THE Art of Riding, containing diverse necessary instructions, demonstrations, helps, and corrections appertaining to horssemanship, not heretofore expressed by any other Author:  
Written at large in the Italian tongue, by Master Claudio Corte, a man most excellent in this Art.  
Here briefly reduced into certain English discourses to the benefit of Gentlemen and others desirous of such knowledge.  
Imprinted at London by H. Denham. 1584.   

To the right worshipful Master Henry Mackwilliam, one of her majesties Gentlemen Pensioners.  
SIr, I had rather you misliked my labour, than mistrusted my good will. And therefore being often pressed with your desires, I have here briefly collected the rules of horssemanship, according to Claudio Corte in his second book.  
I have not Englished the author at large, nor meddled with his manifold digressions; neither have I spoken of all things contained in the said second book: but only those that concern the making of horses for service. I have also left that part untouched, which entreateth of bitting the horses, because the same hath been long since very substantially handled by Master Blundevile.  
And surely, albeit in this her majesties most prosperous and peaceable reign, the Gentlemen of this land have studied to make horses more for pleasure than service: yet who so shall truly consider to what end horssemanship tendeth, must needs know, that the principal use of horses is, to travel by the way, & serve in the war: whatsoever your horse learneth more, is rather for pomp or pleasure, than honour or use. Yet do I think it allowable and therewith commendable, that some horses (chiefly of Princes & great personages having store) should be instructed in those singularities, and exquisite motions for pleasure, as well to delight the lookers on, and make proof of the rider's excellency; as also thereby to show the capacity of the beasts.  
By these few words you can conceive the substance of my labour, which I have taken in hand rather to content you, than acquit myself with commendation. For although some men suppose it an easy thing, to reduce the conceit of any author into an other language; yet am I assured it behoveth him not only to have an exact understanding in that tongue, wherein the author writeth, but also apt words, and fit phrases in his own, to express the same. Which is also the more hard, if the matter be demonstrative and artificial (as this is) containing divers particular terms in our English not to be expressed.  
It seemeth therefore, that whosoever shall, either by way of translation or abbreviation, set down the conceit of this author, it behoveth him to be fully informed of his meaning, and well exercised in the Art of Riding: in both which I must confess either absolute ignorance, or simple knowledge. In respect whereof, I pray you repress this book when you have perused it, or else preserve it at your own peril. From the Court at Greenwich, this 18. of May. 1584.  
Your poor friend and fellow in arms, T. Bedingfield.   

To the right worshipful, my very loving companions and fellows in Arms, her majesties Gentlemen Pensioners.  
Many books have been excellently well written by Italians concerning horsemanship, a fit study for Gentlemen to bestow some time and travel in. Which hath moved me (divers times) to wish, that some one able to perform it, would take in hand to translate into English some part of those works, for common benefit, thereby to encourage our Gentlemen to practise horsemanship, not only for the service of their country (if need so require) but also for their own exercise, as an ornament of greatest commendation in men of their profession. Among others, whom I sometime moved to undertake this labour, I entreated of late my very friend M. Thomas Bedingfield, our fellow and companion in Arms, to afford his pains in the reducing of these few precepts, gathered out of a larger volume written by Claudio Corte, into our English tongue. Who having with all courtesy satisfied therein my request, and finding the work very well worthy the printing, I could not in any wise consent it should be suppressed, but have presumed (as you see) by my friends leave, to cause it to be published, & to make a brief dedication thereof unto you above others, as Gentlemen best able to judge of it: as also for the benefit of those which have any gentlemanly disposition to attain to perfection in horssemanship. And for M. Bedingfield, I need use no further speech, nor make any particular mention of those commendable parts which we all know to abound in him, but only wish him that employment I think he is worthy of. For the matter now in hand, I refer you to the work itself; which (I hope) you will think well worth your labour in the perusing of it, and rest of my opinion, that hereafter in short time by experience we shall find very many of our countrymen much profited thereby. From the Court at Richmund this first of June. 1584.  
Your affectionate friend and companion in Arms H. Mackwilliam.   

To the Reader.  
SIth contrary to my desire and expectation this treatise of horsemanship is happened into the Printers hand, I have thought good to remember the readers, that albeit Xenophon, Grison, Claudio, and others (men most excellent) have prescribed sundry rules and means how to handle horses, & ride them with good grace and seemliness; yet if the same be not confirmed by use and practise, it proveth unprofitable & to none avail at all. I wish therefore that all Gentlemen & others desirous of that knowledge, should not only read, but also exercise the rules in this book prescribed. For as in all other sciences demonstrative, so herein use and experience surmounteth all conceit & contemplation, which is apparently perceived in those that have thereunto applied themselves.  
And surely I suppose (be it spoken without offence of time passed) that this art hath never been (I mean within this realm) of that perfection it now is; neither were the horsemen of former ages, equal or comparable to some now living, sith they wanting both demonstrations, and skilful instructors, could not by possible means attain thereunto. For, before M. Blundevile, I find not any that have written in our tongue: neither were the teachers of that time of much knowledge. Where now, chiefly within her majesties most prosperous reign, (encouraged by the valorous disposition of so excellent a Prince) divers have adventured to write, & many virtuous Gentlemen with singular commendation, attain to great knowledge.  
Overlong it were to recount the names of all Noblemen and Gentlemen, that in this age have aspired to singular skill in horsemanship, which I impute chiefly to the imitation of great personages. I wish therefore that they, and all other Gentlemen should (both for private exercise & public respect) apply themselves to the study and practise of this art, following the example of that honourable person the Earl of Leicester, who among many other virtuous qualities both of mind & body, hath endeavoured to attain so great excellency in this art, as for his judgement, cunning and comeliness in riding, he meriteth the prize of perfection. Which appeareth not only in his own person, but also in his choice of the esquires & riders of her highness stable, all men of great knowledge: and some of them of such excellency as may not be matched. I could also recite the names of divers other Gentlemen very skilful & commendable, which the rather to avoid envy I omit. Yet may I not forget the praise due to those that be teachers of this art in the city of London; for by their industry and virtue, the number of serviceable horses & horsemen is daily increased: & should be more, if other skilful men would apply themselves to teaching in that manner.  
Thus much I have thought good to say, as well to excuse myself (having written this work only to satisfy my private friends request) as to admonish the Readers thereof, in any wise to accompany their study and reading with daily use and experience, whereof assuredly great knowledge and excellency will ensue.  
T. B.   

CHAP. 1.  
In what sort to handle a colt being made fit to be ridden.  
FIrst you shall understand, that so soon as your horse hath been haltered, and is made gentle, you may mount on his back, & following an other horse (if need be) troth him in some way, or other ground, sometimes strait forth, and sometimes overthwart, without order or respect, which you shall use by the space of ten days; ever remembering that in the end you bring him into some furrow or place where he is forced to set his body strait, and there fair and easily make him to retire. But all this while the rider shall sit in the pad, with his legs stretched out, not bending them towards the horses body, or touching his belly; but as though he stood on the ground, yet keeping his thighs and knees just to the saddle, and holding the rains of the Cavezzan at such a length, as the horse may conveniently go forwards. This order must be observed and continued till the horse be well settled, and will suffer his rider to mount and dismount at his pleasure: which he will quickly, being gently used and fair handled. It seemeth also in mine opinion a thing most commodious and commendable, that the horse being a colt should be taught after the Persian manner to 
The Persian manner of teaching a horse obedience.  kneel down to his rider, to the end he may with the more ease go to and from his back.  
When the horse is become somewhat settled, and beareth his saddle well, M. Claudio willeth he should be pased forth the length of three yards, or there abouts, and there stay to cherish him a little with your right hand, yet not any whit at all slack the rain of his headstraine. From thence you shall go straight forth into some field or large way, & for a few days not do other than in this sort: Trot him right out, and sometimes make him retire fair and easily, to the end his head may become stayed, and his neck strengthened. Being thus settled, and standing a while still, you shall offer to pace or troth round about fair and softly, ever remembering that these turns at the beginning ought to be exceeding large, and at leisure; lest the horses neck be made weak, or pulled on one side: which error is often committed by ignorant riders and handlers of horses at their first backing.  
Having thus done diverse times and diverse days, you may put your colt to troth the wheels or rings, marked out by some other perfect horse. And I would wish, that at the beginning a colt should follow an other horse, for that he will take his way the more willingly: and the rider shallbe less occasioned to writh his neck in turning. First he shall make three turns on the right hand, and then three on the left hand, in the upper ring; and then return to the other ring below, and make therein three turns; which turns your horse shall continue so long, as by the rider's discretion shallbe thought good: not forgetting that in the beginning the horse must be mildly and gently used, chiefly in trotting these rings.  
Note that commonly all horses do turn 
Why horses do commonly turn more willingly on the left than on the right hand.  more willingly on the left than on the right hand; either because that nature doth so lead them, or that the motion from the right to the left hand is most agreeable with the disposition of all creatures; or that we commonly hold the reins in our left hand, or that the horssekeeper leading him doth most commonly hold him on his right hand and turneth to the left, and likewise in dressing him in the stable, most usually turneth him on that hand. Sith then everic horse hath this property by nature, by ordinary motion, and the hand of man; it is necessary that ever (or for the most part) he should begin & end his turns on the right hand. And for as much as every motion is more violent towards the end than in the beginning or midst thereof; it seemeth that the horse will end his turns over speedily on that hand, whereunto he is by nature most inclined, unless he be discreetly restrained by the rider's hand.  
I would likewise advise you, that when so ever any horse, either at his first riding, or after, shall 
What is to be done, if a horse lean more on the one side than on the other, etc.  lean more on the one side than on the other, or that he holdeth his neck on the one side (for some horses be foaled contrary to that we have spoken, with there nose or neck turned rather to the right side than the left) that then you shall use to turn him from that he is naturally inclined, and so both in the beginning and ending make his turns. As for example: if he leaneth or turneth his head towards the left hand, then shall you in turning or managing begin and end on the right hand; and contrariwise, if he leaneth to the right hand, then to begin and end on the left hand. Now having finished the number of turns in the large rings, you shall with some speed & more frankly troth your horse strait forth the length of a just manage, stopping him betwixt the two small rings; where pausing a while, & cherishing him with your hand, return him in that ring which is on the right hand, and then pace him two or three turns, changing your hands as you did in the large rings: saving that in the end you ought to be in the same place where you stopped, and began to enter the turn.  
You must also remember, that as well in the large as the narrow rings, your horse in the end ought ever to go and turn with more frankness and speed. Then having stayed a while, to cherish him; you shall cut the narrow ring in the midst, and from thence troth your horse to the ordinary place of dismounting: yet before you alight, fail not to make much of him, and once or twice advance yourself in the saddle, to the end your horse may stand firm, which done you may gently alight, but not presently suffer the horse to departed from the place. Thus it appeareth, that the conditions and nurture which you teach your horse at the beginning, aught to be good and profitable. I desire therefore, that above all things horses should at the first be taught gently, and with great patience.   

CHAP. 2.  
Of the largeness of the rings and their uses.  
Sure I am, that some riders accustomed unto two rings will account this figure of three large and three small, to be a thing most strange: and where they commonly do use four turns on every hand, I would have only three, or rather but two. Notwithstanding, if they please to consider mine intent, they shall find I have framed this form of turns, to eschew wearisomeness both in the rider and in the horse, who (chiefly if he be young) will lightly forget what he ought to do. Wherefore in my judgement, these rings (though more in number) will not so much busy the memory neither of the horse nor the rider. Besides that, you may perceive how in these three large rings you may conveniently handle two horses at one time: which within two rings cannot be so conveniently done. I shall not need to set down any entry or going out of these rings or turns; for wheresoever you enter, you ought also to pass out: and in mine opinion every horse in the beginning, and after, doth prove better, being used to few turns than many on one hand. I have set out the three small turns, to be used with the same order: which you may exercise or not, as by your discretion shall be thought meet.  
Touching the profit which proceedeth of 
The profit of trotting the rings.  trotting the rings, I say that it bringeth the horse to be well breathed, it maketh his shoulders and legs nimble, it settleth his head and neck, it maketh him to bear light on the hand, it giveth him heart and courage, it maketh him willing to turn on either hand indifferently, it correcteth all evil conditions, and the horse becometh more apt and disposed to the short turns, and every other kind of manage.  
The use of the ring is necessary for skirmish, 
The manifold use of the rings.  for battle, and for combat, either offending or defending. It is also a comely sight in the rider, and standeth him in steed for the exercise of the tourney, and all other feats of arms. Moreover, it is a thing that naturally horses do love: which is proved, in that the young fools, so soon as they are borne, do presently run about, playing as it were in circular wise. I do therefore conclude, that the ring turns are things of much importance.  
The form of the foresaid rings.   

