The experienced farrier, or, Farring compleated In two books physical and chyrurgical. Bringing pleasure to the gentleman, and profit to the countrey-man. ... For here is contained every thing that belongs to a true horse-man, groom, farrier or horse-leach, viz. breeding; the manner how, the season when, ... and what are fit for generation; the feeder, rider, keeper, ambler and buyer; as also the making of several precious drinks, suppositories, balls, purgations, ... and directions how to use them for all inward and outward diseases. Also the paring and shooing of all manner of hoofes, ... The prices and vertues of most of the principal drugs, both simple and compound belonging to farring, ... also a large table of the virtues of most simples set down alphabetically, and many hundreds of simples placed one after another, for the cure of all ... diseases, ... with many new receipts of excellent use and value; never yet printed before in any author. By E.R. Gent.

The Office of the Rider and Groom, and of things belonging to him, Viz. His General and Particular Knowledge in Handling, Sadling, Mouthing, Backing and Riding of the Great Horse, or Horse of Pleasure.

Of the Stable, and what it ought to be built with.

TO begin first with the Winter-house of the Horse, the Stable: You ought to place it in a good Air, and to be made of Brick, and not Stone, for Brick is most wholesom and warmest, for Stone will sweat up∣on change of Weather, which begetteth damps, and causeth Rheums in Horses. There ought not to be nigh it any unsavoury Gutter nor Sink, no Jakes, Hog-sty or Hen-Roust to annoy it. The Rack ought to be placed neither too high nor too low, and so well-Placed, that the Hay∣dust fall not into his Neck, Mane nor Face. The Manger ought to be of an indifferent height, made deep, and of one entire Piece, as well for strength as conveniency. Let the Floor be Pitched and not Planked, and let there be no Mud or Lome-wall near it, for he will eat it, which will cause him to be sick, for Lome and Lime are suffocating things, and they will infect and putrifie the Blood, and endanger his Lungs, and spoil his Wind; Neither let any dung lie near his heels, for that will breed Cib'd and scabby heels.

Paving of Stables is better then Planked Stables for these Reasons.

First, they are much more durable and lasting.

Secondly, they are less charges by much.

Thirdly, for him to stand continually upon a pitched Floor, it embold∣neth his Feet and treading the more.

Fourthly, it is the most excellent thing that may be for Colts, who are unshod, for it hardeneth their Hoofs, so that by custom they will be as bold to go upon stones, rocky and hard ways, as Horses that are shod; neither will it suffer the Hoofs to grow abroad in the manner of an Oy∣ster; besides, the use thereof will make their Hoofs more tough, durable and hollow, insomuch that when they come to be shod, they will carry their Shooes much longer.

To shew the Inconveniencies of a Planked Floor.

First, it is more slippery, out of which reason a mettl'd Horse may be endangered, to be lamed or spoiled by some sudden slip, which a pitched Stable is not so subject to.

Secondly, the Planks oftentimes shrinking, if the Horse be high Met∣tl'd and be subject to Curvet, he may break a Plank, and so Plunging may easily spoil or break his Leg.

Thirdly, when you put forth your Horse to Grass in the Summer, the Sun will so dry the Planks, that they will warp and loosen the Pins, and make them give way, that so when Horses that have gone for some Months before, not being handled, become wild and unruly, that when they come into the Stable, and feel the Planks to give way under them, will fall to Flinging and Leaping till they have dislocated the Planks, and not only both endanger himself but his Fellows also.

Fourthly, whereas you may imagine a Planked Stable warmer then a Paved one, I know the contrary, for your Pitched Floors have no Vaults or Channels under them, like as your Planked ones have, to carry away the water that the Horses make, by which means the Horses lieth over a dampish, moist Vault; and besides, the evil savour of the Horse-Piss will be ever in their Nose, which is very unwholesom and noisom, and many times the cause of many infirmities; neither can it be so warm as the other for chinks and holes, which are made by the Awger through the Planks, (which must always be kept open to let forth the Urine) to give way to the cold wind which cometh from thence, which cannot but be very unwholesom. Therefore I do affirm, that if your Groom do Lit∣ter up Horse well, so that he may lie soft and warm, he will prosper bet∣ter then upon a Planked Floor, provided it be laid even, not higher be∣fore then behind, more then will carry the water to his hinder-feet, where

there ought to be a small Gutter to carry it away, for by raising your Floor too much, his hinder Legs will swell, and so he will become Lame, by reason he bears too much weight on his hinder parts.

