeling but no straitness . then lay a very white sheet over the saddle next his skin , and over it his ordinary clothes , then his body-cloth and breast-cloth , and wisp them round about with soft wisps : then if you have a counterpane or cloth of state for braverie's sake , let it be fastened above all : when this is done , and you are ready to draw out , then take half a pint of the best muskadine , and give it him with an horn , and so lead him away . in all your leadings upon the course , of gentle and calm motions , suffering the horse to smell upon every dung , that thereby he may empty himself ; and in special places of advantage , as where you find rushes , long grass , ling , or heath , or the like , walk your horse , and intice him to piss : but if you find no such help , then in special places upon the course , and chiefly towards the latter end , and having used the same means before , break some of your wisps under the horses belly , and so make him piss . also in your leading , if any white or thick foam or froth arise about the horses mouth , you shall with a clean handkerchief wipe it away , carrying a small bottle of clear water about you , wash your horses mouth now and then therewith . when you come to the place of starting , before you unclothe the horse , rub and chafe his legs with hard wisps , then pick his feet , and wash his mouth with water , then unclothe him ; mount his rider , start fair , and then refer all the rest to god's good will and pleasure . general observations , helps and advertisements , for any man when he goeth about to buy an horse . there is nothing more difficult or intricate in all the arts of horsemanship , than to set down constant and uncontrollable resolutions , by which to bind every man's mind to an unity of consent in the buying of an horse : for according to the old adage , that which is one man's meat , is another man's poyson ; what one affects another dislikes . but to proceed according to the rule of reason , the precepts of the ancients , and the modern practice of our present conceived opinions , i will , as freely as i can , shew you those observations and advertisements , which may strengthen and fortifie you in any hard & difficult election . first therefore , you are to observe , that if you will elect an horse for your heart's contentment ; you are to take to your self this principal consideration : namely , the end and purpose for which you elect him ; as whether for the wars , for ▪ running , hunting , travel , draught , or burthen ; every one having their several characters , and their several faces , both of beauty and uncomeliness . but because there is but one truth , and one perfection , i will , under the description of the perfect horse , that is untainted , shew all the imperfections and attaintures , that either nature or mischance can put upon the horse of greatest deformity . let me then advise you that intend to buy a horse , to acquaint your self well with all the true shapes and excellencies which belong to an horse , whether it be in his natural and true proportion , or in any accidental or outward increase or decrease of any limb or member ; and from their contraries , to gather all things whatsoever that may give dislike or offence . to begin therefore with the first principles of election , you shall understand , that they are divided into two special heads : the one general , the other particular . the general rule of election , is first the end for which you buy , then his breed or generations , his colour , his face and his stature : and these are said to be general ; because the first , which is the end for which you buy , is a thing shut up onely in your own breast . the other which is his breed , you must either take it from faithful report , your own knowledg , or from some known and certain characters , by which one strain or one country is distinguished from another : as the neapolitan is known by his hook ▪ nose , the spaniard by his small limbs , the barbary by his fine head , the dutch by his rough legs . the english by his general strong knitting together , and so forth of divers others . as for his colour , although there is no colour exempt utterly from goodness , for i have seen good of all , yet there are some better reputed than others , as the daple gray for beauty th brown bay for service , the black silver-hair ▪ for courage , and the lyard or true mixt roan for countenance : as for the sorrel , the black without white , and the unchangeable iron-gray , they are reputed cholerick ; the bright bay , the flea-bitten , and the black with white marks , are sanguinists ; the blanke-white , the yellow dun , the kite glew'd , and the pide-bald , are flegmatick ; and the chesnut , the mouse-dun , the red ▪ bay , and the blew-gray , are melancholy . now for his pace , which is either trot , amble , rack , or gallop , you must re●er it to the end also for which you buy ; as if it be for the wars , hunting , running , or your own private disposition , then the trot is most tolerable . and this motion you shall know by a cross moving of the horses limbs , as when the far fore-leg and the near hinder-leg , or the near fore-leg and the far hinder-leg , move and go forward in one instant . and in this motion , the neater the horse taketh his limbs from the ground , the opener , the evener , and the shorter he treadeth , the better his pace ; for to take up his feet sturnly shews stumbling and lameness , to tread narrow or cross shews enterfering or falling : to step uneven shews toil and weariness , to tread long shews over-reaching . now if you elect for ease , great persons seats or long travel , then amble is required , and this motion is contrary to trotting , for now both the feet on one side must move equally together , that is , his far fore-leg , and the far hinder-leg , and this motion must go just , large , smooth and nimble ; for to tread false takes away all ease , to tread short rids no ground , to tread rough shews rolling , and to tread nimbly shews a false pace that never continueth , as also lameness . if you elect for buckhunting , for galloping on the high-way , for post , hackney , or the like then a racking pace is required , and this motion is the same that ambling is , only it is in a swifter time and shorter tread , and though it rid not so much ground , yet it is a little more easie . now to all these parts must be joyned a gallop ( which naturally every trotting and racking horse hath ) the ambler is a little unapt thereunto , because the motions are both one , so that being put to a greater swiftness of pace , than naturally he hath been acquainted withal , he handles his legs confusedly and out of order , but being tamed gently , and made to know and understand the motion , he will as well undertake it , as any trotting horse whatsoever . now in a good gallop , you are to observe these vertues . first , that the horse which taketh his feet nimbly from the ground , but doth not raise them high , that neither rolleth , nor beats himself that stretcheth out his fore-legs , follows nimbly with his hinder , and neither cutteth under the knee , ( which we call the swift cut ) nor crosseth , nor claps one foot upon another , and ever leadeth with his far fore-foot , and not with the near . this horse is said ever to gallop most comely , and most true , and is the fittest for speed , or any other like imployment . if he gallop round , and raise his fore-feet , he is then said to gallop strongly , but not swiftly , and is fittest for the great saddle , the wars , and strong encounters . if he gallop slow , yet sure , he will serve for the high-way ; but if he labour his feet confusedly , and gallop painfully , then he is good for no galloping service , besides it shews some obscure lameness . lastly , touching his stature , it must be referred to your own judgment , and the end for which you buy him ; ever observing , that the biggest and strongest are fittest for strong occasions , as great burthens , strong draughts , and double carriage , the middle size for pleasure , and general employments , and the least for ease , street-walks , and summer-hackney . now touching the particular rule of election , it is contained in the discovery of natural deformities , accidental , outward or inward hidden mischiefs , which are so many , are infinite , that it is a world of work to explain him ; yet for satisfaction sake , i will , in as methodical manner as i can , briefly and according to the best conceited opinions , shown or can be observed in this occasion . first therefore , when an horse is brought unto you to buy , being satisfied for his breed his pace and colour , then see him stand naked before you , and placing your self before his face , take a strict view of his countenance , and the chearfulness thereof , for it is an excellent glass wherein to see his goodness ; asthus , if his ears be small , thin , sharp , pricked , and moving , and if they be long , yet well set on , and well carried , it is a mark of beauty , goodness and metal ; but if they be thick ▪ laved , or lolling , wide set on , and unmoving , then are they signs of dulness , doggedness and ill nature . if his face be clean , his forehead swelling outward , the mark or feather in his face set high ; as above his eyes , or at the top of his eyes , if he have a white star , or a white rach of an indifferent size , and even placed , or a white snip on his nose , all are marks of beauty and goodness : but if his face be fat ▪ cloudy or scouling , his fore-head flat as a trencher , which we call mare-saced , the mark in his forehe ad stand low , as under his eyes ; if his star or rach stand awry or in an evil posture , or instead of a snip , his nose be raw and unhairy , or his face generally bald , all are signs of deformity ; if his eyes be round , bright , black , shining , staring , or starting from his head ; if the black of the eye fill the pit , or outward circumference , so that in the moving none ( or very little ) of the white appeareth , all are signs of beauty , goodness and meral ; but if his eyes be uneven and of a wrinkled proportion ; if they be little ( which we call pig-eyed ) both are uncomely signs of weakness : if they be red and fiery , take heed of moon-eyes , which is the next door to blindness ; if white and walled , it shews a weak sight , and unnecessary starting or finding of boggards ; if with white specks , take heed of the pearl , pin and web ; if they water or shew bloudy , it shews bruises ; and if they matter , they shew old over-riding and festred rheums , or violent strains , if they look dead or dull , or all hollow and much sunk , take heed of blindness , at the best the beast is of an old decrepit generation ; if the black fill not the pit , but the white is alwayes appearing , or if in moving the white , the black be seen in equal quantity , it is a sign of weakness and dogged disposition . if handling of his cheeks or chaps , you find the bones lean and thin , the space wide between them , the thropple or wind-pipe big as you can gripe , and the void place without knots or kernels ; and generally , the jaws so open , that the neck seemeth to couch within them , they are all excellent signs of great wind , courage , and soundness of head and body ; but if the chaps be fat and thick , the space between them closed up with gross substance , and the thropple little , all are signs of short wind , and much inward foulness ; if the void place be full of knots and kernels , take heed of the strangle or glanders , at least the horse is not without a foul cold . if his jaws be so strait , that his neck swelleth about them ; if it be no more but natural , it is only an uncomely sign of strait wind , and pursiness , or grossness ; but if the swelling be long and close to his chaps like a whetstone , then take heed of the uvies , or some other unnatural imposthume . if his nostrils be open , dry , wide and large , so as upon any straining the very inward redness is discovered ; and if his muzzle be small , his mouth deep ; and his lips equally meeting , they are all good signs of wind , heat and courage ; but if his nostrils be strait , his wind is little ; if his muzzle be gross , his spirit is dul ; if his mouth be shallow , he will never carry a bit well ; and if his upper lip will not reach his neather , old age or infirmity hath marked him for carrion ; and if his nose be moist and dropping , if it be clear water it is a cold , if foul matter then be ware the glanders , if both nostrils run it is hurtful , but if one then most dangerous . touching his teeth , and their vertues , they are at large set down in another chapter touching the horses age ; only remember you never buy an horse that wanteth any , for as good lose all as one . from his head look down to his breast , and look that it be broad , out-swelling , and adorned with many feathers , for that shews strength and endurance : the little braest is uncomely , and shews weakness ; the narrow breast is apt to stumble , fall and enterfere before ; and the breast that is hidden inward , and wanteth the beauty and division of many feathers , shews a weak-armed heart , and a breast that is unwilling and unfit for any toyl or strong labour . next look down from his elbow to his knee , and see that those fore-things be rush-grown , well horned within , sinewy flesh , and without swelling , for they are good signs of strength ; the contrary shews weakness ▪ and are unnatural . then look on his knees , that they carry an equal and even proportion , be clean ▪ sinewy , and close knit , for they are good and comely ; if one be bigger and rounder than another , the horse hath received mischief ; if they be gross , the horse is gouty ; and if they have scars or hair broken , it is a true mark of a stumbling jade , and a perpetual faller . from his knees look down his legs to his pasterns , and if you find his legs clean , fat , and sinewy , and the inward bougth of his knee without a seam , or hair broken , then he shews good shape and soundness ; but if on the inside , there are excressions , if under his knee be scabs on the inside , it is the swift cut , and he will ill endure galloping ; if above his pasterns on the inside you find scabs , it shews enterfering . but if the scabs be generally over his legs , it is either extreme foul keeping , or a spice of the mangy ; if his legs be fat , round and fleshy , he will never endure labour ; if on the inward bougth of his knee you find seams , scabs , or hair broken , it shews a mallander , which is a cankerous ulcer . look then on his pastern , the first must be clean and well knit together , the other must be short , strong , and upright standing , for if the first be big or sweld , take keed of the sinew-strains and gurding ; if the other be long , weak , or bending , the limbs will hardly carry the body without tiring . for the hoofs in general , they would be black , smooth , rough , rather a little long than round and hollow , and full sounding , for a white hoof is tender , and carries a shoe ill ; a rough , gross , seamed hoof shews old age or over-beating ▪ brittle hoofs will carry no shoe , an extraordinary round hoof is ill for foul wayes or deep hunting ; a flat hoof that is pummissed shews foundering , and an hoof that is empty and hollow-sounding shews a decayed inward part , by reason of some wound or dry founder . as for the crownet of the hoof , if the hair be smooth and close , and the flesh fat and even , all is perfect ; but if the hair be staring the skin scabbed , the flesh rising , then look for a ring-bone , a crown-scab , or like mischief . after this , stand by his side , and first look to the setting on of his head , and see that it stand neither too high nor too low , but in a direct line ; and that his neck be small at the seting on , and long growing deeper and deeper , till it come to the shoulders , with an high , strong , and thin crest ; and his mane thin , long , soft , and somewhat curling , for these are beautiful characters ; where as to have the head ill set on , is the greatest deformity , to have any bigness or swelling in the nape of the neck , shews the poleevil , or begining of a fistula : to have a short thick neck like a bull , to have it falling at the withers , to have a low , a weak , a thick or falling crest , shews want both of strength and metal , and to have much hair on the mane shews intolerable dulness , to have it too thin shews fury , and to have none , or too shed , shews the worm in the mane , the itch , or else mangies look then to the chine of his back , that it be broad , even and straight ▪ his ribs well compassed , and bending outward , his fillets upright , strong and short , and not above four fingers between his last rib and his huckle-bone , let his body be well let down , yet hidden without his ribs , and let his stones be close trust up to his body , for all these are marks of good perfection . whereas to have his chine narrow , he will never carry a saddle without wounding ; and to have it bending or saddle-backt , shews weakness ; to have his ribs fat , there is no liberty for wind ; to have his fillets hanging long or weak he will never climb an hill well , nor carry burthen ; and to have his belly clung up and gant , or his stones hanging down close or side , they are both signs of sickness , tenderness , or foundering in the body , and unaptness for labour . then look upon his buttock , and see that it be round , full , plump and in an even level with his body ; or if long , that it be well raised behind , and spread forth at the setting on of the tail , for these are comely and beautiful : the narrow pin-buttock , the hog or swine-rump , and the falling or downlet-buttock are full of deformity , and shew both an injury in nature , and that they are neither fit nor becoming for pad , foot-cloth , or pillow . then look to his hinder thighs , or gascoyns , that they be well let down , even to the middle joynt , thick , brawny , full and swelling , for that is a great argument of strength and goodness ; where as the clean , lank , slender thigh , shews disability and weakness . then look upon the middle joynt behind , and see if it be nothing but skin and bone , veins and sinews , and rather a little bending then too straight , then it is perfect as it should be ; but if it hath chaps or sores in the inward bougth or bending , then it is a s●●landar . if the joynt be swell'd generally all over , then he hath gotten a blow or bruise , if the swelling be particular , as in the plot or hollow part , or on the inside , and the vein full and proud ; if the swelling be short , it is a blood-spaven , if hard , it is a bone-spaven , but if the swelling be just behind , below the knuckle , then it is a curb . then look to his hinder legs , and if they be clean fat , and sinewy , then all is well , but if they be fat , they will not endure labour ; if they be swel'd , the grease is molten into them ; if they be scabbed above the pasterns , he hath the scratches ; if he have chaps under his pasterns , he hath the pains , and none of these but are dangerous and noisome . lastly , for the setting on of his tail , where there is a good buttock , there the tail can never stand ill , and where there is an ill buttock , there the tail can never stand well , for it ought to stand broad , high , flat , and a little touched inward . thus i have shewed you true shapes , and true deformities , you may in your choice please your own fancy . certain infallible helps and cures for those infirmities which are most dangerous , and do commonly attend all horses ; especially the runing horse . first of sickness in general . whensoever upon any occasion you shall find your horse to droop in countenance , to forsake his meat , or to shew any apparent sign of sickness ; if they be not great , you may forbear to let blood , because where blood is spent , the spirits are spent also , and they are not easily recovered ; but if the signs be great and dangerous , then by all means let blood instantly , and for three mornings together ; the horse being fasting , give him half an ounce of the powder called diahexaple , brewed either in a pint of the purest and finest sirrup of sugar , being two degrees above the ordinary molosses , or for want thereof molosses will serve the turn , or where all are wanting , you may take a pint either of carduus-water , or else dragon-water , or a quart of the sweetest and strongest ale-wort ; and this must be given him in a horn , and if the horse have ability of body , ride him in some warm place after it , and let him fast near two hours more . at noon give him a sweet mash , clothe warm , and let him touch no cold water . now for the exact and true making of this powder , which i call diahexaple , because no man , that i know , either apothecary or other , doth at this day make it truly , partly because it is an experiment lately come to my knowledg , by conference with learned physicians , and partly because our medicine-makers are in horse-physick less curious than they should be ; through which errors there is produced to the world abundance of false mixtures ; which both deceive the honest horse-master , kils the harmless horse , and disgrace the well-meaning farrier . to repair all which , i will here set down at large the true manner of making this admirable powder , together with the vertues and operations thereof . take of the grains of paradise , of ivory and myrrh , of the roots of enula campana , of turmerick and gentian , of each a like quantity ; then beat and searse them into a subtile powder , and give the horse such a quantity , as is before directed . this resisteth the putrifaction of humours , comforts and strengthens the in ward parts , opens obstructions , helps the lungs , and if taken in time , not only recovereth the horse , but preventeth many other distempers . certain necessary observatins and advantages for every keeper to observe in sundry accidents . there is no unreasonable creature of pleasure subject to so many disastrous chances of fortune as the horse , and especially the running horse , both by reason of the multiplicity of diseases belonging unto them , as also the violence of their exercise , and the nice tenderness of their keeping . and therefore it behoveth every keeper to be armd with such observations as may discern mischiefs , and those helps which may amend them when they happen . observations for sickness and health . the first observation therefore that i would arm your keeper with all , is to discern sickness from health . as thus . if you find in your horse heaviness of countenance , extreme loosness , or extreme costiveness shortness of breath , lothing of meats , dull and imperfect eyes , rotten or dry cough , staring hair , or hair unnaturally discover'd , a staggering pace , frantick behaviour , yellowness of the eyes and skin ; faint or cold sweat , extraordinary lying down or beating , or looking back at his body , alteration of qualities and gestures , no casting his coat , leanness , hide-bound , and the like ; all these are apparent signs of distemperature or sickness . observations from the dung it is necessary that our keeper observe the horses dung , for it is the best tell-troth of an horses inward parts , yet he must not judg it by a general opinion , but a private discourse with himself , how the horse hath been fed , because food is the only thing . as thus if the dung be clear , crisp , and of a pale and whitish-yellow complexion , hanging together without separation , more than as the weight breaks it in the falling , being neither so thin that it will run , nor so thick but it will a little flat on the ground , and in deed both in savour and substance some what resemling a sound man's ordure . then is the horse clean , well fed , and without imperfection ; if it be well coloured , yet fall from him in round knots or pellets : but if all his dung be alike , then it is asign of foul feeding , and he hath either too much hay , or eats too much litter , and too little corn. if his dung be in round pellets , and blackish or brown , it shews inward heat in the body , if it be grease , it shews foulness , and that grease is molten but cannot come away ; if he doth avoid grease in gross substance with his dung , if the grease be white and clear , then it comes away kindly and there is no danger ; but if it be yellow and putrified , then the grease hath lain long in his body , and sickness may follow if not prevented : if his dung be red and hard , then the horse hath had too strong heats , and costiveness will follow ; if it be pale and loose , it shews inward coldness of body , or too much moist feeding . observations from the urine . as the keeper hath thus a principal respect to the horses dung , so he shall take some little notes from the urine also : and though they be not altogether so material as the other , because according to the opinion of physicians , urina est meretrix , urine is a deceiver ; yet it hath some true faces . as thus , the urine which is of a pale yellowish colour , rather thick than thin , of a strong smell and a piercing condition , is an healthfull sound and good urine ; but if you find any note or complexion contrary to these , then in the horse is some imperfection . as thus , if the urine be of an high and ruddy complexion , either like blood or inclining to blood , then hath the horse either had too sore heats , been over-ridden , or ridden too early after winter grass , if the urine be of an high complexion , clear and transparent , like old march beer , then the horse is inflamed in his body , and hath taken some surfeit . if the urine carry a white cream on the top , it shews a weak back , and consumption of seed . a green urine shews a consumption of the body . an urine with bloody streaks shews an ulcer in the kidneys , and a black thick cloudy urine shews death and mortality . observations in feeding . again , our keeper must observe , that if there be any meat , drink , or other nourishment , which he knoweth good for the horse , if the horse refuseth to take it , in this case he shall not violently thrust it upon the horse , or by force cram him therewith ; but by gentle degrees and coming enticements , and by process of time win him thereunto ; rempting him when he is most hungry or most thirsty , and if he get but a bit at a time or a sup at a time , it will soon increase to a greatter quantity , and ever let him have less then he desireth . and that he may the sooner be brought to it , mix the meat he loveth best with that he loveth worst , the drink he loveth the best , with that he loveth the worst , till both be made like familiar , and so shall the horse be a stranger to nothing that is good or wholesome . observations in case of lameness . again , our keeper must observe ifhis horse be subject to lameness or stiffness of joynts or sinews , surbayting or tenderness of feet , first to give him his heats upon soft and smooth carpet earth , and to forbear stony ground , hard high ways , cross furrows , till extremity compel him . observations from the state of the horses body . it is good for our keeper to observe , that the strongest estate of body ( which i account the highest and fullest of flesh , so it be good , hard , and without inward foulness ) to be the best and ablest for the performance of wagers ; yet he must herein take to himself two considerations ; the one , the shape of the horses body , the other , his inclination and manner of feeding . for the shape of horses bodies , there be some horses that be round , plump , and close knit together ; so that they will appear fat and well shaped , when they are lean and in poverty ; others are raw-boned , slender and loose knit together , and will appear lean , deformed , and in poverty , when they are fat , foul , and full of gross humors . so likewise their inclinations , some horses ( as the first before named ) will feed outwardly , and will carry a thick rib , when they are inwardly as clean as may be , and without all manner of foulness . there be others ( as the latter ) that will appear clean to the eyes , and shew nothing but skin and bone , when they are full of inward fatness , and have guts as full as may be . in this case the keeper hath two helps to advantage his knowledg , the one outward , the other inward . the outward help is the outward handling and feeling of the horses body , generally over all his ribs , but particularly upon his short and hindmost ribs ; if his flesh generally handle soft and loose , and your fingers sink into it as into down ; then is the horse foul without question : but if generally it be hard and firm , only upon the hindmost rib it handleth soft and downy ; then it is a pregnant sign , there is grease and foul matter within the horse , which must be avoided , how lean or poor soever he appear in outward speculation . the inward help is only sharp exercise and strong scowrings , the first will dissolve and melt the foulness , the latter will bring it away in abundance . if your horse be fat and thick , and as it were closed up between the chaps , or if his jaws handle fleshy and full , it is a sign of much foulness both in the head and body ; but if he handle thin , clean , and only with some lumps or small kernels within his chaps , then it is only a sign of some cold or poze newly taken . observations from the privy parts . it is good for our keeper to observe his horses stones if , if he be stoned , for if they hang down side or long from his body , then is the horse out of lust and heart , and is either sick of grease or other foul humors ; but if they be close couched up , and lye hid in a very small room , then is the horse in health and good plight . observations from the limbs . it is good for our keeper to observe every night , before he runs either match or heat , to bathe his horses legs well , from above the knees , and above the cambrels downwards , with either dogs-grease , which is the best , or trotters oyl , which is the second , or the purest clarified hogs grease that can be got , which is most tolerable , and to work it in with his hands , and not with melting at the fire ; and what he gets not in the first night , will be got in the next morning , and what he gets not in the next morning , will be got in when he comes to unclothe at the end of the course ; so that you shall need to use oyntment but once , but the fricass or rubbing , as often as you find opportunity observations for the giving of water our keeper shall observe , that albeit i give no directions for the watering of his horse in the evening after his heat , yet he may in any of the three latter fortnights ( finding his horse clean , and his grease consumed or gone away ) somewhat late at night , as about six of the clock , give his horse water in reasonable quantity , being made milk-warm , and fasting an hour after it also , if the weather be unseasonable , then you shall at your watering hours water in the house with warm water , putting a little quantity of hot water into a greater of cold , and so make it milk-warm ; if you throw a handful of wheat-meal , bran , or oat-meal finely pounded , but oat-meal is the best . observations in the choice of ground to run on our keeper shall observe , that if the ground whereon he is to run his match be dangerous and apt for strains , slips , over-reaches , and the like , that then he is not togive all his heats thereon ; but having made his horse acquainted with the nature thereof , then either to take part of the course , as a mile , two or three , according to the goodness of the ground ; and so to run his horse forth and back a gain , which we call turning heats : provided alwayes , that he end his heat at the weighing post , and that he make not his course less but rather more in quantity than that he must run ; but if for some special occasions he like not part of the course , then he may many times , ( but not ever ) give his heats upon any other good ground , either forth-right and turning or round about any spacious and large field , where the horse may lay down his body , and , run at pleasure . observations from sweating . our keeper shall take special regard in all his airing , heating , and all manner of exercise and motion whatsoever , to the sweating of his horse , and to the occasions of his sweating : as if an horse sweat upon little or no occasion , as walking foot-pace , standing still in the stable , or the like , it is then apparent that the horse is faint , foul fed , and wanteth exercise ; but if upon good occasion , as strong heats , and the like , he sweat , if his sweat is white , frothy , and like soap-suds , then is the horse inwardly foul , and wanteth also exercise ; but if the sweat be black , and as it were only water thrown upon him , then is the horse in good lust and good case . observations from the horses hair. our keeper shall observe well his horses hair in generall , but especially his neck and those parts which are uncovered , and if they be sleek , smooth , and close , then is the horse in good case ; but if they be rough and staring , or any way unnaturally discoloured ; then is the horse inwardly cold at the heart , and wanteth clothes and warm keeping , or else there is some sickness creeping upon him . many other observations there be , but these are most material , and i hope sufficient for any reasonable understanding . matthew hodson's medicines . a medicine for the glanders . take a quart of red vinegar , being no wine vinegar , put it over the fire , and put thereto two spoonfuls of english honey , two spoonfuls of elecampane , beaten into fine powder , and searse it through a fine searser , and as much roch-allum as the bigness of an egg , beaten into fine powder , half a pint of sallet oyl , put in your sallet oyl after all these have boyled together one quarter of an hour , then take it off the fire , and let it stand until it be milk-warm , then give your horse six spoonfuls in each nostril with a little horn : after you haue given this drink , ride him two or three turns and no more , then tye his head down to his foot for the space of four hours ; then let him fast four hours : you must give this drink at nine several times , being three days betwixt every drink ; every second day after he hath had his drink , give him chickens guts warm , rolled in beaten bay salt , and put them down his throat , giving him warm water and wet hay all the time you give him this drink . and this will amend the glanders , and the mourning in the chine . probatum est . a medicine for any cold that is not the glanders . take two spoonfuls of pepper well beaten , two spoonfuls of mustard , four spoonfuls of sallet oyl , four rosted onions rosted very soft , and cut them very small ; then take two spoonfuls of elecampane made into fine powder , mingle all these together , and make them into balls with fresh butter , and give your horse three balls at a time . nine balls given at three times will cure him ▪ , so you travel him upon it . for a strain in the shoulder take two ounces of oyl of pumpillion , and two ounces of oyl of spike , two ounces of lint-seed oyl , rub these oyls well together upon his shoulder , and warm it in with an hot iron , then let him be blooded in the shoulder and hopple his forefeet together , and this will cure him . a cure for a sinew-sprung horse . take a pint of lin-seed oyl , and boyl it , then put in three penny-worth of aqua-vitae , and stir them together , then anoint your horses leg with it , and this will cure him the true manner of making those balls , which cure any violent cold or glanders , which prevent heavy sickness , which purge away all molten grease , which recover a loose stomack , which keep the heart from fainting with exercise , and make a lean horse fat suddenly . take of anni-seeds , of cummin-seeds , of fenugreek-seeds , of the fine searse powder of ellecampane roots , of each two ounces beaten , and searst to a very find dust ; then add to them two ounces of brown sugar-candy beaten to powder ▪ and two ounces of the flour of brimstone ; then take an ounce of the best juyce of licoris , and dissolve it on the fire in half a pint of white-wine ; which done , take an ounce of the best chymical oyl of anni-seeds , and three ounces of the sirrup of colts-foot ; then of sallet-oyl , of fine live honey , and the purest sirrup of sugar or molosses , of each half a pint : then mix all this with the former powders , and with as much fine wheat-flour as will bind and knit them all together , work them into a stiff paste , and make thereof balls , some what bigger then french wall-nuts , huls and all ; and so keep them in a close gally-pot , for they will last all the year ; yet i do not mean that you should keep them in the pot in balls , for because they cannot lye close , the air may get in and do hurt , as also the strength of the oyls will sweat outward , and weaken the substance ; therefore knead the whole lump of past into the gallypot , and make the balls as you have occasion to use them . now for the use of these balls , because they are cordial , and have divers excellent vertues , you shall understand , that if you use them to prevent sickness ; then you shall take one of these balls and anoint all over with sweet butter , and so give it to the horse in the morning in the manner of a pill : then ride him a little after , if you please , otherwise you may choose , and feed and water him abroad or at home , according to your usuall custome , and this do three or four mornings . if you use them to cure either cold or glanders , then use them in the same manner for a week together . if you use them to fatten an horse , then give them for a fortnight together but if you use them in the nature of scowring to take away molten grease or foulness , then instantly after his heat and in his heat you must use them . again , if you find your horse at any time hath taken a little cold , as you shall perceive by his inward ratling ; if then you take one of these balls , and dissolve it into half a pint of sack , and so give it the horse with a horn , it is a present remedy . also to dissolve the ball in his ordinary water being made milk-warm , it worketh the like effect , and fatneth exceedingly . to give one of these balls before travel , it prevents tiring ; to give in the height of travel , it refresheth weariness ; and to give it after travel , it saves an horse from surfeits and inward sickness . an approved cure for the botts , and all manner of worms , of what nature soever . take a quart of new milk , and as much of the purest clarified honey as will make it extraordinary sweet ; then being luke warm , give it to the horse very early in the morning , he having fasted all the night before ; which done , bridle him up , and let him stand tyed to the empty rack for more then two hours . then take half a pint of white-wine , and dissolve into it a good spoonfull or more of black soap , and being well incorporated together ( the horse having ▪ stood two hours as aforesaid ) give it him to drink , and let him fast other two hours more after it , and the worms will avoid in great abundance . another most excellent receipt for the botts or any worms , which is most easie and most certain without sickness . take the soft downy hairs which grow in the ears of an horse , and which you clip away when you poll him , and the little short tuft which grows on the top of his forehead , underneath his foretop , and having a pretty quantity of them , mix them well with a pottle of sweet oats , and so give them to the horse to eat , and there is not any thing that will kill worms more assuredly . an uncontrollable way how to know the age of any horse . there are seven outward characters by which to know the age of every horse ; as namely , his teeth , his hoofs , his tail , his eyes , his skin , his hair , and the barrs of his mouth . first if you will know his age by his teeth , you must understand that a horse hath in his head just fourty teeth , that is to say , six great wang teeth above , and six below on one side , and as many on the other , which makes twenty four , and are called his grinders . then six above and six below in the forepart of his mouth , which are called gatherers , and make thirty six . then four tushes , one above and one below of one side , and one above and one below on the other side , which is just fourty . now the first year he hath his foals teeth , which are only grinders and gatherers , but no tushes , and they be small , white , and bright to look upon . the second year he changeth the four foremost teeth in his head , and they will appear browner and bigger then the other . at three years old he changeth the teeth next unto them , and leaveth no apparent foals teeth before , but too of each side above , and two below , which are also bright and small . at four years old he changeth the teeth next unto them , and leaveth no more foals teeth , but one on each side , both above and below . at five years old his foremost teeth will be all changed , but then he hath his tushes on each side compleat , and the last foals teeth which he cast , those which come in their place will be hollow , and have a little black speck in the midst , which is called , the mark in the horses mouth , and continueth till he be eight years old . at six years old , he putteth up his new tushes , near about which you shall see most apparently growing a little circle of new and young flesh at the bottom of the tush , besides the tush will be white , small , short and sharp . at seven years old , all his teeth will have their perfect growth , and the mark in the horses mouth before spoken of , will be plainly seen . at eight years old , all his teeth will be full , smooth , and plain , the black speck or mark being hardly to be discerned , and his tushes will be more yellow then ordinary . at nine years his fore-most teeth will shew longer , yellower , and fouler , then at younger years , and his tushes will be bluntish . at ten years old , in the inside of his upper tushes , will be no holes at all to be felt with your fingers end , which till that age , you shall ever most perfectly feel ; besides the temples of his head will begin to be crooked and hollow . at eleven years of age , his teeth will be exceeding long , very yellow , black , and foul , only he will cut even , and his teeth will stand directly opposite one against another . at twelve years old , his teeth will be long , yellow , black , and foul , but then his upper teeth will over-reach and hang over his neather teeth . at thirteen years old , his tushes will be worn somewhat close to his chaps , ( if he be a much ridden horse ) otherwise they will be black , foul , and long , like the tushes of a bear. second . if an horses hoofs be rugged , and as it were seamed , one seam over another ; and many , if they be dry , fou ! , and rusty , it is a sign of very old age ; as on the contrary part , a smooth , moist , hollow , and well sounding hoof , is a sigu of young years . third . if you take your horse with your finger and your thumb , by the stern of the tail , close at the setting on by his buttock , and feeling there hard ; if you feel betwixt your finger and your thumb of each side his tail , a joynt stick out more than any other joynt , of the bigness of an hasel-nut , then you may presume the horse is under ten years old ; but if his joynts be all plain , and no such thing be felt , then he is above ten , and may be fifteen . fourth . if an horses eyes be round , full , and staring from his head , if the pitts over his eyes be filled smooth , and even with his temples , and no wrinckles either about his brow , or under his eyes ; then the horse is young : if otherwise you see the conrrary , it is a sign of old age . fifth if you take up a horses skin on any part of his body , betwixt your finger and your thumb , and pluck it from his flesh , then letting it go again , if it suddenly return to the place from whence it came , and be smooth and plain without wrinckle , then the horse is young and full of strength ; but if being pulled up , it stand , and not return to his former place , then he is very old and wasted . sixth if an horse that is of any dark colour , shall grow grissel only above his eye-brows , or underneath his maiu , or any horse of a whitish colour , shall grow meanelled with either black or red meanels universally over his body , then both are infallible signs of extream old age . seventh . if the bars in his mouth be great , deep , and handle rough and hard , then is the horse very old , but if they be soft , shallow , and handle gently and tenderly , then is the horse young , and in lust . and thus much of the age of an horse . an excellent purgation , when any horse is sick of his grease , or any costiveness . take a pint of good old white-wine , and set it on the fire , then dissolve into it a lump half as much as an hens-egg , of castile sope ; and strain them well together on the fire , then take it off , and put into it two good spoonfuls of hempseed beaten into fine dust , and an ounce and an half of the best sugar-candy beaten to fine powder , and brew all well together ; then having warmed the horse , to stir up the grease and other foul humors , give him this to drink , and walk him up and down a little after it , to make the potion work ; then set him up warm , and after a little stirring him up and down in the stall , if he grow sickish , give liberty to lye down , after two or three hours fasting , give him a sweet mash . then feed as at other times . for laxativeness or extream looseness . take a quart of red wine , and set it on the fire , then put into it an ounce and half of bolearmony made in fine powder , and two ounces and an half of the conserves of sloes ; then stir and mix them well together , after take it from the fire , and put to it a spoonful or two of the powder of cinnamon . and brewing all well together , give it the horse . let him fast two hours after it , and let him eat no washt meat . hay is wholesom , so is bread and oats , if they be well mixt with beans or wheat , but not otherwise . an infallible help for the stone , or pain of urine , causing sickness . make a strong decoction ( that is to say ) boyl your first quantity of water to an half pint , three times over , with keen onions clean pilled , and parsley ; then take a quart thereof , and put to it a great spoonfull of london-treacle , and as much of the powder of egg-shels finely searc't , and give it the horse to drink , and thus do divers mornings , if the infirmity be great ; otherwise , when you see the horse offended . an approved medicine to cure and break any old grevious , festred and rotten cold , and to dry up a foul running glanders . take a pint of the best verjuyce , and put to so much strong mustard made with wine-vinegar , as will make the verjuyce strong and keen thereof ; then take an ounce or more of roach-allom , and beat it into fine white powder , then when you give this to the horse , so with a knife or spoon , put some of the allom into the horn , and so give it the horse ; part at his mouth , and part at both his nostrils , but especially that nostril which runneth most : then ride and chafe him a little after it , then set him up warm . at noon , give him a warm mash , and at all times give him no cold water , but when the horse may have exercise after it . and thus drench the horse three days together , and it will be sufficient . another for a violent cold. take of wine vinegar half a pinte , and as much sallet-oyl , brew them well together , and then put to it an ounce and half of sugar-candy in fine powder , and so give it the horse , and stir him a little after . this is exceeding good , but it will occasion sickness for a small season . an excellent scowring , when other scowrings will not work . take of sweet butter a quarter of a pound , half so much castle-soap , beat them well together , then add to them two spoonfulls of hempseed , bruised , of anniseed a spoonfull , bruised , of sugar-candy an ounce , of rosin finely bruised half a spoonful , work all these into a paste , and give it the horse in the manner of pills , immediately after his heat , or when you have warmed him , and stirred up the grease and foulness within him . an admirable water for any sore eye , or to clear any dim sight , as the moon-eyes and the like . take the stone called lapis calaminaris , and heat it red hot in the fire , then quench it in half a pint of white-wine , and thus do twelve times together . then add unto it half so much of the juice of housleek , and with this , bath the eye twice or thrice a day , and it is excellent against any imperfection therein . another water , no less precious for the eyes then the former . take a pint of snow-water , and dissolve it into three or four drams of white vitriol , and with this water wash the horses eyes , three or four times , and the effect is great and strange . the master medicine of all medicines , for a back sinew-strain , or any grief , pain , straightness , shrinking , or numness of joynts or sinews . take a fat sucking mastive whelp , flay it , and bowel it , then stop the body as full as it can hold , with gray snails , and black snails ; then roast it at a reasonable fire , when it begins to warm , bast it with six ounces of the oyl of spike , made yellow with saffron , and six ounces of the oyl of wax ; then save the drippings , and what moisture soever falls from it , whilst any drop will fall from the whelp , and keep it in a gally-pot . with this oyntment anoint the strain , and work it in very hot , holding a hot bar of iron before it ; and thus do both morning and evening , till the cure be finished . st. antayne his only excellent medicine , for any strain or swelling . take cummin-seeds , and bruise them gross , and boyl it with the oyl of camomile , then add to it so much yellow wax , as will bring it to the body of a cerrot or plaister , and spread it on either cloth or leather , and very hot apply it to the grief . it is wonderfull soveraign for any man also . another for any desperate old strain , whether it be in the shoulder , joynts , hips , or back-sinews . take of the best aqua-vitae a pint , of oyl de boy , of oyl of swallows , and of black soap , of each half a pinte , work and labour all these together , till they come to a thin oyntment , then take of camamoile , and of red sage an handfull , of rue , and of misseldine an handfull , dry them , and bring them to a very fine powder ; then mix them with the former oyntment , and bring all to a gentle salve . with some of this salve , made as hot as the horse can suffer it , anoint the strain , and hold an hot bar of iron before the grieved place , chafing it in with your hand as much as may be , and thus do once a day , and in nine dayes the cure will be effected . an excellent charge for any new strain , or offence on the sinews , or any grief proceeding from heat . take the whites of six eggs , and beat them well with a pint of white wine-vinegar , and an ounce of the oyl of roses , & as much of the oyl of mintils ; then take four ounces of bolearmonie , and as much sanguis draconis , and with as much fine bean-flower , or wheat flower , but bean-flower is the best as will thicken it ; bring it to a stiff salve , then spread it about the grieved place , and renew it as it dryeth . a perfect cure for any sinew-strain , take a live cat ▪ either wild or tame , and cut off her head and tail , then cleave her down the chine , and clap her hot , the bowels and all upon the strain , and remove it not for forty eight hours , and the effect is great . markham's own balm , which hath never failed him , for any strain in the shoulder , or other part , hidden or apparent ; or any wind-gall , pain or swelling whatsoever . take ten ounces of the best and purest goose-grease , and melt it on the fire , then take it off , and put it into four ounces of the oyl of spike , and an ounce of the oyl of origanum , stir them very well together , then put it up into a gallipot . with this oyntment anoint the grieved part , the oyntment being made exceeding hot ; and rub and chafe it in with all painfulness , holding an hot bar of iron before it , and thus anoint once in two dayes , but rub and chafe it in , twice or thrice a day at the least , and give the horse moderate exercise . this is approved and infallible . for swell'd or gourded-legs , whether it be by reason of the grease falling into them , or other accident , as scratches , pains , mules , &c. if your horses legs be swell'd only , because the grease is faln into them , and that there is no other outward ulcer ; neither will the bathing with cold water , and other outward helps asswage it : then you shall take a piece of strong course woollen cloths and thereof make him an hose , a pretty deal larger then his leg , to reach from the lower part of his pastern , up to the cambrel , or to the knee , and make it close and straight at the pastern , and wide above . then take a pottle of wine lees ( if you can get them ) or else the grounds or lees of strong ale or beer , and set them on the fire , and boyl them well ; then put to them a pound of clarified hogs-grease , and when it is melted and stirred well together , take as much wheat-bran as will thicken it , and bring it to the bo , dy of a pultis , with this pultis as hot as the horse can fuffer it ( only you must not scald ) fill the hose or hoses , and then close the hose at the top . with this pultis let the horse stand two days , then the third day open the hose at the top , but stir not the pultis , only take molten hogs-grease , hot as the horse can suffer it , and with a spoon pour it unto the pultis on every side , till it will receive no more , for this will renew the strength of the pultis . then close up the top of the hose , and so let the horse stand other two dayes , or three . then you may open the leg and rub it down , and if you find strong occasion , you may apply another new pultis , if not , your cure is wrought . now if besides the swelling of his legs , your horse hath ulcers , or chaps , or scratches , pains , mules , or the like : then you shall first apply the former pultis , in all respects as aforesaid ; then after five or six dayes application , when you take the pultis away , you shall take a quart of old urine , and put to it half a handful of salt , as much of allom , and half an ounce of white copperas , and boyl it till all be mixt and incorporated together ; then with this water very hot , wash the sores once or twice a day , and after a little drying , anoint them with the oyntment called aegyptiacum , and is made of vinegar , eight ounces , of honey twelve ounces , of verdigrease two ounces , of allom one ounce and an half ; boyl it to that height , till it come to a red salve ; and it will both kill the malignant humors , and also heal and dry up the sores . another approved cure for the scratches , or any disease of that nature . take of hogs-grease eight ounces , of brimstone , of lime , of gunpowder , of each three ounces , of black soap eight ounces , and of soot as much as will suffice to bring the rest to a salve , boyl the hogs-grease and soap together , and bring the other hard simples to a fine powder , and so mix all together , and make a black ointment ; with this anoint the sores once a day , after they are cleansed and made raw . for any splint , spaven , ringbone , curb , or any other hard knot or excression . first , having taken view of the excression , clip away the hair as far as the excression goeth , and a little thought more ; then take a piece of allom'd leather , made as big just as the place you have bared , and fit it to the same proportion . then take a little shoo-makers wax , and spread it round about the very edge or verge of the same , leaving all the inward or middle part empty , and not touched with the wax , according to this figure o. then take of the herb called sparagus , which hath the virtue to raise blisters , and bruising it in a mortar , lay some thereof on the leather , in the void and empty place , which ought to contain the just quantity of the knot or excression , and bind it fast thereon ; suffering it so to lye ( if it be in the spring or summer time , when the sparagus hath its full strength and virtue ) two or three hour . ●but if it be in the winter , then it hath less virtue ; then it is not amiss to revive the strength of the herb , if you add to it a drop or two of origanum , and let it lye a day , and and be sure to tye up the horses head for two hours for fear of biting it away . when you have taken off the plaister , anoint the place with train-oyl warm and you shall find no excression . an approved cure for the swift cut , or any hewing on the legs whatsoever . take a pint of white-wine , and put to it two or three spoonfulls of hony. and stir them well together , then boyl them till they be well incorporated together , and brought to the body of an ointment . then take it from the fire , and put in as much turpentine , as there was hony before , and stir all well together . then strain it with this salve somewhat hot , bath the sores twice a day , and it is a most specdy healer . for any farcy , mangy , scab , or leprosie , whether in the mane or otherwise . first let blood , then take a quart of old urine or vinegar , and break into it a quarter of a pound or better of the best tobacco , then set it on the fire of embers , where it may simper and not boil , and so let it stew a whole night ; then strain it , and with this water wash the infected place , whether it be in the mane , or any other obscure place , and it is a certain remedy . for any founder , frettize , surbait , or any imperfection in the feet . first pare thin , open the heels wide , and take good store of blood from the toes ; then tack on a shooe somewhat hollow ; after , take of the best frankincense , and rowling it in a little fine cotton-wool or bombast , with an hot iron melt it into the foot , betwixt the shooe and the toe , till the orifice where the blood was taken be filled up . then take half a pound of hogs-grease , and melt it on the fire , then mix it with wheat bran , till it be as thick as a pultis . then boyling hot as is possible , stop up the horses foot therewith ; then cover it with a piece of an old shooe , and splent it up , and so let the horse stand for three or four days , then if occasion serves , you may renew it , otherwise the cure it wrought . to make hoofs grow quickly ; and to be tough and strong . take of the juyce of garlick seven ounces , of old hogs-grease two pound , of asses dung ( for want of it cows dung ) an handfull , mingle them , and boyl them all well together ; then with this , both stop the horses foot , and anoint the crownets of the hoofs , and the effect is great . a general salve for any sore or swelling . take turpentine , black-soap , hogs-grease , green treat and pitch , of each a little quantity , mix and boyl them all well together , and apply it warm to the grief . for a pearl , pin , and web , or any film on an horses eye . take a new laid egg , and roast it very hard , then cleave it in-sunder long-wise , and take out the yolk ; then fill the empty holes with white vitriol finely beaten , and close the egg again . then roast it the second time , till the vitriol be molten ; lastly , beat the egg-shell , and all in a dish , and strain it , and with the moisture that comes from it , dress the eye . this is approved . for grease fallen into the legs to help them at twice dressing , and to help the scratches . take of train-oyl , of nerve-oyl , of oyl de boy , of each half a pint , and the bigness of an egg in allom , boyl them all well together ; then having cleansed the sores , and opened the pultis , if there be any , with this salve anoint the griefs , and it is a speedy cure. for the glanders , an approved cure. take a quarter of a pint of verjuice , three spoonfuls of sallet-oyl , and two spoonfuls of aqua-vitae , put one half into one nostril , the other into the other nostril , being blood-warm ; then ride the horse somewhat speedily for twenty or forty score , and only spare him when he coughs ; then set him up warm , and at noon give him a warm mash : lastly , if you find him to grow sick , give him warm milk from the cow. to stay the glanders for a time , till you may make sale of your horse . take a pound of elder-bark , being the green and not the gray , beat it in a mortar and strain it ; then put that juyce to a quart of ale , and so give it to the horse : do this for three mornings together . an approved cure for the pains , mules , rats-tails , and the like . take green vitriol half a pound , and boyl it in a pottle of running water , with allom , mustard , sage and hysop ; of each an handful , now the night before you apply this , anoint all the sores with strong mustard , after they are made raw ; then the next day wash them with the water before shewed , and the cure is certain . to help an horse that galls between the legs , either through heat or evil dressing . take a raw egg , and crush it between the horses legs , and rub the gall well therewith , after the sores are made dry , for enterfairing , to help it or hide it , for a small time . fasten a new cord to his dock , and having made divers hard knots thereon , draw it between his legs , and fasten it to his girths , or otherwise , rub great store of starch between his thighs . the best receipt that can be for brittle hoofs . take dogs-grease a pound , and clarifie it up with rosemary ; then mixing it with half so much cow-dung , boyl it , and hot or cold stop the horses foot therewith . to cure the scratches take a penny worth of verdigrease , a penny-worth of red-lead , the like quantity of sope ; mix these together , and apply them plaister-wise , letting it lye three days and three nights , you must cut the hair close . for the farcy . take about one handfull of rew , and about ten cloves of garlick , and pound them together ; then take one penny worth of aqua-vitae , and strain them through a cloth ; then take a little black wool to drink up that moysture , and put into each ear half the wool , then sew up the ears together , then cut the fore head of the horse , and put into the hole the inner rind of an elder , about an inch long , or something more : keep him from wet falling into his ears the first day and night . approved by mr. holled . for to cure the cankers in a horses mouth . take half a pint of the best white-wine vinegar , and half a pound of the best roch-allom , and an handfull of red sage , and boyl them all together , and so wash the hories mouth and tongue . approved , w. b ▪ an approved cure for the pains , mules , rats-tails , and the like . take green vitriol half a pound , and boyl it in a pottle of running water , with allom , mustard , sage and hysop ; of each an handful , now the night before you apply this , anoint all the sores with strong mustard , after they are made raw ; then the next day wash them with the water before shewed , and the cure is certain . to help an horse that galls between the legs , either through heat or evil dressing . take a raw egg , and crush it between the horses legs , and rub the gall well therewith , after the sores are made dry , for enterfairing , to help it or hide it , for a small time . fasten a new cord to his dock , and having made divers hard knots thereon , draw it between his legs , and fasten it to his girths , or otherwise , rub great store of starch between his thighs . the best receipt that can be for brittle hoofs . take dogs-grease a pound , and clarifie it up with rosemary ; then mixing it with half so much cow-dung , boyl it , and hot or cold stop the horses foot therewith . to cure the scratches take a penny worth of verdigrease , a penny-worth of red-lead , the like quantity of sope ; mix these together , and apply them plaister-wise , letting it lye three days and three nights , you must cut the hair close . for the farcy . take about one handfull of rew , and about ten cloves of garlick , and pound them together ; then take one penny worth of aqua-vitae , and strain them through a cloth ; then take a little black wool to drink up that moysture , and puta into each ear half the wool , then sew up the ears together , then cut the fore head of the horse , and put into the hole the inner rind of an elder , about an inch long , or something more : keep him from wet falling into his ears the first day and night . approved by mr. holled . for to cure the cankers in a horses mouth . take half a pint of the best white-wine vinegar , and half a pound of the best roch-allom , and an handfull of red sage , and boyl them all together , and so wash the hories mouth and tongue . approved , w. b. for to cure the scratches . take sope and salt and mix them together in your hand , and keep his feet dry , and tye a linnen cloth about them , and it will cure them . approved at stanton . for a horse that hath a cold. take new butter unwashed , and without salt and mix with it brown sugar-candy , anniseeds , and liquorish ; but if the horse rattle in his head , put in two cloves of garlick made in balls : do this three mornings together . approved , w. b. for a beast that staleth blood. take one quart of strong ale , and a red her ring cut into small pieces , and let it lye a steeping in the ale ; then give the beast it with a horn , and it will stay the in-bleeding of the beast . robinson . for the botts . take salt and water , and give the horse it in a horn. approved , tho. emson . for a horse that hath got an over-reach , or a tread of the heel . first search itwell to the bottom , and take out all the gravel , and wash it with stale , then take a good handfull of nettles , and a good handfull of salt , put them in a cloth , and bind them to the sore ; do this two or three mornings together , then set the shooe on with a leather under it , then pour in some hogs-grease scalding hot , after that pour in rosin scalding hot , presently after which put in some wheat-bran . approved . pepper . for a horse that hath got a stroke , or a bite of the eye take a little honey with a little grated ginger ; mix them together , and put it into the horses eye with a feather ; do this three mornings together . approved by me w. b. for the scratches . take verdigrease and burnt allom , mix them together , and so apply it , keeping the horse dry . approved , w. b. for the swelling of a horses back . take flax or flax teare , with the whites of eggs and wheat-flower , beat them all together , it will take the swelling down . approved , tho. emson . for a strain hogs-grease is very good for a sinew-strain , or any other part of the horse . approved by me w. b. for a horse that is mangy . take a gallon of strong ale , and a pound of tobacco-stalks , half a pound of allom a pint of salt , one pennyworth of mercury ; boyl these all together until they be half boyled away ; the day before let the horse blood , and curry him with a comb ; when the horse is drest , wash the manger with scalding water , and smoak the saddle with allom or brimstone , burnt hay or straw . approved mr. willes . for the spleen . make a plaister of oxycrocium , and spread it upon sheeps leather , lay it to the pain , and let it lye till it come off of it self . mr. holden . a glister to expel the wind. take fennelseeds and anniseeds , two spoonfuls of each , and bruise them ; a little camamile flowers . rosemary flowers , pellitory of the wall , peneroyal and camamile , of each of these half a handfull . mr. holden a glister for the wind-colick . take a quart of thin posset-drink , peneroyal , pellitory of the wall , of each an handful ; mallows and plantin , of each half an handful ; and cummin-seeds and sasafrage-seeds , of each one spoonful bruised ; camamile flowers one spoonfull , boyl them down to half the posset-ale , take half a pint thereof , dissolve therein half an ounce of the electuary , called electuarium de baccis lauri . medcalf . for the wind colick . boylone spoonfull of cumminseeds with a few camamile flowers , in posset-drink , good to drink for the wind , for one that is costive in his body . medcalf . how to order , feed , and keep any horse for pleasure , hunting , or travel . i would have your keeper of these ordinary horses , to rise early in the morning , by the spring of day , or before . according to the season of the year , and to sift the horse the quantity of near three pints of good old dry oats , and to put to them an handfull or two of spelted beans , hulls and all , and so give them to the horse . after he hath eaten them , let him dress him according to the order of good horsemanship . first , curry with the comb , then dust , then curry with the brush , then dust , then rub with wet hands , after with a clean woollen cloth , after with a clean linnen cloth , then pick all obscure places ; lastly , comb down the main , and tail. then saddle him , and ride him forth to water . then warm him both before and after very moderately . so bring him home dry without sweat . then cloth him up after you have rubbed his head , body , and legs , and let him stand on his bridle more then an hour , then give him the former quantity of provender , and the same in kind . after he hath eaten his provender , give him into his rack a pretty bundle of hay , and so let him rest till after dinner . when you have din'd , give him the former quantity of provender , and the same in kind , and so let him rest till the evening ; only renew his hay , if there be occasion . at evening dress him well , as in the morning , then ride him forth to water , and do as you did in the morning . when you come home , and have clothed him up , let him stand on his bridle as before ; then give him the former quantity of provender , and so let him rest till nine of the clock at night ; at which time give him the former quantity of provender , and a pretty bundle of hay , and so let him rest till the morning . this you shall do concerning his ordinary keeping at home , where the horse hath rest , and that you may dispose of hours as you please ; but if you be either in travel , or sport , or other occasion , so that you cannot observe these particular times , then you must divide the main and whole quantity of meat , into fewer parts and greater quantities , and give them at the best conveniency ; ever observing to give the least quantity before travel , as a part before mounture , and the two other after you come to rest . nor would i have you to distract your mind with any doubt or amazement , because i prescribe you five several times of feeding in one day , as if it should either over-charge you , or over-feed your horse : questionless there is no such matter , when you look into the true proportion ; for it cannot be denied , but whosoever is worthy of a good horse , or good means to keep a good horse , cannot allow him less than one peck a day ; nay the carrier , caerter , poulter and packhorse will allow half a peck at a watering , and this allowance which i set down comes to no more ; for pints of oats , and one pinte of spelt-beans up-heaped , make two gallons , and that is one peck of winchester measure . now to give it at twice , fills the stomack more , makes the digestion worse , and the appetite weak ; whereas to give less , but more often , the stomack is ever craving , the digestion always ready , and the appetite never wanting : so that health ( without disorder ) can never be a stranger . therefore once again , thus much for ordinary keeping . but if you intend to give an heat , as to hunt , gallop , travel , or the like , which i would wish you do once , twice , or thrice a week ; then observe all your former observations ; only the night before give him little or no hay at all . in the morning early before his heat , and before his dressing , give him three or four handfulls of clean sifted oats , washt either in strong ale or beer ; then dress him , saddle him , and give him his heat . but if it be sudden and violent , then let it be when the horse hath emptied himself very well . after his heat rub him very well , and bring him dry into the stable . then after he is clothed up warm , let him stand on his bridle at least two hours , then give him a little bundle of hay to tear out upon his bridle , and an hour after feed him as hath been before shewed : only with the first oats give him an handful or better of hempseed , well dusted and mixed . at night warm him a little water , and give him it luke-warm , then an hour after give him his provender , and a pretty bundle of hay , and so let him rest till the next morning . the next norning do all things as in his ordinary keeping . let him stand on litter both night and day ; yet change it often , and keep the planches clean . if you intend to travel or journy in the morning , then give no hay , or but little the night before , if you journy in the afternoon , then give no hay , or but little in the morning . in journeying ride moderately the first hour or two , but after according to your occasions . water before you come to your inn , if possible ; but if you cannot , then give warm water in the inn after the horse is fully cooled . trotters oyl is an excellent oyntment being applied very warm , and well chafed in , to keep your horses limbs and sinews nimble , and to help stiffness and lameness . neither wash your horse nor walk him ; for the first endangereth foundering in the body or feet , and breedeth all surfeits ; the latter is the ground of all strong colds . which turn to glanders and rottenness : but if necessity compel you to either , as foul wayes and long stays , then rather wash your horses legs with pails of water at your stable-door , than to endanger him in any pond or river . and for walking , rather sit on your horses back to keep his spirits stirring , than to lead him in hand , and with dull spirits to receive all manner of mischief . this i think sufficient for clean and ordinary keeping . an order how to breed horses . the choice of your stallion and studd mares . first and principally you must foresee , that your stallion and studd mares be both of good and lively nature , and not subject to any natural diseases . for as heavy horses and mares will breed colts of roilish and heavy nature , so if they be infected with any natural disease , their colts for the most part shall be troubled with the same disease . wild mares be not best to keep for the race . it shall be well done that you handle all your studd mares , and make them tame and easie , whereby , besides the commodity you may have of their work , which cannot hurt their taming if they be soberly handled , you may be sure at all times to remove them from one pasture to another , to bring them to be covered , and to take their colts from them without great trouble ; whereas wild mares be not only cumbersome to keep , but also oftentimes do destroy the colts in their bellies with their rashness , when you should handle them or any of their fellows . at what age your mare is first to be handled and covered . the best age to take up your mare to make her tame , and to break her , is when she shall be two years old and the vantage , and so you may the year following , when she shall be fully three years old and upward , put her to your horse to be covered , which in my opinion is the best age to put her first to the horse , although some writers be of opinion , that it is best that she be first covered at two years old . how to inforce your mares to come to be strained . you may most conveniently bring her to be covered of your stallion , if four or five days before you will bring her to your great horse , you cause to be put to her in some close pasture , kept and fenced for that purpose , some small stoned nag to woo her , that she may abide your great horse , foreseeing that he be in no wise unfettered longer than some diligent man doth look on ; for if the nag be at liberty at any time after she is disposed to take the horse , she will be sure to be covered of him , though he be lower than she by a cubit . the order of covering . when you do perceive that your mare will abide the nag , and doth shew other tokens that she is desirous to be covered , you must cause your great horse that shall cover her to be provendred , and not to drink much the night before he shall cover her . then in the morning following , at the sun-rising , you may bring him to your mare , or her to him , in some such place as neither of them can leap out of ; where when he hath covered her twice or thrice , let her remain feeding on grass , with her colt kept by her without water , but let your horse be taken up , well rubbed and well provendred to the next evening . and then put him to your mare again where you left her , and let him cover her as often as he will that night , except you see your horse chafe so much that he will marr himself . how to use your mare which is covered . and so must you of force be driven to take him from her the second time , till the morning following , at which time ( except your mare be satisfied with that which was done before ) you must put to your horse the third time , and when he hath covered her as often as he will , between four of the clock in the morning , and eight of the clock before noon , take up your horse , and let your mare be led into some water to the mid-side at least , where she may drink water ; but not too much ; and then let her be led and turned to the whole stud , where no other horses must come for a whole month at the least to beat her . how to make that no mare shall go barren . and when you have thus severally caused to be covered all your mares , you must about lammas , in the month of july , or beginning of august , get a mare or two which have not been covered that year before , and enforcing them to he horsed by such means as before appointed , when they shall be ready to be covered , you must turn them with some other stallion , whom you esteem not as your best horse among your stud of mares ; and so he covering that mare , or mares , you turned in with him unto the stud , shall cause the rest ( if any of them have not conceived at their first covering ) to come to that horse againe ; whereby you shall be sure to keep no mare barren all the year , but to have of every mare a colt , though not by your best horse : you may suffer that horse to run amongst your mares three weeks or a month . but if you turn him into your stud , putting no mare in with him ready to be covered , he will at his first entry beat all your mares , and so happily hurt all your mares which had conceived before , and so do more hurt than good . what time of the year is best for your mares to be covered . the best time of the year to have your mare covered , is from the end of may to the end of july , and then shall your mare , which always goes with foal one year lacking a month , foal in such time of the year as she shall find plenty of grass to nourish her self and her colt withal . whereas if you suffer her to be covered in february , march , or april , she will foal so rathe in the year , that oftentimes being bare , and not covered of the winter past , she doth hunger both her self , and mar her colt , for lack of feeding . to dyet your stand for the time he shall cover . here is to be noted , that although your stalland standing at hard meat will not miss to get a colt on your mare going to grass , ( if she be ordered and inforced as before ) yet the best dyet for him for the whole time he shall cover , is to feed on grass , when he hath tasted of the grass with them , he will like his hay the worse ; and also there is more danger in breaking of his wind in feeding rather on hay than grass . how your breeding mare is to be used when she shall foal . your breeding mare that hath a colt in her belly , must fourteen or fifteen days before she foal be taken from the stud , and with some other gentle mare or gelding be put in some other rank pasture well fenced for that purpose , which will not only make her lusty , and soon ready to be covered , and able to foal without danger , but also give plenty of milk to her colt when he is first foaled . how many years a horse will serve to cover your mares . your stallion used as is before , will serve for six or seven years , to cover every year seven or eight mares and do you service the rest of the year besides , whereas turned abroad to your mares , he can do you no other service , neither will he last above three years . the best age for horse or mare to get or bear colts , and how many years they will continue good the best age for horse or mare to get or bear colts , is , for the mare , from three years old till ten . and for the horse , from four or five years till twelve , and after that age the colts of them wax heavy , weak and slothful . what time of the year is best to wean the colts from their dams , the best time of the year to wean your colts is at candlemas , or shrove-tide , after the time as your colt is foaled , wherein you must use much diligence , for if your colt be not well weaned , well summered , and well wintered , the three first years and namely the first year when he moaneth for his dam , he shall seldom or never come to be a good horse . and therefore when you wean your colts , you must bring them to some house ordained for the same purpose , clean out of the hearing of their dams , wherein they must be pinned , and not to come abroad the first fourteen days out of the hearing of their dams , whereunto you must have pasture adjoyning wherein they may play , and feed every fair day after the fourteen days past , from the time ye begin to wean them , till grass be fully sprung in may , and put them into some such pasture , as commonly your milch kine be fed in , where they may neither , feeding in high and rank grass hurt their reins , or grow thick-necked , nor for lack of feeding hinder their growth , but feeding in a short sweet grass , may prove well till they have forgotten their dams what feeding is best for colts , from two years old upward . this is a general ground , that wet lying and lack of feeding in the winter , and old rank feeding in summer , from two years old forwards , doth marr the most part of our whole breed in england , which in my opinion , well ordered , would breed the best horses for all kind of service , of the whole earth ; for as wet lying and lack of good feeding in the winter , doth breed a heartless ill shapen horse , subject to all cold and watry diseases both in his body and limbs ; so over rank feeding in the summer , chiefly from two years old upward , doth breed an evil reined , and a slothful horse , ever ready ( being overladen with fat flesh ) to be more founderd , and to catch the glanders and cough upon every cold. and therefore your best feeding of your horse colts from two years old upward for the summer feeding , is , where he may have a large walk , and hungry short feeding , and not yet so bare but that he may ( travelling for it ) feed himself full once in a day , and that he hinder not himself of his growing , but in any wise keep your horse colts from knowing any mare till they be five years old , why english horses being taken up so young , are not good . the cause why our english horses be taken up so young , as i heave heard sundry of our chief horse-masters say , is , for that our horses being great and well fed , if they should run till they should come to their full strength , would be so sturdy and mischievous to break , that they would rather mischieve themselves and their breaker , than be made tame ; which in my fancy is but a vain opinion . for there was never so sturdy nor so wilfull a horse , which would not be tame and easie to handle , with watching and hunger , within one month at the furthest , if his keeper will use diligence . the way to handle a sturdy horse . and that may most conveniently be brought to pass , if at the first coming into the house , before he will suffer his keeper to handle him and to take up his feet , he do put no meat before him , but let him take all his feeding at his keepers hands , and so shall you make him gentle and tame without strives or striving ; and the order before appointed in his breaking , being the colt of a tame mare , and fed some part of every winter at hand in the house , will acquaint him with the man , and make him almost tame before he be taken up , which colt shall seldom prove a fearful or a blenching horse . the using of horses after they be handled . and for conclusion , whosoever doth use to keep his horse bridled after riding till he be in good temper , and almost cold , and doth not give him water nor meat , being hot , neither doth ride him fast upon a full stomach ; shall seldom or never have his horse lame or sick , if he breed him as is aforesaid , before he take him up . what feeding is best in winter for mares , weanlings , of two years old . and for the winter feeding you must use one order for your mares , and weanlings two years old in several places , which is a hovel or house made for them adjoyning to your winter pasture , wherein you must sometime in the evil weather , in a rack made for that purpose , give them some fodder , and be sure that they be brought into that house every night that is like to prove wet , but in the frosty dayes and nights , it is best to pin them abroad . you must in any wise keep one pasture nigh to the house that you feed your mare colts in the winter time , which pasture may not be fed in before shrove-tide , because that time and the middle of may ( before which , grass is not sufficiently sprung in most places for horses to feed on ) is the most time of danger to hunger-bane of all the year , in which time , if your colts growing all the summer following , will make your colt mares so bare that they shall not be able to foal , nor give their colts sufficient suck . at what age colts may best be handled . when your horse-colt hath been bred as is afore-appointed , the best age in my opinion to take him up to break , is when he shall be full four years old and the vantage , or if you may spare him and have good close ground to keep him in , rather at five years old and the vantage , for then will his joynts and sinews be strong and well knit , his hoof ever tough , and not brittle , his eye-sight good , his chine strong , so that you cannot hurt him , neither in breaking nor in reasonable riding , besides he will last a good horse till he be or years old , whereas if you will take him up at two or three years old ; as we commonly do , you shall find him afterwards many times blind , brittle , hoofed , weak back'd , full of windgalls and splints , and shew himself to be an old stiff horse , before he come to be ten years old , as the most part of their spanish horses do , because they are taken up so young ; which is , because that in spain they have no good close ground to let their colts run longer in , and not for any other commodity . approved receipts , for the curing of all diseases incident to horses . receipt . i. to draw out any thorn or nayl , in any place . take dod monds , which are house snails , and seeth them in butter and apply them , and they will draw out any thorn or nayl : and so will the roots of reeds , if they be bruised and laid to , being bound to the wounded place with a linnen cloth : he may run out , but to stand in is better . proved . ii. a perfect drier of a green wound , or any other sore . take soap and unslaked lime , and mix them well together ; but before you lay it to , wash the wound or sore with a little white-wine vinegar , and then apply it . proved . a marrow-bone burnt and made into powder , and strewed on a sore or wound is a great dryer . iii. for any anbury . take a hot iron and make it very sharp ; and take the anbury in your hand , and sear it off to the bottom with a red hot iron : then mix a little beaten verdigrease and train-oyl together , heat them and anoint the place once a day till it be whole . proved . iv. for the flapps in an horses mouth . to know this , you shall perceive his lips to be swell'd on both sides of his mouth , and that which is in the blisters is like the white of an egg ; you must cut some slashes in it with a knife , then rub it once with salt and it is cured . proved . v. to rot a sore or swelling . anoint the sore or swelling with cold bacon-grease once in two days , till it be soft , then open the skin with a pen-knife at the bottom of the sore , and let out the filth ; and so heal it up with your healing salve . proved . see the water and green oyntment . vi. directions how to lay a wound open , and where ; and how to miss the veins under it , be it in body or legs . when you cut a sore open , lay it drayning at the bottom , or a little lower : be sure always to do this ; to miss the master vein , if it lye lengthwise in the body , be sure to cut under the vein ; if it be a sore upon the leg , that lyes right over the vein , then cut it side-wayes of the vein right up and down . if a sore happen to be hollow a great length , be it in body or legs , then cut a hole at the lowest place , that the filth may drain from the sore the better , then put in your finger under the vein , and when your finger is past the vein upwards as far as it will go , cut at your fingers end another hole , and if you fee occasion , turn your finger to another place , and at your fingers end cut another hole . if you chance at any time to cut a vein in pieces , put in a piece of a hares — skin with the wool on , or cony wool , but hares is best , and this will stop the bleeding . proved . that hares wool will stop bleeding sooner than most things : see receipt , to stop bleeding in veins that be cut . vii . the way to put in a french rowel . that is , upon the lowest part of the horses breast to that side that is lame , you shall with a sharp knife cut the skin through , not cross the breast but right down , half the length of your finger , then put your finger between the skin and the flesh , and raise the skin from the flesh round about the hole the breadth of a six pence , then take a piece of the upper leather of a shooe , and cut it in the manner of this figure here prescribed ; cut the piece of leather round , and then cut out a hole your breath must not smell of tobacco when you blow the skin up ( for a sweet breath is best , ) if it do , the place will swell the more . viii . a rare green oyntment to heal any wound , old or new , quickly take an handfull of water-betony , as much of comfry , of mugwort ; red sage , sage of bethlehem , by some called jerusalem sage , of sothern-wood , of rue , by some called herb of grace , of rosemary , of each of these an hand full , boyl all these in a pint of may butter , and as much mutton suet , and when it hath boyl'd a while , take it off the fire and strain it through a cloth , and put it into a pot for your use . this oyntment will last good a year . proved . before you lay this oyntment to , wash the wound first with the water which you have in receipt . . ix . to take a film off an horses eye . you must take as much of dialthaea as the bigness of a walnut , and put to it the powder of verdigrease as much as an hasel-nut , mix them well together ▪ then every day put into his eye as much of it as the bigness of a pease ; this will take of any film whatsoever . proved . x. a medicine to defend and keep back humors from a wound , so that it may heal the sooner . take two pints of tartar , or the dregs of white-wine vinegar , but the tartar is better ; and put in as much bolearmonick as contain to an egg , an handfull of white or bay salt , and an handfull of great burdock leaves , or the roots , wash the swell'd place , and round about the swelling with this once a day ; this will hasten the cure very much , if you do so wash it with this , and apply to the wound your healing salves or oyntments , as you may in this book be furnished with store of them for that purpose . proved . xi . another for the same . take a pint of verjuyce , and put to it three penny-worth of camphire cut very small , boyl them together a quarter of an hour , and when it is almost cold put it into some glass or pot , and wash the swell'd place round about it once a day with this , till it be healed with other medicines . this will much further the cure of any wound or sore , where humors do fall down to it , whilst you do apply other medicines to heal up the sore or wound : for these defensives are for no other purpose , but to keep back humors that hinder sores or wounds from healing . proved . xii . a rare receipt for a farcion . take mullin , by some called higtaper , it hath a great woolly leaf , it groweth close by the ground upon the banks of ditches or in the high-ways side , chickweed , groundsel and wood betony , of each an handfull , cut them small and boyl them all in a quart of ale , and when it is luke-warm put in two penny-worth of quicksilver , and give it him to drink fasting : the third day after give him the like proportion , warm water all the while to drink , and to stand in . proved . xiii . for a horse that hath his fundament fallen out ; or for a cow that hath the mother fallen out . take an armfull of willow boughs , and dry them on a hot hearth , when they are dry sweep the hearth as clean as you can , and set them on fire and burn them to ashes , then take the ashes and searce them through a fine boulter , and before you strew on the powder of the ashes , wash the fundament with warm water to make it as warm as the body , then strew on the finest of the ashes , and put the fundament up into its place , then tye a line to the horses tayl , and bring it between his hinder legs , and fasten it to a surcingle under his belly pretty straight ; using this means his fundament will be kept up , and in a very short time , it will be knit firm and strong again . if the mother of a cow come forth , use but the aforesaid means , and you will find it a perfect remedie . both proved . white pepper beaten finely and searced through a fine searce , the fundament being well warmed with warm water or milk , and after warmed with a warm cloth , and then this beaten pepper strewed upon it , and so put up and his tayl tyed close between his legs , as before , you will find it very good . a marrow-bone of a bullock burnt in the fire , and beaten to fine powder , is , for a wound , a great and good dryer and healer , and will skin a wound . proved the inward and outward bark of a willow-tree , first dryed , and afterwards the hearth being swept very clean , burnt to ashes , and the ashes sifted through a fine boulter : the finest of these ashes is good to dry up any sore , nothing like it . these ashes are likewise a great binder for a loosness in horses or cows bodies . proved . xiv . to kill lice of horses and cows . take a quantity of hogs-grease , and anoint the horse underneath the mane , and upon the ridgebone of the back ; it will burst them all presently . xv. for a stub or other hurt in or about the foot. take bees-wax , pitch , hogs-grease , and turpentine , boyl them together in an earthen pan , but put in the turpentine a little before you take it off the fire , and stir it well together , make the wound clean and pour it in scalding hot , dip hards or tow in it , and stuff the place where it is hurt full with it , and it will heal it in a short time ; this will last a year . proved . xvi . to cleanse any wound old or new . take the roots of elder and beat them to powder , and boyl them with english-hony ▪ it is good to cleanse any sore old or new . but take this for a general observation , that before you dress any wound , let it be where it will about the horse , wash it clean first with white-wine wine vinegar , and then dress it with your salve . proved . xvii . for the sleeping evil. the signs to know it are , the horse will stand sleeping in a corner continually , with his head hanging down to the ground , it takes away his memory . the cure is to be performed thus : let him blood on both sides the neck in the morning fasting before he drink ; let him blood also in the mouth , in the third furrow in the roof of his mouth , and after he hath bled well , give him this drink : take of camomil and motherwort together three handfulls cut small , and boyl them in two quarts of running water half an hour , and then give the horse a pint once in two days fasting , the third day give him the rest fasting , and three or four hours after give him warm water ; and a little comfortable mash made of ground mault put into scalding hot water after it comes of the fire , keep him in the house warm the time of the cure , and fume his head as you do for the staggers , and this in a short time is a perfect cure . proved . xviii . to stop bleeding at the nose . the chief cause thereof is the thinness of the vein in the head ; you must let him blood in both the plate veins , and then wind a thumband of wet hay about his neck , and throw cold wate upon the thumband till you see the blood to stanch ; the thumband must be so long , that it may be wound from his ears to his breast very lightly . xix . for the falling evil in an horse . the falling evil will cause him suddenly to fall down , and to lye sprauling with his heels , and foaming at the mouth , like a man that hath the falling sickness ; you shall know whether he be subject to fall often by feeling him by the gristles of his nose , which will be cold if he be subject to it . the cure is , to let him blood on both sides of his neck , after he hath bled , in the morning before he drink , give him this drink : take miseltoe that groweth upon an apple-tree , the leaves are like ivy leaves , dry it and rub it to powder , and use it at your leisure : give him of this powder of miseltoe one spoonfull in half a pint of sack , and keep him in the house till he be well , and give him to drink water luke-warm . proved . you may add to the miseltoe three drams of the electuary , called theriaca diaresseron , or the oyl of pepper one dram , or a dram and an half . xx. for a cough old or new , or the heaving of his lungs . take the root of gentian , which you shall have at the apothecaries , slice it , dry it ; and beat it to powder , give the beast as much of this powder as will lye upon a shilling in half a pinte of his own water , give this to him fasting once in three days , and so continue every third day , till you see his cough and heaving to abate or be quite gone , the cold of his water must be just taken off , and he must stand in all the time of the cure. this for an old cough or heaving of the lungs , is the best cure in the world. proved . xxi . for a canker in the tongue . you shall see his mouth and tongue raw within , you shall know it by his stinking breath and his roping slavering : which to cure , take as much roch allom as contain to an egg , boyl it in three or four spoonfuls of white-wine vinegar , with a spoonfull of english honey , and an handfull of columbine leaves cut small , wash his tongue once a day till it be whole : it will be cured in two or three times dressing ; you may tye a rag about a stick and wash his mouth . proved . xxii . for a vein that swells upon letting blood as when the wind gets in it will do , or when a fleam miscarries it will do the like . for the cure of which , take white pitch , black pitch and rosin , of each a like quantity , boyl them together and lay it on hot with a flat stick , and then flock it , and this doing once in four or five days will take down the swelling , do it all over the swelling , if once will not do , do it oftner : he must stand in with dry meat the time of the cure. you may anoint it with the oyl of populion ; or apply sope and brandy . proved . xxiii . for a navel gall , take and cut off the loose skin first with a knife , and apply to it this salve : mix as much as a walnut of verdigrease , with a spoonful of dialthaea , and a pint of train oyl , and it will cure it : if it be old done and hard , cut out the crush , and sear the wound within with a hot iron , and then dip some cotten in the green oyntment , and put it in as a tent. proved . xxiv . for a horse that pisses blood. take of tarragon a spoonfull and steep it in white-wine , and as much poppy-seed beaten , as will lye on a shilling , give this in the white-wine , and it is a certain cure : give this fasting : probatum est . xxv . for the mules . you shall know this by the staring of the hair above the fore part of his hoof on his after-leg , and by the dew that stands on his feet above the hoof . for the cure : take lynseed oyl , and black sope of each a like quantity , boyl them together , and before you anoint his sore at any time , wash it clean and dry it , and then anoint it with the aforesaid salve , and it will cure . proved . xxvi . for a horse burnt with a mare . you shall know this by the mattering of his yard within : for remedy take a pinte of vvhite-wine , boyl in it a quarter of a pound of roch allum , and vvhen it is boyled and cool , it must be squirted in vvith a syringe , as far into his yard as you can , this vvill cure him in a few times doing . proved . xxvii . a precious oyntment that will cure any wound , old or new . take half a pint of refined sallet oyl , and put it into a skellet , then put to it a quarter of a pound of rosin , boyl these together , and vvhen it is boyled , put in three penny-worth of verdigrease beaten to a fine powder , stir them vvell together , and keep it for your use ; if the vvound be hollow and deep , put in a tent of this oyntment to the end of the vvound , anointing it beside : proved . train oyl and verdigrease melted together , vvill heal and skin any wound ▪ well and quickly . xxviii . for a farcyon . you must first give him the drink that is made vvith running water , in that receipt which you are to give once in three dayes ; for this farcyon , you must in the morning before he hath drank , give him that drink made of the running vvater , the same morning sear the head of every bud vvith a hot iron , then take yellow arsenick and beat it to powder , and mix it with black sope , as much arsenick as a hasel-nut , to as much black sope as a spoon vvill hold , or a little more , then lay on a little at a time for once and no more , lay it on no where but just on the top or head of the bud of every farcion , as much as contain to a pease vvill serve , being laid upon the top or head of every farcion , and vvithin one week you shall see them all drop out ; then do nothing but anoint the hole with sallet oyl once a day till it be whole , and it will cure him ; be sure to do as i have directed and no otherwise , for arsenick is rank poyson , and a great eater . proved xxix . for solebatted with going without shooes . for a horse that is solebatted by going vvithout shooes , you must first pare him close tovvards the toe , then take a pen-knife , and vvith the point cut a little hole through the bottom of the hoof , a matter of half an inch from the toes end right over the vein , and let the vein bleed a quarter of a pint , then set on his shoes pretty hollovv vvithin the feet , and boyl tar , tallovv and turpentine together , and pour it into his foot or feet scalding hot , and stuff in wool or hards after it , to keep and make it stay in ; you may put in flat sticks betvveen his shooes , and the bottom of his hoof , and it is cured vvith once putting in . proved . xxx . for pricking in the foot. when a horse is pricked in the foot , vvhen he standeth still he vvill mostly stand upon his toe : and if at any time a smith prick a horse , then before you take off his shooe to pare his foot , take your pincers and try by nipping him with them where the ailment lyes , or by knocking in of the nail upon the head with your hammer ; as soon as you see where the ailment is , take off his shooe , & pare him by degrees with the butter is and your drawing knife , when you have found the bottom of the wound , and have made it clear to your mind , then take turpentine , fresh butter , with a little black pitch boiled together , and pour it in scalding hot , then dip some hards or tow in the same , and stuff it well between the shoo and foot , you may take a piece of upper leather or sole-leather and do it between the shooe and the hards , or you may splinter it in with sticks : but if it be a long channel nail that struck into his foot on the road as you rid him , or as you wrought him , then pluck the nail out , and heat it presently red hot , and put it into the hole so far as it went in at the first ; when you have thus seared it with the red hot nail , which will keep it from rankling and festring , then melt turpentine and fresh butter , with a little black pitch together , and pour it in scalding hot ; then clap on the shooe , and stuff the foot with tow or hards , keeping it in as before you were directed , this will cure certainly . proved . xxxi . an oyntment to skin or heal any wound or hurt take two spoonfulls of dogs grease , one spoonful of black sope , and as much roch alom burnt and beaten to powder as a hasel-nut , put the burnt allum in when the other are melted and taken off the fire , and stir them vvell together in an earthen vessel , and you may keep it a year or more : not tryed , but it is very probable . xxxii . to take down any swelling being new , whether it be broke or not broke . take tvvo pintes of red wine-vinegar , and boyl in it sour handfulls of foles-foot leaves , not cut , but vvrung a pieces vvith your hand , vvhen it begins to boyl , put in tvvo handfulls of bay salt , and vvhen the salt is melted in it , take it off the fire , and vvhen you use it , heat it as hot as you can indure your hand in it , and vvith it anoint the place once a day till it be assvvaged : this also is a very likely medicine , but by me not tryed . xxxiii . for a quitterbone , though far gone and hard to cure . take off a quarter of the hoof right under the quitterbone , that it may drain the better , you may do it after this manner that this figure directs . take a dravving knife , and dravv it dovvn after this manner , to the quick on both sides and belovv , according to the figure then take hold vvith a pair of pincers presently belovv the piece of hoof , then pull it avvay , vvhen it is off , lay a piece of hares skin to it lightly to stanch the blood , and do not look to it in tvventy four hours , then take all the hares-skin away , and wash it once with wine-vinegar , and scald it with butter and salt boyled together as hot as may be , to kill the rankling ▪ and to keep it from dead flesh , do this three times once every other day : and then take verdigrease as much as three hasel-nuts beaten to powder , then take a quarter of a pint of wine vinegar , and as much hony , boyl them together vvith the verdigrease , and keep it continually stirring the time it boyls , which must be half an hour , then take it off the fire , and put it into a pot or pipkin , and anoint the wound with it once a day till it be whole ; when it is whole , then anoint the hoof to make it grow , with tar , tallow , turpentine , dogs-grease boyled together , put in the turpentine a little before you take it off the fire , and stir it well , keep him dry in the house the time of the cure : forbear to pull off the hoof if you think you can cure him without , for that will take a long time the curing , to make the hoof compleat ; this is a certain way , but it is none of the readiest , this way is vvhen all other waies fail . xxxiv . for a foundred horse . to take out the soals of his feet you must pare the foot thin , then at the end of the frush you must cut the hoof after this manner , as this figure shews . cut the middle of the soal just at the frushes end , in the fashion of a hens tongue , and raise it a little with the point of your knife , as you may see in the midst of this figure , which i have made near the fashion of a horse hoof , when you have cut and raised the little piece at the frushes end , then take your pen-knife , and with the point thereof , prick the vein till it bleed , the vein lyes right under the little piece in the middle of the foot at the frushes end , when it hath bled , close down the piece of hoof again , then let him stand in the stable the time of the cure , and not drink his water abroad , when you see him halt , and that you think it is festred enough between the soal and the quick , round about the bottom of the hoof , being thus festred , the soal will come out easier by a great deal and with less danger of pulling away the veins with the soal of the foot ; if you let it fester in this manner , before you pull it out , you must take your drawing knife , and draw the hoof to the quick , round about the soal within the hoof , as you may see by this figure : when you have drawn it to the quick round about , then raise the soal at the toe , and take hold of it with a pair of pinsers , and pull it upwards to the heel ; and so pull it quite out : when it is out , apply hares wool to hstanch the blood , and within hours take away the wool again , then wash the soal of the foot with chamber-lye , then set on the shooe and put in pitch , turpentine and hogs-grease melted together , of each an equal proportion , dipping hards or wool in the same medicine , and apply it to the bottom of the foot , stuff it in with splinters , or a soal of leather to keep it it ; apply this medicine three times in a week or ten days , three times is enough : you must never take out the soals of both his fore feet at one time , for then he will never be able to stand ; hereafter in another chapter i will give you the practise of another , which in my judgment is far more easie for the beast than to fester the foot ; which is , first to cord the foot-lock hard , that it may not bleed , then to draw round about the soal to the quick , and so to pull out the soal without festring , by cording of it ; it will not bleed at all after you have pulled out the soal , so that you need not to take care to stanch the blood , but as soon as you have pulled out the soal , you may wash it with chamber-lye and then put in the aforesaid materials : after you have set on the shooe , stuff it as you were before directed . proved . xxxv . for a splent . you must cast the horse first , then you must beat the place with a blood-stick or other stick till you feel it soft ; then fleam in three or four places upon the splent , and squeese out the blood with your stick , your fingers and thumb , then take as much hogs grease as a wallnut , as much bolearmoniack , and brimstone as much , beat these two last to powder , and mix them with grease , and spread it upon a sheet of gray paper , and lay it upon the splent , then heat a brick very hot , and dry the medicine in it , then melt some black pitch in an iron pan , and dip some flocks in it , and dab it on all over the splent close , that it may lye on sure , & when the flocks come off , the splent will come out , but if the flocks come off before the splent , then lay on more flocks till the splent come out , and as soon as it does come out , wash it with a little white-wine vinegar , and then anoint it with sallet oyl and turpentine melted together ; anoint it cold till it be whole , once a day , and in a weeks time the splent will come out and be whole : this you may do , but it makes a great blemish , it takes away hair and flesh , and sometimes the hair comes no more : you shall have a receipt hereafter for this purpose , that will not take off the hair nor break the flesh : it is a very gallant one , that will lay the splent flat in a few hours . xxxvi . for a through great splent . beat it and fleam it , as you were directed in the other , then take as much crown sope as an egg , and mix it with as much bolearmoniack on purpose that none may knovv that you use any thing but sope , lay it on a piece of gray paper , and heat a brick hot and dry it in , as you did the former , this is much of the nature of the former . proved . xxxvii . for a splent great or small , an excellent one . if it were never medled with before , be it great or small , this will cure it : first , take a piece of leather as broad again as will cover the splent , then take of cantharides which is a flye that you may have at the apothecaries , and beat them to powder or very fine , take of them half a quarter of an ounce at a time , mixed with as much nerve oyl , as contain to half a wallnut , bray them well together , and lay them upon a piece of leather , and bind it on for eight or ten hours , and then take it off , and stroke it down with your fingers and thumb twice or thrice a day , till you see it quite fallen : this medicine will dissolve the splent into a water , and you shall see it sweat out drops of water , doing it with your fingers and thumb every day : if it be a great through splent lay it on twice , if it be a little one , but once doing will serve ; he must stand in all the time of the cure ; you may ride him after you have taken the medicine off , take a piece of tape to bind it on : make no more at a time than you shall use , it will not last as to do good . this will not diminish a hair , but sink it flat . this medicine is not to be laid to a splent that hath been formerly medled with , where the swelling still remains , and the hair is come off ▪ and the skin very thin ; the medicine is too strong , and will soon eat the thin skin a pieces in such a case . proved to be right good . xxxviii . a water to cure any old wound , or green , in man or beast . take half a pound of bolearmoniack , a quarter of a pound of white copperis , two ounces of roch allum , beat your roch allum and copperis small , and put them into a pipkin , and melt them together , and when they are cold , put them with the bolearmoniack into a mortar ; and beat them all together to a fine powder , then take a pottle of running spring water , where the spring boyls with a blew sand at the bottom , if possible , rather than in any other spring , set this pottle of spring-water on the fire with a close skellet , till it be scalding hot , and then put it into a clean earthen pitcher , and put two spoonfuls of this powder into the water , and stir it up well together , before you let it stand to settle , and vvhen the vvater hath stood two or three days setling ; then skum off the upper most froth , put the vvater into another pitcher clean from the dregs , and afterwards use it vvhen you have occasion : but vvhen you use it either for man or beast , vvarm the vvater as hot as can be indured either by man or beast : when you vvash any vvound of a man , let the cloth lie a vvhile vvet upon the vvound , and vvet a double cloth in the same vvater , and bind it on plaister vvise , renevving it tvvo or three times a day : for any vvound , old or nevv , alvvaies vvash it first vvith this vvater , and then apply the green oyntment to it aftervvards , vvhich you shall find in r. viii . proved xxxix . a receipt to cure a horse pestilence . take of wormwood a handful , of rue a handful , of selendine roots a handful , to be cut small , then put them into a quart of aloes milk , boyl it till it comes to a pint . then strain it , and put to it half a pound of fresh butter , then give it the horse in the morning fasting , pretty vvarm , and keep him from drinking two daies , and if he does drink , let it be cold water ; and if grass may be had let him ear grass . another receipt for a febula , or horse-pestilence . take one ounce of storax , one ounce of benjamin , one ounce of betony , a quarter of an ounce of english saffron , these being beaten all to a powder , put them into a quart of new ale , and give it to the horse to drink ; let him not have any warm water , but keep him as before , from any drink two dayes , and let him eat grass , if to be had . xl. for the yellows . you shall know this by his faint sweating at the roots of his ears and the white of his eyes will be yellow ; you must first let him blood in the neck veins , or on both sides of the neck ; then take elder leaves , cellendine , and camomile , of each a handfull , cut them small , and give them to the horse in a pint and a half of the best beer being heated lukewarm , fasting ; you may run your cornet-horn into the third roof in the palat of his mouth , keep him warm , and give him warm water to drink for a day or two , and this drench will certainly cure him . proved . xli . for a chest-founder . to know this , he will go crimpling , and stand stradling , and covet lye to down : take six penny-vvorth of the oyl of peter , and bath it well into his breast , rub it in well at the first , then dry it lightly with a hot iron : this with once doing will be a perfect cure : not tried but very likely . xlii . for a swelling under the jaws , when a horse hath the strangling . for a swelling of this nature , take nothing else but bacon-grease and anoint it , which will if it be hard , suddenly soften it with twice anointing , and when it is full ripe let it out ; some use to burn the swelling with a candle before they anoint it , and it will cause it to break the sooner ; let it out with the point of a pen-knife , and sometimes there will come out a pinte of filth , when it is clean out , put in some white salt : when any sore is soft , let it out with the point of a pen-knife , lay it drayning as much as you can , with all the advantages you can : if it be a sore in any other place than the throat , rot it with bacon-grease , and open it , and put it out , and heal it with the green oyntment mentioned in r. xxxviii . you must have a care of veins , that you do not cut them : proved . xliii . for a sore . if a horse hath a sore in his side or else where , rot it first with bacon-grease , then open it in the midst , and let the hole below enough ; that you may put your finger in from the middle of the wound downwards , cut it in the midst , and slash it quite down to the bottom , it will drain the better , and heal the sooner a great deal : heal it up with the green oyntment , dressing it once a day , and always before you lay your green oyntment to the wound , wash it with the rare water to heal any wound first . this is that i advise you , when you wash a wound with this water , dry it with a clean linnen cloth , before you lay your green oyntment to : this water and green oyntment will heal any wound old or new , if you observe and do as i have directed ; if there be any proud flesh in any sore , be the sore in what place it will , scald it with butter and salt , and it will eat it off , and help to heal it presently proved . xliv . to make a horse piss , that is troubled with the wind-colick , or obstruction in the bladder . take a quarter of a pound of castle sope , and scrape it small , then put to it two ounces of dialthaea , which you shall have at the apothecaries , bray them well together in a mortar , and then make them up in balls about the bigness of a barbers , wash-ball , and keep them for your use , they will last a year , one ball crumbled into a pint and a half of strong beer heat scalding hot , will dissolve the ball , then let it stand till it be but luke warm , and give it the beast with a horn ; with this he will empty beyond expectation , as long as any thing is in him : let him fast an hour after he takes it ▪ proved . xlv . to cure a poll evil , which grows upon the top of the head. you may know it when it begins to breed , by its growing bigger than ordinary , upon the top of the head ; if it be pretty big , take a hot iron , and sear it round about the poll evil , till the skin look yellow ; as this figure doth shew you . then take another red hot iron made of this fashion , and make so many holes vvith this iron , as the cross vvill give you leave and no further , make all these holes with the point of this last iron , vvithin the compass of the seared place , as you may see the pricks in the figure , so many pricks so many holes , the bigger it is you may make the more , the lesser the fewer ; these holes being thus made , take a piece of yellow arsenick as big as a wheat-kernel , and put it into one hole , and so do the like to every hole ; then at the same time , lay on every hole over the arsenick , a piece of black sope to stop the arsenick in ; after all these beat some arsenick fine to povvder , and mix as much of the powder vvith black sope as contains to half a vvall-nut , to anoint the place vvhere first the iron seared it round , but no where else , and within three weeks it vvill be ready to come out ; all that is vvithin the compass of the round ring , the arsenick vvill eat to the bottom , if you see it hang but by a little at the bottom , then you may adventure to cutit out , otherwise let it alone three or four days longer ▪ and then cut it out close at the bottom : after you have cut it clean out , then wash it with the water that is good to cure any old ulcer , or green wound , and if you see or find with your instrument , that there is any hole at the bottom , or suspect that there is any dead flesh there , squirt the water aforesaid with a syringe or squirt to the bottom , till all the dead flesh be eaten out , this water will do it quickly , which when you see , anoint it with sallet oyl upon a feathers end once a day , till it be quite whole ; if the hole go forwards to his ears , let him stand in at dry meat ; if the hole go backward ; let him run abroad at grass , because , be holding down his head , the filthy matter cannot spread further , but must come back to the main wound ; this observation will much further the cure : again if this disease happen in winter , when no flyes are stirring , anoint it and heal it with sallet oyl , if this disease happen in summer , when the flyes are busie , anoint it then with train oyl , which you shall have at the curriers ; if this disease of a poll-evil or a fistula , chance to be over-grown with bags or bunnies of proud flesh , while you are healing of it , then do nothing but scald it with butter and salt and it will soon remedy that . xlvii . for a fistula . the mark of the fistula is after this manner , the fistula always hangs on either side the top of the cress , as you may see by this figure . the same way , and the same means will cure this as you used to the poll-evil , with the instrument with a cross , you must make so many holes as you see pricks within the figure , and you must do in every thing as you did in the last : mark , you must make three holes upon the top of the wollis , which is the top of the neck or cress , which is in the midst of the fistula , and you must make two holes on either side . proved . xlvii . for the plague , pestilence , garget , or murrain , in horse or beast only . you must not let blood in this disease , you shall know it by these signs : he will hang down his head , and will gum thick atter at the eyes , as big as your fingers end , and much , and will go weakly , staggering , and his head will oftentimes swell very big , and will fall away of his flesh suddenly , and yet feed very well ; the cure is thus : take as much diapente as a hasel-nut , as much dialphera , as much london treacle , as much mithridate , as much saffron , a handful of wormwood ▪ an handful of red sage , rhubarb as much as an hasel-nut , two cloves of garlick ; boyl all these together in two pints of good beer , till it come to a pint and a half , then give it him luke-warm fasting , and keep him very warm ; and the next thing you give him must be a mash made of ground malt , let him drink warm water for a week , and sometimes bursten oats , now and then a little clean sweet hay , it is his sweating that does the cure : if one drink will do no good , give him another three daies after to make all sure , it will not make him much sick : half of the proportions of this drink , will do wondrous well for a cow , if she have the like disease . not tryed , but very probable . xlviii . for a horse or cow that is poysoned by licking of venome , or is over-gorged with clover-grass , or turnips , by greedy feeding . either horse or cow will swell and slaver very much , and will be so extreamly full , as if they were ready to burst , and the skin to crack ; if they drink soon after it , so much the worse : but if he be but alive when you give him this , it will cure him in a quarter of an hour , for it will work as soon as it is in his body : for the cure , take a quarter of a pound of castle-sope , and scrape it thin , and put to it two ounces of dialphera , which you shall have at the apothecaries , bray them in a mortar small together , and make them up in balls as big as a barbers wash-ball , and lay them by till you have occasion to use them , one ball is enough for one beast to cure this disease ; you must dissolve the ball in a pint and a half of strong beer scalding hot , and give it luke-warm , the hotter the beer be , the sooner it will dissolve ; but if haste require crumble the ball in as small as you can , and give it him down with a horn , he will soon be empty with pissing and scowring . proved . xlix . for a horse or cow that maketh red-water . take three or four onions , one pound of lean beef roasted on the coals till you may beat it to powder , bolearmoniack as much as the bigness of an egg , one handful of gray salt , chop and beat them altogether , and put them all into a quart of strong-beer , take ale if you can get it , and give it to the beast , and presently after it , give her a dishful of cheese-runnets of almost a pint ; do but this once or twice fasting ; and let the beast fast two or three hours after it , and it will cure . proved . l. for the mad staggers . the signs of this disease are , he will foam at the mouth white , and will seem dull-headed , and will have at that time a blew film over his eyes , and will wander much up and down , be sure to let him blood on both his neck veins , within one or two daies after he complains , and in the third furrow in the pallet of his mouth , with the point of a cornet-horn , you may run an awl into the gristles of his nose , something above his nostrils ; the bleeding at the mouth and the nose will ease the pain in his head . the cure is , take a handful of rue , by some called herb-grace , three cloves of garlick , a spoonful of salt , a spoonful of vinegar , and two spoonfuls of aqua-vitae , bruise all these together well , and then put the one half into one ear , and the other half into the other ear , with a little wool after it ; put the liquor in with a spoon first , and then the herbs , and then the wool ; and then tye or stitch with a needle and thread the ears up very fast , with two listing garters , then presently fume him at the nostrils through a funnel , with the stalks and pillings of garlick , beaten in a morter with mastick or frankincense mixed together ; of these make pellets as big as a bullet , and lay them upon a chafing-dish of fresh coals , and the smoak will go up through the funnel into the head , and much comfort and cleanse the brain ; fume his head three times a day till you see him mend , at the same time beat red-weed seed which grows in winter-corn , by some called poppy-seed , very small , and give as much of the powder at each nostril as will lye upon a six pence , in two half hornfuls of any beer , do this every morning : or thus , if you cannot get poppy-seed , then give him vvhite poppy-vv●te● , vvhich you may likevvise have at the apothecaries , and give at each nostril a spoonful and a half a teach time : it will make him sleep so soundly , that you may vvalk upon him from the head to the tail and he vvill not stir , he vvill lye as if he vvere dead for a time , his sleeping vvill mightily refresh him : after you have given it unto him , you vvill see him , before he fall dovvn , to buckle and salley , till at last he vvill tumble dovvn . let him stand in a dark room and vvarm , vvhere he may see no light , let him have bursten oats , and mashes of ground malt ; let his drink be cold water , that vvhich you put in his ears , must remain there tvventy four hours and no longer : put wool , flax , lint , or a rag after it , stitching is better than a garter , for that will make the hair come white . proved , a rare cure. li. for the water farcion . it will come by the horses feeding upon low watry ground , and in pits where the grass grows above the water , for there he will lick the water up as well as the grass , this kind of feeding will cause horses sometimes to swell mightily under the belly and chaps : to cure it , cause a smith to make an iron like a fleam at a nails rod end , then heat it red hot , and strike it easily but just through the skin in many places upon the swelling , and no where else , and you shall see abundance of yellow , gray , oily water come out pouring ; this being done , wash it with chamberly and salt , as hot as you can endure your hand in it , wash it but three or four times , and it is a certain cure. if the swelling be very big , mix with the chamberly and salt as much bolearmoniack as a walnut , boyl them together , and wash it . proved . lii . for the ives . you may see them grow in a roul betwixt the hinder part of his jaw-bone and his neck ; if they get the roots of his ears there is great danger : the cure is , let blood in both the neck veins , then take two spoonfuls of pepper , as much hogs-grease , and as much vinegar , and work them up together , and put them one half into one ear , and the other into the other ear , and wool , flax , lint , or rags , which you have at hand after it , and stitch up his ears close with a needle and thread for hours , and it is a certain cure. proved . in the time of the cure , let him stand in the house ; give it him fasting , any water cold or warm , any meat , only let him stand in the house three or four daies after it . liii . for the wind-colick . it comes by means of long fasting , and then the wind gets into the bag-gut with one end , and then when the horse comes to meat , he feeds so hungerly that he never chews his meat , and it goes down unchewed and undigested , and stops the wind in the gut , that it puts the horse to abundance of misery . it causeth the slime in the gut to be so extreamly hot , that the horse will do nothing but tumble and wallow , and covet much to lye upon his back , with all four feet right up : the cure is , first , to prick him in the mouth and let him bleed well , then rub his mouth well with a handful of salt , then give him this drink . take a pint of brine and boyl it , but do not scum it , and put thereto a handful of new hens-dung , and give him it luke-warm , at any time when this disease happens ; then ride him an hour before he drink , and three hours after it . the signs : he will stand crimpling with all four together , and lay himself down very easily , and will rather look full then empty : if he be cold in the mouth no cure ; if he be warm in the mouth , there is hope in four or five hours to abate the pain . either present cure , or present death . proved . liv. for a film in an horses eye . take a piece of the saltest beef you can possibly get , dry it in an oven , and beat it to powder , take as much of licorish-sticks , dry them , and beat them to fine powder , and searee it through a cloth , blow the powder into his eye once a day , and it will take off the film in three or four times doing : if a rheum attend the eye at the same time , to stop it , dip a little flax or hards in some melted rosin , and lay it in the hole of the horses eye : i was told it would stop any rheum , but have not tryed it . lv. to cure a mallender . first rub it dry with a cloth , then anoint it with crown-sope and red mercury precipitate mixed together , when you have anointed it once , pluck the hairs which grow in it , and upon the edge of it , out ; then dress him three times more ; once in two daies dress it , then anoint it with sallet oyl , and it is cured . but alwaies before you anoint it you must rub it dry . proved . lvi . for an apoplexy , or palsey . to know this palsey , the signs are these : it either will take him in the neck , that he cannot put down his head to the ground , or in the after-parts that he cannot rise , the sinews of his flank will be hard , if you feel them with your hand . the cure is thus : take six penny-worth of the oyl of peter , and anoint the place grieved with it at one time , and dry it in with a hot iron , if you anoint the after-part of him , then lay upon him the litter of a hot reeking muckhil , and lay a cloth over that to hold it on , renewing it four times a day : if it be in the neck , after you have anointed it and dryed it in , make a thumb-band of the longest hottest dunghil litter that you can get , and wind it round about his neck something loose , that he may eat and drink : let the thumb-band be so long , that it may go so often about his neck that it may reach from his shoulders to his ears . probatum est . lvii . for a fareine that lyes all over the body of a horse . first , bleed those buds that do not dye , wash them with the water that you have for any old ulcer , and this will cure them and kill them ; wash them once a day , then take a pottle of running water , and boyl it in two spoonfuls of hempseed beaten to powder , and two handfuls of herb-grace cut small ; boyl all these together , till it come to a pint and a half , and give it the horse fasting ; do this once in three daies , or three times in nine daies , let him stand in the night before , and not drink ; you may give him three or four hours after it a mash , or warm water , and then hay . this very drink , given to a cow or bullock after letting blood in the neck , will make them thrive exceeding fast if it be given them at the spring of the year , and then turned out to grass . if a cow , or bullock , do not thrive , but is lean , scurvy , hide-bound , and her hair stand right up , do but let blood , and give her this drink , and she will mend presently upon it . proved . lviii . for a farcion only in the neck or head of a horse . first , let blood in the neck veins , then take two spoonfuls of the juyce of hemlock , and two spoonfuls of the juyce of housleek , and mix them together , and put the one half into the one ear , and the other half into the other ear ; you must mix two spoonfuls of sallet oyl with the housleek and hemlock , and then put them altogether into his ears . put a little wool , flax , or tow after it , stitch up his ears , and at the end of twenty four hours , unstitch them and take out the stuffing ; give him a mash two or three hours after , and warm water to drink : you may give him any meat to eat , only wash the buds with the water for an old ulcer , till he be whole . proved . lix . a rare medicine to make an horse scour that is hide-bound , that is moulten , that does not thrive nor fill : and to lay his coat if it stand right up . if a horse be moulten , give him this scouring medicine suddenly fasting : if an horses skin cleave to his ribs , we say he is hide-bound : and if an horses coat stand right up staring , and do not lye smooth , or if he do not fill well , it is then to be judged the horse is surfeited , foul , and out of health . to cure all these at once or twice at the most , and make your beast thrive gallantly , give him this scouring medicine : take half an ounce of aloes and beat it to powder , and put it into a pint of butter made afterwards round , put the aloes in three or four balls of butter , and rowl the balls in as much of the powder of jallop as will lye upon a six pence , wash down the balls with a pint and a half of strong beer luke-warm : let him fast three or four hours after , then give him a mash or bursten oats , and warm water to drink , for two or three daies . ride , or work him moderately , and the horse will thrive the better . proved often . lx. to stop a thin scouring in cow or bullock , or any other creature . take a quarter of a pint of verjuyce , and as much bolearmoniack beaten to powder as a walnut , stir it well up and down in the verjuyce , and give it to the beast . proved . lxi . to kill lice in cattel . take a broad woollen list , as broad as your hand that will go round about his neck , then wet the list well in train-oyl , and sew it about the beasts neck , and the lice will come to it , and it will kill them if there were never so many : daub some about the beast in several places , and they will come to it , and it will kill them . no flies in summer will come near any wound or sore wherewith this is applyed , for it will kill them . proved . lxii . to make hoofs that are brittle grow quickly , and to make them firm and strong . take of garlick ounces , herb-grace three handfuls , of allom beaten to powder ounces , of old hogs-grease two pound , of asses-dung , or for want of it cow-dung , an handful ; beat and cut them all small , and mix them altogether , and boyl them altogether well ; then with this oyntment stop his fore-feet , between his shoes and the bottom of his feet , and keep it in with a piece of leather , or sole-leather of a shoe ; let it be betwixt his foot and shoe. and besides , you should do well to anoint the outsides of his hoofs all over ; do this till you see his brittle hoofs to grow tough and strong , you will find the effect to be great . proved . lxiii . to heal a navil-gall , sore-back , or a set-fast . take a quarter of a pint of train-oyl , and boyl in it as much beaten verdigrease as half a walnut , put it into a pot and keep it for your use : this very medicine will heal any navil-gall , set-fast , or sore-back suddenly : and no flyes will dare to touch or come near it , if they do they dye presently . proved . lxiv . for a sinew-strain in the fore or after-leg . a sinew-strain , is alwaies upon the sinews which grow behind on the fore-leg , and behind upon the sinews of the after-leg , above the foot-lock joynt , upon the back part of the fore-leg , and upon the back part of the after-leg , much about the ancle-bone ; it will be swelled and knotted when it is thus over-strained , you may see and discern it by his going , and by the swelling ; if you nip it between your fingers and thumb , he will quinch at it very much : for the cure ; take nerve-oyl and turpentine of each a penny-worth , and mix them together , and lay it on at two or three several times or more , till it be well ; and alwaies dry it in well with a hot bar of iron when you lay it on , anoint it two or three daies distance , you must rest him in the time of the cure. probatum . lxv . a scouring drink . when you let a horse blood , save the blood with a bowl or dish , and put thereunto a handful of salt , take the blood as it comes from him , and stir it and the salt together with your hand , that it may not clot , and give it him again to drink with a horn fasting ; whether it be the blood of another horse , or his own blood , it matters not much . give him warm water to drink once . proved . lxvi . for brittle hoofs . anoint them with an equal proportion of dogs-grease , turpentine , and tar , all boyl together a little while , and it will make them grow strong and tough ; put in the turpentine but a little before you take it off the fire . proved . lxvii . for a horse that is moulten , and breaks out . when you see swellings appear like bags , about the girting place under the horses belly : first , anoint it with bacon-grease once every day till it be rotten ; then lance it in one place to make the filth come out , with the point of your pen-knife , stroke your hand pretty hard upon it , squeez out all the filth , then anoint the swelling with train-oyl all over , and wind a linnen cloth about a sticks end , and dip it in train-oyl , and with it wash the wound well within . if the swelling run under the belly to the cods-ward , then get a smith with a nail at a rods end , to beat a piece in the fashion of a fleme , then heat it red hot , and strike him just through the skin , in six or eight several places , thereafter as the largeness of the swelling is , and as your discretion shall guide you ; when you have flemed it , and squeezed it , that all the filth is out , then daub on chamberlye and salt scalding hot , and then anoint it with train-oyl within and without , the train-oyl will heal it alone ; anoint it once a day at first within and without , and once in two or three daies as it heals : you must alwaies have a care of any wound , that the cold and wind get not in , if it do it will swell much , and in such a case you must anoint about the wound , all over the swelling , with the oyl of populeon , and that will take the swelling down certainly , be it in what place it will. both proved . lxviii . a scouring drink to cleanse his kidneys if they be pained . first , heat a pint of strong beer in a skellet , and scum it , and put in a penny-worth of treacle-jean , and give it him luke-warm ; it will cleanse his kidneys and guts much , three or four hours after it , give him a mash , warm water the first day and no longer . let him stand two or three daies . probatum . lxix . for a fleshy knot that is moving from the place where it grows . let it grow where it will , if you by feeling upon it with your fingers and thumb feel it moving , and something soft upon the place where it grows , then take the knot in your hand , and with the point of your knife slit a hole in the middle , and cut the knot out ; if it bleed much , sear it with a hot iron to stanch the blood ; then stuff the wound with hares-wool , or coneys-wool , but hares-wool is best to stanch blood . the nextday take out the wool , and wash it clean with white-wine vinegar ; then dry the wound with a clean linnen cloth , then heal it with your blew medicine , or green oyntment , which i take to be best , but the blew medicine is good : alwaies before you anoint the wound , wash it with the water which you have for an old ulcer , if it grow rank , if not , you shall not need to do it : tye a rag about it to keep the dirt out . dress it once a day till it be whole . proved . lxx . for a cow that hath a garget in her dug or udder . you shall know when she-hath the garget in her dug , for then she will not give down her milk : for remedy , let her stand in some house or yard the night before you let blood , the next day in the morning fasting , let her blood on both sides of the neck , then give her this drink : take a handful of higtaper , by some called mullin , and cut it small ; it groweth by the sides of dikes , and in high-waies , it hath a long stem with a broad woolly leaf ; and afterwards boyl it a little in a pint of beer , and give it her luke-warm fasting : this with once giving will make her give down her milk freely . proved . lxxi . for a ring-bone . a ring-bone grows just upon the instep , as we use to say upon the fore-part of the hinder leg , just above the hoof , in a hard knob as big as a walnut : first , the beast must be cast , or else you must tye up his contrary leg with a strong rope , till you strike four or five holes in the ring-bone , at the very edge of it . let every hole be an equal distance from other , then take white mercury or arsnick beaten to powder , as much as will lye upon your fleme , and put it into one hole , and as much likewise in the same manner into every hole , binding it on for twenty four hours : lxxii . another for the same . take quick and unslaked lime , newly taken from the kiln , which must be well burned , and the best burned you may know by its lightness ; make your lime into fine powder , and lay it upon the place swelled all along of a good thickness , and bind upon it a linnen cloth made fast about the foot , and so put the horse into the water a pretty while , then take him forth and unbind his foot , and he is infallibly cured . for the burning of the lime in the water , does kill the ring-bone even unto the root thereof , with this receipt i have cured not so few as an hundred horses . but when you are thus to dress your horse , let him be brought close to the water wherein he is to be ridden , that so soon as you have applyed the lime unto the ring-bone , you may presently put him into the water . proved . lxxiii . observations concerning the ordering of cattle , as cowes , &c. in the time of feeding , when there is great fulness of grass : as in the months of may , june , and july . then in those months must be your care to let them blood : for at that time of the year they never digest their meat so well as in winter : and those raw digestions , do hinder many inward passages , which causeth bad blood . which to help , you must let them blood in the beginning of the month of may , and let them stand in some close yard the night before ; and the night after , give them a handful of hemp-seed a piece : now for the pestilence , gargil , and murrain , they are infectious , contagious diseases , none like them ; they proceed many times from hard driving , heats and colds , hunger , or any other thing breeding corrupt humors ; as by drinking when they are hot , or feeding upon gross , foul and corrupted foods , as in low grounds after floods , when the grass is unpurged , and the like . and sometimes it cometh from some evil influences of the planets , corrupting the plants and fruits of the earth : and sometimes from cattle too : and from divers such like causes . but howsoever , when these diseases begin , certain it is that they are most infectious , and if there be not great care taken , they will leave but few alive of a great many , for the one infects the other . these diseases are easily known , they will hang down their heads , and run atter at the eyes , will swell on the lips , and all on one side of the cheek , and under the tongue , and sometimes at the roots of the ears : the cure is , to separate the sound from the sick , a good distance of place from the air where the sick breathe , then let them blood on the neck-veins , and give every one a spoonful of diapente in a pint of verjuyce : if you cannot get diapente , take a spoonful of treacle-jean , and give it in a pint of verjuyce : thus give them a good quantity of old urine , and a handful of new hens-dung , stir the urine and hens-dung well together , and give it to the beast luke-warm , keep him in the house a week after : these for cows or bullocks be prime receipts ▪ proved . lxxiv . for a bite , blow , or film in the eye . take as much white copperis as the bigness of half a walnut , and beat it very fine , the same quantity of verdigrease beaten to powder : bray these two well together upon an iron-spade , or in a mortar , then mix them with as much fresh butter as a walnut ; put into the eye as much of this as the bigness of a pease , once a day until it be well and clear . proved . lxxv . a precious oyntment for an horses eye , either for bite , blow , or film . go to the apothecaries , and buy the stone called lapis calaminaris , it is of a blew colour ; heat it red hot , then take it out and quench it presently in a pint and a half of whitewine ▪ and so heat it , and quench it as afore times one after another ; then add unto the wine half so much of the juyce of housleek , well stamped and strained , and stir them up well together , dip a feather in this water , and dress it two or three times a day , till the sight be recovered . proved . lxxvi . a gallant scouring to make a beast thrive , winter or summer . take a handful of groundsel , called by some sertion , half a handful of red-sage , half a handful of dried or green wormwood stript , you must shred them all small , and boyl them in a pint and a half of strong beer , and when it comes off the fire , put in a piece of butter , as big as an egg : you may put in as much of the powder of mechoacan as will lye upon a shilling at three or four times : i know it purgeth slime and moulten grease in lumps , and works very kindly : give him warm water to drink , evening and morning for three or four daies after : a mash of malt once a day , or once in two daies , if your horse do not fill well , and that his coat stand right up staring , or be hide-bound , give him this . lxxvii . if you let blood in the neck or temple-vein ▪ you must alwaies cord the horse . take this for a rule . lxxviii . for a strangling in the spring . take a handful of elder-buds , as much of dried wormwood , half an handful of mercury , as much of tansey , cut these small , and boyl them in a pint of strong beer , and it will serve for three drinks , three daies distance between drink and drink . give it him fasting in mornings , give a mash three hours after , warm water for a day or two , let him stand in all the while . if he be swelled between the jaws , anoint it with bacon-grease once in two or three daies , till it be rotted , and then let it out , and heal it with your healing-salves . proved . lxxix . to kill lice in horses or cows . take two pennyworth of quicksilver , and work it well with fasting-spittle upon the palm of your hand till the quicksilver be killed , then take the whites of two eggs and bray them with the quicksilver and spittle , till they be as an oyntment , spread these upon a list that will go round about the beasts neck , let it be as broad as four fingers , first cut away the hair , and then tye your list round about , and sow it up ; they will come to it , and it will kill abundance of them ; and in several places about the beast daub on some train-oyl . lxxx . to make a horse stale or piss . take as much castle-sope as a walnut , boyl it in a pint of strong beer a little while , and give it him luke-warm , it will make him piss . proved . lxxxi . for an inward bruise with any fume or stub . take a pint and a half of strong beer , and one ounce of bolearmoniack , and boyl them a little together , and give it him with a horn luke-warm . it is very good for an inward bruise of a beast : the greasie sort is best . proved . lxxxii . for a horse that hath rent his flesh about the belly or elsewhere , or for any new wound . take a pint of whitewine vinegar the sharpest you can get , boyl it in half a quarter of a pound of bolearmoniack , after it hath boyled a little , and when it comes off the fire , put into it a little piece of butter , and bathe the place grieved once in two daies , and in two or three times dressing it will cure : this is a plain and easie cure. lxxxiii . for an old cold with a cough . take as much fresh or salt butter as an egg , and make it hollow as a pye , and put as much tar into it as a walnut , then close up the ball very round , and roul it in the seeds and strippings of wormwood cut small : to make two balls of the butter and tar is better , give him this in a pint and a half of strong beer in the morning fasting , he having stood in the night before ; keep him in house three or four daies after , give him warm water , the cold just taken off it , for two daies , the water must be no warmer at any time : if you see he doth not fill well , and hath left his coughing , then four or five daies after give him the same again , and order him as before : when you have given him this , ride him a hand-gallop for three or four miles , till he sweat well ; but a mile before you come at home , ride him very softly to cool him : set him up warm , litter him well , clothe him with a couple of warm cloths , tye him up to the rack upon the bit for three or four hours , if it be five or six hours it matters not , when you un-bit him , give a mash first , or warm water first , then clean hay , and take off one of his clothes ; after one or two daies you may work him , so you do it moderately : this is not so good for a new cold , as for an old cold. proved . lxxxiv . for a strangling in the guts : the cough of the lungs : for clearing the pipes , and giving much breath . if you be to run your horse for a wager , give him two of these balls a week before : i make them thus . take as much of fresh or salt butter as the bigness of an egg and an half , part it in the midst as near as you can , hollow it in the fashion of a pye , mix and bray together with your butter half an ounce of anniseeds beaten to powder : then make a pye of your butter and anniseeds thus mixed , and put into it three quarters of a spoonful of syrup of horehound into each ball , and close up the ball close that the syrup may not come out : make your balls no bigger then a barbers wash-ball , or but a little bigger if you do , for it is not good to give balls too big ; then warm a pint and a half of strong beer lukewarm , and fill the horn with beer , and before you put it in , put in one of the balls , having pull'd out his tongue with your left hand before ; when his tongue is out , put the ball into his mouth as far as you can , then hasten two horns full of beer after it to wash it down , do the like with the next ball as you did with the first , then take his back , & ride him for three or four miles a hand-gallop , till he sweat well , for this reason : because the diseases in this receipt , as they come with a heat , so the speediest and best remedy is to drive them away with a heat : the second reason is , that a drink will take no more place in a horse for heats and colds , than to give a horse a drink and walk him about the yard . therefore for diseases of this nature , ride him till he sweat soundly : a mile before you come at home , ride him but a foot pace , that he may be set up something cool , then tye him up to the rack , cover him with two cloaths , stuff him and litter him very warm , cover his head and body to keep him from the cold , let him stand four or five hours before he eat or drink ; then when you unbit him , give him a mash , or some water luke-warm , or some clean hay , and take off one cloth , and keep him warm . if this will not do , a week after give him the same again , and give him warm water but two daies after it , and then cold water ; a week before your horse goes to grass give this , and a week after he comes from grass ; give it three or four times a year ; and it will keep your horse in gallant health , it will fat a horse : it will make him sick , but fear nothing : but if you give your horse too much at a time , that it makes him extraordinary sick , give him a pint of milk as it comes from the cow , or heat the milk lukewarm . proved many times . this is a rare receipt . lxv . to waste the kernels under the horses throat , cheaply and suddenly . first , sear the kernels with a candle , then take of fresh or salt butter , and lay a piece upon a red piece of cloth , and rub it well in , and in a fortnights time the knot will be quite gone , and if his nose run , it will stop when the kernels are gone : anoint the knots once a day for a week in the time of his cure. if it be in summer let him run out , and in winter stand in . proved . lxxx . for a cough of the lungs . to know this , the horse will cough hollowly and gruntingly , he will hang down his head when he coughs , his flanks will beat , he will fetch his breath short : for remedy , let him stand in the night before , the next day in the morning fasting , give him a spoonful of the syrup of horehound , and a spoonful of the flower of brimstone , and put these two into a pint and a half of strong beer heated lukewarm , and give it him fasting ; take him and ride him three or four miles presently upon it , till he sweat well , ride but a foot pace within a mile of home , be careful to set him up warm : litter and clothe him warm : let him stand in not above two or three nights , if it be in summer ; after that turn him out from ten a clock to three a clock , for two or three daies , and then turn him out for altogether ; the more moderately you work him , the better he will thrive : it will take away his cough , clear his pipes , and make him thrive much after it . if there be a white , thick , clayey water near , let him drink there , it is a warmer and more fattening water than any other ; give warm water not above twice ; this drink will clear his pipes , and drive it from his lungs : you may put in as much of the powder of mechoacan , as will lye upon a shilling , at three times . proved . lxxxvii . for a broken-winded horse . take bores-dung and dry it to powder , and put a spoonful of it into two pints of milk as it comes from the cow , or otherwise heated lukewarm , and give it him : if you see that this proportion will not make him sick the first time you give it , then give him two spoonfuls more of the powder , and in four or five times giving , it will perfectly cure . this drink must be given every third day . a spoonful of the powder of a hedge-hog , by some called an urchin , doth infinitely help in this case . proved . lxxxviii . for a cold in a beast , either in winter or summer . take an egg-shel full of tar , half an ounce of red-stone sugar , half an ounce of anniseeds beaten small , half an ounce of tobacco beaten , half an ounce of liquorish cut and beaten very small , ounces of brimstoue beaten small , a quarter of a handful of herb-grace cut small ; after that these things are thus beaten and stirred up together , make them up into three balls of a like bigness , then put two pints of strong beer lukewarm , and the first hornful of beer that you give him , put a ball into it , and do so likewise to the second and third ; and then give him the remainder of the beer . let him not drink for four or five hours after , give him a mash , and afterwards hay to eat : let him stand in for three or four nights if it be in summer , after the first days giving , work him every day moderately ▪ and the beast will thrive the better . if once will not take away his cough , and cause him to belly , give him another ; keep him warm , and it is a cure. proved . lxxxix . for the scratches . they are upon the after-heels of a horse in the pastern and above : for remedy , take two penny-worth of black sope , as much as an egg , of the newest hens-dung as you can get , oyster-shels put into hot embers five or six , they must be put in over-night , and raked up so , that they may be well dried by the morning , then beat them to powder , and bray them altogether like an oyntment , and apply it to the horses sore heels every morning and evening , the horse must not come in the water till you see he is cured : alwaies rub his heels very clean before you rub in the oyntment , and you shall find it a certain cure in two or three times dressing . proved . xc . for the scratches . over-night let his heels and legs be bathed well in beef-broth , the next morning rub his legs clean , and then apply this oyntment to heal it . take two pennyworth of gilts-grease two pennyworth of speck-oyl at the curriers , made of shreds and cuttings of leather , two pennyworth of verdigrease beaten small , two pennyworth of train-oyl ; put all these into a pipkin , and set it on the coles to melt , but stir them till they be melted ; then once a day anoint him with this oyntment , till his heels be well , which will be whole very suddenly : chafe it , and rub it in with your hand very well , let him come in no water nor dirt till he be whole , when horses have been so swelled , crannied and stiff , that they could not go , but fall down : this hath cured them . proved . xci . another for the same . if at any time a horses leg swell , but especially in the month of march , ride him into a river where the water runs swiftly , up to the mid-leg , and there let him stand not above a quarter of an hour ; then when you set him up in the stable , take a wisp and a payl of water , and dash the water against his legs , till they be clean . this is a cure for swelled legs in a very short time , that is when they are not broken out , but only swelled . proved . xcii . for foot-foundring . that foot which is foundred , he will set before the other : for remedy , pare him down to the quick , if he bleed it matters not , then set on his shoe very hollow , then take flax or tow , and make a pretty thick cake thereof , and spread venice turpentine thereon a good thickness ; then lay it all over the bottom of the hoof , and put a piece of the upper leather of a shoe to keep it in : at daies end lay on a new plaister as before . if his foot grow again , pare him to the quick again , and every third day lay on a new plaister , till you see him go better ; he must run abroad in low grounds ; this plaister will draw down the humours exceedingly . continue thus doing , and if he have not been foundred too long , this will cure him in a month or very little more , perfectly . to further the cure , you may let him blood at the toes , nevertheless the place should not be dirty that he goes in . proved . xciii . for the garget in the throat of a cow. if you have an ox , or cow , or bullock , that hath the garget in the throat , it comes for want of water ; it will cause a swelling under the sides : the remedy is , first to cast the beast , then cut the skin through in the midst of the swelling , and flea the skin from the flesh so far as any swelling goes , then take of the whitest wood-ashes that you can get , sifted fine , mix them with some mouldy , stale , old piss , stir them well together , and wash the sore therewith . proved . xciv . another for a garget at the root of the tongue of a cow. a garget at the root of the tongue , is a certain swelling under the root of the tongue , which causeth his head and face to swell also , and to froth at the mouth , he will then for sake his meat , with often gulping in his throat . the remedy is , first cast him in soft straw , from bruising his body , then take his tongue in your hand and pull it out as far as you can , and with the point of a sharp penknife ; slit down the middle vein an inch , right under the tongue , and there will come forth black blood , and water which comes from the gall , then rub the place with salt and vinegar mingled together , and it will cure . proved . xcv . for the garget in the guts of a cow , or bullock . the signs are these : the beast will run at the eyes , drivel and slaver at the mouth , with a sad heavy countenance : for remedy , take an egg-shel full of tar and put it down her throat , then take two handfuls of salt , and put it into a pint of verjuyce , and put it down the beasts throat with a horn , then drive her to and fro till she dung : keep her fasting four hours after . proved . xcvi . for the over-flowing of the gall , in a cow or bullock . the signs are extraordinary fulness of the body , and slavering at the mouth : the remedy ; take an egg-shell full of tar , and put it down her throat , having before a pint of verjuyce or vinegar , and a pennyworth of cloves beaten ; boyl the verjuyce and cloves together , and when you take it off the fire , put in two good handfuls of salt , and give it her lukewarm with a horn , immediately after the egg-shell full of tar , and drive her to and fro . proved . xcvii . for a horse or cow that makes red-water . take a red herring with a hard row , and cut it as small as you can , and put it into a quart of strong beer , and give the beast it luke-warm , and in twice giving it is a cure : proved . xcviii . for a horse that is back-swanckt , or for a strain in the kidneys , being over-burthened in the hinder ▪ part , or in race-running , or by being over-strained in the back . take a fat hot sheeps-skin , just as it comes from the back of the sheep as soon as she is kill'd , mix four pennyworth of nerve-oyl , and four pennyworth of turpentine well together , and besmear or anoint the inside of the sheeps-skin all over , and clap it to the place of the back where the grief lies , which commonly is in the navil-place of the back-bone : in that part of the back-bone , is a horse mostly swanckt of , when you have thus laid it along his back-bone , make a crupper to go under his tail to keep it on , and a breast-plate before , and fasten them together , to girt it upon him for a month till his back be knit and strengthened . proved . here followeth nathaniel shaw's receipts , which are all approved things : and he is accompted as able a farrier as any is in london . i have both proved my self , and seen him prove most of them , both inward and outward ; and although the former receipts in this book will do much good : yet these go beyond them in many things , both for cheapness and readiness of the cure. i shall begin with a disease in the head called the canker . c. for a canker in the head. a canker is a disease in the head , and sometimes will set upon the eyes , and sometimes in the nostrils : you shall know it by his rawness , and it will run a yellow water . for remedy , take half a pint of sallet-oyl , one ounce of the oyl of turpentine , three ounces of burgundy pitch , and one pennyworth of verdigrease beaten fine ; put all but the verdigrease into a pipkin , and let them boyl together a pretty while , then take it off the fire , and put in the verdigrease , and let them all boyl together to a salve , but if you have not a great care , the verdigrease will make all boyl over , to prevent which , alwaies have another pipkin stand by in readiness , that if it boyl over you may put some into that ; then put them together again , and set them upon warm embers , and let it gently boyl till you see it come to a salve , being neither too hard nor too soft ; you must stir it all the while it boyls , then take it off , and keep it for your use : if you use this medicine for a canker in the nostrils , first tye a rag about a sticks end , and dip it in some whitewine vinegar and some salt , and run it up his nostrils to do off all the scales : when you have washt it clean , take a feather , and if it be not long enough tye two together , and dip it in the cold salve , and run it up his nostrils but once a day : if it be a canker in the head , face , or eyes , take a little tow , and rub the canker till it bleed , and when it leaveth bleeding , anoint it with a feather dipt in the aforesaid salve , and strew some wheat-bran upon the salve , it will hold on the better : dress it once a day , till you see it heal , and then once in two or three daies , whilst it heal up : observe this rule in all outward cures , for it is needful , let him stand in all the time of the cure. proved . ci. for a dry scurvy mange , although it be from the head to the tayl , of horse , cow , dog , or any thing else . first , scrape off all the scurff with an old curry-comb or piece of knife , then take two ounces of the oyl of turpentine , and as much strong beer , mix them together , and shake them well in a glass vial , then anoint the horse where he is pild and mangy ; a week after dress him again if you see any matter y running places , else not ; tye him up with a strong halter , till it hath done working , for it will smart terribly : when you have kill'd the mange , to make the hair come again , wash it two or three times with a little strong beer now and then , and it will make the hair come quickly and thick . let the beast stand in at dry meat the time of the cure. this is a rare receipt . proved . cii . for a blow or any other mischance , which causeth a swelling about the head , face , jaws or chaps . first , let blood in the neck-vein , on the side the head swells , if he swells on both sides let him blood on both sides : then give him this drink to prevent a farcy ; take an ounce of turmerick , and an ounce of anniseeds , of red-sage , wormwood , herbgrace , of all three but a handful , cut them small , and put all into a quart of strong beer , and give it the beast cold , for they are hot of themselves , fasting in a morning , and let him fast four or five hours after it ; give him warm water to drink but for once , so soon as you have given him his drink , apply this charge hot with a flat stick , dab on the swelling , a quarter of a pint of aqua-vitae or brandy-wine , which is the spirit of aqua-vitae , but brandy is best , mixed with a pennyworth of crown-sope , according to the bigness or smalness of the swelling ; make a quantity of these two things which you apply as a charge ; this charge of these two things , will take down any swelling old or new whatsoever . soke it in with a red hot iron ; apply it but once , it will not come off in fourteen or fifteen daies , it will sink it quite flat , or break it . proved . ciii . for a navil-gall . take brandy-wine cold , and dab it on with your hand , or with a rag , it will take it down in a few times dressing , if the skin be not broken . proved . civ . for hard kernels under the throat . mix sope and brandy-wine together , and apply it to the kernels hot , then heat it in with a hot iron ; it will either sink them flat , or break them . proved . cv . for a new sinew strain . apply sope and brandy once hot , and heat them in with a hot iron : but first you must clip the hair away in the pastern right over the shackle-veins , and then let blood on both the shackle-veins , and then apply the charge ; letting blood will much further the cure. let the sinew-strain be before or behind , you must let blood if you will have a speedy cure : letting blood thus , and applying the charge , will take his lameness away in eight and forty hours , with once doing at the most : do not ride him in four or five daies after you have laid on this charge : this sope and brandy heat well in with a hot iron , it will not come off in or daies , and when you see the scurff to rise , anoint it with trotters-oyl , which is made of sheeps-feet boiled , anoint it once in two dayes to strengthen the sinews , till he go well ; you may ride him in four or five daies , and for four or five daies , or a week , keep him out of the water , after you have applyed the charge , and it will be a perfect cure. proved . cvi. for an old sinew-strain that is swelled and hard , on fore or after-legs . first , clip away the hair right over the shackle-veins on the pastern , and you will see to strike the shackle-vein the better : when it hath bled , apply two ounces of the oyl of turpentine , mixed with two ounces of strong beer , and put them into a glass vial , and shake them well together , bath most of it in with your hand upon the vein or swelling , and three or four daies after it hath done swelling , and begins to be scurfie , lay a charge of sope and brandy , heat it well in with a hot iron , and it will take it quite down in a week or a fortnights time , you may ride him in five or six daies : when you see the charge to scurf and pill , you may anoint it with oyl of trotters once or twice . proved very certain . cvii . for any old , hard , and crushy knobs , or swellings , that have been a long time , let them be never so hard . do thus , first , anoint it with an ounce and a half of the oyl of turpentine , and as much strong beer mixed together , and put it in a glass and well shaken together , and bathed in with your hand ; and three or four daies after , the charge of sope and brandy , applied and well heared in with a hot iron ; and four or five daies after you may ride him where you please , it will take it quite down . proved . cviii . for old broken knees much swelled and hard , that have been long healed up . first , mix an ounce and a half of the oyl of turpentine , and the like quantity of strong beer , shaking them in a glass together ; then bathe it in with your hand upon the swelled knee : two or three daies after , apply the charge of crown sope and brandy hot , and let it lye on till it come off of its own accord ; it will much lessen , if it do not take it quite down ; let him stand in : the oyl of worms is a great mollifier of a hard and bony part , and hard swellings . proved . cix . for a strain in the pastern , back , or sinews . a charge of crown-sope and brandy-wine applied hot , and heated well in with a hot iron , is marvellous good ; keep him out of the water for a week after , till you see him go well . this sope and brandy-wine is an absolute cure for a strain newly taken , or new swelling , or soft swelling ; but if it be old done , and the swelling as hard as a bone , then you must first anoint it with the oyl of turpentine and beer , and two or three daies after apply the charge of sope and brandy , and it will take it quite down . proved . cx . how to boyl the charge of sope and brandy to a salve . this sope and brandy , when you are to boyl them , let them boyl till they come to a white salve , then lay it on hot with a flat stick , alwaies when you dress a beast , this is how to boyl it , and make the charge : it will make a horse swell much , but within three or four daies after it hath taken its course , it will fall as flat as may be . for all these lamenesses , the beast must stand in for four or five daies , you need not take above a quarter of a pint of brandy , and a pennyworth of crown-sope : for a horse that is cast in a ditch , and is much swelled and bruised aboue the head and body with beating of himself : let blood in this case , first in those veins where you see most cause , and let him blood as discretion shall teach you , and then apply the charge of crown-sope and brandy-wine hot all over the swelling with a flat stick , and heat it well in with a hot iron , and let him stand in the house the time of his cure , and you shall find it to be a very perfect and ready cure . proved . cxi . for a swelling that comes by reason of wind or cold getting into the wound , how to take it away , whether it be in the head or any part of the body . if the swelling in the head cause a thick film over the eyes , then follow the directions under written : if the swelling comes by reason of wind or cold getting into the wound , to take out the heat and rankness of the swelling , you must anoint it all over with an ounce of the oyntment of populeon , or more if the swelling be great ; anoint it twice a day at first , and as it falls fewer times will serve ; in the mean time do nothing to the wound , till the swelling be almost gone ; when the swelling is almost gone or down , wash the wound with chamberlye and salt , or vinegar and salt , and heal it up with your healing salves : if he get a wound in his face or head , and the wind get in and cause it to swell , when you have taken away the swelling by anointing it with this populeon , it may be you shall see your beast to have lost his sight , by reason of some thick film that hath covered his eyes . for remedy , when you have first taken down the swelling , do thus : slit a little hole upon the bone of the cheek with a sharp pointed penknife , and then put in your cornet-horn , and work up the point thereof between the skin and the flesh , close up to the eye , then take a little bit of new canvass , and cut it three square , and roul it up round the length of your thumb , mix some salt and fresh butter together , and strow some salt upon the butter , although the butter be salt , and spread it on both sides the canvass ; then roul it up round and thrust it up into the hole , and there let it be , over it lay a little piece of canvass , with some burgundy pitch spread upon it , to keep out the cold and wind , and it will draw and drain the eye very clean and clear ; this being done , put a little piece of fresh butter , with a corn or two of salt into the eye , and put in a piece of butter into the hollow hole above the eye , anoint and rub it well in , that it may drain down the eye : for a blow with a cudgel , whip , stick , or a haw in the eye , though you think the horses eye would go out , this course taken , will remedy it in a short time . let blood in the temple-vein for a hot rheum , and likewise when a horses eye-sight fails with hard riding or much straining ; nevertheless , you must strike the fleme cross the vein , and then the rheum will stop , and the vein will knit up of it self ; this is a main means to stop a hot rheum that comes down to a horses eye : when you let a horse blood on this vein at any time , you must cord him about the neck , and when he hath bled as much as you think good , to keep the cold and wind out of the vein , you should do well to pitch and flock it : for a hot rheum , hard riding , or over-much straining . give this drink fasting , to clear the stomack , and cleanse the blood and lights ( viz. ) one ounce of turmerick , half a quarter of aquavitae or brandy , two or three spoonfuls of whitewine vinegar , a quart of the best beer , give it luke-warm : but if there be a kind of whiteglass in his sight , then it can be no cure . likewise , if you have a young horse that you think will be moon-blind , then you must take up the temple-vein in the wane of the moon , doing with your cornet-horn as before you were taught , and put a piece of butter in his eye , and a piece in the hole of his eye : if it be a hot rheum , his eye will water and look red below the eye , let him come into the cold wind as little as you can : if it be a film , if it be thick , white , blew , though it hath been for half a year , then do as ye were just directed in this receipt , and no otherwise . proved . cxii . for a hot inflammation or soft swelling ▪ that is new done , whether broken or not broken . anoint it with the oyl of populeon , and rub it in cold with your hand once a day , or twice at the most , till it be down . proved . cxiii . for a bruise or bite upon the cods of an horse , that cause them to swell much . first , bath them well in warm whey or milk , but whey is best , let it be as hot as the horse can endure it , bath it for three or four daies together ; then make a bag to put his cods therein to keep them warm , anoint his cods with the oyl of populeon cold , once or twice a day , till you see the swelling of his cods abate , which when you see , apply the charge of crown-sope and brandy-wine , to take down the rest of the swelling , and to knit the veins and strings of his cods again : lay it on hot , and heat it well in , three or four daies after ride him into a river , if you can , or pit , up to the belly , and you shall see it fall in a short time . if the cods be swell'd much , and it have been long done , and is hard , then do not meddle with it . proved . cxiv . to keep in your medicine , and keep out the wind. over your medicine , lay a plaister of burgundy pitch , and it will keep in your medicine and keep out the wind , whilst you take down the swelling with the oyl of populeon , but culpepper saith that the oyntment of populeon is better . cxv . directions . if at any time a horse come to you with swelled legs , and that hath been poysoned with other farriers medicines : first , before you apply any thing of your own to it , bath his leg or legs with whey as hot as he can endure it , to wash off the poyson of their medicines , and to make his legs clean . whey will not take off the hair if it be not off before , it will cool gallantly , it is better than milk : but if you cannot get whey then take milk ; after you have thus bathed it in warm whey or milk , you may fall to work according to your judgment , as it is in hardness or softness : this book will tell you , whether you shall take it away by drinks or oyntments , or by both : look the receipts for a dry surfet , and the receipt for a pocky farcion horse : look the following receipts for a dry surfet , and there you shall see the purge of aloes to be given inwardly , and other things to be applied outwardly to the hard swelling : if it be a surfet that comes down out of the body , and falls into the legs before or behind , and breaks , and runs moist , watry , or attery , stinking filthy matter , then look the following receipts for a foul , rank , pocky farcion horse . and give him the first drink there mentioned at the beginning of the receipt ; one or two of those drinks will dry up the moist humours , that fall out of his body into his legs . note , that where the filth breaks out of the chaps , if the crannies be very great , and if you see that the filthy matter that comes out of those crannies , are like to rot the sinews of the legs , then use the following receipt , which is for pains and scratches , made of hony , pepper , and garlick . the drink given inwardly , & this receipt applied outwardly to the crannies of his legs , are incomparable , for the drink at once or twice giving , wil dry up the humor ; in his body , although never so many or so violent , and the salve will heal up his legs suddenly and to purpose . this is enough to direct you , especially for dry surfets that fall out of the body into the legs , and there settle and become very hard : and likewise for surfets that fall out of his body , and break , stink , and run , watry , yellow , thick , and sometime thin mattry filth in the legs : if after you have made a cure of these , and see your horse gaunt , and doth not fill well , then give him the purge of aloes to scour and cleanse him ; and after that your cordial , whitewine , and honey , all mentioned in the following receipts in this book , which is for a dry surfet : and when a horses cods are subject to swell oft , give him this purge of aloes that is for a dry surfet , which is when the grease is melted , and afterwards setled and dried in his body . it is good for a horse that is gaunt and will not fill , and we say is gut-foundred , and his hair stands right up . the cordial of whitewine and honey is marvellous good to beget and continue a stomack to his meat , being given after his purge , as you are fully directed in the receipt for a horse that is swelled in his cods , and that hath a dry surfet , and runs at the nose . i say in the following receipts you shall there find them altogether in order . cxvi . for a shoulder-strain . first , tye up his sound leg very sure with a list or garter , then walk or drive him upon three legs , that he may lay the weight of his body upon the lame leg , till he begin to sweat at the ears and cods with pain ; this is , because you may see the plait-vein the plainer appear ; then let down his lame leg , and you shall see the vein yet plainer than you could when his leg was tied up : if you cannot see the vein plain enough when his leg stands upon the ground , then heat but a little water , and clap it on with your hand upon the vein , and then you shall certainly see the vein appear a great deal bigger , that you may let it blood , then when you see the blood is come into the plait-vein , and that the vein is plain enough to see and feel , tie up his lame leg again , and let him blood in the plait-vein , on that side the bottom of his chest his lame leg is on : let him bleed a quart or two , or more , the greater the lameness is , the more let him bleed : after he hath bled about a quart upon the ground , presently put into a bowl a good handful of salt , and let him bleed a quart or more into that salt : you must stir the salt and blood altogether , all the vvhile he bleeds into the bovvl , because it may not clot , then set the blood and salt by , and stop the plait-veine vvith a piece of lead , that may nip the mouth of the vein together again that it may not bleed : you must have in a readiness an ounce , or an ounce and a half of the oyl of turpentine , and as much strong beer , put them both into a glass vial , and shake them vvell together : when you have thus shaked the oyl and beer together , bathe it vvell in vvith your hand about his breast , and all his shoulder over , and the bottom of his breast , betvveen his legs , and half vvay dovvn to his knees ; bathe it and clap it vvell in vvith your hand , presently after take the blood and salt , and bathe and clap that upon the former ; then set him up into the stable to meat , and vvith a list or garter , tye both his fore-legs together as close as you can , a girt or surcingle will serve to tie his legs . the next day untie his fore-legs , take him out and walk him , and if you see he go any thing well , take his back and ride him gently a mile , and set him up again , and tie his fore-feet again , as close as you did before ; if he go not well the first day , do but walk him the second day , and not ride him ; and the third day after his first dressing , do not only tie his legs , but flat a stick on both sides in the fashion of a wedge , about the breadth of a sixpence , take it and drive it in between the toes of his shooes , and the toe of his foot fast , so that it may not come out , and alwaies whilst he stands still in the stable , tie his legs close , and peg him with a wedge , and when you walk or ride him abroad , untie his legs and take out the wedge : do this every night and day till he grow sound , which will be vvithin two or three daies , if it be a strain nevvly taken : to let blood once , and anoint it once vvith the oyl of turpentine and beer , and once vvith the blood and salt , is enough vvith the help of tying his legs together , and driving in a vvooden wedge as you vvere before directed : for a vvrench in the shoulder , or vvhen a horse hath pulled his shoulder out of his place , and the shoulder is faln the breadth of a mans hand or more , or if he be splayed on the shoulder , do nothing contrary to vvhat you vvere directed before in this receipt , either for matter or manner ; for if it be but lately done , it is as speedy a cure for the one as for the other . and if you do as you are here directed , i am persvvaded there is not a better or speedier vvay to be taken under the sun. i cannot give praises sufficient to the vvorth of it . proved in all . cxvii . for an old strain in the shoulder . the fore-going direction in the last receipt , is most incomparably certain , for an old hurt in the shoulder , and is for this as absolute a cure in one weeks time as any is under the sun. proved . cxviii for the hurle bone out of joynt , or a little miscarried . this hurle-bone is much about the midst of the buttock , and is very apt to go out of the socket vvith a slip or strain . the oyl of turpentine and beer is marvellous good , used as before you vvere directed , for a horse that has gotten a mischance in the hurle-bone : after you have shaked them together in the glass ▪ take of it , and as near as you can , pour a little of it right over the socket of the hurl-bone , the breadth of the palm of your hand , and rub it in vvith your hand . it vvill make the skin to purse up and be very sore , and you must anoint him on the bravvn and thick part of the inside of the thigh , and so dovvn to the stifle , and anoint him dovvn to the very — — . in the time of the cure , drive in a vvooden wedge in the contrary foot betvveen the toe and the shooe , and so let him stand day and night : if you see your horse mend and go better , you may then ride him every day , so as when you set him into the stable , you peg him with a wooden wedge , this course being taken , will in a very fevv daies cure him , and make him go compleat . proved . cxix . for a stifle in the stifling-bone . if your horse be stifled that you see the stifling bone is out of his place ; then first , svvim him in a mill-pool for half an hour , till he svveat behind his ears , in vvhich time or before , the bone vvill be in his place again : then lead him gently home cloathed , and keep him in the stable vvarm ; as soon as he comes into the stable , peg him on the contrary foot behind , all the time of his cure vvhilst he stands still in the house ; and as soon as he is dry , take sope and brandy mentioned in the fore-going receipts , and lay it hot to the grieved place , and heat it vvell in vvith a hot iron , it vvill swell a little at first , but it vvill soon fall ; it vvill strengthen the grieved place much , and in a short time it vvill be a perfect cure : or thus , you may for a stifle after svvimming , peg him as soon as he comes into the stable , and so do alvvaies vvhen he stands in the house , and vvhen he is dry rub in half an ounce of the oyl of turpentine , and as much strong beer shaked together in a glass . it vvill cause it to svvell something more than sope and brandy , but it is admirable for a stifle , and a speedy cure. observe , that svvimming is not good for any strain , but only to bring a stiflebone right into place again , and you may try it for that , but not for a strain . the beast must stand in the house all the time of his cure. proved . cxx . a speedy cure for a sinew-strain , old or new . first , let blood in the shackle-veins , which are in the pastern , for it will much further the cure : then take the fattest cat you can get , kill her , and flea her as soon as you can possible , then bruise the flesh and bones of the cat small , and lay it upon a cloth , and bind it close to the sinew-strain , from the pastern up the legs , as far as it will go , and as warm as you can : you must take out her guts before you bruise her flesh , or lay it too ; and you must , after you have let blood in the shackle-vein , bathe the sinew-strain with aqua-vitae , and rub it in cold with your hand , and then afterwards lay the flesh of the cat on a cloth to the place : of all cures for a sinew-strain this is the best and speediest , wind a cloth two or three times about the leg , when you have laid the cat on , to bind it on , because a cat draws and knits mightily : let him not come into the water till he be cured . proved . cxxi . for a poll-evil in the head of an horse . if you take it at the first swelling , then do thus : take half an ounce of the oyl of turpentine , and anoint the swelling therewith , so far as it is swelled , and let it sink in and take its course for four or five daies , in which time the skin will be shrunk up like a purse : at the four or five daies end , if you see the swelling begin to fall , then take burgundy pitch , and black pitch of each two ounces , and one ounce of mastick , put them into a pipkin and melt them ; then take a flat stick and spread it all over the swelling , then take the shearings of cloth or flocks , and do them thick on with your hand upon the pitch till it be hot , when your plaister comes off , which it may be will be a fortnight or a month . if then you see the oyl and the plaister have killed the venome of it , and taken down the swelling , then do no more to it . again , if you see , when your plaister comes off , that it is much swelled , or that there be proud flesh in it , then if it be not broken , lance it , and if there be any dead or proud flesh in it cut it out , then fill the hole or wound with fine tow , flax , or hards , to dry the blood up ; and there let it lye five or six hours , then take it away , and put in some of the medicine which you use for a canker in the head , face , eyes , or nostrils of a horse , vide receipt c. with this medicine dress it once a day at first , and as it begins to heal , dress it once in two daies ; this medicine will heal it suddenly ; cut a hole at the edge or lower part of the swelling , to lay it a draining , and it will heal a great deal sooner , dab and throw on good store of wheat-bran upon it when you lay it on , when your plaister comes off , look upon the top of the poll-evil , to see how far the dead , proud , white , jelly flesh goes , cut it all out with your incision knife , till you come at the red flesh which is sound ; the veins will bleed much , and spin again when you come at the quick ; but let not that hinder you from cutting out all the dead , proud flesh , which if you cut all out clean , you cannot do amiss , only take heed you do not cut the white paxwax , which runs along the top of the neck , which some call a cress ; it is white , and you may easily see it ; if you cut that , his neck will fall and look basely , therefore have a care . there is a white pith in a poll-evil near the top of the neck by the paxwax , take your nippers and pull it out , it will come out like a plug , there is no such thing in a fistula ; when you have pulled it out , put some of your medicine to it , and it will heal it apace : let not the dead flesh be left in the wound , but cut it clean out , although the wound seem never so broad : the same cure and the same way is to be used for a fistula ; the beast must stand in the time of the cure. proved . cxxii . for a through splent on both sides of the leg , by some called a great bone-s●rupin . first , tye the horses head close to a strong post , then tye up his contrary leg , then bruise and beat the splint on both sides with a blood-stick , or bed-staff , beat it till it be something soft , if he will not endure the beating of it standing , cast him with a rope ; after you have beat it soft , take of the oyl of riggrum pennyworth , and rub it on with your fingers on both sides , upon the very splent and no where else ; you shall have of this oyl but a little for a shilling . tye up his head for two or three hours ; for it will smart , and tye up his contrary leg , this way will take off the hair a little , but it will grow again of the same colour presently : if it be never so big , do but thus two or three times , and within a weeks time it will be quite faln , one dressing will serve for a small splent , or for a blood splent ; this way will a little break the hair , but not the skin . if you will , you may turn him out . proved to be admirable . cxxiii . for a mallender . first , clip away the hair which grows upon it , and about it , then rub the scabs off with a hair-cloth , or the back of your scissars , or knife ; this rubbing of it will cause it to run a yellow matter , take a linnen-cloth , and wipe away the filth clean , then take four penny-worth of the oyl of riggrum , and mix it with a little of your own dung , and lap it on with a flat stick upon a linnen-cloth , and bind it to for a week , then make it clean , and dress it again , and it is a cure. after your first dressing , you may ride him or turn him out . proved . cxxiv . for a looseness in the body of any beast . take a pint of red-wine , or for want thereof a pint of claret , warm it in a wine-pot upon the fire , then put an ounce of beaten cinamon therein , and give him it a little warm , you may put thereto the yolks of two new laid eggs , once or twice is a cure ; give him warm water at night , and cold water next day , and ride him upon it . proved . cxxv . for a cold in summer , or when a horse doth not fill . boyl a quarter of red-stone sugar in a pint of sack , till it be dissolved , and then take it off the fire , and put in two spoonfuls of sallet oyl , and give it lukewarm : ride hard when you have given it unto him : give him warm water for three or four daies after , keep him warm , give him now and then a mash . proved . cxxvi . for a sudden great heat , as in hunting , racing , or hard riding , that the horses grease is melted . this you shall know by the panting of the horse that night he comes in so hot , for if he be over-ridden and his grease melted , you shall know it by his panting at the breast , and girting-place , and heaving at the flank ; you shall see the night he comes in , and the next day morning , that his body will be mighty hot : for remedy , take and give this , to purge him and cleanse him , and to qualifie the heat and working of his body : take one pint of sack , and put to it one ounce of diascordium , beaten small , mix them together , and give it to the beast at any time cold , but in the morning fasting is the best ; give him warm water for three or four daies after ; give him bursten oats , boyled barley , and mashes made of ground malt , keep him well littered , and clothed warm . if he forsake his meat , and you see he hath lost his stomack , to bring him to his stomack again ▪ give him two ounces of hony , and half a pint of whitewine mixed together , and heated lukewarm ; in the morning , after he hath drank cold water , you may give him it with a horn : it will make him piss , clear his bladder , and bring him to his stomack again . after you have given him it , ride him a mile or two gently , and set him up warm , at night ride him a mile or two again , and litter him well , and keep him warm : thus do for three or four daies , or a week ; at three daies end , give him the wine and hony as before you were directed : if you see , notwithstanding all these means used , that he will not fall to his meat , and that he is bound in his belly , and dungs very small ; then give him this cordial two or three times , in two or three daies , betwixt each cordial giving . take three pints of stale beer , houshold brown bread , the quantity of half a penny loaf , boil these two well together , then take it off the fire : and put into it a quarter of a pound of hony , and a quarter of a pound of fresh butter , give him this cordial lukewarm fasting , and ride him a mile or two every evening and morning , as well when you do not give it to him , as when you do ; ride him fairly ▪ and clothe and litter him up vvarm : this cordial vvill bring him to his stomack , and cause him to be loose bodied , and dung soft , although he be vveak , and have little or no stomack , four or five hours after his cordial , the first thing you give him , boyl him half a peck of oats , and a pound of fenygreek together in vvater till they be burst , and the vvater vvherein these vvere boyled , pour it from the oats into another payl , and put some cold vvater to it , and vvhen he drinks let him drink of this vvater ; for the oats and fenygreek , throvv some of them into the manger hot , and if he be loth to eat them , then strevv some wheat-bran upon it , and it is very likely he vvill eat all together : this course taken in every particular , vvill bring your horse to a stomack , and raise him suddenly . look the receipt follovving for a dry surfet , and when the horse's cods are swelled , and he runs at the nose ; and there you shall see the purge of aloes . a fortnight or three vveeks after he is thus melted , and that you have given him the former things , to give him this purge of aloes , vvill do the beast a great deal of good in this case : i am confident it is good : or give him as much of the povvder of mechoacan , as vvill lye upon a shilling at three or four times , that is very good in a pint of wine , or a quart of strong ale. proved . cxxvii . for a foundred horse . first , tye a list or blood-cord hard about the pastern , and that will keep the blood up into his leg , that it cannot come dovvn into his foot , when you have taken out the soal , set on his shooe something hollow and broad , then untye the string about the pastern , and knock the out-side of the hoof , and the blood will come pouring out : let him bleed well , then put a handful of salt into the bottom of the foot , and put as many hards , flax , or tow after it , as will fill the bottom of the foot , take two or three flat sticks , and lay them between the hards and the shooe , a piece of stiff soal-leather will do as well ; at the end of hours take the hards away , and take a handful of nettle-tops , and a handful of salt , and beat them together , and lay them to the bottom of the foot , and to keep them in , take hards and splinters , as you were directed before ; at forty hours end , take the hards away , and apply the same quantity of nettles and salt , mixed with as much hogs grease as contains to an egg , and beat them altogether in a mortar , and lay them to the soal of the foot , and hards and splinters as before ▪ with this last medicine you may dress his foot once or twice more if you see cause ; after you see the horse goes a little well , set on another shooe , formed with a broad web , and let it stand broad and easie , and in ten daies time the horse will go very well and sound : when you come at your journeys end , wash his legs clean , and when his legs are dry , make a poultis of a quarter of a pint of whitewine vinegar , and a quarter of a pound of sheeps-kidney suet cut very small : let these two boyl a pretty while in a skellet , and when it comes off the fire , put two or three handfuls of wheat-bran to it , and stir them all together , and make it thick like a poultis , and lay it to the bottom of the foot ; then hards and splinters as before you were directed ; then spread the rest of the poultis upon a long piece of linnen-cloth and lay it hot to the hair round about the top of the hoof and the foot-lock , and let it come under the bottom of the hoof , lay it to as hot as you can ; let every poultis lye on forty eight hours : three or four poultisses laid to in this manner , will do the horse much good , and cause his foot to grow and shoot out , and give him much ease , so as in a very short time he will go very sound . if an horse be bruised in the bottom of his foot with a stone , or any other thing , this poultis will give present ease : for a foundring , the beast must stand in till the bottom of his foot be grown again . i hold it best to take out but one soal at a time , because if you take out both at a time , the horse will not be able to stand : some take out frush and all , some take out nothing but the bare soal , and leave the frush . the way is , first cord the pastern , then pare the soal , and then raze it round about the soal to the quick , as near the inside of the outward shell of the hoof as you can with a drawing knife , then raise the soal at the toe , then lay hold with a pair of pincers ; and pull it quite out , but beware you break not the veins in the foot . proved . cxxviii . for a back swanckt in the fillet of the loin : or for a wrench in the back-bone , about the navel place : or for a strain in the kidneys , by being over-burthened in the hinder-parts , or over-strained in the kidneys in race-running . if you see any of these mischances to fall upon the back or hinder parts of your beast , then do thus and no otherwise , for all those mischances above-written . take a hot sheeps-skin fleaed of a sheep newly kill'd , apply it as hot as you can , with the fleshy side from his rump , all over to the midst of his back-bone , if it will reach so far : let it lye on twenty four hours , and at the end of that time , lay another hot sheeps-skin in the same manner to it , if need require , and you see the first will not do : let the grief be never so great , two hot skins will do it , with the help of the drink next under written ; but if the hurt be not great , the sheeps-skin will do it alone . it will make the horse to sweat much , it will draw out all the bruise , and strengthen the back of the horse exceedingly in a short time : but if your horse be so weak that he cannot stand nor go , then take a sack or two , and ropes , and throw them over a balk , and hang him for nine or ten daies ; when you first hang him , clap a hot sheeps-skin to his rump and back for twenty four hours , and at the end of the time , lay another hot sheeps-skin to , and then no more : in the time of this cure , give him this drink if the strain be great : if it be but small , this drink can do no hurt , but a great deal of good : take polygonatum commonly called solomon's seal , you may have it at the apothecaries , but it is dear ; take ten roots of it that may weigh three ounces , polypodium of the oak a quarter of a pound , two handfuls of wood-betony , or for want thereof , as much garden-betony , cut it small , and if the roots be dry , beat them to powder ; if they be green cut them thin ; then take a gallon of strong beer , or somewhat more , put it into a kettle , and put the other three things to it , and let them boyl till the beer be boyled half away , then take them off the fire , and put into it a quarter of a pound of butter , and a quarter of a pound of hony , and give the horse of this to drink three times in nine daies , in the morning fasting , and give him warm water to drink all the while , with a handful of bran put into it : give him of this drink a quart at a time . buy of these roots green , dry them , and beat them small , and keep them from wind and air for your use : if you cannot get the root of solomon's seal , make use of the other things , they may do well without , but better with it . let him stand in the time of the cure. to this drink you may add penny-royal , clarey and comfrey , they are all knitting and strengthening herbs . proved . cxxix . for a new wound made with a stake , or such like thing , stub or fork . first , wash the wound well with butter and vinegar melted together , then take a clout and tye it about a sticks end , and dip it in some linseed oyl , and run it to the bottom of the wound , anoint it well , and in a short time nothing but this will heal it and kill the gangrene of it . if the wind get into the wound , and cause it to swell , anoint it with the oyl of populeon round about the swelling : train-oyl and verdigrease melted together , will heal and skin any wound well and quickly . proved . cxxx . for a stub in the foot or heel : for an over-reach with the toe of the after-foot , upon the heel of the fore-foot : a tread or cut above the hair , or when a stone hath cut a horses leg. first , wash the wound with fair water , or with water and salt : when the wound is dry , take a big onyon , or two or three small ones to the bigness of a great one , a spoonful of pepper beaten small , as much crown-sope as the bigness of an egg , these three things must be beaten to a salve , and laid upon a linnen-cloth , and laid to the wound four and twenty hours , and at the end of that time dress it as you did before , and so continue doing every four and twenty hours till it be whole : if this quantity of medicine bee too little , make more : as you see it heal , dress it but once in two or three daies . this onyon salve will prevent a quitter-bone , if you lay it to before it break . this salve is good to heal and cure all these hurts . proved . cxxxi . for a horse that is prickt in the shooing , and afterwards festred . first , open it well , and take out all the corruption to the very bottom , so far as the nayl did go , then take three or four house-snails , a little salt , as much sope as a walnut , beat them altogether , and lay it to the place that was pricked four and twenty hours , till you see it begin to heal , then dress it but once in two daies ; and in three or four dressings it will be whole : when you lay this medicine to the bottom of the foot , lay some flax , hards or tow over it , and over that a piece of leather or splinters to keep the hards and medicine in : and if it break out , or be soft above the top of the hoof , lay some of this medicine to , and bind it on with a linnen rag . proved . cxxxii . for a horse that is prickt with a long channel nail . first , search it with your buttris and drawingknife , till you find where the channel nail went in , open it well and give it all the ease you can , search it to the bottom with a little tow at your instruments end , then drop ten or twelve drops of the oyl of turpentine into the hole , take a little tow or fine lint at your instruments end , and dip it in the oyl of turpentine , and put it in tent-waies , then mix a little crown-sope , a little salt , and a little pepper beaten together , and lay it over the former , and tow or hards over it , and a piece of leather and splinters over it to keep it in : the shooe must be taken off when you dress it , and after to set it on again , dress it once in four and twenty hours , till it be whole . if you find that after three or four times dressing , that the horse is in great pain still , and that you fear a breaking out above the hoof , then take out the soal of his foot , and apply the medicine in order , as you were directed for a foundred horse in receipt cxxvii . do with this just as you are there directed , to make the soal come again ; after his foot begins to grow again , take as much hogs grease as an egg , and the like quantity of burgundy pitch , mix them together , and lay a pretty quantity thereof in the bottom of the hoof , and lay hards or tow over that , and a piece of leather or splinters over it , as you were formerly directed . dress it every day for three or four daies : this grease and pitch will much nourish his foot , and strengthen it and keep it from drying up . let him stand in the time of his cure , and then if you please you may turn him out abroad . proved . cxxxiii . for a brittle hoof. lay the poultis to the bottom and top of the hoof and foot , as you have directions for a foundred horse , in receipt cxxvii . lay that poultis to , and in three or four times dressing , it will make his brittle hoof tough and hard as you can desire . let him stand in the time of his cure. proved . cxxxiv . for an horses yard , foul and furr'd without , so that he pisses in the cod. take some fresh butter and whitewine vinegar , and melt them , then pull out his yard , and do off the filth with your hand , and wash it with the butter and vinegar till it be clean , squirt some of it into his yard with a syringe , it will much help him in this particular . proved . cxxxv . when a horse doth not thrive , and when his coat stands staring and doth not lye smooth : for an inward dry surfet , that causeth the cods to swell , sometimes continually , and sometimes betwixt times . when the grease is melted , and afterwards set and dried in his body , and his legs sometimes swelled . for an horse that is gaunt and will not fill , or is gut-foundred , when he is costive in body and dungs small . to procure a stomack . the following directions are admirable good for all these following distempers . first , make your purge thus : take an ounce of fine aloes , the best is that which shines and glisters , an ounce will cost you a shilling , beat it to powder , take a quarter of a pound of fresh butter , bray and mix these two well together , and put a handful of wheat-bran to it , to make it stiff like a piece of dough or paste , then roul it up in balls made big in the midst , and sharp at both ends , this quantity will make four or five balls ; then hold up his head with a drenching-stick , and take his tongue in your left-hand ; and put in one ball to the root of his tongue if you can , that he may swallow it the better ; put your finger under his tongue , then give him a hornful of strong beer cold after it ; then give him a second ball , and a hornful of beer to wash it down , and so do in like manner by all the rest , then ride him a mile gently , and set him up warm ; let him not eat not drink for five or six hours after it , then give him a little clean hay at night , not before , and some warm water to drink , with some wheat-bran put into it ; the next morning give him warm water to drink in the same manner , and ride him a mile gently , and tye him to the rack for an hour after , then you may give him what meat he will eat , at night warm water and bran again ; the third day in the morning after he hath done purging , give him cold water , and before you ride him after his cold water , give him two ounces of hony , and half a pint of white-wine heated a little warm , to make him piss and to clear his bladder , and to beget a stomack ; then ride him a mile or two gently , and at night ayr him again , and so do morning and evening till he be well , litter him well , and keep him warm : if you see that after his purge , and after you have given him the hony and whitewine , he do not fall to his meat , but is still bound in his body , and dungs very small , then give him this cordial fasting two or three times , and let there be two or three daies betwixt each cordial giving . it is thus made ; take three pints of stale beer , course houshold bread the quantity of half ae penny loaf , when these two are well boyled together , take it off the fire , and put into it a quarter of a pound of hony , and a quarter of a pound of fresh butter , give him all these together as a cordial lukewarm , then ride him a mile after it , and set him up warm , and tye him up to the rack for three or four hours after it , then give him a mash of bursten oats or barly , and warm water with wheat-bran in it , till the horse be come to his stomack , and be loose bodied again , which in two or three times giving he will be : the fore-going purge is admirable good for a dry surfet , and for a horse that is bound in his body , and dungs small : the cordial with whitewine and hony , is admirable good for a horse that is weak , and hath little stomack , to bring him to a stomack again : when at any time for the fore going diseases , you give a mash of bursten oats , to half a peck boyl a quarter of a pound of fenygreek with them , and put some of them into the manger hot , if he be loth to eat them , because of the taste of the fenygreek , throw some wheat-bran over them , and he will eat them ; this is the only way to bring your horse to a stomack , and raise him suddenly : concerning his swelled cods , and swelled legs , as soon as his purge hath done working , take the charge of sope and brandy , and dab it on his swelled cods , or swelled legs , with a flat stick as it comes boyling hot off the fire ; three or four daies after it hath taken its course , whilst he stands in the house , take and ride him into the river up to his saddle-skirts , with the stream and against it , half a quarter of an hour at a time , wash him thus once every day , or twice , till you see the swelling quite down his cods or legs , which will be in very few daies , once laying on the charge is enough . if it be a dry surfet , give the purge first , and afterwards the cordial , of whitewine and hony : but if he have a cold , and run at the nostrils , then first give him the following drink made of anniseeds , turmerick , brandy or aqua-vitae , vinegar and beer , and three daies after give him the purge , and if you see his stomack to fail him , give him the cordial ; when a horse is fat and lusty , and then melted , and the grease set within him , in this case use the purge first : but if he be fat and sick both together , then give him the whitewine and hony and cordials , as you are before in this receipt directed , to bring him to a stomack first , and when you have done that , then give him the purge , and order him after it as you are there directed . if there be hard kernels between his jaws or chaps at the same time , the charge of sope and brandy laid hot upon them , and heated well in , in once doing it will either sink them flat , or break them : and if they break , wash them with butter and vinegar , and let them heal up of themselves . all proved to be good and certain . cxxxvi . for a moist , hot , running surfet , that falls out of his body into his fore-legs , and sometimes into his after-legs , and sometimes into all four . this surfet comes with colds and heats , which are divers waies taken ; when it falls out of his body into his legs , and runs hot , moist , white , yellow , thin , thick , stinking water or matter , in this case , the horses breath will stink and smell very strong , and his legs will swell and stink extreamly , when this surfet breaks in his body and falls down into his legs , at his first going out of the stable , he will hardly draw his legs over the threshold , and he will be so stiff that he can hardly stir in the stable , but will hold up his leg to his midribs , and although this disease be never so violent in breaking out , or causing his legs to swell and run , yet you need not fear remedy for him , if you observe these directions following . first , keep him fasting all the night before , or give him but a very little meat , to keep his jaws from falling ; the next day in the morning before he drink , let him blood on both the neck-veins , and let him bleed well , then uncord him , and give him this drink following , which will much purge and dry up his gross humours in his body , and cleanse his blood : take one ounce of aristolochia , one ounce of turmerick , one ounce of anniseeds dry , and beat the turmerick and anniseeds small , and grate the root of aristolochia ; put all these together , with one handful of rew , and a handful of wormwood green or dry , and one handful of red-sage , one handful of green fennel , if it be winter that you cannot get green , then take two ounces of fennel-seeds , and beat them small , and put to the rest of the things , and all put into an earthen pot or pan , and put to them three pints of running and spring-water , and there let them lye in steep all night ; the next morning before you give it to him , ride him a mile till he be a little warm , & give it to him cold as it stood all night , then after that ride him a mile again , and let him stand upon the bit six or seven hours , and then give him a little hay , and after that warm water and bran ; the next morning ride him to the river , let him drink but once a day , and ride him two or three miles after it : at three daies end give him the former drink fasting , and follow the directions before named in this receipt ; and so continue doing , by giving the former drink at every three daies end , till you see you have dried up the gross humors in his body , and caused them to cease running and swelling ; you may work him three or four hours in a day to get him a stomack ; let it be in winter or summer ; keep him in the house with dry meat ; when he is cured you may turn him out : wash his legs clean in some river up to the hams , and keep his legs as cool as you can all the time of the cure : one or two of these drinks given at three daies distance , will dry up the humours in his body , which feed the swellings in his legs , cods , or elsewhere ; these drinks will make him run at the nose white or yellow : if he fall from his meat , you may the third day after his drink give him a cordial , as it is set down in the foregoing receipt ; and then a drink , and then a cordial of white-wine and honey : now if there be great chaps or crannies in his legs , as it is a hundred to one but there will , by reason of the extream heat and continual running of the moist fretting humor , to heal them up although never so big , yea though the sinews were almost rotted with the filth ; to prevent which , and to heal it also , take this gallant receipt following which is for pains and scratches , and if it were never so ill , in a short time it will heal it . the way to order the horse and make the salve is thus : in this case you must not ride him into the river or water at all , but you must first take two or three payls of fair water and wash his legs clean , then clip away all the hair close to the skin , so far as his legs are crannied or scabby , then wash his legs clean with another payl of fair water , and let him stand till his legs be dry , then take half a pound of hony , an ounce of beaten pepper , and ten heads of garlick , beat them well altogether in a bowl till they come to a salve , divide this salve into two parts , spread the one half upon half a sheet of gray paper , and the other half upon the other half sheet of paper , then take a broad piece of linnen-cloth and lay it upon the paper , and so lay the plaister to the crannied place , and the cloth over it , and sew it on fast , that it may not come off , let this plaister lye on two daies , make a small thumb-band of hay , and wind it about his legs and over the plaister for two daies , at the end of which take all off , and take a linnen-cloth and wipe the chaps of every cranny in his legs or heels clean , and then lay on a fresh plaister , and do as you did before , in three or four times dressing it thus , it will be whole : he must not come into the water all the time of his cure. if you have an horse that his sinews are rotten , broken or cut , or much putrified , then apply none but this medicine to it , and it will draw , cleanse , and knit them together again . it is for a sinew in this nature , the best cure in the world. after you have thus drencht him inwardly , and cured the swelling of his legs outwardly : if you see he look gaunt , and hath no stomack to his meat , and do not fill and thrive well , if he be sick and weakly , give him white-wine and hony , the cordials mentioned in the foregoing receipts , to bring him to his stomack again , then and not before give the purge of aloes : but if your horse be gaunt , and girt up in his body , if he be in any heart , and will eat his meat , in this case give the purge first , and then your white-wine and hony , and your cordials , as you are directed in the foregoing receipts , to bring him to his stomack : if you do as you are here directed , all along throughout the whole receipt in every particular , you need not question but , through gods blessing , you shall have the desired success you look for . all proved . cxxxvii . to make a horse stale free , and constantly . take half a pint of white-wine , one ounce of ivy-berries beaten to powder , and put to the whitewine , let it lye in steep all night , then give it to the horse next morning fasting , do not heat it at all , but ride him after it a mile or two , then tye him up to the rack , two , three , or four hours after it : this is very good for the wind-colick , and to make a horse piss freely , do this every morning till you see him piss free ; this will cleanse the kidneys of all sand and filth ; it is very good for the stone and gravel . these berries you must gather when they are black-ripe , which is about lent or shrovetide , if you gather them green , or when they are full ripe , put them in a platter , and dry them in the sun till they be fit to beat to powder , and give them as you were directed : it is as good for a christian as for a horse : nettle-seeds is a great provoker of urine , you may put a handful to the berries and wine . proved . cxxxviii . to cure the vives under the roots of the ears . first , let him blood on both sides of his neck , then clap a pair of barnacles upon his nose , and take a red hot iron , vvith the edge as thick as the back of your knife , and with it make a strike from the root of the ears upon the middle of the swelling , downwards to the lowest part of the swelling in this manner , as this figure directs you , three strikes from the long ; burn it till the skin be yellow , and then sear it no more , when it is thus seared , anoint the swelling with a little butter or hogs grease , if you anoint it once or twice , it is enough ; if you sear him deep you must anoint him the oftner . proved . cxxxix . for the squinsey , or strangling , or cold that breaks out at the nose , and hath run a year . the squinsey breeds the canker in the mouth , and at the roots of the tongue : at that time the horse hath in his wesand pipe and stomack , a great deal of tough , thick flegm , and when he cougheth much , as he will , thinking to void it , it will come in lumps into his mouth , and he will swallow it down again , and at that time his breath will be very hot , and his mouth very red , and if he have a canker in his throat , or at the root of his tongue , or in his mouth , you shall discern it smell by the heat and stinking breath . to cure the canker , see receipt c. and there is also the receipt , and here also will cause a present cure. now to cure the strangling , or a cold that runs at the nose , or hath done for half a year or more , or squinsey when he is troubled with tough thick flegm : for these three last mentioned , take these following ingredients , and give them as you are directed : first , one ounce of anniseeds , an ounce of turmerick beaten to powder , half a quartern of brandy or aqua-vitae , half a dozen spoonfuls of whitewine or vinegar , a pint and an half of strong beer , put all these into a skellet , and heat them blood-warm , and give it to the beast fasting , then presently run the point of the cornet-horn into the third furrow in the roof of his mouth , and let him bleed , then walk him a mile and set him up . clothe and litter him warm . let him stand upon the bit four or five hours , he will sweat with his drink till one drop follow another . if you see he be sick and desirous to lye down , you may let him : give him no mashes but only warm water to drink , with an handful or two of wheat-bran put into it , and the next morning warm water and bran again ; and presently after give him two ounces of hony , and half a pint of whitewine ; or half a pint of wine-vinegar , if you have not white-wine , walk him a mile after it : the third day in the morning after this drink , in the beginning of the receipt , give him this cordial ; three pints of stale beer , houshold-bread a piece as big as a great tost , and crum it in , a quarter of a pound of butter , put them into a skellet together , and heat them a little upon the fire , and when you take it off , put in a quarter of a pound of hony , stir them together , and give it him blood-warm fasting ; then ride him a mile , and set him up warm clothed and littered . three or four hours after , give him warm water and bran to drink : every two or three daies for a cold , whether it cause the beast to run at the nose or no , or be in glanders . in course of physick , after his drink , give him this cordial to bring him to a stomack , it will help to kill the canker in his mouth or throat , clear the guts , and cleanse the lights ; with one drink of white-wine and hony , and these cordials , he will be in a very short time cleared and cured . if in the time of his cure , he hath hard kernels between his jaws , apply the charge of sope and brandy , which will either quite sink them , or break them . again , if there be not kernels , but hard swellings in the jaws ; as most part there is when he hath the strangling ; in this case also apply the charge of sope and brandy , and heat it well in : if this swelling do break in the time of the cure , let it run and heal up of it self : if the swelling between his jaws be soft all over , and in the midst of the swelling the hair begins to scale off , you may then put in the point of your knife a little way through the skin , and let it out ; if it be not full ripe , it will heal up with proud rank flesh , and there will be a knot between his jaws , which is an ugly blemish ; therefore heal it up with nothing , but let it heal up of it self . in the time of any of these cures , ayr and ride him out two or three times every day , it will do him abundance of good , if you do not ride him too hard , but gently . if that which comes out of his nose be yellowish , and afterwards turns white , there is hope of perfecting the cure ; the drink will make him swell , and be very sick , but it will do him a great deal of good . proved . cxl . for a horse that hath a dry surfet in his body , and falls away in his flesh : that hath a weak cough , and is in a consumption . the signs of this disease are , he will not thrive but be gaunt-bellied , and dried up in his body , and cannot cough but gruntingly , by reason of the cold and surfet , and great soreness in his body : the remedy is this , first , ride him a mile , and then let him blood in the bottom of the belly , at the lower end of all the spurvein , after he hath bled well , give him this drink , one ounce of anniseeds , half an ounce of diapente , four pennyworth of english saffron , one ounce of syrup of colts-foot , one ounce of brown sugar-candy , one ounce of bay-berries , four or five spoonfuls of whitewine vinegar , a pint and a half of strong beer , put all these into a skellet , and heat them lukewarm , and give it to the beast fasting , and ride him two or three furlongs after it ; then tye him up to the rack , and let him fast five or six hours after his drink , and clothe and litter him up very warm ; then unbit him , and give him a little sweet hay till night , then give him warm water and bran to drink . the next day in the morning before he eat or drink , burst half a peck of oats , with two ounces of fenygreek , two ounces of coriander-seeds for want of coriander , two ounces of caraway-seeds , burst them altogether well , and give him them before he eat or drink . and at noon give him warm water and bran , and after three or four daies end , give him this drink after the first drink : one ounce of anniseeds beaten small , half a pound of raisins of the sun , an handful of unset leeks cut small , two quarts of mild beer , boyl all these together in a skellet till half be consumed , then take out all the raisins , and beat them in a mortar , stones and all , take some of the liquor wherein they were boiled , and wash the mortar clean therewith , and put it again into the kettle amongst the rest , then take the kettle off , and put in as much butter as an egg , and let it melt , and give him this drink fasting , walk him a furlong or two , and tye him up to the rack for five or six hours , and clothe and litter him up warm , then give him hay , and at night warm water and bran : the next day have in readiness some oats , coriander-seeds , or for want of them , some caraway-seeds , burst them together by eleven or twelve a clock , and throw some of them into the crib , as you were directed before , and if he refuse to eat them , strew some wheat-bran over them , and that will cause him to eat them , give him but a few at a time . after this second drink given , you shall see the horse within two or three daies , to void at the nose yellow glanders , or some other colour ; ride him moderately twice a day , and keep him warm in the stable . and two or three daies after you have given him this last drink and warm water , then and not before , water him at the river , and presently after it give him every morning two ounces of hony , and half a pint of whitewine mixed together , heated lukewarm , you may give it him abroad or in the stable , it matters not where ; once in three or four daies fasting , you may give him a cordial , made of beer , hony , bread , and butter , the very same , and you must so order it , as you were directed in the foregoing receipt . and these drinks , hony and white-wine , and your cordials , will make him come to his stomack in a short time , and thrive very much , put the water wherein the oats and seeds were burst , into a payl of cold water , and let him drink of that as much as you can : vvhen an horse is fat , and the grease set in his body , if he have a stomack , then give the purge of aloes first , but if he be fat and sick , and hath no stomack , then give him hony and whitevvine , and his cordials first , and aftervvards his purge of aloes . proved ▪ cxli . for the yellows . the signs are , his eyes vvill be strip'd vvith red , and be yellovv , and his lips vvill be pimpled and look yellovv : the cure is , let him blood on both his neck-veins ; after that , give him this drink ; one ounce of turmerick and anniseeds beaten small , a quarter of a pint of whitewine vinegar , half a quarter of a pint of aqua-vitae , put them all into a skellet , and heat it lukewarm and give it to the beast ; put a spoonful of the flower of brimstone , into the first horn-full that you give him , pour it down his throat , and then give him all the rest of the drink , one horn-full after another ; tye him up to the rack for three or four hours , and then give him wet clean hay , and at night water and bran , or a mash : if you have not the aforesaid things in a readiness by you , then give him an ounce of horse-spice , which you shall find mentioned in the following receipts , and there you shall find how to make it , and for what to give it , and when , and likewise how to keep it by you : if one drink be not enough , give him the second ; if he do not fall to his meat at three daies end , give him a cordial or two , warm water for the first day and no more , and cold water afterwards : two or three daies after his drink , work him moderately ; if you cannot get turmerick , take an handful of selendine : if one drink will not , two will cure him . proved . cxlii . for the staggers . it comes at first of some corrupt blood , or gross or tough humours oppressing the brain , from whence proceedeth a vaporous spirit , dissolved by a weak heat , which troubleth all the head : the signs be these , dimness of sight , reeling and staggering to and fro , he with very pain will thrust his head against the walls , and forsake his meat : for remedy , do these things in order as you are here directed : first , take a pretty long streight stick , of the bigness of a tobacco-pipe , smooth it well , and cut a notch or crotch at one end , then run up the stick to the top of his head , and job a little hard and turn the stick , then pull it out , and he will bleed freely . it is bad to cord him about the neck in this disease ; when he hath bled well in the head , give him this drink , an ounce of anniseeds , an ounce of turmerick beaten small , half a quarter of a pint of aqua-vitae , a pint and a half of mild beer , a pint of verjuyce , or if you have not verjuyce , then take a quarter of a pint of whitewine vinegar , and put it to the beer , and all the rest together , and heat them lukewarm , and give it to the beast in the morning before he drink , as soon as you have given it him , take a handful of herbgrace and beat it small in a mortar , a pennyworth of aqua-vitae , and put half the aqua-vitae into one ear , holding it upright in the hollow of your hand , and put half the herbgrace after it , and put wool , tow , or hards after it to keep it in , then tye up the ear with a woollen list or garter , and so do the like with the other ear , stitch up his ears with a needle and thread , or otherwise with your list tye up both his ears together , and at twenty four hours end , unstitch or untye his ears , and take out the wool and herb-grace ; the next day in the morning , let him blood on both sides his neck , and save of the blood a pint or more , which you may do in a bowl , and put thereto a handful of salt , and stir it well together , and give it the horse fasting , four or five hours after give him sweet hay , and at night warm water and bran : after you have given him the first drink , tye up one of his fore-legs , and strew good store of litter under him , and he will lye down and take his rest , and come to himself within a day or two , or else be soon dead ; the vinegar will make him piss , and the aqua-vitae will make him sleep , if he comes not to his stomack with taking the vinegar or verjuyce before mentioned , then give him hony and white-wine , and the cordial ; as you are directed in the receipt for a dry surfet . after any sickness , give him when he comes to eat his provender , bran and pease , or bran and beans ; when you let him blood in the head with your cornet-horn , let him blood in the third furrow of his mouth , and let him bleed well , and let him blood in the gristle of his nose , with a long bodkin , or shoo-makers awl . cxliii . for a cold newly taken . take half an ounce of diapente , two penny-worth of sallet-oyl , and two pennyworth of treacle , put them into a pint and a half of strong beer , and give it to the beast lukewarm fasting , give him warm water for two daies , and a mash of ground malt , and keep him warm in the time of the cure. proved . cxliv . for an old cold , which causeth the horse to run sometimes at one nostril , and sometimes at both , and hath done for a year together , and is knotted with kernels under his throat between his jaws . the cure is thus : take an ounce of turmerick , an ounce of anniseeds , beat them small , one ounce of lignum-vitae , you shall have it at the apothecaries , a quarter of a pint of aqua-vitae , a quarter of a pint of whitewine vinegar , one handful of un-set leeks beaten small in a mortar , wash the mortar with beer , put all these together with a pint and a half of strong beer ; give them to the beast fasting lukewarm , and tye him up to the rack six or seven hours , and litter and clothe him up warm ; at the end of that time , give him a little sweet hay , and at night give him some warm water and bran ; the next morning give him warm water & bran again , and presently after , give him two ounces of hony , and half a pint of whitewine luke-warm ; then ride him three or four miles after it , cloath and litter him warm when he comes in ; whilst he is abroad , boyl him half a peck of oat , with two ounces of fennygreek , and two ounces of coriander-seeds , burst them altogether , and give it him ; the third day morning , give him a cordial made of three pints of stale beer , a quarter of a pint of hony , as much butter , a good piece of houshold-bread , put in the hony and butter after the bread and beer is boyled together , and give him his cordial fasting lukewarm , the fourth day morning , give him this drink , one ounce of polypodium , one ounce of bay-berries , an ounce of long pepper , one ounce of brown sugar-candy , beat them all small and put them into a quart of mild strong beer , heat it lukewarm , and before you give it him , ride him a mile , and then give it him , and ride him two or three miles after it , cloth and litter him up warm , after he hath fasted some four or five hours , give him bursten oats , with two ounces of fenygreek , and two ounces of coriander , as before ; if you have no coriander , then take two ounces of carraway-seeds , and give him that night of the oats and seeds , and put the water where the oats and seeds were boyled , into some cold water , and let him drink that and no other ; when you have rested him a week , then give him the first drink mentioned in this receipt , and follow him as you are directed every day ; in the third week give him the same things again , in the same manner and at the same distance of daies , in all points as you did the first week , and in three or four weeks it will be a cure : the first drink doth loosen the filth , and open the lights and set them a running . the cordial is , whitewine and hony will keep him to his stomack , help him to avoid filth at the nose and mouth , and will much nourish him within , they do cleanse the stomack , breast and bowels , and do much waste the squinsey in the throat , they do cut the tough thick flegm . if you order these things as you are in many places directed , and ayr him moderately once or twice a day , the horse will soon be sound again . the last drink of polypodium , long-pepper , and bay-berries , is a purger of the veins , blood , and liver , and will stay the wasting of the body : that day morning you give him the first drink , apply the charge of sope and brandy , made in a salve , to the kernels between his jaws , and in a weeks time it will be fallen flat , and not break , lay the charge on scalding hot , and heat it well in : if you see the yellow matter to become white , there will be the greater hopes of the speediness of the cure , proved . cxlv . for a canker in the mouth . you shall know it by these signs ; he will slaver at the mouth , and the roots of his tongue will be eaten with the canker , the sides of his mouth will be hot , raw , and yellow : if the canker have eaten any holes in his mouth , and caused many sores , then take a pottle of running spring-water , an handful of red-sage , a dozen sprigs of rosemary , an handful of unset hysop : if this disease happen in summer , then add five or six walnut-leaves , and a quarter of a pound of roch-allum , put all these into a kettle , and let them boyl till they be half consumed , then put all into an earthen pan , and let it stand till it be cold , you need not take out the herbs , but when you use it , take ten or twelve spoonfuls of this liquor , then pull out his tongue with one hand , and have in a readiness a linnen cloth tyed at a sticks end , dip it into the liquor , and wash his mouth and throat all over , then pull out his tongue again , and throw a handful of salt into his mouth ; then presently after it , dip another sticks-end tyed with a rag into tar , and put it all over his mouth where the sores are ; and once in three daies give him a cordial , and whitewine and hony , made as you may see before , and the same quantity : ride or work him upon it . this water , salt , tar , whitewine and hony , and cordials , will bring the horse to a stomack , cleanse his stomack , loosen his body : it will take away the heat of his stomack , and comfort his stomack , and cut the tough flegm there ; it will cure the canker in a very short time , except his tongue and mouth be very much eaten indeed ; you need not wash his mouth afterwards with the water and tar , for the wine and hony , and the cordials , will heal it alone , and work the aforesaid effects . let the hay and provender you give him , be clean and moist , it will be the better . give him no chaff , for that will stick in his mouth and fester it . proved . cxlvi . to cure a foul , rank , pocky farcion , which runs all over an horse , or in any particular part of his body . an horse that hath the farcion , if his breath smell very strong , and stink , then do not meddle with him , for his lights are rotten , and there is no cure for him , for he is as full of them within as without . but if his breath be sweet , there is no question of the cure : first , for all knotted , budded farcions , separate the sound from the sick , for this disease is infectious , they will take it one of another . this disease cometh first of colds and surfets : for remedy do as followeth ; give him but a little hay overnight , to keep his jaws from falling ; the next day morning , let him blood on both sides of the neck , and let him bleed well ; then give him this drink : one ounce of aristolochia , an ounce of turmerick , one ounce of anniseeds , beat your turmerick and anniseeds small , and grate the root of aristolochia , and put them all together , with one handful or two of lungwort or liver-wort , herbgrace , one good handful of red-sage , a handful of green or dryed wormwood , one handful of green fennel , and if it be winter that you cannot get it green , then instead thereof take two ounces of fennel-seeds , cut the herbs small , and beat the seeds , and put them all to steep in three pints of running spring-water , and let them lye in steep all night , the next day morning before you give it him , ride him a mile till he be vvarm , at his return give it him cold as it stood all night ; then ride him gently a mile after his drink , set him up warm clothed and littered ; let him stand upon the bit seven or eight hours , then unbit him and give him a little sweet hay , and at night warm water with some wheat-br●n in it , the next day morning ride him to the river , and let him drink , but let him drink but once a day , but ride him well upon his watering , and at the end of three daies , give him his former drink again , and order him as before ; work him moderately all the time of his cure : be it in winter or in summer , for this disease keep him in the house vvith dry meat ; vvhen he is cured , you may turn him out , or keep him in the stable which you please ; when he is cold , wash him twice a day up to the back , soak him well in the river , and at three or four daies distance , if you see need require , give him two or three drinks more , ordering him as before : as soon as you have given him the first drink , with the end of your cornet-horn let him blood in the furrow in the top of his mouth . these drinks will make him run at the nose much white or yellow matter , and they will make him spevv at the mouth much filth ; these drinks vvill much purge and dry up all the gross humors in his body , and cleanse the blood : after these drinks given , you shall see the farcions to appear vvith red heads , and they vvill drop out of themselves , and vvhere you see them ready to drop out , apply this medicine ; take a quarter or half a pound of roch-allum , and put it into the fire , and you shall see it run and be all of a cake , then take it out and beat it to povvder , and mix as much as you think you shall use vvith your fasting spittle , till it be like an oyntment , and there vvhere you see they are ready to drop out , lay a little of this upon the head of the bud , vvhich is the head of the farcey , and vvhere you see they are hard in the flesh let them alone , for some vvill dye , and the rest vvill drop out of themselves ; ride him up and dovvn in the river tvvice a day , as far as the svvelling goes , a good vvhile after the allum and spittle have taken place : these drinks vvill kill and dry up any pocky gangrene farcion , let it be in the head body , legs , yea although it be run all over him , it vvill dry them quite up . these drinks vvith the soak in the river , and the allum and spittle , vvill make a speedy cure. proved . cxlvii . for a farcey in the head. if it be in the head and no vvhere else , then blood him in both the neck-veins in the morning before he hath drank , then give him the former drinks for a pocky farcey , and no drink else , and after that vvith your cornet-horns point let him blood in the third furrovv of the roof of his mouth , and tye him up to the rack for five or six hours , then give him a little clean hay , and at night some vvarm water and bran : i say if it be in his head , and no vvhere else , and that some certain small buds do there appear ; then do nothing but blood him in the neck-veins , and give him the drink , and bleed him in the palat of the mouth , and at the very same time apply the charge of sope and brandy , as hot as you can , and heat it well in ; lay it not upon the head of the buds , but lay it all over the swelling , and in a short time , with the drink using , the farcey will dye , and the swelling will fall . proved . cxlviii . for a swelling in the fore-legs , or after-legs . if the beast have a great surfet , that falls down into his fore or after-legs , if you think it will come to a farcey , and you see it grow very hard , or two or three buds appear , you shall prevent it by giving him two or three drinks for the pocky farcion , at three daies distance between every drink , and by charging the swelled legs with sope and brandy , if it be not broken before : if you fear a farcey , or see a few buds , do thus three or four daies , after the sope and brandy is laid on , ride him into the river half a quarter of an hour at a time , twice a day . proved . cxlix . for a swelling in the brisket , below the chest . if it be a surfet that swells in the brisket , or in any other part of the beast , if you think it will come to a farcey , and you see two or three buds to appear ; then give him two or three drinks for the pocky farcey , at three daies distance between each drink ; let the swelling be broke or not broke , lay the charge of sope and brandy hot on , above the buds , and heat it well in ; after the buds appear , lay the allum and spittle upon it : these remedies are enough for diseases of this nature . proved . cl. for a swelling with a blow upon the chest or any other part . if the swelling comes by means of a blow , be it where it will , be it hot or cold , if it be not broken , lay nothing to it but the charge of sope and brandy , and heat it well in , and in four or five daies it will either quite sink it , or break it : if it break , see from pag. and there you will meet with directions for the purpose . proved . cli . for a farcey that is broken out in the legs . if you see it to be thus , then do not charge it , except you see it to swell above those buds , up to the body-wards , and then in such a case lay on the charge of sope and brandy to stop it from running higher , as you are in many places in this book taught before , upon the swelling all over above the buds , but not upon the buds below , only let him blood on the neck-veins , and in the third furrow in the roof of his mouth , and then give him one or two of the pocky farcion drinks , at three daies distance , till you see all the swelling killed and dryed up , with the charge of sope and brandy , and the drinks . those buds that are broken , lay the allum and fasting spittle upon them , and they will dry and heal up , for those that are in the flesh , some will dye in the flesh , and some will drop out . this is a certain cure. proved . clii. for a water-farcey . the signs to know it from a pocky farcey , are these ; he will swell in great bags as big as your head , sometimes most along under the belly , and sometimes about his chaps and under his jaws . the remedy ; take a nail-rod , and make it bending at the end the length of a fleam , so as it may a very little more then go through the skin , at this end make it red hot , and with it strike many holes all over the swelling , and you shall see the yellow water come out pouring , and the swelling , whether in his jaws or chaps , or under his belly , suddenly fall quite down ; this done ; to qualifie the heat of the iron , rub a little sope upon it , and give him but one drink for this , which you give for the pocky farcion : the more you work any farcey horse , the sooner the cure will be done , and the better he will thrive . if your horse be poysoned with any poysonable medicine , your often putting him into the cold water , will destroy the working of it , that it will not go any further ; give him warm water to drink , and let him stand in the house the time of the cure. proved . you may work any far●ied horse with another , but let them neither stand together , nor feed together ; and to make all sure , give the sound horse one or two drinks at three daies distance , which you give for a pocky farceyed horse , and those drinks will prevent a farcey of the sound horse . cliii . for a button-farcey . this farcey you shall know by these signs : the horse will be full all over of bunches and knots , some as big as pease ; some as big as nuts , they lye in bubbles in the skin , and are easie to be seen : first , let blood on both sides his neck , and let him bleed well : the next thing is , take a little housleek , and beat it and strain it through a fine linnen-cloth , and put it into his ears ; then take an ounce of aristolochia , and grate it small , the tops of rue an handful , as much hogs grease as an egg , beat these three last together till they be like a salve , as soon as you have put in the housleek into each ear alike , divide the other into two parts , and put the one half into one ear , and the other half into the other ear , and put some wool after it to keep it in , then stitch up his ears with a needle and thred , and tye a list hard about his ears that he may not shake it out , then tye the list of both ears together a little streight , when you have done thus , with the point of your penknife make a little hole in his forehead , and after that , with your cornet-horn raise the skin from his forehead the breadth of your hand , round about the hole with your knife , then take a red-dock root , and slice it , and put into the hole three pieces of it , which will be enough at once , it will draw a great deal of corruption out of it , the corruption that comes out will scald the hair off ; after the strength of the root is gone , it will drop out of it self ; when you see it is dropped out , anoint it with a little fresh butter ▪ after you have put in the root , lay a plaister of burgundy pitch over it to keep out the wind and cold ; let him fast seven or eight hours , and let him stand upon the bit , you shall see him slaver , champ and foam as if he were ridden , give him warm water and bran at night , let it be in his ears two daies before you pull it out . taking this course , you shall see the knots and bunches to fall in a short time , and the hair will come again upon his forehead . proved . cliv. to cure the cords ; which is when an horse can neither lift up his head to the rack , nor put his head to the ground , no not to his knees . you may know this disease by the signs above , the cause thereof cometh by reason of an extream cold which lodgeth in the stomack , and cause the cords to set and shrink quite up , so that the beast can neither lift his head up nor down , but only to eat meat out of the crib ; in this case a horse is afraid to lye down , and if he be laid , he cannot rise . the remedy ; first , make him a comfortable drink of these things ; take half an ounce of diapente , one ounce of anniseeds beaten small , three pennyworth of english saffron , dry it by the fire in a paper , and crumble it small with your fingers , two ounces of hony , two ounces of fresh butter , a pint and a half of strong beer , a quarter of a pint of whitewine vinegar , put all these things together , and set it on the fire till the butter and hony be melted , and no longer ; then take it off , and give it the beast lukewarm fasting , then walk or ride him till he be warm , then set him up , and tye him upon the bit five or six hours , clothe and litter him up warm , after it give him a little hay , and then a mash , and no warm water that night but the water in his mash ; give him the next day in the morning another mash , and about nine or ten of the clock warm water and bran , and thus keep him for four or five daies ; look where the sign is , if it be in the head or stomack , do not cut him , for it will not be so well , yet you may cut him , although the sign be there , but it will not be so well . in cutting observe this ; you must cut him at the very bottom of the breast , you shall see the vein , and under the vein lyes the great sinew , as big as a tobacco-pipe steal , just by the in-side to the top of his leg , when you see where the vein lyes , draw the skin aside which lyes over the vein , and cut that part of the skin an inch or more , which may just fall upon the vein again , this being cut with your cornetshorn point , make a little way and you shall see a blew film lye over the vein ; chafe it a pieces till you come to see the vein , with the point of your cornet-horn , then draw the vein aside with one hand , and put your cornet-horns end under the sinew , and raise the sinew up above the skin with your cornet-horn , and cut it quite asunder , let it go , and put a little butter and salt into the wound , and afterwards heal it up with some of the afore-named healing salves ; walk him an hour at a time twice a day for a week together . if you find that with the first drink , the cold breaks at his nostrils , then give him the same drink again at three or four daies distance between each drink , and order him as you are at the beginning of this receipt directed . if need require , give him a third drink . it is an extream cold that shuts the cords , this drink will break the cold , and in a short time the beast will do well , and stir his head again , proved . clv . for a stumbling horse . first , tye him up with a halter close to a post that stands in a shop-window , then take your knife and cut a hole length-waies down to his lips , end-wards in the midst of his nose , between his nostrils the length of your thumb , when you have cut through the skin , then do off the red film with your cornet-horns end , and you shall see a white flat sinew lye before your eye , take the point of your cornet-horn and put under it , and raise it above the skin , then pull it hard out with your cornet-horn , and turn your cornet-horn about , then pull it the second time , and turn your horn again , and so the third time ; in this doing , you shall see him bring his hinder-legs to his fore-legs almost , when you have thus pulled and turned the sinew two or three times about the cornet-horn , then cut the sinew under the cornet to the lips end , but cut not the sinew upon the cornet , nor about it ; when you have cut it let it go , and put a little butter and salt into the wound , then over it lay a plaister of burgundy pitch to keep out the wind , and you shall see the horse go very well , and never stumble afterwards . proved . dlvi. how to make diapente . take a quarter of a pound of aristolochia , a quarter of a pound of myrrh , half a pound of bay-berries , the outward husk pilled off , two ounces of white ivory , two ounces of harts-horn , the round root of aristolochia is better than the long , cut the outward rind , and then grate it small , do not dry it , but after you have grated it , beat it small by it self , or with the other things in a mortar ; then put them into a fine sive , and searse the finest out , then put the biggest into the mortar again , and beat it as small as you can , then searse the finest from that , and beat the rest again , and so do and searse it till you have done all very fine , then put it into a bladder , and keep it for your use : of this diapente you may give an ounce at a time , although you give other things with it . an ounce of diapente is a good drink alone in a pint of strong beer for a new taken cold . proved . clvii . how to make horse-spice . take a quarter of a pound of anniseeds , a quarter of a pound of english liquorish , a quarter of a pound of grains , a quarter of a pound of fennel-seeds , a quarter of a pound of flower of brimstone , more or less , these are the proportions to make the horse-spice , slice the liquorish and dry it , and beat them altogether . if you will you may put in half a pound of elicampana , first dried , and then beaten small in a mortar with the rest of the things ; you may either put all these together , or else keep them severally by themselves . an ounce of this horse-spice , with a spoonful of sallet-oyl , and a spoonful or two of jean-treacle , is a good drink ( for a country man , who will give but a shilling or eighteen pence ) in a quart of strong beer , this drink is for a cold , and to make a horse thrive , and to prevent diseases ; if any man upon letting his horse blood , will have him likewise to have a drink , give an ounce of this horse-spice in a pint of strong beer heated luke-warm in a morning fasting , let him stand in the house , and give him warm water to drink , and a mash . proved . clviii . to cure a ring-bone . this ring-bone alwaies groweth upon the in-step a little above the hoof on the after-leg , about the bigness of a walnut , sometimes bigger , sometimes lesser , in a hard long crushy substance . the cure is ; first , take up the vein of the inside of the same leg where the ring-bone grows , then to make a certain cure of it , burn it with a hot iron that is of the thickness of the back of a knife , upon the top of the ring-bone so far as the swelling goes , and with your hot iron make three strikes downwards , and three strikes cross them , as you may see in this figure : burn it but till it look yellow and no more , then take a horse-nail , and drive it through a pretty big stick , so that the point may come through as much as may go through the skin , and make it just to bleed , strike the point of the nail into the seared lines in every side or holes , then take an handful of salt , and rub it hard in with your hands , a quarter of an hour after , lay this charge to the ring-bone , as much burgundy pitch as a walnut , and as much black pitch , half an ounce of mastick , boyl them altogether till they be melted , then take a flat stick and spread it on good and hot , then flock it with sheremans flocks , and dab them on close , this before it comes off , will lay it as flat as can be : he must not be ridden of a fortnight , he must stand in the first night , and afterwards he may stand in or run out , so as he run in dry ground , this will be an absolute cure in once dressing . proved . clix. for a spavin as big as an egg. it groweth upon the inside of the hough of the after-leg : first , beat it with a blood-stick until it be soft , then anoint it with six pennyworth of the oyl of origanum upon the bone-spavin which you bruised , put your oyl into an oyster-shel , or some such thing , and rub it in with your fingers , no where but upon the place which you bruised : two daies after the oyl hath taken its course , take two or three ounces of the oyl of swallows , and anoint the cordsinews in the bent of the leg , to reach and give liberty to the sinews that are shrunk , lay on of the oyl of swallows but half an ounce at a time , and lay it on no where else , but upon the sinews on the bent of the leg ; after that the oyl of swallows is well soaked in , you may ride him or work him : this oyl of swallows doth much leng then and give liberty to the sinews , at three or four days distance you may lay on half an ounce more . if blood-bags come in the spavin-place at the same time the bone-spavin comes , then do not sear it with your iron by no means , but only lay the charge of sope and brandy hot on , and heat it well in with a bar of iron , and for certain it will cause it to fall . an able farrier is of that opinion , that the receipt in — will speedily make it to fall , if first you beat the bone-spàvin with a blood-stick , and afterwards apply the cantharides and nerve-oyl , as there you shall find it set down ▪ proved . clx . to make a star in an horses fore-head . first , with a pair of scissars cut away the hair close to the skin , in such a place as you would have the form of a star to be , then take a piece of red brick , and rub it hard upon every place , where you have clipt away the hair , rub it till it be at the roots of the hair , then wipe it clean with a linnen rag , then make a plaister of burgundy pitch , and spread it upon a linnen-cloth , no longer nor wider than the form of the star it self , then a little before you lay it on , lay a hot iron upon the pitch to soften it , that it may stick on the better , then clap it to the place , as a plaister fit for the star , and lay a hot iron upon the back of the plaister to heat it , then over the first plaister lay another plaister a little broader , heating the second as you did the first , and so let it stick on till it come off of it self , which may be a month ; when these plaisters come off , then to make the hair come white in the place where you would have the star be , take a little hony and butter , more hony than butter , and mix them together , and anoint the star once in three daies , and do so for that distance of daies four or five times , and in a quarter of a year you shall see the thing desired , he may stand in the house or run abroad , you may work him or ride him : i know nothing to the contrary , but that a man with this course taking , may make a mark in any form , what he pleaseth , and where he pleaseth about the beast , whether in his buttockꝰ , sides , or any other place as well as the forehead . clxi . for the pains or scratches , or rotten broken cuts , putrified sinews , this receipt will cure in a wonderful manner . if it be the pains and scratches , do thus ; take a pail of fair water , if two or three , and wash his legs clean , and clip away the hair close to the skin so far as his legs are crannied or scabby , then with a pail or two of fair water wash his legs clean again , and let him stand till he be dry , then take half a pound of english hony , one ounce of beaten pepper , ten heads of garlick , put all these into a boul or cup ; and beat them together till they come to a salve : if the pains and scratches be on both legs , then divide the salve into two parts , and lay one half upon one sheet of paper , and the other half upon another half of gray paper , and take a broad piece of linnen-cloth , and lay it over the paper , and lay the plaister to the hinder part of his legs , where the sore alwaies is , and sew them on with a needle and thread pretty hard , so as it may not come off , sew it close in the footlock , and all the way up so far as his legs are scabby , and let it lye on two daies , you must make a small thumb-band of fine hay , and wind all over his legs , and over the plaister , and let it remain as long ; at two daies end , take a linnen-cloth and wipe the chaps of every cranny and crack in his heels clean , then lay on a fresh plaister , and do as you did before in every particular ; and at two daies end take away that plaister , then lay on another , and let it lye on three daies , and when you take that off , and see , if need require lay on another plaister , and let it lye on three daies more , and in three or four times thus dressing , it will be quite dryed up , and whole . let him not come in the water all the time of his cure. if his sinews be rotten , broken , cut in pieces , or much putrified , then apply this medicine as before , and let it lye on the same time as before , and as it heals dress it the seldomer , and bind a thumb-band of hay over the plaister , and keep him out of the water , and in the house all the time of the cure. this salve will draw clean , and knit the sinews together again in a wonderful manner . it is for pains , and scratches , and sinews in this nature , the best cure in the world. if one or two of the pocky farcies drinks were given in this case , i am confident it would much further the cure , and dry up those humors in the body which feed the scratches in his legs . proved . clxii . for the strangullion in an horse . the signs to know it are ; it much differeth from that , when an horse cannot stale , and differeth from the disease called the gripe or fret in the guts , which will put an horse to abundance of pain , and make him to tumble and wallow : this disease called the strangullion , if a horse have it he will look gaunt and cannot piss , he will offer , and stand straining to piss , but cannot , his bladder will be ready to burst , with extream fulness and heat of his water , for present remedy do this ; take a pint of claret-wine redded well , and put into it an ounce of ivy-berries beaten small , one ounce of parsley-seeds beaten small , and give it him at any time ; once doing is enough . proved . you may likewise see for the gravel and stone what is given to a man , and you may give it him . clxiii . for fretting or griping in an horses belly . this disease will make the horse to tumble and wallow with all four feet upwards , with a griping wind in the guts , you shall see some horses in such extream pain , that they will swell therewith as if they would burst , and will endanger the breaking of their bladder , and in this case they cannot dung . for remedy , take a quart of cold salt-beef or pork brine , if you cannot get a quart , get a pint , put it into a horn and pour it down cold : after this brine is down , anoint your hand and arm with sallet-oyl or butter , and rake him , and pull out as much dung as you can to give him all the ease you can , then take a good big onion , and peel off the outward rind , then cut it length-waies and cross-waies in many places , then roul it up and down in a handful of salt , and what salt it will take up , put it into a hollow pye of butter , but before you put it into his fundament , anoint your hand and arm with butter and sallet-oyl , and run up the onion thus rouled in the salt and put into the butter , as far as you can , and there leave it ; then tye up his tail close to his rump as you can , being tyed with a cord , fasten the cord to his girths , that it may keep in the onion and butter , then lead him out and walk him , and in a quarter of an hours time it will purge exceedingly . it will cleanse his maw much , and cleanse his guts , and kill the worms , let his tail be tyed but a little while that he may purge freely , prick him in the mouth with your cornet-horn , the first thing you do . the next day morning give him a comfortable drink , made of an ounce of horse-spice , a quarter of a pint of whitewine vinegar , with a pint and a half of strong beer , put them together , and give it the beast lukevvarm fasting , and he vvill do very vvell after it : give him bursten oats , or a mash for two daies after it , and vvarm water the day you give him this drink . proved . clxiv . to kill botts or worms . you shall knovv vvhether your horse be troubled vvith botts or stomach-vvorms by these signs , he vvill squitter and dung them , and all of a sudden he vvill dung very small ; in this case he vvill void small vvhite worms of himself , he vvill be much knotted under his over-lip , the roots of his tongue vvill be fiery and yellovv , his breath hot , svveat much as he stands in the stable , and vvill be very faint : novv if you see him to svveat in the stable , then knovv for certain that he is far gone , and is in great danger . for remedy , take turmerick and anniseeds of each an ounce , one pennyvvorth of the flovver of brimstone , half a quarter of a pint of brandy or aqua-vitae , beat the anniseeds and turmerick small , and then put all together into a pint and a half of strong beer , except the brimstone , and that lay upon the top of the horn , when you are ready to give him the horn into his mouth , give this drink fasting , and let him fast four or five hours after it , and stand upon the bit ; give him to drink warm water at night , the next day cold water , ride him after it , this drink will work pretty strong . if he have not been lately let blood before , let him blood in the neck-vein , and in the third furrow in the roof of his mouth , with the end of your cornet-horn . this drink at once giving will kill the botts , and take him off his faintness , and much cleanse and purge him of tough gross humours in his body , upon which the worms do breed . culpepper saith , that box-tree leaves are excellent good to kill the botts in horses , they are hot , dry , and binding , you may put in a handful of them into this drink , and try conclusions . proved . clxv . for a fever in a horse . the signs are , the horse will fall suddenly sick , and be very weak , he will go heavy and sad , as if he would tumble down , and be gaunt in his belly , fall from his meat , and look weakly in his eyes , hang down his head , and stand drooping : when this sickness first takes him , he will tremble and quake , as if he had an ague : for this disease take no blood from him by any means , it is death if you do . the remedy is , take half an ounce of diapente , one ounce of bay-berries , half an ounce of long-pepper , beat all these together , then take half an ounce of diascordium , and put all these into a pint and a half of strong beer , heat it lukewarm , and give it to your horse at any time of the day , for this disease is dangerous , and will admit of no delayes ; clothe and litter him up very warm ; the diascordium in the drink will cause him to lye down and sleep ; after the drink hath done working , and the horse done sweating , then give him half a pint of whitewine , and two ounces of hony , mix them together , and heat them luke-warm , and give it him in the stable , and after you come to ayr him , you may give it him abroad ; three or four hours after , give him a cordial made of three pints of stale beer , and a quarter of a pint of hony , and a quarter of a pound of butter , and a good piece of houshold bread , boyl them a little together , and give it him lukewarm , and set him up for that night ; give him warm water and bran at night , next morning fasting give him the cordial again , and at nine or ten a clock , warm water and bran , at two or three a clock , whitewine and hony , and at night warm water and bran , and afterward , now and then a cordial , and whitewine and hony , and moderate ayring will soon bring him to his stomack , when you see he is able to walk abroad ▪ ayr him once or twice a day , it will do him much good . these cordials , wine and hony , and ayring of him , will cause the beast to amend apace . after he comes to eat his meat pretty handsomly , take some blood from his spur-veins , the frets from him , swetting will do him much good . if he lye down and sleep , it will bring him down to his senses , and the horse will mend much in twenty four hours . if diascordium do not make him take rest according to your mind , then you may take as much poppy-seeds as will lye upon a sixpence , in two half hornfuls of any beer , if you cannot get poppy-seeds , which some call red-weed-seeds , then buy white-poppy-water at the apothecaries , and give at each nostril a spoonful , and that will make him sleep heartily . proved . clxvi . for a dry inward mange . the signs are these ; his hair will come off by plats , and sometimes it will come all off from head to tayl , and there will be a dry scurfie mange , as well where the hair comes off , as where it stayes on , it is an extream heat of the blood which causes the hair to scale off , and causeth the dry mange in his body . if his body be dried up and wasted , that the horse be miserable lean and overcome with it , then give him this one drink and no more , not else , viz. one ounce of the flower of brimstone , two ounces of rosin beaten small , one ounce of turmerick beaten small , one ounce of anniseeds beaten small , put all these except the brimstone , into a quart of strong beer heated lukewarm , and give it him fasting , & put the brimstone at the mouth of the horn , to put it down with the other things , tye him up to the rack for four or five hours , then give him warm water and bran , at night bursten oats ; the next day after , give him in his provender two spoonfuls of rosin beaten to powder , at night the like ; the next day the like , and then no more ; this is to cleanse and purge away the mangy surfet that is in his body , and causeth the outward mange : also do thus , two or three daies after his drink , scrape off all the scabs and scurf clean with the back of your knife , or some other thing for that purpose , till the blood and water appear . then presently mix an equal proportion of oyl of turpentine and beer together as will serve , and shake them well together in a glass vial , and anoint the horse all over but once , and it is an absolute cure. it will smart terribly , tye him close for an hour , till it have taken its course . but if you be merrily disposed , as soon as you have drest him all over with it , bid the fellow go home with him and set him up , but believe it , he will not hold him long , for the beast will run away with him , and kick and wallow , and rub in a most strange manner , that one would think he were stark mad , but it will have done smarting in half an hour . it is a gallant receipt . if the horse be not much pined and shrunk of his flesh , do nothing but anoint him once outwardly , and give him this drink , and the oyl of turpentine and beer , will kill the mange of a beast , dog , bullock , or any thing with once dressing . proved . clxvii . to stop bleeding at the nose , or in the mouth , where the fleam or knife hath cut a great gash : or when you have cut the vein in a quitter-bone , and it bleed that you know not how to stop it . for any of these , when nothing will stop it this following will ; first , take a chafing-dish of hot coles , and burn three or four linnen rags upon the coles , laying them one upon another , and let the horses mouth be over the smoak all the while , as the blood doth fall out of the horses nose and quench them , so you must blow them up with your breath again , till the coles have burnt the rags as black as a cole , which when you perceive , take them as they are burnt black and bled upon by the horse , and put them up into each nostril an hand high , then hold up his head , and have in readiness three or four quarts of strong beer , and pour it down his throat , to wash down the smoak and clotted blood which lyes in his throat . if he snort the burnt rags out , have other burnt hot rags in a readiness to put up his nostrils : and you must remember as well when you fume him , as when you have stopt his nostrils with burnt rags , to be often pouring down his throat cold beer , because the blood returning a contrary way will choak him : this course taken will stop bleeding at the nose of a man. if an horses mouth be cut with a fleam at any time , when you let him blood in the mouth , and the fleam glance and cut a gash in his mouth , and that it bleed so that you know not how to stop it , then take some of these burnt rags and lay them as hot into the wound as you can , and afterward take another clean rag and lay it over the wound to keep in the burnt rags , and tye on each side his teeth a small string overthwart to keep it close to for hours , at the end of which time you may take off the cloth , but let the burnt rags lye in the wound as long as you please , for they will draw and heal mightily , when they come out you may put in more , and do as you did before : and so for a quitter-bone , is you cut it till all the veins bleed ; and you cannot stanch the blood , then take of these hot burnt rags and fill the hole full , and they will stop the blood in a very short time , and let it lye there for hours , and they will draw it as white as can be , so that you may see what to do afterward : this will stop the blood either at nose , or in any wound . proved . clxviii . for a cold new or old , or a cough wet or dry . take of rue one handful , chop or stamp it very small , and put to it a penny worth of anniseeds beaten to very fine powder ; make it up in pills with sweet butter , and so give it to your horse in a pint and an half of ale or beer fasting , ride him upon it , and let him fast four or five hours after it : do this every third morning till you see his cough quite gone . this hath been found to be most soveraign for an horse that hath a cold , whether newly or formerly taken ; or for a wet or dry cough : it is also most excellent for an horse that hath been over-ridden , or any waies wronged by labour . proved . clxix . for a young horse that hath taken a new cold. take water and salt as much as will suffice , brew them well together , make it blood-warm and give it him , and do after as is necessary . this i find to be singular good to be given to a young horse , that hath newly taken cold . proved . clxx . for a new taken cold with a coughing ? take of bayes , of anniseeds , and of liquorish , of each half a pennyworth , of brown sugar-candy one pennyworth , make all these into powder , and sew them up in a fine linnen-rag , and so tye it to the bit or snaffle of the bridle , and so ride a journey and travel him : if it be a cold newly taken , it will cure him in a shore time . this i have tryed and found to be good , for it will cure both cold and cough , if it be thus used with riding and exercise . proved . clxxi. for the botts . take as much black sope as a walnut , as much flower of brimstone and a little garlick bruised , put these into a pint and an half of strong new beer , or sweet wort , steep it all night , and give it the beast next morning fasting , and tye him up to the rack three or four hours after , then give him warm water and what meat you please . proved . clxxii . for a blood-spavin . first , take a strong shop-halter , and put the noose or head-stall about his neck close to his shoulders , then take the other end of the halter , and take the contrary after-foot from the ground , which the blood-spavin is not upon , and put the other end of the halter about his pastern , and draw it with the halter from the ground , and tye it to the head-stall of the halter , that he may not set it down ; by doing thus , you may take up the vein and sear him as he stands , but the best way will be to cast him , and to tye his other three legs , and let that be at liberty , then before you take up the vein half a foot above the spavin-place , in the small of the ham in the inside of his leg , you must first draw the skin cross with your fingers on one side of the vein , then cut a hole in the skin an inch and an half long down his leg thus in that part of the skin which will lye right over the vein , then let the cut go , and the skin will lye over the vein , then with the point of your cornet-horn length-waies as the wound is cut , chafe and fret the thin skin or film a pieces , that you may see the vein lye blew , then with the point of your cornet-horn , by degrees run it between the vein and the skin , and raise the vein above the skin , and after that put two short shoomakers ends between the vein and the flesh , a little distance one from the other , to tye or take up the vein after it hath done bleeding ; then and not before , with the point of a pen-knife , slit a little hole length-waies in the vein , not cross the vein by no means , for fear of cutting the vein a pieces , you must open the vein as it lyes upon , the horn , and when it hath bled enough , tye the ends that you before put under it , above the slit of the vein pretty hard , and tye the other bonds end below the slit of the vein pretty just , and leave the bonds end an inch long hanging without the skin to keep the hole open , that the matter may come out at it , and that the skin may not heal up , before the wax threds have eaten the vein a pieces , vvhich vvill be vvithin a week ; vvhen you have tyed up the vein , as is shevved you ; then put into the hole or vvound a little piece of butter and salt mixed together , to heal it up : after all this , before you let dovvn his leg ( in case you do it standing ) but vvhether you do it standing or lying this you must do , take a nail-rod at the same time , and make it vvith a thick edge bending or hook't back , heat it hot , and make in the bent of the leg vvith it one long strike dovvnvvards , sear it besides the sinevvs till the skin looks yellovv , make the searing thus in the bent of the leg besides the sinews , but not upon the sinews , as the foregoing figure shews you , and thus you must sear him on the inside and on the outside of the knee ; where you see the swelling appear , there you must sear him likewise with one line and two crosses , cross it in this manner . after you have thus seared it , then apply this charge ; a quarter of a pint of brandy-wine , or for want thereof a quarter of a pint of aqua-vitae , and a pennyworth of crown-sope , boylthem together till they come to a white salve , then lay it all over the swelling as hot as you can , with a flat-stick , and heat it well in with a bar of iron , once laying on this charge is enough ; when this hath lain on a week , then ride him , whether he halt or not , so you ride him moderately , then take an ounce of the oyl of swallows , and rub it well in with your hand upon the sinews of the bent of the leg , to retch and give liberty to them , use of this oyl every four or five daies , and in four or five times dressing , it will be a cure. after he come from work or riding at any time , and his legs be washt and dry , then rub on this oyl upon the bent of his leg , and upon the sinews , you need not heat it in now with a hot iron , but rub it well in with the palm of your hand , and within a fortnights time the blood spavin will not be seen , and the swelling will be quite gone : if you take a a bloodspavin at the first coming out of a young horse , then do but fire it lightly , and lay the former charge to , and in once dressing it will be a compleat cure. proved . clxxiii . for an old cold. if you see cause , take blood from the neck-vein , otherwise not , then instead of giving him oats , give him wheat-bran boiled in water after this manner . ( viz. ) set a kettle over the fire almost full of water , and when it begins to boil put in your bran , and let it boil a full quarter of an hour , then take it off , and let it stand till it be almost cold , and about four or five of the clock in the morning , give it him as hot as he can eat it , and for his drink give him the same water , and at night give him oats and white water to drink , and let him be covered and littered up warm . if it be in summer , let not the stable be too hot , for that will take a way his stomach , and make him faint ▪ and when you give him his water at night , alwaies give him as much of this powder as an eggshel will hold amongst his oats , to which you must keep him eight daies together , or longer if you shall see cause ; the boiled bran is that which drieth up all his corrupt and gross humours , which was the cause of his cold : now the powder is this , ( viz. ) take of cummin-seeds , fenygreek , sileris montani , otherwise called sisilers , nutmegs , cloves , ginger , linseed , of each of these two ounces , quick brimstone six ounces , make all these into fine powder , and mix them all well together ; it must be given him in his oats the quantity that was prescribed before ; but he must first be watered with white water ; and then presently let him be well rubbed all over , and cloathed and littered vvarm , and an hour bdfore you give him his oats , put into his rack a little sweet wheat-straw , and let him eat thereof an hour or better , and then and not before give him his oats mixed with this powder , which having eaten give him hay at your pleasure , and with doing thus his cold will be gone in a short time , and the sooner if you air him an hour before sun-set , and an hour after sun-rising ▪ if the sun shine mark that ; keep up his stomack with white-wine and honey , and the cordials , or with what else you think best of . proved . now , if this cold bring with it a violent cough , as is often seen , then use this receipt following . clxxiv . for a cold with a violent cough . first , give him the wheat-bran boiled , together with the powder , with his oats , as is directed in the fore-going receipt , but not above three or four daies , or till you see he hath purged sufficiently , for that the said powder dispersed the corrupt and gross humours that are in his body , which do occasion the cough ; and when you perceive that he hath purged sufficiently , keep him notwithstanding to his white-water , which is no other thing than water made hot in a kettle , and then put in some wheat-bran , or barley-meal , let him eat the bran as hot as he will , and drink the water a little warm : but alwaies an hour before you water him , take a stick a little bigger than your thumb , of well nigh a foot long , and wrap a linneu cloth about it four or five times , first dipped in oyl of bayes and put into his mouth ; and with some leather-thong or piece of small cord , fasten it to either end of the stick , and so fasten it over his ears like the head-stall of a bridle , like as smiths do when they burn a horse for a lampra's ; let him drink with this stick thus in his mouth , and so stand with it an hour after at the least , that he may lick and suck up the said oyl , and after the three or four daies are expired , and that you see he hath purged sufficiently , which is a little before mentioned , then when you give him the oats , give him amongst them this other powder following ; ( viz. ) fennel-seeds four ounces , fenygreek two ounces , and cardimum one ounce , beat them but grossly , or else he will blow them away when he eats his oats , put one spoonful into his oats , and keep him warm , and use him as is prescribed in the foregoing receipt , and you will find it to do him much good . proved . clxxv . a rare receipt to cause an horse to vomit . take two of the greatest roots of polypodium as you can get from the oak , wash and scrape them very clean , and tie it to his snaffle or bit , then let it be steeped in oyl of spike a whole night , and in the morning fasting , put on his bridle with the roots tied to his bit , and ride him softly and fairly an hour or better with it in his mouth , and if he be troubled with any rheumatick or flegmatick humour , or with any cold or filthy matter , which may any way pester , clog , or annoy his stomach , this very thing will force him to vent and vomit it up at his mouth or nose , and it will cause him to cough and sneeze much , that you shall see him to send forth a great abundance of filth , and evil slimy matter from his stomach and head , and in a short time he will become very clean in his body , for this will both refine his blood , and exhaust all the watrish humours in such sort , as by temperate ordering of him , and doing as heretofore is prescribed , you may keep him a long time sound , perfect , and serviceable ; and this you may give to an horse newly taken from grass , or to any other horse that hath taken a cold , or to any other filthy , foul , foggy or pursy horse whatsoever : and this upon trial , upon all occasions before mentioned , you shall find to be most admirable ; this being done , i conceive it to be very good to give them whitewine and hony , and the cordial formerly set down . proved . clxxvi . for a curb . this curb alwaies groweth upon the back-part of the heel of the knee of the hinder leg , in a hard substance ; i shall give no more signs , for it is easie to be seen : the remedy is this , first tie up the contrary leg as you do for a blood-spavin , then with an hot iron fear it length-waies down his leg upon the curb , till the skin look yellow , then draw your hot iron cross it , as you did for a blood-spavin , in two or three places , then presently take an horsenail and drive it through a stick , so that the point of the nail may come a little through the stick , the breadth of a straw , or a little more , then set the point of the nail to the fired places , and strike it in some ten or twenty times , according as the burning goes in several places , and as you see occasion , then take a handful or two of salt , and rub it well in with your hand to stop the blood , and half an hour after wipe the salt off , and apply the charge of sope and brandy hot on , and heat it well in with a bar of iron , and as your iron cools , flake it over it to dry it in the better , let the charge lie on till it comes off of it self ; you may ride him every day after three or four daies , in the mean time let him stand in the stable . proved . clxxvii . for a quitterbone , old or new. this quitterbone alwaies grows just above the top of the hoof on the hinder foot , and sometimes on the instep just above the hoof , and sometimes above the hoof on the side of the foot , but be it in any place this is the cure : first , take up the vein in the small of the leg , if the quitterbone be on the inside of the leg above the hoof , then take up the vein on the inside of the leg : if it be on the outside of the leg , then take up the vein on the outside , this is the way to further the cure , and make all sure by taking up the vein which does feed it . you may see how to take up a vein , if you look into the receipt for a blood-spavin . for the taking up of a vein is all alike , be it vvhere it will be , after you have taken up the vein let it bleed well , and put into the wound some butter and salt : then with a little towe , or hards , or a linnen-cloth wound about your instrument's end , search the quitterbone to the bottom , and where you see the matter come out there put in your instrument ; when you have searched the wound and made it clean , put into it a piece of white arsenick as big as a small bean and put a little tow after it , and lay a little tow upon the top of the quitterbone , with a linnen cloth next , and a woollen cloth over all , tyed on fast that it may not come off ; then tie him up to the rack with a strong halter one day , till the anguish of the arsenick be over , for fear he come at it with his mouth ; let the arsenick lie in fourty hours , then take out the hards , and you shall see the hole in the quitterbone look very black , and swelled more than it was before : it is the effects of arsenick , therefore you need not fear , but as soon as you have pulled off the clothes and hards from the place , you may put his foot into a pail of cold water for a quarter of an hour , and let it soak ; or if the river be near that you can lead him into it , if it be clear water , so that no sand or dirt get into the wound , and let him stand and soak his leg there for a quarter of an hour , for his leg must be once a day soaked , either in a pail of clean water or in the river , for a week together , take off his wet hard clothes , and tie on dry ones , this is all you have to do till you see the core of the quitterbone come out , which when you see , make this medicine to heal it up : take a pennyworth of good honey , put it into a pipkin , and when it begins to be hot , put in a penny worth of verdigrease , and three or four spoonfuls of white-wine vinegar , boil them all together for half an hour , then take it off the fire , and when it is cold take a little fine towe and dip into it , and put it into the wound , and lay a little dry towe or hards over that , and a linnen cloth over them , and bind them on with a string , and so dress it once a day till you see it begin to heal , and then dress it but once in two daies , and as you see it heal dress it the fewer times till it be whole : there will be a little space bare where no hair will come , put in arsenick but once , and although you tie him up to the rack because his mouth should not come to the arsenick , yet give him meat for all that ; do but remember these two last cautions , and you need not question the cure , for it will be speedy . proved . now suppose you meet with a quitterbone that hath been a long time in other farrier's hands , that have so corroded and poysoned it that it is much swelled about the pastern and leg : in this case , you must first take up the vein on that side the leg that the quitterbone grows on , to keep the humour back that feeds it , then put in as much arsenick as a bean , as you were directed before , and so doing as it is there exprest , soaking his leg as yon are therein taught , and when the core is out ▪ heal it with the same salve that is there prescribed , but if there grows proud flesh in it whilst you are a healing of it , then scald it with butter and salt , and that will keep the proud-flesh down ; an old hurt in the foot may come to be a quitterbone , and break out above the hoof , but a quitterbone will never break out in the sole of the foot . except you take up the vein , a quitterbone is a very hard thing to cure , after the core is come out , it will not be amiss before you go about to heal it , to wash the sore well with whitewine vinegar , and then to wash it with the wattr mentioned in receipt xxxviii . and then apply the healing salve mentioned in the foregoing receipt . clxxviii . a preparation before you give the black drink for the glanders , in the next following receipt . first take blood from him , if you do find it gross or phlegmatick , for otherwise he cannot possibly mend , then instead of oats give him every morning about or a clock wheat-bran prepared , for four or five daies together , and the water to drink that the bran is sodden in , as you may see in the receipt for an old cold , which is to qualifie and dry up the moist and bad humors abounding in him , and then let him blood in the neck , if you have not before . the next day rake him with your hand , and then give him this glister : make a decoction of mallows one pint and a half , and put into it four ounces of fresh butter , and of sallet oyl a quarter of a pint , administer it blood-warm , and then with a strap of leather tied to his tail and put between his legs , and the other end fastened to the sussingle , so straight , that the tail may be close to his tewel or fundament , that he cannot purge till it be loosened : this done , mount his back and ride him gently an easie trot or foot-space for half an hour , then set him up cloathed and littered , with the bit in his mouth three hours , during which time he will purge kindly , then give him white water and hay , and at night a few oats , for he must be kept to a spare diet : the next day mix well together the powder of brimstone and fresh butter , and anoint all along two goose-feathers , and run a thred through either of their quills ends , that you may fasten the thred to the top of the head-stall of his bridle , and run them up as high as you can into each nostril , and so ride him an hour or two , and this will purge his head and lungs , and cause him to send forth much filthy matter ; but when you set him up take them out , and an hour after give him hay and white water , and bran prepared , which he should have before you ride him abroad : the next day give him his glister again , and let him rest for that day , but ordered in all things as before ; the next day use the goose-feathers again , and order him as you did before : and all this is but to prepare him for this after-drink that followeth , but you must observe to keep him alwaies warm , and let him be ever fasting and empty , before you give him any physick , and air him evening and morning if the sun shine , or the weather be warm or calm : then three daies after give him this drink following , which is called the black drink . clxxix . the black drink for the glanders . take new-made chamberlie , and of the best and strongest white-wine vinegar of each half a pint , then take of mustard-seed two or three spoonfuls , and make mustard thereof with vinegar and grind it well , then put your vinegar and chamberly to the mustard , and stir them well together , then take of tar and bay-salt of each alike , as much as may suffice , incorporate them well together , and convey so much thereof as two or three eggshels will hold , their meat being first taken out ; having prepared these things , keep him over night to a very spare diet , and the next morning take and ride him first , till he begin to sweat ▪ then give him the eggshels filled with tar and salt as before prescribed , and as soon as he hath taken that , give him with a horn the afore-named drink made of chamberly , vinegar and mustard , all at the mouth , except two small hornfuls which must be powred into his nostrils , which when he hath taken , ride him again as much as you did before , set him up , and clothe and litter him warm , and so let him stand upon the bit until three or four a clock : then un-bit , and give him a warm mash , and order him in all things as is usual for horses taking physick . give him this medicine or drink every other third day , if the horse be strong , and if he be weak in body , once in three or four daies : and this is an infallible cure in three or four times giving , if it be rightly given , though he be far spent . proved . clxxx . to cure the glanders running at the nose : also all colds , and rheums . first observe this , alwaies when you give him oats , put some hony to them , and rub them very well together betwixt your hands , continue to do thus , till he leave running at the nose : this is one of the best and most certain cordials that i know , for it disperseth all the flegm and choller , it also purgeth the head and brain , it purifieth the blood , it venteth evil humours , it causeth a good digestion , and freeth a horse from glanders , colds , catarrhs , rheumes , runing at the nose , &c. proved . clxxxi . for a fistula or gangrene in the foot , by reason of some channel-nail , which hath lain long and deep in the foot , that breaks out above the hoof , and causeth the sole of the foot to come out , and causeth the leg and pastern to swell very much . if this nail cause the sole of the foot to come out , and do break out above the hoof , and cause the pastern and leg to swell , but in case the sole of the foot be not come out , then take it out as you were directed formerly , by girting the foot-lock hard , and when you have taken out the sole of the foot as you are there directed , search the wound with a little towe at the instruments end , to see which way and how far the cannel-nail went ; when you see where the holes are , drop in ten or twelve drops of the oyl of turpentine , and take a little fine towe , or a little lint at your instruments end , and dip it in the turpentine , and put it in tent-waies , then over this tent lay to the bottom of the hoof a handful of nettle-tops , and a handful of salt well beaten together , stuff his foot well with towe , and let it lie on twenty four hours , and ever when you dress it take off the shoe , and when you have dressed it tack on the shoe again , dress it thus once a day with a tent dipt in turpentine , and laid to the sole first , and then the nettles and salt over that , till you see the sole come on a little , and when you see it a little grown , then apply the poultis following in this manner ( but not before ) and lay over the poultis , hards or towe , and over the towe a piece of leather , and over the leather splinters of wood with his shoe taken off , and set on again as you were shewed in another place ; let him stand dry and in the house till he be whole , which will be in a few daies ; the poultis must lie on the first dressing twenty four hours , the second dressing fourty eight hours , the third dressing fourty eight hours , and so continue till the sole of the foot be grown firm and strong again : the poultis is thus made , take half a pint of salt beef or pork brine , and put it into a skillet , a quarter of a pound of kitchin-stuff grease , and when you have boiled these two a pretty while together , put some wheat-bran to it , and make it not too thick nor too thin ; when you have taken out his sole , and untied the cord about his pastern , if it bleed much , then put a handful of salt into the bottom of the foot , with towe , hards or flax , between the sole of the foot and the shoe , and splinters and a piece of leather over it , to keep it in , at twenty four hours take it off , and lay on the nettles and salt as you were before directed , but no otherwise : thus much for the cure of the sole of the foot. but mark what followeth , which belongeth to the foregoing receipt ; which is , when the nail in the foot doth not only cause the sole of the foot to come out , but also breaketh out above the hoof , and causeth a gangrene or swelling in the pastern , and so up the leg. in this case , after you have searched it with a little fine towe or hards , with your instrument's end , then drop into the hole a few drops of the oyl of turpentine , and after that put in a tent dipt in the oyl of turpentine into the hole as far as you can , and immediately apply the poultis , laid upon a large linnen cloth , to the swelling in the pastern , and up the leg so far as the swelling goes , and bind it close to with another cloth that it may not come off , tie him up to the rack for seven or eight hours , that he may not pull it off with his mouth , let it lie on the first dressing twenty four hours , and for the other dressings the time you were directed before , till the swelling be down , and the sore be whole : alwaies put in a tent dipt in the oyl of turpentine , before you lay this poultis to , or any other thing : if the hoof come off and it swell , and break out above the hoof , if all these happen together at once , you must observe the distinct directions . the cure of that in the sole of the foot , from that which breaks out above the hoof , and apply each cure to each disease ; in this case the poultis must be first applied above the hoof , because when the sole of the foot is taken out , you must not lay the poultis to the sole of the foot till it be a little grown , and further , with the great pain and continual holding up his foot from the ground , his sinews in the bent of his leg will be shrunk ; to remedy which , use the oyl of swallows , as you may see for a blood-spavin in receipt clxxii . but if you cannot get the oyl of swallows , if his sinews be knit or stiff , then rub in some trotters-oyl , which is made of sheeps-feet , it is to be had at the tripehouses , but for want of either of these , boil some hogs-grease and aqua-vitae together , and rub it in with your hand cold , which receipt is incomparable for shrunk sinews . proved . clxxxii . for a strain in the coffin joynt , or a sive-bone in the socket of the hoof. for remedy , take off the shoe , and then pare the bottom of the foot as thin as you can , till the blood do almost appear ; you shall know in what place the strain is in , by taking the foot in your hand , and wrying it to you and from you , if it be there he will shrink at it much when you thus turn his foot , when you find where it is , make this poultis and lay it to hot . take a pint of powder-beef or porkbrine , and a quarter of a pound of kitchin-stuff grease , put them into a skillet , and boil them together half an hour , then take some wheat-bran and put to it , make a poultis thereof , not too thick nor too thin , then set on the shoe again , and put a good quantity of this poultis as hot as you can into the sole of the foot , then stuff the sole with towe or hards , and either splinter it in with a flat stick , or with a piece of a sole of leather , to keep it in , and let it lie on forty eight hours , then take a long linnen cloth and spread the rest of the poultis scalding hot all about the top of the hoof , the pastern , and up the leg so far as the swelling goes , and let it lie on hours , at the end of which take it off and lay on another , and let it lie on as long , and so likewise a third or fourth , till you see him go sound , which will be in a very few daies , and after a weeks time he will not complain of it : if you have occasion to ride him , after the third dressing you may ride him eight or ten miles moderately ; a little before you set him up wash his legs , and when they are dry take off his shoe , and lay the poultis to as before : this poultis is nothing differing from that in the receipt before . proved . clxxxiii . a purge for filthy slime , and to carry away the peccant humours , which surfets have ingendred in the body . take a pint of white-wine , or a quart of new ale , which you can best get , as much of the best powder of me●hoacan as you can take up with a shilling at four times , put them together and give it lukewarm , ride him gently a mile or two and set him up warm , and let him stand upon the bit five or six hours , then give him a warm mash , and half an hour after give him oats and bran mingled together a little at a time , wet his hay that night : this will make the slime to come away in great flakes upon the dung ; if after this his stomach fail , then give him whitewine and hony , and the cordial . this is a very rare purge , but before you give it , use the directions in the receipt next following . proved . clxxxiv . for an horse that is sick and surfeited of colds , whether in winter or in summer . first let him blood , then give him this purge afterwards : take of aloes siccatrina two ounces made into fine powder ; then make it up into pills with fresh or sweet butter , and give it the horse over night , he having been kept fasting the whole day before , and instead of hay , straw , or any other meats hard of digestion , or daies before you give him this purge , or any other purge , let his meat be either wheat or rye-bran , as you may see in a receipt or two a little before , or you may give him bread made on purpose with beans , pease , and some rye in it , or else oats well sifted both dry and sweet , and let his drink be white-water only , which is nothing else but wheat-bran sodden in water ; the next day in the morning early , after he hath taken the pills , give him either a sweet mash , or for want thereof white water , for that will make his pills to work the more kindly that day , then let him fast till night , during which time he will purge freely ; then at night give him white water , and after oats and bran , and give him for all night hay sprinkled with water . if he be strong bodied , it may be he will not purge the first day , but the second day be sure he will : in the mean time give him mashes , wheat-bran boyled , and white water or clean oats , and after his purging keep him warm and well littered , keep him to white water for two or three daies after , or longer , and when you give him cold water , let it not be with excess , this is an excellent purge . proved . clxxxv . for a strain in the pastern of an horse . take of the grounds of beer called heild , that is ▪ when all the beer is drawn quite off , hens dung ▪ nerve oyl , and fresh grease that never had salt in it , make a poultis thereof and lay it to : this is admirable for a strain in the pastern or foot-lock , and will make a speedy cure. proved . clxxxvi . for an horse-cough . take five or six eggs , and lay them in sharp white-wine vinegar , till the shells be somewhat soft , then take his tongue in your hand , and put them down his throat one after another : give them fasting , and let him neither eat nor drink of five or six hours after , ride him a mile or two after you have given it him , give him warm water to drink for once and keep him warm . this will cure him forthwith . proved . clxxxvii . a suppository to supple the guts , to dissolve and send forth all dry and hot excrements . first rake him , then take a great candle of four in the pound , and cut off three inches at the smaller end , then anoint the other part being the bigger end , with sallet oyl or fresh butter , and soput it up into his fundament , then hold his tail to his tewel half an hour , or tye it close to his tewel with a strap of leather , and fasten it to his sussingle , and in half an hours time it will be dissolved , then let loose his tail and leap his back , and trot him up and down till he do begin to empty and purge himself , for by this means it will work the more kindly , this is the most gentle of all suppositories . proved . clxxxviii . another suppository to be given , that you dare not without peril of his life , give him any thing else inwardly : then give him this . take of common honey six ounces , of salt-nitre one ounce and a half , of wheat-flowr and of anniseeds in fine powder , of each one ounce , boyl all these together to a stiff thickness , and so make it into suppositories , anoint these as you did the former , and your hand also , and so put it up into his fundament the length of your hand , then tye his tail between his legs , for half an hour , in which time the suppository will be dissolved , then ride him and order him as before . this is very good , especially in case of surfeits or inward sickness , rake him first and keep him warm . proved . clxxxix . a suppository to purge flegm . take a piece of castle-soap , pare it and bring it into the fashion of a suppository , put it into his fundament and order him as before . proved . cxc . a suppository to purge choler . take savin as much as will suffice , and stamp it to mash , and stamp with it stavesacre and salt , of each two ounces , boyl them in common honey , as much as will suffice to make it thick , and so make it up into suppositories , and administer one of them like as you are before shewn , and order him accordingly . cxci. a suppository to purge melancholy . take a red onion and pill it , and jagg it cross-waies with your knife , and so administer it , and order him as before . cxcii . another suppository . take a pint of common honey , and boyl it till it be thick , and make it up into suppositories as it cooleth ; and administer it as before , and order him also in the like manner : this suppository purgeth evil humours , it cooleth and comforteth the body very much , and causeth a good appetite to meat . proved . cxciii . directions for suppositories . first observe this : when at any time you do administer either potions , glisters , or suppositories , you must do it in a morning fasting : except necessity urge the contrary . secondly , you must not at those times suffer him to drink cold water , no not with exercise , but either sweet mashes or white water . thirdly , it is very needful before you administer any of these , that you rake him ; and be sure you keep him warm . a suppository is but a preparative for a glister or purge , to make that way that they may purge the better . cxciv . to kill worms . take bears-foot and savin , lavender cotton , the flower of brimstone , give it him in sweet wort ; it will kill the worms , and turn them into slime ; ask for the powder of caroline at the apothecaries , it is as admirable a thing to kill worms as can be , you may give three or four penny-worth at a time , in a pint and a half of sweet wort. it is a very safe thing . proved . cxcv. to purge by grass in summer . if your horse be surfeited , or hath been over laboured the winter before , then turn him out when the grass is in the best heart : now that grass that will purge most and best , is a new mowen meadow , for that will rake his guts very well , nor will he in such a place gather flesh ; therefore let him go there not above fourteen or eighteen days , and then put him into some other pasture , where the grass hath not been touched with a syth , and there he will belly well , and in a short time recover much flesh , and be very fat and lusty ; this purging will scowr him bravely , and send away all ill humours and surfeits , and ease his limbs marvellously well , and do his legs and feet much good , and refine his corrupt bloud , and make him nimble and full of spirit . also to mowe green rye before it be eared is most wholesom , for it scowreth , cleanseth , and cooleth the body very much , so do the leaves of sallow , and the leaves of the elm-tree . cxcvi. a glister for a sick , surfeited , diseased horse . if your horse be newly taken from grass , and that you hold it needful his body should be cleansed from bad humours , which either his grass or former surfeits might bring : first rake him , and then give him this glister following , ( viz. ) take mallows three handfuls , marsh mallow roots cleansed and bruised two handfuls , violet leaves two handfuls , flax-seed three spoonfuls , and as many of the cloves of white lilly roots , as you may easily hold in your hand ; boyl all these in fair water from a gallon to a wine quart , then strain it , and put thereto one ounce of sena , which must be infused or steeped in the liquor three hours standing upon the hot embers , then put thereto half a pint of sallet oyl , and then administer it glister-wise blood-warm , and cause him to keep it half an hour or longer if you can ; and the best time to give this glister , is or dayes before the full or change of the moon , but if occasion be , you may give it any other time ; this glister is to be given to a foggy fat horse , which otherwise cannot be kept clean . it purgeth the guts abundantly , and it is cheifly to be given an horse that is newly taken from grass . and the next day after you have given him this glister , give him this drink following . cxcvii . a purge . take the strongest ale-wort one quart , of honey a quarter of a pint , of london treacle two ounces , mix and brew them all together , and give it him blood-warm ; then keep him upon the bit six hours after , warm clothed and well littered , and give him a sweet mash , and white water , and rack him with sweet wheat-straw , oats , and bran , this both purgeth and comforteth ; two or three dayes after , give him this drink following . cxcviii. another purge . take a pint of white-wine , and put into it one ounce of sena , and let it steep all night , next morning betimes strain it , and put into it one ounce of the best aloes made into fine powder , half an ounce of agarick , and a spoonful of powder of liquorish , mix and brew them altogether , and so give it to your horse blood-warm , and ride him gently a quarter of an hour after it , and so set him up warm , well clothed and littered , and let no cold ayr come to him , nor let him eat nor drink of six hours after ; and at night give him a sweet mash , or white water , and let his rack-meat be sweet wheat-straw , oats and bran ; the next day let him blood , and prick him in the third furrow of his mouth , and if his blood be bad , take two quarts from him , but if good , scarce a quart : keep him warm , and give him sweet mashes or white water , and put into his drink either the powder of brimstone or of fenygreek , or turmerick , or of elecampana , one or more together , according as he will be brought to like and take them ; which being well mixed , put thereof into his drink a spoonful at a time . and this is very good to cool the blood , purge choler , and other peccant humours , and to purifie and refine the blood. and this is not only good for horses newly taken from grass , but for other sick , surfeited , diseased horses . cxcix . another purge . take one ounce and a quarter of gentian , slice it thin , boil it in a quart of beer till it come to a pint , and give it him blood-warm ; it will make him very sick for a short time , but you need not fear , for it will do him much good ; let him fast after it five or six hours , and then give him a mash or white water , and the next day give him this following . mingle honey with his oats , and rub the honey and oats well together between your hands , and continue thus doing till you see him quite cured , which will be when he hath done running at the nose . this is one of the best cordials i know , for it disperfeth all flegm and choler , it purgeth the head and brain , it purifieth the blood , it venteth evil humours , it causeth good digestion , and freeth an horse from glanders , colds , catarrhs , rheums , running at the nose , and the like , as you may see set down before , which is the same with this ; this and the purge before going you must give one after another , and for the honey and his oats mixed together , i conceive you may give them in other causes ; as when an horse is troubled with cold rheums , running at the nose , glanders , flegm , or choler or such like . cc. of glisters and their use a glister is given as a preparative to a purging drink , and a glister by cleansing the guts refresheth the vital parts , and prepareth the way before ; wherefore i advise every farrier before he give a drink , whether purging or otherwise , if the horse be not at that time soluble in body , that after blood-letting , the next day he give a glister , this done he may the better give what is requisite ; otherwise if he give the drink before the glister , he may stir and provoke the evil humours , which by reason of much costiveness and wind , and other impediments in his guts , do attempt to make their passage by a contrary way , which cannot be done without great hazard to the life of the beast . i therefore advise , if the beast be costive and bound in his body , to give a suppository or glister first , and after his purging drink . ccii. what a decoction is . a decoction is a broth made of divers herbs , as mallows , marsh-mallows , pellitory , camomile , and sometimes white lilly roots , and such like things which we do boyl in water to a third part , and sometimes we use instead of herbs and water , to take the fat of beef-broth , or the broth of a sheep's head , milk , whey , or sum such kind of liquor . ccii. what quantity òf broth or decoction is put in to make a glister . for the quantity , we do administer according to the age , strength and greatness of the horse ; for if he be of a strong and able body , of large growth and stature , fat and lusty , in this case we put in three pints ; but if he be of a small growth , weak , sick , feeble or , lean , in this case a quart is enough ; we use to put in half a pint of oyl , of salt two or three drams , and sometimes we put in verjuyce , and sometimes hony , as we see cause : drugs we use , as sena , cassia , agarick , anniseeds , oyl of dill , oyl of camomile , oyl of violets , sugar-candy , and such like . cciii . for the quantity of drugs put into a glister . for the quantity of drugs , you ought not to exceed the quantity of three ounces in one glister at the most , neither put in above four ounces of butter , and let it be but blood-warm when you administer it . cciv. what time is fit for an horse to keep his glister . when you give it him , let him be empty , and before he do receive it , rake him : after you have given it him let him keepe it half an hour , it will do it the more good , the longer he keep it the more good it will do him , hold his tail close to his fundament all the while . ccv . the length of the glister-pipe . the best instrument wherein to give an horse a glister , is a pipe made of purpose , which ought to be twelve inches in the shank , which must also be put home : and when the glister is put into his body , then draw a way the pipe by degrees not all at once . ccvi. a glister for a horse that is bound in his body and cannot dung . take the fat of beef-broth ( if he be sick , weak and lean ) a pint and a half is enough , if he be big , fat and lusty , you may put in two or three pints , put to it half a pint of english-hony ; and two drams of white salt , mix them well together , and administer it glister-wise blood-warm , then clap his tail close to his tewel for half an hour or longer , and if then it do not work , as i am confident it will , ride him up and down a gentle trot for half an hour more , but not till he sweat , then set him up warm clothed and littered , and let him stand upon the bit four or five hours , in which time he will purge kindly , then unbit him and give him sweet hay , and an hour ▪ after that , give him white water , and he may drink any cold water in a day or two after , and this is the best cure for this malady . this glister will open and loosen the body , bring away all offensive humous , remove all obstructions ingendred in the body by means of excessive heat , it cleanseth the guts , and purgeth away all slimy substance . and this you will find to be the best remedy for a horse that is costive and bound in his body , and that cannot dung . this hath been often proved . ccvi. for another glister take two handfuls of melilot , two handfuls of pellitory , if you can get neither of them , then take two handfuls of camomile , but pellitory is the best if it can be gotten , boyl any one of these in a decoction of water to a third part , then ad to it of sallet-oyl and of verjuyce of each half a pint , of honey four ounces , of cassia two ounces , mix all these together and administer it luke-warm , and order him as in the first glister . it will open the gut and body very well , and will take from him all hurtful and oftensive humours . it will carry away all spungy matter . it will allay the biliousness and sharpness of humours , cleanse inward ulcers , and much refresh and comfort the vital spirits ▪ but if you find that by giving too great a quantity your horse purgeth and scoureth , longer or more violently than you think is meet and good , or for fear it should stir up in him more bad humours upon the sudden , then you may easily allay it with this following glister ▪ ccviii . a glister restringent to stop loosness . take of the decoction in the glister aforegoing a pint , and put thereto as much cow's milk as it cometh warm from the cow , and put also thereto the yolks of three new laid eggs , well beaten and mixed together , and give it blood-warm : this glister is only to be given to a horse that is very laxative or doth empty himself too much , which is occasioned oft-times by over much debility or want of strength , or when nature is very much offended : you may give this glister as often as need shall require , and till you see his loosness stop . ccix. a glister for a fat foul-bodied horse , that is newly taken from grass , or for any sick , surfeited , diseased horse . take three handfuls of marsh-mallow roots cleansed and bruised , violet leaves of each two handfuls , flax seed three spoonfuls , the cloves of white lilly roots a small handful , boil all these together in fair water , from a gallon to a wine quart , then strain it , and put thereto of sena one ounce , which must be steeped in the liquor three hours standing upon the hot embers , then put thereto half a pint of sallet oyl , and being blood-warm administer it glister-wise , causing him to keep it above half an hour : and the best time to give this , is three or four dayes before the full or change of the moon , yet it may be given with much benefit at any other time . this glister purgeth the guts abundantly , and is chiefly to be given to an horse that is newly taken from grass . ccx . a glister for melancholy . take of whey a quart , of anniseeds in fine powder two penny-worth , the leaves of mallows two handful , boyl all these together till the mallows be soft , then strain it , and put thereto of sweet butter four ounces , and when the butter is melted , give it glister-wise blood-warm . this purgeth melancholy , it causeth a good appetite which before was wanting , it refresheth the dulled spirirs , and causeth a good digestion , if the horse be kept warm and well tended . ccxi. a glister to be given in case of a desperate sickness : it helpeth fevers : is good against the pestilence and all languishing diseases , most excellent against surfeits either by provender or otherwise : and will give great strength in short time , if it be rightly made and carefully given . take of the oyl of dill , oyl of camomile , oyl of violets , and cassia , of each half an ounce , of brown sugar-candy in powder three ounces : then take of mallow leaves a handful , and boyl them first to a decoction in fair water , then strain it and put thereto the before-named ingredients and give it blood-warm . this is most soveraign to be given in case of a desperate sickness , and for all the diseases afore-mentioned . ccxii. a glister for the pestilence and all fevers . take half an ounce of the pulp of coloquintida the seeds and rind taken away ; of gum dragant three quarters of an ounce ; boyl all these in three quarts of water to a quart with centory and wormwood , of each half an handful , and a quarter of an ounce of castorium , strain it and dissolve it into the decoction of gerologundium three ounces , and of white salt three drams , and of sallet oyl half a pint , and then administer it glister-wise blood-warm , this hath been often proved to be most excellent good for the diseases above mentioned . ccxiii. a lenitive glister . take the decoction of mallowes and put to it either of fresh butter four ounces ; or of sallet oyl half a pint , and give it glister-wise blood-warm ; this is the gentlest glister of any before prescribed , for it is both a loosener , and a great cooler of the body , and doth infinitely ease pain . also it is good for convulsions or cramps , and most singular against costiveness , proceeding from any sickness or surfeit by provender or foundring in the body . ccxiv. a glister for the collick or any sickness or gripings in the gutts or belly . take salt water or new made brine two pints , dissolve therein a pretty quantity of sope , and administer it glister wise , blood-warm ; this is averred to be the most excellent for the collick , or any sickness or griping in the guts . ccxv . of sickness in horses . sicknesses in general are of two sorts , one offending the whole body , the other a particular member ; the first of them not visible ; the other apparent , and known by its own demonstrations . of the first then , which offends the whole body , as fevers of all sorts , the quotidian , tertian , quartan , and hectick , fevers pestilential , fevers accidental , or the general plague , are known by these signs : much trembling , panting , sweating , and sallow countenance , hot breath , faintness in labour , decay in stomack , costiveness in the body , any or all of which when you perceive ; first let the horse blood , and then give him treacle : take of celedine roots and leaves a good handful , as much of wormwood , as much of rue , wash them well and then stamp them in a mortar ▪ which done boyl them in a quart of ale , then strain them , and add to the liquor half a pound of sweet butter , then being luke-warm give it to the horse to drink . ccxvi . of the head-ach , frenzy or staggers . the signs to know these diseases , which are all of one nature , and all of one effect mortal , hanging down of the head , reeling ; the cure is , to let the horse blood three mornings together , after walk him a while , then clothe him , cover his temples over with a plaister of pitch , and keep him exceeding warm , let his meat be little and his stable dark . ccxvii . of the sleeping evil . the sleeping evil or lethargy in horses , proceeds from cold phlegms , moist humours which bind up the vital parts , and make them dull and heavy : the signs are , continual sleeping or desire thereunto . the cure is , to keep him much waking and twice in a week to give him as much sweet sope as a duck-egg in the nature of a pill , and after give him to drink new milk and honey . ccxviii . of the falling evil , planet-struck , night-mare , or palsey . although these diseases have several faces , and looke as if there were much difference between them , yet they are in nature all one , and proceed all from one offence , which is only cold phlegm , thick humour ingendred about the brain , and benumming the senses , weakning the members sometimes causing the horse to fall down , and then it is called the falling evil , sometimes weakning but one member only , and then it is called planet-struck , sometimes oppressing a horses stomack and making him sweat in his sleep , and then it is called the night-mare , sometimes spoiling one special member by some strange contraction , and then it is called the palsey . the cure for any of these infirmities , is to give the horse this purging pill : take of tar three spoofuls , or of sweet butter the like quantity , beat them well together with the powder of liquorish . annis-seeds and sugar-candy till it be like a paste , then make it into three round balls , and put into each ball two or three cloves of garlick , and give them to the horse , observing to warm him both before and after , and keeping him fasting two or three hours both before and after . ccxix. of the general cramp , or convulsion of sinews . cramps are taken to be contracting or drawing together of sinews of any one member , but convulsions , are when the whole body , from the setting on of the head to the extremest parts are generally contracted or stiffened . the cure of either , is first to chafe and rub the member contracted with vinegar and common oyl , and then rap it all over with wet hay , or rotten litter , or else with woollen clothes , either of which is a present remedy . ccxx . for any cold or cough whatsoever , wet or dry , or for any consumption or putrefaction of the lungs whatsoever . a cold is got by unnatural heats and too sudden cooling , and these colds ingender coughs , and these coughs putrefaction , and rotteness of the lungs : the cure therefore for them all in general , is to take a handful or two of the white and greenest moss , which grows upon an old oak , or any old oaken pale or wood , and boyl it in a quart of milk till it be thick , and being cold and turned to a jelly , then strain it and give it to the horse luke-warm every morning , till his cough ceaseth . ccxxi . of the running glanders , or mourning of the chine . take of auripigmentum two drams , of tuslagsinis as much made into powder , then mixing them together with turpentine till they be like paste , and making thereof little cakes , dry them before the fire , then take a chasing-dish of coals , and laying one or two of the cakes thereon covering them with a tunnel , and when the smoak ariseth , put the tunnel into the horses nostrils , and let the smoak go up into his head , which done ride him till he sweat ; do this once every morning before he be watered , till the running at his nostrils cease , and the kernels under his chaps be lessened . ccxxii . of hide-bound or consumption of the flesh . hide-bound or consumption of the flesh , proceedeth from unreasonable travel , disorderly diet , and many surfeits . it is known by a general dislike and leanness over the whole body , and by the sticking of the skin close to the body in such sort , that it will not rise from the body : the cure is , first to let the horse blood , and then to give him to drink three or four mornings together a quart of new milk , with two spoonfuls of honey , and one spoonful of course treacle ; let his food be either sodden barley , warm grains , and salt , or beans splitted in a mill , his drink mashes . ccxxiii. of the breast-pain or any other sickness proceeding from the heart , as the antocow and such like . these diseases proceed from too rank feeding and much fatness , the signs are ; a faltering in his fore legs , a disableness to bow down his neck , and a trembling over all his body : the cure is to let him blood , and to give him two mornings together , two spoonfuls of diapente in a quart of ale and beer , for it alone putteth away all infection from the heart . ccxxiv. of tired horses . if your horse be tired injourneying , or in any hunting match , your best help for him , is to give him warm urine to drink , and let him blood in the mouth to suffer him to lick up and to swallow the same : then if you come where any nettles are , to rub his mouth and sheath well therewith , then gently to ride him till you come at the resting place , where set him up very warm , and before you go to bed give him six spoonfuls of aqua-vitae , and as much provender as he will eat , the next morning rub his leggs with sheeps-feet oyl , and it will bring fresh nimbleness to his limbs . ccxxv. of diseases in the stomack , as surfeits , lothing of meat or drink . if your horse with the glut of provender , or eating raw food , hath given such offence to his stomack that he casteth up all he eateth or drinketh , you must then give him comfortable things ; as diapente or trephenicon in ale or beer , then keep him fasting ; let him have no food but what he eateth out of your hand , which would be bread well baked , oats , and after two or bits , a lock of sweet hay , and his drink should be only new milk , till his stomack have gotten strength , and in a bag you shall continually hang at his nose sowr brown bread steeped in vinegar , at which he must ever smell , and his stomack will quickly come again to his first strength . ccxxvi . of foundring in the body . foundring in the body is of all surfeits the mortallest and soonest gotten ; it proceedeth from intemperate riding an horse when he is fat , and then suddenly suffering him to take cold , and there is nothing sooner brings this infirmity , than washing a fat horse : the signs are sadness of countenance , staring hairs , stifness of limbs , and loss of belly : the cure is only to give him wholsom meat , and bread of clean beans , and warm drink , and for two or three mornings together , a quart of ale-brewed with pepper and cinamon , and a spoonful of treacle . ccxxvii . of the hungry evil. the hungry-evil is an unnatural and over-hasty greediness in an horse to devour his meat faster then he can chew it , and is only known by his greedy snatching at his meat as if he would devour it whole : the cure is to give him to drink milk , and wheat meal mixed together a quart at a time , and to feed him with provender by little and little till he forsake it . ccxxviii . of the diseases of the liver , as inflammations , obstructions , and consumptions . the liver which is the vessel of blood , is subject to many diseases , according to the distemperature of the blood , and the signs to know it , are a stinking breath , and a mutual looking towards his body . the cure is , to take aristolochia longa , and to boyl it in running water till half be consumed , and let the horrse drink continually thereof , and it will cure all evils about the liver . ccxxix . of the diseases of the gall , and specially of the yellows . from the over-flowing of the gall , which is the vessel of choler , spring many mortal diseases , especially the yellows , which is an extreme faint mortal sickness , if it be not prevented in time : the signs are , yellowness of the eyes and skin , and chiefly underneath his upper lip next to his fore-teeth , a sudden and faint falling down by the high way , or in the stable , and an universal sweat over all his body : the cure is , first to let the horse blood in the neck or mouth , or under the eyes ; then take two penny-worth of saffron , which being dried and made into fine powder , mix it with sweet butter , and in manner of a pill , give it in balls to the horse three mornings together ; let his drink be warm , and his hay sprinkled with water . ccxxx . another for the same . take a pint or more of milk , and make a posset of it , with strong ale or beer a pint or more , take off the curd clean , then take two ounces of castle-sope , pare it in thin small slices , and boyl it in the posset-drink about a quarter of an hour , then when it is but luke-warm give it the horse to drink , then take his back and ride a gentle pace an hour together , set him up warm : this hath been often tryed upon christians as well as horses , they taking and walking and stirring upon it an hour or more , taking it but two mornings together ; it never fail'd of curing those that had been so far spent with it , that they have been given over by all men . ccxxxi . of the sickness of the spleen . the spleen which is the vessel of melancholy when it is over-charged therewith , groweth painful , hard and great , in such sort , that sometimes it is visible : the signs are much groaning , hasty feeding , and a continual looking to the left side only . the cure is , take agrimony , and boyl a good quantity thereof in the water the horse shall drink , and chopping the leaves small , mix them with sweet butter , and give the horse two or three good round balls thereof in the manner of pills . ccxxxii . of the dropsie , or evil habit of the body . the dropsie is an evil habit of the body , which is ingendred by surfeits , and unreasonable labour , altereth the colour and complexion of the horse , and changeth the hairs in such an unnatural sort , that a man shall hardly know the beast with which he hath been most familiar . the cure is , to take a handful or two of wormwood , and boyl it in ale or beer a quart or better , and give it the horse to drink luke-warm morning and evening , and let him drink his water at noon , ccxxxiii . of the collick , belly-ach , or belly-bound . the collick or belly-ach , is a fretting , gnawing or swelling of the belly or great bag , proceeding fromwindy humours , or from eating of green corn or pulse , hot grains without salt or labour , or bread dough-baked : and belly-bound is when a horse cannot dung : the cure of the collick or belly-ach is , to take good store of the herb dill , and boyl it in his water that you give the horse to drink , but if he cannot dung , then you shall boyl in the water good store of the herb fumitory ; and it will make him dung without danger or hurting . ccxxxiv . of the lask or bloody-flux . the lask or bloody-flux , is an unnatural loosness in a horse's body , which being not stayed , will for want of other excrements make a horse void blood only , the cure is , to take a handful of the herb shepherds-purse , and boyl it in a quart of strong ale , and when it is luke-warm take the seeds of woodroof , stamp them and put them in , and give it the horse to drink . ccxxxv . of the falling out of the fundament . this cometh through infinite mislike and weakness . the cure is , take town-cresses , and having dryed them to powder , with your hand put up the fundament , and then strow the powder thereon , after it lay a little honey thereon , and then strow more of the powder with the powder of cummin , and it helpeth . ccxxxvi . of bots and worms of all sorts . the bots and gnawing of worms is a grievous pain , and the signs to know them are ; the horses oft beating his belly , and tumbling and wallowing on the ground , with much desire to lye on his back : the cure is ; take the seeds bruised of the herb ameos , and mix with it honey and make two or three bals and make the horse swallow them down . ccxxxvii . of pain in the kidneys ; pain to piss , or the stone . all these diseases spring from one ground , which is only gravel and hard matter gathered together in the kidneys , and so stopping the conduits of the urine : the signs are , that the horse will only strain to piss , and that often , but cannot . the cure is to take a handful of maiden hair , and steep it all night in a quart of strong ale , and give it the horse to drink every morning till he be well : this will break any stone whatsoever in a horse . ccxxxviii . of pissing of blood. this cometh with over-travelling a horse , or travelling him sore in the winter when he goeth to grass . the cure is , take aristolochia longa and boyl it in a quart of ale , and give it the horse to drink lukewarm , and give him also rest . ccxxxix of the strangullion . this disease is a soreness in the horses yard , and an hot burning when he pisseth : the signs are , he will piss oft , yet but a drop or two at once : the cure is , to boyl in the water he drinketh good store of the herb hogfennel , and it will cure . ccxl . of the colt-evil , muttering of the yard , falling of the yard shedding of the seed . all these evils proceed from much lust in a horse , and the cure is the powder of the herb avens , and the leaves of betony , stamp them well with white-wine to a moist salve and anoint the sore therewith , and it will heal all imperfections of the yard : but if the horse shed his seed , then beat venice turpentine and sugar together , and give him every morning a good round ball thereof , till the seed stay , ccxli. of the particular diseases in mares , as barrenness , consumption , rage of love , casting foles , hardness to fole : and how to make a mare cast her fole . if you would have a mare barren , let good store of the herb agnus castus be boyled in the water she drinks : if you would have her fruitful then boyl good store of motherwort , in the water : if she lose her belly , which sheweth a consumption of the womb , you shall then give her a quart of brine to drink , mugwort being boyled therein : if your mare through high keeping , grow into extreme lust , so that she will neglect her food through the violency of fleshly appetite , as it is often seen amongst them , you shall house her for two or three days , and give her every morning a ball of butter and agnus castus chopt together : if you would have your mare cast her fole , take a handful of betony and boyl it in a quart of ale , and it will deliver her presently : if she cannot fole take the herb horse-mints , and either dry it or stamp it , and take the powder of the juyce , and mix it with strong ale , and give it the mare and it will help her : if your mare from former bruises or strokes , be apt to cast her foles , as many are , you shall keep her at grass very warm , and once a week give her a warm mash of drink , this secretly knitteth beyond expectation . ccxlii. of drinking venom , as horse-leaches , hens-dung , &c. if your horse have drunk horse-leaches , eaten hens-dung , feathers , or such like venemous things , which you shall know by his panting , swelling or scowring ; you shall take the herb sowthistle , and drying it beat it into powder , and put three spoonfuls thereof into a pint of ale , and give it the horse to drink . ccxliii . of suppositories , glisters , and purgations . if your horse by sickness , strict diet , and too vehement travel , grow dry and costive in his body , as it is ordinary , the easiest means in extremity to help him , is to give him a suppository : the best of which is to take a candle of four in the pound , and cut of five inches at the bigger end , and thrusting it up a good way into his fundament , presently clap down his tail and hold it hard to his tewel , for a quarter of an hour , or half an hour , and then give him liberty to dung : but if this be not strong enough , then you shall give him a glister . and that is , take four handfuls of the herb annise , and boyl it in a pottle of running water till half be consumed , then take the decoction and mix it with a pint of sallet oyl , and a pretty quantity of salt , and with a glister pipe give it him at the tewel . but if it be too weak , then give him a purgation thus : take twenty raisins of the sun stoned , and ten figs slit , boyl them in a pottle of running water till it come to