CHAP. 3.  
How to teach your horse in the figure like unto a snail, which Master Claudio calleth Caragolo or Lumaca.  
AFter you have used your 
A description of this Caragolo or Lumaca see pag. 12.  colt unto the rings aforesaid, till he trotteth perfectly well; then shall you put him upon a cannon made fit for his mouth and stature: which done, having ridden him twenty days therewith, you must fair and easily troth him in a large ring, and by little and little bring him into a strait compass, first pasing, and after trotting him. Then when you have brought him as it were within the compass of an ell, you shall change hand, by little & little, enlarging the ring till you come unto the same wideness wherein you began: and there upon the same hand you shall put him strait into the other Caragolo; wherein being, you must use the same order which you did in the former; restraining or drawing in the horse as afore. This done, turning towards the right hand, you shall gather into the straightness of the other Caragolo: which order you ought to observe, so long as by your discretion shall be thought fit. Then shall you (having first given your horse breath in the midst of the Caragolo) put him forth and stop him.  
Then pausing a while in that small ring, you shall give the horse two or three turns, leaning on that hand which you think fittest. From thence you shall pass forth, passing in the manage path, until you come into the other small ring, when making proffer to stop, you shall put him forth two paces, & so first in the one and after in the other entertain him, turning him in the one end & then in the other of the manage, wherein as you pased him, so may you troth him eight or ten times. But in trotting, I wish that so soon as you be come to the ring, you should end with a stop, and then suddenly thrusting the horse forward half the way, make an end upon that hand which seemeth most necessary, there stopping him for good, and presently dismount. This manner of lesson M. Claudio calleth Caragolo or Lumaca, because it resembleth the form of either. But for the better conceiving thereof, behold the figure itself.  
The profit that cometh by this kind of manage is great, and much greater than that proceedeth through use of the rings aforesaid: for it worketh all those effects which they do, and with more facility reduceth the horse to good order in turning and managing. Besides that, the same is a motion sightly and pleasing: for it cannot be denied that to turn in the beginning large, and so by little and little restraining the horse, first pasing, next trotting, and lastly galloping easily or frankly, is a motion very sightly and contentful to the lookers on. Also such an artificial kind of manage showeth great aptness, nimbleness, courage, strength & obedience in the horse, likewise much skill and order in the rider. I may say more over in commendation of this manage, that by use thereof only, a horse may be made ready and perfect, which by use of the two or the three rings may also be, but with much difficulty. Who so shall also consider well thereof, may perceive, that by mean of this Caragolo, a horse is taught to turn upon the ground, which the Italian termeth Raddoppiare terra terra. I do therefore persuade every horseman to excercise his horse more in this than any other kind of manage, as well for the reasons aforesaid, as the rather thereby to give him breath, make him obedient, and for many other respects too long to be here expressed.   

CHAP. 4.  
How to teach your horse the manage resembled unto the letter S: and the commodity thereof.  
ANother kind of manage 
A description of this double S see pag. 16.  there is, which may be likened unto an S: made in this manner. First you shall pace and after troth your horse as it were in the form of a ring; but before you come to close it, you must turn on the contrary hand, and pressing forward take a larger compass; from whence you shall come back through the midst of the mark ready made, and from thence enlarging return upon the same hand you began, till you arrive at the place where you entered: which in the end will prove the just proportion of the letter S doubled: which figure ought to be made somewhat long, chiefly to teach a young horse or ignorant colt.  
And to the end you may the better conceive what hath been said, you must imagine two wheels or rings to be put together, and that the said rings were not fully round, but somewhat longlike unto an egg, where passing from the one to the other you make one only turn upon one hand. Now when you have ridden your horse so long as is convenient in this manage, you must ever end upon the same hand you first began. Then going forth by the same way, you shall keep strait, & stop your horse without the figure, the length of a short manage. But if you please to end within the S itself, it will not be amiss, but rather more cunning and sightly to behold.  
The way so to do, is to cut the S in the midst, and at the end of the turn make a strait ring, and from thence pass right forth to stop at the end of the S, cutting the figure in the midst, which doing two or three times in the self same path, at the last you must make half a turn and then departout. The form of this figure may not be longer than a just manage, nor longer than four elns. Also the small rings in the end of the manage, within the S, or without the S, should not be in wideness much more than one elne.   

CHAP. 5.  
How to manage your horse in and out, which Master Claudio calleth Serpeggiare, with the profit thereof.  
THe commodity that cometh 
A description of this manage, see pag. 19  of this manage is not a little: because in use thereof the horse becometh well breathed, nimble, and ready on either hand. It causeth him also to know the bridle, the hand, and the heel. Moreover it is necessarily used in all skirmishes, to avoid the danger of the harquebus, and other small shot. Also every horse delighteth in that kind of manage, & the more, if he be fierce and courageous. The proof thereof is found true, in that all horses of great courage do of themselves naturally trot, turning their bodies under the man to and fro: as I said before they delighted in turning. The Italians do term this manage Serpeggiare, because the horse therein doth use a motion like unto the snake sliding in & out, as in the figure hereafter is expressed.  
I know well that this kind of manage, without any demonstration or figure, is easily conceived: yet I think it not amiss to entreat thereof, to inform the ignorant that be desirous to know, and the rather, for that I find the same much discontinued, and as it were banished the schools: where now adays nothing is almost used but sundry sorts of superfluous dancing and prancing, which M. Claudio calleth corvette & pesate vave.  
¶ A description of the manage in & out, called the Serpeggiare; for the further meaning whereof look before in the xvij. page.   

CHAP. 6.  
What lessons are to be taught the horse after the turns before said.  
WHen you have brought your horse to be well stayed, & that he understandeth both the large and narrow rings, bearing himself comely upon the cannon; you shall trot him straight forth the length of a short carriera: and at the end thereof fair and easily stop him, so as he may stand and stay himself firmly. For by so doing (chiefly if you hold the reins even) he shallbe forced to bear his neck and head stayed: which I would wish you to do, till such time you find he is become firm and just in his stopping. But if you see that he stoppeth not straight and just as he ought to do, then without turning of any hand, put him again straight forth the length of half a manage, and there again stop him with help of your body, and drawing one of the reins of the Cavezzane more than the other, put him back: which order well observed shall bring the horse to stop straight & just, either at the second or third time of stopping. And remember, that as in the other, so in this lesson you must use much patience; sith every horse is more easily won by fair handling than by force.  
After you have thus awhile informed your horse to stop, and bear his body straight and just; you may return to the exercise of his former lessons, & in them continue so long as yourself shall think good: ever remembering you leave him in good breath & courage, for by that means he shall not become abject of mind, but be sound of body and lively of spirit. Nevertheless, if the horse committeth any disorder, you shall before you dismount, solicit and practise him, till you find him to amend and do that well which you would have him. As for example, if he stop not just, and firmly, holding his head in the due place, you may not cease to stop him so oft till you see he doth every thing as you desire. In like manner he must be handled committing any other error, for till you have brought him to amendment, he may not in any wise be suffered to departed.   

CHAP. 7.  
By what means to teach a colt to understand the helps of the rod, the heel, and the voice.  
WHen you have brought your colt to troth well strait forth, stop firmly, and make his large turns justly: I would have you remember that as yet you shall not stop him upon the decline of any hill or steep place. From this time forth you may use a rod; and when so ever he committeth any fault, presently correct him therewith, & accompany your correction with your voice. As for example: if he goeth not well forward, you may with a certain cherk of your lips provoke him forward, adding thereto a stripe or two with your rod upon his belly, just betwixt the surcingle and your heel: whereby he shall at one instant, or at sundry times, taste of three corrections.  
So soon as the horse trotteth well, stoppeth and can make his large rings justly, you may put him upon the cannon, which would be somewhat worn before, suffering the curb to be very lose, and the reins very slack. But after from time to time you may gather them up by little and little, drawing them to the just length, making the curb and cannon to stand in the true place.  
And to the end the horse may become the more assured and accustomed to the bridle, you must (while he is warm and doing his ordinary lessons) fair and easily by degrees draw the reins to the true length, and then with discretion strain them more or less, till the reins be brought to the just length, and the curb unto the true place.  
If the horse shall not go in the rings as he ought, but leaneth more on the one hand than on the other, or goeth out of the path; then must 
The use of the rod, the heel, and the voice.  you help him both with the rod, your heel, and voice altogether: which must be done in this case, according to the rings and the quality of the fault committed. As for example: if you would encourage the horse to go with more speed, say, Via, via, beating him on the contrary shoulder with the rod: and if you would yet increase his speed, then say, Via, via, via, & in the same instant strike him on the contrary shoulder, and likewise with the contrary heel.  
Moreover, it seemeth in mine opinion very convenient, when you troth the ring upon the right hand, that then notwithstanding you keep the reins just, yet you should raise the right hand some what above the left, and also a little aloof from it; to the end you may carry the rod with the point thereof towards the left shoulder. Besides that, whensoever a greater help is required, you must raise your right hand much higher, beating the horse as it were with the whole rod upon the same shoulder. Then changing hands, with the self same order you shall turn the rod towards the right shoulder, from time to time touching the horse upon the same shoulder, and (deserving it) to use greater correction.  
True it is, that these corrections ought to be 
The use of the foresaid corrections.  used, rather to inform the colt how to understand the first lessons, than for the correction itself. For afterwards you shall daily increase your corrections, and become more sharp and terrible in voice, and otherwise, as the colt giveth occasion.   

CHAP. 8.  
How to teach your horse to retire or go back, and the commodity thereof.  
Because I am hereafter to speak of retiring, it seemeth fit to inform you what profit it carrieth, and how to make your horse do it. When you have gone forward so far as we have before assigned, you must assay fair & softly to draw in the reins of the Cavezzan, which must be done with both hands even together, holding them low towards the horses shoulders, drawing him back two paces. But if the horse resisteth, then do not in any wise enforce him, but cause some footman that hath knowledge, to come near, first to cherish the horse, and then fair and easily to lay hand upon the rain of the Cavezzan, gently putting him back: which yourself must also do at the same instant. But that not sufficing, let the said footman with a rod lightly strike him on the knees and forelegs, not rating him, but speaking gently, and then he will perhaps with less a do than we have spoken retire willingly.  
But though it fortune that all these means will not prevail, yet vex not the horse in any wise, either with pulling or beating; but after you have trotted him a good space about, and stopped him, do thus. First offer him to go back; which if he refuse to do, cause him to trotstrait forth in some even ground; & having stopped, suddenly offer him to retire: and I am sure he will either the first, second, or third time do it, though not the same day, yet the next day after.  
But note, that if the horse, which hath worn a 
The use of correction when necessary.  cannon and a saddle, do hap to have so great obstinacy or disobedience, as he refuseth to go back, you may not then use so many fair means or respects, but shall employ the corrections due unto that disobedience: as beating on the legs, quiching with the Cavezzan, sometimes with the one, sometimes with the other hand, and sometimes with both together: and also give him a chock or two with the bridle, saying; Retire, retire: or, Back, back.  
And if it so be, that all these corrections will not force him to retire, then must ye dismount, & take one rain of the Cavezzan in your hand, causing an other footman to lay hold on the other, and betwixt you force the horse gently to go back, and in the same instant strike him upon the knees, accompanying those stripes with your voice.  
Moreover, if all that you can do will not bring him to retire, yet stay firmly in the same place, and assay once more patiently to put the same correction in ure, offering the horse to go back: and if he so do, put him forward again to the same place, and then mount on his back, and you shall find him presently content to retire: which doing, you must make much of him, both by your voice and hand, and once more put him back. Marry if he refuse, then presently alight, and do as you were wont, correct him on foot, till he becometh obedient: for ye shall be sure within two or three mornings, he will do as you will have him, or perhaps within an hour. You must in no wise use these extreme corrections, as chocks with the bit and Cavezzan, to any colt that weareth no bit, seeing they are fit for horses of more continuance, & used to the bridle: but I think for horses that bear the bit, and become disordered, correction would be performed with terror.  
Touching the commodities that proceed of 
The commodities of retiring, etc.  retiring, or putting the horse back, they be more than every man conceiveth. For retiring maketh the horse light upon his stop, and nimble in bestowing his legs in all his doings. Beside that, if he happen into such a place as he can neither go forward nor turn, it standeth him in great steed to retire directly. It helpeth him also in the motion of his shoulders and legs, to make him slide on his heels and stop well. And above the rest, it is of most necessity to make him firm and stayed upon the bridle, & also go light upon the hand. All which things, with diverse others, how necessary they are, I leave to the consideration of every discreet horseman.   