Of the Care in the Choice of a Groom.

After you have bred Colts according to my Instructions, and that that they prove to your Mind, then the next care you ought to have is of Grooms, which ought to be very expert in their Faculties, which consist∣eth their Making or Marring, for you cannot say that a Colt three or four years old can be a perfect Horse, till he come to be Handled and made fit for his Masters Riding, which is to be made Gentle, Shod, Backed, Broken, Ridden, Wayed, Mouthed, and in brief brought to his utmost Perfection. His Rider therefore must be an Expert and able Horse∣man, and his Keeper every way as sufficient, otherwise what defects you find in your Horse, are not to be attributed to him, but either to his Rider, or to his Groom; therefore let your care be, that they be both sufficient.

How a Rider ought to be Qualified.

If you desire your Colts to come to their utmost Perfection, then let your Rider be one who is Cried up to be an Experienc'd Horse-man; he must not be of life dissolute or debaucht, nor of Nature harsh, furious, cholerick or hair-brain'd, for the least of either of these Vices are very unseemly in a Person of this Profession; He must be Master over his Passions, for he that is not cannot make a good Horse-man. And it is not much to be wondred at, if a Horse fall into Imperfections or Vices, for these his evil conditions and faults are not so much to be imputed to the Horse, but to the Teacher, for he is not a good Horse-man that doth not bring his Horse to Perfection, by sweet and gentle means, rather then by Correction and severe Chastisements; yet not but that I allow of Correction, and that it is as necessary as Meat, if it do not exceed the limited Bounds of Moderation, and that it be done at the very instant when he offendeth, and doth justly merit the same, or else he will not know the Cause why he is Chastised; so on the other side, when he doth well, let h••m be Cherished and made much of, which will encourage him to go forward in well-doing.

What Manner of Person a Groom ought to be.

The Groom must be a Man that must truly love his Horse, and so shape his course towards him, as that the Horse may love and dote upon him; for a Horse is the most lovingest Creature to Man of all

other bruit Creatures, and none more Obedient to him; Wherefore, if he be mildly dealt withal, he will be also reciprocal; but if he be harsh and cholerick, the Horse will be put by his Patience, and become Re∣bellious, and fall to biting and striking; For the old Proverb is, Pa∣tience once wronged, will turn into Fury. He must continually toy, dally and play with him, be always talking and speaking pleasing words unto him; He must lead him abroad in the Sun-shine, and then run, scope and shew him all the delight he can; he must duely Curry, Comb and Dress him, wipe dust, pick and clense him, feed, pamper and cherish him, and be always doing somewhat about him, either about his heels, or taking up his Feet, or rapping him upon the Soles; And he must keep him so well dress'd that he may almost see his Face upon his Coat; he must keep his Feet stopped, and daily Anointed, his Heels free from Scratches and other Sorrances, and to have so vigilant an eye upon him, to oversee all his Actions, as well feeding as drinking, that so no in∣ward infirmity may seize upon him, but that he may be able to discover it, and being discovered may seek for to Cure it.

To Saddle and Bridle a Colt.

