The gentlemans recreation in two parts : the first being an encyclopedy of the arts and sciences ... the second part treats of horsmanship, hawking, hunting, fowling, fishing, and agriculture : with a short treatise of cock-fighting ... : all which are collected from the most authentick authors, and the many gross errors therein corrected, with great enlargements ... : and for the better explanation thereof, great variety of useful sculptures, as nets, traps, engines, &c. are added for the taking of beasts, fowl and fish : not hitherto published by any : the whole illustrated with about an hundred ornamental and useful sculptures engraven in copper, relating to the several subjects.

CHAP. XVI.

Of Keeping any Horse for Plea∣sure, Hunting, Travel, &c.

I Would have your Keeper of these Horses to rise early in the Morning by Day-break, or before, according to the Season of the Year, and to sift your Horse about three Pints of good dry old Oats, and put thereto one or two hand∣fuls of spleted Beans with the Husks, and give it him. After he has eaten them, let him dress him according to the order of good Horsmanship; that is, First Curry with the Comb, then Dust, then rub with the Brush; then Dust and rub with your wet Hands, after that with a clean Woollen-cloth, next with a clean Linnen-cloth; then pick all obscure places, and lastly Comb down his Main and Tail. Having thus done, Saddle him and ride him forth to Water, warm∣ing him very moderately both before and after Water, and so bring him home without Sweat. Then after you have rubbed him all over, Clothe him and let him stand on his Bridle above an hour; after which give him the former quantity of the said Provender, and when he hath eaten it, give him in his Rack a pretty Bundle of Hay, and so let him rest until after Dinner, and then give him the former quantity of the said Provender and so let him rest till the Evening; only give him more Hay, if occasion requires. At Evening Dress him well, according to the Directions for the Morning; then Ride him forth to Water, observing the same Method as in the Morning; and when you come home Dress and Clothe him up, as aforesaid, and let him stand on his Bridle as before; then give him the former quantity of Provender, letting him rest till about Nine of the Clock, at which time give him the former quantity of Provender, and a pretty good Bun∣dle of Hay, and so leave him till the Morn∣ing.

This Method observe concerning his ordinary Keeping at home where he hath Rest, and that you may dispose of Hours at your pleasure; but if you are on a Journey, or the like, so that you can't observe these Times, then divide the main and whole quantity of Meat into four parts, and by consequence into greater quantities, and give him them at the best conveniency, always ob∣serving

to give the least quantity before Travel, as a third part before taking Horse, and the two others after you come to Rest.

The reason of my dividing his Meals is, be∣cause it is very advantagious for the Horse; for to give it him at twice fills the Stomach more, makes the Digestion worse and the Appetite weak; whereas to give little and often, makes the Stomach always craving, the Digestion al∣ways ready, and the Appetite never wanting. [ 10] I must confess it is a greater trouble, requiring more attendance; but who will be sparing of his Grooms pains for the benefit of a good Horse?

If you intend to give him an Heat, as to Hunt, Travel, Gallop, or the like, which were not amiss to do two or three times a Week; then observe all your former Observations, only the Night before give him little or no Hay. In the Morning early before his Heat, and before his [ 20] Dressing, give him three or four handfuls of clean sifted Oats, washt either in strong Ale or Beer; then Dress him, Saddle him, and give him his Heat. But if it be sudden and violent, then let it be when he hath very well emptied him∣self.

After his Heat rub him very well, and bring him dry into the Stable; then Clothe him up warm, and let him stand on his Bridle about two Hours; then give him a little Bundle of Hay to [ 30] tear out upon his Bridle, and an hour after feed him, as hath been already shewed, only with the first Oats give him an handful or more of Hemp-seed well dusted and mixed.

At Night warm him a little Water and give it him luke-warm; then about an hour after give him his Provender, with a pretty good Bundle of Hay, and so let him rest till the next Morn∣ing.

The next Morning do all things as in his ordi∣nary [ 40] Keeping.

Let him stand on Litter both Night and Day; but change it often, and keep the Planks clean.

If you intend to Travel a Journey, in the Morning then give him no Hay, or but little the Night before: If you take your Journey in the Afternoon, then give no Hay, or but little in the Morning.

In your Journey ride moderately the first [ 50] hour or two, but after according to your occa∣sions or fancy. Water before you come to your Inn, if possible; but if you can't, then give warm Water in the Inn after he is fully cooled.

Oil of Trotters is excellent, being applied very warm and well chafed in, for the keeping of his Sinews and Limbs nimble, as also to help lameness and stiffness.

Neither Wash your Horse, nor Walk him; for the first endangereth Foundring in the Body or [ 60] Feet, and breedeth all Surfeits, and the latter is the ground of all strong Colds, which turn to Glanders and Rottenness: But if necessity compel you to either, as foul Ways and long Stays, then rather wash his Legs with Pails of Water at the Stable-Door, than to wash him in a Pond or River. And for Walking, rather sit on his Back to keep his Spirits stirring, than to lead him in the hand.

This is sufficient Directions for clean and ordi∣nary Keeping a Horse.