CHAP. 9  
How the colt after he hath been ridden two months ought to be galloped.  
IT seemeth that to make your horse troth well, and settled of head, M. Claudio thinketh two months a time sufficient. Notwithstanding, he would have him continued in his ordinary lessons, thereby to increase his breath by little and little; also to use him to stop & retire, not forcing much, though all this while he be not stopped upon any hanging ground, because it maketh a colt fearful in stopping, & also straingeth his sinews, joints and loins. But when he knoweth perfectly how to stop and go back, you must ever after every stopping make him retire two or three paces, forthwith putting him as much forward, and then for a while stand firm.  
And for as much as I suppose, that in these two months, your horse will go well & stayed upon the canon, I would wish you to bring him into some place of good ground for a carriera, having on the one side some wall, pale, or bank. It were also very convenient, that at the end of the carriera, the ground were somewhat declining: wherein having trotted your horse two or three times after his ordinary lessons, you shall stop, retire, and cherish him, which done, you shall return back, pasing him somewhat lively, advancing your body, and suddenly put him forth upon his trot, and frankly fall into a gallop, till you come at the end of the carriera.  
Then having there stopped and made him go back, as he was wont, you shall return upon a short & lively trot. And being come to the end of the stop, again in the same order and turning back you shall put the horse forth in his gallop, and towards the end of the carriera increase his gallop with some frankness: which I wish you should continue to do two or three mornings, every day increasing the number of your galloping courses.  
And because it may be that the horse before he hath passed half the carriera, will of himself force to make more speed than is fit, not staying till you put him forth, you shall hold him in with a staid hand, till such time as yourself thinketh good, & then suddenly thrust him forward to gallop, holding both the reins and Cavezzan firm and well, even towards the end, forcing him to go with more speed and liveliness, & then at the due place to stop. Which you may do, in thrusting the horse by little and little forward, keeping your body somewhat backward, and holding your legs strait stretched out, drawing the reins and Cavezzan fair and easily, till the horse stoppeth just.  
Then having stopped and done all those things before said, you shall return to the other end of the carriera, observing the like order: where having stayed a while, & turned & settled both your person and horse, you shall put him forth with more speed than in the former gallop, & being half way, fall into his full carriera, and therein continue to the end, helping him rather with your voice than otherwise. Then the next morning if you please (observing the same order) force him to run out the whole length of the carriera.  
Thus much I have thought good to say, not because I would have you use to run your colt, nor that I like you should so do; but to find the will and disposition of the horse, not only in his trot, but also in his gallop, carriera, and stop: for to run swift and sure, and stop firm, is an excellent 
Signs of a good horse  sign of a good horse.   

CHAP. 10.  
How to ride a horse with the saddle, and what observations are therein to be used.  
AFter you have thus handled your colt two months, and ridden him in the pad; you may put on a saddle, which you shall first in the stable do fair & gently, letting the stirrups hang close to his body. Then you shall suffer the saddle in this sort settled to stand upon the horse back the space of one whole hour, with the reins turned up upon his neck, and the curb hanging by lose. The head of the horse must be turned downwards from the manger, and his head tied on either side with the cords of his Cavezzan. But before you thus do, remember to anoint the mouth of the bit with vinegar and honey in the winter, and in summer with wine and salt.  
The next day you shall tie up the curb as it ought to be worn; and therein you must take great heed: for commonly the horsekeepers and footmen are utterly ignorant how to place the curb, because for the most part they make it straighter than it ought to be: whereby the horse being much pinched, doth grow angry, putting down his head, and making many unseemly motions.  
I would therefore advise you, to let your curb, when it is lose, hang on the right side: and when you will make it fast, then without writhing it at all, to put it upon the hook on the left side, in the first or second chain, as you shall think most expedient. Marry here I must warn you, 
A caveat touching the kerbing of a colt, etc.  that in curbing a colt or young horse that knoweth not the bit well, or any other horse that is choleric or tender of beard, you shall in no wise make the curb strait, but rather over lose, ever fastening it on the left side.  
Surely some men (being much deceived in the conceit) would have the curb to be shut on the right side, supposing thereby to remove that fault, which the Italians do call La credenza: which is a certain obstinacy of not turning willingly on either hand: which fault may be sometimes removed by mean of the curb, but not in that sort of transposing it. I do therefore judge that custom very unfit in sundry respects, and chiefly in that you should be forced to make fast the curb with your left hand, or very incommodiously with the right hand.  
Now your horse being made ready and in good order, as he should be with his curb, you shall ride him to the accustomed place of teaching: where after you have made much of him, you shall excercise him in his ordinary lessons, wherewith you must entertain him for fifteen days together, but in no wise put him to run any carriera.  
But for so much as to ride in the saddle is a thing 
Of sitting in the saddle and pad.  more commendable and comely than in the pad, also of much more judgement and skill; I will put you in mind to sit in the saddle with better grace and regard, and also with better disposition of body than you were wont to sit in the pad; yet ever eschewing all curiosity and affectation. Which you may do, if before you depart from the place of mounting, you settle yourself just in the midst of the saddle, letting your legs fall in their due order, neither putting them too much forward, nor too much backward, nor too near, nor too far from the horse belly, staying your feet upon the stirrups, as they ought to be, turning your toes somewhat towards the horses shoulder, and settling yourself upon the stirrups, yet not so hard as though your feet were grown out of them.  
Touching the length of the stirrups, they 
The length of the stirrups.  ought to be neither overlong, nor over-short for your legs; but conveniently fit and of even length: but hereof we will speak more at large in another place.  
The surest hold and stay you must have on 
The surest hold on horseback.  horseback shall consist not in the stirrups, but in your knees & thighs, which ought to be ever as it were made fast or nailed in the saddle: but from the knees downward let your legs be lose and at free liberty, to move as occasion shall require. But to return to that I said first, let not your legs be overmuch cast forward, or backward, neither over near to the horse belly, nor holding your foot in the stirrup so far towards the horse neck as you possibly can, nor put your feet so little as only to set your toes within the stirrup, for the one is like unto a fool, the other seemeth to proceed of affectation, as though a man would counterfeit S. George: but you shall do best to observe the mean, sith in all actions the virtue resteth in the midst, and extremities are ever imperfect.  
The rest of your person must be kept straight at liberty, and disposed so, that your neck wrieth not either forward or backward, or more on the one than on the other side. Yet is it not amiss, but sufferable, to look down to see your horse how he standeth, or whether he bringeth orderly the one leg over the other, and other helps necessary, whereof we will entreat hereafter: yet will I allow those motions the less, if they be used in the presence of many strange riders and lookers on; because you may both stop and manage your horse otherwise without declining, writhing, or other unseemly gesture of body, so long as you keep measure with your hand and heel.  
You must also use your hand and arm with a certain just and comely motion, and chiefly your right arm ought to be a little bowing: though some riders do make therewith sundry gestures & crosses not unlike unto coniurors in the circles; yea some do bear both the arm and all the rest of the body with such curiosity and affectation, as in deed they seem to be men made rather of wood than otherwise. You may not be one of that number, but in all things show dexterity without affecting, likewise measure, with order, and seemly boldness.  
Thus your horse being brought to bear the saddle comely, and you to sit well on his back, you may exercise him daily in his wonted lessons; wherein you shall practise him fifteen times more without running him at all: in which lessons I wish, that so oft as you troth the large rings, you should at the last put him to gallop somewhat furiously, to the end that in stopping he may gather his body, and stop as it were on his buttocks. I would you should also accustom your horse to make more speedy turns than he was wont in the strait rings.  
In all these 15. lessons you may not run your horse more than once or twice in one morning, and that must be in the accustomed place of carriera: unless that returning home you hap to find some good ground, which hath in the end some pretty fall, where you may do well to gallop him frankly, & stop him fair and easily at the decline of the place, so as he may bear his head firmly, & stop upon his heels. Yet never forget to bring home your horse in good breath and without sweeting.   

CHAP. 11.  
How to exercise your horse, the next fifteen days.  
WHen you see that your horse is brought to gallop well in the end of his ring turns, and that of himself he goeth swiftly and as he ought in the strait turns, and that he will run and stop perfectly, which he may well do in these two months and a half wherein he hath been taught; I would then you should troth him less than ye were wont, and put him to gallop daily more and more, as well in the rings as strait forth. Also in galloping I wish ye should make much of him, and endeavour yourself to bring him to gallop short, round, & lively, helping him with a voice fit for that purpose.  
Then would I have you also to make him gallop in the strait rings, yet in no wise to hasten him with rating or beating, but with a soft voice meet for that turn encourage him: but if he grow slack in his gallop, then must you solicit him presently with the due corrections: or if he become hot, and make overmuch haste, then gently cross your rod over his neck, and restrain the reins and Cavezzan a little: also if you think so good, give him a pretty twitch or two with the Cavezzan, which must be done with no fury, but with moderation & patience.  
In these lessons you shall exercise your horse fifteen times, which maketh up three months complete. But you must in no wise force him to do any thing more, though I know well he might be drawn in much straighter, and shallbe after: for I desire he should do all things justly and assuredly, which he will undoubtedly do, so soon as he can perfectly perform all these things before recited.   

CHAP. 12.  
Certain particular things to be observed by the rider, and used the first month he rideth the horse with the saddle.  
WHen the Rider perceiveth that his colt beginneth to do his lessons indifferently well, and that he understandeth the helps before said; then being on horseback, having paused & settled himself, he shall put the horse three paces forward; and staying there, make him retire a little: which done, being again put forward, he shall give him two or three turns on either hand.  
From thence you may go on to the place of riding, where your horse having finished all his lessons, & stopped: you must offer him to turn, and therewith lean forward with your body, to see whether he bringeth over his contrary leg as he ought to do: for both in pasing, trotting, & galloping, the outward leg in the turn should as it were cover the other which is next that side whereon the horse turneth, which the Italians do call Incavalare. Also in turning, you must take heed that the horse do bear his body even, and make his turn just in one track: which he will do, if the rider sitteth staiedlie and aptly, and handleth the horse heedfully, always helping him when need requireth: of which helps we will hereafter speak at large.  
Thus, when you have ridden your horse, & stayed him again, making him retire, & then go forward three paces as he was wont; you must once more look down on either side, to see 
How your horse must stand, etc.  whether he standeth just upon his legs, and beareth his head well. And if you find he stand not just, but putteth one leg before the other, resting his body more on one side, than on the other, you shall fair and softly with your rod beat him on that leg that standeth out of order, to the end he may remove it into the right 
How the horse should stand at his stop, etc.  place: for in deed the horse ought to stand just upon all four legs, so soon as he is stopped and stayed. This correction you may also use in the stable, when so ever you see the horse putteth one leg more forward than the other, or standeth more firmly upon one than the other: which seldom chanceth, if he be pastorned as he should be.  
You may not think, that to look downwards, to behold the justness of your horses legs and body, doth serve to small purpose: for it also is a mean to let you understand, if your horse in doing his lessons hath hurt his legs, his feet, or his mouth. Besides that, you may the more easily & perfectly know the motions 
The motions of the horses body & mind appear by his eyes.  of his body and mind, which do chiefly appear by his eyes. For if you see his eyes look fiery, that is a sign that choler aboundeth in him: if discoloured, then is he discouraged, and faint of courage: if they be wet with tears, than he complaineth of weariness, or some other such cause. So that knowing his grief, you may easily provide the cure thereof, as by your discretion shallbe thoughtfit.  
Thus after you have made two or three straight turns on either hand pasing your horse, or otherwise as he can best do, with that justness that is required; you shall ever departed from thence to the place of riding, trotting him lively and roundly, keeping your bridle even, & the reins of the Cavezzan more straight on the one than on the otherside, as you find the horse inclined: in that sort trotting him cheerfully along the way, you shall sometimes with a soft voice encourage him, and sometimes with the point of your rod touch him on the crupper of his buttock, and sometimes lightly strike him overthwart the neck upon his shoulder, to the end he should raise himself, and take his pace with spirit and courage: which done, you may fall into your ordinary lessons, first on the trot, and after on the gallop.   