a jelly , then mix it with the powder of liquorish , annis-seeds , and sugar-candy , till it be like paste , make it into balls , and roll it in sweet butter , and so give it the horse to the quantity of three hens eggs. ccxliv of neesings and frections . there be two other excellent helps for sick horses , as frictions and neesings ; the first to comfort the outward parts of the body , when the vital powers are astonished , the other to purge the head when it is stopt with flegm , cold and other thick humours : and of frictions , the best is vinegar and patch grease melted together , and very hot chafed into the horses body against the hair : and to make a horse neese , there is nothing better then to take a bunch of pellitory of spain , and tying it to a stick put it up into the horses nostrils , and it will make him neese without hurt or violence . ccxlv . of the diseases , in the eyes , as wátery eyes , blood-shotten eyes , dim eyes , moon eyes , strokes on the eyes , warts in the eyes , inflammation in the eyes , pearl , pin , web , or haw in the eye . unto the eye belongeth many diseases , all which have their true signs , and their names ; and as touching that which is watery , blood-shotten dim , moon-stricken or infla , med , they have all one cure . which is , to take wormwood , beat it in a mortar with the gall of a bull , strain it and anoint the horses eyes therewith , and it is an approved remedy : but for a wart , pearl , pin or web , which are evils growing in or upon the eyes , to take them off ; take the juyce of the herb betony , and wash his eyes therewith , and it will waste them away : for the haw every smith can cut it out . ccxlvi . of the impostume in the ear , poll-evil , fistula , swelling after blood-letting , any galled back , canker in the withers , setfast , wens , navel-gall , or any hollow ulcer . these diseases are so apparent and common , that they need no other description but their names , and the most certain cure is , to take clay off a mud or loam wall strawes and all , and boyl it in strong vinegar , and apply it plaster-wise to the sore , and it will of its own nature search to the bottom and heal it , provided that if you see any dead or proud flesh arise , that then you eat or cut it away . ccxlvii. of the vives . for the vives , which is an inflammation of the kernels between the chap of the neck of the horse , take a penny-worth of pepper , swines grease a spoonful , the juyce of a handful of rue , vinegar two spoonfuls , mix them together , and then put it equally into both the horse's ears , then tye them up with two flat laces , shut the ears that the medicine may go down , which done let the horse blood in the neck and in the temple-veins , and it is a certain cure. ccxlviii . of the strangle , or any boyl or botch , or other impostume whatsoever . all these diseases are of one nature , being only hard boyls or impostumes , gathered together by evil humours either between the chaps or elsewhere on the body : the cure is , take southern-wood and dry it to powder , and with barley-meal and the yolk of an egg make it into a salve , and lay it to the impostume , and it will ripen it , break it and heal it . ccxlix . of the canker in the nose , or any other part of the body . to heal any canker in what part soever it be ; take the juyce of plantain , as much vinegar , and the same weight of the powder of allom , and with it anoint the sore twice or thrice a day , and it will kill it , and cure it . ccl . of stanching of blood , whether it be at the nose , or proceeding from any wound . if your horse bleed violently at the nose , and , you cannot stanch it , then you shall take betony and stamp it in a mortar with salt , and put it into the horses nose , or apply it to the wound and it will stanch it ; but if he be suddenly taken in riding by the high way , or otherwise , and you cannot get this herb , you shall then take any woollen cloth , or any felt hat , and with a knife scrape a fine lint from it , and apply it to the place bleeding and it will stop . ccli . of pain in the teeth , or loose teeth . for any pain in the teeth , take betony , and seethe it in ale or vinegar till half be consumed , and wash all the gums therewith ; but if they be loose , then only rub them with the leaves of enulacampana , or horse-holm , after they have been let blood , and it will fasten them . cclii . of diseases in the mouth , as blood-rifts , liggs , lampras , camery , inflammaytion , tongue burnt , or the barbes . if you find any infirmity in the horses mouthe as the bloody rifts , which are chaps or rifts in the palat of the horses mouth ; the liggs , which are little pustula's or bladders within th-horses lips : the lampra's , which is an excrescence of flesh above the teeth : the camery , which are little warts in the roof of the mouth : inflammation , which is little blisters ; barbes , which are two little papps under the tongue : or any hurt on the tongue by the bit or other , wise : you shall take the leaves of wormwooda and the leaves of shurewort , and beat them in , mortar with a little hony , and with it anoint the sores , and it will heal them : as for the lampra's they must be burned . ccliii . of the crick in the neck . for the crick in the neck , you shall first chafe it with the friction , mentioned in receipt ccxliv , and then anoint and bath it with sope and vinegar mixed together . ccliv . of the falling of the crest , manginess in the mane , or the shedding of the hair. all these diseases proceed from poverty , mislike , or over-riding ; and the best cure for the falling of the crest is blood-letting , or good keeping , with good store of meat , for strength and fatness will ever raise the crest : but if the mane be mangy , you shall anoint it with butter and brimstone : and if the hair fall away , then take southernwood and burn it to ashes , then take the ashes , and mix them with common oyl , anoint the place therewith , and it will bring hair presently ; both smooth , thick , and fair . cclv. of pain in the withers . an horses withers are subject to many griefs and swellings , which proceed from cold humors , sometimes from bad saddles , therefore if at any time you see any swellings about them , you shall take the herb harts-tongue , and boyl it with oyl of roses , and apply it very hot to the sore , and it will asswage it , or else break it and heal it . cclvi. of swaying the back , or weakness in the back . these two infirmities are very dangerous , and may be eased , but never absolutely cured ; therefore where you find them , take coleworts and boyl them in oyl , and mix them with a little bean flower and chafe it into the back , and it will strengthen it . cclvii . of the itch in the tail. or the general scab or manginess ; or of the farcy . for any of these diseases , take fresh grease and yellow arsenick , mix them together , and where the manginess or itch is , there rub it hard in , the sore being made raw before ; but if it be for the farcion , then with a knife slit all the knots , both hard and soft , and then rub in the medicine ; which done , tye up the horse so that he may not come to bite himself ; after he hath stood an hour or two , take old piss and salt boyled together , and with it wash away the oyntment , and then put him to meat : do this two or three dayes together ; provided alwaies , that you first let the horse blood , and take good store from him , and give him every morning a strong scouring , or a strong purge , both which are shewed before . cclviii. of foundring in the feet . there be two sorts of foundring , a dry and a wet : the dry is incurable , the wet is thus to be cured and helped ; first , pare all the soles of his feet so thin that you may see the quick , then let him blood at every toe , and let him bleed well , then stop the vein with tallow and rosin , and having tackt on hollow shooes on his feet , stop them with bran , tar , and tallow , as boyling hot as may be , and renew it once in two dayes for a week together , then exercise him much , and his feet will come to their true use and nimbleness . cclix . of any halting which cometh by strain or stroke , either before or behind , from the shoulder or hip down to the hoof. there are many infirmities which make an horse halt , as pricking the shoulder , a wrench in the nether-joints , splatting the shoulder , shoulder-pight , strains in joints and such like : all which , since they happen by one accident , as namely by the violence of some slip or strain , so they may be cured by one medicine , and it is thus . after you have found where the grief is , as you may do by griping and pinching every several member , and there where he most complaineth , there is his most pain and grief ; you shall take vinegar , bole-armoniack , the whites of eggs , and bean-flower , and having beaten them into a perfect salve , lay them very hot to the sore place , and it will cure it . cclx . of the splent , curb , bone bone-spavin , or any knob , or bony excression , or ring-bone . a splent is a bony excression under the knee or the fore-leg the curb is the like behind the hinder hough . the spavin is the like on the inside of the hinder hough ; and the ring-bone is the like on the corner of the hoof. and the cure is , first upon the top of the excression make a slit with your pen-knife , the length of a barly-corn or little more , and then with a fine cornet raise the skin from the bone , and having made it hollow the compass of the excression and no more , take a little lint and dip it in the oyl of origanum , and thrust it into the hole , and cover the knob and so let it abide till you see it rot , and that nature casteth out both the medicine and the cure : as for the ringbone , you shall need to do no more but scarifie it , and anoint it with the oyl only . cclxi . of the mallander , selander , pains , scratches , mellet , mules , crown scabs , and such like . for any of these you shall take verdigrease , and soft grease , and grind them together to an oyntment , put it in the box by it self ; then take wax , hogs grease and turpentine , of each alike , and being melted together , put this salve into another box , then when you come to dress the sore , after you have taken off the scab and made it raw . you shall anoint it with the green salve of verdigrease and fresh grease , only for two or three dayes ; it is a sharp salve , and will kill the cankerous humor . then when you see the sore look fair , you shall take two parts of the yellow salve , and one part of the green salve , and mix them together , and anoint the sore therewith till it be whole , making it stronger or weaker , as you shall find occasion . cclxii . of any upper attaint , or nether-attaint , or any hurt by over-reaching . these attaints , are strokes or knots , by overreaching ; either on the back sinew of the fore-leg , on the heels or nether-joynts , and may be healed safely by the same former medicine , which healed the malander or selender in the former receipt ; only for the over-reaches , you shall before you apply the salve , lay the sore plain open without hollowness , and wash it with beer and salt , or vinegar and salt. cclxiii . of wind-gauls . these are little blebs or small soft swellings on each side the foot-lock . procured by much travel on hard and stony wayes : the cure is , to prick them and let out the jelly , and then dry the sore with a plaister of pitch . cclxiv . of interfering or shackle-gauls , or any gaulings . interfering , is hewing one leg against another and striking of the skin ; it proceedeth from weakness , and straightness of the horses pace , and shackle-gauling is any gauling under the footlock : the cure is to anoint them with turpentine & verdigrease mixed together , or turpentine alone if it rankle not too much . cclxv. of the infirmities of hoofs , as false quarters , loose hoofs , and hoof-bound , hoof-running , hoof brittle , hoof hurt , hoof soft , hoof hard , or generally to preserve hoofs . the hoof is subject to many infirmities-as first , to half quarters , which cometh by pricking , and must be helpt by good shooing , where the shooe must bear on every part of the foot but upon the half quarters only . if the hoof be loose , anoint it with burgundy pitch , and it will knit it ; if it be clean cut off , then burgundy pitch and tallow molten together , will bring a new ; if it be bound or straightned , it must be well opened at the heels , the soal kept moist , and the cornet anointed with the fat of bacon and tar ; if the srush of the foot run with stinking matter ; it must be stopped with soot , turpentine , and bole-armoniack mixed together , if it be brittle and broken , then anoint it with pitch and linseed oyl moulten to a soft salve ; if it be soft , then stop it with sope and the ashes of a burnt felt mixed together ; if the hoofs be hard , lay hot burnt cinders upon them , and then stop them with tow and tallow . and generally for the preserving of all good hoofs , anoint them daily with the sward of bacon . cclxvi. of the blood spavin , or hough bony , or any other unnatural swelling ; from what cause soever it proceedeth . these two are pustules , or soft round swellings ; the first is of the inside of the hinder hough , and the other on the very huckle of the hough , they are soft and very sore : the cure is first to bind up the vein above , and let it blood only from below , then having tyed it fast with two shoomakers ends on both sides , then slit the vein in two pieces , then take linseed and bruise it in a mortar , mix it with cow dung , and heat it in a frying pan , and so apply it to the swelling only , and if it break and run , then heal it with a plaister of pitch , and the horse will never be troubled with a spavin more . but if the swelling come by strain or bruise , then take pitch grease and melt it , anoint the sore therewith holding a hot iron near it to sink in the grease then fold a linnen cloth about it , and it will asswage all swellings whatsoever . cclxvii . of wounds in the feet , as gravelling , pricking , fig , retrait , or cloying . if your horse have any wound in his foot , by what mischance soever , you shall first search it , to see if it be clear of any nails point , or other splent to annoy it , then wash it very well with white-wine and salt , and after tent it with the oyntment called aegyptiacum , and then lay hot upon the tent , flax or hards , with turpentine oyl and wax mingled together , and anoint all the hoof on the top and cornet , with bole-armoniack and vinegar , do this twice in a day till the sore be whole . cclxviii . hurts on the cornet , as the quitterbone or matlong . the quitterbone , is a hollow ulcer on the top of the cornet , and so is the matlong : and the cure is , first to tent it with verdigrease till you have eaten out the core , and made the wound clean , then you shall heal it up with the same salve that you heal the scratches . cclxix . to draw out a stub or thorn. take the herb ditany , and bruise it in a mortar with black sope , and lay it to the sore : and it will draw out the splint , iron or thorn. cclxx. of the anbury , or tetter . the anbury is a bloody wart on any part of the horses body , and the tetter is a cankerous ulcer like it . the cure of both , is an hot iron , to sear the one plain to the body , and to scarifie the other ; then take the juyce of plantain and mix it with vinegar , hony , and the powder of allom , and with it anoint the sore till it be whole . cclxxi. of the gords or string-halt . this is an unnatural binding of the sinews , which imperfection a horse brought into the world with him , and therefore it is certain it is incurable , and not painful , but an eye-sore ; yet the best way to keep it from worse inconvenience , is to bath his limbs in the decoction of coleworts . cclxxii . of spur-galling , and fretting the skin and hair. for this there is nothing better than piss and salt , and to wash the sore therewith daily . cclxxiii . of sinews being cut . if the horse sinews be cut , take the leaves of wild nep or woodbine , and beat them in a mortar with may-butter , apply it to the place and it will knit the sinews . cclxxiv . of knots in the joynts . patch grease applied as is afore shewed for swellings , will take away any hard knot in the flesh , or upon the sinews . cclxxv . of venemous wounds , or bitings with a mad dog , tushes of a boar , serpents , or such like . for any of these mortal or venemous wounds , take yarrow , calamint , and the grains of wheat , and make it into a salve , and lay it to the sore , and it will heal it safely . cclxxvi . of lice or nits . the filthiness of vermine , is bred in a horse through unnatural dislike and poverty ; the cure is , take the juyce of beets and staves-acre beaten together , and with it anoint the horses body all over , and it will make him clean . cclxxvii . of defending an horse from flies . take the juyce of pellitory of spain , and mixing it with milk , anoint the horses bell therewith , and no flies will trouble him . cclxxviii . of broken bones , or bones out of joynt . after you have placed the bones in the true place , take the root of osmond and beat it in a mortar with the oyl of swallows , and anoint all the member therewith , then splent it , and roul it up , and in fifteen daies the bones will knit and be strong . cclxxix . a most famous receipt , to make an horse that is lean , and full of inward sickness , sound and fat in fourteen daies . take of wheat-flower six pound , anniseeds two ounces ; cummin-seeds six drams , carthamus one dram and a half , fenygreek seeds one ounce two drams , brimstone one ounce and a half , sallet oyl one pint , hony one pound and a half , white-wine a pottle : this must be made into a past , the hard simples being beaten into a powder , and finely searced and kneaded together , and so made into balls as big as a mans fist , then every morning consume one of these balls in his cold water that he drinketh morning , and evening , for fifteen dayes together ; and at first , if he be dainty to drink the water , yet care not , but let him fast till he drink it , and after he begins to take it , he will drink it with great greediness . finis . books , printed and sold by henry twyford , anderson's reports in vol. fol. bendlows reports fol. bulstrods , and bridgmans reports fol. lord cokes th . and th . reports fol. herns pleader fol. huttons , latches , and lanes reports fol. ryleys records of the tower fol. shepards grand abridgm . fol. shepards assurances , practical counsellor and law of pleadings fol. styles reports , and owens reports fol. townesends tables fol. wingates maxims of law fol. manley on cowels interpreter fol. dukes law of charitable uses . astons placita latina rediviva . brownlows declarations , and judicial writs . brownlows reports , first and second part . compleat clerk. gregories moote book english . hughes grand abridgment . vol. hughes of original writs . shepards marrow of law , and touchstone . brevia selecta . brooks reading on limitations . clerk of assises , and clerk of the peace . city laws . cokes copy-holder . compleat attorney and solicitor . sir john davis of imposition . wingates body of law with summary . hawks grounds of law. plowdens abridgment . book of judgments in the kings bench. kitchin of courts english . lord leigh of wards and liveries . lamberts duties of constable . shepards sure guide for justices . manleys abridgment of cokes th . and th . part . wingates abridgment , and body of law. manbys continuation of wingate . practica walliae . shepard of corporations . stones reading on bankrupts . judges resolution on the stat. of bankrupts . practice of the exchequer . vernons consideration on the exchequer . justice restored . philips principles of law. landlords laws . youngs vade mecum of justice . arcana clericalia . herns law of conveyances , and modern assurancer gentlemans jockey , and cow leech . history of italy . burtons antiquities of england . minister of state first and second part . howels londinopolis . history of swedeland and poland . grotius annals . wingates clerks tutor to arethmatick . chymical galenist . countess of arundels secrets . sir john finnets observations on forraign ambassadors . life of st. paul. private devotion . discontented collonel . playes . the step-mother . playes . books printed for , and sold by nathaniel brook , at the angel in cornhil near the royal exchange . the admired piece of physiognomy , chiromancy , metoposcopy , &c. fitted for gent. by richard sanders . fol. price . s. the so well entertain'd work , the new world of english made words , &c. by e. p. gent. fol. s. mar● clausum , or , the right and dominion , or ownership of the british seas , &c. fol. pr. s. dr. gells remaines , or his notes on the new testament . in fol. pr. s. christian religions appeale to the bar of common reason , a very learned piece by j. smith . of colchester . fol. pr. s. the sphear of mouilius with very large and learned notes , illustrated with cuts , by e. sherborn . esq fol. pr. s. quarto . the conveiancer's light , or , the compleat clerk , &c. s. don juan lamberto , a comical history of the late past times in droll . s. a treatise of taxes and contributions , very requisite for statesmen , &c. s a new description of the country of surinam . the ingenious satyr against hypocrites . the batchelors banquet , or fifteen degrees of marriage . large octavo , moderne fortifications , with brass cuts by sr jonas moore , pr. s. d. latin primitives and derivatives after their termination . by jo goad . mr of marchanttaylors schoole s. d. a physical and anatomicall treatise of the nature and office of the pancreatick iuyce through the body of man ▪ by j. p. m d. pr. s. the practical gauger ; a plain method for gauging allsort , of vessels by jo mayne . arithmetick , made easie , &c. by sr. jonas moor. baker's arithmetick , &c. s. d. fax novn linguae latinae , a new torch to the latin tongue , &c. s. abce darium scholasticum , or the grammar scholars abcedary , &c. s. d. the psalms of k. david paraphrased , by m. smith . . s. culpepers last legacy to his wife , &c. s. d. culpepers school of physick . culpepers semeiotica uranica , or his judgment upon diseases , &c. s. d. the accomplished cook , the best in the kingdom . s. wits interpreter , with addition of these courtly games , viz. l'hombre , piquer , chess , gleek , and cribbidge , &c. pr. s. loveday's letters newly reprinted . s. d. the compleat midwives practice enlarged . the history of the turkish wars , &c. s. a store house to the latin tongue , &c. the glories and triumphs of his majesty charles the second , s. a plat form for purchasers , rules for building s. d. an historical essay , endeavoring to shew , that the language of china is the primitive language ; by j. web esq . s. small octavo and twelves . a treatise of contentation , fit for these sad times , by the reverend bp hall. &c. s. the natural history of nitre , by w. c. s. the art of simpling , &c. by w. coles . s. the queens closer opened , s. d. juvenal and persius , farnaby's notes . farnaby's phrases . dux grammaticus , per john clark. the fearful state of francis spira . d. adagia scotica , scotch proverbs , &c. d. a discourse of the small pox &c. by dr. t. w. cockers new copy-book , or englands penman . a new and exact map of the world , &c. a large and exact map with a true description of the city of london , in cloth , &c. s. cleavelands poems enlarged , &c. s. d. dr. bunworth on the french disease . the royal buckler , or lectures for traitors . an epitome of barclays summum bonum . the life of dr. thomas fuller , &c. danger of apostatizing to the romish . religion . the honest and plaine dealing fa[r]rier or, a present remedy for curing diseases and hurts in horses gathered and written as well for the good [o]f any that will practise it, as for my self, there being nothing contained therein but what is of my owne experience and practise. by thomas grymes. grymes, thomas. approx. kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from -bit group-iv tiff page images. text creation partnership, ann arbor, mi ; oxford (uk) : - (eebo-tcp phase ). a stc estc s this keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the early english books online text creation partnership. this phase i text is available for reuse, according to the terms of creative commons . universal . the text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. early english books online. (eebo-tcp ; phase , no. a ) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set ) images scanned from microfilm: (early english books, - ; : ) the honest and plaine dealing fa[r]rier or, a present remedy for curing diseases and hurts in horses gathered and written as well for the good [o]f any that will practise it, as for my self, there being nothing contained therein but what is of my owne experience and practise. by thomas grymes. grymes, thomas. [ ] p. printed by wil: iones for andrew kembe, dwelling by st: margarets hill in long southwarke, london : . running title reads: a very good remedy for diseases in horses. signatures: a-b c⁴. the first "r" is "farrier" has dropped out on title page; leaves very tightly bound. reproduction of the original in the british library. created by converting tcp files to tei p using tcp tei.xsl, tei @ oxford. re-processed by university of nebraska-lincoln and northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors. eebo-tcp is a partnership between the universities of michigan and oxford and the publisher proquest to create accurately transcribed and encoded texts based on the image sets published by proquest via their early english books online (eebo) database (http://eebo.chadwyck.com). the general aim of eebo-tcp is to encode one copy (usually the first edition) of every monographic english-language title published between and available in eebo. eebo-tcp aimed to produce large quantities of textual data within the usual project restraints of time and funding, and therefore chose to create diplomatic transcriptions (as opposed to critical editions) with light-touch, mainly structural encoding based on the text encoding initiative (http://www.tei-c.org). the eebo-tcp project was divided into two phases. the , texts created during phase of the project have been released into the public domain as of january . anyone can now take and use these texts for their own purposes, but we respectfully request that due credit and attribution is given to their original source. users should be aware of the process of creating the tcp texts, and therefore of any assumptions that can be made about the data. text selection was based on the new cambridge bibliography of english literature (ncbel). if an author (or for an anonymous work, the title) appears in ncbel, then their works are eligible for inclusion. selection was intended to range over a wide variety of subject areas, to reflect the true nature of the print record of the period. in general, first editions of a works in english were prioritized, although there are a number of works in other languages, notably latin and welsh, included and sometimes a second or later edition of a work was chosen if there was a compelling reason to do so. image sets were sent to external keying companies for transcription and basic encoding. quality assurance was then carried out by editorial teams in oxford and michigan. % (or pages, whichever is the greater) of each text was proofread for accuracy and those which did not meet qa standards were returned to the keyers to be redone. after proofreading, the encoding was enhanced and/or corrected and characters marked as illegible were corrected where possible up to a limit of instances per text. any remaining illegibles were encoded as <gap>s. understanding these processes should make clear that, while the overall quality of tcp data is very good, some errors will remain and some readable characters will be marked as illegible. users should bear in mind that in all likelihood such instances will never have been looked at by a tcp editor. the texts were encoded and linked to page images in accordance with level of the tei in libraries guidelines. copies of the texts have been issued variously as sgml (tcp schema; ascii text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable xml (tcp schema; characters represented either as utf- unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless xml (tei p , characters represented either as utf- unicode or tei g elements). keying and markup guidelines are available at the text creation partnership web site . eng horses -- diseases -- early works to . veterinary medicine -- early works to . - tcp assigned for keying and markup - spi global keyed and coded from proquest page images - john pas sampled and proofread - john pas text and markup reviewed and edited - pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion the honest and plaine dealing farier or a present remedy for curing diseases and hurts in horses . gathered and written as well for the good ●f any that will practise it , as for my self , there being nothing contained therein but what is of my owne experience and practise . by thomas grymes . london , printed by wil● loutes for andrew k●●●be dwelling by st : margarets hill in long southw●cks ▪ . a good and necessary booke for curing diseases , and hurtes in horses : gathered and written for the good of any that will practise , there being nothing contained therein , but what is of my owne experience and practice , and whereof i have had good proffe . and first for diseases in the head of a horse . headache , which sometime commeth of collerick humours bred in the braine , or of some extreme heate , or by some stroke , or such like , the signe of all such infirmities . the horse will bee heavie , hang downe his head , and his eyes will be swolne dim and waterish . remedies for the same . squise the iuyce of ground-ivie into his nose thriles it is good , or burn the blades of garlick and frankensence in a chafindish , and hold the horse nose over it that the smoke may goe into the same , this will purge his head marveilously , and doe this so often as yee shall thinke needfull , or let him blood in the pallate of his mouth if the signe be not there , or neesing powder and pepper brayed together and blowne into his nose with a quill is also very good . for watering of a horses eyes , which may come to a young horse by eating over-dry and hard meats . the remedies . let him blood on his temple vaine , or on the vaine under his eye , or on the necke which aswageth the humours of the whole body , and if it have continued long , then wash it with the iuyce of planteine , but if it come of a stroke , then make a cake or a ball of pimpernell and swines dung , dry it in an oven ●ill it will bee powder , and put of that powder in the horse eye , for ●he hawe , or as it is commonly ●alled the hoakes , i need not write , very man almost can cure the same . for a peable in a horse eye . take tuty a pothecary hath it bray it and blow it into he ●horse eye , this t●ty 〈…〉 stone and if you cannot have it , then take white copperous and use it in the same manner . for the lampas . sometimes i use to draw out the lampas with a crochet or crooked iron made red hot that it doth not bleed after , and then with a lance● lets it bleed , and to heale the sore againe take a little honie , a little peper , temper them with a quantitie of vinegar , boyle them together a little space on the fire , and therewith annoint the sore three or four dayes together , or to let him blood with a fleame or a knifes point on both sides of his mouth , but beware lest yee cut the veine which comes right downe the pallate of his mouth , for so hee may bleed to death , and if ye feare he shall bleed too much , give him a little malte to eate very small ground . there is a malady in a horse mouth that will hinder him to eate his meate . there bee little small or round swellings in the mouth and lips of a horse , which will make him let his meate fall out of his mouth as though hee had the lampas , clip them away with a paire of cissers , and rub the places with a little salt . a malady in a horse belly much like the botts , i call it tronches , ye may know the evill by these tokens , he will ye downe often , and offer to welter or tumble , hee will offer to gnaw and bite at his sides ; he will strike ahis belly with his hinder feete , and his sides will flacke and beate sore , and in a short time it will pierce thorow his maw , then hee shall bee in great danger to die , but to helpe him at the first . take out the guts of a young pullet , make your horse head bee holden up and put them into his throte while they bee warme , and make him swallow them downe ; doe thus three mornings together , and let him neither eate nor drinke after for the space of foure or five houres . or take a peck of rie , steepe it in water a day and a night , then take it forth and lay it on a dry earthen floore as much as yee can from the winde , and let it come or burgion there as malt , then dry it in an oven or on a kilne , and when it is dry give thereof to your horse two handfulls for his first meale in a morning and thus doe five or sixe mornings one after another . helpes for the sinewes if they bee either pricked or cut asunder . if a sinew be pricked , take these hot things , meat , oyle , swines grace , honie , of each alike , putting thereto powder of vares , make a plaister of all together , and lay it to the sinew , dresse it so every day till it be whole , and if the flesh be piersed or cut , th●● boyle beane meale and barly me●●e in wine , with a quantity of honie , till it be plaister thick and lay that on the sore . another yet for the same , which takes away all aking of sinewes brused or pricked . take crops of walwort mallow leaves , of each two handfull , of lily roots a handfull , stampe them well altogether , and boyle them on the fire in a quantity of hony till they bee thick like a plaister , and lay to the sore twice on the day reasonable hot . but if a sinew be cut overtwart , so as it is not likely to grow together againe , then take groundwormes , the greater the better , stamp them with a little hony , then warme it a little in a pan , and with a cloth bind it to the cutting every day , or every second day once , till it be whole , and let not the sinews that are pricked or cut , be wet with any thing but the medicines , if yee can avoid it . of the enchafing of a horse neck , or other place of him , which may come by heat of blood after great travell , which by rubbing against a wall , or a tree will cause scabs rise in his neck , among the haire , sometime on the saddle place , to helpe this . take unquenched lime a quantity , such like of beanes ashes , or of beane straw , then take old pisse , set it on the fire till it boyle , and skime it cleane , and while it is hot , put into it your lime and ashes , mingle them well together , let them stand so , till the next day , then take the cleare into another vessell , and every day once , wash the malady with a quantity thereof made hot . when an horse halteth to know whether the harme be in the shoulder , knee , or in his foot , and to helpe him . if the harme bee in his foot , hee will forbeare to tread straight , but even upon the point of his foot , and he will beare it farre from him , and make semblance as though hee would fall often , he will make like signes , and if the grievance be either in his knee or shoulder , then ' its doubtfull to be incurable , unlesse it come by a stroke or a fall , yee may use softning oyntments , but they will doe no great good . some will feare them where they thinke the disease to be , which is contrary to nature , for that the disease commeth of drinesse : but if it happen in the shoulder by reason of some stroke or fall , or bruising otherwise : then make a bathe for it on this manner following : take of ribwort , some call it ribgrasse , . or . handfull , of bay-leaves , peny-riall , hysope , crowfoot , oke-leaves , and red fenel , of every one a handful , boile all these hearbs in faire water a good space , and twice in a day wash the malady with a pint of this water made hot for the space of five or six dayes together , and afterward anoint and rub well into it this subsequent unction , which is made in manner as here is set downe , ten handfull of the leaves of pelitory , bay-leaves , and oke-leaves , of either five handfull , of sage-leaves foure handfull , stamp all these hearbs very small , boile them then a good space , and with a soft fire , in a gallon of butter , and a quart of neat-oyle : then straine all thorow a canvas bag or cloth , and keepe it then as ye can conveniently , either in a box , or whatsoever , and if ye have of this oyntment in store , yee need never to use oyle de bay , nerve-oyle , nor any other that can bee named . and if a horse foot bee hurt with a stub , or pricked with a naile in shooing , then search it well with thy instrument for that purpose , then put a little tallow , or rather turpentine in the hole , cover it with his owne dung , and set on a shoo , but so as ye may take it off againe at your pleasure , to dresse the foot as need shall require . and if a horse halt through tendernesse of his hoofe , or breaking away thereof , thus hee may be holpen , and his hoofe made to grow againe . take . ounces of roson , as much of sheepes tallow , halfe an ounce of frankensence , and halfe an ounce of virgin wax , halfe an ounce of swines greace , or more or lesse of every one as yee shall thinke good , melt them altogether and keepe it for thine use , and when thou shalt use any thereof heat it , or turpentine and swines greace boild together is very good for this purpose , the salve must bee rubbed on his foot under and above , especially at the top of his hoofe under the haire these are excellent remedies for this matter . for windgales . every man knowes of what fashion they bee , and they are commonly on good horses leggs , rather than on bad ones , and worse to sight then otherwise : but to cure them yee shall take a quantitie of vinegar , a pottle , or as you please , if so much , then must ye have thereto two pound of armement , halfe a pound of galles , and halfe a pound of moleine leaves , stampe them , or bray them small , and temper them altogether with the vineger , put all in an earthen pot , stop it well and close , and with the same liquor wash the windgales every day five or six times , for the space of three or foure daies together ; that done , lap his legge above and beneath the gales , then chafe or rub them with your hand , which will make them rise full , that yee may see them the better , then strike your fleame into them as deep as ye dare for piercing the sinewes , thrust the matter well out of them with your finger , and have ready a hot iron blunt at the point , and therwith seare the holes which yee make , and every day after wash them with the liquor aforesaid , and it will soon be whole . for the stranglion : take the barke of an elme tree which growes upon some water banke , if you can get such , take away the outside thereof as tanners clense their barke , chop it into smal pieces , put it then into an earthen pot with well-water , let it stand so . or . daies , in which time much of the water will be sunke into the barke , fill up the pot then again with water , there will be two parts of barke , and the third part water , or rather . parts barke and the fourth water : boile these well together the space of halfe an houre , which done set it from the fire and let it coole , then straine it thorow a cloth and looke how much liquor remaines , put thereto so much of swines greace , heat them then a little on the fire that they may be well blended , and every day powre a gille of this same into his nose-thriles till a gallon of liquor be spent , when yee doe it cause your horse head to bee holden up , or take . or handfuls of walwort , stamp it very smal , then menge it with butter cleane clarified , you must have a pottle of butter , put all in a vessell or pot , and let it stand so the space of or . dayes , then set it on a softe fier and boile it , putting therein a pint or a quart of wine , and let it boyle the space of a quarter of an hower , then streeme it through a canvas bagg or cloath , and every day put some of this licour into his nose-thriles till all be spent . or make . or . balles of may butter and radish rootes well stamped together , and make him swallow or three of those balles every day , and if ye wet them a little in honie they shall be the better , cause his head to be holden or tied up , that they may goe downe his throate . costifenes how it may be engendred and to helpe its . it may come with eating overmuch drie meates , or for want of water in convenient times , or of cold taken after travell . the horse that is so will forbeare his meate , he will thrust out his head and hang it far from him , and his bellie will be stiffe and hard . to helpe him hereof , take the rootes of walwort or rather the out side or rinds of the rootes , and of the rinds of the midle pith of elder , of each of these a handfull , boile them in three pints of water till one pint be wasted , then strein it thorow a cloath , make his head be bound or holden up , and power the liquor into him milke warme , then cover him very warme with cloathes , and within an hower or two , he will donge and so after that , more and more . or stampe onions and butter together , and make pellits thereof , so long as a mans finger , put three or foure of them in at the horse fundament , then walke him or ride him forth the space of an houre or two after , & this wil helpe him without faile . if a horse may not pisse well . take the roote of gladine that beares the yeolow flower , of walwort crops , of egremony , of chervel of each a handful , boile thē in water , streine it thorow a cloath , give him a quart therof at once milke warme ride him in the fields a good trot the space of halfe an houre , set him up in the stable , cover him warme , & a while after he will stale , cause him to be rubbed well under the bellie with a wispe , especially about the share , & within a day after let him blood on the great vaine of his thigh . for to helpe the ring-bone . take eysel , armement , & a quantitie of verdgrece boile them in a little swines greece , rub this well , and often , in the disease . or take an ounce of vertigrece and an ounce of frankensence a quantitie of bores grece , make a plaister , and lay it on the ring-bone , but if you launce the skinne a little it is better , not deepe for feare of hurting sinewes . for the malanders . rub them with honie , take a shive of cheese tost it well at the fier , and bind it to the soare as hot as ye thinke he is able to endure it , or rub them with a wispe , or a hard cloath till the blood come , annoint them then with a little fat bacon , then lay on powder of brimstone , and hold a hot iron to it so neare as conveniently you can to make it cleave on , that done , have a plaister readie to tie about the sore compounded of a quantitie of garlike , henes donge , the gall of a swine if ye can get it , and musterd , and new this plaster as ye see it to be needfull . for craches , or as some call them scratches . clip away the haire as neare as ye can , then stampe hens donge and goose donge together , with a quantitie of may butter make it hot , and so lap it on the sore , or mingle lime , honie , and salt together & lay them hot on the disease . for the paines , and how to cure them . take a sponefull or two of honie a quantitie of soote of a chimnie , a handfull of nettles , in winter the rootes , stampe them altogether , make plaisters thereof and lay them hot on the sore do so every day , or binde unto it copost of a man , immediately as he hath left it at the stoole or take a sponefull of utrament powdered yolkes of eges , whole leekes or more or lesse of these as neede requireth , stampe thē altogether with a quantitie of swins grese & honie , & lay them to the malady , & when ye se it begin to heale anoint it with sheepes tallow . for a disease called chawdpisse which is hot pisse a burning or scalding heat of his water which when he staleth will be red , almost like blood . to helpe him , make him drinke every day for the space of or dayes , a gallon of whey in a darke place and if he be loath to take it , let him be kept from other water or liquor till he be very desirous of drinke . or take handfulls of pentafilon , some cal it five leased grasse wash it cleane , stamp it small , put it in a pot with a pottle of well water cover it close and let it stand so a day and a night , the next day set it on the fier make it boyle till the one halfe or more be wasted then streine it thorow a cloath , and either let him drinke this liquor , or power it into him with a horne three or foure mornings , and it will helpe him . how to heale a curbe first clip the heare cleane away , then garse the place with a rasour or sharpe knife , but not too deepe for feare of cutting the sinewes , and cut it even downe the leg then stroke the blood out with your hand or with a small rod , that don , rub it every day with a little sope & salt or annoint it with honie wormewood and swines grece mingled , and do this twise on a day . for the glanders . take or penny worth of oyle debaie , asmuch of popilion , three halfe pennie worth of oyle olive or , more or lesse of all these as neede is , boile them altogether a while on the fier and therewith annoint the soare . or take leckes and sheepe snet boile them together and make meanes to binde them to the soare with a cloth . for a tanite . shave the haire away with a raisour till blood spring out , take then a cocke or other pullet cleave him right by the backe not cleane thorough into two peeces , and while he is warme , binde him to the horse leg guts and all , let him remaine so two dayes and two nights , and when ye take him away , wash the place with warme water , and when the leg is drye , then lay on it a plaister made of bacō & wheate flower and let that lye on two dayes , or winde his leg with asmal corde and it will make the veine rise full under his fetlocke . let him blood there , strike not your sleame too deepe for hurting the sinewes , and when it hath bled well binde unto it the white of an egg . for the botts . take asmuch blacke sope as a walnut or as a good crabe a sponefull of the powder of sencreke , a sponefull of the blacke ermnies a quantiti of brimstone , and a little salt , mingle all these in ale and give him to drinke , and thereupon ride him forth a quarter of an hower , and let him not drinke after till night , or nor till next morning if ye give him this medicine late on the day . for a horse that is broken winded . let him blood in the nose with an awle if the signe be not ther , then take a penny worth of long peper , asmuch of graines of mace as much of round peper asmuch , mingle all these in a pint of red wine and so much of old ale give him this to drinke foure mornings , let him have nooe other drinke till mid day then give him a gallon of water lewe warme , and a handfull or two of ground malte pu● therein , wrap his legs those dayes up to his bodie , and cover him warme , and maost his hay with water for these foure dayes . if a horse be gawled or hurt on his backe with a saddle . wash the soare well with old pisse , then strow upon on it brayed rosen , and when you see it begin to heale , make a plaister with honie , flower and an egge , & lay that upon it , or the powder of honie and lime burned together , will cure that or any other sore . a good remedy for the scab . wash the horse with old pisse or lie , then take a quantitie of quicke-silver , brimstone , spanish , soape , vertigrece , and swines grece , boyle altogether , and rub them all over his bodie , rub hard and chafe the salve into his skin , if a horse be hurt or brused so as he pisseth blood . seeth barlie in the iuse of comfrey , give him the barlie to eate , and the iuse to drinke . for a horse that is surbayte . take virgin wax , rosen , pich , and sheepes tallow , boyle them and make plasters , and them about the foote or feete that are surbaite . to take dead flesh out of a wound or any sore . put compost or excrementes of a man into an earthen pot , dry it in a hot oven till it will powder , lay thereof in the sore , then mingle an eg with salt , and lay that on the sore with a cloath or flax , and wash it every day with pisse , or boile vertegreece and sheepes tallow together , it will doe the same , or honie and lime burnt together , the powder thereof is good , for it will both eat away the dead flesh , and heale the sore , but at every dressing , you must wash the wound with pisse . for a splint . take a great onion , make it hollow , put into it a quantitie of lime vertigreece , and lavander seedes , then rost it till it be soft , launce the splint , lay the same to it warme , and and it will cure it . if a horse yard or cods be hurt with a stroake , so that they swell . take two or three handfulls of smallage , or more if you list , stampe it in a morter or other things , wring out the iuice into some vessell , get as much red wine lies if it be possible , else of other wine , mingle them well together , and there withall wash his yard & cods three or foure times a day it is excellent for that purpose . here is an end of cures , and medicines , i could and might have set downe many more medicines , but these already set downe have i found best in use , and they will not faile . and here followes partie observations : first to make a horse quicke on the spurre that is dull . pearce his skin a little on either side , and with an auntler raise the skin from the flesh , and put in either hole a little burnt salt , which will make the places rankle , keepe him so three or foure dayes that he be not riden , then set a man or lad on him that may spur him right in those places which are sore , and when he comes in , wash the places with pisse , salt , and nettle roots boyled together , then annoint the places with a little honie it will heale them , and make the horse grow , and after this , he will answer the spur better for ever . to make a white place in a horse head , or any where . take a tile-stone burne it , and bray it to powder , then take lilie rootes , daysie rootes , and the rootes of white bryer , of every one alike much dry them , and make them into powder , then shave the place you would have white till the blood be redie to follow , then rub it soare with all the powders blended together , get two or three mold warpes boile them a great space in water , and put into it when it hath boiled a good while , a quantitie of honie and a quantitie of honie sokle flowers if ye can get them , wash it thus or . dayes , keepe the wind from it asmuch as you can , and it will grow white , and so continue for ever . to cause a horse that he shall not ney . where or whensoever you would keepe your horse from neying tye but a little wollen lyst about the middest of his tongue . for the yeolowes . first let him blood on the necke then take one halfe penny worth of long peper , asmuch of bayes , asmuch anneseedes , of fenecreke , of graines of lichorish , of every one , one halfe penny worth , of safron a penny worth , and if you take a quantitie of goose donge and streine it , and put the iuice thereof in your medicine it will be the better , and two spoonefulls of the rootes of elen a campana dried and made into powder , or you may take more or lesse of all these things , as the disease shall seeme to be increased , ( or increasing ) this midicine should have beene written in the former part of the booke , but that i had forgotten it . here is also an excellent salve to cure any wound in a horse or in a man , as iverily suppose . et sic fit . take of sheeps tallow two pound of rosin three pound , of that rosin which is like frankinsence halfe a pound , of bees wax halfe a pound , of turpentine a quarter of a pound , melt all these together , and when they are melten put therein an ounce of vertigrece smal powdered , but if ye put in your turpentine while it is hot , new taken from th● fier , it is not amisse , stir or mingl● them all well with a sticke , the power all into a basin or panne w● or rensed with water , and when 〈◊〉 is cold you may take it out in a tak● or make it into what fashion y●● will , it is an excellent salve , for 〈◊〉 both draweth , clenseth , and healeth any wound in a horse , so would 〈…〉 doe in a man as i verily suppose . finis . imprimatur sa : baker . proposals humbly offer'd to the consideration of the honourable house of commons, for laying a poll-tax on all horses, mares, geldings, &c. for one year and a poundage-tax on all horses, mares, geldings, &c. that shall be bought or sold in england. also an annual imposition or duty on all weights and measures whatsoever; as likewise on all shopkeepers and tradesmen. smith, john, writer on taxation. approx. kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from -bit group-iv tiff page images. text creation partnership, ann arbor, mi ; oxford (uk) : - (eebo-tcp phase ). a wing s a estc r this keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the early english books online text creation partnership. this phase i text is available for reuse, according to the terms of creative commons . universal . the text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. early english books online. (eebo-tcp ; phase , no. a ) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set ) images scanned from microfilm: (early english books, - ; : ) proposals humbly offer'd to the consideration of the honourable house of commons, for laying a poll-tax on all horses, mares, geldings, &c. for one year and a poundage-tax on all horses, mares, geldings, &c. that shall be bought or sold in england. also an annual imposition or duty on all weights and measures whatsoever; as likewise on all shopkeepers and tradesmen. smith, john, writer on taxation. [ ], p. s.n., [london : ?] signed on p. : john smith. reproduction of original in the folger shakespeare library. created by converting tcp files to tei p using tcp tei.xsl, tei @ oxford. re-processed by university of nebraska-lincoln and northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors. eebo-tcp is a partnership between the universities of michigan and oxford and the publisher proquest to create accurately transcribed and encoded texts based on the image sets published by proquest via their early english books online (eebo) database (http://eebo.chadwyck.com). the general aim of eebo-tcp is to encode one copy (usually the first edition) of every monographic english-language title published between and available in eebo. eebo-tcp aimed to produce large quantities of textual data within the usual project restraints of time and funding, and therefore chose to create diplomatic transcriptions (as opposed to critical editions) with light-touch, mainly structural encoding based on the text encoding initiative (http://www.tei-c.org). the eebo-tcp project was divided into two phases. the , texts created during phase of the project have been released into the public domain as of january . anyone can now take and use these texts for their own purposes, but we respectfully request that due credit and attribution is given to their original source. users should be aware of the process of creating the tcp texts, and therefore of any assumptions that can be made about the data. text selection was based on the new cambridge bibliography of english literature (ncbel). if an author (or for an anonymous work, the title) appears in ncbel, then their works are eligible for inclusion. selection was intended to range over a wide variety of subject areas, to reflect the true nature of the print record of the period. in general, first editions of a works in english were prioritized, although there are a number of works in other languages, notably latin and welsh, included and sometimes a second or later edition of a work was chosen if there was a compelling reason to do so. image sets were sent to external keying companies for transcription and basic encoding. quality assurance was then carried out by editorial teams in oxford and michigan. % (or pages, whichever is the greater) of each text was proofread for accuracy and those which did not meet qa standards were returned to the keyers to be redone. after proofreading, the encoding was enhanced and/or corrected and characters marked as illegible were corrected where possible up to a limit of instances per text. any remaining illegibles were encoded as <gap>s. understanding these processes should make clear that, while the overall quality of tcp data is very good, some errors will remain and some readable characters will be marked as illegible. users should bear in mind that in all likelihood such instances will never have been looked at by a tcp editor. the texts were encoded and linked to page images in accordance with level of the tei in libraries guidelines. copies of the texts have been issued variously as sgml (tcp schema; ascii text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable xml (tcp schema; characters represented either as utf- unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless xml (tei p , characters represented either as utf- unicode or tei g elements). keying and markup guidelines are available at the text creation partnership web site . eng horses -- taxation -- england -- early works to . poll tax -- england -- early works to . taxation -- early works to . tax collection -- early works to . - tcp assigned for keying and markup - aptara keyed and coded from proquest page images - mona logarbo sampled and proofread - mona logarbo text and markup reviewed and edited - pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion proposals humbly offer'd to the consideration of the honourable house of commons , for laying a poll-tax on all horses , mares , geldings , &c. for one year ; and a poundage-tax on all horses , mares , geldings , &c. that shall be bought or sold in england . also an annual imposition or duty on all weights and measvres whatsoever ; as likewise on all shopkeepers and tradesmen . proposals humbly offerded to the consideration of the honourable house of commons for laying a poll-tax on all horses , mares , geldings , &c. for one year ; and a poundage-tax on all horses , mares , geldings , &c. that shall be bought or sold in england : also an annual imposition or duty on all weights and measures whatsoever ; as likewise on all shopkeepers and tradesmen . i. that there may be a tax or duty , by way of poll , laid on all horses , mares , geldings , &c. that are upwards of five years old ; and valued to be worth five pounds . ii. that all noblemen , gentlemen and others , who keep horses , &c. either for the coach , saddle , waggon , cart , dray , plow , or any other use whatsoever , shall be obliged to cause the same to be given an account of , to the proper persons appointed for that purpose , upon the penalty of forfeiting to his majesty , with encouragement to the informer . iii. that all noblemen , gentlemen and others , may , for each pare of coach-horses &c. they have , pay as a tax to his majesty , the sum of eight shillings , ( provided such nobleman , gentleman , or other person , does not keep above eight coach horses , &c. ) which said sum may be collected and paid at two several payments , ( or otherwise ) viz. iv. that all noblemen , gentlemen and others , who keep horses , &c. for the saddle , may , for each horse , &c. he or they so keep , pay as a tax to his majesty , the sum of four shillings , which said sum shall be collected and paid as aforesaid , provided each horse , &c. is valued to be worth five pounds . v. that all horses , &c. employed in waggons , all pack horses , &c , all stage or hackney coach horses , &c. plow , cart , dray horses , &c. and all oxen employed at plow , cart , &c. ( where horses are commonly made use of ) shall pay to his majesty , for each horse , &c. ( or oxen ) so employed , or any other way made use of , the sum of four shillings per horse , &c. ( or oxen ) to be paid as aforesaid , provided the said horses , &c. are valued to be worth five pounds each . vi. that no nobleman , gentleman or others , shall be obliged to pay for any young horse , &c. he or they bred out of their own stock , provided the same has not been made use of , or kept in the stable three months , except the same be above five years old . vii . that no nobleman , gentleman , or other person whatsoever , shall be obliged to pay for more than eight horses , &c. how many soever they , or either of them have ; which said horses , &c. shall be assessed as aforesaid . object . the noblemen and gentlemen may alledge , this poll tax will be paid mostly by them and the country people , by reason , most of the indifferent people , ( and some great traders ) as well as the more ordinary sort of traders of london and other cities , have not such occasion for horses , and therefore consequently will be excluded the said tax . answ . there are many traders in london , as well as other cities in england , who keep horses , &c. and will come into the said tax ; but if they were all excluded this , there are other ways enough to tax the traders of london , &c. ( tbere being no tax to be laid but what the trading people must be a considerable part of it ) when the country gentlemen and farmers may be excluded wholly : and this will plainly appear by the following part on weights and measures , &c. ( which will over-ballance the inequallity of the foregoing proposals ) that being wholly on the trading people , and proposed to be continued annually , which in proportion to the abilities of the gentlemen , &c. and the trading people of england , will be heavier on the latter , than it will be on the former . viii . it is further proposed to this honourable house . that there may be a poundage tax laid on all horses , &c , that shall be bough or sold in the kingdom of england , &c. from and after the day of viz. ix . that all and every horse or horses , &c. which shall be bought or sold in any market or fair in england , &c. shall be registred by the town clerk , or some other person appointed for that purpose , with the names and places of abode of the buyer and seller : the buyer paying six pence per pound for each horse , &c. he shall so buy ; and he that neglects so to do shall forfeit to his majesty , with encouragement to the informer . x. that all , or any person or persons , who shall buy any horse or horses , &c. of a private person , or not in any fair or market , shall be obliged to pay the poundage , and cause the same to be registred in seven days after ; and declare ( upon oath , if required ) the full price the said horse or horses , &c. cost ; and upon default to forfeit to his majesty , with encouragement to the informer . xi . that any horse , &c. which shall be transported out of england , and not the dominions thereunto belonging , ( except for his majesty's service ) shall pay to his majesty the sum of and upon default hereof to forfeit to his majesty , with encouragement to the informer . there can be no greater objections made against this than the foregoing proposals , especially , since it is not every man's occasion to buy a horse , &c. tho' he keeps some ; and the poundage not being above two and an half per cent. which is but little , may be easily paid ; and besides , i believe any man who is about to buy a horse , &c. that does not think it worth five shillings more to him than what he is to give for it , will hardly venture to buy it . xii . it is further proposed to this honourable house , that there may be an imposition or duty laid on all sorts of weights whatsoever , wherewith any kind of thing ( be it what it will ) is bought onsold by : and also , that there be an imposition or duty laid on all sorts and sizes of measures whatsoever , either liquid or otherwise , or in which liquors are usually kept , or bought and sold by . xiii . that all weights and measures , as hereafter mentioned , or comprehended , be obliged to have a seal , without which they shall not be lawful ; and all persons whatsoever , shall be obliged to give an account of all and every the several and particular weights ( from a grain and upwards , as far as weights are made use of , either by retail or wholesale ) wherewith they buy or sell by : and also , an account of all and every the several and particular measures , of what sorts , or by what names the same may be known or distinguished by ( whether wine , or winchester measures , &c. from an half quartern and upwards , as far as the same are made use of , either by retail or whole-sale ) to proper persons appointed for that purpose , at which time they shall pay their money , and have all such weights and measures sealed , which shall be booked down in every particular by the said officer or officers aforementioned , in order to have the same registred in the proper office for that purpose . xiv . that all persons whatsoever , who shall neglect to give an account particularly , of all weights and measures as above-mentioned , &c. or shall make use of any weights or measures that have not a distinct seal ( according as the same shall be appointed ) in compliance with the intention of these proposals , shall forfeit all and every such weights and measures he or they so presume to make use of ; and likewise to his majesty , with encouragement to the informer . xv. that all weights made use of by goldsmiths , or any other persons who make use of the same sort of weights , shall pay to his majesty , for all and every weight under an ounce , the sum of one penny each ; and for all and every weight heavier than an ounce , the sum of two pence . xvi . that all other weights not being the same with goldsmiths weights , with which any person or persons doth buy or sell by , shall pay to his majesty the sum of one penny , for all and every weight not exceeding ten pounds ; and for all weights upwards of ten pounds the sum of two pence . xvii . that all weights , as above mentioned , which remain in possession of the maker , shall be sealed before they are sold , ( which may be done at the office ) each weight paying according to the imposition or duty above-mentioned . xviii . that no retail trader whatsoever , shall be liable to pay more than eight shillings per annum , how many weights soever he or they have . xix . that no retail trader whatsoever , who makes use of any weights to buy or sell by , shall pay less than four shillings per annum . xx. that all sorts of measures , either liquid or otherwise , shall pay according to their proportion , the following imposition or duty to his majesty , in the same manner and form as is to be observed in the foregoing imposition or duty on weights . xxi . that all sorts of measures , either liquid or otherwise ; and likewise , either wine or winchester measures , &c. not exceeding the gallon , shall pay to his majesty , for each measure , the sum of one penny . xxii . that all measures , either liquid or otherwise ; and likewise , either wine or winchester measures , &c. with which any thing whatsoever is bought or sold by , ( according as the same are made use of ) whether they are of earth , wood , or metal , &c. and by what name soever the same are called , as peck , bushel , runlet , kilderkin , firkin , barrel , hogshead , butt , pipe , &c. or what use soever the same are put to , as beer , ale , mum , syder , brandy , strong waters , or any sort of wine , or other liquors whatsoever , shall pay to his majesty ( each particular here mentioned , or to be understood ) the sum of three pence . xxiii . that all casks not being sizeable , ( and which are made use of in a wholesale trade ) as casks for tobacco , sugar , currants , foreign tallow , sope , sope-ashes , &c. or any other foreign or domestick goods , which are sold by wholesale and cask'd up , shall be obliged to pay the sum of three pence per cask , for all casks so made use of , upon the penalty of forfeiting to his majesty , with encouragement to the informer . xxiv . that no person or persons whatsoever shall be exempted this tax , except such as receive alms of the parish , or those who cry any thing about the streets , who shall have a certificate from the church wardens of the parish they live in , in order to have their weights and measures sealed without paying the tax . xxv . that all large casks which pay the tax , and by which the wholesale trader dealeth , shall be paid by the person or persons who have them in possession . xxvi . that all persons who make use of any measures for length , as yards , ells , &c. ( and by which they buy or sell ) shall be obliged to make use of no other measures than such as hath paid the tax and been sealed ; and upon default , to forfeit to his majesty , with encouragement to the informer . xxvii . that all measures for length , as yards , ells , &c. shall pay to his majesty ( for each measure mentioned , or to be understood ) the sum of three pence . xxviii . that no retail traders whatsoever , shall be liable to pay more than eight shillings per annum how many measures soever he or they have . xxix . that no retail trader whatsoever , who maketh use of measures to buy or sell by , shall pay less than four shillings per annum . xxx . that all wholesale traders , who make use of more weights and measures than will amount to eight shillings per annum ( according to the foregoing assessment ) shall pay for the same proportionably to the number he or they have , except such weights and measures amount to above sixteen shillings . xxxi . that no traders whatsoever shall pay more than sixteen shillings per annum , altho they have ever so many weights and measures , except such traders shall have occasion for new measures , casks or weights ; and in such case , all new measures , casks or weights , shall pay the full duty or imposition , according to these proposals . xxxii . that there may be a certain limitation of time for all persons to give an account of their weights and measures ; and that after such time , all weights and measures whatsoever , which are bought new , shall pay the full duty ( over and above what any person or persons may have paid for the annual imposition ) according to the size of such weights and measures ; and whoever neglects to give an account in time , as aforesaid , ( or makes use of any weights or measures unsealed , after the expiration of the said time ) shall forfeit to his majesty , with encouragement to the informer . xxxii . that all tradesmen , who are shopkeepers , or others , who buy and sell either by wholesale or retail ; or keep warehouses , and have no occasion to make use of either weights or measures , shall pay to his majesty the sum of four shillings per annum , so long as the imposition on weights and measures may be thought fit to be continu'd . xxxiii . that all weights and measures whatsoever ( which are not here mention'd ) provided the same are in any manner made use of in buying and selling ( of what sort soever they be ) shall be included in this proposal ; and whoever endeavours to conceal or defraud his majesty of all or any part of the imposition or duty on weights and measures , or any other part of the foregoing proposals , shall forfeit to his majesty , with encouragement to the informer . xxxiv . that all housekeepers shall be oblig'd to give an account what their lodgers are ( if they have any ) in order that they may pay according to their several assessments ; and he that neglects so to do , shall forfeit to his majesty , with encouragement to the informer . reasons humbly offer'd for the imposition or duty , &c. to be accepted by this honourable house . st , the wholesale trader cannot think himself much prejudic'd by this tax , by reason of his great dealings and the small imposition or duty propos'd ; which , in proportion , is so inconsiderable , that it will not be worth any particular person 's notice : for there is not one wholesale trader in ten , that will pay above eight shillings per annum ( and no one to pay above sixteen ) which , according to their abilities , is very reasonable . dly , the retailers , who generally return less money than the wholesale men , are more moderately assessed , by reason there are hardly any who make use of measures exceeding the gallon , or weights exceeding the ten pounder ; whereby their part will be so small , that no particular person will feel it . yet measures , as likewise weights , being so generally made use of , will bring a large sum of money into the treasury . so that the generality of retailers , who make use of weights or measures , will not pay ( by moderate computation ) above four shillings per annum , according to the quantity of weights and measures they have occasion to make use of . dly , the several proposals aformention'd cannot raise any sort of goods or commodity whatsoever in the least , by reason no particular trade is taxed ; ( but that the same is laid on all sorts whatsoever ) and the imposition or duty is so small , that there can be no pretence for it . thly , the imposition upon shopkeepers , &c. who do not make use of weights and measures , is likewise so small , that the shopkeepers aforesaid , &c. certainly cannot find fault with it , since they pay as little as any other tradesmen whatsoever ; and are commonly as well able to pay as much . thly , the several particulars mention'd in these proposals ( if thought fit to be accepted by this honourable house ) may all of them be collected by the same officers all over england . for , thly , the poll-tax on horses , &c. ( as propos'd ) may be collected by officers appointed in every particular parish throughout the kingdom . thly , the same officers may readily dispatch and seal all weights and measures , and take a particular and exact account thereof , and for whom ; which said account shall be sent up ( or a copy ) to some proper person or persons appointed for that purpose , to whom they shall send the money by them received likewise , which may be forthwith register'd at an office , &c. thly , these officers to be housekeepers , or otherwise residents in the parish where they gather and collect the several taxes as above propos'd ; or the same officers may collect for several parishes , as is requisite or necessary . thly , the same persons being residents may attend all fairs and markets , who may likewise register and give an account of all horses , &c. bought and sold , as the same shall occur . thly , 't is humbly suppos'd the foregoing proposals will ( if worthy acceptance ) bring into his majesty's treasury the first year , by computation , at least two hundred and fifty thousand pounds ; and two hundred thousand pounds per annum so long as the same may be continu'd . there can be no great certainty how much more money this tax will raise ( but the number of tradesmen who will be oblig'd to pay to it , are so great , that it may be suppos'd , a far larger sum will be brought into his majesty's exchequer ) by reason the majority of the people of england will pay something . but how many there are to pay , or how much each person will be assessed , must , at present , remain uncertain , by reason there have not been precedents in this nature to give a true information . so that after your honours have , in your great wisdom , maturely considered the foregoing proposals in their several and particular circumstances , i hope , your honours will pass a favourable construction on the endeavours of your proposer , ( who entirely aims at the service of his majesty and his kingdom , by offering that , which your honours , in your great wisdom , i hope , will judge serviceable to the nation at this juncture ; and not burthensome to the subjects thereunto belonging ) and according to the merits of his service , he humbly begs you will grant him the encouragement he may deserve , &c. john smith . the country-man's guide or plain directions for ordering. curing. breeding choice, use, and feeding. of horses, cows, sheep, hoggs, &c. adorn'd with sculptuers, shewing the proper places in the bodies of the said several beasts, where the said distempers do usually happen. published for the publick good, by w.w. winstanley, william, ?- . approx. kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from -bit group-iv tiff page images. text creation partnership, ann arbor, mi ; oxford (uk) : - (eebo-tcp phase ). a wing w b estc r this keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the early english books online text creation partnership. this phase i text is available for reuse, according to the terms of creative commons . universal . the text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. early english books online. (eebo-tcp ; phase , no. a ) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set ) images scanned from microfilm: (early english books, - ; : ) the country-man's guide or plain directions for ordering. curing. breeding choice, use, and feeding. of horses, cows, sheep, hoggs, &c. adorn'd with sculptuers, shewing the proper places in the bodies of the said several beasts, where the said distempers do usually happen. published for the publick good, by w.w. winstanley, william, ?- . [ ], p. , , [ ] p., [ ] leaves of plates printed for s. lee, stationer, over against the post-office in lombard-street, london : . w.w. = william winstanley. the words "ordering. ... breeding" are gathered by a right brace on the title page; the words "choice, ... feeding." are gathered by a left brace. with an index and errata at end of text. reproduction of the original in the british library. created by converting tcp files to tei p using tcp tei.xsl, tei @ oxford. re-processed by university of nebraska-lincoln and northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors. eebo-tcp is a partnership between the universities of michigan and oxford and the publisher proquest to create accurately transcribed and encoded texts based on the image sets published by proquest via their early english books online (eebo) database (http://eebo.chadwyck.com). the general aim of eebo-tcp is to encode one copy (usually the first edition) of every monographic english-language title published between and available in eebo. eebo-tcp aimed to produce large quantities of textual data within the usual project restraints of time and funding, and therefore chose to create diplomatic transcriptions (as opposed to critical editions) with light-touch, mainly structural encoding based on the text encoding initiative (http://www.tei-c.org). the eebo-tcp project was divided into two phases. the , texts created during phase of the project have been released into the public domain as of january . anyone can now take and use these texts for their own purposes, but we respectfully request that due credit and attribution is given to their original source. users should be aware of the process of creating the tcp texts, and therefore of any assumptions that can be made about the data. text selection was based on the new cambridge bibliography of english literature (ncbel). if an author (or for an anonymous work, the title) appears in ncbel, then their works are eligible for inclusion. selection was intended to range over a wide variety of subject areas, to reflect the true nature of the print record of the period. in general, first editions of a works in english were prioritized, although there are a number of works in other languages, notably latin and welsh, included and sometimes a second or later edition of a work was chosen if there was a compelling reason to do so. image sets were sent to external keying companies for transcription and basic encoding. quality assurance was then carried out by editorial teams in oxford and michigan. % (or pages, whichever is the greater) of each text was proofread for accuracy and those which did not meet qa standards were returned to the keyers to be redone. after proofreading, the encoding was enhanced and/or corrected and characters marked as illegible were corrected where possible up to a limit of instances per text. any remaining illegibles were encoded as <gap>s. understanding these processes should make clear that, while the overall quality of tcp data is very good, some errors will remain and some readable characters will be marked as illegible. users should bear in mind that in all likelihood such instances will never have been looked at by a tcp editor. the texts were encoded and linked to page images in accordance with level of the tei in libraries guidelines. copies of the texts have been issued variously as sgml (tcp schema; ascii text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable xml (tcp schema; characters represented either as utf- unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless xml (tei p , characters represented either as utf- unicode or tei g elements). keying and markup guidelines are available at the text creation partnership web site . eng domestick animals -- early works to . horses -- early works to . swine -- early works to . sheep -- early works to . cows -- early works to . - tcp assigned for keying and markup - spi global keyed and coded from proquest page images - andrew kuster sampled and proofread - andrew kuster text and markup reviewed and edited - pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion the country-man's guide : or plain directions for ordering , curing , breeding ▪ choice , use , and feeding , of horses , cows , sheep , hoggs , &c. adorn'd with sculptures , shewing the proper places in the bodies of the said several , beasts , where the said distempers do usually happen . published for the publick good , by w.w. london , printed for s. lee , stationer , over against the post-office in lombard-street . . the preface to the reader . having been importuned by divers of my country-friends to publish the ensuing rules and directions , for the better ordering and curing of most sorts of cattle of their distempers and maladies , that so the whole kingdom might receive a general benefit thereby ; i have at length taken upon me so to do , though not with a little regret , as being very sensible how ill entertainment this small manual may receive from the hands of some particular persons , who ( i doubt not ) will not spare spending their censorious judgments concerning it , to the depression of it , as much as in them lyes . but in regard it is not likely any may do so , without being obliged thereto by their own private interest and advantage , and never any thing comprehending the whole of this having been before published at so small a price . i shall not therefore wholly wave this my good design to my country , seeing there is no other reason for it , than that this little book may be prejudicial to the monopoly that some horse-doctors have contracted to themselves , but proceed as chearfully as i can therein , for the best advantage to my country-men . the book consists of divers choice observations and experiences of divers skilful english men . the whole is made very easie to the apprehension of the reader by the table preceding the book , wherein every disease is figured , and answers the figures in the cuts placed against the table . and is further illustrated and found out by the alphabetical table at the end of this book . that this small endeavour therefore may answer the design it was intended for , is the only desire of the readers hearty well-wisher w.w. the country mans directory shewing the severall places in the body of a horse where the seaverall diseases vsuall happ●… a table of several diseases incident to horses ; with a relation to the printed cut or portraiture of a horse in the first page of this book . the head-ach , staggers , or madness . mad , or raging love coldness , or chilness in the head. rhume , catarh , glanders , or running of the nose . pin in the eye . web in the eye . watring of the eyes . pain in the eye . sore or wounded eyes . eye-scars . worms in the nose . tooth-ach . canker in the mouth or tongue want of palat. fever or plague . squinacy , or swelling in the throat . waxing-kernel , struma , choaking , or the strangles . distemper of the neck . galled neck . crick in the neck . distempers of the lungs . short-windedness , or pursiveness . cough . ulcers , or aposthumes of the breast . faintness . over-heated . ague . venemous creatures swallowed . stomach or appetite lost . henn-dung swallowed . cholick , or griping in the gutts . belly-ach . obstruction in the arse-gutt . falling of the fundament . worms . flux , or looseness of the belly . bloody-flux . the yellow-jaundise . stopping of urine . difficulty in making water . strangury . wolf , or over-growing of the flesh . rupture prevented . rupture cured . biting of the spider-mouse ▪ swelling of the codds . warts . chaps in the feet . old wounds , or swelling in the back . bruised-back . galled-back . biting of flyes . to drive away the flyes . stiffness in the joynts . broken-loyns . swelling of the flanks . scabby or mangy . wrecking of the sinews . swelling of the knees . knees cleft and broken . over-growing of the knee-pan . farcions , farcy or leprosy of the legs or elsewhere . chops between the joynts and legs . string-hall . mallender . spavin . biting of a mad-dog . biting of water-snakes . ring-bone . fistula . over-growing of the hoof. figg . foundred . prickt with a nail . limping oe halting . the shee-wolf , or boyls and knobs on the foot. scratches . over-reaching . introduction : or , general instructions for the breeding , ordering , or managing of horses , &c. i shall begin with the horse in the first place , as being a creature useful for peasants , serviceable for princes , noblemen , prelates ; and in general , to all states and conditions of men : in a word , as being such a beast , as hath not its like , considering its beauty , courage , use , convenience and advantage . the patient carter that loves his beasts , seldom or never strikes them ; but uses them so to the sound of his whip , that they are ruled by his voice and call ; nor doth he force them to draw or labour beyond their ability . in the morning he currieth them cheerfully ; and , in the summer , sometimes in the afternoon . he watereth them not , but in due time , after they have rested . in the summer , he often washes their feet with cold water , and sometimes with wine , or the lees of wine , to strengthen them ; and also with piss , when they are weary and tired with labour ; and at night , carefully stops their feet with dung : and in case they be over-heated , or have no stomach to eat , then he washes their mouth with vinegar and salt ▪ and gives them neither hay nor fodder , oats nor straw , but what is pure and clean : nor doth he permit them to be unshod or unnailed . he taketh care also that the harness , saddles , collers , bridles , or any other necessary implement be not broken , torn or spoiled . he ought also to be skilful in sewing with wax-thread , and to stuff the pannels and saddles with flocks . in short , he ought to understand the art of the harness-maker , sadler , and of the farrier ; and in order thereunto he must alwaies have about him his knapsack or budget ( and the waggoner ought to have some convenient place or box in his cart or waggon , wherein he may put his instruments and iron-work , to make the horses necessaries for their shooing . he must also carefully observe what is wanting , or what is out of order ; as , if any any of his horses limpeth , he must observe which foot is affected , and where the pain lyes ; and sometimes he stops the foot pained , with dung . he must also well observe when the beasts get new hoofs , and in the lent let the horn grow out . and if they have a hot mouth , insomuch that they cough , then he must cover them . and if they have got the rheum , or catharrine labouring ( occasioned by rain and bad weather ) then he causes them to eat fenigreek , or annise mixt with their food : and when they begin to grow old , and to change apparently , he will consider the love which the horses bear one to another , and accordingly he will place them in the stable , which every morning in the summer ought to be made clean ; so that no dung remain therein , and every evening fresh straw put in . he must also take care , if his horses grow thin , or lean , to make them fat again , with beans boiled in water , and oats mingled with them , or beans boyled with barley , panick , and mixed with bean-flower , or meal , and a little salt. he ought also to sleep in the stable , in order to prevent the danger of their sickness , breaking loose , biting or kicking one another . he must be very careful of putting his light in the stable , that no ill accident of fire or damage may happen thereby . he ought also to be careful in keeping and putting all his materials in a readiness till the next morning , that when he goes to plough , and puts out his horses , nothing may be wanting . if he hath any mares , he must place them by themselves , or put them in another plough or cart. in case any of his horses fall sick , or be any waies hurt or wounded , then he must separate him from the other horses , and let him stand by himself . in case a horse hath any disease , the best diligence ought to be used , and that with speed , according to the degrees of the distemper ; and if he will not endure to be rid , or will not pass in or through any way or passage , then you must hang a little stone in his ear ; but if that will not help , then blind fold him , or put fire under his tail , or something that may prick him : and if he will not endure that , then you must hang on his head a stone with a hole in it , when you have mounted him ; and when he begins to stand up an end , strike him with a little rod or whip upon the fore-leggs ; and in case he lyes down ▪ then hinder him with blows and threatnings : and if he be head-strong , make a small piece of line fast to his stones , which must be so long as to come between the fore-leggs , in the hand of the rider , to be held by him , to pull and jerk , when the horse is not willing to go forwards ; for by these means he may be broke off his head-strong tricks , and be made constantly to keep his way . if it be a gelding , then strike him upon the buttocks with a long stick , which is drawn out of the fire , and burnt on the end : or strike him with a rod or swtich between the ears . in case the horse be difficult to shooe , and hard and troublesome to keep in the stable , then put in one , or in both his ears a round stone , and shut the ears with both hands , and by this means he will become as tame as a lamb. it is also the duty of the carter too , carefully to rule his stone-horses and mares , that no mischance may befal them . and , though it is frequent to drive horses at some particular times into green meadows , and pure marsh-ground , yet the marsh-ground makes their hoofs and sight to grow tender , and causes them to get water in their feet . therefore i should think it would be better to let them feed upon the mountains , which are continually moist , and not alwaies dry ; and such as are not woody places , and are clear from stumps of trees . upon which ground there grows rather fine and sweet , than long , course , and hard grass . but , although the mare be not so stout and merry as the stone-horse , nevertheless , she doth exceed him in running , and holds it longer , and is not so chargeable to keep as the stone-horse . for she doth not eat any good hay , being for the most part contented with the meadows , that are good enough for her all the year long . 't is true , that in the winter , when the snow lyes upon the ground , and when much rain falls , you are obliged to put her into the stable ; and give her good hay ; and you must observe in summer-time , to keep her well provided with good grass , and clear waters , but never upon mountains , which are too rough and sharp for her ; first , because she hath but bad feeding there . secondly , because those that are big with foal , ought not to climb up the mountains , by reason they cannot go up without great labour , nor come down again without danger of aborting or mischieving themselves . you ought not to permit the mare to be covered by the stone-horse , but every second year , if you would keep a good generation ; and this not at any other time but about the middle of march , that the mare may in the same season of the year in which she was covered , feed her colt with fine and young grass after may. for at the end of eleven or twelve months the colt is brought forth . besides , then their milk encreases the faster , which occasions the bringing of the better colts , and such as prove according to your desire . when the stone-horse stays so long before he covers the mare , he is much stronger , and full of mature , and not thin running seed . besides , he then covers the mare with greater desire , and so engenders greater , stouter , and stronger colts . to know when a mare desires to be covered . you must know , that the mare is hot , and desires to be covered when she hath not any whitish slime upon her nature , and when her nature is more swollen , than it uses to be , and then she is more hot than ordinary , and eats not so much as before . and then you may set the stone-horse by her twice a day , to wit , in the evening , and in the morning before you water her ; and this no longer then days , which being past , in case she desires the stone-horse no more , as being full , then set her alone , and lead the stone-horse away , that he may not hinder her from conceiving her by his hot and fiery humours . age of a stone-horse that covers a mare , and of a mare when she ought to be covered . the stone-horse which is to cover the mare , ought to be above three years old , and is fit for it till his twentieth year . though , the mare may be covered when she is two years old , and she may in her third year bring up her colt , and feed it well . but after she is ten years old , she is not so serviceable in that kind ; for , such horses as are broughr sorth by a cold mare , are not couragious , but dull and heavy . the stone-horse ought to be well fed towards the time that he is to cover the mare , against which time you must make him fat with barley , fitches and pease , that he may the better satisfie the mare . for the more merry and stronger he is in covering the mare , the stronger colts he will engender . if he is not stout nor merry , then rub the nature of the mare with a new and clean sponge , and rub the mouth of the stone-horse therewith . in case the mare will not suffer the stone-horse , then bruise a sea-onion , and rub her nature therewith , and that will heat her . colts of such colour as you fancy . if you will have the colt of such colour as you fancy , place before the eye of the mare , or throw over the mare a coverture of such colour as you desire , when she is covered by the horse . the quality of a mare to be covered . the mare , which you desire may have a good generation of colts , must not be under two years old nor above ten or twelve years , considering that being of a colder temper than the horse , she is also weaker ; she ought also to be handsome of body and pleasant to behold . the rump and the back broad , well fed , and such an one as hath not laboured long . mares that are full , not to be put to labour . when she is big she must be fed , and not put to labour , nor be left in the cold , but in the stable while it rains , to the end , she may go her full time without danger . how to order a mare that hath cast . in case the mare casts her colt before the time , then you must pound oak-fern , and give it her to drink ( mingled with lukewarm water ) through a horn ; but if she hath cast well , you may touch the colt with your hand gently , but a small pressure or blow will hurt & bruise it . as soon as she hath foaled in the stable , you must comfort her with a potion of lukewarm water mixt with salt and flower , giving it to her in the evening and morning ( at least ) for the space of three daies . next , you must give her good hay and grain sufficient and keep her clean with strowing , that she may afterwards rest at leisure . for this entertainment affords flesh to the colts and makes them strong . marks of a good colt. a good colt , horse , or stone-horse , is known by big bones , a good shape , a little head , and so dry or lean , that he hath scarce any thing but skin and bones ; that hath little sharp and streight ears ; great , swelling , black , and clean eyes ; very large nostrils ; thin and lean cheeks ; the mouth split alike on both sides ; the neck somewhat long and arch-like ; thin about the head , a short , broad back ; the main curled , thick and long , hanging down on the right side , a broad breast , standing out before , and full of muscles , great shoulders , round in the sides , double back , close tite belly ; the stones eaven and small , broad and sunk , or depressed members , a long tail , with thick and curled hair ; bigg-boned leggs , which are also dry , lean , and not loaden with flesh , but long and streight ; round and little knees , not turn'd inwards ; rough and round buttocks , big and long thighs , full of brawns and muscles , black hoof , hollow , round , and somewhat rais'd towards the knuckles , and of a small crown . in a word , such an one as is joyful , quick , pleasant , and neither vicious nor sick , ( for such are obedient and proper for labour ) such as is not stubborn , affrighted , greedy , nor lazy in eating , that does not dung much , nor lye down in the water . moreover , that your horse be of a bay-colour , dark-red , dapple-gray , or pale-colour , ( which is the best token of a strong or stout horse . ) and finally , to speak of the virtue and handsomeness of a horse , he ought to have the eyes , ligaments and limbs of an oxe , the strength and feet of a mule ▪ the hoofs and thighs of an ass , the throat and neck of a wolf , the ears and tail of a fox , the breast and main of a woman , the courage of a lion , the sight and agility of a serpent , the pace of a cat , the swiftness of a hare ▪ the s●…p or tread high , the trotting from the gallop easie and pleasant ; light 〈◊〉 running , quick and nimble in leaping , and docible at the hand . the age of a horse . the country-man ought also to have skill in knowing the age of the horse ▪ that he may let him work according to his strength : the age of the horse is discerned by his feet and hoofs , but most especially by his teeth . the teeth of the horse . the horse hath commonly eight and twenty teeth , although aristotle speaks of thirty : he begins to get teeth the first three months , and at the end of the year he has above and below on each side six teeth . after thirty months two alter above , and two below ; and within three years and an half he gets on each side four teeth more . when he is four years old the dogg teeth fall out , and in their places come other teeth . before the sixth year , the great cheek-teeth or eye-teeth fall out ; and within the sixth year others grow in their room . the same sixth year he hath all his teeth , which are altogether made hollow ; but after that time you cannot easily discern how old the horse is : in or about the twelfth year you may perceive a strange vnusuall blackness in the teeth , and observe , that the older an horse is , the longer his teeth grow , except sometimes when by overhard scrawnching or biting they shorten more and more . in the tenth year the temples of the head , begin to sink and grow hollow ; sometimes rhe eye-brows also grow gray , and then the horse shews in his fore-head a sad and sorrowfull countenance , hangs down his head , is heavy ; has pale eyes , and gray haire in many other places ; and this happens ordinarily to those of a bay colour , and chesnut brown , and such as come neerest to black . the speckled becomes white , the white turnes to dapple-gray , and sometimes a brownish colour . he has also many wrincles on the upper lipp , according to the number of which vsually the years of the horses age are counted . the curing of diseases in horses . further , it concerns the country man to be carefull of the health of his horses , which may live at least till twenty years of age and do good service all the while . if he findes them in good health , though lean , he is to give them kiln dried wheat , or twice as much bruised or pounded barley . he ought to rub them well over every day , in regard it does them much more good to be often rubbed and handled then to eat much . lean-horse . besides , a lean horse may be made fat with little kidney-beans boiled , mingled with oats ; but if the horse be so weak that he cannot swallow it down , then you must strengthen and comfort him with a good deal of the yolk of eggs , and sugar , which he must swallow downe . besides which , luke-warm water mingled with salt and flower of barley being given to the horse in the morning and at night , is an excellent thing to make him very fatt . likewise it is very good to give the horse fower times a day a little panick or rice , mingled with bean-flower and salt ▪ that he may not vomit up again which he takes . the country-man's guide . i. head-ach , staggers , and madness the great head-ach , and madness of a horse , is cured by continual rubing of ladies-mark & semel ( a kind of bread so called ) lettuce-blades cut small , and fresh straw mingled with it . you must also let him bleed out of the vein of the brains , or the temples , or of both , and put him in a dark and low stable . the signs of his having a pain in the head , you may observe by the water which drops from him , by the slack hanging of his ears ; and that his neck and head is heavy , and hanging downwards . ii. mad , or raging love. it falls out sometimes , that the mares are vexed with a kind of madness , viz. when they see their shape in beholding themselves in the water and grow so amorous thereof , that they forget to eat and to drink , and dry up with inward heat . the marks of this madness , are , that they run along the roads , as if they were pricked with spurs , often looking about , as if they did desire and seek something . they recover of this sickness , being led again to the water ; for when they behold therein , how ill-favoured they be , they forget the first shape which they did behold in the water . iii. coldness , or chilness in the head. a horse which has got a cold , or chilness , is cured by drinking the warm blood of a pigg , boyl'd with wine or mastick , and wine-root boiled with honey , or common oil , with pepper . he gets this distemper when he is put in a cold place , being hot and sweating ; insomuch that the sinews shrink , and the skin groweth hard ; therefore you are to place such a horse in a very hot place , well covered with a warm coverture , which reacheth to the ground ; and you are to lay under his belly seven or eight great hot stones , and to quench them oftentimes with warm water ; and this heat will cause him to sweat , and cure the distemper or glanders , &c. iv. rheume , catharre , glanders , or running of the nose . against the rheume or catharre , &c. take operment and brimstone beaten together , throw them upon burning coals , and let the smoak enter into the nostrils of the horse , to the end that the stiff humours which are in the brains , may dissolve and distill down . v. pin in the eye . the pin in the eye you must lift up with an ivory-needle , and then cut it clear off with a pair of small cissars : or take powder of a green agedeste , or rats-bane , and lay it upon the eye , that it may eat the nail . vi. webb in the eye . against the webb in the eye , or running eyes , the best remedy is an eye-water made of the juice of bittony , pounded in a wooden mortar , or the juice of housleek , or the blade of the herb celendine , pounded in a mortar , and laid thereupon with cold water , or rather with wine , after you have let the horse blood in the vein of the eye affected . these means you must continue to use many daies in the morning , and at night . you may also blow into the eye , through a quill , the powder of the grate of the fish called sepia , or whole seed of the herb rocket ; or lay thereupon the ear of a little lamb , until it hath by its vertue taken away the flesh , and cleansed it ; or the powder of the yolk of an egg , and salt burnt together , and put into the eye : or the powder of sal-armoniack , myrrh , saffron , and scraping of the grates of sepia . vi. watring of the eyes . watering eyes are cured by a medicine made of frankincense , myrrh , starch , and white-honey : or with a head lace made of frankincense and mastick , bruised small , and rubb'd with the white of an egg , and laid upon the forehead ; which being left thereupon a considerable time , the eyes will weep no more . then you must take off the band or head-lace , with warm water and oil beaten together . viii . pain in the eye . all pains of the eys are healed , if you chafe or anoint them with the juice of lambs-tongue and honey mixt together . ix . sore or wounded eyes . sore or wounded eyes are healed , by laying upon them a poultess of the crum of bread , moistened in fresh water , or roasted , or of boyled bread soaked in white-wine . but in case this will not help , then you must open the head or chief vein . x. eye-scarrs , or wounds . the scarrs or wounds of the eyes are healed with fasting-spittle and salt , if often anointed therewith : or by bruised grates of sepia , and melted salt : or by bruised seed of wild parsnips , being spread over the eyes in a linnen cloth. xi . flying worm . against the flying-worm , or worms in the nose ; you are to open the vein in the temples of the head ; make a deep hole under the throat with an hot iron ; put a tent therein , and lay flax therupon , which is made wet in the white of eggs , and let him thus stand resting in the stable for three daies . xii . tooth-ach the colt hath many times pains in his teeth and gums , when he begins first to get teeth , and then you must soak in strong vinegar , the best chalk that you can get , and rub the cheeks therewith outwardly ; and especially in that place where he feels the pain . xiii . canker ; or little bubbles or swellings of the tongue . the canker in the mouth , or under the tongue , which hinders the horse from eating , because the tongue is swollen , may be cured by causing him to eat pease and beans , or the husks or shells of the same ; for by the eating of them the botch or swelling goes away . but in case this distemper cometh again , then it must be drawn out of the hollowness of the palat , and then be cut off dextrously with a pair of cissars near to the palat. xiv . falling , or want of the palat. against the falling of the palat of the mouth ; take the flesh away with a thin little iron so far , that the humours may run out by degrees : next rub and cleanse the palat with syrop of roses mixt with the juice of lemon , and toasted cheese . xv. fever . the horse gets a fever generally when he is suddenly watered after he hath wrought very hard , which is almost like to the swelling in the neck , or the king's-evil : for the same happens as well to beasts as to men , by the great coldness of the water , when the throat is enflamed or heated , whereby the horse loses his stomach and rest , and his ears become cold . then you may immediately find remedy against this in this manner : lay the ear between the neck and the chine of the horse , and cut open the hardness , which is like a white sinew , the length-waies with a lancet ; take this white flesh off , and put therein a linnen cloth , which is made wet in the white of eggs , and cover the horse immediately with a horse-cloth , leading him backward and forward , till his ears grow warm again ; and give him a potion made of water , salt and flower : after he hath eaten some good hay , let him rest three daies , to foment the place , with things belonging thereto , for to stir the humours ; and afterwards lay thereupon a poultess of these things following . bird lime three ounces , barley-flower a convenient quantity ; being boiled together so long in red wine , to the grosness or consistency of a poultess : and when the matter or filth is gathered together , and is ready to break out , then you must prick it ; and when the matter is run out , put into the hollowness the lint or scrapings of linnen , made wet in water , oil and salt. this sickness must be cured immediately ; for if it continue long , then there is not any hope of recovery . xvi . squinacy , or swelling in the throat . the swelling in the throat , or squinacy , otherwise pain in the throat , and swelling of the tongue , requires first , letting of blood on the vein under the tongue , or of the palat ; and next , a fomenting of the whole mouth and tongue , with warm water ; next , an anointment of the gall of a bull , or of salt , and wine-stone , pounded in wine-vinegar . the potion you must make in manner following . take anniseeds , one ounce . old oil , two pound . red-wine , half a pint . fat figgs , of each nine . let it be all together soaked well , and make a decoction thereof , into which you must put rubbed saltpetre , and salt a convenient quantity ; strain it , and make it a potion . which you are to pour into the throat of the horse twice a day , to wit , in the morning , and at night about a pint . next , you must give him to eat , green barley , or barley-flower , with which you must mingle salt-petre ; if you let the horse bleed , it must be done in the palat of the mouth . xvii . waxen kernels , struma , choaking or strangling . the waxen kernel , struma , or choaking , which is engendred under the throat of the horse , and falls down from a cold brain , you are to prick him under the throat ; next to cover his head with a linnen cloth , and to rub often with sweet-butter the whole throat , especially the place where the swellings lye . xviii . distemper of the neck . against the distemper of the neck , pierce the flesh in five places on both sides of the throat with an hot iron , as sharp as an awl ; put into each hole an hoggs-bristle , and let the same stick therein for a whole fortnight . xix . galled neck . when the neck or the back is galled , by the pressing of the saddle , then you ought to lay upon the wound the leaves of black ( brionia . ) xx. crick in the neck . against the crick in the neck , wash the place with luke-warm wine , next lay some tow of flax dipt in the white of an egg. xxi . distemper of the lungs . against the distemper of the lungs , take a snake , cut off the head and taile , the rest cut into small pieces , and roast it on a spit ; gather together the fat or grease , that drops from the same , and use it against the distemper . xxii . pursiness , or short windness . the pursie , or short-winded horse , ro wit , which cannot well take his breath ; and though he is spurred and struck , he will not go on , but coughs very much , drawing his breath painfully : nay , in eating also he doth not cease from coughing . this distemper is very hard to be cured . it is true , as long as the distemper is new , and occasioned by dust of a dust-raising wind , or by eating any uncleanness in his forrage , there is some remedy against this distemper , to wit , the letting of blood on the shoulders , and by chafing or anointing the horse on the breast , and the back with the warm blood of the beast , mingled with wine and oil of elephant ; when you have continued that five daies together , then the five following daies , you must let him fetch through the nostrils , lye mingled with oil : next , give him to drink this potion , which is made out of the following kinds . take roast mustard-seed . living brimstone . paradise-corn ; of each a like convenient quantity , being pounded small , and boiled together in metheglin to a decoction . or make a thick composition thereof , and of that you must cause him every day to take as much as the bigness of a walnut , with thick red-wine , which is very good and excellent ; or make a potion of the following things . take galingal . ginger . clove , or july-flowers . cummin . fennil . eggs. saffron , a little mingled with wine ; of all take a convenient quantity for a potion . and pour it into the mouth of the horse , holding his head up high , that he may swallow it down the more easily , without permitting him to let his head fall down , at least for the space of a good half hour , to the end , that the potion may run through all his guts ; next give him green grass ; or reed , or willow leaves to eat to qualify the heat of the potion , but the horse must in the mean time eat nothing half a day before , or afterwards . next , lead the horse gently backwards and forwards with the halter : or mount upon him , and ride him gently , to the end , that he may not vomit up the potion . this is a means to heal a horse that is pursy and short-winded , if the distemper is not too old ; but if it be an old evil , then you may help it with brand-marks , and by cutting up the nostrills , for the heat of the fire , will hinder this shortness of breath , and cause the breath the better to enter in and to issue through the nostrills ; give him also often times grapes to eat , and sweet wine to drink . moreover , there is another excellent remedy , ( to wit ) a potion made of agaricus and fenugreek soaked in red wine : or the blood of a little dog , which is not above ten dayes old , the same being given the horse to drink : or the root of wild cucumbers , and gall nuts , pounded with honey-water , and making a potion thereof . xxiii . cough . the cough is occasioned by many reasons ; sometimes it proceeds from the lungs , and other parts of the body therabouts ; and sometimes out of other inward , and most low members , which have the operations ; there is not any thing better against this distemper , then the snipping or cutting of the nostrills of the beast . and in case , that he doeth not mend , then you ought to pour into his throat a good draught of this following potion . take fenigreek and flax-seed , of each a measure , gum-dragon , frankincense , myrrha , sugar . the bran of small pease , or fitches , of each an ounce , being all together bruised small and sifted . lay it a soaking a whole night in warm water . and the next day you must give the horse to drink thereof , according as has been said ; this you must continue , adding thereunto oil of roses , until he is well recovered ; some lay five whole eggs a mollifying for a whole night in strong vineger , and the next morning , when they observe that the shell is become soft , they cause the horse to swallow it down . farther , you ought never to bleed the beast in any place whatsoever ; but you must at the same time continue to give him gum dragon with sweet oil. xxiv . vlcers , or aposthumes of the breast . the ulcers or aposthumes of the breast cause horses to die immediately ; therefore as soon as the waxing kernell of the breast swells up , you must draw out the swelling without ceasing : but in case a vein breaketh thereby , then you are to tie both ends together with a silk thred , for the greater the swelling grows the more matter or filth it will gather together , and hasten his death . xxv . faintness . against the faintness and pain of the heart , it is good to keep the horse very warm and to give him this potion . take herb mercury a pound . gum-dragon ounces . myrrh ounces . bruised melilot ounce . saffron half an ounce . fine frankincense a convenient quantity , all together pounded and mixt to a powder . which you are to keep for use , and at each time take oil of roses , two cruises ; water , half a pint ; of the aforesaid powder two good spoonfulls ; honey , two spoonfulls for a potion . this potion must be used for some dayes , untill the horse beginneth to mend . xxvi . over heated . you must give to the horse , that is heated , in the winter , ( through an horn ) the following potion . take red-wine , half a pint . oil , three ounces . but in the summer , take red wine , half a pint . oil , two ounces , for a potion . xxvii . the ague . you may know ( amongst other tokens ) that a horse hath the ague , when he can not make water , his ears cold hanging and stinking : the ague of an horse is cured by letting him bleed on the vein , which is found in the calf or thick part of the leg , fingers or thereabouts under the buttocks , or else you may let him blood on the vein of the neck , and if you observe , that a potion is necessary , then you must squeeze juice out of an handfull of purslain , and mix it with gum-dragon , fine frankincense , and some few damask-roses , which give him to drink with a little metheglin , or honey-water . xxviii . venemous creatures swallowed down . in case the horse in eating hay or grass , hath swallowed down any venemous beast , as a spider , a certain kind of lizard , earth spider , snale , or dirt-grubber , ( buprestis ) then you must make him run , until he sweats , next you must bleed him on the palat , and let him swallow down the blood ; you must give him to eat boiled beans . xxix . lost appetite or stomach . if he hath lost his stomach , wash his mouth with vinegar and salt , and give him no forrage , nor oats , hay , chaff , or straw , but what is good . xxx . hen-dung swallowed . if the horse hath accidently swallowed down the dung of an hen , which brings gripings of the guts , then you are to use this following medicine . take dried ladys-mark , ounces . honey and wine , a convenient quantity for a potion . give him this to drink , and then lead him backwards and forwards untill his belly beginneth to make a noise and rumble , and then he is clear from his malady . xxxi . cholick , or griping in the guts . against the cholick or griping in the guts . take black pepper , two ounces . the juice and the root of jews-ear . parsley . fenicle . marjoram , of each an ounce . sage , half an ounce . live-honey , about quarts . boil it , scum it well , and make it of the bigness of an haslenut , to little cakes ▪ which you must give the horse to drink with good wine about half a pint . and on that day , when he hath the cholick , then take fennil-seed three or four spoonsfull , and with a convenient quantity of wine , you shall presently give it to the horse to drink , and then cover him and make him sweat well . xxxii . pain in the belly . against the griping , or pain in the belly ; you shall take tame , or wild rhue-seed , pound it very small , and with warm wine make a potion thereof ; you may also put therein cumin and fennil-seed , of each alike quantity ; next keep the horse warm , and well covered , in a close place ; but before you give him this potion , you must mount upon him , and ride him ( to and fro ) rather along high places , than upon eaven ground : and when he is in the stable again , then cover him with a good woollen cloth ; & if he grows cold again , then you must anoint his fundament with oil , until it is heated , and breaks wind . farther , it would do well also , to put a rod which is thick enough , and half a foot long into his fundament , well anointed with common oil , and made fast to the trunk of the fundament that it cannot go out , and then mount upon the horse , and ride him to and fro . you must also give him to eat that which is of a warm nature , and let him drink water , boiled with cumin and fennil-seed , of each a like quantity , adding thereunto wheaten-meal a sufficient quantity , and in a close place keep him warm and well covered . xxxiii . obstruction or oppilation . the obstruction or oppilation is cured by potions and clysters : the potion must be thus : give him daily powder of wild rhue , with the seed , soaked in good red wine . or take anise-seed , and the juice of poppeys , and flower-de-luce root , a convenient quantity : this all together being well pounded and beaten small , you must add some sugar-candy . red-wine , half an ounce . oil of olives , of each three ounces for a potion . this you must give him at three times , for three daies one after another . or a glister made after this manner . take marsh-mallows . and cashe , ounces . juice of flower-de-luce a convenient quantity adding thereunto oil of bay-berries . wine and rhue , of each ounces . pigeon-dung . salt-petre , of each an ounce for a clyster . after the clyster is applied , you must lead the beast gently to and fro . some horse-coursers have found this following receipt to be good in this distemper . take honey , nine spoonfulls . pepper-corns , nine . hares-dung , a sufficient quantity , adding thereunto a decoctum of fitches ; or red-colworts , as much as is requisite for a portion . xxxiv . falling of the fundament . if the fundament be faln , take fine bruised salt , spread it upon the hinder-gut , and put it between the rupture ; next take a piece of bacon , and put it therein , in the form of a stick , pell , and lay thereupon mask , or mallows , until it is healed . xxxv . worms . against the worms , give the horse to drink water , in which rye has been boiled ; or with some brimstone amongst bread ; or burnt ashes of the wood of olive-tree : or take powder of dry wormwood ; with the seed , raw lupinum of each an equal quantity ; being all together mingled in white wine for a potion . for to give it to the horse at three several times . after these three daies , you must make a clister of these following things . take of wormwood and rhue a convenient quantity . adding thereunto two ox-galls , straining them . alloes , one ounce ; for a clister . xxxvi . flux , or looseness of the belly . against the flux , or looseness of the belly , there a is very good certain potion made of powder of gall-nuts , with white wine and starch mingled together : or , in case that the looseness is occasioned by cold , then give the horse to eat sops soaked in red-wine , and rose-water . farther , anoint his loins and belly with claret-wine , oil , and a little salt mixt . xxxvii . bloody-flux . against the bloody-flux , which is occasioned by the forrage , let the horse bleed on the vein of the shoulder ; next , make a decoction of wheat , with unsalted grease , and powder of dry granado's skales ; strain it , and make a potion thereof , and give the horse thereof to drink every morning , and let him not work all the time . likewise , you must make a plaister to lay upon the back , & on the loins , of a thousand-knot , ( an herb so called ) bolus , and the blood of the sick beast , with strong vinegar , or course claret mixt therewith . xxxviii . jaundise . in the jaundise , this following potion is a special remedy . take tares ; and the seed of ladies-mark , one pound . let it boil together with hops and good honey , a sufficient quantity well stirred and mingled together for a potion . give him of this to drink for eight daies together , every day half a pint . xxxix . stoppage of vrine . in case the horse cannot make water , which appears by the swelling of the bladder , and round about the yard , then you must give him to drink a pottage made of these following ingredients . take one pint of white-wine . the white of ten eggs mixt with pushed garlick a convenient quantity . or the juice of red cabbage , or coleworts , mingled with white-wine . in the mean time you are to withhold from him all oats and barley , and to feed him with hay only , and such herbs as are convenient , according to the season of the year , if you can get them . farther , it will be good to put into the sheat , through which the piss passeth , a remedy or physick made of honey that is boiled with sugar , or a living fly , louse , or wood-louse ; or a little piece of frankincense , and to lay upon the 〈…〉 and reins , oil mingled with wine ; or to annoint the yard with pounded wormwood boiled in vinegar ; and also to pour a pail of cold water upon his stones . these means are good , when the piss has burnt the aforesaid parts . xl. difficulty in making water . against difficulty in making of water , it is an approved remedy , to take five or nine spanish-flyes , that are whole , wraping them up in a linnen cloth , which you must bind fast on the thighs of the horse , and happen what will , you must let it lye thereupon a long while , for that promotes the urin ; but you must have a care that you do not give it to the horse to drink , when it is beaten to powder , nor in clysters . it is good also to rub his stones with a decoction of an herb called cresses , or nose-smart , pellitory of the wall , and garlick . xli . strangury . against the strangury , or difficulty in making water , look before sect. . of the inability of making water . xlii . wolf , or over growing of the flesh . against the she-wolf , the growing and over-growing of the flesh , which grows under the belly of the horse , you are to cut the place , and to prick it with a lancet , and next to anoint it in the morning , and at night , with an ointment of white mallows ( dialthea . ) xliii . rupture prevented . against bursteness or rupture , farriers say that there is not any better remedy ▪ than this following . take ashes of vine-branches or olives , seven ounces . oil of olives . honey . the juice of plantain , of each three ounces . fresh butter . rhue , of each one ounce . onion bruised or pounded with white wine , or decoction of cicero , a convenient quantity mingled . which will serve to give the horse at three divers times , on three several daies together . xliv . rupture cured . if the horse is burst or broken by being over-laden , and too much burdened , then lay upon his loins a plaister which is made of these following ingredients . take pitch . powder of bolus . sanguis draconis . mastick , fine frankincense , of each an ounce for a plaister . you must lay the plaister hot upon the sore part , and let it lie thereupon , until it falleth it self , when you touch it , for then the horse is well again . xlv . biting of the spider-mouse . the spider-mouse ( mus francus ) oftentimes by his biting kills an horse . it is a creature as big in body as a mouse , of colour like a little weasel , of a long back , and of a short tail , it takes especially hold of the stones , and makes four small wounds ; thus to cure the venemous biting , you must immediately pour into the nostrils of the horse , bruised or pounded laurell or bay-leaf , with water , and lay upon the biting or wounded place pounded cumin and garlick , but if it swelleth , then you must foment the piace with pickle or with a decoction of myrrh , and spread thereupon powder of burnt barley , or shells of pomgranat . look also in the chapter of the ox or cow. xlvi . swoln codds . against the swelling of the cods , make a poltis of strong white wine vinegar and salt , anoint there-with the stones twice a day . xlvii . warts in the feet . against the hard knobs or warts on the feet by much going , lay thereupon green cabbage or coleworts , with old grease or suet of hoggs , and mount on the horse , ride him gently , and the physick will penetrate and heal the part affected . lxviii . chaps in the feet . the chaps in the feet are cured , by burning the same , with a round hot iron at the ends : for this burning hinders the chap from growing bigger . next you must anoint them with bacon , washed in divers waters ▪ or with oil of bay-berries mixt with vinegar , mastick , frankincense , and the yoalk of an egg. xlix . of old swellings . against hard and old swellings , make an ointment of these things following . take rosin , and wax , of each a pound . ammoniack , and black pitch , of each half a pound . galbanum , two ounces of common oil , a sufficient quantity , which being mingled altogether , make it to a searcloth , and lay it on the part grieved . l. bruised back . when the horse is hurt on the back by the saddle , or otherwise , open it first , and lay thereupon for three daies together tow or flax dipped in the white of eggs ; but if the pace is swoln and hardned , then you may cure it with colewort , pellitory , wormwood , bear-foot , or southernwood bruised and boiled together with fresh or unsalted grease , and laid upon the wounded place . li. galled-back . against a galled back . take two onions , boil them in water for a decoction . this you are to put as hot as the horse can suffer it , upon the sore part , and all the swelling will go away in one night . or otherwise : take beaten salt , mingled with vinegar and yoalks of eggs , and therewith anoint it : or wash the place with white wine vinegar , and lay thereupon fine lime mingled with honey , continuing these remedies so long till the flesh is grown again ; and the bones are covered therewith again ; & that the hair may grow again , bruise burnt shells of hasle-nuts , and mingle them with oil , and anoint the place therewith . lii . biting of flyes . to preserve horses ( in hot weather ) from the biting of the flyes , you must rub their hair with the juice of courd-blisters . liii . to drive away the flyes . you may also drive away the flyes from the ulceration , if you lay thereupon pitch and oil , or grease mingled and melted together , and spread thereupon pease-flower . liv. stiffness in the joints . when a horse hath either strained or stiffened his joynts , he may be cured with the same remedy , which is mentioned before in the healing or curing of faintness . sect. . lv. broken loins . against broken loins , and straining of the same ; see what hath been said in reference to the cure of the bloody flux . sect. . lvi swelling of the flank . when the horse is sick , his rump and whole body being swoln , by eating of bad oats or hay , you must make him this potion . take the innermost stomach-skins of three chickens , let them be well dried in an oven ; break them to pieces , and add thereto fine powder of frankincense , one ounce ; pepper , half an ounce ; honey , four spoonfuls , with half a pint of luke-warm wine mingled for a potion . let the horse drink this to mollifie his belly , give him through a pipe that is somewhat thick and long , a clyster of the decoction of the herb mercury , pellitory , and other mollifying herbs adding thereunto honey , oil sage , and salt. this done , anoint the belly with oil , let the horse be rubbed behind by two men with a round staf or cudgell , then mount upon him , and let him trot gently a long while , not only until he be rid of his clyster , but also of his dung , and then he will soon recover again and be freed from his pain . lvii . scabby , or mangy . against the scab , you must let him bleed out of the limbs that are convenient for that , and near the place , where the evil lyes . it will be necessary to purge the horse with powder of will cucumber-roots , mixt with salt-petre and given the horse with wine through a horn : this physick being oftentimes taken , purges away the bad humours ; for an outward physick or remedy , take sulphur vivum , or living brimstone , tar and jews-gum ( asphaltum ) break and mingle these matters in fresh-boiled butter : with this ointment you must oftentimes let him be anointed all over the body , in the greatest heat of the sun , except you will rather use this following medicine . take rosin-pitch . bird lime ; or cum , of each four ounces . strong vinegar , about a pint , mingle it well together , to an ointment ; with mans urine and luke-warm water . adding thereunto fresh or unsalted grease ; and old oil , of each three ounces ; make it to an ointment or a searcloth . lviii . sinew-struck . sinew-struck , is when the knees or joints be wrenched , or out of joint by running in a desert place ; and that the horse hath set his foot wrong upon the ground ; and this is cured with an ointment , made of these following ingredients . take hoggs-grease or suet , ounces . fenigreek . flax-seed , of each one ounce . boil this together , until it is much lessened , and grown thick for an ointment . if you should think it to be better first to wash the horse all over or to foment him with piss and lukewarm water , and then chafe him with a chafing ointment : the juice of coliander-seed , adding thereto vinegar and tar and wax is an excellent remedy against this evil . and forget not that you chafe and smear him alwayes against the lying of the hair . besides , there is another special remedy against this , to wit , first to curry the scabby place til it bleeds , and next to wash it with a lye of the following ingredients . take ashes of ashen-tree , ounces , beans ounces lime ounce , not boiled but soaked to a lye , wash the place therewith . after the washing , you must chafe the place with an ointment , made of allom , coalts-foot , hellebore , quick-silver , brim-stone and hogs-grease , or suet. lix . swoln knees . against swollen knees . take burnt copper , half a pound . bolus ( synople ) a conv . quantity ▪ salt , a little , melted in a pint of strong vinegar . lx. cleft and wounded knees . when the knees are cleft & wounded . take common oil. flax-seed . burnt rye-straw ( of each a sufficient quantity ) mingle it together to an ointment ; and to anoint the wound therewith in the morning , and at night , till it is healed . lxi . overgrowing of the knee pan . against the over-grown bone , or the over-growing of the knee-pan , you must first cut off the hair ; and lay thereupon bruised and boyled roots of white mallows , next put a plaister thereupon made of mallow-roots , mustard-seed and oxe-dung being altogether boyled in vinegar . lxii . farcions , or leprosie of the leggs . for to cure the leprosy of the leggs , you must first cut off the hair , and then for four daies continually , in the morning , and at night chafe the place with juniper-oil ; in the mean time , the horse must not be rid to the water , before the hair is is grown again , besides it may be cured by a long and oblique burning of an hot iron . another way to heal this evill , is to take roots of white thistle cut in small slices and being given to the horse , to eat amongst his oats he will without doubt be well and recover again within a fortnight or three weeks at least . this means is very easy , and so much the more because the horse eats it heartily . lxiii . chaps between the joints & leggs . against the chaps , which appear between the joynts of the leggs and the claws of the feet ; you must cut off the hair , and wash the place with wine , next chafe it with an ointment made of soot of a chimney , and spanish green , bruized and boyled together , at last adding thereto lime , as much as is requisite , but if the chaps be too deep , then burn them . lxiv . string-halt . the string-halt is thus healed ▪ cut the skin ; after the length of the hair , and according to the bigness of the wound , lay a little cloth thereupon dipped in wine , and spread thereupon powder of spanish-green , until they be lxv . mallender . the mallender must after the hair is cut off , be washed with a decoction of mallows , sheep-grease , and brimstone , and then the relick or remainder to be laid thereupon : when it is taken off again , you must make an ointment of , of this following . take gum-arabick . turpentine . new wax , of each a like quantity , mingled together a convenient quantity to an ointment . lxvi . spavin . against the spavins appearing within the knee-ham , you must let the great vein of the thigh swell up , and to tap blood out of the same , burn it in the length and breadth , and heal , in such manner as hereafter will be said concerning the overgrowing of the hoof of an horse . lxvii . biting of a mad dog. against the biting of a mad dog , this is an excellent remedy , at least before the days , take henbane-seed burnt and mingled with old hogs-grease , and laid upon the biting , or the same being bruised mixt with old wine and and given the horse to drink . like-wise eglantine or sweet briar root pounded small , and spread over the wound , or given to drink with good old wine . likewise elder-berry or seed or juice of elder-leaves , or of ash-tree . lxviii . biting of a water-snake . against the biting of water-snakes , take a living cock split asunder in the midst of the belly , and lay it warm upon the wound , and then immediately you must give the horse a potion of strong wine yellow lilly powder and salt : or roots , leaves and fruits of wild vine burnt to ashes , and apply it with good white wine , or take immediately a kind of wild bugloss which is called echium , squeeze a pint of juice thereout . after it is aspersed with white wine or carduus benedictus water , in case you see that the leaves give not juice enough , then pour what you have into the mouth of the horse , next take the pressings out of which the juice is prest , and put it and bind it upon and about the biting . lxix . ringbone . if your horse have the ringbone wash it with strong vinegar , then spread thereupon very fine powder of opement arsenicum , and unquenched lime , being burnt together in a pot to ashes . lxx . fistula . against a fistula , make use of the last medicine , burn it , and put therein a remedy of unslack'd lime , until the crust falls out . lxxi . overgrowing of the hoofs . against the overgrowing of the hoofs burn it and cut it length-ways and side-ways , and put therupon a poultess pap of fresh cow-dung , fried over the fire with oil ; lay this once thereupon and order then the horse in like manner , as hath been before directed for the healing of overgrowing bones , sect. . lxxii . figg . against the fig ▪ you must cut the horn of the foot , so far , till there be convenient room , between the hoof and the fig , then lay thereupon a sponge , tie it fast , untill the form of the remainder of the fig , be eaten away . lxxiii . founders . against the founders , or overgrowing of the hoof , called by french javard . take old onions . cabbage or coleworts blister . garlick and pepper , of each a convenient quantity for a plaister or poultess , and lay it thereupon . lxxiv . pricking with a nail . when the horse is prickt with a nail , then you must draw out the nail , and cleanse and wash the ulcer or wound , and drop thereinto melted brimstone , or fill it with an ointment made of the following ingredients . take honey . oil. grease . turpentine . wax , and ( salt of each a sufficient quantity , being melted all together to an ointment . and when it is very hot , dip some cotton therein : or lay upon the wounded place within in the nail of the foot , leaves of wool-blade rubbed or beaten between two stones . but if the pricking of the nail is one or two days old , then you must hold the foot of the horse in salted warm water , & bind upon the foot a plaister made of bread or crumbs of bread , hogs-grease , and salt water , or small buised salt and strong vinegar ; or powder of gall , mastick , or myrtle , next put the horse shooe on again , and fill the whole hole of the , foot with hoggs grease ( letting it drop therein and thereupon ) and let it be shut up as is necessary ; and let the horse be shod again , likewise fill the place of the nail with pitch , and chafe it oftentimes with hogs-grease as before . now to keep the hoof in its strength lay upon it a plaister of boiled mallows , bruised and mingled with honey and crums of bread , put in the hole of the foot the herb salendine , and shepherds-purse , and thereupon bind the dung of the same horse . lxxv . limping or halting . in case the horse limps or halteth , because the sinews are shrunk . take rhue . bird-lime , of each a pound . copperas . white-lead of each half a pound make thereof an ointment . lxxvi . the wolf , or boils and knobs of the foot. against the shee-wolf , or boils or knobs on the foot ; you must open them when you see they are full of matter , and then lay upon the sore or ulcer a plaister of goose-dung , wine , white-wine vinegar and salt ; having great care that there do not remain any bad matter in the bottom . lxxvii . scabbiness , scurviness , or kibe-heels . against the scabbiness or scurviness , which is called scratches on the heel ; take off the skin , and chafe the place with an ointment of the following ingredients . take vinegar . rhenish turpentine . new wax . rhue of each . boil it together to an ointment . lxxviii . over-stepping . in case the horse steping over with his hinder feet , hurts his forefeet , then you must cut off the hair of the wounded place , rub it with salt , and bind thereupon a plate of lead ; afterwards take it off , and wash the place with wine . the country mans directory shewing the severall places in the body of an ox or cow where the severall diseases vsually happen a table of several diseases incident to the oxe or cow , with relation to the printed cut or portraiture of an oxe in the page of this book . . diseases in the horn , or wearied horns . . scaled horns . . split horns . . broken horns . . hairs standing upright . . lice or tickets . . scab , itch , or mange . . eating sore in the neck . . aposthumes . . boils or mattering vlcers . . hide-bound on the legs . . hide-bound on the ribs . . bewitched . . head-ach , or pain in the head. . humour or rheum . . swollen eyes . . weeping eyes . . running eyes . . sharp tears . . mattering eyes . . dark eyes . . nail of the eyes . . spots or webs in the eyes . . white on the eye . . wart upon the eye-lids . . falling of the pallate , or swollen pallate . . cleft or split tongue . . knobs under the tongue . . carnils under the tongue . . swelling in the throat . . to prevent imposthumes in the neck . . the neck bruised . . the neck deprived of skin . . the neck deprived of hair. . hardened neck . . swollen neck . . shoulder out of joynt . . crumpled or shrunken shoulder . . disease in the lungs . . the same . . cough . . difficult taking of breath . . slow or lasie . . weariness . . ague . . beating of the heart . . stomach lost . . horse-leech swallowed down . . swallowing of grubs . . dublone . . pain of the belly . . griping in the guts ( cholick . ) . obstruction , or opilation . . loosness and bloody flux . . spoiled arse-guts . . pain of the loins . . pain of the reins , inflamation . . inflamation of muscles . . pissing of blood. . vnableness of making water . . stone of the bladder . . stone of the yard . . hardned yard . . swollen cods . . limping or lame . . leg out of joynt , or wrinched . . broken leg. . biting of serpents . . stinging of the hornet . . kibe on the heel . . swollen foot. . crumped foot. . foot out of joynt , or wrinch●… foot. . wounded foot. . wounded claw . . broken claw . . loose claw . . claw fallen off . of the cow and calf . touching the cow and calf , it is to be noted in the first place , that the cow ought not to be suffered to come to the bull before she is in her third year , and not longer : for if you let her be covered before , she will not be able to grow to her full strength and bigness , but will bring forth small and weak calves . likewise , if you let her be covered after twelve years , the calf will not be so strong nor so well made . the most proper times for the cow to be covered in , are may and hay time , when the herb is in its best force and vigour . for at this time generally she desires the bull most ; which you may observe , when the claws of her feet are swollen , and also by her continual lowing . if the cow is covered about this time , she will cast her c●… about ten moneths afterwards ; abo●… which time the new grass will coming forth , which will renew h●… milk ; and tend to the better nourishing of the calf . that the cow ma●… the better conceive , you must lea●… her lean to the bull , though on th●… contrary , the bull ought at the sam●… time to be fat and well knuckled , o●… full of joynts . the bull also ought t●… be rather long than tall , of red hair●… broad shoulders , thick bones , small body ( yet round ) broad breast , short head , broad forehead , black eyes short horns , long and rough tail in case the cow will not admit the bull , or that the bull desires her not ▪ you may create them an appetite , by holding before their nostrils burnt harts-tail , or by using another mixture , which we shall take notice of in chap. . concerning the horse . during the time that the cow is full , you must keep her from leaping over ditches , and from running through hedges or bushes of thorns or bryers : besides , you must keep her a while in the cow-house before she casts , with good fodder , without milking her at any time ; for the milk which she then gives is not good , but becomes as hard as a stone . you must take special care to give her very clear water , which she loves as much as a horse loves muddy thick water ( for you must observe by the way , that ●…tis a token of a good horse when he stirs the water with his fore-foot ) before he drinks . of the calf . now concerning the young calf ; you must leave it by the cow after she has cast with a good strewing of fresh straw , renewing it often for five or six days together , at which time you may remove the calf to another place , and carry it to the cow from time to time to suck . but if you find that the calf will not suck ; but bubbles with the teat , not being able to draw milk , you must look under the tongue , and if you find there a whitish fleshly substance growing over the tongue , much like to the pip , you must cut it off without wounding the tongue , with small well cutting cissers , and wash the place with water and salt , and well bruised garlick broken , which always prevents the death of the calf , without which remedy the calf often dies of this distemper . you ought also to be very careful in driving away the lice which trouble the calf and hinder his growth , as doth the scabs , which is occasioned thereby , which may be easily discerned when the skin wrinkles . these two distempers are cured by annointing the calf with butter , and will wholly be prevented , if you rub the calf twice a day with a handful of straw , and do not suffer his piss to lie under him . and you must be sure to keep him with fresh strewing , keeping his dung from him . when to geld a calf . the calf must be gelt in the morning before he goes into the field , and before he is two years old , and not later ; for this is the best time for his growing large . when the calf is gelt , you must give him hay chopt or cut small , mingled with bread , until he gets his former appetite . you ought not to geld him in the extremity of hot or cold weather , or in the decrease of the moon . marks of a good cow. as for the cow , she ought to be of a middle size , viz. long of bigness , broad rump , black hair , or speckled , or with white and black spots ; the winde-pipe great and hanging down , of a great belly , broad forehead , black and great eyes , the horns not short nor thin , but even and black , rough ears , hollow cheek-bone , great mouth , open and dropping nostrils , hanging down lips , long thick neck , broad shoulders , with a long tail to her heels ; small short , and even claws on the feet : broad breast , great and long teats . concerning the oxe . the oxe is inclined to as many distempers as the horse ; and to preserve him from the most common distempers , the ancients did purge him at the end of each season of the year , for three days together ; some with lupin and berries of cyprus pounded together , and soaked one night under the blew heaven , in spring-water : others with drugs , according to the custom and diversity of the countries . you may understand that he is sick when he eats nothing , although he hath much fine fodder lying before him . there is nothing better thus to cleanse the most inward parts and to purge him , than to let him often eat the remainder of olives , out of which the oyl has been prest . all kind of sicknesses . assoon then as you see the oxe to be sick , of what sickness soever it be , then you must give him the following purge made of sea-onion , rhamnus and common salt boiled in water , and make it luke-warm with the same water . but you must neither give him to eat nor to drink , before this purge hath done its oporation . but to preserve him the whole year along from sickness , you must give him in the beginning of the spring , of the summer , harvest , and the winter , a potion made of leaves of capers and cypess soaked in water , and let it stand one night a soaking in a pot , and continue this for three mornings . all sorts of pain . against all outward pain , wheresoever it be in the body , which disables the beast from going or acting with ease , you must foment the place , and lay thereupon a poltis of cammomlie , flax-seed , and the hetb melilot . . wearied horns . if the horns of the oxe are wearied by drawing , then to comfort them , is by force to make the horn fast in its place , and next annoint it , as also the uppermost parts of the head , for five or six days together , with an ointment of bruised cumin , turpentine , honey , and bolus armenius , being all together mingled and boiled . next you must wash the horn with a decoctum of wine , wherein a good deal of sage and lavender has been boiled . . scaled horns or , . split horns . in case the horn is scaled , then you must foment it first with vinegar , salt , and oyl , mixt together ; and next lay thereupon old melted hogs grease or suet , and new pitch , or annoit him with this on the wounded place for five or six days , and then the horn will grow soft , and the clefts will go away . . broken horn. in case his horn is broken , then take turpentine ounces , gum arabick one ounce ; boil this to an ointment , and rub with this the horn round about for ten or twelve days together , which time being expired , bruise common bolus , mingled with the white of eggs , and spread it upon the tow or flax , and lay it upon the wounded place , and let it lie thereupon for three days together : thus when the tow begins to dry , then take it off , and spread in the place bruised sage , and the horn will be healed . . hair standing upright . when the hair of the oxe or cow stands upright over the whole body , and he is not so merry as he uses to be , but of a sad look , his neck hanging downwards , his mouth foamy , having a heavy gate , the back-bone and also the whole back stiff , eating without stomach , and chewing but little . this sickness may be cured in the beginning , but being inveterate , it can in no wise , or at least very seldom be helped . for which cure take sea-onion , or wild-onion , and cut small roots of mellons bruised , of each three ounces , course salt three handfuls , let it be soaked in a pot of strong wine , or in vinegar , to a potion . of this you may give the oxe or cow every day half a pint . . lice or ticks . against lice or ticks , you must use a decoctum of wild olives and salt , and take away the little blisters which he has under his tongue . . the scab , itch or mange . the scab , itch , or mange , is cured with common oyl , and oyl of olives mingled together , or take oxe-gall , the powder of living brimstone , myrrhe , oyl , and vinegar , with some plum-allum , being rub'd small and mingled together . or chafe him with his piss , with old salt-butter , with turpentine , or with white rozen melted in white wine . . eating sore in the neck . against an eating sore ; or ( scab ) rub him with bruised garlick , with powder of brimstone and vinegar , with broken gall-nuts , or with white andoren , mixt with soot . . aposthumes or sores . in case he hath aposthumes or sores , then you must annoint them with brused mallow in white wine ; also upon the sore parts , unless there be great reason to the contrary : it is likewise very good to lay small bruised powder of gall-nuts ; likewise the juice of andoren is very good in this case , being mixt with the soot of an oven . . boils or mattering vlcers . boils or ulcers are made ripe with leaven , lilly-root , with sea-onion and vinegar , letting him blood and cleansing him with his warm piss , putting therein wicks dipt in tar ; all which spread upon a linnen cloth which has lain in the grease of goats or of oxen , and lay it to the part affected . . hide-bound on the legs . if the skin sticks to the bones , then you must foment it , either with wine alone , or such as is mixt with oyl . . hide-bound on the ribs . in case he is too lean , that the skin seems to cleave to the ribs , then foment his hide , against the grain of the hair , with wine and oyl in a warm place , or in the sun ; next annoint him with the dregs of wine and hogs suet , being mixt together into an ointment . . bewitched . the oxe and cow is often bewitched , as well as the horse , the signs of this are , that he is melancholly , grows dry and lean ; therefore you shall give him in through the nostrils jews gum brimstone , juniper-berries , being all together soaked and broken in warm water . . head-ach . against head-ach , bruise garlick in wine , and let him draw that up through the nostrils , next foment the whole head with a decoctum of laurel , lavender , mariblam , or margelins nuts , and rue blisters sodden in wine . . humour or rheum . when he contracts any humour or rheum , because of superfluity of flegm or snot , which is apparent when his eyes run , and that he has no stomach , and lets his ears hang down , then wash his mouth with rhue bruised in white wine , or rub his mouth with garlick and small beaten salt , and wash it next with wine : some cleanse these flegms with bruised laurel-leaves , and the rinds of granat-apples ; others put into his nostrils myrrhe and wine . . swollen eyes . against swollen eyes , put upon them a plaister of wheaten-meal , mixt with honey , or honey-water . but if they are swollen with humour or rheume ; then let him blood under the tongue , and pour into him well cleansed juice of ladies mark , sage and savin , or against bad swollen eyes , make an eye-water of bruised wheat mingled with honey-water . . weeping eyes . against weeping eyes and moistness , that drops upon his cheeks , take pap of wheaten-meal , and make thereof a plaister for to lay upon the eyes . against this distemper also wild parsnips being bruised with stalk and root together , and mixt with honey for to annoint the eyes therewith , is very effectual . . running eyes . against running eyes , blow into them fine bruised copperas , or vitriol and thutia . . sharp tears . against sharp tears ( epiphorae ) of the eyes , that is , that the oxe hath but his half sight ; whether it be in one or in both eyes , you must let him blood under the eyes , and the sight will be bettered ; but you must continually drop honey into his eyes , until he is perfectly cured . . mattering eyes . against eyes that matter like a wound , which happeneth by continual humour , which fall down from the brains , take saffron and fine frankincense , of each two ounces , myrrhe one ounce , break it in rain water , and mingle it to an eye-water . . dark and cloudy eyes . in case he hath a dark and cloudy eye , then blow into it fine powder of cinnamon , sugar-candy , and of dried bones . . shales or nail of the eyes . against the shales or nail of the eyes , you must make him an eye-water of stone-salt ( sal armoniack ) soaked in honey ; or annoint also the eyes with a mixture of oyl of olives and pitch , being well incorporated , to prevent the danger of flies which are apt to come about the honey . . spots or webs in the eyes . against spots or webs in the eyes , which is nothing but a superfluity , which through great cold or long continuance , grows upon the eyes , in which there is a humour , which is called waterish ; upon which swimmeth one , which is somewhat glassie . to cure this distemper , take ardtvel and pound it long in a woodden mortar , and annoint the eyes with the juice which comes out from it . but if you cannot get that , then take the leaves and berries of straw-berries , and make thereof juice as before : continue with one of these remedies in the morning and at the evening for many days together , then the spots shall decrease and go away . and observe that you do instead of water take wine thereto , it would be better and more convenient . . white on the eyes . against the white on the eyes , put a plaister thereupon of chrystal salt ( sal gemmae ) and mastick pounded small , and mixt on the eyes together with honey , continuing the same often times . . warts upon the eye-lids . in case he hath warts upon the eye-lids , then foment the place with the gall of any beast whatsoever , or ( which is better ) cut the warts off with a pair of cissers , or take them off with a thread tied on stiff ; next annoint the place with alloes , vinegar , and gall , boiled together . . swollen pallate , or falling of the pallate . if the pallate is swollen , then you must open it immediately with a lancet , or red-hot iron , to the end that the corrupted blood may run out ; next give him some herbs , and often hay to eat : but if it is so swollen , that he loses his stomach and his taste , and is often sick , then you must open the vein of the pallate , and not give him any thing to eat but garlick which is peelled , bruised , and soaked with leaves or other green , until he recovereth . . split tongue . if the tongue is split beneath , then annoint the cleft twice a day with an ointment of alloes , rock-allum , and honey of roses , being mixt together . next wash it with wine , wherein sage and other drying herbs are boiled . . knobs under the tongue . if the oxe has a little knob which is fleshy under the tongue , then you must cut it off , and next rub the place with salt and garlick pounded together , then wash his mouth with wine , and with little tongs take gently away the small worms which begin to come under the tongue . . carnils under the tongue . in case he has carnils under his tongue , and is much swollen , then open it with a fiery-hot iron , or sharp lancet , next rub it with salt and oyl , until the bad humour is run out , at last give him to eat some young herbs . . swollen almonds . against the swelling of the throat , which is occasioned by a cold brain , cover the head with some coverture , and rub oftentimes the whole throat with fresh butter . . to prevent imposthumes in the neck . if the neck is swollen , and you are affraid of a swelling with matter and filth , then open it with a red hot iron , and put into the hole the root of hogs-bread , of nettles , renewing oftentimes the same ; it is very necessary in this case , that you give him to drink a good cruce full of a decoctum of italian ...... and let him bleed . . bruised neck . if the neck is hurt , swollen , and hanging down , then let him blood at one of his ears ; but if it is in the midst of both ears , lay upon the swelling a plaister of melted oxe marrow , and cocks-grease , of each half an ounce in oyland tar , or melted pitch , and rub the swollen parts with the sword of bacon , whereon there is not any fat , and is of a barrow hog , being warmed a little , continuing it five or six mornings together . . neck deprived of skin . if his neck be deprived of skin , put upon it a plaister of oxe-marrow , taken out of the thigh-bones , rue and the grease of a buck , and hogs-suet , of each an ounce , being melted and mixt together . . neck deprived of hair. if his neck is deprived of hair , and bare , then annoint the place with this following ointment , take honey six ounces , mastick four ounces , boil them together to an ointment . . hardened neck . if his neck is hardened , let him stand some days without labouring , in the mean time you must annoint the hard place with an ointment of butter , oyl , bacon , and new wax , of each an ounce , being melted and mixt together . . swollen neck . if his neck be swollen , then make him an ointment of alaud-roots , that are pounded and boiled in raw honey bucks or sheep-rue , hogs-suet , new wax ; annoint the neck with this three times a day ; in the morning , at noon ▪ and at night . . shoulders out of joynt . if the shoulders be disjoynted , or out of joynt , then put the bones again in their place , and bind them fast with tablets of light wood. . crumpled shoulders . if his shoulder is crumpled , then you must blood him on the hinder foot , on the far side , but if they are both shrunk in , then you must blood him on both legs . . distemper in the lungs . the distemper in the lungs is such a mortal distemper , as well to the oxen as to the kine , that there is not any remedy against it , but that you wash the manger , out of which they have eaten , with hot water and well-scenting herbs , before you tie the others thereunto , which in the mean time must be kept in an other stable . they get this sickness by eating bad herbs and corrupted hay ; and through great superfluity of blood ; but for the most part by horse-piss , especicially when you keep the cow-house clowsie . therefore you should neither let horses nor mares come into the cow-house ; but asses may , and do much good ; for the breath of the asses keeps them from distempers in the lungs . . lung-sickness . against the lung-sickness give him the juice of liquorish with sweet wine , or put into his ears the root of hazle-tree . . cough . against the cough , let him drink a decoctum of hysop , and eat liquoris●… roots , being bruised with clean wheat some make them drink seven days together a decoctum of .... the cough of the oxen must as diligently be cured , as the cough of the horses ; and you must not let the same last long , or grow too cold ; the best way is , to seek remedy against in the beginning : therefore you mu●… powre into his mouth , through a hor●… or otherwise , an half measure of barle●… flower , and an whole egg without shill , being boiled in a can of wine or take poppies bruised in warm water with dried bean-meal , that is broke●… to shales , or very small pieces ; an●… meal of pease , being all well mingle together ; and give them that to eat early in the morning . old cough . against an old cough , the following remedy is very good , take dry of fresh hysop , two hands full , boyl them in common water ( as much as is necessary ) strain it ▪ and add to it two thirds of starch ; mingle it together and give it to the beast . you may also mix with it hysop water , a decoctum of hysop and mint . against the same distemper is good also the juice of liquorish , being well squeezed out , and given the beast with oyl of olives . nay , the cough will never be grown so old but it may be cured and driven away with the roots of liquorish well cleansed and washt , given in a decoctum with wheaten-meal . the same vertue have also the small pease , or little fitches , being given him to eat or being set before him with honey-water , when he coughs most . . difficulty of fetching breath . against difficulty of fetching breath , put through his ear , or the great skin of his throat , the herb called black hellebore or lions paw . . heavy and lazy . if he is lazy , then give him every month bruised fitches , soaked in the water which he drinks . . weariness . to preserve him from growing weary too soon , you must rub his horns with turpentine and oyl mingled together : but have a care that you do not rub him with this on the mouth or nostrils , for those parts will be offended therewith . . ague . against the ague , which the beast gets in hot weather , which appears by melancholly , swollen eyes , and extraordinary heat , and is perceived by the touching of the hide ; you must open the vein of the fore-head or of the ears , and give him cool nourishment , as lettice , and other such herbs , and give him cool water to drink . against another kind of ague ( which you may know by his great disquiet or want of rest ) trembling over the whole body ; through the great heat in the midst of his fore-head , and about the root of his horns , and by his ears also , by his hot mouth , and his excessive sweat , by his little eating and licking , and drawing of a dry tongue ; by the heaviness or melancholly of the head , cunning and half-shut eyes , his mouth very moist and full of slabber , long fetching of breath , nevertheless with great pain , and often turning . ) on the first day that you are aware of the sickness , let him fast the whole day ; the next day you shall let him bleed a little under his tail : five days afterwards you must nourish him with a decoctum made of burs , oyl , and pickle . you must proffer him 〈◊〉 ways before all other , green or moist food , viz. small tops of lettice and other young sprouts , which you know will please the beast . vvash him also three times a day in the mouth with a sponge , that is made wet in vinegar ; next you shall give him three times very cold water to drink , and let him not seed in the pasture till the ague hath left him . . beating of the heart . in case he is troubled with beating of the heart , and a desire to vomit , then rub him in the mouth with garlick , or bruised leeks , and let him also swallow them down , either alone or with a pint of wine ; especially against the griping in the guts ( chollick ) and rumbling of the belly ( according as we shall shew in its due place ) sect. . in case he has lost his stomach , you must give him raw eggs , beaten with honey and salt , mingled with his fodder , or give him in his drink andoren bruised small with oyl and wine , or bruise the leaves of parsley ..... sage , and rue ; and give him this to drink with white wine . . stomach lost . for to excite him to a stomach , when he has lost his taste , by great weariness and heat , rub his tongue and the pallate of his mouth with vinegar and salt. . horse-leech , swallowed down . in case he has swallowed down an horse-leech in drinking , which hangs yet in his throat , then let him lie down , and pour into his mouth warm oyl ; but if it is sunk down in his stomach , then give him some vinegar through a horn. . venemous grubs swallowed . if the oxen , kine or horses , feeding in the pasture , have swallowed down little grubs , which lie under the herbs , and are called by the latins buprestis , of which they sometimes swell up , burst and die , then the oxe-keeper must let them presently drink cows-milk , or a decoctum of dry figs , or of dates boiled in wine ; and give them sharp and strong clisters . . swelling and puffing up . the oxen swell and blow up when they have eaten too much grass , especially when the dew lies thereupon ; then you must take a horn which is bored through both sides , annoint it with common oyl , and put it three or four fingers deep into his fundament , and next lead him backwards and forwards , until he farteth , leaving the horn in his fundament ; and rub his belly with a flat piece of wood. . pain of the belly . against pain of the belly , give them tracle or mithridate , to be drunk in wine , and the next day after let him blood under the tongue and nostrils , or give him a decoctum of camomil and rue pounded small , letting them stand and rest , at least for the space of seven or eight days ; or take turpentine four ounces , mingled with a little salt , which is an excellent remedy in this sickness , letting the beast swallow it down in the form of a bolus , pills or potions . . cholick . against the griping or stinging of the guts ( collick ) and rumbling of the belly , which is known when he sighs and stretcheth his neck , legs , or belly , or that he lieth down and rises often again , and cannot stay in one place ; this evil is occasioned by weariness , more in the lent than in any other season : in this sickness you must let him walk , being covered with a wollen cloth , and rub him in the mouth with garlick or bruised onion , and let him swallow down the same either with a pint of wine , or alone ; some add thereunto oyl of mace , and give him allum and red cabidge , being soaked in wine with mirrh , and take away the flesh round about the claws of the feet ▪ and prick him in the tail , that he bleedeth . . opilation or obstruction . in case he is opilated or obstructed , then to open him the belly and the hinder parts , which are obstructed , you must give him to drink in the morning two ounces of powdered alloes with luke-warm water ; or take — hiera two ounces , alloes one ounce mingled : or else you may , as a very excellent remedy , give the sick beast many times the remainder of olives , out of which the oyl is press'd . . looseness of bloody-flux . against the looseness which he gets by the eating of some herbs , or other like things , which are hard to digest ; you must keep him at first two or three days from grass ; and in the mean time lay before him the blisters of wild-olive-trees , horse-tail , way-hroad , or plantain , and sometimes the berries of night-shade ; in the mean time you must not give him much to drink , and for the most part no drink at all ; keeping him some days from eating any other thing , but the leaves of young orega and pursly , and let him not drink more than three bowls of water a day , wherein young sprouts of laurel leaves have been soaked . but if a greater looseness seizes upon him , even to the bloody-flux , then keep him four or five days without meat and drink ; and give him raison-kernels soaked in red wine , or gall-nuts and mirtle-berries , soaked with old cheese in thick wine . but the most excellent remedy is to burn him in the midst of his fore-head . . spoil'd arse-gut . if the arse gut be spoiled , take three ounces of turpentine , and let it be put into his fundament by a little boy , who has a thin and long arm ; and let him be well cleansed within . this you must continue five or six days ; hogs-suet is also good instead of turpentine , for to annoint or to smear him therewith . . paia of the loins . against the pain of the loins , which many times troubles the oxen , make this following pap : take flower of — cole-worts-seed , of each three handfuls ; bruise it together , and mingle it with cold water to a pap , and then put it upon the place where the pain is : you may also take cypress blisters without stalks , three handfuls ; and proceed therewith as before , adding thereto in the bruising of it , strong vinegar ; or if there is any hardness by , take rosin , or that which is harder , grecian pitch ( colophoniae three ounces ; let it melt by the heat of the fire , and when it is well hot , then add thereto barley of meal a convenient quantity ; let it boil together to a poltis , and lay it well warm upon the rump , unto the reins or the ( loins . ) . pains of the reins inflamation . you may perceive that the oxe has pain in his reins , when in kacking or doing his easement from behind , he cannot set his feet on those parts according to his will , but stumbleth aside ; when he does not lift up his tail but lets it hang , when his piss stinks much , and all the course is stopt and interrupted behind . if he has an inflamation and pisses as red as blood , when it continues and increases , then there is little remedy to be had against it ; yet if it is but coloured a little reddish , then there is some hope of recovery ; in this sickness you shall let him blood out of the hinder veins , or mother-vein , which you find a long the side about the reins . for his dirnking give him the juice of garlick with luke-warm water , or else with his own piss . . inflamation of the brawns or muscle . against the inflamation of the brawns , as well inwardly as outwardly , which proceed from the rump and loins , by falling upon hard and stony places , and getting bruises : let the oxe which is fallen , not go far from his place , as soon as he is come into the stable ; and wash the parts affected with cold water , next use an ointment and sear-cloths , made of oyl and wax , which must not be too hot . the tokens of this distemper are , that the loins ( the reins ) grow hard outwardly ; the stones lessen and go in so that you can but see them very little , that he cannot well move his thigh , and that he can hardly rise when he lieth . . pissing of blood. the oxe pisseth blood when he is over-heated or too cold , or because he has eaten bad herbs during the summer , especially when the dew cleaves yet thereon : the cure against this is , that you give him neither wanor any other liquor , but that you give him a potion made of these following ingredients : take sea-oinion , hemp seed , of each three ounces bruised together , and add thereto treacle one ounce , being all together boiled in two pints of white wine ; at last adding thereunto saffron two ounces to a potion , and this pour into the mouth of the oxe ; or give him against pissing of blood the juice of lambs tongue with good oyl , next take the powder of wild-gourds ( coloquints ) and wine-stone , mingled in red wine , and the white of eggs , pouring the same into him through an horn. and if you do not stop the pissing of blood , then he will die thereof within four and twenty hours . . vnableness of pissing . in case he can hardly piss , then you shall let him blood on the vein of the bladder , and next give him a draught of honey , oyl , and white wine , being boiled together ; and this you must continue three mornings one after another . . stone of the bladder . if he has the stone of the bladder , take sea-fenicle two ounces , cloves a quarter of an ounce , pepper one ounce and a half , being altogether bruised and mingled with lukewarm water to a potion . but if the stone , when this is continued some days , doth not fall out , then it must be cut out . . stone in the yard . in case he has the stone in the yard , then throw the oxe down immediately , hold the yard with tongs a little higher than where the stone lies , open the yard on the side and take out the stone ; next heal the wound again with turpentine , washt four times in horse-tail-water . . hardened yard . if the yard be hardened , then smear it twice a day with an ointment of bruised white mallow-roots and fresh butter . . swollen cods . if his cods are swollen , by what cause soever it be , then annoint them in the morning and at night with unsalted hogs-suet , or foment them with strong vinegar , in which fine chalk and oxen-dung have been soaked ▪ they hold it for a natural remedy , that the gall of a dog healeth the swollen cods of an oxe , being often annointed therewith . . limping or halting . if he limps and halts , because of cold , which he has suffered on the feet , then wash them with his piss , which is made warm ; but if it proceed from the superfluity of blood , which in the bending of the joynts is sunk upon the feet , then you must divide ( or resolve it ) by rubbing or chafing , and by drawing blood by cupping ; but if upon this it will not go away , you must cleave the claw of the foot at the end unto the flesh : and thus let it run out : and bind the joynts round about with a leather-purse , that no matter may come thereunto until it is cured . in case he limps by having strained a vein , then you must annoint his foot with oyl and salt ; if it be occasioned by a swelling of the knee , then foment it with warm vinegar , or with a decoctum of barley and flux-seed : but howsoever it happens , you must burn it , and lay thereupon fresh butter , wash'd in water and vinegar ; and at last make an ointment of salt-butter and goats suet or grease . if it comes by a splinter , or by a knock against a piece of wood or stone , then bathe the place with warm piss , and lay thereupon oyl , old grease ▪ and tar melted together . nothing preserves him better from limping , than to wash his feet with cold water , when they are disjoyonted , and then to rub them with old grease . . leg-out of joynt . if his leg is out of joynt or wrinched , put it in again , and when you have smeared it with hogs-grease , bind it fast with straw . . broken legs . for to put it in again ( if broken ) you must draw with cords the uttermost parts of the same on both sides perpendicularly , that so the disjoynted leg may be again put together and joyned as before ; this being done ; you must untie the cords , and bind round about it tow of flax , that is made wet in a mixt on of the white of eggs , bolus armenius , and sanguis draconis ; next bind it so fast , that it may be joyned together again : above the binding you must lay tow of flax made wet in wine , for to strengthen and corroborate the sinews ; at last , that the uppermost and undermost parts of the broken leg may not be hardened , or get any ill fashion or form , as well by the binding up of the wound , as by the chop or cleft of the leg ; you must annoint both parts with the following ointment , viz. butter , oyl , turpentine , of each one ounce mingled to an ointment . . biting of serpents . in case he has been bit by an earth-spider , serpent or by a mad dog , then smear the wound with scorpion-oyl , or sope , which has lain in vinegar , and wash him with a decoctum of great burs , or with old pickle . . stinging of horse-flies or hornets . against the stinging of horse-flies and wasps , rub him with lead-ointment or salve ( cerays ) being soaked in water , and moisten the place where he feeds , to drive away the horse-flies , with a decoctum of wormwood , chare him with the same decoctum ; but if he is stung , then cleanse the place with his own spit . . kibe on the heel . if he gets a kibe on the heel by great cold , and by having wrou●… in such places as are full of snow or frozen , and sometimes after the thawing also , and because that the joynts of the foot have not been well wash'd over-night with piss and bound up with dung , then the heel gets an ulcer , and seems as it would go off , and leave its place ; and then there follows an inflamation , which after the ulcer very much troubles the oxe in going forth : now you must chop small that part with little lancets , and kindle a small fire of fewel upon the chopt part , and put thereupon a soft rose-salve , or a defensive of water vinegar , being bound up and tied about with straw . when the crust ( or the bad flesh ) is fallen out , then you must stew the place warm with vinegar and piss , and lay thereupon a pap or plaister of melilot , or cold hogs-suet . . swollen foot. if his foot is swollen , then make a pap of elder blisters and hogs grease mixt together and boiled . . crumpled or stiffned foot. if his foot is crumpled or stiffned , then take the roots of white poppeys & mallows ( together one pound ) boil them in water , as much as is enough , pound them and strain them through a sive ; add to this hogs-grease half a pound and strong wine three bowls . let it boil again , until the grease is melted , adding thereto flax-seed four ounces well broken and pounded , and let it boyl at last , until the wine is sodden away to a pap , and put the one half part of this pap upon the foot , and let it lie thereupon for three days , and then the remainder also three days together . . wrinched foot. if he has wrinched the foot , then boil honey and hogs-grease in white wine ; lay this plaister upon the foot , and let it lie thereupon for three days . . wounded foot. in case he has wounded his foot by a thorn , glass , or nail , or any such other sharp thing , then cut the claw off from the foot , as near the wound as it is possible ; let drop therein very hot turpentine and oyl , and then plaister the whole foot with honey and fresh grease melted together . . claw of the foot wounded . if the claw of the foot is wounded by a stone or iron , then cut it to the deepest part of the wound with the cissers of a farrier , and let drop therein very hot a salve of old hogs-grease and bucks-rue , being melted together , and put thereinto tents of tow of flax. . claw of the foot scaled or broke . if the claw of his foot is scaled or broken , then take honey , turpentine . new wax , of each one ounce to a salve , and put that round about the claw for fifteen days together , which time being expired , add to the former salve these following ingredients . take alloe , hepaticum , honey of roses , buck allum , of each half an ounce to an oinment , and cover with this the whole foot , after that you have fomented it with wine , with which honey has been mingled . . loose claw . if the claw of his foot becomes loose , then you must at first cure it with the aforesaid salve against scaled claws , sect. . until it groweth something fast ; next you must stew the whole foot five or six days , every day three times with the following ingredients : take honey , unquenched lime , of each seven ounces , vinegar or wine a convenient quantity . . foot-claw fallen off . if his foot-claw is fallen of , then make a salve of this following : take honey , turpentine , new wax , of each one ounce , and annoint therewith the nail of the foot fifteen days , next wash it with luke-warm wine , which has been boiled with honey , and put a plaister thereupon made of these following things : take alloes , allum bruised , honey of roses , of each half an ounce , to a plaister . there is also one distemper more , which is incident to oxen , &c. not taken notice of in the table or cut , or portraicture of a cow ; which is called , the hip-gout , take cow-dung , laid under ashes in cabbidge or vine-leaves , and made hot , and it will drive away the pain of the hip-gout , being laid upon it in the form of a plaister . if this be roasted in vinegar , it brings the bad sores about the chin and throat to distillation ; and being fryed with cammomile flowers , melilots , and black briers in a pan , it drives away the swelling of the privities . the country mans guide shewing the severall places in the body of a sheepe where diseases vsually happen the table . . head-ach . . giddiness . . loss of cud. . diseases in the eyes . . ague in lambs . . ague in sheep . . rheum and catarrhe . . diseases of the teeth . . aposthumes or vlcers . . boils . . boils or scabs under the chin of lambs . . pursiness or short-winded . . rot or plague . . st. anthony's fire . . scab or itch. . diseases in the lungs . . cough . . swallowing of a venemous creature . . swelling of the belly . . lame in the clawes . . maggots , lice , or ticks . . broken or bruised joynts . introduction . i shall not particularize the many advantages which arise trom sheep , as the wooll , flesh , pelt , dung , and many others ; therefore in the first place , the country-man ought to get a good breeder , and to buy sheep for his store , that may be in all particulars answerable to his business , which i need not here relate . marks of a good yew . the best yews have generally a great body , a long neck , long wooll , oright and shining like silk , having a great belly , and covered with wooll ▪ and having great paps , great eyes with long legs , and a long tail. marks of a good ram. the best sort of rams are high and long of body , great belly , well covered with wooll , long and thick tail , the fore-head broad and thick with hair , the eyes black , covered round about with much wooll , great cods , broad loins , great ears , covered with wooll ; the whole fleece of one colour , well horned ; the tongue and the pallate all white ; for if the tongue or undermost part of the tongue should be black or speckled , notwithstanding his body is all white , yet the colour of the lambs which he produces will be speckled , gray , or black , and therefore less esteemed for profit : it is better that the ram hath horns than not , for the ram that hath no horns , is as a man disarmed , and is not so valiant to fight , nor so hot after the yew . when a yew ought to be covered . the yew ought to be covered when she is two years old , and she will bring forth good lambs until she is seven ; but a yew that is covered before she is two years old bringeth forth weak fruit ; but if it happen that a yew is with lamb before she be two years , then you ought to sell the lamb ; and the most convenient time to dispose of it is in the month of october , that the yew ( which bears five months ) may bring forth her lamb in the spring or lent , at which time she will find grass sufficient to nouris her lambs . salt water to drink . farther , you must give the yews some few days before they be covered by the ram , salt water to drink , and they will the better keep their seed , and the ram shall grow the more fiery and vehement . the way to have such lambs as you please ▪ if you would have your yews bring forth ram-lambs , then you must put the ram to the yew in dry weather , and observe to drive the yew towards the blowing of the north wind , that when they are feeding toward the north , they may take ram ; but if you will have yew-lambs , then you must let them feed towards the south wind , and let them be covered . to know what coloured lambs a yew will bring forth . when the yew is big , in case her tongue is black , it s a sign that she will bring forth a black lamb ; and if her tongue be white , she will bring forth a white lamb ; but if the tongue be speckled , then she will bring forth a speckled lamb. of sickness in sheep . the sheep are inclined to many distempers , as scabs or scurveyness , cough , and the red water , which proceed from an exceeding pain in the head , and also the plague : the three last distempers are incurable ; insomuch , as if any sheep be sick with either of the said three distempers , 〈◊〉 occasions infections in the rest , thereof many of them die ; all such scknesses are occasioned by eating of bad herbs , or by drinking of bad water or standing puddles or pools in the fields ; or because the places which they feed on , are wet and moist by frequent showers and bad weather ; by which means they undoubtedly fall sick in six weeks time . here follows an account of all the distempers incident to sheep . . the head-ach . if your sheep are troubled with the head-ach and staggers , which is occasioned by surfeits , the best remedy is , to take asafettida , and dissolve it in a spoonful of white wine , or bruise the juice out of sage and give it to the sheep . . giddiness . giddiness in the head befalls sheep most commonly in the dog-days , insomuch , as it makes them turn about and leap ; and in case you touch their fore-head or feet , you will find that they burn exceedingly . against this sickness you must let them blood in the middle of the nose with a piece of horn made sharp for that purpose , thrust up as high as you can possible ; which will cause the sheep presently to fall into a sound , and immediately they will come again to themselves . this being applied , they will either be immediately well of this distemper , or die very speedily ; yet more do recover than die . some shepherds have tried the letting of blood in the temples of the head , losing their blood by little and little , which hath proved very successful afterward , giving them a spoonful of brandy mixt with mithridate . . loss of cud. take leaven and salt , and mix them with clay , and the piss of a lusty young man , and let him swallow it , and that will recover him . . diseases in the eyes . make an eye-water of eve eye-bright and horse-leech , and wash their eyes therewith , or beat wormwood with the milk of a yew , and mix it with rose-water . . ague in lambs . if a young lamb have an ague , or other sickness , then you must give it to drink the milk of its dam , mingled with as much water . . ague in sheep . when sheep have an ague , you must blood them on the heels , between the two claws of the feet , or on the ear , and keep them a good while from water : the best remedy for to cure them of the ague , is to boil in spring water and wine , the stomach of a ram , and give the distempered sheep the broth to drink . . rheum or catarrhe . the sheep gets humours and rheums in the dog days , by the great heat of the sun ; for prevention of which , the shepherd in such hot seasons ought to drive his flock in the fore-noon towards the west , and in the afternoon towards the east ; for it is a great matter that the heads of the sheep , as they 'r feeding , be turned against the sun ; which in the beginning of the dog-days is often times the cause of this distemper ▪ . diseases in the teeth . for diseases in the teeth , let the sheep blood in the gum , or vein of the upper lip , and rub his teeth with old leaven and sage . . aposthumes or vlcers . in case the sheep hath any mattering aposthume or ulcer , then you must prick it with a lance , and put into the wound salt burnt in a fire-shovel , rubbed small and mingled with melted pitch . . boils . you may cure boils with allum , sulphur , vinegar , and brimstone , mixt together ; or with burnt gall-nuts , being mixt with wine and laid upon the sore . . boils or scabs under the skin of lambs . the lamb many times gets scabs under the chin , by eating of herbs when the dew lies upon them ; the remedy against which is to take hysop and salt , of each an ounce , well bruised together , and with this you must annoint the pallate of the mouth and tongue ; then wash the boil with vinegar , and afterwards chafe it with tar and grease . . pursiness or short-winded . the rheum or catarrhe of the sheep , as well as of the horse , sticks so fast to the lungs that it cannot be removed with bleeding , nor with a potion ; and if this sickness continue , the best remedy is , that the sheep be kept without food for a day or two ; likewise it is convenient that whatever hay or fodder hath been eaten among , the sheep , while one that hath been sick hath been amongst them , the oughts thereof be taken clean away ; for such sheep get the same sickness , by eating after them that are sick . some say that for this sickness it is good to hang about the neck of the sheep a living toad , put in a little bag of linnen ; and to let it hang nine days : others say that it is good to bruise lock and noble sage together , and make a potion thereof with very strong vinegar : others pour in their mouths a spoonful of brandy with mithridate ; but there is but little help for this distemper , for they often die after several medicines have been given to them ; because the lungs are quite dried up with a continual coughing : there is no better remedy against this distemper than for to throw them upon their backs in a stinking unclean gutter . . rot or plague . against the plague there is no other remedy for beast than for man ; but for to keep them from this distemper , the best way is , often to give them melilot , scitisers , wild polly , or wild balsom . but to prevent the rot in those sheep that are not tainted by that infection , you must give them salt mingled with brimstone in a fire-shovel , which will purge them and preserve them from this contagion . . st. anthony 's fire . the fire of st. anthony , is by the shepherd called wild-fire , very difficult to cure , and there is no other remedy to use in this distemper than to bathe the sheep with she-goats-milk ; but my advice is to separate the first sheep that hath this distemper from the flock , that the rest be not infected . . scab or itch. against scabbiness or scurveyness in sheep , you must make a salve of these following ingredients : take brimstone , cyprus roots , of each three ounces , which you must incorporate with camphire and white rosin , wax a convenient quantity ; after that you have annointed the scabby or scurvey sheep , three nights one after another , then wash it with lie , sea-water , or pickel , and the sheep will be well . . diseases in the lungs . if your sheep be distempered in the lungs , you must give him colts-foot , sage , and pursland , mixed with metheglin , or a spoonful or two of mithridate in white wine , or a head of garlick mixt with vinegar . . cough . against the cough , you must give the sheep to drink in the morning out of a little horn , oyl of sweet almonds , mixt with white vvine , being made luke-warm ; also let the sheep eat the herb colts-foot , if the cough come in the spring ; but if it be in any other season , then you may give him some bruised fenugrick , with some cummin-seed . . swallowing of a venemous creature . in case the sheep swallow down an horse-leech , or any other venemous creature , you must pour into his throat strong vinegar warm'd , or oyl . . swelling of the belly . there is an herb which is called a thousand buttons , and the herb centory is very unwholesome for sheep , whereof if they eat , the whole belly swells up , voiding a thick and stinking humour ; then the best remedy is to let them blood presently under the tail , near the buttock , or on the vein of the uppermost lip. . lame in the claws . in case the sheep becomes lame , because its claws are grown weak , by having stood too long in his own dung , and that it can't go , then you must cut off the end of the nail affected , or claw of the foot affected , and lay thereupon unslacked lime with a cloth , leaving it but one day thereupon , and the next day lay spanish green thereupon ; laying it on by turns , until the claw be healed . . maggots , lice , or ticks . the same remedy is good also for a sheep that hath maggots , lice , or ticks , as for a sheep that hath the scab or itch , as you will find in the th receipt for sheep . . broken or bruised joynts . for broken or bruised joynts , give the sheep a drink made of bettony , mugwort , and multowes , of each a spoonful of the juice , and annoint the wound with black sope , or mix bird-lime with tallow , and lay a hot plaister on the wound . the country-mans guid , containing the direction for the breed , ordering , and curing of all distempers in swine . . head-ach or sleepy-evil . . the pox in swine . . eating of yarro . . diseases in the eyes . . ague or feaver . . measles prevented . . rheum or catarrhe . . to prevent vomiting . . measles cured . . plague , or diseases in the milt . . swelling in the neck or throat . . aposthumes or swellings in the throat . . imposthumes in the body . . diseases in the gall. . to kill lice or ticks . . thirst prevented . . to prevent greediness . . for a great cough or cold. . belly-ach . . lameness in the foot. . flux in swine . . broken legs or joynts . ●…e country mans guide shewing the severall places in the body of a hog where diseases vsually happen introduction . having before treated of the more tamer sort of cattle , i shall now likewise treat of swine , as being the most unruly , and the most hurtful in his kind , of any common beast ; but nevertheless very much desired , because it yieldeth sweet flesh , whilst they are young , and for his bacon , when salted ; as being the most serviceable : and not to omit the advantage of the hide , bristles , and grease . therefore it is requisite in all those places where there is a great number of swine kept , that there is a man allowed for no other imployment then to keep the swine , and carefully to preserve them from danger that may befall them ; or that they may not injure the corn-fields , in which they are kept , and to take care of the weaned piggs . the husbandman must take care for such food that is convenient for swine , as acrons , nuts , haws , and all such as the swine usually eat . 't is good that you provide entertainment against the hogs come out of the field , at the usual time ; for by so doing you shall make them return to their owner without running astray : which certainly you may do by a due providing of meat for them at a set time . marks of a good bore . the bore is esteemed the best that is short and broad , his mouth drawing upwards and long , having a broad and thick breast , broad shoulders , short and great thighs , white of colour , and in a word the broadest and most four square , and of a full body , having thick bristles on his back , is the best bore . marks of a good sow . the best sows are such as are longest of body , with a hanging belly of broad buttocks and long ribs , of a little head and short legs , white hair. the time of a sow being covered . let not the sow be covered before she is above one year old , and the bore that covereth her must be three or four years old ; but after the fifth year you must geld him for to feed him for brawn or bacon . the best time to cover a sow is , from the increase until the full moon ; after the full moon it is not good . the best time in the year is to let the sow take the bore at candlemass , that the piggs may be strong in the harvest time : the winter piggs are more hard to bring up , and not so natural as the others that are pigg'd in summer . a sow may rear eighteen piggs if she hath so many paps . the best time to geld pigs , and to splay the sow . the best time to geld , is when they are a year old , and not older ; when the moon is in the decrease , in the beginning of spring , or in the fall of the leaf , when its moderate weather ▪ in case you cut them when they are little , i confess that the bacon will be the sweeter , but they will not make so large swine ; therefore you may use your discretion to cut them from four to six month 's , or to a year . to make a hog fat. the hogs that you intend to fatten for bacon , ought always to be set up in a particular stye , and the darker the stye is , the better , provided there be but so much light as to see to give them meat ; there needs not so much care of them as other swine ; but that their stye be made clean , and that they have food at all times lying before them in their troughs : they are not to be brought from one place to another , though they have no motion , and not able to move themselves . their is divers manner of food , according to the custom of the countrey , yet the best and most substantial feeding is of dry pease and beans , though its common in many inclosed countreys to feed a swine exceeding full with whay , and many practise that way , only giving them a bushel of pease or beans to har●…en the fat. in some countreys they ●…eed after other manner , which for brevi●…y sake i shall omit ; knowing that the ingenious country-man knoweth what way is best for is ends in that matter . sickness in swine . . they are also subject to many distempers , and you may know that the hog is sick , when he lets hang his ears , and that he is duller and heavier than he is wont to be , having little or no stomack to his meat ; but the certain way , if none of these symptoms appear , is to draw out of his back a handfull of bristles against the growth of the hair , and in case that the root of the bristles be white and clean , then the hog is sound and in good health : but if that they are bloody , or spotted , then he his sick . . head-ach , or sleepy-evil . for the head-ach or sleepy-evil , you shall let the swine blood under the tongue , and give him lettice leaves to eat , or give them water wherein stone cropel is steeped . . the pox in swine . the pox is cured by giving him mithridate in metheglin , or by drinking the warm blood of a lamb ; or give him common oyl with pepper . . eating of yarro . in case the swine hath eaten mad chervile , millfoile , or yarro , called in latin , cheliophilon ; then give him to drink a good quantity of water wherein wild cowcombers are boyled , leting it stand before you give it him till 't is but luke-warm ; and that will vomit him . . diseases in the eyes . are cured with the juice of bittany , or horse leeke , or the blades of sallendine beaten in a morter , and laid upon the eyes , mixt with wine or the powder of sepia blown into the eyes , or dry the yolk of an egg to powder , and blow it into the eyes . . ague or feaver . against the ague , let the hog blood in the tail. . measles prevented . the hog is especially subject to measles , it proceeds from gluttony and over-eating ; now there is three especial signs of measles , viz. if you be-behold under his tongue small black blisters , or that he cannot stand on his hinder legs , or that his bristles be bloody , as aforesaid ; this distemper is prevented by carefulness in the feeding , and that they go into the field , in the open air. . rheum or catarrhe . rheum or catarrhe are cured by bons brimstone in a fire-shovel , and letting the smoke up the nose , or rub the swines mouth with garlick bruised with salt or bruised laurel leaves . . to prevent vomiting . you shall let him stand fasting , set up in some obscure place one day and night , that he may consume the superfluous moisture , and recover again to his former appetite : some have prescribed medicines , but the most experienc'd thing this way is the best . . measles cured . let the hogs that are measled , oftentimes wallow in a bath , in sea-water ; and for lack of sea-water let the owner make a bath of water well boiled and salted ; and put it into a convenient place where the hog may wallow therein ; and mingle with his meat bruised garlick , and give him the rhine of grapes or goosberries , or give him roles of leaven with his meat . . plague or disease in the milt . swine are much inclined to the plague and swelling of the milt , which very often seizeth such unclean bodies , because they eat foul and unclean meats . the best cure for this malady , is to give them honey combs , and whatever proceeds from bees . . swelling of the neck . against rheum or swellings in the neck , the best remedy is to let the swine blood under the tongue . . aposthume or swelling in the throat . against aposthumes or swelling of the throat , mix the fine flower of wheat with salt , and rub the sore therewith . . imposthumes in the body . see the chap. of the swine . . diseases of the gall. the over-flowing of the gall , in many times a disease that befalls swine : the best remedy is to give them saffron mixt with metheglin , or honey and white wine ; let the swine drink half a pint . . to kill lice or ticks . take linseed oyl and salt , mix them together , and rub the swine all over therewith , and it will free him from vermin . . to prevent thirst . swine are subject to a thirst whereof some have died , which most frequently happen in the dog-days : the best that you can do for them , is to drive them to some sweet river , where they may lie down and bathe themselves . . a great cough or cold. the cough in swine is cured by giving them colts-foot and lingwort boiled in metheglin , or take half a pound of honey , and a quarter of a pound of liquorish , boil them in a gallon of water till half be consumed , and let the swine drink it luke-warm , or give the swine gum dragon and sweet oyl . . belly-ach . the belly-ach is cured by giving the swine black pepper boiled in me●…heglin , or take three spoonfuls of fennile-seed mixt with white wine , and give it the sick swine , letting him swill . . lameness . if the swine be lame , so that it be ulcerated , then drop into wine turpentine and oyl very hot , or take honey and fresh grease , and spread them on a plaister of leather , and lay it on the wound . . flux . for the flux or looseness in swine , give them to drink vinegar and milk mixed together , and give them to eat gall nuts pounded and mixed with starch and wine vinegar . . broken legs or joynts . to cure broken legs or joynts , annoint the place with sheep-suet , and bind up the broken legs or joynts with straw ; or annoint it with the following ointment , sweet butter , oyl , turpentine , of each an ounce , mix them to an ointment . an alphabetical table of the diseases in horses , and their cure. a ague of a horse head-ach aposthumes tooth-ach . ague b belly-ach bloody flux biting of the spider mouse . bruised back back galled . biting of flies broken loins biting of a mad dog biting of a water-snake c. colts of what colour you will coldness or chilness catarrhe canker cough chollick chaps in the feet chaps between the joynts and legs d difference in breeding mares and stone-horses difficulty in making water e pain in the eyes web in the eyes watering eyes pin in the eyes wounded eyes eye scars f feaver faintness fundament fallen flux flies droven away fashions fistula's fidge hound-red g glanders griping of the guts h over-heated hen dung swallowed i jaundice k knees swollen knees wounded knees over-grown kibe heels l lean horse made fat disease in the lungs looseness leprosie lame m to manage a horse head-strong when a mare hath a desire to go to horse marks of a good colt madness mad love mangy mallender n distemper in the neck galled neck crick in the neck o ordering of horses over-heated ordering a mare that hath a fole obstructions opilations old swellings over-growing of the hooff over-stepping p want of pallat pricked in shooing r rheum running of the nose rupture prevented rupture cured ring bone s staggers swelling of the throat squincy struma strangling stomach lost stoppage of vrine strangury swelling of the cods swelling of the flanks scabby sinew-struck string-halt spavin sirachis t the time that a mare may be covered , , v vlcer a venemous creature swallowed u a flying worm waxen kernils wind short worms woolfe warts on the feet woolfe or boil on the foot y the yalloes reader , i have only given you an alphabetical table of the diseases in that part which treats of horses , and the other part which treats of cows , sheep , and hogs , hath a compleat table fore-going the particular medicines . errata . page line . r. much feeding , p. l. r. aristolochia ; p. l. r. barefoot ; p. l. r. popes , &c. notes, typically marginal, from the original text notes for div a -e general ordering of horses . over-heated the carter ought to be skilled in making saddles , &c. the stable to be kept clean . how to manage a horse . head-strong . gelding . difference in the manner of breeding mares and stone-horses notes for div a -e the cow when to be covered . the gelding of a calf . marks of a cow. of the oxe . markhams faithfull farrier wherein the depth of his skill is layd open in all those principall and approued secrets of horsemanship, which the author neuer published, but hath kept in his brest, and hath beene the glory of his practise. markham, gervase, ?- . approx. kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from -bit group-iv tiff page images. text creation partnership, ann arbor, mi ; oxford (uk) : - (eebo-tcp phase ). a stc estc s ocm this keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the early english books online text creation partnership. this phase i text is available for reuse, according to the terms of creative commons . universal . the text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. early english books online. (eebo-tcp ; phase , no. a ) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set ) images scanned from microfilm: (early english books, - ; : ) markhams faithfull farrier wherein the depth of his skill is layd open in all those principall and approued secrets of horsemanship, which the author neuer published, but hath kept in his brest, and hath beene the glory of his practise. markham, gervase, ?- . [ ], p. by t.c. for michael sparke, dwelling in greene arbor, and are to be sold by rich. royston, at his shop in i[...] lane, printed at london : . t.p. contains woodcut illustration. signatures: a⁸(-a ) b-g⁸ h⁷. pages and misnumbered as and respectively. imperfect: tightly bound with loss of print. reproduction of original in the henry e. huntington library and art gallery. created by converting tcp files to tei p using tcp tei.xsl, tei @ oxford. re-processed by university of nebraska-lincoln and northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors. eebo-tcp is a partnership between the universities of michigan and oxford and the publisher proquest to create accurately transcribed and encoded texts based on the image sets published by proquest via their early english books online (eebo) database (http://eebo.chadwyck.com). the general aim of eebo-tcp is to encode one copy (usually the first edition) of every monographic english-language title published between and available in eebo. eebo-tcp aimed to produce large quantities of textual data within the usual project restraints of time and funding, and therefore chose to create diplomatic transcriptions (as opposed to critical editions) with light-touch, mainly structural encoding based on the text encoding initiative (http://www.tei-c.org). the eebo-tcp project was divided into two phases. the , texts created during phase of the project have been released into the public domain as of january . anyone can now take and use these texts for their own purposes, but we respectfully request that due credit and attribution is given to their original source. users should be aware of the process of creating the tcp texts, and therefore of any assumptions that can be made about the data. text selection was based on the new cambridge bibliography of english literature (ncbel). if an author (or for an anonymous work, the title) appears in ncbel, then their works are eligible for inclusion. selection was intended to range over a wide variety of subject areas, to reflect the true nature of the print record of the period. in general, first editions of a works in english were prioritized, although there are a number of works in other languages, notably latin and welsh, included and sometimes a second or later edition of a work was chosen if there was a compelling reason to do so. image sets were sent to external keying companies for transcription and basic encoding. quality assurance was then carried out by editorial teams in oxford and michigan. % (or pages, whichever is the greater) of each text was proofread for accuracy and those which did not meet qa standards were returned to the keyers to be redone. after proofreading, the encoding was enhanced and/or corrected and characters marked as illegible were corrected where possible up to a limit of instances per text. any remaining illegibles were encoded as <gap>s. understanding these processes should make clear that, while the overall quality of tcp data is very good, some errors will remain and some readable characters will be marked as illegible. users should bear in mind that in all likelihood such instances will never have been looked at by a tcp editor. the texts were encoded and linked to page images in accordance with level of the tei in libraries guidelines. copies of the texts have been issued variously as sgml (tcp schema; ascii text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable xml (tcp schema; characters represented either as utf- unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless xml (tei p , characters represented either as utf- unicode or tei g elements). keying and markup guidelines are available at the text creation partnership web site . eng horses -- diseases. horsemanship -- early works to . - tcp assigned for keying and markup - aptara keyed and coded from proquest page images - jonathan blaney sampled and proofread - jonathan blaney text and markup reviewed and edited - pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion markhams faithfvll farrier . wherein the depth of his skill is layd open in all those principall and approued secrets of horsemanship , which the author neuer published , but hath kept in his brest , and hath beene the glory of his practise . printed at london , by t. c. for michael sparke , dwelling in greene arbor , and are to be sold by rich : royston , at his shop in iuie lane : ● . to the reader or buyer of this booke . it is a true saying , tempus omnia terminat . so i , gentle reader , hauing gained experience all my life to these present dayes wherein i am ready to creepe into the earth , willing now at the important request of my best friends , haue yeelded myselfe to lay the glorie of my skill in horsemanship open to the world : and hauing kept secret in the cabinet of my brest , these secrets , by which i haue gained from many a noble person many a fayre pound , i now bestow it vpon thee for the value of foure pence . it may bee some will account mee a foole in print for disclosing my secrets , but i euer regarded the life of a worthy horse , before the word of a foole. for bee thou noble , or what else , this here i doe is for thy good. if you take pleasure either in an horse to hunt , or for the warre , or for the race , or for to draw , or a hackney , come hither , buy , see , and welcome . take my opinion , and thou shalt finde in this my honest faithfull farryer , a shoppe of skill for thee to view : let this bee thy doctor , and thy druggist : let this be thy instructer and director . i hope that no good minded farryer will be greeued with me because i giue insight to the master of the horse : for if thy house were on fire , why shouldest thou run to fetch thy neighbours water to quench it , when thine owne is neerer at hand ? so if the horses owner know by this booke how to saue the life of his horse , why should he either ride or run to the farryer ? but it may bee euerie owner of an horse will not buy a booke . it matters not if but euery farryer haue one , and but that one in a towne , i doubt not , but with making vse of that one , many a man shall saue the life of his beast . come therefore and reade these secrets , which cost me paines , studie , practise , and labour ; all which hath cost mee trouble for thy ease . this shall bee thy pleasure which hath beene my toyle . it shall bee thy profit which hath beene my trouble : and this shall bee thy faithfull farryer and inctructer . for what creature canst thou name more necessarie than the horse , and what more helpefull at a time of need ? for were wee without horse , in what a strait should wee bee in , hee being our best seruant both in warre and peace , and of that inestimable value , that hee makes a man proud of his seruice . now if an horse be such a profitable seruant for man , let vs then respect the meanes that god hath giuen vs for his cure : for here is a schoole of skill for thy knowledge . first , how to make choyse of a good horse : secondly , what countrey horse is the most fit for thy vse : either for seruice in martiall or warlike imployment , or for swiftnesse , or for long trauell , or for draught , or for coach , or for cart , or for packe , or any other burthen . this shalt thou find here , in as ample manner , as if thou wert an old master in smithfield . and this shall bee my glorie euen as long as i liue , that i haue liued to leaue this my last and best worke to the world , and to them which will not liue to see it buried in obliuion . but mee thinkes i here some momus say , that the old captaine was vnaduised to put this in print , which hee euer kept as a rare secret , and it is true , veritas odium parit . but i reply , tempus omnia terminat . and though i had promised to my selfe , neuer to haue published this worke , yet being so continually importuned to print it , i was forced to yeeld , though i had promised the contrarie . and let this excuse mee to those noble persons whose bountie i haue felt , that for them i was the willinger to publish it in print while i liued , fearing that after my death , my then fatherlesse child might get a new name . but now i leaue this , being begot in my old age , to all noble , & worthy gentlemen , and when they looke not after him to the faithfull farryer to be cherished and to be knowne by the name of captaine gervas markhams last and best labours . the contents of this booke . obseruations in the electing of horses . and what countrey horse is for what vse . folio the occasions of inward sicknesses , and accidents , which happen vpon those occasions . the signes of inward sicknesses . the curing of any heart sicknesse , or head sicknesse , or any ordinarie inward sicknesse . to cure any violent sicknesse , if the horse be at the very poynt and doore of death . the preuenting of all inward sicknesses . two sorts of bals to cure any violent cold , or glaunders , to preuent heart sicknesse , to purge away all molten grease , to recouer a lost stomacke , and to keepe the heart from fainting with exercise , and to make a leane horse fat suddenly . another way how to fatten an horse suddainly . how to keepe an horse , or iade from tyring . another receipt against tyring , or for any sore or dangerous cold. another receipt for any extraordinary cold , dry cough , or pursicknesse in an horse , which the weake farriers call , broken-winded . an excellent scowring after any sore heate , or for any fat horse after his exercise . for any dangerous bots , mawwormes , or poysoned red wormes . for gourded , or foule sweld legges , or other parts , by reason of melting the grease , or other accident . to hoale or dry vp any old vlcer , or cankerous sore . to cure the running frush , or any impostumation in the soale of the foot , to dry vp scratches , paines , and the like cankerous sores . for any sore eye of horse , or beast . for a backe-sinew strayne , or any other strayne . for any old strayne , or lamenesse in loynts , synewes , &c. for any griefe , payne , numbnesse , weaknesse , or swelling in loynts , and commeth of a cold cause . for any desperate and incurable straine in the shoulder , or other hidden parts , for any fistula , polle-euill , or other impostumation or swelling . for foundering , frettizing , or any imperfection in the feet , or hoofes of an horse . for hurts vpon the crownets of the hoofes , as ouerreach , stub , or pricqe , &c. how to helpe surbating , or sorenesse in the feet . for any bony excression arysing vpon any member of an horse ; as splint , spanen , curbe , ringbone , &c. obseruations in giuing of fire , or vsing of corosines , which heale all sorts of farcies , cankers , fislulas , leprosies , maungees , scabs , &c. how to defend a horse from flyes . how to make a white starre , or white spot in an horses face , or in any other part . how to keepe your weollen horse-clothes , brest clothes , rubbers , and the like from moathes . the faithfull farier , or a catalogue of all those principall and approued secrets in horsmanship , which the author neuer published , but hath kept secret in his owne brest , and which haue beene the glory of all his practise . obseruations in the electing of horses , and what countrie horse is for what vse . the first and principall thing which giueth the noblest character to a good horseman , is the well electing of horses for that vse and purpose for which you intend to imploy them : and in this choise there is no better or readier a way then the knowledge of races and straynes from whence horses descend ; for it is certaine , that the clymate , heat , and cold , are three excellent elements , in an horses composition . touching the election of horses by their shapes and proportions , by their colours and complextion , and by their markes and other outward semblances ; i haue written sufficiently in my former books , and intend to reiterate nothing : for nothing shall fall from my pen in this treatise , but the very secrets of mine hart , things certaine and approued , things secret and vnpublished . to come then to the election of horses , according to their races , breedes , and clymates : ●f you will elect an horse for seruice , or a martiall or warlike imployment , then these are best , the neapolitan . the sardinian , &c. the almaine . the french. or any of these bastardized in themselues , or with a faire well shaped and well mettalled english mare . if you will elect for swiftnesse and seruice , then , the arabian . the barbarie . the spanish . the grecian . or any of these bastardized in themselues , or with our best english mares . if you will chuse for long trauell and seruice , then , the english . the hungarian . the sweathland . the poland . the irish . if you will chuse for draught and for seruice , then ; the flanders . the freisland . or any of the netherlands , either bastardized in themselues , or with our english races , and these are excellent for coatch , for cart ; for packe , or any burthen . the occasions of inward sicknesses , and accidents , which happen vpon those occasions . sicknesses are of diuers kindes , and proceede from diuers causes , haue their diuers signes , and their diuers remedies , as i haue shewed in my bookes : but to come neerest to the marke of curing , let me perswade you to call to account these few obseruations . first , to remember that all sickenesses in horses come either , by heares , in ouer violent exercise ; and then is the grease melted , the heart ouer strained , the vitall blood expelled outward , and the large pores and oryfices of the heart , so stopped , that the spirits cannot returne back to their proper places , but confound and mortifie . or else by colds , in indiscreet keeping either before or after exercise , and then is the head perplexed , the eyes pained , the rootes of the tongue swelled , the lungs tickled and offended with rheumaticke moysture , occasioning coughing , and the nostrils still pouring out filthy and corrupt matter . or else by surfeit of food , in either eating too much , or too little of that which is good ; or in giuing any thing at all of that which is vnwholesome . the first kils the stomacke , macke , oppresseth the heart , and sends vp those euill fumes into the head , by which is ingendred the staggers , frenzie , and other mortall diseases . the second putrefies the blood , and turnes all nourishment into corrup●ion , from whence proceedes the yellowes , and other such like pestilent diseases , which suffocating the heart , spreads it selfe vniuersally ouer the whole body , and confounds euery faculty and member . or lastly , by accidents , as when a horse receiueth some grleuous and deepe wound , either in his body , or else in some other vitall and dangerous part , by which , nature is so offended , that instantly a generall sickenesse seazeth vpon the horse , and ( if not preuented ) death suddenly followeth ; and these sicknesses , are called accidentall-feauers ; for if you obserue it , you shall finde the horse sometimes trembling , sometimes sweating , sometimes cold , and sometimes burning . thus you see there are foure occasions of sickenesses in horses , as heates , colds , surfeits , and accident . the signes of inward sicknesses . now to know the signes of these sicknesses ; if it proceed from the first occasion , which is heates ; then the signes are these . first , heauinesse of countenance , swelling of the limbes , scowring or loosenesse of body in the beginning of the sicknesse , and drinesse or costiuenesse , in the latter end ; short breath and hot , and a loathing or forsaking of his meate . it it proceed from the second occasion , which is colds : then the signes are , heauinesse of countenance , and either dull or else closed up eyes , hard boyle or big pustules , betweene the choppes and the roots of the tongue , and sometimes an hard swelling vp from the chops to the roots of the eares : a rotten and moyst cough , the horse euer chawing some loose , filthy , flegmatique matter in his mouth after his coughing : which in one respect is no euill signe , because it sheweth a rotten cold that is newly gotten , and soone to be clensed : whereas to cough cleare and hollow , and not to chaw after it , shewes a drie cold that is of long continuance , sore festred , and hard to be recouered : lastly , his body will fall away , and when hee drinketh , the water will issue forth at his nostrilles ; and his eyes will bee euer mattery and running , and his haire rough and staring . if it proceed from the third occasion , which is surfeit of meats and drinkes , either naturall or vnnaturall , then the sign●s are these ; first , heauinesse of head and countenance , in such a violent manner , that the horse can hardly lift his head from the maunger ; a dull and dead eye , a staggering and re●ling pace , and ( if the disease bee farre growne ) a franticke and mad behauiour , as biting the racke and maunger , and at such as shall come about him , sometimes biting at himselfe , and beating his head against the wals , boards , or ground , and other franticke passions : but if the disease bee lesse contagious in the braine , but more inwardly setled at the heart , then the signes are , yellowes in the whites of the eyes , and in the inside of both the vpper and nether lippes ; and ( if the disease be farre gone ) then a yellowes ouer all the skin , a continuall faint sweat , and a desire rather to lye downe , then to stand , besides a generall loathing and forsaking of his meat , which is the common signe of all sicknesses . lastly , if it proceed from the forth occasion , which is accident , then the signes are a perplexed and troubled body , sometimes sweating at the rootes of the eares , in the flanke , and behinde the foureshoulders against the heart , sometimes trembling ouer all the body , and somtimes glowing and burning in the vital parts , and on the temples of the head , against the heart , on the inside of the fore-legs next of all to the body , and on the inside of the hinder thighes close to the body ; also his mouth will be hot and dry , and his tongue subiect to furring and to a white scalded complection ; lastly a generall loathing of his meate , but a great thirstinesse & desire of cold drinke , and when he can drinke no more , yet a desire still to hold his mouth in the water . thus you haue the foure occasions of sicknesses , and the signes by which to know those occasions . now for as much as sicknesses come many times suddenly and vnlookt for , and that not any man ( how skilful so euer ) but may sometimes bee ouertaken with the sudden sickenesse of his horse : and though hee can after vpon consideration , giue an account for such sicknesse when it is apparant , yet till nature haue thrust it forth , the disease was obscure to his knowledge ; therefore i will here shew those generall and most vsuall signes which doe attend and waite vpon euery sicknesse , by which you may bee enabled to know the approach or beginning of sicknesse before it take fast hold on the vitall parts , and so vse preuention ; or if it haue taken some small hold , then how to fortifie nature against it , and so to kill the contagion , ere it come to any great height of danger ; or being at the highest , how to qualifie the extremitie , and to bring euery vitall part and spirit to its first moderate state and temper . now that you may effect this the better , it is requisite that you acquaint your knowledge well with the complections , qualities , customes , and conditions of horses ; for whensoeuer you shall finde any alteration in any of these , bee sure there will follow alteration of health , as thus . first , in the complections of horses , which i draw from their colours and countenances : if your horse be a faire bright daplegray or a fleabitten , a white , a white-gray or the like ; if any of these colours , being naturally cleare and bright , shall grow duskish or cloudy , or the white hayres shall turne sandy and reddish , it is a signe of some vnnat urall distemperature in the horse , and that hee is euill affected , and either entreth into a consumption , or into some other inward disease of body . if the horse bee of a pure blacke colour , a bright bay , a browne bay , or a red sorrell without flexen maine , or flexen taile , a cleare chessenut or a mouse-dun ; if thse haires shall grow discoloured and contrary to their proper natures , that is to say , of a weaker and worse complection ; as if the black turne dunnish or yellow , the bright bay , cloudy , pale , & sandy ; the browne bay like the mouse-dunne ; the redsorrell , corrall or like the yellowdunne ; the chessenut , hoarie and grey ; and the mouse-dunne , of a more blacke and pale blue then is naturall , all these are signes of inward sickenesses . and as of these colours , so of any other colour whatsoeuer , if they shall alter from their proper and true natures , to a worse and more vncomely complection , that is to say , to a complection that is vnuaturall and vnproper for an horse , they are most pregnant signes of some inward sicknesse , which either lingereth vpon the horse , or else is sodainly in breaking forth ; and therefore by all meanes remember , that the alteration of colours bee vnnaturall . for you must vnderstand , that if the daple-grey , in processe of time , do turne to white ; the darke iron-grey , to a bright grey ; the blacke , to an iron grey , and such like ; that then this is a naturall , and no vnnaturall alteration , and so no signe of sicknesse ; and therefore not to bee deceiued , or to stand doubtfull at all , acquaint your selfe well with the true colour and complection of your horse , which you shall best discerne when hee is in the pride and height of lust , when hee is wanton , full of flesh and smooth , sleeke , and shining : and when you shal see this complection alter , in part , or all ; then euer expect some sicknesse , as you thus acquaint your selfe with the complection of your horse , which i include in his colour ; so you must also haue a settled knowledge in his countenance and gestures ; and to that end you shall be carefull to marke and note his countenance and behauiour in all his actions and motions , as well within doores as without , as well in his play , ●s in his rest , at his times of feeding , & at his times of exercise ; you shall note the cheerefulnesse of his eye , the cariage of his head and necke ; which be his angry characters , and which bee his pleasant , when he biteth for wantonnesse or for offence ; and these you shall best finde out , in his feeding , in his exercise and playing , and in his dressing ; and if at any time you finde any of these characters of fayle on the sudden , and that ●is gesture is more lumpish heauy ; then call your selfe to account what you haue done , eyther in exercise , feeding , ayring , or ordering : for there is no doubt but there is distemperature , and sicknesse is approaching , if it be not preuented . as you thus acquaint your selfe with the complection and countenance of your horse ; so you must also not be ignorant , but obserue diuerse other outward and inward quallities , for they are the greatest lights that can bee , both to health and sicknesse ; and to this end you shall especially marke his filling & his emptying , that is , his manner of feeding , and the manner of discharging his body . in his feeding , whether he eateth with a good appetite , or a weake stomacke ; the first is healthfull , the latter vnwholesome . if he eate with a good appetite , he will neigh and call for his meate before it come , when either he seeth his keeper , or a preparation for feeding , as sifting of his oates , chipping of his bread , and the like ; hee will receiue it cheerefully , and greedyly , shaking his head , and shewing other signes of alacritie and reioycing , which quallities after he hath vsed , if on the suddaine he refraine and so receiue his meate dully and vnpleasantly , it is a great signe of sicknesse . as his feeding , so you shall marke his quallities in emptying , as the time , the place , the substance : the time , as whether he emptieth in the night-time better then in the day ; the place , as whether he emptieth better in the house or abroad , whether in the hand or when you are mounted , whether before you begin exercise , or else after some gentle motion or stirrings , whether at the stable doore or at some vsu●all places by the way , or in th● ground where you giue him hi● exercise ; lastly , for the substance whether it be much or little , if i● be much , you must forbeare exercise and make him emptie the oftner ; if it be little , then you may fall to labour at pleasure , then whether it be good or bad , and tha● commonly falleth out according to the food he eateth ; if it be cleere , firme , and pale , with white graines , and in complection like sweet sope , then it is wholsome ; if it be blacke it shewes heat in the body , if greasie then it shewes foulnesse , if red and hard , it shewes costiuenesse , if pale and loose , then inward coldnesse . and as thus you obserue his ordure , so you must also obserue his vrine : of both which i haue written sufficiently in my former bookes . as these quallities of feeding and emptying , so you shall note his quallities in rest and watching , that is , in his lying down and standing vp , what howres and time hee obserueth for either , and how long he perseuereth in them , and if at any time you find any suddaine or grosse alteration , then be assured of some sicknesse approaching . and thus of any other particular quallitie in your horse ( which you shall obserue in his health ) for it is impossible to nominate all , if you find them suddainly to surprise , it is doubtlesse that there is some sicknesse following . as you thus obserue the complection & quallities of the horse , so you must obserue his naturall customes and conditions , and how in his liuelihood and best health he standeth affected , for to name them i cannot , because they proceed most from hidden inclinations , or else accidentall apprehensions , which by continuance of time grow to naturall habits . and any of these when they shall surcease or faile , are true progoastications of distemperature and sicknesse . many other signes of sicknesse there are , as the not casting of the coate in due time , hyde-bound , continuall dislike and leannesse , where there is good feeding , beside many other : but they are so vulgar and commonly knowne , that i need not rehearse them ; and these signes already written , are sufficient for knowledge . the curing of any heart sicknesse , or head sicknesse , or any ordinarie inward sicknesse . i will now descend to the cure of these inward sicknesses ; and although euery seuerall sicknesse haue a seuerall cure , as i haue shewed at large in my bookes , yet i will draw all here , into one hidden , but certaine and most infallible approued method , which i haue neuer found prosperous and fortunate . whensoeuer , either by the signes before rehearsed , or other accident or knowledge you shall find your horse grieuously payned with inward sicknesse , the first thing you doe you shall open his neck-veine and receiue some of the first blood into a pewter porrenger , which if you set it in cold water it will presently discouer the foulnesse and putrefaction ; so then you shall let the horse bleed well till the blood change , neither must you be nice or tender in this action , because you must vnderstand , that all inward sicknesses in horses , draw their effects from the putrefaction of the blood only : and this is the reason . it is certaine that the horse ( of all other creatures ) hath no gall or naturall vessell into which to receiue the skummy and putrefied matter which ariseth fom the corrupt and collericke blood , but it is either auoyded in excrements , humours , or moderate exercise and sweates , or else by immoderate exercise and violent labour . by too much repletion and fulnesse , by vnwholsome food and euill dyet , or by some other naturall defect , this chollericke corruption increasing and ouerflowing , it presently and in an instant ouer-spreads the whole body , hauing its course through euerie veine , and so discoloureth the skin , and makes all the outward partes yellow , especially the eyes , and inside of the lips ; also mixing with the better blood , and confounding the strength and vertue thereof , it brings a generall faintnesse ouer all the body , and in the end suffocating the heart , of force there must follow sodaine and certaine mortallitie , and hence proceedeth those sodaine deathes of horses for which our weake farriers can giue but an idle and foolish account . but to returne to my purpose , after you haue taken away good store of blood , and ( as you imagine ) all , or at least most part of that which is corrupt , you shall then set him vp in the stable , tying his head to the emptic racke gently and at lyberty , neither so high that he shall be compelled to rest his head vpon the bridle , nor yet so low that hee may thrust his head into the maunger , and thus ye shall let him and at least two howres . now if the sicknesse be not very contagious , and dangerous , you shall not administer any potion vnto him that day , because the veine being opened , and all the humors , powers and faculties of the body disturbed , it will bee a double vexation to the spirits to haue the working of the potion also ; therefore in this case , the sicknesse not being violent , you may forbeare further administration , and onely after the horse hath fasted , as before said , you shall giue him such food as he will eate , whether it bee hay , bread or corne , and alwayes prouided , that it be strong sauorie , sweet , dry , and cleane drest : as for the quantitie , it matters not , for a small pittance will maintaine life ; and humor is now to the horse as food , besides , emptines is no great displeasure . at high noone you shall giue him a sweete mash of malt and water made in this manner . take halfe a pecke of good malt well ground , and put it into a payle by it selfe , then take a gallon of faire , cleere water , and set it on the fire , then when it is come to the heighth that it is ready to boyle , put as much of it to the malt as will moyst and couer the malt all ouer , and stirre them exceedingly well together , crushing the malt with a flat rudder as much as you can , euer and anon tasting it with your finger , till it bee as sweet as any honey , and then couer it ouer with cloathes as close as you can , and so let it stand and stoone for two or three howres at the least ; then the howre being come in which the horse is to receiue it , vncouer the mash , and stirre it well about , but finding it too hot , then put to it some cleere cold water that may temper and allay it , but in any wife not so much as may take away any part of the sweetnesse , and in this tempering , with your hand crush and squeeze the malt as much as you can , then ( the mash being luke warme ) giue it the horse to drink , and if he will eat of the malt , let him take thereof at his pleasure . this is the best manner of making an ordinarie mash , or horse-caudle , for of that nature and quallitie it is , and to that purpose that a caudle is administred to a man , is this giuen to a horse , for you must vnderstand , that in these contagious diseases nothing is more pes●ilent than cold water , and especially when exercise cannot be vsed . the ruder farriers and horse-groomes doe make the mash another way , putting the malt to the water at the first , and so boyling them both together , but this is vnwholsome and naught , and that euerie good house-wife can witnesse , for this long boyling ouer-scaldes the malt , takes away the strength and sweetnesse , and giues an harsh and vnsauorie taste , which is offensiue to the horses nature . if your horse be coy and refuse to take the mash , as many are , partly for want of vse and custome , and partly through weaknesse of stomacke , then you shall straine the water from the malt exceeding hard , and so giue it him with an horne to drinke , then take the graines which you haue so strained and put them in the manger before the horse , on which whether he feed or no it matters not , for if he but smell and snuffell his nose vpon them , it is sufficient , and the fume thereof is wonderous wholsome for his head . after you haue thus giuen him his mash , you shall see that he be very warmely cloathed , as namely , a good woollen body-cloath to come round about his heart , a large cloath or two to come ouer it , and to be well wispt round about , with soft , thicke , and large wispes ; for the little , hard , and neat wispes , though they are comly to the eye , yet are they vnwholsome for the body , for their hardnesse and smalnesse makes an impression into the horses sides , and causeth him forbeare to lye downe when nature and rest requireth it . the horse being thus warmely cloathed as aforesaid , and with a very warme brest-cloath before his breast , for that is an especiall part to keepe warme , you shall then cause one or two to rub all his foure legs from his knees & cambrels downward with very hard wispes , and to rub them so hard as may be , and whilst his limbes are thus in rubbing , you shall take a course rubber or two made of new harden or hempen cloth , and warming one after another ouer a pan of coales , with them rub the horse exceeding much in the nape of the necke , or the polle iust betweene his eares , and on the temples of the head ; for there is nothing more wholesome than these frictions and chafings , for they dissolue humours , reuiue all naturall heat , bring a cheerfull nimblenesse into the ●limbes , and purge the head of all grosse , cold , and tough matter , cleansing and purifying the brayne , by which the members and other faculties are fortified , and the whole body reduced backe to its first strength and abillitie . as soone as you haue ended this action of rubbing , you may then let the horse take his rest for two or three howres , and onely leaue a locke or two of sweete hay in his racke , and no more , for the least quantitie of any things too much soone cloyeth a sicke horse . in the euening you shall come to the horse againe , and hauing rubbed all his limbes and head , as was before shewed , you shall then perfume his head in this manner . take of the best and purest oli●anum an ounce , then as much storax , and as much beniamin , and bruise all them together , i doe not meane bruise them to small powder , but onely breake them into small lumpes , and mixe them well together , so that taking them vp betweene your fingers , you may not take vp one ingredient alone , but some of all . then take a chafing-dish , and if it be possible , a chafing-dish after the manner of the perfuming chafingdish , which is wide below where the fire is , and narrow at the top where the smoake auoydeth , and in this chafingdish put well kindled wood cole , or small charcoale ; then take some of the aforesad perfume , and lay it vpon the coales , but in any wise so as it may not flame but smoake , then hold the chafingdish vnder the horses nose , and let the smoake goe vp into his nostrils , and thus perfume him well for the space of a quarter of an howre , or halfe an howre at the most . now it may be the horse may seeme coy to receiue this at the first , because it is strange vnto him , but doe you continue the action , and cherish him , for be you well assured , after he hath once receiued the smell into the head , hee will be as greedy to haue it , as you are willing to giue it , for there is nothing that delighteth an horse more , or more reioyceth his spirits , than sweet sauors , and odoriferous smells , of which this perfume is one of the cheefest . the effect which this perfume worketh , is , that it purgeth the brayne of all filthy and corrupt matter , and ( as you shall find by experience in the working ) it dissolues tough matter into water , and brings it away in such abundance , that it is sometimes ready to extinguish the fire as it falleth . it is the greatest comforter of the braine that can be , and from thence sendeth such cheerefullnesse to the heart , that it reioyceth the whole body . there are diuers other perfumes which weake farriers vse in this case , as namely , wet hay , or rotten litter , and putting a burning coale therein , giue the smoake to the horse : but this is a stinking sauor and no perfume , and although it make the horse snoare and neese , and so you may imagin it auoydeth fowle matter , yet it is nothing so , but it offendeth both his brayne and stomacke , and by the noysomenesse of the smell dulleth and weakeneth the spirits , and rather ingendereth infection , than any way abateth infirmitie ; for from rottennesse there can but rottennesse proceed . next there is the perfume of brimstone , either simple of it selfe and put vpon the fire ; or else compound with another body , as butter , oyle , or the like , and so thrust vp into the horses nostrils . this i must needes confesse is a sharpe perfume , and euacuateth much foule matter , and dissolueth the thickest matter into thin water : but yet you must know , that there is in this sulphure , or brimstone a certaine earthy and poysonous quallity , which not onely doth offend the vitall parts , but is also most malignant and iniurious both to the eyes of man and beast , so that like margery goodcowe , if it haue one vertue , yet two vices attend it . then there are the perfumes of the stalkes of onions , garlicke , leekes , mustard-seed , and the like , or the perfume of the fruits themselues either burnt or boyld ; bu● these are also great enemies to the eyes of an horse , so that i can by no meanes allow them , especially fo● this reason , becase that generally all these inward sicknesses in horse● doe most of all afflict the head an● eyes , to which these things are enemies . also there is the perfume o● wheat , peniroyall , & sage , boyld til● the wheat burst , and so put it into a● bagge fastened about the horse● nose . this i must confesse is the best of many , yet it is much to● weake for a strong infirmitie , and the penir●yall hath a bitternesse that is offensiue . as these , so i could nominate diuerse others , but none so excellent as the first of all prescribed , and therefore to it i referre you . after your horse hath been wel● perfumed , as beforesaid , you shall let him rest for a quarter of an howre , and then giue him such food as he wil eat , either bread or oates , of which how little soeuer he eateth it skils not , for it is to be intended that his stomacke is now at the weakest . after he is fed you shall tosse vp his litter , for you must know that he must stand vpon litter night and day , and then ( if need be ) giue him more litter , and but a locke or handfull of hay , that you may be sure to haue him very fasting the next morning , and so let him rest all the night without disturbance . the next morning early , you shall take halfe an ounce of the powder of diapente , as the greekes call it , because of the number fiue , which diapente is thus made & compounded . take of round aristoloch , of gentian , of the best mirrhe , of b●y-berries , and of the purest shauings of iuory , of each one ounce , beat all but the myrrhe together in a morter in a fine pouder , and ●earse it through a fine searse , then likewise beate the myrr●e by it selfe , and fearce it also , and then mixe all well together in a morter , and so keepe the pouder in a closse gally-pot . when you haue taken halfe an ounce of this powder , you shall put it into a pint of the best muskadine that you can get , and brew them very well together in two pots , tossing it well too and fro , because otherwise the myrrhe will clotter and lumpe together : when it is well brewed ( after you haue made cleane your stable , and righted your horses cloathes ) you shall with an& horne giue him this potion to drinke . then if he haue any small strength , you shall mount his backe , and walke vp and downe in some warme or sunnie place for an hower , or thereabout ; then set him vp in the stable warme and well littered , and tying him to the racke in his bridle , let him so stand and fast for another houre , or more , then offer him a little sweete hay , or any other meat that he will eat , and so let him stand till betwixt twelue and one of the clocke in the afternoone , at which time you shall first rub his head and legges well , as was formerly declared for the day before . then you shall perfume him , as was beforesaid , and both those workes finished , you shall giue him a sweet mash , as was also shewed before , and so let him rest till the euening , at which time you shall offer him either oates or bread , but in little quantitie , as handfull by handfull and be sure it be sweet & cleane drest , sifted and dusted , and so let him rest till eight of the clocke at night , at which time you shal againe perfume him . then put sweet hay in his racke , tosse vp his litter , and right his cloathes , but in any wise bare not his body : then hauing made the stable cleane , you may leaue him to his rest for that night . the next day being the third day ▪ you shall doe all things as you did the second day , already rehearsed . as first , you shall giue him his potion of diapente and sweete wine , then ayre him , at noone his mash , at euening and night his perfume , with all other obseruations that were before declared . the next day , which is the fourth day , there is no doubt ( with the helpe of god ) but you shall finde alteration and health approaching , which you shall know by his stomacke , by his more cheerefull countenance , and by other outward gestures , and finding that health is comming , you may then forbeare to giue him any more potions , and onely attend him with good food , good dressing , and moderate exercise , neither shall you giue him any more mashes , for although they be wholsome in the extreamitie of sicknesse , yet being any thing too much vsed , they take away the horses stomacke , and brings him to a loathing of other meat , and therefore in steade thereof , you shall in the morning after your horse is well rubd and drest , take a pottle of faire water , and heat it scalding hot , then put it into a gallon , or two of cleere cold water , that it may take away the extreame coldnesse thereof , and then being scarcely lukewarme , giue it the horse to drinke : you may , if you please , throw an handfull of bran , or an handfull of wheat-meale into the water , for it is good , and not hurtfull . as soone as the horse hath drunke , take his backe , and ride him forth gently for an howre , or two . at noone perfume him , at euening water him as you did in the morning , and ride him in like manner . feed him at vsuall howres as i● time of health , and thus doe for three or foure dayes more , then finding his strength increasing , you may be degrees abate his cloathes , you may water him abroad at some cleare riuer , or spring , gallop him after his watering , and draw euerie thing to the same custome as you did in best health . thus you see the manner how to cure an horse that is sicke , but not violently sicke , and as it were at the very poynt and doore of death , which cure is this which followeth . to cure any violent sicknesse , if the horse be at the very p●ynt and doore of death . if you shall haue an horse in this extreamitie , and desperate case then the first thing you doe , you shall open his necke veine , and let him bleed very well : then two howres after his bleeding , take two ounces of the powder of di●pente , before rehearsed , and beat it in a morter with as much clarified , pure life hony , as will bring it to a substantiall treackle , for this is an excellent treackle , and of the italians called horse . methridate , and is the same which our physitians call th●●iaca diatessaron . when this confection is made , you shall take a full halfe ounce thereof , or more , and dissolue it in a pint and an halfe of muskadine , and so giue it the horse to drinke with an horne : then if he haue so much abilitie of body , walke him vp and downe for halfe an howre , or an howre , either in some sunny place , or some close barne , or emptie house , then set him vp , and let him fast full another howre . at noone giue him , if you can get it , a gallon , or neere there about of the first running of the strongest ale , before it be put to barme , and when it is cleere , strong , and carryeth a royall on the top : but where this is not to be had , then giue him a sweet mash , perfume him , r●b him , cloathe him , dyet , and order him in all respects as was shewed you in the former cure , and thus you shall doe for three dayes together without all fayle , and then no doubt but you shall see health approaching . at the end of three dayes you shall forbeare all sorts of mashes of both kindes , and follow all the prescriptions before declared . now if during the cure , either through the violence of the medicine , or the foulnesse of the horses body , you shall finde any hard pustules or swellings to ryse vp betweene the horses chaps , and at the root of the tongue , then you shall first clip away the hayre as close as may be ; then you shall take a waxe candle , and therewith burne the swelling , till you may scarifie the skinne , then take a peece of leather , somewhat larger then the swelling , and hauing prickt it all ouer with the point of your knife , spread thereupon in some thicke manner your blacke shoomakers-waxe , that is well seasoned and new ; then warming it ouer a few coles , lay it vpon the swelling and remoue it not , till it either fall off by it selfe , or els the sore breake , then renew the plaster , and with it onely heale vp the sore . this plaster for the cheapnesse , and meannesse will hardly win credite with those which are curious : but i dare assure you ( that are a louer of truth ) that there is not a more exellent or soueraigne plaster which belongs to an horse , for it ripeneth and breaketh any impostumation whatsoeuer , it asswageth any hard swelling or tumor , whether in ioynts , or other fleshy parts , and it healeth what it breaketh or ripeneth , and with its heat it dissolues all manner of humours that are knit together , and occasion paine or swelling . there is another accident which attendeth the sicknesse of horses , and that is costiuenesse , or belly-binding , which maketh an horse that he cannot dung , or auoyd his ordure . this accident when at any time it hapneth , it shall be good for you first to rake him , that is , you shall annoynt your hand all ouer with sweet butter , or clarified hogges grease : some vse oyle of bays , but it is too sharpe , and too hot , and many times ( if the action be vsed too roughly , or vnaduisedly ) it breedeth exulceration and sorenesse in the tuell , and inward parts . therefore , as before i said , take either butter , or hogs grease , and your hand being all besmeared therewith , thrust it vp into his tuell till you feele his ordure , and then drawing out as much thereof ( if it be blacke and hard ) as conueniently you can , without doing iniury to the horse , or striuing with your hand to goe too farre : and if you finde it to be very sore baked within , then after you haue raked & got what you can , you shall take a great candle or percher of three or foure in the pound at the most , and cutting off an inch or two of the vpper or smaller end , with your hand annoint as before , thrusting the great end forward , put it vp into his tuell so farre as you can get it , then suddenly drawing out your hand , and leauing the candle behind you , clap downe his tayle close to his tuell , and drawing it vp betweene his legges , hold it with both your hands hard and constantly for the space of an houre , or more , in which time the candle will dissolue in the horse● body , and so separate and breake his ordure , that vpon the letting loose of your hands , he will presently dung . this you may doe in euery case of extremity , but not otherwise : and beleeue it , you will finde this the most excellentest suppositorie of all other , and that there is no● glyster which can worke with greater efficacie , or more wholesomnesse . there is another accident which attendeth the sicknesse of horses , and that is quite contrarie to this before rehearsed , and is called lax , atiuenesse or loosenesse of body , which is expressed by a vehement and violent scowring : this , if at any time it shall happen , you shall at first note the violence therof , and the continuance thereof . the violence is knowne by the thinnesse , the sharpnesse , and the oft and speedy auoyding of the excr●ments . the continuance is knowne by the vnchangeablenesse of the infirmitie , and by the processe and long continuance of time , contrarie to all naturall and wholsome custome , for you are to obserue that an horse may haue a scowring for a day , or two , or a little more , and this is not vnwholsome , but natural and good , and if after it stay of it selfe , then it worketh no euill effect , but if it continue longer , and bring the horse into any extraordinarie weakenesse of body , then you shal● seeke to stop it in this manner . take a quart of new milke , and putting thereunto a good spoonfull or two of fine beane flower , and as much bolearmoniacke finely beate● to powder , boyle all together til● the milke thicken , and then being made lukewarme , giue it the horse with an horne , and doing thus 〈◊〉 morning or two ; no doubt but it will binde the horse ; which if it do● not , then you shall take a quart o● red-wine , and put thereunto 〈◊〉 handfull of the hearbe called shepheards purse , and halfe so much of tanners barke , and boyl● all very well together till the hearb and the barke be soft , then strain●● it , and put thereunto two spoonfull of the powder of cinamon , and being made lukewarme , giue it the horse to drinke with an horne , and this doe one morning , or two , or three if need require . for mine own part , i neuer found but it wrought good effect , and so i hope all men shall find that approue it . now whereas in all my cures heretofore in this booke for sicknesses of what extremitie soeuer , i make you onely rely vpon diapente , or horse methridate , which is a kind of diatessaron . and for as much as at any times , & in many places , these thinges cannot be had , then in such extremitie , and the horse being at the poynt of death , in stead of the powder of meth●date aforesaid , you shall take halfe a pint of dragon water , and dissolue into it , a good spoonfull or more of the best treakle vpon a soft fire of embers , then being lukewarme , giue it the horse to drinke with an horne , aad thus doe for a morning , two , or three , till you see alteration and health approaching . this expelleth all infection and euill from the heart , comforts the spirits , and restores nature to its first best strength . and thus you haue the vttermost secrets of my heart concerning the curing and discerning of all manner of inward sicknesses in horses , how desperate , mortall , or contagious soeuer . the preuenting of all inward sicknesses . the preuenting of inward sicknesses , consisteth in two speciall obseruations and considerations . the first , is to preuent it before 〈◊〉 come , so that it may not offend at● all . the second , is to take it at the rst appearance , and so preuent it that it arise not to any great danger or hazard . to preuent sickness that it offend not your horse at all , it is an excellent course when you put your horse to grasse , euer three or four● dayes before you turne him out , to take blood from his necke veine ; then the next day after to giue him a pint and an halfe of muskadine , and halfe an ounce of the powder , of diapente , or three quarters of an ounce of the horse mithridate , or treakle , before rehearsed ; and then by degree● to abate his cloathes , if he haue been vsed to any , and to make his body familiar with cold . also you shall obserue when you let your horse blood , to proportion the quantitie which you take from him , according to the goodnesse or badnesse of the blood when you behold it , for the losse of good blood is vnholsome , and doth hurt , and to preserue ill blood , is both dangerous and noysom . also if you obserue , when you take blood from your horse , to rcceiue it into a vessell , and by stirring it about continually as the horse bleedeth , to keepe it from clotting , then hauing bled , to take the blood , aud to besmeere it all ouer the horses backe and body , you shall find it wonderfull wholsome , for it comforteth the body , cleareth the skin , and breedeth a reioycing in all the horses vitall parts . now if you haue no determination to put your horse to grasse , and yet you wold preuent inward sicknesse , then you shall obserue , once in two or three moneths , when you haue the best leasure to rest your horse after it , not to fayle to giue your horse muskadine & diapente , or muskadine & horse methridate , as was before shewed , and not to let blood at all , for this verie potion is the greatest purger and purifier of the blood that can be , and auoideth all that yellow cholericke matter , and other euill and vndigested humors whrch corrupt the blood . now you are to obserue here , that although i only prescribe muskadine wherein you shall dissolue your powder , or methridate , yet know that when you cannot get muskadine , or other sweet wine , that then you may take strong ale , or beere , but in greater quantitie , for as you take but a pint & an halfe of wine , you shall take of beere or ale a full ale quart ; as for the pouder or methridate you shal keep the first quantitie already prescribed , and if you warme your beere or ale a little on the fire , it will not be amisse , but better , yet that i referre to your owne discretion . now to take sicknesse at the first approach , and to preuent it , that it arise not to any great danger , you shall by all meanes obserue to looke well into the occasions of sicknesses which are already shewed , and into the signes of those occasions , and if you finde your selfe guilty of any of those occasions , or that the horse discouereth any of the former signs , then presently let the horse blood , and three seuerall mornings after giue him the drinke or potion before prescribed , and vndoubtedly it will preuent all the force of sicknes , and restore the horse to his former strength , and good estate of body . and thus much of all inward sicknesses , and their preuen●●on . two sorts of bals to ●●re any violent cold , or glaunders , to preuent heart-sicknesse , to purge away all molten grease , to recouer a lost stomacke , and to keepe the heart from fainting with exercise , and to make a leane horse fat suddenly . take of aniseeds , of cominseeds , of fenegreekeseedes , of canthamus seeds , of the powder of elicampane roots , of each . ounces , beate them , and ●earse them to a very fine powder , then adde to them one ounce of the flower of b●imstone , then take an ounce of the best iuice of licoras , and dissolue it in halfe a pint of white wine , which done , take an ounce of the oyle of aniseeds , and as much of the surrup of coltsfoot , then of sallet oile and of fine life hony , of each halfe a pint , then mixe all this with the former powders , and with as much fine wheat flower as will binde & knit them altogether , then worke them into a stiffe paste , and make thereof bals somewhat bigger then french walnuts , and so keepe them in a close gally por , for they will last all the yeere : & when you haue occasion to vse them , take one , and anoynt it al ouer with sweet butter , and so giue the horse euerie morning one in the manner of a pil , and ryde him a little after it , if you please , otherwise you may chuse ; then feed and water him , abroad or at home , according to your vsuall custome , and thus doe ( if it bee to preuent sickn●sse ) for three or foure mornings together , but if it bee to take away infirmity , then vse it at least a weeke , or more ; if it be to take away molten grease , or foulnesse , then instantly after his heate , and in his heat onely ; but if it bee to fatten a horse , then vse it at least a fortnight or more . now if you find any difficulty in the giuing of it as pils , you may then at your pleasure dissolue one of these bals , either into sweete wine , beere , or ale , and so giue it the horse to drinke with an horne . but if it be to fatten , and to take away infirmity , as the running glanders , or such like ; then besides these bals , you shall make you these second bals. take of wheat flowre six pound or more , as shall suffice to make stiffe the paste , then take of aniseeds , of cominseeds , of canthumus , of fenegreeke , of ordinary brimstone , of each two ounces , of salet oyle a pint , of honey a pound and a halfe , of white wine a pottel ; beat the hard simples to a fine powder , and ●earse them , then with the rest make them into a stiffe past . then of this paste take a ball as bigge as a mans fist and dissolue it in two or three gallons of cleere cold running water , by washing and lauing the paste therein , and so giue it the horse to drinke at his ordinary watring times , or at any other time when he is disposed to drinke , for he cannot drinke too much of this water , then ride and warme him a little after it . then when the water is spent , doe not cast away the bottome , but filling the vessell vp againe with new fresh water , dissolue another ball therein , and thus do foureteene dayes together at the least , and you shall see wonderfull effects arise thereof . this water scowreth , cleanseth , and feedeth in admirable manner . and the other lesser bals , first spoken of , purge the stomacke and intrayles of all foulnesse , auoydeth molten grease , and fortifieth nature so powerfully , that it leaues no euill in the body . and this small ball ( if it were for my life ) would i giue to an horse immediately vpon his drawing forth , if hee went either to run , to hunt , or vse any violent or extreme labour . annther way how to fatten a horse suddainly . there is another way to fatten an horse suddainly , but not better then that before shewed , yet this i haue found both good and certaine , and therefore i refere it to your owne discretion . take of elicampane , of comimseeds , of turmericke , of aniseeds , of each two ounces , of groundsell an handfull , boyle all these verie well with three heads of garleeke cleansed and stamped , in a gallon of strong ale , then strayne it well , and giue the horse a quart to drinke lukewarme in the morning fasting , then ride him till he be warme , then ●et him vp warme , and thus doe for foure or fiue mornings , and then turne the horse to grasse ( if the time of the yeere be sutable therefore ) and he will feed wonderfully and suddainly . but if the time of the yeere serue not for grasse , then you shall keepe him in the house , and ouer and besides the drinke before shewed , you shall take the fine powder of elicampane , & the fine powder of cominseeds , of each a like quantitie , mixe them well together , then euerie time you giue your horse prouender , which would be at least thrice a day , as morning , noone , and night : take halfe an ounce of this powder , and sprinkle it by little and little into his prouender , for feare of offence , till all be eaten vp . and thus doe for fourteene dayes together at the least , and you shall see the horse prosper in wonderfull and strange manner . how to keepe a horse , or iade from tyring . if you ride on a tyring iade , o● feare the perplexed crueltie of ● tyred iadc , then be sure to carrie about you the fine searse powder of elicampane , and when others bayt● their horses ▪ or that you come to the place of bayte for your horse● the first thing you doe , set vp you● horse warme , and doe not walke him . after he hath been well rubbed , take a quart of strong ale , and put thereto halfe an ounce of th● powder of elicampane , and brew i● altogether , then giue it the horse with an horne , which done , tye hi● head to the racke , for you need no● care for prouendar till night , a● which time prouendar him well and in the morning giue him oate● or bread , or both , in plentifull manner , and being ready to backe him , giue him the former quantitie of ale , and the powder aforesaid , and doubtlesse you shall find him to trauell with great courage and spirit . also if you take a bunch of penniroyall , and tye it to the mouth of your bit , or snaffell , you shall find it verie comfortable , & it will cause your horse to trauell lustily . now if your horse , notwithstanding all this , do happen to tire , then you shall take off the saddle , and with the hearbe called arsesmart , rub his back all ouer verie hard ; thē laying arsesmart also vnder the saddle , so ride him , and if there be any life in him , it wil make him go . for this is a notable torment , and the smart is almost vnsufferable , and therefore i would haue you vse it with great discretion , and but seldome , or when extremity requireth it . another receit against tyring , or for anysore or dangerous cold. take of the best indian necotian ( which we call tobacco ) and be sure it be not sophisticated , or by any other accidentall meanes adulterated . dry this in the sunne in a gl●sse close lut●d , then pound it verie small , and mixe it with an equall quantitie of the powder of cockel-shels , then with the oyle of dill , and the oyle of cloues , make the powder into a paste , or solid body ; then make prettie round bals thereof , as bigge as walnuts , and dry them in the shadow , in the canicular dayes , otherwise called the dogge dayes , then keepe them close in a sweet gally pot , and giue them as pils in the time of necessitie , that is to say , a ball at a time whensoeuer your horse shall faynt in trauell , or if your horse haue taken any sore cold , or surfeit , then giue him the ball in the morning fasting , and let him haue a little exercise after it , then cloathe warme , rub well , & be sure not to lay any cold water to the horses heart , without moderate exercise after it , for of all dangers that is the greatest . another receipt for any extraordinary cold , dry cough , or pursicknesse in an horse , which the weake farriers call , broken winded . because the former receipt i● curious in the making , and asketh the obseruation of times , an● seasons , neither can be effected a● all times and howres , therefore●● will set you downe here , the secret of my knowlege , and those ready●● easie , and approued receipts , whic● i neuer found to fayl● , but to work● that goodnesse which i haue eue● desired . therefore whensoeuer you find your horse taken with any extream● old cold , dry cough , or pursickne● ( which ignorance farriers call bro●ken winded ) you shall take three● quarters of an ounce of the conserue of elicampane , and dissolue it in a pint and a halfe of the best sac̄k and so giue it to the horse with an horne , in the morning fasting , and ryde him alittle after it . and this you shall doe diuers mornings together , till you see the infirmitie decrease , and wast away . now because there is some curiositie in the making of this cōserue of elicampane , and that diuers men doe compound according to their diuerse opinions , i will here shew you the seuerall compositions , their seuerall vses , and their seuerall vertues , together with mine owne opinion of the goodnes , as i haue found it in my practise , & so to leaue it to your owne iudgement . the conserue of elicampane , is of two kindes , the one is simple , the other is compound . the simple conserue is made in this manner : take of the purest rootes of elicampane , that are preserued in swee● surrup , and beat those roots an● the surrup together in a morter till you haue brought it to an entit● thin substance , then with the fine● refined sugar that can be got , thicken it vp , and bring it to the perfect body of a conserue , then put it in 〈◊〉 gally pot , and keepe it close , an● vse it in time of necessitie , as wa● before shewed . this simple conscrue is of excellent vse , and taketh away any ordinary cold , or stopping ; it comforteth the lungs , inlargeth th● wind , purgeth the head of all fil●thy matter , and dissolueth man● other obstructions ; yet is not th● the best conserue , neither worket● the best effect , if the infirmitie b● old and dangerous , or if there b● any attainture in the lungs or l●uer , therefore in that case you sha● flye to the compound conseru● which is made in this maner . take the best candied roots of elicampane that can be gotten , and beat them in a morter with the sirrup of coltsfoot till it be brought to a very thin substance , then with the finest refined suger thicken it , as before shewed , till it be brought to the true body of a conserue ; then keepe it close in a gally pot , and vse it with sacke , as was before declared . this is the true conserue , and hath the greatest vertue ; for i haue knowne it in the continuance of a small time , and by the daily vse thereof , to take away diuers dry ( and supposed incurable ) coughes , it hath taken away the heauing of the body , and so inlarged the wind that albeit the motion was before swift , like the broken winded , yet it hath come to a moderare and ●low temper , and the dry cough which did accompanie it , hath been quite put awae . now whereas i prescribe vnto you the taking of the candie● roots of elicampane , i thinke it no● amisse because the apothicarie is not euer at your elbow , to shew yo● how you shall candye them you● selfe : as thus , take of the finest refined sugar , or the best white sugar candy , an● dissolue it in rose water , then boil● it to an heighth , and when the sirrup is cold , put in your roots , being cleare and well clensed , and let them rest in the sirrup a pretti● space , then take them out , and boil● the sirrup ouer againe , and as before put in your roots , then boyle the sirrup ouer againe the third time to an hardnesse , putting i● more sugar , but no rose water then put in all your roots , the sirrup being cold , and so let the● stand till they candy . and in this wise you may candy all manner o● roots , flowers , or any thing else . now if you find any difficultie either in the making , or the procuring of these midicines before shewed , or that the infirmitie not being great , or dangerous , you thinke a medicine of lesse force , and easier to compasse , will accomplish it : then you shall take of the sirrup of coltsfoot an ounce , of the fine powder of elicampane , of aniseeds , and of licoras , of each halfe an ounce , of browne sugar candy an ounce , deuided into two parts , then with as much sweet butter as will suffice , worke all the former powders , and one part , or halfe of the sugar candy , and all the sirrup , into a stiffe paste , then diuide it into two or three bals , and role them into a round forme , or the fashion of an egge , and after role them all ouer in the other halfe , or part of the sugar candy , and then giue this whole quantitie at one time to the horse in the manner of a pill , and giue them in the morning fasting , then ride the horse halfe an houre after the giuing , and let him fast two howres at the least after he commeth in , and let him be warme cloathed , and stopt , and his limbes , and body well rubbed , especially his head : let him by no meanes drinke any cold water , but so , as he may haue exercise after it , and let his exercise be moderate and not violent : let his hay be a little sprinkled with water , & his oates with beere or ale ; as for bread , it is of it selfe moyst enough ; and let all his meat generally be well dusted , sifted , or chipped , for nothing is more offenciue then foulenesse , and drynesse , nor more comfortable then cleannesse , prouided that your corne be not greene and vnsweet in the mow or reeke , your bread new , nor your hay vnsweete or rotten . thus you shall doe , not for one morning , or two , but for diuerse , till you find amendment ; neither shall you spare any trauell or occasion ; but haue medicine about you , vse it in your iournying , for this doth not take away anything to weaken nature , but addes to the force thereof , and makes the body a great deale more able . an excellent scowring after any sore heate , or for any horse after his exercise . take a quart of good sacke , and set it on the fire in a bason , or open skillet , and when it is warme , take an ounce of the clearest rosen and bruise it exceeding small , then by degrees little after a little put it into the sacke , and stirre it fast about for feare of clotting , and when the sacke and it is incorporated , then take it from the fire , and put thereto halfe a pint of the best sallet oyle , and in the cooling stirr them all well together , then lastly take an ounce of the browne sugar candy beaten to powder , and put it in also , and being lukewarme giue it to the horse in the height of his heat , as soone as you come home from exercise , then rub hard , cloath warme , and let him fast at least two howres after , but yet depart not your selfe , or some deputie for you out of the stable , but stay and keepe the horse stirring , and waking , partly by extraordinarie noyse and clamour , and partly by action about him , or making him moue vp and downe as he standeth , for there is nothing more hurtfull to the horse , or the working of the medicine , then sleepe , stilnesse and rest ; and nothing better or more auailable to the working of the medicine then action or motion : for they make the spirits worke , and stirre vp those humours which should be remoued , when rest keepes the spirits dull , and the humours so inclosed and reserued , that nature hath nothing to worke vpon . whensoeuer you giue any scowring , be sure that day to giue no cold water after it , for it is binding , and knitteth , and detayneth that foulnes which the scowring should take away . thus you see how to giue a scowring in the proper and due time : but if now either through errour , ignorance or imagination that your horse is so cleane that he needeth no scowring ( as i know many of opinion , that scowrings are idle vnnecessarie things , and not to be vsed at all ) yet your horse , hauing his grease molten , and no course taken for the auoyding therof , you find he droopeth , and languisheth , as of force the ●horse must doe , and experience daily shewes it vs. for the opinion that scowrings are vnprofitable , is friuolous and idle . in this case , vpon the first apprehension of the euill , you shall giue the horse a sweet mash in the euening , which is in the same nature , and of the same quallitie that a preparatiue is before a purgation : then the next morning very early mount his back , and ●n some conuenient peece of ground giue your horse a gentle heat : i doe not meane that you shal run him furiously , or violently , but to gallop him gently ; neither to heat him through the extremitie of sudden and sharpe labour , but to warme him kindly through the continuance of moderate exercise . nor would i haue you , to melt his grease anew , but only to loosen and stirre vp that which was before molten your exercise being finished , doe not alight from his back suddenly , but rub him as you sit on his backe and so bring him home ; then presently hauing the scowring ready , as soone as you are alighted , giue it him lukewarme , then rub him dry , cloathe and stop him very warme , and then in all other things do● as hath beene before declared . for any dangerous bots , maw wormes , or poysoned red wormes . take as much precipitate ( which is mercury calsoynd ) as will gently lye vpon a siluer twopence and lay it in a peece of sweete butter almost as big as an hens egge , in the manner of a pill , and then in the morning fasting , the horse hauing stood all night on the mussell , or at the emptie rack , if it be possible , or otherwise ( if the extremity of the disease compell you ) at any other time , draw forth the horses tongue , and make him swallow downe the pill , then chafe him a little vp and downe , and after set him vp warme , making him fast , full two howres after , and it will kill all manner of wormes whatsoeuer : yet in the administration hereof , you must be wondrous circumspect and carefull , for in the precipitate there is a strong poysonous quality , so that by no meanes there must be taken more then is prescribed , except with good caution . againe , if you mixe the precipitate with a little sweet butter , as much as an hazell nut , before you lap it vp in the great lumpe of butter , it well not be worse but better , and it will allay much of the euill qualitie . but this i leaue to your owne discretion , assuring you that there is not any thing comparable to this , for this infirmitie . for gourded , or foule sweld legges , or other parts , by reason of melting the grease , or other accident . first with a fleame pricke the parts that are swelled , then take a pint of wine lees , an ounce of cominseeds , & an handfull of wheat flower , and boyle them together till they be thicke , then apply this pultus very hot to the sweld part , renewing it but once in foure and twentie howres , and if this in two or three dayes drawes it to an head , then launce it , and heale it either with a plaster of shoomakers wax , or else with the yealke of an egge , wheat flowre and honey beat●n together to a salue . but if it doe not draw to any head , and yet the swelling continue , then take of pitch a quarter of a pounds , and much virgin wax , of rozen halfe a pound , of the iuice of isop halfe an ounce , of galbanum halfe an ounce , of myrrh secondary halfe a pound , of bdelium arabicum halfe an ounce , of deeres suet halfe a pound , of populeon halfe an ounce , of the drops of storax halfe an ounce : boyle all these together in an earthen pot , and after it is cold , take of bitumen halfe a pound , of armoniacke an ounce and a halfe , and of costus as much ; beate these into fine powder , and then incorporate them with the other , and boyle them all ouer againe very well , which done , poure the whole mixture into cold water , and then rolle it into seuen bigge rolles plaister-wise , after spread this plaister vpon a peece of leather , and fould it about the sweld member , or lay it vpon the sweld part , & if any thing , then this will asswage it , and giue much strength to the sinewes . you shall by no meanes remoue this plaister , so long as it will sticke on . this plaster i must confesse , is costly and curious to make , but it is wonderfull soueraine , and of singular vse . for the horse that is continually kept with it ; i meane that hath it applyed to his limbes euer when he commeth from trauell , he shall neuer be troubled with sweld legges , nor yet euer put out wind● gals . now if you will neither goe to this cost , nor endure this trouble , yet would haue youre horse cured of this infirmitie , then assuredly● know not any thing better or more approued , then continually both before and after trauell , and in the house , nany times in the day to laue and wash your horses limbes , or other sweld parts , with the coldest and clearest fountain water that you can get , and sometimes let the horse stand in some cold cleare riuer for the space of a quarter of an howre or more , vp to the knees , and cambrels , but no further . this medicine , how poore soener it looke , is of infinite vertue , and though i write of cold water , yet is the operation hot and fierie ; only this you must take to your remembrance , that this applycation appertaines not to impostumations , but to straines , and swellings , which are without much anguish . to heale or dry vp any old vlcer , or cankerous sore . take masticke , frankensence , clo●es , greene copperas , and brimstone , of each a like quantitie , of myrrhe double so much as of any one of the other . beate all to a fine powder , then burne it on a chafingdish and coales , but let it not flame . then as the smoake ary seth take a good handfull of fine lint , or towe , and hold it ouer the smoake so that it may receiue all the perfume thereof into it . then when i● is thorowly well perfumed , put the lint into a very close boxe , and s● keepe it . then when you haue occasion to vse it , first wash the sore with vrine , then dry it , and lastly lay o● some of this lint , or towe ; and thus doe twice a day , and it is a speedy cure. as this is soueraine for an horse , so it is as soueraine for any man also . to cure the running frush , or any impostumation in the soale of the foot , to dry vp scratches , paines , and the like cankerous sores . take old vrine , and boyle it with good stoore of allome , and keepe it in a close vessell by it selfe ; then take a good handfull or two of greene nettles , strong and keene , and spread them on some plate , or other vessell , and dry them either before the fire , or in an ouen ( after the houshold bread is drawn ) then crush and bruse them into a very fine powder , then looke what quantity of powder there is , and take the like quantity of pepper beaten to as fine a powder , & mixe both very well together , then keepe this powder in a close bladder . now when you haue occasion to vse it , first wash the sore place with the vrine and allome , made verie warme , and the sores thoroughly scowred ; after dry them with a fine lawne , or linnen ragge , and lastly strow or pounce of the powder , so as it may couer all the sore : and thus doe euer after trauell , or once a day in the time of rest . for any sore eye of horse , or beast . take the sh●ls of seuen or eight egges , and cleanse away the inner slyme from them so cleane as may be ; then lay those shels betweene two cleane tyles , and so lay them in hot glowing embers , and couer thē all ouer , & on enery side and so let them lye a good space , till the shels be all dryed , then take them vp , and beat the shels to a verie fine searst powder ; then with a goose quill blow this powder into the ▪ horses eye that is offended with pinne , webbe , filme , or any thicknesse , or fulnesse , and it is a certaine cure : and thus doe morning , noone , and night . but if it be for any watery or inflamed eye , for any bruse , stripe , or descending humor , then take a spoonfull and an halfe of the fine searst powder of white sugar candy , and being mixt together with as much may ▪ butter ( if you can get it , or for want thereof , the best sweet butter ) work both these powders into a gentle salue , and therewith annoint the horses eye morning , noone , and night , for it cleanseth , purgeth , comforteth , and cooleth . for a backe-sinew straine , or any other straine . take an ounce of turpentine , and two or three spoonfuls of aquauitae , and beate them together in a bladder , or other vessell , till they come to a perfect salue ; then annoint the straine very wel therewith , and heat it in , either with an hot bricke , or else a barre of iron : and thus doing three or foure times , it will take away the strayne . for any old strayne , or lamenesse in ioynts , synewes , &c. take boares grease , bolearmoniacke , blacke sope , and nerue oyle , of each a like quantity , boyle them well together , and then apply it hot to the griefe , rubbing and chasing it in exceedingly , and also heating it in very well , either with an hot brickbat , or hot fire shouell , or an hot barre of iron ; and thus doe once a day vntill the paine doe depart away . for any griefe , payne , nambnesse , weaknesse , or swelling in ioynts , that commeth of a cold cause . take aquauitae , and heat it on the fire , and therewith bathe the grieued part or member verie well , and holding an hot barre of iron before it , make the medicine to sinke in ; then take a linnen cloth and wet it well in the same aquauitae ; lastly take pepper beaten and searst to a fine dust , and there with couer the wet cloath all ouer verie thicke , and so fold it about the grieued part ; then take a dry rouller and roule it about the wet , and so let the horse rest : and thus doe once a day at the last , till you finde amendment . for any desperate and incureable straine in the shoulder , or other hidden parts , for any fistula , pole-euill or other impostumation or swelling . take a large earthen vessell of a gallon , two , or three , & almost fill it with the hearbe arsesmart , and brookelime , equall in quantity and equally mixt ; then put to them as much of the oldest and strongest vrine that can be got , as will couer the hearbes all ouer , and fill the vessell full , then couer the pot close with a stone , board , or such like thing , and so let it stand , for this can neuer be too old . now when you haue occasion to vse it for any griefe afore-said , you shall take an earthen pipkin , and put there into both of the vrine and the hearbes so much as shall be conuenient for the greefe , and you shall boyle it well vpon the fire . then if it be for a shoulder straine , you shall take an old boot , and cut off the foot , so that you may draw it ouer the horses foot , and aboute his knee , almost to the elbow of his shoulder , keeping the neather part of the boote as close and strayte about his legge as may be , but the vpper part ( which couereth all the shoulders ) must be wide and spacious : into this boote thrust all your mixture as hot as the horse can suffer it , and lay it fast and close about the shoulders , especially before and behinde ; then drawing vp the vpper part of the boot , so fasten it to the mayne of the horse , that it may by no meanes slip down , but keepe constant and firme . and thus you must doe once or twice a day till the greefe depart . as for the effect thereof , you shall find it , for this is the violentest of all midcines , so that if there be any foule matter that must come forth , this will in an instant bring it to an head , ripen , breake , and heale it : if there be no such thing , then in as short a time , it will driue away the offending humors , take away the swelling , and giue present ease . yet would i haue you to vse this but in extremitie , because for the time , the torment is almost insuffe . rable , and indeed , for nothing but an horse to endure . now if it be for a fistula , or any such like impostumation , or swelling , then you may spare the boote , and only lay on the medicine in the maner of a pultus , and it will be altogether sufficient . for foundering , frettizing , or any imperfection in the feet , or hoofes of an horse . first pare thinne , open the heeles wide , and shoo large , strong and hollow ; then take a good quantitie of cowes dung , halfe so much grease , or kiching-fee , a like quantitie of tarre , and a like quantitie of soot ; boyle all these verie well together , and then boyling-hot as may be , see you stop your horses feet therewith dayly , and it will not only take away all anguish , but also strengthen the hoofes , aud make them to endure any labour . but when you iourney or trauell the horse ( as exercise auayleth much for this cure ) then put in the aforesaid stopping cold , the first night after his labour , & adde vnto it the white of an egge or two , for that will take away the heat and beating of the former dayes labour , and will keepe the f●ush strong and dry . but in time of rest , let it be boyling hot as aforesaid . now if the hoofe be naturally brickle or by accident broken , or by the former infirmitie dryed vp and straytned ; then to inlarge it , to make it tough , and to make it to grow swiftly , take of pigges grease or of hogges grease , of turpentine and of mastick , of each a like quantitie , and halfe so much lard as of all the rest ; melt all but the turpentine on the fire , and being melted take it from the fire , and then put in the turpentine , stirring it about , incorporate all very well together , then put it into a gally-pot , and when it is cold , be sure you couer it close . with th● salue , twice or thrice a day annoynt the crownets of the horses hoofes , close by the hayre at the setting on of the hoofe , and it will make it shoot fast , and grow tough and large . for hurts vpon the crownets of the hoofes , as ouerreach , stub , or prickes , &c. first take of sope and salt , of each a like quantitie , and mixe them together like a paste ; then hauing cut out the ouerreach , or hurt , and layd it playne , first wash it with vrine and salt , or beere and salt , and with a cloath dry it ; then bind on the mixt sope and salt , not renewing it in houres , and thus doe ( if the wound be great ) for three or foure dayes together : then hauing drawne out all the venome as this salue will quickly doe ) then take a spoonfull or two of traine-oyle , and as much ceruse ( which we call white lead ) and mixe it together to a thicke salue , then spred that vpon the sore morning and euening till it be whole , which will be effected suddenly ; for nothing doth dry vp sooner , nor is more kindly and naturall for the breeding of a new hoofe then this , as you shall find by experience . ho to helpe surbating , or ●●renesse in the feet . when you finde your horse to be surbated , presently clap into each of his fore-feet two new layd egges , and crush them therein , th●n vpon the top of them lay good store of cow-dung , thus stop him , and in foure howres he will recouer . for any bony excression arysing vpon any member of an horse ; as splint , spauen , curbe , ringbone , &c. take the root of elicampane well cleansed , and lap it in a paper , and rost it as you would rost a warden in hot embers , then as hot as the horse can suffer it ( for you must not scald ) after you haue rubd and chaft the excression , clap this thereunto and bind it on hard , and in once or twice dressing it wil consume the excression . also if morning and euening you rub the excression with the oyle of origanum , it will consume away the hardnesse . obseruations in giuing of fire , or vsing of corosiues , which heale all sorts of farcies , cankers , fistulays , leprosies , maungees , scabs , &c. there are two wayes to giue fire ; the one actuall , and the other potentiall : the first is done by instrument or hot iron , the other by medicine , either corosiue , putrefactiue , or causticke . the actuall fire , stoppeth corruption of members , and stan●heth blood , prouided the sinews , cords and ligaments be not toucht . the best instruments to cauterize or seare with , are of gold or siluer ; the second best are of copper , and the worst , but most vsuall are of iron . the potentiall fires are medecins corosiue , putr●factiue , or caustick . corosiues are simple or compound ; the simple corosiues are roch-allome , burnt or vnburnt , red coral , mercury sublimed , &c. the compound are vnguentum apostolorum , vnguentum aegyptiacum , and vnguentum coraceum , with others . medecines putrefactiue are your arsenicke , resalgar , chrysocollo , and aconitum . medecines which are causticke are strong lye , lime , vitriol , aq●a fortis , and the like . corosiues ore weaker then putrefactiues , and putrefactiues are weaker then causticks . corosiues worke in the soft flesh , puttefactiues in the hard , and causticks breake the sound skin . thus you see the vse of these things , you may apply them at your pleasure , for these cure all sorts of farcies , cankers , fistulaes , leprosies , maungees , scabbes , and suc● like poysonous infections . how to defend a hor●●e from flyes . this is a noysome offence in the summer time , therefore when you find the trouble thereof , take arsesmart and streep it in running water , & make it exceeding strong of the hearbe , and therewith sprinkell and wash the horse all ouer , and no fly will touch him a second time . the iuy , or rue , or hearbe of grace will doe the like . how to make a white starre , or white spot in an horses face , or in any other part . take two or three apples , the sowrest you can get , and rost them at a quicke fire , then being in the heighth of their heat , take one of them in a cloath , or other defence , and hauing cut off the skin , clap the hot apple to the horses forehead , and hold it hard thereto till the heat be asswaged ; then try if the hayre will come off , which if it will not , then take another hot apple , and doe as before : then when the hayre is come off as broad as you would haue it , take another hot apple , and clap it to the scalded skin , holding it hard to , till all the skin blister , and come off as well as the hayre , then anoynt the sore place twice or thrice a day with honey , and the next hayre which commeth will be white . how to keepe your woollen horse-cloathes , brest ▪ cloathes , rubbers , and the like from moath●● . when you turne your horse or horses to grasse , take al your woollen cloathes of what kind soeuer , and first wash them cleane , and dry them ; then hang them in the sunne , dust them , and brush them ; then lay them on some fleakes or other open things , a pretie distance from the ground , and spread all open ; then take the hoofs of horse or cattle , and chopping them in peeces , burne them vnder the woollen things , so as the smoke may come to them in euerie part , then being thorowly smoked , fold them vp handsomly , and betweene euerie fold strow the powder of wallnut-tree l●aues well dryed , and so lay them vp in a chest , and you shall neuer care for the offence of moathes , which is veri● vnholsome for the horse , and breeds in him a dislike . others vse to rub their cloathes on the wrong sides all ouer with the tops and tender parts of wormewood , and it hath the like effect . thus you may also preserue any arras , tapistree , or other hangings , and any linnen or woollen garments whatsoeuer . finis . the perfect horseman, or, the experienced secrets of mr. markham's fifty years practice shewing how a man may come to be a general horseman, by the knowledge of these seven offices, viz. the breeder, feeder, ambler, rider, keeper, buyer, farrier / and now published by lancelot thetford, practitioner in the same art for the space of forty years. markham, gervase, ?- . this text is an enriched version of the tcp digital transcription a of text r in the english short title catalog (wing m ). textual changes and metadata enrichments aim at making the text more computationally tractable, easier to read, and suitable for network-based collaborative curation by amateur and professional end users from many walks of life. the text has been tokenized and linguistically annotated with morphadorner. the annotation includes standard spellings that support the display of a text in a standardized format that preserves archaic forms ('loveth', 'seekest'). textual changes aim at restoring the text the author or stationer meant to publish. this text has not been fully proofread approx. kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from -bit group-iv tiff page images. earlyprint project evanston,il, notre dame, in, st. louis, mo a wing m estc r ocm this keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the early english books online text creation partnership. this phase i text is available for reuse, according to the terms of creative commons . universal . the text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. early english books online. (eebo-tcp ; phase , no. a ) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set ) images scanned from microfilm: (early english books, - ; : ) the perfect horseman, or, the experienced secrets of mr. markham's fifty years practice shewing how a man may come to be a general horseman, by the knowledge of these seven offices, viz. the breeder, feeder, ambler, rider, keeper, buyer, farrier / and now published by lancelot thetford, practitioner in the same art for the space of forty years. markham, gervase, ?