When your Horse is made Gentle, take a sweet Watering Trench, wash'd and Anointed with Honey and Salt, put it into his Mouth, and so place it, that it may hang about his Tush; then offer him the Saddle; but with that carefulness that you do not affright him therewith, suf∣fering him to smell at it, to be rubbed with it, and then to feel it; then in the end to Fix it on, and Girt it fast, and at what part and motion he seems most coy, with that make him most familiar; then being thus Sadled and Bridled lead him forth to water, then bring him in, and after he hath stood a little Reined upon the Trench, an hour or more, take away the Bridle and Saddle, and let him go to his Meat till the Evening, then lead him forth as before, and when he is set up Gently, take off his Saddle and dress him, and cloath him up for all Night. The way to make him endure the Saddle the better, is by making it fa∣miliar unto him, by clapping the Saddle with your Hand as it stands upon his Back, to shake it and sway upon it, to dangle the Stirrops by his Sides, and to rub them on his Sides, and make much of him, and be familiar with all things about him, as straining the Crooper, fastning and loosening the Girts, or taking up and letting out of the Stir∣rops.

Of Mouthing.

When he will Trot with the Saddle obediently, then you shall wash a

trench of a full Mouth, and put it into his Mouth, and throw the Reins over the sore-part of the Saddle, so that the Horse may have a full feel∣ing of it; then put on a Martingal, and you shall buckle it at such length, that he may no more then feel it when he Jirketh up his Head, then take a broad piece of Leather, and put it about the Horses Neck, and make the two ends of it fast by Platting, or otherwise at the Withers and mid∣part before his Weasand, about two handfuls below the Throple, be∣twixt the Leather and his Neck, let the Mattingal pass, so that when at any time he shall offer to duck or throw down his Head, the Cavezan be∣ing placed upon the tender Gristle of his Nose, may correct and punish him, which will make him bring down his Head, and fashion him to an absolute Rein. Then Trot him abroad, and if you find the Reins or Martingal grow slack, straiten them, for where there is no feeling there is no Vertue.

Of Backing.

When you have Exercised your Horse thus, divers Mornings, Noons, or Evenings, and find him Obedient, then take him into some Ploughed Ground (the lighter the better) and after you have made him Trot a good Pace about you in your hand, and thereby taken from him all his wan∣tonness, look and see whether your tackling be firm and good, and every thing in his true and due place, you may then (having one to stay his Head and govern the Chasing Rain) take his Back, yet not suddenly, but by degrees, and with divers heavings, and half-raisings, which if he en∣dure patiently, then settle your self; but if he shrink or dislike, then forbear to mount, and chase him about again, and then offer to mount, and do thus till he be willing to receive you. Then when you are set∣led, and have received your Stirrops and Cherisht him, put your Toes forward, and he that stays his Head, ler him lead him forward half a dozen Paces, then Cherish him; then lead him a little further and Che∣rish him, and shake and move your self in the Saddle, then let him stay his Head, and remove his Hand a little from the Cavezan, and as you thrust forwards your Toes, let him move him forward with his Rein, till you have made the Horse apprehend your own Motion of Body and Foot, (which must go equally together, and with spirit also) so that he will go forward without the other Assistance, and stay upon the restraint of your own hand, then Cherish him, and give him Grass and Bread to eat, alight from his Back, then mount and unmount twice or thrice together, ever mixing them with Cherishings. Thus Exercise him till you have made him perfect in going forward, and standing still at your pleasure.

Helps at first Backing.

When this is effected, you may lay by the long Rein, and the Band a∣bout

the Neck, and only use the Trenches and Cavezan, and the Mar∣tingal, and let a Groom lead the way before you on another Horse, and go only streight forward, and stand still when you please, which will soon be effected, by Trotting him after another Horse, and bring him home sometimes after the Horse, and sometimes equally with him, and some∣times before, so that he may six upon no certainty, but your own plea∣sure; And be sure to have regard to the well-carriage of his Neck and Head, and as the Martingal slackneth so to streighten it.

What Lessons for what Horse.