CHAP. 13.  
How the rider ought from henceforth to exercise his horse in the Caragolo.  
IF you see that your horse doth gallop well, I wish (not having used him thereunto before) that you should in any wise, for twenty days together, use him unto the Caragolo: for it will greatly help a horse to make the turns upon the ground, and likewise bring him unto the manage without rest. During the time you practise your horse in this lesson, you shall utterly leave the rings; saving that you must still troth and gallop sometimes strait forth, and then stop as you were wont.  
When so ever you troth the Caragolo, you must 
Advertisements touching the trotting of the Caragolo.  at the first go fair and softly; and after towards the strait turns, and also in the enlarging, trot with more fury: which you shall do the space of five or six mornings, and all the rest of twenty days. In the end of the swift trot, you must put the horse to gallop, at the lest once on either hand: yet so, as you make an end on that hand, which your horse is least willing unto.  
And now once more, that you must always end amids the Caragolo in the narrow; and after stop strait in the ring which you see in the figure. Then having stopped in the order before said, you shall there turn in that sort we have heretofore prescribed, ever taking heed, that in turning, the contrary leg of the horse do come over the other: as for example. If you turn on the right hand, see that his left leg may go before and cover the right leg: and turning on the left hand, the right leg of the horse must do the like.  
Having thus done, and seeing your horse head in the end of his turns towards the strait rings of the Caragolo, pausing a while, you must pace, or else troth (as yourself thinketh best) into the said ring, where stopping the horse straight, you shall make an half turn, and put him forth to the other ring, so long exercising him, as to your discretion shall be thought sufficient.   

CHAP. 14.  
How and when to teach your horse to turn upon the ground, Terra terra.  
WHen your horse can stop well, gallop the strait rings, the S, and the Caragolo; I would have him brought either into new rings, or into a Caragolo of much more straightness than the other whereunto he was before used, and there in the end draw him as straight as possibly you can: first pasing him, then trotting, and in the end galloping, using all necessary helps, and chiefly that of the bridle hand, which must ever lead the reins with due measure and discretion.  
But if you will exercise your horse in the small rings, you may for certain mornings only troth him, and then afterwards increasing the speed of that trot, fall into a gallop: so long continuing both on the one & the other hand, till the horse doth that you desire. Then finding he is brought to such pass, you must for fifteen days continually gallop him only in the same rings, straighter and straighter, helping him with the due helps, whereof we shall hereafter entreat at large. Thus much your horse will easily be brought unto, and perform with a good grace, if you observe time, changing hands as you ought, and at every change thrust him forth one pace.  
And note, that within the circuit of the self same rings you shall both stop, stay, and make the horse retire, if in the end of his turns he hath forced too much forward out of the place of turning: but if he hath swerved out of any hand, or gone backward in turning, then must ye presently put him forward, or at least so soon as you have stopped.  
But now I must warn you, that in no wise you 
A caveat to avoid toiling of your horse, and the reason why.  should toil your horse long in this kind of lesson; because it is laboursome and painful: yet have I seen many riders (forgetting themselves) that ceased not to ride their horses so long in one self place, till they were all in sweat and foam, scant able to fetch their breaths, or stand upright: whereof doth proceed so many diseases of the sinews, the legs, the loins, the head, and other members. I do the rather forewarn you, wishing you should teach your horse to turn, some while in one, and some other while in an other place, which he will perform without labour or any danger at all, & become so perfect as you would have him: besides that, yourself shall be reputed among other gentlemen, of judgement and discretion.  
So long as you please to practise your horse to these turns, you may not trouble him with any other lesson, save only in the S: which must be made more straight and short than it was wont, and therein you may not do much.  
Touching the commodity of turning upon 
The commodity & use of turning upon the ground.  the ground, it serveth to many good ends, as well in skirmish as battle, in combat and triumph; besides that, it is a thing of much commendation and pleasing the beholders: for after the horse can thus turn on the ground, he may do it for more pleasure aloft, or above the ground as we call it, with, or without jumps and yerks as yourself best liketh.   

CHAP. 15.  
Of that motion which the Italians call corvette or Pesate, whereof in our language there is not (for aught I know) any proper term yet devised.  
Master Claudio is of opinion, that this motion is of less necessity than any other, and that no horse should be learned to make the corvette when he is over young, nor till such time as he be perfect in all the lessons aforesaid: sith it behoveth that the horse should be firm of head, strong necked, raised in his pace, and just in all his doings, which he will be by observing the orders before expressed, and using the helps which shall hereafter be set down: for thereby he is brought to so great perfection, as in such a short space may be attained; that is, to troth nimbly and lightly, to gallop roundly and willingly, to stop before hand firmly and justly, and make his turns swiftly, comely, and assuredly: all which are things so necessary as more they may not.  
Wherefore your horse being reduced to that forwardness, as to perform the lessons beforesaid; I would, that after he hath been a while exercised in turning and stopping, doing them according to your desire firmly and justly, that then you should put him to make the Pesate and corvette, which you may do in this manner.  
You must go into some straight way that hath 
The manner how to put your horse to the corvette or Pesate.  a wall or bank on either side, and the ground somewhat declining. Then coming from the higher end downwards, you must put your horse forward, pasing two or three elns: where making proffer to stay, you must with your voice encourage him to advance before, accompanying him with the due helps thereto belonging, holding your body a little backward, and the reins both of the bit and Cavezzan somewhat straighter; yet so just, that if the horse would force forward to shun the advancing, or for that he understand not what he should do, yet he could not.  
You may also put your hands a little forward, and so raise the horse before, which will be a mean that he may with more ease lift up the fore part of his body; yet must this help be used with great discretion. And thus you must do at the end of every three elns, till he doth advance before, or at the least seemeth desirous so to do.  
But if he happen to advance over high, and force 
Faults in your horse deserving correction.  forward more than he ought (chiefly if he sprawl with his legs) then must you forth with correct him with your rod, by beating him upon the knees. Or if he commit any other disorder, as casting down his head, or leap overthwart, yet force not thereof at all: but after you have corrected him for the same, return to make him advance, and you shall be sure he will in one morning, or percase in less than the third part of one hour fall from one advancing to make many Pesate: which doing you must presently make much of him.  
Other means there are to bring your horse to make the Pesate, as in the straight path of a ring, or in a plain way; yet still observing the same order: also in some right up furrow half an ell wide.  
For certain days you may exercise your horse in the Pesate, without forgetting his other ordinary lessons. But so soon as he is perfect in them, both upon the pace and troth, to the end he should not become overbusy in that motion, as many young horses are, you must use him commonly to be brought into some long carriera; where pasing him two third parts thereof, put him to troth the rest swiftly, till coming near the end, you may a little draw the rains, and putting thereto your voice, strike him gently upon one of his shoulders, so causing him to corvette, and therein (if need require) help him otherwise.  
I would not (unless great necessity so requireth) 
The use of the spurs.  that in these corvette you should use the help of your spurs. Nevertheless, if the horse be naturally heavy, hard of head and cold, then is it meet you should strike him towards the flank, with the just stroke of the spurs, thereby to raise him, and remove his heaviness, stubbornness, and dullness. But at what times the spur is to be used I have not yet spoken, but reserve to entreat thereof hereafter.  
Now, sith that many young horses do easily learn the corvette; and having learned them, use them willingly; imagining that so soon as they have made a few corvette, they are not to do any thing else, or being corrected with the spur continue still to make more corvette, even against the riders will, and when they ought not, and in places unfit, doing them many times higher than they should: therefore use your spurs very seldom, and likewise spare to employ the calves of your legs. For it is an evil sight, that for this purpose you should set them so busily a work, chiefly in curveting & stopping, at which times you should show rather to sit firmly and lively, which were to more purpose both to become the horse and your own person. For in all places, with the only helps of your rod, your voice, and a little raising your bridle hand, the horse will advance thick, and do what you would have him.  
And albeit the helps of the voice and spur ought to be used at the beginning, when the horse learneth; yet M. Claudio thinketh both the one and the other may afterwards be discontinued. For (besides the reasons alleged) it is no seemly thing in the presence of lookers on, to use so many artificial motions and affectations as divers daily do.  
It shall therefore suffice, that when your horse can make his corvette well, you use only a little help of the bridle hand, accompanying the same by holding your right hand somewhat high; putting thereto such a soft, sharp, and speedy voice, as that motion requireth.  
But if the horse would stay to make his corvette, where you would not have him, the remedy is to put him forward with the due correction of the voice, the rod, and the spur: besides that, it is necessary to put down your hand angerly upon the horse neck, and so troth him the whole length of a carriera, in the end stopping him with two or three corvette: and then before you make much of him, return him to troth in the same way, and there again put him to make a few corvette justly: by which few I mean the number ought not exceed three, because more were vain and superfluous. Which order you shall ever observe in stopping, and all manages which require to be done with corvette: which if your horse will do with his forelegs comely, yet not over high from the ground, so as the one do not tarry for the other, you shall leave, and make much of him.  
Likewise, if in his former lessons he gallop and stop well, with the helps thereto belonging; and increasing the gallop chiefly in the end, that is to say, the third part of the gallop ought to be as it were running: and at the stop you shall fair and easily entertain him, leaning your body somewhat backward, and holding your legs in their place stretched out and firm, helping the horse with your voice and rod, by striking him fair and softly upon that shoulder: for by so doing he will bow his howghes, and stop upon the heels, as he ought to do.  
But if he cometh to his stop, with his legs cast right forth & unwillingly, his correction ought be the more; and chiefly upon the shoulders: yet not so great, as to make the horse angry, but let him know that you correct him only because he should do what you would have him.  
Master Claudio saith, that since the corvette are as it were the children of the Pesate; so soon as the one is learned, the other will forthwith follow. And betwixt them there is no other difference, 
How the corvette and the Pesate do differ.  than that the Pesate must be performed with more speed in good time and often, handling the matter so, as the horse may always at the first go faster forward in his curveting.  
In this motion you may use the calves of your legs, and likewise the even stroke of your spurs, yet lightly, and sometimes one spur and sometimes the other, as ye shall see occasion: which order you may observe in the Pesate, using all other helps likewise in that case required.  
The motion of curveting cannot be comely, unless the corvette be done short, low and thick. And it shall suffice thee to make ten or twelve at one time: for I allow not of those that enforce the horse to go from the one to the other end of the street, upon the corvette, forgetting that too much of one thing is displeasing. Besides that, much curveting bruiseth both the horse and rider.  
Master Claudio therefore affirmeth plainly, that he misliketh many corvette both forward and backward, and most of all if they be made sideways: neither doth he allow them forward in manage-wise, unless it be with determination to make a turn in that order, for so they are commendable. Yet (saith he) let no man marvel, that the turns upon the corvette are done with more difficulty, and are more pleasing to the beholders, than to turn without pausing and swiftly; for therein he should be deceived. For every horse may be taught to turn upon the corvette, and may do it easily, by reason he may therein take breath and time: but to the other turn he shall never attain, unless he be of more force and spirit, seeing he is constrained to hold his breath longer, and use more strength of his back, with the stiffness of his neck, & firmness of the mouth. Of one thing you may be assured, that when your horse can troth well forwards, he is easily learned to do it every other way.  
Now it remaineth to inform you why those 
Whereupon the corvette hath his name.  motions be called of the Italians, corvette and Pesate: & how to name them in English I know not, where with I will declare the commodity and discommodity they carry with them.  
Coruetta is that motion, which the crow maketh, when without flying she leapeth and jumpeth upon the ground: for Coruo in the Italian tongue signifieth a crow, and a leap in that sort is called Coruetta. Pesate I suppose were so called of the verb Pesare, which in our language is to way or balance. And the Italians having tried the wait of any thing, do commonly say Ecosa pesata: so likewise metaphorically and by way of resemblance, they called those liftings up and lettings down of the horse feet in just time and order, Pesate. This motion was in ancient time among the Italians termed Orsata, because the bear useth such a heaving up and down with his body.  
The commodity proceeding of these corvette 
The commodity & discommodity coming by the corvette.  and Pesate, is, that thereby we may conceive of what obedience, lightness, & valour the horse is: for in deed they do greatly procure the horse to become nimble and light. But the discommodities proceeding of the corvette are diverse, and often found in the war, in combat, in tournaments, & other exercises on horseback. They are also hurtful to the horses body, being used overmuch; because it weakeneth the sinews, and hurteth the loins, forcing their humours to fall into the legs and hooves. Also it maketh the hoof to break into quarternes, specially if the horse be put to make his corvette upon stony places, or often in any other place.  
All these lessons before recited, the horse may be taught to do, within four months next after he is first ridden: during which time he shall be ridden with the Cavezzan and Canon; but ever after to be handled otherwise.  
By that which hath hitherto been said, it seemeth that M. Claudio supposeth four months sufficient to make an horse serviceable and perfect upon the ground: which is many times and in many apt and docible horses proved true; chiefly in Italy, where they are commonly of great spirit and aptness to be taught: but in horses of these countries do assuredly require more time, in respect of their constitution; yet the diligence and discretion of riders do many ways supply sundry defects of nature.   