- . thetford, lancelot. this text is an enriched version of the tcp digital transcription a of text r in the english short title catalog (wing m ). textual changes and metadata enrichments aim at making the text more computationally tractable, easier to read, and suitable for network-based collaborative curation by amateur and professional end users from many walks of life. the text has been tokenized and linguistically annotated with morphadorner. the annotation includes standard spellings that support the display of a text in a standardized format that preserves archaic forms ('loveth', 'seekest'). textual changes aim at restoring the text the author or stationer meant to publish. this text has not been fully proofread [ ], p., leaf of plates. printed for humphrey moseley ..., london : . added t.p. engraved. reproduction of original in huntington library. eng horses. horses -- diseases. horsemanship. a r (wing m ). civilwar no the perfect horseman: or the experienced secrets of mr. markham's fifty years practice. shewing how a man may come to be a general horseman, markham, gervase d the rate of defects per , words puts this text in the d category of texts with between and defects per , words. - tcp assigned for keying and markup - apex covantage keyed and coded from proquest page images - emma (leeson) huber sampled and proofread - emma (leeson) huber text and markup reviewed and edited - pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion the perfect horseman or the experienc'd secrets of mr. markhams . years practice the perfect horseman ▪ or the experienced secrets of mr. markham's fifty years practice . shewing how a man may come to be a general horseman , by the knowledge of these seven offices ; viz. the breeder , feeder , ambler , rider , keeper , buyer , farrier . and now published by lancelot thetford , practitioner in the same art for the space of forty years . the second edition . london . printed for humphrey moseley , at the prince's arms in st. pauls church-yard . . to the reader . were not this the of spring of a long conception , and ( after above fifty years experience ) fitted for the birth , i would not now produce it into the world , since so many of the same kind have already crept in before it , that this can scarce expect the least portion of your acceptation : yet when i tell you , that ( notwithstanding all mr markhams promises in his former bookes to lay open his cabinet councels ) you shall here find many most rare secrets of his , and yet not so much his own , as his most intimate friends , the publisher her●of , to whom as a legacy , he bequeathed them , and by whom since , for his private use and experience , and with most approved success , they have been practised for above forty years : for there is no part of horsemanship , either for the theorick or practick , but is here exactly discovered : for breeding , here is the manner how , the season when , the place where , together with the colours , marks and shapes , as well of stallions as mares . the feeder , rider , keeper , ambler and buyer , have here their most particular instructions ; but above all , the farrier ( be he never so skilful ) may hereby perfect his knowledg , and inrich himself . but whoever thou bee'st that buyest it , whether for thy pleasure or profit , if thou art pleased , i have my ends . farewel . a table of the things handled in the office of the breeder . observations in the breeding of horses . page choice of grounds , change of grounds , choice of stallions and mares , ibid : the age of stallions , &c. when to put horse and mares together , when mares are fit for horse , how to put them together , ibid. how many mares for one horse , ordering after covering , to help mares in foaling , ibid. how long foals to run , &c. to know true shape , height and spirit , to know goodness , &c. of weaning , ibid. separating , guelding , ibid. taming , breaking , ibid. colting . a table of the rider . observations in riding , page times to handle colts , ibid. when to sadle , mounting , ibid. backing ; helps at the first backing , what lessons for what horse , helps and corrections , rod , ibid. bit , ibid. calves of the legs , stirrop , ibid. spur , ibid. ground , large rings , ibid. stopping , advancing , ibid , retiring , biting , ibid : strait turns and turnings , the first strait turn , another strait turn , to help an ill rain , or a run-away jade , &c. the help , ibid. another help for inconstant carriage , how any lady may spur her horse as well as any man , yet unperceived , a table of the feeder . an introduction to the work , touching the limitation of time for preparing the running horse , page the first ordering of the running horse according to the several estates of bodies , the first fortnights feeding , four considerations in heats , the second fortnights feeding , the first bread , the first scouring , ordering after the scouring , ibid. the third fortnights feeding , the second breed , ibid the fourth fortnights feeding , the last breed . ibid. certain observations and advantages , &c. observe meat and drink , for lameness , from the estate of the body , ibid. from the prime parts , for limbes , for water , ibid : for ground to run on , from sweat , from the hayre , ibid. a table of the keeper . to keep an horse for pleasure , hunting or travelling , &c. dressing and watering , ibid. ordinary keeping , keeping in travel or sport , of heats , ordering after labour , some especial precepts , ibid. of washing and walkings , a table of the ambler . observations in ambling , mens opinions and errors , ibid. ambling by the ploughed field , by gallop , weights , ibid. not ridden , by shooes , by lists , ibid. by the hund , by tramell , errors in the tramel , the best way , ● the form of the tramel , ibid. the true use of the true tramel , when to alter the tramel , when to mount , &c. when to journey , &c. a table of the buyer . of all the perfections and imperfections in an horse , observations in buying , ib. the end , election divided , the first rule , ibid breed , ibid colour , paces , ibid stature , second rule , ibid how to view , ears , face , ibid eyes cheeks , . . nostrils , teeth , brest , forethighs , knees legs , pasterns , hoofs , crest , main , back , ribs , &c. ibid , buttocks , hind-thighs , hind-legs , ibid tail , to know age , ibid a table of the farrier . signs of sickness , page of dung , ibid of urin ; of sickness , of diahexaple , the vertues , ibid a drink to open , cordiall balls ; ibid for bottes , another , ibid a purgation , laxativeness , ibid the stone , staling blood , ibd cold and coughs , another , ibid. another , ibid. another , ibid. another , a cordial powder , ibid. for colds and canker in the nose , for glanders , ibid another , another , ib. a scouring , outward sorrances . signs , for the eyes , another , ib. another , ib. another , the mastar medicine for all strains , another , ibid. another , another , another , another , ib. marks , sinews extended , ibid. another , a charge , ibid. for a●hes , gourded leggs , ib. another , another , ib. for scratches , another , ibid. another , ibid. for splent , spaven , another , wyngals , ibid. pains , mules , swiftcut , ibid. maunge , another , ibid. canker and leprosie , affistula , &c ▪ ibid. a fare , ibid. another , for a founder , &c. ibid. for hoofs , another , for surbait , ibid. quitterbone , ib. another , for a prick , ib. for chaffing , a general salv● , ibid. sadle-bruises , another , to make hair to grow in bald places , to stanch blood , ib. for enterfering , to tame an unruly horse , ib. finis . the perfect horse-man . the office of the breeder . observations in breeding of horses . men may imagine i harp upon one string , or tread the old paths in which i walked in my first years . but let them not deceive themselves : the meanders and windings in which i now labour , are of a new discovery ; and howsoever i may now and then come under the same height , yet shall he that follows me find it so removed , that it shall bring him ● much neerer way to his journies end . for i● these short essays i have striven only to amend mend errors overslipt before , and to acquaint my friends with all those uncontrollable experiments which i have found out since in forty years and more : and believe it , he is an ill proficient that in such a time cannot find ( in the art he professeth ) something worthy his friends acceptation . therfore thus to my breeder . chóice of grounds . the grounds to breed on would be spatious , and not strait , for horses joy not in cages . there accommodate according to your stock ; and though the more the merrier , yet the fewer the better fare . they would not be extreme fertile , nor extreme barren ; the golden mean is the best temper : yet to incline a little to hardness , is better then much rankness ; the one breeds health , the other disease . let the situation be ascending , the air pure , the laire dry , and the foot-tread firm , no matter how rough or incertain ▪ as much ground as will keep a milch-cow , will keep a milch-mare , and a great dealless when she is barren or unwrought . change of grounds . again , as change of pasture makes fat calves , so alteration of grounds raises gallant colts . therefore strive to have one ground to foal in , another to summer in , and a third to winter in . the first to be without danger , the second not without shelter , and the third defended from storms and tempests by trees , hovel , shed , barn or backstable , wherein may be stored winter-provision . thus far for those which have ability . but for them which must breed for necessity , let his yard , back-side , or stable serve to foal in , the white corn-fields to summer in , and the cratch or stand-heck to winter at . choice of stallions and mares next the change of grounds , i place the choice of stallions and mares , which is a theme i have so oft written of , that i must needs refer the curious to those larger volumes , and only in this place say , that for as much as all men covet to be governed by their own passions , therefore i leave them to their own choice , and the end for which they breed ; yet advising them , that of those races of which they make election , they choose the best and a blest , the highest spirited , the fairest coloured , and the finest shaped ; whether it be neapolitan , turk , spaniard , barbary , english , dutch , polander , french or german . and because it is impossible to finde out absolute perfection , i would have our breeder to inform himself well of all the natural defects that can be found in the stallion , and to amend them in the mare that shall be joined with him ; and what is amiss in the mare , to see it repaired in the horse . for any singular election of mares , the breeder need not be too curious ; only observe , that if you can get true breed , you then pass by the bastard ; if you may have the the gentleman , never make use of the clown . but when you are tyed by necessity or compulsion , then see the mare have a good forehand , a large womb , sound limbs , fair colour , and good metal . for the rest , let nature alone , she is a brave mistress . now for those breeders which look not so much into the breed and generation of the horse , as into his actions and good dayes works ; accounting because he hath won such a wager , or beaten such a horse , therefore he must necessarily be an excellent stallion : let them know they are deceived ; for this is no good consequence ; no more then if a robustrous strong skillfull clown should give a weak unskilfull gentlemen a fall , therefore all the clown-breed should be excellent wrastlers . this can hold for no maxim ; for i am perswaded , that let a gentleman have either skill to encounter strength , or strength to encounter skill , there is no clown that can foil him . in like manner a clown-horse by training , feeding , and riding , may beat a true bred horse ; but when they encounter upon equal terms , truth will shew herself for a mistress . therefore in this case of breeding , get as neer as you can true breed , and it will seldom or never bring forth repentance . the age of stallions and mares : a horse may beget good colts from four years old to fourteen ; after , he declineth : and a mare may bring forth from three years old to thirteen , and then she decayeth : yet are neither utterly lost , but both may be made to serve for the same use a much longer season . moderate labour is good for breed of mares , when they go over ; for it maketh them apt to take the horse , and soon to conceive . when to put horse and mare together . the absolute best time to put the horse and mares together , is the beginning of march , provided there be strength and lust in both . for , the earlier the foal falleth , finding no want or scarceness , the better horse is ever produced : and so consequently from the beginning of may ; the foals that fall after such a time cannot chuse but have imperfection in some condition . for they have two great enemies to encounter withal ( not before known ) which daily fall upon them , that is , hunger and cold , with which the early foal hath been before familiar . there be some horsemen which hold that the lammas foal proves ever an excellent horse ; and i dissent not from it , where there is plenty and fulness of keeping ; for he knows the worst of winter before summer appear , and so may be good and hard ; but if he chance to be pinched with either , the smalnes of his statute will lessen his goodness , and his weakness make useless his hardness . the lammas foals are commonly known by many obscure feathers out of their own sights , as under their eyes , upon their necks , crests , and under their chaps . to conclude , it is not good to put the horse to the mares at all , till you find some ready , ( speaking of a general putting together ) for so the horse loseth his strength unfruitfully , and she gets nothing but chasing and mischiefs . when mares are fit for the horse . to know when your mares are ready ( if it be in a wild stud ) observe their chasing and galloping up and down morning & evening , and their inconstancie of abiding in any one place , especially throwing their noses to the north and south , the lifting up of their tails , riding one anothers backs , wooding one another , oft pissing , or opening of their shares and closing them again , all are signs of lust : if you will make a more particular trial , then prove them with some stoned tit or jade . how to put them together . when your mares are ready , the question is how they shall be put together , whether abroad at random for sundry weeks , or at home in private for a night or two ? if abroad , let your fence be good , your food sweet , and your shelter sufficient . if in the house , then in some empty barn or spacious place , which may be free from danger of posts or other occasion of rushes : and let them remain from sunset till sunrise , and two nights are sufficient . now there is a third manner of covering , and i preferr it for the best , because it keeps the stallion longer in ability , and serves the mare with a great deal more certainty : and that is , first to be sure to have them both at one dyet , as the mare at grass and the horse at soil ; then finding the mare ( by tryal ) ready , put them together into some closewalled paddock , where there is store of sweet grass and sweet water , just upon the going down of the sun , and as neer as you can observe , either three days after the change , or three days before the full of the moon , and let them remain close together two whole nights and one day , and take the horse from her at sunrise . how many mares for one horse . if you cover abroad ( as i spake before , at random ) an horse may well serve twelve mares , if you expect no other service of him . if you cover in the house , where he hath extraordinary keeping and little chasing , he will satisfie fifteen : but if you cover in the paddock , then i have known an high spirited horse for own year serve to keep you mares ●n an indifferent estate of body ; for too much fatness hinders conception , and too much leanness abates lust . ordering after covering . after your mares are covered , keep them as much as you can from disturbance , especially for a moneth after covering , and a moneth before quickning : yet if necessity compell , you may give them moderate exercise either in journeying or otherwise : yet remember , if you keep the mare in the house at had meat , she will spring early and much , and sudden cold after is dangerous for imborsement . also remember that a mare at her first quickning is like a fruit-tree , whose blossoms at the first appearance are tender and easily destroyed with every shake of wind , or nip of frost ; but after they are knit and fixt , they are hardly beaten down with cudgels . to help mares in foaling . if any of your mares be hard of foaling , or in danger in foaling , then either hold her nostrils so that she cannot draw wind : or if that prevail not , then take the quantity of a walnut or better of madder , and dissolve it in a pint of old ale , and being warm give it the mare . if both fail , then take the help of some understanding midwife . now if after her foaling she do not cleans● or avoid her secundine , then boil two or three handfull of fennel in running water , and take half a pint thereof , and as much malmsie , with a fourth part of sallet-oil , and mixing them together give it the mare luke-warm into her nostrils , then hold them close a little space after it : otherwise for want of this give her green forrage , that is , either green wheat or rye , ( but rye is best ) and they are as effectual . by no means let the mare eat her cleansing ( which many will cove● ) for it is unwho●som , and an hinderance to her milk . how long foals to run with their dams . let foals run with their dams ( if you have go●d accommodation for them ) a full year at the least ; or if they be choice and principal bred foals , then two years , if possibly you can : for the going over the mare will be no loss , in comparison of the excellenc●● to which the foal will attain by such suff●●●nce but if you want good accommodation ▪ th●n wean at seven moneths , but be sure ●● keep them lustily ; for what they lose in the first year , they will hardly gain in three following . and at the weaning give them saven and butt●r for divers mornings , or the worm or gargel will hazard to destroy them : besides ▪ have an eye to the strangle , for it is apt to assay them , and not taken in time will prove mortal . the first winter , spare neither hay nor corn , that is , oats in the chaff or in the sheaf ; the cha●fing of wheat , barley , or rye , and indeed any offal that comes from any grain whatsoever . to know a true shape , spirit , and height . the same shape which a foal carries at a full month old , he will carry at six years old , if he be not abused in after-keeping ; and as the good shape , so the defects also . a large shin-bone that is long from the knee to the pastern in a foal , shews a tall horse . look what space there is in a foal new foaled , between his knee and withers , double that will be his height when he is a compleat horse . foals that are of stirring spirits , free from affrights , wanton of disposition , active in leaping , running and chasing , ever leading the way and striving for mastery , these always prove excellent metal'd horse● , the contrary jades . to know goodness . there is a rule , and it is a good one , that an horses ability , and continuance in goodness is known by his hoofs : for if they be strong , smooth , hard , deep , tough , uprightstanding , and hollow , that horse cannot be evil . for they are the foundation of his building , and lend fortitude to all the rest . if they be otherwise , he cannot be good or lasting : whence it comes to pass , that no horse naturally hath so good hoofs as the barbary ; and it is indeed the only character by which to know him from all other horses . weaning of foals . wean your ordinary foals from their dams at the end of seven months at the utmost ; the better , at a year , two , or more . and observing so to divide them , that neither the foals nor the dams may be within the hearing of one anothers call . for which cause it is thought fit to house the foals for two or three nights , ( on the mornings whereof you shall give the saven and butter before spoken of ) that they may forget the dams ; and send the mares to their pasture . also observe to keep them as high as is possible the second year ; but the third and fourth year you may put them to harder grasing . separating of colts : as you separate foals from the dams , so you must divide the mare-colts : for it is certain , that amongst these high-bred spirits ▪ and with this lofty and full feeding , the hors-colts will cove● to cover the mare-colts at a year , as i have seen by experience , and it is the destruction of both . again , if you have such store of grounds , you may separate one years breed from another . this is the safest course , because of continual familiarity for change of quality . gelding of colts . if you intend to geld any of your colts ▪ the only best time , and which maketh the finest geldings , is at nine days old , or as soon as you perceive the stones to fall ; for then is the least danger , and it maketh f●●est crests . the time of the moon to geld in , is in the wane , the sign in aries or virgo ; the time of the year in generall is the spring or fall ▪ and although the earlier you geld , the better and safer , yet notwithstanding you may safely geld at any time or any age , even from foal old age ; and although the elder , the greater swelling , yet more exercise and more chasing will asswage it . taming of colts . touching the taming of colts , or making them domestick or familiar , you shall begin even from the first weaning , and so winter after winter ( in the house ) use them to familiar actions , as rubbing , clawing , haltering , leading to water , taking up of his feet , knocking his hoofs , and the like . to break colts . the best time to break colts to the saddle , according to the antient opinion and general custom of men , ( and which brings them soonest to the use and service of the owner , and therein supposed to be most profitable ) is at three years old , and the advantage or four at the utmost . but say i , he that will stay and see his horse fully five , shall be sure to have an horse of longer continuance , less subject to disease and infirmity , and one that ( but by death ) will hardly come to the knowledge of tyring . all the actions about a colt in his nonage , or an horse to break at elder age , must b● done first with warning , next constantly and valiantly , not fearfully or doubtfully : the first begetteth obedience , the other rebellion . coiling of the stud. touching the coiling of the stud , or makeing of special elections , i need not spend much ink , because the owner best knowes which are best bred , and his eyes can tell him where is the best shape and soundness . i only advise him by no means to make too early coiling : for some borses will shew their best shape at two and three years old , and lose it at four , others not till five , nay six , but then keep it ever : some will do their best dayes work at six and seven years old , others not till eight or nine . but be the time when it will , let him preserve for his own use the best , the most comely , and most sound . those which are defective , i mean such as bring incurable deformities , gross sorrances , as spavens , ringbones , imperfect eyes , or the like , or that shew palpable barstardie , send them away to the market . when you find any of your mares grow into barrenness , unnaturalness , or disease , away with them , and change them . for all , though i could prescribe you remedies , yet they are not worthy your use , nor will i ●ue your loss : therefore let such mares go , for their profit is past , and they are useless . thus much touching breeding : the office of the rider . observations in riding . it is not intended that in these few observations or short touches i should discover the whole art of riding ; it neither fits the brevity of the work , norsuits with my first promise in the title . he that looks for such largeness of discourse , i refer him to my greater volumes ; in this onely to be found things new , things certain , set down in way of principles or infallible rules , to conduct a man the easiest way to some perfection . times to handle colts . to begin then with the first taming or making gentle of a colt ( as i shewed you in the observations for breeding ) you must begin the first winter after his foaling , and so continue every winter till he come to the sa●dle , which time i have also set down in the same place ; and then there is no fear of evil qualities . but if a colt of contrary education come to your hands and must be handled , ●hen apply him with all gentleness , and do nothing about him suddenly , roughly , o● fearfully ; yet with that awe of your voice , your rod , and other terror , make him know you are his master when he rebelleth . and when you begin to do nay thing about him ( of what nature soever ) never leave it ; only take leisure , and rather win it by gentleness ▪ then cruelty , forget not to give the hor●● reward , when he gives content ; and by no mean● punish , till you are sure he knows his error ; for before you give him understanding , it is im●ossible he should obey . neither doth this taming of a colt consist in the house only , but in the field also , where with a cavezan or chain , and a long rei● with an iron turnel under his chaps , you shall make him trot large rings about you readily on both hands , and change at your pleasure as you shall turn him . and then to your cherishings , corrections , and all manner of handlings which before you had used i● the house . when to saddle . when your horse is thus made gentle you may then offer him the saddle : but with that deliberate carefulness , that he may not take affright or dislike thereat ; suffering him to smell at it , to be rubbed with it , and as it were to feel it and not to feel it ; then in the end to fix it on , and girt it fast ; and at what part and motion soever he seems most coy , with that make him most familiar . when he will endure the saddle , then trot him abroad with it , and make him ( as before ) trot his rings on both hands about you , clap the saddle as it stands on his back ▪ shake it , hang and sway upon it , dangle the stirrops by his sides , rub them on his sides , and make much of him , and familiar with all things about him , as the straining of the crooper , fastning and loosning the gyrths , and taking up or letting out of the stirrops . of mo●thing when he will trot with the saddle obediently , then you shall wash a trench of a ful mouth , and somwhat worn , and put it into his mouth , and throw the reins over the fore part of the saddle ▪ bolsters and all , and make them of the length , that the horse may have a full feeling of the trench , and a sense to play on the same : then put on a martingal , and fix it from the gyrths to the chaulband of the cavezan ; but at that length , that the horse may not find fault , unless he disorderly throw up his head . then take a broad peece of leather , and put it about the horses neck , and make the two ends fast by platting or otherwise at the withers and mid-part before his weisand ▪ about two handfull below his throple : be twixt his neck and the leather let the martingal pass ; so that when at any time he shal offer to duck or throw down his head , the cavesan being placed upon the tender griss● of his nose , may correct and punish him . by which means he shall not only lose that fo●● quality of winning the head and thrusting i● between his legs , but also gain the way o● raising up his neck , bringing down his head ▪ and fashioning himself to an absolute rein . the horse thus accoutred , trot him abroad as before shewed , and chase him about you on both hands . and if you find either the reins of the trench or martingal to grow slack , then straiten them ; for where there i● no feeling there is no vertue . of backing . when you have exercised your horse thus divers mornings , noons or evenings , and find him both tractable , ready and obedient , you may then take him into some new ploughed ground ( the lighter , the better ) and hav●g chased him a little on both hands , and seeing all your tackle firm , strong and good , and every thing in his true and due place , you may then ( having one to stay his head , and govern the chasing rein ) take his back ; yet not suddenly , but by degrees , and with divers heavings and half-raisings . which if he endure patiently , then you may take the reins of the trench into your hands and settle your self . but if he shrink or dislike , then forbear to mount , and chase him about him again ; then offer to mount ; and thus do till he receive you willingly . then when you are setled , have received your stirrups , and cherisht him , putting your toes forward , let him that stays his head lead him forward half a dozen paces , then both cherish him , then lead him forward a dozen paces , then rest and cherish , and shake and move your self in the saddle : then let him that stays his head , remove his hand a little from the cavezan ; and as you thrust forward your toes , so let him also move him forward with his rein , till you have made the horse apprehend your own motions of body and foot ( which must go equally together , and with spirit also ) so that he will go forward without the other assistance , and stay upon the restraint of your own hand , and not the stay of the cavezan : then you shall cherish him , and give him grass or bread to eat , alight from his back , then mount and unmount twice or thrice together ever mixing them with cherishings . thus exercise him till you have made him perfect in going forward , and standing still , at your pleasure . helps at first backing . when this is effected , you may lay by the long rein , and the band about the neck , and only use the trenches , the cavezan , and the martingal ; and instead of leading in hand , let a groom on another horse lead the way before you into the field : where you shall not strive to teach him any other lesson , then to go strait forthright forward , and to stand still when you please : which will be effected in a few mornings , by trotting him forward a mile or two after another horse , and so bring him home sometimes after the horse , sometimes equally with , and sometimes before , so that he may fix upon no certainty but your own pleasure . and in all this labour you must have a special regard to the wellcarriage of his head and neck ; and as the martingal slacketh , so to straiten it . what lessons for what horse . when this work is finished , you may then proceed to teach your horse those lesson● which are fit for his practice and the purpose for which you intend him . as if it be for hunting , running , travel , hackney , or the like , then the chiefest things you are to apply your self unto , are to preserve a good mouth , to trot freely and comely , to amble surely and easily , to gallop strongly and swiftly , to obey the hand in stopping gently and retiring willingly , and to turn on either hand readily and nimbly . to all which i will give you lights in their severall places . but if you intend him for the great saddle , or the use of the wars , then although the lessons be the same , yet they are to be taught and done in a more punctual manner , and ask more nice and artificial demonstrations . so that if an horse can be brought to the best , the easier must needs follow with little industry . and it is a rule in horsmanship , that no lesson which belongs to the wars can be hurtfull or do injury to any horse whatsoever that is kept for any other purpose . whence it cometh , that every horse for the wars may be train'd for a runner or hunter at pleasure ; but every runner or hunter will not serve the wars : and every horsman that can make an horse for the wars , may be a jocky when he pleases ; but no jocky ( that i know ) can make an horse for the wars . therefore i will run a middle way , and suit my lessons for both purposes . helps and corrections . before you teach your horse any lesson , you must know there are seven helps to advantage him in his lessons , to punish him for faults gotten in his lessons ; and they be the voice , the rod , the bit or snafflle , the calves of the legs , the stirrop , the spur , and the ground . voice . the voice is an help , when it is sweet and accompanied with cherishings and it is a correction , when it is rough or terrible , and accompanied with strokes or threatnings : rod . the rod is an help in the shaking , and a correction in the striking . bit or snaffle . the bit is an help in its sweetness , the snaffle in its smoothness ; and they are corrections , the one in its hardness , the other in its roughness , and both in flatness and squareness . calves of the legs . the calves of the legs are helps when you lay them gently to the horses sides ; and corrections when you strike them hard , because they give warning that the spur follows . the stirrop and stirrop leathers are helps when you thrust them forward in a quick motion , and stir up in the horse spirit and agility . but when you strike it against the hinder part of the shoulder , it is a correction and awakens memory . spur. the spur is an help when it is gently delivered in any motion that asks quickness and agility , whether on the ground or above the ground ; and a correction , when is stricken hard into the sides , upon any sloth or other fault committed . the ground . lastly , the ground is an help , when it is plain and smooth , and not painfull to tread on ; and it is a correction , when it is rough , deep , and uneven , for the amendment of any vice conceived . of large rings . when your horse will receive you to and , from his back g●ntly , trot forward willingly , and stand still obediently : then , intending him f●● the wars , or any other purpose , ( for these lessons serve all occasions ) you shall in some gravel●y or sandy place where his footsteps m●y ●e discerned , labor him within the large ring , that is at least fifty paces in compass ; and having trod it about three or four times on the right hand , rest and cherish , then taking compass , change your hand and do as much on the left hand , then rest and cherish ; then change the hand again , and do as much on the right hand , ever observing upon every stop to make him retire and go back a step or two . ▪ thus labour the horse till you have him so perfect , that he will trot his ring on which hand you please ; changing within the ring in the manner of a roman s. with such willingness , nimbleness , and constant rein , that you can desire no better obedience . then you may teach him to gallop them as he did trot them , and that also with true footing , lofty carriage , and brave rein : ever observing when he gallops to the right hand , to lead with his left fore-foot ; and when he gallops to the left hand , to lead with his right fore-feet . now here is to be cleered a parodox held by many of our horsmen , which is , that the exercise of rings is not good for running horses , because it raises up his fore-feet , and makes him gallop painfully , and so an hindrance unto speed . but if they consider that this habit ( if it be taken ) is soon broken either by the horsmans hand or discretion , who hath power to make him move as he pleaseth or if they will truly look into the benefit of the ring it self , they shall fine it is the only means to bring an horse to the true use of his feet , and the nimble carriage of them in all advantages . for every runner of horses will allow , that for an horse ( in his course ) to lead with his right foot , is most proper ; and when at any time he breakes or alter● it , it must be disadvantage , because ( not well acquainted to lead with the other ) he cannot handle it so nimbly . now at his first backing , by the use of his ring and change of hands , he will become so expert and coming with both , that howsoever mischance shall alter his stroke , yet shall his speed and nimbleness keep one and the same goodness . of stopping . when you come to the place of stop , or would stop ; by a sudden drawing in of our bridle-hand somwhat hard and sharp , make him stop close , firm and strait in an eaven line : and if he erre in any thing , put him to it again , and leave not till you have made him understand his error , and amend it . advancing . now if you do accompany this stop with an advancement a little from the ground , it will be more gallant , and may be done by laying the calves of your legs to his sides , and shaking your rod over him as he stops . if it chance at first he understand you not , yet by continuance and labouring him therein he will soon attain unto it , especially if you forget not to cherish him when he gives the least shew to apprehend you . retiring . after stopping and advancing , make him retire , as before shewed . and this motion of retiring you must both cherish and increase , making it so familiar with him , that no lesson may be more perfect : neither must he retire in a confused or disorderly manner , but with a brave rein , a constant head , and a direct line : neither must he draw or sweep his legs one after another , but take them clean , nimbly , and lostily , as when he troted forward . of bitting . when your horse is come to perfection in these lessons , and hath his head firmly setled , his rein constant , and his mouth sweetned , you may then ( if you intend him for the wars ) take away his trench and martingal , and only use the cavezan of four or three pieces , that is , a joint or no joint in the midst , and to that joint a strong ring , and a joint of each side with rings before the joints , to which you shall put several reins to use either at the post or otherwise into his mouth you shall put a smooth sweet canon-bit with a french cheek suitable to the proportion of the horses neck ; knowing that the long cheek raises up the head , and the short pulls it down . and with these you shall exercise the horse in all the lessons before taught , till he be perfect in them without either disorder or amazement . of strait turns and turnings . when he is thus setled upon his bit , then you shall teach him to turn roundly and readily in the straiter rings : and of these there are divers kinds , and divers methods and manners how to teach them . all which i will omit , and only fix upon two manner of strait turns , as the persection from whence all turnings are derived . the one is , when the horse keepeth his hinder parts inward and close to the post or center , and so cometh about and makes his circumference with his fore-parts , following an enemy that a little avoids him . and the other is , when he keeps his fact fixt on the post or center , and comes about and makes his circumference with his hinder parts , opposing face to face with his enemy . the first strait turn . for the first of these strait turns , it is thus to be taught . you shall to the ring in the mid-part of the cavezan fix a long rein of two fathom or more , and to the other rings two other shorter reins : then having sadled the horse and put on his bit , bring him to the post , and put the reins of the bit over the forepart of the saddle , bolsters and all , and fix them at a constant straitness on the top of the pomel , so that the horse may have a feeling both of the bit and curb . then , if you will have him turn to the right hand , take the short rein on the left side of the cavezan , and bringing it under the fore-bolster of the saddle up to the pomel , and there fix it at such a straitness that the horse may rather look from , then to the post on the right side : then let some groom or skilfull attendant hold the right side rein of the cavezan at the post , governing the fore parts of his body to come about at large : then your self taking the long rein into your hand , and keeping his hinder parts inward , with your rod on his outward shoulder , and sometimes on his outward thigh , make him move about the post , keeping his hinder parts as a cen●e● , and making his fore-parts move in a larger circumference . thus you shall exercise him a pretty space on one hand till he grow to some perfectness and understanding of your will . then changing the reins of the cavezan , make him do the like to the other hand . and thus apply hi● divers mornings , mingling cherishing with his exercise , according to his deservings , ti● you have brought him to that readiness , the he will upon the moving of your rod couc● his hinder parts in towards the post , and lapping the outward fore leg over the inward trot about the post swiftly , distinctly , and i● as strait compass as you can desire , or is convenient for the motion of the horse . and from trotting you may bring him to flying or wheeling about with that swiftness , the both the fore legs rising and moving together , the hinder parts may follow in one an● the same instant . when you have made your horse the perfect in your hand , you shall then mou● his back ; and making some other skilfu● groom or attendant govern the long rei● and another the short , by the motion of yo● hand upon the bit and left rein of the cavezan , keeping the horses head from the po● and by the help of the calve of your le● laid to his side , and your rod turned to h● outward thigh to keep his hinder parts into the post labour and exercise him till you have brought him to that perfection which your self desire . then take away the long rein● and only exercise him with the help of the short rein of the cavezan , and no other . after take both the reins of the cavezan into your hands , and exercise him from the post ; making him as ready in any place where you please to ride him , as he was at the post . the other strait turn . now for the other strait flying turn , which is to keep his face fixt ▪ on the post as on his enemy , and to move about only with his hinder parts , you shall take the same helps of the long rein and the short reins of the cavezan , and govern them as before shewed ▪ only you shall not give the short rein to the postward so much liberty as before , but keep his head closer to the post , and following his hinder parts with the long rein , by the help of your rod make him bring his hinder parts round about the post : and observe that as before he did lap one foreleg over another , so now he must lap the hinder legs one over another . in this lesson exercise him as in the former then ( after a perfectness ) mount his back , and labour him as before shewed . then lastly , leaving the post and all other helps , only apply him in such open and free places as you shall think convenient : for upon the finishing of this work , your horse is made compleat , and can perform all things that can be required either for service in the wars , for the high-way , or any other galloping pleasure : which is the end of mine aim , and the utmost journy i will take in these observations . only for a conclusion i will bequeath you one or two pretty secrets . how to help an ill rein , and cure a runaway jade . there be many horses so evil beholden to nature for giving them short untoward necks , and worse , set on heads ; and so little beholden to art to endeavor to amend them , that many good horses are left cureless of these two gross unsufferable faules ; which are either a deformed carriage of the head like a pig on a broach ▪ or else a furious runing away , got by a spoil'd mouth , or an evil habit . the help . to help any , or both of these : if it be a young horse , at the first riding , then to his trench ; if of old standing , then to his snaffle , ( for i speak not of the bit. ) put a pair of reins , half as long again as any ordinary reins , and loops to fasten and unfasten at the eye of the snaffle , as other reins have ▪ now when you see that the horse will not yield to your hand , but the more you draw , the more he thrusts out his nose , or the more violently he runs away ; then undo the buttons of the reins from the eys of the snaffle , and drawing them through the eys , bring them to the buckles of the foremost girth , and there button them fast : then riding the horse in that manner , labour him with the gentle motions of your hand , coming and going by degrees ; and some times accompanied with your spur , to gather up his body , and to feel your command , and assuredly in a small expence of time he will yield and bring his head where you would place it . and for running away , if you draw one rein , you turn him about in despight of all fury ; and if you draw both , you break his chaps , or bring them to his bosom : in the end finding himself not able to resist , he will be willing to obey . another help for inconstant carriage . there is another foul error in many horses which these reins also cure , as this . when your horse is either so wythie cragg'd ( as the northern man calls it ) or so loose and unsteady-necked , that which way soever you draw your hand , his head and neck will follow it , sometimes beating against your knees , sometimes dashing against your bosom , nay sometimes knocking you in the face ; and indeed generally so loose and incertain , that a man cannot say at any time he hath certain or steady hold of him . a vice wonderfull incident to running-horses , especially the hot furious ones . in this case you shall take these long reins ; and as before you drew them to the buckles of the gyrths , so now marting●lwise draw them from the eyes of the snaffle , betwixt his fore-legs to the gyrths , and there fasten them . thus ride him with a constant hand , firm and somwhat hard ; correcting him both with the spurs and rod , and sometimes with sharp twitches in his mouth when he errs ; and with a few weeks labor , his head will come to a constant carriage , provided that you labor him as well upon his gallop as his trot , and leave him not till you find him fully reclaimed . how any lady or gentlewoman shall spur her horse as well as any man , yet unperceived take a strong whale bone , that is at one end of one side round , of the other flat , and of a pretty thickness ; then rush grown and small to the other end . all round to the flat end glue a peece of cord , about an inch and an half longer , being to the upper end of the bone as thin as may be , but from the end made wedg-like ▪ thicker and thicker , to half an inch thickness or more , as you shall find occasion , being a thing only to bear the bone from the horses sides . then you shall cause to be made of iron a neck of a spur , an handfull or more long , having at the one end set a sharp rowel as big as a great french rowel , but not set as a mans rowel , but cross-wise , the pricks looking to the horses sides ; the other end of this neck shall bee rough , and with a shoomakers thread made fast to the small round end of the whalebone . then make fast the great end of the whale-bone with leather , glue and nails to the forepart of the sidesaddle-tree , and look that the spur stand opposite to the spurring-place of the horses sides . now as you do this side , so do the other side also . then take a strong ribbon , and fasten it with a loop to the spurneck on the near side , and draw it under the horses belly upon the far side : then fasten another to the spur on the far side ▪ and fasten both ends at an eaven length under the pomel of the saddle , yet so as she may command it with her bridle rein . now when she will spur on the left side ( which we call the near side ) let her draw the ribbon on the far side ( which is the right side ) and when she will spur on the right side , let her draw her ribbon on the near side ; when she will spur both sides at once , let her draw both the ribbons equally : thus much for the office of the rider . the office of the feeder . an introduction to the work , touching the limitation of time for preparing the running-horse . i will not dispute the severall opinions of men in this kingdom touching the keeping of the running horse , because i know many are idle and frivolous , some incertain , and a few in the right way . only in this work i would cleer one paradox , which is strongly maintained and infinitely pursued by many of our best professors ; and that is the limitation or length of time for the preparing or making ready of an horse for a match or great wager . there be divers , nay some which i know carry the goddesses on their backs , that affirm an horse which is exceeding fat , foul ▪ newly taken from grass , soil , or lofty , liberal and unbounded feeding , cannot be brought to the performance of his best labour under six moneths , five is too little , and four an act of impossibility . by which they rob their noble master of half a years pleasure , thrust upon him a tyring charge ▪ to make the sport loathsom , and get nothing but a cloak for ignorance , and a few false got crowns that melt as they are possessed . yet as heretiques cite scriptures , so these find reasons to defend want of knowledge . as , the danger of too early exercise ; the offence of grease suddenly broken ; the moving of evill humors too haistily , which leads to mortal sickness . and the moderation or helping of all these by a slow proceeding , or bringing of the horse into order by degrees and time , o● ( as i may say ) by an ignorant sufferance . these reasons i know have the shew of a good ground ; for too early exercise is dangerous , but not if free from violence . to break grease too suddenly is an offence unsufferable , for it puts both limbs and life in hazard , but not if purged away by wholsome scourings . the hasty stirring up of humours in a body where they superabound , and are generally dispersed , and not setled , cannot chuse but breed sickness ; but not where discretion and judgment evacuateth them in wholsom sweats and moderate airings . and for t●e moderation of all these , by the tediousness of time , as two months for the first ; two moneths for the second , and as much for the last : it is like the curing of the gangrene in an old man ; better to dye then be dismembred , better lose the prize then bear the charge : for i dare appeal to any noble judgment , whose purse hath experience in these actions , if six moneths preparation and the dependances belonging to it and his person do not devour up an hundred pounds wager . but you will demand of me what limitation of time i will allow for this purpose of preparation ? and i answer , that two moneths is sufficient at any time of the year whatsoever , for an old horse , or an horse formerly trained , for i speak not of colts ; and he that cannot do it in two moneths , shall never do it in sifteen . but reply they , no scouring is to be allowed , for they are physical ; they force nature , and so hurt nature ; they make sickness , and so impair health : and that indeed nothing is comparable to the length of time , because nature worketh every thing her self ; and though she be longer , yet she hath less danger . i confess that sybbesauce scourings which are stuft with poisonous ingredients , cannot chuse but bring forth infirmity ; but wholesom scourings , that are composed of beneficiall and nourishing simples , neither occasion sickness nor any manner of infirmity , but bring away grease and all foulness in that kindly and abundant sort , that one week shall effect more then two moneths of dilatory and doubtfull for bearance . i call it dilatory and doubtfull , because no man ( in this lingring course ) can certainly tel which way the gre●se and other foulnesses will avoid , as whether into his ordure ( which is the safest ) into sweat ( which is hazardou● ) into his limbs ( which is mischievous ) or remain and putrifie in his body ( which is mortally dangerous ? ) since the issue of any o● all these fall out according to the strength and estate of the horses body , and the diligence of the feeder : and if either the one fail in power ; or the other in care , farewell horse for that year . all this envy cannot chuse but confess ; only they have one broken crutch to support them , which is , they know no scouring , therefore they will allow of no scouring . against barbarism i will not dispute , only i appeal to art or discretion , whether purgation or sufferance ; when nature is offended , be the better doers . but they reply , by a figure called absurdity , that whatsoever is given to any horse more then his natural food , and which he will naturally and of his own accord with all willingness receive , is both unproper and unwholsom ; and therefore he ought not to be forced with any thing against his appetite . this i have heard them say , and to this i thus answer . the natural food of man is bread only , all other things ( according to the philosopher ) are superfluous , and so to be avoided . at this argument both humanity and divinity laughs : for , other helps , as physick , divers meats , and divers means ordained for both even by the power of the almighty himself , tells the contemners hereof how grossly they erre in this foolish opinion . nay , allow them a little shadow of truth , that things most natural , are most beneficial : then it must follow , that grass , or hay ( which is but withered grass ) is most natural , and so most beneficial . now grass is physical , for in it is contained all manner of simples of all manner of mixtures , as hot , cold , moist , dry ; of all qualities , all quantities . so that whatsoever i give ( which is good ) is but that which he hath formerly gathered out of his own nature , only with this difference ; that what he gathereth is in a confused manner , clapping contraries together so abundantly , that we are not able to judge where the predominant quality lyeth ; and that which we compound is so governed by art and reason , that we know how it should work , and we expect the event , if it be not crost by some greater disaster . but will they bind themselves to keep the running-horse only with grass or hay ? they know then the end of their labour will be loss . nay , they will allow corn , nay divers corns ; some nourishing and loosing , as oats and rye ; some astringent and binding , as beans ; and some fatting and breeding both blood and spirit , as wheat : nay , they will allow bread , nay bread of divers compositions , and divers mixtures , some before heat , and some after , some quick of discresion and some slow . and if this be not as physical as any scouring a good horsman gives , ● report me to him that shall read the bills . nay , these contemners of scourings will allow an egg , nay an egg mixt with other ingredients : and for butter and garlick , they will use it , though it be never so fulsom . the reason is , because their knowledge can arise to no higher a stair in physick ; and authorised ignorance will ever wage battel with the best understanding : like foolish gallants on st. georges day , who neither having ability to buy , nor credit to borrow a gold-chain , scorn at them that wear them ; or martin marprelate , that not having learning worthy of a deacon , found no felicity but in railing at divine fathers . there are another sort of feeders , which in a contrary extream run beyond these into mischiefs ; and those are they which overscour their horses , and are never at peace but when they are giving potions ( which they call scourings ) somtimes without cause , always without order , bringing upon an horse such intolerable weakness , that he is not able to perform any violent labour . from this too little , and too much , i would have our feeder to gather a mean ; that is , first to look that his simples be wholsom : then to the occasion , that he is sure there is foulness : and lastly to the estate of body , that he may rather augment then decrease vigor . so shall his work be prosperous , and his actions without controllment . to conclude , two months i allow for preparation , and according to that time have laid my directions . mine humble suit is , out of a sincere opinion to truth and justice , so to allow or disallow , to refrain or imitate . the first ordering of the running-horse , according to the several estates of their bodies . this office of the feeder , albeit in general it belong to all horsmen , yet it particular it is most appropriate to the feeder of the running-horse ; because other general horses have a general way of feeding , these an artificial and prescript form , full of curiosity and circumspection ; from which whosoever errs , he shall sooner bring his horse to destruction then perfection . therefore when an horse is matcht , or to be matcht for a running course , you art principally to regard the estate of body it which the horse is at the time of his matching . and this estate of body i divide into three several kinds . the first is , if he be very fat , foul , and either taken from grass or soil . the second , if he be extream lean and poor , either through over-riding , disorder , or other infirmity . and the third , if he be in good and well-liking estate , having had good usage and moderate exercise . if he be in the first estate of body , you shall take longer time for his feed , as two moneths at the least : for he will ask much labour in airing , great carefulness in heating , art and discretion in scouring , and rather a strict then liberall hand in feeding . if he be in the second estate of body ( which is poor ) then you shall also take a longer time as you may , yet you need not so much as in the former ; both because grass cannot much hurt , and exercise may go hand in hand with feeding . this horse would have moderate and cheerfull airing , as not before or after sun , rather ●o increase appetite then harden flesh ; gentle heats , more to preserve wind then melt glut ; and a bountifull hand ( but far from cloying ) in feeding . if he be in the third estate of body , which is a mean betwixt the other extreams , then a moneth or six weeks , or a fortnight or less , may be time sufficient to diet him for his match ▪ now as this estate participates with both the former , so it wou'd borrow from them a share in all their orderings , that is , to be neither too early , nor too late in airings ; ●aborious , but not painfull in heatings , nourishing in scouring , and constant in a moderate way of feeding . now as you regard these general estates of bodies , so you must have an eye to certain particular estates of bodies : as if an horse be fa● and foul , yet of a free and spending nature , apt quickly to consume and lose his flesh , this horse must not have so strict a● hand , neither can he endure so violent exercise as he that is of an hard and kettty disposition , and will feed and be fat upon all mea●● and all exercises . again , if your horse be in extreme poverty through disorder or misusage , yet is by nature very hard and apt both soon to recover his flesh , and long to hold it ; then over thi● horse you shall by no means ●old so l●bera● an hand , nor forbear that exercise which otherwise you would do to the horse which i● of a tender nature , a weak stomack , and a fre● spirit provided always you have reg●rd to his limbs and the imperfection of lameness . thus you see how to look into the estate● of horses bodies , and what time to take fo● your matchings , i will now descend to thei● several orderings and dyeting . and because in the fat horse is contained both the lea● horse , and horse in reasonable estate o● bo●y . i will in him shew all the secrets a●● observations which are to be imployed in the feeding of all three , without any omission o● reservation whatsoever : for truth , sir , ● have vowed unto you , and truth i will prese●● you . the first fortnights feeding of an horse for match that is fat , foul , and ▪ either newly taken from grass or soil . if you match an horse that is fat and foul , either by running at grass , or standing at soil , or by any other means of rest , or too high feeding ; you shall ( after his body is emptied , and the grass avoided , which will be three or four days ) for the first fortnight at the least , rise early in the morning before day , or at the spring of day according to the time of the year ; and having put on his bridle washt in beer , and tyed him up to the rack , take away his dmng and other foulness of the stable ; then dress him well , as in the office of the keeper , when that work is finished , take a fair large body-cloth of thick houswifes kersie ( if it be in winter ) or of cotton or other light stuffe ( if it be in summer ) and fold it round about the horses body , then clap on the ●addle and girt the foremost girth pretty strait , but the other somwhat slack , and wisp it on each side his heart , that both the girths may be of equal straitness . then put before his breast a breast-cloath sutable to the body-cloth , and let it cover both his shoulders ; then take a little beer into your mouth , and spirt it into the horses mouth , and so draw him out of the stable , and take his back , leaving a groom behind you to trim up your stable , to carry out dung and to toss up the litter : for you are to understand that the horse must stand upon good store of fresh dry litter continually both night and day , and it should be ever wheat-straw ( if possible ) or oat-straw ( if forced by necessity ) as for barley ▪ straw and rye-straw , they are unwholsom and dangerous ; the one doth heart-burn , the other causeth scouring ▪ when you are mounted , rack the horse foot-pace ( for you must neither amble no● trot , for they hurt speed ) at least a mile or two , or more upon smooth and sound ground ▪ and ( as neer as you can ) to the steepest hill● you can find ; there gallop him gently up those hills , ond rack or walk him softly down ▪ that he may cool as much one way as he warmeth another . and when you have th●● exercised him a pretty space , and seeing the sun beginning to rise , or else risen , rack down either to some fresh river , or clear pond that is fed by a sweet spring , and there let him drink at his pleasure : after he hath drunk : bring him calmly out of the water , and so ride him a little space with all gentleness , and not according to the use of ignoran● grooms , rush him instantly into a gallop , for that brings with it two mischiefs , either it teaches the horse to run away with you as soon as he is watered , or else refuse to drink , fearing the violence of his exercise which follows upon it . when you have used him a little calmly , then put him into a gentle gallop , and exercise him moderately , as you did before ; then walk him a little space , after offer him more water : if he drink , then gallop him again ( after calm usage ; ) if he refuse , then gallop him to occasion thirst . and thus always give him exercise both before and after water . when he hath drank sufficient , then bring him home gently , without a wet hair or any sweat about him . when you come to the stable-door before which your groom shall ever throw all his fo●l litter continually ; there alight , and by whistling and stretching the horse upon the straw , and raising up the straw under him , see if you can make him piss , which if at first he do not , yet with a little custom he will soon be brought unto it , and it is an wholsom action both for the horses health , and the sweet keeping of the stable . this done , bring him into his stall , and tie him up to the rack , then with wisps rub his ●egs well , then unloose his breast-cloth ▪ and rub his head , neck and breast with a dry clot● then take off the saddle and hang it by , the● his body-cloth , and rub over all his body and limbs , especially his back where the saddl● stood . then cloath him up , first with a linne● sheet , then over it a good strong housing cloth , and above it his woollen body-cloth which in the winter it is not amiss to hav● lin'd with some thin cotton or plad , or othe● woollen stuffe , but in the summer the kersi● it self is sufficient . when these are girt about him , stop hi● circingle round with reasonable big soft wisp● and thick , for with them he will lie at be● ease , because the small hard wisps are eve● hurtfull . after he is cloathed , pick his feet and stop them up with cow-dung ; and then throw int● his rack a little bundle of hay , so much as a● halfpeny bottel in a dear inne , well chosen ▪ dusted , and hard bound together . and the he shall tear out , as he standeth on the bridl● ▪ when he hath stood on his bridle an ho● and better , you shall then come to him , an● first draw his bridle , rub his head , face an● nape of the neck with a clean rubber made ●● new rough hempen cloth , for this is excelle●● for the head , and dissolveth all gross a●● filthy humours : then with a clean clot● make the manger as clean as may be ; and i● he have scattered any hay , take it up and throw it back into the rack . then you shall take a quart of sweet , dry , old and clean drest oats , of which the heaviest are the best , as those which we call poland-oats or cut-oats : for those which are unsweet , breed infirmity ; those which are moist , cause swelling in the body , those which are new , breed worms ; and they which are half drest , deceive the stomack and bring the horse to ruine . as for the black oats , though they are tolerable in the time of necessity , yet they make foul dung , and hinder a mans knowledg in the state of the horses body . this quart of oats you shall ree and dress wondrous clean in a sive that is much less then a riddle , and though bigger then a reeing-sive , such an one as will let a light oat go through , but keep a full one from scattering , and so give them to the horse ; and if he eat them with a good stomack , you may give him another , and so let him rest till it be eleven a clock : then come to the stable , and having rubbed his head , neck and face , dress him another quart of oats ( as before ) and give it the horse ; then closing up the windows and lights leave him till one a clock . and here you are to understand , that the darker you keep your horse in your absence , the better it is , and it will occasion him to lye down and take his rest , when otherwise he would not ; and therefore we commonly use to arm the stables wherein these horses stand round about a lost , and over the rack with canvas , both for darkness , warmth , and that no filth may come near the horse . at one a clock come to him , and dress him another quart of oats , and give them as before , after you have rubbed his head and nape of the neck : then putting away his dung , and making the stable clean , give him a knob of hay , and so leave him till evening . at evening come to the stable , and having made all things clean , bridle as in the morning take off his cloaths , and dresse him a● before . then cloath , saddle , bring him forth , urge him to empty , mount , rack him abroad , but not to the hills , if you can finde any other plain ground , as meadow , pasture , or the like , especially if it lye along by a river , but in this case you can be no chuser , but must take the most convenient , making a vertue of necessity . here air him in all points in the evening , as you did in the morning , galloping both before and after water : then rack him up and down , and in your racking observe even from the stable-dore , in all your passages , especially when you would have him to empty , to let him smel upon every old and new dung you meet withall , for this will clear his body and repair his stomack . when you have watred , and spent the evening in airing till within night , ( for nothing is more wholsom , or sooner consumeth foulness , then early and late airings : ) you shall then rack him home to the stable-door ; there alight and do as you did in the morning , both within doors and without , and so leave him on his bridle for an hour and more . then come again , and as you did in the forenoon , so do now ; rub well , draw his bridle , cleanse the manger , put up his scattered hay , sift him a quart of oats , and so let him rest til nine a clock at night . at nine a clock come to him , and first rub down his legs with wisps , or with a clean cloth , or with your bare hands ( which is best of all ) then with a clean cloth rub his face , head , chaps , nape of the neck and foreparts , then turn up his cloathes and rub over all his hinder parts ; then put down his clothes , and sift him a quart of oats and give them him ; then put into his rack a little bundle of hay , toss up his litter and make his bed soft , and so leave him till the next morning . the next morning ( as the morning before ( come to the horse early , and do every thing without the omission of any one particle , as hath been formerly declared ; and thus you shall keep your horse constantly for the first fornight , in which by this double daily exercise you shall so harden his flesh and consume his foulness , that the next fortnight ( if you be a temperate man ) you may adventure to give him some heats , but here give me leave to digress a little for satisfaction sake , and to answer objections that may be urged touching the quantity of provender which i prescribe , being but a quart at a meal , seeing there be many horses that will eat a much larger proportion , and to scant them to this little were to starve , o● at the best to breed weakness . but if i be understood rightly , i set not this down as an infallible rule , but a president that may be imitated , yet altered at pleasure : for i have left you this caveat , that if your horse eat this with a good stomack , you may give him another , leaving the proportion to the feeders discretion ; because it is impossible in writing , to make one measure for all stomacks . and for min● own part , i chose the quart as the most indifferent proportion ; for albeit many horses will eat more , yet i have known some that would hardly eat this : and believe it , what horse soever shall but eat this , and in this manner , he shall neither starve , lose strength , nor be much hungry . so now again to the giving of heats . four considerations in giving of heats . now touching heats , you are to take to your self these four considerations . . that two heats in the week is a sufficient proportion for any horse of what condition or state of body soever . . that one heat should ever be given on that day in the week , on which he is to run his match ; as thus : your match-day is a monday , your heating-days are then mondays and fridays ; and the monday to be ever the sharper heat , both because it is the day of his match ▪ and there is three days rest betwixt it and the other heat . if the day ●e tuesday , then the heating days are tuesdays and saturdays ; if wednesday , then wednesdays and saturdays , by reason of the lords day ; if on thursdays , then thursdays and mondays , and so of the rest . . you shall give no heat ( except in case of extremity ) in rain or foul weather , but rather to defer hours and change times : for it is unwholsom and dangerous . and therefore in case of showers and incertain weather you shall have for the horse a lined hood , with lined ears , and the nape of the nec● lined to keep out rain ; for nothing ● more dangerous then cold wet falling into the ears , and upon the nape of the neck and fillets . lastly , observe to give the heats ( the weather being seasonable ) as early in the morning as you can , that is , by the spring of day ; but by no means in the dark ; for ● is to the horse both unwholsom and unpleasant ; to the man a great testimony o● folly , and to both an act of danger and precipitation . the second fortnights feeding . now to come to the second fortnight feeding : touching your first approaching to the stable , and all other by respects , a● cleansing , and the like , you shall do all things as in the first fortnight , onely before yo● put on his bridle , give him a quart of oats , which as soon as he hath eaten , bridle him up , and dress him , as before shewed ; then cloath , saddle , air , water , exercise , and bring him home as before shewed ; onely you shall not put hay into his rack to tear out , but let him eat it out of your hands , handfull after handfull , and so leave him on his bridle for an hour more ; then come to him , and after rubbing , and other ceremonies , sist him a quart of oats and set them by : then take a loaf of bread , that is three days old , or thereabout , and made in this manner . the first bread : take three pecks of clean beans , and one peck of wheat , mix them together and grind them , then boult it through a reasonable fine raunge , and knead it up with great ●●ore of barm and lightning , but with as little water as may be , labour it in the trough painfully , knead it , break it , and after cover it warm , and let it lye and swell ; then knead it over again , and mould it up into big loaves , like twelvepeny houshold loaves , and so bake it well , and let it soak soundly ; after they are drawn turn the bottoms upward , and let them cool . at three daies old , or thereabout , you may give this bread , but hardly sooner : for nothing is worse then new bread ; yet if necessity compell you that you must sooner give it , or that the bread be clammy or dank , so as the horse taketh distast thereat , then cut the loaf into thin shivers , and lay it abroad in the sive to dry ; then crumbling it smal with his oats , you may give it safely . but to return to my purpose , when you have taken a loaf of this bread , chip it very well , then cut it into thin slyves , and put three or four thereof ( small broken ) into his oats you had before sifted , and so give them to him ▪ about eleven a clock come to him , and by ceremonies give him the same quantity of bread and oats , and so leave him till afternoon . at one a clock in the afternoon ( if you intend not to give him a heat the next day ) feed him with bread and oats as you did in the fore-noon , and so consequently every meal following for that day , observing every action and motion as before shewed . but if you intend the next day to give him an heat ( to which i now bend mine aym ) you shall then only give him a quart of oats clear sifted , but no hay , and so let him rest till evening . at four a clock before you put on his bridle , give him a quart of clean sifted oats , and when they are eaten ; bridle him up , dress , cloath , saddle , air , water , exercise , bring home and order , as before shewed , onely give no hay at all . after he hath stood an hour on his bridle , give him a quart of oats , and when they are caten , put on his head a sweet muzzel , and so let him rest till nine a clock at night ▪ now as touching the use of this muzzell , and which is the best , you shall understand , that as they are most usefull being good and rightly made , so they are dangerous and hurtfull , being abused and falsly made . the true use of them is to keep the horse from eating up his litter , from gnawing upon boards and mud-walls , and indeed to keep him from eating any thing but what he receiveth from your own hands . these muzzels are somtimes made of leather , and stampt full of holes , or else close , but they are unsavoury and unwholsom : for if it be allomed leather , the allom is offensive ; if it be tann'd or liquored leather , the tanners ouze and grease are fully as unpleasant . besides , they are too close , and too hot , and both make an horse sick , and cause him to retain his dung longer in his body , then otherwise he would do . the best summer muzzell , ( and indeed the best generally at all times , is the nermuzzell , made of strong pack-threed , and knit exceeding thick and close in the bottom , and so inlarged wider and wider upward , to the middle of the horses head ; then bound about the top with tape , and on the nearside a loop , and on the farre-side a long string to fasten it to the horses head . the best winter-muzzell ( and indeed tolerable at any time ) is that which is made of double canvas , with a round bottom and a square lattice window of small tape before both his nostrils , down to the very bottom of the muzzell , and upward more then a handfull : this must also have a loop and a string to fasten it about the horses head . at nine a clock at night come to the stable , and after by ceremonies done , give him a quart of oats clean sifted , and when they are eaten , put on his muzzell , toss up his litter ▪ and so leave him . the next day early in the morning , come to the horse ( if he be standing , but if he be laid ▪ do not disturb him ) and whilst he is lying take a quart of oats clean sifted and rubbed between your hands , and wash them i● strong ale , and give them to the horse ; when they are eaten bridle him up , and dress him then saddle as before shewed ; being ready to depart , give him a new laid egg or two then wash his mouth after it with a little beer or ale , and so lead away : at the doo● urge him to empty , then mount and ra●● him gently to the course , ever and anon making him smell another horses dung . when you are come within a mile o● thereabout of the starting-post , alight and take off his body-cloath , and breast-cloath and girt on the saddle again : then sending away your groom both with those cloaths , and other dry cloaths to rub with , let him stay at the la●t end of the course till you come : then your self rack your horse gently up to the ●tarting post , and beyond , making him smell to that post , as you should also do to the first post , ( which we call the weighing post ) that he may take notice of the beginning and ending of the course . there start your horse roundly and sharply , at neer a three quarters speed , and according to his strength of body , ability of wind , and cheerfulness of spirit , run him the whole course through : but by no means do any thing in extremity , or above his wind ; but when you find him a little yeild , then give him a little ease , so that all he doth may be done with pleasure and not with anguish ; for this manner of training will make him take delight in his labour , and so increase it ; the contrary will breed discomfort , and make exercise irksome . also during the time you thus course him , you shall note upon what ground he runneth best , and whether up the hill or down the hill ; whether on the smooth or on the rough , on the wet or on the dry , or on the levill or the earth somewhat rising ; and according as you find his nature , so maintain him for your own advantage . when you have finished the heats , and a little slightly gallopt him up and down to rate his wind and cheer his spirits , you shall then ( the groom being ready ) ride into some warm place , as under the covert of some hedge , wall , bushes or trees , into some hollow dry ditch , pit , or other defence from the air , and there light , and first with a glassing-knife or ( as some call it ) a scraping knife , made either of some broken sword blade , some old broken sythe , or for war ▪ of them , of a thin piece of old , hard o●ke● wood , and fashioned like a long broad knife , with a sharp edge , and using this with both your hands , scrape off all the sweat from your horse in every part ( buttocks excepted ) till you find there will no more arise ; eve● and anon moving him up and down : the● with dry cloathes rub him all over painfully ( buttocks excepted ) then take of the saddle , and having glassed his back and rub'd it neer dry , put on his body-cloth and breast-cloath , and set on the saddle again , and girt it , then mount and gallop him gently forth again a little pace , eve● and anon rubbing his head , neck , and body as you sit , then walk him about the field to cool him ; and when you find he driet● apace , then rack him homeward , sometime racking and sometimes galloping ; but by no means bring him to the stable , till you find him throughly dry . when you are come to the stable dore , ●intice him to empty , then set him up and tie him to the rack , and ( as having prepared it before ) give him this scouring , made in this manner . the first scouring : take a pint of the syrope of roses , or a pint of strong honyed water and dissolve into it of cassia , agarick and myrrhe , of each half an ounce , and symbolize and jumble them together in a vyall glass . then being muld , and made warm at the fire , and the horse newly come from his heat ( as before shewed ) give him this scouring , for it is a strong one , and avoydeth all manner of molten grease and foulness . ordering of the horse after his scouring . as soon as you have given him this scouring , presently let your groom fal to rubbing his legs , and do your self take off his saddle and cloathes ; and finding his body dry , run slightly over it with your curry comb , after with the french brush , and lastly , rub him all over with dry cloathes , especially his head , nape of the neck , and about his heart ; then cloath him up warm as at other times , and wisp him round with great warm wisps , and if you throw over him a loose blanket , it will not be amiss in these extraordinary times , especially if the season be cold . the horse must fast full two hours afte● the receit of the scouring ; but yet depart no● out of the stable , but keep the horse waking ▪ for rest hinder ; the medicine , and mot o● makes it work . after he hath fastned on the bridle two hours , then you shall take a handfull of wheat ears , being your polland wheat , that is without awnes , and coming to the horse , first handle the roots of his ears , then put your hands under his cloathes against his heart upon his flanks , and on the neather part of his thighs ; and if you find any new sweat arise , or any coldness of sweat , or if you see his body beat , or his breath move fast then forbear to give him any thing , for it shews there is much soulness stirred up , on which the medicine working with a conquering quality , the horse is brought to a little sickness ; therefore in this case you shall onely take off his bridle , put on his coller , toss up his litter , and absent your self ( having made the stable dark and still ) for other two hours , which is the utmost end of that sickness . but if you find no such offence , then give him the ears of wheat , by three or four together , and if he eat this handfull give him another . after he hath eaten the wheat ears , give him a little knob of hay clean dusted , and draw his bridle rubbing his head well . an hour after his hay , sist him a quart of oats , and to them put two or three handfull of spelted beans , which you shall cause to be reed and drest so clean as is possible from all manner of hulls , dust and filth whatsoever , so as there may be nothing but the clean beans : to these oats and beans you shall break two or three shives of bread clean chipt , and give all to the horse , and so leave him for two or three hours . at evening ( before you dress him ) give him the like quantity of oates , beans , and bread , and when he hath eaten them , bridle him , dress and cloathe him ; for you shall neither saddle or air him forth , because this evening after his heat , the horse being foul , and the scouring yet working in his body , he may not receive any cold water at all . after he is drest , and hath stood two hours on his bridle , then take three pints of clean sifted oats , and wash them in strong ale , and give them to the horse ; for this will inwardly cool him as if he had drunk water . after he hath eaten his washt meat , and rested upon it a little space , you shall at his feeding times , ( which hath been spoken of before ) with oats and spelt beans , or oats and bread , or all together , or each severall and simple of it self , according to the appetite and liking of the horse , feed him that night in plentifull manner , and leave a knob of hay in his rack when ye go to bed . the next day very early , first feed , then dress , cloath , saddle , air , water , and bring home as at other times ; onely have a more carefull eye to his emptying , and see how his grease and foulness wasteth . at his feeding times , feed as was last shewed you , onely but little hay , and keep your heating days , and the preparation the day before , as was before shewed without omission or addition . thus you shall spend the second fortnight , in which your horse having received heats , horsman like given him , and four scourings , there is no doubt but his body will be drawn inwardly clean ; you shall then the third fortnight order him according to the rules following . the third fortnights feeding . this third fortnight you shall make his bread finer then it was formerly , as thus . the second bread . you shall take two pecks of clean beans ▪ and two pecks of fine wheat , grind them on the black stones , searce them through a fine raunge , and knead it up with barm , and great store of lightning , working it in all points , and baking it in the same sort as was shewed you in the former bread . with this bread , having the crust cut clean away , and being old , as before shewed , with spelt beans and clean sifted oats , feed your horse this fortnight as you did the former , observe his dressings , airings , feedings , heatings , and preparation , as in the former fortnight ; onely with these differences . first , you shall not give your heats so violently as before , but with a little more pleasure ; as thus , if the first heat have violence , the second shall have ease , and indeed none to overstrain him , or to make his body sore . next , you shall not after his heats , give him any more of the former scouring ; but instead thereof instantly upon the end of the heat after the horse is a little cooled and cloathed up ; and in the same place where you rub him , give him a ball as big as an hens egg of that confection which is mentioned in the office of the farrier , and goeth by this title , the true manner of making those cordial balls which cure any violent cold or glanders , which , &c ▪ the fourth and last fortnights feeding . the fourth and last fortnight you shall make your bread much finer then either of the former . the last and best bread . take three pecks of fine wheat , and one peck of beans , grind them on the black stones , and boult them through the finest boulter you can get : then knead it up with sweet ale , barm and new strong ale , and the barm beaten together , and the whites of twenty or thirty eggs ; but in any wise no water at all , but in stead thereof some small quantity of new milk , then work it up , bake it , and order it as the former . with this bread , having the crust cut clean away , and with oats well ●unned , beaten , and rubbed between your hands , then new winnowed , sifted and drest , with the purest spelt beans , and some fine chiltern wheat , with any simple or any compound : feed your horse at his feeding times , as in the fortnight last mentioned . you shall keep your heating days the first week or fortnight , as you did the former fortnight , but the last week you shall forbear one heat , and not give any five days before the match day , onely you shall give him strong and long airings . you shall not need this fortnight , to give him any scouring at all . if this fortnight morning and evening you burn the best frankinsence in your stable , you shall find it exceeding wholsom for the horse , and he will take wonderfull delight therein . in this fortnight , when you give the horse any washt meat , wash it in the whites of eggs , or muskadine , for that is more wholsom and less pursie . this fortnight give the horse no hay , but what he taketh out of your hand after his heats , and that in little quantity , and clear dusted . the last week of this fortnight , if the horse be a foule feeder , you must use the muzzell continually ; but if he be a clean feeder , then three days before the match is sufficient . the morning the day before your match , feed well both before and after airing , and water as at other times ; before noon , and after noon scant his portion of meat a little ; before and after evening airing , feed as at noon , and water as at other times , but be sure to come home before sun-set . late at night feed as you did in the evening . now i do not set you down what meat to feed withall , because you must be ruled according to the horses stomack , and what best he liketh , of that give him a pretty pittance , whether simple or compounded ; onely as neer as you can , forbear bread and beans . this day you shall coule your horse , shoo him , and do all extraordinary things of ornament about him , provided there be nothing to give offence or hinder him in feeding , resting , emptying , or any other naturall or beneficiall action ; for i have heard some horsmen say ; that when they had shod their horses with light shooes , and none other actions of ornament about them the night before the course ; that their horses have taken such speciall notice thereof , that they have refused both to eat , lie down , or empty : but you must understand that those horses must be old , and long experienced in this exercise , or otherwise find distast at these actions ; as uneasiness in shooes , heat and closness in the muzzell , disorderly platting or folding tails , and the like , or they cannot reach these subtile apprehensions : for mine own part , touching the nice and strait plaiting up of horses tails in the manner of sakers , or docks , with tape or ribban , which is now in generall use , howsoever the ornament may appear great to the eye , yet i do not much affect it ; because i know , if an ignorant hand have the workmanship thereof he may many ways give offence to the horse , and in avoiding cumbersomness , breed a great deale more comber : therefore i wish every one , rather to pass by curiosity ( which they call necessary ornament ) then by these false graces to do injury to the horse . now for the necessary and indifferent things which are to be done . i had rather have them finished the day before , then on the morning of the course , because i would have the horse that morning to find neither trouble nor vexation . the next morning ( which is the match day ) come to the horse very early , take off his muzzell , rub his head well , right his cloathes , and give them ease by unwisping , and using the plain circingle ; then give him a pretty quaintity of oats washed in muskadine , or the whites of eggs ; or if he refuse them , try him with fine drest oats mixt with wheat , or oats simple : when he hath eaten them , if he be an evil or slow emptier , walk him abroad , & in the places where he used to empty , there intice him to empty , which as soon as he hath done , bring him home , and let him rest till you have warning to make ready . but if he be a good and free emptier , then stir him not , but let him lie quiet . when you have warning to make ready , come to the horse , and having washt his snaffle with muskadine , take off the muzzle and bridle him up ; but before you bridle , if you think him too empty , give him three or four mouthsfull of the washed meat last spoken of , then bridle up and dress him ; after pitch the saddle and girths with cordwainers wax , set it on and girt it gently , so as he may have a feeling , but no straitness : then lay a clean sheet over the saddle , over it his ordinary cloathes , then his body-cloth and breast-cloath , and wisp him round with soft wisps ; then if you have a counterpane , or cloath of state for bravery sake , let it be fastned above all . being now ready to draw out , give him half a pint of muskadine , and so lead away . in all your leadings upon the course , use gentle and calm motions , suffering the horse ●o smell on every dung . and in especiall pla●es of advantage , as where you find rushes , ●ong grass lying , heath , or the like , walk him ●n , and intice him to piss . but if you find no such help , then in especial places on the course and chiefly towards the later end , ( and having ●sed the same means before ) break some of the wisps under him , and intice him to piss . also in your leading , if any white or thick foam or froth rise about the horses mouth , with a clean handkerchiefe wipe it away , and carrying a bottle of clean water about you , wash his mouth now and then therewith . when you come to the place of start , before you uncloath , rub or chase his leggs with hard wisps ; then pick his feet , uncloath , wash his mouth with water , mount his rider , start fair , and leave the rest to gods good will and pleasure . certain necessary observations and advantages for every feeder to observe in sundry accidents . there is no unreasonable creature of pleasure subject to so many disastrous chances of fortune , as the horse , and especially the running horse , both by reason of the multiplicity of diseases belonging unto them , as also the violence of their exercise , and the nice tenderness of their keeping : and therefore it behoveth every feeder to be armed with such observations as may discern mischiefs , and those helps which may amend them when they happen . of meat and drink the first observation therefore that i would arm our feeder withall , is the true distribution of meat and drink . let him then observe if there be any meat or drink , or other nourishment which he knoweth to be good for the horse , yet he refuseth to eat it : in this case he shall not violently thrust it upon him , or by force cram him therewith , but by gentle degrees and cunning inticements , and by process of time , win him thereunto , tempting him when he is most hungry or most dry ; and if he get but a bit at a time , it will soon increase to a greater quantity , and ever let him have less then he desireth ; and that he may the sooner be brought unto it , mix the meat he loveth best with that he loveth worst , till both be made alike familiar , and so shall the horse be stranger to nothing that is good or wholsome . observation for lameness . our feeder must observe if his horse be subject to lameness or stifness , to surbait or tenderness of feet , then to give him his heats upon smooth carpet earth , and to forbear strong ground , hard high-ways , cross ruts and ●urrows till extremity compell him . observation from the estate of the body . our feeder must observe , that the strongest estate of body ( which i account the highest and fullest of flesh , so it be good , hard , and without inward foulness ) to be the best and ablest for the performance of these wagers ; yet he must herein take two considerations : the one the shape of the horses body , the other his inclination and manner of feeding . for the shape of body , there be some horses that are round , plump , and close knit together , so that they will appear fat and wel shaped , when they are lean and in poverty . others are raw-boned , slender , and loose knit together , and will appear lean and deformed when they are fat , foul , and full of gross humors . so likewise for their inclinations , som● horses as the first ) will feed outwardly , and carry a thick rib , when they are inwardly clean as may be . there be others ( as the later ) that will appear lean to the eye , and she● nothing but skin and bone , when they are inwardly onely greasie . in this case the feede● hath two helps to advantage his knowledge the one outward , the other inward . the outward help is the outward handling and feeling of the horses body generally ove● all his ribs , but particularly upon his sho●● and hindmost ribs . if his flesh generally handle soft and loos● , and the fingers sink into it as into down ▪ then is the horse foul without all question but if generally it be hard and firm , only upon the hind most rib is softness , then he h●t● grease and foul matter within him , whic● must be avoided , how lean or poor soever h● appear in outward speculation . the inward help is onely sharp exercis● and strong scourings : the first will dissol●● the foulness , the later will bring it away . observation from the privy parts . our feeder must observe his horses stones for if they hang down side , or low from h● body , then is the horse out of lust and hear● and is either sick of grease , or other foul humors ; but if they he close couched up , and hid in a small room , then is he healthfull and in good plight . observation for the limbs . our feeder must observe ever the nig●t before he runs any match , or sore heat , to bath his horse leggs well from the knees and cambrels downwards , either with clarified doggs grease ( which is the best ) or trotters oyl ( which is the next ) or else the best ho●s grease , which is sufficient , and to work i● in with the labour of his hands , and not with fire : for what he gets not in the first night , will be got in the next morning ; and what is not got in the next morning , will bee got in when he comes to uncloath at the end of the course : so that you shall need to use the oyntment but once ; but the friscase or rubbing as oft as you find opportunity . observation for water . our feeder shall observe , that albeit i give no direction for watering the horse after the heats , yet he may in any of the later fortnights ( finding his horse clean and his grease consumed ) somwhat late at night , as about six a clock give him water in reasonable quantity being made luke warm , and fasting an hour after it . also if through the unseasonableness of the weather , you cannot water abroad , then you shall at your watering hours water in the house with warm water as aforesaid . nor need you in this case heat all your water , but making a little very hot , put it into a greater , and so make all luke-warm . if you throw an handfull of wheat-meal , bran , or oat-meal finely powdred ( but oat-meal is the best ) into the water , it is very wholsome . observation for the ground to run on . our feeder shall observe . that if the ground whereon he is to run his match , be dangerous , and apt for mischievous accidents , as strains , over-reaches , sinew bruises , and the like , that then he is not bound to give all his heats thereon ; but having made the horse acquainted , with the nature thereof , then either to take part of the course , as a mile , two or three , according to the goodness of the ground , and so to run his horse forth and again ( which we call turning heats ) provided always that he end his heat at the weighing-post , and that he make not his course less but rather more in quantity then that he must run . but if for some especiall causes he like no part of the course ; then he may many times ( but not ever ) give his heat upon any other good ground , about any spatious and large field , where the horse may lay down his body , and run at pleasure . observation from sweat . our feeder shall take especiall regard in al his airings , heatings , and all manner of exercises whatsoever to the sweating of his horse , and the occasions of his sweating ; as if an horse sweat upon little or no occasion ; as walking a foot pace , standing stil in the stable , and the like , it is then apparent that the horse i● faint , foul fed , and wanteth exercise . if upon good occasion , as strong heats , great labour and the like , he sweat , yet his sweat is white froth and like sope-suds , then is the horse inwardly soul , and wanteth also exercise but if the sweat be black , and as it were only water thrown upon him , without any frothiness , then is the horse clean fed , in good lust and good case , and you may adventure riding without danger . observation from the hair . our feeder shall observe his horses hair in generall , but especially his neck , and those parts which are uncovered , and if they lie slick , smooth and close , and hold the beauty of their naturall colour , then is the horse in good case ; but if they be rough , or staring , or if they be discoloured , then is the horse inwardly cold at the heart , and wanteth both cloathes and warm keeping . many other observations there be , but these are most materiall , and i hope sufficient for any reasonable understanding ▪ the office of the keeper . how to keep any horse for pleasure , hunting or travel , &c. i would have our keeper of these ordered horses , to rise early in the morning of day , or before ( according to the season of the year ) and to sift the horse the quantity of three pints of good , old and dry oats , and put to them an hand full or two of spelt beans , hulls and all , and so give them to the horse . of dressing and watering . after he hath eaten them , let him dres him , that is to say , he shall first curry him all over with the iron comb , from the head to the tail , from the top of the shoulder to the knee , and from the top of his buttock to the hinder cambrell ; then dust him all over with a clean dusting cloath , or with an horse tail made fast to an handle : then curry him all over with the french brush , beginning with his forehead , temples and cheeks , so down his neck , shoulders and fore leggs , even to the setting on of his hooves , so alongst his sides and under his belly ; and lastly , all about his buttocks and hinder leggs , even to the ground ; then you shall go over again with your duster , then over all parts with your wet hands , and not leave ( as neer as you can one loose hair about him , nor one wet hair ; for what your hands did wet , your hands must rub dry again : you shall also with your wet hands cleanse his sheath , his yard , his cods and his tuell , and indeed not leave any secret place uncleansed , as ears , nostrils , fore-bowels , and between his hinder thighs , then you shall take an hair-cloath and with it rub him all over , but especially his head , face , eyes , cheeks , between his chaps , on the top of his fore-head , in the nape of the neck , down his leggs , feetlocks and about his pasterns . lastly , you shall take a clean woolen cloath , and with it rub him all over , beginning with his head and face , and so passing through all parts of his body and limbs before spoken of . then take a wet mane-cloath , and comb down his mane and tail . then saddle him and ride him out to water , warm him both before and after water very moderately , and so bring him home dry without sweat ; then cloath him up , after you have rubbed his head , body and leggs , and let him stand on his bridle more then an hour . ordinary-keeping after he hath stood an hour , give him the former quantity of provender , and the same in kind . after he hath eaten his provender , give him into his rack a pretty bundle of hay , and so let him rest till noon . at noon give him the former quantity of provender , and the same in kind , and so let him rest till evening , onely renewing his hay if there be occasion . at evening dress him as in the morning , then ride him forth to water , and do as you did in the morning . when you come home and have cloathed him up , let him stand on his bridle as before , then give him the former quantity of provender , so let him rest till nine a clock at night ; at which time give him the former quantity of provender , and a pretty bundle of hay , and so let him rest till the next morning . also observing ordinary keeping ever after your dressing , and at such times as you find best convenience , to bathe all his fore-leggs from the knees and cambrels downward with cold water , for it is wholsome , and both comforteth the sinews , and prevents scabbs and swellings . keeping in travell and sport . thus you shall do concerning his ordinary keeping at home where the horse hath rest and that you may dispose of hours as you please ▪ but if you be either in travel , in sport , or other occasion , so that you cannot observe these particular times , then you must divide the main and whole quantity of mea● into fewer parts and greater quantities , and so give them at the best convenience , ever observing to give the least quantity before travel as a third part before mounture , and the two other when you come to rest . nor would i have you to distract your mind with any doubt or amazement , because i prescribe you five severall times of feeding in one day , as if it should either over-charge you , or over-feed your horse : questionless there is no such matter when you look into the true proportion : for it cannot be denied that whosoever is worthy of a good horse , or good means to keep a good horse , cannot allow him less then one peck a day ; nay , the carrier . carter , poulter and packhorse , will allow half a peck at waterings , and this allowance which i set down comes to no more : for fifteen pints of oats , and one pint of spelt beans upheaped , makes two gallons , and that is one peck winchester measure . now to give it at twice it fills the stomack more , makes the digestion wors● , and the appetite weak : whereas to give less , but more oft , the stomack is ever craving , the digestion always ready , and the appetite never wanting , so that health ( without disorder ) can never be a stranger , therefore once again thus for ordinary keeping . of giving heats , hunting and travell . but if you intend to give an heat , as to hunt , gallop , travell , or the like , ( which i would wish you to do once , twice , or thrice a week according to the ability of your horse ) then observe all your former observations , onely the night before give him little or no hay at all : in the morning before his heat very early and before his dressing , give him three or four handfull of clean sifted oats , washt either in strong beer or ale . then dress him , saddle him , and give him his hear , he having first emptied himself well . ordering after labour : after his heat ▪ , or end of labour , rub him carefully , and bring him ▪ dry into the stable ; then after he is cloathed up , let him stand on his bridle at least two hours , then give him a little bundle of hay to teare out upon his bridle , and an hour after feed him as hath been before shewed , onely with his first oats give him an handfull or better of hemp-seed well dusted and mixt . at night warm him a little water and give it him luke-warm , with a little fine pounded oatmeal thrown upon it , then an hour after give him his provender , and a pretty bundle of hay , and so let him rest till the next morning . the next morning do all things as in his ordinary keeping . some especiall precepts . if he be a choice horse let him stand on litter both night and day , yet change oft and keep the planchers clean . if he be otherwise , then use your own discretion . if you intend to travell or journey in the morning , then give no hay , or but little the night before ; if you journey in the afternoon , then give no hay , or but little in the morning . if your horse sweat by exercise , take off the sweat ( before you rub him ) with the glassing-knife , which is either a piece of a broken sword-blade , or a piece of a broken syth , for this will make a clean , a smooth , and a shining coat . in journeying ride moderately the first hour or two , but after according to your occassions : water before you come to your inne , if you can possibly ; but if you cannot , then give warm water in the inne , after the horse hath fed , and is fully cooled within , and outwardly dried . trotters oyl is an excellent oyntment , being applied very warm , and well chafed into your horses limbs and sinews , to nimble and help stifness and lameness . and dogs grease is better , therefore never want one of them in your stable . of washing and walking . neither wash your horse nor walk your horse ; for the first indangereth foundring in the body or feet , and breedeth all surfaits ; the latter is the ground of all strong colds , which turn to glanders and rottenness ; but if necessity compell you to either , as foul waies ; or long stays , then rather wash your horses leggs with pailes of water at the stable door , then to indanger him in either pond or river . and for walking , rather sit on his back to keep his spirits stirring , then to lead him in his hand , and with dull spirits to receive all manner of mischiefs . this i think sufficient for the office of the keeper . the office of the ambler . observations in ambling . there is not any motion in an horse more desired , more usefull , nor indeed more hard to be attained unto by a right way , then the motion of ambling ; and yet ( is we will beleeve the protestations of the professors ) not any thing in all the art of horsmanship more easie , or more severall ways to be effected , every man conceiving to himself a severall method , and all those methods held as infallible maxims that can never fail in the accomplishment of the work . mens opinions and errors . but they which know truths , know the errors in these opinions , for albeit every man that hath hardly a smell of horsmanship , can discourse of a way how to make an horse amble , yet when they come to the performance of the motion , their failings are so great , and their errors so gross , that for mine own part , i never yet saw an exact ambler . i confess some one man may make some one horse amble well and perfectly ; nay , more then one , peradventure many , and thereby assume to himself a name of perfection , yet such a man have i seen erre grosly , and spoyl more then his labour was able to recompence . but leaving mens errors , because they are past my reformation , i will onely touch at some principall observations which in mine opinion i hold to be the easiest ▪ the certainest and readiest for the effecting of this work ; and withall glance at those absurdities which i have seen followed , though to little purpose , and less benefit . ambling by the plowed field . there is one commends the new plowed lands , and affirms , that by toyling the horse thereon in his foot pace , there is no way so excellent for the making of him to amble ; but he forgets what weakness , nay what lameness , such disorderly toyle brings to a young horse nay to any horse ; because the work cannot be done without weariness , and no weariness is wholsome ▪ ambling by the gallop ▪ another will teach his horse to amble from the gallop , by sudden stopping , a more sudden chocking him in the cheeks of the mouth , thrusting the horse into such an am●●edness betwixt his gallop and his trot , that losing both he cannot chuse but find out ambling . but this man forgets not alone the error before spoken , ( which is too great toyle ) but also spoyls a good mouth ( if the horse had one ) loses a good rain ( if there were any ) and by over-reaching and clapping one foot against another , indangers upon every step an ●oof-breach , or sinew-strain ambling by weights . another says there is nothing of such use for ambling , as weights , and thereupon one ●oads his horse with unmercifull shooes of in●ollerable weight , and forgets how they make him enterfere , strike short with his hind-feet , and though his motion be true , yet is so slow that it is not worth his labour . another foulds great weights of lead about his feetlock pasterns , and forgets that they have all the mischiefs of the former , besides the indangering of incurable strains , the crushing of the crownet , and the breeding of ring-bones , crown-scabs and quitter bones . another loads his horse upon the fillets with earth , lead , or some other massie substance , and forgets the swaying of the back , the over-straining of the fillets , and a generall disabling of all the hinder parts . ambling in hand , or not ridden ▪ another struggles to make his horse amble in his hand before he mount his back , by the help of some wall , smooth pale or rail , and by chocking the horse in the mouth with the bridle-hand , and correcting him with his rod on the hinder houghs , and under the belly when he treadeth false , and never remembers into what desperate frantickness it drives an horse before he can make him understand his meaning , as plunging , rearing , sprauling out his leggs , and using a world of other antick postures , which once setled , are hardly ever after reclaimed : besides , when he hath spent all his labour , and done his utmost , as soon as he mounts his horses back , the horse is as far to seek of his pace as if he had never known such a motion . ambling by the help of shooes . another finds out a new stratagem , and in despite of all opposition in the horse , will make him amble perfectly , and thereupon he makes him a pair of hinder shooes with long spurns or plates before the toes , and of such length , that if the horse offer to trot , the hinder foot beats the forefoot before it . but he forgets that the shooes are made of iron , and the horses leggs of flesh and blood , neither doth he remember with what violence the hinder foot follows the fore-foot , nor that every stroke it gives , can light upon any place , but the back sinews , then which there is no part more tender , nor any wound that brings such incurable lameness . ambling by the help of fine lists . another ( out of quaintness more then strong reason ) strives to make his horse amble by taking of fine soft lists , and foulding them strait about the cambrell in that place where you garter an horse for a stiflestrain , and then turn him to grass for a fortnight or more , in which time ( saith he ) he will fall to a perfect amble , ( for it is true he cannot trot but with pain ) then taking away the lists , the work is finished . but ( under the correction of the professors of this foreign trick , for it is a spanish practice ) i must assure them , that if they gain their purpose , they must offend the members . if they hurt not the limbs , they lose their labour ; but however this is most assured , that the amble thus gained , must be disgracefull , crambling and cringing in the hinder parts , without comliness , speed , or clear deliverance . ambling by the hand only . another ( and he calls himself the master ambler of all amblers ) affirms there is no true way of making an horse to amble but by the hand only , and i am of his opinion , could the secret be found out , or could a man make a horse do all that he imagined , and as he imagined ; but horses are rebellious , and men are furious , and the least of either of these spoyls the whole work ; and it is impossible for any man to fadge an horse to a new motion utterly unknown , against which he will not resist with his uttermost powers . besides , to do this action with the hand onely , it must onely be done from the horses mouth , and that mouth must of necessity be altered from his first manner of riding ; for to use all one hand must preserve all one motion , and then where is ambling which was not known at the first backing ? again , we strive at the first backing of an horse , to bring his mouth to all sweetness , his rein to all stateliness , and the generall carriage of his body to all comeliness . now in this course of ambling by the hand onely , the mouth must be changed from the chaps to the ●eeks of the mouth , which is from sweetness to harshness , his rein must be brought from constancy to inconstancy : for the eyes that did look upward , the nose and muzzell which was couched inward , must be turned outward , and the generall comliness of the bodies carriage must be brought to disorder and false treading , or else he shall never accomplish the true art of ambling by the hand onely . ambling by the tramell . there is another , ( i will not call him the ●ast , because his error may be as great as any ) and he will make his horse amble by the help of the tramell only , which i confess is neerest the best and most assured way , yet he hath many errors , as followeth . errors in the tramell . first , he loseth himself in the want of knowledge , for the length of the tramell , and either he makes it too long , ( which gives no stroke ) or too short ( which gives a false stroke ) the first makes an horse hackell and shuffle his feet confusedly , the latter makes him roule and twitch up his hinder feet so suddenly , that by custome it brings him to a string-halt , from which he will hardly be recovered ever after . another loses himself and his labour by misplacing the trammell , and out of a niceness to seem more expert then he is , or out of fearfulness to prevent falling ( to which the tramell is subject ) places them above the knee , and above the hinder hough . but the rule is neither good nor handsome ; for if the tramell be too long or loose , that it gives no offence to the sinews , and other ligaments about which they must necessarily be bound , when they are raised so high , then they can give no true stroke , neither can the fore-leg compell the hinder to follow it . and if they be so short or strait , that the fore-leg cannot step forward , but the hinder must go equall with it , then will it so press the main sinew of the hinder leg , and the veins and fleshy part of the fore-thighs , that the horse will not be able to go without halting before , and cringing and crambling his hinder parts so ill-favouredly , that it will be irksome to behold it : besides , it will occasion swellings , and draw down tumors , which will be more noysom then the pace will be beneficiall . another makes his tramell of such course or hard stuff , or else girts it so strait , or leaves it fretting up and down so loose , that he galls his horses leggs , and leaves neither hair nor skin upon them , at the best it leaves such a foul print and mark upon the leggs , that every one will accuse both the horse and his teacher of disgrace and indiscretion . as these , so i must conclude with the last error of the tramell , which is , mens opinions , and though it be the most insufficient , yet it hath the greatest power to oversway truth , and that is , the tramell is utterly unnecessary , and unprofitable , and the defender worthy of no imployment , alledging the land onely to be excellent . the errors i have already confuted ; it now remaines ( after all these faults finding ) that i shew the truest , the easiest , and that way which is most uncontrollable for the making of an horse to amble , with all the gracefulness and perfection that can be required . the best way to amble an horse . when you are about undoubtedly to make an horse amble truely , and without controlment : first , try with your hand by a gentle or deliberate racking and thrusting of the horse forward , by helping him in the weeks of his mouth with your snaffell , ( which must be smooth , big and full ) and correcting him first on one side , then on another with the calves of your leggs , and somtimes with the spurre ; if you can make him of himselfe strike into an amble ; but by no means disorder or displace either his mouth , head , or neck ; if you find you can make him strike into an amble , though shuffling disorderly , there will be much labor saved : for that proclivity or aptness to amble , will make him with more easiness and less danger , endure the use of the tramell , and make him find the motion without stumbling or amazement : but if you find he will by no means either apprehend the motions or intentions , then struggle not with him , but fall to the use of the tramell in this manne● following . the form of the tramell . but before i come to the use and vertue thereof , i will shew you the form and substance whereof it ought to be made ; because nothing hath ever done this instrument more injury , then false substances and false shapes . therefore some make these tramels all of leather , and that will either reach or break , the first marrs the work by uncertainty , the other loseth the labor . another makes it of canvass , and that galls . a third makes it of strong lists , and that hath all the faults of both the former ; for the softness will not let it lye close , and the gentleness makes it stretch out of all compass or break upon every stumble . and as these , so there are a world of other us●●ess tramels ; for you must understand that touching the true tramel , the side-ropes must be firm , without yeelding an hair : the hose must be soft , lye close and not move from his first place , and the backband must be flat , no matter how light , and so defended from the fillets that it may not gall . and this tramell must be thus made , and of these substances . first , for the side-ropes , they must be made of the best , finest , and strongest packthread , such as your turky-thred , and twined by the roper into a delicate strong cord , yet at the utmost , not above the bigness of a smal jackline , with a nooze at each end , so strong as is possible to be made ; neither must these side-ropes be twined too hard , but gentle , and with a yeelding condition , for that will bring on the motion more easie , and keep the tramell from breaking , now these siderop●s must be just inches in length , and so equall one with another , that no difference may be espied . for the hose which must be placed in the small of the fore-leg , and the small of the hinder l●g above the feetlock , they must be made of fine girth web , which is soft and pliant , and lined with double cotton : over the girth web must be fastned strong tabbs of white neats leather well tallowed , ●●d suited to an even length , and stamped with holes of equall distance , which shall passe through the noozes of the side-ropes and be made longer or shorter at pleasure , with very strong buckles . these hose ; the g●rth would be inches in length , and the tabbs ten . the back-band being of no other use but to bear up the side-ropes , would ( if you tramell all the forelegs ) be made of fine girth-web , and lined with cotton ; but if you tramell but one side , then any ordinary tape will serve , being sure that it carry the side-ropes in an even line without either rising or falling ; for if it rise , it shortens the side-rope , if it fall it indangers tangling . thus you see what the true tramell is , and how to be made : touching the use , it thus followeth . the true use of the true tramell . when you have brought your horse into an even smooth path , without rub● or roughnesse , you shall there hose the neer fore-leg , and the reer hinder leg ; then put to them the side rope , and see that he stand at that just proportion which nature her self hath formed him , without either straining or inlarging his members , and in that even and just length stay the side-rope by a small tape fastned up to the saddle . then with your hand on the bridle , straining his head , put him gently forward , and if need be , have the help of a by-stander to put him forward also , and so force him to amble up and down the road with all the gentleness you can , suffering him to take his own leasure , that thereby he may come to an understanding of his restraint , and your will for the performance of the motion , and though he snappe● or stumble , or peradventure fall now and then , yet it matters not , do you only stay his head , give him leave to rise , and with all gentleness put him forward again , till finding his own fault , and understanding the motion ▪ he become perfect , and amble in your hand to your contentment . and that this may be done with more ease and less amazement to the horse , it is not amiss ( at his first trameling ) that you give your side-ropes more length then ordinary , both that the twitches may be less sudden , and the motion coming more gently , the horse may sooner apprehend it . but as soon as he comes to any perfectness ▪ then instantly put the side-ropes to their true length . for an inch too long , is a foo●●oo slow in the pace ; and an inch to short causeth ralling , a twitching up of the leggs , and indeed a kind of plain halting . when to alter the tramell . when the horse will thus amble in your hand perfectly , being trameled on one side , you shall then change them to the other side , and make him amble in your hand as you did before . and thus you shall do , changing from one side to another , till with this halfe tramell he will run and amble in your hand without snappering or stumbling , both readily and swiftly . when this is attained unto , which cannot be above two or three hours labour ( if there be any tractableness ) you ●ay then put on the whole tramell , and the broad flat back-band , trameling both sides equally , and so run him in your hand ( at the utmost length of the bridle ) up and down the road divers times , then pause , cherish , and to it a gain ; and thus apply him till you have brought him to that perfection , that he will amble , swiftly , truly and readily , when , where and how you please : then put him upon uneven and uncertain ways , as up-hill and down-hill , where there are clots and roughness , and where there is hollowness and false treading . when to mount his back . now when he is perfect in your hand upon all these , you may then adventure to mount his back , which ( if you please ) you may first do by a boy , or groom , making the horse amble under him , whilst you stay his head to prevent danger , or to see how hee striketh . then after mount your self , and with all gentleness and le●●ty increasing his pace more and more , till you come to the height of perfection . and thus as you did before in your hand , so do now on his back , first with the whole tramell , then with the halfe , and changing the tramell oft , first from one side , then to another , then altering grounds till you find that exquisiteness which you desire . and this must be done by daily exercise and labour , as twice , thrice , sometimes ▪ oftner in the day . when to journey . when you have attained your wish in the perfection of his stroke , the nimblenesse of ●●s limbs , and the good carriage of his head and body , you may then take away the tramell altogether , and exercise him without it . but this exercise i would have upon the high-way , and not ( horse-courser like ) in a private smooth road , for that affords but a co●sening pace , which is left upon every small wearinesse ; therefore take the high-way forward for three , four , or five miles in a morning more or lesse , as you find the horses aptness and ability . now if in this journeying , either through weariness , ignorance , or peevishness , you find in him a willingnesse to forsake his pace , then ( ever carrying in your pocket the halfe tramell ) alight and put them on , and so exercise him in them , and now and then giving him ease , bring him home in his true pace . this exercise you shall follow day by day , and every day increasing it more and more ▪ till you have brought him from one mile to many : which done , you may then give him ease , as letting him rest a day or two , or more , and then apply him again ; and if you find in him neither error nor alteration then you may resolve your work is finished : for in all mine experience , i never found this way to fail . but if any alteration do happen , ( as many phantastick horses are subject unto ) if it be in the motion of his pace ▪ then with your hand reform it . but if that fail , then the use of the halfe tramell will never fail you . now if the error proceed from any other occasion , look seriously into the cause thereof , and taking that away , the effect will soon cease , for you are to understand , that in this manner of teaching an horse to amble , you are forbidden no help or benefit whatsoever which belongs unto horsmanship , as chain , cavezin , musroule , headstrain , martingale , bit , or any other necessary instrument , because this motion is not drawn from the mouth , but from the limbs . many things else might be spoken on this subject , but it would but load paper , and weary memory , and i aim only at short essays , and true new experiments , therefore this already writ i hold sufficient . the office of the buyer : wherein is shewed all the perfections and imperfections that are or can be in a horse . observations and advertisements for any man when he goeth about to buy an horse . there is nothing more difficult in all the art of horsmanship , then to set down constant and uncontrollable resolutions by which to bind every mans mind to an unity of consent in the buying of an horse : for ●ccording to the old adage , what is one mans meat , is another mans poyson ; what one ●ffects another dislikes . but to proceed according to the rule of reason , the precepts of the ancients , and the modern practice of our present conceived opinions , i will , as briefly as i can ( and the rather because it is a labour i never undertook in this wise before ) shew you those observations and advertisements which may fortifie you in any hard election . the end for which to buy : first therefore you are to observe , that i● you will elect an horse for your hearts contentment , you must consider the end and purpose for which you buy him , as whether for the warres , running , hunting , travelling , draught or burthen . every one having their severall characters , and their severall faces both of beauty and uncomliness . but because there is but one truth , and one perfection , i will under the description of the perfect and untainted horse , shew all the imperfections and attaind●res which either nature or mischance can put upon the hors● of greatest deformity . let me then advise you that intend to buy an horse , to acquaint your self with all the true shapes and excellencies which belong to an horse whether it be in h●s naturall and true proportion , or in any accidental or outward increase or decrease of any limb o● member , and from their contraries to gather all things whatsoever that may give dislike or offence . election how divided . to begin therefore with the first principle of election , you shall understand they are divided into two especiall heads , the one generall the other particular . the generall rule . the generall rule of election is , first the end for which you buy , then his breed or generation ; his colour , his pace , and his stature . these are said to be generall , because they have a generall dependance upon every mans several opinions : as the first , which is the end for which you buy , it is a thing shut up only in your own bosome . of breed . the other , which is breed , you must either take it from faithful report , your own knowledge , or from some known and certain characters by which one strain or one country is distinguished from another ; as the neapolitan is known by his hauk-nose , the spaniard by his small limbs , the barbary by his fine head , and deep hoof , the dutch by his rough legges , the english , by his generall strong knitting together , and so forth of divers others . of colour . as for his colour , although there is no colour utterly exempt from goodness , for i have seen good of all , yet there are some better reputed then others , as the daple , gray for beauty , the brown-bay for service , the black with silver hairs for courage , and the lyard or true mixt roan for continuance . as for the ●orrell , the black without white , and the unchangeable iron-gray , are reputed cholerick , the bright bay , the flea-bitten , and the black with white marks , ate sanguinists ; the black , white , the yellow , dun , and kiteglewed , and the pye ▪ balld , are flegmatick ; and the chesnut , the mouse-dun , the red bay , and the blew-gray , are melancholy . pace , as trotting . now for his pace , which is either trot , amble , rack or gallop , you must refer it to the end also for which you buy ; as if it be for the warrs , running , hunting , or your own pleasure , then the trot i● most tollerable , and this motion you shall know by a cross moving of the horses limbs , as when the far fore-leg and the near hinder-leg ; or the near fore-leg and the far hinder-leg move and go forward in one instant . and in this motion , the nearer the horse taketh his limbs from the ground , the opener , the evener , and the shorter is his pace : for to take up his feet slovenly , shewes stumbling and lamenesse : to tread narrow or cross , shews enterfeiring or failling ; to step uneven , shews toyl and weariness ; and to tread long , shews over-reaching . ambling . now if you elect for ease , great persons feats , or long travell , then ambling is required . and this motion is contrary to trotting : for now both the feet on one side must move equally together , that is , the far fore-legs and the far hinder-legs , and the near fore-leg and the near hinder-leg and this motion must go just , large , smoth , and nimble ▪ for to treade false , takes away all ●ase ; to tread short , rids no ground ; to tread rough , shewes , rolling ; and to tread un-nimbly , shewes a false pace that never continueth , as also lameness . racking if yo elect for buck-hunting ; galloping on the high-way , post , hackney , or the like , then a racking pace is required : and this motion is the same that ambling i● , onely it is in a swifter time and a shorter tread ; and though it rid not so much ground , yet it is a little more easie ▪ galloping ▪ now to all these paces must be joyned a good gallop , which naturally every trotting and racking horse hath ; the ambler is a little unapt thereunto , because the motions are both one , so that being put to a greater swiftness of pace then formerly he hath been acquainted withall , he handles his leggs confusedly and out of order , but being trained gently , and made to understand the motion he will as well undertake it as any trotting horse whatsoever , now in a good gallop you are to observe these vertues . first , that the horse which taketh his feet nimbly from the ground , but doth not raise them high , that neither roleth nor beateth himselfe , that fl●etcheth out his fore legs , follows nimbly with his hinder ▪ and neither cutteth under his knee ( which is called the swift cut ) nor crosseth , nor clap● one foot on another , and ever leadeth with his far fore foot , and not with the near this hors● is said ever to gallop most comely and most true , and it is the fittest for speed , o● any swift imployment . if he gallop round , and raise his fore-feet , he is then said to gallop strongly , but not swiftly , and is fittest for the great saddle , the wars and strong encounters . if he gallop slow , yet sure , he will serve for the high way : but i● he labour his feet confusedly , and gallop painfully , then is he good for no galloping service : beside , it shews some hidden lameness . stature : lastly , touching his stature , it must be referred to the end for which you buy , ever observing that the biggest and strongest are fittest for strong occasions and great burthens , strong draughts , and double carriage ; the middle size for pleasure and generall imployments ; and the least for ease , streetwalks , and summer hackney . the particular rule . now touching the particular rule of election , it is contained in the discovery of naturall deformities , accidentall outward sorrances , or inward hidden mischiefs which are so many and so infinite that it is a world of work to explain them yet ; for satisfaction sake i will in as methodicall manner as i can , shew what you are to observe in this accession . how to stand to view . when a horse is brought unto you to buy ( being satisfied for his breed , his pace , colour and stature , then see him stand naked before you , and placing your self before his face , take a strict view of his countenance , and the cheerfulness threof : for it is an excellent glass wherein to behold his goodness and best perections . — as thus — his eares . if his ears be small , thin , sharp , short , pricked and moving ; or if they be long , yet well set on , and wel carried , it is a mark of beauty , goodness , and metall : but if they be thick , laved or lolling , wide set , and unmoving , then are they signes of dulness , doggedness : and evil nature . his face . if his face be lean : his forehead swelling outward : the mark or feather in his face set high , as above his eys , or at the top of his eyes ; if he have white starre : or white ratch of an indifferent size , and even placed , or a white snip on his nose , or lip ; all are marks of beauty and goodness . but if his face be fat , cloudy or skouling , his forehead flat as a trencher , ( which we call mare-faced , ) or the mark in his forehead stand low , as under his eyes : if his star or ratch stand awry , or in an evill posture , or in stead of a snip , his nose be raw and unhairy , or his face generally bald ; all are signes of deformity . his eyes . if his eyes be round , big , black , shining , starting or staring from his head , if the black of the eye fill the pit or outward circumference , so that in the moving , none ( or very little ) of the white appeareth , all are signs of beauty , goodness , and metall : but if his eyes be uneven , and of a wrinkled proportion , if they be little ( which we call pig-eyed ) both are uncomely signes of weakness : if they be red and fiery , take heed of moon-eys , which is next door to blindness . if white and walled , it shews a weak sight , and unnecessary starting or finding of boggards : if with white specks , take heed of the pearl , pin and web : if they water or shew bloody , it shews bruises ; and if they matter , they shew old over-riding , festred rhumes ▪ or violent strains if they look dead or dull , or are hollow , or much sunk , take heed of blindness at the best ; the best is of an old decrepid generation : if the black fill not the pit , but the white is always appearing , or if in moving the white and black be seen in equall quantity , it is a signe of weakness , and a dogged disposition . his cheeks and chaps . if handling his cheeks or chaps , you find the bones lean and thin , the space wide between them , the thropple or wind-pipe big as you can gripe , and the void place without knots or kirnels ; and generally the jawes so great , that the neck seemeth to couch within them , they are all excellent signes of great wind , courage , and soundness of head and body . but if the chaps be fat and thick , the space between them closed up with gross substance , and the throple little , all are signs of short wind and much inward foulness : if the void place be full of knots and kirnels , take heed of the strangle or glanders , at the best , the horse is not without a foul cold . if his jaws be so strait , that his neck swelleth above them , if it be no more but naturall , it is onely an uncomely sign of short wind and pursickness , or grosness ; but if the swelling be long , and elose by his chaps , like a whetstone , then take heed of the vives , or some other unnaturall impostume . his nostrils and muzzell . if his nostrils be open , dry , wide and large , so as upon any straining , the inward redness is discovered , and if his muzzell be small , his mouth deep , and his lips equally meeting ; then all are good signes of wind , health and courage . but if his nostrils be strait , his wind is little ; if is muzzell be gross , his spirit ●is dull ; if his mouth be shallow , he will never carry a bit well ; and if his upper lip will not reach his nether , old age or infirmity hath marked him for carrion . if his nose be moist and dropping , if it be clear water , it is a cold ; if foul matter , then beware of glanders : if both nostrills run , it is hurtfull ; but if one , then , most dangerous . teeth . touching his teeth and their vertues , they are set down in a particular chapter ; onely remember , you never buy an horse that wanteth any , for as good lose all as one . his breast . from his head look down to his breast , and see that it be broad , out-swelling , and adorned with many features : for that shews strength and indurance . the little breast is uncomely , and shewes weakness , the narrow breast is apt to stumble , fall , and enterfeire before : the breast that is hidden inward , and wanteth the beauty and division of many feathers , shewes a weak armed heart , and a breast that is unwilling and unfit for any violent toyl or strong labour . his fore-thighes . next , look down from his elbow to his knee , and see that those fore-thighs be rush-grown , well horned within , sinewed , fleshy and out-swelling , for they are good signes of strength , the contrary shews weakness , and are unnaturall . his knees then look on his knees that they carry proportion , be lean , sinewy , & close knit , for they are good and comely ; but if one be bigger or rounder then another , the horse hath received mischief : if they be gross , the horse is gouty : if they have scarres , or hair broken , it is a true mark of a stumbling jade and a perpetuall faller . his legs . from his knees look down to his leggs , to his pasterns , and if you find them clean , ●●an , flat , and sinewy , and the inward bought of his knee without seames , or hair-broken , then he shewes good shape and soundness : but if on the in-side the leg you find hard ●nots , they are splinters ; if on the out-side they are serews or excressions ; if under his knees be scabs on the in-side , it is the swift-cut , and he will ill endure galloping ; if above his pasternes on the in-side you find scabs , it shews interfeiring : but if the scabs be generally over his leggs , it is either extreame foul keeping , or else a spice of the maunge ; if his flesh be fat , round and fleshy , he will never indure labour : and if on the inward bought of his knees you find seams , scabs , or hair-broken , it shews a maleander , which is a cankerous ulcer . his pasterns . look then on his pastern-joynt and his pastern ; the first must be clear and well kni● together , the other must be short , strong and upright standing : for if the first be bigor sweld , take heed of sinew-strains and gourdings ; if the other be long , weak or bending , the limbs will be hardly able to carry the body without tiring his hooves . for the hooves in generall , they should be black , smooth , tough , rather a little long then round , deep , hollow and full sounding : for white hooves are tender , and carry ● shooe ill ; a rough , grosse seamed hoof , shewes an age or over-heating . a brittle hoof will carry no shooe at all ; an extraordinary round hoof is ill for foul ways and deep hunting . a flat hoof that is pumissed , shews soundering ; and a hoof that is empty , and hollow-sounding , shews a decayed inward part by reason of some wound or d●y founder . as for the crown of the hoof , if the hair lye smooth and close , and the flesh flat and even , then all is perfect ; but if the haire be staring , the skin scabbed , and the flesh rising , then look for a ring-bone , or a crown scab , or a quitterbone . the setting on of his head , his crest and mane . after this , stand by his side , and first look ●o the setting on of his head , and see that i● stand neither too high nor too low , but in ● direct line , and that his neck be small at the setting on of the head , and long , growing deeper to the shoulders , with an high ●●rong and thin mane , long , soft and somewhat curling ; for these are beautifulll characters : whereas to have the head ill set on , is the greatest deformity , to have any bigness or swelling in the nape of the neck , shews the poul-evill , or beginning of a fistula ; to have a short thick neck like a bull , to have it falling at the withers , to have a low , weak , a thick , or falling crest , shews want both of strength and metall : to have much hair on the mane , sheweth intolerable dulness ; to have it too thin , shews fury ; and to have none , or shed , shews the worm in the mane , the itch , or else plain manginess . his back , ribs , fillets ; belly , and stones . look on the chine of his back , that it be broad , even and straight , his ribs well com●assed and bending outward , his fillets upright , strong and short , & not above an handfull between his last rib and his hucklebone , let his belly be well let down , yet hidden within his ribs , and let his stones be close trust up to his body : for all these are marks of health and good perfection , whereas to have his chine narrow , he will never carry a saddle without wounding : and to have it bending , or saddle-backed , shews weakness . to have his ribs flat , there is no liberty for wind . to have his fillets hanging , long or weak , he will never climb an hill , nor carry a burden . and to have his belly clung up or gaunt , or his stones hanging down , loose , or a side , they are both signs of sickness , tenderness , foundring in the body , and unaptness for labor : his buttocks . then look upon his buttocks , and see that they be round , plump , full , and in an even levell with his body ▪ or of long , that it be well raised behind , and spread forth at the setting on of the tail , for these are comely and beautifull . the narrow pin-buttock , the hog or swine rump , and the falling and down-let buttock are full of deformity , and shew both an injury in nature , and that they are neither fit or becomming , for pad , foot●loth , or pyllion . his hinder-thighs . then look to his hinder-thighs , or ga●ains , if they be well let down even to the middle-joynt , thick , brawny , full , and swelling : for that is a great argument of strength and goodness , whereas the ●ank , slender thighs ●hew disability and weakness . his cambrels . then look upon the middle joynt behind , and if it be nothing but skin and bone , veins and sinews , and rather a little bending then to ●ait , then it is perfect as it should be . but if ●● have chaps or sores on the inward bought ●● bending , then that is a selander . if the ●●ynt be sweld generally all over , then he hath got a blow or bruise : if the swelling be particular , as in the pot , or hollow part , or ●n the inside , and the vein full and proud : ●● the swelling be sofe , it is a blood-spaven : ●● hard , a bone-spaven , but if the swelling be ●●st behind , before the knuckle , then it is a ●urb . hinder-leggs . then look to his hinder-legs , if they be lea● clean , flat and sinowy , then all is well ; but i● they be fat , they will not indure labour . if they be sweld , the grease is molten into them . if he be scabbed above the pasterns , he hath the scratches : if he have chaps under his pasterns , he hath rains , and none of these but are noysome . his tayle ▪ lastly , for the setting on of his tayl , where there is a good buttock , the tail can never stand ill ▪ and where there is an evill buttock there the tail can never stand well : for i● ought to stand broad , high , flat and couche● a little inward . thus i have shewed you the true shapes and true deformities , you may in your choice please your own fancies . an uncontrollable way to know the age of an horse . there are seven outward characters by which to know the age of every horse , a namely , his teeth , his hooves his tail his eyes , his skin , his hair , and the bars in his mouth . his teeth . if you will know his age by his teeth , you must understand , that an horse hath in his head just forty teeth , that is to say , six great wong teeth above , and six below on one side , and as many on the other , which maketh twenty four , and are called his grinders : then six above and six below in the fore-part of his mouth , which are called gatherers , and make . then four tushes , one above , and one below on one side , and are called the bit teeth , which maketh just fourty . now the first year he hath his foals teeth , which are onely grinders and gatherers , but no tushes , and they be small , white and bright to look on . the secound year he changeth the four formost teeth in his head , that is , two above and two below in the midst of the rows of the gatherers , and they are browner and bigger then the other . the third year he changeth his teeth next unto them , and leaveth no apparent foals teeth before , but two above , and two below of each side , which are also bright and small . the fourth year he changeth the teeth next unto them , and leaveth no more foale● teeth but one of each side , both above and below . the fifth year his formost teeth will be all changed ; but then he hath his tushes on each side compleat , and the last foals teeth which he cast , those which come up in their place , will be hollow , and have a little black speck in the midst , which is called the mark in the horses mouth , and continueth till he be past eight years old the sixth year he putteth up his new tushes , near about which you shall see growing a little of new and young flesh , at the bottome of the tush : besides , the tush will be white , small , short and sharp . the seventh year all his teeth will have their perfect growth ; and the mark in the horses mouth ( before spoken of ) will be plainly seen . the eighth year all his teeth will be full , smooth and plain , the black speck or mark being no more but discerned , and his tushes will be more yellow then ordinary . the ninth year his formost teeth will be longer , broader , yellower and fouler then at younger years , the mark gone , and his tushes will be bluntish . the tenth year in the inside of his upper ●ushes will be no holes at all to be felt with ●our finger● end , which tel that age you shall ●●●r feel : besides the temples of his head will begin to be crooked and hollow . the eleventh year his teeth will be exceeding long , very yellow , black and foul , onely he may then cut even , and his teeth will stand directaly opposite one to another . the twelfth year his teeth will be long , yellow , black and foul ; but then his upper teeth will hang over his nether . the thirteenth year his tushes will be worn somwhat close to his chaps ( if he be a much ridden horse ) otherwise they will be black , foul and long , like the tushes of a boar. his hooves . if a horses hooves be rugged , and as it were seamed one seam over another , and many seames ; if they be dry , full and crusty , o● crumbling , it is a sign of very old age : and on the contrary part , a smouth , moist , hollow , and wel sounding hoof is a signe of young years . his tail . if you take an horse with your finger and your thumb by the stern of the tail , close at the setting on by the buttock , feeling there hard , if you feel of each side the tail a joyn stick out more then any other by the big?nesse of an hazell nut , then you may prsume the horse is under ten years old : but i● his joynts be all plain , and no such thing t● be felt , then he ●s above ten , and may b● thirteen . his eyes . if an horses eyes be round , full , staring , o● starting from his head , if the pits over them be filled , smooth & even with his temples , & no wrinckles either about his brow , or under his eyes , then he is young ; if otherwise yo● see the contrary characters , it is a sign o● old age , his skin . if you take an horses skin in any part o● his body , betwixt your finger and you● thumb , and pull it from his flesh , then letting it go again , if it suddenly returne to the plac● from whence it came , and be smooth and plain without wrinkle , then he is young , and full of strength : but if it stand and not return instantly to its former place , then he i● very old and wasted . his hayr ▪ if an horse that is of any dark colour , shall grow grissell onely about his eyebrows , or underneath his mane ; or any horse of a whitish colour shall grow meannelled with either black or red meannels universally over his body , then both are signes of old age . his barrs . lastly , if the barrs in his mouth be great , deep , and handle rough and hard , then is the horse old : but if they be soft , shallow , and handle gently and tenderly , then is the horse young , and in good ability of body . and thus much be spoken touching the office of the buyer . the office of the farrier . the signes of all sicknesses , and how to discern them . if you find in your horse heaviness of countenance , extream loosness , or extream costiveness , shortness of breath , ●othing of meat , dull and imperfect eys , rotten or dry cough , staring hair , or hair unnaturally discoloured , a staggering pace , frantick behaviour , yellowness of the eyes or skin , faint or cold sweat , extraordinary lying down , or beating or looking back at his body alteration of qualities or gestures , not casting of the coat , leanness , hide-bound and the like . all these are apparant signs of distemperature and sickness . signes from the dung . it is necessary to observe the horses dung , for it is the best tel-troth of his inward parts ; yet you must not judge it by a generall opinion , but by a private discourse with your self how he hath been ●ed , because food is the onely thing that breeds alterations , — as thus — if he feed altogether upon grass , his dung hath one complexion , as green ; if upon hay , then another , as a little more dark . if upon little provender , then inclining to yelow . but to avoid both curiosity and doubt , observe well the complexion of his dung , when he is in the best health , and the best feeding ; and as you find it alter , so judge either of his health or sickness , as thus — — if his dung be clear , crisp , and of a pale yellowish complexion , hanging together without separation , more then as the weight breakes it in falling , being neither so thin nor so thick , but it wil a little ●●a● on the ground . and indeed both in savour and substance , resembling a sound mans ordure , then is the horse clean , well fed , and without imperfection : if it be well coloured , yet fall from him in round knots , or pellets , so it be but the first or second dung , the rest good , as aforesaid , it matters not : for it only shews he did eat hay lately , and that will ever come away first . but if all his dung be alike , then it is a sign of foul feeding , and he hath either too much hay , or eates too much litter , and too little corn . if his dung be in round pellets , and blackish , or brows , it shews inward heat in the body . if it be greasie , it shews foulness , and that grease is molten , but cannot come away . if he void grease in gross substance with his dung , if the grease ●e white and clear , then it comes away kindly , and there is no danger : but if it be yellow or putrified , then the grease hath lain long in his body , and sickness will follow if not prevented . if his dung be red and hard , then the horse hath had too strong heats , and costiveness will follow : if it be pale and loose , it shews inward coldness of body , or too much moist and corrupt feeding : signes from the urine . though the urine be not altogether so materiall as the dung , yet it hath some true faces , as thus — that urine which is of a pale yellowish colour , rather thick then thin , of a strong smell and a piercing condition , is an health , full , sound and good urine : but if it be of an high , red complexion , either like blood , or inclining to blood , then hath the horse had either too sore heats , been over-ridden , or ridden to early after winter grass . if the urine be of an high complexion , clear and transparent , like old march beer , then he is inflamed in his body , and hath taken some surfit . if the urine carry a white cream on the top , it shews a weak back , or consumption of seed . a green urine shews consumption of the body . a urine with bloody streaks shews an ulcer in the kidnies : and a black , thick , cloudy urine shews death and mortality . of sickness in generall . whensoever , upon any occasion , you shall find the horse droop in countenance , to forsake his meat , or to shew any other apparent sign of sickness ; if they be not great , you may forbear to let blood , because where the blood is spent , the spirits are spent also , and they are not easily recovered . but if the signes be great and dangerous , then by all means let blood instantly , and for three mornings together ( the horse being fastning ) give him half an ounce of the powder ( called by me ) diahexaple , and by the italians , regin● medicina , the queen of medicines , brewed either in a pint of muskadine or malmsey , or a pint of the syrop of sugar , being two degrees above the ordinary molosses , or for want thereof molosses wil serve the turn ; and where all are wanting , you may take a pint either of dragon water , or a quart of the sweetest and strongest ale-wort , or in extre mity take a quart of strong ale or beer , but then warm it a little before the fire . this must be given with an horn , and if the horse have ability of body , ride him in some warm place after it , and let him fast near two hours after the riding . at noon give him a sweet mash , cloath very warm , and let him touch no cold water . now touching the exact and true making of this rare powder , which i call diahexaple , because no man ( that i know ) apothecary or other , doth at this day make it truely , partly because it is an experiment but lately come to my knowledge by conference with learned physicians , and partly because our medicine makers are in horse physick less curious then they should be ; through which errors there is produced to the world an abundance of false mixtures , which both deceiveth the honest hors-master , kills the harmless horse , and disgraceth the well-meaning farrier , to repair all which , i will here set down the true manner of making this admirable powder , together with the vertues and operations thereof . the true manner of making the true diahexaple , take the roots of round aristologia , wash them , scrape them , and purifie them as clear as may be , then take juniper berries unexcorticated , and bay-berries excorticated ; take the purest and best drops as myrrh , and the finest shavings of ivory , of each an equall quantity ; beat all but the myrrh together , and search them fine : lastly , beat the myrrh and search it also ; then mix and incorporate all together , press it hard into a gally-pot , and keep it , and use it as you have occasion . the vertues of true diahexaple . this powder , or indeed methridate , called diahexaple , or the queen of medicines , is most excellent & soveraign against all manner of poyson , either inward or outward , it cureth the biting of venemous beasts , and helpeth short wind and pursickness . dodoneus . it mundifieth , cleanseth , suppleth , and maketh thin all gross humours , it healeth all diseases of the liver and stomack , helps digestion , and being given in a pint of sack , it cureth all colds : it is good against consumptions , breaks flegm , helps staggers , and all diseases of the head . gerrard . it recovers tyring and weariness , and takes away cramps and convulcions , dries up the skurvy , breaks the stone , opens all inward obstructions , and helps the yellows , the gargil and the dropsie . diascorides . it cures all diseases of the lungs , as glanders and rottenness , gives ease to all gripings and windiness of the belly , provoketh urine , takes away infection , and kils worms . gale . ● . a drink to open an horses body , and cleanse it . take a quart of new milk , sallet-oyl , hony , each half a pint , an ounce of london treacle , and the yolks of six , eggs beat all together : and then put to it licoras , sugar-candy , anise-seeds ( all in powder ) of each an ounce , and infuse all together , so give it the horse , ride him after it , set up warm , and let him fast above an an hour . the true manner of making those cordial bal● , which cure any violent cold or glanders which prevent heart-sickness . which purge away all molten grease , which recover a lost stomack , which keep the heart from fainting with exercise , and make a lean horse fat suddenly . take aniseeds , cominseeds , fenegreekseeds , carthumus seeds : elicampane roots and colts foot , each two ounces beaten , and searced to a fine dust , two ounces of the flower of brimston : then take an ounce of the juice of licoras , and dissolve it on the fire in half a pint of white wine ; which done , take an ounce of chymicall oyl of aniseeds , then of sallet oyl , hony , and the syrop of sugar , or for want of it molosses , of each half a pint , then mix all this with the former powders , and with as much fine wheat flower as will bind and knit them all together , work them into stiff paste , and make thereof balls somwhat bigger then french walnuts ●ull and all , and so keep them in a close gallipot , ( for they will last all the year : ) yet i do not mean that you shall keep them in the pot in balls : for so because they cannot lye close , the air may get in and do hurt ; as also the strength of the oyls will sweat outward and weaken the substance , therefore knead the whole lump of paste into the gallipot , and make the balls as you have occasion to use them . now for the use of these balls , because they are cordiall , and have divers excellent vertues , you shall understand , that if you use them to prevent sickness , then you shall take a ball , and aniont it all over with sweet butter , and give it the horse in the morning ▪ in the manner of a pill , then ride him a little after it ( if you please , otherwise you may chuse ) and feed and water him abroad or at home according to your usual custome . and thus do or mornings together . if you use them to cure either cold or glanders , then use them in the same manner for a week together . if you use them to fatten an horse , then give them for a fortnight together . but if you use them in the nature of a scouring to take away molten grease & foulness , then instantly after his heat , and in his heat . again , if you find your horse at any time hath taken a little cold , as you shall perceive by his inward ratling , if then you take one of these balls , and dissolve it in a pint of sack , and so give it the horse , it is a present remedy . also to dissolve the ball in his ordinary water , being made luke warm , it worketh the life effect , and fatneth exceedingly : to give one of these balls before travell , it prevents tyring ; to give it in the height of travel , it refresheth the weariness : and to give it after travel , it saves an horse from all surfeit and inward sickness . for the bots or any worms . take a quart of new milk , and as much hony ●● will make it extraordinary sweet , then ●eing luke-warm , give it the horse early , he ●aving fasted all the night before , then bridle ●im up , and let him stand tied to the empty ●ack for two hours : then take halfe a pint ●●white wine , and dissolve into it a good ●poonfull or more of black soap , and being ●●ll mixt together , give it him to drink , ●en ride and chafe him a little , and let him ●●t another hour , and the worms will a●oid . another for worms more ready , more easie . take the soft down-hairs that grow in the ●rs of an horse , and which you clip away ●hen you coule him , and the little short tuft ●hich grows on the top of the fore-head , ●derneath his fore-top : and having a pretty ●antity , mix them with a pottle of oats , and ●●●e them to the horse , and it helpeth . a purgation when an horse is sick of grease , or costiveness . take a pint of old white wine , and o● the fire dissolve into it a lump as much a● an henns egge of castle-sope , and sti● them together , then take it off , and put in to it two good spoonfulls of hempseed beaten , an ounce of sugar-candy in powder and brew all together , then having wa●med the horse , to stirre up his grease another foul humors , give him this to drink and walk him up and down a little after ● to make the potion work ; then set u● warm , and after a little stirring him in h● stall , if he grow sickish , give him liberty t● lye down ; then after two hours fasting giv● him a sweet mash , then feed as at othe● times . for laxativeness , or extream loosness . take a quart of red wine , and on the fire put into it an ounce and an halfe ● bolarmonie in powder , and two ounces a● an half of the conserve of sloes , mix th●● together , after take it from the fire , a● put to it a spoonfull or two of the powd● of cynamon , brew all together , and give it the horse : but let him fast two hours after it , and let him eat no washed meat : hay is wholsome , so is bread and oats , if they be well mixt with beans or wheat , but not otherwise . for the stone , or pain of urine by winde causing sickness make a strong decoction , ( that is to say ) boyle your first quantity of water to an halfe part three times over , of keen onions clean peeled , and parsley , then take a quart thereof , and put to it a good spoonefull of london treacle , and as much of the powder of egge-shels , and give it the horse . and thus do divers mornings , if the infirmity be great , otherwise , when you see the horse offended . for an horse that staleth blood . take knot-grasse , shephards purse , blood-wort of the hedge , polypodium of the wall , comphrey , garden blood-wort , of each an handfull , shread them fine , and put them into a quart of beer , ale or milk , and put to them a little salt , a little soot and leaven ▪ mix all to gether , and give it the horse to drink . for a growing cold . take the juyce of licoras , london treacle , aniseeds , turmereack , fenegreek and long pepper , of each an ounce , the hard simples in powder : then of suger-candy two ounces , and with as much english hony as will suffice , incorporate all together , and make thereof balls as bigge as a good pullets egge , and give the horse two or three in the morning fasting after he hath taken the balls , give him two new laid eggs , then rid ehim , and at noon give him a mash , keep warm , and do this twice or thrice . for a more violent cold causing rotting in the head . take the bigge elecampane root , slice it , and boyl it in water from a pottle to a quart , then strain it , and to that water put a pint of urine , and a pint of muskadine , of aniseeds , licoras , cominseeds , long pepper ( in pouder ) of each an ounce , twenty raisins of the sun stoned and brused , and of sugercandy two ounces ▪ let all these symmer on the fire , and not boyl , till they be incorporate , then take i● off , and to one halfe therof ( which is a suffiacient drench ) put a quarter of a pound of sweet butter , and four spoonfuls of sallet-oyle ; then being luke-warm , give the horse a third part of the drench , and after it a new laid egge : then another third part , and after it another egge : then lastly , all the rest of the drink . then ride him pretty roundly after it for near an houre , and let him fast another houre ; keep warme , and feed as at other timer . at noon give him a mash , and the next day give him the other half . for a desperate dry cough . take a pint of burnt sack , sallet oyle and red wine vinegar , of both a quarter of a pint , of fenegrick , turmerick , ●ong peper , and licoras , of each a spoonfull in powder , and give it the horse half at the one nostril ; and half at another , and doe this twice ▪ week , and ride him after it , and let him fast two houres , and keep his head and breast warm . for the ordinary water you may give him for a fortnight , let it have good store of sliced english licoras steept into it . for a cold long setled . take three heads of garlick , and rost them in the embers , then mix them with three spoonfulls of tarre , as much powder sugar , and halfe a pound of hogges grease , then with aniseeds , licoras , elicampane , fenegreek , and cominseeds , make it into paste , and give as much at once as a ducks egge ▪ for a dry cough , or wasted lungs . take elicampace , the flower of brimstone , licoras , fenell seed , linseed of each an ounce , searc't , syrop of elicampane an ounce , and of clarified hony a pound , work the powders and these together , and to a pint of sweet wine put two ounces of these , and give it the horse morning and evening , ride him after it , and let him fast an hour after riding , give no cold water but with exercise . a cordiall powder for any ordinary cold , and to prepare a horse before travell , to refresh him in travell , and to preserve him from mischief after travel . take of english licoras , elicampane roots , of each an ounce , of sugercandy an ounce and a halfe ; beat them to fine powder and searce them . keep the powder in a box , and when you have occasion to use it , if it be for a cold , then give half an ounce in a pint of sack : if it be in travell , then give it in sweet wine , or strong ale ; but if in ale , then take a quart ; and give it both before travell and in your inne , or at home immediately after travell . to break a festred cold to dry up glanders , and to heal the ulcer , or canker in the nose . take a pint of verdjuice , and put to it so much strong mustard made with wine vinegar , as will make it strong and keen thereof ; then take an ounce of roche allom in powder , and when you give this to the horse , as you fil the horn , so with a knife or spoon put some of the allom into the horn , and so give it the horse part at both nostrils , but especialy that nostrill which runneth most ; then ride him a little after it ▪ and set up warm , and give no cold water without exercise . thus do divers mornings . for the glanders . take cominseeds , grains and fenegreek in powder , of each halfe an ounce ; of diahexaple a quarter of an ounce , beat this in a mortar with a quarter of a pint of verdjuice , three spoonfuls of sallet oyl , and two spoon●tl of aquavitae : then put al together to a quart of old ale , with a good slice of sweet butter , and set it on the fire till it be ready to boyl ; then being luke warm , give it the horse , part at the mouth , and part at both nostrils : then ride him pretty roundly for an hour , and set up warm ; let him fast an hour , and if you perceive sickness to grow , give him a pint of new milk . to stay the glanders for a time , being incurable . take the green bark of elder , and beat it in a mortar , and strain it till you have a pint thereof , then put that juice to a pint of old ale , and warm it on the fire with a good lump of sweet butter , and a nounce of sugarcandy , and so give the horse , ride him after it , let him fast an hour , and keep warm . do thus divers mornings . for decayed or stopped lungs , which we call broken wind . take halfe a pint of coltsfoot water , or the syrop of coltsfoot ; but in the syrop it will best dissolve , and put into it a dram of balsamum sulphuris , and give it the horse in the morning fasting , then ride him a little after it , be sure to keep warm , and give no cold water without exercise . do thus every other morning , giving it one morning at the mouth , and another at the nostrils till you find amendment . a scouring when others will not work . take of sweet butter a quarter of a pound , half so much castle sope , and halfe an ounce of aloes , beat them together : then add of hempseed two spoonfulls , of rosin half a spoonfull , of sugarcandy an ounce , all bruised ●ine , work it into a paste , and give it the horse in balls immediatly after his heat , or when you have warmed him , and stirred up the grease and foulness within him . outward sorrances . the signes of outward sorrances . outward sorrances are discerned when any member or part in an horse is disfigured or evill affected by the loss of true shape , disability in motion , the increase or decrease of number and quantity , the disproportion of place , or the separating of things knit and united . and these accidents have divers names , as imposthumes , ulcers or wounds when they are in fleshy parts ; excretions or fractures on and in the bones ; ruptures in the veins ; convulsions in the sinews , and excoriations upon the skin . the first is known by outward swellings , rotten or bloody sores ; the next by utter disability in the member , or else plain halting . the next by wens and knots both soft and hard ; the next by gordgings and haltings , and the last by scurf and leprosie : now forasmuch as the greatest part of sotrances , and especially those which are most hid and obscure , are found our by halting , i will shew you the severall manner of haltings , and what they signifie . if the horse halt before , and lift not up his leg , but in a manner traileth it after the other , it sheweth a new hurt on the top of the shoulder . if he cast his leg outward , or go bakerlike , and not bend the knee , it is either an old hurt on the top of the shoulder , or if new , then it is a shoulder-plat , or rending betwixt the shoulder and the body : if in turning short he favour his foot , if griping his withers he complain , if he halt more when he is ridden then led , the offence is on the top of the shoulder : if standing in the stable , thrust forth his foot and favour it : then search his foot , and if in that be found no prick , no dry founder , no surbat , then it is in the mid part of the shoulder , or the coffin joynt . if halting he bow down his head to the ground , and step short and thick , then it is in the forepart of the shoulder , at the breast . if in handling his elbow hard , he twitch up his foot suddenly from the ground , the offence is there . if on his shank bones ( in their severall places be splents , excressions , windgalls or maleanders , and they sore , they will occasion halting , as any other outward sorrance upon any other member . heat on the crownet shews pain in the coffin joynt . in halting before , to trip on the toe , shews pain in the heel ; to favour the toe , shews payn in the toe ; to halt more on uneven ground then one the even , shews pain in the feet , and in going from you and comming to you , may be discerned , whether the outward or inward quarter : but to clear all doubts , the pincers will shew any pain in the foot whatsoever . if your horse halt behind , and in halting go sidelong , and not in an even line , the grief is in the hip , and yet but new , or in the fillets , and may be new or old . if it be old in the hip , the hip will fall , and then no cure if in halting he tread onely on his hinder toe , and no offence in the foot ▪ then the pain is in the stiffell . if in halting he bend not his hough or ham , and no outward sorrance , yet the pain is there . if he halt through any offence in his leg from the ham to the pastern , outward sorrance or swelling will shew it ; and so likewise for the other parts below it . for soar eyes , dim eyes , and moon eyes take lapis calaminaris halfe an ounce , and heat it red hot , and quenchin it a quarter of a pint of plantane water , or white wine : do this eight or nine times , then beat it to powder and put it to the water ; then add half a dram of aloes , and a scruple of camphire in powder , and let them dissolve ; drop this into the eye . another for eyes of like nature . take a pint of snow water , and dissolve into it three or four drams of white vitrioll , and with it wash the horses eyes three or four times a day , and it helpeth . for a white film or skin over the eye . take the root of the black sallow , and burn it to ashes : then put to it a like quantity of sugar and grated ginger finely searc'd , blow this into the eye morning and evening . for any sorenses in the eyes , as pearl , pin or web , or bruise . take a new laid egge , and rost it very hard , then cleave it in sunder longwise , and take out the yelk , then fill the empty holes with white vitriole finely beaten , and close the egge again ; then rost it the second time , till the vitriole be molten . lastly , beat the egge shell and all in a mortar , and strain it , and with that moisture dress the eye . if in stead of the vitriole you fill the holes with myrrh finely searc'd , and hang the egge up that it may drop , and with that moisture dress the eye : it is every way as good , onely it is a little stronger . for foul eyes , sore eyes or sight almost lost . there be some that for this great offence in the eye put in two fine small rowels long-wise in the temples of the head , just behind the eyes : but for mine own part , i not much fancy it , because i fear it breeds more evil humor then it brings away , besides soreness and disgrace ; therefore in this cure my practise is thus — take tacchamahaca , mastick , rosin and pitch , of each like quantity , and being molten with flax of the colour of the horse , lay it as a defensive on each side his temples , as big as a twenty shillings piece : then underneath his eyes upon the cheek bone ( with a round iron ▪ ) burn three or four holes , and anoint them with sweet butter ; then take a handfull of seladine , and wash it clean in white wine , but let it touch no water , then bruise it , and strain it , and to the quantity of juyce , put the third part of womans milk , and a pretty quantity of white sugarcandy , searc'd thorow a piece of lawn , and with a feather , quill , or otherwise , drop it into the sore ey morning and evening . thus do for the worst of sore eys : but if the offence be not extream , then you may forbear both the defensitive , the burning and the rowels , and onely use the medicine . the master medicine for a back sinew-strain , or any strain , shrinking , or numbness of sinews . take a fat sucking mastive whelp , fley it and howell it , then stop the body as full as it can hold with gray snails and black snails , then rost it at a reasonable fire ; when it begins to warm , bast it with six ounces of the oyl of spike made yellow with saffron , and six ounces of the oyle of wax : then save the droppings , and what moysture soever falls from it whilst any drop will fall , and keep it in a gallipot . with this anoint the strain , and work it invery hot , holding a bar of iron before it ; and thus do both morning and evening till a mendment : another in nature of a charge , for a back sinnew-strain . take five quarts of ale , and a quarter of a peck of glovers specks and boyl them till it come to a quart : then apply it hot to the grief and remove it not for five or six days . for a strain in any yart , new or old . take of sheeps suet a pound , of sheeps dung two handfull , chopt hay an handfull , wheat bran a pint , sweet sope a quarter of a pound ; boyl all these in a quart of strong beer , and a quart of the grounds of strong ale , till it come to a thick pultiss , then take it from the fire and col it with halfe a pint of wine vinegar , and a quarter of a pint of aquavitae , then apply this very hot to the grief , and give him moderate exercise . for a strain or sinew-bruise . take comin-seeds and bruise it gross , then boyl it with the oyle of camomile , and put to it so much yellow wax'as will bring it to cerrot , and spread it on either cloth or leather , and hot apply it to the grief . for old strains , or cold cramps . take aquavitae , oyl de bay , oyl of swallow● , bolearmonie , boars grease , black sope , of each half a pound , boyl them till the aquavitae be incorporate ; then take of camomile , rue , red sage , and misseldine , of each an handful , dry them and bring them to powder , then mix it with the oyntment , and bring all to a gentle salve : with this anoynt the grief , and hold an hot barre of iron before it , chafing it in well ; and thus do once a day , and in nine days the cure hath been effected . a sudden cure for a knock or brnise on the sinews : take a live cat , wild or tame , and cut off her head and tail , then cleave her down the chine , and clap her hot b●wels and all to the bruise , and remove it not for two days . for a strain newly done to help it in hours . take the grounds of ale or beer , a quart , as much parsley chopt gross , as you can gripe , boyl them till the herb be soft , then put to it a quarter of a pound of sweet butter , and when it is molten , take it from the fire , and put into it a pint of wine vinegar , and if it be too thin , thicken it with wheat bran , then lay it upon hurds , and poultess-wise , as hot as the horse can suffer it , and remove it once in twelve hours , and give the horse moderate exercise . markhams own balme which hath never failed him for any strain in the shoulder or other parts , hid or apparent , or for any wind-gall or , swelling , take ten ounces of peice-grease , and melt it on the fire , then take it off and put into it four ounces of the oyle of spike , one ounce of the oyle of origanum , an ounce and a halfe of the oyle of exceter , and three ounces of the oyle of st. johns wort ; stirre them well together , then put it up into a gallipot with this oyntment ( or indeed pretious balm ) hot , anoint the grieved part and rub and chafe it in very much , holding an hot bar of iron before it : and thus anoint it once in two days , but rub and chafe it in twice or rhrice a day , and give the horse moderate exercise . for sinews that are extended , overstrained , and so weakned , that the member is useless . take of cantharides , euforbium and mercury , of each like quantity , and of oyle de bay double as much as of all the rest ; bring the hard simples to powder , and beat all to a salve , apply this to the griefe ( being desperate ) and though it make a sore , it will give strength and straightness to the sinews . for the sore you may cure it either with populeon , fresh butter , or deers grease warm . another of the same nature but , more gentle . take turpentine two ounces , verdigrease three ounces , hoggs grease six ounces , boyl them till the verdigrease be desolved , then take rosin , bees wax , of each two ounces , mix all together , then apply it to the place grieved , hot . a charge for a new strain or grief , proceeding from heat . take the whites of six eggs , and beat them with a pint of vinegar , the oyle of roses and myrtles , of each an ounce , bolearmony four ounces , as much sanguis dracones , and with as much bean flower or wheat flower , but bean is the best , as will thicken it , bring it to a salve , and spreading it one hurds , lap it about the grieved part , and renew it not till it be dry . for aches , cramps , and hid paines . take deers suet , or for want of it , sweet butter half a pound , of aquavitae a gill , of saffron half a dram , pepper beaten and searc'd three drams , garlick bruised three heads ; mix all together , and let them stew on the fire , and not boyl till it come to a salve . with this very warme chafe the grief , then anoint a brown paper therewith , and very hot apply to the place also , and roll it up . do this morning and evening for swelled or garded leggs , whether by grease or other accident . if your horses leggs be swelled , onely because the grease is fallen into them & there is no other outward ulcer , neither will the bathing with cold fountain water and other ordinary helps asswage them : then take a pottle of wine lees , or else the grownds of strong ale or beer , and boile it with a pound of hogs grease ; then with as much wheat bran as will thicken it , make thereof a pultiss : then having made the horse an hose of wollen cloath , fill it with this pultiss as hot as the horse can suffer it , then close up the hose and let it abide two days ; the third day open the hose at the top , but stir not the pultiss , onely take molten hoggs grease very hot , and put it to the pultiss whilst it will receive any , for that wil renew the strength thereof : then close the hose , and let him stand either two days or three . then you may open the legg and rub it down , and if you find strong occasion , you may apply another ; if not , the cure is wrought . now , if besides the swelling , your horse have ulcers , chaps and soars , then apply the pultiss as before shewed : and after a weeks application take a quart of old urine , and put to it half an handful of salt , as much allume , and half an ounce of white copperas , boyl them together , and with it wash the sore once or twice a day : then after a little drying anoint them with the oyntment called aegiptiacum , and is made of vinegar eight ounces , of hony twelv ounces , of verdigreas two ounces , of allum an ounce and an halfe , and boyled to the height , till it come to a red salve , and it will both kill the malignant humors , and heal and dry up the soars . for sweld leggs , whether by grease , goutiness , wind , or travell . first , bathe them well with the pickle , or brine which comes from olives being made hot : then take a pint of train oyl , as much nerve oyl , and as much oyl de bay , a quarter of a pound of allum , half a pint of sallet oyl , half a pound of hogs grease ; put all these to a pottle of old urine , and with an handfull or two of mallows , oatmeal bruised , and bran , boyl them to a pultiss , and very hot apply it to the grief : do thus once in two days . for gardings in joynts . make a very strong brine of water and salt , and to a pottie thereof put two or three handfull of rew , and boyl it till the herb be soft : then with this water very hot bathe the grieved part . then take a flat bagg , fild with salt , and heated hot at the fire , and lap it about the grief also . and thus do once or twice a day . for scratches at the first appearance . take hogs grease and black sope of each eight ounces , brimstone , lime , gunpowder , each three ounces , and soot as much as will suffice to bring the rest to a salve ; boyl the hogs grease and ●●pe together ; and bring the other to a fine powder , and mix all together and make a black oyntment : with this anoint the soars once a day , after they are cleansed and made raw . for scratches of long continuance . take hony , verdigrease , brimstone bruised small , green copperas , and bay salt , of each like quantity , boyl these with a double quantity of hogs grease , and put to it a big root of elicampan bruised in red wine vinegar , apply this to the sores very hot , after you have cut a way the hair , and made the sores raw , as also suppled them by bathing them with new milk from the cow . for scratches held incurable . first let him blood in the shackle veins , the spur veins , and the ●ore toe veins , onely letting it be three days between the bleeding of the one toe and the other : then with an hair-cloth rub the sores til they be raw and bleed ; then take a quart of old urine , and a quart of strong brine , and put to them halfe a pound of allum , and boyl it to a quart . with this hot , wash the sores wel , then take the sperm of froggs ( in march ) and put it into an earthen pot , and in a week it will look like oyl : then take both the oyl and the round things which you shal see in the sperm and spreading it on a cloath , bind it to the soars , and do this divers times . for any splent , spaven , curb , ringbone or excression . first clip away the hair as far as the excression goeth , and a little more , then take a piece of allumd leather made as big as the place you have bared , and fitted to the ●ame proportion : then take a little shooe-makers wax , and spread it round about the very edge or verge of the same , leaving all the inward part empty and not touched with the wax : then take the herb speargrass , or spearwort , which hath the vertue to raise blisters , and bruising it , lay some thereof upon the leather in the empty place , and bind it fast thereon , suffering it so to lye 〈◊〉 if it be in the spring ) or summer time , when the herb hath its full strength ) near half a day ; but if it be in winter , then it is not a miss ( to renew the strength of the herb ) if you add to it a drop or two of the oyl of origanum , and let it lie half a day fully , and be sure to tie up the horses head , for fear of biting it away . when you take away the herb , rub the place well and anoynt it with train-oyl warm , or else lay on a diminium plaister . another for a foul splint . take nerve oyl one ounce , cantharides the weight of sixpence , and as much of the oyle of vipers , boyl them lightly ; then with this anoint the splint cross the hair , and heat it in with a hot iron , then tie up the horses head to the rack for hours : then squeeze out the corruption , and do this twice o● thrice . for a splint , and to dry up windgalls . first , heat the sorrance with an hot pressing iron , then vent it in severall places with your fleam ; then take a spoonfull of salt , half a spoonfull of nerve oyl , a peny weight of verdigrease , and the white of an egg : beat all to a salve : and dipping flax hurds therein : apply it to the grief . for pains , m●les and rats-tails . first take away all the scabs and make the sore raw , then with strong mustard made with wine vinegar , anoint them all over , and do this every night . the next morning take half a pound of green copperas , and boyl it in a pottle of running water with an handfull of sage , and so much hyssop , a quarter of a pound of allume , and as much strong mustard , and with this bath the sore twice or thrice a day . for malander or selander . take the oyl of bay an ounce , half so much sugar , and a good quantity of the oyl o● froth which cometh from green broom stalks being laid in the fire , mix it wel , and with this anoynt the soars , and it kills and dryes them up . for the swift-cut and to heal all wounds . take a pint of white wine and put to it two or three spoonfulls of honey , and stirr them and boyl them to a salve , then take it from the fire , and put to it halfe so much turpentine as there was honey , and stirre all together . with this salve somwhat hot , anoint the soars twice or thrice a day , and it is a most speedy healer . for any maunge or scab in a clean fed horse first let blood , then take a quart of old urine or vinegar , and break into it a quarter of a pound of good tobacco , then set it on a fire of embers and not boyl , and so let it stew all night : with this water wash the infected places , whether it be in the mane or otherwise , and it helpeth . for any maungie or universall leprosie in a foul surfeited horse . first , let blood in the neck-vein , and take , a way good store , then curry off all the scurf , and take verdjuce and vinegar a pint , cow-piss a pint , train oyle a pint , old urine a pint , & put to them an handful of wild tansie , an handful of bay salt , a quarter of a pound of brimstone , as much alome , two ounces of verdigrease and four ounces of bolarmonie , boyl all well together . with this ( very hot ) wash the horse well , and if you put to it the quantity of a pint of blood you take away , it is not amiss : do this twice or thrice . for a canker , foul ulcer , leprosie , and to make hair grow . take a quart of tar , and on the fire put to it half a pound of bores grease , an ounce of copperat , a quarter of a pound of saltpeter , two ounces of wax , a quart of honey , a quarter of a pound of rozme , two ounces of verdigrease , a quart of lynseed oyl , and seeth them till half be consumed ; then strain it , & keep it in a close pot . then , when you will use it , take of it warm , and apply it to the soar , it doth both heal , draw , and make hair grow . for a fistula , or pol-evill . take euforbium with mastick , mix them together , then seeth them well with french sope , and make a tent , and put it into the fistula , and it will consume the evill moisture . for a foul farcy . take tar and fresh hogs grease , of each half a pound , hemlock an handfull , arsesmart three handfull , and as many nettles , boyl these in a pottle of old urine , and apply it very hot to the swelling , but touch it not with your hand , for it is too sharp . lastly , take a pint of white wine vinegar , a quarter of an ounce of verdigrease , and a little bundle of hyssop , beat them in a mortar , and boyl it to an half pint : then with balls of flax put it luke-warm into both his ears , and stich the tips together , then tye his head up to the rack for two hours : do thus twice . for a most desperate farcy . take the herb called clay-clayes , which is a weed growing by the water side , having a great broad round leaf , and is green on the upper side and white on the neather ; & rew of each a like quantity , beat them and strain them : then to a pint of that juice , put of housleek a handful , half a pint of aquavitae , and two good spoonfull of pepper beaten and fearc'd . of this liquor take a pint and give it the horse to drink , then with round balls of flax dipt in the same , stop up both his ears , then with the strained bruisings of all the herbs , rub the soars , and stop the holes if there be any hollowness : do thus twice at the least . for any founder or frettize wet or dry . first , pare thin , open the heels wide , and take good store of blood from the toes or shackle veins ( which some hold good ) then rack on a shoo somwhat hollow , broad at the heels , and the inside of the web , from the first nail to the heel turned inward , towards the frog , yet not touch any part thereof , or the hoof : so that the horse may tread on the out verge of the shooe , and not on the inward , then take burgundy pitch , and rolling it in a little fine cotton-wooll or bombast , with an hot iron melt it into the foot betwixt the shoo and the toe , till the orifice where the blood was taken be filled up ; then take a pound of hogs grease , and melt it , and mix it with wheat bran , till it be as thick as a pultiss : then boyling hot stop up the horses feet therewith , then cover it with a piece of an old shoo , and splent it up , and so let him stand for three or four daies : then if occasion serve you may renew it , or otherwise the cure is wrought . to make hooves to grow quickly , and to be tough and strong . take allum , the juice of garlick , of each seven ounces , rew three handfull , old hogs grease two pound , of asses dung , or for want of it , cow dung an handfull , mix them and boyl them together . with this both stop the horses feet , and anoint the crownets of the hooves , the medicine being hot . for brittle hooves . take turpentine , sheeps sue ? , unwrought wax and hogs grease of each half a pound , pitch , rozin , half a pound , sallet oyl half a pint , and of dogs grease a pound ; boyl all together , and keep it in a gallipot : with this oyntment anoint the hooves outwardly , and if you please tie some of the ointment with a cloth to the crownets , then stop them within with cow dung , and dogs grease mixt together . for surbat or soarness in the feet , whether by travell , too near paring , or other accident . take a lump of course sugar , and with an hot iron melt it between the shooe and the foot , and when it is hardned , take nettles and bay salt , and stamp them , stop up the frog of the foot also . for a quitterbone . first , tent it a day or two with hogs grease and verdigrease ground together : then take scalding hot hogs grease and poure it into the hole , and lay a plaster of pitch and tar mixt over it for hours ; then if the bone rise not , do the same again and it will rise . for saddle-bruises , hard swellings , and impostumations . first , ripen it with wet hay , or rotten litter ; then when it is soft , open it and let out the corruption , then fill the hollowness with the powder of rozin , and lay a plaster of shoomakers wax over it : and thus do once a day till it be whole . if it be slow in skinning or drying up , throw on the powder of unslackt lime , and bolarmony mixt together . but if any proud flesh arise , take it down either with burnt allam or verdigrease in powder . another for a soar back . take the juice of seladine and life hony , of each two spoonfull , beat them with the yelk of an egg , and with as much allum and wheat flower as will serve to bring it to a salve , dress the soar with this once a day ; it draweth and healeth . for a prick with a pitchfork on the crownet or other part . take a pottle of urine , two handfull of mallows , and half a pound of boars grease , boyl them together , and being reasonable hot , bathe the leggs therewith ; then apply the mallows to the wound : but if the swelling ascend upward and be great , then rope the legg up , and moist the ropes with his urine . this is good for any swelling , whether of grease or otherwise . for any chafing or galling . make the sore dry , and then rub it with a raw egg shell and all . a generall salve for any sore , swelling , prick , cloying , or tread . take turpentine , black sope , hogs grease , green treat and pitch like quaintity , mix and boyl them together , and apply it warm either plasterwise or tentwise . to make hair grow in bald places . take sope a quarter of a pound , as much bears grease , and a quarter of a pint of aquavitae : boyl these together and apply it to the bald places ; in a fortnight it will bring hair . to stanch blood . take wild tansie , and bruise it in your hand , and apply it . also primrose leaves used in the like manner have the same effect . otherwise take a piece of an old felt hat , and burn it to powder , and apply it to the wound , or put it up , or snuff it up into the nose if it bleed . for enterfering . take a sharp and knotted cord , and draw it from his dock , betweene his leggs to the girths , and so ride him , or else rub starch between his thighs . this i allow rather for an horsecoursers help , them a present cure . to tame an unruly horse that he may be drencht or drest of anygrief . put into one of his ears a little round sharp flint stone , and gripe it hard therein ; if you do so to both , he will be more quiet . finis . markhams methode or epitome wherein is shewed his aprooued remedies for all diseases whatsoeuer incident to horses, oxen, kine, bulls, calues, sheep, lambs, goats, swine, dogs of all kind, conies, all sorts of poultrye, all water-foule, as geese, ducks, swans, and the like) pigeons, all singing birds, hawks of all kind; and other creatures seruice-able for the vse of man: deuided into twelue generall points or heads. by gervase markham. gentleman. cheape and good husbandry for the well-ordering of all beasts, and fowles, and for the generall cure of their diseases. abridgments markham, gervase, ?- . approx. kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from -bit group-iv tiff page images. text creation partnership, ann arbor, mi ; oxford (uk) : - (eebo-tcp phase ). a stc estc s this keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the early english books online text creation partnership. this phase i text is available for reuse, according to the terms of creative commons . universal . the text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. early english books online. (eebo-tcp ; phase , no. a ) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set ) images scanned from microfilm: (early english books, - ; : ) markhams methode or epitome wherein is shewed his aprooued remedies for all diseases whatsoeuer incident to horses, oxen, kine, bulls, calues, sheep, lambs, goats, swine, dogs of all kind, conies, all sorts of poultrye, all water-foule, as geese, ducks, swans, and the like) pigeons, all singing birds, hawks of all kind; and other creatures seruice-able for the vse of man: deuided into twelue generall points or heads. by gervase markham. gentleman. cheape and good husbandry for the well-ordering of all beasts, and fowles, and for the generall cure of their diseases. abridgments markham, gervase, ?- . [ ], , [ ] p. by g[eorge] e[ld] for thomas langley, and are to be sold at his shop over against the [..], printed at london : [ ?] printer's name from stc. an abridgment of stc : cheape and good husbandry for the well-ordering of all beasts, and fowles, and for the generall cure of their diseases, published in . title page cropped at foot with partial loss of imprint; some print show-through. reproduction of original in the bodleian library. created by converting tcp files to tei p using tcp tei.xsl, tei @ oxford. re-processed by university of nebraska-lincoln and northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors. eebo-tcp is a partnership between the universities of michigan and oxford and the publisher proquest to create accurately transcribed and encoded texts based on the image sets published by proquest via their early english books online (eebo) database (http://eebo.chadwyck.com). the general aim of eebo-tcp is to encode one copy (usually the first edition) of every monographic english-language title published between and available in eebo. eebo-tcp aimed to produce large quantities of textual data within the usual project restraints of time and funding, and therefore chose to create diplomatic transcriptions (as opposed to critical editions) with light-touch, mainly structural encoding based on the text encoding initiative (http://www.tei-c.org). the eebo-tcp project was divided into two phases. the , texts created during phase of the project have been released into the public domain as of january . anyone can now take and use these texts for their own purposes, but we respectfully request that due credit and attribution is given to their original source. users should be aware of the process of creating the tcp texts, and therefore of any assumptions that can be made about the data. text selection was based on the new cambridge bibliography of english literature (ncbel). if an author (or for an anonymous work, the title) appears in ncbel, then their works are eligible for inclusion. selection was intended to range over a wide variety of subject areas, to reflect the true nature of the print record of the period. in general, first editions of a works in english were prioritized, although there are a number of works in other languages, notably latin and welsh, included and sometimes a second or later edition of a work was chosen if there was a compelling reason to do so. image sets were sent to external keying companies for transcription and basic encoding. quality assurance was then carried out by editorial teams in oxford and michigan. % (or pages, whichever is the greater) of each text was proofread for accuracy and those which did not meet qa standards were returned to the keyers to be redone. after proofreading, the encoding was enhanced and/or corrected and characters marked as illegible were corrected where possible up to a limit of instances per text. any remaining illegibles were encoded as <gap>s. understanding these processes should make clear that, while the overall quality of tcp data is very good, some errors will remain and some readable characters will be marked as illegible. users should bear in mind that in all likelihood such instances will never have been looked at by a tcp editor. the texts were encoded and linked to page images in accordance with level of the tei in libraries guidelines. copies of the texts have been issued variously as sgml (tcp schema; ascii text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable xml (tcp schema; characters represented either as utf- unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless xml (tei p , characters represented either as utf- unicode or tei g elements). keying and markup guidelines are available at the text creation partnership web site . eng veterinary medicine -- early works to . horses -- diseases -- early works to . - tcp assigned for keying and markup - spi global keyed and coded from proquest page images - elspeth healey sampled and proofread - elspeth healey text and markup reviewed and edited - pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion markhams method or epjtome : wherein is shewed his aprooued remedies for all diseases whatsoeuer incident to horses , oxen , kine , bulls , calues , sheep , lambs , goats , swine , dogs of all kind , conies , all sorts of poultrye , all water-soule , as geese , ducks , swans , and the like , ) pigeons , all singing birds , hawks of all kind ; and other creatures seruiceable for the vse of man : deuided into twelue generall points or heads . by gervase markham . gentleman . printed at london by g. e. for thomas langley , and are to be sold at his shop ouer against the 〈…〉 to the rigt worshipfvll and his most deare respected friend maister iohn massy of codington in cheshire . good sir , hee that much doth , may much miscarry , because danger euer is the companion with labour : and in these dayes mens braines are so sickly and subiect to take surfaits , especially where either the feast is ( in their owne conceits ) too full , or the dishes not drest answerable to their stomacks , that , to bee a cook to please all mens varieties , were to ascribe a cunning hardly bestowed vppon angels ; from which consideration i haue beene many times induced to haue obscured this small and inrespeccted epitome , as willing to hold from mistaking mindes ( which poyson with false construction ) a benefit so good and certaine , as i know they will be fruitfull in diuulging my dispraise , and finding knots in smooth rushes , adding to my title , vaine prate and ostentation ; but by many of my better friendes , and some whose approued wisedomes are worthy , and some whose knowne loues doe and euer shall gouerne mee , i am inforced to disesteeme the vaine battery of the enuious , and boldly publish this treatise , which i doubt not but will bee a generall good to all the whole kingdome , for whose seruice i was onely created . as for your worthy selfe who was the first that euer beheld it , and to whose handes it flew before it had taken any perfit or true forme , as knowing how able you were both to iudge of the defects , and to crowne the perfections , not a gentleman in this kingdome of your ranke going one steppe before you , either in loue or knowledge of horsemanship : to whom i say but you should i send this my last infant ; to bee nourished and defended , since it pleased you to accept it with much loue , when it was vnlikely of life any where but in your bosome . then worthy sir , let mee beseech you to take it to protection , and whilst nothing but enuy assaults it , bee you its constant guardian ; but when eyther a stronger or better skill proues ie vaine , then leaue it againe to my selfe , and wee will both dye inrespected ; till when , ( which will not bee whilst any thing is ) at least not whilst men ride on horsebacke , i will euer rest a faithfull and true cabanet , full of your goodnes . gervase markham . to the old and new readers . this is an age , ( gentle reader ) of much inquisition & examination of mens printed workes : neither is it in my conceit either vnreasonable or vnnecessary that men should giue account for their labours , especially where they make the world beleeue they doe the world a particular profit , for otherwise the world might come to bee cosened : therefore for my selfe , thus me thinkes i heare the world say : sir why loade you thus both mens mindes and the booke-sellers stalles with such change and variety of bookes , all vppon one subiect , as if men were tyed to your readings ? mee thinks the little pamphlet you first publisht , might haue giuen satisfaction ; to this i answer : that pamphlet was the milke of my first experience , drawne , not to nourish the world , but to giue a little satisfaction to a noble kinsman i had , from whom a very corrupt copy was stolne , and in printing without my knowledge ; so that to shield both mine owne shame and the bookes , i was compeld to put it forth in that manner as it went , & then , many iudicious gentlemen in the same art found faint in the breefnes therof , saying , that the scanting of my rules took away much satisfaction from the yong scholler , an that there was a lamenesse therein , because i had not handled the whole members of the art , but heere a finger and there a toe , as i was led by mine owne fancy . hence it came i writ the great boohe cauelorice , and in it omitted nothing in my knowledge appertinent to horsemanship : but by reason of a too greedy and hasty booke-seller , and the distributing of the worke into the handes of many printers , it was not onely exceeding falsly printed , but also most part of the booke of cures left out , which was such a maime to the booke , that i was many yeares stird vp by my friends to repaire that error ; which i did by writing that booke intituled the master-peece , wherein i haue set downe euery disease & euery medicine , so full & so exactly that there is not a farrier in this kingdome , which knowes a medicine for any disease , which is true & good indeed , but i wil find the substance thereof in that booke yet this book did not satisfie my friends , for they said though it was a worke right good and necessary , yet the greatnesse of the booke and the great price thereof , depriued poore men of the benefit ; and that the multiplicity of the medicines , and the cost of the ingredients , were such as poore men stood amazed at , and found that their beasts perisht before they could compasse that should cure them : from hence onely i haue with much labour and experience found out the contents of this booke , where with twelue medicines , not oftwele pence cost , and to bee got commonly euery where , i will cure all the diseases that are in horses , whatsoeuer , and they almost . this booke i hope the price will not hinder , for it is determined onely for the good of the needfull , to whose vse if it proue as fortunate as it is faithfully and iustly set downe , they will haue cause to praise god and loue me . gervase markham . a briefe preface of the nature of the horse . a horse , of all the vnreasonable creatures vpon the earth , is of the greatest vnderstanding , hauing in them ( as the schole men affirme ) a certaine naturall instinct , not onely of the knowledge of their riders , and keepers , but also of their owne generation and descent , knowing their sires , and dams , in such wise that they will refuse ( as pliny saith ) to couple , or ingender with them : they are also of all creatures , the aptest to learne any motion , and the readiest to obey their teachers , hauing a greater loue to exercise then any other beast . they are of infinite great courage and valour , taking an exceding delight in the warres , and ( as some schole-men affirme ) haue a certaine foreknowledge of battell , and will prepare themselues man-like for the same . they wil mourne for the losse , or deathes of their maisters , and are so apt to endure labor , that it is written of the horses of the sama●rans , that they would gallop a hundred and fifty miles end-wayes , without rest or stay : they ate naturally of long life , and by choice keeping , haue bene brought to summe vp fifty yeares ; but for thirty yeares it is much ordinary . the mares are lesse liued , as till twenty , or fiue and twenty at the most . they are of all beasts the most beautifull of shape , they are fit for the saddle at foure yeares of age , for the warres at six , for the race at eight , and for hunting , or for extreame matches , at ten or eleuen : the females beare their foales full eleuen months , and foale in the twelfth : the best time for their ingendring is in march at the increase of the moone , or in the middle part thereof , and the mare foaleth her foale standing : they are supposed to be so louing and kinde to their generation , that if a foale loose the damme , yet the other mares which are milche , will of their owne accord lend their teates , and feede or nurse vp the orphan foale . horses are subiect to more diseases then any other beast , for they haue full as many as belongeth vnto a man ; and yet notwithstanding , all those diseases may be cured by twelue medicines onely , as you shall finde by reading of the sequell which followeth . how to cure all the infirmities in horses , either inward , or outward , with twelue medicines onely , and all not worth twelue-pence . the first poynt . all these infirmities are cured by the first medicine following . all feuers in generall . the pestilence . a horse taken . the falling euill . the palsey , or shaking euill . the night mare . hyde-bound , all consumptions . the brest griefe . the anticor . all tyrednesse : the loathing of meat . casting out of drinke . all surfeits . the hungry euill , sicke liuer . sicke gall . sicke spleene . sicke kidneys . the yellowes . the dropsie . costiuenes in the body . the botts . all wormes . pissing bloud . the mattering yard . shedding of the seed . falling of the yard . eating of hens dung . the falling of the crest . the first medicine . if the horse haue bene brought weake by sicknesse , and that you finde it proceedeth from some inward infection , or corruption of bloud , you shall giue him in the morning fasting two spoonefull of the powder of diapente , well brewed and tost to and fro in a pinte of sweete wine , as muskadine , or malmsey , and then ride or walke him vp and downe in the sunne an hower after : then set him vp very warme in the stable , and let him fast an hower , and then giue him such prouender as he will eate , and his hay sprinkled with a little water : but if his sicknes proceed from any colde cause , as from ouer-riding , and too sodaine cooling , or from washing when he was hot ▪ or such like , then you shall giue the same quantity of diapente in sacke , or other hot wine , in the same manner , as aforesaid : but if his sicknes be lesse contagious , or that wine is not ready to be had , then you shall giue the same quantity of the aforesaid powder , either in a quart of strong ale , or a quart of stronge beere , obseruing all the instructions formerly declared . now for this powder which is called diapente , or ( of some ) horse methridate , because it is a generall antidote or preseruatiue against al poysonous infection , you shall make it in this manner . take of aristolochia rotunda , of gentiana , of mirrhe , of bachilauri , and of ebori , of each a like quantity , beat them all togither in a morter to a very fine powder , and then searse it till not any grossnes be left , and then keepe it either in a close pot , or in a bladder , and vse it as before saide when you shall haue occasion , and obserue to doe it diuers mornings togither , if the sicknes be violent . now for as much as this powder may many times be wanting , or at least hard to come by on the sodaine , therefore in case of such extreamity you shall take a good handfull of cellodine , rootes and leaues and all , and hauing pickt and clensed them , you shall take of wormewood , and of rue , of each halfe an handfull , boyle these in a pottle of stronge ale or beere , till a full halfe be consumed , then straine it , and presse the hearbes excedingly , and then dissolue into the drinke almost halfe a pound of sweete butter , and an ounce and a halfe of the best treakle : and being no more but luke warme , giue it the horse to drinke in the morning fasting , and ride or walke him an hower after it , then set him vp warme , and let him fast an other hower , then giue him meate as aforesaid : and doe thus diuers mornings according to the greatnes of his sicknes . now in this cure , you must by no meanes forget to let the horse bloud in the neck-veine , an hower or two before you giue him the first drinke , and let him bleede till you see the corrupt bloud change & begin to looke pure , to know which , you shall saue the first bloud , and the last bloud , in two saucers , and as they coole , they will easily shewe you the difference . now if your horse happen to fall sodenly sicke vnder you , as you trauell , when there is no towne nor helpe neere you , then you shall presently light from his backe , and with a sharp poynted knife , or bodkin , or for want of both , with a stronge poynt tagge , you shall pricke him in the roofe of the mouth amongst the barres , somewhat neere to his vppermost teeth , and make him bleed well , walking him foreward , and suffering him to champe and eate his owne bloud which is very wholesome , and almost a present cure : now if the bloud stanch of it selfe ( as commonly it will ) then you shall presently pisse in his mouth , and so ryde him with all gentlenesse and ease home-ward , and being set vp warme , wash his mouth and nostrills with vineger , and the next morning let him bloud in the necke-veine , and giue him either of the drenches before prescribed , and no doubt but you may hold on your iourney without danger . now if in the pricking of the horse in the mouth , you either strike your knife too deepe , or else cut the veine in sunder , whereby you cannot stanch the bloud ( as it many times hapneth ) in this case you shall put some big roūd peece of wood into the horses mouth ( to keepe him from byting ) and then take a little of the fine downe of a hares skinne , or a conies skinne , or ( for want of them ) the fine linte of any wollen cloth , and hold it hard to the wound and it will stanch it , neither will it be lickt away with the horses tongue . all these infirmities are cured by the second medicine following . all head-ach . all frenzie . the lethargie . the staggers . the posse . all coldes . all coughes , or wet or dry . all shortnes of breath . broken winde . rotten lungs . the glangers . mourning of the chyne . laxe , or loosenes . the bloudy fluxe . the second medicine . for any of these diseases of the head , or lunges , or other parts by them offended , you shall in any wise first let the horse bloud in the necke-veine , and let him bleed exceeding well , that is to say , till you see the bloud change , and that corruption come to purenesse , then stanch the veine , and take of assaefetida as much as a hassell nut , and dissolue it in a saucer full of strong wine vineger , and then take fine flaxe hurds and dip them therein , and then stop the same hard into the horses eares , and with a needle and a thred stich the tippes of the horses eares together , to keepe the medicine in from shaking forth ▪ then take of the white cankerous mosse , which growes vpon an old oake pale , or other oake wood , a good handfull or more , and boyle it in a pottle of new milke till one halfe be consumed then strayne it , and presse the mosse excedingly , and being luke warme giue it the horse to drinke fasting in the morning , and ride or walke him an hower after it gently , then set him vp warme , and hauing stood an hower , then offer him such meat as he will most willingly eate , and in any wise sprinckle his hay with water , and thus doe diuers mornings together , according to the greatnes of his sicknes : but if you shall perceiue that he casteth foule and filthy matter at his nostrils , then you shall euery morning as soone as you haue giuen the drench , take of auripigmentum two drammes of tussilaginis made into powder as much , then with turpentine worke them to a stiffe past , and make little round cakes thereof , the compasse of a groat , but much thicker , and dry them a little ; then take a chafing dish and coales , and laying one or two of these cakes thereon , couer them with a tunnell , such as you tunne wine or beere into bottles with , that the smoake may ascend through the same : then hauing made the horses head fast , put the smoak to his nostrils , and perfume him well with the same , and though at the first he be somwhat coy to take the smoake , yet hauing once felt the smell thereof , he will take such delight therein , that he will of his owne accord thrust his nose to the same : assone as you haue perfumed your horse , you shall ride him forth till he begin to sweat , and then bring him home and set him vp warme , and hauing so stood an hower or more , then giue him meate as before sayd , but by no meanes let him drinke any cold water , either in his sicknes or out of his sicknes , but when you may ride him after it , which if either weaknes , leasure , time or place doe hinder you to doe , then you shall heate a pottle of water on the fire scalding hot , & put it into a gallō or two of cold water , so that it may onely take the coldnesse away ▪ and then cast a handfull or two of ground malt or wheat branne into the same and so giue it the horse to drinke . all these infirmities are cured by the third medicine following . impostumes in the eares . the vines . vlcers in the nose . all wens whatsoeuer . the colt euill . sweld stones . incording or bursting . the third medicine . for any of these outward infirmities or swellings , you shall take a penniworth of pepper beaten to fine pouder , a spoonefull of swines grease , the iuyce of a handfull of rue , two spoonfull of strong wine vinegar , and mixe them well altogether : then if the swelling be about the horses head , face , or throat , you shall take flaxe hurds and steepe them therein , and stop it hard into the horses eares and stich the tippes together with a needle and a thread , as in the second medicine , renewing it once in two dayes till the swelling goe away . but if it be in any other part of the body , then with this oyntment you shall anoynt the greeued place twice a day , till the infirmity consume away . now for the swelling about the cods or priuy members , it shall be good before you anoynt them with this oyntment , to bath them well with cold water , as either by trotting the horse into some deepe ponde , or els by taking a paile of cold water , and dipping a cloth into the same , to bath , clap , and wash the cods therewith , then drying them with another cleane cloth , lay on the oyntment , which is a present cure . all these infirmities are cured by the fourth medicine following . the pole euill . swelling after blood-letting . the withers hurt . all galld backs . all stittfasts . the nauell-gall . the strangle . the botch in the groyne . all fistulas . biting with venomous beasts or wormes . the fourth medicine . for any of these filthy imposthumations , galls or swellings , you shall take the earth lome of a mudde wall which hath no lime in it , but onely earth , straw , or litter , and you shall boyle it in strong wine vinegar till it become very thicke like a pultus , then being very hot apply it to the sore , renewing it once in twelue or foure and twenty houres , and it will not only ripen it and breake it , but also draw it , search it , and heale it most perfectly : as experience wil manifest it . all these infirmities are cured by the fift medicine following . mangines in the maine . mangines in the tayle . the mallander . the sellander . the paines . the scratches . all kyb'd heeles . the leprosie . the farcye . the generall scab . all lice or nittes or other vermine . the fift medicine . first in any wise you shall let the horse blood in the necke-veine , and you shall suffer him to bleed very well ( because corruption of blood is the onely breeder of these infirmities ) then hauing with knife , launcet , curry combe , hayre-cloth , or such like , opened the knots or pustules , and rubd away al skurfe or filthinesse , laying the sores open and raw and as it were ready to bleede , then you shall take of yellow a snicke beaten to fine powder , and clarified hogges grease , of each a little quantity , and beat them well together till they come to a perfect oyntment , then hauing tyed the horses head vp fast to the rack , in such wise that hee can neither licke nor bite himselfe , with this oyntment anoynt all the sores & other offended places very well ouer , holding some hot barre of iron or fire-shouell heated against the same , that the oyntment may the better and speedilier enter into the same : and being thus anoynted , let him stand the space of two or three houres at the least tyed as beforesaid : which done , take of the strongest vrine you can get , and with the same wash away all the oyntment wheresoeuer it was layd , and then vntye the horse and put him to his meate : and thus doe once a day , till the sores drye vp and beginne to shill away . all these infirmities are cured by the sixt medicine following . all woundes in generall . all synewes cut . all woundes with shot . burning with lime . mad dogge biting . foundering . frettizing . surbaiting . all loose hoofes , casting of the hoofe . hoofe-bound . the sixt medicine . take of turpentine , waxe , and hogges grease , of each a like quantity , first melt the yellow waxe and hogges grease vppon a soft fire , then take it off and dissolue the turpentine into it , and stirre it very well together , then put it into a gally pot and let it coole : & with this salue , tent , or plaister any wound or sore , & it wil heale it : also with the same anoint the cronets of your horses hoofes , and putting wheat branne vnto it , being boyling hot , stop vp your horses feet therewith , in case either of founder , frettize , surbat , or such like infirmity . all these infirmities are cured by the seauenth medicine following . all old vlcers . the shackle gall . the canker , the anbury . all bruises broken . all ouer-reaches . the crowne scab , the crownet hurt . grauelling . prick in the soale . a retrait . cloying . the rotten frush . all these infirmities are cured by the way onley contained in the seauenth medicine following . the bloudy rifts . the bladders . the lampas . all mouth cankers . all heat in the mouth . the tongue hurt . the paps . the tooth-ake , shedding of hayre . the felter worme . the seauenth medicine . take of new milke three quarts , a good handfull of plantaine , let it boyle till a full pint be consumed , then take three ounces of allome , and one ounce & an halfe of white sugar candy , both beeing made into a very fine pouder , and three spoonefull of strong wine vineger , and put them into the milke , then let it boyle a little till it haue a hard curde , then straine it and saue the whay , wherwith you shall first bath the sore , the whay being made warme : then with a cleane cloth dry the sore , and then apply to it this salue : take of turpentine , yellow-waxe and hogs-grease of each an ounce , and of verdigrease ground to fine pouder an ounce and a halfe , mixe all these very wel together on a soft fire , & then put it into a gally pot and let it coole : but in case where the bruise is not broken , yet likely to breake , there you shall only apply the fourth medicine onely , mentioned before . all these infirmities are cured by the eighth medicine following . all conuulsions of sinewes . all crampes whatsoeuer . the necke-cricke . shoulder splat . all sweld legges . ouer-reach in the backe sinew . all windgalls . wrench in the nether ioynt . all bruises vnbroke . all straines whatsoeuer . the eight medicine . take strong wine vineger & patch grease of each a like quantity and boye it on the fire then with wheate branne make it into a hot pultus and being so warme as the horse may well indure it , apply it twice a day to the grieued place , but in case the sorance bee where you cannot bind any pultus vnto it , then you shall onely take patch grease and being mol●en very hot with the same , bath the horse twise or thrice a day and giue him very moderate excercise before and after his dressing , and it will not onely take away all paine and anguish but also remooue all swellings , gourdings , or any other eyesore whatsoeuer . all these infirmities are cured by the ninth medicine following . all light galls . to skinne sores . to dry vp humors . the ninth medicine . first bath the sore place with hot moulten butter , then strow vppon it the pouder of rossen , lastly take a spoonefull or two of very thicke creame , and with the soote of a chimney bring it to a very thicke past , then spread it also vpon the sore and it will heale drye and skinne it in a short space . all these infirmities are cured by the tenth medicine following . all watry eyes . all blood-shotten eies all dimnesse of sight . the pin and web in the eye . all pearls or spots . all lunaticke eyes . all vlcers in the eyes . all cankers in the eyes . all fistulas in the eies . the hawe in the eye . the tenth medicine . take true ground-iuy , which of some is called alehoofe , and beat it well in a morter , and if it be very drye drop a little white rose-water into it , or a little of the water of the hearbe eyebright , then straine it well into a cleane glasse , and with that iuyce wash , anoynt , or tent the sores in the eyes at least three or foure times a day : as for the hawes or hogs in a horses eyes , euery common smith knowes in what sort to cut them away , and that easily . all these infirmities are cured by the eleuenth medicine following . all splents . all spauens . all curbs . all ringbones . all quitterbones . all bony excrescions . the eleuenth medicine . take white arsnicke ground to pouder and make a little slit vppon the head of the excrescion the length of a barley corne , and downe to the bone , then rayse vp the skinne with a fine cornet , and put in as much of the arsnicke as wil lye vppon a three halfepence , and then bind vpon the sore a little dry flaxe hurds , which done tye vp the horses head to the racke , so as he may not bite the sore place , and let him so stand the space of two or three houres , for in that time the anguish will bee gone and the medicine will haue done working , then put the horse to his meat either in the house or abroad , and the excrescion will rotte & fall away of it selfe , which seene you may heale vp the sore , either with the sixt or the ninth medicine specified before . all these infirmities are cured by the twelfth medicine following . all broken bones , all bones out of ioynt . swaying of the backe ▪ weakenesse in the backe . horse-hipped . horse-stifled . the twelfth medicine . the bones being placed in their true and proper places , according to the forme of the member , you shall first bath the grieued place with warme patch greasse , then clap about it a bynding plaster of pitch , rosen , masticke , and sallet oyle , well mixt togither and molten on the fire , then fould the limbe about with sine flaxe hurds , and then splent it with broade , flat , strong and soft splents , and remoue not the dressing for the space of fifteene dayes , except you finde the roulers to slacken which is a very good signe and then you may strayten them againe , or if you finde the member increase in swelling , and that the roulers grow as it were straiter and strayter then you may giue the members ease , for it is a signe it was rould too straight before , and thus you shal dresse it but twice in thirty dayes , or there abouts , in which time the bones will be knit , but if through the breatch or dislocation , you finde any grose substance to appeare about the grieued place , then you shall twice or thrice a day bath it with hot patch greasse , & that wil take away the eie sore in a short space . the emperour of all medicines concerning horses , the second poynt . take of wheat meale six pounds , or as much as wil bring all the other simples following to a stiffe paste : of annis-seeds two ounces , of commig-seedes six drams , of carthamus one dram and a halfe , of fenugreeke seed one ounce and two drammes , of brimston one ounce and a halfe , of sallet oyle , one pint and two ounces , of hony one pound & a halfe , of white wine foure pints , and all this must be made into a very stiffe past , the hard simples being pounded and fearst to a fine powder and so mixt with the wet simples , after this past is thus made , it must be kept in a very cleane cloth , and when you haue occasion to vse it , you shall take there of as much as will make a round ball as big a mans fist , and this ball you shall by continuall washing or lauingng dissolue in a gallon or two of faire running water , and so giue it the horse to drinke , either after his heates , or after any violent labour or exercise , or when he is sicke poore , leane , or inwardly diseased , and full of foule surfaits , and then you shall suffer him to drinke thereof as much and as oft as he pleaseth . now it may be at the first , that partly through the colour thereof , & partly through the smell , the horse will be coy to tast it , but care not you therefore , but be sure to keepe him from all water else but it onely , and that he may the readier take it , you shall doe well at first to offer him this water in the darke , that the colour may not offend him , of which when he hath but once tasted , he will then forsake all water whatsoeuer to drinke of this water onely , as i haue often knowne by experience . now touching the vertues which appertaine to this medicine , they are these : first if your horse be neuer so poore , leane , surfaited and diseased , if you giue your horse of this water with the ball dissolued in it as aforesaid , it will in fourteene dayes not onely clense and scowre him from all infirmitie , but also feede him and make him sat with good and sound flesh , so as he shall be fit either for the market , or for present trauell : secondly , if your horse be inwardly foule and fatt , and haue either by orderly or disorderly riding had his grease molten within him , then this medicine vsed as aforesaid , is a most excellent and soueraine purge or scowring , and maketh the horse not onely auoid all such filthy and ill matter as lies molten in his body , and would breed most dangerous and mortall sicknesses , but also it comforteth and strengthneth the inward parts , and breedes great courage and spirit in the horse , whence it comes to passe that it is of especiall and great vse for hunting horses , & rūning horses , to be giuen after their heates , because it doth clense the body , preuents all inward sicknesses , keepes a horse coole and soluble in his body , and adds more courage & mettle then any other foode whatsoeuer : lastly the vse of this medicine one fortnight is as good as a quarter of a yeares grasse at any time of the yeare , and worketh as many and more good effects , especially in this , that this medicine is to be had at al times , and grasse is to be had but onely in the summer season : and whereas at grasse ( if it be ranke and sweet ) a horse is in danger of many sicknesses , as the yellowes , staggers , and many other which proceed from the corruption of the bloud , or the heat of the season , by the vse of this medicine all those infirmities are taken away , and the horse recouereth flesh , strength , and liuelihood of spirit , without any danger , as proofe shall testifie , much better then my writing . the third poynt . how to cure all the diseases in cattell , as oxe , cowe , bull , or calfe , with seauen medicines onely . the caracter , or nature of the oxe , bull , cowe , or calfe . the oxe , bull , cowe , or calfe , for indeed they are but one & the selfe same in generation , are beasts naturally of a slow and heauy disposition , yet fit for the draught , being temperately handled , and especially the oxen or bulls , the cowes may be and are somtimes imployed in the same worke , but yet they are more fit for the paile , or for yeelding of milke , which they yeeld in greater aboundance then any other beasts whatsoeuer , their flesh is the best and most wholsomest for the sustenance of man , and therefore when they are past labour , or other commodity , they may be fedde and sould to the shambles : the fat of these beasts is soft , and apt vpon any violent exercise to melt whence it proceeds that in their labour they may not be driuen aboue an ordinary foote-pace : their skinnes are of very great price , being a leather of that firme , fast and hard composition , that with ordinary liquering or working in oyle , it withstandeth all wet and weather , and out weareth all other leather whatsoeuer . of these kinde of cattell with vs in this iland of great brittaine are foure sorts : the first , and best , are those which are bred in the west parts , as in somersetshire , gloster-shire , dorset-shire , and the countries adioyning , these are for the most part of a bloud red colour , with great , large , and long bodies , tall of stature , and slenderly cast downewards , their hornes are little and crooked , and the milke which the cowes giue is the most best and wholsomest of all other . the second sort are bred in the countries of darby-shire , chesse-shire , lancha-shire , yorke-shire , and the countries adioyning : these are for the most part of a coole blacke colour , with large bodyes and short legges , stately large and white hornes , and the cowe most fruitfull of all other for breed . the third sort are bred in lincolneshire and the countries adioyning and are of a pied colour , very tall , and large of body , onely slender and long legged . the fourth sort are bred in the extreamest part of the north as in northumberland and beyond the tweede , they are the least of all the other with short low bodies and very little hornes , yet is their flesh most excellent and the sweetest beefe of allother , whence our ancient heardsmen conclude , that the west country beast is best for the paile , the yorkshire best for the hide & tallow , the lincolnshire for trauell , and the northumberland for the shambles : they haue all as many diseases as the horse , yet all may be cured by seauen medicines onely . all these infirmities are cured in cattell by the first medicine following . all feuers . the pestilence . the gargill . the mourraine . all misliking . all leannes . all fluxes . the pissing of blood . hide-bound . the drie skinne . the lunge-growne . swallowing of all poison whatsoeuer . all wormes . vomiting of blood . milting . to prouoke vrine . the ouerflow of the gall . a cow wethered . all faintnes . how to breed milke . the pantas . the losse of the cud . the rot . the first medicine . first assoone as you perceiue your beast to droop , you shall in any wise let him bloud in the necke veine , and let him bleede well ( that is to say ) till you see alteration in the blood ; then take of plantaine , of rewe , of wormwood , of housleike , of woodrosse , of sheppards purse , of smallage , and of galworte ▪ of each of these ( or of so many as you can conueniently get ) halfe a handful , beat them wel in a morter and then mixe therewith a pinte of vrine & a handfull of henns dunge strayned all together exceeding much , then put this iuyce so strayned to a full ale-quarte of stronge beere or strong ale , & so set it on the fire and boyle it till a full halfe bee consumed , then take it from the fire , & dissolue into it halfe an ounce of the best treacle and a spoonfull of the iuyce of garlicke , then take of myrhe , of iuory , of bay-berries , of cinamon , and of annis seedes beaten to fine pouder two good spoonefull , and brew it very well with the ale , then being sufficiently wel cool'd giue it the beast to drinke with a horne , early in the morning fasting , and chase the beast vp and downe , halfe an houre after , then put him where hee may come to no meate for an houre and an halfe after , and thus do two or three mornings together according to the greatnes of his sicknes : but if you find his dewe-lap begin to swell , then you shall with a sharp knife slit it , and opening of the skinne you shall thrust into it halfe a handfull of speare-grasse and salt chopt together , and then stitch it vp againe and anoint it with butter and tarre mixt together , and so put the beast to a fresh pasture , but by no meanes let the grasse be too ranck , for that is most dangerous . all these infirmities are cured by the second medicine following . the belly ake . all colds in generall . dropping nostrils . all costiuenes . all coughes or hausts . all shortnesse of breath . a generall purge for cattell . the second medicine . first , you shall in any wise let the beast bloud , as in the former medicine , then take a quart of stronge ale and boyle it on the fier and scume it well , then take it of and disolue into it a spounfull of tarre and a spounfull of the iuice of garlike , which done take of sugarcandy of fenugreeke , and of brimstone , all being beaten to a fine pouder , the quantity of three sponfull , brew them well together with the ale till it be sufficiently well cold , then put to it a quarter of a pint of sallet-oyle and so giue it the beast to drinke fasting , and chase him and vse him as was before prescrybed in the former medicine . all these infirmities are cured by the third medecine following . the sturdy , the neck gald , the neck bruysd , the neck sweld , the closh , all swellings in generall in any part . all impostumes , all byles , all botches , the dew-boulne , catell goared all wounds what-soeuer . the third medecine . first in case of the sturdy you shall open the skull vpon the forehead and take out the blader , then heale the sore with the salue following , but in case of deweboulne where the bleane riseth on the tongue or in the mouth , there you shal first break the bleane , and thrust out the filth then rub the sore with salte and earth , and after apply the salue following , which is this . take the greene leaues of aristolochia of fresh grease , of tallow , of the ashes of an old burnt shoe , of terpentine , of tarre , and of lyllie roots of each a like quantity , beate them all in a morter till they come to a perfit salue which if it proue too lenwicke or moyst then you shall take as much yellow waxe as will stiffen it , and with this salue anoynt the sore places , and it is a present remedie . al these infirmities are cured by the fourth medicine following . the barbs , the bleane , the canker in the mouth , loose teeth , the tonge venomed the falling of the palate . the fourth medicine . first thtust your hand into the beasts mouth , and if there be any blisters risen or the pallat falne , rub the one away and put vp the other , then take of woodbine leaues , of sage , of plantain and of salt , of each halfe an handfull , boyle them well in a quart of running water , a pint of vinegar , & halfe a pint of hony , then with the water wash the sore places very well and it is a present remedy , all these infirmities are cured by the fift medicine following . all sore eies , the haw in the eie , the pinne in the eie , the web in the eye , the fift medicine . first you shall let the horse blood in the temple veines , and cut out the hawes if they offend him , which euery ordinary smith can doe , then take an egge and open it in the crowne , and put out halfe the white , then fill it vp againe with salt , and then roste it in the hot embers so long and so hard that you may beat it to a fine powder , which done , dissolue some of that powder in a spoonefull of the water of eiebright , and a spoonefull of the iuyce of house-leeke , & with the same wash the beasts eye twice or thrice a day , & it is a present remedie . all these infirmities are cured by the sixt medicine following . the worme in the tayle . the generall scabbe . the party colour scab . the itch or scurse . the byting of a mad dogge . the byting with venemous beasts all lyce or tickes . all prickes with thornes , or stubbes . to be shrewe-runne . the sixt medicine . you shall first make a strong lye with old vrine , and the ashes of ash-wood , then take a pynte of this lye and adde to it of tarre , o● blacke sope , of coperas , of boares grease , of brimston , of peper , of staues-aker , and of plantaine of each a like quantity , as much as will bring the lye to a thicke and stiiffe salue , then with the same annoynt all the sore places : but in case the beast be shrew runne onely and haue no other infirmity , then you shall take a bramble which groweth at both ends , and with the same beate all ouer the body of the beast , and if you can conueniently , you shall also drawe his whole body vnder a bramble which groweth at both ends as aforesayd . all these infirmities are cured by the seuenth medicine following . all staines whatsoeuer all sorenes in the sinewes . all stifnes in the neck . the goute . all broken bones . al grieues in the houes the foule . the seauenth medicine . take mallowes , chikweede , and galling-gall , and boyle them in vrine , butter , burgundy , pitch , tallow , and linseed oyle till they be so soft that you may beat them to a salue , which done , apply that salue to the grieued place very hot , either as an oyntment , or as a pultus , and it is a present remedy , as hath bene often proued . the fourth poynt . how to cure all the diseases in sheep with six medicines onely . the caracter or nature of the sheepe . sheepe are naturally of a hot disposition , weake & tender , yet so free from gredines that they will liue of lesse foode then any other beast of their bignes : they are of a most singular profit and esteeme , as hauing in them not about them any thing which is not of some good vse , the worst of which are their houes , and yet the very treading of them vpon the ground are a good manuring and inriching of the same : as for their fleeces , their flesh and other intralls , who knowes not the excellent goodnes thereof ? the rams and ewes are fit for generation from two yeares of age till they be ten , and after that they are onely for the shambles : the ewes carrie their lambes in their bodyes a hundred and fifty dayes and no longer , according to common computation . sheepe in our iland of great brittaine ( which is not inferior to any kingdome in the world for the excellencie of good sheepe ) are of sundry natures , according to the alteration of the climats , for where the ground is most firtile , there the sheep are large of body , and deepe woold , yet is the staple but of an indifferent finenes , rather inclining to some coursenes , then yeelding the best thrid others are bred of a more barraine and wilde earth , yet if the leare be colde then is the staple most course , and the wooll both short and harie , and the least that are bred on the most barraine earth , though the sheepe be the least of body , and the least of burthen , yet if the leare be warme and well coloured , the wooll is of all the finest , and the staple of a fine and silke-like handling . to conclude , it is better and more naturall for a sheepe to be bred abroade in the fields amongst the flocke then domesticke at home in the house , for so shall both his flesh and fleece be better both for the tast , and for all other seruice . all these infirmities in sheepe are cured by the first medicine following . all feuers . the red water . the lunge-sick . all coughes , all colds . all diseases of the gall . the iaundisse . all sicknes comming of choller . all tough fleagme . the poxe . the wood euill . the crampe . all licking of poyson to cause easie deliuerance . to increase milke . all wormes inward . the losse of the cud . the staggers . the generall rot . water in the belly . the first medicine . take of wormewood flowers , of rue , of coltsfoote , of lunge-wort , of plantaine , of lettice , of rosemary , of cinquefoyle , of horsemint , of dyll , of sage , of tanscy , and of holy thistle , or of so many of those as you can conueniently get , of each a like quantity and beat them very well in a morter , then straine forth the iuyce thereof , and to a pint of a very sweet honnied water made with the best honny and running water , adde fiue or sixe spoonefull of this iuyce , then set it on the fire and boyle it with two spoonfull of the pouder of anny seeds , licoras , long pepper , and bay-berries made of equall quantities , then being taken from the fire put in as much sweet butter as a walnut , and two spoonfull of that salt which is called adcoces , which is salt gathered ( and made by the violence of the sunnes heat ) vppon the salt marshes after the tide is gone away , or for want of it ( because it is scarse ) you may take as much of the best spanish salt , and all being well stirred together , so soone as it is luke warme giue it the sheepe to drinke with a horne , and morning and euening rubbe his mouth very well with the salt aforesaid , and it is a certaine cure , and hath beene often proued . all these infirmities are cured by the second medicine following . the scabbe or itch. all maggots whatsoeuer . the worme in the clawe . all wild fier . the sturdy . the turning euill . the more founde . sheepe taggd . sheepe belted . the second medicine . first you shall let the sheepe bloud in the eye-veines , then take tarre and fresh grease of each a like quantity , and mixing them wel together with a little brimstone and the iuyce of cheruile , bring it to a salue , and with the same ( after you haue bared , clensed , and made all the sore places raw ) anoint all the grieued place , or in case of the sturdy after you haue opened the skull and taken out the bladder , plaster the sore therewith , and it is a certaine cure . all these infirmities are cured by the third medicine following . all paine in the ioynts . all bones out of ioynt . all broken bones . the fourth medicine . first after you haue placed the member right ( which you may doe by the example of the sound member ) then you shall bath the grieued place wel with butter and beere , then make a scarcloth of patchgrease and yellow waxe , and warming it very hot lap it about the member , and if need require then splent it , and in case the member be broken renew it not til fifteene dayes be past , otherwise renew it once in three dayes . all these infirmities are cured by the fourth medicine following . all greiues in the eyes . all dimnesse of sight . the fourth medicine . you shal first let the sheepe bloud in the eye-veines , then take of the iuyce of cellodine , that is to say , of the leaues in summer and of the roots in winter , and with the same wash the sheeps eyes , and it will helpe them . all these infirmities are cured by the fift medicine following . all greiues in the mouth . all loosenesse of teeth . the fift medicine . first you shal let the sheepe bloud in the gummes , then you shall take of earth , of sage and of salt , of each a like quantity , and beat them well together , and with the same rub the mouth of the sheep very well , but especially where it is greeued ▪ and it helpeth . all these infirmities are cured by the sixt medicine following . all sicknesse in lambes . lambes that are yeaned sicke . the sixth medicine . first you shal take vp the lambe and breath into the mouth thereof , then suckell or feede it with mares milke and a little water mixt together and made luke warme , and in any case during the sicknes keepe it very warme for that is the greatest nourishment that can bee giuen vnto them , and best agreeth with them . the fift poynt . how to cure all the diseases in goates with two medicines onely . the carracter or nature of goates . goates are naturally of a wanton , light , & ayry disposition , giuen to much wildnes whence it comes that they are in many countries preserued , as wee preserue our deere wild , and for the chase , and surely they will make excellent sport in their hunting : they doe bring forth their young kids in more abundance then sheepe doe lambes , for they doe seldome bring forth vnder two , very often three , and sometimes foure , they carry their kids in their bodyes fiue monthes as sheepe doe , and seldome growe barraine but through extreame fatnes , they begin very early to goe to the bucke as in the first yeare , whence it comes that they continue not long in bearing as not aboue three or foure yeares at the most : their greatest and best foode is the brouzing vppon young trees and therefore they should so go to the buck , that they might bring forth their yong ones in the month of march or aprill , when euery tree begins to bud : they are naturally euer good phisitions for themselues ▪ and when they find any imperfection wil seeke out cures for the same , as by letting themselues blood vppon briers , thornes , bulrushes and such like , they are much subiect to aborsement or casting of their yong ones , especially in extreame cold seasons , whence it comes that they should haue euer a shed prouided for thē in the winter season : the hayre of the goates in some countryes is yearely shorne off , and a course stuffe made thereof ▪ wherewith they cloth the meaner sort of people : they do naturally see as well by day as by night , and their ages are best knowne by the knots and round risings about the nether part of their hornes . to conclude , their teeth are very dangerous for the spoyling of young trees , especially the oliue tree , which if they but chance to lick on the tree , neuer beareth any fruite after it . all these infirmities in goates are cured by the first medicine . the pestilence , the dropsie , hardnes to kidd , the staggers . the first medicine . first you shall let the goate bloud vnder the eies , and in the tayle , then you shall take of celladine leaues , of rushes , of reedes greene and of wormewood of each a like quantity , beate them in a morter and straine out the iuyce : then take foure or fiue spoonfull of that iuyce and mixe it with a pince of veruine and water , then put in a spoonfull of salte , & halfe a spoonfull of cloues beaten to fine pouder , & being luke warme giue it the goate to drinke fasting , and let it fast two houres after it . all these infirmities are cured by the seond medicine . all stoppings in the teats , the tuell stopt , the tetter , the dry scabbe , the itch , all maggots . all flye-blowings . the second medicine . first you shall take and clense away all the filth and scurffe which any way stoppeth or offendeth the grieued place , then take of honey , of capons-grease , of blacke sope , of tarre , of brimston , and of the soote of a chimney , of each a spoonefull , and of goates milke fiue spoonefull , mixe them all very well together till it come to a perfect oyntment , then it with annoynt the sore place very well , morning and euening ; and if the stoping haue bene very longe , or that the goate be much inwardly dryed , then you shall take two inches of a smale candles end and thrust it vp into the coates tuell , in the manner of a suppository , and it will not onely clense the bagge and giue the goate greate ease in his body , but also keepe the place from stopping euer after . the sixt poynt . how to cure all the diseases in swine with three medicines onely . the caracter or nature of the swine . swine are naturally of a sluttish , sloathfull , and deuouring disposition , giuen onely to gredynesse and spoyle , whence commeth the saying of the husbandman , that the swine is neuer good till he be in the dish : they are of most creatures the most apoundant in their breede , for they bring forth their litters three times in the yeare , and will bring forth ten twelue , fifteene , and twenty somtimes in a litter , yet they wil neuer bring vp more pigges then she hath teates to giue suck with : such pigges as are piggd the begining or the last of december haue teeth immediatly , the other haue not . swine , of all other beasts , doe sonest shewe their sicknes , for if you pull but a bristle from their backes and finde it bloudy at the neather end , or if he carry his neck on the one side , you may be well assured of present sicknes : swine are to be vsed three seuerall wayes in the house , that is , for brawne , for bacon , and for porke : for brawne , the bore is onely in vse , and he is to be franke fed , and not stye fed for the franke hardneth the flesh best : the hogge is best for porke , most tender and sweetest , and fittest for present seruice : and the spayd guylt , or spayd or guelt sowe is best for bakon : feedeth soundest , taketh fat soonest , and hangeth by the walles vncorrupt longest ▪ as there be household and tame swine , so there be also wilde and sauadge swine , and they are somwhat lesse then the tame swine , yet by much more fierse and cruell , they differ little or nothing in nature , onely they are by their wildnes and much ranging , a great deale lesse apt to take infirmity or be sicke : to conclude , they are a good and wholsome meate , hauing nothing in them or about them vselesse , as is found by daily experience . all these infirmities in swine are cured by the first medicine following . all feuers . all hid sicknesses . the mourraine . the pestilence . the catharre . the gall . the meazle . the poxe . the laxe . all vomiting . the sleeping euill . all paine in the myte . the first medicine . first you shall let the swine blood in the tayle , and vnder the eares , then binde vp the sores with the greene barkes of oziers , which done , you shall take of barley meale two or three handfull , of red oaker and hens dunge of each a handfull , of the iuice of liuer wort , gall wort , and wormewood halfe a pynte , of treakle an ounce , mixe all these well with a pottle of honey and vrine blended together , then put it into a gallon or two of sweete warme wash or swillings ▪ and so giue it the swine to drinke , and annoynt all the sore places of his body with brimston & bores grease mixed together , and during the time of his sicknes let his foode be onely dry beanes spelted on a mill . all these infirmities are cured by the second medicine following . all impostumes . all leanenes or mislike all scurfe or mangines . swine that are luggd all maggots in the eares . the second medicine . first you shall let the swine bloud in the tayle as aforesayde , then if the imposthume be rype , launce it , and thrust out the filth , then heale the sore with tarre and butter mixt togither , but if the impostume be hard then onely rub it with wheat meale and salt till it dissolue , but if the infection be vniuersall then annoynt the swine all ouer with boares grease , brimston , vineger , blacke soape and hony mixt togither , each of like quantity , and hauing formerly rubd all the scurfe and filth away with a wooll card . all these infirmities are cured by the third medicine following . all vnnaturalnes in sowes deuouring their births . the third medicine . if your sowe be giuen to much vnnaturalnes , and that she will deuoure her pigges so soone as she hath pigged them , you shall watch her piging and take them away as they fall , then take the wreckling or worst pigge , and annoynt & bath it all ouer with the iuyce of the hearb stonecroppe , and then giue it the sowe to deuoure , which so sone as she hath done , it will immediately make her so exceding sick and cause her to vomite so excedingly , that she will neuer after doe the same againe . the seauenth poynt . how to cure all the diseases in dogges , with three medicines onely . the caracter , or nature of the dogge . there be of doggs diuers kindes , though all concurre & come to one nature in the matter of diseases and infirmity , for there is first the grey-hound which exceedeth in swiftnes , and is preserued for the chase , as ether to course the wilde deere , the hare , the bore , the wolfe , or other vermine , he is a beast of infinite valoure and spirit , yet tender and apt by his fiersenes to much casualty , and his onely vertue consisteth in the swiftnes of his foote . then there is the hound which is of a more duller temper , whose onely glory is in his smell , hunting and finding out by his scent the tractes and footestepes of all sorts of wilde beasts : in which he showeth so much cunning , that not any winding , turning , or art full double can preuent his search , hee is both valiant and industrious , and so vnappaled with labour , that only by the continuance of his toyle hee maketh himselfe maister of what prey soeuer he hunteth . next vnto them is the spaniell , which also is singular for his smell vppon birdes , and the hound vppon beasts : whence it comes that neither partrige , phesant , raile , quaile , pecock nor any other bird can escape their search , they are of all other dogges the most louingest , humblest , and most familiar with the man : then there is the water spaniell , whose scent is also his only glory , yet that scent is taken aloft from the ayre vppon the water , whereby it comes to passe that no water foule is safe from his search , he is also of a most exceeding strong constitution , being so very able to indure the cold , that no sharpnesse of winter nor frost troubleth him , but the water is as familiar with him as the ayre : then there is the mastiue , whose vertue is onely in his courage , strength , sharpnes of tooth , and aptnes to encounter with any fierce wilde beast , as lyons , beares , bulls , wolues , tigers , and such like , against which they are so apt , wiling , and so cunning in their fight , that they sildom or neuer part but victors . to conclude , for your tumbler or lurcher , whose delight is onely in killing the cony , for the lice●cea which onely enuieth the foxe , and for your generall mongrils whose vses are either for chasing away vermine or defence of the husbandmans yard , they were , and are in their speciall natures and qualities with the other forenamed dogges , and touching their diseases , they are cured by one and the selfe same medicines . all these infirmities in dogges are cured by the first medicine following . all wormes inwardly . all coldes or stoppings . the stone . costiuenes or belly-bound . the first medicine . make a strong decoction of worme-wood and of southern-wood , then take a pint of the decoction and dissolue into it as much aloes as halfe a hazell nut , and a good spoonfull of the pouder of iuory and brimstone mixt together , then being luke warme giue it the dogge to drinke , and administer at his tuell two inches of a candles end in maner of a suppository . all these infirmities are cured by the second medicine following . all lice or fleas . all wormes outwardly . all serpent-bitings . all mad dogge bitings . all galls or tetters . all itch or scab or mangie . all hurts by wild beasts . all gallings of feet . all frettizing in the feet . the canker . the second medicine . make a strong decoction of rewe , sage , mints , and a handfull or two of salt , then with the decoction wash ouer all the dogges body , then take treakle , hogges-grease , yellow waxe turpentine and coperas of each a like quantity melt and mingle them together and with that oyntment anoynt all the sore places , especially those which hee cannot come to licke , or else scratcheth most , and it will speedily cure him . all these infirmities are cured by the third medicine following . all tirednes . all wounds whatsoeuer . all bruises . all paine in the eares . the third medicine . frst if the wound be great and gaping or in any fleshy part , you shall stitch it vp with a needle and a little red silke , then take the yelke of an egge , and as much soot of a chimney , and twice so much of the iuyce of greene tobacco , and the iuyce of mellilot , with as much fresh butter as will bring all these to a salue , being molten and mingled well together on a soft fire , then with this salue either tent or plaister the greeued place , and it is a present remedy for all the former greeuances , as hath beene often by me and others experienced . the eighth poynt . how to cure all the diseases in conies or hares , with one medicine onely . the character of hares or conies . hares or conies are small beasts of a much more melancholy disposition then other beasts , whence commeth the hardnes of their liuing , for as it is written they will feed fat with the white rinde of the frost , or the snow either : certaine it is that in the frost and sharpest time of winter they feed best , because then the frost biting the foggy grasse maketh it most sweet , vppon which they delight most to feede : they are aboundant in their increase bringing forth their broods once euery month , and of those broodes not vnder three or foure at the least : neither doth she so soone disburden one broode but she presently runneth to the bucke and ingendreth for another : the male of these kindes are very vnnaturall , for if they can find where the yong ones are kindled , they presently deuoure them : whence it comes to passe that the female at her time compleat withdraweth her selfe and hideth her yong , daubing and damming vp the hole till they bee able to runne and shife for themselues , and then she openeth the hole by little and little , giuing them liberty to take the ayre and vse their owne exercise : as for the profit of them , besides their flesh , which is an excellent food , their skins are of great price , be a most excellent furre , and little inferiour for warmth , sweetnes , and goodnes , to any other : againe , the wool or haire of them is very good to make felts of , and indeed is so soft and fine that it is but a little inferior to the beauer : with which wool if it be mixed it maketh a most perfect and good felt . to conclude , they are beasts of much hardnes , and therefore no long life , and they take delight in hard and sandy grounds which are drye , for they haue no greater enemy then the wet , whence it proceedeth that their greatest infirmity is rottennes : yet such hares or connies as doe liue and delight in the clay earthes are euer the greatest , fattest , stoutest , and best either for the dish , or any sport whatsoeuer . all conies or hares are subiect but to two infirmities onely , which are cured by this one medicine following . the rotte , madnes . the medicine . for these infirmities aboue named , you shall onely take the finest , sweetest , and dryest hay you can get , and mixe it very well with the herbe hare-thistle , and therewith feede your conies and hares especially in the winter season , and it will not only preuent the infirmities , but also recouer and cure the sicknesses , when at any time they are infected . the ninth poynt . how to cure all the diseases in poultrye , as cockes , hens , capons , chikens , turkies , peacockes , pheasants , partrige , quales , rayles , doues of all kinde , and such like with foure medicines onely . the carracter or natures of all sorts of poultrye . the cocke , from whence the henne , capon & chicken proceedeth , & so all one , being the centinell & watch of the house , is a lusty , proude , valiant , and couragious birde , taking both delight in himselfe and in other mens praises of him . it is writ of them that they are astronomers , and know the course of the starres ; certaine it is that they keepe a true distance in their times , and crowe more after proportion then order , they are great commanders and rulers of their owne kinde , and so iealous of their wiues , that they will die ere any strange cocke inioy the least showe of their presence . of all beasts whatsoeuer , none but he reioyceth after the act of generation : the hens are no lesse valiant then the cocks if they be true bred , and will with their opposites fight to the last drop : they are exceding louing and naturall to their young , and will not onely fight in their defence , but also starue themselues to giue the chickens sustenance . your turkey is not vnlike vnto these birds , for the cocke is proude ▪ valiant , and apt to fight , onely the hens are much lesse naturall , though somewhat more doting , for from her too much loue she will drawe her chickens abroad , and by her wandring will loose them , neuer respecting her number , but so long as she hath one to follow her , so long she respecteth not what hapneth to the rest . of this nature also is the peacocke , who for beauty , pride , and vnderstanding excedeth all other birds , yet onely are carelesse of their young . the peacocke is a birde of long life , ordinarily liuing to the yeares of fiue & twenty or vpwards , he is a dish much vsed at banquets , for showe , more then for rast , for his flesh is not held exceeding wholesome : for it is certaine that if he be neuer so well and dry rosted ouer night , yet he will be bloud-rawe the next day following . now contrary to the peacocke ; the pheasant , partridge , quaile and raile , are excellent birds for the table , and more dainty and wholsome then any other : they are also excellent flights , and make rare sport before the hauke , they flye not high but nere to the ground , and though not very nimble of winge , yet swift after they are on winge : they loue not to flye long by reason of their much earnestnesse , but must haue many rests , but being so slaine with the hauke , they are the best , tenderest , and most pleasing foode : they bring forth their broods in great aboundance , and hauing once disclosed them , the young ones are able to defend themselues by flight , euen when the shel is on their crownes : so strong & wilie they are by nature as house doues are , of an innocent nature , and very chast , and neither male nor female change their make , but keepe together one true to the other , liuing as coupled by the bond of marriage , keeping their owne hen continually neuer visiting the holes of others , vnlesse they be single by the death of their make : the females are humble to their males : the male and female are both carefull of their young ones , nay , you shall haue the cocke oft times chastice the hen if she keepe not the nest well , and yet kinde they be to them when they are about to build , lay , and set , as may be seene by their readines to them in that case : when the hen cometh off the nest , the cocke goeth on presently . the cocke will goe abroad and first feede himselfe well , and gorge himselfe , & when he commeth home will disgorge himselfe againe , feeding his hen or his young ones . stock-doues liue ordinarily ( as pliny affirmeth ) thirty yeares . the turtle doues of all the rest are the louingst to their make : for you shall see them alwaies flye together , vnlesse the one of them be kild , then the other will not liue long after but pine away . all these infirmities in poultrye are cured by the first medicine following . the fluxe of the belly . drowsines of the braine . the first medicine . you shall take pease-branne and scald it , either with water or sweet whay , and giue it the poultrye to eate , and it will stop any scowring in these house-foule whatsoeuer , as hath bene often experienced . all these infirmities are cured by the second medicine following . the stopping of the belly . all molten grease . to auoid bruis'd bloud . the second medicine . take either bread made of wheat , or wheat corne , but bread is the better , and put it into a small trough , then put to the same a good quantity of mans vrine newly made & warme , and let the poultrye eate the bread or corne out of the vrine , and it will scowre them . all these infirmities are cured by the third medicine following . the pip . the roope . all lice . the stinging by wormes or venemous thinges . the third medicine . first you shall pull away the scale from the pip , and the black scurfe from the roope , and lay the sore raw and bare , then take of salt , rue , pepper , and sweet butter , of each a like quantity , and beat them togither in a morter till it come to a salue , then with the same annoynt the sores and it helpeth . all these infirmities are cured by the fourth medicine following . all sore eyes all dimnes of sight . the fourth medicine . take a leafe or two of ground iuy , or as some call it alehoofe , and chawe it well in your mouth , then sucking the iuyce thereof hard , spit it into the eyes of your poultrye , and thus doe twice or thrice a day , and it is a most certaine cure , and often proued . the tenth point . how to cure all the diseases in water-foule , as geese , duckes , swanns , taylls , widgeons , sheldraks , plouers , herns , puets , bytters , gulls , and such like , with one medicine onely . the character and natures of wilde foule . wilde foule though they differ much in name and proportions , yet in their generall natures there is small variety : they all loue to liue together in flockes and heards , and in like manner they flye together , yet not in route but like souldiers either in single or double files , and for the most part they flye triangle wise , one as it were leading the way , and the rest in two wide branches following , by which meanes they gather more winde vnder them , and are more able to mount their flights higher , which is that in which they most ioy : some write they flye so close one after another that the hindmost resteth his head on him that flyeth before him : how euer it is most certaine that they fly in a most decent and comely order : they doe for the most part keepe euer one nest , and in nourishing their young are most carefull and diligent , hyding them in holes , and in sedge bushes , and neuer discouering them till they be able by strength of winge to saue themselues in flying . they are of all creatures most vigilant and watchfull , sildome sleeping but when they are guarded by some of their owne company . they bring forth their broods commonly once a yeare , yet sometimes twice : yet those foule are rather domesticall then wilde , for such fruitfulnes euer springeth from some extraordinary keeping . all water foule for the most part are subiect but to one infirmity onely , which is cured by this one medicine following . the gargill . the medicine . take a cloue of garlicke cleane pilld , and bruise it a little , and then roule it vp in sweet butter in the fashion of a capons cram , and so giue it to your foule , and thus giue about three cloues of garlicke at one time , and no more , and it is a present cure for this disease , or for any other inward sicknesse which shall offend your water-foule at any time whatsoeuer . the eleuenth poynt . how to cure all the diseases in singing birdes ▪ as the nightingale , lynnet , solitary sparrow , goldfinch , bull-finch , myskin , spynke , canary-byrde , cordiall , larke , callander , black-birde , robin , throstell , and such like with three medicines onely . the character , and nature of all manner of singing birdes . all singing birdes generally doe once a yeare change their colours in feathers , and altet their voyce in singing , and that in such sort that of a sodaine a man would say they were other birdes , which is a thing which hapneth not vnto the greater foules except it be onely the crane , for they will at some times of the yeare grow blacker then at other some , especially in their old age : so likewise the black-bird will grow reddish , and in summer he singeth cleare and tunable , and in winter hee stutreth and stammereth , but in december commonly hee is cleane mute and dumbe altogether : also after the black-bird is a yeare old , and especially the males , their billes turne white like iuory , so likewise the throstles or mauisses all summer are painted about the necks with sundry colours , but in the winter they are all of one colour . the nightingale also singeth almost fifteene dayes together in the height of the spring , and will learne easily to whistle : and so generally all other singing birds sing more at one time of the yeare then at another , except it bee such birdes as are altogether domesticall and tame , vsed onely to heare musicke , the voyces of men , and continuall clamors , candle light and torch light , such i say will not onely sing all the yeare long , but also all day and night without ceasing , as may bee dayly discernd in many noblemen and gentlemens houses . these singing birdes seldome sing the first yeare , onely in the winter time they wil a little record , and then when the spring approacheth they will breake forth with their voices , and sound their notes full and perfect , and of all these singing birdes , the linnet , robin , bulfinch , stare , is most docible and aptest both to tune , and to learne all seuerall tunes : they take delight in their cages and seruitude , onely they are apt to feed sodenly , and with their too much fatnes often corrupt and dye sodenly , therefore it is not good at any time to let them bee without chalke , sugar or chickweed , which is a great preseruatiue and present helpe against the disease of fatnes , and you must shift them in a fresh cage euery month , and take their dung from them euery morning , and then blow their meat , and when you shift their cages , put the two dores together and blow on them , and they will shift themselues , for to handle them is dangerous , and when they moult or cast their feathers , sprowt a little wine on them , and it will the sooner make them moult their old coat : and for those birdes that you would teach and bring vp to whistle , you must hang their cages in such a place where they shal not heare the chirping of sparrowes for naturally they will rather take the wild note , as i haue knowne by experience , & haue heard birdes , some crow like a cocke , and counterfeit notes of birdes of other kinds contrary to their owne kind : the stare of all other brides is very apt , ready , and tractable to be taught to whistle , and speake any thing without cutting or clipping the tongue , as i haue heard many speake as plaine as any parrat , but you must keepe them couered all ouer sauing a place where they may see their meat and water , and as you would teach a parrat , so teach them : and for the dieting of birdes , the stare feedeth cheefely on raw beefe and bread soaked in water , both mixt together and small minced : the blackbird and thrush feedeth on raw beefe being whole , and stickt on a stick in their cage : the bullfinch and linnet feede on rapeseedes , but you must take heed of mustardseed , for they are like to the rape seedes , and will make them pine away : the canary bird doth feed on canary seedes and rapeseedes mixt together : the robin and nightingale feede on oatmeale , or raw meat : but if you get them now and then some of the wormes , that doe breed among the flower at the bakers , it will much auaile them . all these infirmities in singing birdes are cured by the first medicine following . all melancholly . leannes or mislike , strangling of the brest . moutting . all lite . the roupe . the pthisicke . the apoplexie . to bring the voyce againe . the pippe . all costiuenes . the priuie sicknes . the first medicine . take sugar , saffron and figges , of each a like quantity , and either chaw them or beat them in a morter , till they come to a past , and then giue it the bird to eat during the time of her sicknesse , and into her water put mellon seedes bruised and chopt very small , prouided euer that you forget not in case of the pippe , or roope , first to pluck off the scale or scab , and then to giue the medicines after . all these infirmities are cured by the second medicine following . all fores or wounds . all impostumes , all gouts . the second medicine . take of butter and of h●●s grease , of each a like quantity , and melte them and mixe them well together vppon a soft and gentle fire , then with a feather dipt into it when it is reasonably warme anoint all the sore places , and if the wound be very great or deepe , then with a fine needle or a little red silke stitch it vp , and then anoint it , and thus doe twice a day at the least and it will helpe them . all these infirmities are cured by the third medicine following . all blindnesse . all sore eyes . all dimnesse of sight . the third medicine . take halfe a spoonfull of cleare running water , and a full spoonefull of the iuyce of beets and mixe them very well together , then with a feather either anoint the birdes eyes , or taking a little of it into your mouth , spirt it into the birdes eyes , and thus do twice or thrice a day at least , and it will helpe them presently . the twelfth and last poynt . how to cure all the diseases in haukes of what nature or quality soeuer they be , with sixe medicines onely . the character or nature of all sorts of haukes . there be in falconry , sixteene kindes of haukes or birds that liue vpon prey , and though euery one haue in them a speciall note or character of much valour , yet some are much more valiant then other some , as the eagle , the vulture , the gerfaulcon , faulcon , and such like , are more valiant then the gossehauke , lanner , kilt , ringtaile , and such like . the valiant hauke euer trusseth her prey in the ayre , the lesse valiant taketh her prey neere vnto the ground , and most commonly vpon the ground . the valiant haukes alwaies builde vpon the hie rockes , and on the steepe cliffes , against which the rage of the sea and water continually beateth . and the lesse valiant haukes build in tall timber trees where they haue some shelter and refuge : as for those which build in some walls , or vpon the ruins of ould houses , as the kestrills and such like , they are most base and cowardly , and neither fit for vse nor imployment . the long wingd haukes are fittest for the riuer , and kill both the herne and other smaller foule , as is the mallard and tayle ▪ and the short wingd haukes will kill the hare also . the merlin and hobby take most delight in killing the larke : the sparrow-hauke sn killing the black-bird , and the musket in killing the sparrowe onely , many other flights there be , as at the pye , iay and such like , but they are to be measured according to the mettle of the hauke , for they are flights of danger and force , ond therefore it behoues the hauke to haue much cunning and much exercise before she be brought to such flights , least that her mettle and rashnes become her owne ruine , as many faulkoners finde in daily experience . all these infirmities in haukes are cured by the first medicine following . all inward and priuy sicknesses of body . the pantas . casting of the gorge . all sorts of wormes . purging of glut . costiuenes in the body . to cause disgestion . the first medicine . take as much agaricke as a pease and wrap it either in a warme pidgions heart , or chickens heart , or any other warme & bloudy flesh , and giue it the hauke to eate fasting in the morning , and it is a most ready and certaine cure . all these infirmities are cured by the second medicine following . all priuy grieues in the head . all rhumes . the rye . all apoplexies . the second medicine . take as much mustardseed bruisd as will lye vpon a three halfe-pence , and lap it as aforesaid , either in a warme pidgions heart , chickens heart , or other warme flesh , and then dip it in the iuyce of rosemary and sage well mixt together , and so giue it the hauke to eate fasting in the morning , and it will not onely purge and clense her , but also comfort and strengthen the brayne excedingly , as by proofe you shall finde . all these infirmities are cured by the third medicine following . all diseases in the eies . all dimnes of sight . all bloud-shotten eies the pynne and web . the third medicine . take of the iuyce of ground iuy or ale-hoofe halfe a spoonefull , and put it to as much fine searst ginger as will lye on a three halfe-pence , and being well mixt togerher with a small soft feather annoynt the haukes eye therewith , morning , noone , and night , and it is a most certaine cure , and often approued . all these infirmities are cured by the fourth medicine following . all diseases in the mouth the frounce . all cankers . the fourth medicine . take roch alume and beate it to as fine a powder as you can possible get it , then take a spoonefull or two of the strongest and best wine vineger , and mixe your allome with the same till it be as thicke as puddle , then take a fine rag of cambricke or lawne , and dip it therein , and with the same rub the sores well till they be ready to bleede , both morning , noone , and night , and it will cure it in a short space . all these infirmities are cured by the fift medicine following . all imposthumes . all wounds whatsoeuer . all bruises whatsoeuer all excrescions . the formicas . to stanch blood . the fift medicine . first where there is any excrescion of horny or bony substance , you shall cut it away , and lay the sore open and bare , and then apply the salue which followeth , but in case of wounds , if the wound be great or deepe , you shall first stitch it vp with a fine needle and a litle red silke , then take twenty raisons of the sunne , and hauing pickt out the stones , boyle them in halfe a pinte of wine till it be thicke like pap , then beat it well together , and being very warme apply it to the sore places , renewing it once in foure and twenty howers till all the soares be healed : but if the fluxe of bloud be great , then you shall take merchants waxe and drop it vpon the veine which bleedeth , & it will presently stanch it . all these infirmities are cured by the sixt medicine following . the pinne in the foote the broken pounce . bones broken . bones out of ioynt . the sixt medicine . first you shall place the member right if there be either breath or dislocation , then take of galbanum , of white pich , and of turpentine of each a like quantity , and melt them together on a soft fire , then plaister-wise spread it vpon a linnen cloth and so fould it about the sore , then splent it if neede require , otherwise onely roule it vp with a fine linnen ragge , and the remedy will soone be effected , as hath bene often by me and others seene , and proued by experience . the nature of red and fallow deere . though the deere by a secret instinct of nature and the prouidence of god are their owne phisitian & not needing the helpe of man , yet because they are so seruiceable for the vse of man. i thought it not much impertinent from my discourse to shew their character or nature . the hart of all other beasts loueth to heare musicke , and meruaileth at all thinges that he seeth , and taketh great pleasure to behold them , as hath beene often seene by their gazing at the bowe and arrowes of the hunter , or at a carter and the like , they are at mighty enmity with serpents and renew their strength by eating of them , they haue also a strange property , that if they goe to feed in yong springs or coppes they go full against the wind , and so can tell whether there be any person there or not : and if any man chance to spit or pisse vppon any spring or branch in the coppes , they will find it out presently and vtterly abandon the place : being hunted and ready to bee taken by the houndes , they will for their last refuge fly to houses and places of resort , rather yeelding to man then to the dogges : and as plinie saith they can indure to swimme thirty miles endwayes : and when they are to passe any great riuer to goe to rut in some i le or forest , they assemble themselues together in great heards , and knowing the strongest and best swimmer they make him goe formost , and then hee which commeth second stayeth vp his head vppon the back of the first , and all the rest in like manner euen vnto the last : the formost being weary the second taketh his place , and he cometh backward : they go to rut about the middest of september , and beare their young ones . monthes : somtimes they bring two calues at once : their little ones they practise and exercise to vse their legges from the very beginning , leading them vp to high rocks , teaching them to leape , run , & fly away acquainting them with their dens and secret places of harbor : the males are horned , and they aboue all other liuing creatures cast them euery yeare once at a certaine time of the spring , and to that purpose a little before their mewing they seeke out the most secret corners and most out of the way to hide themselues : when they are pollards they keepe close hidden as if they were disarmed : and all this they doe as if they enuied that men should haue good of any thing they had . their age may bee knowne by their heads , ( for euery yeare they haue one more branch then they had the last yeare before ) vntil they come to sixe , after which time : they come new euer alike , so that their age cannot be discerned any more by their head , but their marke is taken by their mouth and teeth : for as they grow in age they haue few or no teeth at all : yet the branches grow out of the root , wheras all the while they were yonger they vsed to haue them breake forth and standing out at the very forehead . at the first when they breake out againe , they be like to the glanduells or kernells of drye skin , that new put forth , then grow they with tender stalkes to certaine round and long knots couered all ouer with a certaine plume downe like veluet , so long as they be destitute of their hornes & perceiue their heads naked , they go forth to releefe by night , and as they grow bigger and bigger they harden them in the hot sunne , eftsoones making proofe of them against trees : and when they perceiue they be tough and strong enough , then they go abroad boldly . the harts and hindes may liue an hundred yeares and vpward . thus gentle reader i haue breefely ended my short epitome , crauing nothing but this at thy handes , that when thou hast made triall of these my approued remedies and findest the profit to redound to thy selfe ( as many heeretofore haue done ) praise god , and thinke well of me thy friend . finis . a briefe table shewing the contents of the twelue poynts handled in this booke . the first point sheweth the character or nature of the horse ; and how the horse , being subiect almost to diseases , yet all may be cured by twelue medicines , and commonly to be gotten . fol. &c. the second point containeth the rarest medicine that euer was found out for horses . from fol. to the third poynt sheweth the nature of the oxe , bull , and calfe , and how to cure all the diseases incident to them with seauen medicines as , from fol. to the fourth poynt sheweth the nature of sheepe , and how to cure all the diseases in them with sixe medicines , from fol. to the fift point sheweth the nature of goats , and how to cure all the diseases in them with two medicines ▪ as from fol. to the sixt point sheweth the nature of swine and how to cure all diseases in them with three medicines , from fol. to the seauenth poynt sheweth the nature of all kind of dogges , and how to cure all the diseases in them with three medicines onely , from fol. to the eighth point sheweth the nature of hares and conies , and how to cure all the diseases in them with one onely medicine , from fol. to the ninth point sheweth the nature of all sorts of poultrye as , cockes , hennes , capons , chickens , turkies , peacocks , pheasants , partriges , quailes , cranes , house-doues , stocke-doues , turtle-doues , and the like , and how to cure all the diseases in them wtth foure medicines , from fol. to the tenth point sheweth the nature of al waterfoule , as swannes , geese , duckes tayles , widgions , sheldrakes , plouers , herns , puets , bitters , gulles , and such like , and how to cure the diseases in them with one medicine onely , from fol. to the eleuenth poynt sheweth the nature of all singing and whistling birdes , as nightingale , robbin , bullfinch , linnet , solitary , sparrow , goldfinch , miskin , spinke , canary bird , calander , blackbird , throstle , cordiall larke and such like and how to cure all the diseases in them with three medicines as from fol. to . the twelfth and last poynt sheweth the character and nature of all sorts of haukes , and how to cure all the diseases in them with sixe medicines , as from fol. . to . and concludeth with the nature of red and fallow deare . fjnis . notes, typically marginal, from the original text notes for div a -e the grey-hound . the hound the spaniell . tumblers & mongrils notes for div a -e the cocke and his kinde the turkey the peacocke the pheasant the partrige , quaile and raile . notes for div a -e the black-bird . the throstle or mauis . the nightingale . the linnet the robin redbrest . the bull-finch . the stare . dieting of birdes . the english horsman and complete farrier directing all gentlemen and others how to breed, feed, ride, and diet all kind of horses whether for war, race, or other service : with a discovery of the causes, signs, and cures of all diseases, both internal and external, incident to horses : alphabetically digested : with the humours of a smithfield jockey / by robert almond. almond, robert. approx. kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from -bit group-iv tiff page images. text creation partnership, ann arbor, mi ; oxford (uk) : - (eebo-tcp phase ). a wing a estc r ocm this keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the early english books online text creation partnership. this phase i text is available for reuse, according to the terms of creative commons . universal . the text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. early english books online. (eebo-tcp ; phase , no. a ) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set ) images scanned from microfilm: (early english books, - ; : ) the english horsman and complete farrier directing all gentlemen and others how to breed, feed, ride, and diet all kind of horses whether for war, race, or other service : with a discovery of the causes, signs, and cures of all diseases, both internal and external, incident to horses : alphabetically digested : with the humours of a smithfield jockey / by robert almond. almond, robert. [ ], , [ ] p. : ill. printed for simon miller, london : . reproduction of original in the british library. created by converting tcp files to tei p using tcp tei.xsl, tei @ oxford. re-processed by university of nebraska-lincoln and northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors. eebo-tcp is a partnership between the universities of michigan and oxford and the publisher proquest to create accurately transcribed and encoded texts based on the image sets published by proquest via their early english books online (eebo) database (http://eebo.chadwyck.com). the general aim of eebo-tcp is to encode one copy (usually the first edition) of every monographic english-language title published between and available in eebo. eebo-tcp aimed to produce large quantities of textual data within the usual project restraints of time and funding, and therefore chose to create diplomatic transcriptions (as opposed to critical editions) with light-touch, mainly structural encoding based on the text encoding initiative (http://www.tei-c.org). the eebo-tcp project was divided into two phases. the , texts created during phase of the project have been released into the public domain as of january . anyone can now take and use these texts for their own purposes, but we respectfully request that due credit and attribution is given to their original source. users should be aware of the process of creating the tcp texts, and therefore of any assumptions that can be made about the data. text selection was based on the new cambridge bibliography of english literature (ncbel). if an author (or for an anonymous work, the title) appears in ncbel, then their works are eligible for inclusion. selection was intended to range over a wide variety of subject areas, to reflect the true nature of the print record of the period. in general, first editions of a works in english were prioritized, although there are a number of works in other languages, notably latin and welsh, included and sometimes a second or later edition of a work was chosen if there was a compelling reason to do so. image sets were sent to external keying companies for transcription and basic encoding. quality assurance was then carried out by editorial teams in oxford and michigan. % (or pages, whichever is the greater) of each text was proofread for accuracy and those which did not meet qa standards were returned to the keyers to be redone. after proofreading, the encoding was enhanced and/or corrected and characters marked as illegible were corrected where possible up to a limit of instances per text. any remaining illegibles were encoded as <gap>s. understanding these processes should make clear that, while the overall quality of tcp data is very good, some errors will remain and some readable characters will be marked as illegible. users should bear in mind that in all likelihood such instances will never have been looked at by a tcp editor. the texts were encoded and linked to page images in accordance with level of the tei in libraries guidelines. copies of the texts have been issued variously as sgml (tcp schema; ascii text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable xml (tcp schema; characters represented either as utf- unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless xml (tei p , characters represented either as utf- unicode or tei g elements). keying and markup guidelines are available at the text creation partnership web site . eng horses -- diseases. horses -- training. - tcp assigned for keying and markup - aptara keyed and coded from proquest page images - ali jakobson sampled and proofread - ali jakobson text and markup reviewed and edited - pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion the english horsman the english horsman and complete farrier : directing all gentlemen and others how to breed , feed , ride and diet all kind of horses , whether for war , race , or other service . with a discovery of the causes , signs and cures of all diseases , both internal and external , incident to horses : alphabetically digested . with the humours of a smithfield jockey . by robert almond , a well known and skilful farrier of the city of london , practising therein above forty five years . london , printed for simon miller , and are to be sold at the sign of the star at the west-end of st. paul's . . to the reader . reader , i do here present you with a book which with modesty i may say is worthy of your perusal ; it contains almost whatever is useful and necessary , as to an horse , and all his diseases . i confess in my younger days i was not a little curious , and have been at some expence for translations out of several languages as to the several practises of divers countreys in the profession wherein i was bred . i have made it my study and practice out of all to select what i have here for the good of my countrey delivered with great pains and long experience . i must confess i owe much to my famous countrey men mr. blondevil , mr. markham , and mr. le grey , for that great light and knowledg i have received from them . i have very much lamented the several books i have read in horsemanship , which only discourse of cures without giving any account either of the cause or sign of the disease , which i am sure hath been the occasion of the loss of many a good horse . what i have done is as plain as i could ; read and judg . your affectionate countrey-man , robert almond . the table . a. age of an horse to know , , anticor , its cure anbury or wart b. breeding horses , best method , , , , , bones of a horse blood letting . , bots , cause and cure blood staling , its cure blowing with difficulty , its cure belly ach , cause and cure broken wind , a certain cure broken lungs or rotten , how to know and cure bloody flux , cause and cure brittle hoof , cause and cure bone spavin back swankt or swoln . burning by a mare , its cure button farcy bunches of all sorts , how to cure blood spavin , its cure barbs , cause and cure . botches in the groin , cause and cure blood to stanch c. colts , when to geld colts , when to break complection of an horse , how to judg . , choice directions in bleeding or physicking horses cold , the best cure consumption , cause and cure , colt evil , cause and cure clysters proper for horses , and how to apply them , , , canker in the mouth , cause and cure in the head curb , cause and cure crest fallen , cause and cure . casting the hoof , a remedy , camery , its cause and cure cronet , a certain cure canker in the withers , cause and cure casting the hoof , how to do it d. directions for chusing good horses , , . , diseases in horses , and their causes , , dropsie , cause and cure drenches for all diseases , diseases of the gall , cause and cure , defence against flyes dangerous sickness , its cause and cure , dislocation of joints e exerements of an horse to judg ears imposthumated cause and cure enterfering , cause and cure , eyes hurt by blow , cure certain eye film , pin or web . eye canker eyes watred eye bitten eyes imposthumated eyes inflam'd f. feeding of horses for race , choice observations , feavers of all sorts , their cures , , , , , , , . frenzie , cause and cure . falling evil foundring in the belly flux in horses , cause and cure farcy , cause and cure falling of the fundament , cause & cure fetlock hurt , cause and cure , frettizing , a certain cure frothy hoof , a cure false quarter in a hoof , its cure fig , a disease on the heel , its cure fistula , cause and cure , , , frets , cause and cure , g. glanders , cause and cure , , general rules for sores and outward maladies to be observed by the horse chirurgeon , gaunt belly , how to remedy gravelling , cause and cure , , gourged or gourded legs gelding of horses and colts , what to be observed , and time when garget , cause and cure gauled back , its cure gigs , cause and cure glanders , a pill grease molten h. head ach , cause and cure . hungry evil , cause and cure horse hide bound , cause and cure horse lean , how to fatten , . . . horse shot , to cure hurle bone disjointed hide bound , cause and cure heels troubled with the mellet hips hurt or strained hough bonny , cause and cure halting by stroke or strain , its cure hair to make slick and smooth hair , how to take off of any part horse , how to make to follow his master , or find him out amongst a multitude horse to make nimble at the spur hair to make grow soon , thick and long horsemens observations for ordering horses i. instructions to accomplish a rider , , &c. jaundies , eause and cure inflamations , how to ripen & cure . inflamations about the heels , to cure ives , cause and cure itch in the tail , cause and cure interfering its cure joints grieved with ach , weakness or swelling by cold jade tired , or dull , how to make to go forward . though resty and heavy , to prance and caper k. kidney infirmities , cause and cure kernels like grapes , cause and cure knots or knobs to remove ● kernels in the throat to dissolve ● knees broken , to cure ● kibed heels , cause and cure l. loathing meat , cause and cure lask , cause and cure lips heat legs swelled , to cure leprosie , cause and cure . lice to clean from horses lampas , cause and cure lave-ear'd horses how to remedy m. method of breeding horses molten grease and fatning balls murrain or plague molten grease , cause and cure . mourning of the chine , cause and cure , maunge . mouth heat moon eyed horses , its remedy . melander , cause and cure mouth sore mellet , cause and cure mortfounder'd , its cure mallender , cause and cure mourning of the chine , its cause & cure molt long or molt worm , its cause & cure mollifiers against hardness main shedding , its remedy mark in the mouth to counterfeit n. night mare , cause and cure navel gall , cause and cure , nose running neighing , how to hinder o. over gorged , cause and cure , , over reach and over strain , its cause and cure oyl of oats its soveraign virtue , and how to make it , a great secret old sores a speedy cure old horse how to make him seem young p. praise of a horse properties of a good horse , , , pursiveness , its cure . pissing blood , cause and cure pricking by shooing , a remedy . , , pole evil in the neck cause and cure , , pole evil in the head , pastern joints strained prick on the crownet , its cure purgation , its benefit purgation for surfeits pains near the fetlock , its cure , plaisters q. quitter bone , cause and cure , , quick scab , cause and cure r. rules for ordering breeding mares rules for ordering colts , . race horses , how to order , , , , , , , , , , , rot in horses , cause and cure red water and matter to take away ring bone , cause and cure , rats tail to cure rowels , how to order in any part ring worm s. scouring for a horse , shape of a horse good to know , sinews of a horse sneezing to cause shedding seed , cause and cure staggers , cause and cure sleeping evil , cause and cure surfeits of all sorts , cause & cure , , staling , how to cause squinzy , cause and cure star in the forehead how to make strain in the kidneys , its cure string halt , cause and cure . scab on the hoof to cure stub or thorn , how to draw scab or leprosie shoulder hurt or wrench , cure . . strain or swelling shingles sore mouth sores to skin presently saddle hurt or swelling , its cure . swift cut stanching blood salves for all sores shoulder dislocated , its cure shoulder splat , cause and cure , shoulder pincht sinew sprain'd , strain'd or griev'd , scratches , surbating of an horse , , sinew crampt , cause and cure strangle strain in the pastern strain in the coffin joint stifling , cause and cure stumbling stars artificial to make smath'd back , cause and cure spur galling selender , cause and cure surfeit or grease molten stripe on the eye swelling after bleeding screw or splint shackle gall , t. tiring on the road , a remedy , teeth pained , cause and cure tongue hurt , how cur'd tetter or ring worm , a cure tail how to cut v. veins of an horse to know , vniversal medicine for all diseases vives in the ears , cause and cure vomiting , cause and cure vlcers of all sorts , a speedy remedy vniversal plaister for most sores venom drank , its cure w. worms how to cure wind cholick , its cure wind broken , its cure wind to preserve warts to cure wens to cure weeping hoof a cure withers grief , its cure , wild fire , its cure warts in the eye wens to remove , , worms of all sorts , a cure , , , , , wind gall , a cure , , weakness in the back water farcy wolf teeth , a cure y. yellows vide glanders yard mattering , to cure a brief encomium of an horse by way of introduction . of all four-footed beasts i cannot find any so useful to man , and so serviceable as is that generous creature we call an horse . neither doth the pleasure man receives by him , come any ways short of the profit he reaps thereby . in peace he serves to till the ground ; and as he takes great pains in causing the earth to bring forth its fruits in its proper season ; so when produced , he labours no less to lodge them where his master shall appoint . if the gallantry of his masters spirits commands him to the war , how chearfully he obeys , and foams with impatience , till he shares in his riders self-propounded honour ! how troublesome would land-travail be , were it not for this hardy and laborious creature , who in the darkest night through thick and thin performs his journey , not valuing the extremity of weather ? and this he seemeth to do out of pure gratitude to his feeder , endeavouring this way to recompence his cost ; and why not ? since it is acknowledged by all intelligent persons , that an horse is endued with great understanding , and , from my own experience , often knows when he hath a fool on his back . it is reported in history , that bucephalus , that famed war-horse , would not suffer any to mount him but alexander the great , who then exprest all imaginable pride and satisfaction in bearing so victorious a conqueror . and that we may see farther , how far this creature is naturally inclined to love man ; i have read of one nicomedes a king , whose horse so intirely loved him , as that upon his masters death the beast refused his best beloved food , and so continued till he dyed . and that we may not altogether borrow examples of this kind from forreign parts , i shall produce you this one and no more , observed in the battel fought on marston-moor . a gentleman of eminent note , being at that time there mounted on an excellent gelding , ( whom he had bred up from a colt ) charged the enemy with much gallantry ; yet notwithstanding it so happened that he was slain : he that slew him , observing his horse to be much better than his own , alighted and so exchanged ; the horse immediately finding a rider on his back which he was unaccustomed to bear , and now retaining as it were a resentment for the death of his master , began to fling and bound , and never gave off yarking till he threw his rider , and then fell to him with his heels , which he exercised so nimbly , that he gave his masters overcomer not the least opportunity to escape , and having kill'd him , left him , and ran into the body of his own party . i know not whether this horse might not deserve as great esteem , as such horses , who for their love and tractableness have had statues , nay cities erected to their memory . however i must not applaud the egyptians , who have raised mangnificent pyramids to those , who have been eminently serviceable in their wars . but as i must condemn , so i cannot but laugh at the preposterous folly of that roman emperour , who doted so much on a horse , that he made him a senator . but in truth there is so much to be said in the praise of this noble useful creature , that should i write the one tenth thereof , there would be no room for my ensuing matter . but by the way this encomium doth not belong to all horses , but such as are good . to the intent therefore you may reap the pleasure and profit from them , as is afore expressed , i shall advise you to be very curious in your choice and purchase . but it is not to be expected that you will ever be provided with such good horses as what are of your own breeding ; wherefore that shall be the subject of the following chapter . chap. i. the best method of breeding horses . to avoid all prolixity and impertinency , take this order as the most expedient : let your studd of mares be very choice , abounding with mettle and spirit , so must your stallions be qualified also , and let neither be defective in shape , colour and good marks . if you find any natural defect in the stallion , endeavour to mend them in the mare that shall be joyn'd to him , and so let what is amiss in the mare be repaired in the horse . as near as you can couple them young , and handsome of size , neither too large nor too small , well limb'd , and well joynted , and see that your mare have a good fore-head , and a large womb : and have a special care that neither of them be diseased , for that natural distemper will undoubtedly be hereditary in the colt. the most proper age for your mare to be covered is between three and four : from that time to fourteen a mare will bring forth ; and an horse will be fit to cover from three to fifteen years old , and longer . the most convenient time for covering mares is delivered diversly . mr markham is of the opinion that the beginning of march or may is the fittest time : for by the coming about that time they will be prepared for the coming of winter , whereas those which fall after are necessitated to encounter two great enemies ; that is , hunger and cold , with which the early foal hath been before familiar . others are of opinion that lammas foals prove ever the best horses ( if they are not scanted of food ) for having tryed the worst of winter before summer comes . others affirm that the most convenient time to have a mare covered , is from the end of may to the beginning of august ; for by that means the mare shall foal at such a time when the earth hath cloathed her self in green , i mean when there is plenty of grass ; for a mare goes eleven months , and sometimes ten days over ; and so by consequence , if the mare be covered at the latter end of july , she will foal at the beginning of june , and so both will be well provided for against the approach of a gut-foundring winter . but for my part i am clearly of the opinion of that excellent gentleman monsieur de grey ; who declares that the best time for foaling is in the dead of winter , as either in december or january : for by long experience he hath found out contrary to other mens judgments , that from the time of the covering , to the foaling of the mare , is just twelve months and ten days , unless it be a young mare with her first colt : so that if the mare be covered about st. lucies day , which is the thirteenth of december , then will she foal about st. thomas day . the next thing that is to be thought on , is how to couple male and female when they are ready to ingender . in the first place , let them be both well fed , so that they may have the greater strength to perform the work of generation ; nor will it be amiss to take blood from both the sides of the neck of your mare , well nigh a pottle : let this be done seven days before she is covered ; and being thus phlebotomiz'd , the next day fasting , and the next to that give her mugwort chopped very small , and put into a quart of milk , with an ounce and a half of london treacle , and a piece of butter : let these be dissolved over a fire , and given the mare warm in the morning . this drink doth not only comfort and strengthen the matrix , but it also increaseth seed wonderfully , and inables her to retain what she hath received from the stallion . let the time of covering be as near as you can , either three days after the change , or three days before the full of the moon , allotting them some convenient place where they may be two nights and a day . the symptoms of a mares not conceiving after covering are these ; she will be continually neighing at the sight or hearing of any horse ; she will piss very often , her eyes will be constantly rolling and gazing at every thing , pricking up her ears . the symptoms of her conception are first a good stomach to her provender , and that in five or six days her belly seemeth to be more lank , her skin more slick and smooth , and altering its complexion into a colour seeming more bright ; and lastly she will appear leaner than before . being with soal let her run in the dryest grounds , yet not so barren as that her belly should be pincht for want of convenient sustinence . being within two months of her time let her be carefully taken up , for fear of hurting her foal , and kept within doors to the time of her delivery : that time being at hand , let her be kept in a warm room with good store of straw under , that in the fall the colt should receive no prejudice by bruising . where it is to be noted that a mare foals standing , and let her be carefully watched , lest the colt should come wrong . after the mare hath foaled and licked her colt dry , before the colt come to suck , let some body milk the mare , which will make her give down her milk the better , and keep the milk from clodding in the udder . if you fear the mare will become dry ; then take some of her own milk with some spike or lavender , and boil them together , then take and bathe her udder therewith daily for the space of seven days , and this will infallibly dissolve the curd and hard knobs therein . as soon as the mare hath foaled give her a warm mash , adding thereunto the powder of brimstone : after this she may safely labour , provided it be moderately , and it will conduce to the health and strength of them both . now for as much as some mares for want of right ordering , become barren , i shall here instruct how all or most a studd shall be made to prove fruitful . in the first place , if there be a suspicion that some of the mares in the studd after covering have not conceived , then take a fresh stallion and a mare or two that are eagerly desirous to be covered , and turn them together into your studd ; he having covered these , the rest seeing this that did not conceive , will infallibly come to this stallion , and so by this means most of the mares will be restrained from being unfruitful . if a mare have a difficult labour , and there is danger in her foaling , my advice is that her nostrils be held close , so that she cannot draw her breath ; but if that prevail not , then take of madder , the quantity of a pullets egge , and dissolve it in a pint of stale ale , and being warm , pour it down the mares throat , and this will much help her delivery . if her after-birth or secundine come not away , then take three handfuls of fennel and as much malmsy , and boil them together in running water ; then take half a pint hereof luke-warm , and pour it into the mares nostrils , holding them close a little while , and this will help her ; but by any means let her not eat her cleansing ( which many are desirous of ) for it is unwholsom , and an hindrance to her milk. let not the colt run with the dam , less than a year ; if it may stand with your convenience let it be longer , for that will strengthen the colt. when the colt is to be wean'd , you must so separate him from the dam , that he may be out of her hearing , and not suffer'd to stir out of doors in sixteen days . it will be very requisite to have pasture adjoyning to the place wherein they are , but such it must be that it be neither rank nor barren , for a short sweet grass will nourish them most , and add very much to the increase of their growth : be sure that at this time they want nothing , for what they lose in the first year , they will scarcely gain in four . at their weaning neglect not to give them butter and savin for divers mornings , for that will kill that worm which otherwise will destroy them . the first winter let not hay be wanting , nor oats in the sheafe , or the offal of any other grain . from two years old upward beware that in the winter your colt lye not wet , nor in the summer feed on rank grass ; for the first very much disheartens him , and lays him open to all manner of watry cold distempers ; and the other renders him an ill shapen sloathful beast , being always inclined ( by reason of his over great quantity of flesh and fat ) to catch the glanders , and cough upon every slight and inconsiderable cold . wherefore your best summer feeding for your young horses is where they are not streightned for want of ground , and that they must be forced to take pains for a belly full ; and let them not cover any mare till above five years old , for sooner will debilitate their strength , and impair their growth , with farther prejudice . and to this end , as you separate foals from the dams , so you must separate the male colts from the females ; for frequent experience may inform you that by plentiful and full feeding the horse-colts have covered the mare-colts at a year old , to the destruction of them both . as for gelding of colts you may indifferently take any time from a foal of four months to fourteen years ; but the best time for making of fine geldings , is when you perceive the stones to fall , or when eleven days old ; taking this course , you go a safe way to work , which will also produce most incomparable chests . when you go about this work , let it be in the wane of the moon , and the spring is the fittest season for effecting your purpose . if you would have your stone-horse , gelding , or mare familiar and tractable , begin with them from the first weaning to make him acquainted with you by stroking , rubbing and haltering him , leading him to water , frequently taking up his feet , and sometimes knocking his hoofs , and the like . as to breaking of colts to the saddle , several men , several minds ; some are for breaking them at three years old , others at four ; but it is the opinion of the most judicious , that that horse which is broken at five , will hold out longger than any other , and shall not be so inclinable to diseases , nor will he easily be acquainted with the ill quality of tiring . by your thus prudent giving your horse his full time before you handle him , his joynts and sinews grow strong , and are well knit together , his hoofs will grow tough , his eye-sight quick and good , his chine so strong that you cannot hurt it in reasonable riding , and will continue a good serviceable horse will twenty six years of age . the evil effects of taking him up sooner will plainly appear in a little time by his blindness , weakness of back , brittleness of hoof , besides his wind galls and splints ; and in short , before he arrives to half his age , he will appear an old horse , and rejected by all , as having seen his best days . and that you may not be mistaken in the good properties and shape of those colts you intend for your own service , take these observations : a colt when but five weeks old will carry the same shape then , whether good or bad ( if not abused in the mean time ) as he will have at five years old . if a foal have a large shin bone that is long from the knee to the pastern , it foreshoweth a tall horse ; the double of that space of a foal newly foaled between the knee and the withers , will be just his height when he is arrived to full growth . take notice which of your colts have most active spirits , wanton , ever leaping , running , and playing , and striving to out-run the rest of his fellows ; such always prove high mettled horses : but if on the contrary you find them dull , unactive , seldome stirring , but melancholy , you may assure your self they will prove errant jades . lastly , to conclude my discourse of breeding horses , let me advise the owner of a good studd not to make too early a coiling or election ; for some horses show their best shape at two years old , and lose at four ; others not till six or seven , and ever after retain it ; but sooner or later , let him preserve the best for himself ; those of incurable deformities , as sorrances , spavens , ring-bones or imperfect eyes , send them to the market . chap. ii. of the properties belonging to good horses , as to mark , colour and shape . i must confess , an horse may be good and serviceable , who hath neither good colour , true marks , or perfect shape ; however i would not have those three good properties contemned or slighted ; for that horse cannot be bad in whom those properties remain : and if an horse well mettled , bold , and hardy , yet of a gentle condition , of a round and comely trot or pace , obedient mouthed , sure of foot , tough , strong , and easie , is to be valued and esteemed ; then for certain if to these good qualifications there be added good colour , true marks , and perfect shape , i know not what will make him more considerably valuable ; so that his owner shall be dayly courted to part with him at his own terms . now to the intent you may understand what these good properties be , which belong to a good horse , observe what an ingenious forreigner saith of them . there are , saith he , three of an oxe , three of a fox , three of a hart , and three of a woman : those of an ox● are a fair full eye , a large neck , and to be strong and short joynted : those of a fox are to have a comely short trot , small and long ears , and a bushy tail : those of an hart are to have lean and dry legs , to be well risen before , and a lean head : those of a woman are to be large and fair breasted , to have a beautiful and full hair , and gentle to her rider and keeper . and to the intent i may trace the same author farther , be pleased to take notice of these his following observations in his own words : these horses that have a black mane and a black tail are seldome bad . if the sorrel have a black list along his back , and if his mane , tail , knees , and fetlocks be black also , he is generally good : the brown-bay , dun , dapple-grey , and iron-grey are usually very good . but ( saith he ) all horses must have good legs , good feet , and their fetlocks not incumbered with too much hair ; they must have quick eyes , obedient mouths , and high mettled ; their legs by no means fat or fleshy , but a large belly well risen before , streight backt , and not charged with over great shoulders : he must have a thin bended neck hooking in to his breast , a good crouper , large thighs , round well spread buttocks , and a train well set on , a lean , dry , and thin head , a full sparkling eye , a a wide nostril , a wide , thin , and lean jaw , a loose trople , a well trussed body , and legs not over long ; the fore-legs above the knees must be strong , flat , and large , although the lower part the same legs must be small . thus much of the general shape of horses ; let us next consider their colours . though the black-roan , or black , full of silver hairs , cole-black , chesnut-black with a star in the forehead , dark-bay , fly-bitten , or white-lyard , be lookt on as well colour'd horses ; yet the brown-bay is to be prefer'd before them all ; and therefore the french , with other nations , have the brown-bay in so great esteem , that they call him trusty bayard . now as to colours in general , the french have these three in greatest estimation among them , the chesnut and cole-black , but principally the brown-bay . so much of colours ; now for the marks : all men have a good liking to the white star , and white foot , if the blaze be not over large , or the foot too white about the pastern , for then it is called buskend ; the shine or rase down the face , if it be no broader than two fingers , ending exactly between the nostrils , is commendable ; and if it be not broader on the one side of the face than it is on the other , it is prized among the compleatest horsemen for the best ornamental mark an horse can be endued withal . different are the opinions of men concerning their feet , some praising the white on the far foot behind , others on the near foot before , others would have the white a cross , that is , the far foot behind and the near foot before . all skill'd in horse-flesh do affirm , that an horse with much white on his face , raw nosed , sheath , yard , tuel , and hoofs white , skin white , and legs hosed , and wall-eyed , is for the most part weak , faint , and of a cowardly disposition , tender , and washy of flesh , subject to rebellion , restiseness , to starting , stumbling , evil sighted , subject to tire , and let his keeper have a special care of his biting and kicking . let us now consider the particular shape of an horse : in the first place it is required in a well timber'd horse , that his hoof be black , smooth , large , dry , round , and hollow , the pasterns straight and upright , the fore-head lean and large , the eyes great , full , and black , the brows well filled , the jaws wide , slender , and lean , the nostrils wide and open , the mouth great , the head long and lean , the mane thin and large , the withers sharp and pointed , the back short , even , and plain , the sides and ribs deep , large and bearing out like the bottom of a tray , and close shut at the huckle bone , the belly long and great , but hid under the ribs , the flanks full , yet gaunt , the rump round and plump , with a large space between the buttocks , the thighs long large , the hams dry and straight , the truncheon small , long , well set on , and well couched , the train long , not too thick , the yard and stones small . to describe the perfect shape of an horse in fewer words is thus ; a broad forehead , a great eye , a lean head , wide jaws , yet thin , slender and lean , a long high reared neck , high reared withers , a broad deep chest and body , upright pasterns , and narrow hoof . to conclude , if an horse be well colour'd , rightly shaped , and truly marked , coming of a good breed , it is very much if his actions answer not the expectations of the most curious horseman , so be it that the horse hath not been spoiled either by backing or riding . chap. iii. choice directions for the electing of good horses according to their several imployments . if you fancy beauty , chuse the dapple-grey ; if for service , the brown-bay ; for gallantry and courage , the black with silver hairs . the unchangeable iron-grey , the cole-black and sorrel are accounted to abound with choller ; the bright bay , the flea-bitten , and the black spotted with white with blood ; the blank-white , the yellow-dun , the kite-glew'd , and the pide-bald with phlegm ; and the chestnut , the mouse-dun , the red-bay , and the blew-grey with melancholy ▪ but no more of this at this present , because in the next chapter i shall treat particularly of the several complexions of horses . for a souldier or a travailer the trot is most convenient ; and herein observe the neatness of his lifting his limbs from the ground , for if he treads short , open , and even , then is his pace very commendable . for great persons and those that love their ease , the amble is best : if for hunting or for an hackney , the racking pace is most necessary . as for a good gallop observe this , that horse which without lifting his feet high taketh them up nimbly from the ground , that stretching out his forelegs with the hinder followeth them nimbly , without cutting under the knee , and doth not cross or clap one foot upon another , and ever leadeth with his far fore foot , and not with the near , is the best sort of galloper , both for speed and comliness . concerning the stature of an horse , it must be left to the judgment of the buyer , to fit himself according as his occasions will require : the largest and strongest for car-horses and great draughts , the middle size for recreation , and for general use , the smaller sort for women or for summer journeys . i have already spoken of some beauties and deformities which belong to horses in general , but particularly take account of these few more , that you may know how to make a good bargain and not to be cheated in horse-flesh . in the first place , when any horse is offered you to sell ; if you can , first inquire of what breed he came , and what his pace is , and having observed his colour , take a strict view of his countenance ; if he looks chearfully and lively , you may conjecture he doth not want mettle : in the like nature it is a sign of vivacity and courage as well as a mark of beauty , to have his ears pricked , small , thin , sharp , and always in motion ; but when they hang flagging and motionless , it is the infallible symptom of heaviness and bad nature . a swelling forehead , a white star , a white rach neither too big nor too little , with a white snip on the nose , are tokens of comliness & goodness ; but if the rach stand awry , the forehead flat , and the nose be raw instead of a white snip , no greater marks of deformity . in like nature little eyes ( pig ey'd as they call it ) are uncomely signs , and discover weakness ; whereas on the contrary , black , bright , round , large eyes , starting as it were out of his head are the signs of a good natured mettlesome horse : red and fiery eyes are little better than moon-eyes , and not far from blindness . wall-eyes are ever bad , weak sighted , and do declare a base nature ; if with white speeks , they are next door to the pearl , pin or web ; if watry and bloody , the horse hath susteined bruises ; and if they matter , they are signs of old over-riding ; and lastly , if the eyes be black , yet fill not the pit so , but that in every motion the white glearingly appears , you may conclude that horse weak and of an untractable disposition . if the thropple or wind-pipe be large , and the jaws very open , they are signs of soundness of head , and that he hath great wind , with courage ; if the thropple be small , and kernels thereabout , you may then judge the contrary , and that the horse is inclined to the glanders , or is seised with a very soul cold . now as to the teeth , be careful of buying an horse that wanteth any , for it is the opinion of the expert , he were as good want all , as lose one . see that his breast be broad , and out swelling , which shews he hath great strength , and will hold out a long time ; the little breast shews weakness , and is the sign of uncomeliness ; the narrow breasted horse is most commonly a stumbler , and the inwardly hidden breast will not indure hard labour . let his fore thighs be rush-brown , well sinewed and horny ; but have a care they be not swel'd , otherwise they are certain signs of strength , the contrary are signs of weakness . his legs must be clean , and the bought of the knee without a seam or hair broken ; if you find scabs under his knee on the inside , it is the swift-cut , and very unfit to gallop ; and if his legs be round , fat , and fleshy , the horse is altogether unserviceable and unfit to take pains . so that one pastern be clean and well knit , and the other short , strong , and upright standing ; for if the first be swel'd , you have cause to suspect sinew strains , and gurding ; if the other be long and bending , that horse is most subject to tire . good hooves ought to be black , not quite round , but smooth , yet tough : a white hoof is naught , being tender , not carrying a shoe well ; an hoof that is rough and gross seemed , denotes old age , or that the horse hath been over-heated ; a brittle hoof will not carry a shoe ; a very round hoof is bad for deep , dirty ways ; a flat hoof shews foundering . the crownet of the hoof is sound , if the hair be smooth and close , and the flesh even ; but if the flesh rise , the skin mangy , and the hair staring , you may then expect a ring bone , a crown scab , or something every whit as bad . look now to the chine of his back , and see that it be broad , even , and straight , his ribs large , and bending outward , his buttock round and plump , his stones close truss'd up to his body , his gascoyns well let down to the middle joynt very full & thick , his hinder legs lean and sinewy ; if they be swel'd the grease is molten into them , if scabbed above the pasterns , he hath the scratches , if chaps under his pasterns , he hath the pains , and these are both noisome and dangerous . to conclude , his tail must stand broad , high , flat , and somewhat tauched inward , but a good buttock will produce a good tail , and a bad one can never have a tail to sit well thereon . chap. iv. of the several complexions of horses . take this as a certain rule , an horse complexion is ever judged by the colour . now as in men , so in horses ; what element is predominant and prevalent in him , from thence is drawn the complexion ; so that if he participate more of the water than of fire , then he is to be looked on as a phlegmatick horse . if on the other side , he partake of fire more than any other element , he is to be adjudged ●holerick ; the colour that denotes a cholerick horse is either a bright-sorrel , a coal-black , or an iron-gray unchangeable : these are light , hot , and fiery , but at the best but weak and feeble : the diseases they are most incident to , are inflammations of the liver , pestilential feavers , and the yellows : to prevent which distempers , choler in them ought to be purg'd , but gently , because at their best strength they are weak of constitution ; so that without having this consideration , by the imprudent administration of too strong a potion , instead of curing , an horse may be confounded . an horse of a ●anguine complexion is known by having air abounding in him , and the colour that attends this complexion is either a bright-bay , or a dark-bay , having no white flank , white-flea-bitten , black with a white star or white foot . the nature of these horses is to be pleasant , of great strength , nimble and free : the diseases concomitant are consumption of the liver , glanders , leprosie , with other infectious distempers . as their natures are strong , so they will indure the application of strong medicaments , especially such as cool the blood , which are most suitable to his nature and disposition . as i said before , if ●ater be more redundant in any horse than any other element , then is he said to be ●hlegmatick , and the colour thereunto belonging is either pide-ball , milk-white , kite-glew'd , or yellow-dun ; these beasts are much inclin'd to sloth , and are very washy ; the diseases which accompany this complexion are rheumes , staggers , colds , and head-ache , &c. by reason of the great quantity of flegm which doth infest their bodies , strong medicines will not hurt them , having so much matter to work upon . the fourth complexion is called melancholy , and that hath more of earth in it than fire , air , or water ; his proper colour is a mouse-dun , ash-gray , dark-bay with mayly mouth , red or white flank , a reddish-bay , russet and chestnut . they are naturally dull and cowardly ; they are afflicted with the dropsie , frenzy , and spleen , and such like : all dry or cicatrizing medicaments are injurious to their natures , but cold and moist are beneficial . there is a fifth complexion held by farriers , being as they say , an equal composition or commixture of the four elements ; and this constitution they highly applaud , in that one element is not more predominant than another , being so equally temper'd that there is no overflowing in either : and this temperament participates of all colours , as brown , bay , dabled , or not dabled , the black full of silver hair , dable-gray , or a fair roan , red or black ; these they affirm are most healthful , gentle , strong , and temperate , and inclinable to no disease : all this any man would believe , if there were any such constitution to be found , for i think it impossible that the four elements should be so evenly and equally temper'd in any body , but that one must be more powerful than the rest ; and so consequently the horses constitution must incline to that element which most aboundeth in him . but of the temperaments of an horse , i shall speak more particularly , when i shall come to give you an account of the frame or composition of an horse , dissecting every part as a necessary introduction to the knowledge and cure of those diseases which infest every particular member . but before i shall enter upon that subject , which is the main scope of my intention ; give me leave to lay you down some new experiments , which may tend much to the benefit of him that is desirous to be perfect in the art of riding and feeding race horses . chap. v. instructions for the accomplishing a rider . to incourage you in the noble art of riding , i have in brief discovered to you what a pleasant and profitable creature an horse is to mankind ; and that you might at no time want a good one , i have indeavoured to instruct you how you should so breed them , that you should not fail in your expectations ; or if you did , then how to buy a good one both by marks , shape , and colour ; and having obteined your desire , let us now consider the office and duty of a rider . some there are so opinionative , that being able to sit a rough unridden colt a few plunges by holding monkey like , with both hands to the mane and pummel , clinging with both legs to the side of the horse , as if they would clip him in two , which puts the poor beast into so great a disorder , that by his violent flinging and flounsing , he agitates the poor beast clear out of wind ; having made him thus breathless , nothing will serve his turn , but the appellation of a compleat horse-man . in the first place let me perswade you , not only to lay aside vain glory , but cholerick impatience ; for no man , let him love the art never so well , can make a compleat horse-man if he be rash and hasty ; neither will an horse learn his precepts if he be not otherwise inclined ; and therefore if he prove bad , his faults and defects must not be imputed so much to his ill nature , as his indiscreet rider . wherefore avoid severity to your young horse , for it is a maxime laid down by that compleat horse-man , thomas de grey esq he cannot be a good horse-man who wanteth knowledge how to bring his horse to perfection by fair , sweet , and gentle means , rather than by correction and severe chastisement : however the whip must not always be neglected if he doth amiss ; if well , let him be cherished , by stroaking and otherways to incourage him in well doing ; for an horse is a creature of great understanding . let your groom frequently toy and play with him , be continually talking to him in some odd phrase or other , for this pleaseth a good natur'd horse : let him morning and evening ride him a little way abroad , but he must have a care he do not heat him too much : he must duly curry , curb , and dress him , wipe , pick , and cleanse him , feed and cherish him , keeping him sweet and warm , be often imployed about him , tampering with his legs and heels , frequently taking up his feet , rapping him gently on the soles , and softly knocking him on the coffins ; by this means he will be brought to lift up his foot at first bidding . before you put your horse to grass ( if you have rid him a journey ) take some small quantity of blood from him three or four days before you turn him out : but i would not advise you to put him forth till about the tenth of may. if your horse hath been pampered in a warm stable , i would have you use him to some hardness before you put him to grass , for otherwise he may be subject to take cold ; and when you take him up from grass , let it be about the latter end of august , for then the season will be troubled with cold dews , and the heart of grass beginneth then to fail ; but in the taking of him up have a care of heating of him , because that fat he got at grass is not firm , but somewhat tender ; two days after you have him in the stable , then blood-let him again , which will prevent a great many diseases which are occasioned by the gaul and spleen . make frequent inspection into your horses mouth , for fear of barbes , cankers , bigs , blisters , and these you may discover by the spots of the gums , tongue , and mouth , and accordingly make speedy applications for their cure . and to this end both wash and rub his mouth with verjuice and bay-salt mingled together , and all the better if you let some pass down his throat . if your horses eyes look dull and drowsy more than usual , you may justly suppose him to be ill ; and to prevent the growth of his distemper , give him the drink of a diatesseron . if you find your horse halt , or favour one foot more than the other , let his foot be immediately examined , let him take off the shooe , and search for gravel or a nail ; if you find none , yet perceive the foot warmer than the rest , then search the heel and frush ; if all well there , then higher to the pastern joynt in the leg , or back sinew : having found the fault , let the farrier be instantly acquainted with his malady . when you are to take your journey with him , let him be water'd in the house , giving him an indifferent quantity of good clean oats , then tying him up to the rack , curry , dress , and saddle him , leaving his girts loose , and do not draw them strait till you are going to mount him ; then ride him softly for the first three miles , that you may prevent crudities , and that he may digest his meat the better : three miles before you come to your journeys end , ride him into some river ( if any near you ) up to his belly , but not deeper , and so let him drink , not all at once , but by degrees ; then ride him an indifferent pace , to warm his water in his belly , which will so refresh him , that forgetting his weariness , he will fall to his meat with the greater appetite . having brought him to the stable , tye him up to the empty rack , and litter him up to the belly , and be sure that after you have caused him to be well rubbed , both belly , legs , back , neck , face , and head , also the breast ; then upon a cloth let his saddle be clapt on , and so let him stand almost an hour . as for those lessons you intend to teach your horse which are fit for his practice , and the purpose for which you intend him ; as if it be for hunting , running , travail , hackney , or the like ; then the chiefest things you are to apply your self to , are to preserve a good mouth , to trot freely and comely , to amble surely and easily , to gallop strongly and swiftly , to obey the hand in stopping gently , and retiring willingly , and to turn on either hand , readily and nimbly ; to all which , i must refer you to the works of that ingenious and most accomplisht gentelman , mr. markham . chap. vi. choice observations for the feeding of horses for the race . as for the time of keeping the race horse , it is not certainly concluded upon by the masters of this art , for some would have it an half year at least , though they have no other ground for it , but that if he should run sooner he may indanger the melting of his grease by that violent and too early exercise ; that thereby ill humours will be too hastily stirred , and so consequently bring upon them innumerable diseases ; and hereupon they conclude that to bring him to it gradually with length of time is most expedient , not considering the great charge the owner must infallibly be at , and it may be it will eat up the profit of the price . besides , they discover much ignorance herein by not considering that if grease should be melted ( which of all hands is confest very dangerous ) it may be purged away by wholsome scourings : humours too suddainly stir'd , and so dispersing themselves to the great detriment of the body , may be evacuated by sweat and moderate airings . but if half a year be too long , pray what time then is most convenient , you will say ? for this purpose of preparation it is the opinion of the most expert judicious feeders , that seven or eight weeks is time long enough for an old trained horse . and lest any ill humour should lurk within the body of an horse , and so detriment the intended purpose of his swift and free running ; i would advise you to elect such nourishing simples , ( and not a mish mash of i know not what poisonous ingredients ) which may bring away any melted grease or ill humour which offends the body , without delaying time ; and by this course you may better and much more forward intents in four days than others in four months ; for by their deferring time ( as mr. markham observes ) they nor no man else can certainly tell which way the melted grease , and other foul humours will avoid ; whether into his ordure , and that 's the safest ; whether into sweat , which is hazardous ; into his limbs , which is mischievous ; or remain , and putrefie in his body , which is mortally dangerous . but when i advise you to scour , my intent and meaning is , that you should not run into the extreams of some foolish persons ; who are never at rest but when they are giving their horses some stop or other , which they call a potion , or scourings , most commonly without cause , and always without order ; thereby so debilitating the poor creature , that though he may be willing , yet is rendered incapable of running that course which must be performed with so much strength , vigour , agility , and swiftness . from over doing or under doing , the feeder ought to make choice of a mediocrity : if he intends to purge , let him be sure he have a just occasion for so doing ; and that is , when he is certain that foul humours abound ; and let the means by which he intends to evacuate them be wholsome simples , being confident in what he prescribes that it will rather add to the horses vigour , than diminish from it ; so with deserved applause he shall succeed in his enterprize . if your horse be over fat , or foul , or newly taken from grass , my advice is , that you diet him two months at least before you let him run the race-match ; if the wager will permit , take a longer time . if he be very poor by over riding or some other disorder , take what time you can above five weeks ; but six will serve , exercising him well with his feeding . but if your horse be in a mediocrity and good temperament of body , a month is time enough to fit and adapt him for his race . chap. vii . rules for the first and right ordering of the race-horse . as i said before , when you have match'd your horse , you are to consider the condition , and principally regard the estate of body , in which the horse is , at the time of his matching ; which is fat and foul , poor and lean , or in a golden mean. if fat and foul , for the first fortnight rise betimes ; and having tied his bridle to the rack , after it is put on him , wash't in beer ; cleanse your stable well ; and then fall to dressing your horse , which you may do in this manner . first curry him well all over ; then dust him with an horses tayl , or some clean dusting cloth ; then with your wet hand stroke all his body over , not leaving any loose hair to stick upon him : having thus done , wipe him dry again , and be sure to cleanse his sheath , stones , and tuel , his ears , eyes , and nostrils . then must you make a large body-cloth of thick warm kersey if it be in the winter ; but some lighter stuff , as fine cotten , for the summer ; and fold or wrap it about the horses body ; then girt him with his saddle on , the foremost girt pretty strait , but the other more remiss or slack : then put on his breast cloth , covering both breast and shoulders ; and let his standing be continually on good store of fresh litter night and day , of wheat straw , as near as you can . having thus accoutred him , draw him out of the stable , and back him , and walk him a foot pace ( which is called raking ) a mile or two , but neither amble nor trot him , for that will prejudice his celerity or speed . if you can find any steep hills , gallop him up gently , but rack or walk him down softly , that he may cool as much the one way as he hath heated himself the other : having thus exercised him a pretty space , walk your horse to some river or clear pond , fed by some wholsome spring , and there let him drink what he pleaseth . after this , gallop him moderately , to warm the water in his belly ; then rack him a pretty space , and then show him the water again ; if he drink , gallop him again ; and thus exercise him still , both before and after he hath drank his water . when you have caused him to drink what is enough , and exercised him sufficiently ; then bring him home gently , so that he have not a wet hair . being entred the stable , provoke him to piss by whistling ; which you will incline him to , by often so doing ; and this you will find shall add much to the horses health . this being done , tye up his head to the rack , with his bridle on ; then with hard wisps with all your might rub down his forelegs ; and unloosing his breast cloth , with a dry course cloth rub well his head , neck , and breast ; and having taken off his saddle and body-cloth , rub his back , and every other part of him : then cloath him up in linnen , and over that a good strong housing cloth , and over that his woolen body-cloth ; then girting his cloaths about him , stop his surcingle round with big , thick , and soft wisps , and so shall he lye more at ease . having thus cloathed your horse , pick his feet , and stop them up with cow-dung ; throwing into his rack a small bundle of hay , which he shall tear out as he standeth on his bridle . having stood about an hour on his bridle , rub then again his head all over , and the nape of his neck with a clear rubber made of hempen cloth ; then draw his bridle , and cleanse very well the manger , and put therein a quart or somewhat more of dry , old , and well cleansed oats : the best are the heaviest and whitest , such as are called poland , or the cut oats : oats which are moist swell the body ; worms are bred by new oats : the black oats , which though they are tolerably good , yet cause full dung , which hinders a mans discerning the state of his horses body . if your horse with a good stomach shall eat this quart of oats , you may give him another , well sifted , and so let him alone till eleven of the clock . then come to him again and give him another quart , well tossed and ree'd ; then close up your lights , and keep him as dark as you can till one of the clock . this keeping of him in the dark , will occasion him to lye down , and take his rest , whereas in the light he would not . at one of the clock come again , and rub his head , face , and neck , and give him another quart of oats , ordered as aforesaid ; and having taken his dung from him , leave him till three in the winter , and four in the summer . at that time come again , and having wet the bridle in beer , put it on his head , and tye him up to the rack ; then uncloath him , and dress him , as before expressed . after dressing , cloath and saddle him , as you did in the morning ; and leading him forth , provoke him to piss and dung ; then mount him , and ride him as you did before , but not to the hills , rather chusing some even and plain ground , at least-wise make choice of that which is most level . having chosen your ground , ride him as before , galloping him both before and after his watering , and then raking him gently up and down , and so return home with him ; and whatsoever you did after his mornings airing , do the like after his evenings airing . about nine of the clock give him your last visit for that night , and first rub down his legs well with hard wisps , then with a clean cloth rub his head , face , and chaps , with the nape of his neck , and fore parts , and so gradually his whole body ; then give him a quart of oats well sifted , in a throughly cleansed manger ; putting a small bundle of hay in his rack , and tossing up his litter , that he may lye soft , leave him to his rest . the next morning before sun-rising , and so every morning for a fortnight , do as you have done this first morning ; omitting nothing that was done the whole day . if this you observe to do , you shall so harden his flesh , and dissipate , or consume his foulness ; that the next fortnight you may adventure to heat him , so it be gently , and with moderation . and herein you are to consider , that two heats in a week is sufficient for any horse whatsoever . where note , that if your match is to be run on a thursday , the fittest heating days are thursdays and tuesdays ; ever let the one be on the same day , and the other two days before ; but let the former be the sharper heat : and let not your heats be in rainy and foul weather ; for it is unwholsome ; and therefore rather defer your day . lastly , let not your heats be late in the evening , for it is unpleasant to the horse , and of a dangerous consequence : but let it be early in the morning , about sun-rising . so much for the first fortnights observation : let us now consider what must be done for the second . chap. viii . observations for the second fortnights keeping . there is not more to be done as to cleansing the stable , cloathing , dressing , saddling , airing , watering , than was in the first fortnight ; but now we must alter his diet , and with his oats give him bread : and by the way , let me show you how to make it . take one part of wheat , and three of beans , and mixing them together , grind them to pure meal , then searce and bolt it through an indifferent fine range ; and knead it up with good store of barm , or yest , but with very little water ; be sure you labour it well in the trough , and then cover it warm , and let it lye some while to swell ; then knead it over again , and make it up into good big loaves , and so let them soak well in the oven , and see that they be well baked . do not give your horse any of this bread whilst it is new , for it is very apt to surfeit ; wherefore use it not till it be three or four days old : before you use a loaf chip it well ; and then cutting several pieces thereof , to the quantity of the oats you intend to give him , mingle the bread therewith . between eleven and twelve give him of this bread and oats , the same quantity you gave him in the morning , and then do not visit him till one of the clock ; at which time you shall feed him as in the forenoon , if you intend not to heat him the day following ; if you intend to heat him , then give him neither bread nor hay , but only a quart of sweet oats ; dressing , cloathing , saddling , airing , and watering him as before shewed : and let him have his constant meals of this bread and oats de die in diem , with the usual ceremonies as aforesaid ; and now and then in a morning break a new laid raw egge into his mouth , washing it after with a little strong ale. now make him acquainted with the starting posts ; rake up your horse gently to the first post , and let him smell to it ; then rake him to the last , and there let him do the like , that he may take notice of the beginning and ending of his course . now start your horse roundly and sharply at three quarters speed ; and according to his strength , wind and alacrity , run him the whole course through , but by no means do not strain him ; and when you find him a little yield , then ease him a little ; so that what he doth may be done freely , and with pleasure : this will make him take delight in his pains taking ; and so enable him the better to perform what is to be expected from him . having thus coursed your horse , gallop him moderately , to recover his wind , and chear his spirits ; and then rake him home to his stall ; where having scraped off his sweat , and rub'd him well all over , give him this scouring which you had before already prepared . an excellent scouring . take a pint of very rich sack ( that which is commonly called sweet ) and put thereunto above an ounce of your clearest and purest rossen , bruised to a very fine dust ; and brew them well together : when the sack and the rossen are incorporated , add thereunto a pint of the best sallet-oyl : lastly take an ounce and half of brown sugar-candy beaten to powder ; and having brewed these together , mull them over the fire ; and being luke-warm , draw your horses head up to the rack immediately after his coming from his heat , and with an horn give him this scouring . this is an excellent strong scouring , which purgeth away all manner of melted grease and soulness whatsoever . chap. ix . what is to be observed after the administration of this scouring . presently after your horse hath taken this scouring , let his legs be instantly rubb'd , and run his body slightly over with a curry-comb , and afterwards with the brush ; then rub it over again with dry cloaths , and let great pains be taken with his head , nape of his neck , and about his heart ; then let him be cloathed very warm , and wisp him round with large wisps ; and you may do well to throw a blanket over him , if the weather be chilly and cold . let your horse fast two hours after he hath taken his scouring ; and let some or other stand by your horse the while , continually forcing him into action , for this motion maketh the medicine work ; and those humours which otherwise with rest would lye undisturbed , are now stirred and raised for the physick to work upon , and remove . after the expiration of two hours , handle his body , the roots of his ears , fillets , flanks , and thighs ; if you find any new cold sweat , or that he breaths fast and quick , then conclude that the medicine is still strugling with some bad humour for the upper hand , and therefore give him nothing ; otherwise you may give him an handful of wheat ears , not rough bearded ; but if you find him thus disorder'd , leave him in darkness two hours more , that he may take his rest . if you find after this time none of those symptoms , you may then give him a little bundle of hay , and an hour after that a quart of sweet oats well sisted , and mingled with two or three handfuls of spelted beans , cleansed from all impurity ; and to these add two or three thick shives of bread well chipt ; and so leave him to his rest for three hours , or thereabout . at the evening before dressing , give him the like quantity ; but ride him not out , nor give him any water ; but instead thereof , take three pints of well sifted oats , and wash them well in ale , and so give them him ; for this will inwardly refresh and cool him . the morrow following very early dress , feed , and cloath your horse ; then saddle , and air him abroad , watering him in the same manner as formerly exprest ; having brought him to the stable , give him oats , spelted beans , and bread , but very little hay ; and keep your heating days if foul weather prevent not , and omit none of the aforesaid preparations . thus you shall spend the second fortnight : having in that time been well heated and well scoured , there is no question but that his body is sufficiently cleansed from filth and evil humours . you may now order him the third fortnight after this manner . a finer sort of bread made after this manner . take three pecks of clean beans , and two pecks of fine wheat ; grind them well , and ●earce them through a fine range , and knead it well with barm , and soaking it in good big loaves in the oven , let it be well baked . let it be somewhat stale before you use it , cutting off the crust , and mingling the shives with clean sifted oats , and spelted beans ; and so feed him therewith , observing the same hours therefore , with the times of dressing and airing as in the former fortnight ; so likewise to his heating days , only with this difference , his heats must not be so violent as before ; neither must you use your scourings ; but instead thereof , immediately after the heat , give him a ball about the bigness of a pullets egge , which is called the cordial ball. the manner of making that excellent cordial ball which avoideth all molten grease , recovers a lost appetite , cures any violent cold , and the glanders , fattens an horse speedily , and preserves an horse from fainting with exercises . take the seeds of cummin , fenugreek , carthamom , elicampane roots , and colts-foot , of each two ounces , beaten , and ●●arced to a fine dust ; two ounces of the flower of brimstone , then take an ounce of the juice of licoras , and dissolve it on the fire in half a pint of white-wine ; which done , take an ounce of chymical oyl of anniseeds , then of sallet oyl , hony , and the syrrop of sugar , or of molosses , of each half a pint : then mix all these with the former powders , and with as much fine wheat flower , as will bind and knit them all together ; work them into stiff paste ; and make thereof balls as big as pullets egges , when you use them ; and so put the paste in a close gallipot , and you may keep it a whole year . if you will use these balls as an antidode , or prevention of sickness ; then anoint them with sweet butter , and in a morning give them as a pill , three or four mornings together , exercising him a little after their reception . if for a cold or the glaunders , let them be taken every morning for a week together ; if to fatten an horse , use them a fortnight . but if to remove molten grease and foulness , then let them be taken presently after , or in the heat this ball dissolved in a pint of sack , and given an horse which hath taken cold , which you may know by the ratling in his throat , is a present and infallible cure . if taken before travel , it prevents all tiring ; if in the height of travel , it refresheth , and banisheth weariness ; and if you give it after travel , it prevents all surfeits and inward sickness . chap. x. what is to be done in the fourth and last fortnights keeping . in the first place , you are to take notice , that as his oats and beans must be well sifted and cleansed , so must his bread be finer than what was made before ; and thus you must make it . the fourth and last bread. take one peck of clean beans , and three of wheat ; grind them on black stones , and let them be bolted through the finest bolter you can procure ; then knead it up well with ale yest , with some strong ale , and also the whites of above twenty egges ; instead of water , some new milk ; and having wrought it laboriously , let it be well baked ; and cutting off the crust , mingle it with your oats and beans as aforesaid ; and feed your horse at his ordinary feeding times , as you did before . you must observe his heating days , the first week in this fortnight , as you did formerly : the last week you must not give him any heat , till five days before the match , only give him good airings . whatever washt meat you give your horse this fortnight , let it not be washt as formerly , in ale ; but in the whites of egges , or muscadine ; this will make him long winded : give him but little hay , but what he taketh out of your hand . the last day , you must cool and shooe your horse ; and whatever ornament was intended , let it be now done , that the horse may take notice thereof , and so be encouraged , and not incumber'd that day he is to run . the morning before he is to run , get up before day , and rub his head well , giving him oats washt in muscadine ; but if he refuse that , or the whites of egges , then mingle among your oats a little wheat , or your late made finest bread ; and provoke him by all means imaginable , to empty before he runs . having warning to make ready , wash his snaffel in muscadine ; then bridle him up , and dress him ; and as you are about to lead him out , put an half pint of muscadine in an horn , and give it him . when you come to the place of starting ; rub and chafe his legs with hard wisps , then pick his feet , and wash his mouth with water ; let the rider then mount , and starting fair , let him refer the success to providence . the next thing we should insist upon , should be the knowledge of all diseases or maladies belonging to an horse , whether external or internal , and their cures and remedies : but because they can never be certainly known , without knowing the composition and several parts of an horse , i shall begin with the anatomy of an horse , as the best introduction to the physical and chirurgical cures of his distempers , and first chap. xi . of the symmetrie , or proportion of members in an horse that is well shaped . it is the opinion of the best farriers , or horse-leeches , that there are in an horses mouth twelve steps one above another , like a pair of stairs : his tongue is generally reckoned half a foot in length , his upper lip six inches , and his neather five ; his jaws each of them ten inches , his head from his eyes downward full twelve inches long , his ears five inches in length , and his eyes four inches in circumference , his neck from the nape unto the withers seven handfuls , from the withers to the fillets twelve handfuls , and from the fillets to the setting on the tail six handfuls ; the length of the shoulders twelve inches , the length of the shank six inches , the length of the hinder hough twelve inches , and the cambrel five inches , and the length of the whole body from head to tail should be an hundred inches . it is not to be supposed that the parts of all horses are of this dimension ; for as the stature of the horse is , so are his members , greater or less : but these aforesaid observations are uncertain ; wherefore i am more inclined to believe the experience of mr. gervase markham in this matter ; who saith , look what quantity is between the nape of the horses neck and the uttermost part of the withers , three must ever be twice as much between the withers and the setting on the tail ; and what quantity is between the shoulder blade , i mean the top thereof , or the top of the withers to the elbow of the horse , it must be twice as much from the elbow to the setting on of the hoof ; and look how much it is from the top of the hip to the stifling place , it must be twice so much from the stifling place to the setting on the hinder hoof : this is the certainest rule for an horses truest proportion : and from experience i am apt to believe no less . chap. xii . what and how many are the veins properly belonging to an horse . the knowledge of the veins in an horse is a study so needful , that he cannot be a skilful farrier that is ignorant herein : wherefore according to my best ability , i shall indeavour to give you an account hereof . from the liver the fountain of all blood , proceedeth one large vein , from whence cometh these lesser rivulets . first , within the palate of his mouth , above the first and third bars , are two considerable veins , and are frequently struck for diseases in the head or stomach : there are two which descend from his eyes to his nostrils , and are opened for maladies in the eyes . he hath also two very large veins on each side of the wind-pipe , and are breathed upon any distemper whatsoever . he hath likewise two veins which ascend from between his fore legs , and rest upon the foremost bough of the fore leg , which are called the plat-veins ; and these are struck for foundring , or other distempers in the limbs . there are two other veins , which run down from the elbow of the fore shoulder , along the insides of the fore legs , and are called the shank-veins , which are opened for splents and mallanders . again there are four veins which run along the fetlocks , and are called the shackle-veins ; they are small , and are often opened for stiffness in the joints , or for tyring . he hath four veins also , about the cronets in his hoofs , called cronet-veins , and are opened for ring-bones . there are four veins in his four hoofs , called toe-veins , opened for frettizing in the feet , and for foundring . from his stones two great veins descend along the inside of his thighs , to his cambrel , and are called kidney-veins , and are opened for diseases in those parts . from above the hinder cambrel descend two veins along the inside of the hinder legs down to the fetlocks , and are called the spaven-veins , and are opened for the blood spaven only . there are two flank-veins , and are opened for any malady in the reins and fillets ; and two hinder hanch veins , opened for consumption of the flesh . lastly , he hath one single vein in the tail , and is properly called the tayl-vein , which is commonly opened for shedding of hair , or for the mange . there are a great many more veins which have their derivation from these , but they are so small they are of no efficacy , and were any of them cut , it would tend to no prejudice ; but as to these aforementioned , if cut , great danger may insue . chap. xiii . of an horses sinews . the brain is acknowledged by all , to be the fountain , from whence sinews have their rise ; particularly , there is derived thence one great tendon , which passeth through the cavity of neck and back-bone , extending it self to the nethermost joint of the strunt . two small branches proceed from this main tendon , which passing through certain holes in the horses skull , run down along his cheeks , even to the summity of his nostrils . besides these there are two more which pass through holes in his neather chap , knitting that and the upper together ; and running down by his great teeth , meet below his neather lip . moreover , there are twenty eight small threads , which running through so many holes in the seven bones of his neck , knit them fast together ; and those which knit his chine to the end of his strunt are infinite . to speak of every particular sinew would take up too much time ; wherefore , in a word , from the setting on the horses neck , unto the flat columel , or huckle-bone doth extend one great broad sinew , of three inches in breadth , being of one single substance , no other sinew having any derivation from it ; which not only holdeth the shoulder-blades together ; but covereth all the chine over ; and this is commonly called pax-wax . of all the principal sinews appertaining to an horse ( from whence an infinite number of small ones are derived ) there is in number thirty eight , according to the opinion of such who have made frequent inspection into the carkase of an horse . chap. xiv . of the bones in an horses body . as in an horse so in an oxe , there are just one hundred and seventy bones , which are number'd thus : in the upper part of the head , two bones , from the forehead to the nose two , his neather jaws two , twelve fore teeth , four tushes , twenty four grinders , seven bones from the nape of the neck to the points of the spade-bones , eight from thence to the huckle-bones , and thence to the tail seven . the great broad binder bone hath twelve joints in it , then are there two spade-bones , and from the forcels two marrow-bones , two thigh-bones , two shank-bones , and from thence downward into the hoofs there are sixteen small bones . in the breast of the horse there is a great bone , whereunto are fastned thirty six ribbs ; there are many more bones , in all two hundred fifty seven ; of which you may come to the knowledge ( if you are so desirous ) by your own strict indagation , and curious inspection or inquiry . before i enter on the cures of the several distempers that attend an horse ; which are more than belong to any other beast , especially the running horse , by reason of his violent exercise ; give me leave to inform you , how you may know the age of any horse . chap. xv. the most experienced , and most approved way to judge an horses age , by his teeth , hoofs , tayl , eyes , skin , hair , and the bars , or stairs in his mouth . as i told you before , in the chapter of an horses bones ; an horse hath twelve fore teeth , six above and six beneath , twenty four grinders , and four tushes , which make in all forty teeth . his foal teeth , for the first year , are only grinders , without tushes ; which are white , small , and bright ; the second year , the four foremost teeth change colour , and appear more big and brown . the third year , the next teeth unto these do change also , and no foal teeth are visible before , but two on each side above , and as many below , being both bright and small . the fourth year he hath left but two foal-teeth , one on each side , above and below . the fifth year , his foremost teeth will all change ; and then his tushes will appear compleat ; and those which appear in the place of the last foal-teeth cast , will be hollow , and have a little black speck in the middest ; and this is the mark so much talked on , which continueth till after eight years old . the sixth year beareth little difference to the fifth : but in the seventh year his teeth are at their perfect growth ; and the mark in the horses mouth will then be plainest seen . in the eight year , the mark will in a manner disappear , and vanish . at the ninth year his foremost teeth will seem longer , yellower , and fowler than before ; and his tushes very bluntish . after this year you shall never certainly discern what age an horse is by his teeth ; wherefore you must apply your self to other helps : as first , observe whether the horses hoofs be rugged and seamed , full , dry , and rusty , he is then for certain stricken in age ; whereas if his hoofs are smooth , moist and hollow , he is undoubtedly young . secondly , with your finger and your thumb take your horse by the stern of the tayl , close at the setting on by his buttock ; and if you find a joint sticking out more than any other joint , about the bigness of an hasel-nut , then you may adjudge him about ten ; but if it be smooth in that place , and no such thing be felt , he may be eighteen years old for ought you know . thirdly , mark if his eyes be round , full , and staring from his head , and the pits filled , even with the temple , it is a sign he is young ; if wrinkled under his eyes , or about his brow , he is then old . fourthly , pull with your fore-finger and thumb his skin up , if it return to its place smooth he is young ; if otherwise , old . fifthly , if the eye brows or main of a dark coloured horse shall grow grissel , he is very old . lastly , if the bars in his mouth feel rough and hard , and are great and deep , then conclude him very old ; but if otherwise , soft and tender , there is no fear , but that he is young and lusty . and now we shall descend to the cure of diseases , which are twofold , internal and external ; we shall begin with the last , and end with the first . chap. xvi . of diseases in horses , and their causes . it is not to be expected , that any man should become a farrier , who shall not know , first , to what disease an horse is most inclinable . secondly , what are the causes of every disease in particular . thirdly , how and by what means those diseases do accrew . fourthly , the signs and symptoms how to know and distinguish them ; and lastly , the means and manner how to cure them . i shall insist on every one of these in its due order . now first , touching the diseases an horse is most inclinable to ; & they are suitable to the complexion or constitution of the horse : for example , if the horse be colured mouse-dun , chestnut brown , soot colour , or iron-gray , his complexion then is melancholy , participating more of earth than any other element ; by which means he becomes dull , heavy , dogged , restise , faint-hearted , &c. and therefore most inclined to inflammation in the spleen , siccity in the liver , to the dropsie , frenzy , and the like ; and so may you judge of other diseases by the other three complexions already treated of in a foregoing chapter . secondly , we must consider what are the causes of every disease in particular : where note , that the causes of sickness are all unnatural effects and evil dispositions . of these causes , there are two sorts , external and internal : external are such which afflict the outward parts of the body , and the internal the inward parts , proceeding from ill diet , evil humours , obstructions , &c. sickness it self is no more than an evil temperature , and that is two fold , either simple or compound : simple , when one quality is redundant , as too cold , too hot , too moist , too dry ; compound , when more than one quality abound , as too cold and too moist . some diseases are lingring , and consume the body by degrees ; as consumptions , glanders ; others short , and presently mortal as soon as discovered ; as yellows , anticor , and staggers : now some diseases again do occupy the whole body ; as feavers , pestilence , convulsions , and so forth ; others , only some parts ; as colds offend the head , surfeits the stomach . thirdly , how and by what means do these accrew : the means are inbred or accidental ; either coming from ill humours , and surfeits , or molten grease , and foulness by over exercise , and the like . fourthly , of the signs and symptoms of diseases , which are many , nay , almost innumerable ; however , take them thus in brief . first , observe the place of the member grieved ; and see whether it have its true proportion , and is not less or more in quantity ; if either happen , the horse is diseased : next , mark the alteration of the quality ; as , whether too moist , too dry , too cold , or too hot . your third sign may be taken from the members non-performance of his duty ; and lastly , by the thicker and thinner excrements . but these directions may seem to some difficult and abstruse ; wherefore take these plainer instructions , which are the thirty years observation of a most ingenious gentleman , and one admired by all the horse-doctors in or about this city ; and thus he layeth down the undeceivable signs of all sorts of internal diseases . if an horse be more than usual slower to labour , or duller to the spur . if he be shorter winded , drawing his breath quick . if his ears hang down more than they were wont . if his hair do bristle , or be more staring ▪ if his flanks be more than usually lank and hollow . if he burn betwixt his ears , or about his pasterns . if travelling , his stomach fail him , and his mouth dry which used to foam . these are infallible signs of inward distemper , as to the general ; now as to signs of particular diseases , take these . if an horse hold down his head , whereas he was wont to have a chearful look , it prognosticates a feaver , head-ach or foundring . that horse whose eye were naturally clear and quick , and of a suddain look dull , and dim , and heavy , is troubled either with the head-ach , or the staggers is seizing him . an horse will frequently discover obstructions in the liver , by often turning his head to the right side ; and the like by turning it down to his belly , make appear that he is troubled with the bots , worms , or cholick . water running from an horses mouth , is the sign of a wet cough , or staggers . if foul matter issue from an horses nostrils , it signifies an ulcer in the nose or head ; if it be white , it is a sign of the glanders ; if black , of the mourning of the chine ; if yellow , the consumption of the liver ; if little lumps proceed from his mouth , it shows the rottenness of his lungs . the beating of the flank with shortness of breath , is the sign of a feaver or ●trangle . if ought may be felt on both sides the forehead beating , it is a sign of the staggers . swellings about the ears betoken the pole-evil ; under the ear , the vives ; and swelling in the mouth , is the sign of the canker , flaps , or lampass . swelling under the throat ▪ and swelling about the root of the tong●● , is in the first , a sign of the glanders , in the last , a sign of the strangle ; but if about the tongue roots there be only knots or kernels , it is only a sign of a cold. if an horse tremble after drinking cold water , during that time he hath a certain fit of an ague ; for if any will observe it after the trembling is over , he shall find him burn and glow extremely . if an horse piss with much difficulty , you may suspect him either foundred , or troubled with the wind-cholick or stone ; if the colour of his urine be yellow , it is a sign of the glanders ; but if thick and black , he is afflicted with pain in the kidneys . if horses dung stink much it is the sign of a hot liver , if little , then of a cold liver , and if undigested , then of a consumption , or some dry malady . if an horse desire extremely to lie down on his right side , he is troubled with a hot liver ; if on the left , it is the sign of a distemper'd spleen ; if he tumble to and fro , taking no rest , then he is troubled with worms , bots , or wind-cholick ; if not able to rise when down , it betokens mortal weakness , or foundring in the body . if an horse covet much meat and little drink , it betokens a cold liver ; but if he thirst much , and eat little , then it denotes a feaver , rotten lungs , an extraordinary heat in the stomach , or the dry yellows . if an horse strike with his foot at his belly , it signifies the cholick , or griping of the guts ; but if he fisks with his tayl when he strikes , then it is bots or worm● . if a knotty ulcer creep along the veins , it is the farcy ; if expanding it self only in one place , it is a canker ; if the ulcer be hollow and crooked , it is a fistula ; but if it be a spungy wart , and full of blood , it is an anbury . if an horses tongue be swoln , and hang out of his mouth , it is the strangle . to conclude , there are many more signs and symptoms o● diseases , the discovery whereof i shall leave to your own industry . and now i am come to the fifth and last thing which i promised to discourse upon , and which must conclude this treatise , viz. the means and several ways used to compleat the cure of every individual disease incident to the afflicting an horses body ; observe this first as a prooemium thereunto . chap. xvii . general , yet choice , observations in the administration of physick to horses . the signs and symptoms of diseases will avail you little , if only knowing how to judge of health and sickness , you know not also how to apply things proper to every malady : and to the intent you may avoid all absurdities herein , take these rules . first , let what ever potion or drench you give your horse be but luke-warm , for it is of a most dangerous and deadly consequence if you scald an horses stomach . secondly , give him his potion easily , that you may avoid suffocation . thirdly , draw out your horses tongue a little before you clap the horn into his mouth , and then let it slip in again , and that will force him to swallow what he hath received . lastly , if you will have your physick work well , keep your horse fasting , a good while , both before and after the reception thereof ; and use him to moderate exercise for the better operation , as walking or trotting him , as you shall find him furnished with strength . as to the mixing your medicaments , take these three observations . first , if your horses distemper be hot , as a feaver , &c. then let your simples be mixed with oyl , honey , or warm water . secondly , if the disease hath its rise from cold causes , as coughs , rheums , &c. then mingle your simples with wine , or good ale. lastly , if your horse be weak , and much debilitated by his distemper , then mix your simples with milk and egges . chap. xviii . of blood-letting . phlebotomy , or blood-letting , is either to prevent diseases , and so preserve health , or to refrigerate the spirits , or else , to take away blood where there is too much , or else to void and purge gross and foul humours . in phlebotomy , you are to observe this , first , to chase or exercise him moderately ; then let him rest a day before you draw blood from him , and three days after . if you find the vein to swell after you have opened it , ( as it will do when wind gets in , or when a steam miscarries ) then take white pitch , black pitch , and rossin , of each a like quantity , and boyl them together , and lay it on with a flat stick , and then flock it ; let it lye all over the swelling , and anoint it with the oyl of populeon ; once doing this commonly effects the cure ; but if once doth it not , then use it oftner , till you have discust the swelling . if your horse bleed violently at the nose , and you cannot stanch it , then take betony , and stamp it in a morter with salt , and put it into the horses nose : or if your horse be wounded , and bleedeth exceedingly , the same applied thereunto , will immediately stop the flux of blood . observe , that april and october are the two principal months for blood-letting : now , what may be said more on this subject , i shall refer you to the chirurgical part of this book , treating of the cures of external maladies . chap. xix . of the excrements of an horse . the excrements of an horse are of two sorts , dung and urine . if the dung of your horse be of the colour , or somewhat near of his food , he is in a sound condition : as for example , if an horse runs at grass , his dung will be green ; if it be bright , and neither too hard nor too soft , it is an excellent sign of an healthy constitution ; but if it be fluid and waterish , though it be green , it betokens the horse troubled with coldness in his stomach and bowels . if the dung be neither too thick nor too thin , yet the greenness intermixt with blackness , it signifies the horse inclined to the yellows or staggers . if the food of an horse be straw , the colour of his dung will be a bright yellow , and rather thick than thin ; the grain whereof being long , it is a sign of health ; but if the dung be reddish , and either very dry , or as thin as cow-dung , they are infallible signs that the horse is inwardly diseased : if this redness do turn to blackness , having lost its scent , it betokens the speedy death of the creature . if hay and provender be the usual food of your horse , if healthy and sound , the colour of his dung will be a brownish-yellow , moist , and of a grain somewhat long ; but if that brownness turn to redness , it is a sign of sickness ; if to blackness , then of death . lastly , if your horse feed altogether on provender , then will his dung be of a pale yellow colour , if he be in health ; but if it look reddish , then it signifieth that the horse hath taken some inward heat , and that there is an inflammation in his bowels and stomach . now if it be brown , and shiny , or greasy and shining , it is a sign of molten grease putrefying in the body . thus much of an horses dung , now of his urine . in the first place , if it be of a pale yellow , or straw colour , smelling strong , and not very clear , then is your horse healthy , well , and lusty ; but if its colour be very white , it is a sign of weakness in the reins , stone and obstruction in the kidneys . if the urine be high coloured like beer brew'd with over dryed malt , then is that horses blood inflamed , signifying a feaver , or some great surfeit ; if blood red , an heat by over riding , whose inflammation is so great , that if scowring , or some other physical means be not speedily used , the horse will fall irrecoverably into some mortal distemper . if the urine be pale and greenish , it is a sign of a consumption of the seed , and debilitation of the back . if the urine be high coloured , yet clowdy and blackish , it foretells speedy mortality . chap. xx. of the several sorts of feavers in horses . feavers are usually ingendred either by over much travel , or disorderly diet ; and these feavers by some are divided into three parts ; the first are bred in the spirits ; the second in the humours ; the third in the firm parts of the body , being all set on fire beyond the ordinary course of nature . others divide them into two parts ; the ordinary which are either bred in the humours or spirits ; and these are feavers , quotidian , tertian , quartan , hectick , feavers in summer , fall of the leaf , and winter . the extraordinary are all those which are bred in the firm parts of the body , and are pestilential feavers , and the plague . the rise from whence ordinary feavers proceed , i have told you already , viz. from excessive travel , or disorderly diet : but the causes of extraordinary feavers , are either corruption of blood , or infection of the air. now here is to be noted , that the staggers , yellows , and an●ecor never seize an horse , but a pestilential feaver is their harbinger or forerunner : and they are like pestilential marks , rarely seen , but when the disease is too far gone . the signs and symptoms of these feavers , as well as most other distempers i have declared already , and therefore i shall here let them pass , and fall to the cure . chap. xxi . a general cure for general feavers . as soon as the feaver is apparent by the signs aforesaid , some will phlebotomize the horse in the face , temples , and palate of the mouth , restraining him from all food the first day , and only giving him by little and little , some warm drink , giving him good store of litter , having a care he catch no cold ; and as he begins to mend , feed him with boiled barley , well huskt and beaten . others do judge of this to be a better and speedier cure ; that is , as soon as you discern his shaking , give him instantly the yolks of five egges , beaten with nine spoon-fuls of aqua-vitae ; and having drunk it , chafe him well till his shaking be over ; then put him into a warm place , and force him to sweat an hour , by laying on him store of cloaths : let his food in the mean while be oats well dryed and sifted , and once a day some washed in ale ; and let him drink no water , but what is warm : and this course you must take at the beginning of every fit , if you will have your horse cured of his feaver . a cure for a quotidian feaver . this distemper taketh an horse once a day very violently , but will not last above seven hours in a day , and after