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How to helpe your horsse with the rod.
THe helpe of the rod is v∣sed by one of these meanes, by whisking, by striking with the whole rod, with the point ther∣of onlie, with the middest, and also with the end vnder the hand, or with shewing the rod. Touching the
whiske, it ought not be vsed, till such time as the horsse knoweth well all other helpes of the rod, and can manage perfectlie on either hand. The rider may vse this kind of helpe in steed of the voice, & it stirreth vp the spirit of euerie horsse, but chieflie of those which are of courage and great life.
Striking with the whole rod is required, when you would haue your horsse go forward liuelie, either in his trot, his gallop, his carriera, his halfe or whole turns, either vpō the ground or aboue, with yarkes or without: for then you shall strike him vpon one of his shoulders, his flanks & but∣tocks, his legs or thighes. This stroke of the rod shall helpe much, being giuen in due time; and the more, if the same be accompanied with the other helps, and chieflie that of the voice.
You may also first vse this helpe in pasing your horsse, sometimes striking him on the shoulder, to the end he should the more raise himselfe. 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 beare his head the higher. The like order you must obserue in his trot and ordinarie gallop. But in his carriera you shall beate him either vpon his shoulders, or vpon his flanks, verie sharplie: you
may also sometimes vse the whiske.
In offring him to make Coruette, you may like∣wise helpe the horsse with the rod, striking him vpon one of his shoulders at euerie turne and e∣uerie Coruette, yet onelie when need so requi∣reth. It seemeth not good, that the horsse should be continuallie striken vpon, when you offer him the Coruette: for it may be he will writh his mouth & necke the rather towards the left side; you shall therefore strike him on that side your owne discretion dooth thinke good. If you will raise your horsse to leape at his stop; then, so soone as you haue striken him on the shoulder, incontinent turne your hand, & strike him also vpon the flanke. The like you may at occasions doo in the gallop galliard, or turning aboue the ground. But if your horsse be light enough be∣fore at his stop and leape, then without either beating vpon the shoulders or flanks, you may make him to yarke, by letting the point of your rod to touch the horsse behind in the middest of his buttocks.
An other waie to helpe your horsse by the rod, is, when you would haue him staie in one place; for then you shall laie it ouerthwart his necke, and then he will, as he standeth, lift first one, then the other leg, with a certeine grace and comelie
countenance. And maruell not though this one maner of holding the rod doth worke two con∣trarie * 1.1 effects, for in the one you doo sollicit the horsse to go by beating, still beating, in crossing his necke: but in the other you doo onelie laie the rod crosse, but not moue it otherwise.
Touching the great end of the rod vnder your hand, you may therewith make much of your horsse, if you scratch him therwith faire and easi∣lie vpon the necke, in signe he dooth well. More∣ouer, the shew of the rod is in the turns an helpe vnto the horsse, and a grace vnto the man. For in turning the horsse on the left hand, you must put the point of the rod within one handfull of his eie, or els let it fall downewards somewhat to∣wards his right shoulder; yet neuer suffring your hand to remoue far from the true place therof. And if you will manage your horsse on the right hand, you shall put your rod downe towards the left shoulder, yet neuer remoouing one hand far from the other. For in deed, ouer much mo∣uing of the right hand, and lifting vp the rod, sauoureth too much of affectation, yet at this daie it is of diuerse men much vsed.
Two con∣trarie ef∣fects in holding the rod, &c.