The art of riding conteining diuerse necessarie instructions, demonstrations, helps, and corrections apperteining to horssemanship, not herettofore expressed by anie other author: written at large in the Italian toong, by Maister Claudio Corte, a man most excellent in this art. Here brieflie reduced into certeine English discourses to the benefit of gentlemen and others desirous of such knowledge.

CHAP. 6. (Book 6)

What lessons are to be taught the horsse after the turnes before said.

WHen you haue brought your horsse to be well staied, & that he vnderstandeth both the large and narrow rings, bea∣ring himselfe comelie vpon the cannon; you shall trotte him streight foorth the length of a short carriera: and at the end thereof faire and easilie stop him, so as he may stand and staie himselfe firmelie. For by so dooing (cheeflie if you hold the reines euen) he shalbe forced to beare his necke and head staied: which I would wish you to doo, till such time you find he is become firme and iust in his stopping. But if you see that he stoppeth not streight and iust as he ought to doo, then without turning of anie hand, put him againe streight foorth the length of halfe a manage, and there againe stop him with helpe of your bodie, and drawing one of the reines of the Cauezzane more than the other, put him backe: which or∣der well obserued shall bring the horsse to stop streight & iust, either at the second or third time

of stopping. And remember, that as in the other, so in this lesson you must vse much patience; sith euerie horsse is more easilie woon by faire hand∣ling than by force.

After you haue thus awhile enformed your horsse to stop, and beare his bodie streight and iust; you may returne to the exercise of his for∣mer lessons, & in them continue so long as your selfe shall thinke good: euer remembring you leaue him in good breath & courage, for by that meanes he shall not become abiect of mind, but be sound of bodie and liuelie of spirit. Neuer∣thelesse, if the horsse committeth anie disorder, you shall before you dismount, sollicite and pra∣ctise him, till you find him to amend and doo that well which you would haue him. As for exam∣ple, if he stop not iust, and firmelie, holding his head in the due place, you may not cease to stop him so oft till you see he dooth euerie thing as you desire. In like manner he must be handled committing anie other er∣ror, for till you haue brought him to amendment, he may not in anie wise be suffered to depart.