his fit , will seem to be as perfect in health as before , till the time of the usual coming of his fit . if his fit change its accustomed time , as if it taketh him at nine of the clock one day , and at six another , the greater hope there is that his feaver will leave him the sooner . as for the cure , give him only a sweet mash of malt and water milk-warm , walking him moderately in a temperate air : his fit being over , rub him down very well , especially his back and legs ; then four or five hours after give him this drink in a horn , thrice at least if his fits continue to afflict him . a most approved drink for an every days feaver . take a quart of strong ale , and seethe therein half an handful of wormwood , two ounces of long pepper and grains , two ounces of the best treacle , one ounce of the powder of dryed rue ; the third part of the liquor being consumed , take it from the fire , and strain it , then put therein three ounces of the powder of sugar-candy ; when it is luke-warm , make your horse swallow it , and there will be no fear that he will miscarry , by reason of his present distemper . a cure for the tertian feaver . this disease taketh the horse one day , and forbeareth him the other ; the one day he shall seem to be very well , and the next he shall be really very sick ; when blood begins to abound , that is in the spring time , then this distemper is most rise among colts , and the younger sort of horses ; the symptoms are all one with those of the quotidian . as soon as you perceive your horse to shake , take a weed called stone-crop , and so bruise it that you may get from thence four or five spoonfuls of the juice , and mingling it with a quart of ale , put it into an horn and give it your horse ; then walk him moderately for an hour ; afterwards set him up , and force him to sweat an hour more ; then cool him by degrees , and let him not by any means drink cold water , but let his food be the best dry old oats you can procure . the cure of the quartan feaver : this feaver is less violent than the two former , yet of longer continuance ; its time of seizing the horse is every fourth day , as thus ; if his fit taketh him on tuesday , he will seem well wednesday and thursday , and be taken again with his fit on friday : the causes and signs are the same with the other , and the cure differs very little , only , you must not in any wise administer that prescribed physick above thrice ; and if he recovers not then , you must leave his cure to time for its working out . the cure of the hectick feaver . an hectick feaver when it seizeth horses , it commonly bringeth death with it , and is the first breeder of a consumption : the humour is hot and dry which runneth between the skin and the flesh , occasioned by an idle custom of giving over hot drenches , or by using them to drink beer or wine . the signs or symptoms are want of appetite with a raw tongue almost scalded , loose and flaggy flesh , with a continual trembling over all his body . his cure must be effected thus : let his drink be only warm mashes made of malt and water ; and let him eat nothing but sweet hay , or green corn blades ; but first , wash his tongue with allom , running water , sage , and wood-bine leaves boiled together ; after this , let him have this drink fasting in a morning . take of aloes one ounce , of garlick half an ounce , of licoras and anniseeds of each a drachm , beaten to powder ; then put these into a quart of white wine , sweetned with sugar-candy or honey , and made luke-warm for him to drink . probatum est . of feavers seizing an horse , either in summer , autumn , or winter ; and their cures . it is the opinion of most , that summer feavers are the worst of all ordinary feavers , especially in the dog-days . the symptoms of this feaver are the violent beating of his arteries , and his evacuating seed with his urine . the old way to cure him is to open the great vein in his hinder haunch , about four inches below his fundament ; but by reason it is not easily found , and so by mistake an artery may be cut instead thereof , i hold it much safer to open the neck-vein ; having so done , give him a drink three mornings together made of the juice of an handful of purslane mixt with gumdragacanth , anniseeds , and damask rose leaves beaten to powder , all put into a quart of strong ale , sweetned either with honey or sugar-candy ; and after this , fail not to keep him warm , as you must during the whole continuance of his distemper . if your horse get a feaver in autumn , blood-let him in the neck-vein , and in the palate of his mouth ; and then give him this drink following , and never doubt of his recovery . take of germander two ounces , of gum draga●anth and dryed roses , of each half an ounce ; beat them into fine powder ; of oyl-olive two ounces , and as much honey ; put these into a quart of ale , and make them luke-warm ; after he hath drank it , let him be walkt , and then set up close and warm . a winter feaver is of long continuance , though not very dangerous ; the causes and signs are the same with the rest ; but you must be very circumspect in the cure : and in the first place , it is required , that you purge his head well , by sneezing ; then phlebotomize him in the neck , and palate of the mouth ; and about three hours after give him this drink . take three ounces of rue , half an ounce of round pepper , of bay-berries and smallage seed , of each half an ounce , boyl these in white-wine ; and let him not drink till it be luke-warm . as for his diet , keep him fasting a good while before his fit comes , and give him to drink , nothing but warm mashes ; if you find your horse extreamly weakned by his fits , then use this friction following , whose virtues will loosen the skin , chear up the inward spirits , and spread a lively heat through the whole body . take this as the most soveraign friction i have met withal : you must get oyl de bay , or dialthea , and anoint the horses body all over therewith , holding a pan of coals near the ointment , to make it sink in , rubbing hard against the hair : but as for winter feavers , there is nothing better than this . take of damask roses one pound , of old oyl a pint , of strong vinegar a pint and half , of mint and rue beaten into powder , of each an ounce and half , together with one old dry nut ; beat them , and mingle them well together ; and being strained , and made luke-warm , rub the horse against the hair all over his body , till he begin to sweat ; then cloath him , and let him stand . now because i nominated before in the cure of this distemper , that first , sneezing should be used for the purging his head ; let me lay you down here the several way of making an horse sneeze and the excellent use thereof . chap. xxii . of several excellent receipts to force sneezing , and their admirable vertues . neezing is wrought sundry ways , either by fumes , smoaks , powders , or oyls , which tickling the tender and quick parts of the head , enforce sneezing ; which is an excellent purgation , not only separating gross matter , but comforting and strengthning the brain . you may cause this sneezing either by the stale urine of a man , or that of an oxe ; this is excellent against every days feaver . the powder of gum-dragacanth , eusens , and damask roses commixt , and blown into the nostrils of an horse , is an incomparable remedy against winter or summer feavers . garlick stalks broke into little pieces , and with frankincense burnt in a chafingdish , and held under the horses nose , and this will cure his head ach . for any obstructions or cold in his head , there is nothing better than a rag anointed with oyl de bay , and therewith rub his nostrils as high as you may . for the glanders , anoint two feathers with oyl de bay , euphorbium , and white ellebore , and thrust these into the horses nostrils . for any cephalick distemper , but especially the staggers , cold , glanders , or strangle ; take the powder of white pepper , and blow it into his nostrils , or squirt into them aristolochia , mixt with wine , and you will find a suddain amendment . but the best fume of all is made of olibanum , storax , and benjamin , being bruised together , and burned under the nose of the horse . chap. xxiii . of the gargil , plague , or murrain in an horse . this disease hath its original from several causes ; sometimes from surfeits , sometimes from evil planetary influence ; not only corrupting plants , but several sorts of creatures . of such an infectious nature it is , that it will not only spread through a studd , a shire , but through an whole kingdome . the signs of this disease are lowring and hanging down the head , and in a small time after this first observation , you will find a swelling under his ear-roots , or tongue ; which swelling will be hard , and spread over one side of his face ; his mouth and whites of his eyes will be yellow , and will have a very stinking breath . as an antidote or preservative , take a pint of muscadine , and dissolve therein two ounces of the best treacle , and give it them . to cure the deseased ; take a good quantity of stale urine , and mix therein a good deal of hens-dung , stirring it till it be all dissolved ; take a pint hereof at a time , and in an horn give it your horse luke-warm . chap. xxiv . a diacatholicon , or vniversal medicine for all distempers . if at any time ( according to the former signs and symptoms , ) you find your horse not well , open his neck-vein , taking from him a good quantity of blood , then fasting , give him three mornings together , half an ounce of diapente well brewed in a pint of muscadine ; which diapente you shall make after this manner . take gentian , aristolochia , bay-berries , myrrh , and the shavings of ivory , of each a like quantity , beat them into very fine powder , and searce it . i say , having given him of this powder , then ride him abroad an hour , and then give him what he will eat ; at noon give him a sweet mash , and at night with a course rubber rub him well all over , ●specially his head and nape of his neck ; this you must do three or four days together , and you will find a suddain reparation of health . here followeth ●n alphabetical ●ccount , both as to the names , character , causes , signs , and cures of the most common and dangerous diseases which belong to horses . avives . avives is a french appellation for this disease ; and is corruptly called by english farriers the fives or vives . it s growth is under the ears , descending downwards towards the throat , with inflammation and swelling ; this disease is dangerous , and often mortal ; for this swelling will stop his wind , and choak him , if not timely prevented . the causes of this distemper are great heats and rankness of blood . the cure you may effect this one way , which is worth all the rest i have read of . take a penny worth of fine pepper , beaten to fine powder , a spoonful of swines grease , the juice of an handful of rue , two spoonfuls of vinegar ; mix them well together , and put it equally into both the horses ears , and tye them up with two strings , shaking the ear so that the medicine may sink downward ; this done , let him blood in the neck-vein , and temple-veins , and you need not question the cure of your horse . anticor . the nature of this disease agreeth with its name , for by reason of immoderate riding , or too hard feeding without exercise , the horses blood becometh corrupted and inflamed , taking up its residence in and about the heart ; and having not speedy vent is the cause of suddain death . you may know this disease by this sign ; just against the heart there will be a swelling , in the middle of the breast : before the swelling doth appear , the signs will be these ; he will groan very much when laid down , hanging down his head he will refuse to eat . immediately upon the appearance of the swelling , open both the plate-veins , or take away a good quantity of blood from both sides of his neck ; having done this , give him a drink of diapente with ale , putting thereto an ounce of brown sugar-candy , and half an ounce of london treacle , which will expel the grief from his heart ; after this anoint the swelling with hogs grease , bores grease , and basilicon , of each three ounces ; incorporate these well together , and rub the swelling every day therewith , till it come to suppuration or softness ; then by opening it let out the matter ; then wash your sore with coperas water , which you shall make thus : take two quarts of fair water , and adde thereto half a pound of green copperas , with an handful of salt ; and put these into a posnet , with a spoonful of honey , and a branch of rosemary ; boyl these together till one half of the liquor be consumed ; a little before you take it off the fire , put to it the quantity of a wall-nut of allum ; then let it cool , and preserve it for your use . having washt the sore clean with this water , then apply thereunto this oyntment ; put into a clean skillet , of rossin the quantity of a wallnut , being molten , add thereto the like quantity of wax ; and when that is melted put thereunto half a pound of hogs grease tryed ; and that being melted , put in a spoonful of english honey ; and when these are melted , and well stirred together , put thereunto half a pound of ordinary turpentine ; this being dissolved , take it from the fire ; then adde of verdegrease finely pulverized one ounce ; and so stir them all together ; then set it on the fire , and let it simper , but if it boyl it is utterly spoiled ; then strain it , and when cold , preserve it for your use . this ointment is of excellent vertue to cure old ulcers , fistulas , but more especially any green wound . bots or worms in horses . it is the opinion of the most judicious , that there are three sorts of worms which breed in the bowels of an horse : first , bots , being short worms with great red heads , and long , small , white tails ; next , truncheons , which are short and thick , being all of a bigness ; and the last are as big as a mans finger , and six inches long , and are only called worms . mr. markham by experience hath found out a fourth sort , which are of a middle size , and are red and fiery , with thick , short , sharp heads , and are of all others most dangerous ; for sometimes they will get up to his very throat , and choak him , sometimes eat through his very stomach , and kill him . these worms do proceed from a raw , gross , and phlegmatick matter , ingendred by foul feeding . the signs are ; the horse will refuse his meat , & will be much addicted to lying down , & rowling on his belly , beating it sometimes with his feet : if troubled with the red worms , his pain will be intollerable , so that he will beat his head against the ground . some approve of this as an excellent remedy ; take the warm guts of a new killed hen , and mixing them with salt , thrust them down the horses throat ; this must be done three mornings fasting , withholding him from water four hours after ; or else give him to drink a spoonful of soap in a pint of milk ; or lastly , take of gentian , aloes , and savin , of each half an ounce , and brew them together with honey and strong ale. but if it be a mare with foal , give nothing internally for fear of killing her colt ; only let her blood in the roof of her mouth , and make her swallow her own blood , which will not only kill the worms , but help most internal maladies . blood-staling . an horse many times instead of urine , will void pure blood , which is occasioned often times by labouring over much ; and by that means breaking a vein ; then will there issue from his yard pure blood , without any other commixture ; but if the blood be mingled with urine , then it proceeds from the kidneys , wounded with a ragged stone therein : but mr. markham is clearly of the opinion , that there is no greater cause of blood-staling , than the taking up of an horse in the dead of winter from grass , and without a days respite , riding him a long journey . the signs are so apparent , that we will pass them , and fall upon the cure ; and in the first place , it will be proper to phlebotomize him in the palate of the mouth , or in the neck ; and let the blood be sodden with wheat , and with the powder of dryed pomegranat pills ; having strained it , give him hereof four or five mornings together ; and in the space of time let him not labour by any means . or , take a quart of strong ale and a red herring , cut it into small peices , and let it lye steeping in the ale , then give it the horse with an horn , and it will stop the inward bleeding of the horse . otherwise , you may take a spoonful of taragon , and steep it in white-wine , and as much poppy seed beaten as will lye on a shilling ; give this fasting in the white-wine , and it is an infallible cure . blowing and pursiveness in an horse . many horses are naturally thick winded , by reason of their being cock-throppled and narrow chawled ; but most frequently it is so by accident ; as when he is fat and over-laden with flesh , by rankness of blood , or by too much foulness in the body ; and by these means will upon any exercise sweat , pant , blow , and heave at the flanks . to the intent wherefore you may prevent his being broken winded , in time apply your self to the cure ; and let it be in this manner . let him feed moderately on hay , ( for horses so diseased are greedy feeders ) and let the hay be always sprinkled with water , which will asswage his thirst , and very much cool his inflamed blood ; then give him two egges steeped twenty four hours in the strongest white-wine-vinegar five or six mornings following , and let him swallow the vinegar afterwards ; then ride him gently an hour after , then set him up warm , and three hours after give him hay sprinkled with water , and at night give him oats , wetted in good strong ale ; do this ten days , keeping him the while to spare diet , and let his drink be white water . this medicine will both purge and scowre from him much flegm and filth at nose and mouth ; and if moderately exercised , will be both sounder and better in health a long time after . belly-ach . this belly-ach or fretting in the belly proceedeth from eating green pulse , or raw , undryed pease , beans , or oats ; or when gross humours , inflammations , or any sharp matter is gotten between the pamile and the great gut. the signs are great groaning , wallowing , striking at his belly , and gnawing on the rack or manger . the cure is , first , to anoint your hand with sallet oyl or butter , and then thrusting it into the horses fundament , pull out as much dung as you can reach , which is called raking an horse ; then give him a clyster of water and salt , or a suppository of honey and salt ; and then let him drink the powder of centaury and worm-wood brewed with a quart of malmesey . but the best remedy in most mens opinion is a suppository of new castle-soap . broken-windedness . this disease may happen by over hasty running a fat horse presently after his water , or without exercise standing too long in the stable , or foul feeding , whereby so many gross humours may be drawn down into the body of an horse , that cleaving to the hollow parts of his lungs , and stopping the wind-pipes , his wind may have its recourse backwards , and not upwards , filling the guts and diminishing his strength . the signs of this disease are violent , beating of his flanks , drawing his belly upward , great opening of his nostrils , with a swift going to and fro of his tuel , all which are accompanied with a dry cough . this is the worst of all the distempers of the lungs , and therefore the cure is the more difficult ; however take this method , having been found an excellent remedy by frequent experience , and hath done its work when all others failed . take of pances , long-wort , maiden-hair , the crops of nettles , carduus benedictus , the herb flue●in , dragon roots bruised , elicampane roots bruised , of water hemp , peniroyal , light-wort , and angelica , of each of these a good handful , bruise them , and lay them all night in two gallons of water , let it boyl in the morning , and when it is luke-warm , give the horse hereof as much as he will drink ; after this drink , give him a good quantity of sodden wheat ; use him to this diet for ten days , and then if the season be convenient , turn him out to grass . others apply this medicine ; they will take his water for nine days , and boyl liquorish therein mixt with wine , and so give it him to drink . i do not deny but this may be a safe and good medicine , but the first for my money . broken lungs frettized and rotten . the lungs are inclosed by a very thin film , and therefore are the more subject to break ; and being broken , if the cure be neglected , they will soon impostumate and inflame . the signs are ; when the horse cougheth his flanks will beat , but the flower they beat , the disease is the more dangerous , by how much it is of the longer standing or continuance ; besides , he will draw his wind short , groan much , and when he coughs he will bring up something , which he will champ in his mouth . to cure him you must give him two or three ounces of hogs grease , and three spoonfuls of diapente , brewed in a quart of barley-water , wherein currans have been boyled . or you may take of fenugreek and linseed , of each half a pound , of gum-tragacanth , of mastick , of myrrh , of sugar , of fitch flower , of each one ounce , let all these be beaten into fine powder , and then for a whole night infused in a good quantity of warm water , and the next day give him a quart of this luke-warm , putting thereto two ounces of the oyl of roses , use him to this ten or a dozen days , and let grass be his food , for that is best in this condition . cold or pose , the best way to cure it . if to be had , take one ounce of the purest and finest paste of elicampane , which hath the strings at the roots taken from it ; if that cannot be gotten , take an ounce of the conserve of elicampane , and dissolve it in almost a quart of sack , and so give it in an horn to an horse fasting ; and then ride him half an hour after , and after that let him fast two hours ; do this three or four mornings , feeding him as at other ordinary times . consumption . this disease is called the dry malady , and indeed it is nothing else but an ulceration of the lungs , proceeding from a sharp corroding humour ingendred by cold or surfeit . some would have this malady to be the mourning of the chine , but they are mistaken , for the dry malady , or general consumption , never evacuateth any thing at the nose ; but the mourning of the chine ever voideth thereat some filthy matter . the signs hereof are , consumption of flesh and strength , the belly will be gaunt , and the back-bone hid ; he will offer to cough , but cannot , or if he doth , it is but faintly . this disease is incurable , yet his life may be so prolonged with a competent strength , to do a great deal of labour : to the intent therefore that he may be serviceable , you must purge his head ; then give him cole-worts chopt small in his provender , and now and then give him the warm blood of a sucking pig , or the juice of leeks mixt with oyl and wine . but the best cure is to purge his body clean , with comfortable and gentle purges ; and then suffer him to run at grass a winter and a summer , and he will either dye in that time , or be restored to perfect health . colt-evil . it is a disease in the yard , sheath , and cods of an horse or gelding by reason of heat , and rankness of seed ; but to a gelding it happens by weakness and coldness of seed . the too great abundance of seed in an horse causeth a stopping in the pipe , or conveyance of the yard : now a gelding for want of strength and heat to send it forth , his seed stops the passage ; and so his yard and sheath swell very much . the best way to cure an horse , is to let him cover a mare ; and after this , ride him up to the flanks in running water against the stream . if this will not do , swim him against the stream five or six days following , and then apply to the part this plaister . take bean-meal and mallows , of each one handful , hogs grease half a pound ; chop the mallows small , and so boyl them in a pint of white wine , when boyled , put it into a cloth , and wrap his cods up close therein ; use this often , and you will not only take down his swelling , or continual erection of his yard , but heal any excoriation by sharpness of seed . if he shed his seed much ; then beat venice turpentine , and sugar together , and give him every morning a good round ball thereof , till you have stayed the running . clysters , a general discourse thereof . a clyster or a purgation is defined to be the emptying of superfluous humours ; which by their malevolent disposition do cumber and disturb the body ; now when nature is too weak to throw off these peccant humours ; then art must be used , either by purgation , vomit , clyster , or suppository . clysters or glisters and suppositories contrary to the administration of other physick , are applied to the posteriors , whose natures are to purge the guts , to cleanse ulcers , to asswage the pains of belly-ach or cholick . now clysters are not all of one nature ; for some are laxative , some are restringent , some cleansing , some preparatory to other physick for its better operation ; and therefore my advice is to all farriers , not to administer any physick , if the horse be not soluble in body , till having first breathed a vein , and the next day give him a clyster . now clysters are made either of decoctions , or drugs , or oyls , and sometimes by the adding of salt ; and the quantity of these is given according to the age , strength , greatness or corpulency of the horse : as for example : if an horse be lean , small , weak and feeble , then of a decoction a quart is enough ; if on the contrary , strong , &c. three pints , of oil half a pint , and of salt three drachms at most . of drugs , as sena , cassia , agarick , &c. you must not exceed the quantity of three ounces at most in one clyster , and of butter not four ounces ; and let your clyster be never more than lukewarm . before he receive it let him be somewhat empty , by raking , &c. and let him retain it half an hour ; and for the better effecting thereof , let his keeper hold his tail close to his tuel , for the space or time aforesaid ; the longer it is kept in , the more effectual it will be to him : observe to draw away the clyster-pipe by degrees , and not all at once . clyster against costiveness , which causeth a loathing to meat , drooping and languishing . take the fat of beef-broth one pint and an half , of good english honey half a pint , adding thereto of white salt two drachms ; mix these well together , and administer it blood-warm : if it work not in half an hour after you have clapt his taile close to his tuel , then ride him a little , but not so much as to make him sweat ; then tie him up warm , cloathed and littered , for five hours , in which time he will purge gently , after this give him sweet hay and white water , but let him not drink cold water in two days after . this clyster is most excellent for opening the body , for purging offensive humours , for removing obstructions , and for cleansing the guts . clyster restringent for an horse that emptieth himself too much , either by debility , or nature too much offended . take of mellilot two handfuls , or rather pellitory and boil it to a decoction : of this take one pint , adding thereto as much cows milk ( coming warm from her ) and put also thereto the yolks of new laid eggs , well beaten and well mixed with the said liquor , and so give it your horse blood-warm . clyster for a fat horse , or one newly taken from grass . take mallows three handfuls , marsh-mallow-roots cleansed and bruised , and violet leaves of each two handfuls , flax-seed three spoonfuls , so many of the cloves of white lilly roots as you may easily hold in your hand ; boil these in fair water from a gallon to a quart , then strain it and put thereto of sena one ounce , which most be infused or steeped in the liquor three hours standing over the hot embers , then add thereto half a pint of sallet-oyl , give your horse this blood-warm four days before the full and change of the moon . clyster for any desperate sickness . take of oyls of dill , and camomile , of violets , and of cassia , half an ounce of each , and of brown sugar-candy powdered three ounces , of mallow leaves half an handful ; boil the mallows first to a decoction in fair water , then strain it and put therein all the aforesaid ingredients . this clyster is a sovereign help against all feavers , the pestilence , all languishing distempers or surfeits , and will corroborate and strengthen in a very short time . clyster for the plague or pestilence : take half an ounce of the pulp of coloquintida , the seeds and skins exempted , three quarters of an ounce of dragantium , of centaury and wormwood of each half an handful , a quarter of an ounce of castoreum ; boil all these in three quarts of water to a quart , then strain it , and dissolve into it three ounces of the broth of gerologundinum , and of white salt three drachms , of sallet-oil half a pint , and so administer it being blood-warm . clyster lenitive against convulsions , cramps , costiveness , surfeit or foundring . take four ounces of butter , or half a pint of sallet-oil , and put it to the decoction of mallows and give it him clyster-wise blood-warm ; it is a great cooler of the body , and doth infinitely asswage pain . clyster for the cholick . take salt water , or new made brine , a quart , dissolve therein a pretty quantity of soap , and so blood-warm administer . this clyster is not only good against the cholick , griping of the guts , but any other distemper . dropsie . this disease is known by an universal swelling of all the body in general , but especially the legs , through the abundance of water lying between the skin and the flesh , the belly will swell like to a mares with foal , a swelling also betwixt the great bag and the kell ; this disease is farther known by shortness of breath , loss of natural colour , want of appetite , and a continual christ . this disease , which is an evil habit of the body , is engendered by surfeits and unreasonable labour , and is cured by taking two handfuls of wormwood , and boil it in ale or beer a quart or better , and give it the horse to drink luke-warm morning and evening ; at noon let him drink his own water . but the best and most approved remedy is to take a gallon of strong ale , and settling it over the fire , scum off the froth which ariseth ; then take a handful of wormwood with the stalks , and put them therein , and let it boil to a quart , then take it off and strain it well ; then dissolve into it three ounces of the best treacle , and put in also an ounce and a half of long pepper and grains beaten to a fine powder ; then brew them together till it be luke-warm , and so give it him to drink ; the next day let him blood in the neck-vein , and anoint his fore-legs with traine oil ; then turn him into good grass , and do not doubt his recovery . drenches general for all diseases in horses . if for colds , take half an ounce of the powder called diapente ( the way how to make it i have already discovered in a chapter foregoing ) and brew it with a pint of sack , if for sickness at heart , brew it in muskadine , and give it the horse fasting in the morning : give him this to drink as soon as ever you see him begin to droop , and so continue doing for three or four mornings . another drench you may make by taking two handfuls of celandine root and leaves , chop them and bruise them ; then take of rue , red sage and mint as much , of aloes half an ounce ; boil these in a pottle of ale to a quart , and give it the horse luke-warm . or take four ounces of diapente , and mix it with four ounces of honey clarified , and keep it close in a glass ; then take a pint of sweet wine , and put half an ounce thereof into it , and it is an excellent drench . take of liquorish an ounce , of anniseeds , cumminseeds and elecampane roots of each half an ounce , of turmerick and bays of each a quarter of an ounce , of long pepper and fenugreek of each two drachms ; beat these small and sierce them , and put five spoonfuls into a quart of ale warmed with a little butter or oyl . the powder of brimstone mixt with sweet wine is a very good drench . the root of the sea-onion , the roots of poplar mingled with common salt , given in water preserveth health a long time . garlick and housleek beaten together in a mortar , and then boiled in ale from a pottle to a quart , and mixt with liquorish , anniseeds and sugar-candy , with a pretty quantity of sallet oil , is an incomparable drench for any internal maladies proceeding from hot causes . of drenches , and their uses , let this suffice . diseases commonly infesting the spleen : the spleen is the receptacle of melancholy and the dregs of blood : there is no part of the body more subject to diseases than this is ; for through its sponginess , it is inclined to suck in all manner of filth , and communicate it to the whole body . the diseases of the spleen usually afflict horses in the summer , most proceeding from the greedy eating of green food . the signs of these maladies are heaviness , dulness , pain on the left side , hard swellings , short breath , much groaning . the speediest way to cure him is to make him sweat ; then take the leaves of tamarisk bruised , a good quantity of cumminseed beaten to powder , and boil them in a quart of white wine , and so give it him luke-warm . this last is not the least , nor a despicable remedy ; take cumminseed and honey of each six ounces , of lacerpitium as much as a bean , of vinegar a pint , and put all these in three quarts of water , and let it stand so all night , in the morning give him a quart to drink , having fasted all the night . diseases of the gall. if the liver be troubled with many diseases , so is the gall ; which is a long slender little greenish bladder , fixed underneath the liver , which receiveth all the cholerick bitter moisture , which would otherwise not only be offensive to the liver , but likewise the whole body . now if the passage of this necessary vessel be stopped , there will certainly follow many diseases ; as the lax , bloody-flux , yellows , and the like . or if the way whereby such choler should issue forth of the bladder of the gall , down into the guts and excrements , is closed up , and so aboundeth with too much choler ; hence proceedeth suffocation , heat , thirst , and a disposition to rage and fury ; and for certain , in any beast there is not a more dangerous disease than the overflowing of the gall. the symptoms of these maladies are yellowness of the skin , yellow jaundice , with costiveness of body . the cure is to boil good store of saffron in milk , or ale ; saffron and anniseeds mixt together . but i am of the opinion that celandine roots and leaves , chopt , bruised , and boiled in beer , and given the horse luke-warm to drink , is more sovereign . but notwithstanding , our prescriptions for these maladies , some do confidently affirm that an horse hath no gall at all ; but that filthy and corrupt matter is wasted and spent either by sweat , exercise , or turns into diseases . diseases incident to the liver . the diseases of the liver are many , and do proceed from many causes ; as when it it too hot and too dry , two moist or too cold , or by intemperate riding , evil food , corrupt humours , or overflowing of the gall. if his distemper proceed from any hot cause , then these are the apparent signs ; he will be lean and loath his meat , his thirst will be great , and he will be very laxative . now the general heads from whence a disease in the liver doth proceed , are inflammation , impostumation or ulceration : if his distemper proced from a cold cause , it must be by an ulcer which proceedeth from a cold cause ; and the symptoms to know it by are , continual coldness of his body , great feebleness and faintness ; and the reason is , because the ulcerated matter diffuseth ill vapours through the whole body . so soon as you discover this distemper by the symptoms aforesaid , let him blood immediately in both sides of the neck , and the next day let him blood in both the spur-veins , and then give him this drink . take h●ssop , cowslip leaves , liver-wort , lungwort and harts-tongue of each an handful ; then take gentiana , aristolochia rotunda , enula campana dried , and long pepper , of each the like quantity , so as when they be p●unded and sierced you may have of each a spoonful ; chap the herbs , and then mingle them with a spoonful of live honey , then boil all these ingredients in a quart of ale , till one half be consumed , then strain it and give it him blood-warm ; if he refuse to eat , by reason this drink hath made him drie , then give him a warm mash ; let him rest three days betwixt every drench . ears impostumated . this disease hath its rise from several causes , either by a blow about the ears or poll , or else by being galled thereabout with a new halter ; sometimes it proceedeth from a cold , other whiles by bad and peccant humour . the signs of this distemper are burning , glowing and swelling about the part , and he will not endure to be touched thereabouts . for the cure ; take linseed and make it into a fine powder , and wheat flower of each half a pint , ordinary honey a pint , tried hogs-grease one pound ; mix these well together and warm them on a fire , keeping them stirring continually ; then take of this ointment , and spread it on a linnen cloth or leather , the breadth of the swelling , and so apply it warm , renewing it once in twenty four hours , till it comes to suppuration , and so break ; then having cleansed the part , heal it thus : take mel rosarum , sallet oil , and ordinary turpentine of each two ounces ; having incorporated them well together , make a bigging for the horse to keep on the medicine , and tent it to the bottom with this ointment , applying likewise a plaister of the same to the place aggrieved , renewing it daily till the sore be well . frenzie . this frenzie or madness in an horse is fourfold : first , when some naughty and corrupted blood doth strike only one part of the panicle of the brain ; and you shall know this by his turnning round like a beast troubled with the sturdy . the second is , when a poisonous blood infecteth the middle part of the brain ; then will the horse be mad , leaping against any thing and running his head against a wall . thirdly , he is said to be mad when blood filleth his stomachical veins . lastly , he is then frantick indeed , when the poyson of the blood not only infecteth the brain and heart , but the panicles also , which you may know by his biting of every thing comes near him , by gnawing the manger , and lastly by tearing his own skin in pieces . the speediest cure is to let him blood in most of the lower parts of the body , to draw down the blood from cumbring his head . the veins most proper to be opened for this dangerous distemper are the shackle-veins , the spur-veins , the plat-veins and the thigh-veins , taking very much blood from them ; after this , give him this drink ; take the root of wild cucumber , if not that , a handful of rew or mints , and an handful of black hellebore , and boil them in strong red wine , and give it in an horn luke-warm . the cure which mr. markham hath by long experience found most safe , speedy and expedient , is either to make him swallow down hard hens-dung , or else give him to drink the root of virga pastoris , stamped in water . as for his ordering during the cure , his stable must be quiet , but not close , and his food only warm mashes of malt and water of this but a little at a time , for the slenderer his diet , the better it is . falling evil. this falling evil is the same which in men is called the falling sickness , it deprives the beast of all sense whatsoever . it proceeds from gross and cold flegm , gathered together in the fore part of the head betwixt the panicle and the brain , which being by any hot vapour disperst through the whole body , it doth instantly cause the falling ; the signs of this distemper are so apparent they need no farther description than this , that all his body will quake and quiver , foam at the mouth ; and when you think him past recovery , he will start up and fall to his meat . to effect the cure , let him blood in the neck-vein ; five days after bleed him in the temple-veins and in his eye-veins ; then anoint his body all over with a comfortable friction ; then bath his head and ears with oyl de bay , liquid pitch and tar mixt together ; dropping some thereof into his ears , make him a cap of canvas , quilted with wool , to keep his head warm , and force him to sneeze . now because this is a disease that doth not frequently invade the bodies of english horses , only the spanish , french , and italian horses , i think what already is written of this malady may suffice . foundring in the body . this distemper , of all surfeits is most dangerous , and most incident to horses which dayly travel . it proceedeth from suffering the horse to drink too much in his travail , being very hot ; whereby the grease being suddainly cooled , it doth clap about and suffocate the internal parts with such a loathsome fulness , that without a speedy purgation , death will speedily and inevitably follow . and this disease may proceed from another cause . viz. suddain washing of horses in the winter time , when they are both fat and hot by travail ; where are cold vapour of the water striking into the body of the horse , benums the inward and vital parts , making the blood to lose its office , whereby he loseth his strength in such manner , that he can neither go , nor bow his joynts ; and being laid , he is unable to rise again . the symptoms of this disease are , holding down his head , staring up of his hair , coughing , staggering behind , trembling after water , loathing his meat , stiff-going , and disability to rise when down ; but the most remarkable of all signs is , his belly will cling up to his back , and his back will rise up like a camels . the first thing you are to do in the curing this malady , is to rake his fundament , then give him a clyster , ; finding the horses belly emptied , then take a quart of malmsey , of sugar half a quartern , half an ounce of cinamon , of liquorish and anniseeds , of each two spoonfuls , beaten into fine powder ; which being put into the malmsey , warm them over the fire , adding thereto some honey ; which being molten , give it the horse luke-warm ; which done , walk him up and down an hour if the weather be tolerably warm , then let him fast upon the bit two hours , being well cloathed and litter'd ; and when you give him hay , let it be sprinkled with water ; and give him his clean sifted provender by a little at once ; his drink must be warm mashes of malt and water ; upon his recovery draw blood from him in the neck-vein , and moderately exercise him often . feaver . i have in a chapter foregoing treated of several sorts of feavers ; however , i must not in this place omit speaking something more thereof . an horse that is feaverish may be known by his suddainly falling ill , his heaviness and gauntness of his belly ; when it first seizeth him , he will quake exceedingly . the cure : take half an ounce of diapente , one ounce of bay-berries , half an ounce of long pepper ; beat these together ; then take half an ounce of diascordium , and put all these into a pint and half of strong beer , and making it luke-warm , give him it any time of the day to drink , but take no blood from him in any case , it is death if you do ; only cloath and litter him warm ; the diascordium will cause him to sleep : now after the drink hath done working , and the horse left off sweating , then give him half a pint of white-wine and two ounces of honey , mixt together , and made luke-warm ; then air him , and four hours after give him a cordial , made of three pints of stale beer , and a quarter of a pint of honey , and a quarter of a pound of butter , and a good piece of houshold bread ; boyl them a little together , and give it him luke-warm ; and so set him up for that night . next morning fasting , give him the cordial again , and at ten of the clock give him warm water and bran , at three of the clock white-wine and honey , and at night warm water and bran. thus do with airing him sometimes ; and as you see him mend , you may air him oftner ; at which time take some blood from his spur-veins , and never question his cure . flux in horses . a flux proceedeth from cold , or from drinking too much after eating too plentifully of provender ; for the water coming thereunto causeth it to swell , whereby crudities are bred in the stomach , and so carried down to the guts , and this occasioneth the flux . it proceeds sometimes from too soon travelling after provender , it being not well digested before ; or from drinking cold water when he is too hot ; or from eating hens-dung , or a spider . be not over hasty in stopping this flux , unless you perceive he purgeth too much , and over violently ; for then undoubtedly nature is highly offended ; and then give him a laxative clyster , which i prescribed before in the chapters of clysters , and that will carry away from him whatever within offends him ; a day after give him this drink , made of bean flower and bole-armoniack powder , of each three ounces , mix them with a quart of red-wine , give it him blood-warm ; and afterwards keep him warm in the stable , giving him hay and oats a little at a time . another way ; take of wood-ashes finely searced , and of bole armoniack made into a fine powder , of each a like quantity , put them into the water that he is to drink , and let him drink thereof morning and evening ; and this will stay his flux . glaunders . i shall wave what the ancients have said of the glanders , imagining that it comes from the latin word glandulae , and say that it is a running impostume , engendred either by cold , over much fasting , or long thirst , or by eating foul meat , or else by infection of other horses . it is a flux or rheum , which sometimes runneth at one nostril , sometimes at both : now , he that would perfectly cure this disease , must consider the matter which issueth from the horses nose . if the humour be clear and transparent , then it is not very dangerous ; if white , it is worse , yet with no great difficulty cured . if it be yellow , it is infectious , yet curable ; and therefore separate him from your sound horses . if that yellow be mixed with red , or if the colour of the matter be like saffron , the horse is in a manner incurable . he ought to consider whether the matter hath an evil smell , if so , it is the sign of an ulcer ; if it stink not at all it is a certain sign of death . to facilitate his cure you must give him warm mashes of malt and water , with purging his head by sneezing ; you may then give him any of these several drinks . first , you may take a pottle of urine , an handful of bay salt , and a good quantity of brown sugar-candy , then boyl it to a quart ; after this , adde anniseeds and liquorish beaten to fine powder , and give it him blood-warm to drink . secondly , you may take swines grease , and boyl it in water ; then take the fat from the water , and mingle it with a little oyl olive , and a good quantity of urine , and half as much white-wine , when it is luke-warm give him a quart thereof to drink . thirdly , take a quart of ale , an ounce and half of grated bread , the yolks of two egges , of ginger , saffron , cloves , cinamon , nutmegs , cardamomum , lavender , galingal , and honey , of these an indifferent quantity ; mix these together , strain it , and give it him to drink . but if the glaunders be of the worser sort , which will be known by the aforesaid symptoms ; then take half a pound of swines blood , adde to it a pound of the juice of beets , with three ounces of euphorbium finely beaten ; and when it hath boyled some time , take it off from the fire , and put thereto another ounce of euphorbium ; keep this oyntment , and anoint therewith his nostrils , by dipping two very long feathers , or little rods therein ; and so rub them to and fro his nostrils ; then walk him abroad , and do thus four days together ; and this by experience hath been found an excellent cure . gargel , murrain , plague , and pestilence . blood-letting is very dangerous in these pestilential diseases : the signs when to know an horse afflicted with this distemper , are , gumming thick at the eyes , hanging down of the head , staggering as he goeth , swelling of his head , falling away of his flesh , notwithstanding a good appetite to his meat . for the cure , take of diapente the bigness of an hasel-nut , as much dialfara , as much london treacle , as much mithridate , as much saffron , an handful of worm-wood , an handful of red-sage , rhubarb as much as an hasel-nut , and two cloves of garlick ; boyl all these together in a quart of beer , till it come to a pint and half ; then give it him luke-warm , fasting , and keep him very warm , and the next thing you give him must be a warm mash of ground malt ; it must be his sweating that principally effects the cure. head-ach is a pain that cometh from some inward cause , as some cholerick humour gathered together in the panicles of the brain , or from some extream heat or cold , or from outward causes , either by a blow or some noysome savour . the signs are , hanging down of his head , dropping of his urine , dimness of sight , swoln , with waterish eyes . the best way to cure him , is to make him sneeze by fumigation ; then let him blood in the palate of the mouth , and keep him fasting fourteen hours afterwards ; then spurt into his nostrils wine , wherein hath been sodden euphorbium and frankincense ; after this , seed him , and keep his head warm . others advise to let him blood three mornings together , after walk him a while ; then cloath him , then cover his temples over with a plaister of pitch ; let his meat be little , and his stable dark . hungry evil , or greedy worm . the hungry evil is an unnatural and over hasty greediness in an horse to devour his meat faster than he can chew it ; and is only known by his greedy snatching at his meat , as if he would devour a piece of the manger the cure is , to give him to drink milk and wheat meal , mingled together a quart at a time , and to feed him with provender a little and a little at a time , till he forsake it . horse hide-b●und . hide-bound is so called , because the skin cleaveth so fast to his ribs , that with your fingers you cannot pull one from the other . it proceedeth sometimes from poverty , sometimes from surfeit , and lastly , from a corrupt dryness of the blood , which wanting its natural course , forceth the skin to shrink up . the signs are , besides what is already spoken , gauntness of belly , and the ridg-bone of his back standing up ; if this be not speedily remedied , manginess will suddainly insue . the cure of this disease is diversly laid down ; some will have the horse let blood in the spur-veins , and then give him this drink . take of strong ale a quart , and put thereto three ounces of sallet oyl , of cummin one ounce , of anniseeds two ounces , of liquorish two ounces , beaten all to fine powder , and given him luke-warm in an horn to drink ; having drunk it off , let one chafe his back , from his huckle-bone upward for an hour or more ; then let him stand warm , with good store of litter about him ; then fold about his body a thick blanket soaked in water ; and this will make him sweat ; thus do for a week , and you will loosen his skin . others prescribe blood-letting in the first place , then let him drink mornings together a quart of new milk , with two spoonfuls of honey , & one spoonful of course treacle ; let his food be sodden barley , or warm grains , and his drink hot mashes . but the best remedy i can find , and that experimentally , is first , to let him blood in the neck-vein , then give him this drink . take two handfuls of celandine , ( if in summer the leaves , if in winter , stalks and roots ) and chop them small ; then take an handful of wormwood , and an handful of rue , and chop them also ; put all these into three quarts of strong ale , and boyl them till it come to a quart ; then take it from the fire , and dissolve therein three ounces of the best treacle ; and being luke-warm , give it the horse to drink ; then for a weeks space , once a day rub all the horses body over with oyl and beer against the hair , and feed him with warm mashes of malt and water , and let his provender be barley sodden till it be ready to break . horses lean and unsound , how to fatten them in a fortnight . if your horse be so poor and diseased that you are out of all hopes of his life , then take anniseeds , cumminseeds , fenugreek , carthamus , enula-campana , flower of brimstone , brown sugar-candy , of each of these two ounces , beaten , and searced to a very fine powder ; then take an ounce of the juice of liquorish , and dissolve it in an half pint of white-wine ; then take three ounces of the syrrop of colts-foot , of sallet-oyl and life-honey , of each half a pint ; then mix these with the former powders , and with as much wheat flower as will bind them all together ; then work them into a stiff paste , and make thereof balls as big as pullets eggs , and so keep them close in a gally pot ; when you would use them , take one , and anoint it with oyl or butter , and give it the horse in the nature of a pill ; then ride him a little after it , then feed and water him as at other times , giving him this pill for a whole fortnight together ; but if his fatning answer not your expectation , then make a second ball after this manner : take of wheat-meal what may suffice , of anniseeds two ounces , of cummin-seeds six drachms , of carthamus one drachm and an half , of fenugreek-seeds one ounce two drachms , of brimstone one ounce and an half , of sallet-oil one pint two ounces , of honey one pound and an half , of white wine four pints ; the hard simples being pu'verized and finely sierced , you must make all these into a paste , and having kneaded it well , make it into balls bigger than a turkeys egg ; and then every morning and evening when you water your horse , dissolve into his cold water one of these balls , by lathering it , and so let him drink thereof . the horse at first will , it may be , be very unwilling to drink thereof , if so , let him thirst till he drink it ; for at last he will be forced to take , but having throughly tasted thereof , he will refuse all waters for this only ; this is a most excellent medicine , which not only scowreth , fatneth , but likewise cleanseth the body from all manner of ill humours . jaundice . the jaundice or the yellows , proceeds from the overflowing of the gall and spleen : of this malady there are two sorts : if choler overflow , by reason of the gall , then it is the yellow jaundice , because of the outward appearance of the distemper , as eyes , skin , mouth , inside of the lips , &c. are dried and coloured yellow : if melancholy abound , by reason of the sickness of the spleen , the outward parts appear black ; and therefore it is called the black jaundice . where note that whilst the matter is yellow , so long the horse's body is in a very probable way of recovery ; but when the yellow is mastered and converted into blackness , it is an evident s●gn of mortality . of all the diseases in an horse's body this is most common , and yet most dangerous , if not timely cured ; wherefore i shall lay down the best receipts i could meet withal . and first , phlebotomize your horse in the neck-vein , and let him bleed so long till you see the blood come very pure ; then give him of this drink . take a quart of ale , and put therein saffron and turmerick of each half an ounce , and the juyce that is wrung out of a great handful of celandine ; and being luke-warm , give it the horse to drink , keeping him warm , three or four days , giving him warm water with a little bran in it . another way to cure him is ; when you perceive he is troubled with the jaundice , by the sweating at the roots of his ears , and by the yellowness of the whites of his eyes ; then blood let him in in the neck-veins , on both sides of the neck ; then take elder leaves , celandine and camomile of each an handful ; cut them small , and give them to the horse in a pint and an half of the best beer , being made luke-warm , fasting ; keep him warm , and give him warm water to drink for two or three days . so much of the yellow jaundice ; a word or two of the black jaundice . it is the opinion of several understanding men , that the black jaundice is a disease incurable ; but because others are of a contrary opinion , i will give you an account of what they prescribe for the cure thereof . first rake his fundament , then give him a clyster made of oyl , water , milk and nitrum ; then pour into his nostrils the decoction of mallows , mingled with sweet wine , and let his meat be grass or hay , sprinkled with water and a little nitre , and his provender dried oats ; he must rest from labour , and be often rubbed : i shall say little to it , only leave it to your own experience . inflammations how to ripen ; as pustuls and kernels which grow under the chawl of an horse . these pustuls and kernels , proceeding from inflammations occasioned by colds , &c. must be dissolved , otherwise all remedies will prove insignificant ; wherefore to bring these pustuls to suppuration , you must take wheat-bran two handfuls , and a quart of wine or ale to thicken it with , put to it half a pound of hogs-grease ; boil these together till the liquour be quite consumed , and so apply it to the place , as hot as the horse can endure it , renewing it every day , till it be so soft as that it be fit to be opened to let out the corruption ; then tent it with flax dipped in this salve . but if the inflammation be impostumated , you may then take of the grounds of a beer-barrel a gallon , of smallage , peniroyal , winter savory , cumfrey , rew , and of the berries and leaves of the misseltoe of each two handfuls , chop these very small , and put them to the beer grounds , and add thereunto deer or sheeps suet tried , one pound , and three or four handfuls of rye or wheat-bran so much as will serve to boil these to a pou●tess ; then apply it to the place , and let it be never so much impostumated it will either break or soften it ; but if it be very hard , it will discuss and divert the humour some other way . kidney infirmities . the kidneys are frequently afflicted with inflammations , obstructions , aposthumes and ulcers ; and these are occasioned by some great strain , by over-riding or over-bearing . the usual symptoms of the distempers in the kidneys , are discerned by his staggering and roling as he goeth , his urine will be thick and blackish ; if he hath stones , they will be shrunk up ; if none , his sheath will be drawn backward . the cure : bathe his back and loins with oyl , wine and nitrum warmed together , and after he is bathed , cover him with warm cloths , and let him stand in litter up to the belly ; then give him to drink water wherein hath been sodden , dill , fennel , anniseeds , smallage , parsley , spikenard , myrrh and cassia , or as many of these simples as you can well procure . the next morning fasting , give him a quart of ews milk , if you cannot get that , then half a pint of sallet oil , with the root of daffadil boiled in wine , and let oats be his provender . if the horse be troubled with the stone , which you will discover by his often straining to piss , but cannot ; then take an handful of maiden-hair , and steep it all night in a quart of strong ale , and give the horse to drink every morning , till he be perfectly cured ; this is an infallible medicine to break , in an horse , any stone whatever . loathing of meat in an horse . this is a disease proceeding from the intemperature of his stomach , occasioned by rankness of blood , or overmuch travel . dayly experience makes this latter apparent ; for if an horse be ridden hard , and put up into a stable hot , he will refuse his meat ; and hence it is that i cannot but condemn baiting at noons ( a vulgar ignorant custom ) because a journey commonly craves haste , so that an horse is not admitted to take so convenient a cooling as is requisite , before his meat , which breeds many distempers . now to cool him moderately , either wash his tongue with vinegar , or give him to drink oyl and vinegar mingled with cold water . but if the loathing of his meat proceed from the coldness of his stomach , which is only known by the standing up and stovering of the hair ; then give him wine and oil to drink , mixed , divers mornings together ; or wine , oil , sage , and rice boiled together , giving him thereof a quart at a time . some again will give him onions , pilled and chopt , and rocket-seed boiled and bruised in wine ; others mingle wine with the blood of a sow-pig . but to conclude : take this as the best remedy for any general forsaking , or an horse's loathing his meat , whether it proceed from hot or cold causes in the stomach ; and that is , when there are green blades of corn , especially of wheat , give your horse a good quantity thereof ; if it be at such a time , as that they cannot be procured , then give the horse sweet wine , and the seeds of gith mixt with it , or else sweet wine and garlick , well pilled and stampt , brewing it a good while together ; this is a sovereign remedy in maladies of this nature . lask or bloody flux . the lask or ●ax is an unnatural loosness in an horses body , which , if not in its due time stayed , will bring the horse to great debilitation and weakness ; this disease proceedeth from very many causes ; wherefore i shall pass them over , and only inform you , that as you must have a care not to stop it too soon , so let it not run too long ; both being of an equal dangerous consequence . as long as you find the strength and good estate of your horse continue , you may let him scowre , but when once that begins to impair , you must put a stop to its farther course ; which you may do several ways . as first ; take of bean-flower and bole armoniack , of each a quartern , mix them together with a quart of red wine ; give it him luke-warm , but be sure to keep him warm , and expose him to no labour for some small time . or secondly , you may take an handful of an herb called shepherds-purse , and boil it in a quart of strong ale ; then take the seeds of woodroof stampt , and when the ale is luke-warm , put them thereinto and give it the horse to drink . let his drink in this mean while be warmed , mingled with bean-flower , but give him not his full draught at a time , and when you give him any , let it be but once in eighteen hours . others , and not unadvisedly , take the powder of one nutmeg , half an ounce of cinamon , and as much of the rind of a pomegranat , and mixing these with a pint of red wine , give it the horse luke-warm to drink . but if this disease happen to a sucking foal , as it is frequently seen , by reason of the fluidness of his diet ; then give him a pint of verjuice , which curdling the milk , will thicken his excrement , and is , i can experimentally assure , a speedy remedy . now as to the bloody flux , it is undoubtedly occasioned by some sharp humour excoriating the guts , or from some exulceration thereof . the signs of this distemper are very apparent , therefore i shall not need to describe them ; wherefore i shall only prescribe the cure , and that may be effected several ways ; as by dissolving four ounces of the conserve of sloes , in a pint of red wine , and so with your horn give it him to drink : but the most approved remedy in this ; take half an handful of shepherds-purse , and as much tanners bark , taken out of the fat and dried , a little cinnamon ; boil these in three pints of red wine , to a quart , and then straining the liquor , give it your horse lukewarm to drink . molten grease . if an horse be grease-molten , or foundred in the body , then open the neck-vein , and draw away the corrupt and inflamed blood ; then take a pint of white wine , half the quantity of sallet-oil , of rhubarb two drachms , and the like of aloes , half an ounce of sena , three drachms of agarick , half an ounce of bay berries , two drachms of saffron , of duck and cordial powder two drachms ; pulverize what is to be pulverized , and having mixt them well together , add thereunto four ounces of life honey , give him this blood-warm ; let him fast four hours before he take it , and as many after ; let him have no oats that day , nor any other drink than sweet mashes , and be sure to keep him very warm . mourning of the chine . this distemper , by the experience of such who have frequently opened horses , is found to be a corruption or consumption of the liver ; this consumption proceeding from a cold which is afterwards converted into a pose , that into the glanders , and lastly , into the mourning of the chine . to avoid prolixity , or the variety of cures , which every man , according to his own fancy , thinketh best , i shall give you two , which ( instar omnium ) are lookt upon by the most expert the best remedy for this malady . take of the bark of an elder-tree , growing by the water side , as much as will fill an ordinary pipkin , add thereunto as much running water as the vessel will hold , and boil this liquor half away , then fill it up again , and continue so doing thrice , after the consumption of the water ; and take it off the fire , and add thereunto a third of the oil of oats , or the like quantity of sweet butter or hogs-grease , and being warmed again , take a quart thereof and give it the horse to drink ; one hornful at his mouth , and the other at that nostril which evacuateth the matter . let your horse be fasting when you administer to him this drink , and you will find it not only an excellent cure for this malady , but also for all others proceeding from any cold whatsoever . let his meat be boil'd barley , and his drink warm mashes ; but if the season will permit , his best food will be to turn him to grass : but that which i shall particularly commend to your observation and practice is , take two drachms of auripigmentum , and of tussilage as much pulverized , then mix them into a kind of paste with turpentine , and make little cakes thereof , drying them before the fire ; then take of these cakes , as much as you shall think sufficient , and put thereof into a chafing-dish of coals , and covering it with a tunnel ; when it smoaketh , put the end of the tunnel into his nostril , that the fume may ascend into his head ; then ride him till he sweat : thus do before you water your horse every morning till you find his nostrils leave running , and that those kernels or hard lumps at the root of his tongue be dissolved . night-mare . this is a distemper which very much afflicteth horses , as well as mankind , seizing both so violently , that the breath will be so stopt , that it will cause a struggling and a striving , so that an excessive sweat and faintness will follow . it comes only in the night , and it proceeds from crudities , and ill digestion ; whose ill vapours do not only disturb the head , but likewise all the sensitive parts . the signs are , coming to your horse in the morning , you shall find him all of a sweat , one drop driving the other , panting , and sweating , principally in his flanks , neck , and roots of the ears . the cure is , mornings and evenings , both before and after water , to give him a good moderate exercise , and having brought him into the stable , rub him well down , giving him oats , mixed with an handful of hemp-seed . now by the way , take notice that there are other distempers which proceed from the same cause as doth the night-mare , viz. the falling-evil , planet-struck , and palsey ; and these may seem to have different natures and dispositions , whereas they are all the same , having one rise or original , which is only cold phlegm , or thick humours ingendered about the brain , and benumming the senses , and so weakning the members , that they cause sometimes the horse to fall down , and then it is the falling-sickness ; sometimes they seize and weaken one member only , and then this malady is named planet-struck ; sometimes it spoileth some particular member by some strange contraction , and then it is called the palsey ; and lastly , when the humour oppresseth the stomach , lying heavy at the heart , stopping his breath , and making him sweat , then it hath the appellation of the night-mare . as all these distempers proceed from one cause , so i shall prescribe but one medicine : take three spoonfuls of tar , and of butter the like quantity ; beat them well together with the powder of liquorish , anniseeds , and sugar-candy , till it be like a paste ; then make these into three balls , putting to each ball three cloves of garlick ; then take your horse fasting , and give them him , and let him fast four hours after . over-gorged horse . the signs of an horse over-gorged , are swelling and slavering , so full as if the skin were ready to burst : as soon as you have discovered his distemper , take a quarter of a pound of castle-soap , scraping it thin , and putting it in two ounces of dialphera , bray them in a mortar together , and make them up into balls as big as an egge , and lay them by till you have occasion to use them ; one of these balls you must dissolve into a pint and half of strong beer scalding hot , and give it him luke-warm ; one of these balls will effect the cure , for it will soon cause him to empty himsel● by urine and scouring . purgations , their nature and manner of administration . there are five several ways by which an horse may be purged ; first , by pills and they are principally for the head , drawing down all peccant humours from thence into the body ; and carrying them off with the excrements . secondly , potions , which do cleanse the stomach , belly and guts , throwing off all ill humours , which are there offensive . thirdly , clysters , and they are of several sorts ; some to bind , some to loosen , some to heal ulcers , and others to mitigate the sharpness of peccant humours . fourthly , suppositories , which are more mild and gentle than your clysters are , and may be administred when they cannot . now it is very requisite , that the expert farrier know how to make choice of his ingredients ; and when gotten , how to compound them ; and lastly , for what diseases or maladies they are most applicably proper ; and that you may not be ignorant of the nature of some simples , know that colliquintida , scammony , and elebore are strong ; manna , cassia , and prunes are more gentle ; those which hold a mediocrity in their operation , are rhubarb , agarick , aloes , and sena . now there is a fifth way of purgation , and that is by grass ; that which will scowr most is a new mown meadow ; for that will not only rake his guts , but keep him from gathering flesh ; and therefore it will not be prudence to suffer him to run there above twelve or thirteen days , and then away with him to some other grass untouched by thy sithe , and in a little time he will belly and recover flesh . but as for purgations in the stable you must heedfully follow their precepts , who have travailed far in this art and mystery ; and first of all , the seasons of the year must be duly considered . for if you are to give your horse in winter a purge , you must first prepare him by breathing a vein , keeping him in a day or two from feeding on any meats that are hard of concoction , as hay or straw . to this intent therefore , let his meat be ( for three or four days before ) wheat or rye bran prepared , beans , pease or oats well sifted , and let him take his purgation fasting . if you will purge away his ill humours engendred by surfeits , filth and slime , then take a pint of white-wine , or a quart of strong ale , and put herein as much of the powder of the best mechoacan as will lye on a shilling at four times ; having given him this luke-warm , trot him out a mile or more , and having stood upon the trench till noon ; give him a warm mash . whether in summer or winter , if you perceive your horse surfeited , full of colds , or generally indisposed ; first , phlebotomizing him , give him a purge in this manner . take two ounces of aloes succotrina pulverized , and with sweet butter make it up into pills ; give them to him over night , having fasted the day before , and the next morning give him a sweet mash , which will make the pills work the more kindly , and so let him fast till towards the evening ; and in that time they will clear his body wonderfully ; some horses are of so strong a constitution , they will not purge till the second day , and therefore be careful in the mean time how you order him . when you think he hath done purging , give him a sweet mash , then oats and bran , and for all night hay sprinkled with water . if you will purge the body of an horse newly taken from grass ; first rake him , and then give him this clyster . take of mallows three handfuls , marsh-mallow roots cleansed and bruised , and violet leaves of each two handfuls , flax seed three spoonfuls , so many of the cloves of white lilly roots , as you may easily hold in your hand ; boyl all these from a gallon to a wine quart ; then strain it , and put thereto of sena one ounce , infusing it in the liquor three hours over the embers , and put thereunto an half pint of saliet-oyl , which being blood-warm , administer clyster-wise . the next day after give him this drink ; take a quart of the strongest ale wort , a quarter of a pint of ordinary honey , two ounces of london treacle , mix and brew all together very well . there are several other sorts of purgations , which for brevity sake i shall omit , referring you to the ingenious indeavours of mr. thomas grey in his expert farrier . piss , how to make an horse vent his vrine that is troubled with obstructions , or otherwise . you must first draw out his yard , and bathe it well with white-wine , and left it should be stopped with dirt , pick it and scowr it well ; then put a little oyl of camomile into his yard , with a little wax candle , and a bruised clove of garlick ; if that will not effect your purpose , then take this course to force him to stale , viz. take two handfuls of parsley , of coriander one handful , stamp them well and put them into a quart of wine , wherein was dissolved an ounce of cake soap , and give it him to drink luke-warm : but some of none of the least skilled in what appertains to an horse , give only white-wine , cake soap , and butter well mingled together , making him drink it luke-warm . but mr. markham by his own experience finds nothing for this distemper more soveraign , than to take a quart of strong ale , and put it into a pottle pot ; then take as many keen radish roots clean washt , being slit through , and bruised , as will fill up the pot ; then stopping the pot very close , so that it cannot admit of air , let it stand so four and twenty hours , then strain the roots and ale very hard into a clean vessel , and give it the horse in a morning fasting ; then ride him , but not violently ; and having done this several times , your horse will be so freed from those stoppages or obstructions , that he shall piss very freely . pissing of blood. this disease happens several ways , either by the stone , or exposing an horse to a leap beyond his ability , or by over hard riding . i need not describe the signs , since they will be very visible to the eye ; we are then only to take cognizance of the cure , which is thus performed . take of blood-wort and shepheards purse , of each three ounces ; stamp them well , and boyl them in fair water ; and when strained , and the liquor blood-warm , give it the horse to drink ; follow this course five several mornings together . or thus ; having cleansed his sheath and yard from all manner of filth with broken beer and butter , then let him blood in the neck and mouth ; then having steeped green onions in water in a vessel closely stopped eighteen hours , take of the liquor one pint , and adde thereunto a pint of white-wine ; then tumble them together till they appear slimy , and so give it him to drink ; this given him eight mornings together , will not only stop his flux of blood , but reduce his urine to its pristine colour . pursiveness , how cured . there are some horses naturally troubled with this distemper , as being cock-throppled , that is to say , the wind-pipe is over long , and so thereby becoming crooked , his wind is obstructed , and vents it not but with great difficulty ; but as this infirmity is natural , so i judge it incurable , and therefore we shall only treat of that pursiveness which cometh accidentally , and that is , when the thropple is too much filled with fat , or over strained upon his water , which often happens by the watering course ( as they call it ) of an over confident ignoramus ; or it happens sometimes by much galloping on a full stomach ; and lastly , it comes by colds and glanders . you need no symptoms , they are so apparent ; but as for the remedy , take of new milk one pint , of sallet-oyl half as much ; give him this blood-warm , and then thrust down his throat two new laid egges ; let his hay be sprinkled with water , and his oats washt in ale ; and by doing this four or five mornings , you will find an amendment . if you find this doth not answer expectation ( for the best of remedies cannot plead infallibility ; ) then take of barley two gallons , steep it in water two days , and shift the water every day ; then take it clean from the water wherein it was first steeped , and boyl it in three gallons and an half till it burst , adding thereto of anniseeds , liquorish , and raisins of the sun , of each a pound ; but let the raisins be stoned ; so let it boyl one hour , then take it from the fire , and strain it every dry , then put to the liquor one pint of honey , and of sugar-candy powdered six ounces ; then put your liquor into a clean earthen bottle , keeping it closely stopped ; and four mornings together give your horse thereof to drink blood-warm , not much above a pint at a time ; lay the barley before him , and if he will eat he may ; if not , put some thereof into a bag , and perfume his head therewith ; this medicine hath been approved of by the most experienced farriers in england . rot in horses . it is one thing for an horse to be said he is rotten , and another thing to say he hath the rot ; for to be internally rotten is incurable , but to have the rot is to be afflicted with the dropsie , or some other disease of near a kin . this disease happens to horses frequently very young , as when colts feed in marshy and wet grounds ; or when but newly backt , and over-ridden , their blood becomes inflamed ; thence comes putrefaction and corruption , thence pustuls ingender in the liver , which produce either dropsie , feltrick or rot. the most remarkable signs of this distemper is after a journey a swelling and burning in his legs , and having prest the part with your fingers , there will remain a dint or pit , he will pant much , lift and beat in the flanks , with a swelling under his belly , &c. the method of the cure must be first , to bleed him under the tail , then take of mares milk , or red cows milk two quarts , then take a lump of arement , and then if you can get the sweat of a young black horse , and mingle the arement with the sweat and milk ; mix these well together , and divide it into three parts , giving him one thereof each morning , but let him not drink after it in eight hours ; if the season will afford them , give him after this the green blades of rye , if not , barley steeped in new milk. but after this , if you feel him cold in the pasterns and joynts , and that he ever and anon stumbleth as you lead him , look upon him as lost and irrecoverable . strangury or strangullion . the bladder of an horse according to the opinion of the skilful , is troubled with three very dangerous distempers , viz. the strangury , pain-piss and stone . the strangury or strangullion is , when the horse hath great inclination to stale , and yet cannot void his urine , unless it be by drops . it commonly proceeds either from sharpness of the urine occasioned by over much travail , or else by exulceration of the bladder , or finally , some aposthume in the liver and kidneys ; which breaking , and the matter falling into the bladder , the sharpness thereof causeth a continual desire to piss without ability . for his cure , bathe the horses hinder loins with warm water , then take bread and bay-berries ; and tempering them with may butter , convey down his throat two balls thereof for three mornings together ; or take a quart of new milk , and a quartern of sugar , and brewing them well together , give the horse to drink thereof five mornings together . otherwise , make a strong decoction by boyling your first quantity of water to half a pint three times over with keen onions clean pilled , and parsley ; then take a quart thereof , and put thereunto a spoonful and half of london treacle , and as much of the powder of egge-shells finely searced , and give thereof to the horse to drink several mornings . lastly , take this incomparable receipt which hath been by divers tryed with great success : you must get saxafrage , nettle-roots , parsley-roots , fennel-roots , sperage-roots , & of dodder , of each one handful ; bruise all these ingredients together , and boyl them on a gentle fire with white-wine , until a third part be consumed ; then put to it of salt one handful , of sallet oyl and the lard of goats of each three ounces , of honey half a pound , when all these are boyled , strain and wring them very hard ; and of this liquor give your horse one pint every morning tasting blood-warm . but if in the standing or boyling it become thick , dissolve it again with white-wine , and after the first boyling , it must be only warmed . shedding of the seed . this shedding of the seed is no more than what among men is called the running of the reins : the general cause from whence this infirmity doth arise is from either the abundance and rankness of the seed , or from the weakness of the seminal vessels , which are not capable of retaining the seed till it is arrived to its proper thickness ; but there is yet one more probable cause than what is already alledged , and that is by over much covering mares , or by some great strain in leaping . there are some that take this way to cure him , by riding the horse up to the belly in cold water , so that his stones may be covered therewith , bathing his fundament with water and oyl , then covering him warm , give him every day to drink red-wine and hogs-dung : but if you will be better advised , and that by long experience , take my counsel ; get a quart of red-wine , and put therein a little acatium , the juice of plantain and a little mastick , and give it him to drink : after this , bathe all his back with red-wine and oyl of roses mixt together ; or take venice turpentine washt clean , and beat it well with half so much sugar , and then make round balls as big as wall-nuts , and give the horse of these restringent pills five every morning till you have stopt the flux of his seed . sudden sickness , what to be done therein . as soon as ever you perceive your horse not well , according to the signs aforementioned , bleed him presently in both sides of the neck , to the quantity of two quarts , and after that make this drink for him : take of sweet sack one quart , and burn it with grains , cloves , and cinnamon , of each a like quantity ; having beaten them gross , add to them three ounces of sugar , and when it is burned , put thereunto half a pint of sallet-oil , and two ounces of london-treacle ; warm all these , and being well brewed together , give it your horse luke-warm to drink ; then ride him gently , till you perceive he begins to sweat , and so set him up well littered and cloathed , making him to fast five hours or more somewhat : after he is well rub'd down , give him clean wheat-straw , with clean dry oats , some wheat and pease mixed therewith , and let his drink be a warm mash . stavers or staggers . though the names of this disease do seem to differ , yet their natures are all one , consisting of a dizziness in the head , and near a kin to the frenzie , when it seizeth the brain . several are the causes of this dangerous distemper ; the common rise or original hereof is , evil digestion and corrupted humours , whose poisonous vapours do not only distract the head , but distemper the whole body . the symptoms are very evident , for his sight will so fail him , that he will not be able to see a post before him but run against it , besides slavering at the mouth , and running at the eyes with filth and matter , often lying down , and beating his head against the ground . the cure is , to take the seeds of cresses , poppy , smallage , parsley , dill , take also pepper and saffron of each two drachms ; make them all into fine powder , and put unto them of barley-water two quarts , as it cometh boiling from the fire , and let it infuse therein hours , and then strain it and give him a quart thereof in the morning fasting ; then walk him an hour or more , and set him up warm , giving him hay sprinkled with water , and let him not drink cold water five or six days after , but instead thereof give him a sweet mash . sleeping evil. this is a very strange disease in an horse , and is of the nature of a lethargy , infesting the bodies of mankind : and as the person thus afflicted will sleep continually , having lost his memory quite ; so will the horse get into a corner and hang down his head to the very ground . the cure is somewhat difficult ; however , thus you must do , if you intend it : first , let him blood on both sides the neck , in the morning fasting ; also take some blood from the third stair in his mouth ; then take of camomile and mother-wort of each three handfuls , cut small ; boil these in two quarts of running water half an hour , and then give the horse a pint once in two days fasting , and give him the rest the third day fasting , and four or five hours after give warm water , and a mash of ground malt put into scalding hot water , after it comes off the fire : keep him warm all the time of his cure , and you will do well to fume his head , as you do in the staggers . surfeits of all sorts . though in the title i seem to treat generally of surfeits , yet i shall speak in particular ; and first of that inward dry surfeit which causeth the cods to swell , either continually , or betwixt whiles ; to the intent therefore that you may arrive at the cure , mind these following instructions . you must first purge your horse after this manner : take an ounce of fine aloes , which glitters , for that is the best , then pulverize it or beat it to powder ; then take three ounces of fresh butter , mix these two well together , and add thereunto so much wheat-bran as is sufficient to make it into a paste , and make thereof five or six balls ; then convey one of them as far into his mouth as you may , that he may the better swallow it , giving him an hornful of strong ale to wash it down ; then give him a second , a third , a fourth and the fifth , still interlining them with an hornful of beer or ale , to wash them down ; after this , ride him out for an hour gently , then set him up warm : keep him fasting six hours after he hath taken his pills , giving him some hay at night , and not before , with warm water to drink ; and the like the next day . but the third day , after his purgation is over , give him cold water , and immediately after it two ounces of honey , and half a pint of white wine a little warmed , for that will make him stale , clearing his bladder , and procuring an appetite ; then air him gently for an hour and an half , doing thus morning and evening till he be well . but if what you have given him , do neither sharpen his stomach nor purge him ; then take three pints of stale beer , three ounces of course houshold bread , mixing them together , and setting them over the fire ; being well boil'd take it off , and put therein a quarter of a pound of honey , and three ounces of fresh butter , give him these blood-warm , and ride him moderately a mile afterwards ; then set him up warm , and let him stand upon the trench about two hours after it : then give him a mash of sodden oats till they burst with warm water and wheat-bran therein ; this in twice or thrice giving will procure him a stomach , and render him laxative withal . now if his cods be swell'd , occasioned by this surfeit ; as soon as his purge hath done working , take the charge of sope and brandy , and with a stick dabb it on his cods ( or other swelling proceeding from the same cause ) as it comes boiling from the fire ; do this but once , and four days after ride him into a river , against the stream , so deep that he is ready to swim , for near a quarter of an hour , thus using him once or twice a day , till you find his swelling abate . if it be a dry surfeit , give the purge first , and afterwards the cordial , made of white wine and honey ; but if he run at nostrils , give him a drink made of anniseeds , turmerick , brandy , vinegar and beer , and three days after let him have the purge : in like manner do if his grease be melted . this aforementioned purge and cordial are not only good against any dry surfeit , but also for melted grease , set and dried in the body , and legs swelled , or when an horse is gaunt , gut-foundred and costive . there is another sort of surfeit , which is moist , hot and running , that from the body falls into either fore-legs , hind-legs , or sometimes into all four . it proceeds from colds and heats , occasioned several ways , and the distemper is very troublesome and loathsome , however not very difficult to be cured , if you will observe this method . first , let him blood in the neck-veins , but before you do it , keep him fasting most part of the night before ; having let him bleed freely , give him a drink made thus : take of aristilochia one ounce , of turmerick one ounce , of anniseeds dry one ounce ; beat the anniseeds and turmerick small , and grate the roots of aristolochia ; put these together with one handful of rew , and one handful of wormwood , and one handful of red sage , one handful of green fennel , or two ounces of the seeds thereof ; then let all these steep together in three pints of water all night . now before you give him hereof , ride him out a mile or two , to warm him a little , and then give him this water as it stood cold all night , then ride him a mile more , and after this let him stand six hours on the bit ; then give him a little hay , and after that warm water and bran : he must not drink but once a day , riding him two or three miles after it . at the expiration of three days , give him the same drink , using him as you did before in every circumstance ; observing so to do every third day , till you have exsiccated or dried up those humours which are so offensive to him . staling free . if an horse be troubled with any obstruction whereby he cannot stale free , i know no better remedy than this : take half a pint of white wine , and infuse therein all night an handful of nettle-seeds , with one ounce of ivy-berries beaten to powder ; the next morning fasting give it him cold , then ride him for an hour moderately , and after that tie him to the rack three or four hours ; do this constantly every morning , till you perceive him stale freely , which will be in a little time ; for it wonderfully cleanseth the kidneys of sand and filth , dissolveth the stone and purgeth gravel . squinzie or strangling . the squinzie is a disease both troublesome and dangerous to horses , for it commonly breeds the canker in the mouth , and at the roots of the tongue , afflicteth the stomach with a great deal of tough phlegm , which he is not able with all his endeavours so to cast forth , but that he is forced to swallow it down again . his breath will be exceeding hot , and his mouth fiery red ; the canker , if he have any , you will find by the stench of his breath ; and these are the usual signs and symptoms of this noisome and destructive malady . the speediest cure is to take one ounce of anniseeds , an ounce of turmerick beaten to powder , half a quartern of brandy , a quarter of a pint of white wine , a pint and an half of beer ; put these into a posnet , and only heat them blood-warm , and give it him fasting , and immediately after he hath taken it , run the point of the cornel-horn into the third furrow of the roof of his mouth , and so bleed him , then walk him a mile , and set him up ; be sure you litter him well , and keep him warm , for he will sweat excessively ; give him only warm water with wheat-bran therein ; the next morning the like , and then suddenly after give him half a pint of white wine , and two ounces and an half of honey ; then walk him as before . the third day in the morning , after he hath swallowed his aforesaid drink , give him this cordial , which you may make thus : take three pints of strong beer , somewhat stale , a good piece of houshold-bread , and crum it therein , four ounces of butter ; put these into a skillet together , heat them not too much ; taking them off , put in four ounces of honey ; stir them together well , and give it him , fasting , luke warm , then ride him a mile , afterwards set him up and let him be well littered . in the time of his cure , ride him twice or thrice a day moderately , and it will add very much to the restitution of his former health . star in the forehead ; how to make one artificially . i have heard of many a cunning jockey that hath used this trick , either to add to the value of his horse , or else , suspecting his horse stoln , he used this project of making this artificial star , so to disguize the horse that the right owner should not know his own goods : thus , i have been informed , they make this star : with a pair of cissers they cut away first the hair from that place where they would have their artificial star to appear ; then they take a piece of red brick , and rub it on the bare place , rubbing it till it come to the roots of the hair ; then wiping it clean with a linnen rag , they make a plaister of burgundy-pitch , and spread it on a linnen cloth , so long and so wide as they intend the star , laying on an hot iron on the pitch to soften it , ere they lay the plaister to the place intended : having laid on the first they apply a second larger than the former , letting them stick on till they fall off of their own accord , which may be five weeks first : now the craft lieth in making the hair grow white in the place of the former hair ; to effect which , they take some butter , but more honey , and having mingled them together , they anoint the star once in three days , and for that distance five or six times ; having so done , in somewhat more than a quarter of a year , the star desired will be visibly perspicuous . this some averr they have tried and have found it effectual , not only as to the forehead of the horse , but they pretend also hereby to make such a mark on any other part of his body . tyring of horses on the road , what to be done therein . it is no novelty for horses to tyre upon the road , nay good horses too , by reason of some new indisposition of body , his master was not acquainted with . but let the causes of your horse's tyring be what they will , thus you ought to do in such a case if you will behave your self like a prudent traveller . do not force your horse beyond his ability , when you perceive him begin to tyre , but make what convenient speed you may to the next inn , where let the hostler rub him well down , cloath him and litter him up to the belly , and in his rubbing him with fresh straw let him observe to do it against the hair : then take a pint of sweet sack or white wine , and put thereto of cinnamon , ginger , nutmegs , grains , cloves , anniseeds and fennel seeds of each one ounce , all made into fine powder ; then take red sage , rosemary-tops , mints , camomile and wild thyme of each a like quantity , amounting in all to half an handful ; chop the herbs very small and put them with the spices into the wine , boil these together a pretty while , then take it from the fire , strain it , and unbitting your horse , give it him blood-warm to drink , then bit him again ; and two hours after you may give him some hay ; but give him his provender by little and little , and the next day you will find him in a very good posture to perform his journey . moreover , if your horse be tyred , either by journeying or an hunting-match ; it is an excellent help to him to give him urine to drink a little warmed , and let him blood in the mouth , so that he may swallow some by chewing thereon ; if in your way you espy any nettles , take an handful thereof , rub his mouth and sheath well therewith ; then gently ride him as he pleaseth to go himself till you come to the place where you intend to set him up : where being arrived , cause him to be well rub'd down , and before you go to bed give him four spoonfuls of brandy , stuffing his rack well , with provender in the manger : the next morning rub his legs well with sheeps feet oil , and you will admire how wonderfully it will refresh him . vomitings what and when to be given . vomits for horses are of excellent use to cleanse the stomach , and are usually given to horses newly taken up from grass , being thereby much troubled with gross phlegmatick humours , offending both the head and stomach , and if not that way expelled & removed , will in a little time be very prejudicial to health ; wherefore it will not be irrequisite to insert here a most approved and incomparable receipt for a vomit , which will infallibly throw out those peccant humours ingendred by that moist feeding . take two polypodium roots , the greatest you can get from the oak ; wash and scrape them very clean and tie them to his snuffle or bit ; then let it be steeped in the oil of spike a whole night ; in the morning fasting put on his bridle with the said roots , and ride him with it in his mouth an hour and upwards moderately . if he be troubled with any rheumatick humour , or filthy matter ; this will force them to take vent at his mouth and nostrils , and by coughing and sneezing send forth abundance of filth , which did annoy the head and stomach , and by this means those slimy humours will be so exhausted , and his blood so refined and purified , that the horse with well ordering will continue a long time ful and serviceable : this is not only good for any horse newly taken from grass , but for any other horse whose head and stomach is troubled with any foul and filthy humours . wind cholick cured with a clyster . take penyroyal , and pelitory of the wall of each an handful , mallows and plantane of each an handful , of cummin-seeds and sassafrage-seeds of each one spoonful bruised , camomile flowers one spoonful , and put these into a quart of thin posset-drink ; boil them down to half thereof : take half a pint hereof an dissolve therein an ounce of electuarium de baccis lauri , and give it him clyster-wise . or boil one spoonful of cummin seeds with a few camomile-flowers in posset drink , and if to his cholick he be also costive give him hereof to drink . wind-broken horse . some are of the opinion , that a spoonful of the powder of an hedge-hog put into goats-milk , doth infinitely help a broken-winded horse ; but others are of opinion that this is much better : take boars dung and drie it to powder , and put a spoonful of it into two pints of milk , as it comes from the cow , or otherwise heat luke-warm , and give it him to drink ; if that quantity make him not sick the first day , then give him double the proportion the next day , and so for five days together , and this will cure him . wind , how to preserve it in an horse . you would think it strange , but not so strange as true , that an hedg-hog should preserve the wind of an horse ; the proof in your practice will convince you of your misbelief : for take one of them alive , and bake him in the oven in an earthen pot close stopped , until he become so dry that you may reduce him into powder , give your horse one spoonful of this powder in a quart of strong ale every other day , and you will find the good effects hereof to your great satisfaction . or for the certain preservation of your horses wind , you may make this cataplasme . take four pound of wheat flower , enula-campana , and gentian , of each one ounce ; anniseeds , fenugreek , cummin , brimstone and liquorish , of each half a pound ; reduce these into fine powder , and searce them well , to these adde of english honey half a pound , and so much white-wine as will make all these into a cataplasme ; then boyl them to that thickness you may make pills thereof , give of them four at a time , for seven or eight mornings together . thus far i have treated of the internal diseases of horses , with their natures , signs , and cures , in an alphabetical manner ; but i find no inward distemper beginning with an x , y , or z ; and therefore i could not finish the alphabet ; only i find a disease called the yellows , but because it is the same with the glanders , i shall forbear to insist thereon , as having discoursed it at large elsewhere . it only now remains that i proceed to the chirurgical part , that is , the cure of all outward sorrances or maladies which are incident to horses , and visible to the eye . as a necessary introduction to this present design , i have spoken of the anatomy of an horse , whereby you may understand the names and contexture of every part and member belonging to an horse ; i shall now lay you down their sorrances , with their cures , in the same method i formerly took in the cure of an horses internal diseases ; but first take some general instructions . chap. xxv . of external hurts and sorrances in general , with caveats to be observed in their cures , which are the best rules or praecognita , to be known by every one before he enters on the practice of horse-chirurgery . you are to understand , that sorrances are of two sorts ; either an ill composition of body discernible , either by number , shape , quantity , &c. or else the division of an unity , as when a bone is broken , and then it is called a fracture , in the disunion of the flesh , it is called a wound , &c. thus generally , now particularly . . when ever you intend to burn , or cauterize , or make incision , you must do it either above or below , where there are joynts , veins , or sinews . . no violent corrosive , as arsnick , sublimate , &c. must be applyed to any sinewy part or joynt . . it is not so good to make an incision as it is to cauterize . . you must not take above the fourth part of blood from a colt which you do from an horse grown to full maturity . . in all tumours or imposthumes , you must observe their rise , or beginning , increase , perfection and conclusion . . you must further observe as to those swellings , that if they be not near some principal part , you may use any thing that is repercussive in their beginnings ; in their increase use medicines that may mollifie and ripen ; when brought to suppuration , launch them , and let out the corruption ; in their declination use exste●sive , cleansing and healing medicaments . . if an horses legs be swelled , depress the part with your finger , if a dent or hole remain , you may conclude the hurt of long standing , and difficult to be cured ; but , if removing your finger thence , it fill , and rise to its former height , then is it a new hurt , and easily remedyed . . burn or cauterize sometimes under the sore , to divert humours , sometimes above , to defend and withhold humours . by the way , you are to understand that causticks and corrosives are called potential burnings , actually to burn is with instruments . . it is better and safer cauterizing with copper than iron , but steel is next ; shun that destructive custom of blowing powders into horses eyes , for it will ingender blindness ; and do not take up any veins in the fore feet , for that will cause stiffness and lameness . . breath a vein twice a year , that is , in the beginning of may and at the latter end of december ; in may , because then the blood beginneth to encrease , and in december , to let out the gross and knotty blood occasioned by labour or ill keeping . . let not your stallions blood , for they expend enough in the covering of mares ; for some are of opinion that one ounce of seed countervails five ounces of blood. . consider the time of the day for your blood-letting , and that must be in the morning fasting , but not very early ; next consider his age ; for if young and immature , it will hinder his growth ; if old , his blood requireth rather to be repaired than wasted ; lastly , look into his strength , for some can better spare three quarts than another one . now the signs to know when an horse standeth in need to be let blood , are these . . his eyes will look very red , and his veins will stand swelling high more than ordinary . . he will be continually itching about his tail , and be frequently rubbing it , and sometimes will shed some of his hair also . . he will now and then pill about the roots of his ears , or in that place where the head-stall of the bridle lieth . . his urine will be red and high-coloured , and his dung will be black and hard ; or if he have red inflammations on his back , or if there be a yellowness in the whites of his eyes or inside of his mouth ; these are signs he would be let blood . lastly , when you see there is a necessity of taking blood from your horse , for preventing future sickness , let him be sparingly dieted a day or two before , to the intent that his body may be undisturbed with digestion . the manner how to let an horse blood . as near as you can let him stand on even ground , and if it be the neck-vein you intend to breath , then take a small cord , and throwing it over his head bring it down as close to the setting on of his shoulder as you can , then draw it very hard , and fasten it with a running knot ; this will make the veins appear as big as a mans little finger . observe that the place whereon you are to strike the vein is within three or four fingers at the most of the neather chap. when you have thus raised the vein up , then with a wet spunge or a little spittle wet that part of the vein you mean to strike , and separating the hair , set your fleime directly even upon the vein , and with a smart blow strike it in , which done , cause one to put his finger into the horses mouth , and tickling him on the roof thereof , make him chaw and move his chap , for that will force the blood to spin forth ; your horse having bled sufficiently , unloose the cord and the vein will stop , then stroke down the orifice and it will divert the course of the blood into its proper channel : after this turn him into the stable , and there let him fast two hours , but after that feed him according as you please , that is to say , a sick horse according to his distemper , and a sound horse with hay , oats or grass . when you bleed his temple-veins or eye-veins , you must then cord him about the middle of the neck ; but have a care you do not throttle him : if in the breast-veins , then cord him behind the shoulders over-thwart his withers . now know , it is not botchingly , but dangerous to strike any of these veins in the head or breast with a fleim ; and therefore , if you will go to it like a workman , breath those veins with a sharp lancet . as for all other veins in an horses body ( when to be let blood ) they are not to be corded but taken up : and the manner is thus . first , cast your horse upon some soft place , as a dunghil , not too soft , or on good store of straw in some light place , then look for the vein which you intend to take up ; but if by reason of its smallness it is invisible , then take warm water , and therewith chafe and rub the place , bathing therein all that part wherein the vein lieth ; then take a narrow silk string , and an handful or two above the vein ( if it be of any of the horses legs ) tye the member very straight ; but if it be on the body or breast , then with a good sursingle either close behind the hinder point of the shoulder , or within an handful of the place where you intend to take up the vein : gird him very straight , and presently you shall see the vein to rise , then mark that part of the skin which covereth the vein , and with your finger and your thumb , pull it somewhat aside from the vein , and then with a very fine incision knife slit the skin through without touching the vein longwise , and not above an inch in length , cutting no deeper than the skin ; that done , remove your finger and thumb , and the skin will return to its proper place , and through the slit you will perceive the vein look blew before your eyes ; then take a smooth cronet made of the brow-antler of a stag , or of an old buck , and thrust it underneath the vein , and lift it up a pretty distance ; that done , loose either the string or sursingle , for they were only helps to discover the vein . the vein being thus taken up on the cronet , take a small piece of shoomakers thred dipt in oyl or butter , and put underneath the vein also , with which you shall knit the vein when time requireth : then the cronet standing as before , with your knife slit the vein long wise a quarter of an inch , then with your thred stop the neather part of the vein , suffering it to bleed above ; then remove your thred above , knitting a knot above the slit , and so let it bleed beneath ; having bled there sufficiently , fill up the orifice of the vein with salt , and heal up the wound of the skin with turpentine and hogs grease molten together . the benefit that redounds by this taking up of the veins is manifold , for in general it easeth all griefs , strains and stiffness of the limbs ; but particularly , the taking up of the plat-veins easeth all pains in the breast , and griefs in the chest ; the taking up of the fore-thigh veins helpeth farcies and swellings of the legs : the taking up of the shackle-veins before easeth gourding , quitter-bones , swelling of the joints , scabs , and scratches : the taking up of the hinder hough veins helpeth spavens of both kinds , especially any farcy in those parts , and generally all swellings and imposthumes : the taking up of the pastern-veins behind helpeth swellings about the cronet or neather joynts , pains , mules , and all manner of kibed heels . let thus much suffice for a prefatatory discourse or introduction ; i shall now follow my intended method , in giving you an alphabetical account of those outward maladies which afflict horses , with their cures ; and first , of the disease called the anbury . the anbury is a spungy over-grown wart , full of blood , having a root like a cocks stone ; it may grow upon any part of the horses body , but principally it is discovered above the eye-brows , nostrils or privy parts . if it be high , take an horses hair and tye about it very hard , making it fast , and in eight or nine days it will so eat through it , as that it will drop off ; but if it be flat you must burn it off with an hot iron , leaving none of the root behind , and dry it up with the powder of verdigrease ; with this proviso , it lye not too near any sinew ; if so , eat out the core with mercury ; then stop the hole with flax dipt in the white of an egge , and dry it up with unslaked lime and honey . accloy . accloying is no more than what we commonly call pricking with a nail in the shooing , and hereupon will halt ; if you find the cause thereof to be a prick , then take out the sole , and cut the hoof round about the place pricked ; and having removed the corruption , take hurds steeped in the whites of egges , and fill up the hole ; do thus four days , and after that , heal up the sore with salt made into fine powder , mingled with vinegar , and anoint the out-side of the hoof with black aegyptiacum : or this is as good a remedy as the former , take sallet-oyl , turpentine , and rosin-pitch , all molten together , put it very hot into the hole where he is pricked , and then stop the hole with hurds . avives . avives is a distemper otherwise called vives or fives ; they are certain flat kernels , in likeness to a bunch of grapes growing in a cluster ; they creep down from the ears towards the throat , which when they are inflamed will swell , which swelling as it is very painful , so it will prove mortal , if not timely prevented ; for by stopping his wind it will soon suffocate him . the common causes of this distemper are over-heatings , or extraordinary rankness of blood . in the cure you must cautiously observe , not to touch the kernels with your fingers ; but having cut the skin long-ways so that the kernels lye open , take an instrument like a pair of plyers , and pinch forth the kernels , and so apply thereunto hurds steeped in the whites of egges well beaten and bound thereon ; renew this dayly seven or eight times and it will cure it . this is mr. greys way of curing the avives . the common way of curing it , is to draw down the sore with an hot iron just in the midst so far as the swelling goeth , and then under the ear draw two other stroaks of the fashion of an arrows head ; then open the skin and with a small pair of plyers pull out the kernels and cut them off , but have a care you injure not the veins ; that done , fill the place with bay-salt made into fine powder , and after that heal up the sore with a green ointment . the cure of latest practice is to let him blood on both sides of the neck ; then clap a pair of barnacles on his nose , and take a red hot iron , with the edge as thick as the back of a knife , and with it make a strike from the root of the ears upon the middle of the swelling downwards to the lowest part of the swelling , then burn it till the skin be yellow ; being thus seared , anoint the swelling with a little butter or hogs-grease ; according as the searing is less or more deep , anoint him seldomer or oftner , but four or five times is sufficient . but the most approved medicine for this malady which will cure it without burning , or any such violent means is : take a penny worth of pepper beaten to fine powder , swines grease a spoonful , the juice of an handful of rue , and of vinegar two spoonfuls , mix these well together , and convey it equally into both the ears of the horse , then shake the ears that the medicine may sink downwards , and after that tye them up ; when you have done this let him blood in the neck-vein and temple-vein . arraists or rat-tails . this distemper proceedeth from too much rest , or from being not well rubbed about the heels , for by this over much ease and pampering the blood corrupting in his body falleth down into his hinder legs , and is much more venemous and malignant than the scratches . the cure must be wrought by taking half a pound of green vitriol , and boyl it in a pottle of running water with allom , mustard , sage and hysop , of each an handful . the night before you apply this , anoint the sores with strong mustard after they are made raw , then the next day wash them with the water aforesaid , made of vitriol , &c. and you need not doubt the cure. but the most approved remedy i can find for this malady is to let the horse be ridden till he be warm , whereby the veins will be more apparent : then let him blood in the fetlock-veins on both sides , suffering him to bleed a good quantity ; then the next day wash the sores , with warm water , clipping away all the hair about the sores , and after this anoint them with an oyntment made after this manner : take green coperas and verdigrease , of each two ounces , and of common honey four ounces ; beat the coperas and verdigrease very small , and work them up with your honey to a perfect unguent , and herewith dayly anoint the sores till they be well . attaint upper and neather , and in the heel . the upper attaint is a painful swelling of the back-sinew of the shank-bone , occasioned by over-reaching , and striking that sinew with the toe of his hinder-foot , making him halt downright . the signs are apparent , and the cure not very difficult ; to the perfecting whereof , take a plaister made of wine-lees and wheat-flower laid hot thereon ; or else take of black soap and boars-grease of each a like quantity , scalding hot , and make thereof a plaister of sear-cloth , and clap it over the sore place . others will only take a live pigeon , and cut him in two , and clap it to the sore , which they affirm will speedily abate the swelling . others again take of frankincense , of rozin , of tar , of euphorbium , of turpentine and fenugreek of each a quarter of an ounce , of suet one ounce , of oyl an ounce , of wax three ounces , and three quarters of an ounce of myrrh ; melt and mix them altogether , and plaister-wise lay it to the place grieved till it be whole . the neather attaint or over-reach , on the midst and in the hollow of the pastern joint , is a little bladder full of jelly , like to a wind-gall ; this is not very apparent to the eye , but may easily be felt , and will make an horse halt exceedingly . cure this malady thus : take a small cord and rowl him somewhat strait , from the knee to the neather joint ; and then in the pastern , between the hoof and the joynt , with a fleim strike him in the midst of the swelling , and so let out the corruption ; then take the white of an egg , and beat it with a little salt , and then dipping flax therein lay it unto the swelling ; then unrowl his leg , and renew this salve twice a day , till it be fully cured . there is yet another attaint or over-reach , and that is upon the heel , caused by an horses striking the toe of his hinder shoe into the heel , just upon the setting on of the hoof : this , if not timely looked after , will indanger the loss of the hoof. if you intend to cure him , you must cut away hair , skin , hoof and flesh , till without hollowness you have made the sore caven ; then take beer and salt , and therewith wash it well ; then take flax , dipt in the white of an egg , mingled with a little bole-armoniack and bind it to the sore ; renew this once a day for four or five days , and the cure will be effected . burning with shot , or otherwise . if your horse be shot , after you have drawn the bullet , take varnish and water , and beat them well together ; then pour away the water from the varnish , and with a feather anoint the place burned . this following ointment is good for any burning what-ever : take a stone of quick lime , well burned ( which you shall understand by the lightness ther of ) and dissolve it in fair water , when the lime is settled to the bottom , strain the clearest of this water through a fine linnen cloth ; then add thereunto as much oil of hemp-seed as there is water ; beat these well together , and you will have a most pretious ointment for all burning whatsoever brittle-hoof . this proceedeth from two several causes , first naturally or hereditary , when the mare or stallion was troubled with the like infirmity ; or secondly , accidentally , by reason of a surfeit that fell down into the feet , which caused a dryness in the hoofs , or else by some former founder or heating in his feet . the cure must be in this manner : after with a rape or drawing-iron you have thinned the coffin of his hoof , and have pared his soles finely , then apply to the coffin and soles this following charge . take rie or wheat-bran , oxen or cows-dung an indifferent quantity ; then take sheeps-suet , and hogs-grease tried , tar and turpentine of each half a pound ; let the sheeps-suet be minced very small , and melt it on the fire ; add thereunto some hogs grease , and when they are melted , put in your ox or cows-dung , stirring them well together ; then gradually put in your bran , continually stirring them ; lastly , put in your tarr and turpentine ; when you have so incorporated these together , as that they are become like a paste ; then take it from the fire , and preserve it for your use . with this dress him every day for twenty days , or more , together , not letting him touch water with his feet , and his hoofs will be restored to their former toughness and firmness . bone-spaven . this bone or dry spaven is as big as a wall-nut , growing under the inside of the hoof , hard under the joint , near to the master-vein : it is but tender at first , but if it be neglected , it will be an hard crust , nay as hard as any bone , and sticketh to the bone as close as the bark of an oak to the body , and causeth lameness in the horse . the cure is very hard and difficult , however i will prescribe you the best remedies i can procure . in the first place , take vnguentum apostolorum and of white mercury of each a like quantity , mix them well together , and after you have cast your horse , make a slit , the length of the spaven , but be careful you touch not the master-vein ; having opened it , and laid the spaven bare with a sharp instrument , scale the spaven a little ; then make a plegant of lint as big as the spaven ; then spreading salve thereon , lay it upon the spaven ; then with dry lint defend all other parts , especially the master-vein , from the corrosive ; then lay a plaister of pitch , rozen , turpentine and hogs-grease round about his hoof , and so let him rest four and twenty hours ; then open it again , and if you find the corrosive hath not eaten enough , apply a fresh one , and that will be enough , and then take of turpentine , of deers-suet and of wax of each a like quantity ; melt and mix these well together , and being warmed dress therewith the sore place ; in four days time you shall find the spaven come clear away , and then with the same salve heal up the wound . you may also apply to the sorrance , after the aforesaid corrosives , a plaister of strong aegyptiacum , till it hath fretted off the ●lesh upon the crust , so bare as possibly may be , and so you may the better attempt the taking away of the said crust , or by rubbing it with a rolling-pin , anointed with petroleum , till the crust be converted into a softer substance , or into such thin corruption as may be easily drawn away . now if you find a swelling in the spaven place , to prevent it from running into a spaven , shave away the hair about the swelling ; then take natural balsam and anoint the place therewith two or three days ; then repress the humours , by taking three ounces of the oil of roses , bole-armoniack one ounce , wheat-flower half an ounce , and the white of one egg ; make all these into a body , and having first anointed the part with balsam every day , lay on this charge . back-swankt , or for a strain in the kidneys . take a skin , just as it comes from the back of the sheep , both hot and fat ; then take a groats worth of turpentine , and as much of nerve-oil , and mingling them together anoint the inside of the sheep-skin all over , and clap it on the back of the horse , where the grief lies , which commonly is in the navil place of the back-bone ; having thus laid it on , make a crupper to goe under his tail to keep it on , and a breast-plate before , and fasten them together : thus let it lie upon him for a month till his back be knit and strengthned . burning of an horse by a mare . this frequently happens , by the great heat and foulness of a mare , and may be called the horse-pox ; which is known by mattering of the yard within . for its cure , take a pint of white wine , boil in it a quartern of roch-alom ; when boiled and cold , take thereof , and with a syringe squirt it into his yard , as far as you may , and in a short time he will prove very sound . button-farcy . this malady proceeds from great heats , and corruption of blood , whose symptoms are apparently visible ; for the horse will be all over full of bunches and knots , some little as pease , others big as nuts . for the cure of this sorrance , you must bleed him well on both sides of his neck ; then take housleek , beat it and strain it through a fine linnen cloth , and put it into his ears ; then take an ounce of aristolochia , and grate it small , the tops of rew , one handful , the quantity of an egg of hogs-grease ; beat these three last till they be like a salve . as soon as you have put in the housleek into each ear alike , divide the other in two parts , and equally distribute it into each ear , putting some wool after it to keep it in ; then stitch up his ears that he may not shake it out ; then with the point of your pen-knife make a little hole in his forehead , and after that , with your cornet-hor● raise the skin from his forehead , the breadth of your hand ; then take a red dock-root and cut it into three pieces , and put them into the hole , which will draw our abundance 〈◊〉 corruption , which corruption will 〈◊〉 the hair off ; when the vertue or strength of the ro●● is vanisht , it will drop out of its own accord : then anoint the place with a little fresh butter ; then lay a plaister of burgundy-pitch over it to keep out the wind and the cold ; after this let him stand on the trench seven hours , in which time you shall observe him to slaver , champ and foam , as if he were ridden . at night give him warm water and bran ; what you convey'd into his ears , let it remain two days ; then take it out , and in a little time his knots and bunches will disappear , and his hair come again on his forehead . bunches of all sorts , knots , warts and wens , how infallibly to take away in a short space . such maladies or sorrances have commonly their original from rankness of bad blood , which is engendred of malignant humours , and those peccant humours from naughty diet. the way to cure them is thus : first , shave away the hair about them ; then take up those veins which you imagine give these sorrances sustenance ; then let him blood in the heels , to draw away the humours downwards ; then wash and bathe him very well with hot vinegar ; then take a quart of the oil of nuts , and verdigriese powdered two ounces , and a quarter of a pint of ink ; mix all these well together , and apply it cold to the places afflicted , rubbing them well therewith ; if at the first doing these excrescences do not dry up , then continue in so doing every fourth day till they disappear . another way is this : take vinegar and mutton suet , the gum of the pine-tree , new wax and rozin of each a like quantity ; melt these together , putting in your gum last , and so anoint the sorrances with a feather every day till they be whole ; but omit not the taking up of such veins as you verily believe do foment and give nutriment to those sorrances , with shaving away the hair , &c. back-swelling , a speedy and easie cure. if by any casualty whatsoever , the back of your horse be swelled , presently take a little flax , the whites of eggs and wheat-flower ; and having beaten them well together ; lay it to the place aggrieved , and it will quickly remove the swelling . blood-spaven . of the bone-spaven we have already treated ; we now come to speak of the blood or bog spaven ; it is also called the wet or through-spaven , which is much more easie to be cured than the former . this malady groweth on the hough , with a swelling full of blood , which the master-vein continually supplieth it with ; this great vein runneth along the inside of the thigh , and so cometh along the inside of the hough , and so down the leg to the pastern , and from thence to the bottom of the foot ; this causeth the swelling to be greatest in the inside , although it be apparent enough in the outside . now the blood being , through over much heating , too much stirred , it engendreth a fluxible humour , which being very thin , runs downwards towards its centre ; but it is stopped in its passage in the hough , where it resideth , and by that means swelleth , and so becomes a sorrance called the blood-spaven . for the cure the most expert follow this course ; after they have shaved off the hair and taken up the vein , they then take mustard-seed , great mallow-roots , and of ox-dung a like quantity , and as much strong vinegar as will mix them together like a salve ; then beating them well together , make thereof a soft plaister , and lay it on the spaven , let it morning and evening be changed , taking care that it be so bound on as not easily to come off ; when the spaven is absolutely removed , then lay on that place a plaister of pitch very hot , and take it not off , but let it fall off of its self . but certainly the best remedy that can be applied to the blood-spaven is ; having taken up the vein ( letting it bleed as long as it will ) take two or three handfuls of linseed , and bruise it well in a mortar , then take new cows-dung and mingle with it ; then put it into a frying-pan , and heat it well on the fire , and so very hot apply it to the spaven , renewing it twice a day , till it bring the spaven into the nature of a boil or impostumation , and then break it ; after it hath run two days , only lay on a plaister of pitch , which you must not remove till it fall off of its own accord . barbs or papps underneath an horses tongue . these barbs or paps , which grow in an horses mouth underneath the tongue , are no ways detrimental to him ( as growing there in all horses naturally ) till they become inflamed , extending themselves , and swelling with corrupt blood , proceeding from naughty humours , and frequently these paps will become raw , and then they will be so troublesome that the horse will not be able to feed without a great deal of pain and anguish . all farriers agree in one particular cure , though there is an other , but with little alteration : the first is , absolutely to clip them away with a pair of sheers close to the jaw , and then to wash the sore , either with water and salt , or else with tartar and strong vinegar mixt together . or else , take a pair of cissers , and clip them away ( which will appear under his tongue like two paps ) then prick him in the palate of his mouth with your fleim , that he may bleed the better ; then wash the places with white wine vinegar , bole-armoniack and bay-salt , as much as will suffice , and for four days after see that no hay-dust stick upon the places so clipped , and the cure will be effected . belly-gaunt how remedied . though i here prescribe a cure for an horse belly-gaunt , yet my advice shall be , not to keep any such horse , but dispose of him with what convenient speed you may ; for he will never thrive well , being washy and very tender ; and if he come once to labour hard , he will be always diseased and unhealthy . however , if you perceive your horse to have his belly shrunk up towards his flanks , becoming as gaunt as a running horse that is dieted for a course ; then conclude he is very costive , and is afflicted with much unnatural heat in his body . in order to his cure , you are to understand that every horse hath about his cods two small strings , which extend from his cods to the bottom of his belly , viz. on each side one ; which strings you must endeavour to break with your fingers , which is not difficult to do ; then anoint that place every day with fresh butter and vnguentum populeon mixed together ; this in a little time will make him belly-well . botches in the groin . botches in horses do commonly proceed ( especially if they are gross and full of humours ) from sudden and violent labour , which will force those humours into the weakest parts , and there engender a botch , most commonly in the hinder parts , near the cods , betwixt the thighs . as soon as you shall perceive this swelling ( which you shall find , if you will feel it , hard and round ; ) mollifie or ripen it with a plaister made of wheat-flower , of turpentine and of honey of each a like quantity , stirring it together to make a stiff plaister , and so lay it on the swelling ; renew it every day till it break or wax soft ; if it break not , lance it , and cleanse it from its corruption ; then tent it with turpentine and hogs-grease , renewing it once a day , till you have cicatrized the orifice . to conclude ; take this one more , which is a most certain and approved cure for the botch in the groins , or for any impostumation . as soon as the swelling appears , lay upon it a plaister of shoe-makers wax , spred upon alom leather , and let it lie till the sore grow soft : then open it with a lancet , or let it break of its own accord ; when the filth hath issued forth , wash the sore very well with strong alom-water ; then tent it with an ointment called aegyptiacum till it be well and sound . canker in the mouth . the ingredients which make up a canker in the mouth , are a many sore blisters , rawness of mouth and tongue , with a sharp hot humour proceeding from thence , which frets and corrodes , nay rots the flesh where-ever it passeth . the original of this disease is commonly some unnatural heat arising from the stomach ; sometimes the venom of filthy food is the cause thereof . some prescribe this as an excellent remedy : take of the juice of daffadil-roots seven drachms , of the juice of hounds-tongue as much , of vinegar the like quantity , of alom one ounce ; mingle these well together , and wash the canker once a day herewith till it be well . others use this remedy : take half a pint of the best white wine-vinegar , and half a pound of the best roch alom , and an handful of red sage , and boil them all together , and therewith wash the horses mouth and tongue . if the canker be in the tongue only , then take of roch-alom the quantity of an egg ; boil it in four or five spoonfuls of white wine-vinegar , with a spoonful of english honey , and an handful of columbine-leaves cut small , and therewith wash his tongue once a day , and it will be quickly whole . but the best of all remedies comes at last : take of ginger and alom of each a like quantity , finely pulverized ; then with strong vinegar so mingle them that they be as thick as a salve ; then with alom-water or vinegar wash the canker clean , and then anoint it with this salve , which in twice or thrice doing will kill the canker , and after heal of it self . canker in the head. this canker frequently seizeth the eyes , and sometimes the nostrils , causing those parts it invadeth , to be raw and running with yellow water . for the cure , take half a pint of sallet-oil , one ounce of the oil of turpentine , three ounces of burgundy-pitch , and one penyworth of verdigriese beaten fine ; put all but the verdigriese in a pipkin together , and let them boil a pretty while , then remove it from the fire , and put in the verdigriese , and let them all boil together to a salve ; but have a care the verdigriese make not all run over into the fire . be sure you stir it all the while it boils , and having boiled sufficiently , take it off and set it by for your use . when you would make use of this for a canker in the nostrils ; first , tie a rag about a sticks end , and dip it in some white wine-vinegar and salt , and run it up his nostrils to mundifie and cleanse them ; then take a feather and dip in the cold salve , and run it up his nostrils also , not oftener than once a day . if the canker be in the horses eyes or face , with tow rub the part till it bleed , and when it hath done bleeding , anoint it with a feather dipt in the aforesaid salve ; dress it once a day constantly till you see it beginneth to heal , after that , once in three or four days will serve turn . cords or strings in horses . there are two strings like threads , which are therefore called cords , because , lying betwixt the knee and the body , it goeth like a small cord through the body to the nostrils ; making an horse to stumble much , and sometimes to fall . it proceeds commonly from an extream cold which lodgeth in the stomach , which causeth the cords to shrink up in so great a measure , that sometimes he can neither lift his head to the rack nor put his head to the ground , nay , not so much as to his knees . the only signs of this malady are his often stumblings and stiffness without any visible sorrance . to cure him you must take the end of a crooked harts horn that is sharp , put it under the cords , and twine it a dozen times about , till the horse be constrained to lift up his foot , then cut the cord asunder , and put a little salt into the issue ; or cut it first at the knee , then at the end of his nose , and so draw it upwards a span length , and cut that off . others only open that vein that descendeth on the inside of the leg by the breast , taking away at least a pottle of blood ; and after seven days wash him with beef broth ; and they say it is a speedy cure . but the newest way of curing this distemper , is first to make him this comfortable drink : take half an ounce of diapente , one ounce of anniseeds beaten small , three penny worth of english saffron , dry it by the fire , and crumble it small with your fingers , two ounces of honey , two ounces of fresh butter , a pint and an half of strong beer , a quarter of a pint of white-wine-vinegar ; set these over the fire till the butter and honey be melted , and no longer ; then take it off and give it the horse luke-warm fasting , then walk him till he be warm , and then set him up ; five hours after give him a little hay , and then a mash , the next morning another mash , and thus keep him five days ; then cut the cord as you were instructed before ; and then walk him twice a day for a week together , and the horse will prove as sound as ever . curb . a curb is a long swelling a little below the elbow of the hoof of the great sinew behind , hard above the top of the horn , which causeth the horse to halt after any exercise : labour puts him to a world of pain , but rest very much easeth his grief ; sometimes this distemper comes hereditary from the stallion or mare , but more frequently it comes by carrying great burthens when he was young , or by some strain by leaping &c. the remedy for it is to take a broad incle to bind the hoof strait a little above the curb , then with a smooth hazel stick beat , rub , and chafe the curb , then thrust out the corrupt blood , and afterwards upon the point of your knife put into every hole as deep as you can thrust it the quantity of two barley corns of white mercury , and so let the horse rest for four and twenty hours ; after that only anoint the sore place with hot melted butter once a day at least till it be whole . or you may use this medecine : take wine-lees one pint , a porringer full of wheat-flower , of cumin in fine powder half an ounce , mix these well together , and being made warm , apply it to the place , renewing it once a day five days together ; when you perceive the swelling so much abated that it is almost gone , then draw it with your hot iron , and charge the burning with pitch and rozen molten together , and applyed warm that it may the beter stick on , then clap on flocks , and let it remain till it drop off of it self . here note , that whatever is good for a splent or spaven is good for a curb also . crest faln and shedding of the hair . the falling of the crest , manginess in the main and shedding of the hair are all diseases proceeding from poverty or over riding . the best cure for the falling of the crest is , phlebotomy with good keeping ; for it is strength and fatness that must raise the crest . if the main be mangy anoint it with butter and brimstone : if the hair fall away , take southern-wood and burn it to ashes , and mix these ashes with sallet-oyl , and anoint the defective place therewith , and it will speedily produce hair , which shall be both fair , smooth and thick . casting the hoof . this is a sorrance that is both troublesome and somewhat difficult to be cured ; it proceedeth from several causes , as foundring , accloying , pricking , gravelling , or by a stub , or quitter-bone , which breaking out above round about the cronet , the hoof soon breaketh , and falleth from the foot , the hoof thus faln off , or being broken or loose , with a rape or drawing iron file or draw away the old hoof somewhat near , then anoint the foot with this ointment : take hogs-grease three pound , pach-grease two pound , venice-turpentine one pound , new wax half a pound , sallet-oyl one quart , mix these together by melting them over the fire , and herewith chafe , rub and anoint the coffin of the hoof up to the very top , and this will quickly produce a new hoof . now as your new hoof cometh on , you must heedfully take notice whether it groweth harder or thicker , more in one place than another , or whether it groweth disorderly ; where you find the fault rectifie it presently with your rape , and so reduce your hoof to good fashion . if your horse be hoof-bound this following receipt is most soveraign for it : take half a pound of turpentine , half a pint of tar , half a pound of new wax , one pint of sallet-oyl , mix all these , besides the turpentine , together , and a little before you take them from the fire put in your turpentine ( for should you put it in with the rest before they would be melted , the turpentine being a drug so subtil would consume to vapour ) i say , having put in your turpentine , stir it till it be cold ; but before hand make a buskin of leather with a thick sole made fit for his hoof , and wide enough that it may be tyed about his pastern , and dress his hoof with this medicine , renewing it every day till it be whole , not forgetting to lay tow or hurds on the hoof . crown-scab . this sorrance is a scab which groweth on the cronet or top of the hoof next to the hair ; it is a cancerous and stinking malady , very troublesome and painful to the poor creature ; it happens usually in the winter whilst in the stable , proceeding principally from his first feeding in moist and cold grounds ; all horses so bred up are subject to this distemper , and to the scratches also . the only sign hereof is that the hair will stare about the cronet , and become thin and brisly . in the cure hereof you must wash very well and bathe the scab as far as it goeth ; and having clipt away the hair , then take turpentine , tryed hogs-grease , and honey , of each a like quantity , a little powder of bole-armoniack , the yolks of two egges , with as much wheat-flower as will thicken it to a salve , and apply this plaister wise , with a linnen , cloth , to the sorrance , renewing it once every day till it be whole . or you may try this , which is as good as the former : take soft sope , tryed hogs grease , of each half a pound , and a quantum sufficit of bole-armoniack powdered , turpentine four ounces , make all these into a body , and apply it to the place plaisterwise in such manner , that it may not easily fall off , renewing it dayly till it leave running ; then wash and bathe it with warm vinegar . camery . the camery which is also called the frounce , are small pimples in the midst of the palate , being both soft and sore ; they are sometimes to be seen in the lips and tongue ; some are of opinion that they are occasioned by eating of frozen grass , or by drawing frozen dust with grass into their mouths ; others think they come by eating moist hay , on which vermin have pist . the cure is , first , to let him blood in the two greatest veins under his tongue , and then wash all the pimples with vinegar and salt , then give him some new bread , but let it not be hot , but let the quantity of bread you give him be but small to prevent surfeit . lastly , others use to take out his tongue , and prick the veins thereof in half a score places , as also under his upper lip , then rub well every sore place with salt , and the next day wash them with warm white-wine , and refraining him three days from cold drink he will be restored to his pristine soundness . cronet hurt any ways , a cure therefore . take salt and sope , of each a like quantity , and mix them together like a paste ; then having cut out the over-reach , and laid it plain , first , wash it with urine and salt , and with a cloth dry it , then bind on the mixt sope and salt , not renewing it in twenty four hours ; thus do three days together ; the venom being drawn forth , take a spoonful of train-oyl , and as much white lead , and mix it to a thick salve , lay on a plaister hereof morning and evening till it be whole , which will speedily be effected . canker in the withers . a canker in the withers often happens thus : the withers of an horse having been violently wrung , and afterwards for some time neglected , though which means the violence of the distemper breaketh upward ; yet most of the matter or corruption discending , and rotting still downwards , it will suddainly prove a cankerous and foul ulcer , and as full of danger as any fistula what-ever . the signs are very evident , for the humour which issueth from the sore will be sharp , hot , and waterish , corroding or fretting away the hair wherever it comes , and the hole of the sore will be somewhat choaked with a kind of spongious dead flesh , so that the gross matter will be somewhat obstructed in its passage . the ancient cure hereof was to take a keen razor , and cut open the hole of the ulcer , so that you may look into the cavity or profundity thereof ; and having cut out all the dead flesh from the quick , then take a quart of stale urine , and add thereunto some salt : then boyl it well , and having first cleansed the sore very well with a wisp of hay , then wash it with the urine and salt boiled together : then take the yolks of four egges and a penny worth of verdigrease , with a spoonful of flower , and make a plaister thereof , applying it to the sore , renewing it once a day till it be whole . casting of an horse , how to do it . in the first place you must elect a convenient place , such as is some soft green swarth , dunghil not over moist , or in a barn upon good store of straw ; and having brought him to any of these places , then take a double long rope , and cast a knot a yard from the bought , then put the bought about his neck , and the double rope betwixt his fore legs , and about his hinder pasterns underneath his fetlock , then put the ends of the rope under the bought of his neck , and draw them quick and they will overthrow him , then fasten the ends , and hold down his head , under which lay good store of straw . now if at any time you would brand your horse in the buttock , or do any thing about his hinder legs , take up his contrary fore-leg , and that will secure you from his striking . defence for horses against flies in the heat of summer . your horse-fly especially , but there are other offensive flies in heat of summer , which are a great trouble and perplexity to horses , stinging them in such manner , that they will run themselves off their legs , thinking to free themselves that way : to prevent the biting of these flies when he is at grass , anoint his body all over with oyl and bayberries mingled together ; if in the stable , take a spunge dipped in strong vinegar , and bind it unto the head-stall of his collar . these are very good preservatives , but there is nothing better , both when he is abroad and at home , than to take rue , and make it into a pretty big wisp , and therewith rub the horses body all over , then take another wisp of the same , and do the like , till you think you have imbittered his coat sufficiently ; and then your own experience will find no fly will fasten upon him ; this hath been always tryed effectually . drying up of humours . if you would dry up , stop , or stay any flux of humours : take rozen , affalto , and myrrh , of each an ounce , and dissolve them in vinegar ; of red wax half an ounce , and of armoniack half an ounce , mingle them well together in the boyling , and make thereof a salve , which you will find to be a great dryer , a binder of loose members , and a comforter of weak parts . or you may take oyl or soft grease beaten to a salve , with vitriol , galls and allom , the powder of pomegranats , salt and vinegar ; this dries and binds sufficiently . there are many forms of drying and binding which are published in all books of this nature , wherefore referring you thither i shall only instance this one more , and that is the bark of a willow tree burnt to ashes , which i can assure you is as great a binder and dryer as any simple whatsoever . dangerous sickness , and how it cometh . this dangerous sickness in general proceedeth from many and particular causes , having each of them peculiar signs , and therefore must have distinct remedies . the causes may be ranked under these four heads : first , dangerous maladies may proceed from heats occasioned by over much labour or exercise ; hence comes molten grease , the heart over-charged , and its pores so obstructed , that it cannot perform his function ; by which means the spirits are detrimented , and the whole body put out of order ; and the signs hereof will be dulness of countenance , swelling in his limbs , scouring , and loathing of his meat . the second original cause of dangerous sickness , are colds from indiscreet keeping after violent exercise , or otherwise , and the symptoms of this are heavyness of countenance , with sleepiness , pustuls , inflamed kernels and swellings , a rotten inward cough , after which he cheweth some filthy phlegmatick matter between his teeth . the third cause of dangerous sickness is surfeit by food , either by over eating or under eating of that which is good , or eating of what is unwholsome : by the first all ill humours ascend into the head , from which are bred the stavers , phrenzies , with other deadly diseases . from the second proceeds the putrefaction of the blood , converting all the nutriment into corruption ; hence come the yellows , farcy , feavers , mange , with other such like pestilential and loathsome distempers . the signs hereof are a dulness of the face and eyes , in such sort as the horse will be unable to lift up his head as high as the manger , his upper lip and sheath cold , his pace staggering , &c. lastly , dangerous sickness may come accidentally , as by receiving some desperate wound or hurt in some vital part , whereupon , nature being highly offended gives leave to many mortal diseases to seize the body of an horse . the general signs hereof are sweatings at the roots of the ears , in the flanks , and behind the shoulders , his mouth will be dry and hot , his tongue furred , and lastly , he will have a loathing to his meat . dangerous sickness how to cure . the best way to cure dangerous sickness is to meet with it in the bud , before it hath got too great an head , but send it packing before it be deeply rooted in an horses body , and to this end you must have a strict eye over your horse , frequently prying into his present condition : if you see by any symptom the least appearance of an approaching sickness , instantly breath a vein , and three or four mornings together give him some diapente to drink , keeping him warm , and well rubb'd , giving him warm mashes during that time and some days after ; but if you have not diapente or diatessaron , then take an handful of celandine , both roots and leaves w●ll picked and washed , worm-wood and rue , of each an handful , boyl all these in a pottle of strong ale to a quart , then strain it well , and take half a pound of sweet butter , and put into the liquor , with two spoonfuls of ordinary treacle , and so give it him blood warm , and this will restore him to his former health , and sound estate of body . drawing of a stub or thorn. if a stub , thorn , iron , splinter , nail , or any other sharp thing run into your horses foot so far that you cannot pull it out with your fingers or a pair of plyers , then take black sope , and lay it to the foot of your horse all night , and by the morning the sope will so draw it forth as that you may lay hold on it with your instrument : but sometimes a thorn or nail will enter so far into the flesh that the sope will prove ineffectual as to its extraction , then by incision you must lay the flesh open , so that you may come to use your plyers , in the drawing out what to the foot is so offensive ; having so done , heal up the wound with this most excellent green ointment , which for the rarity i shall here insert the right way of making it . take a clean skillet , and first put therein of rozin the quantity of a walnut , which being molten , add thereunto the like quantity of wax ; and when that also is molten , put to them of tried hogs-grease half a pound ; and that being melted , put to the rest one spoonful of common english honey ; when all these are molten and well stirred together , then put in half a pound of ordinary turpentine , and so soon as it is dissolved , take it from the fire , and put into the skillet of verdegriese made into fine powder one ounce , then stir it all together , but have a care it run not over ; then set it again on the fire , till it begin to simper ; then straining it , keep it for your use . this ointment cleanseth a wound , be it never so foul , or troubled with dead or proud flesh ; it healeth wonderfully sores either old or green , ulcers , fistula's , polevils and the like ; an horse or mare-filly , that is cut , guelt or splaid , anoint but the place , and it will neither swell nor fester . lastly , and for this purpose , i here place this green ointment ; it will , after a wonderful manner , draw forth thorns , splinters and nails which have taken deep rooting in the flesh . dislocation of joints . if any joint be dislocated , it must be first reduced to its proper place , and being sure thereof , bind it up with this plaister : take wheat-bran and hogs-grease , of each an indifferent quantity ; incorporate them , and make thereof a plaister of hurds ; having laid it to the place , bind and swathe it up well ; but let the horse have rest and he will be quickly sound in that part . enterfering . this happens to an horse through a natural straitness in his pace , or through evil shooing he goeth so narrow with his hinder feet , that he cutteth the one with the other upon the inside of his legs , and by reason of this cutting there groweth scabs hard and mattery , by the soreness of which the horse often halteth . the cure equally consists in the prevention , as well as the medicine : for the prevention , it concerns the smith to look after that in the making of his hinder shooes , whereby he may go winder . now for his feet , thus hurt by hewing , make this salve : take of may butter or fresh grease , nerve-oil and rozin a like quantity ; then fry them well together in a pan ; then take it off the fire , and put thereto some cows-dung ; let it cool , and put it into a pot , and when you would use hereof , apply it plaister-wise , and it will not only heal the sore , but any prick in the foot whatsoever . or you may help , or at leastwise hide for a small time , enterfering , thus : fasten a new cord to his dock , and having made divers hard knots thereon , draw it between his legs , and fasten it to his girths ; or otherwise rub good store of starch between his thighs . eating away of knobs , or any superfluous dead flesh . sometimes it so happens that an horse may have a bone growing on some part of his body , more than what is natural ; sometimes lumps and bunches of superfluous flesh , and this is called an excretion , which doth proceed from rough and phlegmatick substances , stirred up either by most sore bruises or wounds imperfectly healed ; that is , when causticks or burning corrosives are applied to wounds that are near the bone ; as when the wound is either in the leg , or about the pasterns ; for that the flesh being extremely burned and mortified by such causticks and corrosives , it doth cause an excretion to grow upon the bone ; now oftentimes the wound is healed up , but the excretion remains still upon the bone , which occasioneth a new cure , which must be in this manner . with an incision-knife first scarifie the excretion , then apply sulphur and bitumen , or coloquintida burnt and sifted ; and having quite eaten away the excretion , then heal it up with drying salves , as the powder of honey , lime , or bole-armoniack . others are of opinion that this way is best : first make the excretion to bleed well ; then take ounces of vine-ashes and as much unslak'd lime mixt with ounces of strong lye , first strained , then sod till half be consumed , and so consolidated ; apply this to the excretion and it will soon eat it away , then heal it up as aforesaid . others approve of this last way as the best : take elecampane-root , newly gathered , and having cleansed it from its earth , wrap it up in a brown paper , and cover it up in the hot embers till it be fully roasted , like pap ; then take it , and as hot as your horse can endure it ( for you must not scald him ) lay it to the excretion ( after you have rubbed , knocked and chafed the excretion , binding this roasted root close thereunto , letting it remain compleatly a day and a night before you remove it ) the third dressing , after this manner , will rot and consume the excretion to nothing . now for the eating away of any proud flesh , which ▪ you shall perceive to grow in any wound , ulcer or sore , which dead flesh you shall know by the insensibility thereof , being of a spongy hollow substance ; you shall take fresh grease and verdegriese , and boil them together , of each a like quantity , and being well boiled tent or plaister the sore therewith , which will quickly bring the dead flesh to a consumption . there are great variety of medicaments that are good for the eating away any dead flesh , as precipitate simple is alone sufficient , spongia marina and powder of risagallo are of like power and vertue , but that the last is too great a fretter . but by reason there is such choice of medicines of this nature , to avoid prolixity , i shall only propose this last as the best . take white or black heleborus , ink , quick sulphur , orpiment , lithargy , vitriol , unslak'd lime , roch alom , galls , soot or the ashes of avellan , of each half an ounce , and they will expeditiously consume all manner of dead flesh . eye of an horse hurt with a blow . the causes and signs of this sorrance are perspicuous enough , wherefore we shall only insist on the cure ; and as to that , you must first bathe the part in warm water , next shave off all the hair about the swelling : then take the tops of wormwood , pellitory and branca vrsina of each half an handful ; chop the herbs very small , and then beat them to an ointment with old boar's grease , quantum sufficit : then put to it of live honey and wheat-flower of each one spoonful , and of linseed oyl three spoonfuls ; boil these very well , continually stirring them ; when boiled enough , strain it into a gally-pot well stopped , and keep it for your use : when you have occasion to make use thereof , only anoint the place grieved therewith . eye-film , pin and web. these distempers are commonly engendred by distillation of bad humours from the head to the eyes , by a stripe , or some hay-dust getting therein ; the signs are visible . the cure must be thus effected : take camphire , sal armoniacum or sugar candy , any of these pulverized very fine and blown into the eye , are most soveraign for these diseases in the eyes of the horse . if a film or pearl grow without a pin or web : then take the tops of red nettles , and , having stampt them well , put them into a clean linnen cloth ; the nettles being in the rag , dip them into beer slightly ; then wring forth the juice of the said nettles into some clean vessel ; which done , put thereto a little salt made into fine powder ; the salt being dissolved , conveigh but one drop at a time into the grieved eye , morning and evening , and this will totally remove the film . if it be a pin and web that afflicts the eye of the horse ; then take cuttle-bone , tartar , salt-gem of each the like quantity , and make them all into fine powder and mix them , and with a quill blow of some of this powder into the eye of the horse twice or thrice a day , and you will find it a speedy remedy . if it be an haw in the horse's eye ; i would not advise you to take it away , as smiths usually do , from the outside of the eye , but from that part which lieth next of all to the eye , and this way will better preserve the sight of the eye , as also the wash which is the ornament thereof ; for if that be taken away , the horse will appear blear-eyed ; so soon as you have cut away the haw , wash the eye with white wine and the juice of celandine mingled together , of each a like quantity ; for this not only healeth the sorrance , but keepeth the eye from ranckling . eye-canker . if a canker happen to be in your horses eye , ( as it is a thing very usual ) then take your true ground-ivy , and stamp it well in a mortar , and if it be very dry , then moisten it with a little white rose-water , or the water of eye-bright distilled , and so strain it into a clean glass , and therewith wash , anoint and tent the sorrance , and it will speedily cure it : this is also very good for blood-shotten eyes . if any wart or spungy excretion grow near to the eye of the horse , which usually proceeds from a condensed flegm that descendeth to the eyes , & will in a little time much prejudice them : take roch allom and burn it , and then add to it as much white coperas unburnt ; grind them together into very fine powder ; then lay a little of this powder on the top of the wart ; but be cautious that none fall into the eye , for it will corrode exceedingly . let the wart be thus dressed every day once , and in a very little time it will so eat away the root of the wart that it shall never come more . eyes lunatick or moon-blind . the only reason i can gather why an horse is called moon-blind is , that at certain times of the moon he will see well , at other times a little , and sometimes not at all : and therefore this malady is called lunatick or moon-blind . this kind of blindness is held the worst of all other ; you may know by the colour of his eyes , when he seeth , and when he doth not ; when he doth see , his eyes will appear dim and yellowish ; but when he is blind , then will his eyes look red and fiery . this distemper comes sometimes hereditary , either from his sire or dam : sometimes again from ill humours descending from the head and taking up their abode in and about the eyes ; and this usually happens by exposing the poor creature to more labour than nature could perform . the cure must be by taking pitch , rozin and mastick , of each a like quantity ; melt them together , and having beforehand provided two plaisters of leather , the breadth of an half crown-piece , spread the medicine hot upon these two plaisters , and apply them to his temples , letting them stick thereon till they fall off of their own accord ; then rowel him on the face , just under his eyes , with a small french rowel , the breadth of three pence at most , and let it be turned every day once , the space of fourteen days : then take forth the rowel and heal up the orifice with the green ointment i prescribed in treating of drawing a stub or thorn. by the way take notice , that if your horse be weak sighted , when ever you draw blood from him , the less you take the better it is for his sight . eye broken , and beaten out by some stripe or unlucky stroke . as soon as this unhappy accident hath befaln your horse , that his eye is absolutely broken and beaten out by some unhappy stroke : take alom and first burn it in a fire-pan ; then put it on the hot coals , and let it burn there till all the moisture be consumed , so that it becometh as light as a feather , as white as snow , and so brittle that it will break with the least touch ; then take of this powder and mix it with live honey , and stir them well together , so that you reduce them to an ointment ; then take a feather and dip it herein , and morning and evening put thereof into his eye ; then lay your hand upon the eye-place a pretty while , that the unguent may not issue out of the hole ; by so doing in few daies the hurt will be cured , though it be impossible for the eye to be restored . eyes troubled with any sores , an incomparable water for them . take the stone called lapis calaminaris , and heat it red hot in the fire , then quench it in half a pint of white wine , so doing twelve times together : then add unto it half the quantity of the juice of housleek , and with this wash and bathe the eye twice or thrice a day ; this is good for any infirmity whatsoever belonging to the eyes . here followeth another water not inferiour to the other . take a pint of snow-water , and dissolve therein four drachms of white vitriol ; wash the horses eyes herewith at least four times a day , and the effects will be admirable . eye-bitten . this frequently happens as horses stand in the stable , one horse biting the other , where he can best or next fasten his teeth : if so then it fall out that your horse be eye-bitten , take a little honey with a little grated ginger ; mingle them together and put them into the horses eye with a feather three mornings together . ears impostumated . this disease proceeds from several causes ; either from some violent stroke about the ears or poll , or else by being wrung too hard with a new hempen hard halter , sometimes by a cold in the head , or by other ill humours , which strive to get a vent or passage through the ears . the signs are apparent : for the ears will burn , glow and swell ; besides , the horse will be very unwilling to be handled thereabout . the cure is thus : take linseed and make it into fine powder , then take wheat-flower of each half a pint , ordinary honey one pint , tried hogs-grease one pound ; mix all these well , and warm them on the fire , continually stirring them ; then spread this unguent upon a linnen cloth or leather , the breadth of the swelling , and lay it thereon very warm ; once in a day and a night renew it , till it break , or be so ripe as that it may be convenient to lance it , which must be downwards , that the corruption may have a more easie passage ; then heal it thus : take mel rosarum , sallet-oyl and ordinary turpentine of each two ounces , make these into a body ; then make a night-cap to keep on the plaister ; tent the sore to the bottom with this ointment , and make a plaister thereof and lay it on the place grieved : once a day you must lay on a fresh plaister , and tent anew till it be whole . but if the ears be only inflamed , then take oil of roses , venice turpentine and common honey of each a like quantity ; mix them well together , and making them blood-warm , dip some black wool therein , and stop the ears therewith , renewing it once a day , and it will remove the inflammation . foul and old sores how to cleanse and mundifie . this following water hath been often tried , and upon trial found to be be a most excellent cleansing and healing water for all old and rotten sores . take of green coperas and of salt-petre of each half a pound , bay salt and salt-gem of each three ounces , arsnick one ounce , powder all these finely , and put them into a stillitory glass , the pot or bottom thereof well nealed , adde thereunto one pint of the strongest white-wine-vinegar ; set the pot on the fire , and put on the head , closing it with cute of hermes ; and being thus placed in the furnace , make under it a strong fire for the space of five or six hours , and with your receptory take the first water that cometh ; after an hour the fire will be out of the water , then stop up the glass very close , and preserve it for your use . when you are to wash any sore with this water , have a care that you do not let any fall upon either vein or sinew , for it will burn them in twain : but where ulcers and foul old sores are in the flesh , this water will work wonders . falling of the fundament . the falling of the fundament is a distemper proceeding most commonly from over much laxativeness and flux of blood , who growing exceeding weak , by the voiding thereof straineth to bring forth something , and instead thereof the fundament cometh out ; sometimes it comes by colds or mere poverty . cure it thus : take white salt made into very fine powder , strew a little upon the gut , then take a piece of lard , and first having boiled mallow leaves till they be soft , take of these leaves and beat them well with the lard , and when sufficiently beaten , make it up in the fashion of a suppository , and apply it fresh to the place once a day . fetlock hurt . the fetlock may be hurt by casting the horse with the double rope , or sometimes by a bite of a dog : if by either of these this sorrance happens , take unslaked lime and the yolk of an egge , of each a like quantity , beat them together to an oyntment , then mix therewith the juice of one head of garlick and a little soot , and anoint herewith the sore till it be almost well , but skin it over thus : take sallet oyl and oyl of roses , of each one ounce , of turpentine three ounces , and of new wax one ounce , melt them well together , and adde to them the fourth part of the powder of verdigrease , and herewith anoint the sore , in few days it will skin over the sore , and heal it . foundring in the feet , if new , a suddain cure. if your horse be foundred in his feet , but of no longer standing than seven or eight days , with this following remedy you may restore his feet to their former soundness . first , let him blood in the neck , breast , and spur-veins , taking from thence two quarts , and receive it in a clean vessel , and therewith make this ensuing charge . take the blood , and put into it eight or nine new laid egges , shells and all , and beat them well with the blood , put to them of bole-armoniack pulverized very fine half a pound , strong white-wine-vinegar one pint , sanguis draconis three ounces finely pulverized , make this up thick with wheat meal ; with this charge his back , reins , breasts , thighs , fetlocks , and soles , and apply two cloths plaisterwise to the coffin of his hoofs , and bind the forelegs above strait with broad filletting , then ride him two hours upon an hard way , if paved best of all , then set him up . this foot-foundring in an horse is a certain numbness , pricking or tingling within his hoofs , and i can compare it to no more proper thing , than when any of us by cross sitting do cause our feet to be asleep as we say vulgarly , during which time we are so disinabled from going that we cannot stand but with some difficulty ; so it fareth with an horse , the course of whose blood being stopped , those obstructions cause that torment . several are the causes of this malady ; briefly , it comes sometimes by taking off his saddle too suddainly after a great heat , or by standing still in the cold unwalked , or by standing in some shallow water after he hath been ridden no higher than his fetlock , or by too strait and uneasie shooes . now though i have already prescribed a remedy for this foundring , i cannot let this one more pass , which for its excellency can hardly be valued , and is good for all sorts of foundrings new or old . in the first place , you must with a very sharp drawing knife draw every part of the soles of the horses feet as thin as possibly you may , even till you draw water and blood from him , and part every part alike : then at the very sharp end of the frush of the horses foot you shall see the vein lye , then with your knifes end lift up the hoof , and bleed the vein ; which it will do indifferently plentiful as long as you hold up the hoof , when it hath bled somewhat more than a pint , close up the hoof , and so stop the vein : then fasten on his hoof an hollow shooe made for that purpose ; having so done , clap a little tow dipt in hogs grease , and turpentine very hard : then take two or three egges roasted very hard , and coming burning hot from the fire , break them on the sole of the horses foot ; then pour upon them hogs grease , turpentine , and tar boiling hot , and as much flax dipt therein as will fill up the hollow shooe ; then lay on a piece of leather to keep all in ; in this manner dress as many of his feet as are foundred : dress him thus thrice in a fortnight , and you need not question but that your horse will be as sound as ever he was . frettizing . if an horse be frettized ( or as some improperly term it foundred ) by reason of an uneasy strait shooe ; then you need do no other than take off his shooe , and blood-let him on the toes , then stopping the place with bruised sage , fasten on his shooe again , and stop it with hogs grease and bran boiled together as hot as he can indure it ; do this twice in a fortnight and it will be a perfect cure frothy or weeping hoof. this frothy or weeping hoof is commonly occasioned by some channel nail , or bruise by treading on a stone , and afterwards rankling : if so , you must first raise the skin with your cornet-horn , and lay upon the sorrance wheat-flower and bores grease well incorporated , and dress him with this two days together ; then take the powder of quick lime , sope and tallow , and mix them well together , and for four days apply that to the sore . but i have a better opinion of this ensuing receipt , and therefore i shall not much commend the former . if you observe the hoof to weep or froth by evacuating thin , watry or frothy stuff , then open the top thereof with your cornet , so as the wound may become hollow all about the extremities thereof , so that you may come to the master vein , and breaking it a sunder , let it bleed what it will ; when the vein hath left bleeding , fill up the wound with salt very finely powder'd , then take hurds and steep them in vinegar , and so stop the wound therewith , and bind thereto a cloth to keep the same from falling away : this is an approved remedy . i shall close my discourse of founders with this one receipt more which is a soveraign medicine for all sorts of founders , frettizes , surbaits , or any imperfection whatsoever in the feet . first , pa●e them , open the heels wide , and draw good store of blood from the toes , then tack on a shooe somewhat hollow ; after this , take of the best frankincense , and rolling it in a little fine cotton wool or bombaste , with an hot iron melt it into the foot betwixt the shooe and the toe , till the hole from whence issued the blood be filled up . then take half a pound of hogs grease , and melt it on the fire , then mix it with wheat bran till it be as thick as pultess ; then boiling hot stop up the horses foot therewith , then cover it with a piece of an old shooe and splent it up , and so let the horse stand for four or five days , and in that time you may expect the cure to be effected ; if not , renew it again , till he be sound . false quarters . a false quarter takes its denomination from the scituation of the sorrance on the hoof , making that part of the hoof look as if it did not properly belong to the whole , but was artificially set on ; it most commonly afflicts the inside of the hoof , because it is the weakest part , and these insides are called quarters , thence a false quarter , which is no more than to say a sick and an unsound quarter . the false quarter happens frequently from evil shooing , ill paring , and sometimes by pricking with a nail . the common symptoms are , the horse will halt much , the rist will bleed , and when the shooe is off there is nothing will interpose between the sorrance and your sight , but that it will be palpably apparent . the cure whereof is to cut away the old corrupt hoof , and then take the whites of nine eggs , the powder of incense , of unslackt lime , of mastick , of verdigrease , and of salt , of each three ounces , mingle these well together , then dip in as much hurds as will cover the fore hoof , lay it on , and all about it lay swines grease an inch thick , or more ; do this also below it ; bind this on in such wise that it may not be stirred for a whole fortnight at least ; then apply it fresh again , and the horse will require no other dressing to accomplish the cure . now if any corruption be gathered together within the false quarter in such manner that the horse will go halting with much pain and difficulty , which matter you shall know if there be any there , by laying your finger on the false quarter , at which the horse will start or shrink if it be ripe ; if so , open it with a drawing knife , and let out the corruption , then lay thereon horse dung , oyl , salt and vinegar , mixt together in the manner of a plaister , this will not only heal the sorrance , but consolidate the hoof , and make it firm : at first after the cure is wrought be careful in shooing him till his hoof be throughly hardned . there is yet another way to cure this sorrance which by mr. grey is accounted the best he ever met with , and was taught him by a very skilful french farrier , which is this . take a piece of wood that is flat , and form it an inch broad at least , making it so thin and slender that it will bend like an hoop , which must be long enough to come twice about the cronet of the hoof ; get also an indifferent long piece of filletting in readiness , and cut it in two pieces ; then having brought the hoop about the cronet with one piece of the filletting bind fast the top of the hoop , making it fast behind against the heel : then take the other piece of filletting , and fasten it to the top of the first filletting , sowing it as well on the one side of the hoof as on the other . but i should have told you that before you fasten on the hoop you must draw the sorrance of the false quarter with a drawing iron , so close , and near that you come to the very quick , which you know by the flowing of a certain kind of dewy moisture , let that be your sign for binding on your hoop , having before prepared this salve in a readiness to fill up the chinks of the said quarter . take of the roots of lingua bovis green ▪ and newly gathered , of the roots of conso●ida major and the root of mallows , of each half a pound ; wash them and scrape them clean , and cut them into small pieces ; boil these in two quarts of aligant till the liquor be consumed , and the roots become soft , then pound them very well , and strain them through a fine searser , reserving a little of the wine to moisten it that it may strain the better : then take of venice turpentine , new wax , burgundy pitch , of each half a pound , of black pitch four ounces , of the oldest oyl olive one quart , put these together with the former recited ingredients into a clean kettle , after this manner ; first the roots , then the other ingredients in their order by themselves , but not the turpentine till all the other are melted ; let these boil together till all the wine be consumed , and the ingredients be well incorporated , then take them off the fire , and put in your turpentine ; then let it have one walm or two over the fire ; then take it off , continually stirring it till it be cold , and so preserve it for your use . with this salve anoint and rub well the place where the hoop and filletting is to be bound on ; and having fastned them , take hurds , and rowl it up into a rowl , the full length of the rist of chink of the quarter ; and having first anointed the hurds very well with the salve bind it thereon . when you dress him , which must be once in three days , unty all , as well the hoop as filletting , and continue so doing till you find an absolute cure . fig. the fig is a disease which derives its denomination from the shape of the sorrance , which is naughty and superfluous flesh , growing on the frush or heel in the likeness of a fig , being full of little white grains , as you may perceive in a fig opened ; and this malady is occasioned either by stub , great nail , thorn , bone , splent , or stone , either in the sole , or any other part of the foot . the old experienced farriers were wont to cut the fig away with a hot iron , and keep the flesh from rising with turpentine , hogs grease , and a little wax molten together , and laid on with a little tow , stopping the hole very hard , keeping down the flesh , and applying this fresh every day till the sore be healed . but latter experience finds this to be much better : after you have cut away the fig close with an incision knife , but it is much better to burn it off with a red hot iron ; if so , then lay for two days together tryed hogs grease to draw out the fire ; then take the tops of the most angry young nettles you can find , pound them very small , and spread them on a linnen cloth just the bigness of the fig ; then take the powder of verdigrease , and strew it on the plaister of 〈…〉 before you lay it to the sorrance 〈…〉 thereon , laying fresh every day 〈…〉 grow perfect and sound ; this is 〈…〉 you . frush running or rotten . the running frush is a sorrance called by some country smiths the frog ; because it breedeth in that spongy part of the heel , which they call the frog . i know not for what reason they should give it that appellation , since it is formed and fashioned like a forked arrow-head , and is the tenderest part of the hoof towards the heel ; this is that part which when farriers cut , they say they cut forth the sole of the horses foot . the causes of this sorrance are several ; as first , when the smith inconsiderately pareth that part to the quick , which afterwards becomes sore and often turns to the running frush ; which will so stink as not to be endured , by reason of the gravel getting into it through travel , causing a rankling and impostumation ; sometimes it hapneth by an evil humour , falling down into the legs , and making its way out through the frush , being the softest and tenderest part of the foot : now though hereby the legs are kept clean from wind-galls , and all other tumours and swellings , by reason that the humours have passage that way , yet by reason of the corruption gathering into that part , i look upon the mischief of this sorrance much greater than the advantage it brings with it , making the horses foot so weak and tender , that he is not able to tread on any hard ground . the signs are ; he will ever go best on green swarth ; but when he comes into hard and dry dirty ways he will halt , by reason of the gravel getting in , fretting and paining him to the quick ; and you shall observe that when he resteth , the frush will weep , sending forth a watry stuff , which will so stink the scent will be insufferable . the cure : take stale chamber-lye , and boil it with a quantity of alom , and keep it close stopped in a glass ; then take of red nettles two handfuls , the strongest and most angry ; dry them well , and reduce them to powder ; and what quantity of this powder you have , join to it as much beaten pepper , and mix them well together , and keep it in a dry bladder for your use ; when you have occasion to make use thereof , take off the shooe , and open the frush ; then wash the sorrance to the very bottom , with this water and powder mixed together and warmed ; then hollow the shooe that it hurt not the frush , and so put it on ; but before you do it , the foot being well washed and cleansed from all putrefaction and gravel , fill the hole with the aforementioned powder , and stop it with hurds , and splent it , that the hurds may keep in the powder , and that nothing may come to prejudice the sorrance ; and thus renew the washing with filling up the hole with the powder every day once , and in seven or eight days it will be perfectly cured , provided you suffer no dung to come to the place afflicted , and that he tread not on any wet during the time of the cure. fistula . a fistula is a running ulcer , deep , hollow and crooked , being much straiter at the mouth or orifice than at the bottom , occasioned by some wound , bruise , sore or canker not throughly healed , sometimes proceeding from malignant humours , sometimes from a stripe , which being strongly laid home , and bruising the flesh to the bone , it afterwards putrifies inwardly and turns to a fistula ; or lastly , it comes by being wrung by the tree of an ill-made sadle . the sign● hereof are so apparent they need not an ecce in their discovery ; therefore let us pass to the cure , which must be thus . first , take some pliable thing , as a goos-quil , a small piece of lead or a rod , and therewith probe or search the bottom thereof , making your probe to bend which way soever the crooked cavity of the fistula leaneth . having found the bottom thereof , make so large an incision that the corruption may have a free passage downwards ; but have a care you do not cut in sunder any master-sinew or main tendon , then tent it two or three days with hogs-grease to the intent the hole may be the more dilated . this being done , make this injection : take of sublimate and precipitate of each as much as will lie upon a groat , alom and white coperas of each three ounces ; burn all these in an earthen pot , but let not the bottom burn , which you may prevent by first rubbing thereon some oil ; then take two quarts of fair water , and having boiled it alone and scummed it , put therein , having first taken it from the fire , as much of this powder as will lie on a crown-piece ; inject of this water in a syringe , and it will not only kill but heal the fistula in a very short time . some , not inferiour in skill to any , take this course for the cure ; viz. take one pint of the best honey , of verdegriese one ounce made into fine powder , and so boil them together near an hour upon a soft fire ; having so done , strain it into some vessel that is clean , and preserve it for your use : this is an incomparable ointment wherewith to tent any fistula or polevil ; for it descendeth to the bottom , and speedily eateth away all dead flesh , whereby that which is carnifying may heal the better . if the matter or corruption be plentiful , then dress him herewith twice a day ; but continue so doing no longer than one day , then dress him after this manner : take of turpentine , swines-grease , sheeps-suet of each a like quantity ; and being molten together make a salve thereof , and dress him therewith six days together , observing to make your tent of very fine soft linnen cloth and fine flax , not making your tent too big after the second dressing ; then lay upon and about the sore this pultess : first , take two gallons of fair water , and having boiled it , scum it well ; then take three handfuls of mallows , and the like of the leaves of violets , with two of oat-meal or more ; put these into the former water with hogs-mort and fresh butter of each a pound , and let it boil till it become thick , like paste , and so apply it hot to the sore . now some , on the other side , will make use of no other thing for the cure of a fistula than this : take the outermost green shells of walnuts , and put them in a tub , strowing three or four handfuls of bay-salt upon them on the top , midst and bottom , and so keep them all the year ; and when they have occasion to use them , they take a pint thereof with a little bay-salt , two ounces of black soap , half a spoonful of may-butter , or instead thereof fresh butter , and incorporate them well together , and with this they tent or plaister the fistula , anointing the sorrance with turpentine two hours before they lay on the plaister ; observing thus to do till the fistula be perfectly healed . lastly , let me prescribe you two remedies more , not inferiour to any afore-recited , and i have done . take verdigriese , butter and salt ; mingle and melt these together ; having so done pour it , scalding hot into the sore ; and thus use it till all the flesh be red ; after this , tent it with verde-griese , burnt allom , wheat-flower and the yolks of eggs , well beaten and mingled together ; and lastly , skin it with barm and soot mixt together . take a pint of the strongest vinegar you can get , and having made it hot on the fire , add thereunto of the lome of a clay-wall , which hath no lime in it , but pick not out the straws therein , and so boil them together till they become a salve ; being indifferently hot spread it over the sorance , especially such places as feel hard ; do thus twice a day , and it will not only ripen but heal the fistula : this is also a sovereign cure for any galled or bruised back , how grievously sore soever . frets . a fret is not much unlike an ulcer , only it is more hard and knotty , not spreading but residing in one place , sometimes between the skin and flesh ( fa●cy like ) and will not break . the best and most approved cure is , to make a strong lye with old urine , ash-ashes and green copperas , and bathing the knots herewith , it will not only kill but heal them . others take a snake , and throwing away the head and tail , roast the rest of the body cut into pieces , and preserving the grease that droppeth , anoint the place aggrieved , healing thereby this malady in a short time ; but in anointing the sore they always are very cautious they touch no sound place therewith ; for the venenosity thereof will poison . now if your horse be fretted or galled under the belly , as it frequently happens , when the girths are crumpled or knotty , and there withal drawn too strait ; then take of oyl de bay and oyl of balm two ounces , of pitch two ounces , of tar two ounces , and one ounce of rozin ; mingle these well together , and anoint the fretted place therewith ; then take chop'd flax and lay thereon , not removing but letting it fall off of it self ; this will infallibly cure him . gravelling . an horse comes to be gravelled by sand getting in between the sole and the hoof , or the sole and the shoe , sometimes on the inside , sometimes on the outside ; and sometimes on both sides of the heel , settling at the quick , and there fretteth and festereth . sometimes it happeneth by the calking or spong of the shooe , which by much labour and travel doth eat through the hoof into the quick of the foot , and so much the sooner , by how much the horses heels are soft and weak ; or that the shooe , lying too flat to his foot , the gravel getting in can in no wise get out again . his grief will be soon discovered by his halting and complaining on the same foot ; which as soon as you shall discover , take up that foot he endeavoureth to favour , and you shall find it more hot than usual , and warmer than the rest of his feet . then take off his shooe , and with your drawing iron draw the place till you come to the very quick , and having pickt forth all the gravel , and crusht forth the blood and corruption , then wash your sore clean with this copperas-water : take two quarts of fair water , and put it into a clean skillet or posnet ; then put thereto half a pound of green copperas , and of salt one handful , of ordinary honey one spoonful , and two or three bunches of rosemary , boil these together till one half of the liquor be consumed ; a little before you take it from the fire , add thereunto of alom the quantity of a wallnut ; taking it from the fire let it stand till it is cold , and then put it in some vessel for your use . after this , pour on your sore sheeps-tallow and bay-salt molten together , scalding hot ; then stop up the hole with hurds , and so set on the shooe again . dress it thus twice or thrice and it will be whole ; but let his foot be throughly well before you either travel him , or let his foot touch water . now you are to understand , that if a graveling be not well stopt , to keep down the flesh , it will rise higher than the hoof , it will cost you much more labour in bolstring and abating that ill-grown carnosity . some of our late farriers are of opinion , that this following receipt is an excellent remedy for any gravelling , viz. first , you must so pare the hoof that the sore may be visible ; then take an ounce of virgin-wax , and a quarter of an ounce of rozin , and as much of deer-suet , and half an ounce of boars-grease , and beat them all very well in a mortar , and after that melt them together over the fire ; that done , dip good store of flax therein , and so stop up the sore close and hard ; after this you may travel your horse whither you please . now to the intent that your own experience may pick one out of many , which may surpass all others , let me add this one more : take of virgin-wax one ounce , rozin and deer-suet of each two ounces , boars-grease half an ounce , and of housleek one head ; incorporate all these together in a mortar , then melt them over a gentle fire , and so apply it hot to the sorrance , stopping it up with hurds , and so tack on the shooe , a very few dressings will effect the cure. gourged or gourded legs . this gourge is a very bad sorance , being an ugly and dangerous swelling in the nether part of the legs , proceeding from melting of grease by immoderate labour , or from hard beating in dry ways in the summer time ; which first causeth wind-galls , which offending the sinews , make them to swell ; and this is the worst gourding . the signs are , a lesser swelling in his legs when he is upon travel than when he standeth still in the stable ; this swelling is most usually attended with scabs , which commonly run into the scratches . the cure is to draw him with an hot iron , and handful above the knee ; then rope his legs with soft hay , wet in water that is cold , and letting it remain twenty four hours , it will allay the swelling : i cannot approve of this cure so well as what mr. markham prescribes , which is this : take up the veins beneath the knee , and let him bleed well , then knit the vein both above and below ; having so done , anoint his legs with this ointment : take of frankincense , rozin and fresh grease of each a like quantity , and having boiled them well together , strain it , and use it once a day as you shall have occasion . have especial care in taking up the veins , lest you make your horse go stiff ever after . gelding of horses or colts . there are three things to be observed in the gelding of horses , and they are the age , season of the year , and state of the moon . first , as to the age ; all colts you may geld at twelve days old , or a little sooner , which i rather approve of than of fifteen or twenty days old ; for the sooner a colt is gelded , if his stones are come down , the more it will improve his growth , shape and courage ; and though many have obstinately affirmed , that a year and a half or two years old , is the best time for gelding , yet such have been at last forced to confess the contrary by woful experience . an horse you may geld at any age whatsoever with this proviso , that great care be taken in the cure. the time or season of the year for gelding , the best i hold to be at spring and fall , that is to say , from the latter end of march till the beginning of october . lastly , as to the state of the moon , then is the best time when she is in the decrease ; and this is not only the opinion of all ancient farriers , but is confirmed by the experience of those of later practice . now as to the general manner of gelding , whether of foal , colt or horse , it is thus : let the place you chuse to cast him on be straw or a soft dunghil , not too moist ; then taking the stone between your foremost finger and your great finger , with a fine incision-knife slit the cod , so that you may only press the stone forth ; then with a pair of small nippers , very smoth , clap the strings of the stone between them , very near to the setting on of the stone , and press them so hard that there may be no flux of blood ; then with a thin cauterizing-iron red hot , sear away the stone ; then take a hard plaister of rozin , wax , and washt turpentine , well molten together , and with your hot iron melt it on the head of the strings , and having sear'd the strings , lay a good quantity of this salve thereon ; then loose the nippers , and as you did with one stone so do with the other . having thus done , fill the two slits of the cod with white salt ; then take hogs-grease clean rendred , and anoint the outside of the cod , as also his thighs and belly over , and so let him rise . if after his gelding , you perceive any extraordinary swelling either in his sheath or cod ; then chase him up and down , making him once a day to trot for an hour , and it will remedy it perfectly . garget in horse or beast only . i conceive that there is little difference between the garget and plague , pestilence or murrain , being all malignant and pestilential distempers , the infected being infectious to those horses which stand by them ; it is present death to open a vein in this disease . you may know this disease by these signs or symptoms : he will hang down his head very much , gumming thick atter at the eyes , as big as the top of a mans finger , his pace will be weak and staggering , with swelling oftentimes in his head , but his body will very much decay on a sudden , and yet have a good stomach to his meat . for the cure take this prescription : take of diapente , dialphora , london-treacle , mithridate and saffron of each the quantity of an hasel-nut , an handful of wormwood , as much of red sage , rhubarb the quantity of an hasel-nut , two cloves of garlick ; boil all these together in two pints of good beer , till it hath consumed one half , then give it him to drink luke-warm fasting , and keep him very warm : the very next thing you give him , let it be a warm mash made of ground malt , and let him drink warm water for a week , giving him sometimes some bursten oats , and clean sweet hay ; it is sweating that must effect the cure. now forasmuch as cows also are troubled with this distemper , know that about half the quantity of what , in this receipt , is prescribed for an horse , is an excellent remedy for a cow. probatum . a garget sometimes seizeth the throat of an ox , cow or bullock , causing a swelling in the sides , and often cometh for want of water . for the cure , you must cast the beast ; then cut the skin through on the midst of the swelling , fleaing the skin on each side , as far as the swelling extendeth ; then take fine white wood-ashes sifted , and mix them with mould stale old piss ; stir them well together , and wash the sore therewith , and it will dissipate the swelling . if the garget be under the root of a cows or bullocks tongue , there swelling , causing his head and face to swell also , frothy at mouth , and forsaking his meat ; then must you cure him by first casting him so , that by the fall he bruise not his body ; then with your hand pull out his tongue as far as you can , and with the point of a lancet or sharp pen-knife , slit down the middle vein under his tongue about an inch , and from thence will issue black blood and water , proceeding from the gall ; then with salt and vinegar mingled together , wash or rub the place therewith and the cure is wrought . but if the garget be in the guts , the signs will be like the former , viz. running at the eyes , slavering at the mouth , &c. and for the remedy , take an egg-shell filled full with tar , and put it down the cows or bullocks throat , then take two handfuls of salt and put it into a pint of verjuice ; then with a horn convey it down the throat of the beast ; then drive him to and fro till he dung , and let four hours after be the time of his fasting . galled back that cometh by the saddle , or shackle . for an horse to have a galled back is very common , and hapneth so many several ways , that it would not only be tedious but endless to describe them . i shall therefore only insist upon the most material , and that is either by the sadle , pannel , pack saddle , or male-pillion , which frequently injure the back of an horse , either by evil stuffing or want of stuff , or the tree may be so faulty , that all the art of an ingenious saddler shall not be able to correct the errour ; and that is , when at first it is not rightly shaped , or afterwards by accident either crack'd or broken . you need not enquire after the signs , for they are commonly visible ; as great swelling , hair fretted off , skin broken , and the back raw with inflammation ; but if none of these symptoms appear , and yet the horses back is certainly wrung by the saddle ; you may find it out by stroking your hand all along his back when the saddle is off ; if hurt , he will shake his head , winch with his tail , shake , he will offer to strike or bite , &c. if you find that his back is swelled without impostumation , clap on the swelling some of his wet litter , and setting on his saddle again , so let him remain with his saddle on all night , and by the next morning his swelling will be so abated as not to be discerned . if the hair be only galled off , and the place be not impostumated , then only anoint the part with a little butter and salt melted together , and you need dress him but twice to make it perfectly whole . but if the back be so galled , that not only the hair is fretted off , but the skin too , and the place appears palpably raw , then take three parts of new sheeps-dung , and one part of wheat-flower , and mingle them well together , kneading into paste and flatting it , bake it a little ; then take some of the powder hereof warm , and lay it to the place ; this is a speedy cure. now if your horse be galled by lock , cord or shackle , then , believe me , this is a sovereign remedy : take of live honey seven spoonfuls , of verdegriese half an ounce , and boil them together till the honey be half consumed , and that it become red ; then put it into some clean pot , and anoint the sorrance therewith , made warm twice every day ; and when you have anointed the place , cast thereon hurds cut very short , to keep on the ointment , and this will heal it speedily . next to this we must consider an horses back that is so galled , that it is withal so inflamed , that there is no expectation but that much impostumation will follow , before it be cured ; then you may do well to take barm , and so much soot as will thicken it ; not so thick as paste , but somewhat fluid like tar , and therewith make a plaister , and lay it to the sorrance : now , besides what is already spoken of , there are many more things which will cure a galled back ; as the powder of briar leaves well dryed ; the powder of honey and unslak'd lime ; the powder of wild cowcumbers , dried in an oven , will effect this cure , so that the sorrance be first washed in vinegar ; the bone of a crab-fish pulverized , or the powder of oister-shells will do the like ; but that which may serve instead of all the rest is ; take hay and boil it in strong urine , and lay it to the swelled place , and it will asswage the pain and bring it to suppuration ; then lance it , and let out the corruption ; then stop the orifice with rozin , wax and fresh grease all molten together ; but if you perceive that dead flesh grow within the sore , then eat it out with verdigrease pulverized or precipitate , strowing thereof on the proud flesh ; when that is effected , the powder of rozin is sufficient to dry it up perfectly . gigs . gigs are bladders are small soft swellings with black heads , afflicting the inside of the horses lips , immediately under his great jaw-teeth ; they will sometimes grow very big , about the size almost of a pidgeons egg , and then will prove so painful , that the poor beast is forced to let the meat drop out of his mouth , or else he will not be capable of chewing it ; so that by consequence he cannot be in a condition of thriving : their common original is from eating either too much grass , or else proceeding from prickly hay or provender : when you feel them , as easily you may , then slit them with an incision-knife , and having thrust out the corruption , wash the sore places with alom-water ; or burn the swellings with a small hot iron , and then wash them with beer and salt , which will instantly heal them . grief in the withers . the wither of an horse , as well as his back , are subject to very many sorrances , proceeding from causes both internal and external , the first from corrupt and putrified humours , the second from galling , pinching , wringing , &c. the old practitioners of this art were wont , as soon as ever they espied any swelling on the horses back or withers ( especially if it were great ) to pierce it in several places with an hot iron , and then tent it with linnen cloth , dipt in sallet-oil warmed , and afterwards they dried and healed it up with powder of honey and lime mixt together . those of later experience rather chose to lay wet hay thereunto ; for that will either drive it away or ripen it ; and being broken , they then applied a plaister of wine-lees , renewing it as often as it grew dry . but by reason i have already treated at large of a galled back , it will be a tautology to discourse further of the griefs appertaining to the withers of an horse . general scab or leprosie . this general maunge or leprosie diffuseth it self over all the body of an horse , and happens by much melancholy blood abounding . for this malady or general scab you must first let him blood in the neck-vein , on the one side , and the next day on the other , two days after that in the flank veins , and after the same distance of time in the tail ; then take brine and wash therewith all the sore places , rubbing them hard with a wisp of straw till they bleed soundly and are raw , then anoint his body with an unguent thus prepared : take of quick-silver one ounce , of hogs-grease one pound , of brimstone pulverized three ounces , of rape-oil a pint . mingle these well together , until the quick-silver be imbodied with the rest ; and having laid this ointment on all the raw places , cause it to sink into the flesh , by holding close thereunto a hot bar of iron somewhat broad . for diversity sake , and that you may not be stinted in your choice , to every disease i give you several cures , and that i may follow my former method , i shall lay you here down one more no way inferiour to the former . after you have let your horse blood , take an old wool-card , and rub all the horses sores till they bleed ; then take a pottle of stale urine , and add thereunto a quarter of a pound of green coperas ; mix and stir these well together , then boil them a while ; then as hot as the horse can endure it , wash it all over herewith ; about an hour afterwards , take of quicksilver two ounces , of oil one ounce and a half , of white heleborus one ounce , with a good quantity of swines-grease ; mingle these so well together that none of the quicksilver may be visible , and therewith anoint the horse ; let the horse , during the time of his cure , be dieted sparingly ; and then , if the first dressing cure him not , the second will do it infallibly . hurle bone disjointed . the hurl-bone is scituate much about the middle of the buttock , and upon a slip or strain is very subject to dislocation . for the cure , take of oyl of turpentine and strong beer , and put these into a glass bottle , then shake these well together , and having so done , as near as you can pour a little hereof right over the socket of the hurl-bone , the breadth of an ordinary saucer , and rub it in with your hand . it will make the skin to swell up , and it will be very sore ; then anoint him on the brawn and thick part of the thigh , and so down to the stifle . in the time of the cure drive in a woodden wedge between the toe and the shooe , and so let him stand day and night ; as you see your horse mend , so you may ride him accordingly . horse-spice , how to make it , with the uses thereof , a most excellent and cheap medicine . those poor country people who cannot go to the charge of dearer physick for the cure of their horses distemper , may make use of this following receipt , and may for ought i know receive as much benefit thereby as by a medicine tending to the same purpose six times the price ; and thus it is made : take half a pound of anniseeds , and the like quantity of english liquorish , also half a pound of grains , and the like proportion of fennel seeds , likewise half a pound of the flower of brimstone , and a pound of dried enula campana ; slice the liquorish , and dry it , and so pound them all together in a mortar very small . an ounce of this horse spice with a spoonful of sallet-oyl , and two spoonfuls of jean treacle , and all put together into a quart of strong beer , is an excellent drink for a cold , to make an horse thrive , and an antidote against most diseases . if upon letting blood you would give your horse a drink , take an ounce of this spice in a pint of strong beer , and making it luke-warm , give it him to drink fasting . hide-bound . this distemper commonly proceedeth from unreasonable travail , disorderly diet , and multiplicity of surfeits . it is easily discernable by a general consumption of the flesh , as leaness , so that you cannot pluck with your fingers his skin from the flesh : he will likewise be disaffected to his meat . you must in the effecting of a cure first let him blood , and then let him drink five mornings together a quart of new milk with two spoonfuls of honey , and one spoonful of course treacle ; let his meat be either barley boiled , warm grains , or beans , and his drink mashes . hayr , how to make it grow speedily . take the new dung of a goat , ordinary honey , allom powdered , and the blood of an hog , seeth these together , and what places in the horse you see destitute of hair , rub them herewith every day , this will restore hair wonderfully . now since it often happeneth that either by reason of a dry mange , or some evil humours resorting to those parts , the hair of both main and tail do often shed and fall away , it is requisite that we here prescribe a remedy ; and to that end , first , take blood from the neck-vein , then slit the skin of the inward part of the tail ( if both are affected with one distemper , viz. the shedding of the hair ) next to the tuel , from the buttocks to the fourth joint , and there with your cornet you shall find a hard gristle , raise it up therewith , and take it forth ; having so done , fill up the cavity with salt finely beaten , and then with an hot iron steeped in buck-ly , burn the tail in sundry places , and then anoint the places with hogs grease till they be whole : this hath been found true by the experience of several . headach . it is commonly observed among horses as well as humane creatures , that their heads will ake , and that grievously , rendring them incapable of performing that service which is expected from them ; to the intent you may remove this troublesome distemper , first , take blood from him in the mouth , rubbing it with salt to cause the greater quantity of blood to come from thence ; then take a small stick , and wrap about it a linnen cloth ; having so done , anoint it well in the oyl of bays , and thrust it to and fro his nostrils , which will open and purge his head ; then take the stalks of garlick broken into small pieces and make a perfume thereof , or you may perfume his head with frankincense , storax and benjamin , grosly beaten , and well mixed , of each a like quantity ; you must this while feed him but sparingly , and exercise him but moderately ; this will reduce his head and brain into a quiet disposition . hee l scab , or heels that are scabbed . those little scabs that i have often seen growing about an horses heels , which are more an eye-sore to the master than a trouble to himself , ingender frequently from the laziness of his keeper , and not from malignant humours , and therefore i would advise the groom or hostler to anoint them daily with elbow-grease . but if these scabs do proceed from some evil humours , and do run , then morning and evening let the horse be rid up to the belly in water , to the intent they may contract , and then cauterize them near the joints . the heels of an horse are sometimes kibed , and is a kind of scratches ; you must cauterize the middle of the swelling both long and cross wise ; that done , take oxe dung just as it falleth from him , and putting sallet-oyl thereunto set it over the fire , and apply it to the kibed heels , and it will cure them . heels of an horse that are troubled with the m●llet . this mellet is a dry scab sometimes growing on the one heel and sometimes on the other , but most commonly on the heel of the fore foot , this proceedeth from corrupt blood , or negligence in dressing after travail . you must cure him thus : having first nearly clipped away the hair , apply this medicine plaisterwise to the sorrance ; take of ordinary honey half a pint , black sope a quarter of a pound , five spoonfuls of vinegar , and the quantity of an hens eggs of allom unburnt , of rye flower two spoonfuls , mix these well together , and making a plaister hereof lay it all over the sorrance , thus let it lye six days ; at the expiration of which time , wash the whole leg as well as sorrance with powdered beef-broth , then rope up his legs with soft hay wet , and the cure will be perfected . honey charge , how made , and for what good , as all sorts of slips , dislocations , and for all sorts of scratches . this honey charge i am about to give you an account of , as to the ingredients it is compounded of , is excellent good for any slip or wrench in the shoulder , hip , or other member , for all sorts of scratches , stiffness of sinews , hip-shut , dislocation , weariness in travail , discussion of evil humours , and the asswaging all swellings and tumours . the way of making this honey charge is thus : take of wheat meal two pound , and put a little wine to it , then mix it well , and put it into a kettle , then adde thereunto half a pound of the powder of bole armoniack , of common english honey one pound , it being on the fire , keep it continually stirring , till it be throughly boiled ; in the boiling put in half a pound of black pitch , when almost enough , put in half a pound of ordinary turpentine , of oyl de bay , cummin , althaea , sanguis-draconis , bay-berries , fenugreek , and of linseed meal , of each two drams ; boil all these together again , still stirring them , the better to imbody them ; this is an excellent charge for any ordinary sorrances whatsoever . hurts in the shoulder . if the shoulder of your horse be hurt , or any other member ; then take oyl de bay , dialthea , fresh butter , oyl of turpentine ; of each three ounces , boil and stir them well together , so that they be well incorporated ; then take hereof very hot as much as ever the horse can indure , and anoint twice or thrice a day the place grieved , and this with moderate exercise will prove a speedy remedy . now if the shoulder of the horse be pinched , as it often hapneth by straining the horse too young , or by carrying too great a weight ; then you must first rowel him , then lay this plaister over his breast , shoulders and withers . take of pitch and rozen , of each a pound , of tar half a pint , boil these together , and when it is indifferent cold , take a woollen cloth bound to the end of a stick , and dip it into the charge , and daub therewith all the shoulder over , then take flocks as near as you can of the colour of the horse , and lay thereon , and once in two days make your rowels clean , and put them in again ; continue thus doing twelve or fourteen days ; after this , take out the rowels , and heal up the wounds with tents of flax dipt in turpentine and hogs grease molten together , renew this once a day till it be whole ; you may let him run to grass till he be twice or thrice frost-bitten , and it will be for his future advantage . the wrench in the shoulder cometh from a slip either abroad or at home , or when an horse is too suddainly stopt in his carrer , or by too suddain turning , and sometimes by the stroke of another horse . the only sign that i know of is his trailing of his leg upon the ground close after him . the remedy is this ; first , take away three pints of blood at least from his plat vein ; having saved the blood in a clean vessel , then put thereunto a quart of strong vinegar , with half a dozen egges broken , and their shells , and so much wheat flower as will thicken all the liquor ; that done , put thereunto a pound of the powder of bole-armoniack , sanguis-draconis two ounces , and mingle them so that the flower may be invisible ; take this , and with your hand daub all the shoulder from the main downward , and betwixt the fore bowels , all against the hair ; this done ; tye him up to the rack , and let him not lye down all that day , then diet him but sparingly for thirteen days , and refresh the shoulder point with this charge once a day , and after this let him have a months rest at least , and his shoulder will be reduced to the former sound condition . such as are of late experience prescribe this method for the cure : they first let the horse blood in the breast-vein , and then rowel him from the neather part of the spade-bone down to the point of the shoulder ; having so done , they take a patten shooe , and set it on the sound foot , and so turn him to grass for a month , not forgetting once in two days to remove the rowels , and so thrust out the corruption : as soon as they perceive that he goeth sound , they take off the patten shooe , and pull out the rowels and let him still run at grass , till he have taken a frost or two . i cannot discommend this method , for i have made trial thereof with very good success : i shall speak no further of hurts in the shoulder in this particular place , because i reserve them for another more proper . heat in the lips , and mouth of an horse . there is a certain unnatural and violent heat in the stomach , which ascending , doth frequently breed cankers , at least an inflammation of the mouth and lips , causing in them a burning and swelling with so much anguish and pain , that the horse will utterly decline his food . the cure is facile and easie , for you need do no more than turn up that lip which is most swelled , and jag it so that it may bleed , then wash his lips , mouth and tongue with salt and vinegar . hidden griefs in an horse how to discover , for want of the knowledge whereof several pretended crafty jockeys have been deceived and cheated . some horses are of that nature , that if moderately ridden they will conceal their infirmities , going very seemingly sound , partly by being of a strong constitution , and by being long at grass wear out their distempers , and partly again out of a certain awe most horses have to their riders , whereas these very horses may be unperfect and unsound . now that you may not be mistaken and abused herein , first take the horse out of the stable in a long string , causing one to run him in his hand the length of the halter ; especially observe how he sets down his legs , whatever leg is defective , that leg to be sure he will endeavour to favour : if he favour none , but go upright , then mount him , and ride him roundly in some rode ; after this alight , and let him stand still an hour or better , then run him again in your hand at the halters length , and then assure your self if he have the least grief he should not be able to conceal it . if you find him infirm you shall know thus whence his grief proceeds ; if from an hot cause , then the horse halteth most when he is much exercised or travailed ; if from a cold cause , then he halteth most when he hath stood still a while . hipped horse , or an horse that is hurt in his hips . an hipped horse is so properly called , when the hip-bone is dislocated , or removed out of its natural seat or place . this malady is as difficultly cured as any whatsoever ; for if it be not instantly taken immediately after the dislocation , there will grow in the pot of the huckle bone a callous , or hard substance , that it will exclude the bone absolutely from ever possessing its natural habitation , and so the sorrance becomes incurable . the symptoms of this sorrance are halting much , and going sidelong , trailing his legs somewhat after him , the grieved hip will be somewhat lower than the other , and the flesh will fall away from his buttock . you must work his cure thus : first cast him on his back , and then having a strong pastern on his grieved leg , with a rope draw that leg upright , and with your hands on each side his thigh bone guide it into the pot ; that done , let him down gently , and raise him up with as little stirring or disturbance to him as you can , and so lead him softly into the stable ; after this , charge all his hip and back with rozen and pitch molten together , and laid on warm , and upon that some flocks of the colour of his own hair , and so turn him to grass . if there be no dislocation , but only a hurt in the hip , and that newly , then take of oyl de bay , of dialthea , of nerve oyl , and of swines grease , of each half a pound ; melt them all together , stirring them till they are throughly incorporated , then anoint the sorrance therewith against the hair , every day once for fourteen days , and that it may well sink in , hold an hot bar of iron over the place you anoint , waving your hand to and fro , and this will soon cure him . hough-bonny . hough-bonny is a round swelling growing on the very elbow of the hoof , and proceedeth from a bruise by beating his hoof against the post which standeth behind him , or otherwise . the remedy must be by taking a round iron somewhat sharp at the end , like a big bodkin , and let it be somewhat bending at the point , then holding the sore with your left hand , pulling it a little from the sinew , pierce it with the iron made red hot , thrusting it beneath in the bottom and so upward into the jelly ; having thrust out all the jelly , tent the hole with flax dipt in turpentine and hogs-grease molten together , and also anoint the outside with warm hogs-grease ; doing this every day , making the tent lesser and lesser , till the sorrance be cured . though this may be looked on as none of the meanest remedies for this distemper , yet it comes far short of this following ; which frequently i have experimented successfully . first , take hay boiled in old urine , and so bring the swelling to suppuration , or discuss it if you can ; but if it comes to putrefaction , then lance it in the lowest part of the swelling or softness with a thin hot iron , and so let out the matter ; then tent it with turpentine , deers-suet and wax of each a like quantity molten together , and be sure that you lay a plaister over of the same , that you may keep in the tent till it be perfectly cured . haltings of all sorts , coming either by stroke , strain or the like , with their cures . for an horse to halt is so common a thing , that no traveller but is very well acquainted with the trouble thereof ; if the malady be so well known , there are few , i think , should be ignorant of the cures , which i shall orderly set down . if the halt proceed from stiffness of sinews , strain or stroke , and that the malady lie in his leg ; then take smallage , oxe-eye and sheep-suet of each a quantity alike ; chop them all together and boil them all in man's urine , and bathe the whole leg therewith ; then with hay-ropes wet in cold water rowl up his leg , and you shall find him the next morning in a very good posture , either to begin or continue his journey . another as good as the former . take nerve-oil , oil de bay and aqua vitae ; mingle these together , then warm it ; having so done , take it and chafe it in , upon and about the strain ; this will remove the pain . if the grief be in the shoulder or hinder-leg , then burn it upon the very joint , by taking up the skin with a pair of pincers , and thrust the skin through with an hot iron overthwart ; if you find this do him but little good , then you may conclude his pain to be between the skin and the bone , which then must be roweled . another for a strain or swelling , according to the practice of the most experienced farriers now living . take a pint of the best vinegar , of sweet butter four ounces , and set them over the fire ; then with fine wheat-bran make it into a pultess over the fire , and lay it as hot to the sorrance as the horse is able to endure it ; do thus morning and evening , and it is excellent good to asswage any strain newly taken . but if the strain be of some standing ; then take mallows and chickweed , and boil them in strong urine , and so lay them very hot to the strain . now if your strain , by length of time , or abused by medicines , seem to the eye of all understanding men incurable , the sinews and swelling being bony , hard , and knotted ; then take piece-grease , and melting it on the fire , anoint and bathe the strain therewith very hot , chafing it very much with your hand , and afterwards holding a broad bar of iron hot against it , to make the ointment the better sink in ; then with a fine linnen rowler , rowl up the leg softly ; continue thus doing once a day , and there is no strain , how great soever and desperate , but it will remedy in a little time . helps for all sores and vlcers . old sores or ulcers have a threefold distinction : the first are fistula's , being sores which are deep , hollow and crooked : the second are cankers ; this sorrance is known by its shape , which is broad and shallow , and by its nature spreading and increasing : the last are old sores or ulcers , which are differenced from the two former , by being deep , black about the sides and bottom , neither increasing nor healing . the causes are either bruise , wound or impostume abused in the cure ; or else the cause may arise from the negligence or unskilfulness of the farrier , suffering ill humours to slow down into those parts . the signs are ( according to mr. markham's judgment ) the long continuance of the sore , the blackness thereof with inflammation , and the thinness of the matter flowing from it . observe this in the cure ; first mundifie or cleanse the sore well with white wine ; then take lilly-leaves and copperas , and beat them well in a mortar with swines-grease till they turn to a salve ; then with flax lay it on the sorrance , covering it also with a plaister , as in the cure of wounds , and it will speedily be a cure ; this must be renewed once a day . but as for an old ulcer in particular , i never found any thing by experience better than this : take frankincense , mastick , cloves , green copperas and brimstone of each a like quantity , twice as much myrrh as any of the former ; beat it into powder , and burn it on a chafing dish and coals , but let it not flame ; as the smoak ariseth , take an handful of lint , and hold it over the smoak , so that it may receive the fume thereof into it ; then close this lint in a box , and keep it . it is to be supposed that this lint ( or you may use fine hurds instead thereof ) is throughly persumed ; and observe before you use it , purifie and wash well with urine , or vinegar either , made warm , the sore , and then having dried it , lay on some of these hurds or lint , continuing so doing twice a day ; take this from experience to be a speedy and never failing cure. ives . the ives grow in a rowl betwixt the hinder part of his jaw-bone and his neck ; if they should chance to reach the roots of his ears the horse is in a dangerous condition . if you will work a cure , you must first let him blood in both the neck-veins ; having thus done take vinegar , pepper and hogs grease of each a like quantity ; having wrought them well together , divide it into two equal portions , putting the one part into one ear and the residue into the other ; then clap in after it wool or flax to keep it in , and then stitch up his ears close with a needle and thread , for a day and a night . in the time of the cure let him stand in the house . inflammations , pustuls and kernels under the chawl of an horse . these inflammations have most commonly their rise and original from either cold or glanders , which must be dissolved or discussed , or the horse will never be sound ; to this purpose therefore take two handfuls of wheat-bran , a quart of beer or ale , or so much as will thicken it ; then add to these hogs-grease half a pound ; boil these together till the liquor be quite consumed ; then take thereof and lay it to the place as hot as it can be endured , doing thus every day so long , till it hath either broke the swelling , or softned it in such manner as that it is in a fit condition to be opened ; having cleansed it from its filth and putrefaction , then tent it with flax dipped in this salve following : take of turpentine and hogs-grease of each a like quantity , of rozin or wax somewhat more ; melt all these together and your salve is made ; put hereof into and upon the wound once a day till it be whole . inflammations in horses eyes . these inflammations happen often by an horses long standing in a stable , whereby motes fall into his eyes ; or they may come by foul feeding and no exercise , or by corrupt or rank blood . the signs are plain ; the cure must then follow : first phlebotomize him on the temple-veins , and upon the eye-veins , and then wash his eyes with milk and honey mixt together ; or you may wash his eyes , after you have bled him , with milk and aloes hepatica . impostumation in general how to ripen . if any swelling doth impostumate you shall discern it by the heat , for if you lay your hand thereon , you will feel it burn exceedingly ; when you have discovered the nature of the malady , your next care must be to ripen it , so that it may be fit to be opened ; for that purpose take mallow-roots , and white lilly-root of each a like quantity ; bruise them and put unto them hogs-grease and linseed-meal ; boil these till they are soft , and then lay them in manner of a plaister to the swelling . before i give you any more receipts for the ripening or softning an impostume , give me lieve to tell you first what an impostume is ; which may be thus defined . it is a gathering or knitting together of many and most corrupt humours in any part or member of the body , making that part to swell extremely , and growing into such violent inflammation , that in the end , they rot and break out into foul , mattery and running sores , having their original , either from corruption of food or corruption of blood . now let me proceed to give you a farther account of what will ripen them . some take swines-grease , red wax and the flower of euphorbium , and mixing them well on the fire lay it to the impostume . others say this is better , to take two handfuls of sorrel , and lapping it in a dock-leaf , roast it in the hot embers , and so lay it very hot to the impostume , renewing it once a day . but in my opinion this is best : take of sanguis draconis , of gum arabick , of new wax , of mastick , of pitch of greece , of incense and of turpentine , of each a like quantity ; melt these together , and having strained them , make a plaister thereof , and lay it to the impostume , and this will both ripen , break and heal it ; so much in general . now you are to understand there are two sorts of impostumes , the one hot , and the other cold . if the impostume hath its original from any hot cause , as extraordinary travel , or inflamed blood ; then , according to the judgment of the most knowing , take liverwort and stamp it , and mingle it with the grounds of ale , hogs-grease and mallows bruised . or you may take lettice-seed or poppy-seed , and mix it with the oyl of red roses , and lay it on the sore plaister-wise , if it be done at the beginning of the swelling , it will take it clean away . but if the impostume be engendered by any cold cause , then take balm and hogs-grease , and stamp them well together , and apply it as aforesaid . or open the impostume in the lowest part , with a hot iron ; then wash it with warm urine , after that anoint it with tar and oil well mixt together : note by the way ; if you make your incision in the form or manner of an half-moon , it will be more advantagious for your purpose . or lastly , take an handful of rew , and stamp it well with the yolks of eggs and honey , and applying it plaister wise , it will cure any old impostume . itch in the tail of an horse . corrupt blood , rank feeding , or over-heating do cause this maunge in the tail ; yet not always , for sometimes it is occasioned by truncheon-worms in the fundament , which are bred there in the spring , which will cause them frequently to rub their tails ; in this case you need do no more than anoint your hand with butter or soap , and pull out the worms , and the cure is effected . but if you find the tail grow bare , by reason of shedding the hair , which is occasioned by some small worms which grow at the root thereof , or otherwise by some small fretting scab ; then anoint his tail throughout with soap , and after wash it with strong lye : this will both cleanse him from the scab , and kill the worms , sometimes there will grow a canker in the tail , which by degrees will eat , not only the flesh , but seize on the bone ; so that it shall drop joint by joint : against this malady you must take this course : take of green copperas and alom of each two pound , of white copperas half a pound ; boil these in five quarts of running water , in a strong earthen pot , till one half be consumed ; then with a little of this water luke-warm wash his tail every day once , with a little flax bound to a stick , and it will quickly be well . interfering . interfering or enterfering signify both one and the same thing ; this infirmity comes sometimes naturally , the pace being very strait , or sometimes by broad shooing , so that in his going he heweth one leg against the other , whence come hard scabs , and very mattery sore , causing the horse to halt down-right . the cure is thus ; take of may-butter , or fresh grease , and mingle it with nerve-oil and turpentine ; fry these in a pan , and then add cow-dung and apply it plaister-wise . you need not trouble your self about the cure hereof , if your prudence and discretion would look after his shooing , so that he might go so wide as not to touch . however , if you will play the horse-courser , you may take a sharp and knotted cord , and draw it from his dock , between his legs , to the girths , and so ride him . joints grieved with any ach , numness , weakness or swelling whatsoever which proceedeth from a cold cause . the causes of this ach , numness and swelling , are either a strain or a cold , taken by violent exercise , labour or immoderate riding . the signs or symptoms are so visible to the eye , they need no description . the cure is : take aqua vitae , and warm it on the fire ; then take it and bathe the part grieved , and rub it very well , holding before it a broad flat hot iron , which will cause the spirit to sink in the better ; then take a ragg or piece of flax , and dip it in the aqua vitae ; then take pepper , and having beaten it well , fierce it in a fine fierce , and lay it on the rag or flax , and bind it to the grieved member ; then swathe it well with a linnen rowler ; do thus once a day , and this will soon recover him . there are others , who take acopum and mingle it with sweet sack , and therewith rub and chafe the grieved joint ; this is an excellent medicine , though not altogether so good as the former . increase of an hoof lost or torn by some accident . if your horse hath lost his hoof , or if it be any ways impaired ; then take the oil of hemp-seed , of wax , of venice turpentine , rozin , pitch , bay-seeds , dried and powdred , of each half a pound , roch-alom two ounces ; incorporate these well together , and let them seeth over a soft fire ; having thus boiled some little space , take it off and strain it through an hair cloth ; thus you may preserve it till you have occasion to make use thereof . once or twice a day take of this unguent , and anoint the hoofs of your horse , and this will make them grow exceedingly , and so sound , as that hereafter they will not prove brittle . knots or knobs how to remove . if you perceive that your horse hath growing on any part of his body any unnatural knot or knob , which by artists are called excretions , caused by putrified blood , or by wounds not well healed , which excretions are not only perspicuous to the eye , but plainly felt by the hand , i say , in such a case you must endeavour to remove them with all expedition , which may be done thus . take an incision-knife and scarifie those excretions , then lay thereon coloquintida burned and sifted ; having eaten away this knob or knot , then heal it up with some drying medicines , as honey , lime or bole armoniack . or take the strongest sort of aegyptiacum , and with cotton lay it thereon , and in four or five times doing it will utterly destroy or eat away the excretion . kernels under an horses throat how to discuss , suddenly , safely and with little expence . in the first place you must take a lighted candle and therewith sear the kernels ; then take butter , it matters not whether fresh or salt , and lay a piece thereof on a red cloth , and rub it well in therewith , and in less than fourteen dayes the knots will vanish ; and if the nose run by reason of them , it will stop as soon as they are gone . during the cure , if it be in winter , he must be kept warm in the stable , otherwise he may run at grass ; but neglect not to anoint his knobs or kernels once a day at least . or you may take soap and mingle it with brandy-wine , and having a red hot iron in readiness , hold it somewhat near the part , as you apply the soap and brandy-wine , to make it sink in the better ; this medicine will suddenly bring them down or break them . now if your aforesaid knobs be of a long standing , and be extremely hard , then in this manner you must work the cure. take an ounce and an half of the oil of turpentine , and joyn thereto the like quantity of strong beer ; put these into a glass , and so shake them that they be well mingled together ; with this bathe the knob , clapping it in well with your hand , and using an hot iron to make it sink in the more ; four days after apply the charge of soap and brandy-wine ; five or six days after you may ride him whither you please . knees broken , of a long standing , perfectly cured . if your horse have old broken knees , much swelled and hard , and have been a good while healed up , only take the oil of worms and anoint the places grieved , for this is a great mollifier of any hard and bony part ; if this answer not your expectation , then may you use the aforesaid remedy , which i prescribed for hard knobs of a long continuance . legs that are swelled how to cure . as to the swelling of an horse's legs , you must consider whether it be before or behind ; if in his forelegs , then the cause hereof was some over violent labour , by reason he was fat , and the grease , which was melted , fell down in his forelegs , which , had it staid within , and not fallen outwardly , would have ingendered an anticor , or some other distemper which would have indanger'd his life . the signs are palpable to the eye , viz. a rising of the flesh or swelling ; and therefore in the first place , it would not be amiss to anoint it with acopum . the cure is , to take of pitch and virgins-wax , of each three ounces , of rozin half a pound , of the juice of hysop and of galbanum of each half an ounce , and of mirrah-secondary half a pound , bdellium arabicum , populeon and the drops of storax of each half an ounce , and of deer-suet half a pound ; boil these together in an earthen pot , & when it is cold take bitumen half a pound , bole-armoniack and of costus of each one ounce and a half ; make all these into fine powder , then mingle them with the former boiled ingredients , and boil them over again very well ; then take it off the fire , and pour this commixture into cold water , and afterwards make it into rowls , like ordinary salves . when you have occasion to make use of this salve , spread hereof on leather , proportioning the piece , so that it may cover the swelling all over , and so lay it on ; this will not only asswage the swelling , but corroborate the nerves and sinews ; let it stick on as long as it can : if this will not do , i know not what will , having tried this medicine often , and having always found it to work its cure , in bringing a swoln horses leg to its pristine smalness , when all other applications proved ineffectual . the french take this course for legs that are troubled with swellings . they take a piece of strong woollen cloth , very course , and thereof make an hose to the shape of his leg , a pretty deal larger ; so that it may reach from the lower part of his pastern up to the cambrel , making it strait at the pastern , but wide above at the knee ; they then take a pottle of wine-lees ( beer-lees will serve ) and boil them well ; then put to them a pound of clarified hogs-grease , when melted and well stirred together , adding thereunto as much wheat-bran as will thicken it , reducing it to the body of a pultess , as hot as the horse can suffer it ; having filled the hose or hosen herewith , they then close it a top : thus letting him stand two days , and on the third they open the hose at the top , and pour therein molten hogs-grease , very hot , as much as it will hold , because they say this will renew the pultess ; then close up the hose again , and let him stand three days more ; after this , having rubbed the horses leg down very well , if they find the swelling is not quite gone , they will let him stand other two days , otherwise the cure is effected . now the hinder legs of an horse are occasioned to swell many times by the uneavenness of his standing , the floor being higher before than behind ; or else by setting up the horse in the stable too hot , and then taking cold , the blood , grease and humours fall down into his hinder legs . for this i shall propound a cheap cure : take train-oil and warm it on the fire , and therewith twice a day , that is morning and evening , anoint his legs ; but if there happen to be a stiffness with the swelling , then take violet-leaves , strawberry-leaves and primrose-leaves of each an handful ; boil all these in new milk till they become very soft ; then taking it off the fire , add thereunto of the oil of nerval , of petroleum and of pamphillion of each an ounce ; stir these together till they become blood-warm , and herewith anoint the legs , nerves , sinews and joints of the horse six or seven days , chafing and rubbing in this ointment very well , and you shall work the cure in a little time . leprosie . the leprosie is a moist maunge proceeding from very great surfeits occasioned by immoderate riding , and is a disease not only dangerous to the afflicted , but infectious to other horses that shall come near the thus diseased horse . you need not much enquire into the symptoms of this distemper , being so visible to the eye , but rather look after the cure of a disease so dangerous and infectious . the cure must be effected first by bleeding him in the neck , then take an old card or curry-comb , and scrape away the scurf , so that the sorrance look raw and bloody , then tye him up to the rack so high that he may not be able to bite , rub or lick himself ; then anoint him with this ointment following : take arsnick or resolgar and hogs grease tryed , the aforesaid ingredient being first beaten into fine powder , mingle these well together , and thereof make an ointment ; and that your ointment may sink in the better , hold a hot bar of iron near the horse when you anoint him ; having so done , be sure you wash away clean this ointment , so that none remain , with the strongest chamber lye you can get ; after this , untye him , and give him meat as formerly ; thus you must do once every day till he be perfectly cured . or you may use this remedy , which is not only good for a leprosie , but also any farcy , scab , or maunge in any part of the body : first , let him blood in the neck , then take half a pound of tobacco , and infuse it in a quart of old stale urine , and then put it over a soft or slow fire , so that it may only simper , and thus let it stand a whole night , then may you herewith wash the part grieved , and this will prove a very certain remedy . or you may use this means for the cure aforesaid , which doth both draw , heal and make the hair to grow . take a quart of tar , and set it on the fire , then adde to it half a pound of bores grease , an ounce of copperas , a quarter of a pound of rozen , two ounces of verdigrease , a quart of linseed oyl , a quarter of a pound of salt peter , two ounces of wax , a quart of honey , boil all these together till half be consumed ; then strain it , and keep it in a pot for your use . when at any time you have occasion to make use of this ointment , you must take thereof , and making it warm , anoint therewith the sorrance : you shall not need to use it often before you shall make a perfect cure . if the leprosie be universal , then first open his neck vein , and draw good store of blood from thence , then with an oyster shell , hare-cloth , or some such like course thing curry off the scurf , then take of verdigrease and vinegar , cow-piss , train-oyl , and old urine , of each a pint , adding to them an handful of wild tansie , and an handful of bay-salt , a quarter of a pound of brimstone , and as much allom , two ounces of verdigrease , and four ounces of bole armoniack , boil all these well together , and it will not be amiss to put thereto a pint of that blood you took from him : wash the horse herewith very well , making it very hot when you apply it to the sorrance ; this will cause a cure in four or five times so doing . lice in an horse , how to kill them , or free him from them . for lice to afflict horses in great quantities is as common as to have them in childrens heads , especially if the horse run in the winter time in coppices , and among trees where the drops continually fall from the trees upon his back ; these drops with his own poverty will breed them infinitely ; as long as he is troubled with these lice , which are very like geese lice , which breed principally about the ears , neck , main , tail , and will spread over all the body ; i say , as long as they infest him , so long will he be low , and in a languishing condition . the signs are , an horse will be always scrubbing , scratching or rubbing himself against walls , posts or doors , or any thing else that will serve for that purpose , fretting away thereby the hair of his mane and tail ; when the sun shines you will find then perching on the top of his hair , and now although he should eat never so much , he will neither thrive nor prosper . to cure him of this itch , and free him from these vermine , you must take s●aves-acre and boil it in running water , and wash him all over herewith , and it will destroy them . or take soap and quicksilver , or soft grease and quicksilver , and beat them together till the quicksilver be killed , and anoint the horse all over therewith , and it will destroy the lice instantly . or take tobacco , and shred it very small , and with alom powdered put it into small beer , and when the alom is dissolved , wash him herewith ; this is an excellent and speedy remedy . some say that hogs-grease alone , anointing the mane and ridge-bone of the back , will instantly burst them ; but this ( to conclude ) i have tried with desired success ; that is , take a broad woollen list , as broad as your hand , that will go round about his neck ; then wet or dip the list in train oil , sow it about his neck ; this will cause the lice to gather to it , which will kill them as fast as they come : you may daub some hereof about other parts of his body to save them from a greater march , and it will destroy them in like manner ; nay this will also keep flies in summer-time from sores ; and this is not only good for an horse alone , but for any other sort of cattle . lampas . the lampas is a swelling or growing up of the flesh , over-growing the upper teeth which are the shearers in the upper chap , which said swelling is a very great impediment to his feeding . it commonly proceedeth from abundance of rank blood , resorting to the first furrow or bar of the mouth . the symptoms of this distemper are very visible to the eye , and therefore need no further remonstrance . you must cure him after this manner ; take an onion and roast it , and being very hot , put it upon a cloth , and with it rub the lampas very much ; this must be done thrice a day till the lampas be cured . now the farriers , in former time , used to prick the swelling in divers places , making it bleed , and then with a bistory ( as the french call it ) which is an iron at one end broad , thin and a little turned up , and heating it red hot , were wont to burn out all that superfluous flesh which over-growed the fore teeth , anointing the sore place with butter till it was well , or wash it only with salt and vinegar . i would not have this cure sleighted for its antiquity , neither is it by the most discreet and experienced farriers of our times : now if you find , through too much burning , or eating of very course meat , that the sore healeth not , but rather begins to rankle ; then take three spoonfuls of honey , and twelve pepper-corns , pounding them in a mortar small , and mixing them with the honey , tempering them up with vinegar and afterwards boil them together ; with this anoint the sore place , and it will soon be whole . lean horses how to make fat in a little time . i can assure you , from my own experience , that by this following receipt i have often fatned , in a short time , horses so lean that their bones have been ready to start through their skin , and have afterward grown so fat , that i have been forced to use medicaments for the prevention of its further encrease : thus you must do : take enula-campana dried , cummin , turmerick , anniseeds of each two ounces , groundsel about half an handful ; then take three heads of garlick pick'd , and boil these very well together in a gallon of strong ale ; after this strain it , and every morning give him a quart thereof to drink blood-warm , as long as it lasteth ; then ride him moderately , but not so as to cause him to sweat ; after four mornings are expired , turn him to grass , if the season will permit ; if not , keep him in the stable , and you shall find him feed lustily , and improve suddenly ; but you must still observe to give him warm mashes , seasonable airing , and moderate exercise . lave-ear'd horse how to remedy . to have an horse lave-ear'd is as great a deformity to him as can happen ; and although the farriers of these times have not made it their endeavour to reform so foul a deformity ; yet it is more their fault by ignorance or negligence , than any impossibility of helping this natural infirmity , which hath its original from the very conception . i must acknowledge my self to be somewhat beholding to mr. markham for the cure of this deformity ; which must be effected in this manner . in the first place take your horses ears , and so place them as you would have them stand hereafter ; then take a thin trencher , and slice two pieces thereof as broad as three fingers , having fastned long strings thereunto ; with these bind the ears so fast , as you have placed them , that no motion shall stir or displace them from that form ; then shall you see some empty wrinkled skin , between the head and the root of the ear , which you must pull up with your finger and thumb , and with your scissers clip away the empty skin by the head ; after this , with a needle and red silk , stitch the two sides of the skin together very close ; then make a salve of turpentine , deer-suet and honey , taking of these an equal quantity , which must be melted together , and with this salve or ointment you must heal the sore ; then may you take away the pieces of trencher , and the ears will ever after , without any alteration , keep that posture you designed them . moon-eyed . to be moon-eyed is as bad a thing as an horse can be troubled with , being not only noisom but dangerous : this distemper commonly proceeds from forcing an horse to do that he is incapable of performing ; as if he be dull and lazie , to make him trot or gallop beyond his strength or vigour ; or , if over free , to give him too much freedom , according to the proverb , a man may soon run a free horse to death . i know no other reason why they call this malady moon-eyed , but that sometimes in the month he will see indifferently , and sometime not at all . the remedy is to take a plaister of pitch , rozin and mastich , and lay all over the temples of the horses head ; then with a sharp knife or lancet make a slit under each of his eyes , about four fingers beneath , and let each slit be an inch long ; then with a cornet loosen the skin , about the breadth of a groat , and thrust therein a round piece of leather , with an hole in the midst ; see that the matter run at least eight days , looking to it every day ; after this remove the leather , and heal up the wound with flax dipt in this ointment , made of honey , wax and turpentine of each a like quantity dissolved together , but let it be only warm when you dip your flax therein : let the plaisters on his temples fall off of their own accord ; being fallen off , make a star in the midst of each temple-vein with your hot drawing iron . malender , low-worm or shingles , being much alike . this malender or low-worm , is so like st. anthonie's-fire or the shingles , that i hardly think it distinguishable from either . it is caused ( according to the opinion of the most judicious ) by a worm that breedeth in the back-bone , betwixt the bone and skin , which extendeth it self along the breast to the brain ; but as soon as it comes to touch the pannicle thereof , the horse will immediately fall into extreme madness and frenzie , and hardly reducible . the symptoms of this disease are , first he will bend down his back and make many proffers to stale , but cannot ; and when he doth piss , it will be but very little at a time , and that in his sheath too : a little after this he will fall distracted , not only gnawing the manger , or what is next him , but will also bite and strike at all that comes near him . this disease is called by the french ver-coquin , by the italians vermiform , who absolutely hold that this worm which is the cause of this distemper can be no ways destroyed but by fire ; but our english farriers know to the contrary , as for example , this ensuing receipt is an infallible remedy . take of acrement a quarter of a pound , six heads of garlick clean pilled , of rue and tormentile ( bearing a yellow flower ) of each one pound , stamp these in a stone mortar , and put thereto as much white-wine as will with the juice make a pottle ; before you give your horse any of this liquor , let him bleed very well from his tail ; having stancht the blood , give a sixth part of the aforesaid liquor , and so continue doing every morning till all the liquor be spent . this is an approved cure . the french cure is by taking an iron with a button at one end , and making it red hot , they burn the horse on the fore-head , under his fore-top , and on the fore-top , and four other in the neck , clean though upon the crest , two of the holes must be on the one side of the crest , and two on the other , putting into every hole to extinguish the fire vnguentum rosarum ; after this they let him blood in the neck-vein , and this they say is an infallible remedy . maunginess in the main . main maunginess , with shedding of the hair , happens either by lice , rankness of blood , or else sometimes by scrubbing against that post some other maungy horse hath rubbed . the best and speediest way of curing this maunge is to take two pound of fresh grease , one ounce of quick-silver , and the like of brimstone , of rape oyl half a pint , mingle these together , stirring them so with a stick or slice till the quick-silver is undiscoverable ; then take an old curry-comb , and scratch away the scurf so that the part become both raw and bloody , then anoint the places herewith , holding a broad hot iron against them to make the ointment to sink in ; this in four or five days will cure him . this disease is called by the french the elephantick malady , because they say the elephants are much troubled herewith . you are to understand that the maunge is infectious , and therefore as soon as ever you perceive it in one horse , remove him from all other , to the intent you may prevent the infecting of others . our late farriers have this receipt in great esteem : take of orpin one pound , brimstone and euphorbium , of each one ounce , cantharides twenty five ; make all these into fine powder , and with hogs grease make it into an ointment ; apply this to all the maungy places , rubbing it well in ; after this anointing ( six days after ) anoint him with hogs grease only ; when you find the scurf to fall off , wash the neck and other parts with buck lye made blood warm . for maunginess in general , take a gallon of strong ale , and a pound of tobacco stalks , half a pound of allom , a pint of salt , one penny worth of mercury ; boil these together till one half be consumed ; then first , let him blood , and afterwards wash him here with . now if it be a dry inward maunge , you will know it by his hair coming off in plats , scaling off sometimes from head to tail , leaving a dry scurfie maunge ; this malady proceedeth from an extraordinary heat of the blood ; now in this case his body being inwardly afflicted with this maunge , give him this drink : take one ounce of the flower of brimstone , two ounces of rozen beaten small ; one ounce of turmerick powdred , one ounce of anniseeds pounded in a mortar ; put all these into a quart of strong beer made blood warm , and so give it him in a horn fasting ; after this tye him up to the rack five hours , then give him warm water and bran , and at night bursten oats : the next day strow two spoonfuls of rozen powdred among his provender , the like the next night , and the same quantity the next day , and you need not doubt of a cure . mouth-sore . if the mouth of your horse be sore , and that it proceedeth from corruption of blood , or cold , causing the palate of the mouth to be inflamed , and look red , falling from the palate into the chaps in such a manner , as when he hath opened them , he will be unable to shut them again , in this case i advise you first , to let forth the corrupt blood , then take verjuice and bay salt , quantum sufficit , and warm it on the fire , then with flax dipt therein wash his mouth and tongue three or four times a day . but if it be fallen into his chaps , which you shall know by his yawning and gaping , then take only verjuice of the crab , and make it luke warm , then tye a rag to a stick , and wash his mouth therewith very well , helping him to close up his mouth with your hand . mellet . a mellet is a dry scab that groweth on the heel , sometimes proceeding from corruption of blood , but more commonly for want of elbow-grease in rubbing him clean , and dressing him after he is set up wet : this malady frequently appears like a dry chap. the usual cure is to take a pint of honey , and of sope three ounces , and of white-wine-vinegar four or five spoonfuls , as much allom as an egge , of bean or rye flower two spoonfuls ; mix all these together , and apply it to the mellet as far as it goeth , letting it lye on five or six days ; after you have taken it away wash his leg and foot with salt beef broth , then rope his leg with wet hay ropes two or three days after , and he will be very sound and well . morfounded . morfounding is no other than foundring in the body by molten grease , of which i have already treated in that section which discourseth only upon the internal diseases which afflict the bodies of horses ; however give me leave to give you one excellent receipt more , inferiour to none of the former ; and that is this as followeth . take an handful of salt , and put it into a pint of fair water ; give him this to drink , then ride him with that moderation that you cause him not to sweat ; this done as soon as you suspect him foundred , will work the cure ; but if it be of five or six days standing , then take a spoonful of the powder of hellebore , and of saffron one penny worth , of assa foetida and of soap of venice , of each two dramchs , with a small quantity of the seeds of bays ; mix these , and pound them well together , adding thereto a pint of vinegar ; give him this to drink blood warm ; then cloath him well , so that he sweat for an hour ; then cool him by degrees , and after that rub him well down , and he will be as well as ever . probatum . mules , or kibe heels . this sorrance is a certain dry scab or chap , breeding behind on the heels of an horse , and so a little inward , even to the fetlock , in long chaps or chinks . the causes of these kibed heels are either corrupted blood , negligent keeping , or by being bred in wet and marshy grounds . the signs are swelling in his legs , most especially in the winter and spring time , going stifly , and halting much . as to the cure , you must first take away the scabs , and make the kybe raw ; then with strong mustard , made with wine-vinegar , anoint them all over , and do this every night . the next morning take half a pound of green copperas , and boil it in a pottle of running water with an handful of sage , and the like quantity of hysop , a quarter of a pound of alom , and as much strong mustard , and with this bathe the sore twice every day . or first , wash his sorrance clean , then dry it ; after that take linseed oyl and black soap of each a like quantity ; boil them together till they become a salve , and herewith anoint the mules or kibes . if these kibes are not of long standing , take a little sope and anoint them daily for three or four days , and after that wash them with strong stale urine , and they would be whole . but if it be of longer continuance , then calcinate tartar , and dissolve it into water ; then congeal it like salt , and mingle it with soap like an ointment ; with this dress the sore ; by so doing , in two days and two nights you shall perfectly cure the kibes , pains or scratches whatsoever . mallender . i have before discours'd concerning the mallender , but it was more properly a disease called the low-worm ; wherefore i shall particularly in this place insist upon the mallender . this malady is a kind of a dry scab , growing overthwart the inward bent of the knee , and hath growing thereon stubborn hairs like swines-bristles , which will corrupt and canker the flesh , causing him to go stiff till he is warmed by travel or exercise . if you intend a cure , you must first pull out these bristly hairs ; then rub it dry with a cloth ; after this anoint it with crown sope and red mercury precipitate mixed together ; dress him herewith five several times , intermitting one day betwixt every dressing ; then anoint it with sallet-oil , and you need do no more . others think this way better : first wash the sore clean with warm water , then shave off the hair and pick away the scabs ; after this take a spoonful of soap , and as much lime , mingle them together that it may be like paste ; then spread on a clout as much as will cover the sore , and bind it fast on with a list , renewing it every day once the space of days ; at the expiration of which time , take away the plaister , and take oil of roses warmed and anoint the sore therewith , and that will fetch off clearly all the scurf & crusty eschar ; having removed this skurf , wash , once a day , the place with man's urine , strowing the powder of burnt oister-shells thereon ; continue thus doing till it be perfectly well . the latest way of curing a mallender is this ; first , with your scissers clip away the hair that either grows upon or about it ; then take an hair-cloth , or the back of an old knife , and rub the scabs off , which will cause a yellow matter to run from it ; then take a linnen cloth , and therewith wipe the part very clean ; then take a groats-worth of the oil of riggrum and mingle it with stercus humanum ; then lay on this with a flat stick upon a piece of cloth , not woolen , and bind it to the sore , letting it lie on six days ; then cleanse it and dress it once more , and there needs nothing else to perfect the cure. lastly , some only wash and shave the mallender , and then rub it with piss and soap till it be raw ; then lay to it nerve-oil , honey and strong mustard until it be whole . where note , that some horses will have two mallenders upon one leg , one above the other , and sometimes one a little above the bending of the knee , and another a little below the inward bending of the knee ; but as to the cure it is all alike , what being good for the one may be applied also to the other . mourning of the chine . this disease , called the mourning of the chine , is also called the moist malady ; it is supposed by most expert farriers that this disease is a foul consumption of the liver ; and this consumption proceeds from a cold , which afterwards turns to a poze , then to the glanders , and lastly to the mourning of the chine . the sign is , that corrupt matter which runneth from his nostrils will be darkish colour , thin and reddish , with little streaks of blood in it . the remedy is thus : take of auripigmentum two drachms , of tussilage as much , made into powder ; then mix them with turpentine till they be as thick almost as dow ; then make thereof little cakes and dry them before the fire ; then take a chafing-dish of coals , and lay a couple of the cakes thereon , covering them with a tunnel ; when the smoke ariseth clap the end of the tunnel into the horses nostril , so that the smoke may ascend into his head ; after you have so done , ride him till he sweat : do this every morning before watering and he will quickly be cured . or else you may use this remedy : take clear water and a quart of hydromel , adding thereto three ounces of sallet-oyl , and every morning pour it into his nostrils for the space of four days ; if that answer not your desires , then give him every other day a quart of old wine mingled with tetrapharmacon , to be had in every apothecaries shop . i would have treated more largely on this distemper , but that i have spoken of it already , in that chapter which contains the cures of internal diseases , in that section which speaks of the glanders . malt-long or malt-worm . the malt-long is a cankerous malady above the hoof , just upon the cronet , which always breaks out into knobs and branches , and from thence will run a sharp watrish humour , which will poison the whole foot . the signs hereof are visible to the sight , viz. the sorrance it self , and the continual issuing of a waterish matter from the same . the cure is somewhat different , according to the season of the year : if it be in summer , take black snails and burr-roots and pounding them well together , lay them to the sorrance . if it be in winter ; then take of the inner green bark of the elder-tree , and mingle therewith the scrapings of the bottom of a pan or kettle ; beat these together very well in a mortar , and lay it to the sore , renewing it once a day . mollifiers , or what things will mollifie hardness . take of linseed and fenugreek of each four ounces , of pitch and rozin of each three ounces , of the flowers of roses two ounces , and pitch of greece three ounces , boil these together ; then put of turpentine three ounces , of honey six ounces , with a small quantity of sallet-oil , applying this to any hard swelling , and it will speedily mollifie and soften it ; so will also these following ingredients . malvavisco well boiled and stampt with oleum rosatum , and applied hot . brank ursine and mallows boiled together , and beaten up with oil and lard . or malvavisco , coleworts , branck ursine , herb of the wall , and old grease pounded together . wheat-meal , honey , pellitory , branck ursine , and the leaves of worm-wood beaten together with swines-grease . or grease , mustard seed , and comin boiled together , and stampt into a poultess . one ounce of soap , and an ounce and an half of unslackt lime , and mixt with strong lye. the juice of the tops of cypress and dry figs macerated in vinegar , of each three ounces strained , adding thereto one ounce of sal-niter , half an ounce of armoniack , with a little aloes and opoponax , and made into an ointment will mollifie any hardness whatsoever . medicament mundefying and cleansing any fistula , vlcer or old sore whatever . if your horse be troubled with any old and foul sore , before you heal it , anoint it with this ointment following , and it will sufficiently mundefie and cleanse it . take swines grease clarified , oyl of olives , the grease of a young fox , turpentine , allom , and white wax , boil these well together till they are throughly mixed , and dress the sorrance therewith . navel-gall . the navel gall takes its denomination from the place or scituation of the sorrance , it being a bruise or hurt on the top of the chine of the back behind the saddle right against the navel . the causes are divers , as either when the tree of the saddle is split or is not well stuft , or by any other weight or burden , by the hardness whereof the place becomes galled : of all wrinches , bruises and galls on the back , this is the most vile and dangerous , and if not taken in time will prove a very difficult cure . the signs are very apparent to the eye , for the flesh will be puffed up and spungy , of a dark rotten complexion . the ancient practice in the cure of this sorrance was first with an incision knife to cut away all the dead and proud flesh , then with a cauterising iron burn a hole about four inches lower than the navel gall , putting a rowel of horse-hair through it ; then take the sole of an old shooe , or oyster shells , and burning them , reduce them into powder , and strow all over the sore therewith ; as you find the sore grows moist renew your application of more powder . those receipts which are of later experience are these : take oyl de bay , costus , fox grease , oyl of savin , of each an ounce , then take a good quantity of great garden worms , and scour them with white-wine and salt , put all these several ingredients into an earthen pot , and stop them up very close , thus boil them : having so done , adde thereunto of sallet oyl one ounce and an half ; then set it over the fire again , and boil it so long till you have brought it to a perfect ointment , after this strain it into some clean vessel , and so preserve it for your future use : when at any time you have occasion to dress therewith this sorrance called the navel-gall , take hereof , and warm it ; then take lint or hurds , and dip therein , anointing the sore , and it will not be long before it will be whole . or thus you may do : first take a sharp knife , and cut away the loose skin , then anoint it with an ointment made of a spoonful of dialthaea , a pint of train-oyl , and about the quantity of a pidgeons egge of verdigrease ; this is a speedy cure for a navel gall of small standing ; but if it be of long continuance , so that the flesh be hard , then cut out the crush , and with a cauterizing button sear the wound within , then take some fine cotten , and dip it into some of the green ointment ( the receipt whereof i have already given you ) i say , with this cotten so dipt tent the wound , and the cure is not to be questioned . if this hurt be newly gotten , and the skin not broken , then only take cold brandy wine , and with a rag dipt therein dab it on the swelling , and three or four times so doing or dressing it will dissipate or bring down the swelling . this following receipt i have often tryed , and do find it an excellent remedy against any navel gall , set-fast , or sore back whatsoever : take only a quarter of a pint of train oyl , and as much verdigrease as the bigness of a musquet bullet well beaten , mingle these together , and preserve them in a gallipot for your use ; the sorrance anointed herewith will speedily be healed , and that which facilitates the cure is , it kills all flies whatever as soon as they tast of this ointment . notwithstanding these excellent receipts afore mentioned , there are others which go another way to work ; that is , they take the white of an egge , wheat flower , honey , mustard , and soap , of each a like quantity , and mingle them together ; having so done , they cut away the dead flesh , and then wash it with ale , butter and urine , and after that they lay on the aforesaid plaister ; if after twice or thrice dressing they find the proud flesh to grow again , then they kill it by pouring in nerve oyl , and skin it with the powder of oister shells . lastly , take bettony , powder of brimstone , ellebor , pitch and old grease , of each a like quantity , and stamp them together into an ointment , then take old urine and wash the sore well therewith , after that anoint it with the above specified composition till it be whole . nose running . if your horse be troubled with running at the nose , then take orpin and brimstone , and put them on a chafing-dish of coles , and so burn them , and with the smoak perfume his head and nose ; this will cause a dissolution of thick and congealed humours either in the head or brain . or for further trial : take of auripigmentum and tussilago , of each two drachms , these pulverize , and make them into a paste by the addition of venice turpentine well washed ; make these into flat cakes about the circumference of a six pence , and having dried them , take a chafing-dish of burning coles , and put them thereon , and therewith perfume your horses head every day . over reach , or vpper attaint . the over reach is nothing else but a dolorous swelling of the master sinew , or back sinew of the shank bone , by reason that the horse doth sometimes over reach or strike that sinew with the toe of his hinder foot , causing him by that means to go very lame and halting . the signs of this malady are so apparent they need no remonstrance , therefore i shall pass to the cure which is diversly performed . first , some wash the leg with warm water , then shaving off the hair as far as the swelling goeth , they scarifie the sorrance with the point of a very sharp knife , causing the blood to issue thence ; then take of cantharides and euphorbium , of each half an ounce , and with four ounces of soap mingle them together , then spread some of this ointment all over the sorrance , letting him rest at the place where he was drest for about half an hour ; then tye him up so that he cannot come at the sore with his mouth , letting him stand without litter ; the next day do after the like manner ; and the third day anoint the sore with fresh butter ; continue so doing seven or eight days ; then make him a bath after this manner . take of mallows three handfuls or more , one rose cake , of sage one handful , boil these together in a good quantity of water , till such time as the mallows be soft , then put in to them half a pound of butter , and half a pint of sallet oyl ; being somewhat more than blood warm wash the sorrance every day till it be whole . now if the swelling by no salve will be dissolved , take a fine thin hot drawing iron , and draw his leg all downward with the hair in many small strikes from the one end of the swelling to the other , and make the strikes very thick together , and deep withal , then anoint the burning three days with black soap , and so turn him to grass . secondly , there are others which prescribe this method for the cure of an over reach in the heel , and that is , first cut out with your incision knife the over reach , so that it may be very plain , and having washt it with beer and salt , lay thereunto a plaister made after this manner . take oat meal and butter , of each so much as will make a salve ; put them in a mortar , and so incorporate them , then lay it to the sorrance ; continue so doing once a day till the cure be perfected . otherwise search it well to the bottom , cleansing it from all manner of gravel , and washing it clean with mans urine , then take an handful and an half of nettles , and an handful and an half of salt ; and putting them in a cloth , lay them to the sore ; thus do three mornings together , and after that set the shooe on with a leather under it , then pour in some hogs grease scalding hot , and a little after that scalding hot rozen ; and lastly , but presently after that , put to it some wheat bran , and no doubt of a cure . or you may first wash the sorrance with water and salt , then take two big onions , two spoonfuls of pepper beaten small , of crown sope the bigness of a tennis ball , beat these together into a salve , and laying it on a linnen cloth , having first dryed the foot , apply it , and remove it not from thence , but once in a day and night , renewing it in that manner still till it be whole , but as it heals do it seldomer . lastly , that which i have ever found to be an excellent remedy for any sinew strain whatsoever , is , take the whites of six egges , as much bole armoniack and bean flower as by setting it over the fire will become a salve ; take of this when it is very hot , and plaisterwise lay it on the sinew-strain , and round about the leg ; you must not omit so doing till all manner of swelling thereabout be clean taken away . oyl of oats , what the soveraign vertues are , and how to make it . as far as i can find , that skilful artist mr. markham was the first inventor of this incomparable oyl , and so thomas de grey , esq seems to acknowledge , when writing in the praise hereof , confesseth that he never could meet with it any where else , either in england , france , or italy ; and that he would not use any other oyl ( if he could come by this ) in any internal administration whatsoever , having found the excellency thereof by his own and other mens painful experiences : thus it is made . take two gallons of milk , and being warm over the fire , put thereunto four ounces of burnt allom , which will curdle it like a posset , skim off the curd , and throw it to the dunghill , but strain the whey through a course cloth into a clean vessel , then take a quarter of a peck of oats dry , and clean husked , and put them into the whey ; but the oats must not have been dryed ▪ and then set the whey over the fire , boiling the oats so long till they swell and break ; then take them off , and put the oats into a cullender , that the whey may gently drain from them without pressing ; this done , put the oats into frying pan , and hold them over the fire , stirring them so long till you see no fume to ascend , then suddenly take them off , and clap them into an hard press , pressing them there exceedingly , what comes from them is the oil of oats , which you must reserve in a glass very closely stopt . it stands with reason that this oyl should be the most soveraign of all others for any internal distemper in the body of an horse , since it is extracted and made from the natural and most nourishing food an horse can eat . take five spoonfuls of this oyl , and put it into a pint of sweet wine , or a quart of strong ale , and give it an horse to drink , pouring in some of the whey into his nostrils , and it will absolutely cure him of the glanders . it is also the best of all purgations , for it purgeth away all those malignant and venomous humours , which are the nourishers of any incurable farcy whatsoever ; neither is there any offensive humour within the fomentors of dangerous distempers which it doth not suddainly dissipate and expel . old sores speedily and safely cured . take rock allom , and burn it in a fire-pan , then take as much bay salt , and burn that too ; having so done , beat them to a very fine powder , then take of common honey and sweet butter of each a quantity alike , and work all these into a body , bring it thus into a salve , and not by the help of fire . when you intend to use it , let it be either plaisterwise or tentwise , or both ways , according as occasion shall require ; this will not only heal any sore very perfectly , but will also eat away any dead or proud flesh . poll-evil in the neck . the poll-evil is so called from its breeding in the poll behind the ears , it is a great swelling , or apostumated inflammation , and to say the truth , let men give it what appellation they please , it is more than a fistula in grain or formal . the causes of this pole-evil are several : as first from the horses struggling in a new hard hempen halter , or from a blow given behind the ears , by reason of which bruise , the flesh festering and becoming inflamed , this loathsome sorrance hath its original ; many times , bilious and malignant humours invading that place do cause it . the signs are a tumour with inflammation : where note that the putrefaction is greater within than without , and therefore you must timely think of letting out the corruption before it happen to break of it self . as to the cure , you must lay unto the swoln place whatever is mollifying , and will ripen it : as for example , take hogs grease , and lay thereunto as hot as may be ; or else take loam of a mud wall , in which there is no lime , by how much the older it is , the better ; boil hereof what you think sufficient in the strongest white-wine-vinegar , and let it boil to a pultess , and apply this very hot to the swelling , renewing it twice a day till you have brought the swelling to suppuration ▪ that it is fit to be laid open , then look where it is softest , and with a copper round instrument ( for that is better than any iron ) as big as a mans little finger , and sharp at the end , and being hot , thrust it in two inches beneath the soft place , so that the point of your cauterizing instrument may come out at the ripest place ; by this means the corruption will descend downward at the neather hole , which you must keep open for the better issuing of the aforesaid matter ; to that end tent it with flax dipt in hogs grease warm , laying thereto a plaister also of hogs grease upon the same , renew this every day once for five days together ; at the expiration of which time , take half a pound of turpentine very cleanly washed in several waters , which when throughly dryed , mingle therewith the yolks of three egges and a little saffron . now take your probe , and search the bottom of the wound , then make a tent with a piece of dry sponge never dipt in water , so long as near upon to reach the bottom , and so thick as it may fill up the cavity , but before you put it in dip it in the afore specified ointment ; after this lay on a plaister of hogs grease made indifferent warm , changing your old plaister for a fresh till you have perfected the cure . or thus you may do ; first , ripen the swelling , then open it , and cleanse it well from its matter and corruption , then apply hogs grease to extract the fire your cauterizing iron hath left behind it , then heal it after this manner . take of hogs grease the quantity of a tennis-ball , brimstone beaten into the fine powder , with an ounce of quick-silver very well killed , and so mingle these together that you have made them into an ointment , and anoint the swelling herewith : having so done , take a penny worth of red tar , the reddest is the best , of hogs grease half a pound , of green copperas and bay salt , of each an handful , and pulverize them ; then boil these exceeding well , and as it comes scalding hot off the fire , dip therein a clout fastned at the end of a stick and anoint or scald the sore four mornings together ; for this scalding kills the fistula , so that its future and further progress is absolutely hindered ; after this you need only but to warm the tar , and apply it to the place , and the cure is consummated . now there are some farriers which cure the poll-evil only by first opening the sore with an hot cauterizing iron , then taking red lead and black soap , mingle them with water till they are thick , and so tent the horse therewith till he be whole . but the best remedy i have met withal , as a general cure for any pole-evil whatsoever , is ; first , shave off the hair from the part that is swoln , then lay thereon a plaister of black shoomakers-wax , spred upon white alom'd leather , letting it lie thereon till it have broken the impostume ; then take better than a pint of strong white wine-vinegar , and , when it is about to boil , put therein as much lome of a mud-wall , straws and all , as will thicken it into a poultess , applying this to the sorrance , as hot as the horse can suffer it ; and by renewing it once a day in a little time the impostume will be whole . pole-evil in the head. there is little difference between the pole-evil in the neck and the pole-evil in the head , only there is a discrepancy as to their place : the causes and symptoms of this distemper are much alike . as to the cure of the pole-evil in the head take this method . as soon as you perceive a swelling , take presently half an ounce of the oyl of turpentine , and anoint therewith the part grieved , and that it may the better sink in , chafe it very well with your hand , and so let it alone for four days , in which time you will perceive the skin to shrink up ; seeing the swelling thus begin to abate and come down , then take of burgundy-pitch and black pitch of each an ounce and an half , and with a slice daub or spread it over the swelling in his forehead ; but first you must melt them in a pipkin , with an ounce of mastich ; having so done , take flocks and lay them on thick upon the place anointed , and so let them lie till they fall off , which most usually will be about three weeks ; now when the plaister falls off , if you see no venom nor swelling remaining , you may conclude you have done your work ; but if the impostumation remain unbroken , then lance it , and cut out what dead flesh you find therein , filling the cavity with flax to dry up the blood and putrefaction , suffering it to remain in that condition seven or eight hours ; then take it out , and lay thereon some of that generally known receipt for a canker in the head , dressing it once a day ; if you make an hole at the edge of the swelling below , it will heal much the sooner : still when you take off your plaister , mark ( by looking on the top of the pole-evil ) how far the proud flesh reacheth , which will be white and like jelly , and cut it out with your incision-knife , till you come to the sound red flesh ; spare not to cut it all out ; though from the flesh and veins there flow a great quantity of blood ; but cut not , by any means , the pax-wax , which you shall plainly discern by its whiteness . but you shall find a white pith near the pax-wax , which i would advise you by all means to remove , and indeed it is no ways difficult so to do ; for if you will lay but your pinchers to it , it will come away whole like a plugg ; having drawn it out , apply some of the medicine aforesaid , and it will heal it up . pastern-joint strained . when i speak of a strain in the pastern-joint , i do not mean that the back sinews have sustained any detriment , wherefore if the pastern-joint be only strained ; then take a quart of brine , and boil it till it ariseth , then strain it and put to it of tansey and mallows of each one handful , of honey two spoonfuls , and of sheeps-tallow four ounces ; take these and , having first chopt them very well , pound them in a mortar , after this put them into a posnet and boil them well ; then take it off , and when it is but warm , put it into a cloth , and sow it on to the sorrance , letting it remain there six days ; but if in that time the cure is not wrought , then wash it with warm water , shaving off the hair , scarifie the joint , and then apply the medicine compounded of cantharides and euphorbium , and this will undoubtedly effect the cure. prick on the crownet with a pitch-sork or otherwise . take a pottle of stale urine , two handfuls of mallows , and half a pound of boars-grease ; boil them together , and being indifferent hot bathe the legs therewith ; then apply the mallows to the wound ; but if the swelling ascend upwards and be great , then rope the leg up , and moisten the ropes with his urine : this is good for any swelling whatever . or take turpentine , black soap , hogs-grease , great treat and pitch a quantity alike , mix and boil them well together , and so apply it warm or otherwise . pricking in the foot. if an horse by chance , or negligence of the smith be prickt in the foot , you will know it when he goeth , by favouring that foot which is offended ; when he stands still , by standing a tiptoe on that foot . as soon as you shall perceive your horse to be thus abused , take off his shooe , and pare him by degrees with the butteriss and your drawing-knife ; having found out the bottom of his grievance , cleanse it very well ; take turpentine , fresh butter with a small quantity of black pitch , sodden together and poured in scalding hot ; then dip some tow therein , stuffing it well between the shooe and foot ; you may take a piece of upper-leather and stuff it in between the towe and the shooe . now if it be some nail in the streets or channel which hath struck into his foot , then finding out the nail , pluck it out and heating it red hot , put it again into the same hole from whence you drew it ; thus searing it with the red hot nail will keep the hole from festering and rankling ; then melt turpentine , butter and black pitch , and as it is scalding , pour it therein ; then put on the shooe , and stuff the soot with towe or hurds : this never faileth . prickt in the shooing and festering afterwards . if your horse be prickt by the carelesness or ignorance of a smith , and after the hurt received ( you perceiving it not presently ) the place rankleth and festereth in a very great measure : then must you first open it very well to the very bottom , letting out all the corruption therein ; search it be sure as far as the nail did go , and then mundifie it ; after this , take five or six house-snails , a little salt , the quantity of a walnut of soap , and beat these together , and lay this to the foot that was prickt , a whole day and a night , or longer , till you see it begin to heal , then dress it but once in eight and forty hours : five dressings will be sufficient . this pricking in the foot hath several names , though they all import but one thing ; as accloyed , cloyd , retrait and prickt ; yet mr. markham seems to make some difference between them , of which i shall give you as brief an account as imay . but first give me lieve to recount to you the several general causes , which happen very commonly by the ignorance and unskilfulness of the smith in driving of his nails , whereby some are broken , and not being immediately drawn out , caused the part to fester and impostumate ; sometimes the horse is injured by the weakness or ill-pointing of the nails . now if after the new shooing of your horse you suspect him prickt , yet cannot discover it by his halting , search his feet , and that foot which is grieved , he will shrink up as soon as you have laid your pinsers to the place ; for their nipping will pain him to the quick . or by knocking with an hammer on the top of the clenches , you will presently discover which nail it is that hurts him . now by reason of the anguish and the pain he undergoes by this pricking , his foot will be more hot that is hurt than the rest ; so that if you take a pail of water and throw on his feet , that foot grieved will be sooner dry about the hoof than the rest . having discovered his malady by these infallible symptoms ; first search his foot very well ; then take of goats-grease or rather deers-suet , if to be had , of turpentine , sallet-oil and new wax of each two ounces ; melt these together , and before you take it from the fire , put to it of ordinary honey three ounces , and of sanguis draconis one drachm pulverized ; work these into one body over a slow fire , and make an unguent thereof ; take a good quantity hereof and pour it into the sorrance indifferently warm , then stop it up with towe or hurds , and be sure that he tread in no cold water . the french are so in love with this their own experienced remedy , that they will admit of none else for the cure of a prick . having first searched and washed the sorrance very well , then they take oil de bay four ounces , of orfin , cantharides & euphorbium of each two ounces ; make them all into fine powder , and set it on a small slow fire , stirring it till it become an ointment , with which they dress ths sorrance ; and to speak the truth , it is a very excellent and speedy remedy . now it becometh every one that hath respect for his horse , to be careful in the curing of this same prick in the foot ; for if it be not throughly searched , cleansed and healed to the bottom , it will certainly break out about the cronet or top of the hoof , so loosning the hoof round about that it is ten to one but that the hoof will come clearly off . now if you perceive that it begins to break out above , make as large a vent as stands with convenience to let out the corruption ; and then take of bole-armoniack half a quartern , and of bean-flower as much , and with two eggs beat them so that they be well incorporated ; then spread it plaister-wise and lay it round the cronet , binding it fast on , and not removing it in eight and forty hours ; then you may take off the old plaister and put on a new one , continuing so to do every other day till you find it grow firm and hard above ; for this plaister will force the humours downwards , which you must extract by turpentine and hogs-grease , until it leave running ; then take burnt alom and pulverize it , and with the powder thereof strewed on the sore , with a few hurds , dry and heal up the sorrance . again , sometimes the thing , as stub , nail or so forth , is gotten so far into the flesh , that you cannot fix any instrument thereon to draw it out ; then take a good quantity of black soap , and lay it to the place grieved one whole night , and it will so draw it in that little time , as that you may be able to lay hold thereon with a pair of nippers : the roots of reeds stampt and mingled with honey will draw out any nail or stub , so will also black snails stampt and incorporated with fresh butter : that being withdrawn which was so offensive to the foot of the horse , pour into the hole oyl of olive scalding hot ; when that hath lain so long there that it is cold , pour into it turpentine every whit as hot ; after half an hours time , take powder of sulphur and strow thereon ; then bolster the sorrance with hurds , and let no wet nor filth annoy it and it will be quickly well . the pricking in the foot is called a retrait , when in the driving of a nail the point is so weak , that instead of going forward , it bendeth in the quick , the nail being sometimes hollow , and then it shivereth in twain in the driving , whereby one part , in the drawing out , many times is left behind ; so that this retrait is the worst of all pricks , in as much as the flaw cankereth by remaining in the foot . this sorrance is discovered , as other pricks are , by groping the hoofs round with a pair of pincers , &c. the cure is little different from those which appertain to all pricks ; for what will cure one is a remedy in general for all ; however for variety take this one : having first with your butteriss or drawing-knife said open the place grieved , well-searching and cleansing it : then take of turpentine and tar of each an ounce , of pitch and beef-suet of each an ounce , and one head of garlick ; boil these together , and lay it to the sore as hot as the horse can suffer it ; if it should happen to break out above , the same medicine will be a remedy . cloying differs from a retrait , in that the whole nail is stricken into the very quick of the foot , remaining there clenched as the other nails : the discovery is as aforesaid . as to the cure you must instantly draw his shooe , and having found out the hole , presently take half a pound of frankincense , a pound of rosin , and the like quantity of pitch of greece , half a pound of black pitch , one pound of new wax , one pound of goats grease , half a pound of varnish , half a pound of turpentine , two ounces of oil olive , and having melted these all together , and incorporated them into one body ; lay it to the hoof plaister-wise : this is a speedy remedy not only for any fort of prick , whether cloy , retrait or accloy , but also for any cracks , chinks , or clefts of the hoof whatsoever . lastly , first open his foot , then wash it with salt and vinegar ; after that take of honey and vinegar of each a like quantity , a little oil , and some suet of an he-goat ; set them over a soft fire and stir it ; when you perceive it to incline towards a reddish colour , put thereunto verdigrease and vitriol of each a like quantity pulverized , keeping it still stirring so long till it be not only red but thick also ; then take it off , and stop the sore every day therewith till the cure be wrought , which will be in a little time , paston what it is , how made , according to the best method , and what are its most excellent virtues . paston is a french word , and signifieth no more than a plaister ; but i shall assure you this paston or plaister is somewhat more than ordinary ; for according to the opinion of the most expert , it is a sovereign remedy for many sorrances , especially for dissipating and dissolving all evil humours descending into the leggs , there afflicting the poor creature after a grievous manner . the receipt of making this paston or plaister is : take of common honey one pound , of turpentine half a pound , bole-armoniack and frankincense finely pulverized of each four ounces , of mastich beaten into powder two ounces , of sanguis draconis two ounces , of new-laid eggs seven , of the strongest white wine-vinegar one pint , of the flower of rice seven ounces ; incorporate these together : use this plaister-wise , and it will work wonderful effects . pill for the glanders , &c. this pill , which is commonly prescribed for the glanders , is of incomparable use for many other distempers , which i have found in my practice even to wonder ; it was a long time before i found out the medicine , but having tried its excellency , i would not be induced to part with it for a considerable sum that was offered for the receipt : thus it is made . take anniseeds , cummin , enula-campana dried , and carthamus of each two ounces ; pulverize these very finely , and afterwards sierce them ; then put to them of the powder of brimstone and of the juice of liquorish of each one ounce , which liquorish must be infused in a pint of white wine ; then take of the oyl of anniseeds , and of the syrrop of colts-foot of each one ounce , of sallet-oil and live honey of each half a pint ; mix these all together , and make it into pills with as much fine wheat-flower as will make it into paste ; proportion your pills to almost the bigness of a pidgeons egg , and keep them close stopt in a gallipot , they will keep good the whole year . the dose must not be above one in a morning ; as it is excellent against all vehement cold , so it preventeth heart-sickness , purgeth away molten grease , recovereth a lost appetite , keeps the heart from fainting in a long journey , and they will fatten a lean horse in a very little time . purgation defined , next its several parts . the definition of purgation is , to empty and evacuate all superfluous peccant humours , which do cumber and annoy the body with their venomous and malignant disposition . these bad humours breed ill nutriment , by hindring good concoction , which is called by the learned cacochymia , which , when nature cannot correct or amend , then must be forced by , and so driven away and expelled by purgation : now there are divers sorts of purges , each proper for its several distemper , which i have endeavoured already to lay down each in their particular order , and therefore i shall be the briefer here . purgation for great surfeits . take a pint of white wine , or instead thereof a quart of new ale , as much of the best powder of mechoachan as you can take upon a shilling at four times ; mingle them together , and in an horn give it the horse luke-warm to drink ; after this ride your horse moderately for an hour , and then set him up warm upon the trench six hours fasting ; then give him a warm mash , and a little after some clean oats , with bran mingled , but give it him a little at a time , and let his hay be wet that night ; this will cause him to evacuate the slime ( engendred by surfeit ) in great flakes upon his dung : see more of these purgations in the letter p in the alphabet of internal diseases . papps underneath an horses tongue , vide barbes . pain in horses teeth how remedied . the tooth-ach or pain in horses teeth is occasioned several ways ; first by the falling down of gross humours from the head into the teeth and gums ; this malady most afflicteth horses of fewest years , being very young and clotish ; the swelling and inflammation of the gums doth sufficiently declare the nature of the distemper . secondly an horse will have the tooth ach , when his upper jaw-teeth are so over-grown , as that they hang over the nether jaw-teeth , cutting and razing the insides of his cheeks with their exceeding sharpness . thirdly and lastly , this pain may happen by corruption of blood , which shall so weaken and loosen his teeth , that through their tenderness he will not be able to chew his meat . the cure of the first tooth-ach , proceeding from distillation of humours , is wrought by rubbing all the outside of the horses gums with fine chalk and strong vinegar well incorporated together : or else having washed the teeth , as aforesaid , take powder of pomegranate-pills and strow thereon ; then take rozin , pitch and mastich , and melting them together , lay it plaister-wise to the horses temples . if his tooth-ach proceed from the second cause , viz. the upper jaw teeth overgrown and so sharp as that they cut the insides of the cheeks , then take your gouge , and with a mallet strike or cut those teeth shorter gradually by little and little , turning the hollow side of your gouge towards the teeth , and so running them along from first to last , then file them smooth from all raggedness ; having thus done , take water and salt and wash your horses mouth very well therewith . now if the tooth-ach proceed from the last cause , that is to say , from the loosness of the teeth ; then you may do well to let the horse blood under the tail , next the rump ; then with sage rub his gums , or else , ( which is much better ) wash very well his mouth with salt , sage and honey beaten together , this will fasten his teeth ; then give him in his provender the tender crops of black briars . pains . the pains is a certain ulcerous distemper or scab growing in the pastorns of an horse between the fetlock and the heel , from whence issueth a fretting waterish humour ; this happens usually by the laziness of the groom or hostler , in not rubbing well the heels of an horse after a journey in winter time . and there are no horses so subject to this distemper as those which have long hair on their fetlocks ; hence comes that your frizonds and flanders mares ( which are in such great esteem , among the gentry of england , for the coach ) are very much & often troubled therewith by the least negligence of the groom ; for the hair about the pasterns being always very long , the sand and dirt gets into it , fretting the skin and flesh and so breedeth the scab . the signs are , a palpable scab , with an hot waterish humour glitting from thence , which in its passage scaldeth off the hair as it goeth . the cure is , having first taken up the shackle-veins on both sides ; then take the soft roe of a red herring , mustard and black soap ; beat these and incorporate them together , then boil them in vinegar till they become a salve , and apply it to the sore : this is an admirable and speedy cure. or else you may take a pound of hogs-grease , a penny worth of verdigrease , two ounces of mustard ▪ half a pound of oyl de bay , a quarter of a pound of nerve-oil , half a pound of honey , half a pound of english wax , one ounce of arsenick , two ounces of red lead and half a pint of vinegar ; boil all these together till you have made an ointment thereof : having made the sore bare apply this ointment thereunto very hot , renewing it once a day till the cure be compleated . that remedy which i have experienced to be most efficacious is this : take of turpentine , hogs-grease , honey and black soap of each a like quantity , and having molten them over a slow fire , take them off , and add to them a small quantity of bole-armoniack finely pulverized ; then as you work these together with a stick in your right hand , so , with your left , pour in by little wheat-flower , which you must have in readiness by you , to make a composition as thick as an ointment . having first cleared the sore of its hair , and made it raw , apply this salve thereunto , spred on a linnen cloth , renewing it once a day till you have made a cure. there are yet other some who hold this for an excellent remedy for the pains ; and that is , take pepper , garlick stampt , coleworts and old hogs-grease of each a like quantity ; then beat them into a salve , and lay it to the sore , changing your plaister once a day till it be whole . lastly , take green copperas and roch alom of each half a pound , one handful of bay-salt ; boil these in a gallon of running water ; then take it off , and add thereunto a pint of honey ; then boil them over again ; anoint the sore herewith ; then rub it with the powder of glass , mustard and vinegar commixed ; then take cream , and the inner rinde of elder tree pounded to a salve , and skin the sore herewith , using it twice a day . powder of honey and lime . take a quantity of unsleckt lime , as much as you shall think sufficient , and pulverize it very finely ; then take a convenient quantity of honey , or so much as is requisite to mingle it together , and to make it into a thick paste , and afterwards work it into the form of a loaf ; then bake it in an oven ; then when it is well baked take it forth , and when cold , beat it into fine powder , and so preserve it for your use ; it dryeth , healeth , and skinneth all sores whatsoever . quitter bone . the quitter bone is an hard round swelling upon the cronet of the hoof betwixt the heel and the quarter , and groweth most commonly on the inside of the foot ; it is caused by some hurt the horse hath sustained in the foot , either by a prick in shooing , by gravelling , which fretteth inwardly , and forceth an ulcer to break upward , or by some stub or nail running into the foot as he travaileth . sometimes it cometh by a blow , or by treading one foot upon the other ; this quitter bone is the most dangerous of all outward sorrances , and is known by a very apparent swelling , which in less than six days will come to an head , breaking , and then the matter or corruption will issue out of a small hole , yet deep . the cure is thus : cut the hoof open to the quick , then take galbanum sagapenum , pitch of greece , olibanum , mastich , oyl and white-wax , of each one ounce with half a pound of sheeps suet : melt them upon a soft fire , and work them well into a body , and dress therewith the sore until it be cured . or else do thus : as soon as you perceive the nature of your horses sorrance , that it is a quitter bone , open it above if you find it soft , then take auripigmentum pulverized , and infuse it twenty eight hours into very strong white-wine vinegar , then lay it to the sore , and it will so eat about the quitter bone , that with your plyers you may easily pluck it away ; the bone or gristle being taken forth , heal up the wound with the copperas water and green ointment , before prescribed you in a preceeding chapter . although a quitter bone be far gone , and by that means difficult to be cured , yet this is an infallible remedy . you must first take off a quarter of the hoof right under the quitter bone , so that the corruption may have the freer passage ; a part of the hoof being off , lay in the place thereof a piece of hares skin to stop the blood , and there let it lye twenty four hours without molestation , then take it away , and wash it with wine and vinegar ; now to the intent you may kill the rankling , scald it with boiling hot butter and salt boiled together ; do this thrice , once every other day ; and it will not only hinder it from festring , but hinder all manner of dead and proud flesh to grow in it . then take of verdigrease the quantity of a pidgeons egge pulverized , a quarter of a pint of white-wine-vinegar , and as much honey , boil these together with the verdigrease , all the time it boils you must be careful that you continually stir it for about half an hour , then take it off and preserve it in a clean vessel , and therewith every day anoint the sorrance till it be well ; having cured the sorrance , then must you recover the hoof ▪ which is done by taking tar , tallow , turpentine , and dogs grease boiled together ; let not the turpentine be put in till you are about to remove it from the fire ; if possibly you may forbear , take not off the whole hoof because it will require a long time to produce another , but anoint the torn hoof herewith ; and if any thing will bring a new piece in the place of the old this will do it . the italian cureth this malady thus : he first opens the sore , then he puts into it salt of tartar , and having quite eaten away the quitter bone , he taketh honey and verdigrease , and boiling them together healeth it up therewith . the french put arsnick into the hole of the quitter bone , letting it lye there a day and a night , stopping up the mouth thereof very close ; if after opening it the cavity look black within it is concluded , the arsnick hath wrought its design : then to allay the fire , and restore the mortified flesh , they take hogs grease and turpentine , and having melted them together they tent the wound therewith : being suspicious that the core is not eaten away or removed ; then make a plaister of pitch , rozen , and wax , of each a like quantity , and of turpentine as much as all the rest ; being sure that the gristle is consumed , then heal it up with this unguent : take of common honey and verdigrease powdred , of each quantum sufficit , boil these till it be red and therewith tent the wound till it be whole ; with this caution , that you keep the mouth of the wound open till you are assured that it is healed at the bottom . if it be your chance at any time to meet with a quitter bone that hath passed through a great many farriers hands , by whose want of skill it hath been poisoned in such sort , that the pastern hath been much swelled ; if so , the first thing you must do is to take up the vein on that side of the leg , on which the quitter bone groweth , to keep the humour back which affords it sustenance , then put in the quantity of a bean of arsnick to eat out the core of the quitter bone ; where note that a quitter bone is difficulty cured if you take not up a vein ; and when the core is out you must first wash it well with white-wine-vinegar and salt before you heal it up . lastly , here followeth a very good receipt , neither troublesome nor costly in the composition ; first , take hogs grease and verdigrease pounded together , and tent therewith the sorrance for a day or two , then pour into the hole scalding hot hogs grease , then lay a plaister of pitch and tar mixt over it for twenty four hours , if the bone rise not in that time do it once more , and it will rise . quick scab . the quick scab is both noisome and infectious , and is cousin germain to the leprosie : the reason why it goeth under this appellation is because it is no ways fixed , running from one part of the body to another , sometimes in the mane , and not long after in the tail , now in the neck , and then in the breast , the original cause is a surfeit by overheating the blood , which consequently putrefies , and from thence is ingendred the quick scab . though there are several sorts of cures for this grievous malady , yet by experience i know none better than this : first , breath a vein , then shave or clip away the hair that either groweth upon or about the sorrance : then take mallows and marsh mallows , of each a like quantity , and boil them in fair water till these herbs be soft ; preserve the liquor , and bath therewith together with the herbs this quick scab three days at least together , and let the decoction be warm ; then take of common honey one pint , copperas , allom , glass , verdigrease , all pulverized , of each four ounces , turpentine and quick silver mortified , of each two ounces ; boil all these together with the honey unto an ointment and herewith dress the sorrance every day till it be whole . raising the crest when fallen . if you would have an horses crest that is fallen to stand as it should , then with your hand raise it to that form you would have it ; see more of this in the letter c. the section crest fallen . red water issuing out of old incurable vlcers , the cure. this water must be totally removed before any old ulcer can be cured , for this water poisons the wound ; the french give this malady the appellation of la eu rouse , and i must confess that i am beholding to the french for its cure , it is thus effected . there is an herb which goeth by three or four names , viz. emanuel , all-good , bonus henricus , or good king henry ; take of the roots hereof , and boil them in water , and give him a drench hereof blood warm in an horn ; this will remove the red water , and then you may cure the old ulcer as you are prescribed in the section of fistulas . repercussive medicaments . repercussive medicines are such as repel or drive back evil and malignant humours , farriers call them plaisters defensative ; these are to be used in great wounds or ulcers : the best repercussives are vinegar , salt , and bole armoniack beaten together , and spread round about the sore , or else white lead and sallet oyl beaten together , or red lead and sallet oyl , or else vnguentum album camphoratum , with a many more your own experience will indagate and discover . ring bone . a ring bone is at first a certain slimy humour and viscous , which resorting to the bones of their own nature cold and dry , cleave thereunto , and become hard , gristly , nay absolutely bony ; its scituation is ever upon the cronet of the hoof . the causes hereof are twofold , either natural or accidental ; naturally , when either the mare or stallion have it from whom the colt proceedeth ; and though i never saw a colt bring a ring-bone into the world with it , yet mr. markham avoucheth , he hath seen many foals foaled with ring bones on the feet ; wherefore i shall advise you not to breed upon any such stallion or mare that either have had or have this malady . accidentally , this happens several ways ; first , by some blow or stroak on the foot , or else from some evil humour descending , and setling upon the cronet . the symptoms hereof are apparent to the eye , the cronet of the hoof will be much swoln , especially that part which is next adjoining unto the lower part of the pastern , the hair thereabout will grow bristly , and stare , and the horse will go lame . the cures are several , but i shall prescribe you none here but what have been many times experimented with welcome success . first , scarifie the skin above the ring bone with a lancet , then take a great onion , and pick out the core , then take verdigrease and unfleckt lime , and put them therein , then cover up the hole , and in hot embers roast it till it be soft , then take it and bruise it well , and being very hot lay it to the sorrance ; do thus five days together , you will not miss of a cure . another way to cure it . first cast your horse , or tye up his contrary leg with a strong rope , till you strike five or six holes in the ring bone at the very edge of it ; let the holes be equally distant from each other , then take arsnick , and upon the top of your fleim put some thereof into every hole , then bind up his foot for a night and a day . but that which esq grey prescribeth as infallible is this , take unfleckt lime newly taken from the kill well burned , which you may know by its lightness , pulverize this lime , and lay it thick upon the place swelled , with a linnen cloth bound about it to keep it on , then let him stand in cold water an indifferent while ; then taking him forth , unbind the foot , and he is certainly cured , for the burning of the lime doth kill the ring bone even to the very root thereof ; this is a truth throughly experimented . rats tails how to cure . take green vitriol half a pound , and boil it in a pint of running water , with alom , mustard , sage and hysop ; the night before you apply this anoint the sores made raw with strong mustard , the next day wash them with the water afore specified , and it is a cure . rowels , how to put them in , whether french or english . if you are to place a rowel in the breast , make it lean to that part of the shoulder which is grieved , then take a lancet , and only cut the skin through , not cross , but down right , then put in your finger between the skin and the flesh , raising the skin from the flesh round about the orifice the breadth of a tester , then take a piece of the upper leather of a shooe , and cut it round with an hole in the middle , then put a needle and thread through it ; then take a quill , and put one end into the orifice of his breast upwards , and so blow in the wind ; having blown it three or four times , run the needle and thread once through the rowel , and once through the skin , and draw the rowel into the cut ; when you have thus placed the rowel in the cut , with the hole of the rowel right against the hole in the skin of the breast , so that it may not move ; then with your needle and thread run a stitch or two overthwart the cut , to keep in the rowel ; when you have thus done anoint it with butter , and so let it stand five or six days , this is the best method can be prescribed . saddle bruised , or swellings on the back . you must first take some wet hay , but rotten litter is better , and lay it on the swelling ; this will make it soft very quickly , then with a lancet let out the putrefied matter , and let the cavity be filled with the powder of rozen , then lay on a plaister of shoomakers wax , and it is a cure. swift cut . take a pint of white-wine , and put to it three spoonfuls of honey , stir these , and boil them to a salve ; then take it from the fire , and put to it half so much turpentine as there was honey , stir these all together ; with this salve anoint the sorrance twice a day , and it will heal it quickly . stanching of blood . some ignorant farriers have let an horse blood when the sign hath been in that place from whence he hath taken blood , by which means there hath followed so great an efflux of blood , that by reason it could not be stopped , it hath indangered the horses life . wherefore if any such thing should happen by this ignorance aforesaid , or by wounds , or any other accident , take presently some new horse dung , and temper it with chalk and vinegar , and lay it to the wound , letting it remain there three days ; or else lay thereunto wild tansie bruised , sage bruised , bruised hysop , or hot hogs dung : but if these fail , this will not : take of the soft down of hare or conies skin , and stop the bleeding place therewith , holding it to with your hand first a pretty while , if it be to a great wound , then spread over it a plaister of vinegar and bole armoniack incorporated together . slaves very good for the healing all sorts of sores and wounds . i shall here , of some hundred sorts of salves , only insert three or four , which i have found the best of any i have tried in above years practice . . take of the buds or tenderest tops of elder-leaves one handful , first shred , then pound them in a stone-mortar very well , till you bring them to a salve ; this is for present use , and you must apply it to the sore with a linnen cloth , binding it so on that it shall not fall off . . take of common honey two ounces , roch-alom , verdigriese and vinegar of each one ounce ; you must pulverize the alom and verdigriese , then take of sublimate finely powdered two ounces ; boil these together a very little , and then take it off , using it as you shall find occasion . . take of hard rozin and perosen of each two pound , of virgin-wax , frankincense and sheep-suet of each one pound , of old tried hogs-grease two pound ; boil the gums and wax in a pint of white wine , and then put into it the sheep-suet and hogs-grease , and when all is well molten and wrought into a body , strain it , and whilst it is yet hot , put thereto of venice turpentine two ounces ; work all these together and keep it for your use . . take tried hogs-grease pound , verdigriese finely powdered penniworth ; let these take or walms over the fire ; then take it off , and put to it of venice turpentine one ounce , stir these all together till it be cold . there are many more excellent salves , ointments , powders , and waters which for brevity sake i omit , knowing that these will do as much as all the rest . shoulder sorrances what they are with their cures , and first of the shoulder-wrench . the several sorts of sorrances which happen to the shoulder , are either discoverable by the eye , or to be felt by the hand : now as to the shoulder wrench it is discoverable to both . it cometh of some dangerous slipping or sliding , or of too sudden stopping on the gallop , &c. the cure is to take wheat meal two pound , and put it into some red wine , setting the posnet , wherein they are , over the fire ; then take bolearmoniack finely pulverized half a pound , of ordinary honey one pound ; boil all these together and , when boiled , add to them of pitch half a pound , and so keep them stirring till the pitch be throughly melted , and as you are about to take it off the fire , put thereunto half a pound of ordinary turpentine , of cummin , oil de bay , dialthaea , sanguis dracunis , bay-berries , fenugreek , linseed-flowers of each two ounces ; make all these into fine powder ; then take an ounce of the oil of aspick ; boil and mix these very well together ; that done , charge the shoulder therewith down to the knees ; this is a sovereign remedy for shoulder wrenches , knees or hips , it comforteth the sinews , it bringeth down swellings , and is very good against kibes and scratches . yet if this receipt should not answer your expectation ( for the best remedies may sometime fail ) then first open his breast-vein , after that rowel him from the nether part of the spade-bone down to the point of his shoulder ; which done , set a patten shooe upon the sound foot , and so turn him to grass for about a month , stirring and removing every other day the rowels , thrusting out the matter ; as soon as you perceive he goes sound take off the patten shooe and rowels , and let him run a little longer to grass , and he will be perfectly well . shoulder pight or disl●cated . shoulder pight or dislocated is , when an horse by some great ●all or strain hath the point of his shoulder thrust out of joint or displaced , which is very discoverable by the sticking out of the point of the fore shoulder farther than the sound ; besides the horse will halt downright . this way you may effect the cure : first , cast him upon that side which hath not the shoulder dislocated ; then fasten with a cord the foot of the same leg all along a board , and that again to some tree-or post , about three paces from the horse ; whilst this is extended , let one with a pail of cold water bathe and wash the dislocated member with his hand , in so doing , he must take up that member which he must chafe from the top to the further end of the leg , by so doing the bone will be reduced to its proper place ; that done , raise him very gently , and then let him blood in the breast-vein , on that side the member is dislocated ; then put on a patten shooe on the contrary foot , and let his forefeet be trammelled above a fortnight afterwards , to hinder him from lying down , and let there be daily a fresh restringent charge applied to the shoulder ; after this swim him against the stream , and then anoint him with this unguent , and he will be perfectly cured ; the ointment is this : take oil de bay , oil de petra , oil of spike , and n●rve-oil of each an equal quantity , and anoint his shoulder therewith : this remedy never failed me . but the way of late much practised is to lay good store of straw under the horse ; then put on his fore-legs a pair of pasterns , and the like on his hinder , then having thrown him on his back , hang him by the legs from the ground with two ropes drawn over some beam or other thing convenient for that purpose ; this will resettle the bone in its pristine seat ; then having let him down very softly , loose the fore pastern of the sound leg , and with a cord before you let him rise , tie the same leg to the foot of the manger , so short , as in his rising he shall be forced to hold his leg before him , for fear of putting his shoulder out of joint ; let him stand so three or four days ; as soon as he is up burn all the point of his shoulder with an hot iron chequerwise a full foot square at least ; then charge all these burned places , and the whole shoulder with pitch , rozin and tar melted together , laid on very hot , and clap flox of the colour of the horse upon it ; then charge him again over the flox : at three days end loose his foot , and put a pair of pasterns on his feet ; then suffer him not to lie down for twenty days , after that walk him out , if he go not well , give him as much more rest . shoulder strained . for a shoulder strained take of oil of pumpillion , oil of spike , and linseed-oil of each an ounce and an half ; mix these together , and rub and bathe his shoulder therewith very well , and that it may sink in the better , heat a fire-pan red hot and hold it against his shoulder ; then bleed him in the shoulder , not forgetting to hopple his feet together , and he will soon be sound as ever . another excellent remedy . take a large earthen vessel , and fill it full of the herb a●smart and brrok-lime , equally mixt together ; then put to them as much of the stalest urine as will cover them all over ; then cover the pot close and set it aside in some cool place : now when you have occasion to make use hereof , proportion the quantity according to your discretion , and so putting both the urine and herbs into a pipkin , boil it well ; then take an old boot and cut off the foot , then draw it over the horses foot up almost to the elbow of his shoulder , keeping the nether part of the boot close about his leg , but letting the upper part be open and wide ; then take your composition as hot as the horse can suffer it , into the boot , fastening the boot so about the mane , that the mixture may be about the shoulder before and behind : thus do every day till you have expelled the grief , which will be in a short time . shoulder splat . i have already discoursed of the shoulder-wrench and shoulder pight ; it now falls in my way to treat of the shoulder-splat : but first give me lieve to give you the difference between them . the shoulder-wrench commonly is occasioned by some slip , or by making the horse to make too sudden a stop upon false ground , or by some fall , or by too short turning : shoulder-pight cometh by some brush , strain or fall , which the horse received by a leap , stroke or bruise against some hard thing , whereby the member is dislocated . now the shoulder-splat is when by some dangerous slip or slide upon some slippery or yielding ground , the horse hath his shoulder parted from the breast , tearing the flesh from the brisket , leaving an open cleft in the flesh , not in the skin , which causeth a balk to be underneath the body , which will afterwards swell ; hereupon the horse will not only halt , but draw his leg after him ; that is a sufficient symptom to know the shoulder-splat by . now as to the cure : first put a strait pair of pasterns on his forefeet ; then take of dialthea one pound , of sallet-oil one pint , of oil de bay half a pound , and of fresh butter half a pound ; melt all these ingredients together in an earthen pot , and anoint the sorrance therewith , and also round about the inside of the shoulder ; about three days after , at farthest , both the sorrance and all the shoulder will swell ; then with a lancet prick all those swoln places , ( you may use a sharp hot iron ) and having so done , anoint it again with the ointment aforesaid ; but if you see the swelling will not be asswaged , but that it cometh to suppuration ; then lay it open in that place where is the greatest swelling and is softest ; having so done , tent it with flax dipt in turpentine and hogs-grease melted together , you must renew the tent twice a day if you will have a speedy cure. shoulder pinched . this sorrance in the shoulder differs from the former , for this commonly cometh when the horse is two young , and at that age laboured and strained very much , or forced to carry too great a burthen . the signs are , his breast will be very narrow , and by reason of the consumption of the flesh , the sore part of the shoulder-bone will stick out and be much higher than the flesh . several men several opinions , as to the cure of this malady ; as for my own part , i shall only make mention of what i have a long time experienced , and that is : first rowel your horse , then lay this charge or plaister , all over his breast , shoulders and withers : it is thus made . take of pitch and rozin of each a pound , of tar half a pint ; boil these together in a pot ; then take it off , and when it is indifferently cooled , take a stick , and bind thereto some flax , and dip it into the charge , and daub all the shoulder over therewith ; after that take flax , as near as you can of the same colour of the horse , and lay them on the charge , observing every other day to take out the rowels , and having cleansed them , place them as before ; thus you must do for at least sixteen days , at the expiration of which time , take away your rowels quite , and heal up the wounds with tents dipt in turpentine and hogs grease molten together . sinew-sprung . sinew-sprung is when the sinew is broken and severed from the flesh . the cure : take of the leaves and roots of solomons-seal , and of great cumfry an equal quantity ; pound them small and infuse them in white wine a day and a night ; then boil it , and when it is indifferent warm bathe the place grieved therewith , and after that bind thereunto the herbs and roots also ; do this once a day till the grief be remedied . sinew-grieved . if the horse complain only of the sinew , by being grieved some way or other , without laceration or cutting ; then take a good quantity of mallows , and boil them in water till they grow tender , ; then drain the water from them , and so stamp them very well , and apply them to the member thus grieved ; let the application be hot , and if you do thus over night , he will be well the next day ; however give him five or six days rest afterwards . sinew strained . if you would corroborate a sinew strained by an over-reach or otherwise ; then take tried hogs-grease , horse-grease , may-butter and sallet-oil five ounces of each , of new wax two ounces , and of comphire a third part to all the rest ; melt and mix them together and so make an ointment thereof , and so therewith anoint the part grieved . you may double the quantity of your ingredients , or treble them , so that you preserve your composition in a gally-pot it will keep a twelvemonth . sinew-spong . take a pint of linseed-oil and boil it ; then add thereto a quartern of aqua vitae , and stir them together , anointing your horses leg therewith he will be perfectly cured . if you would cure a sinew-strain in the fore or hinder-leg , growing above the foot-lock-joint upon the back part of the fore-leg , and much about the ankle-bone upon the back part of the hind-leg ; this over-straining will cause a great swelling and knotting . for the cure : take nerve-oil and turpentine of each a penniworth ; mix these together , and you need use it but four several times , and it will be well ; let there be an intermitting day for his dressing . sinew strain new or old , a most excellent and speedy remedy , approved of by most farriers . the shackle-veins in the pastern you must first take blood from ; then take a very fat puppy-dog of two months old or less , kill him , and with all expedition fley him ; then bruise his flesh and bones together and lay them upon a cloth , and bind it close to the sinew strain as warm as you can ; but be mindful to take out all the guts before you bruise the flesh , and be sure that after blood-letting you bathe the sinew-strain with aqua vitae , bathing it in with your hand , and then lay the aforesaid flesh thereunto ; wind a cloth two or three times about the leg to keep it on . some are of opinion that a fat cat thus killed and bruised is much better , because it draws more and knits better ; i shall leave it to your discretion to make choice of which you please . scratches . the scratches may be as well called by other names as this , viz. mules , kibes , rats tails , crepanches , pains , &c. they being almost all of one and the same nature and disposition , of all which i have particularly discourst , however i would not have you judge me either tautological or impertinent if i insist upon this sorrance called the scratches ; a sorrance which ingendreth about the heel and pastern joint , being long , scabby , and dry chaps or rifts growing overthwart on the hinder legs , just from the fetlock to the end of the curb : now this sorrance may grow upon all the fore legs , but is very unusual , the hindmost being the seat of this distemper . the causes are either dry melancholy humours ingendred by outward filth , or else by the fumes of horses dung lying too near him . the signs are very visible to the sight , and easily to be felt ; besides , the hair will stare , divide and curle , and the sorrance will be noisome to the scent . for the cure hereof , any of those medicines afore prescribed against the pains or mules are good for the scratches : yet for the better effecting the sound healing and curing this malady , take what followeth , which are more proper for this sorrance . first rub the sorrance till it bleed , and be raw , then take hogs grease and black soap , of each half a pound , and boil these together ; then take of brimstone , lime , and gunpowder , of each three ounces , beat these into fine powder , and put therein , adding as much soot as will thicken it ; incorporate these well together , and make a black ointment , and therewith anoint the sores dayly . if the scratches are held incurable , then first bleed him in the shackle veins , spur veins , and fore toe veins , intermitting three days between the bleeding of one toe and the other ; having so done , make the sores raw as before , then take a quart of old urine , and a quart of strong brine , and put to them eight ounces of alom , boil these to a quart , whilst very hot wash the sores therewith , then take the sperm of frogs and put it into an earthen pot , in six or seven days it will look like oil , wherein you will see little round things ; take both one and the other , and spread it on a cloth , binding it to the sores , do this pretty often , and it will cause a cure . for ordinary scratches , take a penny worth of verdigrease , a penny worth of red lead , and the like quantity of soap ; mix these together , and apply it like a plaister , letting it lye three days and three nights , but you must observe to cut the hair close , and make the sore raw . or first shave the hair away , and with an hair cloth rub the sore till it be raw , then wash it well with warm stale urine ; then take black soap , mustard and vinegar , of each an equal quantity , mingling therewith some of an oxe-gall , stir these together , and when wrought into a body , rub the place therewith , and bind thereto a cloth , so doing once a day till it be whole . i shall only recite two medicines more and i have done , which receipts are the best i have met with in my life time . the first is , take a quart of white wine vinegar , and put therein two ounces of the strongest brazeel , tobacco in the rowl , opening the leaves , and shredding it in small , boil these together till you find the vinegar beginneth to consume , then take it off , and strain it very well , then take a quart of wine more , common honey and bay-salt , of each two spoonfuls , of roch alom the quantity of a pullets egge , red sage , rue , honey suckle leaves , yarrow , plantain , ribwort , and bramble leaves , of each an equal quantity , one handful or thereabout , boil these in the wine till one half be consumed , then strain these also , then set it over the fire again , and let it boil a little space , then take it off , and cool it ; when you have so done , keep it close stopped in a glass for your future use ; you must wash herewith the sorrance , and then put upon it the powder of burnt alom . this is an excellent remedy for the scratches , neither doth this ensuing come much short thereof . about the beginning of the month of march you shall frequently find the spawn of toads , in ditches and standing pools , take hereof , draining the water from the said spawn ; after this , distil it , and keep it in a glass close stopped , and it will be serviceable to you the whole year round : when you use it warm it , and therewith wash the sorrance , and it will in a very short time cure it . surbating of horses . those horses which are most subject to this malady are such as have either great round feet , or such as are flat footed , the coffins whereof being very weak and tender . now surbating proceedeth from two several causes : the first is , when the horse is but newly backt , and shod , the owner by his indiscretion and impatience , immediately rides him a long journey ; now his feet being but tender , and too soon exposed to hard and stony ways , the horse becomes surbated . the second cause is when an horse hath naturally bad feet , or that he is ill shod , his shooes either lying too flat , too narrow , too short , and too much worn , or sometimes by going too long bare foot . the signs are , the horse will halt much , going creeping and stiff ; if he got his grief by travail , when standing in the stable he will always be removing his feet , not knowing where to place them by reason of their great soreness : this will cause him to lye down much , for his standing will be exceeding painful , and if you feel the coffins of his hoofs , you will find them very dry , and burn much . there are several ways to cure surbating : some take off the horses shooes , and pare him a very little , then they see whether the shooes be not long , large and hollow enough , if they be not so they make them so , for otherwise they will never be easie , then tack them on again ; and when they have so done they take hogs grease and bran boiled together , and being very hot , they stop his feet therewith , covering the coffin round about therewith , binding all in together with a cloth and a list fastned about the joint , renewing it once a day till it be sound , observing to let him stand dry , and that he drink warm water during the cure . if your horse surbat or solebat by going without shooes , then first pare him pretty close towards the toe , then with the point of a pen-knife , cut a little hole through the bottom of the hoof , about half an inch from the toes end , right over the vein , and let the vein bleed a quarter of a pint , then set on his shooes indifferent hollow within the feet ; then boil tar , tallow , and turpentine together , and pour it into the surbated foot scalding hot , and stuff in wool after it to keep it in ; once or twice at the farthest so doing will perfectly cure him . if he surbate in his journey so that you fear he will not perform it , as soon as you perceive it , get him to his inne with what convenient speed you may , then take two new laid egges , and having first well picked his fore feet , break them raw into the soles , and then stop them up with oxe or cow dung ; or during the time of his journey , if you stop his feet with cow dung and vinegar every night , he will be well next morning ; nay , if he be not surbated it is good to stop his feet with cow-dung , for it will keep them cool . lastly , if your horses feet be surbated either by travail , too near paring , or any other accident , then take a good lump of course sugar , and with an hot iron melt it between the shooe and the foot ; and when it is hardned , take nettles and bay salt and stamp them , and so stop up the frog of the foot . sinew crampt . cramps are the contracting or drawing together the sinews of any one member ; the cure is to rub and chafe the member contracted with vinegar and common oil , and after that wrap it all over with wet hay , rotten litter , or woollen cloths , this is a speedy remedy . strangle . the strangle is not as some have vainly imagined a quinzie , but an inflammation of the throat , proceeding from cholerick blood which issueth out of the throat veins into those parts ; and this happens by some cold taken in winter , or after some excessive labour . the sorrance it self is an hard and great swelling between the horses neather chaps , upon the roots of the tongue ; this if not timely remedied will indanger the choaking of the horse . the signs hereof are hanging out of the tongue , lolling it to and fro his mouth , the horses head and eyes will be swoln , and his temples will appear very hollow , his breath will be very short by reason of the stopping of the passage of his throat . the cure of this distemper according to the judgment of the most experienced is to let him blood in the neck vein : after that to bring the swelling to suppuration they make a ripening plaister after this manner : take of mallows , linseed , rue , smallage , and ground ivy , of each a quantity alike , boil these together in the grounds of beer , then adde to it some oil de bay , and a small quantity of dialthaea , taking it off the fire , make thereof a plaister , and lay it to the place grieved , but suffer him not in any case to drink cold water ; this plaister will ripen and break the swelling , then lay thereunto bran steept in wine , renewing it