When this Work is finished, then Teach your Horse these Lessons: As if he be for Hunting, Running, Travel, Hackney, or the like, then the chiefest things you are to apply your self to, are to preserve a good Mouth, to Trot freely and comly, to Amble surely and easily, to Gallop strongly and swiftly, to Obey the Hand in stopping gently, and Retiring willingly, and to turn on the other Hand readily and nimbly. But if you intend him for the great Saddle, or the use of the Wars, then al∣though the Lessons be the same, yet they are to be done in a more pun∣ctual manner. So that if any Horse can be brought to the best, the ea∣sier must needs follow with little industry. And it is a Rule in Horse∣man-ship, That no Lesson which belong to the Wars can be hur••ful, or do in∣jury to any Horse whatsoever, that is kept for any other purpose. Whence it cometh, that any Horse for the Wars may be trained for a Runner, or Hunter, at pleasure; but every Runner, or Hunter, will not serve the Wars; and every Horse-man that can make a Horse for the Wars, may be a Jocky when he pleases; but no Jocky (that I know) can make a Horse for the Wars. Therefore I will run a middle way, and sute my Lessons to both purposes.

Helps and Corrections.

Before you Teach your Horse any Lessons, you must know there are seven Helps to advantage him in his Lessons, to punish him for faults gotten in his Lessons. And they be, The Voice, the Rod, the Bit or Snaffle, the Calves of the Legs, the Stirrop, Spur, and the Ground.

Voice.

The Voice is an help when it is sweet and accompanied with Cherish∣ings, and it is a Correction when it is rough or terrible, and accompanied with strokes or threatnings.

Rod.

The Rod is an help in the shaking, and a Correction in the striking.

Bit or Snaffle.

The Bit is an Help in its sweetness, the Snaffle in its smoothness, and they are Corrections, the one in its hardness, the other in its roughness, and both in slatness and squareness.

Calves of the Legs

Are Helps when you lay them to the Horses Sides gently, and Corre∣ctions when you strike them hard, because they give warning that the Spurs follow.

Stirrop and Stirrop-Leathers.

Are Corrections, when you strike it against the hinder part of the Shoulder, and they are Helps when you thrust them forward in a quick Motion.

Spur.

Is a Help when it is gently delivered in any Motion that asks quick∣ness and agility, whether on the Ground, or above the Ground, and a Correction when it is stricken hard in the sides, upon any sloth, or any fault committed

The Ground.

The Ground is an Help when it is plain and smooth, and not painful to tread upon; and it is a Correction when it is rough, deep and uneven, for the Amendment of any Vice conceived.

Of large Rings,

When your Horse will receive you to and from his Back gently, Trot forward willingly, and stand still obediently. Then intending him for the Wars, or other purpose, (for these Lessons serve all occasions,) you shall in some gravelly or sandy place, where his Footsteps may be discern∣ed, labour him within the large Ring, that is, at least fifty Paces in Com∣pass; And having Trod it about three or four times on the right hand, rest and cherish; then change the Hand again, and do as much on the left Hand, then rest and cherish; and change the Hand again, and do as much on the right Hand, ever observing upon every stop to make him re∣tire and go back a step or two.

Thus labour him, till he will Trot his Ring on which Hand you please, changing within the Ring in the manner of a Roman S, and to do it rea∣dily and willingly; Then teach him to Gallop them as he did Trot them, and that also with true Footing, lofty Carriage and brave Rein, ever ob∣serving when he Gallops to the right Hand, to lead with his left fore∣foot, and when he Gallops to the left Hand, to lead with the right fore∣foot.

Object. Now here is to be cleared a Paradox held by many of our

Horsemen, which is, That the Exercise of the Ring is not good for Running Horses, because it raiseth up his fore-feet, and make him Gallop painfully, and so an hindrance unto speed.

Answ. But if they consider that this habit, (if it be taken) is soon broken, either by the Horse-mans hand or discretion, who hath Power to make him move as he pleaseth; Or if they will truly look into the benefit of the thing it self, they shall finde it is the only means to bring an Horse to the true use of his Feet, and the nimble carriage of them in all advantages. For every Runner of Horses will allow, that for an Horse (in his course) to lead with his right foot, is most proper, and when at any time he breaks or alters it, it must be disadvantage, because, (not well acquainted to lead with the other,) he cannot handle it so nimbly. Now at his first Backing, by the use of his Ring and Change of Hands, he will become so expert and cunning with both, that whatsoever mis∣chance shall alter his stroke, yet shall his speed and nimbleness keep one and the same goodness.