CHAP. 16.  
How to make up an horse upon the ground, and of the manage without time.  
IT is the opinion of Master Claudio, that within the space of four months a horse may become perfect in all the lessons aforesaid, unless by some accident he be hindered. For the horse may be within this time brought to such staidness and obedience, that the Cavezzan may be taken off, and in steed thereof you shall use a false reine. During all this time, I would not have you in any wise to put your horse to manage with half or whole time, no nor with the swift turn: neither would I have him put to turn high, with or without yarking. Moreover, you may not in any wise meddle to make him do the Capreola, to leap, or gallop galliard; no although the horse do show great spirit, or desire to do those things, for it is utterly vain to teach them, till such time as he be firm and perfect in all things upon the ground. Besides that, because the horse doth want his full strength, you may work an effect contrary to your desire.  
But being reduced to this ripeness in four months, I would not have you (as divers men do) never leave off the Cavezzan, continuing there with, months, years, and whole ages of men, before they make up the horse: but finding him firm and perfect in the doings abovesaid, you shall presently take away the chain, and in all his lessons exercise him with the false reins, at the least one whole month. Then if you see that he goeth well, you may put him altogether to manage without rest: where unto ye may easily induce him to do it both justly and swiftly, by observing that hath been often said; which is, if by little and little you draw in the horse, and make him go with more speed: wherein, to exercise him often unto the S, being made somewhat short and straight, doth help much in this respect; as I have at large before discoursed.  
The manage without rest, called of the Italians Maneggio di contra tempo, requireth great 
Maneggio di contra tempo, & Maneggio di mezzo e di tutto tempo.  firmness both of hand and body, and perhaps more time and measure is therein to be used, than in any of the other manages with half or whole rest, which they call Maneggio di mezzo e di tutto tempo. All which manages are very discreetly englished by Master Blundevile; a manage with half rest, whole rest, and without rest.  
It seemeth more over, that M. Claudio thinketh the manage without rest is both most commendable, and most difficult; chiefly when the turns are made not upon the soft gallop, but swiftly and furiously. Also when the horse is in stopping, if you suddenly at the midst of the turn put him forth with a good grace, closing the next turn swiftly, and close as it should be; and if from thence the horse do departed suddenly, making haste to the other end of the manage, there doing the like, and so continue without stay or disorder.  
You must never forget that this manage must be taught the horse in the order before said, which is; first pasing, next trotting, and lastly galloping, by little and little drawing him to that swiftness and frankness that is required, according to the force of the horse; remembering in the end to stop him comely, with two or three Pesate made well, and with breath enough. And surely, if you continue thus to do, you shall make your horse so perfect, that if you please to put him to do more, he will learn it easily. You must also, during this month, use your horse much to the turns Terra terra, which I would have him learn, before he be brought to manage, to the end that both in them and all other doings, he may come more readily and justly to his half turns.  
But if it fortune that your horse doth not every thing firmly and justly as you desire, yet ought you not be discouraged; but presently in the same place where he committeth the fault, correct him by all means due to that fault: neither shall you cease so to do, till such time as he amendeth. And truly, either the first, second, or third morning he will be brought to do according to your own fancy, so that you give him not over at the first. This we have said shall suffice, to inform you how to make your horse perfect in all his doings upon the ground.   

CHAP. 17.  
How to help the horse with your voice.  
THe helps required in horsemanship 
Helps in horssemanship reduced to nine in number.  are divers, and may be reduced to nine: as the voice, the rod, the bridle, the calves of your legs, the stirrups, the spurs, the body, the ground, and the water.  
As touching the voice, you must understand 
Of varying the voice in diverse respects.  it may vary, louder or softer, as the doings of the horse and his disposition altereth. So that, if you should always use one voice, your horse could never conceive your meaning, and consequently your helps become vain. It shall therefore behove you to use one voice to a colt at his first handling, an other when he beginneth to go well, another when he stoppeth, another when he gallopeth at leisure, an other in his gallop galliard, an other in his turns upon the ground, an other when he turneth high with yarkes or without, an other in his carriera and leaping.  
Likewise, whensoever you teach him his ordinary pace or order of going, a particular voice ought to be then used. You must also be prepared to have a voice for your horse, when he is over light behind, stubborn or disobedient; and one other, if he do obediently, willingly, and courageously. All which M. Claudio doth labour to express in his language; yet for that they be in all tongues rather significant sounds than words of express meaning, I commit them to the rider's discretion: it shall suffice that the horse thereby may conceive your meaning, and be forced to obey in that you would have him to do.  
Yet now, that this help of the voice may not 
A caveat touching the voice, when you ride before a prince, a noble parsonage, etc.  be used mnch, if you ride in presence of the Prince, or other great persons; chiefly when the horse is ready: for at such times and in such places it were unseemly to open your mouth, and utter voices of divers sounds and meaning. In stead of those voices, you shall employ certain secret helps and motions artificial. But the most comely grace on horseback (if you ride in so great presence) is not to help the horse at all, otherwise than to accompany him with your hand and body, whereby you shall covertly declare much cunning, without apparent helps or enforcement.   

CHAP. 18.  
How to help your horse with the rod.  
THe help of the rod is used by one of these means, by whisking, by striking with the whole rod, with the point thereof only, with the midst, and also with the end under the hand, or with showing the rod. Touching the whisk, it ought not be used, till such time as the horse knoweth well all other helps of the rod, and can manage perfectly on either hand. The rider may use this kind of help in steed of the voice, & it stirreth up the spirit of every horse, but chiefly of those which are of courage and great life.  
Striking with the whole rod is required, when you would have your horse go forward lively, either in his trot, his gallop, his carriera, his half or whole turns, either upon the ground or above, with yarkes or without: for than you shall strike him upon one of his shoulders, his flanks & buttocks, his legs or thighs. This stroke of the rod shall help much, being given in due time; and the more, if the same be accompanied with the other helps, and chiefly that of the voice.  
You may also first use this help in pasing your horse, sometimes striking him on the shoulder, to the end he should the more raise himself. And you must strike him, first on the one, and then the other shoulder, whereby he will gather his legs the better, go with more life, and bear his head the higher. The like order you must observe in his trot and ordinary gallop. But in his carriera you shall beat him either upon his shoulders, or upon his flanks, very sharply: you may also sometimes use the whisk.  
In offering him to make corvette, you may likewise help the horse with the rod, striking him upon one of his shoulders at every turn and every corvette, yet only when need so requireth. It seemeth not good, that the horse should be continually stricken upon, when you offer him the corvette: for it may be he will writh his mouth & neck the rather towards the left side; you shall therefore strike him on that side your own discretion doth think good. If you will raise your horse to leap at his stop; then, so soon as you have stricken him on the shoulder, incontinent turn your hand, & strike him also upon the flank. The like you may at occasions do in the gallop galliard, or turning above the ground. But if your horse be light enough before at his stop and leap, then without either beating upon the shoulders or flanks, you may make him to yark, by letting the point of your rod to touch the horse behind in the midst of his buttocks.  
another way to help your horse by the rod, is, when you would have him stay in one place; for than you shall lay it overthwart his neck, and then he will, as he standeth, lift first one, than the other leg, with a certain grace and comely countenance. And marvel not though this one manner of holding the rod doth work two contrary 
Two contrary effects in holding the rod, etc.  effects, for in the one you do solicit the horse to go by beating, still beating, in crossing his neck: but in the other you do only lay the rod cross, but not move it otherwise.  
Touching the great end of the rod under your hand, you may therewith make much of your horse, if you scratch him therewith fair and easily upon the neck, in sign he doth well. Moreover, the show of the rod is in the turns an help unto the horse, and a grace unto the man. For in turning the horse on the left hand, you must put the point of the rod within one handful of his eye, or else let it fall downwards somewhat towards his right shoulder; yet never suffering your hand to remove far from the true place thereof. And if you will manage your horse on the right hand, you shall put your rod down towards the left shoulder, yet never removing one hand far from the other. For in deed, over much moving of the right hand, and lifting up the rod, savoureth too much of affectation, yet at this day it is of diverse men much used.   

CHAP. 19  
Of the help of the bridle hand.  
THe horse is helped by the bridle hand, when in his doings he putteth down his nose more than becometh him; or else if he hangeth too hard on the hand, or trotteth heavily: for in all those cases you must give him certain chockes with the bit, more or less, as occasion doth require. The like may be done, when at the stop or end of any lesson, you find the horse bear his head lower than he ought. But if he leaneth therewith, more on the one than the other hand, then must you with the two last fingers of the right hand (holding the contrary rain) give him a chock or two, or more, as you do find the horse deserveth to be corrected.  
You may also help your horse with your bridle hand, in the midst of his manage, and likewise his turns, by giving soft or hard chocks, as occasion shall require. This correction will also serve to make your horse retire, and hold him direct and light upon the hand. Neither will it be amiss, but rather a good help, if in leaps of all sorts, & likewise turns, opening your hand to raise the horse, you put the same forward towards the bending place of his neck, so as your thumbs be nearest thereunto, & consequently the little finger furthest off, & nearest unto your saddle: yet may not your hand be from your saddle farther off, at any time, than two fingers; unless it be at some extraordinary times and occasions. For than it is not amiss, to raise your hand much higher, & farther from your body, as it were putting it as far as the midst of the horses neck. And in this manner by little and little unfolding your hand from turn to turn, & from leap to leap, you shall help the horse more or less, as need requireth. But such helps must be performed in very due time and measure. Therefore in using them you shallbe heedful and diligent. This is (I think) the true counseling of M. Claudio touching the help of the hand, whereof M. Astley hath largely discoursed 
M. Astley in his discourse of horssemanship. 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, chapters.  more at large, and very skilfully set down not only the helps of the hand according to this author, but also unto the opinions of Xenophon and Gryson added his own knowledge and experience. For which respect I have endeavoured myself to say the less.   

CHAP. 20.  
Of the calves of the legs, the stirrups, and the help by water.  
THe help of the calves is only to be used unto horses of great life, spirit, & courage, in all sorts of turning, by putting the calf of your leg to the contrary side of the horse. As if you will have him to lean or yield towards the left hand, then must you lay your leg close to the rightside of the horse; and likewise, if he should go on the right hand, than put your leg to the left side. But M. Claudio holdeth this kind of help to be of no great importance, neither doth he make much account of the stirrup: yet being at sometimes used it is to good purpose. That help serveth to touch the horse under the shoulder, to the end he should hold his neck and nose as you would have him.  
The water is exceeding good, to bring your 
Of helping your horse by water.  horse to gather his legs, & become light if you use to troth him therein. The water fit for this purpose should be so deep, as the horse may feel it to touch his belly, the bottom where of must be sound earth, or rather perfect good gravel.   

CHAP. 21.  
Helps of the ground.  
AN apt place for riding, and a ground fit for that purpose, are things very profitable & necessary to make your horse go well and speedily. A ploughed land, a ground rising, & a ground declining, are places fit to give the horse breath and lightness. The ground declining is also exceeding apt to bring your horse to stop well, make his corvette, and do all things required in the managcs both with and without time. The ground like unto the back of a knife, serveth well for the manage turns above the ground. The plain ground having on either end pretty small hills, helpeth the horse to make the half turn, and also to yark therewithal. The ground that is round and high in the midst, is fit to bring your horse to lightness, and make him go well on that hand whereofhe is hard. It will also bring him to go more just in the rings, lift his legs, and put one leg over the other. The ground like unto a boat, not being above three or four spans wide, serveth well to make a horse to turn, to cast his legs, and put one over the other in good order. The ground adjoining to some wall or pale, is good to make the horse go just and straight. The same is also fit to amend him, if in his manage turns he disordereth his hinder parts. The ground most fit for the carriera would be plain without stones or other stays, not soft, nor over hard: and if at either end it be declining, it will be by so much the better.   