dayly till it be whole . but of all cures there is none experience better approveth of than this . as soon as you see the swelling rise between his chaps , then take a wax candle , and holding it close to the swelling , burn an hole quite through the skin , then lay thereunto wet horse-litter , that will both ripen and break it ; then only lay a plaister of shoomakers wax thereunto , and that will both draw and heal it . but if it happen to break inwardly , so that the corruption issueth through his nose , there being no external running of the matter , then perfume his head twice or thrice a day by burning under his nostrils frankincense or mastick , you may use instead thereof a cole of fire put into wet hay , causing the smoak thereof to ascend into his head , or else blow the powder of euphorbium with a quill into his nostrils . i shall forbear to insert more variety of remedies , since i have insisted on a malady called the avives or vives , for whatsoever medicine is good for the one is also as good for the other . strain in the pastern joint . the fetlock or pastern joint is often strained by treading awry on some stone or cart-●ut , nay , sometimes when the floor of the stable is uneven he may get it there . the signs hereof will be very apparent , for the joint will be swoln , and the horse will halt down-right . there are three cures which i only approve of for their safety and expedition , and therefore i shall nominate no other ; the first is , take three pints of stale urine , and seeth it about a quarter of an hour ; when you find that the foam doth rise apace , then take it from the fire and strain it , and adde thereunto an handful of tansie , one handful and an half of mallows , and about three spoonfuls of honey , with nigh half a pound of sheeps suet , then set them on the fire , and let them boil together till the herbs become soft ; being very hot , lay this poultess to the joint , and bind it on with a cloth ; a fourth dressing will perfectly cure the strain . the second is , first to take of dialthaea half a pound , the like quantity of nerve oil ; chafe this oil well in with your hand , continuing so to do , till you have none of the ointment left ; if this should chance to fail your expectations , reinforce the cure , by taking nerve oil , black soap , and pompillion , of each an equal quantity , and only warm them over the fire , and therewith anoint the joint ; i never knew this medicine deceive me . now the last is this : take a mastive sucking whelp which is very fat , kill him and take out his guts , then take gray snails and black snails as many as will fill the belly , and sowing it up , roast him at an indifferent soft fire , then baste him with oil of spike made yellow with saffron , with the oil of wax , of each two oils let there be five ounces ; let the dog continue at the fire as long as any one drop will fall , and preserve the droppings in a gallipot ; with this ointment anoint the joint morning and evening , working it in very hot , holding a red hot flat iron , to make it sink in . sive-bone in the socket of the hoof , or a strain in the coffin-joint . if you are doubtful whereabout the grief lieth take up the foot in your hand , and turn it this way and that way , and by his shrinking you will soon find it out ; when you have sound it , thus you must cure it . first , take off his shooe , and pare him thin almost to the quick ; then make a pultess of these ingredients following , and lay it hot to his foot : take a pint of brine , wherein beef or pork hath been salted , and four ounces of kitchin-stuff ; boil these together near half an hour , then add thereunto some wheat-flower , and make thereof a pultess of an indifferent thickness ; then set on the shooe again ; put into the sole of the foot a good deal of this pultess as hot as can be endured ; then stuff the sole with towe , and splinter it with a flat stick to keep it in ; thus let it lie two days and two nights : then take a linnen cloth that is long enough , and spread it all over with this pultess scalding hot , wrapping it about the top of the hoof , the pastern and up the leg as far as the swelling goeth , and let this lie as long as the other : do thus , after this manner , four or five times , and he will not after complain of that grief . stifling and its hurts how cured . that horse is said to be stifled , when the stifling bone , by some accident or other , is thrust out of its place . now you are to understand , that the stifling-bone is about two inches in length , lying between the nether end of the thigh-bone and the upper end of the great hough-bone of the hinder-leg . now every hurt in the stifling-bone , whereby the horse halteth , is not said to be stifling , unless the bone be out , but only hurt in the stifle . the symptoms of his being stifled are , the bone will stick out more on the one side than the other , and in his halting he only dare touch the ground with his toe . cure him thus : set a patten-shooe on his sound foot , and so turn him to grass , that he may be compell'd to tread upon his lame foot : thus straining his foot will reduce the stifling-bone to its proper place . if a patten-shooe is not in readiness , take a plain surcingle , and with it garter up the horses sound leg three fingers above the hamm upon his main great sinew , so strait as you with anothers assistance can draw it together , then turn him loose where he may have freedom to walk ; thus in forty hours his leg will be as sound as ever . now by reason that the place will be much swelled , rub very well the gartered place with fresh butter . or thus you may do ; as soon as you perceive the stifling-bone is out of its proper place , then take your horse to some deep pond , mill-pool or river that hath an easie entrance , and swim him up and down for half an hour , till he sweat behind the ears , at which time , or before , the bone will be reduced to its natural place . thus you may do if your horse should chance to be stifled on the rode , and that your occasions will not permit you to stay for any longer cure. or thus you may do : after swimming , peg him as soon as he cometh into the stable , and do so always as long as he standeth in the house ; and when he is dry rub in an ounce of the oil of turpentine and as much strong beer shaked together in a glass ; it will cause it to swell for the present , however it is an admirable and most approved remedy for the stifle . note that swimming is not good for any strain , but only to bring a stifle-bone right into its place again . if it so happens that your horse is not stifled , but only hurt in the stifle , so that the bone is not out but only swelled thereabout ; then take a pound and a half of bole-armoniack , three pints of red wine-vinegar , eight eggs beaten , shells and all , three penniworth of english honey , and as much venice turpentine , three pints of flower , and more than a good handful of bay-salt ; incorporate these well together and put them into a pot , keeping it close one night , the next morning dress your horse therewith , and continue so doing once a day for eleven days together . probatum est . shedding of hair in the mane. there are a certain sort of little worms which breed in the mane , which feeding on and fretting the hair thereof , cause it to shed and fall from the horse . i know no better cure than to take black soap and therewith first anoint the mane and crest ; after that , make a strong lye of stale urine and ash-ashes and wash the mane and crest therewith , and it will infallibly kill them . scrupin or a through splint on both sides the leg. you must in the first place cast your horse , then take a bed-staff or a stick of that bigness then beat and bruise therewith the splint on both sides ; having beaten it soft , take penniworth of the oil of riggrum , and rub it on no other place but the splint ; then raise him , and tie up his head three or four hours to the rack , tying up also his contrary leg , for the smart and pain thereof will make him very unruly ; this will take off the hair for the present , but it will quickly grow again without alteration of colour . let the splint be never so big , and dress him after this manner , in seven days the cure will be accomplish'd : for a small splint or a blood-splint , once dressing will serve the turn : this is approved of by all for an excellent remedy . stumbling . stumbling in an horse is so ill a property , that i know not what well can be worse ; for a man continually rides in fear of breaking his neck . this infirmity happens many ways , and those either naturally or accidentally . natural●y , when the sinews of the forelegs are somewhat strait , so that the horse is incapacitated to use his ●imbs with that dexterity and agility he ought . accidentally an horse is given to stumbling , by a splint , ridg-bone , wind-galls or some hurts in the foot , as soundred , prick'd , gravelled , sinew-sprained , shoulder-wrenched , or pinch'd in the withers . the best cure for natural stumbling is to cut a slit upon the very top of the nose , and with your cornet take up the two great sinews , which there reside , and cut them asunder , and after heal up the place with some healing medicaments ; this will give him the perfect use of his legs in so ample a manner , as that he will never trip or stumble after , unless by some great chance . neither will you do amiss , if you breed a young horse or purchase one , immediately after backing him , to cut him of the cords , that is , these two great sinews , and you will find the benefit ever after , mentioned in the aforesaid cure of stumbling . but if his stumbling happens accidentally , according to the causes already declared ; then take of hogs-grease one pound , of fresh butter , althaeae and of oil de bay of each eight ounces ; mix these , and work them together , and therewith anoint and chafe the legs and sinews of the horse thrice a day , every third day , and be sure that his shooes be wide enough , especially at the heels . the sinews being well suppled , you may put him also out of the cords . where note that these cords are flat white sinews lying under a red film , extending themselves from the top of the nose to the hind-legs , which when you shall take up with your cornet , and having hold of them , if you will pull hard , you may almost pull the horses hind-legs to his fore-legs . stars artificial how to make of all sorts , and first of the white star. if your horse be well coloured , and , for a further ornament to his body , you would have a star that is white in his forehead , you must make use of art in this manner : take sheeps-milk and set it over the fire , when it is well sodden , take a cloth and dip therein ; then take it out of the milk boiling hot , and clap it to the horse's forehead , doing it so often till you can rub off the hair with your finger ; after this , every day , lay some milk to the bald place luke-warm , till the hair grow again . if that will not do this , use this infallible experiment : take a sharp long bodkin , and as long as you would have the star , so far upwards thrust the bodkin between the skin and the bone , hollowing the skin as you thrust it ; then take some lead , and make it into the same form the bodkin is of , and having withdrawn your bodkin , let the lead in the same hole supply its place ; then thrust in the bodkin cross-wise underneath the lead , and put in some more lead into that place , in such sort that it may represent a perfect cross ; then take p●ck-thread and put it underneath the four corners of the lead , and by drawing it strongly you will contract the hollow skin to a purse ; having drawn it well together , let it rest a day and a night , in which time the skin will be so deadned , that it will not , when loosned , return to its former place ; after this remove the leaden pins , and with your hand close the skin to the forehead ; in a little time after this you will perceive the hair to fall off , but assure your self the next hair which appeareth will be white . this i know true likewise by my own experience ; take a crab and roast it , and , being excessive hot , bind it to that part of the horse which you would have white ; this will infallibly scald away the old hair , and the new hair that cometh will be white . secondly , how to make a black star. this black star , you are to understand , is to be made on a white horse , which will be very remarkable , and thus you must do it : take the rust of iron , galls and vitriol , and pound them in a mortar with sallet-oil , and herewith anoint the place , and it will convert white hair into coal black colour . i have been told that this will do as well , though i never tried it : take four scruples of the wood of oleander beaten to powder , and one scruple of ink ; then with an indifferent quantity of sheeps-suet work them together , and herewith anoint the designed part , and this will effect your purpose . thirdly and lastly , how to make an artificial red star in the forehead of an horse . take of aqua vitae one quartern , of aqua fortis one ounce and a half , and of silver to the value of one and twenty pence ; put them into a glass and shake them well together , and therewith anoint the place very well ; this in an instant will convert what ever the colour of the hair be , into a perfect red ; but this will continue no longer than till the casting of the hair ; so that if you desire a continuance , you must renew it . sit-fast . the sit-fast or stick-fast , is called by the french mal de la cron ; it is an hard horny knob , growing in an horses skin under the saddle , and is dead like a hard piece of leather : it proceedeth from some old saddle-gall or bruise , which not impostumating the skin falleth dead and sticketh to the flesh . that you may effect the cure , take the green outward leaves of a cabbage ; then take tried hogs-grease and stamp them together , making thereof an ointment ; herewith anoint his back very well , chafing it in , and it would not be amiss to clap on his saddle and immediately ride him . but in my opinion this is the best and speediest cure ; first anoint this dead skin with hogs-grease , to supple and mollifie it ; then pull up this skin , and with a sharp pen-knife cut it away from the sound flesh ; if after this the cavity appear deep , pour every morning and evening into it butter melted hot , and this will eaven the flesh ; then dry and skin it with the powder of honey and lime mingled together . swaying in the back . swaying in the back is occasioned by great burthens , slip or wrench in the lower part of his back , below his short ribs and directly between his fillets . the signs are , when the horse is laid he will rise with much difficulty , besides his going will be uneaven , swaying sometimes backwards , sometimes sidelong the cure is , first to cover the horses back with a sheeps-skin , newly fleyed off , laying the fleshy side on ; then lay thereon a good warm cloth , letting the sheep-skin lie so long till it begin to corrupt ; then apply a fresh one , continuing so to do twenty days ; this i have tried , but have not found it so successful , but that i was forced to use this remedy , which never failed me . first , draw his back on both sides of the ridge from the pitch of the buttock , unto an handful within the saddle , and so again overthwart ; let the lines be an inch distance one from the other , and let not the strokes be otherwise burnt but only to look yellow : having so done lay on this plaister . take of pitch half a pound , of tar half a pint , of rozin and bole-armoniack of each a quarter of a pound beaten into fine powder ; boil these together stirring them till they are throughly incorporated , then being luke-warm , daub all the burning therewith very thick ; after this take flox of the horse's colour , and daub as many on as will stick ; remove it not , but let it fall off spontaneously : if the season will permit turn him to grass . spurgalling how remedied . spurgalling to be sure happens no other way than by the indiscretion of a digging horseman . the signs are plain to be seen and felt : the cure is not difficult , only take urine and salt , water and salt , or warm vinegar alone , or bind unto the spur-gall the tops of nettle-leaves and any of these will perfectly cure him . swelling of the cods . this swelling is always accompanied with an inflammation , and happens to the stones of an horse several ways , viz. either by the bite of an horse or some venomous beast , by a blow , or by a strain ; nay it hath been found to have happened after sickness or surfeit with cold , being a sign of his recovery ; if so , the usual way of curing it is by taking of bean-flower , wheat-meal , cummin and hogs grease of each an equal quantity , and therewith plaister his cods or stones . sometimes again this swelling proceedeth from rankness of seed , and the symptom thereof is the great sliminess of his yard ; if so , then get any mare , and let him first cover her , then keep him without provender , and bleed him above the great vein which is between his lips ; having so done , take three or four hard eggs , and some of his own dung and pound them together , making thereof a plaister , with which cover his cods ; but be sure that every day you wash them with cold water , till the swelling come down . but if by accident , as by stroke , strain , &c. his cods and stones do swell , then follow this rule , which the french prescribe : take the roots of wild cowcumber and salt , and boil them , and with the water bathe the cods , after this anoint them with an unguent made of oil , goats-grease and the white of an egg , or an ointment made of chalk , potters-earth , ox-dung , cummin-water and vinegar mingled together ; after this , let him blood in the flank-veins . selender . there is very little discrepancy between the selender and malander , only that the selender breedeth on the bending of the bough in the leg behind , whereas the malander afflicteth the bending of the leg before ; the symptoms of the one bear an analogy with the signs of the other , and , to speak the truth , there is no difference in the cure ; however , for variety sake , take this one receipt more . take fresh butter , bay-salt and frankincense both pulverized very finely , and boil these together ; then take a stick and tie a rag about it , and dip it into this ointment scalding hot , and apply it to the selender three mornings together ; after this , heal it up , and renew the hair by anointing it with mallows and fresh butter . surfeited and grease-molten . in the first place , my advice is , to take blood from the horse ; then give him this purgation . take of trisora magna , and filonio persico of each half an ounce , cassia one ounce , syrop of violets two ounces ; dissolve these in mel rosarum four ounces : then put these well mixed together into an horn , and give it him in a morning fasting ; then ride him gently two or three miles , bringing him into the stable , let him stand upon the trench , somewhat better than an hour ; after this give him a sweet mash ; having swallowed that , then give him drie oats , clean and well sifted , and lastly give him some sweet hay . be sure to give him no cold water in eight or nine days , after that time you may , but with this caution , when ever you let him drink cold water , that you immediately exercise him with moderation , so far as not to make him sweat . string-halt . the string-halt is a malady that is most incident to horses of the greatest metal , and by some it is called the mary hinchcho .. it is an ill-favoured distemper , and frequently happens by an horses taking sudden cold after a great heat , and most commonly happens to the hinder legs ; this cold comes by washing him too soon , whereby the blood and sinews being stupified , the horse is deprived of the sense and feeling of that member it seizeth . the signs are apparent to the eye , and very uncomely it appeareth ; for he snatcheth up his leg much higher than the other , twitching it up in such manner as if he trod on needles , or that the ground was so hot it scalded his foot . the cure is , to take up the middle vein above the thigh , and underneath the same , under which vein there lieth a string , which with a sharp knife cut away ; then anoint him with butter and salt , or anoint him with this ointment following . take of the oil of worms and oil of petroleum , of the oil of nerval , of piece-grease made of the shreds of shooe-makers leather , and of oil of spike of each one ounce , of london-treacle two ounces , and of hogs-grease one pound ; melt all these together , then take it off the fire and stir it till it be cold ; with this anoint the string-halt once every day ; then wisp him up with a soft thumb-band of hay from the pastern to the top of the hoof ; do thus eight days together , and when you anoint him , hold an hot fire-pan to the grievance , that the ointment may sink in the better ; after this keep him warm , and do not ride him in a month after so as to make him sweat : this will make him both do well and go well . stripe or blow upon the eye of an horse . a mischance may so happen , that the eye of an horse by a rod or whip may sustain very much detriment ; and i have known the like evil proceeding from horses playing with each other or fighting . there are abundance of receipts for the cure of this accidental malady in an horse's eye ; wherefore , to avoid prolixity , i shall only nominate some of the best remedies . first let him blood on the eye-vein ; then take strong nettles with a little beer , & bruising them , strain them , and squirt a little of the liquor into his eye twice or thrice together ; then take the fine powder of sandevoir and blow some thereof into his eyes , then cloath well his eye that no cold or air may come at it ; if there be a necessity that you must ride him , then put before his eye a warm woollen cloth , and it will do him not much harm . now if the horses eye-brows be very sore , then take soap-water and cold water mixt together and wash the eye-brows therewith ; but if you perceive but little amendment by that means , then bleed him in the temple-veins , if he rub his eyes , then bleed him in the veins under his eyes , and wash his eyes with cold soap-water ▪ the best way , i think , is to anoint the sore eye three or four days together with capon-grease , which will mollifie ; then take live honey , and with a feather wipe the inside of the eye , or joyn the juice of plantain with your live honey . lastly , if his eye look red by the stripe or blow , then take red lead and sallet-oil , and having mingled them well together , apply it plaister-wise unto it . swelling of the neck after phlebotomy . there is a four fold cause of the swelling of an horse's neck after breathing a vein . . when the vein is struck through , so that some of the blood getting between the flesh and the vein , it there putrefieth and corrupteth , and by that means is ingendered an impostumation . . it hapneth sometimes by the carelesness of a slovenly farrier , who without looking on his fleim , having not let blood in a pretty while , never observed that it was rusty , and so striking the vein therewith , the vein rankleth ; and this i can assure you is very dangerous . . this may come by cold suddenly striking into the orifice . . and lastly , by permitting the horse , too soon after blood-letting , to hang down his head to feed or graze ; this will cause an attraction or resorting of humours to that place , which in a very short time will turn to an impostume . you need no other cure for it but this : take oil of camomile and warm it , then therewith anoint the swelling ; then lay upon it some hay wet in water , so binding it , that it may not easily fall off ; put fresh wet hay or litter every day for six or seven days , in which time it will be either discust or brought to suppuration ; if brought to an head and throughly ripened , then with your lancet lay it open and let out the corruption ; having cleansed it very well , take flax and dip it in turpentine and hogs-grease melted together , tenting it therewith , and by dressing it thus every day , it will be whole and perfectly cured . screw . this screw is no more but a puzling name for the splint , and indeed is no more in its nature and qualification , only with this difference as to their location , the splint being ever on the inside of the leg , and the screw on the outside , which is less dangerous than the other . now by reason that several horses have been found and known by several to have had at one and the same time , and upon the same leg leg , both these splints diametrically opposite one to the other , some have entertained an opinion so absurd and ridiculous , that they have thought they have gone through the horse's legs , and from hence have been vainly intitled the thorough-splint , and thence concluding it incurable . now to confute the ignorance of such , and for the better information of the reader 's judgment , be pleased to take notice , that the shin bone is hollow and filled with marrow , so that there can nothing grow through it , but it must of necessity destroy the marrow , and so by consequence the bone can no longer hold , but must presently break in sunder , considering that so weak a spongy substance as a splint shall possess the whole strength of the leg ; i hope what is here expressed will convince every knowing person of this gross and ridiculous vulgar errour . now since the screw is made appear to be the same with the splint , certainly the cure must also be the same ; wherefore i refer you to the foregoing section of the splint and its remedies . shackle-gall . the shackle-gall , or gall in the pastern , on the heel or upon the cronet is often seen in those countries which are champain , as dorset-shire , wilt-shire , &c. and where horses are much used to the teather ; or this malady may happen by the shackle-lock . in this case you must take verdigriese and honey of each an equal quantity , and boil them together till a moity be consumed , at which time , or thereabout , this composition will look red ; then take it off the fire and set it a cooling , after that take herof and anoint the sore every day twice , strowing thereon some flox that are chopt , to keep on the salve ; continue thus doing till it be whole : this medicine is most sovereign for the shackle-gall , but principally good for the scratches . suppositories of all sorts , with their uses . there are certain malignant humours in the body of an horse , which the strength of nature cannot expel , and therefore must be discharged three several ways by art , either by potion , clyster or suppository ; of the two first i have already succinctly discoursed , and therefore i shall only treat of the last which is a suppository , and this suppository is no more than an handmaid or preparative to a clyster ; for although the nature of a clyster is to open , yet can it not perform its office many times , by reason of the hardness of the excrements , by reason of a dry , hot and costive constitution ; and therefore , to soften the guts , there ought to be as a forerunner , the application of a suppository , before either potion or clyster be administred . thus as we have related the nature and use of suppositories , so in the next place it will be requisite to give you some receipts in the due forming and composing any suppository . the first and most gentle of all suppositories is this : take a great candle , of four to the pound , and cut it into twain ; then take the lower or bigger part and anoint it with fresh butter , and so thrust it into his fundament ; as soon as you have so convey'd it , hold his tail to his tuel three quarters of an hour , by which time the candle will be melted ; after this let loose his tail , and ride him presently , i mean trot him up and down till he begin to evacuate ; thus by exercising him after the administration of the suppository , you will cause it to work the more kindly . but if so be your horses constitution be so weakned and debilitated that you durst not give him any purging medicament , then take of salt-nitre three ounces , of honey half a pound , of wheat-flower , anniseeds finely powdered , of each two ounces ; boil these together to a consistency , and make it into suppositories , and convey one of them at a time into the body of the horse , as you were before directed , giving him the same manner of exercise . if you would purge phlegm , this is a most singular and approved way : take a piece of castle-soap , and with your knife shape it into the usual form of a suppository ; and apply it according to the former directions . now since i have spoken of the purgation of phlegm , give me lieve to proceed in my giving instructions , by such like means , how to correct the malignity or redundancy of the other three humours or constitutions . and first as for choler , use this suppository : take of saven an indifferent quantity , of stavesaker and salt of each two ounces ; stamp these well together , and boil them in so much honey as may make them of that thickness fit for the composition of suppositories , and at your pleasure apply them as before . for melancholy , you may only take an angry red onion ; and having pilled and jagged it cross-wise with your knife , thrust it into his fundament , using him in the same manner as before prescribed . lastly , if your horse's body be over-heated by superfluity of blood , then take a pint of ordinary honey , and boil it so thick as it is fit to be made into suppositories ; this will so refrigerate and cool his body ▪ that it will reduce it into an orderly temper . observe that in your administration of all suppositories , clysters , or potions , you choose the morning fasting for that work , that he drink no cold water , but warm mashes ; and lastly , that your horse be raked before administration of such like purgation . the tongue of an horse hurt , how cured . it is impossible to describe how many ways the tongue of an horse may become hurt and detrimented ; the usual causes are an halter , or being fiery or head strong by holding a stiff rein on a bit. the common cure is to take the juice of celandine and though the tongue be cut half way through , yet if you wash it therewith ten or eleven days it will perfectly heal it , for this celandine conglutinates after a wonderful manner , and will cement the lips of a wound especially in the tongue very speedily . or you may use this remedy which i was taught by a very ancient french farrier , and one that was highly esteemed for his skill in the reign of king charles the first of ever blessed memory ; it is thus : take an ounce of arman , and rost it till it be red hot , then take it and pulverize it very finely ; having so done , take six spoonfuls of life honey , of white-wine one quart , take the powder and mix them together , then set it over the fire , and all the while it is boiling be sure to stir it well , then take it off and cool it , and wash the tongue therewith twice a day . theriacum or unguentum theriacum , how to make it , with a character of its virtues and uses . this is an ointment so soveraign that i know not what is better for any ach in the joints , griefs in the hip , stifling place , legs , shoulders , pastern , or any other part of the leg whereby the horse is compelled to go lame ; only you must except the back sinew strain ; the way of making this vnguentum theriacum is thus . take of nerve oil , of oil of pamphilion and of black soap , of each four ounces , of tried hogs grease one pound , melt these , then adde thereunto a groats worth of ordinary treacle , then take it from the fire , and stir it till it be cold , and then its colour will be dunnish , and so keep it for your use . this you must chafe into the part grieved , or make it sink in with a hot flat bar of iron , as you do other ointments . tetter or ring worm . this tetter is called by the french the flying worm , because the sorrance is so much given to spread it self ; the signs are apparent . the cure is , take the roots of enula campana and red dock , of each an equal quantity , slice them thin , and having gotten somewhat above a pottle of urine , put them therein , with bay salt the quantity of two handfuls , let it boil till the moity be consumed , then take it from the fire , and being very hot wash the sorrance therewith , thus doing six mornings together will kill the tetter . thorns in the foot , how to draw out . take house snails by some called dodmonds , and boil them in butter , and apply them to the foot , and they will extract or draw out any thorn or nail whatsoever ; of the same efficacy and power are the roots of reeds bruised , and in like manner applied . to tame an unruly horse that will not stand still to be drencht or drest of any grief . take a little sharp flint stone , and put it into one of his ears , then grasp the ear hard with your hand ; if he will not be quiet with one , then put the like stone into the other ear , and that will make him stand as still as a lamb. truncheons , what they are , and how to kill . some are of the opinion that truncheons and the bots are one sort of vermin , but they erre in their judgment that so believe them , for their colour is different , and so is their abode ; the bots dwelling in the great gut adjoining to the fundament , and the other in the maw only . the truncheons are a thick short worm , having black and hard heads , and there is no way to remove them but by physick , to which end , take a quart of sweet wort , or strong new ale , a quarter of a pound of fern roots , of saven half a pound , of stone-crop , stamp them together , and put to them of brimstone and of soot of each two spoonfuls , both well powdred , then let these be steeped in ale two hours , then strain it , and give him of this two hornfuls , then bridle him , and tye him up to the rack two hours , the next day give him these purging pills , take of lard one pound , laying it in water two hours , then take nothing but the pure fat thereof and beat it in a stone martar , and put thereto of anniseeds , liquorish and fenugreek , all made into powder , of each half an ounce , aloes powdred two drachms , and of agarick one ounce , incorporate these together , and of the mass make six pills of equal bigness , the horse having fasted over night give him three in the morning , the pills being first anointed with honey , then keep him warm , and at night let him have a sweet mash ; three days after give him the other three pills , and keep him warm as before . these pills will so purge the bad humours which bred and nourished these worms , that the horse will be perfectly freed from them of what kind soever they be , whether bots , truncheons , or maw worms ; you shall find them voided in his excrements , the most part of them still living . tails of horses how to cut , or the way of making curtails . forreign nations by reason of their not exposing their horses to so much labour and hardship as the english are accustomed to do , seldom cut their horses tails as we use to do . neither are we wanting of reason for so doing , for we entertain an opinion , and not without good grounds , that an horses chine is much stronger by cutting his tail ; now since our horses backs are so much imployed in carrying great burthens , it is very requisite that they be dockt with all conveniency . the manner is thus : first you shall grope with your finger and your thumb till you find the third joint from the setting on the horses tail , having found it , raise up all the hair , and turn it backward , then take a small strong cord and tye it about that joint , and when you and another have pulled it with all your strength three or four times , make fast the ends of the cord , then take a piece of wood whose end is smooth and even , of equal height with the strunt of the horses tail ( and having trammelled all his four legs so that he cannot stir ) set it between the horses hinder legs , and lay his tail thereupon , then taking a strong sharp knife made for that purpose , set the edge thereof as near as you can between the fourth and fifth joint , then with a great smiths hammer strike upon the back of the knife and so cut the tail asunder ; if blood issue hereupon you must tye the cord again ; if not , the cord was well tyed ; then take a round iron of the compass of the fleshy part of the horses tail , and being red hot clap it so to the tail , that the bone may go through the cavity of the head of the iron : in the searing you will see the ends of the veins start out , however go on in searing the tail till you think the flesh is mortified enough , and when you think the blood cannot break through the burning then loose the cord ; after this anoint it with hogs grease and turpentiue till the sore be healed . vives vide avives . ver-volant or ring worm . ver-volant or flying worm is a french appellation given to that sorrance which we call a tetter or ring worm . it is caused by much heat in the blood , from whence is bred a sharp bilious humour , and thence cometh this ver-volant or ring worm : it most usually afflicteth the rump , extending it self into the tail , and frequently turns into a canker , not but that sometimes it seizeth on other parts of the body , so tormenting him with an intollerable itch that by rubbing the part violently against whatsoever he can come near , he will fetch off not only the hair but skin and flesh too . the signs are the falling away of his hair , his continual scrubbing , and if gotten into the tail , by a scab , which if pickt will run with thin kind of water , and if let alone will canker every joint : for the prevention hereof , take of precipitate two drachms , and put it into a small vial with water , somewhat more than will cover the powder , keeping it close stopped , and herewith anoint the sorrance every day , and you shall not doubt a cure . here note that after every time washing the sore you stop your vial very close , shaking it well , and so set it by till the next dressing . if you find the cure goeth but slowly on , then wash it twice a day . but if this tetter , ring worm , or ver-volant have seized any fleshy part , then take the juice of southern-wood , maudlin , and rue , of each an equal quantity stamped and strained , and wash well and bathe the place therewith every day twice till it be perfectly cured . venom drank how to cure . an horse may swallow poison divers ways , as by drinking horse-leeches , by licking poisonous spittle off the grass , by eating hens-dung , licking up a feather and the like , you shall know his distemper by these three signs , either panting , swelling or scouring . for the cure take sow thistle an herb so called , and having dryed it , beat it into powder , and take three spoonfuls thereof into a pint of ale , and give it the horse to drink . veins taken up why and for what causes . it is the opinion of most skilful farriers that some maladies will never be cured but by the taking up of veins ; for if not , those veins will so feed the sorrance , that unless the passage of those malignant humours be stopped the cure will never be effected . now as the taking up of veins hinders the progress of a sorrance , so it prevents the coming of some , which if seizing the part would never be cured without it . for example , the taking up the thigh veins will send packing spavens , splints , curbs , kibed heels , swelled legs , scratches , malenders , and the like : besides it easeth all pains , aches , strains , and stiffness in the limbs . take up the shackle veins , and it preventeth the quitter bone , ring bone , swelling in the lower joints , foundrings , and the like . wherefore these premises considered , they are much to blame who exclaim against the taking up the veins , betraying rather their own ignorance and want of experience than any just fault in the exercise thereof . wolfs teeth . the woolfs teeth are two extraordinary teeth , being small , and growing in the upper jaws , next unto the great grinding teeth , which are so painful and troublesome to an horse that he cannot indure to chaw his meat , but is forced either to let it fall out of his mouth , or else to retain it in his mouth half chewed . the cure is thus : first cause the horses head to be tied up so high to some beam or rafter , and his mouth opened with a cord so wide , that you may with much ease see every part thereof , then take an instrument made like a carpenters gouge , and with your left hand set the edge of the tool at the foot of the wolfs teeth on the out side of the jaw , turning the hollow side of the tool downwards , holding your hand steadily , so that the tool may neither slip nor swerve from the teeth aforesaid ; then having a mallet in your right hand , strike a strong stroke upon the head of the tool , so that thereby you may loosen the teeth , and bend them inward , then straining the midst of your tool upon the horses neather jaw , wrinch the tooth outward , with the hollow side of the said tool , and so thrust it clean out of his head , which done , serve the other woolfs tooth on the other side in like manner , and fill up the empty holes with salt finely brayed . but this is a long tedious way , and i cannot approve of it in my judgment to come near this way i am going to prescribe , which i have frequently experimented ; and that is , when you have tied up your horses head , or if you please you may cast him , then open his mouth , and with a very sharp file , file the woolfs teeth as smooth as is possible , and then only wash his mouth with a little allom water . wild-fire . this wild-fire is a very dangerous malady , and difficultly to be cured : before i met with an italian i made several attempts to cure it , but all to no purpose ; but having made tryal of his receipt i found it wonderfully successful ; it is made after this manner . take of living toads five , the blackest and largest can be found , four moles living , seven or eight old shooe soles , and about forty heads of garlick unpilled , with their heads and roots remaining , then ta kt four pound of the smoakiest and leanest martlemas beef , also take five quarts of oats , and two pound of very old woollen rags , with a good quantity of swallows dung , and half a dozen living swallows , put all these ingredients into a new earthen pot , big enough to contain them ; having so done , lute up the pot so close , that no air may enter . now take your pot , and carry it into some void place , and there make a great fire round about it , and keep the fire about it till it be red hot , continuing the fire about it after it is red hot for near upon an hour , letting the fire to go out of it self , letting the pot to stand therein till it be throughly cold ; then take out what is contained therein , and put it into a great trough so placed where no wind may come , covering the trough with a cloth ; then stamp it well with a pound of unslaked lime , but let him that stamps it have a care of his eyes , and therefore a glass case would tend very much to their preservation , having reduced it into fine powder , searce it through an hair cloth , and so preserve the finest of the powder in a gallipot for your future use . this by my own experience i have found a sovereign remedy against all wild fires , running sorrances , and ulcers whatsoever , but you must be cautious of applying it to fleshy places , where veins and sinews be , for it will burn them asunder . warts in an horses eye . i have often seen these warts or fleshy excretions , growing sometimes upon the eye , and sometimes upon the inside of the eye lids . this distemper is occasioned by a thick flegm falling down into the eye , by keeping an horse too long in a dark stable , which in continuance of time will bring the eye of the horse to a consumption , making it grow little . you must take this sorrance in time , by ta●ing roch allom , and burn it on a tile stone , 〈◊〉 then put as much white copperas thereunto unburnt , and grind them to powder , then lay a little of that powder just upon the wart , do this every day , and in a short time the wart will be con●●ined . wens , or other excretions in the flesh , how to remove . a wen is an hard excretion rising out of the flesh , being somewhat firm externally , but internally towards the bottom there lodgeth putrfection . the causes hereof are several , but the most usual are some hurt , stroke , bruise , blow , or knock of a stone ; there need no other signs than the apparent swelling . as to the cure , if you can , tye a thread about it , and that will eat it off ; but if you cannot come to tye any such thing , then take your incision knife and cut it a-cross into four equal quarters to the very bottom , but have a care you cut neither vein nor sinew , then burn off the four quarters with your cauterizing iron , then heal the place with your afore prescribed healing salve . there are again warts or wens which grow about the saddle skirts , growing betwixt two ribs , and do always proceed from old bruises . the usual way of curing them is dayly to anoint them with hogs grease for eight or nine days , sometimes bathing them with wine lees ; if they come to no head in that time then launce them downward , and tent them with turpentine well washed , yolks of eggs , and saffron well incorporated together , renewing the tent every day till the sore be compleatly healed . but if the wart be spongy , you must take another course ; but first let us look into the nature hereof ; a malady must be first known what it is , before you can apply a proper remedy . a spongy wart then is a kind of wen , which sometimes appeareth very big , at other times but small , but then they are in number many , growing in clusters . they are occasioned by very malignant blood , such as is very bad and rank . where note that my advice is never to breed of that stallion or mare which is naturally inclined to them ; for as they themselves will never be free from them , though the utmost of art is used to remove them , yet still as they are displanted in one place they will grow in another , so they will convey to their breed what doth afflict them by the indisposition of their own blood . now as to the cure : first purge the horse well ; then take blood from the master-vein , which you find is the greatest nourisher of them ; if the wart or wen be a pretty distance from the skin , then take two of the longest hairs of his tail , and tie about it as fast as possibly you may , so that they may not slip , in four or five days they will eat the wen quite off ; which done , take the powder of verdigriese and strow upon the root of the wen or wart , and that will absolutely destroy the seed of its further growth ; then take the green salve afore specified and heal the sorrance ; but if you cannot come to tie it in the manner aforesaid , then burn it off and then take away the fire by turpentine and hogs-grease . wounds of all sorts how cured whether new or old . before i give you the several remedies proper to every wound , it will be very requisite to give you an exact account what wounds are in general , & they are , according to the opinion of the most expert and understanding farriers , solutio continui , or the whole parted or divided . now the latins make a difference between continuus and contiguus , for continuity is the flesh of either lip , contiguity is when both lips are closed ; again , if there be no solution or division , it is then rather called a contusion than a wound ; a contusion or bruise is made with a blunt weapon , wounds with sharp or piercing ; yet if any part of the whole be broken though with an instrument that is blunt , it may properly go under the denomination of a wound . of wounds some be hollow , others deep and hollow ; if a wound happen in a fleshy part , so that no sinew , vein , artery , ligament , tendon or nerve be lacerated , then it is called a simple wound , or if a bone be not fractured it is the like ; but if a bone be broke or a vein , sinew , &c. torn , as well as the whole divided , then it is called a compound wound , which is much more dangerous and difficult to cure than the former . if then an horse hath received a wound in his head , or in any other part of his body which is full of bones , sinews , gristles , &c. then , according to the opinion of the most judicious , wash the wound well with white wine vinegar warmed , and whilst you are dressing the wound , keep it warm with clothes dipped in white wine ; after this , take your probe and search the depth of the wound therewith , letting as little air as you can to enter into the orifice thereof ; having so done , take of turpentine , mel rosarum , oil of roses of each four ounces , with a little unwrought wax , and having melted these together , stir them well that they may be the better incorporated ; if it be a cut only , make a round plegant of soft towe , of that thickness and length which may not only reach the bottom , but fill up the cavity : where note , make your plegant taper-wise ; for the bottom of the wound is not so wide as the mouth or top thereof . if the wound be long and large , then with a stitching-quill and a needleful of fine crimson silk , draw the lips thereof together , whereby the wound will not only heal sooner , but will leave a less scar or eye-sore . but if the hurt bear the resemblance of a narrow hole , then make a stiff tent of lint , so long as may reach the utmost extent of the wound ; and this tent you must dip in the foresaid ointment before you put it in , then bolster the same with a little lint or towe : having so done , lay over your plegants and tents a plaister made of pitch , rozin , mastich , turpentine and hogs-grease of each as much as you think fit , spreading it well on leather and cover the wound therewith . if it so happen that the mouth of the wound be not so wide that the internal corruption may have a free passage , you may ( if sinews , veins , or nerves do not obstruct ) lay it more open with your lancet or incision-knife . if the hole be deep and in such a place that you dare not cut it , then be sure you make your tent full as big as the cavity is wide ; let the composition thereof be of a dry sponge never wet , though it may be somewhat difficult to get the tent down , yet by wrying it to and fro , it will enter to the bottom at the last ; thus dress the wound twice every day , mundifying the part every time with white wine luke-warm : now the reason of using a dry sponge for a tent is this , ( it being first anointed with the aforesaid ointment ) it will draw and suck up what ever filth or corruption there is within , not leaving any thing that is foul to annoy the part or obstruct the cure ; as you shall perceive it to heal , so lessen or contract your tent , and leave not off tenting it as long as the orifice will admit of one ; otherwise by hasty skinning of your wound , you will make it turn into a fistula . if your wound be green and but small or very inconsiderable , then take soap and unslaked lime , and work them into body , and having spread it plaister-wise , first wash the green wound with white wine warmed , then lay on the plaister : you may drie it up presently with a marrow-bone burnt , and take the powder thereof and straw it on the wound . for any wound whatsoever , old or new , this green ointment following will prove a speedy and infallible cure. take of water-betony , comfry , mugwort , red sage , jerusalem-sage , sothernwood , rew and of rosemary of each two handfuls ; boil all these in a quart of may-butter , with the like quantity of mutton-suet ; having boiled a while , take it off and strain it , and preserve it for your use ; it will last a whole twelvemonth . now if the original of the wound be some old impostumation , then your best way will be to take three great onions , and taking out the cores , put in the room of them some bay-salt , and a little saffron , and so roast them in hot embers , and being hot lay them plaister-wise to the wound , laying on fresh every day till you have healed the wound . if you find there be too great a resort and conflux of humours to the wound you would heal with all convenient speed ; then take two pints of tartar , and put therein the quantity of an egg of bole-armoniack , an handful of bay-salt , an handful of great bur-dock-leaves or the roots , wash the swelled places round about every day , and this will divert the humours and facilitate the cure. this is another most excellent defensive , which will repell those humours that hinders the healing of the wound : take a pint of verjuice , and infuse therein three penniworth of camphire cut very small ; boil them together near half an hour , ( you may double or treble the quantity ) and when it is cold preserve it for your use ; wash the wound with this daily . if the upper skin of the wound be putrified , and you would have it removed ; then take a plaister of cow-dung boiled in milk , and lay it to the wound , and in a day and a night it will not leave any thing vile or superfluous about the wound . if an horse hath received a wound about the belly , so that the flesh is very much rent ; then take a pint of white wine-vinegar , the sharpest that is to be gotten , and boil in it a quarter of a pound of bole-armoniack ; having boiled a little while , take it off , and then put therein a small quantity of fresh butter and bathe the place grieved once in two days . if your horse be staked , or wounded with a fork ; first wash the wound very well with butter melted and some vinegar mixt therewith ; then take a clout tied to a stick and dipt in linseed-oil and run to the bottom of the wound ; anoint it well , and in a little time this alone will cure it : if perchance the wind should get into it , so as to make it swell , then anoint the swelling with the oil of populeon . to conclude , take some general receipts for the cure of all sorts of wounds whatsoever , according to the practice and experience of ancient and modern farriers . for the cure of any wound whatsoever , take four ounces of butter , tar and black soap of each two ounces , with a little turpentine ; boil all these together , excepting the soap only , which you must put in after the rest are off the fire ; with this ointment dress any cut whatever . another . take wormwood , marjoram , pimpernel , calamint , olibanum , and beat them all into fine powder ; then take wax and barrows-grease and boil them on a soft fire to an ointment , and with this dress the wound . another . this i shall commend to you from my own experience ; take turpentine , honey , hogs-grease , wax and sheep-suet of each an equal quantity ; melt them well together till they become a salve ; but if the horse be staked , as i said before , then cast him , and pour into his wound butter scalding hot , letting him lie so long till you know it is gone down into the bottom of the wound ; and do this once a day . if you would keep a wound open , you need do no more than put in the powder of green copperas ; but if you would make a speedy cure of it , then take wheat-flower and honey well beaten together to a salve and that will do it , observing to dress the wound once a day therewith . wind-galls . the wind-gall is a little bladder full of corrupt jelly , growing on each side of the master-sinew of the leg a little above the pastern , these bladders being not always of one size , nor of equal number ; in the summer time , when the weather is hot , and the ways by the heat of the sun adusted , these wind-galls do so afflict horses that they are not able to go without halting , and perform their journey with much dolour and pain . the causes whence they proceed are excessive labour and pains taking in the heat of summer , causing the dissolution of some humours to flow into the concav'd places about the nether joints , and there they settle and congeal , being only covered over with a thin skin like a bladder . for the cure take this balm , which you must make thus : take half a pound of the best piece-grease , and having melted it , take it off , and put it into three ounces of the oil of spike , and one ounce of the oil of origanum ; incorporate these together , and preserve it in a gallipot for your use . when you have occasion to make use hereof , make it very hot and rub the sorrance therewith , chafing it in with elbow-grease , and to help your pains taking , hold a bar of hot iron before the part ; do thus but once in two days , though you may rub with your hand the part twice a day . another excellent receipt for the same . first heat the wind-gall with an hot pressing-iron ; then with your fleim vent it in several places ; then take half a spoonful of nerve-oil , a spoonful of salt , a penny weight of verdi-griese and the white of an egg ; beat all to a salve , and dipping flax therein apply it to the grief . in former times farriers were wont to take a knife and open it to the length of a bean , piercing no further than through the skin , that thereby they might thrust out the jelly , which is like the white of an egg , then take the yolk of an egg and as much oil de bay as may equalize a french nut , and by mixing them make a plaister , and apply it to the sore ; the cure is effected in three or four days . those in our later times take up the master-vein , on the inside of his legs , suffering him to bleed only from below ; then having put up the vein , cover all his leg over with a plaister of wine-lees and wheat-flower mingled together , and rowl it with a long rowler , dressing him thus once a day . others take the roots of cummin , and beat them well with salt , and lay that to the wind-gall . or take an ounce of white wax , and the like quantity of rozin , two ounces of raw honey , three ounces of swines-grease , two ounces of the oil of yolks of eggs , five ounces of oil de bay ; mix these together and strain them , then rub herewith the wind-gall , chafing it in , and if you make it sink in with an hot iron it will be the better , and will speedily cure the wind-gall ; this i have experienced , and find it to be an excellent remedy for a wind-gall . i will add but one more , and i have done , which is this : with a fine lancet open the wind-gall , not making the orifice bigger than what may be convenient to give passage to the white jelly therein contained ; having thrust it forth so that none remain within , lap a wet woollen cloth about the sorrance , and with a taylor 's goose rub upon the cloth , till you have made it suck in all the moisture from the wind-gall , so that the wind-gall be completely dry ; then take of pitch , rozin and mastich of each an equal quantity , and being very hot daub it all over the wind-gall , clapping good store of flox upon it of the same colour the horse is of ; then either let him run to grass or stay at home , it is indifferent , so that you let the plaister stay on till it fall off by its own accord , and the cure will be completed . by way of caution , take this for a safe rule , which if not observed will prove dangerous ; use neither arsnick nor resalgar to a wind-gall , for if you do , the wind-gall may disappear for a time , but it will return again , neither must you burn much , and pray forbear to make any great incision , for any of these will so convert into hardness the soft substance of the wind-gall , that the horse will become incurably lame . white-water how to make it . because , in several places of this book , the white water is made mention of , and prescribed to be drunk in physicking when other waters are forbidden , unless a warm mash , or so , i thought good in this place to give you an account what it is ; to say the truth , it is nothing else but insipid water made hot in a clean kettle , and being hot enough , it is my custom to put therein a quantity of wheat-bran , or barley-bran will do as well , now the reason why i would have this white water used in the administration of physick is upon a triple account ; first to prevent giving cold water to drink , which may prove dangerous : next , mashes are not always to be had , or not so proper for the malady ; and lastly , to keep his bodily heat from being disturbed , and therefore you must give him this white water blood-warm . weakness in the back . i have already treated of some sort of weaknesses hapning to an horses back , but what i shall now speak of differs from them all ; for this weakness is a kind of biting or fretting of the reins , occasioned by the conflux of many malignant humours flowing abundantly to that place , depriving the hinder parts of the horse both of feeling and strength , in such grievous manner , that the horse cannot keep his feet , but will immediately fall to the ground ; when they overflow very much , they will make resort to the heart , and will so suffocate the same , as to procure sudden death , or at least death in four hours time . the most approved remedy that i can hear of is , to take good store of blood from the neck-vein , after that draw his back with an hot iron , right out on both sides of the ridge of his back from the pitch of the buttock unto an handful within the saddle , and then again overthwart , and let every line be an inch one from the other , but do not let the strokes be deep , and no more burnt than that each may look yellow ; having so done , cause him to swim in some deep pond or river , then rowel him upon the haunches , near unto the huckle-bones ; after this anoint the sorrance with hogs-grease , and three-leaved grass stamped together ; you must continue anointing him herewith till his back be perfectly cured . water-farcion . an horse comes often to be troubled with the water-farcion by his mere feeding only , that is to say , in low marshy watry grounds , and by his grazing in places where the grass grows but a little above the surface of the water , whereby he cannot but lick up the water as he feedeth , and hence comes the swelling that is so often seen about an horse's chaps and belly . the cure must be wrought thus : take an iron made into the fashion of a fleim , and heating it red hot , strike through the skin and no further upon the swelling , but no where else , and let those pricks be several ; from each stroke or prick you shall see issue a great quantity of yellow grey oily water : having let it run a while , wash it with chamber-lye and salt , as hot as the horse can indure it ; thus wash the water farcion but four or five times and it will certainly cure it . this washing serves for an ordinary swelling , but if the swelling be very great , as it often happens , then take strong stale urine , salt and bolearmoniack the quantity of a large nutmeg , and having boiled them together wash the sorrance therewith . the signs to know this water-farcy from a pocky-farcy are these , the swelling will be in great bags as big as a two-penny loaf , sometimes under his belly , at other times under his jaws , and about his chaps . where note the more you work any horse that is troubled with any sort of farcy , the sooner you shall complete the cure , and the horse will thrive the better . and you need not to fear working your farcied horse with another ; but let them neither stand nor feed together . there is besides this water-farcy a button-farcy , and the signs to distinguish it from any other sort are bunches and knots , lying in burbles in the skin , some as big as cherry-stones , others as big as hazel-nuts . the cure must be effected after this manner ; first take good store of blood from both sides the horses neck ; having so done , take some housleek ; beat it and strain it through a fine linnen cloth , and the juice thereof convey into his ears ; then take an ounce of aristolochia and beat it small or grate it , the tops of rew one handful , hogs-grease the quantity of an egg ; beat these three last into a salve , and after the housleek dividing these into two equal proportions , put the one part into one ear , and the other part into the other ear ; and having put some wool after it to keep in the medicine ; stitch up the ears with a needle ; then with the point of your incision-knife make a small hole in his forehead , and then with your cornet raise the skin from his forehead the breadth of your hand round about the hole ; then take a red dock-root and slice it , and put three pieces thereof into the hole , which will draw a great deal of putrefaction from it , and that very putrefaction or corruption that comes from it will scald the hair away where it runs ; when the strength of the root is gone , it will drop out of it self , and when it is dropt out , anoint the place with fresh butter , and then clap thereon a paister of burgundy-pitch to keep out the wind ; let him , after this , stand upon the bit seven or eight hours , and then shall you see him foam and champ as if he were ridden , let what you put into his ears stay there eight and forty hours ; taking this course , the knobs or knots will fall in a very little time , and the hair will come again on the forehead . wens in the neck . i have treated somewhat already of wens , but nothing of wens in the neck ; these wens are bunches or kernels upon the skin , being a superfluous excrescence , the inside whereof is sometimes grisly , sometimes spongeous , and sometimes yellow , like rusty bacon , with some white grains intermixt ; their magnitude is uncertain , sometimes great and sometimes small , and are sometimes painful and sometimes not at all . they are caused several ways : sometimes they proceed from cold , or drinking extraordinary cold water ; but principally they are occasioned by pinching or galling of an halter or coller . the cure is thus : take an hot iron , and therewith burn away all superfluous flesh ; then heal up the sore with the powder of honey and lime mixt together ; this is a very speedy cure. the remedy that is generally practised is this ; take of mallows , sage , and red nettles of each one handful ; boil them in running water , and put thereunto a little butter and honey ; when you have so boiled the herbs that they become soft , take them out and bruise them very well ; then add thereunto oil de bay two ounces , and of hogs-grease two ounces ; warm these together over a fire , and having thoroughly incorporated them together , spread it on a piece of leather , about the bigness of the wen , and lay it thereunto as hot as the horse can endure it : every day lay on a fresh plaister for nine days together ; if it come not to suppuration in that time , lance it from the midst of the wen downwards ; so deep that the corruption may be discovered and let out ; that done ; heal it up thus : take of turpentine four ounces , and having washt it nine times in fair water , mingle therewith the yolk of an egg and some english saffron beaten to powder , then take a tent of flax , and dipping it into this ointment , tent the sorrance therewith . yellows vide glanders . yard mattering . the yard of an horse will often matter by over spending in the covering mares , and by his own heat it will turn into the running of the reins ▪ the signs of this distemper are the swelling of his yard , dropping with yellow matter , and when he offers to stale it is with great difficulty and pain . for the cure , you must first purge him very well , then take roch allom one ounce , and white one pint , boil them till the allom be dissolved , then inject this with a syringe thrust up into the yard a considerable way , this must be done three or four times a day , and it will be a cure . if his yard be fur'd and foul so that he pisseth in the cod , take fresh butter and white-wine-vinegar and melt it , then draw out his yard , doing off the filth with your hand , and then wash it clean with the vinegar and butter , and squirt some thereof into the yard with a syringe . probatum . chap. xxvi . how to make an old horse seem young . if you have an old horse you have a desire to part withall , and would sell him for a good price , first put him into good case , then next counterfeit the mark in his mouth , which you may do thus : take a small iron about the thickness of a goose quill , or not so thick , and heating it red hot burn a little black hole in the tops of the two outmost teeth , of each side the neather chap before next the tushes , and then with an awl blade prick it , making the shell fine and thin , then with a sharp scraping iron make all his teeth white and clean ; having done this , take a fine lancet , and above the hollow of the horses eyes which are shrunk down , make a little hole only through the skin , and raising it up put in a quill that is very small , as a duck or ravens quill , and then blow the skin full of wind till all the hollowness be filled up ; then taking out the quill , lay your finger on the hole a little while , and the wind will stay in , by which means to all outward appearance the horse will seem but six years old at the utmost . how to make hair slick and smooth , and though hard and rough before , how to make it even and soft . if you would speedily make an horses coat smooth , slick , soft , and shining , be sure that you first with good store of cloathing keep the horse warm at heart ; for this you must observe , that the least internal cold will so operate on the external parts of an horses body , that the hair will stare after a very strange manner ; next cause him to sweat often , for that will raise up the dust and filth , which causeth his coat to be both foul and hard . observe , when your horse is in his greatest sweat , take an old blade of a sword or sythe , and turning the edge towards the hair , scrape or curry away all the white foam , sweat , or whatsoever filth shall be raised up , by so doing in a very little time you will cause his coat to be both smooth and even . or you may effect your desires this way , when at any time you shall have occasion to open a vein preserve some of your horses blood , and therewith rub him all over , letting the blood to remain on his coat eight and forty hours , then curry and dress him well , and this will not only make the hair lye even , but shine like jett . how to take off hair from any part of an horse . take half a pound of unfleckt lime , and boil it till a fourth part be consumed , then put thereunto an ounce of orpiment , then take hereof and spread it on leather , and lay it to that part of the horse from whence you would have hair taken , this in six hours will take the hair quite away . or you may take rust and orpiment , and whilst it is scalding hot wash the part therewith , and in a very little time the hair will fall away . there may be necessary occasions for the use of either of these medicines , but i would not advise you to abuse it as some have done , and have been justly hanged for their pains , that is , they have by these means taken out a star in the forehead of an horse they have stoln , or some observable mark about his body , and have made hair grow of another colour in the place , by which means the right owner knew not his own horses when he saw them . see more of this in the foregoing sections of making artificial stars . how to hinder an horse from neighing either at home or abroad . give me leave to tell you that the art of keeping of an horse from neighing at any time is of excellent use , especially when upon service in the wars you would not be discovered by the horses neighing or making a noise ; thus it is done , take a woolen cloth , and tye it fast in many folds about the midst of your horses tongue , and believe this , if not from my experience , yet from your own you may , as long as the tongue is so tyed , so long will the horse be restrained from neighing or making any extraordinary noise with his voice . how to make a tired jade go forward . it is a very usual thing for an horse of a naughty nature , and dull spirit to be soon restiff , or so tired that he will not go one foot farther , though it be not on a journey ; nay sometimes this ill quality proceedeth from a certain sullenness : to cure him of this fault make a running suickle of a small cord , and put it about his cods and stones , so that it may not easily slip , then draw the rest of the cord between the girths and the horses body , bringing it up just between the horses fore legs , and as you sit in the saddle hold the end of the cord in your hand , when you perceive him to begin to grow restiff , then by pulling the cord , cramp him by the stones , and by that means you will force him to go forward , and by thus using him fourteen or fifteen days he will lose that evil quality of standing stock still . if your horse upon the road begin to faulter and will not go forward , take two or three small pebbles , and put them into each ear , and you shall find that he will speedily mend his pace : but if you would preserve your horse from tyring , after the first days journey , coming to your inne at night cause him first to be very well rubbed down , then take a quart of strong ale , and put therein an ounce of very fine powder of elicampane , and having brewed them together , give it your horse for to drink , in the morning provender him very well , and give him withall some more of the elicampane . i have known those who have only tyed a bunch of penny-royal to the mouth of a bit or snaff , and by the comfort that the horse hath received thereby , he hath performed his journey with wonderful alacrity . others take very good virginia tobacco , and putting it into a glass close stopt , dry it against the sun , then pound it very small , and mingle it with an equal quantity of cockle shells , then with the oyl of dill and oyl of cloves , make the powder into paste , then make it into balls about the bigness of walnuts , and so keep them close in a gally pot ; when you travel carry some of these with you , and as you find your horse begin to tyre , give him one thereof at a time . but the best receipt i have met withal is , when you find your horse to tire to take off his saddle , and with an herb called arsmart rub his back all over very hard , then lay some arsmart under the saddle , then ride him gently , and if there be any vigour left it will make him go on apace . how to make an horse to follow his master , or though he be mixt amongst a multitude , yet to find him out amongst them all , and challenge him . for an horse to distinguish his master amongst a number of people when he gets into the crowd seems a very wonderful thing , and indeed it is no less for an irrational creature so to do , or contrary to the nature of the beast to follow his owner is very strange , yet frequent experience giveth us to understand that it hath been done ; and thus you must do , if you would have the like performed . take a pound of oat meal , and put thereto a quarter of a pound of honey , and half a pound of lunarce , and make a cake thereof , and put it into your bosome , as near your arm pit as you can , then apply your self to some bodily exercise till you sweat , then rub the cake upon the sweat , having so done , restrain your horse from all sorts of food for twenty four hours ; after the expiration of that time give your horse the afore mentioned cake to eat , let him digest it well , and then turn your horse loose , and you will find that he will follow you ; but if you perceive it is but with some indifferency , then you must renew the philtre , that is to say make another cake , and doing therewith as you did before , give it him to eat , and then try him again , and then you shall find he will ( like a dog that hath lost his master ) hunt you up and down when he hath lost you , and though you should be environed with never so great a multitud he will know you from the rest ; every time he thus finds you out spit in his mouth , and anoint his tongue with your spittle ; this will so ingage him as never to forsake you . how to make an horse exceeding nimble at the spur. if you find your horse of a dull sloathful nature , or that he is wearied and tyred through travail or some other means , then shave him on both sides , the breadth of the palm of your hand , just upon the spurring places , then with a lancet make half a dozen small orifices on both sides , then raising the skin from the flesh , put into each hole some burnt salt ; this will make the sore rankle , and so let it remain three days , then mount him and spur him well in the sore places , after this wash the sore with stale urine , salt , and nettles boiled together , this will cause the spurring places to smart so grievously that he will never abide the spur after . to make the sore whole take honey , and anoint his sides , or rub his sides with the powder of glass and it will work the same effect . how to make hair grow soon , thick and long . to make hair grow long where it is short , thick where it is thin , or very soon in any bare place , is an art that must not be slighted , since the want of hair is a great deformity and eye-sore to any horse : to the intent you may supply such defects you must take this course : get the urine of a young lad or boy , and therewith first wash the bare place ; after that take lye made of unfleckt lime , ceruss , and litharge , and with it wash the aforesaid place often , and it will quickly procure hair to grow , not only long but thick . this is an excellent way , but there are several others not much inferiour to it , for variety sake i shall here insert some of the best . take agrimony pounded and infuse it in goats milk , and therewith wash that place whereon you would have the hair speedily to grow . or take the dung of goats , allom , honey , and swines blood , incorporate these well together by stirring them over a fire , and when well imbodyed , take thereof and anoint thee bare place therewith . some take nettle seed bruised , with honey and salt mixt ; others the root of a white lilly beaten , and boiled in oil ; others the juice of a long onion , or the juice of radishes ; others tar , oil olive and honey boiled together ; lastly , others take the soot of a pot or kettle , and mingling it with oyl and honey anoint the bare place ; but in my opinion , and according to my long experience there is nothing more efficacious for this purpose than to take green wallnut shells and burn them to powder , and mix the powder with honey , oil , and wine , and anointing the place therewith , you will find an increase of hair even to wonder . how to fatten a lean sickly jade in a fortnight that he shall yield a good price in the market , and indifferently well perform a journey , if not too hard ridden . since this art of quick fatning poor hunger-starved , sickly , and diseased horses hath been found out , many and several cheats have thereby been put upon the buyer , purchasing horses fair to the eye , which in a little time after have discovered themselves to be what they are , infirm and only boulster'd up by art , and not worth the riding . the receipt is thus : take of wheat meal a sufficient quantity , of cummin seeds two ounces , of anniseeds a quarter of a pound , of carthamus two drachms , of brimstone two ounces , of sallet oil a pint and half , a quart of honey , and of white-wine a pottle , first take your hard simples and pulverize them , then commix them with your humid simples , work them together into a paste , and make thereof balls or loaves as big as a penny white loaf : mornings and evenings when you water your horse dissolve in his cold water one of these balls or loaves , crumbling it between your hands , and let him drink thereof ; if you find that he refuse it by being not accustomed to the like taste , let him fast till he be willing to drink thereof , and so will he be glad to take it at last : after twice tasting hereof he will refuse any other liquor for it . by the way let me tell you , though jockeys and horse-coursers make use hereof to cheat and abuse people , yet it is a most soveraign medicine , not only to fatten any horse , but is also a most admirable scourer , not only feeding , but cleansing the body from all peccant and malignant humours whatsoever . what things are to be observed by every horse-courser before he lay out his money in the purchase of an horse or mare . mark well the feet of that beast you intend to buy , and see that they be little , for broad feet ever are the tokens of dulness ; let his pasterns be short , his legs large , broad and flat , a thick large breast , with well raised shoulders , and a quick full eye . with your hand feel between his chaps whether the horse hath any glanders , or that he be not troubled with a curb , splent or spaven , and by the waving of your hand to and fro before his eyes you will soon discover any impediment in his eyes . the mark in his mouth will discover his age if he be not above seven years old , but if that do not visibly appear , feel all down his tail , if his strunt be smooth without any knobs at the end you may adventure on him , having not seen half his best days ; but on the contrary , the knobs do show he hath not many good days to come . now if you would discover any secret malady or imperfection lurking internally and not discoverable by the eye , then let him run at the halters length till he sweat , and he will discover an old cold by his cough , and by his drawing of his breath , that he is either pursy or short winded , or if he be lame you will find where the grief lieth by the favouring of one leg or other . take special notice when you ride him whether he frequently turn up the white of his eye , or layeth his ears to his pole ; if he do , my life for yours , he is a sullen ill conditioned jade , if he be wall-eyed he is so much the worse : but if when you come into the stable you perceive the horse to stare nimbly about him sometimes on this side and sometimes on that , and then again quite behind , it argueth he is lively , full of mettle , and hath a good stomach , then take him out and riding him observe to turn him as short as you can , by which means you will discover whether he be swayed in the back or not , and if the hair in the spurring place be white , the spur hath been often used in that place to correct his sloth and heaviness . the most marketable horse , and the fittest for all sorts of business is one that freely eats his provender , hath broad loins , strong feet , his pace is easie , his nature gentle , and is swift and light of foot . now take this for an infallible rule in travail , that if upon some occasion you stop him in his course , he fall a pawing with his foot , it argueth much impatiency in him for being deteined , and undoubtedly will perform his journey very well . what is to be observed concerning mares in general . first , if you intend your mare shall go through with her conception , give her convenient rest after her covering , and do not hazard the loss of the seed injected by travel . be not over covetous of having too many colts from one mare if you rate her at a good value , and let her not be covered till she be about five years old , and let it be before the full of the moon , and when the sign is female if you desire a male colt , if a female let the sign be male , and after the full . to facilitate the conception set the horse with the mare two or three days by times , but suffer them not to copulate , only do this to heighten their desire to each other ; after this let him cover her , and immediately after he hath withdrawn himself from her , pour a pail of cold water on the ridge of the mares back , this will make her knit the better , but suffer them not afterwards to come together . the way to know whether your mare be with foal is to throw some water into her ear , if she only shake her head and not her body too , she is then with foal , otherwise not . if you would have your colts be good trotters , let your stallion be of the neapolitan breed or a barbary ; as for amblers , there is none better than your spanish jennet or the irish hobby . rules and principles to be observed both in colts and horses very remarkable and worthy of due consideration . of all beasts whatsoever the legs of a colt grow least ; wherefore if his legs be long , you may conclude of the length and height of his stature , and by the bigness of the legs his strength and greatness is to be known : house not your colts till they are three years old . when your colt is fit to back , take notice if he have a long back ; if so , then fit him with a large saddle , and before you mount him make him thoroughly acquainted with the saddle , putting it often on , and taking it as often off ; girt him by degrees , till you can make him endure a strait girting ; let him smell to the saddle , and dangle the stirrops , to make him the more familiarly acquainted therewith . forget not to anoint your bit , when you first put it into your horses mouth with honey and the powder of liquorish , or honey and salt will do as well ; but be sure at no time that you put any bit or snaffle into your horses mouth without washing it . mount not your horses back before you have the bridle-reins fast in your hand , and do not , when you alight at the brow of an hill , drive your horse before you , lest you run the hazard of losing the reputation of a prudent horseman . if your horse be fiery and full of metal , do not fret or be angry with him , but win him by patience and fair means ; but if you find him dull and sluggish quicken him with your spur , with this proviso , that having spur'd him much , you will , when you find conveniency , rub his spur-galls with water and salt . now as as to horses , several countries produce horses of different natures : as for example , as mr. markham observeth , the greek or turkish horse is of an excellent constitution , being swift , bold , well-headed , tall and strong . the arabian horse is as swift as the wind and very beautiful to the eye . the african or barbary is full of courage , swift and nimble , and will not with the turkey horse either deserve or endure much beating . the friezland horse is fiery , yet not well conditioned , but as for your flemish horse he is the worst of any . i cannot but approve of the spanish jennet being very good , swift and light of foot , but the neapolitan for all uses is most excellent and beautiful ; now for great burthens , constant labour and long travel the english horse exceedeth all that have been named hitherto . your irish horse is generally well breasted , but i never saw any but what had thin and very uncomely buttocks , being evil-natured , very sullen , weak and unfit for much labour ; those that are tolerably good are very scarce through the whole country . the most experienced horsemens observations . your horse being in health , feed him with such dry meats as shall not swell his body , as straw , which is excellent good to take up the belly of a running horse , hay , oats , sometimes a little wheat , beans , barley , bread made of beans or pease , neither are fitches to be despised , and in the giving them observe this order ; first give him some hay , then water , and lastly his grain or provender . when you are upon a journey , look first to your horse before you look to your self , seeing that he be well rub'd down , well littered with fresh straw , and be sure that you feed your horse betimes , for all night , that it may the better concoct , and that he may the sooner take his rest . i would not advise you to give him of provender a greater quantity than three pints at a time ; there is nothing that feeds better and fattens more speedily than bread made either of beans , pease or fitches well cleansed . if you would have your horse to feed with an extraordinary appetite , take wine and salt and rub his mouth therewith . in a journey , whether at baiting or at night , coming to your inn , let not your horse either eat or drink whilst he is hot , but first let him be reduced to his proper temperament . in the extremity of heat and cold , the labour of your horse must be always moderate . take not , after travel , the saddle off your horses back too suddenly . what-ever you do , let no poultry come within your stable ; for should your horse lick up a feather , or swallow any of their dung , which casually fell into the hay or provender , it is of a dangerous consequence . make it frequently your business to ride your horse on stony ground , for by so doing you will reap the benefit of hardening his hoofs , which will the better enable him to travel . have a care of letting your horse stand near any mud-wall , for i have known horses , not a few , which have coveted to eat thereof to their very great prejudice ; and let his bed be made not of barley-straw , for some horses love to eat thereof , which is unwholsome ; but let it be of wheat , or rather of oaten straw ; for that is soft , and if eaten very wholsom . it is the opinion of all , that to sprinkle water upon the hay you give your horse is wholsom , and most sovereign to mingle fenugreek with his provender , the first is good for the wind and the latter for the worms . if your horse happen to be brought very low and much impoverished by too much labour or some great surfeit , get mares-milk and give it him eight days together , and you will perceive a very sensible recovery . the best hours for watering are between seven and eight in the morning , and four and five in the evening . you are to take notice , that an horse takes much delight in rubbing and combing , and therein he seems to be sensible what is good for himself ; for it preserves his health , and keeps the strength of body and legs . in the canicular or dog-days , you must have a special care that you do not ride your horse frequently into the water to qualifie or allay his natural or any other contracted heat . be mindful of often picking and cleansing the bottoms of your horses feet , and stuff them well with oxe or cow-dung , and now and then anoint his hoofs with fresh grease and turpentine . when you ride , forget not to look often to your saddle , and see that it wring or pinch him not , and that his shooes be fast on , and that there be no gravel , stub or nail got into his foot . lastly , according to northern observation , use no other walking than your self upon your horses back , that is to say , you must ride him gently to his inn , so cooling him by degrees ; when in the stable , shake litter under him , and see that every part of his body be rubbed , till it be drie , not omitting his head ; then unbridle him , and give him hay , but slack no girt in two or three hours , and when he drinks , let it be but little for fear of too hasty cooling his stomach . some general observations on a smithfield-jockey . the smithfield jockeys , as some sort of horses , are much the better , either for the breed or country from whence they came . there are several jockeys in every country of england , but none so expert as such as were spawned in york shire , who have generally such a natural love for their horses , that their inclinations lead them to ride before they can well go : this makes them generally more knowing in horses than others , not only as to riding , but as to the several humours and constitutions . it is proverbially said , that shake a bridle over a yorkshire-tike's grave and he will rise again ; i dare not justifie the truth hereof , but this i may , that many of them will not long be without an horse if they have but money enough to purchase a bridle ; as for a saddle , they can make that themselves , so little ( and yet so commodious ) that they can carry it in their breeches without discovery . further , to prove them horsemen even from their cradles ; look into the inns , especially of london , and for one hostler of any other country , you shall find ten either of york-shire or lancashire ; and they are naturally very subtle and crafty . to give you a particular account of the humours and practices of these jockeys and their hostlers , would be a task which would take up too much time , and would afford matter enough to swell a volume from it self . i shall therefore briefly give you an account of so much as i shall think convenient . how to cheat by the mark in an horses mouth . this trick is used by horse-coursers to make an artificial mark appear in the horses mouth , which can hardly be discerned from what is real and natural , and thus they do it ; when an horse is grown very old , they first make him very fat , which they do with much ease and in a short time , either by mingling carrets among their oats , or by markham's fatning balls , or several other ways they have ; and having so done , they then take an awl or bodkin , and having wrought the horses tooth therewith , they clap in a piece of sheath ; this will look so like the natural mark that several men of excellent judgment in horses , nay horse-coursers have been deceived thereby , as i. p. and l. s. can testifie by woful experience , at an horse-fair in northampton-shire . how to make a dull heavy , resty jade so to caper and prance both abroad and in the stable , as if he were all mettle and spirit . your jockeys have an excellent and present remedy for a dull and heavy jade , and that is by beating of him in this manner : they first take him out of the stable in a morning , and having gotten ready a good bulls-pizle or a smart whip , they beat and whip the horse unmercifully ; then they turn him into the stable , and in the after-noon they come to him again , and there beat him again in the same manner as they had done abroad ; and thus they fail not to do twice a day morning and evening for six or seven days ; after this , when ever they come into the stable , they whip him more or less : the horse being thus accustomed to continual whipping , will dance and caper when ever he seeth his master come into the stable ; but the cunning jockey will never use his whip or rod when he brings any customer to look upon him , that he may infuse a belief that this prancing is the effect of his great mettle , and not of the fear of punishment . besides ; that he may thus caper when he is ridd in smithfield , the boy that rides him ( as commonly they make use of such cattle for their purpose ) hath frequently a fling at him before he is put to sale ; this makes the poor beastfling and flounce , when the boy mounts him , as being too sensible of what punishment he is to undergo . thus many men are abused ; for though the horse thus prance the length of smithfield , the buyer will find him in half a score miles riding that he will not stir one foot further . a way to make an horse go very merrily without rod , whip or spur , a little way , although he be a mere jade . take a quarter of a peck of oats , and take the root of elicampane , and having washt it very clean , cut it small and mingle it with the oats , and let him eat hereof the night before your market ; if you add a spoonful of honey thereunto it will be much better . the next morning , as he is ready to go out , take a glass full of sack , and pour one half thereof into one ear and the other part into the other ear , and then clap your hands upon his ears , holding them fast a little time , that he may not shake out the wine , then letting him go , straightways mount him , and he will go for two or three hours as merrily as any horse whatever . probatum . the vulgar error of the eel detected , and proved to be a thing false and ridiculous . in former and later times it hath been believed by some ( how prudent i cannot tell ) that there was no better way to make a resty dull jade to prance and caper , than to take a live eel , and through his mouth convey it down the horse's belly ; i know not many more ways more speedy to dispatch him ; for you must not think that the eel can presently and in an instant pass out of his stomach into his guts , or if he did , i do but think what woful work he would make there , but much worse in his stomach if he continue there ; for certainly his motion would so disturb the vital parts , that it would render him uncapable of living two minutes . how to fatten an horse speedily , for sale . i have known some that have made their horses look plump & fair to the eye , in days , by only mingling carrets with their oats ; but that which never fails to fatten an horse speedily for sale is , take of elicampane , of cummin-seeds , of turmerick , of anniseeds of each two ounces , of grounsel an handful ; boil these well together with three heads of garlick cleansed and stamped in a gallon of strong ale ; then strain it well , and give the horse to drink thereof a quart made warm in a morning fasting ; then ride him till he be well warm'd , then set him up and cover him well , and do thus five or six mornings ; after this , for seven or eight days together , take of the fine powder of elicampane , and the fine powder of cummin-seed of each a like quantity ; mix these well together , and put thereof half an ounce into his provender , g●ving him thereof three times a day . a notable trick of an horse-courser or jockey . though the story may be old , yet it is new to those who never heard it , and i can assure you it is very true . a jockey had an horse which was comely enough to ●ight , yet he could not put him off , he used several projects , but none would take ; as first , he would often cheapen his own horse , and often bid within ten shillings of the price he was profer'd for , which the rider was by agreement to refuse , to make others the more eager to buy him : when that would not do , he got some friends to cheapen his horse by turns , and yet this procured never a chapman ; having tried several other ways , at length he pitch'd on this : he sets up his horse till friday the next market-day for smithfield ; the day being come , he got up before sun-rising , and having gotten a couple of his confederates mounted as he was , as soon as the sun appeared , ( which was in the midst of summer ) he rode from the sun in charterhouse-lane to the sun in aldersgate-street , and from thence to the bell-inn , and there rested till the sun was gone down , and then rides him through smithfield ( having somewhat heated him , to make him look somewhat like a traveller ) a gentleman seeing the horse , calls the rider , and demands the price of his horse ; truly sir , said he , i am very loth to sell my horse , but were i minded so to do , this is no proper time ; for i protest , said the jockey , i have rid him this very day from sun to sun and never drew bit , my occasions being very urgent ; and if you will not believe it , there are now two gentlemen ( meaning his own comerades ) at the bell-inn in aldersgate will justifie it , this made the gentleman so eager ( finding the price much lower than he imagined , and the horse so well after so long travel and hunger ) that he bought him ; but in six days after he could not ride him the length of long-lane . finis . books printed for , or sold by simon miller at the star , at the west-end of st. paul's . quarto . bishop white upon the sabbath . the pragmatical jesuit , a play , by richard carpenter . the life and death of the valiant and renowned sir francis drake , his voyages and discoveries in the west - indies and about the world , with his noble and heroick acts : by samuel clarke , late minister of bennet-finck , london . the life and death of william the conquerour , king of england and duke of normandy ; by samuel clarke . bagshaw of christ and antichrist . astrology theologiz'd : shewing by the light of nature what influences the stars have upon mens bodies , and how the same may be diverted and avoided : large octavo : the rights of the crown of england , as it is established by law ; by e. bagshaw of the inner temple , esq an enchiridion of fortification . nomenclatura brevis in usum scholae westmonasteriensis . the english horseman and complete farrier ; directing all gentlemen and others , how to breed , feed , ride and diet all kind of horses , whether for war , race or other service ; with a discovery of the causes , signs and cures of all diseases both internal and external incident to horses , alphabetically digested ; with the humours of a smithfield jockey . by robert almond a well know and skilful farrier of the city of london , practising therein above forty five years . the loyal prophet , a sermon preached at the summer assizes at york in anno . by william bramhall , rector of gouldsbrough , and one of his majestie 's chaplains . small octavo . the midwifes book , or the whole art of midwifry discovered , directing child-bearing women how to behave themselves in their conception , bearing , breeding and nursing of children : in six books , viz. . an anatomical description of the parts of men and women . . what is requisite for procreation : signs of a woman being with child , and whether it be male or female , and how the child is formed in the womb. . the causes and hinderance of conception and barrenness , and of the pains and difficulties of childbearing , with their causes , signs , and cures . . rules to know when a woman is near her labour , and when she is near conception , and how to order the child when born. . how to order women in childbirth , and of several diseases and cures for women in that condition . . of diseases incident to women after conception : rules for the choice of a nurse ; her office , with proper cures for all diseases incident to young children . by mrs. jane sharpe , practitioner in the art of midwifry above thirty years . merry drollery complete , in two parts ; or a collection of jovial poems , merry songs , witty drolleries ; intermixt with pleasant catches , collected by w. n. c. b. r. s. i. g. lovers of wit. natural and artificial conclusions . daphnis and chloe a pleasant romance . boteler of war. ramsey of poysons . shepard of the regulation of the law. knowls rudiments of the hebrew tongue . herbert's childbearing woman ; or devotions , meditations and prayers for women in that condition . the rebellion of the rude multitude under wat tyler , parallel'd with the late inhumane rebellion against k. charles the first . the rebels arraignment , conviction and execution in three sermons , by jo. brookbancke . the death of charles the first lamented , and the restoration of charles the second congratulated by william langley . the king of spain's cabinet counsel divulged . a description of jerusalem , as it flourished in the time of christ . observationes & experientiae de febribus , authore gulielmo drageo medico . nonnihil de febribus , authore gulielmo statholmo medico . divine poems by a. nasmyth . the life of dr. tho. morton late bp. of duresme . morison on the covenant . the miraculous visions of r. wortley , minister of edgureth in bedford-shire . a discourse of the piety and charity of elder times and christians , parallel'd to the members of the church of england , by e. waterhouse esquire . large twelves . the moral practice of the jesuits , demonstrated by many remarkable histories of their actions in all parts of the world ; collected either from books of the greatest authority , or most certain and unquestionable records and memorials ; by the doctors of the sorbon . oxford jests refined and enlarged . smith's practice of physick . the duty of every one that will be saved ; being rules , precepts , promises and examples , directing all persons , of what degree soever , how to govern their passions , and to live vertuously and soberly in the world. the spiritual chymist , or six decads of divine meditations on several subjects , with a short account of the authors life ; by william spurstow , d. d. sometime minister of the gospel at hackney , near london . witty apothegms , delivered at several times by k. james , k. charles i. the m. of worcester , the lord bacon and sir tho. more . mans master-piece ; or contemplations and meditations on several occasions , by sir peter temple . small twelves . a new method of preserving and restoring health by the vertue of coral and steel . a help to prayer . the understanding christian's duty worthily to commemorate the death of christ in the blessed sacrament of the lord's supper , prest from cor. . . the pious prentice ; or advice to the apprentices of london , concerning their behaviour to god , their masters , and themselves : by a. jackson . the king triumphant , or the rebels ruin'd , by capt. n. foster . finis . brovvne his fiftie yeares practice. or an exact discourse concerning snafflle-riding [sic], for trotting and ambling of all manner of horses whatsoeuer, from one degree to another, till they be perfit both for the trot and amble a subiect, neuer as yet pubished [sic] by any heretofore. by william brovvne gent. browne, william, gent, fl. . approx. kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from -bit group-iv tiff page images. text creation partnership, ann arbor, mi ; oxford (uk) : - (eebo-tcp phase ). a stc estc s this keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the early english books online text creation partnership. this phase i text is available for reuse, according to the terms of creative commons . universal . the text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. early english books online. (eebo-tcp ; phase , no. a ) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set ) images scanned from microfilm: (early english books, - ; : ) brovvne his fiftie yeares practice. or an exact discourse concerning snafflle-riding [sic], for trotting and ambling of all manner of horses whatsoeuer, from one degree to another, till they be perfit both for the trot and amble a subiect, neuer as yet pubished [sic] by any heretofore. by william brovvne gent. browne, william, gent, fl. . [ ], , - , [ ] p., folded plate : ill. (woodcuts) printed by nicholas okes, and are to be sold by iohn piper, [london] : . running title reads: brownes yeares practise. the "plate" is a woodcut. reproduction of the original in the british library. created by converting tcp files to tei p using tcp tei.xsl, tei @ oxford. re-processed by university of nebraska-lincoln and northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors. eebo-tcp is a partnership between the universities of michigan and oxford and the publisher proquest to create accurately transcribed and encoded texts based on the image sets published by proquest via their early english books online (eebo) database (http://eebo.chadwyck.com). the general aim of eebo-tcp is to encode one copy (usually the first edition) of every monographic english-language title published between and available in eebo. eebo-tcp aimed to produce large quantities of textual data within the usual project restraints of time and funding, and therefore chose to create diplomatic transcriptions (as opposed to critical editions) with light-touch, mainly structural encoding based on the text encoding initiative (http://www.tei-c.org). the eebo-tcp project was divided into two phases. the , texts created during phase of the project have been released into the public domain as of january . anyone can now take and use these texts for their own purposes, but we respectfully request that due credit and attribution is given to their original source. users should be aware of the process of creating the tcp texts, and therefore of any assumptions that can be made about the data. text selection was based on the new cambridge bibliography of english literature (ncbel). if an author (or for an anonymous work, the title) appears in ncbel, then their works are eligible for inclusion. selection was intended to range over a wide variety of subject areas, to reflect the true nature of the print record of the period. in general, first editions of a works in english were prioritized, although there are a number of works in other languages, notably latin and welsh, included and sometimes a second or later edition of a work was chosen if there was a compelling reason to do so. image sets were sent to external keying companies for transcription and basic encoding. quality assurance was then carried out by editorial teams in oxford and michigan. % (or pages, whichever is the greater) of each text was proofread for accuracy and those which did not meet qa standards were returned to the keyers to be redone. after proofreading, the encoding was enhanced and/or corrected and characters marked as illegible were corrected where possible up to a limit of instances per text. any remaining illegibles were encoded as <gap>s. understanding these processes should make clear that, while the overall quality of tcp data is very good, some errors will remain and some readable characters will be marked as illegible. users should bear in mind that in all likelihood such instances will never have been looked at by a tcp editor. the texts were encoded and linked to page images in accordance with level of the tei in libraries guidelines. copies of the texts have been issued variously as sgml (tcp schema; ascii text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable xml (tcp schema; characters represented either as utf- unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless xml (tei p , characters represented either as utf- unicode or tei g elements). keying and markup guidelines are available at the text creation partnership web site . eng horses -- training -- early works to . horses -- paces, gaits, etc. -- early works to . - tcp assigned for keying and markup - spi global keyed and coded from proquest page images - jonathan blaney sampled and proofread - jonathan blaney text and markup reviewed and edited - pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion browne his fiftie yeares practice . or an exact discourse concerning snafflle-riding , for trotting and ambling of all manner of horses whatsoeuer , from one degree to another , till they be perfit both for the trot and amble . a subiect , neuer as yet pubished by any heretofore . by william brovvne gent. printed by niccholas okes , and 〈…〉 to the right honorable , and most noble , thomas lord windesor , of bradenham , his lordships humble seruant william browne wisheth all increase of vertve and honor . my honoured lord : with much industry , and many yeeres experience i haue gathered a few collections , which i humbly beseech your lordship to accept vnder your protection , they are notes that will teach a young rider , the certaine and infallible way how to ride and mannage any colt , from the first haltering , till he be a perfect riden horse of the snaffle : i acknowledge a great vnfitnesse in my selfe , to set forth a booke in print , being an old northerne man , wanting fit language , and method for these times , and in nothing more vnexperienced then in the way of writing : yet because i know that my owne long practise in this businesse , hath taught me many wayes to bring a colt to this perfection , which hath not yet beene divulged abroad , by such as haue written in the same kinde : i thought it better to send this poore booke forth , cloathed with my owne simple language , before death shut vp the euening of my dayes , then to wrong my selfe or this arte so much , as to conceale any thing that may doe other young men good in it . and because i know that reading without practise doth but a very little helpe such , who are of the meaner apprehensions . i haue laboured with my best endeauour to furnish my booke with pictures of examples , both of the chiefe way how to worke the horses , and the best instruments to worke withall : i am encouraged to present my booke , and seruice to your lorship , because i perceiue that amongst other your recreations , you are most addicted to haue good horses for your pleasure , and excellent galloping horses for your exercise . moreouer , your lordship hath seene some proofe of my practise , and i am so much bound vnto your lorship , for many your noble courtesies and fauours towards me , that i would willingly pay a better thankfulnesse then this to your honour , if it rested in my abillity : i onely entreate your lorship to suffer this to rest vnder your patronage ; and i will spend the remainder of my poore life , in studdying how to be your lorships humblest to command in all seruice , william brovvne . brownes fifty yeares practise . chapter i. a true and vnfallable way how to ride and mannage any colt , from the haltering of him , from one degree to another ; till he be a perfect ridden horse of the snaffle , of what nature or disposition soeuer he is of . yov must haue first in a readinesse a strong rope about foure fatham in length , made with a running noose at the one end : then cause the colte to be driuen into some large house , where he may haue some sufficient roome to turne himselfe at his pleasure , and to make him the more gentle to deale withall : let him haue the company of some old horse haltered , which you must keepe euer betwixt you and him , to shadow you , in such sort as they vse to stalke at foule ; vntill such time as with a long pole for the purpose , then open the noose wider and lap one side thereof about the pole , then with ease you may put the same ouer his head , then presently put a good strong halter , that well be sure to hold him ; and let there be tyed to it a chasing rope of foure fatham long , with a turnell in the one end , tie the harter end to the turnell , then let there be strength enough to hold him , then put him forth of the house gently , and bring him into the stable , and there tye him fast to the manger , then within one houre or two , you may take him forth into some faire place , and be sure you haue strength enough to hold him , that he may know that hee is mastered : then let one hauing a long repell in his hand , trot him about you faire and gently , both wayes , which being done , let him stand still to take his winde , and goe faire and gently to him , and cherrish him with faire words during that time , stroaking your pole ouer him in many places of his body , and if he refuse at the first , doe not leaue him till he will suffer you to touch him therewith . then leade him into the stable againe , and tie him fast as you did before , then you must get a sticke of a yard and a halfe long , and slit him in the one end , some quarter of a yard long , then take as much straw as the slit will hold , and wrap it about fast , and tye it fast with a packe-threed to keepe it in , with the which you must stroake him gently , first vpon the necke and brest , and then to his body , and so to his legges , and so by degrees ouer all the parts of him , till he will suffer you gently to touch him in any part of his body and legges : then you may with the sticke in one hand , and a good long wispe in the other , first touch him with the sticke , and then after with the wispe in the other hand ; and so you may make him let you touch him with the wispe , by often touching him about the head , that he will suffer you to touch him in any place about his head , both about his cares , and his mouth , that when you come to bridle him , he will suffer you gently to put the mouthing-brake into his mouth . then go and finde out some euen and firme ground , as neere the stable as you can , then get a pile or stoupe stake , and driue it fast into the ground , and that it may be one yard and a halfe aboue the ground : let the ground where you meane to practise him be euen and firme , that hee may take fast foote-hold , then tye your chasing rope to the haiter , i meane to the turnel , and bring him forth , and make a good large noose in the end of the chasing rope : then bring him to the stoupe , and put the noose ouer the stoupe , then let some one take the rope in the middest to hold it vp from his feete , and another with a good long pole in his hand to put him about the ring , and when you beginne to put him about , let it be on the left hand , for that will make him leade with his right legge , which he must doe both in his pace , trot , and gallop , you must put him at the first very gently about , till he know something what to doe , then you may trot him , but in any case doe not change him on the right hand , till you see that he doth set his right leg before , and when you perceiue he doth it in his trot , then you may venter to change him : but where you put him once about on the right hand , put him three times on the left , for if you doe not make him leade with his right legge before at the beginning , it will be a great hinderance to you , when you come to gallop him . now when you haue practised a little , that hee doth know what hee doth , then take him into the stable againe , and if he worke to your hand towardly , make much of him , and giue him some reward that hee will eate , either hay or oates , that hee may vnderstand that hee doth that you would haue him . then lead him into the stable againe , and be exercising him as you did before , till you haue made him so gentle that he will suffer you to touch him in any place , with the wispe in your hand : that being done , then beginne with his feete in this manner , take any fursingle that is strong ; and put the end through the buckle , to make a little noose to put his neere fore-legge in , then get vp his foote as gentle as you can , and when you haue it vp , presently slip the noose ouer his foot , and let it rest betwixt his hoofe and his fet-locke . then with a good strength pull his foote vp , and hold it a pretty while , then let it downe againe , and make much of him , then take it vp againe , and euer giue him this word , lift , and so exercise him till hee will lift when you bid him . then take a good stiffe sticke in your hand , and euer when you bid him lift , pull vp the sursingle , and strike him beneath the knee with your sticke . and with a little exercise when you knocke him on the legge , hee will take vp his legge , and then you may bring him to your hand , that when you offer him your hand , hee will presently take vp his foote if you bid him lift ; and so you must practise him in all his legges , that when you bring him in from riding , you may easily picke the grauell out of his feete , and will be the gentlier to shooe : now when you haue brought all these things to good perfection , then i would haue you to take a good stirrop leather , and make it full of holes , to take vp and let out at your pleasure , then take vp his neere fore-foote , and buckle it vp so fast , as he cannot let it downe , then take a sticke and stirre him vp and downe , that he may feele that he doth lacke the vse of one of his legges . then haue a saddle in a readinesse , and let one be at his head , then come and offer him the saddle gently , and rubbe it vp and downe his sides , and let him see it , then set it on his backe , and gird the girthes slacke at the first , least he take a distaste at them ; then take away the knee band , and let him settle himselfe , and stirre him vp and downe , that he may feele the saddle on his backe : this being done , then make the mouthing brake fit , which must be done in this manner . the benefit of this fashion brake , is to this effect , being made all of one peece , the roules being loose about it doth make your colte worke with a merry mouth , and will not gall his lippes as the snafflle will do that is of two peeces . louing sonne , i would haue you be very circumspect in this point , for it is one of the chiefest grounds belonging to a snaffle man , for if you cānot obtaine to that knowledge to make your colts mouth firme and true in all points , it will be a great hinderance to your practise , for it is a secret , that i haue been this yeares plodding about , and now ( i thanke god ) i haue attained to it . chap. . loving sonne , i will beginne to let you know how many wayes i haue practised this secret of mouthing a colte . first in my beginning , i was taught to gird a strong sursingle about his flanke behind , then put the bridle raynes into the sursingle so strait as in your discretion shall fit : then let him striue mightely , and lye downe for anger . this way will bring in his head , but sinke it downe cleane betwixt his legges , and make him mouth false . to let you vnderstand what is a true mouth , and what is a false mouth . a true mouth is this , your colt must let his vpper chap fall euen with his nether chap , and let his tongue rest vnder his snaffle , and worke with his mouth pleasantly , and yeelde to your hand willingly , that is a true mouth . and the false mouth is , that he doth wry his vpper chap cleane awry from his nether chap , and get his tongue aboue the snaffle , this is a false mouth , and what horse soeuer is thus ●outhed ● will assure you , he will neuer beare light of your hand , but will tyre your armes . now the second way i did vse to gird a sursingle before , and put two wisps vnder ●he sursingle , and so rayne him vp , and turne him loose into ●●me court , and so let him striue with himselfe ; that was better then the other : but neither of them good , for that way did make a false mouth also , and set the rayne too low . but louing so●ne , i haue two wayes i would haue you practise , if you will follow my directions : the first is this , to put your mouthing-brake vpon your colts head , and at the first tye it easely to the racke , so that he may ease to put downe his head , and let him stand so a pretty while , then loose it and put the reynes ouer his head , and take one of your armes , and lay it ouer the colts necke , and the other hand to be on the neere side , then take the one reyne in the right hand , and the other in your left hand , and let your right hand not stirre a whit , but let the other hand worke his mouth , with your left hand with easie and gentle motions , and by a little and a little , you shall so winne his mouth , that he will yeeld to your hand willingly , and euer when hee doth yeelde to your hand , then slacke your hand , and so hee will perceiue your intention presently , and worke to your content : you must euer marke as hee doth yeeld to your hands to worke his head vp still , and in no case let it sincke , and euer bee looking to his mouth , that he mouth true . i would haue you practise this way of mouthing your colt , for many a fine mouthed horse i haue made in this manner , but i would haue you vtterly renounce all manner of wayes to set your colt vpon any manner of rest , for i haue had to much triall of that , to my great griefe . chap. . bvt louing sonne , i will let you see another fashion of mouthing your colt that d●th passe them all , that is in this manner following ; first , put your mouthing brake on his head , then marke this picture : then let him stay there , and as often as you worke him vp , ease him , and let his head downe , and so in short time he wil clyme so easily to your hand as you would desire , and cary exceeding light of the hand : and that is a principall to make his tongue rest vnder the snaffle , for that he can in no case get it vp aboue the snaffle . then when he is well setled , and doth go gently , then take your knee-band , and put it on his neere fore-legge , and let one leade him fast by the head , and let another put him forward , and goe round about the ring of three leggs , that he may be perfect in going . the next day when you backe him , i would haue you keepe him forth a good space , and exercise him well of the left hand , and be sure he le●●e with the right legge before . chap. . louing sonne , the cause why i would haue you to practise your colt on the firme hard ground , is , for that i would haue you vtterly renounce all deepe grounds , for i haue had too much triall of it to my great griefe , and ●●scredit : the discommodity that doth come thereof is this , if you bring your colt in any deepe ground to chase him about you , if he be a high metled colt , and being fat at the heart , and full of his body , questionlesse he will go very fiercely about you , and so in a short time , he will be of a great heat before you haue brought him so weary that you may take his backe . the inconuenience is this . first , you put him in great danger of breaking his winde . secondly , the danger of the great heate is , hee after two or three of these heates , will presently fall into one disease or other , which will ●ither prooue to be mortall , or to get some tent in his body , that will proue to an extreame cold , that will prooue either to the glaunders , or else the cough of the lunges , which either of them in short time will end their liues . now to come to the chasing about the stoope againe , when you take him forth the next day , i would haue you make all things fit that you shall occupy about him . first , make a good strong plat of the longest haire of his tayle , then take a small peece of leather or corde , and tye it fast to the plat , then put it betweene his hinder leggs , and bring it off the out side of his body ; and tye it fast to his mayne , and so let it rest both day and night , this will keep him that he cannot stirre his tayle : this i would haue you doe at the beginning , then the next put your knee-band about his legge , then put the mu●roule on , and the chayne in his mouth : then put on his bridle , then the saddle , then get helpe enough , one good strong man to be at his head : when you do take his backe , and another to put him forward , when you are on . then tye your chasing rope to the halter , and bring him foorth to the place where you meane to take his backe , then put him about the ring faire and easily at the first , till he be setled , then you may put him on faster vppon his swift trot , and often giue him his winde , and goe to his head and make much of him . then take your knee-band , and put it on , then let one take him by the head and lead him ; and the other put him once round about the ring , then stay him and cherrish him , then come to him , and offer your foote to the stirrop , and if he will suffer you to put your foot into the stirrop , the make much of him , and if hee refuse to suffer you , then leade him faster about the ring then you did before , vntill he be willing to suffer you to put your foote into the stirrop : which if he do , as there is no doubt but he will , then let it rest in a pritty while ; and take it foorth againe , and make very much of him , then take the knee-band of his legge , and lead him round about the ring , and cherrish him , that he may haue vnderstanding , that he doth please you , then put on his knee-band againe , and leade him about the ring , then put your foote into the stirrop and rise vp and leane ouer the saddle , and put your arme ouer where your legge should be , and leane ouer a pritty while , and if he suffer you to do all this cherrish him , then light and take off the knee-band , and lead him about the ring againe , to giue him ease , and then put on the knee-band againe , and lead him about the ring , then come to him as you did before , and put your foote into the stirrop , and bid him at his head hold fast , then rayse your selfe vp , as you did before , and leane ouer him a pritty while , then venture on gods name to put ouer your leg , and bid him hold very fast at his head : you must sit very gently and stir not , but sit still a pretty while , then light and cherish him : then take off the knee-band , and lead him about the ring loose : then put on the knee-band againe : then put your foot gently , and get vp very leasurely , and sit a pretty while : then let him that hath a rod in his hand put him on gently , and if he goe gently but twenty paces , then light for good and all , and make very much of him , and take off the knee-band , and haue a few oates in a scuttle , and let him eare of them to giue him comfort against the next time : this being done , lead him home to the stable , and let him rest two or three houres : but i● any case giue him no maunger meat : but in the racke for one weeke or more , but what you giue him out of your hand , for that will keepe him in obedience . then take him out againe to the practising place , and your company with you : then begin to put him about as you did before at the first very gently , till he hath got the reake of his wind , then you may put him forth into a swift trot , and then put him into an easie hand gallop , that he may learne to deale his feet : and euer haue a care that he lead with his right leg , and also haue a care often to giue him his winde : this being done , then let one goe to his head , and put on his knee band , and lead him about the ring , then you may come to him as before , and offer to take his back gently , and get vp leasurely , and sit still a pretty while and settle your selfe , then let him with the long rod in his hand put him on , and let him goe round about the ring , and if he goe gently , then make much of him : then take off the knee-band , and let him haue his legs , and goe once or twice about the ring , and if he doe it gently , then make very much of him , and lead him into the stable . in any case giue him but a very little at once if he worke towardly , for that will encourage him much . i would not haue him in any case to know what did belong to a plunge , or any kinde of iades tricke , but to haue a care to haue him as cleane ridden as possible may be , and if he chance to take any toy , to reclaim him before you leaue him at that present , otherwise you spoyle all , and hee will be worse the next time , where it is easily done at the first . now when you haue set him vp , let him rest as long as he did before , then take him out againe , and put him about the ring , as you did before : then gallop him softly twice or thrice about the ring , that will make him deale his legs finely : then let one goe to his head , and go you to him : then put on his knee-band , then faite and quietly get on : then as soone as you are setled , take off the knee-band , then put him forward and goe gently about the ring , which if he doe quietly , make much of him , and goe on still two or three times about the ring , then let him stand still , and light off him , and doe not forget to cherish him : then let him lead him quietly about the ring loose to giue hime ease : then let him stand , and come to him , and get gently on him againe , without the knee-band on : and if he stand gently , let the man lead him on as before , and so lead him two or three times about the ring , then if hee doe that quietly make much of him , and then slacke your hand from his head , and goe a yard or more from him , but not too far for feare he take any toy , that you may be ready to clap to his head againe , for i would not in any case he should haue any tast of plunging : then if hee doe goe on gently once or twice about the ring , you may venture to goe further off him to the midst of the rope . all this while i would haue you let him goe of himselfe , without any medling with his head at all , but drawing his head to and fro with the musroule : then when he will go gently in this manner , you may light from his backe , then take him into the stable as before . i would haue you to exercise him thus three or foure times on a day by a little at once , and that will bring him to obedience and quietnesse the soonest of any way that euer i tried , then take him forth againe and bring him to the ring , and then put him about as before , some three or foure times , halfe trotting halfe galloping , then come to him and offer to get on , and if hee will stand gently , then goe on as before : and if he offer to stir , then clap the knee-band on , and then he cannot resist , for that is a sure way at all times to make him gentle to get on ; now being mounted , goe gently about , let your footman guide him by the head once about till he bee setled , then he may goe from his head to the middest of the rope , and you may put him foreward your selfe , and settle him gently , and take both the musroule reynes , and the bridle reynes in both your hands , but beare him all of the musroule , and the helpe of the chaine in his mouth : and beare him very lightly of the mouth till he be something setled , that he will goe foreward gently and quietly , and euer be working vp his head , and neuer care for his nose bearing out , but still cary your hand aloft , to get his head so high as you had it when you did mouth him in the stable , now when you haue wrought him in the ring so long as you thinke fitting , then you may light and make much of him : but by the way be sure euer to giue him ouer in his willingnesse , and that you leaue him not in any disorder ; so shall you find him the next time very willing and obedient to you : then lead him into the stable againe , and set him vp well . if he bee any thing hot , then you may loose the formost girth , and bring it about his breast , and fill it round with good dry wispes , then when you take him forth the next time , you must haue some old sober horse in a readinesse , that when you haue brought him forth to the ring and setled him well , then let the old horse bee brought forth , then you may let the foot man take his backe , and lead him from the stoops , and tye a rope of two yards long to the halter , then let the footman of the old horse goe before you , and lead your colt , and let him follow the old horse . this way will boulden your colt , and make him goe willingly without any stopping . i would haue you goe into some large field of some twenty or thirty acres in compasse , and euer as you goe be working vp his head , and goe round about the field gently , and euer as you goe put him foreward with your sticke , and make him goe against the other horse : let him of the other horse haue a good long rod in his hand , then when you haue gone once about the field , then you may vntye the rope from the halter , and let him haue the rope in his hand , then let your colt goe against the old horse , and goe a pretty way off , then let him goe before the old horse , and let the other follow , and if he stay at any time , the other man may helpe to put hin on . and as soone as he doth go gently on , then light off him and cherish him , & lead him home to the stable , and set him vp well . now when you haue him to lead the other horse , then twice a day is enough to exercise him . when you haue brought him to that perfection as he will go willingly of himselfe , th●n you may venture to lead the way before the other horse : but be sure you doe not take your colt forth at any time , but let one be with you for the space of a weeke , till he be well weaned , and will goe willingly of himselfe ; and then when you haue brought him to that perfection , you may begin to frame his mouth , and i would haue you very circumspect to attain to that secret , it being one of the chiefest grounds that belongs to a perfect snaffle-man . chap. . louing sonne , be carefull to vnderstand my rules , and i will ( by gods helpe ) deliuer you truly all my experience that i haue attained this yeares practice . to come to the matter : first , i would haue you walke him faire and easily , and euer be working vp his head gently , carying your bridle reynes , and the reynes of your musroule , two in one hand , & two in the other : for a day or two cary him most of the nose , the chaine in his mouth , let him feele the sn●sfle with the reynes thereof , let him feele both as you finde his mouth frame to your hand : within ten or twelue score stay him , and forget not to raise your hand , it will make him climbe to your hand lightly . also i would haue you carry in either hand a good smart rod , with the great end in your hand , and the small end along by his sides as you carry your sword , that if hee beare out his end of eyther side , you may be ready to set him vp straight , and in any case doe not worke him too long , but when you doe finde that hee doth worke to your content giue him ouer with his willingnesse , and cleane without any disorder . then when you take him forth the next morning , let your man with the old horse be ready , and if he doe offer to stirre when you doe get vp , then put one the knee-band , and that will make him stand gently , then when you are mounted take the reynes in your hand , and goe gently forward and worke him as you did before , and carry him more on the mouth , till you haue brought him that he will obey to your hand gently , and carry light on the hand , and sometimes carry him on the snaffle reynes , and that will make him carry light both of the mouth and the nose , and when you haue brought his head into that place , where you meane to place his reyne then you may put to your martingale ; and i would haue you make your martingale with a buckle , and not with buttons , and broad betwixt the vpper side of the breast and the foremost girth , then draw the martingale not too straite at the first , till he be a little setled therewith . then you may draw it so straight , as his head shall stand euen as his head stood against a wall. then proceede forward , and walke him on as you did before , still obseruing the rules i did tell you before and euer haue a speciall care that you doe not carry a pressing hand of him , for that will dull and harden his mouth , and vtterly marre all you go about : but be euer working easily and gently , first with one raine , and then with the other , and you shall see that within a short time he will worke so firmely , and pleasantly , that it will encourage you to worke of his mouth , and euer haue a care that hee mouth true . and now that you haue set him on the martingale , i would haue you to let your musroule raines alone , and not meddle with them , but cary him all of the mouth , and worke him well of the snaffle reynes , for i haue tried many a yeare , that the false reine maketh a false mouthed horse , and now when you haue begunne to worke him of the mouth altogether , then let your hand worke his mouth , and the martingale and musroule worke his nose : so you shall finde in a short time that they will agree both together , and then you shall see his necke rise and beginne to shewe a comely reyne : for it is one of the chiefest secrets belonging to a perfect snaffle man. i would haue the ring very large , for that you may bring your horse about , euen so that your horse may come about with his head , necke , and body iust and euen , for in no case his head may not come one way , and his body another way , for that is naught . now when you are working him in both these rings , you may first pace him , then trot him , first of one hand and then of the other , so long as you shall finde his mettle hold , and that hee will goe freely and metledly vnder you . but be sure you giue him ouer in his willingnesse , and cleane without any way of disorder . and louing sonne , i will tell you one principall rule more ( that is at the first ) when you beginne with him vnderstand his nature , whether he be of a high spirit , and full of mettle , or he be dull , and of a dogged condition , for according to his nature you must worke him , for if you worke both conditions of one fashion , you will marre more then you will make , the high metled colt , must be wrought gently with easie helpes , and little correction , for if you deale roughly with him , you will driue him out of all ; but for the dull metled colt , you must needs be sharpe with him , and often quicken him vp , or else he will do nothing . now to proceede , i would haue you exercise your horse in this large figure of eight , till hee will treade it , and trot it willingly , and euer when you meane to stop him vpon the hand , let it be in the midst thereof , betweene the rings , and in your exercise you may put him sometimes into his swift trot ; and prancke him vp and make him goe franckly vnder you , still hauing a speciall care hee cary light of the hand ; and when you put him into his swift trot , if at any time he beare hard of the hand , then stay him and retire him two or three stepps , and that will make him presently to yeeld willingly to your hand , and be sure you faile not , as often as you feele him presse hard of your hand , that you stay him and retire him till he yeelde to your hand , and within a short time you shall finde him , that assoone as you offer to stay your hand , he will presently yeeld and goe gently and lightly of your hand , and so i would haue you bring him to that perfectnesse of your hand , that he will cary his head so stedfastly , and his reynes so round , and stately , that he will not disorded it at any time ; and i would haue you haue a care of carrying your hand , that is to cary it a lost aboue your saddle pomell , and in no case stirre it vp and downe , but cary it still and firme . chap. . also louing sonne , there is another principall rule , that i do meane to set you downe , and i would haue you be very carefull to get the vnderstanding thereof ; and that is this , to know how and when to helpe your horse , and how and when to correct your horse , and how and when to cherrish your horse , which things must be done all either in due time , or else they will preuaile nothing , for if you helpe him not in the very instant when hee should haue it , it is to no purpose , nor giue correction at the vnfit time , it preuailes nothing at all , and if you cherrish when there is no cause , it is to no purpose neither . therefore you must worke diligently to get the knowledge thereof , for when you are in practising your horse , and doth perceiue that he doth stand in neede of helpe , then let him haue it euen in due time , and that will preuaile ; which helpe may bee giuen him three wayes ; with your rod , with your heele , and with your mouth : with giuing a small ierke , with doubling your tongue in the roofe of your mouth , and you may correct him in all these three manner of wayes . that is with your rod in his flanke , with the sharpe stroake of your spurre , or giuing him some fearefull word with your mouth : but you can cherrish him but two wayes , that is , with clapping him on the necke with your hand , and giuing him faire words that will please him ; and thus in your practise you must obserue all these helpes , and doe them in due time , for in time being done , doth set all right , and out of time will set all wrong . therefore i would haue you euer when you are in practising of your horse , and working him in his lessons , to remember in time , and out of time , and there will be do doubt , but all your businesse will come to good effect , if you doe alwayes remember and carry it in your minde , that in time setteth all right and forward , and out of time doth set more wrong in a day , then you shall set right in a weeke . but now to come to your practise againe , i would haue you practise your horse still in the figure of eight , till you haue him so perfect in both the rings , as is sitting . both vpon his soft trot , and his swift trot , alwaies carrying light of your hand , with his head in the right place , and his reyne lofty and staitly , then you may begin to set him of a proud trot , and to goe statelie , which in my opinion is the onelie shewe that any snaffle horse can be for vpon , both for the shewe of the rider , and the horse for to goe of a statelie trot a long a streete , and to take vp his forefeete comely , and round ; and now and then to beat three or foure low curvets , will grace his trot much , so as hee be made so perfect , as hee will make his changes willingly and perfectly , without working on , for it is an vnseemely sight for the rider to worke vpon his horse in the streets . and now louing sonne , i will heere with gods helpe , set you downe a perfect and vnfalliable way how to teach him without heating , or chasing him : first i would haue you put on his musroule and martingale , and then his bridle , then put a sursingle about him , then put your martingale to the sursingle , as you did when you rode him . then you may carry him something harder of your hand , and put him into an euen trot , and you shall see him presently begin to goe proudlie before you , then as soone as you see him settle himselfe neuer so little to set his feete to your liking , then staie him presentlie , and make much of him , giue him some reward , and giue him ouer for that time , and feede him well with oates , and let him rest one houre at the least , and then take him out againe , and exercise him as you did before , and you shall see presently , if you sharpe him vp , and shake your rod , that hee will fall into a proud trot presently , and euer bee sure that assoone as you see him set but fiue or sixe strokes true , then presently staie him , and make much of him : now you shall see presently at his first setting , whether he will haue a loftie trot , or a low trot , and if he begin with a loftie trot , as no doubt if he be a metled horse he will , then you neede not vse anie other helps to him but the reines and rod. but if he be of a slow mettle , and set his feet thicke and short , and low withall , then you must vse these helpes as you see here proportioned , and then you must put them on , and buckle them on euery foot vnder his foot locke , and you must buckle them straite as you can , that they doe not goe round about his legs , then you may bring him to the practising place againe , and you shall see him take vp his feet finely to your liking : and thus you may practice him still vntill he be so well acquainted with them , that he will take vp his feet so lofty and comely as shall be to your liking : and when you haue him so perfect going on the one hand , then you may change him on the other hand , and that will set his body euen that way he came . now , when you haue him perfect on either hand , and doth set his trot comely and stately , and that you haue his mouth at command , then you may venture to set a saddle on him , and the next time you take him forth , let one that hath some vnderstanding take the reynes of you , and the rod in his hand , and let him see how you did cary the reynes in your hand , and if he can make him set as you did , then you may take his backe , and take the bridle reines in your hand , but let him scarcely feele your hand ; but let the other man carie him vpon his long reynes , as you did before : then if he doe performe his trot as he did before , then you may cary him all of the reynes : and if hee doe performe his trot of your reynes , yet let the other man follow you still , that if he breake with your hand at any time , he may helpe you ; and so you may exercise him till hee be so perfect as you shall thinke fitting , and you may cut his trot shorter and shorter , till you haue brought him that he will stand vpon his trot , and trot both foreward and backward . you may not let the footman goe from you , but still carie your long reines after you , till you haue him so perfect as you desire . then before you leaue your foot-man , i would haue you let him stand still , and bid the foot man shake his rod and set him foreward , then lay your rod on his left shoulder , and close your legges close to his shoulders , and carie your hand something hard of his mouth , and say to him , vp , vp , and let the footman helps you with his reines , and it is verie like hee will raise himselfe and aduance cleare vp before , which if he doe , then make much of him , and goe foreward still vpon a foot pace : but if he will not raise himself with the helps you giue him , then deale not roughly with him , but goe on forward a little , then stay him againe , and offer to him as you did before , and if he refuse the second time , then offer it to him the third time , which if he refuse , then trouble him no more that waie , but walke him once about the court and set him vp , and get a good stout rod of a yeard in length , or there about , and get a peece of a naile and knocke into the one ●nd thereof , then goe to a grindle stone , and grinde it iust of that fashion that the prickle of a goad is , then take your horse forth again , then let him goe once about the court , without anie man on his backe , and trot him proudly , then get on his backe , and let the foot-man come behinde with the long reines , and goe once about againe , then let the foot-man set him vp to you , and giue him the same helps as before , and if hee refuse to aduance and rise before , then let the foot-man come vp to him and stand by his shoulder , and pricke him in the middest of his brisket , and say , vp , vp , and pricke him hard and you shall see that he will raise himselfe presently without faile , which being done make much of him , and goe on vpon a foot pace still about the court , then when you come to the place where you did offer him his lesson , let the foot-man come and pricke him as before , and he will aduance presently , and euer when he doth prick him on the breast you must help him with the rod , and close your feet fast to the hindmost part of his shoulder , and bid him , vp , vp , and so practice him till hee be perfect , and euer as you walke him round about , let the foot-man come and giue him the prickle and he will rise presently ; and so so exercise him till he will rise of himselfe willingly , which when he will doe , with the helpe of your rod and foot , then be assured that you haue wonne him , and that with good and discreet riding , he will proceed and goe forward to your liking , and euer haue a care that you doe not dull him , but still giue him ouer in his willingnesse , and a little at once and often . now , the next morning take his backe at the first , and put him to his trot , and when he hath gone once about the court , then make him aduance with giuing him the helps i tould you of before , and then when you haue brought him to that perfectnesse that he will aduance easily , at euerie time you offer it him , giue him the helpe of your rod and heele , and when hee is so perfect as you thinke fitting , then you may teach him to make his changes , that is , when he is in his proud trot , you may make him to beat three or foure aduances , which will be very gracefull in his going , and you may teach any horse that shall be proud trotting for a coach for the streets in this manner : for i assure you , doe but worke directly after these rules , and you shall hit all , and misse none . and thus , louing sonne , did i practice at the beginning , till i came to that skill , that now i will vndertake , with gods helpe , to make any horse to set a proud trot , onely with the hand , heele , and mouth , without any engine . and now , louing sonne , that i haue brought you thus far vpon your walke and trot , i will begin , with gods helpe , to teach you to make your horse to gallop truly and right , from one degree to another . first , i would haue you the next morning , to bring him to the double ring againe , and let it bee rather larger then before , and then put him about it a foot pace , to settle him a little , then put him forth into a swift trot , euer hauing a speciall care that hee cary his reyne as he did before , then hauing trotted him twice or thrice about the ring , stay him , and retire him a little , then put him to his swift trot againe , and put him vp to his gallop as softly as you can possibly make him strike his gallop , and let him goe but once about one ring , ere you put him to his trot againe , and so let him trot about the other ring , and so i would haue you exercise him trotting about the one ring , and galloping about the other ring , till you haue brought him , that as soone as hee hath trotted about the one ring , at the entring into the other , he will fall into an easie gallop of himselfe : and so i would haue you exercise him in trotting the one ring , and galloping the other , till he be so perfect , that as soone as you but bend your body forward , and giue him the flat of your heele , hee will presently fall into an easie gallop : and euer when you feele him presse forward of your hand , and would goe faster then you would haue him , then stay him a little and let him trot againe , and that will bring him to gallop at a certaine . i would haue you euer cary a faster hand of him in his trot , then in his gallop : for that wil make him cary light of your hand , which is one of the chiefest things belonging to his gallop . for that horse that doth tide chasing and pressing vpon the hand , doth weary the armes and tire himselfe . but louing sonne , giue me that horse , that will ride of an easie gallop from the hand , and so to the middle of his spende ▪ and so to the very height of his speede : alwayes carying light of your hande , and euer yeeld willingly to your hand whensoeuer you see occasion to take him vp to giue him a sobe , for that horse i hold to bee perfectly and truly mouthed , and rightly mannaged from the begining . all this is easily to bee done if he be rightly mouthed at the begining : but if you doe thrust him forth at the first , to gallop him furiously to the very height of his speed , and so continue him but one weeke you will vtterly spoil him for euer for being at command : therefore good louing son marke this course well , and cary it in your memory , and beleeue mee it will doe you much good in your practice . and so i will come to the point where i left , that is , as often as he doth presse hard of your hand in his gallop from the hand , that so often you stay him gently , and put him to his trot againe , and that in short time , that hee will seldome or neuer presse hard of your hand , but will euer cary an easie mouth and light vpon your hand , and when he is brought to his perfection , then i woud haue you to practice him to gallop from the hand as easily & softly as you can possible make him strike his gallop , going round both the rings , alwaies carying a gentle hand of him , for that will make him settle his fore feet , and make him slip them foreward both comely and easily , and bring his hinder legs close and round after him , for as the colt that must be made for the bit and great saddle , must be made to gallop high and lofty , so must the hunting horse be brought to a slow and easie swimming gallop , as arte can afford , for commonly that horse that is short knit , and high filleted , doth prooue the best hunter , for the strength of the backe doth carie it away at length : and so the horse that is long and loosly knit , will commonly gallop with his fore feet slubbering and stamping , and bring his hinder legs high and vnseemly after him , and will neuer prooue good galloper . and now to come to the matter againe , i would haue you exercise your horse still as you did before , in the large rings , till you haue brought him so perfect , that he will fall into his gallop at the first setting forth , and go so comely and easily as shall be to your liking , then you may take him into some plaine ground , of some ten or twelue acres , and there begin at a side to gallop him round about , as large as you can ; and when you haue setled him into his truestroake , then you may thrust him vp into the middle of his speede , and so continue him a pretty while , and that will make him gather himselfe vp roundly , and gather spirit into him , then checke him vp againe , and bring him into his easie and soft gallop , and so make an end at this time . prouided alwayes , that you leaue him with an easie mouth and light reine , now when you take him forth the next morning , then bring him into the same ground you had him before , then put him into his swift trot a little , to settle his mouth to your hand , then put him into his easie gallop , and fetch a large compasse , and make as large a double ring as you can , see that you bring him about of either hand , for the larger he doth gallop , the better may you set his legs and giue him his true stroake ; and if at any time he do fall out of his stroake , then presently put him into his trot , but halfe a dozen trots , and then put him into his gallop againe , and hee will presently fall into his true stroake againe ; and euer haue a speciall care that you keepe him large enough , for when hee doth grow perfect in his gallop , hee will desire to come in too fast ; and if you gallop him any long time , be sure to giue him winde in due time , and giue him an easie hancke : when you thinke he hath done well , then light of him , and make much of him , and walke him vp and downe a little , then take his backe againe , and put him to his gallop . and when he is setled in his right stroake , then looke downe , and see whether his right legge lead or no , and if hee leade on the left legge , and not on the right ; then the next morning take with you one of the slips you had to make him trot , and when you begin to gallop him , begin on the right hand , and first put the slip one his left set-locke , and take it in your left hand ; and if in his gallop hee lead with his left legge , then you may marke when hee doth set his left legge before , then you may euen in that very time when hee doth set his legge forth , giue him a little twich with your hand , and helpe him with your rod of the right shoulder , and presently hee will set the right legge before , and so you may continue that helpe till he will lead with his right leg before , both of the right hand ; and of the left , and so when you haue brought him to his perfect stroake of his gallop , from the hand to the middle of his speede , and that hee will performe it readily , and willingly , then you may put him to gallop roundly of either hand , in and out as you please , as shall come into your minde when you are galloping . and when you haue brought him to his voluntary gallop , and that he willingly giue you leaue to hancke and loose at your pleasure , then you may bein good hope that you haue won his mouth for euer , and then you may take him the next morning into some vnplow'd fallow field , that is redge and furrow , and there begin to gallop him , and doe not goe euen ouer them at the beginning , for that will breake his stroake mightily , but sloope him ouer side-way , till he haue gotten his true stroake , and that hee will strike his furrow euen and iust , and that hee will set his forefoote ●ust in the furrow , for that you must bring him 〈◊〉 if euer you bring him to goe ouer a field with a 〈…〉 . for if hee set ouer the furrow 〈…〉 his backe , and be a great deale 〈…〉 to him then to set his fore-foote euen 〈…〉 ●ow . and when you haue galloped him ouer so slooping , a quarter of a mile , then you may turne him backe againe , and sloope him as much of the other hand , and when hee will strike his furrow euen of either hand , then you may put him ouer the lands , euen forward ; and when you haue made him perfect in all these wayes , then i thinke you haue finisht his gallop for the field all manner of wayes . but louing sonne , there is another round galloping lesson that i haue practised much with three horses all at once , which i will by gods leaue teach you the manner thereof ; and about some thirty yeeres agone , i and two of my eldest sonnes , of three fine yong horses , did gallop it on malton hill , and it was highly commended , for it was neuer done in that place before . now good louing sonne , i pray you if you please to practise it , that you will giue it the name of brownes round , for that i thinke i was the first that euer did practise it of the snaffle . chap. . now louing sonne , that i haue here set downe all the skill and knowledge that i haue gotten in fifty yeares practise , from the first haltering a colt , from on degree to another , till he be brought to gallop this round heretofore set downe . now i will by gods helpe set you downe another , as true and vnfallible away to pace and amble any horse sufficiently , and well , of what nature and disposition soeuer he be of , and if you will diligently and carefully obserue these rules heretofore set downe by me , you shal by gods helpe , hit all and misse none . first , louing sonne i will begin to let you vnderstand of all the wayes that i haue practised from the first beginning till this day . first , i did practise to lead him downe the hill , and checke him vnder the chin , that will make him set to an amble presently , but it will make him totter with his end , and stampe with his fore-feete , and will make him set hard . and i haue vsed another way with long shooes with pikes before of three inches long , that way will make him catch vp his hinder legges vnseemely as though he had the wild mares hinch . i haue vsed another way that is to wispe them of their hinder feete , aboue the fet-locke , that way will make him straddle and go wide behind . i haue vsed another way , that is to worke him in some deepe ploughed ground , that way wil giue him sore heates , and toyle him and take of his mettle mightily . but , louing sonne , i haue set downe two waies that i haue practised this thirty yeares , and i will neuer vse other whilest i liue , neither to my selfe , nor to any that i shall teach , and these be the two waies . first , i would haue you take his backe and try him how he is enclined , and goe to some rysing ground and there thrust him vp to the height betwixt his trot and his gallop , and you shall presently see him fall into a shuffle , betwixt an amble and a gallop , and if he will doe so , then i would haue you vse no other way with him but the hand and the heele , if you haue any vnderstanding to know how to helpe him with the hand and heele , you may giue him his pace so without any other helpe . but if in trying him so , he will not make any offer or shew of a pace , then giue him ouer and toyle him no more , but goe to him in this manner : chap. . then , louing sonne , you may be in good hope that you may prooue a sufficient ambler : when you haue brought you● horse to that perfection , then i would haue you shift your traues from beneath the knee , and beneath the hough , and put them aboue the knee and aboue the hough , then goe to some vp-rise ( as we tearme it in yorke-shire ) or some climing ground that doth rise reasonable high , there put him vp very softly , and vse your hand to guid his legs as you did before of the euen ground , and when he is a little acquainted with the ground , you may put him faster to it , and euer haue a care to keepe him long and true in his place , for they be two principall rules ; and euer when he doth well , then faile not to make much of him , and giue him some reward , and you shall see that within two or three daies hee will worke so finely and comely vp the hill , that it will doe you good to ride him : but alwaies haue a care to leaue him when he hath done well , and in his willingnesse : and so when you haue practised him in that manner with the traues , and that you finde him to goe perfectly and well , then take off one of them , and let him goe with the other on , and when you haue him perfect , you may take off the other : and when you haue taken off the other , i would haue you make in a readinesse one paire of hough-bands , made as this figure doth shew you , and buckle them hard aboue the hough behinde , then take his backe and put him vp the road faire and softly , and if your hand and heele will serue you to keepe him in his true stroake , then you may proceed with him and worke him on : but if your hand will not serue to keepe him where he was , then i would haue you presently to clap on the single traue againe , and so practice him till he be so perfect as he will go willingly and true . and if he doth set ouer further of that side that the traue is on , then he doth of the other , then shift the traue on the other side , and that will helpe him of that fault : and when you haue brought him that he will goe perfectly and well , then take it off again ; but before you take the traue off , you must put him vp to the height of his pace , and make him strike it out , a●● euer as you see him to grow vpon your hand , and come on faster , when you come to the end of your road , light off his backe and lead him down and make much of him , and when you haue him so perfect that hee will strike out to the height of his pace , then venture to take it off , and say him loose with his hough-bands on . in any case remember to giue him but short roads , if hee worke to your hand well when you begin to try him loose , put him to it very softly , and so proceed faster as hee doth grow in perfectnesse . and when you haue him that your hand and his legs doe agree altogether , then there is no doubt of your proceeding ; and then you may ease his hough-bands a little till he will goe without them ▪ and when you assay him without them , put him vp the road very softly , as you did with his engins on . now louing son , to let you vnderstand the benefit of the hough-bands , is this ; they doe make him bring in his hinder legs close and low after him , and will make him goe comely in his pace , and also set forward his hinder legs : and now when you haue him working vp the road loose , and that he will set true and right , then put him on faster as you see him grow in perfectnesse : but you must not thrust him vp the road euerie time to the height of his pace , but pace him softly three or foure times , and the fift time thrust him vp to the verie height ; for if you should put him vp euerie time to the height of his pace it would dull him and make him wearie . and you must not in any case , shift his road , vntill he be so perfect , that when you offer to put him vp to the height of his pace , he will flie vp with it so lightly and comely as you desire . and louing sonne , i would haue you to be very carefull and circumspect in this point , for it is one of the chiefest principalls which belongeth to the pace : for there is small art in bringing any horse to the middest of his pace , but there is great art and skill to bring a horse to his full pace , and that he wil goe with it in any company : for , louing sonne , i my selfe was but halfe a pacer for the space of twenyeares , and had as many horses as i could turne me to , with the helpe of two of my sonnes , and was well paid for them : and i haue met them within a month after , and haue seene them goe of such a hiffe haffe , as hath beene neither amble nor trot , which hath grieued me much ● and i could neuer mend it vntill i got the skill to worke them vp the hill : for , louing sonne , i will assure you , it is not to be done any way so well as that way : nor to bring him to his changes , that is , from the height of his pace to his gallop , and from his gallop to his pace againe , and to shift from the one to the other truely at your pleasure ; for i would not giue a pinne for that pace that will not keepe company with any horse that he shall meet with , and to make his change at your pleasure , that is , to goe in his amble , in his gallop , and in his trot at your pleasure : when you will haue him shift from one to another , then is hee fit for any company : for the horse that is perfect in all these three paces , the rider may say , now i will ride of an ambling horse one mile , and of a trotting horse another mile , and of a galloping horse the third mile . and now louing sonne , when your horse will make his change from one to another in his first roade , then you may take him into another road that is something lower rising then the first , and when you haue him perfect in that , then you may take him from that to another roade , that is something lower then the second , and when hee is perfect in that , then you may bring him to the euen ground , and so perfect him in that , and then you haue brought him to goe on all grounds : but you may not in any case shift him from the first road , to the euen ground at the first , for then you marre all , but you must bring him downe by degrees to the euen ground , and that you haue him perfect on the euen ground , you may take him to the highway , and ride him the first day one mile , and home againe , and the next two miles ; and so as you see him grow in perfectnesse , so you may take him further and further , till you haue him so perfect that he will goe a dayes iourney . and when you doe begin to trauell him out a dayes iourney , you must light downe often , and ease him so that hee will tall to his pace againe very willingly , but if you keepe him alwayes at his pace , you will so tyre him in it , that hee will haue no desire to keep it , and you must as you are trauelling , euer when you come to some faire grauell ground for the purpose , something rising , and of a good length , you may put him vp to the height of his pace , and so make him change truely to his gallop , and so keepe him in his gallop some twelue score , or there abouts , and then you must helpe him with your hands , and bring him backe to his amble againe , and so you may exercise him as you trauell on the high way , to make him perfect of those two things , and for his trot you need not trouble your selfe , for he will goe to that of himselfe , but you must not in any case put him out of his trot , into his gallop , but you must bring him out of his trot , into his pace againe , then you may put him into his gallop , and so change him from his pace to his gallop at your pleasure ; and when you haue brought him that hee will performe all these changes at your pleasure , then i thinke you haue made him fit for the hye way , and now that you haue brought your horse from one degree to another till hee be perfect on the hye way . i will make hold to call you backe againe to your first lesson where you began : and good louing son marke this poynt well , that is , to haue a speciall care of your horse at the first putting on of your single traue that it be of a due length , neither too long nor too short , let it not be aboue a yard at the most , and be very carefull in leading of him with his head vp , and as softly as possibly you may make him goe : for all the skill that belong to the traue , is to giue him a long stroake , and to vnderstand how to giue him his helpes in due time : i would haue you practice this way till you be very perfect herein , and obserue the rules heretofore set downe carefully , and when you are perfect in this way , and that you finde you grow perfect to lead his legges right , and true , then i would haue you begin to practise to worke him vp the hill , with the traues aboue the knee , and aboue the hough ; and practising so in short time your hand and heele will serue you to worke any horse with the traue on in that place , and when you finde your hand serue you so well , then you may venter to practise him loose vp the hill with the hough bands of his hinder legs , and so to come to worke him loose without any engine , for now i thanke god my hand doth serue me so well , that i do not traue one amongst seuen . but louing sonne , there is two lessons more , that i will teach you , which be the cunningest lessons belong to an ambler ; and the first is to be done in this manner hereafter mentioned . chap. . first louing sonne , i would haue you bring your horse into some large ring , of foure or fiue score paces about , and put him into as fine and comely an amble , as you possible can make him goe in , then let him goe two or three times about the ring , then put him vp to his fine hand gallop , out of his pace , and let him goe other three times about , then take him vp from his gallop , and put him to his proud and stately trot , that you made him before going loose before you , as your picture doth shew you , & that ( as i tearme it ) is the going of three changes , and all in one round compasse ; and i thinke , if you haue brought him to ride all those three changes in that round compasse , as often as you please to put him to it , you haue done as much to him of the snaffle as arte can affoord . chap. . louing sonne , the other lesson is this , hauing brought your horse to this perfectnesse , and that hee is truely paced rightly coloured , and finely made , and stately , and that hee be for an honorable mans saddle , and that you must set him on a pad , and a bit , you must begin with him in this manner : first , when you haue him at the length of his pace , that must be that hee set his hinder foote ouer his fore-foote three quarters of a yard at the least , then you must begin to set him proud of your hand ; and euer set him forward with your rod , heele , and mouth , and you shall see him presently begin to cut his pace , and to goe proudly : you must make your roade but short that you doe ride him in , that you may giue him rest at euery roades end ; and you must haue a speciall care , that as you cut his pace short , that you make him set true , or else you marre all : for you must bring him from three quarters of a yard ouer , so farre short till hee come to set but one foote iust ouer another , and must set his pace as true as hee did , when he set ouer the furthest , and when you haue cut his pace so short , you must let him rest there , for it is not possible to cut it any shorter , and make him set true withall . now when you haue brought him to his shortnesse of his pace , i would haue you you perfect him in that stately going till he will willingly , when you haue him at the length of his pace , if you but take vp your reynes , and thrust him forward with your heele , and mouth , that hee will goe as proudly and as stately as you will desire to haue him ; and now when you haue brought him to this perfectnesse , and that hee must be set vpon a bit to beare a foot cloth in the streetes , it is fit you doe bit him , for that you know how to keepe him in his true stroake with your hand , and you must bit him in this manner ; if hee be a short fore-handed horse , the cheeke of his bit must be the longer , and if hee be long fore-handed , it must be the shorter , and when you doe put the bit into his mouth , first you must take as small a hunting snaffle as you can get , and put into his mouth first , and then you may put one the bit , and let the curbe be at the full length at the first , and beare him at the first all of the snaffle , that you may helpe him when neede is : and so you may by a little at once let him feele the curbe , and so you may exercise him till hee be perfect , and when he doth ●●now the curbe , you may take it vp shorter , as you see cause . and so louing sonne , when you haue brought him that hee will goe of his proud and stately amble , and shift to his proud and stately trot , and shift from one to another at your pleasure , then i thinke you haue performed as much as is possible to bee done . now louing sonne , i will teach you to make your horse beat a curuet in the stable : you must begin in this manner : you must first turne him backward in his stall , and set him vpon two false reynes , the●●●● a paire of pastornes on his fore-feete , then take your prickle you had before , and prick him on the breast , and he will presently rise vp before , as you taught him in his proud trot , then you must put on a paire of traues , as you see here , aboue the knee , and aboue the hough , then turne him forward againe , then let one be at his shoulder , and giue him the pricke , and stand you behind him with another long pricke , and pricke him on the side of his buttocke , and hee will present rise behind , and so you may take both the pricke in your hands , and first thrust it to his shoulders , and then to his buttockes , and he will presently rise before , and behinde , and beat it euen . the traues will make him keepe his hinder legs close , and not yerke out this lesson is good to exercise him in the stable when you bring him in from riding , and after his water . there is another lesson i will teach you , that is as needfull , that is to make your horse kneele downe when you would haue him . you must begin in this manner , you must turne him backe in the stall , and strow litter enough vnder him , then put a long slip to his foot-locke on his farre-foote , then put an other on his neere foote , then take the slip on the far side , and bring it ouer his wythers , then with your right hand draw his legge vp a good way from the ground , then hold it fast , then draw the other leg vp withall your strength , and bid him couch , and he will presently kneel downe on both his knees , then when he is downe , make him kneele a good pretty while , then let him rise againe , and make much of him , then you may exercise him so still , till hee be so perfect that hee will kneele downe when you strike him one the knees with your rod , and bid him couch : this lesson is good for a high way horse , when the rider is weary , to light . now there is another lesson to teach your horse , that is this , to make him follow you any manner of way you goe ; you must teach it him in this manner . first , you must keep him very sharpe for one day , and a night , and giue him nothing but straw in his racke , then come to him the next morning , and tye a long slip to his coller , then take a good quantity of oates in your prouand-dish , and goe to him and let him feele them , and then goe a good pretty way from him , and shake the oates in the dish , and bid him , come , come , and if he will not come , then goe neere him , and draw a little from him , and hee will come presently ; and so you must practise him , till when you loose him from the manger , and shake your oates , he will come to you . then you may goe out off the doore , and let him follow you loose in some court , where he cannot get out , and so you may make him follow you any way wheresoeuer you goe , and then you may put a peece of bread in your boote , or shooe , and the taste of it will make him loue you exceedingly , and blowing into his nostrills will helpe much . chap. . and now , loving sonne , for farriership i haue no skill , neither will i set downe any thing , but what i haue tried by my owne experience , and sore paines taken this fifty yeares . but i will set downe three serets , that is very fitting for either rider or groome to know , and these be they . to make a starre in any darke coloured horses forehead , or sneepe in his nose , or in any part of his face and body . the second is , to make roules to get a cold from any horse that is new taken . the the third is , to kill any scratches , or sore heeles whatsoeuer . for the first , you must make a bodkin in this manner heretofore set downe , and two prickes in the same manner , and where you would haue the starre , there you must thrust in your bodkin , and bring it forth againe some quarter of an inch aboue where you put it in , then you must take your bodkin forth , and put in one of your prickes ; then you must make another hole crosse ouer the other pricke , then take foure yeards of fine two-peny-bredth inkle , and wrap it about in this manner , as you see this sample , and when you haue wrapped the one halfe , then crosse it as you see this figure , some twice or thrice about all the foure ends , and then goe on still and wrap as you did before , and tye it fast at one end , and let it be on foure and twenty houres , and then vnwrap the inkle and take out the prickes , and close the skin with the ball of your hand , and annoint it with hot butter once when you take them out , and again within two or three daies after : and so doe no more to it , for the skin will come on it , and it will bee a very faire white . you must make your medicine for the cold in this manner : for the killing of the scratches , you must take foure penny-worth of white copperis , one handfull of bay-salt , and boyle them in small beare wort , till it be something thicke , then put it in a pot , and clip the hayre bare , that the water may goe in , and when you dresse him , rub it in well that it may goe to the bottome , and dresse him morning and euenining , and keepe his legges dry , and it will presently kill the disease . i haue one secret more , which shewes how you may haue a horse-coult , or a mare-coult at your pleasure . when you would haue a horse-colt of your mare , obserue this rule : there are twelue signes , six male , and six female ; and if you would haue a horse colt , you must put your mare to the horse in one of the male signes and it will bee a horse coult. so likewise for a mare coult , you must obserue it by the osix signes which are contrary . chap. . so now ( louing sonne ) i haue troubled you with a great deale of reading , for a small deale of matter , but i must desire you to beare with an old memory , for the old saying is , as age comes on , so memory decayes . i will now onely set you downe a briefe of all the principall rules , in order , as i haue obserued them in this booke . the first is , to make a true and perfect mouth . the second is , to make a proud , stately , and comely reyne . the third is , to make a proud and stately trot , which must be done with round balls of wood , six or seauen inches in compasse , and made fast vnder his fetlocke , as is shewed in his place . the fourth is , to make a full sufficient high-way pace . the fift is , to make a proud stately short pace for a street . the sixt is , to make a fine comely and easie gallop , either for hunting , or for the high-way , and that he will make all his three changes in a large ringe , that is vpon his pace , trot , and gallop , and that he will performe all these changes in those rings heretofore set downe , and that he will doe them all without any disorder . then louing son , if you will practice to get all these grounds here by me set downe , you shall be accounted as sufficient a snaffle-man as most is in england . vale. markhams maister-peece, or, what doth a horse-man lacke containing all possible knowledge whatsoeuer which doth belong to any smith, farrier or horse-leech, touching the curing of all maner of diseases or sorrances in horses : drawne with great paine and most approued experience from the publique practise of all the forraine horse-marshals of christendome and from the priuate practise of all the best farriers of this kingdome : being deuided into two bookes, the first containing all cures physicall, the second whatsoeuer belongeth to chirurgerie, with an addition of most principall chapters and most excellent medicines, receits and secrets worthy euery mans knowledge, neuer written of nor mentioned in any author before whatsoeuer : together with the true nature, vse, and qualitie of euerie simple spoken of through the whole worke : reade me, practise me, and admire me / written by geruase markham gentleman. markham, gervase, ?- . approx. kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from -bit group-iv tiff page images. text creation partnership, ann arbor, mi ; oxford (uk) : - (eebo-tcp phase ). a stc . estc s ocm this keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the early english books online text creation partnership. this phase i text is available for reuse, according to the terms of creative commons . universal . the text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. early english books online. (eebo-tcp ; phase , no. a ) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set ) images scanned from microfilm: (early english books, - ; : ) markhams maister-peece, or, what doth a horse-man lacke containing all possible knowledge whatsoeuer which doth belong to any smith, farrier or horse-leech, touching the curing of all maner of diseases or sorrances in horses : drawne with great paine and most approued experience from the publique practise of all the forraine horse-marshals of christendome and from the priuate practise of all the best farriers of this kingdome : being deuided into two bookes, the first containing all cures physicall, the second whatsoeuer belongeth to chirurgerie, with an addition of most principall chapters and most excellent medicines, receits and secrets worthy euery mans knowledge, neuer written of nor mentioned in any author before whatsoeuer : together with the true nature, vse, and qualitie of euerie simple spoken of through the whole worke : reade me, practise me, and admire me / written by geruase markham gentleman. markham, gervase, ?- . [ ], [i.e. +] p. : ill. printed by nicholas okes, and are to be sold by arthur iohnson, dwelling at the signe of the white horse neere to the great north doore of s. pauls church, london : . "the second booke containing all cures chyrurgicall" has special t.p. numerous errors in paging. imperfect: signatures l₂-l₃, o₂- o₃ and all after t₃ lacking. reproduction of original in the british library. created by converting tcp files to tei p using tcp tei.xsl, tei @ oxford. re-processed by university of nebraska-lincoln and northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors. eebo-tcp is a partnership between the universities of michigan and oxford and the publisher proquest to create accurately transcribed and encoded texts based on the image sets published by proquest via their early english books online (eebo) database (http://eebo.chadwyck.com). the general aim of eebo-tcp is to encode one copy (usually the first edition) of every monographic english-language title published between and available in eebo. eebo-tcp aimed to produce large quantities of textual data within the usual project restraints of time and funding, and therefore chose to create diplomatic transcriptions (as opposed to critical editions) with light-touch, mainly structural encoding based on the text encoding initiative (http://www.tei-c.org). the eebo-tcp project was divided into two phases. the , texts created during phase of the project have been released into the public domain as of january . anyone can now take and use these texts for their own purposes, but we respectfully request that due credit and attribution is given to their original source. users should be aware of the process of creating the tcp texts, and therefore of any assumptions that can be made about the data. text selection was based on the new cambridge bibliography of english literature (ncbel). if an author (or for an anonymous work, the title) appears in ncbel, then their works are eligible for inclusion. selection was intended to range over a wide variety of subject areas, to reflect the true nature of the print record of the period. in general, first editions of a works in english were prioritized, although there are a number of works in other languages, notably latin and welsh, included and sometimes a second or later edition of a work was chosen if there was a compelling reason to do so. image sets were sent to external keying companies for transcription and basic encoding. quality assurance was then carried out by editorial teams in oxford and michigan. % (or pages, whichever is the greater) of each text was proofread for accuracy and those which did not meet qa standards were returned to the keyers to be redone. after proofreading, the encoding was enhanced and/or corrected and characters marked as illegible were corrected where possible up to a limit of instances per text. any remaining illegibles were encoded as <gap>s. understanding these processes should make clear that, while the overall quality of tcp data is very good, some errors will remain and some readable characters will be marked as illegible. users should bear in mind that in all likelihood such instances will never have been looked at by a tcp editor. the texts were encoded and linked to page images in accordance with level of the tei in libraries guidelines. copies of the texts have been issued variously as sgml (tcp schema; ascii text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable xml (tcp schema; characters represented either as utf- unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless xml (tei p , characters represented either as utf- unicode or tei g elements). keying and markup guidelines are available at the text creation partnership web site . eng horses -- diseases. veterinary medicine -- early works to . horsemanship -- early works to . - tcp assigned for keying and markup - spi global keyed and coded from proquest page images - tcp staff (michigan) sampled and proofread - spi global rekeyed and resubmitted - olivia bottum sampled and proofread - olivia bottum text and markup reviewed and edited - pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion markhams maister-peece or , what doth a horse-man lacke . containing all possible knowlege whatsoeuer which doth belong to any smith , farrier or horse-leech , touching the curing of all maner of diseases or sorrances in horses ; drawne with great paine and most approued experience from the publique practise of all the forraine horse-marshals of christendome , and from the priuate practise of all the best farriers of of this kingdome . being deuided into two bookes . the first containing all cures physicall . the second whatsoeuer belongeth to chirurgerie , with an addition of most principall chapters , and most excellent medicines , receits and secrets worthy euery mans knowledge , neuer written of , nor mentioned in any author before whatsoeuer . together with the true nature , vse , and qualitie of euerie simple spoken of through the whole worke . reade me , practise me , and admire me . written by geruase markham gentleman . pro. . ver . . a iust man hath pity on his beast : but the mercies of the wicked are cruell . london , printed by nicholas okes , and are to be sold by arthur iohnson , dwelling at the signe of the white horse neere to the great north doore of s. pauls church . . to the right honorable and his singvlar good lord , the lord clyfton , baron of layton . if the tribute of poore mens labours ( right honourable , and my most best lord ) be the al-witnesses of our most seruiceable loues : then i hope mine which comes to kisse your hand , will protest and vowe for me , that my zeale and duty towards you and your house , hath no date but in my last breath . and al be this worke , which hath beene my many yeares experience ( for the rude and deformed collection ) may seeme too humble for your support : yet in as much as i know both your owne excellent and well approued knowl●dge in the same art ( and so best able to iudge either of my worth or vanitie ) and your most noble affection to men of any vertue , i dare with better boldnesse present you with this my last sacrifice of writing , beseeching you in it to behold not only how my time is imployed , but how infinit my longing is to bee numbred onely your creature . your honors in all humble duty to command , geruase markham . the first booke containing all cures physicall , or such infirmities as being inward , craue the administration of physicke , and are called in horse-leach-craft , horses sicknesses . chap. . of the naturall composition of horses bodies . many , yea euen of those which are nearest to my studies , will not onely wonder , but in part condemne me for this worke when they shall but reade the title , without any excuse imagining , that i hauing in my last booke done my vttermost endeuour , and spent my best skil in this subiect , that surely this reiteration , can be nothing but either meere tautologie , or some surfaite of ostentation . but how much i hate the one & condemne the other , both my selfe and those with whom i hold any comercement , can iustly and truly witnesse : ●or beleeue it , i neuer stood affected either to absalons pillars or to the musique of mine owne words . truth it is , that at the publishing of my last booke , i intended to haue inserted this in the same forme and methode as now it is , but the ouer hastie greedinesse of a selfe-hurting stationer , and the confusion of many printers ( one poore booke being mangled into diuers hands ) did both so confound , and defeate all my better purposes , that i was compeld to giue way to their wils , and to suffer it to come forth with that mishapen and distract face which now it beareth ; euery page being loaded with the printers faults , and no way to saue their reputation , but by most wilful neglecting to fixe to any errata . well , for euery part of that booke ( excepting that of cures ) the printers faults excussed , i dare boldly defend it against either enuy , censure , or any preiudication ; and though it be not the perfection or most perfect ( for those fruites grow not on my tree , ) yet it is such , and so sound as shall giue a ful satisfaction to euery indifferent and vpright iudgement . as for that part , ( the booke of cures i meane ) which my selfe must needes confesse , giueth not that ample satisfaction which i intended , i haue in amends thereof compiled this volume with such earnest care , practise and diligence , that i dare engage euen my best fortunes , that simplicity and ignorance it selfe ( i meane such as neuer intermedled with this art in the whole circuit of their liues ) shall not onely with good iudgement performe as great and as inuincible cures as the best smith-farriers of this kingdome , but also shall giue such substantiall reasons and vncontrollable accounts for whatsoeuer they do , ( which yet neuer smith that i knew was able to do ) that not the best artist shall be able with vndoubted truth to refute them . and with this protestation and full assurance to euery well practizing reader of this worke , i will proceede to my purpose , according to euery branch and head in the title . it is most necessary then for euery man who shall endeuour himselfe to haue knowledge in this art , first to learne whereof and how a horses body is compounded , that according to the naturall composition thereof , and the vnnaturall workings in those compositions , he may compound his medicines , and make them agreeable with the effects of his infirmities ; and not as our farriers do , many times vse one medicine for all inward diseases , and one salue for all sores . touching therefore the true composition of a horses body , you shall vnderstand that it is as the body of a man is , compounded of thirteene seuerall things , that is to say , seuen naturall and sixe not naturall ; the seuen naturall are , elements , temperaments , humours , members , powers or vertues , actions or operations , and spirits ; all which be called naturall , because the naturall profession and excellency of euery sensible body , doth wholly depend vpon them , and hath his mouing no longer then they haue power of working . the sixe which are not naturall , be the aire , meate and drinke , motion and rest , sleepe and vvatch , emptinesse and fulnes , and the affects or motions of the minde ; and these are called not naturall , because as ( being rightly and in due order applyed ) they preserue , sustaine , and fortifie the body ; so being misgouerned , or vsed in any excesse or disorder , they are the onely corrupt destroyers of the whole body : and of these thirteene simples which compound the fabricke or whole frame of the body , i intend to speake seuerally . chap. . of the foure elements , their vertues and operations . first , for the exposition of this word element , you shall vnderstand that it is the primere or first beginning of things , being of it selfe pure , vncorrupt and simple ; all things being first made thereof , and all things at the last being resolued into the same againe . it is also in it owne nature so bright , cleare , and without contraction or impurity , that it is not to be discerned by any sensible eye whatsoeuer . lastly , it is the least part or atomie of that thing which is made , or proceedeth from it . now of these elements which are the vsuall first mouers or beginners of all mouing things , there are onely foure in number , that is to say : fire , aire , water and earth ; meaning not that fire , aire , water and earth , which is visible here with vs beneath , and which through the grossenes thereof , is both palpable and to be discerned ; but those which are mounted aloft , and through their purity inuisible , and concealed from vs , ( for the other are compounded bodies and not simple ) and of these perfect and distinct elements you shall know , that the fire is the highest , as being fixed or ioyned next vnto the moone , being hot and drye , yet naturally exceeding or being most predominant or ruling in heate . the aire is placed next vnto the fire , and is naturally light and hot , yet his predominant or chiefe quality is moist . the water is adioyned vnto the ayre , the disposition thereof , being heauy and moist , but his predominant or chiefe quality onely cold . lastly , the earth adioyned to the water , is the lowest , and it is most heauy and cold ; but the predominant or chiefe quality thereof is onely drinesse . now for the vertues , properties , and operations of these foure elements , you shall vnderstand , that first the fire by meanes of his heate , moueth matter to generation , and stirreth vp warmth in all liuing things ; it is that which the philosophers call heterogenia , which is in mixt bodies to separate things of diuers kindes , one from another , and also to ioyne things of like kindes together , which they likewise call homogenia . for by vertue of the fire , the bones of horses are separated from the flesh , the flesh from the sinewes , the sinewes from the veines , the veines from the arteries , the heart from the liuer , the liuer from the spleene , and so forth , in such sort as we see the diuers parts of the fuell we burne , by the vertue of the fire and heate to be separated and deuided one from another , as the vapour from the smoake , the smoake from the flame , and the flame from the ashes . and as in these things , so in many other things , as in the tryall of mettals and such like , where the fire by vertue of his heate , separateth body from body , that is , mettall from mettall , and corruption from incorruption , gathering and knitting together euery thing of one and the selfe same kinde . besides , the vertue of the fire is to ripen , order and digest things raw and vndigested , mingling the dry with the moist , and opening the powers that the aire being somewhat more solide and grosse , may enter into the body ; and lastly , it breatheth and moderateth the coldnesse of the water and the earth , so that it may not distemper or confound the body . touching the vertue and operation of the aire , you shall vnderstand that by the moistnesse thereof it maketh the matter apt to receiue shape either naturall or accidentall , and by the helpe and assistance of the fire , bringeth the powers and influences of the heauens and starres into the inferour bodies , making the mixt bodies , not onely subtile and penetrable , but also light and mounting , to the end they may neither be too grosse nor too heauy . secondly , the ayre through his moistnesse cooleth the burning heate of the heart , liuer and intrails , as we dayly see by the office of the lights and lungs , which like a paire of bellowes draweth vncessantly fresh ayre vnto the heart and inward members . and albeit the ayre doth not seeme to the sence of our outward eyes , to bee any thing neare so moist as the water , yet according to the opinions both of our bookes and best physitions , it it is by much the moister ; which is well proued , say they , by the abundant fluxe it containeth , which fluxe spreadeth it selfe so farre abroad in the body , that it filleth euery empty part and corner thereof with the speciall properties and characters of moistnesse ; and by that reason is much harder to be kept within his owne bounds then the water is . lastly , as the water was altered by god from his first naturall place , for the better profite both of man and beast , euen so the ayre , according to schoole-mens opinions was not left altogether in his first naturall disposition , lest being ouermoist it should so confound and suffocate all sence , that neither man nor beast should be able to breathe or liue . now for the vertue and operation of the water , it is to be noted that through the coldnesse thereof , it conglutinateth and bindeth in mixt bodies , both parts & members together , which be of diuers kinds , as bones with flesh and sinewes , flesh with sinewes & bones , and sinewes with bones and flesh . euen as for a familiar example , we see in the time of any great frost , the strength of the cold how it bindeth things of diuers kinds together , bringing into one masse or substance both water , dirt , stones , strawes , stickes and leaues : the water also with its coldnesse , doth temper and coole the inflammation and heate of the fire , gathering together those thinges which otherwise the violent heate would disperse and scatter abroad . lastly , for the vertue and operation of the earth , it is through his drinesse in mixt bodies , so to harden and fixe them together , that they may retaine their shapes , which otherwise by the power of the ayre and water , would be so soluble and loose , that they could not hold together ; as we may see in paste , waxe , and such like , which whilest it is moist will receiue no print , but being once hardened it retaineth any forme that is prest into it . and here to be noted , that according to the opinion of hippocrates , when any sensible body dyeth , not onely euery quality but euery substance and part makes his returne to the element from whence it came ; as heate to the fire , moistnesse to the ayre , coldnesse to the water , & drinesse to the earth . and thus briefly you see , that of these foure common elements or common beginners of things , the fire being hot separateth , the aire being moist shapeth , the water being cold bindeth , and the earth being dry hardeneth and retaineth . the vse that you are to make of this knowledge , ouer and beside the composition of a naturall body , is , that when you find any sicknesse or infirmity which proceedeth from the fire , as inflammations of the body , or such like ; that then you apply simples of the nature of the aire or water , which may moisten and coole the violence of that heate . if the infirmity proceede from the aire , as fluxe of blood , or too much moisture ; then you shall apply simples of the nature of the fire or earth , whose heate and drinesse may disperse and harden such moisture . if the disease spring from the water , as colds , rheumes , apoplexies and such like , then you shall seeke simples of the nature of the fire and aire ; that through the heate of the one , and the moist lightnesse of the other , all such cold , grosse and solide humors may be dispersed . but if the disease proceed from the earth , as manginesse , and leprosie , or their like that are dry & hardened infections , then you shal seeke simples of the nature of the fire onely , whose heate may dissolue & loosen those ill knit , dry , and hard humors . thus you see too much heate is abated by coldnesse and moistnesse , too much moistnesse by heate and drinesse , too much coldnesse by heate and moistnesse , too much drinesse by heate onely . thus much of these foure common elements , which begin all things liuing and vnliuing , sensible and vnsensible ; yet of sensible things which liue and haue bloud , there be other more neare elements or beginnings , which are called proper elements or generation , as the ingendring seede , and menstruall bloud , from whence euery beast taketh his first shape and beginning ; and yet these proper beginnings haue their whole dependancy and hanging vpon the qualities of the first common beginnings already spoken of , which is moist , dry , hot and cold ; for without them they are nothing , nor can do any thing . chap. . of temperaments and their seuerall kindes , and how farre euery way , they extend in horses . these temperaments or temperatures , which are the second things in a horses composition , do spring from the commixture of the foure elements , and are nine in number , whereof eight are vnequall , and the ninth is equall . of the eight vnequall , foure are ●imple , and those be hot , cold , moist , and dry , which physitions call the first qualities ; and of these , the first two be actiue , and the other two passiue : the other foure are compound , and they be hot & moist , hot & dry , cold and moist , cold and dry . now the equall temperament is diuided into two , an vniuersall and a speciall . the equall temperament vniuersall , is when the foure elements are in an equall proportion , genenerally diuided through the whole body , nature enioyning no more from the one then from the other . the equall temperament special , is when the elements are proportioned according as euery kind doth most properly require , be it either plant or beast : in plants , when euery plant hath that commixture of elements which are proper to its kinde , the hot plant being hot , the cold being cold , and so forth : whereas contrariwise , to haue a hot plant cold , or a cold hot , to haue rue cold , or sorrell hot , were a false and vnequal commixture of elements . so likewise of beasts , that horse , that dogge , that swine is said to haue his due temperament , when hee is of such temperature as is most proper vnto his kinde ; which onely is best discerned by his actions or motions . as thus , the horse is known to be hot and m●●st by his l●g●tnesse , swiftnesse , valiantnesse and long life ; and also to be of a temperate nature , in that he is easily tamed , docible , obedient and familiar with the man. and so long as either horse or any other thing , continueth in the mediocrity and excellencie of his proper temperament , so long we may truly iudge him of a good temper & disposition ; but if there be any ouerflow of qualities , or excesse in his humors , as either in heate , coldnesse , moistnesse or drinesse , then we say , he is either a hot cholericke horse , a cold dull horse , a dry mischieuous horse , or a moyst cowardly horse , according to the ouerflow of that quality which raigneth in him . againe , euery horse is sayd to haue his due temperament according to his age , and the country wherein he is bred ▪ and sometimes according to the time of the yeare wherein he liueth . and thus a horse in his foal●-age , which is till he be sixe yeares old , is naturally hot and moist . in his middle age , which is till twelue , more hot and dry then moist ; and in his old age , which is past eighteene , more cold and dry , then either hot or moist . so likewise the horses which are bred in southerne parts , as either in spaine , barbary , or greece are naturally more hot then those which are bred either in the seuenteene lands , germany , or england ; either is there any horse which is in good state of body , that is so hot in the spring time of the yeare , as in the summer , nor so cold in the summer as in the winter . all which obseruations are with most curious diligence to be obserued of euery horse-leach , when he goeth about to cure any sicknes : for vnlesse he consider their natures & temperatures , and euery other circumstance already declared , he shall right soone be deceiued in the administration of his physicke . therfore i earnestly aduise euery farrier , before he giue any drench or potion , first to enquire the kinde , race , and disposition of the horse , next his age , then the country , and lastly the time of the yeare : and so according to the truth thereof , to mixe his receipts . it is most expedient also for euery horse-leach to consider the second qualities , which are so called , because they take their beginnings from the first qualities already declared ; of which second qualities some be called palpable , or to be touched , as these , softnesse , hardnesse , smoothnesse , roughnesse , toughnesse , brickelnesse , lightnesse , heauinesse , thinnesse , thicknesse , smalnesse , grosnesse , and such other like . some againe are not palpable , as those which appertaine to hearing seeing and smelling , as noysses , colours , odours and such like ; and by obseruing well these second qualities , he shall with much ease , know whether the horse be disposed to any sicknes or not , as shall be more largely declared hereafter in euery particular chapter . chap. . of humours , and to what end they serue . now concerning humours , which are the third composers of a horses body , and so likewise of euery other beast also ; you shall vnderstand that they are foure in number , that is to say , bloud , fleame , choler and melancholy . as touching bloud , it is in it owne nature vncorrupted , and therefore hot and moyst , and sweet in taste , as participating of the elements , fire and aire . fleame is cold and moist , and either sweet or wallowish without any taste at all , as participating of the elements water and aire . choler is hot and dry , and bitter in taste , as participating of the elements fire and earth . melancholy is cold and dry , and in taste ●ower and heauy , as participating of the elements water and earth : so that these foure humours by their qualities , are euery way allied vnto the elements . for to speake briefly , and according to the manner of physitions , bloud is of the nature of aire , it being most predominant therein ; fleame of the nature of water , choler of the nature of fire , and melancholy of the nature of the earth . and albeit these humours are simbolized or mixt through euery part of the body ; yet euery one of them , aboundeth more in one part then in another , and haue their places of residence absolute and peculiar to themselues , as bloud about the heart , fleame in the braine , choler in the liuer , and melancholy in the spleene . now as these humors do more or lesse abound , or haue greater or lesser soueraignty in the body of the horse : so is the beast naturally better or worse coloured , qualified or disposed , as thus . that horse in whom bloud hath the greatest predominance , & may be called a horse sanguine , is bright bay of colour , and in disposition pleasant , nimble , and of temperate or moderate motion . that horse in whom fleame hath the greatest dominion , and may be called a flegmatike horse , is for the most part , of a milke white colour , and so consequently slow , dull and heauy . if choler beare the greatest rule in his constitution , then is his colour commonly a bright sorrell , and by that meanes of disposition hot , fiery , and of little strength . lastly , if the earth haue gotten power aboue the other elements , so that he may be called a melancholy horse , then is his colour commonly a mouse dunne , and his disposition cowardly , faint and slothfull . but because these particularities are properly appertaining to the complexions of horses , of which we shall haue cause to speake more largely hereafter , i will not stand vpon any greater relation ; onely i giue you thus much in conclusion : to vnderstand that euery one of these aforesaid humours hath his proper vse or end , whereunto it serueth , as thus . bloud serueth most properly to nourish the body . fleame giueth motion to the ioynts . choler prouoketh the auoydance of excrements , and melancholy begetteth an appetite or longing to his meate . now during the time that these humours do possesse their naturall qualities , so long they are wholesome , and bee called by their simple names , without glosse or addition ; but if by any mischance they be disordered or corrupted , then they are vnwholesome , and are no longer called by their simple names , but haue other epithetons annexed vnto them , as melancholy bloud , salt fleame , choler adust or burnt choler , and fretting melancholy , whereof proceedeth many pestilent and dangerous diseases , as shall be at large declared hereafter . and thus much for the state of humours . chap. . of members and their seuerall kinds . touching members , which are the fourth maine instruments in this great fabricke of a horses body , they are by schoolemen diuided into two parts . the first is called similaria , which is like , semblable or one and the same thing . the other is called instrumentall , and are contrary to the first . members alike are those which being separated or dist●●buted into parts , yet euery part thereof is alike in substance to the whole , neither altering in definition , appellation or nature ; as flesh , bone , sinew , and such like : for flesh being cut or incised into many parts , yet is euery part still flesh , so reputed and so called , as well as when it was in combination altogether , and as of this so likewise may it be said of bones , sinewes , and their like . now for members instrumentall , they bee those which being made of parts semblable , and diuided into parts ; yet the parts are not alike , neither haue all one name with the whole , as the head , legge , foote , and such like : for euery part of the head is not called the head , nor euery part of the legge , the legge ; but haue other appellations , as the brow , the temples , the knee , the feetlocke , and so forth . now these instrumentall members , in doing of their offices and duties are of much more perfection then the semblable members ; wherefore schoole-men haue made amongst these instrumentall members foure soueraignes or princes aboue the rest ; that is , the braine , the heart , the liuer , and the stones ; of which the first three are the preseruers of the singular body ; and the fourth of the whole kinde : the first three giuing motion and agitation to the body , the fourth generation and 〈◊〉 to succ●eding ages . now from these principall members , like branches from a well growne tree , do spring other members which do them seruice ▪ as from the braine springeth ●inewes , whose office is feeling : from the heart arteries , whose office is sprightinesse and liuely hood ; from the liuer , veines , whose office is warmth and strength ; and from the stones the seede vessels , whose office is procreation and increase . now for as much as from those doth likewise proceede a world of other members , as tendants , ligaments , lungs , spl●ene , guts and such like ; all which , in as much as the knowledge of them doth more properly belong to the office of the chyrurgian then to the physitian ( though most necessary for both ) i am her● to aduertise euery studious reader , that when he shall haue occasion to meddle with any member about a horse , that he turne to the second booke in this volume , which treateth onely of surgery ; and there he shall not only find euery member and lineament in a horse , but also the true anatomies so liuely demonstrated , that there shall be nothing wanting to the perfecting of his vnderstanding . and thus much in this place of members . chap. . of powers and how a horses body is gouerned by them . powers which by some are called vertues or principall faculties , and do gouerne and controll both the body of man or beast , and haue the fift place in this worke , are in number three , that is , the power animall the power vitall , and the power naturall . the power animall is a vertue incident to the braine , which through the sinewes coming like little conduit pipes from the braine , distributeth feeling and mouing to all the parts of the body . the power vitall is a vertue belonging to the heart , which doth giue life and spirit to all the body by meanes of the arteries ; which proceeding from the heart , which is the chiefe fountaine of naturall heate , carries in their little channels ouer the whole body , that aire and spirituall bloud which makes it full of lightnesse and alacrity . the power naturall is a vertue belonging to the liuer which giues nourishment vnto all the body , and to euery part thereof , by meanes of the veines , which do likewise proceede from the liuer like greater conduites , carrying the bloud from the liuer which is the fountaine of bloud , into euery part of the body . besides the power naturall containeth foure other vertues , that is , the vertue attractiue which draweth food meete to sustaine the body ; the vertue retentiue , by which it retaineth and keepeth the foode receiued : the vertue disgestiue whereby it concocteth and disgesteth the same . and lastly the vertue expulsiue , by which it expelleth excrements and superfluities . thus these powers or vertues being of no lesse validity then you perceiue by this discourse . it is the part and duty of euery good horse-leach , to haue a most carefull and vigilant respect vnto them : for if any of them faile , the horse cannot liue . therefore whensoeuer you see that either your horse refuseth his foode , or that he doth not retaine and keepe his food● , but casteth it vp againe , or that he doth not digest his food , but keeps it corruptly in his stomacke , or that he can not void his excrements in a naturall manner , but holds it burning in his body , take them for most certaine signes of mortall sicknesse . and thus much of powers or vertues . chap. . of actions or operations , and whereto they belong . as touching actions or operations , which are the sixt columne or pillar which doth vphold this naturall body of which we treate , they are not onely belonging , but euen deriued from the three powers immediatly spoken of in the former chapter , as thus . the action and operation of the power animall , is to discerne , to moue , and to feele . horses discerne by meanes of the vertue imaginatiue , discoursatiue , and memoratiue , whereof the first is placed in the forehead , the second in the middle of the braine , and the third in the hinder part of the head . all which are cōprehended vnder the power animall . horses moue by meanes of the vertue motiue , whose action & operation is to straine or let slacke the sinewes , whereby euery member hath his mouing . and horses feeling is by meanes of the vertue sensitiue , whose action or operation is busied in the fiue sences , as to see , heare , smell , tast , and touch ; and all these actions spring from the power animall . the action or operation of the power vitall , is to restraine and loosen the heart , and the arteries , which proceede from the heart , which action whether it be hurt or disturbed in a horses body is easily knowne of euery good farrier or horse marshall by the vnequall beating of his pulse , that is to say of the arteries which cometh downe from the heart , to the insides of both his fore legges , a little below the knuckles of his shoulders , and likewise crosse both the temples of his head , a little higher then his eyes . and if any man be so simple to imagine that the thicknesse of the horses skinne shall be any impediment to the feeling of this motion , let him remember that as a horses skin is thicker then a mans , so also are his arteries greater , and beate with more violence ; and so consequently to be felt without any great difficulty . the actions or operations of the power naturall , are to ingender , to increase , to nourish , to desire with appetite , to attract , to change , to disgest , to retaine and to expell , and many others of like kinde . these actions therefore are carefully to be looked vnto by euery farrier , to the intent that he may learne by them , not only the whole state of a horses body , but also what particular member thereof is euill affected , as thus . if either in your horse you finde much forgetfulnesse , vnnimblenesse of his limbes , or dulnesse vpon correction , it is a signe of sicknesse in the braine , and that the power animal is euillaffected . if you find that his pulses do beate extraordinarily flow , or much to fast , it is a signe that his heart is grieued , and his power vitall euill affected ; but if you finde that he doth consume , pine away , & loseth his stomacke , it is a signe that his liuer is perplexed , all his inward parts out of frame , and his power naturall euill affected . now you shall againe vnderstand that of actions some be voluntary , some not voluntary . the voluntary actions be those which a horse may either further or hinder , stay or let when themselues pleaseth , as the mouing of the legges : for they may go , stand , or lye downe , at their owne pleasure . the actions not voluntary , are those which depend not vpon the will of any beast , but be done of their owne accord and naturally , as the mouing of the heart and of the arteries , and the passage of the bloud : the first whereof beateth sleeping and waking ; and the other hath his course euery minute . and thus much of actions and operations . chap. . of spirits , and in what parts of the horses body they remaine . spirits , which is the seuenth naturall builder of this naturall worke , are to be vnderstood to be that fine , pure , cleare , and ayrie substance which is ingendred of the finest part of the bloud , whereby the vertue of euery principall member may visite all the other parts of the body , making them to do their duties according to the rules of nature . now of spirits , according to the opinion of some physitians , there are but two kinds , that is , the spirit animall and the spirit vitall . the spirit animall is that which giueth power of feeling and mouing to a horse , and hath his resting place in the braine , from whence through the sinewes it is dispersed into all other parts of the body ; and as it is ingendred of the vitall spirit , being more vehemently wrought and laboured , and partly of continuall breathing : euen so it is partly preserued by the chaule of the braine , which doth howrely water and nourish it . the spirit vitall is contained in the heart , from whence it floweth into euery part of the body , being the chiefe cause of all naturall heate ; and it is preserued and nourished , both by breathing and bloud . to these two spirits , there be some farriers , both italians and french , which adde a third spirit , and call it the spirit naturall , saying , it hath its residence in the liuer & the veines ; but the two former are of such power , and haue such superiority , that the body cannot liue without them , nor haue any being at all ; wherefore it is the office of the farrier continually in all his medicines to haue euer some comfortable simple which may maintaine and keepe these spirits in their full strength , liuelyhood and vertue . and thus much touching spirits , & those seuen naturall things which compact a naturall body . chap. . of the sixe thing not naturall , how they profit , and how they hurt . hauing spoken of the naturall things whereof a horses body is compounded , it is needfull now that we speake something of the other sixe which be not naturall , so farre forth as they concerne the office of the farrier and no further : for with other matters we haue not to do . the first thing then which is not naturall , yet preserueth a horses body in good state , is the aire , which being pure , sharp , cleare and piercing , giueth great life and nourishment to a horse , but being contrary , that is , grosse , thicke , and full of putrifaction , it cannot chuse but alter the good habit of his body , and breede in him many infirmities . therefore euery farrier shall haue great respect to the aire wherein a horse either liueth or was bred in , as if a horse that was bred in a hot aire , come to liue in a cold , and through that exchange grow sicke , the farrier shall by warme dyet , close house , and moderate cloathing , bring his nature to a stronger acquaintance : also when a horse exceedeth in any of the foure qualities , that is , in heate , moystnesse , coldnesse , or drinesse , it is best for him to , liue in that aire which is contrary to that quality wherein hee exceedeth . lastly , in many diseases , the change of the aire is most wholesome , as shall be shewed at large in the particular diseases . for the meate and drinke of a horse which is the second thing not naturall in a horses composition , it is not to be doubted but whilest it is sweete , cleane , & good , as bread well made and baked , dry oates , dry beanes , dry pease , sweet hay , sweet straw , or short grasse , so long it nourisheth and preserueth the horses body ; but if it bee fully , raw , corrupt and vncleane , or if he eate tares , fitches , rye , or barley , then must hee needes bee vnsound and full of infirmities . therefore the farrier shall be carefull to keepe him from all such foodes as breede naughty euill bloud ; as for his water , the more pure it is , the better , and the more muddy , thicke and pleasant , so much the more vnhealthfull . now for his mouing and rest , that is either his trauell or standing still , which is the third thing not naturall in a horses composition , doubtlesse they be great preseruers of a horses health : for as moderate exercise dissolueth grosse humours , ingendreth appetite , and addeth strength vnto the limbes , so likewise indifferent rest , causeth disgestion , comforteth the sinewes , & maketh the heart cheareful against ensuing labour . but on the contrary part , immoderate trauell or exercise , when a horse is ridden beyond his strength , breedeth many dangerous & mortall sicknesses , as the foundring in the body , the consumption of the lungs and liuer , molten grease and such like , besides the pissing of bloud , manginesse , farrye , and such like ; all which inward diseases craue strong purges , and the outward sharp and correding medicines ▪ immoderate rest , which is when a horse doth stand long still without any exercise . feeding foule and grosly is as great an enemy to a horses health as the other : for it congregateth & bindeth together all sorts of ill humours , breedes corruption in the bloud , rottennesse in the flesh , & generally as many diseases as any il dyet whatsoeuer . the sleepe or watch of a horse ( which is the fourth thing in our composition ) is so necessary a comfort to a horse , that he cannot liue without it ; it is the greatest mouer of disgestion : and so consequently giues comfort to the whole body . for whilest a horse sleepeth , the powers animall do take their rest , which otherwise would be ouer-wearied , and neither able to discharge their duties , nor to continue their actions and operations , which is the giuing of feeling and mouing only : & whilst a horse doth sleep the powers natural haue more liberty to do their work , in concocting the meate , and comforting the bodie ; in so much that i account sleepe to be the onely quieting of the sences , ordained by nature to ingender strength . sleepe is begotten by sweet , fatty and grosse vapours , ( & not by their contraries ) which are raised from the heart to the braine ; with the coldnesse of which braine those vapours being congealed and thickned together do stop the pipes of the sensitiue spirits , so as they can not resort to the instruments of the sences , to giue the body feeling & mouing , wherby the body at that time is depriued of those motions . and according as those vapours do more or lesse fill the pipes , so is the horses sleepe more or lesse found and vndisturbed ; but when this sleepe shall at any time grow into excesse , and you shall perceiue a horse to sleepe beyond both nature and custome , then you shall know that such sleep cometh from an euill habite of the body , and is a signe either of lethargie , and a numbnesse of the spirits , or else that he hath some inward griefe and paine in his limbes when he standeth ; which being eased by lying , makes him couet a continuall rest and sleeping . now for the watch of a horse , because it is the meere contrary to sleepe , there needes little to be sayd more then this : that as the excesse of the one sheweth the want of the other , so the vnnaturall working of either shewes the euill state of a horses body , and giues the farriers warning to expect ensuing sicknesse . now for emptinesse and fulnesse ( which is the fift not naturall compositor ) for as much as it is onely an adding to , and a taking away , some farriers haue held opinion , that all physicke belonging to a horses body , consisteth in them two onely ; and truly i am of this minde , that whosoeuer can take away corruption , and adde perfection , shall without doubt , euer keepe an able and substantiall body . but to our purpose , of this fulnesse there are two sorts , the one fulnesse by excesse of humors , the other fulnesse by excesse of meate ; either of which perturbing the spirits are the grounds of sicknes . againe , excesse of humours are of two kindes , the one an equall encrease of all maner of humours gathered together , and the other a particular excesse either of too much melancholy , fleame , or other waterish humours whatsoeuer , the first being termed an aboundance of humours , the latter an excesse of euill iuice or nutriment : lastly , their fulnesse in quantity , and fulnesse in quality . fulnesse in quantity is when a horse is full of bloud or any other simple humour . fulnesse in quality is when any of those humors is too hot or too cold , too grosse or too thin . now for emptinesse , as all diseases of fulnesse must be cured by it onely , so all diseases of emptinesse must be healed by fulnesse , as by taking of bloud , by purge , friction , scarification , boxing , sweating , bathing , and a world of such like , as shal be very largely set forth hereafter . lastly , touching the affections of a horses minde , you shall vnderstand that so farre forth as the sensitiue soule doth stretch , so farre they haue sence and feeling of affections , as namely to loue , to hate , to be angry , to reioyce , to be sorry , and to feare : for all which , there needs no great apologie , sith we haue it in dayly experience : as who seeth not the loue of some horses to their keepers , their hate to strangers , their anger in their fights , their ioyes in their prides & wooings , their sorrowes in their sicknesses , and their feares vnto their riders ? now these affections sith many times they are the grounds of strange motions in the body ; therefore they ought carefully to be looked vnto by the fa●rier , and that the horse be not ouer-oppressed with any of them ; especially feare and hatred , the first whereof compelleth the bloud and spirits to flye to the inward parts , and to leaue the outward without sence or feeling , and the latter makes him to be vnquiet , fierce and raging ; both together breedes distemperature in a horse , and those distemperatures ingender mortal sicknesses . and thus much for these sixe things , being held not naturall in a horses composition . chap. of horses complexions . hauing spoken of whose thirteene naturall and not natural things , wherof a horses body is compounded , we will now in a somewhat more particular manner speake of the complexions of horses , which is one of the most necessary faces that a farrier can behold , both for the iudging of a horses infirmities , and also for the true compounding of his medicines for euery disease : therefore you shal first vnderstand that by the color of the horse you shal euer iudge his complexion : for looke which of the elements is most predominant in him , from that element we draw his complexion , as thus . if he participate more of the fire then of any of the other elements , then we hold him to be a cholericke horse , and his colour is either a bright sorrell , a cole blacke without any white , or an yron gray vnchangeable , that is , such a gray as neither will euer turne to a daple gray , to a white or to a flea-bitten ; and these horses are of nature light , hot , fiery , and seldome of any great strength : these horses are much subiect to pestilent feuers , yellowes , and inflammations of the liuer . therefore euery farrier shall be carefull in the composing of any medicine for such a horse , to purge choler ; yet very moderately , and not with any extraordinary strength in the potion or drench : because the horse being in his best strength not reputed strong , should you apply any violent thing to him , that little strength being abated , there were great danger in the confounding of the whole body . if the horse participate more of the aire then of the other elements , then is he of a sanguine complexion , and his colour is either bright bay , or darke bay ; which hath neither skouling countenance , mealy nose , nor white flanke , or a white flea-bitten , white lyard like siluer , or a blacke with white starre , white rache or white foote ; these horses are of nature pleasant , nimble , free , and of a good strength . the diseases to them most incident , is consumption of the liuer , leprosie , glanders , or any disease that is infectious . they are of a good strong constitution , and may endure strength in their medicines , especially any thing that cooleth the bloud . if the horse participate more of the water then of the other elements , then is he of a flegmaticke complexion , and his colour is either a milke white , a yellow dun , a kiteglewd or a pyedball , in whom there is an equall mixture of colours , that is , as much white as of the other color : otherwise if the bay , the blacke , or the dunne exceed the white , he is sayd to be of that complexion of which the color is greatest . these horses are of nature slow , dull , and apt to leese flesh ; the diseases which are most incident vnto them , is colds , head-atch , rheumes , staggers and such like . they are able to endure the reasonable strength of any medicine ; because the abundance of fleame which is in them , sufficeth both nature and the potion to worke vpon : all cold simples are to them exceeding hurtfull , so are also they which are violently hot in the third degree ; the first because it bindeth too soone ; the latter because it disperseth too suddenly , therefore simples of a moderate meane are the best . if the horse participate more of the earth then of the other elements , then is he of a melancholy complexion , and his colour is mouse dunne , russet , chesnut , a sky gray , darke bay , with mayly nose , redde or white slanke , or a reddish bay , hauing long white haire , like goates haire growing on his legges . these horses are of nature heauy , and saint hearted : the diseases to them most incident , is inflammations in the spleene , frenzie , dropsie and such like . they are commonly of better strength then they will suffer to appeare by their actions , and are able to endure the strength of any reasonable medicine : all cicatrizing and dry simples are hurtfull vnto them ; the cold and moist are the most profitable . hauing thus shewed you these foure complexions , cholerike , sanguine , flegmatike and melancholy , together with their qualities and strengths , you shall vnderstand now that amongst farriers there is another complexion , or fift constitution , which is called the composition or mixture of complexions , that is , whensoeuer a horse doth participate of all the foure elements equally and in due proportion , none being greater or lesse then another ; and this complexion of all other is the best and and most perfect ; and the horse which is of this complexion , is euer of one of these colours , that is to say , either a faire browne bay , dapled or not dapled , a daple gray , a blacke , full of siluer haires , or a faire roane redde or blacke . and those horses are of nature most excellent , most temperate , strongest , gentlest , and most healthfull ; though they may haue any disease , yet are they naturally inclined to no disease ; but what infirmity soeuer falleth vnto them is meerely accidentall , and not through any ouerflow of naturall distemperature . all medicines must be compounded for them according to the nature of the sicknesse , and the time of their languishment : for if their sicknesse be young and new bred , then are they able to receiue any well composed receipt ; but if it be old , & the inward powers and faculties feebled , then you must bee carefull to helpe nature , by adding to euery medicine of what nature soeuer , some simple of comfort , that as euill humours be clensed , so strength may still be repayred & maintained . and thus much for complexions . chap. . of inward sicknesse , the causes and seuerall kindes thereof . sith i haue already passed ouer al those things which haue a naturall and perfect working in a horses body , and do maintaine , vphold and preserue the same in good state and health , except accidentally they be encountred and crossed by some excesse , or in dyet , or in exercise : it shall now be meete that we begin to speake of the things which be contrary and against nature , which are all those things whereby at any time , the healthfull estate of the horses body is any way impeached ; and they be three in number , that is , the causes , the sicknesse , and the accidents which follow euery sicknesse . now the causes of sicknesse are all vnnaturall affects , and euill dispositions , which going before , do as it were by violence , bring sicknesse after them : and of these causes there be two sorts , some internall , some externall ; the internall be those which breede within the body of the horse , as euill humours , euill obstructions and euill iuice . externall are they which communicate with the outward parts of the body , as heate , cold , wounds and such like , of which i shall speake more in the second booke : and for so much as i intend at the beginning of euery particular disease , to shew the cause of that disease , i will at this time speake no more of that subiect . now for sicknesse it selfe which is any thing that is contrary to nature , it is diuided into three generall kindes : the first an euill temperature , the second an euil state or composition , and the third a loosening or diuiding of an vnity . now of these two latter , i intend not to speake in this place , because they appertaine to surgery , which i reserue for the second booke ; but for the first kinde which is an euill temperature , it is taken two fold , that is , either simple or compound ; simple , when one quality onely doth abound or exceede , as to be too moist or too dry : compound when mo qualities then one do grow into excesse , as for a horse to be too hot , and too dry , or too cold and too moist . againe , sicknesses are sayd some to belong , as consumptions , glanders and such like , which linger and weare a horse away by small degrees . some short , as the staggers , yellowes , anticor , and such like , which as soone as they be perceiued , so soone they be mortall . now of inward sicknesses , some do occupy all the whole body , some but particular parts ; those which occupy the whole body are feuers , the pestilence , conuulsions and such like : those which occupy parts or members , are colds which annoy the head , surfaits which perplexe the stomacke ; and so likewise all outward infirmities proper to euery particular member , as splents vpon the legs , spauens on the houghes , pearles in the eyes , and such like , as shall be amply shewed hereafter . and thus much for sicknesse and the seuerall kindes thereof . chap. . of the signes of sicknesse , and of what nature it consisteth . the signes and faces by which sicknesse is discerned , are many , and almost numberlesse ; yet in the best sort that i may , i will shew you such and so many as shall amply serue for any mans vnderstanding . know then first that there be according to the rules in physicke , foure especiall wayes to iudge of inward and outward infirmities . first , by accidents , as by the shape , number , quantity , & place of the member grieued : for if it carry not his true proportion , or be more or lesse in number or quantity , or out of his proper place , then questionlesse it is diseased . secondly , by alteration of the quality , as when it is either too hot , too cold , too moist or too dry . thirdly , when any member in the body is hindered from doing his office ; as when the eye cannot see , or the foote cannot treade : and fourthly , by excrements , as by his dung or his vrine . but for as much as in the speculation of these qualities , many of the ignorant sort may be either amazed , distract or deceiued ; and that my desire is to giue an absolute satisfaction to all sorts of people , i will briefly and plainly shew you the most vndeceiueable signes of all sorts of inward sicknesses , as thus . if a horse be slower in labour , or duller in the spurre then he hath bene accustomed , if he be shorter breathed , if his eares hang downe more then they were wont ; if his haire be more staring , if his flankes be more then vsually hollow , if he burne betwixt his eares or about his pasternes , if in trauell his stomacke faile him ; or his mouth that in labor was vsually wont to be foaming , become dry ; all these are most apparant signes of inward sicknesse . when a horse holdeth downe his head which was wont to be of a chearefull countenance , it is a signe either of a feuer , head-ache , or else foundring in the body . if a horse be dimme of sight that was cleare sighted , it is a signe either of head-ache , the staggers , or sore eyes . when a horse turneth his head backward to the place grieued , if it be to the right side ▪ it is a signe of obstructions in the liuer ; but if he turne it downe to his belly , then it is a signe either of cholericke , bots or wormes . when a horse hath water running from his mouth , it is a signe of the staggers or the wet cough . if a horses breath stincke , or foule matter issue from his nosthrels , it is a sign of an vlcer in the nose or head ; but if the matter be white , then it is a signe of glaunders : if the matter be blacke , then it is a signe of the mourning of the chine ; but if the matter be yellow , then it betokens the consumption of the liuer ; but if he cast little lumps out of his mouth , then it betokens the consumption or rottennesse of the lungs . if a horses body and breath be hot , it is a signe of a feuer and heate of the stomacke , if therewithall he forsake his meate , it is a signe of inflammation in his liuer , and either of dry or moist yellowes . if the temples of a horses heade be very hollow , it is a signe either of the strangle or old age . shortnesse of breath , and a breathing flanke , is a signe either of a feuer or the strangle ; but if the passage of the throate be stopped , it is a signe the filme of the lungs is broken , & the spleene troubled , or else broken winded . if any thing lye on both sides the forehead , which may be felt beate , it is a signe of the staggers . if there be any swelling betweene the eares , it is a signe of the polle euil ; swelling vnder the eare , a signe of the viues ; and swelling in the mouth , a signe either of canker , flaps or lampasse . swelling vnder the throat is a signe of the glaunders ; and swelling about the tongue rootes ▪ a signe of the strangle ; but if there be about the tongue rootes , nothing but little small knots like waxe kyrnels , then it is a signe but of cold onely . swelling on the left side is a signe of a sicke spleene . swelling in the belly and legges , a signe of the dropsie ; and swelling in the flanke , of the cholericke onely . to cough , or to offer to cough , is a signe either of the glaunders , of the mourning of the chine , of a feather in the weasand , of the wet or dry cough , of the filme broken , of the dry malady , of a consumption , or of foundring in the body . staggering is a signe either of a feuer , of the staggers , or of swaying in the necke ; but if he stagger , or rolle behinde onely , then it is a signe either of foundring in the body , or of paine in the kidneyes . trembling is a signe of a feuer , or of foundring in the body : and here is to be noted , that a horse which trembleth after the drinking of cold water , hath during that time of trembling , a very certaine sit of an ague ; and if any farrier or other , will but obserue it , he shall finde that the horse after he hath done trembling , will burne and glow in as great extremity at least an howre and an halfe after ; and some horses after their burning , will sweate also . the hollownesse of a horses backe is a signe of the dry malady or the dropsie . haire staring , is a signe either of a cold stomacke or of foundring in the body . if a horse stale with much paine , it is a signe either of foundring in the body , the wind cholike , or the stone ; and if the vrine which comes from him be yellow , it is a signe of the glaunder ; but if it be blackish and thicke , it is a signe of paine in the kidneyes . leannesse and gauntnesse is a signe of hide-bound , or of the consumption , of the dry malady , of foundring in the body , inflammation of the liuer , the yellowes , cholicke or wormes . laxatiuenesse or loosnesse of the body , is a signe of a hot liuer . costiuenesse in the body is a signe of dry yellowes , or of diseases in the galle . if a horses dung stinke , it is a signe of a hot liuer ; if it haue no smell , then of a cold liuer ; but if it be vndisgested , then either of a consumption , or of a drye malady . if a horse go stiffe , it is a signe either of wrinching , hipping , stifling or foundring either in body or legs ; if he go crouching behinde and stiffe before , then the griefe is in his forelegges ; but if he go onely weake behinde , then is the griefe in his hinder legges onely . if a horse desire extraordinarily to lye downe on his right side , it is a signe of heate in the liuer . if on the left side , then of a diseased spleene ; if he be oft vp and downe , finding no rest , then it is a signe of bottes , wormes , chollicke , or griping in the belly ; if when he is downe he spreade himselfe abroad , it shewes the dropsie ; if he groane when he is downe , it shewes either a sicke spleene , moist yellowes , chollicke , bots , or filme broken ; if he be not able to rise when he is downe , then either mortall weaknesse , foundring in the body or legges . to be troubled with much wind is a signe either of griefe in the spleene , or losse of much bloud . if a horse forsake his meate , it is a signe either of a feuer , head-ache , strangle , staggers , consumption , or dry malady , anticor , foundring in the body , a hot and consumed liuer , moyst yellowes , cholicke , or the wormes ; but if when he forsaketh his prouender he doth , as it were , chauell or chaw a little hay , and in his chawing doth make a certaine sharp noyse in his mouth , and if his tongue could not well part from the roofe without a kinde of chanking , it is then a certaine signe that the horse is troubled with the falling of the palate of the mouth , a disease which only commeth by ouer much trauell , or too sore a burthen . if a horse desire to eate much and drinke little , it is a signe of a cold liuer ; but if he desire to drinke much and eate little , it is then a signe either of a feuer , rotten lungs , heate in the stomacke , heate in the liuer , or the dry yellowes . if a horse both eate and drinke with an extraordinary greedinesse , it is a signe of rotten lungs , or a diseased spleene . lazie and heauy going contrary to true nature , is a signe either of a feuer , sicke spleene , yellowes , or else obstructions of the liuer . if a horse strike with his foote at his belly , it is a signe of the chollike ; but if when he striketh , he fiske with his taile also , then is it either bots or rough wormes . if a horse be scabby and vlcerous all ouer his body , or but about his necke , it is a signe of the mangie ; if it be an vlcer full of knots , creeping alongst a veine , it is the farcy ; if spreading abroad onely in one place , it is a canker ; if the vlcer be hollow and crooked , it is a fistula , but if it be a spongie wart , full of bloud , it is then an anburie . if a horses tongue hang out , and be swolne , it is a signe of the strangle . to conclude , if a horse in health beate short , thicke , & fast in the flanke , it is a signe of sicknesse in the lungs & lights , which we call broken winded ; with a world of other such like signes and tokens , as shall be more amply declared in euery particular chapter . chap. . generall obseruations in the physicking of horses . after you can by these signes and characters iudge and approue either the health or sicknesse of a horse , it is then necessary that you learne some generall rules and obseruations which belong to the physicking of a horse ; lest that either by your rashnesse , vnskilfulnesse or vncleanlinesse in what you go about to do , you commit errours more grosse then the medicine you administer hath power to do good . know then first , that whensoeuer you go about to giue your horse any inward potion or drench , you must first take very carefull heede that your drinke be no more then milke warme : for there is nothing more mortall to a horse then the scalding of his stomacke . next you must be very carefull that you giue the drench easily and gently , lest in making too much haste , the drinke passe into his weasand or winde-pipe , and so force him to an extreme coughing , and almost suffocate him ; which if it do , you must then let his head loose , and walke him vp and downe , till the passion be past . lastly you shall obserue in giuing a drench , to draw out the horses tongue before you put in the horne , and then presently let it loose againe : for that will compell him to swallow whether he will or no. and this is principally to be vsed when you giue your horse pils , as butter and garlike , bulter and saunders , or butter and sauen . also euery drench will worke the better , the longer you keepe the sicke horse fasting , both before and after his medicine ; wherein is likewise to be obserued , that moderate exercise ( as gently walking , or trotting vp and downe according to the horses strength after his drench is receiued ) is most wholesome , and maketh the medicine worke a great deale the better . you shall likewise obserue if your horses sicknesse be a feuer , to mixe alwayes your simples either with warme water , with hony , or with oyle ; but if the disease be coughes , rheumes or any thing that proceedeth of cold causes , then you shall mixe your simples with good ale or wine ; and if your horse be brought low & weake with sicknesse , then you shall mixe your simples with milke or egges . you shall also obserue that in bloud letting , you must take but halfe so much from a yong colt as from an old horse ; and but the fourth part from a yearling foale : also in letting bloud , you must carefully regard the age and strength of your horse , taking more or lesse according to his ability of body . lastly , letting of bloud is either to diuert sicknesse and preserue health , or to refresh and coole the spirits , or to diminish bloud , or else to purge grosse and badde humours . obserue before you let your horse bloud , first moderately to chafe or exercise him ; then let him take rest a day before his letting bloud , and three dayes after ; not forgetting that aprill and october are the two principall seasons of the yeare for that purpose , except vrgent occsion be ministred . obserue whensoeuer you rake your horse with your hand ( which is to draw his ordure out of his fundament when hee cannot dung ) that then first you annoynt all your hand with sallet oyle ; the like you must euer do when you put vp any suppositary ; but when you administer any glister , you shall then but annoynt the glister pipe onely . many other obseruations there are which be more particular , and those you shall finde annexed to the seuerall cure of euery disease . thus much then of these generall obseruations . chap. . of the vrine and excrements of an horse . after you haue made your memory acquainted with the signes and obseruations before specified , and so in the end finde a horse which by the demonstration of some of these signes appeareth most certainly to be sicke and diseased ; my aduice is then ( if conueniently you may , and that the violence of the sicknesse do not vrge the contrary ) that before you administer any thing vnto him , in any case you see his vrine , from which vrine you shall reape these knowledges . first , if the vrine of a horse be of a pale , whitish , yellow colour , like vnto amber , & therewithall somewhat strong smelling , and not very cleare , then you shall be assured that the horse is in good state of body , strong and healthful ; but if it be extraordinary white , and as it were , creamy , then it is a signe the horse hath weake reines and is subiect to the stone , and the stopping in the kidneyes . if the vrine of a horse be somewhat high coloured , bright and cleare like lamber and not like amber , or like a cup of strong march beere ; then it sheweth the horse hath inflammation in his bloud , and that he hath either a feuer , or else some great surfaite ; but if it be red like bloud , then is his inflammation more geat , and his surfaite is onely an ouer heate taken by ouer-riding ; insomuch that if present remedy be not applyed , either by scouring or other healthfull physicke , the horse cannot chuse but fall into some mortal sicknesse . if the vrine of a horse be of a pale greenish colour , thicke and slimy , it is a signe of a weake backe , and consumption of the seede . lastly , if the horses vrine be high colored , yet therewithall cloudy and full of blacknesse , then it is a signe that the horses sicknesse is mortall , and hardly to be preserued by any physicke ; but if the blacknesse and cloudinesse of the vrine do not remaine , as it were , bound vp together in one body , but is broken & dispersed , shewing many cloudes in one water , then it is a signe that the violence of the sicknesse departeth away , and there is great hope , by good gouernement , that the horse will recouer his health , as at the begining . now for the excrements or dung of a horse , which is no lesse worthy of note then the vrine . you shall first vnderstand , that if his dung be euer of alliance with his foode , i meane either in part or whole coloured like vnto that he eateth ; as thus for example : if your horse go at grasse , his dung wil euer be greene , and the brighter such greennesse is , and being in a meane betweene hardnesse and softnsse , the sounder and in more perfect estate the horse standeth ; but if the greennesse be bright , yet the ordure so soluble and loose , that it cometh from the horse like water , then you shall vnderstand that either the horse hath eaten vp some feather , or else that he hath an inward coldnesse both in his stomacke and bowels . if a horses dung be of a reasonable thicknesse , neither too costiue nor too soluble , yet the greennesse inclined to some blacknesse , it is a signe that the horse hath a hot stomacke , and is easile subiect either to the yellowes or staggers . if the horses dunge be in round hard pellets , and of a blackish greene colour , like the dung of a sheepe , or a deere , then it is without faile that the horse hath had some great surfait , either by ouer-riding , or by ill food , or else is certainly possest either of the yellowes , or feuer , or foundred in the body . now if your horse be fed onely vpon straw , then his colour will be of a high coloured yellow , rather costiue then soluble , and the graine thereof long , and not well coutched together : and all these be good signes of great healthfulnesse ; but if the colour be inclined to rednesse ; or if it be exceeding dry without moisture , or if it be thinne like the dung of an oxe or a cow , they be all apparant signes of inward sicknesse ; but if the rednesse turne to blacknesse , and that his ordure doth leese the strength of its smelling , then it is a great signe of death and mortality . if your horse be fed with hay and prouender , then your perfect and sound dung will be of a browne yellow colour , the graine somewhat long , yet moist and well fixt together ; but if the brownnesse turne to rednesse , it is a signe of distemperature ; and if it turne to blacknesse , then of death . now for the smell of this dung , you must vndestand that the more prouender you giue , the greater will be the smell , and the lesse prouender , the lesse smell . lastly , if you feede your horse onely vpon prouender , as bread , oates , and such like , then the dung which shewes a perfect and a sound body , will be of a pale yellow colour , like course hony , firme like a thicke salue , hauing within it when you tread vpon it , or break it , little white graines , like those which are in sope ; or if the dung be harder , like the ordinary ordure of a man , it is not amisse : for both be signes of health and strength ; but if the dung looke redde , then it is a signe that the horse hath taken some inward heate , and his stomacke and bowels do rest still inflamed . if his dung be browne and slimy , or if it shine and looke greasie , it is a signe that he hath had some of his inward grease molten , and that it resteth and putrifieth in his body ; but if with his dung you see him void great clods and lumps of grease , then you may be assured that his grease was molten , but nature hath ouercome infirmity , and the worst danger is past already ; but if his dung be matter vndigested , so that you may either perceiue therin whole corns or whole bits of bread , it is a signe the horse hath either taken a late surfaite , or is entring into a mortall consumption . lastly , if his dung be blacke , or haue lost the smell , it is an apparant signe of death . and thus much for vrine and excrements , and the seueral know●ledges are attained by them . chap. . of feuers in generall , and the diuers kindes thereof . that horses haue feuers , and those feuers of diuers and sundry natures , there is nothing more certaine , as by strict obseruation may daily be perceiued , especially when either we vse much trauell , or disorderly diet : for questionlesse from these two and none other heads do spring most feuers whatsoeuer . but first , that i may giue you an account what a horses feuer is , you shall know that it is an vnnaturall and immoderate heate , which proceeding first from the heart , disperseth it selfe not onely through all the arteries , but euen the veines of a horses body , & thereby hindereth all the actions and wholesome mouings of the same . now of feuers , some farriers make three forts : the first those which breede in the spirits , being inflamed and set on fire beyond the ordinary course of nature : the second those which breede in the humours , being likewise distempered by heate : and the third those which breed in the firme parts of the body , and are continually hot . now i for your better memory , will diuide them onely into two parts , that is to say : ordinary and extraordinary . the ordinary feuers are all those which are bred either in the spirits or in the humours , as namely : quotidians , tertians , quartans , feuers continuall , feuers hectique , feuers in autumne , sommer , or winter . and the feuers extraordinary are all those which are bred in the firme parts of the body , and are euer hot , as pestilent feuers , and the plague , which euer are accompanied with vlcers ; and the feuer accidentall , which proceedeth from the anguish and paine of some mortall wound . now for the causes from whence these feuers do proceede : you shall vnderstand that all these which i call ordinary feuers , do generally spring either from surfaite by extreme labour , or from surfaite by naughty meate , as raw pease , rawfitches , raw oates , mouldy and vnwholesome bread , and such like : sometimes they do proceede from the extreme violence and heate of the sunnes beames , when trauelling with disorderly haste in the extremest heate of the day , those two heates mixing together , labor & the sunne , there cannot chuse but be bredde in the horse some mortall inflammation : and for mine owne part i haue seene horses fall downe dead in the high way : for whose deaths i could find no reason more then their labour and the heate of the sunne . feuers sometimes spring from a contrary cause , as from extreme cold in this maner : when a horse in the winter time hath bene trauelled sore all the day , and is brought into the house hot , if after his bloud and inward powers are setled and cooled , you then presently or the same night , giue him cold water as much as he will drinke , you shall see him out of hand fall into an extreme quaking , and from that quaking , into a violent burning , with all other distemperatures of a feuer . now for extraordinary feuers , they euer proceede either from corruption of bloud , or from infection of the aire ; and albeit these feuers are not vsually knowne vnto our farriers , yet they are as common as the former ; onely the violence of them is so great , and the poison so strong , that they euer carry with them some other mortall sicknes , as namely , staggers , yellowes , anticor , and such like , which neuer are , but a pestilent feuer euer goeth before them . and they , like the markes of the plague , are seldome seene till the cure be desperate ; and then the vnskilfull farrier , neither noting , nor knowing if he did note , the effects of the feuer , doth euer mis-baptise the name of the horses infirmity , and taking the lesser for the greater , failes many times to do the good office & cure which he intendeth . now the signes to know a feuer be these : first he will euer hold downe his head , he will quake and tremble ; but when his trembling is past , then will his body burne , and his breath be hot , he wil breathe fast , and his flanke will beate ; he will reele , he will forsake his meate , his eyes will be swolne and closed vp , yet therewithall much watring ; his flesh will , as it were , fall from his bones , and his stones will hang downe low , he will oft lye downe , and oft rise vp againe ; all his desire will be to drinke , yet at no time drinke much ; neither will he at any time sleep . now for the generall cure of these generall feuers , you shall vnderstand , that some farriers vse to let the horse bloud in the face , temples and palate of the mouth , and the first day to giue him no meate , but warme drinke onely , by a little at a time , and after , the finest grasse or finest hay wet in water , keeping him warme , and often walking him vp and downe in a temperate aire , and giuing him good store of litter ; then when he begins to mend , to feede him with barley sodden , huskt and beaten as you do wheate before you make furmity . and this cure is not amisse , for it agreeth with the ancient experience of the italians ; but in our english horses ( through the clyme as i suppose ) it often faileth . the best cure therfore that i haue found is , as soone as you perceiue him to begin to shake , to giue him the yolkes of three or foure egges , beaten with seuen or eight spoonefull of aqua-vitae to drinke ; and then chase him vp and downe till his shaking be past , and then set him vp close and warme , and with many clothes make him sweate an howre : let his foode be oates very well dryed and sifted , and one day some washt in ale . if his shaking fit be past before you perceiue his sicknesse , you shall onely giue him a pint of muskadine , and an ounce of sugar-candy beaten to powder , and brewd together , to drinke , and so let him rest , feeding him by little and little as aforesaid , and giuing him no water but such as is warme ; and this order you shall obserue at the beginning of euery fit if you can note them , or else euery morning if his sicknesse haue no ceassing . chap. . of the quotidian or one dayes feuer , and the cure . the quotidian or one dayes feuer is that which taketh a horse , and holdeth him with one fit once euery day ; it will at first appeare somewat violent , but seldome or neuer endureth long , if the farrier haue any discretion . it proceedeth most commonly from extreme riding , either after water or a full stomacke ; and then suddenly after his heate , being thrust into a stable , & neither stopt nor rubbed , a suddaine coldnes to that suddaine heate begers a shaking , and so consequently the effects of a feuer . the signes to know it , are watrish and bloud-shotten eyes , short and hot breathing , panting , loathing of his meate , and stiffnesse in his limbes ; but aboue these , to know it is a quotidian , you shall obserue that these signes together with the sicknesse , will not last aboue sixe or eight howres in one day , and then he will be cheerefull and in health againe , till very neare the same howre of the next day , at what time his fit will begin againe . and here is to be noted , that the more it altereth the howres , the more hope there is of his health , as if it take him at seuen of the clocke of the one day , and at three of the clocke of the other , and so forth . the cure is : you shall only during his fit , giue him nothing but a sweet mash made of malt and water being luke warme , and walke him gently vp and downe in a temperate aire ; then as soone as his fit is past , you shall set him vp , and rub his body & legs exceedingly : then foure howres after , you shall giue him this drinke . take of strong ale a quart , and boyle therin halfe a handfull of wormwood , of long pepper and graines two ounces , of the best treacle two ounces , and of the powder of dryed rue one ounce : now when a third part of the ale is consumed , take it from the fire and straine it ; then put therein three ounces of sugar-candy , beaten to powder ; then when it is luke warme giue it him with a horne to drinke . do this twice at the least , or thrice if his fits continue , and there is no doubt but he will recouer . chap. . of the tertian feuer . the tertian feuer is that which cometh euery other day , holding the horse with one sicke day , and one sound : it is not so violent as the quotidian , but much longer lasting ; it happeneth oftest in the spring time of the yeare , when bloud begins to encrease , and most commonly to colts and yong horses : it proceeds of the same causes that the quotidian doth and sometimes of ranknesse and ill bloud . the signes to know it , are all the signes formerly spoken of , and this as the chiefest , that the horse will be apparantly sicke , as it were , on the munday , then apparantly well on the tuesday , and sicke on the wednesday following . this feuer is neuer seene , but it beginneth with shaking . the cure therefore is , assoone as you perceiue the horse to begin to shake , you shall take a certaine hearbe , or rather weede , called stone-croppe , and bruising it in a stone morter , take some foure spoonefull of the iuice thereof , and infuse it in a quart of strong alè , and giue it the horse to drinke ; then walke him gently vp and downe in some temperate aire for an howre , then set him vp , & with the helpe of clothes put him into a sweate for an other howre , then coole him ; and in any wise till his fits leaue him , let him drinke no cold water , and let his prouender be the oldest and dryest oates you can get , onely vpon his good dayes before his fits come , keepe him very long fasting and empty . chap. . of the quartane feuer . the quartane feuer is that which some farriers call a third daies sicknesse , as thus . if his fit begin on the munday , he will be well on the tuesday and wednesday , and sicke againe one the thursday . it proceedeth from the same causes that the tertian feuer doth , yet in his working is not so apparantly violent , but of much longer continuance : for if great care & helpe be not , these feuers will last some a quarter of a yeare , some halfe a yeare , and some a whole yeare . there needes no other signe to know it , then the coming and going of the fits as hath bene declared already . and for the cure , it is the selfe same which is described in the former chapter for the tertian feuer : onely if his fits do not leaue him at the first taking of the medicine , you shall then giue it him againe the second time , but not aboue thrice at the most in any wise . chap. . of the feuer continuall . the feuer continuall is that which continueth without any intermission , and it is most dangerous and violent : for there is in it the effects of all the former feuers , euer one taking place as the other endeth ; as a quotidian beginning , is pursued by a tertian , and a tertian by a quartane , and those two supply so many howers till the quotidian doth begin againe . this kind of continuall feuer , most often springeth from some inflammation or violent heate ingendred in the pricipall members about the heart : and the signes thereof are want of rest , and falling away of the flesh , besides certaine inflammations or swellings , which will appeare about his withers and flanks . the cure is , first to purge his head by neesing , the manner whereof you shall finde in a particular chapter hereafter ; which done , you shall giue him this drinke . take of iermander two ounces , of gumme dragant , and dryed roses , of each halfe an ounce , beate them into fine powder , and put them into a quart of ale , adding thereunto of oyle oliue two ounces , and as much hony ; and when it is luke warme , giue it the horse to drinke : then walke him a little space , and after set him vp close and warme , keepe him from cold water , and let his prouender be dry oates . chap. of the hectique feuer . the hectique feuer in horses , is a dangerous and mortall feuer , being in a horse the first originall breeder of a consumption ; it is a certaine hot and dry humour , which runneth betweene the skinne and the flesh , proceeding from a sicke stomacke , which hauing bene scalded with hot drinks ( as those ill dyeted running horses be , which feede vpon much spice , or those which take hot drenches vpon euery foolish and sleight occasion ) hath almost cleane lost the power of disgestion : it sometimes happens to those horses which men too carefully teaching to drinke beere and wine , do so conti●ually apply them thereunto , that in the end they become subiect to this sicknesse . the signes to know it is : the horse will neuer eate with any appetite , and when you draw out his tongue you shall finde it rawe and almost scalded ; his flesh wil be loose and flaggy , and his body will be subiect to a continual trembling . the cure is , first wash his tongue either with the sirrop of mulberries , or with allome , running water , sage , and woodbinde leaues boiled together ; then giue him fasting in a morning , this drink . take of aloes one ounce , of agarike halfe an ounce , of licoras and aniseseeds of each a dram , beaten to powder , & let him drinke it with a quart of white wine , luke warme , & made sweet with sugarcandy or hony ; let him drinke no drinke but warme mashes of malt & water , and let his meate be sweete bay , or greene corne blades ; and euer after his medicine l●t him be chafed a little , kept fasting two or three howres , and stand warme and well clothed . chap. . of the feuer taken in autumne , or the fall of the leafe . all these feuers before spoken of , do for the most part , commonly happen to horses in the spring time of the yeare , by reason that the new bloud is euer aptest to be inflamed ; yet notwithstanding we finde by experience , that feuers will somtimes come at the fall of the leafe , which we call autumne , and they are of longer continuance then the other . the signes are none other but such as i haue already declared ▪ for they are the same feuers , onely altering in the time of the yeare . if therefore your horse do chance to catch a feuer at the fall of the leafe , you shall let him bloud on his necke veine , and in the palate of his mouth , and you shall giue him to drinke the same drinke which is formerly set downe for the feuer continuall , and there is no doubt of his recouery . chap. . of the feuer taken in the summer season . a feuer taken in the summer season is the worst of al ordinary feuers whatsoeuer , especially all such as are taken in the dog daies ; because according to the opinion of farriers , al accidents are then most furious : the especial signes of this feuer are , that his arteries wil beate most palpably , & wheresoeuer he staleth , there you shall perceiue he sheddeth his seed also . the cure according to the ancients is ▪ to let him bloud on the great veine which he hath on his hinder haunch , almost foure inches beneath his fundament ; but for mine own part , because that vein is not so easily found of euery ignorant smith , & that many times by mistaking , they may cut the artery in stead of the veine , i hold it fully as good to let him bloud vpon the necke veine ; which done , giue him to drinke two howres and a halfe after , this drinke . take the iuice of a handful of purslaine , and mixe it with gumdragant , anise seedes , and damaske rose leaues beaten to powder ; then put them into a quart of strong ale made sweete either with sugarcandy or hony , and faile not to giue him this drinke three mornings together , keeping the horse warme during his sicknesse . chap. . of the feuer taken in the winter season . a feuer taken in the winter , is not so dangerous touching the life of a horse , as the feuer before mentioned ; yet is it a feuer which will continue long , and aske great circumspection in the cure : the causes thereof are the same which are formerly described ; and the signes are no other then hath bene already declared . touching the cure it is thus : you shall first purge his head by making him neese , that done you shall let him bloud both in the necke , and the palate of the mouth , and then two howres and a halfe after , giue him this drinke . take of treus three ounces , of round pepper halfe an ounce , of bay berries and the seede of smallage , of each halfe an ounce ; boyle these in white wine , and giue it him to drinke luke warme . other farriers vse to take a pint of new milke , and to put therein two ounces of sallet oyle , of saffron one scruple , & of mirre two scruples , of the seede of smallage a spoonefull , and to make him drinke it luke warme ; but the horse which taketh this drinke , must be in good strength , for it he be brought low , it is somewhat too strong . the ancient italians did vse for this feuer , to giue this drinke : take of aristolochia halfe an ounce , of gentian , of hysop , of wormwood , of southerwoort , of each halfe an ounce , of dry fat figges three ounces , of the seede of smallage an ounce and an halfe , of rue halfe an handfull ; boyle them all with running water in a cleane vessel , vntil almost halfe be consumed ; then when it beginnes to thicken , take it from the fire , straine it , and giue it the horse luke warme . now there are not any of these drinkes but are sufficient for the cure ; but the first is best . now for his dyet , be sure to keepe him fasting long before his fits come , and let his drinke be onely warme mashes of malt and water . now if you perceiue that his fits continue , and bring the horse to any weaknesse , you shall then to comfort and quicken the natural heate of the horse , rubbe and chafe all his body ouer , either in the sunne , or by some softe fire with some wholsome friction , of which frictions you shall finde choyce in a particular chapter hereafter following , together with their seuerall natures and vses . chap. . of the feuer which cometh by surfaite of meate onely . the feuer which cometh by surfaite of meate onely , without either disorder in trauell of corruption of bloud , is knowne by these signes : the horse will heaue and beate vpon his backe , his breath will be short , hot , and dry , and his winde he will draw only at his nose with great violence . the cure therefore is , you shall let him bloud in his necke , vnder his eyes , and in the ●●late of his mouth , you shall also purge his head by making him nee●e ; then keepe him with very thin dyet , that is , let him fast for more then halfe of the day , and let him not drinke aboue once 〈◊〉 foure and twenty houres , and that drinke to 〈◊〉 ●arme water : you shal also once or twice chafe his body with wholesome friction ; and if during his cure he chance to grow costiue , you shall cause him to be raked , and afterward giue him either a suppositary , or a glister , of both which , and of their seuerall natures , you shall reade sufficiently in a chapter following . chap. . of feuers extraordinary , and first of pestilent feuers . we find by many ancient italian writers , that both the romans , and others their countrymen , haue by experience found many horses subiect to this pestilent feuer , which is a most contagious and pestiferous disease , almost incurable ; & for mine own part , i haue seene it in many colts and young horses . surely it proceedeth , as i iudge , either from great corruption of bloud , or from infection of the aire . the signes thereof is , the horse will hold downe his head , forsake his meate , shed much water at his eyes , and many times haue swellings or vlcers rising a little below his eare rootes . the cure is , first you shall not faile to let him bloud in the necke veine : then two or three howres after you shall giue him a glister : then make this plaister : take of squilla fiue ounces , of elder , of castoreum , of mustard-seed , and of euforbium , of each two ounces ; dissolue the same in the iuice of daffadill and sage , and lay it all about the temples of his head , and betweene his eares : then giue him to drinke for three or foure dayes together , euery morning , two ounces of the best treacle dissolued in a pint of good muskadine . the italians vse to giue him diuers mornings , a pound of the iuice of elder roots , or in stead of his hay , a good quantity of that hearbe which is called venus haire ; but if the time of the yeare be such that they cannot haue it greene , then they boyle it in water , and straine it ▪ and giue it him to drinke ; but i hold the first drinke to be most sufficient , his dyet being thin , and his keeping warme . chap. . of the plague or pestilence in horses , of some called the gargill , or murraine . this pestilence , murraine , or gargill in horses , is a contagious and most infectious disease , proceeding either from surfaite of heate , cold , labour , or hunger , or any other thing breeding corrupt humours in a horses body , as the holding too long of his vrine , drinking when he is hot , or feeding vpon grosse foule & corrupt foods , as in low grounds after flouds , when the grasse is vnpurged , & such like . somtimes it springs from som euil influence of the planets , corrupting the plants and fruites of the earth , and cattell too somtimes also , & from diuers other such like causes ; but howsoeuer , when the disease beginneth , certaine it is , that it is most infectious , and if there be not care and preuention vsed , of multitudes it will not leaue one . not any of the ancient italian farriers , nor any of our english farriers that i haue met with , do or can yeeld me any signe or token to know this disease , more then that one or two must first dye , & then by their deaths i must adiudge & preuent what wil follow ; but they are mistaken : for this disease is as easily known by outward ●ignes as any disease whatsoeuer , as namely the horse will first begin to lowre and hang downe his head ; & within two or three dayes after such lowring , you shal see him begin to swell vnder his eare rootes , or vnder the rootes of his tongue , and that swelling will run vniuersally ouer all one side of his face , being very extreme hard and great . moreouer all his lips , mouth , & whites of his eyes , will be exceeding yellow , and his breath will be strong , and stinke exceedingly . the cure of this disease , according to the maner of the italians & french men , is first to separate the sound from the sicke , euen a farre distance from that aire where the sicke breatheth : then let them bloud in the necke veines , and giue euery one seuerally to drinke , two spoonefull of the powder of diapente brewd in a pint of strong sacke ; of the composition of which diapente , and of the particular vertues thereof , you shall reade in a chapter following . if you cannot readily get this diapente , you may then take a pint of muskadine , and dissolue it in two ounces of the best treacle , and it will serue the turne . questionlesse these medicines are both exceeding good , for they are great preseruatiues against all inward infections ; yet that which i haue found , farre to exceede them , and to be most excellent not onely for this plague amongst horses , but for the plague or murraine ( of some called the mountaine euill ) amongst beasts , is this . take a good quantity of old vrine , and mixe therewithall a good quantity of hens dung , stirre them well together till the dung be dissolued : then with a horne giue to euery horse of beast a pint thereof luke warme . this haue i seene helpe hundreds . chap. . of the feuer accidentall , coming by some wound receiued . if a horse shal receiue any grieuous and sore wound , either by stroake or thrust , by which any of the vitall powers are let or hindred : certaine it is that the paine and anguish of such wounds will bring a horse to a hot feuer , and then his life is in great danger : besides , a horse being naturally subiect to moist distillation in his throate , there will many times rise therein great swellings and vlcers , through the paine whereof a horse will fall into a burning ague . the signs whereof are , that he will couet much to drinke , but cannot drinke , and his flesh will fall away in much extraordinary fashion . the cure besides the remedies before mentioned , is , to let him bloud vnder his eares and in the mouth : and then to take a fine manchet , & cutting it in slices , steep it in muskadine , and compel him to swallow them : it shall also be good if once in three ●ayes you steepe your manchet in sallet oyle , and make him eate it . as for his drinke let it be onely warme mashes of malt and water , which if he cannot drinke , you shall then giue it him with a horne . and thus much touching feuers both ordinary & extraordinary . chap. . of the diseases in the head . as a horses head is composed of many parts , so are those many parts subiect to many and sundry grieuances , as namely , the panicles or thin skins , which cleauing to the bones , do couer the whole braine , are subiect to headache , mygram , dizinesse , and amazes ; the whole braine it selfe , is properly subiect to breede the frenzie , madnesse , sleeping euill , the taking , and forgetfulnesse . and here is to be noted , that many farriers , and those of approued good skils , haue strongly held opinions , that horses haue very little or no braines at all : and my selfe for mine owne part , being carried away with their censures , did at last vpon good considerations ●ut vp the heades of diuers horses , some dead , some in dying , and i could neuer find any liquid or thin braine , as in other beasts , but onely a very thicke , strong , tough , and shining substance , solid and firme , like a tough ielly , which i euer held to be onely a panycle , and so resolued with others that a horse had no braine ; but after vpon further discourse with men of better learning , i had this solution giuen me : that a horse being a beast of extraordinary strength and ability , made euen to endure the worst of all extremities , either by sore labour or heauy burthen , that nature in his creation had endowed him with members answerable to such vigor : as namely , that his braine was not liquid and moist , as subiect to fleet , or to be distempered with euery small disorder ; but tough and hard , euen vnpen●trable , and not to be pierst by any reasonable motion . and for the panicles , they shewed me those thin skinnes ouer and besides that great substance ; so that by experience i saw , and now know , that a horse hath both brain and a panicle , and in them two are bred the diseases before mentioned . now in the ventricles , or cels of the braine , & in those conduits by which the liuely spirits giue feeling and motion to the body , there do breede the turne-sicke or sturdy , the staggers , the falling euill , the night mare , the apoplexie , the palsey , and conuulsion , or crampe , the catharre , or rheume , and lastly the glaunders . and thus much of the head in generall . chap. . of head-ache , or paine in the head . the head-ache is a paine that commeth either of some inward cause , or of some cholericke humor , gathered together in the panicles of the braine , or else of some extreame heate or cold , or of some suddaine blow , or of some noysome sauour . the signes are the hanging downe of the horses head & eares , dropping of his vrine , dimnesse of sight , swolne and watrish eyes . the cure according to the opinion of some of our english farriers , is to let him bloud in the eye veines , and to squirt warme water into his nosthrels , and for that day giue him no meate ; the next morning fasting , giue him warm water and some grasse , at night giue him barley and fitches mixt together , and so keepe him warme till he be sound ; but this cure i do not fancy , the best help is first , to make him neese by fuming him , then let him bloud in the palate of the mouth , and keepe him fasting at least twelue howres after : then powre into his nosthrels wine , wherein hath bene sodden euforbium , frankinsence , and after feede him , and keepe his heade warme . chap. . of the frenzie and madnesse of a horse . the madnesse of a horse by the most ancient and best approued farriers , is diuided into foure passions : the first is when some naughty bloud doth strike the panicle of the braine but in one part onely , it presently makes the horse dull both of minde and sight : and you shall know it by this signe , the horse will turne round like a beast that is troubled with the sturdy ; the reason being , because the outside of the head is grieued onely . the second is when the poyson of such bloud doth infect the middle part of the braine : then the horse becommeth franticke , leaping against walles or any thing . the third is when that bloud filleth the veines of the stomacke , and infecteth as well the heart as the braine , then is he said to be madde . but the fourth and last is when that bloud not onely infecteth the braine and heart , but euen the panicles also , and then he is said to be starke madde , which you shall know by his biting at euery man which comes neere him , by his gnawing of the manger and walles about him . and lastly by tearing of his owne skin in peeces . now for the cure , you shall cause him to be let bloud in all the lower parts of his body , to draw the bloud from his head , as namely , on the shackell veines , the spurre veines , the plat veines , and the thigh veines , and you shall let him bloud aboundantly , then giue him this drinke : take the roote of wild cowcumber , or where that cannot be gotten , take a handfull of rue and mints , and a handfull of blacke elleborus , and boyle them in strong red wine , and giue it luke warme to the horse in a horne . some vse to giue mans dung with wine , three mornings together ; and also to rubbe his body ouer with a friction at least twice a day , and not to faile to giue him moderate exercise . other vse to pierce the skinne of his head with a hot yron , to let out the ill humours . others as the most certaine of all medicines , vse to geld him of both , or one stone at the least ; but i like it not for mine owne part : the cure i haue euer vsed for this griefe , was either to make him swallow down hard hens dung , or else to giue him to drinke the root of virgapastoris st●mpt in water ; and for his ordering during the cure , i would haue his stable quyet , but not close , and his foode onely warme mashes of malt and water , yet but a very little at one time , for the thinnest dyet is best . chap. . of the sleeping euill , or lethargie in horses . the sleeping euill is an infirmity which maketh a horse to sleepe continually , depriuing him thereby both of memory , appetite , and all alacrity of spirit . it is most incident to white and dunne horse , because it proceedeth only from flegme , cold & grosse , which moysturing the braine too much , causeth heauinesse and sleepe : there needes no other signe more then his sleeping onely . the cure is to keepe him waking whether he will or no , with great noises and affrights ▪ then let him bloud in the necke , and the palate of the mouth , and giue him to drinke water luke warme , wherein hath bene boyled camomill , mother woort , wheate , branne , salt and vinegar ; you shall also persume his head , and make him neese , and annoynt the palate of his mouth with hony and mustard mixt together : it shall not be amisse if with the ordinary water which he drinketh , you mixe either parsley seede , or fennell seede , for that will prouoke vrine , you shall also bath his legges and stop his houes with bran , salt , and vinegar boyled together , and applyed as hot as may be , and his stable would be lightsome and full of noyse . chap. . of a horse that is taken , or of shrow running . those horses are supposed by farriers to be taken , or as some call it , planet strooke , which are depriued of feeling or of mouing , not being able to stirre any member , but remaineth in the same forme as he was at his time of taking . some hold it proceedeth from choler and fleame , when they are superaboundantly mixt together , or of melancholy bloud , which being a cold dry humour , doth oppresse and sicken the hinder part of the braine . other ancient farriers hold , it cometh of some extreme cold , or extreme heate , or raw disgestion , striking into the empty veins suddainly ; or else of extreme hunger caused by long fasting . the signes thereof are numbnesse , and want of motion before spoken of : as for the cure , it is diuers ; for first you must note whether it come of cold , or heate ; if it come of cold , you shall know it by the stuffing and poze in the head , which euer is ioyned with the disease : if of heate , by the hotnesse of his breath , and cleare fetching of his winde . now if it proceed from cold , you shall giue him to drinke one ounce of lacerpitium mixt with sallet oyle and muskadine luke warme : if it proceede of heate , you shall giue one ounce of lacerpitium with water and hony luke warme ; but if it proceede of crudity or raw disgestion , then you shall helpe him by fasting ; and if it proceede of fasting , then you shall heale him by feeding him often with good meate , as with wholesome bread , and dry oates ; yet but a little at a time , that he may euer eate with a good stomacke . now for the french farriers , as monsieur horace and the rest , who call this disease surprius , they hold it cometh onely from cold causes , following hot accidents ; and they vse for their cure to let him bloud on the breast veines , and then put him into a sweate , either by exercise , or multiplicity of clothes , but many clothes is better , because the horse is not capable of labour : and sometimes they will bury him all saue the head in an old dunghill , till throuh the heate thereof his limbs receiue such feeling that he begins to struggle out of the same . all which cures are not much amisse ; yet in mine opinion , this is the best , easiest , and surest way : first to let him bloud in the necke and breast , then to annoynt all his body with oyle petrolium , then giue him this drinke . take of malmsey three pints , and mixe it with a quarterne of sugar , cynamon and cloues , and let him drinke it luke warme : then take old rotten wet litter , and for want thereof , wet hay , and with clothes , sursingles and cords , swaddle al his whole body ouer with the same of a good thicknesse , and renew it once in three daies till he be whole , let his stable be warme , his exercise moderate , and if he grow costiue , let him first be raked , and after giue him either a glister , or a suppositary , according to his strength . there is also another kinde of taking , and that is when a horse is planet strooke , or stricken with thunder ; but it is vtterly vncurable , and therefore i will omit to speake further of it . the last kinde of taking is when a horse is shrow runne , that when a horse lieth sleeping , there is a certain venemous field mouse , called a shrow , whose head is extraordinary long , like a swines head , and her feete shorter of the one side then the other . this mouse if she happen to runne ouer any of the limbes of the horse , presently the horse leeseth the vse of that limbe she ranne ouer ; and if she runne ouer his body , he commonly leeseth the vse of his hinder loynes ; and these accidents hauing bene often found vnexpected , common farriers haue held the horse to be taken , or planet strooke . as for the cure thereof , the best is to seeke out a bryer which groweth at both ends , and take the horse or beast that is thus vexed , and draw him vnder the same , and it is a present remedy . for mine owne part , i haue heard much , both of the infirmity , and of the cure , but i haue had no experience of it , but only in one yong foale , which being suddainly lame , was as suddainly helped to my much contentment . chap. . of the staggers . the staggers is a dizzy madnesse of the braine , proceeding from corrupt bloud , or grosse , tough , and heauy humours , which oppresse and make sicke the braine , and from whence proceedeth a vaporous spirit , dissolued by a weake heate which troubleth all the whole heade ; it is almost of all diseases the most common , yet very mortall and dangerous : it cometh many times from surfaite of meate , surfaite of trauell , or from corruption of bloud . the signes to know it , is dimnesse of sight , swolne and watrish eyes , a moyst mouth , staggering and reeling of the horse , and beating of his head against the walles , or thrusting it into his litter . the cure is diuers , for almost euery smith hath a seueral medicine , yet these which i shal rehearse are the most approued . the ancient farriers , both italians and fren●h , vse to let the horse bloud in the temple veines , and then with a knife make a hole of an inch long , ouerthwart his forehead , vnderneath his foretop , and raising the skinne vp with a cornet some two or three inches about , stop the hollownesse with a taint dipt in turpentine and hogges grease molten together ; but some of our smiths finding this cure faile , except the disease be very young , vse to stoppe the hollownesse with a docke roote . others with a cloue or two of garlicke . others vse for this disease to take selladine , and stamping it , to stoppe it into his eares , and so tye vp his eares , or stitch the tippes of his eares together , that he may not shake the medicine out . others vse to mixe salt and water together thicke , & to put it into his eares . others vse to mixe ground-fill and and aquauitae together , and to put that into his eares . others vse to take garlicke , rue , and bay-salt , and beate them grosly , then mixe vineger with them , and put it into the horses eares , then wet wolle or tow in the medicine , and stoppe that in his eares also : let the medicine rest so foure and twenty houres , and if he forsake his meate , wash his tongue with vinegar , and it wil recouer his stomacke . others vse , first to perfume the horses head to make him neese , then to take halfe a handfull of selladine , and as much hearb of grace , three or foure cloues of garlicke , and a little bay salt , and stampe them all together : then mixe therwith two or three spoonful of vinegar or verdges , and thrust it hard into the horses eares : then tye vp his eares with a soft inckle string , that no aire may come in , and let this medicine remaine the space of a day and a night : then let him bloud in the neck veine , and giue him a comfortable drench , of which drenches you shall find great plenty , together with their vses in a chapter following . there be some smiths which onely take rue and selladine , of each like quantity , and stamping them with white salt , thrust it into the horses eare , and it helpeth . others take an ounce and a halfe of the oyle of bitter almonds , two drams of an oxe gall , an halfe peny in blacke ellaber stamped , and fiue drams of the graines of casterum , vinegar and verdges ; seeth them all together till the vinegar be consumed , then straine them , and put it into the horses eares . all these medicines haue bene diuers times approued to be singular good , and for mine owne part i haue found great effect in them ; yet that which i haue found at all times most excellent , is , if the disease be young and early taken ( that is , before the horse be growne into any extremity of weaknesse ) to take onely verdges and bay salt , and mixing them well together , to stoppe it into the horses eares . but if the disease be old , and the horse brought to a desperate state of mortality , then you shall take assafetida , and hauing dissolued it in vinegar , warme it vpon a chaffing dish and coales , and with round balles of towe , thrust it hard into the horses eares , and so bind them vp for foure and twenty howres , after which time giue him a comfortable drink . now whereas some smiths do vse to stampe aqua-vitae and garlicke together , and stoppe that into his eares , i for my part , thinke it too strong , except the horse be in great lust , and full of flesh , which if he be , doubtlesse it may do well inough . chap. . of the falling euill . this falling euil , or as the italians call it , this maleaduco , is nothing else but that which we call in men the falling sicknesse , in beasts the falling euill : for it doth for a certaine season , depriue them of all sense whatsoeuer , it is a disease not commonly incident to our english races ; but amongst the italian , spanish and french horses , many times found . now considering that the most of our best english stables are furnished euer with some horses of these countries , i thinke it not amisse to write something touching the disease . it proceedeth from cold and grosse fleame gathered together in the forepart of the head , betwixt the panicle and the braine , which being by any hot vapour disperst ouer the whole braine , it doth instantly cause this falling . there be others which suppose that it is gouerned by the moone ; and that by a certaine course thereof both horses and other beasts do fall , and as it were , dye for a small time . the signes to know the disease is , the horse will fall suddainly , both through the resolution of his members , and the dissention of his sinewes ; all his body will quake and quiuer , and they will foame much at their mouthes ; yet when you thinke them past all hope of life , they will start vp suddenly and fall to their meate . now if you will know whether these fits will come often or but seldome , you shall feele the gristle betwixt his nosthrels , and if it be cold he will fall oft , but if it be warme he will fall seldome . the cure is , you shall first let him bloud on the necke veine , taking good store of bloud away : then within foure or fiue dayes after , you shall let him bloud on his temple veines , and on his eye veines : then annoint all his body ouer with a comfortable friction , then bathe his head and eares with oyle de bay , liquid pitch and tarre mixt together , and of the same put some into his eares : then make him a cap or bgigin of canuasse quilted with wolle , to keep his head warme : then giue him a purgation or scouring , of which you shall find plenty in a chapter hereafter : you shall also force him to neese , but if the disease notwithstanding continue still , you shall then with a hot yron pierce the skin of his forehead in diuers places , and after annoynt it with sweet butter , for thereby you shall draw out the grosse humours which do oppresse the braine ; and in any wise during the time that he remaineth in phisicke , let his stable be kept exceeding warme , and his dyet thin . chap. . of the night-mare . this disease which we call the night-mare , is an infirmity which onely troubleth the horse in the night season , stopping the drawing of his breath , in such violent sort , that with the struggling and striuing he will be driuen into a great sweat and faintnesse : it proceedeth , according to the opinion of ancient farriers , from a continuall crudity o● raw disgestion of the stomacke , from whence grosse vapours ascending vp into the head , doe not onely oppresse the braine , but all the sensitiue parts also . now for my part , i rather hold it an infirmity of the stomacke and inward bowels , which being cloyed with much glut and fat , doth in the night season so hinder the spirits and powers from doing their naturall office , that the beast hauing , as it were , his breath strangled , doth with an vnnaturall struggling in his sleepe , put his body into an extreme sweat , and with that passion is brought to much faintnesse ; of which i haue had much and continuall experi●nce , onely in horses exceeding fat and newly taken from the grasse , but especially from such horses as are either fatted vpon eddish grasse , which in some countries is called after-maths ; or such as are taken vp fat in the winter season . the signes to know this disease is , that in the morning when you come early to your horse , you shall finde him all of a great sweate , and his body something panting ; or perhaps you shall but only find him sweat in his flankes , vpon his necke , and at the rootes of his eares : either of both are signes of this sicknesse , especially if at night when you litter him , you finde that he is dry of his body , and giueth no outward signe of inward sicknesse . now there be some that will obiect against me , and say : that this infirmity is not the night-mare , but an ordinary infirmity ingendred by superfluity of cold , grosse , and vnwholesome food , got in the winter season : which nature , through the helpe of warme clothes , and a warme house , expels in this manner , in the night season . to this obiection i answer , that if they do disallow this sicknesse to be the night-mare , that then without all contradiction , there is no such disease as the night-mare at all , and that it is but only a name without any substance or consequence ; but forasmuch as this sicknesse is not onely very vsuall , but also carrieth with it all the effects and attributes ascribed vnto the night-mare , and that it is as yet a disease vnnamed , i do not think i can giue it a more proper terme then to call it the night-mare . the cure whereof is , euery morning and euening , both before and after his water , to giue the horse some moderate exercise , as to make him go at least a mile and more for his water ; and after he is watered , to gallop him gently on the hand a good space : then when he is brought into the house , and well rubbed , to giue him his prouender , being oates , and to mixe therewith a handfull or better of hempseede ; onely in this cure you must be carefull , that your exercise do not enforce him to sweate , nor shall you haue need to vse it longer then you finde that he sweateth much in the night season . this exercise and medicine will not onely cure this infirmity , but also any cold that is newly gotten whatsoeuer . chap. . of the apoplexie or palsey . these palseyes or apoplexies which happen vnto horses , are of two sorts : the one generall , the other particular . the generall palsey is when a horse is depriued of all sense and mouing generally ouer his whole body , which is seldome or neuer found out by our farriers ; because the mortality and suddainnesse of death which pursues the disease , takes from them all notes & obseruations of the infirmity : and indeed for the generall palsey there is no cure , and therefore there needs no description of signe or cure . for the particular palsey , that is , when a horse is depriued but of some part or member of his body , and most commonly it is but the necke onely , as both my selfe and others haue found by dayly experience . the disease procedeth from foulnesse of foode , or from fenne feeding , which breedeth grosse , cold , and tough humours , which ioyning with crudities and raw disgestions , oppresse the braine violently altogether ; it also cometh many times by meanes of some blow or wound giuen vpon the temples of the head . the signes to know the disease , are the gathering together of his body , going crookedly , and not straight forward but seldome , and holding his necke awry without motion ; yet neuer forsaking his prouender or meate , but eating it with greedinesse and much slauering . the cure is to let him bloud on his necke veine , and temple veine , on the contrary side to that way he wryeth : then annoynt all his necke ouer with the oyle petroleum , and with wet hay ropes swaddle all his necke ouer , euen from his breast to his eares , but hauing before splented his necke straight with splents of wood , made strong , smooth & flat for the purpose : then for mornings together , giue him a pint of old muskadine with two spoonefull of this powder to drinke . take of opoponax two ounces , of storax three ounces , of gentian three ounces , of manna su●carie three ounces , of mirre one scruple , and of long pepper two scruples ; beate all these into fine powder . now there be some farriers , which for this disease vse to draw the horses necke on the contrary side , with a hot yron , euen from the necke to the shoulder , and on the temple of his head , of that side also , a long strike , and on the other a little starre in this maner , , and from his reines to his midde backe , small lines in this maner . but i that know this sicknesse proceedeth from the braine and sinewes , cannot conceiue how any helpe should come from burning of the skinne , because it is the sinewes themselues , and not the skinne , that is drawne vp and straightned : and therefore i would wish euery farrier to forbeare this tormenting , vnlesse he apparantly see that the skinne it selfe , through dislike and weaknesse is shrunke also , and then the cure is not amisse . chap. . of the generall crampe , or conuulsion of sinewes . these generall crampes or conuulsions of sinewes are most forcible contractions or drawings together of the sinewes and muscles ; and they happen sometimes generally into many parts of the body , somtimes particularly , as but into one member and no more : when they are generally diperst in horses , they proceede commonly from some wound , wherein a sinew is halfe cut and no more ; and so there runneth a generall contraction ouer the whole body by degrees . when they are particular , as but in one member , then they proceede either from cold windy causes , or from the want of bloud . for the generall contraction which cometh by a wound , you shall reade the cure thereof in the booke of surgery following , where , the sinew being cut in two peeces , the contraction ceasseth . for the particular , where but one member is grieeued , you shall know it by these signes : the member will be starke and stiffe , insomuch that neither the beast nor any man will be able to bow it : the sinewes will be hard like stickes , and the horse being downe , is not able to rise during the time of the contraction ; he will also halt extremely whilst the fit is vpon him , and presently go well againe , as it were in one moment . the cure is , to chafe the member exceedingly , either with linseede oyle , sheeps foot oyle , or neats foot oyle ; & during the time of his chafing , to hold vp the cōtrary foot that he may stand vpon the limbe which is most pained . there is also another crampe or conuulsion of sinewes , which doth extend into the necke , and reines of the horses backe , & so almost vniuersally ouer the horses whole body : it proceedeth euer either from some extreme cold , as by turning a horse suddainly out of a warme stable and warme clothes into the piercing rage of the cold winter ; or by the losse of much bloud , whereby great windinesse entreth into the veines , and so benumbeth the sinewes : or else by too much phisicking & drenching of a horse , whereby the naturall heate is much weakned or dried . the signs of this conuulsion is , his head and neck wil stand awry , his eares vpright , & his eyes hollow , his mouth will be clung vp that he cannot eate , and his backe will rise vp in the middest like the backe of a cammell . the cure hereof is , with great store of warme wollen clothes , as blanckets , and couerlids , some foulded double about his body , and some girded all ouer from his head to his taile , to force him into a sweate ; but if the clothes will not force him to sweate ; then you shall either fould all his body ouer with hot wet horse litter , or else bury him all saue the head in a dunghill or mixion ; then when he hath sweat an howre or two , and is moderatly cooled , you shall annoynt him all ouer with this oyntment ( holding hot barres of yron ouer him , to make the oyntment sinke into his body : ) take of hogges grease one pound , of terpentine a quarter of a pound , of pepper beaten into powder halfe a dramme , of new waxe halfe a pound , of old oyle oliue one pound , boyle all these together , and vse it , being made warm . there be other farriers which vse this oyntment : take of new waxe . pound , of terpentine . ounces , of oyle de bay as much , opoponax two ounces , of deeres suet , and of oyle of storax , of each three ounces , melt all these together and vse it warme . there be others which vse after his sweate , nothing but oyle of cypresse , and oyle de bay mixt together , and with it annoynt his body ouer . after this vnction thus applied , you shall take twenty graines of long pepper beaten into fine powder , of ceder two ounces , of nitre one ounce , of lacerpitium as much as a beane , and mingle all these together with a gallond of white wine , and giue him a quart therof to drinke , euery morning for foure dayes ▪ now for his dyet and order , let his food be warme mashes and the finest hay , his stable exceeding warme , and his exercise gentle walking abroad in his cloathes , once euery day about high noone . chap. . of the cold or poze in the head . the cold or poze in a horses head is gotten by diuers suddaine and vnseene meanes , according to the temper and constitution of the horses body , in so much that the best keeper whatsoeuer cannot sometimes warrant his horse from that infirmity . now according as this cold is old or new , great or small , and according to the aboundance of humours which abound in the head , and as those humours are of thicknesse or thinnesse , so is the disease & the danger thereof greater or lesser , stronger or weaker . for you shall vnderstand that if the horse haue but onely a cold that is newly taken , the signes are , he will haue many knots like waxe kyrnels betweene his chaules about the rootes of his tongue ; his head will be somewhat heauy , and from his nosthrels will runne a certaine cleare water ; but if about his tongue rootes be any great swelling , or inflammation like a mighty botch or bile , then it is the strangle ; but if from his nosthrels do issue any thicke , stincking or corrupt matter , then it is the glanders , of both which we shall speake hereafter in their proper places . now for this ordinary cold which is ordinarily taken ( the signes whereof besides his much coughing are before declared , ) you shall vnderstand that for the cure being very easie , it is helped sundry wayes : some cure it onely by purging his head with pils of butter and garlicke , the manner whereof you shall finde in the chapter of purgations . other farriers cure it with purging his head with fumes , and forcing him to neese , the manner whereof is in the chapter of neesing ; which done , you shall ●●●● because those kyrnels are called of the italians , glandule , that thence we borrow this word glaunders ; adding moreouer that a horse which is troubled with this disease , hath great kyrnels vnderneath his iawes , easie to be felt , paining him so that he cannot eate or swallow any thing . others say , it is a swelling vpon the iawe bones great and hard , which being inflamed doth putrifie and rot ; but both these opinions i hold erronious : for although our old farriers might ( according to the custome of our nation which loueth the imitation of strangers ) borow this word glanders from the italian glandule ; yet these inflammations vnder the chappes of the tongue rootes , is that disease which we call the strangle , and not the glaunders ; and whereas they would call the strangle the quinzie , or squinancie , there is no such matter , neither hath a horse any such disease , except they will call the viues , by that name which is farre more fitter for the application . now for the glaunders , you shall vnderstand that it is a running impostume ingendred either by cold , or by famine , or by long thirst , or by eating corrupt and musty meate , or by being kept in vnsauery places , or is taken by standing with infected horses . it is a gathering together of moyst and corrupt humours , which runneth at the nose ; or may be said to be a fluxe of rheume , which issueth sometimes at one , sometimes at both the nosthrels : the cause being the widenesse of the passage , so that the cold liberally entring into the braine , bindeth and crusheth it in such manner that it maketh the humours there to distill ; which descending to the spirituall parts , and possessing them , in the end suffocates the horse either by their aboundance , or killeth him by corrupting the principall parts ; or else by coniealing there by little and little , ouerrunneth the naturall heate . now that distillation that by cold cometh from the braine and breedeth this glanders , is of three sorts . the first is a cold which maketh indigest humours to passe from the braine , which cometh by taking off the saddle suddainly when the horse is hot , or by letting him drinke before he be inwardly cooled , or before his body be dryed : this distillation commonly is slimy matter that smels not , and is easie to be cured : for it is no inward vlcer , but only abundance of humor , the substance whereof is grosse and white . the second is a greater cold , ingendred and coniealed , causing humors something thin and slimy , of the colour of marrow , or the white of an egge : this descendeth to the throate and lyeth there till it be discharged through the nosthrels . the third is by long continuance thicker and therfore harder to be cured : if the colour thereof be yellow , like a beane , then is the glaunders most desperate , and lyeth also in his throate ; but if it be a browne or darkish yellow , then commonly a feuer will accompany the disease . to these three distillations there is commonly added a fourth , which is , when the matter which comes from his nose , is darke , thinne , and reddish , like little sparkes of bloud ; but then is it not said to be the glaunders , but the mourning of the chine , which is a disease for the most part , held incurable . it is therefore most necessary for euery good farrier , when he shall take this cure in hand , to consider well the matter which issueth from the horses nose : for if the humour be cleare and transparent , so that it may be seene through , then it is not greatly hurtfull , or of much moment . if it be white , it is worse , yet with much ease cured . if it be yellow , separate him from the sound horses , for he is infectious , yet to be cured : if that yellow be mixt with bloud , it is with much difficulty helped ; or if the matter be like vnto saffron , the horse is as hardly to be saued : he must also consider whether the matter stinke or haue lost the smell : the first is a signe of an vlcer , the latter of death : also whether he cougheth with straightnesse in his chest or no : for that also is a signe of an inward vlcer , and that the disease is past cure . now for the cure of these three distillations , which are all that make vp a complete glaunders , you shall vnderstand that when the glaunders is of the first sort , it is easily helped by moderate exercise , and by warme keeping ; but if it be of the second sort , you shall giue him warme mashes of malt & water , and perfume his head well , and purge it by neesing : and into his mashes you shall put fennell seedes bruised . others wil take a pint of white wine , a handfull of soote , a quart of milke and two heads of garlike bruised ; brew them together , and giue it the horse to drinke . others will take a pottell of vrine , a handfull of baysalt , and a good quantity of browne sugarcandy , boyle it to a quart : then adde licoras and anise seedes beaten to fine powder , and giue it luke warme to drinke . others will take larde or swines grease , and boyle it in water : then take the fatte from the water , and mingle it with a little oile oliue , a good quantity of vrine , & halfe as much white wine ; giue a quart of this luke warme to drinke . others vse to giue of ale a quart , of grated bread an ounce and a halfe , the yolkes of two egges , of ginger , saffron , cloues , cynamon , nutmegs , cardimonium , spicknard or lauender , galingale and hony , of each a pretty quantity ; mixe these together , and giue it to drinke . now if the distillation be of the third sort , which is the worst of the three , you shall take halfe a pound of swines bloud , and melt it at the fire , adde to it a pound of the iuice of beets , with three ounces of euforbium finely beaten ; and when it hath boyled a little , take it from the fire , and adde an another ounce of euforbium to it : keepe this oyntment , and annoynt therewith two very long feathers , or little roddes , lapt with linnen about ; and so annoynted , put them into his nostrhrels , and after rubbing them vp and downe , tye them to the nose-band of the bridle , and walke him abroad : do thus three dayes together , and it will either absolutely cure him , or at least take away the eye sore . others vse to take a quart of ale , an halfe peny worth of long pepper , a little brimstone , and a penny worth of galingal , two peniworth of spygnal of spaine , two peny waight of saffron brayed , with two ounces of butter boyled in the ale ; when it is luke warme , cast the horse and holding vp his head , powre it equally into his nosthrels : then hold his nosthrels close till his eyes stare , and that he sweate ; which done , giue him bayes and ale to drinke : then let him rise , and set him vp warme , feeding him with warme graines and salt , or with sweet mashes ; but the best is , if the weather be warme , to let him runne abroad at grasse . other farriers vse to dissolue in vinegar three drams of mustard-seede , and as much euforbium : then to giue him one dram at his nosthrell euery day before he drinke . others vse to take of mirre , iris illyrica , seedes of smallage , aristolochia , of each three ounces , sal-niter , brimston , of each fiue ounces , bayes , two ounces , saffron one ounce ; make this into powder , and when you giue it , giue part in pils , made with paste and wine , and part by the nosthrels with strong ale : do this for the space of three dayes at the least . others vse to take of malmsey a pint , of strong ale a pint , of aqua-vitae foure spoonefull , and brew them together with a prety quantity of anise seeds , licoras , ellocampane roots , long pepper , garlicke , and three or foure new layed egges , and a little buter ; giue this luke warme to drink : then walke him abroad , and set him vp warme : do thus euery other day for a weeke together . others vse to take stale vrine that hath stood three or foure daies , and ten garlicke heades , and seething them together , giue it the horse to drinke . others vse to take swines grease well clarified , and as much oyle de bay as a walnut , and giue it the horse to drinke with faire water luke warme . others vse to take of ellocampane , anise seeds and licoras , of each one peny worth , boyle them in three pints of ale or beere til one pint be consumed ; then adde vnto it a quarter of a pint of sallet oyle , and giue it him to drinke luke warme : then with a quill blow euforbium vp into his nosthrels , and within three dayes after , take mustard foure spoonefull , vinegar a pint and an halfe , butter three ounces , boyle them together , then adde thereto halfe an ounce of pepper , and giue it the horse luke warme to drinke : vse this medicine a fortnight . others vse to take a handfull of pild garlicke , and boyle it in a quart of milke till a pint be consumed : then adde thereto two ounces of sweet butter , and a pint of strong ale , stirre them well together , and giue it the horse fasting to drinke luke warme : which done , ride him a little vp and downe , and vse this the space of nine dayes . thus i haue shewed you the opinions & practise of all the best farriers both of this kingdome and of others , & they be all very good & effectual ; yet for mine own part , that which i haue found euer the best in my practise is , if the disease be of the first or second sort , to giue the horse to drinke fasting euery morning for a fortnight together , a pint of strong ale , and fiue spoonefull of the oyle of oates , the making of which oyle , you shall reade in a particular chapter following ; but if the disease be of the third sort , which is most desperate , you shall then take of tanners ouse a pint , and of new milke a pint , and of oyle oliue halfe a pint , and the quantity of a head of garlicke bruised , and a little turmericke ; mixe these well together , and giue it the horse to drinke : do this thrice in one fortnight , and it will helpe if any helpe be to be had . chap. . of the mourning of the chine . this disease which we call the mourning of the chine , or as some farriers terme it , the moist malady , is that fourth sort of corrupt distillation from the braine , of which we haue spoken in the chapter before , shewing from whence it proceedes , and the signes thereof ; to wit , that the corrupt matter which issueth from his nosthrels , will be darke , thinne , and reddish , with little streakes of bloud in it . it is supposed by some farriers , that this disease is a foule consumption of the liuer , and i do not dissent from that opinion : for i haue found the liuer wasted in those horses which i haue opened vpon this disease ; and this consumption proceedes from a cold , which after growes to a poze , then to a glaunders , and lastly to this mourning of the chine . the cure whereof , according to the opinion of the oldest farriers , is to take cleare water , and that hony which is called hydromel a quart , and put thereunto three ounces of sallet oyle , and powre it into his nostrels each morning the space of three dayes ; & if that helpe not , then giue him to drinke euery day , or once in two dayes at the least , a quart of old wine mingled with some of the soueraigne medicine called tetrapharmacum , which is to be had almost of euery apothecary . others vse to take garlicke , houslicke & cheruill ; and stamping them together , to thrust it vp into the horses nostrels . others vse to let the horse fast all night ; then take a pint and a halfe of milke , three heads of garlicke pild & stamped ; boyle them to the halfe , and giue it to the horse , some at the mouth and some at the nose ; then gallop him a quarter of a mile , then rest him ; then gallop him halfe a mile , and rest him againe : thus do twice or thrice together ; then set him vp warme , and giue him no water till it be high noone : then giue him a sweete mash : vse this cure at least three dayes together . others vse to take halfe a pecke of oates , & boyle them in running water till halfe be consumed ; then put them into a bagge , and lay them very hot vpon the nauell place of his backe , and there let it lye thirty howres , vsing thus to do three or foure times at the least . others vse to take wormewood , peusedanum , and centorie , of each like quantity : boyle them in wine ; then straine them , and powre thereof many times into his nosthrels , especially into that which most runneth . others vse to take harehound , licoras , & anise seeds , beaten to powder : then with sweete butter to make pils thereof , and to giue them fasting to the horse others vse to take wheate flower , anise seedes , and licoras , stamped in a mortar , fiue or sixe cloues of garlike bruised ; mixe all these together & make a paste of them ; then make it into pils as big as walnuts , & taking out the horses tongue , cast the balles downe the horses throate three or foure at a time , then giue him two new layed egges , shelles and all after them . now after all these , the best and most approuedst medicine , is to take as much of the middle greene barke of an elder tree growing on the water side , as will fill a reasonable vessell , putting thereunto as much running water as the vessell will hold , and let it boyle till halfe be consumed , and then fill vp the vessell againe with water , continuing so to do , three times one after another : and at the last time when the one halfe is consumed , take it from the fire , and straine it exceedingly through a linnen cloath ; then to that decoction , adde at least a full third part of the oyle of oates , or for want of that , of oyle oliue , or of hogges grease , or sweete butter ; and being warmed againe , take a quart thereof , and giue it the horse to drinke , one horne-ful at his mouth , and another at his nosthrels , especially that which casteth out the matter . and in any case let the horse be fasting when he taketh this medicine : for it not onely cureth this , but any sicknesse proceeding from cold whatsoeuer : it shall be also good to vse to his body some wholesome friction , & to his head some wholesome bathe , of which bathes you shall reade more hereafter in a chapter following . for his dyet , his food would be sodden barley and sweete hay , and his drinke warme water or mashes ; but if it be in the summer season , then it is best to let him runne at grasse onely . chap. . of the cough . coughing is a motion of the lungs , raised naturally from his expulsiue power , to cast out the hurtfull cause , as neesing is the motion of the braine . now of coughes , there be some outward , and some inward : those are sayd to be outward which proceed of outward causes , as when a horse doth eate or drinke too greedily , so that his meat goeth the wrong way ; or when he licketh vp a feather : or eateth dusty or sharpe bearded straw , and such like , which tickling his throat , causeth him to cough : those which are sayd to be inward , are either wet or dry , of which we shall speake more hereafter . now of these outward coughes , they may proceede from the corruption of the ayre , which if it do , you shall boyle in running water , figges and currants together ; then straining the water , adde to a quart thereof , three spoonfull of diapente , and it will helpe . it may also proceed from dust ; and then you must wash it downe by powring into his nosthrels ale and oyle mingled together . it may come by eating sharpe and sowre things ; and then you must put downe his throat , pils of sweete butter , whose softnesse will helpe him . it may proceede from some little or sleight taken cold ; and then you shall take the whites & yolkes of two egges , three ounces of sallet oyle , two handfull of beane flowre , one ounce of fenugreeke ; mixe them with a pint of old malmsey , and giue it the horse to drinke three daies together : or else take tarre and fresh butter ; mixe them together , and giue pils thereof to the horse foure times in seuen dayes , that is , the first , the third , the fift , and the seuenth day . there be others which vse to take a gallon of faire water , and make it ready to seeth : then put thereto a pecke of ground malt , with two handfuls of boxe leaues chopt small , and a little groundsel ; mixe them altogether , and giue him euery morning and euening a pint for a weeke together . if to the boxe leaues you adde oates and bettony , it is not amisse , so you keep the horse warme . others vse to giue a horse a pint of swines bloud warme . others vse to boyle in a gallon of water , one pound of fenugreeke ; then straining it , giue the water morning and euening by a pint at a time to drinke ; then drying the fenugreeke , giue it the horse with his prouender . others vse for all maner of coughes , to take a quarterne of white currants , and as much clarified hony , two ounces of sweet marioram , with old fresh grease , and a head of garlicke ; melt that which is to be molten , and punne that which is to be beaten ; mixe them together , and giue the horse better then a pint thereof three mornings together . others vse to giue a horse the guts of a young pullet dipt in hony and being warme ; and certainly there is not any of these medicines but are most soueraigne and well approued . now whereas some farriers vse to thrust downe the throat of the horse , a willow wand , rolled about with a linnen cloath , and annoynted all ouer with hony , i for my part do not like it : for it both torments the horse more then there is occasion ; and doth but onely go about to take away that which is gone in the struggling before the medicine can be vsed : for it is onely for a cough which cometh by a feather or some such like matter . chap. . of the inward and wet cough . touching all inward coughs which are gotten and ingendred by colds and rheumes of long continuance , being not onely dangerous , but sometimes mortall , you shall vnderstand that they are diuided into two kindes , the one wet , the other dry : the wet cough proceedeth from cold causes taken after great heats ; which heat dissoluing humours , those humors being againe congealed , do presently cause obstructions and stoppings of the lungs . now the signes to know this wet cough is , the horse will euer after his coughing , cast out either water or matter out of his nosthrels , or champe and chaw with his teeth , the thicke matter which he casteth out of his throate , as you shall easily perceiue , if you heedfully note him : he will also cough often without intermission ; and when he cougheth he will not much bow downe his head , nor abstaine from his meate : and when he drinketh , you shall see some of his water to issue out of his nosthrels . the cure is , first to keepe him exceeding warme ; then for as much as it proceedeth of cold causes , you shall giue him hot drinkes and spices , as sacke , or strong ale brewd with cinamon , ginger , cloues , treacle , long pepper , and either swines grease , sallet oyle , or sweete butter : for you shall know that all cold causes are cured with medicines that open and warme ; and the hot with such as cleanse and coole . some vse to take a pretty quantity of beniamine , and the yolke of an egge ; which being well mixt together , and put into an egge shell , cast all downe into the horses throat , and then moderatly ride him vp and downe for more then a quarter of an howre : and do this three or foure mornings together . others vse to keepe him warme , and then to giue him this drinke . take of barley one pecke , and boyle it in two or three gallons of running water , till the barley burst , together with bruised licoras , anise seeds , and of raisins , of each a pound ; then straine it , and to that liquor put of hony a pint , and a quarterne of sugarcandy , and keepe it close in a pot to serue the horse therewith foure seuerall mornings , and cast not away the barley nor the rest of the strainings , but make it hot euery day to perfume the horse withall in a close bagge ; & if he eate of it , it is so much the better : and after this you shall giue the horse some moderate exercise : and for his dyet let him drinke no cold water till his cough abate ; and as it lessoneth , so let his water be the lesse warmed . now for mine own part , though all these receits be exceeding good and very well approued ; yet for mine owne part , in this case , thus hath bene my practise . if i found either by the heauinesse of the horses head , or by the ratling of his nosthrels , that the cough proceeded most from the stopping of his head , i would only giue him foure or fiue mornings together , three or foure good round pils of butter and garlicke , well knoden together , in the morning fasting ; and then ride him moderately an howre after ; but if i found that the sicknesse remained in the chest or brest of the horse , then i would giue him twice in foure dayes , a pint of sacke , halfe a pint of sallet oyle , and two ounces of sugarcandy wel brewd together , and made luke warme ; and then ride him halfe an howre after ; and set him vp warme , suffering him to drinke no cold water till his cough began to abate or leaue him . chap. . of the dry cough . this disease which we cal the dry cough , is a grosse and tough humour , cleauing hard to the hollow places of the lungs , which stoppeth the winde-pipes so that the horse can hardly draw his breath . it doth proceede by ill gouernment from the rheume , which distilling from the head , falleth downe to the breast , and there inforceth the horse to striue to cast it out . the especiall signes to know it is , by eating hot meates , as bread that is spiced , straw , dry hay , or such like , his extremity of coughing will encrease : by eating cold and moyst meates , as grasse , forrage , graines , and such like , it will abate and be the lesse : he cougheth seldome ; yet when he cougheth , he cougheth violently , long time together , and dryly with a hollow sound from his chest : he also boweth his head downe to the ground , and forsaketh his meate whilest he cougheth ; yet neuer casteth forth any thing either at his mouth or nosthrels . this cough is most dangerous , and not being taken in time , is incurable : for it will grow to the pursicke or broken winded altogether . the cure according to the opinion of the ancientest farriers is , that for as much as it proceedeth from hot humours , therefore you shall perfume his head with cold simples , as camomill , mellilot , licoras , dryed red roses and camphire boyled in water , and the fume made to passe vp into his mouth and nosthrels . others vse to take a close earthen pot , & to put therin three pints of the strongest vinegar , and foure egges shels & all vnbroken , and . heades of garlicke , cleane pild & bruised ; & set the pot-being very close couered in a warme dunghill , or a horse mixion , & there let it stand foure and twenty howres ; then take it forth and open it , and take out the egges which will be as soft as silke , and lay them by vntill you haue strained the vinegar and garlicke through a linnen cloath : then put to that liquor a quarterne of hony , and halfe a quarterne of sugarcandy , and two ounces of licoras , & two ounces of anise seedes , beaten all into fine powder ; and then the horse hauing fasted all the night , early in the morning , as about seuen or eyght a clocke , open the horses mouth with a drench staffe and a cord , and first cast downe his throate one of the egges , and then presently powre after it a horn-full of the aforesayd drinke being made luke warme ; then cast in another egge and an other horn-full : and thus do till he haue swallowed vp all the egges , or three at the least ; then bridle him , and couer him warmer then he was before , and set him vp in the stable , tying him to the bare racke for the space of two howres ; then vnbridle him ▪ and giue him either some oates , hay , or grasse , yet in any case giue him no hay , vntill it haue bene somewhat sprinkled with water : for there is no greater enemy to a dry cough then dry hay , dry straw , or chaffe ; let him haue no cold water the space of . daies . now if you chance the first morning to leaue an egge vntaken , you shall not faile to giue it him and the remainder of the drinke the morning following . if you find by this practise that the cough weareth not away , you shal then purge his head with pils , of which you shall reade in the chapter of purgations : after his pils receiued , you shall let him fast . howres , standing warme clothed & littered in the stable : you shall also now and then giue him a warme mash , and once a day trot him moderatly abroad . there be other farriers which for this dry cough take onely the hearbe called lions foot , or ladies mantle , spurge & smallage , of each like quantity ; seeth them either in a quart of old wine , or a quart of running water till some part be consumed , and giue it the horse to drinke ; if in stead of the hearbs themselues , you giue the iuice of the hearbs in wine , it is good . there be others which take a good quantity of white currants , & as much hony , two ounces of marioram , one ounce of peniriall , with . pounds of fresh grease , and nine heades of garlicke ; beate that which is to be beaten , & melt the rest ; giue this in . or . dayes like pils dipt in hony . others vse to take myrre , opoponax , iris illyrica , & galbanum , of each two ounces , of red storax three ounces , of turpentine foure ounces , of henbane halfe an ounce , of opium halfe an ounce ; beate them to a fine powder , and giue two or three spoonfull with a pint of old wine , or a quart of ale . others vse to take forty graines of pepper , foure or fiue rootes of radddish , foure heades of garlicke , and sixe ounces of sweet butter ; stampe them all well together , and giue euery day a ball of it to the horse for a weeke together , making him fast two howres after his taking it ; and surely it is a most excellent approued medicine for any old grown cold or cough . other farriers vse to take of oyle de bay and of sweete butter , of each halfe a pound , of garlicke one pound , beate it together vnpild ; and being well beaten with a pestill of wood , adde your oyle and butter vnto it : then hauing made it into balles , with a little wheat flowre , giue your horse euery morning for a weeke or more , three or foure balles as bigge as walnuts , keeping him fasting after from meate , three howres , and from drinke till it be night , prouided that still his drinke be warme , and his meate if it possible may be , grasse , or hay sprinkled with water ; as for his prouender , it would be oates , and fenugreeke sprinkled amongst it . now if you perceiue that at a fortnights end , his cough doth nothing at all abate , you shall then for another weeke , giue him againe the same physicke and dyet ; but truly for mine owne part , i haue neuer found it to faile in any horse whatsoeuer ; yet i would wish all farriers not to be too busie with these inward medicines , except they be well assured that the cold hath bene long , and that the cough is dangerous . chap. . of the frettized , broken , and rotten lungs . coughes do many times proceede from the corruption and putrifaction of the lungs , gotten either by some extreme cold , running or leaping , or by ouer-greedy drinking after great thirst ; because the lungs being inclosed in a very thinne filme , they are therefore the much sooner broken ; and if such breach be made , without instant cure , they beginne to inflame and apostume , oppressing and sickning the whole lungs . now the signes to know this disease is , the horses flankes will beate when he cougheth ; and the slower they beate , the more old and dangerous is the disease : he will also draw his winde short , and by little at once : he will groane much , be fearefull and loath to cough , and often turne his head to the place grieued : to conclude , he will neuer cough but he will bring vp something , which he will champ in his mouth after . the cure is , giue him two or three ounces of hogges grease , and two or three spoonfull of diapente brewd in a quart of barley water , wherein currants hath bene sodden . other farriers vse to take a pound of licoras , and being scrapt , and flist , to steep it in a quart of water foure and twenty houres ; then to straine it ; then to boyle three or foure ounces of currants in it , and so giue it the horse to drinke , & keep him fasting . or . howres after . there be other farriers which vse to take of fenugreeke , and of linseed , of each halfe a pound , of gum dragant , of masticke , of myrre , of sugar , of fitch flowre , of each one ounce ; let all these be beaten into fine powder , and then infused one whole night in a good quantity of warme water , and the next day giue him a quart of this luke warme , putting thereunto two ounces of the oyle of roses ; and this you must do many dayes together : and if the disease be new , it will certainly heale ; if it be neuer so old , it will assuredly ease him ; but in any case let him drinke no cold water : and for his food , grasse is the most excellent . others vse to take of malmsey a pint , of hony three spoonful , mixe them together ; then take of myrre , of saffron , of cassia , & cynamon , of each like quantity ; beate them to a fine powder , and giue two spoonfull thereof in the wine to drinke ; do this at least a fortnight together , and it is certaine it will helpe these frettyzed and broken lungs , but for the putryfied and rotten lungs , we will speake more in this next chapter . chap. . of putrified and rotten lungs . this disease of rotten and exulcerated lungs , you shall know by these signes : he will cough oft & vehemently , and euer in his coughing he will cast little reddish lumps out of his mouth ; he will decay much of his flesh , and yet eate his meate with more gredinesse then when he was sound ; and when he cougheth he will cough with more ease and clearenesse then if his lungs were but onely broken . the cure whereof , according to the practise of our ordinary english farriers is , to giue the horse diuers mornings together a pint of strong vinegar warmed , or else as much of mans vrine , with halfe so much hogs grease brewd warme together ▪ but the more ancient farriers take a good quantity of the iuice of purslaine mixt with the oyle of roses , adding thereunto a little tragaganthum which hath before bene layd to steep in goates milke , or for want thereof in barley or oaten milke strained from the corne ; and giue him a pint thereof euery morning for seuen dayes together . this medicine is but onely to ripen and breake the impostume , which you shall know if it haue done ; because when the sore is broken , his breath will stinke exceedingly : then shall you giue him for other seuen dayes this drinke . take of the roote called costus two ounces , and of cassia or cinamon three ounces beaten into fine powder , and a few raisins , and giue it him to drinke with a pint of malmsey : others vse to take of frankinsence , and aristolochia , of each two ounces beaten into fine powder , and giue the horse two or three spoonfull thereof with a pint of malmsey . others take of vnburnt brimstone , two ounces , of aristolochia one ounce and a halfe beaten to powder , and giue the horse that with a pint of malmsey . chap. . of shortnesse of breath or pursinesse . this disease of short breath or pursinesse , may come two seuerall wayes , that is naturally , or accidentally : naturally as by the straightnesse of his conduits which conuey his breath , when they want liberty to carry his breath freely , or being cloyed vp with fat , force stoppings & obstructions in his windpipe , & thereby makes his lungs labour & worke painfully . accidentally as by hasty running after drinking , or vpon a full stomacke , by which , humours are compelled to descend downe into the throate and lungs , and there stoppeth the passage of the breath . the signes of this disease are a continuall panting and heauing of his body without any coughing , great heate of breath at his nosthrels , and a squeesing or drawing in of his nose when he breatheth ; besides , a coueting to hold out his head whilest he fetcheth his winde . the cure , according to the opinion of some of our best farriers , is to giue him in his prouender the kyrnels of grapes , for they both fat and purge ; and you must giue them plentifully . the warme bloud of a sucking pigge is excellent good also . other farriers vse to take venus-haire , ireos , ash-keyes , licoras , fenugreeke , and raisins , of each a dram and an halfe , pepper , almonds , borage , nettleseede , aristolochia and coloquin̄tida , of each two drammes , algaritium , one dramme and an halfe , hony two pound , dissolue them with water wherein licoras hath bene sodden , and giue him one pint euery morning for three or foure mornings . others vse to take molline or longwort & make a powder thereof , and giue two spoonefull thereof with a pint of running water , or else powder of gentian in the foresayd manner , and do it for diuers mornings . others vse to take of nutmegs , cloues , galingale , graines of paradise , of each three drammes , careaway seede and fenugreeke , a little greater quantity , as much saffron , and halfe an