Of Stopping.

When you come to the place of Stop, or would stop, by a sudden drawing in of your Bridle-hand, somewhat hard and sharp, make him stop close, firm and streight, in an even Line; and if he err in any thing, put him to it again, and leave not till you have made him understand his error, and amend it.

Advancing.

Now if you do Accompany this stop with an Advancement a little from the Ground, it will be more gallant, and may be done by laying the Calves of your Legs to his Sides, and shaking your Rod over him as he stops.

If it chance at first he understand you not, yet by continuance and la∣bouring him herein, he will soon attain unto it, especially, if you forget not to cherish him, when he gives the least shew to apprehend you.

Retiring.

After Stopping and Advancing, make him Retire, as before shewed. And this Motion of Retiring, you must both Cherish and Encrease, ma∣king it so familiar with him, that no Lesson may be more perfect; neither must he retire in a confused manner, but with a brave Rein, a constant Head, and a direct Line; neither must he draw or sweep his Legs one after another, but take them clean, nimbly and loftily, as when he Trot∣ted forward.

Of Bitting.

When your Horse is come to Perfection in these Lessons, and hath his Head firmly setled, his Reins constant, and his Mouth sweetned; You may then (if you intend him for the Wars) take away his Trench and Martingal, and only use the Cavezan of four or three Pieces, that is, a Joynt or no Joynt in the midst, and to that Joynt a strong Ring, and a Joynt of each side, with Rings before the Joynts, to which you shall put several Reins to use, either at the Post or otherwise. Into his Mouth you shall put a smooth sweet Canon bit, with a French Cheek suitable to the Proportion of the Horses Neck; knowing that the long Cheek raises up the Head, and the short pulls it down. And with these you shall Ex∣ercise the Horse in all the Lessons before taught, till he be perfect in them, without disorder or amazement.

Of streight Turns and Turnings.

When he is setled upon his Bit, then you are to teach him to turn roundly and readily in the streighter Rings; and of these there are divers kinds, and divers methods to teach them. But I shall Fix upon two man∣ner of streight Turns, as the Perfection from whence all Turnings are de∣rived.

The one is when a Horse keepeth his hinder Parts inward and close to the Post or Center, and so cometh about and maketh his Circumfe∣rence with his hinder Parts, opposing face to face with his Enemy.

The first streight Turn.

You shall to the Ring in the mid-part of the Cavezan, Fix a long Rein of two Fathom or more, and to the other Rings two other shorter Reins; then having Saddled the Horse, and put on his Bit, bring him to the Post, and put the Reins of the Bit over the fore-part of the Saddle, Bolsters and all, and Fix them at a constant streightness on the top of the Pomel, so that the Horse may have a feeling both of the Bit and Curb. Then if you will have him turn to the right hand, take the short Rein on the left side of the Cavezan, and bringing it under the fore-Bolster of the Saddle up to the Pomel, and there Fix it at such a streightness, that the Horse may rather look from, then to the Post on the right side. Then let some Groom or skilful Attendant hold the right-side Rein of the Cavezan at the Post, governing the fore-parts of his Body to come about at large: Then your self taking the long Rein into your hand, and keeping his hinder parts inward, with your Rod on his outward Shoulder, and some∣times on his outward Thigh, make him move about the Post, keeping his inward parts as a Center, and making his fore-parts move in a larger

Circumference. Thus you shall Exercise him a pretty space on one hand, till he grow to some Perfectness; then Changing the Reins of the Ca∣vezan, make him do the like to the other hand. And thus apply him divers Mornings, and cherishing him in his Exercise according to his de∣servings, till you have brought him to that readiness, that he will upon the moving of your Rod couch his hinder Parts in towards the Post, and lapping the outward fore-leg over the inward, Trot about the Post swift∣ly, distinctly, and in as strait a Compass as you can desire, or is conve∣nient for the motion of the Horse; And from Trotting you may bring him to Flying and Wheeling about, with that swiftness, that both the fore-legs rising and moving together, the hinder Parts may follow in one and the same instant. When you have made him thus perfect in your hand, you shall then Mount his Back; and making some skilful Groom govern the long Rein, and another the short, by the Motion of your Hand upon the Bit, and soft Rein of the Cavezan, keeping the Horses Head from the Post, and by the help of the Calve of your Leg laid on his Side, and your Rod turned toward his outward Thigh, to keep his hinder parts in∣to the Post, labour and exercise him till you have brought him to that Perfection which you desire. Then take away the long Rein, and only exercise him with the help of the short Rein of the Cavezan, and no other. After take both the Reins of the Cavezan into your hands, and exercise him from the Post; making him as ready in any place where you please to Ride him, as he was at the Post.

