PART I.
Wherein is treated of Horses, their Kinds, Breeding, Keeping, Vses, &c.
CHAP. I.
The Introduction.
A Horse is a Creature so excellent in his nature, and so generally useful, that all ranks and degrees of Men, either for pleasure or profit, are glad to make use of his [ 10] Service. If you have seen a General at the head of his Army, and take notice of his Horse under him, I need not tell you what an Air of Maje∣sty and Greatness that Noble Creature has; and if you have been in a Battle, to give you an ac∣count of his Vigour, Activity, and Courage is as needless: But if you are a stranger to these sort of things, and seek not a Horse for any such Imployment, go to the Huntsman, the Traveller, and the Husbandman, they will all tell you [ 20] what pleasant Companions and necessary Ser∣vants Horses are. It would be endless to give a particular Account of their admirable nature and great usefulness; but if you consider what long Journeys are performed on Horsback, and in Coach; what heavy Loads and Burthens are drawn and carried from place to place in City, Camp, and Country; what delight and pleasure is taken in Hunting, Hawking, Racing, &c. to the increasing of Health and Vigour: In a word, if [ 30] you consider that to the most glorious Triumphs and solemn Pomps, in business of all sorts, and in our pleasantest and most manly Recreations, a Horse is some way or other assisting; you can∣not but conclude, That of all those Creatures that are made for the profit and delight of Man∣kind, a Horse is the most excellent, and conse∣quently, That Horsmanship is a very great Accom∣plishment in a Person of Quality, or Gentle∣man. [ 40]
The Design therefore of this Discourse is to lay down the Principles of Horsmanship in a short and clear method; I think it may be called The Knowledge of Horses, and the Art of Riding well. I shall speak only of such things as are most use∣ful and necessary to be known by the Gentry; as the several kinds of Horses, the Rules for Breed∣ing and Keeping them, what uses several sorts of Horses are fittest for, and the like; avoiding the impertinent humour of too many Authors, who endeavour nothing more than to make a show of their own Knowledge, and nothing less than the benefit and advantage of those for whom they write. If I should treat at large, some parts of this Discourse would require Volumes; and there∣fore when I speak in general, and give only the Grounds of things, I hope it will not offend the Reader. It may be of use to him who is a good Proficient, and not an improper Grammar for one that is beginning to learn; and I doubt not of its Approbation by the Judicious and experienced Horsman.
CHAP. II.
Of the several sorts of Horses most in use.
THe Turkish Horse has a great deal of beau∣ty and fire, being extraordinary swift; with a good Mare he breeds very fine Colts, (especial∣ly for the Race) of which some of our Breeders have had the experience: But the Turks are so unwilling to part with their Breeds, that of those that come into England, there are but very few (if any) good in their kind.
THe Barb is very docile and gentle, being of all Horses in the World the easiest to be managed, having naturally a very graceful Acti∣on, and a good Disposition; he is of himself so