ounce of licoras ; beate them all into fine powder , then put two or three spoonefull thereof to a pint of white wine , and the yolkes of foure egges , and giue it the horse to drinke : then tye his head vp high to the racke for an houre after : that done , either ride him or walke him vp and downe gently , and keepe him fasting foure or fiue howres after at the least : the next day turne him to grasse and he will do well . there be other which vse to let the horse bloud in the necke veine , and then giue him this drinke . take of wine and oyle of each a pint , of frankinsence halfe an ounce , and of the iuice of horebound halfe a pint ; mixe them well together , and giue them to drinke . others vse to giue him onely somewhat more then a pint of hony , hogges grease and butter molten together , and let him drinke it luke warme . egges made so●t in vinegar , as is shewed in the chapter of the dry cough , is excellent for this shortnesse of breath , so you giue the egges encreasing ▪ that is , the first day one , the second three , and the third fiue ; and withall to powre a little oyle and wine into his nosthrels , is very good also . there be other farriers which vse to take a snake and cut off her head and taile , and then take out the guts and entrails , boyle the rest in water till the bone part from the flesh : then cast the bone away , and giue euery third day of this decoction more then a pint till you haue spent three snakes ; and this is excellent good for the dry cough also . now the last and best medicine for this shortnesse of breath ( for indeede in this case i do not affect much physicking ) is onely to take anise seeds , licoras , and sugarcandy , all beaten into very fine powder ; and take foure spoonfull thereof and brew it well with a pint of white wine , and halfe a pint of sallet oyle : and vse this euer after your horses trauell , and a day before he is trauelled . chap. . of the broken winded or pursicke horse . this disease of broken winded , i haue euer since i first began to know either horse or horse-leach-craft , very much disputed with my selfe , and for many yeares did constantly hold ( as still i do ) that in truth there is no such disease ; only this i found by dayly experience , that by ouer hasty or sudden running of a fat horse ( or other ) presently after his water , or by long standing in the stable with no exercise and foule foode , that thereby grosse and thicke humours may be drawne downe into the horses body so abundantly , that cleauing hard to the hollow places of the lungs , and stopping vp the wind-pipes , the wind may be so kept in , that it may onely haue his resort backward , and not vpward , filling the guts , and taking from the body great part of its strength and liuelihood ; which if from the corruption of our old inuentions , we call broken winded , then i must needs confesse , that i haue seene many broken winded horses . the signes of which disease are these , much and violent beating of his flankes , especially drawing vp of his belly vpward ; great opening and rising of his nosthrels , and a continuall swift going to and fro of his tuell ; besides , it is euer accompanied with a dry and hollow cough . the cure , i must needes say in so great an extremity ( for it is the worst of all the euils of the lungs which are before spoken of ) is most desperate ; but the preseruations and helpes , both to continue the horses health and his dayly seruice , are very many , as namely ( according to the opinion of the ancient farriers ) to purge your horse by giuing him this drinke . take maiden haire , of ireos , of ashe , of licoras , of fenugreeke , of basnis , of each halfe an ounce , of cardanum , of pepper , of bitter almonds , of baurach , of each two ounces , of nettle seed , and of aristolochia , of each two ounces ; boile them altogether in a sufficient quantity of water ; and in that decoction dissolue halfe an ounce of agaricke , & . ounces of coloquintida , together with . pound of hony , & giue him a pint & a halfe of this at a time for , at least , a week together ; and if the medicine chance at any time to proue too thicke , you shall make it thin with water , wherein licoras hath bene sodden ; and some farriers also besides this medicine , will with a hot yron draw the flanks of the horse to restraine their beating , and slit the horses nosthrels to giue the wind more liberty ; but i do not affect either the one or the other : the best diet for a horse in this case , is grasse in summer , & hay sprinkled with water in winter . there be other farriers which for this infirmity hold , that to giue the horse . or . daies together sodden wheat , and now & then a quart of new sweet wine , or other good wine , mixt with licoras water , is a certaine remedy . there be other farriers which for this disease take the guts of a hedgehogge , and hang them in a warme ouen till they be dry , so that a may may make powder of them : then giue your horse . or . spoonfull thereof with a pint of wine or strong ale : then the rest mixe with anise seeds , licoras , & sweet butter , & make round balles or pils thereof , & giue the horse . or . after his drink ; and so let him fast at least howres after . now when at any time you giue him any prouender , be sure to wash it in ale or beere ; then take comin , anise seeds , licoras and sentuarie of each like quantity ; make them ( being mixed together ) into fine powder , & strew two spoonful therof vpon the prouender being being wet . this physicke must be vsed for a fortnight at the least . others vse to take of cloues & nutmegs . drams of galingale & cardomonum , . drams , of foot , of bay seeds , & comin , of each . drams , & make them into fine powder , & put it into white wine , being tempered with a little saffron : then put to so many yolkes of egges as may coūteruaile the other quantity : then mixe them with water , wherin licoras hath bene sodden , making it so thin that the horse may drink it , and after he hath drunk the quantity of a pint & halfe of this drinke , tye vp his head to the racke , & let him so stand at least an howre after , that the drinke may descend into his guts : then walke him gently abroad , that the medicine may worke , and in any case giue him no water for foure and twenty houres after : the next morning giue him some grasse to eate , and the branches of willow or sallow , which will coole the heate of the potion . now there bee other farriers which take of paunces , longwort , mayden-haire , the crops of nettles , carduus benedictus , hearbe fluettin , the rootes of dragons bruised , the roots of elecampana bruised , of water hempe , of peniriall , of light wort , of angelica , of each of these a good handfull ▪ or so many of these as you can conueniently get ; bruise them , and lay them all night in two or three gallons of water , and giue it a boyle in the morning , and let the horse drinke thereof as much luke warme as hee will ; then after this drink , giue him a pretty quantity of sodden wheat : vse this dyet for a weeke or more at the least : and then if the season be fit , put him to grasse . this cure is of great reputation , and thought to helpe when all other faileth : for mine owne part i wish euery man to iudge it by the practise . there be others which onely for nine or ten dayes together , will giue their horse water , wherein licoras hath bene sodden , mixt with wine , and hold it a most soueraigne helpe . there be others which will onely giue new milke from the cow ; but i despaire in that cure , because milke being onely flegmatike , flegme is the onely substance of this disease . other farriers vse to keep the horse fasting foure & twenty howres , then take a quart of ale , a quarter of an ounce of fenugreeke , halfe a quarter of bayes , of the greene barke of elder trees , of sugarcandy , of water cresses ▪ of redde mints , of redde fennell , of haw-tree leaues , and of prim-rose leaues , of each halfe an ounce , the whites of sixe egges ; beate these in a mortar and seeth them in the ale , giue it him to drinke : then let him fast after twelue howres : then giue him meate and prouender inough , yet but little drinke . others vse to giue him wet ●ay and moderate trauell : then take twenty egges , and steepe them in vinegar foure and twenty howres , giuing the horse two euery morning , and after the egges are spent , a pottell of new milke from the cow . now there be other farriers which onely will dissolue in vinegar fifteene egges , and giue the horse the first day three , the second day fiue , and the third seuen , and hold it a good helpe . others will take an ounce of frankinsence , two ounces of brimstone , & mixe it with a pint of wine , and halfe a pint of hony . others will take sal-niter , burnt with the powder of pitch , and giue it with the same quantity of wine and hony . others will onely giue sal-niter mingled with his meate , prouided alwayes , that in euery cure you keepe your horse from cold and labour ; and dayly chafe his head with oyle and wine . chap. . of the dry malady or consumption . this disease of the dry malady , or as the ancient farriers terme it , a generall consumption , is nothing but a meere exulceration of the lungs , proceeding from a cankerous , fretting and gnawing humour ingendred by cold and surfaite , which descending from the head , sickneth & corrodeth the lungs . some of our ignorant farriers will call it the mourning of the chine ; but they are thus farre forth deceiued : that the mourning of the chine doth euer cast some filthy matter at the nose , and the dry malady neuer casteth forth any thing . the signes to know this dry malady or consumption are these : his flesh and strong estate of body will consume and waste away , his belly will be gaunt , his backe bone hidde , and his skin so stretched or shrunke vp , that if you strike on him with your hand , it will sound hollow like a tabor ; his haire will hardly shed ; and either he will vtterly forsake his meate , or the meate he eateth will not disgest , prosper , or breede any flesh on his backe ; he will offer to cough but cannot , except in a weake maner , as though he had eaten small bones ; & truly according to the opinion of others , so i find by practise , that it is incurable ; yet that a horse may be long preserued to do much seruice , i haue found it by these helpes . first , to purge his head with such fumes and pils as are good for the glaunders , which you may finde in the chapter of purgations ▪ then to giue him cole-worts small chopt , with his prouender , & now & then the bloud of a sucking pigge warme . there be others that in stead of the bloud , will giue either the iuyce of leekes mixt with oyle and wine , or else wine and frankinsence , or sallet oyle and the iuice of rue mixt togegether ; but in my conceit , the best cure is to purge his body cleane with comfortable and gentle scourings ; and then to be suffred to runne to grasse , both for a winter and a summer , and there is no question but he must necessarily end or mend ; for languish long he cannot . chap. . of the consumption of the flesh . this disease which we cal the consumption of the flesh , is an vnnaturall or generall dislike or falling away of the whole body , or , as we terme it , the wasting of the flesh ; which proceedeth from diuers grounds , as namely , from inward surfaits , either by naughty foode , or ill dyet , or from vncleane , moist and stinking lodging ; but especially from disorderly labour , as by taking great and sudden colds after violent heate , or such like ; all which procure the wasting or falling away of the flesh . the signes whereof are these : first , an vnnaturall and causlesse leannesse , a dry and hard skinne cleauing fast to his sides , want of stomacke , or appetite to his meate , a falling away of his fillets , and a generall consumption both of his buttockes and shoulders . the cure whereof , according to the ancients , is to take a sheeps head vnfleayed , and boyle it in a gallon and a halfe of ale , or running water , vntill the flesh be consumed from the bones ; then straine it through a cloath , and put thereto of sugar halfe a pound , of cinamon one ounce , of conserue of roses , or barberies , & of cherries , of each one ounce ; mingle them together , and giue the horse euery morning a quart thereof luke warme , till two sheeps heades bee spent ; and after euery time he drinketh , let him be gently walked or ridden vp and downe according to his strength , that is , if the weather be warme , abroad ; if it be cold and windy , then in the stable or some close house , suffring him neither to eate nor drinke , for two howres after his medicine ; and from cold water you shall keepe him the space of fifteene dayes . now for his ordinary foode or prouender , you shall repute that best which he eateth best whatsoever it be ; and that you shall giue by little and little , and not any grosse , or great quantity at once , because the abundance and glut of food taketh away both the appetite and nutriment which should proceede from wholesome feeding . chap. . how to make a leane horse fat . besides this generall consumption of a horses flesh , which for the most part , or altogether proceedeth from sicknesse , there is also another consumption or want of flesh which proceedeth from neshnesse , tendernesse , freenesse of spirit , and the clymate vnder which the horse is bred ; as namely when a horse that is bred in a warme clymate , comes to liue in a cold , or when a horse that is bred vpon a fruitfull & rich soile , comes to liue in a barren and dry place . in any of these cases the horse will be leane without any apparant signe of griefe or disease , which to recouer there be many receits and medicines , as namely : the ancient farriers did vse when a horse either grew leane without sicknesse or wound , or any knowne distemperature , to take a quarter of a pecke of beanes , and boyle them in two gallons of water till they swell or burst , then to mixe with them a pecke of wheate branne , and so to giue it the horse in maner of a mash : or in stead of prouender : for it will fat suddenly . others , and especially the italians , will take cole-worts , and hauing sodden them , mixe them with wheat bran and salt , and giue them in stead of prouender . there be others which take the fatty decoction of three tortoyse being well sodden , ( their heades , tayles , bones , and feete , being reiected ) and giuing it the horse , suppose it fatteth suddenly : or if you mixe the flesh of the tortoyse so sodden with your horses prouender , that is good also ; but as the simples are italian , and not english , so for mine owne part , i referre the vse rather to them then to my country men . there be others which vse to fat vp their horses by giuing them a certaine graine which we call bucke , in the same manner as we giue oates or pease . there be others which to fat a horse , will giue him onely parched wheat , and a little wine mixed with his water , and amongst his ordinary prouender alwayes some wheate branne ; and be exceeding carefull that the horse be cleane drest , well rubbed , & soft littered : for without such cleanly keeping there is no meate will enioy or do good vpon him ; and also when he is fed , it must be by little at once and not surfaited . there be other farriers which to feede vp a leane horse , will take sage , sauin , bay-berries , earth-nuts , beares grease to drinke with a quart of wine . others will giue the entrailes of a barbel or a tench with white wine . others will giue new hot draffe , and new branne , and twenty hard roasted egges , the shels being pulled off , then bruise them , and then put thereto a pretty quantity of salt ; then mixe all together , and giue a good quantity thereof to the horse at morne , noone , and euening for his prouender ; and once a day , ( which would be at high noone ) giue him a quart or three pints of strong ale ; and when the horse beginneth to be glutted vpon this meat , then giue him dryed oates : if he be glutted vpon that , then giue him bread , if he leaue his bread , giue him malt or any graine that he will eate with a good appetite , obseruing euer to keepe the horse very warme ; and with this dyet in foureteene dayes , the leanest horse will be made exceeding fat . there be other farriers which to make a horse fat , wil take a quart of wine , and halfe an ounce of brimstone finely beaten with a raw egge , and a peny waight of the powder of myrre ; mixe all together and giue it the horse to drinke many mornings together . others will take three-leaued grasse , halfe greene and halfe dry , and giue it to the horse in stead of hay , by little at once ; and it will fat suddenly , onely it will breed much ranke bloud . other farriers vse to take two peny worth of pepper , and as much saffron , anise seeds , and turmericke , a peny worth of long pepper , two peny worth of treacle , a peny worth of licoras , a good quantity of peniryall and archangell ; giue the horse these with the yolks of egges in milke to drinke . others take wheat made cleane , and sod with salt and lard dryed in the sunne , & giue it twice a day before each watering . others giue a pint of good wine with a raw egge beaten , & a quantity of brimstone & mirre beaten to powder . others strong ale , myrre , ●allet oyle and twenty graines of white pepper ; and in stead of the ale , you may take the decoction , that is , the water wherein sage & rue hath bene sodden , & it will soone make the horse fat . others take sodden beanes well bruised and sprinkled with salt , adding to the water foure times so much beane flowre or wheat bran , and giue that to the horse , and it will fat him suddenly . wine mixt with the bloud of a sucking pigge , made luke warme , or wine with the iuyce of featherfeaw , or an ounce of sulphur , and a peny waight of myrre , well made into powder , together with a new layed egge , will raise vp a horse that languisheth . barley dryed , or barley boyled till it burst , either will fat a horse . but the best way of fa●ting a horse ( for most of the wayes before prescribed , are not to breede fat that will continue ) is first to giue your horse three mornings together , a pint of sweete wine , and two spoonefull of diapente brewed together : for that drinke will take away all infection and sicknesse from the inward parts ▪ then to feed him well with prouender at least foure times a day , that is , after his water in the morning , after his water at noone , after his water in the euening , and after his water at nine of the clocke at night . now you shall not let his prouender be all of one sort , but euery meale , if it may be , change , as thus : if in the morning you giue him oates , at noone you shall giue him bread , at euening beanes or pease mixt with wheat branne , and at night sodden barley , and so forth ; and euer obserue of what food he eateth best , of that let him haue the greatest plenty , and there is no question but he will in very short space grow fat , sound , and full of spirit without either mislike or sicknesse . chap. . of the breast-paine , or griefe in the breast . though most of our farriers are not curious to vnderstand of this disease , because it is not so common as others ; yet both my selfe and others find , it is a disease very apt to breed , and to indanger the horse with death . the italians call it granezza di petto ; and it proceedeth from the superfluity of bloud , and other grosse humors , which being dissolued by some extreme and disorderly heate , resorteth downeward to the breast , and paineth the horse extremely that he can hardly go . the signes are a stiffe , staggering and weake going with his forelegges ; and he can very hardly , or not at al , bow down his head to the ground , either to eate or to drink , and will groane much when he doth either the one or the other . the cure is first to bathe all his breast and foreboothes with the oyle of peter ; and if that do not help him , within three or foure dayes , then to let him bloud on both his breast veines in the ordinary place , and then put in a rowell either of haire , corke , horne , or leather , of all which , and the maner of rowelling , you shall reade in a more particular chapter hereafter in the booke of surgery . now there be other farriers which for this sicknesse will first giue the horse an inward drench , as namely , a pint of sweet wine , and two spoonfull of diapente : then bathe all his breast and legges with wine and oyle mingled together , and in some tenne or twelue dayes it will take away the griefe . chap. . of the sicknesse of the heart , called the anticor . this sicknesse of the heart , which by the ancient farriers is called anticor , as much as to say , against or contrary to the heart , is a dangerous & mortall sicknesse , proceeding from the great abundance of bloud which is bredde by too curious and proud keeping , where the horse hath much meate , and little or no labor , as for the most part , your geldings of price haue , which running all the summer at grasse , do nothing but gather their own food , and such like , where the maisters too much loue and tendernesse , is the meanes to bring the horse to his death , as we find dayly in our practise : for when such naughty and corrupt bloud is gathered , it resorteth to the inward parts , and so suffocateth the heart . the signes whereof are , the horse will many times haue a small swelling rise at the bottome of the breast , which swelling will encrease and rise vpward , euen to the top of the necke of the horse , and then most assuredly it kils the horse ; he will also hang his head either downe to the manger , or downe to the ground , forsaking his food , and groaning with much painfulnnesse . this disease is of many ignorant smiths , taken somtimes for the yellowes , and sometimes for the staggers ; but you shall know that it is not so by these obseruations . first , neither about the whites of his eyes , not the inside of his lips , shall you perceiue any apparant yellowes , and so then it cannot be the yellowes ; nor will he haue any great swelling about his eyes , nor dizzinesse in his head before he be at the poynt of death ; and so consequently it cannot be the staggers . the cure thereof is two-fold : the first a preuention or preseruatiue before the disease come : the second a remedy after the disease is apparant . for the preuention or preseruatiue , you shall obserue that if your horse liue idly , either at grasse or in the stable , and withall grow very fat , which fatnesse is neuer vnaccompanied with corruptnesse , that then you fayle not to let him bloud in the necke veine before you turn him to grasse , or before you put him to feede in the stable ; and likewise let him bloud two or three moneths after , when you see he is fedde ; and at each time of letting bloud , you must make your quantity according to the goodnesse of the bloud : for if the bloud be blacke and thicke , which is a signe of inflammation and corruption , you shal take the more ; if it be pure , red , and thin , which is a signe of strength and healthfulnesse , you shall take little , or none at all there be others which vse for this preuention , to giue the horse a scouring or purgation of malmsey , oyle , and sugarcandy , the making and vse whereof you shal reade in the chapter of purgation ; & this would be giuen immediatly when you put your horse to feede , and as soone as you see his skin full swolne with fatnesse . now for the remedy , when this disease shall be apparant , you shall let him bloud on both his plat veines , or if the smiths skill will not extend so farre , then you shall let the horse bloud on the necke veine , and that he bleede abundantly : then you shall giue him this drinke . take a quart of malmsey , and put thereunto halfe a quarterne of sugar , and two ounces of cinamon beaten to powder , and being made luke warme , giue it the horse to drinke : then keepe him very warme in the stable , stuffing him round about with soft wisps very close , especially about the stomacke , least any winde do annoy him : and let his ordinary drinke be warme mashes of malt and water , & his foode only that , whatsoeuer it be , which he eateth with the best stomacke ▪ now if you see any swelling to appeare , whether it be soft or hard , then besides letting him bloud , you shall strike the swelling in diuers places with a steame or launcet , that the corruption may issue forth ; and then annoynt it with hogges grease made warme : for that will either expell it , or bring it to a head , especially if the swelling be kept exceeding warme . there be other farriers which for this disease , vse first to let the horse bloud as is aforesayd , and then to giue him a quart of malmsey , well brewed with three spoonfull of the powder called diapente ; and if the swelling arise , to lay thereunto nothing but hay well sodden in old vrine ; and then to keepe the same dyet as is aforesayd . others vse after the letting of bloud , to giue the horse no drinke , but onely tenne or twelue spoonefuls of that water which is called doctor stephens water , and is not vnknown to any apothecary ; and then for the rest of the cure to proceede in all things as is before specified , & questionlesse i haue seene strange effects of this practise . chap. . of tired horses . since wee are thus farre proceeded into the inward and vitall parts of a horses body , it is not amisse to speake something of the tiring of horses , and of the remedies for the same ; because when a horse is truly tyred ( as by ouer extreme labour ) it is questionlesse that all his vitall parts are made sicke and feebled . for to tell you in more plainesse what trying is , it is when a horse by extreme & vncessant labour , hath all his inward and vitall powers which should accompany & reioyce the heart , expelled and driuen outward to the outward parts , & lesse deseruing members , leauing the heart forlorne and sicke , insomuch that a generall and cold faintnesse spreadeth ouer the whole body and weakneth it , in such sort that it can endure no further trauell , till those liuely heates , faculties , and powers , be brought vnto their naturall and true places backe againe , and made to giue comfort to the heart whom their losse sickned . now for the tiring of horses , though in truth it proceedeth from no other cause but this before spoken ; yet in as much as in our common and vulgar speech , we say euery horse that giueth ouer his labour is tyred , you shall vnderstand that such giuing ouer may proceede from foure causes : the first from inward sicknesse , the second from some wound receiued , either of body or limbe ; the third from dulnesse of spirit , cowardlinesse or restinesse ; and the fourth from most extreme labour and trauell , which is true tirednesse . indeede . now for the first , which is inward sicknesse , you shall looke into the generall signes of euery disease , and if you finde any of those signes to be apparant , you shall straight conclude vpon that disease , & taking away the cause thereof , haue no doubt but the effects of his tiring will vanish with the ●ame . for the second , which is by some wound receiued , as by cutting or dismembring the sinewes , ligaments , or muscles , or by straining or stooming any bone or ioynt , or by pricking in shooing , or striking nayle , yron , stub , or thorne into the sole of the horses foote , and such like . sith the first is apparant to the eye , by disioyning the skinne , the other by halting , you shall take a suruey of your horse , and finding any of them apparant , looke what the griefe is , repaire to the latter part of this booke , which intreateth of surgery ; and finding it there , vse the meanes prescribed , and the tiring will easily be cured . now for the third , which is dulnesse of spirit , cowardlinesse or restinesse , you shall finde them by these signes : if he haue no apparant signe either of inward sicknes or outward griefe , neither sweateth much , nor sheweth any great alteration of countenance ; yet notwithstanding tireth and refuseth reasonable labour , then such tyring proceedeth from dulnesse of spirite ; but if after indifferent long trauell the horse tire , and then the man descending from his backe , the horse runne or trot away , as though he were not tired ; the man then mounting againe , the horse vtterly refuse to go forward , such tyring proceedeth from cowardlinesse ; but if a horse within one , two , or three miles riding , being temperately vsed , and being neither put to any tryall of his strength , nor , as it were , scarcely warmed , if he in his best strength refuse labour , and tire , it proceedeth onely from restinesse and ill conditions . then for the cure of any of all these , proceding from dulnesse , fearefulnesse , and vnwillingnesse , you shall take ordinary window glasse , and beate it into fine powder : then take vp the skinne of each side the spurre veine betweene your finger and your thumbe , and with a fine naule or bodkin , make diuers small holes through the skinne , then rubbe glasse powder very hard into those holes ; which done , mount his backe , and do but offer to touch his sides with your heeles , and be sure if he haue life in him , he will go forward , the greatest feare being that he will still but go too fast : but after your iourney is ended , and your allighted , you must not faile ( because this powder of glasse will corrode and rot his sides ) to annoynt both the sore places with the powder of iet and turpentine mixt together : for that will draw out the venom , and heale his sides againe . there be others which vse when a horse tireth thus through dull cowardlinesse or restinesse , to thrust a burning brand or yron into his buttockes , or to bring bottels of blazing straw about his eares ; there is neither of the cures but is exceeding good . but for the true tired horse , which tireth through a naturall faintnesse , drawne from exceeding labour : the signes to know it being long trauel , much sweat , and willingnesse of courage during his strength : the cure thereof according to the opinion of some farriers , is to powre oyle and vinegar into his nosthrels , and to giue him the drinke of ●he●pes beades mentioned in the chapter of the consumption of the flesh , being the fiftieth chapter of this booke ; and to bathe his legges with a comfortable bath , of which you shal finde choyce in the chapter of bathes : or else charge them with this charge . take of bole armony , and of wheate flowre , of each halfe a pound , and a little rosen beaten into fine powder , and a quart of strong vinegar ; mingle them well together , and couer all his legs therwith ; & then if it be in summer , turne him to grasse , and he will recouer his wearinesse . others vse to take a slice of fresh beefe , hauing steeped it in vinegar , lappe it about your bit or snafle , and hauing made it fast with a threed , ride your horse therewith and he will hardly tire ; yet after your iourney is ended , be sure to giue your horse rest , much warmth and good feeding , that is , warme mashes and store of prouender , or else he will be the worse whilest he liueth . now if it be so that your horse tire in such a place as the necessity of your occasions are to be preferred before the value of your horse , and that you must seeke vnnaturall meanes to controlle nature . in this case you shall take ( where the powder of glasse before spoken of cannot be had ) three or foure round pibble stones , and put them into one of his eares ; and then knit the eare that the stones fall not out , and the noyse of those stones will make the horse go after he is vtterly tyred ; but if that faile , you shal with a knife make a hole in the flappe of the horses eare , and thrust a long rough sticke full of nickes through the same ; and euer as the horse slackes his pace , so saw and fret the sticke vp and downe in the hole , and be sure whilest he hath any li●e he will not leaue going . many other torments there are which be needlesse to rehearse , onely this is my most generall aduice , if at any time you tire your horse , to take of old vrine a quart , of salt peter three ounces , boile them well together , and bathe all the horses foure legges in the same , and without question it will bring to the sinewes their naturall strength and nimblenesse ; and for other defects warme and good keeping will cure them . and although some of our northerne farriers do hold that oaten dough will preuent tiring , yet i haue not approued it so , because i neuer could g●t any horse that would eate it , the dough would so sticke and clambe in the horses mouth : therefore i hold the cures already recited to be fully sufficient . chap. . of the diseases of the stomacke , and first of the loathing of meate . this disease of the loathing of meate , is taken two wayes , the one a forsaking of meate , as when a horses mouth either through the inflammation of his stomacke , doth break out into blisters , or such like venemous sores : or when he hath the lampas , gigges , woolfes teeth , and such like . the cure of all which you shall readily find in the second part of this booke which treateth of surgery : the other a dislike of his meate through the intemperature of his stomacke , being either too hot , as proceeding either from ranknesse of bloud , or extremity of trauell ; as you may perceiue by dayly experience , when a horse is set vp in the stable very hot , and meate instantly giuen him , it is all thing to nothing but he wil loath and refuse it . hence it comes , that i did euer hate the noone-tide bayting of horses , because mens iourneys commonly crauing haste , the horse cannot take such an naturall cooling as he ought before his meate , and thereby breeds much sicknesse & disease : for meate giuen presently after trauell when a horse is hot , is the mother of all infirmity : or else it proceedeth from the intemperature of the stomacke being too cold , as being caused by some naturall defect . now if it proceede from heate onely , which you shall know either by his sudden loathing of his meate , or the extreme heate of his mouth and breath : then to coole his stomacke againe , you shall either wash his tongue with vinegar , or giue him to drinke cold water mingled with oyle and vinegar . there be other farriers which vse to giue this drinke : take of milke and wine , of each one pint , & put therunto of mel rosatum . ounces , and hauing washed his mouth with vinegar & salt , giue him the drink luke warme with a horne . but if the loathing of his meate proceede from the coldnesse of his stomacke , which onely is knowne by the standing vp and staring of his haire : then by the opinion of the ancient farriers , you shall giue him wine & oyle mixt together diuers mornings to drinke ; but others of our late farriers giue wine , oyle , rue , and sage boyled together by a quart at a time to drinke . others to the former compounds will adde white pepper & myrre . others vse to giue the horse onions pild and chopt , and rocket seede bruised and boyled in wine . others vse to mixe wine with the bloud of a sow pigge . now to conclude , for the generall forsaking or loathing of meate , proceeding either from hot or cold causes in the stomacke , there is nothing better then the greene blades of corne ( especially wheate ) being giuen in a good quantity , and that the time of the yeare serue for the gathering thereof . others in stead thereof , will giue the horse sweet wine and the seedes of gith mixt together , or else sweet wine and garlike well pild and stampt , being a long time brewd together . chap. . of the casting out of a horses drinke . the ancient farriers , especially the italians , constantly do affirme , that a horse may haue such a paulsey , proceeding from the coldnesse of his stomacke , and may make him vnable to retaine and keepe his drinke , but that many times he will vomit and cast it vp againe : for mine owne part , from those causes i haue not seene such effects , yet from other causes , as from cold in the head , where the rheume binding about the roots and kirnels of the tongue , hath , as it were , strangled and made straight the passages to the stomacke ; there i haue many times seene a horse cast his water that he drunke , in very abundant sort backe againe through his nosthrels , & sometimes striue with great earnestnesse to drinke , but could not at all . the signes of both ( from which cause foeuer it proceede ) is onely the casting vp of his drinke or water ; and the cure thereof is onely to giue him cordiall and warme drinkes , as is malmsey , cinamon , anise seedes , and cloues , well brewd and mixt together , and to annoynt his breast and vnder his shoulders , with either the oyle of cypresse , oyle of spike , or the oyle of pepper ; and to purge his head with fumes or pilles , such as will force him to neese , of which you may see store in a chapter following : for such fumigation ioyning with these hot oyles , will soone dissolue the tumors . chap. . of surfaiting with glut of prouender . there is not any disease more easily procured , nor more dangerous to the life of a horse , then this surfaite which is taken by the glut of prouender ; it cometh most commonly by keeping the horse extreme sharpe or hungry , as either by long trauell or long standing empty ; & then in his height of greedinesse , giuing him such superabundance of meate , that his stomacke wanting strength to disgest it , all the whole body is driuen into an infinite great paine and extremity . the signes are great weaknesse and feeblenesse in the horses limbes , so that he can hardly stand , but lyeth downe oft , and being downe , walloweth and tumbleth vp and downe as if he had the bots . the cure thereof according to the ordinary practise of our common farriers , is to take a halfe peny worth of blacke sope , and a quart of new milke , and as much sweete butter as sope ; and hauing on a chafing dish and coales , mixt them together , giue it the horse to drinke : this will cleanse the horses stomacke , and bring it to its strength againe . but the ancient farriers did vse first , to let the horse bloud in the necke veine , ( because euery surfait breedes distemperature in the bloud ) then trot the horse vp and downe an howre or more ; and if he cannot stale draw out his yard and wash it with white wine made luke warme , and thrust into his yard either a cloue of garlicke or a little oyle of camomill , with a peece of small waxe candle . if he cannot dung , first with your hand rake his fundament , and then giue him a glister , of which you shall read hereafter : when his glister is receiued you shall walke him vp and downe till hee haue emptyed his belly , then set him vp and keepe him hungry the space of two or three dayes , obseruing euer to sprinkle the hay hee eateth with a little water , and let his drinke be warme water and branne made mash-wise ; after he hath drunke the drinke let him eate the branne if he please , but from other prouender keep him fasting at least tenne dayes . there be other farriers that in this case , vse onely to take a quart of beere or ale , and two peny worth of sallet oyle , and as much dragon water , a peny worth of treacle ; make all these warme vpon the coales , then put in an ounce of cinamon , anise seedes , and cloues , all beaten together , and so giue it the horse luke warme to drinke . all these receipts are exceeding good ; yet for mine owne part , and many of the best farriers confirme the same , there is nothing better for this disease , then moderate exercise , much fasting , and once in foure or fiue dayes a pint of sweete wine , with two spoonefull of the powder diapente . chap. . of foundring in the body , being a surfaite got either by meate , drinke , or labour . this disease of foundring in the body , is of all surfaits the most vile , most dangerous , and most incident vnto horses that are dayly trauelled , it proceedeth according to the opinion of some farriers , from eating of much prouender suddenly after labour , the horse being then , as it were , panting hot ( as we may dayly see vnskilfull horsemen do at this day ) whereby the meate which the horse eateth , not being disg●sted , breedeth euill and grosse humours , which by little & little spreading themselues through the members , do at the length oppresse , & almost confound the whole body , absolutely taking away from him al his strength , insomuch that he can neither go nor bow his ioynts , nor being layd , is able to rise againe : besides , it taketh away from him his instrumentall powers , as the office both of vrine and excrements , which cannot be performed but with extreme paine . there be other farriers , and to their opinion i rather leane , that suppose it proceedeth from suffering the horse to drinke too much in his trauell being very hot , whereby the grease being suddenly cooled , it doth clappe about , and suffocate the inward parts with such a loathsome fulnesse , that without speedy euacuation , there can be no hope but of death onely . now whereas some farriers do hold that this foundring in the body , should be no other then the foundring in the legges , because it is ( say they ) a melting and dissolution of humours which resort downeward , they are much deceiued : for it is not as they hold a dissolution of humours , but rather a binding together of corporall and substantiall euils , which by an vnnaturall accident doth torment the heart . now for the hold which they take of the name foundring , as if it were drawne from the french word fundu , signifying melting , truly i thinke it was rather the ignorance of our old farriers , which knew not how to entitle the disease , then any coherence it hath with the name it beareth . for mine owne part , i am of opinion that this disease which we cal foundring in the body , doth not onely proceede from the causes aforesayd , but also and most oftest by sudden washing horses in the winter season , when they are extreme fat and hot with instant trauell , where the cold vapour of the water striking into the body , doth not onely astonish the inward and vitall parts , but also freezeth vp the skin , and maketh the bloud to leese his office . now the signes to know this disease , are holding downe of his head , staring vp of his haire , coughing , staggering behinde , trembling after water , dislike of his meate , leannesse , stiffe going , disability to rise when he is downe : and to conclude , which is the chiefest signe of all other , his belly will be clung vp to his backe , and his backe rising vp like a camell . the cure according to the opinion of the farriers , is first to rake his fundament , and then to giue him a glister : which done , and that the horses belly is emptyed , then take of malmsey a quart , of sugar halfe a quarterne , of cinamon halfe an ounce , of licoras and anise seedes , of each two spoonefull beaten into fine powder ; which being put into the malmsey , warme them together at the fire so that the hony may be molten , then giue it the horse luke warme to drinke : which done , walke him vp and downe either in the warme stable or some warme roade the space of an howre ; then let him stand on the bit fasting two howres more , onely let him be warme clothed , stopt , and littered ; & when you giue him hay , let it be sprinkled with water , and let his prouender be very cleane sifted from dust , and giuen by a little at once ; and let his drinke be warme mashes of malt and water . now when you see him recouer and get a little strength , you shall then let him bloud in the necke veine , and once a day perfume him with frankinsence to make him neese , and vse to giue him exercise abroad when the wether is warme , and in the house when the weather is stormy . now there be other farriers which vse for this disease to take a halfe peny worth of garlicke , two peny worth of the powder of pepper , two peny worth of the powder of ginger , two peny worth of graines bruised , and put all these into a pottell of strong ale , and giue it the horse to drinke by a quart at a time , dyetting and ordering him as is aforesayd ; and when he g●tteth strength either let him bloud in the necke veine , or the spurre veines , or on both ; to conclude , there is no drinke nor dyet which is comfortable , but is most soueraigne and good for this infirmity . chap. . of the greedy worme or hungry euill in horses . this hungry euill is a disease more common then found out by our farriers , because the most of our horse-maisters out of great ignorance , hold it a speciall vertue to see a horse eat● eagerly , whereas indeeede this ouer-hasty and greedy eating , is more rather an infirmity and sicknesse of the inward parts ; and this disease is none other then an insatiate and greedy eating , contrary to nature and old custome ; and for the most part , it followeth some extreme great emptinesse or want of foode , the beast being euen at the pinch , and ready to bee chappe-falne . there bee some farriers which suppose that it proceedeth from some extreame cold , outwardly taken by trauelling in cold and barraine places , as in the frost and snow , where the outward cold maketh the stomacke cold , whereby all the inward powers are weakned . the signes are onely an alteration or change in the horses feeding , hauing lost all temperance ; and snatching and chopping at his meate as if he would deuoure the manger . the cure , according to the opinion of some farriers , is first to comfort his stomacke by giuing him great slices of white bread toasted at the fire and steeped in muskadine , or else bread vntoasted & steeped in wine , & then to let him drink wheat flowre and wine brewed together . there be others which vse to knead stiffe cakes of wheate flowre and wine , and to feede the horse therewith . others vse to make him bread of pine-tree nuts and wine knoden together : or else common earth and wine mingled together ; but for mine owne part , i hold nothing better then moderately feeding the horse many times in the day with wholesome beane bread , well baked , or oates well dryed and sifted . chap. . of the diseases of the liuer in generall , and first of the inflammation thereof . there is no question but the liuer of a horse is subiect to as many diseases as either the liuer of a man or any other creature , onely through the ignorance of our common farriers ( who make all inward diseases one sicknesse ) the true ground , and causes not being looked into , the infirmity is let passe , and many times poysoned with false potions ; but truth it is , that the liuer sometimes by the intemperatenesse thereof , as being either too hot or too cold , too moist , or too dry , or sometimes by meanes of euill humors , as choler or fleame ouerflowing in the same , heate ingendring choler , and coldnesse fleame , the liuer is subiect to many sicknesses , and is diuersly payned , as by inflammation , apostumation or vlcer , or by obstructions , stoppings , or hard knobs ; or lastly , by the consumption of the whole substance thereof the signes to know if the disease proceede from hot causes , is leannesse of body , the loathing of meate , voyding dung of a strong sent , great thirst , and loosnesse of belly . the signes to know if the disease proceed from cold causes , is good state of body , appetite to meate , dung not stincking , no thirst , and the belly neither loose nor costiue . now to proceede to the particular diseases of the liuer , and first of the inflammation , you shall vnderstand that it cometh by meanes that the bloud through the abundance , thinnesse , boyling heate of sharpnesse thereof , or through the violence of some outward cause , breaketh out of the veines & floweth into the body or substance of the liuer ; and so being dispossest of his proper vessels , doth immediately putrifie & is inflamed , corrupting so much of the fleshly substance of the liuer , as is either touched or imbrewed with the same ; whence it cometh , that for the most part , the hollow side of the liuer is first consumed , yet sometimes the full side also : this inflammation by a naturall heate , is sometimes turned to putrifaction , & then it is called an apostumation , which when either by the strength of nature or art , it doth breake and runne , then it is called an vlcer or filthy sore . now the signes of an inflammation on the hollow side of the liuer ( which is least hurtfull ) is loathing of meate , great thirst , loosnesse of belly , and a continuall vnwillingnesse to lye on the left side ; but if the inflammation be on the full side of the liuer , then the signes be short breathing , a dry cough , much paine when you handle the horse about the wind-pipe , and an vnwillingnesse to lye on the right side . the signes of apostumation is great heate , long fetching of breath , and a continuall looking to his side . the signes of vlceration , is continuall coldnesse , staring vp of the haire , and much feeblenesse & faintting , because the filthy matter casting euill vapours abroad , doth many times corrupt the heart , and occasion death . now for the cure of these inflammations , some farriers vse to take a quart of ale , an ounce of myrre , and an ounce of frankinsence , and brewing them well together , giue it the horse diuers mornings to drinke . others vse to take three ounces of the seedes of smallage , and three ounces of hysop , and as much sutherwort , and boyle them wel in oyle and wine mingled together , and giue it the horse to drinke ; keepe the horse warme , and let him neither drinke cold water , nor eate dry dusty hay . chap. . of obstructions , stoppings , or hard knobs on the liuer . these obstructions , or stoppings of a horses liuer , do come most commonly by trauelling or labouring on a full stomacke , whereby the meate not being perfectly disgested , breedeth grosse and tough humours , which humours by the extremity of trauell are violently driuen into the small veines , through which the liuer ought to receiue good nutriment , and so by that meanes breedeth obstructions & stoppings . now from these obstructions ( when they haue continued any long time ) especially if the humours be cholericke , breedeth many times hard knobs on the liuer , which knobbes maketh the horse continually lye on his right side , and neuer on the left ; because if he should lye on the left side , the waight of the knob would oppresse the stomacke , and euen sicken all the vitall parts in him . the signes of these obstructions or stoppings , are heauinesse of countenance , distention or swelling , great dulnesse and sloth in the horse when he beginneth his trauell , and a continuall looking backe to his short ribbes , where remaineth his greatest paine and torment . now the cure thereof is to seeth continually in the water which hee drinketh , agrimony , fumitory , camomill , vvormewood , licoras , anise seedes , smallage , persley , spickenard , gentian , succory , endyue , and lupyns , the vertues whereof are most comfortable to the liuer . but for as much as the most part of our english farriers are very simple smithes , whose capacities are vnable to diue into these seuerall distinctions ; and that this worke ( or maister peece ) is intended for the weakest braine whatsoeuer , you shall vnderstand that there bee certaine generall signes to know when the liuer of a horse is grieued with any griefe , of what nature or condition soeuer it be ; and so likewise generall receipts , to cure all the grieues without distinguishing or knowing their natures : you shall know then if a horse haue any griefe or paine in his liuer by these signes . first , by a loathing of his meate , next , by the wasting of his flesh , drynesse of his mouth , and roughnesse of his tongue , and great swelling thereof , and refusing to lye on the side grieued ; and lastly , a continuall looking backeward . now the generall cures for the sicknesse of the liuer , is , according to the opinion of the ancient farriers , to giue the horse aloes dissolued in sweet wine : for it both purgeth and comforteth the liuer . others vse to giue him to drink ireos stampt and mixt with wine and water together , or in stead of ireos , to giue him calamint , called of the latines pollimonia . others giue sauery with oyle & wine mixt together . others vse liuer-wort and agrimony with wine and oyle . others vse comfortable frictions , and to steepe his prouender in warme water , and to mixe with his prouender a little nitrum , not forgetting to let him stand warme and lye soft ; but that which is generally praised aboue all medicines , is to giue the horse a wolfes liuer , beaten to powder , and mixt either with wine , water , oyle , or any other medicine . now for a conclusion of this chapter , if the farriers skill be so good that he can distinguish the nature of each seueral infirmity about the liuer , then i would haue him to vnderstand that for inflammations ( which are the first beginners of all diseases ) would be vsed simples that mollifie and disperse humors , as be these , linseed , fenegreeke , camomil , anise seeds , mellilot , and such like ; to which mollifying simples would be euer added some simples that are astringent or binding , as are these : red rose leaues , bramble leaues , wormewod , plantaine , myrre , masticke , storax , and such like . now for apostumes , they are to be ripened and voyded , & vlcers must be cleansed and scoured downeward either by excrement or vrine ; and therefore the vse of such simples as prouoke either the one or the other ( of which you shall find plenty in other chapters ) is most necessary . chap. . of the consumption of the liuer . of this consumption of the liuer , i haue spoken something in the chapter of the mourning of the chine ; yet because amongst our best farriers it is diuersly taken , i will shew you their diuers opinions . first , some hold it cometh onely from sudden cold after heate , taken either by drinking or standing still . others hold it cometh of any humour , especially of cholericke matter , shead throughout the whole substance of the liuer , which rotting by leasurable degrees , doth in the end corrupt and confound all the substance of the liuer , proceeding as they thinke , from corrupt meates , and sweet drinkes : and the last thinketh it cometh by extreme heate gotten in trauell , which inflaming the bloud doth afterward putrifie , corrupt , and exulcerate the whole substance of the liuer : because the liuer is spongious like the lungs , therefore the cure of this disease is held desperate ; yet it bringeth no speedy or suddaine death , but a wasting and lingring infirmity : for the liuer being corrupted , disgestion is taken away , and so the body for want of good nutriment , doth in time consume . the signes of this disease is a loathing of meate , and a stretching forth of the horses body at length as he standeth ; hee will seldome or neuer lye downe , his breath will stink maruellously , and he will continually cast exceeding foule matter either at one nosthrell or at both , according as one side or both sides of the liuer is consumed : and on that side which hee casteth , hee will euer haue betwixt his nether iawes , about the midst of them , a hard knobbe or kirnell about the bignesse of a wal-nut . now the preseruatiue for this disease , ( for in truth it is incurable ) is , according to the opinion of some farriers , to take halfe a pint of malmsey , and as much of the bloud of a young pigge , and to giue it the horse luke warme to drinke . other farriers vse to giue the horse no other food for the space of three dayes , then warme wort , and oates baked in an ouen , being sure that the horse be kept fasting the first night before he receiue his medicine . others suppose that if into the wort which he drinketh , you do put euery morning two or three spoonfull of the powder made of agrimony , red rose leaues , sac●harum , rosac●um , diarchadon , abbatis , disantalon , licoras , and of the liuer of a wolfe , that is more excellent . others hold that this powder giuen with goates milke luke warme , is very good . others hold that malmsey and the iuyce of feather● few giuen to drinke is also good . others vse ( and i hold it equall with the best ) to take an ounce of sulphur vi●e , beaten into fine powder , and a peny waight of myrre , beaten to very fine powder ; mixe them together with a new layed egge , and giue them to drinke with halfe a pint of malmsey : vse this diuers times , and keep the horse warme ; yet separate him from other horses , for this disease is infectious . chap. . of the diseases in the gall. as is the liuer , euen so the gall of a horse is subiect to diuers and many infirmities , as to obstructions , from whence floweth the fulnesse and emptinesse of the bladder , and stone in the gall ; and these obstructions do chance two seuerall waies : first when the passage by which choler should passe from the liuer vnto the bladder of the gall , as vnto his proper receptacle is stopped , and so the bladder of the gall remaineth empty : for you are to vnderstand that the gall is none other thing then a long , slender , little greenish bladder fixed vnderneath the liuer , which doth receiue all the cholericke bitter moysture , which would otherwise offend not onely the liuer , but the whole body also . now if the passage vnto this necessary vessell be stopped , there cannot chuse but follow many infirmities , as either vomiting , the laxe , or the bloudy flixe . secondly , when the way whereby such choler should issue forth of the bladder of the gall downe into the guts and excrements , is closed vp , and so superaboundeth with too much choler ; from whence springeth dulnesse of spirit , suffocating , belching , heate , thirst , and disposition to rage and fury ; and truly to any beast there is not a more dangerous disease then the ouerflowing of the gall . the signes of both these kindes of euils or obstructions , are yellownesse of the skinne infected with yellow iaundise , and a continuall costiuenesse of the body : and the cure of them are , according to the most ancient farriers , to giue the horse milke and great store of saffron , boyled together , or in stead of milke to giue ale , saffron , and anise seedes mixed together . but there be other farriers , with whom i much more do agree , which hold that selladine roots and leaues chopt and bruised , & boiled in beere , or for want of selladine , rue or hearbe of grace , and giuen the horse luke warme to drinke , is most soueraigne . now for the stone in the gall , which is of a blackish color , it cometh from the obstruction of the conduits of the bladder , whereby the choler being too long kept in , becommeth dry , and so conuerteth first into grauell , and after into a sollide and hard stone , of which both the signes and the cure , are those last before rehearsed . chap. . of all such diseases as are incident to the spleene . the spleene is a long , narrow , flat , spongy substance , of a pale fleshy colour , ioyning with the liuer & the gall ; it is the receptacle of melancholy and the dregges of the bloud , and is as subiect to infirmity as any inward member whatsoeuer , as to inflammations , obstructions , knobbes and swellings ; it through the sponginesse is apt to sucke in all manner of filth , and to dilate and spread the same ouer the whole body : the appearance thereof , is on the left side vnder the short ribs , where you shall perceiue some small swelling , which swelling giues great griefe to the midriffe , especially after a full stomacke , taking away much more of the horses disgestion then his appetite , and being suffered to continue , it makes faint the heart , and growes in the end to a hard knob , or stony substance . this disease or diseases of the spleene , are incident to horses most in the summer , proceeding from the surfaite or greedy eating of greene meates . the signe of which diseases are these , heauinesse , dulnesse , paine on the left side , and hard swellings , short breath , much groaning , and an ouer hasty desire to his meate . the cure according to the opinion of our best farriers , is to make the horse sweate either by labour or cloathes , then to giue him to drinke a quart of white wine , wherein hath bene boyled the leaues of tamariske bruised , and a good quantity of comin seede beaten to powder , and giue it luke warme . others vse after the horse hath sweat , to powre into his left nosthrell euery day the iuyce of mirobalans , mixt with wine and water to the quantity of a pint . others take of comin seede and hony , of each sixe ounces , of lacerpitium as much as a beane , of vinegar a pint , & put all these into three quarts of water , and let it stand so all night , and giue the horse a quart thereof next morning , hauing fasted all night . others make the horse a drinke of garlicke , nitrum , hore-hound , and wormewood , sodden in sharpe wine , and to bathe all the horses leftside with warme water , and to rubbe it hard . there be others which vse to cauterize or scarifie the horses left side with a hot yron ; but it is barbarous and vile , and carrieth no iudgement in the practise . chap. . of the yellowes or iaundise . as before i sayd , from the obstructions or ouerflowings of the gall and spleene doth spring this disease which our common smiths call the yellowes , and our better farriers the iaundise ; and you shall vnderstand , that of this yellowes or iaundise there are two kinds , the first an ouerflowing of choler proceeding from the sicknesse of the gall , and it is called simply the yellowes , or yellow iaundise ; because the outward parts of the body , as eyes , skinne , mouth , inside of the lips , and such like , are dryed , and coloured yellow : the other an ouerflowing of melancholy proceeding from the sicknesse of the spleene , & is called the blacke yellows or blacke iaundise , because all the outward parts are blacke . now both these iaundises or yellowes haue their beginnings from the euils of the liuer ; the yellow iaundise when the liuer by inflammation , hath all his bloud conuerted into choler , and so ouerwhelmes the body : and the blacke iaundise when some obstruction in the liuer veine , which goeth to the spleene , hindreth the spleene from doing his office , and receiuing the dregges of bloud from the liuer ; or else when the spleene is surcharged with such dregges of the bloud , and so sheddeth them back againe into the veines . now although this distinction of the blacke iaundise or blacke yellowes , will appeare strange vnto our common farriers ; yet it is most certaine that whensoeuer a horse dyeth of the yellowes , he dyeth onely of the blacke yellowes : for when it cometh vnto the case of mortality , then are al the inward powers conuerted to blacknesse , and the yellow substance is cleane mastered ; but whilest the matter is yellow , so long the horses body is in good state of recouery . besides , these yellowes do euer follow one the other , and the lesser hath no sooner got preheminence , but the greater pursues him ; of all the inward diseases in a horse body , this is most common , oftest in practise , and yet most mortal if it be not early preuented . the signes of this disease of yellow iaundise , are yellownesse of eyes , nosthrels , inside of lippes , the skinne , the yard and the vrine : his eares and his flankes will sweate , and he will groane when he lyeth downe , and he will not onely be faint , but vtterly forsake his meate also . the cures which are at this day in practise for this disease , are infinite , and a world of them corrupt and poysonous : euery smith almost making a medicine of his owne inuention , god knowes weake and to little purpose ; but for the best receipts which at this day are vsed by any good farrier whatsoeuer , i will deliuer you the whole catologue . first , for the ancient farriers , both italian & french , they did vse to take of tyme and comin , of each like quantity , and stamping them together to mingle it with wine , hony , and water ; and then to let him bloud in the pasternes . but now the farriers of latter dayes vse , first to let the horse bloud in the necke veine , suffering him to bleede till you perceiue the bloud to grow pure ; then to giue him this drinke : take of white wine or ale a quart , and put thereunto of saffron , of turmericke , of each halfe an ounce , and the iuyce that is wrong out of a great handfull of selladine , and being luke warme giue it the horse to drinke ; then keepe him warme the space of three or foure dayes , giuing him warme water with a little branne in it . others vse after the horse is let bloud in the necke veine : first to rake him then to gim him a suppositary made of salt , hony , and marioram , and then giue him to drinke , halfe an ounce of myrre , dissolued in a quart of wine or ale . others vse to giue after bloud letting , onely cold water and nitrum mixt together . there be others which after bloud letting , will onely stoppe his eares with felladine , and then bind them fast vp , and let him haue no exercise for twelue howres after . others vse after the letting him bloud to giue him a glister ; then to take saffron and turmericke , and mixing them with a quart of milke to giue it him to drinke luke warme . others vse to let the horse bloud in the third barre of the roofe of his mouth with a sharpe knife , and after he hath bled well , to take a halfe peny worth of english saffron , and a peny worth of turmericke , and a new layed egge , with the shell and all small broken , and mixe it in a quart of stale ale or beere ; and so set him vp warme . others vse to take after bloud letting of turmericke and of saffron a like quantity , and two or three cloues , and sixe spoonefull of vinegar or verdges , and to put into each eare of the horse , three spoonefull thereof , and then stoppe his eares with black wolle , & so tye them vp for seuen or eight dayes after . others take long pepper , graines , turmericke , and licoras , all beaten into fine powder ; then brew them with a quart of strong beere or ale , and giue it the horse to drinke . others vse after raking & bloud letting to take the iuyce of iuy leaues , & mingling it with wine , to squirt it into the horses nosthrels ; and to let him drinke only cold water mixt with vitrum , and let his foode be grasse , or new hay sprinkled with water . thus you haue seene , i dare well affirme , all the best practises which are at this day knowne for this disease ; & where they all faile ▪ there is no hope of cure ; yet let me thus farre further informe you . this disease of the yellowes or iaundise , if the keeper or maister be not a great deale the more skilfull and carefull , will steale vpon you vnawares , and ( as i haue often seene ) when you are in the middest of your iourney , remote and distant farre from any towne that can giue you succour , it may be your horse will fall downe vnder you , and if you should let him rest till you fetch him succour , questionlesse hee will bee dead . in this extremity you haue no helpe but to draw out a sharpe poynted knife , dagger , or rapier for a neede , and as neare as you can ( opening the horses mouth ) strike him bloud about the third barre of the roofe of his mouth ; and so letting him eate and swallow his owne blood a good while , then raise him vp , and be sure he will go as fresh as euer he did ; but after you come to place of rest , then bee sure to bloud him and drench him as aforesayd , or else there will a worse fit come vpon him . now to conclude for the blacke iaundise , which of some farriers is called the dry yellow , though for mine owne part i hold it to be incurable , yet there be other farriers which are of a contrary humour , and prescribe this physicke for the cure thereof : first , to giue the horse a glister made of oyle , water , and nitrum , after his fundament is raked ; then to powre the decoction of mallowes , mingled with sweete wine , into his nosthrels , and let his meate be grasse , or hay sprinkled with water , and a little nitre , and his prouender dryed oates : hee must rest from labour , and be often rubbed . now there be other farriers , which for this disease would onely haue the horse drinke the decoction of wilde cole-worts sodden in wine ; the effects of all which i onely referre to experience . chap. . of the dropsie , or euill habit of the body . whereas we haue spoken before of the consumption of the flesh , which proceedeth from surfaits , ill lodging , labour , colds , heates , and such like : you shall also now vnderstand , that there is another drinesse or consumption of the flesh , which hath no apparant cause or ground , and is called of farriers a dropsie or euill habite of the body ; which is most apparantly seene when the horse by dislike doth leese his true naturall colour , as when baynesse turnes to dunnesse , blackes to duskishnes , & whites to ashinesse ; and when he leeseth his spirit , strength , and alacrity . now this cometh not from the want of nutriment , but from the want of good nutriment , in that the bloud is corrupted either with fleame , choler , or melancholy , coming ( according to the opinion of the best farriers ) either from the spleene , or the weaknes of the stomacke or liuer causing naughty disgestion . others thinke it cometh from fowle feeding , or much idlenesse ; but for mine owne part , albeit i haue had as much tryall of this disease , as any one man ; and that it becometh not me , to controll men of approued iudgements ; yet this i dare auerre , that i neuer saw this disease of the euill habite or euill colour of the body , spring from any other groundes , then either disorderly and wilde riding : or from hunger , or barraine woody keeping . betwixt it and the dropsie , there is small or no difference : for the dropsie being diuided into three kindes , this is the first thereof , as namely an vniuersall swelling of the body , but especially the legges , through the aboundance of water lying betweene the skinne and the flesh . the second , a swelling in the couering or bottome of the belly , as if the horse were with foale ; which is onely a whayish humour abiding betwixt the skinne and the rimme : and the third a swelling in the same place by the like humour , abiding betwixt the great bagge and the kell . the signes of this disease are shortnesse of breath , swelling of the body or legges , losse of the horses naturall colour , no appetite vnto meate , and a continuall thirst ; his backe , buttockes , and flankes , will be dry , and shrunke vp to their bones ; his veines will be hidde that you cannot see them ; and wheresoeuer you shall presse your finger hard against his body , there you shall leaue the print thereof behind you , and the flesh will not rise of a good space after : when he lyeth downe , he will spreade out his limbes , and not draw them round together , and his haire will shedde with the smallest rubbing . there be other farriers which make but onely two dropsies , that is , a wet dropsie , and a windy dropsie ; but being examined , they are all one with those recited , haue all the same signes and the same cure , which according to the ancient farriers is in this sort . first , to let him be warme couered with many cloathes , and either by exercise or otherwise driue him into a sweate ; then let his backe and body be rubbed against the haire , and let his foode be for the most part , cole-worts , smallage , and elming bowes , or what else will keepe his body soluble , or prouoke vrine : when you want this foode , let him eate grasse , or hay sprinckled with water , and sometimes you may giue him a kinde of pulse called ciche , steeped a day and a night in water , and then taken out and layed so as the water may drop away . there be other farriers which only would haue the horse to drinke parsley stampt and mixt with wine , or else the roote of the hearbe called panax stampt and mixt with wine . now whereas some farriers aduise to slit the belly a handfull behinde the nauell , that the winde and water may leasurely issue forth , of mine owne knowledge i know the cure to be most vile ; nor can it be done , but to the vtter spoyle and killing of the horse : for a horse is a beast , & wanting knowledge of his owne good , will neuer be drest but by violence , and that violence will bring downe his kell , so as it will neuer be recouered . now for these dropsies in the belly , although i haue shewed you the signes and the cures , yet are they rare to be found , and more rare to be cured ; but for the other dropsie , which is the swelling of the legges , and the losse of the colour of the haire , it is very ordinary and in howrely practise : the best cure wherof , that euer i found , is this . take of strong ale a gallon , & set it on the fire , & skum off the white frothwhich riseth : then take a handfull of wormwood without stalke , and as much rue in like manner without stalkes , and put them into the ale , and let them boyle till it be come almost to a quart , then take it off , and straine it exceedingly : then dissolue into it three ounces of the best treacle , and put in also an ounce and a halfe of long pepper , and graines beaten to very fine powder : then brew them all together till it be no more but luke warme , and so giue it the horse to drinke ; the next day let him bloud on the necke veine , and annoynt his forelegges with traine ovle , and so turne him into good grasse , and feare not his recouery . chap. . of the diseases in the guts of a horse , and first of the cholicke . the guts of a horse are subiect to many and sundry infirmities , as namely , to the winde cholike , fretting of the belly , costiuenesse , laxe , bloudy flixe , and wormes of diuers kinds . now for the cholicke , it is a grieuous and tormenting paine in the great gut or bagge , which because it is very large and spacious , and full of empty places , it is the more apt to receiue diuers offencied matters , which do breede diuers infirmities , especially winde , which finding no ready passage out , maketh the body , as it were , swell , and offendeth both the stomacke & other inward members . this disease doth not so much appeare in the stable as abroad in trauell : and the signes are these : the horse will often offer to stale but cannot , he will strike at his belly with his hinder foote , and many times stampe , he will forsake his meate , and towards his flanke you shall see his belly appeare more ful then ordinary , and he will desire to lye downe and wallow . the cure thereof according to the most ancient farriers , is onely to giue him a glister made either of wild cowcumbers , or else of hens dung , nitrum , and strong vinegar , the manner whereof you shall see in the chapter of glisters ; and after the glister labour him . others vse to giue the horse the vrine of a child to drinke , or a glister of sope and salt water . others vse to giue him fiue drams of myrre in good wine , and then gallop him gently thereupon . others vse to giue him smallage and parsley with his prouender , & then to trauell him till he sweate ; but for mine owne part , i hold it best to take a quart of malmsey , of cloues , pepper , cinamon , of each halfe an ounce ; of sugar halfe a quarterne , & giue the horse luke warm , & then ride him at least an houre after ; but before you ride him annoynt all his flankes with oyle de bay , or oyle of spike . now if whilest you ride him he will not dung , you shal then take him , and if neede be , enforce him to dung , by thrusting into his fundament a pild onion iagged crosse-wayes , that the tickling of the iuice may enforce ordure ; and by no meanes for foure of fiue dayes let him drinke no cold water , nor eate any grasse or greene corne , but keepe him vpon wholesome dry meate in a warme stable . chap. . of belly-ake , or fretting in the belly . besides the cholike , there is also another grieuous paine in the belly , which farriers cal the belly-ake , or fretting in the belly ; and it proceedeth either from eating of greene pulse when it growes on the ground , or raw vndryed pease , beanes or oates : or else when sharpe fretting humours , inflammations , or aboundance of grosse matter , is gotten betweene the great gut and the panicle . the signes are much wallowing , great groaning , and often striking at his belly , and gnawing vpon the manger . the cure according to the opinion of some farriers , is first , to anoynt your hand with sallet oile , or butter , or grease ; & then thrusting it in at the horses fundament , pull out as much dung as you can reach , which is called raking a horse ; then giue him a glister of water and salt mixt together , or in stead thereof , giue him a suppositary of hony and salt , and then giue him to drinke the powder of centuary and wormwood brewd with a quart of malmsey . others vse onely to giue the horse a suppositary of new-castle sope , and for mine owne part , i hold it onely the best . chap. . of costiuenesse , or belly-bound . costiuenesse or belly-bound is when a horse is so bound in his belly that he cannot dung ; it is a disease of all other most incident to running horses , which are kept in a dry and hot dyet . now my maisters , the great farriers , affirme , that it proceedeth from glut of prouender , or ouer much feeding , and rest ; or from winde , grosse humours , or cold , causing obstructions and stoppings in the guts ; but i suppose ( & imagine that all the best keepers of hunting or running horses , will consent with me ) that it rather proceedeth from much fasting , whereby the gut wanting fresh substance to fill it , doth out of it owne great heate bake and dry vp that little which it containeth : for it is a certaine rule that nothing can ouerflow before it be full . or else it may proceede from eating too much hot and dry foode , which sucking vp the fleame and moysture of the body , leaues not sufficient whereby it may be disgested ; howeuer , it is a dangerous infirmity , and is the beginning of many other euils . the signes are onely abstinence from the office of nature ( i mean dunging ) which is most vsuall in all beasts . the cure whereof according to the opinion of the ancientest farrier , is to take the water wherein mallowes haue bene long boyled to the quantity of a quart ; and put thereto halfe a pint of oyle , or in stead thereof halfe a pint of butter very sweete , and one ounce of benedicte laxatiue , and powre that into his fundament glister-wise : then with a string fasten his tayle hard to histuel , and then trot the horse vp and downe a pretty while , that the medicine may worke so much the better ; then let his tayle loose , and suffer him to voyd all that is in his belly : then bring him into the stable , and hauing stood a while , giue him a little well clarified hony to drinke ; then couer him and keepe him warme , and let his drinke for three or foure dayes , be nothing but sweete mashes of malt and water . other farriers vse to take eleuen leaues of lorell , and stamping them in a morter , giue it the horse to drinke with one quart of strong ale . others vse to take an ounce of brimstone finely beaten to powder , and mixing it with spurge , to giue it the horse in a mash to drinke . now for mine owne part , i would wish you , if the disease he not very extremely violent , onely but to rake the horses fundament , and then to gallop him in his cloathes till he sweate , and then giue him a handfull or two of cleane rye , and a little brimstone mixt with it : for brimstone being giuen with prouender at any time , will scoure ; but if the disease be raging and violent , take a quarter of a pound of white sope , and a handfull of spurge , bray them very well together , and giue it the horse to drinke with a quart of ale luke warme ; then let him fast and exercise him more then halfe an howre after , and be sure to keepe him very warme , and let his drinke be onely warme mashes . a world of other scouring receipts there be ; but you shall finde them more at large in the chapter of purgations , glisters and suppositaries . chap. . of the laxe , or too much scouring of horses . the laxe , or open fluxe of a horses body , is a dangerous disease , and quickly bringeth a horse to great weaknes and faintnes : it proceedeth sometimes from the aboundance of cholericke humors , descending from the liuer or gall down into the guts : sometimes by drinking ouermuch cold water immediately after prouender , sometimes by sodaine trauelling vpon a full stomacke before his meate be digested , somtimes by hasty running or galloping presently after water ; & sometimes by licking vp a feather , or eating hens dung : there is no disease that taketh more sore vpon a horse in short time then this ; and yet sith nature her selfe in this disease seemeth to be a physition to the horses body , i would not wish any farrier to go about too suddenly to stop it ; but if you finde that by the continuance , nature both leeseth her owne strength , and the horse the good estate of his body , then you shall seeke remedy , and the cure thereof according to the opinion of ancient farriers , is this . take of beane flowre and bolarmony , of each a quarterne ; mixe them together in a quart of redde wine , and giue it the horse luke warme to drinke , & let him be kept very warme and haue much rest : also let the water that he drinketh be luke warme , and mixt with beane flowre ; yet by no meanes let him drinke aboue once in foure and twenty howres ; and then not to his full satisfaction . others take a pint of redde wine , the powder of one nutmegge , halfe an ounce of cinamon , and as much of the rinde of a pomegranat , and mixing them together , giue it the horse luke warme to drinke ; and let him not drinke any other drinke , except it be once in foure and twenty howres , halfe a horses draught of warme water mixt with beane flowre . others take a halfe peny worth of alume beaten into fine powder , and bole-armony beaten small , and a quart of good milke ; mingle them together till the milke be all on a curd , and then giue it the horse to drinke , obseruing the dyet before rehearsed ; but if this disease shall happen to a sucking foale , as commonly it will , and i my selfe haue seene many that for want of experience haue perished thereby , you shall then onely giue it a pint of strong verdges to drinke , and it is a present remedy : for the foale feeding only vpon milke , and that milke auoyding in as liquid forme as it was receiued , the verdges will curdell it , & so make it auoyd in a grosser and more tougher substance . chap. . of the bloudy flixe in horses . it is not to be doubted but that a horse may haue the bloudy flixe , for in my experience i haue seene it , besides the confirmation of all my maisters , the old farriers . now of the bloudy flixe they make diuers kindes : for somtimes the fat of the slimyfilth which is voyded , is sprinkled with a little bloud : sometimes the excrement is a watrish bloud like the water wherein bloudy flesh hath bene washed : sometimes bloud mixed with melancholy , and sometimes pure bloud ; but all these proceeding from one head , which is the exulceration of the gut , they may all very well be helped one cure . yet that you may know whether the exulceration bee in the inward small guts , or in the outward great guts , you shall obserue i● the matter and bloud be perfectly mixt together , then it is in the inner small guts ; but if they be not mixed , but come out seuerally , the bloud most commonly following the matter , then it is in the thicke outward guts . now this bloudy flixe cometh most commonly of some sharp humors , ingendred either by naughty raw food , or vnreasonable trauell ; which humours being violently driuen , and hauing to passe through many crooked & narrow wayes , do cleaue to the guts , and with their heate and sharpnesse fret them , & cause exulceration & grieuous paine . sometimes this bloudy flixe may come from extreme cold , extreme heate , or extreme moistnesse , or through the violence of some extreme scouring formerly giuen , wherein some poysonous simple , as scamony , stibium , or such like , might be applyed in too great a quantity ; or it may come from the weaknesse of the liuer , or the other members which serue for disgestion . the signes of this disease , is onely the auoyding bloud with his excrements , or bloud in stead of excrements : and the cure according to the opinion of the ancient farriers , is to take saffron one ounce , of myrre ounces , of southernwood ounces , of parsley ounce , of rue ounces , of spittlewort & hyssop of each ounces , of cassia which is like cinamon , one ounce ; let all these be beaten into fine powder , & mingled with chalk & strong vinegar , wrought into paste ; of which paste make little cakes , and dry them in the shadow , and being dryed , dissolue some of them in a pint and a halfe of barley milke , or for want thereof , in that iuyce which is called cremor ptisanae , and giue it the horse to drinke : for it not onely cureth the bloudy flixe , but being giuen with a quart of warme water , it healeth all griefe and paine either in the belly or bladder , which cometh for want of staling . now for mine owne part , i haue euer vsed for the bloudy flixe but this medicine only . take of red wine pints , halfe a handful of the hearbe called bursa pastoris , or shepheards purse , and as much tanners barke taken out of the fat and dryed ; boyle them in the wine till somewhat more then a pint be consumed , and then straining it very hard , giue it the horse luke warme to drinke : if you do adde vnto it a little cinamon , it is not amisse . there be other farriers which vse to dissolue in a pint of red wine foure ounces of the sirrop of slowes , and giue it the horse to drinke ; but either of the other medicines are fully sufficient . chap. . of the falling downe of a horses fundament . horses sometimes by meanes of the disease formerly spoken of , which is the bloudy flixe , and sometimes by a naturall weaknesse in the inward bowels , coming through the resolution of the muscles seruing to draw vp the fundament , will many times haue their fundaments fall downe in great length , both to the much paine of the horse , and great loathsomenesse to the beholders . now the resolution or falling downe , may come partly by ouermuch straining to dung when a horse is costiue , and partly by ouer great moysture , as it happens in young children : for then a horse , no creature hath a moyster body . now the signe is the apparant hanging downe of the fundament , and the cure is this . first , you shall looke whether the fundament be inflamed , that is , whether it be much sweld or no ; if it be not inflamed , then you shall annoynt it with oyle of roses warmed on a chafing dish and coales , or for want of such oyle , you shall wash it with warme red wine ; but if it be inflamed , then you shall bathe it well with a soft spunge dipt in the decoction of mallowes , camomill , linseed and fenegreeke , and also you shall annoynt it well with oyle of camomill and dill mingled together , to asswage the swelling ; and then with a gentle hand & warme linnen cloathes , thrust it faire and softly vp into his true place : that done , bathe all the tuell about with red wine , wherein hath beene sodden acatium , galles , acorne cuppes , and the parings of quinces : then throw vpon it either the powder of bolearmonicke , or of frankinsence , or sanguis draconis , myrre , acatium , or such like , & then giue him to drinke the dry pils of pomegranats beaten to powder , either with wine or warme water ; and be sure to keepe the horse very warme , and in his body neither too soluble or loose , nor too costiue or hard bound , but of a meane and a soft temper : for the extremity of either is most hurtfull . chap. . of the bots , truncheons and wormes in a horses body . my maisters , the old farriers , are of opinion that the guts of a horse do breede three sorts of wormes , that is to say , little short wormes with great red heads , and long smal white tayles , which we call bots ; short & thick worms all of a bignesse like a mans finger , which we call truncheons ; and great long wormes as bigge as a mans finger , and at least sixe inches in length , which we call by the simple name of wormes onely . now for mine part , i am of opinion , that the first which are bots , are not bred in the guts but in the stomacke onely ; because hauing cut vp many horses , i neuer could finde any one bot in the guts , yet great store of both the other wormes ; nor euer cut vp the stomacke of a horse , but i found great aboundance of bots , and neither of the other wormes : whence i am confidently opiniated , that bots are euer bred in the stomacke , and both the other sorts of wormes in the guts : truth it is , that all three do proceede from one selfe cause , which is a raw , grosse , & flegmatike matter apt to putrifaction , and ingendred by foule & naughty feeding ; and as they proceede from one selfe cause , so haue they all one signe and one cure . the signes then are , the horse will forsake his meate , and not stand vpon his legges , but wallow and tumble , and beate his belly with his feete ; and sometimes the paine will be so extreme that he will beate his head against the ground ; and truly the violence of these wormes are wonderfull : for i haue seene horses whose stomacks haue bene eaten quite through with them , so that the meate which they ate , could not abide in their stomacke , but fell vpon the swallowing into the body , making the body swell like a tun , and so haue dyed with huge torment . now the cure , according to the ancientest farriers , is to take a quart of sweete milke , of hony a quarterne , and giue it him luke warme ; then walke him vp and downe for the space of an houre after , and so let him rest for that day with as little meate and drinke as may be ; and by no meanes suffer him to lye downe . the next day when the horse is fasting , take of rue a handfull , of sauin as much , and being well stampt , put thereunto a little brimstone , and a little foote of a chimney beaten into fine powder ; put all these things together in a quart of wort or new ale , and there let them lye in steepe the space of an howre or two , then straine it hard through a faire cloath , and giue it the horse to drinke luke warme : then bridle him and walke him abroad the space of an howre , then set him vp , and let him stand on the bit , two or three howres after , and then giue him a little hay . other farriers vse only to giue the horse for this disease , the warme guts of a new slaine henne or chicken , being thrust downe the horses throate ; and sure it is passing good , especially if a little salt be mixed with them : and this must be done three mornings together fasting , keeping the horse from drinking three or foure howres after . others vse to take three ounces of the rootes of caphers beaten with halfe so much vinegar , and put it downe the horses throate : or else a pint of milke , & a spoonfull of sope giuen the horse to drinke , or brimstone and milke giuen to drinke , all be very soueraigne . others vse to binde about the snafle or bit mans dung new made , and so ride him therewith . others take of gentian , aloes , and sauin , of each halfe an ounce , and brew them together with hony and strong ale . others vse to take onely a quart of cold sweete wort . others take sauin & southerwort , or else wormewood , and the tops of broome small chopt , and mixe it with the horses prouender . others vse to giue the horse to drinke luke warme , elder berries sodden in milke . others vse to giue the horse with his prouender , his owne haire chopt small , and mixt with bay salt . others put hot embers in water , and presently straine it and giue it the horse to drinke . others make little round balles of honey , and the fine powder of chalke , and putting them into ale make the horse swallow them . others vse to take , especially for the long wormes , a halfe peny worth of fenegreeke , of anise seedes , a quarter of a pound , a halfepeny worth of bay berries , as much licoras , and as much turmericke , and a little quantity of brimstone ; beate them into powder , put them into a quart of ale , and giue it the horse fasting luke warme to drinke ; then ride him an howre after , then set him vp warme foure and twenty howres after . others vse , especially for the truncheons , to take two spoonefull of the powder of wormewood , finely fearst , and put it in a pint of good malmsey , and after it is brewd a while , let it stand and soake all night ; then giue it the horse in the morning fasting , then keepe him without meate or drinke foure houres after . others vse to giue the horse to drinke , two spoonefull of wormeseede , & as much brimstone or powder of sauin , with a quart of malmsey , ale , or beere . others vse to take as much blacke sope as a wal nut , and as much brimstone beaten to powder , and a heade or two of garlicke pild & bruised , and put into a quart of good ale , and giue it the horse luke warme to drinke . this medicine also may be administred to a mare great with foale if she be troubled with the bots or other wormes , so that the blacke sope be left out ; for it is a violent purger , and may kill the foale in the mares belly ; yet for mine owne part , i neuer giue any inward physicall medicine to a mare great with foale ; but if i finde her to be troubled with wormes , as is easie to be done by the stinking of her breath , by the sliminesse of her mouth , and by the greatnesse of the worme veines vnder her lips : then presently i do nothing but let her bloud in the roofe or palat of her mouth , and make her eate her owne bloud : for that i know , will both kill worms , and help most inward maladyes . but leauing mares with foale , let vs returne againe vnto horses . there be other farriers which vse to take a handfull of new hens dung , & a quart of stale ale , and braying them well together , then take a handfull of bay-salt , and put two egges to it , and hauing mixt them all well together , giue it the horse to drinke , others vse to take a halfe peny worth of saffron , and as much allum , and mixe them with a pint of milke , and giue it the horse to drinke : or else giue him greene willow and greene reede to eate . others vse ( and thinke it the best of all other medicines ) to take the guttes of a young hen , or pidgeon , and rolle it first in a little blacke sope , then in baysaylt , and so force it downe the horses throate . others vse ( especially for the truncheons ) to let the horse drinke hennes dung , mints , sage , and rue , with beere or ale , and to let him bloud in the nosthrels . to conclude , except you see the horse very much pained , you shall need to giue him nothing but rosen and brimstone mixt together , and blended with his prouender , hauing care that euer you giue it fasting , and long before the horse do drinke . chap. . of paine in the horses kiddneyes . there is no question but the same infirmities which do belong vnto the liuer or spleene of a horse , do also belong vnto the kidneyes , as inflammations , obstructions , apostumes and vlcers ; and truly in opening of horses , i haue found the kidney sometimes wasted , which i imputed to some matter of inflammation : i haue likewise found much grauell , which was onely through obstructions ; and i haue seene the kidneyes as blacke as inke , which could not come without an vlcerous apostumation : but forasmuch as a horse is a beast , who cannot tell the manner of his paine , nor we so heedfull as we might haue bene , to obserue the symptome of euery griefe , we are enforst to conclude all vnder one name , which is paine in the kidneyes , gotten either by some great straine in leading , or by some great burthen bearing . the signes are , the horse will go rolling and staggering behind , his vrine will bee blackish and thicke , and his stones , if he haue any , will be shrunke vp into his body ; if he haue none , you shall perceiue the sheath of his yard to be drawne backeward , and the great veine which runneth vp the inside of his thigh , called the kidney veine , will flacke and beate continually . the cure according to the opinion of the ancient farriers , is first , to bathe his backe and loynes , with oyle , wine and nitrum , warmed together ; and after he is bathed couer him with warme clothes , and let him stand in litter vp to the belly ; then giue him to drinke water wherein hath ben sodden dill , fennell , anise seedes , smallage , parsley , spicknard , myrre , and cassia , or as many as you can conueniently get of these simples . the next morning fasting giue him to drinke , a quart of ewes milke , or for want thereof , halfe so much sallet oyle , and deeres suet molten together : or , if you can get it , the roote of daffadill boyled in wine , and let his prouender bee dryed oates ; and in this dyet keepe him about tenne dayes , and he will recouer . chap. . of the diseases belonging to the bladder or vrine , and first of the strangury according to the determinate opinion of all the best & ancientest horse-leaches , the bladder of a horse is subiect to three dangerous diseases , as first , the strangury or strangullion ; the second , the paine-pisse ; & the third , the stone , or pissupprest . now for the first , which is the strangury or strangullion , it is , when the horse is prouoked to stale often , and auoydeth nothing but a few droppes : it commeth questionlesse , either by the heate & sharpnesse of vrine , caused either by great traueil , or by sharpe and hot meates and drinkes , or else by the exulceration of the bladder , or by meanes of some appostume in the liuer and kidneyes , which apostume being broken , the matter resorteth downe into the bladder , & with the sharpnes thereof causeth a continuall prouocation of pissing . the signes are ( as i sayd before ) a continuall desire to pisse , yet auoiding nothing but a few drops , & those with such pain , that he will whiske , wry , and beate his taile as he pisseth . the cure whereof , is to bathe the horses hinder loines with warme water , and then take bread and bayes of laurell , and temper them together with may butter , and giue him two or three balles thereof downe his throate three dayes together . others vse ) and i haue euer found it the best ) to take a quart of new milke , & a quarterne of sugar , and brewing them well together , giue it the horse to drinke sixe mornings together , obseruing to keepe the horse from all sharpe meates , as mow-burnt hay , bran , and such like . chap. . of the paine-pisse or pissing with paine . this disease of paine-pisse , is when a horse cannot pisse but with great paine and labour , and doth proceede sometimes from the weaknesse of the bladder , and the cold intemperature thereof ; and sometimes through the aboundance of fleame and grosse humors stopping the necke of the bladder : the signes whereof are , the horse will stretch himselfe out as though he would stale , and thrust out his yard a little , and with the paine clap his taile betwixt his thighes to his belly , and hauing stood so a good while , in the end stale a good quantity . the cure whereof , according to the opinion of some farriers , is to take the iuyce of leekes , sweete wine and oyle , and mingling them together , to powre it into his right nosthrel , and walke him a little vp and downe vpon it : or else to giue him to drinke smallage seede , or else the roote of wilde fennell sodden with wine . others vse to put fine sharpe onions cleane pild , and a little bruised into his fundament , and then to chafe him immediatly vpon it , either by riding him , or running him in a mans hand ; or else to take the scraping of the inward parts of the horses owne houes , beaten into powder , and mingled with wine , and powre it into his right nosthrell , and then ride him vpon it . others vse to leade the horse to a sheepe-coate , or sheepe-pen , where great store of sheepe are wonted : and making the horse to smell of the dung and pisse of the sheepe , it will prouoke him to stale presently . others vse to giue the horse white dogges-dung , dryed and mingled with amoniacum , salt , and wine , to drinke , or else hogges dung onely with wine , or the dregges of horse-pisse and wine . chap. . of the stone or pissupprest in a horse the stone or pissupprest in a horse , is when a horse would faine stale , but cannot at all ; and therefore may well be called the suppression of of the vrine : it proceedeth according to the opinions of my masters , the old farriers , sometimes from the weaknesse of the bladder , when the water conduit is stopped with grosse humours , or with matter descending from the liuer ; or from some inflammation or hard knobs growing at the mouth of the conduit ; or for that the sinewes of the bladder are numbed , so as the bladder is without feeling : or it may come by keeping a horse in long trauell , and not suffering him to stale ; but most commonly and oftest it cometh from obstructions in the kidneyes , where , by the causes aforesayd , a certaine redde grauell being bred and falling downe into the conduits , by the mixture of fleame and other grosse humours , is there brought to be a hard stone , and so stoppeth the passage of the vrine : for the signes there needeth no more but this , that he would faine pisse , but cannot . the cure according to the opinion of the most ancientest farriers , is first to draw out his yard and bethe it well with white wine , and pricke it and scoure it well , lest it be stopped with durt and filthinesse ; then put a little oile of camomill into his yard with a waxe candle , and a bruised cloue of garlike ; but if that will not force him to stale , then take of parsley two handfuls , of coriander one handful : stamp them and straine them with a quart of white wine , & dissolue therein one ounce of cake sope , and giue it luke warme vnto the horse to drinke ; and see that you keepe him as warme as may be , and let him drinke no cold water for the space of fiue or sixe dayes ; and when you would haue him to stale , let it either bee vpon good plenty of straw , or vpon the grasse , or in a sheep-coate . others ( & those of the best esteeme for horse-leach-craft at this day ) vse onely to giue white wine , cake sope , and butter very well mixt together , and let the horse drinke it warme . others vse to annoynt the horses belly first with warme water ; then when it is dryed , to annoynt it againe with sallet oyle , horse-grease and tarre mixt together and made warme , and to hold a hot yron against his belly whilest it is in annoynting , that the oyntment may the better enter the skin : but i hold this medicine to be much better for the strangury or any other paine in the belly then for the stone ; yet it is approued good for all . others vse to take a pint of white wine or ale , & mixe with it a little garlicke , and the whites of ten egges , & giue it the horse to drinke : or else giue him the iuice of red cole-worts , mixt with white wine , or the roote of alexanders , bruised & sodden in wine to drinke , & wash his yard with vinegar . others vse to take either wormewood , southernewood , or galingale , or mallowes , or pimpernell ; some of these , or any one of these , stampt and strained , and giue it the horse with ale to drinke . others vse to take a pint of white wine , halfe a pint of burre seede beaten very small , two ounces of parsley seede , halfe a handfull of hyssop , halfe an ounce of blacke sope ; mixe them all well together , and warme it , and giue it the horse to drinke : or else take vnset leekes , and stampe them small , and sope , milke and butter ; and being mixt together , giue it the horse to drinke . others vse to take a nutmegge and a handfull of parsley seed , beate them to powder ; then take as much butter and mixe them altogether in a quart of strong ale , and giue it the horse luke warme to drinke : or else take the seede of smallage , parsley , saxefrace , the roots of philupendula , cherry-stone kirnels , grummell seeds , and broome seedes , of each a like quantity ; beat them into fine powder , and giue it the horse with a pint or a quart of white wine . now albeit all these medicines before rehearsed , are in dayly practise , and approued very soueraigne , yet for mine owne part , i haue found none more soueraigne then this . take a quart of strong ale , and put it into a pottle pot : then take as many keene radish rootes , cleane washed , being slit through and bruised , as will fill vp the pot : then stopping the pot very close that no ayre may come in , let it so stand foure and twenty howres ; then straine the ale and the rootes very hard into a cleane vessell , and giue it the horse fasting in the morning to drinke : then ride him a little vp and downe , and so set him vp warme , and watch him , and you shall see him stale . this you must do diuers mornings together . chap. . of a horse that pisseth bloud . there is nothing more certaine then that a horse many times will pisse bloud in stead of vrine , the cause ( as the most ancient farriers suppose ) proceeding from some one of these grounds : either ouermuch labour , or too heauy a burthen ▪ especially when the horse is fat : for by either of them the horse may come to breake some veine in his body , and then you shall see cleare bloud come out , & no vrine at all ; but if the bloud be mixt with vrine , then they suppose it cometh from the kidneyes , hauing some ragged stone therein , which through great trauell doth fret the veines of the kidneyes , and makes them bleed , through which as the vrine passeth , it taketh the bloud away with it also ; but for mine owne part , i haue not found any greater cause for the pissing of bloud then the taking vp of a horse from grasse in the strength of winter ( as about christmas ) and presently without a dayes rest in the stable , to thrust him vnto a long and weary iourney : from this cause i haue seene many horses after two or three daies iourney to pisse bloud in most grieuous manner . the signes are needlesse . the cure according to the opinion of the ancient farriers , is this : first , let the horse bloud in the palate of the mouth , to conuert the bloud the contrary way ; then take of tragagant which hath bene steeped in wine halfe an ounce , & of poppy seed , one dramme , and one scruple , and of storax as much , and twelue pine-apple kirnels ; let all these things be beaten and mingled well together , and giue the horse thereof euery morning the space of seuen dayes the quantity of a wal-nut , infused in a quart of sweete wine . other latter farriers vse to let the horse bloud in the necke , and boyle that bloud with wheate , and with the powder of dryed pomegranate pils ; then straine it , and giue it him three or foure mornings together to drinke ; and let him by no meanes trauell thereupon : or else giue him of husked beanes boyled with the huskes of acornes , beaten smal , and mixt together . others vse to make him a drinke with the rootes of daffadill mingled with wheate flowre , and sumach sodden long in water , and so to be giuen to the horse with sweet wine : or else to make him a drink of goates milke and sallet oyle , straining thereunto a little frumenty : or else to giue him sodden beanes & deeres suet in wine ; each of these are of like force & goodnesse . now there be others which for this disease do take barley , and seeth it in the iuyce of gumfolly , and giue him the barley to eate , and the iuyce to drinke : or else take the powder of licoras and anise seeds , rold vp in hony , and make round balles thereof , and cast downe the horses throat two or three of them : or else licoras , anise seeds and garlicke bruised together with a little sallet oyle and hony , and giuen in a quart of new milke to the horse to drinke , is very soueraigne also ; and these two medicines last rehearsed , are exceeding good also for any cold or glanders . chap. . of the colt euill . the colt euill by the most ancient farriers , especially the italians , whose hot country affoordeth the beasts of more hot and strong natures then ours doth , is thought to be a continuall standing together with an vnnaturall swelling of the yard , proceeding either from some winde filling the arteries and hollow sinew , or pipe of the yard ; or else through the aboundance of seede prouoked by the naturall heate of the horse ; but our farriers , who haue not seene that experience , because our horses are of colder temper , say it is onely a swelling of the sheath of the yard , and of that part of the belly about the yard , together with the codde also , proceeding from corrupt seede which commeth out of the yard , and remaining within the sheath , there putrifieth : and this iudgement we finde by experience to be most true . now you shall vnderstand that geldings as well as horses are subiect thereunto , because they want naturall heat to expell their seed any further . the signes are onely the outward swelling of the sheath and codde , and none other : and the best cure is first to wash the sheath cleane with luke warme vinegar ; then draw out the yard and wash that also : which done , ride the horse twice euery day , that is , morning and euening , into some deepe running water vp to the belly , tossing him to and fro , to allay the heate of members till the swelling be vanished ; and if you swim him now & then , it will not do amisse . others vse to bath his cods and yard with the iuice of houslicke , or with the water wherein kinholme hath beene sod . now this colt euill will sometimes stoppe the horses vrine that he cannot pisse : then you shall take new ale , and a little blacke sope , and giue it the horse to drinke . others vse to wash the horses coddes and sheath with butter and vinegar made warme . others vse to wash his yard and coddes with the iuyce of hemlocke , or else take beane flowre , vinegar and bolearmonicke , and mixing them together , lay it plaister-wise to his sheath and coddes . others make him a plaister of wine-lees , houslicke and branne mixt together , and layd to his sheath and coddes ; but if the first receipt will serue , i would not wish you to vse any other medicine . chap. . of the mattering of the yard . this disease of the mattering of the yard , is seldome seene but amongst the hot races or breedes of horses , as is the ienet , the barbary , and such like ; and it happeneth euer at couering time , when the horse and mare both being too hot , do burne themselues , by which meanes there issueth forth of the horses yard much filthy matter . the signes are the falling downe of the matter , and a swelling at the end of the yard ; and the horse can by no meanes draw vp his yard , or couer it within his sheath . the cure is to take a pint of white wine , & boyle therein a quar●erne of roch allum ; & with a large serring or squirt , squirt in three or foure squirtfull into his yard one after another ; and be sure that your squirt go home vnto the bottome , that the liquor or lotion may scoure the bloudy matter away : this do fiue or sixe times euery day till the horse be whole . chap. . of the shedding of the seede . the shedding of the seed , or the falling away of the sperme in horses , is none other then that which we call in men , the running of the reines : it cometh as our old farriers say , either by aboundance & ranknesse of seed , or by the weaknesse of the stones and seede vessels , not able to retaine the seede vntill it be disgested and thickned ; but truly for mine owne part , i thinke it cometh oftner ( especially amongst our english horses ) by some great straine in leaping , or by teaching a horse to bound , and making him bound the compasse of his naturall strength . the signes are onely the shedding of his seede , which will be white , thinne , and waterish . the cure according to the ancient experiments , is first to ride the horse into some cold water vp to the belly , insomuch that his stones may be couered with water : which done , bathe his fundament with water and oyle ; then couer him exceeding warme , and giue him euery day to drinke , red wine and hogges dung till the fluxe of his seede stay ; but latter experience hath found this receipt better . take of red wine a quart , and put therein a little acatium , the iuyce of plantan , and a little masticke , and giue it him to drinke ; and then bath all his backe with red wine , and oyle of roses mixt together ; but other farriers take venice turpentine , and being washt , beate it well with halfe so much sugar , & then make round balles as bigge as wal-nuts , and giue the horse fiue euery morning till the fluxe stay . chap. . of the falling downe of the yard . the falling downe of the yard is when a horse hath not strength to draw vp his yard within the sheath but lets it hang downe betweene his legges ill fauouredly : it cometh ( as our best farriers suppose ) either through the weaknesse of the member , by meanes of some resolution in the muscles and sinewes seruing the same , caused by some great straine or stripe on the backe : or else through extreme wearinesse and tiring . the signe is only the apparant hanging downe of the member : and the cure is ( according to some opinions ) to wash the horses yard in salt water from the sea , or for want thereof with water and salt ; but if that do not preuaile , then pricke all the outmost skinne of the yard with a sharp needle , but yet as sleightly as may be , & not deep ; and then wash all the pricks with strong vinegar , & this will not onely make him draw vp his yard againe , but also if at any time his fundament chance to fall , this cure will put it vp againe . there be other farriers which for this disease , will put into the pipe of the horses yard , hony and salt boyled together and made liquid , or else a quick flye , or a graine of franckinsence , or a cloue of garlicke cleane pilled and bruised , and bathe his backe with oyle , wine , and nitre , made warme , and mingled together . but the best cure according to our english practise , is first , to wash all the yard with white wine warmed , and then annoynt it with oyle of roses and hony mixt together , and so put it vp into the sheath , & with a little bolster of canuase keep it from falling downe ; and dresse him thus once in foure and twenty howres , vntill he be recouered , and in any case let his backe be kept as warme as is possible , both with cloth and a charge or plaister made of bolearmonicke , egges , wheat-flower , sanguis draconis , turpentine and vinegar , or else lay next his backe a wet sacke , or wet hay , and a dry cloth ouer it , and that will keepe his backe exceeding warme . chap. . of diseases incident to mares , and first of the barrennesse of the wombe . the onely disease incident to the wombe of a mare ( as farre fourth as our farriers are experienced ) is barrennesse , which may proceed from diuers causes , as through the vntemperatnesse of the matrix , being either two hot and fierie , or two cold and moist , or too dry , or else too shorte , or too narrow , or hauing the necke thereof turned awry , or by meanes of some obstruction , or stopping in the matrixe , or in that the mare is too fat , or too leane , and diuers other such like causes . now the cure thereof according to the old farriers , is to take a good handfull of leeks , and stampe them in a morter , with foure or fiue spo●nefull of wine , then put thereunto twelue flies called cantharides , then straine them altogether with a sufficient quantity of water to serue the mare therewith two daies together , by powring the same into her nature with a glister-pipe made for the purpose , and at the end of three daies next following , offer the horse vnto her that should couer her , and after she is couered , wash her nature twice together with cold water . there be others which vse to take of nitrum , of sparrowes dung , and of turpentine , of each like quantity well wrought together , and made like a suppositary ; and put that into her nature , and it will cause her both to desire the horse , and also to conceiue . there be some of opinion , that it is good to put a nettle into the horses mouth that should couer her . of all which let onely experience be your warrantise . chap. . of the pestilent consumption in mares . there is a certaine pestilent consumption incident to mares when they are with foale , proceeding from cold fleame , gathered by raw foggy food in the winter season , which descending from the kidneyes doth oppresse the matrixe , and makes the mare consume & pine away , so that if she be not holpen , she will want strength to foale her foale . the signes are a sudden leannesse , and a drooping of spirit , with much dislike of meate , and a continuall desire to be layed . the cure is to powre into her nosthrels three pints of fish brine , called garume , three or foure mornings together , and if the griefe be very great , then to take fiue pints ; and it will make her vent all fleame at her nosthrels . chap. . of the rage of loue in mares . it is reported by some of our english farriers , that mares being proudly & high kept , will at the spring of the yeare , when their bloud begins to waxe warme , if they chance when they go to the water , to see their own shadowes therin , that presently they will fall into an extreme loue therewith , and from that loue into such a hot rage , that they will forget either to eate or drinke , and neuer cease running about the pasture , gazing strangely , and looking oft both about and behinde them . the cure of this folly is presently to leade the mare to the water againe , and there to let her see herselfe as before ; and that second sight will vtrerly extinguish the memory of the first , and to take away her folly . chap. . of mares which cast their foales . the occasions why mares cast their foales , that is , to foale them either before their times , or dead , are very many , as straines , stroakes , intemperate ridings , rushings , hard wintring , or too great fatnesse , and such like . now you shall vnderstand that this aborsment , or vntimely casting of a foale , is most dangerous to the life of the mare : for nature being , as it were , detained from her true and perfect custome , which is the preseruation of health , cannot chuse but giue way to the contrary , which is death and mortality , and the body and pores being set open to the aire before it be able to defend the cold , cannot chuse but be suffocated with vnwholesome vapours . if therefore you haue a mare at any time which doth cast her foale , and withall falleth sicke vpon the same , you shall presently take her into the house , and set her vp very warme ; then giue her two spoonful of the powder dyapente , well brewd in a pint of strong sacke , and feede her with sweete hay and warme mashes for at least a weeke after . chap. . of mares that are hard of foaling . if it happen by any mischance , or otherwise , that the passages or other conduites , which leade from the matrix , be so straitned that the mare cannot foale , and so be in danger of her life : then it shall be good that you helpe her by holding and stopping her nosthrels with your hand in a gentle manner , that her breath may not haue passage ; and she will foale with a great deale more ease , and much sooner : and sure the paine is nothing , because a mare alwaies foaleth standing . now if at any time when your mare hath foaled , she cannot auoyd her secundine , which is the skinne wherein the foale is wrapped , in that naturall maner as she ought , you shall then take a good handfull or two of fennell , and boyle it in water : then take halfe a pint of that , and another halfe pint of old wine , and put thereto a fourth part of oyle , and mingle them altogether ouer the fire , and being but luke-warme , powre it into the mares nosthrels , and hold her nosthrels close with your hand to keep it in a prety while after , and no question but she will voyd her secundine presently . chap. . of making a mare to cast her foale . if at any time you would haue your mare to cast her foale , as hauing present occasion to vse her , or in that the foale is not worthily inought begot , you shall take a pottle of new milke , and two handfuls of sauin chopt and bruised , and putting them together , boyle them till one halfe bee consumed ; then straine it very hard , and giue it the mare luke warme to drinke ; then presently gallop her a good pace , then set her vp ; do thus two mornings , and before the third she will haue cast her foale . other vse with their hand to kill the foale in the mares belly , but it is dangerous , and the former medicine is more sufficient . and thus much of the infirmities of mares . now let vs returne againe to horses and mares in generall . chap. . of the drinking of horse-leaches by horses . if a horse at any time drinke downe horse-leaches , they will sucke his bloud , and kill him . the signes are , the horse will hang downe his heade to the ground , and aboundance of filthy slauer will fall from his mouth , and sometimes some bloud also . the cure is presently to giue him a pint of sallet oyle to drinke , and that will make them fall away and kill them . chap. . of swallowing downe hens dung , or eating any venemous thing whatsoeuer . if a horse chance to swallow downe any hens dung with his hay , it will fret his guts , and make him to auoyd most filthy matter at his fundament . the cure whereof is to take a pint of wine , halfe a pint of hony , and two spoonefuls of smallage seede bruised , and mixing them well together , to giue it the horse to drinke ; and then to walke him well vpon the same , that he may empty his belly . but if the horse chance to licke vp any other venemous thing , as neute , or such like , which you shall know by the instant swelling of his body , and the trembling of all his members ; then the cure is first , to put him into a sweate , either by cloathes or exercise ; then to let him bloud in the palate of the mouth , and looke how much hee bleedeth , so much let him swallow downe hot : or else giue him strong wine and salt mixt together : or else take the roote and leaues and fruite of bryony , which being burnt to ashes , giue the horse a good spoonefull thereof , with a pint of sweete wine to drinke . now for mine owne part , i haue euer vsed to take a pint of sallet oyle , and two spoonefull of sugarcandy beaten to powder , and as much of the powder diapente , and brewing them together , giue it the horse to drinke : or for want of diapente , so much of the shauings either of iuory , or of an old stagges horne , especially the tippes thereof . chap. . of purging medicines in generall , and first of the suppositary . pvrging is sayd of our most ancientest farriers , to bee an emptying and discharging of all superflouous humours which distemper the body with their euill qualities : for such humours breede euill nutriment , which when it will not be corrected nor holpen with good dyet , alteration , nor the benefite of nature and kindly heate , then must it of force either be taken away by purgation , glister , or suppositary . now forasmuch as a horse is troubled with many diseases in the guts , and that nothing can purge the guts with that gentlenesse which a suppositary doth , i will here first begin to speake of suppositaries . vnderstand then that a horse being surfaited and full of euill humors , needing to be purged , it is best first to giue him a suppositary ; lest if you should come to apply a glister , the great gut being stopped with dry , hard , and hot excrements , the medicine not able to worke beyond it , leese both labour and vertue ; so that i make account the suppositary is but onely a preparatiue to the glister , and but onely to cleanse and make loose the great gut , which commeth to the tuell . the gentlest suppositary then , and that which purgeth fleame in the best manner , is to take a square peece of cake sope , or white new-castle sope , about fiue or sixe inches long , and shauing it round till it be not aboue three inches about in the midst , & a little smaller at each end then in the midst ; then annoynt it ouer with sallet oyle , & so with your hand thrust it vp more then a full spanne into his fundament ; then suddenly clappe his taile to his tuell , and hold it hard and close more then halfe an howre , in which space the most part of the suppositary will be wasted ; then gently take away your hand , and let him voyd the suppositary at his pleasure . the next suppositary to this , and which purgeth choler aboundantly , is to take sauin stampt small , staues-aker and salt , and boyle them in hony till it be thicke ; then take and knead it , and rolle it of a pretty thicke long rolle , as before you were taught for the hard ●ope , and administer it at his tuell . the next to this , and that which purgeth melancholy , is to take a keene onion , and pilling off the skinne , iagge it a little crosse-wise with your knife ; and so thrust it vp into the horses fundament . there is besides these suppositaries , one other suppositary , which is to take a quart of hony , and boyle it vpon the fire till it come to be thicke like a salue , then powre it forth vpon a table and knead it like a peece of dough : then when it begins to harden or grow stiffe ( as it will do when it begins to coole ) then rolle it vp vnder your hand , and make it in the forme of a suppositary , as is before shewed , and administer it in the same maner . this suppositary is good to purge the gut off any foule humour , and therewithall is comfortable vnto the body . now you must also vnderstand , that as these suppositaries are preparatiues before glisters , so they are likewise to be vsed simply of themselues , where the sicknes of the horse carrieth no great danger : for vpon euery sleight occasion , or small drynesse which is to be dissolued with the most gentle medicine , to administer a glister , were to bring the horses body to such an intemperate loosnes as would proue much worse then the contrary drynesse . therefore i wish euery careful farrier ( because the body of a horse would not be tampered withal with too much physicke ) first , in the case of costiuenesse , or inflammation of the inward parts , to approue a suppositary ; which if it worke effectually , and keepe the horses body soluble , then to proceede no further ; but in case it do not , but that the offensiue matter still increaseth , then to administer a glister ; and where that faileth to take away the offence , to administer a purgation . now by the way , you are to take with you this generall rule , and neuer to faile in the performance , which is , neuer to administer either suppositary or glister , but first immediatly before you giue it , to take your horse , which raking is in this maner . first , you shall annoynt all your hand and arme ouer either with sallet oyle , sweete butter , or fresh grease ; and then thrust it into the horses fundament , and draw out all the dung , fleame , and filthy matter that you can feele , euen as high vp as the great bagge : which done , then administer either your suppositary or glister , which you please , at your pleasure ; and in any case , whilest the horse is thus in physicke , keepe him exceeding warme . chap. . of glisters and their vses . the natures and properties of glisters are diuers , and therefore it is necessary that euery carefull farrier learne to know to what end they serue , and with what drugs or simples they ought to be compounded : for euery glister is to be made according to the disease . now of glisters , some are to ease griefes , and to allay the sharpnesse of the humours , some to binde , some to loosen , and some to purge , and some to heale vlcers . these glisters by cleansing the guts , refresh the vitall parts , and prepare the way before for euery inward and stronger purgation . therefore whensoeuer a horse through the grosnesse of humors , corruption of bloud , or aboundance of fleame , choler , or melancholy , is brought vnto that euill habite of body , that of necessity he must be purged , and that especially his paine is in his guts and body , you shall then as before i sayd ( hauing made a probation of a suppositary ) first of all administer a glister ; lest by purging suddenly with any purgation or potion , you stirre vp a multitude of euill humours , which finding no passage downeward ( because the guts be stopped with winde and dregges ) do strike vpwards , and so perhaps put the horse into much greater danger . now for the composition of glisters , you shall vnderstand that they be made of foure things , that is , of decoctions , of drugges , of oyle , or such like vnctious matters , as butter , or soft grease ; and fourthly of diuers salts , to prouoke the vertue expulsiue . a decoction is the broth of certaine hearbs and simples boyled together in water vntill the third part be consumed . now sometimes for want of such decoctions , you may if you please , vse some fat beefe broth , or the broth of a sheeps head , or such like , or milke or whay , or some such like liquor , mingled sometimes either with hony or with sugar , according to the quality of the disease ; the glister being either lenitiue , that is to say , easing of paine ; or glutinatiue , which is , ioyning of things together ; or else abstersiue , which is , wiping away or cleansing of filthy matter . now of this decoction or broth being cleane strained , you shall neuer take aboue three pints at the most , and many times but a quart , into which you shall put such drugges as are needfull , exceeding not at the most , aboue three or foure ounces , according as the simples be more or lesse violent : of oyle you shall neuer vse in a glister aboue halfe a pint , and of salt not aboue three or foure drams . you shall also continually administer your glister luke warme , either with some long horne , or a large glister pipe made for the purpose , and fixed to the largest bladder you can get ; and this glister pipe is of all the best , and doth least loose labour . when you do administer a glister , you shall set the horses hinder parts somewhat higher then his foreparts , and then you shall put the glister pipe in at his tuell into his fundament vp to the head , and hauing the confection within the bladder , wring it with good strength into his body . a glister would be administred to a horse when he is rather empty then full paunched , whether it be in the forenoone or after noone . now for the retaining or holding of the glister in the horses body , three quarters of an howre is sufficient of what quality soeuer it be . now you are to note by the way , that as soone as the glister is administred into the horses body , you must draw out the pipe with all the gentlenesse that may be , and suddenly clappe his taile to his tuell , and so hold it with your hand , without any mouing or stirring of the horse till the medicine haue had his full time of working . now to come vnto particular glisters , that you may know which glister is for which purpose , the first is : take of the pulpe of coliquintida halfe an ounce , of dragantium quarters of an ounce , of centuary & of wormewod , of each halfe a handfull , of castoreum a quarter of an ounce ; boyle them in three pints of water , then being strained you shall dissolue therein of gerologundinun three ounces , of salt three quarters of an ounce , and of oyle oliue halfe a pint , and so luke warme administer it glister wise , as hath bene before expressed : this glister is exceeding soueraigne for the pestilence in horses , or for any feuer of what nature soeuer . the next is to take the decoction of mallowes , and to mixe therewithall , either fresh butter , or sallet oyle , and so luke warme administer it : this is of all glisters the most gentlest , and as the former glister is abstersiue or cleansing , so this is leuitiue and a great easer of paine ; it is most soueraigne for a horse that is taken , or that hath any contraction or convultion , and generally for any costiuenesse in a horse whatsoeuer , proceeding from inward surfaite or sicknesse , as from the surfaite by prouender , foundring in the body , and such like . the next is to take of salt water , or cleane brine a quart , and dissolue therein a pretty quantity of sope , and then luke warme administer it : this glister is good for the cholicke or any s●cknesse of the guts or belly . and thus from these three glisters you may compound many glisters ; but in mine opinion , if you vse no more but them onely , they will be fully sufficient . chap. . of purgations and their vses . the purging of horses is euer by one of these two wayes , either by pils or by potion : pils are any solid and substantiall stuffe fixed together in one body , and being made into round balles , are cast downe the horses throat ; and potion , is when you giue the horse any liquid purging matter to drinke , whether it be purging powders dissolued in wine or ale : or that it be any other liquid stuffe . now for pils they onely purge and make cleane the head and braine , bringing fleame and other grosse humours downe into the excrements ; and potions cleanse the stomacke , guts , and euery other inward member . now the art of the carefull farrier is in choosing the simples , whereof these pils or potions are to be compounded , and in aptly or artificially applying the same . first then , it is needfull that euery farrier ( before he go about to purge his horse ) know with what ill humour a horse is opprest , as whether it proceede from choler , fleame , or melancholy , and where the humours do most abound ; and then what simples are best to purge those humors , and with what property , quality and temperament they bee indued ; f●r some simples are most violent , and next cousins to strong p●ysons , as scamony , or coloquintida : some againe are gentle , and rather nourishing then medicinall , as manna , cassia , whay , prunes , and such like : and some are neither too violent , nor too gentle , but of a meane , as rewbarbe , agaricke , sene , & aloes . now the ancient farriers did vse to purge their horses with the pulpe of coloquintida , somtimes with the rootes of wild cowcumbers , and sometimes with the broth of a sodden whelpe mixt with nitrum , and such like ; but at this day they are not of our practise , and therefore i wish him that for his experience will make a tryall of strong medicines , or know the workings of euery seuerall simple ( which is a most praise-worthy ambition , ) first , to make his proofes vpon iades whose losse he respecteth not , and so by that working to aduenture on better horses . but to return to my purpose , the farrier who goeth about to purge a horse by purgation , must consider the nature of the horses disease , and the strength of the horse , and with them ioyne the nature , strength , and quantity of the medicine ; he must also consider the climate vnder which the horse is bred , the time of the disease , the time of the yeare , and the time of the day : for as the diseases , and the humours which cause the diseases , are sundry , so they must be auoyded by sundry medicines , sundry wayes compounded , according as experience from a continuall practise shall instruct you ; wherein you are to obserue , that weake , delicate , and tender horses are not to be purged with that violence which strong , stubborne , and sturdy horses are ; and therefore in such cases , the quality and quantity is to be looked into of euery simple . the climate is to be respected , as whether it be hot or cold ; and the time of the disease : for some diseases must be purged at the beginning , as feuers , pestilence , yellowes , staggers , & all violent inward diseases ; and some not till the matter be throughly disgested , as colds , strangles , and apostumations . now albeit the sicknesse proceed from cold humours , yet you must not administer as hot simples in summer as in winter , nor in the contrary case , so cold things in winter as in the summer ; whereby you see the season of the yeare is to be respected . then touching respect of the day , you are to obserue that day to be best which is most temperate , sith too much heate maketh a horse faint , and too much cold doth hinder the medicine from working . a little regard is to be had to the wind & weather : for a moyst day with a south winde , is to be preferred before a north winde with a dry day . now the best howre of receiuing any potion , is euer in the morning after he hath fasted from meate and drinke all the night before . as soone as your horse hath receiued any pill or potion , let him be walked or gently ridden vp and downe one howre at the least ; and then set vp , and suffered to stand on the bit two howres after , wel littered , cloathed and stopped ; but if you perceiue that he beginneth to grow sicke ( as most commonly horses will ) then you shall suffer him to lye downe , & assoone as his sicknesse is past , you shall offer him a mashe of malt and water luke warme : for any other meate keep him fasting till his medicine haue done working . now to come to particular receipts and medicines themselues , you shall vnderstand that although the ancient farriers do make but two kindes , that is to say , pils and purgations , yet i diuide them into three , that is to say , scourings , pils , and purgations . scourings are those wholesome naturall and gentle purging medicines , which stirring vp no great fluxe of humours , do onely keepe the body cleane from such euils as would grow , being euery way as wholesome in health as in sicknesse , and may most properly be termed preparatiues or preparers of the body to entertaine more stronger medicines . to speake then first of the most gentlest and naturall scouring , it is only grasse being giuen to a horse only fifteene dayes together , and no more ; for after that it fatteth and not scoureth . next vnto grasse is forrage , which is onely the blades of greene corne , as wheat , rye , barley , and such like , being giuen seuen dayes and no more . next is greene thistles , being cut vp , and giuen the horse to eate the space of fiue daies and no more : and the last of this nature is the mash made in this manner : take a pecke of ground malt , and put it into a peale , then take a gallon and a halfe of water boyling hot from the fire , and put it to the malt : then with a staffe mash and stirre them together at least halfe an howre , till tasting the water you feele it as sweete as hony , then being luke warme , giue it the horse to drinke . all these scourings do onely but cleanse the guts and coole the body , adding comfort to the spirits , and ingendring strength , onely the mash is to be vsed after labour , or in stead of drinke in the time of any great sicknesse . scourings of a little stronger nature are these : first , when you giue your horse any prouender , to mixe with halfe a pecke of oates , a handfull or two of cleane drest hemp seede : or else to take a good quantity of boxe leaues , and put them into a pewter dish , then set them before the fire , and let them dry leasurely till they be so hard that you may crush them to powder ; then take as much of the powder of brimstone as there is powder of boxe , and mixe them together , and amongst halfe a pecke of oates mixe a handfull of this powder , and giue it the horse to eate ; both these scourings are to be vsed after labour , especially when the horse hath sweat much . these two scourings worke vpon no matter but what nature is willing to expell , they purge the stomacke , head , and intrailes , they kill all manner of wormes , and dry vp fleame . scourings of the strongest nature , are to take of sallet oyle halfe a pint , and of new milke from the cow a pint , brew it together , and giue it the horse luke warme : or else take a pint of muskadine , and halfe a pint of sallet oyle , and being mixed together , giue it the horse to drinke : or else halfe a pint of oyle , and a pint of sacke mixt together , and giuen the horse to drinke luke warme . these scourings cleanse the head , body , and guts , of all fleame or molten grease , which any violent labour hath dissolued : they are exceeding good for any manner of cold or stoppings in the winde-pipes . now for pils , you shall vnderstand that the first and easiest are these , either to take twenty cloues of garlike cleane pild and bruised , then a quarter of a pound of sweete butter ; and so rolle vp the garlicke in foure or fiue balles or pellets , as big as two wal-nuts a peece : and so taking out the horses tongue thrust them downe his throate one after another ; or else to take a quarter of a pound of butter , and as much red saunders ; beat them well together in a morter , & then make it into foure or fiue balles , and put them downe the horses throat . pils of a somewhat stronger nature , are to take a handfull of rosemary leaues , and chopping them small , mixe them with a quarter of a pound of sweet butter ; and then making it into round bals , giue them vnto the horse : or else take round peeces of raw mellons , and thrust them downe the horses throate : or else to take fiue greene figges , and put them downe the horses throate . the strongest pill is this : take of lard two pound , layd in water howres , then take nothing but a quarter of a pound of the cleane fat thereof , and stampe it in a mortar , & thereto put of licoras , of anise seedes , and of fenugreeke , of each beaten into powder , one ounce and a halfe ; of aloes likewise in powder one ounce , of agaricke halfe an ounce ; knead all these together like paste , and make thereof foure or fiue balles , and giue it to the horse . this last recited pill is singular good for the dry cough , and all the other pils are most soueraigne for all infirmities of the head , which grow either from fleame , melancholy , or any other cold or moist cause whatsoever . now for purgations which are the strongest cleansers of the body , they be these : take two ounces of myrre , and mixe it with a pint of wine , and it wil purge all sicknesse which proceedeth of choler : the signes whereof are , his belly will swell , be very hot , and he can neither dung nor breake winde . take a pint of wine , and beate a raw egge therein , and adde to it a quarter of an ounce of brimstone , & halfe an ounce of myrre beaten to powder , and giue it the horse luke warme , and it will purge all inward diseases proceeding of melancholy . two spoonefull of the powder diapente , giuen with halfe a pint of swines grease , purgeth all diseases proceeding of fleame . take as much blacke sope as a wal-nut , a quart of new milke , and a quarter of a pint of sallet oyle , and giue it the horse luke warme , and it purgeth all cold infirmities . take the guts of a tench or barbell , being cut into little small peeces , and giue it the horse in a quart of white wine , and it will purge the horse from all costiuenesse or paine in the guts . rye being boyled , so that it burst not , then dryed againe , and giuen the horse in stead of prouender , purgeth and killeth all manner of wormes . take of radish rootes one ounce , of the roote called panax , and of scamony , of each halfe an ounce ; beate all these together , and boyle them in a quart of hony , then giue the horse two spoonefull of this in a quart of ale luke warme to drinke , and it will purge all grosse humours , from whence proceedeth either the falling euill or any disease of the braine . take and boyle elicampanam roots in milke till they be so soft that you may bruise them to pappe , and then adding thereto halfe a pint of sallet oyle , giue it the horse to drinke luke warme , and this will purge and cleanse any glaunders . take of sweete sope a quarter of a pound , and make it into three balles , and giue them to the horse , & it wil purge all euill humors whatsoeuer , both violently and most aboundantly . chap. . of neesing or fumigation , and the vse thereof . there is also another maner of purging of a horse , and especially his head , and that is , by forcing him to neese or snurt violently at his nose , casting forth all filthy and grosse matter , which otherwise would offend and oppresse the braine ; and this neesing is wrought sometimes by fumes or smoakes , sometimes by powders , and sometimes by oyles ; the sharpnesse of which tickling the tender and quicke parts of the head , do compell this snurting and neesing : surely there is no purgation more wholesome , for as it cleanseth and separateth grosse matter , so it comforteth and maketh strong the braine . now to come vnto the particular medicines which do procure this neesing , they be these : squirt into an horses nosthrels , either mans vrine which is old , or the vrine of an oxe which hath had much rest , and it will force a horse to neese , and is most wholesome for any quotidian feuer . take the powder of gumdragant , ensens , and damaske roses , well mixt together , and blow it with a quill into the horses nosthrels , and it is good either against the feuer in sommer or winter . take warme vinegar and squirt it into his nosthrels , & it is comfortable against the feuer which cometh by raw disgestion . take of garlick stalkes a handfull , being broke into little peeces , and a good quantity of frankinsence , and being put vpon a chasing dish and coles , hold the chasing dish vnder the horses nosthrels , so that the fume may ascend vp into his head ; and this is most excellent against the head-ache . take feathers and brimstone , & burne them on a chafing dish and coales vnder the horses nose ; or blow pepper and perithre beaten to powder vp into his nosthrels ; either of both these are most excellent against the sleeping euill . take the powder of motherwort , and blow it vp into a horses nostrels , and it is good against the falling euill . take two goose feathers annoynted ouer with oyle de bay , and thrust them vp and downe in the horses nosthrels : or else to take sage , penyriall , and wheate , long sodden together , and put into a bagge as hot as may be , which bagge would be so close fastned to the horses head , that all the smoake and sauour thereof may ascend vp into his nosthrels : or take a clout annoynted with sope or oyle de bay , and rub it vp and downe his nosthrels as high as may be . any of all these , or all these together , are most excellent against any cold , poze , or other obstruction in the head . take orpiment and sulphure , and burn them on the coales , and hold it vnder the horses nose : or take oyle de bay , euforbium , and white ellebore , and annointing two feathers therewith , thrust them vp into the horses nosthrels ; both these are good against the glaunders . take of the stalkes of bryony or wilde vine , two handfuls , and bruise them betwixt two stones , and being so bruised , put them into a linnen bagge , and fasten the bagge so to the horses head , that the sent may go vp into his nosthrels without touching the hearbe with his mouth : and this is excellent against the mourning of the chine , or any inward cough . take of rosemary , of narde , and of sage , dryed and beaten into fine powder , or each like waight , and with a quill blow them vp into the horses nosthrels : or take the powder of white pepper , or of sal-niter , or of iris ilirica , or blacke eleboris , and blow them with a quill vp into the horses nosthrels : or take linnen cloth dipt in the dregs of oyle ; & setting it on fire , then suddenly put it out againe , and let the smoake ascend vp into the horses nosthrels : or squirt into his nosthrels aristolochia mixt with wine : or sal●niter mixt with water : or salt and ro●he allum mixt with wine : or take ground iuy beaten small , and thrust vp into his nose : or bay-berry beaten small , and burnt on the coales vnder the horses nose : or a coale of fire put into a lump of wet hay , making a smoothering smoke , and held vnder the horses nose . any of all these are most excellent against any disease of the head , especially staggers , colds , glaunders , strangle , and such like . chap. . of frictions or bathes , and of their seuerall vses . frictions or bathes , are a certaine rubbing , annointing or bathing of a horses body all ouer , especially against the haire , because the medicine may sinke in so much the better with comfortable and soueraigne vnguents , whose vertues do loosen the skinne , cheare vp the inward spirits , and spread a liuely heate and feeling ouer the whole body : and of frictions , both according to the opinion of the old farriers , & also all the best of this present age , these are the most soueraigne . take of damaske roses one pound , of old oyle a pint , of strong vinegar a pint and an halfe , of mints and rew , beaten into powder , of each one ounce and a halfe , together with one old dry nut ; beate them , and mingle them well together : then being strained and made luke warme , if it be in the sommertime , and that the sunne shine hot , take the horse abroad ; but if otherwise , keepe him in the stable , and heating a barre of yron exceeding hot , hold it ouer and on each side the horse , and with the oyntment , rubbe and chafe the horse all ouer against the haire , vntill the horse beginne to sweate ; then cloathe the horse very warme , and let him stand . this friction is excellent against all winter feuers , or any inward sicknesse that cometh of cold . take of blacke elleborus two or three handfuls , and boyle it in a sufficient quantity of strong vinegar ; and with that rubbe and chafe all the horses head and body quite ouer once or twice a day ; and it is most excellent against frenzy , madnesse , or any drynesse or scallynesse of the skinne . take oyle de bay , or dialthea , and annoynt all the horses body all ouer therewith , holding a panne of coales , or a hot panne of coales neare the oyntment to make it sinke in ; or else make him a bathe of running water , wherein is boyled rew , wormewood , sage , iuniper , bay leaues , and hyssope , and bathe all his body therewith : either of these are most soueraigne for the mourning of the chine , or any disease of the liuer , lungs , or spleene . take wine and oyle , and hauing mixt them together , chafe and rubbe the horses body therewith , and it is most soueraigne for any inward sicknesse especially of the liuer . to bathe a horse in salt water is very wholesome , both for the horses skinne , and also for any disease of the stomacke . lastly , take of mallowes , of sage , of each two or three handfuls , and a rose cake ; boyle them together in water , then being boyled till the water be all consumed , then adde a good quantity of butter or ●allet oyle , and mixing them together , bathe all the horses foure legges therewith , and all the parts of his body also ; and there is nothing more soueraigne for a horse that hath bene tyred or ouer-trauelled . to let bloud , and with that bloud and oyle and vinegar , presently to annoynt his body , helpeth most sorts of infirmities . chap. . generall drenches , or medicines for all the inward diseases or surfaits in horses . there is no medicine more soueraigne for all diseases which breede in a horses body , then to take two spoonefull of the powder called diapente , and brew it with a pint either of sacke or muskadine , and so giue it the horse to drinke fasting in a morning ; and do this at least three mornings together , especially when the horse beginneth first to droope . the next to this ▪ is to take of selladine two handfuls , both root and leaues , choppe them and bruise them : then take of rew as much , of redde sage and of mints as much , and of aloes halfe an ounce ; boyle these in a pottle of beare or ale till the one halfe be consumed ; and then giue it the horse luke warme to drinke . 〈◊〉 foure ounces of diapente , and mixe it with foure ounces of clarified hony , and keepe it in a close glasse , and giue halfe an ounce thereof with a pint of sweete wine to the horse to drinke , and it is an excellent drench . take of licoras an ounce , of anise seedes , of comin seedes , of each halfe an ounce , of elicampanam rootes as much ; of turmericke and bayes , of each a quarter of an ounce , of long pepper and fenugreeke of each two drammes ; beate these small and searse them , and put fiue spoonefull thereof into a quart of ale warmed with a little butter or oyle , & it is very soueraigne for any disease coming of cold causes . take a quart of good ale or wine , a raw egge beaten & mingled with twelue scruples of quicke sulphure , and foure scruples of myrre made into powder , and giue it the horse to drinke ; it is a good drench . the powder of brimstome mixt with sweete wine is a good drench also . the roote of the sea onion , the rootes of popler called in greeke rhammos , mingled with common salt , giuen in water , keepeth the horse long in health . take fiue pound of fenegreeke and bruise it , seeth it in water till it waxe thicke , adde a pound of sweete butter , an ounce of linseede oyle , and as much of the oyle of nuts ; mingle them well together , and giue it the horse in three or foure dayes to drinke , by a pretty quantity at a time . selladine simply of it selfe , or rew simply of it selfe , boyled in beere or ale , and as much brimstone as a wal-nut , is an excellent drench for any long taken surfaite . garlicke and housleeke beaten together in a mortar , and then boyled in beere or ale from a pottle to a quart ; then mixt with licoras , anise seedes , and sugarcandy , and a pretty quantity of oyle , is an excellent drench for any inward sicknesse which doth proceede from hot causes , as is the frenzy , the anticor , and such like . and thus much of generall drenches and their vses . chap. . how to make the powder called diapente . this word diapente is as much as to say , a composition of fiue simples : for the receipt is thus compounded . take of gen●ian , of aristolochia , of bay berries , of myrre , and of the shauings of iuory , of each like quantity ; beate them into very fine powder , and then searce it . this powder is praised to be a soueraigne preseruatiue or medicine against all inward diseases : and therefore i would wish euery farrier , and all such as are the maisters of good horses , neuer to be without it . chap. . a most famous receipt , which is both a singular drench , and a singular oyntment . take of euforbium halfe an ounce , of castoreum one ounce , of adarces halfe a quarter of a pound , of bdelium halfe an ounce and halfe a quarter , of pepper a quarter of a pound , foxe-greace halfe an ounce , opoponax , one ounce , lacerpitium three quarters of an ounce , amoniacum halfe a quarter of a pound , pidgions dung as much , galbanum halfe an ounce , nitrum one ounce , one quarter , spuma nitri three quarters of an ounce , ladanum a quarter of a pound , perethrum & bay berries , of each three quarters of an ounce , cardanun two ounces , seede of rew , halfe a quarter of a pound , seede of agnus castus one ounce , parsley halfe an ounce , dryed rootes of trees or flower-deluce one ounce , one quarter ; hyssop & carpobalsamum a quarter of a pound , oyle of flower-deluce a quarter of a pound and halfe a quarter , oyle de bay as much , oyle of spikenard three quarters of a pound , oleum cyprinum three quarters of a pound and halfe a quarter , the oldest oyle oliue one pound and a halfe , pitch a quarter of a pound and two ounces , turpentine a quarter of a pound ; melt euery one of these that will melt , seuerally by themselues , and then mingle them together with the rest of the simples beaten to fine powder ; and after that they haue bene a little boyled on the fire take it off , and straine it into a faire vessell ; and whensoeuer you will giue your horse any thereof , giue it him with wine , or foure or fiue spoonefull with a pint of sacke or muskadine : and if with long keeping it waxeth hard , then soften it with the oyle of cypresse , so that it may bee good and thicke . this confection is both a medicine and an oyntment , if you put it in the horses nostrels , it will draw out all noysome humours , and discharge his head of all griefe : if you annoynt his body therewith , it healeth all convultions , colds , and drynesse , or withering of the body ; and if you bathe his limbes therewith , it driueth away all wearinesse and tyring ; and if you giue it him with wine to drinke , it cureth all kinde of inward maladies . chap. . how to make the oyle of oates . take of milke two gallons , and warming it on the fire , put thereto a quarter of a pound of burnt allum , which will make it runne of curds ; then take out the curd , and cast it away ; then straine the whay through a course cloath into a cleane vessell , then take a quarter of a pecke of cleane husked oates that were neuer dryed , and put them into the whay , and set them on the fire till the oates burst , and be soft ; then take them off , and powre them into a collander that is full of holes , so that the whay may goe gently from them without any pressing ( for you must keepe the oats as moist as may be : ) this done put the oats into a frying pan , and set them ouer the fire ; stirring them continually till you see the vapour or smoake of them not ascend vpwards , but as it were runne about the pan ; then suddenly take them off , and putting them into a presse , presse them most exceedingly , and looke what cometh frō them , is only the oile of them , which you must saue in a close glasse . now there are other more artificiall and curious waies , to distill and extract this oyle , but this of all is the most easiest , and surest for euery meane capacity . this oyle of oates is of all medicins & simples whatsoeuer , the most excellent and soueraigne for a horses bodie , as being extracted from the most naturall , wholsome and best food which doth belong vnto a horses body . this oyle being giuen by foure or fiue spoonefull in a pinte of sweete wine , or a quarte of strong ale , and some of the whay powred into the horses nosthrels , doth cure the glaunders before all other medicines . it is also ( giuen in the same manner ) the best of all purgations ; for it purgeth away all those venemous and filthy humors , which seedeth the most incurable farcy whatsoeuer . and for mine own part as long as i can conueniently come by this oyle of oates , so long i will neuer in any medicine whatsoeuer , vse any oyle or vnctious matter then it onely ; i hauing found by experience , that it is the soueraigne of al simples of that kind , whatsoeuer they be . chap. . certaine briefe obseruations to be obserued at home and abroad whilst the horse is in health . these obseruations following are gathered from the most exact principles , and vnfallible grounds of all the best and surest approued horsemen , either of this kingdome , or of any other nation within christendome . first then for the generall feeding of your horse , when he is in health you shall feed him with straw , hay , oates , fine little wheat , beanes , barly , bread made of beanes , pease , or fitches , or any other meate that swels not in the horses body . it is the opinion of camerarius first to giue prouender , then hay , and lastly water ; but our english custome is , first hay , then water , and lastly prouender . in your trauell feed your horse betimes for all night , that thereby the horse may sooner take his rest . the quantity of prouender which you shall giue your horse at one time , shall be as much as you can hold in the palmes of both your hands at sixe times . horsebread which is made of cleane beanes , cleane pease , or cleane fitches feedeth exceedingly . let your horses meate and drinke be exceeding sweete and cleane , yet his water by no meanes extreme cold running water from the rocke ; for it pearceth to much . to rubbe your horses mouth with salte and wine , will make him both eate and drinke with a much better appetite . let your horse neither eate when he is hot , nor drinke when he is hot , neither presently after his trauell . labour your horse moderately when the weather is either extreme hot or extreme cold , that so you may auoide extreme heats or suddaine colds . trauell not your horse too late , that your owne eye may see him well dried and well fed before you take your owne rest . neuer take the saddle from your horses backe suddenly . lend not your horse , least your selfe walke on foot . let your horse lye cleane and dry , keepe your stable sweete , let no swine lye neere it , nor let any pullen come whithin it . let your horse euer be tyed with two reines . let the light of your stable be euer towards south and north , yet so as the north windowes may in the winter be shut vp close at pleasure , and opened in the sommer to giue fresh aire , ride your horse oft a little on stony waies , that he may the better feele his feete , and harden his houes . haue euer neere your stable some close plaine greene , that your horse being let loose , he may oft tumble himselfe thereon . let your horses bed be of soft sweete straw somewhat aboue his knees , of which rie straw is the best ; for though barley straw be the softest , yet a horse wil couet to eate it , and it is vnwholesome ; and wheat straw though it be not vnwholsome to eate , yet it is hard to lye vpon : as for oate straw it is the best in the superlatiue ; for it is both wholsome to eate , and soft to lye vpon . curry or dresse your horse twise a day before water , and when he is curried , rubbe him with your hand and with a rubber ; his head would be rubbed with a wet cloth , and his coddes made cleane with a dry cloth ; his foretop , his maine , and his taile , would be oft wet with a wet maine combe , and euer where the horses haire is thinnest there curry the gentlest . let the plaunchers of your stable lye euen and leuell , that your horse may stand at his ease , and not proue lame , by too much oppressing his hinder partes . let not any mud wal be within your horses reach ; for he will naturally couet to eate of it , and nothing is more vnwholesome . giue your horse plenty of garbadge ( which is chopt wheat straw ) both with his prouender , and without . let your hay bottles be very little , and tyed very hard : for so your horse shall eate with the best stomacke , and make least waste . to sprinkle water vpon your hay , is most wholesome , and to sprinkle fenugreeke vpon your prouender , is as soueraigne ; the first is good for the winde , the latter for wormes . giue your horse dayly exercise : for that gets the best stomacke to his meate . purge your horse once a yeare with grasse , or with greene blades of corne , called forrage , for fifteene daies together ; yet before you so purge him , in any case let him bloud , and whilest he is in purging , by no meanes let him haue any prouender . a horse after trauell hath euer more bloud then any beast whatsoeuer . greene grasse or forrage cleanseth the bloud , encreaseth strength , healeth diseases , auoydeth melancholy , helpeth the horses growth , and maketh the skin smooth ; whilest the horse is at soile , by no meanes let him take cold . the northerne man watereth two howres before he rideth at the least : then lets the horse eate a little hay , then giues prouender , but not much , and bridleth the horse vp a quarter of an howre before he rideth : at night he watereth two miles before he taketh his lodging , then rideth easily ; he neither walketh his horse , nor stuffeth him , nor looseth any gyrth , but only rubbeth him very cleane , & so lets him bite vpon his bridle halfe an howre after , with good store of litter vnder him ; then he giues the horse hay , and after prouender ; before he goeth to bed , he watereth againe , ( yet but a little ) then sees the horse throughly well drest and rubbed , well littered , and most sufficiently meated . there be others which walke after labour , then rubbes well , littereth and vnbridleth ; both which be good , so that the one haue not too much walking , nor the other too cold a stable . but howsoeuer , stuffe not your horse backward , but betwixt his forelegges , and formost gyrth : for backward stuffing is perillous , lest drawing his yard when he would stale , he draw backe into his sheath any of the litter that stoppes him . the northerne mans vse agreeth with the french principles , which saith , vse no other walking then yourselfe on your horses back , by riding him gently till you come to your inne ; and so make him cold ; then shake litter vnder him , rub his legges , his belly , and euery parte of his body well till he be dry , then vnbridle him , rub his head wel , and giue him hay ; slacke no girth till it be night that the windowes be shut , suffer the horse to drinke but a little at once to auoyd suddaine cooling of the stomacke , or driuing the horse into a shaking feuer : at night rub and curry well , and feede according to the horses stomacke . other good horsemen ride gently till the horses sinewes be chafed , and neuer water in trauell till the horse haue staled , and forbeare to trauell him fast before he haue drunke , that he may not drinke in his great heat , and they hold the standing water the best ; after water for a mile they ride softly till his water be warmed in his belly , and before they come to their inne they do not water , nor of an howre after they haue vnbridled ; then they clothe well , and giue prouender , hauing a care that their horses stand not in the wind , and that they haue ben rubbed dry and cleane . now all these principles are exceeding good ; yet i would wish euery traueller to learne how his horse hath beene vsed , and that custome ( if it be not too much against reason ) still to follow . if you come late to your inne , and that your iourney be greate and hasty , so that your horse will not eate till he haue drunke , and yet is hote notwithstanding , then let his drinke be milke giuen in the darke , lest the whitenesse make him refuse it ; this is both cordiall and pleasant : if you cannot get milke enough , then mingle milke with water luke warme , for no drinke would be giuen to a horse hotter . if your horse either by labour or surfaits be brought low , leane , and weake , you shall giue him mates milke to drinke many daies together , and it will make him strong . it is not good to wash your horse , if he be either very hot or very fat ; otherwise you may wash his legges aboue the knees , so that in no case you wash his belly , and that you ride him a good round pace after his washing ; then by no meanes walke him , but set him vp and dresse him : the purer the water is wherein you wash your horse , the more wholesome it is , so that it be not too extreme cold . the best howres to water your horse in ( when he liues at rest ) is betwixt seauen and eight in the morning , and foure and fiue in the euening . when you trauell , at euery steepe hill light , both to refresh your horse and your selfe . let a fat or hot horse haue his water at foure times , and not as much as he will drinke at once ; giue him prouender twise at night , & but once in the morning ; let his cloth neither be too hot , nor with straw too much stuffed ; when he eateh good hay , let him haue lesse prouender then when he eateth straw : giue his meate by a little at once to auoyd glutting of him , and let him stand two howers euery day without meate . rubbing much , hard , and well , doth profite , preserue , and doth keepe both strength of body and legges : for in rubbing and combing , a horse doth take much delight , and it is better then much meate . to feede with barley ( according to the opinion of the ancient italians ) ingendreth good bloud , encreaseth strength and courage , and maintaineth health ; but with vs here in england , we finde oates to be a much better feeding . in the dogge daies it is not wholesome to ride your horse oft into the water , to allay his naturall heate . the maisters eye to see his horse well curried , and with the hand well rubbed , and well meated , and the stable sweete and cleane kept , preserueth health , and wonderfully feedeth the horse . cleanse and picke the soales and bottoms of your horses feet oft , and stuffe them with oxe dung , and annoynt his houes with fresh grease , tarre , or turpentine . much rest is the mother of many diseases . when you ride , looke often to your saddle & your horses shooes , and you shall finde much more ease in your iourney . chap. . certaine speciall principles in foales and in horses . the foales whose legges be long wil euer be talle : for of all beasts their legges in length euer grow the least , and by the bignesse of their legges , you shall gesse the strength and greatnesse of their bodies . let your colts if you can possible , neuer be housed till they be past three yeares old . the greeke horse ( which we call the turky horse ) is a most excellent horse , swift , bold , well headed , tall and strong , many of them be white , some bay , some sorrell , and some blacke . the arabian horse is most swift , and most beautifull . the horse of affrica , which we call the barbary horse , is of good courage , swift and nimble ; & therefore both the turky horse and he must be vsed with all lenity and gentlenesse , and not with beating . the freesland horse is firy , yet the worst of any . the flemish horse is better then the freesland . the spanish ienet is good , swift , and light . the neapolitan courser for all vses is most excellent and beautifull . and the english horse is best both for great burthen or long trauell . obserue euer to winne your horse by patience and gentlenesse , and neuer be angry or madde with your horse , if he be of great mettall , onely the dull horse must with much beating be quickned and inflamed . annoint your bit when you put it first into your horses mouth , with hony , and the powder of licoras , or else with hony and salt ; and at no time put any bit or snafle into your horses mouth before you haue washt . neuer take your horse backes before you haue the bridle reynes fast in your hand ; and when you walke downe any hill , by no meanes driue your horse loose before you . if your horse haue a long backe , let him haue a large saddle , if he haue a low backe , let the saddle haue a high seate ; and if his backe be short , let the saddle boulsters stand the nearer and closer together . if your horse be dull , you must spurre him soundly , and after such spurring , rub his sides with salt . chap. . certaine generall obseruations concerning mares . in length and height , a mare groweth till she be fiue yeares old , and a horse till he be sixe . when a mare is past two yeares old she may be couered , but the best time is after foure yeare old . common mares may bring foales euery yeare ; but let your best mares bring but euery second yeare , especially if they bring horse colts . after couering by no meanes trauell your mares . to get horse colts , couer before the full of the moone ; and to get mare colts couer after the full . to make a mare stand to her horsing , set her by the horse two or three dayes , that he may much desire & be acquainted before he couer her : after bring them out , and let him serue her , and haue ready a pale of water , which when the horse shrinketh from her , powre vpon the ridge of the mares backe ; then set them so farre asunder as that the one may not heare the other : do this three mornings & three euenings together , then let her not come neare the horse after , till she be knit , lest the desire of him againe , make her to shoot out that which he kept before . to know whether your mare be with foale about christmas or no , powre a little water into her eare , and if she onely shake her head , she is then with foale , both if she shake both head and body also , she is not with foale . when you weane your foales , take them from the mares foure dayes before the full of the moone ; and after the foales haue so remained foure and twenty howres , let them againe sucke till they wax very full ; then remoue them for altogether , and the next morning giue euery one three slippes of sauin , and so after let them haue till they be three yeares old , all plenty of meate abroad , rather then in the stable . let your stallion for trotters be either neapolitan courser , or arabian , turke , or barbary ; and for amblers , either the spanish ienet , or the irish hobby . put your mares to the horse from midde march till midde may or midde iune , the moone hauing newly changed . it is good to put the horse and the mare for three or foure nights together in some vast empty house , and in the morning take the horse away and feede him well ; but feede your mare sparingly , especially giue her little water . at the end of sixe moneths , by no meanes chafe your mares : for then they are in quickning , and may easily be made to cast their foales . the walle eye either in mare or in horse , doth neuer see perfectly , especially when there is any snow on the ground . a mare goeth with foale , eleuen moneths and ten daies . let your mares be of a meane stature , large and broad , and of good shape ; and the stallion of like shape , but somewhat taller ; and temper their natures thus : put vnto the hote horse the coole mare , and to the hote mare the coole horse ; and let your grounds wherein you breede , be dry , hilly , and with running streames in it . chap. . certaine speciall notes to be obserued in the buying of a horse . first , marke his colour and his shape , that is to say , a comely well proportioned head , with an out-looking eye , good well raised shoulders , and a thicke large breast , broad brawne , large and broad flatte legges , short pasternes , and little seete : for long pasternes shew weaknesse , and broad feete shew dulnesse ; feele if he haue no glaunders , betweene his chappes , no splents , curbe nor spauen ; looke he be not pursicke or broken winded , put your hand before his eyes , to know if he see well : looke into his mouth for his age , if he be past eight yeares old ; feele all downe the strunte of his taile with your hand , and if you feele that it be smooth , then the horse is not very old ; but if it haue any rough knobs towards the end , buy him not , for his good dayes are past . let him runne at the halters end : for if he be lame , ( hauing that liberty ) he will fauour that legge which is amisse , and leane vpon it . if he turne vp the white of his eye , or lay his eare to his necke when he is ridden , he is a sullen iade , and full of naughty qualities ; if when you stirre him in the stable , he stare and looke backe vpon you with a stout countenance , it is a token of a good stomacke in him , and great aptnesse to be taught ; if he stirre the end of his taile as he passeth out and is ridden , and yet doth not whiske it , it sheweth that his pace is vnperfect ; be sure to see him turne as short as may be , that you may know whether he be swayed in the backe or no , the middle stature is the best , and the short knit horse is the strongest . the wall eye euer seeth the worst . the horse that is of nature gentle , swift , light , nimble , of easie pace , good colour , strong feete , good loynes , speedy in eating , and good at his prouender , is euer the best for vse , and the readiest money in the market . see if the haire in the spurring place be white : for it argueth slownesse and spur-galling . the horse that will paw and beate the ground with his foote when he is stayed from going forwards , is euer likely to be good and durable in trauell . many other notes there are , which by the obseruing of these , will easily come into your memory . chap. . generall notes concerning some simples already spoken of . all manner of marrowes or pitches , of what kinde soeuer they be , must be kept by themselues in a dry coole place , and preserued from all filth or vncleannesse , and from the annoyance either of winde or fire , and so they will last fully out a whole yeare . you shall keepe no sirrops , nor sweete electuaries , nor pilles , nor powders , nor conserues of flowres , nor any oyntments , sewets , or emplaster , aboue one whole yeare ; onely bitter electuaries , or conserues of fruites or rootes will last fully out two yeares . of oyle some will last long , some must bee new made : oyles extract out of wood or mettals will last long . gather rootes in autumne , but take the small sprigs from them and make them cleane and dry . dry small rootes in the shade and winde , and great rootes either in the winde and sunne , or by the fire , lay them in a dry place towards the south , and they will keepe long , prouided that neither sun nor mo●sture hurt them . gather all manner of hearbes when they do most flourish , and dry them in the shade , except they be very moist and apt to putrifie ; they last for the most part a whole yeare . gather seedes and fruites when they be fully ripe ; they also last but one whole yeare . gather the rinde or barke of any simple when the hearbe is ripe ; dry them and they will last many yeares . the end of the first booke . the second booke containing all cures chyrurgicall , or such infirmities as being onely outward , craue the vse of surgery , and are called in horse-leach-craft , horses sorrances . written by iaruise markham . london , printed by nicholas okes , for arthvr iohnson . . the second booke . chap. . what proportion of measure is required in euery member of a well shapen horse . forasmvch as the great substance of this art of surgery , or second part of horse-leach-craft , applyed onely vnto outward infirmities , consisteth of incisions , cauterizings , corrodings , and dismembrings , as well as of comforting , incarnating , cleansing , conglutinating , and binding vp members in their true forme ; and that all iointly together , go but about to make a true and well formed body : i thinke it meetest that i begin with the true proportion and measure which is required in euery member of a well shaped horse , that the carefull farrier thereby vnderstanding how , and in what fashion euery lineament should be placed , or what proportion & quantity they do containe , he may at no time through ignorance either dismember or disgrace the same ; as i haue many times seene simple farriers do , when contrary to all art and rule they haue cut in sunder the maine cords , sinewes , and tendants , by which a horses limbes are gouerned . to begin then , you shal vnderderstand that according to the description of the most ancient & worthy farriers ) there are in a horses palate of his mouth , barres or degrees like steps , one aboue another , standing ( when his mouth is turned vpward ) like a paire of staires , his tongue would be halfe a foote long , his vpper lippe sixe inches , and his neather lipppe fiue inches long , each of his iawes would be ten inches long , his head from his eie downward full twelue inches long , his eares fiue inches long , the circuit of compasse of his eie , foure inches about , his necke from the nape of his head vnto the withers would be seuen handfuls , from the withers to the fillets twelue handfuls , and from the fillets to the setting on of the taile sixe handfuls : the length of the shoulder would be twelue inches , and the length of his shanke sixe inches ; the length of his hinder hough would be twelue inches , and his cambrell fiue inches , and the length of the whole body from the head to the taile would be one hundred inches . now as horses are bigger or lesser , so these measures either exceede or are lesse , neither do i confidently build vpon th●se inch quantities of the ancient farriers , because i hauing my selfe measured many horses , i neuer yet could finde any certainty in the proportions ; onely this is the most certainest rule that euer i could finde , that looke what quantity is betweene the nape of the horses necke , and the vttermost part of the withers , there must euer bee twice so much betweene the withers and the setting on of the taile ; and looke what quantity is betweene the toppe of the shoulder-blade , or toppe of the withers to the elbow of the horse , it must be twice so much from the elbow to the setting on of the hoofe ; and looke how much it is from the toppe of the hippe to the stifling place , it must bee twice so much from the stifling place to the setting on of the hinder hoofe : and this is the certainest rule that euer i could finde for a horses truest proportion . and therefore for your better satisfaction , behold this picture , which is the true anatomy of a most perfect horse , with lines drawne from euery member , directing and shewing all the outward diseases or forrances belonging to a horses body . chap. . of the veines belonging to a horse , and how many there be . it is most necessary that euery carefull farrier know all the principall veines in a horses body , especially those which in the time of neede , or in sicknesse , are to be opened ▪ and therefore to begin you shall know that from the liuer which is the fountaine of bloud , both in man and beasts , doth arise one maine great conduit or large veine , which ascending into the body , doth diuide it selfe into thus many seuerall branches or lesser riuers . first , within the palate of the mouth , aboue the first and third barres , are two notable veines which the best farriers do touch or strike when the horse hath any disease in his head , braine , or stomacke ▪ he hath also other two which descend down from the lower part of his eies vnto his nosthrels , & are euer opened for any griefe in the eies : he hath two others which are aboue his eies , and run crosse the temples of his head , & are called the temple veines , which are likewise opened for all maner of cold diseases in the head ; he hath also two great maine veines running alongst each side of his wind-pipe , euen from the vppermost ioint of his neather chap downe to the breast , which are called the necke veines ; and are those which are ordinarily opened for any disease whatsoeuer . he hath then two veines which arise vpward from betweene his forelegs to the top of his breast , & are called the breast veines ; & they are opened when the horse hath any feuer , or is sicke at the heart . he hath other two which likewise ascend from betweene the forelegs , but do not mount so high as the breast veines , but rest vpon the formost bought of the forelegge : and they be called the palate veines , and they be opened either for foundring , or other griefe in the limbs . he hath other veines which run downe from the elbow of the foreshoulder , down all along the inside of the forelegs , and are called the shanke veines , which are opened for splents , mallanders , or such like . he hath then foure veins which run alongst the fetlocks of the horse , & are called the shakell veines ; which albeit they are but smal , yet they are many times opened for stiffnesse in the ioints , or for tiring : then he hath foure veines about the cronets of his hoofes , & are called the cronet veins , and are opened for foundring in the feet , or for ring-bones : then he hath foure veines within his foure hoofes , running about his toes , & are called the feet veins , and are only opened for foundring or frettizing in the feet : he hath then two maine great veines which descend downe from his stones alongst the inside of his thighes to his cambrell ; & are called the kidney veines , which only are opened for diseases in the kidneies : he hath then two other veines which descend from aboue the hinder cambrel , all alongst the inside of the hinder legges downe to the fetlocks , & are called the spauen veines , which are opened for the bloud spauen only : he hath then veines in his flankes , which are called the flanke veins , & are opened for any griefe in the r●ines or fillets : he hath then veins in his hinder hanches called the hanch veines , & are opened for any maner of consumption of the flesh , or such like : then he hath two veines which run alongst his side , euen from the elbow of the forelegge vnto the flank , & are called the spurre veines , & are opened for foundring or spur-galling . lastly , he hath one single veine in his taile , which is called the taile veine , & is opened for the shedding of the haire or any manginesse . so there is in a horses body of principall veines which vpon occasion must be opened , iust . as you may perceiue by this figure , which is the true anatomy of all the principall veins & others within a horses body ; where you are to vnderstand that the letter a sheweth the temple veine , b the eie veine , c the palate veines , d the necke veine , e the breast veine , f the plat veines , g the shank veins , h the cronet veines , i the hoofe veines , k the spurre veins , l the kidney veines , m the spauen veines , n the flanke veines , o the hanch veines , p the taile veine , & q the fet-locke veines . now for the other small threeds , or veines , which as it were , ouerspread the whole body , because nature will allow no part or member to be empty or void of bloud , they be also veines , deriued from the other maine great veines , yet of no efficacy or force , but such as vpon any necessary incision may very well be cut asunder without any fluxe of bloud , or other danger ; but for the other maister veins , they may not be cut but with great perill . and thus much for veines , which are the instruments of heate . chap. . of the sinewes in a horses body . touching the sinewes within a horses body , you shall vnderstand that from the braine , which is the principall fountaine or well spring of sinewes whatsoeuer , there is deriued one great maine sinew or tendant , which passing through the hollownesse of the necke and backe bone , doth extend it selfe euen to the nethermost ioynt in the horses strunt : from this maine sinew is deriued two smaller branches , which passing through certaine holes in the top of the horses skull , runne downe alongst the horses cheekes , euen to the point of his nosthrels : then hath he two other branches , which passing through certaine holes in his nether chap , knit that and the vpper together , and so run downe by his great teeth , and meete iust below his nether lippe : then hath he twenty eight small threeds , which running through so many small holes in the seuen bones of his necke , knit them fast together : so likewise hath he small threeds which running through small holes , knit all his chine euen to the nether end of his strunt fast together ; the number whereof is infinite and vncertaine : then hath he two maine great sinewes which extending themselues ouer both the spade bones , are deuided into many branches , and runne downe into the forelegges , euen into the coffins of the houes , and knit euery ioint fast and substantially together : then hath he two other maine sinewes which coming through two holes in the great columell or flat bone of the hippes or huckell , do extend themselues ( being diuided into many branches ) downe both the hinder legges , euen within the coffin of the hoofe also , and bind all these seuerall ioints fast and strongly together . now lastly you shall vnderstand , that from the setting on of the horses necke , vnto the flat columell or huckell bone , doth extend one great broad sinew of three inches broad , being of one only thicke and smooth substance , without any one threed or branch deriued from it , which not only holdeth together the shoulder blades , but also couereth all the horses chine quite ouer ; and this of the common farriers is called pax-waxe : so that a horse hath in all of maine and principal sinewes , from whence a world of other sinewes are deriued , iust . as you may more plainly perceiue by this picture , which is the perfect anatomy of all the sinews within a horses body , and how they are diuided . chap. . of the number and situation of bones in a horses body . first you shall vnderstand , that euery horse or oxe hath in his whole body , iust seuerall bones , and no more ; that is to say , in the vpper part of his head two bones , from the forehead to the nose two bones , his nether iawes two bones , of foreteeth . of tushes . of grinders . from the nape of the necke to the points of the spade-bones , seuen ; from the spade-bones to the huckel bones eight , from the huckell bones to the end of the taile seuen : then is there the great broade hinder bone , which hath twelue seames or ioints in it ; then is there the two spade-bones , and from thence to the forcels or canel bones other bons called the marrow-bones ; & from thence to the first ioynt aboue the legges other two bones , and from thence to the knees two called the thigh bones , and from thence to the pasternes other two called the shanke bones , and from thence downward into the houes be in all . little bones . then there is a great bone in the horses breast whereunto are fastened . ribbes great and small , and to the columel behinde be two bones , and from the molairs to the ioynts other two bones ; and also two bones towards the ribbes , from the bending of the houghe vnto the legge , are two small bones , and from the legges to the two focils of the legge other two little bones , and from the pasternes into the hoofe , sixteene little bones ; all which and their seuerall s●ituations you shall more plainly behold in this picture , which is the most perfect anatomy of the bones of a horse , being simply compounded together , that can bee made by demonstration . chap. . how and when a horse should be let bloud , the end whereof , and the signes of the necessity . the ancient farriers , and those of these present times , are at great difference touching the letting of a horse bloud : for some would haue him let bloud foure times in the yeare , that is to say , in the spring , in sommer , in autumne and in winter . others would haue him onely let bloud three times in the yeare , namely in may when he is turned to grasse ; because then the bloud beginneth to encrease : secondly in september , that blond if it be inflamed may then eeuacuate and breathe forth : and thirdly in december , to let go the grosse and knotty bloud which is bred by labor or careles keeping . others would haue a horse to be let bloud but once in the yeare , namely in the beginning of may onely when he is to be put to grasse , alledging this reason , that if the horse be not let bloud in the spring , the new bloud being mixt with the old corrupt bloud , wil be apt to be inflamed , and so draw vpon the horse some grieuous sicknes . others would haue the horse to be let bloud in the necke veine not aboue once in the yeare , namely at the beginning of may ; but in the palate of the mouth they would haue him let bloud at the least once euery moneth , alledging that it wil cleare the sight , comfort the braine , & giue him good appetite to his meate ; but to conclude , there is not any of these opinions , but are sound & good , so the horse be yong & in strength , his bloud encreasing , but if he be old & his bloud in the eb , then you cannot let bloud too seldome . now that it is fit a yong horse should be let bloud , is proued by the daily experience of the polander horses , who being at liberty out of a naturall instinct in themselues , faile not once a yeare to let themselues bloud ; yet we haue diuers of our best farriers who would not haue a horse let bloud before there be vrgent necessity , lest the vse of letting bloud bring a horse to an euill custome , and draw on sicknesse vnexpected ; but with that opinion i cannot agree , because i hold it more vertue to preuent a danger before it come , then to driue it away being present . now that oft letting of bloud breedeth in a horse weaknesse , and maketh the bloud to resort to the inward parts , cloying the heart & intrails , & making the outward parts fat & vnweldy , there is no question but that the letting a horse bloud twice in the yeare , namely at the beginning of may , & the end of december ( at which times onely i would haue a horse let bloud & no other ) should be accounted oft , i see no reason . now for stallions , the ancient farriers would by no meanes haue them let bloud , because , say they , the couering of mares is as great an expence of bloud as may be , affirming that one ounce of seed doth counteruaile fiue ounces of bloud , & truly i am of that opinion to ; but whereas they likwise aduise by no means to let geldings bloud , because the losse of their stones is the losse of their naturall heat ; to that i am much contrary , because i haue found it by continuall experience , that geldings do as oft dy through the corruption & abundance of bloud as horses ; nay & much more ofter , in as much as they want the helpes which horses haue for purging their blouds from vncleannesse . now in the leting of horses bloud , euery carefull farrier is first to respect the climate vnder which the horse is bred , knowing that those horses which are bred in cold countries , haue euer more bloud then those which are bred in the hot ; then he must consider the time of the yeare , which would euer be the spring , or the fall of the leafe , both those times being most temperat , neither exceeding in heate nor in cold . next he must regard the time of the day , which would euer be in the morning fasting , so it be not at the horses awaking from sleepe , but at least an houre or two after : then he must look vnto the state of the moone , that the signe be not in that part of the body where he intendeth to let bloud : next he must looke to the horses age , for if he be yong & not come to his growth , it will hinder his waxing ; & if he be old and come to decrepidnes , his bloud had more neede be repaired then wasted . lastly he shall looke to the horses strength and ancient custome , and so accordingly he shall deale with him , obseruing that some horses may better spare two or three pound of bloud then other some one pound . now thus much i haue spoken touching ordinary & natural letting of bloud without compulsion of any sicknesse or disease ; but in case where sicknesse or infirmity craueth this office of letting bloud , there you shall neither respect climate , season of the yeare , time of the day , signe , age , strength nor custome , but setting all aside , apply your selfe onely to the remouing of the infirmity . now the signes to know if a horse stand in neede to be let bloud , are these : his eyes will looke redde , and his veines will swell more then ordinary ; also hee will haue a certaine itch about his maine and his taile , and will be continually rubbing them , and sometimes wil shed some of his haire also ; he will now and then pill about the roots of his eares , or in those places where the head-stale of the bridle lies : his vrine will be red and high coloured , and his dung will be blacke and hard : also if he hath redde inflammations , or little bubbles on his backe , or doth not disgest his meate well , it is a signe the horse would be let bloud : or if he haue any apparant signe of yellowes in the whites of his eyes , or in the inside of his lippes , either vpper or nether ▪ it is a signe he would be let bloud : for after any of these signes doth most commonly follow some one or other grieuous sicknes , which to preuent is the true art of a skilfull farrier now it is meete that when you intend to let a horse bloud ( hauing leasure to do the same ) that you suffer him to be thinly dyetted a day or two before he be let bloud , to the end that his body may be quiet & not troubled with disgestion . now for the maner of letting a horse bloud , you shall as neare as you can , let him stand vpon euen ground , & if it be the necke veine which you would strike , you shall take a small long cord with a noose , and putting it ouer the horses necke , as close to the setting on of the shoulder as you can , there draw it a straite as is possible , and then fasten it with a running knot , and straight you shall see the veines to appeare as bigge as a mans little finger , euen from the nether chap down the neck . now you are to obserue that the place where you are to strike the veine in , is eeuer within fingers or fingers at the most , of the nether chap ; as thus , if your horse haue a long , fine , thin necke and skin , then you may strike the veine within three fingers or lesse of the chap ( sith the higher is euer the better ; ) but if he haue a short chub neck , with a thicke skin , and many wreathes , or rolles , about the setting on of his chaps , then you shall strike the veine at least foure fingers from the chap , lest those wreaths together with the thicknesse of the skinne , do so defend the veine that your fleame cannot reach it . when you haue thus raised the veine vp , you shall cause one to stand on the contrary side the horse , and with his fist to thrust the veine forth hard against you ▪ then you shall either with a wette sponge , or with a little spettle , wette that part of the veine which you meane to strike , and then separating the haire , set your fleame euen and directly vpon the veine ; and then with a good smart blow , strike it into the veine : which done , you shall cause one to put his finger into the horses mouth , and tickling him in the roofe thereof , make him chaw and moue his chappes , for that will force the bloud to spinne forth . now the bloud which you take from the horse , it is very necessary that you saue in diuers vessels for diuers causes , as first , that you may see when all the corrupt bloud is come forth , and that when the colour thereof is growne pure , and so remaineth being cold , that then you suffer the horse to bleed no more ; or else that you saue it to bath the horses body therwith ; which is most wholsome : or else to make a medicine therewithall by mingling with the bloud vinegar and oyle , and so bathe the horses body therewith , especially that place which was let bloud ; for the ancient farriers hold an opinion that it is indued with a certaine naturall vertue and power to comfort the weake and feeble members of a horse , and to dry vp all euill humors . now as soone as your horse hath bled sufficiently , you shall let loose the cord , & immediatly the veine will stoppe ; then with that cord you shal stroake down the veine iust ouer the orrefire twise or thrice , which wil both close vp the hole & also turn the course of the bloud this done set the horse vp in the stable , & let him stand fasting . or . howres after , and then after diet him according as in your discretion you shall thinke meete , that is to say , if he be a sicke horse , then like a sicke horse with good prouender & warme mashes ; but if he be a sound horse , then like a sound horse , either turne him to grasse , or keep him in the stable after his ancient custome . now if you would let your horse bloud either in the temple veins or the eie veins , you shal then cord him hard about the midst of the necke , and not neare his shoulders , hauing care that you touch not his wind-pipe , & so throttell him : for it wil make both those veines shew most apparantly . if you intend to let the horse bloud in the breast veines or plat veines , of some called the fore-thigh veines , you shall then cord him behind the shoulders close to the elbowes of the horse , and ouerthwart his withers , & that will make those two veines shew . now you shall vnderstand , that not any of these veins last spoken of , as about the head or the breast , must be let bloud by striking them with a fleame , ( though it be the manner of our common smithes ) for it is most beastly & butcherly , and also full of much danger by striking through the veine ; but you shall with a fine sharpe lancet open the veine , euen in such sort as you see a skilfull chirurgian open a veine in a mans arme . now for the letting of a horse bloud in the palate of the mouth , you shall but onely with a sharpe pointed knife , pricke the horse betweene the second and third barre , as deepe as a barley corne is long , and he will bleede sufficiently : as for all other veines in a horses body whatsoeuer , which are to be opened , you shall vnderstand that whensoeuer it is needfull that they bleede , that then they must bee taken vp and not corded at all . now touching the taking vp of veines , and the manner how to do it you shall reade more at large in a particular chapter towards the end of this booke . chap. . of outward sorrances what they are , and of certaine generall obseruations in the cure of them . ovtward sorrances , according to my meaning in this place , are taken two manner of waies , that is to say , either it is an euill state and composition of the body , which is to be discerned either by the shape , number , quantity , or site of the member euil affected & diseased : or else it is the loosning and diuision of an vnity , which as it may chance diuersly , so it hath diuers names accordingly . for if such a diuision or loosning be in the bone , then it is called a fracture : if it be in any fleshy part , then it is called a wound , or an vlcer : if it be in the veines , then a rupture ; if in the sinewes , then a convultion or crampe ; and if it be in the skinne , then it is called an excoriation : and of all these seuerally i intend to intreate in the following chapters . now forasmuch as in this generall art of surgery or sorrances , there are certaine generall obseruations or caueats to be held inuiolate , i will before i proceede any further , giue you a little taste thereof . first therefore , you shall vnderstand that it is the duty of euery good farrier , neuer to burne or cauterize with hot iron or with oyle , nor to make any incision with knife where there be either veines , sinewes , or ioints , but either somewhat lower , or somewhat higher . item , you shall neuer apply to any ioynt or finewie part , either resalger , arsnicke , mercury sublimate , nor any such violent corrosiue . item , it is euer better to lance with a hot iron then a cold , that is , it is better to cauterize then to incise . item , bloud doth euer produce white and thicke matter ; choler a waterish thin matter , but not much ; salt fleame great abundance of matter : and melancholy many dry scabs . item , when you let bloud , you must take but the fouth part from a colt , which you take from a growne horse . item , you must neuer let bloud , except it be either to diuert sicknesse and preserue health , or to refresh and coole the bloud , or else to diminish bloud , or to purge bad humours . item , in all impostumes or swelling soares , called tumors , you must obserue the times of the sicknes , that is to say , the beginning of the griefe , the encrease of the griefe , the perfection and state of the griefe ; and lastly , the declination and amending of the griefe . item , in the beginning of euery such swelling apostumes ( if you cannot quite destroy them ) vse repercussiue medicines , if they be not neare some principall part of the body ; but then not , for feare of endangering life ; in the augmentation , vse mollifying medicines , and supling to ripe them ; and when they are ripe lance them , and let them out , or dry them vp ; and in the declination of them , vse cleansing and healing medicines . item , all swellings are either hard or soft , the hard commonly will corrode , the soft will continue long . item , if you thrust your finger vpon any swelling vpon a horses legges , then if it presently rise againe and fill , then is the hurt new and recouerable ; but if the dent do remaine and continue still behind , then is the hurt old , and cometh of cold humors , and askes great art in the healing . item , when soares begin to matter , then they heale , but if the putrifaction be great , then beware they rot not inwardly . item , all cauterizing or burning with hot irons , straineth things enlarged , dryeth vp what is too much moistned , dissolueth things gathered together or hardened , draweth backe things which are dispersed , & helpeth old griefes : for it ripeneth , dissolueth , and maketh them to runne and issue forth matter . item , you must sometimes burn vnder the soare , to diuert humors , and somtimes aboue , to defend and withhold humors . item , it is euer better to burne with copper then with yron , because yron is of a malignant nature ; steele is of an indifferent vertue betwixt both . item , all actual burning is to burn with instrument , and potentiall burning is to burne with medicines , as are caustiks and corrosiues , item , if you vse oft to blow pouders into a horse eies , it will make him blind . item , by no meanes take vp any veines in the forelegges , vnlesse great extremity compell you : for there is nothing that will sooner make a horse stiffe and lame . many other obseruations there are , which because they are not so generall as these be , and that i shall haue occasion to speake of them in other particular chapters , i thinke it here meete to omit them , and the rather because i will not be tedious . chap. . of the diseases in the eyes , and first of the weeping and watering eye . the eies of a horse are subiect to many infirmities , as first to bee rheumatike or watry , then to be bloud-sh●tten , to be dimme of sight , to haue the pinne and webbe , the haw , the wart in the eye , the inflammation of the eies , the canker in the eye , or a stroake in the eye ; of all which , some come of inward causes , as of humours resorting to the eyes ; and some of outward causes , as heate , cold , or else by some stripe or blow . and first to begin with the rheumaticke or watry eye , you shall vnderstand that according to the opinion of the ancient farriers , it doth proceed many times from the fluxe of humours distilling from the braine , and sometimes from the anguish of some blow or stripe receiued . the signes are , a continuall watering of the eye , and a close holding of the liddes together , accompanied sometimes with a little swelling . the cure , according to the opinion of some farriers , is to take of bole-armonicke , of terra-sigillata , and of sanguis draconis , of each a like quantity ; make them into powder , and then adde vnto them as much of the white of an egge and viniger , as will make them moist ; and then spread it plaister-wise vppon a cloth , and lay it to the horses temples of his head aboue his eyes ; and do this three daies together . others vse to let the horse bloud in the veines vnder his eyes , then to wash the eye twice or thrice in the day with white wine , & then to blow into the soare eye with a quill , the powder of tartaz salgam , and cu●tell bone , of each like quantity : or else take the yolke of an egge roasted hard , and mixe therewith the powder of comen , and binde it hot to the eye , and so let it rest a night or more . other farriers vse to take of pitch and rosen , and of masticke a like quantity ; melt them together : then with a little sticke , hauing a clout bound to the end thereof , and dipt therein , annoynt the temple veines on both sides a handfull aboue the eyes , as broade as a twelue pence ; and then clappe vnto it , immediatly a few flockes of like colour to the horse , holding them close to his head , with your hand , vntill they sticke fast to his head ; then let him bloud on both his eye veines , if both eies be sore ; and then wash his eies with white wine . others vse onely to take a pretty quantity of life hony , and to dissolue it in white wine , and to wash the horses eies therewith : and sure if it proceede from any blow , it is a medicine sufficient inough ; but if it proceede from any rheume or inward causes , then you shall take ground iuy , beaten in a mortar , and mixt with waxe , and so laied to the eyes like a plaster , or else boyle wormewood in white wine , and wash the horses eyes therewith : also to spurt beere orale now and then into the horses eyes , will cleare the sight passing well . chap. . of the bloud shotten eye ; proceeding from any cause whatsoeuer . for any bloud-shotten eye , proceeding from any cause whatsoeuer , either outward or inward , you shall take ( according to the opinion of the most ancient farrierss ) of rose water , of malmsey and of fennell water , of each three spoonefull ; of tutie as much as you may easily take vp betweene your thumbe and your finger ; of cloues a dozen beaten into fine powder ; mingle them well together , and being luke warme , or cold , if you please , wash the inward puts of the eye with a feather dipt therein twise a day vntill the eye be well : or in stead hereof , to wash the eye either with the white of an egge , or with the iuyce of selladine . others vse to take the toppes of hawthornes , and boyling them in white wine , wash the eye therewith . other farriers take a dramme of synoper , and as much of life hony , and as much of wheate flowre ; mixe them with faire running water , so that they may be liquid and thinne : then seeth them with a very soft fire vntill they be thicke like an oyntment , and therewithall annoynt the eye . but the best receipt that euer i found for this griefe , is to take take the whites of two egges , and beate it till it come to an oyle ; then put to it two spoonefull of rose water , and three spoonefull of the iuice of housleeke ; mixe them well together : then dippe therein little round plegants of flat cakes , of soft towe as bigge as a horses eye , and lay them vpon the horses eyes , renuing them as oft as they grow hard , and in a day or two it will make the horses eyes sound againe . chap. . of dimnesse of sight , or blindnesse . dimnesse of sight , or blindnesse , may happen to a horse diuers wayes , as by some straine when the inward strings of the eyes are stretched beyond their powers , or by the violence of great labour , or by the supporting of a great burthen beyond the horses ability , or by some blow or wound : any of these are mortall enemies to the eyes and sight . the signe is the apparant want of sight , and an euill affected colour of the eye . now for the cure it is thus : if the sight be gone , and yet the ball of the eye be sound , then you shall take according to the opinion of some farriers , a pretty quantity of may butter , with as much rosmary , & a little yellow rosen , with a like quantity of ●●●ladine ; then stamp them all together , & fry them with the may butter ; then straine it , and keepe it in a close boxe ( for it is a iewell for sore ●ies ) and annoint your horses eyes therewith at least twice a day : it is also good to heale any wound . other farriers vse to let the horse bloud in the eye veines , and then wash his eyes with red-rose water . others vse to take the gall of a blacke sheepe , and beate it , and straine it ; and then to wash the eyes therewith . others vse to burne the horse vnder the eyes , that the ill humours may distill forth ; and then to annoint his eyes either with the marrow of a sheepes shanke , and rose water mixt together , or else with the iuice of ground iuy . other farriers vse to take a mould-warpe , and lapping her all ouer in clay , burne her to ashes ; and then to take of that powder , & blow it into the horses eyes . other vse to take an empty egge shell , and fill it with baysalt ; then burne it till it be blacke : then adde to it of burnt allome the quantity of your thumb ; beate them together to fine powder ; then mixe some of this powder with fresh butter , and wipe it into the horses eyes with a feather ; then clappe the white of an egge dipt in flaxe , ouer his eyes : do this once a day for a seuen night , & after but once in two dayes : this is most excellent for any filme , and also for a pearle . others vse to take two dry tile-stones , and rubbe them together , and blow the powder of it with a quill into the horses eyes three or foure dayes together . chap. . of the pearle , pinne , webbe , or any spot in the horses eye . the pearle , the pinne , the webbe , or any vnnaturall spot , or thicke filme ouer a horses eye , proceedeth , for the most part , from some stroake receiued ; yet the pearle , which is a little round , thicke , white spot like a pearle , growing on the sight of the horses eye , comes many times from naturall causes , and euen from d●scent of sire and damme , as i haue o●ten found by experience . the signe is , the apparant sight of the infirmity ; and the cure , according to the opinion of the most ancient farriers , is to take sixe leaues of ground iuy , and a branch of selladine , and bray them in a mortar , with a spoonefull or two of womans milke ; and then straine it through a cleane linnen cloth , and put it into a close glasse , and then droppe of it as much into the horses eye at a time , as will fill halfe a hazell nut shell : and it is the fittest to be done at night onely : do thus thrice at the least , and for three daies after , keepe the horse as much as may be , from any light . other farriers vse to annoint the horses eyes with the marrow of goates shankes , or deeres shankes , and rose water mixt together ; or else to wash his eyes with the iuice of the berries and leaues of ground iuy , or other iuy mixt with white wine ; and to blow into his eyes the powder of blacke flint , or of land oysters ; but that powder must be made so exceeding fine , as by art in scarcing can any waies be brought to passe . and then for the taking away of any filme or pearle , there is no medicine more souereigne . there be other farriers which vse to take the leane of a gammon of bacon , & dry it , & therof make a powder , & blow it into the horses eye . others vse to take white ginger made into very fine powder , & blow it into the horses eies ; yet before you so do , if the web haue continued any long time , it shall not be amisse , first to annoint the horses eye with capons grease . others vse to blow into the horses eye , the powder of elder leaues dryed , or else the powder of mans dung dryed , or the powder of a gray whetstone mixt with the oyle of hony , and put into the horses eie . others vse to take the yolke of an egge , with salt burnt & beaten to powder , and blow it into the horses eye : or else the powder of the cuttell bone others vse to take either elder leaues dryed , or mans dung dryed , & mixe it with the powder of the shel or bone of the crab-fish , and blow it into the horses eye . others take tutty beaten to powder , & with a quill blow it iust vpon the pearle . other farriers vse to take ( and sure it is not inferior to any medicine whatsoeuer ) a good quantity of white salt , & lapping it round vp in a wet cloth , put it into the fire , and burne it to a red coale : then taking it forth and breaking it open , you shall finde in the midst thereof , a white chore as bigge as a beane , or bigger : then picke out that chore , and beate it to powder , and mixe it with a little white wine : then after it hath stood a while , take the thicke thereof that lyeth in the bottome , and put it into the horses eye ; and with the thin wash his eye : do thus once a day till the pearle be consumed . others vse to take the iuice of rue , and put it into the horses eye : or else to make a hole in an egge , & put forth all that is within it , and fill the shell with pepper ; and closing it in an earthen pot , put it into a hot burning ouen till it be white hot : then take it forth , and beate the pepper to powder , and blow thereof into the horses eye . others vse to take of pommis stone , of tartarum , and of sal gemma , of each like weight ; and being beaten into very fine powder , to blow a little of that into the horses eye , continuing so to do till the eye be well . others vse onely to blow the powder of sandeuoire into the horses eye , affirming that it alone hath sufficient force and vertue to breake any pearle or webbe in a very short space , without any other composition ; but surely i haue found the powder of flint , and the powder of white salt burnt , to be much more stronger . chap. . of the haw in the horses eye , the haw is a gristle growing betwixt the neather eye lidde and the eye , and it couereth sometimes , more then the one halfe of the eye . it proceedes of grosse and tough fleamy humours , which descending downe from the head , and knitting together , do in the end grow to a horne or hard gristle . the signes thereof , are a watering of the eye , and an vnwilling opening of the neather lidde ; besides an apparant shew of the haw it selfe , if with your thumb you do but put downe the nether lidde of the horses eye . the cure is , first take a needle & a double threed , put it through the tippe of the horses eare , which done , put the needle likewise through the vpper eye lid of the horse vpwards , and so draw vp the eye lidde , and fasten it to the eare , then with your thumbe put downe the neather lidde , and you shall plainly see the haw : then thrust your needle through the edge of the haw , and with the threed draw it out , so as you may lay it vpon your finger ; then fasten the threed about your little finger to hold it constantly ; and then with a very sharp knife cut crosse the gristle of the inside next the horses eye ; and so separating the skin & the fat from the gristle , cut the gristle quite out : then cutting your threedes , draw them cleane out , both of his eye liddes and out of the haw : then wash all the horses eye either with ale , beere , or white wine , and plucke away all the long haires from about the horses eyes , being sure to leaue no bloud within the horses eye . and in this maner of cure you must obserue , that by no meanes you cut away too much of the wash or fat about the haw ; nor any part of the bl●cke that groweth by the end of the haw ; for that will make the horse bleare eyed . there be other farriers which vse after they haue cut out the haw , to annoint the eye sixe dayes after with sallet oyle , the marrow of sheeps shanks & salt mixt together . others vse to take of the iuice of ground iuy stampt in a mortar , with the iuice of iuy berries , and mixe them either with water or white wine ; and so plaister-wise lay it to the horses eye , renuing it morning and euening , and it will eate away the haw . others vse after the haw is cut away , to lay to the eye a plaister of camomill and of hony beaten together ; any of all which is sufficient enough . now you are to note by the way , that the horse which hath one haw , commonly hath two : for they continually go together . chap. . of moone eyes or lunaticke eyes . the moone eyes , or lunaticke eyes , are of all soare eyes the most dangerous and noysome , and do proceede from hot humours , descending from the head , and stirred vp by the extremity of ouer-riding , or compelling a horse to do more then nature will giue him leaue ; as i haue seene a slothfull and heauy horse brought to be moone eyed by the folly of his rider , who would force him to stand , and trot contrary to the vigor of his spirit ; so likewise i haue seene delicate mettald horses brought to be moone eyed , when their riders would not temper the freenesse of their natures , but haue giuen them leaue to runne into all violence . now they be called moone eyes , because if the farrier do obserue them , he shall perceiue that at some times of the moone , the horse will see very prettily , and at some times of the moone , he will see nothing at all . now the signes hereof are , when the horses eyes are at the best , they will looke yellowish and dimme ; and when they are at the worst , they will looke redde , fiery , and angry . the cure is to lay all ouer the temples of the horses head , the plaister of pitch , rosen , and masticke , mentioned in the chapter of watery eyes : then vnder each of his eyes with a sharp knife make a slit of an inch long , about foure fingers beneath his eyes , and at least an inch wide of the eye veines ; then with a cornet loosen the skin about the breadth of a groat , and thrust therein a round peece of leather as broad as a two-pence with a hole in the midst , to keepe the hole open ; and looke to it once a day , that the matter may not be stopped ; but continually runne the space of ten dayes : then take the leather out , and heale the wound with a little flaxe dipt in this salue . take of turpentine , of hony , and of waxe , of each like quantity , and boyle them together ; which being a little warmed will be liquid to serue your purpose ; and take not away the plaisters which are vpon his temples , vntill of themselues they fall away ; which being falne , then with a small hot drawing iron , make a starre in the midst of each temple veine , where the plaisters did lye , which starre would haue a hole in the midst , made with the butten end of your drawing iron in this sort . now there be other farriers which in stead of the slits vnder the eye , and the peece of leather , which is a plaine rowell , onely do take a small blunt hot iron , and about an inch and an halfe beneath the neather lidde , to burne some holes all of a row , according to the compasse of the horses eye , and to burne those holes euen into the bone ; and then once a day to annoynt them with fresh grease or sweet butter . chap. . of the canker in the eye . a canker in the eye commeth of a ranke and corrupt bloud , descending from the head into the eye , where it congealeth a little worme in manner , as it were the head of a pismyre , which groweth in the neather end of the horses eye , next to his noseward . it proceedeth many times in the gristle of the nose , which if it chance to eate through , it will then passe into the head , and so kill the horse . the signes thereof are , you shall see redde pimples , some great & some small , both within and without the eie , vpon the eye lids , and all the eye it selfe will looke redde and be full of very corrupt matter . the cure , according to the ancient farriers , is to take as much burnt allome as an hazell nut , and as much of greene copporas , and bake them b●th together vpon a tile-stone ; and then grinde them into powder , and put thereto a quarter of a spoonfull of hony , & mixe them all together ; and then with a clout dipt therein , rubbe the sore , till it bleede : and d● thus seuen daies together , and it will cure the canker . there be other farriers , which for this canker in a horses eye , will first let the horse bloud in the necke veine of the same side that the soare eye is , and take away to the quantity of a pottell of bloud : then take of roach allome , and of greene copporas , of each halfe a pound , of white copporas one ounce ; and boyle them in three pints of running water , vntill the halfe be consumed : then take it from the fire , and once a day wash his eye with this water , being made luke warme with a fine linnen cloth , and clense the eye therewith , so as it may looke raw : and do this till the eye be whole . chap. . for a stripe or blow vpon a horses eye . if a horse shall catch any stripe or blow vpon his eye , either with whippe , rodde , cudgel , or any such like mischance , or by one horses biting of another , when they either play or fight : then for the cure thereof , ( if you take it when it is new done ) you shall onely blow into his eye , either the powder of sandeuoire , or the fine powder of white salt , after the eye hath bene washt with a little beere ; but if the eye be more soare , and haue continued longer , then you shall take a small loafe of bread , and pull out all the crummes ; then fill the loafe full of burning coal●s , vntill it be well burned within : then take of that crust and put it in white wine ; and after it is well soaked , lay it to the soare eye ; then take sope water , and cold water mixt together , and wash all the eye browes therewith , and if for all that it go not away , then you shal let him bloud on the temple veines ; and if he do rubbe or chafe his eie , you shall let him bloud of the veines vnder his eyes , & wash his eyes with cold sope water ; but if his eies do chance to looke redde with the bl●w , then you shall lay vnto them a plaister of redde lead and ●all ▪ toyle beaten well together . others vse to take the iuice of plantane , stampt and mixt with white wine , and so layed to the soare eye . others vse both for this disease , or any other soare eye , to stampe strong nettles with a little beere , and then straining it to squirt thereof into the horses eye , twice or thrice together : then to put of the fine powder of sandeuoire a little into his eye and then be carefull to keepe the horses eye from winde or cold ; but if you must neede● r●de him , then put a wollen cloath before the horses eye ; also it is not amisse to let him bloud on his eye veines , and the twice dressing will be sufficient . other farriers vse first to annoynt the soare eie three daies together with hennes or capons grease to mollifie it : then take a little life hony , and warming it , wipe it into the horses eye with a feather . others take the iuice of plantane mixt with hony , or else the iuice of tyme mixt with hony , and put it into the horses eye others vse to take the ashes of an old shooe s●le burnt in an ou●n , & put it into the horses eye : or else the powder of a gray whetstone blowne into the so●re eye ; both are speedy remedies . others vse to take the iuice of smallage and of fennell , and mixing them with the white of an egge , put it into the horses eye once a day till the eye be whole . chap. . for a wart in the eye . a wart in a horses eye , is a fleshy excretion , or a fleshy knot growing either vpon the eye , or vppon the edge or inside of the eye liddes . it proceedeth from a thicke fleame , which descendeth to the eye by meanes that the horse is too much kept in a darke stable without light ; and this infirmity will make a horses eye consume and grow little . the cure is to take roach allome , and burne it on a tile-stone , and then put as much white copporas thereunto not burnt , and grinde them to powder ; then lay some of that powder iust vpon the head of the wart ; and do thus once a day till the wart be consumed away . chap. . for any inflammation in a horses eies . horses may diuersly haue inflammations in the eyes , as by long standing in the stable , with fowle feeding and no exercise , or by moats falling into his eyes , or by ranknesse of bloud and such like ; any of which will breed an inflammation or sorenesse in the eyes . the signes are itching and rubbing of the eies , and a little swelling , with some loathnesse to open the eye liddes . the cure is , first to let him bloud vpon the temple veines , and vpon the eye veines ; and then to wash his eyes with milke and hony mixt together . others after bloud letting , will wash the horses eyes with hony and aloes epatica mixt together : and others will wash his eyes with aloes dissolued in white wine ; any of which is approued to be most excellent for any soare eye . chap. . of the impostume in the eare of a horse . impostumes which breed in the eare of a horse , proceede from diuers causes , as from some great blow about the head , or from wringings with a hard halter , or from some euill humours cong●aled in the eares by some extreme cold . the signes whereof appeare plainly by the burning and painfull swelling of the roots of the eares , and the other parts thereabout . the cure thereof , is first to ripe the impostume with this plaister : take of linseed beaten into powder , and of wheat flowre , of each halfe a pint , of hony a pint , of hoggesgrease , otherwise called barrowes grease , one pound ; warme all these things together in an earthen pot , and stirre them continually with a flat sticke or slice , vntill they be throughly mingled and incorporated together ; and then spread some of this plaister being warme , vpon a peeee of linnen cloth or soft white leather , so broad as the swelling and no more , and lay it warme vnto it ; and so let it remaine one whole day , and then renew it againe , continuing so to do vntill it either do breake , or else grow so ripe that you may lance it downeward , so that the matter may haue passage out ; then taint it with a taint of flax dipped in this salue euen to the bottome , that is to say , take of metrosa●um , of sallet oyle and turpentiue , of each two ounces , & mingle them together , & make the horse a biggen of canuase to close in the soare , so as the taint with the oyntment may abide within the soare , renewing the taint once a day vntill it be wh●l● ; but if the horse haue paine in his eares , without any great pain or inflammation , then thrust into his eare a little blacke wolle , dipt in the oyle of camomile , & that will ease him ; but if the impostume be broken before you perceiue it , and that you see matter runne from the horses eares , then you shall take of oyle of roses , of venice turpentine , and of hony , of each like quantity , and mixing them well together , warme it luke warme vpon a few coales , and then dipping blacke wolle therein , thrust it downe into the horses eare that runneth , renewing it once a day vntil the eare leaue running . chap. . of the polle euill . the polle euill is a great swelling inflammation or apostume in the nape of a horses necke iust betweene his eare towards his maine , and proceedeth sometimes from the horses struggling or striuing in his halter , especially if the halter be of hard new twound hempe ; sometimes it proceedeth from euill humors , gathered together in that place , or else from some stripe or blow giuen to the horse by some rude keeper , carter , or man of little discretion : for that part being the weakest and tenderest part about the head , is the soonest offended and grieued with sorrance the signes of this disease is an apparant swelling betw●ene the horses eares , and on each side his necke , which in continuance of time , will breake of it owne accord , yet doth euer rot more inwardiy then outwardly , from whence it comes that this disease is more commonly called of our common and ignorant farriers , the fistula in the necke , then the polle-euill ; and i● truth it is an vlcer , so hollow and so crooked , and so full of sharpe matter , like vnto lye , that it very little differeth from a fistula , and is of all impostumes , except the fistula it selfe , the most hardest to cure : therefore i would wish euery car●full farrier to take this cure in hand so soone as is possible , that is to say , before it breake if it may be . now for the general cure ( according to the opinion of the ancient farriers ) it is thus : fi●st , if it be not broken , ripe it with a plaist rof hogs grease , layd vnto it so hot as may be , and make a biggen for the powle of his head to keep it from cold ; which biggen would haue two holes open , so as his eares may stand ou● ; and renew the plaister euery day once vntill that it breake , ke●ping the soare place as warme as may be ; and if that you see it will not breake so soone as you would haue it , then looke where it is soft●st , and most meetest to be opened ; take a round hot iron , or a copper iron ( for that is the better ) as bigge as a mans little finger , and sharpe at the point made in this figure ; and then about tw● inches beneath the soft place , thrust it in a good deepnesse vpward , so as the point of your cauterizing iron may come out at the ripest place , to the intent that the matter may descend downeward , and come out at the neather hole , which would alwaies be kept open ; and therefore taint it with a taint of flaxe dipt in hogs grease warm , and lay also a plaister of hogges grease vpon the same , renewing it euery day once for the space of foure dayes : which is done chiefly to kill the heate of the fire ; then at the foure dayes end , take of tu●p●ntine halfe a pound , cleane washed in nine sund●y w●ters , and after that throughly dryed , by thrusting out the water with a slice on the dishes side ; then put thereunto two yolkes of egges , and a little saffron , and mingle them well together : that done , search the depth of the hole , either with a quill or a probe , and make a taint of a peece of dry sponge neuer wet , so long as it may reach neare the bottome , and so bigge as it may fill the wound ; and annoint the taint with the foresaid oyntment , & thrust it into the wound either with that quill , or else by winding it vp with your finger and thumbe by little and little , vntill you haue thrust it home ; and then lay on the plaister of hogges grease made luke warme , renewing it euery day once or twise vntill it be whole ; but if the swelling ceasse , then you neede not to vse the plaister , but onely to taint it ; and as the matter decreaseth , so make your taint euery day lesser and lesser vntill the wound be perfectly whole . now if this disease of the polle-euill haue broken of it selfe , and by negligent looking vnto , haue continued so long that it is turned to a fistula , which you shall know both by the great and crooked hollownesse inwardly , and by a sharpe thin water which will issue out thereof outwardly : then you shall take ( according to the opinion of other farriers ) of vnsleckt lime , and of arsnicke , of each like quantity ; beate them together into very fine powder , put thereto of the iuice of garlicke , of onions and of wal-woo●t , of each like quantity , & of holly as much as all the rest ; boile them vpon a soft fire , & stirre them al well together vntill they be as thicke as an ointment ; then wash the soare with very strong vinegar , & fil the hole full of the aforesaid ointment , by dipping a taint therein twice a day ; then lay a plaister of hogs grea●e vpon the tent to make it keep in , and vse this vntil the ho●se be whole . other farriers vse to take orpiment , vnleackt lime , and verdigrease of each like quantity temper them with the iuice of pellitorie , blacke inke , hony and strong vinigar of each like quantity , boile them and stirre them well ●ogether , vntil they be very thicke , then make thereof smals rolles , and put them into the hollow place of the same sorance : now you are to note that both this and the last recited salue before this are onely to kill the ranckerous and sharpe humor which brings the sore vnto a fistula , which so soone as you haue killed , which you shal know by the matter which will be white and thick , then you shall heale vp the sore either with the pouder of sauin or the pouder of hony and lime backed together , or else by annointing it with tarre and sallet oyle or fresh hogges grease mixt together . there be other farriers which for this sorance doe first open the sore with a hot yron , and then take redde lead or blacke sope , and mixing them very well with water till it be good and thicke , taint the horse therewith till he be whole . others vse to t●ke a quart of water , halfe a pound of roach allome , foure peny worth of mercury , a quarter of a pound of verdigrease , and mixing them well together , wash the horses soare with this water till it begin to dry vp , and then heale it with the pouders before named . chap. . of a horse that is laue ear'd , and how to helpe him . for a horse to be laue ear'd , is as foule a disgrace , and as much deformity to his beauty as to want the true proportion and vse of any outward member whatsoeuer . it proceedeth from a naturall infirmity , and is ingendred euen from the first conception ; and although few of our farriers either haue endeuored themselues , or know how to helpe it ; yet there is nothing more certaine then that in this sort it may be cured . first take your horses eares and place them in such manner as you would haue them stand , and then with two little boords or peeces of trenchers three fingers broad , hauing long strings knit vnto them , bind the eares so fast in the places where they stand that by no meanes or motion they may stirre ; then betwixt the head and the root of the eare , you shall see a great deale of empty wrinkled skinne , which with your finger and your thumbe you shall pull vp , and then with a very sharpe paire of sizers you shall clip away all the empty skin close by the head : then with a needle and redde silke you shall stitch the two sides of the skinne close together , and then with a salue made of turpentine , deeres suet and hony , of each like quantity melted together and made into an oyntment , heale vp the sore ; which done , take away the splents which held vp his eares , and you shall see his eares will keepe the same place still as you set them , without any alteration , and this you shall euer find as certaine as the healing of a cut finger . chap. . of the viues or har● kirnel , betweene the chappes and the necke . the viues are certaine great kirnels which grow f●om the roote of the horses eare , downe to the lower part of his neather iaw betweene the chappe and the necke ; they are in proportion long , narrow , and round , and are naturall things proper and due to euery horse ; but when either through rankenesse of bloud , or aboundance of corrupt humours resorting to that place they begin to be inflamed , then they become very foule sorrances and impostumations most dangerous ; they are inwardly very full of little white salt kirnels , and they breede great paine in the horses throat . this disease as farre forth as i can finde by any demonstration , is the disease which in men we call the squinansie or quinzy , and not as some of the old farriers suppose , the strangle , for that hath no coherence with the infirmity . for the signes of the disease there needes small repetition , insomuch as the griefe is apparant to the eye ; and the cure , according to the opinion of the oldest farriers , is thus : if you see the kirnels to ranckle and swell , you shall take the horses eare , and laying it downe alongst the necke of the horse , at the very end or tippe of the eare , cut a hole through the skinne of the necke , the length of an almonde or better , and then with a crooked wire picke out all those kirnels which you finde inflamed ; which done , fill the hole full of salt : then about the end of three dayes you shall finde the soare beginne to matter : then wash it either with barke water , or with the iuice of sage : then take of hony , of sweet butter , and of tarre , of each halfe a spoonefull , and melte them together ; and as soone as you haue washt the soare cleane , put into it of this oyntment the quantity of a beane , and so dresse the horse once a day vntil he be whole . there be others of our most ancient english farriers , which for this sorrance vse first to draw the soare right downe in the midst with a hot iron from the root of the eare , so farre as the tip of the eare wil reach ; being pulled down , & vnder the root againe draw ● . strikes on each side like an arrow head in this forme : then in the midst of the first line , lance them with a lancet , and taking hold of the kirnels with a paire of fine thin pinsons , pull them so farre forward as you may cut the kirnels out without hurting the veine : that dore , fill the hoale with salt , and heale it vp as aforesaid . now the most of the italian farriers vse this cure : first , take a sponge steeped well in strong vinegar , and binde it vnto the soare place , renewing it twice a day vntill the kirnels bee r●tted : that done , lance it in the neathermost part , where the matter lyeth , and let it out , and then fill vp the hole with salt finely brayed , and the next day wash all the filth away with warme water and a sponge ; and then annoint the place with hony and fitch flowre mixt together ; but in any case beware during this cure , that you touch not the kirnels with your bare finger , for feare of venoming the place , which is very apt for a fistula to breede in . now there be other english farriers , which vse either to ripen the soare by laying to a plaister of hot hogges grease , or a plaister of barley meale , mixt with three ounces of raisins , sod well together in strong wine , or else they cut out the kirnels now whether you cut them out , burne them out , or rot them out ( of all which i hold rotting the best ) you shall euer fill the hole with nettles and salt being chopt and mixt together : or else taint it with tents dipt in water , and mixt with sallet oyle and salt . others vse to burne them downeward with a hot iron in the midst , from the eare to the iaw bone , drawing two crosse stroakes , and then lance it in the midst , and plucke out the kirnels , and fill the hole with bay salt , and the croppes of nettles well chopt together : or else put onely salt into the hole , and take the croppes of nettles well chopt and mixt with baysalt , and two spoonefull of strong vinegar , and straine it , & put in either eare a spoonefull thereof , and put some black wolle after it , & so bind vp his eares . others vse to ripen them either by laying to the soare , wet hay , or hot horse litter , & as soone as they are ripe ( which you shall know by the softnesse , to lance the skinne , and take out the kirnels , and then fill the hole with the powder of hony and vnsleckt lime mixt together and burnt . others vse after the kirnels are ripened & taken out , to take of egrimony , hony , and violet leaues , of each like quantity , & stamping them well together , to plaister the soare therewith , till it be whole . others vse after the kirnels are taken out , to wash the soare with copporas water , and then to tent the hole with flaxe dipt in the white of an egge ; and after to heale it with waxe , turpentine , and hogges grease molten well together . chap. . of the strangle . the strangle ( howsoeuer our old farriers make a long discourse thereof ) is not ( as they suppose ) a kinde of quinzy , but a meane inflammation of the throate , proceeding from some cholericke or bloudy fluxion , which comes out of the branches of the throat veines into those parts , and there breedeth some hot inflammation ; being stirred vp either by some great cold in winter , or cold taken after labour : it is a great and a hard swelling betweene the horses neather chappes vpon the roots of the horses tongue , and about his throate ; which swelling , if it be not preuented , will stoppe the horses wind-pipe , & so strangle or choake him ; from which effect , and none other the name of the disease tooke his deriuation . the signes of this disease besides the apparant sight thereof , and the palpable feeling of the same , is , the horses temples of his head wil be hollow , & his tongue will hang out of his mouth , his head and eyes also will be swolne , and the passage of his throat so stopt , that he can neither eate nor drinke ; and his breath will be exceeding short . the cure thereof according to the most ancient farriers , is with a round small hot iron to t●rust a hole through the skinne on both sides the wessand ; and then after it beginneth to matter , to mixe butter , tanners water and salt together , and euery day annoynt the soare therewith till it be whole . other of the ancient farriers vse first to bathe the horses mouth and tongue with hot water ; and then annoint the soare place with the gall of a bull : that done , giue him this drinke : take of old oyle two pounds , of old wine a quart , nine figges , and nine leekes heades well stamped and brayed together , and after you haue boiled these a while , before you straine them , put thereunto a little nitrum alexandrinum , and giue him a quart of this euery morning and euening : also you may if you will let him bloud in the palate of the mouth , and powre wine and oyle into his nosthrels , & also giue him to drinke the decoction of figs & nitrum sodden together , or else to annoint his throat within with nitre , oyle & hony , or else with hony and hogges dung mixt together . other farriers vse to rowell the horse vnder the throat , and to draw the rowell twice or thrice a day , annointing it with fresh butter and keeping his head warme . other of our latter and better experienced farriers , vse first ( if his yeares will permit it ) to let the horse bloud in the necke veine : then to lay to the soare this ripening plaister : take of mallowes , linseed , rue , smallage , and ground iuy , of each like quantity ; boyle all these together in the grounds of beere : then put to a pretty quantity of oyle de bay , with a little dia althea : then take it from the fire , and therewith make your plaister , and lay it to the soare , suffering the horse by no means to drink any cold water : after the soare is broken , lay bran steept in wine vnto it , till it be whole . others vse to cut the kirnels out betweene the iawes , & then to wash the soare with butter & beere , giuing the horse to drinke new milke & garlike , and iuyce of the leaues of birch , or in winter the barke of birch , or else to annoint it with tarre and oyle till it be whole . now , for mine owne part , the best cure that euer i found for the strangle was this : as soone as i found the swelling to arise betweene his chappes , to take a waxe candle , and holding it vnder the the horses chappes close to the swelling , burne it so long till you see the skinne be burnt through ▪ so that you may , as it were , raise it from the flesh ▪ that done , you shall lay vnto it , either wet hay , or wet horse litter , and that will ripen it , and make it breake : then lay a plaister vnto it only of shooe-makers waxe , and that will both draw , and heale it . now if it breake inward , and will not breake outward , and so auoydeth onely at his nose , then you shall twice or thrice euery day , perfume his head by burning vnder his nosthrels either frankinsence or masticke , or else by putting a hote coale into wet hay , and so making the smoake thereof to ascend vp into the horses head . chap. . of the cankerous vlcer in the nose . that which we cal the cankerous vlcer in the nose , is onely a fretting humor eating and consuming the flesh , and making it all raw within , and not being holpen in time , will eate through the gristell of the nose . it cometh of corrupt bloud , or else of a sharpe hunger ingendred by meanes of some extreme cold . the signes are , the horse will oft bleede at the nose , and all the flesh within his nose will be raw , and filthy stinking sauours and matter will come out at his nose . the cure thereof , according to the ancient farriers , is : take of greene copporas and of allome , of each one pound , of white copporas , one quarterne ; and boile these in a pottell of running water , vntill a pinte be consumed , then take it off and put thereunto halfe a pint of hony : then cause his head to be holden vp with a drenching staffe , and squirt into his nosthrels with a squint of brasse or pewter , some of this water being luke warme , three or foure times one after another ; but betwixt euery squirting giue him liberty to hold downe his head , and to snurt out the filthy matter ; for otherwise perhaps you might choake him : and after this it shall be good also without holding vp his head any more , to wash and rubbe his nosthrels with a fine clowt bound to a stickes end , and dipt in the aforesaid water ; and do thus once a day vntill the horse be whole . other farriers vse if they see this canker to be of great heate , and burning in the soare with exceeding great paine , then you shall take the iuice of purslaine , lettice , and night-shade , of each like quantity , and mixe them together , and wash the soare with a fine cloath dipt therein , or else squirt it vp into his nosthrels and it will all●y the heate . others take of hyssope , sage , and rue , of each a good handfull , and seeth them in vrine and water to the third part of them : then straine them out , and put in a little white copporas and hony , and aqua-vitae , and so either wash or squirt the soare place with it : then when the canker is kild , make this water to heale it : take of rib-woort , bettony , and daysies , of each a handfull : then seeth them well in wine and water , & wash the soare three or foure times a day therewith vntill it be whole . others vse to take chrystall , and beating it into fine powder , to strow it vpon the canker , and it will kill it . chap. . of bleeding at the nose . many horses , ( especially yong horses ) are oft subiect to this bleeding at the nose , which i imagine proceedeth either from the great aboundance of bloud , or that the veine which endeth in that place , is either broken , fretted , or opened . it is opened many times by meanes that bloud aboundeth too much , or for that it is too fine or too subtile , and so pierceth through the veine . againe , it may be broken by some violent straine , cut , or blow . and lastly , it may be fretted or gnawne through by the sharpnesse of the bloud , or else by some other euill humour contained therein . the cure is , according to the ancient farriers , to take the iuice of the rootes of nettles , and squirt it vp into the horses nosthrels , and lay vpon the nape of the horses necke , a wadde of hay dipt in cold water ; and when it waxeth warme , take it off , and lay on a cold one . other farriers vse to take a pint of redde wine , and to put therein a quarterne of bole-armoniacke beaten into fine powder ; and being made luke warme , to powre the one halfe thereof the first day into his nosthrell that bleedeth , causing his head to be holden vp , so as the wine may not fall out , and the next day to giue him the other halfe . others vse to let the horse bloud on the breast veine on the same side that he bleedeth at seuerall times : then take of frankinsence one ounce , of aloes halfe an ounce , and beate them into fine powder , and mingle them throughly with the whites of egges vntill it be as thicke as hony ; and with soft hares haire thrust it vp into his nosthrell , filling the hole so full that it cannot fall out , or else fill his nosthrels full of ashes , dung or hogges dung , or horses dung mixt with chalke and vinegar . now for mine owne part , when none of these will helpe ( as all haue failed me at some times ) then i take two small cords , and with them garter him exceeding hard , some ten inches aboue his knees of his forelegges , and iust beneath his elbowes ; and then keepe the nape of his necke as cold as may be with wet clothes or wet hay , and it will staunch him presently . chap. . of the boody rifts , or choppes in the palate of the horses mouth . these choppes , clefts or rifts , in the palate of a horses mouth , doe proceede ( as some farriers suppose ) from the eating of rough hay , full of whims , thistels , or other pricking stuffe , or else prouender full of sharpe seedes , which by continuall pricking and fretting the furrowes of the mouth , do cause them to ranckle , swell , and breede corrupt and stinking matter ; and without speedy preuention , that vlcer will turne to the foulest canker . the cure thereof is ( according to the opinion of the ancient farriers ) to wash the soare places very cleane with salt and vinegar mixt together , and then to annoint it with hony . other farriers vse ( especially if the palate be much swelled , to pricke the roofe of the mouth with an hot iron , that the humour may issue out abundantly , and then to annoint the place with hony and onions boyled together till they be whole . chap. . of the gigges or bladders in a horses mouth . these gigges , bladders , or flaps in a horses mouth , are little soft swellings , or rather pustules with blacke heads , growing in the inside of the horses lips , next vnto his great iaw teeth ; they will sometimes be as great as a wal-nut , and are so painfull vnto him that they make him let his meate fall out of his mouth , or at least keepe it in his mouth vnchawed , whereby the horse can in no wise prosper : they do proceede either of eating too much grasse , or naughty rough pricking hay or prouender : they are most apparantly to be felt , and the cure is ( according to the opinion of the oldest farriers ) first to draw out the horses tongue of the one side of his mouth , and then take a lancet and slit the swellings the length of a date ; and then with a probe picke out all the kirnels like wheate cornes very cleane : then take the yolke of an egge , and as much salt as will temper it thicke like leauen ; then make it into little balles , and thrust into euery hole one ; and do so once a day vntill it be whole . other farriers vse after they haue slit them with an incision knife , and thrust out the corruption , onely to wash the soare places either with vinegar and salt , or else with allome water . others vse with a small hot iron to burn the swellings , and then wash them with beere and salt , or ale and salt , and it will heale them . now that you may preuent this disease before it come , it shall be good to pull out the horses tongue often , and to wash it with wine , beere , and ale , and so shal no blisters breede thereon , nor any other disease . chap. . of the lampasse . the lampasse is a swelling or growing vp of the flesh , which ouergroweth the vpper teeth , which are the shearers in the vpper chappe , and so hindreth the horse from eating . they do proceede from aboundance of bloud , resorting to the first furrow or bare of the mouth , i meane that which is next to the vpper foreteeth ; it is most apparant to be seene , and therefore needeth no other signes . the cure is ( according to the custome of the oldest farriers , first with a lancet to let them bloud in diuers places of the swelled flesh : then take an iron made at one end broad & thin , and turned vp according to this figure , and heating it redde hot , burne out all that superfluous sweld flesh which ouergrowes the foreteeth ; and then annoint the soare place with fresh butter till it be whole . others vse after it is burnt out , onely to rub the soare place with salt onely , or wash it with salt and vinegar till it be whole . others vse to take a hooked knife made very sharpe and very hot , and therewith cut the swolne places in two parts crosse against the teeth ; but if they be little swelled , then cut but the third ranke from the teeth , and so let him bleede well : then rubbe it with a little salt , and the horse will be well ; but if you finde afterwards that either through too much burning or cutting , or through the eating of rough meate , that the wound doth not heale , but rather ranckleth : then you shall take a saucer-full of hony , and twelue pepper cornes , and bray them together in a mortar , and temper them vp with vinegar , and boyle them a while , and then once a day annoint the soare therewith till it be whole . chap. . of the camery or frounce . the camery or frounce in horses , are small pimples or warts in the midst of the palate of the mouth aboue , and they are soft and soare ; they will also sometimes breede both in his tongue and in his lippes : it proceedeth sometimes from the eating of frozen grasse , or by drawing frozen dust with the grasse into their mouthes ; sometimes by eating of moist hay , that rats and other vermine haue pist vpon ; and sometimes by licking vp of venome . the signes are the apparant seeing of the pimples or whelkes , and a forsaking of his foode , both through the soarenesse of them , and through the vnsauourinesse of the food that he hath eaten before . the cure ( according to the opinion of the oldest farriers ) is first to let him bloud on the two greatest veines vnder his tongue ; and then wash all the soare places with vinegar and salt : then get the horse new bread which is not hot , and giue it him to eate , and the horse will do well inough . others vse with a hot iron to burne the pimples on the head , and then wash them with wine and salt , or ale and salt vntill they bleede , and they will soone heale . other farriers vse to take out his tongue , and to pricke the veines thereof in seuen or eight places , and likewise vnder his vpper lippes also , and let him bleede well : then rub euery soare place with salt very much : then the next day wash all the soare places with white wine warme , or else with strong vinegar , and rubbe it againe with salt : then for two or three dayes let the horse drinke no cold drinke and he will do well . chap. . of the canker in the mouth . a canker is said of the ancient farriers to be nothing but a rawnesse of the mouth and tongue , which is full of very soare blisters , from whence will runne a very hot and sharpe lye , which fret and corrode or rot the flesh , wheresoeuer it goeth . the signes are , the apparant sight of the soare , besides the forsaking of his meate , because he cannot swallow it down but lets it lye halfe chawed betweene his iawes ; and sometimes when he hath chawed his meate , he will thrust it out of his mouth againe , and his breath will sauour very strongly , chiefly when the horse is fasting . this disease proceedeth oftest from some vnnaturall heate comming from the stomacke , and sometimes from the venome of filthy foode . the cure is ( as the oldest farriers instruct vs ) to take allome half a pound , of hony a quarter of a pint , of collombine leaues , of sage , of each a handfull ; boyle all these together in three pints of running water vntil one pint be consumed , and wash all the soare places therewith , so as they may bleede ; and do thus once euery day vntill it be whole . other farriers vse first to cast the horse , and with a rolling pin to open his mouth ; then with a crooked iron wrapt about with tow or flaxe , to rake out all the stincking grasse or other meate that lieth in his iawes , and vnder the roote of his tongue : then when you haue cleansed it thus , you shall heat strong wine vinegar somewhat warme , and then with the same iron wrapt with new tow , and dipt in the vinegar , you shall wash all the soare places till they bleede : then wash all his tongue and his lips with the same vinegar , and so let him rise ; and then feed him at least dayes with warme mashes and hot graines ; but in no wise with any hay , and he will soone be whole . other farriers vse to take of the iuice of daffadill roots seuen drams , of the iuice of hounds tongue as much , of vinegar as much , and of allome one ounce ; mixe these well together , and wash the canker therewith once a day vntill it be whole . others vse to take of sauen , of baysalt , and of rue , of each like quantity , and stampe them together with as much barrowes grease , and annoint the soare places therewith vntill the canker be kild , which you may know by the whitenesse , & then heale it vp onely with allome water . others vse first to wash the canker till it bleede with warme vinegar , to take a good quantity of allome beaten into very fine powder , and to mixe it with strong vinegar till it be as thick as a salue ; then to annoint all the soare places therewith , and do thus twice or thrice a day vntil the canker be whole . now for mine owne part , the best cure that euer i found for this sorrance , is to take of ginger and of allome , of each like quantity , made into very fine powder : then with strong vinegar to mixe them together till they be very thick like a salue , then when you haue washt the canker cleane , either with allome water or with vinegar , anoint it with this salue , and in twice or thrice dressing the canker will be whole . chap. . of heate in the mouth and lippes of a horse . the vnnaturall and violent heate which ascendeth vp from the stomacke into the mouth , doth not alwaies breed a canker , but sometimes onely heateth and inflameth the mouth and lippes , making them onely swell and burne , so as the horse can take no ioy in his foode , but through the griefe refuseth his meate . the cure thereof is , first turne vp his vpper lippe , or that which is most sweld , and with a lancet iagge it lightly , so that it may bleede ; and then wash both that , and all his mouth and tongue with vinegar and salt . chap. . of the tongue being hurt with the bitte , or otherwise . if the tongue of a horse be either hurt , cut , or galled , by any accident or mischance whatsoeuer , the best cure is ( as the old farriers suppose ) to take of english hony , and of salt lard , of each like quantity , a little vnsleckt lime , & a little of the powder of pepper ; boile them on a softe fire , and stirre them well together vntill they be thicke like vnto an oyntment : then wash the wound with white wine warmed : after that anoint the wound with the said ointment twice a day , and by no meanes let the horse weare any bit vntill he be whole . other farriers vse first to wash the soare with allome water ; and then to take the leaues of black bramble , and to choppe them together small with a little lard : that done , to binde it with a little clowt , making it round like a ball : then hauing dipt the round end in hony , to rubbe the tongue therewith once a day vntill it be whole . chap. . of the barbes or pappes vnderneath a horses tongue . the barbes are two little pappes which naturally do grow vnder euery horses tongue whatsoeuer , in the neather iawes ; yet if at any time they shoote out , and grow into an extraordinary length , or by the ouer-flow of humours become to be inflamed , then they are a sorrance , and with the extremity of their paine , they hinder the horse from feeding . the cure of them is both according to the opinion of the ancient and late farriers , absolutely to clippe them away with a paire of sheares close by the iaw ; and then to wash the soare either with water and salt , or with salt tartar and strong vinegar mixt together , or else with vinegar and salt . any of all which will heale them . chap. . of paine in a horses teeth , of woolfes teeth and iaw teeth . a horse may haue paine in his teeth through diuers occasions , as partly by the descent of humors from the head downe vnto the teeth and gums , which is very proper to colts and yong horses , and plainly to be seene by the rankenesse and swelling of the gummes , and also he may haue paine in his teeth , by hauing two extraordinary teeth , called the woolfes teeth , which be two little teeth growing in the vpper iawes , next vnto the great grinding teeth ; which are so painefull to the horse , that he cannot endure to chaw his meate , but is forced either to let it fall out of his mouth , or else to keepe it still halfe chawed . againe , a horse will haue great paine in his teeth when his vpper iaw teeth be so farre growne as they ouer-hang the neather iaw teeth ; and therewith also be so sharpe , as in mouing his iawes they cut and raze the insides of his cheekes , euen as they were razed with a knife . lastly , a horse may haue great paine in his teeth , when either by corruption of bloud , or some other naturall weaknesse , the horses teeth grow loose & soare in such maner that through the tendernesse therof , he is not able to chaw or grind his foode . now for the seuerall cures of these infirmities you shall vnderstand that first as touching the generall paine in a horses teeth , which doth come by meanes of the distillation of humors , it is thought fit by the ancientest farriers , first to rubbe all the outside of the horses gummes with fine chalke and strong vinegar well mixt together . other farriers vse after they haue so washed the gummes , to straw vpon them the powder of pomegranat pils , & to couer the temples of the head with a plaister of pitch , rosen , and masticke molten together , as hath bene before declared . now for the cure of the wolfes teeth , or the iaw teeth ( acocrding to the opinion of the ancient farriers ) it is thus . first , cause the horses head to be tyed vp high to some post or raster , and his mouth to be opened with a cord so wide that you may easily see euery part thereof : then take an instrument of iron , made in all points like vnto a carpenters gouge , and with your left hand set the edge of the toole at the foote of the woolfes teeth , on the outside of the iaw , turning the hollow side of the toole downward , holding your hand steadily , so as the toole may not slip not swarue from the foresaid teeth : then hauing a mallet in your right hand , strike vpon the head of the toole a good stroake , wherewith you may loosen the tooth , and make it bend inward : then straining the midst of your toole vppon the horses neather iaw , wrinch the tooth outward with the inside or hollow side of the toole , and thrust it cleane out of his head : which done , serue the other woolfes tooth on the other side in like manner , and then fill vp the empty holes with salt finely brayed . other farriers vse ( and i haue in mine experience found it the better practise ) only when the horse is eirher tyed vp or cast , and his mouth opened , to take a very sharp file , and to file the woolfes teeth so smooth as is possible , and then wash his mouth with a little allome water . now if the vpper iaw teeth ouerhang the neather iaw teeth , & so cut the inside of the mouth as is aforesaid , then you shall take your former toole or gouge , and with your mallet strike and pare all those teeth shorter by little and little degrees , running alongst them euen from the first vnto the last , turning the hollow side of your toole towards the teeth , by which meanes you shall not cut the insides of the horses cheekes : then with your file , file them all smooth without any raggednes , and then wash the horses mouth with vinegar & salt . lastly if the paine do proceede from the loosnesse of his teeth , then the cure is , according to the opinion of the ancient farriers , first to cast the horse , and pricke all his gummes ouer with a lancet , making them bleede well ; then rubbe them all ouer with sage and salt , and it will fasten them againe . others vse to let the horse bloud in the veine vnder his taile next the rumpe , and then to rubbe all his gums with sage , and to giue him in his prouender , the tender croppes of blacke bryars ; or else wash all his mouth with hony , sage , and salt beaten together ; and by no meanes let the horse eate any moist meate : for cold , moist , and marrish feeding in the winter , onely breedeth this disease of loosnesse in the teeth ; and it is of all other , most proper to the sorrell horses . chap. . of diseases in the necke and vvithers , and first of the cricke in the necke . the cricke in the necke of a horse , is when he cannot turne his necke any way , but holdes it still right forth , in so much that he cannot bow downe his head to take vp his meate from the ground , but with exceeding great paine ; and surely it is a kinde of convultion of sinewes , which proceedeth from cold causes , of which we haue spoken very sufficiently before : it also proceedeth sometimes from ouerheauy burthens ▪ that be laid vpon a horses shoulders ; or by ouer-much drying vp of the sinewes of the necke . the cure whereof , according to the opinion of the ancient farriers , is , first to thrust a sharp hot iron through the flesh of the necke in fiue seueral places , euery one distant from the otther three inches , ( but in any case beware of touching any sinew : ) then rowell all the aforesaid places either with horse haire , flaxe or hempe , for the space of fifteene daies , and annoint the rowels with hogs grease , and the necke will soone be restored . others vse if the cricke causeth the horse to hold his head straight forward , which sheweth that both sides are equally perplexed , to take a hot drawing iron , & draw the horse from the root of the eare , on both sides the necke , through the midst of the same , euen downe the breast , a straw deepe , so as both ends may meete on the breast : then make a hole through the skin of the forehead , hard vnder the foretop , & thrust in a cornet vpward betwixt the skin and the flesh , a handfull deepe : then either put in a goose feather doubled in the midst , and annointed with hogs grease : or else a rowell of either horne or leather with a hole in the midst : any of which will keep the hole open , to the intent the matter may issue forth : and this you shall keepe open the space of ten daies ; but euery day during that time the hole must be● cleansed once , and the feather or rowell also cleansed , and fresh annointed , and put in againe ; and once a day let him stand vpon the bit an houre or two , or else be ridden abroade two or three miles , by such an one as will beare the horses head , and make him bring it in ; but if the cricke be such that it maketh the horse to hold his head awry vpon the one side , which sheweth that but one side of the neeke is troubled , then you shall not drawe the horse with an hote iron , on both the sides of the necke , but onely on the contrary side , as thus : if hee bend his head towardes the right side , then to drawe him , as is aforesaid , onely on the left side , and to vse the rest of the cure as is abouesaid , and if necessity do require , you may splent the horses necke also straight strong with splents of wood . i haue cured this cricke in the neck only by bathing the horses neck in the oile of peeter very hot , and then rolling it all vp in wet hay , or rotten litter , and keeping the horse exceeding warme , without vsing any burning , wounding , or other violence . chap. . of wennes in the necke . a wenne is a certaine bunch or kirnell vpon the skinne , like a tumor or swelling ; the inside whereof is sometimes hard like a gristell , and spongious like a skinne full of soft warts ; and sometimes yellow like vnto rusted bacon , with some white graines among . now of wennes some are great and some be small , also some are very painfull and some not painfull at all . they proceede as some imagine , of naughty grosse flegmaticke humours , binding together in some sicke part of the body . and others say they proceed from taking of cold , or from drinking of waters that be most extreme cold ; but i say , that albeit they may proceed from these causes , yet most generally they proceed frō some pinching , bruising , biting , ripping , or galling either of girthes , halter , coller , or any other thing whatsoeuer . the cure thereof is this : take of mallowes , sage , and redde nettles , of each one handfull ; boile them in running water , and put thereunto a little butter and hony ; and when the hearbes be soft , take them out , and all to bruise them , and put thereunto of oyle de bay two ounces , and of hogges grease two ounces ; and warme them together ouer the fire , mixing them well together : that done , plaister it vpon a peece of leather , so bigge as the wenne , and lay it to so hot as the horse can endure it , renewing it euery day in such sort the space of eight dayes ; and if you perceiue it will come to no head , then lance it from the midst of the wenne downeward , so deep that the matter in the bottome may be discouered & let out : which done , heale it vp with this salue : take of turpentine a quarterne , and wash it nine times in faire water , then put thereunto the yolke of an egge , and a little english saffron beaten into powder , and make a taint or rolle of flaxe , and dip it in that ointment , and lay it vnto the soare , renewing the same euery day once vntill the wenne be cured . others vse in this case , with a hot iron to burne and seare away all the superfluous flesh , & then to heale vp the soare either with the ointment last rehearsed , or else with the powder of hony and lime mixt together ; and this manner of cure is by much the speedier . chap. . of swelling in the necke after bloud-letting . the swelling of a horses necke after bloud-letting may come through diuers occasions , as namely by striking through the veine , so as some of the bloud being gotten betwixt the flesh and the veine , it there corrodeth and turneth to an impostume ; or else by striking the veine with a rusty fleame , whereby the veine rankleth ; or by some cold winde striking suddenly into the hole : or lastly by suffering the horse too soone to thrust downe his head , & graze or feed , whereby humours resorting to that place , breedes a great impostumation . the cure is according to the opinion of some farriers , to take hemlocke and stampe it , and then to mingle it with sheepes dung , and vinegar , and so making a plaister thereof , to lay it to the swelling , renewing it once a day vntill it be whole . other farriers vse first to annoint the place with the oyle of camomill warmed , and then to lay vpon it a little hay , wet in cold water , and binde it about with a cloath , renewing it euery day the space of a weeke , to see whether it will grow to a head , or else vanish away : if it grow to a head , you may then lance it , and thrust out the matter : then heale it vp by tainting it with flaxe dipt in turpentine and hogges grease molten together , dressing it so once a day vntill it bee whole . chap. . how to stanch bloud . if your horse either by wound or other accident , or by the ignorance of any vnskilfull farrier that letteth him bloud when the signe is in that place , bleed so exceedingly that he will not be staunched , you shall then according to the opinion of the old farriers , lay vnto the wound a little new horse dung , tempered with chalke and strong vinegar , and not to remoue it from thence the space of three dayes ; or else to lay vnto it burnt silke , burnt felt , or burnt cloath , any of which will stanch bloud . others vse to powre into the wound , the iuice of coriander , or else to let the horse chew in his mouth the leaues of periwinkle . others vse to take of bruised nettles , and lay them to the wound : or else wilde tansey bruised , or hot hogs dung . others vse to take bruised sage , & lay it to the wound : or else the coame about the smithes forge : or else a sodde of earth , or bruised hyssope , or the soft croppes of hawthorne bruised : or else to take the quantity of two ounces of the horses bloud , and boyle it till it come to a powder , and then put that powder into the wound ; but when all these faile , as in some extremities i haue found them do , then for your onely refuge , you shall take the soft downe either of a hares skinne , or of a conies skinne , and stoppe the wound well therewith , holding it hard to with your hand till the bloud stanch ; and if it bee any grieuous soare wound , then as soone as the bloud is stayed , spread a plaister of bole-armonicke and vinegar mixt together ouer the wound . chap. . of the falling of the crest . the falling of a horses crest , is when the vpper part of a horses necke which is called the crest , leaneth either to the one or the other side , and will not stand vpright as it ought to do . it proceedeth most commonly from pouerty and hard keeping , and especially when a fat horse falleth away suddenly vpon any inward sicknesse . the cure ( according to the oldest farriers ) is first to drawe his crest a full strawe breadth deepe on the contrary side with a hot iron , the edge of which iron would be halfe an inch broad , and make both your beginning and ending somewhat beyond the fall , so as the first draught may go all the way hard vpon the edge of the maine , close by the rootes of the same , bearing your hand right downeward into the neckeward : then answer that with an other draught beneath , and so farre distant from the first as the fall is broade , compassing , as it were , all the fall ; but still on the contrary side , & betwixt those . draughts , right in the midst , draw a third draught : then with an iron button of almost an inch about , burne at each end a hole ; & also in the spaces betwixt the draughts , make diuers holes , distant three fingers one from another , as this figure doth plainely shewe you . that done , to kill the fire , annoint it euery day once with fresh butter for a weeke or more : then take of mallowes , and of sage , of each one handfull ; boile them well in running water , and wash the burning away till it be raw flesh , and then dry it vp with the powder of hony and lime . other farriers vse for this infirmity , first to cast the horse vpon some soft dung-hill , or other easie place , and with a long knife to cut away the flesh on the hanging or vnder side of the crest , euen from the fore-end thereof to the hinder end , sixe inches broad , and two inches thicke , or somewhat more in the middle thereof where it is thickest : then groping the crest with your hands , to pare the thickest part thereof , till it come all to one thinnesse ; then holding the horse still fast bound , to couer all the place with great handfuls of swines dung prepared for the purpose , and held to the sore place an houre together , til the bloud be stanched : then let the horse arise , and leade him into the stable , tying him in such sort , that he may neither rub his necke nor lye downe : then the next morning take good store of burnt allome beaten to powder , and strew it all ouer the soare place , and so let him stand for two daies after without any stirring , lest the wound should bleed againe : then at the end of those two daies you shall bathe the soare gently with a fine linnen cloath , dipt in warme vrine ; and then drying the soare , againe throw more burnt allome vpon it ; and after annoint all about the out side of the edges of the soare with vnguentum album camphiratum , more then an inch broad : thus you shall dresse him euery day once on that side of the crest which did fall : then for the contrary side you shall draw his maine thereon , and plat it in many plats : which done , you shall to those plats with thongs of leather fasten a cudgell of a foote and a halfe long : then to the midst of that cudgell , you shall hang a peece of lead with a hole in it , of such weight as will poise the crest vp euen , and hold it in his right place : then shall you draw his crest on that side the weight hangs with a hot drawing iron , euen from the toppe of the crest , downe to the point of the shoulder , making diuers stroakes , one an inch and an halfe from another : then shall you lay vpon the burnt places , a plaister of pitch , tarre , and rosen , molten together , and so let the weight hang till all the soare places be healed , and there is no question but the crest will stand both vpright and strongly . chap. . of manginesse in the maine . the manginesse which is in the maine of a horse , and maketh him shed his haire , proceedeth either from the ranknesse of bloud , pouerty or lowsinesse ; or else of rubbing where a mangie horse hath rubbed , or else of filthy fretting dust lying in the maine for want of good dressing . the signes are the apparant rubbing and itching of the horse about the maine and necke , and the scabbes fretting both the flesh & skin , besides the shedding and falling away of the haire . the cure ( according to the opinion of some of our old farriers ) is , first let him bloud on the neck veine , and cut away all the haire from the scabs ; then with a hot iron as bigge as a mans finger , seare all the soare place euen from the one end to the other : then annoint all the place you so burnt with blacke sope , and now and then wash it with strong lee and blacke sope mixt together . other farriers for this manginesse onely take of fresh grease one pound , of quicksiluer halfe an ounce , of brimstone one ounce , of rape oile halfe a pint , mingle them together , and stirre them continually in a pot with a slice , vntill the quicksiluer be so wrought with the rest , as you shall perceiue no quicksiluer therein : that done , take a blunt knife , or an old horse-combe , and scratch all the mangy places therewith vntill it be raw and bloudy , and then annoint it with this ointment in the sunne-shine , if it may be , to the intent the ointment may sinke in , or else hold before it either a hot fire pan , or a hot barre of iron , to make the ointment melt into the flesh , and if you see that within three daies after thus once annointing him he leaue not rubbing , then marke in what place he rubbeth , and dresse that place againe , and questionlesse it will serue . chap. . of the shedding of the haire in the maine . haire , for the most part , sheddeth or falleth from the maine of a horse by reason of certaine little wormes which eate and fret the rootes of the haire asunder . the cure whereof is first to annoint the maine and crest with blacke sope , and then to make a strong lye either of running water and ashe ashes , or else of vrine and ashe ashes , and with that to wash the main● all ouer and it will helpe him . chap. . of paine and griefe in a horses withers . both to a horses withers , and also to his backe , do happen many infirmities and sorrances , some proceeding from inward causes , as of the corruption of humors , and sometime of outward causes , as through the galling , pinching , and wringing of some naughty saddle , or some heauy burthen layed on the horses backe , or such like ; and of these griefes some be small , and some be great : the small are onely superficiall blisters , swellinges , light galles , or bruisings , and are easily cured ; but the great are those which pierce to the very bone , and be most dangerous , especially if they be nigh to the backe bone . then to speake first of the smaller gallings , whensoeuer you shall see any swelling to arise , either about your horses withers , or any other part of his backe , the cure is ( according to the opinion of some of the old farriers ) first if the place be much swolne and festered , then to pierce it with a sharpe hot iron in many parts on both sides of the necke , & then put into the same , tents of linnen cloath , dipt in warme sallet oile ; and then after to dry and heale it vp with the pouder of hony and lime mixt together . others vse to take butter and salt , and to boile them together vntill they be blacke , then to powre it hot on the swelling ; & then to take a flake of warme horse-dung , and lay it on the soare backe vntill it be whole , dressing it once a day . others ( especially the best of the ancient farriers ) vse as soone as they see any swelling to arise , to binde vnto it a little hot horse-dung , to see if that wil asswage it ; which it will not , then to pricke it round about the swelling with a fleame , knife , or lancet , yet not too deepe , but so as it may pierce the skinne , and make the bloud issue forth : that done , take of mallowes , or smallage , two or three handfuls , and boile them in running water vntill they be so soft as pappe : then straine the water softly from it , and bruise the hearbs in a traine dish , putting thereunto a little hogges grease or else sallet oyle , or sheepes sewet , or any other fresh grease ; boyle them and stirre them together , not frying them hard , but so as they may be soft and supple ; and then with a clout lay it warme vpon the soare , renewing it euery day once vntill the swelling be gone : for it will either driue it away or bring it vnto a head , which lightly chanceth not in these small swellings , except some gristell or bone be perished . others of the ancient farriers vse when they see any swelling to arise about a horses backe , first to shaue the place with a razor ; and then to lay thereunto this plaister : take a little wheate flowre , and the white of an egge beaten together , and spread it on a linnen clout , which being laied vnto the swelling two or three daies , and not remoued , will bring it to a head ; & when you come to take it off , pull it away so softly as you can possibly ; and where as you see the corruption gathered together , then in the lowest place thereof , pierce it vpward with a sharpe iron somewhat hot , that the corruption may come out ; and annoint the soare place euery day once with fresh butter or hogs grease vntill it be whole . others of our latter farriers vse when they see any swelling , onely to lay wet hay vnto it : for that will either driue it away , or bring it vnto a head ; and then when it is broken you shall lay vpon it a plaister of wine lees , renewing it as often as it growes dry ; and if your lees be too thinne , you may thicken them with wheate flowre : or if you like not this medicine , then you may make a plaister of thicke barme , as great as the soare , and renew it once a day vntill the swelling be asswaged , but if you see that any corruption be knit together , then you shall lance it in the neathermost part , and let out the matter : then wash the soare either with vrine , ale , or beere , made scalding hot ; then dry vp all the moisture from the soare , either with a linnen cloath or with a sponge : then couer all the soare ouer with burnt allome beaten to powder : and thus dresse the horse once a day vntill the flesh be growne vp so high as you would haue it ; then shal you dresse the soare but once in two or three dayes . but if you see it skinneth but slowly , then may you annoint the edge of the soare al about after it hath bene washed as aforesaid , with vnguentum album , for that will make the skinne to come fast ; but if you do perceiue that by dressing it thus seldome , there doth beginne any proud flesh to grow , then shall you take a dram of mercury , and mingle it with an ounce of vnguentum album , and annoint all the soare place therewith , once in two daies , this will correct the proud flesh , and cause it to skin and heale suddenly . others vse for the abating of these swellings , to boile mallows in the grounds of ale , & to clap it hot to the swelling : then if the swelling do breake , then wash it with pisse , and powre hot molten butter vpon it . others vse to shaue away the haire , and then to lay very hot vnto it , a handful of leekes stampt & mixt with boares grease ; or else to take a turfe of earth burnt red , and layed to as hot as the horse can suffer it . other farriers vse to take nettles beaten to peeces , and mixt with hot vrine , and so lay it on hot , and then set on the saddle : and then if after two or three daies dressing , the swelling breake , then looke if there be any dead flesh within the soare , and either eate or cut it out : then take a pound of fresh grease , and a pound of sallet oyle , three ounces of white waxe , one ounce of turpentine , and three drams of verdigrease ; melt all these together , and taint the soare therewith till it be whole : for this wil both eate away the ill flesh and incarnate good . others take greene cole-worts , and stampe them with swines grease , and then lay it plaister-wise on the soare , and it will asswage it , especially if you ride the horse a little , to make the medicine enter in . now if there be no great swelling , but onely the skinne chafed off , then you shall wash the place with water and salt , or else with warme wine and sprinkle vpon it the powder of hony and lime ; or else the powder of myrre , or the powder of burnt silke , or felt , or cloath , or of any old poast . other farriers vse when onely the skinne is gald off , to take a spoonefull of thicke creame , and to put as much chimney soote vnto it as will make it like an ointment , and then to lay it vpon the sore , and questionlesse it will skinne it presently . chap. . of any gold backe , or withers , how great soeuer the swelling or inflammation be . if the swelling , pince , wringing or gall , either vpon the withers or any parte of the backe of a horse , be extraordinary great and much inflamed , so that there is no apparant hope that it can be got away , without much apostumation , then the cure according to the opinion of the ancientest farriers , is , to take barme , and mixe it with so much soote of a chimney , and make it so thicke therewith , that it shall seeme like tarre : and with that make a plaister , and lay it to the sore place , renewing it twise a day , and it will both draw and heale it . other● vse , to take a handfull of bay salt , a handful of great and small oatemeale , and put a quantity of old stale thereto , and stirre them altogether , and temper it like pappe or past , and then make round bals thereof ; then throw them into a fire , and make them red hot , then take them forth and beat them to fine powder ; and then strow of that powder all ouer the sore , so oft as you shall see any part thereof bare , and it will heale it . other farriers vse if they see the swelling to be any thing great , first to draw round about the swelling with a hot yron , and then crosse him with the same yron , in manner of this figure : then take a round hot yron , hauing a sharpe point , and thrust it into the swelling place on each side vpward , towards the point of the withers , or toppe of the backe , to the entent that the matter may issue downewards at both the holes ; that done , taint both the holes , first with a taint dipt in hogges grease to kill the fire , and also annoint all the burnt places therewith , continuing so to do vntil the swelling be asswaged , renewing the tent euery day once , vntill the fiery matter be fallen away : then tent him againe with washed turpentine , mingled with yelks of egges and saffron , renewing the tent euery day once vntill it be whole . but if for all this the swelling do not goe away , then it is a signe of some inward inpostumation , and then it shall be good that you launce it , and let out the corruption ▪ then take of hony halfe a pint , of verdigrease two ounces , beaten to powder , and mixe it together with the hony ; then boile them in a pot vntill they looke redde , then being luke warme , make either a tent or a plaister , according as the wound shall require , renewing the same euery day once vntill it be whole . but the sore may be so vehement that for lacke of looking to in time , if it be on the withers , it will pierce downewards betwixt both the shoulders euen into the body , which is most dangerous , and mortall ; therefore whensoeuer you shall feare any such hollownes , you shall tent the hole with the salue last mentioned , and thrust after it a good peece of dry sponge , as well to keepe the hole open as also to sucke out the corruption , and this you shall renew once a day vntill the sore be whole . others of our latter farriers vse to take butter , vinigar , and bay salt , and melting them together lay it to the sore warme vntill it breake , then strow vpon it either soote or the powder of a clay wall ; but if it be much festered ●●●● weight or knobs lying directly behind the saddle : of all bruisings on the backe , it is the most vilde and dangerous , and you shall perceiue it by puffed vp and spungie flesh looking like old rotten lights about the mouth of the sore . the cure therefore is according to some of the ancients farriers , first to cut away all the dead or proud flesh euen to the bone , then burne a hole foure inches lower then the nauell gall , and put a rowell of horse haire through it ; then take the powder of oyster shels or of an old shooe sole burnt , and strow it on the sore , and euer as it waxeth moist put on more powder . others for the nauell gall take the white of an egge , wheate flowre , hony , mustard , and sope , of each like quantity , and mixing them together make a plaister thereof ; and after the dead flesh is taken out , and the sore washt with ale , butter & vrine , then lay on the plaister : & if the proud flesh beginne to grow againe , then the powder of an old burnt shooe , or nerue oile , or verdigrease will kill it , and the powder of oyster shels will skinne it . other of the ancient farriers vse , after they haue cut out all the rotten and dead flesh , to take the white of an egge and salte beaten together , and lay that plaister wise to the sore vpon a little toaw , renewing it once a daie the space of two daies , then take of hony a quarterne of a pinte , and of verdigrease one ounce beat into powder , and boile them together in a pot , stirring it still vntill it looke red , and being luke warme make a plaister with toaw , and clap it to the wound , washing and clensing well the wound , first with a litle warme vinigar or white wine , continuing so to do once a day vntill it beginne to heale and to skinne ; then dry it vp by sprinckling thereon this powder following . take of hony a quarterne , and as much of sleckt lime as will thicken the hony and make it like past , and in a fire-pan ouer the fire , stirre it still vntill it be hard baked , so as it may be beaten into powder ; but euer before you throw on the powder , wash the wound first with warme vinegar , continuing so to do vntill it be perfectly skinned . others vse , to heale this gall by laying on the sore , a plaister of chimney soote and barme mixt together , or else to mixe nettle seeds and sallet oile together , and annoint the sore therewith . others vse onely to wash the sore with warme water , and then annoint the place with fresh grease and salt mixt together ; or else to take of bettony , powder of brimstone , ellibor , pitch , and old grease , of each like quantity , and stampe them together , and when you haue washed the sore with chamber lie , then annoint it with this ointment , vntill it be whole . chap. . of the swaying of the backe . a horse is said to be swaied in the backe , when either by too great a burthen , or by some slippe , straine , or ouer hasty and straight turning , he hath taken an extreme wrinch in the lower part of his backe below his short ribs , and directly betweene his fillets : the signes whereof , are a continuall reeling and rowling of the horses hinder parts in his going , and also he will folter many times , and sway sometimes backewards , and sometimes sidelong and be ready to fall euen to the ground ; besides , the horse being laid will with great difficulty rise vp againe . the cure , according to the opinion of the old italian farriers , is , to take of the fat of the fruit of the pine tree , two ounces , of olibanum three ounces , or rozen foure ounces , of pitch foure ounces , of bole-armonicke one ounce , and of sanguis draconis halfe an ounce ; incorporate all these well together , and lay it plaister wise all ouer the reines of the horses backe , not taking it by any means away till it fall of . others of our owne farriers , vse first to couer the horses backe with a sheeps skinne , coming hot from the sheepes backe , laying the fleshy side next to his backe , and then lay a warme houssing cloath vpon the same , to keepe his backe as hot as may be , and so let it continue vntill it begin to smell ; then take the old skinne away , and apply a new vnto it , continuing so to do the space of three weekes , and if he amend not with this , then draw his backe with a hot yron , right out on both sides of the ridge of his backe , from the pitch of the buttocke , vnto a handful within the saddle : and then againe ouerthwart according to this figur , & let euery line be an inch one from another ; neither let the stroak be deep , & burned no more then that euery one may looke yellow ; then lay vpon the burning this charge or plaister . take of pitch one pound , of rozen halfe a pound , of bole-armonicke halfe a pound , made into powder , and halfe a pint of tarre , and boile all these together in a pot , and stirre it vntill euery thing be molten , and throughly mingled together , then being luke warme daube all the burning therewith very thicke , and thereupon clap as many flockes of the horses collor as you can make to abide on , and remoue it not before it fall away of it selfe ; and if it be in sommer you may turne the horse to grasse . chap. . of speciall weaknesse in the backe . according to the opinion of our oldest farriers ( though my selfe haue taken little notice of the infirmitie ) there is an other kind of weakenesse belonging to a horses backe , which they call the fretting or biting of the reines , which doth proceed from abundance of humors resorting to that place , whereby all the hinder parts of the horse doe l●●se their feeling and strength , and the horse falleth downe to the ground ; yea and such humors many times resorting to the hart doe suffocate the same , and in two or three howres do cause the horse to die . the cure according to their opini●n is , first to let the h●●se bloud aboundantly in the necke veine and to draw his backe with a hot yron , in such sort as is declared in the last chapter , and then to make him swim a p●ety while in some riuer ; then rowell him vpon the haunches neare vnto the huckell bones and then to annoint the sore place , with hogges grease and three leaued grasse stamped together , vntill he be whole . chap. . of the swelling of the coddes or stones . this kind of swelling or inflammation of the cods cometh either by some wound receiued , or by the stinging or else biting of some venemous beast , or else by some great straine , either in running or leaping , or by the biting of one horse with an other . the cure is , according to the opinion of the most ancient italian farriers is , first to bathe the cod with water , wherein hath bene sodden the rootes of wilde cowcumbers and salt , and then to annoint it with an ointment made of oile , goats grease , and the white of an egge ; or else to bathe the cod in warme water , nitrum , and vinegar mingled together , and also to be annointed with an ointment made of chaulke , or of potters earth , oxe dung , commin , water , and vinegar mingled together ; or else to be annointed with the iuice of the hearb called nightshade , or with the iuice of hemlocke , which growes on dunghils ; and if need require , to let him bloud on the flanck veines . but out later farriers , who hold that this disease cometh oftest after some sicknesse , or surfait with cold , being a signe of amendment from that sicknesse , doe cure it in this sort ; take of beane flowre , wheat meale , commin , and hogges grease , of each like quantity , and making a plaister thereof , spread it all ouer the horses cods and stones . others boile groundsell in wine and vinegar , and so bathe the horses coddes therewith ; or else take a quarte of good ale-worte , and set it on the fire , with the crummes of browne bread strongly leauened , and better then a handfull of commin made in powder ; then with beane flower make a plaister of them all , and apply it to the griefe , as hot as it can be suffered ; or if this helpe not , take cowes dung and seeth it in milke , and lay it vpon the swelling as hot as may be , and it will asswage it . but if this inflammation proceed from rancknes of seed , which you shall perceiue by the moist sliminesse of his yard , then you shall first make him couer a mare , then keepe him without prouendar , and let him bloud aboue the great veine , which is betweene his hips , & lay thereto hard egges , beaten in his owne dung , and make a plaister of the same and lay it to his coddes , and once a day wash his coddes with cold water . others vse to let the horse bloud in his flancke veines , and then take of oile of roses , and of vinegar of each halfe a pinte , of bole armonick halfe a quarterne beaten to powder ; mixe them together in a cruse , and being luke warme annoint the cods therewith , with , two or three feathers bound together ; and the next day ride him into the water , so as his coddes may be within the water , giuing him a turne or two therein , and so returne faire and softly home vnto the stable ; and when the horse is dry annoint him againe as before , and doe thus euery day vntill the horse be whole . now there be other farriers which hold that this disease may come by meanes of euill humors and corrupt bloud , which resort vnto the cods , and then the cure is to couer all the coddes ouer , with a charge made of bole-armoniacke and vinegar wrought together , renewing it euery day once vntill the swelling goe away , or that it breake of it selfe , and if it breake , then to taint it with mel rosatum , and make him a breech of canuas to keepe it in , renewing the tent euery day once vntill it be whole . chap. . of incording , or bursting , or the rupture in horses . this rupture , or as our old farriers call it , this incording or burstinesse in horses , is when the rim or thinne filme which holdeth the guts vp in a horses body is broken , so that the guts falleth downe either into the cods of the horse , or into the horses flancke , as i haue seene diuers : now this burstnesse cometh either by some stripe or blow of another horse , or else by some straine in leaping ouer a hedge or ditch , or by teaching a horse to bound when he is too young , or when a horse goreth himselfe vpon some pole or stake , or by forcing a horse when he is full to runne beyound his strength , or by stopping a horse too suddain●ly vpon naughty ground , whereby the stradling and slipping of his hinder feete , may stretch or teare his rim : the signes to know this sorrance before it be apparant to the ●ie are , the horse will forsake his meat and stand shoaring and leaning alwaies on that side that he is hurt , and on that side if you search with your hand , betwixt the stone and the thigh , vpward to the body , and somewhat aboue the stone , you shall finde the gut it selfe bigge and hard in the feeling ; whereas on the other side you shal find no such thing . now for the cure , although for mine owne parte i both doe and shall euer hold it incurable as long as a horse is a beast without reason , yet for your satisfaction i will not stick to repeat what the best farriers and my selfe haue practiced , in as much as it worketh much good though no absolute cure . the cure then is to bring the horse into some house or place which hath ouer head a strong baulke or beame going ouerthwart and strow that place thicke with straw , then put on foure strong pasternes with foure ringes on his feet , and fasten one end of a long rope to one of those rings , then thred al the other rings with the loose end of the rope , and so draw all his foure feet together & cast him on the straw ; that done , cast the rope ouer the baulke , and hoist the horse so as he may lie flat on his backe , with his legges vpward without strugling ; then bathe his stones well with warme water and butter molten together , and the stones being somewhat warme and well mollified , raise them vp from the body with both your hands , being closed by the fingers close together , and holding the stones in your hands in such manner , worke downe the gut into the body of the horse , by striking it downewards continually with your two thumbs , one labouring immediatly after another , vntill you perceiue that side of the stone to be so small as the other ; and so hauing returned the gut into his right place , take a list of two fingers broad , throughly annointed with fresh butter , and tie his stones both together with the same so nigh the body as may be , yet not ouer hard , but so as you may put your fingar betwixt ; that done , take the horse quietly downe , and leade him gently into the stable , where he must stand warme , and not be stirred for the space of weeks : but forget not the next day after you haue placed his gut in his true place , to vnloosen the list & to take it away , & as wel at that time , as euery day once or twice after , to cast a dish or of cold water vp into his cods , and that will make him to shrincke vp his stones , and thereby restraine the gut from falling downe ; and at the three weekes end to make your cure so much the suerer , it were not amisse to geld the stone on that side away , so shall he hardly be bursten againe on that side ; and during the cure let him not eate much nor drinke much , and let his drinke be alwaies warme . chap. . of the botch in the groines of a horse . it is the opinion of all the best horse-leaches , that if a grosse horse which is full of humors be sodainely and violently laboured , that then the humors will resort into the weakest parts , and there gather together and breed a botch , and specialle in the hinder parts betwixt the the thighes , not farre from the coddes . the signes ar● , the hinder legges will be all swolne & specially from the cambrels or houghs vpward , and if you feele with your hand you shal find a great knob or swelling , and if it be round and hard it will gather to a head ; the cure according to the generall practise is , first to ripe it with this plaister , take of wheat flower , of turpentine , and of hony , of each like quantity , stirring it together to make a stiffe plaister : and with a cloth lay it to the sore , renewing it euery day once vntill it breake or waxe soft ; and then launce it , so as the matter may runne downeward , then taint it with turpentine , and hogges grease molten together , renewing it euery day once vntill it be whole . chap. . of the itch , scab , or manginesse in the taile , or generall falling of the haire . horses through the corruption of bloud or the fulnesse of rancke feeding , or through ouer heating and labouring , or by the infection of other horses , do many times get the generall scab , itch , or manginesse in the taile ; and sometimes in the spring time horses are troubled with the truncheon wormes in their fundament , which will make them rub their tailes , & fret the haire , yet are free both from mange and scurfe ; wherfore if then you only rake the horse with your hand annointed with sope , and pull out the wormes , you shall cause the horse to leaue his rubbing ; but if you perceiue the haire to shed and fall from the taile , through some small wormes that growes at the rootes of the haire , or through some little fretting scurfe , then you shall annoint all the taile with sope euen to the ground , and then wash it with very strong lye after , and that will both kill the wormes , and scoure out the scurfe ; but if much of the taile be fallen away , then you shall keepe the taile continually wet , with a sponge dipt in faire water , and that wil make the haire to grow very fast . now if in the horses taile shall grow any canker , which will consume both the flesh and bone , and make the ioints to fall away one by one , then you shall wash all his taile with aqua fortis or strong water made in this sort . take of greene copporas and of allome , of each one pound , of white copporas a quarterne , boile all these together in three quarts of running water , in a very strong earthen pot vntill the one halfe be consumed ; and then with a little of this water being made luke warme , wash his taile with a little clout , or flaxe bound to the end of a sticke , continuing so to do euery day once , vntill it be whole . but if as i said before , through the corruption of bloud , foode , or labour , this scabbe , itch , or manginesse , spread vniuersally into many parts of the taile , you shall then likewise wash it with the same strong water , vntill it be whole . chap. . of the generall scab , mainginesse or leprosie , ouer the whole body . the generall manginesse or leprosie , which runneth all ouer the horses body , is a cankred filthy scurfe which couereth the same , proceeding from abundance of melancholy corrupt bloud , ingendred by infection or vnwholsome food , or else by indiscreet labour . the signes whereof are , the horse will bee all mangie , and couered ouer with a white filthy scurfe , full of scabs , and raw plots about the necke & flankes , and euill fauored to looke on , and rubbing , scratching and biting , of all diseases there is none more infectious , nor will more certainely kil a horse if it be not preuented . now the cure according to the opinion of the ancientest farriers , is , first to let the horse bloud in the one side of the necke veine , and within two daies after on the other side of the necke , and within two daies after that , in the flancke veines , and last of all in the veine vnder the taile ; then wash all the sore places with salt brine , & rubbing them hard with a wispe of straw hard twisted , so as they may bleed well and be all raw ; that done , annoint the places with this ointment , take of quicksiluer one ounce , of hogs grease one pound , of brimstone beaten into powder a quarterne , of rape oile a pint , mingle these things wel together , vntill the quicksiluer be throughly incorporated with the rest , and hauing annointed all the raw places with this ointment , make it to sincke into the flesh , by holding and weauing vp and downe ouer it , a hot broad barre of yron , and then touch him no more againe the space of two or three daies , during which time , if you see that he rubbeth stil in any place , then rubbe that place againe with an old horse comb , to make it raw , and annoint it with fresh ointment . but if all this will not helpe , then with a hot yron round and blunt at the point , so bigge as a mans little finger , burne all the mangy places , making round holes , passing only through the skinne and no further ; for which intent it shall be needfull to pull the skinne first from the flesh with your left hand , holding it still vntill you haue thrust the hot yron through it , and let euery hole be a spanne one from another , and if need be , you may annoint those holes with a little sope , and let the horse be very thinne di●●ted , during this curing time . now for mine owne part , i doe vtterly dislike this burning , for it is a foule manner of cure , and breedeth much eie-sore in the horse , and therefore other of our latter farriers vse for this disease after they haue let the horse bloud in the necke veine , to take a good quantity of fresh grease , and mixe it well with the powder of chalke , then put thereto a good quantity of the powders of brimstone and ellecampany roots , and stirre them all well together ; then take a pretty quantity of quicksiluer , and kill it with your fasting spittle , or sallet oile , & mixe it with all the rest very well together , and so annoint all the sore places about the horse with this ointment . others vse to take of lampe oile , the fine powder of brimston , of black sope , of tarre , of hogs grease , and the soote of a chimney , of each a like quantity , & then mixe them all well together , by boiling them on the fire , and then annoint all the sore places therewith , as hot as the horse can suffer it , alwaies prouided that the horse be let bloud before you vse the ointment . others vse , after the horse is let bloud , to take of oile de bay a pound , and of quicksiluer one ounce , and mixing them together , neuer leaue stirring thereof , till the quicksiluer be kild , & incorporated with the oile ▪ then annoint all the sore places therewith , after you haue made them raw by rubbing them . other farriers vse first to let the horse bloud , then to wash all the sore places within two daies after , with water wherein yong broome , or the hearb of arsmanarck hath bin well sod in , and smally chopt , and mix● with a little soote ; and rubbe him well vntill the sore places bleed , then take a pound of blacke sope , a pottle of keene mustard , foure peniworth of brimstone made into powder , three peniworth of quicksiluer well killed with fresh grease , two peniworth of verdigrease , a quarter of a pint of grease ; stirre all these together in a vessell , till the grease and other things , be molten with labour and without fire , and therewithall annoint all the sore places , and with once annointing and twise washing , this will cure him . others vse if the horse be young , to let him bloud on both sides the necke , and then to cut the skin downe the middest of his forehead two fingars in length , then with a cornet open the skin an inch wide on both sides the slit , and put therein thinne slices of the greene roote of ellecampane or angelica , which is the better ; so let them remaine vnder the skinne till the matter rot , then crush it foorth after two or three daies , and in twelue daies the rootes will fall out as it healeth ; and this will cure the mange , prouided , that you annoint all the sore places with the powder of brimstone , verdigrease , and oile oliue , mixt vpon a fire very well together . others vse after bloud letting , to rowell the horse vnder the necke , that the euill humors may haue issue foorth , then to rubbe all his body ouer with an hard haire cloth or an old curry combe , vntill the horse bleedeth ; after that take of sulphur , salt , & tartar , of each a like quantity , beate them and temper them , with very strong vinegar and as much common oile , and therewith annoint all the sore places ; or else take very strong vinegar , the vrine of a boy vnder twelue yeares of age , and the iuice of hemlocke , mixe them together and wash the horse therewithall . other farriers vse after bloud letting , to annoint the horse with one of these ointments , the sore hauing bene before rubbed till it bleed , either with brimstone , oile , vinegar , salte , soote , swines dung , and vnsleckt lime , of each like quantity , well mixt and boild together , or else with brine water sod with nettles , or else with vinegar , allume and salte-niter boild together , or else wash the sore with beefe-broth ; then boile pepper beaten to powder , verdigrease , & cheruell in fresh grease , and annoint the horse all ouer therewith , holding a chaffing dish and coales or a hot barre of yron to his body , to make the ointment sinke in . lastly , and as good as any of the rest , after the horse hath bene let bloud , take an old curry combe , or a wooll card , and rub euery sore place about the horse till it bleed , then take of the oldest pisse you can get , a pottell , and of greene copporas three quarters of a pound ; mixe & stir them well together , then set them on the fire , and boile them a while ; then as hot as the horse can suffer it wash him with the same ; after his washing is a littell dryed , take of oile an ounce & an halfe , of quicksiluer ounces , of white elleborus one ounce , with a good quantity of swines grease , mingle all these well together , till no part of the quicksiluer can be seene , and then annoint the horse all therewith ; and if the first time doe not cure him , the second will most assuredly , prouided that during the time of cure you keepe the horse with a very thinne diet . chap. . how to know when a horse halteth before , in what part his griefe is . there is nothing more necessary for any mans vnderstanding that shall haue occasion at any time to vse a horse , especially for the skilfull farrier , then to know the reason why a horse halteth , and where the griefe remaineth , as well because those griefes lye most concealed , as also because our kingdome is so full of subtill vnconscionable horse-coursers , that they are carefull most to conceale that which may soonest cozen their neighbours ; you shall know then that no horse halteth before , but his griefe must be either in his shoulders , in his legges , or in his feete : if it be in his shoulders , it must either be on the toppe of the shoulder blades , which we call the withers , or at the bottome of the shoulder blade ioining to the marrowbone , which is the fore pitch of the breast , or in the elbow of the horse , which ioines the nether end of the marrowbone and the leg together . now for the general knowledge whether the griefe be in the shoulder or no , looke if the horse do not lift vp his leg , but traileth it vpon the ground , then it is in the shoulder , & is a new hurt : if he cast his leg more out in his going then the other , and that almost with an vnbended knee , then it is also in the shoulder , and it is an old hurt ; if you take him by the headstall of the bridle , and turne him as short as you can possible of both hands , if then you see him when he is turned on the lame side , to fauour his legge very much ( as he cannot chuse but doe ) then also his griefe is in his shoulder ; or if when a horse standeth in the stable , he stretcheth out his sore legge , and setteth it more forwarde then the other , it is partly a signe the griefe is in the shoulder , but not absolutely . now when you know generally that the griefe is in the shoulder , then you shall learne to know in what part of the shoulder , as thus ; if the horse halteth more when the rider is vpon his backe , then when he is off , then the griefe is on the top of the withers ; if when with your hand you gripe & handle him vpon the top of the shoulder blades you find that he shrinketh much , and offereth to bite at you ( not hauing had any gald backe before , for that may deceiue you ) then assuredly the griefe is on the withers . if the horse goeth bowing vnto the ground , and tread his steps very thicke , then it is a signe the griefe is in his brest , betweene the nether parte of the spade bone , and the vpper parte of the maribone ; and therefore if with your thumbe you presse him hard in that part , you shall see him shrinke , and be ready to fall downe . now if when you take his elbow in your hand betwixt your fingars , and your thumbe , and gripe it , the horse presently taketh his foote from the ground and lifts vp his legge , offering therewithall to bite at you , then the griefe is only in the elbow . now if the griefe whereof a horse halteth be in his leg , it is either in his knee , in his shanke , or else in the pastorne ioint : if it be either in his knee or pastorne ioynt , he will not ●ow them in his going like the other , but will goe very stifly vpon them ; if the griefe be in the shanke , then it is by meanes of some splent , screw , windgall , or such apparant griefe most apparant to be seene . now , if the griefe of his halting be in the foote , then it is either in the cronet , in the heele , in the toe , in the quarters , or in the sole of the foote ; if it be in the cronet , either the griefe will be apparant , the skinne being broken of swolne some manner of way , or else laying your hand vpon the cronet it will burne and glow exceedingly , & then he hath got some straine of the ioint within the hoofe ; if it be in the heele , as by ouer-reach , or otherwise , then it is to be seene , and he will tread altogether vpon the toe , if vpon any of the quarters , which is to be vnderstood from the midde hoofe to the heele , then going on the edge of a bancke or hilly ground , he will halte more then on the plaine ground , and by the horses comming towardes you , and going from you vpon such edge or bancke , you shall easily perceiue whether his griefe be in the inner quarter or the outward quarter ; also he may halt vpon his quarters by the pricking of a naile , & then you shal with a paire of pinsons●●ip the head of euery naile and his hooue together , and where he complaineth there draw the naile , and if the naile sincke , then there is his paine . if he halt in the toe , which is seldome or neuer seeme , then he will tread altogether vpon his heele ; if his griefe be in the sole of his foote , as by the treading vpon some naile or stubbe , or by surbaiting or such like , then he will halte all after one sort , vpon any ground , vnlesse it be vpon the stones , and then he will halte the most . now to be sure in what parte of the foote the griefe is ; it shall be good , first to make him goe vpon the plaine ground , and then vpon a hard & stony ground , and after vpon a bancky ground , and by taking carefull notes , and carefully handling him , you shall easily seee of what member he halteth . chap. . of halting behind , and where the griefe is . if a horse halte behind , his griefe of necessity must either be in his hippe ( of some called the huckle bone ) or in the stifle , in the hough , in the hamme , in the legge , in the neather ioint , in the pastorne , or in the foote . if he halte in the hip of any new hurt , the horse wil goe side-long , and not follow so well with that legge as with the other , neither will he be able to turne vpon that side without much fauouring of his legge ; but if it be any old hurte , then the sore hippe will shrinke and be lower then the other , and it is best seene when he goeth vp a hill , or vpon the edge of some bancke , so as the worst legge may goe on the higher side , for then he will halte so much the more , because it is painefull vnto him to goe so vneuenly wrinching his legge ; if the griefe be in the stiflle , then the horse in his going will cast the stiflle ioint outward , and the bone on the inside will be farre bigger then the other , neither can he any more then touch the ground with his toe ; if his griefe be in the hough , then it is by meanes of some spauen , which is apparant both to be seene and felt , or else of some straine or blow : and then the swelling will appeare , and the like is to be said of the hamme , wherein may be seene the sellander or such like apparant sorrance causing the horse to halte ; if the griefe be either in the legge , pastorne , or foote , you shall find it by such signes as haue bene taught you in the former chapter . chap. . how to know if a horse haue any hidden griefe in him , that may make him to halte , when he commeth to trauel , and whence it proceeds . now for as much as there be some horses which through long rest & running at grasse , will weare out the worst of their grieues , so that when they come to be but gently ridden they will couer their halting , and through a naturall awe they beare vnto the man will whilst he is on their backes , goe as if they were as sound as might be , yet be truly , of themselues very vnperfect ; in this case both to keepe your selfe from cosening , and to discouer the most hidden infirmitie , you shall first take the horse out of the stable in a long string , and causing one to runne him in his hand , at the length of the halter , marke how he sets downe his legges , for if any be imperfect , then that he will fauour ; but if at first he goe vpright , and fauour no leg , then take his backe and ride him a while roundly vp and downe a rode , then light from his backe , and let him stand still an howre , then as before let him be run in a mans hand , at the halters length , without any man on his backe ; and beleeue it as a most certaine rule , if he haue the least griefe that may be , he wil then shew it , and fauour that limbe which is pained ; for by this rule only are many bad horse-coursers discouered . now to know whereof these griefes proceed , you shall vnderstand that if the griefe proceede of a hot cause , then the horse halteth most when he trauelleth or is chaft . but if it proceed from cold causes , then he halteth most when he is cold , and least when he is hot and much trauellled . chap. . of the griefe and pinching in the shoulder . the griefe or pinching of the shoulder , commeth either by labouring and straming the horse too young , or by the cariage of too great burthens . it is to be knowne by the narrownesse of the breast , and by the consumption of the flesh of the shoulders , in so much that the sore parte of the shoulder bone , will sticke out and be much higher then the flesh , & if it be of any long continuance , he will be very hollow vpon the bysket towards the fore-boothes , and he will goe wider beneath at the feete then at the knees . the cure thereof according to the opinion of some farriers , is , to make a slit of an inch long , with a sharpe knife , vpon both sides , an inch vnder the shoulder bone , and blowing the skinne well from the flesh , with a swans quill , both of the one and the other shoulder , euen vp to the toppe of the withers , and stroaking the wind vp equally with your hand into both the shoulders , and then when they are full , sticke the windy places with a hasell sticke ouer all the shoulder ; then loosening the skinne from the flesh againe , rowel both the slits , either with tampins of horse haire , or with round peeces of vpper leather of an old shoe , with an hole in the midst , for the matter to issue foorth at , and let the tampins be at least two handfuls longin the skinne , and the round rowell at least three inches broad , and beeing so put as they may lie plaine and flat within the cut , then once a day you shall turne the rowels in the skinne , & thrust out the matter ; but if the hole grow so straight that the matter cannot easily come out , with a sharpe knife you shall enlarge it ▪ then put a paire of pasterns on his forelegs , and so let him stand fifteene daies , at the end whereof walke him abroad , and try how he goeth , and if he do not goe to your liking , then continue him in the same manner other fifteene daies , and he will goe sound . but our best farriers vse , after they haue rowelled the horse , as is aforesaid , then to lay this charge or plaister all ouer his withers , shoulders , and breast . take of pitch & of rozen , of each a pound , of tarre halfe a pint , boile all these together in a pot , & when it is somwhat cooled , take a sticke with a woollen cloath bound to the end of it , and dippe it into the charge and couer , or daube all the shoulders therewith ; that done , clap floxe of the collor of the horse , or as neare as you can get it vpon the charge , & euery other day make your rowels cleane , and put them in againe , continuing thus to do the space of fifteene daies ; then take out the rowels , and heale vp the wounds , with two tents of flaxe dipt in turpentine , and hogges grease molten together , renewing the same euery day once , vntill the wounds be whole , but let the charge lye still vntill it fall away of it selfe ; and if you let the horse runne at grasse , til he haue had a frost or two , there is no question but he will be a great deale the sounder . there be other farriers which vse to rowell the horse , as is afore said , yet crosse wise , that is , one ouerthwart the other , then draw all the shoulder ouer , with a hot drawing yron in the comliest wise you can , making many scortches downe his shoulders : then annoint both thē and the rowels once a day , with sweet buttter & walke the horse vp and downe euening and morning , that the humors may flow to the sore places and issue foorth , and with your hands once a day at the least thrust out the matter ; this cure is to be likewise contitnued the space of daies , & then the horse will be whole , yet for mine owne part , in so much as the cure is foule , i doe not much affect it . chap. . of the wrench in the shoulder . the wrench or straine in the shoulder , cometh of some dangerous slipping or sliding , either in the stable or abroad , or of too s●ddaine stopping , when a horse gallops , or by falles , either on the planks , or on slippery ground , or by too sodaine turning vnsure ground , or by going too rashly out of some dore , or by the stroake of another horse : you shall perceiue it by his trailing his leg vpon the ground close after him . the cure is , to let him bloud vpon the plat veine , & take away the quantity of pints of bloud , which bloud you must saue in a pot , & put thereunto , first of strong vinegar a quart , & halfe a dozen broken egges , shels & al , & so much wheat flowre as wil thicken al that liquor ; that done , put therunto of bole-armoniack beaten into fine powder , a pound , of sanguis draconis ounces , & mingle them altogether , so as the flowre may not be perceiued , and if it be too soft , you may adde a little more vinegar : then with your hand daube all the shouder from the maine downewarde and betwixt the fore-bowels all against the haire , and let not the horse depart out of that place , vntill the charge be surely fastened vnto the skinne , that done , carry him into the stable , and tye him vp to the racke , and suffer him not to lie downe all the day , and giue him a little meat , dyetting him very moderately the space of fifteene daies , during which time he may not stirre out of his place , but only to lye downe : and euery day once refresh the shoulder point with this charge , laying still new vpon the old ; and at the fifteene daies end leade him abroad to see how he goeth , and if he be somewhat amended , then let him rest without trauelling the space of one moneth , and that will bring his shoulder to perfection : but if he mende nothing at all , for all this that is done , then you shall rowell him as is before shewed in the former chapter , iust vpon the shoulder point , & so keep him rowelled the space of fifteene daies , not forgetting to stirre the rowell and clense the wound each other day , and then walke him vp & downe faire and softly , and turne him alwaies on the contrary side to the sore ; and when he goeth vpright pull out the rowell , and heale vp the wound with turpentine and hogges grease molten together , as is before said : but if all this will not serue , then it shall be needfull to draw him chequor-wise with a hot yron , ouer all the shoulder point , & also to make him to draw in a plough euery day two howers at the least , to settle his ioints , for the space of three weekes or a moneth ; and if any thing will helpe , these two last remedies will set him sound . now there be other farriers , which for this griefe first let the horse bloud in the breast veine , and then rowell him from the neather parte of the spade bone downe to the point of the shoulder , which done , you shall set a patten shoe vpon the sound foote , and so turne the horse to grasse for the space of a moneth , not forgetting euery other day to stirre and remoue the rowels , and to thurst out the matter ▪ then assoone as you see him go sound , you shall take off his patten shoe , and pull out the rowels , and then let him runne still at grasse , till he haue taken a frost or two , and no doubt but he will continue sound . chap. . of the wrench in the wither ioint . this wrench cometh by treading his foote in some hole , or in some rough or stony way . the signes whereof are these , the horse will halte , and the top of his backe vpon the points of his shoulder blades will be swolne and somewhat hard to handle . the cure is , take of blacke or gray sope halfe a pound , and hauing made it hot in a pan , take a handfull or two of towe , and dippe it into the sope , then lay it very hot ouer all the horses withers ; then clappe a plaister of waxe , turpentine , and hogges grease , molten together ouer it , then couer it with two or three warme cloathes , and keepe the ioints as warme as may be : thus let him stand twenty foure howres ere you dresse him againe , and continue this manner of dressing for fifteene daies , and the horse will goe soundly . now there be other farriers , that in stead of this sope will take wine lees , and wheate flowre mingled together , and making a plaister thereof lay it very hot to the greeued place , and so renew it once a day vntill the horse goe ●ound . chap. . of splayting the shoulder , or of shoulder torne . the splaiting of the shoulder , is when by some dangerous slippe or slide , either vpon the side of some bancke , or vpon the plaunchers , the horse hath his shoulder parted from his breast , and so leaues an open clift , not in the skinne , but in the flesh and filme next the skinne , whereby the horse halteth , and is not able to go : it is to be seene by the trayling of his legge after him in going . the cure whereof is thus , first put a paire of straite pastornes on his forefeet , keeping him still in the stable without disquieting of him ; then take of dialthea one pound , of sallet oile one pint , of oile de bay halfe a pound , of fresh butter halfe a pound ; melte all these things together in an earthen pot , and annoint the grieued place therwith , and also round about the inside of the shoulder ; and within or three daies after , both that place and all the shoulder will swell , then either pricke him with a launcet or fleame in all the swelling places , or else with a sharp hot iron , & then annoint it still with the ointement before said ; but if you see that it will not goe away , but swell still and gather to a head , then launce it where the swelling doth gather most and is softest vnder the fingar , and then taint it with flaxe dipt in turpentine , and hogges grease molten together , as is before shewed , renewing the taint twice a day till the sorrance be whole . chap. . of the shoulder pighte . the shoulder pighte is when a horse by reason of some great fall , rush , or straine , hath the point of his shoulder thrust out of ioint , which is easy to be seen in that the pointe of the sore shoulder will sticke out much farther then the other , and the horse will halte downe right . the cure whereof , as the old farriers hold it , is , first to make him swimme in a deepe water , vp and downe a dozen turnes , for that will make the ioint returne into his true place , then make two tough pins of ashen wood as much as your little fingar , being sharpe at the points , each one fiue inches long ; that done , flit the skinne an inch aboue the point , and an inch beneath the point of the shoulder , and thurst in one of the pins from aboue downewarde , so as both ends may equally sticke without the skinne ; and if the pinne of wood will not easily passe through , you may make it way first with an yron pinne ; that done , make other two holes crosse to the first holes , so as the other pinne may crosse the first pin right in the midst , with a right crosse , and the first pinne would be somewhat flat in the midst , to the intent that the other being round , may passe the better without stoppe , and close he iuster together ; then take a peece of a little line somewhat bigger then a whippe cord , and at one end make a loope , which being put ouer one of the pinnes ends , winde the rest of the line good and straight about the pinnes ends , so as it may lye betwixt the pinnes ends and the skinne , and fasten the last end with a packe needle and a packe threed vnto the rest of the cord , so as it may not slippe ; and to doe well , both the pinnes and the cord would be first annointed with a little hogs grease , then bring him into the stable , and let him rest the space of nine daies : and let him lye downe as little as may be , and put a pastorne on the sore legge , so as it may be bound with a cord vnto the foote of the manger , to keepe that legge alwaies whilst he standeth in the stable more forward then the other , and at the nine daies end , take out the pins , & annoint the sore places with a little dialthea , or with hogges grease , and then turne him to grasse . other of our latter farriers , vse first to lay good store of straw vnder the horse , & then put a paire of strong pastornes on his forelegges , and another on his hinder , then hauing throwne him vpon his back , to hang him vp by the legs from the ground with two ropes drawne ouer some beame or baulke , which will put the bone into his true place againe , then hauing let him downe againe faire and softly , loose the fore pastorne of the sound legge , and with a cord before you let him rise , tye the lame legge to the foote of the manger , so shorte as in his rising he shall be forced to hold his legge before him for feare of putting his shoulder out of ioint , and let him stand so tyed for the space of three daies ; and presently when he is vp , burne all the point of his shoulder with a hot drawing yron checkerwise , a ful foot square at the least , & let euery stroke be no more then an inch distant one from another : and hauing burned him well , charge all these burned places , and all the rest of his shoulder with pitch , rozen , and tarre molten together , and laid on something hot , with a cloath tyed to a sticks end ; then clap floxe of the collor of the horse vpon it , then charge him againe ouer the floxe , and at the three daies end loose his foote , and put a paire of pastornes vpon his feete , and let him neither lye downe , nor stirre out of the stable for the space of sixteene or twenty daies : then may you leade him abroad , & see whether he go well or no , and if he be not perfect , you may then giue him as much more rest , & that will recouer him . chap. . of the swelling of the fore legges after great labour . horses not much vsed to trau●ll , will after great labour swell vpon their fore legges , because heat and violent exercise will cause humors to resorte downe into the legges , especially if such horses shal be inwardly very fat ; for the indiscreete labour will melt that inwarde grease , and make it descend downe into the legges . the cure according to the practise of some farriers , is , to take a pound of nerue-oile , a pound of blacke sope , and halfe a pound of boares grease melten , and boile them all well together , and then straine it , and let it coole ; then annoint your horses legges therewith being made luke warme againe , and then keepe his legges cleane from dust . other farriers vse to bathe his legges in butter and beare , or in vinegar & butter , some with sheeps foot oile , some with neates foote oile , some with traine oile , and some with pisse and salte peeter boild together , of all which pisse & salt peeter is the best ; & after any such bathing , you must roll vp the horses legs with hay ropes wet in cold water , euen from the pastorne to the knee , but in any wise not too straite for feare of doing hurte , so let him stand continually when he resteth . now other farriers somewhat more curious , vse for the swelling of the legges this bathe ; take of mallowes three handfuls , a rose-cake , of sage one handfull , boile them together in a sufficient quantity of water , and when the mallowes be soft , put in halfe a pound of butter , and halfe a pinte of sallet oile , and then being somewhat warme , wash the swelling therewith euery daie once the space of three or foure daies : and if the swelling wil not go away with this , then take wine lees and cummin , and boile them together , and put thereunto a little wheate flower , and charge all the swelling therewith , and walke him often ; and if all will not serue , then take vp the great veine aboue the knee on the inside , suffring him not to bleed from aboue , but all from beneath : and it will take away the swelling . chap. . of a horse that is foundred in his feete . a horse is said to be foundred of his feete , when he hath such a numbnesse , & pricking or tingling within his houes , that he hath neither sence nor feeling of his feete , but is in all respects like a man that by hard or crooked sitting hath both his feete● asleepe ( as wee call it ) du●ing which passion we know we can neither well goe nor stand ; and euen so it fareth with a horse in this case , for the course of the bloud being stopped , those obstructions causeth this torment . it commeth most commonly when a horse is very fat , and hath his grease molten within him , and then sodainely cooled by taking his saddle off two soone ; or by standing still in the cold vnstirred , or else by letting him stand still in some shallow water little higher then his fetlocks . a horse also may be foundred , by wearing straight and vneasy shoo●s , especially in the sommer season , when a horse trauelleth vpon the hard ground . the signes , to know it , is , the horse goeth crouching , and drawing all his foure feete within the compasse almost of a pecke , and will stand so fearefully as though he stood vpon needles . now you shall vnderstand , that a horse will sometimes be only foundred of his foref●ete , and not of his hinder , which you shall know in that the horse will tread onely vpon his hinder feete , and not on his forefeete , and goe as though his buttockes would touch the ground ; and sometimes he will be foundred vpon his hinder feete , and not vpon his forefeeet , and that you shall perceiue by his fearefulnes to set his feet to the ground , being also so weake behind that he will stand quiuering and quaking , and couet alwaies to lye downe , and sometimes he will be foundred of all his forefeete , the signes whereof were first declared . now for as much as the cures be all of one and the selfe same nature , and what cureth the first , cureth also the rest , i will ioine them all together , with this aduice , that if you find the horse to be foundred of the sorefeet only , then to apply your medicine to the foreparts only , if on the hinder feete , then to the hinder parts ; but if of all foure feete , then to lay your medicine to all the seuerall parts of the body , as shall be presently declared . to come then to the cures , ( according to the opinion of a worthy knight well experienced in this disease ) if your horse be foundred of all his foure feet , you shall cause him to be let bloud on his two breast veines of his two forelegges somewhat aboue his knees , also you shall let him bloud on his two spurre veines , and on the veines of his two hinder feete a little aboue the hoofe , betweene the hoofe and the pastorne : you shall let these veines bleed well to the quantity of a quarte or three pintes , which bloud you must saue in some vessell , and stirre it with a sticke to keepe it from clearing : and when he hath bled as aboue said , put it all into one vessell , then stoppe the 〈…〉 with some horse dung , or some earth ▪ and make a charge with the bloud in this sort : take as much wheat meale , branne and all , as will make the bloud somewhat thicke , and put it into the bloud : take eight or tenne egges , and breake them also into this bloud , shels and all : take a pinte of strong vinegar , and a quantity of bole-armoniacke braid , and put them into the bloud also , which done , you shall stirre them altogether ; then shall you with your hand lay the said charge all along vpon the reins of the horses backe , vpon his buttockes , and downe his shoulders : when you haue laid on this charge thus , you shall take two long linnen ragges dipped in the same charge , with which so dipped you shall garter the horse aboue the knees of his forelegges somewhat hard , and likewise with two other like ragges so dipped , you shall garter him hard aboue both his hinder hoofes also : that done , cause him to be walked vpon the hardest ground you can find , for the space of two or howers : if he be loath to go , as commonly he will be , let one follow him , and beate him with a stick or wand to force him to go : then after this walking let him be set vp & tyed to the racke , that he lye not downe , and there let him rest two or three howres ; which done , let him be walked againe two or three howers more as aforesaid , then set him vp , and let him feed ; and when you giue him drinke , which you may doe within two or threee howres after his feeding , let it be a warme mash of malte and water , and then let him feed a little after it , then ride him a little ; and if you let him stand an howre or two in a poole of standing water vp to the belly , and one vpon his backe , it is good also , and after that ride him againe a little : then let him be set vp well dressed and couered , and so by little and little ride him a day or two , and then may you boldly iourney him ; for it is riding that bringeth the horse to the perfectnesse of his feete , and you shall find your horse as sound as euer he was . now during this cure , you are to take these obseruations in your memory . first you shall not need to remoue or stirre the horses shoes : then you must after twenty foure howres rub off the charge from the horse backe . item , you shall take away his garters after twelue howres , and rub his knees & houghes with your hand , and with wispes , to take away the numbnesse . item , if you cannot get wheat meale , you may take oaten meale . item , if he will will not bleed in the veines before named , then you may take your bloud from the necke veine . lastly , if you take the horse in hand to cure within twenty foure howres after he is foundred , he will be sound againe within twenty foure howres after ; if he goe longer , the cure will be longer in doing . now the ancient farriers of this kingdome , and amongst the italians , differ not much in their practise from this already rehearsed , only into the charge they adde of sanguis draconis halfe a quarterne , and as much beane flower , as wheat flowre , and of turpentine halfe a pound ; then if they ●id see that within foure daies the horse did not recouer , then they did know that the hurtfull hum●rs did only lye in the horses feete , and there you must search his feete with your butterysse , paring all the soles of his feete so thin , that you may see the water issue through the sole : that done , let him bloud at the toes , & let him bleed well ; then stoppe the veine with turpentine , & hogs grease molten together , and laid vpon a little flaxe , & then tacke on his shoes , & cram the place where you did let him bloud hard with tow , to the entent it may be surely stopt ; then fill all the soles of his feete with hogges grease and bran boild or fried together so hot as is possible , and vpon that stopping clappe a peece of leather , and two crosse splents , to keepe in the stopping ; and immediatly after this take two egges , and beat them in a dish , and put thereunto as much bole-armoniack and beane flowre as will thicken the same , & mixe them well together , and make thereof two plaisters , such as may close each foote round about somewhat aboue the cronet , and bind it fast with a list or roller , that it may not fall away nor be remoued