CHAP. 22.  
The help of the man's body.  
Because this help shall hereafter be spoken of among the corrections, I say only that the body helpeth much, and thereby the rider is esteemed of the looker on, to be a man skilful and cunning in that profession, if he 
Notes of a good rider.  use that help in good order and times convenient. For whosoever seethe a rider leaning somewhatforward, when his horse trotteth or gallopeth, will (being of any knowledge) forthwith conceive he so doth, the more aptly to help the horse to be firm of head, and not raise himself higher than he should, but bear his body even, by reason he feeleth his burden counterpeised.  
Likewise when the horse cometh to stop, the rider shall greatly help him, by casting his body backwards, which will cause him to stop low behind, even as it were upon his buttocks. Also if the rider doth lean towards the one side, it is to be thought that he would have the horse to yield that way. If the rider in passing his horse straight, sitteth short on the one side, and leaneth hard upon the other stirrup, it is to be thought that he so doth purposely to bring the horse to hold his neck and head that way. Whensoever in turning the rider yieldeth his body more on the one than the other side, it is to be thought, that the same will help him to go more easily and speedily by that hand.   

CHAP. 23.  
Of the help and correction of the spurs, and how and when they must be used.  
Master Claudio affirmeth, that the spur ought not be used to any horse, until such time as he is become firm and well stayed of head. For if you do otherwise, it will be a mean to make him more unstaid, and consequently the longer before you can settle him.  
And it is apparent, that when so ever a colt unsettled of head doth feel the spur, he will offer to resist and disorder his head much more than any other horse settled and perfect in his lessons. Yet his meaning is not you should defer 
At what time a colt is to be spurred.  to spur him till he be five or six years of age, but so soon as you find him brought to be stayed and settled (which I hope may be done in four months) than you may boldly give the spur unto your horse: which you shall not first do in any street or way, but in some deep ploughed ground, or sandy place, after he hath done his ordinary lessons. First you must make him feel the one and after the other spur, fair and gently, as he passeth or trotteth the large rings, forthwith ceasing so to do, and cherish him, laying your hand upon his neck, and uttering some courteous voice. In this sort you may prick him sometimes on the one and sometimes one the other side, after he hath been warned well in his lessons. And hereof you may be assured.   

CHAP. 24.  
How to help your horse in the rings, and at his stop.  
I Have here to fore discoursed of helping your horse, yet did I not particularly inform you at what times and what places the same helps ought be used: which is done to the end I might proceed in order, & you the better retain them in memory. But now having accomplished what order and helps are required, here will I let you know how and when they shallbe used.  
And first you must remember, that when so 
How and when the foresaid helps are to be used.  ever either in the large or straight rings, in the Caragolo, in the figure of S, or in the manage in and out, which (as is before said) the Italians call Serpeggiare, your horse doth put out his but tocke; then must you forth with correct him on that side with your rod, with your heel, and with your spur (if you wear any) which you must continue till the horse amendeth his fault. The like you must do, if turning of any hand, or in going forward, he casteth his hinder part out of order. You may also in that case use this subtlety; first to make proffer to go on one hand, & then suddenly put the horse to turn on the other. You may likewise for this fault correct him well, if you pace or troth him near unto a wall, & when he turneth putting out his hind part, he must of force hurt himself, unless he holdeth his body straight, which he will not do often, but for fear thereof leave his fault, which he shall do the better if you add there unto the other helps.  
In galloping the rings you may help the horse with your body, by caring your legs put forward more than ordinary. And there is nothing that maketh a man to sit so comely on horseback as the gallop: for in galloping he may take time to settle his feet in the stirrups, to hold his legs in their due place with his thighs and knees closely, and his whole body straight and disposed, with either hand bestowed in their places. Therefore M. Claudio (perhaps contrary to many other good riders) thinketh best that the stirrups should be even of one length, which 
The stirrups should be of even length.  will be a mean that the rider shall sit with the better grace, and more conveniently help his horse; much marveling why the right stirrup should be shorter than the other.  
In galloping you must somewhat yield your person towards that side you would have the horse turn, yet not move your legs but when need requireth. As for example. If you gallop turning on the right hand, you must stay yourself somewhat more on the right than the left stirrup. The like order shall you observe on the contrary hand, holding your body a little forward toward that side. Also in turning you must put your contrary shoulder somewhat more forward, resting your body on that stirrup more than the other: for by that means you shall sway your horse towards that side, and be the more ready to help him. But in his trot or gallop straight forth, you shall not so do, but sit equally in the midst, without leaning: unless the better to help your horse you bear your body somewhat forwards.  
It is also at sometime permitted, you should lean your body to the contrary side, from that the horse is inclined, thereto to enforce him to lean the same way yourself leaneth. Also if upon that occasion you use the help of the stirrup, striking his shoulder therewith on the contrary side, and likewise give him a twitch or two with the false rain on the same side, it will be a good mean to draw him that way.  
But in stopping you must cast your body a little backwards, suffering the horse to slide forward as it were alone, drawing the reins fair & easily, till such time he be come unto that place you would; then having stayed his fury, you may stop him firm, and stay him there. This I would have observed, with those horses that understand how to be handled upon the ground. But if in stopping the horse leaneth more on the one than the other hand, then must you, leaning back, give yourself most towards that side, whereto he leaneth not, helping him all other ways: and so gallop him & stop him straight forth, till you find his fault amended. But note, that gallop shall not exceed the length of an ordinary manage. At the end whereof having stopped, if the horse stoppeth not straight as he ought, put him forward again, and at his stop correct 
Corrections diverse ways for not stopping, etc.  him on that side he yieldeth not, with your stirrup, the calf of your leg, your spur, & your person, till he be content to yield and stop as you would have him.   

CHAP. 24.  
How the stirrups ought to be of even length.  
WHo so ever rideth with one stirrup longer than the other, doth seem therein to proceed contrary to nature, having made man two legs of one just length. Therefore if you make one stirrup shorter than the other, it is not possible you can sit so comely or justly on horseback, as if they were of equal length: or how can you use your spurs commodiously or evenly? For in striking the horse with the spurs, you shall of force spur him higher on the one than the otherside, so long as the one stirrup be longer than the other: which thing how unseemly it is, I refer to your judgement.  
Besides that, how can you with your body so conveniently help your horse in his doings? Sith you do not sit with your body just in the saddle, or rest yourself equally upon the stirrups, justly counterpeised? which is the thing that makes you seem fair & firm in the saddle, by not leaning more on the one than the other hand, and such a seat will best become you in all sorts of turns, either on the ground, above with yarkes, and every other motion.  
And albeit it is the opinion of some, that to 
The opinion of some, that the right stirrup should be shorter than the left, etc.  break lances it behoveth a man at arms to have his right stirrup shorter than the other by two fingers, yet do I not conceive the reason thereof; sith both in running at the ring, or course of the field, an horseman ought to sit even, without leaning more on the one than the other side, or turning any of his shoulders: for thereby he shall show the more cunning, and gain advantage in the length of the lance, which is some help at the encounter.  
Moreover, although it seemeth that leaning more on the one than the other stirrup, and that thrusting forward of the one shoulder, doth make the man stronger, both to meet the adversary, & receive his reinconter; yet is it certain, that thereby he is the more apt to commit the errors beforesaid, by sitting lose in and uneven in his stirrups.  
Furthermore, sith every man standeth most strongly upon the ground, when he resteth upon both his feet: so do I think that an horseman, staying his body upon both stirrups equally, shall be better prepared both to assail, and receive the encounter of his adversary, than if he should do otherwise.  
For these reason's Master Claudio resolveth, that the stirrups should be of equal length, whereby the rider may (as he thinketh) sit more comely and assuredly. Nevertheless, it is (as beforesaid) permitted, that the rider should at occasions, to help the horse in his lessons, rest more on the one than the other stirrup, but not otherwise. It is not also to be disallowed, though 
The left stirrup to be longer than the right.  to fight in combat or tourney, the left stirrup be made longer somewhat than the other: because the rider is to employ his right arm, and turn on the right side, in respect whereof the left stirrup would be the longer.   

CHAP. 25.  
In what sort to help your horse in every manage.  
Whensoever you will manage your horse without rest, you must troth or gallop, till you come to the place of turning; where making as it were a seeming to stop, you must raise him, and therewith suddenly put him forward one pace, leaning your body, and casting your bridle hand a little forward: then by moving your leg, you shall warn him to return an other pace, and in the turning easily you shall put him forward at the half turn Terra terra, helping him with your voice, your heel, & spur. And if you will have him to turn on the right hand, help him on the left side; and on the left side, with the right spur: & remember to help him much or little, as you see occasion require.  
Remember also, if at the half of his turn he cometh about hard, as it were hanging on the contrary hand from that he turneth, that then you must forbear to strike him with the contrary spur, that is to say without the turn, and strike him with your spur within, on that hand you do turn. The like order you shall observe both in galloping and the frank manage. But if you find your horse cometh over fast about to his half turn, not setting himself just in the same path from whence he came, for (to make the turn just he must bring his head where his hinder feet were) then so soon as you have given him the spur on the outside, you must presently answer the same with an other on the inside: both which must be near unto the girths, unless you find occasion to give them nearer unto the flanks; which is, when the horse doth turn with his buttocks more on the one than the other side. But if he turn overmuch, bending on his legs behind, & over low with his buttocks; then must you forthwith thrust him forwards, striking him near unto his girths with both spurs together; accompanying that help with the rod upon the horses flank, and likewise your voice, if need doth so require.  
The stroke of the rod doth also help much in turning, if the same be given when need requires upon the contrary shoulder of the horse: but if no such need be, it shall suffice if you put your rod over the horse, so as the same may hang on the left shoulder, to make him turn towards the right hand, and likewise on the right side, when you would have him turn on the left hand.  
But you shall help him much more, and with better grace, if when the horse slideth upon his heels, you sit somewhat with your body leaning backward; and suddenly putting him forward, turn the point of your contrary shoulder towards that hand you would have the horse to turn. As if you would have him come on the right hand, then must you put forward your left shoulder; or if you would have him turn on the left hand, than put your right shoulder somewhat forward.  
In turning, you must also remember that your bridle hand may not be far removed from the bending of the horses neck, ever holding it right against the midst of the pommel.  
If you ride a horse that is already made, and perfect; then, to make him turn on the left hand you must turn your bridle hand, yet not moving it from the place; so as your thumb be downwards, and your little finger (which is betwixt the reins) be uppermost: and turning on the right hand, you shall turn your fist contrariwise; so as all the other fingers be upward, but the thumb not so high as the ring and little fingers. This motion of the hand is not easily expressed; and therefore M. Claudio remitteth it to the discretion of the rider, so that he keep his hand firm in the due place prescribed.  
But if your horse be not brought unto perfection, but weareth his Cavezzan or false rain, than these points of cunning are not required; because you are to employ all necessary helps, to the end the horse may hold his head straight, & go just with his neck, chiefly when he turneth: ever helping, as need requireth. As if you turn on the left hand, then fair and easily you shall (according to necessity) draw the right false rain: or if you turn on the right hand, then must the left false rain be holden and drawn straight, and the other as you think good.  
These half turns in the manages without rest, I wish to be just, and with good grace; for so being, M. Claudio saith they are the most seemly and necessary motions the horse can make. And if the horse can do these turns exactly well, you may easily make him also to do them (as it were) mocking (which for want of english words to express the same) I will use the Italian, calling them Volte ingannate & rubate. The way 
Volte ingannate & rubate.  to manage your horse with these Volte ingannate is, that when he cometh unto the place of turn, ready to stop, you must proffer him to turn on the one hand, and suddenly turn him on the other.  
If you like to use the same order in turning your horse, you may do it in this manner. When you have set your horses head straight in the same path and place where he stood with his heels, without putting him any whit forward; you must force him to make a whole turn round in the same order you observed in the half turns: so as at every end of the manage you shall make one whole turn & a half upon one hand. And remember that the horse do not pass forward to the other end of the manage, till you have ended the turns, but tarry till you will have him so to do. You may also (if so you think good) having given your horse an half turn on the right hand, presently return him with the like time on the left hand, to make an whole turn, in the order before prescribed. But remember that in these doings you may not labour your horse much, unless he be of great force; and more than ordinary strength. The like order you shall observe in helping in managing your horse with rest; saving that you must then turn him at the first or third advancing. This manage may be made with half turns, & whole turns mocked: but they must be above the ground & aloft. For I have often told you, that I like not the whole turns that be made over high, the horse resting only upon his two hinder feet. And if in ending the half turn or the whole turn with the half, you put your horse to one or two Pesate, or as many Aggroppiati rilevati, before you come to the other end of the manage, the same will be pleasing to the beholders; you shallbe also thought to show much skill, and the horse more obedience. Note that in this manage with rest above the ground, and high, you must at every turn (for the most part) help the horse with the even stroke of the spurs: yet not hard, unless need so requireth.   