The other streight Turn.

Now for the other streight Flying Turn, which is to keep his Face fixt on the Post as on his Enemy, and to move about only with his hinder parts, you shall take the same helps of the long Rein, and the short Reins of the Cavezan, and govern them, as before shewed, only you shall not give the short Rein to the Post-ward, so much liberty as before, but keep his Head closer to the Post, and following his hinder parts with the long Rein, by the help of your Rod make him bring his hinder parts round a∣bout the Post; and observe, that as before he did Iap one foot over an∣other, so now he must lap the hinder Legs one over another. In this Exercise, exercise him as the former, then (after a perfectness) mount his Back, and labour him, as before shewed. Then lastly, leaving the Post and all other helps, only apply him in such open and free places as you shall think couvenient, for upon the finishing of this Work your Horse is made compleat, and can perform all things that can be required, either for the Service in the Wars, for the High-way, or any other Galloping Plea∣sure.

How to Help an ill Rein, and Cure a Run-away Jade.

Many Horses are so evil -beholding to Nature, for giving them short Necks, and worse set-on Heads, and so little beholding to Art to amend them, which causes many a good Horse to be left Cureless of those two gross insufferable faults, which are either a deformed carriage of the Head, like a Pig on a Broach, or else a furious Running away, got by a spoiled Mouth, or an evil habit.

The Help.

If it be a young Horse at his first Riding, then to his Trench; if an old, then to his Snaffle, (for I speak not of the Bit) but a pair of Reins, half as long again as any ordinary Reins, and Loops to fasten and un∣fasten at the Eye of the Snaffle, as other Reins have. Now when you see that the Horse will not yield to your Hand, but the more you draw the more he thrusts out his Nose, or the more violently he runs away; then undo the Buttons of the Reins from the Eye of the Snaffle, and draw them through the Eyes, and bring them to the Buckles of the formost Girt, and there button them fast: then Riding the Horse in that man∣ner, labour him with the gentle Motions of your Hand, coming and go∣ing by degrees, and sometimes accompanied with your Spur, to gather up his Body, and to feel your Command, and in a short time he will bring his Head where you will place it. And for Running away, if you draw one Rein, you turn him about in despite of all Fury; and if you draw both, you break his Chaps, or bring them to his Bosom. In the end, find∣ing himself not able to Resist, he will be willing to obey.

Another Help for unc••nstant Carriage.

There is another soul Error in many Horses, which these Reins also Cure, as this, When your Horse is either so wythie cragg'd (as the Nor∣thern Man calls it) or so loose and unsteady Necked, that which way so∣ever you draw your Hand, his Head and Neck will follow it, sometimes beating against your Knees, sometimes dashing against your Bosom, and indeed, generally so loose and uncertain, that a man knows not when he hath steady hold of him; A Vice wonderful incident to Running Horses, especially the furious ones. In this Case you shall take these long Reins, and as before you drew them to the Buckles of the Girts, so now Mar∣tingal-wise draw from the Eyes of the Snaffle, betwixt his fore-Legs to the Girts, and there fasten them. Thus Ride him with a constant Hand, firm and somewhat hard, Correcting him both with the Spurs and Rod,

and somtimes with hard Twitches in his Mouth when he errs; and with a few weeks labour, his Head will come to a constant carriage, provided, that you labour him as well upon his Gallop as his Trot, and leave him not till you finde him fully reclaimed.