for the space of two daies ; but let the soles of his feete be cleansed , and new stopped euery daie once , and the cronets to be remoued euery two daies vntill the horse be sound : during which time let him rest vnwalked for feare of loosening his houes : but if you see that he beginne to amend , you may walke him faire and softly once a day vpon some softe ground to exercise his legges and feete , and let him not eate much , nor drinke cold water ; but if his foundring breake out aboue the hoofe , which you shall perceiue by the loosenesse of the coffin aboue by the cronet , then when you pare the sole , you must take all the forepart of the sole cleane away , leauing the heeles whole : to the entent the humors may haue the freer passage downeward , and then stoppe him , and dresse him about the cronet , as is before said . now if the horse during this cure , chaunce to fall sicke , or grow so dry in his body that he cannot dung , then you shall first rake him , & after giue him a glister of mallowes , three handfuls boild in water from a pottle to a quart : then after it is strained , put to it halfe a pound of butter , and a quarter of a pint of sallet oile , and so administer it ; then when the horse hath emptied his belly giue him this comfortable drinke . take of malmsey a quart , and put thereunto a little cinnamon , mace & pepper beaten into fine powder , and of oile a quarter of a pint , and giue the horse to drinke of that luke-warme ; that done , let him be walked vp and downe a good while together , if he be able to goe ; if not , then tye him vp to the racke , and let him be hanged with canuas and ropes , so as he may stand vpon the ground with his feete , for the lesse he lieth downe , the better ; but these extremities do seldome happen . now there be other farriers , which for the foundring of a horse , only take verdigrease , turpentine and sallet oile , and ho●ges grease , of each like quantity , of bees waxe one ounce , boile altogether , and so dip flaxe or tow in it ▪ then hauing pared his feete thinne , and let him bloud on the toes , stoppe all his feete with that ointment very hot : or else they take the rootes of nettles , and hemlocke , with elder pilles of each a handfull ; boyle them tender in boares grease , or hogges grease , so let him bloud in the midst of the foote on the toe veine ; then bathe and chafe his ioynt and legge therewith all about from his knee vnto the feetlocke , and then clappe it to , and binde a cloath fast to as hot as you can . so vse this once a day till he be well . now for mine owne part , although there is not any of these former recited practises but are found perfectly good in their kindes , yet i haue not found any so absolute either for old or new founder , as this which i will rehearse . first you shall with a very sharp drawing knife , draw euery part of the soles of the horses feete so thinne as is possible , euen till you see the very water and bloud issuing forth , and being sure to draw or pare euery part alike , which can hardly be done with a butterys : then at the very sharpe end of the frush of the horses foote you shall see the veine lye , then with your knifes end lift vp the hoofe and let the veine bleede ( which as long as you hold open the hoofe wil spinne a great way forth ) when it hath bled better then a pint , you shall close the hoofe and so stoppe the veine : then tacke on his foote a hollow shooe made for the purpose : that done , clap a little tow dipt in hogges grease and turpentine vppon the veine very hard : then take two or three hard egges roasted , and comming burning hot out of the fire , and burst them in the sole of the horses foote : then powre vpon them hogges grease , turpentine , and tarre boyling hot , and as much flaxe dipt therein as will fill vp the hollow shooe , then lay on a peece of leather to keepe all the rest in , and splint it sure : and in this manner dresse his foure fe●te , if all bee foundred , otherwise , no more then are foundred ; and thus you shall dresse the horse three times in one fortnight , and without any further trouble you shall bee sure to haue the horse as sound as euer he was . now if the horse be foundred through the straitnesse of a shoo , which in truth is not a founder , but a frettizing which is a degree lesse then foundring , then you shall for that sorrance , you shall first take off his shooe , and let him bloud on the toes , then stopping the place with bruised sage , then tack on his shooe againe , and stop it with hogs grease and bran boiled together , as hot as is possible ; and do thus twice in one fortnight , and it will helpe him . chap. . of the splent as well on the inside of the knee as of any other part of the legge . a splent is to the outward feeling , a very gristle , or rather a hard bone , sometimes as big as a hazell nut , sometimes as big as a wal-nut , according to the age thereof , growing vpon the inside of the forelegge , betweene the knee and the vpper pasterne ioynt , and somtimes iust vnderneath , and close vnto the knee , which is of all other the most dangerous splent , and doth the soonest make a horse lame : it cometh by trauelling a horse too yong , or by ouerpressing him with heauy burthens , wherby the tender sinews of his legs are offended . now for the knowledge thereof it is easy , because it is apparant vnto the eie , & most palpable to be felt . the cure according to the opinion of the ancient farriers , is to take an onyon , & pricking out the chore , put into it halfe a spoonfull of hony , & a quarter of a spoonfull of vnsleckt lime , and . penywaight of verdigrease ; then closing vp the onion , roast it in hot embers vntil it be soft , then bruise it in a mortar , & as hot as the horse can suffer it , lay it to the splent & it will take it away ; but in any case cut no skin . other of the ancient farriers , vse first to wash the splent with warme water , & then to shaue off the haire , and lightly to scarifie or pricke the skin with the point of a razor , so as the bloud may issue forth : then take of cantharides halfe a spoonful , & of euforbium as much , beaten into fine powder , & mingle them together with a spoonful of oyle de bay , & then melt them in a little pan , stirring them well together so as they may not boile ouer ; & being so boiling hot , take . or . feathers & anoint al the soare places therwith : that done , let not the horse stir frō the place where you so dresse him , for an houre after , to the intent hee shake not off the oyntment : then carry him faire & softly into the stable , & tye him so as he may not reach with his head beneath the manger : for otherwise he will couet to bite away the smarting & pricking medicine , which if it shold touch his lips would quickly fetch off the skin ; & also let him stand without litter al that day & night ; the next day anoint the soare place with fresh butter , continuing so to do euery day once for the space of . daies : for this will allay the heate of the medicine , & cause both that & the crust of the splent to fall away of it selfe . there be other farriers which vse with a fine hot drawing iron to burne the sorrance downe in the midst the full length of the splent , & then ouerthwart like this figure ; then . houres after such burning , take cows dung new made , & sallet oile mixt & wel beaten together , & therwith anoint al the soare places ; and this must be done when the splent is very yong . others vse to slit the sorrance with a knife the whole length of the splent , and then with a cornet to open the slit , & lay the splent bare ; then to make about the wound a coffin of clay , all open at the toppe ; then take boares grease made scalding hot , and powre it into the wound vntill the clay coffin be full ; then let it rest vntill the grease be cold : after that let the horse rise , and this with once dressing will take the splent cleane away without any blemish or eye sore . others vse to beate the splent with a sticke , and to bruise it well , then pricke it with an awle , and thrust out the bloud ; then lay on whitleather , and with a hot iron make the grease scald it , or else melt into it pitch and verdygrease , and then lay a plaister of pitch ouer it , not remouing it vntill it fall off by it selfe ; or else after you haue beat and prickt the splent , take out the chore of an onyon , and fill it with baysalt ; then roast it soft , and lay it hot to the splent , and in steed of the onyon you may , if you will , binde to a hard roasted egge , being fire hot . other farriers vse to slit the skinne the length of the splent , then to dippe a little peece of linnen in warme wine , and sprinkle verdygrease thereon , and so lay it to the slit , renewing it once a day vntill the splent bee gone . others vse to shaue off the haire , and to rubbe the splent twice a day with tarre very hard , till the splent be gone ; but this splent must be very yong and tender , for fasting spettle is as good as tarre . other farriers vse to take a blacke snaile and slit her , and put in bay salt , and lay it to the splent being opened , renewing it once a day vntill the splent be gone : then let the veine aboue the knee be taken vp , and let it bleede from below , lest it feede the splent againe . others vse if the splent bee vpon the knee , to burne it as is before said ; then take wormewood , smallage , pellitory of the wall , and branke vrsine stampt with swines grease , and lay it to the burnings , prouided that first the haire bee shaued off , and if the splent be below the knee , this cure is good also , and much the safer . now after all these former recited practises , you shall vnderstand that the most cleanelyest way to take away a splent , is first , after you haue cast your horse , with a hazell sticke of a pretty poyse and bignesse , gently to beate the splent at the first , and then by degrees a little harder and harder till the splent grow soft in euery part ; then with the poynt of your lancet let out all the bloud and water ; then take a brick-bat , and hauing laid it in the fire when it is exceeding hot , fold it vp in a red cloath , and therewith rubbe the splent , and smooth it vpon the top till you haue dryed away the bloud , & that no more moysture commeth out ; then take of pitch , of rosen , and masticke , of each a like quantity , melt them well together , and being very hot , lay it ouer and all about the splent , then clappe floxe of the colour of the horses legge vpon it , and so let it rest vpon the splent , vntill it fall away of it selfe ; and if when it is fallen away , you perceiue that any part of the splent remaine behinde , which hardly will be if it be orderly beaten , then you shall dresse that remainder as you did the other before , and the splent will be perfectly cured . now for the surest and most certainest way to take off a splent , it is thus : with the poynt of a sharpe knife , make a slit of more then a barley corne length iust vpon the top in the midst of the splent , and let it be so deep that you may be sure that the bone of the splent is bare ; then put into that slit with the point of your knife as much arsnicke as the quarter of an hazell nut ; and within . or daies , it wil so haue eaten the splent , that it will fall out of it selfe ; then you shall heale vp the sore either with fresh butter molten , or with a plaister of hogs grease and turpentine , mingled & melted together ; onely in this cure you must beware that you tye the horse so as for . houres he may not touch the soare place with his mouth . now in conclusion i am to giue you this smal precept , to beare euer in your minde , that is both for the healing of this , & of al other tumors whatsoever . you must first stay the falling downe of new humors to the place troubled , as by binding plaisters , as pitch , rosen , masticke , red-lead , oyle , bole-armony , and such like ; then to draw out the matter which is there gathered , with drawing simples , as waxe , turpentine , & such like : and lastly , to dry vp the relicks with drying pouders , as hony , & lime , oister shels , soot , & such like ; and also you must know , that all splents , spauens , or rubs , must either be taken way at the beginning , or after the full of the moone . c●ap . . of the serew ▪ or therrow splent . although diuers of our farriers do distinguish & make a difference betwixt a serew & a splent , saying , that the serew is euer of the out-side of the leg , as the splent is of the inside ; yet it is most certaine , that the disease & infirmity is all one , & may as wel be cald a splent on the outside of the leg , as a splent of the inside of the leg , and this splent on the outside is euer least dangerous . now a horse many times will haue both these splents at one time , & vpon one legge ; nay i haue seene them so iust opposite one to the other , that one would haue thought they had gone through the horses leg whence it hath come to passe , that many foolish farriers being of that minde , haue entituled them a therrow splent ; and i haue seene my selfe some well reputed farriers , that hauing the cure brought vnto thē , haue refused the same , saying it was a therrow splent , and therefore most incurable ; but the opinion is most absurd & ridiculous : for the shin bone being hollow , and full of pith & marrow , there can nothing grow through it but it must confound the marrow , & then the bone cannot hold , but must presently breake in sunder , especially when such a weake spongy substance as a splent is , shall possesse the whole strength of the leg . now for the cure , as the splent & it are all one , so they haue all one cure , & what helpeth the first , with more ease helpeth the later , in as much as it is not ful so dangerous , nor so neare the maine sinewes . chap. . of the mallander . a mallander is a kind of dry hard scab , growing in the forme of lines or strakes ouerthwart the very bought or inward bent of the knee , & hath hard hairs with stubborn roots , like swines bristles , which corrupteth and cankereth the flesh like the roots of a childs scabbed head ; & if the sore be great and deepe , it will make the horse go stiffe at his first setting forth , and halt much . it doth proceed either from the corruptiō of bloud , or from neligent keeping , when the horse wanteth cleane dressing ▪ for you shal know that some horses naturally are giuen to haue long haire from the top of the bought of the knee down to the feetlocke , and that haire in the bought of the knee is oft apt to curle , whereby those horses if they be not very carefully and cleane kept , are much subiect to this disease . now for the cure according to the opinion of the old farriers , it is thus . take a barreld herring out of the pickell , with a soft roe , and two spoonefull of blacke sope , and so much allome ; beate all these in a mortar well together , and then lay it to the soare , renewing it once a day for three dayes , and it will kill the mallander ; prouided alwaies that before you lay any thing vnto a mallander , you euer pull off the dry scabbes first , and leaue no haire growing within the soare . other farriers vse to take a paring of cheese , & roasting it very hot , annoynt it with hony , and so hot lay it to the mallander , and renew it once a day till the mallander be whole : or else beate hens mucke & gillyflowers wel together , and lay it to the soare till it be whole . other farriers vse after they haue washt the soare cleane with warme water , and shaued off the haire and the scabs , to take a spoonful of sope , and as much lime ; mingle them together that it may be like paste , then spread as much on a clout as will couer the soare , and binde it fast on with a list , renewing it euery day once the space of two or three dayes ; and at the three daies end take away the plaister and annoint the soare with oyle of roses made luke warme , and that will fetch away the scurse or crusty asker , bred by meanes of the burning plaister : which scurfe being taken away , wash the soare place well euery day once with his owne stale , or else with mans vrine , and then immediatly strow vpon it the powder of burnt oyster shels , continuing so to do euery day once vntill it be whole . others of our later farriers vse to take a quart of water , hafe a pint of oyle , and as much flower as will thicken it with seething ; then lay that hot to the soare twice a day for foure daies together ; then take masticke , frankinsence , beaten to fine powder , quicksiluer , kild either in the iuice of lemans , or in strong vinegar , of each an ounce ; then of litergie halfe an ounce , of cer●se tenne ounces , and as much of swines grease cl●rified : incorporate and mingle all these together with vinegar and oyle , and lay it to the soare vntill the mallander bee kild ; then heale it vp as is before shewed . others vse after they haue washed it & and shaued it , to rub it with pisse and sope vntill it be raw : then to lay to it , nerue-oyle , hony , and strong mustard , vntill it be whole . others vse to take sulphure , vitrioll , sal-niter , sal-gemme , mixt with oyle de bay , and to rub the mallander well therewith . now to conclude , you shall vn●erstand that some horses will haue two mallanders vpon one legge , one aboue anot●er , and sometimes one a lit●le aboue the inward bending of the knee , and another a little below the inward bending of the knee ; but the cure is all alike , and as you dresse one , so you may dresse two or three . now for mine owne p●rt , i haue not found any thing better for a mallander , then after the soare is cleansed , to take the ordure or dung of a man , and annoynt the soare therewith , and it will kill it and heale it . chap. . of an vpper attaint or ouer-reache vpon the backe sinew of the flanke , somewhat aboue the pasterne ioynt . this which we call an vpper attaint , is nothing else but a painfull swelling of the master sinew , or backe sinew of the shanke bone , by reason that the horse doth sometimes ouer reach & strike that sinew with the toe of his hinder foote , and thereby causeth the horse to halt much . now the signes are both the swelling and the halting : and the cure , according to some of the old farriers , is , to dresse the soare place with a plaister made of wine lees and wheat flowre laid hot too , or else to take of blacke sope and boares grease of each like quantity , scalding hot ; make a plaister or seare-cloath thereof , and clap it all about the soare place : or else if the swelling by no salue wil dissolue , take a fine thinne hot drawing iron , & draw his legge all downward with the haire in many small striks from the one end of the swelling to the other ; & make the strikes very thicke together , and somewhat deep : then anoynt his burning for . or . daies with blacke sope , and so turne the horse to grasse ; but if he will not runne at grasse , then euery day giue him some moderate exercise ; but this burning i fancy not much , for it is soule , & all be it take away the swelling , yet the seames of the burning , when they are cured , wil keepe the member bigge , as if it were still swelled . now other of the ancient farriers , vse first to wash the legge with warme water , then to shaue off the haire as farre as the swelling goeth ; then to scarifie the soare place with the poynt of a razor , that the bloud may issue forth : then take of cantharides and euforbium of each halfe an ounce , mingle them together with halfe a quarterne of sope , and with a slice spread some of this oyntment ouer all the soare , suffering him to rest there where you dresse him for one halfe hower after ; and then you may carry him into the stable , and there let him stand without litter , and so tyed as hee may not touch the soare with his mouth : & then the next day rese him in the same manner againe : then the third day annoynt the place with fresh butter , continuing so to do the space of nine dayes , and at the nine dayes end make him this bath : take of mallowes three handfuls , a rose cake , of sage , an handful ; boyle them together in a sufficient quantity of water , and when the mallowes be soft , put in halfe a pound of butter , and halfe a pint of sallet oyle ; and then being somwhat warme , wash the soare place therewith euery day once vntill it be whole . others vse to cleaue a chickin or a pidgeon , and to clap it hot to the swelling , and it will abate it : or else take dialthea , agripa and oyle , and mixing it together , lay it to the swelling . others vse to take of frankinsence , of rosen , of tarre , of euforbium , of turpentine , and fenugreeke , of each a quarter of an ounce ; of suet an ounce , of oyle an ounce , of waxe three ounces , and three quarters of an ounce of myrre ; mixe and melt them altogether , and plaister-wise lay it to the soare place till it be whole : or else take for this sorrance , . quarters of an ounce of sanguis draconis , an ounce of bole-armony , as much oyle , three ounces of masticke , and as much suet , and as much swines grease ; melt and mixe them together , and lay it to the swelling , and it will take it away ; then make the shooes of his hinder feete shorter then the hornes of his toes by a quarter of an inch , and let the horne hang ouer vncut away , and make the foreshooe no longer then his heele , but rather the shorter . chap. . of a neather attaint , or ouer-reach on the pasterne ioynt . the neather attaint , or ouer-reach on the midst , and in the hollow of the pasterne ioynt is a little bladder full of ielly , like vnto a winde-gall ; and though it be not apparant to the eye , yet it is easie to be felt , and may come as well by some wrinch or straine , as by an ouer-reach , and it will make a horse halt much . the signes are , the neather ioynt towards the feetlocke will be very hot , and somewhat sweld , and the little soft bleb will easily be felt . the cure , after the opinion of the old farriers is , take a small cord , and roll him somewhat strait from the knee to the neather ioynt , and then in the pasterne betweene the hoofe and the ioynt with a fleame strike him in the midst of the swelling , and let out the matter : then take the white of an egge , and beate it with a little salt , and then dipping flaxe therein lay it vnto all the swelling , and then vnroll his legge and renew the salue twice a day till all the griefe be gone . but in any case let him not be laboured or ridden whilest he is in curing . chap. . of an attaint or ouer-re●ch on the heele . an attaint or ouer-reach vpon the heele , is when a horse striketh the toe of his hinder shooe into his heele , iust vpon the setting on of the hoofe ; and this ouer-reach if it be not looked vnto , will fret and ranckle so much inward , that it will endanger the horses hoofe , and you shall commonly see by the cut the skinne hang ouer the horses heele , and it will make a horse halt . now the cure is , first to cut away the skinne , and also the hoofe and the flesh , till you haue made the soare euen & plaine without any hollownesse ; then wash it very well with beere and salt , then bind vnto it a little flaxe dipt in the white of an egge , mingled with a little bole-armony , renewing it euery day once the space of three or foure dayes , and that will heale it . chap. . of the mellet on the heele . a mellet is a dry scabbe that groweth vpon the heele , sometimes through the corruption of bloud , and sometimes for want of cleane rubbing and dressing when he is wet set vp : it appeareth like a dry chap without any moysture , and will bee sometimes as well on both heeles as on one . the cure is , according to the practise of the old farriers , to take halfe a pint of hony , & a quarter of a pound of blacke sope , and mixe them together : then put thereto foure or fiue spoonefull of vinegar , and as much of allome as an hennes egge vnburnt , and two spoonefull of rye flowre ; mixe them all well together , and then lay it plaister-wise to the soare as farre as the mellet goeth , and let it lye thereto fiue dayes , and then take it away , and wash all his legge and foote with salt beefe broth ; and then rope his legge all a day with wet hay-ropes , and hee will be sound : prouided alwayes that before you dresse him , you euer take off the dry scab or scurfe , and make the loare as cleane and as plaine as is possible . chap. . of false quarters . a false quarter is a rift or open back seame , sometimes in the outside , but most oftest in the inside of the hoofe , because the inside is euer the weaker part ; which sides are euer called quarters : whence this sorrance taketh his name , & is called a false quarter , as much as to say , a sicke and vnsound quarter : for it is as if it were a peece set vnto the hoof , & the hoofe not all of one entire peece as it ought to be . it cometh many times by euill shooing , and euill paring , and sometimes by pricking the horse and such like hurts . the signes to know it are , the horse will halt much , and the rift will bleede , and when the shooe is off , the whole sorrance is apparant to be seene . the cure according to the ancient farriers , is to take off the shooe , and cut away so much of the shooe on that side where the sorrance is , as the shooe being immediatly put on againe , all the whole rift may be vncouered : then open the rift with a drawer , and fill all the rift with a roll of tow dipt in turpentine , waxe , and sheepes suet molten together , renewing it euery day once till it be whole : and the rift being closed in the toppe , draw him betwixt the haire and the hoofe with a hot iron ouerthwart that place , to the intent that the hoofe may shoot all whole downeward ; and when the horse goeth vpright , ride him either with no other shooe then this , or else with such a shooe as may beare in euery part but onely vpon the false quarter , vntill the hoofe be hardened . others vse to annoynt it once a day with sheeps suet and oyle mixt together , and that will close the rift . others vse to cut away the old corrupt hoofe , and then take seuen whites of egges , the powder of incence , of vnsleckt lime , of masticke , of verdigrease , and of salt , of each three ounces ; mixe them well together , then dippe in as much hurds as will couer the soare hoofe ; lay it on , and then aboue it lay swines grease an inch thicke , and likewise below it also : bind this on in such sort that it may remaine vnstird a fortnight , then renew it so againe , and it will make perfect his hoofe . but if there be any corrupt matter gathered within the false quarter , and therby causeth the horse to halt , then you shall lay your finger vpon it , and if the horse shrinke thereat , then it is ripe ; then open it with a drawing knife , and let out the matter ; then lay on horse dung , oyle , salt , and vinegar mixt together plaister-wise , and that will heale it , and make the hoofe good ; yet howeuer , you must haue care in shooing him till his hooues bee hardened , as is before shewed you chap. . of a horse that is hipped , or hurt in the hippes . a horse is said to be hipped when either by straine , blow , or other accident , the hippe bone is remoued out of his right place . it is a sorrance as hard to be cured as any what●●euer : for if it be not taken euen at the first instant , there will grow within the pot of the huckel bone such a thicke hard substance , that it will leaue no place for the bone , and then it is vtterly vncureable . the signes to know the sorrance , are , the horse will halt much , and goe sidelong , and will traile his legge a little after him ; the soare hippe also will be lower then the other , and the flesh will waste away on that side of his buttocke . the cure is , according to the best farriers , if you take him in good time , first to cast him on his backe , and then hauing a strong pastorne on his grieued legge , with a rope draw that legge vpright , and with your handes on each side his thigh bone , guide it directly into the pot : that done , let it downe gently , and so suffer him to rise with all meeknesse ; then go with him into the stable , and there charge all his hippe & backe wih pitch and rosen molten together , and layd on warme ; and then some floxe of his owne colour to be clapped vpon the same , and so turne the horse to grasse vntill he go vpright . but if the ho●se be not hipped , but onely hurt in the hippe , and that newly , then first take of oile de bay , of dialthea , of nerue-oile and of swines grease , of each halfe a pound ; melt them all together , stirring them continually vntill they be throughly mingled together , then annoynt the soare place therewith against the haire , euery day once the space of a fortnight , and make the ointment sinke well into the flesh by holding a hot barre of iron ouer the place annoynted , weauing your hand to and fro vntil the oyntment be entred into the skin ; and if at the fortnights end you see the horse not any thing amended , then slit a hole downeward in his skinne an inch beneath the hippe bone , making the hole so wide as you may easily thrust in a rowel with your finger ; and then with a cornet and a quill , blow the skinne from the flesh aboue the bone , and round about the same , so broad as the rowell may lye flat and plaine betwixt the skinne and the flesh : and this rowell would be made of soft calues leather with a hole in the midst , and a threed tyed vnto it ; to pull it out when you would cleanse it , or the hole : and if the rowel be rolled about with flaxe fast tyed on , and annoynted with the oyntment vnder written , it will draw so much the more . now you must thrust in your rowell first double , and then spread it abroad with your finger : that done , taint it with a good large taint of flaxe , dipt in a little turpentine and hogs grease molten together , and made warme , and cleanse the hole and the rowell euery day once ; and also renew the taint for the space of a fortnight , and before you dresse him , cause him euery day to be led vp and downe a foote pace a quarter of an howre , to make the humors come downe ; and at the fortnights end pull out the rowell , and heale vp the wound with the same salue , making the tent euery day lesser and lesser vntill it bee whole : and so soone as it is whole , with a hot drawing iron draw crosse lines of eight or nine inches long right ouer the hippe bone , so as the rowelled place may bee in the very middest thereof , and burne him no deeper but so as the skin may looke yellow ; and then charge all that place , and ouer all his buttocke with this charge . take of pitch one pound , of rosen halfe a pound , and of tarre halfe a pint ; boyle them together , and then being good and warme , spread it on with a clout tyed in a riuen sticke , and then clap on a few floxe of the horses colour ; and if it bee in sommer , let the horse run to grasse a while , for the more he trauelleth at his own will , the better it is for him . chap. . of stifling , and hurts in the stifle . that horse is said to bee stifled , when the stifling bone , which is a little bone of . inches in length , lying betwixt the neather end of the thigh bone , and the vpper end of the great hough bone of the hinder legge , is by any straine , stroake , slippe , or such like , thrust out of his right place ; but if the stiflling bone be not remoued nor loosned , and yet the horse halteth by meanes of some griefe in that place , then we say the horse is hurt in the stiflle , and not stifled . the signes are these . if the horse be stifled , the stiflle bone will sticke out more of the one side then of the other , & is apparant to the eye , and in his halting he will no more but touch the ground with his toe . the cure , according to the opinion of the old farriers , is to thrust . round pins crosse the stifling bone , through the skinne , in such sort as you were taught for the shoulder pight ; but the pinnes would not bee any thing neare so bigge , nor so long , because the stifling bone is not so broad as the shoulder : and standing in the stable let him haue a pastorne and a ring vpon his sore legge , and thereunto fasten a cord , which cord must go about his necke , and let it be so much strained , as it may bring his sore legge more forward then the other , to keepe the bone from starting out ; but this cure is foule and troublesome , wherefore other farriers of better experience , vse only to set on a patten shooe vpon his sound foot , and so turne him abroad , that hee may bee compeld to treade vpon his lame foote ; and that straining of it will in a day or two make him as sound as euer he was , and put the stifling bone into his true place againe . but if you cannot readily get a patten shooe , then you shall take either a plaine sursingle , or any other broad binding web , that will go three or foure times about the horses legge , and with it you shall garter vp the horses sound legge three fingers aboue his hamme , euen vpon his maine great sinew , so strait as your selfe and another man can draw it ; and then turne the horse abroad where he may go vp and downe , and in eight and fortie howres the horse will be as sound as euer he was ; then take off the garter , and rub the place that was gartered vp with fresh butter , for it will be much swelled . now if this mischance of stifling happen vnto your horse in your trauell , and that your occasions will not suffer you to stay for any of these cures , then you shall take your horse either to some deepe pond or deepe riuer that hath easie going in and out , and there swimme him vp and downe a dozen turnes : which done , you may after trauell him at your pleasure : for the more he is laboured , the sounder he will go . now if your horse be not sti●led , but onely hurt in the sti●le , either with some stripe , or some straine , then the bone will not stand out , yet perhaps the place will be much sweld . the cure , according to the opinion of the old farriers , is to make a little slit in his skinne a handfull below the soare place , and then with a quill blow all the skin from the flesh vpward , then with your hand presse out the winde againe , & then thrust in a rowell of horse haire from the first slit to the vpper part of the stifle bone : this done , take a pottell of old pisse , and boyle it to a quart , and clense it well ; then take a handfull of mallowes , and halfe a pint of fallet oyle , and adde them to the pisse , & then boyle them well together : then bathe all the soare place therewith , euery day once the space of seuen or eight dayes , and let him not stirre out of the stable during the cure , and in twentie one dayes he will be sound . other fariers vse only to take a pound of bole-armony , a quart of red wine vinegar , sixe egges beaten , shels and all , two peny worth of english hony , & as much venice turpentine , one quart of flowre , and one good handful of bay-salt ; put all these in a pot , & incorporate them wel together ; then keep them close one night , and the next day annoynt the soare place with some of it : and thus dressing it once a day the space of nine daies , it will make the horse sound . chap. . of the bone-spauen or dry spauen . the bone-spauen , or dry spauen , is a great hard knob as big as a wal-nut , growing in the inside of the hough , hard vnder the ioynt , neare vnto the maister veine ; it groweth at the first like a tender gristell , and by processe of time , it cometh to be a hard bone , & causeth the horse to halt much . this sorrance will come sometimes by nature or descent , as when either the ●ire or the dam of the horse haue had the same disease ; & somtimes ( which is most generall ) it cometh when a horse is laboured too yong : for a horse in that part of his hinder leg hath smal bones knit all together vpon one cluster , which being pressed before they be naturally hardened , cānot chuse but thrust forth these vnnatural excretions . otherwhiles it proceedeth from extreme labour & heate , dissoluing humors , which do descend through the maister vein , continually feeding that place with euil nutriment , & causeth the place to swel ; which swelling in cōtinuance of time becometh so hard as a bone , & therfore is cald the bone spauen . the signes are the apparant sight of the sorrance ; and truely for mine owne part , i am of the mind of other farriers , that it is very hard absolutly to cure it ; yet that the eie-soare may be taken away , & the halting much eased , is not hard , for i haue done it many times . then to proceed to the cure therof , according to the opinion of the old farriers , is thus : first , slit the skin iust ouer the head of the spauen or excretion , and open it with a cornet , and in any case haue a care that you touch not the maister veine , but put it by : then with your lancet lay the spauen all bare , then with a fine chessell about a quarter of an inch broad , or little more , strike off the head of the spauen , to the quantity of a quarter of an almond , or according to the bignesse of the spauen : then take two peny waight of verdigrease beaten to fine powder , & two peny waight of nerue-oyle , and beate them all well together : then laying some of it vpon fine lint , lay it vpon the spauen ; then lay dry lint betwixt the medicine and the veine , that the medicine may not touch the veine : then lay a plaister of pitch , rosen , turpentine , and hogges grease molten together , all ouer the hough , both to comfort the ioynt , and to keepe in the medicine . and thus dresse him the space of three daies , and it will cleanse away the spauen euen to the bottome ; at the end of three dayes you shal wash away the corrosiue and the matter either with tanners water or with vinegar , and lay no more of that salue thereto for hurting the bone ; then make a plaister of diaculum , and lay it vpon a linnen cloath , and lay that plaister vnto the spauen , renewing it euery day once for the space of . dayes , and it will heale him vp . now there be other farriers which vse after they haue burnt it in manner aforesaid , and taken vp the maister veine , to annoynt it with fresh butter , till the burning beginne to scale , and then take of sage , and nettles , of each a handfull , and boyle them with . handfull of mallowes in faire water ; and then put thereto a little butter , and with that bathe him euery day once for three or foure dayes till the burning be whole , and let him not wet his feete during the cure . others vse to pricke the spauen with a sharp poynted knife , then take a peece of a candle , and lay a peece of browne paper vpon it , and with an hot iron melt the tallow , & after annoynt it with butter . others vse first to pricke the spauen well , then to lay vpon it for three or foure dayes together , euery day , mans dung : after that lay to it galbanum till the soare matter and rheume , and the humour come forth : then wash it with vrine , and lastly heale it vp with oyle and hony boyled together , for that will bring on the haire now to conclude , that which i haue euer found to bee the surest and cleanest way to take the bone spauen quite away , if it bee vsed with discretion and care , is to take of vnguentum apostolorum , & of white mercury , of each a like quantity , but of mercury rather the more ; mixe them well together : then after you haue cast your horse , make a slit iust the length of the spauen , so that you touch not the maister veine : then opening it , and laying all the spauen bare , with a sharpe instrument s●all the spauen a little ; then make a plegant of lint iust so bigge as the excretion or bone spauen is : then spreading some of the salue thereon , lay it vpon the spauen : then with dry lint defend all other parts of the member , especially the maister veine from the corrosiue : then lay the plaister of pitch , rosen , turpentine , and hogges grease before spoken round about his hough , and so let him rest foure and twenty howres : then take away all that medicine , and scalling the bone a little , if you finde the corrosiue haue not gone deepe inough , then dresse it in the same manner the second time , and that will be altogether sufficient : then take of turpentine , of deeres suet , and of waxe , of each a like quantity , and mixe and melt them well together , then dresse the soare place therewith being warmed ▪ and lint or tow dipt therein ; and within a day or two you shal see the whole crust of the spauen come cleane away , then may you with the same salue , heale vp the wound ; and this hath neuer failed me in any practice . chap. . of the bloud spauen , wet spauen , or through spauen . the bloud spauen , wet spauen , or through spauen ( for all is one disease ) is a soft swelling , growing on both sides the hough , and seemes as though it went through the hough , wherby it is called a through spauen ; but , for the most part , the swelling on the in-side , ( because it is fed continually of the maister veine ) is greater then the swelling on the outside . it proceedeth from a more fluxible and sleamy humour , and not to viscous and slimy as the other spauen doth , and therefore this neuer waxeth hard , nor groweth to a bone ; and therefore it is a much easier cure then the other . the signes thereof are like the other , the apparant sight thereof ; and for the cure , it is , according to the opinion of the old farriers , in this manner : ●irst , wash the spauen with warme water , and then dresse it with cantharides and euforbium , in such sort as was at large shewed in the former chapter ; onely you shall not boyle them , but onely mixe them together , and dresse the soare therwith daies together : then annoynt it with butter , and after burne it with a hot iron both without & within , in manner as is shewed also in the former chapter ; but you shall by no means taint it : then immediatly you shall take vp the maister veine , & let it bleed , as was shewed before : and then for the space of . dayes , annoynt him euery day once with butter vntill the burning begin to scale , & then wash it with this bath : take of mallowes . handfuls , of sage one handfull , & as much of red nettles ; boyle them in water vntill they be soft , then put thereto a little fresh butter , and bathe the place euery day once for the space of three or foure daies ; and vntill the burnings be whole , let the horse come in no wet . other farriers vse after they haue shaued off the haire and taken vp the veine , to take of m●stard seede , of the great mallow roote , and of oxe dung , of each a like quantity , and as much strong vinegar as wil mixe them together like a salue ; then beate them all well together , and make thereof a soft plaister , or else an oyntment , and lay it vpon the spauen ; change it euening and morning , and binde it in such sort to the sorrance with some peece of cloath , that it may not fall off or be remoued ; and when the spauen is cleane gone , lay vpon the place a plaister of pitch very hot , and take it not off ▪ vntill it fall away of it owne accord . other farriers vse vnto this former medicine to adde oyle de-bay , turpentine , and bole-armony . and other farriers vse but onely to take vp the veine , both aboue and below the spauen , and suffering it to bleed well ; then to knit vp the veine , and annoynt it with butter till it bee whole , and it will consume the spauen . chap. . of the sellander . the sellander is a certaine kind of dry scab , growing in the very bent of the hamme of the hinder leg ; and it extendeth out into ill fauoured chaps or chinkes which if it bee not preuented by medicine , it will fret in sunder the sinewes of the hough : it is in all poynts like vnto a mallander , and proceedeth from the selfe like causes , and requireth the selfe same cures ; therefore looke into the chapter of the mallander , and whatsoeuer you finde there that will cure the mallander , the same will also cure the sellander . chap. . of the hough bonny . the hough bonny is a round swelling like a paris ball , growing vpon the very tip or elbow of the hough , and commeth euer of some stripe , or bruise ; but especially when he beateth his hough either against the post which standeth behinde him , at the neather end of his stall , or against the barre which doth diuide him from another horse ; which many raunish iades will do , when they seeke to strike at the horse that standeth next them . now the cure thereof is thus , according to the opinion of the old farriers , take a round iron somewhat sharpe at the end , like a good bigge bodkin , and let it be somewhat bending at the poynt ; then holding the soare with your left hand , pulling it somewhat from the sinewes , pierce it with the iron , being first made red hot , thrusting it beneath in the bottome , and so vpward into the ielly , to the intent that the same ielly may issue downeward out at the hole : and hauing thrust out all the ielly , taint the hole with a taint of flaxe dipt in turpentine and hogges grease molten together , and also annoynt the outside with hogges grease made warme , renewing it euery day once vntill the hole be ready to close vp , making the taint euery day lesser and lesser , till it be all whole . now for mine owne part , both for this sorrance , or any other bruise in this part , i haue found this cure euer the best . first either with rotten litter or hay boyled in old vrine , or else with a plaister of wine lees & wheat flowre boyled together , to ripen the swelling , and bring it to putrifaction , or else to driue the swelling away ; but if it come to a head , then to launce it in the lowest part of the softnesse , with a thinne hot iron , and so to let out the matter : then to taint it with turpentine , deeres suet , and waxe , of each like quantity molten together , laying a plaister of the same salue ouer it , to hold in the taint vntill it be perfectly whole . chap. . of the curbe . a curbe is a long swelling a little beneath the elbow of the hough in the great sinew behinde , hard aboue the top of the horne , which causeth the horse to halt after a little labour : for the more his sinew is strained the greater is his paine , and the more he hath rest , the lesse is his griefe ; it commeth as the spauen comes , either from descent , or from great burthens when the horse is yong , or else from some strain or wrench . the signes are the apparant view thereof ; and the cure according to the old farriers , is , first to shaue off the haire , then pricke it with a fleame in three or foure places , and for three or foure dayes together , lay vnto it twice a day mans dung ; then lay galbanum to it likewise twice a day till it rot , and that the matter doth issue forth ; then wash it with vrine : and lastly , heale it vp with hony and oyle boyled together , renewing the same twice a day till the curbe be gone ; and in any case let all your salues bee applyed warme and new made , and if you make an issue with a hot iron in the bottome of the curbe , it will not do amisse . others vse to take a very hot iron , and hold it as nigh the soare as may be , but not touching it : then when it is warme , vent it in sixe or seuen places : then take a spoonefull of salt , halfe a spoonefull of nerue-oyle , and a peny waight of verdigrease , & the white of an egge ; mixe these well together , & dipping flaxe in the same , lay it to the curbe : and this in few dressings will take it away . other farriers vse to chafe and rub the curbe well with their hands : then take redde wall-wort leaues , and borage , and braying them well together , lay it to the curbe , renewing it once a day for a seuen night together . others vse to slit the curbe all the length , then take a peece of linnen cloath , and wet it in wine made warme : then strow verdigrease therupon , & bind it to the soare , renewing it once a day vntill the curbe be gone . others of the ancient farriers take of wine lees a pint , of comin halfe an ounce , and as much wheate flowre as will thicken it , and stirre them well together ; and being made warme , charge the soare place therewith , renewing it euery day once the space of . or . daies , and when the swelling is almost gone , then draw it with a hot iron made very thin in this sort , and couer the burning with pitch and rosen molten together , and laid on good and warme , and clappe thereon some floxe of the horses colour , or so nigh as may be gotten , and remoue them not vntill they fall away of themselues ; and for the space of nine dayes let the horse rest , and come in no wet . now there be other farriers which to this last recited salue , will adde tarre , and it is not amisse , onely it will not sticke so well . now for mine owne part , i haue euer found this practise the best : first , with a broad inckle to binde the hough strait a little aboue the cod : then with a smooth hazell stick to beate , rubbe , and chafe the curbe : then with a fleame strike it as deepe as you can in two or three places of the curbe : then thrust out the corrupt bloud ; and after vpon the poynt of your knife , put into euery hole as deep as you can thrust it , the quantity of two barly cornes of white arsnicke , and so let the horse rest foure and twenty howres after ; then after onely annoynt the soare place with hot molten butter till it be whole , once a day at the least . chap. . of the paines . the paines is a certaine vlcerous scabbe growing in the pastornes of a horse , betwixt the fetlocke and the heele , full of fretting matterish water , and cometh onely for want of good rubbing and cleane dressing , after the horse hath bene iourneyed in the winter wayes , by meanes whereof the sand and durt remaining in the haire , fretteth the skinne and flesh , and so breedeth to a scabbe ; and therefore your frisonds , and flaunders horses and mares , which now are so much in vse with vs for the coatch , are the soonest troubled with this disease , if the keeper bee not much the more carefull . the signes hereof are , his legges will be swolne and hot , the scabbe will be palpable to be felt , and the water will issue out of the scabbe ; which water is so hot and fretting , that it will scald off the haire , and breede scabbes where it goeth . the cure , according to the ancient farriers , is : take of turpentine , hogs grease , hony , and blacke sope , of each a like quantity , and hauing molten them vpon a soft fire , take it off & put in a little bole-armony , finely beaten into powder ; then worke all these things well together with a sticke in your right hand , & a dish of wheat floure by you , that with your left hand you may put it in by a little at once , till you haue made it thicke like an oyntment or soft salue : then spreade it vpon a linnen cloath , as bigge as the soare , hauing first cut away the haire , and made the soare raw , apply to the salue , and dresse him thus once a day vntill it be whole . this medicine is well approued to cure all sorts of paine , scratches , moully heeles , or any other sciruy scalls whatsoeuer , that may breede in a horses leg or heeles , whether they come by meanes of euill humors , or for lacke of good dressing or cleane keeping , whether they be mattery and filthy running soares , or else drye scabbes . others of the old farriers vse for this sorrance to take a pint of red wine lees , and a handfull of wheate branne , a saucerfull of hony , and halfe a pound of the powder of powdred beefe burnt , and as much of barke dust , and halfe a pound of allome , and a quarter of a pound of swines grease , and halfe a handfull of veruine ; beate all these together in a mortar , and then fry them ouer the fire , and make a hote plaister thereof , and lay it to the soare as hot as the horse may suffer it , letting it abide there the space of three dayes , and in once or twice thus dressing him , it will make him sound ; yet some hold , if you doe with a hot drawing iron seare the great veine ouerthwart , a handfull aboue the fetlocke , and then take a spoonefull of tarre , a spoonefull of butter , and a spoonefull of hony ; and warming them well together , anoynt the veine therwith euery day til the cure be perfected , and it is much availeable . other farriers vse , first to wash all the horses pastornes with butter & beere wel warmed together , and then his legge being somewhat dryed , clip away all the haire that doth annoy the soare : then take of turpentine , of hogs grease , and of hony , of each like quantity ; mingle them together in a pot , and put thereunto a little bole-armony , the yolkes of two egges , and as much wheat flowre as will thicken the thinges aforesaid ; and so by long working it , make it like a plaister ; then spreade it vpon a linnen cloath , and lay it round about the horses pastorne , and binde it fast on with a roller , renewing it once a day till the horse be whole ; and in no wise let the horse come in any wet during the cure ▪ others vse , first to chafe the soare place with a hay-rope , or with a haire-cloth , till it either bleed or be raw ; then take a little strong mustard , beane flowre , and fresh grease , with a little fenugreeke ; then mixe all together in a dish , and make thereof a salue , and therwith annoynt the soare vntill it leaue mattering : then take hony , the white of an egge , and fresh butter ; mixe them together , and annoynt the soare place therewith vntill it be whole . others vse only to bathe the soare with beefe broth , and then for foure or fiue dayes after , to annoynt it with sope , or else first to plunge his feete in scalding water twice or thrice , & bathe the soare in scalding water : then haue ready a hard roasted egge , cleaue it in the midst , and clappe it to as hot as you can , and let it lye bound all night ; vse this once or twice , and you may aduenture to ride him . others vse to take pepper , garlicke stampt , coleworts , and old hogges grease , of each like quantity ; then beate them in a mortar till they come to a salue , and so lay it to the soare , renewing it once a day till it bee whole . others vse first to take vp the shackle veines on both sides , then take the soft roe of a red herring , & mustard , & blacke sope , and when they are well beat together , boyle them in vinegar til they come to a salue , & apply it to the soare ; this will cure the pains , albe you do not take vp the shackle veines . if you cannot readily get this salue , you may take butter & hony molten together , & it wil helpe them ; or else take a pound of hogs grease , a peny worth of verdigrease . ounces of mustard , halfe a pound of oyle de-bay , a quarter of a pound of nerue-oyle , halfe a pound of hony , halfe a pound of english waxe , one ounce of arsnicke , . ounces of red lead , & halfe a pint of vinegar ; boyle all these together , and make an oyntment of it : then hauing clipt and made the soare all bare , apply the medicine thereunto very hot , and renew it once a day vntill it be whole . others vse to take . ounces of orpiment , . of tartar , once of verdigrease , halfe an ounce of sulphur , as much of vitrioll made into powder , the iuice of foure citrions , the whites of two egges , with three ounces of sallet oyle ; let all these bee very well beaten together , and applyed once a day to the soare , and it will not onely heale this disease , but any salt humour whatsoeuer . mingle with soft grease , vinegar , hony , orpiment , and arsnicke : but let arsnicke bee the least , and it will cure this disease , so will also white waxe , turpentine and camphora mixt together . others vse to take a hundred blacke snailes in the moneth of may , slit them , and put them into a bagge with a pint of bay-salt ; then hang them ouer the fire , with a vessell set vnder to receiue what drops from them , and keep it in a close glasse : then annoynt the soare euery day therewith , and it will heale this sorrance . others take hony and vinegar , of each a like quantity , a little oyle , and suet of a he goat , of each a like also ; boyle them with a soft fire , and stirre it well : when it waxeth redde , adde of verdigrease , and vitriolle , of each like quantity made into powder , still stirring it till it bee red and thicke ; then being warme annoynt the soare place therewith once a day after it hath bene washed with warme water : and this not onely helpes the paines , but also any sorrance whatsoeuer of like nature about the legges . also greene copporas , & roach allome of each halfe a pound , and a handfull of bay-salt , boyld in a gallon of running water , will heale it ; or else vnto it adde a pint of hony , and boyle it ouer againe , and it will bee the better : then when you haue annoynted the soare therewith , rubbe it after with the powder of glasse , mustard and vinegar mixt together , and afterward skinne it with creame , and the inner rinde of elder beaten to a salue , which must be applyed to the soare twice a day at the least . chap . of the mules , or kybe heeles . these mules , or kybed heeles , are certaine drye scabbes , or chappes breeding behinde vpon the heeles of a horse , and so a little inward euen to the fetlocke , in long chaps & chi●ewes : it proceedeth either from corruption of bloud , or from being bred in wet marrish grounds , or else from vncleane and negligent keeping , in such manner as the paines are bred : this sorrance will make the horses legge to swell much , especially in the winter , and about the spring time , and he will goe stiffly , and halt much . now for the cure , you shall vnderstand , that whatsoeuer healeth the paines , the same will in like sort heale these kybed heeles ; yet for more particularity , you shall know , that the old farriers did vse for this sorrance , if they tooke it at the beginning , but onely to annoynt it for two or three dayes with sope , and then after to wash it with strong vrine or beefe broth till it were whole : but if it were of any longer continuance , then first to cut away the haire , and lay the soare open and plaine ; then take two ounces of vnslekt lime , one ounce of sope , and the white of an egge , or else an ounce of vnslekt lime , and as much salt , and ounces of foot , and mingling them with strong vinegar , annoynt the soare therewith , and it will heale and kill them . other farriers vse to calcinate tartar , and dissolue it in water : then congeale it like salt , and mingle it with sope like an oyntment , and then dresse the soare therewith , and this will in . howres , heale any mules , paines , or scratches whatsoeuer . if you take the iuice of the leaues and roots of elder , it is very good to dry vp any of these euill humors . chap. . of winde-gales . others vse to open the skin and put out the ielly : then take a spoonefull of oyle de bay , a spoonefull of turpentine , a penyworth of verdigrease , the white of an egge , and a quarter of an ounce of red lead ; boyle them together till it come to a salue ; then lay it to the wind-gall and it will cure it ; or else after you haue let out the ielly , take rosen , sheepes suet , & brimstone , of each a like , & melt them together , and lay that vpon the wind-gall , so it be not too hot , and it will cure it . others take the rootes of comin and beate them well with a little salt , and lay that to the wind-gall ; or else annoynt them with the iuyce of onions or leeke blades , and that will allay them : or else ground iuy and wormewood with the rootes sod in wine and layd to the wind-gall , will take them away . others of our later experienced farriers , take an ounce of white waxe , an ounce of rosen , two ounces of raw hony , three ounces of swines grease , two ounces of oyle of the yelkes of egges , fiue ounces of oyle de bay ; mixe all these well together and straine them ; then rub them into the wind-gall , by holding a hot barre of iron against the oyntment , and it will take the wind-gall away . now for the making of the oyle of yelks of egges , it is thus : first seeth the egges hard , then stampe them , and then seeth them in an earthen pot with a soft fire , and so straine them . now this medicine will not onely heale the wind-gall , but the ring-bone also , it is very good for the abating of the wind-gall , & for making the medicine to work the better , to let the horse stand in a cold running streame an howre morning and euening . the scum of the foure salts sod in mans vrine , and layd to the wind-gall , will take it away . there bee others which take a pottle of vinegar , a pound of orpiment , a quarter of a pound of g●l●es , and as much of the hearbe molleyne stampt small ; mingle these well together , and put them into a pot , then euery day therewith bathe the wind-gal , and in three weekes it will dry them cleane vp ; it will also take away a curbe or a spauen , or a ring-bone , if you take them at the first breeding . other farriers take of ciuill oyle and brimstone , of each like quantity , and seeth them in mans vrine , and stirre them well together ; after put in the quantity of a wall-nut of sope , to keepe the haire from scalding off ; then bathe the wind-gall with this hot , thrice together , rubbing it well in● then annoynt it aboue with nerue-oyle , & oyle de-bay , and make it , by holding to it a hot barre of iron , or a hot-fire pan , to sinke into the flesh , and in three dayes it will dry vp any wind-gall . now for mine owne part , the best medicine i haue found in my practise for this sorrance , and the easiest , is with a fine lancet to open the wind-gall , making the hole no bigger then that the ielly may come forth : then hauing thrust it cleane forth , lap a wollen wet cloath vpon it , and with a taylors hot pressing iron , rubbe vpon the cloath till you haue made the cloath sucke in all the moysture from the wind-gall , and that the wind-gall is dry : then take of pitch , of rosen , and of masticke , of each like quantity , and being very hot , daube it all ouer the wind-gall ; then clappe good store of floxe of the colour of the horse vpon it , and so let the horse rest or runne at grasse , till the plaister fall off by it owne accord , and be sure the wind-gall will be gone . now i am to giue you this for a rule , that by no meanes you vse to a wind-gall , either arsnike , or resagall : for commonly then the wind-gall will come againe ; neither must you burne much , nor make any great incision ; for any of these will turne the soft substance of the wind-gall to hardnesse , and then the horse will be lame without cure . chap. . of a straine in the pastorne ioynt , or fet locke . a horse may be strained in the fetlocke or pastorne ioynt , either by some wrinch in the stable when the plaunchers are broken vnder him , or by treading awry vpon some stone , or vpon some cart-rout , as he trauelleth by the way . the signes whereof be these , the ioynt will be swolne and soare , and the horse will halt ; and the cure , according to the old farriers , is , take a quart of stale vrine , and seeth it till the foame arise ; then straine it , and put thereto a handfull of tansey , and an handfull of mallowes , and a saucerfull of hony , and a quarter of a pound of sheepes suet : then set it on the fire , and seeth them all together till the hearbes be sodden soft ; and then being very hot , lay this pultus to the ioynt , and couer it ouer with a blew cloath ; and in . tmes dressing it will helpe the straine . other farriers take of dialthea halfe a pound , and as much of nerue-oyle , mingle them together , and annoynt the soare place ther with , chafing it wel with both your hands that the oyntment may enter in , continuing so to do euery day once vntill the ointment be all spent , and let the horse rest ; but if this will not preuaile , then they will vse cantharides , as in case of the splent ; but i do not hold that cure conuenient , because it will make a double griefe . therefore i had rather you should take pompillion , nerue-oyle , and blacke sope , of each a like , and heate them hot on the fire , and then annoynt the soare place therewith , and it will make the horse sound . chap. . to remedy any manner of halting that commeth by straine , stroke , or any other accident . now forasmuch as halting is such a generall sorrance amongst horses , that not any man that is maister of a horse , but euen in his smallest trauell , is at one time or other vexed with the same , i will heere before i do proceed any further , set you downe certaine generall receipts selected and culd out of the priuate practise & experiments of the best farriers in christendome , of which i may giue the bolder testimony , because i haue made practise of their vertues . if then your horse haue taken any halt , either by stiffenesse of sinewes , straine , wrinch , stroke , or any other accident , if the griefe bee in his legge , you shall take smallage , oxe eye , and sheepes suet , of each like quantity , chop them all together , and boyle it in mans vrine , and bathe all the legge therewith : then with hay-ropes wet in cold water , rolle vp his legge , and he will be able to trauell the next day : or if you seeth a pound of blacke sope in a quart of strong ale till it looke like tarre , and anoynt the legge therewith , and it will supple his sinewes , & bring them to their true course . if you wash his limbs in the grounds of beere or ale made warme , and then rope them vp in hay-ropes , wet in the same , it will recouer a straine . if you take of the flowre of linseed , of turpentine , and of life hony , of each a like , and boyle them with white wine vntill they be thicke , like vnto an oyntment : then spread it on a cloath , and lay it to the griefe , and it will take away any atche or paine in the sinews : likewise a plaister of wine lees and wheate flowre , or a plaister of blacke sope and boares grease will doe the like . if you mixe nerue-oyle , oyle de bay , and aqua-vitae together , and warme it , and chafe it in , and vpon , and about any straine , it will take the anguish quite away . if the griefe be in the shoulder , or the hinder legge , then burne him vpon the very ioynt by taking vp the skinne with a paire of pinsons , and thrust the skinne through with a hot iron ouerthwart ; and if this cure him not , then his paine is betwixt the thinne skinne and the bone , which must then be rowelled . if the griefe be in the shoulder , or in the hippe , or else where , then let him bloud , and sauing the bloud , mixe therewith the powder of frankinsence , and annoynt the horse with the same . if the griefe be only in the sinews , then take the plaister cald sologliatium , made of gum-dragant , new waxe , pitch , and turpentine mixt together ; or else take the yelkes of two egges , an ounce of frankinsence , and a little branne , and beate them well together , and lay it to the paine . if the griefe do proceed from a hot cause , then let the horse bloud , & with that bloud mixe vinegar & oyle , & anoynt him , & chafe it well in . but if it proceed from a cold cause , then let him bleed a little and with figs soaked a day in warme water , & as much mustard seed , make a plaister and lay to the griefe . if it come either by any rush or stripe , let the horse bloud , and with that bloud mingle strong vinegar , egges , shels and all , three ounces of sanguis draconis , foure of bolearmony , and fiue of wheate meale , and daube it all ouer the soare place . if the griefe be in the shoulder , and the skinne broken , take galles of soria pund , and mingle them with hony , and lay it to the soare . if his paine come from the stiffenesse of his ioynts , take a pound of blacke sope , and boyle it in a quart of ale till it be thicke , and it will comfort the ioynts . if the ioynts be sweld , take rosen , pitch , turpentine , and sanguis draconis , molten together , and lay it to the swelling something warme , and it will either take away the swelling , or else ripen it & make it runne . if you take of the oyle of camomile , oyle of dill , butter , and agripa , of each a like quantity ; or else make a plaister of an ounce of turpentine , halfe an ounce of verdigrease , and the marrow of a stagge ; or bathe the horse with warme water , wherein rosemary hath bene sod , and it will ease any paine whatsoever . if the horses paine be in his shoulder , first with a launcet pricke the skinne through betweene the spade bone and the marrow bone : then putting in a quill , blow the skinne from the flesh euen all about : then thrusting out the winde with your hand , put in a rowel ; then take a pottle of stale vrine , seeth it with a pound of butter , & as much swines grease , a handfull of mallows , a handful of tansey , a handfull of veruine , a handful of red nettles , a handful of southernwood , and a handfull of balme leaues ; then beate them all well together , and so annoynt his shoulder therwith , and let him not go forth of the stable for seuen daies . if his griefe bee in any neather ioynt , then take a handfull of laurell leaues , and of prim-rose leaues , of ground iuy , of crowfoot , of mallowes , of red fennel , and of fine hay , of each of them seuerally as much ; seeth them well together , and then let them stand foureteene dayes ; then bathe the ioynt once a day , & binde of the hearbes vnto it for foure dayes together : then after chafe into the ioynt fresh grease and oyle mixt together , and it will ease all his paine . now to conclude , if any ioynt or member about a horse be by the fluxe of humors sweld and growne out of shape whereby the horse goeth stiffe , and halteth ; then to dissolue those humors take wormewood , sage , rosemary , the barke of the elme tree , and of a pine , together with lin-seed , and boyling these together , make a bathe or pultus thereof , and lay it to the sicke member , and it will dissolue the humours , and so likewise will figs being stampt with salt , and applyed to the soare . chap. . of enterfearing . enterfearing is either when a horse through a naturall straitnesse in his pace , or through euill and too broad shooing goeth so narrow behinde with his hinder feete , that he heweth the one against the other vpon the in-side of his legges , euen with the pastorne ioynt ; and by meanes of this hewing there groweth hard mattery scabbes , which are so soare , that they many times make the horse to halt much . the signes are the straitnesse of his going , and the apparantnesse of the scabbes . now the cure consisteth as much in preuention as in salue : for the preuention , which is to keepe a horse from hewing one legge vpon another , it consisteth onely in the office of the smith , and the making of his hinder shooes , whereby he may goe wider , and not touch ; of which wee shall speake more at large when wee intreate of paring and shooing of each seuerall foote . for the salue which is to cure the hurt being once receiued , it is thus : you shall take of may butter ( if you can get it ) or else fresh grease , or fresh butter , with a quantity of rosen , and as much nerue-oyle : then fry them all together in a pan , and then let it stand till it be cold , and put it in a pot , and put to it a little cow dung : and then plaister●wise apply this vnto the soare , renewing it once a day , and it will not onely heale this soare , but also any pricke by a naile whatsoeuer . chap. . of the shackell-gall , or gall in the pastorne , either by shackel or locke . if a horse be galled in the pastorne , on the heele , or vpon the cronet , either with shackell or locke , as it many times happens in the champion countries , where the farmers vse much to teather their horses : then for such a soare you shall take hony and verdigrease , and boyle them together till the one halfe be consumed , and that it looke red : then after it is a little cooled , you shall annoynt the soare place therewith twice a day , and then strew vpon it a little chopt floxe to keepe on the salue . this is excellent for any gall whatsoeuer , and chiefly for the scratches . chap. . of hurts in the legges which commeth by casting in the halter . the hurts which a horse getteth by being cast in the halter , are many , and proceed from diuers accidents , as when the reines of the coller are so long , & will not run to and fro , that the horse getteth one , or both his forelegs ouer them , & then with struggling , woundeth & galleth them much ; or else when a horse hauing desire to scratch his eare with his hinder foote rubbing it to and fro , in the end fasteneth his foote either in the coller or the reines ; and then the more he striueth to loosen it , the more he galleth & woundeth it , euen somtimes to the very bone . now for the cure , according to the opinion of the old farriers , it is thus : take of oyle oliue one ounce , of turpentine two or three ounces ; melt them together ouer the fire , and then put thereunto a little waxe , and working them all well together lay it plaister-wise vnto the soare , renewing it once a day vntill it be whole . now there be other ●arriers which only annoynt the soare with the whites of egges & sallet oyle mixt together ; and then when the soare cometh to a scab , annoint it with butter being molten vntill it looke browne . now for mine owne part , the cure which i principally vse for this sorrance , is to take of waxe , of turpentine , and of hogges grease , of each an ounce , and hauing mingled & molten them well together , put them into a pot : then take an ounce of verdigrease beaten to powder , and an ounce of hogges grease , and mixe them very wel together , & put that into another pot : then when you dresse the soare , take of the first salue two parts , and of the later a third part , and mixing them well together in the palme of your hand , annoynt all the soare place therewith , doing thus once a day till it be whole . chap. . of the scratches , crepanches or rats-tailes . the scratches , crepanches , or rats-tailes , being all but one sorrance , are long , scabby , dry chaps , or rifts , growing right vp and downe , and ouerthwart on the hinder legges , iust from the fetlocke vnto the place of the curbe ; and as the paines are vnder the fetlocke , so the scratches are aboue the fetlocke : and do proceede either from dry melancholy humors ingendred by outward filth , or else by the fuming of the horses dung lying either neare or vnder him . the signes are both the apparant sight , and the easie feeling of the same , besides the staring , deuiding , and curling of the haire , as also that the sorrance will stinke much . the cure is according to the opinion of the old farriers , to take any of these former medicines whatsoeuer , which are already recited , either for the paines , or mules ; yet for your more particular vnderstanding , you shall know , these medicines are most proper for this sorrance . first you shall shaue away the haire , and make the soare raw : then take of turpentine halfe a pound , of hony halfe a pint , of hogges grease a●quarterne , and three yolkes of egges , & of bolearmony a quarterne beaten into powder , of beane flower halfe a pint ; mixe all these well together and make a salue thereof , and then with your fingar annoynt all the soare places therewith , and let the horse come in no wet during the cure . other farriers vse ( and sure it is the better practise ) first , after they haue shaued away the haire , and layd the soare raw , to wash it well with old vrine very warme ; then take blacke sope , mustard and vinegar , of each a like quantity , and mixe therewith some of an oxe gall ; then stirre them well together , and chafe and rubbe the place therewith , and binde thereto a cloath , so vse it once a day till it be whole : then after annoynt it with neats foote oyle to supple the sinewes againe . others vse to take the finest hay , and burne it to ashes vpon a faire boord , then mixe it with neats foot oyle , and make a salue thereof ; then all to rubbe the soares vntill they bleed almost , and then annoynt them with the said salue , and rope his legges , and keepe them from wet . others vse after they haue washt the soare with old stale , then to take a quantity of strong mustard , vinegar , gray sope , barrowes grease , and some quickesiluer ; mixe them together , and therewith annoynt the soare . other farriers take a quantity of vnsleckt lime , halfe so much blacke sope , and so much of strong vinegar as shall suffice to make it like an oyntment : then the haire being cut away , and the soare washt with vrine , lay to this oyntment , renewing it not the space of two dayes , and it will kill the sorrance : then wash the place once or twice with warme wine ; then after heale it with turpentine and hogges grease molten together , and in no wise let the horse come in any wet . others vse after they haue washt the soare place with vrine , and clipt away the haire , and made the wound raw , to take butter and tarre , of each a like , and boyling them together , annoynt all the soare place therewith euery day till it be whole . others take of hony and verdigrease of each a like , and boile them together vntill halfe bee consumed , and then annoynt the soare therewith once a day vntill it be whole . others of our latter farriers vse either to shaue off the haire , or scald it off with orpiment , and vnsleckt lime boild in strong lee ; then wash it with warme vinegar , or white wine , then when it is dry annoint it with this oyntment . take of orpiment one ounce , of verdigrease three ounces , of soote fiue ounces , a lttle vnsleckt lime , and of hony one pound ; mingle them all well together vpon a soft fire , and being made like an oyntment vse it as aforesaid once a day to the soare ; or else take hony , sope , verdigrease , vnsleckt lime , and vinegar , and boyle them with allome , galles , and maile , till it come to a plaister , and then apply it vnto the soare ; or else boyle sallet oyle with a little suet and sope , then skinne it and take it from the fire ; then adde an ounce of quickesiluer resolued , two ounces of verdigrease , three ounces of vnsleckt lime , and one ounce of white waxe : when all these are well mixt together , and made into a salue , then apply it once a day vnto the soare , vntill it bee whole . other farriers vse , after they haue shaued the place , to boyle vinegar and the skinne of larde or bacon together , and to apply that to the soare three daies together : then take larde molten , litargie , masticke , verdigrease , and soote mingled together , with goates milke , and lay it to , renewing it once a day vntill the soare bee healed . the scraping of a pannes bottome mixt with the inner pilles of elder , are also good for the scratches ; or new mans dung applied for fiue dayes , aud after annoynt the soare with oyle and sope mixt together . others take of vnsleckt lime , the dowder of glasse , and of verdigrease , of each-one an ounce ; of orpiment an ounce , of oyle and of fresh grease , of each foure ounces ; mixe all these well together , and apply it to the soare vntill it be whole ; if you take blacke snailes and burre rootes , and beate them together , it willl also helpe this sorrance . other farriers take an ounce of sope , two ounces of vnsleckt lime , and as much lye , or strong vinegar as will temper it , and so dresse the soare vntill it bee whole . others take fenugreeke and beate it , three oranges cut in peeces , halfe a pound of sheepes suet , newe sheepes dung ; boyle all these in the grounds of good ale , and then bathe the horse therewith as hot as may bee : then rope him vp with hay ropes , and so let him stand three daies , then bathe him him so againe . others take hogges grease , sope , brimstone , soote , and hony ; boyle them , and lay them too cold , you may also adde verdigrease ; but before you lay on this oyntment , scrape the scabbes off and make them bleed , and rubbe them with sope , mustard , and vinegar , mixt together . chap. . of the ringbone . the ringbone is a sorrāce , which appeareth aboue vpon the cronet of the hoofe , being a certaine hard gristell going sometimes round about the same : it proceedeth as some farriers hold opinion either either from some blow of an other horse , or by striking the horses foot against some stubbe , or stone or such like accident : but surely i hold that it also proceedeth from some imperfection innature ; for as much as i haue seene many foales foaled with ringbones on their feete . these ring-bones do breed a viscous and slimy humour , which resorting to the bones that are of their owne nature cold and dry , waxeth hard , and cleaueth to some bone , and so in processe of time becometh a bone . the signes of the sorrance are the apparant sight of the sorrāce , being higher then any part of the cronet , the staring of the haire , & the halting of the horse ; & the cure , according to ancient farriers , is first to scarifie the skin aboue the ring-bone with a lancet ; then take a great onion , & picke out the chore : then put into it verdigrease & vnsleckt lime : then couer the hole , and rost the onion soft , then bruise it in a mortar , & so very hot lay it to the ring-bone : do thus daies together , and it will cure it . others of the old farriers vse first to wash the sorrance with warme water , and shaue away the haire : then scarifie it lightly with the point of a razor so as the bloud may issue forth : then dresse it with cantharides & eu●orbium in such sort as hath bene taught for the splent , vsing him , & curing him after the same manner ; but when the haire beginneth to grow againe , then draw the soare place with a hot drawing iron in strait lines , from the pastorn down to the coffin of the hoofe , in this maner and let the edge of the drawing iron be as thick as the backe of a meate knife , and burne him no deeper then that the skin may looke yellow : that done , couer the burning with pitch and rosen molten together , and clap thereon floxe of the horses owne colour , and about three daies after lay againe some of the last mentioned plaister , and also new floxe vpon the old , and there let them remaine till they fall away of themselues . others vse to shaue off the haire , and to scarifie the soare with a launcet till it bleed : then strew vpon it the powder of tartar , and salt , of each a like mixt together , and binde it straite : then after annoynt it with fresh grease ; or else soften the ring-bone with the skinne of old bacon , the fat being scraped off , that you may see through the skinne , and layd to after it is shauen and made bleede : after launce it and let out the ring-bone . others vse to launce the skinne with a razor ; then opening the skinne with a cornet , pricke the ring-bone . lastly , strew vpon it the powder of vitriolle , and binde it on so as it may not stirre for nine dayes ; then thrust out the matter which is dissolued . lastly , wash it with salt , with vrine , and vinegar mixt together . other farriers doe vse after they haue shaued it , to lay vnto it a plaister made of bran , & hony , with the yong leaues of worme-wood , pellitory , and branke-vrsine mingled with swines grease , and beaten together , and boyled , and vsed as hot as the horse can suffer it . this medicine will not onely cure the ring-bone , but any other hard swelling whatsoeuer . also a plaister of the leaues of smallage being beaten to peeces , is not onely good for this sorrance , but for any wind-gall also . to wash a ring-bone continually with strong vinegar will abate it : or else to shaue away the haire , and take halfe a lemmon , and sprinkle arsnicke thereupon , and lay it to the ring-bone , and it wil eate it away off ; if twice or thrice a day you bind a hard egge burning hote vnto the ring-bone , it will take it away . lastly , if you take euforbium , and mingle it with the oyle of giniper , salt , and pepper , and so apply it to the ring-bone , it will in a very short space consume the ring-bone quite away ; alwaies prouided that you keep the horse from any wet during his cure . chap. . of hurts on the cronet by crossing one foote on another . if your horse by crossing one foote vpon another , chance to wound or hurt the cronet of his hoofe , you shall then , according to the opinion of the old farriers , first wash it well with white wine , or with warme vrine , and then lay vnto it the white of an egge mixt with chimney soote and salt ; and that , if it be renewed once a day , will in two or three dayes dry vp the soare . other farriers vse first to pare or cut away the hoofe that it touch not the hurt , and keepe it cleane from filth by washing it with vrine : then seeth two egges hard , and take off the shels , then presse them with your hand long , and first roast one hot , and tye it to hard ; when that is cold vse the other : after make a plaister of soot , salt , and oyle boyled together , and lay it to the soare , renewing it once a day vntill it be whole . chap. . of the crowne scabbe . the crowne scabbe is a filthy and stinking scabbe , breeding round about the cronets of the hoofe , and is a cankerous & painfull sorrance : it cometh oft-times by means that the horse hath bin bred in a fēny , marrish ground , where the cold , striking corrupt humors vp to his feete , ingendreth this sorrance , which is euer more painful in the winter then in the sōmer . the signes are , the haires of the cronet will be very thin , and staring like bristles , and the cronets will bee alwayes mattering , and run on water . now the cure , according to the opinion of many farriers , is to take the skinne of bacon , and lay thereon soote and salt beaten together , mingled with grease or suet , waxe , and pitch molten together : and if the flesh chance to grow proud , eate it away either with verdigrease , beaten to powder , or with the scrapings of a harts horne , or an oxe horn made into fine powder . other farriers vse to take of sope , and of hogges grease , of each halfe a pound , of bolearmony a little , of turpentine a quarterne ; and mixe them well together , and make a plaister and binde it fast on , renewing it euery day once vntill it leaue running ; and then wash it with strong vinegar being luke warme , euery day once vntill the soare be cleane dryed vp , and let the horse come in no wet vntill the sorrance be whole . others vse onely to bathe it continually with old stale sod with salt , and that will dry vp the humour and heale it . chap. . of the quitter-bone . the quitter-bone is a hard round swelling vpon the cronet of the hoofe , betwixt the heele & the quarter , and groweth most commonly on the in-side of the foote : it breedeth commonly by meanes of grauel gathered vnderneath the shooe , which fretteth inward , & forceth an vlcer to breake vpward : or else it cometh by the cloying or pricking of some naile driuē by an ignorant smith , the anguish whereof looseneth the gristell , and so breedeth euill humors , whereof the quitterbone springeth : the signes are , the horse will halte much , and the swelling is apparant to the eye , which in foure or fiue daies commeth to a head , and will breake out with matter at a little deepe hole like a fistula ; and surely then this quitterbone , there is no outward sorrance whatsoeuer more dangerous to a horse . the cure thereof according to the opinion of some of the ancient farriers is , first to cut the hoofe to the quicke : then seeth a snake or an adder till the flesh part from the bone , and be molten as an vnguent ; then annoint the soare place therewith very warme euen to the bottome , and during the cure keepe the foote cleane from any filth ; for this both drieth , and killeth the quitterbone . other of the old farriers , first burne about the quitterbone with a hot yron , in maner of a halfe circle , & then with the same yron draw another right through the midst thereof in this sort : then take of arsnicke the quantity of a beane beaten into fine powder , and put it into the hole , thrusting it downe to the bottome with a quill , and stop the mouth of the hole with a little tow , and bind it so fast with a cloth and a roller , that the horse may not come at it with his mouth , and so let it rest for that day ; and the next day if you see that the soare looketh blacke within , then it is a signe that the arsnicke did worke well ; then to allay the burning of it , taint the hole with flaxe dipt in hogges grease , and turpentine molten together , and couer the taint with a plaister of pitch , rosen , waxe , and turpentine molten together , but there must be as much terpentine as of all the rest : and thus you must continue to doe vntill you haue gotten out the chore , which the arsnicke did eate ; then shall you see whether the loose gristel in the bottome be vncouered or not : and if it bee not vncouered , then feele with your fingar or with a quill , whether you be nigh it or not ; and if you be , then raise the gristell with a little crooked instrument , and pull it cleane out with a paire of smal nippers or mullets made for the purpose : that done , thrust it againe with a full taint , dipt in the foresaid oyntment , to asswage the anguish of the last dressing , and stop it hard to the intent that the hole may not shrinke together or close vp : and the next day take out that taint , and taint it anew with hony and verdigrease boild together , till they looke redde , renewing it euery day once vntill it be whole , keeping alwaies the mouth of the soare as open as you may , to the intent that it heale not vp too fast , & let not the horse come in any wet , nor trauell vntill he be perfectly whole . other farriers vse to cut the hoofe open to the quicke ; then take g●lbanum , sagapenum , pitch of greece , olibanum , masticke , oyle , & white waxe , of each an ounce , with halfe a pound of sheepe suet : melt them vpon a soft fire , and incorporate them well together , and therewith dresse the soare place vntill it be whole . others vse after the soare is opened , to put in the salt of tartar , and when that hath eaten away the quitterbone , to heale it vp with hony and verdigrease boild as aforesaid . others take of goates dung two ounces , of sheepes tallow three ounces , and as much strong vinegar as will suffice to boyle them well in , and then therewith to dresse the quitterbone , vntill it bee cleane whole . chap. . of grauelling a horse . grauelling is a certaine fretting of grauell , sand , or dirte vnder the foote betwixt the sole and the shooe , sometimes on the inside , and sometime on the outside of the foote , and sometimes of both sides of the heele . it commeth , as i said , by meanes of little grauell stones getting betwixt the hoofe , or calking or sponge of the shooe , which by continuall labour and trauell of the horse , doth eate through the hoofe into the quicke of the foote ; and the rather if the horses heeles bee soft and weake , or that the shooe do lye flat to his foote , so as the grauell being gotten in it cannot get out againe . the signes whereof are these , the horse will halt much , and couet to goe most on his toe , to fauour his heele , and the softer the way is , the more is the horses case . now for the cure according to the old farriers , it is thus ; first pare the hoofe till you may see the soare , then take an ounce of virgin waxe , and a quarter of an ounce of rossen , and a quarter of deares suet , & halfe an ounce of boares grease , and beate them all well together in a morter , and then melt them together on the fire ; that done , dip good stoare of flaxe therein , and so stop vp the soare close and hard , and then you may trauell the horse whither you please ; and do thus once a day vntill the foote bee sound . other of the old farriers vse , first to pare the hoofe , and to get out the grauell with a drawing knife , leauing none behind ; then stop the soare place with turpentine and hogges grease molten together , and laid one with a little tow or flaxe , and then clap on the shooe , to keepe in the stopping , renewing it euery day once vntill it be whole , and suffer the horse to come in no wet vntill it be healed . now you must vnderstand that if a grauelling be not well stopt to keepe down the flesh , it wil rise higher then the houe , and so put the farrier to much more paine , both in bolstring it , and abating that ill growne substance . others vse onely to pare the foot , and pricke out all the grauell cleane , then wash it well with beere and salt ; then melt into it tallow , rosen , and pitch : then couering it hard and close with flaxe , set on the shooe againe , and doe thus once a day . others vse after they haue cleansed the soare , to lay hurds into it , being dipt in the white of egs , then after heale it with salt beaten small & mixt with strong vinegar , or else with the powder of galles , salt , and tartar , mixt together which also is good for any cloying or pricking . chap. . of surbating . svrbating is a continual beating of the hoofe against the ground , & it commeth sometimes by meanes of euill shooing lying too flat to his foot , or by going long barefoot ; and sometimes by the hardnesse of the ground , and the high lifting of the horses feete , either in his trot , or in his amble ; and the horses which are most subiect to this sorrance , are those which haue either great round feete , or such as are flatte footed , the coffins whereof are weake and tender , and also those which haue weake heeles . the signes of the griefe are , the horse will halt much , and goe creeping and stiffe , as if he were halfe foundred ; and the cure , according to the opinion of the old farriers , is to roast a couple of egges exceeding hard , and then in the very violence of their heate , to burst them in the horses feete , and then powre hot boyling sallet oyle also amongst them , and to stoppe the shooe vp close with a peece of leather , and two crosse splents of wood , and doe thus thrice in one fortnight , and it will helpe him . others of the ancient farriers , take off the horses shooes , and pare him as little as may be ; and if the shooes be not easie , that is to say , long , large , and hollow enough , then make them so , and tacke them on againe with foure or fiue nailes : that done , stoppe his feete with hogges grease , and branne boyled together so hot as may bee , and also couer all the coffin round about with the same , binding all in together with a cloath , and a list fastened about the ioynt , renewing it euery day once vntill it bee sound ; and giue the horse during the cure , warme water to drinke , and let him stand drye , and not haue much trauell . now if your horse surbate in your trauell , if euery night you stoppe his feete well with cowes dung , or with cowes dung and vinegar , it will make him endure out his iourney . chap. . of the pricke in the so●le of the foote , either by treading on a naile , or any other sharpe thing . if a horse in his trauell chance to treade either on stubbe , naile , thorne , or any other sharpe thing whatsoeuer , by meanes whereof hee is prickt in the soale of the foote , the rider shall perceiue the same by the sudden faltring of the horse , who will instantly stand still and lift vp his foote , as desiring helpe : and if it chance at any other time , then the halting of the horse , and the diligent searching of a carefull farrier must finde out the mischiefe . now the cure , according to the opinion of the ancient farriers , is first to pull off the shooe , and pare the foote , and with a drawing knife , vncouer the hole , making the mouth so broade as a twopence : then tacke on the shooe againe : that done , stoppe it by powring into the hole turpentine and hogges grease molten together , and lay some flaxe or tow vpon it ; and then stoppe all the horses foote with cowes dung , and so couering it with a peece of leather , splent it with two crosse stickes so as the stopping may abide in , renewing it euery day once vntill it be whole , and let the horse treade in no wet . now you must bee very carefull in the curing of this sorrance : for if it bee not healed from the bottome , besides that it is dangerous to the life of the horse , it is also a great hazard that the soare will breake out at the toppe of the hoofe , and so loosen the hoofe round about , and perhaps make it fall cleane away ; but if you see that it beginne to breake out aboue , then make a greater issue beneath , by opening the hole wider , and taking more of the soale away , that the flesh may haue the more liberty : then take of bolearmony halfe a quarterne , and of beane flowre as much , and two egges ; beate them , and mingle them well together , and make a plaister thereof vpon tow , and lay it round about the cronet , binde it fast on , and so let it remaine the space of two daies , and then renew it againe , not failing so to do euery two dayes vntill you see it waxe hard and firme aboue : for this plaister being restricktiue , will force the humours to resort alwayes downeward ; which humours must bee drawne out with turpentine and hogges grease , as before , vntill it leaue mattering ; and then drye it vp with burnt allome beaten into powder , and strewed vppon the soare , with a little flaxe layd againe vppon that , continuing so to doe euery day once vntill it bee hardened ; and let not the horse come in any wet vntill it bee whole . other farriers vse to taint the soare with tallow , tarre , and turpentine being molten together , and anoynt all the coffin and cronet of the hoofe with bole-armony and vinegar beaten together till the soare bee whole , especially if the thing which did pricke the horse was venemous or rusty . chap. . to draw out either stub , thorne , or iron , either out of the foote , or any other part of the body . if either the stubbe , the thorne , the iron , or any thing whatsoeuer , wherewith your horse is wounded , bee gotten so deepe into the flesh that you cannot get hold vpon it to pull it out , then , according to the opinion of the old farriers , ( if you finde that albeit it bee too deepe , yet it is not much too deepe ) you shall take a good quantity of blacke sope , and lay it to the soare for a whole night , and it will make it to appeare , so as you may pull it out with a paire of nippers : but if it lye very deepe , then you must open the place with a launcet , and thrusting in your mullets or nippers , pull it out by strength , and afterwards heale vp the wound , as was before taught in the last chapter . other farriers say , that the rootes of reedes being stampt and mixt with hony , it will draw out any stubbe or naile : so will also blacke snailes being stampt and wrought with fresh butter . now if the place bee much swolne , then it is good to mollifie it with a plaister made of worme-wood , parietory , beares foote , hogges grease , and hony , well boyled and mixt together , which will asswage any new swelling that commeth by stripe or otherwise . now when you haue gotten out that which you sought for , then you shall first powre into the wound scalding oyle oliue ; when that is cold , powre into it as hote turpentine ; when that is cold , strew on the powder of sulphure , and then bolster his foote or the soare with hurds , and keepe it from all wet and filthinesse . chap. . of the figge . if a horse hauing receiued any hurt , as is before said , either by stubbe , great naile , thorne , bone , splent , or stone , either in the soale , or any other part of the foote , and bee not well dressed , and perfectly cured , there will grow in that place a certaine superfluous peece of flesh , like vnto a figge , full of little white graines as you see are in figs. the cure whereof according to the opinion of the ancient farriers is , first with a hot yron , to cut the figge cleane away , and keepe the flesh downe with turpentine , hogges grease , and a little waxe molten together , and laid on with a little tow , stopping the hole hard that the flesh rise not , renewing it once a day vntill the soare bee whole . now other of our latter farriers vse after they haue as before said , cut away the figge , then to take the crops of young nettles , & chopping them very small , lay them vpon a cloth , iust as bigge as the figge ▪ then take the powder of verdigrease and strew it thinne vpon the chopt nettles , and so bind it to the soare , renewing it once a day vntill the hoofe haue couered the soare , and this is a most certaine cure . chap. . of a retrait . a retrait is when a horse by the ill gouernment of the smith , is prickt in the foote with some ill driuen naile , yet in such sort that it is immediatly espied , and the naile drawne backe againe ; and although it proceedeth of test from the negligence of the smith , yet it may also come by reason of the weakenesse of the naile , and the hollowesse of the shanke : for when the naile is a little too weake , the point many times bendeth awry into the quicke , when it should go right foorth ; and when it is hollow it shiuereth in the driuing into two parts , whereof one part razeth the quicke in pulling out , or else perhaps breaketh asunder , and so remaineth still behind : and this kind of pricking is the worst of all other , because it will ranckle worst , in as much as the flaw cankereth and remaineth stil in the foot . the signes hereof are , . the apparant shrinking & struggling of the horse assoone as the quick is touched , and next his much halting : lastly you shall search his foote with a hammer , by knocking vpon the clinch of euery naile : for when you knocke vpon that naile where the griefe is , the horse will shrinke vp his foote ; and if that will not serue , then grope the hoofe with a paire of pinsons round about vntill you haue found the place grieued . now the cure , according to the opinion of the ancient farriers is , first to pull off the shooe , and then open the place grieued , either with a butteris or with a drawing knife , so that you may perceiue either by feeling or seeing , whether there be any peece of naile or not ; if there be , then pull it cleane out ; after take of nettles halfe a handfull , and bruise them in a mortar , and put thereto a spoonefull of redde vinegar , and a spoonefull of blacke sope , and two ounces of brocks grease , or the fat of salt bacon , and bray all these wel together , and stop well the hole of the soare with this , and then tacke on the shooe againe , & you may safely aduenture to trauel him . other farriers vse after they haue opened the soare to stop vp the hole with turpentine , waxe , and sheepes suet molten together ; and so poured hot into the hole , and then lay a little tow vpon it , & clap on the shooe againe , renewing it thus euery day once vntill it be whole ; during which time the horse must not come in any wet , and it must be stopped in this sort , though it be but prickt without any peece of naile remaining : & if for lacke of looking to in time , this retrait causeth the horse to breake out , then you shall cure it either with a restrictiue plaister of bolearmony , beane flowre , and egges , mentioned in the . chapter : or else with chopt nettles and verdigrease , spoken of in the last chapter . now there be other farriers , which not onely for this retraite , but for any pricke in the horses foot , vse after they haue layd open the wound , to take of turpentine one ounce , of tarre one ounce , of pitch one ounce , of beefe suet one ounce , and one head of garlicke ; boyle them all together , and lay them to it so hot as may be suffered ; and if it chance to breake out aboue the hoofe , then apply also the same medicine vnto it , and it will cure it . chap. . of cloying . a horse is said to bee cloyed with a naile , or prickt with a naile , when the whole naile is stricken into the quick of the foote , and so remaineth stil in the same , & is clinshed as other nailes be , by means wherof the horse halteth extremly . now this griefe is knowne by searching the grieued place with a hammer or pinsons as is before said . now for the cure , according to the opinion of the old farriers it is thus ; if the horse halt immediatly , then pul off his shooe and open the hole vntill it beginne to bleed , and then stop vp the hole with turpentine , waxe , and sheepes suet molten together , and poured in very hot , renewing it once a day vntill it be whole ; and let the horse tread in no wet , and let his shooe bee tackt on againe as soone as he is drest . others vse onely to poure into the hole hot scalding butter , and that will heale it ; or else to burne the hole with another naile , and that will cure it . other farriers vse after they haue opened well the soare to take halfe a pound of frankinsence , a pound of rosen , a pound of pitch of greece , halfe a pound of blacke pitch , a pound of new waxe , a pound of goats grease , halfe a pound of varnish , halfe a pound of turpentine , two ounces of oyle oliue ; and melt them altogether , and lay this vnto the hoofe plaisterwise , and it will not onely heale any pricke whatsoeuer , but also any crackes , chincks , or clifts in the hoofe howsoeuer they breed ; prouided that you let the horse tread in no wet during the cure ; but if the soare chaunce to breake out on the toppe of the hoofe , then you shal take two or three yelks of egges , whites and all beaten together , and adde thereunto an ounce of bolearmony , and as much beane or wheate meale as will thicken the same : then make a plaister thereof two fingers broad , and as long as will goe round on the toppe of the horses hoofe , bind it fast on with a roller , and renew it once a day vntill it be whole . other farriers vse after they haue searched and laid open the wound , to put into it hurdes dipt in the white of an egge , then stoppe the whole with salte beaten very small , mingled with veruin , and strong vinegar , and couer it with flaxe dipt in strong vinegar ; or else holding vp the horses foote , poure into the wound hote scalding oyle oliue ; and when that is cold ▪ poure in hote turpentine , and that being cold strew vpon it the powder of sulphure ; then lay on a bolster of flaxe , then shooe him , and keepe him from treading in any wet . others vse to take tallow , the powder of sulphure , mallowes , and very strong vinegar ; boyle them together vntill they be thicke like an oyntment : then lay the same to the soare , as hote as the horse can endure it , renewing it once in twelue howres till it be whole . others vse to take of hony and vinegar , of each a like quantity , a little oyle , and suet of a he goate ; boyle them with a soft fire , and stirre it : when it waxeth redde , adde verdigrease and vitriolle , of each a like , made into powder , still stirring it till it bee thicke and redde ; then stoppe the soare euery day therewith vntill it be whole , after you haue washed it well with salt and vinegar . others take pepper , garlicke , and cabbadge leaues beaten with swines grease , and lay that to the soare : or else take tallow , and horse dung , and mixing them well together , stoppe the soare therewith , and in short space it will cure it . other farriers vse to take off the shooe , then hauing opened the soare , to wash it with wine : then lay vpon it the inner rinde of elder , and through that melte in grease with a hot iron : then tacke on the shooe againe , and doe thus diuers dayes together , and it is a certaine cure . chap. . generall obseruations for the feete and houes of a horse . forasmuch as the feete and houes of a horse are the onely instruments of labour , and that a small griefe in that part depriues a man of the benefite and vse of the rest ; i thinke it not amisse before i speake of the particular diseases of the houes , to shew you some generall notes and obseruations which you shall obserue for the benefite of the feete . know then that first it is meete that you let your shooes before be short , with strong spunges , but no cawkins , and your nailes to haue speciall good heads . let your shooes behinde haue a cawkin on the out-side ; but if he enterfeare , let the cawkin bee on the in-side to make him cast outward , and let the inside of that side inward haue a welt an inch deepe , or be twice as thicke as the out-side : but if all this helpe not his enterfearing , then bring him to an amble ; but if hee will not amble , burne him with a hote iron betwixt the legges , that the soarenesse therof may make him goe wide behinde , which is an odinary practise amongst the french-men . let your shooes bee made of iron that will not breake , of which our english is best , the spanish next , and the danske worst . let them also be light , yet so as they may bee able to beare the burthen of the horse , being broader at the toes , then at the cawkins or spunges . let your cawkins be short , and blunt at the points , and your spunges long and thicke . let your shooe be full as straite as the horne of the hoofe so farre as the nayles goe , and from the two heele-nayles backward , let the shooe be broader then the hoofe , that the shooe may be without the horne . giue vnto euery shooe nine nailes , on each side foure , and one in the midst ; and let the shankes of the nailes bee very flat and thin , that if the hoofe be naught , they may yet keepe the shooe firme with little hold , and the nearer that your nailes are driuen backeward towardes the heele ( so it bee without danger ) the faster the shooe will sit , and the harder to be puld away . let your cawkins sit a strawes breadth behinde the corner of the coffin , and let your naile heads enter into the shooe , especially on the outside , and by all meanes hollow your shooe so little as may be . pare very little or nothing at all from the heele of a horse ; yet open his heeles as sufficiently as may be , because euer the heele must be thicke , and the toe thin . in faire waies pare the soale thin , but in frost or stony wayes , pare as little as may be . to conclude , when the hoofe is higher on the out-side then on the in-side , it will make a horse enterfeare ; and when it is higher on the in-side , it will make a horse straddle , so that a faire smooth table is of all most conuenient . after trauell euer stoppe the in-side of the hoofe with cowes dung , and rubbe the out-side and the cronet with the sward of fat bacon : for that will keepe a tough , smooth , and a sound hoofe . chap. . of loosening of the hoofe . a hoofe is sayd to bee loosened when there is a dissolution or parting of the horne or coffin of the hoofe from the flesh , at the setting on of the cronet . now if this dissolution or parting bee round about the cronet , then it proceedeth by meanes of some foundring ; but if it bee but in part , then it proceedeth from the anguish caused either by the pricking of some canell naile , or other naile piercing the soale , or quarters of the foote ; or by some quitterbone , retraite , grauelling , or cloying , or such like accident . the signes of the disease be these : when it is loosened by foundring , then it will breake first , and the dissolution will appeare on the fore part of the cronet right against the toe , because the humour doth couet alwayes to descend towards the toe ; but if it proceede from pricking , grauelling , or such like , then the hoofe will loosen round about , equally euen at the first ; but when it proceedes from some quitterbone , or hurt vpon the cronet , then the hoofe will breake right aboue the place that is offended , and most commonly will go no further . now the cure , according to the opinion of the ancient farriers , is , of what cause soeuer the loosening proceed , first to be sure to open the hoofe in the soale of the foot , so as the humor may haue free passage downeward ; and then to binde about the toppe of it , the restrictiue plaister spoken of in the . chapter , and in the . chapter , and in such sort , as it is there written , and then heale it vp with turpentine and hogges grease molten together . others of the ancient farriers take three spoonefull of tarre , and a quarter of a pound of rosen , and halfe a handfull of tansie , and halfe an handful of rew , and halfe an handfull of red mints , and halfe an handfull of southernwood , and bray all these together in a mortar : then adde halfe a pound of butter , and a penyworth of virgine waxe , then melt them all together ouer the fire vntill it come to a thicke plaister or salue , then spread some of it vpon a cloth , and lay it to the soare , renewing it once a day for seauen daies , and it will heale it . others vse to take the braines of a swine or a pig , and to stop his hoofe very wel therewith , three daies together , renewing it twice or thrice a day ; and it will grow fast , and endure as well , or rather better then euer it did . other farriers vse to cut out the sole below , letting it bleed well ; after stop it with hurds dipt in the whites of egs , tye this to for twenty foure howers , then wash it with strong vinegar warmed , after fill it with tartar , and salt of each a like quantity , let that remaine in daies ; then annoint it with the oyntment made of olibanum , masticke , pitch of greece , of each a like , and a little sanguis draconis , and of new waxe , and sheepes suet as much as of the first , and melte , and boyle them all very well together , and let this oyntment be applyed once a day till the soare be whole . but if you perceiue that any new hoofe come , then cut away the old , lest the hardnesse of the one hinder the tendernesse of the other ; and then annoynt the new hoofe with suet , oyle , & waxe , of each a like boyled together , to make it grow ; or else with pitch of greece , mastick , olibanum , sanguis dracouis , & galbanum , of each alike , being molten with suet : for this will make the new hoofe to grow also , so will also new waxe , hony , oyle , swines grease , and sheeps suet , being boyled together ; and when it is cold adde masticke , sanguis draconis , and frankensence , and incorporate them all together ; for nothing sooner then this will make either new or old hoofe grow . others vse to take shell snailes and stampe them , and lay them twice a day to the soare , and they will either fasten the old hoofe , or quickly bring foorth a new . now there bee other farriers which first fill the soare with turpentine , and after it hath laine twenty foure howers , then wash the soare with vrine or copporas water ; then fill it either with verdigrease , or with sheepes tallow , pitch , and rosen boyld together , in which hauing dipt hurdes lay it to the soare very hot twice a day vntill it be whole . chap. . of casting the hoofe . the casting of the hoofe is , when the whole coffine thereof falleth cleane away from the foote ; which commeth of all the former causes rehearsed in the last chapter , & is so apparant to the eye that it nedeth none other signes . now for the cure it is thus , take of turpentine one pound , of tarre halfe a pint , of vnwrought waxe halfe a pound , of sheepes suet halfe a pound , & of sallet oyle halfe a pint ; boyle all these things together , and stirre them continually vntill they bee throughly mixt together ; then make a boote of leather with a strong sole fit for the horses foote , to be laced fast about the pastorne ; then dresse his foote with the salue aforesaid , laid vpon flaxe or tow , and bolster or stop his foote with soft flaxe , so as the boote may grieue him no manner of waies , renewing it euery day once vntill the new hoofe come : then as the hoofe beginneth to harden , if it grow either thicke , crompled , or out of order ; with a fine rape-file keepe it smooth and plaine till the hoofe bee perfect , and then put him to grasse , that there it may take a kindly hardening and toughnesse . chap. . of the hoofe-bound . the hoofe-bound is nothing else but a shrinking in of the whole hoofe in the vpper parte thereof , making the skinne to stare aboue the hoofe , and to grow ouer the same . it proceedeth from keeping the horses hoofes too dry in the stable , or from straite shooing ▪ or from some vnnaturall heate after foundring ; and the signes of the disease are , that the horse will halt much , and his hoofes will be hot ; and if you knocke vpon them with an hammer , they will sound hollow like an empty bottle ; and if both his feete bee not hoofe-bound , then the soare foote will euer be the lesser : and you shall also vnderstand that this disease of some farriers is called a dry foundring . now for the cure thereof according to the opinion of the ancient farriers , it is thus , take a pound of the sward of bacon , and a quarterne of a pound of white sope , and a handfull of balme , and a handfull of bay leaues , and foure or fiue branches of rew , and stampe them well together ; and then fry them , and lay them about the cronet of the hoofe very●oat , suffering it so to abide the space of fiue daies , and then renew it , but in no case let him tread in any wet , and this will helpe him . other of the ancient farriers vse , first to pull off his shooes , and to shooe him with halfe moone shooes called lunets or lunet , the shape whereof you shall see in an other place ; then raze both the quarters of the hoofe with a drawing knife , from the cronet vnto the sole of the foote , so deepe that you may see the dew come foorth : and if you make two razes on each side , it shall bee so much the better , and inlarge the hoofe the more ; that done , annoint all the hoofe aboue next vnto the cronet round about with the oyntment described before in the last chapter of casting the hoofe , continuing so to do euery day once vntill hee beginne to amend ; and let him bee ridden vpon some soft wet ground an howre or two euery day once for the space of a moneth ; and if hee goe not well at the moneths end , then take off the halfe shooes , and pare all the soles , ●rushes and all so thinne , that you may see the dew come foorth , and tacke on a whole shooe , and stoppe all the foote within with hogges grease and branne molten together , and laid very hote to the foote , renewing it euery day once the space of nine daies , to the intent the sole may rise ; but if this will doe no good , then take away the sole cleane , and clap on a whole shooe , and stoppe the foote with nettles and salte braid together ; yet stop it not too hard , to the intent the sole may haue liberty to rise ; & let this be renewed euery day once , till the sole bee growne againe , then let him bee shod with lunets , and so sent to grasse . other farriers vse onely to raze the hoofe from the cronet to the verdge of the hoofe in foure or fiue places , and rubbe it twice or thrice a day with salt , and that will open the hoofe . others vse onely to open the horse exceeding much at the heeles once a weeke , and to shooe him with very wide open shooes , and then for a moneth or two to draw him in some carte , that by beeing forced to set his foote hard to the ground , hee may thereby stretch foorth and widen his hoofe . now to preuent this soarrance , it is good to annoynt his hoofes with neats foote oyle , or with turpentine , and to stop them vnderneath with cowes dung . chap. . of the running or rotten frush . the frush , which of some is called the frogge of the foote , is the tenderest part of the hoo●e towards the heele , and is fashioned like a forked arrow head , being onely that part of the foot which farriers cut forth , when they say they cut forth the soale of the horses foote . now in this frush breedeth many times a rottennesse or corruption proceeding of humors which cometh out of the legges , by which the legge is kept cleane from wind-galles , and all other tumors or swellings by meanes that the humours haue passage that wayes ; notwithstanding the mischiefe of this sorrance is greater then the benefite , because it maketh the horses foote so weake and tender , that he is not able to treade vpon any hard ground . the signes of the sorrance are , the horse will halt much when he trauelleth either vpon loose stony ground , or vpon stiffe dirty waies , and goeth euer best vpon greene swarth ; but aboue all hee halteth most when the pas●age of the humour is stopped with any grauell gathered into the frush , and not being stopt , it will continually runne , and stinke so extremely that a man can hardly endure it ; besides , in some places it will looke rawe . now the cure , according to the opinion of the ancient farriers , is thus : first take off the shooe , and pare away all the corrupt places , and make them raw , so as you may see the water issue out of the raw places : then tacke on the shooe againe , being first made wide and large enough : that done , take of soote one handfull , of salte as much ; bruise them well together in a dish , and put thereto the whites of three egs , and temper them altogether ; & with a little ●ow dipt therein , stoppe all the foote , and especially the frush , and splent it in so as it may not f●ll out , renewing it once a day the space of seuen dayes , and certainly it will cure him . now during the cure , the horse must rest , and come in no wet ; and at the seuen dayes end , leaue stopping him , and ride him abroad , and alwayes when hee commeth in , let his soare foote be cleane washed : for there is no greater enemy vnto the sorrance then grauell and dirt . other of our later farriers , onely take off the shooe , and pare him well , and keepe the soare cleane , both from dirt and his owne dung , by washing it three or foure times a day with vrine , and that alone will cure him as well as any medicine . chap. . of euill houes . horses partly through a naturall inclination , partly through the stoninesse of the soyle wherein they are bred , and partly through mischaunce or ill gouernment , will haue ill fauoured and naughty houes , as either wrinckled , or crumpled , or else moulded awry , or such like : all which needes no signes because of the apparant sight thereof : then to amend them , the best cure is with a fine rape-file to smooth the wrinckles away , and to annoynt the cronet of the hoofe with the fat swarde of bacon rubbed in foote : then let the horse stand for at least a fortnight vpon his owne dung , whereon you shall cast good store of water , onely remoue away the dung euery night ; and then presently after the change of the moone , shooe the horse with strong shooes , keeping the soale of the foote by paring , so hollow as you can possible , and it will shape his hoofe to your pleasure . chap. . of brittle hooues . if a horse either through the heate of his owne nature , or in that he hath bene either heated on his feete by labour , or foundred and euill cured , shall happen to haue his houes so brittle and short , that they will hardly beare a shooe : the signes whereof are , the hoofe will be white and crumbling : then the best cure , according to the opinion of the best farriers , is to take oxe dung and vinegar , and mixing them very well together , warme them on the fire , and so binde it both vnder and aboue round about the horses hoofe , and then lace on his boote of strong leather as is aforesaid in the chapter of casting of the hoofe . other farriers vse to let the horse stand vpon his owne dung , and annoynt all the vpper part of his hoofe with the fat of bacon sodde and mixt with turpentine : and this you must doe euery day once till you see his houes come to some toughnesse . others vse to take turpentine , hogges grease , & hony , of each a like ; melt them well together , and being warme annoynt all the hoofe therewith : then dip tow therein , and fold it all about the horse foot both vnder & aboue ; and then put on his boote : dresse him thus once a day , and once in two daies let him stand foure houres without his boote , that his hoofe may grow as well hard as tough . chap. . how to preserue houes . if you meane to preserue your horses hoofes either from any of the former sorrances , or any other griefe whatsoeuer , you shall , according to the opinion of the ancient farriers , take three heads of garlicke , a little bundle of rewe , sixe ounces of allome , beaten into powder , two pound of old grease , and the dung of an asse ; boyle them all very well together , and stoppe your horses hoofes therewith once a day . other farriers take of vinegar a quarterne , of tarre halfe a pint , of hogges grease halfe a pound , of oyle a pint , and a good handfull of wormwod , and foure or fiue heads of garlicke ; boyle all these together to a thicke oyntment , and therewith annoynt all the horses hoofes . others vse to boyle beanes till they burst , and then temper them with hony , and therwith annoynt all the hoofes : or else wash all the hoofes with warme vinegar , and then annoynt them with horehound , wormewod , & grease molten together . other farriers take of olibanum and new waxe , of each an ounce , of dialthea and turpentine , of each three ounces , of butter foure ounces , of old oyle sixe ounces , & of sheeps suet & plantaine , of each a pound ; boyle them all well together , & therewith annoynt the hoofes twice a day . other farriers annoynt his hoofes with turpentine , hogges grease , and hony warmed and molten together , of each a like quantity ; then pare the foote well , and shooe him in t●e new of the moone two or three daies after the change . others vse to take chaulke and white lead mingled together ; or else barke-dust and hony mixt together , and being heated in a posnet , and laid hote on the bare flesh , is most excellent to make any houe grow ; to conclude if a horse stand vpon his owne dung ( being very well watered ) so he doe not lye in it , it is most soueraigne for the preseruing of the houes chap. . for any hurt vpon the houes . if your horse shall receiue any hurt vpon his houes , either outwardly or inwardly , as either by any false treading or crossing one foote vpon an other , or by any bruise either vpon cogle stone , flint , or such like , then for the cure thereof you shall first stoppe the hoofe with hony and vinegar mixt together , for the space of three daies at the least ; and then afterward with the leaues of tamariske , well bruised & beaten together , vntil the hoofe be sound againe . other farriers vse onely to stoppe the hoofe with sheepes grease and horse dung well mixt together , renewing it onely once a day vntill it be well . chap. . how to soften houes . the houes of horses will , by long & dry standing vpon dry plaunchers , grow so hard that they will not be pared , nor cut by any butteris ; besides , they will so take from the horse the sence and feeling of his feete , that the horse wil goe very stiffe and vnnimbly : wherefore when you shall perceiue any such defect , which is best knowne by offering to pare the hoofe , then presently you shall take an ounce of sope , two ounces of vnsleckt lime , with as much strong lye as will make it soft like a lenwicke salue , then with that stoppe the horses feete dayly till they come to a conuenient softnesse . chap. . how to harden houes . as dry standing & dry keepinng doth harden the houes too much , so wet and moist keeping , as continuall going in marrish grounds , or continuall standing either vpon dirt or the horses owne dung , will make a horses houes too soft ; in so much that the horse through the tendernesse thereof will neither bee able to goe nor to beare any shooe , which you shal perceiue by the soft and easy cutting of the hoofe ; the manner then to harden and cure them is , according to the opinion of the ancient farriers , first to burne an old shooe sole , then seeth it well in vinegar , and therewith bathe the horses houes , at the least twice a day , and it will harden them . other farries vse to take of the powder of galles , of branne , and of salt , of each a handfull ; boyle these well in a pottle of strong vinegar , and therewith bathe the hoofes , and in a short space it will harden them . chap. . of the maltlong on the hoofe . the maltlong , or as some farriers call it , the malt-worme , is a cankerous soarrance aboue the hoofe , iust vpon the cronet , which will breake out into knobbes and branches , and out of the same will runne a waterish sharpe lye or humor , which will venome the whole foote ; as for the signes , they are the apparant sight of the sorrance , and the continuall running out of the thinne water . now the cure according to the opinion of the ancient farriers is , if it bee in the sommer time , to take blacke snailes , and burre rootes : and beating them wel together lay them vnto the soare , and renew them once in twenty foure howres . but if it bee in the winter , then take the scraping of a pannes bottome or of a cauldron , and put thereto an handfull of the inner greene barke or pils of the elder tree ; and hauing beaten them well together in a mortar , lay it vnto the soare , and renew it once a day , and it will heale it . others vse to take garlicke , pepper and hony , of each like quantity ; stamp them very well together , then annoynt his tongue with a little thereof , and then lay some to his pastorns , and that will cure the soarrance . chap. . how to skinne any soare foote . there is nothing better to skinne any soare foote of what accident or soarrance soeuer it procede , then to take turpentine simply of it selfe , and therewith euery day to annoynt the soare foote , and it will not onely gather skinne but hoofe also , if it bee in a place where any such need requireth . chap. . of gourded or swolne legges . the gorge or gourded legges , is an ill sorrance , being a grieuous swelling in the neather part of the legges , proceeding either from the melting of the grease by immoderate labour , & then wanting wherewith to auoide that grease out in the excrements , it falleth downe into the limbes , and there breedeth this swelling ; or else when a horse is exceedingly heated , and then without care set vp , and taketh cold , in so much that the blood falleth downe into his legges , and there congealeth , and maketh his legges to swell . to conclude , they doe sometimes proceede from hard beating in hard waies in the sommer time , which first raiseth vp windgals , and then those windgals offending the sinews , maketh them to swell , and this is the worst gourding , because euer for the most parte lamenesse doth follow it . the signes are , the horses legges will euer bee most swolne when hee standeth still in the house , and least when he is in trauell , especially if hee trauell in much water ; and the swelling most commonly is accompanied with some small scabs , and in the end it will breake out into the scratches . the cure according to the opinion of the ancient . farriers is , to draw him with a hot yron a handfull aboue the knee , & then rope his legs with a soft rope of hay wet in cold water , and let it so remaine a day and a night , and it will take away all the swelling . other farriers take two pound of nerue oile , two pound of black sope , a pound of boares grease , and melt and boyle all th●se well together : then straine it , and so let it coole : then when you haue ●●y need , annoynt and chafe your horses legg●s therewith ; and to make it sinke in the better , annoynt him first with nerue-oyle , and hold a hote iron against his legges to make it melte : then vse the other oyntment in the same manner : which done , keepe his legges cleane from dust by lapping a linnen roller about them . others of our later farriers vse to take vp the veines beneath the knee , and let him bleede well : then knitte the veine both aboue and below , and then annoynt his legges with this oyntment : take of frankinsence , rosen , and fresh grease , of each a like quantity , and hauing boyled them very well together , then straine it , and vse it once a day as you shall haue occasion , and it will heale any gorge whatsoeuer ; onely for the taking vp of the veines , you may if you will , forbeare it , sith if it bee not done with great cunning , it will make the horse stiffe euer after . chap. . of the farcy or fashions . the farcy ( of our ignorant smiths called the fashions ) is of all outward sorrances the vilest , the most poysonous , infectious , and the most dangerous ( being any whit neglected , ) otherwise the most easiest , and with the least cost or trouble to bee helped . it is a kinde or ●●eeping ●lcer , growing in knots , euer following amongst some one veine or other , and sometimes alongst diuers or sundry veines , according to the strength of the infection . it proceedeth sometimes from corrupt bloud ingendred in the body , sometimes from outward wounds or hurts receiued by cankerous or poysonous instruments , as rusty spurres , rusty forkes , biting● of dogges or horses , bitings of tickes , hogges lice , or such like ; sometimes by the rubbing of swine against the legges of the horse , or by lying in the litter where swine haue laine , or by enterfearing , or hewing one legge vpon an other : but generally it proceedeth from an euill habite of the body , being surfaited by disorderly and vnruly trauell , whereby the bloud being heated , the grease melted , and sudden cold taken , there groweth such obstructions in the bloud , and such putrifaction in the body , that it can no way euacuate or auoyde , but by these small knots , pustules , or vlcers , which are so infectious , that as many horses as doe gnawe or enappe vpon the horse infected , will within one moneth haue the same disease : or if the horse infected doe bite any other , hee will infect him also ; and this infection without present cure , is mortall , and will kill any horse ; therefore whensoeuer you haue any horse troubled with this sorrance , see that you separate him from other horses to preuent the daunger . now for the signes , they are the apparance and palpable feeling of the knottes , which knottes are neuer but accompanyed with great swellings and rancklinges , running alongst as the veines runne , and diuiding themselues as the braunches of the veines diuide , the number of the knottes multiplying and encreasing vntill the body bee either vniuersally couered ouer , or else that the member ( if it bee in a member ) bee vtterly deformed and mishapen . now the cure , ( according to the opinion of the ancient farriers ) is , first let him bloud on his necke veine , and on both his spurre veines : then giue the horse this drinke : take a gallon of water , and put into it a good handfull or rewe , and a pound of hempe-seede , both being first bruised in a mortar : then boyle them in the water till the one halfe bee consumed , and giue the horse this to drinke in the morning , fasting , being cold , for diuers morninges together , and it will cure him . others of the ancient farriers vse first to let the horse bloud in that veine where the sorrance first riseth , as nigh the soare place as may bee , and let him bleede well : then fire or cauterize euery knotte one by one , taking the knotte in your left hand , and pulling it so hard as you can from his body , to the intent you may the better pierce the knotte with a round blunt hote iron , of the bignesse of a mans forefingar , without doing the body any hurt , and let the matter out , leauing none vnburned , bee it little or much : that done , annoynt euery knotte so burned with hogges grease warmed euery day once vntill the coares bee ready to fall away ; and in the meane time prepare a good quantity of old vrine , & when you see the coares ready to fall , then boyle the vrine , and put therein a little copporas and salt , and a fewe strong nettles , and with that water being warme , wash out all the coares , and all the corruption : that done , fill euery hole immediatly with the powder of sleckt lime , continuing thus to do euery day once vntill the holes bee closed vp ; and if any bee more ranker then others , fill those with verdigrease ; and during this cure let the horse bee thinly dyetted , that is to say , with straw and water onely , vnlesse it be now and then to giue him a loafe of bread , or a little other prouender : for the lower hee is kept in flesh , the sooner hee will heale ; and in any wise let his necke either bee yoaked in an old bottomlesse paile , or else splented with the staues in such sort that hee may not come to licke any of his soares , and the lesse rest hee hath , the better will bee his amendment . now there bee other later farriers which for this sorrance take a good quantity of mistellthoe , hony , and blacke sope , and boyle them very well in old vrine , and being very warme , wash your horse all ouer therewith , euery day once for the space of fiue or sixe dayes , and it will helpe it . others vse to cut the horse two inches long , downe the forehead , and open it in the midst thereof on both sides two inches , and put therto a tampin made of the inner rinde of elder barke which is greene , and looke that it lye crosse the cut : for so it will destroy all the venemous humour in his body , and it will heale him very perfectly hauing bene very oft approued . others vse to take a very sharpe bodkin , and to thrust it crosse-wise through the neather part of the horses nose , euen through the small gristle , so that he may bleed well , or else to let him bloud in the necke veine , then feele the knots , and as many as are sort , lance them and let them run : then take strong lye , lime and allom , and mixing them well together bathe all the soare ●herewith ; and it will cure him . others take a sharpe launce knife , and in the toppe of the horses forehead somewhat aboue his eyes make a long slit euen vnto the skull ; then with a blunt instrument for the purpose , loose the flesh from the scalpe a good compasse , then take carret rootes cut into little thinne round peeces , and put them betweene the skinne and the skull , or for wante of carret rootes you may take redde dock rootes , and see that they be a little be●ten or bruised before you put them in , and once a day see that you thrust out the matter , but by no meanes thrust out the rootes : but if the rootes will not stay in , then with a needle and a silke stitch the wound together that it may hold in the medicin ; then once a day annoint the wound with fresh butter : this is held a very certaine cure for the farcy , for looke how this wound thus made ▪ shall rot , wast , and grow sound , so shall the sorrance breake , dry vp , and be healed ; onely the fault of this cure is , that it will bee somewhat long in healing , and is a foule eyesoare vntill it bee whole . now there be other farriers which after the putting in of the rootes , as is aforesaid , vse to burne all the soare places round about with a hote yron ; and then with another blunt hote yron as bigge as a mans fingar , to burne the soares in the midst till the white matter come foorth ; then with a paire of pinsons plucke out the knots : this done , annoynt all the soare places with sope , and then dresse him no more the space of foure or fiue daies , in which time you must prepare a good quantity of strong pisse , with the which you must wash him euery day , the pisse being first made scalding hote , and rubbe the soares well vntill they begin to bleed ; then hauing dryed all the soare places , throwe ●n the powder of vnsleckt lime , or of burnt allome , which will heale better then lime . now if you see that in any of the soares through negligent dressing there riseth proud flesh so high , that you cannot c●rrect it sufficiently with the aforesaid powder , then may you burne any such place so soare or soarer as you did at the first , and dr●sle it as before . now there bee other farriers which when they see the farcy to haue beene old and long gone , and that it is so farre entred into one member or other , that the member is disfigured , they will then first ●urge the horse ▪ with some strong purgation , of which you may find choice in a chapter before written , and then vnder hi● belly put in one rowell either of haire or leather : and on the pitch of his shoulder of his grieued legge ( if it bee before ) or else on the stifling place , if his griefe be behind , put in another rowell , and so keepe those two places together with the issue in his forehead open , vntill the cure bee finished ; then with an other hote yron burne all his legge downe with long strikes , euen from the body to the hoofe , not aboue an inch one strike from another , the edge of the yron being not aboue a strawes breadth , and draw your stroake euer downeward with the haire , and burne him no deeper then that the skinne may looke browne . now when by this practise you haue cured the disease , if then the member bee vnfashionable , or by swellings out of all forme , then you shall lay vnto the member a plaister made of wine lees , and wheate flower , & rolle it with a wollen roller , renewing it once in twenty toure howres till the member bee asswaged ; and this practise will heale any greate sweld legge , if it be applied and continued with patience ; but if by former dressings , burnings , manglings , or cuttings of some ignorant farriers , there be any extraordinary hard or horny substance growne about the member which the plaister aforesaid will not resolue ; then you shall take of virgine waxe halfe a pound , of mirrhe one pound , of raysins a pound , of galbanum halfe a pound , of costus sixe ounces , of armoniarcke sixe ounces , of swines grease two pounds ; put your swines grease first into an earthen pot , and hauing placed it in a broad cauldron full of water , then make a soft fire vnder it , to the end that your water may boyle ; and when you do perceiue your swines grease is almost melted , then shall you put in all your other simples , except the costus : and when they are all molten , which will aske fiue or sixe howres boyling at the least , then your costus , which is a white roote , being beaten into fine powder , you shall adde to the aforesaid things after it is taken from the fire , and incorporate them all very well together ; then make a plaister thereof vpon a peece of sheepes leather , somewhat bigger then the soare , and this plaister without renewing will serue for at least thirty daies with a very little refreshing , onely you must once a day take it off , and rub his legge very well , for feare it itch , which may cause the horse to beate and stamped with his foote , and so rather increase then decrease the swelling ; and you must regard , that you doe not rolle him to straite , for that is most hurtfull . it shall not be a misse now and then to ride him into the water , and walke him an howre after ; then bringing him into the stable , rubbe his legge well ; then warme his plaister ouer a chafing-dish and coales , and so lay it to againe : and this practise in two or three moneths will take away any deformity of swelling , be the member neuer so vncomly . now there be other farriers which for this farcy if it bee but young , and especially if it bee about the head or face of a horse ; will take onely of aqua vitae two spoonefuls , of the iuice of garlicke two spoonefull , and of the iuice of rew , or hearb of grace , two spoonefull ; mixe them well together , then take plegants or round bals of flaxe , and steepe them therein , and then stoppe them hard into the horses eares ; then take a needle and thred , and stitch the tips of his two eares together , by meanes whereof he cannot shake out the medicine , and vse the horse thus three seuerall mornings together , and it will kill the farcy as hath beene oft proued . other farriers vse to take dragworts , or groundsell , and beate it well in a mortar with white salt , and then stop it hard into the horses eares , and so either stitch them together , or with a broad inckle bind them vp ; renewing it once in foureteene howres for three or foure dressings , and it will heale any reasonable farcy . others vse to annoynt all the soares either with tansey and verdiuice boyld together , or else with boares grease very hote , and that will kill it . others vse first to wash the soares with old vrine , then take the powder of glasse , brimstone , and hogges grease well stamped and beaten together ; then opening or slitting the knotes annoynt them all therwith , and it wil cure them immediatly ; other farriers vse to let the horse blood if it be at the beginning of the disease , or else not ; & then to burne all the knots as is aforesaid , & then to heale the burnings with tar , oyle & hony mixt together , & giue him with a pint of malmsey , two or three spoonfull of the powder diapente : or else giue him ounces of the powder of wal-wort , or dan-wort , with a pint & a halfe of malmsey , . daies together ; after that , take an ounce of aloes , one ounce of centuary , one ounce of opoponax ; beat them all into sine powder , and giue them him to drinke in a pint and an halfe of malmsey warmed , wherein the roots of the aforesaid hearbe called wal-wort , or dan-wort , haue bene sodden : vse to ride him oft vntill he sweate ; and when the disease is killed , turne him to grasse : for running in the open aire is very wholsome . there be others which take blacke sope , arsnicke , vnsleckt lime , verdigrease , & red lead ; work all these well together , and opening the knots , dresse them therewith till you see they begin to dry vp and dy . others open the knots with a hot iron , and then take blacke sope , & great salt beaten together , and halfe so much as of them of verdigrease , and boyle the verdigrease with fresh grease , and then take a saucerful of mustard , and put them all together , and dresse the soares therewith . others take ▪ ounces of quicksiluer , and put it into a bladder , with spoonfull of the iuice of orenges or lemons , and shake them together to coole the quicksiluer : then take halfe a pound of fresh hogges grease , & of verdiuice an ounce ; put all these in a trend dish , & worke them well together : then annoynt the knots with this oyntment , till they rot : then let them out with a sharpe knife , & annoynt them still , and put into his eares the iuice of rag-weed , and the soares wil dry vp . this medicine is very well approued . others take blacke sope , mustard made of wine vinegar , and red lead ; mixe all these together , & anoynt the veine all along , holding a hote iron close to the soare , to make the oyntment sinke in ; & do thus once a day vntil the soares dry vp . other farriers take of the iuice of hemlocke a good quantity , & dipping tow therein , stop his eares therewith : then open all the knots and thrust in salt . lastly , giue him to drinke sweete worte mixt with fennell & treacle . other farriers take the butter burre , and being dryed & beaten to powder , strew it vpon the knots after they haue bin opened , & then giue him . or . spoonfull of the same powder with a pint of malmesey to drinke , & it will cure the farcy , and it is also exceeding good for all manner of vlcers ; the root is strong in smell , & bitter in taste . others take sulphure , orpiment , vnslekt lime , and mixing them together , put it into the knots , and it will kill the farcy : which done , annoynt him with bolearmony made into powder , & incorporated with strong vinegar , the iuice of houslicke , and of white leekes , and solatro . other farriers after they haue let the horse bloud will boyle in vinegar , beane flowre & swines grease , then adde a prety quantity of oyle ; and then straine it , then adde one part of aloes , & two of brimstone , & boyle it a little : then being warme annoynt all the soare places therewith , or else annoynt them twice a day with the iuice of smallage , and the yelkes of egges beaten together . there be other farriers which take ounces of oyle de bay , one of euforbium , & ounces of arsnicke ; & mixing them together , annoynt the soares therewith , & it will kill the farcy . now after all these many receipts , of which not any but hath bene approued to be very good , yet these . which i wil now rehearse , i haue euer found to be the most excellent for any manner of farcy whatsoeuer , whether it be , as our simple smithes tearme it , a drye farcy , a wet or water farcy , or a running farcy , all being indeed but one farcy , & proceeding from one & the selfe same cause ; only some horses not hauing such flux of humors in them as others haue , the knots will be vnwilling to breake , and then they say it is a drye farcy : others of the contrary part will breake as fast as the knots do arise , and run filthy matter ; and then they call it a water farcy : others will spread in many parts of the body , yet not breake , but as it were moue betweene the skin & the flesh , and that they call a running farcy . now all these , as i said before , are but one farcy , and haue but one certaine cure , which is this : first , with diligent heed marke vpon what principall veine in the horses body the knots do arise , and note how they spread & run ; then if the farcy bee diuided into sundry branches , according as the veine doth diuide , you shall take the last knot of euery braunch , which , for the most part , will be hard , and not come to rottennesse ; and then slit them , and fill them with your kniues point full of white arsnicke : then those which you find to be rotten , let the matter forth , and annoynt them with blacke sope and arsnicke mixt together : then within . or . dayes you shall see those which you drest with arsnicke simply , to haue their coares fall out , and the rest which you drest with blacke sope , will dry vp : then annoynt them all with fresh butter molten till they be whole . now if you do perceiue any new knots to arise , then you shall dresse them likewise with arsnicke simply , as was said before , & not leaue any vncured . now if the farcy be not very contagious , but , as it were , newly begun , then if you only take blacke sope & arsenicke , as beforesayd , and annoynting your fingar and your thumbe therewith , do but nippe and bruise euery knot , and within two or three daies after , they will dry vp and heale . but if the farcy be fowle and desperate , that is to say , either vniuersally spread ouer the body , or so gotten into any limbe or member , that the limbe is deformed , and hath lost his proportion , so that a man can neither iudge which way the veines runne , nor in what part the knots are most venemous , because that healing one , two new ones will arise ; in this case you shall first giue your horse a strong scouring or purgation , according to the strength of his body , of all which a pint of muskadine , or a quart of strong ale , with halfe a pinte of the oyle of oates , is the most soueraigne : then shall you take a penyworth of tarre , and two good handfuls of pidgions dung , and twelue penyworth of white mercury ; mixe all these very well together , and make them into a salue : then with a slice daube it all ouer the soare place , leauing no parte of the member vncouered : then heating a barre of iron red hote , hold it so neare that it may drye the salue vpon the soare : then lay more fresh salue on , and dry it in like maner , & let it so rest vntill it fall off , and it will kill any farcy whatsoeuer at the first or second dressing . now there bee others which will stoppe the knots with the powder of verdigrease and of arsnicke mixt together , or else wash the soares with aqua-fortis , but they are neither so good as the other before rehearsed . chap. . of the canker in any part of the body . a canker is a poysonous creeping vlcer , fretting & gnawing the flesh in great breadth , whose beginning is knotty , not much vnlike vnto the farcy , & spreadeth it selfe into diuers places : and being exulcerated , gathereth together at the length into one wound or filthy soare ; from whence there runneth a thinne sharpe lye , which galleth off the skin wheresoeuer it goes ; and so both increaseth the vlcer , and maketh it more incurable . it proceedeth from melancholy and filthy bloud , ingendred either by rancknesse of keeping , or else by too extreme pouerty ; and if this naughty bloud be mixt with sharpe and salte humors , then it causeth more painefull and grieuous exulceration . it also may proceede from some loathsome wound which is neither cleane kept , nor well drest , but in such sorte that the corrupt matter thereof poysoneth the other cleane partes of the body ; for signes of the sorrance , there needeth no more but the description already mentioned . and for the cure , according to the opinion of ancient farriers , is , first to let the horse bloud , in those veines which are next the soare , and make him bleed well ; then take of allom halfe a pound , of greene copporas as much , of white copporas one quarterne , and a good handfull of salt ; boyle all these things together in faire running water from a pottle to a quart : and this water being warme , wash the soare therewith with a clout : and then sprinkle thereon the powder of slecked lime , continuing so to doe euery day once the space of fifteene daies ; and if you see that the lime doe not mor●ifie the rancke flesh and keepe it from spreading any further , then take of sope halfe a pound , of quick-siluer halfe an ounce , and beate them together in a pot vntil the quicksiluer be so well mingled with the sope as you can perceiue no quicksiluer in it , & with an yron slice or splatter , after that you haue washed the soare with the strong water aforesaid , couer the wound with this oyntment , continuing thus to doe euery day once vntill the canker leaue spreading abroad . and if it leaue spreading , and that you see the rancke flesh is well mortified , and that the edges beginnes to gather a skinne , then after the washing dresse it with lime , as before ▪ continuing so to doe vntill it be whole ; and in the dressing suffer no filth that commeth out of the soare , to remaine vpon any whole place about , but wipe it cleane away , or else wash it away with warme water : and let the horse during this cure , bee as thinly dicted as may bee , and throughly exercised ; now if this cankerous vlcer happen to be in the taile of the horse , as it is often seene , and which you shall perceiue as well by the falling away of the haire , as also by the wound , then you shall make a bolster either of soft cloth , or spunge , and wet it with vinegar both within and without , and so bind it fast to the soare ; & alwaies when it waxeth dry you must wet it againe ; do thus twice or thrice a day , if it be done oftener it is better : so shal you continue for three or foure daies , and then heale it vp , as you heale vp any ordinary wound ; that is with hogges grease and turpentine molten together , or such like . there be other farriers which for the canker on the body doe take one ounce of the iuice of the roote of affedeli , three ounces of vnsleckt lime , two ounces of orpiment or arsnicke ; put this in an earthen vessell close stopt , and either boyle or bake it in an ouen till it come to a powder ; then first wash the soare with strong vinegar , and after strow this powder thereon . others vse to take garlicke , and beate it in a mortar with swines grease till it come to a salue , and then hauing washt the soare either with vinegar , allome water , copporas water , or old vrine , then annoynt it once or twice a day with it till it bee whole . other farriers take the hearbe mullen and bruise it , and mix it with salt , and verdigrease , and then dresse the soare therewith morning and euening for the space of three or foure daies ; then vse the same salue as long againe without verdigrease : then lastly vse the hearbe alone ; but if at any time , you see it doe beginne to waxe raw , then beginne againe as is aforesaid , and euer before you annoynt it , wash it first with vinegar and grease mixt together . others take sauin , bay salte , and rew stampt with barrowes grease , and annoynt the soare therewith , and when the ill humors are kild ( which you shall know by the whitenesse ) then heale it with tarre , oyle and hony mixt together lastly , ( and which i hold the best ) take vinegar , ginger , and allome , and mixe them together , till they come to a salue , and with it annoynt the soare , and it will both kill the poyson , and heale the vlcer . chap. . of the fistula . afstula is a deepe , hollow , crooked , mattering vlcer , and for the most parte commonly a great deale straiter at the mouth then at the bottome , being ingendred in some wound , soare , bruise , or canker not throughly healed . the signes to know it are , the hollownesse of the soare , descending downewarde from the orifice , and the thinnesse of the matter which issueth from the same ; besides , the crookednes which you shall finde in the vlcer when you search it . now for the cure , according to the opinion of the ancient farriers it is thus : first search the bottome thereof with a goose or swannes quill , or with a small rodde , well couered with fine linnen cloth ; and hauing found the bottome thereof , cut it so large with a razor that the matter may haue free passage downewards ; but take heed in launcing it , that you cut not any master sinew or maine tendant : then hauing stanched the blood either with swines dung or such like , take of good hony a pint , of verdigease one ounce , & boyle them well together vpon a soft fire three quarters of an howre ; then hauing cleansed the soare by tying a taint of flaxe or fine linnen cloth to the point of your quill , with a threed draw it softly into the wound : then cut off your quill , or feather so long that you may take good hold in the neather end of the tent , which then shall come out at the bottome of your soare : then dip another tent in the aforesaid salue , and then with a needle & a thred , make fast your tent to your first clout at the vpper end thereof ; then draw out your first tent downeward , so shal you draw your tent with the medicine easily into the wound , and your first tent will haue cleansed the soare very cleane ; & if the matter do abound much , then it shall be good to dresse him twice a day , but you must not dresse him with this medicine , no more but one day , and afterward you shal dresse him with this medicine following : take of turpentine , of swine grease , of hony , and sheeps suet , of each a like quantity , & melt them together , and make a salue thereof , wherewith you shal dresse your horse foure daies for one day that you dresse him with your former medicine made of hony and verdigrease ; and take heede that you make your tent of very soft linnen cloath , or fine flaxe , and let not your tent be too big after the first and second time dressing , but presently after the first dressing , you must couer the soare place , & round about the same , with this pultus here following : first , take two gallons of faire water , and hauing boyled and scummed it so long till you haue perfectly cleansed it of all corruption , then take two or three handfuls of mallowes , and as much of violet leaues , and two or three handfuls of oat-meale , and hauing boyled all these . things well in your former prepared water , you shall adde thereto of hogges mort , and fresh butter , of each a pound : then shall you let it boyle so long till it become thicke , like paste , or pap , and then apply it hot to the soare ; and take heed that in opening this soare you let not any aire strike into it : and on the other side , that you keep it not too hot . and if this fistula be in the horses withers , you must take heede that you ty his head to the racke so as he may neitherly down , nor put his head lower then his manger : for if you suffer him to feede on the ground when he hath any grieuous soare in his withers , it shal hardly be possible euer to cure him ; but if you perceiue the wound to heale apace , and that it matter but a little , then shall it be enough to dresse him once a day : and also it shall be good to take great heed that you make not your tent too big , and see that you vse your pultus till it be perfectly cured . now there be others of the ancient farriers which vse for this cure , first to search the depth of the fistula either with a quill , or with some other instrument of lead , which may be bowed euery way : for vnlesse you finde the bottome of it , it will bee very hard to cure : and hauing found the bottome , if it be in such a place as you may boldly cut and make the way open with a launcet or razor , then make a slit right against the bottome , so wide , that you may thrust in your fingar to feele whether there be any bone or else gristle perished , or spungy or loose flesh , which must bee gotten out ; and then taint it with a taint of flaxe dipped in this oyntment : take of mirre , of aloes , and of sarcocolla , of each one ounce , of good hony sixe ounces , and of verdigrease two ounces , and melt all these on a gentle fire , and make them into a salue ; then being luke warme , dresse the taint therewith , and bolster the tent with a bolster of flaxe , and if it be in such a place as the tent cannot conueniently be kept in with a band , then fasten on each side the hole , two ends of a shooe-makers threed right ouer the bolster to keepe in the tent , which ends may hang there as two laces to ty and vnty at your pleasure , renewing the tent euery day once vntill the soare leaue mattering , and then make the tent euery day lesser and lesser vntill it bee whole : for you shall vnderstand that this salue doth purge this fistula of putrifaction ; incarnateth & breedeth flesh ; conglutinateth , and eateth away all naughty flesh . now when you haue done as aforesaid , then you shal close it vp by sprinckling thereon a little sleckt lime : but if the fistula bee in such a place as a man can neither cut against the bottome , nor nigh the same : then there is no remedy but euery time you dresse it , to powre into it either through some quill , or by some small squirt or serring , some strong white copporas water , or some allome water , so that it may goe downe to the bottome , and drye vp the filthy matter : and this you must doe twice a day at least vntill it bee whole . now there bee of our later farriers which vse this cure , after they haue searcht the fistula to the bottome , to take a pottle of white wine vinegar , of camphaire halfe an ounce , of mercurie precipitate halfe an ounce , of greene treacl● three ounces , of redde sage an handfull , of yarrow and rib-wort , of each an handfull , of hony halfe a pint , of boares grease halfe a pint ; boyle all these together till a quart hee consumed , and with this you shall wash and cleanse the wound : then to heale vp the same , you shall take oyle of roses , virgin waxe , and rosen , of each a like quantity , of turpentine fiue ounces , of the gumme of iuy and deeres suet as much , boyle these together vnto a salue , and then dresse the soare therewith vntill it be whole , obseruing euer , both in this cure , and all the rest , that as soone you haue put in your tent , to clap a plaister ouer it of pitch , rosen , masticke , turpentine , and hogs grease , molten together , which will both comfort the wound by taking away euill humors , and also keep in the tent from falling out now if the fistula be in or about the head of the horse , then you shall take the iuice of houslicke , and dippe therein a locke of wolle , and put it into the horses eares , and it will stay the inflammation ; but if it be exvlcerated and broken , then you shall cut away all the rotten and false flesh , and then bathe it well with the grounds of ale made warme , and then wipe the bloud cleane away : then take butter , rosen , and frankinsence a little , and boyle them altogether , and boyling hote powre it into the wound , & then clap on the plaister ; do thus once a day till the horse bee whole . now if there be any inflammation behind the horses eares , or that it grow to any impostumation in that place , then you shall boyle the roots of mallows in water till they waxe tender , then bruise them and straine out the water cleane , & being warme apply it to the soare , and it will heale it . there be other farriers , which for this g●nerall fistula vse as a preuention thereof , to take hony , and sheepes suet , and making it scalding hot , to scald the soare extreamely therewith , vpon the first swelling , and it will keepe the fistula that it shall not breed ; but if it be bred , then you shall launce it in the neathermost part , and put into it as much mercurie sublimatum as a pease , being first abated with sallet oyle , and laid on with a feather ; after that take of verdigrease foure penyworth , of vitriolle a halfe penyworth , or redde lead three penyworth ; beate these together , and euery day wash the wound with copporas water , made with copporas and elder leaues in sommer , and with the inner greene barke in winter ; after the washing , take the powder , & put it on the soare , and after it drop on a little oyle . other farriers take the outermost greene shels of walnuts , and put thē in a tub , strowing . or . handfuls of bay salt vpon them , some in the bottom , some in the midst , & some on the top , & so keep them all the yeare ; & when you will vse them , take a pint of them , & a little bay salt , & halfe a quarter of a pound of blacke sope , with halfe a spoonefull of may butter ( & for want thereof other butter ) and mixe and incorporate them together ; and then spread it on the soare , or taint the sore therewith ; but two howres before you lay it on , annoynt the soare with venice turpentine , and do thus till the fistula bee whole . other farriers take vnguentum egyptiacum ( which is made of hony ) a pint , vinegar halfe a pint , allome a quarterne of a pound , and verdigrease one ounce and an halfe ; and seeth them altogether till they be thick , and of a tawny colour ; this is called egyptiacum , and to make it the strongest way , is to put in of mercurie sublimatum one ounce made in powder , and of arsnicke two scruples , and boyle it together : with either of these , especially the strongest , dresse any fistula , canker , or foule old vlcer whatsoeuer , and it will kill it ; and the weaker of these which wanteth the mercury and the arsnicke , may bee applied to a fistula in the mouth of a horse . other farriers take of sublimatum made into powder one ounce , the midst of well leauened bread slacke baked three ounces , of nenin ten drams ; mingle them together with a little rose water , and make tents thereof , and dry them vpon a tile ; and at your pleasure tent your fistula therewith , and it will assuredly kill it . others take strong lye , hony , roach allome , and mercury , and seeth them together : and squirt it into a fistula , and it will kill it at the bottome ; and when you meane to dry vp a fistula , take redde wine , goats dung , and beane flowre , and seeth them together , and apply it to the fistula , and it will dry it vp . now if you intend to sinke downe the swelling of a fistula , first of all seare it with a drawing yron in this proportion , and then take rosen , sheepes suet , & brimstone , and boyle them together , and lay it vpon a fistula very hot with a cloth : and it will sinke downe the swelling . it is also most excellent to take away a windgall if it bee laid on after the windgall is prickt , but not too hote , but very reasonable , and it will keep it also very cleane . there bee other farriers which for a fistula take verdigrease , butter , and salt , melted together , and poure it scalding hote into the soare , and vse this till all the flesh looke redde ; then taint it with verdigrease , burnt allome , wheate flowre , and the yelks of egges well beaten and mingled together : last of all , skinne it with barme and soote mixt together . other farriers take of that resagallo that is made of orpiment , vnsleckt lime , and brimston , and it will kill a fistula being applied vnto the bottome ; yet it is a strong corrosiue , and desireth much descretion in the administration . chap. . of the anbury . an anbury is a great spungy wart full of blood , which may grow vpon any part of the horses body , chiefly about the eye browes , nostrels , or priuy parts , & it hath a roote like vnto a cocks stone . now the cure , according to the opinion of the ancient farriers is , . to tye it about with a threed , so hard as you can pull it , and the threed will eate in by little and little , in such sort as within seuen or eight daies it will fall away of it selfe ; & if it be so flat that you can bind nothing about it , then take it away with a sharpe hote yron cutting it round about , and so deepe as you leaue none of the roote behind , and then dry it vp with the powder of verdigrease ; but if it grow in such a sinewie place so as it cannot bee conueniently cut away with a hote yron , then it is a good to eate out the coare with the powder of resalgar , and then to stop the hole with flaxe dipt in the white of an egge for a day or two , and lastly to dry it vp with the powder of vnsleckt lim , and hony as is before taught . other fariers in stead of tying the wart with a thred doe tye it with two or three horse-haires ; and that is a great deale the better , and will rot it off sooner and safer . chap. . of the cordes . the cordes is a certaine string , which commeth from the shackell veine to the gristell in the nose and betweeene the lippe , the length of an almond ; or they be two strings , like threds which lye aboue the knee , betwixt the knee and the body , and goeth like a small cord through the body to the nosthrels , making the horse to stumble much , and sometimes to fal also ; & it is a disease very much incident to many yong horses . the signes are , an apparant stiffe going , and much stumbling , without any outward or visible sorrance ; and the cure is , according to the opinion of our ancient farriers , to take the end of a crooked hartes horne that is sharpe ; put it vnder the cordes , and twind it ten or twelue times about , till the horse be constrained to lift vp his foote , then cut the corde asunder , and put a little salt into the issue , or cut it first at the knee , then at the end of his nose ; and so draw it vpwards , a spanne length , and cut that off . other farriers let the horse blood in the veine that descendeth in the inside of the legge , by the breast , and take away at least a pottle of blood , and after seauen daies wash him with beefe broth , and it wil heale him . other farriers take mustard , aqua vitae , and sallet oyle , & boyle them on the coales , & make a plaister , & bind it to the place grieued ; and it will helpe . others take the grounds of ale , and being made warme bathe his legges therewith , and then rope them vp with wet hay ropes , and it will make the horse perfectly sound . chap. . of the string-halte . the string-halt , of some called the mary-hinchcho , is a sodaine twitching vp of the horses hinder legges , as if hee did tread vpon needles , and were not able to indure his feete vpon the ground ; the signes whereof bee , an apparant ill fauoured manner of halting , most visible to the eye . and the cure is to take vp the middle veine , aboue the thigh , and vnderneath the same ; then vnder the said veine , there lyeth a string , which string must bee cut away : and then annoynt him with butter , and salt , and he will both doe well , and goe plainely . chap. . of a horse that is spurgald . if a horse by the indiscretion of an euill rider bee spurre-gald , which is a disease most plaine both to bee felte or seene , then the cure is either to bathe it with vrine and salt mixt together , or with water and salt , or with warme vinegar , or else binde vnto the place the crops or leaues of nettles stamped ; and any of these will cure him . chap. . of wounds in generall . vvounds , according to the opinion of all farriers , is a solution , diuision , or parting of the whole : for if there be no such solution or diuision , then it is rather called a bruise then a wound ; and therefore wounds are most commonly made with sharpe or piercing weapons , and bruises with blunt weapons : notwithstanding if by such blunt weapons any part of the whole bee euidently broken , then it is to bee called a wound as well as the other ; and these wounds do proceed from some stroke , pricke , or violent accident . now of wounds some bee hollow and some bee deepe and hollow : againe , some wounds chance in fleshy parts , and some in bony & sinewy places : and those which chance in the fleshy parts , though they be very deepe , yet they bee not so dangerous as the others , and therefore i will speake first of the most dangerous . if then a horse haue a wound newly made , either in his head , or in any other place that is full of sinewes , bones , or gristles , then according to the opinion of the most ancient farriers , you shall first wash the wound well with white wine warmed , and keepe it euer whilest you are in dressing it , couered with cloathes wet in warme white wine : that done , you shall search the bottome of the wound with a probe , or small instrument of steele made for the purpose , suffering the wound to take as little winde or aire as you can possible : then hauing found the depth , stoppe the hole close with a cloute vntill your salue bee ready : then take of turpentine , of melrosatum , oile of roses , of each a quarterne , and a little vnwrought waxe , and melt them together , stirring them continually that they may bee well mingled together ; and if the wound bee a cut , make a handsome rolle or round plegant of soft tow , so long and so bigge as may fill the bottome of the wound , which , for the most part , is not so wide as the mouth of the wound : then make an other rolle or plegant somewhat bigger to fill vp the rest of the wound , euen to the hard mouth , and let both these rolles bee annoynted with the oyntment aforsayd made luke warme ; onely this you must euer obserue , that if the wound bee long and large , that then it is best , if you can conueniently , to stitch the wound together with a needle and a crimson silke : for that will make it heale the sooner , and make the scarre lesse . but if the hurt bee like a hole made with some pricke , then make a stiffe tent either of tow or lint , such a one as may reach the bottome , annoynted with the aforesaid oyntment , and bolster the same with a little tow ; and ouer both this & the other , or any wound whatsoeuer , assoone as your rolles , plegants , or tents , are put in , you shal clap a sticking plaister made of pitch , rosen , masticke , and turpentine melted together , as hath bene before taught , both to keepe in your salue , and to comfort the soare . now if the mouth of the wound bee not wide inough , so as the matter may easily runne forth , if it be in such a place as you may do it without hurting any sinew : then giue it a pretty slit from the mouth downward , that the matter may haue the freer passage , and in any wise haue an especiall regard that the tent may bee continually kept in by one means or other , and also that it may not be drowned within the wound , but by tying some threed about the vpper end thereof , so kept that it may bee taken out at pleasure . now if the hole bee deep , & in such a place as you may not cut it , then make your tent full as bigge as the hole , of a drye sponge that was neuer wet , so long that it may reach the bottome ; and the tent being made somewhat full , with continuall turning and wrying of it , you shall easily get it downe , & then dresse the wound with this twice a day , cleansing the wound euery time with a little white wine luke warme : for this sponge annoynted with the oyntment aforesayd , will both draw and sucke vp all the filthy matter , and make it so faire within as is possible ; and as it beginneth to heale , so make your tent euery day lesser and lesser vntill it be ready to close vp , and neuer leaue tainting it so long as it will receiue a taint , bee it neuer so short : for hasty healing of wounds breedeth fistulaes , which properly bee old soares , and therefore must bee healed like fistulaes . now if the wound proceed from any ancient impostumation , then you shall take two or three great onyons , and taking out the coares , put therein a little baysalt , and a litle whole saffron , and so roast them in the hote embers : then plaister-wise lay them all hote on the wound , renewing it once a day till the wound bee healed . now if the vpper skinne of the wound bee putrified , and you would haue it away , then make a plaister of cowes dung sodde in milke , and clappe it to for foure and twenty howres , and it will leaue nothing that is vile about the wound . other farriers vse generally for any cut whatsoeuer , to take a quarter of a pound of fresh butter , of tarre and blacke sope , of each halfe so much , and a little turpentine ; boyle all but the sope together : then when you take it from the fire , put in the sope , and with this oyntment dresse any cut , and it will heale it . others vse onely to take hogs grease and venice turpentine and to melt them together , and it will heale any wound . other farriers take eight drammes of turpentine , foure drammes of new virgin-waxe ; melt them in a pewter vessell , and stirre them well together , and when they are well melted and mixed , take them from the fire , and by and by whilest they be hot , powre into them halfe a pint of white wine , then after they be cold throw away the wine , and annoynt your hands with oyle of roses , and worke the waxe & turpentine well together : after that put them into the pewter vessel againe : then put to them halfe an ounce of the gum of fir-tree , & three drammes of the iuice of bettony : then seeth them well together vntill the iuice of bettony be wasted : then put to it . drams of womans milke , or the milke of a red cow , and seeth them once againe vntill the milke be wasted ; and then put it in a close pot or glasse , and with this dresse any wound whatsoeuer , & it will heale it . others vse to take rosemary , & dry it in the shadow , and beate it to powder , then wash the wound with vinegar , or the vrine of a child , & strew thereon the aforesaid powder , & it will heale any indifferēt wound . other farriers take wormwod , marioram , pimpernel , calamint , olibanum ; beate them all into fine powder , then take waxe and barrowes grease , and boyle them on a soft fire , vntill they bee as thicke as an ointment or salue ; with this dresse any wound and it will heale it . others vse to take the toppes of nettles , butter , and salt , and beating them well in a mortar till it come to a salue , and it will draw and heale a wound . now the powder of hony , and l●●e ▪ or turpentine simply by it selfe will dry vp and skinne any wound . take turpentine , hony , hogges grease , waxe , and sheepes suet , of each a like , melt them well together to a salue , and they will heale any wound . now if a horse be goared vpon a stake , then you shall cast him , and powre into the wound butter scalding hote , and so let him lye till it be gone downe into the bottome , and doe thus once a day , till the wound be whole . if you desire to keepe a wound open , put into it the powder of greene c●pporas , and it will doe it , but if you intend to heale it speedily , then wheate flowre and hony well beaten together to a salue wil do it , dressing the wound once a day therewith . chap. . of a hurte with an arrow . if a horse be shot or hurte with an arrow , taint the hole only with hogges grease and turp●ntine molten together , & renew it once a day vntill the wound be whole . chap. . of the healing of any old soare , or vlcer . olde vlcers or soares are of three kinds , the first deepe , hollow , and crooked , and they be called f●stu●aes ; the second , broad , shallow , but much spreading , and increasing , and they bee called cankers : & the last broad , deepe , blacke about the sid●s , and bottome , yet not much increasing , although not at all healing ; and they be onely called old soares or vlcers : they proceede either from some great bruise , wound , or impostume , which is either venomed or abused in healing by contrary salues ; or through the fluxe and abundance of humors flowing downe to those parts th●ough the negligence of a most vnskilfull fa●rier . the signes are , the long continuance of the soare , the thinnesse of the matter , which issueth away , and the blackenesse of the soare which is euer full of inflammation . now for the cure , according to the opinion of the most ancient farriers it is thus , first cleanse the soare well with white wine ; then take copporas and the leaues of lillyes , beate them well in a mortar with swines grease till it come to a perfect salue , and lay it vpon the soare with flaxe , and then couer it with a plaister as in case of wounds , and renew it once a day , and it will heale it . other farriers take lime , and tough horse dung , and mixe it very well together with pepper and the white of an egge , and lay it to the soare , renewing it once a day , till the vlc●r be whole . other farriers strow on the soare the powder of galles , and that will dry it vp . others scald it once a day with hote oyle oliue , and that will heale it . chap. . of brusings or swellings . all bruisings and swellings come vnto a horse either by accident , as by some blow , rush , pinch ; or outward venoming ; or else naturally , as through the fluxe of cold or hote humors ; or through the corruption of blood , or through the aboundance of winde . the signes are , the sightly apparance in what place or member soeuer they be : and the first , which are those which come by accident , are properly called bruisings or swellings ; and the other if they do rotte or corrode , and so turne to matter , are called impostumes . now for the generall cure of any bruise or swelling , according to the opinion of the ancient farriers it is thus , take of dry pitch , of gumme , of each an ounce ; of galbanum , of lime , of each foure ounces , of bitumen two ounces , of waxe three ounces ; melt and boyle them very well together : then annoynt the soare place therewith once a day , and it will heale it . but if the swelling proceede onely from some bruise or rush , then you shall take two pints of verdiuice , one pint of barme , and putting a little fine hay thereinto , boyle them very well together , then bind the hay to the swelling very hote , and after powre on the liquor : doe thus three or foure daies together , and it will take away the swelling . other farriers take the toppes of wormewood , pellitory of the wall ; branck vrsnie , beate them well together with swines grease , then seeth them ; then adde a pretty quantity of hony , lin-seed oyle , and wheate meale ; then stirre it ouer the fire till all againe be sodden together , then lay it to the swelling , and renew it once a day till the swelling bee goe . other farriers vse first , to pricke the swelling with a fleame : then take of wine lees a pinte , as much wheate flowre as will thicken it and an ounce of comen ; boyle them together , and lay this somewhat warme vnto it , renewing it euery day once vntill the swelling , either depart or else come to a head , which if it doe not , then launce it , and heale it according to a wound . other farriers take of rosen , of turpentine , and of hony , of each halfe a pound , dissolue them at the fire : then straine them , and adde of myrrhe , sarcocoll , and the flowre of fenegreeke , and of lin-seed oyle , of each an ounce , incorporate them altogether , & then make it thicke like a salue , with the meale of lupins , and lay it to the swelling , and it will asswage it . other farriers take of galbanum , and of ceruse , of each an ounce , of oyle two ounces , and of waxe three ounces , mixe them together ouer a soft fire , and when they are brought to a salue ; then lay it vnto the swelling , and it will asswage . if you take onely rotten litter , or hay boyld in strong vrine , and apply it dayly vnto any swelling , it will take it away . now if the swelling be vpon the legs , and come by any straine , then you shall take of nerue-oyle one pound , of blacke sope one pound , of boa●s grease halfe a pound ; melt and boyle them al well together , then straine it , and let it coole ; then when occasion serueth , annoynt and chafe your horses legs therewith , holding a hote yron neare thereunto , to make the oyntment enter in the better ; then rope vp his legges , and keepe them cleane from dust or dirt ; but if the swelling be vpon any part of the backe or body ; then take of hony and tallow of each a like , and boyle them together : then spread it on a cloth , and lay it on the swolne place , and let it there sticke till it fall away of it selfe . now if the swelling proceede from any windy cause , and so appeare onely in the horses belly , then you shall take a sharpe pointed knife or bodkin , & arme it so with some stay that it go not to deepe for piercing his guts : then strike him therewith through the skinne into his body , before the hollow place of his haunch bone , halfe a foote beneath the backe bone , and the winde will come out thereat : then if you put a hollow quill therin , or some feather to keepe it open a while , the winde will auoyd the better : then heale it vp againe . it is also very good to rake the horse , and to annoynt all his belly with the oyle of sauen , and to ride him vp & downe a little : but if the swelling be vnder the horses iawes , or about any part of his head , then you shall take his owne dung hot as soone as hee makes it , and with a cloath binde it fast thereto , renewing it twice a day till the swelling be gone . chap. . of impostumes , and first how to ripen them . impostumes are a gathering , or knitting together of many most corrupt humors in any part or member of the body , making that part to swell extremely , & growing into such violent inflāmation that in the end they rot & breake out into foule , mattery , and running soares : they commonly proceed either from corruption of foode , or corruption of bloud ; they are at the first appearance , very hard & very soare ; which hardnesse is the principall signe that they will rot . and of these impostumes , some be hot impostumes , and some be cold ; yet forasmuch as euery impostume must first be ripened and brought to matter before it can bee healed , we will first speake of the ripening of them . if therefore you will ripen an impostume ( according to the opinion of the ancient farriers ) you shall take of sanguis draconis , of gum arabicke , of new waxe , of mastick , of pitch of greece , of incense , & of turpētine , of each a like quātity ; & melting thē together , & straining them , make a plaister thereof , & lay it to the impostume without remouing it ; and it will both ripen , breake , and heale any impostume . other farriers take swines grease , red waxe , and the flowre of euforbium , and mixing them on the fire well together , lay it to the impostume , and it will do the like . other farriers take of hony , and of wheat meale , of each a like quantity , and either boyle it in the decoction of mallows , or else mixe it with the yelke of an egge , and it will ripen , breake , and heale ; yet it must bee renewed once a day . other farriers take barley meale , and boyle it with wine and pidgions dung , and so lay it to the impostume plaister-wise , and it will ripen exceedingly . other farriers take a handfull or two of sorrell , and lapping it in a docke leafe , roast it in the hot embers as you would roast a warden , and then lay it to the impostume as hot as may be , renewing it once a day , and it will ripen , breake , and heale . a plaister of shooe-makers waxe will doe the like also . other farriers take mallow roots , and lilly rootes , & then bruise them , and put thereto hogges grease , & linseed meale , and plaisterwise lay it to the impostume , and it will ripen it , breake it , and heale it perfectly . chap. . of cold impostumes . if the impostume do proceed from any cold causes , as those which rise after cold taking , or when a horse is at grasse in the winter season , then you shall take the hearbe balme , and stampe it and hogges grease well together , and so plaister-wise apply it to the soare , & it will heale it : or else when the impostume is ripe , open it in the lowest part with a hot iron , then wash it with warme vrine : after that , annoynt it with tarre & oyle well mixed together ; and if you make your incision in the manner of a halfe moone , it is the better . other farriers take white mints , & seeth them in wine , oyle , ale , and butter , and so lay it to hot , and it will heale it . other farriers take cuckoo-spit , and stamp it with old grease , and so apply it , and it will heale it . other farriers take a handfull of rew , and stampe it well with the yelke of an egge and hony , and then apply it plaister-wise , and it will heale any cold impostume . chap. . of hot impostumes . if the impostume proceed from any hot causes , as from the extremity of trauell , the parching of the sun , or the inflammation of the bloud , then , according to the opinion of the ancient farriers , you shall take liuer-wort , and stampe it , and mixe it with the grounds of ale , hogs grease , and bruised mallowes , and then apply it to the soare , and it will ripen , breake , and heale it : but if you would not haue the swelling to breake , then take the grounds of ale or beere , and hauing boyled mallowes therein , bathe the soare place therewith , and it will driue the swelling away . other farriers take either lettis seede or poppy seede , and mixe it with the oyle of redde roses , and lay it to the soare plaister-wise , especially at the beginning of the swelling , and it will take it cleane away . chap. . of the tetter . a tetter is a filthy kinde of vlcer like vnto a canker , onely it is somewhat more knotty , and doth not spread , but remaineth most in one place , aud many times it will remaine betweene the skinne and the flesh , like a knotted farcy , and will not breake . the cure thereof , according to the opinion of the ancient farriers , is to make a strong lye with old vrine , ashe-ashes , and greene copporas , and to bathe the knots therewith , and it will kill , and heale them . other farriers take a snake , and cut off the head and the taile , and cast them away , the rest cut into small peeces , and roast them on a spit : then take the grease that droppeth from them , and being hot , annoynt the sorrance therewith , and it will heale it in very short time , but looke that you touch no part of the horse therewith , saue onely the sorrance onely : for it will venome . chap. . of sinewes that are cut , prickt , or bruised . if a horse by the mischance of some wound , shall haue any of his sinewes either cut , prickt , or soare bruised , then if there be no conuultion of the sinews , you shall , according to the opinion of the most ancient farriers , take tarre , and beane flowre , and a little oyle of roses , and mixing them together , lay it hot vnto the place , and if it do not present good , take wormes and sallet oyle fryed together , or else the oyntment of wormes which you may buy of euery poticarie , and applying either of them , they will knit the sinewes againe if they be not cleane asunder ; but if there bee a conuultion , then with a paire of sheares you must cut the sinew in peeces , and then take rosen , turpentine , pitch , and sanguis draconis ; then melting them together , clappe it somewhat hote vnto the soare ; then take flaxe , and put vpon it , for that will cleanse and defend it ; and then this medicine there is none better for any swolne ioint whatsoeuer . now if the ioint bee not much sweld , but onely that the sinewes are exceedingly stiffe , through the great bruisings , then you shall take of blacke sope a pound , and seeth it in a quarte of strong ale , till it waxe thicke like tarre ; then reserue it , and when you shall see cause vse to annoynt the sinewes , and ioynts therewith , and it will supple them , and streatch them foorth although they bee neuer so much shrunke , as hath been approued . chap. . of fretting the belly with the fore-girths . if when you saddle and girde your horse , the girths bee either knotty , or crumpled , and therewithall drawne too straite , they will not onely gall and wound the horse vnder the belly very much , but they will also stoppe the blood , which is in the principall veines ▪ called the plat veines , in such sorte that they will occasion most extreme and hard swellings . the cure whereof is , according to the generall opinion , to take of oyle de bay , and oyle of balme , two ounces , of pitch two ounces , of tarre two ounces , and one ounce of rosen ; mingle them well together and then annoynt the horses fore bowels therewith ; then take either floxe , or chopt flaxe , and clappe vpon it , and so let it abide vntill it fall away of it selfe ; and it will surely cure him . other farriers vse to take vinegar , and sope , and heate them well together : and stir it with a sticke or cloth , and then all to rubbe and wash the galled place therewith , and doe thus at least twice a day , and it will dry it vp in two or three daies at the most ; but if the galling be about any parte of the horses necke , then you shall take the leaues of briony ( called the hedge vine ) and stampe them , and mixe them with wine , and then plaister-wise lay it to the soare , and it will heale it . chap. . of blisters . blisters are certaine waterish hollow blebs , which doe arise betwixt the skinne and the flesh , proceeding either from some sleight burnings , scaldings , or chafings , and they bee very full of thinne matter . the cure thereof , according to the opinion of the most generall farriers is , first in the sunne to fret them till they bleed ; then take of the rootes of iuy , and stamping them in a mortar , mixe them with as much tarre , brimstone , and allome till they come to a salue ; and then dresse the blister therewith , and it will heale it . chap. . to take away all manner of bones , knobs , or any superfluous flesh . vvhen a horse hath any bone growing vpon any part of his body , more then naturall , or when he hath any lumpes or bunches of superfluous flesh , otherwise then of right doth belong to his true proportion ; then such bones , knobs , or bunches , are called excresions , proceeding from tough & flegmatique substances , stirred vp either by most soare bruises , imperfect healed wounds , or other naughty putrifaction of the blood , being most apparant to the eye , and most palpable to the hand . now for the cure ( according to the generall opinion of the most farriers ) you shall first vse corrosiue medicines , after drawing medicines , and lastly drying medicines ; or more particularly thus you shall cure them , first with an incision knife scarrifie the excression ; then apply sulphure and bitumen , or coloquintida burnt , and sifted , and when it hath eaten the excression away , then heale it vp with drying salues , as the powder of hony and lime , or bolearmony , or such like . other farriers vse after they haue made the excression to bleed well , then to take two ounces of the ashes of vitis , and as much vnsleckt lime , mixt with sixe ounces of strong lye first strained , then sodde till halfe be consumed , and so brought to a firme substance ; then keepe it in a glasse in a dry place , and apply it to the excression till it haue eaten it away , and then heale it vp as is before said . other farriers vse to take a pound of strong lye , and sope , and a quarter of a pound of vitrioll romane : one ounce of sal-armoniacke , and as much roach allome , and boyle them altogether vntill they bee very thick , and then with that oyntment eate away the excression . other farriers take of gipsiacum the strongest kind , and lay it on the excression with a cotton , three or foure times , and it will take it cleane away : this medicine is most excellent for any splent , and of no small importance , if it bee vsed against a fistula ; for it wil sinke it , although it were in the crowne . chap. . how to eate away any superfluous or dead flesh . if when your horse hath any wound , vlcer , or other soare , you shall perceiue that their groweth therein any dead flesh , which dead flesh you shall know partly , by the insensibility thereof , and partly in that it is a spungy , hollow , naughty flesh , not substantial as the true flesh is ▪ and either of a blackish , or an high redde colour ; then it shall be meete that you seeke all meanes possible , how to consume and eate away that superfluous and naughty flesh , because the soare that is pestred therewith , neither can nor will euer heale , till it bee cleansed of the same ; therefore according to the opinion of the most ancient farriers , the best meanes to eate it away , is , to boyle fresh grease , and verdigrease , of each a like quantity together , and either to tent or plaister the soare therewith , till the dead flesh bee consumed . other farriers take either the scrapings of harts horne , or oxe horne , and mixing them with old sope , dresse the soare therewith , & it will eate away dead flesh . other farriers take spongia marina , or sea spung , & therewith d●esse the soare , and it will do the like . other farriers vse the powder of risagalio or risagre , but it is a great d●●le too strong a f●●tter . oth●rs vse litergie or lime , in lye , but they are likewise very violent and strong eaters . others vse to take either white or blacke eleborus , incke , quicke sulphure , orpiment , litergie , vitriolle , vnsleckt lime , roche allome , gals , soote , or the ashes of auel●an , of each halfe an ounce , and they will consume dead flesh ; likewise quicke-siluer extinct , and verdigrease , of each an ounce made into powder , will do the like : the iuice of borrage , of scabious , of fumitarie , and of a docke , of each halfe an ounce ; a little old oyle and vinegar , boyled with a soft fire ; put to it tarrre , and it will likewise eate away any dead flesh . there be other farriers which take cantharides , oxe dung , and vinegar and mixe them together , and lay it to the soare , and it will fetch away the dead flesh . others vse first to pounce the soare with a razor , then annoynt it with grease , and strew vpon it a pretty quantity of orpiment . other farriers vse in steed of risagallo , to take the powder of verdigrease and orpiment , of each an ounce , of vnslekt lime , and tartar , of each two ounces ; mixe them together , and therwith dresse the sore , after you haue washt it wel with strong vinegar ; and if you please , you may adde thereunto vitriol , and allome ; for they are both great consumers of dead flesh . other farriers take the powder of tartar , and mans dung burnt with salt , and then beaten into powder , and strewed on the soare ; or else take salt , vnslekt lime , and oyster-shels ; and beate them in a mortar with strong lye or old vrine , till it bee like a paste : then bake it in an ouen , & after beate it to powder , and strewe it on the soare , and it will eate away dead flesh . other farriers vse first to wash the soare with ale , wherein nettle seeds haue bene sodden , & then strew vpon it the powder of verdigrease . now to conclude , you must euer obserue , that before you vse any of these medicines , you do shaue away the haire , that it be no impediment to the salue ; also after you haue drest it once , and see that there is an asker raised , then you shal dresse it with some mollifying , or healing salue , till the asker come away , and then dresse it with your eating salue againe : and thus doe vntill you behold that all the dead flesh be consumed , and that there is nothing but perfect and sound flesh , and then heale it vp as in case of wounds . chap. . for knottes in ioynts , hardnesse , crampes , or any inflammations . there do grow in ioynts three sorts of swellings , namely , a hot swelling , a hard swelling , and a soft swelling ; all which you may easily distinguish by your feeling , and they doe proceede either from aboundance of grosse humours , ingendred by foule keeping ; or else by accident , as from some wound , rush , or straine . the cure whereof , according to the opinion of the most ancient farriers , is to beate the powder called diapente , together with oyle , till it be like an oyntment , and then apply it once a day to the griefe , and it will take it away , especially if it be a crampe , or an inflammation . other farriers vse to incorporate with oyle , halfe an ounce of liquid storax , two ounces of turpentine , sixe of waxe , and ten of bird-lime , and apply that to the griefe , and it will ease it . other farriers take wine , old oyle , and tarre , mingled and boyled together , and therewith dresse the soare place , and it will helpe it . other of our later farriers take halfe a pound of grease , three scruples of mustard , and the like of baysalt ; mixe these with vinegar , and apply it to the griefe . others vse to make a plaister of figs , and the roots of fearne and rocket , or mingle them with grease and vinegar , and apply it to the griefe . other farries vse to take the vnguentum basilicon , which is made of hony , storax , galbanum , bdelium , blacke pepper , bay-berries , the marrow of a stag , of each a like quantity ; twice as much of armoniacke , and of the powder of frankinsence as much as of any of the other , and incorporate them with sheepes suet , and apply it to the griefe , and it will helpe it . other farriers take dry pitch , pitch of greece , of each one part , of galbanum , and of lime , of each foure parts , of bitumen two parts , of waxe three parts ; melt them all together , and annoynt the place therewith very hot , and it will take away the griefe , and peraduenture also the eye-soare . chap. . how to cure any wound made with the shot of gun-powder . according to the opinion of the most ancient farriers , you shall first with a probe or long instrument , search whether the bullet remaine within the flesh or no ; and if you finde that it doth , then with another instrument for the purpose , you shall take it forth if it be possible , if otherwise , let it remaine : for in the end nature it selfe will weare it out of it owne accord , without any griefe or impediment ; because lead will not corrode or canker ; then to kill the fire you shall take a little varnish , and thrust it into the wound with a feather , annoynting it well within euen vnto the bottome : then stoppe the mouth of the wound with a little soft flaxe dipt in varnish also : then charge all the swolne place with this charge : take of bolearmony a quarterne , of linseed beaten into powder , halfe a pound , of beane flowre as much , and three or foure egges , shels and all ; and of turpentine a quarterne , and a quart of vinegar , and mingle them well together ouer the fire ; and being somewhat warme , charge all the soare place with part thereof ; and immediatly clap a cloath or a peece of leather vpon it , to keep the wound from the cold aire , continuing both to annoynt the hole within with varnish , and also to charge the swelling without , the space of foure or fiue dayes : then at the fiue daies end , leaue annoynting of it , and taint it with a taint reaching to the bottome of the wound , and dipped in turpentine and hogges grea●e molten together , renewing it euery day twice vntill the fire be throughly killed ; which you shall perceiue by the mattering of the wound , and by falling of the swelling : for as long as the fire hath the vpper hand , no thicke matter will issue out , but onely a thinne yellowish water , neither will the swelling asswage ; and then take of turpentine washed in nine seuerall waters , halfe a pound , and put thereunto three yelkes of egges , and a little saffron , and taint it with this oyntment , renewing it euery day once vntill the wound bee whole . but if the shotte haue gone quite through the wound , then you shall take a few weauers linnen thrummes , made very knotty , and dipping them first in varnish , draw them cleane through the wound , turning them vp and downe in the wound at least twice or thrice a day , and charging the wound on either side vpon the swolne places , with the charge aforesaid , vntill you perceiue that the fire be kild ; then clappe onely a comfortable plaister vpon one of the hoales , and taint the other with a taint in the salue , made of washt turpentine , egges , and saffron , as is before said . other farriers vse onely to kill the fire with the oyle of creame , and after to heale the wound vp with turpentine , waxe , and hogges grease , molten together . other farriers kill the fire with snow water , and charge the sweld place with creame , and barme beaten together : and then heale vp the wound , by dipping the taint in the yolke of an egge , hony , and saffron well beaten and mixt together . chap. . of burning with lime , or any other fiery thing . according to the opinion of the ancient farriers , you shall first wash the soare round about , and in euery part very cleane with warme water ; then kill the fire , by annoynting the place with oyle and water beaten together , dressing him so euery day vntill the soare bee all raw , and then annoynt it with hogges grease , and strew thereupon the powder of slecked lime , dressing him thus euery day once , vntill hee bee whole . other farriers vse first to wash and cleanse the soare with sallet oyle onely warmed ; then to kill the fire with creame , and oyle beaten together , and when it is raw , then to spread vpon it creame and soote mixt together ; and lastly to strewe vpon it the powder of hony and lime vntill it bee perfectly skinned . chap. . of the biting with a madde dogge . if your horse at any time bee bitten with a madde dogge , the venome of whose teeth will not onely driue him into an extreame torment , but it will also infect and inflame his blood , in such sort that the horse will bee indangered to dye madde : the cure therefore , according to the opinion of the ancient farriers is , to take of goats dung , of flesh that hath laine long in salt , and of the hearbe ebulus , called generally dan-worte , of each halfe a pound , and fourty walnuts ; stampe all these together , and lay part thereof to the soare , and it will sucke out the venome , and heale vp the wound ; but vpon the first dressing , you shall giue the horse wine and treackle mixt together to drinke . there be other farriers , which first giue the horse sacke and sallet oyle to drinke , then with a hote yron cauterize and burne the soare , and lastly heale vp the wound , with the salue first recited . other farriers , first giue the horse two or three spoonefuls of the powder of diapente to drinke , in a pint of muskadine ; then take a liue pidgeon , and cleauing her in the midst , lay it hote vnto the wound and it will draw out the venome ; then heale the soare with turpentine , and hogges grease well molten together . chap. . of hurtes by the tuskes of a boare . if a horse bee striken by the tuskes of a boare , you shall take copporas , and vitrioll , and the powder of dogges head , being burned , after the tong hath ben pulled out , and cast away ; and mixing them together , apply it once a day to the soare , and it will cure it : yet yet before you dresse it , first wash the soare very well either with vinegar or with white wine . caap. . to heale the biting , or stinging of serpents , or any venomous beasts whatsoeuer . if your horse be either bitten or stung either with serpent or any other venomous beast , which you shall easily know by the sodaine swelling either of the body or member ; then you shall first chafe him vp and downe till the sweate , and then let him blood in the roofe of the mouth ; and lastly , take a young cocke or a pidgeon , and cleauing it in the midst , clap it hote to the wound , and then giue the horse white wine & salt to drink . other farriers take a good quantity of the hearb called sanicula ; stampe it and distemper it with the milke of a cow , that is al of one colour , and giue it the horse to drink , and it will heale him . other farriers clappe to the soare hogges dung , or oxe dung , or henbane bruised , or else the ashes of reedes ; then giue him to drinke mugworte , or great tansey , with wine and camomill stampt together ; or else giue him wine and oleum rosatum mixt together . other farriers make a plaister of onions , hony , and salt , stampt and mingled together , and lay that to the soare place , and giue the horse wine and treackle to drinke , or else white pepper , rew and time , mixt with wine . other farriers take alphodillus , hastula regia , stampt with old wine , and laid to the ●oare : for it is most soueraigne good . chap. . of lice or vermine , and how to kill them . the lice or vermine which breed vpon a horse bee like vnto geese lice , but somewhat bigger , and do breed most commonly about the eares , necke , maine , taile , and generally ouer the whole body ; they doe proceede from poue●ty , or feeding in woodes , where trees are continually dropping vpon them : the signes are , the horse will bee alwaies rubbing and scratching , and all be he eate much meate , yet hee will not prosper ; and with his continuall rubbing hee will fret and weare away all his maine , and taile , and you shall also perceiue the lice when the sun doth shine , running on the tops of the haires . the cure , according to the opinion of the ancient farriers , is , to take of sope one pound , and of quick-siluer halfe an ounce , mixe and beate them together well , vntill the quick-siluer bee killed , and then annoynt the horse all ouer therewith , and it will consume the lice sodainely . other farriers take stauesaker and sope , & mixing them together , annoynt the horse all ouer therewith . other farriers take vnripe mulberries and their rootes , or stalks , and seeth them in strong vrine , & then wash the horse therwith ; after that annoynt all his body ouer with sanguis draconis , the iuice of 〈◊〉 , salt , pitch , oyle , and swines grease , very well mixt together . others vse to chafe all his body ouer with quicke-siluer and soft grease mixt together , till the quick-siluer be kild , and in two or three dressings the lice will be consumed . chap. . how to saue horses from the stinging of flyes in sommer . if you will saue your horse in the sommer time from the stinging or biting of flyes , which is very troublesome vnto them , then you shall anoynt all the horses body ouer either with oyle and bay-berries mingled together , or else binde vnto the head-stall of his collar , a sponge dipped in strong vinegar : some vse to sprinckle the stable with water wherein hearbe of grace hath bene layd in steepe ; or else to perfume the stable with the smoake of iuy , or calamint , or with githe burned in a panne of coales : but the surest way of all , both in the stable and abroad , is to make two good wispes of rew , and therewithall to rubbe the horses body all ouer , and no flye will light vpon him , or touch him , as hath bene often approued . chap. . of bones being broken or out of the ioynt . ovr common english farriers are very farre to seeke in this cure , because they neither do perfectly acquaint themselues with the members of a horse , nor haue so much inuention in this extremity , to make a horse , being an vnreasonable creature , to suffer like a reasonable person ; and also in that the old traditions in horse leach-craft affirme , that all fractures aboue the knee , are incurable ; and so despairing , they ceasse to make practice : but they are much deceiued : for neither the fracture aboue the knee , nor the fracture below the knee , is more incurable in a horse then in a man : if the farrier can tell how to keepe the horse from struggling or tormenting the member grieued . if therefore your horse haue any bone broken , which is most easie to be discerned by the depriuation of the vse of that member , & as easie to be felt by the separation of the bones , the one part being higher then the other , besides the roughnesse and inequality of the place grieued : you shall then for the cure thereof , first take a strong double canuasse , which shall bee as broad as from the horses foresholder to the flanke ; and shall haue another double canuasse , which shall come from betweene the horses soreboothes vp to the top of the withers , where meeting with the rest of the canuasse , & hauing exceeding strong loops , to which strong ropes must be fastened , you shall by maine force sling vp the horse from the ground , so as his feete may no more but touch the ground : and if it be a forelegge that is broken , then you shall raise him a little higher before then behind : if a hinder leg , then a little higher behinde then before , so that the horse may rest most vpon the members most sound . when your horse is thus slung , then you shall put the bones into the right place ; which done , wrappe it close about with vnwashed wolle newly pulled from the sheepes backe , binding it fast to the legge , with a smooth linnen roller , soaked before in oyle and vinegar mingled together , and looke that your roller lye as smooth and plaine as may be ; and vpon that againe lay more wolle dipt in oile & vinegar , and then ●plent it with three broad , smooth , & strong splents , binding them fast at both ends with a thong ; and in any case let the horses legge be kept out very straight , the space of . daies , and let not the bonds bee loosned aboue thrice in twenty daies , vnlesse it thinke , & so require to be new drest and b●u●d againe ; but faile not euery day once to powre on the so●re place through the splents , oyle and vinegar mingled together : and at the forty daies end , if you perceiue that the broken place bee sowdred together againe with some hard knob or gristle , then loosen the bonds , and ease the canuasse , so as the horse may treade more firmly vpon his soare foote ; which when he doth , you shall loosen him altogether , and let him goe vp and downe faire and gently , vsing from thence forth to annoynt the soare place either with soft grease , or else with one of these plaisters or oyntments : take of spuma argenti , of vinegar , of each one pound ; of sallet oyle , halfe a pound , of armoniacke , and of turpentine , of each three ounces ; of waxe and of rosen , of each two ounces ; of bitumen , of pitch , and of verdigrease , of each halfe a pound ; boyle the vinegar , oyle , and spuma argenti together , vntill it waxe thicke : then put thereunto the pitch , which being molten , take the pot from the fire , and put in the bitumen , without stirring it at all ; and that being also molten , put in then all the rest , & set the pot againe to the fire , & let them boyle altogether , vntill they be all vnited in one : that done , straine it , & make it in plaister forme , and vse it as occasion shall serue . other farriers take of liquid pitch one pound , of waxe two ounces , of the purest & finest part of frankinsence one ounce , of amoniacum , foure ounces , of dry rosen , and of galbanum , of each one ounce , of vinegar two pints ; boyle first the vinegar and pitch together : then put in the amoniacum , dissolued first in vinegar , and after that all the aforesaid drugges ; and after they haue boyled all together , and be vnited in one , straine it , and make it into a plaister , and vse it according to occasion . other farriers take of old sallet oyle , a quart , and put thereunto of hogs grease , of spuma nitri , of each one pound and let them boyle together , vntill it begin to bubble aboue : then take it from the fire , & when you vse any of the ointment , let it be very warme , and wel chafed in , & then one of the two former plaisters folded aboue it , and it is most soueraigne & comfortable for any bone that is broken . chap. . of bones out of ioynt . if a horse haue any of his bones out of the ioynt , as either his knee , his shoulder , his pasterne , or such like , which you shall both perceiue by the vncomlinesse of the ioynt , and also feele by the hollownesse of the member that is displaced : then your readiest cure is to cast the horse on his back , and putting foure strong pasterns on his feet ▪ draw him vp so as his backe may no more but touch the ground : then drawe the g●ieued legge higher then the rest ▪ till the poyse and waight of his body haue made the ioynt to shoote into its right place againe ; which you shall know when it doth , by a sodaine and great crack which the ioynt will giue , when it falleth into the true place ; then with all gentlenesse loose the horse , and let him rise : and then annoynt all the grieued place ouer , either with the last oyntment rehearsed in the last chapter , or else with the oyle of mandrake , or the oyle of swallowes , both which are of most soueraine vertgue . chap. . to dry vp humors , or to binde being astrictiue or binding charges . take of vnguentum triapharmacum made of lithergie , vinegar , and old oyle , boyled till they bee thicke , onely take as much oyle as of both the others , and it will stay the fluxe of any humors . if you take strong lye , it is a great dryer and a binde of humors . dissolue in vinegar rosen , affalto , & myrrhe , of each an ounce , of redde waxe , halfe an ounce , with a little galhanum , of bitumen halfe an ounce , & of armoniack halfe an ounce ; mingle them wel together in the boyling : for this salue dryeth wonderfully , bindeth al loose members , and comforteth all parts that are weakened . take of lard two pounds , and when it is sodden straine it with three ounces of ceruse , and as much allome molten , and it both dryeth and bindeth exceedingly . dry figges beaten with allome , mustard , and vinegar , doth dry very aboundantly . oyle or soft grease beaten to a salue with vitrioll . gals and allome , and the powder of pomegranetes , salt , and vinegar both dry and binde sufficiently . sope and vnsleckt lime mixt togethe● dryeth perfectly after any incision verdigrease , orpiment , sal-armoniack , and the powder of coloquintida , of each a like , made into a plaister with milke or waxe , drieth and bindeth . the grease of snakes roasted , the head & taile being cut away , is a great dryer . to conclude , the barke of a willow tree burnt to ashes is as great a dryer , and binder , as any simple whatsoeuer . chap. . a plaister to dry vp superfluous moisture , and to bind partes loosened . take of bitumen one pound , of the purest part of frankensence three ounces , of bdelium arabicum one ounce , of deares suet one pound , of populeum one ounce , of galbanum ounce , of the drops of storaxe one ounce , of common waxe one pound , of resin cabial halfe a pound , of viscus italicus one ounce and an halfe , of apoxima one ounce , of the iuice of hyssop one ounce , of the droppes of armoniack one ounce , of pitch halfe a pound ; let all these bee well and perfectly molten , dissolued , and incorporated together according to art , and then make a plaister thereof . chap. . another plaister to dry vp any swelling , wind gall , splent , or bladders , in or about the ioints . take of virgin-waxe halfe a pound , of rosen one pound and a quarter , of galbanum one ounce and an halfe , of bitumen halfe a pound , of myrrhe secondary one pound , of armoniacke three ounces , of costus three ounces ; boyle all these things together in an earthen pot , sauing the armoniacke , and costus , which beeing first ground like fine flowre , must bee added vnto the other things , after that they haue bene boyled and cooled , and then boyled altogether againe , & well stirred , so as they may be incorporated together and made alone substance , and then applied as occasion shall bee administred . chap. . receipts to dissolue humors . take of wormewood , sage , rosemary , and the barke of an elme , or of a pine , of each a like quantity , and boyle them in oyle with a good quantity of lin-seed ; and making a bathe thereof , bathe the grieued part , and it will dissolue any humors that are gathered or bound together . a pound of figs stampt with salt , till it come to a perfect salue , dissolueth al manner of humors , by opening the poores , and giuing a large passage . chap. ● . how to mo●lifie any hardnesse . take of lin-seed pund , and of fenegreeke , of each foure ounces , of pitch , and rosen , of each three ounces , of the flowres of roses two ounces , pitch of greece sixe ounces ; boyle them together , then adde three ounces of turpentine , sixe ounces of hony , and a little oyle ; and then applying this salue , it will mollifie any hard substance . maluauisco wel sod , and stampt with oleum rosatum , being laid hote vnto any hardnesse , will make it soft . boyle branck vrsin , & mallowes together , & beate them with grease , oyle , and lard , and they will mollifie , and heale most exceedingly . maluauisco , coleworts , branck vrsin , hearbe of the wall , and old grease , being beaten together , mollifie very much . the oyle of cypresse , both mollifieth and healeth . wheat meale , hony , pellitory , branck vrsin , and the leaues of wormewood , being beaten with swines grease , and laid hote vnto any harde tumor , doth sodainely mollifie it , and is passing good for any stripe also . grease , mustardseed , and comen , boyled together , doth mollifie very much , take of sope halfe an ounce , of vnsleckt lime an ounce , and mixe them well with strong lye , and it will mollifie , euen the hardest houes . the iuice of the leaues and rootes of elder , or a plaister made thereof , doth dry vp and mollifie humors maruellously . so doth the iuice of the toppes of cypresse , and dry figges macerated in vinegar and strained , of each three ounces ; and if you adde to it of sa●●niter an ounce , of armoniack halfe an ounce , of alloes & opoponaxe a little , and make it into an oyntment , it wil mollifie any hardnesse very sufficiently . mallowes , nettles , mercorella , and the rootes of cowcumbers , and turpentine , being beaten together with old grease , wil mollifie any hardnesse speedily . chap. . to harden any softnesse . the soale of an old shooe burnt , and sodden in vinegar , wil harden houes , & so will also the powder of gals boyled with bran and salt in strong vinegar . the powder of hony & lime , or the powder of oystershels , or the powder of burnt felt , or thicke creame & soote mixt together , wil harden any soare whatsoeuer . chap. . to conglutinate . iris illiri●a beaten and sifted , mingled with pepper , hony , corrants , and giuen the horse to drinke with wine , and oyle , helpeth and conglutinateth any inward rupture or burstnesse whatsoeuer . dragant , saffron , the fruit of the pine , with the yelkes of egges , giuen likewise to drinke with wine and oyle , doth also conglutinate any inward member or veine broken . incense , masticke , and cute , doth the like also . poligano sod in wine , & giuen to drink , is good also . the roots and seedes of asparagus sodde in water , and giuen to the horse : then after for three dayes giue him butter and opoponaxe , with hony and myrre , and it will conglutinate any inward vlcer or rupture whatsoeuer . chap. . to mundifie or cleanse any soare take oyle of oliues , swines grease clarified , the grease of a yong fox , turpentine , allome , and white waxe ; seeth them all together , till they be most throughly incorporated together ; and with this oyntment dresse any foule soare whatsoeuer , and it will mundifie , and cleanse it most sufficiently . chap. . of repercussiue medicines , or such as driue backe humors . repercussiue medicines , or such as driue euill humors backe , are commonly called amongst farriers , plaisters , or salues defensitiue , and are to be vsed about euery great wound and vlcer , lest the fluxe of humors flowing to the weake part , both confound the medicine , and breede more dangerous exulcerations . now of these repercussiue medicines these are the best , either vinegar , salt , and bole-armoniacke beaten together , and spread round about the soare , or else white lead and sallet oyle beaten also together ; or red led and sallet oyle , or else vnguentum album camphiratum , and such like . chap. . of burning compositions . bvrning compositions are , for the most part , corrosiues , of which we shall haue occasion to speake more at large in a chapter following ; yet forasmuch as some are of better temper then others , you shall here vnderstand that of all burning compositions , the gentlest is vnguentum apostolorum : next to it is verdigrease and hogges grease beaten together ; next to it is precipatate , and turpentine mixt together ; next to it is ar●nicke allayd with any oyle , or healing salue ; next to it is mercurie sublimate , likewise allayd with some cooling salue ; and the worst is lime and sope , or lime and strong lye beaten together : for they will corrode & mortifie the soundest part of mēber whatsoeuer . chap. . for all maner of hurts about a horse , whatsoeuer . take an ounce of oyle , two ounces of turpentine , and a little waxe ; mingle them at the fire : this will heale any wound or gall , and keepe it cleane from filth , water , and dirt . take vinegar and hony , & boyle it together , when it is cold , adde the powder of verdigrease , copporas , and brasse , burnt ; mingle them well together : this will take away all ill and dead flesh , and cleanse and heale any old vlcer . take waxe , pitch , swines grease and turpentine , and mixe them well together : this will heale any bone or spell , or any other stubbe . take house snailes , and seeth them in butter , and they will draw out any thorne or naile , being oft renewed . so will also the roots of reedes being bruised and applyed . the roots of an elder beaten to powder , and boyled with hony , is good for any old soare . take salt , buter , and hony , or white waxe , turpentine , and oyle rosatum , of each a like quantity , with twice as much beane flowre as of any of the other ; mixe it very well together , and make it into a salue , & it will heale any soare , either old or new , whatsoeuer . take waxe , turpentine , and deeres suet , or the marrow of a stagge , and mixe them well together , and it wil heale any wound or impostume : so will also wax , oyle , masticke , frankinsence , and sheepes suet , well molten together , or the powder of masticke , frankinsence , and aloes , mixt and molten well together . the whites of egges beaten with oleum rosatum , and salt , and so layd vpon flaxe hurds , healeth any wound that is not in any principall part where the muscles are . if you will ceanse and heale any soare , take three pints of well clarified hony , and boyle it with one pint of vinegar , and one of verdigrease , and so apply it ; or else take of masticke , and verdigrease , of each halfe an ounce , of frankinsence one ounce , of new waxe foure ounces , of turpentine sixe ounces , and of hogges grease two pound ; boyle and incorporate all these together , & then apply it to the loare , and it will both cleanse and heale . chick-weed , grounsell graise , and stale vrine , very well boyled together , will heale any galling or hurts by halter , or other accident , or any straine , or stripe , or swelling , which commeth by any such like mischance . take of new milke three quarts , a good handfull of plantaine ; let it boyle till a pint bee consumed : then adde three ounces of allome made into powder , and one ounce and an halfe of white sugarcandy , made likewise into powder : then let it boyle a little , till it haue a hard curde : then straine it ; with this warme , bathe any old vlcer : then dry it , and lay on some vnguentum basilicon : this cleanseth , dryeth , strengtheneth , and killeth the itch , and healeth the foulest vlcer either in man or beast , that may bee . also , if you take of milke a quart , of allome in powder two ounces , of vinegar a spoonfull ; when the milke doth seeth , put in the allome and vinegar , then take off the curde , and vse the rest , and it will likewise dry vp and heale any foule old soare whatsoeuer . chap. . how to make the powder of hony , and lime . take such a quantity of vnsleckt lime , as you shall thinke fit , beat it into very fine powder ; then take so much hony as shall suffice to mingle it together , & make it into a stiffe past , in the forme of a thick cake or loafe : then put the same cake or loafe into a hot ouen , or a burning fire , till it bee baked , or burnt glowing redde ; then take it foorth , and when it is cold , beat it into very fine powder , and then vse it as any occasion shall serue . it dryeth , healeth , and skinneth any soare whatsoeuer very maruailously . chap. . the order of taking vp of veines , and wherefore it is good . first before wee speake of the order of taking vp of veines , you shal vnderstād , that al veines except the neck veines , the eie veynes , the breast veine , the palate veines , and the spurre veines , are to bee taken vp , and not stricken with the fleame ; partly because they bee so little and thinne , that if you strike them you shall either indanger the striking thorrow them ; or partly because they are so neere adioyning to arteries and sinewes , that if in striking you should hit and pricke either artery or sinewe , it were a persent laming of the horse , as i haue oftentimes seene and noted in the practise of many ignorant smiths . now touching the order of taking vp of a veine , it is thus . first you shall cast your horse either vpon some soft ground , grasse , some dunghill that is not very moist , or in some lightsome house , vpon good store of sweete straw ; then when the horse is thus cast , you shall looke for the veine which you intend to take vp , and if it be either so small , or lye so deepe , that you can hardly perceiue it ; then you shall with warme water , rubbe , chafe & bathe all that part where the veine lyeth ; then take a narrow silke garter , and a handfull or two aboue the veine ( if it bee of any of the horses legs ) garter the member very strait ; but if it bee a veine to be taken vp on the body , or breast ; then with a sufringle either close behinde the hinder point of the shoulder , or within a handfull of the place , where you meane to take vp the veine , gird him very straite , and presently you shall see the veine to arise ; then marke that part of the skinne which couereth the veine , and with your fingar and your thumbe , pull it somewhat aside from the veine , and then with a very fine incision-knife slit the skinne cleane through , without touching the veine , and in any wise cut no deeper then through the skinne , and that longwise too , in such sort as the veine goeth , yet not aboue an inch at the most in length : that done , remoue your finger and your thumbe and the skinne will returne againe into his place , right ouer the veine as it was before , insomuch that but opening the orifice , or slir , you shall see the veine lye blew , and bare before your eyes ; then take a fine smooth corner made either of the browantler of a stag , or of an old bucke , and thrust it vnderneath the veine , and lift it vp a prety distance ( that is to say , halfe the thicknes of the cornet ) aboue the skinne ; that done , you shall then loose either the garter or the sursingle , for they are but onely helpes for you to find out the veine ; and where the veine will appeare without them , there by no meanes you shall vse them . now when you haue thus taken your veine vpon your cornet , you shall then either put a redde silke threed , dipt in oyle , or butter , or else a small shoomakers threed , vnderneath the veine also , somewhat higher then the cornet , which silke or threed must serue to knit the veine when time requires ; then the cornet standing still as before , with your kinfe slit the toppe of the veine longwise , the length of a barly corne , that it may bleed ; then stopping the neather part of your veine with the silke or threed , suffer it to bleed well from aboue ; then with your silke or threed remoued aboue , knit it fast with a sure knot aboue the slit suffering it onely to bleed from beneath , and hauing bleed there also sufficiently , then knit vp the veine beneath the slit with a sute knot ; then fill the hole of the veine with salt , and heale vp the wound of the skinne with turpentine and hogges grease molten together , or else with a little fresh butter , laid on with a little flaxe or tow . now the vertue which redounds from this taking vp of veines , first it is very necessary , and doth ease all grieues , straines , and stifnesse of the limbs ; for the taking vp of the plat veins easeth al paines in the breast , and grieues in the chest ; the taking vp of the fore-thigh veines easeth farcies , and swellings of the legges ; the taking vp of the shackle veines before , helpeth gourding , quitter bones , and the swelling of the ioynts , scabbes , and scratches ; the taking vp of the hinder hough-veines , helpeth spauens of both kinds , most especially any farcy in those parts , and generally all swellings or impostumes ; the taking vp of the pastorne veines behind helpeth swellings about the cronet , or neather ioints , paines , mules and all manner of kibed heeles , besides sundry other such like diseases . chap. . of cauterizing or giuing the fire , the kinds and vses . the giuing of fire which amongst the best farriers is called cauterizing , and amongst the simpler , burning , searing , or blistering , is ( according to the generall opinion of all the most ancientest farriers ) the chiefest remedy , and as it were the last refuge of all diseases incident to any horses body , whether they be naturall or accidentall ; for the violence of fire separating and disgesting all manner of humors , into a thinne aire , and loose body , cleanseth and auoydeth those grosnesses which are the materiall causes of all putrifaction , and vlceration . now of cauterization there bee two kinds , the one of them actuall , which is that which is done by the hand , and with the instrument : that is to say of the hote yron of what fashion soeuer : the other potentiall , which is done by the applying of medicine , whose nature is either corrosiue , putrifactiue , or caustique . now the first of these , which is the cautery actuall , is principally to be vsed when there is any appostumation in any sinewie part or member , or amongst any of the most principall veines : also when you shall dismember or cut away any ioynt , or make any incision where there is feare of any fluxe of blood , or where you shall finde either the skinne or muscles shrunke or straitned , and in many such like cases . the cauterising potentiall is to bee vsed in old cankered vlcers , wennes , or any spungy excresion either of flesh or bone whatsoeuer , of whose natures , and properties you shall reade more hereafter in a following chapter . chap. . of the cauterize actuall , and the forme of instruments . an actuall cautery , according to the opinion of the most ancient farriers , being moderately vsed , is a notable remedy to stop all corruption in members , to keepe perfect the complexion of the same , and also to staunch the bloud ; onely you must haue a carefull regard that in the handling of your yron , you touch neither sinewes , tendants , cords , nor ligaments , lest you doe vtterly disable the member , or breede crampes or conuultions ; except it bee when you dismember or cut away any ioynt ; as when you doe make curtals , geld horses , or such like : and then your cautery is to bee vsed onely to feare the veines , sinewes , and ligamens , till such time that you are perfectly assured that all fluxe of bloud is stopped , whatsoeuer . now againe the actuall cautery bindeth together parts loosened ▪ it doth attenuate parts blowne , and puffed vp , it dryeth vp superfluous moysture , it looseneth , disperseth , and diuideth euill matter gathered together into knots , it asswageth old grieues , it rectifieth those parts of the body that are corrupted by any manner of way , reducing them to their first perfect estate , and suffereth no aboundance of euill humours to grow or increase : for the skinne being separated and opened with the hot iron , all putrifaction through the vertue of the fire , is first digested and ripened , and then so dissolued , that the matter doth issue out aboundantly at the holes , whereby the grieued or sickened member is now healed , and eased of all paine and griefe ; yea , and insomuch that the holes being once closed , and cleane shut vp , the place is stronger and better knit together , and couered with a tougher skinne then euer it was before ; onely the great●st ●lemish that can any way be found in cautery , is , that it commonly leaueth a great scarre , which is many times an eye-soare more then is tollerable ; and therefore the vse of cauterizing is onely to be preferred but in desperate cases of great extremity ; for albeit it worke foule , yet it is most certaine , it workes most sure . now as touching the instruments wherewith you must cauterize , their substance , and proportion , you shall vnderstand that the most curious farriers doe preferre either gold or siluer to be the best mettal to make them of , in that few or no euill accidents doe follow where they burne : but the wisest , best , and most skilfullest farriers take copper to be sufficient inough , and a mettal without any lawful exception ; yet where copper instruments cannot be had , there you may , with commendations inough , vse such instruments as are made of iron , and finde your worke no deale at all hindered . now for the fashion or proportion of your instruments or irons , they are to be referred to the soare , or place grieued , wherewith you are to meddle , according to the diuersity whereof your instruments are to bee made of diuers fashions , as some are to bee made knife-wise , either with thinne edges , or broad edges ; and they bee called drawing kniues , or searing kniues , because they are principally imployed in the drawing of strait lines shallow , or deepe , and sometimes in circular or diuers squares : some are made like straite , and some like crooked bodkins , and they are imployed either in fleshy excresions , to cause exulceration ; or else in impostumes to open small passages for the matter ; some are made like hookes or sickles , and they are to bee vsed where the wound is crooked , for the burning out of dead flesh , or such like hidden euils , which cannot bee reacht by any straite instrument : others are made either with great buttons , or little buttons at the end ; and they are vsed to open impostumes , or else to burne into the sound flesh where you intend to make any new soare or issue for the drawing or keeping backe of other euil humors : and in making of these irons , the farrriers owne iudgement is to be of great valew , because he must either increase and diminish them according to the manner of the place grieued ; and be sure that he euer make them fit for his right purpose . now for the vse of these instruments , there are two principall things to bee regarded : first , the heating of the iron , and next , the true temper , or bearing of the farriers hand . touching the heating of the iron , you shall vnderstand , that the backe of the iron must neuer bee so hote as the edge , that is to say , you must neuer make the backe of the iron redde hote , for feare that thereby it yeeld too much heate , and so consequently breede inflammation : therefore whensoeuer you see the backe of your iron as hote as the edge , you shall a little coole it with water . now for the temper , or bearing of your hand , you shall vnderstand that the more euenly , and lightly it is done , so much the better it is done ; and heerein is to bee considered , the finenesse or thicknesse of the horses skinne , which you shall know most commonly by his haire : for if it bee short and fine , then the skinne is thin ; if it be long and rough , then is his skinne thicke and boysterous . now the skinne that is fine , must bee cauterized or feared with a very light hand , in as much as the skinne is soone pierced through , and the thicke skinne with a heauy hand , and both of them with such a tempered hand , that the skinne must no more but looke yellow ; wherein you shall euer finde that the fine skinne will sooner looke yellow then the thicke skinne , the reason being , because the thicknesse and roughnesse of the haire of the thicke skinne doth coole and choake the heate of the iron , insomuch that if it be not layd to with a more heauy hand , and the instrument so much the more and the oftener heated , it cannot worke that effect which in art it should do . now you shal also obserue , that in drawing of any line or other cauterize whatsoeuer , that you euer draw with the haire , and neuer against the haire , whether the lines be short , long , deepe , shallow , straight , crooked , or ouerthwart , according as the griefe doth require . now to conclude , you are to obserue in cauterizing , these fewe precepts : first , that you doe not giue fire to any sinewie place , except there bee some apparant swelling , or else impostumation ; secondly , that you giue not fire to any bone that is broken , or out of ioynt , for feare of breeding a general weakenesse in the whole member . thirdly , neuer to giue the fire so deepe , or suffer your hand to be so heauy , that you may either mis-shape or deforme the horse , either by vnnecessary figures , or vncomly scarres . thirdly , not to be too rash or hasty in giuing fire , as if euery cure were to be wrought by that practise onely ( as i know some very well reputed farriers holde of opinion , ) but onely to attempt all other good meanes before ; and when all hope else is desperate , then to make the fire your last refuge , as an extremity that must preuaile when all other practises doe perish . lastly , i would not haue you like those foolish farriers which know nothing , vtterly to contemne and neglect it , as if it were vselesse , but with all moderation and discretion to apply it in fit time and place , whereby the poore horse may gaine ease , your selfe good reputation , and the owner profite ; which is most certaine , as long as you are gouerned by wisedome . chap. . of cauterize by medicine , which is cauterze potentiall . the potentialll cauterize or ●earing of the flesh by medicine is ( as i said before ) when the medicines are either corrosiue , putrifactiue , or caustick ; corrosiue , as when they doe corrode , rot , gnaw , and fret the flesh ; putrifactiue , when they doe corrupt the complexion of the member , and doe induce a maine scar like dead flesh , causing infinite paine , in such sort that they are often accompanied with feuers & mortality , and therefore are not to be administred , but to strong bodies , & in very strong diseases ; & caustick , which is as much to say as burning , when the operation is so strong , that it inclineth , and commeth nearest to the nature of fire , and so burneth and consumeth whatsoeuer it toucheth . now these potentiall cauterizes doe exceed and excell one another , by certaine degrees , as thus , the corrosiues are weaker then the putrifactiues , and the putrifactiues are weaker then the caustickes ; the corrosiues worke vpon the vpper part in the soft flesh , the putrifactiues in the depth of the hard flesh ; and the causticks haue power to breake skin sound or vnsound , both in hard and soft flesh , & that very deepely also . now of corrosiues , some bee simple , and some bee compound ; the simple corrosiues are , roach allome , burnt or vnburnt , the spung of the sea somewhat burnt , lime , redde corrall , powder of mercury , shauings of an oxe or harts horne , precipitate , verdigrease , and such like : the compound corrosiues are , blacke sope , and lime , vnguentum apostolorum , and vnguentum aegyptiacum , and vnguentum ceraceum , and many such like ; and these are to be applied vnto soares , vlcers , or excressions , after they are corroded . the putrifactiues are arsnicke , either white or yellow , sublimatum , resalgar , or any medicine compounded with any of them ; besides sandaracha chrysocollo , and aconitum . now if you would haue your putrifactiue medicines to be crustiue , that is breeding a great scar , and hote in the fourth degree ; then they are vnsleckt lime , and the burned dregges of wine ; and these are to be vsed to carbunckles , cankers , and anburies . the causticke medicines are those which are made of strong lye , called capitellum or magistra , of vitriole romane , sal-niter , aqua fortis , apium , cantharides , ciclamine onions , strong garlicke , melanacardinum , the stones or graines of briony , and many such like . now in the conclusion i would wish , euery diligent farrier , seldome or neuer to vse either arsnicke , resalgar , or mercury sublimate , simply of of themselues , but rather to allay them ( if the substance whereon they are to worke be very great ) with vnguentum apostolorum ; but if it be very little , then with hogges grease , turpentine , or such like : and thus much for this potentiall cauterizing and the proper vses . chap. . of the rowelling of horses , and the vse thereof . the rowelling of horses is , amongst our ignorant and simple smiths , the most ordinary and generall practise of all other whatsoeuer , insomuch that not any disease can almost be found , about a horse either how sleight or great soeuer it be , but presently without any reason or sence therefore , they will rowell him for the same ; whereby they not onely put the horse to a needlesse torment , but also bring down now and then such a fluxe of naughty humors , that they lame the horse which otherwise would be perfectly sound ; but it is not my theame to dispute of their ignorances , onely this i must say of rowelling , it is a practise as necessary & commendable for the good estate of a horses limbs , and body , as any medicine whatsoeuer , so it be applyed in his due time , and in his due place ; otherwise on the contrary part , it is contrary to all goodnesse . the helpes which are got by rowelling , are these , it separateth and dissolueth all euill humors , which either through naturall or vnnaturall corruptions are gathered , and knit together in any one place , hindering the office of any member , or deforming the body by any superfluity of euill substance ; it looseneth parts that are bound , and bindeth those parts that are weakened ; it giueth strength vnto sicke ioynts , & comforteth whatsoeuer is opprest with any cold fleame , or hote chollericke substance ; the generall vse of rowelling is , either for old inward straines , especially about the shoulders or hips , or else for great hard swellings , which will not be mollified , or corroded by any outward medicine , which is either plaister or vnguente : for you must vnderstand , that when a horse receiueth any straine or bruise , either in the vpper ioynts of his shoulder , or his hips , which ioynts doe not stand one vpon another , as the lower ioyntes do , but they goe one into another , as the one end of the marrow-bone into the pot of the spade-bone , and the other end into the pot of the elbow , which is a double bone : now as i say , when a bruise is receiued in these parts , if by present application of hote and comfortable medicines the griefe be not taken away , then eftsoones there gathers betweene the pot and the bone a certaine bruisd jelly , which continually offending the tender gristell which couers the ends of euery bone , makes the horse to halt vehemently ; and then is this corrupt matter not to bee taken away by any outward medicine , but by rowelling onely ; & as i speake of the shoulder , so i speake of the hips also where the vpper thigh-bone goeth into the pot of the cannel-bone , & there beeedeth the like infirmitie . now for the manner of rowelling it is in this sort : first , when you haue found out the certaine place of the horses griefe , as whether it bee on the forepitch of the shoulder , on the hinder elbow , or on the hippe , then you shall ( hauing cast the horse vpon some dung-hill , or soft ground ) make a little slit more then a handfull below the place of his griefe through the skinne , and no more , so bigge as you may well thrust in a swannes quill into the same : then with your cornet raise the skinne a little from the flesh , and then put in your quill , and blow all the skinne from the flesh vpward ; euen to the toppe , and all ouer the shoulder ; then stopping the hole with your finger and your thumbe , take a smalll hazell sticke , and all to beate the blowne place all ouer ; and then with your hand spread the winde into euery part , and after let it go : then take a tampin of horse haire twound together , or which is better , of red sarcinit , halfe the bignesse of a mans little finger , and aboue a foote , or sixtcene inches in length , made in this forme : putting it into your rowelling needle , which would bee at the least seuen or eight inches long ; thrust it in at the first hole , and so putting it vpward , draw it out againe at least sixe inches aboue ; & then , if you please , you may put in another aboue that : and then tye the two ends of the tampins or rowels together , and moue & draw them to and froe in the skinne , in any wise not forgetting , both before you put them in , and euery day after they are in , to annoynt them well with butter , hogges grease , or oyle de bay . now there bee other farriers which in that they are opiniated that these long rowels , or tampins of hairemor silke , doe make both a double soare , and a great scarre , therefore they make their rowels of round peeces of stiffe leather , such as is the vpper part of an old shooe , with a round hole in the midst , according to this forme : and then doubling it when they put it in , as soone as it is within , to spreade it , and lay it flatte betweene the flesh and the skinne , and so as the hole of the rowell may answere iust with the hole that is made in the horses skinne ; and then once in two or three dayes to cleanse the rowell , and to annoynt it , and so put it in againe . other farriers do vse to make the rowell of lanthorne-horne , in the same fashion as it is made of leather , and in like sort to vse it . but for mine owne part , i haue vsed them all , and truly in my practise , finde not any better then other ; onely the leather or the horne is somewhat more cleanly , and lesse offensiue to the eye , yet they aske much more attendance . now if you rowel your horse for any swelling , then you shall euer put in your long rowell the same way that the veines runne , and seldome , or neuer crosse-wise , and the more you blow the skinne for a swelling , so much the better it is : for the winde is it which onely occasioneth putrifaction , and makes the festered humours to dissolue , and distill downe from the secret hollowes of the ioynts , into those open places where it falleth away in matter , and so the beast becomes cured . chap. . how to geld horses or colts . there is to be obserued in the gelding of horses , first , the age ; secondly , the season of the yeare ; and lastly , the state of the moone . for the age , if it be a colt , you may geld him at . dayes old , or . if his stones be come down : for to speake the truth the sooner that you geld him , it is so much the better , both for his growth , shape , and courage ; albeit some hold an opinion , that at two yeares old should be the soonest , but they are mistaken , and their reasons are weake therein . now if it be a horse that you would geld , then there is no speech to be made of his age : for it is without any question , that a perfect farrrier may geld a horse without danger at any age whatsoeuer , being carefull in the cure . now for the season of the yeare , the best is in the spring , betweene aprill and may , or in the beginning of iune at the furthest , or else about the fall of the lease , which is the later end of september . now for the state of the moone , the fittest time is euer when the moone is in the waine : as touching the manner of gelding , it is in this sort , whether it bee foale , colt , or horse : first , you shall cast him either vpon straw , or vpon some dung-hill ; then taking the stone betweene your foremost finger and your great finger , you shall with a very sine incision knife slit the codde , so that you may presse the stone forth and no more : then with a paire of small nippers , made either of steele , boxe-wood , or brasill , being very smooth , and clap the strings of the stone betweene them , very neere vnto the setting on of the stone , and presse them so hard , that there may be no fluxe of bloud : then with a thin drawing cauterizing iron made red hot , seare away the stone ; then take a hard plaister made of rosen , waxe , and turpentine , wel molten together , and with your hot iron melt it vpon the head of the strings : then seare the strings , and then melt more of the salue , till such time as you haue layd a good thicknesse of the salue vpon the strings : then loose the nippers , and as you did with that stone , so do with the other also : then fill the two slits of the codde with white salt , and annoynt all the out-side of the codde , and all the horses belly and thighes with hogges grease cleane rendred ; and so let him rise , and keepe him either in some very warme stable , or in some very warme pasture , where he may walke vp and downe ; for there is nothing better for a horse in this case , then moderate exercise . now if after his gelding you doe perceiue that his codde and sheath doth swell in any extraordinary fashion , then you shall chafe him vp and downe , and make him trotte an howre in a day , and it will soone recouer him , and make him sound without any impediment . chap. . of the making of curtals , or cutting off of the tailes of horses . the curtalling of horses is vsed in no nation whatsoeuer , so much as in this kingdome of ours , by reason of much carriage , and heauy burthens which our horses continually are excercised and imployed withall , and the rather sith wee are strongly opinated , that the taking away of those ioynts doth make the horses chine or backe a great deale the stronger , and more able to supporte burthen , as in truth it doth , and we daily finde it by continuall experience . now for the manner of curtalling of horses , it is in this sort . first your shall with your fingar and your thumbe , grope till you find the third ioint from the setting on of the horses taile ; and hauing found it , raise vp all the haire , and turne it backeward ; then taking a very small strong corde wrappe it about that ioynt , and pull it both with your owne strength , and an other mans , so straite as you can possible pull it : then wrappe it about againe , and draw it as straite or straiter againe , and thus doe three or foure times about his taile , with all the possible straitnesse that may be ; and then make fast the ends of the cord : then take a peece of wood , whose end is smooth and euen , of iust height with the strunt of the horses taile , & setting it betweene the horses hinder legges ( after you haue tramelled all his foure legges , in such sort that he can no waies stirre ) then lay his taile thereupon , and taking a maine strong sharpe knife made for the purpose , set the edge thereof so neare as you can gesse it , betweene the fourth and fift ioynt , and then with a great smithy hammer striking vpon the backe of the knife , cut the taile asunder ; then if you see any blood to issue foorth , you shall know that the corde is not straite inough : and therefore you must draw it straiter ; but if no blood follow , then it is well bound ; this done , you shall take a redde hote burning yron of the full compasse of the flesh of the horses taile , made round after this fashion , that the bone of the taile may goe through the hole , and with it you shall seare the flesh , till you haue mortified it ; and in the searing you shall see the ends of the veines start out like pape heads , but you shall stil continue searing them , vntill you see all to bee most smooth , plaine and hard , so that the blood cannot breake through the burning ; then may you boldly vnloose the cord , and after two or three daies that you see the soare beginne to rot , you shall annoynt it with fresh butter , or else with hogges grease , and turpentine , vntill it bee whole . chap. . to make a white starre in any part of a horse . if you will at any time make a white starre , either in your horses fore-head or in any other part of his body , you shall according to the opinion of the most ancient farriers , take a tile stone , and after you haue burned it , beate it into fine powder ; then take lilie rootes , dasie rootes , white bryer rootes , of each a like quantity , and hauing dryed them beate them also into fine powder , and mixe them with the first ; then with a razor shaue that part of your horse where you would haue your starre : and then with this powder rubbe it so vehemently , that you scarce leaue any skinne on ; then take a good quantity of hony-suckle flowres , and a like quantity of hony , & the water wherein a moule hath bene sodden ; & then distill them into a water , and with that water , wash the soare place the space of three daies together , and keepe the winde from it , and you shall presently see the white haires to grow ; for this receipt hath bene often very well approued . there bee other farriers , which take a crabbe , and roast it , and being fire hote , bind it to that part which you would haue white , and it will scald away the old haire , & the next haire that groweth wil be white . other farriers vse after they haue shaued the place to take the iuice of sharpe onions or leeks , and to bathe the place very much therewith ; then to take barley bread , as fire hot as it commeth from the ouen , and clap it to the shauen place , suffring it to lye so till it be cold : and then after annoynt it with hony , and the white haire will come . other farriers vse to annoynt the shauen place with the grease of a moldy-warpe sodde , and that will bring white haires . other farriers vse after they haue shaued it , to rub the place well with salte , and then twice euery day for a fortnight , to wash it with the broth wherein a mouldy-warpe , and some swines grease hath bene sodden . other farriers vse to boyle a mouldy-warpe in salt water for three daies together , or else in strong lye ; and euer as one liquor consumeth , to supply it with an other ; then with this decoction being warme , annoynt the shaued place , and it will bring white haires sodainely . other farriers take the gall of a goate , and rubbe the shaued place therewith , and it will bring white haires also . other farriers take sheepes milke and boyle it , and in that wet a linnen cloth , and being very hote lay it to , renewing it till you may rubbe off the the haire with your fingar ; this done , apply the milke to twice a day luke warme , till the haire doe come againe , which without all question will be white . other farriers take the rootes of wilde cowcumbers , and twice so much nitrum mingled with oyle and hony , or else adde to your cowcumbers sal nitrum , beaten , and hony , and annoynt the shauen place therewith , and it will bring white haire . other farriers vse to take a peece of a bricke-bat , and with it gently to rubbe and chafe the place , till by the continuance therof , you haue rubbed away both the haire and the skinne , so broad as you would haue the starre , and then after to annoynt it with hony , till the haire come againe ; or else to roast a colewort stalke like a warden , or an egge , til it be stone hard : and then as they come hote out of the fire , to clappe either of them to the horses forehead , and it will scald off the haire , then to annoynt it with hony till the haire come againe . now to conclude , and to shew you the most perfect & absolute experiment which i haue euer found to bee most infallible , it is thus ; you shall take a very fine , sharpe , long bodkin , made for the purpose , and thrust it vp betwixt the skinne and the bone vpward , so long as you would haue the star ; and in thrusting it vp you shall hollow the skin from the bone , the bignesse that you would haue the starre : this done , you shall take a peece of lead , made in the true shape of your bodkin , & drawing out the bodkin , thrust in the lead into the same hoales ; then you shall thrust the bodkin croswise , the forehead vnderneath the lead ; and then thrusting in such another peece of lead , you fhall see it in the horses face to present this figure , which being done , you shall take a very strong packe-threed , and putting it vnderneath all the foure ends of the leads , and drawing it with all straitnesse , you shall gather all the hollow skinne together on a purse , folding the packe-threed oft and oft about , and stil straiter and straiter , so that you shall see it then to present vnto you this figure : this done , you shall let it rest at least the space of eight and forty howres , in which time the skinne will bee , as it were , mortified : then may you vnloose the pack-threed , and draw forth the leaden pinnes , and with your hand close the hollow skinne to the fore-heade hard againe ; and shortly after you shall see the haire to fall away , and the next haire which commeth will bee white ; and this experiment is most infallible . now there bee some farriers which will not put in pinnes , nor vse any packe-threed , but onely will slit the fore-head , and open the skinne on both sides , and then put in either a horne or a plate of leade as bigge as the starre , and so let it remaine till the skinne rot ; then take out the horne or lead , and annoynt the place with hony , and the water of mallowes sod , and it will bring white haire : and surely this experiment also is most infallible , but it maketh a foule soare , and is somewhat long in bringing his vertue to effect . chap. . how to make a blacke starre , or white haire blacke . if at any time you would make vpon a white horse a blacke starre , you shall take a scruple of inke , & . scruples of the wood of oliander beaten to powder ; incorporate this in as much sheepes suet , as will well suffice , and then annoynt the place therewith , & it wil make any white haire black . other farriers vse to take the decoction of fearne roots , and sage sod in lye , and wash the place therewith , and it will breede blacke haire ; but you must wash the place very oft therewith . other farriers vse to take the rust of iron gals , and vitrioll , and stampe them with oyle ; or else take soutter inke , gals , and rust , and beate them well together , and then annoynt the place therewith , and it will turne any white haire to blacke . chap. . to make a red starre in a horses face . if you desire to make in your horses face , or any other part , a red starre , you shall take of aqua fortis an ounce , of aqua-vitae a penyworth , of siluer to the valew of eighteene pence ; put them into a glasse , and heate them well therein , and then annoynt the place very well therewith , and it will immediatly turne the haires to be of a perfect red colour , only it wil endure no longer then till the casting of the haire ; and therefore at euery such time you must renew the haire againe , if you will haue the starre to continue . chap. . how to make haire to come very soone , very thicke , and very long . if you would haue haire to come very soone in any bare place , or to grow thicke where it is thin , or long where it is short , you shal take ( according to the opinion of the most ancient farriers ) the vrine of a yong boy , and with it first wash the place ; after that , take lye made of vnsleckt lime , ceruse , and litargie , and with it wash the haire oft , and it wil make it come soone , long , and thicke . other farriers vse to wash the place with water wherin the roots of althaea haue bene sod : then after drye it gently with your hand , and it will encrease haire much . other farriers vse to wash the place with oyle mingled with the ashes of nut-shels burnt , or else snayle-shels burnt , and it will encrease haire also . other farriers take agrimonte pund with goats milke , & with it annoynt the place , or else oyle wherein a mouldiwarpe hath bene boyled , and annoynt the place with either of them , and it will encrease haire very much . other farriers take the dung of goats , allome , hony , and the bloud of a swine ; mingle them altogether , and stirre th●m till they be ready to boyle , and being hot , rubbe the bare place therewith . other farriers take nettle seeds bruised with hony , water , and salt , & then rub the place therewith . other farriers take the roote of a white lilly beaten and sodde in oyle , and annoynt the place therewith . others take the iuyce of a long onyon , or else the iuyce of radishes , and annoynt the place therewith . others take tarre , oyle oliue , and hony boyled together , and with it annoynt the bare place . other farriers take the soote of a cawdron mixed with hony , and oyle , and anoynt the place therwith . there bee other farriers which take greene wall-nut-shels , & burne them to powder , and then mixe it with hony , oyle , and wine , and annoynt the place therewith , and it will encrease haire wonderfully . chap. . to make haire smooth , sleeke , and soft . if you will make your horses coate to be smooth , sleeke , soft , and shining , you shall with sufficient store of cloath , keepe him warme at the heart ; for the least inward cold will make the haire stare : then you shall make him sweate oft : for that will rease vp the dust and filth , which makes his coate foule and hard : then you shall , when the horse is in his greatest sweate , with an old sword blade , turning the edge towards his haire , scrape , or as it were , curry away all the white foame , sweate , and filth which shall bee raised vp , and that will lay his coate euen , and make it smooth ; and lastly , you shall when you let him bloud , rubbe him all ouer with his owne bloud , and so let it remaine two or three dayes , and then curry and dresse him wel , and this will make his coate shine like glasse . chap. . how to take off haire in any part of a horse . if you will at any time take off the haire from any part of a horse , you shall dissolue in water , ( according to the opinion of the most ancient farriers ) eight ounces of vnsleckt lime : and then boyle it till a quarter bee consumed , then adde vnto it an ounce of orpiment , and then lay a plaister thereof , to any part of the horse , and it will in very few howers bring all the haire away . there bee other farriers which boyle in running water rust , and orpiment , and with it beeing very hote , wash the place , and it will soone bring the haire away . chap. . how to cast or ouerthrow a horse . whensoeuer you intend to cast or ouerthrow your horse , after you haue brought him into a conuenient place , as namely either vpon some greene swarth , or vpon some dunghill , or in some barne vpon good store of soft straw , you shall take and double a long rope , and cast a knot a yard from the bought : then put the bought about his necke . and the double rope betwixt his foure legges , and about his hinder pasternes , vnderneath his fetlocke ; then put the ends of the rope vnder the bought of his necke , and draw them quickly , and they will ouerthrow him , then make the ends fast , and hold down his head , vnder which alwaies you must bee sure to haue good store of straw . now if you would at any time ▪ either brand your horse on the buttocke , or doe any thing about his hinder legges , that he may not strike , take vp his contrary forelegge ; and when you doe brand your horse see that the yron be redde ●ote , and that the haire be both scared quite away , and the flesh scortched in euery place before you let him goe , and so you shall lose no labour . chap. . how to know the age of a horse . the age of euery horse is knowne , either by his teeth , or by his hoofes , or by his taile , or by the barres in the roofe of his mouth . it is knowne by his teeth thus ; at two yeares old , h●e changeth foure foremost teeth in his head ; at th●ee yeares old he changeth the teeth next vnto them , & leaueth no more apparant foales teeth but two of each side , aboue and below ; at foure yeares old he changeth the teeth next vnto them , and leaueth no more foales teeth but one on each side , both aboue and below ; at fiue yeares old , he hath neuer a foales tooth before , but then he changeth his tu●hes on each side ; at sixe yeares old , hee putteth vp his tu●hes , neare about which you shall see apparantly growing a little circle of new and young flesh ; besides , the tush will be white , small , short , and sharp ; at seuen yeares old , the two outmost teeth of his neather chap on both sides will bee hollow , with a little blacke specke in them ; and at eight yeares old , all his teeth will be full , smooth , and plaine , the blacke specke beeing cleane gone , and his tushes will bee somewhat yellow , without any circkles of young flesh ; at nine yeares old , his foremost teeth wil be very long , broad , yellow , and foule , and his tushes will be blunt ; at ten yeares old , in the inside of his vpper tushes wil be no hoals at all to be felt with your fingars end , which till that age , you shall euer most perfectly feele ; besides , the temples of his head will beginne to bee crooked and hollow ; at eleauen yeares of age , his teeth will bee exceeding long , very yellow , blacke , and foule ; onely he will cut euen , and his teeth will stand directly opposite one against another ; at twelue yeares old , his teeth will be long , yellow , blacke , and foule : but then his vpper teeth will ouerreach , and hang ouer his neather teeth ; at thirteene yeares , his tushes will be worne close to his chappe , if he bee a much ridden horse , otherwise they will bee blacke , and foule , and long like the fanges of a boare . if a horses hoofes bee rugged , and as it were seamed , one seame ouer another ; if they bee dry , full , and crustie , it is a signe of very old age : as on the contrary part , a smooth , moyst , hollow , and well sounding hoofe , is a signe of young yeares . if you take your horse with your fingar and your thumbe by the sterne of the taile , close at the setting one by the buttocke , and feeling there hard ; if you feele betwixt your fingar & your thumbe of each side his taile , a ioynt sticke out more then any other ioynt , by the bignesse of an hazell nut , then you may presume , the horse is vnder ten yeares old ; but if his ioynts be all plaine , and no such thing to be felt , then hee is aboue ten , and at least thirteene . if a horses eies bee round , full and starting from his head , if the pits ouer his eyes be filled smooth and euen with his temples , and no wrinckles either about his brow or vnder his eyes , then the horse is young : if otherwise you see the contrary caracters , it is a signe of old age ; if you take vp a horses skinne on any part of body , betwixt your fingar and your thumbe , and plucke it from the flesh : then let●ing it goe againe , if it sodainely returne to the place from whence it came , and be smooth and plaine , without wrinckle , then the horse is young , and ful of strength : but if beeing pulled vp it stand , and not returne to his former place , then hee is very old and wasted . lastly , if a horse that is of any darke colour shall grow grissell onely about his eye browes , or vnderneath his maine , it is then an infallible signe of most extreme old age : and thus much touching a horses age . chap. . how to make an old horse seeme young . take a little small crooked yron , no bigger then a wheate corne , and hauing made it red hot , burne a little blacke hole in the toppes of the two outmost teeth of each side the neather chappe before , next to the tushes ; and then with an aule blade pricke it , and make the shell fine and thinne ; then with a sharpe scraping yron make al his teeth white and cleane : this done , take a fine launcet , and aboue the hollowes of the horses eyes which are shrunk downe , make a little hole onely but through the skinne , and then raising it vp , put in a quill , that is very small : as the quill of a rauen or such like : and then blow the skinne full of winde till all the hollownesse bee filled vp , and then take out the quill , and lay your fingar a little while on the hole , and the wind will stay in , and the horses countenance will be as if he were but sixe yeares old at the most . chap. . how to make a horse that hee shall not neigh either in company , or when he is ridden . if either when you are in seruice in the warres , and would not be discouered , or when vpon any other occasion , you would not haue your ho●se to ney , o● make a noyse , you sh●ll take a list of wollen cloath , and tye it fast in many foldes about the midst o● your horses tongue ; and beleeue it , as long as the tongue is so ty●d , ●o long the horse can by no meanes ney , or make any other extraordinary noise with his voyce , as hath bene oft●n tryed . chap. . how to make a horse exceedin● quicke of the spurre . if your horse either bee dull of the spurre through his naturall inclination , or through tiring , or any other accident , you shall fi●st haue ●im he breadth of a saucer on both the sides , ●u●t in the spurring ●l●ce , on both sides the veine : then with a launcet make sixe issues , or small orifices on both sides : then raising the skinne from the flesh , you shall put into the holes a pretty quantitie of burnt sal● , which will make the soare to ranckle . in this sort you shall keepe it . dayes , and by no meanes ride the horse : the third day being ended , you shall set a child on his backe with spurs , & make him spurre the horse in the soare place : which done , you shall wash the place with pisse , salt , and nettles , sodden well together : and this will make his sides smart so extremely , that hee will neuer abide the spurre after . now you shall let him stand after his washing three dayes more , and then take halfe a pint of hony , and with it annoyn● his sides once a day till they be whole . chap. . how to make a horse that tires , or is restife , to goe forward . if your horse ( as it is the common nature of iades ) through the naughtines●e of his nature , or dulnes●e of spirit , be either ●o restife , or so tired that hee will not goe forward a foote , but standeth stocke still ; you shall then make a running suickle of a small cord , and put it about his coddes , and stones in such sort that it may not slippe : then you shall draw the rest of the cord betweene the girths and the horses body , and bringing it vp betweene the horses forelegges , be sure to hold the end of the cord in your hand as you sit in the saddle : then ride the horse forward , and when he beginneth to grow restife , or to stand still , then plucke the cord , and crampe him by the stones , and you shall see that immediatly hee will goe forward : and in this manner you shall vse him for at least a fort-night , and it will cleane take away that euill quality . chap. . how to make a horse to follow his maister , and to finde him out , and challenge him amongst many people . if you will haue your horse to haue such a violent loue towardes you , that hee shall not onely follow you vp and downe , but also labour to find yo● out and owne yo● as soone as he hath found you ; you shall then take a p●und of oat-meale , & put thereto a quarter of a pound of hony , and halfe a pound of lunarce ; and then make a cake thereof , and put it in your bosome next vnto your naked skinne : then runne or labour your selfe vp and downe vntill you sweate : then rub all your sweate vpon your cake : this done , keepe your horse fasting a day and a night , and then giue him the cake to eate , which as soone as hee hath eaten you shall turne him loose ; and he will not onely most eagerly follow you , but also hunt and seeke you cut when he hath lost , or doth misse you ; and though you be enuironed with neuer so many , yet he wil find you out , and know you ; and you shall not faile but euery time that he commeth to you , you shall spet in his mouth , and annoynt his tongue with your spettle : and thus doing he will neuer forsake you . chap. . the nature and speciall qualities of all the simples that are spoken of in this whole worke , set downe in the manner of alphabet . a abrotonum , which we cal in english southernwort is hot and dry in the third degree , and openeth the pipes of the body , and is good for short winde . absinthium , which we call wormewood , is hote in the first degree , and dry in the second ; it cleanseth and bindeth , and is good for the stomacke . aceto , which we call vinegar , especially if it bee of wine , is cold and piercing , to wit , cold in the first , and dry in the third degree . agaricum is hote in the first , and dry in the second degree ; it expelleth humors , purgeth all fleame and choler , and is good for the liuer and kidneyes . allium , which we call garlicke , is hot and dry in the fourth degree ; it draweth , openeth , and expelleth all euill humors . agrecum , which we call cresses , is hot and drye in the fourth degree ; it burneth , draweth , and resolueth , & is good for scurse , or wild scabs , or for the lungs . agripa is a knowne vnguent that is good against all tumors . allome , called roche allome , it hot and dry in the third degree , and is good for cankers . alder , or elder tree is hot and dry , it purgeth choler & fleame , and healeth wounds . aloes is hot in the first , and dry in the third degree ; it cleanseth and dissolueth , and also comforteth . althea , which we call white mallowes , is hot and dry : it looseth & scattereth humors , warmeth & moisteneth . almonds is hot and moist in the first degree : it prouoketh vrine , and is good for the lungs or liuer . ambrosia , which we call wood-sage , represseth , driueth backe , and bindeth humors . ammoniacum is hot in the third , and dry in the second degree , it softeneth and dis●olueth humors . anetum , which we call dill , is hot in the third , and dry in the second degree : it ripeneth crude humors , & expelleth heate . aniseseeds is hot and dry in the third degree , expelleth cold , & dissolueth humors , and prouoketh vrine . antimonium , or stibium , is cold and dry , it bindeth , mundifieth and purgeth . appio , which we call smallage , or parsley , is hot in the first , and dry in the second degree : it ripeneth , cleanseth , openeth , and prouoketh vrine . aristolochia , which we call birthwort , or hartwort , is hote , and cleanseth : but if it be ro●unda , then it is so much the stronger , being hot and dry in the fourth degree : it draweth , and purgeth thin water & fleame , and is good to open the lungs . armoni●cke d●hieth , cooleth , softneth , and draweth . a●tem●si● , which wee call great tansey or mugwort , is hote in t●e second , and dry in the third degree ; it is good fo● the wormes , and swellings in the sinewes . a●siuck of both kinds i● hote in the third , and dry in the second degree ; it bindeth , eateth , and fretteth being ● very strong corrosiue . assafetida is a gum that is hot in the third , and dry in t●e fi●st degree ; it cleanseth euill humors . a●phaltum is a pitch that is mixt with bitumen ; it is hote and dry , and comforteth any swelling . asso●teo , is hote in the first , and dry in the second deg●ee : it cleanseth and dryeth , and is good for the stomacke . assungia , which we call soft or fresh grease , is hote and moist in the first degree : it mollifieth , ripeneth , and healeth any wound , impostume , or vlcer . auena , which we call oates , are naturally dry ; they doe dry , binde , cleanse , and comfort all the inward parts , and are the onely principall simple which doth naturally agree with the compositiō of a horses body ; and therefore the oyle or quintes●ence of them is the onely absolute and perfect medicine that can be administred for any inward sicknesse , as experience will approue and make perfect . a●elanne , which wee call the ashes of nut-shells burnt , are hote and dry , and do skinne or stop the flux of matter . b bay-berries are vehemently hote and dry , and are g●od ●or al● manner of rhcumes , or shortnesse of wind , especially for any disea●e in the lungs . balsamum is hote and dry in the second degree ; it clean●eth , draweth , and comfo●t●th . bdel●um is a gum that is hot● and dry ; it so●tnet● and draweth away mois●ure , and is exc●ll●nt ag●inst all hard swellings whatsoeuer . ber●o●icum or bettonicum , which we call dogs●ene or k●gw●●t is hote and dry in the first degree ; it purgeth and cleanseth all euill humo●s . bi●cca is cold & dry in the second d●gree ; it closeth things opened , it ●o●tens hardnes , filleth places emptied , and doth extenuate all ex●●essions . bictole , which we call beets , is cold and moist , and cleanseth vlcers . bitumen is a kind of brimstone , or fatnesse from the sea , and it is hote and dry in the second degree , and is comfortable against any swelling . bottiro is hote in the first , and moist in the second degree , and it ●ipeneth impostumes . bolearmonia is a certaine earth which is cold & dry ; which bindeth , and driueth backe euill humors , and is also an excellent defensiue against fluxes of blood . branck vrsin is a wonderfull great mollifier . brasica which we call coleworts , is very dry , it doth conglutinate wounds , it healeth vlcers and tumors ; it holdeth the seed , and killeth euill humors . brotano which is the same that abrotonum is , looke there . brusco which we cal butchers broome , or knee holm , is ho●e in the ●●cond d●gree , and dry in the fi●st ; it prouoketh vrine . bry●nie of it are two kinds , the white and black , but th● white is more ●ff●ctuall ; th●●oote of it is hote and dry in the second deg●ee ; it cleans●th & 〈◊〉 , and is good for all cold diseases , it also dryeth , draweth , and mollifieth all manner of hardnesse . c cal●fonia or colophonia doth incarnate vlcers , & doth conglutinate things which are separated . calamamento which wee call wilde penyriall or wilde mint , of which that which growes on the mountaines is the best , is hote and dry in the third degree , doth resolue tumors , and draweth away humors . calcina vina which we call vnsleckt lime , is hote & dry in the fourth degree ; it adusteth , dryeth , and corrodeth . camamila which wee call camomile , is hote and dry in the first degree ; it mollifieth & dissolueth al grieues , and is good especially for the liuer . camedros which we call geomander , is hote & dry in the third degree , and is good against al moist colds . camphora is a kind of gum which is cold , and dry in the third degree ; it preserueth the body from putrifaction , and bindeth humors . canabis which wee call hempe , is hote , the seede whereof driueth away extraordinary colds ; it ripeneth and dissolueth humors : and mollifieth and dryeth inflammations . cinamon is hote and dry in the third degree ; and is comfortable in all inward sicknesses . canna which we call reeds , especially the hegde reede , draweth out pricks , if you lay the rootes too with the knobbes . cantharides are certaine flies , which are hot and dry in the third degree ; they wil raise blisters in the sound parts . capilli venere which wee call maidens haire , is dry , and bindeth loose humors . cardimonium is hote ; it extenuateth humors , and being mixt with vinegar killeth scabbes . cloues are hote and dry in the third degree , and are very comfortable to the inward parts . carrowaies are hot and dry in the third degree ; it helpeth wind , and cleanseth euill humors . cassia is hote and moist , in the first degree ; it expelleth wind , dissolueth humors , and purgeth the stomacke of choler and fleame . castoreum is hot and dry , and purgeth much . cabbage is hote in the first , and dry in the second degree ; it cleanseth and ripeneth humors . cenere which wee call ashes , are hote and dry in the fourth degree , and cleanse mightily . centauria which wee call wilde running bettonie , smelling like marioram , is hote and dry in the third degree ; it bindeth wounds , and conglutinateth , and is good for diseased liuers , for the wormes , old soares and wounds , and is commonly called centuarie . cepe which we call onions , is hote in the fourth degree : it doth cleanse corruptions , & ripens swellings . ceruill is hote and dry , and bindeth much . cerusi is a white oyntment made of oyle & white lead , it is cold and dry in the second degree : and for the effects it hath all those which braccha hath . cereocollo : see serococollo ▪ chelidonium which wee call seladine , is hote and dry in the third degree ; it cleanseth al putrifactiue humors , & is excellent against inward sicknesses , especially yellowes or iaundies . cicuta which wee call hemlocke , is cold in the fourth degree : it numbeth and astonieth . c●coria , which we call succory , is cold & dry in the first degree , and bindeth much . com●n is hot in the third degree , and dry in the second : it mollifieth and ripeneth . cipolle , which is leekes , or as wee call them , chiues : see cepa . cinaber , or sanguis draconis , or as we call it , vermilion , is a certaine mettall drawne from quicke sulphure , and quick-siluer ; it dryeth , healeth , incarnateth , bindeth , and comforteth vlcers . cito , or cisto , is dry in the second degree , and bindeth much . citrons , or cithrons , are cold & moyst in the second degree , they do cleanse and pierce . coloquintida , is hot and dry in the third degree , and mundifieth onely . colofonia , which wee call earth-pitch , or greeke pitch , is hot & dry in the third degree : it conglutinateth and gathereth together . see pece graeca . cocumeri , see cucumeri . cowsolida which we call camphrey , is cold : it conglutinateth and bindeth , & is good against ruptures . costro , or cosso , being bitter , is hot , & healeth vlcers . costus is hot in the third , and dry in the second degree : and it raiseth vp wormes , and is that which we call hearbe mary , or the roote of angelica . corno di ceruo , which we cal harts horne , is dry , yet it strengtheneth very much . crocum , which we call s●ffron , is hot in the second , & dry in the first degree : it bindeth , comforetth , and resolueth impostumes . cucumeri seluaggi is hot and dry in the third degree : it dissolueth , softeneth , and purgeth fleame . cucumerielaterium is cold & moist in the second degre ; it cleanseth much , & is made of the iuice of wild cow cumbers . d dates are hot and moyst in the second degree ; they do resolue and disperse things knit together . diacatholicon , purgeth all offensiue humors which offend the body , whatsoeuer . diasinicon , or diaphenicon , purgeth winde exceedingly , and compacteth all grieues of the belly which are begot by crude humors , springing from cholickes or such like paines . dialtea , or dialthea , is an oyntment made of holy-hoxe , or sea-mallowes : it warmeth and moysteneth . dragonwort is hot and dry , and bindeth much . e ebuli which we call elder , is hot & dry in the third degree : it drieth and driueth out water , and expelleth choler and thin fleame , see sambucus . edera terrestris , which we cal ground luy , see hedera . elaterium , see cucumeri . elleboro , which we call neesing powder , of it are two kinds , the white and blacke : it is hote and dry in the third degree . eruca which we call rocket , and of which the wild is the best : the seeds thereof are hot and dry , and expelleth vrine , wormes , and water . esula , which is an hearbe like spurge , is hote in the fourth degree , and dryeth and cleanseth exceedingly , and of some is called wolfes milke . eusorbium is a gum that is hot in the fourth degree : it drieth , purgeth , cleanseth , and exulcerateth much . exerusion which is that which we call oxicration , is a certaine composition or mixture made of aceto , and water , and is good to allay swellings and tumors . f faha , which we call a beane , is cold and dry , and it cleanseth , and dissolueth . farina , which we call bran , is hot and dry in the first degree , and dissolueth very much . fearne is dry and binding , but the roote is hote and cleansing , and killeth wormes . felle which we call gall , is hot and dry , & it cleanseth and mundifieth . ferugo , which we call the rust of iron , is hot and dry in the second degree , it comforteth and restraineth euill humors . fici aridi , which we call dry ●igges , are hot and dry in the second degree : they ripen tumors , soften and consume hardnesse , and are good for pursicknesse , coughes , and diseases of the lungs . filomontano , which we call a dodder , being a thing that cleaueth to hearbes , winding about them like threeds ; it openeth the liuer and milt , and purgeth all fleame and choler . filonio is a composition , which will astonish or benumbe any part or member . fennel is hot in the third , and dry in the first degree : it doth dissolue all manner of grosse humours , and is good for the liuer or lungs . foligine , which we call foot , is hot & dry , and it dryeth maruellously , and so doth all soots whatsoeuer . g gallanga which we cal galingale is hote & dry in the third degree : it easeth the stomacke of all grieues which proceed from cold causes : it strengtheneth the braine , and comforteth the senses . galbanum is hote in the third degree , and dry in the second : it softeneth , stoppeth , and draweth away euil humors , and is good against colds . galla , which we call gals , or a light fruit of okes , are hot and piercing . garifilata , which we call hearbe bennet , is hote and dry in the second degree . garofoli , which we call cloues , is hot and dry in the . degree , & are very comfortable for inward sicknesse . genger is hot , and is excellent to preserue heate in the inward parts . ginista , or ginestra , which we call broome , is hote and dry in the third degree : it killeth worms , and scoureth much . gentian , especially the root , is hot in the third , & dry in the second degree : it doth extenuate , purge , and cleanse all euill humors , and is good for the liuer and stomacke , and for wounds and soares . giglio which we call lillies , softeneth sinewes , and are good for wounds and soares . giniper is hot and dry in the third degree . gramen , which is any manner of graine or pulse , is cold and dry , except wheate , and that is temperatly hot and moyst : they do incarnate and mundifie . grasso , which is any manner of fat , is hot and moist , and doth ripen and soften . h harundini● cortex , which we call cane reed , is hot & dry in the third degree . hedera , which we cal iuy , is a great drawer , & opener . helxine , which we call pellitory of the wall , cleanseth and bindeth , and is good for any old cough , or for any inflammations . hyssopo , which we call hyssope , there is both wilde and that of the garden , but the garden is the best ; it is hote and dry in the third degree ; it cleanseth and warmeth , and is good for inflammations of the lungs , old coughs , poses , rheumes , and short winde . hordeo which we call barly , is cold and dry in the first degree , and it mundifieth and cooleth . i incenso which we call frankinsence ; it dryeth , and incarnateth : see olibanum . ipericon which we call saint iohns wort , expelleth moisture , and healeth burnings , ireos florentina which we call flower de luce , especially the roote , it warmeth , ripeneth , and cleanseth , and is good for the cough , and is hote and dry in the third degree . iride illyrica : see helpine . iris is a roote that is hote and dry : it cleanseth and ripeneth , and is good against colds , & purgeth vlcers . iasquiani which wee call henbane , is cold in the fourth degree : it astonieth , and benumbeth . l ligustum which wee call louage , is hote and dry in the third degree ; it expelleth winde , especially the seed and roote . lapathum which wee cal a docke , is cold and moist , and it mollifieth . lauri which we call laurell , or bayes , are hote and dry , and they cleanse and mundifie . lentisco is a gumme that is like maslicke ; it is dry in the second degree , and moderately bindeth , it is bitter in tast , and euer greene . linosa which we call slaxe or line , the seed thereof is hote and dry , & it ripeneth and mollifieth tumors . lee is hote and dry in the fourth degree ; it is very adustiue , cleansing , and piercing . lithargirio of which there are two kinds , the one of the colour of gold , the other of siluer ; it is very dry , it bindeth , softeneth , incarnateth , cooleth , and closeth vp ; and of these two , that which is like gold is the best . lolium which wee call cockle , is hote and dry in the third degree , and dissolueth much . l●mache which we call house-snailes without shels , doe conglutinate very much . m mal●a is cold and moist , it stoppeth , softneth , and mitigateth paine . maluaniscus is very dry , it softeneth , looseneth , and incarnat●th . mace is dry in the third degree , without heate , and onely bindeth . manna is of equall temper hote and dry ; it openeth , it mollifieth , and incarnateth . mariaton or martiaton , is a hote vnguent against all cold humors ; it helpeth the griefe of sinewes , purgeth cold watry matters , and ripens tumors . marrobio which we call horehound , of which there are two kinds , the white and blacke , but the white is the better ; it is hote in the second , and dry in the third degree ; it helpeth obstructions in the liuer , openeth and purgeth , and is good against colds , or for soares . masticke is hote in the first , and dry in the second degree ; it draweth , and dryeth , bindeth , and sofineth , and is good against old cold . medulla which we call marrow , of what kind soeuer , is cold & moist , & mollifieth vlcers ; now the best marrow is that of the hart or old stagge , the next that of a calle , the next that of a sheepe , and the last that of a goate . mel which wee call hony , is hote and dry in the second degree ; it cleanseth the stomacke and entrails , stoppeth humors , and incarnateth wounds . melissa which we call balme , is hote in the second , & dry in the first degree ; it cleanseth , & conglutinateth . mentha which we call mints , is hot in the third , and dry in the second degree ; of which the wilde minte is best , it killeth wormes , it bindeth , it dissolueth , and is good for the stomacke , or a cold liuer . minio which we cal redde lead , is cold and dry , and good against swellings . mirre or mirrha is a soueraigne gum ; it is hote & dry in the second degree ; it conglutinateth , bindeth , and cleanseth wounds , is good against al colds , killeth wormes , and helpeth the pursicke : for though it doth cleanse much , yet it doth not exasperate the arteries ; also it doth incarnate . morcosita or marcasita is hot and dry ; it comforteth , bindeth , and melteth humors . mertilla is the fruite of the mirtil tree , it is dry in the third degre ; it doth bind good , & loosen euil humors . morcas which we call the mulbery , the vnripe is cold and dry , in the second degree ; the barke , but chiefly the roote , is hote and dry in the third degree : it doth cleanse , purge , and bind ; the roote thereof killeth wormes , and the gumme thereof doth loosen , and the iuice of the berry doth heale cankers or soare mouths . n narcissi radix which we call the roote of white daffadill , ●● , or else prim-rose pearlesse , is dry , it cleanseth , and draweth , and healeth wounds nardiradix which wee call setwal , is hot in the first , and dry in the second degree ; it bindeth , and spico nardo prouoketh vrine . nasturtio is hote and dry in the fourth degree ; it burneth , it draweth and melteth , and killeth wormes : see agrecum which wee call cresles . nigilla which we call git , is hote and dry in the third degree ; it stayeth wind , killeth wormes , and looseneth ; yet to giue too great a quantity is dangerous . nitro is of the same nature , that salte-peter is , and it mundifieth exceedingly . o olibanum is a gumme , it is hote and dry in the second degree ; it warmeth , bindeth , closeth woundes , and incarnateth . oyle of oliues is of a very temperate nature , and changeth his qualities according to the nature of the simples which are mixt with him . opium , is cold and dry in the fourth degree ; and is a liquor made of poppy dried and mixt with saffron ; it doth astonish and prouoke sleede . opoponax is a gumme , that is hote in the third , and dry in the second degree ; it softeneth and stayeth humors ; is good against all colds : see papauer , galbanum , bdelium , and sagapenum . orpimento is a kind of mettall , of which the artificial is called arsnick , is hote in the third degree , and dry in the second ; it bindeth , corrodeth , burneth and fretteth , and is a corrosiue . origono which wee call wilde marioram , or penyrial , is hote and dry in the third degree ; it taketh away stoppings , and is good for coughes . orobus , which we call fitches , are hote in the first , dry in the second degree : they do open & cleanse . orzo , which we call barley , is cold and drye in the first degree ; it ripeneth and cleanseth . ortica , which we call nettles , are hote and dry : they are biting , & wholesome for the lungs , or for soares . oria which we call egges , the white is cold , and the yolke is hot , and doth incarnate . p panacea , is that hearbe whose fruite wee call opoponax . panico is a graine which wee call panicke , it is cold and dry , and bindeth . papauer , which we call poppy , the seeds thereof are white , and hote in the fourth degree : see opium . pastinache , which we call parsnips , are hot , and doe prouoke vrine . pece which we call pitch , is hot & dry in the second degree , it draweth , drieth , and ripeneth . pece liquida , which we call tarre , is hote and dry in the second degree , is good against colds , or euill humors gathered together in the breast , and draweth wounds . pece rasina , which we cal rosen , or pitch of greece , it draweth , healeth , and incarnateth . pece rasina , & liquida , which we call turpentine , it doth draw , skinne , incarnate , and conglutinate things together . pepper is hote and dry in the fourth degree , it is both attractiue and mundificatiue , and good for all diseases of the breast or lungs . peaches are cold and moyst in the second degree : they binde , and stirre vp wormes . petasites , which we call butter burre , is drye in the third degree . petrolium is a certaine oyle made of salt-peter and bitumen , it is hot and dry in the second degree : it healeth wounds , and comforteth weake members . petrosellium , which we cal parsley , or stone parsley , is , & especially his seed , hot and dry in the third degree : it staies winde , openeth , and prouoketh vrine . phylonium , of which there are two kinds , phylonium romanum , & phylonium persicum , are excellent compositions , and most comfortable after the losse of bloud . poligono , which we call knot-grasse , is cold in the second degree , and keepeth backe humors . plantago , which we call plantaine , is cold and dry in the third degree : it comforteth , dryeth , bindeth , and incarnateth wounds . porrl , which we call leekes , scallions , or onyons , are hot & dry , and do extenuate obstructions , and raise vp and loosen all euill humors in the body . puere or porrum , is hot in the second degree , and is good for all cold waterish stomackes . pulegum , which we call penyryall , is hot and dry in the third degree : it doth vehemently dry vp moisture , warmeth , ripeneth , and is good for the lungs : see origono . punicum malum , which we cal pomegranate , is cold & dry : it bindeth , prouoketh vrine , & is good for the stomacke . r rasano , or raphanus which we call radish , is hot in the third , and dry in the second degree : they comfort , and are good for old colds ; but especially they prouoke vrine . resina , which we call rosen , is hot and dry in the second degree ; it stoppeth , softeneth , cleanseth , draweth , and purgeth wounds , and is good against cold causes . resalgar . see risigallo . regoritio , or rigolitio , which we call licoras , is temperat● in heate , & moisteneth , & ripeneth , and is good for heate in the stomacke or liuer , and profitable against wounds . risigallo , is a composition of sulpure , orpiment , and vnsleckt lime ; and is a most strong corrosiue . rosaeflos which we call rose leaues , or rose cakes , are dry and binding . rubea , which we call madder , is dry , it comforteth , and incarnateth , the root thereof prouoketh vrine , & is good for the yellowes . ruberb or rubarb , is hote and dry in the second degree : it purgeth choler and fleame , and putteth away stoppings . ruta , which we call rue , or hearbe of grace , is hote and dry in the third degree : but the wild rue in the fourth degree , and therefore exulcerateth : the garden rue disgesteth , and mightily comforteth all inflammations , it ripeneth , and dryeth , and expelleth winde . s sauina , which we call sauine , is hot and dry in the third degree : it openeth , dissolueth , and dryeth mightily , and is most soueraigne against wormes . sacaro is hot and moyst and comfortable . sagapenum . see serapino . sagina , or saggina , or sorgo , of some called panicum indicum , is onely hote and dry . sale which we call salt , is hot and dry in the second dregree ; and it cleanseth . salamora , which we call brine , or water and salt , is of the same nature that salt is . sal●armoniacke is hot and dry in the fourth degree , & it cleanseth . salee , which we call sallowes , or willow , it bindeth and drieth vehemently . salgemma is a kinde of salt which is hote and dry , it cleanseth and mundifieth . saluitro , some vse for this salt-peter ; it is hot & dry , & euaporateth : it comforteth sinewes , and taketh away tiring or wearinesse . saluia , which we call sage , is hot and dry in the second degree : it cleanseth and bindeth , is good for wounds or exulceration of the lungs . sambucus , which we call elder tree , or wal-wort , that is like elder tree , is hot in the second degree , and dry in the first : it dryeth , disgesteth , and conglutinateth . sandolo , which we call saunders , are cold and drye in the second degree , and driue backe humors . sandolo rosso , or sandolo bianca , which wee call red sand , or whitesand , are hote and dry , and bring on skin . sanguis draconis , see cinaber ; yet some take it for the red docke , or red patience , but it is not so . sapone , which we call sope , is hot ; it draweth , mollifieth , drieth and purgeth . sassifragia , which we call saxifrage , is hote and dry , and binding . scabioso , which we call scallions , is hot and dry in the second degree : they do regenerate , and are good for scabs , for the lungs , or for soarenesse in the breast . seamonium which is the iuice of a roote , is hote in the third degree ; it disgesteth and purgeth choler , but must neuer be giuen inwardly , vnlesse it be corrected . scariola which we call endiue , is cold , and dry , and binding . scarcocolla is a gumme of the kind of euforbium : it is hote and dry in the second degree , it cleanseth , incarnateth , and comforteth wounds . sea onion is hote in the second , and dry in the first degree ; it ripeneth and expelleth humors : it hindereth putrifaction , and preserueth health . semola which we call young coleworts , are hot and dry in the first degree . semperuine which we call housleeke , and some call stonecrop , is cold in the third , and dry in the second degree ; it is good for burnings , or frettings , or for inflammations of vlcers , it driueth backe humors , cooleth , and bindeth . seua dolce is hote in the second and dry in the first degree : it cleanseth , and openeth . serapino is a gum of ferula , it is hote in the third and dry in the second degree ; it mollifieth , looseneth , and is good for colds . serpillo which we call wilde running bettonie , or time smelling like marioram , is hot & dry in the third degree . sinapi which wee call mustard , is hote and dry in the fourth degree ; it draweth and resolueth , and is good for scurfes or wild scabbes . solatro which wee call night shade is cold in the third degree . sulphure viue which we call brimstone , is hote and dry in the third degree ; it draweth , disperseth humors , a new method, and extraordinary invention, to dress horses, and work them according to nature as also, to perfect nature by the subtility of art, which was never found out, but by ... william cavendishe ... newcastle, william cavendish, duke of, - . approx. kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from -bit group-iv tiff page images. text creation partnership, ann arbor, mi ; oxford (uk) : - (eebo-tcp phase ). a wing n estc r ocm this keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the early english books online text creation partnership. this phase i text is available for reuse, according to the terms of creative commons . universal . the text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. early english books online. (eebo-tcp ; phase , no. a ) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set ) images scanned from microfilm: (early english books, - ; : ) a new method, and extraordinary invention, to dress horses, and work them according to nature as also, to perfect nature by the subtility of art, which was never found out, but by ... william cavendishe ... newcastle, william cavendish, duke of, - . [ ], , , - , [ ] p. printed by tho. milbourn, london : . reproduction of original in huntington library. created by converting tcp files to tei p using tcp tei.xsl, tei @ oxford. re-processed by university of nebraska-lincoln and northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors. eebo-tcp is a partnership between the universities of michigan and oxford and the publisher proquest to create accurately transcribed and encoded texts based on the image sets published by proquest via their early english books online (eebo) database (http://eebo.chadwyck.com). the general aim of eebo-tcp is to encode one copy (usually the first edition) of every monographic english-language title published between and available in eebo. eebo-tcp aimed to produce large quantities of textual data within the usual project restraints of time and funding, and therefore chose to create diplomatic transcriptions (as opposed to critical editions) with light-touch, mainly structural encoding based on the text encoding initiative (http://www.tei-c.org). the eebo-tcp project was divided into two phases. the , texts created during phase of the project have been released into the public domain as of january . anyone can now take and use these texts for their own purposes, but we respectfully request that due credit and attribution is given to their original source. users should be aware of the process of creating the tcp texts, and therefore of any assumptions that can be made about the data. text selection was based on the new cambridge bibliography of english literature (ncbel). if an author (or for an anonymous work, the title) appears in ncbel, then their works are eligible for inclusion. selection was intended to range over a wide variety of subject areas, to reflect the true nature of the print record of the period. in general, first editions of a works in english were prioritized, although there are a number of works in other languages, notably latin and welsh, included and sometimes a second or later edition of a work was chosen if there was a compelling reason to do so. image sets were sent to external keying companies for transcription and basic encoding. quality assurance was then carried out by editorial teams in oxford and michigan. % (or pages, whichever is the greater) of each text was proofread for accuracy and those which did not meet qa standards were returned to the keyers to be redone. after proofreading, the encoding was enhanced and/or corrected and characters marked as illegible were corrected where possible up to a limit of instances per text. any remaining illegibles were encoded as <gap>s. understanding these processes should make clear that, while the overall quality of tcp data is very good, some errors will remain and some readable characters will be marked as illegible. users should bear in mind that in all likelihood such instances will never have been looked at by a tcp editor. the texts were encoded and linked to page images in accordance with level of the tei in libraries guidelines. copies of the texts have been issued variously as sgml (tcp schema; ascii text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable xml (tcp schema; characters represented either as utf- unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless xml (tei p , characters represented either as utf- unicode or tei g elements). keying and markup guidelines are available at the text creation partnership web site . eng horses -- grooming. horsemanship -- early works to . - tcp assigned for keying and markup - spi global keyed and coded from proquest page images - derek lee sampled and proofread - derek lee text and markup reviewed and edited - pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion a new method , and extraordinary invention , to dress horses , and work them according to natvre : as also , to perfect nature by the subtilty of art ; which was never found out , but by the thrice noble , high , and puissant prince william cavendishe , duke , marquess , and earl of newcastle ; earl of ogle ; viscount mansfield ; and baron of bolsover , of ogle , of bertram , bothal , and hepple : gentleman of his majesties bed-chamber ; one of his majesties most honourable privy-councel ; knight of the most noble order of the garter ; his majesties lieutenant of the county and town of nottingham ; and justice in ayre trent-north : who had the honour to be governour to our most glorious king , and gracious soveraign , in his youth , when he was prince of wales ; and soon after was made captain general of all the provinces beyond the river of trent , and other parts of the kingdom of england ; with power , by a special commission , to make knights . london , printed by tho. milbourn , in the year . to his most sacred majesty charles the second , by the grace of god , king of great britain , france , and ireland , defender of the faith , &c. may it please your majesty , my first book of horse-manship , printed in french , had the honour of your patronage ; and i presume again , to dedicate this second , in english , to your majesty ; who being not only the greatest monarch in christendome , but a king that loves justice and truth , can best judge of books , which contain , i dare say , the perfect and only truth of horse-manship . my duty , and particular affection to your person , are sufficient motives to me , to consecrate , not books only , but my self , and mine , and all that belongs to us , to your majesties service : but besides that , your favours to me are so many , and so great ; that what i am , and have , ought justly to be sacrificed to your will and pleasure , as yours ; wherein i joy more , than if it was mine . your wisdom , sir , valour , and conduct , makes all your neighbours confess , that your majesty is the most glorious king that ever reign'd ; and that god will prosper you , in all your great actions , and give your majesty an happy and long reign , to the joy and comfort of all your loyal subjects , is both heartily wish'd , and fervently pray'd for , by your majesties most obedient creature , william newcastle . to the readers . having past the greatest part of my long exile at antwerp , one of the finest cities in the world , whose inhabitants are deservedly famous , for their extraordinary civilities to strangers , of which i must acknowledge to have receiv'd a great many from them : i did , during that time , publish , in french , a book of horse-manship ; and having again , since my return to my native country , had much leisure , in my solitary country life , to recollect my thoughts , and try new experiments about that art ; i now , for the more particular satisfaction of my country-men , print this second book , in english ; which being neither a translation of the first , nor an absolutely necessary addition to it , may be of use by it self , without the other , as the other hath been hitherto , and is still , without this ; but both together will questionless do best . i cannot mention antwerp , upon the score of my book , but i must also take notice of the honour i have receiv'd there , from many noble great persons , who did me the favour to see my mannage ; and of the things they was pleased to say , upon occasion of what they saw there ; which will be in lieu of encomiums , in the behalf of horses , and of horse-manship , very proper in this place . when i had the honour to wait on don john of austria , at antwerp , brought to him by my lord of bristol , his highness was pleas'd to use me extreme civilly ; and to ask both then , and at several other times , for my book of horse-manship , before it was printed ; and to receive it with great satisfaction , when i presented his highness with one : but he did not see my horses , which , in above . coaches , all the spaniards of his court , went to my mannage to see ; with many noble-men of flanders , as the duke of ascot , and others , before whom i rid my self , three horses , and my esquier , five . being return'd to don john , he ask'd them , whether my horses was as rare , as their reputation was great : to which they answer'd , that my horses was such , that they wanted nothing of reasonable creatures , but speaking . and the marquess of seralvo , master of the horse to his highness , and governour of the castle of antwerp , told his highness , that he had ask'd me , what horses i lik'd best : and that i had answer'd , there were good and bad of all nations ; but that the barbes were the gentlemen of horse-kind , and spanish-horses the princes . which answer did infinitely please the spaniards : and it is very true , that horses are so as i said . the marquess of carasena was so civilly earnest to see me ride , that he was pleas'd to say , it would be a great satisfaction to him , to see me on horse-back , though the horse should but walk . and seeing that no excuses would serve , ( though i did use many ) i was contented to satisfie his so obliging a curiosity ; and told him , i would obey his commands , though i thought i should hardly be able to sit in the saddle . two dayes after he came to my mannage , and i rid first a spanish-horse , called le superbe , of a light-bay , a beautiful horse ; and though hard to be rid , yet when he was hitt right , he was the readiest horse in the world : he went in corvets forward , backward , sidewayes , on both hands ; made the cross perfectly upon his voltoes ; and did change upon his voltoes so just , without breaking time , that no musitian could keep time better ; and went terra a terra perfectly . the second horse i rid , was another spanish horse , call'd le genty ; and was rightly named so , for he was the finest shap'd horse that ever i saw , and the neatest ; a brown-bay , with a white-star in his forehead ; no horse ever went terra a terra like him , so just , and so easie ; and for the piroyte in his length , so just , and so swift , that the standers by could hardly see the rider's face when he went ; and truly , when he had done , i was so dizzey , that i could hardly sit in the saddle : he went also so exactly in corvets forwards , as no horse can goe better , and yet he had no great strength ; whence it appears , that a horse of agility , lightness , spirit , well-temper'd , and of a good disposition , is much better than a horse that hath only strength ; and that a most mighty and great dutch-brewer's horse , wanting spirit and agility , can never goe well in the mannage . the third and last horse i rid then , was a barbe , that went a metz-ayre , very high , both forward , and upon his voltoes , and terra a terra . and when i had done riding , the marquess of carasena seem'd to be very well satisfied ; and some spaniards that were with him , cross'd themselves , and cried , miraculo . many french gentlemen , and persons of the greatest quality of that nation , did me the favour to see my horses ; and the prince of conde himself , with several noble-men , and officers , was pleased to take the pains to goe twice to my mannage : and though the french think , that all the horse-manship in the world is in france ; yet one of them , and he a very great man in his country , was heard say , directing his speech to me : par dieu ( monsieur ) il est bien hardi qui monte devant vous : and another said , at another time : il n'y a plus de segnieur comme vous en angleterre . among many great persons , of which the vast country of germany affords abundance , who , for the most part , delight to travel ; the landgrave of hesse , did not only do me the honour to visit me , and see my horses ; but , being return'd to his country , was pleased to shew , by a very kind letter , that he had not forgotten me , nor the love he had observed i have for horses ; being pleased to promise , he would send me two of his own breed ; but soon after , he was kill'd in the warrs the king of swede made with the king of poland . as poor as i was in those dayes , i made shift to buy , at several times , four barbes , five spanish-horses , and many dutch-horses ; all the most excellent horses that could be ; and among them a grey leaping-horse , the most beautiful that ever i saw ; and who went exceeding high and just in leaps , without any help at all ; as also upon the ground ; and terra a terra , beyond all other horses ; and he did look as if he had been above the rate of horse-kind . the duke of guise hearing of him , two gentlemen , a french-rider , and an englishman , wrote to me , that if i would part with him , the duke of guise would give me . pistolls for him ; but he was dead three dayes before i receiv'd their letter ; and had he liv'd , i would not have taken any money for him ; for he was above price : and besides , i was then too great a beggar , to think to be made rich by the sale of a horse : i have bestow'd many thousands of pounds in horses , and have given many ; but never was a good horse-courser ; selling being none of my professions . the king himself , who is an excellent judge , both of men , and business ; of things of use , and of recreation ; of necessity , and of ornament ; did like that horse very well : and having had the honour , when i was his governour , to be the first that sate him on horse-back , and did instruct him in the art of horse-manship ; it is a great satisfaction to me , to make mention here of the joy i had then , to see , that his majesty made my horses goe better , than any italian , or french-riders ( who had often rid them ) could do ; and to hear him say , that there are very few that know horses ; which was knowingly said , and wisely judg'd of his majesty : it being very certain , that all men undertake to ride them , but very few know them , or can tell what they are good for . it would fill a volume , to repeat all the commendations that were given to horses , and to horse-manship , by several worthy gentlemen , of all nations , high and low-dutch , italians , english , french , spaniards , polacks , and swedes , in my own private riding-house , at antwerp ; which , though very large , was often so full , that my esquier , capt. mazin , had hardly room to ride ; but these few already spoken of , will serve very well instead of all : and after i have given an account , that i have divided this whole book in four parts , and every part in many sections , and paragraphs , wherein i never intended to observe any exact method ; i beseech my readers , to take in good part , that i have however set down , as clearly as i could , without the help of any other logick , but what nature hath taught me , all the observations about horses , and horse-manship ; which i have made , by a long , and chargeable , though i must needs say , very pleasant , and satisfactory , experience : and so farewell . the new method , and extraordinary invention to dress horses . the first part . of the several authors that have written of horse-manship , both italians , french and english . this noble art was first begun and invented in italy , and all the french and other nations went thither to learn ; the seate of horse-manship being at naples : the first that ever writ of it was frederick grison a neapolitan ; and truly he writ like a horse-man , and a great master in the art for those times : henry the eighth sent for two italians that were his schollars , to come to him into england ; and of one of them came all our alexanders ; and their schollars fill'd the kingdom with horse-men . sir philip sidney brought an italian rider , one signior romano , to teach his nephew william lord herbert , afterwards earl of pembrook ; and the same sir philip sidney brought also over an other italian rider , call'd signior prospero : the old earle of leicester , sent for an excellent rider out of italy , call'd signior claudio curtio , who writ a book of horse-manship , and is quoted by several italian writers ; but i think , that very much of his book is stolen out of grison . laurentius cussius is another author , none of the best , with horrible bitts . then there is cesar fieske , who hath writ a book much out of grison too , where he meddles with musick . there is another book of horse-manship , call'd gloria del cavallo , with long discourses , and much out of grison . there is another italian book of horse-manship , call'd cavallo frenato de pietro antonio , a neapolitan ; much stolen out of grison : but his book consists most of bitts , to little purpose ; though they seem to be great curiosities . but the most famous man that ever was in italy , was at naples , a neapolitan , call'd signior pignatel ; but he never writ : monsieur la broue rid under him five years : monsieur de pluvinel nine years : and monsieur st. anthoine many years . the liberty , which is the best for bitts , at this day , we call a la pignatel . these three aforementioned french-men that rid under signior pignatel , fill'd france with french horse-men ; which before were fill'd with italians . monsieur la broue , i believe , was the first that ever writ of horse-manship , in the french language : and the first french-man that ever writ in that art ; his book is very tedious , many words for little matter ; and his first book is absolutely all stolen out of grison ; and his second book from pignatell's lessons ; but la broue , to seem wiser than he was , and to make up a book , divides a circle into so many parts , to bring a horse to a whole circle , that it confounds a horse more , and is harder for him , than to work him upon a whole circle at first : and for broue's third book of bitts , there is no great matter in it . as for pluvinel , no doubt but he was a good horse-man ; but his invention of the three pillars , of which his book pretends to be an absolute method , is no more than an absolute routine ; and hath spoyl'd more horses , than ever any thing did ; for horses are not made to the hand and the heel at all with them ; nor will they go from the usual place where they are ridden , nor well there neither . but my book is stolen out of no book , nor any mans practice but my own , and is as true as it is new ; and if any man do not like it , it is a great signe he understands it not : for there is no way for dressing horses like it ; if it be not good , i am sure it is the best that hath been vvrit yet ; what will be vvrit hereafter i know not . i must tell you that the italian writers are tedious , and write more of marks , colours , temperatures , elements , moon , stars , winds , and bleedings , than of the art of rideing ; only to make up a book , though they wanted horse-manship . there was one signior hannibal a neapolitan that came into england and serv'd the lord walden . monsieur st. anthoine a french-man , was a very good horse-man , and sent over by henry the fourth of france , to teach prince henry ; monsieur la coste was his page , and ridd excellently well , especially leaping horses . monsieur boycler ridd under him too , and was an excellent horse-man ; monsieur founteney , which was either his nephew , or his natural son ; for he gave him all when he dyed , was also a very good horse-man , but none of these ever writ any thing of horse-manship . and the best horse-man , that ever i knew , is one of my own breeding , and rides by my method , which is captain mazine , now a query to the king . that it is a very impertinent error , and of great prejudice , to think the mannagevseless . many say , that all things in the mannage is nothing but tricks , and dancing , and gamballs , and of no use : but by their leave , whosoever sayes so , is very much deceived ; for a horse that is well settled upon the hand , and firm and obedient to the hand and heels , gallops the field , and changes as often , and just as you will , either without the circle , or within the circle , serpiger , terra a terra , the piroite , or what you will ; and all is this upon the ground , and every thing and particle of it useful ; and so useful , that a good horse-man , upon such a horse , would have too much advantage , in conscience , of him that talks against it , either in a single combat , or in the vvarrs ; for a ready-horse will run , stop , turn , go back ; and if he rise , he knows how to come down again , and is so well on the hand , as you cannot pull him over with both your hands ; and so obedient , that i will run him on fire , water , or sword , and he shall obey me : and all this cannot be done but by the art of rideing , and that in the mannage . but , what makes these men speak against it ? the first reason , is , because they are ignorant , and so speak , as the wisest men in the world must do , when they will speak of any thing they know not , and think that talk will carry it : but the main reason is this ; they find they cannot ride well ; nay , indeed not at all , a horse of mannage , and they would be the finest men in the world , for all things , though they will take pains for nothing ; and because , forsooth , they cannot ride by inspiration , without taking pains , therefore it is worth nothing , and of no use : but if every thing was naught that they cannot do , there would be very few things good in the world. the next thing , is , that they think it a disgrace for a gentleman to do any thing well . what! be a rider . why not ? many kings and princes think themselves graced with being good horse-men . our gracious and most excellent king , is not only the handsomest , and most comely horse-man in the world , but as knowing and understanding in the art as any man ; and no man makes a horse go better than i have seen some go under his majesty the first time that ever he came upon their backs , which is the height and quintescence of the art ; and yet i dare say the king takes it for no disgrace to be so excellent a horse-man : the duke of york is also a very good horse-man , and both take it for an honour , and no disgrace ; and think it a most useful and noble quality for princes . the duke of mommorancy , conestable of france , and the first gentleman of christendom , was the best horse-man in the world , and to this day the best branches for bitts was of his invention , called a la conestable ; and so he devised the best spurrs ; and never any esquier ridd like him , being certainly the best horse-man in the world , which he thought a grace to him : the prince of conde , his grand-childe by the princess his mother , is an excellent horse-man , and thinks it no disgrace to him . most of the princes in france highly esteem it , and are good horse-men : nay , their king , at this present time , highly esteems it , and is a good horse-man ; nor is any gentleman in france esteem'd that is not a good horse-man . the great king of spain deceased , did not only love it , and understand it , but was absolutely the best horse-man in all spain . i may therefore desire these men to be more merciful , and to think it no disgrace , to them , to be horse-men ; but still the old business will stick with them , which is , they cannot do it , and therefore it is naught : a very good and sensless reason ! he that will take pains for nothing , shall never do any thing vvell ; for arts , sciences , and good qualities , come not by instinct , but are got by great labour , study , and practice ; wherefore these men will none ( i thank you ) till they be as easily learnt , as the seven deadly sins , railing , and wearing fine cloaths and feathers . but let us see now , how these men are on horse-back , and what their horses do under them . this cavalier seats as far back in the sadle as he can , his leggs stretcht as far forward before the shoulders of the horse , with his toes out , that he may spur him in the shoulders ; and stoops in the back , which they call a comely seat ; not knowing how to hold the bridle in his hand , nor ghess at any helps at all ; and appears on horse-back as if he were three quarters foxt , so ridiculous is that seat : and having sent to a sadler , or a bitt-maker , to bitt his horse , all is well . being mounted thus , as i tell you , you shall see his ready horse of vse , and his horse-manship : when he would turn him on the right hand , the horse doth turn on the left ; and when he would turn him on the left hand , the horse doth turn on the right : when he would stop him , the horse runs away : when he would put him forward , the horse runs backward : when he would put him back , the horse rises , and comes over with him , and there the good horse-man lies , and must send for a surgion , or a bone-setter , if he be not kill'd : nay , his horse shall neither come neer drum , trumpet , or colours , pistol , or sword ; but he fetches forty figaries to endanger him and his horse : and this is the excellent horse-man , and the ready horse of vse . how is it possible to be otherwise , when the horse knows not how to obey either hand or hee ll , and the horse-man is as ignorant as he ? whence it followes , that there is nothing to make a sure horse , but the mannage . i would have every horse ( that wears a bitt ) gelding , or nagg , wrought in the mannage , to be firm on the hand , both for readiness , and safety , were it for a b : b : judge , or lady : for without setling of the hand , they are very unuseful , and dangerous . i wonder how men are so presumptious , to think they can ride as horse-men , because they can ride forward from barnet to london , which every body can do ; and i have seen vvomen to ride astride as well as they : they do not think of any art , or trade , as they do of horse-manship , where they are all masters : which doth not prove so , when they ride . i think i have proved sufficiently their errour , and ignorance ; and as fully proved , that there is no vseful horse but those that are made in the mannage . the next thing , is , to tell you , that corvets , and other ayres , settles a horse very well upon the hand ; makes him leight before , and puts him upon the hanches , which are all useful for a souldiers horse ; and makes him stop upon the hanches , which is very useful for a man in armes ; for , did the horse stop upon the shoulders , he would give his rider ( being armed ) such a shock as would make his bones ake , was he never so sound : nay , to make a horse go in leaps , firms him on the hand , which is good for a souldiers horse . but , sayes a gallant , when i should have use of him in the field , then he will be playing tricks : that gallant is deceived ; for , the helps to make horses go in ayres , and to make them go upon the ground , are several ; and good horse-men have much ado to make them go in ayres , with their best helps ; so that , if you let them alone , they will not trouble you ; besides , two or three dayes march will make them , that they will not go in ayres , if you would have them ; and they are much the readier to go on the ground : whereby you see , that there is no horse whatsoever can be a good and useful horse , in any kind , with a bitt , but what is wrought in the mannage . and therefore i advise you , for your safety , and use , to ride all horses in the mannage , and you will find it very true , that there can be no horse else safe and useful ; nor can any horse go well in a snaffle , except he be formerly ridd with a bitt . as for pleasure and state , what prince or monarch looks more princely , or more enthroned , than upon a beautiful horse , with rich foot-clothes , or rich sadles , and waving plumes , making his entry through great cities , to amaze the people with pleasure and delight ? or , what more glorious or manly , than , at great marriages of princes , to run at the ring , or tilt , or course at the field ? what can be more comely or pleasing , than to see horses go in all their several ayres ? and to see so excellent a creature , with so much spirit , and strength , to be so obedient to his rider , as if having no will but his , they had but one body , and one mind , like a centaur ? but above all , what sets off a king more , than to be on a beautiful horse at the head of his army ? thus it is proved , that there is nothing of more use than a horse of mannage ; nor any thing of more state , manliness , or pleasure , than rideing ; and as it is the noblest , so it is the healthfullest exercise in the world. in hunting , hawking , bowling , shooting , cocking , cardes and dice , and many such things , there is no use at all , but meerly pleasure : but in a horse of mannage , both use and pleasure . it is true , that if there was nothing commendable but what is useful , strictly examined ; we must have nothing but hollow trees for our houses , figg-leaf-breeches for our clothes , acorns for our meat , and water for our drink ; for certainly , most things else are but superfluities and curiosities . i find fault with no mans delights , and do only vindicate ( with truth ) my own , since i have been so prest to it with odde discourses ; but i leave every one to his own vvayes , and his own delights , desiring they will do the like by me , which i shall take for a great favour : but if it chances they will not be so gracious , and just to me , it will grieve me so extreamly , that , in my conscience , i shall sleep never the vvorse . that a good horse-man may be thrown-down off his horse , without disparagement to horse-man-ship , contrary to the vulgar errour . most people are very much deceiv'd , when , if a horse throws down his rider , they not only laugh at him , but think to have reason so to do ; saying of the best horse-man in the vvorld , to whom such a mischance should happen , that he is a fine horse-man indeed ! for they can swear , that they knew a horse threw him . but they must learn , that a good horse-man may be thrown down sooner than ill ones ; because good horse-men little think of sitting , and so may be surprised , their thoughts being all how to make their horses go well , and never doubt throwing ; whereas an ill horse-man thinks of nothing but sitting , for fear he should be thrown , and never thinks how to make his horse go well ; for he knows not how to do it : but holds by the main , and the pomel , and his head at the horses head , ready to beat out his teeth , and his leggs holding by the flank ; and is so deformed on horse back , as if he were a strange african monster ; and the horse so disordered , that to see him sit in that manner , is the most nauseous sight that can be , and the most displeasing to the beholders ; and were much better for the spectators to see him fall , and for his reputation , so he received no hurt by the fall. thus you see , that any groom , or tinker , may sit , and yet be no horse-man , which is a greater business than only sitting ; for a jackanapes in paris garden , when he is baited with musled mastiffs , the gentleman sits very sure , but not very comely , and in my conscience is no excellent horse-man ▪ sitting is but one thing in horse-manship , and there are thousands of things in the art. so if a good horse-man be thrown by chance , hath he lost all his horse-manship , because he was once thrown ? and is an ignorant fellow inspired presently with horse-manship , because he can ill-favouredly cling to the horse , and hold on ? no , sitting fast is the meanest thing in horse-manship , which comprehends many more of greater consequence . but yet i must tell you , i never knew in my life , a good horse-man thrown , but i have known many presumptuous ignorant fellows get falls ; but , as , if a good horse-man by chance be thrown , he doth not lose all his horse-manship with that fall , if he be not kill'd ; so an ignorant man , if he sits , is not presently infused with horse-manship : for it is a mistake as ridiculous as it is common , to take sitting fast on horse-back for the whole art of horse-manship . old grison , and his translator mr. blundevile , anatomized old grison , and many italian authors , would have a bardel , which is a straw saddle , set first on a colts back , and nothing but a rope cavazon on his nose ; which is to no purpose in the world , but loss of time : then they will trot him two or three years up hills , and down hills , to stop him ; which is to less purpose , and more loss of time. they would have a circle ; or ring , as they call them , of an acre of ground in plow'd land , to make a horse go a hundred turns in it , which is worse than to ride a journey of thirty miles ; and i wonder what horses they had in those dayes ; for i am sure , those we have now , are not able to do it . they teach to ride one horse two or three hours at a time , when one may well ride half a dozen at least in an hour , and give them sufficiently enough . for their single turns , and double turns , call'd radopiare , they are ridiculous , and so is the repolone , which is to gallop him half a mile , and then turn him ill-favouredly and false : and their several mannages of metzo tempo , tutto tempo , and contratempo , are no better . for a resty horse they raise a whole town with staves to beat him , with many curious inventions , with squirts , fire , whelps , hedg-hoggs , nailes , and i know not what. and the same they do before a horse that runs away , as well as to the resty horse behind . then for spurring , the bunching stroke , and the clinching stroke ; and if he will not endure the spurs , boots stufft with straw , and spurs at them , to hang at his sides , ( which is not worth a straw ) ; and the chambetta , which signifies nothing . for a horse that is afraid , and starts , they appoint whirlegiggs of several colours , which will make him ten times worse . and to lay stones in his way , and a hollow ditch to ride him in , are lamentable businesses in horse-manship : and they have as many foolish wayes for the credensa , which shall never cure him of that vice. they bid us take heed , by any means , not to make the horse too weak-neckt ; which is a prime note ! but mr. blundevile did not know , that all horses are a stiff-necked generation . mr. pagano would never use his horse to any thing but a walk , or a trot at the most ; wherewith ( i am sure ) he shall never dress a horse perfectly ; and yet ( sayes mr. blundevile ) it was a wonder to all beholders , to see , that in eight dayes , he would make him run a carreer perfectly , which i will undertake to have done the first morning that ever he ran. speaking of his capriole , he mistakes the ayre , as well as the making of the horse . for corvets , mr. blundevil did not understand it ( nor his master grison belike ) when he sayes , the spaniards take delight to make their horses go in corvets , which never spaniard yet could do ; but he takes trampling , and prauncing , for corvets , wherein he is much deceiv'd ; for corvets is the hardest ayre in the world , which no horse can go , unless he be perfectly within the hand , and the heels , and upon the hanches ; which is not trampling . to ride short , he calls after the turkish fashion , wherein he is deceived ; for it is a la genette , which is the spanish fashion too ; and to ride short in corvets is his mistake , for i would ride longer in corvets than any other ayre . he is also mistaken , when he sayes , he would not have above two horses in her majesties stable to go in corvets ; for it is of no use ( saith he ) and such delighting toyes of prauncing up and down they will do , when they should go upon the ground : for first , there is nothing makes a horse better upon the hand , than corvets , and that 's useful ; then , there is nothing puts a horse so much upon the hanches , and firms him there , as corvets , and that is usefull too ; and mr. blundevil is mightily deceived , to think , that he will go in corvets , when he should go upon the ground ; for the helps are several : and let a horse be never so apt , or perfect in corvets , and made upon the ground too , ( which is the first thing must be done ) i dare say he shall never offer at corvets with me , but go just upon the ground as i would have him ; because the helps are several . he sayes , that in five or six months he can make a horse to gallop the field , ( a necessary thing for a souldiers horse ) ; which is no more , as he understands it , than in an acre of ground to gallop and change , still upon a gallop ; and that i will undertake to make a cart-horse do in three dayes . besides , they dig out rings , and entrench themselves ( which is a horrible folly ) ; but i desire no more for stopping than a plain place , without hills , or any such toyes ; and will dress any horse perfectly there , by the new method of my french book : which i refer you to . for mr. blundevils bitts , the are very ridiculous ; the eyes are naught , the cheeks as ill , and the mouths worst of all ; with catts feet , up-sets , portes , and broken portes ; catts feet , and up-sets , with a revet nayl ; and his compleat bitts , are compleatly abominable , with their water-chain and trench , the mouth of the bitt too being as bigg as my wrist , and the branches as long as my arm ; and the curb as bigg as a chain for a horse nose , with stories flying trench , which is a snaffle tyed to the bitt , and such other tormenting ignorant follies : the leggs of it are 〈…〉 be so loose , as if they were broken , in the knees , and are to help up and down , as if they were wind-mill-sayls . he would have us to strike a horse with a cudgel , or a rod , between the ears , and upon the head ; which is abominable , though he thinks it a rare secret. and thus much of mr. blundevils riding , which is grison translated into english . mr. blundevils breeding , to turn the stallion loose to the mares , is indifferent well , but not right ; and to put him to them again at holland-tide , stark naught . to cover in hand is unnatural , and you shall not have half of them ( so covered ) prove with fole . to have a horse-fole , or mare-fole , by tying his right , or left stone ; to observe the moon , and the wind , to sail to procreation , or get a fole by the almanack , is very ridiculous , and to put painted clothes before the mares , to make the foles of what colour you would have them , is no less ridiculous . that , if the horse , as soon as he hath covered , come down on the right side , it is a horse colt ; and if of the left side , it is a filley : and if , so many dayes after the mare is mounted , her coat look sleek , and shines , then she hath conceaved ; if it do not shine , she hath not conceaved , are all tales to tell to children , rather than to men of reason and discretion ; all mountebank-ship and fooleries : and to make the horse lusty , and the mares , there is little or nothing in it . mr. blundevil reasons thus : that for as much , as all mares do fole standing . wherein certainly he took his note out of some learned author , as aristotle , or the like ; for i will assure you , that never any mare in the world did fole standing : if she did , the fole would break his neck ; for , he comes into the world with his head first , and his two feet on both sides of his head. no! the mare is in too great pain to fole standing , and therefore she lies down , and foles so . mr. blundevil sayes , there is a thing growes in the foles fore-head like a figg , which the mare commonly bites off , which is called hippomenes ; and if it be taken , it doth miraculous things in love-matters , which he was loath to write of . truly he was over-careful , with all his old writers ; and , in my conscience , if it could be got , it would do miraculous things , not only in love , but in every thing else . but the truth of this business , is , that never any such thing did grow upon any foles fore-head ; and therefore could never be bitt off by the mare . no doubt but that mistake is caused by the secondine , or clean , or bagg , in which the fole lies , whereof all the strings meets at the end , which looks like a little knot , and that hangs loose upon the foles head ; but when the fole is foled , that , and the bagg , goes together ; for it is all one thing . mr. blundevil bids us take heed , that the mare do not eat that bagg , or secondine , because the country wives kye do so . but i have enquired of the country-men , and they say , not one cow in a hundred does do it : and for mares , i will assure you , they never do it : and if you ask , what they do with it ? i say , they let it lie there , and trouble themselves no more with it . mr. blundevil condemns those that take the foles , to be taken off at martlemas ; because , according to his old learned authors , he would have them suck two years at least : that is , he would have them heavy , flaby jades , besides the loss of the fruitfulness of his mares ; wherein his old authors are very much deceived . then he sayes , that the foles leggs are as long when they are foled , as ever afterward ; wherein he is very much deceived : does he think , that the body only grows , and the leggs not at all ? a very ridiculous opinion ! for , look at the foles leggs , and the mares , and you shall find the mares leggs are longer a great deal . can any man think , that a gray-hounds-whelp , as soon as he is whelpt , hath his leggs as long as when he is a dogg ? it is ridiculous . to know , which fole will have the best spirit , by running fore-most , and leaping of hedges and rayls ; is quite contrary to the experience i had once of a colt , that nothing would keep in , leaping over all things he came near ; and when he came to be ridd , the dullest jade that could be . to know by their feet , and much of white , that they are not long-lived , is as false a rule , as any he hath set down . his reckoning horses teeth , is beyond the number of what ever any horse had ; and that every horse hath two tushes below , and two above , is , i assure you , true. some horses ( say they ) have no tushes at all , and they commonly ill-natured , being something of the mare ; but as there is not one in a hundred but have tushes , so there is not one mare in a hundred that have any ; and those that have , are ill-natured , participating too much of the horse ; and both are a kind of hermaphroditical compositions . thus you see , how learned people ( with their old authors ) are deceived . to know the disposition of horses , by the elements , and their marks . mr. blundevil sayes , the sorrel is of the element of fire , and therefore is full of mettle , hot , and fiery ; but i assure you , i have known more sorrel horses dull jades than of any other colour . that white horses are flegmatick , and so participate of the element of water , and therefore are dull and heavy jades : but i assure you again , i have known white horses to be fuller of spirit , and livelier , than of any other colour ; and so his elements are wrong in every thing : your best way is , to try your horse ; which philosophy will hold to know him best . mr. blundevil speaks also of the marks of horses , that there are four good , and seven bad ; such a foot of the far side , and such a foot of the neer side , and which fore-foot , and which hinder-foot ; and not too much white in his face , nor his leggs to be very high white ; and feathers , and i know not what a kind of conjuration : all false and ridiculous lies . when once i hear a man talk of marks and elements , i have done with him , and know no other philosophy but trying ; for , there are good and bad of all colours , and of all marks ; but there are more badd horses than good of any colour or mark , as there are of any thing else , even of men in all things : therefore marks and colours are foolish and false toyes , only to abuse simple people withal . of the perfect shape of a horse . mr. blundevil speaks so of the perfect shape of a horse , that such a horse as he describes , was never of gods , and natures making , but of his own , or of some foolish authors he hath read ; for he takes several parts of several horses , and puts them together , which is a horse of their own making ; for there was never such a horse foled . every country hath a several shape of horses ; as the turk , the neapolitan , the spanish horse , the barb , and the duch horse ; all very fine in their kindes . in a word , i will shew you the ridiculousness of setting down the perfect shape of a horse . for example , who can set down the perfect shape of a dogg ? a mastiff is not a grey-hound ; nor a gray-hound , a lancashire-hound ; nor a lancashire-hound a little beagle ; and yet all very fine doggs in their kinds : and so of horses : which shows the impossibility to set down the perfect shape of a horse . mr. blundevil sayes , a spanish horse is pinn-buttockt , narrow and slender behind : i believe he would have a spanish horse to have a dutch horses buttock ; which would indeed be very correspondent to the rest of his shape : some spanish horses have oval buttocks , which is the finest buttocks of all . he sayes they have ill feet : it is true , some have , and so have horses of all countries ; dutch the worst , and some of the english very bad : he sayes also , spanish horses are weak ; but there are more weak dutch horses than spanish . i have had many spanish horses with good buttocks , good feet , and strong ; and if some should be weak , yet their spirits make them go much better , than any other horses that are stronger . he sayes , they are gentle in their youth , and grow vitious in their age : but i assure you , there is no such thing ; for they are as gentle in their age , as they are in their youth , and very loving horses : so mr. blundevil is very much abused by his old authors whom he reverences so much . he sayes , the gennet hath a comely going , like the turkish , which is neither amble , nor trot. i would know of mr. blundevil , what strange kind of going that is , which is neither of those two : but i will assure him , that there is no horse , that hath four legs , can go , but it must be the action either of an amble , or of a trot ; for galloping , and running , is another thing , and so are all ayres in the mannage . mr. blundevil appears by this , to be a better schollar , than a horse-man : and was indeed a fine gentleman , well travelled , an excellent schollar , a good translator , and puts things into an excellent method , but tyed himself too much to old authors , who knew as little as he in horse-manship ; and so authority abused him , having no knowledge himself in the art , and totally wanting experience in it . his treaty for dyeting of horses , is as learned as any physitian can write ; but yet is nothing as it ought to be ; for he wanted experience . his cures of diseases are most admirable ; and indeed , he is the father of all that business , and the rarest that hath writ upon that subject . markham is but , blundevil with other names , and will not acknowledge it : he hath many new medicines , but they are worth nothing ; as his oyle of oats . nor was he a horse-man at all , but only took notes of medicines , and set them down methodically . after him comes de la gray , which is but , blundevil , with some new medicins that are but indifferent : and for his breeding of horses , it is the most ridiculous thing that ever was known writ . the best medicins of mr. blundevils , are those of martine , who was prime marshal to queen elizabeth ; and , as i take it , an alman , and an excellent farrier : yet , even he , was extreamly mistaken about the glaunders , and mourning of the chine , as by my woful experience in horses i know , and will better inform you , when i set out my book of marshalry , and shooing . mr. blundevil sayes , that barley makes a horse piss red , like bloud ; but he did not understand it perfectly . it is true ; in italy , spain , and barbary , they feed their horses all with barley ; which is , because they have no oats : for , certainly excellent oats is the best feeding for a horse in the world. but you must know , that of barley there are two kinds ; the common barley , that they make beer of , which makes a horse piss a little red ; and of that barley they never give to their horses in spain , but of the other barley , which is called by the name of bigg , and that never makes them piss red , and is the best feeding for horses , where there wants oats : rye scoure's too much , and wheat is too fatning , and good bread too pursey , and foggy . in spain they give barley-straw , ( as my lord cottington told me ; ) but first ; they tread it with oxen , and then it is as soft as silk . and thus for our english authors , of whom i have told you the truth . the opinion of a great master . a great master , held the most excellent horse-man beyond the sea , being bred four or five years under the best horse-man there , and had practiced this art from his child-hood , did me the honour , to come to antwerp of a visit to me from bruxels , and brought with him four or five horses : i treated him the best i could , and shewed him my horses , both led out , and rid. he had a young man with him ( his nephew ) who had ridd under him for the space of seven years : and though he had seen rid , before him , the day afore , three of the readiest horses that ever i had ; yet when he ridd them , he could not encounter them , or make them go at all ; and truly , to my thinking , ( i might say to my knowledge ) he had neither hand , heel , nor seat , as he should have had ; and so it was impossible to make them go right . his master told me , he had found a new method for dressing of horses : which was ; first , never to trot a horse , ( that was his maxim : ) next , never to use the cavezon , nor pull the horses head into the turn . this is , what he would not have done : and , what he would have done , is ; to put the horse to the single pillar , with a long rope , and there pinch him with the spurs , which , sayes he , puts him upon the hand : then to whip him about with the shambriere , to make him go half terra a terra , and half in corvets , and then to make him go in corvets ; which settles him on the hand : and this is the new way of dressing ; indeed , of not dressing horses . to take in pieces , and anatomize this new way : and first , of what he will not have done ; which is , never to trot a horse , and stop him ; which is certainly the foundation of all things in the mannage , either to settle him on the hand , or to put him on the hanches . next , never to use the cavezon , without which no horse can be drest , for many reasons . then , never to pull the horses head into the turn : by which means the horses leggs , and body , shall never go right , or supple either to hand or heel . now , of what he will have done to work his horse : first , to put him to the single pillar , with a long rope , and there pinch him with spurs ; which will do bravely with a colt , that never knew the spurs ; he will surely throw him rather than be put upon the hand : nay , a horse that knows the spurrs , will never be put upon the hand with that invention . then to vvhip him about with the shambriere , to make him go half terra a terra , and half corvets ; which is impossible , for they are two several actions with his leggs : besides , this excellent lesson is in pluvinels book ; which he never used , but to a horse that was almost drest ; and it is naught , then : put him in corvets , to settle him on the hand , sayes he , which is in la broues book , only for a horse that is near drest , and not for a colt : besides , some horses will never go corvets , do what you can : so this method may spoyl horses , but shall never dress them , i assure you ; and you may take my word for it . he will ( by his new method ) never trot , gallop , or walk a horse ; but no horse in the world can be made without these three , nor without a cavezon , stopping , and having his head pull'd into the turn . a strange conceit of a great master . there was a great master , that would ride his horses twice a day ; saying , that if he could dress a horse in six months , once a day riding of them , he was sure he could dress a horse in three months , riding them twice a day ; wherein he is much deceived : for a horse being flesh and blood , cannot indure perpetual travel with little rest ; and no exercise is more violent for a horse than in the mannage . nay , of necessity , riding so much one morning , he will not recover it of a day or two : and if a horse oppose the man , which all horses will do at first , and are vitious , one must correct him soundly ; and , how will you ride him in the afternoon again ? dull him you may , and take off his spirit , make him hate the mannage , and make him like a vaulting horse , rather than like a live horse . nor can you ever give him his meat , vvater , or rest , in order ; the want of which must make him sick , and subject to many diseases ; and shortly after , death will follow : and there is your twice a day riding him , which makes him fit for the hunts-man to dress him for his doggs . some say again , that they will ride no horse twice a day , but horses that are very vitious , and of great strength : i have seen many horses that are vitious , but few of such great strength . for , if the horse be very vitious , you must correct him soundly , and ride him so long until he obey you , in some small measure ; and then i am sure you have ridd him so violently , and so long , as he will hardly be to be ridd the next morning ; and less , to be ridd any more that day : and if the horse be so docil as to obey you in every thing , certainly the best way is to take but a little of him that morning , to encourage him to do so again ; and the more to encourage him , not to ride him until the next morning again : so he will be pleasant , lively , and in lust , and take pleasure in you , and the mannage ; and learn more thus in a months riding him but once a day than he shall in three months , riding him twice a day . have not all schollars play-dayes ? and certain hours of rest in their daies of study ? all trades-men , holy-dayes to rejoyce themselves in ? states-men , divertisments from business ? and good preachers preach not every sunday ? have not lawyers also their terms , and vacations ; and even carriers horses rest christmas , and other holy-dayes ; and so cart-horses , brewers horses , coach-horses , hackney-horses , running-horses ? and shall only horses of mannage be galley-slaves ? there is no reason for that . no , not doggs can hunt every day , or gray-hounds course every day , or spaniels range every day ; or hawks fly every day ; there are hundred examples of it , but these are sufficient to let you see the great folly , and ignorance , of those that will ride their horses of mannage twice a day . just like the polander , being sick , whose physitian gave him nine pills to be taken , three every night , for three nights together ; who very wisely considered , that if three pills every night , for three nights together , would recover him ; that then , taking all the pills one night , would make him well presently . and so did , and had almost purged himself out of this world. so any horse-man that will venture to make a horse as well in three months , with two lessons a day , as another in six months with one lesson a day , may be sure to kill his horse , sooner than teach him , and to shew himself ridiculous in his undertaking . how i found out my method in the mannage ; and that it is the only way to dress horses . there is but one truth in any thing ; and that my method is true , cannot be better demonstrated , than by experience , which will clearly show , that mine never misses its end , as all others do ; and so proves mine true , and theirs false . for , to say that some of them come near the truth , is neither commendation , nor excuse : a falshood within an inch of the truth , being as bad , as if it were an hundred miles off . i have practised , and studyed horse-manship ever since i was ten years old ; have rid with the best masters of all nations , heard them discourse at large , and tryed their several wayes : have read all their italian , french , and english books , and some latine ones ; and in a word , all that hath been writ upon that subject , good and bad ; and have bestowed many thousands of pounds in horses , have spoiled many , and have been very long learning of this art of horse-manship . but all that while i thought still , all was labour in vain ; and that there was something , not found out , which they and their books mist : whereupon i began to consider so seriously , and study so earnestly , all the particulars that concern the mannage ; that at last i found this method , which is as true , as it is new , and is the quintescence of horse-manship : for which i have left all others , as i had great reason so to do , making with it all manner of horses whatsoever , of all nations , and of all dispositions ; strong , weak ; full of fire , dull and lazy ; even mares , geldings , and bidets ; and all that ever comes to my hands . i follow not the horses disposition , as most do ; but i make the horse follow my wayes , and obey me : i seldom beat them , or punish them with either rod , or spur , but when i meet with a great resistance , and that rarely : and yet i must tell you , that i use force , which they obey willingly , for the most part ; and , however , all yeeld , and render themselves at last , with much satisfaction to me ; which i wish others may find in following their wayes . but sayes one , doth your lordship think , that both your books would make me a horse-man ? i answer ; that they are written as plainly , and as clearly as possibly can be : there is in my french book , circles , and the prints of horses shooes , to shew how his leggs should go ; there is also exact figures of all postures , and of all actions , both of man and horse , and more cannot be . but whether my books will make you a horse - man or no , though they do as much as books can do , i cannot tell ; for you must have it all in your head ; and it may be you will not vnderstand it . but put the case you do , yet wanting the practice , you cannot ride well ; and yet no fault at all in my books , but in you. there are some nations that think they can see nothing , but they can do it ; which must be by inspiration , by which i never saw any ride , though many pretend to preach by it . it is a long study , and diligent practice ; a long habit and custom , which doth all things in the world , and nothing done without it : for there is cunning in daubing . do you think , that an ignorant school-boy can be as learned as a doctor ? or , let a skilful musitian write the rarest book in the world , for composing , or singing ; can you imagine , that as soon as you have read his book , you can do what he teacheth ? no truly ; and yet not the book 's fault , but yours , in being so partial to your self , as to think you can do any thing at the first sight , without practice or study ; which would be a miracle i never saw , or any body shall ever see . in the same manner , if a lutenist should write a rare book , can you expect , that as soon as you have read it , you can play on the lute ; because , it may be , you can jangle the strings ? but you say , you can ride : truly , just as you jangle the lute-strings , and no otherwise . you have learnt in italy and france ; that 's something indeed : so many crowns a month , and the horse did not throw you , and that is all . mr. spenser , the best schollar in all the academy where he learned , and a fine gentleman , who had been two years there ; when he came to ride one of my horses , he could not make him go : his brother-in-law being present , said to me ; my lord , you must excuse him , he hath not ridd a great while . but mr. spenser said ( with a great oath ) brother , you are deceived ; for i know now , i could never ride . god knows how many young gallants comn newly out of academies ; english , french , irish , and dutch gentlemen , that were famed for good horse-men , and truly no piece of a horse-man , and ridd the wofullest that could be ; and so did before me some masters of academies : and once two french-men riding ( god knows very meanly ) were strangely laught at , and that very worthily , by two other french riders that stood by . but sayes one , i can ride a ready horse ; wherein he is deceived ; for a ready horse is the hardest of all to ride , because the least motion is an absolute command unto him , and an ignorant gives him such counter-times , as he puts him quite out . mr. germain , a fine gentleman , and the best scholler du plessis had in all his academy , knew well the difficulty of riding a ready horse : for , to perswade him to ride one of mine , which he would not do ; i told him , if you will but sit still , i warrant you the horse will go well with you . but a man ( said he , with a great oath ) cannot sit still . which was said knowingly , and like a horse-man ; for , to sit still , belongs only to a great master . another , because he hath ridd a hundred miles in a day , ( which a post-boy can do ) thinks himself a horse-man ; or , because he can run a match with his groom , or leap a ditch , or a hedg , in hunting , and hold by the main , he thinks he is a horse-man ; but his hunts-boy doth as much . and my lord mayor when he goes to weigh butter , sits a legg of either side the horse very gravely ; an excellent horse-man ! and i have seen many wenches ride astride , and gallop , and run their horses , that could , i think , hardly ride a horse well in the mannage . are they not , in all trades , bound apprentices seven and nine years ; and many bunglers of them too ? and , in higher professions , twenty and thirty years is not too much , before they are great masters in any one of them : and though horse-manship be the hardest of all , yet many a gentleman will ride the first day as well as the greatest master ; but he is deceived , as well as those that think to buy , with their money , any quality : for if good qualities could be purchased with money , every rich citizen would be a fine gentleman . of which opinion that french cavalier was not , who told me , commending my method ; par dieu , il est bien hardi qui monte devant vous , that is , he is very bold , that dares ride before you . and to the same purpose , signor del campo , an italian rider at bruxels , after he had seen my horses , said ; il faut tirer la planche , that is , the bridge must be drawn up ; for no horse-man , so good as you , can come after . there is no horse-man but shall make my horses go , for his use , either in a single combat , or in the wars , better than he shall any bodies horses else ; and that 's sufficient : for , to make them go in perfection in all ayres as i can , were too much , and too great a miracle : but let my method be what it will , since every man doth what he can ; if any pleases himself with his own opinions , though he dislikes my way never so much , and should censure a thing he understands not ; and say , that the mannage is a foolish thing : it shall not displease me at all . observations of horses . of the spanish horse . you must know , that of all horses in the world , of what nation , soever they be , spanish horses are the wisest ; far the wisest , and strangely wise , beyond any mans imagination ; but i must tell you , they are not the easlier drest for that : because they observe too much with their eyes , and their memories are too good , and so conclude with their judgments too soon , without the man , reckoning without their host ; whereas they should follow , and obey , his hand and heel ; and that not by roat neither , but by art , which is an habit got by many lessons methodically taught . if he be well chosen , i assure you , he is the noblest horse in the world : first , there is no horse so curiously shaped , all over from head to croup : he is the most beautiful that can be ; for he is not so thin , and lady-like , as the barb ; nor so gross as the neapolitan ; but between both. he is of great spirit , and of great courage , and docil : hath the proudest walk , the proudest trot , and best action in his trot ; the loftiest gallop , the swiftest careers ; and is the lovingest and gentlest horse , and fittest for a king in a day of triumph to shew himself to his people , or in the head of an army , of any horse in the world. therefore no horse so fit to breed on , as a spanish horse ; either for the mannage , the war , ambling for the pad ; hunting , or for running-horses : conquerour was of a spanish horse , shotten-herring was of a spanish horse , butler was of a spanish horse , and peacock was of a spanish mare : and these beatt all the horses in their time , so much , as no horse ever ran near them . i say , he is absolutely the best stallion in the world , for all those several things i have formerly named , if you do wisely appropriate such mares to him , as shall be fit for such uses as you would have your breed ; and so he is fit for all breeds , but to breed cart-horses . the king of spain hath many races , but his best is at cordoua in andalozia , where he hath above three hundred mares and colts , as my lord cottington told me ; and , besides those of his majesty , there are other most excellent races , not only of noblemen , but also of private gentlemen . for the prices , the earl of claringdon , now lord chancellor of england , told me , that when he was embassador in spain , sir benjamin wright , a merchant there that loves horses , sold a couple of little spanish horses for a great price : and he sayes , ( and many others confirm it for a great truth ) that three hundred , and four hundred pistols for a horse , is a common price and rate , at madrid ; and the marquess of seralvo told me , that a spanish horse , called il bravo , sent to the arch-duke leopold , his master , was held worth as much as a manner of a thousand crowns a year , and that he hath known horses at seven hundred , eight hundred , and a thousand pistols . a gentleman told me , that he knew a cavalier in spain , who offered another three hundred pistols , but to let him ride his horse one afternoon ; and the owner had reason to refuse it : for it was to go to the juego de toros , where he might have been killed : many of the finest horses in the world being killed at that sport , which is the greatst pity that can be . you see that a spanish horse is dear ware ; and then reckon his journey from andalozia to bilbo , or st. sebastien , which is the next port for england , and is four hundred miles at least ; and a horse cannot travel above ten miles a day with your groom , and your farrier at least , besides the casualty of lameness , sickness , and death ; so that if he come safe to you , yet he will be a very dear horse , i assure you : and these are great truths of the spanish horse . of the barb . the barb is next to the spanish horse for wisdom , but not neer so wise , and that makes him much easier to be drest : besides , he is of a gentle nature , docil , nervous , and leight . he is as fine a horse as can be , but somewhat slender , and a little lady-like ; and is so lazy and negligent in his walk , as he will stumble in a bowling-green ; he trots like a cow , and gallops low , and no action in any of those actions : but commonly he is sinewy , and nervous , and hath a clean strength , is excellently winded , and good at length , to endure great travel ; and very apt to learn , and easie to be drest , being ( for the most part ) of a good disposition , excellent apprehension , judgment , and memory ; and when he is searcht , and wakened , no horse in the world goes better in the mannage , in all ayres whatsoever , and rarely upon the ground in all kinds . the mountain-barbs , they say , are the best ; i believe they are the largest , but , for my part , i rather desire a midling horse , or a less horse , which are cheap enough in barbery , as i have been informed , both by many gentlemen , and many merchants ; for they say , that in barbery you may buy a very fine barb for twenty , twenty five , or thirty pounds at the most ; but then your journey is somewhat great ; not by sea ; for , from tunis , to marselles in france , is no great voyage ; but from marselles to calais by land , you go all the length of france , and at calais they are shipt for england . you must have an excellent esquier , a farrier , and one groom , and hire other grooms as you go ; but take heed , that those mean rogues run not away with some of your horses ; and because there is no trusting of them , your english farrier , and your english groom , must alwayes lie in the stable , and none of those fellows ; but the gentleman of your horse , which ought to be a good horse-man , must order that carefully . if you would go another way to work , and a shorter voyage , then send into languedoc , and provence , where many gentlemen buy barbs of two , three , and four years old at marselles , and keep them two or three years , and then sell them ; which barbs you may buy for forty or fifty pistols a piece , and as fine horses as can be : but he whom you send , must be very skilful to chuse well , and to take heed that they be right barbs ; for i have heard , that many in those countries , about marselles , when many barbs come out of barbery , thrust in colts of their own breed amongst them for barbs , and so sell them . when i was at paris , there came twenty five barbs ( as they said ) nothing but skin and bones , and they were sold for twenty five pistols a horse : my lord viscount mountague bought nine , as i remember ; for i was with him , and helpt to chuse some for him , and one of them did win many matches : but truly , if i had had a million , i would not have bought one of them , for they were very ordinary horses ; nor do i think they were right barbs , neither by their shape , nor price , but bred in some islands there-abouts ; for , if a man be at great charges , i would either have an extraordinary horse , or none . i had lately a letter from a horse-man at paris , a french-man , that gives me intelligence of horses , that a merchant at paris had two barbs , the finest that ever he saw , six years old a piece , but not drest at all , and held them at two hundred pistols a piece : by which , you may see , that right barbs , and fine ones , are very dear , as all good things are . the barb is not so fit a horse for a stallion for the mannage , as for running-horses ; for he gets long and loose horses , therefore do not breed of him for the mannage , except he be a short horse from the head to the croup , strong ramase , and racoursy , and of a superfluity of spirit , which few barbs have ; and therefore breed of a spanish horse , with choise english mares ; and if you have a delicate well-chosen dutch mare or two , that makes an excellent composition for the mannage . i am of opinion , and believe , that there never came out of barbery , the best horses that country affords ; not but that they may be had : but the case is this ; those that bring barbs out of barbery , are either french horse-coursers that trade in barbery , or merchants . to begin with the horse-coursers , they alwayes buy those horses that are cheapest for their advantage : for if they bought of great prices , it would not quit cost , and so they buy the worst , and meanest , of barbs : and as for the merchants , they want skill ; besides , they will buy the cheapest too , for their advantage , because they know not well , how to put off horses of price ; and so they buy but the worst and meanest of barbs ; which makes me believe absolutely , that the best barbs do not come over : for , did not i see dayly at antwerp the horse-coursers of brabant and flanders , that go into england every year to buy horses , that they bring over the meanest and worst horses and geldings that are in the kingdom , and meerly to buy at easie rates , that they may put them off with advantage ? for , if they should buy in england horses of one hundred , one hundred and fifty , and two hundred pounds a horse , which price hath been given both at malten and pankrich fayres , those great prices would not go off there , where money is so scarce ; and so they would be undone ; and therefore they buy of small prices . of the english horse . the english horse is less wise than the barb , fearful and skittish , for the most part ; and dogged and rebellious to the mannage , and not commonly so apt to learn : but those they call english horses , are so compounded of horses of all countries , that they always participate something of their sires ; and so , that may somewhat alter the case . certainly english horses are the best horses in the whole world for all uses whatsoever , from the cart to the mannage ; and some are as beautiful horses as can be any where , for they are bred out of all the horses of all nations : but if you would buy for the mannage at fayrs , you must go to rowel fayr , harborow fayr , and melton fayr , to northampton and leicester-shire ; but northampton , they say , is the best . you must buy such horses as they sell , for the cart and coach , which are the best for the mannage : do not think to buy delicate shapt horses , like the spanish horse , barb , or turk ; but they are handsomer horses than commonly dutch horses are ; chuse a short trust horse , with good feet and leggs , full of spirit and action , and lively ; and if he leap of himself , so much the better . if your horse-man hath skill to buy you such , they cannot do amiss for the mannage , and will prove most admirable horses , both in all ayres , and upon the ground , but i would not breed of them by no means . at molten fayr , for the most part , they are young stone-horses , and some geldings , but fitter for the padd , and hunting , than for the mannage ; rippon fayr is but the remnant of molten fayr , and commonly but geldings and naggs ; those fayrs are in york-shire ; lenton fayr is in nottingham-shire , and is a great fayr of all sorts of horses , but especially geldings and naggs , fitter for the padd , and galloping , than for the mannage ; you may also find some stone-horses there . in stafford-shire there is a great fayr at pankridge ; but it is , for the most part , of colts , and young-horses , though sometimes ( by chance ) there are also others . the other fayrs in the northern parts , which are many , are not worth naming . i am very ignorant of the west-country , where my lord pauletts ancestors had a good breed of horses ; and by chance , now and then my lord of pembroke did breed , but i never heard of any rare horses of his race . in worcester-shire , and in the vale of esam , there is good strong cart-horses ; in cornwall there is good naggs , and in wales excellent good ones ; but in scotland the gallawayes are the best naggs of them all . there were , afore the warrs , many good races in england , but they are all now ru 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , and the many new breeders of horses comn up presently after the warrs , are ( i doubt ) none of the best ; for , i believe , their stallions were not very pure , because the men that did govern in those dayes , were not so curious as the great lords , and great gentry were heretofore , neither would they be at the cost ; and besides , they have not knowledge of horses as in other countries : for , though every man pretends to it , yet , i assure you , there are very few that know horses , as i have heard the king say : since whose restauration , the probability of getting good breeds again , is very great . for english mares , there are none like them in the world to breed on ; but then you must chuse them fit for such horses as you would breed ; as for example , if you would breed for the mannage , the mares must have fine fore-hands , but not too long necks ; fine heads , and well hung on ; and their necks rightly turn'd ; broad brests , good eyes ; and great bodies , that the foles may have the more room to lay their 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 : they must have good hooffs , short and bending pastorns , and are to be short from the head to the croup , and stuffy . this shape fits the mannage best ; and if your mares be thus chosen , it makes no matter what colour they are of , nor what marks they have , nor what tayles and manes , so they be full of strength , and of a superfluity of spirit , and not above six or seven years old. but i must tell you , that if you had two or three fine dutch mares , shaped as i formerly told you , it makes a fine composition with a spanish horse , for the mannage ; and a spanish horse with such english mares as i have told you now , are not only for the mannage , but in a manner for all uses . if you would have mares to breed running-horses of , then they must be shaped thus ; as leight as possible , large and long , but well shaped ; a short back , but long sides , and a little long-legged ; their breast as narrow as may be , for so they will gallop the leighter and nimbler , and run the faster ; for the leighter and thinner you breed for gallopping is the better . your stallion , by any means , must be a barb , and somewhat of the shape that i have described the mares to be of : for a barb that is a jade , will get a better runing-horse , than the best running-horse in england : as sir john fennick told me , who had more experience of running-horses than any man in england ; for he had more rare running-horses than all england besides ; and the most part of all the famous running-horses in england that ran one against another , were of his race and breed . some commend the turk very much for a stallion to breed running-horses ; but they are so scarce , and rare , that i can give no judgment of them : and therefore i advise you to the barb , which , i believe , is much the better horse to breed running horses . of the frison . the frison is less wise than the english , but no horse goes better in the mannage , either upon the ground , terra a terra , or in all ayres ; and no horse is of more use , either for a single combat on horse back , or in the warrs for the shock . he is hardy , can live of any thing , and will endure either heats or colds ; and on no horse whatsoever doth a man appear more a sword-man , than on this horse , being so quiet , so bold , and so assured . he is also manly , and fit for every thing but running away ; though he will run fast for a while , yet , i doubt , not long ; because his wind is not like that of barbs : yet a heavy man well-armed upon a barb , and the same weight upon a dutch-horse , the horse's strength is so much above the barb's , as , compared thus , i believe the dutch horse may run as fast , and as long as the barb ; for the barb's wind serveth to no purpose , when his strength is not able to carry his weight : and thus the barb will want his little light jockey on him , with a couple of trenchers for a saddle , and lute-strings in his mouth for a bitt . of the danemark and holland horse . the denmark-horse is an excellent horse , in the same kind , and commonly apter to learn , and leighter : there are more leaping-horses of those countries and kinds , than of any horses in the world. but now , to make more profit , they geld all in holland , for coaches , and to keep the trade , sending five thousand every year into france , and diverse other places , that you can hardly get a stone-horse worth any thing ; their colts at two years old springs their mares , and then they geld them ; so , avarice spoyls their breed . a town will joyn , and give above two hundred pounds for a stallion ; but then he covers all the mares that belong to that town , like a town-bull . of the almain , or german horse . those that write , that they are like flanders horses , are much deceived ; they mean the common country cart-horse : but let me inform them ; there are few princes in germany , but have excellent races , and breeds of horses ; and their stallions are alwayes either coursers of naples , spanish horses , turks in abundance , and barbs ; and breeding of these stallions , their mares come to be very fine , like their sires , and very pure breeds . i had one , no neapolitan in the world like him , for shape , stature , colour , strength , agility , and good nature ; he would make thirty two capriols , the highest that ever i saw , and the justest , without any help in the world ; and then upon the ground , to gallop and change , and go terra a terra , it was another action than ever any other horse did , being in some manner above the rate of horse-kind : this was a german horse , but his sire was a courser of naples . i had once two horses of the count of oldenburg's most excellent breed , as fine horses as ever i saw , and one was the hopefullest that could be seen . that prince was pleased to present those horses to me , and said , if i liked them not , he would send me others ; which was like a prince , and most generous . the prince of west-friesland did also send me a very fine horse . of the covrser of naples . i have not seen many of them ; but , la broue , in his book , sayes , that the race was mightily decayed ; and that was almost a hundred years ago : and pluvinel , in his book , sayes also , that we have not now such neapolitans as we have had ; for all the races are bastarded , and spoyled . the arch-duke leopold , when he governed the countries of flanders , brabant , &c. sent into italy for eight or ten coursers whilst i was at antwerp , which cost him above three hundred pounds a horse , journey and all . they were great vast horses , with huge heads , and thick necks ; heavy , with no spirit in the world , nor any strength ; dull heavy jades , fitter for a brewers-cart than the saddle : and the marquess de carasene , a spaniard , that governs all those countries , a little man , but both witty , and wise ; an excellent souldier , both for conduct and courage , and a good horse-man ( which few spaniards are ) and my very noble friend , told me , that the last warrs in naples hath ruined the king of spain's race of horses in that kingdom ; but that they began now to repair it , and that he hoped within fourteen years it may be established as formerly it hath been . thus you see things do not stand at a stay : for what hath been formerly , is not so now ; as in the neapolitan , and in all the rest of the races of italy , which are decayed . the duke of florence hath the best race at this time in those parts . of the tvrkish horse . i have seen very few of them ; but , two merchants brought three turkish horses to antwerp , very fine horses , but oddly shaped ; their heads were very fine , but like a camels head : they had excellent eyes , and thin necks , excellently risen ; somewhat great bodies ; the croup like a mules ; leggs not great , but marvellous sinewy ; good pastorns , and good hooffs ; and their backs risen somewhat like a camel. i had a groom , a heavy english clown , whom i set upon them , and they made no more of him , than if he had been as leight as a feather . they appeared not so fit for the mannage , as for to run a course , which , i believe , they would have scoured ; they trotted very well , and no ambling at all . the horses about constantinople , mr. blundevil sayes , are very ill-favoured-jades ; but he was mightily deceived with his old authors : for , i have spoken with many gentlemen that have been there , as likewise with diverse merchants that came from thence ; who all agree , that there are there , the most beautifull-horses in the world ; saying , that in soyl-time , there are many hundred teddered , and so shift places when they have eaten that bare : every horse hath a man to look to him , and every man a little tent to lie in ; and they say , that it is one of the most glorious sights to see those horses that can be ; and the most beautiful horses in the world. and certainly they are brave horses ! the price of one of these horses , is about a hundred , or a hundred and fifty pounds a horse ; and there is great difficulty to get a pass ; for the grand signor is very strict , in not suffering any of his horses to go out of his territories . when that difficulty is over ; there is another ; which is , if you have not a turk or two , for your convoy , they will be taken from you by the way : there is also the difficulty of a long journey , and the danger of sickness , or laming ; for , you must come thorow germany , which is a long way ; and you must have very careful men to conduct them , a good groom , an expert farrier ; and by no means , to suffer any to shoo them but him ; for when they perceive there is a fine horse , they will hire a farrier to prick him , or spoyl him , that they may have him : which is practiced dayly . of the arabian horse . he is nurst with camels-milk ; there are the strangest reports in the world of those horses ; for i have been told by many gentlemen of credit , and by many-many merchants , that the price of right arabians is , one thousand , two thousand , and three thousand pounds a horse , ( an intollerable , and an incredible price ) and that the arabs are as careful , and diligent , in keeping the genealogies of their horses , as any princes can be in keeping any of their own pedigrees . they keep the genealogies of their horses with medalls ; and when any of their sons come to be men , then their fathers give them two sutes of armes with two cymeters , and one of these horses , and prayes to god to bless them ; that is every ones portion , and his horse lyes alwayes in the next room to him , ( i believe , not above staires ) . they talk , they will ride fourscore miles in a day , and never draw the bridle : when i was young , i could have bought a nagg for ten pound , that would have done as much very easily . i never saw any but one of these horses , which mr. john markham , a merchant , brought over , and said , he was a right arabian : he was a bay , but a little horse , and no rarity for shape ; for i have seen many english horses farr finer . mr. markham sold him to king james for five hundred pounds ; and being trained up for a course , when he came to run , every horse beat him . of the hvngarian horse . they are not worth speaking of ; but if you will believe those of that nation , they will magnifie them extreamly ; and so will all nations whatsoever mightily commend their own horses : but i have seen hungarian horses , and they are not worth commendations , i assure you. of the polander horse . when the king of poland sent an extraordinary embassadour , with many of his nobility and gentry of poland , to conduct the princess mary , eldest daughter to the duke of nevers , from paris , to poland to be his queen , i was then at paris , and saw his entry ; which was one of the most glorious , and manly sights that ever i saw , after the polack way , with very rich clothes , polack capps , and great feathers ; and all the masters of academies were commanded to wait on the embassadour , with all their schollars , and horses , in their rich clothes and saddles , all a la mode , their manes full of ribbons . i protest , in comparison of the polacks , they lookt like hobby-horses ; not but that their horses were better ; the difference was meerly in the manly habit of the polanders , who were also very rich. but their horses i do not like at all ; for they are , for their shape , just as the common and ordinary horses and geldings in england ; and the bitts they use , are just like our snaffles , and have only rings for the bridle to be fastned to , as ours are , wanting those little crosses that ours have : but if you will believe the polanders , they will tell you , that their horses are the bravest horses in the world , which i have not faith to believe : for , when we say , ( and it hath been an old saying ) that the poland horse is the best horse in the world ; we mean the men to fight on horse-back , and not the horses . of the swedish horse . i had the honour to wait on the queen of sweden when she was at antwerp , and she used me very graciously , and civilly ; and an extraordinary lady , i assure you , she is in all things : but for the swedish horses she had for the saddle , there was no great matter in them ; she had eight coach-horses , large and noble-shap't , of the count of oldenburg's breed , which were beyond any coursers that ever yet i saw : their colours isabels , with long white manes , tails and toppings ; and these she sent into spain , for a present to the catholick king : and it was a kingly present , fit for such a queen to present , and for so great a king to receive . of what stature a horse is best , either for the war , or for a single-combat , or for any thing else . there are great disputes amongst cavaliers about this business : i will not trouble you much about their arguments , but only deliver unto you my opinion . those that are for high and large horses , say , they are strong for the shock : but they must know , that all large horses are not strong ; nay , for the most part they are not only the weakest horses , but commonly of no spirit or action . put the case , a great horse were strong , yet he is so tall , and his strength diffused , and indeed so out of his strength , that a midling horse ( entre deux selles ) or rather a less horse , being under him , and in his strength , would certainly overthrow him : so that a midling horse , or a less , is best for the war , or a single-combat , without all doubt . midling-horses , and less horses have , for the most part , both strength , spirit , and agility , and not one in an hundred but proves well ; when of large horses not one in a thousand does : nay , the midling , or less horse , is best for all things ; for the padd , buck-hunting , hawking-naggs , or geldings ; for hunting-horses , horses for winter-gallopping on the high-way many miles ; for the coach , for the cart , for any thing . and if they should fall , a little horse would do the rider less hurt than a greater horse , to lie upon him . geldings , and gelt-naggs , are fitter for great journeys , or hunting , or hawking in summer , than ston'd horses ; for their heat , with the heat of the weather , soon heats their feet , and founders them ; whereas geldings are colder , and so travel better , and not tire so soon in the heat of summer . that there are few good horses . now i must tell you , that there are good and badd horses of all countries in the world ; but there are more badd than good , as there are of men : and though there be millions of painters , yet there was but one vandike in many ages , or , i believe , shall be : the like in musick , in horse-manship , in weapons , and in horses ; for a rare horse in any kind , is a difficult business to find , i assure you : it is a hard thing to find fit horses for the mannage , either upon the ground , or in ayres . it is true , art doth much , but nature is the ground for art to work on ; for , without it , art can do but little. i dare undertake to make a cow go just in the mannage , but when i have done that , it is but a cow : and so a jade that is drest , he is but a jade when you have done all you can. i assure you , it is a very hard thing to find a good padd-nagg , or a good padd-gelding , to amble finely upon the hanches , and from his amble to his gallop , or from his amble to his trot , and firm on the hand : upon the bitt i have seen very few worth any thing , and as few good buck-hunters , or hawking-naggs , or winter hunting-geldings , or horses to gallop or run surely upon all grounds , plowed lands , moors , parks , forrests , and every where , with a snaffle , and a scotch saddle , the rains slack in his neck , which makes him very much the safer for his rider , because he gallops upon the hanches . let me tell you , that running-horses are the most easily found , and of the least use ; commonly they run upon heaths , ( a green carpet ) and must there run all-upon the shoulders , which in troublesome grounds is ready to break ones neck , and of no use ; though i love the sport of a running-horse very well , and think i am as good a jockey as any , and have ridden many hundred matches , and seen the best jockeys , and studied it more than , i think , they have done. you see how difficult a thing it is to have a good horse in any kind , for any thing : therefore i conclude , that a knowing horse-man is not so happy for horses , as a citizen of london , that knows nothing , more than to buy a horse in smithfield , for eight pound ten shillings , or there-abouts , to carry him to nottingham , or to salisbury ; and let him have never so many faults , his ignorance finds none : wherein he is very happy . more observations concerning horses . the turks are the most curious in keeping their horses of any nation ; and value them , and esteem them most : they have all the wayes of dressing them , and keeping them clean , that can be imagined . they cloath them first with a fine linnen cloth and hood next their skin ; then with a hair-cloth and hood , lined with felt , over their linnen cloth and hood : and all these are made so fit , as to cover their breasts , and to come pretty low down to their leggs . there cannot be a better way than this for their cloathing . the spaniards are also very curious about their horses in all things ; and their grooms so diligent , as they never stay long out of the stable , but are alwayes doing something about them ; and especially are curious about their manes , toppings , and tayles , making them clean divers ways ; washing them , and pleating them . they esteem highly their horses , and no nation loves them better . the master is continually in the stable , to see the grooms do their duty ; but , for all that , the spaniards and the turks are none of the best horse-men ; they ride short , have strange spurrs , and saddles , especially bitts , which are most abominable . the italians are very careful and neat about their horses ; but they have of late lost their latine in riding , or else they never had it ; and our ignorance made us think they did rarely . some of the french are curious in keeping and dressing their horses ; but , for the most part , not : they highly esteem horses , and will give great prices for them . but french grooms never rub a horses leggs well . the almains , or high-germans , love horses well : some say , they are very curious , but me-thinks not . they commend their grooms extreamly , but i think they do not deserve it . certainly the best grooms are english grooms ; but no grooms are good , except the master looks strictly after them ; for , the masters eye makes the horse well drest , as according to the proverb , the master's eye makes the horse fat. denmark , swede , poland , transylvania , hungary , and all those countries , are much like the almains , for little curiosities , in keeping and dressing their horses ; and all their riding alike : no man in germany will ride without a cavazone , though he knows not the use of it at all , nor what to do with it . in flanders , brabant , and those parts ; as also in holland , and those parts , they are much like the germans . the emperour of muscovy , i have heard , hath a stable of horses , and a french rider : he hath some horses come out of tartaria , and turkey , but none good in his own country . a rider is of no great use there , except he could dress , and make a ready bear ; of which there is plenty , and they have noble races of those beasts . in the mogul's country there is nothing to dress , except you would dress elephants ; and the best horses they have , come out of persia . sir walter rawley told me , that in the west-indies there were the finest shap't horses , and the finest colours in the world , beyond all spanish horses and barbs that ever he saw ; and they knew there so little the use of horses , that they killed them for their skins . in denmark there are excellent good horses ; and in norway little strong horses , but not so purely shap't . i saw six norway horses in a coach , very little horses , isabells , with white manes , and white tayls ; some of their heads are a little too bigg ; but very fine little horses , and strong . for iseland horses , they are all curlled like their doggs , and so curled , that no curry-comb can dress them , nor any thing else : and they are but dull jades . what stallion is best for the mannage , the ordering of him before he mounts the mares , what kind of mares , when , and how , they should be put together for generation . the best stallion in our iland , is , a well-shapt spanish horse , with a superfluity of spirit , and strength , docil , and of an excellent disposition , and good nature , which is the chief thing in a stallion ; for if he be of an ill disposition , vitious , or melancholly , all his off-springs will participate of it , and will never be drest , or made perfect horses as they should be. he ought to be of a good colour , to give the race a good dye ; and well-markt , to agree with most mens opinions : though marks and colours be nothing at all to know the goodness of a horse , nor shape neither ; but , the abundance of spirits , and a strong chine , be the most considerable : yet , by any means , i would have him perfectly shap't , for the beautifying of your race ; for a handsome horse may be as good as an ill-favoured horse ; and an ill-favoured horse as good , as a handsome horse . i would have you feed him four or five months before he covers , with good oats , pease , and hull'd beans , ( and bread if you think good ) with sweet hay , and good wheat-straw , and some barley now and then for variety ; and ride him out to be watered every day twice , and keep him out some little time , only to walk him ; but not too long , for that will weaken him too much . why not breed of a neapolitan ? they are too gross horses ; and we breed too bigg horses in england , by reason of the moysture both of ayre and ground . why not breed of a barb ? they are too slender , and too lady-like , for the mannage , though themselves the best in the world for it ; but their off-spring , are commonly loose and weak horses , fitter for running-horses , than the mannage ; so the spanish horse is in the middle , ( where vertue lyes ) neither too gross , nor too slender , and the finest shap't horse in the world : and therefore , have no other stallion . the fittest mares for the mannage , must be short from the head to the croup ; curious forehands , but not too long ; fine heads , and well hung on ; good bodies , short rather than long ; short and good leggs ; short pastorns , and bending ; good feet , short backs , full of spirits , and strength ; and good natures . no where better mares than in england , if they be well chosen . yet , i must tell you , i could wish you to have a couple of fine shap't little dutch mares , which is a fine composition , with a spanish horse , for the mannage . for their colours ; let them be such as most men like ; though i value not that at all . their age ; five , six , or seven years old ; and the stallion not to be too old , except necessity otherwise force you . the time of the year ; in may , about the middle of that month , that the foles may fall in april , because else they will have no grass . put the stallion to the mares , thus : take off his hinder shooes , and bring him near where the mares are , and there let him cover a mare in hand twice , which will make him wise ; and instantly pull off his bridle , and put him to the mares : which mares must all be put in a convenient closse , that may feed them well for six weeks at least . put those mares that have newly foled , and those that are with fole , and those that are barren , all to him ; for there is no danger in it . this way is so natural , as they are all served in their height of pride ; for , the horse never mounts them untill they woo him to it extreamly . when he hath covered them all , then he tryes them all over again , and those that will take the horse , he covers them ; and those that will not , he lets them alone : and when he knows he hath finished his work , he beats the pale to be gone , which is time for him ; then you must take him up , and you shall find him lean enough , nothing but skin and bones , and his mane and tayl will moot off : if you give him too many mares , then he will serve you the less time ; be so lean and weak , that you will very hardly recover him against the next year , or covering-time . therefore ten or twelve mares is enough . i had forgot to tell you , that you must have a little house with a manger , to feed him with corn , and bread , during the covering-time , to defend him from the heat of the sun , and rain , which would much infeeble him : and you must have a man always to attend him and the mares ; and for that purpose he must have a little hutt built , to be there day and night ; not only to tell you how they are served , but that no other horse comes to the mares , or other mares put to the horse ; and for many other accidents wherewith he is to acquaint you . and when you have taken up the stallion , then remove the mares into a good and fresh pasture . this is the true way for covering the mares ; for , nature is wiser than art in the act of generation ; and by this way , i dare say , there shall not , of a dozen mares , two fail . i must tell you , that you must never have a stallion of your own breed , because they are too far removed from the purity , and head , of the fountain , which is a pure spanish horse : besides , should the stallions be of your own breed , in three or four generations they would come to be cart-horses ; so gross , and ill-favoured would they be : or at least , just such horses as are bred in that country , so soon will they degenerate : therefore , have still a fresh spanish horse for the stallion . but you cannot breed better , than to breed of your own mares that you have bred ; and let their fathers cover them ; for there is no incests in horses : and thus they are nearer , by a degree , to the purity , since a fine horse got them , and the same fine horse covers them again . if any man will dispute against this truth , ( if he be not obstinate in his errours ) let him read my first book of horse-manship in french , where i treat of breeding ; and there are reasons that may convert him , if he considers my great experience . for the housing , feeding , and ordering of colts . you must wean the foles , and take them from their damms , when cold weather comes in , which is about martlemas ; and have a convenient house to put them in , with a low rack and manger fit for them : for the first year , put the horse-colts , and fillies , all together ; and have alwayes good and fresh litter for them , good sweet hay , and wheat-bran , and good oats ; the wheat-bran makes them drink well , and gives them good bodies . in a fair day , let them now and then go out in some inclosed yard , to play , and rejoyce themselves ; and then put them up again carefully , that they be not hurt . the next summer , when grass is plentiful , put them out in some dry ground , where the grass is short , and sweet ; for if a colt fills his belly , once in twenty four hours , it is sufficient ; and good water they must have . the colts must be by themselves , and the fillies by themselves , separated . the next winter , at martlemas , then take up again the colts , bring them into the stable , and use them , in all kinds , like the older horses ; doing the same thing every summer , and every winter , untill the colts be three years old , and vantage ; and then take them up for altogether , and back them . yearings must be abroad together ; so two-years-old together , and three-years old together ; for thus they will agree best : as we see that little young boyes , and greater old boyes , never agree , or play well together . the fillies you may better put together ; yearings , and two-years-old , and three . but i would wish you to take up the filleys at two years old , and vantage ; then back them , and make them gentle , and then cover them at three years old : for , being thus gentle , they will never spoyl themselves , nor their foles ; and if they , or their foles , be sick , or hurt , you may easily take them up for the farrier to use his skill to recover them . but , why this housing every winter ? you must know , there is nothing indures cold worse than horse-kind . for example ; is there any thing in the world looks so like a bear , and so ill-favouredly , as a colt in winter upon a common , and stands as if he had neither life , nor spirit ? and certainly , warmth , and dry feeding , is the quintessence , and greatest secret in the world for breeding . to prove it ; the spanish horse , that is so fine , is bred in spain , a hot country , and hath dry feeding ; for there is not much grass in many places . barbery is very hot , and little grass . turkey is very hot , and dry grounds . naples is very hot , mountainous , and dry ; and in all those countries , the horses are purely shap't , with heat , and dry feeding : therefore you must help it , as well as you can , in cold countries ; which is done with housing , and dry feeding . to prove it , take the finest shap't spanish horse you can , and let him cover two mares , of equal beauty ; and if they have two horse-colts , let one run abroad , until he be three years and a half old , and let the other be housed every winter ; and fed , as i have told you . that colt that hath gone abroad three years and a half , shall have a great fleshy-head , and thick and full neckt ; fleshy shoulders ; flabby and gowty legs ; weak pastorns , and ill hooffs ; and shall be a dull , weak , fleshy jade , by reason of the humidity of our country , both above and underneath : when the colt that is housed every winter , that is kept warm , and lies dry , and is dry fed , shall have as fine a forehand , as sinewy-leggs , as good hooffs , spirit and strength , and in all things will be as purely shap't , as any spanish horse can be . so you see , that to have the finest stallion , and the beautifullest mares , is nothing , if you do not order them as i have told you . ( see dutch horses , how gross they are , being bred in cold countries . ) this is a great secret for breeding , beleeve me , that have tryed all manner of ways ; and according to my great experience , there is nothing but this. for the backing of a colt . if you have used the method of housing your colts every winter ; and , after the first winter , used them in the stable , as you do any other horse ; and that they will lead , and be as quiet as any horse : you need not fear their plunging , and leaping , nor a hundred extravagancies more ; neither need you tyer him in a bogg , or a deep plow'd-field , to take off his spirit , to break his heart , or at least , his wind , before you dare get upon him . for , being ordered as i have formerly told you , you may safely back him , and find him as quiet as a lamb , and never drive him into faint-sweats , which will bring many diseases upon him . you need not then a cavezone of cord , which mr. blundevil calls a head-strain ; nor a padd of straw ; but such a saddle as you ordinarily ride horses of mannage in , with stirrups ; and on his nose , an ordinary cavezone , as you ride other horses with ; but it must be well lined with double leather , as the rest are : and if you will , you may put a watering-bitt in his mouth , without rains on , only the headstal , and this but for a few dayes ; and then to put such a bitt as i would always ride him withal , of which we shall speak hereafter , and so give him the lessons , which you shall have perfectly sett down in the second book . but if you light on an older colt , and unruly , then put him to the single pillar , and trot him , and gallop him on both hands , until he be very quiet , and will peaceably suffer you to take his back ; which he will not fail to do within four or five dayes at the most , if you use this method : and i do not know , that the single pillar , the old way , is good for any thing , but this . at first you must ride your colt without spurrs . and thus much for backing of colts . of the spanish mvles . i have seen the finest shap't of them in the world ; the finest shap't heads , and the best set on ; the finest turned necks , and the thinnest , and well risen ; excellent backs , good bodies ; their leggs clean , and sinewy ; admirable hooffs ; their croups a little slender : and in a word , no horse in the world finer shap't , and only their ears are a little long , which , methinks , is a grace to them . they are of all colours , as bayes , dapple-grayes , and so forth . extreamly strong , as strong as two horses ; very large , some as large as any horse whatsoever , and of great prices ; as three , and four hundred pistols a mule. the king of spain hath beautifull , and large ones in his coach ; they use them very much for the saddle ; for they amble most curiously , and easily ; they seldom stumble , but when they do , they never fall further than their knees . they are very safe and sure to ride on ; there be some very little ones , and fine ones , like gallowayes ; and those commonly great generals , and commanders , ride on in the trenches , and about fortifi'd castles , to view them : the grosser sort they use for sumpters , waggons , and carriers for many things . they also ride post on them ; and don john de borge , who was governour at antwerp , told me , that they would amble as fast as any horse could gallop . they live long , and sound , thirty years at least : there are males and females of them , and very hot they are in the act of generation , but never produce any thing , with any thing ; either to get , or bring forth . they say , one is never assured of them from biting or striking though the groom hath kept them twenty years ; but i perceive no such thing in them : and i have seen a mule go in capriols , excellently well . they say , they have ill mouths ; but that 's because they spoyl them with horrible bitts : for they use both other bitts , and other saddles and furniture to them , than to horses ; wherein they are very much mistaken . to those that are for the saddle , i would use the very same bitts and saddles , as for horses , and no otherwise . 't is true , that for sumpters , there be proper things that they use for them only , and not for horses , which is very comely . and in spain , they use in their coaches , ropes for the mules ( and the horses also ) to draw the coaches withall . they are excellent to ride on in stoney-wayes , none like them ; they are so sure of foot. the stallions that get these mules , are asses , upon very fine spanish mares . sir benjamin wright , being a merchant at madrid , writ to me once , that a stallion asse would cost , at the least , two hundred and fifty pistols ; but others tell me of greater prices that they are at : and great reason , since mules are of so great use to them in spain . my lord cottington told me , that the asses in spain , are greater and larger beasts , than ever he saw of horses in all his life , and almost of any other beast ; and are so furious , and full of spirit , that there is men , that live only by the ordering of them , and no other men can do it , but those men which make a trade of it ; for others would be kill'd by them . and these men hood the asses when they cover any mares , that they may not see them ; for otherwise they would pull the mares in pieces , and kill them . when they bray , it is a most lowd and horrid noise , beyond any lyon in the world . now you see , there is great reason , why they should be of great prices ; but one that thinks they should be just such little dull asses as are in england , of twenty or thirty shillings a piece , would laugh to hear this tale told ; because they think there is nothing more in the world than they have seen : as in such a case , sir walter rawley said well , that there are stranger things in the world , than between stains and london . the asses in france , are just like the asses in england ; little , lazy , dull , and woful things , and of as small price ; only in those parts of france that are next spain , there the asses are large , but nothing in comparison of those in spain . the shee-asses in spain , are very fair , and large ; for else , how can you imagine such huge , large , and great puissant beasts should be produc'd ? that trying is the only way to know horses . i told you , that marks , colours , and elements , are nothing at all to know a horse by ; for they are but philosophical mountebanks that talk of such toyes . nay , shape is nothing to know the goodness of a horse ; and therefore the best philosophy is to try him : and you may be deceived then , if he be a young horse ; for colts alter extreamly , both in spirit and strength . what judgment can one give of a little boy , what kind of man he will prove ? no more can one give a judgement of a colt , what kind of horse he will prove . but still ride him , and try him ; and that is the best philosophy to know him by . some say , if a horse have a great head , a thick neck , and fleshy shoulders , that he is hard on the hand : you must know , that if he have any imperfection in his leggs or feet , but especiall before , the horse must be hard on the hand ; for he leans on the hand , to ease the grief of his leggs , as a gowty-man doth use his staff. and let him be finely - shap't , or ill - shap't , if he have any imperfection in his leggs , he must be hard on the hand ; and then the farrier must cure him , and not the horse-man ; for the art of riding will not make a lame horse sound . our great masters , and best authours , say , that when a horse is sound , if he have a great head , thick neck , and fleshy shoulders ; that then , of necessity , this horse must be hard on hand ; and give many rare lessons , as they think , to make him leight on the hand : and they also say , that a horse that hath a fine thin forehand , must be leight on the hand , wherein they are infinitely deceived ; for i have known more thick heads , necks , and shoulders , leight on the hand , than i have known fine shap't , and slender forehands . but it is neither the one , nor the other , that makes it , but meerly the strength of his chine . for , if a horse , that hath a great head , thick neck , and fleshy shoulders , hath a good chine , he will be leight on the hand ; and if he have a weak chine , he will be hard on the hand . and so a fine forehand , if he have a weak chine , he is hard on the hand ; and if he have a strong chine , he is leight on the hand : so it is , not having a gross , or a fine forehand , that makes him hard or leight , on the hand ; but all consists in the strength of his chine . the reason of that , is , because if he hath a strong back , he can suffer without grief or pain , to be put upon the hanches : and no horse is upon the hanches , but he is leight on the hand ; and if his chine be weak , the putting him upon the hanches , doth so pinch him , as he presses upon his foreparts to save the pain on his back ; and sometimes will run away , rather than to suffer it ; and will leap , rather than to be pincht of his weak back : and yet i must tell you , the strongest horses are not fittest , or properest , for the mannage , nor for a souldiers horse ; for you must gallop him an hour before you can take him off his fury ; and such counter-times of leaps , do in-commode the rider , to no purpose : and when you would make him go , he shall not go so well , as a horse of half his strength : and though he leaps in such a manner , that will disorder an armed-man ; yet the best horse-man in the world shall not make him a leaping-horse : therefore the best for the mannage , and the war , is a horse that hath so much strength as to indure a stopp , and no more , to make him easie for an armed-man . and certainly a weak horse with spirit , docil , and of a good disposition , is much better , and will go beyond a huge flanders horse , of a dutch brewer , that hath no spirit : and i must tell you , that the greatest and largest horses are not commonly the strongest , but for the most part the contrary ; for that which makes them draw , is their waight , and not their strength , nor their spirit ; for they have none . i dare say , i can take a little english cart-horse , that shall draw twice as much as their great flanders horses : commonly those they use in flanders are geldings . how to know the age of a horse . m r. blundevil sayes , some seek to know a horses age in this sort : they pull his skin with their hand from his flesh , holding it so a pretty while together , and then let it go again , marking whether the skin returneth immediately to his place , or not , without leaving any signe or wrinckle where it was toucht : and then they judge the horse to be young. but if the skin will not fall down quickly again of its own accord , they take him to be old , and to lack that natural heat , and warm blood , which should nourish his outward parts . these are the very words of mr. blundevil . let us see the probability of it , and the certainty of the rule , in a horse whose mark is out of his mouth ; for many horses that are many years older , if they be healthful , and sound , and in good case , wanton , and full of blood , their skin will return to the same place again presently , when a younger horse by many years , that is sickly , lean , and faint , his skin will not return so soon ; and then your old observation deceives you , and is a great folly. and when he will know a horses age by his tayl , he begins at the wrong end ; which is most ridiculous . mr. blundevil sayes also , that when a horse waxeth old , his temples will wax hollow , and the hair of his browes hore and white , &c. this is , for the most part , somewhat probable . but yet i have known a young fellow of seventeen all gray ; why may it not be so in horses ? nay , i have known some so . but though i grant , that gray hairs shewes age , for the most part ; yet , i believe , you do not know how old a horse is for all that observation , but only in general , that he is old. so that there is no sure way to know his age , but by his teeth ; and that is a certain rule , but lasts no longer than seven years old. captain mazine sayes , that a horses years may be known until he is fourteen , by his vpper teeth ; but , because it doth not hold in all horses , i forbear to write it . there is some difference between horses and mares , to know their age. for any man that would have a horse of use in his ordinary occasions ; as for journeys , hawking , or hunting ; i would never buy a horse until the mark be out of his mouth ; and if he be sound of wind , limb , and sight , he will last you eight or nine years with good keeping , and never fail you ; when a young horse will have many diseases , as children have , and you must leave him with your host at harborow , or northampton , or some inne , and hire another horse for your occasion , and have your host's bill , and the farriers , which will come to more than your horse is worth ; and there 's your young horse ; but your old horse shall never fail you . i am alwayes ready to buy for such purposes , an old nagg of some hunts-man , or falconer , that is sound , and that 's the useful nagg ; for he gallops on all grounds , leaps over ditches , and hedges ; and this will not fail you in your journey , nor any where ; and is the only nagg of vse , for pleasure , or journey , but not for a souldiers horse , nor the mannage : for every horse must be appropriated in his kind , and put to what he is fittest . what equipage is proper for the horse , and most commodious for the horse-man afore the horse is movnted . for the saddle , bitt , cavezone , stirrups , and spurrs , in my first book of horse-manship you shall see the figures of all these , most lively represented . for the girthes , i must advise you to have one girth as broad as two , only at each end separated , as if they were two , though it is but one girth ; and an italian surcingle over them ; which is so excellent a thing , that if the girths , or straps , should break , yet the surcingle will not fail to hold. you must fit your horse with a bitt proper for him ; that is , a cannon , or a scatch , a la pignatel , and branches a la conestable ; and the same bitt i will alwayes ride my horse with i give him at first ; for they are ridiculous with their pistol cannons , and not to fit a horse for two years , and then to bitt him up . but i will alwayes bitt and fit my horse at the first , with what he should alwayes wear , or such another when that 's broke , or is worn in pieces . your horse should be girt as hard as you can ; for the italian sayes , he that girds well , rides well . but a groom may gird well , and yet not ride well . but they mean , no man can ride well , that doth not gird well : for , how can he ride well when the saddle turns round ? horses of mannage force the girths much with violent ayres , which an ambling horse doth not . but i must tell you , that you should never gird your horse up hard and straight , but just before you ride him ; for , being hard girt in the stable long before you ride him , i have known them grow very sick. why do they not so when they are ridd , say you ? i le tell you why ; because the violence of the exercise makes them put out their bodies , and so stretches the girthes , and makes them easier . but i will tell you a great truth in horses that are used to be girt hard : when the groom comes to gird them up , the horses will so stretch their bodies and bellies out , with holding their breath , that the grooms have much ado to gird them : and this is craftily done of them , that they may have ease after they are girded , and then they let their bodies fall again . and yet , sayes the learned , like to the horse that hath no vnderstanding . another thing i am to advertise you of ; and that is , to make the nose-band as straight as possible you can ; because it hinders him , as they say , to make sheeres with his mouth , or to gape to disorder the working of the bitt , or to bite at the rodd when you help him , or to bite at your feet . but the nose-band , being very straight , makes the bitt lie in his due place , and works orderly , as it ought , both upon the barrs , and the curb , and firms and settles his head : and i assure you , there is nothing better than this , for many things ; and therefore i would have also the cavezone as straight as you could , for many reasons ; and remember that your cavezone be never sharp ; but always lined with double leather at the least , for fear of hurting him : though the old saying , is , a bloody nose makes a good mouth ; i would neither hurt his mouth , nor his nose , nor any thing else about him , if i could help it ; and then i am sure he will have a better mouth , when his nose is not hurt . sakers , dockes , or trouse ques , ( which is all one ) is a great grace for a leaping-horse ; for it makes him appear plumper , and more together , racoursi , and makes him appear to go higher too ; therefore i would use sakers for all kinds of leaping-horses , whether for croupadoes , balotadoes , or caprioles ; but then the horses tayles must be tied short up , upon the saker . for horses that go the mannage de soldat , terra a terra , in corvets , or demy-ayres , there is nothing handsomer , than to see a horse with a good tayl down , without any thing ; no quinsel , or any thing , but naturally ; and to see him lay his tayl on the ground , is graceful , and shewes that he goes upon the hanches ; which is the perfection of the mannage . to beautifie their manes before great princes , or persons of quality , there is nothing more graceful , than to tye their manes with several coloured ribbons , or all of one colour , in many several wayes ; either pleating their manes , or letting them be loose . i never saw any horse go so well with rich saddles , as with plain leather saddles , and black bridles : the leather saddles should be plain white spanish leather , stitcht with silk ; with silver nayles , and a good black leather slap-cover over it , and the bridle soft black leather , and small ; by no means too great : two girthes in one , to part at both ends , like two girths ; and a good italian surcingle , which is worth both the girthes for sure holding . you must be very careful , to see that nothing that is about the horse should hurt him ; as his saddle , bitt , cavezone , or any thing else : for , i assure you , as long as any thing hurts him , he will never go well . no horse goes well in a wind , it doth so whisk about him , and in his ears , and makes such a noise , as it diverts him from the mannage ; and so doth any new help , or any new thing that they are not accustomed to : horses are very sensible , and tickle ; and no strangers must come near them . there is one thing that is the most uncomly , and the disgracefullest thing a horse can do ; and that is , to whisk his tayl in all the actions that he makes . the common remedy they use , is , to tie his tayl with a quinsel ; which doth remedy that vice , as long as it holds : but the best thing in the world , is , to cut cross the great nerve that is under his tayl , and then he shall never whisk or shake it again ; and it will do him no hurt in the world , more than when it is cut. there is no remedy like unto this . a very true paradox . i will never put my horses of mannage to soyl after they are five years old . i had a barb that had a cold , and i was perswaded to put him to soyl ; but when i took him from it , he was broken-winded . though i never put them , but six or seven dayes , to soyl , yet i ever found them the worst for it , both for colds , and their flesh being flabby . doth not every body say , when you take a horse from grass , that you take him up with a grass-cold ? and it is very true. then these horses of mannage , which are extreamly heated , and often must , of necessity , melt their grease . if you give them grass to cool them , and purge them ( as they say ) to bring it away , it being hardned like tallow , grass is too gentle to do it effectually : but i confess it dissolves some small part of it , which it doth not bring away ; and that which is dissolved , runs into their veins , and arteries , and makes them remain sick horses , so that they will never thrive . therefore , at the time of soyl , let them blood once or twice , and give them pills of alloes sicatrina two ounces , lapped up in fresh butter ; and after that , give them cooling julips twice or thrice a week , for a fortnight , or three weeks together ; and let them rest , or but walk gently out , and no grass at all : during the great heats , ride moderately , by no means violently . horses of great exercise must have dry feeding ; for moist feeding spoyls them , and fills them full of diseases and corruption ; therefore never give them grass , and but very little hay . the method thus : before their water , give them but a handful of hay , only to make them drink ; and after their water , another handful of hay , to be a barricado between their water , and their oats , that they should not shoot their oats too soon ; and then give them their oats ; and all the rest of the day , and night , nothing but wheat straw . as the italian sayes , a horse that is fed with hay , is a horse for a cart , he is so foggy and pursey ; but they say , cavallo de palla , cavallo de batalla ; and thus his flesh will be as hard as a board , in great lust , wind , and strength , and as nervous as possible can be , and in great health . excellent clean oats is the best feeding in the world ; somtimes you may give a few pease , or hul'd beans , which is very good ; but never any bread , for that makes them pursey , as we know very well by running-horses . i never give above two bushels of oats a week to every horse , and it is enough ; for they look extraordinary well with it . a horse must ever be empty before you ride him , and stand some three or four hours , both morning , and afternoon , upon the watering-bitt , to turn him from the manger , to get him a better appetite ; which is excellent good. wheat is strengthning , but it makes a horse fatt at the heart , and out of wind ; barley they give in italy and spain , but it is not our common barley ; but that which we call bigg : which is not an ill feeding , but not comparable to good oats : but in italy and spain , they give barley , because they have no oats : pease-straw will make a horse piss red like blood. if you follow this method , you will ever have your horse well , and sound . i must tell you , it is not much meat , but the ordering of the diet , that makes horses in health : nay , to some great and ready feeders ( as they call it ) you must give but a little wheat-straw ; for else they will be as pursey and fatt , as stall-fed oxen : nay , some again will eat their litter , which is very foul feeding . and then the jockeys use to put their horses upon the muzzle , which i like not by any means ; for many horses grow very sick upon it , because it doth almost smoother them ; therefore , in that case , i put on a cavezone , and tie it so straight , as he cannot eat , and then he hath his nostrils clear for breath , and is never sick. be sure , that you never dress your horse until he be cold ; for until then , he will not dress ; though i have seen many foolish grooms offer at it , to dispatch their work : nor turn them to the manger to their meat , after their exercise , until they be cold ; for , though you give them no water , or but to wash their mouths , yet eating , whilest they are hott , makes ill digestion . there is nothing conduces more to the health of horses , than to keep them three or four hours before they be rid , on the watering-bitt ; and after they are ridd , so long again on the watering-bitt , until they be cool ; and in the afternoon turn'd again on the watering-bitt three or four hours . for worms , it is good to give them brimstone in their oats , and to put bay-salt by them , which they will lick apace ; and fenugreek , and sometimes a spoonful of sweet-sallet-oyl mingled with their oats . but the most soveraign thing that ever i knew , is honey mingled with their oats . horses of great exercise , that have often great heats , as horses of mannage have , must be lett blood often , and have dry feeding ; for , moist feeding , and exercise , breeds great corruption : cooling-julips , and cooling-glisters , ( which i will set down hereafter ) are very needful to preserve their health . to make a horse have a fine coat . there are but these four things , viz. feeding well , cloathing warmly , many sweats , and dressing well . for dressing , there are these things ; the curry-comb , which only fetches out dust ; the dusting-cloath , that takes away the loose dust ; the brush , that takes the dust from the bottom of the hair ; the hard wisp , a little moistned , that takes out more dust yet from him ; and the felt a little moistned , that takes out more dust from him afterwards ; but the wett hand , which should be last , takes not only more dust , but a great deal of loose hair , which is much better than any of the former : after this , a linnen cloath to wipe them over , and then a wollen cloath , and so cloath him up. but , the best of all is the knife heat , which is the scraper ; for , when he is hot , scraping of him gets all the sweat , and moysture , out of him , so that he is dry presently after , and all that wett would turn to dust , so there is so much labour saved : besides , it gets abundance of hair from him , which the rest doth not ; so that it is the most excellent thing i know , both to cool a horse , and to make him have a good coat . you must wash his hooffs first clean , and then dry them ; and when they are dry , then anoint them ; and when his feet are pick'd , then stopp them with cow-dung . in summer he must be leightly cloathed in the heats , and his leggs and feet all wash't , and his codds , and his sheath , made clean ; for there will be a great deal of dirt in those places else ; and his yard made clean , and either washed with water or white-wine ; his temples , eyes , nostrils , and mouth , bathed with cold water in a spunge , which will much refresh him : nay , to be washed all over , and scrap't , is excellent , both for his coat and health ; and sometimes to be wash't with sope : his mane to be wash't and kept clean ; and sometimes to be wash't with sope will make it grow ; and if the hair should fall , then wash it in lee , but not too strong , for that would fetch it off : dress his mane clean every day , and pleat it up again , which will make it grow very much : you must wash his tayl very clean , up to the very dock , dock and all ; and often wett his dock with a spunge , not only to make his hair lie close , but to make it grow ; and also it doth refresh him very much , and keeps him cold handsomely . but if your horse hath a white tayl , wash it never so clean , yet he will dye it in his dung and vrine , that it will be yellow , and therefore you must wash it very clean with water and sope ; and when it is dry , put it in a bagg , and tie it up , and that will keep it clean , and white . clip his ears ; and no more of his mane , than for the head-stall to lie there ; and cut his tayl a little above his fetlock , and cut it every month to make it grow . you may dress him in as many various sorts with ribbons , as there are colours , which beautifies him much . he must be well littered with fresh rye-straw every night , and to have pasterns on his fore-feet keeps him from much hurt ; but one pasterne on his hinder foot , tyed to the pillar behind him , with a leather rein at such a length as he may lie down , doth avoid more mischief than you can imagine : the woollen cloath must alwayes be laid upon his buttock under his housing cloath ; you must alwayes have your horses to have hoods , and both they , and their housing-cloathes lined with cotten , or baies , to keep them warm . have good collers , surcingles , and padds , and a little rein to tie them up to the wall or rack ; and good wattering-bitts , which , as i told you afore , are very vseful . and be careful , after a great heat , that you give him no water till night , except only to wash his mouth : for it is very dangerous , and may spoyl him utterly ; for , a horse will be cool without , when he is not within : and the worst is but to forbear his meat a little , or to have a small body , which is much better than to have no horse . of shooing . the old saying , is , before behind , behind before . that is ; before , the veins lie behind : for , you see of his fore-feet , there is a great space on both sides , where there is no nayls at the heel : and behind , before ; for you see in his hinder-feet , there is a great space between the nayls at the toe ; because the veines lie before , at the toe ; and the veins lie behind , at the heel : and this is done for fear of pricking him . so that the saying , before behind , behind before , is very true. you must fitt the shoo to the foot , and not the foot to the shoo , as they do in flanders , and brabant ; and open his heels as much as you can , straight , and not side-wayes ; for that will cutt away all his heels in two or three shooings ; and the strength of the heels , is the strength of the foot. you must cutt the thrush handsomly too , and pare his foot as hollow as you can , the shoo may not press at all upon his foot : the shoo must come neer to the heel , and sit a little from it , and a little wider than the hooff on both sides , to enlarge the heel ; and that the shoo may bear his weight , more than his foot. the webb must be indifferent broad ; not too thinn , least it should beat into his foot ; nor so thick , either to tyre him , or with the weight to pull out the nayls . when the shoo is set on , there will be much hooff to be cutt off at the toe ; for , it must be very thick at the toe , if you do not pare him but as i have told you ; and when you have cutt it off , then smooth it with a file , or rape , and thus your horse will stand so firm , as if he had a little polonia-heel ; and his foot so strong , as not only to go boldly upon stones , but to break them , and never to hurt his feet , or feel them : for , you will easily imagine , a man can go much better upon stones with three-soal'd-shoos , than with pumps . paring a horses foot so thin as they use , is pumps , and makes him go upon his heels , as pumps doth a man ; and my way , as i have told you , is , three-soal'd-shoos , and a little polonia-heel . the nayls should be cast in a mould , with round and flatt heads , for fear of crossing one legg of another to hurt him . this for the fore-feet . the hinder-feet are to be shod just in the same manner as the fore-feet was , both for opening the heels , cutting the thrush , and cutting off at the toe , to leave it thick ; only the hinder shooes must be made answerable to the form of his hinder-feet : the webb somewhat broad , but the nayls of his hinder-feet should be ordinary nayls , and the heads a little bigger and sharper , for stopping , to take hold of the earth , lest he might , with sliding , incord himself ; the nayls ought to be so , because a horse of mannage goes on the hanches , which is most of his hinder-feet ; and wears his hinder shooes twice as fast as his fore shooes : and this is the right way of shooing a horse of mannage . a travelling horse must be shod after the same manner , but a little straighter ; for otherwise , in ill wayes , he will pull off his shooes ; the webb must be a little narrower . a hunting-horse must also be shod after the same way , but much narrower than the travelling-horse , eeven with his foot , and the webb much narrower , or else he will indanger to lame himself , upon ill grounds , and to indanger you with falling ; besides pulling off his shooes . a running-horse's shooes are so narrow at the webb , and so thin , as they are called plates , rather than shooes ; it is not only for leightness , but that the fresh nayls , being newly shod , may take better hold of the earth , to prevent slipping : for , could the nayls be put in without shooes , as eeven , and regularly , it would do as well ; but that cannot be , and therefore you must have plates for that end , which is the only end of plates . what is to be done , when the hair from the mane and tayl falls away . search both mane and tayl well with your finger , and anoynt the place with this vnguent . take quick-silver , and tryed hoggs grease ; the quick-silver being first mortified with fasting-spittle : incorporate them very well together , till the hoggs grease be of a perfect ash colour , and anoynt the sorrance therewith , every day ; holding a hott barr of iron neer , to cause the oyntment to sink in , and in three or four dayes thus carefully dressing him , he will be well . this is a very good receipt , and i have often used it : but i would advise you , first to lett him blood , a good quantity , both in the neck and tayl. to cause the hair to grow again . take the dung of a goat , newly made ; ordinary honey , allom , and the blood of a hogg ; the allom being first made into fine powder . boyl all these together , and rubb , and anoynt the places therewith every day , and it will cause the hair to come again apace . this is special good. i use to preserve my horses manes , making them very clean from all filth and dust with the brush ; then wash them with a little sope : and having wash'd out the sope , pleat them up in great pleats , and undo them every day , pleat them again ; and this will make them grow wonderfully : for , their manes being loose , they are apt to break , especially when they are ridd , by reason of the bridle , cavezone reins , and hand , that rubbs against them : therefore , but upon high dayes , let their manes be alwayes pleated . their tayls should be always kept clean , and wash't with sope sometimes , but wash't clean every day ; and when they are dry , comb'd out carefully , for fear of breaking the hair : let his dock be wetted with a spunge often in a day , which will both make it grow , and make the hair to lie eeven ; and his tayl cutt every month , which will both make it grow , and grow thick . to observe the time of the moon , is but an old foppery ; but to lett him blood in the tayl , is very good. now you must understand , that what you take many times for dust in his mane , are little worms , which eat the roots of the hair away : this is easily known from dust ; because , if the hair falls , you may be very sure they are wormes . the cure is thus : make a prety strong lie , and wash his mane with it once a day , and he will be cured ; but you must take heed , that the lie be not too strong ; for , if it be , that alone will burn all the hair of his mane off : so the cure will be worse than the disease . rare receipts , jvlips , glisters , and potions , for cooling a horse over-heated by violent exercise : promised before . for a horse that hath a cold , take half a pound of honey , half a pound of treakle , mix these together : then take an ounce of cumminseed , beaten into powder ; an ounce of liquorish pouder , an ounce of bay-berries beaten into pouder , and an ounce of anniseeds in pouder : then mix all these powders together , and put so much of them as shall make it thick as a hasty-pudding . after the horse is ridden , give it him with a stick to lick off ; and if he have a cold , give him of it , both before , and after , he is ridden ; for , no better medicine there is not . when a horse is over-ridden , to comfort him . take a pinte of sweet milk , and put three yolks of eggs beaten into it ; then make it luke-warm , and then put in three penny-worth of saffron , and one penny-worth of sallet-oyle , which is two or three spoonfulls , and give it the horse , in a horn : you may give him near a quart of milk. this is an excellent drink . honey is the most excellent thing in the world , both for the lungs , a cold , and to open all obstructions , putting one good spoonful into his oats , and so to continue this medicine for a pretty time . i have known it recover a very pursey horse . horses of great exercise , or that are over-heated , and have great fire in their bodies , must be lett blood often ; nay , twice or thrice within a few dayes , one after another ; and still lett blood , untill you see good blood comes : to lett such a horse blood in the mouth , and then rubb his mouth with salt , and let him eat his blood , is an excellent thing : but you must purge him well , that his grease may come away ; for , horses of great exercise would else be alwayes foundered in the body , and then they will never thrive until that melted grease be brought away . the best purge , is two ounces of aloes sicatrina , lapt up in butter , and made into two pills , and so give it your horse after he hath rested awhile ; then give him this following and refreshing drink , which is the best julip in the world : take mel rosatum , or honey of roses . conserves of damask-roses . conserve of burrage . sirrup of violets . of each four ounces . burrage water . endive water . suckory water . bugloss water . plantine water . of each half a dutch pint , which is near as much as an english quart. then you are to use both these conserves and waters , thus : put all the conserves into a morter , and beat them , or pownd them together , and then mix them by little and little , with the waters , till they be well mixt together ; and then give them all together in a horn , to the horse , without straining : do not give it cold by any means . hott sirrup of lemmons added to it , is very good : give it twice or thrice a week for a fortnight at least , and let the horse rest afterwards . feed your horse all the time of this great heat within him , with wheat-brann amongst his oats , and wash them in a little beer , if he likes it . this brann is the best thing in the world to get-out his belly , and to moisten him , because it dries up all superfluous humours which heat him : in his water , when you water him , put also wheat — brann into it , and let him eat of that brann also . this is most excellent ; and will not only cool him , and moisten him , but also loosen his skin , if he be apt to be hide — bound , which all heat doth . lettises are very good to cool him ; suckory roots , or endive roots , are all one . to boyl suckory roots in his water is very good ; and purslane , to give it him now and then to eat , is also very good : to sprinkle his hay with water , and to give him radishes to make him piss , will cool him . and let him have no violent exercise , until he be recovered , but gentle-walking . this is the most excellent thing in the world ; beyond all the printed books of receipts . to cool and refresh a horse . give him carrots with his oats , or upon his watering — bitt ; apples is excellent , and so muskmellons , or the skins of them : to wash his oats in small beer , is also very excellent . a receipt of the cooling-julip , or diet-drink , that doctor davison doth give in feavers take barley water two pints : of sirrup of violets two ounces : of sirrup of lemmons one ounce : mix them together , and use this water to quench their thirst . a julip for feavers to bind the body , if it be loose . take one ounce of ivory , and one ounce of harts — horn ; raspe them , and put them in three paris — pintes of water , and let them boyl together , until the half be consumed ; then strain it through a cloth : and put to this liquor , four ounces of the best juce of barberies , and one ounce and a half of sirrup of pomgranets . this is to be used to cool . these are excellent for feavers in horses as well as men : only you must give a third , or a fourth part more to horses , since they have stronger bodies ; else the disease is all one , and the remedy is all one : and this method will cure both man and horse ; and all other wayes are pernicious to them both , which is either physick that purges , or hott-cordials ; only when he is cured , then a purge , as i said before , to take away the dreggs that remain ; and no more . a cooling-potion which is most excellent . take a quart of whey , and four or five ounces of sirrup of violets , and four or five ounces of cassia , and a little manna ; and this will both cool , and purge gently , and is a most excellent remedy for horses of great exercise . to take the very same at the other end , will do much good to cool the bowels ; and is a very rare , and soveraign cooling glister . all these cooling things are most excellent for horses of great exercise , which are over-heated , and surfeited with riding , so you give them first the purge of aloes , to bring away their grease . here ends the first part. the second part . of riding , and dressing horses upon the grovnd . there is no man can make or dress a horse perfectly , that doth not exactly understand all the natural paces , and actions of a horses leggs , in every one of them ; and all the actions of his leggs , made by art. it is a general rule , that art must never be against nature ; but must follow nature , and set her in order . of the natvral paces . first . of a horse upon his walk . the action of his leggs in that motion , is , two leggs in the ayre , and two leggs upon the ground , at the same time moved cross , fore-legg and hinder-legg cross , which is the true motion of a slow trott . secondly . in a trott . the action of his leggs , is , two leggs in the ayre , and two leggs upon the ground , at the same time moved cross ; fore - and hinder legg cross ; which is the motion of legg a swifter walk : for , in a walk , and a trott , the motion of the horse's legges are all one , which his leggs makes cross , two in the ayre cross , and two upon the ground cross , at the same time ; fore - legg and hinder-legg cross ; and every remove changes his leggs cross ; as those that were in the ayre cross , are now set down ; and those that were upon the ground cross , are now pull'd up in the ayre cross . and this is the just motion of a horse's legges in a trott . thirdly . for an amble , he removes both his leggs of a side : as for example ; take the farr-side , he removes his fore-legg , and his hinder-legg , of the same side at one time , whilst the other two leggs of the near-side stand still ; and when those leggs are upon the ground which he first removed , at the same time they are upon the ground the other side ; which is , the near-side removes fore-legg and hinder-legg on that side , and the other leggs of the farr-side stand still . thus an amble removes both his leggs of a side , and every remove changes sides ; two of a side in the ayre , and two upon the ground at the same time . and this is a perfect amble . fourthly . a gallop is another motion : for , in a gallop he may lead with which fore-legg you please ; but then the hinder-legg of the same side must follow it , i mean when he gallops straight forwards ; and then this is a perfect gallop . but to understand what is meant by his fore-legg leading , and his hinder-legg on the same side following ; that fore-legg is thus . as for example : if the farr-fore-legg lead , by that fore-legg leading , is meant , that fore-legg must be before the other fore-legg alwayes , and the hinder-legg to follow it on the same side ; which hinder-legg must alwayes be before the other hinder-legg : and this is a true gallop . but now to shew you , that the motion of a gallop is thus : the horse liffts both his fore-leggs up at a time , in that action that i told you , which is one legg before the other ; and as his fore-leggs are falling , i say before they touch the ground , his hinder-leggs in that posture i formerly told you , follow his fore-leggs , being once all in the ayre at one time ; for as his fore-leggs are falling , his hinder-leggs moves at the same time , and then he is all in the ayre : for , how is it possible else , that as a horse is running , he should spring forward twice his length , were not the motion of a gallop a leap froward ? and this description is most true both in the motion and posture of a horses leggs ; when he gallops : in a soft and slow gallop it is hardly perceived , though it be true ; but in running , where the motion is more violent , it is easily perceived : for there it is plain ; you shall see all his four feet in the ayre at one time , ( running being but a swift gallop ; ) for the motion and posture of his leggs are all one . but you must remember , that galloping upon circles , the horse always ought to lead with his two leggs , within the turn ; fore-legg , and hinder-legg within the turn . and this is a true gallop . fifthly . when a horse runns , the motion he makes , and the action of his leggs , are all one with a gallop ; only a swifter motion , which you may call a swift gallop ; and a gallop a slow running : and this is the truth of the motion of running . now i must tell you of that which every body speaks of , and no body tells what it is : for , they say , a horse may gallop with the wrong legg before , which is impossible . for , if the hinder-legg of the same side followes , it is a right gallop ; so that rather it is the wrong legg behind . but that which they call the wrong legg before , is thus a true gallop , if that legg which leads before , is follow'd by the hinder-legg of the same side ; and as the horse falls with his two fore-leggs , his hinder-leggs follow them , before his fore-leggs touch the ground ; so that at that very time all the horses four leggs are in the ayre , and it is a leap forward . that which they call the wrong legg before , is this , when the horse is upon the motion , in the swiftness of a gallop , he changes his leggs cross ; which is the action of a trott , two leggs in the ayre , and two upon the ground ; and that is so contrary to a gallop , and is such a cross motion , as makes the horse ready to fall : and this is one way of that which they call , the wrong legg before . another way is this , that when the horse is upon the action of a gallop ; as i told you before , in the swiftness of a gallop , where he should keep alwayes two leggs of a side forward , he changes sides every time , fore-legg and hinder-legg of a side ; and changing sides every time , that is the action of an amble , which is two leggs of a side in the ayre , and two leggs of the other side upon the ground at the same time , and changing sides every time. this action of an amble , upon the swiftness of a gallop , differs so much from the action of a gallop , as it makes the horse ready to fall : and these two , the action of a trott , and the action of an amble , upon the swiftness of a gallop , is that which their ignorance calls , the wrong legg before . it is true , that though a horse do gallop right , which is his hinder-legg to follow his fore-legg on the same side ; yet if he be not accustomed to that side , he will gallop neither so nimbly , nor so fast , as with that side he is accustomed to lead withal : for , it is just as a left-handed , or a right-handed man ; custom having a very great power over man and beast : else , when the horse gallops forward , never so little a gallop , his hinder-leggs go beyond the print of his fore-leggs , and that legg that he leads withal . for example ; if the inward fore-legg lead , the inward hinder-leg follows ; so those are prest , and his outward leggs at liberty : so that in the action he makes , his outward fore-legg is set to the ground first , and is at liberty ; that 's one time : and then his inward fore-legg , which is prest , and leads , makes a second time ; that 's two : and then his outward hinder-legg , which is at liberty , is set down ; that 's three times : and then his inward hinder-legg , which is prest , and leads , is set down ; and that makes a fourth time . so that a gallop forward is , , , and . which is the just action and time of a gallop forward , and is a leap forward . now upon circles , his croup out upon a gallop , he must alwayes lead with his inward leggs to the turn , and strikes over but sometimes ; not so much , but that the action of the gallop is all one ; which is , , , and . and a leap forward . of a trot . a trott is the foundation of a gallop : the reason is , a trott being cross , and a gallop both leggs of a side ; when you trott him fast , beyond the power of a trott , it forces him when his inward fore-legg is up , to set down his outward hinder-legg so suddenly , as to make his inward hinder-legg to follow his inward fore-legg , which is a true gallop . and thus a trott is the foundation of a gallop . a gallop is the foundation of terra a terra , for the actions of the horses leggs are all one ; leading with the fore-legg within the turn ; and following that legg with his hinder-legg within the turn ; only you stay him a little more on the hand in terra a terra , that he may go in time. an amble , being a shuffling action , i would have banish't the mannage ; for the horse removes both his leggs of a side , and changes sides every remove ; which is so contrary to the mannage , as can be : but if you make him to gallop ; whereas upon a trott , you trott him fast to take his gallop , you must upon the amble stay him upon the hand to take his gallop . a true description of all the natural & artificial motions a horse can make. first , for terra a terra , the horse alwayes leads with the leggs within the turn , like a gallop ; his two fore-leggs up , and as they are falling , his two hinder-leggs follow ; and at that time , all his four leggs are in the ayre ; so that it is a leap forward ; the same upon demy-vaults ; for it is all but the action of terra a terra . now when the horses croup is in , whether upon a little gallop , or terra a terra , here his hinder-leggs are alwayes short of his fore-legs , because his croup is in ; but if it be le petit gallop , his action is still , , , & . because it is a gallop . but in terra a terra , the action is but two , a & pa : ta : like a corvet , but only prest forward : a corvet is a leap upward , and higher ; and terra a terra a leap forward , and lower ; and his inward leggs that lead more before his outward leggs , being another action than a corvet . secondly , corvets , a demy-ayre , a groupado , a balatado , or a capriol , are all but a leap upward ; for all his four leggs are in the ayre , as his fore-parts are falling . and there are no more artificial motions than these two ; terra a terra , and these ayres last-mentioned . the ordering of the cavezone my way , and the operation and use of it . take one of the reins , which must be long , and a little ring at one end , and put the other end into that ring , and so put it about the pommel , and then put the rest down by the fore-bolster of the saddle under your thigh ; and the rest of the rein put through the ring on the same side of the cavezone , and so bring it back again , either to be in your hand , or tie it to the pommel straight ; and do the same with the other rein in all things , as i told you with this. the cavezone is to stay , to raise , and to make the horse leight ; to teach him to turn , to stop , to firm his neck , to assure and adjust his head , and his croup , without offending his mouth , or the place of the curb ; and also to supple and help his shoulders , and his leggs and feet before . therefore i would use it to all horses whatsoever ; for they will go much better with the bitt alone , having their mouth preserved , and made so sensible , as they will be attentive to all the motions of the hand : so that there is nothing for the exercise of the mannage like it , with a canon a la pignatel , the branches a la conestable , and the cavezone together : but then the cavezone must be my way , as i told you ; and that doth so supple them , and is so right , as it makes all horses whatsoever , if you work them upon their trott , gallop , stopping , and going back , with passeger , and raising them as you ought , and according to the rules of art : for this makes them subject to the sense of feeling , which is the sence we ought to work on ; to feel the hand , and to feel the heels , which is all ; and not to the sense of the sight , which is the routin of the pillars , or the sense of noise , which is the routin of hearing , but only the sense of feeling , and only of those two places , which is the mouth and the sides . seeing is all the art when they teach horses tricks , and gambals , like bankes's horse ; and though the ignorant admire them , yet those persons shall never teach a horse to go well in the mannage . there are many things in the sense of feeling , which are to be done with so great art , witt , and judgement , and require so great experience of the several dispositions of horses , that it is not every mans case to be an horse-man , as it is to make a dogg or a horse dance : but i am contented to let the ignorant talk , and think what they will , for i am not concerned with their folly. the cavezon's inward rein tyed short to the pommel my way , is excellent to give a horse an apuy , and settle him upon the hand , and make him firm , and his head steady : so it is excellent for a horse that is too hard on the hand ; for the cavezon's rein being always within the turn tyed very straight to the pommel , keeps him from resting too much on the bitt , which makes him leight , and firm on the hand . the inward cavezone's rein tied short to the pommel , is excellent also to supple a horse's shoulders , which is the best thing that can be ; for it gives apuy where there is none , and where there is too much apuy , it takes it away , and supples his shoulders extreamly , which is an excellent thing ; it also makes a horse gallop very right , with his leggs , as also his leggs very right for terra a terra ; for it lengthens his leggs within the turn , and shortens his leggs without the turn , which is right as it should be . so it is good for working his shoulders in all kindes , and his croup last , legg and rein of a side , as also to work legg and rein contrary , in all kinds of several lessons . and this is the rarety of tying the inward cavezone's rein short to the pommel . the cavezone ( my way ) works powerfully upon the nose , and so hath the greater pull to give the horse the greater ply and bent , being the part the farthest off from your hand . and this ply , or bent , is from his nose to his withers , which is to bend his neck , and works too on the shoulders , this is to bent into the turn ; it pulls his head down too , and makes him look into the turn ; his head being pulled down when he is prest , puts him more upon the hanches . this is done with the inward rein of the cavezone pulled hard , and straight , and so tied to the pommel , which keeps it at a stay , and is stronger than ones hand , and hath the same operation as i told you before ; but when it is tied to the pommel , it still keeps the right bent of the horse , and then i work upon the bitt , either with the reins separated with both my hands , or else in my left hand only when he is thus bent : when i would passeger him , his croup in , large or narrow , then i help with the outward rein of the bridle ; because it is upon the action of a trott , and that is cross ; and therefore must have his leggs free without the turn , to lap over his inward leggs ; and when he is thus tied with the inward cavezones rein , if i would have him to go le petit gallop , his croup in , or terra a terra , then i help with the inward rein of the bridle , my hand on the outside of his neck , and my knuckles towards his neck , to put him on the outside of the turn : but le petit gallop sometimes on the inside , because it is a gallop , as the outward rein puts him on the inside of the turn ; all this is with his croup in. if to trott or gallop d'une piste , large or narrow circles , the inward cavezone's rein still tyed to the pommel , then i help with the inward rein , and inward legg , or outward rein to narrow him before : if the piroite , with the outward rein ; if demy-voltoes upon passadoes , the outward rein ; for all leaps , the outward rein ; for corvets and demy-ayres , the outward rein ; for corvets backward , the outward rein ; for corvets forward , the outward rein ; for terra a terra , in his length , the inward rein : and so passadoes , the inward rein. so , stopping , and going back , the inward rein. all these with the inward rein of the cavezone tyed straight to the pommel , which is the best thing in the world , and then help with the several reins of the bridle , as occasion offers you , and as i have told you for all these several things . so that the inward cavezon's rein tyed to the pommel , or else in your hand , is , for all things whatsoever ; croup , in or out ; trott , gallop , passager ; all ayres , stopping , going back , passadoes ; or any thing in the world that is in the mannage : for without it no horse can be perfectly drest , in any kind , to have the ply of his neck , and to supple his shoulders , to look into the turn , to have his leggs go right , as they ought to do in all actions ; his body rightly bent , to be part of the circle he goes in , and bent that way . so it is all in all for every thing , every ayre , and every action the horse can make . the cavezone being upon the nose , preserves the horse's mouth , and barrs , and place of the curb ; and it is so effectual , as it will dress a horse without the bitt , which the bitt shall never do without the cavezone ; for the barrs and the curb are too tender : besides , the reins of the bitt can never give him the ply , nor bend him enough , nor supple his shoulders , because it is so near you , and works upon the barrs and the curb ; which cannot bend him possibly so , as that upon his nose , because the branches of the bitt are so slow , and the barrs and the curb so low , that there is not room enough to pull as with a cavezone , that is so much higher ; and hath so much room to pull , and pulls and plyes him , all from his nose to his shoulders , when the other can do little more than pull his musle , and his head , and goes no further : the cavezone's rein within is for every thing , the bitt otherwise . to supple his shoulders , you must help with the outward rein , and to stay his outward shoulder with the inward rein ; which hath not near the force the cavezone's rein hath for every thing : therefore use it in all things , and with all horses , colts , half-drest horses , ready horses , young , middle-age , old , and every horse , and all horses ; for there is no dressing horses without it , and with it you will dress all horses whatsoever , and of what disposition soever ; weak , middle-strength , or strong , and reduce all vices with it ; and when you use the bitt , they will go much the better , for having been wrought continually with the cavezone . observations about the cavezone , about the ply , or bending the horse's shoulders into the turn ; and in what place the cheeks of the bitt then are , or where they rest . when the inward rein of the cavezone is tyed hard to the pommel , and you pull the inward rein of the bridle , his neck bends so much into the turn , whether upon large circles , his croup out , or his croup in , as then the cheek of the bitt , that is next the turn , is beyond the inside of his neck or shoulder , and the outward cheek , removed according to the distance of the cheeks , which is much more than the midst of his neck : and this ply supples his neck and shoulders extreamly , makes him look into the turn ; head , body , leggs , and all going most justly , as they ought to do , whether his croup in , or out . and this is the quintessence of the mannage ; and without this no horse can be drest perfectly , or can go justly in any kind , either upon the ground , or in ayres ; nor possibly do any thing right upon the circles , or voltoes without it . i told you this was , with the cavezone , the inward rein tyed so short to the pommel , as pulls in his head and neck so much , that it makes the inward cheek of the bitt very much within his neck , on the inside of the turn ; because the cavezone works on his nose , and not on his barrs , or curb , at all ; and that 's the reason the inward cheek of the bitt comes so much beyond his neck on the inside of the turn . of the operation of the cavezone . the cavezone is another business than the bitt ; for the bitt works upon the barrs , and the curb , and hath two cheeks whereunto unto the reins are fastned on both sides the horses neck ; and the bitt is in his mouth , and the curb is under his chin ; and these low , especially the branches : but the cavezone is upon his nose , which is much higher , and works only there , without mouth or curb . well then , the cavezone being tyed according to my fashion , though it be to the girths , if you pull it cross his neck , with an oblique line , your hand on the outside of the turn , your knuckles towards his neck , it pulls his head up a little , and works the same effect , for the bending his neck , as the bitt doth , but much more ; because you have a greater pull , the cavezone being upon his nose ; and , being further off you than the bitt , he is bent the more ; because you have more power to pull . consider , that when the inward rein of the cavezone is tyed to the pommel , it is the same oblique line that the other was , when you had it in your hand , only a little shorter , and hath the same operation in every thing , and pulls up his head a little ; but now , if you have it in your hand , and hold it on the inside of the turn , and pull it hard , and low , then you pull down the horses head , and he brings in his outward shoulder , which is good in large circles , either upon trotting , or galloping , or upon passager , for the reasons i told you before ; so that the cavezone , and the bitt , differ so much in their operative working , that when you pull the cavezone a little high , it puts up the horses head ; and when you pull the bitt high , and hard , it pulls down his head ; and when you hold the cavezone low , and on the inside of the turn , and pull it hard , it pulls down the horses head ; and if you hold your hand low with the bridle , it gives his head liberty , for the reasons aforesaid . now you see , that the cavezone , and the bitt , differ in their working very much ; so great is the difference betwixt the nose and the mouth . it is true , that the inward cavezone's rein tyed to the pommel , is so rare a thing , and so effectual , as you may almost work as you list , with the bridle ; the cavezone still doing the business ; and when one comes to work with the bridle alone , one may easily be deceived ; except he hath all those considerations , the excellency of the cavezone , thus tied , may deceive him , when he comes to work with the bitt alone . there are three several helps with the inward cavezone's rein in your hand : the first help , is , to pull in his outward shoulder ; the second help , with it , is , to pull in his inward shoulder ; and the third help , with it , is , to stay his shoulders . curious and true observations about the working of the bitt alone , which being not truly considered , no man can work with the bitt as he ought to do . but to work only with the reins of the bridle , which work upon the bitt , is another business ; for now i consider what the bitt is , which is another engine , that works upon the horses barrs , and the curb ; and the two branches are like leavers to work on those two places : as the reins pull the cheeks , either the inward cheek , or the outward cheek ; the barrs , and the place of the curb , is much lower than his nose , on which the cavezone works ; and the rings where the reins of the bridle are fastned , at the ends of the cheeks , are much lower than the barrs , or the curb ; but as the cheeks are pull'd by the reins of the bridle , so doth the bitt work upon the barrs , or the curb , accordingly . as for example ; on the right hand , the reins separated in both your hands , if you pull the inward rein from his neck on the inside , then you pull the inward cheek into the turn , and then the mouth of the bitt goes out , and presses the horse on his barrs , without the turn ; and makes the horse look out of the turn , and presses the curb on the outside , and must of necessity do so ; for when the cheeks are pulled in , the mouth of the bitt must go out : for of what side soever the cheeks are pulled , the mouth of the bitt goes still contrary to the cheeks , and must do so in all reason ; the bitt being an instrument that is made so to do , and it cannot be otherwise . the same operation it hath for the left hand : if you pull the inward rein from his neck , the mouth goes still contrary to the cheek ; the cheek goes inward , and the mouth goes outward , and the horses leggs are prest on the inside of the turn ; therefore in terra a terra , the reins separated in both my hands , i pull the inward rein beyond his neck , my knuckles towards his neck , which pulls the inward cheek to me , and then the mouth goes contrary ; that is , the cheek is put from the turn , and the mouth bends into the turn , and the horse looks into the turn as he should do , and the horses leggs prest on the outside of the turn , on the left hand : the inward rein pull'd thus , hath the same operation ; your hand being on the outside of his neck , and your knuckles towards his neck , pulls the inward cheek from the turn , and the mouth of the bitt goes into the turn , alwayes contrary , and cannot be otherwise ; it presses the horse on the inside of the barrs , and on the inside of the curb , and so looks into the turn ; and his leggs are prest on the outside of the turn , which is proper for terra a terra . and thus working with the bitt , produces many excellent things , for terra a terra , as i have particularly set down afore . of the working with the outward rein of the bridle . now let us consider the working with the outward rein of the bridle , what operation that hath on the barrs , curb , and cheeks ; which cheeks governs barrs and curb : as for example ; going on the right hand , i turn my hand on the inside of his neck , this pulls the outward rein ; pulling the outward rein , pulls the outward cheek to me ; then of necessity it must put the mouth of the bitt from me , and presses the horse on the outside of the barrs , which is on the outside of the turn , and so presses him on the out-side of the curb , and so the horse must look on the outside of the turn ; and all this is , because the cheeks are pull'd to you on the outside ; therefore the mouth of the bitt must go from you ; still contrary , and never fails , nor cannot : for , it is impossible it should work otherwise ; but it is true , that it supples , and brings in his shoulders . the reason is this , the horses leggs are prest on the inside of the turn , and then he must needs bring in his shoulders , though he is prest to look out of the turn . the same thing is for the left hand , and the same reasons for every thing , working with the outward rein of the bridle . thus the bitt and reins are truly anatomized , which never was before : the outward rein doth well for the piroite , and so for demy-voltoes upon passadoes . of the the working the bitt when the horse goes straight forward . when the horse goes straight forward , either trotting , galloping , or upon corvets , if you hold your hand low , it presses more upon the barrs , than the curb , because the cheeks of the bitt are not pull'd so much to you , or to the neck of the horse ; and therefore the curb is not straightned so much , and so the horse is at more liberty , and his head a little higher : but when you hold your bridle-hand a little higher , and pull it up to you , then the curb works more , and pulls down the horses head ; the reason is plain ; for when you pull the cheeks hard , and up , then you pull the mouth of the bitt down ; and so the horses head , because it works hard on the curb : for it is most true , that when the cheeks of the bitt are pull'd up , the mouth goes down , and straightens the curb , the hand being high ; and when the cheeks are not pull'd hard , then the curb is slackt , and the horses head at more liberty ; for the pressure of the barrs and curb , depends upon the cheeks ; for when the cheeks goe up , the mouth of the bitt goes down ; and when the cheeks of the bitt goe down , the mouth of the bitt goes up. this is the operation , and the effects , of the bitt . of another operation of the bitt . i must tell you , that the cheeks lie slope to you , and the reins more slope , before they come to your hand ; so the bitt cannot press very much on the horse , being so farr from the perpendicular-line : and as the cheeks are pull'd up , the mouth goes down ; and as the cheeks goe down , the mouth goes up ; alwayes contrary . the perpendicular-line , is , when you thrust your hand forward just perpendicular , to the end of the cheeks , and so pull it up hard , and it works extreamly upon the curb , which is to pull his head down . this i never use ; but thought fit to tell you what it is , and the effects of it . of the operation of the two reins separated in both hands . i told you , the inward rein prest the horse on the outside of the turn , and made him look into the turn . and i told you , the outward rein prest the horse on the inside of the turn , and made him look out of the turn ; and for passager , he must be prest on the inside , and therefore to be help't with the outward rein : but to make him look into the turn , i help with the inward rein too ; so i help with both reins in passager ; the inward rein to make him look into the turn , and the outward rein to bring in his outward shoulder , and to press him on the inside , for many reasons that i have already exprest . to work with the bridle in the left hand only . your little finger separating the reins , the left rein lies under the little finger , and the right rein lies above the little finger ; so that for the left hand , the hand on the contrary side of his neck , the knuckles towards his neck , you pull the little finger to you , and that straightens the left rein : and for the right rein , because that lies above the little finger , your hand on the outside , your knuckles towards his neck : here you must bend your hand inward , and then your little finger slacker ; and this works the right rein , as the left rein the little finger straightned , and the ring-finger slack't ; and because the horses body should not rise too high , keep the bridle-hand low , and that will put him upon the hanches : and this is the truth and quintessence of the bridle-hand , for the inward rein of either side . of the operation of the outward rein of the bridle . for the right hand , you must turn up your little finger ; and as you put it up , put it a little on the inside of the turn ; but you must bring in your outward shoulder at the same time : and for the left hand , turn up your little finger , and your thumb down . as you did before ; and at the same time put it on the inside of the turn , and bring in your outward shoulder moderately . the reins being both in your left hand , how to work them both at one time for passager . for the right hand , put your hand on the outside : and for the left hand , put your hand without his neck on the inside of the turn , and that pulls and works , the outward rein. so now you see , on both hands , how you can perfectly work both reins at one time , which is the quintessence of passager ; the reasons i have told you afore . of the vse of the two reins of the bridle . you must help with the outward rein of the bridle in the piroite , because his fore-parts are straightned , and his hinder-parts at liberty ; so you must help with the outward rein of the bridle for demy-voltoes , and in passadoes by a wall ; because his fore-parts are straightned , and his hinder-parts at liberty , being but half a piroite ; so you must help with the outward rein of the bridle , in corvets backward upon a straight line , his fore-parts being straightned ; and his hinder-parts at liberty , because they lead : so you must help with the outward rein of the bridle , in all leaps , croupadoes , balotadoes , and capriols ; either forward , or upon voltoes ; because his fore-parts are straightned , and his croup at liberty , or else he could not leap. for terra a terra , you must help with the inward rein of the bridle ; because then his hinder-parts are straightned , and his fore-parts inlarged ; so with the inward rein for demy-voltoes , because his hinder-parts are straightned , and his fore-parts inlarged : but in corvets upon voltoes , the outward rein , because his hinder-parts are subjected , and his fore-parts inlarged , and so forward ; in corvets with the outward rein , because there his hinder-parts are subjected , and his fore-parts are inlarged , and at liberty to go forward , because they lead . observations how to hold the reins of the bridle . whensoever you hold your hand even with the pommel , it slackens the curb ; if in the middle of the pommel , it is slacken'd more ; if upon his neck , it is slackned most , because it is farthest from the perpendicular line ; and the higher you hold your bridle-hand above the pommel , the curb is straightned the more ; because you can pull harder , and go neerer , by that means , to the perpendicular line . the hand should never be above two or three fingers above the pommel , a little forwarder , and easie , but firm ; for there is nothing makes a horse go more of the hanches , than a light hand , and firm ; for when he hath nothing to rest on before , he will rest behind ; for , he will rest on something ; and when he rests behind , that 's upon the hanches : a leight hand is the greatest secret we have ; but there is no horse can be firm of the hand , except he suffers the curb , and obey it . here ends the quintessence of working with the cavezone , and the bridle . my opinion for spurrs . the spurrs ought rather to be long-neckt , than short neckt ; because with long-neckt spurrs , the rider makes less motion , either in correcting , or helping his horse , which a good horse-man should alwayes do ; for he that is the quietest on horse-back , is the greatest master ; for ill horse-men cannot sit still on horse-back . the fashion of the spurrs should be a la conestable , the wansnot too long , and compas'd , and black sanguine ; the buckles and rowels of silver , not burnisht ; because they do not rust as iron , and therefore ranckles not a horses sides so much . the rowels should contain six points , for that hits a horse best ; five points are too few : and the rowells should be as sharp as possible can be ; for it is much better to let him bleed freely , than with dull spurrs to raise knobs and bunches on his side , which might give him the farsey ; but bleeding can do him no hurt , when dull spurrs may : besides , there is nothing doth a horse so much good , as to make him smart , when you correct him : there is , therefore , nothing like sharp spurrs , being used discreetly , to make all horses whatsoever know them , fear them , and obey them ; for until they suffer , with obedience , the spurrs , they are but half horses , and never drest . the shambriere is too dull a thing ; and so are all whips , hand-whips , and all ; whips of wyre fetch blood , but not in the right place , as spurrs do . a bulls-pisle is good for a colt , before you wear spurrs , but afterward it is too dull ; a smart rod is much better than any of them ; but the spurrs beyond all . of the several corrections , and helps with the spurrs . first , the correction of the spurrs being a punishment comes after a fault is committed , either to put in his buttock or croup , when he puts it out ; or else to put it out , when he puts it too much in , when he should be entier ; this is to be done with one spur , and sometimes with both spurrs : he is to be corrected with both spurrs when he is resty , and will not go forward ; or to settle him on the hand , when he joggles his head , then both the spurrs will do him good ; or when he is apprehensive , and ombrageux , the spurrs may do him good ; or that he offers to bite or strike , then the spurrs will divert him ; or that he rises too high , or boltes , then give him the spurrs ; when he is falling half-way down , then the spurrs will cure him ; but if you give him the spurrs , just when he is rising , then it may bring him over , if he will not advance , which is to rise before ; then a good stroke with both the spurrs , will make him rise ; if he be a dull jade , then smartly to give him the spurrs is good ; or that he is lazy , or slack of his mannage , then to give him the spurrs quickens him . and so the spurrs are for many things as a correction , and therefore you must give them as strongly , and sharply , still as you can , with all your strength ; and have very sharp spurrs too , that he may feel them to the purpose , so that blood may follow ; for otherwise it is not a correction : you must strike the horse always some three or four fingers behind the girthes , and sometimes towards the flancks , if it he be to put in his croup : and , believe it , there is nothing like the spurrs ; for , what makes him sensible to the heel , but the spurrs ? therefore use them , and use them until he obey you ; for no horse can be a ready-horse , until he obeys the heel . but , remember you do not dull him with the spurrs ; for then he will not care for them no more than a stone , or a block ; therefore you must give them sharply , when you give them ; but give them but seldom , and upon just occasion . when he maliciously rebell 's against what you would have him do , leave not spurring of him , and soundly , until he obey you : and when he obeys you in the least kind , leight off , and send him to the stable , and the next morning try him again ; and if he obey in the least kind , cherish him , and make much of him ; and forgive him many faults the next morning , that he may see you have mercy as well as justice , and that you can reward , as well as punish . and now you see , corrections are better than helps , and of what great efficacy the spurrs timely and discreetly given , are for the dressing of horses ; for there is but the hand and the heels , and so the spurrs are half the business in dressing horses ; only the hand hath the preheminence : though there be two spurrs , and but one bridle , because the horse hath but one mouth , and two sides ; yet , if the horse be not settled upon the hand , you cannot make him subject to the heels . but the correction of the spurrs is so necessary , and effectual , as no horse can be made a ready-horse without them ; and therefore esteem them highly , next setling a horse upon the hand ; which must be first . all helps are to prevent faults , and to go before faults ; as corrections come after faults , to punish for offending . the spurrs are to be used as a help thus ; when the horse goes terra a terra , your outward legg close to him when he slacks , turn your heel to him to pinch him with the spurrs ; which you may easily do , even to blood , and no body perceive it ; for that ought to be done neatly , and delicately , because the spurrs are a neat , and most excellent help , and the quintessence of all helps in the mannage ; and if the horse suffer and obey this , whilst you stay him on the hand , you may say , he is an excellent horse . this quickens him , and puts him forward ; but yet let me tell you , though this is an excellent help for terra a terra , yet it is not so good a help for terra a terra , as it is for all ayres ; either to pinch him with both the spurrs , or but with one : and the reason , is , because it makes him croup more , and puts him together on his hinder-parts , than puts him forward ; and therefore more proper for all manner of ayres , than for terra a terra , though very good for both . and thus much for that excellent help with the spurrs , call'd pinching . there is another help with the spurrs , which i call a help , because it is not so violent as a correction , and is not so pressing as pinching ; but between spurring and pinching ; and that is thus : when the horse gallops his croup in , or terra a terra , if he obeys not the legg enough , being close to him , or very near it , then make the motion with your legg , as if you did spurr him , and hit him with your spurr , with as gentle a touch as can be ; and no more than to let him feel it a little ; and this is the gentlest of all things , with the spurrs , which makes him obey the spurrs , and puts him forward , and is excellent for terra a terra , or le petit gallop his croup in , and much better than pinching ; for it puts him forward , and makes him obey the spurrs at the same time ; but it is not good for ayres ; for there he should leap upwards , and go forward , but very little ; and therefore pinching is best for ayres , because it raises his croup , and therefore goes not forward ; and that little touch with the spur , like spurring , is good for terra a terra , and le petit gallop his croup in , because it puts him forward , and makes him obey the spur. if your horse understands this correction , and the two several helps with the spurrs , being made sensible to him , you may be well assured he will need none of them after a while , but be so sensible , as he will go freely , and obey you willingly , only with the calf of your legg ; for the help of the thighes is a ridiculous conceit : for indeed , there is no helps but the spurrs , and the calf of the leggs , that the horse can possibly feel . of the secret helps of the calf of the legg and spvrrs . when you are stiff in the hamms , which is putting down your heel , then the calf of the legg comes to the horse , but the heel is removed from him . when you bend in the hamms , which is to put down your toes , then the calf of the legg is removed from him , but the heel comes to him . these are as great truths , as they are secrets . there is nothing in the world makes horses resty and vitious many several wayes like the spurrs , given out of time ; and nothing in the world dresses horses perfectly , like the spurrs given in time . now you have the perfection of the hand and the heels , which is the only thing to dress horses perfectly withal , and nothing else . of the rod. the rod we use seldome for a correction , but for helps , and that many times more for grace , than use ; for one rod will serve us half a year : 't is the hand and the heels that dresses horses , and nothing else . the helps with the rod , are not so good for souldiers horses , for they should go only with the hand and the heel ; for the sword must be in your right hand , and not the rod : but you may use it , to shew it still on the contrary side on which he goes , or hold it up with a grace at every change. for terra a terra with the rod. on the right hand , hold up your rod high , with a grace , and give him somtimes a blow on the shoulders , if there be need ; and sometimes a blow over the shoulders upon the croup , if he requires it . for terra a terra on the left hand , hold the rod up high , or put it to his flanck , with a grace , and hold it there during his voltoes , or give him a blow with it on the flank , or on the shoulder , if he requires it . use the same helps with the rod , upon demy-voltoes , or passadoes : for the piroite , hold it on the contrary side still . for corvets with the rod. on the right hand in voltoes , hold the rod somewhat short , and help him cross the neck , with a grace , sometimes touching him , and sometimes not ; and a good blow now and then , if he requires it : on the left hand in corvets , help him on the right shoulder , with a grace , and a just time . another help with the rod in corvets , is , to hold the rod a little long , and to whisk , and shake it forwards and backwards , with your arm up , but not straight , rather bowing a little in the elbow : when you go forward , the horse's right side to the wall ; there is no help with the rod more graceful , than to strike the wall perpetually with the rod. to help with the rod in all manner of leaps . to whisk the rod forward , and backward , is a graceful help , but it forces a horse a little too forward , until he be used to it . to help the horse with the rod , not over your shoulder , but over the bent of your arm , your arm from your body , and a little bowed , so that the point of the rod falls in the middle of his croup , is a graceful help , but somewhat difficult to do . but the best and surest help , though not so graceful , is , to turn the rod in your hand , the point toward the horses croup , and help him so every time , and in time , one stroke only ; but if he raises not his croup enough , then help him de tout temps , which is with two or three strokes together , in time : and this is the surest help . if your horse be very leight behind , which few are , then help him only before with the rod , and in time. if you would make your horse only croup with his hinder-parts , and not strike out , then help him on the middle of his croup ; if you would have him strike out , then help him with your rod , on the setting on of his dock : and if you would have him put both his hinder-leggs under his belly , then strike him with the rod a little above the gambrels . so these three several helps with the rod , makes your horse to croop , to strike out , and to put his hinder-leggs under his belly . but there is no help with the rod , like helping him with two rods ; one to raise him before , and the other rod to help him under his belly ; which puts him so much upon the hanches , as nothing is like it , or near it , upon corvets , when he is tyed short , my new way , at the single pillar . of the voice . the voice is used three manner of ways ; either as a correction , by threatning ; or as a help , to incourage the horse ; or as a courtship to him , by flattering of him ; which all three , we seldom or never use : for it is not the sense of hearing , or sight ; but the sense of touch , and only the hand , and the heels , that dresses horses perfectly . of the tongue . the help of the tongue is an excellent help to incourage , and put a horse together , either in terra a terra ; but especially in all ayres , nothing better . how horses are to be rewarded & punished : and that fear doth much ; love , little. it is impossible to dress any horse , but first he must know , and acknowledge me to be his master , by obeying me : that is , he must fear me , and out of that fear , love me , and so obey me . for it is fear makes every body obey , both man and beast ; and therefore see that he fears you , and then it is for his own sake he obayes you ; because else he would be punished : and love is not so sure a hold , for there i depend upon his will ; but when he fears me , he depends upon mine ; and that 's a ready-horse : but if i depend upon his will , that 's a ready-man . therefore love doth no good , but fear doth all : and so let them fear you , which is the ground of dressing all horses whatsoever . and this is the counsel of a friend . pluvinel , and most of the great masters in horse-manship , praise alwayes gentleness , and flatteries , and making much of horses , either by clapping , stroking them , or speaking flatteringly unto them , or giving them some reward to eat : and pluvinel sayes , one ought to be a prodigal in caressing , and making much of them , and a niggard in corrections , and careful not to offend them ; and that there is no other way to dress horses but this . but some horse-men never make much of them , or very rarely ; neither abroad , before they get up , when they ride them , nor when they light , nor in the stable ; and yet these horses go well . they do not threaten them with the voyce , or ever speak to them , and no doubt but they do it on purpose to keep them in subjection , and fear of them : for familiarity breeds contempt ; and curtesie doth no good , but makes them presume ; and makes them diligent still to obey . neither do they use the rod at all ; no more do i ; for one rod will serve me almost a year ; nor use the voyce , but a good hand , and good heels , which only dresses horses ; and seldom lets a fault escape without punishment . when they have corrected them one morning , it may be they will spur them the next morning ; but otherwise never correct them without a fault ; and if they make none , they are not punisht ; and there 's their reward . certainly this may be good for dressing of horses . for my part , when they do well , i cherish and reward them ; and when they do ill , i punish them ; for , hope of reward , and fear of punishment , governs this whole world ; not only men , but horses : and thus they will chuse the reward , and shun the punishment . they are punisht with nothing but the spurrs ; for all whipps , even of wyre , chambrieres , or bulls-pisles , are toyes . the rod is more for grace than use ; but reward , or no reward , is nothing at all in comparison of the art of riding : for , let an ignorant fellow ( which most are for any thing i can perceive ) flatter his horse , and not punish him ; or punish him , and not flatter him ; or punish and flatter him ; yet i will not flatter the rider , but will tell you , he shall spoil your horse , let him do what he will ; because he wants art. opposition in horses against the rider , a signe of strength and spirit . be not discouraged if your horse do oppose you , for it shews strength , spirit , and stomack ; and a horse having all those , cannot chuse but be made a ready-horse , if he be under the discipline of an understanding hand , and knowing heels . when a horse doth not rebel , it shews weakness , and faintness of spirit , and no courage ; and where nature is so much wanting , it is hard for art to supply it : but truly i never knew any horse in my life , but before he was perfectly drest , would rebel , and extreamly too , and a great while before he would go freely ; but a little still , against his will , until he be perfectly drest . certainly there is no horse but will strive at the first in the dressing , to have his own will , rather than to obey your will ; nor doth any horse love subjection , nor any other creature , until there is no remedy , and then they obey ; and the custom of obedience makes them ready-horses : they will strive all the wayes possibly they can , to be free , and not subjected ; but when they see it will not be , then they yield , and not before . so they deserve no thanks for their obedience . no man in the world , no , not the wisest , if he were put in the form of a horse , with his supreme understanding , could possibly find out more subtle wayes to oppose a man , than a horse will ; nay , nor near so many , i dare say : whence i conclude , that the horse must know you are his master ; that is , he must fear you , and then he will love you for his own sake : fear is the sure hold ; for fear doth all things in this world : love , little ; and therefore let your horse fear you . what makes a horse go by rote , or routine . that which makes a horse go by rote , or routine , is absolutely his eyes ; and therefore i would advise you , to have as few marks as you can in the mannage : that is , no pillars but in the out-side , and there but one for my way upon ayres , and that will not fix his sight ; so that then he will attend the hand and the heel : nor too near the walls , for then his eyes will attend them ; nor to make him go in one place alwayes ; for there his eyes will make him go by rote again : but several places will make him attend the hand and the heel . and this way , and no other , will cure him of going by rote . that a horse of three years old is too young for the mannage . a young horse of three years old , is but a gristle , and easily spoyl'd ; and besides , his understanding is not comn to him ; so that wanting understanding , and being so weak , you must have patience to stay three years more at the least , until he hath both : stops , and going back , will strain his back , and spoil him : so that i would rather have a horse of six , seven , or eight years old , so he be sound and not vitious , than a horse of three years old ; for i can force him , and make him a ready-horse in three months . but some will say boyes learn best , and so coltes : i answer , no ; for if men could be beaten to it , as boyes are , they would learn much better , and sooner : but i can force my horses of those years ; and having both understanding , and strength , they will and must of necessity learn much sooner and better . how a man should sit perfectly on horse-back . before he mounts his horse , he must see every thing in order about the horse ; which is done in an instant , without peering and prying about every thing ; as they say , pour faire l'entendu . when he is in the saddle , ( for i suppose most men know how to get up ) he must sit down in the saddle upon his twist , and not on his buttocks ; though most think nature made those to sit on , but not on horse-back . being plac'd upon his twist , in the middle of the saddle , advancing towards the pommel of the saddle , as much as he can ; leaving a handful of space between his hinder-parts and the cantle , or l'arson of the saddle , his leggs being straight down , as if he were on foot , his knees and thighes turned inwards to the saddle ; holding both of them fast , as if they were glewed to the saddle , ( for a horse-man hath nothing but those two with the counterpoize of his body to keep him on horse-back ) his feet planted firmly upon the stirrups ; his heels a little lower than his toes , that the end of his toes may pass the stirrups half an inch , or a little more , and stiff in the hamms , or jarrets , his leggs not too far from the horse's sides , nor too near , that is , not to touch them ; which is of great use for helps , that i will shew you hereafter . the reins of the bridle are to be in the left-hand , his little finger separating the reins , and grasping the rest in his hand , with his thumb upon the reins , his arm bent close to his body , but not constrain'd ; his bridle-hand some three fingers above the pommel , and some two fingers before the pommel , that the pommel may not hinder the reins in their working , and just over the neck of the horse . in the right-hand , he must have a whistling rod , not too long , like an angle-rod ; nor too short , like a poinson ; but , if either , let it be for there are many graceful helps with a short rod , that a long rod will not admit of : you must hold it a little off , from that end beyond your hand ; not only to make much of your horse with it , but to hold it the faster . the right hand , where the rod is , ought to be a little before your bridle-hand , and the right arm a little looser , than your left arm ; but not too far from your body , the point of the rod bending a little inwards , your brest out . you must look a little gay , and pleasantly , but not laughing ; and look directly between the horses ears , when he goes forwards : i do not mean , you should be stiff , like a stake , or like a statue on horse-back , but much otherwise ; that is , free , and with all the liberty in the world , as the french-man sayes , in dancing , a la negligence ; and so i would have a man on horse-back , en cavalier , and not formal ; for that shewes a scholler , more than a master ; and i never saw any formality , but me-thought it lookt something of the simple and foolish . the seat is so much , ( as you shall see hereafter ) as it is the only thing that makes a horse go perfectly ; and the very manner of sitting is beyond all other helps : therefore despise it not , for i dare boldly say , he that is not bel homme de cheval , shall never be bon homme de cheval . for , the reins both of the bridle and the cavezone , i have shewed you that which was never yet known before : and so this is enough for the seat of the cavalier . the secret helps of the horse-mans body . you must sit straight upon the twist , and always keep your self so , what action soever the horse makes ; and to that end , you should always go to that which comes to you , which is a contrary action . as for example ; the horse rises before , then you must put your body a little forward to him ; for , did you go along with the horse , you must put it backward . if the horse strikes behind , or raises his croup , you must put your body backwards , which is contrary to the horses motion ; for , did you follow the horse , you must put your body forward , and be thrown : but the best , is , to sit straight , and the action of the horse will keep you on your twist . you must understand , that the body on horse — back , is divided into three parts , two moveable , and one immoveable : the moveable is the body to the waste ; the immoveable , from the waste to the knees ; and the other moveable from the knees to the foot. the bodies — helps are to be gentle helps for all horses ; for , to sit strong on horse-back , astonishes the weak horse , makes the strong go counter-times , and forces him too much ; makes a furious horse madd ; makes a resty horse more resty ; and a horse hard on the hand , to run away , and displeases all sorts of horses . you are not neither , to sit weak on horse-back , but to sit easie ; gentle helps being best : for they fit all horses , and please all horses . the new and true method of working at first , either colts , young horses , or old ignorant horses , upon large circles d'une piste . now that you are on horse-back , know how to sit , and know all your helpes ; i will shew you how to dress your horse perfectly : which is in the manner following . the cavezone , being my way , the reins in your hand , the inward cavezone's rein pull'd hard , and low , on the inside of the turn ; legg and rein of a side that is within the turn ; which brings in the horses outward shoulder , the bridle-hand low , and a little on the out-side , or in-side , as you see occasion : this gives the horse a good apuy , working more on the barrs than on the curb , though it works on both . the horses croup being out , and pulling in his outward shoulder , presses the horse on the inside , and fits him to gallop large , d'une piste ; as also for a trot , to supple his shoulders , being prest . the inside puts him upon the shoulders , which gives him an apuy , and supples his shoulders extreamly , which is the first thing you must work on ; for , without suppling a horses shoulders extreamly , he can never do any thing ; for that is the first and principal business , and nothing doth it like the cavezone ( my way . ) give him no other lesson than this , until he be very supple on the shoulders upon his trot ; for that is the foundation of all things in the mannage , to supple him , and make him leight ; and never gallop him until he be so leight , as he offers to gallop of himself ; and this trotting , and galloping large , as they call it , d'une piste , though his croup be out , and the horse lean's so much on the inside , as you would think he would fall , he goes the surer for it . stop him but seldom ; and when you do , stay him rather by little , and little , than with a sudden stop ; for that weakens a young horses reins , and back very much ; and when he is on the hand , then put your body back to put him upon the hanches , and give him harder stops ; but then your outward legg is to put in his outward legg , or else he cannot stop upon the hanches , your outward hanch being out . of large circles upon a trot . when you work your horse upon large circles d'une piste , upon a trott , with the cavezone ( my way ) in your hand , legg and reyn on the inside , either upon large or narrow circles , d'une piste , upon his trott , where his leggs in that action are cross , you must know how they ought to go ; which is thus : his hinder-legg on the inside of the turn , and his fore-legg on the out-side of the turn , are lifted up together at a time ; and his hinder-legg on the inside of the turn , when it is set down , is set a little beyond his outward hinder-legg , and a little forwarder ; and his fore-legg without the turn , is set down at the same time , a little forwarder than his inward fore-legg , and both circularly ; and when he changes his leggs cross , then his outward hinder-legg is set before his inward hinder-legg , and his inward fore-legg before his outward fore-legg , and beyond it , and both circularly . his inward hinder-legg being set down thus , must of necessity bend , and supple his shoulders , and the cavezone's inward reyn being wrought , as i told you before , the inward legg must of necessity put out his croup , and supple his shoulders ; and thus he is bent and suppled extreamly , and can never be entier ; and his leggs always go right and truly , which is the most excellent lesson that can be . of galloping upon circles d'une piste . to work your horse d'une piste , upon large , or narrow circles , the cavezone's reyn in your hand , legg and reyn on the inside , and the outward reyn of the bridle , if need be , to supple his shoulders , pulling the inward reyn hard to bring in his outward shoulder , upon a gallop ; i will tell you how his leggs go , for a gallop is another action than a trott ; for a trott is cross , and a gallop is both of a side , always leading with his leggs within the turn , and makes four distinct times , with his four leggs , as i have shewed you before . well then , his fore-legg within the turn leads circularly , and is set down before , and beyond his outward fore-legg , and his hinder-legg within the turn follows ; but is set down a little before his outward hinder-legg , and a little 〈…〉 beyond it , which supples his shoulders ; and 〈…〉 hinder parts being put out thus , makes him gallop right , and nothing like it . this is a most excellent lesson , and 〈…〉 foundation of all things in the mannage : to trott and gallop thus , his fore-parts come 〈…〉 the center , and his hinder-parts flies it , being prest more upon the shoulders than the croup : but when he is thus prest , and supple in the shoulders , the croup is easily wrought afterwards . i must tell you , in these lessons the horse is prest , and leans extreamly on the inside of the turn , which is rare : to supple his shoulders , to walk him thus too , and stop him with your outward legg , is very good . another excellent lesson to supple a horses shovlders . go as if the horse's head was to the pillar , ( though you have none ) and on the left hand , and pull the inward cavezone's reyn hard to you ; and though he goes on the left hand , his shoulders are suppled for the right . then go on the right hand , and pull the inward cavezone's reyn hard to you ; though the horse goes on the right hand , yet his shoulders are suppled for the left. this is an admirable lesson to supple a horses shoulders ; and thus he shall never be entier . another lesson for suppling a horses shoulders upon large circles . upon large circles , his croup out ; to all the helps , both with the cavezone , bridle , reyns , leggs , and body , as i told you before ; only this is to be added , for a while , till the horse is accustomed to it . i would have you trott him without stopping of him upon his trott ; but from his trott to gallop him , le petit gallop gently ; and from his gallop to his trott again ; and though of the same hand still , yet change him from trott to gallop , and from gallop to trott , until you think it sufficient , and then stop him , either upon a trott , or gallop , which you please : this is a most excellent lesson ; not only to supple his shoulders , but to make him attend , and obey the will of his rider ; having no continued rule to fix his mind on , to go by rote , either in trotting , or galloping , but still to obey the man , as he helps or commands him to either ; and not knowing when it is , he must absolutely obey both the hand and the heel ; and so stopping sometimes upon a trott , and sometimes upon a gallop ; not knowing when he should be stopt , nor where he should be stopt , makes him still to obey the man 's both hand and heel ; and therefore a better lesson cannot be in the world ; and therefore use it : for , all our end , is , to make a horse obey the hand and the heels ; and this lesson doth it , as much as any lesson can do . if the horse retain his forces , then gallop him fast , and quick ; and then softly again , and then fast again , as occasion serves : and this softly , and quick , upon his gallop , ( not knowing when he must do either ) makes him obey both his riders hand , and heels ; which is the end of our work , and the quintessence of the mannage . when you have suppled the horse sufficiently on the shoulders , and find him hard on the hand , in not being upon the hanches ; then trot him large d'une piste , and stop him often , and good hard stops with your outward legg ; and pull him down , your body back , and when he least thinks of it ; but if he would stop of himself , put him forward without stopping of him , and stop him when he thinks not of it , and do the same upon a gallop : stop him often , and hard , and put him back sometimes , and you will find him very much upon the hanches . this is an excellent lesson , both to settle him on the hand , and to put him upon the hanches : but when you have done that , you must not continue this lesson long , for it pinches a horse very much on the back ; besides , it makes him fearful to go forward , and so may make him resty , and many inconveniencies may come of it ; therefore your own judgment must work according to occasion , when you do stop him ( as i formerly have told you : ) you must stop him upon a walk too , as well as upon a trott , or a gallop . all these lessons are only to supple a horses shoulders ; and see that you use no other lessons than these , until the horse be extreamly supple of his shoulders , and be firm on the hand : these are rare lessons , to settle a horse upon the hand , to supple his shoulders , to make him look into the turn , to trott and gallop right , ( as he should do ) both leggs , head , neck , body , and all : and , besides these , if you work , as i have told you , the horse shall never be entier ; which the italians call the credenza , which is the worst vice a horse can have , and the most dangerous . and these lessons , with the cavezone ( my way ) hath these rare operations . you must alwayes use these lessons , until the horse be extreamly supple of his shoulders , being the principal thing in dressing horses , and the first of our work : horses doth nothing but by custom , and habit , with often repetions to fortify their memories ; and by good lessons , and methodical ; and so do all men in all things that they do , good or bad : therefore give these good lessons , and repeat them often to your horse , and you will find by them benefit , and contentment : and remember , that i work upon the understanding of a horse , more than the labour of his body ; for i assure you , he hath imagination , memory , and judgement ; let the learned say what they please : i work upon those three faculties ; and that is the cause my horses go so well . here is now the end of all my lessons , in working a horse to supple his shoulders ; which if you can do , according to those lessons , then i will assure you , you have done the better half of the work , in dressing , and making up a perfect horse . the next lessons are the other half , and the easier ; which is , to make him sensible to the heels ; and those shall follow , after some certain maxims , which i will insert here , and pray you to mark , and remember them . the most certain means to unite a horses forces ; to assure , and settle his head , and his hanches ; to make him leight on the hand ; and to make him capable of all justness and firmness in all sorts of ayres , and mannages ; depends absolutely on the perfection on the stop ( as i have told you ; ) but first he must be loosen'd and suppl'd upon the trott . going back is a remedy , to put him upon the hanches ; to accommodate , and adjust his hinder-feet ; and settle him on the hand ; and to make him leight before ; to stop leightly , and in just proportion . you must never gallop your horse , until he be so leight upon his trott , as he begins to gallop of himself : for the exercise of the trott , is the first , and most necessary foundation to make him leight ; and is the ground of every lesson , which can make the horse adroit , and obedient ; and on which must be the foundation of all sorts of mannages . the property of the gallop , is , to give him a good apuy , and to settle his head ; and if he have too much fougue , or fire , le petit gallop will appease him , and give him patience ; and if he playes too much on the back , it will take it off : but all upon large circles : it tempers his spirits , makes him well-winded , and takes away his too-violent apprehensions , and diverts him from evil designes of jades tricks ; of restiness , and double-heart , and supples all his members . excellent notes to make an end of the working of the horses shovlders . having shewed you , how you should work , and supple the horses shoulders , with the cavezone's reyn in your hand , and not tied to pommel , which is the better half of our work ; i will shew you the other half ; which is , to make him obey the heels , and work both shoulders and croup together ; the cavezone's reyn still in your hand , and not tied to the pommel . to work the horses croup and shoulders together , is , with the inward reyn , and outward legg ; the inward reyn of the cavezone in your hand , and pull'd on the inside of the turn , to bring in his outward shoulder , and to press the horse on the inside of the turn , that his leggs without the turn may be free , and at liberty , to lapp over his inward leggs ; which we call passager , or en-cavalier , his croup in. this passager , though it is the action of a trott with his leggs , yet it is less violent than a trott , and more than a walk ; which is the best action to teach a horse any thing of a short trott , and together . the first lesson therefore that you must give him , upon this action , is , his head to the wall , pulling the inward cavezone's reyn hard to you , on the inside , and helping at the same time , with your outward legg , the horse to go byas , his shoulders before his croup ; which makes him narrow behind , and so upon the hanches ; because he is upon the action of a trott , his leggs being cross . if he do not obey the heel , give him the spurr gently on that side ; when the horse goes thus , he is then prest on the inside of the turn ; if this be on the right hand , then it is but changing your bridle-hand into your right hand , and the left cavezone's reyn in your left hand , and pull it hard , on the inside , to you , and your outward legg ; and make him do as much on the left hand , legg and reyn contrary ; and if he do not obey the heel , give him the spurr with your outward legg . continue this lesson until you find him obedient to your heels : you may make him go byas in an open field , the same way , with the same helps . of the voltoes in passager . when he obeys perfectly the heel , upon this lesson of byas in passager , then put him upon his voltoes , or circles , upon passager , pulling the inward cavezone's reyn on the inside of his neck , hard to you , to bring in his outward shoulder ; and your contrary legg , legg and reyn contrary , bending his neck extreamly ; and if he do not obey the heel , give him the spurr with your outward legg , and then do as much on the other hand ; and when you find him very obedient , upon passager , a little large , his croup in , which puts him upon the hanches ; because his croup is in , and because it is upon the action of a trott , and the less circle , he is alwayes the most prest , and therefore upon the hanches . i say , when he is perfectly obedient to your hand and heels , upon his voltoes somewhat large , then make him go upon his passager , in little more than his length ; and if he be obedient to your hand and heel there , on both hands , he is advanced very far towards a ready-horse : for , if a horse obey my hand and heel upon passager , which is a gentle motion , and therefore proper to learn a horse , because it makes him patient , and fortifies his memory the better . i say , if he be obedient to me upon this action , which is the quintessence of dressing horses , then i can make him do any thing , that his forces will permit him . when the horse is perfect in the aforesaid lessons , then put him upon his voltoes , his croup in ; upon le petit gallop , thus : pull the inward cavezone's reyn hard to you on the inside of his neck , and your outward legg to help him , poysing more on the outward stirrup , than on the inward ; and bend his neck extreamly , that he may be prest on the out-side of the turn , which is proper for le petit gallop his croup in ; and help him with your tongue , and he will go presently very perfectly ; and giving him good stops , he is advanced very far towards a ready-horse . there is no difference here between le petit gallop , and terra a terra . when your horse obeys all these lessons perfectly ; which is , to obey your hand , and the heels , teach him to advance ; which is , to rise before ; without which no horse can be a ready-horse : you may do it when you stop him , or upon large circles , staying him upon the hand , helping him with your tongue , and your leggs , and rodd , if there be cause ; and put him forward still after it , and raise him again . but if he rises of himself , put him forward , and let him not rise , but when you would have him ; and he will very soon obey you . when he rises perfectly ( when you would have him ) upon large circles , then put his croup in upon his voltoes , and raise him so ; and then feel him upon the hand , and stay him a little when he is up ; and this will both put him upon the hand , and upon the hanches . why i would not have you raise him before now , was , because it would disorder his mouth , and put him off of the hand , and make him resty ; for many horses rises restily , because they would not go forward , nor turn ; for , until they obey the hand , and fly the heel , there is no raising of them . i would have you always begin upon large circles his croup out , and then put in his croup afterward ; and so end. when the horse is perfect in all these former lessons , then i would have you tie the inward cavezone's reyn hard to the pommel , and work him upon all former lessons so , with the inward reyn , and inward legg ; and the outward reyn , if need be , his croup out . upon large circles , his croup in , the inward cavezone's reyn tied to the pommel , and help'd with the inward reyn of the bridle , to press him on the outside of the turn , for passager : but when you raise him in passadoes , then the inward reyn ; when the inward cavezone's reyn is tied to the pommel , then you work most on the bitt ; for you have nothing else in your hand . to help , with the bridle alone , upon large circles , his croup out , inward reyn , and inward legg ; or outward reyn and inward legg , if his shoulders come not in enough ; but upon passager , with the bridle alone , the inward reyn , and outward legg , for the reasons i have told you . it is an excellent lesson to gallop a horse forth right , and to stop him , and to raise him only with the bitt , and then to turn him , helping with the outward reyn , which will prepare him for passadoes ; of which we will talk hereafter . there is an excellent lesson , the inward cavazone's reyn tied to the pommel , which is this : to gallop d'une piste a narrow circle , and so four of them , and still put him forward to take the other circle ; and afterward to do the same upon every circle , his croup in , le petit gallop , or terra a terra ; and put him forward to take the next circle , and so as often as you think good to repeat all the four : and this makes him attend the hand and the heel , and most obedient to both . the inward reyn puts the horse on the outside , indeed all his body , and leans on his outward hinder-legg , and weighs his fore-parts up ; and therefore on the hanches . the outward reyn puts the horse on the inside , and weighs him down ; and therefore on the shoulders . you must have a method to be often repeated in all these good and excellent lessons ; lesson after lesson , or else you will never dress any horse perfectly for terra a terra . needful observations . naturally whensoever a horse's shoulders come in , his croup goes out ; and when his croup is put in too much , his shoulders go out . as for example ; upon large circles his shoulders come in , his croup goes out ; and when his head is as to the pillar , ( legg and reyn of a side ) his shoulders come in , and his croup goes out : nay , in the right terra a terra , his shoulders going before , his croup shuns the center , which is a little out , though you think his croup is in. but you will say , how is it then in passager when his croup is in ? i say , that is another action than a gallop , or terra a terra ; because then he is upon the action of a trott , which is cross , and may better admit to be prest within the turn , and his leggs at liberty without the turn ; but yet ( if his shoulders go before his croup , and is byas as he ought to be , in respect of his shoulders ) his croup is a little out . but now for le petit gallop , or terra a terra ; if his croup be in , and you pull in his outward shoulder , at the same time , it is a great force , and unnatural , so as the horse goes cross with his leggs , and can go no otherwise , and is prest on the inside . it is true , it puts the horse upon the hand , and so of necessity upon the shoulders , and gives him an apuy , which all the former lessons do ; so that his croup in needs it not , and besides , it is false . for terra a terra , he should be prest on the outside , to have his leggs at liberty within to lead ; and that they call le petit gallop , if his croup be in , which is indeed le petit terra a terra : for being prest on the inside , his croup in , it is hard to go , because he is bound up ; and it is unnatural , both to bring in his outward shoulder , and to put in his croup at the same time . to press him on the inside , and to go on the inside , his croup in , is a great pressure , and false ; for indeed , he is prest for the other side , and would look out of the turn , did not the inward cavezone's reyn keep in his head ; howsoever he is on the shoulders , and his leggs go cross ; that is , his inward fore-legg leads , and his outward hinder-legg follows , and continues so , and is false , and his croup bunches out : if his croup goes before his shoulders , his leggs are wide behind , and off of the hanches , and therefore upon the shoulders , and false , and goes cross with his leggs . that is , his inward fore-legg leads , and his outward hinder-legg follows , and continues so . for the piroite , his croup goes a little out , though almost in a place ; and therefore he ought to be prest within the turn ; but he goes upon the shoulders . so upon demi-voltoes upon passadoes , which is but half a terra a terra , he ought to be prest without the turn , because it is terra a terra ; but his croup is in a little , and is upon the hanches . to work a horse upon passager , either with his head to the wall , or upon circles ; either with the cavezone in your hand , or the cavezone tied to the pommel ; or the bridle-reyns separated in both your hands , or the bridle only in your left hand . upon passager , the cavezone in your hand ; pull the inward reyn of the cavezone hard within the turn , to pull the horses outward shoulder in , and to press him on the inside , that his outward leggs may be at liberty , to lap over his inward leggs ; and help him with your outward legg , ( legg and reyn contrary ) and let the horse go byas . upon passager , the cavezone's reyns in your hand another way , and that 's this : pull the inward cavezone's reyn cross his neck , not too high , your knuckles towards his neck , and help him , with the outward legg , and reyn contrary ; and bend your body to be concave within the turn , which will press him without the turn , and give his leggs liberty within the turn , to lap over his inward leggs , but not so much , and let the horse go byas . by the way , this oblike line , with the inward cavezone's reyn , if you press the horse on the outside , will make him go rarely upon terra a terra . upon passager , the inward cavezone's reyn tied to the pommel , ( having nothing in your hand but the bridle to work withal ) you may safely work with the outward reyn of the bridle , because the horse cannot look on the outside , and that because the inward cavezone's reyn being tied to the pommel pulls in his head so much , and the outward reyn will press him on the inside , which is proper for passager , as i have told you : if you press the horse on the outside , though the reyn be tied to the pommel , he will go terra a terra rarely , if he goes byas . upon passager , the bridle reyns separated in both your hands , you must help with the inward reyn , to make him look into the turn ; and help also with the outward reyn , to bring in his outward shoulder , to press him within the turn , for the reasons i have told you : but if you press the horse on the outside with the inward reyn , he will go rarely terra a terra . here you have all the ways of working a horse upon passager , and i insist the more upon it , because it is the quintessence of working horses in the mannage , and the elixer in horse-man-ship ; for if a horse obeys me perfectly in passager , being obedient to my hand and heels , i will make him go terra a terra , or in any ayre whatsoever most perfectly , or any thing that his forces will permit him to do ; and therefore esteem passager above all things in the world for the mannage , and for raising the horse in passadoes , his croup in , or d'une piste , or byas , or his head to the wall ; and for pulling him back , and raising of him . for these rare things will not fail to make a ready-horse , if they be applyed rightly . a general rule . whatsoever leads , fore-parts , or hinder-parts ; that which still leads , tends to the center , and the other parts of the horse flie the center : for it is a general rule , and true ; that whatsoever is the greater circle , before or behind , that which is the greatest circle , is most wrought ; for it goes most ground , and is at liberty , whether it tends to the center , or from it ; and the less circle , most subjected , and prest : for , his head to the pillar ( the pillar on the outside of his head ) his fore-parts lead , and therefore tend to the center , and his hinder-parts flie the center ; yet his hinder-parts are most wrought , because it is the greater circle , and therefore his fore-parts more subjected , and upon them , which is upon the shoulders ; so the horse's croup to the pillar , the pillar on the inside of his croup , his croup in , his fore-parts lead , and therefore tend to the center , and his croup flies the center ; but his fore-parts are more wrought , because it is the larger circle ; and his hinder-parts more subjected and prest , because it is the narrower circle ; and so upon the hanches ; so in his length the same ; and upon passager , he laps his leggs over but every second time , because they are cross , and upon the action of a trott . more observations . if a horse goes forward too much , pull him back ; if he goes back , put him forward ; if if he goes side-ways on the right-hand , put him side-ways on the left-hand ; if he goes side-ways on the left-hand , put him side-ways on the right-hand . if he puts out his croup , put it in ; if he puts in his croup , put it out . if he goes on the shoulders , stop him , and pull him back ; if he goes on the hanches , continue him so ; if he rises when you would not have him , keep him down . all this upon a walk ; for thus he must attend both your hand and your heel , and follow your will , and so of necessity must obey you , because thus he is put from his will , to yours . and this must make him a perfect horse ; it is a most excellent lesson . never put a horse upon any ayre , nor press him much , until you find him very sensible , and obedient , both to your hand , and to your heel ; and extreamly supple : but young horses must never be much prest , nor stopt too hard ; for if you do , you will give them such a crick , and taint in their back , as they will never recover it . the horse's head to the pillar , ( or an imaginary center ) the pillar without his head ; and the horse's croup to the pillar , the pillar on the inside of his croup . and thus the horse shall never be entier . i never work a horse's head to the pillar , ( legg and reyn contrary ; ) because his inward hinder-legg goes so much before his shoulder , which is false ; but legg and reyn on a side , as i shewed you before . to work a horse upon quarters , is to no purpose ; for , it confounds a horse more , than a whole circle ; but upon demy-voltoes , or half turns , is very good somtimes . to put a horse byas on one hand , and then put him forward ; and then put him byas on the other hand , and then put him forward ; and so from hand to hand ; and forward , makes him attend , and obey both the hand , and the heel , and is an excellent lesson : but , as you put him byas , his fore-parts must alwayes go before his hinder-parts . there is no lesson comparable to passager , his croup in , to make him obey the hand , and the heel ; and to raise him in passadoes , and passager him again , still raising and passager ; and if you find he is not upon the hanches , then walk , or trott him upon large circles , and stop him hard , and raise him . all these lessons are upon a walk , and passager ; therefore you may see what a rare thing walking , and passager is , to make , and dress all horses perfectly . nay , when a horse is a perfect drest horse , you must not make him go above once a week at the most , but work him every day upon his trott , gallop , passager , raising of him , and tuning of him thus , and with the cavezone , he will go rarely , when you would make him go upon any ayre , or terra a terra . i say , a horse is thus to be tuned ; for , a horse having four leggs , is like a fiddle of four strings ; and if a fiddle be not tuned , the musitian can never play salengers round upon it : so , if a horse's leggs be not rightly tuned , he will never dance his round right . again , if you alwayes play upon a fiddle , though well-tuned at the first , it will soon be out of tune by continual playing on it ; so a ready-horse , if you make him go perpetually , he will be soon out of tune ; and therefore you must tune him still , as i have told you . the just & exact way for terra a terra . to go upon a square for terra a terra , is good , but not the best way ; for , it constrains a horse too much ; so that he cannot go with that freedom that he should ; and is in great danger , that his inward hinder-legg will go before his shoulder , and then it would be very false : therefore the true , easie , and best way is this that follows . you must sit straight in the saddle , the poise on the outward stirrup , but not to lean down upon it too much ; but only the outward legg is to be a little longer than the inward legg ; and the inward legg to be a little before it , but very little ; and sit you must all upon the twist , and stirrups , and as forward to the pommel as you can ; the outward legg close to the horse , and the knee turned inwards ; and stiff in the ham , to bring the calf of the legg to the horse . then for the bridle-hand ; on the right-hand put your hand on the outside of his neck , or turn the knuckles towards his neck , pulling your little finger up straight without turning your hand , which pulls the inward reyn lying above your little finger , your arm a little from your body oblike , your left shoulder coming a little in , and your neck behind , removed a little on the left side , and your buttons a little on the right side : this makes the horse necessarily to go byas . but now i must tell you where you must look , or turn your head ; which must be on the inside of the turn , to the inside of the horses head , which keeps your hand steady ; for did you look to your inward shoulder , it would remove your bridle-hand too much within the turn ; and did you look just between the horses ears , your outward shoulder would not come in enough ; and neither it , nor you , nor the horse would be oblike ; your hand must go circularly with the horse , and steadily ; and but to feel him . thus the horse being byas , the inward reyn pull'd thus , inlarges the horse before , in pulling his inward fore-legg , from the outward fore-legg ; which puts his inward hinder-legg to his outward hinder-legg , which narrows him behind , makes him bow in the gambrels , especially on his outward hinder-legg , which he rests on , and thrusts his inward hinder-legg under his belly ; which ( with all these things ) makes him very much upon the hanches ; the horse is prest on the outside , and therefore of necessity must look within the turn , and his fore-parts being inlarged , must imbrace the turn the better ; his hinder-leggs being within the lines of his fore-leggs , he must needs be upon the hanches ; and his inward fore-legg being pull'd from his outward fore-legg , ( being circular ) his inward fore-legg of necessity must be longer than his outward fore-legg to lead , which is right , and so makes the largest circle ; and his outward fore-legg the second circle ; and his inward hinder-legg the third circle ; because it is thrust so much before his outward hinder-legg , and under his belley ; and his outward hinder-legg makes the fourth and least circle , because he rests so much upon it , and bows in the gambrels . thus the horse makes four perfect circles , about the pillar , or center , as i have told you , and given you the reasons of it . thus doth the horses fore-parts go always before his hinder-parts ; that is , half his shoulders within the turn , before his half croup within the turn ; which is his fore-legg within the turn , before his hinder-legg within the turn : and thus the horse can never go false , but most exactly true , with head , neck , body , leggs , and all . for the left-hand , every thing must be as for the right , and the same way , changing hand , body , and legg ; only for the bridle-hand , it is necessary , that when you go on the left-hand , you should put your hand on the contrary side of his neck ; your arm close to your body , and the knuckles of your bridle-hand turned towards his neck , which pulls the inward reyn for the left-hand ; because that reyn lies under your little finger ; and this makes you oblike , and the horse oblike : and every thing for the left hand works as truly , in all those several things , as i told you for the right-hand . and thus the horse is within your hand , and your heel ; and so you drive him , and make him go as you list ; slower , or faster ; higher , or lower : but remember , that your hand be not too high , but that the horse may go low , and prest ; for if your hand be low , the horse goes low ; and if your hand be high , the horse goes high : for the horse always goes according to the heighth of the hand ; and terra a terra should always be low , and prest . now i must tell you , that the inward reyn presses the horse on the outside , weighs him up , and puts him upon the hanches , especially on his outward hinder-legg , so that all his body leans on the outside , and he cannot bring in his outward shoulder ; for it is bound up , and his leggs within the turn to lead : you may know by his neck , whether he leans on the outside or no ; for if he does , his neck will lean all on the outside , and your body must be concave on the outside , and convex within ; for being concave on the outside , makes the horse so , and puts in his hanch , ( being prest on the outside ) and hath three leggs in the ayre , his two fore-leggs , and his inward hinder-legg , with a leap forward low , and prest . and this is most exactly the truth for terra a terra , and all the delicate and subtil helps that can be for it in the world. of changing upon terra a terra . your body is to be oblike , your knuckles towards his neck , and on the outside of his neck , on which hand soever you go ; and as he is going terra a terra on the right hand , let his shoulders come in a little before you change him , and then help him with your right legg , and hold him up with your hand , and on the outside of his neck , which is now changed to the left side . why his shoulders are to come in , a little before you change him , is , to fix his croup that it should not go out ; and so the hand on the contrary side of the turn , for the same reason ; and put him always a little forward upon every change. now you are on the left-hand , before you change him , let his shoulders come in a little to fix his croup , and then help him with the left-legg , and put him forward a little , and then hold him up with your hand , and on the outside of his neck , on the left side . i begin with my legg to change him , for the same reasons i told you : but you must remember , to be stiff in the hams , and your heels down , to bring the calf of the leggs to him ; and the same for demy-voltoes . and this is exactly the truth for changing upon terra a terra . of changing upon demy-voltoes , terra a terra . upon demy-voltoes , your hand on the outside , your outward legg close to him , you sit oblike , the knuckles of your bridle-hand towards his neck ; and when he makes his demi-voltoe , let him go a little more than half a turn , to fix his croup before you change him ; and when you do change him , help him with the inward legg first , and then hold him up with your hand , and a little on the outside of his neck : this from the wall is best , but by a wall it cannot be ; for you cannot go through the wall , and therefore by a wall it can be but a just half turn , or demy-voltoe , which you may either help with the inward , or outward reyn at your own pleasure , so you keep his croup to the wall , that he may keep the line , and not falsify the demy-voltoe . this may be done with either reyn , so it be done with art , and skill , like a great master ; for otherwise nothing is right in the mannage . of galloping , and changing en soldat . with the outward reyn , and the outward legg , put him alwayes forward ; if his croup goes out too much , then your bridle on the outside of the turn , or of his neck , to help with the inward reyn , to keep in his croup , otherwise not , but help with the outward reyn , and outward legg . thus much for changing upon circles d'une piste , which must alwayes be either half a turn , or a quarter of a turn , terra a terra . to prepare a horse for passadoes . first walk him fore-right , either by a wall , hedge , or otherwise , and at the end stop him , and raise him two or three passadoes , and then turn him gently , helping with the outward reyn , and outward legg , and see that he doth not falsify his demy-voltoe , upon passager , either in his shoulders , or his croup ; but both to be just , when he is turned . do as much on the other hand , and then trott him upon the straight line ; stop him , advance him , and turn him as you did before ; and when he is perfect in this , then gallop him le petit gallop , upon the straight line ; stop him , advance him : but now let him go a demy-voltoe upon his ayre , and when he is perfect in this , then let him make a passado , upon le petit gallop , without stopping , or advancing , which he will do perfectly ; but you must put his head a little from the wall , that his croup may be to the wall , to keep the line , that he may not falsify his demy-voltoe ; and before he turns , to make two or three falcadoes , to firm his hanches the better , to turn with the better grace : if you would run him a toute bride , keep his head a little from the wall , to keep his croup to it , slacking the reyns a little , and pressing him with your leggs , and to make two or three little falcadoes before you turn him , and then close him with your outward reyn , and outward legg , for the demy-voltoe ; and so on the other hand the same for the passadoe , some five times the horses length . and thus the horse will go perfectly in passadoes , which is the touch-stone of a ready-horse , obeying hand and heel in every thing . if your horse go in corvets , or a demy-ayre , then make his demy-voltoes upon his passadoes , upon his ayre , which is very graceful . the french calls this passadoe , releve ; which methinks , is not a proper term for it : a demy-voltoe must be helpt in all kinds like terra a terra , for 't is but a half a turn terra a terra ; that is , the inward reyn , and outward legg , and your body , and every thing like terra a terra . of the piroyte . the action of the horse's leggs in the piroyte , is very strange ; your hand on the outside of his neck to look into the turn , and working violently with the outward reyn of the bridle , straightens his fore-parts , and puts his hinder-parts at more liberty , helping with no legg ; so the action of his leggs are thus : on the right-hand , when he lifts up both his fore-leggs at the same time , he lifts up his hinder-legg without the turn ; so he hath three leggs up at a time , and rests only on the inward hinder-legg ; and when those three leggs come to the ground , his outward shoulder coming in so fast , his inward hinder legg removes at the same time almost in a place , to keep the circle ; and i say , that at the same time those three leggs are set down , his inward hinder-legg removes , to go along with the circle ; but in a manner in a place : so that indeed the inward hinder-legg is the center , though it removes in the place round ; and when the horse is so dizzey as he can go no longer , ( for fear of falling ) then he sets his inward hinder-legg forward , to stop himself . these are exactly the helps , and the motions of the horses leggs in the piroyte , or else he could not go so swiftly as he ought : he is upon the shoulders , because he is prest on the inside ; so is a passadoe , being but half a piroyte , because both of them is helpt with the outward reyn. one of the greatest secrets in the mannage that ever i found out . the inward hinder-legg to the turn always put out a little , is in all things the quintessence of the mannage , whether his croup out , or in ; the knuckles of the bridle-hand towards his neck , his croup in , doth well in terra a terra ; and always your horse to go byas , upon his voltoes , or his head to the wall , doth it best ; for his shoulders going before , his hinder-parts put out his inward hinder-legg , which is the greatest business in the mannage ; for so his hinder-leggs are near together , and so upon the hanches . the inward reyn of the bridle doth it , pull'd , as i have told you , and so doth the inward reyn of the cavezone ; for it puts out his inward hinder-legg , narrows him behind , and inlarges him before ; because it pulls his inward fore-legg from his outward fore-legg , and therefore inlarges him before ; and at the same time , it puts his inward hinder-legg out , to his outward hinder-legg ; and therefore narrows him behind , and so must of necessity be upon the hanches . and thus his inward fore-legg must always be before his inward hinder-legg , so that half his shoulders goes always before half his croup , by which means he can never go false ; and his fore parts always imbracing the turn the better , and the outward hinder-legg being kept in a little , with your outward legg , makes his two hinder-leggs within the lines of his fore-leggs , which makes him upon the hanches , and his fore-parts to lead , as horses always should do : for , they do not work with their arses first , but with their heads , and fore-parts . remember , that no horse can be upon the hanches , but those that bend in the gambrels , and bow there ; and the more their hinder-leggs go under their belley , the more they bow in the gambrels . remember also as a certain truth , that no horse can be upon the hanches , except his croup , or buttock , be thrust out backwards : as for example ; when you give a horse a good stop , his hinder-leggs go under his belly , and his croup , or buttocks , are thrust out ; he bows in the gambrels , and so is upon the hanches : when he goes le petit gallop , his croup in , his hinder-leggs are thrust under his belly , then his croup goes out ; he bows in the gambrels , and is upon the hanches : so in terra a terra , his hinder-leggs are thrust under his belly , and his croup goes out ; he bows in the gambrels , and is upon the hanches . when you pull a horse back , one of his hinder-leggs goes always under his belly ; he puts out his croup , bends in the gambrels , and is upon the hanches : so in passadoes his croup is thrust out , he bows in the gambrels , and is upon the hanches ; but if he be raised too high , it puts him off of the hanches , for then he is stiff in the gambrels , because his croup goes in ; which puts him upon the hand , but off of the hanches : therefore you must never raise him too high in passadoes ; if his croup must go out , be bow'd in the gambrels , and so be upon the hanches . my way , at the single pillar in corvets , puts out his croup , makes him bow in the gambrels , and so to be upon the hanches , because he cannot rise high , and therefore puts out his croup , and is upon the hanches ; so all that puts a horse upon the hanches , is before , either with the cavezone's reyn , or bitt , and nothing behind . the inward hinder-legg , and inward cavezone's reyn , is the quintessence of the mannage , with thrusting his croup out , which makes him bow in the gambrels , and so be upon the hanches ; which is the end of all our work and business in the mannage . i do not mean his croup to be put out in a circle , or put out upon a straight line ; but be thrust out backwards , and then he is upon the hanches , because he bows in in the gambrels . i must remember you again , that to put him on the hanches , is all before ; so that when his head is pull'd down , and in , then he is upon the hanches ; for his croup goes out , and he bow in the gambrels , and therefore is upon the hanches : that is , the horse must be a little higher behind than before ; for then his croup goes out , and he bows in the gambrels , and therefore is upon the hanches . as for example ; a horse goes down a hill , then his croup is higher than his fore-parts , and his croup goes out , and then he bows in the gambrels , and is extreamly upon the hanches . so if he be turned in the stable , his croup is higher than his fore-parts , and puts his croup out , bends in the gambrels , and therefore is very much upon the hanches . so in plain ground , where there is no hills , you must supply it , with pulling his head down , and in , as much as you can , to make him higher behind , than before , which puts out his croup , makes him bow in the gambrels , and puts him upon the hanches ; as stopping of him , pulling back , passager , le petit gallop , and terra a terra : all these pulls him down , and puts out his croup , which puts him upon the hanches . if the inward cavezone's reyn be tied to the pommel , or pull'd hard in your hand , it puts him upon the hanches , because it puts his inward hinder-legg out to his outward hinder-legg , that it shall not come in too much , nor at all ; and that puts him upon the hanches ; so in passadoes , or corvets , the inward cavezone's reyn tied to the pommel , puts the inward legg out , which puts him upon the hanches , because it thrusts his croup out : but when you have nothing but the bridle , what then ? then the inward reyn of the bridle doth the same in all things ; but passager his croup in , is with the outward reyn , because it is the action of a trott , which is cross , and so it will suffer it , because his leggs are byas ; so it is right for passager , to be prest within the turn , and at liberty without the turn , or else his outward leggs could not lap over his inward leggs : but if you have nothing but the bridle , he will look out of the turn , if you do not help with both reyns ; but whensoever you raise him in passadoes , his croup in , or out , you must help with the inward reyn , to put out his inward hinder-legg , which makes him bow in the gambrels , because his hinder-leggs are made like our arms , and therefore must bow in the gambrels , if it be thrust out . but i must tell you for a great truth , that whensoever , upon large circles d'une piste , the horse's inward hinder-legg is put out , and bows , it puts him not upon the hanches , but very much upon the shoulders ; for the more his buttock doth go out , the more still he is upon the shoulders ; for that lesson is not to put him upon the hanches , but to supple his shoulders ; for if you would put him upon the hanches , you must put in his croup ; for the larger circle is wrought most , because it goes the most ground ; yet his hinder-parts are the most prest , because in the narrower circle , and therefore upon the hanches . some are of opinion , that the more you put in his croup , the more he is on the hanches ; which i do not think , because his inward hinder-legg goes before half his shoulder , and so he is wide behind , and off of the hanches , and goes backward : but if his croup be in , and you put out his inward hinder-legg , then he bows in the gambrels , his hinder-leggs narrow behind , and so upon the hanches ; and the more upon the hanches , if the horse goes byas , because by that means the horses hinder-leggs are nearer together , and so narrower , and therefore upon the hanches ; and this is most true : for if the horses hinder-legg ( within the turn ) goes before his inward fore-legg , he doth not only go backward , but his hinder-leggs are stiff in the gambrels , and therefore not upon the hanches ; but when you put out his inward hinder-legg , then he bows in the gambrels , and therefore upon the hanches , because his hinder-leggs are made like our armes ; only he hath a joynt more , which is the stifling-joynt . you see plainly , now , what an excellent , and most rare thing it is , to keep a horses inward hinder-legg out in all manner of things that are in the mannage ; and in whatsoever you work him , it is the absolute quintessence of the mannage ; and without it is nothing right , but most false , because of abundance of irreparable errors ; whereas with it all things are right , and most true. this hath been studied to the purpose , and no horse but is perfectly made with it , and all is to put his inward hinder-legg out in all things ; and being put out thus , he must bow in the gambrels , because his hinder-leggs are made like our armes . and this is that which none either knows , or have thought of ; and therefore mark it , remember it , and practice it if you can ; and if you cannot , do not find fault with a thing , because you cannot do it : for , certainly no man is born to all professions , by inspiration , but with great study , diligence , care , patience , and long practice : no man being born with so supream a witt above others , as to do ( assoon as he sees it ) any thing that hath been so many years another mans study . to put a horse upon the hanches : on which i insist the more , because it is the end of all our work and labour in the mannage ; for , without it , no horse can possibly go well . a horse can never go well upon the hanches , but his fore-parts must be wrought ; for , in that manner , when you stop him , you pull his fore-parts , and that puts him upon the hanches , because you pull his fore-parts down , and in : when you pull him back , you put him upon the hanches , because you pull his fore-parts down , and in ; when you make him go terra a terra ; when you work the inward reyn , on which hand soever he goes , so you press him on the outside , and put in his outward hanch , then you put him upon the hanches , because you pull him down on the outside , with the inward reyn of the bridle , on either hand . so ( my way ) with the cavezone tied to the pommel , or tied to the girthes , if he be prest on the outside , and his outward hanch put in , puts him upon the hanches , because the cavezone pulls down his head , and in. and believe me , the cavezone thus , puts him more on the hanches , than any thing ; but if you press him on the inside of the turn , ( though you do pull down his head ) he is off of the hanches , because his outward hanch goes out , and therefore puts him on the shoulders . you see then , that whatsoever pulls a horse head down , and in , puts him upon the hanches ; or that naturally he puts his head down . as for example ; a horse that goes in caputiato ; which is , to arm himself against the bitt , is easily put upon the hanches ; and being upon the hanches , he is leight of the hand . to strike a horse on the knees with your rodd , when he rises before , pulls him down , and in , and therefore puts him upon the hanches . there is no horse that holds up his head , but he is off of the hanches ; nor any horse that rises high before , but is off of the hanches ; nor any horse in terra a terra , when his head is pull'd down , and in , but goes on the hanches , if he be rid as he ought to be . the reason is this ; no horse can go on the hanches , that doth not bow in the gambrels , or hinder-houghs : whensoever a horse rises high before , he is stiff in the gambrels of necessity , and therefore off of the hanches ; nor doth a horse hold up his head very high , but it stiffens his gambrels , and therefore off of the hanches ; nor can any horse go low before , but of necessity he must bend in the gambrels , either going down a hill , or turn'd in the stable , which makes his hinder-parts higher than his fore-parts ; but he must bend in the gambrels , and therefore must be upon the hanches , and so his croup in : but if his croup be out , he is upon the shoulders , though his head be down . so many a horse ( as also hunting and travelling geldings ) go horribly upon the shoulders , though their heads be down ; but indeed they are all upon the shoulders except in the mannage . for example ; a horses fore-legs are made like our legs , the knees outword ; but a horses hinder-leggs are made like our arms , just contrary : so that whensoever a horse is raised high before , it stiffens him in the gambrels ; and when he holds up his head , it stiffens him in the gambrels . so on the contrary , whensoever his head is pull'd down , of necessity he must bend in the gambrels ; for he cannot do otherwise , if he be prest , otherwise not . i labour this point the more , because you shall clearly see what puts him on the hanches , and what puts him off of the hanches ; that so you may shun the one , and take the other , which is , to put him on the hanches , because that is the end of all our labour , and the quintessence of our art ; for , without a horse be upon the hanches , he can never be a ready-horse , or leight on the hand ; but there is no rule without an exception , and that is , you may pull down a horses head , and yet not upon the hanches ; which is , when you work his shoulders d'une piste , legg and reyn on the inside , though his head be pull'd down , he cannot be on the hanches , because you put it out , and press him on the inside : no more when his croup is in , if he be prest on the inside , his croup goes out a little , and therefore cannot be upon the hanches , though his head be pull'd down , because you put his hanch out : this is good to give him an apuy upon the barrs , and supple his shoulders ; but it cannot put him on that which you put away , that were too great a miracle , indeed an impossibility . pulling down his head , and in , puts him upon the hanches , at a stop ; and pulling down his head , and in , when you make him go back , puts him upon the hanches ; and when you pull down his head and in , and raise him , it puts him upon the hanches ; and when you press him on the outside of the turn in terra a terra , it puts him upon the hanches ; when you pull down his head and in , either with the cavezone , or the bridle ; and so pulling down his head , and in , pressing him on the outside of the turn , puts him upon the hanches in terra a terra , or upon his walk in passager : and this ( i am sure ) is sufficient to put a horse upon the hanches , which is the elixir of the mannage , and is done when his head is down , and in , and prest ; that is , when you pull down his head , that you press him with the heels , or leggs , otherwise not ; for , if a horse holds down his head to drink , he is not on the hanches , for then he bows rather before , than behind , and is on the shoulders ; therefore he must be prest ; so if he holds up his head , it works nothing on the hanches , but the contrary . a short trott puts a horse upon the hanches , so a short trot d'une piste , legg and reyn on a side , puts a horse upon the hanches , because his inward hinder-legg is put out ; his head to the wall puts him upon the hanches ; and nothing puts him more on the hanches than a leight hand ; for when he hath nothing to rest on before , then he will rest behind , which is upon the hanches . there are many reasons why we work a horse so much , to put him upon the hanches , which i have shewed you before ; but there is one reason more , and that is this : a horse's croup , or hanches , bears nothing but his tayl , which is very leight ; but his shoulders hath his neck and head to bear , which is more ; and therefore we put him upon the hanches , to poyse him , and to relieve his shoulders , and to make him leight on the hand . thus much for dressing all manner of horses upon the ground , to make them obey perfectly both hand and heel , and to put them upon the hanches , which is the master-piece of our art. here ends the second part. the third part , for dressing and making of horses in all several ayres , my new way . you must in all ayres follow the strength , spirit , and disposition of the horse , and do nothing against nature ; for art is but to set nature in order , and nothing else : but to make a horse gallop and change , and to go terra a terra , is for the most part forced ; and in passadoes the like : for , if a horse be impatient , he will hardly go well in passadoes . no other ayres are to be forced , but every horse is to chuse his own ayre , unto which nature hath most fitted him , which you may easily see , when he is tied short to the single pillar my way . for corvets , a horse ought to have a great deal of patience : and the ayre of corvets gives a horse patience with discreet riding , ( as they say ) but i have seldom seen that discreet riding ; i doubt there is a mistake in it , which is this : first the horse hath patience , and then that horse goes in corvets ; but seldom impatient horses are made patient by corvets : so seeing most horses that go well in corvets , to have patience , they think corvets gives them patience , when it is patience that gives them corvets . but there is no rule without an exception , yet i doubt i am in the right ; for , though some young horse may ( by chance ) go in corvets , yet i assure you , for the most part , horses must have a great deal of time , with the custom of often repetitions ; to be in some years , and to have gray-hairs in their beard , before they will be settled , and firm'd , to go certainly in corvets , both forwards , and upon their voltoes ; therefore it is an errour in those that think they can force corvets , if the horse's inclination be not to go in that ayre ; for i have known many horses , that all the force in the world would never make go in corvets ; their disposition being against it : corvets is an ayre , built only of art ; for if the horse be not perfectly in the hand and the heels , and upon the hanches , he will never go in corvets : yet i must tell you , this new way of mine will make horses go in corvets , which by no other way would have been brought to it , and it seldom or never fails me . for leaping horses , there are four several ayres , which are croupadoes , balotadoes , capriols , and a pace and a leap ; the heighth of these may be all alike , but not the manner ; though the horse that goes the longest time , must needs go the highest . croupadoes is a leap , where the horse pulls up his hinder-leggs , as if he drew , or pull'd them up into his body . balotadoes is a leap where the horse offers to strike out with his hinder-leggs , but doth not ; and makes only an offer , or half strokes ; shewing only the shooes of his hinder-leggs , but doth not strike , only makes an offer , and no more . capriols is a leap , that when the horse is at the full heighth of his leap , he yerks , or strikes out his hinder-leggs , as neer , and as eeven together , and as far out as ever he can stretch them ; which the french call , nouer l'esquillette , which is , to tie the point . a pace and a leap , is , as it were three ayres ; the pace terra a terra , the raising of him a corvet , and then a leap : these ayres can never be forc't to go well in them , in spight of their poynsons , but what nature ordains them ; for , they are called , well-disposed horses . what belongs to leaping horses ( according to the old opinion ) are these things : a horse of huge and vast strength , an excellent mouth , perfect good feet ; in which last they have not said amiss , for good feet are very requisite , else the horse dares never leight on them , for fear of hurting them ( no more than a man that hath the gout , dares leap ) and so will never rise . i could wish a good mouth , ( which is a good apuy ) neither too hard , nor too soft , but to suffer a good apuy upon the barrs , and so to suffer the curb , which is to be understood a good mouth : yet i must tell you , the rarest leaping horse that ever i saw , or rid , went not at all upon the curb , but only upon the barrs of his mouth , which i do not commend ; but it is better to have him leap so , being so rare a horse , than to be so over-curious as not to have him leap at all , because he went not upon the curb . that they must be very strong horses to be leaping horses , is a very great errour ; for , it is not the strongest horses that is fittest for the delight of the mannage , and especially not for leaping horses ; for i have seen many strong horses , that must be galloped very long before you could abate the strength of their chines ; and all that while they would do nothing but yerk , and fetch disordered counter-times of false leaps , and the best horse-men in the world could never make them leaping horses : so it is not strong , but well-disposed horses ; for the best leaping horses that ever i knew , were the weakest horses i have seen . take one of the guard , the strongest fellow that is , and i will bring a little fellow that shall out-leap him many a foot ; yet that strong fellow would crush that little fellow to death in his armes : so 't is not strength , but disposition fits horses for leaping . but some will say , that a little man's strength is above his weight , and the great man's weight is above his strength ; but that is not so ; for the great man's strength shall be more above his weight , than the little man's strength above his , and yet the little man shall out-leap him . nay , two little men of equal strength , the one shall leap excellently , and the other not ; and more , a weaker little man shall out-leap the stronger , and sometimes a weak slender slim fellow will out-leap a knit strong fellow ; so that it is nothing but disposition , which nature gives , and not art : sometimes a strong great fellow will out-leap a little man , but that is seldom , because their spirits are more dilated , assunder , and diffused , than in little men : the like i will assure you in horses , as i have told you of men ; there may be a strong horse disposed for leaping , and that no doubt is an excellent horse ; but for the most part they are but weak horses , that are disposed for leaping ; sometimes a horse finds himself so pincht with corvets upon the hanches , being weak , that he finds ease in leaping . thus you see , that leaping horses are disposed by nature , and not art , being full of spirit , and leight ; so that horse-men hath nothing to do in making leaping horses , but only to give them the time , which is all the art ought to be used to a leaping horse ; and he that thinks to shew more art in a leaping horse , will but shew his ignorance and folly. a pace and a leap is an ayre , in which horses commonly go when they have not a good apuy ; for the pace puts him upon the hand , and gives him a rise to leap like one that runs before he leaps , and so may leap higher than he that goes every time a leap. thus i have shewed you these ayres , corvets , croupadoes , balotadoes , capriols , and a pace , and a leap , which nature must do more than art : two paces , and three paces , and a leap , are not comely , and are indeed rather a gallop galliard , than can be called an ayre . my new way at the single pillar , which is most effectual and operative for the dressing of all horses in all ayres whatsoever . first bring the horse sadled , and bridled , and put him under the button , and then let a groom take the inward cavezone's reyn for the right-hand , and lap it about the single pillar , and make it very short , ( but where he holds it higher than where 't is tied to the ring of the cavezone ) and let another groom hold the long reyn of the cavezone on the other side , in his hand , with a poinson in the other hand , to prick him if he should put out his croup too much ; and one behind him with a rod , to keep him from going backwards ; and then let the cavalarizzo raise him de firme a firme , which is in a place : a little at first must satisfie you , for , rome was not built in a day . thus tying him short , he cannot rise high , and therefore to find his ease , he goes upon the hanches ; for he is forced to it : after he is used so a little , two rodds is the best help , one upon the shoulder , and the other under his belley , which puts him upon the hanches . tie him so still with the same reyn , and when he is perfect de firme a firme , then make him go upon his voltoes with two rods in your hands , helping before with one rod , and the other under his belley ; and be you on the outside of the horse , and he will go upon his voltoes perfectly . tie him so still with the same reyn , and help him with both your rods as before , and be on the outside of him , and then go forwards , and face the horse , and he will go in corvets upon his voltoes backwards perfectly ; which i never saw but this way . tie him with the same reyn still , and you may make him go side-ways in corvets . now tie the left reyn ( as you did the right ) short , which doth the business ; and do in all things as i told you for the right-hand ; and thus the horse goes perfectly on both hands , in corvets in a place , upon his turns , backward upon his voltoes , and side-ways , without any body on him , which was never known or seen before . when the horse goes perfectly thus , then get upon him , the reyn still tied very short , and make him go as you did before in every thing , and you may make him go in all other ayres the same way . how to dress a horse perfectly in corvets without pillar , which is the surest way . when you work a horse upon corvets , before you do that , you must make a horse to rise perfectly in passadoes , which is high before , and to stay upon the hand , using the cavezone still ; and this forward , and not upon circles at the first by any means : then to make him go in corvets , tie the cavezone's reyn from the wall , to keep that hinder-legg to his other hinder-legg that is next the wall , and begin with two or three corvets , and then walk him again , and then corvet him again ; and if you feel him on the hand , and he goes forwards with it , he will quickly be drest ; and if he goes forwards too much , let him make his corvets in a place , and pull him back , and then make him go in corvets . when your left shoulder is to the wall , you must tie the right cavezone's reyn to the pommel , which doth not only keep back his hinder-legg on the same side the cavezone's right reyn is tied , but it also supples his shoulders extreamly , and prepares him ; nothing like it to go upon voltoes on the right hand . when your right shoulder is to the wall , then you must tie the left cavezone's reyn to the pommel , for the same reasons , and work him in corvets , as i told you before ; and this will prepare him , and make him go upon his voltoes on the left-hand ; and no lesson better at the first . there is another rare lesson for corvets , which is this ; tie the right cavezone's reyn to the pommel , and let him go on the left-hand , legg and reyn on a side , as if his head was to the pillar ; and raise him so in corvets , two or three times , his croup out ; and then walk him , and then corvet him in the same manner : this keeps out his inward hinder-legg , and so supples him to the hand and heel , that there is nothing like it ; but though he goes on the left-hand , he is suppled for the right-hand . the left-hand is the same ; you must tie the left cavezone's reyn to the pommel , and go on the right-hand , his croup out , and help legg and reyn on a side , and so do in all things else , as you did before ; and thus he shall never be entier , but most supple both to hand and heel . to put him upon corvets on his voltoes , the inward cavezone's reyn must still be tied to the pommel , and his croup must not be in too much ; but rather d'une piste , for teaching of him , and to keep out the inward hinder-legg is the business : help a little with the outward reyn of the bridle , and make him go three or four corvets , and then walk him , and then corvet him again ; and so diminish your walk , and augment your corvets , until he makes a perfect turn in corvets ; and when he is perfect , then let the horse go upon his voltoes byas in corvets , and that 's the perfection in voltoes : you must always ( in corvets ) help with the outward reyn , not only to keep him up , but to give him the ply , and to make him go byas , and not help with your leggs at all . if you find he hastens too much , then raise him high in passadoes , and keep him upon the hand , and help him with the rod upon the shoulders and leggs , to make him bend them ; which is the only grace in all ayres whatsoever : this , and thus working of him upon his voltoes , either d ▪ une piste , or his croup in upon passadoes , will make him go rarely in corvets . to make a horse go side-ways in corvets , help only with the bridle , and put his head to the wall ; and on the right-hand , help with the outward reyn , and let the horse go byas ; that is , his shoulders before his croup ; and let him go three or four corvets byas , and then walk him byas ; and then corvet him byas again , and so walk him , and corvet him ; and by little and little diminish his walking , and augment his corvets , until he goes all in corvets , which he will soon do , and very perfectly . for the left-hand , using the outward reyn , and the horse being byas , do in every thing , as i told you before for the right-hand ; and the horse will very soon go byas , and very perfectly . to make the horse go in corvets backward , pull the horse back , and then make him go three or four corvets in a place , and then pull him back again , and then corvet him in a place again ; and thus pulling him back , and corvetting him in a place , diminishing the pulling back , and augmenting the corvets , he will at last go backward in corvets as perfectly as can be . to go forwards in corvets , you must always help with the reyn to the wall ; to inlarge him before , and to narrow him behind ; because he leads with his fore-parts , and his hinder-parts follow to keep the ground that his fore parts hath got ; his fore-parts being at liberty , and his hinder-parts prest . to go backwards in corvets , you must always help with the reyn to the wall ; to narrow him before , and inlarge him behind , to be there at liberty , because he leads with his hinder-parts , and his fore-parts follow , to keep the ground that his hinder-parts hath got ; his hinder-parts being at liberty , and his fore-parts prest , your hand is to be low , that the horse may not go too high , and your body a little forward , to give his hinder-parts liberty to lead , and not help with the leggs at all , but with the hand every time to pull him back , as he falls to the ground . for side-wayes in corvets , you must help with the outward reyn and outward legg ; that is , you must pull that reyn on which hand soever he goes , and your contrary legg ; and that 's right for side-ways . knowing how to help him forwards , backwards , and of each side , in corvets , put those together , and then you may make him do the cross when you please , without any difficulty . for the saraban in corvets , it must be with the outward reyn , which is to be pull'd first on one side , and then on the other side , in every corvet , from side to side , helping only with your hand ; your outward shoulder following it , and not helping with your leggs at all . all ayres must be quick from the ground , and are to stay upon the hand ; that is , to soutenir , or hold him there , but it must be gently ; a leight , and a firm hand , helping every time . if a horse beats upon the hand , it is , because he doth not obey the curb ; and in that case , you must raise him very high in passadoes , and hold him there , which puts him upon the curb ; and if this will not do , then gallop him upon a straight line by a wall , or otherwise ; and from his gallop stay him upon the hand , and let him go in corvets ; or let him gallop forward le petit gallop , and stop him , and then raise him three or four passadoes very high , and hold him on the hand when he is up , and this will cure him ; if not , then trot him , and stop him good hard stops ; and pull him back : and upon the same circles d'une piste , gallop him , and stop him , and pull him back , and this will settle him on the hand , i warrant you ; your stirrups being of an equal length , except one of your leggs was shorter than the other , and rather a hole shorter than too long ; but still that you may sit straight ; not so short as the italians , or the spaniards , but that you may sit upon your twist , and straight upon your stirrups . the true way for corvets . the seat is to be just as in terra a terra , but not so stiff , nor so oblique ; the bridle-hand eeven with his neck , the knuckles towards his neck on which hand soever he goes ; but the hand still eeven with his neck , two or three fingers above the pommel , and a little forward , and no help but soutenir , and in good time , according to the horses time ; for every horse takes his own time . quick it must be from the ground , and to stay in the ayre upon the hand , your body alwayes going to that which comes to you ; that is , to bend a little to him as he rises ; but so insensibly , that the beholders cannot perceive it . you are to sit as forward to the pommel as you can , being straight , and your thighes and knees as close as if they were glued to the saddle , but your toes down , that you may be weak in the hams ; that is , to have your nerves weak from the knees down-wards , and strong from the knees upwards , and not touch your horse with the leggs , nor help with your leggs at all ; but to leave his croup free to follow his fore-parts that leads . for when the horse is between the pillars , or at the single pillar my way , and no body on him , yet he goes as just as can be , and yet there is no leggs that helps him , therefore you must not help with your leggs at all ; for , if you help with your outward legg , he thinks he must go terra a terra ; and if he doth go in corvets , he goes all awry , and leans on the outside ; and if you help with the inward legg , then he puts out his croup , and leans all on the inside ; and if you help with both your leggs , it presses him too much , and makes him go too quick a time ; therefore the right way is not to help with your leggs at all . this is for a horse that goes perfectly ; but if a horse puts in his croup too much , you must put it out with your inward legg ; and if he puts out his croup too much , then you must put it in with your outward legg : but remember alwayes , that your horse goes byas upon his circles , his fore parts always to lead , which is oblique : and this is the exact way for corvets . of corvets upon voltoes , and to change upon them . sit straight , a little oblique ; help not with the leggs at all , until you change ; the toes down to unbrace your nerves , and your hand eeven with his crest , or neck , and only soutenir , and not help every time , but ( in musical time ) according to the time of the horse , for every horse takes his own time ; though all ayres should be quick from the ground , and to stay upon the hand , and help with the rod in a just time , either cross his neck , or on the inside , which you please , as you find occasion : and as the horse is thus going upon his voltoes in corvets on the right-hand , when you would change him , put your right-legg gently to him , and then hold him up with your hand a little , on the inside of his neck , the knuckles alwayes towards his neck , on which hand soever you go ; and as soon as he hath changed , then take your right-legg from him , as before , and help not with the leggs at all , only the poise is to be a little on the outside . now you are on the left-hand , when you would change again , put your left-legg gently to him , and your hand to hold him up a very little on the inside of the turn , and then take away your left-legg as before , and help not with the leggs at all . the reason why ( upon his changes ) i begin with the legg , and not the hand , is this : if i began with the hand , he would stop ; and if i did turn my hand , his croup would go out , and be lost , and therefore i begin with the legg ; but instantly i hold him up with my hand , when they are so near together , that none can perceive it : if his shoulders do not come in enough , you must turn your hand , to help with the outward reyn. and this must be done so neatly , and gently , and with so much art as possibly can be , which is the quintessence of changing upon voltoes in corvets : for demy-voltoes in corvets , the same way , and the same helps ; and so for a demy-ayre , the same helps . a horse that retains his forces , and is pareseus , and towards resty , corvets is an ayre that will not agree well with him ; and horses of great fire , and fougue , that are impatient , are very improper for all ayres , as corvets , demy-ayres , and leaps ; but they are more proper to go upon the ground ; for , as to furious horses , and impatient , all ayres augment their collers , and deprives them of memory and obedience . i would have the first lesson in corvets to be made leasurely , and high before , which is passadoes ; for that ( long time before he brings his fore-leggs to the ground ) doth give him means to assure his hanches , and to firm his head , and to bend his fore-leggs , and to divert him from apprehensions , and unquietness , and to hinder him from trampling , which is trepigner . here i will shew you , how to dress leaping horses . walk a horse forward , and then make him make one leap , and presently raise him high ; a passadoe , or two ; and stay him , and keep him upon the hand , and then augment your leaps , and diminish your passadoes , and so by little and little he will leap perfectly ; and after he is perfect upon a right line forward , then you must put him upon voltoes , or circles , and continue the same method ; but the circles must be a little large at first . you must remember , when you raise him to leap , that you help him with your rod behind , either one stroke , or more , as you please , so it be in time ; and that is , when the horse is raised , then help him , but alwayes high passadoes after he hath leapt . remember to sit straight , your stirrups a little shorter , a hole , or so ; for too short would throw you out of the saddle , and to long would disorder your seat , and make you lose your stirrups ; your toes down , to slack your nerves from the knees downward , or else the horse would bolt forward too much ; for a leaping horse should never go forward above a foot and a half at the most ; and when you raise him , instantly put your brest out , which makes your shoulders go a little back ( though insensibly ) to the beholders ; for , did you not so when the horse rises , it would be too late when he yerks behind , or raises his croup . now i must tell you , that your knees and thighes must be as close as if they were glu'd to the saddle ; and for your bridle-hand , you must alwayes help with it the outward reyn , to bring in his outward shoulder , to narrow him before , and inlarge him behind , to press him on the inside of the turn , and to be at liberty without the turn , that his croup may go a little out , and be free ; for else , how should he leap , if his croup were subjected , or bound up ? therefore the outward reyn is to be used for all leaps whatsoever , either forward , or upon circles . here i will tell you a secret for the hand , concerning leaping horses ; and that is this : the bridle being a little longer than ordinary , raise him well , and every time put your hand a little forward , to soutenir , and stay him there upon the hand , as if he hung in the ayre ; and in every leap help him so , and take a just time , like a ball at the bound . all leaps are made upon the hand , and nothing else ; therefore see that the horse be well setled upon the hand , before ever you make him leap ; for nothing disorders a horse's mouth more than leaps : for , a pace and a leap , it must be done the same way . thus ends the method for teaching leaping horses . a true observation in riding . there is no man , that hath not a musical head , that can be a good horse-man , because all horses ought to go in a just and musical time , though the time varies in every horse , some slower , and some quicker ; and besides , as no man plays on the lute , but the same strings that he stops with his left-hand , he always strikes with his right-hand , or else it would be ill musick : so in riding , whatsoever you touch , or help with your left-hand , you must strike with your heel , or calf of your legg , or else it will be ill musick on horse-back : and therefore a good horse-man should never fail to have hand and heel to go together , no more than the musitian his two hands together . here ends the third part. the fourth part , which contains all the faults & errors the horse can commit ; with the vices , and horse's sins in the mannage , and the ways how to rectifie him , and the medicines how to cure him . no horse makes a fault , but it is either in his shoulders , or his croup ; either before , or behind : that is , he doth either disobey the hand or the heel . if you work horses , as i have told you , in the first lessons , he can never be entier , which is , not to turn ; for , entier is to put in his croup , and put out his shoulders ; and those lessons puts out his croup , and in his shoulders , which is contrary to entier : so that suppling a horses shoulders thus , a horse can never be entier ; for indeed , it is the stifness of his shoulders , more than his croup ; and working as i have told you , he shall never be entier : but , if he be very obstinate , pull the inward cavezone's reyn hard to you , and spur him on the inside , and that will cure him . if the horse doth not obey the heel , but puts out his croup , then his head to the wall ( legg and reyn contrary ) will cure him ; if not , then upon his circles put his head from the turn , and help him with your outward legg , and spur him , ( if there be cause ) then bring in your inward shoulder , which puts in his croup ; but his leggs go false : if this will not do , then pull the outward cavezone's reyn to the turn , which infallibly will put in his croup , but falser than the other ; because now he is pull'd to look out of the turn , and his croup before his shoulders , and his leggs very false ; but what is good for the stomack , is ill for the liver , and one must not rectifie to many things at once ; but when you have cured the vice , fall to the true way of riding again . when a horse goes false upon his terra a terra , in bringing in his shoulders too much , and taking too much ground with his fore-parts , there is no way to remedy it , like tying the inward cavezone's reyn as straight as possibly you can to the pommel ; for then he hath not so much room to bring in his shoulders , though it appears otherwise ; but thus he takes shorter steps , and less ground ; and then he is cured . to work only with the bridle , a horse that hath the vice of bringing in his outward shoulder too much . this vice is disobeying both the hand and the heel ; but more the hand : for , no horse can bring in his shoulders too much , but he must put out his croup ; and no horse that bringeth in his shoulders too much , but he comes into the turn , and keeps not his ground ; and if he rise too high , he hath more liberty to bring in his outward shoulder : then the business to recover him of that vice is , to keep him low , and to make him go forward truly , both with his leggs and body , you sitting in the right posture as you should , and with true and right helps for terra a terra , as i have shewed you before . then to cure him is thus ; sit oblike as i have shewed you , pulling the inward reyn , your hand on the outside of his neck , your knuckles towards his neck ; and to keep him down , that he shall not rise too high , your bridle-hand as low as his neck , and that will keep him down ; and there is half his vice cured , that he cannot come in so much . and now to keep him from coming in at all ; because his coming in is by reason of his not going forward : therefore to make him go forward , you must help with both your leggs ; and as the outward legg keeps in his croup , so the inward legg puts him forward ; so the hand low keeps him down , and both leggs puts him forward , and then he is cured with right helps , and goes truly . this i have tried , and find it to be most true ; where all the other helps may do , but they are false , both for the man's sitting , and the horse's going ; therefore i set down none but this , because you should not use them : doing voltoes may be good sometimes , for this vice may fix his croup . observations . many horses , though they can do nothing but trott , yet when they are prest in the mannage , they will make a shuffling amble ; nay , they will perfectly amble , which is the worst action for the mannage that possible can be ; and therefore to hinder them of that action , there is nothing better , than to pull in their heads into the turn as much as possible you can , and to put them upon as narrow circles as you can ; and this will hinder them from ambling : and to give them the spurrs soundly , when they amble , will also put them from ambling : many strong horses will amble when they are prest in the mannage , but commonly horses amble out of weakness , either by nature , or that they are almost tyred : as soon as foles are foled , we see that they all amble at first , because they are so weak ; and after they come to a little strength , then they trott . there are many horses , that whensoever they are prest , they will put up their heads ; it may be to shun the pressure of being put upon the hanches ; for , holding up their heads puts them off of the hanches . to remedy this , tie the cavezone , my way , to the pommel ; for , that pulls down his head , and therefore must put him on the hanches : but the horse , to hinder that , will strive still not to be upon the hanches , by putting out his croup ; then you must spurr him on that side until he obeys you : it may be he casts up his head , because he doth not obey the curb ; then you must trott him , and stopp him ; and gallop him , and stopp him , and pull him back ; and this upon the shoulders , and then he is cured . whensoever a horse goes too much on the back , and fetches disordered leaps , there is no way better to hinder him , than to hold him well and fast on the hand ; for , a slack hand gives him liberty to leap , when a stiffer hand hinders him from leaping . when a horse uses to go low in corvets , and that by much rest , and many holly-daies , or but little riding , the horse goes too much on the back ; there is nothing takes him off more , than to put in his croup , and his outward hanch , for that subjects his hinder-parts so much , as he is hindred , and tied up from crouping , or going upon the back : but before you come to that , it were very good to trott and gallop him so long upon large circles , d'une piste , until you find that you have totally abated his chine , and taken him off of his back , and then put in his outward hanch , to subject his croup again , that he may go on the hanches , and not to go on the back . for there is nothing in the world puts a horse more upon the hanches , than the cavezone my way , tied to the pommel , and to press him on the outside of the turn , that he may lean on the outside ; that is , to lean on his outward legg , that is , on his outward hinder-legg , which is done by the inward reyn cross his neck , or tied to the pommel , to put him on the outside . if a horse will not trott right , but wrangle in his going , between a false trott , and a false gallop ; then tie the inward reyn of the cavezone very straight to the pommel , and put out his croup very much upon large circles ; and if he still doth gumble , and falsify his leggs , give him the spurr , within the turn ; or both spurrs soundly , and good stops ; and this infallibly will make him trot right , and go just upon his trott , or gallop , as he should do . of a resty horse . a resty horse is he that will not go forward ; the way then is , to pull him backwards , and then he will go forwards : it seldom fails ; but if it do fail , then use your spurs to the purpose ; and though he rebels a great while , the spurs will perswade him at last , being the best argument you can use to him , if they be given sharply , ( soundly , and in time ) and are continued until he doth yeeld , which certainly he will do at last ; for this remedy never fails ; all other remedies are foolish ; you were as good apply rose water and sugar-candy to him : therefore the spurs does the business . for all our old writers were mightily deceived in it . for a horse that is retenu , paresus , or contre-coeur , which is all but a spice of restiness , be sure to use the spurs . for a horse that falls down upon the ground , or in the water ; bites , or strikes ; nothing better than the spurs . but i must tell you , for vitious horses , that indangers the company by biteing , and striking , there is no better way than to geld them ; for that will cure them , or nothing . but i assure you , that vitious horses are very hardly recovered , or never ; so dangerous a thing it is to have such a jade , and the worst , if he be spoil'd by an ignorant rider : and more horses are spoil'd by ill riding , and are made vitious , than by nature . of a run-away horse . for a run-away horse , you must have a gentle bitt , the curb slack , a gentle cavezone , that nothing may hurt his mouth , or his nose ; for , certainly sharp cavezones , and cruel bitts , hard curb'd , made horses run away heretofore , making them desperate . you must also have a gentle hand , offend him no way ; and walk him first without stopping , but staying of him by little and little ; and then trott him ; and from his trott , to his walk ; and so by little and little stay him : and always make much of him when he obeys you . and from his trott , you must gently gallop him ; and from his gallop , to a trot ; and from his trot , to his walk ; and from his walk , by little and little , stay him , and always with a gentle hand . this is to prevent him from running away . but put the case he doth run away , what is to be done then ? it is certain , that the more you pull the cavezone , he will run the faster to oppose you ; and the more you pull the bridle , and straighten the curb , hurting him , the more you pull , the more he will pull , and run the faster ; for pulling doth no more good , than if you pull'd a wall : then if you have field-room , when he begins to run , give him the spurrs continually , sharply , and soundly , and slack the bridle , and spurr him until he begins to slack of himself , and to be contented to stay ; and as often as he begins to run , use the same way , and at last i dare undertake he will be cured : for this is the best way in the world for a run-away horse . but if you have not room , and are circumscrib'd in a narrow place , then let him run circularly , until he is weary , with a slack hand : but if you have not room , the best is , to put him to the single pillar , with a good strong rope ; both which will hold him , and there he can run but circularly , and round ; and give him the spurrs soundly , until he be weary , and contented to stay ; and this at last , no doubt , will cure him . of a horse that retains his forces . when a horse retains his forces , you must gallop him fast , and so terra a terra , to put him from thinking ; for it is his resty thinking , that makes that vice : and let me tell you , that ill riders , and bunglers , at the first , makes ( for the most part ) all these faults , and vitious horses , by ill riding , correcting them out of time , or else in letting them have their wills too much . let me tell you for a great truth , that the worst natured jade in the world by nature , is much easier drest , and reduc'd to obedience , than a horse that hath been spoil'd , and made resty by ill riding ; so much worse is an ill custom continued , than an ill disposition by nature : for , a customary drunkard is hardly reclaimed , which is not by nature ; and if men be so , horses may well be so too . to assure horses for the warrs . as when a horse is skittish , and apprehensive of noise , there are many inventions , and none of the best . to stop the horse's ears with wool , that he should not hear ; that is , to make him deaf , and to change the vice for the disease of deafness ; but the vice remains still . what if the wool should fall out ? then you would find he was not cured . but you may also be deceived , for it may be it is another sense ; that 's sight : and being afraid of fire , when the guns are fired , would you put spectacles on him to make him both deaf and blind ? they are great follies . therefore you must use him by little and little , to shott , both to the noise and sight of the fire ; to drums , trumpets , and colours ; and the custom of them will make him indure it , and go constantly upon any of them ; sword , or any thing ; for custom doth all things with men , and so with horses . you should teach him to leap hedge , ditch , and rail ; for all these are the useful things for a souldiers horse ; as also to swim well is very necessary . of vitious horses . when a horse bites at his shoulders , and at his bitt , and at his riders leggs , and rises , and turns round , ready to come over : the best remedy that i know , is , to ride him without a cavezone , to offend him as little as may be ; and to tie the nose-band as straight as you can ; as also to have another nose-band below , where the bitt is tied ; and to tie that as straight as possibly can be ; so straight , as he cannot open his mouth : and when the horse finds that he cannot bite , he will leave those jadish tricks in a little time . and because the spurrs , given him out of time , appear to be the cause of his vitiousness , and restiness , therefore do not give him the spurrs of a great while , but only trot him upon large circles , and walk him quietly , and peaceably ; and when you have gained him to this point , upon a peaceable and little gallop , you may then touch him with the spurrs , but very gently , only to make him feel them , and no more ; and this way will cure him , or else nothing . the old way for trench and martingal . this way is to no purpose at all to dress a horse , since the end of riding is , to go with the bitt ; for , with the trench and martingal , you must use both hands , and you have not a third hand for the sword ; but with the bitt , your left-hand governs the horse , and your right-hand is free for the sword : but i will let you see , that to use the trench and martingal , is just so much time lost , as you ride horses with it , and no preparation at all for the bitt : for first , the trench hath no curb , therefore they will not understand the curb by it , because it hath none . then secondly , there is no trench in the world , or snaffle , that ever wrought upon the bars of a horse , but upon his lips , and the weeks of his mouth . so , what preparation is there in the trench for the bitt , when the trench can neither make him understand the curb , nor the bars ? and the bitt works only upon those two places , curb , and bars ; and without those two , no horse can be a ready-horse . nay , pull down the horses head as much as you can with the martingal , or the trench , it shall never work upon his bars ; the snaffle is the same ; for the trench is but a great snaffle : then for the martingal , use it never so long , the horse shall not be setled one jot the better when you take it off . so now you may see how unuseful a folly the trench and martingal is , for the dressing of horses ; meerly so much time lost to no purpose , and labour in vain , and disordering the poor horse ; so that i wonder at the horse-men , that had no more wit than to use it . it is the bitt , with the cavezone , and the true art of riding , that makes , and dresses horses perfectly , and not the trench and martingal ; no , nor the martingal with the bitt , if it be tied to the arches of the bitt , for then the curb never works ; no , nor the new-fashioned martingal , that is tied to the cavezone , for it hinders the operation of the bitt . of the false reyns . to work horses with false reyns , is very false working ; for , being tied to the arches of the bitt , and pulling it , that slacks the curb ; and so no horse shall be firm , and setled with it ; for , that horse that doth not suffer the curb , shall never be a ready-horse ; so it makes the bitt like a snaffle . there is no way but the cavezone , and the bitt , to settle and dress horses withal perfectly ; and when a horse is perfectly setled upon the hand , ( then being put upon the hanches ) he will go so perfectly , and easily , as you shall hardly feel him upon the hand , the bridle will be so slack , and he will go so just . if you work , as this book instructs you , you shall never have any horse vitious in any kind , if no body else have rid him ; and after he is drest to that perfection , he will hardly make you a fault , if you work as you should do . of the follies of some people , thinking they can make leaping-horses . there are many presumptuous fellows , as ignorant as they are presumptuous , that laughing , say , they will make any horse a leaping-horse . why ? because they will make him leap over a stick , like a jack-anapes , or a dogg ; or make a horse leap over a barrel , a rail , hedge , or ditch . if that were all , we should have many leaping-horses ; for , i know hardly any horse but will do it , without any great art : god help their ignorance , poor fools ! for , a horse to leap so , is not the same leaping , as a horse leaps in the mannage . first , for their horses that leaps over hedge and ditch , and of their fashion ; they lay the reyns in his neck , and puts him forward , which is a leap of their fashion , but not a leap in the mannage : and where they give him the reyns to leap , we hold him , and help him up with the hand to leap ; and so with our heels , if it need , at the same time : and thus the horse obeys both the hand and the heels , at the same time ; hath an excellent mouth , and a good apuy , both upon the bars , and the curb . a gentle-mans hunts-boy , though he can leap his masters gelding over a hedge , will not make him leap upon the bars and the curb with his snaffle ; since his snaffle hath no curb , and his snaffle never works upon the bars , but upon the weeks , and lips of his horses mouth : besides , our horses will leap so in a place , and not at leap-frogg , as their horses , or at barley-break , to leap two or three yards forward without feeling of his mouth . thus doth ignorance talk of things they do not know : nay , some horse men hath been so foolish , as to think they could make a leaping-horse , with laying fur-bushes for him to leap over , which is the same as a hedge ; so foolish they have been : and now you see the truth of this , truly anatomized to you . of a horse that goes incaputiato , which is , when he armes himself against the bitt . our learned authors are mightily mistaken about this vice , as they call it , saying , a horse is at no command , and hard on the hand , because the branches rests upon his neck , or shoulders , and you cannot pull , or help him with your hand at all ; wherein they are horribly deceived : for , i have had horses that have armed themselves against the bitt , as much as any horse could do , and yet were as sensible to the hand , and as leight on the hand , as any horse in the world ; so they are mightily mistaken : for , if the horse goes perfectly upon the hanches , he must be leight on the hand , let him arm , or his head be never so low ; and therefore they are deceived that thinks otherwise . this should have been put in the second part. for terra a terra , you must help with the inward reyn ; press him on the outside , and your outward shoulder a little down ; and then his outward shoulder cannot come in , as it doth with the other way before-mentioned : and thus the horse is prest all on the outside of his outward hinder-legg , and so upon the hanches ; which in the other is upon the shoulders , and the horse being prest on the outside , his leggs are at liberty , to lead on the inside , and so he goes eeven , and not cross ; which is the exact and right terra a terra . an epitomy of horse-manship . in all ayres you must help with the outward reyn. first for corvets ; you must help with the outward reyn , and if the horse be not on the hanches enough , you must soutenir more , not give him a time , but hold him up more upon the hands : and if his croup go out , you must put your outward legg a little to him ; and if he put his croup in too much , you must put your inward legg a little to him , and turn your hand a little more , just over his neck , and only turn it up , but not within his neck . you must help with the outward reyn to bring in his outward shoulder ; for if that did not come in , he could not turn upon voltoes ; and so his croup is a little at liberty , which makes him go the easier , freer , and at more liberty to go straight forward . to go byas , on either hand , you must still help with the outward reyn , and soutenir ; that is , hold him up , without giving him a time : for , the horse gives himself a time better than you can , and you must help with the outward legg ; that is , legg and reyn of a side , but both on the outside still . to make him go back in corvets , use the outward reyn ; but here you must give him a time with your hand every cadance that he makes , and your hand closer to your body ; not to pull him back , but to give him a time ; and as he falls , that time is to be a little back , but not above a straw breadth : let your body be a little forward , your leggs a little back , and sit not too strong . of demy — ayres . you must use the very same helps , as in corvets , in every thing : for , when his croup is within the voltoe , if you help , as i have told you , ( so you put him forward ) he will go easily , and just , as a horse should always go forward , in every thing , but when you will pull him back . of leaps . use the outward reyn still , but you must soutenir more ; that is , to hold him up harder , and not to give him a time , but still to hold him up , for the horse gives himself the best time ; and do not help with your leggs , but only hands and rod ; and the rod under hand , and help him in time , and as much upon the dock as you can , to make him strike out . upon voltoes use the outward reyn ; but here his croup must be a little out , to give him liberty , for else he could not go , if his hanches were subjected ; and he must go larger upon his voltoes , as if he went forward with all the liberty that may be ; for this is a forcible ayre . of passadoes . still use the outward reyn , to bring in his outward shoulder ; and so in demy-voltoes . so in the piroyte , with the outward reyn ; but not to turn the hand on the inside of his neck , and keep him low. to gallop and change , with the outward reyn still . of terra a terra . here you are to use the inward reyn , for now you must keep the outward shoulder back , and give his inward shoulder liberty , that he may look into the turn , rest upon his outward leggs , and his inward leggs at liberty , which you may know by his neck leaning on the outside . you must know , that the outward reyn brings in his outward shoulder , presses him on the inside , and gives his outward leggs liberty , and so his croup goes a little out . use the outward reyn in passager ; for , if his outward shoulder comes not in , how shall he lap one legg over another , which they call incavelar in italian , and passager in french ? now , whatsoever makes his croup go out upon a trot , or gallop large , it works his shoulders ; so his croup going out ( legg and reyn on a side ) works his shoulders , because his inward legg goes out as upon large circles , his inward legg being wrought : this working his shoulders is an excellent thing for a young horse , or an ignorant horse at first ; for without his shoulders be supple , he shall never go : besides , it keeps him from being entier , or have the credenza , which is , resty in turning , and is the worst vice a horse can have . to work his crovp . legg and reyn contrary , his head to the wall , works his croup , so the inward reyn be pulled . cross his neck , legg and reyn contrary , his croup in , works his croup , so the inward reyn be pull'd cross his neck ; his croup in , the inward reyn pull'd hard on the outside , so that his neck may lean on the outside , works his croup . in his length the same , and raise him in passadoes his croup in , works his croup ; and all this puts him upon the hanches to boot , which is all our business . now , as you are working his croup , you must give him the spur now and then , to make him flie ; for he never obeys it , until he flies it ; it is not a correction with the spurr , but a little touch ; which may be given him upon large circles too ; that is , he must flie it , and yet be upon the hanches : this touch gently with the spurr , may be upon any thing ; to thrust him like a carreer , to stop him , and thrust him away presently again , makes him obey the heel perfectly ; stoping , and going back , and raiseing of him , puts him upon the hanches . you must understand , that a horse having two hinder-leggs , when his inward hinder-legg is put out , by the outward reyn , then his outward shoulder is wrought , and his croup out , and not upon the hanches ; is prest within , and at liberty without . but when his outward legg is prest by the inward reyn , and your outward legg ; then his croup is wrought , and he is upon the hanches ; so the outward reyn works the shoulders , and the inward reyn ( with the outward legg ) works the croup , and puts him upon the hanches ; and the more , if you raise him in passadoes . to work his fore-parts , and his hinder-parts ; to press him on his leggs , without the turn , and at liberty within the turn ; to press him on his leggs within the turn , and at liberty without the turn ; to obey the hand and heel , and to be upon the hanches , is all that can be done : and this that i have written doth it perfectly . until he be supple on the shoulders , and stop perfectly upon his trott , and is perfectly setled upon the hand , he shall never be a ready-horse : the way to supple his shoulders best , is the cavezone my way ; and to pull the inward reyn to your knee , which brings in his outward shoulder ; galloping puts him upon the apuy ; but never gallop him until he stop perfectly upon his trott , and that he is so leight as he offers to gallop of himself . the stop upon a trott , must be hard , and on a sudden ; the stop upon a gallop , with two or three little falcadoes ; and never stop and raise him together , but stop first , and raise him afterwards . to work his croup , you must use the cavezone's reyn cross his neck ; which puts him so on the outside , that you may feel his outward hanch to go in , and his neck to lean on the outside . so that pulling the cavezone to your knee , brings in his outward shoulder , and supples his shoulders ; presses him on the inside , and puts him at liberty on the outside . so pulling the inward cavezone's reyn cross his neck , works his croup ; that is , his outward hanch being put in , ( legg and reyn contrary ) he leans all on the outside , and makes him obey the heel ; presses him on the outside , and gives him liberty within the turn : never stop him , but put your outward legg to him ; or else he cannot be upon the hanches . an effectual discourse of horse-manship . certainly the foundation of all ayres in the mannage , and the ground of every thing , is , trotting , and stopping , with looking into the turn ; a gentle stop , not too hard , which puts a horse upon the hanches , and settles him upon the hand ; because it pulls him down before ; but too hard a stop pulls him up before ; and therefore puts him off of the hanches . to make him look into the turn , the cavezone , my way , and pulling the inward reyn to your knee , low , or beyond it , brings in his outward shoulder , and bends him into the turn very much ; supples his shoulders , presses him within the turn , and leaves his leggs at liberty without the turn ; and pulling him down before , makes him stop well : but see still , that his outward shoulder comes in , and then he shall never be entier ; which is the greatest vice a horse can have . to tie the inward cavezone's reyn to the pommel , puts a horse on the outside , and presses him there , except your inward legg puts out his croup ; therefore i would have you tie the inward cavezone's reyn to the girths below , which presses him within , and gives liberty to his leggs without the turn , and brings in his outward shoulder : and thus tied to the girths , is more powerful , than if you held it in your hand ; for , many horses may force your hand , which they cannot do , when it is tied to the girths ; and pulling him down thus , makes him stop well . going back sometimes , is an excellent thing to put him on the hanches , to put him on the hand , and to make him leight on the hand , and to make him advance . for passager , there is nothing better , than tying the inward cavezone's reyn to the girths ; for it brings in his outward shoulder , to lap one legg over another , and supples his shoulders . passadoes is a rare thing to put a horse upon the hand , and prepare him for all ayres ; it puts him on the hanches too ; and especially is excellent for leaping horses ; and all this with the inward cavezone's reyn tied to the girthes ; upon a trott , or le petit gallop , it is an excellent thing to give him a little touch with the spur , to make him flie it , and obey it ; but then it must not be abandoned upon the shoulders , but upon the hanches , when he feels the spur. the cavezone is the rarest thing in the world for dressing of horses ; not only to preserve their mouth , but to give them the ply , which is to bend them into the turn , to make them look into the turn , to work their outward shoulder , to bring it into the turn : and thus to supple their shoulders , either upon a trott , or gallop d'une piste ; or passager the croup in , or legg and reyn on a side ; and all this to supple the shoulders , which is a prinpal thing . the cavezone again , ( legg and reyn contrary ) works a horse's croup ; his croup out , as if it were to the pillar , or his croup in for passager , or to the wall ; for legg and reyn contrary , works his croup ; for it puts him on the hanches , because it presses him on his outward leggs , and makes him subject to the heel ; for he cannot get from it , so legg and reyn contrary works his croup , as the former wrought his shoulders ; prest him within , and gave him liberty without : so this legg and reyn contrary presses him without , and gives him liberty within . but when you work legg and reyn contrary , i would wish you to have the cavezone's reyn in your hand ; for so you will help him the better . thus you see how powerful the cavezone is to work shoulders , or croup , or any thing for the perfect dressing of horses ; so that i will undertake to dress a horse better , and more perfectly , with a cavezone without a bitt , than with a bitt without a cavezone ; therefore use the cavezone ; but then it must be my way , or else it is of little effect . since trotting , and stopping upon the trott , is the foundation of all ayres in the mannage , therefore highly esteem of it , and practice it most ; that is , never do any thing with your horse , until he stop perfectly upon his trott ; for , if you do , you will perfectly spoyl him for ever . whether upon a large circle d'une piste his croup out , upon a trott , or his croup in , or straight by a wall : when you stop , be sure you put your body back , and pull in your bridle-hand , but not too suddenly at first ; and be sure you pull the inward reyn hard , to put him on the outside , to rest on his outward hinder-legg , which puts him upon the hanches ; so that you may be sure , at the same time , to help him with your outward legg , which certainly will put him effectually upon the hanches , which is our main business , and work : and therefore do this perfectly , and it will pull down his head. another lesson to put him upon the hanches , which is very effectual . to put a horse upon the hanches , tie the inward cavezone's reyn to the girthes , and then walk him d'une piste , or a short trott , your inward legg to him , and be sure he neither puts his croup out , nor in ; for if he doth either , this lesson is of no force ; but if he doth not , there is nothing puts him more on the hanches . it is very material , for the dressing of horses in the mannage , to know the several operations of the inward cavezone's reyn ( my way ) tied to the girthes , or tied to the pommel . when the inward cavezone's reyn is tied to the girthes , it works his outward shoulder , presses his leggs within the turn , and leaves his leggs at liberty without the turn . it is excellent to trott him large or narrow d'une piste , or gallop him large on narrow d'une piste , for this supples his shoulders , his croup a little out , which brings in his outward shoulder more . it is good also , legg and reyn on a side , his croup out , to supple his shoulders . it is excellent in passager , his croup a little in , to lap one legg over another , because his outward shoulder comes in ; but if you press his croup too much in , it is impossible he should go ; because the reyn , being tied to the girthes , works his outward shoulder ; and putting his buttock in too much , puts his outward shoulder back ; and two contraries is impossible to be wrought at once . it is excellent for le petit gallop , his croup a little in , and proper for it , because it works his shoulders . the inward reyn tied to the girthes , is proper and excellent for corvets , because it brings in the outward shoulder , and so consequently gives a little liberty to the croup . in all these lessons , if his shoulders come not in enough , you must turn your bridle-hand a little , which works the outward reyn , and so consequently the outward shoulder . this working of the shoulders , makes all horses easie ; and thus wrought , they shall never be entier . this tying the inward cavezone's reyn to the girthes , is an oblike line within the turn , and therefore works his outward shoulder . the inward cavezone's reyn , tied to the pommel , is an oblike line cross his neck , and this line puts back his outward shoulder , and puts forward his inward shoulder ; presses him on the outside , and gives his leggs liberty within the turn , and is most proper for terra a terra , which never any found out but my self ; but it is naught for corvets , because it subjects his croup too much ; but this works his croup mightily , either legg or reyn contrary , his croup out ; or passager , his croup in ; either in his length , or a little larger ; and so to raise him in passadoes ; and makes him infinitely subject to the heel . but this oblike line cross his neck to the pommel , is not so powerful , as when i have it in my hand , and pull it to my outward shoulder , because the line is then longer , then when it is tied to the pommel . when his head is to the wall , ( if you would work his shoulders ) then pull the inward cavezone's reyn to your knee ; if you would work his croup , then pull the inward cavezone's reyn to your outward shoulder . there is no doubt , but that , though the inward cavezone's reyn be tied to the pommel , to trott him upon large circles , or to gallop him large , it works his shoulders ; but the reason of that is , because his croup is out , and then of necessity his outward shoulder must come in. if you can work , according to these precepts , and apply these excellent lessons to the horse , and see perfectly where the fault lies , either in his shoulders , or his croup , you will infallibly make all horses that ever comes into your hands ; which i wish you may do , and not find fault with it , because you cannot do it . for corvets forward , you must help with the outward reyn ; your hand not on the inside of his neck ; but just upon his neck ; your little finger turn'd up , which pulls the outward reyn ; and the hand a little forward , which works upon the curb , and to soutenir , which is to hold him up : thus the curb pinches him a little ; and to give himself ease of the curb , he is forced to go upon the hanches , and that is as i would have him . which way soever the branches of the bitt goes , the mouth goes alwayes contrary ; you pull the bridle , and that pulls the branches up ; then the mouth goes down , which puts him upon the hanches ; for no horse can be upon the hanches when his head is up . this is the truth in corvets ; and in all ayres whatsoever , you must still help with the outward reyn , and never give a time with your hand , but only soutenir , which is , to hold him up ; for the horse will give himself a better time than you can : but going backward , you must help him every time , and with the outward reyn , your body a little forward , and your leggs a little back ; and sit easie upon him , and not too hard . upon voltoes in corvets , use the outward reyn , and in every thing as i told you before ; only let the horse go forward , as if he did not turn , which ought to be upon all circles whatsoever , except the piroyte ; and commonly you are not to help with your leggs at all ; but if you do , it must be the outward legg a little to him . this is the perfection of all ayres whatsoever . the quintessence of horse — manship . if your horse will not bend his shoulders , which is the principal thing , then tie the cavezone ( my way ) to the girthe , the inward reyn as strait as you can ; but then you must work upon nothing but large or narrow circles , his croup out , either upon a trott , or a gallop ; or legg and reyn on a side , his croup out : and this infallibly will supple his shoulders , and he shall never be resty , nor entier . but should you put in his croup when he is tied so hard , it is so much against nature , and such a forced thing , as it is impossible for him to go ; and so , to get what ease he can , where you think to work his outward shoulder in , you put it back , and work his inward shoulder ; for the poor horse hath no other way to ease himself . and thus horse-men are deceived ; work against nature , and spoil the horse . but if you would work his shoulders , and put in his croup , then you must take the inward cavezone's reyn in your hand , and pull it to your knee , and help with the outward legg ; this is not so great a force as the other , and therefore brings in his outward shoulder with ease , and gives a little ease to his croup , being not so much in ; and therefore is proper for le petit gallop , his croup in , and for passager his croup in ; most proper for a gallop , but not at all for terra a terra ; for there is none for terra a terra but my way , which i wonder how i found out , it is so rare and true : for there the outward shoulder is kept back , and the inward shoulder forward , and the cavezone's reyn to your knee ; the outward shoulder comes in , and the inward shoulder is kept back . this is the true difference betwixt le petit gallop , and terra a terra , upon circles . this you should get by heart , for it is the rarest thing in the world , because it is a subtile truth . to know the degrees of tying the inward cavezone's reyn , either to the girthes or the pommel of the sadle , which is the life or soul of the mannage , never found out but by my self . i begin with tying the inward cavezone's reyn to the girthes , which works his outward shoulder , presses him within the turn , and leaves his outward leggs at liberty ; is fit for gallopping large , or narrow , d'une piste ; as also for passager , either large , or in his length ; and for the piroyte . no horse can go , or be made a ready-horse , until his shoulders be extreamly supple ; and therefore this is the best lesson in the world to supple his shoulders : but you must take heed of putting his croup in too much , for it is impossible to put in his croup , and put out his croup all at one time ; for the cavezone's reyn tyed to the girthes , puts out his croup , and at the same time you will put in his croup with your heel , which cannot be : and when the horse finds your ignorance , working impossibilities , then he grows impatient and resty , as he hath great reason to be so . therefore you must not tye the cavezone too strait ; for if you do , the horse cannot go forward , but turns round , and so grows resty again , as he must needs do , which is your fault , not his . you should tye the cavezone no straiter than to make him look into the turn , and no more ; that is , so strait , that he cannot look out of the turn : and thus he may go forward , and be pleased ; which is natural , and no impossibility . the inward cavezone's reyn tyed to the pommel is another business ; for , this presses the horse on the outside of the turn , and leaves his leggs within the turn at liberty ; keeps back his outward shoulder , and works his croup , and his outward hanch , and makes him subject to the heel , because he cannot get from it ; so he obeys it , and flies it . this is proper for terra a terra , and demi-voltoes upon the ground ; but the inward cavezone's reyn must not be tyed too strait ; for if it be , then the horse cannot go forward , no more than the other way , and will grow resty : so the inward cavezone's reyn must be pull'd no harder , than just to make him look into the turn , and no more . to pull the inward cavezone's reyn to your knee , or beyond it , works the horse's outward shoulder , presses him on the inside , and leaves his leggs at liberty without the turn , supples his shoulders , and gives a little liberty to his croup ; and the inward cavezone's reyn tyed to the girthes hath the same opperation . you are to know , that the invention of the pillars is a meer routine ; that is , by rote ; because it works by the eyes , and not by feeling the hand , and the heels , and being obedient to them : so that this method of the pillars , hath spoiled more horses than any thing in the world , working upon the eyes , by looking at the pillars ; and never any man wrought horses well at the pillar , but pluvinel , that devised them . my way is a method of the cavezone , and there he goes not by rote ; his eyes doe nothing here , nor the voyce ; but the horses meerly obey the hand and the heel , which makes them all perfect , of what nature or condition soever they be , and never fails me . of the bridle and bitt without the cavezone . you must know , that the bitt is a strange engine ; for , wheresoever you pull the cheek , the mouth always goes contrary : when you turn up your little finger , it pulls the outward reyn , which works his shoulder on the outside , and gives liberty to his croup on the left-hand : your little finger a little more turn'd up , and a little on the left side , works his outward shoulder , and gives his croup a little liberty , which is fit for corvets , trotting , and gallopping d'une piste ; so in pasadoes , excellent for passager , so for the piroyte . here the horse is prest within the turn , and at liberty without the turn . for corvets upon voltoes , if his croup be at the center , put your outward legge a little to him , and turn your hand a little , and soutenir , and he will go perfectly upon his turns if he goes forward , which is the main business , and the reason of that is , because he goes a little byas ; this is all with the reynes , in your left-hand . and this makes him also go perfectly , le petit gallop . for terra a terra , it is another thing , the reynes being in your left-hand ; here you must pull the inward reyn , to presse him on the out-side , and leave his legges at liberty , within the turn ; and you must turn your fist inward , and turn it to your left-shoulder , close to it , which pulls the inward reyn , and your outward legge close to him ; thus he is prest on the out-side , and his leggs at liberty within the turn ; but for terra a terra on the left-hand , your bridle still in the left-hand , you must turn your little finger up , and pull it close to your right-shoulder , helping with the outward legge . if the reynes be separated in both your hands , then you must pull the inward reyn , and your right-hand close to your left-shoulder , turning up your little finger , and your legge gently on the out-side . but for the left-hand , the reyns separated in both your hands , you must pull the inward reyn close to your right-shoulder , holding up your left-finger gently , helping with the outward legg : and so you see there is a great deal of difference betwixt the reynes separated in both your hands , and when you have the bridle only in your left-hand , ( for the help is with your hands : ) this is perfectly for terra a terra , and demi-voltoes . i have told you a bitt is a strange engine ; for , wheresoever you pull the cheeks , the mouth goes contrary ; if you work the outward reyn , you pull the outward cheek to you , and the mouth goes contrary , but in corvets , and then it works in the middle of the curb : for terra a terra , when you pull the cheeks to you , then his mouth goes contrary , and looks into the turn as he should do , and then the curb works on the other side , contrary to the cheek , of what hand so ever you go : if you pull the cheeks strait , the mouth goes down ; but when you put your hand , as far forward as you can , to the perpendicular line , then that works hardest on the curb . if you pull the inward reyn to your knee , or from your body , tribacato , that it layes the cheek even to the eye of the bitt , then it works not at all upon the curb , so great a difference there is betwixt the cavezone and the bit ; for terra a terra , when you pull the inward reyn to your outward shoulder , then the reyn is a great deal within the pommel , which hand soever you go on ; but whensoever you help with the outward reyn , then your hand must be three fingers above the pommel , and as many fingers before it : this is certainly the truth of the bitt and bridle . when i work the outward reyn of the bridle , i finde his croup is lost , although i help with the outward legge , because it is legg and reyn both of a side ; but legg and reyn contrary works his croup , and keeps back his outward shoulder . the cavezone being upon his nose , is contrary to the bitt ; for if you pull up the cavezone's reyn , you pull up his head ; and if you pull it down , you pull down his head. as for the false reyns , it is a very false thing ; for the reyns being tyed to the arches of the bitt , when you pull the reyns it slacks the curb , and never works on it , like a snaffle ; nay , it is so much worse than a snaffle , for a snaffle will go to the weeks of his mouth , or lipps ; and though the curb be slack , yet it will not suffer it to go so high , and therefore gawles all his barrs . and this is the truth of the false reyns . of the perfection of dressing horses in the mannage , brought into so narrow a compass , that if it be learned by heart , and punctually practised , it is impossible to fail dressing any horse whatsoever . suppling and working a horses shoulders being the principal thing of all , i therefore begin with it . to supple a horses shoulders upon a trott , or le petit gallop . the inward cavezon's reyn tyed to the girthes , or in your hand , pull'd to your knee , supples his outward shoulder , on the right hand at liberty without the turn ; and prest within the turn , his outward shoulder comes in , and his inward shoulder is kept back : but how doth this supple his inward shoulder for terra a terra ; for there the inward shoulder is put forward , and his outward shoulder kept back ? i will tell you perfectly how it is : on the right-hand his outward shoulder is brought in , and suppled , and his inward shoulder kept back . now , what was on the right-hand suppled , ( which was his outward shoulder , and outward legg for terra a terra ) on the left-hand is the same legg , and the inward reyn there , and outward legg puts back his outward shoulder , and brings in his inward shoulder and legg . so it is the same legg still , that was on the right-hand his outward legg , and is now his inward legg on the left-hand in terra a terra ; and that 's the truth of it , for thus he is suppled . it is the very same of the other hand , and no difference at all . this i onely write to let you see how working his shoulders prepares him for terra a terra , but we do not yet declare what works his outward shoulder . you must know , that upon a trott , or a gallop , upon large or narrow circles dune piste , his croup must be a little out , to work his shoulders more , and the outward reyn of the bridle also to work it yet more ; with a short trott , and a short gallop , that he may not be too much upon the shoulders ; the cavezones reyn tyed thus , he never can go terra a terra , because his outward shoulder is wrought . trotting and stopping is the foundation of all things in the mannage , for it firmes the horse upon the hand , and puts him upon the hanches : for stopping , you must pull him down ; that is , pull your hand close to your body , your body back , and your inward legg to him , to put his inward legg to his outward . going back is an excellent thing , both to firm him on the hand , and make him light of the hand ; as also to put him upon the hanches , and to make him the apter to advance before . the petit gallop pacifies furious horses , and gives them an apuy ; stopping upon a gallop must be at two or three falcadoes by a wall strait forward , your right-shoulder or left-shoulder to the wall , either forward or backward : there it is with the inward reyn , and inward legg ; or not to help with your leggs , but as you see occasion . another excellent lesson to make horses supple on the shoulders . there is nothing like legg and the inward cavezones reyn on a side , as if his head were to the pillar , his croup out ; for , though he goes on the left-hand , he is supple on the right-hand : this lesson makes him that he can never be entier , which is the worst vice a horse can have . entier is to be resty in turning , which is very dangerous for the man by coming over ; for to oppose turning , he puts in his croup with all the force he can , and so puts out his shoulder craftily and maliciously , to hinder from turning . so this excellent lesson is as if his head were to the pillar , legg and reyn on a side , he puts out his croup , where before he put it in , and that hinders him from being entier ; and when he puts out his shoulder , this brings it in , which hinders him more from being entier ; so that it cures him perfectly of that vice : and going on the left-hand , legg and reyn on a side , it supples him more on the right-hand : so going on the right-hand , legg and reyn on a side , supples his shoulders for the left-hand ; and a better lesson there is not . for all ayres whatsoever thus upon voltoes . for all ayres , it is with the outward reyn of the bridle , that his outward shoulder may come a little in , that he may turn , which gives a little liberty to his croup , and so turn the easier ; and if the inward cavezones reyn be tyed to the girthes , it will bring in his outward shoulder the better ; and your outward shoulder being a little in , and higher than your inward shoulder , will bring in his outward shoulder the better ; your hand must be in this manner , on the right-hand your bridle-hand just over his neck , turning up your little finger , which pulls the outward reyn , as it should do , and soutenir , which is to hold him up ; for that puts him on the hanches : the reason is , that it presses him on the curb ; and he , to give himself ease on the curb , goes on the hanches , and then the curb is a little slack . you must not put your hand within his neck , and bend him , for that puts him upon the shoulders , and you must alwayes keep your horse upon the hanches . now for the left-hand , you must do thus , the bridle-hand a little within the neck , and hold up your little-finger , and soutenir , and it will work the same effect as on the right-hand : with your legg help not at all , and he will go perfectly well . if he puts out his croup , put your outward legg to him ; if he puts in his croup too much , put your inward legg to him , and still soutenir , to keep him on the hanches ; and remember , there is nothing makes horses go well but the seat ; for he that hath not a good seat , cannot have a good hand : and there is nothing dresses horses but the hand and the heels ; and remember , the only thing in ayres upon voltoes , is to make your horse go forward still , as if he did not turn ; for so he goes easily and just ; for if you turn your hand too much , his croup would go out . and for all ayres , your bridle-hand must be a little before the pommel ; and for the piroyte , you must help with the outward reyn , your outward shoulder being a little higher than your inward shoulder , and a little in towards his left-ear on the right-hand , and towards his right-ear on the left-hand ; for the outward reyn brings in his outward shoulder , and so consequently puts out his croup : for , you must understand , that in trotting , one legg is before another ; so in galloping , one legg is before another ; in terra a terra , one legg is before another ; in the piroyte , one legg is before another ; but in corvets , or any other ayre , it is not so , but much contrary , as thus : in corvets his leggs are even , and not one before another ; and though his hinder-leggs seem wider than his fore-leggs ; yet his hinder-leggs are within the lynes of his shoulders , which makes him go upon the hanches . when a horse is perfectly obedient to the hand , and the heels ; then put , in corvets , your inward legg a little to him , and help with the outward reyn of the bridle , and soutenir a little , and help gently with the inward legg ; that is , put the calf of the legg to him , and he will go perfectly upon his ayre , in voltoes : for groupadoes you must give his croup a little more liberty , and not constrain it so much as in corvets ; and in capriols not constrain'd at all , but rather even , or a little out ; for a horse in capriols , if his croup be subjected , it is impossible he should go ; therefore in capriols you must give his croup all the liberty that can be ; and when you help with the rod , it must be when he is falling , and not when he is rising , for else his croup cannot rise . for passeger , or incavelar , which is to lap one legg over another not every time , but every second time . in this passeger , the action is not so much as a trott , but more than a walk ; an action the fittest in the world to make a horse understand the hand and the heeles ; because it is gentle , and puts him into no fury : and if he obeyes my hand and heeles upon passeger , i can make him do any thing that his forces will give him leave to do . here the inward cavezon's reyn must be tyed to the girthes , or pulled to your knee ; for that works his outward shoulder , which is most proper for passeger , to make him lapp his outward leggs over his inward leggs ; and to make him do it the better , you must help with the outward reyn of the bridle : and thus ends this excellent lesson . for pesates . the inward cavezones reyn tyed to the girthes , or pull'd to your knee , you must help with the outward reyn of the bridle ; in passeger , raise him as high as you can , and hold him there gently , and without fougue , and walk him away again , and raise him again , and do this all along the volto , and this is a right pesate . this puts him upon the hand , and prepares him for all ayres whatsoever ; for without this , no horse can go in any ayre . therefore this must be your first lesson , before you ever offer to put him upon any ayre : there is nothing more graceful in all ayres , then for a horse to bend his fore-leggs up to his body ; but there is more in it than that , for , what horse soever that goes in ayres , if his fore-leggs be stiff before , or that he pawes with his fore-leggs , necessarily he is on the shoulders , for that puts him upon the shoulders ; and if he bend his leggs up to his body , it puts him upon the hanches ; for it puts him backward , as being stiff before puts him forward , and so upon the shoulders . your horse must alwayes go forward except you pull him back . you must remember , that the inward cavezones reyn tyed to the girthes , or pull'd to your knee , works his outward shoulder ; with the outward reyn of the bridle ; and all this is for le petit gallop , and not for terra a terra : and to facilitate le petit gallop the better , put your outward shoulder higher than your inward shoulder , which infallibly works his outward shoulder , as the outward shoulder down infallibly subjects and works his croup . your leggs must be as neer to the horse as you can without touching him , that your helps may be the more secret : spurring is a correction , but pinching is an excellent help , and it must be done thus : first put your legg as close to him as you can , and then turn your heel to him & pinch him delicately ; if his shoulders come not in enough , the inward reyn being tyed to the girth , then bend his neck with the outward reyn of the bridle , as much as possibly you can , as if you would brake his neck , and that shall supple his shoulders sufficiently . here ends these most excellent lessons for suppling of a horses shoulders , which is the principal businesse . of the perfection , and exact way of making horses to obey the heeles . it is the inward reyn absolutely that makes him obey the heel , and nothing else ; for it puts him on the out-side , which puts in his outward hanch , so that he cannot get from the heel , and therefore must necessarily obey it . the inward reyn being to your outward shoulder , or the inward reyn of the cavezone to your outward shoulder , and giving the horse a little touch with the spur now and then , doth admit of a corvet when you go , the inward reyn to your outward shoulder , the horses head to the wall , because it is side-wayes , and not upon a circle ; for the inward reyn ( as if his head were to the pillar in corvets , and his croup out ) subjects his croup : the inward reyn in corvets strait by a wall , whether your right-shoulder , or left-shoulder be to the wall , subjects still his croup . nay , it is also the inward reyn , when he goes in corvets backwards , whether your right-shoulder , or left-shoulder , be to the wall. and if you go in corvets strait by a wall , it is still the inward reyn ; but if you make a demy-volto in corvets , then it is the outward reyn , for else he cannot turn in corvets ; and you may easily change from the inward reyn to the outward reyn , and not brake his time at all : but by no means his croup in in his ayre upon circles , because it keeps out his outward shoulder , keeping his outward shoulder back , and then he cannot go in his ayre upon circles , because he cannot turn ; for it is the outward reyn in all ayres , that brings in his outward shoulder , that he may turn , and his croup a little at liberty , that he may turn the easier . but the inward reyn for passeger , his croup out , makes him obey the heeles ; so the inward reyn for passeger , his croup in , makes him obey the heel , but not upon circles , there it is the outward , for else he could not turn ; but in pesates he may do it , but not upon his ayre , and in pesates easily ; for there he rises but once or twice , and goes in passeger again : this is the exact way to make a horse obey the heel perfectly . of terra a terra . in terra a terra you must use the inward reyn , and the outward legg ; the inward reyn pull'd to your outward shoulder , presses him on the out-side on his outward hanch , makes him lean on the out-side , and look into the turn ; presses him on the out-side , and at liberty within the turn ; his fore-legg within the turn leading , and his hinder-legg on the same side following , and his outward legg short . thus his inward shoulder is put forward , and his outward shoulder kept back with your hand : you must soutenir as you do in ayres : but this is with the inward reyn , and your bridle-hand within the pommel , looking into the turn , poising upon your outward stirrup a little , your outward shoulder down , and in , which subjects his croup : thus you cannot put in his croup too much ; for leaning on the outside , his croup can never go before his shoulder ; and thus he is forced to terra a terra in spight of his teeth , and to go a time pa ta , pa ta , which is but two times ; and this was never found out but by my self . but i must remember you of one thing ; which is , that if you tie the inward cavezone's reyn to the pommel , it works his croup , and puts him on the outward hanch , and makes him obey the heel , but is not so powerful as the inward reyn to your outward shoulder , because the line to the pommel is the shorter , and therefore not so powerful ; but if he presses too much , so that you cannot hold him , then tye it to the pommel , and that will hold him sufficiently . of pasadoes by a wall. the exact way of pasadoes by a wall , is with the inward reyn both strait forward , and upon his demy-voltoes , for that subjects his croup , and makes him go just , and look into the turn , whether upon le petit gallop , or a toute bride , it is all one , being a demy-voltoes , and is but half my terra a terra , and therefore must have my helps , which is the inward reyn , and the outward legg . and all the other ways are false and senceless . remember , every horse must take his own ayre , and you are not to give him his time , but to follow his , and so he will go exactly ; for if you offer to give him your time , he will never go ; for nature hath given him one time , and you will give him another , which shall spoyl him for ever . to give you more light to vnderstand the difference betwixt the working of the outward reyn , and the inward reyn in corvets . wheresoever the horses croup is out , or strait by a wall , either sideways in corvets , or forward in corvets , or backward in corvets , or his head to the pillar in corvets , it is all with the inward reyn , to subject his croup , to put the inward shoulder forward , and to keep the outward shoulder back , which ncessarily subjects his croup , and the same when his croup is out , or strait by a wall. but now in corvets , when his croup is in upon voltoes , or demy-voltoes upon circles , there you must help with the outward reyn of the bridle , and inward legg , for else he could not turn ; besides , here his outward shoulder must be brought in , and his inward shoulder kept back , that he may turn the easier being narrowed before , and enlarged behind , as the other was prest behind , and enlarged before ; and with the outward reyn , his croup hath a little liberty : and here 's the true difference betwixt the outward reyn , and the inward reyn , in their several workings . but when you help with the outward reyn , you must help with the inward legg gently . for terra a terra ( my way ) upon voltoes . here i subject his croup , and enlarge his fore-parts ; put forward his inward shoulder , and his outward shoulder is kept back ; this is done with the inward reyn , and the outward legg , the same helps serve for pesadoes ; for a demy-voltoe is but half a terra a terra my way ; and therefore the same helps ; i said upon circles the outward reyn , but that was in corvets , and that is clear another action , than terra a terra : so i would have you understand precisely what they are ; for it is the outward reyn and inward legg , which is the perfection of corvets upon voltoes ; and if you change , put him forward one corvet , and then help with the outward reyn and inward legg , which is the perfection of corvets upon voltoes . i must remember you , that when a horse goes in corvets his head to the wall , it is with the inward reyn and your outward legg , but the horses fore-parts must go a little before his croup , for so he is more on the hanches ; for if his croup went before his hanches , it is false . so if he go , as if his head were to the pillar , it is with the inward reyn and outward legg , his fore-parts being a little before his croup . but strait by a wall whether forward or backward , it is with the inward reyn and inward legg : all this is in corvets . but upon voltoes in corvets it is with the outward reyn , and inward legg ; and to go forward still as if he did not turn . of a rare way to dresse a horse perfectly . it is to make him narrow behind , which is to put his inward hinder-legg to his outward hinder — legg : as for example , you pull the inward cavazon reyn to your knee , or tye it to the girths ; this works his outward shoulder , and puts his inward hinder-legg to his outward hinder-legg , if you help him with your inward legg , and the outward reyn of the bridle ; and thus he is narrowed behind . this is upon large or narrow circles dune piste upon a trott ; and upon large or narrow circles dune piste upon a gallop , which makes him narrow behind , with the same helps formerly spoken of . in that excellent lesson of legg and reyn on a side , as if his head was to the pillar , his inward hinder-legg is put to his outward hinder-legg , to narrow him behind . in paseger ( which is to lapp his outward leggs over his inward leggs ) the inward cavezon's reyn tyed to the girthes , or pull'd to your knee , doth not only work his outward shoulder , but puts back his inward hinder-legg to his outward hinder-legg , to narrow him behind ; and to narrow him more , you must help with the outward reyn of the bridle , and help with your outward legg gently . in the petit gallop upon circles the inward cavezone reyn tyed to the girthes , puts his inward hinder-legg to his outward hinder-legg , and the more , if you turn your hand to help with the outward reyn of the bridle ; the petit gallop is one , two , three , and four , which is a right gallop . in corvets upon turns , the inward cavezon's reyn tyed to the girthes ; or the outward reyn of the bridle , with the inward legg , puts his inward hinder-legg to his outward hinder-legg , narrows him behind , and puts him on the hanches : so all this is the inward legg put to his outward hinder-legg , which is the effectual business . in stopping , the inward cavazon's reyn tyed to the girthes , or pull'd to your knee , with your inward legg , narrows him behind , makes him bow in the gambrel , and puts him upon the hanches , with pulling your hand in . as for the inward reyn , and outward legg , it subjects his croup , and puts his inward hinder-legg to his outward hinder-legg , and narrows him behind : so side-wayes to the wall , the inward reyn and outward legg narrows him behind : putting his inward hinder-legg legg to his outward hinder-legg narrows him behind , and puts him on his hanches ; so his head to the pillar , the inward reyn and outward legg puts his inward hinder-legg to his outward hinder-legg , narrows him behind , and puts him on the hanches ; and so forward by a wall of either side doth the same , and so backwards ; but here it is with the inward reyn and inward legg , both on a side , to put his inward hinder-legg to his outward hinder-legg , whch is the all in all for dressing of horses . of a most effectual way to dress horses , and so true and certain , that whosoever shall read it , mark it , and understand it , and carefully practice it , will infallibly dress all manner of horses to a great perfection . to supple a horses shoulders . i have given you many lessons for it , but i will let you see it clearer than ever ; you must pull the inward cavezon's reyn low , and from your body , to bring in the horses outward shoulder , which is the business , and makes him bend like a hoope , and then you are right ; upon passager his croup must not be above a quarter in , at the most , for if it be , it pulls back his outward shoulder , which is false ; and he will look out of the turn , pull the reyn what you will , so pernitious is putting a horses croup in , when you would work a horses outward shoulder ; but the other way makes him supple , and easie , to do any thing you would have him , with great facility , and never to be entier , but to goe always byas . for terra à terra relevé , the time , one , two , pa , ta , is done with the inward reyn pull'd to your outward shoulder , and with your outward leg ; so here you cannot put in his croup too much ; and thus he is straitned behind , and enlarg'd before , and indeed goes upon a square , his inward shoulder being put forward , and his outward shoulder kept back . terra a terra determiné , is another business ; for this is , as if a horse did run a careere upon a circle , where he cannot run in his length , and therefore his voltoe or circle must be larger , because it is but a gallop ; running being but the action of a gallop : here you must help with the outward reyn , and outward leg , to narrow him before , and enlarge him behind , and to go byas , and this is determiné , bias in corvets , as if he did not turn , and so in le petit gallop upon circles ; the outward reyn is used for both , and so in passager , the outward reyn and leg being bias. it is a great truth in horsemanship , that both in terra a terra , demy-voltoes , and passadoes , as also in passager , whensoever a horse is straitned before , he is enlarged behind ; and whensoever he is straitned behind , he is enlarged before . the exact way to make a horse go perfectly , is a square , and not a circle , which subjects his croup extreamly . in corvets upon a circle , it is impossible to help with the inward reyn , because the horse cannot turn ; but the inward reyn upon a square , is excellent , with the outward leg , so he goes a little forward , every time a little : so excellent is the square . for terra a terra , there is nothing like a square , with the inward reyn and outward leg ; so upon demy-voltoes , in passadoes the same , in passager the same still , upon a square ; his head to the pillar it must be a square : the square is the quintissence of the mannage , and all this subjects his hinder parts . the inward reyn pull'd to your outward shoulder , with the contrary leg , subjects his croup upon a square , and makes him obey the heele perfectly , because he cannot get from it . but when you begin to dress a horse in corvets , pesates is the ground of all ayrs ; a pesate is to rayse him high , and hold him there . but when you put him in corvetts , it is with the outward reyn , and inward leg , to be d'une piste ; and to let him go three or four corvets in a place , and walk him away again , and corvet him again as before ; and , in a little time he will make a turn perfectly in corvets . but when he is perfect , then you must help with the outward reyn , and outward leg , and soutenir , and put him forward always a little , as if he did not turn , and then he will go perfectly in corvets . for the bridle-hand ; which deserves to be well observed , being the sole of the manage , and the most effectual thing that can possibly be . in corvets on the right-hand , the knuckles of the bridle-hand must be from his neck , and on the inside of his neck , and soutenir . on the left-hand , in corvets , your bridle must be on the inside of the neck , your knuckles from his neck , and soutenir ; for this pulls the outward reyn. for terra a terra , the inward reyn pull'd to your outward shoulder , your knuckles are to be towards his neck , and soutenir for the right-hand , and your outward leg. for the left , the inward reyn pull'd to your outward shoulder , your knuckles are to be towards his neck , and soutenir ; and this pulls the inward reyn , your outward leg being to him . you see , that in corvets , you work the outward reyn , and in terra a terra , you work the inward reyn , which is not to be done any other way than as i have set down . but in croupadoes , balotadoes , and capriols , there it is with the outward reyn , to give his croup liberty , or else he could not leap , and , if there be cause , help him with the inward leg a little , to give his croup more liberty . of bitts , & of the use of them . the writers of books , and the horse-men now living , that think themselves wise , and great masters , by the diversity of bitts , shew themselves full of ignorance , and simple people , to imagine , that a peice of iron in a horse's mouth can bring him knowledge ; no more than a book in a boyes hand can , at first , make him read ; or , a pair of spurrs , planted on ignorant heels , can make one ride well . there is however , a propriety to fit every horse , according to the turn of his neck ; shorter or longer , wider or narrower ; the mouth , the liberty , wider or narrower ; the eye longer or shorter ; the eye straight , or more bending ; the branches stronger , or weaker ; the curb equal ; the hooks according to the just measure of the bitt ; the curb three good round esses , with one ring , where 't is fastened ; and two rings , or malions , where 't is curbed , handsomely furnish'd with bosses , not too bigg ; richer , or poorer , according as you please : not two rowes of little chains , tied to the bitt , within his mouth , only one at the most . and this rule must ever be observ'd , to have as little iron in your horse's mouth as possible you can : if his tongue be too bigg , the liberty must be the wider ; if his tongue be too little , the liberty the less ; but you must take heed , that the apuy , or resting place of the bitt , be never made upon the liberty , for it will gaul him ; but the apuy must be made in the true place , where it ought to be , which is about ones little fingers breadth beyond the liberty , on both sides of the bitt ; and the bitt to be ones fingers breadth above his tushes : the branches are strong , when the reyns are slackt ; those branches that comes back to his neck most , are weak ; those that go forward from his neck , are strong ; and good reason , for you have the greater pull . you must measure with a little string , or a piece of a riding-rod , from the eye of the bitt , strait down ; and if the cheeks be within that line , they are weak ; and the more they are within that line , they are still the weaker : if the cheeks be without that line , they are strong ; and the more they are without that line , they are the stronger . you must consider another thing , which is , that the cheeks are like a lever , the longer it is , it hath the more force , and the shorter it is , the less force ; for a boy , with a long lever , will lift up more than the strongest man , with a short lever : and so in a bitt , the longer the cheeks are , they have the more force , and the shorter they are , the less force : for that which is the furthest from the center , hath the most force for lifting or pulling ; and that which is nearest the center , the least force : so very short cheeks , make them as strong as you will , cannot have that force that longer cheeks have . if a horse hold up his head , and out , then they have shorter branches , and stronger , to pull him down , and in ; wherein they are half right : so if a horse holds his head too low , and brings it in too round , so that he armes himself against the bitt , which is , to rest the branches upon his breast , so that you have no pull , or command of him at all ; because this vice is contrary to holding up his head , and out ; for which vice they had shorter cheeks , and stronger , to bring it in : so arming against the bitt , being the contrary vice , they think they must have the bitt made contrary ; they must have a long one to put it up ; and since a strong branch pull'd him down , they must have a weak branch to put up his head ; wherein they are mightily deceived : for when a horse armes himself against the bitt , certainly long branches will sooner come to his breast , than short ones ; and it is as certain , that a weak branch will come sooner to his breast , than a strong branch ; therefore they are so much deceived . as for a horse that armes himself against the bitt , you must have a short branch that will not touch his breast , and a strong branch to keep it yet further from his breast : the hooks of the curb ought to be made a little longer , and so just as not to hurt , or to offend the sides of his cheeks ; and if the curb do not lye in his right place , two little iron rings fastened close to the top of the hooks , to keep them steady , and fast , is the best remedy ; all other devices in bitts or curbs , are idle and ignorant things . the bitts that follow are the best . . a plain canon , with branches a la connestable . . a plain scatch , with branches a la connestable . . a canon a la pignatell ; which is a gentle falling and moving up and down , and so low as not to hurt the roof of the horse's mouth ; which is the best , certainly , for all horses that have tongues , which i am sure they would not have prest ; therefore i recommend that liberty above all things in bitts , and the branches a la connestable . to discharge a horses lips , i would have olives with the liberty a la pignatell ; those olives coming short a little of the bitt , with some little rings , gives liberty for his lips , and discharges them ; and the branches , a la connestable . but indeed , i would have but two sorts of bitts , which is , . the canon a la pignatell . . and the olives a la pignatell , to discharge his lips , if need be ; but the branches alwayes a la connestable . thus you have the truth of bitts brought into a narrow compass ; there is little in them to bring a horse to understanding , on which we must work , and that is , his reason , by the favour of the logitians distinction of reasonable and irreasonable creatures ; for were they as good horse-men as schollers , they would have made another distinction . well then , it is not a piece of iron can make a horse knowing ; if it were , a bitt-maker would be the best horse-man . no! it is the art of appropriated lessons ; fitting every horse according to his nature , disposition , and strength ; punishing , and , with good lessons , rectifying his vices ; rewarding him , and preserving him in his horse-vertues ; and not trusting to an ignorant peice of iron call'd a bitt : for , i will make a perfect horse with a cavezone with a bitt , better than any man shall with his bitt without a cavezone ; so highly is the cavezone , rightly used , to be esteemed ; for i had a barbe at antwerp , that went perfectly with the cavezone without a bitt , which was true art , and not the ignorance and folly of bitts . the famous pignatell at naples , never used but simple bitts ; which made the ignorant wonder how he could dress horses so perfectly , with no more sorts of bitts : but he told them , it was their ignorance made them wonder at his art. and so that great master , in this art , monsieur de pluvinel , did the same : for , he had always a plain cavezone , and not too sharp ; and to make it gentler , did always line it with double leather at the least ; for a horse , to wry his head , or suck up his bitt , or put his tongue over the bitt , it never happens in my mannage , or method ; because the liberty a la pignatel hinders his tongue for going over the bitt ; and working with the cavezone , with truly slacking the bitt , those things never happens , or do ever horses put out their tongues . of the imperfections of a horse's movth . all our writers in horse-manship , the great masters , in that profession , ( as well old as modern ) are mightily troubled and concerned , about the vices and imperfections of a horse's mouth . as for example ; the first , when a horse pulls , and sucks up his tongue : the second , when he puts his tongue over the bitt : the third , when he doubles it about the bitt : and the fourth , when he hangs his tongue out of his mouth , either forward , or of one side of his mouth : for all , and every one of these vices , our great doctors in horse-manship , hath taken a great deal of pains , with many curious devices , and many inventions , with bitts , to cure them ; and take great pains , and much labour about it ; so much , as their several writings , about these particular vices of the mouth , would make a great volume ; when the truth is , most of their bitts , to remedy these imperfections , are much greater vices than those they would remedy ; and their physick the greatest disease , and brings more inconveniencies with it , than the vices they go about to cure. the truth is , in short , i wish a horse had none of those faults ; but put the case he hath , as putting out his tongue , or putting his tongue over the bitt , or sucking or drawing of his tongue up , or doubling of it : all these i wish were not ; but if they be , the horse is not prejudiced at all by them , for he will have as good an apuy with them , as without them ; and will be as firm and steady of his head , and as sensible of the barrs , and the curb , as if those vices were not ; for the bitt rests , and works still , upon his barrs ; and the curb works in his due place , where it ought , in spight of his tongue , let it be where it will , or not be ; for when a horse's tongue is cut off , doth that hinder the bitt , for working on the barrs , or the curb , for working in his due place ? not at all : nay , i have known a horse's tongue quite pull'd out by the roots , and yet he went as well as ever he did in his life ; so that is nothing ; for the bitt still works upon the barrs , and the curb , where it ought : and a horse with a tongue , and put it where he will ; or a horse without a tongue , is no hinderance to a horse that hath a good apuy , or is well setled on the hand ; no hinderance in the world : so that now you see , what vain curiosities , to no purpose , our great masters hath troubled themselves about , and pusled many of their readers , and tormented the poor horses to boot , to no end in the world . finis . excellent names for horses of mannage . italian and spanish . bella donna bell in campo desperato argentino dorato gatto gatino rondinello felice lampo soura speransa capitano lupo mahaumilia mala testa melancholia genette corsiero neapolitano rubicano signiore delitia nobilisimo dolce bona natura bellissimo bonissimo mille fiore almenara nuntio dracone arogatillo diamante arrogante il bravo cavallo imperiale emperatore grandissimo illustrissimo french . favory mignion balott galliard bonit perle roussin sans pareil la perfection le delicat isabelle d' espagne monsieur le hober le petit barbe le grand barbe le turc le petit boutton le superbe le bouffon la mervelle le miracle le courtau le fripon le larron le mechant l' emerillon l' admirable le diligent le parangon le loyall le sensible l' enrage le fougeux le malitieux l' endormy le countre coeur l' amour la maitresse le roy le prince le duc l' empereur le collonel le general le cardinal le pape la tempeste le compagnion le comarade l' amie l' ennemy le philosophe la vielle le diable le president le juge le capritieux le quereleux le piqueur l' yurogne le fantasque le tenez-ferme le jeteur le rude le vilain le coquin le poultron le poure le courageux le desprise le hardi galliardon la mouche le troumpeur la rencontre le mouton le janti le lion le renard l' elefant le pegase le volant via lactea le determine la grenouille le gallant le cavalier mon roy le soldat le conquereur le conselier le terrible la batalle la beaute l' estoile l' enioue mars jupiter for dutch horses . le pisante le swiss myn heare frison younker vrselino the complete jockey, or, the most exact rules and methods to be observed for the training up of race-horses shewing how to prepare them for any heats or courses, with the manner of their keepings, instructions for their dressing and looking to their scourings, diets, matches, and racings, with every particular to be observed therein ... : to which is added, the most experienced way for buying horses, and instructions to avoid being cheated upon the like occasion, with a relation of the cheats and tricks the jockies and horse-coursers put on the unexpert buyers ... approx. kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from -bit group-iv tiff page images. text creation partnership, ann arbor, mi ; oxford (uk) : - (eebo-tcp phase ). a wing c estc r ocm this keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the early english books online text creation partnership. this phase i text is available for reuse, according to the terms of creative commons . universal . the text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. early english books online. (eebo-tcp ; phase , no. a ) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set ) images scanned from microfilm: (early english books, - ; : ) the complete jockey, or, the most exact rules and methods to be observed for the training up of race-horses shewing how to prepare them for any heats or courses, with the manner of their keepings, instructions for their dressing and looking to their scourings, diets, matches, and racings, with every particular to be observed therein ... : to which is added, the most experienced way for buying horses, and instructions to avoid being cheated upon the like occasion, with a relation of the cheats and tricks the jockies and horse-coursers put on the unexpert buyers ... markham, gervase, ?- . , [ ] p. [s.n.], london : . attributed to gervase markham; this piece is found attached to the later editions of markham's maister-peece. cf. bm; nuc pre- . advertisement: p. . reproduction of original in huntington library. includes index. created by converting tcp files to tei p using tcp tei.xsl, tei @ oxford. re-processed by university of nebraska-lincoln and northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors. eebo-tcp is a partnership between the universities of michigan and oxford and the publisher proquest to create accurately transcribed and encoded texts based on the image sets published by proquest via their early english books online (eebo) database (http://eebo.chadwyck.com). the general aim of eebo-tcp is to encode one copy (usually the first edition) of every monographic english-language title published between and available in eebo. eebo-tcp aimed to produce large quantities of textual data within the usual project restraints of time and funding, and therefore chose to create diplomatic transcriptions (as opposed to critical editions) with light-touch, mainly structural encoding based on the text encoding initiative (http://www.tei-c.org). the eebo-tcp project was divided into two phases. the , texts created during phase of the project have been released into the public domain as of january . anyone can now take and use these texts for their own purposes, but we respectfully request that due credit and attribution is given to their original source. users should be aware of the process of creating the tcp texts, and therefore of any assumptions that can be made about the data. text selection was based on the new cambridge bibliography of english literature (ncbel). if an author (or for an anonymous work, the title) appears in ncbel, then their works are eligible for inclusion. selection was intended to range over a wide variety of subject areas, to reflect the true nature of the print record of the period. in general, first editions of a works in english were prioritized, although there are a number of works in other languages, notably latin and welsh, included and sometimes a second or later edition of a work was chosen if there was a compelling reason to do so. image sets were sent to external keying companies for transcription and basic encoding. quality assurance was then carried out by editorial teams in oxford and michigan. % (or pages, whichever is the greater) of each text was proofread for accuracy and those which did not meet qa standards were returned to the keyers to be redone. after proofreading, the encoding was enhanced and/or corrected and characters marked as illegible were corrected where possible up to a limit of instances per text. any remaining illegibles were encoded as <gap>s. understanding these processes should make clear that, while the overall quality of tcp data is very good, some errors will remain and some readable characters will be marked as illegible. users should bear in mind that in all likelihood such instances will never have been looked at by a tcp editor. the texts were encoded and linked to page images in accordance with level of the tei in libraries guidelines. copies of the texts have been issued variously as sgml (tcp schema; ascii text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable xml (tcp schema; characters represented either as utf- unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless xml (tei p , characters represented either as utf- unicode or tei g elements). keying and markup guidelines are available at the text creation partnership web site . eng race horses -- early works to . race horses -- training. horses -- diseases -- treatment. - tcp assigned for keying and markup - aptara keyed and coded from proquest page images - andrew kuster sampled and proofread - andrew kuster text and markup reviewed and edited - pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion the complete jockey ; or the most exact rules and methods to be observed for the training up of race-horses . shewing , how to prepare them for any heats or courses , with the manner of their keepings , instructions for their dressing and looking to their scourings , diets , matches , and racings , with every particular to be observed therein ; the like not published to the world before . to which is added , the most experienced way for buying horses ; and instructions to avoid being cheated upon the like occasion ; with a relation of the cheats and tricks the jockies and horse-coursers put on the unexpert buyers . written for the pleasure and profit of all gentlemen and others , who take delight in any thing of this nature . london , printed in the year , . of race-horses . 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 . . the first of which is , if your horse be foggy , gross , or over-fat when he has been lately taken from grass , or soil . . 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 . . thirdly , if he be in good plight , and has had good keeping , dealt well by , and moderately rid or exercised . 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 long-winded , 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 over-free , 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 . 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 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 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 ; 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 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 . 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 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 , 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 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 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 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 over-streining 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 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 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 before-mentioned , 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 , 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 . 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 , 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 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 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 , 't is 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 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 ; 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 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 . 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 . 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 wind-pipe 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 , 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 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 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 . 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 . 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 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 . with head advanced high at first the kingly colt doth pace , his tender limbs aloft he lifts , as well becomes his race . and foremost still he goes , and through the stream he makes his way , and ventures first the bridge , no sudden sound doth him affray . high crested is his neck , and eke his neck is framed small , his belly gaunt , his back is broad , and breasted big withal . the bay is always counted good , so likewise is the grey , the white and yellow worst of all : besides if far away there haps a noise , he stamps and quiet cannot rest , but praunces here and there , as if some spirit him possest . his ears be set upright , and from his nose the fiery flame , doth seem to come , while as he snuffs and snorteth at the same ▪ thick is his mane , and on his right side down doth hanging fall , and double chin'd , upon his loins a gutter runs withal . he scraping stands , and making of deep holes he paws the ground , whilst that aloud his horned hoof all hollow seems to sound . 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 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 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 . 't is 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 . 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 . . the second to be considered , is spare and moderate feeding in which he must neither eat too fast , nor too much . . the third must be taken from moderate labour and seasonable exercise . . the fourth is to observe fit times and seasons for sleeping and waking , both which must be moderately taken . . the fifth , he must not be too much acquainted with mares , nor ride them often , for nothing sooner shortens life in any creature . . the sixth , not to be over-heat , nor his spirits to be wasted by long and tedious journeys . . the seventh is , continually to be in smooth , serene and wholesom air , and not to feed in foggy fens , marshes , or damp meadows . . the eighth , observe that you neither exercise , nor any ways make him labour hard when he is newly taken from grass . . the ninth , to keep him from greedily eating young grass , either clover or other , but especially from surfeiting on the blades of corn. . the tenth , you must observe that he drink not when he has been hard ridden or laboured , so that he is very hot . . 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 . . 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 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 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 . . 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 . . 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 . . 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 , 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 . finis . advertisement . these are to give the reader notice , that we thought not fit to put the several cures mentioned in this addition into the title page , by reason the whole book contains the best for practice in the world ; as also these may be accounted most infallible . the index , or , table of the complete jockey . shewing the directions to find any paragraph contained therein . chap. i. page . the best method , and speediest way for ordering race-horses , to fit them for any match in what estate soever . the way and manner of dieting or feeding a horse for a race being fat or gross immediately after his being taken from pasture or soil as to the first two weeks . c. . p ● . orders most carefully to be observed in the coursing or heating your horse . c. . p. . the manner of his second fortnights feeding , and the care to be observed therein . c. . p. . the first diet to be given in ordering your race-horse and the way to make it . c. . p. . the dose or scouring . c. . p. . the way and method of looking to , and keeping your horse after he has taken the scouring . c. . ibid. the manner of making cordial balls and their virtue , with an account of what diseases they are most powerful to cure . c. . p. . the manner of making his last diet. c. . p. . the third fortnights dieting and ordering your horse . c. . p. . in buying a horse , what horse to chuse , and how to avoid being cheated , pag. the . break the second , for here note the printer forgot to put in the contents of the following instructions . sect. . p. . how to cure the autocoe , a violent pain so called . c. . p. . how to cure a horse that has been burnt by a mare . c. . ib. rules to be observed in sweating of horses . c. . p. . how to prevent a horse from stumbling . c. . ibid. how to take the best advantage of ground in any race . c. . p. . how to know by the hair of your horses neck in what estate he is . c. . p. . how to make the brittlest hoof imaginable become soft and bear well any shooe without the least injury to the horse . c. . ibid. an account of things to be observed for the preservation of a horses health , and to make him live long . c. . p. . st. anthony's most admirable remedy for auy sprain , swelling , or stretching of sinews or nerves . a better not to be 〈…〉 the speediest and safest way to cure the swift-cut or knee-cut . c. . p. . a speedy remedy for a horse or cow , that have any ways licked up red poison , worms , spiders , or any other venomous insect , or that is ready to burst by eating of two much clover , turnips , or eared barley and drinking soon after it . c. . ibid. an approved remedy for the mad staggers or lunacy . c. . p. . how to stop the glaunders for a day or two , whilst you have sold or swapped away your horse that is troubled with the same . c. . p. . how to order your stallion as to his diet , when he is to cover your mare . c. . ibid. for the melting of grease after a race or other excessive ridings . c. . p. . how to make a horse vomit , and by so doing , to avoid the foulness of his stomach or any infection he hath taken in . c. . p. . the discovery of several tricks and cheats used by the jockeys . c. . p. . finis