CHAP. 26.  
How to help your horse in his corvette, Pesate, and Raddoppiare.  
ALbeit we have heretofore spoken of turning, and likewise of the Pesate and corvette, yet did I not particularly inform you of the helps to them belonging. I say therefore, that neither in the corvette nor the Pesate you must in any wise move your legs, to help the horse so busily, as thereby to seem rather a weaver than a rider: for you may help him sufficiently otherwise. But you shall hold them straight and forward, and your body right up in the saddle; and not leaning forward, as some curious riders do, raising their buttocks behind, and lifting them up and down more than the horse either in his Pesate or his Coruerte doth.  
Master Claudio therefore doth counsel you, that without any imitation of these men, you shall in curveting sit firm in your saddle; with your legs in their due place, holding a constant hand upon your bridle. Nevertheless, if your horse do bear hard, and not make his corvette lightly, then may you help him with the even stroke of your spurs; or first with the one, and after with the other, and (if need so requireth) with your bridle hand, turning your fist in such wise, as heretofore I told you; that is, at every corvette, your ring finger, which is under, may turn upward, and your thumb at the same instant may fall somewhat downward, towards the bending of your horse neck.  
It will be also a good grace, if in curveting you hold the end of the reins in your right hand, holding it up from the other hand two spans: but you may not, during that time, use your rod, but in steed thereof betwixt your two hands open the reins, and at every corvette shut them suddenly, making thereby a certain sharp sound, which will somewhat awake, stir and put forward the horse. You may also use the voice fit for this purpose as is before said.  
Likewise at occasions you shall employ your rod, striking the horse sometimes on the one and sometimes on the other shoulder, lightly or sharply, as by your discretion shall be thought meetest. You may in like manner with the middle part of your rod strike the horse upon the bending of his neck, or with the point thereof upon the midst of his buttocks, letting the rod fall backwards over your shoulder. It will moreover be good to use the whisk of your rod, sometimes before, sometimes behind: for that shall help much to hasten the horse to advance, and bear his body with a seemly grace, and beat the time fast.  
Now you must understand the reason, why M. Claudio misliketh so much the motion of the 
The motion of the legs and person misliked, and why?  legs and person: because (saith he) it is a thing discommendable in the presence of many lookers on (chiefly if they be of knowledge) to use so much art, or bring into their presence a horse that cannot without help, and as it were alone make the corvette and also the Pesate.  
I wish also, that when your horse turneth, you should sit straight and firm with your body, holding your legs in their place, helping the horse in due time; somewhiles with the even stroke of your spurs, sometimes on the one side, & sometimes on the other. It may also happen, that the help of your legs alone will suffice, and that your spur shall be needless; for that your horse is of too great life and spirit. Therefore that help joined with your bridle hand, your voice and your rod shall work the effect of your desire, and make him turn as you would have him.  
If you will turn your horse upon the ground Terra terra, we have heretofore told you how to do it: if half above the ground (which the Italians call Amezzo aere) the same helps shall serve, yet somewhat increased. But if his turns be lofty Di tempo in tempo, then in turning you must help him with a great voice and stronger helps: which the horse will perform at every turn, whensoever it please you, if among other helps with the point of the rod you beat him betwixt his buttocks, adding thereunto your voice.  
But note this one thing, that in what sort soever you turn your horse, you must not in any wise transgress or go out of the place. As for example. If you turn Terra terra, the hinder 
Orders to be observed in the turns Terra terra, and A mezzo aere.  legs of your horse may not remove, but the forelegs only go about: the like order you must observe in his turns A mezzo aere.  
In the turn wherein the horse moveth as well his hind as his foreparts (which the Italians call Raddoppiare a groppette) he must of force first move his forelegs, and next his hinder legs: yet ought neither the forelegs press so far forward, nor the hinder legs so much backward, as to exceed the bounds of the beaten circle, which must not be in wideness more than the horses length. Yet though the horse doth not precisely keep the compass, it shall be no great fault: for it were a thing almost impossible, to measure the motions of an horse by the geometrical compass, or the watch of a clock.  
To turn loftily, with or without yarks, you shall observe the same order: but therein you must be wary and well advised to keep your body, and chiefly your back well knit, to the end that when the horse riseth or setteth, you yield not more on the one than the other side. And above all things, you must keep your legs firmly stretched out, not touching the horse with your spur, but with great measure.  
The way to do so, is to raise your horse first with his hind parts, as it were a jump or two, & then at the second or third jump to draw him to turn aloft, & every fourth turn help him with the even stroke of your spurs, with your rod on the contrary shoulder, & suddenly with the point of the rod upon his crupper; adding thereunto the help of the bridle hand and body, if need requireth. The like you may do on the other hand, never forgetting that in the end of every turn (of what sort so ever) you must use greater speed.  
It is also a great help to make your horse to turn high and above the ground, if you use him to turn in some ground that hath the sides somewhat higher than the midst: for therein you turn the horse, for not hurting his legs upon the hill, he will lift his feet with a good grace, casting out his legs as he should do, and let them fall again in the just time and place: & therewith also at the half turn yark out behind, as you would wish, according unto the helps you put unto him. The same hills will also serve well to teach your horse to put one leg over the other, which the Italians do call La ciambetta. But note, that this place ought not to be between the hills more than three or four spans at the most.  
Thus much concerning the corvette, Pesate, and turns, both upon and above ground. All which things (the turns Terraterra excepted) may seem superfluous in a horse for service: yet sith you may haply desire to know M. Claudio his opinion in them, I have thought good to make this short discourse. There with adding the difference betwixt the corvette and the Pesate, as thus. The corvette are those motions, which 
How and wherein the corvette and Pesate do differ.  the horse maketh like unto the jumps of a crow forward: and the Pesate are the same, not so much removing forward, but stirring the horse feet both before & behind, in the same place, like unto a pair of balance.   

CHAP. 27.  
What is to be observed in the Carriera, and every other manage.  
FOR so much as your horse ought to run surely, swiftly, and nimbly increasing his speed, you shall sometimes use him to pass a carriera, which ought to be rather over long than over short, chiefly if in the end thereof you will raise the horse to leap with yarkes: which must be done upon no hard or stony ground, but without impediment or peril: and above all, look the place be plain, rather ascending than descending, yet if at the end it be a little declining, your horse may stop so much the better.  
Note that all horses generally do run more surely and better upward than downward. When so ever you will run your horse, remember to go unto the end of the carriera, where settle yourself a while; yet so, as the horse may notstand stark still with his feet, but sometimes moving the one, and sometimes the other: for that is a comely sight, and showeth the horse to be courageous and fierce, chiefly if he do it naturally, beating the ground often with his feet.  
Thus being settled, you may put forth the horse swiftly, and speedily; yet look that he run not scoping, but rather low with his belly near the ground. But before you put the horse forward, warn him a little by some sort of making of him, gathering up the reins in your right-hand, bearing the same some what high, to the end of the carrierra. You must also carry your body straight and firm, with your face upward, and your legs comely: not striking the horse, either with spur or rod, more than twice, if you find occasion so to do.  
In the end of the carriera, you shall by little & little gather the horse, so as he may slide up his heels unto the stop: which will be a mean he will arrive with his head the more firm, and fit to make the Pesate or leaps as you desire. If in gathering up the horse, not having carried your right hand in the course as before, then must you take hold of them with the same hand, holding the left hand firm, yielding your body backwards, which will be a grace and a sign of skill. Note also, that when so ever you pass a carriera, or otherwise manage your horse, that in the end you turn your face towards those lookers on, which be of most honour and reputation.   

CHAP. 28.  
In what sort you should use and exercise horses of service for the war.  
IF so be you desire to have your horse made fit for the war, you must be sure to keep him well breathed, and run him often times up and down among hills & uneven grounds. You shall like wise put him to leap ditches and 
Means to make horses venturous and hardy.  hedges: but remember, that at the first, those leaps be not great, but as you find the horse able and disposed, so you may put him unto larger and higher leaping. You must also many times bring him unto the tourney and fight with swords, against another man armed. Which you may first do disarmed, with your sword drawn, trotting or galloping to and fro against another man, having like wise his sword in hand: so as first used to this feigned fight and noise of arms, he may be bold to do the like in earnest. Also to in courage your horse, let the horse of him that cometh against you, retire and seem afraid, as though he would flee for fear.  
You must labour also to make your horse to love the lance & sword, by showing them to him when you ride: and in steed of a rod, lay them overthwart the horse neck, and betwixt his ears. It will not be amiss if in like sort you draw your sword upon the horse, when he cometh out of the stable, and suddenly (as it were for fear) retire from him. And if than the horse do take courage, and come towards you, put up your sword, and give him some thing to eat, making much of him: so shall you find he will become courageous and careless of weapons. The sword prepared for this purpose would be without point or edge, yet bright and glittering.  
The strokes which offend horses most, are those that be given upon their faces. Therefore, to the end your horse may bear them without harm or impatience, you shall do well to arm him with a shaffron; and in the stable use him unto the sounds of trumpets, drums, and rattling of armour: which being first done, the rest will fear him the less.  
Above all things you must accustom an horse of service to hunting, where many other horses are assembled, and where is great noise and shooting; as horns, drums, and harquebusses. Also accustom him to fires, waters, swimming, and to behold men both armed and disarmed, alive and dead, and pass among them. You may also ride him among coaches, carts and other carriages, and all things used in the war. It is also to good purpose, if you put your horse sometimes to endure hunger and thirst, cold and heat, and suffer him to stand the whole day with some burden on his back.  
Moreover, it were good to ride sometimes in the night, to accustom an horse unto the noise of arms and warlike instruments, which shall make him the more courageous, bold, and assured. Fail not likewise to let him eat all sorts of meat, to drink wine, and be bridled and saddled willingly, and to let you mount & dismount at your pleasure. But above the rest, make him to love your person, and (as it were) be in love with you.  
A horse for the war, aught to be a swift 
Properties required in a horse for service in war.  and sure runner, a good eater, light upon the hand, strong, nimble, and valiant, without fault or imperfection.   

CHAP. 29.  
How to correct a resty horse that rereth and yarketh behind.  
ARestie horse is he that refuseth or resisteth to obey 
Corrections for horses.  his rider, either in not going forward, or turning on which hand you would have him. The beginning of this stubborn condition is easily perceived. For whensoever you find your horse to go, as it were in two minds, seeming he doubteth whether he should go or not: then shall you forthwith use some sharp correction of voice, and (if he be resty) accompany the same with some sure strokes of the rod, upon his shoulders and loins. But beware in any wise to strike the 
Not to strike the horse on the head.  horse upon the head, and chiefly betwixt his ears, for so he may be easily slain. To strike him on the head, may also bring other inconveniences, as hurt of the eyes, and make an horse so stricken, for ever after to be fearful of the sword, and cowardly.  
Besides the correction of the voice, the rod, and spur, you may cause two footmen (that have some skill) to stand with goads in their hands, & when the horse refuseth to go forward, then to rate him terribly, and prick him behind, till he do go as you would have him, & then cease. But during all this time, the rider shall sit quietly, and say nothing, and so soon as the horse goeth forward, or amendeth his fault, make much of him.  
another way to correct your horse for this 
Sharp corrections for a resty horse.  fault, is, that when he goeth arsward, and refuseth to do as you would, then to pull him still back, till he be weary, and then let a footman come behind with a long pike, having a wisp burning at the end thereof, and therewith prick your horse till he go forward; which doing, you must make greatly of him. But unless the horse be more than ordinarily resty, I would not wish you to touch him with fire, or tie chords to his stones, or cats to his tail, as some men do; because so cruel corrections do deform the horses skin, and make him desperate: besides that, such helps are over base, and unfit to be used by gentlemen.  
Remember also, that if an horse having this fault doth wear an hard bit, you must take it away, and in steed thereof put on a canon or scatch. You must likewise foresee, whether your horse hath this fault through want of sight: for if his eyes be not good, then will he be fearful to go forward in respect thereof: in which case you may not proceed with such rigour, but rather by all fair means, and much making of, give him courage to look well upon the thing he feareth. M. Claudio therefore doth counsel riders to walk their horses abroad, as well in the night as the day, and bring them in streets and other places, where is much noise, and other things to be feared, as smith's shops, pewterers, braziers, and such like places.  
If your horse reareth, you must forthwith 
Corrections if the horse rereth, etc.  look what is the occasion thereof, to the end you may provide a remedy. As if you bear too hard an hand, you must hold it more temperately. But if the fault be in the horse, then beat him surely overthwart his shoulders: which correction is also necessary, when the horse doth make his corvette more high than you would have him, or in doing them cast his legs straight forth. It is also necessary, that at such time as the horse doth go about to rear, you bear a light hand upon the bridle, and have the curb more slack than ordinary.  
But if your horse be over light, and apt to yark behind, then shall you correct him well: if at every yark you give him a chock with the bridle; accompanying the same with a stripe of the rod, overth wart his body and shoulders. Note also, that the crupper of such horses should be very slack, and likewise the quiseill.  
If the horse doth yark when he is spurred, then must you continue to spur him the more, till he leaveth that fault: yet so, as the same be done in due time, first with the one, and next with the other spur, mixing thereto a chock of the bit, with the corrections of the rod & voice. Till such time as the horse be brought to leave this fault, it were also good to have a strong bit, & sometimes put him forward a great way in a swift gallop, and therewith tire him.   

CHAP. 30.  
How to correct an horse that wrieth his mouth, or that is not willing to turn on either hand indifferently.  
SOme horse will draw up or writhe the one lip more than the other, the cause thereof may be, either that the bit doth hurt him, or resteth not in the true place; or else may proceed of some evil custom. Touching hurting the horse mouth, or evil placing the bit, the remedy is easy. But if the fault proceedeth of evil custom, you must then correct the horse, sometime with your heel, sometime with your stirrup, sometime with the rod, sometime with the spur, and sometime with drawing in the contrary side of the bit: which corrections you must use more or less, according to the obstinacy of the horse: and till such time as you see him to leave the fault; which doing, you must cease from correction, and make much of him. Also to carry the musrol straight, will help well in this case.  
If your horse refuse to turn of any hand 
The fault in an horse called in Italian La credenza.  (which fault the Italians do call La credenza) or beareth his neck more on the one side than the other: then would I wish you to put a string unto the chief eye of the bit, and tie the other end thereof to the girth, at such length as your discretion shall think good: which done, you must continually solicit him to turn on that hand you have tied the string, helping him with your heel, your rod, and spur on the same side. But the best correction for this fault is, first to alight, and tie the horse head fast to his girths, on that side he refuseth to turn or go, so leaving him to stand one whole hour: and after with your voice and rod force him to turn on that hand. Other corrections there are which for shortness I omit; and the rather, because some horses subject to this fault are therein naturally so obstinate, as they are unworthy of the rider's labour.   

CHAP. 31.  
How to correct an angry horse, and tender of mouth, that doth writhe his head from one side to the other.  
I Have here to fore told you, that an horse being naturally angry, must be much made of; but that not sufficing, assure yourself it proceedeth of evil nature: and therefore fail not to afford him stripes enough, rating 
Sharp correction for an angry horse.  him with a terrible voice, and correcting him by all other means due to that error; unless his anger proceedeth of the tenderness of mouth, for than you shall entreat him with more patience. And if you find that the horse mouth is tender upon the bars, or in the kerbing place, then must you use a gentle bit, and a curb accordingly.  
And note, that sometimes an horse putteth down his head, for that some tooth is more long or more sharp than it should be, pricking the gums, or the inside of the lip: which may also be a cause that many times he eateth not well, and consequently becometh lean: which must be amended, by filing that tooth, or otherwise as the ferrer can devise. If an horse having a gentle mouth do writhe his head, he may happily amend that fault, if you put in his mouth a soft bit: but if his mouth be hard, then must you 
What is justly the hardness of the mouth, read M. Astley his book of riding: cap. 1. pag. 8.  use an hard bit, correcting him with the spurs, the stirrups, & twitches of the bit, sometimes on the one and sometimes on the other side, ever accompanying the said corrections with a voice fit for that purpose, holding your hand firm & temperately; and if need be, draw the rain of the Cavezzan to the uttermost straightness. The like you must do, when so ever either in pasing, or trotting, he doth bear his head over low, or putteth it down suddenly.  
And if he letteth his head fall more on the one than the other side, then must you use the chock of the bridle, & twitch of the Cavezzan with one only rain, and on the contrary side, together with the other corrections. But if the horse putteth down his head evenly on either side, then must the correction be given with both reins equally, with both heels, and the even stroke of the spurs; or at the least, so soon as you have stricken him on the one side, you must do the like on the other.   

CHAP. 32.  
Of horses that run away, and are hot mouthed by means of evil riding.  
Such horses as have been evil ridden, and put to run much in their youth, will commonly run away with their riders. Which was the respect I have heretofore told you, that very seldom you should run your horses, if before they were not made firm of head and mouth, and therewithal fully grown. You must also refrain to 
Notes of angry horses.  run your horse, the rather if you know him to be naturally full of life, and evil mouthed: for so are all choleric and angry horses, as sorrel, adust, and roan, and every other horse that hath his snout reddish, or their whole heads so coloured, if that colour proceedeth not of age. You must likewise refrain to run all slack and heavy horses, and those that have weak backs, weak legs, and evil feet.  
But if the horse be well made, and coloured as he should be, and therefore runneth away only because he hath been evil ridden: then must you by little and little (and not all at once) reduce him to order, not by mean of sharp bits, but by using many days to pace and troth him forward, and stop him often upon the decline of an hill, putting him still back, without making him after to go forward, but then stand still. During these lessons, your horse must wear the cannon and Cavezzan, adding thereunto (if need be) a martegall of leather, or iron in steed of the Cavezzan.  
If your horse at any time doth well in these lessons, you must in any wise make much of him, and at the stop suffer him to slide a little at the stop, as well in his trot as his gallop, unless he be a great horse, & bendeth his houghs with difficulty: for such horses ought to be stopped short, and you must cast your body backward more suddenly than is required in riding other horses.  
To reduce an horse from running away, it 
To keep a horse from running away.  will help much to stop him before a wall. It were also good to bring him into some deep ditch that were in length almost as long as a carriera, and at either end place a footman, holding a cudgel in his hand: who finding when the horse refuseth to stop, shall presently rate him (and if need be) beat him upon the shoulders. It were not amiss also, for reforming of this fault, to set some kind of thing to stop at the end of the ditch, so as the horse should of force stay there: but if he be so devilish, as he doubteth not to run against that provision, then let him be encountered with a pair of harquebuses, or some burning wisps. All these extremities may be used, but M. Claudio thinketh that horses so desperately disposed, are unworthy the stable of Princes or Gentlemen.   

CHAP. 33.  
How to correct a dull and cowardly horse, that runneth not willingly.  
A Cowardly horse must be corrected courteously, least wanting courage, he may be made resty. And you must never forget to cherish and make much of him when so ever he doth well. But if the horse be both dull and churlish, then must you use great & sharp corrections, yet at occasions make much of him.  
If your horse will not run out his carriera, 
A deceit of the rider to make his horse run, etc.  being ordinarily corrected: then shall you deceive him in this sort. First you must troth & gallop him to & fro at large, a good while, without observing any order at all, & then put him straight forth, where you mean to stop him: and being there, by little & little make the gallop, so speedy, as in the end you force him to run: but at the first, when you use this subtlety, you may not make the horse to pass in full carriera more than the length of a manage. Afterwards using the like craft, you may increase the course, till it be a full carriera.  
But if all this suffice not to raise the horse to run courageously as he should do; find means to run him often in company of other horses, & cause an other horseman to follow him, rating & striking him with a cudgel upon the crupper, and the rider likewise beat him, and help him with his voice. It is also good, if after you have galloped the large rings, you put your horse forward with fury, till you come unto the place of stopping: because he being desirous to leave his labouring in the rings will make haste to the stopping place.   

CHAP. 34.  
How to correct an horse that lifteth not his legs, and how to make him put one leg over the other.  
IF your horse either in his Pesate or other doings lifteth not his legs as he should do, then must you with your rod beat him on the knees, chiefly if he lift them over high, or put them straight forth. But in the half or whole narrow turns, you must strike him only on the knee, on that side you do turn, & also help him with your stirrup on the same side. It will help much also to ride him in some ground like unto a boat, ever turning the horse against the hill, and helping him as before said.  
If you will have him put one leg over the other (which will greatly help a horse, and is a comely sight) then troth him about very straight, first on the one then on the other hand, without suffering him to take breath; yet helping him as before said, and leaning down, to see how he moveth his shoulders: but finding that the leg on that side the horse turneth not to go under the other, then must you beat him most thereupon with your stirrup & rod. You may observe the like order in pasing your horse. And the ditch made like unto a boat will help much to bring the horse to cast one leg before the other: which motion the Italians do call La zampetta, or gambetta.   

CHAP. 35.  
How to teach your horse the Gambetta, and what that is.  
THe Zampetta, or (as M. Claudio calleth it) Lagambetta, is when the horse doth put forward one leg before the other, either in his manage upon half turns, the corvette, or at the stop standing firm: which leg would be somewhat lifted up from the ground, whensoever the rider doth so require.  
A horse being perfect in this lifting and putting forward of his leg, doth become himself the better, not only in his turns upon the ground, and the other somewhat above ground (which the Italians do call Volte raddoppiate a mezzo aere) but also in the manage turns, and when he is cast about swiftly, narrow, and as it were without rest or time.  
You may teach your horse the Gambetta in an hollow ground, made like unto a boat or muskell shell, having little hills on either side: so that the plain ground betwixt the hills be not larger than three or four spans: you must thereunto put the helps beforesaid.  
But you may teach him better in the stable, 
Where and how to teach your horse the Gambetta.  by striking him with a rod upon the inside of that leg, which you would have him lift or put forward, adding there unto your voice, as; Up, up: which you must continue, till the horse lifteth his leg. But so soon as he so doth, remove your rod, and give him some bread or grass, in sign he doth content you.  
This order you must daily observe, till you see the horse willing to lift and put the one leg forward, whensoever you move him thereto with your voice only: which he will do, so soon as you come towards him. The like you must after cause him to do with the other leg.  
When you will have your horse hold up his leg, not letting it fall till you will have him, then hold your rod still at his leg, so long as you would have him to do it. But if he set it down before you would, then with the same voice and rod fail not to correct him, without removing the rod, till he hath stood as long as you desire, and in such sort as you would have him: for after that correction he will, at your only voice, lift and put forward first one then the other leg, as you would yourself wish, and so hold them above the ground a good while. You may likewise in riding your horse, help him to do the Gambetta, if you strike him on the leg with your toe or stirrup.   

CHAP. 36.  
How to teach your horse to kneel down, and that he shall suffer his Master only to ride him.  
FOr so much as Master Claudio hath in the beginning of this book commended an horse that will kneel down, when so ever his rider would have him, either when he mounteth or dismounteth: I think good to inform you what mean he would have you use to bring the horse thereto.  
First you must do unto the horse in the stable, as you did in teaching him the Gambetta; saving that you shall now strike him on the out side of his knee, putting thereunto a contrary voice. For as you said before; Up, up: so shall you now say; Down, down.  
But if being upon the horse back, you will have him kneel on both knees; then must you strike him with your rod on the right knee, and in the same instant strike him with your foot upon the left leg, adding thereunto the voice you used to make him kneel. When you have brought the horse with these corrections to understand how to kneel down, first with the one then with the other leg, and then with both at once: to cause him stand so still, so long as you would have him, you must hold downwards your rod towards his knees, saying; Stand firm, or, Stand still. When you will have him arise up, lift up your rod from his legs, beating him lightly upon the bent of his neck, and you shall say thrice; Up, up, up. Also if you have before taught him to leap and yark, then may you suddenly, at his rising, put him thereunto, by using the voice and help required in leaping & yarking.  
If you will make your horse so coy, as not to 
Bucephalus the horse of Alexander Magnus had this property.  suffer any other than yourself to ride him; then let every other man that rideth him, rate him, beat him, and entreat him the worst he can devise: besides that, let them labour him extremely, and when they dismount, beat him & threaten him the most that can be devised. In the mean space, you must make yourself well acquainted with the horse in the stable, and then so soon as others (having rigorously used him) do dismount, you must come unto him with a cheerful countenance, giving him pleasant things to eat, and put them aside that have offended him.  
You shall likewise please him much, to cherish him with your hands, when you wear sweet gloves, wiping his face, and chiefly his nostrils with perfumes & sweet handkerchiefs: for neatness & sweetness be two things wherein a horse 
Two things wherein a horse delighteth.  doth singularly take pleasure. Having thus done, you shall mount upon his back, first staying a while; then making much of him, both before & behind: put him forward pasing, & then alight, not suffering any man but yourself to lead him into the stable, & give him some pleasant thing to eat when he is dressed.  
But note, that whatsoever hath been said of kneeling down, and not suffering others than the master of the horse to ride him, must be used only upon horses of great spirit, understanding, and aptness thereunto.  
FINIS.